A GOOD LIFE

Eight years ago Marie and Paul Williams opened a French Patisserie and Boulangerie - Le Peche Gourmand - in a smallish, but very cute shop in Creswick. Leading up to opening and for sometime after, some people were predicting doom and gloom for their new venture, declaring, “Why would you open a fancy bakery, it’s too up market for Creswick, it won’t last”. How wrong they were.

From the ‘get go’ the response was extremely positive with customers enjoying the delights of French pastries so much that word spread rapidly and it wasn’t long before Marie and Paul were greeting customers from far and wide. In January this year they moved from their little shop to much larger premises that had become available two doors along the street. The expansion has been a big change and has thrown up more challenges than the couple expected. Marie said, “it has become more café than bakery and is going in directions we hadn’t originally intended.” Adding, “When we first opened the new place, it caught the staff and us off guard, we knew it would be busier, just not as busy as it has been. We have great staff and they picked up the pace really well.” Paul said that he is amazed at how well known Le Peche has become, saying, “it makes me laugh when we go to Melbourne or other places and mention that we come from Creswick and people often ask if we know the little French pastry shop there.” Marie added, “even when we were in Port Douglas, someone asked us if we knew about the shop.”

French born Marie and Aussie Paul met at a Canadian resort 17 years ago. Both have travelled extensively working mainly in hospitality. Their journey to Creswick wasn’t exactly straight forward, in fact, Paul says, “it was an absolute fluke, my sister wanted us to come to Victoria to open a business in Beaufort, but the area didn’t really suit us. Then we saw that the shop was up for sale and we liked Creswick, so it was a no brainer.” Both Marie and Paul said they like Melbourne and city living, but the country life suits them and their family of three children much better, although they are still developing that ‘work/ life’ balance. Marie says, “the kids have learned to be resilient and that’s not such a bad thing.” Their vision for the future is simple. While they say that they both loved the smaller shop, the larger premises and extending trading to seven days, gives them more scope. It also means they can tick along - keeping their range simple, but delicious, maintain a successful business providing good jobs in a country town and continue to enjoy a really good life that they have already established. No one can ask for more.

The town of Clunes has embedded itself in the minds of all booklovers as the mecca for discovering rare and collectible books. Visitors can browse the street-long book shop to find one of those treasures as well as contemporary publications signed by their favourite authors.

This annual event, now in its thirteenth year will adventure into topics of crime, young adult fiction, memoir and climate through a series of panel discussions and talks with some of the nation’s favourite authors. Booklovers are invited to celebrate the power of books and community in an engaging symposium looking at Book Clubs, featuring a variety of authors and guest speakers throughout the day. Author talks, panels and workshops will take place across the weekend with Andy Griffiths, Garry Disher, Judy Nunn, Ann & Geoffrey Blainey, Chloe Hooper, Don Watson, Robert Gott, Nina Kenwood and more presenting within the beautiful heritage buildings of Clunes.

Together with thousands of books, the Clunes Booktown Festival is alive with music, street performers, exhibitions and a range of local food and wine to enjoy. Located approximately 90 minutes from Melbourne by car or train, Clunes is a member of the International Organisation of Booktowns – the only town with this title in Australia. The 2020 Clunes Booktown Festival takes place on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May and the Book Club symposium will be held on Friday 1 May. Festival tickets are $10 and author talks $15, available from Monday 2 March. Tickets and further information at www. clunesbooktown.com.au

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By Lily Mason

A TREE CHANGE THAT HAS WORKED

When I first decided to leave my city upbringing and live the dream in a small Victorian town, I assumed I’d be sacrificing a lot. But very quickly I adopted the slower pace, the fresher air and realised that I wasn’t missing out on anything. In fact, I’ve gained so much. Clunes, has a population of roughly 1700, it’s about half an hour from Ballarat, serviced by a few trains a day and is steeped in gold rush history. The town has more recently become known for its International Booktown status and is home to a campus of Wesley College.

I was born and raised in Birmingham in the UK. I’d spent my late teens-early twenties in London and moved to Melbourne at 24 in 2000. Moving to Clunes in 2008, the town was tiny. A bit run down, but very pretty. Fewer shops were open in the main street. Coffee could be found at the bakery, wine at the pub and a little bar open one night a week, but options were limited.

I was commuting to Melbourne to work each day, so at first I didn’t notice the difference too

10 much. But there was something lovely about reaching Pentland Hills and seeing the city fade behind me as the countryside opened up. I quit my job six months later. Life in Clunes has always been busy as I was quickly cajoled into joining a couple of local volunteer organisations. Clunes has one of the highest rates of volunteerism in the country making it a very active and inclusive community. For instance, each Tuesday night a big crowd of us head to the Town Hall for the Open House Dinners – a chance for people to connect with each other over an inexpensive meal created by volunteers and enjoy one of the town’s most beautiful, significant buildings. Food brings us together a lot here.

Clunes is growing and it looks very different to the town I moved to twelve years ago. We have a handful of great cafes and restaurants and now most of the shops are occupied, there are semi-regular circus shows and live music, but with the same small town community feel. I’m glad I quit my city life and stayed on.

Mineral Indulgence - your ultimate autumn escape Private 100% pure mineral water spa and either a 60 minute Relaxation Massage OR Signature Relaxation Facial

Complementary glass of local sparkling rose post treatment!

Your indulgence begins with a private mineral water spa in our ‘tree house’ style cabins overlooking the willow trees surrounding Lake Daylesford. Your skin will soak in the 100% pure mineral water sourced from the local springs. A personal spa therapist will guide you to your treatment room for your choice of either a massage or facial ... the perfect way to relax, revive and rejuvenate your skin and muscles this autumn. Mon - Fri $269 pp | Sat, Sun & Public Holidays $299 pp

Open 7 days 9am ‘till 4pm No reservations

Delicious all day grazing & take away in the enchanted gardens on Wombat Hill.

Join the #wombatpuppyclub - four legged friends are welcome in the garden.

Don’t forget #thedailybake – a selection of slow fermented sourdough loaves, baguettes, croissants, pastries & doughnuts from the bake house at Dairy Flat Farm Daylesford – delivered each morning. Pick some up with your morning coffee!

Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Daylesford. Entry off Central Springs Road at Stanhope St. @wombathillhouse 7017 5999 wombathillhouse.com.au Available for private parties, gro ups & weddings!

HIGH ON A HILL

Wombat Hill House Café is ideally located within the outstanding Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens overlooking Daylesford. Offering simple food sourced locally, including delicious breads and pastries from Dairy Flat Farm, this is the perfect spot for a great coffee, glass of wine, all day grazing and take away and no reservations required. Or you can choose to go for that special indulgence - High Tea – minimum 2 guests, but bookings are essential for this one.

Wombat Hill House Café also offer special picnic hampers. With our usually benign autumn weather, there is no better way to share time with friends than to picnic in these stunning surrounds. Wombat Hill House is also available for private parties, groups and weddings. The café décor is eclectic, enhanced by the large mural of the “enchanted forest”, created by Alan Wolf-Taker, all adding to the ambience of this special place.