Midland Express Tuesday 12 September 2023

Laps formentalhealth

Swimmers are preparing to make laps for youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the Lap it Up challenge from October 1-15.

The challenge began in 2018 when father-daughter duo, Sean and Kirsten McKinney,hosted an event at Gisborne with the aim to run acontinual relay and swim 2866 laps –being the number of Australians who suicided in 2016.

Woodend-based health promotion charity Youth Live4Life is proud to continue the McKinney'slegacy in 2023.

"Lap it Up not only promotes ahealthy mind and body,itfosters connections and camaraderie, encouraging partici-

pants to strive for their very best both in and out of the water," said Youth Live4Life'sCheryl Eyssens.

All funds raised go towards Youth Live4Life’syouth mental health and suicide prevention initiatives to help reach more youths.

Macedon Ranges swimmer Sarah Lungu has enjoyed doing laps since she was tiny and in her late teens she became aswim instructor and lifeguard –she even taught swimming in Manchester in the UK and at summer camp in New York State.

She finds swimming calming and a great form of exercise, and will taking

up this year's challenge with her whole family

“Swimming helps me with both my physical and mental health, and Ifind swimming in the ocean and river to be so beneficial for my wellbeing,” she said.

Sarah joined up for Lap it Up because she is passionate about mental health and supporting Live4Life in rural and regional communities.

“I’m looking forward to beating my laps and fundraising efforts from last year," she said.

People are encouraged to sign up now for the October event. To register your interest, visit: lapitup.org.au

Watch thieves wanted

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding astore theft from Gisborne on August 16. It is believed offenders attended the Telstra store on Hamilton Street at about 10.47am and stole an Apple Watch valued at $1299.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Gisborne Police on 5428 2640, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit aconfidential report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au

Lap it Up participants celebrate at the 2022 event.

Photo: Kim Selby

ODD exhibittodelight

Lisa Dennis

The Drying Shed Arts Space at The Mill complex in Castlemaine has unveiled aquirky new exhibition aptly titled 'ODD'.

The exhibition features the fascinating works of highly talented multi-disciplinary artist and octogenarian, Marianne Heard, and friend, fellow artist and Drying Shed coordinator, Linda Newton.

Heard'sintriguing threedimensional collage works are created from found objects and are sure to evoke memories for the viewer

From paint, pens and rulers to old glass bottles and surgical instruments from the 1930s, Heard'swork will take you on ajourney into the past.

Heard said that many of the recycled items used in the works had been donated to her via her involvement in the arts space or had been discovered fossicking at local op shops and salvage yards with friend and fellow Drying Shed artist and sculptor Gregory Fitzgibbon.

The 85-year-old said she had dabbled in various mediums over the years from pen and ink drawings to paintings and textiles, but in recent years she lost the sight in one of her eyes and this had meant she could no longer do her intricate drawing works.

"I love sharing the space with Linda as she can still do all the things that Ican't. But Ihave also been inspired by the incredible feedback Ihave received for my latest works and it keeps spurring me on to create more," Heard said.

"I've made pieces with cotton reels, buttons, coins, hairclips, dice, wishbones you name it. Ieven created apeacock with quills Isuccessfully brought home through customs from South Africa."

Newton feels Heard'sworks are up there with textural works

by likes of National Gallery of Victoria featured artist Rosie Gascoigne.

"There is just something really special and unique about each piece," she said.

Newton'slatest work includes aprofessional new reprint of her popular book The Oddsaurus and various individual unframed works from the project, and asecond installation 'Odd Garden' featuring works and cards about what we allow to 'grow' in our gardens, be it happiness, sadness or kindness.

Get your game on

Young peoplefrom theMacedon Ranges can celebrate theirloveofgaming thismonth at the Woodend Neighbourhood House.

‘Level Up Gaming’ is afun opportunity for youngpeople to meetand connectwith their community,inasafeand inclusive environment.

The event features multiple ‘stations’ of gaming activities, from single player,multiplayer and observeroptions, with every gadget imaginable.All the latest generation gaming consoles will be on hand, as well as virtual reality headsets, giant projectorscreens, a dozen TVs and retro gaming technology

Woodend NeighbourhoodHouse is one of manyorganisationsacross thestate to host an activity this September,aspart of the Victorian Youth Fest.

“Gamingisoften considered asocially isolated activity," said Beau Ladlow,facilitator at Level Up Gaming Events.

"Although multi-player experiences are available, they often requireusers to pay fees

or subscribe to services. And if theydopay for theseservices, they arestill usually sitting at home, playing alone,talking to someone through ascreen. Thisevent removes that barrier and brings young people together in real life.”

Woodend Neighbourbood House manager

MelissaBaker saidthe event ticked "all the boxes" as it broughtyoung people together in ameaningful, healthy and sustainable way through their enjoyment of social gaming.

Level Up Gaming is on Wednesday September 20, 2pm-5pm, at the Woodend Neighbourhood House.The event is free with snacks and drinks provided, however places are strictly limitedsobookings are essential.

Participants can book online via:woodendnh.org.au or bycalling 54271845 between 9am-3pm, MondaytoFriday

Macedon Ranges YouthServices is also hosting an art competition and workshops as part of YouthFest. For details, visit: mrsc.vic. gov.au/Live-Work/Youth/Youth-Fest

THIS WEEKS SPECIALS

SUPER SCOTCH SPREAD (Large selection) Prime Grade Whole $28.99kg (2.2kg up to 5.5kg) Steak $30.99kg

Minute Steak $32.99kg

Beef Short&Chuck Ribs $14.99kg

"The Drying Shed Arts Space is home to 18 artists from across central Victoria so be sure to call in and pay us a visit and explore the wide and varied works by artists of all ages," Newton said.

"There is sure to be something to inspire everyone from Marianne'sthought provoking pieces to the recycled painted vases of artist Haisun, textiles and loom demonstrations by Sandra Hart and much more."

The Drying Shed Arts Space is open Fri-Mon from 11am to 3pm.

Pork Fillets $14.99kg

CARTON SPECIALS

10% OFF MIXED PRODUCTS (Excludes specials and discounts)

MONDAY–FRIDAY8:30-5:30PM SATURDAY8:30-3PM

SUNDAY9-3PM

PHONE 5422 3851 180 MOLLISON ST,KYNETON orders@hok.com.au

Marianne Heard and Linda Newton are pictured with some of their works.

Inquiryrecommendsduckhunting ban

The Select Committee Inquiry into Victoria’srecreational native bird hunting arrangements has recommended native duck and quail hunting be banned from 2024.

It comes after asix-month inquiry process with more than 10,000 submissions received and public hearings across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Other recommendations also include aban on lead ammunition for all forms of hunting in Victoria and greater protections for Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

Recreational duck and quail shooting was outlawed in Western Australia in 1990, New South Wales in 1995 and Queensland in 2005. The campaign to ban the activity in Victoria has been running for almost 40 years.

Animal Justice Party MP and Select Committee member,Georgie Purcell, is now calling on the Victorian Government to immediately act on all of the recommendations before any arrangements are made for a2024 season.

“It has been made abundantly clear through aparlia-

Council news

mentary inquiry that no matter how well resourced the Game Management Authority is, monitoring duck shooter compliance is near impossible due to the enormous amount of places that shooting can take place," Ms Purcell said.

“Evidence from hunters, rescuers, animal welfare groups and shooting organisations all acknowledged that duck shooting without wounding was simply not possible, and the committee has determined this an unacceptable animal welfare outcome that can only be addressed with aban."

Various bodies have joined the call to the state government to take the final step and legislate the ban.

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said the Select Committee Report recommendations were a"fantastic step in the right direction".

“The evidence is clear; the high wounding rates for ducks and quail highlight the inherent and inevitable pain

and suffering experienced by hundreds of thousands of ducks and quail each year –and that is why it needs to be banned," Dr Walker said.

“Westrongly urge the Victorian Government to take the next stepand endorse the Select Committee’srecommendation by legislating to end native bird hunting.”

However,some were critical of the short frame in which the report was delivered.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of Victoria MP JeffBourman said the only positive thing about the report was that it was delivered on time.

"While recreational duck hunting may be banned in other states, ducks are still culled underpermits, which means banning recreational hunting changesitfrom hunting on public land with lotsofoversight, to purely private land, hardly awin,” he said.

The government has up to six months to respond to the report.

Let’s talk about dogs at WesternReserve

In February 2022 Councillorsvoted to ban dogs from playing surfaces of selected ovals acrossthe shire, including Castlemaine’sWestern Reserve.

Our community has askedustore-consider this ban, and that’s whatwe’redoing.

Do youthink dogs should be allowedon-lead at Western Reserve? Have your sayatshape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Employment opportunities

Accounts Payable Officer –Fulltime

Graffiti Officer –Part time

Applications close at 9.00am on Monday18September

Building Inspector –Fulltime

Applications close at 9.00am on Monday 25 September

Forpositiondescriptions and morejob opportunitiesvisit mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Work-with-us.

Upcoming Council meeting

ThenextCouncilmeeting is on Tuesday19September, 6.30pm. Watchatyoutube.com/c/MountAlexanderShireCouncil.

1700

Reset and re-energise

'Take the day offfrom your business to give to yourself'.

That is the message from Business Kyneton members who invite you to join them next month when they present amental health day to help you 'reset'.

As we all know,someofus too well, if we don't look after ourselves many things around us suffer,business included.

The day is designed around movement, breath work, art therapy,lunch, laughs and afabulous speaker,Dr Louise Mahler

"Weare truly excited to have been able to secure Dr Mahler as our speaker as she is an absolute wealth of knowledge," said TimSullivan, Business Kyneton president.

Dr Louise Mahlerhas been voted in the top experts in both Body Language and Communication globally

Obsessed with creating exceptional human connection, Louise helps leaders and teams to elevate their body language and voice.

Did you know that humans take more

than 22,000 breaths aday and we don't even think about it? With alittle help and a'reset' of theway we use our bodies and breath, imagine what we could do.

Along with Dr Mahler,attendants will experience Qi Gong, ice bath (if you dare), breath work, art therapy,massage and lunch. There will be many opportunities to network, collaborate and grow your connections, while taking abreak from the everyday grind and resetting.

"Wewant to encourage everyone to take abreak from your busy schedule and prioritise your mentalwellbeing," Mr Sullivan said.

"Reset –Mental Health Day will offer you asafe space to explore various techniques and strategies to enhance your mental health. An opportunity towork on yourself so you are re-energised to give back to your business and self."

The event will beheld at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute on Tuesday October 31. Book your place at eventbrite.com.au

Dr Louise Mahler.

Adynamic triangulation

Essays on Earth, acollaboration between three leading central Victorian artists, is currently on display at the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Showcasing the works of multidisciplinary artist and Castlemaine local Brodie Ellis, painter and printmaker John Wolseley and renowned poet Paul Kane AM, the exhibition demonstrates the artists' shared love and observations of the natural world, drawing attention to individual elements within expansive ecological systems through multiple artforms.

Spread across three galleries are a selection of Wolseley's nature paintings and woodcut prints of Whipstick Forest, including his impressive large-scale panoramic painting, Distant glimpses of the great floodplain seen through aveiloftrees and hanging vines (2017), stretching to almost 10 metres in length.

Wolseley told the Express it was his most ambitious work, taking over ayear to create.

"I'm 85 years old and Ihave been exhibiting for 75 years," Wolseley said. "My first exhibition was at age 10 when Iset it up at my house to impress my father and his friends."

Scattered throughout the gallery are excerpts of Kane's poetry, sculptural field studies by Ellis cast in bronze, impressed into clay, and her digitally hand-coloured photographic experiments in botanical and mineral microscopy.

Ellis, who is heading off to Switzerland soon for asoloexhibition, said she was very grateful to have the opportunity to display Essays on Earth in the Bendigo Art Gallery.

"The exhibition is dynamic, with each piece speaking to each other. The essence of each work is reflected in the other works," Ellis said.

The heart of the exhibition is an expansive video installation featuring details of each artist’s works. Debuted at the Castlemaine State Festival earlier this year, this large-scale, immersive, durational video fuses poetry and image in acontemporary take on the literary tradition of ekphrasis (a literary description of, or commentary on, a visual work of art).

In ameditative flow, Ellis’s experimental microscopy and the macro photography of Wolseley’s paintings unfold across the gallery, united by the resonant tonesof Paul Kane reciting his elemental poem. Grounded in deep ecological awareness, Essays onEarth conjures complex systems of nature and their interconnectedness with human experience.

"The film comments and brings to life the works of visual art. The spoken poems refer to and revitalise the paintings, sculptures and photographs. Itisa magical conversation between superb examples of great art," Wolseley said.

"It's an exciting dialogue betweenthree friends who are also important artists. It is an ekphrasis extravaganza!"

JohnWolseley andBrodie Ellis with John’s magnificent panoramic scroll painting, ‘Distant glimpses of the greatfloodplain seen througha veil oftreesand hanging vines’, on loan from the National Museum of Australia.

The CompostConversation

–withMikaela Beckley

Layer your compost like alasagne!

Regardless of whether you are cold composting, hot composting, or somewhere in between, paying attention to your layering technique will help your compost microbes stay alive, and thrive!

Picture adelicious piece of lasagne. Each layer spread evenly across the surface, thin enough for just ahint of the previous layer to show through. Each bite fills your mouth with adelicious combination of favours, salty cheese, firm pasta, rich tomato sauce, textured meat or lentils, creamy bechamel, ahint of herbs and nutmeg…is your mouth watering yet?

Taking the same care with layering up our compost pile is really worthwhile. You, and your microbes, will notice the difference. Thin, diverse, horizontal layers, with just the right amount of moisture added, allows our composting microbes to easily feast on abalanced diet.

To take this food analogy one step further,without this attention to our layering, our compost piles can easily start to resemble apile of nachos. Piled high and uneven, crunchy dry spots, soggy mushy patches, blobs of sour cream and guacamole. This might also sound yummy but replace sour cream and guacamole with rotting sticky vegetables and you begin to appreciate the benefits of spreading your layers thin and evenly

Diversity in ourlayers is also key,not only for the nutrition needs of our microbes and soil, but also to keep our piles well aerated. Imagine alasagne with just layers of pasta and tomato sauce? Abit boring to the taste buds, but also probably abit stodgy and dry.It’sthose extra additions that really bring the dish to life, and it'sthe samewith our compost. Challenge yourself to not just repeat the same ingredients for your carbon-rich (brown) layers and nitrogen-rich (green) layers so you are really cooking up acompost treat!

–Course straw

–Kitchen scraps

–A sprinkle of coffee grounds

–Dry leaves

–Chopped up weeds

–A sprinkle of coffee grounds

–Fine straw

–horse poo etc

And don’t forget agenerous topping of cheese, Imean, capping of straw on the top!

Happy composting.

Next week we’ll have alook at chopping up your food scraps to help your compost microbes.

–Mikaela Beckley works with Yes In My Back Yard, (YIMBY), acommunity-scale composting initiative in Castlemaine and surrounds. Send questions or comments to hello@yimbycompost.com

Deesgain Ukrainian fan

Aussie Rules football is bringing joy to ayoung boy living in war-torn Ukraine and thanks to aRomsey connection he will get the chance to watch his beloved Melbourne Demons live.

Nine-year-old Max discovered AFL through his mum’sfriendship with Romsey resident Debbie Daks.

When the war began, Debbie made sure to stay connected and began sending the family parcels to lift their spirits including Demons merchandise and recordings of their football games –Max became an instant fan!

He has also discovered afavourite player who shares his name: Max Gawn.

“He’ssokeen and he’ssoproud and it’s really lovely to see because it gives him anew spirit and also for his school mates as well,” Debbie said.

Max can only watch AFL games via the brief recordings Debbie has posted by mail but with abig game for the Dees last Thursday night, she sought extra support.

Debbie turned to Neil Mitchell at 3AWto help deliver Max arecording of the full game.

Neil contacted Channel 7and Melbourne Football Club who agreed to not only send a recording of the match, but also aspecial message from Max Gawn and abox of Demons merchandise!

While the Dees weren’t successful on Thursday,they have another chance at victory this week and now Max and his whole school might be able to watch the livestream.

“Max is beside himself and he is so happy about all of this,” Debbie told the Express

“I’m so overwhelmed by the support from Neil Mitchell, all associated with the Melbourne Football Club, the beautiful big-hearted Max Gawn, Channel 7and their staff, thank you so much for bringing so much joy to mini Max, his friends and family.”

Collect wood

Victorians can now collect free firewood for personaluse from state forest firewood collection areas with the spring collection season now open.

People can collect up to two cubic metres per person per day with amaximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year from designated collection areas.

To ensure local communities have greater access to available firewood, designated firewood collection in state forests in central Victoria will be restricted to residents of specific local councils.

Find alist of council areas and local collection areas online at: ffm.vic.gov.au

Authorised officers can issue fines of $769 to those caught breaking the rules. Report illegal firewood collection on 136 186. The spring collection season ends on November 30.

Meyer takes on champs

Romsey generational woodchopper Blake Meyer will have an edge at the STIHL Timbersports Australian Pro Championship in competing for atitle this weekend.

Blake has been competing in the sport since he was eight, taking up the family tradition that has included his grandfather, father and brother who have all been competitive woodchoppers.

He is also the cousin of top-ranked athlete Brayden Meyer andhas shown woodchopping is clearly in the blood as he slowly climbs the rankings himself.

The championships will see athletes compete in aseries of disciplines using axes andsaws.

The STIHL Timbersports AustralianPro Championship andRookie Championship will be held at Breakwater Lighthouse, Wollongong, NSW,onSaturday,September 16, in front of an enthusiastic live crowd from 11.30am.

Blake Meyer in action at apreviousSTIHL Timbersports event.

Max holds aloft his Demons scarf sent to him in the Ukraine by aRomsey friend.

You’ll neverguess

You’dbesurprised at the number of famous people living justdownthe road, in hidden little valleys,tucked away in the bush, or living in plain sight. From the super famous to the somewhatfamous, and even the famous adjacent, we’regoing to bring youtheir stories in this monthly column.

This month features multi-award winning author AlexMiller who chatted with the Express about his career as a writer,working as astockman in the outbackand hislovely wifeSteph.

Inspired by abookfeaturing ‘mesmerisingly wonderful’ photographs of outback Australia, 16-year-old Alex decided to leave his family and his home in England to seek adventures.

“I was absolutely enthralled by the idea of the place, and Ithought, I’ve got to go and see it. I’ve got to go and be there,” Alex reminisces.

“I had astrong vision and determination. My mum and dad saw that, and they let me go.

“Mum was very upset. Iprobably never realised until after she died how upset she was, but Dad wasn’t. He knew it was the ‘real thing’ and that’swhat men do.

“It took six weeks by boat, and if you were underage you had to be accompanied.

“A man called VinFitzgerald –atall, skinny,classic, lantern-jawed Aussie bloke, beautiful, the real thing –looked after agroup of three or four of us during the journey

“After I’d been in Australia for several years, probably eight, afriend and Ifetched in Melbourne, totally broke, 100 per cent broke, and Isaid,‘look, maybe Ican get in touch with this fella VinFitzgerald, and we can borrow enough money to get our s**t together.When Icalled Vin, he didn’t say ‘Who’sthat’ he just said, ‘G’day Alex, how’sitgoing mate?’”

When Alex told Vinabout their money problems, Vin invited the pair around for a‘feed’ and handed them each 100 dollars, putting his total trust in the pair “Wewent off, and we both got jobs, mine was sweeping the floor at Myers, where the sweet counters were,

and my friend, heput the money that Vinhad given him on ahorse at Caulfield. And it won. It was the rank outsider and he finished up with asubstantial chunk of money.Weboth looked at each other and said, ‘Let’s go and see Vin’.”

Arriving in Sydney in 1953, Alex hitched aliftupto Gympie where he visited the stock and stations agent looking for work ona cattle station. Ajob on asmall 64,000-acre station as alone stockman had Alex boarding atrain for aplace called Springsure.

“Igot offthe train expecting and hoping to be metby thenew boss, but nobody came. Eventually,awoman from the pub nearby came up and said, ‘You coming to have your breakfast or what?’ They knew Iwas there and were just offering me hospitality at the pub, which is what happened in those days in the placewecall the ‘outback’. Itold her who Iwas and she said, ‘I know who you are. Are you coming or what?’

“I went up to the pub and ended up staying there for aweek, drinking with the mailman because that’sall he really did. He was one of those great big barrel-bodied men, enormously strong, probably about 30 years old at the time. He’d pick up a40-gallon drum, hold it against his chest, and chuck in on the back of the truck. Full. “I worked at the station for two years. It was wonderful. They were great people and Ijust loved it.”

Alex went on to work at aplace called Augustus Downes, an enormous station up in the Gulf of Carpentaria, with Aboriginal stockmen who were still on their own country

Early Detection SavesLives

Photo: Bronte Pleasance

Jade Jungwirth

who lives down the road

“I haven’t written about that time. Mainly because the story of that period belongs to, or Ifeelbelongs to, one of those stockmen-blackfellas. Idon’t feel a sense of ownership of that story,Inever have. Idon’t know why,except that it isn’t my story to tell.”

When it was time for Alex to leave Augustus Downes, he and another man went up the coast where they got word that there was big money to be made in aplace called Benmore in New Zealand. “Of course, there was nothing happening in Benmore, and nothing has happened since then!” Alex laughs.

The two men were ‘taken for aride’ acouple of times and were flat broke and out on the road when aman driving aLandRover pulled over and offered them work on asheep station, breaking in horses.

“I was just turning 21 when we left there; we spent all our money on grog, and we were both broke again,” Alex said.

“I finished up in Auckland and joined agroup of people who were kind of the worst group of people Iever met, in some ways. “It was the only period in my life that Ilook back and there’sa kind of despair aboutwhat ahorrible time it was.”

After getting enough money together Alex headed back to Australia and got ajob on abeaten-up old Ferris Wheel owned by an Irishman called Paddy McCarol.

“I quite enjoyed being aspruiker.Standing up there, there’d be some smart ar**e coming up, with three girlfriends and acouple of mates and I’d say,‘There’s abloke who’snot game to get on this, it’stoo fast for him. And the girls would say,‘Go on, get on, get on’

and he’d come up to have agoatmeand I’d say, ‘You can have afree go with your girlfriend’. Once he got on, everyone got on,” Alex laughs.

“I had no inclination to write back then. Ifelt fairly depressed about abandoning my dream as astockman, but I’d always referred to art as akind of safe place for myself, drawing and painting, those sorts of things, I’d do that and disappear into that world.

“And then Irealised, Iwas in aboarding house at the time, and Ithought, ‘f**k this, Idon’t want to finish up like these guys, all they’ve got is Caulfield races and nothing. They’re all single men and they’re all getting old and they’re in this place –I’ve got to get an education.”

“I thought, what can IdothatIwon’t be disillusioned about? Where can Ibecome my own master?”

Alex went on to study an honours degree at Melbourne University,with aview to becoming awriter.

“I’d always been agood reader,a habitual reader, and the study was apretty serious commitment. I wasn’t that interested in the degree; Iwas interested in learning, and Istill am.

“I wanted to find away to really express the other world that was within me, my inner life that Ihadn’t spent alot of time on until then.”

Although it was many years later,in1975, that Alex met his wife Steph, he says his life didn’t really make sense until he met her.The pair have been together for 50 years now,moving to Castlemaine 23 years ago, where they live in agorgeous, humble and warm home, complete with alarge study,where Alex, now in his mid-80s, is currently working on his 16th novel.

Steph has also put together awonderfully crafted

collection of Alex’snotebooks and letters going back to the 1960s, titled AKind of Confession, which is due to be released at the end of November with alaunch with Northern Books at the TapRoom in December

Eighteen-year-old Alex was working as astockman in the outback in 1954 and his boss, who would write to Alex’s mum in England every week, insisted he go down to Brisbane to have a photo taken. He bought his first suit and abow tieand visited a studio to have his portrait taken.

The broken gate canwait, until it can’t.

Livestock is the second highestkiller on farms –weall knowcattle can be unpredictable.

So while it mayseem likeajob that’ll takelonger to getthe tools out than do,one small repair could save alife.

Understand your responsibilities with safety around cattle at worksafe.vic.gov.au/livestock

It’s neveryou, untilitis.

Coolwines, warm hearts

Discover the cool wines and warm hearts of Macedon Ranges winemakers at their annual wine festival, Budburst, this spring from Friday to Sunday,November 17-19.

Budburst is aonce-a-year opportunity to step behind the vines and meet the familyowned and small-batch makers who shape mainland Australia’scoolest wine region.

The Friday evening will see local venues showcase Macedon Ranges wine alongside other great produce of the region bringing together what they believe to be the best of the Macedon Ranges.

Across the weekend, more than 25 Macedon Ranges winemakers will open their wineries and cellar doors to wine enthusiasts.

From 10am and 5pm Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy wine tastings, curated food menus championing local produce, art shows, sculptor walks and live music.

Explore at your own pace or jump on one of the Budburst bus routes. This year Budbust will run smaller buses to more wineries, delivering participants directly to cellar doors around the Macedon Ranges. Additional details will be released soon.

Festival and bus tickets are on sale now (early bird until September 30).

For more information and to book tickets, visit budburst.com.

Castlemaine concert supports Yescampaign

Theatre Royal Castlemaine, local musician and storyteller Jan 'Yarn' Wositzky and Castlemaine Yes23 with the Djarra community are presenting aconcert in support of the Yescampaign for the Voice Referendum this Thursday

The concert will include asubstantial Welcome to Country from local Dja Dja Wurrung elders Uncle Rick Nelson, Auntie Paulette Nelson and Kerri Douglas, mighty anthems from hit-making songwriters such as Shane Howard and Neil Murray,songs in Dja Dja Wurrung, Wadawurrung and Yanyuwa languages, powerful words from renowned writers Alex Miller and Cate Kennedy,music that unites cultures, asoundscape of this continent, abig singalong –and much more.

The event will raise money for the YES23 campaign and support Aboriginal Australians, here in Dja Dja Wurrung country,and across Australia.

Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm.

Tickets are $40 general admission, $30 concession or $60 heart warmer (including a donation) and can be purchased at bit.ly/voteyesconcert

Lyons Will Estate at Lancefield will be among the local wineries welcoming guests for Budburst.

Photo: Chloe Smith Photography

Barefoot bowlstobeatthe blues

Elders Kyneton is hosting aday of family fun, barefoot bowls and silent auction in Kyneton to raise funds for mental health support organisation Beyond Blue.

“Wehave strong connection in the agricultural industry where men’s mental health in particular has become afocus,” Elders team member Bree Bertoni said.

“Elders is ahuge supporter of Beyond Blue and so, it was time to host this kind of event, open to the whole community,asmental health issues are increasing with things getting harderfor people in general.”

The day will include barefoot bowls games, live entertainment, face painting and asilent auction.

Macedon Ranges businesses have donated items for asilent auction, which include restaurant vouchers, asigned 2023 Essendon jersey, pressure washer,home décor items, hair and beautyproducts, Webber barbecue, children’spackages, accessories, signed 2023 Bendigo Braves signed jersey, antique chairs, gift packs and much more.

The Elders team thanked Kyneton Bowling Clubfor donation of use of the facilities and their volunteers who will help with the barefoot bowls.

They also thanked the community businesses that have donated the items for auction and Midland Express for donated advertising.

If you are unable to make the event day and would like to still be involved, please scan the QR code below to donate.

Mental Health Fundraiser

Prepurchase tickets from Elders Kyneton, 83 Edgecombe Road, to go into thedraw to win 1of3 door prizes.

Family Tickets $20.00- Single Tickets $10.00

All ticket salesdonated to Beyond Blue.This ticketincludesall family funactivities.

Fun Activitiesinclude:

- Live &SilentAuction

- BBQ

- Barefoot Bowls

5423 3000

- Live Entertainment

- Kids FacePainting

We have an extensive variety of donations from our localbusinesses in the MacedonRanges to be Auctioned

Scanthe QRcodetodonate.

Sporting legend headstoWoodend

Former rugby league player,actor and one of Australia'smost prominent LGBTIQA+ advocates, Ian Roberts, will be the guest speaker at next week’sBirds of aFeather LGBTIQA+ luncheon in Woodend.

In 1995, Roberts became the first high-profile Australian sports person, and the first rugby footballer in the world, to come out to the public as gay.Pursuing asecond career in acting Ian has many film and television credits spanning the past 20 years. He is also asportswellbeing educator specialising in elite wellbeing, supporting queer athletes and facilitating an inclusion program for the NRL.

“As ayoung lesbian coming to terms with my own sexuality,Ian was an inspiration,” said Birds of aFeather organiser Belinda.

“His book Finding Out,published in 1995, was compulsory reading for me. Ian is atrue pioneer,a legend who has left an indelible mark on the game by braving abuse and homophobia to be true to himself.”

Organised by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’sCountry LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program, Birds of a Feather lunches are held quarterly in venues across the Macedon Ranges and offer an opportunity for adults who identify as lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender or intersex to come together in asafe and affirming space, to share stories and belong.

Birds of aFeather is on next Thursday September 21 at 12pm at the Victoria Hotel, Woodend.

Entry is free and meals and drinks are at bar prices. RSVPs are essential –tobook your place go to www.trybooking.com/CLBOD.

Limited transport from Kyneton is available, as is financial support if cost prevents you from attending. Get in touch via email: belinda.brain@scchc.org.au or call 5421 1666 for further information.

Ian Roberts will be guest speaker at next week’s Birds of aFeather LGBTIQA+ luncheon in Woodend.

All about olives

Olive grower Robert Pearse will talk all about growing, processing and marketing olives as guest speaker at Kyneton Horticultural Society'sSpeaker Night next Monday Rob'stalkwill include his journey from virtually knowing zilch about horticulture, to becoming asuccessful olive grower.This happened almost by accident.

Olive’sOlives was established in 2008 and is afamily run, 300-tree grove in the heart of the Macedon Ranges just north of Kyneton.

The 'Olivist' Rob now mentors the owners of several other groves in the region who love olives but have no knowledge regarding the harvesting/pruning/maintenance involved in successfully operating an olive grove.

The business proudly sells directly to the local community,provedores, restaurants, accommodation businesses and vineyard cellar doors in the Macedon Ranges.

The presentation will be held at 7.30pm on Monday September 18 in Kyneton Football Club Rooms, Showgrounds, Mollison Street, Kyneton. Guests $5 entry,members free, supper provided. Everybody welcome.

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Olive grower Robert Pearse will be guest speaker for the Kyneton Horticultural Society next Monday.

'A helping hand in life'

Chesters on Voice

Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters will be keynote speaker at Kyneton U3A this Friday

On October 14, all Australians will have their say in the referendum on whether to change the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders asour country'sfirst Australians.

Ayes vote will give them aVoice to the federal government onmatters that affect them –a real say on how to deliver practical and positive changes in their communities.

Ms Chesters will explain how Constitutional recognition through the Voice will enable the closing of the gap that exists between Indigenous andnon-indigenous Australians.

This is ajoint presentation with Macedon Ranges for Yes, acommunity group supporting the Yescampaign.

Following Ms Chesters'stalk there will be aslideshow and discussion. Go along and find out all aboutthe Voice to Parliament.

Friday@U3A happens at the RedbrickHall,23 Yaldwyn Street West onFridays during school term time. Presentations are at 2pm and finish up with acup of tea.

This program is open tothe public –you don't have tobe amember of U3A Kyneton to attend.

The Lake of Scars

Woodend Library will this month be screening afilm that gives amoving and evocative insight into the battle to preserve timeless Indigenous culture.

Presented by the late, great, Uncle Jack Charles, The Lake of Scars explores the beautiful mysterious scarred trees, middens and stone scatters of profound archaeological significance at the ephemeral Lake Boort incentral Victoria.

The screening willtake place at Woodend Library on Wednesday, September 20, 2pm-3.30pm.

This event is free but bookings are required to attend.

For more information to make abooking, visit: eventbrite.com.au

Chesters MP will explain howConstitutional recognition throughthe Voice will enable the closing of the gap that exists between Indigenous andnon-indigenous Australians.

Cash for trash

Victoria’scontainer deposit scheme is a step closer with the roll out of refund points continuing to progressing across the state in preparation for the scheme’sNovember 1start

Last week local MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced areverse vending machine for CDS Vichad been installed at East Street, Daylesford.

“This is agreat opportunity to help clean up our environment, while helping local sporting clubs, community groups and schools to raise valuable funds through collection drives and donations,” she said.

CDS Vicwill reward users with a10 cent refund for every eligible empty drink can, bottle and carton.

There will be more than 600 refund points across the state and four different ways to return eligible containers –reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites, and bag drops and collections.

CDS Vicwill reduce Victoria’slitter by up to half, create new economic opportunities, generate around 640 jobs across the state, in both regional and metropolitan Victoria, and turn drink containers into new recycled products.

CDS Vicwill be run by scheme coordinator,VicReturn, and three zone operators, TOMRA Cleanaway,VISY,and Return-It, who will establish and oversee the refund points, provide refunds to customers, and ensure proper recycling of the containers.

CDS Vicalso offers Victorian charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and educational organisations new ways to raise funds through collection drives, by operating refund points, or receiving direct donations from the community

Donation partner registry will be available from October 1, ahead of the scheme starting.

Rock alongtothe Royal

Membersofthe local Hot Rod community,rock ‘n’ rollers, baby boomers and anyone with apassion for music is invited to get along to Castlemaine’sTheatre Royal this Sunday for the screening of aunique film of 1950s vintage.

Castlemaine Theatre Royal operator TimHeath said the restored 1959 film of Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll performance, ‘Rock’n’Roll’, recently hit the big screen across the country for the first time in 50 years and had been selling out cinemas far and wide.

Find your yo newView newVie

“The film was miraculously retrieved and restored by Melbourne resident Mark Iaria, who discovered the film while visiting ayard sale in Melbourne,” Timsaid.

After three years of research and restoration, Rock’n’Roll hit the highway in May for amodern-day ‘roadshow’ across the country.Itbegan at the Dendy Newtown in Sydney and is now weaving its way throughout Australia for the remainder of2023 and will feature at at the Theatre Royal at 1pm Sunday,September 17.

Brigade celebrates 50 years

Springfield Fire Brigade celebrated 50 years since forming and its huge dedication to service with aspecial event earlier this month.

Brigade members, family and friends, along with representatives from Darraweit Guim FB, Lancefield FB, Romsey FB and D2 CFA, attended afunction hosted at Kilmore Trackside on September 2.

The evening'scelebrations also saw presentations of services awards to members ranging from five years to astaggering 67 years’ service. Atotal of 567 years of service was acknowledged.

Female members of the brigade stepped up to the mic to share the hosting duties on the night in honour of beloved communications officer Jeannine Sheehan who died earlier this year

Jeannine had inspired and mentored many women during her 45 years of service that their numbers had risen to the point where they were affectionately known as the “handbag brigade”.

There were lots of shared stories, much laughter,a fewtears and catching up with friends not seen for some time.

District 2assistant chief fire officer Steve Alcock presented awards throughout the evening.

Five Year Service Awards were presented to Blake Atkins, David Bean and Drew Helmore.

TenYear Service Awards were presented to Jason Fallaize, Maree Marshall, Luke Mitchell, Robert Mitchell, Al Stables and Darcy Vermont.

Fifteen Year Service Awards were

presented to Stephen Braithwaite, Nicholas Giovanakis, Stephen Tautkus and Robert Woolley

Twenty Year Service Awards were presented to Tammie Dalgleish, Cameron Mitchell and Victoria Pearson.

Twenty-five Year Service Awards were presented to Karen Clarke and Mark Sheehan.

Thirty Year Service Awards were presented to Peter Burns and John Sevenson.

A35Year Service Award was presented to Robert Vermont, and a 40 Year Service Award was presented to Carolyn Clarke.

CFALife Membership Awards represent aminimum of 30 years’ service with over and above contribution to CFA.

These were presented to John Thornton (33.56 years), Murray Cousins (37 years), JeannineSheehan (45.85 years), Patrick Clarke (57.82 years), and Peter Scanlon (67.58 years).

Before the evening'spresentation, Springfield Fire Brigade also celebrated life members: Pat Clarke, Peter Scanlon, John Clement, the late Jeannine Sheehan and the late George Lobb.

New Springfield Brigade Life Memberships for outstanding service were awarded to Murray Cousins and Mark Sheehan.

Both men have served in many positions within the brigade for acombined 63 years and were humbled by the surprise nominations.

The brigade also presented aCFA 50 Years Certificate to captain Robert Woolley

Life member Mark Sheehan.

Life member Murray Cousins.

HeartSafe Trentham

Minutes matter in acardiac arrest and Trentham is now equipped to save more lives, becoming one of 11 new Heart Safe Communities in Victoria.

The Heart Safe Community program was launched in 2019 and aims to improve survival rates for people suffering cardiac arrest by teaching locals how to perform CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator

It is ajoint initiative between Ambulance Victoria and the Heart Foundation.

AV Grampians community engagement coordinator,Jacinta Read, said the program in Trentham had empowered the region.

“Cardiac arrest occurs when aperson’s heart suddenly stops beating and can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime,” Ms Read said.

“Starting chest compressions and early application of an AED is crucial to give a cardiac arrest patient the best chance of survival.

Ms Read said bystander CPR and use of an AED increases apatient’schance of survival by more than 70 per cent.

“Currently about 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest each day and only one in 10 survive,” she said.

“The minutes between acardiac arrest occurring and paramedics arriving are an important time for bystanders to act."

In Trentham, 190 community members have been engaged through the Heart Safe Communities program, with increases in the number of active GoodSAM responders and registered public AEDs throughout the year

There will be afurther boost for the town, with AV to donate an additional AED.

Current registered 24/7 AEDs in Trentham are located at the police station and Cool Country Community Enterprises.

OBITUARY

Vale Sir Phillip Bennett AC, KBE,DSO

Tim Collins

On behalf of the residents of the Ray MBegg Kyneton Aged Care home we offer our sincere condolences to the family of the late General Sir Phillip Bennett AC, KBE, DSO who passed away peacefully at RM Begg Aged Care Kyneton on August 1, 2023.

Sir Phillip was agreat Australian. Her served with distinction both as asoldier and Governor of Tasmania. His career as a soldier was outstanding. He entered the Royal Military College Duntroon, was trained as an officer,hegraduated and eventually after aseries of promotions during his active service became the General in charge of the Australian Army

His service did not stop at this juncture as he was elevated to the supreme office in charge of all Australian Defence Forces (navy,army and air force). Aremarkable achievement.

On discharge from his defence duties he was appointed Governor of Tasmania.

His service as asoldier was as follows:

He was born in Perth, Western Australia, graduating as a Lieutenant on December14, 1948, and posted to Japan in British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

His section 67 Infantry Battalion moved to Korea where her served for 12months, was woundedin action, remained on duty and was mentioned in dispatches, served afurther 12 months as Chief Instructor with the 25 Canadian infantry Brigade Junior WCO, to be followed by being posted to Seymour, Victoria, as tactics instructor atthe School of Infantry

He served with the Royal Marine Commandos, saw duty in Malta Operational Service in Cyprus. He was appointed senior chief instructor at the Portsea Cadet School and commander in the Battle of Coral –Balmoral, and was awarded aDistinguished Service Order for his service.

Followingseveral promotions and training at defence colleges in Australia and the United Kingdom, he became aGeneral and was appointed in charge of the army and subsequently Chief of the Defence Forces ofAustralia(navy,army and air force).

Hisother awards and honours include Military Division Order of Australia in 1981, and aKnight Commander in Military Division of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1982. He was promoted Companion of the OrderofAustralia in 1985.

He was named Commander of the US Legion of Merit 1985, and Republic of Korea Order of National Security Medal awarded an honorary LLD Knight ofStJohn in 1988.

Degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa by University of Tasmania, 1992.

From my own contact with Sir Phillip, Ihad the pleasure of being seated beside him in the dining room.

Idid not realise his achievements until informed by his daughter Jane Davidson andstaff.

His attitude was never demanding service and accepted the ordinary service the same as the residents. His health was failing but he alwaysshowed an expression of gratitude to myself and the staff.

Sir Phillip was ahumble gentle family man of strong character His presence at the various commemorative RSL services conducted in the RMBegg home will be sadly missed.

Youhave left this world dedicating your life to protect and serve the Australian nation in arenown capable manner,aservice which will always be remembered in the history of Australia. Agreat Australian!

To have an eminent gentleman of aremarkable career become aresident in the RM Begg Aged Care home in Kyneton illustrated the excellent, friendly and devoted service offered by the executive and stafftothe residents of the home.

Detoxyour Home accepts:

Acids and alkalis

Aerosol cans

Ammonia based cleaners

Anti-freeze,coolant

Brakefluid

Car careproducts and waxes

Cooking oil

Cosmetics,nail polish and remover

Detergents,bleach, disinfectants and drain cleaner

Fertilisers

Fireextinguishers

Floor-careproducts and waxes

Fuels: petrol, diesel, kerosene

Glues: water-based and solvents

Hand sanitiser

Herbicides and weed killers

Insect spray,pesticides, ratpoison

Oven cleaner

Pool chemicals

Solvents

Thinners, turps and paint

stripper

Transmission fluid

Wood preservatives and finishes And other items foundathome with these symbols:

Fora full list of chemicals accepted, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ accepteditems To

Sir Phillip Bennett. Photo: Supplied

SCHOOL HOLIDAY Fun Spring

Cowabunga, it’’s fun dude!

Want to see what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are up to these dayss? Or would you like to sing along with Frozen on the big screen? Perhaps booth?

It’sall happening at Castlemaine’sTheatre Royal these coming school holidays.

Those heroes in ahalf shell are up to their very best for nine screenings s at the theatre of their high jinks so there is bound to be atime to suit all turttle fans.

There are also screenings of aspecial version of Frozen when you can sing-along with the characters. There will also be aprize for the best dresssed so get those outfits together now to be in the running.

Kids are also being entertained at the Theatre Royal with aspecial karaoke and disco session so there is great fun to be had for sure.

For all school holiday entertainment times at the Theatre Royal take aloook at their advert on page five of this Midland Express

Ridingisfamilyfun

Located in picturesque Spa Country,Boomerang Holiday Ranch can entertain the whole family these school holidays as they enjoy the company of delightfully friendly horses while being immersed in the countryside just two kilometres from the centre of Daylesford.

Their trail rides take you through beautiful bushland allowing you to experience nature first hand.

The team at Boomerang will choose your horse for your particular ability.Safety instruction are given and rides split into groups ofdifferent skill levels so as to ensure you have asafe and fun horse riding experience.

Safety of riders is of utmost importance as is the welfare of Boomerang’shorses who are welltreated and maintained to keep them at their healthiest and happiest.

Ride the PonyExpress

Horses and steam trains? Sounds like amix to keep every member of the family happy these school holidays –and it will.

The Pony Express is being run by Victorian Goldfields Railway on Saturday September 23. It’sanall-new experience for young horse enthusiasts (and steam train buffs too). The thrilling train ride adventure to Maldon includes abubbly mocktail for the kids and adelicious glass of bubbles for parents on arrival, the chance to enjoy an episode of Spirit Riding Free, horse balloons, ahorse ride and more.

Youngsters will feel like true cowboys or cowgirls as they explore the Maldon countryside with their four-legged companions for a 30-minute ride.

Everyone will also get to savour ahorsethemed mini high tea on the return train journey to Castlemaine, with scrumptious treats provided by Hot and Crusty Bakery Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to have fun and make memories with your family.For more information or to book visit www.vgr com.au/pony-express.

As well, VGR is also introducing anew timetable for the upcoming school holidays to give you even more chances to hop aboard the VGR train and enjoy an outing to the historic town of Maldon. The train will run every Wednesday,Saturday and Sunday

from September 16 to October 1with trains departing from Castlemaine at 10.30am and 2.15pm on each day and departing Maldon at noon and 3.45pm.

School Holiday Fun

TrainsrunWednesdaysandSundays aswellastermschoolholiday Saturdays,andsomepublicholidays.

When you book aride at Boomerang Ranch make sure you have something safe and comfortable to wear on the day such aslong pants and flat, covered in shoes. Australian safety standard helmets are provided for riders. Minimum age for arider is six years. Rides usually last for an hour but longer ones can be arranged. Bookings for all rides are essential.

SUPER QUIZ?

Local knowledge (1 point)

1. What is the new name of Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association?

2. Which Macedon Ranges fire brigade has created an ‘Adopt aHydrant’ program?

3. The Castlemaine Community Co-operative has formed with the aim of doing what?

4. How many years did Lancefield Romsey Lions Club celebrate this year? (3 points)

5. Which local group is performing The Wiz? (Bonus point: Where will it be be showing?)

General knowledge

(1 point)

6. How many stars appear on atypical Australian two dollar coin?

7. Specialised United Nations agency WHO’s acronym is short for what?

8. Who played Ron Weasley in the first movie adaptation in the Harry Potter series?

9. The following are all types of what: hass, wurtz, pinkerton and zutano? (3 points)

10. Caravaggio shared afirst name with what other famous artist?

If youdon’t know, FIND OUT!

Clare, Kyneton

Back in the early years of the 20th century,mygrandmother was aproud suffragist. That is, she believed that women should have the vote, but that violence was not the way to achieve it.

She used to drum into me, even when I was alittle kid, that being able to vote was aprivilege and that only when you were well informed should you make the decision about which way you would cast your vote.

The catchcry in the upcoming Referendum should be: “If you don’t know, FIND OUT!”. There are plenty of excellent, fact-checked resources readily available to increase understanding of the issues.

Agood place to start is: Voice.gov.au

And 'The Voice, AQuestion to the People' –voicetoparliament.info

Our excellent local librarians also would help locate any information needed.

Everyreason to vote yes

Christina Hill, Woodend

Thank you for publishing the very informative article ‘What is the Voice?’ in last week’sedition of the Midland Express.

What struck me reading your article is the simplicity,and uncontroversial nature, of the Voice. It would be acommittee providing advice to government on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on issues like health, education and housing. That’sit.

By including it in our constitution, the Voice would also provide long overdue recognition of First Nations’ people in this country in way that would have practice and positive outcomes. Isee no reason to vote noand every reason to vote yes.

We are notall an enemy

Glynn Jarrett, Ravenswood South

Iwrite in response to arecent letter from Janine Waters ('Wokeness' has won', Opinions,September 5), that was bemoaning efforts to change Australia Day in Macedon Shire.

This is not about 'wokeness', not about 'do-gooders' or anyone being 'self-righteous' as stated byJanine, butfar more about people caring for others, and being prepared to stand up for those less fortunate or thosewho might not have avoice.

It is asad society when labels get thrown atpeople whoare only guilty of trying to make the world abetter place, in a manner meant to drag them down.

If one wants to help protect the environment, we quickly slander them as being bloody greenies, if trying to protect wildlife we call them do-gooders or stupid vegans and now we see the word 'wokeness' being used as abarb.

Throwing insults makes for avery poor argument so how about in future putting forward an alternative view based on the facts as you see them while trying to look at the views of others, in an open and honest manner

Even though we might think differently we are notall an enemy

Something we shouldall celebrate

R.Young, Kyneton

Macedon Ranges Shire Council's decision to no longer host Australia Day on January 26 seems foolish and shortsighted.

All because of afew who may have a perception of injustice in the past, and have anegative emotion about it.

Surely with such arich Indigenous culture, followed by British settlement, which established our laws andset up our government, and years of immigration from other countries from all over the world, we should be able to celebratethis day

Many ofthese people sought acountry with the freedoms we all desire, and found that in this great nation.

Surely that'ssomething we should all celebrate. That'swhatmakes us amulticultural nation. Why should council deny us this right?

Auxiliarythanks

Rosemary Bain, president, RM BeggAuxiliary

The RM Begg Auxiliary is pleased to have had another successful year and looks forward to working with the new partnership of Respect/RM Begg.

All monies raised by the Auxiliary and donated to RM Begg will be spent solely at RM Begg Kyneton for the benefit of the residents.

Our markets held on the first Saturday of the month conducted out of Bolton Hall (Miss Begg'sschool house) in Epping Street have been well supported and we are very greatful for the many donations of craft, knitted items jams etc.

The Auxiliary meets on the first Tuesday of the monthat 2pm –Bolton Hall Epping StreetKyneton, and we would always welcome new members.

The Auxiliary has amazing support from the greater community as we continue to raise funds to ensure all the residents enjoy acomfortable way of life. For which we are most appreciative.

Room for both to win

Bruce Mildenhall, secretary, Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Committee of Management

For generations, Victorians approaching Mount Macedon from Melbourne or visiting the Memorial Cross took comfort and were inspired by the visible memorial to loss and sacrifice.

Since 1935, when it was designed to be visible from agreat distance, both visitors and the commemorative community have appreciated the views of and from the Cross. Until 2011, the views were regularly maintained by either the Parks Victoria or, unfortunately,byfire.

As Victoria’ssecond most significant war memorial with unique aesthetic qualities, there is ample historical documentation and photographs confirming the views of and from the Cross are an integral part of the origins and history of the Reserve.

On recent figures more than eight hundred thousand visitors come to the Mount Macedon Cross each year.Many expect to see the spectacular views that feature in the descriptions of the Cross Reserve. When they look for the features and locations on the directions cairn at the Cross, none are visible. Doesn’t do alot for our reputation as atourist destination.

Trees are important. So too are our commemorative history and symbols.

The .79 of ahectare of vegetation to be cleared to restore some of the views from the Cross will be more than offset by the recent return to the Regional Park of the more than 140 hectares of former HVP pine plantation. And the former plantation is barely 100 metres from the Cross.

There is room in this community debate for commemoration and trees to both come out winners.

Howwill it work?

Gerald Swinnerton, Kyneton

What is The Voice? Yes, we have all seen the wording that the federal government would like us to add to the Australian Constitution at the forthcoming Referendum, but how will it work?

Presumably arepresentative from Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders will come up with questions from time to time, perhaps requesting achange to some legislation, or it might be arequest for further funding. To whom will this request be sent?

Will it be amember of Parliament or even the Prime Minister.Will the Parliament be

obliged to debate the issue raised, or will they have the option to ignore it. How will questions or requests be obtained from the population of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders, orwill they beprepared by their Elders in anattempt to preempt shortcomings in government support of Indigenous people?

The government needs to 'flesh out' these fundamental details carefully without ambiguity.For example, you could not expect aperson to purchase acar if the manufacturer failed to provide aspecification for that car

Extensive advertising throughout the media will be required to sell this referendum to the majority of the population. It is not sufficient to direct Australians to some simplistic website.

Without aclear explanation of how The Voice will work, it is doubtful that this referendum will succeed.

Who gave councilthe authority?

TomO’Dea, NewGisborne

Iread with disgust in the Midland Express on August 29 that our woke and left wing Macedon Ranges Council has voted to cancel Australia Day events and celebrations and the Australia Day events and celebrations onwards.

As aratepayer and resident of Macedon Ranges all my life, Iwould like to know who gave the council the authority to vote down Australia Day? Why were the ratepayers not given the chance to voice their opinions? Iamindisbelief just like voting down the opening prayers, no one was consulted.

Youcouncillors are supposed to be representatives of all the ratepayers not just some selected groups. As an older resident, Inolonger feel included in Australia or our shire anymore. Macedon Ranges Council business has been hijacked with councillors pushing their own agenda both personal and political and being woke.

We need ashire council that is representative of all ratepayers and doing what we elected them for (i.e. parks, roads, rubbish) and using common sense and fairness for all. If you agree with me, Let them know.Call your ward councillors, sign a petition let'sjust do something about it. This woke nonsense is just the start of it. Stop this before it is too late.

Howaboutconsulting us?

Chris Richards,Woodend

Irefer tothe actions of Macedon Ranges Shire Council in no longerhosting traditional Australia Day events on January 26('Australia Day in spotlight', Midland Express, August 29, 2023).

Last Iheard the population in the shire was over 50,000, but Idon't recall seeing any proposal from the MRSC before taking this action.

As our elected representatives, how about widespread consultation before taking action affecting all of us?

No special insight

Stephen Holgate, Woodend

It is very disappointing that three churches in Woodend are displaying ‘yes’ signs on their properties. Churches, sporting clubs and corporations (as well ascelebrities) do nothave any special insight into the complex Voice referendum issue. They should stay in their primary field of expertise rather than stray into the realm of political activism –including supporting any side at all of this debate.

It is doubtful that the Woodend churches’ public position represents the likely diversity of their respective constituents on this matter; and many citizens are getting fed up being told how to think and vote by sanctimonious activist organisations.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is to be commended for not promoting a particular side ofthis debate, respecting the intelligence and good sense of citizens to vote wisely

PETCARE

Springtime is fledgling time

We are already getting into spring, and although when shivering through some of the cooler days it doesn’t quite feel as such, this is the time when we will begin to see young birds arriving.

In Australia, it is aregular sight to see some of the parents swooping to protect their nest and the surrounding areas and we need to take care to avoid known areas that could disturb the avian families.

Occasionally, young birds, or fledglings, will become alittletoo adventurous and fall out of the nest before they have learnt to fly. This is acommon action for young birds, and most of the time there is nothing to worry about. The parents are not far away and will return to feed them.

If there is concern for their wellbeing, the best option is to contact

Keep kittycalm

Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300 to have achatabout the best plan.

It is also important to keep pets on leads when walking to prevent access to fallen fledglings.

More information on helping with wildlife, including reporting injured wildlife, ways to donate and options for volunteering, can be found on the Wildlife Victoria website at www.wildlifevictoria.org.au

Injured wildlife can also be transported to your local vet clinic for medical treatment and ongoing care when it is required and only if it is safe to do so. Once rehabilitated and well enough to be released, they will be returned to the area where they came from, so recording their original location will help return them home. (Information provided by Gisborne Veterinary Clinic.)

Taking your cat to the vet can be aparticularly tense ordeal for bothowner and moggie.

Here are some tips for cat owners to make visits to the veterinarian more stressfree

*Normalise handling. Often, cats are not used to being held or examined in the way that vets will. Some cats will become agitated with this increased, new sensation. To reduce anxiety,slowly introduce your cat to increased handling.

*Helpyour cat become comfortable with the carrier.Place the carrier in aroom at home where your cat spends most of their time so they can use it and it becomes a part of the home. Add familiar soft bedding as well as special toys.

*Explore the vet before an appointment. Going to the vet for afriendly visit will allow for the cat to become more comfortable with the new environment. Choose aquiet time to visit and reinforce positive interactions with atreat. Keep the carrier up high on abench rather than on the floor

*Understand your cat’sbehaviour.The veterinarian’sclinic is unfamiliar and has sights, sounds and smells that can cause your cat to feel anxious or fearful. Cover their carrier with atowel to block the sight of other animals and dampen the unfamiliar sounds. Respect your cat’sneed for time to acclimate to the new environment before an examination.

*De-stress yourself. Vetvisits can be just as stressful for owners as pets. Remaining calm will ensure that the cat is as comfortable as possible and that the vet can do the best job they can.

Takethe lead

Birds can tell whether adog is on or offlead, even if unleashed dogs are well behaved, new research has indicated.

The researchers observed the ‘escape responses’ of magpie-larks when confronted by leashed and unleashed dogs in Melbourne parks. Both sets of dogs were walking quietly,close to their owners.

Interestingly,they found the birds had different reactions to the dogs if they were on oroff lead: they walked away from leashed dogs, but flew away from the unleashed dogs.

The research suggests that leashing dogs could beagood way to reduce the intense fear behaviours of birds, which ultimately threatens their survival during breeding, nesting or migrating

Chaseneeds ahome

If you're looking for anew pet, look no further than Mount Alexander Animal Welfare Shelter.With ahuge range of cats and dogs of all ages, colours, and sizes, there'sa pet to suit everyone. Phone 5472 5277 to make an appointment and the friendly staffwill happily introduce you to the animals and walk you through the adoption process.

One of the dogs available for adoption at the moment is Chase, amaledesexed tricolour kelpie MC#956000015770477.

Seven-month-old Chase is asweetheart who loves spending time with people. He is always curious about what people are doing and wants to be involved. He would love a family who will spend alot of time with him, keep him active and stimulate his mind.

Victoria University researchers Skye Barnett, Dr Roan Plotz and Dr Wouter van Dongen said the study –while simple in its findings –could help motivate dog owners to follow leash laws. Australia hassome of the strictest dog leashing regulations in the world, and ahigh rate of dog ownership, with about six million pet dogs in the country,according to the RSPCA.

However,dog leashing in public parks is controversial, with lowcompliance rates for leash regulations, and alack of understanding byowners about the dangers their pets pose, Dr Plotz said.

“More people should know there are good reasons to obey leash rules sowe can ultimately enhance the way people and birds co-exist,” he said.

2023 KynetonDaffodiland Arts Festival Parade

2023 KynetonDaffodiland Arts Festival Parade

Covering the Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires

Circulated throughout: Kyneton, Castlemaine,Gisborne,Malmsbury, Trentham, Woodend, Redesdale,Lancefield, Romsey, Macedon, Mt. Macedon, Metcalfe, Chewton,Harcourt,Newstead, Maldon, Taradale,Elphinstone, Campbells Creek, Guildford, Barkers Creek, Sutton Grange, Baringhup, Muckleford, Yapeen

ELLIOTT

GETREADING Timeto

Atomic Habits –James Clear

2018, personal development/business, 319 pages

James Clear,one of the world’sleading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviours that lead to remarkable results. If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success,and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits, whether you are in ateam looking to win a championship, an organisation hoping to redefine an industry,orsimply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

Elena Knows –Claudia Piñeiro

2007, contemporary/mystery, 143pages Aunique tale that interweaves crime fiction with intimate tales of morality and search for individual freedom. After Rita is found dead in the bell tower of the church she used to attend, the official investigation into the incident is quickly closed. Her sickly mother is the only person still determined to find the culprit. Chronicling adifficult journey across the suburbs of the city,an old debt and arevealing conversation, Elena Knows unravels the secrets of its characters and the hidden facets of authoritarianism and hypocrisy in our society

Yellowface–Rebecca F. Kuang

2023, literaryfiction, 329 pages

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, samedebut year in publishing. But Athena’sacross-genre literary darling, and June didn’t even get apaperback release. So when June witnesses Athena’sdeath in afreak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’sjust-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese labourers to the British and French war efforts during World WarI.But June can’t get away from Athena’sshadow,and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s(stolen) success down around her

Lifeafter Life–Kate Atkinson

2013, historical fiction, 704 pages

What if you could live again and again, until you got it right? On acold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out alusty wail, and embarks upon alife that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly,inavariety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war

Meet the Kyneton Sales Team

Sharon has apassion for property,renovating and country life and brings an extensive corporate sales, contract negotiation and channel development background to her role in the Kyneton office. With her warm and welcoming smile, cheeky sense of humour and laid-back style, you will feel immediately at ease in Sharon’scompanyand confident in her capabilities.

Matthew is afamiliar face in the area, having headed up the Kyneton office since it opened in 2016. Having grown up in Trentham and with apassion for local football, netball and cricket, his insight, integrity and professionalism is highly regarded. Matthew has over 16 years’ experience as an agent and has an exceptional record of getting top results for vendors and buyers.

Harriet is atruecountry girl who has deep connections to the Macedon Ranges and the real estate industry.She grew up on a260-acre farm in Kyneton, surrounded by sheep, cattle and asprawling garden, and her grandfather was alocal real estate agent who instilled the values of integrity and commitment. Harriet has aprofessional demeanour,friendly disposition and an approachable charm, honed in both the hospitality and fashion industries previously

With the weather warming up andthe feeling of Spring in the air across the Macedon Ranges, now is the perfect time to reach out to one of our team members to discuss your property options in the current market.

5Nutfield Close, Woodend

Acclaimed Marcus Ward designed 3-bedroomresidence, with large entertaining areas thatflow from the mainliving and dining area.Adjoiningthe generous familyand mealsarea, is aspaciouskitchen. An indulgent main bedroom, with a custom-fitted WIR and ensuitewith2 additionalrobed bedrooms. Floorheating, reversecycle heating/cooling,double glazing throughout. Landscapedgardens have maturedperfectly to create aprivatebotanical sanctuary,complimented with a12-metre solar heatedpool. Double remotegaragewith workshop, highend security system, 21 solar panelswitha 3kwinverter,and ducted vacuum

AUCTION –ReservedPrice $1,700,000 –28October2023 at 10.30am Inspection: Saturday 16 September 12.00pm –12.30pm

1/26Goldies Lane, Woodend

YOUR PRIVATESANCTUARYAWAITSONASTUNNING 2280 SQM (APPROX)

Brilliantly locatedtothe boutique villageofWoodend and less than 900 metres to the train station, thisfabulous four bedroomplus open study executiveresidence located in aquiet cul de sac and privately nestled behind tall hedgeswould suit the largestoffamilies within its generouslyproportioned spaces

Price Range: $1,495,000-$1,550,000 Inspection

Properties Coming To Market

Watch

-3 bedroom modern weather board home in Woodend –convenient location.

-167 year old bluestone Miners Cottageinthe heart of Kyneton.

-6 acres, large family home, horse facilities, Newham.

-Large modern family home –4bedroom,3 livingareas,Romsey

-4 bedroomVictorian home on 3acres, Woodend.

-Large family home on 20 beautiful acres, Macedon.

-4 bedroomclassic Woodend lifestyle property on 3acres.

-3 bedroom home on 902m2 in Kyneton –great location.

-Large country home on 10 acres, good water –Taradale.

31 Lauriston Street,Kyneton

Perfectlylocated in asoughtafterstreetlined with bluestone gutters and other period homes, this character-filleddoublefrontedVictorian is both charming and sophisticated.Comprisinga centralhallway, original Baltic Pine floors, high ceilings, dadowall panelling,3generously proportioned bedrooms, asitting room, recently upgraded kitchen & bathroom and anorth facingbackyard, this property is perfectly locatedclosetothe cafes, restaurants, schools and shopping of popular Kyneton.

Price: $795,000 -$850,000

Inspection: Saturday 16th September 12:00pm –12:30pm

271880 |BeverleyHiggs 0448 271 222

-4 bed, 4½bath, 3living on 1497m2,luxury living in Gisborne

-RetailShop in the heart of Sunbury

-320m2 of commercial land in aprime location &excellent exposure -Kyneton

-Spacious4bedroom family home on large allotment in popular, quiet location –Kyneton

-Light filled 4bedroom home on 50 acres –Tylden

Perfectlypresentedunit

With its own street frontage, this unit has been recently upgraded and updated, the interior is contemporary,clean and beautifully presented. Tucked up near the hospital, this surprisingly spacious unit has two queen sized bedrooms, both with built-in robes. The welcoming living area, with ascene out the front windows to the world beyond, has plenty of space for living, dining and cooking. The upgraded kitchen has lots of storage, bench

space and adishwasher.The bathroom with a stepless shower has also had asmart upgrade. The laundry with external access and the single lock up garage complete the floorplan.

Outside, enjoy your private and partially undercover secure courtyard with apaved undercover alfresco area.

As is, it will be celebrated for its easy lock up and go option!

Property: Updated, upgraded, surprisingly spacious unit

Address: 5/2 LeeteStreet Kyneton

Price: $500,000 to $550,000

Agent: RayWhite Kyneton

Contact: Nathanial Briggs 0400 820 805 TamaraMactier 0429 136 635

Wanted to buy -farmland in the Romsey, Lancefield,orRochfordareas

Following our recent sale of the 89ha (220 acre) property at 193KnoxRoad,Romsey,wehaveseveral prospectivebuyers wanting to buy 40ha+ (100 acres+) of farmland in the above areas.

If youare thinking of selling, please call John Keating on 0419 880 444 foranobligation-free appraisal.

Anatural choice

Natural light is afeature throughout this 1980’sbrick four-bedroom home, with all living spaces designed to capture the beautiful north light filtering through the large period windows. The L-shaped design of the house allows for orientation towards the central courtyard, aspacious north-facing entertaining area overlooking the inground pool and landscaped garden. Ahouse to entertain and within walking distance of all that Castlemaine offers makes this home anatural choice.

Located in the highly sought-after historic precinct of Gaulton Street, this much-loved home has undergone asympatheticmodernisation with acontemporary industrial feel without losing the soul of the original. The home features an open-plan kitchen with dining and living. The kitchen includes soft-close cabinetry with two-tiered drawers, aMiele dishwasher,a freestanding 900mm gas cooktop with an oven, and an island bench providing additional seating. Both living and dining have exterior access through sliding doors. A central hall leads to three bedrooms with built-in robes serviced by an updated bathroom with awalk-in shower,a bath and abespoke recycled timber vanity

Anorth-facing rumpus with exterior access to the central courtyard provides additional living before leading to amulti-faceted two-room space allowing for multi-generational living, aparent/teenager retreat, or the potential of self-contained accommodation. Currently used as ahome office and main bedroom, this space features anorth-facing living with a

kitchenette, ahome office, and built-in storage, with an adjoining bedroom and ensuite, and both rooms have asliding door to the courtyard. Design details include; a1.5kw solar system, solar hot water,cork flooring, electric wall heaters, asplit system, ceiling fans, and Luxaflex blinds.

The fully fenced 1012m2 property is private from the street and designed for entertaining with a3mx6minground pool overlooked by aspacious brick courtyard with avinecovered pergola. Acarport with direct access to agated space has shedding and room for acaravan or boat. The low-maintenance native garden features established trees, a stunning weeping mulberry and cherry,raised wicking beds anda watertank

Property: Spacious four bedroom home with inground pool

Address: 12 Gaulton Street Castlemaine

Price: $1,250,000

Agent: Cantwell Property Castlemaine

Contact: TomRobertson 0473 642 644

Settingupyour homefor sale

As agood friend once said to me, “thereissetting up your home to liveinand thereis setting up your home to sell”

Agood waytostart the preparation, is to takea step back and look at your home with fresh eyes. Imagine that the most significant person youcan think of is coming to visit. Aprofessional stylist or real estate agent can assist with helping you identify themost important areas to looks at.

One of the most powerful marketing tools youhaveiskerb side appeal. The view needs to be clean, tidy and welcoming -you can gain or lose buyers very quickly

Over the years as internet marketing’s influence hasgrown, the importance of preparation hasneverbeen higher. As potential buyers search through websites, the psychology is thatproperties are excludedand then the list of properties to be inspected is created.

To ensure that youare on the ‘inspection’list, the wayyou present your home is very important and can makea big difference in how it is perceived.

The most important things to consider are decluttering,minor repairs, freshen up your home, add lamps and mirrors to dark rooms and ensure everything glistens.

We are very happytohelp –ifyou would likea quiet chat, please giveusa call

Tamara Mactier Director 0429 136 635

Helen Jens Licenced Estate Agent 0404 834 926

Jason Woodford-Smith Sales Executive 0448 500 778

NathanialBriggs Director 0400 820 805

Local Knowledge RuralSpecialists National Network Allworking foryou

Midland

Mid-century delight

Enjoy the ease of this well-located property,a short walk from the centre of Castlemaine, and minutes from shopping, eateries, schools and galleries. With the Diggings National Park and its walking paths on your doorstep, it is the perfect lifestyle location. Desirable with its large rooms and high ceilings creating asense of light and space, this mid-century weatherboard home has been lovingly lived in for the past 23 years and is ready for anew owner to make it their own. Set on agenerous 808m2 (approx.) of land with established gardens, grassed areas, huge outdoor entertaining area, fernery,shedand double carport.

Twogenerous bedrooms plus asmaller third accommodate sleeping, and the cosy lounge has

-$680,000

Inspect: Sunday 17/9 at 11:00-11:30am

Agent:

Di Selwood 0488 148 358

gas log fire and large window capturing the morning sun. The eat-in kitchen, reminiscent of the era, is the hub of the home. Large with plenty of cupboard space, gas cooker and open to the living, it is the perfect spot for family meals, acuppa with afriend or just the spot to share the day’sstories.

Acentral family bathroom accommodates with shower,bath and vanity,and to the rear of the home the toilet and laundry are accessed through alarge utility room that could be aperfect playroom for the kids. With its family- friendly location and enviably big backyard, plus scope to make this alarger family home (subject to council approval), 5Preshaw Street is the perfect choice for the modern family seeking the country lifestyle.

Property: Mid-century weatherboardhome with large roomsand high ceilings

Address: 5PreshawStreet, Castlemaine

Price: $765,000

Agent: Property Plus Real Estate

Contact: Di Selwood 54474088

COUNTRYFEEL, CHARACTER FILLED

•Flexible floorplan allows for three-bedroom accommodation or two living rooms

•1072sqm elevated corner lot with treed outlook

•Open fireplaces, French doors, pressed metal ceilings &painted wooden floors.

Gas heating +reverse cycle heat &cooling

•Minutes from Castlemaine town centre

$430,000 - $450,000

Inspect:

Saturday 16/9 at 10:00-10:30am

Agent:

Di Selwood 0488 148 358

RENOVATED 3-BEDROOM VILLA UNIT ONLY MINUTES FROM THE CBD

• Open plan living and dining with newly renovated kitchen

• Spacious, updated bathroom with dual access to large master bedroom

• New carpet, blinds & lighting, polished concrete to wet areas, freshly painted

for sale

Family Vibe

22 Hunter Street, Castlemaine

With its family-friendly contemporary renovation, ideal location and spacious 1044 sqm approx allotment, this three-bedroom home offers the perfect relaxed living vibe. With all the hardwork done, all you have to do is move in and enjoy country living in this vibrant and artistic town.

t: 54721133

cantwellproperty.com.au

275 Barker Street, Castlemaine

Considered Living

97 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine

Forging aconnection to town and country living is this architect-designed home offering interconnected spaces with restrained simplicity muted, calming colour tones and attention to detail. Sited close to the centreofCastlemaine with the backdrop of Kalimna Park at your doorstep, this feels like considered living at its best.

Location is Everything

63 Templeton Street, Castlemaine

This fabulous 1930s brick three-bedroom home combines exceptional period charm with an ideal location and enfolds you like awarm embrace. Offering agenerous 985 sqm commercially zoned allotment within 400m to the Castlemaine Train Station and 500m to historic Mostyn Street, the location is everything.

$1,100,000

View Saturday 16th Sept 11:45-12:15pm

Contact Megan Walmsley 0411 043 324

$1,345,000

Contact TomRobertson 0473 642 644

Paddolane House c1860s

30 Newstead Road, Maldon

‘Paddolane is aplace that brings people together’ is aperfect description of this circa 1860s fourbedroom cottage, which enfolds you in its warmth and treats you with kindness. Set back from the street and surrounded by abeautiful established garden, Paddolane House is steeped in local history and ashort stroll to Maldon.

$1,150,000

View Saturday 16th Sept 11:00-11:30am

Contact TomRobertson 0473 642 644

$1,065,000

Contact TomRobertson 0473 642 644

Midland

Village life on the doorstep

Set against abreathtaking canvas of Guildford countryside and with abushland back drop plus north views of the plateau, this modern homestead-style home with matching cottage showcases aglorious country-meets-village lifestyle package.

Immersed in adelightful country garden with fruit and shade trees, the property comprises the main homestead and acottage.

The main house features aspacious open plan living and dining with wood fireplace plus three double bedrooms with robes. The main has an ensuite bathroom and walk-in robe plus there is alarge bathroom, separate toilet and laundry

Outside there’sapergola, patio, double carport and large workshop-garage (11m x 7.5m).

The cottage comes with two double bedrooms with robes, open plan living with raked ceiling plus acountry kitchen and bathroom.

The grounds are 3.8 acres (two titles in township zone) with three quiet laneway frontages.

There is power,town water plus tank and dam water and NBN connection.

Apet or two can be taken care of with afenced grazing paddock with alarge dam.

Property: Hollingworth Homestead, cottage and gardens

3.8 acres with rural aspect

Address: 2Turner Street,Guildford.

Price: $1,350,000

Agent: Belle Property Castlemaine

Contact: RobWaller 0418 571130

Blasi Mulholland 0417 311 733

Belle Property Castlemaineand Maldon.

7Baird

3a 2b 2v 1261r

•Unique blend of vintagecharm and modern comfort.

•2 living areas -withopen fireplace, and French doors.

•Glorious garden room-studio.

Rob Waller |0418571 130

Blasi Mulholland |0417311 733

-11:00am

2Turner Street, Guildford

5a 3b 4v 3.8w

•Modern homestead style home with matching cottage.

•Widedecked verandahs with views

•Pergola, patio, and double carport.

•Country kitchenand bathroom.

Rob Waller |0418571 130

Blasi Mulholland |0417311 733

For sale

$1,350,000 View Saturday16thSep 3:15pm -3:45pm

114

3

•The epitomeofcountry living.

•stone villa embraces beautiful timber beams, natural stoneand quality workmanship

•Open plan livingroom, beneath asoaring cathedral ceiling &stonefireplace.

Blasi Mulholland |0417311 733

Rob Waller |0418571 130

Belle PropertyCastlemaine |5470 5811 167 Barker Street, Castlemaine

Belle PropertyMaldon |5475 1055 30A MainStreet,Maldon

belleproperty.com

For sale $995,000 View Saturday16thSep 2:15pm -2:45pm

1383

3a 1b 8v 6068r

•FormerSutton GrangeCommon school c1870, now abeautiful, converted country house &gardens –‘MorningRecess’.

•Craftsman solid timber kitchen.

•Delightful school building large livingroom.

Rob Waller |0418571 130

Narelle Waller |0408571 131

Scan to viewour currentlistings

For sale

$1,250,000 View Saturday16thSep 1:15pm -1:45pm

a 1b 4v 11w

Ranters Gully Road, Muckleford

Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange

Street, Castlemaine

Magnificent mansion

Property: Six bedrooms, four bathrooms, home theatre, swimming pool

Address: 32 Hedderwick Lane,Macedon

Price: $3,500,000 -$3,850,000

Agent: Raine &Horne

Contact: Cherie Graf 0407823 686

Let's

talk

REAL ESTATE

EFFORTLESS COMFORT THERISE&RISEOFPASSIVE HOMES

To be passive, or not to be passive, that it is the question.Passivehomes and designs seem to be having their time in the sun,and there’sgood reason why. Amovetowards renewable energy,anupswell of social conscience,and rising energy bills means people arebeginning to think moreconsciously about embracing naturetokeep their homes warmer and cooler for less.

So,whatisa passivehome? In simple terms, it’s a design concept that uses natural elements (sun, air, light, materials) to create acomfortable home that consumes very little energy.Passiveprinciples include cleveruse of insulation,windows,and ventilation to create an interior temperaturethat’s lessprone to fluctuation,meaning youdon’t have to use your AC or heater as often

Thereare loads of well-known passivedesigns –like double glazing and thicker walls. However, there

areplenty morestrategies to consider, including orientation of roomsand windows,adopting materials with high thermal mass(likebrick and stone), and controllable airflow(creating airtight spaces with free-air ventilation). And for manypeople, these green elements arehigh on their priority list when it comes to buying or renting.

Passivehomes tend to have awonderfully warm and inviting sense of flowand space too.Think big windows,natural light, fresh air, and sun-lit corners. And with natural gas settobeonthe chopping boardfor newproperties in Victoria,homeowners areactively seeking cost-effectiveand sustainable alternatives to keep warm during our cooler months.

So,ifyou’veonthe fence about going passive, why nottakethe leap? The Macedon Ranges is home to manyskilled and knowledgeable tradespeople leaning into eco-friendly designs. The planet, your family,and your hip pocket will thank youfor it.

rh.com.au

Enjoy serenity and style from the foothills of the Macedon Ranges where you can greet each day with spectacular views and lifestyle opportunities.

This splendid six bedroom home with four bathrooms is aluxurious offering of living and leisure set in serene surrounds. There’samezzanine for the kids, parent’sexpansive retreat and aseparate wing to accommodate extended family members.

Share dinner party delights from the modern kitchen and bring family and friends together in arange of formal andinformal settings.

Your stunning surrounds are onpermanent display through 18ft designer windows in the central lounge. Natural and landscaped gardens, plus awarm wood firecreate a tranquil haven to welcome you home.

This lavishlifestyle home presents entertainment options all year round.Enjoyfamily gatherings and soirees around the magnificent swimming pool. Relax in the hometheatre or take atranquil stroll around manicured gardens. Take in gorgeous views from the foothills, across to Mount Macedon.

Discover this unique opportunity where your semi-rural lifestyle is protected by planning guidelines and common property features. The 6.42 acres (approx.) in the prestigious Bolobek Lakes Estate is set amid natural and landscaped beauty,with a dam irrigation system.

with Jennifer Pearce

-Unbeatable location only momentsfromheart of Castlemaine

-Polishedtimber floors,highceilings, leadlight windows, splitsystem,solar

-Singlelockupgaragewithdirectaccesstohome

-Easytomaintainfront and side yards

-Picture perfectcountry home with shedding plusmezzanine

-Bamboofloors, leadlight windows,highceilings, timber feature walls

-Solar panels with microinverters,Zappi carcharger andtwo Teslabatteries

-8kmsfromCastlemaine, 30kmstoKynetonand 5kms to Calder Freeway

-Rusticoff-gridstone home with completeprivacy

-30acresmainlytimbered land with twodams

-Two carports and6mx 9m machineryshed

-Located 20 minutes from Castlemaine andDaylesford

-Tightly heldlocationinquiet establishedneighbourhood

-Ductedheating andcooling foryear-roundcomfort

-Double garage with access throughtorearyard

-Three bedrooms,kitchen,two living areasand twobathrooms

Offers qualified

professional

all of your tree needs. Whether you’re looking for atree removal, tree pruning or stump grinding, or have concerns about storm and winddamage to your trees, we have you covered.

Chris Mackenzie, owner and headclimber, is aCert 3Qualified Arborist with over 15 years experience completing highlevel complex climbing through his years as one of Melbourne’s top contract climbers.

Chris bringstechnical skills and expert knowledgetoeach tree job completed. Located in the Macedon Ranges, and with areputation for efficient service and highlyskilled work, Ascent Tree Solutions offers our happy customers asafe and competent service.

How to place aCLASSIFIED

Castlemaine FRANKLIN -Ian

Classified DEADLINES

Midland Express:

Booking deadline -Fridayprior by 5pm

Deathand Funeral notices deadline is 9am Mondayprior

(Payment is also required at this time fornon account customers)

Vehicle Advertisers

Private

Dog/Cat Advertisers

From July 1, 2019, it will be an offence to advertise a dog or cat forsaleunlessthe advertisement includes the animal's MICROCHIP NUMBER and the SOURCE NUMBER generated by the PetExchange Register Offences applytoboth theperson selling the pet, along with the publisher that publishes anon-compliant advertisement.

From July 1, 2019, membersofthe public will be able to access limited information on the Register,regarding advertisersofdogsand cats.

Consumerswill be encouraged to checkthe validity of abreeder or individual's source number before they acquire apuppy,kitten, dog or cat.

Errors

Errorsinrepeat advertisements must be notified to our office immediatelyafter appearance of the first advertisement.

Thepublisherdoesnot accept liabilityfor errors in repeat advertisements that are not drawn to our attention upon the first appearance

No allowances can be made forerrorsnot materially affecting the effectiveness of the advertisement. Position cannot and will not be guaranteed.

All claims foranadjustment or credit must be made within seven days after billing date.Wereserve the right to revise and restrict anyadvertisement we deem objectionable and to change the classification when necessary to conform to the policy of this newspaper.In the event an advertisement is omitted from publication, we assume no liability forsuchomissions.

President Kerry, members and their partners are saddened by thepassing of Ian.

Along serving member,past President, Paul Harris Fellowand great contributor over the years to not only Rotarybut the community in many ways Deepest sympathy to his family Service above self

HEDINGTON Doug

Lovedand respected brother in lawof Heather andArthur, Uncle of Paula, Tony andJonathan Hooppell. Manyhappy memories of times spent together Alwaysdependable Alwaysthere forus. Rest Peacefully dear Doug.

KN273771/L

HEDINGTON Douglas Alfred

26.9.1936 –3.9.2023

Passed awayatRoyal MelbourneHospital

Dearly loved husbandofJean.

Loving father of Lynleeand Carol, respected father-in-law of Greg andRobert.

ProudGrandfather of Ryan, (Sarah), Matthew; Brodie (Justin and Jamii).

Great Grandfather of Henry.

Awonderful man nowatpeace We will all miss you.

WILLIAMSON

Eileen May 01.05.1921 –05.09.2023

Eileen passed away peacefully in Kyneton. Aged 102 years old, late of Hobart.

WifeofJack(dec).

Mother of Graeme and Adrian (dec). Grandmother of 4and Great Grandmother of 4. Private Cremation

KN273753/L

Darren died suddenly on Friday1st September 2023.

Husband to Jane, father to Jake and Sam. Love youforever. Our much lovedDags. We will miss you. Colin and Ann Bean

In keeping with Darren's wishes aprivate cremation has been held. If youwishtoleave apersonal message please visit Darren's tribute page on the website of Mount Alexander Funerals

KN273808/L

DUFF -Harrison David

My beautiful boy, it’s been such an honour, privilege anddamngood fun to be your Dadfor the last 18 years

You’ll neverknowhow much I’veloved teaching you, guidingyou, protecting you and encouraging you., watching yougrowinto the most kind hearted andcapable young man. You’vemademeso proud on so many levels

You’ll alwaysbe my sonand I’ll alwaysbe your Dad, I’ll cherish our memories forevermate Love yousomuch andyou knowIalwayswill, our bondcan’t ever be broken. Dad xxx

KN273807/L

DUFF Harrison David 08.06.2005 -03.09.2023 Aged 18

Digital Editions

Passed away suddenly in the loving care of Penhall Hostel at Dhelkaya Health, Castlemaine Daughter of Reginald George Hitchcock(dec) and Gladys Victoria Hitchcock(dec). Younger sister to Douglas (dec) and sister-in-lawtoBarbara (dec). Adoring wifeofChristopher (dec). Devoted and lovedmother to Augustine,Georgia, Ginevra and Amy, and their partners Chris,Chris,Travis and Andrew. Tender and loving ‘Nan’ to Joshua, Thomas,Isabella, Austin, Matilda, Harry, Harveyand Alfred. Acelebration of Glenys’ lifewill be held at the Church of Christ, BlakeleyRoad, Castlemaine on Monday18th September 2023 at 1.30pm.

It is with extremesadness that I announce that our beautiful Harrison David Duff died suddenly in amotorcycle accident on the 3rd September 2023 at 1.30am Sundaymorning.

Harrison, the son of Kellie and David Duff,the brother of Tim, Sarah and AmyDuff,the stepson of MickHassett and step brother of Jack,Carlie and Monique Hassett, greatgrandson, grandson,nephew, cousin, friend and boyfriend.

Harrison waslarger than life, his laugh and energy infectious and absolutely lovedand adored by hisfamilyand friends.The most loyal, fun loving, cheeky and adventurous soul, whoweweresolucky to have in our lives Harrison lovedhis work in civil construction as an operator of amassive50tonne excavator and his love forhis family and lifepackedfull of mates,fishing, camping, motorbikes, 4wd’s and endless adventures created a beautiful fun filled life.

KN273770/L

The President, Committee and members of the Kyneton RSL Sub-Branch wish to express their deepest condolences to the family of Douglas Alfred HEDINGTON

26.9.1936 –3.9.2023

LEST WE FORGET

Glenys’ family would be delighted foryou to join them afterwards “to party” (at Glenys’ request) at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tearooms,Downes Road, Castlemaine Aprivate cremation has been requested by Glenys’ family The service will be livestreamed forthose unable to attend. Fordetails please seeGlenys’ tribute page on the website of Mount Alexander Funerals Instead of flowers,friends are invited to makeadonation to the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare, which would be greatly appreciated. Donation envelopes will be available at the service Glenys’ family would liketoexpress their heartfelt gratitude toall of the staff at Penhall Hostel, and Dr.Richard Mayes. Abeautiful and vivacious woman, reunited with her beloved ‘Mr.D’.

Laid to rest at the Kyneton Lawn Cemetery-7.9.2023 KN273783/L

Castlemaine 5470 5951

Harrison wassuch agoodson whonever hesitated to showmehis love and care Iwill be foreverproud and grateful to have been his mum andwill love him endlessly Harrison has left behind apowerful legacy that showed everyone how to enjoylife, to spend important time with the people youlove, and not takethings too seriously He will liveforever18years young inside our hearts

Have agood sleep my beautiful boy, Iloveyou

BerylJoy Leavesley

KN273806/L

Beryl wasateacher,traveller,musician, singer,philosopher,gardener,scholar, puzzler,readerand doglover

Remember them with love...

Darren Bennett

DUFF

Please joinusaswecelebrate and say goodbye to ourmuch loved

Harrison David Duff

held 11am, Friday, 15th September 2023 on GilbertGordon Oval, 1DavyStreet, Woodend

His family requests that everyone wear what youfeel comfortable in or normally wore when yousaw H. Please bring your utes,motorbikes etc and park around the oval fence

Harrison's burial will takeplace at Woodend Cemetery, 16 Buckland Street, Woodend.

Afterwards, the familywarmly invite everyone to enjoyadrink and 'a bit of chew' in Harrison's memory at the Woodend Hesket Football Netball clubrooms at GilbertGordon Oval.

If youare unabletoattend, please go to our website forthe livestream.

Natural Grace

Holistic FuneralCare naturalgrace.com.au 5427 3112

Tributes...

Remembering

DANN -Mary

Leoni Dann and family would liketothank everyone fortheir phone calls,cards and flowers on the passing of Mary

It wasgreatly appreciated

LABOURER REQUIRED

On-going position

Must be areliable good worker

Must have proven work ethic. Own transport. Prefer non-smoker.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Lauriston Hall presents The Weeping Willows

Brilliant Golden Guitar award winning duo Sat., October 7, 2023

Tableseating, BYO or purchase drinks at venue.

FINDING MY BROTHER

Iamdesperately trying to find my brother RobertDavid Fitchett.

In Memoriam

WILLIAMS

Nathan Charles

12.6.2000 -9.9.2019

Lovedson of Steve and Chris and brother of Sarah.

Please accept this as our personal thanks to everyone KN273804/L

Adored grandson, nephewand cousin to Peter and Betty and family

We thinkabout you everyday

KN273718/J

In loving memory

Deaths/Funerals

NETTLETON (NEE MUIRSON)

Diane

05.03.1939 –04.09.2023

Beloved and loving Wife of Norman.

Loved &loving Mother &Mother-in-law of Nathan &Margie, Ruth &Peter, Simon &Meredith, Sarai &Stephen.

Loved &loving ‘Grandma on the Farm’ to Acacia, James, Emily,Joel, Jacob, Isaac,Tiana, Zane and Laura.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall upon your fields, and may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

The Funeral Service to honour Diane’slife will be held at the Uniting Church, Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine on Friday,September 15th 2023 commencing at 11am.

ACommittal Service will follow at the Maldon Cemetery

To view this Service via Live Stream, please visit: https://thompsonsfunerals.com.au/ live-streaming

Remember

HarcourtNth area Ph 0401 628 340

Castlemaine IGA Plus Liquor Vacancy available foralicensed parttime

Forklift driver Resumetobe emailed to hkshunkang@ hotmail.com

At Hepburn Shire Council we promote a supportive, professional, and motivating work environment for all employees

We have career opportunities in the following roles:

• Creative Communities Officer

• Visitor Economy Project Officer

• Aquatics team 2023 and 2024 – hiring for all pools with roles at all levels for the summer season

Flexible work – Up to 50% work from home for eligible roles and 9-day fortnight for eligible full-time employees

Want to know more? Visit www hepburn vic gov au or call People & Culture on 5321 6436

Hirsch Racing Tylden are seeking TrackRiders and Stable hands (Full time,parttime or casual positions available)

With the arrival of Vincent Malady as newhead trainer at Hirsch Park, as well as aquality group of young horses,weare very excited to be entering anew period of growth at Hirsch Racing.

If you would liketojoin us,we have positions available for Trackriders and Stable staff based at our state-of-the-arttraining facility in Tylden Victoria.

With 30 outstanding yearlings about to enter our stable,aswell as continued investment in improving ourtraining programs we arevery much looking forward to the exciting times ahead.

We have multiple roles forsomeone passionate,reliable,willing to go above and beyond and who will care forand loveour horses as much as we do

In returnweare offering:

•Great working conditions including above awardwages

•Working with top quality horses bred and trained by Hirsch Racing.

•Opportunity to attend race days/trials

If this sounds likeyou and youwould likethe opportunity to work at a worldclass facility with afun and vibrant team, please contact frank@hirschracing.com.au

Doorsopen 7pm

Concertstarts 7.30pm

$35 at: https://www.trybooking.com/ CKYXI

Enquiries: 0400 526 166

Kyneton Senior Citizens Centre Inc

Annual General Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at 1.15 pm. ShamrockHotel Function Room Reports and Election of Office Bearers and Committee All memberswelcome

Newstead CFA Community Market

Saturday16thSept 8am -1pm Newstead Park, Lyons St. Variety of stalls, food and drink Stallholders welcome, site cost $10. 0427 506 843 KN273688/L

89 Main Road, Campbells Creek Vic 3451 (03) 5472 3817

Multiple Teaching Opportunities

Olivet Christian College has positions for Secondary or Primary –Yr10 Teachers.Small class sizes.Full time positions with some opportunity forpart-time available.Weexpect the successful applicants to wholeheartedly join ateam implementing adistinctively biblical approach to education.

•English /Humanities (7-10)

•Maths /Science (7-10)

•Visual Arts

•Design Tech

The successful applicants will need to:

•Hold acurrent VIT registration or VIT Permission to Teach.

•Demonstrate skill and experience withstronginterpersonal and communication skills

Last known whereabouts living in the Castlemaine area. If youread this Robertplease come to Mums house Or if anyone knows Robertplease contact him concerning this ad. Please contact Joanne at Mums house

KN273664/L

"Parky Pals"

Castlemaine &District Parkinson's Support Group NewVenue Castlemaine Golf Club -Muckleford MondaySept. 18 at 10.30am

This group offers information, social connection,hope and supporttothose affected by Parkinson's Bronwyn Grieve Fight Parkinson's 0439 187 051 03 8809 0400

Kyneton 5422 1488 Castlemaine 5472 1788

PUBLICNOTICE

Noticeofintentiontoapplyfor aLicencetoConstructWorks (Bore)/TakeandUseLicence foraLicensablePurpose

GMWReference No: BGW0282-23

We Coliban Water, whoare an urban water corporationthat provides waterservices in north central Victoria, Intend to make an application to GoulburnMurray Water (GMW) for aLicencetoConstruct Works (Bore),and if successful:

•This is our noticefor application of anew LicencetoTakeand Use Groundwater for a maximum volume of 500ML/year.

The applicationisfor 1boretobeconstructed to aproposed depthof100 metres. Thewaterwill be usedfor thepurposeof:

UrbanSupply

To be constructedon: Road Reserveatthe

intersectionofCarlsruhe Central Road & Carlsruhe Station Road,CARLSRUHEVIC 3442.

Refer to Vic Roads Map 59 J6

Any person able to demonstrate that their use, is invited to make awritten submission of the impact within14days of receipt of this be considered

To make asubmission please read the information available to download from services/forms refer to theGroundwater to be posted to you). Submissions must be by either mail or email to Customer Support PO Box165, TATURA VIC 3616 or email

KN273746/L

•Abletoprioritise,problem solve, demonstrate initiative, and utilise common sense

Applications close Monday27th September 2023. Email to StevenNicholas snicholas@olivet.vic.edu.au

Applications will be reviewed as theyare submitted. Interviews and offers mayoccur prior to the closing date Position Description is available under employment tab www.olivet.vic.edu.au.

All potential employees must comply with the College Child Safety Code of Conduct and Child Safety Policy

Forfurther information pleasecontact BrendanCossens on 0408 527735

with love and a special memory

Wanted To Sell Livestock

GATES PERGOLAS

PIZZA OVENS

TaitDecorativeIron Ph 5472 3569 decorativeiron.com.au

ADVANCE NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

KYNETON &HANGING ROCK RACING CLUB

1) Date and Location

Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of the Kyneton &Hanging Rock Racing Club to be held on Sunday October 15, 2023, at 10.30am in the “hut” at the Hanging Rock Racecourse.

ORDINARYBUSINESS

1. Declare the election of members of the Committee

In line with the Club’sRules and Statement of Purpose, three (3) Committee Members are required to vacate their positions and all three (3) may offer themselves for re– election for the three (3) vacant positions should they wish to. The members up for re election are

•Richard Little

•DiCoad

•Brian Johnson

Full Members of the Club may nominate for aposition.

nomination form which can be obtained by contacting the general manager (Jon Dight) at j.dight@countryracing. com.au.

Nominations must be received by no later than 5pm on Friday October 6, 2023.

Meeting

3. To appoint the Auditor of the Club

4. Receive reports upon the transactions of the Club during the last preceding Financial Year

Members are invited to submit any business for consideration at the meeting by 5pm on Friday October 6, 2023.

Jon Dight.

General Manager

956000013028831.

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Any person able to demonstratethattheir

Licenceincluding any intended groundwater use,isinvitedtomakeawritten submission (via post,email or fax) settingout thenature of theimpactwithin 14 daysofreceipt of this be considered

To make asubmission please read the information availabletodownload from https://www.g-mwater.com.au/customerservices/formsrefertothe Groundwater section (or contact GMWtoarrange fora copy to be posted to you).Submissions must be lodged in writing using the templateavailable by either mail or email to Customer Support Coordinator,Licensing Administration, PO Box165, TATURA VIC 3616 or email licensingadmin@gmwater.com.au

For furtherinformationplease contact

Water Water Resources Manager

Football’s greatrivalry

It’s not that often that someone is thanked for providing afootball ground, but when Trentham lined up against East Trentham, local farmer Mr Brodie’sgenerosity was widely lauded.

“Mr Brodie has kindly consented to allow the players the use of one of his grass paddocks for the occasion.

“...and anicer pieceofground could not be picked,” gushed the Kyneton Observer’s East Trentham correspondent on 20 September,1892.

The game was promoted as areturn game and in the true nature of local football rivalries, spirits were running high.

Although this did not deter the East Trentham side from providing four of their men after Trentham turned up with just 14 players.

This left avacancy of two men for Trentham. According to the correspondent Trentham had been anticipating the late arrival of two of their players.

“But they did not put in an appearance,” he reported.

Nonetheless, Trentham soldiered on in weather conditions described in the article as being “all that could be desired”.

As an aside, the article states spectator numbers as being healthy, describing it as “goodly” with the correspondent paying close attention to the “sprinkling of the fair sex”.

Back on the field, East Trentham won the toss and elected to kick with the slight wind advantage to the east.

But the wind advantage didn’t assistwith their accuracy

At half time, East Trentham had booted

three goals and 26 (yes, 26) behinds.

Mind you, Trentham also had its own scoring problems. It went to the break with no goals and no behinds.

After the break the players resumed the field, and Trentham captain, TJones, immediately lodged an appeal.

According to the newspaper,Jones “took exception to East Trentham putting on aplayer in place of one of their own men, who got disabled.

“He argued that by doing that they were playing with 21 men, which was against the rules, and that all goals scored previously should be cancelled.

“This was agreed to by the East Trentham captain.”

But in the end this was of no advantage to Trentham, even with the benefit of a good wind, and despite East Trentham having to forfeit agoal after an incorrect decision by agoal umpire.

At the game’sconclusion, East Trentham walked offthe paddock kicking one goal and 14 behinds for the half, with Trentham again scoreless.

Footnote: Even the advent of time could not soothe the rivalry between these two sides.

In April 1929, East Trentham applied for admission to the Kyneton League.

The only team to object was Trentham.

Aspecial meeting was called, and according to the Woodend Star,all the other clubs –with the exception of Trentham –“unanimously decided to admit the East Trentham club to the league” – Russell Robinson, Trentham &Districts Historical Society

Season ends for Rangers

Macedon Rangers Soccer Club’sU10 Girls hosted Point Cook in the early home game kickoff.

Dreary skies greeted players and parents for the final game of the season. The girls battled hard all game against astrong opposition. Their hard work was rewarded with a goal to Indie and countless others going close to scoring.

The U12 boyshostedSunbury United for their final game this season in the late morning kickoff. It was acagey affair in the first half with Sunbury controlling the football through the midfield but Rangers’ backline was well organised to repel many forward thrusts. A speculative effort from long range dipped just before Paddy in goal to set Sunbury on their way.A couple of scrambled goals where Rangers failed to clear their lines saw Sunbury go into half-time 4-0. Amuch-improved

second half saw amuch more even contest throughout. Some tight interchanges between the midfield let to spaces on the wingsfor Oscar and Jamie to utilise, resulting in a corner.A vicious corner saw the ball ricochet offthe Sunbury defenders to get one back for the Rangers. Jamie then followed up with a well-taken goal from outside the box into the bottom corner with the score finishing up 2-8.

Macedon Ranges Soccer Club would like to thank all coaches, volunteers, parents and players for this season. The club will be hosting some Miniroos come and try sessions in November and December.Follow up on Facebook to keep up to date with dates and times.

The AGM will be held on December 6at 6pm in the club rooms (Oval 2, Park Lane Romsey) All positions will be declared vacant. All are welcome to attend.

COUNTRYWEEK

Town & District

SP GOLF results

Dalhousie District selectors have finalised anine-member team to compete at Country Week from September 25 –27.

Daniel Payne, Nick Cox (Woodend), Alex Fraser (Mt Macedon), Trevor Lambert (Lancefield), Matt O’Sullivan (Seymour), Matt Mills and Ed Carracher (Euroa), Cameron Pascoe, Michael Ladewig (Hidden Valley).

Luke Heard (Alexandra) is team manager

Due to lack of entries, there will be no women’sdivision three Country Week, hence Dalhousie misses out.

GISBORNE

Afield of 125 wearing beanies braved cool conditions in the four ball best ball event on Saturday

Brendan Earl and Mathew Priest –who once again called onhis higher powers –were the winners with 44 points.

An inquiry has now been lodged with GA, as this pair won acombined two-person aggregate only afew weeks ago.

Norm Dinsdale –Robert Lockey were runners-upon 43,with Robert Linardon –Frank Adornetto third on 42.

Fierce winds made Wednesday’s stableford very challenging for the ladies, with balls being blown backwards and even offthe greens at times.

Lalbert lass Dot Slattery excelled with 36 points to edge out Fran Crimmins by onein B-grade, and also took out the September monthly cup.

Kathy Richards won A-grade with 31 points, from Jacqui Nelson on30.

KYNETON

The first round of the women’s 54-hole championships and monthly medal were held last week.

Multiple champion DeniseMurphy set the pace with 91-17-74 to land the medal and A-grade by three strokes from Julie Harris 101-24-77.

Valma Smoors 122-45-77 was the B-grade winner by one shot from Marg Scoble, with Lois Scott and Marian Orr NTPs.

Gordon Stevens, Graham Hackett and Wally Stys tookout Wednesday’s three-person Ambrose with 2ith 7722-51, from Rachael McAndrew,Julie Harris and Jane Stanley 88-33.3353.66. TomMay won both NTPs.

The second round of the James Rennick Memorial Trophy on Saturday saw the 0-15 handicap section go to Glenn Cook with 79-9-70 from Scott Murphy 78-8-70; the higher grade went to Regan Williams 82-15-67 from Michael McQualter 98-26-72.

NTPs went to Williams, Murphy, Jonathon Beachey,Terry Gamble and David Austin (also super pin).

With 18 holes to go, scores in the Rennick are very close, and those in the running will be pleased Scott Murphy can’t be there on Saturday

LANCEFIELD

The season’sTuesday Legends culminated with the Don Sinclair Trophy for 2023 going to Ed Godek. Congratulations Ed.

The day’swinner was Dean Budde with 93-22-71, from Graham Mau 8816-72 with Godek 9-17-73 third on a countback.

The Tuesday comp. is growing in statue and it’sexciting to see some players from other clubs coming along to join in the action.

All are welcome as we mark the start of the 2024 season for the 2024 Sinclair Trophy

The first round of the 2023 club

championships took place on Saturday

Multiple champion Trevor Lambert set the pace with a77, one ahead of Hugh Parks, with Denis Davenport in third place on 81.

An interesting few rounds ahead.

MOUNT MACEDON

Howling northerly winds that seemed to strengthen made for difficult scoring in Wednesday morning’sSign Obsession September Mug o’ the Month.

Good to see Tommy O’Connell back on course after amedicalscare, and Mili Peniamina returned to complete her final card for handicap.

This was despite car trouble, a5am wake up, walking to her local station, catching two trains to Sunbury before being chauffeured to the course by Tony Carter

Mili still arrived well before hit off! That’sdedication.

Karl Pongracic (26) was the winner with 32 points.

Saturday’sstableford was played in cool but benign conditions.

The Bgrade and overall winner on Saturday after acountback was Nick Ciesielski (13) with 38 points, from A grader David Watt (11).

First-time winner of Cgrade was Saurabh Singh (45) on 36 points.

ROMSEY

Congratulations to the Romsey team of Mal Mottram, Mitch Atlas, Michael Nicholls Jnr and Shannon Wright who played in the Starlight Foundation Charity Golf Day at Kew GC on Friday

They finished five under par,but lost to the Channel 9team.

Wright won the raffle for a$800Callaway driver,and Mottram the longest drive.

Scoring proved difficult for most of the field on Saturday,with no one breaking their handicap.

Mal Mottram (8) was the stableford winner with 36 points, from Scott Williams (17) 35 on acountback from Davie Kenney (13),

It was good to welcome Rollie O’Loughlin (Craigieburn GC) for his first round at Romsey on Wednesday, On acold, windy morning Wendy Gosden (32) was the winner with 32 points, from Elaine Scanlon (33) on 31. Sherif Abdel-Sayed and O’Loughlin were equal first for the best nine holes.

TRENTHAM

The final of the men’ssingles on Saturday produced aclose contest, with Shane Robinson edging out Colin Wilson 1-up Freddy Dean (26) claimed the overall and C-grade prizes in Saturday’s stableford with 39 points.

Ultra-consistent Alan Snowden (10) topped A-grade with 36, and Gavin King’s33points was sufficient to lead in the C-graders.

Ladies: Alison Bourchers 33 points, from Anthea Lean 32.

WOODEND

Young gun Dane Thompson’sdays in B-grade are numbered.

He scored 40 stableford points from a13handicap on Saturday –three better thanany other competitor in the field.

Captain Neville Bottams (8) continued his consistent form to take out A-grade with 37 points.

Others to finish on 37 were Nick Lethbridge (23) and Ben Harding (12).

Good luck from all at Woodend GC to Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club in the RDFNL grand finals on Sunday

East Trentham football team.

Abold and courageous decision Stuart Dunn,Castlemaine

Iwrite in relation to the recent reports that Kyneton Football Netball Club has sought clearance to leave the Bendigo Football Netball League and join the Riddell Football Netball League in 2024.

As someone who had along involvement in local football and netball, as a participant, former administrator,junior parent and coach, Ihave watched this situation develop with great interest.

Firstly,welldone to Kyneton for not only making abold and courageous decision to provide the best platform for the club'sfuture, but also for shining aspotlight on the most significant threat to the future of the sport at the grassroots level.

In their excellent statement outlining the reasons for the move to the RDFL, the KFNC provided anumber of compelling reasons.

Perhaps the most compelling were the ones that directly pointed out the differences in the culture, governance and financial burden between the two competitions, with Kyneton identifying the RDFL to be superior in all of these areas, finding their dealings with the RDFL to be 'exceptional, extremely proactive and collaborative' while also pointing out the RDFL fees are almost half of fees paid in the BFNL.

So what is it that allows the RDFL to provide such avastly superior model for clubs?

To answer that question we need to look at the structure of administration of country football and netball leagues.

About 10 years ago, AFL Victoria as the administrators of local football introduced asystem whereby each region would be administered by alocal, 'hub' style administration centre. The BFNL was taken on by the AFL Central Victoria hub whilst the RDFL belonged to AFL Goldfields.

At the time these hubs were sold to the clubs with promises of reduced fees and reduced workloads for volunteers, via centralised services. Clubs were told the days of finding volunteers for positions of significant governance like secretaries and treasurers were over,because the hubs would provide that level of administrative support, as well as providing many other levels of support that would save clubs and volunteers time, money and effort.

Fast forward to the present day and we find that not only has the hub system not delivered any benefits to clubs, it has actually made life much more difficult and placed increasing pressure on their very survival.

Hubs like AFL Central Victoria have become sharks in the water.Every increasing staffnumbers create ever increasing wage costs, which in turn creates financial burdens for the clubs and volunteers to meet.

The hubs actively seek sponsors, reducing the pool available for clubs, create commercial arrangements with products such as clothing and merchandise or canteen products, in turn preventing clubs from making their own commercial arrangements for those products.

Club fees have increased significantly and AFL Central Victoria has assumed control of finals revenue, which was previously distributed to clubs in the league (and still is in the RDFL as per Kyneton's statement). If you attend the BFNL Grand Final you will almost certainly find AFL Central Victoria conducting araffle, as they have in previousyears, once again removing money from the pool available to clubs via fundraising channels.

The relevance of this to the KFNC decision is that in 2021 the RDFL made the decision to leave the AFL Goldfields hub and take back independent operations. At the time RDFL officials spoke of high costs, being able to better connect with local sponsors, the ability to make apparel arrangements and an opportunity to innovate and create abetter direction

for the league as compelling reasons for the change.

When the RDFL left AFL Goldfields it was helping fund 11 full-time employees. Upon leaving the RDFL retained two fulltime staff. AFL Central Victoria'swebsite currently features 16 staff.

One thing not in dispute by anyone is that local football is in acritical period where the very survival of many clubs and leagues is under threat. The current operation and existence of the AFL Victoria hub system is hindering where it should be helping, and doing nothing more than adding to the pressure on clubs in all sorts of ways.

The fact that the AFL Central Victorian Commission, abody of volunteers with vast experience at club level, tried to keep the hub at arms length while discussing significant change to the competitions with clubs tells you all you need to know about which interests are currently being served in our game.

The tide is slowly starting to turn, we have seen the Picola League leave AFL Victoria and the Heathcote league discussing major change recently,and Kyneton have become the latest club to have the courage to shine alight on the issues in the region.

Let'shope more clubs share that courage and we see the people take back the game and the administration of it, before it is too late.

PORTS WRAP SP

PreliminaryFinals

Semi Finals

PreliminaryFinals

Golden Gloves winfor Charlie

Ryan Maccioca

Local boxing star Charlie Thompson has furthered his success this year by competing at the prestigious Boxing Australia Golden Gloves Tournament in Queensland last month where he won in his 34kg weight division.

The 13-year-old from Kyneton said there were about 400 competitors across different weight classes at the event. Leading into the fight he had to lose two kilograms in aweek to participate.

Charlie had to win his first fight to make it through to the second. Both fights consisted of three 1.5-minute rounds. He was happy with his performance in the first fight and landed alot of punches while his opponent didn’t hit much.

As part of Charlie’straining, his dad took him all over metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to get appropriate match ups for his sparring. He does alot of intense

sparing around the same weight.

Charlie found his second fight more challenging, fighting for the title against amuch more aggressive opponent. His opponent landed afew punches, but he got through and was “ecstatic” about the win.

Charlie has been training with his dad since the age of seven. Together they do about two to three hours of training aday

Charlie and his dad’snext plans are to go to Canberra for another fight day.Theyare also aiming for another prestigious event called ‘King of the Ring’, that Charlie can compete in once he turns 14. After that there are state titles to chase and another Golden Gloves to aim for next year

Charlie is in year eight at Kyneton High School and his advice for his peers is “do something you enjoy and are happy with. Train hard and don’t give up”. Wise words indeed from the young champ!

Showjumping success

Three Kyneton Pony Club riders who attended Melton Pony Club’sShowjumping Day on Saturday each took home aribbon.

In the Pony Club FGrade, Makayla Waters was fifth in the second round and sixth in the Jackpot on her horse Izar.Meanwhile, in the Pony Club DGrade, Ruby Fraser placed fourth in the Accumulator,sixth in the Jackpot and was awarded arosette for Equitation on her horse Rupert.

Rose Coleman also had success in the Pony Club DGrade, placing third in the second round and fourth in the Jackpot on her horse Heartwind.

This weekend Kyneton Pony Club will be having another working bee to complete their cross country course in time for the November horse trials. If you are able to help out, get in contact with the club bycalling Bridget on 0402 130 401.

There will also be further working bees on October 8, 14 and 15, including painting of the jumps, if anyone is available to donate paint or their time.

Another Murray Maul over

Every year on the third weekend in August agroup of enthusiastic petanque players have travelled from near and far to gather and play for the Murray Maul Trophy at the port of Echuca.

And this year was no different. Fifty players from Woodend Hanging Rock Petanque Club, Mount Macedon Petanque Club, Bendigo and Ballarat Petanque Clubs and Nagambie Petanque Club, all attended to battle for the trophy

They all gathered on the Friday night at The Star Hotel on the Port of Echuca, for happy hour and pizza and to catch up with old friends, before they dispersed. Then, to gather again, bright and enthusiastic on the Saturday morn-

ing for some very serious petanque playing!

They play on the road of the port, in the drains, among the nasturtiums, under the carts and dodging the very tolerant horses and cart joy riders.

Even the most serious of players loosen up, all in the name of fun and fine banter.Thenfollowing the eight games, finishing up on the Sunday morning, The Star Hotel puts on adelicious roast lunch for players before they finally went their weary ways home across the state.

Another Murray Maul over!

Over that weekend Woodend Hanging Rock Petanque Club also had another trophy to award, The Ken Helmore Award. Ken was awell-known local from Woodend, who

was known and loved by all and also the president of the petanque club for many years.

The award is given to apetanque player on that weekend who has shown good will, asense ofhumour,isan all-round fine person supporting the game of petanque and many clubs on their journey

This year the award went to Claire Sampson of the Nagambie Petanque Club.

The Woodend club’sMaster of Ceremonies for the weekend was the well-loved Cath Cohen, who has held this gauntlet for many years and hopefully for more to come.

Cath was also presented with aLifelong Member Award of the Woodend Hanging Rock Petanque Club.

Murray Maul at Echuca.

Rose Coleman and Ruby Fraser with their ribbons.

Charlie was excited with the win.

Charlie with Rick Ellis who has Charlie train at his gym every week.

Charlie with Graham Phillipson, Charlie’sdad’strainer from the 80s/90s.

Roaring intothe final

Harcourt has booked aspot in the 2023 Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League grand final and achance to secure back to back flagsafter defeating Trentham in Preliminary Final 1atPrinces Park Maryborough last Saturday

Harcourt signalled their intentions early with asix goal haul in the first quarter,keeping the Saintstotwo goalsand held a27point lead at quarter time.

Trenthamsettled in the second term and bothsides held their own kicking three goals apiece.

The Lions held a25point advantageathalf time.

Harcourt put their foot down again in the third quarter smashing on another fourgoals and holding the Saints forwards to just 1.1 to lead by 44 points at the finalchange.

Trenthamcould feel their finals hopes slipping away and lifted once more kicking two important goals, but the Lions were simply too classy and kicked another three to win by a convincing 51 pointsatthe final siren.

Jed Rodda led the way for Harcourt kicking 3, Thomas Walters, Benjamin Leech, Bronson Martin and Brayden Frost chipped in 2, Kalan Huntly,Alex Code, Baxter Gurd and Darby Semmens 1.

Best for Harcourt were Joshua Hogg, Mark Noonan, Bronson Martin, Darby Semmens, Cameron Anderson and Edward Coulthard.

Joel Dovaston and Mark Strickland kicked 2for the Saints with singles from Nathan Rodgers, Tristan Newman, JakeKeogh, Copper Webber-Mirkin

Best for Trentham were Joel Dovaston, Harrison Knight, Joel Cowan, Dylan Holden, Mitchell Peeler andRyan Thiesz.

InPreliminary Final 2onSunday Carisbrook defeateda determined Natte Bealiba towin the right take on Harcourt in this Saturday'sbig one and achance at redemption after last year's eight point loss to the Lions in the 2022 grand final.

The Redbacks went onthe attack in the first term kicking four goals and holding Natte tojust four points tolead by 23 point at quarter time.

Itwas asimilar story in the second with Brook kicking another four goals and Natte just apoint.

The Swans lifted in the third kicking three much needed goals, but Carisbrook had all the answers kicking another

four toblowthe margin out to 58 points at the final break.

Natte played their best footy ofthe dayinthe final term signallingwhy they were afinals contender and kicking four goals whilst keeping the Redbacksscoreless. But in the end Carisbrookheld on to win by 29 points.

Inthe Reserves Trentham also lost its Preliminary Final 1bout to Carisbrook by 20points despite avaliant effort. In Preliminary Final 2Natte Bealiba defeated Talbot to win a place in the grand final against Carisbrook.

In the 17.5s Football Maldon has secured aspot in the big one after their 29 point win over Avoca.

Noah Thompson kicked 3for Maldon, Thomas Smith 2, Ryan Burchell, Brodie Doyle and Nash Turner 1.

Best were Noah Thompson, Daniel Cammit, Xavior Noy, Blake Clarke, Callum Buchanan and Brodie Roberts.

The Dons will face Carisbrook in the final after they defeated Navarre by 56 points.

In the 14.5s football Maldon lost their Preliminary Final 1match up against Carisbrook by 69 points. Maldon got the jump on Brook in the first term and led by six points at quarter time. But the Redbacks fought back in the second term and went on with the job to claim the win.

The Dons Francis Walls, Jack Smith and Beu Dickens kicked agoal apiece in atop effort.

Best for Maldon were Riley Davey,Tadgh Cananzi, Jack Smith, TomHamilton, Aihen Turner and Maklean Woodward. Carisbrook will now line up against Avoca in the final after they defeated Natte Bealiba.

In the 11.5sFootball Natte Bealiba had aconvincing win over Carisbrook and Newstead triumphed over Navarre by 49 points to eachbook aspot in the final.

The sides were evenly matched in the first half but Newstead ran away with the game in the second half slamming on another seven goals in adominant display

Goal scorers included Jack Elliott, Xavier Britt, William Garsed, Bailey Bright, Parker Williams,Henry Blake and Zachary Dyer Newstead'sbestwere William Garsed, Fian Blundell, Xavier Britt,Bailey Bright, Jack Elliott and Max Wong NETBALL

On the netball court in AGrade Carisbrook defeated Natte Bealiba and Avoca had abig win over Lexton to win a spot in the final.

In BGrade Avoca defeated Natte Bealiba and Carisbrook triumphed over Lexton.

CGrade action saw Avoca account for Lexton and Trentham defeat Newstead by just one goal 22-21 to earn their place in the final.

17&U Netball showdowns saw Royal Park defeat Carisbrook by four goals and Harcourt 27 defeat Maldon by just three goals to win their spot.

15&U Netball bouts saw Harcourt 37 have astrong win over Carisbrook 22 and Royal Park defeat Natte Bealiba by four goals.

13&U Netball prelims saw Harcourt 22 defeat Avoca10 to book their spot in the final and Natte Bealiba 30 accounted for Talbot 21.

11&U Netball saw alocal derby between Campbells Creek and Newstead. Creek have had an incredible season but went down to the Steaders 14-22 on Saturday despite a terrific effort.

On Sunday Natte Bealiba 15 defeated Carisbrook 12 to earn their place in the final against Newstead.

Finalists decided

It will be another huge day of Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League finals action at Princes Park Maryborough this Saturday September 16 with grand final bouts in all grades. Good luck to our local contenders which are as follows:

Saturday September 16

Harcourt’s Jed Rodda leaps for the ball as his Trentham opponents attempt to thwart the mark

Newleague, newcoachfor Tigers

Prompt decision making has resulted in AFL Victoria approving Kyneton Football Netball Club’sapplication to be a100 per cent Riddell League participant next season.

The decision earlier this week enables Kyneton’ssenior men’sfootball and netball teams to join their women’sand junior football teams in the Riddell League.

The other good news story for the Kyneton this week is the appointment of one of the club’sfavourite sons, Ethan Foreman, as senior football coach for the next two seasons, filling the position vacated by former AFL star Paul Chapman several weeks ago.

It is understood the Bendigo Football Netball League will not oppose Kyneton’s move to the Riddell League.

The following statement was issued by Riddell League CEO Jordan Doyle after being informed of AFL Victoria’sdecision.

"The RDFNL have been looking for a senior club to join the league for sometime now and it is great that it has come to fruition with Kyneton FNC," Doyle said.

"Kyneton approached us some time ago and it has been alengthy process to ensure all parties involved are happy with the move. These decisions need time and care as there is alot of people affected and alot of club history to consider."

Due to Kyneton FNC having already been accepted by the RDFNL clubs last season, the move did notneed to go to a vote, but the RDFNL was pleased to have the support of the senior clubs and their committees.

"Wethank the RDFNL senior clubs for their support of this move andthinkthat the KFNC will be agreat fit for the RDFNL in 2024 and beyond."

FOREMAN IN CHARGE

The talented and community-orientated Ethan Foreman has awealth of football experience behind him, including premierships with Riddell as a19-year-old, and with Gisborne in the Bendigo League last season.

He coached Kyneton Under 18s this season as well as playing in senior ranks.

Abornand bred Kyneton local, Foreman progressed through the local junior ranks, culminating in 28 games with the Bendigo Pioneers across 2009-2010.

Debuting for the senior team as a 15-year-old in 2008, he chalked up his 100-game milestone early in 2023.

As aman with many mates, Foreman has shared his football talents alittle over the past decade.

As a19-year-old, he was apremiership winner with Riddells Creek in the RDFL, and picked up the Doug McIntyre medal as the best player on the ground for good measure.

In 2022, another premiership, this time in the Bendigo Football Netball league with Gisborne up the road.

With two flags under his belt, home was calling.

Returning to the KFNC in 2023 as not only asenior player,but also taking onthe role of Under 18scoach, Foreman quickly re-established himself as amuch-loved member of the club.

After creating an amazing environment for the under 18s boys, as amentor and amate, he demonstrated his outstanding leadership skills throughout the year,in particular through avery challengingtime for the Kyneton and Castlemaine communities.

TheTigers can’t wait to see Foreman thrive as their new senior coach.

Magpie netballersbound forprelims

Castlemaine Football Netball Club'sA Grade netball side has taken the next step securing aspot in the preliminary final after anail-biting one-goal victory over Kangaroo Flat in the first semi final at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday

The Magpie side fought the match out right down to the final whistle to win the encounter 42-41.

Castlemaine will now face Gisborne in this Saturday's preliminary final at the QEO at 3.20pm.

The Gisborne side went down to Sandhurst 44-38 but have the second chance against the Magpies while the Dragons go straight into the big one.

Gisborne defeated the Magpies by eight goals in round two and just one goal in their last encounter in round 11,but the Magpies have been in top form as the season wound to

aclose sealing some great wins.

Will the Magpies or the Bulldogs be victorious and face the Sandhurst in the final? Best of luck to both sides.

Gisborne’sfive netball sides were all in action at the weekend, for atally of two victories and three defeats.

The B-graders advanced straight into the grand final with aspinge-tingling 48-46 victory over Sandhurst.

Gisborne’sB-Reserve side won the first semi-final 39-34 against Sandhurst, and now face Kangaroo Flat in the preliminary final.

Gisborne’s17&Under side pressed Sandhurst all the way before going down 46-43, and the Sandhurst A-Reserve side downed the Bulldogs 44-38. Four of Gisborne sides will be in action in preliminary finals on Saturday

The Castlemaine Junior Football Club'sUnder 12B football side has bowed out of the finals race after their preliminary final loss to St Kilians St Peters Gold on Sunday at Canterbury Park.The first term was areal scrape with the Magpies managing to kick two points and keeping their opponents scoreless, but St Kilians bounced back in the second term kicking four goals tobreak out to a23-point lead at half-time.

The Magpies continued to battle hard in the second half and managed to smash throughthree late goals in the final term while keeping St Kilians to just one point.But in the end St Kilians ran away with anine-point win.

Best were Declan Brasher,Charlie Cordy,Louis Parsons, Jude O'Sullivan, Seth McGill and Spencer Grainger

Twicethe excitement forRookies

Bill West

The excitement level is building for Samuel and Patrick Davis, avid young footballers with the Gisborne Rookies Under 9s.

Identical twins who are extremely hard to positively identify for even their closest friends and teammates, they attend Gisborne Primary School and are staunch Geelong supporters.

The boys are gearing up for what would be adream experience for any young Aussie football fan or participant.

Samuel and Patrick are among 23 lucky recruits for Team NAB AFL Auskick, and as such they will have the distinction of presenting apremiership medal to members of the winning 2023 Toyota Grand Final side.

The 23 young members for Team NAB AFL Auskick will be taken on the ultimate three-day footy experience, all thanks to NAB!

They will attended adedicated Team NAB AFL Auskick jumper presentation, walk alongside the stars in the traditional Grand Final Parade, watch on from prime Melbourne Cricket Ground seats at the two grand finalists battle it out for ultimate glory in 2023.

Gisborne Football Netball Club is thrilled the twins will have this unforgettable experience, as are their parents and friends.

Matt Stirling, in charge of Gisborne Auskick Centre, is thrilled the centre has been able to help the Davis lads and

many others with their early football development.

The centre has more than 100 youngsters aged from five years upwards on its books.

Gisborne Rookies Under 9s coach, Lee Govan, said the local Auskick Centre was an important feeder for the under-age teams in the area.

While Samuel and Patrick were relatively late starters with their football, Mr Govan said “they absolutely love it” in their first season with the Rookies.

“As the season developed, they have really got involved, and are doing great things."

Being identical can lead to confusion at times on the field, and the coach said he wonders whether the boys may eventually develop like the identical McKay twins in the AFL (Harry is aColeman Medal winner with Carlton, and his brother Ben is aNorth Melbourne defender

At this early stage there are predictions the boys may be quite tall when they finish growing.

Mr Govan, who played his football with various suburban clubs, said there are far more opportunities for youngsters to develop their footballing skills than when he was young.

He endorsed the value of Gisborne Auskick Centre helping young aspiring young footballers along the way

The Davis twins are probably counting down the days to Grand Final Week, and the unforgettable experience that awaits them.

Ethan Foreman has been appointed senior football coach for the next two seasons at Kyneton FNC.

The Davis twins are counting down the days to Grand Final Week, and the unforgettable experience that awaits them.

No way through: Woodend-Hesket’s shutdown defender Marcus Stapleton

and Tom Pound make sure their Wallan opponent is denied the ball

Hawks intogrand final

Bill West

“You have just done something special as ateam but the job’snot done,” Woodend-Hesket coach Josh Pound told his players after defeating Wallan in the Riddell League’spreliminary final on Saturday

The Hawks were calm under pressure and took control in the second half to win by 21 points and set the stage for the 2023 Grand Final against aformidable Diggers Rest combination at Romsey this Sunday

It will be Woodend-Hesket’sfirst senior football grand final appearance since 2007, and the club also has its A-grade netball side in the grand final, taking on Riddell.

Hawks co-presidents Paul Podbury and Anne-Louise Lindner are understandably proud of the performances of their teams, but are trying to keep alid on expectations in the build-up to Sunday

Gilbert Gordon Oval at Woodend promises to be ahive of activity this week, and the Hawks are anticipating huge crowd support on Sunday

Top-of-the-ladder Diggers Rest is the only side the Hawks have not beaten this season, but they have taken heart from what they learnt in the home and away matches against the Burras, who 'fell in' in extra time in the semi-final against Wallan.

Nevertheless Diggers Rest will be favourites on Sunday,with an imposing list of quality players spread across the field. They are coached by premiership coach Jamie Lobb.

Mitch Jensen and Jaidyn Caruna are two players the Hawks will be trying to contain. Jensen kicked six goals in the semi-final against Wallan.

TEAM BONDING

Pound said the Hawks had agreat bonding dinner last week in the lead-up to the preliminary final at Romsey,and the mindset was that they didn’t want to be satisfied with just making apreliminary final; now the grand final is almost here.

Avoiding costly slow starts was avery high priority for the Hawks, and they were determined to make amends for losses by two points, then seven points, in recent cashes with Wallan.

Selectors had to replace the injured TomGawthrop and Nathan Minns from the lineup, which eliminated Romsey by three points, but the Hawks have plenty of depth, illustrated by their Reserves making the preliminary final, and losing to Diggers Rest extra time.

The Hawks crossed the first hurdle by outscoring Wallan three goals to one in the first quarter on Sunday

Then the Magpies kept the Hawks scoreless in the second term and it was adeficit of four points at half-time. All players were in one half of the ground at one stage as Woodend-Hesket tried desperately to stem the tide.

After the half-time siren sounded alarge melee broke out involving the majority of the players on the ground, with umpires taking some time to restore order

Wallan’sfailure to kick any goals in the second and third terms, with seemingly easy chances going astray,spurred on the methodical Hawks, who went into the last quarter with alead of 14 points.

“Keep the ball short” was the message from playing coach Pound and this tactic worked to perfection.

Quick goals to Jack Arceri and captain Al Rae, who marked strongly up forward, gave the Hawks abuffer.Defenders and onballers stood up under pressure.

Wallan finally managed two goals, but the Hawks showed ample composure and their supporters were very vocal well before final siren time.

Woodend-Hesket 9.6 (68) defeated Wallan 5.9 (39).

After the match Pound singled out Rae and young defender Tobi Duff-Tytler for a special mention for their efforts.

He reflected on the specially tough week

for the club and community,and said the team leaders had stood up when it mattered Arceri, who kicked three goals, number one ruckman TimMartin, Duff-Tytler,Dean Bramley,Ben Toman and Kyle Baker were listed as the Hawks’ best.

GALLANT EFFORT IN RESERVES

In the Reserves' preliminary final, Woodend-Hesket was outplayed early,then produced an outstanding second quarter to lead at the long interval. Well into the last term the Hawks were

seven points up, but the Burras produced a'poster'and agoal to tie the scores, thus requiring two five-minute sessions to decide the outcome.

Diggers Rest kicked apoint and agoal, then shut upshop to eventually win 6.11 (47) to 6.2 (38).

Remarkably,there was also extra time required in the seniors’ preliminary final, and in the A-grade netball preliminary final between Riddell and Macedon on Saturday Wallan and Diggers Rest meet in the Reserves grand final on Sunday

(at left)

In control: Irrepressible Woodend-Hesket ball winner Daniel Toman accepts ashort pass under pressure, with teammate Dean Bramley arriving on the scene.

Netball final promises athriller

What afeast of netball in the four Riddell League grand finals at Romsey this Sunday

The A-grade contest between Woodend-Hesket and Riddell promises to be athriller,with the Hawks chasing their first-ever A-grade premiership.

In the semi-final, Woodend-Hesket downed the Bombers by four goals, after coming from behind to topple Macedon by agoal in the qualifying final.

Then the knockout preliminary final between Macedon and Riddell ended up in extra time on Saturday after the

Bowden again

Former Lancefield Football Netball Club captain Matt Bowden intends to line up again with the Tigers in 2024. Bowden, despite an injury interrupted career,played his 250th game with this Tigers this season.

An inspiring utility player at his best, Bowden showed some good form late in the season and the club is pleased to have him on the list again.

Dual Bowen Medal winner and premiership player TomWaters, still one of the best ruckmen in the league, has also re-committed for 2024.

Leading goalkicker Ben Bryant, talented young dynamo Leroy Riskevski and Luke Malone are other Tigers who are looking forward to next season.

Lancefield’sannual presentation night is scheduled for Saturday,September 23, at Kilmore Trackside.

Cats seemingly held awinning lead very late in the game. Riddell poured on the pressure and won 55-49, with coach Beck Anstey understandably elated with the neversay-die performance and the Cats disappointed with the late change in fortune.

Woodend-Hesket playing coach Meg Grbac had great belief in her side’sability and flexibility,and the benefit of playing in agrand final last season may help settle the nerves.

Riddell has three teams chasing premierships on

Sunday

The netball finals begin at Romsey at 9.30am, with the strong Western Rams taking on Riddell after the Bombers accounted for Wallan 27-18 on Saturday

In aB-grade thriller,Riddell surged late to tip out Diggers Rest 38-38, and now face astrong Macedon combination.

The C-grade grand final is between Macedon and Western Rams, with the Rams eliminating Riddell 28-17 on Saturday

Giants ready

The Riddell League Under 19.5 grand final between Macedon and Gisborne Giants on Sunday should be aquality match.

After finishing on top of the ladder, the Giants –intheir first season of finals –found atalented Macedon lineup too strong, with the margin 22 points.

The Giants bounced back in Sunday’s preliminary final, and thrashed Wallan by 95 points –18.6 to 3.1.

Formed last year, the Gisborne Giants appear to have abright future,and coach Mark McKenzie is looking forward to agood showing from his side.

Macedon has plenty of classy players, and the Cats hope to reproduce their semi-final form and take out the premiership.

Some of the players in these Under 19.5 sides are expected to go on to ahigher level.

Matt Bowden will line up again with the Tigers in 2024.

The Riddell vMacedon AGrade match ended in an extra-time thriller.

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