Front page: Trentham's Little Gallery has two new artists-in-residence.
Damien McNamara, pictured, is known for his unique approach to woodwork and carves his forms with a lathe using native timbers that have mostly fallen in storms.
Steve Lees is a ceramic artist based in Trentham. His practice explores material transformation through processes of erosion, exposure, and weathering, drawing on the subtle ways objects and landscapes are shaped by time.
Read more on page 24. Image: Contributed
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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, July 13, 2026 or online on Sunday, July 12 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, July 8
Copy deadline: Thursday, July 9
Editorial deadline: Thursday, July 9
General manager: Kyle Barnes - 0416 104 283 | kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly - 0418 576 513 | news@tlnews.com.au
Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat
Writers:
Kevin Childs, Kate Foulds, Natalie Poole, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Photographers: Kate Foulds, Michelle Donnelly, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness
Contributors:
Darren Lowe (music), Jeff Glorfeld (US life), Bill Wootton (poetry), Dr Marita McGuirk (wildlife), Natalie Poole (history) & John Beetham (gardens)
Accounts: Julie Hanson | Delivery: Tony Sawrey
HSC: No geese, no Rex and now no indoor pool
Hepburn Shire Council’s pools are nearing “end of life” but the council will now create a community panel to look into the future of providing aquatic resources – including natural waterways.
However, the provision of an indoor aquatics centre is not feasible, according to a report presented to the council last week.
Hepburn Council has three outdoor pools (Clunes 25m, Trentham 25m, and Daylesford 50m), four currently closed toddler pools (Daylesford, Trentham, Clunes and Creswick) and one splash park (Creswick).
The pool season runs from early December to the long weekend in March. The pools are open three weekdays (3pm to 6pm) and weekends (1pm to 6pm) during school term, and every day (1pm to 6pm) during school holidays. Entry is free.
A capped amount of $150,000 for each of the three pools is available for any urgent major repairs – but has not been budgeted for and would have to be “found”, councillors were told.
Challenges
At the council meeting last week, Mayor Cr Tony Clark said officers had “identified some real challenges in the space around aquatics, also in our short, medium and long term financial situation”.
“It also clearly identifies the aquatics centres that we have within the shire are facing clear structural and long-term maintenance issues. Like many across the state, we're heading towards the end of life.
“This report identifies a proposed path forward in terms of aquatics and what we should be considering, looking at how we actually work together with the community to develop a future vision of what that might look like. (It) seeks to commence discussions and discussions can develop with our community, a strategy and a plan for the future for this very, very important resource.”
Cr Clark said the pools would reopen for summer.
Study
The Aquatic Feasibility Study, completed in 2022, found that developing an indoor aquatics facility in Hepburn Shire was not feasible, with costs ranging from $17M to over $30M.
“(To) renew existing assets like-for-like – estimates a $33M cost over the next 10 years, highlighting the significant financial challenges of just maintaining the existing aquatics provision,” the study says.
The study also looked at operating a shuttle bus service to aquatic facilities in towns outside the shire in Ballarat, Maryborough, and Kyneton - three bus routes running three times a day, three days a week, year-round.
“This option was initially costed at $234,000, however upon subsequent review the costings are estimated to be at least $750,000 annually. Low use is a significant risk.”
Upgrade
Another option was upgrading the existing Daylesford Pool with the development of an outdoor 25m pool, an indoor 20m pool and a smaller warm-water program pool. The cost of $21.6M was not considered feasible.
Meanwhile, Cr Lesley Hewitt told the meeting that the life of pool was an issue councils around Victoria and interstate were facing.
Olympic help?
“These pools were built post the Melbourne Olympics. It's an opportunity for funding when you think about the proposed 2032 Olympics coming up in Queensland. I just make that point.
“That's where we all got our funding from for these pools 60, 70 years ago, following the successful Melbourne Olympics in 1956. So, opportunities do arise, sometimes only very occasionally. And we wouldn't want to be closing off any options or any solutions at this stage.”
Coming clean
Cr Brian Hood told the meeting he welcomed the release of the feasibility study which would “better inform the community”.
“The two most important aspects in this motion are that we form this community panel. I think that piece of consultation is important. These are very, very important, valued assets.
“And the other second very important part is what we adopted in February of this year with the advocacy statement and the priority projects document. Let that play out. Let's see where that advocacy leads.”
Council’s Priority Projects document, adopted in February 2026, includes an advocacy action calling for a dedicated funding program from state and federal governments to substantially support the refurbishment and improvement of rural and regional outdoor aquatic facilities.
Consultancy/study cost
A spokesperson said the council had spent in the order of $70,000 over three financial years which included the original scope and some additional investigation.
DIAC
The Daylesford Indoor Aquatic Centre group has campaigned for an indoor pool in Daylesford for 10 years.
DIAC president Tim Bach said the group would now consider an invitation to join the community panel.
“We've put a lot of thought and effort into the issue of indoor aquatic facilities and we have some knowledge and experience to share," he said.
“(This problem) is not something that local government can solve. I don't think it's viable for the council to take this forward, given their current financial situation. I can't see them solving it (but) I think it's solvable.
“The Royal Life Saving Society has said there's 500 pools across the country that are nearing end of life and it's going to be an $8 billion project to renew.
“It's a national problem and the federal and state governments are going to have to tackle it at some point.”
History
The Daylesford & District Memorial Swimming Pool, dedicated to those who served, was opened on Saturday, November 11, 1972.
The Clunes Memorial Pool was built immediately after World War II at Victoria Park.
The Trentham Pool is in Market Street and was built in 1957.
The Creswick Splash Park opened in 2015.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Cartoonist Glenn Robinson aka GROB
THE MISTY BIT
TattsLotto win for Kyneton grandmother
A Kyneton grandmother has won $1.8 million in last week's TattsLotto draw.
The Macedon Ranges resident held one of the 11 division one winning entries nationally in TattsLotto draw 4687, drawn Saturday, June 20 and looks forward to a total prize of $1,818,181.82.
When an official from The Lott reached out to confirm her newfound millionaire status, the long-time player could barely find the words to describe the moment.
“Woo! That’s so exciting!” she cheered.
“I’m here with my son who has driven over an hour to come help me. I missed a few calls from The Lott earlier this morning and couldn’t work out why, so I went to the newsagency where I bought my ticket.
“They checked it for me, told me to hold on to it tight, and said I needed to call The Lott. My brain isn’t working. I’m very stunned. It’s totally unexpected. I’ve been playing since 1972 – a very long time coming.”
While the enormity of her win was still sinking in, the grandmother said one thing was certain: she couldn’t wait to share the joy with her nearest and dearest.
“I’ve got a big family, so I’ll be sharing it,” she said.
Her marked 12-game winning entry was purchased at Collins Authorised News & Lotto, 95 Mollison Street, Kyneton.
Owner Kevin Chen, pictured, said he was absolutely thrilled to have sold a division one winning entry to a local customer.
“It’s been five years since we last sold a division one winning entry so I’m very thrilled and honestly a bit shocked. It’s an amazing moment for our whole team,” he said.
“We’ll be sharing some treats with our team to celebrate this momentous occasion. There will also be posters proudly displayed all over our store.
“We’re such a tight-knit community so our locals will be absolutely thrilled for us and the customer. We have such a loyal customer base, and everyone loves seeing a big win in Kyneton
“We wish the winner all the absolute best and hope they enjoy every single moment of this amazing, life-changing experience.”
Active life for David at Hepburn House
David Hall needs no introduction. The Hepburn Shire 2020 Citizen of the Year has been involved in many organisations over the years.
First up was U3A Hepburn Shire, then with his late wife, Lorelle, he founded the Words in Winter festival, got involved with the ARC recreation centre at Daylesford College and then helped establish the Daylesford District Community Bank. In 2020 affordable housing was on his radar.
Now David, at 94 years young, has changed up his own housing, moving into Hepburn House a few weeks back. And he’s “getting used to it”.
“I was living alone and I couldn’t cook for myself, I was getting past that, and I also wanted to have access to medical attention urgently if I needed it, like a nurse.
“I was also missing that human contact so it’s great to have conversations over meals. And many of the people here are locals – so we know each other.
“Hepburn House provides all that. The staff are fantastic, wonderfully friendly, and helpful, know your name, and so on. And food's reasonable…you really couldn’t complain.”
David said he also likes the activities, most of them anyway. “They have quite a strong program from Monday to Friday and I join in as many of those activities as I can. Bingo, which of course I find boring, is one of the main things but there are quizzes, and chats, and talks.”
David has even given his own talk about a journey with others, driving a car from London to Kathmandu in 1962. “I was going around the world and it was a fantastic trip, and it makes quite an interesting story. I just converted it with the help of somebody else into a book.” (Read about it soon in The Local...)
Hepburn House is a Commonwealth Government-funded aged care facility focussed on providing personalised and advanced services to accommodate the needs of all residents as they experience change over time.
Hepburn House offers nutritious, freshly cooked meals, week-day visits from a Springs Medical GP, 24-hour nursing and staff assistance, an on-site physiotherapist and an eventful lifestyle program – all in a well-kept, welcoming environment surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape. It is Rainbow-tick accredited.
Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford. Phone: 5348 8100
"And he's telling me more and more About some useless information Supposed to fire my imagination I can't get no, oh no, no, no Hey, hey, hey, that's what I say."
- Lyrics from (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction...
Hepburn Shire Council's overall performance dropped by five points, from 46 in 2025 to 41 in 2026, in the 2026 Victorian Community Satisfaction Survey. Meanwhile, the average of small rural councils was 60, just over that of Victoria-wide councils at 57.
Mayor Cr Tony Clark said the results would "only spur us on and do the best job we possibly can - it's just going to take time". That is despite the survey saying the overall score for Hepburn Shire was the lowest in 10 years.
Cr Clark said the results were underwhelming and the council knew the communtiy was not satisfied "with our performance because that’s what they’ve been telling us over the last year or so".
“With a small team and financial limitations, we have been working hard to focus our efforts on our lowest performing areas from 2025 and committed to continued transparency, maintaining sealed roads and refining processes in the Planning and Building department. And this year, we saw an increase in satisfaction with sealed local roads, waste management and customer service.”
The survey said contributing to the poor overall rate was declines across most measures including a significant decrease in perceptions of value for money.
"Community decisions has the strongest influence on perceptions of overall performance but remains one of council’s lowest performing service areas. The related areas of planning and building permits, community consultation and lobbying, as well as sealed roads and slashing and weed control, are other influential areas.
"Improving communication, transparency and advocacy and addressing concerns around planning and road maintenance will help to strengthen perceptions of overall council performance."
The survey said the council performed significantly lower than the small rural group average and the overall average across participating councils in most areas.
"This will require a concerted effort from council to correct if it is to endeavour to be on a comparative level with the small rural group average.
"Council performs strongly on arts centres and libraries, and waste management ratings have significantly improved after a sharp decline last year. Council should maintain efforts in these areas in the year ahead. Public areas and recreational facilities are other strong performing areas however further minor declines this year have eroded significant gains made in 2024."
Words: Donna Kelly
Hepburn 2026 | Hepburn 2025 | Small Rural | Overall
Overall
Good meals begin long before the pan hits the stove.
They begin on the farm. Our family farm. In the way animals are raised. In the care taken by the butcher. In the cuts chosen for the people around your table.
Visit us instore at our shop in Daylesford or order online and have quality meat delivered to your door - to most areas across Victoria - and we will make sure that your meals are not just good - they will be memorable.
From our family farm to your family table.
Tinettis: Farming, cricket, wood, giving back
When milking cows for a living suddenly became unfeasible for Ian and Trish Tinetti, the sixth generation Shepherds Flat farming family had to diversify.
With a strong ‘jack of all trades’ skill set behind him, Ian who is a Vietnam Veteran and current Daylesford RSL president, could have comfortably relied on handyman work.
Instead, he and his community-minded wife, Trish, focused on cultivating willow trees on property purchased from the neighbouring Crockett family; synonymous with Crockett cricket bats.
Ian said when he was young Crockett Industries stopped making bats and most of the willows on their property were felled sometime around 1956 to 1960.
World Series Cricket
However, a seed planted in the keen cricketer’s mind in the 70s when World Series Cricket began, and Ian found himself asking “why aren’t we growing more willows?” and “how can we recreate the cricket memories here in Shepherd’s Flat which is the birthplace of the Australian cricket willow industry - to keep the story here alive, and not let it get away, not lose our history?”
As a result, some 25 years ago the Tinetti family founded Cricket Willow before launching the renowned Jabaroo cricket bat brand.
Ian said the bats were considered “equal to any” and Cricket Willow was the only place in the world that grew the trees, made the bats and hosted cricket matches at the same venue.
“When we started off with the cricket bats back in the late 80’s we had mills we could go to, to help us dry the clefts, but now the mills are gone. We’re bushmen, we’ve grown up with trees, we know trees, but bushmen are a dying race...
“The shame of it is, due to the cost in Australian production, the bats have run their time, but the story is still with us, we’ve recreated the birthplace of the Australian cricket willow industry and preserved our local history.”
Bocce & basket weaving
In doing so, the tenacious couple who chose to run their business with little to no technology at hand, turned their front paddock into a finely manicured cricket ground, converted the Shepherds Flat Store into a cricket museum and encouraged countless people to try their hand at tactile activities like bocce, bowling and basket weaving.
“I have a saying, why cut down a tree if you do nothing with the timber,” Trish said. “We have many strings to our bow, and I love telling people it’s the female willow tree we use, it’s light and pliable but you’ve got to make it ready for the impact of a cricket ball.
“The trunk is used for cricket bats and the limbs are used for many other things. In the Second World War it was for artificial limbs, charcoal gun powder and rims on bikes. It’s also used for musical instruments, it’s very good for the acoustics. (And) it's used for basket-weaving; we occasionally have basket weaving workshops here.”
Heritage Centre
Ian offers to take me through the Heritage Centre housed in the old dairy and cow shed. Along the way he points out beautiful, handcrafted baskets woven at a recent workshop, demonstrating the versatility of willow and activities quietly drawing people to Cricket Willow.
There’s a rustic cinema which occasionally fires up a projector, particularly over the annual Swiss Italian Festa weekend which Ian is actively involved in.
We walk into a room “dedicated to the nuns and the Convent Gallery” which is a nod to Ian’s local schooling at St Michael’s Primary and The Holy Cross.
Moving further through the Heritage Museum an honour board, including my own mother’s name, catches my eye.
“A friend told me the honour boards at Hepburn Golf Club weren’t up, so I went and picked them up to put in the Heritage Centre,” Ian says.
Volunteers
I’ve only just met Ian and Trish but learn, between the two of them, they’ve also been lifting people up in a multitude of ways throughout their lives.
For decades the couple have dedicated countless hours volunteering for St Vincent de Paul, a charity close to both of their hearts, and remain actively involved with St Peter’s Catholic Church.
Ian was named Citizen of the Year at the Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon Australia Day Ceremony in 1984 and awarded a prestigious Australian Sports Medal in the year 2000.
“We’re always available to help young people...to try to plant in them a reason for making or doing something, rather than just looking at a mobile phone or laptop,” Ian said.
Trish Tinetti
Trish, whose name was added to the Hepburn Shire International Women's Day Heather Mutimer Women’s Roll in 2008, takes pride in volunteering with Legacy Ladies, tying in with her family’s deep commitment to the RSL, and spends invaluable time compassionately caring for people in palliative care.
Trish tells me while achievements such as hosting the Run For The Willow fundraiser for Camp Quality at Cricket Willow for over a decade and establishing the Cricket Willow United Kingdom Scholarship for promising Central Highlands cricketers to experience playing abroad were rewarding, it’s the little moments that matter.
“I think there’s a bit of an art to just being able to listen - whether it’s people who walk in the door from all over the world who need someone’s ear, or we visit a 101year-old lady in a house, or a newborn baby and the mother needs help,” Trish said.
Golden Anniversary
Despite their busy schedules Ian and Trish, who have been married for almost 50 years and have children and grandchildren of their own keeping them on their toes, still make time on a weekly basis to visit Hepburn House, Lumeah Lodge and people living on their own within the community, providing company, comfort and lending a practical hand.
“I hope our community involvement quietly makes a difference to lots of people, day by day...giving someone a little bit of hope, a little bit of joy,” Ian says.
The Tinetti family welcomes visitors to Cricket Willow by prior arrangement. Phone 5476 4277 for further information.
“I think there’s a bit of an art to just being able to listen - whether it’s people who walk in the door from all over the world who need someone’s ear, or we visit a 101-year-old lady in a house, or a newborn baby and the mother needs help.” - Trish Tinetti
Words & colour images: Kate Foulds
Black & white image: Kyle Barnes
Pictured, clockwise, from top: Ian in the Heritage Centre pointing out his “grandfather’s seat” on a model of the Old Hepburn Hotel, built by Graham 'Butch' Tori; Howzat! - from the first edition of The Local, showing Ian baring all back in 2013, with fellow veteran and cricketer Laurie Wilks, for a good cause – a retreat for veterans and their partners, like a startled Trish; willow baskets made at a weaving workshop in the Heritage Centre; and Ian and Trish with a Jabaroo bat on the cricket ground which previously served as the dairy farming family’s front paddock.
Have your say Council News
Council meeting wrap up
• Aquatics review - alternate motion adopted
• Daylesford Hanging Rock Rail Trailsrecommendation approved
• s229 Local Government Act 2020acknowledgement of advocacy efforts
Learn more at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/minutes
Future of aquatics
Council has resolved to release the final Indoor Aquatics Provision Feasibility Study and Business Case to the community and establish a representative community panel to help inform the future direction of aquatics across Hepburn Shire. We acknowledge the important role public outdoor swimming pools have played in local communities for many decades, while recognising the need to make financially responsible decisions about future aquatic services and infrastructure. Information on the community panel will be available soon. We look forward to opening for a fantastic 2026/27 summer season.
More at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/aquatics-future
Winter school holidays
The upcoming winter school holidays are the perfect time for children and families to enjoy some fun activities. From animation workshops to making your own mystical creatures, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and entertained. View a full list of activities at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/events
Your Councillors
Clunes Flood Mitigation Study
Council, the North Central Catchment Management Authority and Water Technology are developing flood mapping for the Clunes township and local catchment area.
We’re inviting residents to come along to a drop-in session and share local knowledge, photos and information relating to flooding in Clunes.
• Friday 17 July, 10 am – midday
• Saturday 18 July, 10 am – midday
Find out more and have your say online at www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/cfms
Trent Creek Reserve and Bath Street
We want to hear from you on the draft Trent Creek Reserve Landscape Plan and possible changes to Bath Street in Trentham.
Community engagement is open until 7 July 2026 Complete a survey and find out more at www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/tcr
Draft 2026/27 Budget
A Special Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 June at 6 pm to consider the adoption of the draft 2026/27 Budget.
The draft Budget relies heavily on Council’s own resourcing due to a lack of support from state and federal governments. It is disciplined, financially accountable and responds to unreasonable cost pressures handed down from state and federal governments.
This meeting will be held virtually, with the public able to view proceedings via the live stream on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/@hepburnshirecouncil5931
Council news...
Hepburn Shire Council will no longer look into the Daylesford-Hanging Rock Rail Trail project.
It will also give up the rail corridor leases between Bullarto and Lyonville, to allow Daylesford Railway (formerly Daylesford Spa Country Railway) to take up the leases from VicTrack to construct its planned rail extension to Lyonville.
A report at last week’s council meeting said the move comes because of the significant costs of the project/s, availability of funding and risks associated with community support, landholder complexities, uncertainty around alignment, and other complicating factors.
“The concept of a Rail Trail from Daylesford to Hanging Rock was originally identified in a 2013 report Crossing Borders Tracks and Trails, a partnership initiative between Hepburn, Central Goldfields, Ballarat and Macedon Ranges shire councils, as well as the Victorian Government," the report said.
The report looked at potential tracks and trails projects to link key towns in the region for the purposes of increasing physical activity, as well as tourism. From 20212023 the council invested in the early-stage planning of the project, with feasibility and preliminary trail alignment the key focus.
“Council partnered with Macedon Ranges as they were further progressed on rail trail initiatives within their boundaries, which would connect to the trail in our shire should it progress to construction stage," the report said.
“Significant community consultation took place in 2021 as part of the initial feasibility work. The council resolved in December 2021 to support both projects and pursue external funding for the subsequent $1.5M planning stage.
“MRSC, in reprioritising current projects, has removed any commitment to progressing this rail trail. DSCR has indicated they have the resources to pursue the rail extension and can do so with only minor involvement from council."
Words: Kyle Barnes
DAYLESFORD DENTURE CLINIC
At Davies Dental, we prioritise your comfort and satisfaction, offering compassionate care and innovative dental solutions tailored to your unique needs.
Just briefly...
Words in Winter has appointed Aunty Alison McRae - a Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta Elder and leader - as its inaugural Cultural Advisor.
The friendship between festival producer Devon Taylor and Aunty Alison began at Paradise Bookshop in Daylesford. That connection has now deepened into a formal role that will see Aunty Alison guide the festival committee and programming to ground the event on Djaara Country. Aunty Alison is also a member of the Pitcha Makin' Fellas art collective, alongside her son Jack Shilvock and Uncle Ted Laxton. Meanwhile, Words in Winter has released this year's line-up of authors and eventswith tickets now on sale. Link: www.wordsinwinter.com
The Victorian Electoral Commission has received an application from I’m Voting to Avoid the Fine for registration as a political party.
Objections to the proposed registration must be submitted to the VEC in writing no later than Saturday, July 25, 2026. Valid reasons for objection include: the party is not an eligible political party as defined under the Electoral Act 2002 (the Act); application is not in accordance with the requirements of section 45 of the Act; and/ or the proposed name should be refused under section 47 of the Act.
Hepburn Shire Council is preparing a landscape improvement plan for Trent Creek Reserve (Bath Street in Trentham) to support community groups in seeking funding.
Community engagement closes on July 7. Feedback will be used to help revise the draft landscape plan for Trent Creek Reserve and inform councillors of the community's preference for Bath Street.
Link: www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au
Clunes's Booktown's featured speaker for July is Sean Dooley, author of The Big Twitch.
Join Sean, author and comedian from Birdlife Australia, as he discusses his memoir, the results of the latest Aussie Bird Count and the joys of birdwatching. The event is on Sunday, July 12 at the Clunes Railway Station. Doors open at 1pm with the talk from 2pm. Bookings: www.clunesbooktown.org.au
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has adopted its 2026–27 Budget.
The council has included a number of measures to help ease cost-of-living pressures. These include more free green waste drop-off weeks (increasing from two to six each year), a cheaper annual pass for Hanging Rock Reserve, a 12-month freeze on some business-related fees, and extra funding for local food banks and Neighbourhood Houses. To fund services, the council will apply a 2.75% rate increase, which is in line with the rate cap set by the Victorian Government.
Victoria’s visitor economy is booming, generating record spending and supporting thousands of jobs across the state, according to results from Tourism Research Australia’s Domestic Tourism Statistics and International Visitor Survey.
The survey found visitor spending has increased by 6.5 per cent and more than 2.9 million international visitors spent a new high of $10.5 billion in the year ending March 2026, an increase of 16.7 per cent. This includes $774 million in regional Victoria. The biggest spenders were Chinese visitors followed by those from the UK and then the US.
Minister for First Peoples Ros Spence has announced funding for 13 organisations as part of the eighth round of the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program.
As part of the funding, Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation in Central Victoria will receive more than $1.4 million to build a co-designed Indigenous Education Place in Chewton. The service will deliver educational, employment and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations people.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas has announced the successful applicants in the latest round of the state government’s Sporting Club Grants Program. Grant recipients include the Trentham Bowling Club which will receive $1000 for new uniforms and the Daylesford Speedway Drivers' Association which will receive $879 for pit crew safety coveralls.
Words: Donna Kelly |
HOME SUPPORT PROGRAM
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Supporting independence at home across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shire.
Call today to meet our Care at Home team.
High-quality urgent care, close to home.
We triage, treat or transfer patients depending on the nature of the visit and assessment of the illness or injury.
The types of conditions we can assess include:
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Country Cob wins best pie in national comp
Victoria’s Country Cob Bakery has won Australia’s Best Pie with its Malaysian prawn pie - a mix of coconut curry, spices and prawns tucked up in golden pastry.
Country Cob has locations in Kyneton, Boronia and Springvale.
More than 300 bakeries competed for the Baking of Australia Association Best Pie and Pastie Competition crown, held on the Gold Coast.
Country Cob co-owner Ryan Khun, far right, said the idea came from a seafood curry he and his wife tried one night while eating out. He thought it would make a great pie and his brother, Chan, pictured left, who is also a co-owner and chef, agreed.
The brothers were awarded best pie-maker in the same competition three years in a row (2018-2020), and again in 2023 for their Cambodian fish amok pie.
Victoria took home eight wins across pies and pasties.
On Facebook, the brothers said they had started 10 years ago this month with a simple dream - to create pies that were delicious, different, creative and unique.
"We wanted to bring something special to our community, even though we had very little knowledge about making pies at the time. We still remember our first week in business. We sold around 300 pies and looked at each other and said: 'Let's make a change'. Fast forward to today, and we're humbled to be baking around 10,000 pies and pastries every week.
"Along the way, we began experimenting with new flavours and unusual fillings, especially Asian-inspired creations. At first, many people weren't sure about them, and honestly, we had plenty of failures. There were lots of trials, lots of errors, and many pies that never made it to the display cabinet. But we kept going.
"Today, we're incredibly grateful to have been named Australia's Best Pie Maker five times, won more than 400 awards, and served countless pies to pie lovers from near and far. To our loyal customers - thank you for believing in us, supporting our crazy ideas, and being part of this journey. And to our amazing team - thank you. Your hard work, passion and dedication are the real reason behind our success.
"Here's to the next chapter, and to many more pies shared together."
Words: Kyle Barnes | Image: Contributed
To build or not to build, that
Well, good news, the slab is down and the walls are up. Nah, only joking, still nothing happening on our block.
However there has been a positive update. The permit has finally been signed off by Hepburn Shire Council, which is great, and also by the builders - Sherridon Homes.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum, I mean permit sign-off.
Kyle only told me a few days later that he had opened an email, late at night, from Sherridon telling us they could sign off on the building but they needed another $7800. Kyle thought it was for a few different things but it ended up being just for a rubble pit. (They didn't send it late at night, it was just when it was opened.)
And Kyle decided the best thing to do was just sign it and send it back - we really are hoping to get some action on the block soon.
I found out about it the following day and was a little surprised that to supply and install a 2.0m x 1.0m x 0.8m rubble pit in case our tank overflows one day, would cost $7800.
Now I have no doubt it is needed for the engineers to sign off on - even though most homes around us seem to have pipes that just direct their overflow rainwater out to the street - where the council has spent some time digging channels for that very purpose.
But perhaps it has not worked as well as they hoped so we need a rubble pit for the water to churn around for a while, maybe drain off more gently, and then disappear down the gutter.
It seems like a lot of money to dig a hole, put down some PVC lining and then fill with some rocks. Or rubble.
I popped a query on Facebook and most people seemed to think between $1000 to $3000 would be the right price. Thank you to the builders and plumbers who gave us that advice.
Anyway, we decided to ask Sherridon if we could employ our own plumber - to save money - but they came back with a "no". It had to be done by their people at their price.
So we wrote back again with a Not Happy Jan email and this time to the general manager. And then we got a call from a very nice bloke called Craig, who is one of the Sherridon management team, who said the amount was, in fact, wrong.
It was excessive and he was sorry that had happened. Apparently it was taken from a quote for another similar property, or something like that. So, just a mistake. And it turned out our rubble pit would be just $2500 - but they would still prefer to have their people do it.
So we said "yes" and we are back on each other's Christmas card lists. But it does stand as a word of warning that if you are building, it is worth querying figures if they seem a bit high.
It reminded me of when we first got permission to subdivide and the council said we had to include a rain garden (which pretty much does the same job as a rubble pit) for the overflow of our tank on the existing property. Garden pictured above. Actually, we had a choice, a rain garden or we could donate $5000 to the council.
We didn't have $5000 to donate, and if we did I would rather give it to a real charity, so we asked a gardener to make us a rain garden - and it came in at just over $500. Winning.
Now, with the cost of the rubble pit sorted, we can get on with the slab, some walls, the kind of stuff you can actually see - so far we have just paid out money for things like permits - not really exciting.
So, at the end of June, our mortgage on the new property is still being paid each month and there is still nothing on the block.
I hope that July is more productive. Watch this space. Words: Donna Kelly
Chloe's Drag Bingo - Christmas in July – Thursday, July 16, 7pm Christmas in July – Friday, July 17, 18 & 24, 5.30pm – Ticketed event
Live piano – Friday, July 31, 6.30pm-9.30pm Link: www.daylesfordhotel.com.au
Art at Maryborough
Maryborough's Central Goldfields Art Gallery’s latest exhibition RAGGED & TAGGED & FLAGGED Caroline Chisholm, Domesticity and the Victorian Goldfields by Dr Flossie Peitsch is now open. Maryborough resident Dr Peitsch reclaims discarded handwork and transforms these textile foundlings into fine art. As part of the installation, visitors are invited to inscribe the names and roles of unheralded women – both past and present – from the Victorian goldfields. The exhibition will be on display until October 11, 2026.
The Local is very proud to partner with these great events!
The Art of Gold, golden jewellery on loan from the National Gallery of Australia, is on display until August 30, 2026. The 12 gold jewellery items are on display with support from the Australian Government as part of Sharing the National Collection. Nine date from the mid-19th century goldrush in Central Victoria. Also on display is a necklace and two rings by Rowena Gough who was born in Maryborough and is one of the most accomplished contemporary jewellers in Australia.
Capturing the Wild – A series of photographs and paintings by Milton Moss is on display until August 16, 2016. Maryborough's Milton says he has always been a keen wild weather landscape photographer. "I combined my two loves, painting these landscapes in oils, using my experience of being out in the weather and my photographs as the inspiration.” A free artist talk will be held on Wednesday, July 29 from 10.30am. Link: www.centralgoldfieldsartgallery.com.au
Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply.
Delivery times are Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. We have an on-board EFTPOS.
You will need to be at home for the delivery with proof of age if asked by the driver. Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577.
Our region's history with Natalie Poole
Daylesford Cemetery & Charles Smith
Many times, driving past the Daylesford Cemetery, I would sight a large marble tombstone on a grave.
It was hard to miss due to its size and presence on the landscape, and I always wondered - who does it belong to and what did they do for the town of Daylesford?
Those questions were answered when I was working on my family history last year, and a photo of the headstone was a hint on my Ancestry account. The mystery was finally solved and now I needed to find out who was Charles Smith and how did one afford the marble pillar back in 1909.
Charles Smith was born in 1839 in Boston, Lincolnshire, England to George Smith and Maria Dolling. The family sailed from London on the ship Victory, arriving in the Geelong area in September 1856.
Then on February 16, 1860, Charles married my second great-grand aunt Mary Ann Colston in Daylesford and they lived in East Street. They raised nine children: Roland (1861), Charles (1862), John (1864), Louisa (1867), Alfred (1869), Ernest (1874), Herbert (1878), Francis (1881) and Sydney (1883).
So how did Charles support a large family? A Victorian Gazette dated June 20, 1862 unlocks the mystery. Charles had shares in the Specimen Hill Quartz Mining Company located on Specimen Hill Reef near Daylesford.
The Hepburn Mining Division 1999 paper on Historic Gold Mining sites gives an insight into the success of the venture: "The Specimen Hill Quartz Mining Company was a successful gold mining operation near Daylesford, active from the mid-1860s until 1880, when it ceased operations and abandoned the ground. During the years 1867 to 1880 inclusive, the company crushed 88,339 tons of quartz for 24,985 ounces of gold. The company's shaft reached a depth of nearly 600ft."
Another Victorian Gazette dated December 31, 1863 shows Charles also had shares in the Concordia Gold Mining Company located in Stanbridge Paddock, Daylesford. The Hepburn Mining Division paper 1999 gives an insight into mining in the 1860s. In the early mining history of the state, small areas only were permitted occupancy, and one of the first companies to operate in the district was the Concordia Gold Mining Company.
Attention was directed by this small co-operative party to the Concordia, a tributary lead three-quarters of a mile north of the existing Daylesford Railway Station. It was leased and a royalty had to be paid. The total yield to September 2, 1865, was 5280 oz. 9 dwt. (pennyweight) of gold to a value of £20,315 and the royalty of £4081. It ceased operations in 1867 and although the company had a comparatively short existence, it was nevertheless profitable.
The profits made from mining were used to buy property in Daylesford where the family continued although Charles and Mary Ann moved to Rosedale Villa, Clunes near the end of Charles's life. He died on July 13, 1909 at 70 with his will showing the accumulation of property in the Daylesford Borough.
In Vincent Street, Charles owned two weatherboard and brick shops which were rented out. On the corner of East and Raglan streets, he owned 11 acres of land and had the following properties - an orchard with two weatherboard cottages containing four rooms each, three weatherboard cottages containing six rooms each and the crowning glory, the Farmers Arms Hotel which contained 12 rooms. His total estate was worth £5962.
The tombstone was erected at a cost of £156 and has left a lasting impression of how a young man made good in the Daylesford area through mining and the purchase of property. I am proud to be related to this family.
Left, the Concordia Gold Mine painted by John Charles Armytage
Above, the tombstone, image: Natalie Poole
Kyle's Rant
Wow, the world has gone and got itself into a tangle again, things seemed to swing so far to the left just a couple of years ago and now they are pulling to the extreme right.
With racism comes sexism and all the other “isms” follow. Once you divide a community on the matter of race why don’t we then divide them on big noses and ugly body parts. God knows there are still those skinny little wafer-thin bastards in the corner snickering about us normal-sized folks.
However, with the rise of One Nation and now a few other celebrities joining the great unwashed, we are in for some turbulent times. I was always curious how America suddenly became the way it is under the yellow man, a country in the thick of poverty with racism at the forefront and a joke for a capital which once garnered the pride of the people.
Regardless of your political views, please come up for air and peek over the fence because all is not what it seems. By and large we do live in a safe little bubble here in the Central Highlands although there are the few twerps on Facebook who hide behind their keyboards but would struggle to string a sentence together in the real world. But in our real world I don’t often trip over those types and our community is very understanding and tolerant of each other. But we can’t let this political creep take hold just because it doesn’t really affect us.
There is danger on the horizon with people like Karl Stefanovic, once a bloke of the people, now wading into the far-right movement. And Kyle Sandilands, someone who happens to have a good head for radio, and then there is old tomato head Barnaby Joyce, a fella who should have stayed down when he was in the gutter.
And for those who pay attention you can see how it happens - life starts delivering the hard-working migrants lemons. But they weren’t born here, so what right do they have to own a business and do well? Your lot in life seems to not amount to much, house prices keep going up, as does food and you're feeling alone.
But suddenly you're not alone, you have your white supremacist brothers and sisters around you who all share the same hard luck stories. You all sit around at your meetings talking about the good old days, buoying each other up with rhetoric of change.
And you are playing right into the hands of these guys. I am an immigrant. I came here 32 years ago with my arse hanging out of my pants. But it seems I’m okay because I am white, share the same language and are more easily assimilated into the community.
Pauline Hanson couldn’t run a fish and chip shop and guys like Stefanovic, Sandilands and Joyce are getting onboard the SS Yahoo. A ship full of drunken sailors who couldn’t organise a good time with a fistful of fifties in a brothel.
Let it be said, I have never been a fan of Albo. Too much like Mr Smithers. And as far as his economic reforms go, they will probably send the country into a recession. And then the Liberal party looks to me like the front bar of the Star Wars movie set, with no policies to call their own.
So I can see the confusion and the want for great leadership, and if you have read my column this far down to glean an answer you are mistaken, as I have none. I just know that we will probably follow America, England, Ireland and Germany and I am not looking forward to the ride.
Going bush rant over…
Local Lines trip
a wheelie suitcase carried by its handle one wheel wiggles
they come for cezanne and art’s heavy hitters still life in aix
balance
at the calder exhibit a one-legged woman
bip bip
BIP BIP BIP BIP too close to art
distant squarks lasso the summer sky thirsty seagulls
all quiet
in montparnasse cemetery a truck starts up
buffeted to sleep in the rear of the plane memories jostle
- Bill Wootton
Bill is back from France which was both mighty and mighty hot, and where parking was easy. He is appreciative of returned Hepburn cool.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
Pick me, pick me!
Hi there, I am Missy, the shelter's sweetheart!
I just love engaging in playful activities, showcasing my curiosity and intelligence. I have already mastered basic commands and enjoy walks and games of fetch.
I am also gentle and love a cuddle, so I am an ideal companion. I really hope for a home where I can share my affection and playful spirit.
Oh, I would also prefer a home where I am the only fur-baby. I am a three-yearold staffy mix. So loyal to boot! Microchip number: 56000018911758
Come and meet me at MAAWS. Call 5472 5277 | shelter@maaw.org.au
Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie the Kelpie & Curly the Cocker Spaniel - we picked them from the Peninsula RSPCA.
Pick me, pick me is also proudly supported by Daylesford's petstock - where pets are family.
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
As a journalist, I love it when the Community Satisfaction Survey is released. It's the gift that keeps on giving, and as long as I have been editing The Local - Hepburn Shire Council has done pretty poorly.
So, you know, it makes for a good story, I can always use the 'can't get no satisfaction' headline and this time I even added in a few lyrics from the Rolling Stones' song.
But as a ratepayer, it is really annoying, because my rates are just not being used as well as they could. According to the survey anyway.
This year seems to be about the worst. And Hepburn Shire Council acknowledges they are not providing satisfaction, because, as CEO Bradley Thomas says, the community has let them know in no uncertain terms.
Mr Thomas says the council is doing its best and just needs more time. But the survey says the overall performance score is the worst in 10 years. Just how much time do we give them.
Now, I am not suggesting anyone is not doing their best. I know people who work for council and I believe they are, individually, doing their best. But as a team effort, it is clearly not working. And the CEO, as the head of the organisation, takes the brunt of the complaints. Probably followed by the councillors. Who we voted in. So no-one is blameless.
I guess, going forward, we have to collectively think about the future. Is our council viable as it stands? Can it continue to rate so poorly - and now pretty much run out of funding.
For a long time, Cr Brian Hood has pointed out the shortfalls of the budgets, past, present and future. And some people have listened and some have not. But perhaps in the future, or lack of, our pools will have people finally taking notice.
Yes, our pools are an important part of our community. Great for kids and families, people who want to swim a few laps, or just catch up with friends poolside. But they are end of life now. Pretty much already on life support and with no funding to fix let alone replace them.
The council, at its meeting last week, agreed that an amount of $150,000 per pool was available for urgent repairs. But we all know that $150,000 does not go far, and on top of that, it has not even been budgeted for. Council Infrastructure and Delivery director Bruce Lucas told the meeting that if needed, the money would have to be "found".
Mr Lucas said: "It's not an allocation provided for within the draft budget. It is a referenced trigger threshold, if you like, to guide officers on any works needed after the commencement of the pool season, where we might find we have some major failing of the infrastructure and the $150,000 threshold would need to be found if it were needed. A threshold or a guide for officers to know to what level to invest in to undertake the necessary repairs should we find some major failings."
(Hmmm. Long-winded way to say 'let us know if there is a problem - but we have no money to fix it. This sounds very much like my own financial planningwhich is to win TattsLotto one day. Kyle says this is not a sound plan. And even I struggle with the idea of finding up to $450,000 all up "if needed".)
The council also voted to create a shire-wide community panel to talk about the future of the pools saying it was not their place to decide on what happened in the years to come.
But surely it is their place? Is that not why we voted them in - to make decisions, hard and easy, on our behalf. After all, a huge amount of money has already been spent on consultants and reports about the future of aquatics in the shire.
But no, let's throw that out and ask people with no particular knowledge of running public pools or financial management, what they think about the future of pools - and let's throw in natural waterways as well. Grrr.
I don't know the answer, and I did stand for council once although I am very glad I did not get in, but surely it is time we started asking the hard questions about the viability of our shire and our council.
Amalgamation could be one answer, maybe the state government could send in administrators for a few years to straighten it all out. I know that seems harsh but there is only so long that life support lasts - and I think it might not just be the pools that are end of life. Call time perhaps? Just sayin'...
(Image just for cuteness...)
Business Directory - Buy Local
Out & About in Hepburn Shire
Little Gallery
The Little Gallery in Trentham continues to celebrate visual artists of the Central Victorian region with a fresh rotation of new talent from emerging to established creators.
Rose Wilson, the founding member of the Little Gallery, said: “Over the past 15 years, we have proudly exhibited more than 250 artists. This not only highlights the gallery’s strong profile but also reinforces our dedication to nurturing our fellow artists in the community.”
The Little Gallery welcomes two artists-in-residence. This position gives visitors to the gallery an opportunity to engage directly with the artists, as they share their passion and craft.
Steve Lees, pictured right, is a ceramic artist based in Trentham. His practice explores material transformation through processes of erosion, exposure, and weathering, drawing on the subtle ways objects and landscapes are shaped by time. Using wheel-thrown and hand-built techniques, he investigates the relationship between material, process, and place.
Damien McNamara, pictured on the front cover, is known for his unique approach to woodwork and carves his forms with a lathe using native timbers that have mostly fallen in storms. Employing techniques like burning, fuming in ammonia, and delicate copper stitching, his pieces are both distinctive and deeply connected to nature. His current work explores classical forms with influence from Greek vessels, creating sculptural forms with balance and simplicity.
In addition to welcoming new in-house resident artists, the Little Gallery also features work by Daylesford ceramicist Kay Goldfinch and Macedon Ranges painter Justine Hutchison.
The annual Winter Show has been cancelled for 2026 due to unforeseen circumstances however the Little Gallery remains committed to maintaining the highest standards.
Plans for a standout 2027 Winter Show are underway, ensuring that regional artists will have the opportunity to exhibit in a renowned regional gallery and be a part of what is regarded as an exceptional mid-year exhibition celebrating local artists.
Words & image: Contributed
Words in Winter
As part of the Words in Winter festival in Daylesford, Australian poets with a passion for the natural world are invited to enter the 2026 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize, offering a $1000 major prize for unpublished work.
The prize honours Venie Holmgren, who began writing poetry in her late 50s and went on to become a celebrated performance poet and environmental activist.
She was arrested twice while protesting logging trucks to save native forests on the NSW far south coast, and her first anthology, The Sun Collection for the Planet, became a poetry bestseller in 1989. She "caught the bus" in 2016 at the age of 93.
This year's judges are Peter O'Mara and Dr Patrick Jones.
Peter is a Hepburn-based writer and artist whose work has appeared in leading literary journals including Meanjin, Overland, Cordite and Island
Patrick brings a distinctive perspective to the role - his research explores "permapoesis," a creative framework that weaves together poetry, ecology and placebased living.
Poems must be no longer than 80 lines and must carry an environmental theme. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents are eligible. Each entry requires a $10 fee, and multiple poems are welcome. The poet's name must not appear anywhere on the manuscript or file, as all entries are judged anonymously.
Submissions close on Monday, August 3, 2026. The winner will be announced during the Words in Winter festival in Daylesford on Sunday, August 30.
For full terms, conditions and the online entry form, visit www.holmgren.com.au
