Front page: Hepburn House residents have been up to their calendar antics again. Read the story on page 13.
Images: David White
Graphic Design: Dianne Caithness
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, December 29, 2025 or online on Sunday, December 28 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Monday, December 22
Copy deadline: Tuesday, December 23
Editorial deadline: Tuesday, December 23
General manager: Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly on 0418 576 513 or news@tlnews.com.au
The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a former director.
Want to support local, quality journalism? Donate by scanning the QR code.
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.
Same prices. Just more Dayleford.
Cnr Albert & Bridport Sts
Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat
Writers:
Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Photographers: Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes, Tommy Campion & Donna Kelly
Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness
Contributors:
Darren Lowe (music), Sarah Lang (recipes), Jeff Glorfeld (US life), Bill Wootton (poetry), Dr Marita McGuirk (wildlife), Natalie Poole (history) & John Beetham (gardens)
Accounts: Julie Hanson | Delivery: Tony Sawrey
The Crew of The Local would like to wish its clients and readers a Very Merry Christmas!
(And the management {Donna & Kyle} would like to wish the crew a Wonderful Christmas as well. Thanks for everything. You guys rock!)
Billy Timber Technology
Never too late to follow your dreams
Amanda Care won four medals this year. Three for bowling and one for powerlifting. The 55-year-old, who only recently started both sports as a competitor, says it is never too late to follow your dreams. The Hepburn resident is a real pocket rocket– and despite being born deaf – never let that get in the way of her dreams either. She chatted with Donna Kelly.
Donna: Which came first, the bowls or the power lifting?
Amanda: Lawn bowls. I started about six or seven years ago, just as a social bowler, never took it seriously. Back in Covid, I did go to Scotland for the World Bowls for the Deaf, but there was no selection process, it's whoever could pay. So I wouldn't have been selected because I didn’t have the skill set back then. This time around, I went for the Nationals and I practised from 12 weeks before.
Donna: What does that look like?
Amanda: I tried to do 100 bowls per day over six to seven days, if I could, and practised at Creswick because they've got the synthetic greens and they were open in winter. And then in Sebastopol with the covered greens when it was really crazy cold, freezing weather. I just did my own thing with my husband guiding me - he's obsessed with bowls.
Donna: And how did the Nationals play out?
Amanda: The National Australian Deaf Bowls Championships were in Charlestown in New South Wales. I won the fours with four girls on the first day and then on the second day I started going through the selection process of singles. I never expected to win and almost lost on the first one but I managed to climb my way back and got that one. Then I got the next one and the next one and then I won seven games straight. It was the first time in the world it had been televised on YouTube with an Auslan interpreter and captions – so we were making history at the same time. It was pretty exciting and when I won I did a little curtsy and that photo went viral.
Donna: You say you didn’t think you would win…but I hear you did a drawing…
Amanda: Yes, a week before in art class, I am studying Cert 3 in art, we had to do a still-life drawing. So I did the bowls, a kitty and I went to the trophy shop and bought a trophy for the drawing. And just as I was leaving the class I said ‘I'd better write down what I'm winning next week - so I wrote singles winner 2020-25 for the Ladies Championships’. It would have been a bit embarrassing if I had to cross it out and put runner-up.
Donna: You still have one more bowls medal to explain.
Amanda: I had the mixed pairs and I made a mistake of going to the gym and doing a powerlifting session because I couldn't bowl that day. My muscles were too fired up and too heavy on the bowls and it affects the bowls big time. But then I came runner-up in the triples. And I was selected for the World Championships in Charlestown in two years.
Donna: OK, so how did the power lifting start?
Amanda: I did it to stop my husband nagging me to do weights. He’s always been a weights person. I knew Dean at Strong from Castlemaine and then I realised he was now in Daylesford. Before that it was just my husband and I at home, working out together. But with Dean I have really thrived in that environment. He's so encouraging and supportive. And I started training for the Australian Masters Games in power lifting. In bowls, we have to take our hearing aids out, and someone suggested to me I do that for powerlifting, and it gave me so much more capacity. With deafness there are two layers. Concentration fatigue and hearing fatigue. It’s call mind gymnastics. Anyway, I entered the 52-kilo weight class and did 90kg for the deadlift – which I won, and a personal best of 75kg for the squat. My PB for the bench is 46. Next year my goal for the deadlift is twice my weight, so 104kg.
Donna: So, I don’t know how to say this, but you obviously weren’t born deaf because you speak so well.
Amanda: Yes, I was born deaf but I was not diagnosed until I was two and a half. Back in the 70s you had to go to the doctor for a referral to an audiologist. But they thought I was intellectually impaired. Back then they called it retarded. I was dismissed by several doctors, and mum was 22 with another baby on the way. This went on for months and I was nearly three before I got my first hearing aid so I missed out on all that language development.
Donna: What did you do for schooling in those days?
Amanda: We moved to Brisbane where they had a deaf unit, so I went to deaf kindergarten and deaf school and they were doing a revolutionary program to teach all deaf children to speak. It worked for some and not so much for others. Also the other kids would take the hearing aids out because they were the horrible hard plastic. But mum said I wanted to learn. I wanted to know. I wanted to engage. And that helped a lot. And then my sister was two and a half years younger than me. And she was learning to speak at the same time I was. Then mum did something revolutionary at the time – she took me to a hearing kindy two days a week. And the same for first year of deaf school. And then she took me out and decided to have me repeat grade one in mainstream school. And then I didn't see any deaf people until I was 17.
Donna: Smart mum. What happened at 17?
Amanda: At 17 a visiting teacher of the deaf asked if I wanted to meet other deaf people. And I went to a bush dance and it just felt like I had come home. So I'm definitely in both worlds. In my 20s I was a manager and had to speak to my team every morning. I fumbled my way through and then hearing aid technology improved. I went from analogue to digital. And now its Bluetooth.
Donna: How much can you hear?
Amanda: I'm lip reading because I don't know your voice yet. And with the hearing aids, I can pick up your voice. But it's quiet. And there's a noise of the air conditioning up here. And then I'm always guessing. It’s like a puzzle. The cat sat on the mat. But you might hear cat, mat. Well, what's the cat doing with the mat? You're constantly doing this all day long and putting the jigsaw puzzle together.
Donna: Do you have time to work with all of your sports?
Amanda: I'm a professional organiser and declutterer. That's my playtime. It's easier when it's not your own stuff.
Donna: So it’s never too late to start something?
Amanda: Just do it. That's my message to anyone. It's not too late to find a new hobby or a new thing. And you don't have to be the best at it. Have fun with it and just find what that thing is. I also love the social aspect of lawn bowls. You can go to any bowls club in Australia and they have open arms and are curious and interested and happy to have a chat. It's just a really friendly sport.
Image: Kyle Barnes More online at www.tlnews.com.au
Doing Cartwheels for Pamela's birthday
Pamela Ansell is all about creating memories –which is why she asked The Cartwheels’ Dave Patterson and Wendy Phypers to play at her 68th birthday last weekend.
Plenty of friends turned up and most of her family from New Zealand and around Australia.
Nothing unusual there, except that Pamela was diagnosed with breast cancer almost six years ago and given just two years to live.
She’s still going strong, well, strong enough but has decided treatment is no longer an option. But, with luck and a strong will, she still plans on making her 70th birthday.
“I've tried every treatment available. I've come to the end of what's available and decided I'm just going to let the cancer ride its way. I don't want any more interference.”
With a big shout out to her medical team in Ballarat, Pamela is also keen to thank her husband Richard for his care – especially after moving from Daylesford to Ballarat.
“We moved from our farm in Daylesford so that I could be closer to all the treatments, and it was the best thing we ever did. He misses the ride-on mower but I've had about three episodes where I've stopped breathing, and he's had to resuscitate me. Which is a bit scary.”
Pamela’s cancer started as a lump in one breast, followed by a biopsy, but it was already too late for a mastectomy. The cancer has since progressed into many of her organs.
But she is far from giving up on life. Travel around Australia and back to her home, New Zealand, has kept her busy, as have many catch-ups with family and friends.
“It's so good to have something to look forward to. I've got incredible friends and family around me –including four adult children and eight grandchildren. Most of them were there on Saturday. They keep me going.
“I think when you have an illness, you've got to have things to look forward to. I keep myself happy and meet up with friends for coffees and have a good time still.
“Not to say every day is like that, I have my bad times too. Sometimes I wake in the night just feeling quite panicked, thinking, ‘I can't do this’. The nights are the worst. But certainly having Richard, a partner to help is huge. I don't know how people do it on their own.”
In their former life, Pamela and Richard had accommodation for more than 20 people in Daylesford and were always booked out. And before that, Richard worked in banking with the couple moving around the world with his corporate work, “halcyon days”.
Pamela said she asked Dave and Wendy to play because she loved their music and “it just makes the party a bit more special”. “We had a country group play for Richard’s 60th birthday and people are still talking about that. It leaves a lovely memory.”
Pamela said she also wanted to remind people to make sure they had their mammograms and kept up with their tests. “I left mine a bit long, I think.
“Now I just want nice memories with the kids and friends. Making the most of what I have. At least I have had time to prepare for things like the songs I want at my funeral. I’m not hugely religious but I do believe there is a God there.”
Lerderderg Track guidebook launched
The 84km-long Lerderderg Track between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh now has its own guidebook, thanks to the Great Dividing Trail Association.
A team effort by GDTA committee members, the Lerderderg Track Walk or Ride Guide, was launched by the walking group’s patron, Olympian and marathon runner, Steve Moneghetti, last Wednesday at the Bridport Street Lake Daylesford lookout, after a smoking ceremony by local Djaara Elder Uncle Ricky Nelson.
“We now have complete map and track note coverage of the whole of the 300kmlong Great Dividing Trail Network captured within a sturdy wiro-bound guidebook format,” said the guidebook’s editor and publisher, Gib Wettenhall.
The Lerderderg Track guidebook will act as a companion to the GDTA’s highly successful, award-winning Goldfields Track Walk or Ride Guide. More than map spreads, the guidebook will follow a similar style and format, sandwiching the large scale 1:17,500 ratio maps and accompanying track notes between essays on the Lerderderg’s wildly diverse natural beauty and vivid slices of its cultural heritage, people and places.
“Although close to Melbourne, the Lerderderg’s formidable, complex terrain has rendered it largely inaccessible – until now,” Gib said.
The publishing of the Lerderderg Track guidebook is timely. After three years' consideration, the Victorian Parliament finally agreed last month to the formation of the new 44,860-hectare Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, which will double the area under state parks, and embraces the whole of the Lerderderg Track.
Featured for the first time in the Lerderderg Track guidebook are Welcomes to Country from the two Kulin Nation language groups whose traditional lands encompass the Lerderderg Track – the Dja Dja Wurrung in the north and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung in the south.
Scan for the smoking ceremony.
From left, Wendy Phypers, Richard, Pamela and Dave Patterson Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
Victoria's first regional Coles Local
Daylesford welcomed Victoria's first regional Coles Local last Thursday, December 11, as the supermarket reopened with a modern new look and expanded specialty range to serve not only the local community, but also the thousands of visitors who flock to the region each year.
Coles Local Daylesford brings fresh investment to the community, creating 16 new jobs and giving regional Victorians an elevated one-stop shopping destination.
Coles Local Daylesford store manager Naome McDougall, a country Victorian who has been with Coles for over two decades, said she’s proud to be bringing a localised shopping experience to Daylesford that’s designed to meet the unique needs of the community.
“Daylesford is a special community and we’re proud to be making the weekly shop even easier - we've got everything locals need to create beautiful meals and home entertaining experiences, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas,” she said.
"We now offer four more grocery aisles, an expanded meat selection, and a range of premium products, from artisan sourdough to specialty cheeses and organic pizzas, to better serve our community and visitors.
“Customers told us they wanted more choice close to home and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered in this store with a thoughtfully selected range of everyday essentials and specialty items, all while providing the same great value customers expect from Coles stores nationwide.”
Reflecting Daylesford's creative spirit and creating a visual landmark for locals and visitors alike, the store features a striking mural by Australian artist David Bromley, whose Bromley & Co studio calls Daylesford home.
Victorian producers take pride of place throughout the store, from Farro Organic Pizza's slow-fermented sourdough bases to Ivan's Pies, Aston Lucas Italian ready meals and Foxes Den gourmet salads, soups and meals.
Time-poor shoppers can skip the aisles with rapid Click & Collect delivering groceries straight from shelves to car boots or enjoy free parking at the store.
Beyond the checkout, Coles Local Daylesford is committed to strengthening the local community through its SecondBite partnership, donating unsold, quality food to local charity partner Good Grub Club. The store will also support Daylesford Football Netball Club, home of the century-old Daylesford Bulldogs.
VIC STATE ROOFING
Metal Roof Specialist
This festive season customers can help SecondBite put meals on the table for Australians facing hardship by purchasing a $2 charity gift tag or by making a donation at any Coles supermarket checkout until Christmas Eve. Every gift tag purchased can help SecondBite to provide the equivalent of 10 meals to people doing it tough this Christmas.
Advertorial
CFA Dean donation
Dean Recreation Reserve committee president Brian Maher last week presented a cheque for $1500 to the Dean/Newlyn CFA – funds raised at the Old Sniff Sheepdog Trials in October and the Dean Kite Festival on Father’s Day.
Brian said a raffle on both days helped, with $1000 worth of prizes donated by many local businesses.
“The reason the fire brigade was selected this year is because of the fire services levy. So we are helping out where we can.
“It’s all really about the community helping the community, looking after each other.”
Over the years other recipients have included Creswick’s John Curtin Aged Care and Shannon’s Bridge.
CFA captain Dominic Prendergast said the money would go towards laying a new floor covering down in the station after a new extension was recently added.
Donations came from Brandt John Deere $200; Skipton Street Sheet Metal $400; O'Connors Farm Machinery $200; Swiss Mountain Hotel $100, Black Cat Truffles $40; The Cutter's Chair $40; and the Shepparton Cannery $40.
The major sponsors of the Old Sniff are TB White & Sons and Greg Slade Transport with a combined donation of $3000.
Words & image: Kyle Barnes
Just briefly...
Hepburn Shire Council has started removing 12 trees from the Daylesford Avenue of Honour.
The council reported on October 3 that it had become aware of some wood decay and tree death while conducting recent tree risk mitigation audits in line with its Tree Management Plan. "Old age, recent storms and damage have led to tree death and wood decay. Twelve trees (out of 184) will need to be removed along the Midland Highway and Daylesford-Malmsbury Road. Our parks team will replace the memorial trees next winter. The timber from these important trees will go to DJAARA Timbers for milling, in line with our Resource Recovery MoU with DJAARA."
The Old Sniff Classic
Did you know it’s been 13 years since the word was passed around
They’re going to run a sheep dog trial at the Dean Recreation Ground
Thanks to our small committee and the talent that’s been tapped
From across the state and interstate, we’ve put Dean on the map
Yes from Gippsland to South Australia and further afield they come
To put their dogs to the test and show us how it’s done
They’re all seeking jubilation and pats on the back to abound
If by chance they take out the title at the Dean Recreation Ground
Johnny Tuddenham and Jimmy Dodge, they’ve always been good mates
They’ll be out to show the judge, yes we’ve got what it takes
Tuddy will be out there, with his top dog named Roo
While Jimmy Dodge with Cooper, can show Roo a thing or two
Normy Severs comes from Bairnsdale, the best trial judge in Australia
He can sort these blokes out, from success to total failure
With 40 dogs and trainers competing for the trophies and the cash
Norm’s keen eye and score card, can dash their hopes in a flash
Mark Fagan comes from Dean’s Marsh, in his thongs and daggy hair
He turns up the night before, with his esky, swag and chair
He likes to sit around the fire, and the stories he can tell
About a handy dog, he used to have, a distinctive dog called Nell
Fr Peter Kerin from Don Bosco College, he comes every year
He also turns up the night before, with a grin from ear to ear
He’s got some handy Collie dogs, of all he’s very proud
He gets them out at lunchtime doing tricks before the crowd
Barry Paton hails from Koroit, he’s competitive yes he’s true blue
While his Irish mate Connor McConnell will show us all what he can do
When the two of them get talking you just can’t shut them up
While they’ve both got their greedy eyes on the first place Trophy Cup
Mary Tuddenham is the time keeper she’s the boss, no ifs or buts
If anyone tries to question her, let’s just say they’re out of luck
With one eye on the time clock and the time bell ready to ring
You better get off the ground, when she goes, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding
Our main sponsors TB White and Sons, they’re always on the ball
For the best advice in your livestock give Leo or Jerry White a call
Greg Slade Transport from Dean helps with the sponsorship load
So if you’ve got any transport needs, his depot is just up the road
Now the blokes up in the let out yards, they’ve been there all day
Letting out three fresh sheep at a time and the spent ones put away
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with the Good Grub Club has secured $89,000 through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief Program.
The funding will see the creation of a new community food hub - The Paddock & Pantry Project - set to transform food security and community engagement across Hepburn Shire. From January, the 18-month project will revitalise underutilised outdoor space at DNC into a productive garden, community kitchen and expanded food relief centre.
They do it all with skill and care while talking a yarn or two
Without them we’d be buggered, so good on ya Robbie Greive and Blue
Thanks to all who come along and enjoy the atmosphere
Hope you’ve all had a good day out and come along again next year
To the Dean and District Sheep Dog Trials
The Old Sniff Classic
- Brian Maher (with thanks to Slim Dusty)
2025 Dean Sheepdog Trials Image: Tony Sawrey
From left, Rob Turley, Cr Don Henderson, Blue, Brayden Leonard, Steve Cord, Brian Maher, Ian Smith, Richard Grigg, Dominic Prendergast and Amity Smith
That's not a knife: Calendar fun at Hepburn
Hepburn House residents had fun earlier this year with their now annual calendar escapades.
This time it was all about Australian icons with Glen Heyne aka Mick Dundee and Angela Rigby aka Sue Charlton, dressing the part for the hit Crocodile Dundee. Other icons to make the calendar included Russell Coight, Steve Irwin, Shane Warne, Slim Dusty, the Wiggles and even AC/DC.
Photographer was David White who has worked on the calendar since the start, gratis, with the first one featuring movie moments - and making the residents famous for 15 minutes with plenty of media interest.
The calendars are available from Hepburn House for $30 with funds raised going towards a new bus.
Hepburn House manager Shelley Simpson said it had been a lot of fun making the calendar with residents really getting into their roles.
"Some of the props are real and some were photoshopped by David. I think the knife Glen is holding was actually a spatula," she said.
"Everyone had their own favourites and I think we put everyone in the right role for them. We are already thinking about next year's calendar theme. The activities staff are always coming up with new ideas to keep everyone involvedif they want to be.
"Hepburn House has that family home feel - where residents can get into the fun or relax and read a newspaper. There are so many choices now in aged care."
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: David White
Dry Diggings historic property tree change
Three years ago Samantha and Ned Palay made a tree change, from Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula, to Central Victoria, buying historic Frog Hollow Estate.
The property is on the Castlemaine Road at Dry Diggings and has had a number of iterations from the homestead built 130 years ago to cottages originally built for miners and later used for visitor accommodation.
Samantha and Ned, both in construction, bought the property in 2022 after deciding they wanted their own project to work on that would give back to people. “We wanted to create something that people want to come to and enjoy,” Sam said.
“We were looking for different things and as soon as we drove into this place, we thought this is special, there's something about this place. Everyone that comes here, it's almost like you forget about everything else that's going on in your life.
“You come here and all your stress just alleviates. We just thought it's a beautiful place for weddings and events, for people to gather.
“We're big on family and we wanted a place where families can get together. Families can just have a space where kids can run.”
Ned said the couple had arrived with the vision of restoring the property and “of giving it its life back”.
“We're restoring its potential. And because we've got the engineering/building background and we're later in age we just wanted to have a project where we can sort of wind up and give it our all and hopefully potentially retire on it.”
Samantha said there were days when the couple stepped back and thought ‘wow, it’s amazing’ and other days then they went ‘what the hell are we doing’ but it had been a great journey and was coming together.
“We’re at the pointy end now and we're proud of it because we have been a part of every single element. We feel like we've made it our own now.”
Also helping with the restoration is stonemason Marcus Glue.
The Hepburn resident started out studying architecture but turned to stonework and finished his apprenticeship in 2002.
“When I didn't finish my architecture degree I deferred and went and lived in Broome for a year on an Aboriginal reserve. I spent a lot of time travelling up through the Kimberleys, and there's just rock everywhere up there. And then I drove back home from there on my own, back through the Tanami, and the whole time I was thinking ‘I'm going to quit uni when I go back and I'm going to get an apprenticeship, and that's what I did’.
“During that time I lived overseas, working in Ireland and Italy and moving around a fair bit, and then I came back here and I've been doing other things for a long time, but mostly stonework. I do it just for the love of it, I'm a tragic old soul.”
Marcus said stonemasonry was still happening and many stonemasons were keen to pass the trade on to the next generation. It also keeps the 50-year-old fit, healthy and grounded.
“I've got a fast brain too and that’s important. It's good for a brain that's got to figure out shapes all the time and needs that stimulation, like a spectrum-y brain, which I'm happy to admit I've got. I've come and gone from this trade over the years and I've never felt more grateful and attached to it because of how it's allowing me to stay grounded in my life."
Words & images: Kyle Barnes
Beetham's Botanicals
Well here I am again penning another column for you, the reader, to enjoy...
This time I'll be concentrating on broad-leaved trees and shrubs for your garden, and when I say broad-leaved, I mean plants that are significantly wider than say, for example, eucalypyts, tea-trees and willows.
So let's start with one of my favourite trees...
1. Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple) has extraordinary deeply cut large leaves (see image top right) that are the largest in the genus and turn a vibrant yellow in autumn. For those keen on travelling, you must visit the Hoh River rainforest in the north of Washington state (USA) to see them covered in literally tons of moss.
2. Aesculus hippocastanum (common horse chestnut) has lovely emerging palmate leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets that, in time, are followed by great trusses of white flowers speckled with red and yellow which then give way to a crop of 'conkers' which remind me of my early Australian childhood. There is a listed magnificent specimen growing in the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens giving shelter to a cannon.
3. Corylus maxima purpurea (purple-leaved hazelnut) is a small tree with striking bold deep purple emerging leaves (see image middle right) that gradually fade to a greeny-purple colour...not grown for its fruits but primarily for its foliage which works well when postioned alongside plants such as viburnum japonicum (Japanese viburnum), luma apiculata (Chilean myrtle) and camellias.
4. Hydrangea quercifolia (oak-leaved hydrangea) is a medium to large shrub that has broad foliage (see image lower right) not unlike an oak tree (hence its name) and can tolerate dappled shade as well as full sun - as long as the root run is kept moist during hot spells - the elongated white flower clusters are long flowering and the somewhat unusual leaves may turn deep burgundy in autumn if weather conditions are just right.
5. Quercus dentata (daimyo oak) is a wide-spreading tree (requiring a good deal of space to show its true potential) that carries large-toothed leaves that can reach 20cm long and 10cm wide. Fine specimens can be seen growing in the Domain Parklands and another close by on the Oak Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. And there's your lot - a slightly biased selection of broad-leaved plants to display in your garden.
Cheers John Beetham (Trees in Australia) Next time - Planting a seasonal perennial
Fun for all, since 1857!
New Years Day, 1 January 2026 from 11am-4pm.
Competitive events include woodchopping, bull-boar eating and mineral water drinking, plus novelty events, just for fun. And for the kids, there are running races, a petting zoo and a face painter.
Bar and canteen available, or BYO picnic.
Glenlyon Recreation Reserve.
Adults $15, kids under 16 free.
All proceeds donated back to community groups and local charities.
Council news
Daylesford Outdoor Pool is a host venue for the 2026 VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program.
The program focuses on teaching children swimming and water safety skills.
VICSWIM instructors will be in Daylesford from Monday 12 January 2026. Bookings are essential.
Learn more and book at vicswim.com.au
Energy Assistance Program
If you are having trouble paying energy bills or are worried about the cost of air conditioning, you are not alone.
Get free help through the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program to:
• find a better energy deal
• apply energy concessions (concession card holders can get 17.5% off electricity bills)
• access energy debt relief
• get advice on saving energy and money around the home. Call 1800 161 215 to be connected to Energy Assistance Program delivery partner, Anglicare Victoria. Find out more at www.energy.vic.gov.au
Gravel resheet program
We have started our annual gravel road resheet program, a major initiative to improve the condition and safety of our gravel road network.
This year we have invested $650,000 which will see around 15 km of gravel roads resheeted across the Shire. Roads are selected based on their current condition, traffic volumes, road hierarchy and community requests.
Council services over holiday season
Council hubs and libraries will close at 5 pm on Tuesday 23 December (Daylesford Library will close at 5:30 pm) and reopen as usual on Monday 5 January.
Bin collections
Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December collections will occur one day later, some bins will be collected on Saturday 27 December.
Thursday 1 and Friday 2 January collections will occur one day later, some bins will be collected on Saturday 3 January.
Transfer stations
Thursday 25 December - closed.
Visitor Information Centres
Thursday 25 December - closed.
Swimming pools
Thursday 25 December and Thursday 1 January - closed.
Emergencies
For animal emergencies phone 0419 587 955.
For all other Council-related emergencies phone 0419 583 573. Councillors and staff wish you a safe and happy festive period.
VICSWIM for Kidz
Council Plan 2025–2029 Hepburn Life
Future Hepburn Hepburn Working Together
Cr Don Henderson
Cr Lesley Hewitt
Cr Brian Hood
Cr Tony Clark
Cr Tim Drylie Cr Pat Hockey
Cr Shirley Cornish
EAT | DRINK | ENJOY
Out & About in the Central Highlands
Artists of the Central Highlands
Art comes in many varieties. Artist Margaret Morgan's father studied violin at the Melbourne Conservatory and her mother had her learning ballet with Jennie Brenan before she realised her daughter had two left feet. Her father would play his grand piano for hours for relaxation. Margaret was taught painting at school by Mrs Zieker who would have the class painting to music, getting the students thinking outside the square. Mother Marcella would take the class on walks throughout the garden, taking in the beautiful purple shadows cast by the cypress trees. Fast forward and Margaret has just received an honourable mention in Teravarna's 15th Abstract International Juried Art Competition for her work Lake Nagambie. She chatted with Donna Kelly.
Donna: When did you realise you were an artist?
Margaret: I have always loved painting and took oil painting lessons from Ron Reynolds and Marion Bruere when my children were at kindergarten. My first painting with Ron was Beethoven's death mask. Ron would have us paint tonally from black and white photographs. An en plein air excursion every four weeks was beneficial to development. I spent many years between baseball, basketball, swimming and poodle breeding when the children were at home. I took up painting when they left home, having watercolour lessons from David Taylor.
Donna: What is your preferred media – and subject?
Margaret: I will say watercolour, I find it exciting and challenging. One has to work out systematically how the pigmentation will lay on the paper, however, the same applies to silk paint and acrylic pouring. I poured on a guitar recently (pictured below) and am itching to paint another with a schmear effect. The mind has come up with how I would tackle it, drawing outlines with gutta. I enjoy pouring acrylic paint, mixing pigmentation and working with a blow torch to create cells.
Donna: You have won many prizes, is that still a thrill?
Margaret: Always. Recognition is wonderful.
Donna: Can anyone be an artist? You used to hold classes at Woodend
Margaret: I am not taking classes at present, but yes, anyone can paint. What I have found interesting with students is that so many people don't think outside the square, have never painted a subject with paper upside down or held a finger on a watercolour brush and rubbed along paper to form a broken line.
Donna: Where can we see your work?
Margaret: I have an exhibition at Heathcote Winery. The paintings will be hung on the morning of December 16 and remain until February 9.
Donna: What drew you to life in the country?
Margaret: This is interesting, I bought in Kilmore East (daughter was in Lancefield, one son in Pheasant Creek, another son in Montmorency). Kilmore East was central to all of them. I often drove a school friend to Kerang, we would stop in Kilmore on the way home, fish and chips, a brandy and toilet break. I used to say 'I would love to live in Kilmore' not believing that one day I would. I have great uncles buried in Heathcote Cemetery, some relatives were born in Bylands, my maternal grandfather was born in Woodend. Perhaps an attraction to an area. I grew up in East Rosanna as a young child and the first house I bought when I married was in Montmorency - both rural years ago.
Gig Guide
Odessa @ Leaver's Hotel, Creswick
Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier
- Friday, December 19, pictured
Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford
The Martini Set - Friday, December 20, 2pm-4pm
Dayglow Disco with Mr. Smith DJ - Sunday, December 28, 2pm-5pm
Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham
Joyce Prescher - Saturday, December 20
Freya and Tom McGowan - Saturday, December 27
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission - Friday, December 19
with Darren Lowe
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.
Christmassy and New Year stuff...
The Local sent out invites to local charities and not-for-profit organisations asking for their Christmas activities. Here they are, in no particular order.
Odessa at Leaver's Hotel is hosting an Orphans' Christmas lunch with orphan musicians. Pay what you can. Money goes to the banquet. Xmas raffle donations welcome. Bookings: www.events.humanitix.com/orphans-christmas-at-odessa
The Daylesford Community Brass Band is holding its annual Community Christmas Carols at the Hepburn Springs Sound Shell on Monday December 22, starting at 7.30pm. Guest appearances from the Daylesford Pipe Band, the HoneyTones Choir - and the man in the red suit. The band will also be playing carols on December 20 in Vincent Street, Daylesford, 10am-11.30am.
Cliffy’s Emporium in Daylesford proudly presents its much-anticipated Christmas Raffle. The proceeds from this year’s raffle will directly support our local CFA brigades. Tickets: www.rafflelink.com.au/christmasatcliffys25
Christian Bible Fellowship, Creswick will hold a Christmas Day Church Service at North Creswick Primary School's multi-purpose room (at rear of site), 9.30am to 10.30am. Enquiries: Don and Lindy Oswin on 0488 944 337. All welcome.
Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group has its Christmas party for members and friends on Tuesday, December 16 from 6pm at 600 Above Wine Bar, Macedon. More information and tickets: https://mrsg.org.au/events-calendar/2025/11/11/ mrsg-end-of-year-2025
Woodend Neighbourhood Centre will hold a Gift of Creating with Yoga, also for children in Prep to Grade 6. Children can enjoy a blend of yoga and hands-on creative activities. There are two sessions on Monday, December 22. Bookings: www.socialplanet.com.au/at/woodend-neighbourhood-house/collection/66
Catholic Christmas Mass Times are on Wednesday, December 24, 8.30pm at St Peter's Catholic Church, Daylesford; Thursday, December 25, 9am at St Augustine's Catholic Church, Creswick.
Lights on for Corey and Christmas Carols, with a visit from Santa, will be hosted by Tell Tales Bed and Breakfast at 155 Melbourne Rd, Creswick on Sunday, December 21 from 5.30pm. There will be a smoking ceremony, music and fun.
Not Christmas but Daylesford’s NYE Parade and Gala is well on the way with just a few weeks to go. Visit the Parade Inspo page at daylesfordnye.com.au/ parade-inspo Register your float at daylesfordnye.com.au/parade-info
CHRISTMAS HAMS & PoRk
✚ VERY LAST HAMS oN THE BoNE
✚ BoNELESS HAM ✚ PoRCHETTA
✚ PoRk RoASTS
TRADITIoNAL TURkEYS
✚ FINAL TURkEYS WITH oR WITHoUT STUFFING
✚ CRoWN BUFFE RoASTS ✚ RoLLED BREAST BUNDARRA CHICkENS
XMAS EVE - WED 24 DEV - 7AM- 3PM CHRISTMAS DAY & BoXING DAY - CLoSED SAT 27 DEC- TUE 30 JAN - TRADING AS USUAL WED 31 DEC - NEW YEARS EVE - 7AM-4PM NEW YEARS DAY - CLoSED
PHOTOGRAPHY - MISH DONNELLY. STYLING & LOCATION
PROJECTS BY BOWEN. RECIPES & COOKING BY RYAN
Kyle's Rant
Australia has an identity issue. Shopping for a Christmas card the other day, the choices were dismal. My choices were one beach Santa or a tonne of different winter scenes. Hot chocolate mugs by the fire, people snuggled up in the cold or fir trees dripping in tinsel and snow.
When are we going to get out own version of Christmas and for that matter do we need it? According to our 2021 Census, Christianity in its varying forms is the largest religion (43.9 per cent), but the largest group overall is "No Religion" (38.9 per cent), a significant rise from previous years, while other faiths like Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism also saw growth, reflecting a diversifying spiritual landscape with Christianity declining from over half the population.
I’m not trying to be a grinch, but it is a lot of pressure for one day of the year, spending time with all your loved ones you haven’t seen for the year – now there’s a reason for that.
I met a local woman the other day who talked with a sense of pride or was it competitiveness, that she was hosting 38 people for the big day. WTF. I couldn’t think of anything worse and more draining than putting together a hot lunch for that many hungry-gutted drunkards. And why would you have a hot lunch in the summer, it’s just another Northern Hemisphere tradition being pushed down our throats.
And the next day is not so happy for the earth, groaning as we push tonnes of landfill into it. Don’t get me wrong I love the holiday season, and I look forward to a good feed on the day, however I prefer to dine with people I actually like.
And I am not comfortable with the 'buy now pay later' pressure of the whole day. Last year we spent the day with my sister and her family and it was nice enough. However I watched as the kids savagely opened our carefully selected presents, gave them a curious look, popped them into a pile and moved on. It was like watching that cartoon Tasmanian Devil tear through a library.
I risked the skin being ripped from my arm as I intervened and moved our Christmas offerings to get them away from the growing rubbish wrapping paper pile. At the end of the day, those kids had no idea what we had given them and to that end I flew the gifted micro-drone to its new home at the top of a tree and they never noticed it had gone.
And if you’re into this whole Christian tradition, Christmas is now a far cry from what it was meant to be. It was simply a celebration of the birth of one JC, apparently the direct descendant of the big fella. And if you do pay some attention to the Christians' guidebook, gluttony, as in a huge feast, is considered a sin.
The other sins are:
Pride: An excessive love of self and a belief in one's own greatness or my instaChristmas is better than yours.
Greed: An excessive love of and attachment to earthly goods.
Lust: Cracking on to the sister-in-law (not mine) in a drunken stupor.
Envy: Wishing you had received those tickets to Metallica.
Wrath: A classic family ending to a fiery Christmas afternoon.
Sloth: The usual post-Christmas lunch afternoon.
And if you do follow the letter of the law from the scriptures, I don’t think old mate wanted us to have a day off from abstaining from the sins.
But whatever you get up to, whatever you believe in and whatever you do have a great day and I’ll catch you next year…
Local Lines
Nailman
Tuh-tap-tap-Waap. Four blows and the three inch nail was flush. That's counting the set-up tap.
When the power goes off now on a building site, carpenters knock off for the day.
In Jim's time, you just got on with it. Power was for the Sparkies.
Stripped to the waist, cracked leather tool bag aproning his faded Stubbies
Jim put in steady days on Bendigo housing blocks, armed with his smooth,
wooden-handled hammer & nail punch, black-handled builder's square rammed
in his belt, flick-hinged carpenter's rule at the ready and stubby, flat, red pencil.
A portable one-man constructor. Even as I homeworked over a desk as a teenager,
on weekends, I knew his presence, nails jangling in that tool bag, interspersed
with regular hammer blows, some backyard project always on the go.
The fete on a Saturday at the local grammar school, saw well-heeled mothers,
cardiganed fathers and kids haggling for bargains. Away from trimmed doilies and napkins,
a makeshift side-show offered a pound note to anyone who could drive
a nail into thick board in five or fewer blows. I had to insist.
Dad bought Choc Wedges for the family, all five of us. Proud, was I, as punch.
- Bill Wootton
Bill lives and writes in Hepburn Springs. His father is still kicking but not nailing so much.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
Hi, I'm
I
I
Microchip no. 97810108732207
Come and meet me at MAAWs in Castlemaine or call 5472 5277.
Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie the Kelpie & Curly the Cocker Spaniel - we picked them from the Peninsula RSPCA. (Pick me, pick me is also proudly supported by Daylesford's petstock - where pets are family.)
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
Christmas is upon us. How did that happen? And how did 2026 almost arrive as well? I remember looking for an outfit for 2000 - the year we all thought the computers would crash. And nothing happened.
So many years come and go now, it's hard to keep up. I remember some Christmasses and others I have long forgotten.
I remember getting up early one morning when I was about 10 and seeing a bicycle for my younger brother in the lounge. Dragster I would imagine. On the way back to bed, I snuck into his room to wake him up and tell him - stopping just before I got around to the spoiling the surprise. Even at 10 I had too much empathy.
Another year I remember opening a tallie of beer, pouring some into my dog's bowl, and then pushing the cap back on and carefully placing it back in the fridgeon its side of course. The dog got a bit pissed and my dad was also pissed off because the beer leaked everywhere. So hard to please everyone at Christmas.
We never had stocking fillers, our stockings were pillowcases. One year I saw my sister get all the little treats that I would have loved. And I got all the stuff she would have wanted. I think mum and dad might have had a little too much Christmas cheer that night.
I had a white Christmas once, when I was living in Japan in my early 20s. I went to a friend's house, a Canadian girl, who was making a full Christmas dinner using a benchtop oven. We are talking turkey, stuffing, potatoes, all the veggies...and I had eggnog for the first time. It was fantastic. I looked out the window and snow was falling. It was like a miracle for a kid from Franganistan.
Kyle and I have had some great orphans' Christmases. You know, when you are living away and have no family to share the day with. One year, in Cairns, we took a chicken and champagne picnic to Crystal Cascades and then scared ourselves witless that there might be crocs in the water. So we headed to a new James Bond movie, had dinner in a Chinese restaurant and headed home to our apartment - which had no aircon back in the day - and spent most of the night in the apartment's pool.
Another time at Glenlyon, we had friends coming around with all of the food. Mum was with us and kept saying 'I am sure you should be doing something'. But no, one couple origiuinally from America brought the turkey and gravy, another, a chef, the pav and some others potatoes - which the chef quickly got into shape.
It was a fantastic day and not one argument about who got the first bike, or who was the favourite child. Very grown up and yet a lot of fun.
This year we are heading to friends in Melbourne. A family affair without a single family member we have to worry about. She has about 15 coming and I checked if she could handle two more after the invite. "I don't know Donna, but let's find out."
So we will be with old, as in long-time friends, and lots of people we don't know. I asked what we could bring and everyone pretty much has it covered. I am down to a salad and will do my best to make it interesting, but let's face it, it's probably lettuce, tomato, red onion and cucumber. Maybe fancy it up with some Greek cheese?
Anyhow, it will be a nice day with great company and I am sure great food - and maybe a chardy. And what else do you need?
I hope you have a lovely Christmas - whether you are with friends, family or just chilling out for the day. And if you are struggling with life, I hope you are OK and remember it is just one day. And some years are just better than others. Or worse.
Then we are all back on the wheel - until New Year's. And just another night, and it's into 2026 we slide.
Wishing you all a happy and fun Christmas and we'll catch you for the "retrospective" or "lazy" edition on December 29. Just sayin'...
Business Directory - Buy Local
Wishing our clients and the s pa country community a safe and joyful festive season.
SEBASTIAN BROWNE 0410 400 919 SUZI BROWNE 0438 886 848
At Spa Country Real Estate, our exclusive service model means we only represent a limited number of homes — ensuring our clients receive director-led expertise, a hands on approach, strategic focus, considered marketing and genuine care.
It’s a unique model, stemming from our service ethos, backed by decades of real-world residential sales and marketing experience — proven across multiple property cycles, three states and internationally.
TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH?
Speak with us now about availability and what we can offer new clients from January 2026.
