The late Bob Conroy has been inducted into the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
The honour celebrated not only Bob’s on-track deeds but also his much-admired “gentleman” status off the track. A video presentation on the awards night said: “A 16-year-old boy from Korweinguboora named Robert Conroy won all three horse events at the 1947 Daylesford Gymkhana, however the trotting bug didn’t hit him until 1962 when Bob won a three-year-old race with Butch at Ballarat. Later, he resurrected Mary Beverley from the breeding paddock and won his first metro race with her as a pacer on Anzac Day, 1972. Then eight months later he remarkably transformed her into a trotter that won the Group One V.L. Dullard Cup. His training methods utilising Hepburn Regional Park were responsible for Bendigo Cup winner Lincoln Star and the transformation for the unraced pacing breed, Amazon. He became the fastest trotter ever in Australia. Bob was renowned as Mr Integrity.”
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 314
A scruffy terrier from Daylesford called Squid has hit the big screen as a star that rescues a drought-hit farm.
Rebecca Faulkner, who has lived in Daylesford for seven years, spent five months hunting for a dog to play Runt in a film of the same name. “We knew roughly what we were looking for,” says Rebecca. “We wanted a dog that would thrive and enjoy it. We went to see 10 to 12 dogs and searched Victoria,” she says. Squid, “a mixed-breed mutt like some of the best ones” to train, was found in her third home. “She was a ‘nightmare’ terrier. Terrier through to her bones. You get problem behaviour in animals just as you do in humans. I gave her a job to do. She could easily have become an all-day barker, easily have become the kind of dog that tears up the houses and digs up the garden. There was a lot of training from scratch. She needed agility and dogs’ agility is like that of Olympic athletes. They build muscles and coordination.” The gruelling filming ran for six weeks of 10-hour days, five days a week.
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 315
Mount Beckworth summit via the old Feldspar Mine, Clunes. We’ve walked to the famed lollipop tree on the summit of Mount Beckworth near Clunes many a time, but never before from the western flank of the little mount, via its old Feldspar Mine. So today’s the day. Our starting point is the Cork Oaks camping ground which means we’ll be setting out through the remarkable old plantation that’s part of Mt Beckworth Scenic Reserve. This historic and rare plantation is always a treat. The Feldspar Track to the summit is signposted from the Cork Oaks camping ground, and it’s pretty easy to follow on and up toward the Beckworth zenith with its 1918-planted lollipop tree, a Monterey pine. As most longer-term locals around here will tell you, back in the 1940s during WWII, the lollipop tree was used as a beacon for trainees from the RAAF No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School based at Ballarat Airport. These days the tree is landmark for residents of these parts, its unique silhouette discernible from many miles across the rolling plains. Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 314
Daylesford is headed for massive exposure via TV show The Block. Channel Nine says the 20-year-old show averages 1.3 million viewers on Sunday nights and a million on the following three nights, as well as being shown in 170 countries. What is called pre-construction has already started on the Raglan Street property, with filming likely to begin in February or March. Casting is well underway. So far, 176 contestants have taken part in more than 900 episodes, winning more than $34 million in prize money. For lovers of detail, there have been 98 homes renovated, 200 bathrooms and 98 kitchens built. At least 70 crew members are expected to move to Daylesford, renting locally for three months. Hepburn Shire Council said the show would create tourism and economic development opportunities by showcasing the district to a national audience. “The production of The Block will enable opportunities for our tradespeople to work alongside the many cast, crew and in-house trades that will temporarily reside within our shire. We will be working with the producers of The Block to support them.”
Let’s support our community and shop local!
“Locals supporting Locals” Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.
Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply.
Delivery times are Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm. We accept credit cards over the phone or we have an on-board eftpos machine. 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. Keep safe, everyone.
With its retro body, classic details and gleaming indigo duco, Paul Dwyer’s very collectible 1956 FJ Holden ute tends to turn heads and start conversations wherever it rolls up.
But Paul’s treasured and restored FJ ute is just one of a throng of character-packed cars headed on the first Sunday morning of each month to the Cars & Coffee event at Daylesford’s Amazing Mill Markets. The brainchild of car collector and motoring enthusiast Peter Olver, the first Cars & Coffee happened in March 2016, and was replaced in 2017 by MotorFest which was last held in 2023 but is currently in recession. While the event has previously raised some serious dollars for good causes including the Daylesford Hospital, the current version is firmly focused simply on fun and providing a social outlet for car owners and their prized sets of wheels, Peter says. “There’s a need for it. People have been wanting it back again. We’d like to invite anyone who has got a classic or vintage car, or any auto of interest. Something that people want to stop and look at,” adds Paul.
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 315
Cliffy’s Emporium is holding a Christmas Day fundraiser with the goal of raising over $100,000 to support the local CFA brigades.
Set to take place on December 25 from 8am to 11am, the event promises festive fun, delicious food and the opportunity to give back to the community. Since its inception, this Christmas tradition has become a cornerstone of holiday celebrations in Daylesford, raising nearly $80,000 over the past five years. All proceeds from food, drink sales and donations go directly to the CFA brigades that serve Daylesford and the surrounding regions, ensuring local firefighters receive the support they need to continue their life-saving work. This year, Cliffy’s is seeking donations of products or vouchers to be raffled off during the event, with all proceeds going to the fire brigades. Every donation, big or small, plays a crucial role in helping to reach this year’s ambitious goal. In return, all donors will receive recognition across event promotional materials. Image: Chris Turner at Inkd Fotogrfa
There was no shortage of spring racing fever in the air as the Melbourne Cup paid a visit to Trentham in October, as part of its international and Aussie tour that began in May.
The Cup’s Trentham tour inclusion came about after owner of Hotel Trentham, former Boomer and NBA star Chris Anstey applied to host the $750,000 18-carat-gold trophy. During its Trentham visit the Cup was accompanied by Victorian Racing Club staff and champion jockey Jamie Kah. Jamie was carefully avoiding any contact with the Cup, a superstition held by many jockeys who have their sights set on winning it on the big day itself. And she almost made it, coming third on Okita Soushi. Kah hit the front in the final straight of the 3200m race and dared to dream of becoming the first female jockey to win since Michelle Payne in 2015. Jamie was one of a record four female jockeys, alongside Hollie Doyle, Rachel King and Winona Costin. Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 317
The Little Local - thelittlelocal.com.au
10 Stony Creek Road, Daylesford VIC 3460
P: (03) 5348 1884
E: info@stonycreekgallery.com.au
Trading Hours:
Open: Thurs - Mon 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Closed: Tues - Wed
Michael Parker welcomes his Galleries and Sculpture Daylesford. Featuring original paintings sculptures, including mediums by regional .Paintings .Sculptures .Jewellery .Ceramics
Creativity has always been central in the life of Musk Vale ceramicist Minna Graham. This skilled artist creates hand-made, functional tableware with a sculptural twist.
“I think I’ve come to terms recently with the fact that I’m a landscape artist. I’m really interested in mountains and volcanoes. Big inspiring landscapes. And we do travel a lot. I do chase different landscapes. Patagonia is a big one that’s stuck in my memory. Since 2016, when we travelled there, I’ve been having a love affair with the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia in The Andes, the volcanoes of Indonesia, the Australian desert…and also the small things. We live very close to the earth here. After a while you notice things in detail, the seasonal changes. There’s so many amazing micro-details that fascinate me like the gum leaves changing colour, tiny little micro orchids. These influence my glazing and colour and texture as well. The landscape kind of finds its way into every aspect of my work, both physically and metaphorically.”
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 317
Free places!
Creswick’s parkrun
Jubilee Lake
Mt Franklin Reserve
Thomas’ Lookout/Cornish Hill
Glenlyon Reserve, pictured
Daylesford Mill Market
Lake Daylesford
Wombat Hill Botanic Garden
Trentham Rail Trail
Trentham Falls
Myriad mineral springs
Bush walks
Lerderderg Gorge
Glenlyon Falls
Sailors Falls waterfall/lookout
Creswick Trails
Markets...
Clunes Farmers Market
Castlemaine Artists Market
Kyneton Farmers Market
Ballan Farmers Market
Maldon Market
Trentham Farmers & Makers Markets
Glenlyon Farmers Market
Creswick Market
Leonards Hill Market
Talbot Farmers Market
Woodend Lions Market
Malmsbury Farmers Market
Daylesford Market
Trentham Station Market
Daylesford Railway Market
Just Google for more info!
Macedon Ranges Walking Track: Sanatorium Lake to Camels
Hump and Return, 9.5km
While researching possible walks in the Macedon Ranges, it’s the name that catches my eye; the Sanatorium Lake Walking Trail. Sanatorium? More on that later. It forms part of the Macedon Ranges Walking Track and at a very leisurely 2.6 km, joins nicely with a lengthier hike up to the Camel’s Hump, the highest point in the Macedon Ranges, making a more respectable 9.5km return walk all up. So lunch, Thermos, waterproof coats, camera and backpacks sorted we head off on an almostsunny Sunday. Travelling to the Macedon Regional Park via Woodend we start to gain elevation and encounter a phalanx of motorcyclists out to grind their pegs on the sharper Mount Macedon bends. Turning left off the main road that continues through to leafy Macedon, we instead take the Lions Head Road and continue on past Days Picnic Ground, navigating gravel and a serious pothole or two to arrive finally at the Sanatorium Lake car park.
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 316
• Extensive
• Rustic
• Accessible
• Coffee,
• Parking
• Activities
• All
Judy Turner, the dynamic musician and founder of the hugely popular CresFest folk and roots festival held in Creswick every April, has been awarded the Contribution to Folk Award.
CresFest president and Kingston resident Mark Myers said “a group of us travelled to Melbourne to be part of the celebrations at the annual Australian Folk Music Awards, held at Brunswick Ballroom”. The event saw people from every state honoured for their contributions. “We are very proud of Judy and of all she has achieved for Creswick. At the awards night we realised how much she has contributed over many decades, to make music an essential part of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. Her energy and commitment are awe inspiring, and we are lucky to have her living in our region.” Judy was nominated for the award by Ballarat legend, the singer and choir leader Stella Savy, who nominated her for her pioneering work providing musical opportunities for players of all ages through the creation and maintenance of the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, Stringmania Camp and CresFest.
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 318
Numbers you might need
Emergency – Fire, Police, Ambulance - 000
Daylesford Taxis – 5348 1111
Springs Medical Centre, Daylesford – 5348 2227
Daylesford Hospital – 5321 6500
Daylesford Police – 5348 2342
SES – 132 500
Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre – 5321 6123
Places you might need
Daylesford Post Office – 86 Vincent Street
ATMs in Daylesford:
Bendigo – 97 Vincent Street
Westpac – 45 Vincent Street
Commonwealth – 36-40 Vincent Street
ANZ - 52 Vincent Street
A secret you might like!
Summer is on its way and the best way to cool down is with a dip in a beautiful river pool.
This one is built across the Loddon River and the pool wall spans the width of the river. Swimming pool heaven really. But you’ll have to ask a local where it is because it’s a secret.
The large-scale sculptures that Jannie Alday make are sophisticated works of beauty as much as they are fully functional one-offs, designed to appeal to the connoisseur.
Middle-eastern architecture is among the influences that ignited this talented creative’s passion for simple elegant form and fluidity of line. Alday deploys traditional fabrication methods, welding and rendering, alongside modern technology to make sculptures that are sensual, tactile and alluring. Right now she is preparing to celebrate the launch of her new Newlyn studio. “This studio developed over Covid lockdown and now I’m ready to open it. My studio is rendered with a product made from recycled glass. Before, I had been building my sculptures in the re-purposed Railway Goods Shed in Creswick. But that was a short term solution. I needed a crane to move my work so I decided to build this purpose-built studio here.”
Read the full story at www.tlnews.com.au - Edition 319
Sage Roadknight 19, is a singer from the Macedon Ranges creating in her own words, ‘futuristic folk music’. She comes from a musical family, has been involved with music for pretty much her whole life and first started with the piano at age six.
The last time we featured Sage in 2021 she had just won the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Battle of the Bandwidth competition. Now Sage is ticking along, producing albums and singles while attaching an increasingly sophisticated production quality to her growing repertoire. “The past couple of years I’ve been juggling school and music,” she says, “but I’ve managed to get a couple of notable things done. I was short listed in the environmental music prize in 2022 and after that I had this song called Trust the Dead that I produced for a music industry class, selected for the VCE Season of Excellence and exhibited at the Melbourne Museum.” Read
A300 to Mt Franklin 4km to Castlemaine 30km to Bendigo 68km
Jacksons Lookout Tower
SPRINGS
C316 to Glenlyon 9km to Malmsbury 27km to Kyneton 31km
to Malmsbury 27km to Kyneton 31km
View Hill Rd
Rosella Ln
C317 to Trentham 25km to Woodend 45km to Melbourne 113km via Calder Fwy
The Little Local - thelittlelocal.com.au
Barkas
Parker Trewhella
Frazer
Grenville
Stanhope
Stanley
Queensberry
Orford Daly
Camp
Duke
Vincent
Bridport
Harts Ln
Langdon Crt
Millar
West
Perrins
Fulcher
Tierneys Ln
Grenville
Lake Road
A300 to Blampied 8km to Newlyn 15km to Creswick 24km to Clunes 41km to Ballarat 39km
C141 to Sailors Falls 3km to Ballan 30km to Melbourne 109km via Western Fwy
