Murrindindi Guide Autumn 2023

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON

Sunday 14 May 2023

12.30pm - 4pm

Let us spoil your mum this Mother’s Day when she enjoys a complimentary glass of sparkling upon arrival. Savour a three course luncheon featuring beautiful local produce. Accompanied with spectacular views, great wines and live music.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY DINNER

Saturday 22 July 2023

From 6.30pm

Bring your family and friends and join us for a celebration dinner with all the trimmings; mulled wine, roast turkey, glazed ham and more. With a roving magician, Santa and music, this will be a truly magical event! Accommodation available.

FATHER’S DAY LUNCH

Sunday 3 September 2023

12.30pm - 4pm

Celebrate Father’s Day with a beautiful three course luncheon of local produce prepared in-house by our talented chefs, and be entertained to live acoustic music with family and friends. Enjoy our open fires or outdoor deck. Fully licensed.

DEGUSTATION SPRING DINNER

Saturday 21 October 2023

From 6.30pm

A relaxing and indulgent evening, with a menu featuring five decadent courses using fresh local produce to tantalize your taste buds. Why not stay the night! Unwind against a majestic landscape and enjoy our property at its springtime best.

92 Moore Road, Eildon, Victoria

Bookings essential: 5774 2631

E: eildon@holmesglen.edu.au

www.holmesglenateildon.com

CAMPSITES

• separate sites for small groups • shared facilities BOOKINGS www.hipcamp.com

Well appointed cabins

Heating & cooling

Wood fires

Barbecue area

Undercover fire pit

Extensive decks

Lake and mountain views

Pet friendly

SELF CONTAINED CABINS

Situated on 70 acres of classic high country and close to Lake Eildon and Fraser National Park sits this exceptional residence featuring unmatched facilities in the area.

We offer a wide range of onsite services and facilities, so whether you wish to be active or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the views in this serene setting then this is the place for you!

39 Taylor Bay Road, Taylor Bay, Victoria P: 0497 889 353 E: info@taylorbaycountryclub.com.au W: www.taylorbaycountryclub.com.au

www.airbnb.com.au www.stayz.com.au

STORAGE UNITS

24/7 access Launch & retrieve service available

FITNESS CENTRE

• open to public • personal training available

goulburn river

Farm relics sit side-by-side with fine china and silverware at Killingworth Hill Café & Whisky Bar ~ it is rustic, traditional Australiana with more than a smack of sophistication. Drink in this history as you sample some of the finest drams you’ll ever come across. Enjoy a glass of wine, a charcuterie board made with the finest cheeses, meats, patés, pickles, fruits and nuts, or a bowl of homemade soup, a delicious dessert, tea or coffee. Weekly specials

Drop in and say hello!

The brand new Goulburn River Inn, formerly known as the Molesworth Hotel and Motel, is now open! We are under new management and we have opened the motel, bar and kitchen. We are proud to serve BERALDO coffee, cold drinks and delicious meals. Lovely beer garden. We also have free, pet friendly RV and Camper parking on site.

Molesworth Bluegrass & Country Music Festival 3-5 Nov

Goulburn River inn presents to you the first Molesworth Bluegrass & Country music festival. Bringing the best in bluegrass and country music to the banks of the Goulburn River. We have an amazing line up coming your way so don’t miss out!

There will be camping sites available!

Bonfir e Station Bre w i ng Co.

Globally Inspired Locally Handcrafted

Your local microbrewery & function centre in Taggerty.

Bonfire Station is a place you can visit with your friends, try the beers, warm by the bonfire, enjoy the scenery, have a laugh, bring the kids, play some games, make memories, get another glass, sit a while.

Beer garden reopening after the New Year.

We are holding some big gigs in the next few months including

KISS THISS

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER SURVIVAL

MICK PEALING & NICK CHARLES And so much more!

Fuelling North East Victoria since 1953 with quality products and great service, Simpsons Fuel proudly support our local community. Fuel with us 24 hrs a day at :

5 Main Street, Eildon

Open 7 days 6am-10pm (self-locking doors)

Payment by credit card only New state-of-the-art machines

MURRINDINDI ARTS & TOURISM, BUSINESS & TRADES GUIDE

Murrindindi’s INDEPENDENT guide to events and attractions across the shire and surrounds for locals and tourists alike. Pick up a copy at one of our advertisers or information centres in the shire or surrounding towns. Please support our advertisers as without them this magazine couldn’t be produced. If we support our local businesses and communities then we improve our local economy. Keep it local if you can.

Robyn Betts, the Alpaca Yarn Lady, with some of her Grace Knitwear products, made from fine merino wool.

By Emily Friedel

Robyn Betts is enthusiastic when it comes to having a yarn about yarn. Or fabric or knitwear or sewing or haberdashery or crocheting or just about any crafty pursuit. She’ll even gladly give out alpaca husbandry advice.

If you do want to chat with her, Robyn can be found in Alexandra’s main street at The Alpaca Yarn Lady – Crafty Bits Store. She moved the shop from Violet Town six months ago because she needed a bigger space to showcase her Grace Knitwear products, which embody her passion for high-quality, locally-sourced, ethically-produced fleece. This passion began more than two decades ago when she ventured into breeding suri alpacas. Suri are the rarer of the two types of alpaca. They have a distinctive fleece, which looks a bit like dreadlocks on the animal and has been described as the finer, longer, and more lustrous of the two types.

“I bred suri alpacas for 13 years. I just

got into it because it was a hobby, and then as I started to get more alpacas, I started to look at their fleece. No one was doing anything with the suri alpaca fleece, they were just shearing them off and getting rid of the fleece. I thought, ‘This is crazy.’ So I worked hard on understanding the fleece and then negotiating with some processors in Victoria to try to get it processed. I wanted to enable suri to be processed into a product which could be spun into a knitting and weaving yarn by hand spinners or through a commercial mill,” Robyn explains.

“It took me a number of years to finally get some people to process it and spin it, and I did have to blend it with merino. The suri alpaca fleece needs to be blended with another fibre which has elasticity and fibre memory [it returns to its original position after stretching]. Merino is perfect for this blending.”

Robyn says she was the first to process suri fleece commercially in Australia, and that gave rise to Grace Knitwear,

allowing her to translate her fleece expertise and desire for a small carbon footprint into beautiful garments.

“I also studied wool classing, so the whole focus is on something that is next to skin softness, of the highest quality, and totally processed in Victoria. With the suri alpaca and merino, you get a beautiful smooth, silky feel, as well as the warmth, that light warmth. People like it because it’s touchable – it’s like touching silk.”

A setback with the equipment used to wash the alpaca fleece has meant that Grace Knitwear is temporarily being manufactured with merino only. But Robyn hopes the machinery will be fixed soon, and she will be able to use her unique fibre blend again this year. In the meantime, she has sourced fine merino fleece from a single farm in Violet Town, Toland Merino, for a new autumn range to keep customers cosy as the cool weather sets in.

“I selected this breeding line because it has the highest ethical accreditation in

Robyn’s shop in Alexandra is full of things to delight anyone with a creative or crafty streak. There are also treasures made by local artisans and toys or clothes for the little ones. Above left: “James” out the front of Robyn’s shop in Alexandra.

Australia, the fleece has a silky handle [feel], and it’s rated the eighth best merino stud in Australia,” Robyn says.

“From March, I have a new range of the Grace Knitwear merino coming out, which is really quite special. The new range has some signature outfits, and there will be a limited number of them. There’s unisex jumpers, a roll-neck jumper, there’s a tunic vest for women, and there’s a beautiful cape and scarves. It’s classic styling with unique stitches, and that’s what makes it different.”

“The different colours this year are a highland green, a blood moon, a sage, a pebble colour, and a lighter beige colour. People can mix and match the knitwear, and it all works together.”

Along with the new range of knitwear, Robyn has exciting plans for the coming months, including expanding the available yarn and fibre selection, getting some workshops going, and continuing to collaborate with her sister, Gayle Wilson, to extend the working life of customers’ clothes.

“I’m aiming to have some scrap-booking workshops, and there will be sessions for people to come and try weaving on my loom. I’ll be supportive of the

Murrindindi Beanie Festival too, and I’m aiming to support the new local spinners’ group,” Robyn says.

“My sister assists me at times; she’s known as the Mobile Mender, so I offer a mending service as well – mending clothes. We get a lot of fellows who prefer to have their favourite work clothes patched rather than replaced or they need buttons that won’t fall off.”

So customers can add clothes mending to the list of things they might want to chat about with Robyn or get her advice on – her knowledge is just one of the many resources on hand at The Alpaca Yarn Lady – Crafty Bits Store.

“The shop is a great resource for all things creative. It’s a real experience to come in here and have a browse; it’s a shop for browsing and looking, particularly for people wanting to be a bit creative, there’s always something they can find.”

The Alpaca Yarn Lady – Crafty Bits Store is at 75 Grant Street Alexandra. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm. For more information, go to the Facebook page (search for ‘The Alpaca Yarn Lady’), go to graceknitwear.com.au or call Robyn on 0427 879 998

A suri alpaca with its distinctive fleece. Suri are the rarer of the two types of alpaca, and Robyn says their fleece has been described as the “fibre of the gods” because of its silky and lustrous characteristics.

Photo: Marie Thérèse Hébert & Jean Robert Thibault from Québec, Canada, CC BYSA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Grace Knitwear merino shawl, and shirt-style polo jumper: the perfect combination of light, soft, and warm.

Above:

give customers their perfect day out. She is also passionate about promoting the Murrindindi Shire area. “We are blessed from a tourism point of view, natural beauty abounds in the Murrindindi and Yarra Valley regions and yet we are only 90 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. You can have your cake and eat it too!”

By Emily Friedel

Whether you’re after a leisurely jaunt around local wineries, a trip to some of the area’s most scenic spots, a private chauffeur for the day, or an airport transfer, Debra Webber from Bespoke Driven Tours has got you covered. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride – Deb will take care of the rest.

“Anything’s possible. Don’t be afraid to ring and discuss your needs,” she says. “Just ask.”

Based in Narbethong, Bespoke Driven Tours was launched in July 2021 to fill a tourism gap in the Murrindindi Shire. During Deb’s 20 years of working in hospitality around the Yarra Valley, Marysville and Narbethong, she saw a demand for transport and tour operators based on this side of the Black Spur that wasn’t being met. She says driving the extra kilometres through the Spur for pick ups and drop offs in the local area can be a deterrent for operators on the other side.

“I just saw a bit of a niche in the market, and I thought I could combine my food-and-beverage and hospitality experience with something of this nature, and so that’s where the idea was born.”

Debra Webber is willing to go the extra mile to

Inside Deb’s van: clean and comfortable. Deb says she loves driving, so chauffeuring people around is her idea of fun.

Bespoke Driven Tours caters for all sorts of groups from two to 11 people, and tours are tailor-made to ensure customer satisfaction. Deb’s experience in the local hospitality industry makes her the ideal guide when it comes to finding food or drink in the Yarra Valley or Murrindindi Shire areas.

After a bit of a rocky start when an extended Covid lockdown began soon after opening, Deb wondered if she’d made the right decision. But, thanks to her persistence, the business is now “growing legs”, and Deb is savouring every moment of it.

“I love the face-to-face element of hospitality – it’s probably my strength – and I’m a big fan of good food and wine combined with great service, so I’ve put it all together. I’ve got a lovely little van, and I enjoy driving, so I’m happy to drive all day, every day. I’ve got a captive audience, and I can yak away in the front, and if they yak back and enjoy a bit of a giggle, all the better!” she laughs.

Deb is also thrilled to have an excuse to explore the region more to find hidden gems for her customers.

“Because I have always worked full time with school-age children until recently, I didn’t have time to visit all the wineries and places of interest both in the Yarra Valley and the Murrindindi shire, and there’s some amazing places tucked away – I love it. So that aspect of it is exciting for me.”

With her people skills and ever-growing local knowledge, Deb is well equipped to put together the perfect package for any small group of two to 11 people. She is also determined to live up to the “bespoke” element of the business name, working with customers to tailor-make their experience. Upon request, Deb has ferried a birthday group around Daylesford for the day, taken a couple all the way to Yarrawonga for a special lunch, and provided concert transfers to Rochford.

She has even assisted with setting up a romantic marriage proposal at a winery: “It was fabulous. They went off in the vines, and she came back with the rock. So if people want to stage a surprise proposal or a special occasion I can help with that. I can keep a good secret!”

Whatever your reason for wanting a tour, Deb says autumn is a fantastic time to do it, especially if you want to get better acquainted with the Murrindindi Shire’s offerings.

“We have a few wineries, so we can do a full day going as far as Yea and then working our way back to Taggerty. Drive time is a bit longer, but the scenery en route is well worth it. Marysville and the Murrindindi Shire is stunning in autumn, too – it’s probably the most amazing part of the year for the gorgeous colours. And autumn’s a bit more comfortable from a travel perspective with temperatures a little more stable. In my mind, it’s the perfect time of year to go anywhere.”

Deb is also hoping to provide catered tours from autumn onwards, allowing more options for customers to enjoy the shire’s great outdoors.

“There’s a lot of spectacular sights, waterfalls, and lookouts in Murrindindi, so there will be additional options available for picnic hampers, cheese or charcuterie boards that may be pre-ordered. If customers just want to sight-see, then a perfect example would be perhaps Lake Eildon, Keppells Lookout, or Snobs Creek Falls for a picnic or platter and a bottle of bubbles,” she says.

And if a mouth-watering picnic with a gorgeous view in the mild autumn weather doesn’t sound like heaven to you, no worries. Deb says she is more than happy to help you plan your ideal day out.

Of course, Yarra Valley and Murrindindi Shire winery tours are popular among Deb’s clients. It’s easy to see why.

“If you’ve got an idea, or if you’ve got plans and you’re not sure how to go about it, give me a call, have a chat, and I’ll do something to suit you at a competitive price. Anything’s possible. And I mean anything!”

For more information on Bespoke Driven Tours visit the website at www.bespokedriventours.com or call Deb on 0493 097 777.

Need an airport or concert transfer? Deb does those too.

CELLAR

WINE & FOOD

Wine tasting experiences

Artisan cheese platters & charcuterie boards

Local art & sculptures

Our vineyard, planted in 1988 is nestled between the picturesque rapids of the upper Goulburn River and the foothills of Mt Torbreck.

With frequent snow capped peaks in our surrounds, our cool climate provides us with an extended ripening season and keeps our yields low.

2019 was a an outstanding growing season with warm and dry conditions. This wine is a fine example of Shiraz with a sense of place. The colour is a lovely deep crimson hue, aromas of black pepper and spice, raspberry, and lovely integrated oak from maturation for 15 months in a mix of French and American small oak barrels.

The palate is medium bodied, with a fine elegant tannin structure, and generous length. This wine will reward medium term cellaring of 6-8 years.

The Murrindindi Wine Weekend on 6 and 7 May, now in its sixth year, encourages wine drinkers to discover the diversity, quality and regionality of local wines in the picturesque Acheron and Yea valleys.

The three participating, family-owned wineries are passionate vignerons who love to share their stories of winemaking, and the uniqueness of the terroir influencing their diverse wine styles.

“Wine is never-ending in its variations and fascination, and the Murrindindi region demonstrates some outstanding qualities that differentiate it from nearby regions,” says Adrian Utter, Chair of Murrindindi Winemakers.

While taking in the stunning rural locations, visitors can enjoy authentic country hospitality, rub shoulders with the vignerons and, of course, meet the winery dogs. A diverse range of food and entertainment will be on offer at Philip Lobley Wines, Sedona Estate and Utter Wines.

At Utter Wines you can discover fine paintings by resident artist Louise Foletta and learn about the art of growing truffles.

Vignerons Philip and Lyn Lobley will offer their popular woodfired pizzas on the weekend and at Sedona Estate the Big Band Sassy Saxes will get your feet tapping on Sunday 7 May while grazing on artisan cheese and charcuterie boards.

Download the touring map from www.murrindindiwinemakers. com.au and begin planning now. Maps also available at Yea, Alexandra and Marysville Visitor Information Centres.

Philip Lobley Wines, Glenburn – philiplobleywines.com

Sedona Estate, Murrindindi – sedonaestate.com.au

Utter Wines, Buxton – www.riverhousewineandtruffles.com.au

Above: the view of Sedona Estate vineyard from the cellar door.

A diverse range of food and entertainment will be on offer at the three wineries open for the Murrindindi Wine Weekend: Philip Lobley Wines, Sedona Estate and Utter Wines.

Cottages

Murrindindi Food and Wine Inc. is proud to announce they are hosting a Murrindindi Jobs Expo. This one-day event is a valuable opportunity for local job seekers and all businesses to connect, network and learn about the latest industry trends, innovations, and opportunities. The expo will take place on 27 March 2023 in Alexandra and is supported by the Victorian State Government.

Rob Mitchell, President of Murrindindi Food and Wine Inc., says: “This is exciting as it’s about local business collaboration that will include business skill development, networking, and resource sharing. It is for all businesses in our shire, and we encourage all businesses to see how they can be involved.”

The expo will feature two event themes:

1. Jobs, Youth and Trainee Pathways

2. Small Businesses, Industry, and Individuals.

The Murrindindi Jobs Expo will provide a wealth of knowledge for young job seekers. The expo and digital forum will provide a platform for local businesses, employers, potential employees, service providers and agencies to connect in a relaxed and informal setting. The event includes multiple networking opportunities with a range of businesses and industry leaders. Job seekers will have the chance to

meet potential employers, learn about open positions and potential career paths, and gain valuable insights on how to improve their job search efforts; for example, honing their techniques and essential interview skills.

Those wishing to start a business can learn about start-ups and established businesses from entrepreneurs and business leaders in a multitude of sectors.

Keynote speakers and a panel of regional experts will share their insights and answer questions. There is the opportunity to be involved in a mini workshop aimed at identifying challenges for small businesses.

The event will also facilitate business development opportunities through the sharing of knowledge and resources. The expo is open to businesses based in Murrindindi Shire, including local and state government agencies, health and aged care, manufacturing, food, realtors, agriculture, aquaculture, wine production, transport, retail, trades, and education providers. Both in-person and digital forums will be available for maximum accessibility and engagement.

From 2pm to 8pm, a variety of exhibitors will be present on-site, with participation options for businesses including having a stall at the exhibition, attending in person, or attending one

of the networking and digital forum sessions. Potential employees and participants can speak with an exhibitor, attend digital forum sessions, or participate in an innovation session. The event welcomes all ages and businesses as well as regional suppliers. Murrindindi Food and Wine Inc. will publish online job postings and invite any business to submit an employment listing prior to the expo.

“We want to thank our partners and supporters The Victorian State Government, Buy High Country (Issimo), Turbo Productions 360, Lake Eildon. com, the team from Murrindindi Shire Council, Caolan from Regional Toolkit, and Danielle Roberts from Launch Victoria for their guidance and support for this ‘Let’s Put Murrindindi on Everyone’s Table’ project,” Rob says. So don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to find out about jobs and career information, connect, network, and learn about the latest industry trends developments and innovative business practices. We look forward to seeing you at the Murrindindi Jobs Expo on Monday, 27 March 2023, at Alexandra Football Club, from 2pm to 8pm in Alexandra.

For more information and to register for a stand visit murrindindifoodandwine. org.au

Flowerdalians Flock ‘n’ Frolic

By Emily Friedel

You may have driven past the Hans Hazelnuts Farm sign on your way into Buxton and wondered about it. The woman behind (and on) the sign is probably not what you expect.

Dr Moni Lai Storz is many things, but she is certainly not your average nut farmer. She holds a PhD in sociology, which focused on the sociology of mental illness, and she lectured at Monash University for 27 years. She is also the founder of both the Australasian Centre of Chinese Studies and the Australasian Chinese Theatre Company. Restaurant owner, playwright, and author of several books add to the long list of Moni’s accomplishments. After her long stint in academia, she became a soughtafter expert in cross-cultural business communication, teaching Westerners

how to be more effective when dealing with Asian businesses.

Moni describes herself as a member of the Chinese diasporia (people who identify as Chinese based on their language, ancestry, or place of birth but live outside of China). Her parents were born in what was then known as British Malaya, now known as Malaysia.

“The poor and the hungry came from China to British Malaya way back in the 19th and 20th centuries. My paternal grandfather died, but my paternal grandmother brought up probably nine or ten children – I can’t remember, I think a couple died – so she taught her children, like my father, to make wooden clogs. Wooden clogs making was one of the specialised trades of the Hakka people of China. The Hakka people were and still are the gypsies of China,” Moni says.

In 1963, Moni arrived in Australia to attend university.

“My Chinese name is Lai Suan Tin. The Immigration Department pre-arranged accommodation for me and put me in the YMCA. So when this young man was sent to meet me at Essendon airport to take me to the YMCA , he was stunned to see a little 19-year-old girl with a Jackie Kennedy hairstyle and in a cheongsam [a figure-hugging traditional Chinese dress with side slits]. I said, ‘Do I look like a boy?’ And then, from afar, I saw my cousin with two of his friends coming towards me, so I told the young man to go: ‘Don’t worry, my cousin will take care of me.’ The Aussie boy was so relieved and scuttled away!”

And there began Moni’s life in Australia and her academic career.

But how on Earth did such a woman,

Dr Moni Lai Storz is an unconventional nut farmer in Buxton with an interesting backstory.

now on the cusp of 80 years old, end up with a hazelnut farm in Buxton?

The name of the farm holds a clue: Hans is Moni’s late husband, and it was his passing after 42 years of marriage that prompted her to buy the farm. A decision that she says took a matter of minutes.

“In 1997, I resigned from Monash as a lecturer and ran my cross-cultural consultancy full time. Three years later, my husband, who was a doctor (a radiologist) walked in and said, ‘I’ve got cancer, and I’ll be dead in 18 months.’ He died in exactly 18 months, just as he predicted, before his 60th birthday.

“When we were first married and throughout our marriage, he had told that he had always wanted a farm because his happiest memories were on a farm as a boy in Sydney. Then 18 years after he died – it took me a while – I was driving around, and I thought it was about time. Then one day, I just found this farm, I walked in, I saw the roses, and the roses have a lovely story for me. My mother’s name was Rose because she was the first girl to ride a bicycle in her little town in British Malaya in the 1930s. The night that Hans died I was fiddling with a rose in a vase. His bed was behind me as I was re-arranging the rose on a table. I turned around and

noticed that he had stopped breathing. Roses meant a lot to me. So I bought this farm in ten minutes.”

For Moni, the farm is her “personal hobby farm” and “sanctuary”; she doesn’t consider it a business. But that hasn’t stopped her efforts to return the orchard – around 2,000 trees on 23 acres – to its former glory after it fell into disrepair during the covid lockdowns. With support from the local people in Buxton and a megaphone to scare off the cockies, there has been steady progress over the last 18 months. Whether or not you see any of the farm’s hazelnuts, chestnuts or black walnuts for sale locally this autumn will be

The eye-catching sign out the front of Moni’s farm, featuring her smiling face alongside that of her late husband, Hans.

dictated by many factors, including the efficacy of the megaphone. Moni seems happy to go with the farm flow.

“It will depend on how many nuts we’ve got! It’s kind of very casual – if it was a real business, I’d be too stressed out,” Moni says.

Moni, whose gregarious nature is immediately apparent, also seems happy to have visitors to show around and engage in lively conversations. However, her approach to farmgate operations diverges from the seasonal

an activity that is punctuated with frequent stops to yell and wave her

pick-your-own openings offered by the previous owners. While Moni has a few private groups she has “inherited” come for pre-booked day trips to the orchard during summer, visits for other members of the public happen more informally. If you get in touch with Moni on Facebook and she takes a shine to you, you might just get invited to the farm.

“Guests are by invitation at the moment. Because I have the Facebook Page, you can contact me if you want to get hazelnuts or hazelnut seedlings. ”

If you do have the pleasure of visiting Hans Hazelnut Farm, there is much more than hazelnuts to harvest. Moni has cultivated in herself a rich diversity of knowledge and experiences. So be sure to pack a bag for the nuts and an active, curious mind to stock up with food for thought.

To get in touch with Moni, search for “Hans Hazelnuts Farm” on Facebook or text her on 0419 367 261. Moni’s books can be found on the Australasian Centre of Chinese Studies website at www.accschinese.com

FLOWERS + HOMEWARES + COFFEE

7 Station Street, Yea Vic 3717

linda@mcauliffe.net.au | 0412322419

flori e casa

Wed-Fri 10am-4pm | Sat-Sun 10am-3pm

COFFEE BAR Toby’s Estate tea & coffee, biscuits, cakes all made inhouse FRESH FLOWERS direct from local growers

GIFT LINES Commonfolk, Lillydale, Southern Wild Co & Queen Bee candles Huxter, Quail Ceramics, Anna’s Liberty, Lovely Linen, Bell Art, Bespoke Letterpress, 2Duck Market Baskets, Yummy You

ECLECTIC COLLECTION of vintage, basket ware, crockery, glassware, artwork CARDS AND BABY PRODUCTS old, new and locally made with love

Moni walking through a section of chestnut trees in the orchard –

hat at the cockies who are eating her crops.

by Carol Hopkins

Witnessing a giant bird effortlessly soaring, dipping and circling high in the sky is an awesome sight. While many birds of prey perform these feats, it’s the wedgetailed eagle, with an average wingspan of two metres and a body length of one metre, that really stands out. It is a fearless defender of its airspace, attacking not only other birds but intruders such as model aeroplanes, drones, hang gliders and even light aircraft. This, coupled with the fact that it can soar to an altitude of

two kilometres and stay in the air for up to 90 minutes at a time, makes this bird an undisputed “ruler of the skies”.

The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey found in Australia with females being, on average, a third larger than males. This disparity in size between the sexes is typical for birds of prey. The adults have dark brown to black plumage, prominent shoulders, massive beaks, bare skin around their faces, wedge-shaped tails, pale-yellow feet and fullyfeathered legs that look a bit like baggy trousers. Males

The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey in Australia. Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Wedge-tailed eagle in flight with distinctive diamond-shaped tail. Photo: Ed Dunens, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons and females have similar plumage.

Wedge-tailed eagles can be found throughout Australia and are comfortable in a wide range of habitats including grasslands, heathlands, woodlands and both temperate and tropical forests. Adult birds tend to remain in the same area for much of their lives, only moving large distances in response to climatic events such as drought or heavy snow. Juveniles, however, may typically travel 200 kilometres or more to establish their own territory. While it’s easy to see these massive birds, it’s unlikely that you will hear them. Apart from during the breeding season, wedgetailed eagles are largely silent. When they do call, it’s usually near the nest or during aerial displays and their high, thin whistles are not easily heard.

Wedge-tailed eagles mate

for life. Breeding pairs collaborate to build a nest, although the female tends to do most of the work. The nest is a large platform or pile of sticks, which is then lined with green leaves. Over time, the birds add more sticks to the structure. With these repeated additions, their nests can grow to two metres across and up to four metres deep and can weigh a staggering 400 kilograms. They are so big, other birds such as finches and pardalotes sometimes make their own nests at the base of the structure, presumably because they believe the eagles will give them some protection from predators.

Nests are most commonly built high up in a tree with a good view of the surrounding landscape. Where tall trees are not available, the eagles will use cliff edges or rocky outcrops. Often the eagles will build more than one nest – up

to two or three in the same territory – although they generally return to the same nest each year unless it is disturbed for some reason. Breeding wedge-tails are easily upset by human activity and so, if you see a nest, don’t go near it as you may cause the birds to abandon their chicks.

Wedge-tailed eagles usually lay two eggs, which the female, and occasionally the male, incubate for six to eight weeks. Typically, only one chick survives and remains in the nest for just under three months before it is able to fly. Once fledged, it can take a further four to six months for the young eagle to become fully independent. So, parenthood for wedge-tailed eagles is a rather drawn-out affair.

To feed their chicks and, of course, themselves, wedgetailed eagles hunt a wide variety of prey with over 200

species being recorded on their menus. Small mammals, especially rabbits, are a firm favourite, typically making up 61% of their diet, while birds comprise 22% and lizards 13% of the food they eat. Insects and the occasional fish make up the rest. Almost all their prey is taken from the ground where it is grabbed by a pounce or a snatch after a long, gliding flight. From time to time, eagles may also take possums and birds from the tree canopy. Roadkill is another important source of sustenance, and it is not uncommon to see several eagles all dining at once on the carcass of an unfortunate kangaroo. Eagles can gorge up to one-and-a-half kilograms at a sitting, and this may keep them going for weeks before they need to hunt again.

The wedge-tailed eagle is now fully protected in all states and territories.

Close-up showing the eagle’s massive beak and bald face. Photo: Elbert Alias, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via

Sadly, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, from the late 1880s until the mid-1900s, these magnificent birds were actively persecuted, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia, in the erroneous belief that they were having a dire impact on the sheep population. Between 1929 and 1934, laws were passed in Queensland, making it mandatory for landowners and farmers to kill wedgetailed eagles. Later, bounties were offered in Queensland and Western Australia for the carcasses of these birds. These disastrous practices resulted in tens of thousands of wedge-tailed eagles being killed each year. Subsequent research by the CSIRO has shown that the rationale for this persecution was entirely unfounded as sheep meat accounts for less than 9% of the eagles’ diet, and most of this comes from dead or dying animals, meaning the wedge-tailed eagle has little impact on the sheep industry as a whole.

Despite this relentless persecution, the wedgetailed eagle has survived, and its population is now regarded as stable. The current threats to the bird are mostly from land clearing, eating rabbits poisoned with Pindone, collision with fences and overhead wires, and being hit by motor vehicles, especially when they are feeding on roadkill. However, some illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning of eagles still occurs, and if you suspect any illegal activity you are urged to contact the DELWP Customer Contact Centre on 136 186. This impressive and resilient bird deserves our protection so that it can go on ruling our skies for all time.

Road kill is an important source of food for wedge-tailed eagles. Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wedge-tailed eagle’s nest made of sticks. Photo: Poyt448 Peter Woodard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Emily Friedel

There is something magical about wandering through the garden on a sunny day and having the perfume of sweet peas waft into your nostrils. Their bountiful blooms are also a treat for the eyes, both outdoors and indoors, and they support garden health by attracting beneficial bugs and fixing nitrogen in the soil. What’s more, sweet peas are wonderfully easy to grow, making them perfect for any gardener who wants a splash of colour, a cutflower crop, or a garden that smells as good as it looks – or all three.

Planting sweet peas in autumn gives you a head start in spring, bringing the joy of early flowers while the rest of your garden wakes up from its winter slumber. So now is a fantastic time to start planning your sensational spring sweet pea display.

You can sow sweet peas direct in autumn – they are frost hardy and will survive the winter outside. However, my preferred method is to start seedlings in pots and overwinter them in a greenhouse or cold frame. This method gives me more control over the outcome; I don’t have to worry about a particularly wet and cold winter (sweet peas don’t like this weather combo),

nor do I have to worry about freshly emerged seedlings being mowed down by slugs and snails in the garden. Even if you sow direct in autumn, it pays to start seedlings in pots as an insurance policy or for a later planting.

Here is a quick guide to getting your sweet peas started in pots this autumn:

Seed selection

There are many stunning sweet pea varieties to choose from – stripey ones, frilly ones, large-flowered ones, and an enormous array of colours. There are even dwarf varieties such as ‘Bijou’ that don’t require staking and grow beautifully in pots, hanging baskets or as a groundcover.

If you specifically want cut flowers, look for varieties with longer stems. Some showy cultivars have lost the distinctive sweet pea fragrance, so it pays to check the variety information if you’re after a scented crop. There are also short day/ early flowering varieties available, which are ideal if you want to get the earliest possible blooms from your autumn sowing.

Pots

Sweet peas like to put out a long tap root, so tall pots are best. Forestry tube pots are great as they encourage

downward root growth, promoting a healthier root system. It’s worth asking around to see if you can find someone who has some leftover forestry tubes after tree planting.

Fill your pots with any decent seed raising mix, and you’re ready to start sowing!

Sowing

In the Murrindindi Shire, March is a good time to sow your sweet peas, allowing them to take advantage of the last of the mild weather. Many people choose St Patrick’s day (17 March) as their sweet pea sowing date.

Sow your sweet pea seeds about 2cm deep. Sweet peas generally have high germination rates, so two seeds per small pot should do the job. In a standard 50mm diameter forestry tube, you can plant a seed in each of two corners and keep them both if they germinate. After sowing, water them in well.

You can soak your sweet peas in water or seaweed solution overnight before planting to speed up germination, but it’s not essential. Some gardeners swear by soaking, but others aren’t fans. So you can try both soaking and planting dry seeds to see what works best for

you. If you soak the seeds, only water when they start germinating or if the top couple of centimetres of potting mix dries out completely. Keep your pots in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame and water sparingly to keep the potting mix damp but not soggy. You should see little green shoots poking up within a week or two.

Seedling care

Sweet pea seedlings grow slowly during the cold weather. Don’t be disheartened by this; they are likely putting their energy into growing strong root systems rather than lots of stems and leaves. When they have developed two sets of leaves, you can pinch out the growing tip emerging between the top set of leaves for bushier plants. Watering with seaweed solution every couple of weeks will assist with keeping seedlings healthy.

The winter waiting game

While you wait for your sweet peas to grow over winter, you can plan how they will fit into your garden. They’re climbing plants so will need something to latch onto, giving you an opportunity to get creative and make a growing frame that will become a living sculpture once it’s covered in sweet peas. Other options for sweet pea support include tall, sturdy-stemmed plants such as corn or sunflowers, or existing structures in the garden such as fences or furniture.

Stay tuned for the spring Murrindindi Guide issue, which will have tips on planting out your sweet peas and making the most of your autumn labour to get masses of flowers.

CycleDindi continues to grow after the field in 2022 was the best ever and will return for a seventh time in eight years (having missed out in 2020 due to Covid) on Saturday 1 April 2023. CycleDindi will again showcase the wonderfully scenic Great Victorian Rail Trail through the Shires of Murrindindi and Mansfield.

Organised by the Rotary Clubs of Yea and Alexandra with assistance from the Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, CycleDindi 23 is a fully supported, family-friendly bicycle ride that starts at either Alexandra, Merton or Yea depending on what distance the rider wishes to do and which starting location is easier to access. There are numerous choices of endpoints, too, so you can choose the ride that best suits you.

Pricing is the same as last year, with all adults $45 and all seniors $35,

regardless of the ride undertaken. School-age children remain just $10 with group discounts available on request. Lunch is provided in the entry fee and is by the Goulburn River on a private property at Cathkin – riders always enjoy this scenic and peaceful location. There will again be a coffee van on site for you to purchase your caffeine fix and delicious hot damper to sample. Gentle gradients along much of the route make it suitable for most ages and fitness levels and the trail is a beautiful journey, traversing rolling hills with stunning views and including a ride through the historic Cheviot Tunnel.

There is fun to be had in the shearing shed on Nutfield, a working farm right on the Rail Trail route. View sheep dogs at work and enjoy a delicious homemade Devonshire tea. This has been a feature of all CycleDindi rides to date

and has proven to be exceptionally popular with all riders. For those not riding but supporting riders, there is the Yea Market to enjoy. Registration is at the Yea Market and non-riders are welcome to visit Nutfield for morning tea and join in at lunch, both for a modest cost. Directions available at Yea registration desk or email cycledindi23@gmail.com

CycleDindi 23 is a major fundraiser to support a variety of youth programs in the communities of Yea, Alexandra and Mansfield.

Entry forms are available at Rotary websites www.yearotary.org.au or www.rotaryalexandra.org.au and follow CycleDindi 23 updates on Facebook. Queries to cycledindi23@gmail.com and bookings via direct deposit or through https://www.trybooking.com/CEHBV

Shelters: beside the Goulburn River between Tallarook and Goulburn Valley Highway, Goulburn River near Kerrisdale, Cheviot Tunnel, Eglington Cutting, Merton Gap, Woodfield Station and Olivers Road Mansfield.

BBQs available at Tallarook, Yea, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield.

Public toilets as indicated on map and also located at Tallarook, Yea, Yarck, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield.

Books At Yarck 9

Pre-loved, affordably priced books and magazines which you can peruse at your leisure in a comfortable reading area

Mon 11.30am-3pm, Tues & Wed by chance or appointment

Thurs and Fri 11.30am-4pm Sat and Sun 10.30am-5pm

BIKE HIRE

• E-BIKE $85 per day• HYBRID BIKE $50 per day

Autumn Hours Mon-Fri: 9.30am-5pm Sat & Sun: 10am-2pm

12

ALEXANDRA MUSEUM

Start and end your rail trail experience at the Timber Tramway. Train rides, kids’ activities and refreshments

Station Street, Alexandra

Open 2nd & 4th Sunday 10am to 4pm Group bookings welcome Alexandra Market 2nd Saturday of each month Ph 0427 509 988

www.alexandratramway.org.au

Goods from Near and Far The ideal spot for preloved and recycled wares Tue-Sat 10am-3pm

21 William Street, Alexandra 0417 179 313

• 20 powered • 50 unpowered sites available for caravans, campers and motorhomes in a quiet location great for rest and relaxation

• Toilets • Showers • Laundry • Drinking water • Dump point • Power hookups

• Children’s playground • Pet friendly

Downey Street (Maroondah Hwy) Ph 03 5772 2077

16 comfortable units, including family rooms, interconnecting suites with queen size beds. Each unit has en suite, reverse cycle airconditioning, large plasma TV, tea and coffee making facilities, toaster, microwave, refrigerator, wireless internet available. Lawned courtyard, BBQ and children’s play area, big boat parking, solar-heated salt water swimming pool

Anglicans at Mission in Partnership with Anglicare

A charity bicycle event along the Great Victorian Rail Trail centred on Yea and Alexandra. A choice of 3 starting points, converging on the banks of the Goulburn River at Cathkin for lunch

10 minutes from Mansfield

DISTANCE

Mer ton to Yea (return) 93 kms

Mer ton to Cathkin (return) 51 kms

Yea to Cathkin (return) 42 kms

Yea to Alexandra (return) 68 kms

Alexandra to Yea (return) 68 kms

Alexandra to Cathkin (return) 26 kms

• Adult $45 • Senior $35

• Student $10

• Under school age free

• SNR – relevent Seniors’ card

• Group discount available on request https://www.trybooking.com/CEHBV

INCLUDES • Billy tea, damper and BBQ lunch at Cathkin • Free admission to Nutfield a working farm, with free Devonshire Tea in the shearing shed, sheep dog demonstration and trailer ride.

CONTACT Melinda (Alexandra) 0418 378 806 Julie (Yea) 0447 762 557 or Ross (Mansfield) 0439 046 199 cycledindi23@gmail.com www.rotaryalexandra.org.au www.yearotary.org.au

Clubs of Alexandra and Yea

Yea to Merton (return) 93 kms

By Emily Friedel

The Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk, Myrtle Gully Circuit, and Tanglefoot Loop are three walking trails in the Toolangi State Forest. These trails vary in difficulty and link up to one another, so they can be mixed and matched to suit your fitness level, mobility requirements, and time constraints. All three trails showcase Toolangi’s stunning forests and allow you to immerse yourself in their lush greenery. You also have a good chance of seeing some of the area’s diverse fauna on any one of the three trails. Toolangi State Forest is also welcoming of dogs (on-lead) if you want to bring yours along for some fresh air and exercise.

Getting there

The Wirrawilla Rainforest carpark and the Tanglefoot picnic area carpark are the two starting points for these bushwalks. Both are accessed via Sylvia Creek Road – a gravel road that intersects with Myers Creek Road, which runs between Healesville and Toolangi. Signage to the carparks is clear, making them easy to find.

Sylvia Creek Road is fine for 2WD vehicles, but there are some areas with lots of potholes that are hard to see until you’re on top of them, so best to take it easy, especially if your car is small or low to the ground.

Both carparks have toilets, but you may want to take your own toilet paper to be on the safe side.

Photo page 43: A curious yellow-tailed black cockatoo, which followed me for a while on my hike.

Above: An old wooden boardwalk on the Myrtle Gully Circuit. Left: In lower areas of the Myrtle Gully Circuit and Tanglefoot Loop, you will find beautiful moss gardens.

Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk

1km (approx. 20 – 40 mins). If you’re only doing this walk, start at the Wirrawilla Rainforest carpark.

This is the shortest, easiest (Level 2), and most accessible of the three trails. This trail takes you via boardwalk over rivers and through gnarled myrtle beech trees covered in moss, ferns, and fungi. The metal boardwalk is wide and has good grip even when wet, making it suitable for people with young children or mobility restrictions (it is wheelchair accessible).

Myrtle Gully Circuit

8km (approx. 2 – 3 hrs) if you’re starting from the Wirrawilla carpark or 10km (approx. 2.5 – 3.5 hrs) if starting from the Tanglefoot picnic area. Note that the sign at the Tanglefoot picnic area seems to be incorrect, indicating the Myrtle Gully Loop is 8km from that starting point.

The Myrtle Gully Circuit is a moderately difficult (Level 3) hike on a formed trail that takes you through forests dominated by mountain ash and ferns. The track is well-marked and easy to follow. However, there are a couple of creek crossings where you have to hop across rocks or logs, and after rain some areas of the track become little streams that require you to negotiate along the edges if you don’t want wet feet. It can also be quite muddy in some places and slippery in others when wet. There may be fallen trees to climb over and sections that are a bit overgrown. Signs describe the Myrtle Gully Circuit as ‘steep’, but the ups and downs throughout

Above: Dead tree trunks become living sculptures in the Wirrawilla Rainforest.

Right: Interesting fungi abound on all three Toolangi trails.

are relatively gentle and may be better characterised as ‘undulating’.

Tanglefoot Loop

10km (approx. 2.5 – 3.5 hrs) from the Wirrawilla carpark or 12km (approx. 3.5 – 4.5 hrs) from the Tanglefoot picnic area.

The Tanglefoot Loop is the most difficult of all the trails (Level 4), but only because it’s a bit steeper than the Myrtle Gully Circuit. This trail overlaps with the Myrtle Gully Circuit, then takes you up to Monda Road and back down again. Like the Myrtle Gully Circuit, there are sections of the Tanglefoot Loop that can get very wet and muddy after rain. There are also a couple of creek crossings and a few bridges, with two of the bridges being old, wooden, and slippery when wet. The trail is mostly easy to follow, but there are a couple of forks on one section that aren’t clearly marked and may be confusing. If you do this section coming down from Monda Road, stick to the left at the forks and you’ll be fine (if you’re going up to Monda Road, stick to the right).

When you reach Monda Road, you can head right (west) and take an optional detour up to the Mt St Leonard lookout via Road 10. This will add roughly 3km (1 – 1.5 hours) to the Tanglefoot Loop. Also note that Road 10 is in the Yarra Ranges National Park, so no dogs allowed.

Tips

If it’s been raining recently, waterproof footwear or a change of shoes and socks would be wise. Leeches abound when it’s damp too, so long socks or stockings may be helpful to stop them from latching on. In warmer weather, you may see snakes along the tracks, so tread carefully and keep an eye out.

Gaia GPS is a free GPS app for your phone that doesn’t require phone reception to work. You can do a search for any of the three trails mentioned here and you will get a map showing the trails and how they link up, so you can plan your route and check where you are during the hike.

Left: Towering trees on the Tanglefoot Loop.

Perfectly located in the centre of Marysville, on the Steavensons River, with a range of accommodation options to suit everyone.

By Craig Parker

Autumn is the best time to fish with cooler mornings but still nice mild days to enjoy the local rivers, lakes and streams. The native fish species, yellow belly and Murry cod, will be feeding up for storage during the colder autumn months while brown and rainbow trout will be on the move towards breeding areas.

Lake Eildon is looking fantastic at 98.3% at time of writing with the good chance of filling up more with autumn rain. This amount of water provides some excellent fishing all over the lake for both land based and boat fishing. The shallow areas of the lake being Bonnie Doon, Delatite Arm, Howqua Inlet, Mac’s Cove, Goughs Bay and Jerusalem Creek are great areas to land base fish from and these can easily be accessed by boat with boat ramps in full use all around the lake. Big River camping areas are also experiencing some great fishing with the high water level, with small watercraft being able to be launched at Burnt Bridge.

Water temperatures will slowly begin

to drop which will see the trout, that have gone down into deeper water over the summer months, begin to be more active on the surface and these fish can be caught by floating a worm, small yabbies or mudeye under a float from your houseboat, boat or bank. Slowly trolling Tassie devil lures in pink, white and green colours always seems to work well, and it is a very relaxing method of fishing while you are taking in the beautiful sights of our great lake. Using lead core line, paravanes and trolling weights to help get deeper will also help.

The main arm past the power lines and down to Big River is a real hot spot to try for a trout, with fish from 30-40cm being very common, and the odd bigger fish will be cruising around ready to make an opportunity for an easy feed.

Yellow belly and redfin will be found in amongst the timber in 5 to 15 metres of water and baiting with yabbies and worms along with soft plastics, metal vibes, bobbers and jigs will produce some excellent fishing. If it’s not your style of fishing by sitting and waiting for

a bite, then trolling this depth with small diving lures around the lake is another great method.

Murray cod are the supreme target species in the lake and bait fishing off the boat is one of the most productive ways to catch these huge fish that are becoming more frequently caught over the prized 1 metre. Chicken fillet cut into strips, cubes of cheese, left over barbecue, yabbies and worms will always be on the menu for an easy meal. Trolling large diving lures, casting out large plastic swim baits, spinner baits, vibes and surface lures in the coves around the lake are all productive methods.

The Goulburn River and the adjoining streams and creeks will be fantastic fishing for both brown and rainbow trout, with the help of the loss of fish from a trout hatchery due to the October floods, which have and will produce rainbow trout to over 2kg. Power bait, worms, spinners small shallow divers and all types of flies will all work. Happy fishing from Eildon Bait and Tackle.

By Kim Croxford

When I was growing up, mornings in autumn meant waiting for the mist to rise. If you stepped outside early, you’d be lucky to see further than a few metres in front of you. But the fog would eventually uncloak the mountains and reveal the valley below my childhood home. Living here again as an adult, after a long absence in Melbourne, I often sit watching Nanadhong emerge into glistening morning sunlight. The Cathedral peak is always the first place in the Shire to shake the mist. Murrindindi Shire – Murrumdoorandi in Taungurung language – the place of mists and mountains.

The mountain ranges in our shire are magical landscapes featuring cascading waterfalls, tree ferns, and a large distribution of mountain ash forests – an ecosystem that stores more carbon1 than any other forest in the world. What pulled me home from the city were my memories of exploring the Rubicon forest. I missed jumping into the cold river, horse riding through the ranges, and camping trips where owl calls populate the night and bright red-and-green king parrots greet you at dawn. The wonder I experienced in the bush as a kid nurtured my love of biodiversity. But in just over a decade, the Rubicon has been transformed by clearfell, industrial logging.

Forestry has a long history in the area, but since the 1980s, both the ecological integrity of our forests and the stability of the industry have been rapidly declining. The problem is not local harvesting contractors (most of whom love the bush) or local foresters who entered the field because of an interest in environmental management. The problem

Kim and friends at Rubicon River swimming hole.

is systems that value corporate profit and the production of cheap products over a care-based, reciprocal relationship between people and the land.

In 2019, the state government announced an end to native forestry by 2030 and local affected businesses were encouraged to plan according to this timeline. But the timeline was designed to satisfy a supply agreement with a billiondollar paper company2, not for the wellbeing of transitioning workers or forests and wildlife. Native forestry is much more likely to end within the next couple of years3. Many workers have already left the community, denied government support that is yet to come into full effect4. Others are currently in limbo and impacted by the ongoing uncertainty. By prioritising the interests of corporations over people and the environment, the government has left regional communities like ours in the lurch. The transition is happening now. People are more to their communities than what they currently do for a job. We are one another’s family, friends, and social support systems. Many people also contribute by volunteering at care organisations or using heavy machinery to respond to disasters. No one should be forced to leave their hometown or travel long distances. Everyone deserves meaningful, local work that values their particular skill set. It’s in our common interest to keep local contractors in the area and make sure our small towns include people with a diversity of skills – and it’s our responsibility as a community to make sure no one is left unsupported in times of change. But we need to acknowledge that we are living in a significant time of

2 https://tinyurl.com/woodpulpact1996

3 https://tinyurl.com/papermillcouldendlogging

4 vic.gov.au/forestry

The endangered Greater Glider, another local that lives alongside us. Photo courtesy Justin Cally.

Nanadhong (The Cathedral). Photo courtesy Chris Weeks.

change. Biodiversity is declining, climate impacts are hitting us now, and we will likely experience more floods, fires, storms, and even food shortages over the next decade. The climate and ecological crises are impressing upon us the urgent necessity to rebalance our relationship with the environment. We have an opportunity to make sure our solutions address the problem and build community resilience to these impacts.

I admire the strong culture of care in our shire. Locals look after locals. We know our neighbours, offer favours, share resources, care for elders and kids, repair infrastructure, and greet each other by name on the street. We’re good at turning crisis into cooperation, as we’ve just witnessed during the 2022 floods. Murrindindi could anchor this forestry transition in our existing care for our community – and extend that care to the land we live on.

Our region’s history is intimately tied to its peoples’ relationship to land: First Nations, foresters, and farmers. How we interact with land now is the key to our wellbeing and resilience. I imagine a future for our community where our livelihoods centre on caring for our local landscapes, rather than just extracting and exporting resources from them.

I know that everyone living here loves the bush. A fair transition would create jobs and ways of life that allow us to care for one another and our environment, while respecting and validating everyone’s skills, history, and connection to this place.

Connecting to the little things that make our beautiful region special can offer us so much joy. Native chocolate lily at McKenzies Reserve.

Rubicon State Forest. Photo courtesy Chris Weeks.

Taungurung people could be proud as the rightful, sovereign custodians of this land. Respecting the cultural knowledge that supported people for thousands of years could make the land more resilient to fires and floods, create landcare jobs, and give both locals and visitors to Murrindindi the opportunity to learn about one of the oldest cultures in the world.

Loggers could remain proud of their history and continue to work in the bush, by keeping bush tracks maintained and safe for everyone to explore. Contractors who currently employ their knowledge of the terrain and experience operating machinery on slopes to fight fires, clean up after storms, and dig culverts during floods could be awarded highly paid, reliable emergency resilience jobs that protect the community and biodiversity. Older machine operators could teach young people these specialised skills.

Roading contractors could be relied upon to address drainage and maintenance work in our towns and make them more liveable, accessible and beautiful. Other field contractors could be offered secure work collecting seed for ecosystem regeneration, or survey and monitor the incredible plants and wildlife that lives alongside us.

Local foresters could harness their knowledge by helping to develop, make feasible, and maintain a network of farm forestry/agroforestry projects in the area (for local timber, food, fibre, seed banks, firewood, and carbon sequestration). Local tertiary schools in silviculture could facilitate these skilled people to train the next generation of forestry families in soil testing, planting, thinning, harvesting, and sawmilling (using portable, worker-owned mills) to keep the benefits of working with timber in our local region.

Farming families could remain proud of their agricultural heritage – and contribute to our whole community’s climate resilience – by pairing with young regenerative farmers who have the desire to produce local fresh food but have no access to land. This could grow affordable, healthy, locally-sourced food that would be available in times of crisis.

Intergenerational land sharing and skill sharing could be beneficial on a deeper level than job creation. It could help our ageing population, some of whom are isolated on farms, enjoy mentorship opportunities, support, and friendship. It could create affordable housing for younger people, who are currently forced out of the region due to scarce rentals. By designing community housing centred around regenerative farming or bush restoration, we could preserve the region’s rural character, while allowing people of all ages to stay in the area and staff our pubs, teach in our schools, create art and run community services. Work and housing structures that provide jobs and other kinds of support at the same time would build resilience to climate change and allow us to continue to do what we do best – care for our communities.

This piece is an exercise in imagination. I can only speak from my personal perspective, based on what I’ve learnt so far. My background is writing and working at environmental not-for-profits. I cannot speak for the Taungurung people, foresters, contractors, farmers, or anyone else I’ve mentioned in this piece. I know that conservationists, foresters, and farmers all have so much to teach me – and one another –about their experiences interacting with the land. All of us settler Australians have so much to learn from Taungurung custodians.

I don’t have all the answers. But I believe that we do. Local people should be the ones to determine the way forward, not distant bureaucracies or corporate lobbyists. If we are able to come together and share our lived experiences, I believe we can create opportunities built on the dignity and inclusion of all of our people and grounded in a deep connection to this place we all love.

This is an invitation to come together. Reach out: 0417 547 433.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Murrindindi Guide editorial team.

Denise Holschier

Remedial Massage Therapist

0409 814 344

d.holschier@bigpond.com

78 Grant Street, Alexandra

Massage for the mind, body & soul

1 hour customised massage $80 or 45 minutes for $60

Holistic blend of remedial, relaxation, myofascial release, trigger point therapy.

0427 216 724

11 Main Street Eildon

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• Manicure & Pedicure (BioSculpture & Dip Powder)

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• Waxing Specialists

• Spray Tanning

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jessicas.sheer.beauty@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/JSheerBeauty

Libby Gobbart

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

B.App.Sc.

(Physiotherapy)

APAM, Cred MDT

54A Downey St

Alexandra

Ph 03 5772 2649

alexphysio@aapt.net.au

999

Covering all aspects of podiatric care including: general foot care, diabetes, high risk foot, musculoskeletal including foot pain and biomechanics, orthotic therapy, footwear and paediatrics

Kelly Wilsmore is a local, community-based practitioner. Co-manages with Ophthalmologists.

• Fully equipped • Fully qualified

P: 0438 527 455

96 High Street Yea

Empathy, Compassion, Respect

McCormack Funerals incorporating Bamford’s Murrindindi is one of the longest established funeral businesses servicing the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires. McCormack Funerals has been an integral part of the community guiding and supporting families during the difficult time of organising a funeral. Please feel free to contact Andrew or Brooke at any time or feel free to call into our Mansfield or Alexandra chapels for a cuppa if you would like to discuss a pre-paid funeral plan.

Shop 2 / 2 Bakers Lane Alexandra 0439 205

By Emily Friedel

In the 17th and 18th centuries, psychiatric patients sometimes found themselves subject to “treatment” using the ominously named “bath of surprise”. This contraption had a moveable floor that could be pulled out from under the patient, plunging them unexpectedly into ice-cold water. Proponents thought that the shock of sudden cold water immersion was an effective means of calming agitation. While such a practice would now be deemed cruel and ethically unacceptable, it opened the door to using water to treat mental illness. Hydrotherapy has been used in one form or another to address maladies of the mind ever since the bad old bathof-surprise days. Recently, cold-water therapy in particular has garnered attention for its potential to improve mood and psychological wellbeing. Don’t worry, though – unlike the bath of surprise, contemporary methods are entirely voluntary and practised willingly.

A case study published in the British Journal of Medicine in 2018 described a trial cold-water treatment for a patient with longstanding symptoms of major depressive disorder. The patient, a 24-year-old woman, had been on antidepressants since she was 17 and desired to be medication-free, expressing a dislike for the unpleasant side effects. She had also found that psychotherapy had not improved her

symptoms. Her hydrotherapy treatment regimen involved cold, open-water swimming once or twice a week for six months. At the end of the six months, her symptoms had reduced substantially – to the point where she no longer required medication. A year later, she was still medication-free.

The researchers suggested this dramatic transformation may have been due in part to a process of cross-adaptation; the physiological demands of adapting to cold water may teach the body how to cope with psychological stress better. Although this proposal is yet to be scientifically supported, crossadaptation does occur with other types of stressors. For example, research has shown that getting the body used to coping with hot temperatures improves its ability to deal with reduced oxygen levels at altitude.

While the case study’s findings should be read cautiously because they are based on a single person’s experiences, there is other evidence that cold water may be good for mental health. Another study published in Lifestyle Medicine in 2020 investigated the effects of cold open-water swimming on 61 novices, comparing them to a control group of 22 who watched from the shore. The swimming group had significantly greater increases in positive moods and reductions in negative moods relative to the control group.

Combined, these two studies hint that cold water swimming has promise for

mood-boosting, but it is still difficult to pinpoint whether cold water itself is the magic ingredient. It is possible that the mood improvements were placebo effects. Or exercising outdoors could be a contributing factor. Perhaps it’s a combination of several related factors. However, some research shows that cold water immersion directly affects brain chemistry, including levels of neurotransmitters implicated in mood. A study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology in 2000 found that an hour’s immersion up to the neck in 14°C water increased dopamine by 250% and noradrenaline by 530%. Deficiencies in both these neurotransmitters are associated with depression.

Of course, there is also a mountain of anecdotal evidence that taking a dip in cold water is invigorating and a sure-fire way to perk up the mind. Unsurprisingly, some scientists who study the effects of cold water admit to regularly dunking themselves in it or partaking in daily icy showers, swearing by the benefits.

The small amount currently known may be just the tip of an iceberg sitting in some cold open water. Whether cold water immersion is the panacea some claim it to be and exactly how it affects psychological wellbeing need further investigation. However, the possibilities are certainly appealing – as long as there’s no “surprise” involved – given that cold water is readily accessible and cheap, if not free. Fancy a dip, anyone?

Mon to Fri from 9am-5.30pm & Sat from 9am-12.30pm 101 Grant Street, Alexandra

For After Hour Emergencies Only: Cinoj Thomas – 5772 3060

Ian Davis – 5772 2185 or 0409 354 782

Visit www.alexandrapharmacy.com.au for a full list of products & services provided or call 5772 2153 to speak to our trained staff

Alexandra: 0491 641 474

Mansfield: 0491 641 474

WE OFFER BULKBILLED EYE EXAMINATIONS

Alexandra Optical 106 Grant St Alexandra

Wednesday: 9am-5pm or by appointment

Mansfield Optical 30c High St Mansfield

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9am-5pm or by appointment

The Photo Lab within the Alexandra Community Pharmacy has a state of the art digital kiosks.

Mary uses a range of creative activities to help people explore and express their inner world. Below: an example of Mary’s work called Emergent remembering: silk scarf, 2020.

by Carol Hopkins

There is no doubt that creative pursuits, such as painting, sculpting, dancing, music and writing, give people immense pleasure, enabling them to develop skills, express themselves and generally have fun. However, it may surprise you to learn that the arts can also be used for a more serious purpose – helping people to overcome psychological difficulties. This area of practice is known as art therapy.

Mary White has been an art therapist, as well as a family therapist, for many years. Where appropriate, Mary uses a range of creative activities to help people safely explore and express their inner world and, in the process, gain a better understanding of themselves and their situation.

As Mary explains, “You don’t need to be artistic to engage in problem-solving in a different way. Exploring difficult or complex problems or feelings is never easy. For some people, creative activities, in conjunction with psychotherapy, provide an effective tool for accessing those things that are not known

Mary believes that every client knows, at some level, exactly what they need to heal, grow and overcome what’s holding them back. Art, writing, music, dance, drama and even playing in sand trays can help them uncover this knowledge and use it to attain better mental, physical and spiritual health.

Throughout this process, Mary emphasises that her clients are in control. “Clients go as far as they want to go, which is monitored by me to ensure that the process is safe and ethical. I am a co-companion with them on their journey. In consultation, there is a beginning and end point to all therapy, which is evaluated regularly to ensure the client is getting the best out of the therapy.”

Mary sees art therapy as a process of enquiry, of exploration. “It’s about allowing what needs to be known to arrive for the client with encouragement to pause and reflect by asking ‘What are you observing, what are you experiencing and where do you want to go from here?”

In guiding clients through this process, Mary uses her considerable knowledge and

Above: Standing tall: photographic collage, 2014. Below: Si: mixed media, plants, sand, acrylic, 2018. or not able to be expressed in a conventional way.”

experience as both an art therapist and family therapist. The theoretical principles of these disciplines underly all of her work.

However, Mary is quick to emphasise that art therapy isn’t for everyone and deciding which methods are appropriate, and even whether she is the right practitioner for someone, is part of the initial assessment she undertakes with each client.

Mary helps clients with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, loss and grief, trauma, relationship breakdown, family conflict, behaviour problems and school refusal. She also sees people who are simply at a crossroads in their life. Someone may be unsure of themselves, not know which direction to take, or may just want to explore their creativity. It is all part of the work in therapy.

Mary’s involvement in art therapy began, not because she was identifying as an artist, but because art therapy helped her in her own life. In fact, Mary is quite insistent she is not an artist –although looking at the silk scarf, photographic collage and paintings she has created, it is obvious she has an abundance of artistic talent.

Mary’s journey into art therapy began with a ten-week course at the Centre for Ecology and Spirituality in Glenburn (now closed). The course started the day before Black Saturday and so Mary, who came down from Sydney, was very much part of that traumatic time. Through this course, Mary discovered the value of creative activities in addressing her own issues and, after the course, was invited to work at the retreat centre helping others. Mary remembers this as a rewarding time “helping people come alive” through all forms of creative expression.

After a few years, Mary left the centre and studied for a master’s degree in creative arts practice, with a focus on education, at the MIECAT Institute in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Mary was already a qualified secondary school teacher and found she was able to use art therapy in her home liaison role helping students with learning, behaviour and family difficulties.

Last year, Mary also completed a master’s degree in family therapy at La Trobe University, adding to the certificate in family therapy she obtained in 2020. These studies gave Mary a stronger theoretical framework for her work.

“I was aware that life’s issues derive from transgenerational family experiences. Who I am today is because of the family I have come from, and the study of family therapy brought insight into this reality.”

Counselling sessions with Mary are by appointment. Mary has rooms in Alexandra, but she is also happy to work with people via Zoom. Her experience with Zoom during COVID taught her that this method actually works well for family therapy, especially with children, because they don’t have to be in the same room as other family members.

There are no set number of sessions for therapy. Some people may be happy with one session, others may want or need more. Fees are on a scale and are negotiable because Mary does not want financial

constraints to prevent people from coming through her door.

You don’t need a referral to see Mary, although she certainly takes referrals from teachers, school counsellors, GPs and other health and welfare professionals.

When asked what message she would like to give to people about her work, Mary says: “If you want to find ‘the more of yourself’ come and have a chat. My door is open.”

To make an appointment, or to find out more, you can phone Mary on 0427 724 125 or email her at mwhitetherapist@gmail.com.

Above: Dare to show yourself: acrylic and ink, 2023.

In 2023, the Rotary Easter Art Show will return to its original venue at the Alexandra Shire Hall for the 53rd running of the event.

An innovation this year sees the introduction of TryBooking to book tickets for opening night only, on Good Friday, 7 April 2023. Entry is $25 per head for opening night and $5 over the remainder of the Easter weekend (payable at the door). Admission for school-age children is free.

Opening night is one of the must attend events in Alexandra. Drinks and finger food are included in entry fee. A range of

works by established and emerging artists will be on display and available for purchase.

A major project for the club in 2022 was supporting Ukrainians displaced from their homeland by war. Please show your support by dressing in blue and yellow for opening night, or purchase a ribbon.

This year’s judge is accomplished portrait artist Raelene Sharp, who won the 2012 Archibald Packing Room Prize with her portrait of actor John Wood. She has been a finalist five times in the Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize, which she won in 2006.

AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Open 10am-4pm daily

11 Murchison Street

Marysville

T: 03 5963 4567

4 & 5 March ‘Marysville Rockabilly Blowout’ Festival (pop art, cars, music and dance – Marysville Main street and Peppers Hotel).

13 March – 13 April Mountain Ash Exhibition: celebrating National Eucalypt Day 23/3/23. Photography, small sculptures, paintings, leaf art and literature. MiRA main gallery.

Until 14 March Garlands and Shrines: Celebrations of Found Nature by Bev Aisbett. Beautifully photographed inspiring works made from objects found in nature. Free Entry. MiRA Main Gallery.

Until 6 March Recollections - A Solo Exhibition: Local Artist Trevor Opray. Showcasing the incredible works of renowned and local Marysville artist Trevor Opray. Not to be missed, this exhibition highlights the hidden talents within the small community of Marysville. Trevor’s stunning paintings are of iconic scenes and landscapes from around Victoria. He is represented in the exhibition buildings in Melbourne, many Australian government collections and in private collections throughout the world. Gold Coin entry. Works are for sale.

March 2023 ‘Take It Outside’ Music in the Park: every Thursday (weather permitting) enjoy free live music in Marysville’s Burrengeen Park. Line up includes Bev and Leigh Fraser, Gary Solomon, Tayla Anne, Jackson Harris and more. Bring a picnic and chair, enjoy quality local music.

18 March Footscray Gypsy Orchestra. Led by Terry Cole, in the afternoon of Saturday the 18th March, Footscray Gypsy Orchestra will create an instant ensemble, exploring the rhythms and melodies of Balkan and Eastern European tunes on any and all instruments and voices that arrive. Come and join in the fun. All ages, abilities and instruments welcome. After tea, join the Footscray Gypsies in concert, playing the songs learnt in the afternoon. What fun! Bookings essential. Ph 59634567

7 April Good Friday Marysville Evening Market in Burrengeen Park. Food stalls, local arts, crafts, free live music.

10 April – 10 May The Art of Nests – an exhibition by Zora Verona. In the main Gallery at MiRA. Open everyday. Free entry and artist in residence over Easter weekend.

11 May – 11 June “Little Battlers” An exhibition in felt by local artist Kate Taylor. Beautiful artwork of Australian native wildlife. Kate will also be leading an art workshop for you to create your very own felt duckling (21 May). Bookings essential. Ph: 5963 4567

Renowned artist, Marian Rennie of Rennies at Acheron and Christine Challen, Little River Wines, are once again showcasing sculpture in many forms at the Within the Land – Sculpture at Acheron Show and Exhibition in Marian’s historic rural gardens and gallery at 132 Breakaway Road, Acheron (entry via Hoban’s Road, Alexandra).

The exhibition, featuring fantastic works by many sculptors from around Australia, is open to the public during Easter from Good Friday, 7 April to Anzac Day, Tuesday, 25 April, 10am to 4.30pm each day. A gold coin donation at the gate will gain entry.

An opening night all-inclusive cocktail party on Easter Thursday, 6 April commences at 5 pm. Guests will rock to popular local recording artists, Soloman and Lacey, as they delight with their harmonies and infectious rhythms. Exhibiting artists and members of the public are invited to come along; purchase tickets in advance through Eventbrite.

Marian will open her Gallery and licensed Restaurant/Café for woodfired pizzas during the weekends and at other times by arrangement for the duration of the exhibition. Group bookings are advised.

An Artisan Alley is an additional highlight this year, with an impressive display of the exquisite and unusual.

Catalogues can be collected in the Restaurant. All sculptures, art and crafts on exhibit are for sale and EFTPOS, BPay and Layby is available.

Invitation to exhibitors

Within the Land – Sculpture Show at Acheron is an annual event and showcases established and emerging artists and sculptors from across Australia to display and sell their work/s and engage with other artists and a diverse, interested community. Local, interstate and indigenous artists are all encouraged to participate as this is a unique opportunity to exhibit work in an extensive garden landscape, surrounded by farm and bushland along the Goulburn River. As the title suggests, the sculpture show’s theme is a journey through landscape, nature, the Australian bush and its inherent profoundness, quirkiness, characters, as well as the emotion and celebration all that inspires.

Artist and Show Director, Marian Rennie, has had family connections to this land at Acheron since the 1860’s. Marian and Christine work with a committed volunteer committee who share a vision of providing a stimulating venue for artists to utilise and for the public an opportunity to enjoy those endeavours in a beautiful setting.

For any enquiries, please contact Marian Rennie: 0412 109129 / marian@marianrennie.com.au.

By Karine Haslam

The extended lockdowns due to the Covid 19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on the whole state of Victoria.

It was essential for the overall mental, physical and social wellbeing of our community to try to get back to some form of normality.

We thought if we could provide a local activity or event in a safe, friendly environment this would be a step in the right direction to help stimulate the local economy and give people confidence to start to socialise again.

Hence the Eildon Twilight Market series was born!

The first market was in November 2021, the week after lockdowns were eased. The response was incredible with over 1,400 visitors and approximately 25 stalls. There was a variety of local food and beverage trucks, also local producers with a wide array of goods to try or buy. This helped showcase the abundance of quality local artisans, artists and creators. There was live music showcasing local youth and artists. The

markets are pet friendly (dogs must be on a lead).

The markets were conducted from November through to April, and in the 2021 – 2022 series there were over 10,000 visitors. The April market fell on the Easter weekend and attracted over 4,000 people. The night ended with a fantastic fireworks display.

As a consequence of a third consecutive La Nina weather pattern, we have experienced devastating flooding and many road closures. Our community were hit hard yet again. The Eildon Twilight Market series was due to start in November 2022 but had to be postponed until December 2022 due to the torrential rain, flooding and road closures.

After the previous year, the response from vendors has gone through the roof. We are almost at capacity. There are approximately 60 stalls, everything from local honey to boutique outdoor bean bags. There are a variety of community stalls such as the Murrindindi Shire Youth Services marquee where our youth can be creative. The RSL conduct a sausage

sizzle and the Lions and CFA have their fundraiser raffles.

We will have an Easter Bonnet Parade this year at the Eildon Easter Twilight Market. There will be prizes for the best entries. Bring a hat or cap along, there will be an area where you can be creative and decorate your own Easter masterpiece at our community Easter creation stall. Once again, the night will finish with a spectacular fireworks display, earlier this year at 8pm.

There is such a lovely ambience at the market. A great opportunity to catch up with friends, have something to eat or drink, grab something handmade from local stall holders, or just enjoy the spectacular location of the Eildon Pondage while listening to some great music – all for a gold coin donation. Any funds raised go back into benefits for the community.

Our aim is to have a permanent stage and sun structure. This will benefit our whole community.

If you would like to become involved whether as a stall holder or volunteer, please call Karine on 0400 715 319.

MARCH 2023

CURRENT TO MONDAY 6 ~ RECOLLECTIONS – A SOLO EXHIBITION

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

Local Artist Trevor Opray exhibition of stunning paintings of iconic scenes and landscapes from around Victoria. Gold Coin entry. Works are for sale..

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

CURRENT TO TUESDAY 14 ~ GARLANDS AND SHRINES

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

Celebrations of found nature by Bev Aisbett. Free Entry. Green Room gallery.

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

THURSDAYS IN MARCH ~ ‘TAKE IT OUTSIDE’ MUSIC IN THE PARK

Burrengeen Park, Marysville

Every Thursday (weather permitting) enjoy free live music in the park. Bring a picnic and chair, and enjoy. (see ad page 61)

SATURDAY 4 ~ ALEX RACES ROCK

Alexandra Racecourse,1 Gordon St, Alexandra

Great rock music, great picnic racing and great punting.

BOOKINGS W: country.racing.com/alexandra (see ad page 42)

SATURDAY 4 & SUNDAY 5 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS

Yea Butter Factory, 13 Rattray Street, Yea

Art and sculpture in a beautiful historic building in Yea. 10am-4pm

W: www.monkeytaildesign.com F:www.facebook.com/darren. gilbert.503

P: 0421 378 451 E: gmgilbert@skymesh.com.au (see ad page 40)

SATURDAY 4 & SUNDAY 5 ~ MARYSVILLE ROCKABILLY BLOWOUT FESTIVAL

Marysville Main Street and Peppers Hotel

Pop art, cars, music and dance. (see ad page 61)

FRIDAY 10 MARCH ~ MUSIC BY NATURALLY KERLEY

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

Keeping it ‘country’ in the High Country.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

SATURDAY 11 MARCH ~ MUSIC BY LNC BAND

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

Classic country rock 8pm-11pm, free entry.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

MONDAY 13 TO THURSDAY 13 APRIL ~ MOUNTAIN ASH EXHIBITION

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

Celebrating National Eucalypt Day 23/3/23.

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

SATURDAY 18 ~ ALEXANDRA CUP

Alexandra Racecourse,1 Gordon St, Alexandra Glam up for Amazing Hat Competition. Music, horse racing, tote & bookies. BOOKINGS W: country.racing.com/alexandra (see ad page 42)

SATURDAY 18 - FOOTSCRAY GYPSY ORCHESTRA

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

Eastern European tunes on any and all instruments ~ come and join in the fun. All ages, abilities and instruments welcome. Bookings essential.

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

MONDAY 27 ~ MURRINDINDI JOBS EXPO

Alexandra Football Club

W: murrindindifoodandwine.org.au (see ad page 23)

APRIL 2023

TO THURSDAY 13 ~ MOUNTAIN ASH EXHIBITION

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

National Eucalypt Day – photography, small sculptures, paintings, leaf art and literature.

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

SATURDAY 1 ~ CYCLE DINDI 22

The Great Victorian Rail Trail between Yea, Merton & Alexandra

A charity bicycle ride along the Great Victorian Rail Trail. W: www.yearotary.org.au E: cycledindi23@gmail.com P: 0447 762 557 (see ad page 42)

SATURDAY 1 & SUNDAY 2 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS

Yea Butter Factory, 13 Rattray Street, Yea

Art and sculpture are in a beautiful historic building in Yea. 10am-4pm.

W: www.monkeytaildesign.com F:www.facebook.com/darren. gilbert.503

P: 0421 378 451 E: gmgilbert@skymesh.com.au (see ad page 40)

FRIDAY 7 ~ GOOD FRIDAY MARYSVILLE EVENING MARKET

Burrengeen Park, Marysville

Food stalls, local arts, crafts, free live music. (see ad page 61)

FRIDAY 7 ~ MUSIC BY STOKED

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

Classics from the 60s to now 8.30pm, free entry.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

FRIDAY 7 TO MONDAY 10 ~ ROTARY ALEXANDRA EASTER ART SHOW

Alexandra Shire Hall, 55 Grant Street, Alexandra

Works on display include paintings in oil and watercolour, sculptures, photography, and fine quality woodworks.

E: alex.easter.artshow@gmail.com

P: 0418 378 806 / 03 5772 2496 (see ad page 64)

FRIDAY 7 TO TUESDAY 25 ~ WITHIN THE LAND – SCULPTURE IN ACHERON

Rennies At Acheron, 132 Breakaway Road, Acheron

An exciting, artistic event showcasing sculpture. Licensed restaurant/cafe will be open

P: 0412 109 129 (see ad page 62)

SATURDAY 8 ~ MUSIC BY CREEDENCE CLEARWATER SURVIVAL

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

The ultimate CCR and John Fogerty experience.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

SATURDAY 8 & SUNDAY 9 ~ EASTER MARKET

Alexandra Museum, Station Street, Alexandra

Saturday: steam train rides. Sunday: childrens activities, steam train rides, museum open, platform barbecue. (see ad page 48)

P: 0427 509 988 E: info@alexandratramway.org.au

W: www.alexandratramway.org.au F: facebook.com/alexandratramway

SUNDAY 9 ~ MUSIC BY MICK PEALING & NICK CHARLES

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

Songbook of the stars 2pm-5pm, tickets online.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

MONDAY 10 TO WEDNESDAY 10 MAY ~ THE ART OF NESTS

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

An exhibition by Zora Verona in the main Gallery. Open everyday. Free entry and artist in residence over Easter weekend. Open 10am-4pm. P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville. com.au (see ad page 61)

APRIL SATURDAY 22 & SUNDAY 23 ~ YARRA VALLEY AUTUMN PLANT FAIR & GARDEN EXPO

125 Quayle Road, Wandin

Begonia Display. Every child receives a FREE plant. Hourly lucky door prizes. Expert horticultural speakers, rare and unusual plants, garden art, landscape design, succulents, carnivorous plants, roses, natives, herbs, perennials, trees. Tickets online www.yarravalleyplantfair.com.au

MAY 2023

TO WEDNESDAY 10 MAY ~ THE ART OF NESTS

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

An exhibition by Zora Verona in the main Gallery. Open everyday. Free entry and artist in residence over Easter weekend. Open 10am-4pm.

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

SATURDAY 6 & SUNDAY 7 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS

Yea Butter Factory, 13 Rattray Street, Yea

Art and sculpture in a beautiful historic building in Yea. 10am-4pm W: www.monkeytaildesign.com F:www.facebook.com/darren. gilbert.503

P: 0421 378 451 E: gmgilbert@skymesh.com.au (see ad page 40)

SATURDAY 6 & SUNDAY 7 ~ MURRINDINDI WINE WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS

Philip Lobley Wines, Sedona Estate and Utter Wines

Discover the diversity, quality and regionality of local wines (see article page 21)

THURSDAY 11 MAY TO SUNDAY 11JUNE ~ ‘LITTLE BATTLERS’

MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville

An exhibition in felt by local artist Kate Taylor of Australian native wildlife. Create your very own felt duckling with Kate (21 May). Bookings essential. Open 10am-4pm.

P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)

SUNDAY 14 MAY ~ MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON

Holmesglen at Eildon 92 Moore Road, Eildon

W: www.holmesglenateildon.com.au (see ad page 1)

E: eildon@holmesglen.edu.au P: 03 5774 2631

SUNDAY 14 MAY ~ MOTHERS DAY LUNCH

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

2 course meal, music by Pete & Liz.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

SATURDAY 20 MAY ~ BURLESQUE @ THE INN

Goulburn River Inn, 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Molesworth

Be tantalised and mesmerised by Juniper Fox, Iva Grande and Azcadelia.

P: 5797 6266 W: goulburnriverinn.com.au (see ad page 6)

REGULAR MARKETS

ALEXANDRA MARKET

2nd Saturday of month 9am-1pm

Alexandra Timber Tramway, Station Street, Alexandra Plants, herbs, local produce, unique handicrafts, bric-a-brac and collectables. Refreshments available – coffee cart, BBQ and cold drinks. Free entry. Train rides for a small donation. 0427 509 988 | market@alexandratramway.org.au | www.alexandratramway.org.au

GRANT STREET MARKET

1st Sunday of the month 9am-1pm

Grant Street, Alexandra

Various stalls, music, jumping castle. Contact Andrew Embling 0418 266 038

BOLLYGUM COMMUNITY MARKET

2nd Sunday of month 9am-1pm

Bollygum Park, 40 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road, Kinglake Kids can play in the unique adventure playground as you search for special treasures and try fantastic local produce. 0409 849 722 | bollygummarket@gmail.com

EILDON TWILIGHT MARKET

• 11 March 2023 • 8th April 2023 ~ 4pm-8pm (winter break till November)

The Eildon Pondage, Riverside Drive Eildon

Local food and beverage trucks, local producers, quality local artisans, artists and creators. Live music showcasing local youth and artists. Family activities, pet friendly (dogs must be on a lead). Gold coin entry. Karine 0400 715 319 | karine.haslam@gmail.com

FLOWERDALE COMMUNITY MARKET

3rd Sunday of month 9am-1pm

Flowerdale Community Hall, Yea Whittlesea Road, Flowerdale Country market stalls with arts, crafts, veggies, plants, bric-a-brac. Hot food, Devonshire teas, cold drinks available. New stall holders welcome, $10 a stall. Alison 03 5780 1223 | Alron27@bigpond.com

KINGLAKE PRODUCE & ARTISAN MARKET

4th Sunday of month 10am-3pm (held on the 3rd Sunday in December)

19 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road, Kinglake

Fresh from us to you. High quality items, grown or made by our stall holders. Proving quality products and food every month, all year round. 0419 339 320 | kinglakemarket@gmail.com | www.kinglakemarket.com

MARYSVILLE MARKET

2nd & 4th Sunday of month – Murchison Street, Marysville Crafts, gifts, clothing, plants, locally produced preserves, jams, chutneys, lavender products, shortbread biscuits, honey, fresh fruit and vegetables and wine. Additional stallholders invited.

TAGGERTY 4 SEASONS MARKET

Saturday of Australia Day, Easter, Queen’s Birthday and Melbourne Cup Weekends 9am-1pm – 3 Taggerty-Thornton Road, Taggerty

Local produce including olive oil, wine, honey, fudge, baked goods, preserves, soaps, crafts, bric-a-brac, fruit, vegetables, plants, free range eggs, BBQ sausages and espresso coffee. taggertycommunityprogress@gmail.com

TALLAROOK FARMERS MARKET

1st Sunday of month (except January) 8.30am-12pm (second market in December on 3rd Sunday)– 44 Main Road, Talarook

Fresh local produce. Relax in the market cafe while listening to local musicians. Free kids activities.

0403 831 520 | Facebook Tallarook Farmers Market

YARCK COUNTRY MARKET

3rd Saturday of month 9am-1.30pm – Yarck Hall, Maroondah Hwy, Yarck

The market helps to fund the hall maintenance and provides an outlet for local produce, jams, craft, plants and wines.

0407 879 612 | yarckhall@hotmail.com | www.visityarck.com.au

YEA RAILWAY MARKET

1st Saturday of month – Yea Railway Reserve, Station St Yea Fresh local produce, arts and crafts, children’s activities, playground and skate park. The market showcases local producers, growers and makers and is a community event with a gold coin donation entry - funds from entry are donated to local charities each month.

0427 722 624 | globalgemsandfinejewellery@gmail.com

specialising in all aspects of the flat glass trade glass replacement, shower screens, splashbacks, mirrors, wood heater glass

BUILDERS

Snobs Creek Bar & Grill 5774 2903

Tallarook General Store & Cafe

Tallarook 5792 1687

The Provender Country Bakehouse

Yea 5797 3155

Yea Chinese Restaurant 5797 2865

yarckmeatandproduce.com

Yea Take Away, Yea 5797 2664

Tallarook General Store & Cafe

Tallarook 5792 1687

GIFT SHOP / CLOTHING / ANTIQUES

Goody’s Discounts, Alexandra 0438 702 982

Flori e Casa, Yea 0412 322 419

Lit & Beyond, Marysville 0422 239 754

LANDSCAPING

Itec Earthworks 0421 921 110

LAUNDROMAT

Eildon Laundromat 5 Main St

LOCAL

CARAVAN

ELECTRICIANS

Blackwood Electrics, Taggerty 0418 997 780 / 0434 100 518

E-Tec Electrical Contractor Alexandra 0418 543 310

Grimshaw Electrics Thornton 0429 808 596

J Williams Electrical Alexandra 0439 842 030

EQUIPMENT HIRE

Rural Equipment Hire, Alexandra 0429 394 166

FARM CONTRACTING

ES Hadfield Contracting 0429 931 127

FARM EQUIPMENT

Elders, Yea 5797 4100

Embling Rural, Alexandra 5772 3110

Nutrien Ag Alexandra 5772 2444 Yea 5797 2799

Yea Machinery 9730 1988

FENCING

On Track Fencing & Earthworks 0400 495 131

FISHING SUPPLIES

Eildon Bait & Tackle 5774 2712

Jerusalem Creek Bait & Tackle

Eildon 5774 2585

Maroondah Outdoor Equipment

Buxton 5774 7292

Snobs Creek Bar & Grill 5774 2903

Totally Trout, Alexandra 5772 2662

FISHING TOURS

Eildon Pondage Guiding Services 0428 105 025 / 0439 344 788

Northern Waters Boat Hire 5774 2585

FLOOR COVERINGS

Chookies Furniture Warehouse

Alexandra 5772 2152

Slocum Floorcoverings 9439 6066

7242

EATERIES / BAKERIES / RESTAURANTS 501 Cafe Bar & Grill

Jerusalem Creek 5774 2585

Alexandra Bakery & Cafe 5772 2272

Burnsies, Alexandra 5772 2693

Dindi Naturals Cafe, Yarck 5773 4349

Eildon Bakery & Cafe, Eildon 5774 2362

Elevation 423, Marysville 0455 046 623

El Largo, Eildon 0472 593 367

Flowerdale Estate

Strath Creek 5784 9280

Kazza’s Diner, Alexandra 5772 2322

Keppel Cafe, Marysville 5797 2513

Killingworth Hill Cafe & Whisky Bar

Yea 0455 266 888

Mar ysville Gourmet Pies 0492 879 503

On Point Brewery

Alexandra 0413 562 693

Ros Ritchie Wines

Mansfield 0444 588 276

Saladin Lodge, Narbethong 0429 699 969

Secret Thai, Alexandra 0478 113 945

Nanny Jan’s Little Emporium

Eildon Shopping Centre

Nice, Yea 0413 489 196

Redgate Bazaar, Alexandra 0407 683 712

Rustic Simplicity, Alexandra 0419 517 045

The Alpaca Yarn Lady, Alexandra 0427 879 998

GLASS PRODUCTS

Alexandra Windscreens & Glass

Alexandra 0427 577 839

Ridgeline Glass & Glazing

Healesville 5962 2888

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Ann Friedel Publishing 0418 556 107

HARDWARE / TIMBER STORES

Yenckens Alexandra 5772 2188

Mansfield 5775 2511

Yea 5797 2290

Jerusalem Creek Marina & Hoilday Park

Eildon 5774 2585

HEALTH / BEAUTY / WELLBEING

Alexandra Physiotherapy

Alexandra 5772 2649

Jessica’s Sheer Beauty

Alexandra 5772 3322

Moksha Massage

Alexandra 0409 814 344

ND Podiarty, Alexandra 0439 205 999

Terry White Chemmart, Eildon 5774 2626

HEATING

Bowd Heating, Alexandra 5772 1045

Euro Fireplaces eurofireplaces.com.au

HOSPITALITY SUPPLIES

Mansfield Hospitality Supplies5779 1660

HOTELS / MOTELS / RESORTS

Alexandra Hotel 5772 1014

Alexandra Motor Inn 5772 2077

FLORISTS / FLOWERS

Full Bloom Alexandra 0430 580 264

Flori e Casa, Yea 0412 322 419

Goulburn Valley Nursery 0417 907 278

FUNERAL SERVICES

McCormack Funerals 1800 080 909

FURNITURE STORES

Chookies Furniture Warehouse

Alexandra 5772 2152

GALLERIES

Darren Gilbert Open Studio Highlands w ww.monkeytaildesign.com

Kinglake Creative facebook

Marian Rennie Gallery, Acheron 0412 109 129

MIRA Marysville 5963 4567

Rustic Simplicity

Alexandra 0419 517 045

Studio 2427, Buxton 0417 323 868

GENERAL STORES/ GROCERIES

Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park

Lake Eildon 5774 2585

Snobs Creek Holiday Park 5774 2903

Taggerty General Store 5774 7201

Black Spur Inn, Narbethong 5963 7121

Bonfire Station Farmstay 0423 457 072

Buxton Hotel, Buxton 5774 7381

Eildon Lake Motel, Eildon 5774 2800

Flowerdale Estate

Strath Creek 5784 9280

Flowerdale Hotel 5780 1230

Goulburn River Inn

Molesworth 5797 6266

Holmesglen at Eildon

Eildon 5774 2631

Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park

Lake Eildon 5774 2585

Royal Mail Hotel, Yea 5797 2515

Rubicon Hotel Motel

Thornton 5773 2251

Snobs Creek Holiday Park 5774 2903

Taylor Bay Country Club

Taylor Bay 0497 889 353

Yarck Hotel 5773 4226

Yea Motel, Yea 5797 2660

Yea Peppercorn Hotel, Yea 5797 2000

HOUSEBOAT SERVICES

Cormac Painting 0488 183 432

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 000

Murrindindi Shire East Map