The Local April 25

April 25, 2022 Issue 252 Spudfest

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

2 About Us

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Front cover: Silver Brumby proprietor Bruce Gleeson prepares his team to drive visitors around The Great Trentham Spudfest to be held on Saturday, May 7. Head to page 11 to read a bit about how the festival got started. See you there!

April 25, 2022 Issue 252 Spudfest

The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.

The next edition is out on Monday, May 9, 2022.

Or online on Sunday, May 8 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, May 4 Copy deadline: Thursday, May 5 Editorial deadline: Thursday, May 5

Image: Zoe Phillips

Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | sales@tlnews.com.au The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes Sub-editors | Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester

The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.

Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout & Donna Kelly

The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a director.

Photographers | Kyle Barnes, David White & Louise Gay

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The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money), Jennifer Hart (horoscopes) and Jen Clarke (recipes).

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Delivery | Tony Sawrey

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New battle brewing

A

NEW forest battle is brewing, not even a year after the state government announced three new national parks, including linking the Wombat and Lerderderg state forests to create a new park of 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh.

Many of the people who fought for the new parks, gathered at Babbington Hill near Lyonville, in the Wombat State Forest, on Good Friday to express their outrage over what they say are excessive timber salvage operations, finally happening after last June’s massive storm.

VicForests, a state-owned business managing the harvest, sale and regrowing of sustainable timber from Victorian state forests on behalf of the state government, is carrying out the work in partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation.

VicForests CEO Monique Dawson said the operation would treat windthrown debris, contributing to reducing fire risk and assisting in forest regeneration. The operation was limited to windthrown trees from the storm events, other than for hazardous trees felled for safety reasons.

“As part of those works, timber that can be utilised will be removed to provide timber to mills and firewood for community use. Our teams have also been hard at work assessing the damage to prioritise where works are needed most – and when.

“We are proud to support the Dja Dja Wurrung as the traditional land owners to restore their Country to health. VicForests is committed to working with all traditional land owners to provide technical skills and equipment to assist in caring for Country.”

Wombat Forestcare president Gayle Osborne said the forest community supported fire risk reduction but wanted an immediate halt to the current salvage operation and an investigation into how it could happen in a proposed national park.

“At Babbington Hill, about two acres has been cleared of all trees and vegetation to create a log landing and machine depot, tracks have carved through the coupe, and there is substantial damage by large machines to the sedgy riparian area. Large bark and debris heaps have been generated throughout the area," she said.

“Without any consultation, VicForests have added 175 coupes (designated firewood collection areas) in the Wombat and Cobaw state forests to their Timber Utilisation Plan, with approximately 80 of these within the promised national park.

“The operation is complete overkill. Wombat Forestcare is supportive of appropriate reduction of the fire risk along roads and tracks.”

Ms Osborne queried whether VicForests had made the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation aware “their operation would include clearing forest to create large log landings and machinery depots, constructing tracks and only removing the large logs that are not an immediate fire risk?”

Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation CEO Rodney Carter, inset image, said the organisation was often drawn into the struggles between environmentalist and natural resources views of the world.

“We would like to think we fit comfortably in the middle of that. We believe, and not arrogantly, we’ve got a right to do this.”

Mr Carter said the money from the operation would go to supporting programs, education, scholarships, health and wellbeing programs.

“We want to reinvest back into community but also back into Country.”

Mr Carter said the partnership happened when the state government was considering what would happen with the hundreds of tonnes of storm-damaged timber. The corporation was one of the first to get involved.

“We had the industry competency, certifications and a really good capability along with our approach and philosophy around forest gardening. We wanted to do forest-based activities based on our values, but we have never done anything on this sort of scale and lacked the capacity to do so. So that’s why we have gone with VicForests. It’s the right thing to do and is needed. We hope that others share that vision with us.”

Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: Sandy Scheltema | Inset: Contributed

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Our people 5

The local who killed off Neighbours' Madge

F

OR many of us who grew up watching iconic Australian television series Neighbours, news of its axing after nearly 38 years on our small screens is unthinkable.

From Scott and Charlene’s wedding (Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan) the show kick started the careers of many actors including Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia, Holly Valance, Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth and former local Guy Pearce to name a few.

And for Daylesford resident and former Neighbours writer Philippa Burne, pictured watching the show with Lilly, news of its demise is bittersweet.

Philippa was responsible for killing Neighbours matriarch Madge Bishop. She died of pancreatic cancer on screen in 2001.

“I remember being at a party in Amsterdam and started talking to an avid Neighbours fan. When I mentioned my work and involvement in Madge’s death, she yelled at me telling me Madge was like a grandmother to her,” she said.

“The world has changed the way it gets its entertainment, but back then free to air TV was what we all watched and we all got involved with the characters and for many, watching a show like Neighbours helped people escape the world and be part of something.”

Philippa, who is also a published author and journalist, was part of the team which, 15 years ago, controversially wrote Neighbours’ first lesbian kiss into the show.

It was a groundbreaking moment in 2004 for Lana and Sky (played by Bridget Neval and Stephanie McIntosh) and a moment Philippa is still proud of.

“So much time and energy goes into writing storylines, working out characters and in this instance there was a lot of concern with the lesbian kiss, particularly by the producers. We all worked hard to get it to happen.”

Philippa spent more than 10,000 hours of her career writing for Neighbours and over that time she was part of storylines that became Aussie folklore, but it was Madge’s death that stays with her till this day.

“People often say Neighbours is crap but over 37 years it has honed the skills of many in the local industry and has been the place for many to get the grounding they needed in the entertainment industry. And Neighbours has played such a major part in people’s lives that many feel connected to the characters and storylines.”

After a number of years developing storylines for Neighbours, Philippa took a position at Fremantle Media’s head office in London and became the ‘Fix It’ doctor for the media giant’s TV soaps across Europe.

Philippa had always travelled to Daylesford, be it on writing escapes or simply getting away from a hectic city schedule. When the opportunity came to buy a house in the small town in 2004, she seized it.

“Again, Neighbours played a major role in that. Having worked for Fremantle Media steadily I was in a position to buy a property and have that security. I eventually moved here full time just before the first Victorian lockdown and feel extremely fortunate,” she said.

“I was able to continue working remotely but was aware of many in the area who were out of work and businesses struggling to cope. Takeaway became more frequent simply because it was a small way I could support the businesses. I was very fortunate to keep working and extremely grateful.”

Philippa, a university lecturer in screenwriting at VCA, was able to continue classes online.

While Philippa had known a number of people in Daylesford, it wasn’t until she lived here permanently when strong connections with women were made.

“I became part of a local sewing group and the bond and friendships I developed with the women was incredibly special.”

It was those friendships that became a significant part of Philippa’s lockdown experience.

For many women in the entertainment industry, there are plenty of stories of unspeakable misogyny. Philippa could write a book on what she has seen, encountered and lived through but now is devoted to ensuring women in the industry don’t feel powerless.

Philippa also works with many aspiring screen writers around mental health issues and is a qualified mental health first aider. Mentoring, advocating for and supporting young women entering the cut throat world of the entertainment industry.

While Philippa continues to inspire young writers through lecturing, there was a stint in the public service and a History of Art degree that came before writing.

“It took me a while to get around to writing. I always knew I wanted to be a writer but school has a way of stifling creativity. It wasn’t until I was in my late 20’s that I studied editing and screenwriting at RMIT and wrote my first novel,” she said.

Her debut novel Fishnets was entered into The Australian/Vogel Literary Award and while she wasn’t shortlisted, her novel was picked up and published by Allen & Unwin publishers.

For Philippa, travelling the world working alongside some of the best scriptwriters, working in an industry ruthless and exhilarating at the same time didn’t compare to the moment when a young student came up to her and said her book changed her life.

“In the late 90’s Fishnets was used in schools and one school turned it into their school play. I would go into schools and talk about the book. After being at an extremely rough school, a young girl sneaked back after we had finished and told me my book had changed her life,” she said.

“The young girl said she finally felt someone understood what she was feeling and said she didn’t think anyone else felt the way she did. She was 15. While I am grateful for my career and the opportunities that I have been presented with, it is that moment that will stay with me forever.”

Words: Narelle Groenhout | Image: Kyle Barnes

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Our people 7

Cecilia sharing her best life in Daylesford

T

HE Central Highlands are familiar territory for Cecilia Macaulay. Her grandfather lived and farmed in East Trentham and her sister is in Kyneton.

She even spent time, about 15 years ago, working as a WWOOFer (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) with Hepburn environmentalists, and now friends, David and Su Holmgren.

So, when Covid stopped the permaculture expert from her annual winter stays in Japan, she naturally found herself in Daylesford and is now offering courses out of Shizuka Ryokan.

It’s a long way from some of her past projects which include the design of a selfmaintaining garden for Sir Richard Branson’s Caribbean island and consulting for Taronga Zoo’s 10-year plan but Cecilia is loving the local community and more than happy to share her knowledge.

“I moved to Daylesford because I wanted more Japanese culture and creative people around me and the feel of the community is really strong here. When I got this chance to do my workshops at Shizuka and also the chance to build them a Japanese herb garden, I thought ‘I am staying’.”

The Japanese connection started when she was a university student. She was in the library and approached by a shy Japanese man with a note, in her words an "otaku", or which translates as nerd, who requested humbly if she would talk to him in English. She liked his earnestness and they conversed formally each week.

He talked about many aspects of his homeland and “for some reason that lovely encounter created a desire for Japan”.

“It has been such a great relationship between me and Japan. I teach them permaculture and every year I get more and more in love with Japanese culture. It really is what my personality needed most. I am naturally creative and disorganised, I have energy to start things but not always to finish them, I love making stuff, but cleaning up, not so much. Japanese cultural practices have shown me a way to inspire myself into doing things in a way that works and connects me to other people. So I can have a team, and not annoy them with things like my unwashed dishes lying around, and we can make lovely projects happen.”

Cecilia says Japanese people are like everyone, they want to have a better life using inspiration, rather than discipline. “Permaculture is about making an eco-system around something so it can happen naturally. If you want to grow something in your garden, you work out its companion plants, what will repel pests, what will support it and then it will naturally give you its bounty without fighting. Setting yourself up to be the best of yourself.

“And I learnt early on there is no use in growing food if you can’t cook it because your kitchen is confusing or you didn’t harvest on time because you were too distracted. So my permaculture courses these days are not about gardens, because lots of other people teach that. My priority is helping people make their home life less complicated, and set up their environment to co-operate with them. I teach design principles such as how to reduce the amount of useless diversity – like too many kinds of Tupperware containers and missing lids - and increase the amount of useful diversity – like inviting different people to dinner and make a difference to your life.

My real goal is to help people better connect to each other – because that is what its all about.”

Cecilia said she honed her craft while staying at the homes of generous, creative people who supported her as she travelled the country running her workshops. They often quietly struggled with clutter and overcommitment. She would use what she taught in her workshops to beautify the house with them as a thank-you gift. Her Zen your Space workshops at Shizuka are designed for creative or neuro-diverse people, her favourites.

“Shizuka Ryokan is a perfect Japanese guest house with tatami mats and you can see the genius of Japan and the simplicity in the building – refined over centuries. A lot of permaculture is borrowed from Japan. How to make a better life, how to get a lot out of a little and how to work with nature not against it.

“Japanese culture is very much about savouring what you’ve got and being in a relationship with everything you’ve got. And so is permaculture.”

Link: www.ceciliamacaulay.com.au Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed The Local will always be a free read but if you want to support local, quality journalism you can donate by scanning the QR code.

The Great Trentham

F E D S U T P S - 7 May 2022 -

Eat. Drin k .

Play.

Stay.

A Spud-tastic festival of fun, food, wine, music, kids games & activities, history, spuds for sale & much, much more! tren th a m sp ud f est

| tren th a m spudfe s t.o rg.au

www.tlnews.com.au

Out & About 9

On Monday, May 9, head to the Daylesford Bowling Club for a Biggest Morning Tea event from 10.30am. Organiser Carol Collins said everyone is welcome, with plenty of raffles and fabulous food.

Entry is $15 and no bookings are necessary. The annual event raises money for the Cancer Council.

From left, Lois Voterakis, Joan Field, Margaret Coffey, Evelyn Young, Carol Marshall and Carol Collins Image: Kyle Barnes

Pick me, pick me Coaches replace trains on the Bendigo Line Each night from 24 to 27 April

We’re upgrading the Sunbury Line and building the Metro Tunnel to make it quicker and easier to get to universities, hospitals and jobs in Melbourne. As part of the works, coaches will replace evening trains in both directions between Southern Cross and Bendigo Station from Sunday 24 to Wednesday 27 April.

Skeeta is an energetic 11-year-old foxy-cross who needs a new forever home.

Her elderly owner has had to go into an aged care home and can no longer look after her. A neighbour has been looking after Skeeta for a couple of months, hoping her owner would be able to return home, but cannot keep her.

If you can offer Skeeta a wonderful forever home please call Yvette Reading on 0408 459 522.

1604

Find out if you’re affected at bigbuild.vic.gov.au

(Pick me, pick me, is run in memory of Rosie and Curly. We picked them.)

10 Opinion

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Your Say - Letters The clean up and salvage of fallen trees in the Wombat State Forest following the June 2021 cyclonic storm event has finally begun in one of the hardest hit areas near Lyonville.

Harvest and haulage contractors have been doing an impressive job which will enhance forest safety, amenity and access for a future national park and importantly reduce fire hazards near the township prior to next fire season.

It's sad and hard to fathom why some people would see the need to protest about these restorative works finally being undertaken as they did on Good Friday. (Pictured

by Gary McIntosh) The timber is also being utilised at a time when there is a real shortage of this valuable resource and all hollow and moss covered logs are retained for ground habitat along with others to meet ecological vegetation class benchmarks.

- Gary McIntosh, Bullarto

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It is difficult to reconcile the reason for the resurgence in interest in Anzac Day.

I would certainly like to think that it is due to our increasing awareness of the abomination of war and the damage that it wreaks. My suspicion though that something else is going on is aroused when I witness the fervour with which our politicians rally support for observance of the day and all things military.

It seems all too likely that it is being brought in as a ploy with which to foster a willingness to join in the next foreign conflict, with which we have little association and nothing to gain.

There is certainly much to regret about the conflict at Gallipoli itself. The tremendous loss of life in a defeat that was essentially a British conflict over empire.

A conflict which arguably had little to do with the mostly young men for whom we still mourn over a century later.

- Pat Hockey, Clunes

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Horoscopes

Horoscopes 11

with Jennifer Hart April 25 - May 9

Aries: If you have an artistic side,

you might be visited by the muses.

Opportunities to earn money might show up, or a new idea to manage your money.

Early May your powers of persuasion are elevated, this happens only once a year, use it wisely.

Libra: Your daily routine might feel like more of a grind these days, like there are

not enough hours in the day. Be mindful of not becoming the martyr, set some boundaries so that you don’t overdo it. There’s an opportunity throughout April to revamp your health routine.

Scorpio: If you have lost touch with some of the more joyous moments in life,

reconnect, and indulge in some activities that fill your cup. The May 1st eclipse might bring in swift changes in relationships for you, if you’re in a relationship or Taurus: It’s time to celebrate, shine and feel the love from others. Don’t get too swept partnership that isn’t working for you, this might signal a time of endings. away with the crowd and be mindful of misinformation. If you’ve been looking for a fresh start or opportunity to re-vamp your routine around your health, early May is a Sagittarius: It’s springtime in the northern hemisphere, embrace it and give your great time for that. place the Marie Kondo experience; if it doesn’t evoke joy, then you don’t need it. A new project that you put your hand to, might require some hard work or sacrifice, but you feel excited by this.

Gemini: Lots going on for you at work right now, new ideas might be overflowing.

At the start of May, don’t get caught up in self-indulgence, you know what they say, a moment on lips and a lifetime on the hips. A little spiritual awakening might be on Capricorn: If there’s a writing project on the books, blog, or speech, maybe an the cards too. important presentation to make at work, this is a great time to express yourself through words. Creativity, joy, and pleasure abound early May. Cancer: Moving on any ideas relating to higher education, publishing or longdistance travel can see you make great gains over the next few weeks. New friends or Aquarius: This might be a time when you have a penchant for spending more than community groups might be tied into this, breathing new life into old ideals. you have. There could also be a scenario that sees more money coming in, or the ability to acquire more assets or resources. Don’t be tempted by lavish, extravagant items that don’t fit the current budget.

Leo: Gifts from others, what you owe and what others owe you, are highlighted in April. Someone might offer you an opportunity you didn’t think would come your way. The May 1st eclipse might see shifts in your career path, the exciting new Pisces: A new phase of your life might be blossoming, something as simple as beginning that you’ve been waiting for. updating your wardrobe might make you feel like a new version of yourself. Perhaps you’ve learned a new skill and you feel obliged to share it with the world, the singer Madonna was on to something with the simple phrase – express yourself.

Virgo: Dust off the John Paul Young, because love is in the air. Try not to get too swept away and lose your head. Exploring new ideas or a little mysticism might be going on this year, or a person comes into your life, inspiring you.

Until next time, Jennifer Hart For your full horoscope reading head to www.jhartastro.com or www.tlnews.com.au

All things potatoes and more at Spudfest

A

S AUTUMN stretches out, Trentham spud farmers are starting to pull their potatoes out of the ground – just in time for The Great Trentham Spudfest on Saturday, May 7.

There’ll be freshly dug spuds for sale, food trucks offering taste sensations with a potato theme, gourmet produce and artisan craft stalls.

Make your way around town on a horse and cart ride, linger over Devonshire Teas or sashay away to an afternoon of live music.

For the families there’s mini golf, face painting and gourmet ice creams to name a few. Trentham also has some the fabulous stores and cafes of Market and High streets.

The very first Spudfest took place in 2008, which the UN had declared International Year of the Potato in recognition of the importance of the humble spud as a staple food for the world’s population.

Local resident and then president of the Trentham Rail and Tramway Association, Bob White, saw an opportunity to reinvigorate the town and started planning a spud-themed event.

“When I learned that 2008 was the International Year of the Potato, I thought it would be a great time to celebrate Trentham’s proud history of potato growing. At that time, Trentham was in the doldrums. The Cosmo Hotel had been extensively damaged by fire and was closed. I felt the town needed something to get it going again. The idea was to get as many organisations around the town to work together to create a festival in honour of the spud and inject some life back into the town.”

The first Spudfest took place in May 2008 and stretched over an entire weekend, punctuated by a potato dinner at the Mechanics Institute on the Saturday night.

This year’s event will be based at the old Trentham Railway Station and stretch up the charming, oak tree-lined Market Street.

It’s always a fantastic event and one not to be missed.

Link: www.trenthamspudfest.org.au Above, Blackwood farmer John Dunn with a handful of spuds getting ready for Spudfest Words: Contributed | Image: Kyle Barnes

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Gardening y t i l i b a s i D n a i l a r t s u A Enterprise Windarring now operates a Gardening ADE. The range of services provided are mowing, lawn edging, weeding, whipper snipping, general pruning, slashing and landscaping, general garden maintenance jobs and rubbish removal.

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www.tlnews.com.au

Community sport 13

The ARC and 13 years of community volleyball

Y

ES, some people say 13 is a unlucky number but to the students and adults of Daylesford who have learnt new skills, teamwork, leadership and personal development, got a little bit fit, made some new friends and most of all are having great fun, 13 is just a number.

Daylesford Volleyball Association runs volleyball on Monday nights in mixed competitions with juniors from 6 pm, social from 7 pm and open division from 8pm.

The association also enters junior and adult teams in a few weekend tournaments throughout Victoria and encourages students to try out for Victorian state junior teams. So far, 10 juniors have been selected in state teams over the last 13 years and played at the Australian Championships, to be held in Bendigo this year.

Daylesford Primary School acknowledges the huge benefit of volleyball to the community and places volleyball on their curriculum in the fourth term. This enables the association to conduct volleyball classes, run a lunchtime competition with students and teachers and then an all-day volleyball tournament at the ARC, umpired and coached by volleyball players from Daylesford College.

The association also conducts PE classes at Daylesford College and helps select and train the school teams for the Eureka Division School Volleyball competition which is conducted at the ARC each year.

In the recent senior and intermediate divisions, three of the four teams from Daylesford won their divisions against teams from the Ballarat area. They will now go on to play at the Greater Western Region Championships in May. In previous years a girls team has finished third at the Victoria State Championships, pictured right, out of more than 400 schools and a boys team has finished fourth, pictured far right. A fantastic effort for a small shire like Hepburn.

New volleyball competition commences on Monday, May 2 at the ARC in Smith Street, Daylesford from 7pm for adults and senior students. Cost is $2 for students and $5 for adults. No experience is necessary, just the ability to make new friends and have fun. Contact Colin Priest on 0447 487 674.

Left, back row, Dean Homicki, Gary Thomas, Stewart Jonas, Martin Steinocker & Doug May, front row Andrew Cooper, Andrew Denis & Florian Holfinger Below left, back row Colin Priest (coach) Sienna Milton, Lauren O’Brien, Sophie Elderfield, Ruby Hunt & Eve Britten, front row, Asha Loft, Jess Vanderberg & Kira Vanderberg Below, back row, Charles Evans, Will Boskov, Oscar McLucas, Scott Kinnear, Colin Priest, front, Front Banjo Kinnear, Tom Cox, Adam Leonard & Ollie Rose

Words & images: Colin Priest - Victorian state coach

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY SPORT

For all your community sports results, scan the QR code or head to

www.tlnews.com.au Bendigo Bank

Community Bank Daylesford & District 5348 4186

COVID-19 Vaccination Update WINTER BOOSTER DOSES The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has approved a winter booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to increase immunity for people at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Eligible people who have received their primary vaccination and third dose are now able to receive their COVID-19 vaccine winter booster dose. Those eligible are: Adults aged 65 years and older Residents of aged care or disability care facilities People aged 16 years and older who are severely immunocompromised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older.

Creswick Health Fundraiser GOOD NEWS! The pick-up dates have been extended for our High Tea at Home (with hot drinks and flowers) packages for Mother’s Day! -- You can now pick up your order on any day except Monday, between Sunday 1 May and Sunday 15 May – so if you can’t visit your mum on Mother’s Day, you can still spoil her! NOTE: orders need to be placed two (2) business days prior to pick-up.

Vegetarian and dairy-free options available.

Spoil your mum with a delicious high tea box, hot drinks and flowers this Mother's Day! Every box ordered will help to improve the health and wellbeing of the Creswick community.

Thank you to Creswick Country Bakery and Creswick Flowers for supporting our local health service! General donations also welcome.

You can receive your winter booster dose four months after receiving your third dose, or from four months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection, if infection has occurred since your third dose.

Pfizer and Moderna are the preferred vaccines for the winter dose.

Book a winter dose appointment at a Victorian vaccination centre using the online booking system, or by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week. You can also book an appointment at your local GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit: www.chrh.org.au/covid-19-vaccines/

COVID-19 Clinic Hours Testing Clinics

Vaccination Clinic

Please call for clinic hours and bookings.

Bookings and walk-ins for 5 years and over.

Daylesford Health - PH: 5321 6654 • ANZAC Day (25 April) - CLOSED • Tuesday 26 April and Thursday 28 April • Monday 2 May, Wednesday 4 May and Friday 6 May

Kyneton Health: • Tuesday 26 April - 12 noon to 5pm • Friday 29 April - 12 noon to 5pm • Tuesday 3 May - 12 noon to 5pm • Friday 6 May - 12 noon to 5pm

Kyneton Health - PH: 5422 9900 • Open 7 days, including public holidays

Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham 5321 6500 www.chrh.org.au www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU

Community News MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

AQUATICS STRATEGY ADOPTED

At our recent April Council meeting, I am very pleased The Aquatics Strategy was adopted at the April 2022 Council meeting held last week. It provides a 10-year priority plan to guide the future strategic to report that we resolved to rename the Jim Crow direction, infrastructure development priorities, asset management and Creek to Larni Barramal Yaluk - which means ‘Home or habitat of the Emu Creek’. The decision recognises maximise participation and programming opportunities to contribute to the health, wellbeing and liveability of the communities of Hepburn Shire.

Aboriginal heritage, the importance of reinstating There has been a significant amount of planning and community and Dja Dja Wurrung language, and removes a name stakeholder engagement to inform the development of the strategy, that many people agree is racist and derogatory. It is with input from residents and sporting groups, along with Sport and also another important step in our commitment as a Shire to reconciliation with the Dja Dja Wurrung, our Recreation Victoria, Daylesford Indoor Aquatic Centre (DIAC) Advocacy Traditional Owners. The name change request will now Group, Creswick and District Aquatic Centre Advocacy Group and Central Highlands Rural Health. Read the strategy at https://participate.hepburn. go to Geographic Names Victoria for further review vic.gov.au/aquatics-strategy and final decision.

For quite some time, Council and community members have worked together along with project partners, Mount Alexander Shire Council, North Central Catchment Management Authority and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation trading as DJAARA, on the proposed renaming of Jim Crow Creek. The new name, Larni Barramal Yaluk, proposed by DJAARA, and supported by Djaara Elders importantly reconnects our landscape with the Dja Dja Wurrung culture and language.

The term ‘Jim Crow’ has its origins in racial segregation and racism. In the 1820’s ‘Jim Crow’ became a racist term to refer to ‘black people’ worldwide and became ‘Jim Crow Laws’ in the United States (1877 to 1965), which made discrimination and racial segregation legal and enforceable. The name Jim Crow was likely first applied to the area of Lalgambook/Mt Franklin

by Captain John Hepburn in the 1830’s. The term Jim Crow became the unfortunate catch-all term used by colonists to refer to the mountain, the Aboriginal Protectorate, the ‘Tribe’, individual Aboriginal people, the creek, the goldfields (diggings) and district.

Council conducted significant community engagement on the renaming, and it was clear that there was overwhelming support for the new name.

The total overall result of the feedback during the consultation period of the period of 30 September to 12 November 2021 was 187 in support (including 41 tacit approval) and 30 objectors.

Mount Alexander Shire also made the decision at its last Council meeting to endorse the renaming of the creek to Larni Barramal Yaluk as it also runs into that shire. And pending a review by Geographic Names Victoria, at the recommendations of both councils, the name “Jim Crow Creek” will be reserved in the state’s geographic names register as an historic name and will remain a part of the region’s history.

I’d like to congratulate all people involved for their amazing efforts in getting the renaming to this significant milestone along the journey.

Cr Tim Drylie MAYOR

JOIN OUR TEAM

We are looking to recruit new staff to join our team across a number of roles.

If you are looking for your next career move, stay up-to-date with the latest job opportunities at Hepburn Shire Council, and apply at www.hepburn.vic. gov.au/employment-opportunities

COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS

DRAFT ASSET PLAN

Council manages assets of a combined value and replacement cost of $440 million. We have drafted an Asset Plan about how these assets will be managed, and invite the community to review the plan and have a say.

The plan includes information about the maintenance, renewal, acquisition, expansion, upgrade, disposal and decommissioning of each asset class. Asset classes include roads, kerb and channel, footpaths, bridges, storm water drainage, playgrounds, aquatic and sporting facilities and more.

The Asset Plan has a ten year outlook and addresses how the Council proposes to manage its portfolio of assets to ensure they are developed, renewed or maintained to facilitate the delivery of Council services. It is strongly linked to the Council Plan and Financial Plan, and is critical to the service planning and delivery along with the efficient use of available resources. Feedback closes 5.00pm on Tuesday 10 May 2022.

To read the draft Asset Plan and to have a say visit https://participate. hepburn.vic.gov.au/asset-plan

HAVE YOUR SAY

Participate Hepburn is being updated regularly with opportunities for you to have your say on different projects. Current projects open for feedback include LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee, Structure plans for Creswick and Youth Strategy.

We’re also working on engagment for the proposed Budget 2022-23, Differential Rating System, Arts and Culture Strategy and the proposed sale of The Rex building which will be opening soon for feedback. Keep an eye on Participate Hepburn to find out how you get involved at https:// participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au

PLANNING DEPARTMENT CHANGES

Don’t forget that we have initiated an online booking appointment system to provide comprehensive and quality pre-application advice. You are required to book an appointment online by clicking the Planning button on the Council website and following the link to ‘Pre-application Service’.

For all other planning enquiries, you can call to speak with a planner weekdays from 1pm to 4pm on (03) 5348 2306.

CHECK BIN COLLECTION

Did you know you can check your bin collection day online? Just visit https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/bin-collection-search/ The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.

 5348 2306  shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au  www.hepburn.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/hepburncouncil

Slow cooked Middle Eastern Lamb Shoulder with Pomegranate

BY RICHARD CORNISH

This is a great way of celebrating full flavoured autumn lamb by roasting it with a few middle eastern flavours and finishing it with the beautiful ruby like jewels of fresh pomegranate.

Lamb • 1.5-2kg lamb shoulder • Olive oil • Salt • 1 tbsp za’atar • 1 teaspoon cumin • 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (or honey) • 1 cup hot chicken stock Preheat the oven to 240ºC. Place the lamb on a roasting tray and rub with oil, salt, za’atar, cumin and pomegranate molasses. Place the lamb in the oven and roast for 20 minutes or until the skin begins to brown. Reduce the heat to 140ºC, add chicken stock, cover with foil and continue to cook for a further 4-5 hours or until the meat comes off the bone. Set aside to rest.

Dressing • 60 ml extra virgin olive oil • juice of half a lemon • Italian parsley leaves • pomegranate seeds • pistachio nuts, coarsely chopped

Pour off the oil from the pan. Mix the oil and lemon together and add to the pan juices. Drizzle this mix over the lamb. Dress with parsley, pistachio and pomegranate.

Richard Cornish, award winning journo, food writer and author, is writing a series of recipes for his favourite local butcher, The Daylesford Meat Co. For more recipes, visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au

WE

OUR LOCALS

We are proud to offer you Green Hills Natural Beef and Lamb from our very own farm. It’s as local as you are.

LAMB SHOULDER $17.99KG Our prime Green Hills lamb shoulder is on the bone and great value. Easy to cook and fall apart tender!

Shoulders vary between 2.5-3kg.

CHICKEN CHOPS 2KG FOR ONLY $25 Fantastic value with everyone’s favourite thigh meat but on the bone to keep in loads of flavour. These are great quickly seared - or you can cook them in a casserole to make a complete dish that the whole family will love.

FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER $100 TO DAYLESFORD, HEPBURN, TRENTHAM & SURROUNDS. USE CODE: LOCALFREE ON CHECKOUT OR PLACE ORDER VIA THE PHONE. Golden Chicken Cacciatore by Richard Cornish. Visit our website for this and other mouthwatering recipes.

37 VINCENT ST DAYLESFORD

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DAYLESFORDMEATCO.COM.AU

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Gig Guide

with Darren Lowe

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine - Mia Dyson, Saturday, May 7

Out & About 17

To market, to market You can find everything you need at weekend markets, from fresh fruit and veg to handmade jewellery and wares, throughout the Central Highlands and surrounds. Here are just a few.

Off the back of the 17-year anniversary reissue of her ARIA award-winning 2005 album Parking Lots, Australian icon Mia Dyson was penned to perform Daylesford Railway Market – every Sunday a run of Australian dates this November.

Due to Covid restrictions, Mia has had to postpone all of her upcoming shows but is thrilled to return home in early 2022 to celebrate the milestone with Central Highlands fans.

“I’m sorry to say we had to reschedule the Parking Lots tour again. Everyone has been doing it tough during Covid, especially our beloved live music venues. I think this time, we really will get to play the Parking Lots album for you and celebrate the 15th (well…now 17th) anniversary of its release. I can't wait to return to Australia to see you and play.”

In her two-decade long career, Mia Dyson has been nominated for five ARIA awards with Parking Lots taking out Best Blues and Roots Album in 2005. She was the inaugural recipient of Double J’s Artist Of The Year at the 2014 J Awards following the release of her Australian classic LP Idyllwild, and has had four albums up for AIR Awards with The Moment earning her a nomination for Song Of The Year at the 2013 APRA Awards. Mia Dyson’s extensive career has seen her support the likes of Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and Joe Cocker, and most recently touring extensively with her supergroup Dyson, Stringer & Cloher.

Heading back into the studio in 2020 to revisit five songs from the album, Mia’s Parking Lots (Revisited) EP sheds new light on a selection of her favourite cuts from the record. From the single Roll Me Out to the homage of motherly love on Rivers Wide, and the simple, captivating title track, the empowering Choose and crowd pleaser I Meant Something To You Once, the EP captures highlights of a great album, which still stands up pretty well 17 years on. Mia will be with her band, with material from her whole career sure to feature.

Got a gig? Email news@tlnews.com.au

Golden Plains Farmers Market – first Saturday Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers’ Market – first Saturday Castlemaine Farmers Market – first Sunday Kyneton Farmers Market – second Saturday Ballan Farmers Market – second Saturday Kyneton Rotary Community Market – second Saturday Maldon Market – second Sunday Clunes Farmers Market – second Sunday Trentham Farmers and Makers markets – third Saturday Glenlyon Farmers Market – third Saturday Creswick Market – third Saturday Leonards Hill Market – third Saturday Talbot Farmers Market – third Sunday Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday Malmsbury Farmers Market - third Sunday Castlemaine Farmers Market - third Sunday Daylesford Farmers Market – fourth Saturday Trentham Station Sunday Market – fourth Sunday Castlemaine Artist Market - fourth Sunday

Want to advertise your market? It's free. Just email news@tlnews.com.au

d ay l e s f o r d b o w l i n g c l u b

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Let’s support our community and shop local!

“Locals supporting Locals”

Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.

Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply.

Delivery times are Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

We accept credit cards over the phone or we have an on-board eftpos machine. You will need to be at home for the delivery with proof of age if asked by the driver.

Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577.

Keep safe, everyone.

KITCHEN – BISTRO LEASE Our current team is finishing in late May, and we are seeking expressions of interest from any individual, team or current business looking to expand, to take over this thriving business.

Our club has been a part of Daylesford since 1899, and we pride ourselves on good old-fashioned service with a smile and welcome, great food, and a lovely location and atmosphere.

Whilst we acknowledge our history, we embrace the future and are excited by the opportunities ahead. This is an exciting opportunity for someone to join us.

Generous incentives will be negotiable, and you will be working in partnership with a most supportive and experienced Management and Board.

Enquiries in the first instance can be made by calling Neil at the club – (03) 5348 2130 or email: info@daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au All enquiries will be handled confidentially.

8 Camp St - Daylesford | 03 5348 2130 | www.daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au

18 News

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Just briefly...

Organisations in Hepburn Shire have shared $23,000 under the latest round of the council’s Community Grants Program.

Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said small amounts of grant money could make a big difference in the community. "The program provides community groups with much needed funds to deliver projects that might not have been possible without this support."

Projects included: a defibrillator/Daylesford Table Tennis Association - $2500, The Day of the Wombat/Hepburn Wildlife Shelter - $2500, Clunes: Anthology of Works/Clunes Writers' Group - $1671, Trentham Timeline Project/Trentham and District Historical Society - $2500, Wholefoods 10th Anniversary Cookbook/ Hepburn Wholefoods Collective - $1795, Australian Orienteering Carnival/Locals Subsidised Entry/Orienteering Victoria - $2500, Seed Collection for the Future/ Seeding Victoria/Creswick) - $2491, Classics for Kids/U3A Hepburn Shire - $1800, Trentham Lions Wood for the Needy/Trentham Lions Club - $2000, Additional Relief for Vulnerable Persons/St John’s Creswick Emergency Relief - $2000 and Open House Shared/Clunes Neighbourhood House - $2000.

The final round of Community Grants 2021/2022 closes on April 28.

Running the Daylesford Cinema out of the former court house in Camp Street, now the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, would not be feasible, a study has found.

The study looked into the technical feasibility of modifying the building to establish and operate a cinema, heritage conditions that apply to the court house, and the implications for the ongoing operation of the DNC. Daylesford Community Theatre president Gina Lyons said the committees of both organisations had worked collaboratively to seek a home for the Daylesford Cinema. "While the court house option did not end up being sensible to pursue, the process undertaken by the steering committee proved to be pivotal and meant that the use of limited financial resources to undertake a more detailed feasibility was unnecessary. DCT will keep exploring viable options to enable the community to benefit from a community theatre."

Rainbow events Businesses and staff are invited to a workshop that aims to help create safe, welcoming and inclusive places for all.

The free session, which is being held online by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, is part of a series of events in the lead up to the International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17.

The May 5 workshop will explore the meaning behind the LGBTIQA+ acronym, respectful language and useful terminology and why health services like Sunbury and Cobaw focus on LGBTIQA+ communities. Businesses are also being encouraged to show their solidarity by displaying the rainbow flag.

To get your rainbow flag or to participate in the Safe, Welcoming and Affirming Spaces workshop, call 5421 1666/ healthpromotion@scchc.org.au

People in the Macedon Ranges who identify as LGBTIQA+ are being offered the opportunity to come and try various active recreation opportunities or sports for free.

The sessions, which will be held during April and May include yoga, bushwalking, personal training, karate, boxing, combat group fitness, spin and dancebased virtual workout classes.

These sessions are being offered as part of the Rainbow-active project, led by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Country LGBTI Inclusion Program (CLIP), with support from Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Healthy Heart of Victoria Project.

To book a session go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ rainbowactivecomeandtry or email healthpromotion@scchc.org.au for further information on the sessions or if your organisation is interested in taking part in the next Proud 2 Play training planned for later this month.

Mother’s Day Celebrating special moments with loved ones.

Discover the perfect gift here...

Open every day for tastings, sales & a bit of ‘magic’.

Lot 2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford. Ph: 5348 1920 A percentage of our proceeds on Mother’s Day will be donated to 65 Roses, in honour of ‘The Breath of Life’.

SUE’S PLACE

Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor Moments To Ponder

DEDICATED FLU CLINICS DAYLESFORD | KYNETON | TRENTHAM

a little gift from me to you

Truly, autumn is here.

The leaves fall steadily, blanketing the ground with their colour and memory.

The stillness, the cold, the changes - all remind us to prepare for winter - our time to slow down, reflect and dream.

What will you dream?

For all enquiries and to book appointments, please contact: Dr Susanne M Heringslake Chiropractor Mobile: 0407 301 352

URGENT CARE WALK-IN CLINIC OPEN EVERY DAY

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

BOOK YOUR FLU SHOT & COVID BOOSTER

Book online or call our reception team to book your flu shot.

If you would like to have your Covid booster/winter dose at the same time, let your GP know during your appointment.

BOOK ONLINE WITH

Daylesford Kyneton Trentham 10 Hospital St 89 Piper Street 22 Victoria St tel: (03) 5348 2227 tel: (03) 5422 1298 tel: (03) 5424 1602

Community Information Session Grampians disAbility Advocacy invites you to a community information session about the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The Disability Royal Commission is taking submissions up until December 31, 2022.

Speakers from advocacy, legal services, counselling and the Royal Commission will be there.

BEST CARE:

for every person, every time In a life-threatening emergency, please call 000

Your local Urgent Care Centre in Daylesford is a first stop for unplanned medical attention for adults or children.

Here, you will access local care that is the most appropriate for your circumstances. We triage (assess), treat or transfer patients depending on the nature of the visit and assessment of the illness or injury.

Professional care is provided by our highly skilled nurses, many of whom are Rural and Isolated Practice Endorsed Registered Nurses (known as RIPERNs).

Sessions will be held at: Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday, May 24, 2pm-4pm and; Bacchus Marsh Public Hall on Thursday, May 26, 2pm-4pm.

This is a free session with afternoon tea provided and door prizes.

Please register by phoning 1800 552 272 or via email admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au

Local GPs also collaborate with our nurses, and are available on-call for telephone consultation or visit.

After hours, our nursing staff can also access specialist services via Telehealth, including My Emergency Doctor, a service that connects us to specialist emergency doctors via phone or iPad.

What is an urgent medical condition?

Allergic reactions Asthma Breathing difficulties Burns (minor) Chest infections Concussion/loss of consciousness Constipation Dehydration

Dental or mouth pain/infection Diarrhoea Dressings Eye conditions (eg foreign body) Falls General injuries Laceration

Mental health/anxiety Nose bleed (epistaxis) Pain and pain management Sore throat or cough Sprains and strains Traumatic injuries (minor) Urinary problems

Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham

Daylesford Urgent Care Centre - 17 Hospital Street

5321 6500

Phone: (03) 5321 6500

www.chrh.org.au In person: go to the door to the left of the main hospital entrance and press the buzzer for attention. www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU

Please advise of any dietary or access requirements.

20 Homes

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Studio accommodation for rent in Glenlyon

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(Five months from May 1) Contact: hello@2cool4school.com.au

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Hepburn Shire & Ballarat

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Those falling leaves

I can never get the words of that haunting Nat King Cole love song out of my head each autumn - from the first autumn leaf to the last - and this year is no exception. After the drought-ridden, searing late summer days, this year of cool rainfilled days promises to give us a bumper, colour-filled season.

There was a time, in the suburbs, when autumn Saturday mornings were treated with the fragrant drifts of smoke from little piles of fallen leaves in the gutters out front...that is if the kids didn’t get to them first. (I must confess I still love that scrunching sound of dried leaves under foot).

But all that aside - environmental issues not withstanding - there are far better uses for autumn leaves.

Make the most of your autumn leaves and their stored energy by adding them to your compost heap or as a mulch around your favourite plants. Although leaves tend to blow around a bit when dry, it’s easy to matt them together simply by hosing them down.

As a moisture-retaining mulch, leaves are invaluable as they eventually become part of the topsoil and provide the plants with a steady supply of rich, organic food.

Beneath them, even in the hottest weather, sufficient moisture will remain for the bacterial activity to continue and turn the lower layers into compost.

Rather than mix the leaves with other compost material, pile them up on their own, for they will break down faster than other, more solid materials. If covered with sacking and kept moist they will rapidly crumble into leaf mould which can be used for loosening potting mixes, or as a soil additive for seed pots.

A 1-2cm layer at the bottom of pots instead of the traditional gravel or broken pottery will not only prevent soil loss, but the stored moisture will encourage stronger root growth.

Compost heaps are useful for providing large quantities of material for mulching beds and adding to the soil but leaf heaps are weed-free and more consistent in content.

A clever leaf escape-proof storage to complement your compost bin can be made by creating a “silo” from a couple of metres of chicken wire.

This autumn throw aside the matches. Don’t light the traditional street gutter leaf pyre, do your bit for the ozone layer and your garden beds and return your leaves to the earth.

Rusty insects

I know we’ve had a long wet summer but rusty insects...

I’ve always welcomed the almost regular visits of katydids (caedicia simplex) to our garden. Although they are known to munch on a few tender leaf buds on the way, they are friendly and extremely photogenic, as my fast-growing, macro-photo collection will testify, and they do forage on aphids and other pestilent insects. But they have always worn pea-green.

Imagine my surprise when I came face to face with the “rusty” specimen, pictured.

I know that although typically green in colour they can take on the hue of whatever colour flower they have chosen for food, whilst in the larvae stage, but I can’t imagine what this little character chose as his childhood diet, other than sucking on an old rusty bucket.

Coming up - tree planting time

Autumn is a great time to think about planting Australian native and frost hardy evergreen trees and shrubs - mainly because the natives, in particular, put on their best growth while the weather is at its wettest.

If you’re contemplating planting some deciduous trees for their foliage, what better time to see them at their finest? More about that next issue....

Got a gardening question: Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

TRENTHAM PETROL & .....................................

STUFF Petrol, oil, swap & go gas, Motorpass, farm produce, farm produce store, ice, milk, soft drinks, take away pies, coffee, confectionery, local honey, etc Rusty junk, secondhand books, old wares

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1 Market Street ~ ph: 5424 1611

Monday–Sunday 8aM~6pM

Ian Stanley golf day

T

HIS Friday, April 29, keen golfers from across the region will descend on the Hepburn Springs Golf Club to raise funds for Cafs (Child and Family Services, Ballarat) and to remember the late Ian Stanley, who was a great supporter of the Hepburn Springs Golf Club, in the annual Tee Up for Kids Foundation Ian Stanley Classic.

Ian was a champion both on and off the course. He was involved at the Hepburn Springs Golf Club for many years and, among his other achievements, was a founding director of the Tee Up for Kids Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which raises money for under-privileged children in Victoria.

This year, proceeds from the Ian Stanley Classic will be directed to Cafs Thread Together program. Cafs Thread Together Hub services the Central Highlands region providing people in need with new clothing and is the first of its kind in regional Victoria.

Funds will be directed specifically to supporting young people with new clothing, allowing recipients to dress with dignity, removing another barrier to continuing their education and ensuring that each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Ian Stanley's close friend Rodney Robinson has donated the putter that Ian used in his 2001 Senior British Open win. The putter that Ian gifted to Rodney is now on display at the Hepburn Springs Golf Club as the Classic's perpetual winners' trophy.

Golfer and friend Pat Baird said Ian’s achievements and contributions to Australian golf were often underestimated.

"Many who knew Ian can attest to the fact that he was a great character, larger than life and a champion golfer. He was a winner of 19 events on the PGA Tour of Australasia, one on the European Tour and three on the Senior European Tour including the 2001 Senior British Open. Ian was both a champion on and off the course, relentlessly active in supporting grassroots golf. He was introduced to the club by long term member, Rodney Robinson and over a 10-year period helped the HSGC raise in excess of $200,000 through the Spa Country Ambrose Golf Day held in October each year. After 12 years the event is still going strong and is still supported each year by AFL greats Mark Maclure and Tony Jewell who Ian also introduced to the club. All three are honorary Members for Life of the Hepburn Springs Golf Club because of their generous contributions."

22 Opinion

Kyle’s Rant

www.tlnews.com.au

Local Lines

Earth movers

Paper scissors, blue handle, blunt cutting blades that work best on tissue, old newspaper. Sister and I play the humming game. Try and out-do each other, humming as hard as we can with mouths shut. Until we run out of air, scare the dog. Shushed by television news, witnesses re-create traffic accidents, school-run bank robberies. Ruby moon lets itself in through flyscreen. Our lungs fill with pink-red and technicolour.

I

DO love this country but my God we pay a lot of tax.

The glue stick unlidded, dries, and turns grey. Coloured cardboard, pens like thick matchsticks, left in another room. Ruby moon cooled yellow amidst fast decades. An eyelash may fall onto the plateau of your cheek, stuck there by moisture in the wind. Tomorrow earth diggers return to carve up the neighbours’ block, crane arm cocked to the sunrise. Time moves bluntly. Soil razored by sharp instruments, capable of cutting heavier things than paper.

In Australia, our highest PAYE tax bracket is 39 per cent and GST is 10 per cent, so why do we pay so much tax when other countries such as Alaska use alternative sources of revenue that can offset the need to tax residents, revenue like tourism and natural resources.

Alaska generates 90 per cent of its revenue from its oil and gas industry and - Stephanie Powell boasts a zero per cent income tax rate. Oil-rich countries like Oman and Qatar are also in the same boat. Then there are countries like the Bahamas or the Maldives who generate enough revenue from tourism to fund a government without the need for an Stephanie Powell lives in Melbourne but enjoys spending time and writing in Hepburn Springs. She is the recipient of the Melbourne Poets Union Poetry income tax on residents.

Meanwhile Australia is rich with mining and has proven reserves equivalent to 2.9 Prize, 2022. More poetry can be found on her website: atticpoet.com times its annual consumption so is able to export oil, gas, iron ore and that horrible contentious black rock. Australia also has a huge international tourism market that, although a little stunted now, is forecast to spring back to full steam by mid-2023.

Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions But we still insist on pressuring our residents with a butt-load of tax, in fact, pound are always welcome. To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill for pound one of the biggest butt-loads in the world.

Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com It does make you think/angry when you take time to drill down into the figures what your earnt dollar in Australia is worth after all the little tax piggies take a nibble.

Before you bring that dollar home you pay around 30 per cent, leaving you with 70 cents and don’t forget the drive home. Before they removed some of it, the excise on fuel was around $0.44 cents per litre and then you pay GST on the excise. WTF? I reckon by the time you have paid PAYG tax, GST, fuel excise, car registration and all the other small taxes that go unnoticed, such as rates, every week you are left with a post-tax take home wage of 25 cents on the dollar that you earn, ouch.

Meanwhile the various levels of government greedily carve up your taxes of which 80 per cent of the initial 75 cents in the dollar they took, One of 8 different active is spent on government self-management and due process rather than recreation or sports for free! outcomes.

At least we don’t pay is a death tax but my accountant Matt Including bushwalking, yoga, from Cooke and Foley Ballarat says one of the biggest tax traps is the misconception that your principal place of residence is always tax-free. personal training, karate, If you happen to own a home and have the chance to get some money out of the price boom by subdividing and realising the value of boxing, combat group fitness, your home the mongrels at the ATO can clip the ticket on the piece you subdivide once sold for capital gains tax. spin and dance-based So, even though you scrimp and save your post-tax take-home wage virtual workout classes of 25 cents on the dollar and manage to pay off the biggest investment of your life, your home, subdivide it to feather your nest and of course All delivered in welcoming, safe help the housing crisis, once again the taxman comes calling.

To add insult to tax-sucking injury we now have to toss up who gets and inclusive environments to run the swamp up there in Canberra. Both candidates come with a shopping list of idiosyncrasies. In the right corner you have a dude who Register at: every time he seems to mention Jenny gets into media trouble, and in www.surveymonkey.com/r/ the left, a fella who doesn’t seem to be across the numbers. God help us all. 2021/2022 Tax rant over… rainbowactivecomeandtry

Identify as LGBTIQA+ and live in the Macedon Ranges?

'Come and try'

The Local will always be a free read but if you want to support local, quality journalism you can donate by scanning the QR code.

not consider the Daylesford Community Brass Band!

Opinion 23

group who meet every week to learn and play music which we then perform at public events.

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

WANTED! necessary – we provide everything from instruments and tuition to T WAS really interesting having a chat with Cecilia Macaulay last week check out her story on page 7. music and a uniform.

Are you a musician who has recently moved to the Daylesford area?

Or are you looking to learn a brass or percussion instrument?

Why not consider the Daylesford Community Brass Band!

INTERESTED?

We are a friendly group who meet every week to learn and play music which we then perform at public events.

No experience necessary – we provide everything from instruments and tuition to music and a uniform.

I

If not for Covid, she would be heading to Japan pretty soon where she spends our winters every year. She loves Japan and Japanese culture, and I do too, but I think we have different takes on the land of the rising sun. Or maybe I am stuck in the past and need another trip, when they open up again. Still closed to the world, and you think we took a long time to get the tourists back.

I remember being in houses that were so cluttered the only way to declutter would have been a skip. Don't get me wrong, they were fantastic, but if you think you have a lot of crockery, head to a Japanese house and pop into the kitchen. From floor to ceiling, stuff stacked everywhere.

And out in the dining room, well, the dining floor, it's not just you and the family on the ground, you share it with a rice cooker and a huge electric urn. Which is great because you never have to stand up for an extra serve of rice or hot water for your green tea. Most of the rooms, back in my day, also had a couple of overflowing ashtrays for dad.

I worked as an English teacher when I was there, aged about 22. Well I was an assistant English teacher. Often working with English teachers who had no English speaking ability at all. Not their fault, just the way the system was. Lots of written English, just not much speaking. Which is why they shipped in a load of assistants from English-speaking countries around the world. But it could be hard going. Like the time in class when a 13-year-old boy asked me in very polite English if I was a virgin. It was a yes/no question, just like the teacher had asked the students to prepare. But I was not prepared and just opened and shut my mouth. The teacher turned to me and managed to say "please answer". Things got strange after that. And the kid got a hell of a beating. Once again, just the system at the time.

to our “COME ANDINTERESTED? TRY NIGHT” on Monday May 9, from 7.30pm m (rear of the Museum, enter through the large gate at the side) Then come along to our “COME AND TRY NIGHT” on Monday May 9, from 7.30pm in the band room (rear of the Museum, enter through the large gate at the side) For further information contact Mark 0428 929689 or Shani 0409 954712

nformation contact Mark 0428 929689 or Shani 0409 954712

Catherine

KING MP

Federal Member for Ballarat 03 5338 8123 Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au CatherineKingMP @CatherineKingMP

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www.catherineking.com.au Authorised by Catherine King, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Avenue Barton ACT.

Mary-Anne Thomas MP

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Lots of people also talk about how beautiful Japan is, which is true, if you look in the right direction. I don't think many people would say Tokyo, with its high rises and electric wires everywhere, is beautiful. And there are plenty of lovely gullies, or perhaps were, filled with no longer wanted rusting cars. It is the land of throw away - I knew many foreigners who were able to furnish their apartments just from a stroll down the road. And that included almost new TVs. And I am not sure all Japanese people love their countryside. I lived there, after the government teaching stint, in an apartment with my Japanese boyfriend. We had no parking spots so we parked over the road outside a shrine. I went over one day to use the car and found a stack of cigarette butts next to it. He had just cleaned it out and dumped them as an easy tidy-up. I went off my head and not long after that found myself back in Australia. I think I realised despite how much I love the country, and I do, I was Australian after all. Mum was pretty happy with that decision too!

Anyway, as soon as the borders are open I am heading back for the first time in perhaps four years to enjoy a pretty bento box and a cold sake (only bogans drink it heated) and Kyle can have an ice-cold Asahi and one of those fluffy white sandwiches with absolutely no nutritional value at all.

And if we have to wear masks then that's OK. Japan has been well ahead of that curve for years. Even a visit to Japan with a mask would spark joy. Just sayin'...

Authorised by MA Thomas, Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne

24 Crossword

www.tlnews.com.au

W RD

CROSS

Here is the solution to crossword for edition 251.

Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere.

How did you go?

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Sport 25

Burras win the Bill Malone Cup at Hepburn

There was plenty of action at the Laurie Sullivan Oval at Hepburn on Saturday, April 23, as Hepburn and Daylesford vied for the Bill Malone Cup. The final score was Hepburn 19.14-128 winning over Daylesford 11.9-75. Images: Kyle Barnes

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday 10 May 2022 and Tuesday 28 June 2022 both commencing at 5:30pm.

These meetings will be held in the Council Chamber, Daylesford Town Hall – 76 Vincent Street Daylesford, with the public able to attend virtually via the live stream on Council’s Facebook page in line with provisions of the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Amendment Act 2020.

The proposed business to be transacted at these meetings will be for Council to consider: • Tuesday 10 May 2022 the adoption of the Draft Budget 2022/2023 for Public Exhibition.

• Tuesday 28 June 2022 the adoption of the Budget 2022/2023 These Special Council Meetings are called in line with Council’s Governance Rules 2020.

Enquiries: Acting Manager Governance and Risk 5321 6434.

Head to www.tlnews.com.au for all your local sports results!

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The Last Word - A crash course on rules

A popular poet once wrote: "Half of the people can be part right all of the time, Some of the people can be all right part of the time, But all of the people can’t be all right all of the time, I think Abraham Lincoln said that, I’ll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours.

I said that."

Full marks if you recognise Talkin' World War III Blues, from the 1963 record The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

In the mid-1980s, before I’d discovered the marvellous Melbourne public transport system, I drove my car to work each day, from St Kilda to the Melbourne CBD. Along with hook turns and roundabouts, sitting in the wrong side of the car while on the wrong side of the road, I had to come to terms with Victorian concepts about motoring.

One morning, after a particularly stressful journey in to work, I arrived at the office and began to rant (readers of this fine publication are well accustomed to the meaning of that word, thank you, Mr Barnes).

It went something like this: Damned Australian drivers, you treat the posted speed as a minimum, you think tailgating is a competitive sport, and you think it’s required that you pass anyone who’s in front of you, regardless of traffic conditions!

One of my co-workers, Jamie, one of the finest, wisest people I’ve ever known, with a supremely dry sense of humour, listened to my outburst, looked me square in the eyes, and said: “Now you know the rules, what’s the problem?”

It was a simple yet eloquent response, one I’ve since applied to many situations.

As for knowing the rules, one of the trickiest parts about driving in and around Melbourne for me was managing what we called The Amazing Disappearing Lanes.

In almost every suburb around the city, we’d be going along fine, two lanes in each direction, when, with almost no warning, the road narrowed to two lanes through a neighbourhood shopping strip, forcing everyone in the disappearing lane to merge into the remaining lane. It seemed to us that the merging part of the situation was one in which not many Victorians excelled. Or else we didn’t know the rules.

As former California drivers, we’d concocted a fanciful mythology about welltrained, courteous drivers who obeyed the rules of the road and looked out for one another. Now, after a few years being back among our compatriots, I can report that Californians share every fault displayed by our Victorian friends - plus a few extras.

There is one road practice that our new neighbours have forgotten. On almost all cars is a mysterious lever on the column near the steering wheel. If you push this lever down or lift it up a clicking sound begins and a little light flashes on the instrument panel, sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left of the speedometer. Most Californian drivers find this noise and the blinking lights extremely annoying so they avoid touching that lever.

A few American traffic engineers have been experimenting with roundabouts, and there is one that’s been built recently on a road we sometimes take. The most recent time, I came up to it and there was just one other car in sight, in front of me, whose driver was utterly flummoxed by the concept. I don’t know how long he’d been parked there, trying to work out how to proceed, but my arrival spurred him into action and he slowly drove into the circle and out one of the exits.

I shudder to think what might happen if they introduce hook turns here. But, now you know the rules …

After many happy years living in Victoria and working at The Age, former Wheatsheaf resident Jeff Glorfeld, and his wife Carol, went back to California, the land of his birth, where in the past four years he has survived bushfires, snowstorms and drought. And Trump. And Covid. The cicadas and locusts didn’t arrive.

Well, not yet.