Gisborne Gazette December 2024 by Gisborne Gazette

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From the Editor's desk

If you like community events, December is your month with the Gisborne Festival on Friday the 13th and a range of community carols happening throughout the month. They are all free opportunities to catch up with friends, neighbours and acquaintances, and I encourage you to make the most of them.

2024 has been another busy year at the Gazette, full of community news, celebrations and features. Thank you for your contributions, your scoops, your nice feedback and your interest in learning about many different parts of our community. As our world becomes more and more digital, I continue to believe that print newspapers have a unique ability to build connected and respectful communities.

The ‘silly season’ is upon us, and I wish everyone good times with people they value and not too much mania. And a true break afterwards or in between.

Many club reports in this edition talk about doing just that Christmas or end-of-year gatherings followed by a break before 2025 activities commence. The Gazette committee is following suit, with a Christmas lunch followed by a quiet month as there is no January edition.

I will be hanging up my Gazette editor hat as I will be moving to Adelaide in the new year. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to bring our community’s news to you and to work alongside so many wonderful volunteers on this beloved community newspaper. Producing the paper during COVID is something I will never forget.

I have been continually amazed by the variety and initiative of clubs in the South Ward and the talents, achievements and caring nature of local residents. Learning and writing about your stories has been very special.

Huge thanks to production editor Pip Butler who taught me lots about newspapers and was a great comrade in arms.

I am delighted to announce that Katrina Buttigieg will be the next editor of the Gisborne Gazette. With her passion for the local area and for writing, and her experience as a Gazette contributor and committee member, I am sure Katrina will make a fine editor and bring exciting new things to the table. All the best and happy reading,

Corinne Shaddock

Gisborne Gazette PO Box 9, Gisborne 3437 www.gisbornegazette.org.au

MEMBER 2024

Circulation 8000

Gazette Team

Editor: Corinne Shaddock gisbornegazetteeditor@gmail.com 0409 422 492

Production Pip Butler 0439 816 278 pbutlerhistory@gmail.com

Photographer Chris Fleming 0417 322 944

Distribution Manager Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 maxineandpeter@bigpond.com

Advertising Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 gisbornegazetteadvertising@gmail.com

Social media Jenny Shipp

Distributors: Proudly distributed to letterboxes in Gisborne, New Gisborne, Macedon, Mt Macedon, South Gisborne and Bullengarook by more than 90 volunteers.

Where you can find the Gazette

Available online at www.gisbornegazette.org.au

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in the Gazette are not necessarily those of the Gazette or its management committee unless acknowledged as such. No endorsement of products or services is implied by the listing of advertisers or sponsors. Any advice offered is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace or substitute for any professional advice. While every effort is taken in printing contributions accurately, the Gisborne Gazette takes no responsibility for errors.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Copies of the Gazette are posted to subscribers each month for an annual subscription of $33 to cover postage. Payment can made through direct deposit online. Please contact Maxine on 0438 711 138.

OBITUARIES

To submit an obituary for publication, please email bryanp2@bigpond.com. Please also provide a photo for publication and restrict the article to about 300 words.

If you do not receive the Gazette in your letter box, you can collect a copy at:

Gisborne: Post Office, Village Shopping Centre, Priceline Chemist, Hardy's UFS Pharmacy, Gisborne Medical Centre in Brantome Street, Coles and Foodworks supermarkets Mt Macedon: The Trading Post

Macedon: Post Office, United Service Station on Black Forest Drive

New Gisborne: Baringo Food & Wine, Station Road; Smithy's Cafe, 3 Ladd Road

Riddells Creek: Newsagency Woodend: Coles supermarket

The Gisborne Gazette acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community, and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.

MINUTE WITH MAXINE

To celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, my husband and I went back to Tasmania, where we had our honeymoon, for two weeks.

We had a deluxe cabin at the front of the Spirit of Tasmania and thankfully there was no physical seasickness by either of us even though there were fivemetre swells on the overnight trip across Bass Strait – we will not be entering the Sydney to Hobart after that experience! Arriving at 5.30am into Devonport, we then drove to Hobart for a few days before moving on to other parts of the state.

While in Hobart we drove up Mt Wellington. It is the first time we have been to the top; the previous attempt we only got to the first lookout area.

Peter’s comment of “the things you do for love” was heard as he could not look down over the edge of the lookout, so he sat on a rock reading the latest Gazette I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Gazette committee, to wish Corinne all the very best for the future as she ventures on another exciting part of her life, and thank her for everything she has done for the Gazette Maxine Barker

www.gisborneoldetimemarket.org.au or find us on Facebook

Katrina Buttigieg

Peter Barker catches up on Gisborne news (and avoids vertigo) on Mt Wellington.

New Gisborne and Holy Cross Primary School students represent their schools at the Gisborne war memorial on Remembrance Day.

Gisborne artists make Premier's Award short list with futuristic digital design

Gisborne artists Joanne Mott and John Power were finalists in the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Design awards last month.

Their entry, Eleventh Planet, made the short list in the in the Digital Design category.

Eleventh Planet is an interactive hybrid augmented reality sculpture permanently installed at the entrance to the new Eleven Eastern office tower at 11/23 Eastern Road, South Melbourne.

The award’s citation explains: “The work incorporates a three-metre mirror-finished steel sphere as a fountain set within a mosaic water feature and surrounding mosaic water pool.

"The walls of the pool are crafted as tracking features for the immersive augmented reality experience that can be engaged through personal smart devices.

This experience imaginatively unfolds the material origins of our planet Earth, exploring deep time in the material life cycles of the solar system, and how the built environment of the sculpture itself embeds that cosmic material inheritance.”

Congratulations to Joanne and John.

South Ward councillors

Christine Walker, Dominic Bonanno and Alison Joseph were elected councillors of the South Ward of the Macedon Ranges Shire for a four-year term in the recent postal election. Dominic and Christine have been serving as councillors. This will be Alison’s first time in the role.

Jarryd Vernon makes history

Gisborne Cricket Club witnessed an extraordinary individual achievement on 16 November during the first XI game. In an incredible performance, captain Jarryd Vernon delivered all nine wickets for the team with figures of 9/84 from his 28 overs. In doing so, Jarryd shattered the club’s oldest standing record, held for 104 years by the Rev Joseph Horace Raverty, who achieved bowling figures of 8/30 in the 1919-20 season.

The opposition, Sunbury United, finished their innings at 9/278 after 80 overs, but Jarryd’s effort was, understandably, the real highlight of the day.

Win a cubby house in time for Christmas

The generous men from the Gisborne Men’s Shed have completed work on this year’s cubby house which is being raffled off in the leadup to Christmas, with all proceeds going to the Gisborne Foodbank.

The cubby will be heading out ‘on tour’ around Gisborne this month so that you can check it out in person. Keep your eyes on Foodbank's socials for information on tour dates and locations. In the meantime, you can buy tickets at a-cubby-house-for-christmas-2024.raiselysite. com. The winner will be drawn at 11am on Monday 16 December at the Gisborne Men’s Shed in Lyell Street.

With Christmas just around the corner, the Foodbank will again be distributing Christmas hampers to those in need. We are now accepting donations for our hampers which will be packed on Monday 9 December.

We would welcome donations of food, especially Christmas fare. To donate items to the Foodbank, you can deliver them in person or leave them at one of the several drop points around Gisborne-Macedon (details on our website).

We will be closing for three weeks over the holiday period so that our volunteers can have a break with their families. Our last day for 2024 will be Friday 20 December and we will reopen on Wednesday 15 January. Thank you to everyone for continuing to support the Gisborne Foodbank. Have a wonderful Christmas and new year.

One of the possible multitude of augmented reality views that can be accessed through a smart phone at the sculpture in South Melbourne.

Joanne Mott and John Power after receiving their finalist's certificates last month.

Cr Christine Walker (right), Cr Dominic Bonanno and Cr Alison Joseph after the elections.

Joanne McFadyen

WHAT'S

Gisborne Festival promises family fun

The major attractions at this year’s festival on Friday 13 December include the Bendigo Chinese Lions, a stilt walker, and a Monster Dragon and Monster Truck.

There will also be a range of free activities for children including face painting, hair braiding and sparkles, henna tattoos, hands-on reptiles, miniature trains and a jumping castle.

The street parade down Aitken Street will begin at 6pm and always includes a range of community groups.

AROUND TOWN

 Christmas colour: The GREAT Association (Gisborne Region Events Activities & Tourism) put bright new Christmas banners on the flagpoles in Aitken Street on 14 November, adding some welcome seasonal colour to central Gisborne. The association will also be providing a cash prize for the best decorated Christmas window in town.

Live music by local group GSM and musician David Allen, carnival rides and a range of food and market stalls will be on Gardiner Reserve from 4.30pm, and a magnificent fireworks display will end the night at 9.15pm.

The Gisborne and District Lions Club, which coordinates the Gisborne Festival, is looking forward to a great turnout to this annual free event.

Fire Danger Period

 Winners are grinners: Trainer Sheila Laxon shares a happy moment at Macedon Lodge with Knight’s Choice after their big Melbourne Cup win last month.

Now training on the Sunshine Coast with partner John Symons, Sheila became the first female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup when Ethereal scored in 2001.

John Symons was the resident trainer when Macedon Lodge was set up in the late 1990s and Sheila used the training facilities to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double this year. Macedon Lodge is currently up for sale with plans in place for further expansion.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENTS

For lovers of Christmas carols, there are many opportunities to join the chorus or just sit back and enjoy the music and seasonal spirit this month.

St Brigid’s Parish Carols in

the Hall

Sunday, 1 December at 5.30pm. Fisher Street, Gisborne, entrance to carpark

Open mic: Bring your instrument and play!

Musicians, poets and singers are welcome to participate. Contact Kevin or Gerard on 5426 1354 to book a spot.

Macedon and Mount Macedon Carols by Candlelight

Wednesday 11 December at 6pm Tony Clarke Reserve, Macedon.

Live music starts at 5.30pm and the carols program from 6pm.

Local primary school and other performers, Santa visit, sausage sizzle, coffee, ice cream van. Master of Ceremonies Shane Jacobson.

This is the 20th anniversary of this celebratory event. If the weather is poor, the event will switch to the Macedon Macedon Community Centre, Tony Clarke Reserve.

Gisborne Community Carols

Sunday 8 December at 6.30pm Dixon Field, Gisborne.

Pre entertainment by TAKT and Burnt Honey will begin at 6pm.

There will be a canteen selling an extensive list of food, a sausage sizzle and ice cream van, and candles

CFA

Santa Run

This Christmas Eve, the Gisborne Fire Brigade is delighted to continue its beloved tradition of escorting Santa Claus around the town.

While we regret that Santa will not be able to visit every street, residents can also catch him at designated meeting points.

To stay up to date on Santa’s whereabouts throughout the day, follow the Gisborne Fire Brigade Facebook page for live updates.

We look forward to spreading holiday cheer and seeing you around town!

Carols

by Candlelight

presented by the Voice of Joy and Gladness

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December, 6pm-9pm

John Aitken Reserve, Gisborne.

Saturday includes a treasure hunt and nativity play and Sunday will have a variety of food trucks and free petting zoo. Both nights include a string quartet, live music and carol singing. A celebration of the birth of Jesus through song and drama.

and glow sticks for sale. Come along and listen to the choirs from the local primary schools and Young Voices of Macedon, and join the Carols by Candlelight Choir in singing carols. Come and see who will be awarded the Local Hero award for services to our community over many years.

We look forward to seeing you there. Special thanks to committee members Tracey Calnan and Sue Stevens for all their hard work.

Bronwyn Tacey, Carols by Candlelight Committee

Tales of old Gisborne

The streets of Gisborne in the 1950s with Eddie Gardiner

For years after the war the only sealed road was the highway that ran through the town. All other streets were gravel or just wheel tracks with a grass verge. The gravel was white and orange coloured; it was called bush gravel and it came out of a gravel pit in Hobbs Road, Bullengarook. The first tarred street in Gisborne was Aitken Street, almost up to Howey Street. The next, Hamilton Street, as far as Goode Street, was also tarred. Roads to Bullengarook, New Gisborne, Melton and Riddell were all gravel. Gradually, one by one, they were all sealed.

Streetlights were another major change. Originally, they were single-globed lights, sparse through the town and not on every corner. They were unprotected and made great target practice for some of the local boys with their shanghais. Nights could be very dark. How different everything is now in less than a lifetime!

The gutters were mostly large open drains made of cobble stones and constantly needing maintenance. The stones were large bluestone blocks – one on each wall of the gutter and a flat stone in between them. There were a couple of deep drains, called the viaduct, that ran down the east side of Aitken Street towards the creek. The oval sometimes flooded but the town never flooded in our time.

The old fountain was not there in our days. It was a relic of the past that disappeared in the 1920s. In those days, the kids used to get into tyres and roll themselves down Aitken Street. Barney Morrison came down the hill in a tyre spinning round and round and he hit the side of the fountain. Alec and Peter used to roll me around the back yard in a tyre.

Something that has not changed too much are the trees in the valley and we owe much to the old pioneers. Of course, we lost some of the trees as time has taken its toll. The Garden Reserve (now the Sankey Reserve Oval) was once a true garden area with trees and shrubs. It was a relic of the early days and must have been quite beautiful in its time. It was the entrance to and bordered the original Gisborne Golf Course.

Howey Reserve beside Hamilton Street was also fenced with its own developed garden with shrubs and

small trees – a testament to the pioneers and planters of times long ago. The row of oaks that lined the Aitken Street shopping strip is gone. They had seats around them and they were the meeting places for the farmers and old blokes in their second suits to gather. I remember how good it was to sit alongside old Charlie Murphy and talk. Me, a kid, and he, from a million years ago, and both enjoying it.

Sunday afternoons could be a bit slow – no pubs, no telly, no sport, nowhere to go. People would just wander down to the seats, sit and talk and watch the traffic go by.

Who maintained the streets? There were only about half a dozen council staff with limited equipment. For years a barrow, shovel and broom kept the gutters clean. And a small grader pulled by an even smaller tractor repaired the roads.

Grass was a problem. There was virtually no mowing done. Much of it was burnt off – not in the town but along the highway and roads like Willowbank were burnt before the summer. I remember as a little kid watching awestruck as a man with a scythe cut waist-high grass in front of the old sale yards, now the Aldi supermarket. Just a swish and the grass lay down.

All the houses had front fences to keep wandering stock out. Cattle grazing around the town was tolerated because it helped to keep the grass down.

The Gisborne Water Trust provided water to the town. It came from a reservoir at Baringo and flowed to another reservoir in New Gisborne about where Warrina Aged Care is now located. There were places in the town where stand pipes and fire hoses could be attached to the water supply.

Another interesting part of the streetscape back then was ‘The Swamp’. The land now occupied by the Foodworks car park and the shops facing Hamilton Street was a swamp complete with reeds, water birds, mosquitoes and frogs.

The Gisborne Festival is approaching its 50th anniversary and the original committee members are seeking memories and photos of the early festivals. If any readers can help, please call Bob Benzie on 0407 568 325.

Aitken Street looking north. The tarred road started just below Howey Street.

Aitken Street service road looking south, showing seats around the trees.

A different duty for Bullengarook CFA

Lights, Camera, Action! Well, they did not quite say that, but it was a real film set, and Bullengarook CFA members were right in the thick of it.

In early October, Bullengarook was home to a Netflix film crew for an action sci-fi movie, War Machine The CFA was part of the production's safety plan as there were a number of pyrotechnic events planned hardly surprising with that title.

Over four days, crews of four volunteers experienced the alternative reality that is a movie set. There was a lot of being very quiet while the same sequence was filmed many times. The scenes that we were involved in required only about 16 actors, but there were hundreds of people on set to support the magic that we see on the screen.

In the end, only one crew saw any pyrotechnics, and we were not allowed to take any photos of it. But

I think half of Bullengarook heard them! We all learnt a lot about movie-making, and they had some very cool equipment for moving cameras, supporting the accuracy of scenes, simulation action etc.

A lot of it is special effects created on a computer, but they have to set up the base for that in real life.

All in all, though, I think we were all happy to get back to our day jobs, and leave the movies to others.

The production also filmed scenes at Laverton RAAF base and in the high country around Bright and Myrteford. Reacher star Alan Ritchson plays the lead role, and the cast includes Dennis Quaid and Jai Courtney. The film's blurb says "War Machine follows the final 24 hours of the world’s toughest selection program, as a team of Army Rangers encounter a threat beyond their imagination."

Rebecca Hunter, firefighter

Welcome to summer! A timely reminder that fire restrictions in the Macedon Ranges came into place on 25 November. Only two millimetres of rain fell in Macedon in the four-week period to 16 November.

Congratulations to Christine Denyer, Scott McCann, Cath Laird and Mal Davies on completing the New York Marathon in November.

Well done to local gardener Bron Morris who recently competed in the World Triathlon Championships and Australian Masters Games. Bron came sixth in the long distance triathlon and tenth in the duathlon in her age group.

It has been a sad month with the passing of some locals. Alvin Greer, much-loved resident of Macedon for 51 years, passed away suddenly on 21 October. Many will remember Marg Pizaro, an avid gardener and active in the horticultural society. Marg moved from town 10 years ago but kept in touch with the local community; she passed away on 26 October. Many locals farewelled Ian Downing at a service in early November. Ian, who was well known for his woodturning, passed away peacefully on 30 October. Steve Kirby, a Macedon resident of 47 years, passed away on 10 November after a short illness. Our thoughts are with their families at this time.

Huge congratulations to Mel (from Mr Cafe) and Daniel on the birth of Luca who arrived safely on 5 November.

Our local Carols by Candlelight kicks off at 5.30pm at Tony Clarke Reserve on Wednesday 11 December, with a guest appearance by Santa in the evening. Santa will also be at the front of the Post Office at 11.30am on Monday 16 December. It would be great to see a big crowd here to greet him.

Get your letters into the special Santa Mailbox which will be inside the Post Office from 25 November.

We wish everyone a happy and safe festive season and look forward to more of ‘Macedon Mail’ next year.

Anne and the Team at Macedon Post Office

Bullengarook CFA members on duty during filming.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Mt Macedon CFA holds open day

Busy time at Rotary Gisborne leading up to Christmas

Rotary

GISBORNE

So much has been happening at Gisborne Rotary in the past few weeks and much more is coming up in the leadup to Christmas, including a visit to Gisborne Oaks to take gifts to residents who do not have family to visit them over the holidays.

Recently our members have been socialising at a dinner and movie night and a celebration on Melbourne Cup Day.

500 lunches

We also combined with Woodend and Kyneton Rotary Clubs to provide 500 lunches at the recent Youth Wellbeing Forum run by the council for Year 8 students across the Macedon Ranges.

Joint meeting

On 11 November we joined Kyneton Rotary at a meeting to hear special guest speaker Ken Maxfield, a past president of our club. Ken told us about the history and progress of Camp Getaway in Axedale. This is a multi-purpose camp supported by Rotary and specially designed to provide a camp with total access for children and adults with disability.

It is used almost every weekend and many weekdays each year.

Sausage sizzle at festival

Coming up we have our sausage sizzle trailer at the Gisborne Festival on 13 December.

The trailer has been out on different occasions throughout this year to raise money for our many community projects.

If you see us out and about, please come and have a chat about what we do. In the meantime, a very merry Christmas from all our members.

Lyn Robinson

GISBORNE CFA

New equipment and good old advice

Gisborne Fire Brigade recently acquired new equipment for our specialty LPG unit. This upgrade was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Gisborne Rotary Club. We appreciate the club’s support and acknowledge their contribution to the community and our emergency services.

As temperatures rise, we urge everyone to exercise caution and adhere to fire restrictions and observe total fire ban days. Please take a moment to check local fire danger ratings and restrictions.

If you require any fire information, please visit the CFA website www.cfa. vic.gov.au.

You can also visit the fire station or the Gisborne Library where you can find community safety information about what you can and cannot do during fire restrictions. From the Gisborne Fire Brigade, have a merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year. Ian Ward

Gisborne CFA and Rotary members with the new equipment. From left: Berris Saultry, Tim Reid, Di Dale, Ed Shoebridge, Sam Strang, Barry Wills, George Szatkowski.

New office makes helping community easier for GREAT volunteers

Gisborne residents fondly remember the old GREAT office (which was shared with the Gazette), just across from the supermarket in Hamilton Street. So where is the GREAT office now? Fortunately, the council came to the rescue, and we were able to lease office space in the Gisborne Community Centre.

Entry is through the front door to Windarring at the Gisborne Mechanics Institute in Hamilton Street, just down from the library. We also have the defibrillator that GREAT funded in the foyer.

The new office is definitely ‘cosy’ compared to the previous one, but it works well and it is about 15% of the cost of the old office. This is important as our costs increased with the introduction of commercial traffic management at the Sunday markets.

All administration of the market and the GREAT Association is carried out from this office. On market days it is very convenient to have the office so close.

To visit us at the office, please email us at greatgisborne@gmail.com as we are usually there on Monday and Thursday mornings but do not have set hours. We would love to hear from you and are always

New members welcomed at Lions

The Gisborne and District Lions Club recently welcomed Margaret Domsic and Kay Malinowski as new members.

Special guest at the event, Lions

district governor Des Jones said it is obvious that the club is engaging effectively with the community and building great partnerships and the broad

range of activities undertaken by the club and the significant level of funds provided to those in need were impressive.

looking for new volunteers.

We will not be running a market in January.

Rick Arden, vice-president Gisborne Region Events Activities & Tourism

St Paul’s Op Shop jottings

It is officially Christmas season, with reminders everywhere you shop. At St Paul’s Op Shop we have a good supply of Christmas needs including cards, presents, decorations, tableware, T-shirts, jumpers and books at a fraction of the retail cost and shelves are restocked daily until sold out. Come and see us, on the corner of Fisher and Brantome Streets, Gisborne. Our last day of trading for the year is Saturday 21 December and we will reopen in late January. Over this time our volunteers will take a well-deserved break.

President Russell Walker

Margaret Domsic and Kay Malinowski.

We are always seeking more volunteers so if you are interested in giving back to the community, we have a few options available with hours varying from three hours per month to half a day per week. Pop into the shop, send a message through Facebook or call 5420 7904 or 0422 440 348 to have a no-obligation chat.

Wishing all our volunteers, customers and the community a safe and happy Christmas.

If you would like to follow us on Facebook, just search St Paul’s Op Shop, like and follow our page and you will get all the info you need to get the scoop on what is happening in the shop.

Janine Sanders, coordinator

Entry to the new office.

Volunteers at work in the GREAT new office.

(left), district governor Des Jones and new Lions members

MACEDON & MOUNT MACEDON COMMUNITY HOUSE

Lifeline SafeTalk Workshop – Monday, 9 December 9:30am

Goldfields Libraries Storytime with Kaz –Monday 2 and Wednesday 4 December 11am. With playgroups. All welcome.

Regular programs

Canasta Club – Wednesdays 2-5pm

New players welcome to drop in, gold coin for tea and coffee.

Permaculture Group – Permies at the House

See Permies@theHouse on Facebook for activities. Playgroup – Mondays 10am-12pm and Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am

New families are welcome to join our free playgroups. Email playgroup@mmmcommunityhouse.org for details.

Over 55s Yoga – Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm

For more information and to discuss pre-requisites, contact Loris at loriscassar@gmail.com.

Craft Circle – Thursdays 10am-12pm

Bring your own sewing, knitting or craft project and meet creative, like-minded locals.

Library Drop-in and Co-working Space – Fridays 10am-12pm

Sponsorship Drive

The committee works hard to generate funds to maintain the community house and deliver programs and projects and is now calling out to local businesses and philanthropies to participate in our Sponsorship Drive. Please email hello@ mmmcommunityhouse.org to request our sponsorship booklet.

More information including house hire: www. mmmcommunityhouse.org

Special community-led space opens

Four years in the making, a Community-led Safe Space at Woodend Neighbourhood House was officially opened on 20 November.

An initiative of Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group, it is a warm, non-clinical drop-in centre for individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

The Facebook page of Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group said, “This space is for YOU, our community. It’s a place to feel heard, supported, and understood. There’s no need for referrals or appointments — just walk in for a safe chat with one of our compassionate, qualified peer supporters, or simply

take time for yourself in a calm, safe and welcoming environment.”

The space is open every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 8.30pm and every second Saturday starting 30 November from 1pm to 4pm. Woodend Neighbourhood House is at 47 Forest Street, Woodend. For all enquiries, please email safespace@mrspag.com.au

If you or someone you know needs support, phone: Lifeline – 24/7 crisis support service 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114; Suicide call back service – 24/7 free professional phone or online counselling 1300 659 467; MensLine Australia – 24/7 family and relationship concerns 1300 789 978.

The Community-led Safe Space in Woodend is now open.

Final courses of year at MRFEC

As we approach this wonderful time of the year, we cannot help but reflect on the amazing year we have had at Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre.

We want to say a massive thank you to our tutors, volunteers, students and partner organisations for all the support they have given us in making MRFEC, MRFEC!

Term 4 is not over yet, as we still have a few courses and workshops to go. These include:

Xero Payroll – Thursdays 5 and 12 December, 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Floristry – Christmas Arrangement Workshop –Friday 6 December, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Barista Course at Romsey Neighbourhood House –Monday 9 December, 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Expressions of Interest for Term 1 2025 are open. Take a look at our updated Course Guide to see what we are planning contact the centre on enquiries@mrfec.net. au or on 5428 3799 to have a copy emailed to you or to register your interest. Enrolments open on Monday 21 January at 11am.

Our last day in the office for this year will be Thursday 19 December, closing at 4pm. We reopen on Monday 13 January. The staff will be on leave during this time, so please get any last-minute enquiries in before we close for the year.

We hope you all have a wonderful festive season and we wish all a very merry Christmas and happy new year to those who celebrate. We look forward to seeing you for Term 1 2025.

For further information on any of our courses or online enrolment, head to www.mrfec.net.au

Bridget Wade

Gisborne Library

Christmas hours

24 December – 10am-3pm

25 and 26 December – closed

27 December – 10am-5pm

28 December – 9.30am-12.30pm

30 and 31 December – 10am-5pm

New Year’s Day – closed

Regular hours from 2 January.

Scholarships available to support study

If study is in your plan for next year, check out our scholarships. Community Bank Gisborne & District Early Tertiary Scholarships support local youth starting a bachelor’s degree or TAFE study. University starters need to have completed VCE in 2024 or 2023 (taken a gap year). TAFE starters need to have completed a minimum of Year 10 in 2024 and left secondary school. For details about early tertiary scholarships and online applications, go to communitybankgisborne. smartygrants.com.au. Applications for these scholarships close 17 January 2025

We will also offer a scholarship to one resident of Gisborne and surrounds who is accepted into the 2025 Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program. This program is a part-time personal development course aimed at developing and connecting community leaders. For details and to apply, visit leadlm.org.au. Applications are open now.

We wish everyone a peaceful end to the year and thank the many community groups who have partnered with us in 2024 to make good things happen in Gisborne and surrounds.

Special thanks to our branch customers for banking with Bendigo Bank at Community Bank Gisborne & District, as that makes our community giving possible.

We look forward to another great year in 2025.

CHRISTMAS AT GISBORNE LIBRARY

Our final week of Storytime and Baby Rhyme Time for the year will be held during the week starting Monday, 9 December. Georgina is planning some outdoor fun on our back deck.

For the adults, we still have lots happening throughout December including an author talk with Christine Gregory with her book The Community on Tuesday, 3 December, 6pm, plus a watercolour resist art workshop at 2.30pm on Thursday, 5 December. Or design your own Christmas card using Canva on Thursday, 12 December, 2.30pm.

Keep an eye on our socials and in-branch for details of our summer school holiday activities, including our Big Summer Read program! @macedonrangeslibraries and ncgrl.vic.gov.au

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our community for their support of our library service. We have had a fantastic year, and it is all thanks to our users. We hope everyone has a wonderful christmas and a safe, happy new year.

Sara Shaw

CHRISTMAS RECIPE

Traditional Christmas pudding

1 orange

1 lemon 500g mixed fruit

60g brandy 1 teaspoon mixed spice

200g mixed citrus peel

200g white fresh breadcrumbs

200g butter 200g brown sugar

200g plain flour 2 eggs

Method

Grate the zest from the orange and lemon. Mix zest and juice from the fruit with the mixed fruit, spice, liquor and citrus peel. Allow to stand overnight to mature.

Combine the fruit mixture with butter, breadcrumbs, sugar, flour and eggs. Place mixture into a greased 8-inch pudding basin, cover with grease-proof paper and steam for six hours. Allow to cool and store in fridge.

At Christmas time resteam for four hours.

Submitted by Barbara Lock

Rowan statue on short list for funds

Macedon Ranges residents are encouraged to help put up a statue of renowned local botanical artist and explorer Ellis Rowan (1848-1822) by voting in the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program by 8 December.

This program will fund six new public artworks to honour women‘s contributions to Victoria. Grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded to winning proposals for permanent art works.

Members of the public are being asked to vote for the projects they would like to see realised, to help the Minister for Women decide which projects will receive funding. For further information and to vote, go to engage. vic.gov.au/womens-public-art-program.

Ellis Rowan

The Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society and local residents have been planning and fundraising for the past 12 months for a life-size bronze sculpture of Ellis Rowan to be put up in Mount Macedon to ensure that she is remembered as an important part of Victorian and local Macedon Ranges history.

Rowan was an artist, explorer and naturalist an extraordinary woman of her time. She was internationally renowned and awarded, and a household name in Australia until her death in 1922.

She was based in Mt Macedon at the family homes; first Derriweit Heights then The Cottage (now Viewfield). The statue will be installed on the public grounds of the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society, set among beautiful plantings as a tribute to Ellis’ passion for botanical art.

The sculptor

Macedon Ranges-based sculptor Jennifer Mann, whose bronze statue of Zelda D’Aprano was unveiled last year in Melbourne as part of the first round of the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program, will create the

A model of the planned lifesize Ellis Rowan sculpture ... awaiting your vote.

A Baroque Christmas celebration

For many, one of the highlights of the Christmas season is the music (not so much the shopping mall variety, but the choral treasures sung by well-tuned choirs).

Folk of the Macedon Ranges are fortunate in having access to Baroque Christmas performed by the Australian Chamber Choir under the direction of Douglas Lawrence as a regular December event. This year it occurs on Saturday 7 December at 3pm at the Church of the Resurrection, Macedon.

work inspired by a photograph of Ellis taken in 1887. She has sculpted a maquette (model) which was officially launched by local member Mary-Anne Thomas in November.

For further information, contact Stephen Ryan on 0433 067 813.

The program takes in the Advent season with works including the iconic Ave Maria by Josquin des Prez and the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis by Thomas Tomkins. Christmas works include two settings of O magnum mysterium by Giovanni Gabrieli and Tomás de Victoria, Samuel Scheidt’s setting of the popular carol In dulci jubilo and settings of Hodie Christus natus est by Claudio Monteverdi and Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.

As in all Australian Chamber Choir concerts, there is variety, this time with the inclusion of a setting of the well-known Advent carol The Angel Gabriel by David Willcocks, formerly director of the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge. And local flavour occurs with three Australian carols by Michael Leighton Jones (formerly director of Trinity College Choir, Melbourne), Michael Easton and Henry Handel Richardson (the famous colonial female novelist who was also a gifted composer).

For bookings, go to www.auschoir.org

Enquiries: 0452 531 750

Sculptor Jennifer Mann with the maquette (model) of the sculpture.

Christmas bin collections

From 25-27 December, please put your bin out as usual and wait for it to be collected. In most cases, your bin will be collected a day later than usual. All bins will be collected by Saturday 28 December at the latest. If yours has not been, contact the council on 5422 0333.

Waste disposal tips for the holiday season

 Flatten cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling bin

 Scrunch foil into a small ball before putting it in your recycling bin (If foil is too small or light, it can get lost in the recycling process. Scrunching it into a ball helps the sorting machines pick it up, and also stops it getting caught in machinery.)

 Take lids off glass bottles and jars before putting them in your glass bin

 Take old Christmas decorations – including lights – to resource recovery facilities (tip) for resale or recycling

 Recycle excess cardboard, polystyrene, e-waste and textiles at your local resource recovery facility (tip) free

NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL

Soft plastic recycling

Soft plastic can be recycled in your home recycling bin in special orange collection bags. Collect free bags from a council customer service centre, Gisborne Aquatic Centre or council resource recovery facilities.

All soft and ‘scrunchable’ plastic can be recycled via the orange bag, and when your bag is filled tight like a basketball, you can pop it in the yellow-lidded recycling bin at home.

Not sure what is soft plastic? Do the scrunch test! If it scrunches easily into the palm of your hand and does not bounce back into shape, it is soft plastic and can go in your orange collection bag. If the plastic item is rigid (like a milk bottle, biscuit or meat tray) and bounces back into shape once you open your hand, it isn’t and cannot go in the orange bag.

Old and damaged textiles, accessories and shoes that are not suitable for donation can be deposited at the tip free.

E-waste (including batteries and vapes), chemicals and lighters do not belong in household kerbside bins. They can contain hazardous substances that pose a safety risk to the environment and community.

For more information about how to dispose of different items, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/A-Zguide.

The council has also launched a Waste Education video series, available on YouTube and the council's website.

Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/your-bins.

And finally, the longawaited Botanic Gardens bridge update...

The council has awarded a contract for works to replace the Jacksons Creek footbridge near the Gisborne Botanic Gardens that has been closed for public safety since flood damage occurred in October 2022.

It is expected that the new bridge will be installed by the end of March 2025, with all ancillary works completed by early to mid-April.

For all those walkers who regularly used the bridge it has been an incredibly long process to get the bridge fixed but please don't blame the council. There were inordinate delays in insurance settlement, plus the council is obligated to follow legislated processes before awarding contracts. But the end is now in sight!

Craft Corner

with Mary-Beth O’ Brien

Sharing is caring this crochet Christmas

This year try selecting handmade crocheted gifts for friends, colleagues and loved ones.

Support a maker and bring joy to those you care and love.

Craft markets and makers’ markets are often the ideal locale for selecting that perfect gift.

And now to grateful thanks for the past year: To the Gisborne Library, whose time and space are generously donated to the ‘Crochet and Conversation’ group, Our monthly meetings provide context and meaning to community life of the crochet variety;

To the Gisborne Gazette contributors and team, who produce an outstanding newspaper, and to those volunteers who give their time through wind, rain and sunshine to guarantee regular delivery of the Gazette to our letterboxes.

To readers, I wish you a merry Christmas, happy new year and safe holidays as we welcome in 2025.

Christmas at the Gallery

December at The Gallery Mt Macedon promises a wonderful gift selection for Christmas. These have all been made by our local and talented artists.

The Gallery will have a special Christmas display in its Focus Room, suitable for finding that special gift.

2024 has been a busy year with a variety of exhibitions and activities. Exhibitions included photography, portraits, mixed media, textiles and drawing, and in November our 'Recycle and Recreate' exhibition.

In April and May, The Gallery conducted the Portrait Prize Competition generously sponsored by Gisborne Community Bank. (Entry forms and information about next year’s competitions will be available in early 2025). In June, the Gallery was part of the Woodend Winter Arts Festival and in July we held the annual Winter Art to Wear Parade at Jubilee Hall.

String Orchestra running auditions this month for 2025

After another exciting year, Resonance String Orchestra is running auditions and information sessions for new enrolments for 2025, for both Apprenti Strings and Resonance.

The sessions will be on 13 December in both Woodend (online) and Castlemaine.

If you are a string player and would like to be a part of it, please register your interest via www.resonancestringorchestra.org.au/join-1.

2025 is shaping up as an even more exciting year and will include collaborative and innovative projects which will see our members embrace new musical ideas and contexts and strengthen their own skills as artists.

All the members of our arts collective

thank you for your support throughout

We send readers and patrons the very best season’s greetings.

The Gallery is at 684 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon (behind the Trading Post cafe) and is open 10am to 4pm Friday to Tuesday.

Sue Anson, 0413 581 632

Apprenti Strings members will take part in a Resonance-hosted Big String Day for young string players from Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and neighbouring shires on 29 March 2025.

The day will include music and team building games, whole orchestra sessions and instrument-based tutorials; there’ll be time for fun and socialising and finish with a short performance for families. Oh, and there will be a special Resonance morning tea of course!

GIFTS FOR EVERY OCCASION

Pottery is just one of the many types of items for sale at The Gallery made by local artists.

the year.

Handmade crocheted Christmas decorations, a great gift idea.

Auditions, shows and more at Mountview

The Mount Players are putting on the stage version of the acclaimed book and movie The Girl on the Train, a high intensity, psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. The show will be staged 9-25 May 2025. If you would like to be a part of the show, whether on stage, backstage crew, costumes, lights, sound etc, please join us for the information night at 7.30pm on Friday, 29 November, when director Frank Harvey will share his vision for the show. Auditions will be Saturday

and Sunday, 7 and 8 December. To register your interest, get a script and book an audition, contact Frank on 0447 199 665. You can audition without attending the info night!

2024 has seen our Youth Theatre grow into a fun and creative space and it will wind up the year with a Youth Theatre Showcase.

Our first production for 2025 will be Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of

Being Earnest. Already in full rehearsal, this well-loved comedy will run from 21 February to 9 March.

Go to www.themountplayers.com for details on theatre activities.

A huge thank you to everyone who has attended our shows in 2024. Without you we would not have a theatre. We also thank our sponsors for their wonderful support.

We look forward to seeing you in our beautiful theatre in 2025.

Karen Hunt

Another busy term for Young Voices

An important highlight of Term 4 for the Young Voices of Macedon choir was a workshop and concert held at the Church of the Resurrection at Macedon, at which our guests were the Yarra Voices from Fitzroy with their director Renee Heron.

Fair weather allowed for singing to take place in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of the church (along with energetic play during breaks) and the church provided an excellent setting for the concert, which was attended by many Melbourne parents.

The choir is now well into preparation of music for the Christmas season. Performances will include the Gisborne Community Carols on Sunday 8 December at Dixon Field, where the children will perform Merry Christmas by William James, Mary Sat a-Rockin’ by Greg Gilpin and Carol of the Bells by Ukrainian composer Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych.

The final Christmas performance will be the traditional Service of Readings and Carols on Sunday 15 December at 7.30pm at the Church of the Resurrection.

On this occasion our children will have the experience of singing with an adult choir, harp and pipe organ. For the Cantabiles it will include the exciting double-choir work Merrily Did the Shepherds Blow by Alan Bullard and commissioned for the choir of Rochester Cathedral in England.

Following the Christmas break rehearsals will recommence on Thursday 30 January.

See www.yvmacedon.org.au

Dianne Gome

Cast and crew from the Mount Players’ production of A Bunch of Amateurs. Picture: Karlana Santamaria.

Phoenix exhibition and sale

Gisborne Courthouse, Saturday 30 November 10am-4pm and Sunday 1 December, 9am-3pm. (coinciding with Gisborne Olde Time Christmas Market)

At Phoenix's exhibition and sale, you will have the chance to view all the varied artists’ work and to buy a unique item made locally at a reasonable price.

Phoenix members produce a wide range of work including pottery, painting, paper-craft, woodwork and glassware, as well as textile crafts such as spinning, weaving, thread painting and puppets.

To find out more about our history, work and the next exhibition, visit:

Facebook: phoenixmrac/ Website: phoenixmrac.com

If you are interested in joining our group, contact our longtime member, Kay Beale, on 9744 2646. Dianne Egan

Macedon CWA news

On a lovely weekend in November our branch ran the tearoom and cake stall at the Duneira Bluebell Festival. Thank you to all who supported us with your purchases of Devonshire teas, sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes – all home-made. A special thankyou to Pip, at Duneira, for allowing us to be part of this unique event. If you didn’t make it this year, put it in your diary for 2025.

The Central Highlands Group of CWA is holding a ‘Christmas Fair’ on Saturday 7 December at the CWA Hall, 662 Mount Macedon Road. All the usual Christmas

anniversary of Phoenix.

goodies will be on sale – Christmas cakes, pudding, shortbread etc. Five branches will have individual stalls with baked goods and many handcrafted gifts. Look out for stocking fillers, gifts for teachers; also, the quality second-hand stall and the sausage sizzle. We look forward to seeing you there.

Macedon CWA members wish all at the Gisborne Gazette, and their readers, a safe and happy Christmas and a wonderful 2025.

If you think you might like to join CWA or if you want to know more about the Macedon Branch, you are welcome to come to one of our meetings and ‘check us out’. Please call me, Anne Fyfield, on 5426 2210 with any questions.

Christmas Fair

At the CWA Gisborne Branch meeting on 11 November a minute’s silence was observed to remember our fallen servicemen and women. We also had a bit of fun wearing hats for the races and enjoyed a lovely lunch after the business was done.

Kerrie brought out her basket of proteas to instruct us on how best to strike them to multiply the flowers in our gardens.

Group craft days have encouraged a few to learn new skills thanks to Allison from our Gisborne Branch and Christine

from Kyneton. They already have a program out for next year with a night session or two. Non-members are invited at a cost of $10 and we are looking forward to sessions on air-dried clay, painting, knitting, dry felting, card making and more.

We are in preparation for the CWA Christmas Fair on 7 December at the Macedon CWA Hall from 10am to 3pm. Our next meeting is on 9 December, 10am at Gisborne Secondary College Stadium, which will be followed by a luncheon outing. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a safe holiday season.

Christine Edwards

Phoenix exhibition and sale last year. In the back are photos of past members and memorabilia to celebrate the 40th

Choir year ends with uplifting Mahler No 2

the Gisborne

Singers

At the time of going to print, the Gisborne Singers will have performed Mahler’s Second Symphony with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and soloists Merlyn Quaife and Liane Keegan.

As predicted, the concert at the 950-seat Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo sold out well before the date. Members of the choir thanked artistic director Luke Severn for giving them the opportunity to perform such a legendary piece of music.

The expectation was, for choristers, orchestra members and audience alike, that being a part of this profound piece of music was potentially life changing. Luke’s passion for music is a driving force behind both the choir and orchestra. Stay tuned for his plans for 2025.

If you are interested in joining the choir, next year is a great time to start. Rehearsals start up again in early February. We rehearse from 7.30 to 10pm on Wednesdays at the Uniting Church in Brantome Street, Gisborne. We are an unauditioned community choir that takes on exciting classical projects plus a mid-year cabaret of mainly contemporary songs. The ability to read music, although advantageous, is not essential.

Enquiries: www.gisborne.harmonysite.com or phone 0408 156 263. Alison Kinghorn

Interclub competition success for photographers

The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society recently met three other local camera clubs in Chewton.

The QUAD Comp encourages friendly competition between the four clubs each year. Mt Alexander Photographic Society hosted the day which included the judge’s awards and afternoon tea. Our club placed second overall.

In the print section, Jeni Marinier and Stan Mansas received first and third place, respectively, and Steve Sheddick received a second merit award. Judy Harrison was awarded second place in the digital section, with Sue McBratney receiving first merit award.

The club will break over January, our first meeting for 2025 will be Monday 3 February. This will be the first meeting at our new venue, Jubilee Hall, 52 Smith Street, Macedon.

The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society welcomes new members. Next year the club will meet on the first and second Monday of the month. Social chats start at 7pm with the meeting beginning at 7.30pm.

For more information, please visit www. macedon-ranges-photography.org.au.

Sue Steward

KYNETON TOWN HALL EVENTS

Book early for Soweto Gospel Choir – 'Hope' 7.30-9pm, Friday 14 February 2025

This all-new concert by three-time Grammy winning Soweto Gospel Choir commemorates South Africa’s freedom movement and the civil rights movement in the United States.

Opening with a rousing program of South African freedom songs, the choir moves on to works by legendary artists including Billie Holiday, James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and the one-and-only, Aretha Franklin.

Full price $89.90

Concession $79.90

Seniors $79.90

Children 2-12yrs $79.90

Group 6+ $84.90

To buy tickets, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/buytickets or call 1300 888 802 (10am-4pm, weekdays).

Sue McBratney, Steve Sheddick and Jeni Marinier. Picture: Paul Fletcher.

The first combined choir and orchestra rehearsal for the Mahler, at Bendigo South East College in November.

'Clear for take-off’ by Jeni Marinier won the print competition.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Dental Talk Dental Talk

Understanding metal fillings: the case against amalgam with Dr Jacob Chan

Metal fillings, commonly known as amalgam fillings, are dental restorations composed of metallic elements and mercury.

They were developed many years ago with the intent of providing a durable, costeffective solution for cavity repair. At the time, however, the potential disadvantages and negative health effects of these fillings were not fully understood.

One significant concern is that amalgam fillings can lead to cracks in teeth, which may ultimately result in nerve damage or catastrophic fractures. Such damage often necessitates complex dental treatments or, in severe cases, tooth extraction. Additionally, amalgam fillings do not adhere well to tooth structure, which can lead to leaks that allow bacteria to invade deeper parts of the tooth.

Another drawback is the aesthetic impact; amalgam fillings can heavily discolour teeth due to the corrosion of the metals over time. In some instances, this discoloration may even transfer to the surrounding soft tissues, leaving dark marks on the gums and inner cheeks, which should ideally remain pink and healthy.

The potential for mercury and other metal elements to leach from amalgam fillings is a contentious issue. While some research suggests this is a concern, other studies indicate that these materials remain stable. This divergence in findings means that opinions among dental professionals can vary significantly.

As always, prevention is the best approach. If you have amalgam fillings and are worried about their effects, seeking advice from a trusted dental professional is essential to make an informed decision about your oral health.

Youngest ever Shedmen

The best way to check if you have truly mastered a skill or understood a concept is to try teaching it to someone else.

Our Young Shedmen were recently put to the test by hosting a visit of Little Shedmen from Macedon Primary School.

Their task was to make a wooden kangaroo and a ramp for it to hop down. By any measure we reckon the project was a success.

Our main aim at The Shed is to connect local men with each other and their community. Our Young Shedmen

have certainly supported that aim this year by helping build wildlife nesting boxes for the golf club, raised garden beds for Gisborne Primary School, furniture for the Foodbank cubby and a Yarning Circle for Global Village Learning school in New Gisborne. In closing our final column for 2024, we wish you a happy and safe transition to the new year and … remember to buy your tickets in our Cubby House Raffle, supporting Gisborne Foodbank.

Free immunisations for eligible families

The council offers free immunisation services for infants and children eligible under the National Immunisation Program. The council offers:

Convenient local clinics: Monthly clinics in Gisborne, Kyneton, Woodend, Riddells Creek and Romsey.

Trusted, qualified staff: Our healthcare team is here to make your child’s immunisation experience a smooth and comfortable one.

For more information on eligibility or to book an appointment, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/immunisation or call 5422 0333.

MELBOURNE

Back row: Young Shedmen Cody, Kyan and Billy. Front row: Macedon Little Shedmen

The year's wrap-up from Gisborne RSL

As the year comes to an end, I can report that it has been a busy, challenging, but productive year for the Gisborne RSL SubBranch.

Following the fire at the Gisborne Golf Club just before ANZAC Day in April, our general meetings are now held at the Gisborne Bowling Club.

The ANZAC Day service saw a tremendous attendance this year and underlines the significance of this commemoration and the support it has in the Gisborne and district community.

Our annual Remembrance Day commemoration at the Gisborne cenotaph was also well attended on this year’s anniversary of the Armistice in 1918. We thank those individuals and organisations that laid or provided wreaths to commemorate the fallen in service to Australia, New Zealand and Commonwealth countries.

The annual Red Poppy Appeal was successful due to the generosity of the local community. Funds raised from this appeal assists our veterans in need of support.

The Gisborne sub-branch will be in recess over Christmas and the January holiday period. We will resume our activities in February.

On behalf of the executive and members of our subbranch we wish the community, and those serving in the Australian Defence Force, a very merry Christmas and happy new year. Darren Grevis-James, president

Gisborne Probus goes to Tasmania

Twenty-three Probians and friends had a wonderful week touring Tasmania recently. Members enjoyed colonial architecture, panoramic views from Mt Nelson Signal Station lookout above Hobart and browsing the Salamanca Market in Hobart.

Travelling on to Strahan on the west coast we stopped at Derwent Bridge to admire the ‘Wall in the Wilderness’ that commemorates the development of Tasmania’s central highlands.

In Strahan we cruised Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River, visited Sarah Island (notorious convict prison), and from Heritage Landing we followed the boardwalk loop into ancient Huon pine forest.

Travelling towards Launceston, we spent time in the Cradle Mountain National Park, with a guided walk to the rustic Waldheim Chalet, marvelling at the different

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FROM 4.30PM

STREET PARADE AT 6PM

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

FREE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

MARKET & FOOD STALLS

CARNIVAL RIDES

FIREWORKS AT 9PM

tree species. It was wonderful to see Tasmanian devils and quolls at the nearby conservation sanctuary, Devils at Cradle.

The last two days were spent sightseeing around Launceston. We toured the scenic Tamar Valley to Beauty Point, visiting Platypus House (which also has echidnas) and Seahorse World viewing these fascinating and intriguing creatures. Touring the Beaconsfield mine was another highlight.

Lastly, we enjoyed Cataract Gorge and visited Brickendon Estate, a well-preserved colonial farm at Longford, before flying home.

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and holiday season. Probus is having a break, and our next meeting is 6 February. Contact our president, Susan Denheld, on 0419 530 041 for further information.

Barbara Crapper

Probus Club members in Tasmania.

RSL members at the Gisborne memorial on Remembrance Day.

Genies do time in Beechworth

Members of the Gisborne Genealogical Group recently enjoyed three days in Beechworth. It was the first time our annual spring outing had been longer than just a day trip.

Location and Opening Hours

5 Neal Street, Gisborne

Location and Opening Hours

5 Neal Street, Gisborne

Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

5 Neal Street, Gisborne

Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Practitioners

Louise Beer: Community Health Nurse

We visited various sites including the Beechworth Gaol and some members toured the Old Asylum buildings or the Historical Precinct with its colourful gold mining and Ned Kelly history. And, of course, there were meals and coffees shared together. I’m sure it won’t be our last trip away!

The final group function for 2024 will be our Christmas Dinner, at Holgate’s Hotel, Woodend on Friday 6 December. Bookings are essential – please contact Lorna for details, 0402 091 034 or lorna_

jackson@bigpond.com. Items for hampers can be left in the Family History Room until Thursday 5 December. The Family History Room, which adjoins the Gisborne Library, will close for research on Thursday 19 December and reopen on Tuesday 4 February (our volunteers take a break over January). Meetings will recommence in February, and workshops in March. More details in the next edition.

On behalf of the group, I thank the Gazette for all its support during the year and I look forward to bringing you our news again in 2025.

May you have a safe and Happy Christmas.

Rebecca Boyack: Occupational Therapist

Louise Beer: Community Health Nurse

Rebecca Boyack: Occupational Therapist

Jessica Fuller: Dietitian

Rebecca Boyack: Occupational Therapist

Jessica Fuller: Dietitian

Munise Bozkurt: Dietician

Zuha Gilani: Provisional Psychologist

Teagan Hawken: Podiatrist

Zuha Gilani: Provisional Psychologist

Teagan Hawken: Podiatrist

Aleksandar Milivojevic: Physiotherapist

Teagan Hawken: Podiatrist

Aleksandar Milivojevic: Physiotherapist

Ann Moore: Exercise Physiologist

Sarah Mullins: Podiatrist

Ann Moore: Exercise Physiologist

Sarah Mullins: Podiatrist

Veronica Sinclair: Counsellor

Geoff Sutherland: Physiotherapist

Our Services

We have a broad range of low or no cost

We have a broad range of low or no cost community health services available at MRH, from Heart Smart Cardiac Rehabilitation, to Well Women’s Clinic, Strength For Life and many other wellbeing programs. Discover more at our website or by calling to talk to our team.

community health services available at MRH, from Heart Smart Cardiac Rehabilitation, to Well Women’s Clinic, Strength For Life and many other wellbeing programs. Discover more at our website or by calling to talk to our team.

mrh.org.au or call (03) 5428 0300

At the heart of a healthy community

Open on Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3pm

We are here to provide temporary food assistance for those in need

Enter via Heritage Way at the back of the Gisborne Uniting Church

Enquiries: 0492 850 520 Email: gisborneccf@gmail.com

Gisborne Court House, 4 Hamilton Street, 2pm on Sunday 8 December.

Afternoon tea will be provided. Following a brief meeting, there will be a multimedia presentation on the horticultural heritage of Mount Macedon from the late 19th and 20th centuries.

This will be the first presentation of a major study conducted this year, funded by the State Government.

Enquiries to history@gisbornemountmacedon. org.au.

Lyn Hall

Genealogy group members in front of the Beechworth Gaol. Lyn Hall

LOCAL HISTORY

Gisborne & Mount Macedon Districts Historical Society

Gisborne Court House  4 Hamilton Street Open Wednesdays 10am to 4pm  Phone 5428 1450 e: history@gisbornemountmacedon.org.au

Hotels and inns of Middle Gully (aka Macedon)

Researched by Phyllis Boyd OAM

Over the decades, hotels and inns have been places of refuge, refreshment and accommodation and no more so than those in the area of Middle Gully, at times known as Lower Macedon and today as Macedon.

The Gisborne Express announced that Middle Gully would be declared a new township on 14 February 1860, celebrated with a grand ball. Strict rules applied to licencing of these dwellings, whether they were wayside shanties, tents, houses or more substantial dwelling places.

1848 Renewal of publicans' licences

"Notice is hereby given that persons desirous of obtaining a Publican’s License (or renewal of same) are directed to hand into the Clerk of Petty Sessions (Wedge's Station) Mount Macedon, a notice in writing to the effect on or before 1st Tuesday in the month of April next, for the purpose of considering such application under the Act of 1838." By order William Jones, Clerk of Petty Sessions.

In August 1858, James Clarke of Black Forest had been granted a refreshment licence, in 1870 William Halliday had been granted a beer licence for a house at Middle Gully (Macedon), Thomas Burnet of Macedon had been granted a licence for colonial wine and in 1871 James Henry Yarr was granted a publican’s licence at the Gisborne Licensing Court.

Allisons Coffee House, featured on an 1860 survey map, was on the Mount Alexander Road (Calder Highway), just north of Mount Macedon Road. Several artefacts found at the site are in the Historical Society collection and Allisons Lane nearby has been named after this early stopping-off spot.

Black Forest, between Gisborne and Woodend, was referred to as "a wild, steep, inaccessible place, in thick bush and scrub" and it was in June of 1855 that the first stores and hotels started construction and began offering a Cobb & Co service at Black Forest Hotel.

William Cunningham Hunter bought land in July 1857 and built Black Forest Inn, sometimes recorded as Forest Hotel, on the Mount Alexander Road, near the corner of Blackwood Road. A year later, he leased the hotel to Thomas and George Gettings and again in 1860 to Charles Meredith and Louisa Bell. Although the Hunter family lived on part of that land only from 18571860 before they left the area due to financial difficulties, Hunter Street, Macedon, is named in his memory.

Robert Kirk took over this hotel from 1859, however in March of 1861, HR Dixon, on Kirk’s behalf, advertised all the contents of the hotel and livestock for sale. The hotel, which was insured with Colonial Insurance Company for 600 pounds, suspiciously burnt down in September 1861. In April 1862, it was rebuilt by the insurance company, comprising 18 rooms, set on 614

www.gisbornemountmacedon.org.au

acres (about 250ha) and with a brick house, and a lease was offered by tender.

On 17 April 1855, the Licensing Court at Gisborne granted a licence to William English for the Halfway House at Black Forest, (sometimes listed as the Middle Stump Hotel and English’s Hotel), with several cottages added by 1865. The survey map of 1857 shows English’s Hotel near the Police Station, Caroline Chisholm Shelter Shed and the Police Paddocks, near where Nursery Road is today. In March 1859, the Black Forest Post Office opened in English’s Hotel.

In March 1870, William English met his death when, while returning from a trip to Woodend, his horse and cart upended and the wheel passed over him. English Street, Macedon, is named to recognise his contribution to the district.

The State Nursery Hotel was built on the corner of Smith and Craven Streets by Cornishman James Nicholls in 1859, originally called the Brickmakers Arms because it was made from bricks from his Nicholls Brickworks nearby. Constructed of triple brick walls downstairs and double upstairs, it was renamed State Nursery Hotel in 1881 with James Nicholls the owner/ licensee. In 1904 it was sold to William Nicholls and

subsequent licensees were Mary Thomas (1920), Reuben Wyatt (1921-22) and Frederick Ordish (1923). This grand old building became a private residence in 1926 and remains so today.

On the corner of Victoria and Margaret Streets was the Victorian Alps Hotel, built in 1874 for the owner/ publican, William Salter Cook. It had many owners/ publicans between 1878 and 1915. These included Alicia Cook, Martin Hood, Patrick Callanan, C Kendal, Miss C Kelly, Mrs K L Counsel, Mr J Ewart, Margaret Short, Mrs Terry, John Curtain, Mrs Fletcher, Richard Langford, James Guest, Mrs Pace, Mrs J Loft, Walter H Float, Miss Kate Ryan, J Phelan, Miss Mary Long (late of Laural Hotel in Gisborne), Agnes Wheatland, Miss Annie Collins, Mrs Guest and Mr A Ruddle. In 1915, the old hotel was delicensed and became the family home of the Nicholls family that they called “Ywonga” until it was destroyed by fire in 1983.

On 5 April 1870, John Egan applied in the Woodend Court for a licence for a hotel at Macedon to be called the Macedon Railway Hotel, on the corner of Smith and Victoria Streets. He remained proprietor for a few years, before it passed to Patrick Egan, then to John Charles

State Nursery Hotel...

Front elevation Black Forest Inn.

Victorian Alps Hotel

Macedon Family Hotel.

Hewett’s Macedon Family Hotel c1885 (licensee Edward Hewett).

...and in later times, a private house.

Hotels and inns of Middle Gully (aka Macedon)

conrinued from previous page

Duffy when it became listed as Macedon Hotel.

1880 was a tumultuous year for the hotel as in March, Duffy applied to transfer the licence to Frank Robert Moody; in May, Mary Ann Egan also applied for a transfer to Moody but in November of 1880, the licence was granted not to Moody but to Mary Ann Egan again until in December 1881, when it passed to Thomas Burnet. Matthew Egan took over the licence in 1884 then in December 1885, the licence passed to Edward Hewett, the hotel by now listed as Macedon Family Hotel.

After an assault on Hewitt’s daughter in 1887, the Macedon Family Hotel changed hands again and Hewitt turned to farming.

From then until 1904, many short-term tenants followed. In 1907, Annie McPherson took up the licence and remained there until 1942.

From 1920, she was advertising accommodation for 12 at 40 shillings per week. T & M Brown took over from 1953 and continued to offer similar accommodation.

During the devastating fires of 1983, the Nish family offered the hotel as a safe place to many local families seeking refuge from the flames, while members of the local fire brigades kept the hoses active to protect those sheltering inside. Since its name reverted to Macedon Railway Hotel in 2012 and a couple of different owners, its recent closure has greatly impacted the local district.

With new owners currently performing major renovations to the old hotel, we wait with anticipation to see what the next chapter holds for the Macedon Railway Hotel, at the heart of Macedon village.

FOR THE GREEN THUMBS

Wahlenbergia stricta or Tall bluebell, a lovely indigenous ground cover.

News from Daly Nature

This month we feature another of our beautiful indigenous plants: Wahlenbergia stricta or tall bluebell, which is a ground cover. They are flowering now

Reserve

and will continue into February.

This year has been a successful one for our group in which we achieved many small projects, the main one of

What’s growing at Gisborne

During the year the Gisborne Garden Club has visited beautiful gardens in the Macedon Ranges and beyond; visits to inspire the keenest gardener and those who appreciate the enormous effort that it takes to present these lovely gardens.

A heartfelt thankyou to the gardeners who have welcomed the club and provided us with great insight and inspiration on what can be achieved to produce wonderful garden spaces.

On behalf of the garden club committee, we wish everyone

Why choose us?

•

which was to see the three interpretive signs installed, and most recently being presented by the Gisborne Gazette with our 10-year award for presenting this column. A most enjoyable day was when we gave out free native plants to the reserve’s near neighbours in an effort to show how successful indigenous plants can be in a garden situation, while encouraging birds, butterflies and bees.

We have continued our nature walks with Gisborne Primary School, and introduced Daly Nature Reserve to a team of 50 undergraduates from Melbourne University.

We hope readers enjoy the festive season as we take a break from working bees in January, returning on the second Tuesday in February with fresh ideas. If you are looking for a new interest next year, please consider Friends of Daly Nature Reserve. It would be our pleasure to show you around this tranquil part of Gisborne.

Enquiries: dalynaturereserve@gmail. com.

Garden Club

a joyous Christmas and a happy new year and hope to catch up with members at the club’s Christmas lunch in December. The 2025 Gisborne Garden Club Calendar will be available in December.

The club meets on the second Wednesday of every month and if you would like further information, please email Edwina on edwina72@icloud.com or contact Edwina on 0407 576 545.

Submitted by Moira Treacy

• Experienced, qualified caregivers in a nurse led organisation

• Unique and customised care plans completed by Registered Nurses

Vet Talk Talk This mite help

On a recent hike at Wilsons Prom, I stumbled across the common wombat pictured (Vombatus ursinus; derived from the Latin “resembling a bear”). He stopped to scratch and stretch himself, his crepuscular activity heralding the nightfall as he began his grazing and foraging regime. His itching reminded me of two things.

1. Our Macedon Ranges wombats are plagued with the same itch. Mange mites (sarcoptes scabei) burrow under the skin, are transferred easily by direct contact, and cause extreme discomfort, red itchy skin, and often subsequent debilitating wounds.

Looking forward to a safe Christmas for all

Christmas is almost here and while many are aware of the problems chocolate causes dogs, other festive treats can also be toxic, such as nuts, mince pies and Christmas pudding. Best to keep everything out of reach and remember, a dog’s nose is powerful and can sniff out food under the tree with ease.

We often give poinsettias as gifts, which are dangerous if eaten.

Candles can also be an issue as dog fur is flammable. A wagging tail can easily knock one over setting fire to wrapping paper, presents etc.

A dog is curious by nature and whether real or artificial, a Christmas tree can pose a health risk. Adorned with fairy lights, tinsel, edible treats etc, it can be seen as a convenient peeing post or new chew toy.

Christmas tree oil/sap can cause skin irritation and pine needles, if eaten or chewed, are mildly toxic. Chewing on an artificial tree has its own dangers such as ingesting bits of wire.

To keep your dog safe, place your tree in a corner, elevated, maybe contained, and save your best decorations for the top.

Our next induction will be on Sunday 2 February. Visit our Facebook page, our website www. macedonrangesdogclub.org.au, or email info@ macedonrangesdogclub.org.au for more information.

From our family at Macedon Ranges Obedience Dog Club to yours, have a merry Christmas and we will see you in 2025.

Remember a dog is for life not just Christmas. Carol, instructor/treasurer

2. Our dogs and cats, if they go a wandering in the forest, need to be protected against sarcoptes too. If our pets brush up against a wombat, rabbit, fox, or possum (be these critters dead or alive), the mites jump aboard, and the result is the same intense skin symptoms for dogs, cats or humans.

Lucky for us, we live in the era of good pharmacology. Any of the new class of veterinary ‘isoxazoline’ treatments for parasite control available over the counter as a chewable or spot-on, for fleas, ticks and mites will solve the problem. So put one on your pet’s Christmas list for a scratch-free-season. (Finding and treating all the wombats is, of course, a little harder).

Cute maybe, but too generous with its mites.

Vintage machinery group to run steam engine course

Learn to operate history like this.

Following its success last year, the Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society intends to run another Boiler and Reciprocating Steam Engine Course, starting in February 2025. Does this sound like something for you?

The first part of the course has a number of online modules of approximately 30 minutes each. Interspersed will be training days at the club and other venues for you to gain experience on the machinery. You will need to maintain a logbook as at least 30 hours’ experience on a boiler and engine are required.

We expect the exam weekend will be in September 2025. This will include a Friday night revision session with the examiner in attendance. On the Saturday morning you will sit a written exam

for the boiler and a practical exam in the afternoon. Sunday will follow the same pattern with the engine component.

You will need some computer skills as all the modules are online. You will also need to make a commitment to this as it is a fairly involved course. However, upon completion you will be accredited with a Worksafe High Risk Licence for Basic Boiler and Reciprocating Steam Engine.

The cost for each ticket is $900. You will also need to be or become a member of the Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society for insurance purposes.

If you are interested or would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, give me a call.

Jeff Shepherd 0408 541 820

with Dr Caitlin (Horwood) Retchford

GiSborne gazette student awards

Congratulations to this year’s Gisborne Gazette Student Award recipients who were nominated by their schools to recognise excellence. Recipients receive a certificate and $50 award from the Gazette

Gisborne Primary School

Riley Codd (Year 6)

Riley has thrived in all areas during his time at GPS. He is kind, persistent, dependable and always willing to help others. He has consistently upheld our school values and puts 100% effort into everything he does. Riley is a great role model for his peers, demonstrating positive leadership skills and treating everyone with respect within the school and wider community.

Roxy Wright (Year 6)

Roxy is a hardworking, dedicated student who is always willing to go above and beyond to improve her learning. Her kind and caring nature means she has developed strong positive relationships with her peers, often putting the needs of others above her own. This year Roxy has been a fantastic STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) leader, taking pride in always achieving her personal best and upholding our school values, leading by example.

Macedon Primary School

Rupert Richards (Year 6)

Rupert is an outstanding student who represents the values of kindness, inclusivity and empathy. He leads with a strong moral compass and sets an example to his peers of respecting the diversity of people. His leadership style is one that will continue to serve his community in the future.

Ivy Davies (Year 6)

Ivy has shown great resilience and growth in her final year of primary school. Her intelligence and tenacity have been an asset to her own learning and to those around her. She presents as a strong role model for girls and has shown that with perseverance high achievement is possible.

Willowbank Primary School

Wylde Barnes (Grade 4)

Wylde consistently demonstrates the school's values through his actions. He strives for excellence in all of his learning tasks, showing dedication and putting in his best effort. He approaches challenges with a positive attitude, always seeking feedback to improve his work. His hard work and commitment to learning inspire his peers, making him a fantastic role model for others.

Elora Middlemast (Grade 4)

Elora is a dedicated student who strives for excellence with a focus on improvement in everything she does at school. She is a natural leader who seeks opportunities to represent herself and her school with pride, whilst always considering the needs of others. Elora is a role model who consistently exhibits our school values of courage, inclusion, excellence and collaboration.

New Gisborne Primary School

Zara Purtill (Year 6)

Zara has shown exceptional leadership and commitment to the school community. She actively participates in a range of school activities and student leader roles, demonstrating initiative and a positive attitude. Her ability to encourage and support others sets a strong example, making Zara a respected and valued member of the school.

Zoe Irvin (Year 6)

Zoe has consistently shown dedication to both her academic and extracurricular pursuits, leaving a lasting impact on her school community. Whether participating in Tournament of the Minds, performing in school choirs, playing keyboard, serving as Devlin House captain, or supporting her prep buddy, Zoe always steps up to take on new challenges. She is constantly eager to contribute and is often the first to volunteer, embodying the values of our school with remarkable enthusiasm.

St Brigid's Primary School

Anakin Van De Velde (Year 6)

Ava Jex (Year 6)

Ava has been an exceptional school captain, bringing joy and kindness to everyone at MMPS. She has worked tirelessly to deliver assemblies with Lenny, support her friends, and serve as a positive role model. Ava’s willingness to take on responsibilities and lend a helping hand whenever needed truly exemplifies her leadership and dedication to our school community. Well done, Ava, on a wonderfully positive year as school captain.

Lenny Monaghan (Year 6)

Lenny has exemplified wonderful leadership as school captain, showing incredible integrity, honesty, and dedication to the school community. His caring support for younger students and his commitment to being a role model have left a lasting impact at Mount Macedon Primary. Lenny should be proud of his achievements and the inspiration he has provided to others. Well done, Lenny, on a hugely successful 2024.

Anakin is a dedicated young athlete who puts his heart into running, both on the track and in everyday life. His commitment has paid off, in that he earned himself a spot at divisional athletics. Anakin’s dedication does not stop there — his leadership skills shine through in his role on the sports committee and as the proud MacKillop captain. Anakin motivates his peers, leads by example, and brings his energy and enthusiasm to every sport-related event, inspiring others to achieve their best.

Isabella Sparreboom (Year 6)

Isabella is a talented and hardworking student whose passion for art shines through in everything she creates. She puts tremendous effort into her studies across all subjects, excelling through her commitment and curiosity. Recently, Isabella’s creativity took centre stage when she crafted a beautiful art piece of St Brigid for the blessing of our new buildings. Her artwork, filled with thoughtful detail and personal flair, demonstrates her deep dedication and artistic spirit, leaving a lasting impact on our community.

Holy Cross Primary School

Lily O’Meara

Lily has shown exceptional dedication and effort throughout the year. With a vibrant personality and a kind-hearted approach, she has become an inspiring role model for Holy Cross students and the broader school community. Lily embodies resilience and a positive attitude, always eager to take on new challenges and learn from every experience. Her unwavering commitment to personal growth and her proactive approach to learning has been a pleasure to witness. These qualities ensure she will continue to achieve great things in the future. Congratulations on receiving this award, Lily, it is truly well deserved.

Lachlan Dickson

Lachlan has had a remarkable year of growth. By facing challenges both in and out of the classroom, his confidence has flourished, and his determination throughout 2024 has been inspiring. Lachlan is highly respected by his peers for his positive attitude and his relentless drive to improve, as well as his fantastic sense of humour. His commitment to personal development, paired with his optimistic mindset, has allowed him to overcome obstacles and thrive. Congratulations on receiving this award, Lachlan, we are incredibly proud of you as a member of the Holy Cross community.

Student Awards : Secondary

Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School –Bullengarook Campus

Josh Ayres (Year 12)

Josh is one of our school captains who demonstrates fantastic leadership skills. He is an RAAF cadet whose goal is a career in the RAAF as a fighter pilot. This year Josh has undertaken the Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance at Aviation Australia as part of his pathway to the RAAF.

Charlie Colic (Year 10)

Charlie enjoys being at school and planning for his chosen post-school pathway. Charlie attends the training facility at Apprentice Group Australia each Friday where he is enrolled in the Special Trades Pathway Program and where he is completing units in building and construction.

Mount Macedon Primary School

Student Awards : Secondary SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Gisborne Secondary College

Louisa Cawood (Year 12)

Louisa has represented the college with pride via the very special ANZAC Day Dawn Service as well as leading by example with an active role in whole-school assemblies. Louisa showed a commitment to supporting the student leadership team in their endeavours, particularly with respect to their achieving their legacy project goals.

Tyler Jarris (Year 12)

Tyler has put his learnings from participation in youth leadership training to good use through strong leadership to the student representative council and role modelling positive exam preparation habits to his peers. He articipated in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and demonstrated leadership at whole-school assemblies and events.

Jokes & riddles

What is a myth?

A female moth.

What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?

“It’s Christmas, Eve.”

How can you make a bandstand? Take away their chairs.

The best time to miss a train is at a railway crossing.

What does Tarzan sing at Christmas time?

“Jungle Bells”

If you found a ten-dollar note in every pocket of your coat, what would you have?

Someone else’s coat.

We had Granny for Christmas last year. Really? We had turkey.

What is a minister doing when he rehearses his sermon?

He’s practising what he preaches.

Find 10 differences between the two drawings, then you could colour in one (or both!) for a bright, happy Christmas image.

1 The number one million has a one followed by how many zeros?

What common item can have a spine, a dust jacket, and a hard cover?

What do echidnas mainly eat?

4 How many ships were there in the First Fleet?

5 What is the largest planet in our solar system? 6 On a map, which cardinal direction is 90 degrees to the left of South?

7 Which car manufacturer makes the Camry model?

8 Beginning with the letter “S” which cheese is famous for having holes called eyes?

9 How many pawns does each player have at the start of a game in chess?

10 How many stars are there on the Australian flag?

Artwork by Eliza Ransome

SCHOOL'S IN

Year 6 student reflects on primary school

Audrey Hepburn

once said, “The most important thing is to enjoy your life to be happy. It’s all that matters”. When I think of my years at primary school, I think of all my happy moments, all the happy people. I have been overjoyed being a student at New Gisborne Primary School.

One of the happiest memories of my primary school life is the endof-year concerts. The last term of every year is so much fun, everyone is super happy to be learning the dance and looking forward to being up on stage. The day of the concert is exhilarating and the wait behind the stage is so nerve-racking. Finally, being up there and dancing is such a relief, like

winning an award. I was delighted to get the chance to be a part of the concert each year.

Year 6 is only one year, but it could not have been more exciting. I felt jumpy when we got our jumpers, and our special shirts, because they were just for us. I got to be at the top of the school with all my friends. We got special things like

our little prep buddies and the opportunity to be an actor in the concert. All these things made me buzz with excitement. When I look back on my years in primary school, I have so many memories. I will specially remember how I was given so many opportunities and had my friends by my side.

Charlie, Year 6 reporter

St Brigid's new building is blessed

What's

been happening at Gisborne Primary?

Orienteering

The year 3-6 students had orienteering at Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon on Friday 1 November. When we got there, we sat down on the grass and ate some lunch. Once we received our instructions we started to explore. There were a variety of courses to do and try. Around the course were checkpoints; they were orange and easy to see and find. We were given maps to help us find the checkpoints. The higher the number, the harder the course. There were over 15 maps that you could choose from and once you finished one course, you could choose another. The day was overall great and I am sure lots of people enjoyed it.

Lily D, Year 6 Writers’ Club

Year 4 camp

S Brigid's Catholic Learning Community

In a joyful event for our school community, Bishop Terry officially blessed the new senior building on 25 October.

The building aims to provide a friendly, inclusive space where students can grow academically and personally, and marks a special milestone for St Brigid’s. Adding to the day of excitement, we were visited by the Victorian Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, who shared encouraging words on the importance of education and how the government is working to give everyone a great educational experience.

Ms Thomas spoke about how this new facility will help students reach their potential.

During the blessing, Bishop Terry explained that the new building would be a place of hope, learning, and faith.

The Senior Building represents the school’s hard work to give students the best education possible.

It shows us the importance of education and how our teachers and the leaders of our country give us these facilities

to help us achieve our goals. Elsie Spurling, vice-captain, and Jonah Sacco, leading learning captain

The Year 4s had a blast at their camp this year! On 7 November they headed on their way to Campaspe Downs in Tylden. They were all very excited for a fun two days of activities and hanging out with their friends. When they got there, they were able to participate in raft building, ziplining and more! For dinner, they enjoyed pasta with ice cream for dessert. Overall, everyone loved their adventures at camp and would 100% go again! Thank you to all the Year 4 teachers and parent helpers who came along to help.

Madison B and Ashleigh M Year 6 Writers’ Club

Lest we forget

On 11 November Gisborne Primary School paid their respects to those who fought in world wars. At 11am, we had a minute of silence and thought deeply about those who fought to keep us safe, even when their life was at high risk. This day can be extremely hard for those who have lost family, friends and loved ones. Some of us teared up remembering how difficult it must have been for the soldiers, knowing that they may not come back. Lest we forget.

Emma F and Josie F Year 5 Writers’ Club

Blessing of the new senior building takes place on 25 October.

Charlie

Charlie (centre) with some other happy Year 6ers at New Gisborne Primary.

GISBORNE SECONDARY COLLEGE

Ends and beginnings

Term 4 is a busy term for schools generally and it is no different at Gisborne Secondary College. As this edition goes to print, our Year 12s have completed exams, Year 11s are mid-way through their Step-up program which sees them commence their VCE Unit 3 curriculum and Year 10s are commencing their semester exams.

Our Junior School students, Years 7-9, are finishing their 2024 curriculum and preparing to commence their Step-up into their 2025 classes and subjects.

We are eagerly awaiting our new cohort of Year 7 students who will be attending the Statewide Transition Day on 10 December. This is an exciting day as students meet their 2025 classmates and get a taste of some of their subjects such as Maths, English and PE.

Throughout 2025 you will hear from incoming college captains Tess Ely and Thomas Barrand who take over from Louisa and Tyler, and I look forward to them sharing with you all the wonderful things that go on at GSC next year.

Reflecting on the year and preparing for 2025

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on the many events of Term 4 at Holy Cross, and one in particular stands out with moments that inspired us and prepared us for the year ahead. Our Year 5 children participated in their Leadership Day, where they had the privilege of hearing from four inspiring past students: Tiara Burt, Stephanie Waddington and Ellie Borg, now school captains at Salesian College, Sacred Heart College, and Assumption College, respectively.

The girls shared their leadership journeys, emphasising resilience, respect, and inclusiveness.

Another past student, Tate Kemp from All Abilities Public Speaking, also spoke to our Year 5s, captivating us with his humour and messages of challenges and acceptance. Tate also never missed an opportunity to have a joke with

one of his past teachers, Mr Wenczel, which the children really enjoyed!

Tate’s message is a powerful reminder to everyone to respect others, advocate for inclusivity, and challenge perceptions about disability. His insights have inspired our children and staff to embrace kindness and courage in their leadership.

As we prepare to farewell our Year 6s, we do so with pride and hope, confident they will carry these lessons into their future.

We would like to thank our wonderful school community for their support throughout the year and wish everyone a peaceful Christmas as we look forward to a bright and exciting 2025!

Kellie McDonald

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to thank the Gisborne Gazette team for their ongoing support of Gisborne Secondary College by giving us a voice to our local community via this wonderful community newspaper. It was a pleasure to attend the recent annual reception and receive the certificate on behalf of the school for 10 years of providing reports. Thank you.

Susanne Tzamouranis

GSC community liaison

School captains of Gisborne Secondary College for 2025, Tess Ely and Thomas Barrand.

Ellie Borg, Tiara Burt and Stephanie Waddington with some of the Holy Cross Year 5 children at their Leadership Day.

Students' first bike expedition hailed a success

Seven adventurous students, Jett Thompson, Jake Kenny, Kade Spiteri, Mick Tuitogalevu, Rhylee Williams, Mitch Bolitho, and Jason Pearse-McMillan from Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School recently embarked on the inaugural Bullengarook-Blackwood Bike Expedition.

This three-day, 64-kilometre bike adventure, co-organised by Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre and the Bullengarook school, provided an exciting opportunity for students to develop fitness, teamwork, resilience and outdoor survival skills in a supportive, adventure-filled setting.

The expedition kicked off on Wednesday morning, with students gathering at Bullengarook ready to tackle the first, challenging 28km leg through hilly terrain.

Tandem bikes and tow ropes helped the students navigate the route’s inclines, with frequent stops for rest and refuelling.

By late afternoon, the group reached the Outdoor Education Centre at Blackwood, where they set up camp in the tent shelters and enjoyed a barbecue dinner around the campfire.

The night ended with a thrilling round of night archery,

sparking excitement and much camaraderie on their first night under the stars.

On Thursday morning the students packed up and rode another 20km to Firth Park at Trentham, pausing for morning tea and lunch along the way.

Upon arrival, they pitched their tents and prepared a delicious campfire dinner featuring a leg of lamb and

The Gazette wishes all our readers a merry Christmas and happy new year!

vegetables cooked in a camp oven over the fire.

The students ended the day around the campfire, sharing stories and reflecting on their experiences.

The final morning brought freezing temperatures as the group packed up and prepared for their journey home. After a quick breakfast, they set out for the last leg of the ride, covering a modest 16km back to Bullengarook, which was predominately downhill.

Arriving at school, they were greeted by a guard of honour from staff, students, and family members a heartfelt celebration that marked the end of an incredible three-day adventure.

The students embraced every challenge on the trip, showing resilience and a strong sense of camaraderie. From sharing meals and setting up camp to taking on cleanup duties, each student played a vital role.

We couldn’t be prouder of our students for their remarkable achievements on this unforgettable journey.

Ben Clancy, physical education

Bullengarook senior campus students who took part in the three-day bike expedition.

Outdoors features in local scout activities

1st Gisborne Scout Group

The theme for the Joey Section this term is ‘Out and about’ and we have been doing just that. We hiked to the top of Hanging Rock and we joined the Joeys from New Gisborne for a lovely (but very steep!) walk up Magnet Hill where we were rewarded with magnificent views over Gisborne and the Macedon Ranges.

The Cubs Unit has had fun this term by playing heaps of games, learning about bush safety, map reading and first aid and then going on a hike to Sanatorium Lake. The Cubs are also looking forward to going camping, crate stacking and canoeing this term.

Over the last month scouts attended Cohen Shield where they compete in Patrols in scored challenges like campfire cooking, construction, first aid, crate stacking, radio. And they had a formal McDonald’s dinner where everyone dressed up in their best clothes and ate at McDonalds with knives and forks. While we were there, we ran into Victorian Scouts chief scout Shane Jacobson. Shane shared a story about doing the same formal McDonald’s dinners when he was a Rover.

For more information about the fun and adventurous things that we get up to, please follow 1st Gisborne Scout Group on Facebook with the QR code above.

Latest news from Gisborne Guides

Gisborne Lightning Guides were excited to have four new girls come and try Guiding last month. We welcome Evie, Maisie, Jasmine and Angie and hope that they now decide to become members. With only a few weeks left for this year, the girls have been planning activities to celebrate another successful year and being able to venture outdoors now that the weather is warmer. Our year will end with the Gisborne Unit joining Woodend Guides for activities at the

Woodend Park. We will then have a well-earned break until February 2025. If you are seven years or older and interested in trying out Guides in 2025, check out the Girl Guide Victoria website to see if Guides would interest you.

To all our interested Gazette readers, Gisborne Guides send best wishes for a very happy Christmas with your families and a safe January. Deb Fleming

1st New Gisborne Scouts

Term Four has been busy at New Gisborne. The Jamboree in Maryborough, Queensland, is getting close now and there is much excitement as Scouts start packing up their gear. A recent hike to Mount Towrong was one of the final pieces of preparation.

Joeys have been enjoying the outdoors, joining with Gisborne Joeys for a hike to nearby Magnet Hill.

Our Cub Scouts have been enjoying a variety of activities, from Halloween fun bobbing for apples to a visit to the New Gisborne Community Garden, where they learned about growing food for the Gisborne Foodbank.

We are now starting to plan and fundraise for the next and final stage of our Scout Hut project, fitting out the hut with toilets and kitchen facilities. Donations are taxdeductible and welcomed!

Everyone is looking forward to the annual canoeing night and barbecue at macedon’s nursery lake on 11 december. any families wanting to come and ‘have a look’ are welcome.

We meet Wednesdays, 6.30-8pm, Venturers on Fridays. Contact Group Leader Russell Barker on 0400 297 025 or russell@jeem.com.au to learn more. For Venturers, call Tracey 0407 098 032. John Frearson

Deb Fleming

Carolyn Goode (Joey Leader)

Strong 1st Gisborne Joeys hold up Hanging Rock.

The Scouts meet Shane Jacobson at their formal dinner at McDonalds.

New Gisborne Scouts at Mount Towrong. Inset: Joey Imke enjoys her hike to Magnet Hill.

Fishing adventure in Khancoban

The Calder Fly Fishing Association recently spent four amazing days fishing in the beautiful Khancoban region. They explored several well-known rivers, including the Nariel, Swampy Plains, Thredbo and Upper Murray, where they caught fish every day. Although there were not huge numbers of fish, everyone in the group managed to reel in some catches, making the trip enjoyable for all.

The true highlight of the trip was the natural beauty all around. The water was crystal clear, allowing them to see straight to the riverbed, and the peaceful surroundings added to the experience.

Tall mountains and green forests framed the rivers, with only the soft sounds of flowing water and the occasional splash of a fish breaking the calm.

Each evening, the group gathered to share stories of their day and laugh about their experiences. For these anglers, it was more than just catching fish — it was about spending time in nature and soaking up the stunning, quiet landscapes.

The Khancoban region offered them a break from the usual hustle, making it a memorable trip that reminded everyone why they love fly fishing in such a beautiful place.

For more information about the club find us at www. calderflyfishing.com.au. We are also on Facebook and Instagram.

Dusan Ivanovic

Many great steps with Gisborne Bushwalking Club

November was busy with Try Bushwalking Month, and we welcomed visitors and new members on our walks which was great for all. The club did a great walk of Mt Buninyong which started off on a cool morning and ended with sunny bright skies. The views were stunning looking towards Ballarat.

The next hike was a bit more challenging starting from O’Brien’s Crossing where others had gathered to fish and swim on a very warm November day. The Lerderderg State Park with a glorious river offers lots of trails to explore and this one over the ridge and then along the river offered an ever-changing view of the magnificent landscape as we wound our way back to the watering hole. We encountered a few wild goats and a very large Red-bellied Black Snake at a safe distance; we watched as it slithered along the river rocks.

The club has walks scheduled throughout the summer and something for everyone. You can join us as a casual participant for $5 (insurance coverage) and see if it is for you. For details about Gisborne Bushwalking Club, please contact Gail on 0419 374 603.

Our website is www.gisbornebwc.org

We wish everyone the very best for Christmas and new year – stay active and safe.

Deborrah

A Ramblers ramble could do you good this season

As this is the last column for the year , on behalf of the Ramblers I would like to wish you all a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and new year.

As many of us tend to overindulge during the festive season, there is nothing like a good walk to remedy the weight gain. Perhaps you would like to try a walk the Ramblers enjoyed a couple of weeks back.

This walk is an open country ramble with some great views on wide dirt tracks. Known by us as the Newham Round, the walk starts about six kilometres from the Newham General Store (presently closed) at the junction of Bolgers Lane and Shelton Road.

Park off the road here and walk up Shelton Road (an easy grade incline) until you reach a four-way intersection. Turn left (this is Hennerbergs Road). Apart from a short incline along the way, this is a generally downhill walk. After passing the gin distillery, Saunders Road is reached on the left.

Decision time: For the shorter walk (6km), take this road which joins back with Bolgers Lane. Turn left and walk back to your car. For the longer walk (8km), keep on Hennerbergs Road until it meets Whitebridge Road, turn left and walk to its end, where it joins Bolgers Lane just before Three Chain Road. Turn left again, and walk Bolgers Lane back to your car.

Details of our weekly walks are emailed out if you care to join the mailing list. There is no cost or obligation; you can walk with the group on Fridays or solo at your preference.

Charles (gisramblers@gmail.com)

Orienteering in Gisborne on 11 December

The Central Highlands Orienteering Club’s Twilight Series is in full swing and offers an exciting opportunity for adventurers of all ages and abilities to explore local towns. Held on Wednesday evenings 6pm to 8pm, this family-friendly event guarantees fun and exploration while challenging your fitness.

The remaining events of the season are 4 December in Romsey and 11 December in Gisborne. Participants can choose from courses ranging from 3km to 9km, with a time limit of up to 60 minutes to complete their chosen path. The cost is $5 per participant, and parents can shadow their children at no extra charge.

Each event uses coloured maps and electronic timing to enhance the experience. For more details, visit www.centralhighlands.weebly.com, email centralhighlandsorienteers@gmail.com or call Wendy on 0439 433 665.

Andrew Martin in fly fishing paradise.

Mike and Jack start the Macedon orienteering course on 13 November, observed by Mark Hennessy of Central Highlands Orienteering Club.

View along Whitebridge Road.

A beautiful day for a scenic hike.

Gisborne Golf Club wants more girls and women to play golf

At Gisborne, we want to encourage more girls and women to come and play the greatest social game in the world. We already hold Monday Funday and friendly Wednesday competitions for women as well as coaching clinics for beginners. The work the club and the women’s committee do is amazing.

One program we conducted this year was the Junior Girls Scholarship Program. And if enthusiasm, fun and the joy of being with teammates is any indicator, we will be running this program for many more years.

The six girls, aged between 10 and 14, are thriving under the program, and showing terrific promise. Who knows, maybe we have the next Minjee Lee among this group.

The program began in February this year and the girls have progressed from clinic sessions to playing on

A few words from the Dragons

As we wrap up round 6, the Gisborne Cricket Club is gearing up for the last few games before the Christmas break, culminating in a highly anticipated McIntyre Cup T20 clash on Saturday 14 December at Gardiner Reserve against our friendly rivals, Woodend.

This match promises to be a thrilling showdown, and afterwards, the action continues at the annual club Christmas Party, complete with a visit from Santa and plenty of fun activities for kids and adults alike.

The past month saw some fantastic individual performances that deserve recognition. Zoe Kays, from our senior women’s team, delivered a stunning 3/9, including a triple-wicket maiden, against Lancefield. Riley Vernon from our first XI put on an impressive all-round display with a strong 95 and 5/37 against Broadford. And in our third XI, Jordy Brewer made waves with 3/61, including a hat trick, against Melton South. Outstanding efforts all around.

We would like to congratulate former club president Andrew Headberry on his recent transition into umpiring. It is a fantastic way to stay connected to the game, and we encourage any former players interested in getting involved to reach out to the Gisborne District Cricket Association.

From all of us at the Gisborne Cricket Club committee, players, and supporters a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.

Go Dragons!

New coach for Macedon Tennis Club

Macedon Tennis Club has appointed Ashleigh Woda of Vida Tennis to the position of head coach beginning in January Over the past decade, Ashleigh has taken on head coach roles at Veneto Club Bulleen and Essendon Tennis Club, both of which thrived under her leadership.

Ashleigh grew up in regional Victoria before relocating to Melbourne as a teenager. She was a talented junior tennis player, winning multiple national titles and achieving a world ranking as a teenager. Ashleigh will be relocating to the Macedon Ranges in early 2025 with her husband and their young family.

Brett Vernon, vice-president

the golf course, under the guidance of our professional Callum Wilkinson, which is an inspiration to witness. The interaction between him and his charges is amazing and at times quite hilarious.

With the year’s program almost complete, we are looking forward to the continuation of the program in 2025. Contact the club to register your interest.

Dom Hogan

Macedon Cricket Club discovers its true age...

...and prepares to celebrate 150th

On 26 November 2005 the Macedon Cricket Club celebrated its 125th year with a club dinner event. This anniversary was based on the most reliable records of the time dating the club back to 1880.

With the advent of the National Library's Trove resource, which contains many old newspapers that have been digitised, recent research has uncovered records of the existence of a Macedon cricket team in 1874. Records show that in March 1874 a Macedon team played Woodend and in November of the same year Macedon played Kyneton United Cricket Club.

Based on this new evidence, it is clear that the club is at least 150 years old and the committee has decided to celebrate our 150th anniversary this year.

The weekend of 14-15 of December has been locked in for the celebration, which includes a men’s T20 game on the afternoon of the 14th and a women’s T20 double header on Sunday the 15th, all at Tony Clarke Reserve. A celebration dinner will be held on Saturday night at the social rooms.

We would like to encourage all past players to come along and watch the cricket over that weekend and enjoy the dinner. Tickets for the dinner are available from our website, www.macedoncricket.com.au.

Stephen Harrison, president

Sitting pretty at Mt Macedon Golf Club

With the arrival of spring the course team has been flat out preparing the course for a number of important events in the Mount Macedon Golf Club calendar. The number of competing visitors from across the district, and the excellent results, have been reflected in their glowing comments on the course preparation.

The October monthly medallist was Richard Payne, returning a nett 67.

The club’s Open Weekend began with a two-person ambrose taken out by Broadford's Graeme Hogg and Peter Cullum from Alex Fraser and Braydn Beattie.

The 27-hole Open welcomed golfers from 10 clubs as well as a field of local members. Patrick Doyle was crowned the Open Champion for his gross score of 107, while Matt Willis won the handicap event returning a nett 100.

November’s midweek Mug o’ the Month went to Kevin Taylor for his 37 stableford points to just pip Tony Carter by a single point.

We have recommenced our successful Ladies Get Into Golf @MMGC Sunday program which has seen 200 novice lady golfers attend the clinics over the past three years.

Pro rata membership options are available by making contact via the club’s website www.mtmacedongolfclub. com.au. Walrus

Proudly sponsored by Rob Mitchell

The next golfing legends (Left to right) Letti Sacco, Summer Collins, Mackenzie Hay, Charlotte Collins, Charlotte D’Cruz. (Absent: Clair Byham).

Mt Macedon Golf Club president Matt Willis with Open Champion Patrick Doyle.

Head coach

Ashleigh Woda

Swim club celebrates successful year

As we close out 2024, we reflect on another successful year at Gisborne Thunder Swim Club. Our swimmers have remained dedicated to their training and their results have paid off with big shifts in personal best times for many, across both long and short course events.

We congratulate all swimmers on a successful 2024 with many qualifying for the country and state championships in both long and short-course events.

Special mention to Mitchell C and Samuel R who have swum their way into Swimming Victoria’s top 10 age rankings for the 2024-25 short-course season.

Rookies look to 2025

The Gisborne Rookies Football Netball Club has had a successful 2024 on and off the field. We are fortunate to have a fantastic culture among our playing groups, parents, supporters and the long list of wonderful volunteers.

We are well underway with our preparation for another exciting year, with our 2025 coaching appointments confirmed across our netball and girls and boys football teams. This team of dedicated individuals will build on the club’s success both on and off the field by not just teaching skills but in fostering an environment where players can grow as players and individuals.

We are an inclusive club and welcome new members. Please follow us on social media to keep up to date with club activities and registration details for 2025, or feel free to contact our registrar for more details: registrar@gisbornerookies.com.au

Gisborne Rookies is affiliated with Gisborne AusKick, and we enjoy working closely with the team and plan to expand on this next year.

Come and join us and be part of the Rookies family — let’s make 2025 our best season yet!

Submitted by Clay Reinking, president

A huge thank you to the coaches Wayne, Emily, Sue, Matt, Kelly and Steph for their dedication to supporting our swimmers and to the Gisborne Aquatic Centre team for their hours of standing poolside.

This year the club welcomed a new president, De’arne Houston, ready to fill some big shoes left by former president Kelly Skehan. We thank those committee members who have stepped down in 2024 for all their efforts and warmly welcome our new members. This year has seen a surge in new members for the club and we look forward to more in 2025. If you are keen to find out more, visit us on our socials or our website. Kate Hager

Croquet Club news

Macedon Ranges Croquet Club members have enthusiastically embraced the playing season after a slow start due to weather and problems with the lawn surface in September. The lawns are now looking and playing very well, and the weather is being much kinder.

In October the club was recognised at the Gazette reception with a certificate for more than 15 years submitting articles and being involved, much-appreciated recognition.

We recently competed against Kyneton in the annual Watts Fresh Trophy which was lost to the Kyneton team but only lost by a couple of points. There will be a rematch early next year and we are hopeful of a win. Christmas plans are well underway with a lunch to be hosted by Mt Macedon CWA in early December. There will be raffle prizes included in the celebrations. Playing days continue throughout the holiday period for any players who wish to play. Our playing times are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings starting at 9.30am. Visitors are very welcome.

All in the family at South Gisborne Tennis Club

The South Gisborne tennis club prides itself on being a family-oriented club, offering competitions and programs for all.

Tennis Victoria has acknowledged one of our families, the Andersons, and in particular Darren, with a ‘Community Champion of the Month’ award. There could not be a more deserving person in our community for this award. The family has been playing members of the club for over 20 years and Darren has captained a Thursday night team for 15 of those years a record at the club.

Darren’s spirit and passion for tennis never wavers and his ability to get a team on court every week is a testament to his dedication. Congratulations and thank you,

Summer is on its way, don’t forget to book a court, grab some friends and have a hit of tennis or pickleball. Enjoy the holidays. Look up the club’s website or Facebook for events, programs, coaching and club news.

If you would like to come and try this very challenging, fun game please come along or call 0493 463 357 for more information.

Lyn Robinson

Merry Christmas

Sacred Heart College wishes all in the Gisborne Community and surrounds a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

Congratulations Class of 2024

We congratulate our wonderful Year 12 students, the ‘Class of 2024’, on their achievements. We are confident their results and selected pathways will lead the way to rewarding futures.

GISBORNE ROOKIES

Gail Scott

Mitchell C and Samuel R.

Darren Anderson, recipient of a community award from Tennis Victoria.

PETANQUE NEWS

Mount Macedon Petanque Club member Rhonda Shears has again been selected in the Australian Plus 60s team to compete in the Trans-Tasman competition in Christchurch, New Zealand, in March.

On Sunday 10 November, MMPC members Rhonda Shears, June Hunter and Alison Kinghorn competed in the Victorian State Triples held at Endeavor Hills. They placed second in the Plus 60s Women’s and finished third in the overall Women’s event. The two divisions were combined into one event. It was a big day of petanque with some tough opposition, but games were played with great spirit. Five qualifying games, each roughly 50 minutes long, were followed by two finals. A long but rewarding day filled with concentration.

The club will hold its Christmas function in December, at local restaurant Canteena again.

If you are interested in trying petanque, drop into our club grounds behind the Ampol Service Station in Gisborne. Playdays are held every Wednesday 2-5pm.

Saturday playdays run 10am-1pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. For enquiries, please go to our website: mtmacedonpetanque.org

Alison Kinghorn

Summer barefoot bowls and barbecue nights

Come along and have some fun at our Barefoot Bowls evenings and enjoy a ‘build your own burger’ barbecue. They are on the first Friday of the month of December, February, March and April – weather permitting, of course. The cost is $20 for adults, $10 for school-aged kids, and preschool kids

are free. Bookings are essential.

Macedon Ranges Bowling Club is at Tony Clarke Reserve, Waterfalls Road, Macedon.

Contact Helen on mobile 0402 812 550 or treasurermacedonbowls@gmail.com or Lesley on 0417 996 767 or secretarymacedonbowls@gmail.com for more information.

Macedon Cats prepare for 2025

It feels like just a week ago that our 2024 football netball season ended. Premierships are hard to come by in any competition but especially one as strong as the Riddell District Football Netball League, and we were fortunate to claim the first of many senior women’s football premierships and the C-grade netball title.

At the club’s recent AGM, the club was very happy to announce Steven Lambert was elected as president for 2025. Steven is an accountant who has worked across corporate, government and other sectors and has a wealth of knowledge of the local netball scene and a strong desire to learn more about the football side of the club.

Our football and netball departments have been busy during the off season with the club making several key signings. Last season’s coaches Katie Clarke and Al Meldrum are joined by Chris Nemeth as reserves coach, Teghan Butler as B-grade netball coach and Tom Hildebrand as under 19s football coach.

Our footy department worked hard to retain our 2024 senior list with excellent results. We welcome Zach Baggs back to the cattery, Tim Walsh and young gun Blake Watson join us for 2025.

If you are looking for a game of footy or netball, please get in touch via our website, macedoncats.com. au/contact.

Bevan Uren, football operations

Rhonda Shears, June Hunter and Alison Kinghorn at the Victorian State Triples in Endeavor Hills.

SPORT IN PICTURES

Gisborne Thunder captain Caitlin takes on butterfly, 16 November.

State title, Ararat v Gisborne Stipers Under 8, 10 November.

Dale Taverna bats for Macedon, v Lancefield, 16 November.

Spencer Jones opens for Gisborne McIntyre Cup vs Broadford, 2 November.

Jordan Catania bowls for Gisborne, v Rupertswood, 26 October.

Gisborne Thunder’s Mav dives into the pool in Gisborne, 16 November.

Ava Hynes bats for Gisborne, v Kilmore, 9 November.

Macedon Hot Cats v Black Panthers, 10 November.

Pictures by Chris Fleming. Available at Maddisons, Hamilton Street, Gisborne.

Oli Wotherspoon bowls for Gisborne Under 15s v Romsey, 16 November.

Harriet makes the high jump at Gisborne Little Athletics, 25 October.

Junior basketball, New Gisborne Sports Precinct, 13 November.

Spice Girls v Rebels, 13 November.

Tony Headley bowls for Gisborne Division 3, v Kyneton, 2 November.

Inder Singh bats for Gisborne Under 15s, 23 November.

Kay Atlas bowls for Gisborne Division 1, v Romsey, 2 November.

Woodend Hawks v Macedon Cats, 13 November.

A word from Rob Mitchell, federal member for McEwen

As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to extend my thanks to the incredible communities of McEwen.

As your federal member, I am incredibly grateful for the hospitality, support and generosity shown to me throughout 2024.

In Gisborne, I have been lucky enough to be part of the official opening of the long-awaited Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct, spend time with the Young Shedmen at the Gisborne Men’s Shed, tour the new facilities at Arcare Aged Care, check out the seniors health initiatives at Macedon Ranges Health and visit the Gisborne RSL.

Plus make visits to schools, volunteer organisations and local emergency service agencies with flags or to congratulate them on successful grant funding.

I want to thank all the clubs, organisations and volunteers who have given their time and energy to support our local communities. Your commitment does not go unnoticed, and I deeply appreciate your continued efforts to make McEwen a better place for everyone.

As we celebrate the holiday season, I wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a new year filled with health, happiness, and hope.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside all of you in 2025 to build an even brighter future for our region.

With Mary-Anne Thomas, MP

Wrapping up the year

It’s December! Some fantastic projects have been delivered in the Gisborne community this year.

In June, we said hello to the completed first stage of the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct in New Gisborne, backed by the State Government’s investment of $14.8 million – we are thrilled that the sports precinct will enable everyone to play the sports they love close to home.

Inspired spaces inspire the minds of our youngest learners and this year the State Government has continued to deliver spaces for our kids to grow, learn and thrive. Students at St Brigid’s Primary School are enjoying refurbished facilities,

MEMBER’S MESSAGE

while the Holy Cross Primary School community is looking forward to a new STEAM hub (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths) and other upgrades to support creative and inclusive learning.

Our emergency service volunteers are vital to our community. The State Government continues to support local services with a $101,500 funding boost for the Gisborne SES unit for a replacement Toyota Hilux support vehicle. This will improve the unit’s emergency response capability and community safety in Gisborne and surrounds.

My warmest regards to everyone in Gisborne for a peaceful and safe Christmas season and new year.

Rob Mitchell

Why is that place named…

The 30-acre (12-hectare) I R Robertson Reserve in South Gisborne is named after an active local community member and one-time president of Gisborne Shire.

Ian Roderick Robertson and his family lived for many years at Gisborne Park, which adjoins the reserve, and before that at a nearby property on Couangalt Road then known as Garrah. After Robertson’s early death in 1971, his wife Loris (known as Laurie) and sons remained at Gisborne Park, and Laurie also served on Gisborne Shire Council.

The Robertsons, partly by dint of being relatively wealthy and also well connected to Melbourne society, were community leaders, offering their property for activities such as fund-raising fetes, MCing local events, and taking on more serious responsibilities. One connection of the Benson family of South Gisborne has a dramatic memory from a day in 1944 when bushfires swept through the district. She remembers a man racing up to their Benson Road home on horseback to check that everyone was OK, then galloping off in the direction of Mount Gisborne, jumping fences because it was quicker than following the roads, to check on the next family. She was only a child at the time but is sure this man was Ian Robertson.

During the fires that day, the Robertsons lost 200 acres (80 hectares) of oats which the family had been keeping in reserve for local victims of some earlier fires.

Ian Robertson was a direct descendant of Alexander William Robertson, one of the group of men who took over Cobb & Co in 1856. Laurie was the daughter of Walter and Loris Yencken, graziers who lived at Stanton. She always joked about marrying the boy next door.

crossword

2. Nobel Prize winning Australian author, Patrick _____.

5. Author of The Hobbit, JRR _____.

7. Pride and Prejudice author, Jane _____.

9. Well-known Australian children’s author, Mem _____.

12. Author of the line “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”, Charles _____

15. Ancient Greek author of The Odyssey and a character from The Simpsons

17. Sherlock Holmes’ brother.

18. Author of Gone with the Wind, Margaret _____.

19. Nobel Prize most often won by authors. Down

1. If I write a book about myself, it’s called an _____.

3. Sam Clemens’ nom de plume, Mark _____.

4. Author of The Shining, Stephen _____.

6. Small village and the longest of Shakespeare’s plays.

The Robertsons’ sons Hugh and Neil maintained the local connection. Hugh Robertson now runs Bolobek in Macedon. Their late son Neil was well known locally, particularly in the horticultural arena, and lived at Westport in New Gisborne.

The land that makes up the reserve was donated in 1910 by John Aitken Beattie, then owner of Gisborne Park, as the new site for the local Couangalt school. Before this, the school was on McGeorge Road on land donated by an earlier owner of Gisborne Park in the 1860s: Beattie swapped one bit of land for the other. The school on Couangalt Road was closed in the 1950s and the reserve was created.

Author, author!

I R Robertson Reserve

Couangalt Road, South Gisborne

The reserve now includes a dressage arena, cross country track and jumps area. It is home to the Gisborne & District Adult Riding Club, Gisborne Pony Club and Melbourne Show Jumping Club.

Fun fact: the large stand of pine trees at IR Robertson Reserve was planted by Couangalt state school children in the 1940s, including a life-long resident of the Gisborne area, the late Bill Deverall. Pip Butler

Answers page 39 Across

8. Theodor Geisel is better known as Doctor _____.

10. The lawyer in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus _____.

11. Famous playwright and husband of Anne Hathaway, William _____. 13. The first line of Moby Dick, “Call me _____”

1. How many items are there in a gross, plus two score, plus three dozen?

2. The 1968 Olympic Games were held in which city?

3. What is the tallest building in London?

4. Who wrote the music for the ballet The Rite of Spring?

5. What is the capital city of Texas?

6. What does a phillumenist collect?

7. In which Italian city is the original Michelangelo statue of David?

8. Who was “The Boy from Oz”?

9. With the chemical symbol Ag, which element is the best conductor of electricity?

10. What was the first day of the third millennium?

Questions compiled by Chris Antoniou

Ian Roderick Robertson, Gisborne Shire president 1955

Loris (Laurie) Robertson pictured at an Oaklands Hunt Club event, 1954.

The late Neil Robertson in his garden at Westport.

Sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne _____.

Eric Blair, better known as George

THE CHURCHES

Muddy’s Christmas Musings

As I wander the streets and shops, I see the excitement of the season — Santa arriving, Christmas carols playing, and decorations everywhere. While this is wonderful for families, it often overshadows the deeper significance of the Nativity of the Lord.

The Christmas story is well known: the census forcing travel, no room at the inn, the stable birth, and visits from shepherds and wise men. Yet, we often overlook its grittier realities: a teenage pregnancy outside of marriage, a family fleeing as refugees, and the massacre of the Holy Innocents by a fearful Herod. These darker elements mirror the struggles many face today — warfare, refugee crises, and financial pressures.

Amid these challenges, Christmas brings a profound truth: the coming of Christ ushers in hope, peace, love, and joy. As the Gospel of John reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Another name for Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning God with us. A modern choral piece beautifully reflects this: O Emmanuel, God with us, with a light to break the darkness, that we may show your hope to the world.

I warmly invite you to join us this Christmas: Riddells Creek at 5pm, Macedon at 11pm for 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, or Gisborne Christmas morning at 9am. With every blessing for Christmas, Fr Scott

Christmas on the mount

Christmas is a traditional time of celebration. Shops have had decorations and Christmas fare out for weeks! For Christians, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and a time to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ birth, emphasising themes of love, peace, and goodwill towards all.

Mount Macedon Uniting Church will again celebrate the original Christmas story at the annual Christmas service of carols and lessons at 7pm on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December. This has been a tradition for many years, and is popular with locals and visitors alike. Everyone is welcome to join us for a joyful start to Christmas festivities.

There is also a Christmas Day service at 9am. This is a short celebration of the birth of Christ.

‘Christmas’ stories such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, O Henry’s The Gift of the Magi and the 1980s film The Christmas Story have entered popular culture. Christmas themed stories have also been written in Indigenous languages. Although these stories depict life around Christmas for their characters, the underlying message of all is the need for love of one another.

We thank the many Gisborne Gazette volunteers for their wonderful support across the year. The Gazette is a wonderful community newspaper and great asset to our community. We appreciate the dedicated group who produce it each month.

We wish readers a blessed Christmas and hope to see many of you at our Christmas services.

Neil Tweddle

The sounds of joy

Christmas is a fantastic season; the lights, the food, the gifts, the spirit of generosity that comes with the season. One of my favourite things about Christmas is the carols.

There is something magical about Christmas carols. They are songs everyone seems to know the words to more than any others. They are sung together, whether that be at a church, a school concert or a community Christmas carols event. They are not the most modern songs either, but they are loved by most people and invoke so much joy within us.

This December at the Gisborne Church of Christ we are spending every Sunday through the month focusing on a different Christmas carol and unpacking the story behind these songs that we love to sing at this time of the year, because their great songs contain a powerful message about the reason that many people celebrate Christmas.

All are welcome to these services, and we would love to see you there.

Submitted by Josh Cole, ministry team leader

St Brigid’s Parish Gisborne – incorporating St Ambrose Riddells Creek and St Patrick’s Macedon Parish Priest: Fr. Vincent Nguyen

2025 SACRAMENTS

Registration is now open for Sacraments to be celebrated in 2025.

Please contact the office at gisborne@cam.org. au if you would like to be included in information sent out for Sacraments in 2025.

Reconciliation available to Year 3 and above, Holy Communion available to Year 4 and above and Confirmation available to Year 6 and above.

Sacrament fee for 2025 is $100.

Baptism details required for registration.

Baptism is available all year round on the fourth Sunday of each month. Enquiries to: gisborne@ cam.org.au or 5428 2591.

Parish Secretary: Tammie Dalgleish Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm Parish website: www.melbcatholic.org/s/gisborne.

The cost of Christmas

Gisborne Uniting Church

Surely the most memorable phrase that describes Australia in 2024 is ‘the cost of living’. No day goes by in which it is not a matter for public debate and private stress. It might well hang over us as we consider the cost of the coming Christmas.

So, what is the cost of Christmas? At its most damaging, it is crass commercialism, the encouragement of youngsters to write greedy lists of wants, and then there’s the heavy costs (to purse and body) of over-eating and over-drinking.

Perhaps there is another way to count the cost of Christmas. Think of the haunting story of Christmas Eve 1914 when a brief peace came to the killing fields of France.

It was a Christmas carol which linked the opposing armies. Those soldiers offered their nations the

gift of peace fatally ignored as history tells us.

The language of the carols tells us what the cost of Christmas can be. They tell the story of a baby, a hastily put together cradle, the joy of those around the parents and of the overwhelming sense that even the heavens were happy. The carols sing of joy, hope, peace, love. No over-spending necessary.

“Silent night, holy night” was the carol of the battlefield. It offered respite from the clamour of gunfire and the perfect gift of silence.

Here at Gisborne Uniting Church, we hope that our readers and our whole community take up this gift privately for their own peace. Then join us for the shared peace of our Christmas Eve service at 7.30pm and then, at 9.30am, the joyful carols of Christmas Day. Janet Wood

WHAT'S ON

DECEMBER 1924

Bank Hold-Ups – Letter to the Editor. Sir: As an old bank officer, I wish to point out through you (as it is evidently of no use approaching the bank direct) that the management and directors are almost criminally liable for allowing their Gisborne manager to travel weekly (I think twice a week) between Gisborne and Mount Macedon — lovely country — with a large amount of cash to conduct their agency there. My business frequently takes me to the mount, and the officer who conducts this agency is at the mercy of and an easy prey for any bandit or bandits who may at any time say, “This is easy money.” He is there alone and no doubt his life would be forfeit whilst the parsimony and greed of the shareholders still continues.

The Age – 3 December 1924

Macedon Notes. There was a big attendance at the opening of the local tennis courts on Saturday week, when the Upper Macedon Tennis Club indulged in a friendly game with the Macedon Club. The court was declared open for the 1924-25 season by the President Mr Clarence Clemens. A good display of tennis was witnessed in one set, in which A. Hibbert and W. Hibbert (Macedon) defeated R. Dane and G. Bellhouse (Upper Macedon) 6-3, in a men’s four [doubles].

Gisborne Gazette – 5 December 1924

Gisborne Shire Council. Francis Henry Stephenson, ‘Glen Druitt’ Upper Macedon advised that he had received 64 pounds towards the fund to repair the Syndicate Road, leaving a balance of 35 pounds to make up the 100 pounds necessary, which the writer still hoped to be able to get, although many object to contribute, looking on it as the business of the Council and Government to maintain roads.

Gisborne Gazette – 5 December 1924

Newspaper Change. Mr Arthur Frederick Boardman, proprietor of the “Sunbury News,” has taken over the business of the “Gisborne Gazette,” and it may be predicted that under his management the district covered by that journal will be well and efficiently served.

Woodend Star – 5 January 1924

Upper Macedon. Our new post office is now completed and will be open for business on Monday. What is our Progress Association doing not to have arranged an official opening.

Gisborne Gazette – 19 December 1924

A Gisborne mystery Woman found in creek. A woman was discovered yesterday by Constable Kettle, of Gisborne, lying partly in a creek near that town. She was hatless and bootless, and partly disrobed. She was conveyed to the Melbourne hospital by a visiting Melbourne motorist. She said her name was Alice, of Mary Street, St Kilda. She did not remember how she came to be in the creek.

Ballarat Star – 7 January 1924

ADULT RIDING CLUB (Gis) 2nd Saturday Robertson Res, Sth Gis. ADULT RIDING CLUB (Bullengarook) 2nd Saturday Rec Reserve AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 3rd Saturday 10am Woodend RSL. www.mrarc.org.au

BADMINTON Tues 8.30pm & Thurs 9.30am, Macedon Community Centre, macedonrangesbadminton@ gmail.com or David 0419 589 425

BOTANIC GARDENS working bee every Thurs 9.30am-10.30am 0439 887 178 infogisbotgard@gmail.com

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 1st & 3rd Tues 10.30am, Canteena, Gisborne. Enquiries, call Lesley 0484 691 226 BUSHWALKING CLUB Various locations 0402 088 491 or secretary@gisbornebwc.org.au

CANASTA CLUB Macedon and Mt Macedon Community House Wednesdays 2pm

CAR CLUB (Mac Ranges & District Motor Club 1st Wednesday, 8pm, Steam Park, New Gisb. secretary@mradmc.com.au

CARERS GROUP (Mac Ranges) 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1pm Woodend RSL Cherry 5420 7132 (Note: 4th Thurs carers only)

COMMUNITY GARDEN Wed 9.30am Church of Christ (Facebook for updates)

CROCHET & CONVERSATIONS 1st Mon 2.30pm Gisborne Library

CROQUET CLUB Wed & Sat 10am Dixon Field Noeline 0426 500 516

CWA GISBORNE 2nd Monday 10am Gis Secondary College

CWA MACEDON 3rd Tues 1pm & 7pm 5426 2210 662 Mt Macedon Rd

DALY RESERVE WORKING BEE 2nd Tues 9.30am Scout Hall, Daly Res dalynaturereserve@gmail.com

FILM SOCIETY 2nd Wed Norma Richardson Hall, Woodend 0402 299 153 or 0407 012 140

FLY FISHING CLUB 4th Wed 7.30pm MRFEC Gisborne info@calderflyfishing.com.au

FRIENDS of JACKSONS CREEK working bees 3rd Sun 10-noon

GARDEN CLUB 2nd Wed various venues Jeanette 5420 7303

GENEALOGY GROUP 4th Thurs 7.30 Family Hist Rm, Library

GIRL GUIDES Thursdays 5pm Gis Scout Hall

GISBORNE SINGERS Wed 7.30pm Gisborne Uniting Church

HISTORICAL SOCIETY open Wed 10am-4pm Court House

LANDCARE: Gisborne Landcare working bee every 4th Sat, place to be confirmed each month, gisbornelandcare@gmail.com

LIBRARY: TODDLERS’ STORY TIME 10.30am Mon, Wed, Thurs; BABIES GROUP Fri 10.30am 5428 3962

LIONS CLUB (Gisb) 1st Thurs of month, 7.30pm 247 Station Rd

MARTIAL ARTS Thurs from 6pm St Brigid’s Hall; gisborne@junseikan.com.au

Baringo Film Club

MASONIC LODGE 2nd Thurs 7pm Masonic Hall Aitken St MASTERS AFL Wed 6.30pm all year round Sankey Reserve

OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB Sun 9am Riddell Rec Res macedonrangesdogclub.org.au

PETANQUE 2nd & 4th Sat 10am behind Ampol service station, Station Rd, Gisborne 0439 887 178 PHOENIX ART & CRAFTS 1st Thursday phoenixmrac.com

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOC 1st Tues & 2nd Mon 7pm Dromkeen, Riddells Ck macedon-ranges-photography.org.au

PICKLEBALL Monday 6.30pm & Wed 10.15am, Macedon Community Centre, macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com or David 0419 589 425

PONY CLUB Bullengarook 1st Sunday Rec Reserve

PONY CLUB Gisborne 1st Sunday Robertson Reserve

PROBUS 1st Thurs 10am Susan 0419 530 041 Gisborne Community Centre hall

QUILTERS (Gisb) Wed 7pm Room attached to Gisb Library

RAMBLERS Fridays 9.15am Tennis Club Dixon Field

ROTARY CLUB Gisborne 1st & 3rd Tues 7pm Telegraph Hotel (email gisbornerotary@gmail.com for confirmation of venue)

RUNNING GROUP Tues & Thurs 9am, 6pm, Sun 8am Gisborne Aquatic Centre Craig 0417 775 785

RSL 1st Mon 1.30pm Gis Golf Club 5428 2233

SENIOR CITS (Macedon) Tues 11am Tony Clarke Res macedonseniors@gmail.com

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS Thurs 1-3 Buffalo Stadium Woodend, 5427 1100

SPINNERS & FIBRE GROUP Wed 12.30 Rec Reserve Bullengarook Kerrie 0406 719 557

SUPPORT AFTER SUICIDE 2nd Mon each month, even if public holiday, 7-8.30pm Newham Mechanics (1292 Rochford Rd)

TABLE TENNIS Wed 7.30pm Tony Clarke Res, Macedon Stan 0437 508 338 THUNDER SWIMMING CLUB 2nd Sat 5pm Gisborne Aquatic Centre Peter 0402 088 491

TOY LIBRARY gisbornetoylibrary@yahoo.com.au Sat 9.30-11am 71 Robertson St

ULYSSES GROUP 3rd Tues 6pm Sunbur y FC secretary@mrub.org.au

VINTAGE MACHINERY Working bees 1st Sun of month, 8.30am Steam Park; meetings last Friday of month 7pm Steam Park 0419 393 023

WRITERS (Scribes & Scribblers) 2nd Tues 10am-12 Riddell Neighbourhood House 5428 7836

YOUNG VOICES Thursdays 4.15-5.45pm House of the Rock, New Gisborne; yvmacedon.org.au or sdggome@patash.com.au