The Local Issue 49 July 6, 2015

July 6, 2015 Issue 49 Meet the new owners of The Farmers Arms

The Local The Heart of the Highlands’ own community publication

The Local - tlnews.com.au

2 About Us

The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Heart of the Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, July 20, 2015.

Advertising deadlines for the next edition of The Local:

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/DHSLocal to receive your e-edition early - on Sunday evening!

Space bookings: Wednesday, July 15 Copy provided by: Thursday, July 16 Editorial deadline: Thursday, July 16 General manager | Photographer: Kyle Barnes Managing editor: Donna Kelly Sub-editors: Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Sales: Nick Bunning (Ballarat), Kate Coleman (Kyneton) Accounts: Helen Greenwood Contributors: Robin Archer, Brian Nash, Kevin Childs, Dianne Caithness, Glen Heyne, David White Editorial and affordable sales - 5348 7883 | 0416 104 283 donna@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au e-editions at www.tlnews.com.au See a photo you like? Photos are just $20 each and will be emailed at high resolution. You can print as many copies as you like...

“The Local” is a registered trademark of Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly

Front cover: Mitch Duncan, left, and Steve Chau have taken over the iconic Farmers Arms Hotel in Daylesford. Read their story on page 28.

Image: Kyle Barnes

Money, money, money...

Advertisements in The Local are very affordable - unlike traditional print media we don’t charge like wounded bulls!

So here goes with our loyalty prices...for six consecutive adverts An eighth of a page - $50 plus GST A quarter page - $100 plus GST A banner - $100 plus GST A half page - $200 plus GST A full page - $400 plus GST (Prices are per edition) But wait, there’s more!

All adverts in The Local are full colour and we can help with basic graphic designs and layouts too! At no extra cost, of course.

So, if you want to get your business or organisation out there in the community, in the best-read publication in the Heart of the Highlands, give us a call or send an email. (See our details left.)

Including our online readership we now have an average circulation of 12,000 readers per edition - even more reasons to get in touch.

“I can’t find The Local...”

The Local winner of the Daylesford Rotary Club’s Business of the Year 2015 Just sayin’

Really? Mmm. That’s odd. There are a lot around - and you are reading this one...Anyway, where to find your copy of The Local?

Here goes: In no particular order The Local is bulk drop delivered to Daylesford, Hepburn, Trentham, Trentham East, Lyonville, Glenlyon, Newlyn, Kyneton, Malmsbury, Tylden, Creswick and Clunes.

It is also dropped at most cafes and hotels in the region.

And of course is online at www.tlnews.com.au that’s real home delivery for you.

If you can’t find your closest delivery point just give us a call on 5348 7883 and we will steer you in the right direction!

The Local is the future of regional publishing!

- stated by Victorian Senator John Madigan in the Australian Parliament - November 2014 Just sayin’.... :)

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 3

End in sight for mobile phone frustrations

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ULLARTO, Denver, Eganstown, Glenlyon, Leonards Hill, Lyonville, Blackwood and Guildford will receive mobile phone towers in the next three years.

Telstra will build 429 new 3G/4G towers nationally as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

Telstra Country Wide Area South West Victoria general manager Bill Mundy said the towers would “significantly expand mobile coverage in the area”.

As well, Telstra will install 250 Small Cells nationally to deliver high speed 4G data services in some small country towns where suitable Telstra infrastructure is available.

“As the first carrier to bring 4G mobile services to regional Australia, we know how important high-speed mobile can be in supporting local businesses, tourism and education so we are also continuing the expansion of our 4G and 4GX services,” Mr Mundy said.

The mobile phone tower rollout schedule will be determined in consultation with Federal and State governments and subject to planning process while the location of Smalls Cells will be determined based on consultation with the Federal Government.

The news was met with mostly positive comments on social media around the region although some people from even smaller communities wondered if the towers would provide coverage for them.

“Great news but where will the towers be – hopefully not in the middle of these communities’ residential areas.”

“We need all companies. Not just one. Given the forests we can’t rely on tourists/visitors just having Telstra.”

“Hopefully, Musk will benefit from the tower in Bullarto - why is there no crossed fingers emoticon.”

“OMG - I almost didn’t recognise where I live, so surprised I was to see it listed! Woo Hoo about time.”

“Brilliant news. Hopefully Porcupine Ridge will be covered in the Glenlyon one. Please.”

“Will Wheatsheaf be covered by the Glenlyon tower? I hope so.”

“OMG! So excited right now! Hopefully we’ll finally be able to get rid of our crappy satellite!”

“Phone reception at Radio Springs finally!”

Above: Matt Killeen, pictured outside the Glenlyon General Store, just can’t wait to receive his first mobile phone call - but he’s a little worried about breaking the news to the current communications team.

Central Highlands Pain & Well-being Centre Dr Shelley L Beer Chinese Medicine New options: Friday session, Booking available Community Open Group Acupuncture $30 ea Tuesday 2pm - 5pm / Thursday 9.30 - 11.30 am - Drop in or by appointment Friday 9.30 - 11.30am BY APPOINTMENT only Private consultations still by appointment Tues – Sat. Phone 0417 036 153 - www.tcmconsultancy.com - 12 Albert Street, Daylesford

4 Our artists

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Dan’s first want is time to view his art

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AN Butterworth grew up in an artistic family frequently visiting the National Gallery of Victoria as a child. The Kyneton resident, who left school for a signwriting apprenticeship before studying visual arts at university, believes this was the foundation of his interest in the arts. He chatted with editor Donna Kelly.

DK: When did you realise you were an artist?

DB: My earliest memory of wanting to create was when I was about eight. We were returning home from a trip to Melbourne and I had a graffiti magazine of which I copied an image of a jacket, I thought it was the best and from that moment on I was always drawing.

DK: What do you hope your art says to others?

DB: I hope to stop people with my work and to make them think. I want the audience to give my work some time, in this day that is a big feat with multimedia and ads always flashing up we are bombarded with imagery.

So my first want is time.

DK: Where can we see your work?

DB: My work can be seen in a few spots in Kyneton.

The Royal George Hotel has a good collection as well as Campaspe Family Practice, Kyneton Sushi and the Macedon Ranges Shire offices hang a large early work of mine. Other than local and private collections I show at least once a year in Melbourne, the last couple of years have been at Brunswick Street Gallery.

DK: Can anyone be taught to be artistic or is it intrinsic?

DB: I always believed that anyone can be taught to be artistic, but then there is something else, a drive, a passion and the need to create, that is something that is in you.

DK: You teach art at Kyneton Primary School. What do you teach the students art-wise?

DB: My approach to teaching primary students is that of exploration and saturation of art.

DK: What would you say to a young budding artist just entering the scene?

DB: Nothing, if someone wants to be an artist they already are. There would be nothing that can change their drive to create, and everything that they need to do their best work will come to them when they are ready.

Images: David White

The Local - tlnews.com.au

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News 7

From love to chewing gum, the show must go on

Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Kyle Barnes

and mineral springs reserves, combined with the remarkable history of the district, makes it ideal for filming.

The rise in the Australian dollar meant that there was less demand for locations ROM a recent re-imagining of perhaps the greatest classic tragic than once was the case, she said. love story to a chewing gum commercial, Hepburn Shire has made Ms Pedretti said that besides Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, the shire’s a name for its ideal locations for film making. attractions for filmmakers included Trentham, which has Australia’s highest single The love story, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, was partly shot at the Daylesford Railway Station. Lovers of tragedy may be disappointed to learn that Anna did not drop waterfall, Creswick, with its standing as the home of forestry, and Clunes, the throw herself under a train, instead there were shots of a bucks’ night in a goods’ first registered gold strike town in Victoria, which is still evident in its streetscape.

Another six-part series being made for the ABC and an international audience shed where a groom-to-be shows doubts and his drunken father-in-law-to-be and will feature Castlemaine. Glitch unravels the mystery of six people who a mate try to reassure him. Passengers arriving and leaving the station were also inexplicably return from the dead and are in perfect health. filmed, but with the magic of technology no train was needed.

Films and TV series shot locally include The Saddle Club (Porcupine Ridge and For Daylesford Spa Country Railway this led to a promised $1500 payment by Glenlyon), Salem’s Lot (Creswick), Ned Kelly (Clunes) and Something in the Air. the film company for use of the station.

Then of course there is the famous Love’s Brother, a 2004 film shot around Some of this modern version, a six-part ABC TV series called The Beautiful Hepburn Springs, and written and directed by Jan Sardi.

Lie, was also recently filmed in the old Georgian bank building housing the In the movie, which is largely set in The Macaroni Factory in Hepburn Springs, Paradise Bookshop in Vincent Street.

Angelo Donnini and his younger brother Gino are of Italian origin and living in According to the ABC the series has everything: family and fidelity, seduction, Australia in the 1950s. Angelo is insecure, silent and introverted while his brother commitment, jealousy, envy, obligation and mad passion as well as love that is outgoing, funny - and handsome. Angelo is on the hunt for a wife and writes to saves and destroys. What’s more, it promises to be funny and heartbreakingly sad.

Italian girls but his letters are always returned. One day, he sends a new letter with Leading roles are being played by Sarah Snook (Sisters of War) Benedict a picture of his handsome brother – and Rosetta accepts his proposal and heads Samuel (The Walking Dead), and Rodger Corser (Party Tricks, Puberty Blues, down under.

Rush). The writers are Alice Bell (Puberty Blues, The Slap, Rush) and Jonathan Meanwhile, commercials have been filmed in Clunes for icecream, in Daylesford Gavin (Party Tricks, Offspring, Mr & Mrs Murder). for salami and a bank, and for Target stores in Hepburn.

This filming filled a gap in television, advertising and film industries using the And the chewing gum? This was Japanese advert. Seems like a long way to shire as a backdrop. Shire events coordinator Rebecca Pedretti, pictured above and come... who helps location scouts find what they need, says the renowned natural beauty

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8 Opinion

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Just sayin’ with Donna Kelly

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HAT a load of rubbish. Well, that’s what we have building up in our old big bin.

And as of today, Saturday, we don’t have a new little bin. And our old big bin service has ended for a bit, which is a shame because we liked that service.

So we have a load of rubbish we don’t know what to do with. I guess we could burn it, but that seems a bit laborious. Or we could take it to the tip, but we don’t get tip tickets now because we have our little bin – which we don’t have.

Maybe we could sneak out on bin night and top up other little bins – but we don’t know when bin night is now. Our big bin was Monday – but I think I mentioned that’s over. Oh well, a rubbish conundrum. Mmm. Anyway, onto the weather. As my mother says if you can’t say anything nice the weather is always safe. So here goes. I can’t believe we are just over a third of the way through winter. (I know, it lingers…oh, and I am not wishing time away either…not really…just the cold.) And it hasn’t been too bad. After 10 years, more or less, apart from three escapes – two to Queensland and one to the north of Western Australia, we have finally worked out how to keep warm.

Clothing - thermals, skivvies, thick jumpers, gloves, hats and scarves. And plenty of heating - wood, gas, electricity. And electric blankets. And a warming pad for Rosie’s bed.

It’s not cheap but it’s warm. And maybe we can add a weekly outdoor fire when we burn our rubbish. Damn. I went back to bin stuff.

Mmm. What else is nicer to talk about? Well, it’s un-Australian to say so but The Little Local is going great guns. It’s a seasonal pocket-sized guide for tourists about the fabulous Central Highlands region with lots of good reads about locals. And they are loving it. Even the locals are picking up their copies. So that’s nice. Hopefully they all get taken back to good homes and don’t end up in the bin. Aghhh. I did it again.

Anyway, if anyone knows where our bin is, and can let us know when bin night is, it would be much appreciated.

Just sayin’...

Pick me, pick me “Hi, My name is Cardi and I am a five-year-old male greyhound.

“We greyhounds make gentle, sensitive and clean indoor companions.

I like to have fun and love to play ball and really can’t wait to find out what all the fuss about being a pet is! I might like another pooch to hang around with - but no cats please.”

MC#9568238415 Castlemaine RSPCA is at 24 Langslow St, Castlemaine.

Open: Monday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm. Friday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Phone: 5472 5277.

(Pick me, pick me - is run in memory of Curly. We picked him.)

The Local - Connecting the Community

UNSTAAFKEE! MIS TED MAKE TAAKE C A R DIST A K E S SAFESMTEISAD! IN M I SUTSE FIRE A C The Local believes in giving back. So welcome to The Local’s “Connecting the Community” project. Each edition The Local has two free advert spaces to give away to not-for-profit organisations. Just because we can. So, if your group needs a helping hand, email donna@tlnews.com.au If we receive more than two we will use the tried and true “put them in a hat” system but also work a little bit on timing. and make your own

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 9

Always work for four generations of plasterers From left, Gary, Jason, Peter, and Nathan

Words: Anthony Sawrey | Image: Kyle Barnes

I

F you live in an older house around the central highlands region, there is a very good chance when you look up you will see a plaster feature of some description - cornices, mantles, ceiling roses or panel mouldings.

There is also a real likelihood that the tradesmen who installed or restored said elements of your home were part of the Mackley family. Mackley Plasterers are as much a Daylesford institution as you would expect of a clan that has, if not built post war Daylesford, then certainly done the interiors.

It all began with Bob Mackley Senior who passed the trade to his son Bob Junior who then left the business to his sons Gary and Peter 17 years ago - with Gary’s wife Dianne taking over the book-keeping. Peter’s son Nathan and Gary’s son Jason have also joined the family business.

The plaster features are a form of interior decoration that had its peak in the neo-classical period of the 19th century and have continued to denote opulence and wealth, or at least the impression of it, well into our own times.

“Bob Mackley, my grandfather, learnt the trade off the Phelans in Maryborough and he started the business here around 1950,” Gary said.

Back in those years, plaster features were still a familiar sight in family homes throughout the region and were made locally. Gypsum, the basic ingredient for all such objects, used to be sent on the train from Melbourne in half ton bags then lifted off by crane in Daylesford. It was then carted to the factory in Hospital Street on the edge of Doctors Gully.

“Up to the mid ‘60s, we employed 14 people, half would be at the shed laying up hemp fibre sheeting and the rest would be out on jobs hanging and stopping.”

The building, slightly weather beaten and bracketed by paddocks where several horses graze contentedly, still stands today. It is a classic example of bush architecture.

“My grandfather built the 1000-square foot factory together with Stan Hoath using bush poles from the surrounding forest. You can still see the axe marks where they chipped the bark off. The long Oregon beams they support came from Melbourne which Bob managed to cart up here on his Austin truck.”

All over the warehouse, on every bench top and drying rack, there are machines, tools and moulds typical of the plasterers’ trade. Bales of hemp and empty buckets are stacked in between them coated by lacy cobwebs hanging thick with gypsum dust.

Closer to the front door sits the equipment and materials being used for current jobs and a clearing where the work vehicles are parked each night.

“The place is only used for storage these days. We stopped making sheeting ourselves over 25 years ago. It had become simply too dear to bring raw materials up when we could order directly from Boral in South Melbourne,” Peter said.

There was also the matter of changing fashions with interior design. Decorative features are just no longer as popular as they were in former days.

“Very few clients want elaborate interiors. The trend is minimal these days, clean lines and little ornament. However we still get the occasional request for restoration work. It is not uncommon that we go into an older place and see work that our grandfather installed. In those cases we are able to match their fittings because we still have the original moulds,” Peter said.

For most of us, the first job we ever had was a temporary thing, perhaps a summer occupation for a bit of pocket money. But for these men, the plastering trade was both their first job and their career. Most importantly, Peter and Gary are happy to be part of a secure family business that is well known and a familiar part of the community.

“It is a rewarding profession that has always been there for us and our family and there is always work. You can’t ask for much more than that,” Peter says.

10 Our students

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Work experience helping to find direction

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HE Local was approached by Daylesford Secondary School’s Marg Cattanach to take part in the June work experience program for Year 10 students.

“With a budding journalist Bryleigh Geurts and photographer Gerard Horvat keen to learn the ropes, we were happy to help out,” editor Donna Kelly said.

“And what better task than interviewing and photographing other students on work experience around the region? Kyle and I met with Bryleigh and Gerard, were impressed with their enthusiasm and even more impressed with their results. Here they are.”

Words: Bryleigh Geurts | Images: Gerard Horvat

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AY One - From June 22 to 26, year 10 students from Daylesford Secondary College have been working at their best and trying to fit into the new environments during work experience week.

As a year 10 student at Daylesford Secondary College I had a chance to choose to be something more than a student for a week and for a time become more of an independent adult. Of all the opportunities out there it was hard to just pick one but in the end it came up to what I like to do and what I’m good at doing.

I sat in class thinking about things I’m good at and tried to match these with careers. My opinion of a career is to do something you like to do - like cook, build or write and you get money from being who you want. Writing has always been a passion of mine, to explain to the readers what’s happening in the world around, like journalism, and to create worlds around, like writing creative stories. In the end, I have chosen to work as a journalist.

As any good article needs images, another student from Daylesford has been helping me capture the moments, quite literally, by taking photos of the passing times. Gerard Horvat has been there to snap photos of the other students doing what they have chosen for work AY Three - We visited the Xistence gym where Shelbi was experience. Working in media and film-making are his favourite activities. His grandfather is stretching in a yoga class. She has spent her time this week a photographer so the art of using a camera to create illusions and reality runs in his family. doing work experience and helping Sam, the owner of the gym, Gerard tells me: “A good picture can sum up the entire storyline”. In 10 years, he hopes to become a film-maker, using the camera to put together moving images instead of still photos. with classes as well as joining in the group activities.

During the first few days Shelbi has been doing all sorts of classes like pump, as well as combat, and there is also new equipment ready for use in another part the gym.

As a yoga class neared the end she walked over to us flushed and smiling. She spoke very enthusiastically about health and fitness. Since last year Shelbi has become more and more interested in personal training, yoga, health and fitness, as well as what is important for daily nutrition. She was part of classes with people older than her, but she loved working with a group as they were a team working together.

Shelbi plans to keep working in health and fitness by going to university to get a bachelor of exercise science degree which can open doors to most things she wants to do. She hopes to become a personal trainer, or a yoga teacher. Shelbi said she found some parts new and that made it difficult but she managed to adjust.

“Pump class was a challenge because I’ve never done it before.”

But work experience was invented to help step out of your comfort zone and adjust to new environments.

D

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AY Two - Gerard and I had an interview with Ngahuia Thompson.

For work experience she is spending her week at Designscope where she has been helping people who design for websites, book covers, logos, as well as advertisements like billboards and posters.

Ngahuia has always liked subjects in school relating to art, mostly around 2D drawing and painting. She has already started to plan her future by looking through university pamphlets and searching for courses that suit her. The steps she plans to take to get into graphic design start by getting into a bachelor of creative art course in university and from there she will look into designing occupations - like the one she is working at.

The work experience has inspired her towards graphic design and has helped her get an idea of the future ahead.

The Local - tlnews.com.au

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Our students 11

AY Five - We spend the morning interviewing Annemieke and Ryan who were helping out at the Daylesford Hospital.

They were both keen on working there in aged care and with the welfare team.

Annemieke was working with maternal care for a short period as well. For them the days have been busy from making beds to helping people - they haven’t had much time to spare. Annemieke plans to start her career at Deakin University where she will study for her nursing degree. After graduating she wants to move to Melbourne to become a midwife. She went to the Daylesford Hospital to learn about the medical area and she hasn’t found it difficult adjusting from her school life into this new area.

Ryan enjoyed helping the clients out and hasn’t found it to be a challenge at all.

He chose to spend his week there to “get a feel for the medical area” as he put it, and found it easy to adjust to the new environment. In the future he hopes to study for a clinical degree at university before working in a physiotherapy clinic to help patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or ageing.

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AY Four - We headed to the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre where Braden was working behind a broad, rounded desk.

He was talking to his co-workers, chatting happily, helping them by making and receiving phone calls and helping tourists out with accommodation, finding places of interest around the area and guiding them to the best places to enjoy a meal or have a coffee.

Braden talked about the difficulties of not knowing what he wants to do when he leaves school. There are so many opportunities out there that it’s hard to pick one, especially at his age. He plans to go to university but with the option of choice isn’t sure of what he is aiming for. He enjoys talking to people and helping them out in times of need so this pathway influences the direction he takes. Braden said he hadn’t had any problems with adjusting to the transition from school to the workforce because he was in a place where “the co-workers are friendly and like to help out”.

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12 Reflections

The Local - tlnews.com.au

A Sparkling Life (AN ONGOING column by Marian Sidwell and her recollection of living in Daylesford - and early childhood memories. The first excerpt ran in The Local, Issue 28, September 15, 2014. Back issues at tlnews.com.au) Drawing by Daylesford artist Brian Nash art@briannash.com.au

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AD was a patient man. To be a fisherman I think you had to be. We’d sit side by side for hours on end listening for the rattle of the little alarms he’d made from shoe polish tins with stones inside that were attached to his lines.

Perch, trout and red fin were the main fish in the Daylesford area and I was taught the measurements they had to be before we could call them our own. It annoyed me no end when after all the excitement of alarms ringing, catcher nets outstretched, breaths held, fish landed, only to find them under size and having to be thrown back. These laws were stringently adhered to as dad was a member of the local angling club and also very much interested in the local trout hatchery.

I didn’t like fishing all that much but I felt sorry for dad having been lumbered with three girls. The baiting of hooks was always of great concern to me. Worms I could cope with. Somehow they were nondescript. Yabbies I felt a bit sorry for as I cringed, shut my eyes and slammed the hook through their soft under-bellies trying to justify their death along with that of the fish about to become my dinner. The frog however was my downfall. I really did try to live up to dad’s expectations but no way could I handle the task at hand. The one and only frog I tried to bait had his skinny little legs around a bit of line like a baby sliding down a pole. Its big sad eyes nearly popped out as I put my thumb in position on its stomach. I threw him back into the lake. I still had big eyes and skinny legs too.

My best friend, Margaret who everyone called ‘Mac’ had bandy legs, or so she kept telling me. I didn’t think they were but after all she was my best friend. She had the thickest, blackest eyelashes I’d ever seen and when she smiled her blue-grey eyes would disappear behind two chubby cheeks and two thick black brooms. Her hair was thick, short and very blonde. Mine was thin, short and very mousy.

Mac lived with her family close to the school in Duke Street in what, from the front, looked like a tiny cottage but on entering the side gate the roof line could be seen going up and down in several steep ‘Vs’. I remember they were steep and I remember there were several of them because Mac and I painted them red over many spring days. In the backyard what wasn’t taken up in vegetable plots was taken up in a network of overtaxed clothes lines and straining prop sticks supporting the very necessary daily wash loads required for such a large family.

Thomas’ Look-out was fairly close to Mac’s house. Just down the road, through the pines and we were there. It was a big mullock heap with a roughly enclosed observation fence at the top. Because the heap had been plonked on the side of a hill access to the observation area was made quite easily by a rough road which ran along in front of its low side. The view was pretty good but that wasn’t what we were there for. Our express purpose was to slide down the mullock heap on our haunches. And so we did for hours on end sending up clouds of mullock dust and tons of quartz rubble catapulting to the bottom.

Another favorite haunt was the main lookout tower located on the top of Wombat Hill in the Botanic Gardens. The tower was a huge concrete affair resembling a lighthouse with a spooky spiral staircase ascending in semi darkness to the top. The only light afforded us was from shafts of light penetrating through the tiny concrete slit windows every twenty steps or so.

It always had a rank damp smell about it too which added to the eerie climb. The view from the top was magnificent but the height terrifying.

With legs shaking we’d make the slow and careful descent with one hand on the rail and the other, risking a hot sandpaper burn, on the concrete centre column. On reaching the bottom we’d sigh with relief look up and wonder why on earth we’d climbed the thing in the first place.

Here is the solution to last week’s crossword. This week’s crossword is on page 22. All the answers are somewhere in The Local. Good luck!

Geelong Businessman, Mark Ward has ownership of the Mill Markets group and brings years of expertise to this amazing concept. The Mill Markets operate three massive venues located in Ballarat, Daylesford and Geelong. With a total of over 12,000 square metres of undercover floor space, (3 acres), treasure hunters have the opportunity to spend many hours browsing and meandering through the eclectic mix of products. There is a fantastic variety of home decor, furniture, records, vintage clothing, books, fine china, glassware, industrial items, jewellery, antiques as well as Australian pottery, homewares, memorabilia, retro fashions and collectables. We also have many stalls selling new products and have gift vouchers for those people who have everything!

All goods are from the 1850’s right through to present day. Mill Markets lease space to hundreds of dealers, which allows small business operators and collectors who otherwise could not afford the overheads of their own shops, to showcase their goods. This equates to a wide and diverse range of products, available and open to the public, seven days a week. Enjoy a wonderful trip down memory lane through hundreds and thousands of items available for purchase at all three locations. With over 500 stall holders over three venues, there is always something for everyone. Travel The Amazing Mill Markets ‘Golden Triangle’ and enjoy quality food and coffee at each. All venues open 7 days 10.00am-6.00pm (excluding Christmas Day).

14 Happy & Healthy

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www.healthwithjaqi.com

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Healing is within Us Intuitive Counselling Illuminations Soul Retrieval Extractions Readings

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Room 8/57 Vincent Street Daylesford Vic 3460

Jaqi Mudge 0423 499 901

(The Old Victoria Hotel)

8/2/13 1:12:03 AM

• Herbal Medicine • Bush Flower Essences • Diet & Lifestyle Advice • Wellness Programs • Hand Blended Organic Teas and Tisanes 0402 366 242 thecottageherbalist.com.au thecottageherbalist@gmail.com ANTA member 12687

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Image credit Sergei Chumakov/shutterstock.com

SAY CHEESE!

Happy & Healthy 15

The Australian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children start seeing the dentist beginning at the eruption of their first tooth.

Bring your infant to see Dr Yasser Khan and Dr Pallavi Mishra to help create a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.

Children aged 2 - 17 years could be eligible for FREE dental treatment under the CDBS scheme.

H OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 2015

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i le s s t a rt a t a y o

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Weekend & after school appointments available

KYNETON DENTAL 5422 6159 65 High Street, Kyneton, Vic 3444 www.kynetondental.com.au

Do you help people stay healthy and happy? Tell everyone what you do right here from just $25 a week plus GST. Email donna@tlnews.com.au or call 5348 7883.

restore balance naturally... with us

we are open everyday!

massage relaxation therapeutic deep tissue pregnancy remedial reflexology hot stone therapy ear candling reiki energy balance spiritual healing chakra balance crystal healing astrology tarot past life regression facial body scrup body wrap body polish foot treatments

Mon - Thu 10 - 5 Fri - Sat 10 - 6 Sun 10 - 5

retail therapy gift vouchers shop 5, 11 howe street, daylesford 03 5348 1099 massage@massagehealing.com.au www.massagehealing.com.au

restore balance naturally ...

The Local - tlnews.com.au

16 Happy & Healthy

NEWRAP

Costume Hire 2 Bourke Street, Kyneton

5422 3013

Open 12 noon to 5.30pm Wed-Thur-Fri 10am to 5pm Saturdays or by appointment MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE

10% OFF Offer valid until December 2015

Hire Sales and Repairs Don’t miss our end of months sales

Giveaway

Future-Proofing Your Child: Help your children grow into sensible, safe, happy, resilient, self-motivated teens and beyond.

Life is full of highs and lows and as our children grow up you can’t always be there to help them navigate their emotions or situations. This book tells parents, in very practical terms, what you can do from birth to twelve to ensure your children have their best chance at coping with life.

The Local has a copy of Future Proofing Your Child to giveaway. For your chance to win email news@tlnews.com.au with your name and contact number by July 18.

elax, dream and feel great

xperience . . . Day Spa

SALON-SPA

39 High Street, Kyneton Phone (03) 5422 3795 ellenis.com.au

Giveaway

The Mindful Diet is the first book to combine health psychology with cuttingedge nutrition research to deliver an upto-the-minute method for eating mindfully and breaking the yo-yo diet cycle. For the first time, two leading experts offer a new concept for eating and health - a step-bystep program that dismantles old patterns and provides new tools for making healthy choices.

The Local has a copy of The Mindful Diet to giveaway. For the chance to win just email news@tlnews.com.au with your name and contact number by July 18.

OPEN DAY AT DAYLESFORD TRANSFER STATION - LEARN MORE ABOUT COUNCIL’S SOCIAL ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE Saturday, 11 July 2015 between 9am - 5pm (Sausage Sizzle) Come along to an Open Day at the Daylesford Transfer Station to meet with representatives from Future Employment Opportunities (FEO) and find out more about the exciting plans for the resource recovery centre operations.

Council will work in partnership with FEO as the new contractor to operate the Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham Resource Recovery Centres. FEO is a non profit organisation that currently operates the Eco-centre at Eaglehawk and other sites. The social enterprise operations will offer local job opportunities through enhanced recycling and up-cycling of unwanted materials. FEO will work closely with the community to reduce waste which would otherwise be destined for landfill. Future open days are planned for Creswick and Trentham.

18 Inspiring

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Cold calling leads to exciting photography career for Mia Mala McDonald

I

F YOU are into the New York Times, Frankie, Yen or Rolling Stones magazines, or perhaps have come across Lake House photographic shoots, chances are you have seen the work of Mia Mala McDonald.

But chances also are you don’t realise the 32-year-old shooting star of the photography world was born in Daylesford Hospital, went to Yandoit Primary and graduated from the then Daylesford Technical School.

Even as a teenager Mia was probably not your average 14-year-old.

She was into the music scene – her brother is a music promoter and among other gigs runs the Meredith Music Festival – and when she realised she was no good at playing Mia decided to shoot bands.

“I would go to gigs and shoot all the bands because I really sucked at playing music. And that’s where my photography started.

“I shot the Big Day Out when I was just 14. I snuck in and then managed to get a ticket to the pit so spent the day shooting people like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was half the size of anyone there and had a really crappy film camera. But I am quite a stubborn person.”

At 17 Mia moved to Melbourne which she says, despite being allowed by her parents to attend underage events and stay in the city when she was in her early teens, was “a huge transition from Daylesford”.

“But I had finished school and I just had to get out of here. If you stay it is really hard to get out, particularly as a young person. I do love it but I got out when I was young.

“And it was tough. I had house mates – I think we had two minute noodles for two years, but at 17 you just don’t realise how little you are. I was missing the community, things like going to Chappies’ and him saying ‘mmm, $3, I will give you some chips’, just that familiar thing the Daylesford community offers.

“The big city is quite different.”

Mia tried her hand at performance studies which was “a disaster” and then a few other courses but friends kept encouraging her to do photography.

“I was shooting for street press and then applied for a photography degree at RMIT and started being really interested in portraiture.

“After I finished RMIT I thought I was brilliant! I took my folio to Rolling Stone in Sydney, and Vogue Travel, and Eve and Frankie magazines. I was like ‘hello, here I am’. In my head I was ready, I even made them presents with books of my work all wrapped up.

“I met with the editors and they all said they loved my enthusiasm but to come back in five years when I really was ready.”

Next stop was an internship in America and then it was straight into freelance work.

“Being a freelance photographer and your own boss is so hard and it’s still hard. Each week you don’t know how much you are going to earn and each day you don’t know what you are doing.

“Yesterday I had no jobs booked for two weeks and then I got three jobs including Wednesday before I fly out that night to Japan for a month. But you have got to make that income when you can.”

Last year Mia completed a masters in fine art at RMIT and she is also a lecturer at Holmesglen TAFE – all adding to her portfolio.

“With photography you can do commercial, magazines, weddings…I really needed a shift and after eight years in struggle town I thought I would do my masters in art photography just to give myself another option.

“And that’s been awesome. They sent me to Singapore and now Japan. It’s a very exciting career. You can get a call that Shane Warne needs photos in two hours, or Courtney Barnett needs photography and then the next day you can be doing something terrible like maternity wear. They don’t use pregnant women, they use real models with fake tummies.”

Mia shoots with Canon 5Ds using fixed lenses but she is also shooting a lot of film which is back in fashion.

“I love that I know how to process black and white film that the youngsters on Instagram don’t know. I am owning that until there is no film left.”

Mia said her advice for budding photographers was to be determined and passionate.

“If you get a good degree it doesn’t mean you will be a good photographer. You have to cold call Rolling Stone and make a fool of yourself. I guess it’s bravery and stupidity and persistence. I lived off about $8000 for seven years, I was a nanny, you do what you have to but as soon as you succumb to work for a five-day week it’s over.

“I was working as a teacher two days a week during my masters and even that was really difficult, driving to the same place each day, making the same lunch. Ughhh.”

Mia also has advice for people growing up in small towns – get out.

“I am not saying Daylesford is not an incredible town, I love it, and I will live here one day but there is nothing for teenagers to do.

“We used to try and organise gigs here, when my brother was 16 he said ‘we’ll put some bands on and organise it’ but the council wouldn’t have a bar of it.

“I remember sitting on the post office steps. You just do that. But you have to live life and see the world. 100 per cent – get out.”

“I shot the Big Day Out when I was just 14. I snuck in and then managed to get a ticket to the pit so spent the day shooting people like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I was half the size of anyone there and had a really crappy film camera. But I am quite a stubborn person.”

- Mia Mala McDonald

Words: Donna Kelly Image, above right: Kyle Barnes Images, below right: Mia Mala McDonald

20 The Crew

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Who’s who in The Local’s crew - Nick Bunning

S

James Arena has published a series of books chronicling the lives and careers OMETIMES in life, without consciously doing anything to bring it about, you realise you’re in the right place, pursuing an activity that of disco/dance music stars of the 70s and 80s – a subject of great interest to me, which led to our Facebook friendship. just feels exactly made for you.

Call it serendipity, or fate. Or just good old random life. Our wonderful patch of central Victoria seems to be full of such stories. My tale, of how I became a magazine and book sub-editor, is just one of them…

From my earliest memories, I have been a voracious reader, with a love of the printed word and a fascination with the intricacies and foibles of the English language. As a kid, it seemed as though I always had a book in my hands. I used to love climbing trees and would sit contentedly for hours, way up high devouring an Enid Blyton or Just William title. Blessed with a retentive memory, I would spot errors even then, and can remember tut-tutting over a glaring typo in a Famous Five book.

This was a skill I was able to hone further in adult life, during a 30 plus year career in advertising. I worked as a print production manager for various Melbourne ad agencies and promotional companies. It was ultimately my responsibility if any of our clients’ ads or printed material contained any typographical errors, so I had to peruse every proof or piece of artwork with an eagle eye.

As the years rolled by, my partner Lindsay and I found ourselves increasingly drawn to Daylesford, with its great lifestyle choices and welcoming community.

We decided to move here in 2008 and have never had a single moment’s regret about making the tree-change.

Soon after settling here, we started volunteering at the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre – which is where we met and became friends with Kyle Barnes and Donna Kelly. Fast-forward a few years, and they told us they were going to start a community-based news magazine, appropriately called The Local.

When the first issue was ready to roll, Donna said “Would you guys mind having a quick look at the proofs? Just in case you spot anything that needs fixing.” After all, a fresh pair of eyes (or two pairs) always comes in handy.

So here we are, nearly 50 issues later, still happily doing our best to keep The Local as error-free as humanly possible – although we never claim to be 100 per cent infallible. And somewhere along the way, I also became The Local’s resident cruciverbalist (now, there’s a good crossword clue!)

And thanks to a friendship formed via social media, I have also become a bona fide book sub-editor – or copy editor, to use the American term. New York author

Spotting some errors in James’ first book (which I politely pointed out) led to him asking me to copy edit his next two books – First Legends of Disco and Stars of 80s Dance Pop. Performers he has interviewed and profiled include Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge, Village People, Boney M. and Dead or Alive, along with many others who may never have had a radio hit but were huge in the clubs.

This has turned out to be a huge project over the past couple of years – extremely satisfying but very challenging at the same time. It wasn’t as simple as just spotting typos - I soon learned I had to question everything on the page.

Song titles, people’s names, dates – I double and triple checked everything. After all, most of these artists are getting on in age, and their recollections of what happened, when and with whom, can be a little fuzzy 30-40 years down the track.

Understandable really, given the party culture of that era…

And as of June 2015, a follow-up book is underway – Stars of 90s Dance Pop – and I’m starting to proofread chapters already. With my red pen in hand, I’m wondering: will these artists’ recollections be more accurate than those of their predecessors? I’ll let you know…

“We decided to move here in 2008 and have never had a single moment’s regret about making the tree-change.”

The Local - tlnews.com.au

TRENTHAM PETROL & STUFF

1 Market St PH 5424 1611 Mon - Sat 8am - 6pm Sun 9am - 6pm

Out & About 21

TRENTHAM

&

MAKERS MARKET

Two Markets – One location Spring has sprung – The grass is ris – I wonder where the birdies is???

Petrol, oils, swap & go gas, firewood permits, farm produce / produce store, ice, milk, soft drinks, take-away pies, coffee, confectionery, local honey etc.

The Town Square in Trendy Trentham The Trentham Farmers Market has joined with Trentham Makers Market

Third Saturday, 9am – 1pm

rusty junk, secondhand books, old wares

TRENTHAM STATION SUNDAY MARKET

Country Market

Victoria Street, Trentham On the fourth Sunday of each month 8.30am - 2.30pm Enquiries/Bookings – Kaye / Leigh 5424 1466 or Ross 5424 1509

Saturday, July 18 10am - 2pm

A great variety of stalls in and around the beautiful Trentham Station **Permanent carriage stalls open every weekend** Including - Craft in the Carriage, Kaye’s Soaps and Candles, Leigh’s Homemade Preserves, Snax on the Trax & Trentham Olde Worlde Lolly Shoppe Trentham - Always relaxed and refreshing!

Leonard’s Hill Hall

Locally grown produce, Plants, Sausage Sizzle, Jewellery, Devonshire Teas, Wines, Preserves, Crafts, Collectables & much more STALLS AVAILABLE (No Take Away Food Stalls) Enq/bookings phone 5348 3351 or 5348 6569

22 Crossword

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Reception/Admin

We are Daylesford Cottage Directory – 20 years young.

We have a new look and feel and business is thriving.

To continue our trend, we need to add to the team.

Could this be you?

In our Albert Street office, you will take care of on-line bookings, emails, phone enquiries and walk-ins.

We are looking for:

Retreat | Relax | Return

Phone: 03 5348 1255 Mobile 0438 662 201 41 Albert Street, Daylesford www.cottagedirectory.com.au stay@cottagedirectory.com.au

• • • • • •

Computer skills (Word, Excel, database) Social media skills Passion for great customer service Excellent telephone manner Can-do attitude A quick learner Our office is cosy, and we use MACs!



Interested?

Hours 10 - 15 per week

We need to talk ASAP…. Contact Jo (email, phone or drop into the office).

We will need your resume.

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Out & About 23

Aboriginal flag flying at Daylesford Town Hall

T

HE Aboriginal flag is now flying at the Daylesford Town Hall.

The flag was raised on Sunday, July 5 at 10.30am in in recognition of the traditional owners of Hepburn Shire, the Dja Dja Wurrung people and in recognition of indigenous culture, land and the living heritage that is unique to the region.

A Hepburn Shire spokesperson said it had “worked in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation to present this event but would encourage all members of the community to communicate with council about future reconciliation initiatives”.

“We look forward to working with traditional owners, local indigenous representatives and colleagues in reconciliation organisations to further discuss local government reconciliation initiatives in 2015-16. “ A new flag pole was recently erected at the town hall.

The move comes after Glenlyon’s Sissy Austin first led the New Year’s Eve parade in Daylesford and then approached Hepburn Shire Mayor Kate Redwood to see the Aboriginal flag flying.

Hepburn Shire was one of just eight councils in Victoria, of 79, which did not fly the flag.

HOME DECOR & MORE IMPORTS

(insert logo here)

GREAT PRODUCTS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES!

WATER FEATURES

Thursday, July 9 10am for 10.30am Senior Citizens’ Room Rear of Daylesford Town Hall

LOTUS BUDDHA 1.5M RRP $400 SALE PRICE $300

LANTERNS FROM $10

U3A Hepburn Shire Enrolment Morning

TEAK BENCH SEAT BALI HUT 2.5X2.5M ( POLE TO POLE ) OUR PRICE $1250

Unit 1/99 High Street Melton, VIC 3337 Trading Hours: Tues - Sat 9 - 5 & Sun 10 - 5 | Phone: 8746 2376

www.homedecoreandmore.com.au WALL ART | BUDDHAS | GARDEN DECOR WATER FEATURES | FURNITURE | MIRRORS

New members welcomed Morning tea provided Please come to hear about our Semester 2 program including some interesting speakers and excursions.

Enquiries: Anne Tamblyn on 0411 866 643 Email: annetamblyn41@gmail.com

24 Markets

The Local - tlnews.com.au

To market, to market, to buy something seriously cool, fresh or quirky

Y

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

Daylesford Railway Market – every Sunday

Glenlyon Farmers Market – third Saturday

Wesley Hill Market - every Saturday

Creswick Market – third Saturday

Daylesford Farmers’ Market – first Saturday

Leonards Hill Market - third Saturday

Golden Plains Farmers’ Market – first Saturday

Talbot Farmers’ Market – third Sunday

Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Market - first Saturday

Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday

Castlemaine Artists Market – first Sunday

Buninyong Village Market – fourth Sunday

Kyneton Farmers’ Market - second Saturday

Trentham Station Sunday Market - fourth Sunday

Ballan Farmers’ Market - second Saturday

Want to publicise your market? It’s free! Just email news@tlnews.com.au

Maldon Market – second Sunday Clunes Farmers’ Market - second Sunday Trentham Farmers’ Market and Makers’ Market – third Saturday

Your chance to own a much loved daYlesford gem Vendor is retiring, all offers considered

An amazing product range including gifts, jewellery, cards, clothing, toys, books and more, in one of the prime positions in Daylesford.

Voted Best Town in Australia 2013 by Australia Traveller magazine.

It is your chance to own a much desired retail business in the heart of a thriving holiday and retreat destination and 18mths leasehold with a further option of 3 years remaining. l l l l l l l l

Established business for 30 years Well supported by locals and visitors Sale includes all fixture and fittings Stock to be sold separately Plenty of space for growth or expansion Increase sales with internet listing WI-WO with training provided Ideal going concern with lifestyle options

BENJAMIN BANDICOOT 31 Vincent Street, Daylesford Vic. 3460 Inspection by appointment only Biggins & Scott Daylesford (03) 5348 2328

Private Sale

23 Cosmo Road Trentham On a large 1/4 Acre Renovators Dream. This 1960 s Home Needs some Love but has Great Potential Within walking distance to all Trentham has to offer- Galleries, Cafes and Pubs.

Frances Harkin Sales Consultant | M: 0425 766 799 frances.harkin@eview.com.au

David McCoy Computer Repairs & Sales.

5422 7000 30 Welsh st Kyneton Sales, repairs, advice David & Wendy McCoy

eCasa Daylesford STOCKTAKE SALE 20% OFF ALL STOCK STOREWIDE UP TO 40% OFF SELECTED LINES SALE EXTENDED FOR 1 MORE WEEK NOW ENDS SUNDAY 12th JULY – SO DON’T MISS OUT! 89 Vincent Street Daylesford Phone 5348 1802

MCO IN DAYLESFORD SATURDAY 25TH JULY, 2015 4.30pm ANGLICAN CHURCH CONCERT 54 Central Springs Road Brahms - Sonata in D minor for Violin & Piano Op 108 Mozart - Sonata in B flat major for Violin & Piano K454

William Hennessy &

Louisa Breen

TICKETS: $25/$20 CONCESSION AVAILABLE: eCASA DAYLESFORD & BENDIGO BANK or via www.mco.org.au

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Dining 27

Meal deals for locals - and tourists too!

E

VERYONE loves a locals’ deal. Especially a meal deal! So here are the dining establishments to head to for great value and meals.

Monday Mercato, Daylesford – main dish & a glass of local wine - $30 The Grande Hotel, Hepburn Springs – two courses and a glass of house wine, beer or bubbles - $38 Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn – Parma Night - $17.50

Tuesday Cosy Corner, Hepburn Springs – Curry & Hot Pot Night - $18 Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood - Parma Night - $15 + glass of house wine or pot Old Hepburn Hotel - Cheap Eats - Nothing over $20

Friday

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham – two courses - $25 Cosy Corner, Hepburn Springs – Fish Night - $26.50 with a glass of wine

Sunday Moor Please, Hepburn - pizza + a glass of MP wine or 961 Lebanese beer - $20

Happy Hours Daylesford Bowling Club has Happy Hour ‘n’ a half, from Monday to Thursday, from 4.30pm to 6pm.

Perfect Drop, Daylesford, also has a Happy Hour, every day, from 4pm to 6pm with $10 cocktails and $1 oysters.

Raffles

Wednesday Perfect Drop - five courses with a glass of bubbles or beer - $50 Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Pot and Parma - $20 Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn – Roast - $17.50 Sault, Sailors Falls – a la carte menu with glass of wine

Fundraising raffles for local organisations are held on Friday evenings at The Farmers Arms Hotel, Daylesford, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham and the Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn.

Want to share a locals’ deal? Email news@tlnews.com.au

Thursday Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Steak Night - $20 The Plough, Trentham – two courses - $25, three courses - $30 Radio Springs Hotel, Lyonville – Thai night Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood - Chicken burritos - $10 Source Dining, Kyneton - main course and glass of wine - $35

THE CIDER HOUSE STRING BAND Saturday 11th July - afternoon

The Tavern

@daylesford cider

.Growers, makers & producers of traditional craft cider .

* seasonal menu * mulled cider * cellar door & tastings * open-log fire

open 11:30am - 5pm

Bookings strongly recommended

enquiries@daylesfordcider.com.au or 0468 468 955 @DAYLESFORDCIDER

28 Advertorial

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Steve and Mitch take over The Farmers Arms

E

VERY time Steve Chau and Mitch Duncan visited Daylesford, they always seemed to gravitate towards one place – The Farmers Arms.

So when the opportunity came up for the Williamstown couple to take over the local hotel, they couldn’t resist.

With both men having a passion for food and customer service, they immediately knew it would be a perfect fit.

“We have some really good friends who have been living in Daylesford for some years and every time we visited them we would go to The Farmers to eat,” Steve, pictured above left with Mitch, right, and the team, said.

“Having been a patron for so long I can absolutely attest to the fantastic atmosphere of the hotel.

“I think this is because of the interior feel of the place, the incredibly friendly team and the great mix of locals and tourists.”

Established in 1857, The Farmers Arms is the oldest pub in town.

Offering a blend of country charm combined with a sophisticated food and wine list, the hotel is renowned for its unique dining experience.

“The food that is created by the kitchen team is incredible. The menu is very diverse with a focus on quality products and the consistency means every time you order your meal it will be just as great as it was the last time you had it,” Steve said.

Although Steve and Mitch have taken over management of The Farmers, they acknowledged the hard work the previous business owners put in to making the hotel what it was today.

Not wanting to make any drastic changes to the pub, Steve said their focus would be on keeping it as a community hub.

“We understand The Farmers is loved by locals and tourists and we want to ensure that this continues to be the case so we won’t be making any sweeping changes,” he said.

“Instead, we’ll be focussing on gradual improvements to make the hotel the most welcoming and enjoyable experience for whoever walks through our doors.

“There’s a hard-to-describe buzz and positive feeling of excitement you get whenever you visit The Farmers and we hope to share that with all our patrons.”

Steve, who is a doctor specialising in psychiatry, has also worked in the customer service industry for several years while Mitch has had extensive

experience in the field of business management. The couple and its fantastic team intend on bringing an element of fun and respect to the hotel.

Working alongside Gavan Anders as executive chef and Megan Evans as bar supervisor, Steve said The Farmers’ hardworking team was committed to making the hotel an incredible experience for patrons.

“Mitch is an ideas and big-picture person and I’m an attention-to-detail guy so I think that combination makes for ensuring a successful business,” he said.

“We really believe in ensuring our patrons receive exceptional service and have an amazing time, every time. Regardless of whether they are coming for some drinks, a meal with family or a special occasion, we want everyone to feel welcome every time they visit and to know they can always count on our friendly service and delicious food.

“We’re also really excited to have our team come along for this amazing ride and hope they have as much fun as we will.”

The Farmers Arms is located at 1 East Street, Daylesford and is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Bookings are not necessary. For more information visit www.thefarmersarms.com.au or check out the hotel on tripadvisor.com.au

“Mitch is an ideas and big-picture person and I’m an attention-todetail guy so I think that combination makes for ensuring a successful business.”

The Local - tlnews.com.au

MITCH winter concert

H

OSTS from previous Music in The Central Highlands Winter concerts Susie Kilby and Roland Dietz will again open Hill House in East Trentham for the August 1 and 2 event.

Organiser Bern Barry said Malcolm Cole, musical director of the Proteus Ensemble and musical director for the MITCH Winter Concerts, had brought together “some wonderfully talented musicians”.

The MITCH young performer for both concerts is eight-year-old Rose Teed on violin. Rose’s interest in music started from a very early age when she found a picture of a violin and carried it around with her. At four Rose started learning to play and took to the instrument with great passion.

Link: mitch.org.au

Cosy Corner licenced Cafe & Restaurant 3 tenth street Hepburn Springs bookings 5348 2576 www.cosy-corner.com.au

Breakfast Weekends 9am to 11am.

Lunch Friday - Tuesday from 11am.

Dinner Thursday - Tuesday from 6pm.

Coffee & Cake always on.

Tuesday Locals’ Curry $ Hotpot Night $18 (main menu not available) Fish Night Friday $26.50 inc. glass of wine. (a la carte also available)

Lunch - Friday to Sunday - 12 noon until 3 pm Dinner - Thursday to Tuesday - 6 pm until late Locals’Night - Monday Night

MERCATO @ daylesford

32 Raglan Street Daylesford 03 5348 4488 www.mercatorestaurant.com.au

News 29

30 Dining

The Local - tlnews.com.au

26 - 28 Albert Street Daylesford 5348 3711

The Pie is back!

We are now well and truly into the prettiest season of the year, Autumn.

And to warm up our bellies, our most popular dish is back on the menu.

House made pies, served on a bed of mash with peas and jus.

In the colder months, our opening hours have changed. We are still open for dinner seven nights a week. Lunch is now served Friday - Monday only except for school holidays when we will remain open seven days a week.

Open for Dinner 7 Days from 5pm.

Lunch Friday-Monday from noon

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL US ON 03 5348 2335

DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

The Local - tlnews.com.au

My shout!

By Roy Lever

G

LOBAL trends in beer seem to follow a pattern of adoption. What is happening in the USA is often then followed by the UK and Europe, which is then emulated by New Zealand before making its way to Australia and then on from there. The popularity of craft beer is a good example of this wave making its way around the world.

Australia has started to break this pattern and is leading the world in new styles of beers, all driven by new hop varieties that are being developed and grown here and New Zealand (Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin to name just two).

A “New World” pale is a term being used more and more to describe what a brewer is trying to achieve when it doesn’t really fit into traditional beer style guidelines.

Bridge Road Brewery states its Beechworth Pale is exactly that - a New World pale. Whereas Two Birds out of Newport Melbourne has Bantam IPA, a cracking session beer which blurs the lines between several styles, not falling into any one category. (See review below.)

Using these new breed hops - sometimes exclusively, but not necessarily - this style of beer is light and refreshing. They are typically high hopped giving grassy, citrus and passionfruit aromas and flavours whilst finishing clean and dry, brewed to suit our summer climate.

Due to the recent popularity of these beers, recently the Australian International Beer Awards changed the Australian pale style guides to incorporate this hoppier style of ale.

Yet some breweries, such as Mountain Goat, enter their “summer ale” in the AIBA as “UK summer ale” style.

As these hops start to spread around the world we are seeing the term “New World” linked to Australia and being sprouted by the likes of Marston’s Brewery

Wining & Dining 31

from the UK. Marston’s New World Exotic Golden Pale Ale uses new Australian hops and has all the fruity and fresh characters becoming to this style.

It’s great to see Australian and New Zealand hop growers and brewers leading the way, swinging the axis and seeing other countries adopting our innovations. I have reviewed just a couple of these refreshing fruity beers which I hope you will try and enjoy.

Welcome to the New World.

Stone and Wood Brewing Co (Byron Bay, NSW), Pacific Ale 4.4% abv, $20.99 per 6 x 330ml bottles This beer is the original “Pacific ale” now considered by some a style in its own right. It pours cloudy as it is not filtered or pasteurised. It is a pale golden colour and immediately the aromas of passionfruit are evident thanks to the dry hopping after fermentation with Galaxy hops. It is light in the mouth thanks to the addition of wheat malts, and is slightly effervescent across the tongue and is sweet with tropical fruit flavours. Finishing quite dry, it is refreshing with a hop flavour that lingers just enough for the next mouthful. A cracking beer, it also comes in pint bottles. Food match: barbeque prawns.

Two Birds Brewing Co (Newport, Vic), Bantam IPA 4.7% abv, $21.99 per 6 x 330ml bottles This beer pours a light golden copper colour and has a nice white head. Its fruit salad, tropical fruit aroma is entwined with a slight malty biscuit backbone.

It is light in the mouth and has a sweet honey flavour which is well balanced with citrus fruits and finishes quite quickly with a crisp bitterness. This is a very sessionable beer which doesn’t follow the guidelines of a typical IPA having a lower than expect abv at 4.7%, and a light mouth-feel. It is approachable and one to add to your repertoire. Food match: chicken and mango salad.

You will always read my articles first in The Local but to catch up on past reviews head to my blog www.myshoutbeerreviews.wordpress.com Feel free to follow me and make a comment.

Show this ad in store and receive

20% off 4 or more bottles of wine One per customer per day.

Conditions apply - see staff for details Offer ends 19/07/15 Cellarbrations @ foxxy’s our region’s largest local and boutique wine specialists Open every day until late 55 Vincent Street Daylesford Tel: 03 5348 3577

32 Out & About

Gig Guide Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn

DJ Krushh – Saturday, July 11, 9pm Matt Gurry – Saturday, July 18, 9pm Funk Friday with DJ Krushh – Friday, July 24, 9pm Top Jimmy Rock and Pop covers – Saturday, July 25, 9pm

Perfect Drop, Daylesford

SIN Dance Night with DJ Pancho Combo – Monday, July 6 Tania & Vida Jazz – Friday, July 10 Jali Buba Kutayeh – Saturday, July 11 SIN Dance Night with DJ Blush – Monday, July 13 Callum Rampage – Friday, July 17 Trevor Shard and Andy Vogel – Saturday, July 18

The Grande Hotel, Hepburn

Me and Mrs Jones – Friday, July 10, 8pm Barbra Streisand Tribute Show – Friday, July 24, 8pm

The Cosmopolitan, Trentham

Jarrod Shaw and Sarah Wilkinson – Sunday, July 12, 1pm Phil and Trudy Edgeley – Sunday, July 19, 1pm

Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood

Blues Union – Saturday, July 11 – 7.30pm-10pm Harry J Nanos and Dave Prior Comedy – Saturday, July 18, 7.30pm-10pm Drag bingo – Thursday, July 30, eyes down 8pm Jarrod Shaw and Sarah Wilkinson – Saturday, August 1, 7.30pm-10pm

Got a gig happening? Email donna@tlnews.com.au **All gigs subject to change - check with the venue!

SAME OWNERS | SAME CHEF | SAME GREAT FOOD

SOURCE DINING (FORMERLY ANNIE SMITHERS’ BISTROT) REOPENS ON THURSDAY 25TH JUNE 2015 After two years of ownership, Tim and Michelle have decided it was time for a new name.

The source and provenance of a product, and genuine commitment to ensure the enjoyment of our guests, a connection to our region and its’ culture and people drives the excellence that is Source Dining.

Join us for lunch or dinner and celebrate the reopening of our business.

LUNCH THU TO SUN FROM 12PM DINNER THU TO SAT FROM 6PM The Age Good Food Guide, 2015 One Hat Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards, 2014 Two Glass rating

72 Piper Street,Kyneton, VIC 3444 03 5422 2039 Info@sourcedining.com.au www.sourcedining.com.au

65 Gingell St Castlemaine VIC 3450 Phone 5472 1250 www.railwayhotelcastlemaine.com.au railwayhotelcastlemaine

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Out & About 33

The Perfect Drop Restaurant & Wine Bar

Locals Night - Wednesdays $50 - 5 courses inc bubbles

Monday to Thursday - 4pm until late Friday to Sunday - 12pm until late

Happy Hours 4pm - 6pm Daily $10 Cocktail & $1 Oysters

Live Music in the bar on weekends.

Mondays Service Industry Night 8.30pm until late

www.theperfectdrop.com 5 Howe Street, Daylesford 5348 1100

Sunday (Funday) $3.50 Pots all day

THE OLD HEPBURN HOTEL

An authentic country pub with a focus on food, family and entertainment.

MENU

Modern Australian with pub classics - Midweek specials.

We can design a menu for all occasions.

MUSIC

Host to local musicians and some of Australiaʼs premier artists.

THE PUB

Amber Dooley

7 nights dinner - Lunch Fri/Sat/Sun. Courtesy bus.

Group bookings (up to 100 guests).

Beer garden.

236 Main Rd, Hepburn

drink@oldhepburnhotel.com.au

S PA C E N T R E M E A T S S uppli e rs of Ge nui ne loc al produce

www.oldhepburnhotel.com.au

owly Oxtail braised sl o & saffron. in sherry, choriz Ingredients

Our prime lamb & aged beef is produced on the family farm ‘Green Hills Natural’ near Malmsbury & the beef dry aged on our premises in Daylesford.

We make an excellent range of gourmet sausages, including the famous Swiss Italian ‘Bull Boar’, Malaysian chicken, Greek lamb and more.

Oxtail is one of the tastiest, succulent cuts of meat and very versatile.

Makes amazing casseroles, soups, braises and ragus.

ph:03 53482207

3kg oxtail cut ces chorizo 150 gm thinly sli d diced tomatoes an d ele 750 gm pe 4 carrots diced ced 2 Brown onions di hed us cr s ve clo c 4 garli sherry y dr 750 ml fino or

60ml olive oil Sea salt peppercorns 1tsp whole black 4 bay leaves 5 cloves t leaf parsley 4 tlps chopped fla ds rea Pinch saffron th

oking for 3-4min , brown oxtail, co an ep uc sa d se ba avy ion, carrot & bay Heat oil in large he d set aside, add on an e ov m re d ne ffron ce brow chorizo, tomato, sa season with salt, on ly for 10 min, add nt ge ok pan, co e d th an of e at aping sid leaves, reduce he ry and mix well scr er sh d ad d cook e, an or m ter in with wa and cook for 15m ercorns, cover well pp pe d an s ve clo co n add y fat that mes return meat to pa tender. Remove an ry ve is t ea m til ed hours un y after meat is cook on low heat for 3 uce is still too runn sa if g, ed in kl ok rin co sp e ile rv utes. Se to the surface wh gh heat a few min hi on e uc rice, sa or ce ta du re tato, polen remove meat and be served with, po d ul co sh di is Th rsley. with chopped pa you choose. dly supplied by This recipe was kin ngos family owned ad chef for the Fra Euan Apedaile, he ghway, Blampied Hi d an idl tel, M Swiss Mountain Ho 03 5348 4488 m co frangos.

Hotel@frangosand Thanks Euan.

E M E AT S S PA C E N T R rd.

Daylesfo 37 Vincent Street. d us on Facebook Fin .

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Enjoy the relaxed local atmosphere, Music & Entertainment or just a quiet cool one anytime.

New owners, new chef and new menu. l Open 7 days/nights - Lunch and Dinner. l Quality Wines/ Fresh Seafood. l Accommodation l Functions (and friendly Kookaburras)

Blackwood Hotel 1 Golden Point Road Blackwood 3458.

Phone 03 5368 6501

CFA

Visit ‘JINDARUP’

Blackwood’s newest destination for gifts, art, craft antiques, books & more (opposite the pub).

THE GIG GUIDE

Speciatsl Gues

JULY SAT 11th July 7.30 -10pm BLUES UNION All-star rhythm & blues SAT 18th July 7.30 -10pm HARRY J NANOS & DAVE PRIOR Comedy night THURS 30th July 8pm, eyes down DRAG BINGO AUG SAT 1st August 7.30 - 10pm JARROD SHAW & SARAH WILKINSON

Nom nom nom 35

Bowling Club rolling out great, hearty fare Words and images: Glen Heyne

F

OR as long as Peta and l can remember Daylesford Bowling Club has always had a cafe/bistro providing hearty, value for money meals.

The dining area is large, cheerfully friendly and overlooks the bowling greens, and the town, through huge windows.

The aptly named Two Greens and Me has been the venue for many pleasant dinners with visiting friends and family, not to mention more than one large celebratory function.

And the Bowling Club has always been a great family friendly place, so with our recent entry into grandparent-hood, we’re always on the look-out for the elusive highchair.

Peta was delighted to spot not one, but two in a corner, so that meant an immediate big tick. The sight of a substantial, sensible children’s menu met her approval, especially as she noted that ‘all meals may be served with salad or vegetables if requested’. And all $8.

We were shown to a window table by our waitress Helen who presented us with a lunch menu. We soon made our choices. Being lunchtime we took the responsible course of action and agreed that a main course and coffee would be sufficient.

After our usual moments of indecision Peta settled on the Pork Fillet - grilled and served with a seeded mustard and brandy cream sauce, salad and chips ($16). l tried the Highland Crumbed Breast Fillet of Chicken - served with garlic butter, bacon and gravy ($18).

Our meals arrived and we were right to settle for just the main course. Peta’s was a generous serve of four beautifully cooked medallions of tender pork fillet smothered in a creamy sauce. Just the ticket for a cold winter’s day. l was equally delighted to be presented with an enormous, thick, tender and juicy chicken fillet amply accompanied by a large dollop of garlic butter and crispy bacon all topped with a light gravy which was just splendid.

During coffee, chef Greg joined us and said renovations were soon to start but they would not interrupt the running of the dining room. He is also in the throes of designing a brand new menu but promised that many favourites would remain.

And just as a heads up the new lunch menu will feature our meals plus Virginian Ham Steak & Pineapple ($12), Gnocchi ($14), Toastie with various fillings ($8) and Traditional Fish & Chips ($16).

Wines, spirits and beers are available from the club’s well stocked bar facilities.

Left, above, Pork Fillet, left below, Battered Flathead tails with homemade tartare sauce, chips and salad ($22) caught literally on its way to another table, and below, the Highland Crumbed Breast Fillet of Chicken

Re sta no uran op w t en

10am - 11pm Sunday - Thursday 10am - midnight Friday - Saturday 8 Camp Street Daylesford Ph: 5348 2130 www.daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au

36 Out & About

Viva la France

F

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Me and Mrs Jones

RANCE’s national day will be celebrated with the Daylesford Community Brass Band and the U3A’s le cercle français at the Daylesford Town Hall on Tuesday, July 14 from 7.30pm.

There will also be guest artists including Danny Spooner.

Bookings essential with all proceeds going to the band.

Contact Pat Harrison at pan41@bigpond.com or 0458 630 533.

M

ELISSA Langton and Mark Jones will debut their show “Me and Mrs Jones” at The Grande in Hepburn on Friday, July 10.

The pair has cabaret kudos after performing for 25 years with numerous awards between them including Green Room awards. Mark has been awarded nine while Melissa has two.

They say the show is “another paunchy, cholesterol-clogged cabaret from the people who brought you the ever popular ‘Does my arse look big in this?’ the award-winning ‘honey are my shoes on straight?’ and the heartbreaking ‘waiter. I’ll be needing a bigger chair!’.

Melissa and Mark have performed their cabaret shows in Australia, New York and Dublin, and at many festivals including The Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

BEER GARDEN

THURSDAY Locals Menu

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2 courses $25 / 3 courses $30 Open Thursday to Saturday 12 noon - late, Sunday 12 noon - 4pm 31 High Street, Trentham (03) 5424 1144

theplough.com.au

FRIDAY FREE Glass of Wine with each a-la-carte main course

The Local - tlnews.com.au

J

ust because much of your garden has either shed its leaves or, at least gone into hibernation, there are still plenty of reasons to rug up and venture out.

Like many other deciduous ornamental trees and shrubs, hydrangeas will benefit greatly from a good prune at this time of year, following most of the same rules as for roses with one major exception.They only flower on second year wood...so for a good display every year, you should prune back every second stem down to leave two or three strong buds at their base to provide next year’s flowers. The remaining branches will just require the centre growth to be nipped

Our gardens 37

out to encourage strong lateral flowering buds. Next winter these are the stems to be shortened and the others left to bloom. Hydrangeas react to the acidity/alkalinity balance of the soil in the colour of the flowers. You can play a little with nature - provide the plant with extra acidity by adding such elements as iron or copper to the soil to turn them various shades of blue, or a little alkalinity in acidic soils through garden lime to keep them their natural white or pink. Be careful though not to overdose with lime or the plant will suffer. A way to permanently treat the blue ones of choice is to bury small pieces of copper around their roots. A large copper urn or wash tub with many holes pushed through the sides and bottom could be put in the garden - a hydrangea planted in that would work extremely well, once the roots reach the sides.

My old family home in Adelaide has one that was originally planted in that way in the late 1800s by my great grandfather. Over the years the hydrangea grew to mammoth tree-like proportions. I recall being enchanted as a small boy by the way the flowers changed from deep blue, through multi-shades of mauve to deep pink, as the roots at its outer edges reached past the influence of the copper. Practically all deciduous ornamentals should be given a tidy up over the next three or four weeks - at least until they start showing signs of spring growth. Like roses, remove crowded, damaged or dead branches and shorten the remaining back to a good strong bud. If you are unsure just how far back you can prune your plants, I always use the size and hardness of the wood to be my guide. For example fine, fast growing plants like diosma, melaleuca and grevillea are best pruned regularly and lightly, but never far into the dark, hard wood.

Plant now: Roses, deciduous fruit and ornamental trees, rhubarb crowns, strawberries - either newly purchased plants or runners from an existing bed.

Also beet, broad bean, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cress, lettuce, onion, parsnip, peas, radish, spinach and turnip

www.daylesfordcinema.org.au Tuesday 7 July 10am Woman In Gold (M) 12:30pm Inside Out (PG) 3pm Tomorrowland (PG) 6pm Woman In Gold (M)

Sunday 12 July 11am Minions (PG) 1:30pm Minions (PG) 4pm Ten Canoes (2006) (M) 6pm Jurassic World (M)

Wednesday 8 July 12:30pm Inside Out (PG) 3pm Tomorrowland (PG) 6pm Woman In Gold (M)

Tuesday 14 July 10am Jurassic World (M) 6pm Ten Canoes (2006) (M)

Friday 10 July 10:30am Minions (PG) 1pm Inside Out (PG) 3:30pm Minions (PG) 6pm Ten Canoes (2006) (M) 8pm Jurassic World (M) Saturday 11 July 12pm Minions (PG) 2:30pm Minions (PG) 5pm Jurassic World (M) 8pm Ten Canoes (2006) (M)

Friday 17 July 5:30pm Far From the Madding Crowd (M) 8pm Love & Mercy (M) Saturday 18 July 3pm Minions (PG) 5:30pm Love & Mercy (M) 8pm Far From the Madding Crowd (M) Sunday 19 July 1pm Minions (PG) 3:30pm Far From the Madding Crowd (M) 6pm Love & Mercy (M)

Leather how do you know and choose...

Leather furniture is made using many different types of leather that are created using different processes. That is what accounts for the different look, feel and quality of leather furniture, and ultimately the cost and life span of your leather furniture.

So how do you choose what will be the best for you...

Aniline Leather is the 1st layer of the hide And is highly prized for the way it looks. It is the most natural looking leather and retains the unique surface characteristics. Aniline leather is dyed by immersing the hide in a dye bath, and the surface is not coated with any polymers or pigments. Only the very best hides are used as all surface marks remain visible, which is why it is also called “naked leather.�

Advantages: Aniline leather is very soft and comfortable. It retains the unique markings and characteristics of the hide, making each piece different. Aniline leather ages beautifully.

Disadvantages: Since it is not protected, aniline leather can be stained easily. It is not recommended for young families or very high traffic areas for that reason.

Semi Aniline is the 2nd layer of the hide Semi-Aniline leather is a more hardy than aniline leather because its surface has been treated with a light coat that contains some pigment, this makes it more soil and stain resistant.

the Kors up market modern design, very comfortable, features adjustable head rests, seats 6 people and the chaise for lounging, very relaxing. 100% cow hide tanned in Italy (corrected grain) highly recommended. Featured in a soft white, is available in coco and black. the Kors is featured in thesofastore showroom Ballarat.

Advantages: While it retains the uniqueness of aniline leather, Semi-Aniline leather has more consistent color and is more resistant to stains. More suited to family living.

Disadvantages: The markings are not as apparent, and therefore less unique than aniline leather.

Corrected Grain Leather Corrected Grain Leather is the most durable type of leather, for that reason it is the most used leather in furniture and car upholstery as the name suggest the grain of the leather has been corrected all of the natural grain and markings have been buffed away the leather is dyed and imprinted with a grain it has a polymer surface coating containing pigments.

While the thickness of the surface coating may vary, it allows the manufacturer to have more control over the properties of the leather. It is possible to add more resistance to scuffing or fading.

Advantages: This type of leather is easy to maintain and stands up to different conditions and uses.

Is the most suited for the family everyday living.

the Melba recline and relax in this super comfortable lounge suite. A classic design beautifully crafted, quality structure featuring steel sprung suspension with high resilient pocket springs. 100% cow hide, and powered reclining actions. the Melba is featured in thesofastore Ballarat showroom.

Cast Leather It is not leather, it is a leather by-product. Bi-cast leather is made from split leather which is then laminated with a polyethylene top layer. The layers used are of very inferior quality, which without the coating would be of no use at all. Bi-cast leather can look like leather however it will crack and split, does not have a long life span, if you are wanting leather then bi-cast is not for you

Leather how do you choose has been provided by thesofastore Ballarat. Stockists of quality leather lounge suites, recliners classic sofas, chesterfields ergonomic leather chairs. You will love the look and the comfort of the leather sofas, also available is fabric recliners, and designer chairs. We will deliver your new sofa to your home for no extra charge.

thesofastore

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Our musos 39

Music a special password for Andy

A

NDY Vogel moved to Daylesford in 1987, discovered a thriving music scene and quickly got involved. He chatted with Kyle Barnes.

KB: Tell us a bit about your background.

AV: Originally from Adelaide, I first moved to Daylesford in 1987 and discovered a thriving music scene happening throughout Central Victoria. I got lucky, and played harmonica and accordion with a number of songwriters and bands playing their own songs and covering some country, jazz and bluegrass. Just for variety, I also presented a blues show on community radio 3CCC in Harcourt.

After training as a piano tuner I moved to Queensland for work and also played a lot in the blues, folk and festival scenes up there. Finally, I settled back here in 2005. It’s great there’s still a local music scene, and I still occasionally travel interstate for gigs with artists I’ve worked with over the years.

KB: When did you get into music?

AV: There was a piano and some encouragement at home, so I guess since I was a kid I’ve been involved with music in one form or another - choir, orchestra, theatre, concerts and recitals. It’s been a constant in my life since then and I suspect has been my saving grace on many occasions. It’s like a special password for meeting folks - I’ve ended up playing almost everywhere I’ve travelled, both here and overseas.

KB: What do you play?

AV: Well, I still fix pianos for work and enjoy it for relaxation and songwriting at home. At gigs you’ll find me singing and playing guitar, harmonica, accordion and percussion.

KB: What’s your style of music?

AV: All my instruments are acoustic so anything from a country blues duo to jamming with a big band. A good song comes in many shapes, genres and styles so anything goes.

KB: What do you like listening to?

AV: It’s pretty varied and usually a mix of songs I’m learning and music that refreshes me. CDs by the player at the moment are Sime Nugent, Glen Campbell, Miles Davis, St Germain, Rolling Stones, Fat Freddy’s Drop and some Chopin nocturnes.

KB: If you could jam with three other musos – who would you choose – living or not.

AV: That’s a tough one. Let’s start with the living. I’ve done supports for and met both Harry Manx and Taj Mahal. Great performers, very generous off-stage, and their live sets are so strong it would be fantastic to jam with them. I saw Brownie McGhee on different tours years ago. He was enjoying using local harmonica players and I always hoped he’d tour again...

KB: What advice would you give a young musician just getting into the scene?

AV: Practice your craft, and play live whenever you can - it’s worth a dozen rehearsals. Through that you’ll find out what you’re best at and who you like playing with when it really counts.

KB: And finally, where can we hear you soon?

AV: On Saturday, July 18 I’ll be gigging with Trevor Shard at the Perfect Drop.

We’ll be playing a selection of our originals and some catchy covers.

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 41

Back on the bike Words: Anthony Sawrey | Image: Contributed

M

ANY folks think of winter as a period to stay inside and keep out of the cold. But for Andrew Cais, pictured left and on page 48, of Korweinguboora the cooler months signify something a little different. It entails being out in the bush on a dirt bike in all types of weather competing in events around Victoria including the Victorian Off-Road Championship.

The competition is a series of races that takes place over the cooler months all around Victoria from Corner Inlet to Wedderburn and the Yarra Ranges to Eildon.

But it does beg the question: why don’t they put these events on in the summer when it’s a bit warmer? “Generally it’s safer to ride during the cooler months because of the dust,” Andrew says. “If you had 30 or 40 guys together on a course during summer it would be really hard to see.”

Enduro has been around pretty well since motorcycles were invented and in its most rudimentary form consists of a marked course made up of several sections that a rider must negotiate, combined with a series of timed special tests that go towards the participant’s final score. A typical competition will feature hills, mud, logs, rocks, water and last for many hours. Speed and style is not as critical as the ability of a rider to ride consistently and keep their bike together for the duration of the course.

Andrew has been involved with dirt bikes for pretty well all his life. He rode competition motocross until he joined the army in 1985 and after being posted to Townsville in 1991, he began to ride in Enduro events. “There were a lot of races in the area,” he recalls. “I won the North Queensland championship series in 1993 and did half a season in 1994 before being posted overseas.” However, when he returned he decided to retire. Career, family and other typical distractions of everyday life put bikes on the backburner. Happily though, Andrew returned to competition riding last year, after a 20-year hiatus.

“I took it up again when I had a bit more time on my hands,” he says. “The kids were grown up and I had retired from the army to do farming.” Andrew also saw riding as a good way to build up a bit of fitness at an age when many of us begin to grow quite sedentary in our habits. “It is one of the most challenging sports there is and physically you are using your whole body, every muscle. I was actually a combat fitness leader when I was in the army and I know about what sort of training is required to keep an optimum level of health at any age.”

Is riding a motorbike, especially a dirt bike, an automatic ticket to injury and worse? Some people think it is and to them the idea of taking up such a sport again when you no longer have the stupidity of youth as an excuse, is an impulse akin to madness. Andrew laughs at the suggestion. “Non-riders may think you’re a bit out there starting again so late. But actually, off road riding is nowhere near as dangerous as some people think. It’s safer than motocross and definitely not as insane as something like the Isle of Man TT where the slightest mistake means disaster. In fact, due to being in the bush and the relatively low speeds, it’s safer than riding in town.”

However Andrew does have this to add. “You tend to be more careful and have a greater sense of self-preservation when you’re older. While there are plenty of very capable veterans out there, they won’t be taking the same risks that a 19-year-old hotshot would take. Everyone wants to be competitive but I guess you tend to think about Monday morning a little more.”

Also hydronic systems for domestic/ light commercial

42 Homes

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 43

Traders concerned over break-ins and vandalism

D

AYLESFORD traders are concerned after a spate of break-ins and vandalism throughout the town over the past few months - with the most recent on Friday night in Vincent Street. More than 10 businesses have been the subject of thieves and vandals with windows smashed, locks broken and even charity tins stolen.

Daylesford Aromatherapy’s Fiona Harris, whose business in Albert Street was one of the targets, said even a broken lock or window caused problems with no local locksmith or glazier on hand to repair the damage.

“There are a lot of rumours going around but we don’t know who is responsible – it would be nice to hear from the police. There is no extra police presence and there is a general feeling that we are not safe here.

“You call the police station but there is often no-one there. It’s not the police’s fault – they can only do what they can – but why can’t we have extra funding for more police here?”

Sergeant Barry Hills, who took up a permanent position at the Daylesford Police Station in November, said businesses needed to report any break-ins or vandalism.

“If we don’t know about it we can’t do anything about it. And while we are not a 24hour station we do have a 24-hour presence. So try the station first and leave a message or just call 000. Please do not feel you are tying up resources – we need to know what is happening, we want community involvement.

“And there has a been a recent move to Policing for Prevention and in country areas like this we rely heavily on the community to keep us informed.”

Sgt Hills said despite the number of break-ins he believed social media was “making it bigger than it is”.

“We have also processed a number of offenders and are following up a number of enquiries in relation to this. Daylesford is also a main thoroughfare and most of the incidents are opportunistic. Some are ice-related but they are not local offenders.

“And we now have specific operations in place where we are working to target these areas over coming weeks – targeting traffic passing through.” Sgt Hills also said he was talking with Hepburn Shire Council in relation to getting a grant for CCTVs in the central Muffins & More co-owner Anne-Maree Mackley called 000 after her business district and for additional lighting. cafe was burgled, and police from Bacchus Marsh attended, but there He also said businesses, where possible, should install their own cameras. is apparently no police report.

However, there seems to be discrepancies in the reporting of crimes.

Anne-Maree Mackley, pictured right after her cafe Muffins & More was burgled in April and a charity tin for a Cambodian girl Nika was stolen, along with the till, said she had reported the crime to 000 and police from Bacchus Marsh had attended.

Yet when Sgt Hills typed in the business name no police report came up. Ms Mackley said Bacchus Marsh police had been “wonderful” but she had never heard from Daylesford police.

Another Vincent Street business, which Sgt Hills also said had not filed a report about a man reportedly casing the area, said they had spoken to a female police officer.

The business owner said they had discussed a suspicious character who was “lurking around in and outside the store for two weeks”.

- Donna Kelly

Hepburn Shire dog patrols are on the rise

H

EPBURN Shire Council’s compliance team will have an increased presence with more patrols to promote responsible pet ownership, particularly in designated on-leash areas.

A council media release said “wandering and menacing dogs will also be a focus”.

“Dog owners are legally required to keep their dog securely confined to their property. This means in a secure yard with a closed gate and escape-proof fencing, so that dogs cannot jump over, get under or through,” the release says.

“If a dog attacks a person or another animal, rushes or chases someone, the owner may be fined. Council may also consider declaring the dog a ‘menacing dog’, where it may have to be leashed and muzzled when in public.”

Dog attacks should be reported to council’s Community Safety Unit during business house on 5348 1633 and after hours on 0419 587 955.

Wandering dogs have long been debated on social media in the region including Daylesford Agora – or the Speaker’s Corner.

Last month a woman posted “just wondering what can realistically be done about all the wandering dogs in this district”.

“The sheer number of incidents must surely warrant some kind of action. It is one thing to say that your dog is ‘friendly’ and wouldn’t do any harm, however it is impossible to know that when you see it bounding towards you.”

“So what can be done? Can we change the laws requiring all dogs to be on

a lead outside one’s property? Certainly the law allowing ‘voice command’ cannot be enacted if the owner is too far away or the dogs escape while no-one is watching.”

The post prompted more than 150 comments including: “I kind of think if your dog gets out X amount of times, you obviously aren’t a fit dog owner. Maybe three strikes you’re out and cannot have a dog within the shire for X amount of years…”

“The responsibility lies with the owners. All animal ownership is the responsibility of the owners. I wish you needed a license to own any animal.”

“I personally believe an off-lead park is important and good for dogs and their owners for training and socialisation. I do have a problem with aggressive and untrained dogs being off lead at any time.”

“I don’t even take my dogs to the park for that exact reason. I am so tired of the rushing up of dogs onto my dogs that couldn’t care less for them, all this and not an owner in sight let alone control.”

“Unfortunately some owners believe they are higher than the ‘law’ and totally disregard that not everyone feels safe around dogs! We deal with this on a daily basis with a dog the same size as my 5 yr old son who is now scared of all dogs!

As for the council..pftttt PATHETIC!” “I don’t do the ‘fencing is expensive’ line. Sorry I just don’t. If you can’t afford to keep them safe then yes the answer is ‘don’t have them’.”

The Local - tlnews.com.au

44 Trades guide

Miles Electrical.Rec15116.

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Trades guide 45

POOL AND SPA MAINTENANCE SERVICES DAYLESFORD AND SPA COUNTRY Over 25 years’ experience in the Pool and Spa industry.

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PLASTERER DAYLESFORD FIBROUS PLASTER WORKS (MACKLEY’S) • NEW HOMES • RENOVATIONS • CEILING ROSES • ORNAMENTAL CORNICE 30 Hospital St, Daylesford

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Reform Projects Landscape Gardening Helping you fall back in love with your garden. www.reformprojects.com.au Tel: 0423 368 924

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Down and dirty

I

T�S winter so naturally Andrew Cais is back on his bike. Read all about the Korweinguboora resident’s story by Anthony Sawrey on page 41.

Image: Leanne Beavis