Malmsbury Mail Winter 2024

Photo: Tiffany Warner Photography

WASH AGAINST WASTE WINS AGAIN

BY KATHRYN ALLEN

What an incredible Wash Against Waste effort at the Malmsbury Village Fayre! Thanks to the Fayre committee for hiring the Wash Against Waste trailer, the stallholders who all used the reusable dishes, and to our amazing Sustainable Malmsbury volunteers who collected, washed and dried all the dishes over and over and over!

The energy and water efficient dishwasher did over 150 loads, washing approximately 1500 cups, 2000 plates and 1000 wine-tasting glasses, reducing the waste generated by a whopping 80%, the equivalent of 25 large wheely bins! The effort also saved money for stallholders and enhanced the dining experience for attendees Win, win, win!

Keep an eye out for the reusable cups and Wash Against Waste trailer at community events

If you have any questions or would like to help, come and chat to us at the Malmsbury Farmers‘ Market or you can email us at: sustainable-malmsbury@mrsg.org.au

Photos: Maree Jameson

THE STATE OF MALMSBURY LAKE

BY PAULA NEEDHAM, SECRETARY, FOMGE

As many locals and visitors to the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens have observed, the quality of the water in the lake is now extremely poor This naturally occurring lake is central to the Gardens and provides important habitat for many species of birds

Friends of Malmsbury Gardens & Environs (FOMGE) has been concerned for a number of years about the lake’s deterioration and has raised concerns with Council officers in the past The Master Plan (2021) for the Gardens noted the shallowness and poor water quality of the lake

water has resulted in substantial flooding in the lower parts of the Garden

Since the Plan was published, relentless rain and subsequent flooding in recent years have resulted in an even greater loss of water quality As we wrote in a recent letter to Councillors alerting them to the problems, “ the water quality is now extremely poor with reports of blue/green algae and the inflow of road surfacing materials, as well as debris from flood waters, has reduced the depth of the Lake even further.“

In fact, it is so shallow that one of the major inlet pipes is covered in sludge and consequently water now banks up and spills into the Gardens eroding the paths on an almost regular basis following any significant rain Moreover, the inability of the Lake to hold any great volume of

MEET A LOCAL

CLIFF JONES ANSWERS – WHY MALMSBURY?

“In 1986, Janine and I were looking for more space to bring up our growing family within commuting distance from Melbourne.

We liked period houses, history, bluestone, and gardens with European trees and knew Malmsbury We saw the ad for our house and came up sight unseen Fortunately, our dogs approved of our choice ”

Although we wholeheartedly support an overall plan for the irrigation/drainage and conservation of water in the Gardens, as recommended in the Master Plan, our fear is this could result in the can being kicked down the road for many more years Dredging, which it appears was last done in 1961, is certainly part of the solution

Council officers have been in touch with FOMGE inviting us to discuss the lake’s problems and possible solutions. We intend to keep pursuing this matter given that as things stand now the outlook for the lake is unfortunately very poor. I will provide an update on our progress in the next edition of the Malmsbury Mail.

In the meantime, if you are interested in supporting us or being involved in some way please contact me at friendsofmalmsburygardens@mail.com

Photo: Tiffany Warner Photography

BOOK THE TABLES AT THE STABLES

Got a special event? The Stables is a stylish and unique space that oozes Mediterranean charm. It’s perfectly positioned opposite the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens to host your next soiree.

Whether it’s a small intimate wedding, engagement, christening, birthday, corporate event or just an excuse for friends and family to meet and let their hair down, it’s an experience like no other You set the tone, Gina and Kosta will do the rest, organising decorations, music and most importantly the delicious food

Speaking of which, the authentic Mediterranean food is created to the highest standards Each meal is special with the key to success simple: provide delicious meals, made from only the purest and freshest of ingredients,

In fact, a lot of the ingredients are home grown to elevate the great taste As Gina said, “Our goal is to help you enjoy the little things in life that matter So eat delicious food, grab a drink but most of all, relax!”

The Stables also has an array of produce to take home and enjoy such as the Balsamic Glaze of

Taradale 300ml bottle that’s to die for ($17), Taradale Xtra Virgin Olive Oil 300ml bottle ($15 or in a gift pack $35) Marinated Kalamata Olives ($18) and Taradale Yellow Box Honey ($10)

Visit The Stables at 15 Ellesmere Place Malmsbury 3446 M: 0419 575 150 info@thestables.com.au or the-stables.com.au

YOUTH JUSTICE CENTRE UPDATE

On Sunday April 21, the Malmsbury Mail Committee organised an old fashioned Town Hall Meeting to gather the views of community members with regard to the future of the Youth Justice Detention Centre now that it has been decommissioned.

More than 100 people attended the meeting and shared their thoughts about possible uses of the centre and land

Cr Janet Pearce and Cr Jennifer Anderson attended the meeting and have since made other Councillors aware of the views of the community As a result, the council’s manager of the Economic Development unit has been appointed to work with government departments and share the views discussed The community will then be informed of future developments by council

Where are we at the moment?

MRSC has received documents from Treasury about the disposal of the centre This is done through a process called First Right of Refusal (FROR) Essentially this means that Youth Justice has determined that they no longer require the

Malmsbury site and have asked for expressions of interest from other government departments –State and Federal This process takes 60 days with the FROR ending around 30th June

If no other department is interested in the site, Treasury may then “proceed to dispose of the surplus land by public process ” More information on this process can be found at www.vic.gov.au/government-land-sales

There is little more that the community can do until this process has been exhausted except canvas the support of political representatives via email at mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au

The minutes of the Town Hall meeting have been posted on our website at malmsbury.org

A FAYRE TO REMEMBER

Photos: Maree Jameson

Thanks to everyone who came along and celebrated Malmsbury in Autumn It was a huge community effort with many groups, supporters and volunteers working to make it possible

The money raised goes toward keeping the Fayre up and running This year ’ s profits have primarily gone to the Malmsbury CFA with the remaining split between the Primary School, Town Hall and Cricket Club

If you loved the Fayre, please join the committee The team meet monthly from August to December, then fortnightly February to March and weekly in April You don't need to attend all meetings, but they are known to include wine!

Enthusiastic people are needed for these roles: Volunteer coordinator: Recruiting and keeping in touch with our amazing volunteers

Creative team: Bring the Fayre theme to life with decorations, art installations and more Marketing/comms: Help promote the Fayre using social and traditional media

Logistics support: Support the logistics team, particularly in the month before the Fayre, e g collecting equipment, putting up signs

To find out more about the roles, please email the team at malmsburyfayre@gmail.com

ON THE GRAPEVINE

HARRIET CHURCHILL, ZIG ZAG RD, FRANCE

Les Fleurs Sauvages, or wildflowers, this spring are truly delightful Perhaps my enthusiasm is due to my newness, being my first spring here in the Black Mountains in Languedoc, but from what others say it is an especially abundant year as it rained just enough this season

Every few days I see another little delicate beauty has pushed itself up alongside the rocks and scrub of the earth And so unfolds a subtle wave of pinks and yellows, reds, whites and purples in the ‘prairies’ (meadows) between vines

I have a little vase of these tough, long-lasting flowers on our kitchen table (we still have very little furniture but a table we do have), and they bolster my spirits when Henry comes home late and broken from the vineyard, or when we stare into the abyss of starting in a brand new market

Perhaps I can take a metaphorical leaf out of their Fleur Sauvage book. The harsh summer months may be ahead and with it the many challenges of winemaking and business start-up in a new country, but in the right conditions and when allowed to flourish, a burst of colour lies tucked beneath the surface.

IN THE CELLAR DOOR

SARAH DOWN, ZIG ZAG RD, MALMSBURY

This winter we ’ re closing the cellar door on Sundays, so Saturdays from 12-5 is THE time to drop by for a glass, a picnic, or to a grab a bottle on your way home We love, love, love our locals so do keep on thinking of us as your Malmsbury bar by the vines

We are trialling a new weekly, free home delivery (for six bottles or more) for our local residents. If you can’t get to us on a Saturday, we’ll get our wines to you. Email hello@zigzagwines.com.au with your order to receive your delivery by Friday each week.

MARKET PROFILE: LADER MOUSE FARM

Originally hailing from the UK, husband and wife team Lucy and Barnaby now call Larder Mouse Farm in Newham home On their 130 acres, they breed and raise rare-breed British White Cattle, selling their meat locally through farm shops and at the Malmsbury market every third Sunday.

The pair consider themselves ‘solar farmers’ as they harness the power of the sun as well as the plentiful Macedon Ranges rainfall to grow the best quality grass possible to feed their cows. As the custodians of the land they live on they aim to leave the land better than they found it by planting vegetation and managing the soils

Lucy and Barnaby chose British Whites not just to be close to their English heritage but because they fit perfectly into the system they are trying to run on the farm With their distinctive white coat and black noses and ears, these beautiful cows are great mothers, calm in demeanour, and being slightly smaller in stature, the cows cause less detrimental impact to the ground The slower growth rates of the breed also lead to beautiful marbling, flavour and tenderness in the meat from their all grass diet

Breeding a rare breed of cattle for meat may seem counter-intuitive, but by doing so, this couple are ensuring the survival of the breed by providing a market for them Be sure to check out Lader Mouse Farm produce at the next Malmsbury market

WINTER READING

BY SHANE KENNEDY

A wander through the books long past and recent all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed and would happily place in the highest class

Amongst Women by John McGahern.

A late mate and I were browsing in a bookshop twenty years ago and he flourished this Irish novel before me and said that I would not find a better book in the shop on that day He was right! It’s a high-wire act of taut thrilling prose, about an old bullying Irish patriarch whose selfishness leaves a dreadful template on his family It is generally agreed to be his best novel, and that is high praise indeed

The Siege of Krishnapur by JG Farrell. Again, one of the best novels I have read He won the Booker Prize for this in 1973 It concerns a fictional siege of an English army outpost in colonial India in the nineteenth century It’s what happens inside its four walls that provides the impetus for the novel An upper class group of soldiers and their wives, straight out of Jane Austen, struggle to observe the proprieties of polite society while their menfolk, vastly outnumbered, battle hordes of fierce and homicidal Sepoys at the front gate It’s tea and scones and high excitement Sadly, the author drowned in a fishing accident in Ireland six months after he won the prize Salman Rushdie said that had Farrell not died at the age of 44, today [he] would be one of the really major novelists of the English language ”

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. A cult novel in American fiction and deservedly so This wildly gothic and hallucinatory novel focuses on the Blackwood family who live outside a town in a sort of Addams Family existence, but without the humour and with fewer members due to the consumption of deadly poison. There are three survivors Constance, Mary Katherine (who is the first person narrator), and Uncle Julian – old, crippled and half mad. Both parents and at least two siblings are among the dead, but they are fleetingly passed over. Constance, the devoted older sister and the family cook, has been tried and acquitted of the atrocity as well she should have been.

A winter collection for your reading pleasure

I won’t spoil the plot of this feverish masterpiece, but this beautifully written novel is a landmark in a weird genre Jackson really made her own. Stephen King is an avid fan of Jackson and cites her as a major inspiration.

The Hopkins Manuscript by R.C Sheriff.

One last one! Informed by the author’s experience in the trenches in WW 1, this novel could be called science fiction as it concerns a world disaster, namely the Earth colliding with the moon. It was published in 1939 and if you ’ re concerned how awry his factual basis is, then don’t read it. This wonderful writer is more focussed on the effect such a cataclysmic event has on the human race of which he is actually quite fond It is wickedly funny with the eponymous Hopkins a squire whose past time is raising chooks Through the novel, Hopkins learns to commit to other people and appreciate just what beautiful things humankind is capable of The novel ends up as a deep meditation on humanity and how precarious life really is

These are four novels that I consider unknown masterpieces and which I love, love, love!

Hello everyone. Recently, Council approved the budget for 2024/25. Malmsbury residents always contribute to Council consultations and our thanks go to everyone who submitted suggestions We need your input as councillors rely heavily on submissions from community to lend weight to our arguments to fund various priorities The Budget includes funds to implement drainage works for the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens and to conduct an electrical audit and replace the ovens in the Town Hall

Thank you to those who attended our West Ward Councillor Listening post on Tuesday June 4th outside the news agency in Kyneton The Listening Posts are a great opportunity for residents to catch up with councillors in person, so please watch out for the next one

Congratulations to the organisers of the Malmsbury Village Fayre on its recent and successful return It was wonderful to see the great turnout of both stall holders and visitors enjoying the atmosphere of the Fayre in the beautiful surrounds of the Botanic Gardens Thanks also to the Council’s outdoor team for their tidy up blitz prior to the Fayre

West Ward Councillors were honoured to participate in the Malmsbury Anzac Day parade and service It was humbling to see the large turnout of locals attending to recognise, remember and thank everyone who has participated in our armed services over the years

Recently councillors and council staff toured the former Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre As you will be aware, the fate of the Centre lies with state government, but Council is very conscious of the need to stay engaged so that we can represent the community and provide input, where we are able, into the decision-making process

Lastly, it is exciting to see that Malmsbury Botanic Gardens is hosting a flying fox colony for the first time, with hundreds of bats roosting in the willows and deciduous trees by the lake The species is listed as threatened under federal environment law, so Council has a responsibility to the visiting flying foxes and the public

janderson@mrsc vic gov au Janet: jpearce@mrsc vic gov au Mark: mridgeway@mrsc vic gov au

Jennifer:

MALMSBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATE

BY TRAVIS POOL, PRINCIPAL.

What a busy first half of the year we ’ ve had at Malmsbury Primary School There have been some great events for our school over the first semester giving our students a range of learning experiences

Recently, it was Education Week and Malmsbury PS held various activities to celebrate learning Students used their maths skills to help them solve ‘Escape Room’ problems, we had whacky hair styles for Crazy Hair Day for Cystic Fibrosis, and participated in whole school collaborative challenges We added a splash of purple for Epilepsy awareness and dressed in various colours to support IDAHOBIT day

THUMBS UP:

Shifting the Fayre to Autumn meant less ‘holiday rush’ to contend with, resulting in an impressive turn out

We’ve completed a number of works around the school. Most notably are our new concrete steps down to the buildings, making a safer path of travel for everyone We‘ve also had two shipping containers donated by the MYJC that will be used to store all our sports equipment We cannot share our appreciation enough to Lee, Rick, and Isaiah for making this possible

Community is a big part of what we value and we ‘ ve enjoyed the great opportunities to be a big part of our beautiful town We were very proud of the role and participation of our school leaders in the ANZAC Day march and service Other events included the fantastic Malmsbury Fayre, our Malmsbury Farmers‘ Market stalls, Mothers’ Day breakfast, and our Walk Safely to School Day We truly live and learn in a great town

THUMBS DOWN:

The continuing danger of trucks hurtling over the railway overpass bridge on the Malmsbury-Daylesford Road

SUE LOVE – KINGS’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

When Malmsbury local Sue Love received an email from the Governor General’s Office saying she’d been selected for the King’s Birthday Honours for a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), she was “totally thrilled” – as were the townsfolk of Malmsbury.

While the medal is in recognition of her service to the Malmsbury community, her dedication to volunteering for a good cause goes back a lot further beginning when after 31 years of teaching, Sue decided she didn’t want to “stay home twiddling my thumbs”

Since moving to Malmsbury in 2003, Sue has remained an energetic volunteer for the Malmsbury Town Hall committee, Village Fayre, Malmsbury Mail committee and the Malmsbury Advance Association She was also instrumental in starting the Farmers’ Market in 2019 and the local flea market, both of which bring hundreds of visitors to the town on a regular basis

Passionate about community, Sue’s advice is, “Have the time and stickability Don’t turn away ” When asked how she’s celebrated the news, Sue says, “Dinner out with friends... the phone hasn’t stopped. Messages on Facebook too. It’s just been very moving and very exciting.”

HELLO FELLOW GARDEN LOVERS

BY ROSEMARY DAVIES

It’s certainly been a tricky year so far. Suddenly autumn came with very little transition from summer, and now winter has set in for the next few months, with some lovely clear days but heavy frosts to start the day

I’ve planted out my broad beans and I’ll soon find out if I was too enthusiastic and too early They are tough, but it depends on the frosts I’ve covered them with frost cloth for protection

Some of my perennials have decided to go into hibernation now it has cooled down They have a straw mulch to protect the base of the stems and their root system from the worst of the frosts

My callistemon are flowering well My little Mt Morgan wattle will be out in a month or two and the pittosporums and correas have settled in well The birds are enjoying a new nectar source too Many frost hardy native plants can go into the ground now in well-drained soil Winter flowering and berrying plants give native birds and bees a good source of winter forage

When you are next in the Botanic Gardens, check out our Arbutus collection There are several species of this tree here with its dark leathery leaves and clusters of tiny creamy pink bellshaped flowers Some will have red and gold fruits visible on the trees at the same time as new flowers

The Malmsbury gardens were really at their autumn peak the two weeks after the Malmsbury Fayre with a carpet of golden leaves to create a stunning foreground for photos of our famous bridge Art groups and photographers have been having a field day

FROM THE CFA: STAYING WARM WITH FIRE SAFETY

Winter is upon us and once again the CFA is urging everyone to help keep their homes and themselves safe by checking and maintaining their heaters, particularly fireplaces, chimneys, fireboxes and flues.

This is the time of year that the CFA sees an increase in the number of chimney fires from both fireplaces and wood heaters.

Malmsbury Fire Brigade Captain Linda Krive said that over time there can be a build-up of creosote, a black tar-like residue which is highly flammable and can clog up chimneys

“Creosote is caused by general use, but it can also build up quicker if you are using incorrect fuels, such as green wood or treated timbers ”

Captain Krive said that to reduce the risk of fire starting from your fireplace or wood heater you should:

use a torch to check for creosote build-up or obstructions

have your chimney professionally cleaned annually

only burn dry, clean wood extinguish your fire before going to bed or leaving the house

Len McDonnell gets his fireplace ready for winter

She added, “Residents should also have gas heaters inspected and serviced every two years to ensure the safety of loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning or fire

Every household should consider their fire safety practices and examine the potential risks around their home,” she said

“Most importantly we all must ensure we have working smoke detectors in our homes Apart from the one outside all sleeping areas, we also recommend one in every bedroom and living area

If you or someone you know cannot obtain, install or maintain smoke alarms, I urge you to let us know and we can ensure they are put in place ”

For more information on winter fire safety, be sure to visit cfa.vic.gov.au

Lieutenant

POLICE REPORT

BY DAVID YOUNG LEADING SENIOR CONSTABLE MALMSBURY POLICE STATION

(03) 54 232 382

Over the last couple of months, crime has been reasonably low

There were two family violence incidents reported, with two Intervention Orders being issued and assault charges pending in this matter.

A Malmsbury male was charged with lighting a fire during fire restrictions. Number plates were stolen off a trailer near the railway station.

A shed on a farm was broken into and generators, power tools and a trailer were stolen.

For those wishing for more information about what the Police are doing in your area, you can go to our Facebook page – Eyewatch Macedon Ranges Police Service Area.

If you see a person or car that doesn’t quite fit, please take the details down, either description or registration number and ring 000 for Police to attend What you see may be the piece of the puzzle required to solve a crime and prevent more continuing

MYSTERY IN THE MALMSBURY SKIES

BY GABE SAUNDERS, AGED 9 YRS OLD

At 7:08pm on the 27th of May 2024, two people witnessed two objects synchronised in movement across the sky.

It was a very clear night and I decided to study the stars with my telescope About half way through searching, I spotted them I ran inside to tell my parents and my mum came out to have a look She didn't know what it was either but it was definitely real The objects looked like stars or planets but neither move like that

They were too high to be a plane And shooting stars wouldn't be able to synchronise Theories include: satellites, a U F O or an asteroid and interceptor But who knows?

condition of your vehicle to make it safe Don’t forget to check the tyres, lights and windscreen for starters, as the Highway Patrol are paying attention to vehicle faults over winter, with six drivers already being given notices in Malmsbury over the last month.

Six speeders were detected around town in the last two months, mainly in the school zone which is 40km from Brodie Street to Ellesmere Place! A couple of residents have lost their licences due to numerous traffic offences Please drive to the conditions to stay safe

MALMSBURY HAPPENINGS

GROUP

Landcare and District

St John’s Anglican Church Friends of Malmsbury Gardens and Environs Historical Society

Town Hall Committee

Malmsbury Cemetery Trust

Malmsbury Community Engagement Group

USEFUL NUMBERS

WHEN & WHERE

First Thurday, 7.30pm, Lauriston Hall Sun, 8.45 am, Cnr Brodie/Cameron St

First Wednesday, every 3 months

March, June, September, December

Third Wednesday 7:30pm, Feb-Nov

Malmsbury Mechanics Institute

Bookings: malmsburytownhall.com.au

For community related enquiries, feedback or suggestions

Emergency: Police, Ambulance, Fire: 000

VicEmergency Hotline: 1800 226 226

Wildlife Victoria 24hr Hotline: (03) 8400 7300

Malmsbury Cricket Club: 0408 552 805

Malmsbury Primary School: 5423 2284

Town Hall (Sue Love): 0408 336 352

Coliban Water Info Line: 1300 363 200

Malmsbury Police Station: 5423 2382

Malmsbury CFA: 5423 2745

Macedon Ranges Shire Council: (03) 5422 0333

(includes emergency after-hours and access to on-call Local Laws Rangers) or mrsc@mrsc vic gov au

Hepburn Shire Council: (03) 5348 2306 or shire@hepburn vic gov au

Animal Control (eg escaped stock): 0419 587 955

CONTACT

John Walter: 5423 9383

Rev W Landford: 0491 482 580

Paula Needham: 0448 401 212

Sue Walter: 5423 9383

Sue Love: 0408 336 352

Email: mct3446@gmail com

mceg@justice vic gov au

MALMSBURY MAIL

Items of interest, local news, reports on community activities, and stories are greatly valued and we welcome contributions from all members of our community

If you have any opinions, stories, photos, or for a subscription to your inbox, please contact us at malmsburymail@yahoo.com.au

This community funded, non-profit publication is produced by volunteers: Chris Davidson, Sandra Fairthorne, Sue Love, Sarah Marshall, Margaret Taylor, Jim Valle and David Young

700 free copies are produced quarterly, available throughout the village at the Malmsbury Bakery, General Store & Post Office, Pharmacy, Pub, and Merchants of Malmsbury. It’s also available online.