April 6, 2026 Issue 355
Front page: Artist and electrician Gary Miles, pictured, has recently opened Imperial Lighting in Creswick, along with his talented wife Jen. Read the story by Kyle Barnes on page 14.
Image: Kyle Barnes
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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.
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, April 20, 2026 or online on Sunday, April 19 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, April 15
Copy deadline: Thursday, April 16
Editorial deadline: Thursday, April 16
General manager: Kyle Barnes - 0416 104 283 | kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly - 0418 576 513 | news@tlnews.com.au
Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat
Writers:
Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Photographers: Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness
Contributors:
Darren Lowe (music), Jeff Glorfeld (US life), Bill Wootton (poetry), Dr Marita McGuirk (wildlife), Natalie Poole (history) & John Beetham (gardens)
Accounts: Julie Hanson | Delivery: Tony Sawrey
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Excitement turns to real fear during sea trip
Exclusive
The idea
The idea seemed straightforward: a crew of three would sail from Tasmania to New Zealand. Two of them knew their yacht well, having sailed and lived aboard for around four years. The third was a builder of wooden boats with not a lot of offshore sailing experience but had read all the books. The boat’s owners are Micah LandonLane and his Swedish partner, Salome Tobin. Micah sailed dinghies when young, Salome helped bring a similar boat from Adelaide, and they later circumnavigated their home state, Tasmania.
Yimkin
Micah and Salome first planned to head for Europe, then decided on a less ambitious voyage on 38-year-old Yimkin, meaning “perhaps” or “maybe” in Arabic.
December to March is the best time to cross the Tasman Sea. After that it is notoriously wild as the currents of the Southern Ocean collide with those of the Pacific. They left at the end of April, “a bit late in the season,” says Micah. A sailing website warns that the voyage in winter months “is not free from danger”.
The aim was to get across in two weeks. They could get a somewhat reliable weather forecast for the first week, but would then get whatever the weather gods threw at them for the second half.
Day two brought swells of up to four metres, which meant seasickness for Micah. Lifting the trio’s spirits was the appearance of shearwaters, and albatrosses including a black one with a white face as if it were in a bodysuit
On the fourth day they had the swim of a lifetime, taking it in turns to jump in and be towed by a rope, 800kms out to sea, with 3000 metres of the deepest blue water below. Dolphins and a small family of pilot whales accompanied them at times.
Day five brought a lumpy sea, rising strong winds and, Micah messaged, “a sky so low with heavy clouds that you could touch it…” More seasickness. Sleep came in three-hour shifts. They had been aiming for the northern tip of NZ.
Their feelings had gone from excitement to some fear as waves turned the cockpit into a big bathtub.
Lord Howe
Next they saw Lord Howe Island on the map and nervously considered it. The winds were due to ease, but not for a few days. For four days they ran with the wind and surfed the waves, which were building to six metres, putting them in fear of being overturned. Then they found that a leak had taken half their water supply. They decided to turn north for the shelter of Lord Howe,1600km from Tasmania. After 11 days at sea came the cry from Matt: “Land Ho!”
But first they had to skirt Ball's Pyramid, the tallest volcanic stack in the world, rising a straight 572 metres from the seabed. Formed 6.4 million years ago, it is about 20 kilometres from Lord Howe and in the centre of an underwater shelf surrounded by rough seas, making an approach difficult.
Border Force
They were welcomed by the islanders, although the ever-cautious Australian Border Force on the lookout for illegal arrivals, wanted to know why they had “left” Australia but were still in it.
Once this was settled, Micah and Salome waited another eight days before continuing their calmer journey to New Zealand. Matt had to return to his family and boat-building business in Tasmania.
Nine more sailing days took the pair across the Tasman. They then continued north to Fiji, finding the port in Suva cluttered with shipwrecks, some on dry land. Coming to Suva fulfilled a longing for Micah: he went to school there 19 years earlier, leaving with his family after a military coup.
Home
Then it was back to Australia where, fittingly, 32-year-old Micah is completing his PhD in seaweed palatability and cultivation. Only during a visit to Micah’s grandmother, Sue Butler, who lives in Hepburn, did they exclusively tell their story to The Local
“Sailing is incredibly romanticised, and you don’t know what it’s like until you’ve actually been out there yourself,” Micah says. Adds Salome: “You will get to know a whole new part of yourself as a part of the journey, a lot of it from learning how you deal with proper fear.”
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Contributed
Arabic music celebrates Palestinian culture
The Theatre Royal will host a special performance by Tarab Ensemble, Australia's leading group devoted to classical Arabic music, in a concert celebrating the rich musical traditions of Palestine and the Arab world.
The Sunday, April 12 event, In the Shadows of Music, is a collaboration between Daylesford for Palestine and Free Palestine Central Victoria, with the full support of the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine.
Founded by award-winning Palestinian-Australian musician, academic, and storyteller Yousef Alreemawi, Tarab Ensemble brings together a collective of musicians from Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Australia, Armenia, Japan, Iran and Egypt.
The two-hour concert (with interval) will take audiences on a journey through a stunning variety of Arabic musical styles: from Andalusian Muwashah and Syrian Qudoud to Sufi traditions, Longa, and 20th century classics.
Blending traditional Arabic instruments like the oud and nay with keyboard, western flute, saxophone and double bass, the ensemble creates a sound that is both hypnotic and deeply moving.
Tarab is an Arabic word describing the deep state of emotional pleasure that music can bring - and this afternoon of music promises exactly that.
Yousef Alreemawi, who sought refuge in Australia with his family many years ago, is widely respected as a multi-talented artist and thinker. Beyond his work with Tarab Ensemble, he is an academic in Arabic language and culture, a translator, writer, refugee advocate, and political analyst - deeply engaged in the intersection of art, identity and justice.
Many in the region will remember Alreemawi from his powerful storytelling session at Words in Winter 2025 in Daylesford. This concert offers the chance to experience his musical artistry for the first time.
The event will also feature local ensemble Band Without Borders, based in Daylesford, Castlemaine and surrounds.
Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/3sv9vv7r
Aurora to bring Mara to life in St Kilda
Hepburn Springs' Aurora Kurth, a critically acclaimed singer and actor, will bring the production of Mara to life. The actor will bring 10 characters to life while a live musician creates a richly layered, Foley-inspired soundscape that functions as both score and storytelling engine.
Mara is presented by Theatre Works and Machination Theatre Ensemble and will run from April 22 to May 2 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda.
Mara is a new reimagining of Charles Perrault’s fabled Cinderella and was written by Paris-based Australian playwright Hanna Pyliotis and is directed by theatremaker Megan Jones. The play refocuses the traditional lens in the Cinderella myth, positioning it from the stepmother’s perspective, revealing a woman trapped inside a story she never wrote.
A spirited, ambitious girl desperate to escape her prescribed destiny, marriage to a wealthy widower seems to promise a new beginning for Mara, but the fantasy quickly unravels. Families won’t blend, her husband vanishes, and she is left caring for a stepdaughter who will never love her. Exploring the emotional terrain of blended families and the complex bonds between parents and children, this powerful retelling is set in a crumbling home, haunted by broken promises.
Asking what happens when the fairytale breaks down and a woman is left holding the consequences, this production of Mara has been selected for the 2026 VCE Theatre Studies Playlist and is playing as a part of the By Theatre Works programming stream.
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au/2026/mara Inquiries: 9534 3388
Words & image: Contributed
Lest We Forget
An Anzac Day Service will be held at the Bullarto Public Hall on South Bullarto Road at 2pm. Due to the unpredictable weather the service will be held in the hall adjacent to the flag pole. The order of service is available on the day.
Kingston
Guest speaker is Ruth Ord Evans, the great-grand niece of Sister Margaret Anderson (1871-1967) who is honoured on the Avenue of Honour with Tree East 141. The service starts at 9am, assemble at the Cenotaph at 8.45am. People are then invited to the Commercial Hotel for a cuppa and to view the Kingston Remembers Resource Centre.
Creswick
Service at 10.30am.
Daylesford
Dawn Service at 6.30am at the Cenotaph. Service at 10.30 at the Cenotaph after the march steps off at 10.15am. The unveiling of the newly installed WWI Memorial will take place at 1pm just to the west of the East Street, Daylesford roundabout outside Middleton Fields.
Hepburn
Service at 8am at the Hepburn Memorial, Park Avenue.
Eganstown
Service at 9am at the Eganstown Memorial in Old Main Road.
Kyneton
Dawn Service at 6am, followed by Gunfire Breakfast. Parade at 9.30am followed by 9.45am ceremony at the Kyneton Cenotaph.
Bullarto
Continuity & connection at Hepburn House
Brendan Murray joined Hepburn House in 2017, initially as a carer, but he now works in the Leisure and Lifestyle area.
"We create activities to keep residents engaged, connected, entertained and having fun during the day. They range from handcrafts to board games to bingo to jewellery making, to artwork and performances or even driving down the main street in the ChillOut Parade.
"Then there's our cinema, local history sessions, scenic drives...we've got quite a full calendar really."
Brendan says he loves interacting with the residents and encourages them to get involved as much as they want. "That might just be trying to connect up like-minded residents so that people find more companionship. It's always rewarding.
"And we do take it seriously, we have a staff of five in Leisure and Lifestyle, and have facilities which are purpose-built for the residents' relaxation and recreation."
Brendan is also now the New Resident Support person, so part of his work is greeting people when they arrive, showing them around, making them feel welcome and listening to any concerns so he can address them. It is important that residents feel not only cared for, but valued.
"I am one of the early point of call people and really do get to know everyone."
As a long-time local himself, Brendan also loves that Hepburn House offers continuity of community life for the residents.
"There's a continuity and connection that perhaps does not exist in other aged care residences. There's a good chance residents will meet staff members and people from within the local community and with that comes recognition and familiarity, which is quite important.
"I think the fourth age of living is where you realise you are ageing and need another level of care - and that is where we come in."
Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford. Phone 5348 8100 or email reception@hepburnhouse.com.au
Advertorial
Words in Winter EOI
Words in Winter will return across Daylesford and Hepburn from August 26 to 30 with a theme of Curiouser and Curiouser.
Now entering its 24th year, the volunteer-led festival continues to bring together writers, readers and storytellers from across the region and beyond to celebrate words in all their forms - from page to stage.
Across five days of conversations, readings, workshops and performances, local creators and visiting artists will share ideas, craft and imagination with audiences of all ages.
Festival organisers say curiosity is central to both reading and community life.
“Curiosity is what brings people together around stories,” festival producer Devon Taylor says.
“It invites us to listen more deeply, imagine differently and explore the world through other perspectives. Curiouser and Curiouser celebrates that spirit of discovery.”
Community connection remains at the heart of the festival. Words in Winter is powered by volunteers and supported by a festival producer, with programming shaped by local voices and partnerships across the region.
The festival also continues its commitment to honouring Djaara Country and amplifying diverse perspectives, including First Nations storytelling and voices from across Australia’s literary community.
In 2026 the festival will focus on strengthening its foundations while deepening community engagement, ensuring Words in Winter remains accessible, welcoming and vibrant for audiences of all ages.
The festival is now inviting expressions of interest from writers, event-makers and workshop presenters who want to help shape the 2026 program. EOIs are open until Friday, May 1.
Local and debut authors are particularly encouraged to apply.
Submit EOIs at www.wordsinwinter.com/expressions-of-interest-2026.
The full program will be announced on June 29 when tickets go on sale.
Words: Kyle Barnes
Burke Square: Public space or beer garden?
A gathering is planned at Burke Square in Daylesford this Saturday, April 11 from 2pm.
The area has been a public space for many years but during Covid years the Daylesford Royal Hotel was given permission to use the area for outdoor dining.
Hepburn Shire Residents' Association president Tim Anderson said a number of residents were coming together to spend some time in the space and reflect on its role in our town.
"Burke Square has long been a shared place for the community, and this gathering is an opportunity to reflect on how it continues to serve that role," he said.
"This isn’t a protest. It’s about being present, respectful, and part of a broader conversation about how the square evolves into the future. If you care about Burke Square and its role as a public space, you’re warmly invited to come along."
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said all public spaces often had conflict to work through.
"And this is one of those areas as well. It's an area that does have an outdoor dining permit and there is some dual use of outdoor permits and green spaces. The council will review its outdoor dining and trading policy next financial year. And that's the document that would guide officers around anything. It's a regular process."
Mr Thomas said in assessing applications for outdoor dining and trading, the council would be guided by accessibility, the impact on foot and vehicle traffic, public safety and amenity, visual amenity, size or footprint of dining or trading area, available open space, support of other traders or the community, the impact on other traders or the community, maintenance of permit area and elements, impact on other council services and existing infrastructure and the overall benefit to the community.
Words: Kyle Barnes | Image: Contributed
GREENHILLS NATURAL
THIS WEEK’S SPECIALS FOR OUR LOCALS
With fuel prices going crazy, we are doing our best to keep our prices down as much as possible. These are what we currently have on sale and there are daily specials that are coming on every day in-store.
Now more than ever, as a proud local family owned business, we really appreciate the amazing support from our local community.
Gigs with Darren Lowe
The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham
Neil Robertson - April 11, 3pm – 5pm (free show)
Justin Bernasconi - April 25, 3pm – 5pm (free show)
Leavers Hotel, Creswick
A variety of great acts over the CresFest music festival weekend, April 10-12, will feature at Leavers. Featured artists include Makepisi, Victoriana Gaye Trio, Ballahornication, Lucy Wise, Liz Frencham, Hoodoo Mayhem, Archer and Friends, and Felicity
Urquhart & Josh Cunningham (Waifs), pictured, And that’s just the Sunday, full program online.
Palais Hepburn, Hepburn
Marty Rose Band | The Colour Of Sound - Wednesday, April 8, 6.30pm (free)
Chocolate Starfish - Saturday, April 11, 6.30pm
One of These Nights: Celebration of The Eagles - Sunday, April 12, 2pm
Clunes Market birthday
Sunday, April 12 marks the 11th birthday of the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Clunes’ heritage main street, the market has grown into a much-loved and well-supported monthly gathering.
People spend their time wandering through the diverse line-up of stalls offering seasonal produce, artisan breads and baked goods, local honey, preserves, handmade crafts, pet treats, plants, garden art, local wine and unique gifts while also browsing through store fronts finding tucked-away treasures and unveiling hidden gems.
The market’s focus is to support small producers and makers, keeping local as much as possible, and giving back to the wonderful community.
Beyond the produce and products, the market has become a vibrant social hub where friends catch up over coffee, families enjoy a relaxing morning out, and visitors experience the warm welcome and atmosphere that Clunes offers.
The April birthday is a special moment to reflect on how much the market continues to grow. Special thanks to the volunteers, stallholders and loyal visitors who have helped it flourish and continue to keep the market vibrant, and full of life.
Everyone is invited to join the birthday celebrations and experience the flavours, creativity, and community spirit that the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market has become known for.
Whether a regular or a first-time visitor, April’s market is the perfect opportunity to join in on the celebration, meet the people behind the stalls, and experience one of regional Victoria’s most welcoming markets.
With kids' activities, live music and food vendors, the aim for market day is to feel like a top tiny town celebration. Come along and help celebrate on Sunday, April 12 from 9am-1pm at Fraser Street, Clunes.
Bullarto Bush Dance
The Musk Fire Brigade and the Bullarto Hall Committee present the family-friendly 2026 Bullarto Bush Dance.
All proceeds will go to the Musk CFA to raise funds for the purchase of a brigade-owned light tanker. Since 1943, the Musk Bush Fire Brigade has protected the small but growing community.
The dance will be held at the Bullarto Hall on Saturday, May 9 from 5.30pm. There will be delicious food available, a licensed bar, a door prize and a raffle of the area’s finest produce. Campfires outside will keep everyone warm - along with the dancing.
Local MC Bruce Rolfe will be the dance caller to get everyone in the dancing mood with music performances by local bands Barbed Wire Canoe and the Wombat Ramblers - including Cat & Clint, pictured.
Cat & Clint have etched an indelible mark on the folk and roots scene in Australia and overseas, with their fresh interpretations of old-time music. Drawing inspiration from 78RPM records, tradition bearers, archival and contemporary music alike, they have built an eclectic repertoire that defies linear time and place.
Tickets: www.events.humanitix.com/bullarto-bush-dance-2026
Tickets are $35 with kids under 16 free. If people are unable to come along please consider donating to the Musk CFA via www.gofund.me/d330c305e
With fire risks driven by climate change, denser populations, and increased tourism, the single tanker is no longer enough. The brigade is seeking the community’s help to purchase a much-needed light tanker to expand its capabilities and protect what matters most – homes, forests, businesses and the people who make the region special.
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/bullarto-bush-dance-2026 Donations to Light Tanker: https://gofund.me/d330c305e
Just briefly... Discrimination found
Daylesford’s Phoenix Cinema has memberships available for $50 or $30 concession, with benefits including discounted ticket prices, access to special screenings and priority updates on forthcoming events and exclusive cinema experiences.
A special Early Bird incentive means those who join will enjoy a 15-month membership. A free Associate Membership is on offer for those under 18.
Clunes Booktown Festival has closed the gates on its 20th anniversary festival - and the numbers tell a story.
The festival featured a record 150 booksellers, 19 talks and panel discussions, six workshops, 11 bands and a roving cast including 70 performers from Ballarat Centre of Music and The Arts, Phoenix Academy of the Arts, The Hopefuls from Bonkel Theatre and The Funky Lizards - plus 11 Kids Village sessions that kept the next generation of readers thoroughly entertained.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has decided to formally conclude its Sister City relationship with Tokai City in Japan, after more than 15 years of friendship and cooperation.
A review found that the relationship no longer fits current strategic, economic, or community goals, with limited engagement since the Covid-19 pandemic. The council will write to Tokai City to respectfully close the partnership.
Victoria’s month of free public transport has begun. It means free trains, trams and buses – metro and regional – every day until the end of April.
Passengers won’t have to touch on with their myki – all myki gates will be open. Myki passes (such as a yearly) will automatically be paused, to resume after April. V/Line passengers will not need a ticket but will still need to make a free booking.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas has announced grants of up to $100,000 which will help men’s sheds update or buy new equipment, expand sheds and upgrade facilities or build a new shed to improve community access.
Ms Thomas said a shed was a place to connect, build community and access support. "This is about more than just tools and timber, we’re proud to support the incredible work men’s sheds do in Macedon (electorate) to help men stay connected, healthy and supported."
Celebrating the Genius of John Dowland with world-renowned lutist Jakob Lindberg is one of the series of Christ Church Concerts at Stanbridge Hall, Daylesford.
The event will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 2.30pm. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DIUID
Ballarat Station’s new pedestrian overpass has opened.
The overpass features stair and lift access to each platform, ensuring people with disability, luggage or prams can cross the rail line safely and conveniently. Open balconies with glass balustrades at the lift landings provide views of the station’s iconic clock tower and train hall, creating a more welcoming and user-friendly space.
Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group is looking for a motivated and community-minded person to join its committee in the role of secretary.
The secretary plays a key role in supporting the smooth operation and good governance of the group. As a committee member they will also help guide what the group works on and contribute to its future direction. Time commitment is about one to two hours per week. The group is a community-led environmental organisation that works to protect, restore and enhance the natural landscapes, waterways, and biodiversity of the Glenlyon and Upper Loddon region. Email: glenlyonlandcare@outlook.com
Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos has appointed Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Tony Clark along with 10 other mayors from across Victoria to the 2026 Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel.
Cr Clark said he was looking forward to robust, honest conversations with the Minister about the opportunities and challenges that face Hepburn Shire, rural communities and the local government sector. “Topics that I will be focusing on will be the financial sustainability of rural councils, legislation to safeguard the physical and online safety of councillors and council officers, and how local government can have a seat at the table with government on major policy development.”
A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found discrimination against trans and gender diverse people is widespread - with serious impacts on safety, access to essential services and full participation in society.
Released on the International Trans Day of Visibility, Equal Identities examines the barriers trans and gender diverse people in Australia face in having their right to equality, dignity and respect upheld.
The review found consistent and distressing patterns of discrimination across schools and universities, healthcare, workplaces, housing and the justice system.
The Equal Identities report makes 19 recommendations for reform, grounded in Australia’s human rights obligations. These include nationally consistent laws that protect against vilification and violence, urgent improvements to data collection so services meet real needs, and system changes that make safety, dignity and equal treatment a lived reality.
"Trans and gender diverse people are part of every Australian community," Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody said.
"They contribute to our families and society, and they are entitled to equal respect under the law like anyone else. But too often, their rights are not realised.
"The experiences shared with the commission show when there are gaps in legal protections, when services aren’t designed for everyone, and when data is missing or inaccurate, people are left out. The consequences can be devastating."
The findings are organised around three themes: being safe, being seen and heard, and being able to participate on equal terms.
The commission noted the review is released amid heightened public discussion around gender, including the spread of harmful stereotypes online that promote restricted ideas about gender roles.
Dr Cody said the report makes clear the need for urgent action.
"The politicisation of trans peoples’ lives - including dehumanising trans peoplemust end. Leaders, institutions and media all have a responsibility to promote safety, dignity and inclusion."
Words: Kyle Barnes
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Clunes Poetry Slam
In October, 2021, a much-loved stalwart of Clunes, Bob McKinnon died. Bob, pictured below, was a talented poet, sculptor and writer. In 2022, as part of the annual Clunes Booktown Festival, a Poetry Slam in his honour was commenced.
The rules for the slam are simple: the poem must be the entrant’s own work; it must take no longer than two minutes to read; and it must embrace the theme set down for that year by the organisers.
This year, the slam took place before a capacity audience in the Tin Shed, and the theme was Hope and Defiance. The judges were Thuy On, an Australian arts, journalist, editor, critic, and poet and Megan Reidl a professional wordsmith, prolific creative and a nationally recognised spoken word artist.
There were 10 entrants from all over Victoria and for a number of them, this was their first time reading a poem in front of an audience.
The winner was Kim Collins from Castlemaine, a social worker who has left that field to now focus on children’s story writing and illustrating.
Kim is a lover of the arts in all its forms, especially she says, "the way art can ignite a little fire in us and stir us to action". She believes in the importance of community, "to have good conversations, collaborate together, play together, and care for and about each other".
Kim is also passionate about moving away from the 'cult of the expert' - and saying no to AI. Her hope is that people rediscover that their communities have so much wisdom within them, and we would do well to tap into that wisdom. "And that wisdom resides in human beings, not computers."
Words: Jeremy Harper | Image: Clunes Neighbourhood House
Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival
Hope Stands Defiant by Kim Collins (winning entry)
Hope is defiant!
Oh yes, she is
She is angry as hell Snarling like a Mumma Bear
Screaming like a Banshee
She will have none of your shoulder shrugging excuses
About why you take no action
And why we, collectively, Hold no-one to account
Hope will not stand by passively
As you reduce her name
To a mere platitude on a Hallmark card
She asks so much more of you than that
Hope stands solid
Grounded within the four pillars of her temple:
Beauty
Justice
Equality &
The common good
Do you see her now?
She is walking the black, Fire ravaged earth
Crying out to all of us
To wake up from our techno-infused Soma-sleep
From our Kool-Aid sipping Insipidness.
Fist held up in defiance
She says NO!
No to war
No to ugly words & ugly intentions
No to all the ugly stuff, everywhere Filling and killing our beautiful planet!
She says no to Children’s imaginations being stolen from them by Tech giants
And no to real conversations being replaced with mindless clicks
Of “like” or “dislike”
She says no to cliches of every kind
She will not agree with you 100%Perhaps, just 87.
If you ask her to comment about the future of A.I
Hope will answer you swiftly
A. I? “Axe it”
Cut free from that umbilical cord immediately
And think for yourselves!
But you know this in your bones already Defiance is our only hope.
The Macedon Ranges is showcasing its most vibrant season, with the month-long Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival.
Spanning nine picturesque villages, the festival invites visitors and residents to slow down, explore and experience the region at its autumnal best. People can take part in a wide variety of experiences: from farmers and artisans markets, to guided walks, foraging, workshops and exhibitions.
Open gardens across the region, including those on the renowned Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail, offer a chance to experience the season’s colour at its peak, while wellness activities such as meditation and forest bathing provide opportunities to connect with nature.
At the heart of this year’s festival is an extensive line-up of food and drink experiences, including the much-loved Pie & Tart Trail with more than 50 savoury and sweet creations across the region.
For those looking to sip and sample, the popular Tipple Trail returns, showcasing more than 35 venues. In 2026, the festival will also introduce a closing night celebration.
The full program is available online, with visitors encouraged to plan their visit and explore the wide range of events and experiences on offer throughout April.
For more information, visit visitmacedonranges.com/ autumn-festival or follow Macedon Ranges Naturally Cool on social media.
A Schoolhouse Transformed..
Enveloped by the enchanting hamlet of Glenlyon, just 10 minutes from Daylesford , this extraordinary property offers a rare blend of history, charm, and versatility. Originally built in 1861 as the local primary school, this character-filled residence stands as a testament to timeless craftsmanship, now transformed into a one-of-a-kind sanctuary on a sprawling 4857sqm (approx.) of land. Two detached garden studios add another layer of appeal, each with its own veranda, kitchenette, and bathroom. These versatile spaces are perfect as guest accommodation, home offices, or creative retreats. Whether hosting family, friends, or clients, these private sanctuaries enhance the property's flexibility and allure.
This is more than a home; it's a rare opportunity to own a piece of history while enjoying a lifestyle that celebrates individuality and connection to nature. With frontage on the iconic Avenue of Federation, this property has proven potential for hospitality ventures, including cafe and Bnb rentals, with a close proximity to Glenlyon General Store , Glenlyon Dam and Daylesford.
As advertised or by appointment A Schoolhouse Transformed. A Story Retold
Connie Conlon | 0459 982 135 Will Walton | 0412 511 717 belleproperty.com
Let there be light
Kyle Barnes caught up with an old mate, artist and sparky extraordinaire Gary Miles, who with his wife Jen, has recently opened an eclectic shop in Creswick called Imperial Lighting. Kyle chatted with Gary and used the opportunity to roll out every lighting and electrical reference and pun he could think of. Apologies in advance.
Kyle: So, what sparked your interest in lighting enough to start a shop?
Gary: I started getting a real shine for lighting about 10 years ago, renovating a lot of properties around Hepburn Shire and starting to work with people in their kitchens and dining rooms. I had a real interest in how light plays a role in our lives and in our homes. And what started out being a small thing started to grow. And as we started to look for more and more ways of doing things, it forced us to research and discover and to learn what light does in a room space. We play with things and break things down, light fittings, all sorts of things, from outside garden lighting to inside lighting in a lounge room. The past 10 years have been very interesting in what we can do with light, from light bulbs themselves to the fittings, where we put the light and where we put contrast in the room.
Kyle: Do you have any formal education in lighting?
Gary: It's a self-taught thing. Jen has an eye for things and she's half of the equation, she’s a really harsh critic and she is certain when I've got it wrong. I find it's one thing to have a trade background being an electrician and to morph over a little bit into, I won't say designer, but I'll say it's a keen interest in lamps, lights and styles.
Kyle: When did you hit the switch to kick off the business?
Gary: It was probably five years ago that we started collecting bits and pieces but Jennifer and I, going back maybe 15 years ago were bumping around through second-hand shops everywhere and Jen would look at an old Murano chandelier in the corner and tell me to buy that. And I would and I'd restore it and it's probably an $8000 to $12,000 Murano that hangs in our bedroom today. We opened just on December last year and had a flurry of activity. Before that, every time I left when I was constructing the shop and I'd haphazardly leave the door unlocked, people would come in and start scavenging over all the stock, and our shop wasn't even open yet.
Kyle: What about the task of fumbling around in the dark, getting stock in?
Gary: We started with Facebook Marketplace and in the early days I would do a two-day run around Melbourne. I'd go out to Berwick, Hastings...I'd go everywhere and I'd look at all these lights. We would also go to auctions only to discover that there's a whole scam of people reproducing things, throwing them into auctions with a bit of dirt over them and you get it home and it's a piece of junk. Straight in the bin. So now we're researching heavily because you're investing time in all this, finding out what's real and reading the wording very carefully and what people describe things as. A Tiffany-style is not the same as Tiffany. It’s very different, despite the fact the light will look drop dead gorgeous. I have just recently purchased a Tiffanystyle lamp and it's sitting on my table over there and I can't take my eyes off it. It's gorgeous but it's not a $4000 lamp.
Kyle: Your thoughts for the future and where will this little lightshow end up?
Gary: The exciting part will be to fire up a kiln and start casting. I want to make my own light, bend a bit of glass and do a bit of casting in metal and see if I can make something that I truly love myself. That's for my old age when I’ve stopped running around being an electrician to the main street of Creswick. When that day finally comes, I'll sit down in front of the kiln and we'll start doing other things.
Image: Kyle Barnes | Scan the QR code for a wander around the store.
"I had a real interest in how light plays a role in our lives and in our homes...."
The settlement of Glenlyon dates back to 1846 when Richard Babington and John Carpenter opened the first drinking establishment on a track between the Loddon River and Kangaroo Creek known as the Glenlyon run.
The area continued to grow over time with gold mining in the 1850s to the 1870s, followed by sawmilling and agriculture pursuits.
Hepburn Shire’s Daylesford and Glenlyon Heritage Study states Glenlyon was only ever a small goldfield and established itself as an agricultural and trading centre early on, with miners coming in from the dry forest of the Fryers Creek Goldfields to the north to take up fertile land.
The town had a roads board in 1860, reflecting its importance in the local transport and communications network, located on the road to Kyneton and Melbourne. One of the road board's first tasks was to build a wooden bridge over the Loddon River and to construct corduroy roads (a type of road constructed by laying logs). Expenses were met by collecting tolls at several toll gates put up on the Daylesford Road.
The Victorian Government Gazette dated December 12, 1865 imparts the following facts: The roads board was replaced on December 12, 1865 when His Excellency Sir Charles Henry Darling proclaimed the Shire of Glenlyon. It consisted of an area of approximately 310sq kms and along with Glenlyon included the towns of Lyonville, Bullarto, Drummond, Coomoora and Yandoit.
After the proclamation in 1865, council offices were built in the town. The school had operated from 1861 and there were hotels, stores and churches. In 1867, the Department of Lands surveyed the township and developed a framework for growth.
Fast forward to 1903 and the Australian Handbook describes Glenlyon as a shire and post town. "There are three hotels, police station, shire hall, state school, Roman Catholic Church (St Paul’s) and school, Church of England and Wesleyan churches (and) a debating society. (The) town is not lighted. It is principally a farming district, the chief crops being wheat, oats, hay, peas and potatoes, 7932 acres being under cultivation. There are 750 dwellings, 696 ratepayers on the roll (and) 1s rates. Loddon Falls is a very romantic spot, about one mile below the township. Abundant supply of water from mineral springs. Population 300; of shire 2500."
In 1915, the Glenlyon and Mt Franklin shires amalgamated, and Glenlyon became the new council’s meeting point.
The Argus newspaper of January 4, 1932 describes a big event happening in Glenlyon. People from many parts of the state and from other states visited the village for the Back to Glenlyon celebrations.
The back-to-school celebration was enjoyed by a representative gathering and took the form of a picnic and sports day. Other items included special church services, a picnic at Hepburn Springs and visits to local beauty spots and dances.
The population of Glenlyon dropped to 120 in 1961 and the council could no longer complete the necessary tasks required of its shire (roads, infrastructure, services and facilities). It merged with the Borough of Daylesford in 1966 to form the Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon, which itself was later incorporated into the Hepburn Shire Council in 1995.
A fight with a bull in 1914
Irritated at confinement in a truck, a pedigreed Holstein bull attacked Cr. J. J. McCarthy, president of the Glenlyon Shire Council, its owner, when he endeavoured to take delivery at the Malmsbury station.
When Cr McCarthy entered the truck, he seized the bull by the tail. The animal tried to gore him, and an exciting contest ensued. Vigorous turnings and twistings resulted in Cr McCarthy seizing the ring in the bull's nose and thus establishing a circuit of control.
Norman White, an employee, entered the truck, but the bull tried to attack him. Cr. McCarthy partly lost control and White was in danger, clever footwork alone saving him from the animal's horns.
The sides of the truck resounded with the impact of the horns as the bull rushed at the two men. At last Cr McCarthy fixed a stallion's leading chain and staff to the nosering but the bull broke free and dashed from the truck.
It raced through several streets, with White clinging to the rope. Mr Charles Breton assisted White to subdue the runaway.
Community grants open
Do you have a project idea that you would like to bring to life?
Community Grants Program
The Community Grants Program offers up to $5,000 to not-forprofit community groups and supports projects that improve wellbeing, social connection, and long-term sustainability. Closes 15 May 2026.
Environmental Group Grants
For groups focused on environmental protection and awareness in the Shire. These grants support hands-on work and advocacy for ecological health. Closes 4 May 2026
For more information visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/grants
Integrated Transport Strategy adopted
Council is setting a clear path toward a safer, more connected, and sustainable transport future with the adoption of an Integrated Transport Strategy.
The strategy is a long-term strategy (looks ahead to 2050) and will guide Council decision making on local transport priorities while complementing day-to-day asset management planning.
The strategy positions Hepburn Shire to meet evolving transport needs while supporting safer travel, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.
Want to save on fuel?
Compare prices with Servo Saver before you fill up at www.service.vic.gov.au/app
Servo Saver is the only fuel price tool that servos must update by law. We know people are concerned, but the advice is that Australia’s fuel is secure and continues to arrive as expected. To keep up to date with the latest on fuel supply, visit www.vic.gov.au/fuel-supply
Emergency and resilience events
From how to use the VicEmergency app to getting coffee with a cop, this year’s emergency and resilience events calendar is full of workshops, talks and networking opportunities to help you prepare for emergencies. Visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/em-events
Residents can recycle up to half a cubic metre (or two 240 L bins) of polystyrene per visit for free at each of our transfer stations as part of a trial running until June 2026.
Please ensure polystyrene is clean, free from tape and white. Collected material is recycled into things such as mouldings, frames, decking and outdoor furniture.
2026 Reusable product voucher program
To help you make the switch to reusable nappies, period or incontinence products, Council is offering households a $50 voucher code to use on the purchase of eligible reusable products from local business Darlings Downunder.
Vouchers can be used for cloth nappies, swim nappies, training pants, wet bags, period products, nursing pads, incontinence underwear, and more.
The discount voucher code is valid until 31 May 2026, unless allocated funds are exhausted prior.
Find out more at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/reusables
Cr Lesley Hewitt
Brian Hood
Tony Clark Cr Tim Drylie Cr Pat Hockey Cr Shirley Cornish
Polystyrene recycling
Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply.
Delivery times are Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. We have an on-board EFTPOS.
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.
First Saturday Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Market, Woodend Lions Market, Woodend Farmers Market
Second Saturday Trentham Community Market, Kyneton Farmers Market, Kyneton Rotary Market
Second Sunday Maldon Market, Clunes Farmers Market
Third Saturday Trentham Farmers & Makers Market, Glenlyon Farmers Market, Leonards Hill Market Creswick Market
Third Sunday Talbot Farmers Market
Fourth Sunday Daylesford Farmers Market
Kyle's Rant
After a long break of not going to the movies - something to do with a broken ankle - the other day we went and watched a movie over in the Palace Regent Cinemas in Ballarat.
Now there's not much I have to do to convince Donna to go. She thinks any movie is just a vehicle to get to enjoy buttery popcorn and sit in the dark away from my rambling theories. Sort of how pork is just a vehicle for the crunchy crackling - she doesn’t like pork but devours the crackling.
For me it’s certainly the buttery popcorn and the lemonade drink to wash down the fat and salt. But the faster and more action the better, and this one fitted the bill.
Crime 101 where old mate Chris Hemsworth's character drives several high-performance vehicles including a Chrysler 300, a Dodge Challenger, a 1968 Camaro with a big-block engine, and a Cadillac CT5-V – schwing….
As we sat down in what used to be the Gold Class, and was clearly a worn shadow of its former self with most of the sticky recliners barely working, I smeared the footrest button with sanitiser to ensure a safe hygienic journey from the popcorn box to my mouth.
But the decadent delicacy did not deliver - unfortunately the vegans had invaded the joint and it was cooked with oil. Yuk.
This white anaemic pop of corn was so bland the herbivores had obviously recognised the fault and decided to bomb it with salt. Good heavens, woe betide we eat a little natural butter, but let’s go for the salt-infused cardiac arrest.
And to add lots of salt to serious injury, my wax-surfaced large paper cup with a plastic lid came with a paper straw which immediately imploded like a submarine in a war movie.
It is ridiculous that we no longer can enjoy proper popcorn with our movies because a vegan (who are estimated to be just five per cent of the population) might wander by and want olive oil popcorn.
I respect your right to be a grass grazer, but it is your choice not mine so give me back my buttered popcorn, made how nature intended it.
And as far as this bloody stupid paper straw business is concerned, sure let’s ban the plastic straws but not before you come up with a good alternative.
Here I am sucking up bits of paper through an imploded straw in an effort to save the planet while Trump and Iran are bombing the shit out of each other spilling God knows how much effluent and oil into the land and Strait of Hormuz.
Doesn’t make sense rant over…
Local Lines
rumble
cocooned in your car a thunder of bikers starts to pass
each engine amplifies the quiet in your cabin
are there more ahead now than behind still they come
you are mid-rumble the wave is not breaking
on it surges towards trentham
- Bill Wootton
Bill is a slow lane sort of driver whose knowledge of motorbikery is restricted to reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance many years ago. This is not Bill in the photo.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
Pick me, pick me!
Just sayin’...
Come
Pick
Pick
By Donna Kelly
A friend sent me a photo of a bloke practising his golf at Victoria Park in Daylesford the other day.
Nice place to work on your handicap but only if you are prepared to yell out "fore" a lot as dog walkers dodge your golf balls. It's a public open space, for all to enjoy, but are there limits for golfers?
Then there are the dog walkers, who often walk dogs off lead. Not just at Vic Park but all over the shire. We ran into a lot of them during our own dog walks around the Glenlyon Reserve - although we kept our dogs on leashes.
And as the other dogs barrelled towards us, with the owners yelling "don't worry they're friendly", and us yelling back "the cocker spaniel is not friendly", we decided that the reserve was not quite the place for elderly dogs.
During Covid outdoor dining was given a huge push, for all the right reasons. We still think back to days at The Cosmo in Trentham, in that wonderful beer garden, with our masks firmly on, and only dropped to take a sip of wine or beer. Strange days.
But it also meant public space was given over in some instances to dining. Frangos managed to procure the parking spots in Vincent Street, Daylesford for quite some time. But then it returned to parking - much needed in the main street.
And then there is Burke Square. The Daylesford Royal Hotel was given a permit for outdoor dining and tables appeared on the grassy area in Albert Street.
But six years later the tables are still there and now there is a bit of a push to have the tables removed and the area returned to the public for picnics and random gatherings.
It is one of the few bits of green left in the town unless you head up to the botanic gardens or perhaps Rea-Lands Park - but that is a bit of a walk.
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said all the shire's outdoor areas were being reviewed in the next financial year and that public space often had conflicting useslike the golfer and the dog walkers at Vic Park.
Both believe they have a right to use public land, and I guess they do, but common sense, or the pub test, must also come into play. I think most people would put the golfer in the wrong. Maybe.
Anyway, it's another one of those watch this space thing, literally.
Totally unrelated, I really liked Bill Wootton's poem in this edition of Local Lines, opposite.
We have all been there. You hear the rumble and then suddenly you are in the midst of bikers, trying to let them pass, and then realising there are still plenty more to follow.
And then you see them parked up somewhere, having a laugh and really enjoying being out in the regions.
I had a motorbike once. A midlife crisis I think. I was about 40. It was only 250cc but it was new and shiny and, I thought, really cool.
I bought all the safety clothing and rode it from Frankston to work at Mornington and back.
All was going well until I was riding it in our backyard one day, quite a big yard, and the dogs ran in front of me. I ditched the bike, dented the petrol tank and bruised my ego. I also realised that if the grass hurt that much, the road would be worse.
We sold it at a very reduced price. Just sayin'...
Business Directory - Buy Local
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REMOVALISTS
Beetham's Botanicals
Well here I am again penning another article for you, the reader, to enjoy...
This time I'll be featuring moments in our autumn that make this special time of year so magical.
Below is a list of pleasurable jobs and observations that I look forward to each year:
• Continuing to nurture previously sown (or planted) vegetables and herbs that will appear on the daily menu and consider sowing plants (there's quite a few that may surprise you) such as coriander during March to April.
Avoid the heat that causes rapid bolting by direct sowing seeds 6mm deep, 20cm apart in well-drained, composted soil making sure to keep the soil consistently moist for a quick harvest - and don't forget to keep a supply of seeds for sowing at a later date.
• I've talked about bed preparation in the past and there is no better time than autumn to make this a job to look forward to. Making up a brew of soil mix can be challenging as you need to get the right drainage and pH to suit myriad plants but fear not, I've had a crack at growing plants in 100 per cent Perma-Fert (look it up) with mixed results as the moisture retention is lousy. However this product and similar soil conditioners can be a vital ingredient to a good brew.
• As daily temperatures begin their inevitable decline, plants such as deciduous trees begin to have a rest and leaves change colour because shorter days and cooler temperatures cause the green pigment, chlorophyll, to break down, allowing hidden yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids) to appear.
Red and purple colours (anthocyanins) are now also released. Here in the Central Highlands we see claret ash, golden ash and liquidambars strut their stuff and a few extra special ones such as upright crabapple or malus trilobata - see image top right.
• Not to be outdone, bulbs such as the Guernsey lily (nerine bowdenii) - see image middle right - certainly dominate a garden bed with its iridescent pink flowers appearing out of nowhere.
• It's close to bare-rooted season which means trees and in some cases shrubs, will come onto the nursery market shortly. So if you're planning to add some new plants to your old or new garden, it's worth doing some searching to see what's available. A lot of nurseries run out of listed taxa well in advance so be quick.
And so to sum up this transitional time of the year, I'd like to think that as I peer out my study window at a coral bark maple or acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' - see image lower right, the world might be a better place soon.
Cheers John Beetham (trading as Trees in Australia).
Next time: A mystery tour of amazing plants of the world.
Scan the QR code for JB's Instagram post.
Got a gardening query for John?
Email news@tlnews.com.au
