An ever-popular long lazy afternoon with 3-course luncheon featuring fresh local produce, and free flowing bubbles served from Snobs Creek Estate. Book early to avoid disappointment.
MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON
Let us spoil your mum this Mother’s Day! Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling upon arrival, live music and three course luncheon, including our finest local produce.
Bring your family and friends and join us for a celebration dinner with all the trimmings. With a roving magician, Santa and music, this will be a truly magical event! Accommodation available.
night!
A relaxing and indulgent evening – the catering team at Holmesglen at Eildon create a menu featuring 5 decadent courses using fresh local produce to tantalize your taste buds. Why not stay the night. CHRISTMAS IN JULY DINNER GRAND ITALIAN FEAST 2023
A long lazy afternoon from noon celebrating traditional Italian fare including our house made pastas, wood fired pizzas, calabrese salad, tiramisu and more – featuring Italian wines and Aperol spritz.
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.
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.
Produced and published by Ann Friedel Publishing, 11 Albert Street Alexandra Victoria. Material published in the Murrindindi Arts & Tourism, Business & Trades Guide is protected by Australian and International copyright laws. Reproduction of any material in whole or part is not permitted without prior authorisation by the publisher. Ann Friedel Publishing has made every effort to ensure the information provided at time of printing is correct, but accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. Some components of some advertising in this magazine are made by Freepik.com or allfree-download.com. Events listed in this publication may be subject to change without notice.
Nice Shop is packed with handmade and hand-picked delights showcased in vintage cabinets. Each carefully displayed item has its own unique story, whether it’s handcrafted by one of the owners or selected for its potential to ignite the imagination.
Co-owner Elizabeth McQueen says that it’s the histories of items and the people associated with them that form the foundation of their business.
“It’s amazing in a small business like this how connected you are to people’s stories and that’s what actually keeps you going, it’s not the sales,” she says.
Anne Mannion, the other half of the Nice Shop business, gives an example of one of these stories. “We had one couple come back after the first lockdown and Elizabeth had this beautiful galah that she’d made – it was gorgeous. The guy picked it up and was walking around holding it and said, ‘we’ve been dying to come back here’. They’ve been back recently and looking for another one because they give them to their great nieces or nephews when they’re born.”
Of course, Anne and Elizabeth also have their narratives to contribute to the shop’s accumulated
stories. For Anne, hers is all about a love of fabrics and textiles.
“My mother taught me to sew, and it was something I just clicked with. So I went into the ‘rag trade’ as we used to refer to it and spent years in various positions within manufacturing companies. Then I veered into the corporate world but still continued to sew because it’s my relaxation,” she says.
At Nice Shop, Anne’s passion for fabric has translated into selling her handmade cushions and lamps she has reinvigorated with custom lampshades. She also brings old lamps back to life with the help of her husband who takes care of the electrical side of things.
“My husband is qualified to ‘tag and test’, so can fix vintage lamps. I’m very
lucky that I have that because it’s not a service a lot of electricians will do,” Anne says.
For Elizabeth, who is passionate about mental health advocacy, her story illustrates the importance of having a close-knit community.
“I’ve got significant mental health issues. In our partnership, Anne and I offer each other different strengths, and I have gone more and more behind the scenes because I don’t cope with sitting behind the desk. I’ve wanted to leave this business many times, and Anne has buoyed me many times over the years and stepped in when I simply haven’t been able to do it,” she says.
Anne explains that their need for flexibility in running the shop means
their opening hours may change regularly, but customers seem to be very understanding and friends have lent a helping hand when needed to help keep things ticking over.
While they’ve gladly received support and understanding from others, Anne and Elizabeth also work hard to give back. A prime example is their rapid pivot to supplying the community with masks designed by Elizabeth to overcome early pandemic shortages.
“After the initial lockdown we converted Elizabeth’s bedroom into a mask-making workshop and opened the shop at set hours to sell masks in the courtyard. We felt so rewarded by our locals who came out to buy masks and thanked us for our efforts,” Ann says.
Below: Elizabeth says she and Anne inspire each other. When they met, Anne was working with blankets and wool, which led to Elizabeth using these materials in her handmade toys.
When not supplying essentials during large-scale crises, Anne and Elizabeth aim to provide all their customers with a range of handmade and carefully selected products they can cherish at prices they can afford.
“I’ve been a parent throughout the business, and a lot of what I’ve chosen [to sell] has been informed by the age of my own children. But I’ve never wanted to face a parent or child picking something up and having them go ‘oh my goodness’ and putting it straight back down again [because it’s too expensive]. We are able to offer a lot of things at below recommended retail prices because of our personal business model,” Elizabeth says.
Coming up to Christmas, the pair also plans to offer visitors a shop stocked with the usual favourites along with some exciting new items. And there will be a Christmas nook filled with festive cheer, including Anne and Elizabeth’s handmade decorations, complimentary gift wrapping, and Muddle Puddle puddings, cakes, and shortbreads.
So these holidays, visitors will have a chance to add their Christmas shopping trip to the tapestry of personal tales woven into Nice Shop over the years. Whatever their customers’ reasons for coming in, Anne and Elizabeth appreciate finding out about them.
“It’s about hearing stories and creating stories. That’s what we’re really in the business of,” Elizabeth says.
For more information on Nice Shop, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram (just search for Nice Shop Yea). For a private consultation with Anne regarding lamps, feel free to contact her on
Flori e Casa owner, Linda McAuliffe (right), and resident florist, Tina Brunt, at the front of the shop, located in one of Yea’s historic Station Street buildings.
Gift ideas abound for those who choose to do Christmas shopping at Flori e Casa.
By Emily FriedelFlori e Casa means flowers and homewares, and that’s what you’ll find at the shop tucked away on Station Steet in Yea. But you’ll find a lot more besides. Coffee, cakes, light lunches, plants, books, and lovely things for the little ones. Approaching Christmas, you’ll also find festive season decorations, while the dog-friendly atmosphere is something you can find all year round.
For owner Linda McAuliffe, the Yea shop is the third incarnation of Flori e Casa. The business started in Sydney before popping up in Alexandra’s main street, then moving to the Station Street location two years ago. Linda says her love of homewares and vintage goods came from her mother. “Back in my teenage years, Mum had a little antique shop, so I tagged along to garage sales and markets at the local halls and Ainger Auctions in Richmond. Highlight of my week.”
With this longtime appreciation for home decoration, Linda has created a warm, cosy vibe in the shop based on her personal tastes.
“I try to be true to my style and only sell what I would put in my own home,” Linda says.
Like homewares, fresh flowers have always been a part of Flori e Casa. Tina Brunt is the resident florist at the Yea shop and sources flowers from local growers to make colourful bouquets. Tina was also in charge of creating the garden around the outdoor dining area, which led to Flori e Casa stocking plants from Kinglake’s Antique Perennials.
“The plants we have in the garden are either culinary or for floristry, and Antique Perennials are perfect for floristry. I knew as soon as people would see them in the garden, they’d want
Leading up to the holidays, the shop is stocked with Christmas decorations and hosts a Christmas night with complimentary bubbles and nibbles.
Aside from homewares, visitors can find many other treasures including jewellery and specialty books.
them. So it was kind of an obvious thing to stock,” Tina says. While homewares and flowers have been staples at all Flori e Casa locations, the café at Yea is a new addition.
“The added bonus of this building was the kitchen, so it seemed sensible to make use of it. I really just wanted a small café bar so people could have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake while they’re shopping, and one thing led to another. So now we do toasties and soup and quiche – all made in house. I am lucky to have Daniel, a local French pastry chef, who bakes all our delicious cakes on site,” Linda says.
The cafe’s offerings can be enjoyed in many different ways: indoors, outdoors, seated, or when wandering around the shop in search of treasures. They can even be enjoyed with a canine companion.
“We are dog friendly. People love it because their dogs are their fur-babies; they’re part of the family,” Linda says.
While the Flori e Casa team strives to make every shopping experience special, the annual Christmas night offers a unique opportunity to browse their wares with a complimentary glass of bubbly and some nibbles. This is a great chance to get loved ones’ gifts or find some festive decorations to spruce up your own home for the holidays.
“Every year we have a selection of fair-trade items – the little nativity scenes usually sell out straight away. We have a few vintage decorations, lots of candles, and we offer free gift wrapping,” Linda says.
Also available are Tina’s bespoke Christmas decorations made from an assortment of collected vintage and natural materials. “We can do Christmas flower arrangements and table decorations and wreaths, but get in early to order because it’ll be here before we know it! We’ll have some on display for our Christmas night, so people can order then too,” Linda says.
Whatever the occasion at Flori e Casa – whether it’s their
Christmas night or an everyday outing – customers are assured of an abundance of flowers and homewares to browse through at their leisure. However, there is also a great deal more to entice and inspire, with latte in hand and pooch by your side if you choose. Or perhaps after a light lunch and catch-up with friends.
As Linda says, “It’s really a one-stop shop.”
For more information on Flori e Casa you can find them on Facebook or Instagram, just search for Flori e Casa.
Owning and running a restaurant and bar was not something the Todero-Ehmer clan ever planned to do. Apart from Jason Todero having done some casual bartending, none of them even had hospitality experience. But fate had other ideas, and the mother-father-son trio are now officially – and proudly – among Eildon’s restauranteurs.
The family’s unexpected foray into the hospitality business world all started last summer when Jason was doing some bartending for the new owners of the Eild Marina & Houseboat Hire. The marina owners wanted to step away from the restaurant and bar side of the business, and Jason jumped at the opportunity to take over the lease.
“Andrew who bought the marina said do you guys want it, and I convinced Mum and Dad, and now here we are,” he says.
Jason and his parents, Brigitta Ehmer and Danny Todero, took the plunge in February, renaming the restaurant El Lago (‘the lake’ in Spanish). Transitioning to full-time residence in the area was easy as the family has had a holiday house in Taylor Bay for over four decades. Adapting to the hospitality industry has been a little more challenging. While Danny and Brigitta are seasoned business owners, Danny says running the restaurant has been a steep learning curve.
“It is a stressful business, it’s probably the hardest thing I’ve
Above: After a stint of bricklaying last summer, Jason Todero did some bartending for the new owners of the marina. After taking over the restaurant and bar lease, Jason and his parents are running the show this summer. Top: The view of Lake Eildon from the outdoor eating area at El Lago.
The menu is also completely new with seafood being a central feature and weekly specials on offer over summer.
The premises have a completely new look after a comprehensive renovation.
ever done. And I’ve dealt with a lot of people and had a lot of people working for me. But with this industry, come 12 o’clock we could have 150 people standing in front of the door. They’ve all got to be seated, they’ve all got to be fed, and we’re trying to get the food out as quick as we can, so that’s the stressful part,” he says.
However, he also adds that there is an upside that makes it all worthwhile.
“The fun part is serving drinks, having music on and people singing and dancing. As an example, one night a John Denver song came on and everyone erupted into singing it –80 people in here and they were all singing the John Denver song. It was brilliant.”
In between having fun with patrons, the family has been hard at work revitalising the restaurant and giving it their personal touch. After closing for a few months, the premises were reopened in spring with a comprehensive makeover, including the addition of a beer garden, café area, and function room for 15 to 20 people.
“We’ve literally renovated everything from floor to ceiling. We wanted a brand new look. It’s totally different to what it was – completely different staff, completely different menus. Everything is new,” Jason says.
On those new menus, customers will find what Jason describes as “modern Australian cuisine” with a focus on seafood. There will also be pizzas made by an Italian chef, plenty of local produce, parmas, and weekly specials over summer.
The family will also throw some live music into the mix to liven things up.
“I know that’s what I want when I go on holidays: a place with a view like that, sit down with good food and a couple of drinks and enjoy some live music,” Danny says.
Most of all, the family emphasises that they want the restaurant and bar to have a fun, casual atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, if you want to have a good time, we treat everyone who walks through that door as family. We just want people to come here and have a good time,” Jason says.
Of course, that hospitality will be extended throughout most of the festive season, and El Lago will be open for Christmas
Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve. But they will be taking a well-earned breather on Christmas Day.
“We’re going to be working 18-hour days up until then, so we’ll take Christmas day off to see family,” Jason says.
Other than that, Jason, Danny and Brigitta are anticipating being flat out in the restaurant over summer with tourists and locals making the most of Lake Eildon’s high water levels. Jason encourages anyone who’s out that way to drop by for a drink or bite to eat and some fun.
“If you’re coming to the Lake, come to El Lago. It’s the place to be.”
El Lago is located at 190 Sugarloaf Rd, Eildon. For more information call 0472 593 367 or find them on Facebook (El Lago Eildon) or Instagram (ellago_eildon)
As the warmer weather arrives, reptiles such as snakes and lizards start to make an appearance around our homes, farms and reserves. The re-emergence of snakes may cause alarm for some people, but lizards pose no threat at all. In fact, they can be really helpful in the garden for controlling pests such as slugs and snails.
In the Murrindindi Shire, one of the most common lizards to emerge from hiding after winter is the eastern bluetongue lizard. Growing to around 60cm long, it’s the largest member of the skink family, of which there are more than 320 species in Australia. The eastern bluetongue is grey to pale brown with darker stripes running across its body and a dark line running from its eye to its ear and sometimes down its neck. Its legs are quite short and often not visible, and this factor, along with the stripes, can lead some people to think it is a tiger snake, particularly if the head of the lizard is hidden under a rock or log.
The lizard gets its name from its bright blue tongue, which
is used to deter predators. When threatened, it opens its mouth and sticks out its tongue. It may also puff up its body and hiss. If that doesn’t work, its strong jaws and teeth can deliver a painful bite. As a last resort, this lizard, like all members of the skink family, can actually drop its tail (the tail eventually grows back). Its main predators are large snakes, goannas, birds of
prey such as eagles and falcons, kookaburras and feral or domestic cats and dogs.
Like all lizards, eastern bluetongues are cold blooded. This means they need an external source of heat, such as the sun, to maintain their body temperature. As soon as the weather warms up, they come out of their winter hiding places and bask in the sun. Not surprisingly, they
are mostly active during the day, and at night find shelter under logs, rocks, leaf litter and houses. Blue-tongues often spend many years living in the same location. It’s not just the warmer weather that brings these lizards out of hiding.
September to November is their mating season, and the males are keen enough to travel up to three kilometres in search of a mate. But the
lizard mating season isn’t all wine and roses. Males often engage in vicious fights with each other defending their territory, and even the mating act can look more like a street brawl than an act of happy union, often leaving the females with teeth and claw wounds.
About three to four months after mating the females give birth to around ten live offspring. This is very unusual for lizards as they normally lay eggs. For bluetongues, the young develop in eggs held inside the female’s body. When the young are sufficiently developed, they hatch from the eggs and are then born live. The baby lizards are pretty much able to fend for themselves right from the get go and so motherhood for a female blue-tongue is a brief and carefree experience. Ovoviviparity, as this whole process is called, is a very beneficial adaptation for the species as there is no risk of the eggs being eaten by predators.
Blue-tongues reach sexual maturity
after four years and have quite long lifespans – as much as 20 years. They are easy-to-please eaters, living on plants, fruits, caterpillars, slugs, snails, beetles,
millipedes, crickets and worms. They have even been known to steal a morsel of dog or cat food from an outdoor bowl. Their snail-eating skills are second to none because they have developed the knack of crushing snail shells, separating and swallowing the soft body before ejecting the shell particles.
Having blue-tongue lizards around your home or farm is a real boon. They are completely harmless – although they can give you a painful nip if harassed – and can help to control garden pests such as snails, caterpillars and slugs. One of the greatest threats to their health comes from using snail baits. The poisons in these baits not only harm the snails and slugs but also the blue-tongues who may eat them. So, if you have blue-tongue lizards around, it’s best not to use these products.
Domestic cats and dogs also pose a threat. And when driving, keep an eye out for them basking on the road. Too many poor lizards have been squashed by inattentive drivers.
For the moment, populations of the eastern blue-tongue lizard are not under threat. However, there is no room for complacency. A recent report in the scientific journal Nature found that at least a fifth of all reptile species throughout the world are threatened with extinction, mostly due to climate change. So, whatever we can do to create a safe and healthy home for this harmless and helpful lizard has to be a good thing.
If ever there was a bird in need of an image make-over, it would have to be the Australian white ibis. In urban areas, these large, white birds with bald, black heads and long, curved beaks are often found scavenging for food in landfill sites, raiding rubbish bins, or hassling picnickers in parklands for handouts. These somewhat unsavoury habits have earned them the derogatory names of “tip turkeys” and “bin chickens”. Their image is further damaged by the fact that their scavenging often turns their pristine white plumage into a grubby brown.
But not everyone is unimpressed. Earlier this year the Queensland Sports Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, declared he had a soft spot for the ibis and thought the bird might make a good mascot for the 2023 Brisbane Olympic Games.
It may surprise you to know that the Australian white ibis hasn’t always been an urban visitor. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 1970s, when extensive drought drove flocks eastwards, that they were first recorded in Sydney. The growth in these populations since that time may be due to the establishment of free-flying flocks of formerly captive birds in a large number of zoos and wildlife parks, such as Tooronga Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. These populations are well adapted to humans, human structures and human food scraps, and they may have influenced wild birds to make their home in the urban environment as well.
However, once you move away from the city and into rural areas, the social standing of the Australian white ibis gets a definite boost. Here, the bird is more likely to be known as “the farmers’ friend” due to their habit of flocking to areas suffering from grasshopper or locust plagues and gorging on the pesky insects. Ibis also play a role in aerating the soil in pastures and parklands as they probe for insects, grubs and crustaceans with their long, thin bills. As well as terrestrial prey, ibis also wade the shallows of wetlands in search of frogs, fish and mussels.
The Australian white ibis is widespread in eastern, northern and south-western Australia, although the species didn’t appear in Western Australia until the 1950s. Now, its numbers and range are
increasing in that state. It is not found in Tasmania.
Both males and females are similar in appearance, although the female is slightly smaller than the male and has a shorter bill. During the breeding season, a small patch of skin on the underside of the wings turns from pale pink to deep scarlet. This is clearly noticeable when the birds spread their wings. The young look much like their parents but have black feathers on their neck instead of bare skin. The birds have quite a long lifespan with some reaching twentyeight years of age.
In the southern regions of Australia, the Australian white ibis breeds from August to November. They congregate in noisy, and frequently smelly, colonies often with other water birds such as spoonbills, egrets and cormorants. In urban areas, they may build their nests in inappropriate places, causing a lot of consternation and complaint from the people who live nearby.
The birds’ nests are large, shallow cups made of sticks, reeds and grasses that are placed in trees next to a body of
water such as a swamp, lake or river. The females lay two to three white eggs, which are incubated for three weeks. The hatchlings, which are completely naked and helpless, take up to seven weeks to fledge.
Although the Australian white ibis is
the most well-known of the species, especially for city and town dwellers, it is only one of three types of ibis that are native to Australia. The others are the straw-necked ibis and the glossy ibis. Fortunately, perhaps, neither of these other species have adopted the white ibises’ penchant for an urban lifestyle.
The straw-necked ibis is easy to differentiate from the Australian white ibis because it has an iridescent black back and chest and has straw-like plumes on its neck. Only a band around the neck and the underparts of the bird are white. The head is bald but not the neck. They can often be seen in large numbers in farm paddocks probing the ground for insects. The straw-necked ibis has a similar distribution to the Australian white ibis.
The glossy ibis is significantly smaller than its companions, is dark brown in colour and has a feathered, not bald, head. In the right light, the plumage does, indeed, appear glossy, and can take on an iridescent greenand-purple hue. Although it can be seen throughout Australia, mostly in wetlands, it is more abundant in northern regions.
In terms of habitat, diet, distribution and breeding habits, all of the ibis species are somewhat similar, and it’s only the poor Australian white ibis that has been maligned. Perhaps, if it is chosen as a mascot for the next Olympic Games in Brisbane its image will get a muchneeded and long- overdue make-over.
The first-ever Whittlesea Garden Expo, held at the Whittlesea Showgrounds earlier this year, was a resounding success despite the forecast torrential rains and the unexpected water features in the middle of our display area. Our very strong presentation program included Melissa King from Better Homes and Gardens and Clive Blazey from The Diggers Club. This, along with our activities for children, were very wellreceived by our patrons. Many of the stallholders have already booked for next year. Our Expo was a real community event with many of our local clubs, groups and individuals participating in some way, whether it be for their own fundraising or by volunteering for the Rotary Club of Whittlesea, which is running the Expo. It was great to see the event bringing the whole town together for a common purpose and the forging of new friendships.
The 2023 Expo will be on the weekend of 4 to 5 March at the Whittlesea Showgrounds
planned for 2023.
and is promising to be even better. Millie Ross from the ABC’s Gardening Australia will be presenting on the Saturday. Chloe Thomson from the Garden Gurus, and local beekeeper Nathan Stewart will be presenting on Sunday. There will be several other presentations on a wide range of topics
over the weekend. Patrons and stallholders will have the opportunity to meet and talk to our presenters. And tickets for the event gives you entry on both days, so you needn’t miss any presentations.
We also plan to extend our children’s activities, making it a very family-friendly place to be. Several food
vendors will be on-site to fill empty tummies, and there will be plenty of unusual, quality plants and garden accessories for the gardening enthusiasts.
Please visit our website www. wgexpo.net.au for more information or email us on info@wgexpo.net.au if you have a query or would like to join us.
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is one of Victoria’s officially designated alpine resorts and is operated by the Alpine Victoria Resort. More widely known for the snow season, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is a year-round resort with options to suit families, adventurers, and wildflower enthusiasts.
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort has the distinction of being the closest alpine snow resort to Melbourne, just a short two-hour drive. Our “little mountain” is set up to make it easy for people of any age and ability to drive up the mountain at any time of the year, step out of the car and start enjoying the experience of outdoor adventure.
During the snow season, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort turns into a winter wonderland featuring over 35 km of world-class cross country skiing trails and plenty of activities for first-time visitors to the snow. Enjoy the snow for the very first time with designated snow play areas or hire a toboggan and hit the three toboggan runs for some truly unadulterated fun. If you’re looking for something a little slower then why not give snowshoeing a try? We have lessons and guided tours that can be
organised through our Snowsports Department, as well as snow gear and equipment for hire.
Beginner snowboard lessons are available for children aged 5 to 14 years. Beginner cross country ski lessons are available for people aged 4 or older.
The dual 240m flying fox is sure to test the nerves of some, while the tube run is a great way to slide down the designated tube slide. If you are feeling competitive, jump in a game of laser tag with some friends or family.
The most recent addition to the adventures at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is the single track ‘Cascades’ mountain bike trail, which was completed in 2019. Listed as one of Victoria’s best descent trails, Cascades has quickly become a strong favourite in the mountain bike community. An intermediate adventure run with advanced features, this all-mountain trail flows for 30km from the top of Lake Mountain through beautiful alpine forest all the way down to Marysville. We can even shuttle you up the mountain for all of this fun.
Once the snow melts, our “little mountain” starts to turn into a burst of colour with the wildflowers starting
to bloom. We offer guided wildflower walks – suitable for all ages – from November through to January. These leisurely 2 to 2.5 hour walks are a chance to explore the stunning display of blooming flowers and native alpine flora, while learning about the history of these spectacular species in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Begin the tour with a meet and greet in the bistro, accompanied by a complementary hot beverage and freshly baked scones. Then, after exploring the secret treasures of the Lake Mountain alpine environment, you can stay and relax in the bistro for lunch, enjoy a BYO lunch at our barbecue facilities, or head out to the Summit Walk and take in the scenic panoramic views.
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort bistro is our best kept secret. Our new bistro manager, Dani, has created a beautiful fresh menu which also caters for as many dietary requirements as we can do. All food is made fresh to order during the green season. Book a group, sit and enjoy the views. Order a picnic basket, go for a pleasant walk, find a picnic table and enjoy the beauty of our “little mountain”. What better atmosphere could you want?
For more information or bookings go to www.lakemountainresort.com.au
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.
Trail Distances
Tallarook – Mansfield
Alexandra Spur Line
121km
13km
Tallarook – Trawool ..........................11k m
Trawool – Trawool Resort 3k m
Trawool Resort – Yea 24k m
Yea – Cheviot Tunnel
Cheviot Tunnel – Molesworth
9km
8k m
Molesworth – Cathkin 4km
Cathkin – Alexandra 13k m
Cathkin – Yarck
6k m
Yarck – Merton...................................19k m
Merton – Bonnie Doon 15k m
Bonnie Doon – Mansfield 22km
mountain biking Ride the trails carved into the bush. From beginner’s to advanced there is hours of riding on
We even have mountain bikes for hire.
Stroll up to the Summit Wander through the snow gum woodland up to the summit of our little mountain for beautiful views down the valley. This 5km loop is well sign posted, has gentle gradients and on a clear day lets you see all the way back to Melbourne.
Go on a rogaining run Explore our little mountain with a compass and a map using one of our rogaining kits. Visit the checkpoints, solve the clues and gather all the points either as a team or in a contest with friends.
Head out for a day walk Out beyond the village, we’ve got plenty of longer walks for those looking for a bit more adventure. Take the long walk out to Boundary Hut for the views or head to Mt Arnold to see if you can spot a lyrebird.
Take a wildflower walk
Stroll through fields of wildflowers from November to January when Lake Mountain bursts into a sea of native colours. Check out the display in reception to see which flowers are currently in bloom.
Ride the 240m dual Flying Fox
Enjoy the view and experience the thrill of the 240m dual Flying Fox alongside your friends and family. Make sure you book early though. The Flying Fox always books out!
Slide down the Tube Run
Slide and spin down our 100m Tube Run. Go it alone or double up with the kids.
Tag someone at Laser Skirmish
Get kitted out in laser tag gear and play a tactical game of Laser Skirmish with your mates.
Listen to a talk with our guides
Our sub-alpine forest environment is bursting with life. Keep your eye out for our talks on native flora and fauna, including the unique regeneration of our snowgums after the bushfires.
Have something to eat at our Café
Escape the elements and refuel the body with bite to eat from the range of delicious menu items in our cafe. Sit out on the deck with a cool drink and soak up the environment.
Above: The forebay at the end of the tramline, offering views of Rubicon Valley below.
Left: On the way to Rubicon Dam.
Below left: In warmer weather, you might see wildlife cooling off in the aqueduct.
By Emily Friedel
The end of the Rubicon Valley is well worth exploring for its range of forest types, beautiful birdlife, and snippets of history. If you want to explore on foot, there are plenty of walking trails to lead you through this unique area.
The following guide describes a roughly 18-km circuit walk that takes you through various landscapes and relics. The walk is long, but all the tracks are in good condition with only gentle ups and downs (it’s a grade 3 hike). With the easy terrain, you should comfortably complete the entire walk in around 5 to 6 hours. If this is a bit daunting or if you’re time poor, there are some options for shorter walks at the end of this article.
There are sometimes road or bridge closures in the Rubicon Valley, including seasonal closures, so you may want to check with the Alexandra DELWP office regarding access to the area before going.
The beginning
Start at the intersection of Royston Road and Lebruns Road. To get here, drive up Rubicon Road, which becomes Rubicon River Road – the last 3 km are gravel but no 4WD necessary.
Photo page 41: The Beech Creek Trestle Bridge, which was rebuilt after the Black Saturday fires. All photos in this article © Emily Friedel.
Before reaching Rubicon Power Station, turn left over the post office bridge onto Royston Road.
Head up Royston Road for around 5 km to where it intersects with Lebruns Road. Park your car here, grab your gear, and start walking!
To Royston Power Station (approx. 1 hr)
Walk up (heading south) along Royston Road for around 2 km until you reach the Heritage Walk sign (just before Royston Road forks with Rubicon River Road). Near the sign, there is a marker for the beginning of the Heritage Walk, which winds through lush, ferny forest. It’s about 1 km to Royston Power Station. Keep following the markers for the Heritage Walk. After the trail crosses Rubicon River Road, be on the lookout for a distant view of a pretty little waterfall off to your right.
When you reach the tramline alongside the aqueduct, turn right. You will soon emerge from the forest to see a cleared area and the wood stave pipeline that leads to Royston Power Station. Walk down the hill towards the power station. A detour to Rubicon Dam (approx. 2 hours)
Before you get down to the power station, the Heritage Walk trail heads off to the left (southward) and will take you to Rubicon Dam. Just keep following the Heritage Walk markers.
Above: A view of Royston Power Station from the tramline.
Below: The last stretch of tramline leading to the forebay. Bottom: The final leg of the walk along Lebruns Road.
The Lubra Creek Trestle Bridge.
The loop to the dam and back to Royston Power Station is around 7 km. It takes you through towering eucalypts, wattle thickets, and beech-filled gullies – all abundant with birdlife. When you get to the Lubra Creek Trestle Bridge, there are markers guiding you down alongside it and back up to the tramline because the trestle isn’t safe to cross.
Rubicon Dam lies at the end of the tramline. You can ascend a small track that leads up near the dam wall to get a different view of the water cascading down into the Rubicon River. The dam is a good spot to rest and refuel.
When you’re ready, head back to Royston Power Station. After passing the Lubra Creek Trestle Bridge, follow the track around to the left (following the Heritage Walk markers) and get to the power station via the tramline. This leg takes you over the Beech Creek Trestle Bridge, which was rebuilt after the 2009 fires.
To the forebay (approx. 2 hours)
From Royston Power Station, cross the Royston Trestle Bridge and follow the tramline all the way to its conclusion at the forebay, about 5 km in total. This portion of the hike takes you past the old SEC sawmill, across the long 15,000 Siphon Trestle Bridge (named for its distance in feet from the beginning of the tramline), and then weaves in and out of the forest. Make sure you stick close to the aqueduct – there are different vehicle tracks nearby that are tempting to use because they’re a bit clearer than the tramline and seem to run parallel, but some of them will eventually lead you astray.
At the end of the tramline there are a few small buildings and the forebay, which feeds Rubicon Power Station in the valley below via a huge pipeline. There are stunning views of the
valley from this area, and it is another great spot to rest and have a bite to eat while taking in the vistas. Back to the beginning (approx. 1 hr)
The final leg of your journey is simply following Lebruns Road for its entire 2.5 km until you get back to your car at the junction of Royston Road. Lebruns Road is a pleasant way to finish the walk – it is a comfortable stroll through drier forests, ending with a gentle decline to give your tired legs some respite. Lebruns Road is another good place to keep your eyes peeled for a wide variety of bird species.
Shorter options
If the full walk is too much, you can skip the detour to Rubicon Dam, leaving you with around a 11 km hike that will take 3 to 4 hours.
Another option is to only do the Heritage Walk. This walk follows the path outlined above, except you don’t go all the way to the forebay. Instead, a few hundred metres past the Siphon Trestle, you will see two small bridges across the aqueduct with a green Heritage Walk arrow marker. Follow the direction of the marker across the bridge and up a track into the forest. This track leads back up to the Heritage Walk trailhead. This will give you about an 8 km hike, taking about 2 to 3 hours.
Of course, for a very short walk, you can always do the Heritage Walk without the trip to the Rubicon Dam. This loop is around 2 km, taking about 40 mins to 1 hour.
For a map of the walking tracks, search for “FS0055-RubiconState-Forest.pdf” and click on the first result. You can also find GPS data files and alternative routes at trailhiking.com.au/ hikes/rubicon-aqueducts
Lake Eildon is emerging as one of Australia’s best trophy Murray cod fisheries.
The Shire of Murrindindi and surrounds offers some of the best recreational fishing opportunities in Victoria. Here fishers are spoilt for choice with pristine mountain streams, the Goulburn River tailrace fishery and, of course, the majestic Lake Eildon. Framed by mountains, hills and green pastures, this region is renowned for its wonderful and diverse fishing. It is also home to the most popular river and lake fishing destinations in Victoria –Lake Eildon and the Goulburn River near Thornton.
Surveys by the Victorian Fisheries
Authority (VFA) show more than 200,000 anglers value North East Victoria as their preferred fishing destination with more than 50,000 fishers going fishing there each year. Moreover, the annual economic benefits from fishing-related tourism in this region are estimated at more than $200 million dollars. Anglers visiting the Murrindindi region chase brown trout, rainbow trout, redfin, Murray cod and golden perch.
Fish stocking
The VFA is expanding its fish stocking program, and in 2021 more than 10 million fish including 12 species were
stocked into 239 waterways throughout Victoria. This has helped recover threatened fish and created exciting new fisheries, particularly in the Murrindindi region. In the last decade, more than 6.3 million fish (Murray cod, golden perch, and trout) were stocked into Lake Eildon. In the last few years, the VFA has also stocked hundreds of huge (3 to 6 kg) broodfish rainbow trout ‘stonkers’ at accessible land-based locations along the Goulburn River. This has extended the long tradition of releasing ex-broodfish from the Snobs Creek hatchery into the Eildon Pondage.
Fish and tips
Brown and rainbow trout are abundant in the cool rivers and creeks of this region. Favourite fishing methods include walking along rivers and creeks and casting lures (spinners, small diving lures and soft plastic) or fly fishing (wet fly fishing year-round and dry fly fishing in the warmer months). Bait fishing is also popular, which can be active (drifting a weighted worm down a river reach) or passive (sitting back and waiting for a bite, using worms, PowerBait, mudeye and other local baits). Most creeks and rivers hold strong populations of trout year-round, but fishing is closed in many of these waters between June to September to protect spawning fish. Trout are also readily caught in Lake Eildon by flat trolling Tassie Devils or diving lures or by using paravanes or downriggers. Trout prefer cooler and deeper water during summer, so getting the lure down at this time of the year can work very well.
Redfin can be found in deeper pools of larger rivers but are most often targeted in Lake Eildon. They travel in large schools and are often found at the base of submerged trees. Here anglers use worms for bait, small jigs, blades, or lipless crankbaits. The general rule is, if you haven’t caught a “reddie” in 10 minutes, move to the next tree and repeat. Depth sounders are very handy to locate redfin schools that can pop up anywhere throughout the lake.
Golden perch are most abundant in Lake Eildon and are most active in November when they school together to breed. At this time of the year, they are readily caught by trolling diving lures and bibless crankbaits just out
from the bank in 2 to 4 metres depth. Golden perch also respond well to spinnerbaits or diving lures cast at snags. Golden perch in Lake Eildon can grow very large (up to 8 kg) but most fish are in the 2 to 3 kg range.
Murray cod are Australia’s largest freshwater fish and are revered by recreational fishers around the world. In the last decade, because of fish stocking, Lake Eildon has emerged as one of the best Murray cod fisheries in Australia. When conditions are right, its not uncommon to encounter several 1-metre plus Murray cod in one fishing session. Murray cod respond to many of the same lures as golden perch, but make sure your lures are big and strong enough to withstand a Murray cod strike. In the last few years, high resolution sonar technology has dramatically improved Murray cod catch rates at Lake Eildon. Murray cod are now
Fishing cheat sheet
regularly caught at night using huge surface lures and mega-soft plastic lures, particularly in winter.
Heartland of fishing
The Murrindindi region is the heartland of fishing activity in North East Victoria. It hosts some of the most popular fishing locations in Victoria and enjoys a tremendous fishing reputation.
The fishing in this patch offers yearround and diverse fishing opportunities that appeal to those who target trout and native fish. To learn more about fishing in this region, why not come along to VFA’s annual Goulburn River Fishing Festival held on the first weekend of September.
The VFA website vfa.vic.gov.au/ recreational-fishing has some handy links for those looking to cast a line in Murrindindi.
Hot spots Target fish Best time Tactics
Lake Eildon Murray cod Year round Boating, trolling, and casting big lures Golden perch November Trolling lures and casting at snags Redfin Year round Worms and vibes around tree trunks Trout Year round (best in Flat trolling year-round and down cooler months) rigging in summer
Goulburn River Trout Year round Walk the banks casting spinners, Rapala CD3, (Eildon to Alexandra) (not in closed season) wet or dry fly
Align trip to trout stocking (stonkers)
Rubicon River Trout As above As above (not closed season)
Acheron River Trout Year round As above (not closed season)
Other creeks Trout As above Use light gear and a good set of waders and rivers
Eildon Pondage Trout
Winter and Spring Align trip to trout stocking (stonkers) school holidays
Now that international travel is on the cards again, learning a new language may have practical appeal. However, even if you don’t plan to explore far-flung places and converse with the locals in their native tongue, you may want to consider studying another language. Taking on the tricky task of absorbing a foreign language may lead to a better brain.
Learning promotes physical changes in the brain; learning is to the brain what exercise is to the muscles. But just as different types of exercise affect muscles differently, different types of learning affect the brain differently. Language acquisition could be considered the exercise equivalent of high intensity interval training: it takes a lot of effort, but it pays off.
Several studies have found links between bilingualism and a range of enhanced cognitive abilities, including having a flexible thinking style that facilitates adaptation to changing situations and being able to focus attention on what’s important while ignoring what’s not. Other research suggests bilinguals tend to develop dementia around four years later than monolinguals and have better mental faculty recovery after a stroke.
Researchers have suggested that the benefits of bilingualism stem from the brain training it involves, and a 2012 study published in the journal NeuroImage indicates that learning a new language can literally makes certain brain areas grow. This study looked at the brains of Swedish armed forces members who underwent three-month intensive foreign-language courses to become interpreters. Neuroimaging revealed that after studying a new language for three months, a brain
area that plays a vital role in learning and memory (the hippocampus) had increased in volume. There were also increases in the thicknesses of several other language-related areas in the cerebral cortex.
One of the most interesting things about this study was that it compared language-learners to those who were studying challenging subjects such as medicine and cognitive science. And while those studying the other subjects showed increased volume in the hippocampus, the language-learners had significantly greater increases. So straining your brain to learn a language may produce different effects than trying to understand other complex subject matter.
An off-putting aspect of learning a new language is that, for most of us, it’s really hard. There is a critical period of human development in which the acquisition of a second language is relatively easy, and a 2018 study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests this extends up to 17 or 18 years. Beyond that, getting your head around an unfamiliar language becomes more difficult. For many adults, it may feel arduous and overwhelming.
On the bright side, having to work harder to learn a language may lead to enhanced brain growth. In the 2012 Swedish study, those who struggled more to learn the new language during their three-month intensive course had greater increases in one particular language-related brain area (the middle frontal gyrus). Perhaps the ‘no pain, no gain’ proverb so often uttered in relation to exercise outcomes is also applicable to language learning.
Learning a language from another culture may also cultivate social skills by opening your mind to other worldviews. Languages encapsulate the values and
perspectives of the culture in which they are rooted. For example, your native language may influence how you perceive colour. In Greek there are two words for blue, one for lighter hues and one for darker. However, Greek people who have been living in the UK for a long time distinguish less between the light and dark blue categories, adopting more of the English-speaking approach that a single word covers both categories. Therefore, learning another language may require considering or adapting to alternative ways of viewing the world.
The idea that learning a different language can help put you in another’s headspace is supported by a 2018 meta-analysis of research showing that bilingual children have an advantage over monolingual children when it comes to developing theory of mind. Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states to other people; that is, it’s the ability to understand what someone else is thinking or feeling. While the precise reason for this bilingual theory of mind advantage is yet to be elucidated, a 2015 study found that children who were exposed to a second language but not bilingual also displayed enhanced theory of mind. This finding suggests the awareness that other people can have different linguistic knowledge may underpin the bilingual theory of mind advantage.
Regardless of your motivations for mastering a new lingo, learning a new language could give your brain the workout it needs to develop bigger cognitive ‘muscles’. It may even make you a better, more socially competent person. And don’t let the prospect of being an adult language learner stop you, as the French say, mieux vaut tard que jamais (better late than never).
Tanglewood Festival is set to return to Thornton this summer for New Year’s Eve after receiving state planning approval from DEWLP in October 2022. Attracting around 3,000 music and arts lovers to the local area, it brings nearly half a million dollars into local businesses in the community.
The annual familyfriendly, boutique music and arts festival provides entertainment for the local community and the broader Goulburn Valley and Eildon communities. Tanglewood Festival has built a reputation for being a safe, family-orientated summer festival that draws visitors from Melbourne, interstate and globally. A wide range of ages and tastes are catered for with different music styles, art displays, markets, a children’s space, cultural and creative workshops, and seminars.
Focused on supporting
Thornton contractors, regional hospitality, local produce and accommodation businesses, the festival is proud of the partnership it has forged with the local community across the Murrindindi Shire. The festival showcases a mix of local, up-and-coming and established musicians and artists in a natural, safe, rural setting that is respectful of the Thornton community and nearby agricultural properties.
During the festival, an emergency management centre is staffed 24 hours a day with an emergency manager and communications officer.
Tanglewood employs its own medical team, with doctors, ambulance, and a fire management team, as well as maintaining a fire truck and fire suppression vehicles. Security is provided across the full perimeter and there is a substantial group of security teams, overseen by safety and area wardens and a site operations manager to ensure no strain on local resources.
As organisers, we have also volunteered our time and passion because we believe events like the Tanglewood Festival bring much needed stimulus for the arts and rural communities of Thornton and the Goulburn
Valley. COVID-19 has taken a wrecking ball to the arts and live music world, so we are excited that now the pandemic has eased, we can return to Thornton each new year, bringing some of the best music and culture to this beautiful hinterland.
We have worked hard to build an annual, professional event and look forward to the positive support of the community, local council, and authorities to allow us to continue to build a family-friendly cultural event that celebrates the best of Thornton and the broader Goulburn Valley community. Applications for musicians, roving performers, art gallery, food and market stalls are now open! Please visit www. tanglewoodfestival.com.au
We want to hear from you! We welcome community participation, any residents wishing to contribute, share ideas, get involved, have a local business, or want to discuss any elements of the event should contact us: info@tanglewoodfestival. com.au
Assorted handmade baskets circa 2015/16 from left: coiled NZ flax/raffia, coiled poa grass/waxed thread, rusty, high tensile fencing wire (random weave), and palm leaves/ NZ flax with string.
Left: mosaic triptych, each panel 45cm by 95cm ceramic tiles glued into position on cement sheet by Eildon Primary School students in 2010. ‘Sun Rising Over Eildon Waters’: panels from right depict water flowing from the nearby hills, sun rising over water and the Eildon bridge over the Pondage, and Lake Eildon with houseboat.
her small, hard-working and passionate committee with much of this success. Next year, the festival will be held in the fourth weekend in May, a change from its usual late July date.
By Carol HopkinsWhile most people in the Alexandra area would know Carolyn Weeks from her role in coordinating the Murrindindi Beanie and Fibre Festival, many may not be aware that she is an incredibly versatile artist with skills in painting, drawing, basket making, mosaics and sculpting (using both wire and fibreglass mesh). This impressive range of artistic skills holds her in good stead for her extensive work in the community. Carolyn has been involved in creating mosaic murals and wire sculptures for schools, making puppets and lanterns for a local festival, teaching painting, drawing, mosaics and basket making at community houses, and running art programs for children. Helping people tap into their creativity is something Carolyn loves.
“Art is fun. Everyone can be creative, and creativity enables us to truly express ourselves,” she says.
She particularly enjoys her work
as artist-in-residence in rural and metropolitan schools where she sees children becoming inspired and excited by art projects.
“I love that sense of discovery that kids have,” she says.
Her passion for involving the community in creative activities led Carolyn to initiate and facilitate the Murrindindi Beanie and Fibre Festival, based in Alexandra. This annual festival invites people to let their imagination run riot and knit, crochet, weave, sew or construct a beanie, or other item of clothing, in keeping with the year’s theme. In 2022, the theme was “Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies”.
“I felt I needed to create a festival that was accessible to the general population,” Carolyn explains. “I really wanted the average person to get involved and get creative”.
Now in its ninth year, the festival has been an outstanding success, attracting hundreds of imaginative entries, in five categories, each year. Carolyn credits
As part of Carolyn’s drive to help others be creative, she runs courses on request for groups of four or more people on a range of art topics such as basket making, wire work, drawing and painting. All you have to do is contact Carolyn, and if you have the topic and the people, and Carolyn has a time slot, you will be underway.
When not involved in community projects or working part-time in sales and administration, Carolyn somehow finds time to pursue her own artistic interests. At the moment, her focus is on structural painting. This is a process where she spreads a plaster mixture over canvas, allows it to dry, and then carves it to create a flowing image. Currently, she is only working in white but may add colour to these paintings in the future.
Carolyn also paints with oils and acrylics, producing large, colourful works in styles that she describes as abstractexpressionist or abstract-realism. Pen and ink drawings, sometimes with a watercolour wash, are also in her repertoire, and lately she has produced some stunning illustrations of the quaint
Above: ‘Floral pick’ – acrylic on canvas, 450 x 610, 2020.
Right: ‘Discorded Elements’ – oil on canvas, 608 x 608, 2017.
cottages she observed on a recent trip to Germany. Carolyn admits that she can’t sit still creating one thing for too long and she has to have “lots of different things going on all the time”.
After a stint of painting, Carolyn might turn her attention to working with wire, particularly rusty wire, making baskets and sculptures. The process of transforming one object into something completely different inspires Carolyn.
“I love it when I find a piece of rusty wire and almost immediately I am able to see what form that piece of wire is going to become,” she says.
As well as wire, Carolyn also uses natural materials such as flax leaves, grasses and canes, often collected from her own garden, to make baskets. Recycled materials such as bread bags and old clothes are also pressed into service on ocassion. For one basket, Carolyn used some of her children’s clothing that she had kept for sentimental reasons.
She explains, “I had some of my kids’ favourite T-shirts and pyjamas that I just couldn’t part with and so I cut them into strips, platted them and then sewed them into a lovely basket. It was a really nice way of keeping those memories and making something useful.”
‘Goulburn River, Journey begins’: 1220 x 910 0il on canvas, 2018. Looking south towards ‘Riversdale’ farm, Alexandra. (Carolyn’s grandparents’ farm).
In a more recent innovation, Carolyn has been using fibreglass webbing to create both baskets and sculptures. She applies stiffening agents to the flexible mesh, moulds it into shape and then, if needed, adds a coat of paint. Wherever possible, whether with fibreglass, wire or paint, Carolyn likes to work “big”, although she admits that large creations can be very time-consuming.
From time to time, Carolyn might turn to another of her
interests – making jewellery from old crockery. And while she used to make her own mosaic products, such as house numbers and plaques, she now prefers to only be involved with larger, community projects in this medium.
Carolyn’s astonishing artistic ability should not come as any surprise because she grew up in a very creative household. Her mother, Patricia Weeks, is an accomplished artist and her father, Allan Weeks, is a professional photographer as well as a dairy farmer. Growing up on the family farm at Acheron, Carolyn says she was surrounded by creativity.
“It was part of the everyday. It was just there, in the house. Mum was painting, mum was drawing”.
Even though Carolyn now lives in Melbourne with her partner, Cliff Gersitz, the farm and the surrounding district are still very much part of her life. She and Cliff enjoy coming back to the farm almost every weekend to see her family, be immersed in the beautiful countryside and go for horse rides. Eventually the pair hope to move permanently to the Acheron area. Cliff is a professional photographer specialising in nighttime photography, and he uses the lack of light pollution in the country around Acheron to his artistic advantage. Cliff is particularly skilled at creating special effects with light tubes and Carolyn often collaborates with him on these projects. In talking about her work Carolyn admits that her head is always buzzing with ideas, and she has “so many ideas it’s insane”. But, unlike many people, Carolyn puts her ideas into practice.
“I want to make things happen. I don’t sit back and wait for other people to do things,” she says.
Her amazingly prodigious and diverse artwork, as well as her community involvement, are testament to that.
If you would like to see more of Carolyn’s art you can visit her website www.weeksy.au, check out her Instagram page @caz. weeks.art or contact her by email cazart@live.com.au. She also has artworks for sale at her online shop Sculpturedartgallery at www. etsy.com.
MiRa
Marysville
International opera singers, Breana Stillman, Stephen Marsh and Kathryn Radcliffe will be performing in Eildon on the banks of the picturesque Pondage on Saturday 7 January 2023.
Soprano Breana Stillman was born in Melbourne, (her father Neil is from Alexandra) and is currently living between Europe and Australia. Breana gained a BMus (Performance) from The Melba Conservatorium and then went on to complete a Masters in Advanced Vocal Studies in Wales. Breana has performed
in Germany, Italy, New York and UK. Breana became the founder and director of a charity called Operaffinity which has organised opera workshops with Ukranian, Afghan, Syrian refugees in Rome, and recently held a charity concert there. Last summer she worked with 6,000 Kenya orphans introducing the children to classical singing and dancing with a group of musicians. Baritone Stephen Marsh made his professional debut in Victorian Opera’s Sleeping Beauty in 2017 and was a developing artist for the company for both
the 2017/2018 seasons. In 2021 Stephen also made his European debut as Marcello in Puccini’s La Bohème at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. Stephen was a scholar with the prestigious Melba Opera Trust Programme for 2018/2019 as well as an inaugural member of Melbourne Opera’s Richard Divall Emerging Artist Program.
Soprano Kathryn Radcliffe is a Melbourne-Sydney based soloist with various companies including Opera Australia, Victorian Opera and the Vienna State Opera. Kathryn completed
her Bachelor of Music Performance in Voice in 2009 at the Victorian College of the Arts and Music with first class Honours. She also obtained her AMusA in Flute in 2002.
Come and enjoy the performance and meet the artists after the show.
For more information see ad below or contact Karine Haslam on 0400 715 319 karine.haslam@gmail.com
The Rotary Club of Yea is pleased to be hosting their annual Art Show in the iconic Yea Shire Hall from Wednesday 25 January until Sunday 29 January. The opening night will be Wednesday 25 January at 7.30pm ($25 per head entry). It will be the 51st Art Show to be held in Yea. Prizes this year total more than $7500, with a first prize of $2500. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Frank Hargrave Trust, the Murrindindi Shire Council, and many other sponsors for their generosity.
Artist entry forms will be available online at www.yearotary.org.au from early November and close on Friday 6 January. All prizes are non-acquisitive.
The Art Show is more than just another fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Yea. The opening night is a fun social evening, and everyone present on opening night gets first choice of purchasing some
wonderful artwork. This year, the theme for opening night is ‘red and white’ –for Canada. This is in recognition of the current (and first woman) Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones, who is Canadian. Come along, enjoy a complimentary drink and some nibbles and make the room of a sea of colourful red and white. The raffle prize this year will again be a beautiful painting by talented artist Julian Bruere, with ticket sales commencing in December.
Always held over the Australia Day weekend, the Yea Rotary Art Show has built a significant reputation on the Victorian art show calendar. This is made possible by the artists who have
supported the show over the years and the public who attend the show and acquire works for their own collections. After holding a rather reduced show in 2022 due to covid restrictions, this 2023 show promises to be better than ever.
Put the dates in your calendar and for an entry fee of just $5, you will be able to enjoy viewing some excellent artwork. Entry each day is from 10am to 5pm, except for the last day, Sunday 29 January, when the door closes at 3pm. Patrons can purchase tickets at the door, but for opening night bookings are preferred via Try Booking at https:// www.trybooking.com/CDSGB to assist with catering.
FROM 19 NOVEMBER ~ EXHIBITION AT MIRA MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville
From The Ground Up. Open 10am-4pm. An annual exhibition for Valley Potters – a range of beautiful ceramic artworks created with the wonderful and precious resource from the earth, clay. Each artist derives inspiration for their work from different places, such as their surroundings, their loves, their passions and their imagination. As each pair of hands has different experiences and works with the malleable clay in their own way, each piece is unique and holds a piece of the artists DNA and soul within it.
This exhibition, made up of works from Valley Potter artists, includes sculptural, functional and decorative pieces. The artists use a variety of making and firing techniques to create their work including hand building, wheel throwing, primitive firing, gas and electric firing. P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 58)
DECEMBER 2022
SATURDAY 3 & SUNDAY 4 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS
Yea Butter Factory, 13 Rattray Street, Yea
An inspirational environment where 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 38)
SATURDAY 11 TO END DECEMBER ~
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY
Alexandra Shire Hall, 55 Grant Street, Alexandra
Each year the community decorates Christmas Trees which are on display for everyone to enjoy throughout December. 10am-9pm (closed Christmas Day) E: alexandraxmastreefestival@gmail.com P: 0415 476 639
SATURDAY 17 ~ YEA & ST PATS RACING CLUB RACE DAY
Yea Racecourse, Racecourse Rd, Yea
P: 0438 048 178 E: mhcars@hotmail.com W: country.racing.com/yea (see ad page 46)
SATURDAYS FROM 17 ~ EILDON DAMS MUSEUM
Utah Place behind Eildon Information Centre
See how the dam was constructed, artifacts, first houseboat, historical photos. 11am-2pm (other times by appt). $5pp children free.
P: 0409 940 209 / 0409 806 604
FRIDAY 30 TO MONDAY 2 JANUARY ~ TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL
Thornton
An affordable, safe festival for everyone: art galleries, workshops, children’s activity space, healing space, jam space, roving performers, craft market, bar and street food. Gates open 11am 30 December leave by 12pm 2 January. W: www.tanglewoodfestival.com.au (see ad page 60)
JANUARY 2023
SATURDAYS ~ EILDON DAMS MUSEUM
Utah Place behind Eildon Information Centre
See how the dam was constructed, artifacts, first houseboat, historical photos. 11am-2pm (other times by appt). $5pp children free. P: 0409 940 209 / 0409 806 604
SUNDAY 1 ~ MERTON PICNIC RACES
Euroa/Mansfield Road, Merton
Six race card, fashions on the field, Kelly Sports, animal farm, TOTE & Bookmakers, bar & food. Gates open 11am ~ First race 1pm. P: 0407 888 121 E: dean.natalie@bigpond.com (see ad page 49)
SATURDAY 7 ~ OPERA ON THE PONDAGE
Eildon Pondage, Riverside Drive Eildon
Internationally renowned artists Breanna Stillman, Stephen Marsh and Kathryn Radcliffe. Live music, drinks and pre-ordered meals from 5.30pm. Main event 7pm.
F: Art in Eildon P: 0400 715 319 (see ad page 59)
SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS
Yea Butter Factory, 13 Rattray Street, Yea
An inspirational environment where 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 38)
SATURDAY 14 ~ ALEXANDRA PRO-RODEO W: www.alexandrarodeo.com.au (see ad inside front cover)
SATURDAY 21 ~ YEA & ST PATS RACING CLUB RACE DAY
Yea Racecourse, Racecourse Rd, Yea
P: 0438 048 178 E: mhcars@hotmail.com W: country.racing.com/yea (see ad page 46)
FRIDAY 25 TO SUNDAY 29 ~ YEA ROTARY ART SHOW
Yea Shire Hall, High Street, Yea
The 36th Yea Rotary Art Show will feature varied displays by many talented artists from Yea, The Murrindindi Shire, Victoria and interstate. P: 0408 972 776 / 0428 321 545 E: woodsygm@bigpond.net.au (see ad page 61)
FEBRUARY 2023
SATURDAYS ~ EILDON DAMS MUSEUM
Utah Place behind Eildon Information Centre
See how the dam was constructed, artifacts, first houseboat, historical photos. 11am-2pm (other times by appt). $5pp children free.
P: 0409 940 209 / 0409 806 604
SATURDAY 4 & SUNDAY 5 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS
Yea Butter Factory, 13 Rattray Street, Yea
An inspirational environment where 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 38)
SUNDAY 19 ~ YEA & ST PATS RACING CLUB RACE DAY
Yea Racecourse, Racecourse Rd, Yea
P: 0438 048 178 E: mhcars@hotmail.com W: country.racing.com/yea (see ad page 46)
SUNDAY 26 ~ LONG LAZY SUMMER LUNCH
Holmesglen at Eildon 92 Moore Road, Eildon
W: www.holmesglenateildon.com.au
E: eildon@holmesglen.edu.au P: 03 5774 2631 (see ad page 1)
A LEXANDRA 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
ALEXANDRA PRODUCERS’ MARKET
4th Saturday of the month during daylight savings 9am-1pm
Alexandra Hotel, 64 Grant Street, Alexandra local meat suppliers, bread, flowers, seedlings, backyard grown fruit & veg, jams, preserves, biscuits, wine tasting, live music and more from.
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
19 November 2022 • 17 December 2022 • 21 January 2023
• 18 February 2023 • 11 March 2023 • 8th April 2023 ~ 4pm-8pm
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
ACCOMMODATION
Alexandra Tourist Park
Alexandra 5772 1222
Alpino Apartments
Marysville 0408 103 481
Big4 Taggerty Holiday Park
Taggerty 5774 7263
Bonfire Station Farmstay 0423 457 072
Buxton Hotel, Buxton 5774 7381
Dalr ymples, Marysville 5963 3416
Eildon Lake Motel, Eildon 5774 2800
Eildon Pondage Holiday Park 1800 651 691
Elite Stays
Marysville / Taggerty 0413 795 283
Flowerdale Estate
Strath Creek 5784 9280
Glenfield Cottage B/B
Yarck 5773 4304
Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park
Lake Eildon 5774 2585
Riverbend Holiday Park
Thornton 5773 2305
Royal Mail Hotel, Yea 5797 2515
Rubicon Hotel Motel
Thornton 5773 2251
Saladin Lodge
Narbethong 0429 699 969
Snobs Creek Holiday Park 5774 2903
Taylor Bay Country Club
Taylor Bay 0497 889 353
Tower Motel, Marysville 5963 3225
Yea Motel 5797 2660
Yea Peppercorn Hotel Yea 5797 2000
AIR CONDITIONING SERVICES
North East Air, Buxton 0438 572 376
ANTENNA / TV SERVICES
Chris’s TV 0405 554 915
APPLIANCE STORE
Chookies Alexandra 5772 2152
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
Alexandra Automotive 5772 3232
Alexandra Tyrepower 5772 3456
Eildon Auto Repairs & Towing 5774 2727
Eildon Auto Spares, Eildon 5774 2712
Yea Automotive Service Centre 5797 2562
Yea Mechanical Repairs 5797 2200
BANKS
Bendigo Bank, Kinglake 5786 1656
BEE SUPPLIES
Dindi Bee Supplies, Alexandra 0409 908 857
BOAT HIRE
BoostWake, Eildon 0414 313 255
Lakeview Boat Hire
Eildon 0488 051 721
Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park
Eildon 5774 2585
BOOK SHOPS
Books at Yarck, Yarck 0400 418 139
Goulburn River Books
Alexandra 5772 2935
BREWERIES
Bonfire Station Brewing Co, Taggerty 0423 457 072
BUILDERS
MillBuilt 0409 557 631
Swenrick, Buxton www.swenrick.com.au
BUTCHERS
Alexandra Quality Meats 5772 1151
Thornton Butchers & Deli 5773 2224
Yarck Meat & Produce yarckmeatandproduce.com
CARAVAN PARKS
Alexandra Showgrounds Caravan Park 0417 179 313
Big4 Taggerty Holiday Park
Taggerty 5774 7263
Eildon Waters Holiday Park Eildon 5773 2386
Eildon Pondage Holiday Park Eildon 1800 651 691
Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park
Lake Eildon 5774 2585
Mar ysville Holiday Park 5963 3247
Riverbend Caravan Park
Thornton 5773 2305
Snobs Creek Holiday Park 5774 2903
Yea Riverside Caravan Park
Yea 5797 2972
CLOCKSMITH
Patrick O’Neill 0413 223 730
CLOTHING / SHOE SHOPS
Alexandra Apparel 5772 1254
Alexandra Sportspower 5772 1719
Country Touch, Marysville 5963 3753
Jerusalem Creek Marina & Hoilday Park
Eildon 5774 2585
Embling Rural, Alexandra 5772 3110
COMMUNICATIONS
Weeks Radio, Alexandra 5772 1292
COMPUTERS
Upper Goulburn Computer Services 0417 342 914
DENTAL CLINICS
Alexandra Dental Clinic 5772 1073
DOG GROOMING
In The Pink, Taggerty 5774 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
Grant Street Grocer
Alexandra 5772 1526
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
Mar ysville Souvlaki 0456 932 109
Ros Ritchie Wines
Mansfield 0444 588 276
Saladin Lodge, Narbethong 0429 699 969
Secret Thai, Alexandra 0478 113 945
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
Yea Take Away, Yea 5797 2664
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 FHN Black Angus 0429 020 619
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
FLORISTS / FLOWERS
Full Bloom Alexandra 0430 580 264 Flori e Casa, Yea 0412 322 419 Goulburn Valley Nursery 0417 907 278
FURNITURE STORES
Chookies Furniture Warehouse Alexandra 5772 2152
GALLERIES
Darren Gilbert Open Studio Highlands w ww.monkeytaildesign.com 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 Tallarook General Store & Cafe
Tallarook 5792 1687
GIFT SHOP / CLOTHING / ANTIQUES
Goody’s Discounts, Alexandra 0438 702 982 Embling Rural, Alexandra 5772 3110 Flori e Casa, Yea 0412 322 419
Lit & Beyond, Marysville 0422 239 754
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
Waxy Aroma, Alexandra waxyaromacandles.mybigcommerce.com
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
Terry White Chemmart, Eildon 5774 2626
HEATING
Bowd Heating, Alexandra 5772 1045
HOSPITALITY SUPPLIES
Mansfield Hospitality Supplies5779 1660
HOTELS / MOTELS / RESORTS
Alexandra Motor Inn 5772 2077
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
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
Yea Motel, Yea 5797 2660
Yea Peppercorn Hotel, Yea 5797 2000
HOUSEBOAT SERVICES
Cormac Painting 0488 183 432
LANDSCAPING
Itec Earthworks 0421 921 110
LIVESTOCK SALES
Riddellvue Angus Stud 0418 367 209
LOCAL PRODUCE
Alexandra Quality Meats 5772 1151
Buxton Trout Farm 5774 7370
Dindi Bee Supplies, Alexandra 0409 908 857
Grant Street Grocer
Alexandra 5772 1526
Thornton Butcher & Deli 5773 2224
Yarck Meat & Produce yarckmeatandproduce.com
MARINE SERVICES
Eildon Outboard Service Eildon 5774 2132
MACHINERY SALES
Alexandra Motorcycles Alexandra 5772 1045 Yea Automotive Service Centre 5797 2562
Yea Machinery 9730 1988 Lake Eildon Marina Jerusalem Ck, Eildon 5774 2022
MOTORCYCLES
Alexandra Motorcycles Alexandra 5772 1045
MOWERS
Alexandra Motorcycles Alexandra 5772 1045
Maroondah Outdoor Equipment Buxton 5774 7292
Yea Machinery 9730 1988 Yea Mowers & Power Equipment 9069 3368
MOTOR TRIMMING
T&J Trimming 0408 789 653
NEWSAGENCIES
Alexandra Newsagency 5772 1025
NURSERIES / GARDEN CENTRES / SUPPLIES
Alexandra Garden Nursery 5772 2335
Bedrock Garden Supplies Alexandra 5772 1911 Fern Acres, Kinglake West 5786 5031 Garden Centre, Yea 5797 2933
Goulburn Valley Nurseries Alexandra 0417 907 278
OPTOMETRIST
J. Martin Optometry
Alexandra & Mansfield 0491 641 474 Optair Eyecare, Yea 0438 527 455
OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
Maroondah Outdoor Equipment Buxton 5774 7292
PAINTING SERVICES Cormac Painting 0488 183 432
PARTY HIRE Pony Parties 0417 330 948
PHARMACIES
Alexandra Pharmacy 5772 2153 Terry White Chemmart, Eildon 5774 2626
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Alexandra Physiotherapy 5772 2649
PLUMBERS
Travis Capp Plumbing
Alexandra 0419 553 803
PORTABLE TOILETS
Alexandra Porta-Loos 0493 143 896
POST OFFICE
Shell Buxton 5774 7171
PUMPS / GENERATORS
Alexandra Motorcycles 5772 1045
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Elders, Alexandra 0419 558 032
RURAL PRODUCE / EQUIPMENT
Elders, Yea 5797 4100
Embling Rural, Alexandra 5772 3110
Nutrien Ag Alexandra 5772 2444 Yea 5797 2799
SERVICE STATIONS / FUEL SUPPLIES
Endeavour Alexandra 5772 1227
Endeavour Yea 5797 2008
Endeavour Fuel Deliveries 9781 7100
Jerusalem Creek Marina & Hoilday Park
On-water fuel barge
Eildon 5774 2585
Shell Buxton, Buxton 5774 7171
Simpson & Sons P/L
Alexandra 5772 1205
Simpsons Fuel Eildon 5774 2220
SIGNWRITING
Alexandra Signs 0419 880 152
STOCK AND STATION AGENTS
Elders Alexandra 5772 1052 Yea5797 2037
Embling Rural, Alexandra 5772 3110
TRACTOR SALES
Yea Machinery 9730 1988
TREE SERVICES
Eastern Tree Management 0488 990 393
Global Tree Solutions 0439 721 943
High Country Tree Services 0438 751 932
JT’s Trees 0413 671 066
TOWING & SALVAGE
Eildon Auto Repairs & Towing Eildon 5774 2727 / 0407 023 407
TROUT FARMS
Buxton Trout Farm 5774 7370
T V SERVICES
Chris’s TV 0405 554 915
T YRES
Alexandra Tyrepower 5772 3456
UPHOLSTERY
T&J Trimming 0408 789 653
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
Alexandra 5772 1100 / 1800 652 298
Eildon 5774 2805
Mar ysville 5963 4567 Yea 5797 2663
VETERINARIAN
Mountain Ranges Vet Clinic Kinglake 5786 1777
WATER SUPPLIES
H2O Fresh Drinking Water 0418 362 968
WELDING SERVICES
Buffalo Built 0429 199 472
WINES/BREWS
Bonfire Station Farmstay & Microbrewery 0423 457 072
Horny Stag Vineyard
Eildon 0409 121 269
Little River Wines, Taggerty 5774 7644
Ros Ritchie Wines,Mansfield0444 588 276
Sedona Estate, Murrindindi 9730 2883
WINDSCREENS
Alexandra Windscreens & Glass
Alexandra 0427 577 839
ZOO
Mansfield Zoo, Mansfield 5777 3576
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police ..........................................................000
Alexandra .................................................... 5772 1040 Eildon 5774 2104
Kinglake 5786 1333 Marysville 5963 3222
Seymour.............................................24hr 5735 0200 Yea 5797 2630
Ambulance .................................................000 CFA ..............................................................000
SES ..............................................24hr 132 500
Bushfire Information Line & Fire Restriction Info 1800 240 667
Crime stoppers 1800 333 000
Gas emergencies 24hr 132 771 Goulburn Valley Water – faults 1800 454 500
Help for Wildlife................................... 0417 380 687
Power & Street Light Failures .................... 131 799
RACV....................................................................131111
Energy Australia 133 466 Wildlife Victoria 1300 094 535
HEALTH SERVICES
HELPLINES
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Lifeline ................................................... 24hr 13 11 14 Maternal & Child Health Line ........................................... 24hr 13 22 29
Mental Health Advice Line 1300 280 737
Poisons Information Centre 131 126 Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service.........................................1800 015 188
HOSPITALS
Alexandra 5772 0900 Yea 5736 0400
After Hours GP clinic 1300 766 858
SCHOOLS / EDUCATION
PRE SCHOOLS / PLAYGROUPS
Alexandra & District
Kindergarten 5772 1387
Alexandra Playgroup 5772 2344
Eildon Kindergarten 5774 2041
Flowerdale Kindergarten 5780 2816
Kinglake Playgroup .................................. 5786 1301
Kinglake Ranges
Children’s Centre....................................... 5786 1352
NEST Playgroup 9719 7314
Yea & District Children’s Centre 5797 2730
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Alexandra PS 5772 1006
Buxton PS 5774 7341
Eildon PS ...................................................... 5774 2074
Flowerdale PS ............................................ 5780 1264
Kinglake PS 5786 1284
Kinglake Middle PS 5786 1295
Kinglake West PS.......................................5786 5262
Marysville PS 5963 3256
Sacred Heart PS Yea 5797 2723
St Mary’s PS Alexandra 5772 1500
Toolangi PS ................................................. 5962 9255
Yea PS............................................................ 5797 2724
SECONDARY COLLEGES
Alexandra SC 5770 2000 Yea SC 5797 2207
ADULT EDUCATION
CEACA Alexandra 5772 1238
Flowerdale Community House 5780 2664 Kinglake
Neighbourhood House .......................... 5786 1301 U3A Murrindindi East 0479 107 779 U3A Yea ........................................................ 5797 2230 Yea Community House 5797 3070 SERVICES CLUBS
Kiwanis ................................................... 0418 335 692
LIONS CLUBS
Alexandra .................................................... 5772 3428 Eildon 5774 2674 Kinglake 5786 1403 Marysville .............................................. 0448 954 667 Yea .................................................................5797 3242
MASONIC LODGES
Alexandra Masonic Centre, Albert Edward Lodge 0448 902 262 / 5772 2708
MEN’S SHEDS
Flowerdale 0412 334 521 Kinglake Ranges........................................5786 5999 Marysville Colin Briggs 0423 959 145
PROBUS CLUBS
Alexandra .................................................... 5772 1253 Alexandra Ladies 5774 2641 Yea.................................................................. 5797 2344
RED CROSS
Alexandra Red Cross 0419 872 230
ROTARY CLUBS Alexandra 5772 1897 Kinglake Ranges........................................5786 2193 Yea 5792 3515 RSL
Alexandra RSL ............................................ 5797 6269 Eildon RSL 5774 2147 Marysville RSL ............................................ 5774 7110 Thornton RSL Sub Branch................0458 082 823 Yea-Kinglkae 5796 9353
SENIOR CITIZENS CLUBS
Alexandra Senior Citizens 5772 1010
YOUTH GROUPS
Flowerdale Junior Youth Group 5 to 14 yrs 0408 333 953 Flowerdale Senior Youth Group 0423 320 484
SPORTING CLUBS
BASKETBALL CLUBS
Alexandra 0417 112 533 Kinglake ....................................................... 5786 5441
BOWLING CLUBS
Alexandra 5772 1150 Eildon 5774 2540 Marysville Golf & Bowls 5963 3241 Whittlesea .................................................. 9716 1966 Yea 5797 2770
CRICKET CLUBS
Alexandra 0437 599 909 Flowerdale 0414 533 342 Merton ................................................... 0408 316 498
Yea Tigers 5797 2543 Marysville & District 0422 702 956
FOOTBALL / NETBALL CLUBS
Alexandra 5772 1912 Yea 5797 2412 Kinglake 5786 1580 Marysville & District .......................... 0412 487 842
GOLF CLUBS
Eildon 5774 2044 Alexandra 5772 1570 Yea 0409 250 086
Whittlesea ................................................... 9716 2066
Marysville Golf & Bowls .......................... 5963 3241
RACE CLUBS
Alexandra 5773 4304 Merton 5778 9551
St Pats Race Club Yea......................... 0427 794 779
Yea.................................................................. 5796 9396
RIDING CLUBS
Acheron Valley
Adult Riding Club 5773 2245
SPEEDWAY www.alexandraspeedway.com
SQUASH CLUB
Alexandra 0438 546 070
TENNIS CLUBS
Alexandra 5772 2621
Flowerdale 5780 2201
Kinglake Ranges........................................5786 5228
Yea.................................................................. 5736 0461
SWIMMING POOLS
Alexandra 5772 1705
Eildon 5774 2174 Marysville 5963 3387
Yea.................................................................. 5797 2474
RECREATIONAL GROUPS
Alexandra Brass Band..............................5772 1404
Alexandra Camera Club 0458 420 206
Alexandra & District Dog Obedience 5774 7303
Alexandra & District Lapidary Club .... 5774 2908
Alexandra & District Motorcycle Club
......................................................www.admcc.com.au
Alexandra Quilters 5772 1897
Buxton Craft Activities 5774 7291
Eildon & District Woodworking Guild/ Alexandra Community Shed
.................................alexandrawoodies@gmail.com
Eildon Art Group 5773 2306
Murrindindi Historic Vehicle Reg 0467 051 600
Redgate Classic Motorcycle Club 0433 291 495
Upper Goulburn Field Naturalists....... 5772 1189
Yea Camera Club 5797 3228
Yea Film Society 5797 2480
MURRINDINDI SHIRE COUNCIL
Customer Service and
General Enquiries (03) 5772 0333
Alexandra Library (03) 5772 0382
Yea Library...........................................(03) 5736 0036
Kinglake Library ................................ (03) 5786 1522
Mobile Library......................................0429 412 521
Operations Emergencies* 0407 509 413 (eg collapsed bridge or trees over road).
Community Safety Emergencies* 0419 572 425 (eg stock on roads or dog attacks).
*These numbers must only be used in the case of an emergency.
For information on Council or opening hours of the Resource Recovery Centres please visit the website www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/Home
