The local december 23 2013

December 23, 2013 Issue 9 Glenlyon New Year’s Sports Day

2 About Us The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Hepburn Shire. The next edition is due out on Monday, January 6.

Advertising deadline: Space bookings: December 29 Copy provided by: January 2 Editorial deadline: January 2 Editor: Donna Kelly Photography: Kyle Barnes Sales: Donna Kelly and Kyle Barnes Graphic designer: Glen Heyne Sub-editors: Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Editorial and sales - 5348 7883 / 0416 104 283 / 0418 576 513 dhslocal@gmail.com / dhslocal.com.au Photo sales - 8” x 10” - $10. Electronic version - $50 Front cover: Vince Hayes checks out his time at the International Mineral Water Drinking Competition at the Glenlyon New Year’s Day Mixed Sports Day. The event draws thousands to the Glenlyon Reserve on New Year’s Day with proceeds going to local organisations and charities. Tickets are $10 for adults and the gates open at 10am.

Photo: Donna Kelly

IT WAS not just a team effort for mother and baby, but also for The Local’s sub-editors Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith, who called on our photographer, Kyle Barnes, to capture a little bit of nature in their front yard.

News 3

New trombone for Daylesford Community Brass Band OSCAR Izard is the lucky recipient of a new trombone presented to the Daylesford Community Brass Band by former mayor Cr Bill McClenaghan.

Cr McClenaghan made the presentation at his final Hepburn Shire Council meeting as mayor.

Oscar, a student at Daylesford Secondary College, gave his new instrument a try-out on the steps of the Daylesford Anglican Church last week.

Council reviews a load of rubbish options

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SOCIAL enterprise at the Daylesford Transfer Station to enhance the recovery of unwanted items, timber and other materials has received the most votes, (57), in Hepburn Shire Council’s Our Say online forum on a waste management and resource recovery strategy.

The second highest number of votes, (55), went to extending the kerbside collection service to households in the smaller hamlets of the shire.

The forum, which is now closed, says Hepburn Shire Council and the Waste Strategy Community Reference Group “want to know how you think we can manage waste better into the future, how we can do more with less and how the community can reduce waste disposed to landfill”.

“The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy aims to achieve the following objectives: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with council’s waste management activities; Minimise costs to council and the community through reductions in waste to landfill and efficiencies in waste management practices; and Create new business opportunities by converting waste to resources or energy.”

The most votes went to: Develop a social enterprise at the transfer stations – 57 votes, nine comments; Extend the kerbside collection service – 55 votes, 16 comments; Supporting the bio-energy feasibility study to progress to the next stage of business case

development – 46 votes, two comments; and Promote home composting and worm farming of food and garden waste for households that have a kerbside service through either a rebate or council bulk purchasing - 28 votes, two comments.

Shire infrastructure general manager Bruce Lucas said the council had reviewed the feedback and was now finalising the draft strategy for consideration at the February council meeting.

“One of the 27 actions identified (was the) extension of kerbside collection services to additional communities across the shire. If this proceeds the implementation is likely to commence in July 2014 with the start of the new financial year,” he said.

4 Vale Stuart Rattle

Memorial service farewells Stuart Rattle

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MEMORIAL service for interior designer and passionate gardener, Stuart Rattle, was held at St Peters Church at Daylesford on Sunday, December 22.

Mr Rattle tragically died earlier this month and his body was found after a fire at his South Yarra apartment on December 9.

His partner of 16 years, Michael O’Neill has been charged with his murder and has been remanded in custody until June.

Meanwhile, Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens secretary Patrice O’Shea said Mr Rattle had created his perfect home at Musk and had “made a house and garden that were beautiful and welcoming and which he shared readily with friends and neighbours”.

“So many of us have enjoyed the warmth of his hospitality and the products of his very hard work in the garden – wheelbarrow loads of cuttings, trays of eggs, bottomless cups of tea and slabs of fruit cake,” she said.

“His enormous generosity to the Daylesford Primary School and the Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens was indicative of the importance that he placed on the community that he had embraced as home.

“Not only did he invite thousands of enthusiastic fellow gardeners to visit Musk Farm, he physically wore himself out in ensuring that the place was absolutely perfect in its presentation.

“When told that visitors would press their noses up to the windows of the house, and they did, he had all the windows cleaned in preparation, filled all the

vases and turned on the lights so that they would have good view.”

Ms O’Shea said when the Friends were preparing lunch for 200 Garden History Conference attendees, Mr Rattle “happily declared that this was what he had designed the kitchen for”.

“Needless to say, his broad, welcoming smile is an enduring memory for so many of us.

“The horror of his death cannot erase the legacy of good fellowship that he built up over 13 years at Musk.”

Mr Rattle’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages of condolence from people around the country and the world.

One person wrote: “Words cannot express the void you will leave in country Victoria and in Melbourne. Your instant friendship and advice when I arrived from London will never be forgotten, nor will “The Cake” at the farm. RIP. And let’s hope Heaven is as beautiful as the paradise you created on earth.”

And another said: “So very sad! My daughter and her husband met Stuart at Musk Farm a few weeks ago and thought he was so amazing. How very sad and what a great loss!”

Many people have also thanked Mr Rattle for his legacy.

“RIP Stuart Rattle...What a tragic way to leave us... However you lived your life to the full & left a legacy of beauty and gracious living. Thank you for sharing your vision with the world.”

“Needless to say, his broad, welcoming smile is an enduring memory for so many of us.”

News 5

Bourgeois Ferret a winner for Hepburn writer

H

EPBURN Springs writer Ric Hambleton has taken out both first and third places in The Age/Readings short-story award.

First prize went to his story, Joseph Stalin and the Bourgeois Ferret, set in Preston in 1956.

The 67-year-old said the story focussed on the Preston branch of the Communist Party of Australia, who were embroiled in strikes and altercations, “but the most pressing problem is a ferret called Elvis who won at the Royal Melbourne Show”.

“They believe he probably belongs in Toorak rather than Preston. He’s an uppity ferret.”

The third prize went to Mr Hambleton’s Wotsername, “a modern story about a pushy 30-something business woman who is totally self-centred and self-obsessed”.

“That was an exercise in writing in the first person using a technique almost like something being continuously on the mobile phone – a device which sets a time and place that could only be now.”

“They were both quite different.”

Mr Hambleton said the word limit of 3000 words took “a couple of months” for the first prize winner to write, and just 30 minutes for the third prize winner.

“The first one had been around for a couple of months in various forms but the other was really written in about half an hour (although) the idea had been milling around in my head before that.”

Mr Hambleton, who said he had been writing pretty much all his life, starting as a copy writer for an advertising firm and writing fiction on the side, said he was surprised to win, particularly the two awards.

“I was very happy to get number one - but to get two out of three…”

Now working on a novel, involving “white collar crime, extortion, corruption, blackmail”, he is hoping the right publisher will notice his short story success.

Mr Hambleton said he moved to Hepburn Springs five years ago after having two holiday homes in the region for about 15 years.

“And we’d been visiting for longer than that, with children, we like this part of the world.

“There are lots of hamlets, Castlemaine is just down the road and there are the big cities of Bendigo and Ballarat, and we’re not far from Melbourne.

“We moved full time because the children had grown up and left home, I sold my advertising business and there was nothing to keep us in Melbourne.”

The three winning stories will be published in The Age’s Life and Style next month.

6 Letters

Letters to the editor

feedback. This is by the OurSay forum website.

Earlier this year I participated in the council strategic OurSay process whereby my rate review was listed in the top 10.

I rang twice to request a letter to inform me how council responded to my top 10 topic. Still waiting for that response.

RECENTLY I received a Christmas present Suppose I should be grateful to get one present for from the council - 12 tip passes.

2013.

I suppose it is not really a present since paying rates - Ratepayer (Name and address supplied but entitled me to tip passes as a rural property owner. withheld on request.)

Problem is they were not sent out with the annual rate notice.

Nor was I told there was a problem with late printing of tip passes - that they missed the rate mailout. Then council forgot to include any passes in the next quarterly rate payment.

THE Daylesford Junior Football club recently I thought that the new waste management strategy held its annual general meeting where a new meant everyone else was also paying $17 for a green president and vice president were elected. We bin to be put into the local tip. The yellow recycle was welcome Rob Millar as president and Craig a freebie.

Wade as vice president.

I complained to the attendant for the first and The committee, players and parents would like to second trip to no avail. However after my third trip thank and acknowledge the contribution of Stephen and another $17 out of pocket I felt angry enough to Walsh and other outgoing committee members. have a real whinge.

Stephen Walsh has been a real asset to the club The tip attendant informed me of the council working tirelessly over many years and he will be oversight. greatly missed.

Well now you understand the circumstances which We have acknowledged his support, contribution led to my Christmas present. I just hope the passes and expertise by making him a life member of the will be honoured for a full 12 months from the time Daylesford Junior Football Club. of receipt.

A new generation of parents are becoming involved There is a waste management strategy review in the club and we welcome several new committee currently underway and council is seeking community members this year.

Rubbish gift from council

Life membership to Walsh

The junior committee has a tradition of active discussion and consultation regarding decision making, and its members have always worked well together making the most of individuals’ skills and expertise.

The DJFC currently has a vacancy for a coach for our U14 ½ team. We are seeking someone who understands the need to commit to the development of players and who ensures that players enjoy their game and perform to the highest level possible.

If interested please apply in writing to DJFC, PO Box 346, Daylesford 3460.

Another football season is almost upon us and we hope that you are as excited as we are. We always welcome new players in our U12, U14 ½ and U17 ½ teams.

- DJFC Committee 2014

Letters to the editor are very welcome. However they must be brief and to the point. Names, addresses and contact details must be included but only a name and town will be published. This can be withheld at request at the editor’s discretion. Email: dhslocal@gmail.com or write to The Local, 17 Barkly Street, Glenlyon, 3461.

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Opinion 7

My Say

by Donna Kelly

Y

OU’VE probably realised by now that I live in Glenlyon.

We moved here eight years ago, or is that nine, and have found it’s a bit like Hotel California – you can check out but you can never leave.

But back to 2005. We’d had an annus horribilis. House fire - just managed to save the dogs, my lovely nan dying and taking the hospital to the Coroner’s Court (I would say we won but there are no winners there) and then just the stress of crazy work hours.

So what to do? Head off to Daylesford for a weekend of relaxing. Oh, and maybe a little wining and dining. OK, a lot.

So with one of us, not me, suffering a strange water sports injury (who rides those inflated bananas in their 40s?), we skipped the stairs of The Convent and headed to some art show at some place called Glenlyon.

We arrived early and stood on the road and saw a For Sale sign. And we were hooked. We could live in an 1860s school. Our dogs would love two acres. How much maintenance could grass and a few oak and elm trees be?

And we called the agent, who was in Melbourne, and he asked if we were serious. (Now that should have set off alarm bells but we were.) And he turned up the next day and we signed papers and had a new/old house.

Sadly, we still had a house in Frankston (south, thank you very much), jobs in Frankston (central) and a possessive mother, who was still coming to grips with our marriage 10 years prior, in Frankston (south).

Luckily we managed to sell the house about a week before we took possession of the new/old home, found work in Ballarat and Daylesford, and assured my mother that we weren’t moving into a “ruin”.

“Yes, there have been times, usually during winter, when we pull on layers and think of warmer climes.”

Mum later found her friends had actually heard of Glenlyon - pony club and winery people - and she started to tell people quite proudly, in a Queen sort of voice, “oh, my daughter and her husband live at Glenlyon…”

Anyway, after all that, it’s been a fabulous tree change. We have never been so social, never known so many people, never taken so long to shop, never had so many fabulous pubs and venues where you just feel so comfortable.

Yes, there have been times, usually during winter, when we pull on layers and think of warmer climes. Sometimes we go to them – Hervey Bay, the Pilbara, Logan….but we always come back. And wonder why we left.

And now we publish The Local. And we have met even more wonderful people, created great relationships and have the privilege of sharing stories, features and profiles. And it’s fun and interesting. We love it, all of it. So we’re not going anywhere. We’re here to stay. And that feels good.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy and Safe New Year.

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Artedeco Artedeco the new shop from OnlineAntiques has opened at 3/27 Vincent Street, Daylesford.

We specialise in Art Deco, 20th Century and Vintage and the shop is piled high with an everchanging selection of pieces bought on European and American buying trips.

With a diverse collection of the best pieces from these eras, there is furniture, lighting, porcelain, original posters and everything else to furnish your home.

If you are interested in vintage and couture fashion there are original pieces from 1920 to 1960 including beautiful dresses, costume jewellery from the Art Deco period to the 1960s, hats, and purses all purchased from the best collections in Europe and the U.S. At Artedeco we choose pieces for quality, originality and condition.

We are members of the Australian Art and Antique Dealers Association and CINOA guaranteeing you are buying genuine pieces.

Some highlight pieces at present are a collection of American barware including everything you need to make martinis 1930s style, 1950s summer dresses from a New York collection, European Art Deco furniture from the most recent container, Belgian marble frames from the 1930s and a selection of gadget and system canes.

The shop is open 7 days 10.00 to 5.00pm.

Artedeco, 3/27 Vincent Street, Daylesford 3460 T 0407 321 865 www.onlineantiques.com.au

Our schools 9

Dancing with the Stars dream for Annemieke

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NNEMIEKE Visser’s dream is to be on the set of Dancing with the Stars.

Not as an audience member, not even as a “star” but as a professional dancer – and she’s well on her way.

The 14-year-old has been ballroom dancing for three years and successfully taking part in competitions around Australia.

Annemieke said her grandmother, Gloria, got her started in the sport as a former ballroom dancer herself in her younger days.

Her commitment sees her spending three evenings a week in Melbourne at various dance schools and, with various coaches, including at JAMM Dance Centre at Greensborough, Exclusive Beats Boutique at Canterbury and Dance Worx at Essendon.

“The different coaches teach me different techniques – but it’s all ballroom,” she said.

“I spend about two to three hours an evening dancing. I do get a bit tired, with school work and everything, but it’s pretty easy.”

The Daylesford Secondary College Year 8 student said she entered both state and national competitions with the latest the Australian Dance Sports Championships at Hisense Arena in Melbourne.

In various styles, she and new dance partner of just five weeks, Corey Stemp, took home third, ninth and 11th places in the competition.

Annemieke, who chooses costumes in reds, oranges, pinks – and the occasional blue, said her dream was to become a professional dancer.

“I hope to be on Dancing with the Stars one day,” she said.

“I have friends who work professionally on it and I get my outfits from June, who makes costumes for the show, and Sriani, who is a dancer.

“So that’s my dream.”

Daylesford principal moves on 5348 4213

Me fro rry C m A hr nn istm ie & as Ro b

Wishing all our customers, including our furry & feathered friends, a happy, healthy and safe Christmas.

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AYLESFORD Secondary College’s Tiffany Holt has resigned as principal after three years in the role.

In a school newsletter, Ms Holt said she had accepted the position of principal at Apollo Bay P-12 College, starting next year.

“Naturally, I am very excited by this new opportunity, however, I am also very sad to leave such an amazing school where students, staff, and parents alike, work so hard and care so passionately about education,” she said.

“Each year I have watched with great delight to see our school progress from strength to strength in so many different ways.

“I would like to congratulate and thank all of our students, staff and parents on what has been a tremendous journey of school improvement over this time.

“There will always be challenges to address and issues to overcome in any school, however, I have witnessed a college community live their values of respect, cooperation, endeavour, honesty and courtesy as a means to always soldier on to achieve great things, always aiming high.”

Linda Flynn, former principal of Mt Clear College, will take up the role of acting principal for Term 1. The college council will also start the official process to appoint a new principal.

10 News

Daylesford Hotel celebrates 100th in style

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HE Daylesford Hotel celebrated its 100th birthday in probably the same way it opened – plenty of music, wining, dining and appreciative patrons.

Owners, from left, Sue Kapper, Julie Townsend, Anne Marie Banting and, far right, Graham Bamford, pictured with Rodney Peacock from the Daylesford Pipes and Drums Band, welcomed hundreds of people to the hotel for the three-hour event on December 17.

A congratulatory letter from the Queen, with just a small disclaimer, was piped in by the Daylesford Pipes and Drums Band while the Daylesford Swing Band kept toes tapping with their performance.

A sausage sizzle, donated by Spa Meats, was tempting for many while others chose to peruse the hotel’s menu for a late lunch.

Ms Banting said the local response to the 100-year-old birthday party for “the old girl” had been amazing.

It had also translated into a $400 cheque for the Daylesford Swing Band and another $200 cheque for the Daylesford Pipes and Drums Band.

“Everyone had a ball and we have heard consistently great comments,” Ms Banting said.

“Our Facebook site went crazy.”

The next big event is New Year’s Eve with entertainment again provided by the swing band along with Geoffrey Williams.

Left, the original foundation stone, and right, the Daylesford Drums and Pipes Band

12 News

Funding for streetscapes and CBDs...

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EPBURN, Trentham and Glenlyon have received a total of $90,000 towards their streetscapes from the State Government.

Hepburn Shire Council will kick in another $30,000.

Announcing the funding in Glenlyon, which has a single general store, Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay said the streetscape planning would focus on the main street and central business district of each of the three towns.

“The completed designs will result in shovel-ready projects in each location,” he said.

“Detailed consultation was undertaken through the development of the Hepburn Council Plan, which identified streetscape upgrades as a priority.

“In the Council Plan development process more than 680 people have been consulted through seven community workshops, one internal staff workshop, one councillor workshop, an online forum, and multiple community listening posts on design ideas.”

Mr Ramsay said jobs would also be created during the construction phase.

“And the three townships will benefit through improved community infrastructure, better safety, projected rises in private investment and improved amenity to support existing residents and visitors.”

The project is expected to be completed in October next year.

Rachel Campbell takes a break in Glenlyon’s CBD

Advertorial

Moss & Burrows new venture for couple

E joy.

Left, Emma and Nigel Taylor are enjoying their tree change

MMA and Nigel Taylor have opened Moss & Burrows – and as the name suggests it’s all about beautiful things offering comfort and

The couple, and two-year-old Casper, moved from Fremantle, keen to offer their son a country lifestyle, “have a tree change and get out of the suburbs”.

They found Daylesford and love the weather, especially winter, the scenery and the friendly locals.

“It’s a complete change for us,” Emma said.

“We always wanted to open a shop and just love being surrounded by beautiful things.”

Nigel said Moss & Burrows, located at 22 Raglan Street, Daylesford (next to the Sunday Market), offered “eclectic, accessible items with something for everyone”.

That means women’s clothing with the basics for men coming soon, Saltwater Sandals, Minnetonka moccasins, children’s toys and clothing, including homemade crocheted Viking hats, and plenty of items on consignment from local artisans.

Emma said the couple embraced ethical, recyclable and environmental goods and was keen to support local people.

“We have also received a lot of support for the store and just from the town. It is so social – we just love it,” Emma said.

“Casper is at Daylesford Day Care and he loves it. He is already reaping the benefits of our new, slower lifestyle.”

Nigel and Emma said they hope, sometime in the new year, to run workshops at the rear of the store and “enlist clever people” to teach a range of arts and crafts.

Phone: 5348 4433.

14 News

Sam riding into Hepburn

PLANTS ON SALE 10 - 12 am every Thursday morning and first Sunday morning each month at the

SAMUEL Johnson and his “Love Your Sister” crew will ride into Daylesford on Wednesday, January 8.

The day will be the end of their epic 15,000km unicycle ride to raise funds for cancer research.

From the Daylesford Police Station at 5.30pm Sam will unicycle along the bike path to the Savoia Hotel at Hepburn Springs, arriving at 6pm for a “Love Your Sister” fundraising event.

The event will feature the Daylesford Brass Band , Jennie Brown and Bruce Millar, Family Farm Big Band, Castlemaine’s King Stone and DJ Zolly Gold.

A $2 mystery auction with auctioneer Paul Johnston will offer up items including a night at a Kudos Villa, wine, vouchers for local shops and cafés, and retail items. Punters bid in $2 increments until the auctioneer’s gavel comes down.

Event entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children over 12 and free for children under 12. Funds raised go to the Garvan Research Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

Link: www.loveyoursister.org

Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens potting area, adjacent to Wombat Hill House

Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens POBox 267 Daylesford friends @wombathill.org

News 15

Funding for Spudfest THE Great Trentham Spudfest will receive $2500 under the Country Victoria Events Program.

The money will help with promotion and marketing.

Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay said the Great Trentham Spudfest was a day-long celebration which elevated “the humble potato from tasty side dish to main course”.

“Great Trentham Spudfest, with its celebration of local farmers and the area’s history of potato growing, confirms again the Daylesford Macedon Ranges’ credentials as one of Victoria‟s most renowned local produce hubs, known for its myriad farmgates and cellar doors,” Mr Ramsay said The spudfest is in its seventh year and highlights include potato-themed cuisine, games, art, market stalls, tours of Trentham’s historic spud huts and stalls featuring several different varieties of potatoes fresh from local farmers.

The Great Trentham Spudfest will be held next year on Saturday, May 3.

Daylesford Secondary celebrates its students

Sophie Shewell has been awarded the Daylesford Secondary College’s prestigious Trewhella Award while Angus Banks and Tom Bull were joint male student winners

D

AYLESFORD Secondary College has again marked the end of the academic year with a celebration of student achievement.

Teacher Brendan Murray said the presentation night, which was held last Wednesday, December 18, was an honoured tradition, harking back many decades.

Mr Murray said the school theatre was “magnificently bedecked with a floral and potted plant arrangement by Wayne Pickering”.

“The concert band conducted by Hugh Mc Kelvey opened the evening with several joyful arrangements. “(And) as with tradition, students who had excelled in their subject areas and distinguished themselves amongst their peers were presented on stage to the applause of family and friends.”

Mr Murray said the Trewhella Award was awarded to the senior boy and girl who most demonstrated scholarship, leadership and sportsmanship during the year.

“This year the female recipient was Sophie Shewell, (pictured above), while it was impossible to select a winner amongst the male students, so both Angus Banks and Tim Bull were awarded joint winners,” he said.

“As with our leaving Year 12s we are certain that these students have bright futures.”

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16 Inspiring Stories

Pauline planning her next adventure Somebody’s got to it: Pauline Hartz at the helm of the 20-metre sailing catamaran in the British Virgin Islands.

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AULINE Hartz, perhaps best known for her hairdressing skills at Spice Daylesford, has just returned from an amazing year abroad, much of it in the British Virgin Islands. The Local’s Kyle Barnes caught up for a chat.

KB: The past year has been different for you. What made you decide to go travelling?

PH: Apart from working at Spice Daylesford there wasn’t much holding me back actually. I felt that it was time to move away and experience some serious challenges and the world, and yep thinking back on it, I definitely experienced all that and more...I knew that Daylesford/Taradale would always be here as a “home-base” if I ever needed to come back. I think everyone has their “home-base” they need and want to go back to whether it’s less than an hour away or on the other side of the world. Just like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz says, “There’s no place like home”.

KB: How did you find work? How did you choose the location?

KB: Did you get homesick at all?

PH: I got this gig through my older sister Tara who works in the same industry. The British Virgin Islands is the number one spot in the world for luxury sailing and vacationing - for mostly rich Americans. It has four major islands and about eight smaller islands so it was and is the best place to go for work.

PH: Yes. (But) I didn’t think I would and I was very wrong. Christmas was good - my sister and I went out for a sneaky drink after the guests had gone to bed but New Year’s and those weeks where I had been on charter for seven weeks straight were the worst. But I was lucky enough to have my sister just that phone call away.

KB: What sort of work did you do - did you enjoy it? Did you meet amazing people?

KB: You travelled on to the US after finishing up work - how was that?

PH: I was third crew, stewardess, on a 20-metre sailing catamaran, so waitressing and bar tender duties, and it was also my job to look after the cleanliness of the boat inside. Every morning I’d clean all five heads and beds (bathrooms and beds) before we set sail for the day and then I’d be helping the captain with all the lines and sailing the boat.

Once the sailing was done I’d be in the kitchen with the chef. It was pretty full on, especially with kids KB: Was it hard work to actually leave - passports, on board - hello to babysitter Pauline - although any excuse to go snorkelling and tubing. (But) as much visas, vaccinations? as it was full on there were always massive results at the end of days and weeks. I always noticed the stress PH: My visa took about three months for an they came on the boat with, but once you got them approval whilst I was still in Australia, and once I settled in and got to know them a bit better you could got there it was definitely a mission to get the work usually judge if they could take a few jokes or pranks permit approval from the British Virgin Islands and get them laughing. It was a very eye-opening immigration. The BVI government aren’t the easiest experience and I do admit I also dealt with the most people to work with. A lot of people that come to work there give up and head back home as the process horrible guests at times - we called them “charters from hell” and those seven days felt like months. But is very frustrating and somewhat against a different race. Let’s just say they are definitely on island time! then we had the most amazing guests that treated us like we were family and they were very much down But once it was approved it was all worth it! to earth and those weeks went too fast.

PH: Absolutely amazing. Of course I was a little nervous doing my solo trip but there would be something wrong if I wasn’t. The one thing I missed most was driving my car blasting my music so I decided I’d road trip California for a month driving up the coast visiting the major cities, towns and national parks. I then travelled on a Contiki tour starting from LA doing all the southern part of the US and across to New York for a month, that was the best part by far.

KB: Has the travel bug bitten? And where next?

PH: Most definitely and Daylesford’s frostbite has bitten me also. People thought I was crazy being a female solo traveller but everyone does it, and if you have nothing holding you back I don’t see why you wouldn’t travel. I worked hard this past year on the boat and it paid off by the best travelling experiences.

I’m working away on my next plan. I have opened a lot of doors for myself so I’ve just got to work out which one I want to do next. Apart from my sister’s wedding next year, that I don’t want to miss, I’m just taking life as it comes.”

Healthy Living 17

The “karate kids” offer the crowd a demonstration of their skills with instructor Damien Smith

Family Fun Day at Bodhidharma draws crowds

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HE Family Fun Day at Bodhidharma raised just over $3500 to help the organisation’s “karate kids” travel to Darwin in September next year for the fourth national tournament of the Tang Soo Tao Federation.

Instructor Tara Haneveld, pictured above, said the day was “a great success”.

“It was not only a way to raise funds to help our karate kids but also let us open up Bodhidharma to the local community so everyone could experience the wonderful energy that is generated here,” she said.

“We raised just over $3500, with families enjoying kids’ games, the jumping castles, pony rides, face painting and seeing the enthusiastic karate kids demo.”

Ms Haneveld said there was plenty of support from parents, students, family and even the next door neighbour who opened her property for parking.

She said 15 students, aged from five to eleven, were keen to take part in the September event.

Tang Soo Tao, which means the way of the open hand, started in Darwin 39 years ago and is an official Australian martial arts form.

18 Community Events

Community Events Anglican Christmas Services

The Feast of St John

An Anglican church service for children will be held at St Johns, Glenlyon on December 24 from 5pm. It will be followed by Musical Meditation on the Incarnation at Christ Church Daylesford at 11pm and then Midnight Mass at 11.30pm. The Feast of the Nativity will be held on December 25 at 9am.

The Feast of St John will be held at St John’s Glenlyon on Sunday, December 29 at 10am. The Feast of the Epiphany will be held at Christ Church Daylesford on Sunday, January 5 from 10am.

Christmas Mass Carols will be sung at St Peter’s Daylesford at 9.15am on Christmas Eve followed by Christmas Mass at 9.30pm. The Christmas Day service is from 9am.

2014 is the Year of the Horse, and the Creswick Museum will stage an exhibition featuring the Chinese who came to Creswick, “the New Gold Mountain”, to make their fortune. The exhibition will be open on Saturday, January 25 from 11am to 5pm.

Daylesford/Hepburn Springs Mineral Water Festival

Plant Sale

The festival will be held at the Convent Gallery on December 28 and 29 from 10.30am to 4.30pm. There will be mineral water beer, mulled wine, preserves, and cheeses preserved in mineral water. Details: hepburnspringsnaturals.com.au

Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens will hold plant sales every Thursday from 10am to noon and on the first Sunday of each month from 10am to noon.

Run for the Willow

Enjoy the scenery, with the trains back to Bullarto at the end of December, on restored vintage trains. Every Sunday from the Daylesford Railway Station/Sunday market.

The $2000 100 metre Daylesford Gift will be run at Cricket Willow on Saturday, January 4, as part of the Run for the Willow – a fundraiser for Camp Quality.

Spirit of China in Creswick

Daylesford Spa Country Rail

Got an event happening? Email dhslocal@gmail.com

Season’s Greetings

from Steven McKinley and staff at Your Community Bank Since we opened our doors in April 2012, we have been able to return more than $35, 000 to support various organisations and events in our local community.

Just imagine what we could achieve with your support... ... come and talk to us!

If you’re feeling unwell and the GP is closed,

we’re open.

The after hours GP helpline is open: • 6pm to 8am Mon - Sat • 12 noon Sat - 8am Mon • 24 hours a day on public holidays In an emergency dial triple zero [000]

1800 022 222 What do you do if you or

someone you care for is unwell at night, over the weekend or during public holidays?

The after hours GP helpline is open to give you the practical medical advice you need to address your health concern.

Grampians Medicare Local is working with the National after hours GP helpline and local healthcare providers to keep this service local and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Advertorial 19

After hours GP helpline

R

ESIDENTS and visitors in Hepburn Shire and district now have access to afterhours medical advice without leaving home with the establishment of the After Hours GP Helpline.

The service is a collaboration between Grampians Medicare Local, local doctors, Hepburn Health Service and local health service providers. It provides a user friendly solution for those in need of semi-urgent medical advice in the after-hours period.

Grampians Medicare Local chief executive officer Andrew McPherson said the service assists people who were unwell at night or over the weekend and didn’t know what to do.

“They simply pick up the phone,” he said.

“The After Hours GP Helpline is open 1800 022 222.”

Mr McPherson said in an emergency people should still call triple zero (000).

“This program is currently being trialled in a number of areas within the Grampians Medicare Local region,” he said.

Call 1800 022 222 “It is a long-awaited service that enables residents to access the right care at the right place at the right time and also supports our local doctors and health services.”

When calling the After Hours GP Helpline residents can discuss their semi-urgent health problem with a team of dedicated doctors and nurses who will provide information and advice to enable the caller to manage their condition from home.

They will receive advice to help until they can next see a GP. They will be assisted to identify whether they need to go to hospital.

If residents or visitors are unwell at night or over the weekend they can call the After Hours GP Helpline on 1800 022 222.

View the Grampians Medicare Local After Hours YouTube video at youtube.com/watch?v=sdLD1k3ZE6k Link: www.grampiansml.com.au

20 Community Information

Important contacts Emergency: 000 Springs Medical Centre: 5348 2227 Daylesford Hospital: 5321 6500 after hours GP Helpline: 1800 022 222 Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 Poisons Information Centre: 131 126 Life Line: 131 114 SES: 132 500 Wildlife Victoria: 1300 094 535 Hepburn Vet: 5348 4851 Daylesford Vet: 5348 1088 Hepburn Shire: 5348 2306 CFA Bushfire Information Line: 1800 240 667

Photo Essay 21

Kids keep their cool at the Daylesford pool

Clockwise, from above, Billy takes a dive, Freddie goes for a dip, Zac remains oblivious to building clouds and Axel dives deep.

Images: Kyle Barnes

Old Gaol, Queen Street, Roebourne WA PO Box 248 Roebourne WA 6718 Phone: +61 8 9182 1060 Fax: +61 8 9182 1257 Email: roetour@bigpond.net.au P: (08) 9182 1060 F: (08) 9182 1257 A: 5 Queen Street PO Box 248 Roebourne WA 6718

The old Roebourne Gaol, right. has been transformed into the Roebourne Visitor Centre and is the departure point for “port-to-port” tours.

The centre is amazing and eerie all at the same time - with chains still attached to the walls for the uncooperative “black birders” (Aboriginal pearl divers) which outlines a chilling part of Australia’s history.

Cossack, below, is a historic town that has become an incredible time capsule, depicting the harshness and remoteness of the North West.

Travel 23

History and landscapes on offer in WA

By Donna Kelly T MIGHT not be the time to travel there now, think 40 degrees and coming up to cyclone season, but The Pilbara region in Western Australia is an amazing winter destination.

I

It starts with the landscape, with some of the world’s most ancient scenery dating back two billion years and more than 400,000 square kilometres. And if you need proof of its age, there is incredible rock art to be easily spotted at Hearsons Cove, just out of Karratha. You’ll also be able to enjoy watching the Stairs to the Moon there if you arrive at the right time.

Karratha While many people think of Karratha as purely mining, it is a growing City of the North, with plenty planned for the fairly new town, built in the 1970s for workers as Dampier reached its population peak. It has a fairly large shopping centre, new sporting facilities and a number of restaurants.

But mostly it’s a great place to start a Pilbara adventure either arriving via the roads or through direct flights, with the fly-in, fly-out workers, every Monday from Melbourne.

Dampier Dampier is the first stop for many people – a port town which is just 20 kilometres from Karratha and the home to Red Dog. The memorial to the wandering pooch is on the way into the town. There’s also a couple of pubs, a small shopping centre and make sure you stop off at the Dampier Yacht Club for a great view of the water – and fabulous fish and chips.

Roebourne Roebourne was proclaimed a town in 1866 and is the oldest settlement in the North West. It has a great visitor centre which is located in the Old Roebourne Gaol along with the historical museum. It’s a bit of a wake up to the treatment of the aboriginals when white people arrived but well worth a visit.

Above, The Local’s Kyle Barnes relaxes at Karijini Eco Retreat, right, Staircase to the Moon, far right, above, Cossack, below, Roebourne Gaol.

flightplan@daylesfordtravel.com.au

holiday@daylesfordtravel.com.au

03 53484266 4 Howe St Daylesford Vic 3460

Cossack Nearby, about 20 kilometres through Wickham, is Cossack. It’s pretty much a ghost town now with many beautifully restored historical buildings. It’s also where traders first arrived with six monthly supplies for the first settlers. Cossack was officially declared a town in 1872 and by 1887 a horse drawn tramway had been built connecting the port with the town of Roebourne. From 1866, Cossack was also a centre for pearl divers with divers from Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and China regularly stopping in the town. By the turn of the century the pearling fleet had moved north to Broome and

by 1910 the harbour had silted up and the oncethriving community was gone. If you’re keen for a night in a ghost town there is affordable, basic accommodation available with the caretaker.

Karijini National Park For something different book a night or two at Karijini Eco Retreat and enjoy glamping – glamourous camping. The tents are more like cabins and there is almost a feel of being in Africa with the yellowing grasses. There is a main reception/dining area and you can enjoy a communal barbecue or choose from the a la carte menu. The food is surprisingly good for such an isolated place.

24 News

Boer War vet honoured

New walking/cycling trail

A

LOOP walking and cycling trail, from Trentham’s Victoria Street Visitors Information Centre to Racecourse Reserve, will be funded with $30,000 from the State Government.

Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay said the Wombat Trail Walking and Cycling Path would take in the Domino Trail, Quarry Street Reserve and Stony Creek Reserve in Trentham.

“Trentham has a mix of natural landscape features, boutique businesses and agriculture, and the Wombat Trail walking loop has the potential to attract many more tourists to the region,” Mr Ramsay said.

“The Wombat Trail will be a two-hour walk that will connect significant recreation reserves and provide residents with alternate health and wellbeing opportunities.

“It will complement the existing Domino Trail along the disused railway line, the proposed walking/cycling path to the Trentham Falls and the proposed Daylesford-Woodend Rail Trail, encouraging tourists to explore the natural habitat of the area.”

Hepburn Shire Council will contribute $15,000 to the project.

The first stage of the walking trail and cycling path is expected to be completed in September next year.

“Trentham has a mix of natural landscape features, boutique businesses and agriculture.”

I

T WAS in the true Australian spirit of the Diggers.

Daylesford RSL had discovered a Daylesford bloke had headed off to do his duty in the Boer War – but had been killed in action.

So the branch decided a plaque to commemorate the service of John Cock was needed.

President Keith Pyers, pictured above, said the branch then wrote to the Hepburn Shire Council, the state Veterans Affairs Department and the State RSL. Just to see who “owned” the memorial in Burke Square.

And they waited, and waited, and waited – and got not one reply.

So they did the Australian thing – and just went ahead and erected a plaque anyway.

Mr Pyers said the Daylesford branch had been approached by historian Graeme Orr asking if servicemen and women who had fought in the Boer War could be added to the memorial. “(But) our memorial, unlike many others, only records those who fell,” he said.

It was then discovered that John Cock, who was born in 1870, had died in 1900 in the war, at the age of 30 years and one month.

It was the same time, Mr Pyers said, as Australia waited for Federation.

“We made enquiries to the local council, to the state branch of the RSL and Veterans’ Affairs to ask who was responsible (for the memorial) and when we had no reply we thought ‘it’s our town, our memorial’.

“We think it’s important that John Cock’s service is remembered.”

Mr Pyers said Mr Cock had been a farrier and blacksmith with Mr Davidson on what is now the site of the BP service station.

“He sent many letters home and somebody at Davidson’s transcribed them into the back of an order book and it has made its way to the (Daylesford) museum.

“They are fascinating reading about the heat, the Boers hidden away in the rocks and empty plains.”

Mr Pyers said a photo in the Daylesford Town Hall, that is “not properly displayed” shows Mr Cock as a “very handsome, mature person”.

His death notice, run on August 15, 1900, said Mr Cock had died of an explosive bullet wound and he was “so dearly loved, so deeply mourned”.

Mr Cock’s parents’ graves are in the Wesleyan section of the Daylesford Cemetery where their headstone acknowledges their son.

A Veteran’s Affairs spokesman said there was no record of a letter from the Daylesford RSL. However he did say John Cock, also known as Jack, had served with Bethane’s Mounted Infantry in the South African Colonial Forces.

Records showed he was buried in the Vryheid Cemetery, the spokesman said.

A Hepburn Shire Council spokesperson said council had not been able to find any correspondence from Keith Pyers or the Daylesford RSL. The State RSL did not return emails to The Local before press time.

News 25

Bus transport for everyone

T

HE community bus, offering transport for everyone, is now travelling along five routes every week.

The bus travels to Korweinguboora/Barkstead on Mondays, Blampied/ Newlyn/ Smeaton on Tuesdays, Musk/Bullarto/Trentham on Wednesdays, Franklinford/ Yandoit/Clydesdale on Thursdays and Wheatsheaf/Glenlyon/Denver on Fridays.

Hepburn Health Service community services coordinator Janine Fleming said people can be picked up anywhere along the route where possible.

And there are four stops in Daylesford including the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, corner of Central Springs Rd and Camp St, Bridport St bus stop or Springs Medical Centre.

People can also travel from Daylesford with the bus leaving after 9am and returning before 2.30pm.

Child seats are available for travellers aged 0 to 7 years and a hoist is available for people who need extra assistance. Young people over 12 years are able to travel without an adult.

The service will close from December 23 to January 3.

Bookings to SmartRun on 1300 44 35 34 before noon the day prior to travel. A gold coin donation is requested.

Fire danger rating signs in place AUTOMATED Fire Danger Rating signs are being introduced to high risk areas including Trentham and Korweinguboora.

The signs, which are updated remotely rather than manually, will display the daily fire danger rating which indicates the severity of a fire if one starts.

Victoria is the first state to develop and roll out the automated signs.

A total of 65 automated signs will be rolled out across the state.

hepburn lagoon trail rides Set amongst the picturesque hills of the Mt. Prospect district, you will delight in the country horse riding experience provided at Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides, 10 minutes from Daylesford.

We cater for all riders – beginners to experienced.

Our horses are well cared for and all have their own distinct personality.

We make sure that we match our horses to each rider.

The riding experience you will get at Hepburn Lagoon Rides will be a unique one.

You will receive individual attention and it is our aim to ensure you feel comfortable and enjoy the ride.

At Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides we believe that an important part of the ride is to sit down and chat about it afterwards.

Sitting by the fire in the Tack Room is a perfect place for this.

We offer you drinks and something to eat after the ride, which really adds to your horse riding experience.

Give Kieran a call to organise a trail ride for yourself, family, friends or group.

ph 0408 059 125 - kieran@hepburnlagoonrides.com.au

26 News

Father Eaton moves on

Glenlyon’s New Year’s Day Family Sports Day

R

EVEREND Andrew Eaton is on the move.

Father Eaton, the priest for Anglican parish of Daylesford, said he had accepted an offer by Bishop Andrew Curnow of the diocese of Bendigo to become priest-in-charge of the parish of Maryborough with Avoca next month.

The parish is made up of eight churches including Maryborough, Avoca. Dunolly, Talbot, Carisbrook, Barkly, Elmhurst and Moonambel.

Father Eaton, who was also assistant priest for the parish of Castlemaine, was one of 77 clergy from across Australia who last year called on Australians to show their support for marriage equality by making submissions to the Senate Inquiry and the House Representatives inquiry into same-sex marriage.

During his time in Daylesford, Father Eaton started the 5000 Club Friday lunch, marched in the Chill Out parade and held Blessing of the Animals services.

Held at the Glenlyon Reserve, the event is run by volunteers with all monies raised going towards the local organisations and charities.

Last year $16,500 was raised.

Features of the day include the woodchop, pony races and show jumping, mineral water drinking world championship, bullboar eating championship, ladies gumboot throw, ladies nail drive and children’s foot races.

Adults - $10. Gates open at 10am!

Run for the Willow S at ur d a y 4 t h J a nu ar y 2 0 1 4

Full card of Victorian Athletic League footraces $2,000 Telstra Daylesford 100m Gift kids races & activities ~ fundraising event for camp quality adults $10 ~ children/concession $5 Cricket Willow, 355 Hepburn-Newstead Rd, Shepherds Flat

News 27

Railway to reopen on December 29

D

AYLESFORD Spa Country Railway will reopen the line from Daylesford to Bullarto on December 29.

The historic line was damaged in the 2009 bushfires.

Spokesperson Steven Fiume said the majority of work over the past few months had been focussed on finishing off the track work side of the project.

“Over a thousand tonnes of ballast was dropped along the entire line between Musk and Bullarto, once that was completed the track could be tamped,” he said.

“Tamping is the process of compacting the ballast under the sleepers to give the track a solid and stable base.

“While this was happening the new timber signal was being built, this involved removing the original 130-year-old post from Bullarto to use as a pattern for the new one.

“The track was certified last Thursday and with the erection of the signal at Bullarto the line is ready for service again.”

Mr Fiume said while this had been happening, stage one of the building works at Bullarto had been underway, which included the reconstruction of the original van shed, lamp room, gang shed and weighbridge hut.

“It is hoped that we will be able to attract funding in 2014 to reconstruct the original 1887 station building which will help complete our vision for recreating Bullarto station as it would have been in the 1930s,” he said.

“Services are set to resume between Daylesford and Bullarto on December 29 and we would like to remind residents to please obey the level crossing signs as trains can be run at any time or day of the week.”

An official opening is planned for 2014.

Daylesford Spa Country railway volunteers spend their time erecting the final signal at Bullarto

28 Out & About

Christmas Cheer IT’S taken a lot of hard work by many volunteers - and with lots of donations - but the Daylesford Town Hall is finally filled with goodies for Christmas Cheer for people in need.

Carmel Thannhauser said last week there were 234 adult registrations and 237 children registrations - with the likelihood they would increase another 50 per cent when the gifts were distributed on Monday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 24.

Chorale concert dedicated to founder Review by Bronislaw Sozanski

T

HE Victoria Chorale’s 20th anniversary concert, held at the Daylesford Uniting Church on December 8, was dedicated to the choir’s founder and local identity, the late Val Pyers.

This was a Christmas concert, featuring the rarely heard Christmas Oratorio of Saint-Saens and traditional carol singing.

Conductor Mario Dobernig led with an easy but precise manner, bringing out the best with the choir and soloists.

The choir’s performance was outstanding, achieving a perfectly balanced texture of sound, from the opening chorus “Et Pastores” to the dramatic final chorus “Tollite hostias”.

In the second half Holst’s English carol arrangement “Christmas Day” showed the choir’s skill in counterpoint textures, with clear and balanced lines.

Soloists Alexandra Flood - soprano, Stefanie Dingnis - alto, Joan Scott - mezzo, Michael Petruccelli - tenor and Bernard Leon – baritone, made important contributions, capturing the joyous mood of the Saint-Saens in a variety of ensembles culminating in the final, grand quintet.

There was an appealing unity in the voice blending and the technique remained secure.

The orchestral part was taken by organist Joshua van Klonkelenberg in a fluent performance.

The tonal colours of the instrument suited the program and the choir perfectly in this particular venue. The successful result achieved suggests that this oratorio, with organ, has universal appeal and should be performed more often.

Boxing Day Sale!

For the first time Creswick Woollen Mills in Creswick and Creswick Natural Fibres in Daylesford will be having a Boxing Day sale to rival the department stores. They will be further reducing blankets and throws that are already discounted as well as a great range of clothing and accessories.

With the hot weather finally here you will also find a great range of picnic rugs at up to 50% off.

Boxing day

Sale

ThurS 26

Th

To

SaT 28 dec Th

Railway Pde CreswiCk & 41 Vincent StReet DaylesforD www.creswickwool.com.au

30 Gig Guide

The Gig Guide!

General Store, Glenlyon Friday, December 26 7pm – 9pm - Mary Fairburn Orc-est-raagh Friday, January 3 7pm – 9pm - Victoriana Gaye

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham Sunday, December 29 – from 1pm – Annie and Bernie

The Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Friday, December 27 – 9pm – midnight – Nat Allison Sunday, December 29 - 4 pm - 8pm – Pugsley Buzzard

Perfect Drop, Daylesford Every Friday – 8pm till late – Dusty Stylus and friends

Savoia Hotel, Hepburn Every Saturday night – live music

New Year’s Eve! Jimmy’s Bar @ Frangos and Frangos, Daylesford The Great Gatsby – A New Year’s Eve Soiree

Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford Geoffrey Williams and the Daylesford Swing Band

The Perfect Drop, Daylesford Live music and DJs

The Grande Hotel, Hepburn Dining, music and fun

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham Live music show

The Local crew - Kyle, Donna, Glen, Nick and Lindsay wishes everyone a safe and happy New Year!

See you in 2014!

Please note we are closed Christmas Day!

Out & About 31

Creswick wins Miss Muddy

M

ISS Muddy, a five kilometre obstacle race for women, will be held next year in Creswick at the Novotel Forest Resort.

Miss Muddy is a 5km obstacle race, exclusively for women and is designed to suit all levels of fitness. It also raises money for female charities.

Miss Muddy director Adam McDonald said Miss Muddy gave women the opportunity to try obstacle racing in a fun, women only event over a short course followed by some bubbles, tunes and market stalls.

Mr McDonald said race organisers were aiming for 5000 registrations for the event and they encouraged women to make it a weekend away to explore Creswick, and “indulge in the spa country of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs as well as all the well-known tourist destinations Ballarat has to offer”.

Hepburn Shire Mayor Don Henderson said outdoor adventure racing events were the focus for Creswick and securing Miss Muddy highlighted the town’s ability to host major events.

“We are genuinely excited about supporting the Novotel in attracting events such as this, which will clearly benefit the entire region,” he said.

Novotel Forest Resort general manager Jessie Sheehan said the event would showcase the resort and the region to a large female market.

Miss Muddy will be held on March 16.

Registrations: www.missmuddy.com.au

Bocconcini

We would like to extend our warmest wishes and seasons greetings to all.

A merry Christmas and happy and prosporous New Year

Bocconcini

59 - 61 Vincent Street Daylesford Normal trading hours:

Make sure you get your orders for New Year’s Eve / Day in soon !!

Tuesday - Sunday 8.30 - 4

Holiday trading hours: Monday Dec 23 8.30 - 4 Tuesday Dec 24 8.30 - 3 Closed December 25 - 27 Saturday Dec 28 8.30 - 4 Sunday Dec 29 8.30 - 4 Monday Dec 30 8.30 - 4 Tuesday Dec 31 8.30 - 3 Closed New Years Day Thursday Jan 2 normal tading hours

32 Wining and Dining

Dinner: Thursday - Tuesday from 6pm Lunch: Friday - Tuesday from 11am Breakfast: on weekends from 9am Coffee & Cake: always available Locals Night: all welcome Curry & Hot-Pot Night Tuesdays $18 Fish Night Fridays: $26.50 with glass of house wine (a la carte dining also available)

Now open for breakfast!

CLOSED

Mon Dec 23 - Wed Jan 8 re-opening for Thai Thurs Jan 9

Music Review 33

Community spirit leaves Liz hooked on Trentham

S

INGER and musician Liz Frencham took time out from a busy schedule of gigs to chat with The Local’s music writer Darren Lowe.

DL: How did you make the move to Trentham?

LF: I first came to play a gig in the park. It was mid-winter and freezing but so many people rugged up and came out. We performed the second set in the RedBeard Bakery at the owner’s invitation - much warmer - and by then I was in love with the place and the community spirit. We moved here in 2009.

DL: You’ve been in a few combos over the years.

LF: I grew up singing amidst a large musical family and taught myself bass. My first festival band was a bluegrass quartet called the Dead Sticks.

I then went on to play with a lot of other festival bands until I settled in the Celtic-infused folk/pop trio Jigzag who travelled the festival scene for 13 years and were still together when I moved here.

During this time I played a few solo shows and released some collaborative projects. Most notable is my ongoing, 11 years strong, collaboration with songwriter, performer and diplomat Fred Smith.

naturally lends itself to folk, blues/roots and jazz.

Mostly I like to play really good songs, preferably with the writers themselves. It’s a privilege to bring a well written song to life. It’s like igniting a cinematic landscape in the minds of an audience. The double bass is a great tool for this, in tasteful hands.

DL: When you get a chance , what sort of music do you listen to? Who are your favourite artists?

LF: Oh that’s hard, there are a hundred. Singersongwriters mostly. Everything from classic performers like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor to Radiohead, Glen Hansard, Amy Winehouse or Ani DiFranco. But there are days when I get my groove on and it’s all Dr John or Stevie Wonder, or I might drown in torch songs from Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee. I also have an ongoing love affair with new acoustic music.

DL: Your favourite places to play?

LF: I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of great rooms from an intimate lounge room to the O2 Arena in London, the Clarendon in Katoomba, Kulcha in Perth and the Speigeltent. But I can’t go past that corner at the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville, my home away from home.

DL: How would you describe the main genres of music you play?

LF: I’d like to consider myself genre neutral, though the warm, acoustic nature of the double bass

05/01/14

34 Dining Review (Advertorial)

The Perfect Drop offering great food, service, prices

By Donna Kelly

I

T’S a cliché, but The Perfect Drop really is the perfect place to unwind and relax.

Owner Christine takes her role as host to a new level as she offers us a range of dining areas – and we choose an inside window seat.

We then leave it to her to impress, and Christine shows what years in the industry and in human resources, finding the right people for the right job, means.

It’s a warm evening and before long I am sipping on an Italian prosecco while my partner starts with one of the beers available on tap.

There are a few other tables, this is the Christmas build up, but everything is calm and when the sun goes down the doors are thrown open to the inviting verandah and courtyard to let in the evening breeze.

Drinks There are 11 wines by the glass, from $7.50 to $13, and I get to try another few, from a delicious oaky chardonnay to a full bodied cabernet.

Meanwhile, my partner indulges in another beer, this time bottled, and then a cider, just to mix things up.

No complaints there.

Food And then there’s the food.

Christine said the idea is for diners, if they choose, to share different flavours, a bit of this, a bit of that.

But there are mains for those who prefer dining solo, so to speak.

We start with roasted carrots, topped with goat’s cheese and just paddling in honey. It’s delicious. I hope no-one was looking as I wiped up the leftover cheese and honey with my finger. All that goodness for just $9.

Then came the saganaki with shreds of fennel, $11. Again, amazing flavours with the awesome textural cheese. How long’s this been going on?

Who’s cooking?

We learn that chef is Cameron McKenzie of The European and The Lake House fame. He’s been at The Perfect Drop for just three weeks and is clearly already making his mark.

Next comes a plate groaning with Italian coleslaw

with lemon and radish, $13, and it’s seriously “a delight”, my partner says. I have to agree.

Mains It’s accompanied by the barramundi fillet held up by a chunky Turkish potato salad and capers, $29.

I watch as three-quarters of it quickly disappears before I manage to salvage a piece for myself. It’s light, perfectly cooked and a flavour explosion. I look around and realise there are no salt or pepper shakers and know why. You don’t need them.

We’re slowing down and thinking we might be done when Christine appears with the spiced lamb minted yoghurt pide, $19, and a plate of huge beef short ribs with corn and horseradish, $28.

For someone who doesn’t eat a lot of meat, these were both just melt in your mouth dishes, with the beef falling off the ribs, and the spicy lamb just right.

Oh, the pides are half price for locals during the week. Yep, just $9.

Our host insists there must be room for at least one dessert but we can’t eat another bite. Not even a wafer-thin mint. Full of flavours and totally satiated.

Our host Christine moved to the Hepburn Shire region about six years ago keen for a tree-change. She kept working in human resources and then moved into the hospitality industry.

When the chance came up to take on The Perfect Drop, she officially took over on October 11 last year, she jumped at it. “I have always loved The Drop,” she says.

Christine said her focus was on great food, great service and prices that allowed locals to enjoy a great night out.

She can certainly tick all three.

Wait, there’s more The Perfect Drop is offering $1 oysters every day, from 4pm to 6pm. starting January 1.

And Friday nights, from 8pm, are Shin-a-ling nights with DJ Dusty Stylus.

Finally, Swingin’ Sundays, from 6pm to 9pm, kick off on December 29!

Above, beef short ribs with corn and horseradish, and below, roasted carrots with goat’s cheese and honey

Dining 35

New lease of life for Grande

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HE Grande Hotel has a new lease of life thanks to owners Ian and Jodie Hawkins.

The couple bought the hotel about two years ago and have been busy working on a new menu, accommodation and landscaping.

Mr Hawkins said The Grande was now open on Friday and Saturday nights for dining - with accommodation starting up next year.

The focus was on providing a seasonal menu using local producers and quality ingredients, he said.

Chef Andrew Dennis said the menu offered a range of smaller dishes designed to share, with a few mains and desserts.

Local producers used include Jonai Farms, Tuki, Mt Franklin Organics, Skipton Smoked Eel and Angelica Organic Farms.

Mr Hawkins said other projects in the pipeline included an intimate cinema space, a landscaped amphitheatre for weddings and a cafe overlooking the Hepburn Springs Reserve.

A New Year’s Eve event was also a chance for locals to see The Grande, he said.

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36 Business Guide

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Business Guide 37

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38 Gardening

The garden for Christmas W

The Garden

by Jackie Airey

E’RE doing practically nothing for Christmas Dinner.

The one thing we know is that much of it will be enjoyed in the garden.

We’ve ordered our ham from Istra and a friend is going to prepare a lovely lamb joint, which we’ll throw on the covered barbie with some garlic and rosemary.

Some salads will be gathered together, and some fruit and cream and we’ll be content.

The loveliest part will be lying on the grass, or maybe in a banana lounge or perhaps even a hammock, enjoying glasses of bubbly whilst the birdlife provides the soundtrack. The only other sounds will be some gentle conversation, a couple of kids laughing and the rustling of leaves if there’s a breeze.

I’ll be staring at my roses, foxgloves, lupins and eremurus, willing on my late flowering clematis and taking in the fragrances of the philadelphus, lillies and herbs run rampant.

I’ll marvel at the sterling little pansies, still blooming their heads off after two years, and I’ll bathe in the fresh green and white lusciousness of my Cornus Kousa, beautifully highlighted against the feathery, dark young leaves of the adjacent copper birch and sugar pink of the rose Radio Times.

Of course, I’ll see the weeds that have had a great season and I’ll look at the spent iris scapes and paeony heads that need to be removed, the hellebore seedpods all done and the late narcissus that need their leaves cut down.

The mildewy forget-me-nots will be defying me with their collapsed state and the brown lilac sprays will remind me that I didn’t cut enough of them for inside this year.

However I won’t be tempted to raise myself from my recumbent state to tidy up.

That’s because Christmas Day is the one time when no-one feels guilty just lolling about, staring at the surrounds with a tummy almost fit to burst.

I’ll have just enough energy to ask someone to ”Pass the raspberries please…..oh…. and another glass of champagne?

“The loveliest part will be lying on the grass, or maybe in a banana lounge or perhaps even a hammock, enjoying glasses of bubbly whilst the birdlife provides the soundtrack.”

News 39

Runners out to win 100m Daylesford Gift A

STRONG contingent of runners will be out to take the prize in the $2000 100m Daylesford Gift at Cricket Willow on Saturday, January 4.

The ninth Run for the Willow carnival is expected to attract more than 300 entrants from across Australia to Cricket Willow for a full card of Victorian Athletic League professional races.

Event coordinator Adrian Tinetti said it was always “a great day of running and entertainment”.

“And this year we will be following the Ararat and Maryborough gift carnivals. Interstate runners see it as a great opportunity to compete in three carnivals in Victoria and enjoy some time in the Daylesford region.”

Entry details for the professional footraces are available from www.val.org.au.

Other events can be entered on the day including the Rotary Club of Daylesford

U/18 100m and Camp Quality kids’ races.

Since its inception in 2005, the Run for the Willow carnival has raised more than $20,000 for Camp Quality and local causes. Details: Cricket Willow on 5476 4277 or info@cricketwillow.com.au.

Telstra Next G Network 100m Daylesford Gift past winners include: 2005 - Nathan Allen (Toowoomba, Queensland) 11.09 secs 2006 - Sani Biao (Cameroon) 10.70 secs 2008 - Glenn Stephens (Bendigo, Victoria) 10.67 secs 2009 - Shaun Fletcher (Newcastle, New South Wales) 10.63 secs 2010 - Shaun Hargreaves (Werribee, Victoria) 10.99 secs 2011 - Bradley Letton (Camden, South Australia) 11.21 secs 2012 - Shane Woodrow (Ballarat, Victoria) 10.17 secs 2013 - Brian Wright (Sydney, New South Wales) 11.04 secs

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40 Sport

Col’s eye on world championships in Portugal Words: Donna Kelly Photo: Kyle Barnes

A

S A journalist, the last words you want to hear are “just hold on and I’ll get my gun and we’ll get this over with”.

But with Col Johns it’s all good news.

Mr Johns is a member of the Daylesford Field and Game Club and takes part each month in the sport of Sporting Clays at the Glenlyon Reserve.

That’s when he’s not overseas representing Australia at the world championships.

Hooked on the sport after his father, Jack Johns, discovered Sporting Clays in the early 1980s, Mr Johns has travelled the world with his gun.

Last year was Spain, and next year is Portugal, but there have also been trips to Germany, South Africa, England, France and New Zealand.

His personal best is a 9th place but with teams he’s also received silver and bronze medals.

The trips are also part of catching up with mates made along the way.

“You do develop friendships,” he said. “That’s why people go back every year.

“It is very competitive but at the end of the day you are all good friends.”

Mr Johns said what he loved about the sport was that it was so varied.

“There are a lot of different traps and trajectories - it’s like what you would find in the field.

“It’s like one minute shooting doves and then shooting rabbits. You have to be a good judge of distance and speed and have good hand/eye coordination.”

Mr Johns said people involved in the sport “pray and hope” that one day it will be included in the Olympic Games.

“At the moment, the Olympic Federation says it’s too variable - there could be a gust of wind, or I get a rabbit and someone else has a dove.

“It’s just an absolute shame - because it would be a great game to watch on television. It’s like golf. All the different holes.”

Mr Johns said the Daylesford Field and Game Club had upwards of 60 members from all over the region including women and juniors.

However it received no funding from Hepburn Shire Council and there was also a concern that Federal funding, usually a given, would go to the Olympic teams next year.

“I am trying to make the national team to go to Portugal next year because that’s when you get funding. Or you always have until now.

“If you don’t make the team you have to pay your own way and that gets pretty expensive.”

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