The Local Issue 60 December 7, 2015

December 7, 2015 Issue 60 Father Jeff sheds light on his Christmas

The Local The Heart of the Highlands’ own community publication

2 About Us

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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Heart of the Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, December 21, 2015.

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

Advertising deadlines for the next edition of The Local: Space bookings: Wednesday, December 16 Copy provided by: Thursday, December 17 Editorial deadline: Thursday, December 17 Editor | Layout: Donna Kelly General manager | Photographer: Kyle Barnes Sub-editors: Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Sales: Nick Bunning (Ballarat), Kate Coleman (Kyneton) Contributors: Kevin Childs, Dan Lonergan, Anthony Sawrey, Kate Taylor, David White, Glen Heyne, Robin Archer and Dianne Caithness.

Great 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...

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 editions, or more, in a row.

An eighth of a page - $55 plus GST A quarter page - $110 plus GST A banner - $110 plus GST A half page - $220 plus GST A full page - $440 plus GST (Prices are per edition) But wait, there’s more!

The Local is a registered trademark of Kyle Barnes and Donna Kelly

Front cover: Father Jeff O’Hare believes Christmas is about kindness and charity, not commercialism and materialism. Read his opinion on page 39.

Image: Kyle Barnes

The Pool Room!

The Local - winner of: *Rural Press Club of Victoria 2015 Best Feature Series *Daylesford Rotary’s 2015 Business of the Year *Kyneton Daffodil Festival Parade 2015 Best Commercial Entry Now that’s award winning - just sayin’...

All adverts in The Local are full colour (it is 2015...) and we have fantastic graphic designers who can help you with adverts and branding - also at very affordable prices.

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.)

Oh, we also have an average reach of 14,000 readers - in print and online!

Even more reasons to get in touch today.

“I can’t find The Local...”

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.

Copies are also dropped at most cafes and hotels in the region.

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

Still looking? Just give us a call on 5348 7883.

The Local is the future of regional publishing!

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

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News 3

Mornings with Max on community radio

“There is a whole plethora of people we want to come onboard.”

A

SMALL idea has turned into a big reality as Hepburn Community Radio launches on the internet today, Monday, December 7 with its Breakfast Show from 7am to 9am.

Anchor presenter is Daylesford resident and Rainbow Radio DJ Max Primmer who will be joined on alternate days by co-presenters Pat Harrison and Trevor Shard.

To celebrate the first week on air there will be a party at The Old Police House on December 12 from 2pm to 4pm.

The station will be broadcasting over the internet at www.hepburnradio.net.au, providing programming by presenters covering topics such as gardening, books and music, news and local music. As more presenters are trained, more programs will be scheduled covering a wide range of topics and genres of music.

Max, who spent eight years on community radio in Bendigo and was also ChillOut Festival media spokesperson for another eight, said he had taken on the role as breakfast anchor “because I love doing it”.

“It’s community radio and I will be putting stuff out to the community like interviews and music, getting messages out there.

“I just hope the community radio goes really well and we get everybody onboard.

I have been talking to people around town and everyone is very enthusiastic about it.

I am sure it will be a goer.

“And it’s an essential part of the community and will encourage community interaction. It’s like a hub where people can come and know what information they can get.”

Max said more presenters were needed.

“We need a lot more presenters to come onboard, and anyone can present whatever they like within the legal guidelines. There is a whole plethora of people we want to come onboard. Maybe someone can do a country and western show, or perhaps an hour of religious stuff on a Sunday – whatever people want to hear.”

Max said the “flagship program”, the breakfast show, would kick off five days a week with guests from around Hepburn Shire.

He also invited local musicians to get in touch, with the station only playing local music to start.

“We want to hear from musicians, songwriters…so we can get their music out there and help them with their careers as well.”

Hepburn Community Radio president Pat Harrison said it had been hard work getting to the first broadcast.

“But there is still a lot to do and to keep the station on air and growing we need more volunteers. The idea behind the radio station was to give everyone a voice and make the more vulnerable feel connected.

“Even if you can’t get out to meet people, you could still listen and get to know what is going on and feel a part of it.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can call Pat on 0458 630 533.

Welcome to The Farmers Arms Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner As the oldest pub in Daylesford, ‘The Farmers’ is brimming with real character.

An iconic corner pub that boasts the perfect blend of country charm, with sophisticated menu, wine list and professional service.

Find all the details and information about the pub and our current menu at: thefarmersarms.com.au You’re Welcome to Eat, Drink & Be Local at ‘The Farmers’.

1 East Street Daylesford, ph: 03 5348 2091

4 Our artists

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Hannah-Rose’s works alongside great artists

W

OODEND artist Hannah-Rose Ayerst is just 12 but her works are now hanging with those who have featured in Australia’s biggest art awards - finalists in the Archibald, Doug Moran, Sulman, Blake and Black Swan competitions as well as Archibald Salon des Refusés exhibitors. Hannah-Rose is among those taking part in Trentham’s Little Gallery on High Christmas Group Show. Hannah, who has been accepted into Bendigo’s 2016 Academy of Creative Arts intake, specialises in animal studies and portraits. Long term, she is interested in maybe following mother Gilda into film production. She chatted with Donna Kelly.

DK: You are only young but tell us a bit about your background.

HA: I grew up in South Africa. I loved living there. I mostly loved the bush - going on safari all the time and seeing huge herds of elephant and kudu and impala…I loved the colours of the bush. I loved the sunsets. The quiet. And the huge storms. Those storms - they were the best!

DK: When did you realise you were into art?

HA: Since I was little I have always loved drawing. Drawing is just my way of being me in the world. I was very shy and it was a good escape from the noisy world.

My mom is a filmmaker and writes scripts for television and theatre and has always encouraged me to be creative. She loves art and theatre and music. I can’t imagine not drawing for one day. I can’t imagine a world without art. I love looking at other people’s art - all different styles. She said if that’s what I loved, than that is what I must do. I think everyone should have a passion for something.

DK: I see you like faces and bodies a lot – why is that?

HA: Because they all so different- it’s not like drawing a cup or a bottle. They have a life inside of them. It’s like faces and bodies reflect the life they have led or they are living. I also love drawing animals because they are just beautiful.

DK: When you paint is it peaceful or quite intense – or both perhaps?

HA: I am very peaceful when I draw. I go into my own world. I can spend hours and hours just drawing. But sometimes, when I don’t get it right, I get upset and mad and frustrated. It’s difficult sometimes to get it the way you want it to be.

DK: What do you hope other people get from your art or is it just for you?

HA: I hope people feel something when they look at my art- they don’t just see a form. I hope my art tells a story for them. But it is also sometimes just for me. I need to make art.

DK: What do you get from your art?

HA: It makes me happy. It makes me feel like I am a part of the world. It’s not really a choice to draw or not. I just draw. That’s what I do. I never decided to draw. I just started drawing.

DK: How did you get involved with The Little Gallery?

HA: It’s because of Mel. Mel from Chaplins is my friend and she showed Rose my video. Then Rose asked if I wanted to show some of my work at the exhibition. I was very surprised - I have never really shared my work before with anyone, except with my mom and dad.

DK: Thanks Hannah-Rose. Anything else you would like to add?

HA: I hope you enjoy my art.

Read about the Little Gallery on High’s Christmas Show on page 21

“It’s like faces and bodies reflect the life they have lead or they are living.”

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News 5

From left, Trentham Primary School students Kelton, Olivia and Aimee with their works of art

Indigenous theme for Spring Kids Art

T

HE third annual Springs Kids Art Project has been launched with art from prep to grade 6 students from Trentham Primary School now on display at Springs Medical centres in Trentham and Daylesford.

The innovative five-year art project engages and encourages primary students in the Hepburn Shire region with this year’s theme distinctively indigenous.

Each year a different school receives a $3000 art bursary with the funding supporting the schools’ ongoing commitment to providing an engaging visual arts curriculum to all students.

On display until the end of 2016 are 24 ceramic tiles with the project led by Trentham ceramicist Tina Lee. Student artists were inspired by their studies on the meaning of NAIDOC Week, learning about the first Australians and their origins and understanding the importance of the Dreamtime to Aboriginal culture.

Students were immersed in indigenous studies including the name of the traditional owners of this region Dja Dja Wurrung, the colours and symbolism of the Aboriginal flag, Aboriginal art symbols, and Aboriginal paintings of creation stories and famous indigenous Australians.

Creation stories were introduced to each grade along with a range of different symbols universally employed by indigenous artists in the creation of their paintings.

Dot painting was introduced and was a great way for the kids to explore the elements and principles of design including, repetition, patterns, colour, contrast and form.

They also learnt about the range of earthy colours employed by the Aborigines in their art. The student artists learnt about artistic processes and the importance of planning and designing their work.

Dr Beth Quin said Springs Medical Centre’s vision was to achieve optimum health through engaging and collaborating with the community.

“The students’ artwork is transformative of our medical centres. We wanted the medical centres’ atmosphere to be more welcoming, particularly for children who can be frightened when attending the doctor. The students and their teachers should be really proud of what they have achieved.”

The Rotary Club of Daylesford and Daylesford and District Community Bank also contribute to the annual bursary.

Central Highlands Pain & Well-being Centre Dr Shelley L Beer Chinese Medicine NEW i Book A handy reference for a myriad of life’s stumbling blocks. www.blurb.com or print version from www.tcmconsultancy.com

COMMUNITY OPEN GROUP ACUPUNCTURE $30 Tues pm/ Thurs & Friday am Visit website or Facebook for sessions PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS Tues - Sat by appointment Daylesford - 12 Albert St /Castlemaine -147 Mostyn St (Wed@ Healing Well) Phone 0417 036 153 www.tcmconsultancy.com On line booking now available

“All The best for the Festive Season and a warm thank you to all my clients” All sessions open except public holidays including Community Acupuncture

6 News

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CLASSICAL SINGING & MUSIC THEORY LESSONS for Primary School Students

Learning the Joy of Singing and Music, Nuturing Young Voices and Musicality.

KATHERINE NOWLAND Studied with: Marcie Jones - Singer David Kram - Conductor Samantha U`Ren - Opera Australia Currently Studying with Jocylyn Hickey - Conservatory of Music Based in Kyneton Email - katienowland97@gmail.com Mobile - 0431 131 599

Here’s the solution to The Local’s crossword for Issue 59. The crossword for this edition is on page 22. All the answers can be found in the pages of this edition of The Local. Good luck!

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News 7

Weddings, parties, anything, but Cooper’s jack of it

“They’ve buggered it up - divided it up like a house.”

- Jack Cooper

Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Kyle Barnes

L

IKE Peter Finch’s character in the film Network, Jack Cooper is “mad as hell and not going to take it any more”. The source of his ire is the Daylesford Football Clubs new $1.9 million pavilion, which he reckons has squeezed out the cake and needlework folk at the annual show.

“They’ve buggered it up,” he says. “Divided it up like a house.”

Daylesford Show president Keira Melen is happy with the new arrangement, however, and says there’s more room than ever for these displays in the table tennis building. On the sideline is footy club president Bernie Jurcan, who wants as wide a range of people as possible to use the community room in the new building.

Jack’s argument, expressed in salty language, is that 30 metres of space was needed, but if the two changing rooms were used for the cakes and needlework that would only make one pavilion or about half of what was needed.

The 79-year-old retired farmer of Glenlyon is cranky about the show in general, describing it as “basically a gymkhana with a sideshow”. For the second year in a row there were no cattle, he says, while the previous year two heifers and a bull confounded the judges because they were entered in a couple of events. There was, however, a good display of sheep, and two breeders showed their goats.

Jack’s father was show society president and Jack’s angst at the new building – “a south wind would take that roof off” - is on show as nailguns crack and saws whine.

As a man with a Massey Ferguson belt buckle Jack is clearly keen on engines, so he’s cross that vintage vehicles and engines could not get along with horses and have been shunted off to Glenlyon. President Melen’s take on this, however, is that the engine people are happy with the new setup.

“I love Jack dearly,” she says. “We have been aware that the new changing rooms will be smaller and we knew there was a need for a new infrastructure.

“The show society is aware of what happens. It was our choice to go to the table tennis building and the room is bigger. We can arc up all we want, but we only use the room once a year.”

Keira said new shelving and stock were needed for the cake and needlework display. “We were waiting for the new building before we built our own.” But now this was not necessary.

The machines were not booted out, she says, but the showjumping people asked the mechanical enthusiasts not to have noisy engines running all day. “It was their choice [to move],” she says, adding, “those who were involved with the machines at the show are no longer involved”.

The community room will be available to many groups, she says, with its size especially suitable for large conferences, as well as weddings and other parties. With some firmness, she says the footy club will not be the only ones using this room.

Bernie Jurcan agrees. “I’m disappointed that everyone seems to be saying it’s for the Daylesford footy club…it’s not for us, it’s for the community.” He sees an excellent use of the community room for large weddings, which would be less expensive than at upmarket local venues.

He expects a nine-person group to oversee the use of the 140-capacity room. lt would be especially useful if the CFA needed somewhere to brief people during or after a major fire.

The cost of the building is split between the State Government ($1.14m) Hepburn Shire Council ($500,00) and the footy club ($260,000). There will be a “soft” opening in next year’s first round game against Beaufort, with the official opening on Sunday, May 22, when Daylesford plays Hepburn, probably in the absence of Jack Cooper.

Meanwhile, an information day for the public and supporters, sponsors and players of the Daylesford Football Netball Club will held at Victoria Park on Thursday, 17 December, starting at 5pm. Details of the pavilion and a first-hand look will be available, plus a barbecue, drinks and netball and football clinics.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13TH

Fresh local produce including a wonderful range of meat, fruit and vegetables, cheese, wine, honey, preserves, pastries, coffee, plants, chickens and more.

Free music and entertainment, and gorgeous alpacas.

SECOND SUNDAY O F E V E RY M O N T H

Collins Place, Fraser Street, Clunes.

Enquiries: 0439 717 006 Visit us at www.clunesfarmersmarket.com.au Connect with us on facebook

8 Opinion

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Pick me, pick me...

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

I

THINK I might give up watching morning television.

I wake up about 7am, open the curtains and it’s a nice summer’s day. Life is going along well, the gym visits are making me feel fitter and there’s no reason not to be happy.

And then I turn on the television.

Invariably there is a siege going on somewhere in the world, a number of people have lost their lives in traffic accidents and the threat of terrororism has increased. A car has crashed into a home narrowly avoiding a toddler, someone too young has been diagnosed with a rare cancer and a shark has taken a swipe at another surfer.

All overnight while I just slept.

And from being happy with life I am suddenly feeling sad - about people I have never met and will never know.

Don’t get me wrong. I do like to know what’s happening around the world, I am a journalist after all, I just think I need about an hour before it hits me like a sledgehammer.

Just one hour when I remember that 99 per cent of people are good and that most of the world just went about its business overnight and nothing bad happened.

But if you listen to the news, or read the papers, it seems it’s all bad, all the time. You wouldn’t travel anywhere, wouldn’t go near a road, wouldn’t swim at the beach.

When I was growing up, in the 70s and 80s, I don’t recall being scared of anything.

As kids we got sunburnt at the beach, a bit older we wandered the streets at night visting different pubs and nightclubs and as soon as I could I jetted off overseas.

I remember working in the financial district of London when an IRA bomb went off overnight in the area. But we all just came to work - no worries. And when I had to walk from one Tube station to another because of another bomb threat, I just made my way like everyone else.

But these days, if you let it, the news could take over your life. And I guess that’s why we aim for good news in The Local. We want it to be a read that lifts you up, not drags you down.

Reading about inspirational people doing amazing things. Or even everyday people doing everyday things. If you listen, everyone has a story.

I thought a great story in this edition was Christine Dobson asking guests to her 70th birthday to donate to two animal causes rather than give her a present. What a great, simple idea. And she raised $600 in one day. And didn’t end up with a lot of things she probably didn’t need.

That’s the sort of story I would like on my morning news. Just sayin’...

Hi there, my name is Rex. I am an eight-month-old kelpie. I’m a lovely, outgoing young boy. As a working breed I require an active home and will not suit being left alone in a backyard all day. I adore other dogs and need a doggy pal at my new home for company. MC# 956000004495908 Castlemaine RSPCA is at 24 Langslow Street, Castlemaine.

Phone: 5472 5277. Open: Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday to Saturday 10am-2pm.

Pick me is run in memory of Curly and Rosie - we picked them!

The Local - Connecting the Community Anglican Parish of Daylesford Carol service and lighting of the Christmas Tree Sunday, December 13 at 7pm at Christ Church Daylesford.

THE Local believes in giving back. So we created a “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 just 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.

Christmas Eve 5pm Children’s Service at St. John’s Glenlyon 11pm Midnight Mass Christ Church Daylesford Christmas morning 9am Family Eucharist Christ Church, Daylesford.

Daylesford & Hepburn Springs Business & Tourism Association’s Christmas Function Grange Bellinzona Wednesday, December 16 5.30pm - 7pm All welcome A drink on arrival, nibbles and then drinks at bar prices All welcome to attend the final networking event of the year. Come and mingle!

Everyone is welcome. All denominations and faiths....

DHSBATA members free, non-members $15 Why not join DHSBATA for just $25 and attend at no cost!

Enquires Fr. Jeff on 0407 192 316

RSVPs essential to info@dhsbata.org.au

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Our crew 9

Who’s who in The Local’s crew...Anthony Sawrey

I

first spent time around the Central Highlands when I worked on a TV series outside Trentham in the ‘90s. I discovered that the area is green and leafy but also, while holding an umbrella over the head of a pampered actor with the rain rolling down my coat sleeves, I found the region is one cold, shitty place as well.

But did I care? Any discomfort on set was a vast improvement over the grey suburb where I was living in the sprawling hive of the big city. Thus, when the impulse took me to move back to the bush a few years later I recalled its mud and slosh with affection. I reside here now and life for me has come full circle with a few additions, such as writing stories for The Local.

You see, I grew up on a farm in north-east Victoria. It was a great childhood but I soon grew to hate it. I hated the isolation, the conservative attitudes and harboured a gnawing suspicion that everything interesting was happening elsewhere. All the idyllic things that farm life offered from horses, motorbikes snakes, haysheds, to dark starry skies and sense of eternal presence meant nothing to me. I longed for the glow of the big city.

I wanted to escape and, on the pretext of study, I did just that and launched into another world. I found all the things a youngster could ever want, life on the dole, 24-hour convenience stores, share house living, gigs and clubs. I sought out underground art movements, drunken junkie poets, and I was successful.

I found the nihilistic posturing of punk, the idealistic constrictions of grass roots activism, the discordance of industrial art collectives and the psychedelic flakiness of trance festivals. I swam in the rivulets of raw culture that fused and mixed around me, infused with a spirit of experimentation in art, music and ideas.

Through it all I consumed the works of thinkers and ranters that gave this alternative culture its shape: from Terrance McKenna, Charles Bukowski, Jack Kerouac, Henry Rollins, Kathy Acker to Jello Biafra, William Burroughs, Marshall McLuhan, Crass, William Gibson and the Fortean Times.

“I found the nihilistic posturing of punk, the idealistic constrictions of grass roots activism, the discordance of industrial art collectives and the psychedelic flakiness of trance festivals.”

I explored my own interests in music and art, haphazard as they were, making things like band posters, sculpture, murals and cartoons. I tried a bit of everything and was never successful. The years went by and gradually the city no longer held an allure for me. It became a prison instead.

The time came to make my departure from the crowded shore where everyone was still having a wonderful time. It was no longer my party, no longer did I feel welcome. All the structures of the city, its people, systems of social interaction, and most of all its potential, were not mine to take. I had to leave and never go back.

So here I am, what represents a tree change for people from the ’burbs is for me a tree return. But while an odd rural familiarity envelops me here, I know that settling in will take many years.

However I’m in no rush, I’m glad to have nothing to do and all the time in the world to do it in. I have finally encountered the void by returning to my roots and out of it has emerged writing. It still gives me cause for wonder everyday.

After years running up dead end alleys, writing has become the art form that is able to bring all my interests and experiences into a holding area where they can be used. I know now that my many years in marginal scenes were not a waste. I gleaned an appreciation for the unconventional and the obscure.

I found richness in the experiences of people attempting to create another way of being. One not shaped by the usual popular processes of power, money and commercialism. This richness also exists here in the Central Highlands and all over Australia as well. I believe that everyone has a history to recount, not just the successful, the famous, the lettered, the powerful, the vain and the beautiful.

If someone is happy to tell me about their life, to impart a little secret or just remark on the tone of the breeze then I’m happy to hear it and write it down.

Returning to the country has given me no greater gift and for this I am eternally grateful.

Photo: Amanda Hills

10 News

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Hepburn Shire gets worst rating for community consultation

N

OT happy Jan!

The Hepburn Shire community is far from satisfied with the council’s community consultation and engagement, and with council decisions.

Know Your Council, a dedicated website providing insight into the performance of Victorian councils, has been launched by Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins.

The website allows the public, for the first time, to compare and contrast performance of similar councils across a range of services and other measurers.

And Hepburn Shire Council does not fare well in a quite a few categories.

Under community consultation it rated worst of 66 councils with just 43 of 100 ratepayers happy. Under both Similar Councils and All Councils the figure was 56 out of 100. The highest rating went to Nillumbik with 68.3 per cent.

And under council decisions, the figure for Hepburn Shire Council was again 43 out of 100 compared to both Similar Councils and All Councils coming in at 55 out of 100. The highest was Yarra with 65.8 out of 100.

Meanwhile, with Aquatic Centres the shire acknowledged it had carried out not one health inspection during the 2014/2015 swimming season. All Councils had an average of 1.85 checks while Similar Councils had 1.06 checks.

Hepburn Shire Council also said the number of visits had dropped from 15,734 in 2013/2014 to just 6213 in 2014/2015. That’s a visit of 0.42 per head of population, compared to All Councils with 5.02 and Similar Councils with 3.13.

Meanwhile, Food Safety found that Hepburn Shire Council had undertaken just 63 percent of required food safety assessments compared to All Councils at 89.14 per cent and Similar Councils at 76.53 per cent.

And council had followed up just 29 per cent of “critical and major noncompliance outcome notifications”. All councils are at 89.9 per cent and similar councils at 94.93 per cent.

Hepburn Shire chief executive officer Aaron van Egmond said council provided a wide range of services to the community and the website was a great way to see how we are performing.

He said when compared to the state average, council was performing well in the areas of libraries, maternal and child health participation and planning. The areas that provide Council with the greatest opportunity to improve performance are swimming pools, animal management and food safety.

“There are areas where we need to improve performance. Pools is one of these key areas and we are already making huge headway here by taking over the management of our pools. We are looking to create a more fun and family friendly environment for our community.

“I will be working with staff to ensure we close the gap in areas where we can improve our performance. This will be partly done through our internal performance reporting system that reports the outcomes of key projects through to council.”

Link: www.knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au

“There are areas where we need to improve performance.

Pools is one of these key areas and we are already making huge headway here by taking over the management of our pools.” - Aaron van Egmond

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A Day in the Life 11

A Day in the Life...of Ryan McDonald Words: Kate Taylor | Image: Kyle Barnes

H

E’S more of a Jamie Oliver than a Gordon Ramsay… and his job is no less complex.

As head chef at Hepburn Health, Ryan McDonald’s kitchen produces 3000 meals a month; but they’re not your average meat and three veg dishes.

Recently returned from a three-day course run by renowned Australian chef Maggie Beer on her Barossa Valley farm, Mr McDonald has brought a trolley load of fresh ideas back to the Trentham aged care facility where he is based, also cooking for senior citizens in Daylesford each Wednesday.

It’s about moving away from long-held ideas of food in the health sector and making meals that consider taste as the number one important aspect with nutrition following a close second.

A Day in the Life 7am: More correspondence following the Creating Appetite for Life course; improving food and nutrition in aged care facilities doesn’t stop at the farm. There’s an upcoming catch-up with fellow chefs who attended Maggie Beer’s course, as well as the lady herself – and Shannon Bennett from popular Melbourne restaurant Vue de Monde.

7.30am: Playing around with the menu; it’s about enriching food and trying to get maximum nutrition into each mouthful. Because the elderly tend to not eat a great deal in terms of volume of food, it’s time to put a few little tricks and some new ingredients into play to create maximum nutritional density per mouthful. Coconut oil is used a lot, as is sunflower and almond meal, kale is a good option and butter and good olive oil also help. Sometimes it’s almost like cooking for children… you have to sneak these things in.

9am: A consultation with staff about the response to the food; and it’s all been positive. Chia seeds were added to the morning porridge and despite giving it a decidedly wholegrain look there were no complaints. And the seeds are chock full of protein and fibre. When it comes down to it - food is medicine.

10am: Time to go over the budget. It can be a bit tricky to get some of the ideal ingredients chefs like Mr McDonald would love to use – such as pure cacao and really good quality olive oil, but when you’re talking $100 for a drum, it becomes about getting government and government bodies to re-allocate funding within health services so that food becomes more of a priority.

1pm: It’s time for a play around with baking; biscuits, slices and cakes are the most fun to experiment with, while wet foods such as casseroles and stews also respond well to mixing up the flavours. The traditional roast is fairly limiting… but side dishes and soups can have legumes added and other ingredients to boost nutrition – and of course, taste. Chefs in the health sector are actually more highly trained than regular chefs; there’s more to consider, including the three grades of texture for food for the elderly, as well as allergies and other issues. But with 15 years’ experience in the food industry, for Mr McDonald, it really is a piece of cake.

Above, Ryan McDonald hard at work, right, Mr McDonald with Australian chef Maggie Beer during her three-day course

A Day in the Life is an occasional series by journalist Kate Taylor.

12 News

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Rainbow Tick for Hepburn

H

EPBURN Health has become the first residential aged care and Commonwealth Home Care Package provider in Australia to achieve Rainbow Tick Accreditation meeting the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people.

Hepburn Health’s three aged care residences at Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick along with the Health Services’ Home Care Packages Program, were formally accredited this month by Quality Improvement and Community Services Accreditation.

Hepburn Health’s “Health Promoting Health” service manager Brian Dunn was part of the working group that guided the Health Service through the accreditation process.

“For many of our older LGBTI community members being discriminated against has been a big part of their life experience. It wasn’t that long ago that being LGBTI was deemed to be a psychiatric illness or a criminal activity. Because of this many older LGBTI people are less inclined to access mainstream healthcare services leading to poorer health outcomes than the general population.

“A major part of the accreditation process was the provision of specialist training and education for our staff along with updating our standards and procedures including admission processes. It further demonstrates our commitment to being a person-centred health service, ensuring that LGBTI consumers are valued and understood.”

Hepburn Health chief executive officer Trish Collocott said “having the Rainbow Tick gives a clear message to our community that we are prepared and in a place to receive LGBTI consumers in an environment where they can feel safe and receive service from our staff who are knowledgeable and respectful”.

An initiative of Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, the Rainbow Tick is an accreditation program that guides organisations through a cycle of self-assessment and review by external assessors to determine the extent to which the organisation is able to meet the needs of LGBTI consumers.

An integral part to achieving Rainbow Tick was the establishment of an LGBTI Advisory Committee that included consumer representatives from within the community.

Hepburn Health’s leadership in, and commitment to the Rainbow Tick process, has been recognised with invitations to present at the National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference and participation in the regional LGBTI Working Group facilitated by the Central Highlands Primary Care Partnership and the Department of Health and Human Services.

2016 ENROLMENTS

We have some places in most levels Contact Assistant Principal Pam MacdonaldP

(03) 5421 1100

7 Epping Street, Kyneton www.kynsec.vic.gov.au Principal - Mark Ridgeway

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.healthwith jaqi.com

Integrating the Ancient Wisdom of Ayurveda and Naturopathy with Emotional Balancing Techniques and Bioenergetics to cleanse the body, calm the mind, heal the heart and nourish the soul.

Creating balance between the body, heart, mind and soul through the senses.

Catherine Laurent Holistic Health Practitioner BHSc Naturopathy, certified Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle Consultant

Shamanic Healing Healing is within Us Intuitive Counselling Illuminations Soul Retrieval Extractions Readings

Trentham 0418 364 497 www.indriya.com.au

Jaqi Mudge 0423 499 901

Aframe_bird_draft2.indd 1

8/2/13 1:12:03 AM

elax, dream and feel great

THE COTTAGE HERBALIST Caroline Parker BHSc Western Herbal Medicine

xperience . . . Day Spa

SALON-SPA

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

• 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

www.tlnews.com.au

Happy & Healthy 15

a Christmas full of Bliss!

The perfect gift for someone special, with a free gift for you!

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Purchase any of our 2 or 3 hour packages and receive a FREE gift voucher to spend in store!

Purchase our 3 hour Bliss package for $335.00 per person and you will receive a gift voucher valued at $50.00. Purchase any of our 2 hour packages, Hot Stone Indulgence for $270.00 per person or Body Indulgence for $225.00 per person or Indulge & Balance for $215.00 per person and receive a gift voucher valued at $25.00 to be spent in our retail store.

This offer is valid to purchase until 25 December 2015.

The packages can be enjoyed anytime until 31 May 2016.

The free Gift Voucher expires 31 January 2016.

jewellery - crystals - books - incense - candles essential oils - Tribe of the Tree flower essences dindi soaps & soaps by Jules - waterlily body care tarot & oracle cards - singing bowls and more

daylesford massage healing centre

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

Gift Vouchers available

16 Advertorial

www.tlnews.com.au

Nature-based experience at Daylesford Day Spa

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HEN Anita Rozen was pregnant with her second child, she found the time was right to harness her inner beautician.

“I started in the industry around 14 years ago during my second pregnancy but then moved back into the corporate world soon after Max was born,” she recalled. “I found myself stuck for a while.”

Now, as the new owner of Daylesford Day Spa and Beauty, Anita Rozen said she was glad to be back in the industry she fell in love with more than a decade ago. “It’s lovely to be back!” she said.

Centrally located in a converted heritage building, Daylesford Day Spa is committed to creating a nature-based experience for its clients. With six treatment rooms, the spa offers a range of therapies including Jurlique facials, relaxation and deep tissue massage, aromatherapy spas, rose milk baths, body treatments and stone or bamboo therapies.

The day spa also offers a new signature nail system, sugaring as an alternative to waxing, men’s treatments and waxing and anti-wrinkle consultations. Local loyalty discounts are available as well as a range of Christmas gift ideas.

Anita said the spa’s earthy and harmonious ambience made for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

“I am proud to say all our therapists are highly trained in their craft and offer an amazing treatment that will want you coming back for more. It’s wonderful to see my clients leave the Day Spa feeling a sense of freedom within and a sense of calm.”

Living in both Daylesford and Melbourne, Anita said she was attracted to the Hepburn and surrounding regions for several reasons.

“The galleries, the amazing fresh local produce that I slowly plough my way through, emerging talent, culture and hidden treasures, slow pace and helpful community nature really appeals to me,” she said.

Through her work, Anita said she made sure to maintain and strengthen the region’s reputation as a leading tourist attraction and a place to call home. “I strive to provide an exceptional level of service for our local community and tourists alike while ensuring employment remains strong so we can make sure our region is at the top of anyone’s travel destination,” she said.

Daylesford Day Spa and Beauty is located at 25 Albert Street, Daylesford. For more information, visit www.daylesforddayspa.com.au or call 5348 2331.

Resident permanent Beauty Therapists, Erika, left, and Katie, right, with Anita

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Happy & Healthy 17

Feedback from Tea for Ten

I

T’S a unique way of gathering community input.

Kyneton District Health has been holding “Tea for Ten” in the kitchens and homes of people throughout the region – with no-one from the organisation attending.

Tea for Ten has been about volunteer hosts gathering 370 verbatim and anonymous comments with Kyneton District Health now keen to share the community ideas, and explain what the health service is doing in response.

Board member Rhyl Gould said people were not always comfortable sharing their thoughts in formal public meetings. “So we came up with a different kind of approach that put people at ease.”

Inviting people to a kitchen tea in the home of someone they knew was an effective way to gather community perspectives. No one from KDH was present at the talk sessions, so the conversations were an uninhibited discussion of what matters to local people.

And while chief executive officer Maree Cuddihy said “some feedback was blunt” the commitment to community engagement and improvement was not just lip service “so we welcomed it all”.

The big topics included relationships with GPs, maternity, ambulance, urgent care, environment, communications, palliative care and the patient experience.

Among the diverse range of community experiences the comments revealed many misconceptions about health services available.

Although 000 is critical for emergencies, there was limited awareness about the health services as the first stop to assess and stabilise many urgent cases. People didn’t realise the health service could respond to snake bites, suture wounds or perform elective caesareans, for example.

Actions include new signage, increased presence of GPs in the Urgent Care Centre, targeted social and traditional media stories, a review of Nurse on Call information and enhanced collaboration with Ambulance Victoria.

Link: www.kynetonhealth.org.au

Here’s a snapshot of what we did in 2014-15.

To find out how we did it check out our Quality of Care Report and 2016 Calendar.

Pick up a copy at KDH, selected outlets across the Macedon Ranges or download at www.kynetonhealth.org.au.

120 Local staff

114 Accreditation criteria passed

2859 Urgent care centre cases

370 Community Tea for Ten comments

49 Babies

97% Patient

1314 Procedures

48 Uni student

569 Dialysis

treatments

136 Trees donated to gardens project

14,434 Community

7.4m Ambulatory Care

employed

born here

in theatre

nurse home visits

satisfaction rate

education placements

Centre opened

7-25 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton | (03) 5422 9900 | info@kynetonhealth.org.au

18 News

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Around the traps in Hepburn Shire...

Economic strategy HEPBURN Shire Council wants to hear from business and the community to help develop a new strategy to shape economic development in the shire for the next five years.

Council wants to hear about what works and doesn’t work, and how economic development can be better supported.

Consultation and engagement includes an online survey at www. surveymonkey.com/r/HSCEconomicDevelopmentSurvey.

This survey invites ideas and feedback about what Council is doing now and where it should be focussing its activities to support economic development.

The strategy will provide an economic vision for the shire, along with earmarking a number of short, medium and long term initiatives. Hard copy versions of the survey are available from AYLESFORD’S Gregg Brooks was among 13 people recognised as a Community Hero Michelle Schleiger at mschleiger@hepburn.vic.gov.au or phone

by Ambulance Victoria.

5321 6111.

Gregg Brooks and Terry Thompson, from Seymour, were working at a Somerton transport company on March 26 this year when they discovered co-worker Ryan Buchanan slumped in his forklift.

Gregg and Terry immediately called Triple Zero (000) and the call taker identified that Ryan was in cardiac arrest. Having never learnt or administered CPR before, the men began compressions as instructed HEPBURN Shire Council’s outdoor pools opened on by the operator, remaining calm throughout the ordeal.

December 5.

Gregg and Terry were nominated by MICA Paramedics Simon Ward and Matt Rimmer.

Chief executive officer Aaron van Egmond said council Ambulance Victoria acting chief executive officer Tony Walker said the men’s implementation of the understood how important local pools were to the shire’s families chain of survival had seen Ryan since return to work and continue to be there for his wife and young and young people. family.

“Recent changes to management arrangements has provided “A medical emergency can occur anywhere and often when we least expect it. How we react to that a great opportunity for Council to improve pool operations and emergency can depend on our willingness to step beyond our own fear and place our own comfort and make some positive changes.” safety at risk to reach out and help another human being in distress. Each of the Community Heroes, aged An Outdoor Pool coordinator has been engaged by council from as young as five, have done just that. “ to oversee the operation of pools in Daylesford, Trentham and Mr Walker said that he hoped that others faced with a medical emergency would be inspired to take Clunes. similar action should they ever find themselves in a medical emergency.

Mr van Egmond said the employment of local young people “Survival from cardiac arrest is greatest when CPR and defibrillation are carried out by the public prior to ambulance arrival. It is with the actions of the public that Ambulance Victoria can continue was a priority for council.

“We know how important it is for the young people in our to save lives.” region to have the opportunity to work locally. We have been in touch with everyone who has approached council wanting to Pictured from left, Ryan Buchanan, Health and Ambulance Services Minister Jill Hennessy, continue or start a summer job as a lifeguard.”

D

Pools open for summer

Gregg Brooks, Paramedic Simon Ward, Terry Thompson and Tony Walker

Standing up for the Hepburn Community

START NOW OR ENROL FOR 2016

P: (03) 5338 8123 F: (03) 5333 7710

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Enjoy the renowned menu of The Farmers Arms with the addition of live music by leading 70’s and 80’s cover band.

FOUR COURSE DINNER FROM SELECTED MENU FRENCH CHAMPAGNE, PREMIUM BEER & WINE ALL NIGHT ROCK THE NIGHT AWAY WITH 70’S 80’S COVERS BAND

Tickets $195 ALL INCLUSIVE

No ticket, no entry, security on the door

Black Tie Event

Pre dinner drinks at 7:00 for 7:15 dinner 1 East Street, Daylesford Tel: (03) 5348 2091 Email: belocal@farmersarmsdaylesford.com.au

20 Ideas

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Around the traps in Macedon Ranges Shire

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HERE’s a new project under way in Macedon – and it’s all about using food waste to help feed animals or improve compost systems.

Ben Bush, known as Bushy, runs the Macedon Ranges Permaculture which focusses on garden and property design and implementation, and has recently launched the closed food waste loop project.

Eateries Ida Red, MR Cafe, Olive Jones and Big Little Baby, as well as The Mount Macedon Trading Post and Mount Macedon Hotel, are all taking part in the innovative project.

Each venue has begun allocating all their food waste from preparation and service into large colour coded buckets that are delivered to, or collected by local residents to subsidise animal feed on small holdings, or added into composting systems.

The animals take these big tubs of food scraps and transform it into their rich manure which is much more easily broken down by worms and other micro-organisms. When all this is mixed in with carbon rich deep litter like straw or autumnal leaves, it can be aged off to make an excellent compost for plants, especially fruit trees and annual beds.

As well as food waste, restaurants and homes can recycle their coffee and tea, napkins, paper and cardboard through compost or worm farms.

Details: Bushy on 0418 145 027.

noy

l e g a l CONVEYANCING BUSINESS SALES and LEASING WILLS and ESTATES COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS 202 / 370 St Kilda Rd, MELBOURNE 19 High St, KYNETON 40a Victoria St, MACEDON (by appointment)

Phone

5426 3500 or 5422 1615 Info@noy.com.au

www.noy.com.au

News 21

Christmas gift for art lovers

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RENTHAM’S Little Gallery on High is offering art lovers an early Christmas present - a chance to collect the works of acclaimed artists at affordable prices.

The Gallery’s Annual Christmas Show of small works by big names opened on Friday with one of the gallery’s signature gala public openings.

Little Gallery co-proprietor Rose Wilson said small works - for example paintings less than 60 centimetres wide and small sculptural pieces - meant small prices for big, big names.

The show features 30 artists from the local area.

“The small works are an affordable way for art lovers to get into collecting or to add to their collections,” Rose said.

“They also offer affordable and very personal gifts for those looking for something for somebody who thinks they already have everything they need or want.”

The galaxy of stars on show includes an array of names that have featured in Australia’s biggest art awards - finalists in the Archibald, Doug Moran, Sulman, Blake and Black Swan competitions as well as Archibald Salon des Refusés exhibitors.

Trentham sculptor Matt Harding, winner this year of the McClelland, Australia’s premier sculpture prize, is one of the exhibitors. There are also a few emerging artists.

“The Little Gallery on High has a number of objectives,” Rose said.

“We want to promote local art and one way is to offer new artists a chance to exhibit alongside established, acclaimed practitioners. And who knows, talent-spotting collectors might be able to find an entry-level price for art by a future big name.”

Meanwhile Australia’s pre-eminent gallery proprietor and art dealer Stuart Purves has described the Trentham and Central Highlands neighbourhood as possibly being Australia’s regional art capital because it hosts such a rich array of established art talent collected by national and international art lovers.

The Christmas Show is on until January 4.

Words: Peter Young Read participating artist Hannah-Rose’s Ayerst’s story on page 4

CELEBRATE ART! 30 ACCLAIMED AND EMERGING LOCAL ARTISTS SHOWCASING SMALL AND AFFORDABLE WORKS CATHERINE ABEL • HANNAH-ROSE AYERST • DAVID BRYANT DANIEL BUTTERWORTH • MATTHEW BUTTERWORTH PETER BUTTERWORTH • HELEN COTTLE • DI DONELAN FLYNN SILVER • LARISSA GRAY • MATTHEW HARDING FRANCES HARKIN • HELGA HART • ANNEKE HOEKSTRA MAX IRVINE • HENRY JOHNSON • TINA LEE • DIANNE LONGLEY LOUISE OTTEN • CHRIS ROWE • MICHAEL RYAN KEVIN SMITH • NOLAN TYRRELL • ANTHONY VANDERZWEEP DEE WATERHOUSE • LINDA WHEELER • JULIAN WIGLEY ROSE WILSON • RUBY WILSON PEIRCE PETER YOUNG

JOIN US OPENING NIGHT • FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER • 5.30 PM

4 DECEMBER to 4 JANUARY FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 10 AM TO 4 PM (OR BY APPOINTMENT) 32 HIGH STREET, TRENTHAM VIC 3458 • ENQUIRIES 0439 984 314

22 Crossword

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Record fundraiser for Movember at Farmers

A

MONTH of fundraising for Movember at The Farmers Arms Hotel in Daylesford has raised more than the target of $10,000.

The fundraiser, in its third year, included meat raffles, shave-offs and a huge final raffle on the last Friday of November.

Hotel owner Mitch Duncan said he was overwhelmed at the generosity of the community.

“It’s a great cause and one we really wanted to be involved in but everyone really just went above and beyond.

“We will be continuing the tradition next year with an even bigger target.”

The hotel raised a total of $10, 535.

News 23

BELLA ROUGE BOUTIQUE

Proving that beautiful clothes can also be truly affordable.

Kyneton Shoes Pop-up Shop 89C Piper Street Kyneton

Come in and see Bronwyn.

Enjoy shopping locally on Piper.

near Emporium

OPEN

10:30-4:30 Wed-Sun 68 Piper Street - KYNETON Phone: 0400 649 112

OW

!

O

N PE

N

Large range of floral ar rangements for your Christmas celebrations and gifts. Be quick!

W hile stocks last.

Gift Certificates GHD Irons, Dryers & Brushes Matrix Hair Products

48 High Street Kyneton 0413 489 712 & (03) 5422 1200 Studio48hairandbeauty@gmail.com

24 Advertorial

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Black Saturday inspires personal firefighting assistant

A

LMOST seven years ago, Alvin and Diane Clausen’s lives changed forever.

Having recently built a home in Marysville, the couple was planning to resume a great lifestyle in a beautiful new community nestled amongst the great Australian bush.

That was until things took an unexpected turn for the worse.

“We lost everything during the Black Saturday fires including our newly-built home,” Alvin recalled.

“We were lucky to escape with our lives.”

Although the terror of the bushfires was experienced several years ago now, the Clausens remember it like it was yesterday.

“We and about 100 others gathered on the oval not knowing what was about to arrive,” Alvin said.

“Fortunately we were evacuated via our private cars to Alexandra just in time.”

Although the Springhill husband and wife consider themselves two of the lucky ones, they still endured a great deal of hardship in the aftermath of the Black Saturday disaster – the worst in the country’s history.

“The next couple of years were pretty hard. We faced insurance problems, accommodation issues and trauma counselling just to name a few,” Alvin said.

As is the case with most of life’s challenges, the Clausens’ Black Saturday experience was followed by inspiration.

Alvin said the disaster – albeit terrifying - inspired him to invent a personal firefighting assistant.

Titled the MiPAL, the compact trailer features all the necessary equipment needed to protect one’s self in the event of a bushfire.

“I’ve designed it for small property owners to have a complete firefighting package available for personal protection,” Alvin said.

Manufactured locally in Springhill by Alvin’s own company TAGICO, the VIN-registered MiPAL trailer includes a removable tank, hose reel, fire extinguisher, backpack sprayer, fire blanket, face mask, hard hat, rotating amber beacon, key start pump, fireproof overalls, CFA fire rakehoe and a pair of UHF radios.

The package also meets CFA private firefighting guidelines and the trailer, tank and pump come with a twoyear warranty.

With Alvin having more than five decades of experience in electronic and mechanical engineering, his trailer package saw him awarded the 2014 Bendigo Inventor of the Year award for the Fire Chief Fire Trailer.

Alvin and Diane have once again started their life anew, and are in love with their community, their home and their garden.

But one thing is for sure, they do not want anybody to have to witness what they did seven years ago.

With each trailer package costing $3,499, Alvin said it was a small price to pay for peace of mind.

“Our region is made up of many small property owners who live in fire prone areas,” he said.

“Having a complete package which can be operated by any member of the family will give peace of mind.”

Alvin Clausen is currently on the search for a competent worker to manage his online TAGICO shop.

For more information or to find out more about MiPAL, call 5424 8586 or email tagico2015@gmail.com

“I’ve designed it for small property owners to have a complete firefighting package available for personal protection.”

www.tlnews.com.au

Markets 25

To market, to market...

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 Wesley Hill Market - every Saturday Daylesford Farmers’ Market – first Saturday Golden Plains Farmers’ Market – first Saturday Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers’ Market - first Saturday Castlemaine Artists’ Market – first Sunday Kyneton Farmers’ Market - second Saturday Kyneton Rotary Community Market – second Saturday Ballan Farmers’ Market - second Saturday Maldon Market – second Sunday Clunes Farmers’ Market - second Sunday Trentham Farmers’ Market and Makers’ Market – third Saturday Glenlyon Farmers’ Market – third Saturday Creswick Market – third Saturday Leonards Hill Market - third Saturday (Pictured left, story below) Talbot Farmers’ Market – third Sunday Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday Buninyong Village Market – fourth Sunday Trentham Station Sunday Market - fourth Sunday

Do you have a market happening? Wanted it listed here?

Email donna@tlnews.com.au

Stop the press: Santa will be the special guest at the Leonards Hill Country Market on December 19. He will be arriving by fire truck and “ho, ho, hoing” from 10am to 1pm. Make sure you go and meet the man himself!

The Trentham Farmers Market has joined with Trentham Makers Market

Third Saturday, 9am - 1pm

Country Market Leonard’s Hill Hall Saturday, December 19 9am - 2pm SANTA will be present from 10am - 1pm!

Locally grown produce, Plants, Sausage Sizzle, Jewellery, Devonshire Teas, Wines, Preserves, Crafts, Collectables...

STALLS AVAILABLE (No Take Away Food Stalls) Enq/bookings phone 5348 3351 or 5348 6569

TRENTHAM PETROL & STUFF

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

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

TRENTHAM STATION SUNDAY MARKET Victoria Street, Trentham On the fourth Sunday of each month 8.30am - 2.30pm Enquiries/Bookings – Kaye / Leigh 54241466 or Ross 54241509 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!

26 Inspiring

www.tlnews.com.au

Birthday wish

W

ITH a 70th birthday coming up, Christine Dobson decided she didn’t need presents.

Instead, she chose to ask her guests to donate money to two animal causes, Hepburn Wildlife Shelter and Precious Paws Private Rehoming.

And it worked. After her party a week ago, Christine was able to donate $300 to each organisation.

“About 75 turned up and I was opening birthday cards with $50 in them, people were just giving very quietly and humbly without recognition. And some people even came back the next day with money. I am now hoping others will think about doing it to create a domino effect.”

Christine said with Christmas and New Year parties being planned, now was a great time to choose an organisation in need.

“And I guess there is a challenge there now to raise more than $600 – we have set the bar height and now we can raise it. I will certainly keep doing this now we have the ball rolling, and quite a few at the party are thinking about it too.”

The Hepburn Wildlife Shelter’s co-founder Gayle Chappell said donations, like the one from Christine,

meant the shelter could keep its doors open with no other funding available.

Precious Paws Private Rehoming was founded

by Rae Pfeiffer almost 10 years ago with the aim of helping people who need to rehome their animals, for myriad reasons, or to help animals that have been found without microchips or pet registration. It also relies on Christine Dobson, left, with Zincy, and Gayle Chappell right, with little Stalagmite donations.

Tuesday 8 December 10am Spectre (M) 3pm Spectre (M) 6pm The Dressmaker (M)

www.daylesfordcinema.org.au

Friday 18 December 5pm The Martian (M) 8pm The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (M)

Friday 11 December 5pm Spectre (M) 8pm The Martian (M)

Saturday 19 December 3pm Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) 5pm The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (M) 8pm The Martian (M)

Saturday 12 December 2pm The Martian (M) 5pm The Dressmaker (M) 8pm Spectre (M)

Sunday 20 December 1pm Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) 3pm The Martian (M) 6pm The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (M)

Sunday 13 December 12:30pm The Dressmaker (M) 3pm Spectre (M) 6pm The Martian (M)

Tuesday 22 December 10am The Martian (M) 1pm The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (M) 4pm Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) 6pm The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (M)

Tuesday 15 December 10am The Dressmaker (M) 6pm The Martian (M)

Open Caption Selected Sessions

www.tlnews.com.au

News 27

Letters

I

Hepburn Shire is fortunate to have an incredible range of highly experienced and N RESPONSE to the letter from Heather and Keith Enders in the last issue of The Local (November 23), I need to clarify that I do not condone talented people who could solve the weed problem on public land if they were given the support of the council. We could halve our rates if the council was willing to nor encourage wild blackberries, but neither can I agree that chemicals hand back management of 3000 kilometres of roadside reserves to the landholder, or are the only solution.

Weeds are a symptom and result of poor land management. It takes many years of neglect for the blackberry thickets to develop.

I have accumulated over 30 years of experience in chemical free weed control methods. For the past 10 years I have successfully cleaned up the productive areas of a run-down berry farm without chemicals. It was when I started to remove the blackberries and broom along my fence line that I realised that I needed to replace their function as a buffer from external pollutants and a habitat for the native birds for which I rely on for pest and disease control.

This year when I planted an endangered variety of acacia nano dealbata that had been grown from precious seed collected from nearby Babbington Hill, I was concerned that the Hepburn Shire Council’s spray program may destroy my efforts to develop a more suitable buffer.

charge those who cannot.

It is not the responsibility of council to mow nature strips, so why should they take responsibility for rural roadsides?

Liz Burns Musk

Letters are welcome - just keep them brief and relevant.

Email news@tlnews.com.au

CASTLEMAINE MITSUBISHI

END OF YEAR SALE NOW ON!

MASSIVE SAVINGS ACROSS THE RANGE ON ALL NEW & DEMO MODELS -

Including the all new MY16 TRITON, PAJERO and OUTLANDER Vehicles in stock ready for immediate delivery.

CASTLEMAINE MITSUBISHI LMCT 7845 | 5 Johnstone St, Castlemaine | 5472 1322 | genem@castlemainemitsubishi.com.au

28 News

www.tlnews.com.au

Brass band hits the streets

T

HE Daylesford Community Brass Band will be holding its annual “Carols By Candlelight”, at the Hepburn Sound Shell on Tuesday, December 22 from 8.30pm.

Entry by gold coin for program/candle. Come early and enjoy a picnic on the grass before the music starts.

And whether you can make the date or not, the band is playing all over the region this month – and on New Year’s Day. You can find them at Christ Church Daylesford on Sunday, December 13 from 7pm, Hepburn Village and Hepburn Lodge on Monday, December 14 from 6.15pm, Vincent Street, Daylesford on Saturday, December 19 in the morning, around Daylesford on Monday, December 21 from 6.15pm, the New Year’s Eve Parade in Vincent Street from 7.30pm and New Year’s Day at the Glenlyon Sports Day from 12.30pm.

An Authentic Indian Experience in the Heart of Daylesford

New creative menu has arrived with exciting prices and items.

Our new banquet menu starts from $28 per person.

For functions and parties we can create special menus according to customer budget.

Lots of choices available for customers with Vegan, Gluten and Dairy Free requirements.

Take Away & Delivery available.

BYO

Summertime.

Let’s play outside.

We have the largest balcony and the biggest beer garden in town so you can enjoy our fantastic meals and summery cold drinks enjoying the outdoors either overlooking the town or under the shade of big trees in our huge private beer garden.

With a new team in the kitchen, a great new menu and refurbished pub-style accommodation, we’ve got Summer covered.

LUNCH FRIDAY-MONDAY FROM NOON. DINNER SEVEN NIGHTS. (OPEN 7 DAYS FROM NOON DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS) EVERY THURSDAY IS OUR FAMOUS $20 STEAK NIGHT FROM 5:30PM.

BOOK HOTEL ROOMS ONLINE. FOR FUNCTIONS OR ENQUIRIES OR CALL US ON 03 5348 2335

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Out & About 29

Sideshow paying homage to Trentham

L

LAEL McDonald is an artist who cites Edward Hopper and Jeffrey Smart as her two biggest influences.

She has exhibited her works through various galleries throughout Australia for more than a decade and her paintings have sold to collectors in Australia, the US and Europe.

Llael now calls Trentham home after moving a year ago from Melbourne’s inner west and her subject matter has evolved.

She has always been influenced by her surrounds and since moving to Trentham, the trees, greenery and natural beauty of the region has crept into her work. This evolution of her subject matter was unintentional and the results capture aspects of Trentham through new eyes.

Llael’s latest body of work, Sideshow, plays homage to Trentham. Each piece features a recognisable Trentham landscape, laden with an imagined mythology for the town. The fantastical “sideshow” element invites the viewer to look at the village in a new light as an outsider, observing this magical part of the world.

Sideshow features eight works on linen and smaller works on paper. The exhibition will run at Catherine Abel Gallery until December 31, open Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm.

Million Dollar Mermaid by Llael McDonald

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30 Our musos

Passion for opera leading Katie’s journey

K

ATIE Nowland has been singing for as long as she can remember. She is now one year through her Bachelor of Music at the Conservatory.

Katie chatted with Donna Kelly.

DK: Tell us a bit about your background...

DK: I’ve lived in the Macedon Ranges since I was quite young, but before that I lived in Western Australia. I have been homeschooled throughout high school years and I completed my VCE last year through distance education. And just a month ago I completed my first year in Bachelor of Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

DK: What do you do?

KN: I am a singer and my great passion is opera. There is something so thrilling about hearing a singer fill an opera house with beautiful sound. My instrument is my voice, and this year has been really, for me, about learning how my instrument operates and how to produce a better sound. It is such an amazing gift to be able to use my voice as my instrument, the human voice is really incredible.

DK: When did you get into music?

KN: I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t singing, it has always been a part of my identity. I can remember singing all the Disney songs as a child, I just loved them.

I think the moment when I first consciously realised that I had to have music in my life, indeed that I had to sing opera, was when my mother brought home a copy of La Traviata for me to watch. Violetta’s aria Sempre Libera was the most incredible thing I had ever heard.

DK: What do you like about music?

KN: Music expresses emotion so potently that it can move people to tears, particularly in the context of opera. It can make you want to dance, or make you want to weep, I’d say that’s an incredibly powerful medium. I consider myself privileged when colleagues acknowledge me as a musician.

DK: What do you hope your audience gets from listening to you?

KN: I would to think that I can touch my audience in some small way.

Performing is really all about giving something of yourself, in a way, you have to make yourself quite vulnerable, and you always hope that this creates some kind of connection between you and your listeners.

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DK: Can our readers hear you perform anytime soon?

KN: I really don’t know what my plans are for the Christmas holidays. I am just doing some runs to the local nursing homes, but aside from that I haven’t got any performances planned, unfortunately. I wish I did!

DK: Finally, if you could meet with three other musicians who would you choose?

KN: I would love to meet the American mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato, she is such an incredible vocalist, musician and performer, and she is so eloquent, I think she would be fascinating in conversation. Another incredible musician and vocalist, is the German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, I had the privilege of seeing him perform when he was in Melbourne. His subtlety as a musician is truly incredible, particularly his use of dynamics, it would be such an honour to meet him. Finally, conductor James Levine has been conducting at the Met since 1976, he has such a reputation for getting the best out of a singer, I cannot imagine what an honour it would be work with a musician of his calibre.

No

DK: Where do you think your music will take you?

KN: Obviously I would love to perform with local opera companies, and play some of the incredibly dramatic roles the operatic repertoire has to offer. My experience working with Victorian Opera Youth Program has really whetted my appetite for the excitement of working and performing with other sensational musicians.

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Meal deals 31

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 Old Hepburn Hotel - Cheap Eats - Nothing over $20 Blackwood Hotel - Parma Night - with pot or glass of wine - $15

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 Belvedere Social, Daylesford - four shared courses with glass of wine - $50

Thursday Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Steak Night - $20 The Plough, Trentham – two courses - $25, three courses - $30 Source Dining, Kyneton - main course and glass of wine - $35 Belvedere Social, Daylesford - four shared courses with glass of wine - $50

Friday Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham – two courses - $25 Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn - Two courses and a glass of wine - $35 Blackwood Hotel - Fab 5 meals specials from $18 Daylesford RSL - Main meals from $20 with great priced wines (night)

Saturday Daylesford RSL - Main meals from $20 with great priced wines (night)

Sunday Daylesford RSL - Freshly cooked traditional Sunday roast with great priced wines

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 $12 cocktails and $1 oysters.

Raffles 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

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32 Out & About

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Animals on the move

I

F YOU happen to see a life-size elephant or a seven-metre dinosaur hanging around the region they’re probably from Décor Impact, a business now run by Mill Market boss Mark Ward.

Mark said the importing business was the largest of its type in Australia and focussed on visual display with animals, life-size figurines and celebrities available mostly for hire, and in some cases to buy, along with providing props for anything from weddings to major corporates.

Mark is currently starring in television adverts for the business which will run on Channel 31 during December and January – where he is also the main host of the Mill Markets’ show, Antiques with Attitude.

And Mark has a warning for residents.

“I would be watching out for a black puma in the near future – we might just keep that rumour alive…”

Right, Mark Ward gets up close and personal with his animals

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Blue Bean Love Cafe is now taking bookings for your work do’s and Christmas break-ups!

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Nom nom nom 33

Belvedere Social - casual, classy, creative...

Words and images: Robin Archer

B

ELVEDERE Social is named to reflect times past when the building in one of its many incarnations was the Belvedere Hotel in Daylesford.

Now it’s a contemporary bistro and bar with casual, classy, creative style.

My wife Liz and I had dinner there on a Wednesday night, what a place to eat, very impressive.

It’s owned and run by chef Sean Marshall and co-owners Bernard Glaude and Bess Mucke - all with commendable hospitality credentials, The decor is probably something like “rustic chic” and the atmosphere is casual, relaxing and charming, at the same time highly professional. The interior is on two levels with lowish ceilings in the front bar space and subtle unobtrusive lighting giving a warm and inviting atmosphere. The lower area leads out through a series of large glass doors to the beautifully appointed courtyard dining area which is shaded by a nicely matured grapevine and can accommodate large functions or simple intimate eating for two or more.

Shown to our table by Bernard we were then given menus, an extensive but not overwhelming wine list, and a brief history and rundown on the establishment by a very personable waiter who was fully versed on the food as well as being a font of knowledge on the wine. This was helpful as my wine appreciation skills have always been lacking and his recommendations were perfect.

The current menu has a strong French influence but with a creative contemporary edge and is not huge, but what it might lack in volume is more than compensated for in quality and relies a lot on local produce. It was difficult to choose because I, for one, wanted everything I saw.

You are encouraged to share dishes and not necessarily stick to starters, main and sweets although that is an option if you choose. And if you want you can opt for the chef ’s ‘Feed Me’ suggestion which consists of six courses from the menu at $75 a head.

Fantastic value.

First up we shared a couple of starters – the Smoked Holy Goat Gougeres ($6) and Pork Katsu Croquette with Gochujang Mayo ($7). The first is Holy Goat Skyla cheese smoked and made into a bernaise sacue which is piped into choux pastry and baked. The second is croquettes from slow-cooked Jonai Farms pork serviced with a mayonnaise sauce using gochujang, a spicy Korean condiment. Both amazing.

We were tempted to have the twice-cooked Pomme Frites also but the waiter quite wisely suggested we wait and have some with the mains. Good advice again. Liz doesn’t drink so it was up to me to do the honours, a Marlborough sauvignon blanc suggested by our trusty waiter.

Then we ordered the Trout á la Plancha with Spring Grenobloise and Nettles (grilled Tuki trout with a spring variation on genoblaise - think broadbeans, asparagus tips, lemons, olives... - $28), the Sidonia Hills Beef with Persillade, Celeriac and Natural Sauce (Sidonia Hills farm beef loin with a herb crumb, slow cooked beef short rib with celeriac puree and natural sauce - $36) and, as if that wasn’t enough, Local Asparagus with Green Garlic Gribiche and Comtė (white and green asparagus with a green, garlic sauce and a baked comte cheese shard - $23) We then cast our eyes over the sweets menu, not with the intent of having any, but once we asked about the Seasonal Berry Vacherin with Basil (blackcurrant sorbet, strawberries, raspberry puree, more fresh berries, basil granita and meringue - $16). I’m afraid we were hooked. What a treat, absolutely wonderful. And again the trusty waiter served a remarkable dessert riesling to complement the sweets.

We will certainly return. Great atmosphere, wonderful food and really nice people, it’s no wonder it is called the Social.

34 Out & About

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Here’s Cheers She Oak Hill Shiraz 2010 – This shiraz is dark with a hint of aniseed and eucalyptus and a tiny touch of oak. It has an elegant palate with ripe blackberry and fruit flavours and a deep crimson colour. $29.99

Giesen Organic Sauvignon Blanc – There is crushed lime and herbs on the nose, the palate is delicious zesty and tropical, a really refreshing style of sauvignon. And it’s a healthy indulgence with your Christmas meal. $21.99 or two for $30

with Jacqueline Tonna

Wining & Dining 35

Hickinbotham Chardonnay – This is a beautifully balanced chardonnay with a palate of apricots and citrus fruits. There is a lovely smooth buttery taste to the finish.

Really great drinking. $19.99 or two for $30

Rumball Sparkling Shiraz – This is an elegant shiraz which is full of shiraz flavours and a smooth rounded palate. It has currants on the nose and is great with roast game or any meals. It’s a lovely maroon blood red colour. $21.99 or two for $30

Comte de Noiron Champagne – This is from France, so real champagne, and it is bright and delicate with persistent bubbles.

The nose has white flowers and apricots and there is a fresh, crisp finish. $40

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Conditions apply - see staff for details Offer ends 20/12/15 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

36 Gigs

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Gig Guide Perfect Drop, Daylesford Paige Duggan – Friday, December 11 Jazzdeuce – Saturday, December 12 SIN Night with DJ Clay Ravin – Monday, December 14 Richard McFunk – Friday, December 18 Jenny Brown – Saturday, December 19 SIN Night – Monday, December 21

Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood DJ Carlson - Saturday, December 12, 8.30pm

Bluebean Love Cafe, Hepburn Live music - Friday to Sunday, 5pm-7pm Blueband jam session - Mondays, 5pm (bring an instrument)

The Grande Hotel, Hepburn Springs Fox Force Burlesque - Friday, December 11, 8pm Neil Murray - Saturday, December 12, 4pm

Daylesford Cidery, Musk Arkie T Williams Sunday Sessions - Sunday, December 20

Want to publicise a gig? Email donna@tlnews.com.au 65 Gingell St Castlemaine VIC 3450 Phone 5472 1250 www.railwayhotelcastlemaine.com.au railwayhotelcastlemaine

All gigs subject to change.

Check with the venue.

26 - 28 Albert Street Daylesford 5348 3711

www.tlnews.com.au

Wining & Dining 37

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 $12 Cocktails & $2 Oysters

Live Music in the bar on weekends. www.theperfectdrop.com 5 Howe Street, Daylesford 5348 1100

Sunday (Funday) $3.50 Pots all day

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38 News

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Tiny houses breaking the mortgage cycle

W

ITHIN another generation parents will be handing down mortgages rather than inheritances to their children, Daylesford builder Steve Ralph says.

And that idea got him thinking, and now creating a way out of the mortgage cycle.

Steve and wife Bettina have started Tiny Houses Daylesford – no, not quite as small as the one Steve is leaning on in the photo – but still pretty tiny.

The standard measurements are 2.5 metres wide, 4.3 metres off the ground which equals 3.6 metres off the trailor bed, and up to 12 metres long – although Steve is working on a model which is just 6.3 metres long.

And yes, they are transportable and completely off the grid.

“The idea is you have a loft for sleeping, a storage loft, a full sized kitchen, a real bathroom, a pot belly stove if you want one – it’s a real house with real ceiling height.

And it is transportable but you don’t drive it to Rosebud each year, you just move it to your block of land, and then maybe again when you sell it or move.

“There are solar panels, a composting toilet, grey water and rainwater collection, the whole thing is fully self-contained.

“And for two or three years of mortgage payments you own your own home. It’s an affordable option and has the dignity of a house. It’s not a caravan or a little box, it’s a real house.”

Steve said he had received a lot of interest in the business, which is holding a workshop in January showing people how to make their own tiny houses.

“We want to show people how easily it can be done and will probably also do some consultancy work – and there will be people who say ‘I love it but I don’t want to build it, you do that part’.

“But our workshop will break down the building process, a little structure like this is quite doable for most people. You can do it all with a ladder, you don’t need scaffolding, and we will also be showing people how to use power tools.

“In just four days we will be at the lock-up stage.”

Steve said many single women were interested in the houses because they could be totally involved in the build rather than leaving it to others.

“And then perhaps you get one for your 15-year-old as a bungalow and when he grows up and moves on you can either sell it or he could take it with him. That’s where the transportability comes in.”

Steve said the houses could be modified depending on people’s own interests.

“They might be a cook and want a big kitchen, or a student might want a small kitchen and somewhere to sit and play guitar. You can adjust them to your needs or they can be fitted out later because they are such a small envelope.”

And the important part, the cost.

“The trailor itself is $7000 and then it’s about $12,000 to $15,000 in materials and then another labour cost if we help out.

“I guess if you were looking at the basic lock up shell you would be looking at $25,000 to $30,000. If you wanted all the bells and whistles, solar power and composting toilet, then you would be up for $80,000.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

“I guess if you were looking at the basic lock up shell you would be looking at $25,000 to $30,000. If you wanted all the bells and whistles, solar power and composting toilet, then you would be up for $80,000.”

www.tlnews.com.au

Meaning of Christmas

F

OR Anglican Parish of Daylesford’s Father Jeff O’Hare, Christmas is about kindness and charity, not commercialism and materialism.

And he links it back to the original Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, and his own upbringing.

“St Nicholas was born in Patara, a land that is part of present-day Turkey, in 280.

He was a Christian bishop who helped the needy. After his death, the legend of his gift-giving grew.

“His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’s words to ‘sell what you own and give the money to the poor’, Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.”

Father O’Hare said under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. He was eventually released and died on December 6, 343 and was buried in his cathedral church.

“Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St Nicholas’ life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

“St Nicholas’ tomb became a popular place for pilgrammages and throughout the centuries he was venerated by Catholics, the Orthodox and Protestants – so he had appeal across every Christian movement – not even Mary gets that accolade.

“And I guess the whole point was his generosity to the poor and needy, giving away his entire inheritance for the sake of other people. The emphasis is on kindness and charity and love rather than consumerism and materialism.”

Father Jeff said his own childhood involved that emphasis.

“When we were children we would get very basic presents. We always got a record, something like a pair of socks and a couple of toys but we never got a lot.

Opinion 39

“The whole thing of Christmas for us was the feast of the day. We spent the morning preparing the meal and would sit down about 2pm and have the meal around the table which often involved grandparents, or close friends of the family or people who had nowhere to go. There were always extra people at the table which was really important to me.

“Then as I got more involved with the church we started going to midnight mass and then once I started my theological stuff I was in church all the time.

“But Christmas for me is the base truth of a Christian life. It’s hospitality and care for people in need no matter what condition they are in, whether it’s poverty, or illness, or dying, or alone, or whatever, we can pick those people up.

“And really, as much as I love the traditions and the festivities, like the Christmas tree here, it’s more about the ongoing connectedness to the idea of touching the hearts of people in the busyness of their year.

“For the Christian family, Christmas is about the mystery that in the birth of Jesus, God becomes one of us....permanently. He is an incarnation that lives on in us.

Comforting and challenging all in one.

“The great sadness is that it’s so commercialised and so material and so distorted from its original meaning. I think part of it is we have lost the essence of a caring community. We are too focussed on what we can get out of it, our entitlements, rather than what we can give other people.”

“For the Christian family, Christmas is about the mystery that in the birth of Jesus, God becomes one of us.... permanently. He is an incarnation that lives on in us. Comforting and challenging all in one.”

40 Out & About

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Pictured above right, Graeme Bloomfield, left, with Neil Athorn, below, the Kyneton to Malmsbury trekkers Images: Kyle Barnes *The Local has a copy of Tractor Superstars: The Greatest Tractors Of All Time by Tharran E. Gaines to giveaway. For your chance to win email your name, town and phone number by Sunday, December 13 to news@tlnews.com.au Good luck!

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Out & About 41

20 tractor treks around Central Highlands

I

T STARTED when news filtered to Australia in 2000, that trips using historic tractors to travel to interesting locations in England were happening.

A couple had already been held in Australia with a lot of interest shown.

So Neil Athorn, who just happened to be the president of the Federation of Veteran Vintage Classic Clubs of Victoria – that’s 110 clubs representing 10,000 members from the historic vehicle movement, decided to give a tractor trek a go.

It was to a display of historic vehicles at Marong near Bendigo.

“It rained heavily but we still had 15 tractors,” Neil said.

“From there we built up on that and today we do around 20 a year in and around Central Victoria. Our smaller ones now are 10 tractors and the largest we have attended was for over 300 tractors involved to celebrate 50 years since the floods at Wentworth.”

Neil said the members had seen “some amazing collections of items and the general public have been astounded to see 20 or so tractors emerge out of a bush track or stop in a town to have lunch or something”.

“Generally we create interest wherever we go. We do have the occasional problem and a few carry tow chains just in case. But it’s not all about just driving them.

Finding them to restore and then getting them going and keeping them going is a challenge and members help other members as much as they can.

“That is good for them personally as it keeps them active but good for the economy as well. Then we do a few where we raise money for charity, and cancer research and those with cancer are the main organisations we support.”

Neil said the next step was to find suitable land where they can plough and cultivate using their historic machines and equipment, hopefully in the Loddon Shire next year.

“Anyone who has an old tractor is welcome to come along and join in. And anyone who has one for sale we would be pleased to advertise it free and you know it will go to a good home and for a good use.”

Tractor Trek from Kyneton to Malmsbury in October by Neil Athorn

O

UR day started with a great welcome and morning tea from the Smiths and Bloomfields at Ivan Smith’s place in Kyneton. Eleven tractors and four vehicles were assembled for the start.

We wound our way out of the streets of Kyneton to the Kyneton-Bendigo road and then turned left about a kilometre past the 80k sign. This road led us out into open paddocks of farmlets and farms. Our leader Graeme Bloomfield set a good pace and we soon arrived at our first destination, the Lauriston Reservoir. There we were met by reservoir maintenance staff member Darren who gave a short talk on the reservoir.

Back going again and running a little ahead of time we travelled to Malmsbury and visited the viaduct and railway bridge again. Lunch was at the Malmsbury Hotel and what a great meal it was. Back travelling again and we took the turn to Daylesford on the north end of Malmsbury. After a few kilometres we were taken for a quick drive into the Malmsbury reservoir just to see what it is like and that looked around 60 per cent of its capacity. We then continued on towards Daylesford and then a left turn and onto a bush track. What a great drive that was with only a few houses and mainly original forest with ferns and interesting plants to be seen. Plenty of dust if you were at the back of the line.

Our next stop was the Spring Hill church which has been restored and a wedding reception centre built nearby. What a great setting this was in, among grand old trees and only 10 miles from Kyneton. We then travelled onto the Upper Coliban reservoir wall and what a large amount of concrete was used in that construction. Back at our starting point once more and load up time and afternoon tea before heading for home.

A great day’s driving with 52 kilometres travelled and no break downs. With one David Brown, one Yamaha, two 35 Massey Ferguson, four TEA 20’s, two 135 Massey Fergusons, one Ford Dexta, one FJ Holden, one Valiant, one HJ Holden and one Ford truck.

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Gardens 43

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AVING grown up amidst a family nursery in Water Restriction City - Adelaide, where sprinklers were banned for much of the year - I spent most of my childhood and teenage years on the end of a hand-held hose watering the plant stock.

Out of all this, probably the most important thing I learned is how to have a thriving, beautiful garden in even the harshest summers, no matter how severe the restrictions might be.

Careful and discriminate use of water can benefit the garden while working within the bounds of restrictions. Just as effective is the use of mulch to prevent evaporation and lower the surface temperature of the soil.

Deep soaking drinks, when and only when the soil is dry, are best. It can be more harmful to overwater plants than to leave them dry.

Regardless of restrictions or not, sprinklers are definitely out. Plants take in moisture and sustenance through their roots, so it makes sense to put the water where they can reach it.

Deep drinks also ensure that the roots go deep, rather than hang around the surface where they are more likely to suffer from the heat.

To gain maximum benefit from the minimum amount of water it is basically a matter of using less from the tap, harvesting rain water and recycling as much as you can…preferably without the need for storage tanks.

As an example, since moving to our present house, we have done much to limit our own water usage. Our house is on a steep, mostly terraced block which has the advantage that most of the garden areas can be watered by gravity.

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44 Trades

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Trades 45

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Sports 47

Luke looking forward to 2016 with Tigers

Ben Weightman, Alix Magin and Joel Stevenson are among their best players and are all moving on.

Beattie acknowledges they are big losses - but he’s not one to replace like for like.

T DOESN’T happen very often that a football club so late in the season, “Weightman has been a great forward but we need more even contributors right in fact just four rounds left in the home and away season, makes a change across the ground to improve, so our recruiting has gone down that path.” by bringing in a new coach and still qualifies for the finals.

Meanwhile, former AFL player, Nathan Thompson, who was born and bred in That’s what happened with Kyneton in the Bendigo Football League. The Tigers Kyneton, is returning to the town to live and he will play. decided with a month left in the home and away season to let coach Mark Adamson “Nathan will be a great addition with his experience. He kicked six goals to get go before his contract ran out, even though the Tigers were hanging onto that coveted Doncaster a premiership and a spot in the strong first division of the Eastern Football last spot in the top five.

His replacement was a current player at the time, but a stalwart of the footy club, League. Our younger players will learn plenty from him.”

Thompson is on the recruiting committee and has secured more players from the Luke Beattie. He did well enough to get the Tigers into the finals, only to fall at the Eastern League and in fact four from the same club, Mitcham, in Leigh Warne, Nick first hurdle in the elimination final to Eaglehawk.

Higginson, Jarod Andreatta and Jarrod Whitnish.

He was then appointed for two years meaning the 37-year-old, who won’t play Those gains will whittle away at Kyneton’s points, but Beattie says they are the this year, will be juggling plenty of balls in 2016. As well as coaching Kyneton, he has right fit for the club. his job, Macedon Shire Ranges Leisure coordinator and father of three small children.

“We’ve had a few training sessions so far and they have settled in well.”

Beattie though had no hesitation in taking on the job. “The decision wasn’t Beattie and Rick Egan have also picked up some local players, which Beattie difficult to do it full-time. I thought I could do it, when I agreed to take on the claims gives the club a good community feel. coaching for the end of last season.”

And Beattie said after playing last year there was no way he would be a playing Beattie shies away from a ladder position he would like his team to aim for in coach for Kyneton.

2016.

“I believe by playing and coaching, it’s compromising the main role and that’s “I don’t believe success next year depends entirely on those positions. It’s more coaching.

I am more than comfortable to be a non-playing coach.” about how much the players will develop and the proof will be in the pudding there.”

Beattie says it’s also important that the club continues to become more united Kyneton has already been very busy with recruiting as all clubs compete with the with the netballers and the junior club starting with a Christmas party involving all new points and salary cap introduction regarding player recruitment.

The Tigers have been given 45, which is 10 more than two of the Bendigo League tiers of the club on December 16.

No doubt there will be plenty of presents flying everywhere that day, but the big clubs in Gisborne and Golden Square, who have outstanding juniors. one for the Kyneton Football Club is to be a successful entity on and off the field.

Beattie says though initially he likes the system, “however, I question the validity Their Santa Claus in that area might just be Luke Beattie. of teams in the same leagues having more or less points than others”.

He believes teams in the same leagues should be on the same points. “I am still trying to get my head around them, but we will work with what we’ve got.”

The Tigers, who recruited aggressively in Melbourne suburban clubs over the past two years to return to senior football after stepping away in 2013, have lost key players.

Words: Dan Lonergan | Image: David White

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AYLESFORD Community Bank Customer Relationship officer Danni Mackley has again swapped her desk for the pool as she heads the Daylesford Primary School 2015 Swimming Program.

Danni is teaching students from Daylesford and Yandoit primary schools the importance of water safety and swimming techniques such as freestyle and backstroke.

Over two weeks 65 classes are conducted and more than 135 students are taught the lifelong importance of water safety skills.

“It’s great to see how much the children improve over such a short time frame, and really rewarding to know you may have helped these children to be aware of the severe consequences of unfamiliarity in the water,” Danni said.

“There were 39 lives, across all ages, lost in swimming pools around the country in 2013/14, compared to 34 drowning deaths at Australian beaches.

“Anything the Daylesford District Community Bank can do to help reduce these fatalities is a great investment in the future generations of the community.”