LOST magazine VOL 20 Issue 196

YO U R S T O K E E P

VO L 2 0 I S S U E 1 9 6

Artist: Kim Anderson

BE CREATIVE AT HOME The Be Kind – Be Creative initiative is all about learning, making, doing and being in these changing times – for kids and adults alike.

Visit creativeballarat.com.au to browse the full program of podcasts, videos, creative activities and challenges, artist collaborations, online workshops and more.

Highlights include: • Be TV – a YouTube series designed for school-aged children • Once Upon a Lockdown – Stories of Ballarat during COVID-19 a podcast, featuring Ballarat locals talking about current lockdown-related issues • Ballarat Open Studios [Remote] – a virtual program celebrating local artists, creators and makers with short videos, hosted workshops, behind-the-scenes studio tours and more New activities are being added regularly.

For the full program visit CREATIVEBALLARAT.COM.AU

CO N TE N TS RECIPE

R E TA I L

Smoked Trout Pasta

Under a Spell

06

26

E AT

F E AT U R E

From the Big Smoke to the Good Life

A Full Mind & Heart

08

34

DRINK

C R E AT E

The Sky is the Limit

Obsession & Passion

14

42 C O C K TA I L

PRODUCE

Macedon Dry Martini

A Field of Purple

47

20 L O S T N E W S

PAG E 07

W O R T H T H E W A I T B Y W AT T S F R E S H

PAG E 24

P R I N T S F O R W I L D L I F E B Y M A R N I E H A W S O N

PAG E 4 0

T H E L O N G E S T N I G H T

PAG E 4 8

L O S T R E A L E S TAT E

PAG E 55

L O S T - T H E G U I D E T O W H E R E T O F I N D I T

PAG E 6 0

L O C A L Q & A

PAG E 6 3

LO S T M AG A Z I N E | 3

VOL 2 0 I S S U E 1 9 6 | J U N E 2 0 2 0 ABOUT LOST MAGA ZINE

Lost Magazine is an independent monthly magazine circulating throughout Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Kyneton, Trentham, Glenlyon, Castlemaine, Woodend, Creswick, Clunes and surrounds. We also distribute to select Melbourne venues and to an ever-growing subscriber base.

LOST TE AM

PUBLISHERS

EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

PHOTOGR APHER

Tony De Marco & Theresa Albioli

Taylor Albioli

Ryan Wait

Chris Turner

F E AT U R E W R I T E R

F E AT U R E W R I T E R

F E AT U R E W R I T E R

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Larissa Dubecki

Mahmood Fazal

Michael Harden

Anthony Carrubba

LOST MAGA ZINE

COVER IMAGE

3 Howe Street, Daylesford VIC 3460 editor@lostmagazine.com.au 03 5348 2324

Village Dreaming by photographer Chris Turner. Read the full story on page 34.

DISTRIBUTION

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

taylor@lostmagazine.com.au ADVERTISING

taylor@lostmagazine.com.au 03 5348 2324 | 0430 068 999 ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

www.lostmagazine.com.au SOCIAL MEDIA

@lostmagazine

4 | LO S T M AG A Z I N E

All content in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without express permission of the publisher. All care is taken to ensure accuracy in editorial and advertising however the publishers and any contributors accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. All material herein constitutes information and not advice.

As Ballarat's largest sheet fed printers

we give a sheet Lost magazine has chosen to support local and work with us as they give a sheet too.

We choose sustainable forestry We choose low carbon economy We choose local businesses We choose Regional Victoria

QUALITY OFFSET & DIGITAL PRINTERS

W: www.sovpress.com.au E: print@sovpress.com.au T: (03) 5338 2772 A: 2/6 Traminer Ct Wendouree

LO ST R E CIPE

FROM THE FARMERS ARMS KITCHEN TO YOURS The Farmers Arms Hotel Daylesford is not your average pub. It boasts a truly seasonal menu, focusing on highlighting local and in-season produce. We deliver dishes that reflect the best of the region, sourcing from local organic farms and produce growers to ensure not only sustainable and tasty dishes, but also generous and deliciously flavoured meals.

Although things are running a little different to usual, our kitchen has not stopped creating delicious dishes to share with our community through our home delivery food & booze service. We take great pride in all of our menu and this Smoked Trout Pasta with Rocket is one of our isolation-staff favourites. We hope you will enjoy making it at home too.

Smoked Trout Pasta With Rocket INGREDIENTS 1 medium brown onion 2 cloves garlic 400g Pasta: any choice Salt & Pepper to taste Handful rocket Olive oil 200g smoked trout 250ml cream 100g butter METHOD 1. Cook your pasta in salted water as per packet instructions, we like using Linguine but any pasta shape will work.

2. Finely dice brown onion & garlic.

3. Put your oil in a pan on medium heat and sautee onion & garlic with salt & pepper to taste until onion is translucent and fragrant, then add cream & butter.

4. Pull apart your smoked trout, removing any bones if present, then add trout to cream base and simmer for two minutes.

5. Add your pasta to your sauce, give it a toss through until all pasta is evenly coated.

6. Finish with rocket and garnish with a slice of lemon.

LO S T N EW S

Lost News

T

he days are getting a bit chilly now that winter has arrived. Winter, to me, means dinner by the fire with a wine (or two). Ridiculous outfits of slippers, a beanie, pyjamas and jackets; and struggling to get up out of my warm cozy bed...

It’s great to be back and presenting another edition of Lost Magazine. Each day is still different, but it’s nice to see some normality coming back this month.

It’s been wonderful collaborating with, and supporting local businesses to create this edition of Lost Magazine.

Also, a big shout out to Mahmood Fazal, who has been nominated for a Walkley Award on his co-project "No Gangsters in Paradise" - check it out on Audible.

So what did the team get up to this month...

Larissa caught up with some old friends, Tom and Lauren at Pancho in Daylesford.

Such a gorgeous space, with incredible food and coffee.

Michael was lucky to learn about one of our favourite drops with Peter at Nintingbool Winery. To say I’m jealous would be an understatement.

Mahmood ventured to Trentham Fields to watch the saffron flowers bloom with

WRAP UP OF NEWS AND HAPPENINGS IN OUR REGION B Y E D I T O R , TAY L O R A L B I O L I

Christine. He then visited Mara from Village Dreaming and explored her garden of wonders and delicious homemade creations.

Blair and Shannon welcomed Mahmood into the world of Greywoods, a fresh duo pushing the design envelope.

Mahmood also had a laugh with Connie in her boutique store, Portal108, that has all your must-needed items from fashion to pet-wear.

Anthony is happy that it's now winter, and told us a story about the shortest day of the year.

Dean and Sherril from Watts Fresh sat down to share their beautiful story.

And, Marnie Hawson presents her latest project ‘Prints For Wildlife’, explaining her initiative and sharing some gorgeous pictures.

Wow... What an action packed edition.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition. We are so grateful to have such a supportive community - this is for you.

Taylor Albioli Editor

www.newlinedesign.com.au Call: Jon Mikulic M: 0418 350 644

D.C GROUP + NEWLINE DESIGN ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING, INTERIOR DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. RESIDENTIAL & HOSPITALITY LO S T M AG A Z I N E | 7

LO ST EAT

From

the

Big Smoke to the Good Life PA N C H O C A FE STORY BY L ARISSA DUBECKI PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

Lauren Bieber and Tom Crowe aren’t the only Melbournians who’ve packed up to seek a simpler life steeped in the beauty of Central Victoria. They are unique, however, in being members of the city’s café intelligentsia who’ve brought their skills to the `hood. Part of a wave of smart operators who helped revitalise Melbourne’s café scene into a world leader more than a decade ago, these days you’ll find their skill-set transplanted to a vibrant café on Daylesford’s Vincent Street.

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LO S T EAT

LO S T M AG A Z I N E | 9

LO ST EAT

Melbourne’s loss is spa country’s gain. These days you’ll find the couple slinging excellent coffee, smart food and local wines at the small but perfectly formed cafe Pancho. Named after Lauren’s Chilean father, it was known as Awkward Jeffery before Bieber and Crowe took it over two years ago and before that was a butcher. “It’s an old terrace so it was once someone’s house,” says Bieber. “The dry store upstairs was once someone’s bedroom.”

Their Clifton Hill cafe Mixed Business, which opened in 2008 to instant acclaim and was sold ahead of their treechange, shows its proud

legacy at Pancho. Crowe is in charge of the kitchen and remains a keen proponent of the DIY approach, making all the things that are often bought in such as relishes, yoghurt and cakes. The meat, poultry and eggs are free range but it’s not the kind of place to expect something as prosaic as straight-up scrambled eggs and bacon. Instead you might find slowroasted pork belly with poached eggs and mushroom ketchup on a potato rosti, or a lifeaffirming bowl of Japanese-leaning breakfast greens with a poached egg and a lively sprinkle of the spice mix togarashi.

LO S T EAT

LO S T EAT

Lunches lean towards the hot rolls that were beloved by fans of Mixed Business, stuffed to the gunwales with the excellence of houseroasted beef or chicken with cheddar cheese and `slaw, seeded mustard aioli and bright with pickles and relish. Soup – maybe roasted parsnip with thyme and goat cheese – demands a seat by the open fire once business returns to a post-coronavirus normal. Lockdown switched them to a takeaway footing, with the offering extending to a selection of the menu along with an excellent takeaway coffee, made with beans by Brunswick heroes Wide Open Road, and a number of grocery items.

Bieber and Crowe exchanged the bustle of East Brunswick for the assured serenity of the tiny town of Campbells Creek, just outside Castlemaine, where they live with their two

boys, Sidney aged five and Arthur, three. The drive to work is a far cry from the days they would battle inner-city traffic jams getting from home to neighbouring Clifton Hill, just a few kilometres away: “It takes about the same amount of time but instead we’re driving through the gorgeous countryside and beautiful towns like Guildford and Yandoit,” says Bieber. “It’s actually relaxing.”

Pancho Cafe 5373 4230 panchocafe.com.au 117 Vincent St, Daylesford Open Monday & Wednesday to Friday 7.30am to 3.30pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am to 3.30pm; closed Tuesday.

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 13

LO S T C R EATE

The

Sky

is the

Limit

W

ho are we? How are we different? And what are we trying to deliver? These are the key points Greywoods marketing firm want local businesses to ask themselves. Greywoods, the name taken after the family farm in the Macedon ranges, means one thing to co-owner Blair Smith; “To us it means being yourself – authenticity and returning to your essence.”

GREY WOODS S TO RY BY M A H M O O D FA Z A L PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

“I'm from a small town as well. So, this move for me, back to Daylesford, is a desire to give back to the grassroots community and really help people in a more human sort of way.

That's the essence of Greywoods,” explains Blair. “It’s back to basics. It’s very family centred, it's about enabling communities and small businesses to do well with a cleaner, more professional, efficient marketing experience, but at an affordable price.”

Blair fell in love with the Macedon Ranges ten years ago. He was living in St Kilda and on the hunt for a weekend getaway. “I’ve been quietly looking at a holiday home up here. And L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 15

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LO S T C R EATE

then last year I just realised I like it up here more than Melbourne,” says Blair. “And I just thought, why not have the main property up here and the holiday house in Melbourne. So, I kind of flipped it. I think growing up in small towns, I really do feel like they suit me better.

Just that sense of community.”

Co-partners, Blair and Shannon worked together as colleagues for an agricultural company in Ballarat. “We both really had a passion for the Macedon Ranges and Goldfields. I'm living up here now, and I really wanted to start my own consulting firm in the area.” For the past six months, Greywoods has been leading the charge in rural Victoria as a marketing tour de force.

Shannon speaks with considered enthusiasm, “We have the experience of seasoned marketers on staff but we’re a boutique player, our advantage is the level of intimacy

and honesty you simply can’t find in bigger agencies.”

Blair is a specialist in marketing strategy with many years behind her building, developing, raising capital and successfully selling an ondemand delivery app; Go-Fetch. “I love getting my hands dirty by working hard to build social channels that have commercial outcomes,” says Blair. “I am a specialist in the start-up space with many years behind me in brand development and helping businesses define their unique selling proposition.”

Shannon’s background is cut from the same cloth. Although, it’s Marketing Operations that fuels Shannon’s fire, “That's probably where I differ from Blair, who is very strong in the start-up world. My background is about building a brand and scaling it up to grow into a business. And that's where I've been focused over the last ten years.” Shannon wants

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 17

To our beautiful community, thank you!

Our gift of hand sanitiser to the members of our Community has allowed us to meet and make a special Connection with so many beautiful people.

It has been a pleasure being able to support everyone In these challenging times.

Supporting you ; supporting us.

H E R BA L L O R E L I QU EU R S

18 | L O S T M A G A Z I N E

LO S T C R EATE regional companies to flex their quality outside the local bubble, “These companies have been regionally safe...we want to give them national exposure through digital channels, which is what we're strong at, building up businesses so they don’t just rely on local trade.”

When asked about key opportunities missed by local businesses, Blair explains, “A lot of regional businesses don’t know what they don’t know. What they don't realise is how far their reach with digital marketing can go. So, things like Facebook, social media, Instagram, even LinkedIn and Twitter, you don't see a lot of regional companies having much focus on those.”

Greywoods prides itself not being a faceless

company, the bedrock of their business are the relationships that hold their industry together. “We will help people get their business established or change or even launch a new product,” says Blair. “We'll hold your hand the whole way. And we really want our work to be measurable; with demonstrated growth or whatever success metrics you’re looking for. We will work to those and be very accountable. Our tagline is actually from go to WOW! And it's basically because we're specialists in launching things and taking them to market.”

Greywoods 0413 262 999 greywoods.com.au blair@greywoods.com.au

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 19

LO ST PRODU PRO DU CE

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LO S T P RO D U C E

A Field of

Purple TRENTHAM FIELDS S TO RY BY M A H M O O D FA Z A L

C

hristine Rawson-Harris was selected to travel to Korea from her hometown in Salzburg Austria, “I was selected to open a hotel over there. And then I met this young Australian gentleman, well he’s long gone now, but he slipped me over here to Victoria actually,” explains Christine, her Austrian accent riddled in an Aussie twang. “You know people come to Australia to go to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane? Well, I came straight to a farm in Spring Hill. And I totally loved it.”

Although Christine grew up in the city of Salzburg, her heart had always pined for her uncle's farm in rural Austria. “I think he was my big hero. He was my big inspiration. He grew his own corn. He had his own cows. His own horses, chickens, his own pigs. My aunt had a massive veggie garden. So, they were very much self-sufficient. Ever since I was a little kid, I said ‘one day I want to be living the same way!”

PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

While on a trip to Tasmania with her sweetheart, Finn Jensen of Autumn Joy Nursery, Christine heard her calling. Finn wanted to go to Tasmania to look at some nurseries to find rare plants. “And so, we went on a trip there and I said, ‘Well, why don't we pop into the Tasmanian Saffron farm.” After a half-hour chat, Christine became fascinated by the pretty bulb with purple flowers.

"My sweetheart has 16 acres and when we came back, I said to him one day, ‘Sweetheart, your plans with the Japanese garden...I think they have to be postponed!’ and he asked, ‘why?’ I said, ‘sorry the field is claimed, I think that’s where I want to plant my saffron!’ So his idea of a Japanese garden vanished.”

It was over 8 years ago that Christine conceived her plan for Trentham Fields, cultivating the rich, fertile soils of Trentham to grow Saffron. One of the earliest inscriptions of saffron can be traced back to the Bible’s Song of Solomon, roughly 3,000 years ago. In

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 21

LO ST PRODU CE

ancient Greece and Rome, the herb was used as a royal dye and thrown in baths and halls to add a sweet aroma to the air. Saffron was such an important herb for ancient civilisations that the hetaerae, professional Grecian performers akin to geishas, adopted it as their signature flower.

“It was a very interesting process because it has so much versatility. Saffron is being used in medicinal research, they’re trying to see what else you can use this plant for like Macular degeneration, high blood pressure, as an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory. It’s a very interesting plant.” explains Christine, her voice trembling in excitement. “It's used in alternative medicine, one of my friends practices myotherapy and I actually just delivered some saffron to her today - she makes tinctures. There’s a guy in Brisbane who makes ice-cream from it, and some of the best

chefs in our region use it in their cooking as well. There’s a lady in Castlemaine, she would like to extract some oil from the petals to see if there’s a possibility to make a perfume essence from it.”

Imagining the Autumn bloom, “And the flower itself is just so beautiful,” quips Christine.

“If I go out weeding, especially now, when the field is surrounded by those beautiful Autumn coloured trees. To me the field is like my sanctuary...the weeding doesn’t matter because you're surrounded by the birds, the trees, and nature. I just love working with Mother Nature to grow something I can call my own.”

Trentham Fields christine@trenthamfields.com.au trenthamfields.com.au

WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 5-8PM SATURDAY 12-3PM / 5-8PM DRIVE THRU OR PHONE 03 5348 2335 DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

22 | L O S T M A G A Z I N E

LO S T P RO D U C E

LO ST STORY

Worth Doing Well

T

he old saying that good things take time and that if a job is worth doing, its worth doing well certainly ring true for the dynamic duo that is Dean and Sherril Lamb. They have owned and operated five fruit shops over the past 25 years, taking out the prestigious Victorian Fruit Shop of the Year award for one of their stores in 2007.

For the past eight years they have owned and operated Watts Fresh in Kyneton. Two

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S T O R Y B Y WAT T S F R E S H

and a half years ago they purchased the old Mollison Motors site in Kyneton with the vision to transform the site into the type store they had always dreamed of owning. Dean took on the job as an owner builder and with a small team of dedicated tradies transformed what was perhaps the ugliest building in the street into something quite special. The attention to detail is astounding, but more than that it is the feeling that the whole place now exudes.

LO S T S TO RY

When you enter the car park you will spot the olive trees and grape vines espaliered on old fencing wire and redgum fence posts that were saved from the site. Gabion stone walls and repurposed concrete laundry troughs abundant with vibrant red geraniums herald the entry to the store. On the corner of the site sits an old Austin A70 ute, its there as a reminder that this was once a car yard, and also to pay homage to Fred Watts who founded the business in 1944 and delivered around town in his little Austin ute. These little things matter to Dean and Sherril.

On entering the store, you will struggle to imagine how this was once a car yard. It has been reimagined into something quite beautiful. Fresh leafy greens abound next to displays of blueberries and seasonal fruit.

Right now, the shelves are overflowing with citrus, pomegranates, local pears and apples and other things you have never seen before.

Plantain bananas, mustard leaves, bitter melon, beetle leaves, and okra are also here

to tempt you into a new world of cooking flavours.

There is even a full-service deli with some amazing local charcutier, free range hams, bacon, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and more.

A little further along is the cheese cabinet with cheeses both local and from around the world ripe and ready to be enjoyed on your favourite cracker. You can even grab a coffee to fuel your shopping spree or enjoy a cold pressed juice or smoothies from the juice bar.

There is also an incredible range of continental groceries, small batch local produce, herbs spices, nuts, breakfast cereals and health foods. Vegans are well catered for, as are dairy lovers with several independent milk brands on offer. House-made take home meals are also available from the kitchen.

Deans advice to anyone that has a big dream, “just do it, bite off more than you can chew and chew like buggery�.

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 25

LO ST RETAIL

P O R TA L 1 0 8 S TO RY BY M A H M O O D FA Z A L PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

LO SLO T PSRO T RPETA ERTY IL

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LO ST RETAIL

C

onnie Conlon’s bubbly personality flutters through the phone when she calls. “My Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog just ran out of the shop, straight across the road, which was a bit scary!” Her shop, Portal108 is nestled on the winding main road of the lush Spa Country; Hepburn Springs.

“We all dream of a tree change whilst at our office desks or stuck in traffic on our way to work. I lived in Sydney and had these big long commutes, sitting on my bum on the way to work, then all day behind a desk and again on the way home,” she explains, dragging her voice. “And I was just like, Oh! I don't want to do this grind anymore. Surely life is just meant to be better than this.”

After a visit to Hepburn Springs, Connie fell under the spell of the Spa Country. “I just fell in love with the place; the nature, the beautiful walking trails, the local produce, the openminded people...it's just such a magical place.”

In 2004, Connie and her then partner planted their seed when they ventured to the central highlands searching for fertile soil to sow their dreams, “with the hope to turn that seed into a giant beautiful Pine Oak tree that would be alive for decades to come.”

While adventuring through the Sunday market, Connie decided to set up a stall, “just for something to do.” She began selling odd bits of jewellery as a weekend hobby. “When you go to a new place you just go; let's try this, let's try that. We were setting up trestle tables in our front yard selling jewellery and people walking by were really into the market feel of it,” says Connie. “We did that for a month or so. Then the winter kicked in, and we just ran inside one day and went, ‘Oh! We better make it look like a shop!” Connie quickly decided to set up camp by the lounge room fireplace.

Once their old home in the Blue Mountains was sold, Portal 108 was officially open for business; offering jewellery, clothing, homeware and giftware. “I only like to stock

5348 4353 28 | L O S T M A G A Z I N E

LO S T P RO P ERTY

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At Cliffy’s, the shelves are filled with local produce and good old -fashioned products .

The menu is made up of satisfyingly good food. The wine corner stocked with seriously good local plonk.

OVERFLOWING WITH COUNTRY CHARM

At Cliffy’s, the shelves are filled with local produce and good old-fashioned products. The menu is made up of satisfyingly good food, and the wine corner stocked with seriously good local plonk.

WWW.CLIFFYSEMPORIUM.COM.AU

30 Raglan Street Daylesford Victoria (03) 5348 3279

LO S T R ETA I L things that I love,” asserts Connie. “If I really love something and I'm passionate about it, it just gives me so much joy to put it out and meet people who feel the same way.”

The first time it happened was when two guys from San Francisco, driving through the scenic greenery, were drawn into the shop. Connie remembers it like it was yesterday, “They came running in and saying, ‘what a funny little shop!’ They were just blown away by all the quirky stuff. It was amazing to think that people had stumbled upon it from the other side of the world. And that's why it’s called Portal108 because it's 108 Main Road - but it's like a portal. A portal is a gateway to another realm. It looks like a house but when you walk in the doors, it's something different. It wasn't what they expected.” The shop has recently moved directly next door into the old Hepburn Springs Post Office building. It has had a complete refurb and is full of warm natural textures and tones.

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In Connie’s world, there are no fashion police. “I'm not interested in shops that take themselves too seriously. I like to choose stock that’s beautiful, quirky and fun,” she pauses to reflect on the offerings. “I stock designer pet gear as well. That's made in Australia by a woman from Mount Dandenong. It's a dog friendly shop where people can come in off the street with their dog and find a cool collar and lead or a dog bed and, you know, take photos and put their dogs on Instagram if they like.”

Dancing around her shop, listening to Aretha Franklin while drinking a beer with her customers, Connie wants the shop to feel like an invitation into her fun lifestyle. I love it today as much as I did when I first opened the shop, so that's why when COVID hit and we all had to shut our doors, I was like, ‘Oh my God! Who am I without this?”

Portal108 5348 4353 portal108.com.au 108 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs

Black Gallery Daylesford Contemporary Art Gallery & Artist Studio

Paintings Prints Sculpture Artist in residence On-site parking Cosy wood fire Art Money

Sat - Sun 10 - 4pm 1 Hospital Street, Daylesford www.blackgallerydaylesford.com 0409 137 157 L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 31

P R O P E R T Y

O F

T H E

PROVINCE LAKE HOUSE THEHOUSESDAYLESFORD.COM Province Lake House accommodates up to 10 guests across 5 gorgeous bedrooms, with 2 ensuites and 1 main bathroom. Lodgers can enjoy sweeping views of the placid Lake Daylesford and nearby Wombat Hill, surrounded by nature and sunshine.

This home features an open plan design in order to maximise views of the lake and other nearby attractions.

The interiors are made to feel bright and open by an abundance of natural light, pale hardwood floors and sparkling white walls. The main lounge is a robust space with a gas log fire and large TV for entertainment. A glass sliding door and window runs along one side of the room, looking out onto the deck and the lake beyond. Outside, there is a covered deck area with an outdoor setting that overlooks Lake Daylesford. Just below, the front of the property meets a walking track that circles the water, ideal for a relaxing stroll.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT PROVINCE LAKE HOUSE: P: (03) 5348 2008 E: STAY@THEHOUSESDAYLESFORD.COM

M O N T H

A C C O M M O D A T I O N

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C O R P O R A T E

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C O N C I E R G E

WWW.THEHOUSESDAYLESFORD.COM

BOOK NOW The Houses Daylesford provides beautiful luxury accommodation in the heart of Daylesford and the surrounding Macedon Ranges region. With some of the largest and most iconic holiday homes in Australia on our portfolio, we have the perfect property to suit your needs.

Whether you're a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a large corporate group, one of our friendly experience specialists can tailor a package just for you.

STAY@THEHOUSESDAYLESFORD.COM

PH: (03) 5348 2008 3 HOWE ST, DAYLESFORD VIC

LO ST FEATU R E

A Full Heart & Mind

LO S T F EATU R E

VILL AGE DRE AMING S TO RY BY M A H M O O D FA Z A L PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

LO ST FEATU R E

LO S T F EATU R E

M

ara Ripani is in lockdown homeschooling her children, “It's such a roller coaster because on the one hand I get to spend time with my child in a way where I get to see how she learns,” Mara pauses as she looks out over her 15 acre farm in Blampied, “and then other times, like today when it's really sunny, I just want to be outside doing my work.”

Mara’s work is a holistic project titled Village Dreaming. It thrives on reviving the displaced community of her Italian heritage through the things that made her grandmother's hometown so special; hosting, cooking, baking, preserving, and foraging workshops.

Until the age of nine, Mara lived in Italy with her grandmother. "The strongest memories were the outdoor markets. The voices, the vendors calling out the prices, the colourful displays and the feeling on the street,” her voice rises with excitement. “I remember the houses were right up against the street and people would literally open their windows onto the market.” In comparison, Mara’s experience of Australian supermarkets was a cultural shellshock. “I dislike supermarkets in comparison. I dislike the fluorescent lights. I remember thinking, ‘This is a dive!’

Going to the markets in Italy was a theatrical experience!”

In her 20s, while living in a share house in Westgarth, one day a German boy called Ralf knocked on the door with a delivery of sourdough bread, “And from there my new life began. Now with Artemisia and Ahlia we are creating our new home just outside of Daylesford.”

Over the past 15 years, Mara’s partner Ralph has worked as a Water Sensitive Urban Design

Officer for a progressive City Council and as a Wetlands Projects Manager for Australian Ecosystems.

“Ralf was raised in the south of Germany and migrated to Australia when he was 9. He visits Germany regularly to visit family, and after visiting various family orchards, was inspired to set up a small mixed farm in Australia.” The roots of the couple's inspiration springs from within, “My grandmother was a post-World War mother. After she had her third child, her husband died. She had to work so hard to bring up those boys - all on her own. And she lived with us all my life, so she never wasted anything; ‘Turn the lights off! Turn the water off! Don't waste! Don’t waste!”

Mara studied a course in Environment at RMIT and spent years working with a variety of environmental organisations. “Incrementally and without knowing it, my time in Melbourne would lead me to a great passion for greening cities, growing food, permaculture, preserving and baking bread, sowing seeds, and a desire to study horticulture.”

In her early 20s, Mara studied with David Holmgren, the founder of permaculture, in Hepburn Springs. “And that made me fall in love with this area as well.” When asked about the most important lessons she took away from that revitalising experience, Mara quipped, “How meaningful this life is, how rich! There’s a very, very, very different type of wealth that is not celebrated and that isn’t understood. The whole concept of gifting changes in this way of life. Teaching skills becomes the most amazing gift. Showing someone where the fungi grow, which are the edible, which are poisonous - that becomes the gifting.”

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 37

LO ST FEATU R E

Fifteen years later, with Ahlia and Ralph by her side and seven-week-old baby Artemisia in her arms, the family met with friends at Barbialla; a farm in Tuscany. “There we shared the morning's work: baking bread, tending the vegetable garden, stirring quince paste, before coming together to cook, feast and chiacchierare.”

It sparked Mara’s imagination. “I spent probably a good two years dreaming; what will I do on the property? Who will I be? And then it became obvious that I would continue what I was doing, but from my home and from all that environmental education, all the skills I've learned over the years...I would share them on my property.”

The result is Village Dreaming, where the gift of life is all about planting the seeds of how to live well. “We've got accommodation,

and we've built two kitchens here. There was plenty of scope for me to teach preservation, to teach harvesting, to teach workshops on permaculture gardening, to talk about biodiversity and land management and regenerative farming,” reflecting on her achievements, Mara has realised her dream of piecing together a village of her own. “All those concepts that I've been teaching in an urban context, I can now paint through a rural context.”

Village Dreaming 0425 749 300 villagedreaming.com.au

Martin Street Coffee Roasters 21 Martin Street, Blackwood 5368 6525

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LO S T F EATU R E

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 39

P r i n ts f o r W i l d l i f e marniehawson.com.au/prints-for-wildlife

I

Prints For Wildlife

nspired by a request to buy a large print of Waldo the orphaned joey that graced the cover of the Country Style magazine Spirit of the Bush issue in February, I launched a personal project that will see me travel across the country and raise funds for some of our precious wildlife carers. These dedicated individuals give so much to our native animals, and I want to support them. The concept is simple - visit wildlife sanctuaries when I have time in between shoots, take a portrait of one animal in care, and 100% of profits from each sale of that fine art print will go directly back to that wildlife sanctuary.

The funds will be used to care for the wildlife in their care, generally on things like food, teats and bottles, maintenance of the shelter, and fuel. Many of these small wildlife shelters are not registered charities (mostly due to a lack of time and resources required to attain charitable status), so I will donate the funds via a local, independent charity. Most of the carers are completely self-funded or rely on occasional donations. Covid-19 has also had a negative impact on any fundraising that the shelters normally do, with events like sausage sizzles cancelled. Some sanctuaries have sent volunteers home during the Covid-19 pandemic, so have an even bigger burden looking after their animals than usual.

LO S T S TO RY

BY MARNIE HAWSON

to the intervention of humans in some way.

Birdy Num Nums the Major Mitchell’s cockatoo made the mistake of walking through a back door in Western Australia and then spent the next 10 years in a cage before travelling across the Nullabor to finally be taken into care in Victoria; Candy the Eastern Grey kangaroo was orphaned on a notorious stretch of road in Trentham; and ZacDan the flying fox was found icy cold and unresponsive on a cold and wet morning next to his dead mum, who had crashed into a parked car after trying to leave a very low bunch of flowers on a huge tree.

This is a long-term project and I will continue to add to the print shop as I travel around Australia and visit different sanctuaries.

Alongside each portrait is the story of the animal - mostly heartbreaking stories of how they came to be in care, and nearly always due L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 41

LO ST DR INK

Obsession & Passion 42 | L O S T M A G A Z I N E

LO S T D R I N K

N I N T I N G B O O L V I N E YA R D STORY BY MICHAEL HARDEN PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 43

LO ST DR INK

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inemaking was never part of Peter Bothe’s plan. He grew up on a dairy farm before joining the police force and serving for 35 years in Melbourne and Ballarat, but he never lost the desire to return to his agricultural roots and do “some form of farming”. The interest was primarily the farming and so Peter’s path into the world of grapes and wine was pragmatic rather than romantic. But, as it turned out, he had quite a knack for it.

Peter and his wife Jill bought the eighthectare property west of Ballarat that’s now Nintingbool Vineyard in 1982. They built a family home and lived there while Peter pursued his career in the police force. But he was always thinking about farming.

“We had the 20 acres of land and I was always trying to think of some sort of farming that I could do that would be more than a hobby,” says Peter. “A friend of mine suggested planting grapevines. He was thinking just a few rows of vines but when I decide to do something, I like to take it a bit further and I thought: this could be my opportunity to do a bit of decent farming on our small block of land.”

Peter and Jill planted over two hectares of pinot noir vines in 1998 and were able to harvest their first crop in 2001. The excellent quality grapes were all sold to local winemakers, including Norm Latta from renowned winery Eastern Peake. Happy with the success he was having growing grapes, Peter still had no thought of making wine himself until 2004 when an exceptionally large crop changed all that.

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LO S T D R I N K

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LO ST DR INK

When Norm Latta saw that Peter had a surplus of grapes, he convinced him to have a go at making his own wine with the grapes he couldn’t sell. And so the policeman/farmer became a policeman/farmer/winemaker.

Peter did a short wine course in Ararat to learn the basics but he also had a supportive mentor in Latta.

“Norm was like my tutor,” says Peter. “He was willing to help out wherever he could and he was always encouraging and happy to share his knowledge. I’d take samples over and he’d give me feedback.”

The feedback was obviously helpful because in 2005 Nintingbool Vineyard’s pinot noir was judged by wine guru James Halliday to be one of the top 20 pinot noirs in Australia.

Everything changed with that. Demand increased, restaurants in Ballarat, Daylesford and Melbourne began to stock his wine with interest from retail outlets as well.

Peter began to produce more pinot noir and expanded his range to include a sparkling wine and a rosé (mostly from estate-grown grapes), a chardonnay and shiraz from grapes they sourced locally. And he realised he loved the process of growing grapes and tending the vineyard.

“When I was working for the police, I always found it such a stress relief to get out in the vineyard after work,” he says. “It was like being away with the fairies – you could forget about work and just be totally engrossed in what you were doing. I actually love pruning – every vine is different and I find it mentally stimulating and very relaxing at the same time.”

Peter retired from the force in 2011 but is still working hard at farming, especially now Jill works four days a week as an occupational therapist.

They open Nintingbool’s cellar door about five times a year and recently completed a renovation on their house that includes a tasting room and a veranda that looks over the beautiful property and will allow them to host small weddings.

“We had no idea this would become such an obsession and a passion,” says Peter. “But it’s held us captive from the moment we planted our first vine.”

Nintingbool Winery 0429 424 399 nintingbool.com.au Wongerer Ln, Smythes Creek

Pizzeria

La L na Thursday, Sunday, Monday 5pm - 9pm Friday and Saturday 5pm - 10pm Tuesday & Wednesday CLOSED

5348 4123

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Home deliveries

24 Albert Street Daylesford

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY |

www.pizzerialaluna.com.au

LO S T C O C K TA I L

Macedon Dry Martini

MACEDON DRY MARTINI 60 ML MACEDON DRY GIN 10 ML MAIDENII DRY VERMOUTH LEMON TWIST TRY A CL ASSIC MARTINI BY UPPING THE VERMOUTH TO 30 ML AND ADDING A DASH OF ORANGE BITTERS. THE LESS VERMOUTH USED THE DRYER THE MARTINI. ADD MORE V E R M O U T H T O C R E AT E A ' W E T ' M A R T I N I .

TRY 45ML MAIDENII DRY VERMOUTH AND 4 5 M L A N I M U S D I S T I L L E R Y M A C E D O N D R Y.

I M AG E : S I RG U RV I N PA L S S O N Z I G G Y PA L S S O N @ I N S TA G R A M . C O M

ANIMUS DISTILLERY 1/89A Piper St Kyneton (03) 5403 2431 Wed-Sun from 12noon animusdistillery.com.au

LO ST STO RY

The

Longest Night STORY BY ANTHONY CARRUBBA

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LO S T S TO RY

L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 49

LO ST STO RY

D

rumbeats sound out a steady rhythm in the stillness of the midwinter morning, muffled by thick fog hanging like a blanket in the air. In all directions lie green fields, glistening with droplets of freezing condensation. Chanting, singing, laughing, dancing, revelers mingle in the colossal shadow of Stonehenge, the entire scene suffused with the grey light of the winter sun. Rituals, both ancient and new, both rehearsed and improvised, play out on this Mesolithic site, keenly recorded by digital video cameras manned by journalists and curious onlookers.

As recently as last year, neopagan worshippers have descended on the five-thousand-year-old Stonehenge, and other such historical sites, to celebrate the Winter Solstice, the year’s shortest day. They gather on the graves of their ancestors, literally, at this mysterious monument to mark one of the oldest and most widely observed calendar events of the year.

A significant portion of Stonehenge’s central structure aligns with the sunset of the Winter Solstice, allowing light to shine through at the perfect moment.

From Northern Europe, to the Mediterranean, to India and China, and even Iran, the longest night has been the revered subject of the cultural practices and mythical stories belonging to countless peoples.

The Solstice happens around the 21st of December in the Northern Hemisphere, and on 21st of June during our own, less intense winters here in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Solstices, both Summer and Winter, are the terrestrial effect of the Earth’s axial tilt, and occur when we are maximally tilted either toward or away from the Sun.

When the Northern Hemisphere reaches this tilt, the Arctic circle falls into impenetrable night and the Sun does not rise for some time, and further South the longest night of the year sets in.

The Stonehenge revelers, however, hardly seem deflated by the cold and dark. Instead, they are cheerful, emotional, serene, contemplative, and joyous. Indeed, in the pagan cultures these modern celebrants emulate, the Winter Solstice was often a time of renewed hope, for it indicated the turning point of the year’s coldest months. After Midwinter, the days could only grow longer, warmer, and safer. It is the rebirth of the Sun. These concepts of birth and hope are also seen in other cultures who celebrate the Solstice, including our own. Holidays like Christmas, now a worldwide phenomenon regardless of season, are commonly thought to have merged with pagan observances of the Solstice during their transition to Christianity.

As lockdowns across the country continue to ease, and Lost returns to print, it seems like we will be experiencing a rebirth of a different kind this June. With life slowly returning to normal and the long road to recovery just beginning, the days ahead will hopefully be happier and warmer.

ANTHONY CARRUBBA

LO S T S TO RY

THE FARM DAYLESFORD THEFARMDAYLESFORD.COM.AU 0406 690 775

C OM ING SOON...

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A C C O M M O D A T I O N

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C O R P O R A T E

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M A N A G E M E N T

THEHOUSESDAYLESFORD.COM

PH: (03) 5348 2008 3 HOWE ST, DAYLESFORD VIC STAY@THEHOUSESDAYLESFORD.COM

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION GROUP STAYS CORPORATE RETREATS

PHOTO BY MARNIE HAWSON

LOS T

REAL ESTATE

30 Lauriston Drummond Road, Drummond FOR SALE Nestled into a gently undulating slope is this expansive 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home on a manageable 18 acres located only 15 minutes to Kyneton and Daylesford. Thoughtfully designed and well zoned, the home is north facing and includes 2 pavillions linked by a vine covered pergola and entertaining area. A heated, inground, magnesium mineral pool overlooks the Kangaroo Creek Valley, a 2 car garage, Cheminees Phillipe fireplace and vegetable garden complete this wonderful lifestyle acreage.

30 Maxted Drive, Newham FOR SALE Superbly located at the foot of Hanging Rock on 5 acres of majestic parkland gardens is this wonderful, renovated family home. With stunning views to Hanging Rock, Mount Macedon and Camels Hump, the property also includes a self-contained cottage ideal for holiday letting or family and friends. With garden views from every room, the main home comprises formal living and dining, stunning family room and 4 bedrooms. With several large sheds, double garage, a bore, two small dams and only minutes to Woodend, this property is a must to inspect.

LO S T M A R K ET G U I D E

JUNE LOCAL MARKET GUIDE SATURDAY 6TH

SATURDAY 20TH

EVERY SATURDAY

DAYLESFORD FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm Daylesford Primary, Vincent St Daylesford

CRESWICK MARKET 9am-1pm Napier & Victoria Street, Creswick

WESLEY HILL COMMUNITY MARKET 9am-1pm Pyrenees Hwy, Castlemaine

WOODEND FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm High Street, Woodend

GLENLYON VILLAGE MARKET 9am-1pm Glenlyon Hall, Glenlyon

EVERY SUNDAY

SUNDAY 7TH

LEONARDS HILL HALL & COUNTRY MARKET 9am-2pm Ballan-Daylesford Road, Leonards Hill

CASTLEMAINE ARTISTS MARKET 9am-2pm Western Reserve, Castlemaine (Opp Farmers Market) CASTLEMAINE FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm Forest Street, Castlemaine GISBORNE ALL SEASONS MARKET 9am-3pm Gisborne Village Shopping Centre, Gisborne

SATURDAY 13TH BALLAN FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm Mill Cottage, 96 Inglis Street, Ballan KYNETON FARMERS MARKET 8am-1pm St Pauls Park Piper Street, Kyneton

DAYLESFORD SUNDAY MARKET 8am-4pm Daylesford Railway Station, Midland Hwy

TRENTHAM FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm Trentham Town Square, Trentham

SUNDAY 21ST WOODEND LIONS CLUB MARKET 9am-2pm High Street, Woodend

SATURDAY 27TH LANCEFIELD & DISTRICT FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm High Street, Lancefield

SUNDAY 14TH CLUNES FARMERS MARKET 9am-2pm Collins Place, Clunes MALDON MARKET 9am-2pm Cnr Church & Edwards Street, Maldon

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LO ST PROPE RTY

RESTAURANTS, CAFE'S & FOOD STORES BAD HABITS CAFE 5348 3211 7 Daly St, Daylesford.

Open daily, 10am-4pm.

Enjoy a light morning or afternoon tea, or a substantial breakfast or lunch. theconventgallery.com.au

LAVANDULA FARM 5348 3329 350 Hepburn-Newstead Rd Shepherds Flat.

Open 10.30am-5.30pm Fri-Tues (7 days in school holidays). lavandula.com.au

HEPBURN GENERAL STORE

SAULT 5348 6555 2439 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Sailors Falls. Seasonal Modern Australian dishes in a scenic homestead. Dinner Wed-Sun. Lunch Fri-Sun. sault.com.au

102 Main Rd Hepburn Springs.

Open 7 day from 7am.

(Sundays 8am). hepburngeneralstore.com.au

KOUKLA CAFE 5348 2363 82 Vincent St, Daylesford.

Open 7 days. 7am-10pm Sun-Thurs. 7am-10pm Fri & Sat. koukladaylesford.com.au

LAKE HOUSE 5348 3329 4 King St Daylesford. Lunch & Dinner Daily. One of Australia's most awarded regional restaurants. lakehouse.com.au

HOTEL FRANGOS 5348 2363 82 Vincent St Daylesford.

Open 7 days. Wine Bar, grazing, dining & accommodation. hotelfrangos.com.au

SWISS MOUNTAIN HOTEL

5345 7006 3454 Midland Hwy, Blampied. Pub meals & Functions. Dinner TuesSan. Lunch Wed-Sun. Closed Monday.

swissmountainhotel.com.au

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WOMBAT HILL HOUSE 7017 5999 Wombat Hills Botanical Gardens (Off Central Springs Rd) Daylesford.

Breakfast, bunch & lunch daily 9am-4pm. wombathillhouse.com.au

WINE BARS, HOTELS & BOTTLE SHOPS DAYLESFORD HOTEL 5348 2335 2 Burke Sq, Daylesford.

Dinner every night from 5pm, lunch Fri-Sun. Hotel, bottleshop and accommodation. daylesfordhotel.com.au

FARMERS ARMS DAYLESFORD 5348 2091 1 East Street, Daylesford. Open 7 days lunch & dinner. Hotel and accommodation. thefarmersarms.com.au FOXXY'S AT CELLARBRATIONS 5348 3577 55 Vincent St Daylesford.

Open 7 Days until late.

Local and international wines, beers and spirits. cellarbrations.com.au

WINERIES, DISTILLERIES & CIDERIES ANIMUS DISTILLERY 5403 2431 1/89A Piper St, Kyneton.

Artisan gin distillery.

Open 12-Late Wed to Sun. Mon and Tues open by appointment. animusdistillery.com

WELLNESS & BEAUTY JASMINE BEAUTY THERAPY 5348 3363 3/9 Howe St, Daylesford.

Open Tues - Sat 9am-5pm.

Discover the best version of you.

RAISE YOUR

jasminebeautytherapy.com.au

DAYLESFORD CIDER 5348 2275 155 Dairyflat Rd, Musk.

Craft cider & cellar door.

Dine-in & cider sales only Friday - Sunday in June daylesfordcider.com.au

THE SPA AT LAKE HOUSE

5348 3329 4 King St Daylesford.

Open daily. Bookings essential.

Blissful treatments and mineral water spas. lakehouse.com.au/spa

PASSING CLOUDS 5348 5550 30 Roddas Lane, Musk.

Winery open daily 10am5pm. Lunch 12pm Fri-Mon (bookings are essential). passingclouds.com.au

THE MINERAL SPA 5348 2100 124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days.

Mineral water bathing and luxurious treatments mineralspa.com.au

GALLERIES & STUDIOS

SERVICES

BUDA CASTLEMAINE 5472 1032 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine.

Weds - Sat 12-5pm Sundays 10am-5pm Explore the historic house, garden and museum. budacastlemaine.org

OZ-TRANS 0407 697 877

FREIG H T · T RA N SPO RT · REMOVALS DAY L E S FO R D A N D C E N T RAL HI G HLANDS

BLACKGALLERY DAYLESFORD 0409 137 157 1 Hospital St, Daylesford.

Paintings, prints, sculpture & group workshops Open Sat & Sun 10 - 4pm blackgallerydaylesford.com

Professional removals, general, furniture & produce freight. Art, piano's, pallets & parcels. Regular runs to Melbourne, Geelong & west/central Vic oztrans.com.au

SIGNSATION 0427 425 577 We specialise in hand painted signs and murals.

We also offer the most up to date methods in digital printing to our customers. signsation.net.au

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F O R A C U R R E N T R AT E C A R D

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SHOP TILL YOU DROP BUSTER MCGEE 5377 3618 10-12 Howe St, Daylesford.

Open 10am-5pm, Closed Tue Men’s clothing & grooming Stay Stylish Daylesford! bustermcgee.com.au HEPBURN GENERAL STORE

102 Main Rd Hepburn Springs.

Open 7 day from 7am.

(Sundays 8am). hepburngeneralstore.com.au

PORTAL108 5348 4353 108 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs Clothing, shoes, handbags, designer pet gear, homewares and jewellery portal108.com.au

ACCOMMODATION & VENUES

PEPPERS HOTEL 5348 2202 124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days.

1930's Daylesford hotel, transformed into a deluxe retreat. mineralspringshotel.com.au THE FARM DAYLESFORD

0406 690 775 Daylesford's newest event space. Built from recycled tin, wood, striking power poles and 160 year old trusses. thefarmdaylesford.com.au THE HOUSES DAYLESFORD

5348 2008 Office located at 3 Howe St Daylesford. Full service agency specialising in corporate retreats and both large & small groups. thehousesdaylesford.com

BELLINZONA 5348 2271 77 Main Rd Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days.

Luxury accommodation in the heart of Hepburn Springs. bellinzona.com.au

THE GARDEN HOUSE 5348 2008 A beautiful garden must be explored, a beautiful garden must be shared. thehousesdaylesford.com

FARMERS ARMS ART SUITES 5348 2091 2 East St, Daylesford Free Wi-Fi, Parking & Inroom mini bar. Across from the iconic Farmers Arms thefarmersarms.com.au

THE OXFORD 5348 2008 Historical property catering to large groups of up to 24, in the scenic Hepburn Springs area. thehousesdaylesford.com

HOLYROOD HOUSE 5348 1063 51 Stanbridge St Daylesford. Unparalleled service in magnificent Victorian Guest House.

LEWELLYN HOUSE 5348 2008 Accommodateing 18 guests with 9 bedrooms & 9 ensuites. Positioned opposite The Convent Gallery. thehousesdaylesford.com

holyrooddaylesford.com.au

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A M O N T H LY I N T E R V I E W WITH A LOCAL

LO S T S TO RY

BY THE LOST TEAM.

W

ho better for a local Q&A than Keith and Andrew from Holyrood House. Andrew was a qualified chef and butler to one of Australia's prominent families, and Keith has an extensive customer service background.

We had to get in touch for too many reasons to mention, but mostly because they "unashamedly celebrate Daylesford".

Can you tell us a bit about your lives so far. Did you grow up in the region, or did you move here and why?

We moved to Daylesford 8 years ago. It had been a long term plan to open a Country house hotel here in Spa country.

What impact has Covid-19 had on your life and/or business?

During our forced closure we have been very busy.

Keith's working on the garden and I have been helping out at the Good Grub Club. I am very proud to be part of this amazing team of people led by the Rev. Jenny Hayes. We create nutritious meals to people needing food assistance. We currently feed more than 320 people and deliver 140 hamper boxes weekly throughout the shire. It is humbling and emotive but ultimately rewarding too.

Can you tell us about the story and inspiration of Holyrood House Built in 1864 Holyrood house was the home for Daylesford’s first town clerk Donald Macleod.

It has been in use for accommodation and as a restaurant for over 100 years now.

As the current custodians, we are using our skills as a private chef, a butler and Keith’s years in retail to offer a Country house hotel. Our guests comment so frequently to us and in reviews on the “experience” of this level of service. It celebrates a history of elegance in private accommodation and dinning that the region once specialised in. We look forward to welcoming people back to Holyrood house very soon.

Where do you see the future of the region heading?

I believe the tourist market is poised for a big return to us all.

We need to be ready, refreshed and adapted to this new situation. Social distancing is going to be an issue in accommodation, dining and shopping.

Tourist will increasingly look towards “experience” options in all categories. There also needs to be greater focus on service levels and training for business to meet the expectation of visitors to this beautiful region.

Keith and Andrew, Holyrood House holyrooddaylesford.com.au L O S T M A G A Z I N E | 63

EAT • DRINK • SLEEP • BE LOCAL

FARMERS ARMS HOTEL DAYLESFORD Experience Daylesford in an authentic and unique way. Enjoy a stay in our luxe chic & modern Art Suites, located directly across the road from our iconic gastro-pub with a 2 night mid-week stay package at “The Farmers”.

Package includes a dinner at the iconic Farmers Arms gastro pub to the value of $100 and a breakfast at the popular Cliffy’s Emporium.

Recieve a FREE upgrade to Superior Suite and a welcome drink on arrival.

Book now to get this offer for $450 (Valued at $750). Call direct to book!

FREE WI-Fi FREE On-site parking FREE In-room mini bar FREE Daily housekeeping FREE Tea & espresso coffee FREE L’Occiatane toiletries FREE Inclusive late checkout 2 EAST STREET, DAYLESFORD. VIC 3460 • OPEN 7 DAYS LUNCH & DINNER • 03 5348 2091 • THEFARMERSARMS.COM.AU