Gisborne Gazette August 2026

Gisborne Gazette

Sculpting a reputation

A COVID lockdown hobby has grown into a thriving creative pursuit for Paul Hurley, whose striking chainsaw sculptures are in demand around the region

Macedon resident Paul Hurley is a self-taught sculptor who uses chainsaws and sanders to create human portraits and animal sculptures.

Paul took up this hobby during the boring days of COVID and sculpting has since become a large part of his life.

Paul trained as a biochemist at La Trobe University and spent most of his career working for diagnostic companies that supplied medical equipment to hospitals. He later moved into the marketing side but now devotes more of his time to the pastime he enjoys so much.

His work has become known locally and he is receiving regular orders. He is currently working on a project for Woodend Primary School carving the figures of a bluetongue lizard, a cockatoo, an echidna and a duck on four cypress poles that will represent the school’s houses.

Paul and his wife Jodee chose to move from Melbourne to Macedon mainly because it was a halfway point between Paul’s work in Melbourne and his parents’ home in Castlemaine. They also had the good luck of signing the contract for the construction of their home before COVID sent costs skyrocketing, and they moved in on Christmas Eve in 2020.

Paul and Jodee and their children Patrick and Jasmine are so glad they made the move from Melbourne. They love being part of the Macedon community. How it begins: picture ► page 21

Paul Hurley with one of his chainsaw-sculpted pieces.

HOME PAGE

From the Editor's desk

We always seem to be talking about the weather in winter because, let’s face it, we live in a cold part of the world, so it is bound to be a talking point. Our family has had its share of colds and bugs this season. I urge you to rug up, stay home if you are unwell and check in on family and friends. I love seeing stories in our local online community groups of people sharing warm meals and helping their neighbours.

I am truly grateful for the amazing team at the Gazette who help put the paper together each month and distribute it. Contributors, advertisers, our committee, and team of volunteer deliverers. It was tough going last month to find a dry day to deliver, that’s for sure! Special shout out to my sister for helping me to deliver my papers last month in between the rainy spells when she visited.

This edition shows that life is not any slower in the cooler months. There is plenty happening in our area.

Our emergency services are busy training, with Bullengarook CFA preparing for the Firefighter Stair Climb (page 3), Gisborne CFA junior members attending a leadership camp (page 10), and Gisborne SES on the lookout for old cars for road rescue training (page 12).

Christmas in July was in full swing for Probus (page 14) and Mt Macedon Uniting Church (page 38). Gisborne Secondary College students shared their trip to Japan (page 25), while Holy Cross Primary School enjoyed a visit to Sovereign Hill (page 26).

In sad news, we farewelled three much-loved community members this month. Thank you to Bryan Power for liaising with families to celebrate their lives (page 29).

Following the popularity of Peter and Eddie Gardiner's 'Tales of Old Gisborne', Bryan starts a new series this month in which he interviews older residents for their memories of times past (page 30).

GFNC to join Ballarat League

In news anounced just as the Gazette was going to press, the AFL has approved Gisborne Football Netball Club joining the Ballarat league in the 2027 season, after previously being part of the Bendigo Football Netball League. Katrina Buttigieg

Gisborne Gazette PO Box 9, Gisborne 3437 www.gisbornegazette.org.au

Circulation 8000

Gazette Team

Editor: Katrina Buttigieg gisbornegazetteeditor@gmail.com 0401 874 441

Production Pip Butler 0439 816 278 pbutlerhistory@gmail.com

Photographer Chris Fleming 0417 322 944

Distribution Manager

and committee members:

Bryan Power

Patsy Smith

Dorothy Murray

Deb Fleming

Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 maxineandpeter@bigpond.com

Advertising Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 gisbornegazetteadvertising@gmail.com

Social media Jenny Shipp

Distributors: Proudly distributed to letterboxes in Gisborne, New Gisborne, Macedon, Mt Macedon, South Gisborne and Bullengarook by more than 90 volunteers.

Where you can find the Gazette

Available online at www.gisbornegazette.org.au

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DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in the Gazette are not necessarily those of the Gazette or its management committee unless acknowledged as such. No endorsement of products or services is implied by the listing of advertisers or sponsors. Any advice offered is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace or substitute for any professional advice. While every effort is taken in printing contributions accurately, the Gisborne Gazette takes no responsibility for errors.

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Copies of the Gazette are posted to subscribers each month for an annual subscription of $37.40 to cover postage. Payment can be made through direct deposit online. Please contact Maxine on 0438 711 138.

OBITUARIES

To submit an obituary for publication, please email bryanp2@bigpond.com. Please also provide a photo for publication and restrict the article to about 300 words.

If you do not receive the Gazette in your letter box, you can collect a copy at:

Gisborne: Post Office, Village Shopping Centre, Priceline Chemist, Hardy's UFS Pharmacy, Gisborne Medical Centre Brantome Street, Foodworks supermarket, Hello World Travel, Gisborne Library.

Mt Macedon: The Trading Post. Macedon: Post Office; United Service Station on Black Forest Drive.

New Gisborne: Baringo Food & Wine, Station Road; Smithy's Cafe, 3 Ladd Road. Riddells Creek: Newsagency Woodend: Coles supermarket.

The Gisborne Gazette acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community, and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Moc Hoyne was president of the GREAT Association when I first met him and he has been part of the Gazette delivery team since 2018.

Moc met his wife Jo through a mutual friend and they married in 1981. They have a daughter and son and two grandchildren.

Moc worked in numerous marketing and sales roles within the plastics and rubber industry throughout his career and when he and Jo took long service leave in 2004, they travelled around New Zealand and Tasmania. As a result, and after living so long in the suburbs of Melbourne, they realised that a ‘tree change’ was the next move for them and moved to Mount Macedon in 2011.

Every Friday afternoon, Moc, along with three other gentlemen from the Men's Shed, sings and plays the guitar for two hours in the Grevillea Unit at Gisborne Oaks.

Along with friends, Moc enjoys mountain bike riding and has ridden most of the Victorian rail trails, which are in his experience more enjoyable and safer than main roads.

Moc and Jo’s favourite holidays have been to Norway and last year they spent three weeks on Shetland, where they visited Jimmy Perez’s house but no-one was home so Jimmy must have been out solving a crime!

Moc is an Essendon supporter, but I don’t hold that against him!

Maxine Barker

Find the dinosaur: To brighten winter's 'inside' days, the Gazette has placed a little dinosaur, like the one above, on one of its pages. See who can be the first in the family to find it.

Moc Hoyne

Bullengarook CFA members step up for Firefighter Stair Climb

Four members of Bullengarook CFA are asking for the community’s support as they prepare to take on the 2026 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb on Saturday 12 September.

Captain Simon Hayward, and firefighters Aidan Salmon, Danny Giaccotto and Danielle Fitzgerald will climb the 28 floors of Crown Metropol wearing up to 25 kilograms of firefighting protective clothing and breathing apparatus. The challenge represents the physical and mental demands faced by firefighters and emergency service personnel every day.

The event raises vital funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Lifeline and the 000 Foundation, supporting cancer research, mental health services and the wellbeing of emergency service workers. The team has been overwhelmed by the generosity shown so far and sincerely

thanks everyone who has donated or shared words of encouragement.

If you’re able to help, no matter how big or small the contribution, every dollar makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made at:

* Simon Hayward: www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/ simonhayward/

* Aidan Salmon: www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/ aidansalmon/

* Danny Giaccotto: www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/ dannygiaccotto/

* Danielle Fitzgerald: www.firefighterclimb.org.au/ climber/daniellefitzgerald/

New heights for junior CFA members

During the recent school holidays, CFA Junior Brigade members attended a CFA junior volunteer leadership camp which saw them engage in activities that challenged their abilities, and they worked hard to achieve goals and reach personal heights they never thought they could. They seamlessly integrated into team activities that included low ropes course, crate stacking, archery, climbing the fire tower, the giant ladder (pictured left) and giant swing.

More on page 10

Gymnast scores in national titles

Following the excitement of being selected for the Level 8 Victorian gymnastics team in May, Gisborne's Sophie Strano immediately refocused her training in preparation for the Australian Championships.

Sophie’s coach, Camilla Camondo, and members of her family went to Sydney to support her at the June 28-29 titles, in what they hoped would be an amazing experience. Sophie’s plan, however, was to prove that her place in the team was deserved — and she did, coming back with two bronze medals.

The first day was the team event. Victoria competed over all four apparatuses. In the last rotation the Victorian team, helped by Sophie’s score on the vault, jumped from the bottom of the leaderboard to finish third behind Queensland and NSW. All eight team members received the bronze medal.

The next day was the individual competition with scores from the previous day counting towards the overall results. Despite a slightly lower vault score, Sophie nailed all the other apparatuses and recorded a personal best score, which secured her an All Around personal bronze medal for the 15+ division.

Sophie is now back in the gym, getting ready to do it all again next year, in Level Nine. Eve Strano

Victorian state team: Sophie Strano performs on bars.

Simon Hayward, Aidan Salmon, Danny Giaccotto and Danielle Fitzgerald are training for the fund-raising climb.

Community builders see thriving future for local towns

A growing movement of community-minded residents and businesses is helping activate town centres in the Macedon Ranges through the Macedon Ranges Thriving Villages initiative.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council recently confirmed funding in the 2026-27 budget for communitydeveloped Town Centre Activation Plans for Gisborne, Kyneton and Woodend.

The Thriving Villages initiative is open to anyone who wants to help make their town a better place to live, work, invest in and visit.

Whether it is an idea, a skill, a connection or simply a willingness to get involved, there is a place for community members.

Visit www.tourismmacedonranges.au for more information on the Macedon Ranges Thriving Villages initiative. To connect with your local Town Team, contact Andrew Towner at teammacedonranges@gmail.com.

Damaged units still not repaired following February hail storm

During the severe hail storm in Gisborne on 27 February, units in Hamilton Street were flooded, resulting in the owners and tenants having to move out of several of the 16 units.

Five months have now passed, and while the affected residents have been found alternative accommodation, they are anxious to return to their homes as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for the manager of the Owners Corporation (McKie Property Management) says that repairs are proceeding on schedule but a date for the completion of the work could not be given.

Mayor steps down to run in state election

Councillor Kate Kendall has stepped down as mayor of Macedon Ranges Shire Council to run in the coming state election. Cr Kendall has decided to stand

as Liberal

for

Providing Eyecare to the Macedon Ranges since 1980

Eye examinations for all ages

Come in and see our range of over 400 Spectacle Frames and Sunglasses to suit all budgets and needs.

Call today 5428 4100 and book an eye exam.

Hours: Mon to Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm Saturday mornings 8am to 12 noon

Riddells Creek Town Centre Activation Plan workshop attendees on a ‘walkshop’ through the town.

Units are still waiting for full repairs to be completed.

candidate

the seat of Macedon, currently held by Mary-Anne Thomas, who is retiring. Cr Kendall will remain as a councillor.

Tavern in search of national recognition

After winning the Australian Hotels Association's award for Best Family Dining in regional Victoria in June, Castello's Victorian Tavern is thrilled to also be nominated for the national award for Best Family Dining.

Castello's manager Peter Fadljevic said, “This recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support of our staff and customers. To our dedicated

team, thank you for your passion, hard work, and commitment to creating a welcoming experience for every guest. To our loyal customers, thank you for choosing Castello’s Vic Tavern, celebrating life’s special moments with us, and continuing to support our venue.

The award winners are due to be announced at the end of November.

Local financial adviser retires after 53 years in business

Bob Nixon of Nixon Financial Services is retiring after having been in the business locally for over 53 years.

Bob built two successful financial advisory offices in both Gisborne and Sunbury and his commitment to his clients and the community has allowed him to have a long and fulfilling career.

Both offices will continue to run as usual following Bob’s retirement, with the same team assisting clients.

Bob and his wife, Barbara, also built and ran Gisborne Peak Winery in South Gisborne for many years. They are looking forward to continuing to improve and farm their 37 hectares, travel and spend time with family.

Congratulations Bob!

Special youth program to feature at Mountain Writers’ Festival

The local arts and culture scene is being invigorated further this November when the Mountain Writers’ Festival returns for the third time to Macedon.

Community Bank Gisborne & District has supported the biannual event since it began in 2022 and is delighted to continue sponsorship of the upcoming festival, which runs from 13 to 15 November this year. The Writers’ Festival received funds for a youth program in the bank's recent autumn grants.

The festival's Schools and Volunteer program will bring 200 students plus teachers from all secondary schools in the Macedon Ranges to Jubilee Hall in Macedon for a full-day session on Friday 13 November. The interactive and curriculum-aligned sessions will feature some of Australia's finest contemporary writers. Stu-

dents will hear from poet, author and activist Tony Birch and poet, writer and illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke, and there will be time for students to ask questions and engage directly with the writers behind the work.

Headed by director Izzy Roberts-Orr and operational manager Leonie Williams, the Mountain Writers’ Festi-

val is unique in its environmental focus, reflected in its ongoing theme of 'Nature.Place.Story'.

Izzy Roberts-Orr said, “Creativity leaps off the page at interactive sessions ... nurturing the next generation of storytellers and fostering a love of reading.”

Readers and writers of all kinds can enjoy three days of readings, conversations and workshops celebrating nature and storytelling from both local and interstate voices.

The festival delves into the connection between people and place on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung land.

The full program will be released on 24 September.

Katrina Buttigieg Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd

Gisborne-based position for someone who has a good driving record and a friendly manner. Afternoon & evening availability is essential. Earnings are around $40 an hour.

Call Peter, at Gisborne Cab Co, on 5428 2444

Happy owners and staff of Castello's Vic Tavern

Bob Nixon

Joanne McFadyen

●Williamson’s FoodWorks supermarket in Gisborne had people queueing up outside before opening time on 9 July when shoppers could buy items at 1976 prices. The day of 50-yearold prices was part of the supermarket’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

John and Cheryl Williamson opened the store as a Tucker Bag in 1976. At the time, the local Donnan’s Foodland grocery store (in the historic building now occupied by Woodards) had closed, and residents had to go to Sunbury or Melton for weekly groceries. Recognising the need, John opened the business supermarket on Hamilton Street.

Some of the 50-year-old prices included oranges at 10 for 39¢, Weet-Bix (750g) at 59¢ per box, Cadbury chocolate blocks (200g) at 49¢ each, and rump steak at $2.18 per kilo. Those were the days!

● Gisborne Golf Club has appointed Shaun Stolk as new manager of the Pro Shop.

● A For Sale sign went up on this large (6800sq.m.) block on the corner of Calthorpe and Fisher Streets, Gisborne, in July. Bought three years ago at $2.9 million, a permit for a 152-place childcare centre has been granted in the intervening period. The sign also says there is potential for residential development on the surplus land, subject to council approval.

● The house on this site at 54 Aitken Street, next to Bodyfit pilates studio, was demolished in early July. It is believed that double-storey units are proposed for the site.

Building activity

is expected to be completed in December.

● 2. The long-awaited shops and office building at the corner of Willowbank and Brady Roads are underway.

centre currently not going

Residents happy over dropped childcare plans

Residents celebrated in July after their fight against a proposed childcare development in Howey Street, Gisborne, was successful.

The matter started in May 2024, when an application for a planning permit for a childcare centre at 66 Howey Street was lodged. Sixtyfour objections were submitted to Macedon Ranges Shire Council, based mostly on traffic and safety concerns, and the project not being in keeping with the amenity of the area. Ultimately the council did not support the application. The case was due to be heard in VCAT in July. However court documents show that the developer withdrew its proceedings, saying it was considering alternatives. It is not known what the developer's plans are at this stage.

John and David Williamson

●  1. Jarrod Young, New Gisborne resident and site safety rep at the new stadium, says that good progress is being made and the stadium with three courts

Childcare

ahead on this site in Howey Street

COUNCILLOR'S COLUMN

With Cr Alison Joseph

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has recently received the results of its 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey. It reports an overall improvement in council performance. Notable improvements were recorded in recreational facilities, parking facilities and sealed local roads. Planning and building permits, town planning policy, and planning for population growth also showed a positive trend. Although improving, it is recognised that service levels for roads, footpaths, drains and planning still requires improvement.

“Decisions made in the interest of the community” was the single strongest influence on overall perceptions of the council and is among council’s lower-rated service areas. This means that the community feels it is not being heard.

The council has taken this feedback on board and is pursuing a number of initiatives over the coming year. As well as an increasing emphasis on roads, footpaths and drains, there is a commitment to improving consultation and community input into decision making. This will involve not only recording the community’s contribution to decision making, but also actively measuring how those contributions influenced the results.

Planning has also been recognised as an area of community concern, and there are new processes being implemented that will hopefully streamline applications and improve processing times.

The council is also currently progressing the Gisborne Urban Design framework. An Urban Design Framework (UDF) establishes a shared vision for a community to guide how an area should look, function, and develop over time. It brings together the social, visual, and economic elements that contribute to an area’s unique character.

The UDF applies to the central Gisborne business area. The draft UDF will be out for consultation later in the year, and I would encourage everyone to participate and provide feedback.

Stay active this winter

Gisborne Fitness Centre is excited to introduce its new all-abilities cable pulley machine, designed to make strength and mobility training more accessible for people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. This winter, invest in your health, stay motivated, and discover the benefits of regular physical activity close to home.

Gisborne Fitness Centre is behind the library in Hamilton Street, Gisborne. phone 5421 0824.

Active Kids – Sports

Sports Precinct, New Gisborne, Mondays from 10am to 10.45am

Active Kids provides an engaging and entertaining class for preschoolers (3 to 5 year olds) to learn and practice different sports in a non competitive, supportive and fun environment. For more information visit www.mrsc.vic. gov.au. To book in a free trial class, new participants are required to call in advance on 5421 1469.

Pickleball social sessions

Sports Precinct, New Gisborne, Tuesdays from 10am to 12 noon

Join us for the new Pickleball casual drop in social sessions. Beginners welcome. There is no booking required and equipment is available for loan. It’s $10.30 for a casual pass (EFTPOS only). For more information contact 5421 1469 or email: leisure@mrsc. vic.gov.au.

Kindagym

(for children aged 1 to 5 years)

Buffalo Sports Stadium, Woodend on Fridays from 10am (1-2 year olds), 11am (3 to 5 year olds)

Kindagym is an exciting mix of soft play obstacles, activities, songs and fun for preschoolers. Parental supervision is required and is a great way to meet other families in a casual friendly setting. For more information visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au. To book in a free trial class, new participants are required to call in advance on 5421 1469.

H5 bird flu detection

What to do if you find sick or dead birds

The recent detection of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in parts of Western Australia and South Australia is a reminder for everyone to stay alert and help protect Victoria’s wildlife.

At the time of publication, there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in Victoria, but early reporting of unusual wildlife deaths will play an important role in detecting and responding to the disease if it reaches our state.

If you come across sick or dead wild birds or wildlife:

Do not touch sick or dead birds or animals, or the surrounding area.

Take note of what you see, including the location, number of animals and their condition.

Report it to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

To report sick or dead wildlife, or to learn more about bird flu in Australia, visit birdflu.gov.au or agriculture.vic. gov.au/birdflu, or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Free green waste drop-off now three times a year

To help residents manage cost-of-living pressures while supporting property maintenance and fire preparedness, Macedon Ranges Shire Council has expanded its free green waste drop-off program to three fortnightly periods each year.

The free green waste periods will help residents prepare their properties before the fire season, clean up after Christmas, and clear autumn leaf fall.

The free periods for 2026-27 are:

Spring (pre-fire season): 26 October to 8 November Summer: 22 February to 7 March 2027

Autumn: 24 May to 6 June 2027

Residents can dispose of eligible green waste free of charge at any of the council’s three resource recovery facilities in Woodend, Kyneton and Romsey.

Proof of Macedon Ranges Shire residency is required at the time of drop-off, in the form of a driver’s licence, rates notice or recent utility bill.

Standard green waste acceptance conditions apply. Green waste we accept: leaf litter, lawn clippings and prunings that can be turned into mulch. Loads must be free of weeds, wire, food scraps and other rubbish.

For more detail go to mrsc.vic.gov.au/Green-WasteDrop-Off.

MEMBER’S MESSAGE

With Mary-Anne Thomas, MP

Dear Gisborne community, I’m excited to share some good news for two of our local sporting clubs which have both received funding through the Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program.

The Gisborne and District Adult Riding Club has received $950, while Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club has received $1000 to support the important work they do in encouraging participation, strengthening their clubs and bringing the community together through sport.

I also want to remind you that from 1 September, new work from home laws will come into effect across Victoria. For workers whose roles can be performed remotely, these changes will provide the right to request to work from home up to two days a week, giving people greater flexibility to balance work and life.

The Chemist Care Now program is being expanded to make accessing healthcare easier and more affordable. Women aged 18 and over can now access the oral contraceptive pill directly from participating pharmacies, with a free consultation and no need for a GP appointment or prescription. This change helps reduce barriers, saves time and gives women greater choice and control over their healthcare. In Gisborne, this service is available through Hardy’s UFS Pharmacy and Priceline Pharmacy.

As always, I’m here to help on any state government matters. You can email mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au, call 5428 2138, or visit my electorate office team at Shop 14 Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne.

Gisborne Oaks shakes, rattles and rolls

Residents at Gisborne Oaks were recently treated to a musical afternoon of singing and swaying.

The Macedon Ranges Rockers visited the Neal Street aged care home to showcase some expert dance moves and relive a few classic tunes.

Term 3 full of activity at Community House

Term 3 is shaping up to be a busy one at Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House, with plenty of opportunities to learn, volunteer and connect with others.

The Friday Gardening Crew meets every Friday during Term 3 from 9.30am to 11am to care for the permie garden, fruit trees, kitchen garden and some brand-new pollinator and herb boxes we’ll be filling this spring. Morning tea follows at 11am, with plenty of time for group activities, skill sharing and a chat. Everyone is welcome—no gardening experience necessary! Follow Permies @ The House on Facebook or simply drop in on a Friday morning.

Growing fruit

Thanks to the support of Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Community Bank Gisborne & District, we’re also excited to launch a new program of fruit tree education. Following a successful 'Grow Great Fruit' workshop in July, we’re now seeking participants for the Macedon Fruit Crew a 12-month program where participants access Grow Great Fruit’s fantastic online training and meet monthly on Saturday afternoons to share what's been learnt while helping care for the Community House orchard. Visit www.mmmcommunityhouse.org for more information.

Vegetable garden

With food security and resilience on many minds, our volunteer gardeners are also creating a food security demonstration garden. We’re hoping to tap into our community’s wisdom by showcasing vegetables that are easy to grow, nutrient-dense and suited to this climate — think carrots, onions, potatoes, cabbage, beans and tomatoes. If you’ve discovered a variety, timing or technique that reliably works in the Macedon area, we’d love to hear from you. Every tip, no matter how small, could make a real difference to someone just starting out. To get involved, email Emily at garden@macedoncommunityhouse.org or join our Friday morning gardening crew.

Regular programs

Playgroup: Mondays 10am to 12 noon

Craft Circle: Thursdays 10am to 12 noon

Friday Gardening: Fridays 9.30am to 11am

Community Library: Fridays 10am to 12 noon

Warhammer Club: every second Sunday from 3pm to 6pm

Produce Swap: second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9.30am to 10.30am at Macedon Post Office.

Yoga: Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Rotary celebrates local service and invites new volunteers

The Rotary Club of Gisborne celebrated its 49th year of community service at its annual President’s Changeover Dinner in July, where Laurel Harrison received the Fred Barnett Rotary Award for 2026.

Named in honour of the club’s founding president, the award recognises outstanding service to Rotary, its work and the local community.

Opening his second term, club president Graham Snell reflected on a busy year of fundraising and projects. As a not-for-profit organisation, Rotary directs the funds it raises into community and humanitarian causes.

The club’s Community Easter Egg Hunt attracted its biggest crowd this year. Proceeds from that and other activities benefited the Rotary Foundation’s humanitarian projects, Rotary multiple sclerosis research, the Harcourt bushfire appeal, Gisborne Foodbank, the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, 1st Gisborne Scouts, the CFA, SES, local schools, junior soccer, the Men’s Shed Young Shedmen project, and provided much-needed equipment for the New Gisborne Community Garden.

The club also supported the Gisborne Town Team, whose volunteers organised Christmas wreaths for town shops and children’s chalk wall activities during Christmas and the Autumn Festival.

Rotary is inviting more local volunteers to join in making a difference, while enjoying friendship, and rewarding community service. To learn more, call 0493 870 635, email gisbornerotary@gmail.com or visit Facebook: Rotary Gisborne Australia.

Barry Wills

Laurel Harrison receives her Fred Barnett Rotary Award on 21 July.

Lions spread their Gisborne wings

Gisborne & District Lions Club might be part of a global organisation boasting 1.4 million members, yet it is very parochial in its support of locals and what is happening locally. While it punches well above its weight in direct Gisborne community and welfare projects, donating more than $50,000 in the past 12 months to local causes alone, its members also proudly maintain solid links to numerous other community organisations and endeavours. The club sees these links as a win-win for all concerned.

Typical is Lion Wally Van Dort, a stalwart of the Gisborne Foodbank, which has been assisting families in the local community for nearly seven years.

For more than 40 years, former Gisborne Lions president Ross Sapwell has been a member of Gisborne SES. A veteran of the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, Ross was three years ago awarded life membership of the local branch for his longstanding service in helping keep Gisborne’s citizens safe.

As chairman of the Gisborne and District Bowling Club, current Gisborne Lions president Russell Walker OAM (the honour, incidentally, came for services to the community of Victoria relating to 10 separate entities), ensures the bowling body’s interests extend beyond sport and into community welfare.

Under his chairmanship, the bowling club acts as a community hub for social connection. Most recently, the club provided its premises free of charge to Gisborne & District Lions to stage the Harcourt and Ravenswood bushfire recovery dinner that raised $22,000 in March.

And as anyone who regularly goes into Hardy’s UFS

Pharmacy in Brantome Street, Gisborne knows, the premises are a collection point for stamps and used spectacles, and each year as an outlet for Lions’ popular Christmas cakes. This is thanks primarily to former pharmacy manager and now part-time chemist Phil Hardy, a Gisborne Lion for more than a decade.

Further Lions community contributors include Margaret Domsic (an active member of the CWA), Kay Malinowski (a committee member of the North Western Bee Club), Vicki Thornton (provides respite care for Guide Dogs Victoria puppies) and Marilyn Bryce (assists her husband at Woodend RSL).

New heights for Junior CFA

During the recent school holidays, CFA Junior Brigade members attended a CFA junior volunteer leadership camp at Malmsbury.

The camp provided an opportunity for the juniors to meet fellow CFA Junior members from brigades across our district, which is District Two. They engaged in a range of activities that challenged their abilities and allowed them to achieve goals and reach personal heights they never thought they could. They seamlessly integrated into team activities that included low ropes course, crate stacking, archery, climbing the fire tower, the giant ladder and giant swing. They also participated in a table-top exercise in which they had to work intensely as a team to construct a Lego fire truck without instructions, and coordinate a fire response to a ‘grass and scrub’ fire scenario.

What stood out were their professional attitudes, leadership and dedication to assisting other juniors on the camp who lacked confidence, which helped them to achieve their goals.

This was recognised through award presentations for displaying integrity and teamwork.

The CFA is extremely proud of the way our juniors represented Gisborne CFA. They embraced every challenge, encouraged one another and built friendships that will continue into their firefighter future when they transition into the Senior Brigade.

Tony Fawcett

If you are interested in joining Gisborne & District Lions Club, email secretary@gisbornedistrict.lions.gisnet.net.au.

WHAT'S ON AT GISBORNE LIBRARY

Programs for August-September

August is Poetry month. Celebrate by choosing from an array of words and phrases cut from magazines to “write” your own poem.

Author Tracy Crisp will talk about her new book, Pearls, on Wednesday 5 August at 2pm. Pearls tells some of her mother's story, who lived her ordinary life in wonderful style, living each day as if it were her last. Bookings required.

Hey, Year 7 to 10 students! Experience the library like no other time, at our teens-only Library Lock-In on Thursday 3 September from 5.30 to 7pm!

'Duck-orate' a rubber duck inspired by your favourite pop culture characters. We’ll help you create a stopmotion video of your duck strutting down the runway. Afterwards, ducks will be on display in the library so patrons can vote for their favourite. We provide all the materials for you to unleash your creativity!

Review Your Energy Bills with expert help from the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group on Saturday 12 September from 10am to 12 noon. Session comprises four 30-minute consultations.

Bookings are required for the above programs. Refer to our website or phone the library on 5428 3962.

Trish Gauci

The skills they developed will mutually benefit the brigade and the CFA organisation into the future. Di Dale, Gisborne CFA Junior Leader Junior Leadership Development Program

Phil Hardy has been in Gisborne Lions for over ten years.

Navigating the giant ladder at the camp.

Learn something new in Science Week

Celebrate National Science Week (15–23 August) with us on Thursday 20 August at Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre (MRFEC).

This year’s theme, “Seeds of Science: Nurturing Knowledge for All,” encourages communities to explore how ideas take root, grow and spread.

To mark the occasion, we’re offering a free Permaculture Workshop led by wonderful local tutor Emily Rogers. Participants will discover the principles of permaculture and learn practical ways to apply them in their gardens and everyday lives.

The workshop will run from 10am to 12.30pm, followed by a free community lunch at the centre, at 12 Hamilton Street, Gisborne (next to the Library).

If you haven’t participated in our activities before,

this is also the perfect opportunity to meet our team, get an understanding of our centre and to meet like-minded community members. Free Bookings are required for catering purposes.

Not a gardening enthusiast? No problem! We offer a wide range of courses, workshops and events throughout the term. From monthly Bingo and Calligraphy to Xero and much more, there is something for everyone.

For more information on any of the courses, call us on 5428 3799, pop in to say hello at 12 Hamilton Street or hop on to the website to enrol online at www.mrfec.net.au.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Genies look forward to Family History Month

August is Family History Month and there will be many activities happening across Australasia.

Locally, our annual Family History Seminar will be held on Saturday 29 August, starting at 9.30am. The topic this year is ‘Mapping Family History’.

Maps, which come in many formats, are an interesting and useful way of discovering more about family history. They often open the way to finding further information.

The seminar will be held in the Gisborne Uniting Church in Brantome Street. The cost is $25 ($20 for GGG members). For bookings, contact Julie at events@ggg.org.au.

At the morning sessions Dr Sue Walter (Public Record Office Victoria – Archives Coordinator, Bendigo) will focus on using parish maps in the PROV collection. Sarah Ryan (State Library of Victoria, Senior Collection Curator) and Dr Kevin

Molloy (State Library manager, Collection Curation and Engagement), will talk about the map collection that the State Library holds and using online databases.

In the afternoon Meg Bate and David Down (both from the Genealogical Society of Victoria) will demonstrate using maps for overseas family history research and advise about the resources available at the Society.

David will show the use of tithe maps from his own research.

Morning tea is provided but please bring your own lunch. More information about the seminar and our group is available at www.ggg.org.au.

Genealogical Group volunteers are on duty in the Library on Thursdays between 1pm and 3pm, so come along if you need help with research. Lyn Hall

Tutors David Stein and Beverley Eikli, as well as volunteer Lyndi Chapman enjoy a morning tea at Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre.

Lyn Hall

Join service for Vietnam Veterans' Day

Long Tan Day, widely known as Vietnam Veterans' Day, commemorates the 1966 Battle of Long Tan, honouring the nearly 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War, and remembering the 521 who lost their lives and the over 3000 wounded.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the battle, and special commemorative services and events are being coordinated nationally by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and state RSLs.

This solemn day, 18 August, commemorates the pivotal engagement in Vietnam when D Company of 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, faced overwhelming odds, a force of some 2000 North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops. The outnumbered Australian forces were able to hold their ground against a much larger Vietcong force.

We also remember the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who supported land operations, and members of the Royal Australian Airforce who served in combat and transport roles.

The Gisborne RSL Sub-Branch has several past and present members who served their country in this war.

A short service will be held at 10.50am on Tuesday 18 August at the Gisborne Cenotaph in Hamilton Street, with a minute’s silence observed at 11am. All members of the community are welcome to attend this commemoration service.

RSL was created to provide camaraderie, support, and advocacy for veterans and their families. We need your support to ensure we sustain our range of commemorative services and welfare programs. If you’re interested, please contact our secretary via e-mail at admin@gisbornersl.com.au or by phone on 0487 278 681.

Norman Smith president, Gisborne RSL Sub-Branch

SES seeks unwanted vehicles

Gisborne State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer organisation that responds to both emergency and non-emergency incidents within the Macedon Ranges and adjoining locations.

One of our primary emergency response roles is road crash rescue, which requires our volunteers to undertake specialist road rescue training, and to continue regular skills maintenance training.

To assist us with skills maintenance training, SES is seeking vehicle donations from the community.

So, if you have an old car that is sitting in your driveway or on your property that you no longer need, registered or unregistered, we would be grateful if you could consider donating your vehicle to the Gisborne SES.

“We have so many roads with high-speed limits linking our towns, and unfortunately we respond to many high-impact collisions that require casualties to be extricated from vehicles, with specialist rescue tools," Gisborne SES volunteer Di Dale said.

"These donations will help us achieve our highest level of rescue capability to the community."

SES volunteers will arrange collection of the vehicle. Please direct all enquiries 'Attention Di Dale', at email gisborne@ses.vic.gov.au.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance.

Di Dale SES Gisborne Unit

SES crews undertake regular training to maintain their road rescue skills.

Saving sandpaper

How long since you gave your shed a “deep clean”? It doesn’t happen all that often in our shed either!

Neil and John recently deepcleaned the sandpaper storage shelf.

That’s the place where the new sandpaper is stored... but more importantly that’s also the place where we put back the bits of used sandpaper because there is a little bit more use in them.

A piece of used 100 grit paper can be later used as de facto 200 grit. This is not hoarding, it’s just

being economical! Do you do that?

But even we have to admit, there needs to be some limits. Is 50 pieces of used sandpaper too many? What about 100?

The reality was they found about 200 bits of sandpaper in a variety of formats and shapes, in all sorts of states of wear and tear. With gay abandon, every used bit went into the bin. It was time for a fresh start!

If you feel in need of a fresh start, drop in any Monday, Wednesday or Thursday and have a chat with one of these wastrels. They might even make you a cuppa.

MACEDON MAIL

With winter weather upon us, a reminder to watch the varying speed limits on Black Forest Drive and be mindful of frosty, icy conditions.

Wild Action Zoo recently held seven school holiday workshops with over 600 people attending over the three and a half days. Ten percent of the proceeds from the workshops are to be donated to wildlife rescue organisations within the Macedon Ranges.

As I write, with away games against Gisborne on 18 July, all football teams are in strong ladder positions and looking to consolidate before a bye on 25 July. Congrats to club legend James ‘Nippa’ Wright on his 300th club game against the Giants as well as Leo Webb on 50 Senior games.

Vida Tennis Macedon gave its young Hot Shots Red Ball players their first taste of match play during the school holidays, developing scoring, sportsmanship and match skills using modified balls and courts. Congratulations to all participants, especially top players Leo Higgs, Joey Cassar and Kai Leong. Contact Ash at Vida Tennis Macedon on 0422 240 269.

Happy birthday to the Macedon Village Hotel which recently celebrated its first full year since reopening.

Rainfall in Victoria Street for the period from 19 June to 17 July was 129mm; this is substantially more than we recorded at the same time last year.

Have a great month.

Anne

You look after the job every day—this month, let us take care of you.

182 Station Road, New Gisborne 8373 5420 August is Tradies Health Month, the perfect reminder to prioritise your health. Whether it's ongoing aches and pains, mental wellbeing, a persistent cough, high blood pressure, skin checks, or simply a general health check-up, the doctors at Ranges Medical are here to help keep you working at your best

Neil and John tidy up.

Young local organist to perform at Macedon

Friends of Music at Resurrection are delighted to feature Dan Rigby, a talented local freelance musician, in a concert at the Church of the Resurrection on Sunday 23 August at 3pm.

Dan is the organ scholar of the Anglican Parish of Gisborne, receiving tuition from Dianne Gome. He is also a very competent pianist, accompanying the Sunset Six vocal jazz group and musical productions of the Kyneton Theatre Company, among other ventures. But his principal instrument is the flute, which he plays regularly with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra.

This concert also features recorder player Faye Zollia of Kyneton. Together Faye and Dan will play the wonderful Sonata in G minor BWV 1020 by Bach. The expansive program also includes organ solos by Bach, Franck and Salomé, piano solos by Bach and Chopin, and modern works for recorder and organ.

Dan will perform on the beautiful pipe organ bought by the Anglican Parish of Gisborne from the Diocese of Bendigo in 2014, and installed at Macedon in 2015 after extensive restoration.

Bookings at www.trybooking.com/DKTEW Dianne Gome

Winter means thoughts of . . .

Christmas in July

The 45 members of Gisborne Probus who attended the Christmas in July lunch in the private room at the Riddells Creek Hotel on 16 July enjoyed a wonderful tasty two-course lunch, and the staff made the room feel festive with bonbons and decorations on the table.

Round tables meant we were all able to connect with each other and build on the friendships we had formed. Our monthly outings and meetings help our members to build meaningful social connections and stay active and engaged, offering many opportunities to build genuine friendships.

At the July meeting we had an entertaining guest speaker, Kay Evans, who gave a recount of her life so far and the power that positive thought played in her overcoming different challenges she faced.

If you want more information about Probus you can contact the president, Gary Jones, on 0458 841 947 or email our secretary Dianne Egan at gisprob20@gmail. com.

You are welcome to join us at our monthly meeting on the first Thursday of the month at Gisborne Community Centre Hall at 10am. Our next meeting will be on 6 August.

Dianne Egan

St Paul’s Anglican Op Shop Jottings

Behind every successful business or home there is much that goes on behind the scenes, and this is true of every church or parish.

In the Anglican Parish of Gisborne, St Paul’s Anglican Op Shop works because of many unseen helpers. About five years ago one of St Paul’s great supporters, Graeme, put out a call for people who could empty the donation bins into the sorting shed. For years he had done it, saying it “kept him fit,” but he admitted that he could now use some help.

Angie and Nigel decided they could give their time one night a week. So ever since, they have dropped by the Op Shop on Tuesday evenings and quietly emptied all the donation bins.

Often, they are pleasantly surprised to be greeted with the smell of fresh laundry, or other items that have

obviously been cleaned before being donated. Other times they say, “We have to get out the hand sanitizer”!

As with most op shops, St Paul’s relies on the wonderfully generous people in the community to keep it stocked with gently used, quality items. Some donations have to be recycled, and where possible, we do it without consigning them to landfill.

St Paul’s has a team who volunteer in the shop, in the sorting shed or, like Angie and Nigel, behind the scenes, emptying the donation bins.

Drop in and take a walk down memory lane with items for sale you may not have seen since your childhood, grab a bargain, or talk to us about volunteering. We’d love to chat with you.

Jan Volkman Harris volunteer

Open on Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3pm

Enter via Heritage Way at the back of the Gisborne Uniting Church Enquiries: 0492 850 520 Email: gisborneccf@gmail.com

Probus members take part in companionble and enjoyable Christmas in July lunch.

Faye Zollia and Dan Rigby.

Gisborne CWA celebrates creativity and birthdays

Things are always a little quieter in the middle of winter when a few of our members head off to warmer climes. But organisation is still under way for our stalls at the Daffodil Festival in Kyneton on 12 and 13 September.

We have a stash of donated wool and Christine T has married some together with patterns which you will find on our craft stall in Kyneton.

The state Creative Arts display is at the Geelong West Town Hall on 21 and 22 August. A few of us will be making a

Get a grip

CRAFT CORNER

with Mary-Beth O'Brien

Crochet hooks are a topic source of endless deliberation among crocheters.

The features of a crochet hook can provide improved quality in your crochet as all crocheters’ styles vary

First, consider the hook material, second the hook head shape, third the hook neck shape and fourth the hook handle.

The basic anatomy of a crochet hook illustrations at right provide a guide to hook selection. Pay particular attention to the hook shaft, as this determines your stitch size.

TIP: The hook shaft size should roughly be of similar size to your wool width or ply.

Bendigo Woollen Mill

If you go to the Bendigo Woollen Mill website you can order yourself a shade card of wool available at the mill for 2026. bendigowoollenmills.com.au

Sunbury Agricultural Show on 10 October provides an opportunity to sharing craft projects. Try entering this year, as crocheters are particularly encouraged to participate at a reasonable cost.

visit to see the best in the state of crafts, cooking and much more.

Special wishes go to Helen and Kathy who have both turned 80 in the past month.

We also celebrated Maria and Kerrie B whose birthdays are in July, and Edie, who was absent from the meeting.

Our next meeting is Monday 10 August and Coffee, Craft and Chat on 17 August at 10am at the Stadium at Gisborne Secondary College.

Crochet and Conversation

On the first Monday of each month at 2pm at the Gisborne Library, a group of crocheters who enjoy good company, craft inspiration and lively conversation meet. You are very welcome to join and pursue an interest in crochet. Bring wool and a crochet hook and a project idea.

Christine Edwards

Gisborne CWA members Maria, Kerrie, Helen and Kathy celebrate July birthdays.

The anatomy of a crochet hook.

The anatomy of a crochet hook head and throat.

Illustrations: Crochet Australia

Photographers mark dynamic first half of year

The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society has wrapped up a productive first half of 2026. The year began with exhibitions in Kyneton and Woodend, showcasing members’ images from within the Macedon Ranges.

Members engaged in camera group discussions, bi-monthly themed competitions, walkabouts to Sanitorium Lake and around Gisborne, presentations and various workshops. The set subjects of 'Love Is' and 'Odds' encouraged us to explore different genres and techniques.

Educational presentations on how to enter a competition, introduction to post processing, panning, and composition offered members practical guidance on how to achieve an image that truly pops.

The club’s Christmas in July celebration brought members together for a mid-winter gathering, and a Victoria-wide interclub convention and competition in Rich River saw the society take third place in the digital category and sixth in the print category, with high scores achieved by contributing members. We are excited about the second half of the year which includes a four-club competition, walkabouts, presentations and in-house competitions.

Macedon Ranges Photographic Society will meet on Monday 3 August at Jubilee Hall, Macedon, at 7pm for a 7.30 start. For more information, please email info@ macedon-ranges-photography.org.au

Jeni Marinier, president

Gisborne Singers celebrate new piano

Singers

Gisborne Singers are delighted to share the news of a community grant from the Community Bank Gisborne & District, which has enabled the choir to buy a brandnew digital piano. This important investment will strengthen both rehearsals and performances, offering improved sound quality, greater flexibility, and the portability needed to support music-making across a wider range of venues and community events.

The Gisborne Singers extend their sincere thanks to the bank for its generous support of community organisations that helps sustain the vibrant arts culture of our region.

A group of choir members recently returned from a highly successful trip to Tasmania, where they performed as part of the renowned Festival of Voices.

Singing alongside choirs from across Australia, the Gisborne Singers took part in workshops, massed-choir events and concerts in some of Hobart’s most iconic venues.

The tour was a joyful celebration of community singing and a proud moment for the ensemble.

The choir now looks ahead to its next major performance: Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem. New members (especially tenors and basses) are warmly invited to join this friendly, community-minded ensemble as they prepare for this beautiful and uplifting work, to be performed in November.

Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Uniting Church, Brantome Street, Gisborne.

www.gisbornesingers.org.au

The

The new digital piano allows the Gisborne Singers to sing with better sound quality and performance flexibility.

the Gisborne

Sarah Lander

Still Life by Joan Hardwicke

ART TO WEAR

returns to The Gallery

Art to Wear in The Gallery is the feature at the Gallery Mt Macedon for the month of August, beginning Tuesday 4 August until Monday 7 September. Ten textile artists, including members of The Gallery, will show knits, silks, felts, hats and much more.

You are invited to two 'Meet the Makers' sessions. The first on Saturday 8 August and the second on Saturday 15 August from 1pm to 4pm.

Saturday 8 August

Leslie Grahovac: Leslie hand paints colourful silk patterns onto crepe and combines this with wool and linen. Her dresses, tops and jackets are made with comfort and style in mind.

Kumi Malcolm: Kumi’s garments have style, special details and are easy to wear for everyone. Her fabrics are natural - silk, cotton, wool and linen.

Saturday 15  August

Lyndon Regan: Lyndon hand-spins and hand-weaves wool and alpaca, creating warm, unique garments you’ll love to own and wear in winter.

Emi Johnstone: Emi makes elegant but simple stylish dresses and jackets made from Japanese wool and natural fabrics.

Enjoy a glass of wine as you view our extensive collection from these invited artists as well as our own textile members of the gallery.

All garments are for sale and entry is free.

The Gallery is at 684 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon, behind the Trading Post. Open Friday to Tuesday from 10am to 4pm.

Enquiries to Colleen Weste, email colleenweste@gmail.com or phone 0419 009 030. Sue Anson, 0413 581 532

Rock opera opens 14 August

After-Light

Original and contemporary rock opera

The Mount Players' August production, After-Light: The Dramatic Prog-Rock Opera by Zach Vanstone and Tom Foster opens on Friday 14 August and runs until Sunday 30 August. The Mount Players troupe is proud to present this contemporary and original piece after viewing a scaled-down version at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2024, giving young, up-and-coming artists Zach and Tom the opportunity to stage their creation locally.

In the vein of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Who’s Tommy, this production boasts a rock band live on stage with singers telling the story of Boy as he struggles through his mistakes and exorcises his demons in a journey of self discovery and, ultimately, redemption.

Penned during COVID, this production does explore some darker themes.

“This is a show about learning how to let go,” said composer Zach. “Following the break-up between Boy and Girl, Boy falls into a life-threatening coma. In order for Boy to wake, he must forgive the past, reconcile with the future and learn to let go of Girl. If Boy fails, his intrusive thoughts, Addiction, Paranoia and Depression, will consume his soul.”

Warning: Suits 18+. Coarse language, adult/sexual/drug and staged violence

For tickets go to www.themountplayers.com or call 0419 329 052 for assistance. Karen Hunt

String Orchestra to perform at Braemar

Musicians from around Central Victoria will be playing in Braemar College’s Performing Arts Centre in a concert featuring distinguished cellist Zoe Knighton and Resonance String Orchestra.

The concert, on Sunday 16 August at 2.30pm, marks the orchestra’s return to performing in the Macedon Ranges, although it has rehearsed in Woodend for many years. Zoe Knighton regularly donates her artistic energies to Resonance as the Artistic Patron, and will be soloist in this concert.

Since last year, Braemar College has hosted rehearsals of the Woodend and Castlemaine-based Resonance musicians. Braemar Principal Russell Deer has welcomed Resonance to Braemar and has made the school’s performance facilities available for these rehearsals, and the upcoming concert.

Resonance has been running a high-quality, supportive all-ages string orchestra program for beginners to advanced players in Central Victoria for over 15 years and is renowned for the quality of its work.

This year will see the culmination of an 18-month residency with the distinguished Flinders Quartet, fully funded by the quartet, and a November concert in Castlemaine featuring the Flinders Quartet, Resonance String Orchestra, Resonance String Quartet together with Apprenti Strings the beginner group that provides the pipeline of players to Resonance.

Tickets for the Zoe Knighton and Resonance String Orchestra Concert on 16 August are now on sale via Humanitix.com.

A piece by Lyndon Regan

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Coffee gathering

group meets

for

Expo to help primary school students transition to secondary

The jump from primary school to secondary school can often be both an exciting and confronting transition for adolescents.

Macedon Ranges Health is helping to ease this milestone moment by running its annual Grade 6-to-7 Wellbeing Transition Expo in November. The expo will be held at St Ambrose Primary School in Woodend, bringing local primary schools together for two days of interactive learning, wellbeing activities and fun teambuilding experiences.

During the event, students will take part in workshops, games and icebreakers designed to build confidence, strengthen friendships and equip them with practical skills to navigate the transition to secondary school.

Activities have been designed to help students feel more prepared and excited for secondary school, while managing nerves, building resilience, developing healthy habits and positive relationships.

To find out more about the expo, contact Macedon Ranges Health on 5428 0300.

companionship

Dental Talk Dental Talk

with Dr Jacob Chan

With a mouth full of dental probe, it's hard to ask 'what does that mean?'

One of the pleasures of practising dentistry is helping patients make sense of the unfamiliar language that often accompanies dental treatment.

In daily practice, I am reminded that what may seem routine to a dentist can feel confusing or even daunting to someone sitting in the chair. Few terms cause more uncertainty than “filling,” “crown,” and “cap.”

Many people are surprised to learn that a crown and a cap are exactly the same thing. A crown is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, while a resin filling replaces only the decayed or damaged area, preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

Resin fillings are tooth-coloured and bond directly to the tooth, making them an excellent option for small to moderate areas of damage. They can usually be completed in a single visit and are a conservative, cost-effective way to restore a tooth.

In my experience, they serve patients beautifully when enough healthy tooth remains. As fillings become larger, however, the remaining tooth can become more vulnerable to wear or fracture under the everyday forces of chewing.

This is where a crown may be the better long-term solution. Crowns are often recommended for teeth with

very large fillings, cracks, fractures, or after root canal treatment. By encasing and supporting the remaining tooth, they can restore strength and help prevent further breakdown. Although crowns require a greater investment of time and cost, they often provide peace of mind and years of reliable service.

One of the most rewarding changes I have witnessed in recent years is the move to digital crown workflows.

Rather than relying on traditional impression materials, we can now use a small scanner to create a precise three-dimensional image of the tooth. Watching this digital model appear on the screen is a wonderful reminder of how technology and craftsmanship now work hand in hand. The scan is shared with a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians design and fabricate a crown that is tailored to the patient’s bite and smile. For patients, this often means greater comfort, excellent accuracy, and a restoration that looks and feels remarkably natural.

Each day in the clinic reinforces that there is no single “best” treatment — only the treatment that is most appropriate for a particular tooth and person. By understanding the language behind these common procedures, patients are better equipped to make informed decisions and to appreciate the remarkable blend of biology, technology, and human skill that helps keep our smiles healthy.

This

regularly

coffee at Canteena in Gisborne: coffee and

are great for healthy, happy lives.

Let’s change the narrative: Suicide prevention is everybody’s business

The Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group (MRSPAG) invites the community to stand together for a morning of remembrance, hope and connection as we walk for World Suicide Prevention Day.

available for anyone who may need a conversation or some additional support.

The walk will start at Woodend Children’s Park on Sunday 13 September, with registrations open from 8.30am and the route ready at 10am.

“This free community event is an opportunity to remember those we have lost, support those who have been impacted by suicide, and remind one another that no one has to face life’s challenges alone,” says chairperson of Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group, Lauren Turnbull.

“Everyone is welcome to attend, knowing that their presence helps create hope, reduce stigma, and show others feeling vulnerable that they care. Walking together is a way of initiating important conversations about mental health, an important step in the prevention of suicide.”

The morning will include live music, guest speakers, a barbecue, and mental health resources to take away.

The group's trained peer support volunteers will be

As walkers weave their way through Woodend, the names of loved ones lost to suicide will be read aloud if requested. Anyone who wishes to have a name read out can email suicidepreventionwalk@mrspag.com.au before the event.

Woodend Children’s Park is at 12 Nicholson Street, behind the Woodend Bowling Club.

Please pre-register to walk at allevents.in/woodend/1000019934264 18078?ref=sharer

There will also be an opportunity to register at the park on the day, before 9.45am. For enquiries and more information, visit www.mrspag.com.au or email info@ mrspag.com.au.

If you or someone you know needs support, please phone Lifeline - 24/7 crisis support service, on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114

Suicide callback service - 24/7 free professional phone or online counselling, 1300 659 467; MensLine Australia - 24/7 family and relationship concerns, 1300 789 978.

The need to reset before spring hits

Mum Life – Sorted with Katrina Wurm

If winter had a personality, August would be the grumpy teenager of the season. Everyone’s tired. The novelty of cosy nights is gone. The washing never dries. And somehow you’re still stepping on Lego even though no one remembers owning any.

This is the month when many mums hit the wall, not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because they are carrying everything.

School, work, home, emotional load, logistics...all of it quietly sitting on their shoulders.

I can tell you this, the season isn’t the problem, the lack of reset is. August is your bridge month. It’s not about surviving winter any more, it’s about setting yourself up to thrive in spring.

Start with a systems check. What routines are actually working? What feels clunky, exhausting or out of date? Maybe mornings have slowly unravelled. Maybe dinners

have turned into toast on a plate marathons. This isn’t failure, it’s information. Your life has shifted, so your systems need to shift too. Now look at your mental clutter. Winter is brilliant at piling on invisible weight. Unfinished tasks. Unmade decisions. Things you meant to deal with ‘later’ that are now following you like a needy toddler. Write it all down. Every last niggling thought. You don’t have to solve it today, you just have to stop storing it in your head.

Then give the children a little more ownership. As spring approaches, routines naturally speed up. That’s your cue to hand back responsibility. School bags, lunch prep, morning checklists, they don’t need you hovering any more. Structure creates independence, not rebellion.

Finally, and this is the part many mums skip, reset yourself.

Winter drains even the strongest women. So choose one thing this month that fills your cup. A walk. A class. Ten minutes in the car before you go inside. You are not a machine. You are the engine.

August isn’t the end of winter. It’s the quiet moment before everything blooms. Make sure you are ready to rise with it.

Kyneton Aero Club offers flying scholarship

The Kyneton Aero Club is offering a flying scholarship this year, following the successful progress of the previous three recipients since 2023. One scholarship will be offered to a Macedon Ranges resident.

The scholarship is a support program for young people with a demonstrated interest in aviation and is currently open to new students and students who have already begun flight training.

We advise candidates between 16 and 22 years of age to submit applications as soon as possible. Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 27 September.

The scholarship will pay 50 percent of the cost of each instructional or flying hour, to a maximum total value of $5000. This value will be provided progressively as the training is undertaken.

Former scholarship applicants are encouraged to re-apply. Full application details can be found on the KAC website www.kynetonaeroclub.org.

Mondays 12.30pm-2.30pm Sunbury Police Station Tuesdays 12.30pm-2pm Gisborne Police Station Wednesday 12.30pm-2.30pm Sunbury Police Staton Thursdays 12pm-2pm

Katrina Wurm

Bushwalkers hike through history

A trip to walk through all the historical sites of Bendigo led us to the shores of Lake Weeroong and then off to tour Poppet Heads around Victoria Hill. There is always so much to see and explore in Bendigo and this historical town walk was no different.

Fog blanketed the Macedon Ranges as walkers headed to Eganstown for a bit more of a challenge, to the La Franchi’s and Stevenson's Hut Circuit, but mother nature treated us to a sensational sunrise and a beautiful winter’s day.

The walk is just over 12 kilometres with some steep inclines and descents through a beautiful pine forest and lots of amazing fungi to admire. This walk in the Hepburn Regional Park has wonderful native bush and lots of historical sites.

La Franchi’s Hut was the first stop, which has benefited from some recent upgrades and has been used as a hunting hut.

It was built in the 1920s by Victor La Franchi, a Swiss migrant who came over in 1855 for the Gold Rush. Remains of the original homestead can be seen but there was not so much luck at Stevensons Hut, with little left to admire. The Upper Walkers Gully Falls had no water unfortunately, but you might get lucky now after recent heavy rain. It is a great area to explore and a wonderful walk.

Come and join us. The club has something for everyone so if you would like to give bushwalking a try, you can join us as a casual participant for $5 (insurance coverage) and see if it’s for you.

Level: Medium

Directions: From Gisborne,

For details about the club, please contact secretary Jenny on 0438 691 801 or our president, Gail, on 0419 374 603. The club's website is www.gisbornebwc.org.

Deborrah

Sunbury. Turn right into Benson Road and drive about two kilometres until the bitumen ends at the junction of McCorkelle Road. Park off-road here, and note the great panoramic view towards the You Yangs. Walking is generally downhill for about 2.4km through open country with some great views along the way, before crossing Toolern Creek and then rising for a further one kilometre, ending at the Gisborne-Melton Road. Retrace the route to return.

No special footwear or poles required.

Hello from the Ramblers

This month has passed quickly, it only seems like a week since sending the last column in to the editor. Where does the time go? And go so fast!

Do you remember as a child, you gave your age as a fraction of a year? At my age I find myself rounding to the decade!

It was another steady month for the Ramblers, with walks at Hesket, Sunbury, Malmsbury and Gisborne.

With the winter upon us, selecting dry track walks is a priority (although not always possible). The walk [detailed below left] is pretty safe walking.

Benson Road, South Gisborne, is on a graded dirt road track, with only local traffic. It has some great views, but pick the weather. If you are not up to walking, you can drive the route by car in comfort.

Details of our weekly walks are emailed out if you care to join the mailing list. There is no cost or obligation, you can walk with the group on Fridays or solo at your preference. Contact the Ramblers via gisramblers@ gmail.com.

Charles

CHAMBER POETS

The next Chamber Poets afternoon will take place at the Woodend RSL on Saturday 8 August, 1pm to 4pm.

Featuring guest poets, open readings, live music, bar, snacks and prizes.

$10 cash for entry at the door.

The 1920s-built La Franchi’s Hut

Local Walk

A very scenic walk, with great panoramic views. Distance: 7km (there and back)

drive south up Mt Gisborne Road. Turn left into Couangalt Road heading towards

RAMBLERS WALK Benson Road South Gisborne

View to the south from Benson Road.

Last chance to enter Grand Tour

Places are quickly filling up for the Macedon Ranges Grand Tour, so anyone still wanting to enter, be quick entries close on 28 August.

The Grand Tour will be held on Saturday 3 October, a week after the AFL Grand Final, so there's no excuse not to blow the dust off your classic car to join in the fun. All makes of classic and interesting cars are accepted, from sports cars to humble family sedans, whether they are 20 years old or 80.

The mix of early and later classics already entered includes British Austin Healeys and Jaguars, Aussie V8 Holdens and Falcons, various American muscle cars and European thoroughbreds such as BMWs, Porsches and even a Ferrari. Don’t think that your early or later classic won’t be a good fit, it will be appreciated by everyone and welcomed into the Tour.

On the day all Grand Tourists will receive a tour book with instructions and running sheets to guide them along the route of the Macedon Ranges' best and most scenic touring roads. All roads lead to the gourmet food

destinations for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. There is also a chance to win a trophy on the day.

Optional pre and post-event dinners on the Friday and Saturday nights are available and also an opportunity to join the vehicle display on Sunday morning in John Aitken Reserve in Gisborne that is so popular with local residents.

Get in now to secure a place in this fabulous event . . .or it might get snapped up by someone in their MGB! More information and entries are via the website www.macedonrangesgrandtour.com.au.

Alternatively email macedon.grandtour@gmail. com or visit the Macedon-Ranges-Grand-Tour-2026 Facebook page.

Raw material: Paul Hurley of Macedon begins work on another sculpture.

Sports car takes part in a previous Grand Tour.

FOR THE GREEN THUMBS

Nodding greenhoods in Daly Nature Reserve

August marks the start of Daly Nature Reserve's orchid season. Most of Australia’s terrestrial orchids go dormant over summer and retreat underground. The nodding greenhood (Pterostylis nutans) is the first to reappear in Daly Nature Reserve.

This is a colony-forming orchid which puts up dense mats of leaf rosettes. These leaves are readily identified as they have crinkly edges. From the centre of the rosette the flower emerges.

The top of the hood is transparent, part of an ingenious adaptation to ensure it gets pollinated. Inside the hood is the labellum which triggers when touched. Pollination is usually by fungus gnats. When a gnat enters, the

labellum triggers, trapping it inside.

The gnat flies up to the light at the top of the hood and in its desperation to escape it contacts the pollen package which sticks to it. About 20 minutes later the labellum reopens, letting the gnat escape. The gnat then flies to another nodding greenhood only to get trapped again, this time to deposit the pollen and receive another pollen package.

Keep a lookout for the rosettes and please try to avoid standing on them, especially before the flower emerges when they are less noticeable.

The Friends' working bees are on the second Tuesday of each month.

Newcomers are always welcome and there are tasks suitable for all ages and abilities. We meet at the Scout Hall on Howey Street, starting at 9.30am and finishing around 11am with a cuppa and a chat.

Friends of Daly Nature Reserve, subgroup of Gisborne Landcare

Origami magic plus Garden Club AGM

In the middle of winter, when one is cosy indoors, a bowl of soup and a sandwich makes a hearty lunch.

The Gisborne Garden Club holds its soup and sandwich lunch for members in July, enjoying six varieties of soup and an assortment of delicious sandwiches.

A big attraction last month was the special guest demonstrating her skills in origami. Chieko Hester and her assistant Kymi shared their skills with club members, providing materials to complete an origami tulip.

The group got their fingers folding pieces of coloured paper making their own tulips. Chieko has an exhibition of her beautiful origami work at Mount Macedon.

After lunch the Annual General Meeting got underway, and the current committee of management was reelected for 2026-2027.

Garden Club Expo

A reminder: on 12 August the club's Garden Expo will be held, introducing the award-winning garden designer Jim Fogarty.

Jim champions Australian natives in his landscaping designs and drought-tolerant gardens. He has won multiple international and national garden awards including a gold medal at the famous Chelsea Garden Show in the UK in 2011.

The Expo will be held at the Macedon Ranges Motor Club, 10 Weber Street, New Gisborne, Wednesday 12 August from 1pm to 3pm, costing $35 per person including afternoon tea.

Bookings are essential and all welcome.

Please contact Edwina on 0407 576 545 or Louise on 0452 599 254.

Gisborne Garden Club

Nodding greenhood orchids are the first orchids to reappear in Daly Nature Reserve after hibernating underground over summer.

a Garden Club member.

Proudly sponsored by Bruce Ellis, Chiropractor

Guides' crate challenge stacks up

Gisborne Lightning Guides were very excited at being able to take on the challenge of crate stacking thanks to the support of Scout leaders Steve, Adrian and Rex, who facilitated the challenge and held onto the safety ropes.

Each girl had to wear a helmet and rope belt to participate.

Ropes are tied to the belt and one at a time a Guide climbs onto a crate, then a crate is passed up by the other Guides and added to the tower.

The Guide on the rope pulls herself up a crate at a time. This year the highest level was 13. It was lovely to see each girl helping and supporting each other.

If you think you would like to try Guiding this year, then refer to the Girl Guides Victoria website: www.guidesvic.org.au for more information.

The Gisborne unit meets in the community hall at Daly Nature Reserve (Howey Street) on Thursdays between 5 and 6.30pm.

New Gisborne Scout Group prepares for Cuboree

The holidays haven’t been completely activity-free for New Gisborne Cub Scouts.

As the September “Cuboree” approaches, our Cub Scouts have been using the break to prepare by participating in 'camping at home'.

This innovative program complements their real camping experiences by bringing the magic of Victoria’s Gilwell Park straight to their own backyards. This is a brilliant way to simulate and prepare for the fun of the official Cuboree, a five-day statewide Cub Scout camp.

Cubs set up small tents to simulate traditional patrol camping and practise essential scouting skills such as knottying and camp cooking, ending the day practising campfire songs and

maybe even roasting marshmallows!

The Scout Group group has signed contracts for construction of a trailer bay, a home for our camping trailers and equipment at the Scout Hut. Construction should begin in spring, soon followed by the Scout Hut kitchen, toilet block, meeting room and wall lining. All contributions are welcome and tax-deductible.

Scouting offers proven programs, challenges and opportunities for young people and great training for leadership and support opportunities for parents.

We meet on Wednesdays from 6.30 to 8pm, Venturers on Fridays. Contact Group Leader Russell Barker on 0400 297 025 or email russell@jeem.com. au. For Venturers, please call Tracey on 0407 098 032.

Cub Scouts camp out in their back yards to practise for the real thing.

Chloe (front) tackles the climbing challenge.

KIDS' CORNER

KIDS' QUIZ

1 What does the Roman numeral XXXVII stand for?

2. Which AFL team won the premiership in 2025?

3. How many gold rings are mentioned in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas?

4. Anthony, Murray, Greg, and Jeff were part of which musical group?

5. Which animal appears on the back of the Australian 10 cent coin?

6. Cacao beans are used to make which very popular confection?

7. Which sea lies between Australia and New Zealand?

8. Which is the fifth planet from the Sun?

9. The dollar sign '$' sits above which number on a computer keyboard?

10. What is the square root of 64?

Jokes & riddles

Why shouldn’t you tell a joke to an egg? It might crack up!

Why did the scarecrow win a Nobel Prize? He was outstanding in his field.

I was addicted to the Hokey-Pokey but I finally managed to turn myself around.

How can you tell if a tree is a dogwood? It has a rough bark.

How much do neutrons cost?

Nothing, they’re free of charge.

What do you call a magician who’s lost his magic?

Ian

Artwork by Eliza Ransome

Japan tour for Secondary College group

During the last week of Term 2 and into the term break, 15 Gisborne Secondary College students and three teachers embarked on an incredible 11-day study tour through Japan, immersing themselves in the language, culture and history.

The tour visited some of Japan’s most iconic locations, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka.

Highlights included visiting historic temples and shrines in Kyoto, reflecting on the importance of peace at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo and Osaka and travelling on Japan’s famous Shinkansen trains.

Students also enjoyed sampling traditional Japanese cuisine, navigating Japan’s extensive public transport network, exploring lively shopping districts, interacting with the friendly if sometimes overly enthusiastic — deer of Miyajima, and putting their Japanese language skills to the test.

The students were outstanding ambassadors for the college, consistently demonstrating the college’s values through their respectful behaviour, resilience and willingness to embrace new experiences.

Kristeen Quarrier Head of Faculty: Languages

College Captain Charlie Francis writes: This year’s study tour to Japan was a fantastic opportunity to broaden knowledge of Japanese language and culture through activities such as visiting historic sites, experiencing Japan’s vibrant, buzzing cities and even just by ordering food.

Some stand-outs of the trip included picturesque Miyajima full of friendly local deer, Himeji Castle and of course Tokyo Disneyland. One of my personal favourite places was Omihachiman, a tranquil merchant town built upon canals and only an hour’s train ride from Kyoto.

The local cuisine was fantastic, offering plenty of variation and catering to the tastes of almost any traveller. Some of my favourite dishes included okonomiyaki, the local specialty of Hiroshima and Osaka, as well as ramen and any of the wide range of katsu, cutlet and curry that I sampled.

I also want to mention the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. While confronting, it was a truly moving and powerful experience, and its gravity was not lost on our group. To be able to reflect and pay our respects in person was incredible.

Overall, the knowledge and experience gained from the tour is invaluable to all of the students and have provided students and teachers with life-long memories.

Learning, leadership and looking ahead at St Brigid’s

S Brigid's

The end of Term 2 was another busy one at St Brigid’s, with plenty happening across the school.

One of the highlights was our Grade 6 Kindergarten visits. Forty of our student leaders visited six kindergartens around Gisborne, running small-group activities based on their own interests and passions. From craft and games to stories and STEM challenges, the students did an amazing job connecting with the younger children. There were smiles everywhere and, who knows, we may even have inspired a few future teachers!

Students across the school showcased their learning to their families. The junior students led a writing expo for families. Students had their books on display, proudly reading them to their families. The middle and senior school students also welcomed families to their Migration Expos, where they shared what they’d been learning about migration, family heritage and ancestry throughout the term.

Our Grade 3/4 students were lucky enough to visit the Immigration Museum as part of the unit, and it was wonderful to see the pride they took in sharing their work with parents and grandparents. Maths Fun Day was another favourite, with students taking part in hands-on challenges including LEGO building, leaf sorting, maths games and problem-solving activities. The whole school got into the spirit by dressing up in spots, stripes, odd socks, capes and crazy hair, making for a fun day of learning and laughter.

We’re also excited about a new chapter for St Brigid’s, with our Digital Technologies program evolving into a STEM program from Term 3. Students have shown a real love of hands-on learning, and we can’t wait to see where their curiosity takes them.

After a well-earned holiday break, we’re looking forward to another great term, including celebrating a special milestone with our Prep students as they reach 100 days of school. St Brigid’s Primary School

Gisborne Secondary students are photobombed by a friendly deer at Miyajima, Japan.

SCHOOL'S IN

Solstice showcase at GVL

As we continue building excitement for this year’s musical at Global Village Learning, our last session was filled with energy, creativity, and plenty of hard work. Everyone embraced the opportunity to develop their talents and prepare for what promises to be a fantastic production.

A highlight of the session was the school's Winter Solstice Showcase, where participants proudly shared their progress with the community. The event celebrated the dedication, enthusiasm, and teamwork that have been at the heart of our musical journey.

Throughout the session, everyone immersed themselves in a range of creative activities. From learning dance routines and practising songs to playing instruments, creating a band and developing new skills on the ukulele, each participant challenged themselves and grew in confidence. We spent time bringing our musical characters to life through acting, while creative art projects allowed everyone to express their imagination and contribute to the production in unique ways.

E & S Folkband, 'Work in Progress'

The showcase was more than just a performance it was an opportunity to celebrate who we are, what we have achieved, and the passion we share for the performing arts. It was wonderful to see our community come together to support and encourage our performers as they continue their journey.

We are incredibly proud of everyone’s commitment and can’t wait to share more as we move closer to opening night and the real rehearsals begin and costumes come to life. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as our musical continues to take shape!

Bec, Exploration and Discovery Guide

Students step back in time and explore some awesome history

Holy Cross P-2 and 5-6 students had a blast stepping back into the 1850s during an actionpacked day at Sovereign Hill. History came alive as the young adventurers explored deep underground in the mines, bowled old-school style, and met the colourful characters wandering Main Street.

From the thrill of panning for real gold and watching a spectacular gold pour, to experiencing a strict 1850s classroom, the hands-on learning never stopped. Students also became town planners for the day, working together in a special educational session to build their own gold rush city.

Our Years 3-4 students have embraced every opportunity to challenge themselves. Their visit to the historic tall ship Polly Woodside provided a wonderful hands-on learning experience. Stepping aboard the 1885 iron barque, our young crew members travelled back in time to experience the gritty reality of life at sea.

Students took the sailor’s oath, eagerly tried their hand at scrubbing decks, worked together to pump the ship’s bilge, and explored the cramped cargo holds and hammocks where sailors lived for months on end.

They also learnt about the harsh conditions of 19th-century voyages — including the dreaded

“hardtack” biscuits that crew members had to eat. Back in the classroom, this maritime adventure sparked inspiration. Students' creative diorama projects perfectly showcased both their imaginations and a deep, hands-on understanding of the history they had learnt.

We are incredibly proud of our students, who represented the school beautifully with their outstanding behavior, curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm. What a term of memories! Jane Barlow, Acting Principal

New Gisborne Primary school soiree success

Students from New Gisborne Primary School recently performed in the 2026 music soirée. One by one, kids arrived at Gisborne Secondary College full of excitement.

When the show started, children from different grades came out to the stage to perform their songs. There were keyboarders, guitarists, ukulele players, and singers.

Two Grade Sixers kicked things off with an acknowledgement of Country. Choirs harmonised, soloists’ voices echoed around the room and the instrumentalists sounded even better than they had in practice. There were about 100 performers who took to the stage, some multiple times. Three choirs performed the auditioned choir (4-6), the 3-6 choir and the prep to 2 choir and they all sang beautifully.

Behind the stage and spotlights, excited students waited for their time to shine. Kids sat and watched the show on screen. As people were called up, we waited patiently for our names to be called.

So many people were impressed by the collective talents of New Gisborne Primary School.

“It was AMAZING!!” - Ember

“It was certainly something” - Dottie

“I was nervous and excited” - Stevie

“I felt nervous, excited, but ready” - Indie

“When I went onstage, it was scary, but... fun” - Kara

“Everyone was ready. Nervous, but ready” - Cailin

“I felt nervous but alive” - Marcelle

We have many people to thank. Nothing could have happened without Ms Preaudet, Miss Wencel and all the backstage staff. Thank you to Miss White, Ms Morris, Mrs Boyd, Mr West, Mrs Mason and many others.

A special thanks to Zac, Blake and the people from Gisborne Secondary College who helped make the show a success.

Ember and Cailin, Year 5 reporters

Ember

Cailin

Panning for gold at Sovereign Hill.

Ready, set… Anglesea!

On 13 July, the whole Year 5 and 6 cohort at Gisborne Primary School took a chaotic bus ride to Anglesea YMCA camp. The camp was filled with adventure and thrills, with activities packed in every corner.

Most students’ highlights were the giant swing, where people were inspired to come out of their comfort zones, and the talent show. The show was packed with acts and dances, with people proud to be up on stage. It was separated into year levels: Year 6s doing it on the first night and Year 5s the next night.

The giant swing was a heart-stopping adventure,

and a giant 18 metres high. We were lifted up and released, as if we were soaring through the clouds.

Arriving back at school, everyone tiredly hopped off the buses. Students and teachers looked around at the mountain of suitcases on the ground and rummaged through to find their own.

Parents happily waited for their kids to come back from their three-day adventure.

It was probably the most fun we have ever experienced on a camp kids leaving with minds full of exciting memories.

Georgia, Paisley and Ava – Year 6 Writers’ Club

Year 5 innovators shine at Braemar

The Year 5 Invention Convention was a showcase of creativity, collaboration and innovation, with students working in teams to design an exciting invention that could solve a problem or improve everyday life.

Each team developed a prototype, created an advertising campaign and pitched their product to the Braemar Middle School. Students voted for their favourite invention, with the winner receiving the coveted Perpetual Trophy.

After an impressive display of entrepreneurial thinking and teamwork, the Cushion Water Board a super-comfy wakeboarding board designed to maximise comfort on the water claimed the top prize. Here are some thoughts from our Year 5 students on the Invention Convention:

The Year 5 Invention Convention happens every year. It’s not only about winning and creating the best invention, it is about teamwork, effort and collaboration and it’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone.

Our group made the Lazy Skates, a way to clean while staying lazy. We learnt to collaborate and work in a team and came out with a great experience. Not only did we have lots of fun, but we made new friends.

Aurora, Sofia and Juniper – Year 5

The winning inventors: Astin and Portia, (Alyce absent) with the Perpetual Trophy.

Year 5 and 6 students enjoy cooking damper over the campfire.

Vet Talk Vet Talk

with Dr Caitlin Retchford Veterinarian

Keeping all animals safe at night

As the winter nights draw in, I want to flag something that all our local motorists can relate to: the stress of that shadowy figure hopping into your headlights as you navigate the foggy streets driving home.

It is distressing to see kangaroos taken out by road trauma, and with so much new development especially around Gisborne township, spare a thought for the fact that their habitat is shrinking. They have fewer escape options, and when the motors roar, they feel the flight response and have to go somewhere.

Dogs too, are far harder for drivers to spot after dark, and vehicle strikes remain one of the most common — and most preventable — emergencies we treat. A secure yard or a dog safely inside overnight removes that risk. For the roos: just slowing down gives them time to navigate a safer escape.

And it's not only the big creatures. Roaming cats are a genuine community concern — our native wildlife are typically nocturnal, and cat harassment causes them real distress. Not to mention cats fighting with other neighbours’ cats, risking infection with abscesses or FIV virus. The caterwauling feline may attract council action too, as cats are mandated to be indoors after dark in the Macedon Ranges Shire.

We can’t control the behaviour of the wild animals we share our shire with. But we can take responsibility for our own pets: bring them in, or lock the yard up properly, every night. It costs nothing and it's the single easiest way to keep your dog, cat, and your neighbourhood safer.

A slower speed gives kangaroos more time to get away safely.

Keeping dogs and cats safely inside the yard or house overnight keeps them safe from wandering and potential vehicle strike.

From Gisborne to Grossglockner, with Ulysses riders

Twenty years with the Macedon Ranges Ulysses Branch recently just led to a small group of us riding the famous Grossglockner High Alpine pass in Austria, along with several other places including Slovenia and the Adriatic Coast of Croatia.

The Grossglockner, on the Tyrol state border, rises to almost 4000 metres, and has around 30 hairpin bends along perhaps the most spectacular motorcycle riding route in the world. This journey began many years ago, in our own picturesque township of Gisborne.

This is where the local branch meets, and many dear friendships have been forged along the way.

A few of those friends have been lost over time of course, but that just makes us all the more determined to make the most of life and continue our motorcycling journey to honour those few who now ride with us in spirit.

And we never know where that may lead to next.

So if you are looking to share motorcycle adventures that can take you far afield, then why not come along and share the journey? We welcome a wide variety of riding styles, and very much include female riders within our branch.

Our Ride Calendar is full of monthly Saturday lunch rides and Sunday trips during the warmer months.

This is a great chance to meet new friends with a common interest, and share the journey on two wheels though some of the most picturesque landscapes there are.

You’ll find us celebrating the camaraderie that comes with motorcycling, at the Saturday morning Tyre-Kick in Brantome Street, Gisborne. Just come and say hello!

You can contact us at email seccatarri@ gmail.com.

Matthew Dridan

Gazette at Large

Atop the Grossglockner, Austria. Picture by Matthew Dridan

From one climatic extreme to the other, locals are keeping up with the news. Above: Chris Rhodes reads the Gazette at Uluru. Right: Helen, Wayne, Cristina and Jim keep informed while above the Arctic Circle in Norway.

OBITUARIES

In the space of just three months, the community farewelled three longstanding members, each of whom had played an active role in community life

Anne O’Brien

(June 1945 – June 2026)

Anne O’Brien became a resident of Gisborne in November 2013 when she and husband Michael relocated from their small farm near Newstead to be closer to some of their family in Melbourne.

Anne brought with her fond memories of her career in nursing in Melbourne and some regional centres including Ballarat and, most recently, Castlemaine. She had even spent a year nursing in New Guinea with Australian Volunteers Abroad in 1970.

From an early age Anne had an inquisitive nature and a wide range of interests including sustainable living, gardening, travel,

Keith Robert Hallett

6 November 1942 – 8 June 2026

food, books and many diverse fibre crafts.

She became involved with several groups in the Macedon Ranges, starting with a small town-walking group. Anne also joined the Gisborne Probus and Garden Clubs and was active in both, along with a small book group. She was also a distributor of the Gisborne Gazette for nine years.

Her fascination with fibre crafts and her highly developed skills in spinning, handweaving, knitting and crochet led her to become enthusiastically involved with a number of craft groups in this region.

Over a decade or more she produced a large range of wearable and/or decorative articles, several of which were award winners at shows in Bendigo and Kyneton.

Keith was born to Jean and Robert Hallett. The family lived in Murrumbeena where Keith attended the local primary school. Later, he went on to Lloyd Street Central and Melbourne High School. He joined the Scouts as a Cub and continued on to achieve his Queen’s Scout Award.

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education at Melbourne University. Keith then taught at Echuca Secondary, Ballarat East, Wangaratta and Kyneton High Schools before becoming a founding teacher at Gisborne Secondary College. Keith extended his teaching qualifications with a Bachelor of Education in 1980. In 1989 he completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He completed his teaching career at Braemar College.

At Wangaratta he also taught night school and that is how he came to meet Helen, whom he married at Bright Methodist Church in August 1970. They had three sons Paul, Graeme and Matthew who each married wonderful women, and they created the next generation five beautiful grandchildren.

During his teaching years Keith was active in the Ballarat Dramatic Society, the Wangaratta Players and the Mount Players. He co-wrote two textbooks. He also wrote and published books on the education of WW1 diggers, the impact of railways on the Australian identity, and a history of Methodist Sunday Schools.

In 1974 Keith headed off to Canada on a teaching exchange accompanied by Helen and two babies. In 1978 he travelled with seven mates around Australia in two Land Rovers. A year of teaching in England followed in 1979 with frequent hitch-hiking trips around Europe during school holidays.

A 12-month scholarship in 1992 saw him attending London University.

While teaching in the 1990s he accompanied school groups four times to walk the Kokoda Trail.

In all aspects of her life Anne was well regarded for her ability to foresee solutions to problems, her calm generosity and her perseverance in the face of adversity. Unfortunately, pulmonary fibrosis was part of the backdrop of her life in the last decade. It is a progressive, degenerative disease and, complicated by spinal fractures and bacterial infections, Anne’s health declined gradually and very painfully from mid-January. She passed away in hospital a few days after celebrating her 81st birthday with her family and some friends.

She will be sadly missed by Michael and her children Alex, Jane and Penny and stepsons Eamon and Seamus, as well as many people in this community.

Michael O’Brien

Keith was a committed Christian all of his life and applied his faith through his work in the church and the community.

Outside work, Keith led a full life. He was, at different times, a member of the CFA, Men’s Shed, Apex, Rotary, a leader with the 1st Gisborne Scouts and a distributor of the Gisborne Gazette

He was an active member of the Gisborne Bushwalkers, a secretary and president of Gisborne Probus, president of Gisborne U3A, chair of Western Water Community Group and a volunteer conductor with the Maldon Railway.

He gained a Diploma of Counselling so he could play an active role in the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministry during disasters in Victoria and NSW.

Despite all of these contributions and commitments, the roles Keith enjoyed most were those of husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.

Michael Thomas Langmaid 2 November 1941 – 10 May 2026

Mike Langmaid was born in Smithton, Tasmania, and grew up in the neighbouring town of Stanley. He was the eldest of five. His father worked in the timber mill and his mother was a teacher at the local primary school.

He completed secondary school at Smithton High School and the stories go that, apart from being regarded as "‘quite intelligent", he was also known as a bit of a larrikin. Stories of him and his mates pushing potatoes into exhaust pipes and painting black cows with whitewash on New Year’s Eve are just a couple of many.

His first job was delivering groceries on his bike and later he became a forklift driver with Holymans at the Stanley wharf. This led to his being employed in 1963 by the same company at the Launceston wharf. It was at this time that he met his future wife Kerry at the local dances.

The following year he applied for the inaugural Civil Air Traffic controllers training course, a two-year course based in Melbourne. Mike was one of 17 accepted and the training went from April 1964 to April 1966. He and Kerrie were married in June 1966 and moved to Melbourne, where Mike began working in Tower Control at Essendon Airport.

Eventually moving to Gisborne in 1970 and building their home there in 1972, Mike and Kerry’s family grew with seven children Matthew, Gavin, Melanie, Emma, Benjamin, Jonathon and Jerome. At present count there are 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In 1976 the famous Mars Bar TV commercial was shot at the Essendon tower with Mike as the star.

Tullamarine opened that year and Mike moved to the Area Control room there which controlled aircraft out of Melbourne between Perth and Brisbane. Keen to end shift work, from 1983 to 1994 he occupied the role of Facilities Supervisor with Civil Air in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

After he retired in 1999, Mike continued with his golf at Mt Macedon Golf Club, sailing at Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, bushwalking with friends, and he also completed the 65-kilometre Cradle Mountain Trek in Tasmania. He was involved in Men’s Shed activities, volunteering at St Brigid’s Church and singing in the church choirs at St Brigid’s and St Patrick’s, Macedon.

He and Kerry enjoyed many trips within Australia and two overseas trips as well as regular local dance nights. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, Mike spent eight years in care from 2018 till his passing.

Anne O'Brien

Keith on the day he graduated with his PhD in 2012 at Melbourne University.

More memories of old Gisborne

In the June edition we published the last of Eddie and Peter Gardiner's stories.

From this edition we will be publishing the stories of the district’s older residents, many of whom were contemporaries of Peter and Eddie. The first cab off the rank is the story of Tom and Mary Ritchie, whose significant contribution to Gisborne has been largely unrecorded.

Tom and Mary Ritchie remember

Tom was aged two when he arrived in Australia in 1949 with his parents William and Frances and two older brothers, Billy and Johnny.

“My father’s brother Andrew had come out from Scotland after the First World War. He was living in Camberwell and he sponsored our family. Dad got a job here in Gisborne working for Organs Bus Lines and we lived in the bus driver’s house in Aitken Street. In those days, walking south from the Victoria Hotel, first there was a laneway that went up the back to old stables then there was Fred Sewell’s gate factory, then our house. Next was George Ansett’s butcher’s shop then a vacant house before George Pugsley’s The Oval café.

Then there was White’s drapery and after that, the chemist shop with a driveway to the house at the back. Jim McGuinness’s barber shop came next followed by Shilton’s garage, Mrs Crawford’s house and the twostorey building on the Hamilton Street corner. I was not allowed to go beyond that building nor go across Aitken Street because it was the Calder Highway at the time. I also remember the Telegraph Hotel had a wide verandah in those days.”

“When I was young it was common to go out and see a couple of Pugsley’s cows wandering around Aitken Street. My brothers would talk fondly of Dad, George Pugsley and Harry Shaw rowing a boat around the Gisborne football ground when it was flooded in 1951, looking for the cows.”

Tom was born in Ayr in Scotland, where his father worked as a gardener. He had been an ambulance driver in WW2 and had been wounded in France before being evacuated from Dunkirk.

We moved up to Hamilton Street, into the second house from Goode Street. I remember the fire truck going past our place to the 1956 fire at Anton Neal’s place ['Brucedale', Gisborne to Bacchus Marsh Road.] By then Dad was working at the army base at Monegeetta as a test driver.

“My brother Billy was 18 (16 years older than me) and he was working as a welder at Sewell’s. Johnny was still at school and my sister Jean was born after we arrived here. I went to Gisborne State School from about 1952. There were not many at the school in those days. My friends were the Sewells: Ron and Freddy. Fred senior later owned the Gisborne Manufacturing Company.

“Sansoms’ big shop was on the corner of Hamilton Street [and Aitken Street] and my brother Johnny started work at Thomas’s bakery that was just along from Sansoms’. Johnny’s job included delivering the bread house to house.

“My Dad passed away from cancer when I was 10. My brother Billy had married and moved to Sunbury so when I finished Grade 6 I left school and started work at Cherry Brothers to help Mum with my wages. I started in the foundry and later worked in the woodwork section making telephone boxes.

"I then worked at the Henderson’s Mattress Factory in Riddell and after that I drove trucks for Bill Byrne, carting goods from Melbourne to Gisborne daily. Later I drove a transport all over Victoria and NSW for 27 years, carting machinery and hay sheds for the Gisborne Manu-

facturing Company. Fred later sold the property to Coles and set up a storage shed business in the New Gisborne Industrial Park. Finally, I worked for Moonee Valley Coaches until my retirement.

“When I was a teenager I helped out sometimes at Gardiners’, serving petrol. When I went for my licence with old Jack Patterson, the Gisborne copper, he made me drive around the block but didn’t make me reverse the car because he had seen me moving cars in and out of the garage well before I had my licence (the police station being opposite Gardiner’s at the time).

“I joined Peter and Eddie on the tow truck and went to many crashes with them. Peter was very good at climbing into smashed-up vehicles and getting people out. I saw lots of bad smashes and it was hard to get some scenes out of your mind. Later, Ian Nagle, the Gisborne ambulance driver, asked me if I’d be interested in becoming a casual driver. I agreed. I had started doing First Aid courses with the Fire Brigade and I did courses with Ian too.

“I started with the Urban Fire Brigade at the age of 16 with my good friend Laurie Keane. The fire station at the time was on the corner of Brantome and Hamilton Streets, and next door was Neville Higgins’ sawmill (where the Chemist Warehouse car park now is). My fu-

Looking for the cows on a flooded Gisborne oval.

Crossword

Compiled by Chris

Antoniou

Across

1 The outer fragrant and coloured part of a flower

4 Common name for digitalis

9 Patricia Routledge played Mrs ........ Bucket

10 Australia’s floral emblem, the Golden ......

12 Belladonna is also called Deadly ..........

14 Deck the Halls with Boughs of

15 Part of the eye, a girl’s name, and a flower

18 Represents 'Lest we Forget'

19 Lion’s teeth is a .........

20 With deepest sympathy, intertwined or arranged in a circular shape

Down

2 17th-century Dutch Republic speculative bubble

3 Flower named in honour of Leonhardt Fuchs

5 Star-shaped flower made famous in The Sound of Music

6 The female part of a flower

7 Dame Edna Everidge’s favourite flower

8 Largest flower in the world named after Stamford Raffles

11 Vanilla comes from the seed pod of this flower

13 Alternative name of the song Bicycle Built for Two

16 Blossom especially famous in Japan

17 15th-century English war of the .....

More memories of old Gisborne

ture employer, Bill Byrne, was the brigade captain then. I have been with the brigade for more than 60 years and am still an active member. I’ve had a couple of close calls at fires and suffered the loss of a dear friend, Peter Harry, who died while attending a house fire in Gisborne.

"Over those many years with the brigade I’ve met some great people and made good friends. It’s good to be a volunteer. We look out for each other.

“There was a shed where the Gisborne Veterinary Clinic is now that was used to house all sorts of donated goods following the Ash Wednesday fire. In those days the Scout Hall was on the corner where The Collective restaurant is now.

“I have known my wife Mary since we were teenagers. Here she is to tell her story.”

Iwas born in Kyneton and spent my first years at East Trentham with my parents Jim and Lucy Sullivan and my younger sister Rosalie. We went to Sacred Heart Primary School in East Trentham but as it came time for me to attend secondary school my parents decided in 1960 to move to Gisborne, and we lived in a house on the corner of Neal and Lyell Streets no distance from Tom’s place. All that block bounded by Neal, Lyell, Goode and Hamilton Streets was Housing Commission housing.

“I started in Form 1 at St Brigid’s with Pat Patterson, Teresa Savelli, Lorraine Higgins and Georgina Barrow. The four of us were the only ones in the class and we completed Forms 1, 2 and 3 with the Sisters of St Joseph. The post-primary classes were not continued for other students after 1963.

“After leaving school I worked in Melbourne for two years. Then Don Alexander, the chemist, offered me a

job and I worked for him for three years.

“Tom and I were married at St Brigid’s and we moved into our new home in Farrell Street, New Gisborne, on 1 April 1970. Ours was the third house in that street. Our first children were the twins, Leanne and Janet, born in 1968 at the Gisborne Hospital. Then followed James and Kathryn. They all later went to St Brigid’s and Sacred Heart College in Kyneton.

“Tom had a bad accident when his car was hit by an overtaking driver on the Jackson Creek bridge. He was off work for months so I went back to work to make ends meet. I did the 6 to 11pm shift at Flexdrive. I then got a job preparing food for the Meals on Wheels service and after that I worked for the council as a home carer for 29 years until my retirement.

“I’d always had an interest in family history and joined the Gisborne Genealogical Group where Heather Tumber and Rex Harry became my mentors. After a while, I started volunteering on Thursdays, supporting people with their research.

"Eventually I moved into organising visits to museums, the State Library, the Public Records Office etc. In 2012 I was honoured to be named Member of the Year. I was recently awarded my 25-year certificate. My interest has taken our daughter Kathryn and myself to Scotland and Ireland where we were able to meet several of our relatives. I am now looking forward to the refurbishment of the genealogy room, adjoining the library, which should be completed in the next couple of months.

“Tom’s continuing association with the fire brigade, along with most of our family having a part in some way or another, and mine with the Genealogical Group plus our devotion to our children and grandchildren Jayden, Sienna and Amanda keep us engaged and busy.”

1 What is the chemical symbol for Californium?

2 Hannibal was a general from which ancient civilisation?

3 Is Rome on the east or west coast of Italy?

4 The hepatic nerve is part of which organ in the human body?

5 The most common metallic meteorites are composed of nickel and which ferrous metal?

6 A trireme is a ship powered by what?

7 Which brand of Italian car has a serpent and cross as part of its logo?

8 Who did Taylor Swift marry in July 2026?

9 How many five-pointed stars appear on the flag of China?

10 What is the capital of the Czech Republic?

Winter chill

Who doesn't enjoy the look of frost as it whitens the landscape, but for gardeners it can strike fear into the heart. The frost captured on this hebe in a Gisborne garden hasn't done any damage; let's hope all our local gardeners have fared as well through such a cold July.

Q: What did the sweet potato say to the pumpkin? A: I yam what I yam

LOCAL HISTORY

Ard Rudah Devonshire Lane, Mount Macedon

Researched by Phyllis Boyd OAM

Ard Rudah was originally part of a large fruit orchard owned by a gardener, Edmund Veness; it was later called ‘Ard Rudah’ which is Gaelic for ‘high promontory’. The main house was built in 1874-75 for Professor Herbert Strong, a professor of classics at Melbourne University, and then rebuilt in the 1930s by a renowned Melbourne architect, Christopher Cowper, after he bought the property in 1924.

Ard Rudah is an imposing house constructed of concrete with the pitch of the roof being regarded as rather special, as it contained very few beams for support. Low round pillars of stone enhanced the concrete while the paths from the creek were also paved with stone.

Ferny Creek runs through the undulating property which was complete with small concrete bridges and artistic stonework surrounding the lily pond, created by Layton Jones and Joe Taylor. Originally, the property of 5½ acres (2.3ha) purported to have had its design influenced by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller relied entirely on the creek water together with brick underground storage tanks to gravitate the water to the house and for the garden sprinkler system.

Christopher Cowper and his wife had six daughters, and the house was redesigned in 1939 so that each girl could have her own bedroom and bathroom. The outbreak of WW2 prevented Cowper from adding a third level as he had planned. This plan is one suggestion given for the building having concrete ceilings.

The main residence of Ard Rudah comprised seven main bedrooms, six bathrooms, a large dining room, a big kitchen, staff rooms and a sunroom with sweeping views over the garden.

The extensive garden was extremely overgrown when Cowper purchased the property, and he had 82 mature trees removed and totally redesigned the garden, devoting half an acre to the planting of many varieties of daffodils, jonquils and tulips.

He ordered from the Netherlands a vast quantity of bulbs, seeds, exotic trees and shrubs. George Patterson was employed from 1946 until 1967 as the gardener and he propagated and cared for a huge number of seedlings in the glasshouse each year for beautifying the garden.

Other gardeners who worked on this property over the years included Robert McCorkelle, Jim McAvery and Harold Rutherford Snr. A sunken garden was created from one that the Cowper family had seen in Italy and this was surrounded by Japanese dogwoods.

Steps from the front door were designed to lead down through an archway of climbing roses to a lawn, while on either side of the archway were many weeping maples. Borders of daphne enhanced plantations of azaleas, while a huge bank of rhododendrons sheltered the north wall, and hydrangeas were sheltered by a low laurel hedge. Established trees included copper beech, poplars, ash, evergreen oaks, lindens, spruce, sycamores, larches and New Zealand beeches that form

a huge mass of colour backed by messmates, manna gums and stringy bark.

The original tennis court was later converted to a croquet lawn.

Cowper will long be remembered for his generosity, as it was through his efforts that the Mount Macedon and the CWA halls were constructed, as he gave his time free as the architect of these buildings. He gave liberally to the Church of England and was responsible for getting electricity connected to Mount Macedon in 1927. He also organised for the sealing with bitumen of the main road and in his honour, it was gazetted as Cowper Avenue, later being renamed Mount Macedon Road.

In a sale notice in 1951, Ard Rudah was described as a “magnificent modern brick home”.

About 1956 it was sold to Thomas Peters who, together with his sister Matilda, operated it as a very popular guest house for 12 years.

In 1968, the property was sold to Swiss couple Walter and Hilder Meyer. Walter Meyer had extensive catering experience, having worked at the Ritz Hotel in London, followed by employment at 10 Downing Street as a footman then as a butler before becoming valet to Sir Winston Churchill for many years. They then returned to Switzerland until, in 1955, Walter Meyer was brought to Melbourne by the Myer Emporium to act as a chef for the Olympic Games in 1956.

The Meyers ran Ard Rudah as a quality guest house, catering for state governors and members of the Melbourne establishment, right up until Ash Wednesday’s devastation in 1983, when much of the surrounding landscape on Mount Macedon was damaged or destroyed. The extensive garden together with some of the established trees on the property were damaged or destroyed, but the Meyers worked diligently to redesign and renovate many sections of the garden, bringing back much of its former glory, before offering it for sale in 1995. Records indicate that Ard Rudah was again offered for sale in 2001 as a private residence.

Ard Rudah in Devonshire Lane was the last of the grand properties on Mount Macedon to operate as a guest house.

Ard Rudah Guest House, early 1950s

A more recent view of part of Ard Rudah’s gardens.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

TALKING CRICKET

Home-grown coaches to lead Gisborne

Gisborne Cricket Club is shaping as one of the teams to watch ahead of the 2026-27 season, welcoming home outstanding local talent while continuing to invest heavily in player development.

The Dragons have retained the majority of last season’s First XI grand final side and strengthened their program under new Senior Men’s Coach Riley Vernon and Senior Women’s Coach Brianna Woodburn.

Headlining the returning players is former Gisborne junior Dan Salpietro. A former Victorian and Adelaide Strikers representative, Dan has spent many years playing professionally in the UK and is currently Second XI coach at Lancashire County Cricket Club. Returning as a player and senior coaching consultant, he brings elite coaching experience.

Joining him is another former Gisborne junior, Sam

McCaskill, a former Victorian Under 17 and Under 19 representative who returns as one of the competition’s leading all-rounders.

The club has also welcomed former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer Nimesh Kariyawasam, now a Macedon Ranges resident, further strengthening the club’s predominantly homegrown playing group.

Pre-season begins on Monday 3 August, featuring indoor and outdoor training, strength and conditioning, leadership development and specialist coaching from Cricket Australia level 3 coach Shannon Young.

With one of the strongest coaching groups assembled in country cricket, Gisborne is committed to developing players at every level.

Follow Gisborne Cricket Club on Facebook and Instagram for player announcements, pre-season updates and club news.

Junior cricketers tour Sri Lanka

Eleven junior cricketers representing Gisborne Cricket Club were part of the regional Victorian U17 team that has just returned from an amazing 13-day cricket tour of Sri Lanka.

The juniors, aged 11 to 17 years old, played five competitive matches at four locations in Colombo, Kandy and coastal Hikkaduwa, and watched India A play Sri Lanka A at the famous Galle Stadium in southern Sri Lanka.

The tour included visits to an elephant orphanage, World Heritage listed Sigiriya (Lion) Rock, tea and spice factories, and a turtle hatchery.

The team members were able to test their skills on very different wickets and bond with their teammates and accompanying parents. Jarrod Byham

Gisborne junior cricketers celebrate a convincing win in game five, at Surrey Village Cricket Ground in Maggona, Sri Lanka.

More on Dragons’ local coaching talent

Gisborne Cricket Club has reinforced its longstanding commitment to backing local people and developing players from junior cricket through to senior level with the appointment of Riley Vernon as Senior Men’s Coach and the reappointment of Brianna Woodburn as Senior Women’s Coach for the coming 2026-27 season.

A former Gisborne junior, Riley steps into the senior coaching role after establishing an outstanding playing career that includes four First XI premierships, two Club Champion awards, the Kevin Sullivan Medal and selection as Victorian Country vice-captain.

He has also gained valuable experience playing premier cricket and spending time in Britain, experiences that have helped shape his coaching philosophy.

Riley has been instrumental in developing the club’s new high-performance program, with a strong emphasis on mentoring, individual player development and building a culture where every player has the opportunity to improve.

Brianna Woodburn returns as Senior Women’s Coach after a successful previous stint in the role. As captain of the Victorian Country Women’s team and one of country Victoria’s leading female cricketers, Brianna brings outstanding experience and a passion for helping players reach their full potential.

Her leadership has played a significant role in the continued growth of the club’s women’s program and in creating an inclusive environment where players can develop both on and off the field.

Riley said he was honoured to lead the club where his cricket life began.

“This club has given me so much throughout my life, so to now have the opportunity to coach our senior men’s program is incredibly special,” he said.

Brianna Woodburn

Riley Vernon

Dan Salpietro takes practice at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Peter Chaldjian and Marie Bloomfield on the petanque court in Gisborne.

Wins and losses for Mt Macedon Petanque Club

Another financial year has begun when Mt Macedon Pétanque Club registers its players with the national body Pétanque Australia. This year we have 31 players; we lost three members but have gained five.

The weather has shortened a few play days, but the Golden Boule Competition continues over winter. A trip to Maldon Petanque Club saw a second loss for our club, but again new players were given a chance to compete. Our third game was at home against Ballarat Petanque Club. The weather stayed dry for most of the game time.

Mt Macedon took advantage of the home ground by winning 24 game points to six game points. On our Come and Try Day we had interest from two families and three individuals who enjoyed the instruction provided. All community groups who would enjoy a different type of challenge can contact us via the club website, www.mtmacedonpetanque.org or email mtmacedonpetanqueclub@gmail.org.

We play behind the Ampol Service Station, on Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm and on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 10am. You will be made very welcome.

Consider giving table tennis a try

Since the first season of Gisborne Districts Table Tennis Association in 2010, hundreds of locals have enjoyed playing table tennis at the association. So why don’t you and your family do the same in 2026?

Whether you are new to the game, on the comeback trail, or perhaps just wanting to play table tennis with your partner, kids or mates, come and join this friendly association as we welcome new, current and past players to our upcoming winter/spring competitions for all ages and skill levels.

A come-and-try-and-practice evening is scheduled for 19 August, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at Macedon Community Centre, Waterfalls Road, Macedon.

Competition pennants begin on 26 August, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Group and one-on-one coaching sessions are also available.

For more information, please call Stan Thomas on 0437 508 338 or Kay Thomas on 0407 508 333, or email sthomas@gisbornects.com.au

Stan Thomas

Great golf outshines wintry conditions

Wet, wintry conditions have hit Mt Macedon, but the course is looking great and the fire in the clubhouse is always warm and welcoming.

The June Monthly Medal was (mostly) played in a blanket of thick fog that dropped visibility to less than 100 metres. It was ‘golf by instruments’ for the first part of the day, with the afternoon showing a complete contrast with clear and sunny skies. The winner was Sean Smyth with net 65. A Grade was taken out by Bruce Fraser (net 67), and C Grade by Sean Bassett (net 68). Best gross score went to Darcy Doyle with 70.

The mid-week Mug o’ the Month Stableford event was won, along with B Grade, by Hamish Allen with 36 points. A Grade went to Bruce Fraser who was three shots further back with 33 points.

The finalists for the Winter Pairs Matchplay have been decided with David Watt and Hamish Allen to take on Terry Bonnello and Darren Mantynen. Good luck to all four gents.

Finally, a reminder to members of the 2026 AGM to be held at 9am on Saturday 5 September. The annual Bluey Russell Stableford (with a shotgun start) will follow directly after the meeting,

News from Macedon Ranges Croquet Club

I started reading a fascinating book on anti-gravity. I couldn’t put it down.

The club has been having a quiet winter so far. Even though the courts are getting their winter coat, the reasonable weather has allowed us to play most days, and also for members to get some practice in for the September season opening.

This year’s committee is ready to get the club set up for a good year.

We had the pleasure of inviting a keen group of croquet players from Deanside Lifestyle Village to come and play and try their skills on larger courts. It was a

great day, everyone enjoyed themselves - and the hearty soup, bread rolls and chatter amongst all to finish off with.

The club has attracted two more sponsors to support us, thank you to them. If any local companies would like to join us, please contact 0447 613 777.

The club welcomes all that would like to come along and try the game. We are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9.30am at Dixon Field in Gisborne. Terry

Sean Bassett

Macedon Ranges Croquet Club social day with Deanside Lifestyle Village players.

GISBORNE DISTRICTS TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Two new netball courts have been completed at the New Gisborne sporting complex.

From sidelines to coach’s box

How one local mum is supporting young futsal players and teaching them respect and good sportsmanship

For local Chelsey Jones, coaching her son’s futsal team comes naturally. Having played team sports from a young age, she understands how sport builds respect, resilience and communication.

With his mum as coach, seven-year-old Jagger loves that she is always there if he gets hurt. Another perk is being the first to know who will be appointed team captain each week but shhhh, don’t tell his Killer Python teammates!

After years of watching his older brother Jack from the sidelines, Jagger is thrilled to be playing alongside his own friends in his own team and uniform.

Chelsey enjoys giving back to the local community and supporting young people in their sporting journey. “When I see them on the court celebrating each other, I am reminded time and again why I love it,” she said.

Teaching respect and good sportsmanship is a focus every week.

“The kids see elaborate celebrations on TV for a goal or win, and while I encourage our team to celebrate, of course, it should always be with composure and respect for the other team.”

As their inaugural season continues, the Killer Pythons are already learning that teamwork, respect and having fun are just as important as scoring goals a lesson they’ll carry with them both on and off the court.

Like all community sports, futsal relies on volunteers, with parents playing a vital role in giving children the opportunity to participate. Chelsey’s attitude and willingness to coach reflects the community spirit that keeps Macedon Ranges Futsal thriving.

Kristy Mutsaers Committee member, Macedon Ranges Futsal

SPORT IN PICTURES

Chelsey Jones with her son Jagger.

Under 15 Gisborne and Macedon footbll teams slosh about on 12 July.

Under 17 Macedon v Kyneton, 4 July

Seniors, Gisborne v South Bendigo, 27 June

Under 17 Gisborne v South Bendigo, 27 June

SPORT IN PICTURES

Milestones in football

Seniors, Macedon v Kyneton, 4 July

B Grade, Macedon v Diggers Rest, 11 July

Thomas leads his team through the banner on his 100th game for the Gisborne Giants on 28 June

300-gamer for Macedon Football Club, James Wright, is carried off the field in celebration on 18 July.

Under 11, Gisborne v Riddell, 12 July

Pictures by Chris Fleming.

Photos may be ordered from Maddisons of Gisborne, Hamilton Street at low cost.

Everyone jumps, even a spectator. Under 15, Gisborne v Macedon, 12 July

Under 17, Macedon v Kyneton, 4 June

Junior futsal, Shooting Stars v Supernovas, 16 July

Reserves, Gisborne v South Bendigo, 27 June

D Grade, Macedon v Melton Central, 27 June

Under 19, Macedon v Diggers Rest, 11 July

Juniors, Rookies v Sunbury Kangaroos, 28 June

Reserves, Gisborne v South Bendigo, 27 June

THE CHURCHES

Thistle Club celebrates Christmas in July

As the Gazette went to press, the Thistle Club of the Mount Macedon Uniting Church was preparing to celebrate Christmas in July on Wednesday 29 July. A great turn-up of members, plus some partners, was expected, to enjoy a Christmas dinner style lunch with lots of trimmings. The lounge was to be decorated with a Christmas theme and a quiz was planned with lots of fun expected, and keen competition for the chocolate prizes. Christmas in July has become a tradition in many places in Australia. In the early 1800s colonial settlers pined for the traditional “eating and drinking” with the snow and log fires of “home” in the northern hemisphere. Observing Christmas in the Australian summer was just not the same and so began the July celebration of the Christmas story of the birth of Christ all those years ago

Many groups in southern hemisphere countries now celebrate Christmas in July to enjoy the winter feel like their northern hemisphere friends.

The Thistle Club is an ecumenical ladies’ group of the congregation with members from around the Macedon Ranges. Thistle Club meets every last Wednesday monthly except December at the Mount Macedon Uniting Church. Ladies interested can contact the secretary, Anne Fyfield, on 5426 2210 or myself to learn more. There will be a warm welcome.

Neil Tweddle, 0488 001 336

Normal weekend services

Saturday 6pm St Brigid’s

Sunday 8am St Ambrose

Sunday 11am St Brigid’s Everyone welcome!

Gisborne Church of Christ turns 50

We invite you to join us across two special events to celebrate 50 years of the Gisborne Church of Christ, thanking God and reflecting on His faithfulness throughout the journey.

Our Thanksgiving Gathering will be held on Saturday 8 August. The event will start at 6.30pm and includes supper.

A Celebration Service will take place the following day on Sunday 9 August. This service will start at 9.30am and will be followed by lunch.

We look forward to welcoming the community as we mark this wonderful milestone together.

Pastor Josh Cole joshcole@gcofc.org.au

Winter is not wasted

Gisborne Uniting Church accepts going digital

We live in a digital world, we’re told, and we just have to get used to it. Across the Macedon Ranges the Uniting churches are trying.

COVID lockdowns forced us into becoming Zoomers and from there we have now become streamers.

If you want to know what the Gisborne Uniting Church is doing these days, you can simply open up our name or that of the Macedon Ranges Partnership in your browser. There you’ll find a link to worship services over past months and also, via YouTube, for many other services across Victoria or further afield.

We also now live stream each Sunday service and access to these is also readily available. Of course, services in Gisborne, Tylden, Kyneton and Romsey also welcome people in person.

While it takes time to adapt to the change from a physical gathering together, streaming has brought us clear advantages. One of these is to be able to join other mourners in the loss of a friend, even from a distance.

Recently this has meant participating in the gathering to mourn the late Dr Keith Hallett, a friend, supporter and mentor to many of us.

Well known across the Gisborne community and more widely, Keith was very active in church matters. He was a lay preacher, a participant in dialogues with other Christian denominations and a strong advocate for inter-faith understanding and good will.

He volunteered to pack Christmas hampers for the needy, to act as a wise listener to people in the crises of flood or fire through the Victorian Council of Churches, and was a dedicated supporter of youth.

A large crowd over-filled the church to mourn and celebrate a life so well-lived by a staunch, steadfast and loving man. Others might well have given a quiet thanks for the technology which allowed them to join in that day.

Janet Wood

Muddy’s Musings

By August, winter can begin to feel long. The gardens are bare, the mornings are cold, and we find ourselves looking ahead to the promise of spring.

Yet beneath the surface, the earth is anything but idle. Roots continue to grow unseen, bulbs prepare for their brief burst of colour, and trees quietly gather the strength they will need for new life. Perhaps the same is true of us.

We are inclined to measure life by what is visible: what has been achieved, what has changed, what can be counted. But God’s work is so often hidden. Like the life of a seed beneath the soil, grace is fre-

quently at work in ways we cannot yet recognise. The quiet seasons of waiting, grief, healing or uncertainty are not empty spaces. They can become holy ground, where hope takes root and character is formed.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey once observed that the Church exists to point beyond itself to the mystery of Christ. Winter has a way of doing the same.

It teaches us that life is not absent simply because it is hidden, and that waiting is not the opposite of hope but one of its deepest expressions.

If this winter has felt longer than usual, you would be most welcome to join us. We gather each Sunday at 9am at St Paul’s, Gisborne, and 11am at the Church of the Resurrection, Macedon. Perhaps you would like to mark in your diary our special service of Choral Evensong commemorating Mary, Mother of God on 16 October at 4.30pm at the Church of the Resurrection with our special guest preacher, the Rev’d Associate Professor Fergus King from Trinity College a gentle reminder that even in winter, and even when we cannot yet see it, God’s work is never wasted.

Join the Gisborne Church of Christ 50th Anniversary celebrations on August 8 and August 9.

YEARS AGO

AUGUST 1926

Local News. Some years ago, owing to persistent public demands, the shire council purchased a weighbridge and had it erected close to the railway station at New Gisborne for the convenience of farmers and others. Very little use was made of it, and for a long time past, it has been in disuse and falling into a state of decay. At last week’s meeting of the shire council it was resolved to sell the weighbridge and use the proceeds for other purposes.

The Age (Melb.) 9 August 1926

Gisborne Farming – Oat Crops Promise

Well. The area under cultivation this year, although less than in former years, is showing up nicely. Oat crops, principally Algerian, after being eaten off, are excellent, and provided heavy rains do not occur to lay them, should be highly profitable. A few farmers have gone in for wheat growing and so far their crops give promise of good results. Around Gisborne, the soil is principally red volcanic and dense, deep black, both of which are practically suitable for agricultural and pastoral purposes.

The Age (Melb.) 10 August 1926

Note on Gisborne There is a likelihood of the mineral springs at Gisborne being put to some use. For some time past a number of residents have had the matter under consideration and a bore will shortly be put down to again test the water which many years ago was stated to be equal to that obtainable at Cheltenham, England. Already there is a good mineral spring flowing into a cemented basin in the botanical gardens here but the ordinary public outside of Gisborne do not know of it. The Age (Melb.) 12 August 1926

Gisborne Update The continuous service will commence on the Gisborne telephone exchange this morning and from that time onward subscribers will be able to call the exchange at any hour, Sundays included.

A meeting will be held on Tuesday next to discuss the advisability of forming a Bowling Club in Gisborne. A number of enthusiasts are behind the project and the meeting has been called by Mr. Irving, Shire Secretary.

Gisborne Gazette 13 August, 1926

Gisborne School Notes. As soon as the new building is completed it is desired to bring the school right up to date by adding to the equipment. About £20 is still needed to complete the purchase of a piano and another £30 will be required for other equipment.

WHAT'S ON

REGULAR MEETINGS

If your group is missing from this list, please email gisbornegazetteeditor@gmail.com with details.

ADULT RIDING CLUB (Gis) 2nd Saturday Robertson Res, Sth Gis.

ADULT RIDING CLUB (Bullengarook) 2nd Saturday Rec Reserve

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 3rd Saturday 10am Woodend RSL. www.mrarc.org.au

BADMINTON Tues 7.30pm & Thurs 9.30am Macedon Com munity Centre; macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com or David 0419 589 425

BOTANIC GARDENS working bee first & last Thurs every month 9.30am-11am email infogisbotgard@gmail.com

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 1st & 3rd Tues 10.30am, Canteena, Gisborne. Enquiries, call Lesley 0484 691 226 BUSHWALKING CLUB Various locations 0402 088 491 or secretary@gisbornebwc.org.au

CANASTA CLUB Macedon & Mt Macedon Community House Wednesdays 2pm

CAR CLUB (Mac Ranges & District Motor Club 1st Wednesday, 8pm, Steam Park, New Gisb. secretary@mradmc.com.au

CARERS GROUP (Mac Ranges) 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1pm Woodend RSL Cherry 5420 7132 (Note: 4th Thurs carers only)

CHAMBER POETS 2nd Saturday of month,1pm Woodend RSL COMMUNITY GARDEN Wed 9.30am Church of Christ (Facebook for updates)

CROCHET & CONVERSATIONS 1st Mon 2.30pm Gisborne Library

CROQUET CLUB Mon, Wed & Sat AM Dixon Field Terry, 0493 463 357

CWA GISBORNE 2nd Monday 10am Gis Secondary College CWA MACEDON 3rd Tues 1pm & 7pm 5426 2210 662 Mt Macedon Rd

DALY RESERVE WORKING BEE 2nd Tues 9.30am Scout Hall, Daly Res dalynaturereserve@gmail.com

EUCRE Tues 7.15pm St Brigid’s Hall Janice, 0408 332 624

FILM SOCIETY 2nd Wed Norma Richardson Hall, Woodend 0402 299 153 or 0407 012 140

FLY FISHING CLUB 4th Wed 7.30pm MRFEC Gisborne info@calderflyfishing.com.au

FRIENDS of JACKSONS CREEK working bees 3rd Sun 10-noon

GARDEN CLUB 2nd Wed various venues Edwina, 0407 576 545 GENEALOGY GROUP 4th Thurs 7.30 Family Hist Rm, Library GIRL GUIDES Thursdays 5pm Gis Scout Hall GISBORNE SINGERS Wed 7.30pm Gisborne Uniting Church

HISTORICAL SOCIETY open Wed 10am-4pm Court House

LANDCARE: Gisborne Landcare working bee every 4th Sat, venue to be confirmed each month, gisbornelandcare@gmail.com

LIBRARY: TODDLERS’ STORY TIME 10.30am Mon, Wed, Thurs; BABIES GROUP Fri 10.30am 5428 3962 LIONS CLUB (Gisb) 1st Thurs of month, 7.30pm 247 Station Rd

MARTIAL ARTS Thurs from 6pm St Brigid’s Hall; gisborne@junseikan.com.au

MASONIC LODGE 2nd Thurs 7pm Masonic Hall Aitken St MASTERS AFL Wed 6.30pm all year round Sankey Reserve

crossword answers

OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB Sun 9am Riddell Rec Res macedonrangesdogclub.org.au

PARKRUN Dixon Field every Sat 8am start at pavilion Tom 0408 691 826

PETANQUE 2nd & 4th Sat 10am behind Ampol service station, Station Rd, Gisborne 0439 887 178

PHOENIX ART & CRAFTS 1st Thursday phoenixmrac.com

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOC 1st & 2nd Mon 7pm Jubilee Hall, Macedon. macedon-ranges-photography.org.au

PICKLEBALL Monday 6.30pm & Wed 10.15am, Macedon Community Centre, macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com or David 0419 589 425

POETRY Chamber Poets 2nd Sat 1pm-4pm RSL Woodend

PONY CLUB Bullengarook 1st Sunday Rec Reserve

PONY CLUB Gisborne 1st Sunday Robertson Reserve

PROBUS 1st Thurs 10am Gary 0458 841 047 Gisborne Community Centre hall

RAMBLERS Fridays 9.15am meet Tennis Club Dixon Field

ROTARY CLUB Gisborne 1st & 3rd Tues 7pm Telegraph Hotel (email gisbornerotary@gmail.com for confirmation of venue)

RUNNING GROUP Tues & Thurs 9am, 6pm, Sun 8am Gisborne Aquatic Centre Craig 0417 775 785

RSL Gis Bowling Club For dates & times contact secretary, admin@gisbornersl.com.au or call 0487 278 681

SENIOR CITS (Macedon) Tues 11am Tony Clarke Res macedonseniors@gmail.com

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS Thurs 1-3 Buffalo Stadium Woodend, Lynne 0417 331 439

SPINNERS & FIBRE GROUP Wed 12.30 Rec Reserve, Bullengarook. Kerrie 0406 719 557

SUPPORT AFTER SUICIDE 2nd Mon each month, even if public holiday, 7-8.30pm Newham Mechanics (1292 Rochford Rd)

TABLE TENNIS Wed 7.30pm Tony Clarke Res, Macedon Stan 0437 508 338

THUNDER SWIMMING CLUB 2nd Sat 5pm Gisborne Aquatic Centre www.gisbornethunder.org

TOY LIBRARY gisbornetoylibrary@yahoo.com.au Sat. 9.30-11am 71 Robertson St

ULYSSES GROUP 3rd Tues 6pm Sunbur y FC secretary@mrub.org.au

VINTAGE MACHINERY Working bees 1st Sun of month, 8.30am Steam Park; meetings last Friday of month 7pm Steam Park 0419 393 023

WRITERS (Scribes & Scribblers) 2nd Tues 10am-12 Riddell Neighbourhood House 5428 7836

YOUNG VOICES Thursdays 4.15-5.45pm House of the Rock, New Gisborne; yvmacedon.org.au or sdggome@patash.com.au

Gisborne Gazette 27 August 1926 Did you spot it as you read? This happy dinosaur is on page 18.