The Local Issue 61 December 21, 2015

December 21, 2015 Issue 61 Daylesford NYE Parade judges Millie, Jude and Elshie

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, January 4, 2016.

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 30 Copy provided by: Thursday, December 31 Editorial deadline: Thursday, December 31 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: From left, Millie Gouldthorpe and Jude Brown, pictured with Elshie, are the judges of the Daylesford New Year’s Eve Parade. Read more on page 10. 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

All I want for Christmas is a cocky or two...

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ITH Christmas just around the corner it’s sometimes hard to find just the right present for those you love.

But Val Farrell made it quite clear what she was after when her husband Paul asked “what do you want for Christmas?” 17 years ago. It was their first Christmas after moving from Karingal to Muskvale and “I want a cocky for Christmas” was her reply and she got Bert – the sulphur-crested cockatoo.

Bert was Val and Paul’s third cockatoo. The first was bought at the Victoria Market but the couple found out later he had been trapped from the wild and was impossible to train. The second contracted a disease and had to be euthanised so they hoped it was a matter of “third time lucky” with Bert. And it was.

“He was a fantastic bird. We planted all the trees here out the back and he just stayed in the trees all day. He would come and talk to you, welcome people in…

“I would take him down the street to socialise and he would ask people if they wanted a cup of tea. And then I started taking him to the senior cits and Lumeah Lodge, we had presentations everywhere.”

Val had such a great time with Bert, earlier this year she wrote a book about his, and his predecessors’ escapades, titled, naturally enough, I Want A Cocky For Christmas.

“The book’s on the three different cockies and all the different anecdotes and funny stories along with care and maintenance tips and how to train them.”

So the question remains, why did Val want a cockatoo to start with?

“I grew up in Olinda, we used to get flocks of different birds, and when I was a teenager I just fell in love with the cockies.”

Sadly, Bert flew the coop, literally, a little while back.

Val and Paul took him on a road trip and in New South Wales he “joined a beautiful flock of cockies and didn’t come back”.

Val, who has many cockies of various materials around her Muskvale home, now gets her bird fix at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter where she has volunteered for six years.

The former bakery staffer got her first taste of Daylesford when she was a child. Her mother had a “nervous complaint” and the doctors of the day recommended taking the waters to help in her recovery, with the family coming up every year.

“So when the kids left the nest we decided to look around for something in the country. And then Daylesford. And we found this old rundown blacksmith’s cottage and all Paul thought was ‘work’ but I could see underneath what it would be like.”

I Want A Cocky For Christmas is for sale for $20 with $5 from each sale going to the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. The book is available at Mind Your Pet, Paradise Books, The Book Barn, Cliffy’s and at Val’s stall at the Sunday market in Daylesford.

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

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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Llael inspired by new Trentham surrounds

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S A child Llael McDonald always had an interest in art. Not being strong academically and not really enjoying sport, when she discovered she could draw it became her life. She sold her first painting to her VCE art teacher and went on to study at a private university. Llael then ran an art studio in Yarraville where she taught kids and adults painting and had various group and solo shows.

When she became pregnant with her first daughter the family tree-changed to Trentham.

She chatted with Kyle Barnes.

Kyle: What do you do – drawing, painting?

Llael: Mostly I paint, oil on linen. I’ve tried acrylic but it just doesn’t suit my painting technique or style.

I find oil to be so lovely and buttery and the pigments to be much more vibrant. I do draw and use ink and coloured pencil on occasion and I plan to do more of that in 2016 because I will be adding a shop to my website and Facebook page.

Kyle: What does your art mean to you?

Llael: I find the act of painting to be the important thing for me. I can switch off and paint for hours if Kyle: Can anyone be an artist or is it inherent?

Kyle: Oh, where can we see your work?

I’m given the chance and it’s very therapeutic. When a Llael: Talent is a part of it yes, but even more Llael: At the moment my new series of work is piece is strong and working well for me I’m excited to showing at the Catherine Abel Gallery, 17 Market push on and see the end result. I have two kids, a three- important is dedication and passion. It’s important to Street,Trentham. You can also follow me on Facebook or year-old and a one-year-old, so the time I get to paint is create and market yourself all the time not just when you’re “inspired”.

You can be brilliantly talented but if Instagram or head to www.llaelmcdonald.com very precious these days. you don’t get out there and promote yourself and your work, it doesn’t mean a whole lot. It’s amazing how Kyle: What do you hope it means to others?

Llael: My work does have a narrative and although people think artists spend their days. It’s actually about 10 per cent creating and 90 per cent business. it’s important for me to express that narrative, I feel my imagery is open to multiple interpretations by the audience. All I hope is that people stop and think Kyle: Why Trentham? about what they are looking at and draw their own Llael: We moved to Trentham for a tree change and conclusions as to what the paintings represent. my husband’s job and I was really delighted to find how Kyle: What would you tell someone dreaming about a strong the art community was. The calibre of artists in this area is amazing and I’m so excited to become a part career as an artist? of that. We are enjoying the fresh air and the space and I Llael: First, be brave. It’s not easy but if it’s what you love just do it. Second, reach out to other artists, have been extremely inspired by my new surroundings.

Moving here feels like the beginning of some exciting an important part is to speak to other artists and get advice and feedback. Third, don’t get discouraged, art times for my career as an artist. I have commissions set is a fickle market so you have slow times and you have up for 2016 already, some for here and some for clients in the US and it’s all happening since I opened the show busy times, you just need to keep going. Fourth, use social media, we are so lucky now as artists, we have the at the Catherine Abel gallery. This place is my good luck charm. online world to show off our work. We can promote and market ourselves and get our stuff seen all over the

globe.

“The calibre of artists in this area is amazing and I’m so excited to become a part of that.”

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Our musos 5

Passion for music and teaching

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HAT’s the range of a tuba? Twenty yards if you have a good arm.

Tim Bull is finishing up his interview and offers up a “music joke”.

The 20-year-old, who has just returned from his second year of university, studying a Bachelor of Education and Arts majoring in music and psychology, says he’ll need some good jokes when he makes it to the classroom in 2018.

Now if you don’t know Tim, you will probably have seen him. He’s the one in the Daylesford Brass Band with the bright red hair – and, because he chose the trumpet, Tim’s also the one playing the Last Post at many remembrance events around the region.

His passion for music started when he was in just grade four or five and he attended the Daylesford Highland Gathering parade.

“I just thought to myself ‘right, that’s it, I want to do music’ because I liked the whole idea of being in a group with a common interest.

“With the (Daylesford) pipe band I thought I would fit in perfectly with their red uniforms and they still come up to me and say ‘are you sure you don’t want to join’ but I am deadset on brass.”

Tim said his very first instrument, like many, was the recorder but he also followed on with drums, bagpipes, didgeridoo, saxophone, piano, violin and cello, before settling on the trumpet in year 7.

“I still remember the day, it was probably about this time of year, and the grade 6 students had gone up to the (Daylesford) secondary college for orientation day. It was so hot and there were about 80 kids crammed into this old portable with musical instruments everywhere. They said ‘pick what you want and we can get out of here’ and I picked up a trumpet.

“It was called Ruby, because the girl who had it before me painted her name on it. I had Ruby for about three years.”

And Tim’s musical path was set. He joined “any band that wanted me” and in year 12, a hard year for most students, he was in the swing band, concert band, brass band, a New Orleans band and a trio/quartet ensemble.

“My favourite thing about school was the bands and the band environment. I wasn’t overly smart or overly popular but with the bands I could go there and be a fool with 30 other people. It was my little bit.

“And the experience with them, growing up with them, made me the musician I am today. Self-critical but also enjoying it when we really mesh together well, that’s just harmony.”

Tim also cites a number of teachers as responsible for his own passion, from a couple in primary school who got him involved with playing the recorder and joining the choir, to teachers during high school including Jenny Jordan, Jack Moller and Susan Verbyla.

“Jenny and Jack really taught me you can be something with music and Susan is the reason I wanted to become a music teacher – because of her passion.”

And it’s that passion that Tim wants to impart to further generations when he finishes his degree.

“Hopefully I will be a music teacher or a psychology teacher, both would be great.

“But even if I could just help out in the music department, have some input, maybe conduct or go on tour, just to let students understand what it’s like being in high school and enjoying music.

“I haven’t had the full drive to make music my life but I want to teach it theoretically and why we do what we do and the rules behind it.”

And Tim said anyone thinking about bringing music into lives, especially children should “just go for it”.

“If you think music is your thing why hold back, you are only young once, try everything you can. Your mum and dad may hate you for playing the drums, didgeridoo and bagpipes at the same time but it’s better than sitting in front of the TV or your iPad. Broaden your horizons.”

Finally, back to playing the haunting Last Post. After hundreds of renditions does it come easily?

“The Last Post is probably the hardest piece I have to play, and I have played it so often, but the nerves never change. As soon as you hear ‘we will remember them’ the knees start shaking and I start sweating. Because I want it to be perfect.

“But even if you do stuff up a few notes, people are really just grateful that you have come along to play on the day.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

“As soon as you hear ‘we will remember them’ the knees start shaking and I start sweating.”

6 News

Just briefly...

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AMILIES using the School Bus Program will save hundreds of dollars a year in student fares.

Western Victoria MP Jaala Pulford said the current complicated system of bus fares will soon be replaced with a single fare.

The new fare means that the families of students who use the program can expect to save between $80 and $760 per year.

Currently, students not attending their closest government or non-government denominational school pay annual bus fares ranging from $480 to $1240, depending on distance travelled.

“From 2016, these students will be able to travel at a reduced rate of $480 per annum. This reduction in fares will enable greater choice in selecting schools and transport options for families and lighten the workload on school administrators,” Ms Pulford said.

The improvements announced today do not affect families eligible for free bus travel.

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ACEDON Ranges Shire Council is reminding pet owners to ensure their furry friends are kept safe during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Council’s Assets and Operations director Dale Thornton said while the silly season was a time for fun and revelry, if a pet went missing or comes to harm the mood can be quickly dampened.

“New Year’s Eve can be a potentially dangerous time for your pet. A dog’s hearing is particularly sensitive and loud noises made by fireworks often spook family pets – particularly dogs – who may be left unattended or in unsecured backyards.

“A panicked or fearful dog will attempt to escape, often clearing high fences so it’s important to keep your dog secure and consider shelter inside at this time of year.

“Ensuring your dog or cat is microchipped and registered, and that all contact details on the animal registration are up-to-date is a vital measure in reuniting you with your pet, should they escape.”

Here’s the solution to The Local’s crossword for Issue 60. The crossword for this edition is on page 32. All the answers can be found in the pages of this edition of The Local. Good luck!

www.tlnews.com.au

News 7

Graham can Hackett as Macedon Ranges mayor

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“One in particular is a consortium encouraging our council to borrow $1 million for the shire to become self-sustainable in energy and to be neutral in carbon.”

Cr Hackett is himself a fan of solar energy, especially for the big businesses and buildings in the town. ‘’I believe the other eight councillors like myself are in favour of solar energy and However, it all changed when he was asked by fellow councillors to put his hand panels being implemented into new buildings and structures implemented in the up to become the new mayor to replace Jennifer Anderson.

Cr Hackett and Cr Anderson were the newest councillors, elected just three years shire. It’s all about saving as much energy and power as possible.”

Another issue of importance and it takes in Cr Hackett’s ward, with Lancefield ago, but he decided to throw his hat in the ring. and the Macedon Ranges, is the potential danger of fires considering the hot and dry “We, the new ones, decreed three years ago to become mayor or deputy mayor summer predicted. The Lancefield fire in October has already created havoc. virtually straight away,” Cr Hackett said. And that happened with Cr Anderson He says there’s much to learn from that. serving as mayor for the past 12 months, but Cr Hackett also in his second year being “We need to have much better roadside clearing, but the shire has 1000 deputy to Cr Roger Jukes. kilometres that need that sort of attention and we can only use what money has been Other councillors interested in the top job included Cr John Letchford and Cr allocated to us to do that.”

Russell Mowatt, both from South Ward.

He adds that Vic Roads should be helping more in this area.

Cr Mowatt ended up withdrawing his nomination and backing Cr Hackett in “In particular the main access roads like the Lancefield Road and the Calder what became a close vote of five to four.

Highway should be cleared better.”

Cr Hackett’s deputy is Cr John Connor from West Ward.

Cr Hackett ends up saying he wants to introduce a “yes, you can” policy.

“We have very similar backgrounds as we both served in the Royal Australian “Let’s try and avoid resistance to ideas and be positive at all times to the public.”

Navy. He is a stalwart of council and his experience will be important.”

And he’s keen to put in the hard yards to get there with many long days at Now that he has the job, there are many issues Cr Hackett is keen to tackle and headquarters - but you get the sense he wouldn’t have it any other way. concedes rates is high on the list of priorities.

“The last three years we have kept rate hikes under five per cent, which is Words: Dan Lonergan | Image: David White responsible leadership. Some councils have had increases of double that.”

Cr Hackett also said, that with more people moving into the shire, he would like to see more projects coming online.

UST a short time back, Macedon Ranges Shire councillor Graham Hackett was contemplating another 12 months doing what he was elected to do - serve the people of East Ward once again to the best of his ability.

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

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“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

8 Opinion

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Pick me, pick me...

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

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OW. I can’t believe we are staring down the barrel of 2016.

It’s been a big year for The Local. In January we won Daylesford Rotary’s Business of the Year - which was a huge thrill. Then in August we took out the Rural Press Club of Victoria’s Best Features Series for our series On the Land. Another huge surprise - and fantastic recognition by our peers. A month later we received another gong this time Best Commercial Entry in the Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival Parade. They all count! And The Local is going from strength to strength, employing more local people and jumping up in distribution through to Kyneton and even more of the Central Highlands.

The Little Local also made an appearance. It’s a pocket-sized guide to the region - mostly for tourists but I have seen locals grabbing their copy - which comes out seasonally. It’s packed with all the things tourists need like emergency phone numbers, a guide to the markets and dining tips, along with condensed versions of stories from The Local with a link to lead them to the full story online if they want to read on. So far we have produced winter, spring and summer editions of The Little Local - and it’s been a lot of fun introducing a new product to the market.

And working now is mostly fun. It can be long hours and sometimes deadlines can be a little challenging but we work for ourselves and have no bosses. We also made a pact early in the piece that we don’t deal with painful people. Life’s too short. Oh, with our “mostly good news” ethics I no longer have to sit through lengthy council meetings or court hearings.

That’s bloody great. I have wasted far too many hours listening to councillors, from many councils, spend 50 minutes deciding whether a garage should be one metre from a fence line or 1.25 metres. Good grief.

But with life comes hurdles and this year we faced our biggest. We lost our best friends, beautiful Curly in February and then lovely Rosie in September. Nothing prepared us for this gaping hole in our hearts and our lives. Not knowing what to do we just threw ourselves into work and kept as busy as we could. That sounds easier than it is - we kept thinking they would come running up the path to greet us, climb into bed in the morning or keep us company in our office. Usually lying on the floor right next to the wheels of our office chairs.

But life doesn’t stop for even wonderful dogs. It goes on. And you do move on, slowly, but on. And we are lucky enough to meet wonderful people every day, many facing adversities of their own, and they give us inspiration and hope. So now we just try to remember the good times of 16 years together.

And together, with our crew, our readers and clients, we will face the challenges and good times of 2016. It’s all an amazing ride.

Finally, best wishes to everyone for the silly season and the New Year! Just sayin’...

Hi, I am Lauren, a two-year-old greyhound. I’m an outgoing and happy girl who adores people. I may be happy with or without another dog but I would really like my new people to be around most of the time to keep me company. And vice versa. We greyhounds make the perfect house dog clean, quiet, loving couch potatoes. Oh, but no cats or birds please. If you would like the perfect companion for Christmas and beyond, pick me!

MC# 956000003718592 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 Christmas Services Uniting Church

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.

On behalf of our local wildlife thank you to all our supporters, rescuers and volunteers.

Please note: Over summer wildlife is looking for water and food so: * drive slowly * leave out water for drinking * call us for help and advice Have a safe and merry festive season!

5348 2939 0428 540 000

Christmas Eve - St Paul’s Ballan 6pm Carols Christmas Day - Daylesford, 9am Sunday December 27, Trentham, 9.30am Christmas Masses at St Peter’s Daylesford and St Augustine’s Creswick Christmas Eve - Daylesford, 6.30pm Christmas Eve - Creswick, 8.30pm Christmas Day - Creswick, 8.45am Christmas Day - Daylesford, 10.30am Anglican Parish of Daylesford Christmas Eve - Children’s Service, St John’s Glenlyon, 5pm, Midnight Mass Christ Church Daylesford, 11pm Christmas Day - Family Eucharist, Christ Church Daylesford, 9am

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Kyneton Kruise Knights

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HE Kyneton Kruise Knights took their impressive vehicles out for a spin when they cruised from Kyneton to Brick Lane in Daylesford for their Christmas Cruise earlier this month.

The night set the record for the most cars and people to attend with 32 cars and about 45 people turning up.

There was a barbecue at Brick Lane, cooked by Autopro, along with a raffle with donations coming from cruise sponsors.

This year’s cruise raised money for Macedon Ranges Autism, whose staff came and talked about what they do and how the money raised helps.

Cruising 9

10 News

New Year’s Eve Parade

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loats that are topical and controversial are welcome in Daylesford’s New Year’s Eve Gala and Parade.

The suggestive wink of Tony Abbott when PM delighted the crowd a couple of years back. Then there was a protest about changes to the swimming pool.

To enter you simply need a group walking or riding in the parade with a common purpose. A platform mounted on a truck carrying a display can do the same, but of course a vehicle has to be registered.

The gala gets under way in Vincent Street between the roundabouts at 6pm, with a carnival of food stalls, street entertainment, bands, woodchop, kids’ and family activities.

The parade starts at 8pm, winding its way twice around the block. Again it will be led by the Namarilly Bagarook Dance Group.

Awarding the inaugural perpetual trophy for best float along with $500, will be Daylesford identities Maleita Gouldthorpe and Judith Brown, known to all as Millie and Jude. (They’re on the front page of this edition with their dog Elshie.)

Other categories for prizes include: • Unique Entry ($50 petrol voucher) • People’s Choice (dinner for two) • Best Decorated bike (girl) (toys) • Best Decorated bike (boy) (toys) • Best Costumed Group ($50 petrol voucher) • Best Costumed Individual ($50 petrol voucher) • Best Presented Vehicle ($50 petrol voucher) For those lacking a registered vehicle a temporary permit can be obtained online at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/limited-use-permits/carnival-or-processionpermits For a registration form, to help the MC identify floats, or to help out before or after the festival, contact Anne E Stewart on 0408 550 945 or Cath Davies 0434 353 149 or email anne@anneestewart.com.au

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Inspiring 11

An epic adventure for a dad and his step-daughter

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OBY Towell and his step-daughter Ava are just back from the Great Victorian Bike Ride - an epic 533 kilometres around the state. Donna Kelly asked them “why?”.

Donna: So why go on such a long ride?

Toby: Because my beautiful, second step-daughter Ava completely tricked me into doing it, and once I had promised, of course I had to keep my word.

Ava: As part of Geelong Grammar School’s Year 8 curriculum, I had a choice between the Great Victorian Bike Ride or a nine-day hike/paddle activity, so my friends and I chose the ride.

Donna: Are you experienced riders?

Toby: No, the last time I rode a push bike was when I was 15 and I have proof, because my arse still hurts.

Ava: No, other than the training rides organised by the school, it was the first time I’ve ridden on a ride like this.

Donna: How did you train for the ride?

Toby: We spent a couple of months, every other weekend, riding from Geelong Grammar School, up to the You Yangs and then doing time trials up and down the You Yangs, then back to the Grammar School - nearly a 50km training ride every time.

Ava: We had four compulsory training rides organised by the school, every second weekend leading up to the GVBR. It definitely helped physically, but didn’t really prepare us mentally as every day was different and one of the days was over 100kms.

Donna: What was it like competing as a father/daughter team?

Were you competing?

Toby: As it was a bike ride it wasn’t a race, and as it was so challenging the school would not let parents/step-parents ride with their own children. While we rode as a school team we had small riding groups of eight to ten with a staff member and a parent looking after the students’ well-being. We had over 100 people in the Geelong Grammar School team and we all rode over the finish line together. I saw Ava all throughout the day and, of course, at our campsite every evening and morning.

Ava: We weren’t really competing, we just wanted to get back safely and not die! It was good fun having Toby there, as he spoilt me and my friends with treats at the end of each day and I’m able to talk about it with a family member who understands how hard it was.

Donna: How was the ride - harder than you thought or OK? Toby: It was very challenging and hot and windy and it was very difficult dragging my 100 kilos uphill in the lowest gear on the bike (granny gear). It was every bit as hard as I thought it would be.

Ava: Before we went, the year above us made it out to be the worst experience of their lives. Once I started doing it, it was obviously hard and challenging but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Toby and Ava, centre, celebrate with other riders. Check out their photo on the back page.

Donna: What was the best part?

Toby: Apart from the sense of achievement for all the students and parents alike, getting up pre-dawn and watching the sun rise every day and seeing the beautiful Victorian countryside. The route varies every year, but this year it went from Ballarat to Avoca to Dunolly to Inglewood to Bendigo to Heathcote to Castlemaine and finishing in Bendigo, a total of 533kms.

Ava: Having all my friends around me at the camp and getting to know some of the students who were in my ride group better, who I didn’t really know that well before the ride. Also, seeing as we left very early every morning - around 5.15am - to avoid traffic and get ahead of the other school groups, we finished each day at around midday and so had the rest of the day to relax and look around each new place, which was fun.

Donna: What was the worst?

Toby: Dragging my sorry arse uphill on a pushbike! On the second last day there was a seven to eight kilometre hill up and around Mt Alexander in 30 plus degree heat and wind. I rode past many people on the side of the road in tears, thankfully no one from our team.

Ava: The hills! Having to deal with looking up the road ahead at all the hills and knowing that you have to ride up them, and then when you’re going up them, not knowing when they’re going to end.

Donna: Would you ever do something like this again. And would you recommend it?

Toby: If I was tricked into it, of course I would! And yes, you don’t necessarily have to be super fit,

as it’s a bike ride and not a race. But it is a challenge and it’s a good one.

Ava: Probably not. It was a great experience and I’m glad I’ve done it, but I don’t really want to go through it again! And yes, definitely. It was great to do it as a group and I think it’s something everyone should experience.

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12 Opinion

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The role of Telstra under the spotlight

T

HE debate continues to rage over where a mobile phone tower should be placed. In the low-lying township of Glenlyon, or on a nearby hill where Telstra engineers have said it would provide at least 20 per cent more coverage. In its December 7 edition, The Age made it clear where it thought Telstra’s responsibilities laid. A few days later, Telstra chief operating officer Kate McKenzie put her view forward in a letter to the editor. Both reproduced with permission.

Editorial

Telstra mistaken on its responsibilities Telstra is not a pure economic entity; as Australia’s biggest communications company, it is an essential service.

Telstra needs an urgent change of attitude. The telco giant was caught out recently when an area manager in Victoria’s west laid bare, in an email to a local news magazine, Telstra’s interpretation of corporate responsibility.

When discussing mobile phone coverage, the general manager for the company’s South West Victoria region wrote that the company was “not an emergency services organisation and doesn’t have a responsibility to provide for your individual safety by way of the delivery of a mobile network”.

And just so there was clarity, he went on, “people get confused that since the state government has made a decision to deliver emergency warning messages over the mobile network that it is our responsibility to provide the network to deliver the messages, well that just isn’t true, since we have no obligation to deliver a network for safety purposes”.

The email is now being used as part of a battle over the plan to locate a new phone tower in the main street of Glenlyon, a village near Daylesford. Some including the captain of the local CFA - believe locating the phone tower on a nearby hill would give greater mobile coverage to more areas that are at a heightened risk of fire.

The captain argued that it appeared the location of the tower had been made for “economic reasons”. Others, however, believe opposition to the phone tower in the main street is not based on bushfire safety at all.

Regardless, the Telstra email demonstrates a brutally honest, cold corporate mentality - barely filtered capitalism, as it were. Corporate spin doctors did not have the chance to camouflage this message.

We say that Telstra is not a pure economic beast, a spreadsheet with a corporate logo; you are Australia’s biggest communications company, an essential service much like power, gas and water.

With diminishing use of household landlines and the rapid growth of information accessed through smartphones, the importance of mobile phone reception has never been greater.

When you add to this Victoria’s history of deadly bushfires, the early start to the bushfire season and the bleak outlook for this season and future summers, Telstra’s position is even more regrettable.

Telstra attempted to clarify its position in a letter to The Age. The manager himself, Bill Mundy, said his published commentary “unfortunately gives a view Telstra is attempting to abrogate responsibility when it comes to community safety and bushfire preparedness”.

“This is not the case,” he said. “More people are using, and in some cases relying on mobile communications as a sole means for communication.” He then went on to sensibly urge people in areas where natural disasters can occur to have several information sources such as radio, television or an emergency service website.

His argument is that the ability to receive bushfire updates via mobile phone “will be an additional benefit” and the mobile network should not be relied upon as a sole means for bushfire updates.

The reality is that people are relying on mobile phones as the sole means of communication. They are checking social media, text messages, websites and even listening to radio on their phones.

Perhaps, in Telstra’s ideal world, people would not rely solely on mobile phone warnings for bushfires, but the reality is that it is where many people will turn first.

Decisions will need to be made quickly and mobile phones are always close - it is literally a life-and-death matter.

Given the nature of modern communications, it is incumbent on Telstra to consider the broader needs of the community, not just its bottom line.

Published in The Age on Monday, December 7, 2015.

Reprinted with permission.

Letter I’d like to address the editorial leader in The Age yesterday that called into question Telstra’s commitment to the safety of Australians during natural disasters and our overall approach to corporate social responsibility. I’m deeply concerned that comments made by one of our managers have been interpreted in this manner and would like to apologise for giving this impression.

Telstra is Australia’s largest telecommunications network and our commitment to regional Australia is stronger than ever. Communities expect us to be there for them, not just as a company but through every member of our staff working in these local areas - and history has shown that in the lead up to disaster season and in the repair afterwards, we have always been there. We do everything possible to ensure that our network and our customers are as prepared as possible during the bushfire period.

Following a disaster, it is our technicians who are usually the first ones in an area once it has been declared safe by Emergency Services. We also work behind the scenes deploying mobile infrastructure to assist emergency services in the provision of their telecommunications.

Our presence and network reach in regional Australia is further proof of our commitment to providing quality mobile coverage to as many people as possible.

Our network currently reaches 99.3 per cent of the population, covering more than 2.4 million square kilometres. This includes communities where the threat of natural disaster is very real.

We are working to expand this coverage, both under our own investment program where we will spend $5 billion over three years to June 2017 on our mobile network, as well as in partnership with the Federal and State Governments where we will contribute a further $165 million under the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

Recently we upgraded the mobile network capacity in areas of the Mt Dandenong Ranges, Healesville and Yea due to the predicted high fire danger in these areas and we will continue to do so.

This summer we will work closely, as we always do, with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Victorian State Control Centre. Keeping communities connected during these times is our highest priority and our staff, particularly our field technicians, go above and beyond to make this happen. We urge people not to rely solely on their mobile phones for emergency services alerts as mobile infrastructure can be impacted in a natural disaster. Therefore it’s critical for people to have a number of information sources available. These may include radio, television or the emergency.vic.gov.au website.

Our commitment to regional Australia has been demonstrated over time and we will continue to be at the forefront in providing towns and cities with the best mobile coverage available to help keep people safe.

Kate McKenzie Chief Operations Officer Telstra

Published in The Age on Wednesday, December 9, 2015.

Reprinted with permission.

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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We would like to wish all our clients a very special Christmas and Happy New Year xperience . . . Day Spa

Closed from Christmas Eve, December 24th and re-opening 9am, Monday, January 4th

Emergencies

Open for emergencies only Tuesday, December 29th from 12pm to 3pm Call 5348 2939 and leave your contact details SALON-SPA

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We accept &BULK BILL vouchers from public hospital dental clinic (VEDS & VGDS) and Medicare childhood dental benifits schedule (CDBS & DVA)

FOR BOOKINGS PHONE: 5348 2939 16 Albert street Daylesford www.springsfamilydental.com.au

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Happy & Healthy 15

Finish the year with total bliss and start the new year in perfect balance!

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 31 December 2015. The packages can be enjoyed anytime until 31 May 2016. The free Gift Voucher expires 31 January 2016.

Special New Year offer valid for treatments from 01 January 2016 Purchase 5 treatments of the same value and receive the 6th for free!

All treatments must be of the same value, including the free treatment. The 5 treatments must be paid in full at the same time. The treatments can be utilised anytime during 2016.

PS. Something NEW is coming to Daylesford!

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16 Advertorial

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A pleasure for Anne to be at a fantastic facility

A

NNE Callahan is a local through and through.

One of six children, she was born and bred in Daylesford and was greatly involved in community life from a young age.

As a trained nurse, she worked at Ballarat’s St John of God Hospital and completed her midwifery at Ballarat Health Services before taking up a position at Daylesford Hospital.

After 25 years of addressing the health needs of the Hepburn Region, Anne decided it was time for a change, but her desire to continue working for her community remained.

“I commenced work at Hepburn House as the care coordinator in July this year,” she said.

“The facility had only recently become an aged-care facility after seven years of being a Supported Residential Service.

“It has been a privilege and pleasure to be involved in the rapid growth of such a fantastic facility that provides an integral part of our community’s health needs.”

Located in Daylesford and nestled amongst the hills, Hepburn House is built like a country homestead.

Providing all levels of care, the government-funded facility prides itself on offering a non-institutionalised home-like environment.

“Most of us would prefer to live out our time in our own homes, but if this is not possible, I believe Hepburn House offers the very best,” Anne said.

“I love the family feeling that emanates and it truly is a pleasure to go to work.

“I love interacting with the residents, their families, our wonderful doctors and nurses and other staff members. I feel at home when I’m at work.”

Housing 60 beds, all rooms at Hepburn House are private and feature a large ensuite and double doors leading onto a verandah with views of the nearby hills.

The facility also has double rooms available, each with a private lounge and ensuite making it suitable for couples.

Anne said while some residents were born and bred locals and others were friends or relatives of community members, all had become part of the community.

“I love going to work and feeling that I have made someone’s life a bit more enjoyable or comfortable.”

Hepburn House is located at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford. For more information, call 5348 8100 or visit www.hepburnhouse.com.au

Anne with, from left, Janet White, Nancy Doherty, Barb Gibbins and Vilma Lindsay

A GUIDE TO

PERMANENT WATER SAVING RULES Permanent Water Saving Rules are a set of common sense rules that are applied every day of the year to ensure we use water efficiently. They are designed to allow flexibility and choice regarding your water usage, especially through the warmer months.

The key permanent water saving rules are:

USE

FURTHER INFORMATION For further information on Permanent Water Saving Rules call 1800 061 514 or visit chw.net.au

RULE Vehicles

Can be cleaned at any time with: • a hand held hose that is leak free and fitted with a trigger nozzle; or • a bucket

Gardens and lawns

You can water a residential garden or lawn using: • a hand held hose, bucket or watering can at any time; or • a watering system between the hours of 6pm-10am on any day

Hand held hose

Water using a hand held hose anytime if it: • is fitted with a trigger nozzle; and • is leak free

Fountains and water features

Water can be used in a fountain or a water feature when the fountain or water feature recirculates the water

Hard surfaces

Water can be used to clean driveways, paths, concrete, tiles and timber decking if: • cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency; or • staining to the surface has developed and then only once a season; or • due to construction or renovation, and then only using: • a high pressure water cleaning device; • or a hand held hose or bucket 01-14-SD04

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Sometimes, dreams do come true

D

AYLESFORD artist Kim Percy is proof that dreams do sometimes come true.

A year ago Kim received a letter inviting her to exhibit at Artifact, a New York gallery, from January 13 to 27.

Kim has been exhibiting for more than 25 years and is excited about seeing her work in New York.

“This is such a thrilling experience. It was great to be asked, but it’s also focused me. I have dedicated a year to my art for this exhibition. I have had three exhibitions this year and my Artifact exhibition will be the pinnacle.

“My family will be there for the opening, and that is also exciting. It will be wonderful to have their support at such a significant time in my career.”

Kim’s curated show is a combination of two of her Australian exhibitions: Container Art and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

“I want to make more works like these. They push the boundaries between art, photography and design and that is exciting.

“This work is from different shows but it all has something in common and that is the unconscious which is seen through my digital abstraction and glitch art using shapes reminiscent of Rorschach inkblots that include pixelated images from Buddhist paintings known as ‘thangka’.”

Kim believes the exhibition will give New York art lovers a sense of the Australian bush – “a place of great peacefulness”.

News 17

Season’s Greetings From the crew of The Local We really appreciate the support everyone has shown us, readers and clients, and look forward to continuing to bringing you great stories, fantastic features and amazing adverts – offering you the chance to buy local when possible!

We’re not taking a break, no rest for the wicked, and our next edition will be out on January 4. It’s a bit of a look back at the year that was and we’re sure you will enjoy it as much as we will putting it all together.

So, enjoy this edition of The Local, stay safe over the silly season, and we’ll see you all in 2016.

20 News

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Around the traps in Hepburn Shire...

Daylesford Lawn Tennis Junior tennis

The final round of junior tennis before the Christmas break saw a major section 1 upset with Chloe Leonard jumping 10 places on the ladder to finish second behind Alister Ferrier both on 16/8, with Anna Santurini coming in third, 15/9. In section 2 Jonas Paar continued his good form to narrowly win from Alisdair Sim both on 16/8 followed by the ever improving Sean Naylor, 15/9. Section 3 couldn’t have been tighter with four players all finishing 14/10 but it was the higher ranked Ursula Pendlebury who took the honours over brother Sebastian and Olivia Leonard. Section 4 winner was Rennie Saunders who has improved enormously to win with a great score of 15/9 from Tayah Jack, 16/8 and Lachlan Sim, 14/10. The beginners’ group of 34 players enjoyed their final session of the year with volunteer coach Lewis Ingham keeping them all entertained and engaged in enjoying tennis. Junior tennis will now take a break over the school holidays and will resume on Saturday, January 30.

Thursday night

Thursday night tennis also finished up for the Christmas break on December 10 with Pete’s Pistols minus Pete showing its dominance with a good win over the struggling Young Ones on 33/16. The President’s People finally showed its superior leadership with a good win over Barry’s Diamonds, 29/19. Dwyer’s Crew also had a strong win over Kirby’s Killers, 31/17. The Secondary Teachers showing the strain of a long school year went down to Frith’s Flyers, 35/13. Hobson’s Heroes may have played too much tennis with injury forcing a forfeit that left the Dreamers having a surprising wakeup call with one of its few wins for the season.

Saturday afternoon

The Saturday afternoon players enjoyed perfect court conditions with four sections of tennis. In Section 1, Lewis Ingham was the winner, 19/11, with a narrow win over Barry Diamond, 20/13 and Pete Ekstedt, 20/15. In Section 2 Taylor Hoffman finally hit his straps with a good win, 25/15, over Anna Santurini, 21/18 and Brian Nolan, 18/18. In Section 3 Pete Risstrom took a break from mowing the courts to have a win 25/15 over Tom Lowe, 21/18 and David Tindal, 18/17. Section 4 saw Annette Rodda again take out the glassware with a great score, 24/12, over Rachael McAndrew, 20/15 and Tania Evans, 16/17. Saturday afternoon tennis continues over the summer with all players including visitors welcome. Enquiries 0419 482 230.

Read about free tennis in January in the next edition of The Local.

Run for the Willow

A

STRONG contingent of runners will be out to take the prize in the $2000 100m Daylesford Gift at Cricket Willow on Saturday, January 2.

The eleventh Run for the Willow carnival will attract entrants from across Australia for a full card of Victorian Athletic League professional races from 70m to 1600m. The running starts at 11.30am.

Entry details for the professional races are available from www.val.org.au Other events can be entered on the day including the Rotary Club of Daylesford’s U/18 100m and Camp Quality’s kids’ races.

Entry is adults $10 and concession/children $5.

The spark for Run for the Willow came in April, 2005 when four time Stawell gift finalist Chris Tuohy stumbled upon Cricket Willow and was blown away by the picturesque oval and impressive facilities.

Chris chatted with the Tinetti family about the prospect of staging an athletics meeting at the unique venue. All agreed that it was a fantastic idea and with support from the Victorian Athletic League, the inaugural Run for the Willow carnival was staged at Cricket Willow on Saturday, November 19, 2005 Details: 5476 4277 or info@cricketwillow.com.au

Standing up for the Hepburn Community

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

NEW YEAR’S EVE

NEW YEAR’S EVE NEWS FLASH!

After much healthy banter with locals, we have decided to open up The Farmers on New Year’s Eve for what it is. A great pub with fabulous food, wine and company in a relaxed style, as well as a 70’s and 80’s cover band to rock the night away and into 2016.

So, to clarify, we will NOT be proceeding with our “Black Tie Event”. Our fabulous menu will apply and meals will be served from 6pm to 9pm sharp.

Rally the troops, dress to impress and we look forward to celebrating the New Year with you at The Farmers Arms.

1 East Street, Daylesford Tel: (03) 5348 2091 Email: belocal@farmersarmsdaylesford.com.au

22 News

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Around the traps in Macedon Ranges Shire Time to train Summer tours Violence forum IT’S almost time to shed your Christmas indulgences and start training for the 2016 Macedon Ranges Aquathon Series.

The annual series of swim/run events will be held in Lancefield on Sunday, February 28, and Kyneton on Sunday, March 20, and are open to sport and fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Participants can register either individually or in a team for a range of courses – with mini, short or long options available.

To help get you off the couch and back into shape, Kyneton Sports & Aquatics Centre is offering a six-week intensive boot camp.

The Aquathon boot camp training program starts on Monday, February 8 with sessions at 6am on Mondays and Saturdays, and 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Details: 5421 1477 or kaumont@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Link: mrsc.vic.gov.au/Aquathon2016

HANGING Rock is celebrating summer with guided night tours of the natural wonder.

Held from December to March each year, the night walks are suitable for all ages and are a rare opportunity to experience the secret world of gliders, wallabies, native birds, owls, bats, possums, kangaroos and koalas.

Learn about the history and geology of Hanging Rock, and spy birds in tree hollows, wallabies foraging and tune in to the dusk chorus as it begins.

Mayor Graham Hackett said the night walks provided visitors with a unique insight into the Australian bush after dark.

“The reserve comes alive at night and each walk lets you discover the mystery of Hanging Rock from a different perspective from those who have visited during the day.

“Our experienced park rangers will lead you on an exciting exploration where you may be lucky enough to spot a range of native wildlife that are naturally more active at night.”

The next walk will be held on Friday, January 15.

The cost is $55 per family, $22 per adult and $11 per child. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

Details: 5421 1468.

EMPOWERING women and less rigid gender roles among younger generations were two key factors in eliminating family violence, under discussion at a recent forum in Kyneton.

The forum was hosted by Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas and attended by the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson MP. Held at Kyneton Secondary College, the forum brought together a range of experts and service providers including Cobaw Community Health, the Centre for Non-Violence, Kyneton Police, Our Watch and family violence survivor and advocate, Belinda Spence.

One of the key themes was that violence against women isn’t confined to certain groups and neighbourhoods but cuts across social and economic boundaries.

Another common attitude often holds victims accountable for the violence by asking “why doesn’t she leave?” instead of asking “why doesn’t he stop hitting her?”.

Ms Thomas said cultural change among the next generation of young people provided great hope in tackling the problem.

“That is why the Respectful Relationships curriculum, which will be rolled out across Victorian government schools in 2016, is a great step forward,” she said.

The forum is part of a broader “Say NO to family violence” campaign being run by Ms Thomas with 46 community organisations already joining up.

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Advertorial 23

Boite Singers’ Festival

J

UST like every other child, Geoffrey Williams always dreamed of becoming a superstar.

“I knew I wanted to become a musician by the time I was four, when I was listening to the radio and singing into a brush,” he recalled.

But unlike most dreamers, Williams pursued his childhood fantasy and watched as it became reality.

Hailing from the UK, the local musician has earned a reputation for himself not only in Australia but also overseas, having written music for the likes of Michael Jackson and Dusty Springfield.

He said his music was heavily influenced by the soul, pop and reggae tunes of the 60s and 70s.

“That was the backdrop to my upbringing,” he said.

“I suppose I was attracted to the powerful feeling generated by soul singers like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin.”

Williams will share his soul-stirring talents with the participants of the 2016 Boite Singers’ Festival. Set to be held in Daylesford, the event will feature four days of vocal inspiration and sheer fun.

Festival director Roger King said participants would experience a wide variety of musical styles from gospel to flamenco, with workshops available for singers of all ages and experience levels.

“Singing is the binding force that brings together diverse cultural traditions.

The festival allows for the exploration of unique vocal sounds and qualities in a meaningful way,” Mr King said.

The 2016 Boite Singers’ Festival will kick-off on Thursday, January 7 at 7.30pm with a traditional Creole buffet, Seychellois style.

The dinner will be held at Daylesford Town Hall and will include singing, dancing, hilarity and beautiful food.

The festival will also feature an opening concert on Friday and will continue with a choirs concert, yoga sessions, seminars, and more than 40 workshops. It will culminate in a participants’ showcase of songs and techniques absorbed over the course of the weekend.

Musicians including Stella Savy, John Flanagan, Sue Johnson, Darren Wicks, Christine Tammer and Stephen Taberner will share their musical knowledge and talents at the event.

Having been involved in The Boite since 2010, Williams said he was looking forward to another inspiring festival.

“I just love singing, and to be singing in harmony with others who feel the same can be profound,” he said.

The Boite Singers’ Festival will be held from January 7 to January 10, 2016.

For more information and tickets, visit www.boite.com.au/boite-singersfestival

UPCYCLING STUDIO An enchanting place to explore for visitors and locals.

Offering unique products made using reclaimed wood, metals, plastics and other recycled materials for the home and garden. Quite a range of products: Water features, wooden boxes for the garden, cushions covers from recycled fabric, copper , industrial furniture and planters from upcycled materials to enhance the garden. and lots more...

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Website www.cecebain.com | Phone 0428 654 549 | Email admin@cecebain.com | Facebook www.facebook.com/CecebainStudio

24 News

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Music news

FOUR music students of teacher Bron Sozanski held a special piano concert at the Trentham Primary School on Thursday, December 10.

The students were joined by five of the school’s students to perform for the students, staff and Music In The Central Highlands representatives. A grand piano, which has recently been donated to MITCH, is on loan to the school.

Peter Toohey performed at a recital held recently to launch the piano and raise funds for the school music program. Henry Vynahl also presented a cheque on behalf of MITCH to the school principal.

Mr Sozanski said the concert was an inspirational success with the young audience enjoying a great variety of exciting music.

Meanwhile, at a slightly larger event, Cold Chisel wowed a crowd of nearly 18,000 fans with their classic anthems last month as they became the first headline Australian act to perform at Hanging Rock.

The event, presented by Frontier Touring, saw a significant influx of visitors to the region, with more than 600 people travelling from interstate for the show, 15,000 from outside Macedon Ranges Shire and more than 2000 local residents in attendance.

Mayor Graham Hackett, who provided the Acknowledgement of Country at the event, said the benefits of the event were many.

“Frontier Touring continues to bring a range of world-class talent to the shire and the excitement that’s created as a consequence of that is astounding.

“Economically, local businesses benefited from the estimated $4 million stimulus, and socially, the event brought people from all walks of life together to unite in music.

Cold Chisel was supported by the Macedon Ranges’ very own local act Stonefield and other Australian artists, Mark Seymour and The Undertow, and The Living End before Cold Chisel took to the stage later in the evening.

U3A HEPBURN SHIRE, MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AND CLASS ENROLMENT MORNING 10AM - 1.30PM Jubilee Lake PARKING LOT

TUESDAY, 19 JANUARY 10am for 10.30am Senior Citizens’ room Rear of Daylesford Town Hall

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New members welcomed Morning tea provided Please come and hear about our 2016 wide ranging program of activities, for those no longer working full time.

MINIMUM

Coffee & breakfast available from the Jubilee Lake Kiosk

Enquiries: Robyn Lawrence. Ph 0414 500 174 Email rljl1949@gmail.com

www.tlnews.com.au

News 25

The dentist with a pinot noir mouthwash Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Kyle Barnes

T

O A notable American vigneron, wine is passion. “It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It’s culture. It’s the essence of civilisation and the art of living.”

Winemaker Graham Ellender may not echo all of these sentiments yet an encounter with him shows that they are perhaps distilled in his approach to that somewhat mysterious and marvellous world of the grape.

Now, after 22 years, he is upping stumps, having sold the winery that bears his name on Green Gully Road, beyond Glenlyon. In reflecting on this move he is able to quietly demolish some of the mystery of his art, in particular the awarding of medals and points.

To him, wine judging should be similar to the best restaurant reviews – a judge would simply walk in and try a bottle from the shelf of a winery tasting room. Instead, he says, a Melbourne company offers to “polish” a wine to make it worthy of medals. Pity the poor punter who then buys it in the belief that this is top prize stuff.

Just how Graham came to be a master winemaker is one of those turns in life that makes for a fine story, which he tells sitting in his tasting room, classical music playing somewhere in the winery bowels.

The young Ellender was educated at Bedford in England, then trained in dentistry. After four years in practice he wanted to do a Master’s degree, but hit a snag. “You had to come from the colonies to do a Master’s in London. I thought, if you can’t beat the bastards go the other way.”

He became a lecturer at Melbourne University and stayed for 21 years. “The day I resigned I was offered an associate professorship.”

Tucking academia behind, he firstly came up from Ivanhoe a day a week to Daylesford, practicing what he preached about the allround nature of rural dentistry, while specialising in trauma.

Travelling around seeking out a likely vineyard spot he found 17 hectare of blackberries, gorse and broom, with a single power pole.

“It fulfilled 90 per cent of what we wanted. It’s the coldest wine area in Australia.”

Next step was to buy a wrecked 1904 house in Daylesford, complete with psychedelic bathroom, which he fixed up with the help of architect Clinton Krause and specialist builder Peter Fitme After 10 years Graham tried to sell the dental practice but failed, so he converted a room in his home at the vineyard into a surgery, which operated on Fridays.

So there he was, offering two oral sensations…visitors could see the dentist and have a pinot noir mouthwash.

“The climate’s like Champagne and Burgundy, so the first grape was pinot.” After 10 to 12 years he put in some chardonnay, despite having stuck to the ABC slogan, Anything But Chardonnay.

His two beefy red Labradors appear on one label. In typical Ellender style they are called Red and Nelle, Graham’s name spelt backwards. To see the two nine-year-olds downing the spilt goodies when he is serving up his stunning, thin-pastry pizzas from the wood-fired oven is to be well entertained.

The subject changes with the arrival of Jenny, who modestly declines to talk of all her work here, except to mention being president of the Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Daylesford Macedon Produce group and organiser of a famous Long Lunch in Glenlyon for 150 diners in the main street.

The new owners of the winery are Lee Milne and Simon Mallia, who plan to expand it as a wedding venue. And they won’t be without expert help in the vineyard, for 71-year-old Graham plans to return from time to time, as well as making wine in McLaren Vale.

The Ellenders enjoyed being part of this community, even with its frustrations, and are lavish in their praise of the spirit of the community. Clearly, the praise is reciprocated.

“You had to come from the colonies to do a Master’s in London.

I thought, if you can’t beat the bastards go the other way.”

- Graham Ellender

Photographer’s picks for pics for 2016 See more at heart_of_the_highlands For this story head to www.tlnews.com.au - Issue 40 Image: Kyle Barnes

Photographer’s picks for pics for 2016 See more at heart_of_the_highlands For this story head to www.tlnews.com.au - Issue 47 Image: Kyle Barnes

Photographer’s picks for pics for 2016 See more at heart_of_the_highlands For this story head to www.tlnews.com.au - Issue 42 Image: Kyle Barnes

Photographer’s picks for pics for 2016 See more at heart_of_the_highlands For this story head to www.tlnews.com.au - Issue 42 Image: Kyle Barnes

A Day In The Life 31

Something very fishy going on in Creswick

F

RANK and Cheryl Gray run a very good business…but there’s definitely something fishy about it.

The Creswick couple owns and runs Frank Gray Fish Taxidermy – preserving and mounting everything from 80-pound game fish, to beloved family pet fish. In his 30-something years as a fish taxidermist, Frank has never been tempted to stray to immortalising other animals. A keen fisherman himself, it was his desire to mount his own fish that saw him take out a library book and follow the 30-step plan, before he went on to taxidermy fish for mates and tackle stores, eventually opening his own business.

It’s wife Cheryl who is the brains – and often brawn – behind the business, which she will carry on after Frank retires next year; and she’s pretty good with a fish.

“She’ll stuff and de-flesh it and I’ll stretch it over the mould and then she’ll prepare the fish for painting and I’ll paint it… and then she collects the money and keeps the money,” Frank explains.

A Day In The Life 10am: A frozen fish has arrived, driven up in an esky by a customer from the other side of Melbourne; it’s a mulloway, and they’re having a good run on them in the bay at the moment. It’ll be eight weeks before the fish is ready, depending on the weather – it must be dried as part of the process, which takes about six weeks.

12.30pm: A fish that has been dried is ready for repair. It wasn’t in very good condition, the fins were damaged and some of the scales had come off, and the fisherman had also gutted the fish – meaning there was a dirty big cut along its skin.

But it’s back to the best condition it can be in now, complete with false eye, tongue and No More Gaps in the mouth. It is soon painted, varnished and screwed onto the backboard, ready to be picked up. It can take eight to 20 hours to complete a fish, depending on what condition it is in.

3pm: Back to the mulloway that’s been brought in. The first step is to take photos and measurements of the fish before it’s gutted, then the outline is traced, from that a polyurethane body is carved, then the fish can be gutted and de-fleshed. Once that’s done, it goes back into the freezer and into the line ready to be stretched over the mould.

4.30pm: A Murray cod has come in; but this one is a family pet, complete with a name. The business gets the odd pet fish, mostly large aquarium fish, which have sentimental value instead of trophy value. It’s a far cry from the biggest fish Frank has ever done – an 80-something-kilo big eye tuna. But Frank and Cheryl mostly stick to the more common redfin snapper, yellow belly, and mulloway – up to about 70 pounds - they lend themselves more to the old-school style of stretching the skin over a mould, as opposed to making a fibreglass replica of the fish.

Words: Kate Taylor | Image: Kyle Barnes 10.30am: A snapper, which has been in the freezer ready for processing, is taken out; there are usually about two dozen fish on the go at any given time. The skin is put in a solution of borax and water before being stretched over the mould and glued, A Day In The Life is an occasional series by Kate Taylor. sewn over the back and dried for about six weeks. The skin is initially treated with Borax to both deodorise it and protect the skin from insects – and it’s safe, no poisons are used during Frank and Cheryl’s taxidermy process.

32 Crossword

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www.daylesfordcinema.org.au

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 29 December 10am Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) 1:30pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 3:45pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 6pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M)

Wednesday 23 December 11am Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) 1pm Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) 3pm The Martian (M) 6pm The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (M)

Wednesday 30 December 10:45am The Good Dinosaur (PG) 1pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) 3:45pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 6pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M)

Saturday 26 December 12:45pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 3pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 5:15pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) 8pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Thursday 31 December 9pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M)

Sunday 27 December 10:45am The Good Dinosaur (PG) 1pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) 3:45pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 6pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M)

Friday 1 January 1pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 3pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 5:15pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) 8pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) Saturday 2 January 1pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 3:15pm The Good Dinosaur (PG) 5:15pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M) 8pm Star Wars: The Force Awakens (M)

Open Caption Selected Sessions

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News 33

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 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

The Trentham Farmers Market has joined with Trentham Makers Market

Third Saturday, 9am - 1pm

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!

Christmas Wishes SPECIALISING IN • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Weight Loss Muscle Building Diet & Nutrition Initial Health & Fitness assessment Core Training & Strengthening Weight Gain Complete Body Toning & Sculpting Flexibility & Stretching Techniques & Exercises Cardio & Running Programs (2km - full marathon) Sports Programming Private Fitness Studio Located in Daylesford Flexible Session Times Available

Phone David 0481 272 227 Find us on Facebook

David, Sue & Buddy want to wish all the crew from

Daylesford Personal Training an amazing Christmas & Happy New Year.

Thank you so much everyone on making 2015 a wonderful year.

Photographer’s picks for pics for 2016 See more at heart_of_the_highlands For this story head to www.tlnews.com.au - Issue 40 Image: David White

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

36 Christmas Cheer

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Recipes from the Crew

Date, Raisin, Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Liqueur Truffles Many thanks to Kyneton Business Manager Kate Coleman

A

few of The Local’s crew are pretty handy in the kitchen. So they kindly offered to make - so they had photos handy - a few of their favourite Christmas treats.

Find them here, the following page and pages 40 and 44. Many thanks to Kate Coleman, Robin Archer and Glen Heyne.

Ingredients 1 ½ cups fresh pitted dates, chopped ½ cup raisins 1-2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur (Frangelico) 200g good quality dark chocolate, melted 1 cup slivered almonds, chopped Method Place the dates, raisins and liqueur in a food processor and process to combine. Place the mixture in a bowl with the melted chocolate and mix to combine.

Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until just set.

Using a tablespoon, roll the mixture into balls.

Roll the truffles in the almonds to coat and place in a container and refrigerate for 1 hour or until set. Makes 20.

Visitors up for region

A

MASSIVE 3.8 million visitors headed to Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges from September 2014 to September 2015.

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

The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism Board announced the latest visitor figures last week.

The figure is an increase of 18.2 per cent on the previous year. The number of nights spent in the region by visitors was 2.7 million, a staggering increase of 44 per cent.

General manager Judith Isherwood said they were “great figures for our tourism industry and for the region generally”.

“We know that the economic contribution of tourism to this region is the second highest of any tourism region in the state, so increasing visitor numbers coupled with increasing time spent in the region is good news for everyone.

“Whilst I have no doubt that there are a number of factors that have contributed to this great result, I am convinced that the unprecedented success of the region’s Visitor Guide that was launched at the beginning of the year has been a major contributing factor. The Guide broke new ground when it was launched and has been in constant demand ever since.”

Chairman Noel Harvey said there had been a significant increase in visitor numbers across virtually the entire region, with increases in daytrip visitors, intrastate visitors, interstate visitors and international visitors.

“The majority of visitors come to our region to holiday, as there are so many wonderful things for visitors to see and do in this part of the country.”

The Tourism Board will be launching its new Visitor Guide in February.

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

DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

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Christmas Cheer 37

Mini Mince Pies

Many thanks to Kyneton Business Manager Kate Coleman Filling 1 1/3 cups (200g) mixed fruit, chopped 2 tbs golden syrup 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind 1 tsp mixed spice 1/3 cup brandy Pastry ½ cup almond meal 2 cups plain flour ½ cup icing sugar 200g chilled butter, diced 1 egg yolk and Ÿ cup water, lightly beaten Icing sugar, to serve Method Place all filling ingredients in a bowl and allow to soak for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Then place in a saucepan and simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Cool.

To make pastry: place almond meal, flour and sugar into a food processor and process until combined. Add butter and process until crumbly. Add egg yolk mixture and process until a ball forms. Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

To make pies: Lightly flour hands or use gloves to form a piece of pastry into a 3cm diameter (15g) ball. Then flatten into a disc shape and place into the hole of a 24-hole non-stick muffin pan (or use 2 x 12-hole pan), and ensure it is evenly pressed on the base and sides. Continue until all holes are filled, then fill cases with fruit mince. Roll out remaining pastry on a floured board. Cut 24 circles using a 5cm round fluted cutter (or a champagne glass works well), to form lids. Brush the underside of lid lightly with water before gently pressing onto pie. Cut a small cross in the middle of each lid. Bake at 180C for 15 minutes or until golden. Cool and store in an airtight container for up to one week. Dust with icing sugar before serving. Makes 24.

More recipes on page 40

Establish ed i n 1 9 7 4

Cellar Door open 7 days 10am-5pm 30 roddas lane, Musk phone (03) 5348 5550

office@passingclouds.com.au

Now serviNg fooD friDay to MoNDay

www.passingclouds.com.au follow us...

38 Out & About

Correction IN THE December 7 edition of The Local, in a dining review for the Belvedere Social, it was stated Sean Marshall was a co-owner. Mr Marshall is the chef not the owner. Belvedere Social is co-owned by Bernard Glaude and Bess Mucke.

The mistake was made by the writer.

COOL-ROOM FOR HIRE Perfect for party or butchery, featuring fully equipped shelves and rails.

Available for delivery Daylesford and district.

Phone: 0417 734 206.

SARA

H GA

-W BRIEL

ORK

PA S ON

PER

VIEW ORIGINAL WORKS AT

Lauriston Press Gallery 37B Piper Street, Kyneton

OPEN DAILY TO CHRISTMAS EVE

Phone 03 5422 1710 Also showing at eCasa, Daylesford WISHING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS A SAFE & MERRY CHRISTMAS

PRINTS & DRAWINGS GALLERY

lauriston press

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Meal deals 39

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 Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn - Curry Night with vegan options available - $18

Tuesday

Friday Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn - Two courses and a glass of wine - $35 Blackwood Hotel - Fab 5 meals specials from $18 Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn - Burger Night with vegan options available - $16

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

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

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

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.

Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn has Happy Hours from Friday to Monday, from 4 to 6pm with $5 beer, wine or bubbles.

Raffles

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

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

OSABAH

en Op ery Ev y Da

Homewares | Books | Scarves | Chocolates

NEW YEARS EVE DINNER SIX COURSES, CHAMPAGNE $125

COCKTAIL PARTY FROM 10pm

OSABAH has eight rooms full of homewares

and gifts for you to peruse at your own leisure. Come in, have a smooth roasted coffee, and some of our finest Belgium chocolates, or take a gift box home.

Bookings: 5348 2088 or www.belvederesocial.com.au 82b Vincent St Daylesford

50 High Street, Kyneton | Phone: (03) 5422 7383

40 Christmas Cheer

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Panforte

Courtesy of graphic designer Robin Archer (Ed’s note - Robin brought this to The Local’s staff party - it disappeared in minutes!)

This is my version of the classic Italian fruitcake from Sienna, gleaned from various recipes over the years and it’s much chewier. It will keep in an airtight container for a few weeks.

100 g skinned roasted hazelnuts 100 g blanched almonds or roasted almonds 70g pistachio kernels 50g macadamia or brazil nuts 70g dried figs 50g sultanas 65g dried apricots 50g glazed ginger 50g glazed oranges or mixed dried peel (or both) 60g sultanas 60g glazed cherries 80gms dark chocolate 70g plain flour (or 2/3 rice flour and 1/3 corn flour to make 70g) 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground fennel 1 tsp ground white pepper 40g cocoa powder 150g honey 220g caster sugar Preheat oven to 125C (depending on your oven maybe a few degrees warmer).

Grease and line a 22cm round springform cake tin with baking paper. Chop chocolate into 1/2 cm bits. Coarsely chop hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia and pistachios. (This can be done in a food processor but be careful not to chop too fine.) Sift combined flour, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, white pepper and cocoa into a medium bowl and add fruit, nuts and chocolate. Mix well.

www.daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au

Combine honey and sugar in a medium heavy-based saucepan over medium heat.

Heat to 120C on a sugar thermometer, then stir into dry ingredients with a strong wooden spoon, this part is a bit difficult so make sure the flour etc is incorporated with the honey mixture. Spoon mixture into the prepared tin, push down, using your hands if needed to make an even pad and smooth with the back of a spoon. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Remove from oven, it will still be softish and a bit sticky but will set harder as it cools. Put aside to cool and set for at least 3 hours.

Remove from pan and place on a large plate or board, cover with clingwrap and keep in refrigerator. Remove from fridge an hour or so before cutting panforte into thin wedges. (should make around 16 pieces) Mark the top with light knife scores and with a large solid carving knife place the knife on the marks and press down (not a cutting action as this tends to cause crumbling) Sprinkle liberally with icing sugar.

Note: You can vary the type of nuts and fruit used but keep to roughly the same overall quantities of both.

Tip: when mixing the honey/sugar in with the other ingredients 1/4 fill the sink with very hot water and sit the bowl in it so it sits firmly on the base of the sink, then mix in the melted honey/sugar. This will keep it from setting too quickly on contact with the dry ingredients.

One more recipe on page 44 - a healthy one! Sort of...

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

HAPPY HOUR $5 115 MAIN ROAD HEPBURN SPRINGS 5348 2297

HOUSE BEER| WINE | BUBBLES

4PM 6PM

LIVE MUSIC 5-7pm

BURGER NIGHT

$16

HAPPY HOUR $5

HOUSE BEER| WINE | BUBBLES

LIVE

MUSIC

5PM 7PM

SUNDAY 4PM 6PM

HAPPY HOUR

$5 $10

HOUSE BEER| WINE | BUBBLES COCKTAILS

LIVE

MUSIC

5PM 7PM

SUNDAY 4PM 6PM

HAPPY HOUR AS YESTERDAY

4PM 6PM

CURRY NIGHT DO YOU MISS COSY CORNER? WE DO! HEPBURN’S NEW CURRY NIGHT @ BLUE BEAN LOVE CAFE

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Nom nom nom 41

La Bonta sharing quality produce, regional wines and Italian flavours

Words and images: Kate Coleman

L

A BONTA is a new venture by chef Tim Austin and his wife Janet Lowndes, who are inviting food lovers to share in the bounty of quality produce, regional wines and Italian flavours.

Tim has had almost 20 years as a chef with a strong background in fine dining. La Bonta is the perfect place for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner, large groups to celebrate a special occasion, yet still an affordable place for a casual lunch for those wanting quality food but without the stuffiness and high price tag you often encounter at a fine dining restaurant.

My husband Mick and I headed there recently for a relaxing Sunday lunch. Tim explained the menu to us, which includes a Travola La Bonta, or five courses of shared plates from each section of the menu at $65 per person with matched wines for an additional $49 per person. It sounded amazing, however with Christmas dining on the horizon, we opted for three.

Mick started with the Curato e Cotto ($24) - a platter of McIvor Farm capicola, Istra fennel and chilli sopressa, Cuore Blu mozzarella, chicken liver pate and balsamic marinated mushrooms. The plate was big enough to share however I decided to order the Fiori Ripieni ($16) - zucchini flowers stuffed with lemon, garlic, chilli and basil ricotta, fried in a crisp batter with a fresh tomato salsa. Both options were equally delicious, with the zucchini flowers offering a lovely crunch and the soft, warm ricotta oozing from inside was really tasty.

For our main meal I decided on the Gnocchi di Zucca (entrĂŠe, $17, main $33) - a pumpkin gnocchi in burnt butter and sage with cider braised duck, roasted leek and Grana Padano. It is probably the signature dish at La Bonta and was very impressive. The texture was perfect and the burnt butter and sage sauce was perfect with the duck. Mick chose the Lombo di Maiale ($32) - McIvor Farm pork loin, drizzled with condiment saba served on black lentils braised with spring vegetables and cauliflower fritters. The pork was moist and juicy and the cauliflower fritters were delicious.

Now desserts. With the hot weather I decided on a refreshing Pannacotta al’Amalfitana ($16) that was flavoured with limoncello and served with rhubarb gelato and a cedron canolli. Just wow. Mick finished with the Zuppa Inglese ($17) - a Venetian trifle with Black Hill honey semifreddo on an olive oil sponge with fresh strawberries in a chilled strawberry and moscato brodo. It was amazing.

Oh, finally, Tim is a great sommelier and chose perfect wines to match our meals.

Lovely to sit back and leave it in the hands of an expert.

Now5! $15

42 Out & About

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Gardening book giveaway

T

HE Australian Native Garden is a highly illustrated, authoritative and practical book focused on all aspects of using native plants in the home garden, from design through to plant choice and cultivation.

‘FAB 5’ $5 Schooners $5 House Spirits $5 House Wine 5pm-6pm CHINESE MENU FROM 5pm-8pm Eat In / Take Away

1 Golden Point Rd, Blackwood Phone: 5368 6501 www.blackwoodpub.com

This authoritative and practical book - written in an approachable and accessible style - focuses on growing and using native plants in the home garden.

It provides expert information on the fundamentals - soils, cultivation techniques, pruning, fertilising and maintenance - and looks at different styles of garden design, using Australian plants not only for aesthetic reasons but for creating drought-proof gardens, fire resistant gardens, and environments attractive to native fauna as well.

Growing your own bush foods is also covered.

Highly illustrated and information-packed, The Australian Native Garden showcases some of the best designed Australian gardens and explores rural areas around Australia where indigenous species thrive in the wild, representing a fascinating source of inspiration and information.

The Local has a copy of The Australian Native Garden to give away. For your chance to win be the first to email donna@tlnews.com.au with your name, town and phone number.

Let’s have one lucky reader enjoying this book before Christmas!

HAVE A TASTE OF HISTORY

The hisToric

Blackwood hoTel

nd Gre

N

Martin

am renth ale T

Street

Est.1868

Blackwood Hotel ad

ad

t Ro

s Fore

Golden Po int Ro

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

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

Blackwood Hotel 1 Golden Point Road Blackwood 3458.

Phone 03 5368 6501

CFA

Visit ‘JINDARUP’

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

Live music Saturday nights!

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Here’s Cheers

C

with Roy Lever

HRISTMAS break for me consists of family and friends with lots of food and drink.

Christmas lunch isn’t really a traditional sit down meal in our house, sometimes it’s a seafood barbeque, other years it’s a lamb roast, one year we even had hotdogs. (That’s what you get when you leave it to your eight and six-year-old kids to pick what we’re having for Christmas lunch.)

What is constant is good beer. I don’t tend to overdo it on Christmas day, after all, for the past 16 years I’ve been the one building or fixing the kids’ toys all afternoon, so the chance to have more than a few beers can be a little limited. What I do consume though, is good quality and flavoursome.

As we have people coming and going all day, I fill the esky with a variety of brews, some more flavoursome than others, and always a few mild ales for the designated driver.

I like to be able to offer my guests something nice to drink, mostly it’ll be a summer ale, or something lighter on the palate. This year it will most likely be Brooklyn Lager cans and Holgate’s Norton Lager - watch out next month for a review on this one.

Then there are the beers that don’t make the esky.

These are the beers that are for the special guests, the ones who appreciate something a little different - and usually don’t come in arms swinging.

“Christmas” beers are a favourite of mine for this purpose, although here in Australia they can be more suited to the middle of winter as they tend to be big malty and spicy reminiscent of a liquid Chrissy pudding and certainly complement that style of dessert. Others have a big malt background, but are more like a hoppy amber ale which will suit most traditional Christmas fare.

Here are a couple of cracking beers that should be on your Santa’s wish list this year.

Cheers Roy

Wining & Dining 43

Bridge Road Brewers (Beechworth, Vic.) Fat Man, Red Suit, Big Sack.

7.5%abv $29.99 per 6 x 330ml bottle.

This red IPA pours a beautiful reddish brown and has an off-white tight bubbled head. The aroma is earthy, with a hint of pine and some citrus.

The mouthfeel is medium to full with a nice sweet malty flavour up front, giving way to a moderate bitterness. At 7.5%abv you would need to watch out for this one as the alcohol is well hidden. It mimics the aroma with citrus and pine needle hop characters from the addition of Galaxy, Enigma and Topaz. This is a very smooth beer, which leaves you with a lingering bitterness. This would be a welcome addition to any Christmas table.

Food match: Roast meats and even Christmas pudding.

Blackheart Brewery (Brighton, Vic.) Christmas Ale 2015 Vintage 7.4%abv $11.99 per 500ml bottle.

The first appearance of this festive cheer is its dark colour and brownish head.

Holding it up to the light it is an awesome ruby red. It smells like the makings of a Christmas pudding, with plums, raisins, and spice on the nose. I was expecting something a little fuller in the mouth, but still this wasn’t a disappointment, its medium body lent itself to be easier drinking. Letting this one warm up slightly released more flavours and aromas of spice and raisins, as well as letting you know that it’s higher in alcohol, with its mouth warming effects. This is a nice interpretation of the style, and is one to share with a friend, partner or neighbour, perhaps after dessert whilst the taste of brandy custard still lingers in your mouth.

Food match: Christmas pudding with brandy custard and cream

Show this ad in store and receive

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

Conditions apply - see staff for details Offer ends 03/01/16 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

44 Gigs

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Gig Guide Perfect Drop, Daylesford SIN Night – Monday, December 21 Michael Sunjack – Saturday, December 26 SIN Service Industry Night with DJ – Monday, December 28 New Year’s Eve with dinner, jazz and 3 DJs – Thursday, December 31, until 1am Bianca Berto, Mother & Son – Friday, January 1 Cartwheels – Saturday, January 2 SIN Service Industry Night with DJ – Monday, January 4

Farmers Arms Hotel, Daylesford

2015

N EW Y EAR’S E VE Degustation Dinner

New Year’s Eve - dinner and music by the Prayer Babies

Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood Old Farts Xmas Nite - Monday, December 21, 5pm Page Spiers - Sunday, December 27, noon New Year’s Eve Party Time, Thursday, December 31

Bluebean Love Cafe, Hepburn Buck Jr and The Reputation – every Sunday, 5pm-7pm DJ Kicks (90’s Hip-Hop Recovery Session) – Friday, January 1 Arkie T Williams – Saturday, January 2

Celebrate 2015 and welcome 2016 with us at Source Dining 5 course degustation Sparkling wine at midnight $140 per person.

From 7pm Bookings essential

(03) 5422 2039

Daylesford Cidery, Musk Lunar Dust – Saturday, January 16, 12.30pm to 4pm

Want to publicise a gig? Email donna@tlnews.com.au

72 Piper Street KYNETON www.sourcedining.com.au info@sourcedining.com.au

Hot Fruit Salad - thanks to graphic designer Glen Heyne

N

ot wishing to waste the beautiful bed of still-glowing coals after the turkey was roasted, one Christmas I decided to make use of the fresh fruit on hand to produce a dessert that has been a summer favourite ever since.

The ingredients can vary depending what fruit you have on hand - basically what you would normally put in fruit salad including stone fruits and berries - but cut into larger pieces. The technique is to simply slowly simmer the fruits in a light pan, or metal cake pan, with a couple of tablespoons of liquid/liquor of your choice until they have softened but not stewed. You may wish to use the liquor to marinade the fruit beforehand and enhance the flavours. Over the years we have tried many and varied wines and spirits for this - and the favourites are sherry, cider or any light fruity white.

Layer the fruits, starting with the apples and other hard flesh, and ending with the soft berries and bananas to ensure a more even texture. These can go int almost at the last minute. To enhance the flavours you may care to add a splosh of a fruity liqueur before serving, just for effect. Serve in generous quantities while still hot, or at least warm, topped with cream and/or ice-cream.

26 - 28 Albert Street Daylesford 5348 3711

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THURSDAY

Wining & Dining 45

DECEMBER/JANUARY

Locals Menu

EXTENDED TRADING HOURS Sunday – Wednesday: 12noon – 4pm Thursday – Saturday: 12noon – 11pm*

2 courses $25/3 courses $30

NEW YEAR'S EVE

*Christmas Day: 12noon – 4pm online booking only

Open until 11pm

31 High Street, Trentham (03) 5424 1144

theplough.com.au

Beer Garden $18 mains

The Plough Gift Voucher

the perfect gift for everyone at Christmas

S PA C E N T R E M E A T S Suppli e rs of Ge nuin e l ocal prod uce

Our Special Festive season Fare Call

in to

Spa Centre MeatS

for a Superb SeleCtion of

feStive SeaSon fare with our great range of deliCiouS

haMS,

turkeyS and loCal laMb, pork & beef roaStS.

freSh

gourMet

all of our “Thank you to omers for wonderful cust roughout the their support th h everyone a year and we wis stmas and a very merry Chri r!”

Happy New Yea is produced b & aged beef Our prime lam Natural’ near lls farm ‘Green Hi ises on the family ed on our prem ag y dr ef be e th & y ur sb alm M in Daylesford. cellent range of We make an ex and babs, Schnitzels preprepared Ke famous e th ing lud es, inc gourmet sausag ar’, Malaysian chicken, ll Bo Swiss Italian ‘Bu d more.

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. Daylesford.

37 Vincent Street us on Facebook . Find Phone 5348 2094

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y ar p p a H Ye New

NEW SUMMER MENUU All our old favourites plus Vegan Burger Flat Top Dogs Po Boys Baos Shredded Apple Pie Moonshine Cocktails King Kong Banana Split Shrimp Calamari Salad

Champagne

or

a wide range of local wines and bubbles

Food

award winning meals

See in the New Year

with friends and family

Beer

our enviable range of craft beers and ciders on tap

Christmas Trading Hours Open Boxing Day Every day till Jan th Lunch and Dinner

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous 2016 Open until midnight New Years Eve – Closed New Years Day

~For all hours view website

www.galleydiner.com.au

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

Open for dinner daily and weekends for lunch

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

MERCATO @ daylesford

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

Photographer’s picks for pics for 2016 See more on Instagram at heart_of_the_highlands For this story go to www.tlnews.com.au - Issue 57 Image: Kyle Barnes

6:00

What’s Happening at the Kyneton Bowling Club Morning Melodies 4th

Monday of Month 10.30am.

Free Entry. Tea and Coffee provided

Bingo Every Tuesday 7-9pm and Sunday 11.30-1.30pm Big Bucks Jackpots starting at $30,000 plus in-house jackpots.

Kyneton Bowling Club (03) 5422 1902 Bistro reservations (03)54221744 www.kynetonbc.com.au manager@kynetonbc.com.au tonysplacerb@kynetonbc.com.au 61-79 Mollison Street Kyneton

48 Out & About

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FLYSCREENS MEASURED,

MADE, AND FITTED ON THE SPOT! FROM $ 00

03 5464 7380

• Roller Shutters • Security Doors • Fly Screens

39

SECURITY DOORS MADE TO MEASURE AT FACTORY DIRECT PRICES *Conditions apply.

Hepburn Shire & Ballarat

Phone: 03 5464 7380 or Michael 0422 643 901 Email: sales@onsiteflyscreensballarat.com.au www.onsiteflyscreens.com.au

Summer in the Central Highlands Send us your summer photos and we’ll feature them in the next edition.

Email kyle@tlnews.com.au Image: Kyle Barnes

Glenlyon New Year’s Day Family Sports Day Held at the Glenlyon Reserve, the event is run by volunteers with all monies raised going towards local organisations and charities.

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

W hile stocks last.

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

Plenty of food and drink available or BYO a picnic!

Adults $10 gates open from 10am

50 News

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Hepburn Springs Golf Club

T

HE women played a four-person drop off ambrose on November 18. Winners were Julie Azzopardi, Andrea Holmes, Bilijana Krunic and Jackie Krunic - 54 1/4. Nearest The Pin was Julie Azzopardi.

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The men’s 13-hole competition on November 19 was won by Peter Vendy with 29 points. NTP on the 11th was Graham Fell.

The men played Stableford on November 21. Winners were A grade Bernie Frith 37, B grade Jon Barrell 41 and C grade Ken Rea 42. Social was Gordon Chapman 45. NTPs were Alan Dean 15th, P. Henderson 17th while Neil Bruce had an eagle.

The summer golfers played foursomes on November 22. Winners were Lindsay Priest and Tommy Pedretti - 71-10-61. Tony Sullivan got the NAGA. The men’s 13-hole competition played on November 26 was won by Leon Hedwards 31. NTP on the 11th was Stan Collins. Graham Fell got the birdie hole on the 18th.

The men played the Len Barlow 4BBB stroke on November 28 with winners Vujan and John Krunic with 52.

The summer golfer played stroke on November 29. Peter Pedretti won easily with 68-9-59. NTPs were Pedretti 2nd, Lindsay Priest 11th and Terry Olver got the NAGA. Tony Sullivan made it into the test team.

The men’s 13-hole competition, played on December 3, was won by Peter Frith with 32. NTP on the 11th was Neil Bruce while Leon Hedwards got the birdie hole 10th.

The men played stroke for the December monthly medal on December 5. Winners were A grade Bernie Frith 75-9-66, B grade and the medal Andrew Guiney 83-20-63. NTP was Bernie Frith. Shane Richardson got the birdie hole on the 10th while Jack Ellis had an eagle on the 18th.

The summer golfers had a Par 3 day on December 6. Winner was Tommy Pedretti. Lindsay Olver got the NAGA. John Krunic made it into the test team with 104. NTPs were Lindsay Olver 3rd. Peter Pedretti 12th.

OZ TRANS DAYLESFORD --------------------------------# REMOVALS # PRODUCE # FURNITURE #GENERAL FREIGHT ---------------------------------MELB. & COUNTRY VICTORIA DAILY --------------------------------FREE QUOTES

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Gardens 51

A

S A stoic traditionalist clinging to a lifetime of last minute panic Christmas shopping, I offer hope to those similarly burdened with this simple phrase: Garden gifts.

Now, if ever a range of gifts was just waiting for you locally, it has to be those destined for the garden. Whether it be pot plants, garden ornaments or sculptures, from cutesy to awe-inspiring artistic splendour, the choice is all yours.

When the choice is plant life, more than a little care is needed to select something that is both appealing and capable of surviving way past the euphoria of Christmas Day. Buy locally from people who know and grow for themselves.

Potted plants for indoors, or a sheltered spot on the porch or terrace are always welcomed, especially if they come in or with an attractive container.

Most homes will have a well-lit spot indoors where “indoor plants” will flourish but away from direct sunlight is best. These can range from such ornamental foliaged plants as ivy, Sansevieria (snake plant), Philodendrons, or one of the vast range of ornamental ferns - many of which are native to Australia. Among these are the Adiantums (in photo, right) which thrive almost anywhere.

The all-time favourite Saintpaulia - African Violet - are in bloom in a wide range of delightful colours right now.

For outdoors, larger plants, along with larger containers are terrific gifts.

For a cool, shaded spot, nothing compares with hydrangeas. In sunny spots plants grown simply for their foliage include cordyline, flax, and conifers and the slender foliaged dwarf-weeping acacia.

My favourites include the new range of fruiting, miniature citrus trees and the ubiquitous aspidistra (in photo, far right). Since Victorian times, through decades of ridicule and downright rejection, these stalwarts have survived neglect in dark, dusty corners to rightfully reclaim their place of honour in our homes and gardens.

I

t’s time our ‘Cuddly Bear’ and our staff have a well earned rest so… here are our Christmas Trading Hours: Last delivery day 23/12/15.

We will be Closing at 12 noon 24/12/15 and re-opening 7.30 am on 4/1/16 We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business during the year and extend to you and your families a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year

WHITEHEADS TIMBER SALES BALLARAT Retail and Trade - We deliver anywhere 831 Creswick Road, Wendouree PH: 5339 3081 - FX: 5339 2636

www.wtsales.com.au

e: ballarat@wtsales.com.au

SCRUBCUTTER Holistic Woody Weed Management Blackberry, Gorse, Broome, Bracken etc Removed & managed with NO chemicals Small block, difficult & awkward areas a specialty Using hand tools and a low impact walk-behind machine Environment and animal friendly Phone Sean for a quote on 0438 029 628 Check out Scrubcutter on Facebook!

Call Jonathan Hurst 0411 216 043

Gardening: • Mowing including ride-on • Hedging, Pruning • & Brushcutting • Maintenance & Establishment of all gardens • Holiday rental Maintenance

Landscaping: • Fencing -Paling -Colourbond -Picket, post & rail • Retaining walls • Raised garden beds • Drive-ways & paths • Paving • Irrigation systems

Owner-operated, Established Local Business Fully Insured Free Quotes s_mountgardens@optusnet.com.au

52 Trades

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

Cleaning and servicing of pools, hot tubs and jacuzzis.

Water chemistry and water balance Commercial properties Domestic applications Reasonable rates All enquiries welcome Noel 0419 554 319 Declan 0438 212 107

Consulting in Administration & Management Book-keeping Administration Payroll Temp service Supplier monthly reconciliation Qualified to manage a small team of office workers Christ Jules Services Julie Hanson 0459 619 701 julphil.hanson@gmail.com www.christjulesservices.com.au

A unique heater manufactured in Daylesford from Australian products Servicing Daylesford and Districts.

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0427 508 840

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Trades 53

Miles Electrical.Rec15116.

Small Job Specialist All household electrical work guaranteed Daylesford /Hepburn region...

Phone Gary Miles 0458 112 777 106 Albert St, Creswick garymiles5 @gmail.com

Daylesford Newsagency & Tattslotto Newspapers, magazines, Tattslotto, dry-cleaning, stationery, photocopying and lots more...

We stock The Local!

55 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2061

Servicing all Daylesford and Districts wastewateraus.com.au MOB: 0427 508 840

Business & shopfront Vehicles & transport Digital printing & modern solutions Illuminated - lightbox & LED Gold leaf Promotional & events General signage & much more

services

SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE

(03) 5348 6749 or 0437 747 619 PERIODIC INSPECTION AND REPORTING OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE SUPERVISION OF SLUDGE PUMP-OUT LATEST SLUDGE-JUDGE TECHNOLOGY

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Moss Shading Solutions ‘Your complete flooring solutions’

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Exterior Awnings Folding Arm Tension systems Drop screen Traditional canvas Internal Blinds Roller & sunscreen Roman Blinds, Shutters SOMFY MOTORISATION SPECIALISTS

RING FOR QUOTATION / ADVICE 5348 4045 Studio 18 37 East Street, DAYLESFORD

www.tlnews.com.au

Fitness

with Samantha Redlich

I

T’S been an inspirational month in response to the last fitness article.

I’ve been speaking with a variety of people about their inner passions and goals, how to activate them and bring them alive through exercise and healthy lifestyle.

Based on these discussions and the momentum arising, I’m excited to predict that our region will definitely be fitter than ever in 2016.

There were some though who required more guidance on simply how to start an exercise program. Generally, it was from parents who were at home with kids, others who had no access to equipment or a gym or those who were inactive and had been told that it would be good for their health to start moving.

So for those of you who are ready to start exercise, here’s 10 tips to help you along and I have even included an at-home circuit for you to try.

1. Visit your doctor for an overall health check up and get the OK to exercise.

2. Set realistic fitness goals – get some help to goal-set if needed - and make exercise time a priority in your week 3. Increase your incidental exercise. Walk to the TV to change the channel, take the stairs rather than the lift, hang out clothes rather than put them in the dryer 4. Start slowly and build up one day at a time. For the first month try 10 minutes a day and work up to 30 minutes.

5. Make exercise your friend. Create a positive association to exercise and you will integrate it successfully into your life.

6. Find an exercise buddy. It’s more fun and you can support each other through the harder times.

7. Exercise outdoors where the kids can play. See the at-home circuit (below) you can use at your local park or sports oval while the kids play around the field.

8. Every day is a new day. If you falter, get up the next day and start again.

9. Engage a personal trainer or find a gym where you feel comfortable to train.

10. Say goodbye to excuses and the old 2015 version of you, and welcome your new fitter self in 2016.

Try this beginner’s circuit at home– keep for handy reference • Find an area to walk around – park, oval, playground, block, back or front yard.

Most ovals are about 400 metres around the outside.

• Stop half way and complete 10 half squats, 10 wall or fence push offs, 10 high knee raises, 10-30 seconds of air punches • Continue to full distance and repeat 10 half squats, 10 wall or fence push offs, 10 high knee raises, 10-30 seconds of air punches • Repeat twice and add one extra circuit every two weeks.

All the best in health and wellbeing Sam (Samantha Redlich is the owner of Xistance Gym in Daylesford)

Sports 55

Talking cricket

T

RENTHAM resident Peter Young argued that cricket has proven to be resilient because it has been able to adapt to changing times without compromising its key values when he delivered the Melbourne Cricket Club’s annual Toast to Cricket this month.

He said overarm bowling, invented by women who found underarm bowling impossible in voluminous skirts, was once as novel as the first day/night Test cricket played this summer.

Peter also argued that cricket has consistently shown its ability to be a unifying influence by bringing together people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, bound by their common love of the game.

Sports commentator Tim Lane, in introducing Peter to an audience of more than 300 MCC members at the annual Toast to Cricket dinner, said he offered the insights of having had a ringside seat at major cricket issues during 12 years advising Cricket Australia chairmen and its CEO, before retiring to Trentham.

FATHER and step-daughter duo Toby Towell and Ava recently completed the Great Victorian Bike Ride. Read their story on page 11.