Gisborne Gazette February 2026

Gisborne Gazette

Lifelong commitment

from Local Hero

Deb Fleming is very deserving of the Local Hero Award. She joins a long line of local residents whose outstanding service to the community has earned this highly regarded recognition.

Deb accepted the award before a large crowd at the Gisborne Christmas Carols night on 7 December.

Presenting the award, Bendigo Bank manager Sarah Barton said, “Deb’s dedication is unwavering, her contributions countless, and her spirit, truly inspiring.”

For over 40 years Deb has shaped the lives of young women as a Girl Guide leader. In 2009 she was awarded an OAM for her services to the Guide movement and to the community.

Beyond Guiding, Deb’s commitment is evident in her 50 years of service with the Mount Macedon CFA.

Continued on page 3

Deb Fleming receives her Local Hero 2025 award from Community Bank manager Sarah Barton at the Gisborne Community Carols in December.

HOME PAGE

From the Editor's desk

Welcome back to another year of the Gazette! After having a break over January, this edition is a lovely mix of reflections on events that happened in December of last year, as well as the sharing of plans for the New Year.

We were thrilled to see Deb Fleming recognised with the Local Hero Award at last year’s Christmas Carols, and feel lucky to have her as an integral part of the Gazette team, amongst the many other volunteer roles she occupies.

Congratulations are also in order for the winners of local end of year competitions including, the Men’s Shed fundraiser, Rotary’s Christmas Decorations, GREAT’s Christmas Decorations for businesses (all on page 9), and Gisborne Town Team’s Christmas wreaths (page 10).

Check out photos from the Gisborne Lions Festival and parade (page 24), some of our Gazette school award winners (page 27) and local sports on our Sports in Pictures (pages 34-35).

Our thoughts are with those who were affected by the recent fires. A huge thank you to our local CFA for all that they do. You can read their article on page 7. The Lions article on the same page outlines how you can donate to those affected by the Harcourt fires, if you are in a position to do so.

Many local clubs are starting to meet again. If you are new to the area and looking for ways to make connections in our community, I highly recommend seeing what is on offer by browsing through the Gazette

Whether you are interested in playing a sport, photography, crafting, bushwalking, gardening, or volunteering your time for a good cause, there are opportunities for all these and many more in our region.

I am looking forward to sharing more local stories with you this year. Thank you to everyone who helps in making the Gazette not only an award-winning community newspaper but a celebration of the wonderful area we live in.

Katrina Buttegieg

MINUTE WITH MAXINE

My husband, Peter, and I spent three weeks in December on the north island of New Zealand. My two cousins from England flew out to meet us in Auckland and we hired a car and stayed in Taupo for four nights, where we went to Hobbiton and The Living Maori Village in Whakarewarewa, where I just happened to have a Gazette with me.

We went east to Pauauni, for three nights, which included a train ride at Driving Creek Railway, just outside of Coromandel Town. In Paihia, in the Bay of Islands, the highlight was a helicopter ride to the Hole

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

Circulation 8000

Gazette Team

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

Production Pip Butler 0439 816 278 pbutlerhistory@gmail.com

Photographer Chris Fleming 0417 322 944

Distribution Manager 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

DEADLINES FOR COPY AND ADVERTISING

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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Copies of the Gazette are posted to subscribers each month for an annual subscription of $37.40 to cover postage. Payment can 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.

in the Rock and to land on it. We saw over 144 islands and some very interesting real estate on some of the islands.

We were back home for Christmas and thank you to Harvest and Soul as they had a fantastic offer of them cooking the food and we just had to collect it on Christmas Eve from Macedon and reheat it all.

Great price and generous portions, I cannot wait for them to open the bistro at the Gisborne Golf Club. Maxine Barker

contact us at greatgisborne@gmail.com to discuss becoming a

or applying for a grant

Gisborne Gazette Community Newspaper Inc. ABN 727 412 060 17

Maxine with her cousin Becky at Whakarewarewa, New Zealand.

Lifelong commitment from new Local Hero

From page 1

Deb personally experienced the devastation of the Ash Wednesday fire, losing her home to the inferno while she remained at her post as communications officer at the fire station, which was also surrounded by flames. On Total Fire Ban days, you will often find her at the Gisborne Incident Control Centre. Shortly after the Ash Wednesday fire Deb was selected to join a large group of firefighters to lead the Moomba Parade in 1983. She was also interviewed for a BBC film production about the fire.

Deb also happily remembers being with other Macedon Ranges fire fighters as part of the 2001 Federation Parade in Melbourne. In 2003 she was presented with one of the Australia Day local awards and in 2006 she ran the Commonwealth Games baton through Gisborne.

The day after the Harcourt fire last month Deb was there with the Mt Macedon team. She is also the longtime secretary of the brigade and serves in that role as well with the GREAT Association, the Gisborne Gazette and the Loddon-Campaspe branch of the Order of Australia Association. She is famous for delivering the minutes of meetings within 24 hours.

Her involvement doesn’t stop there. Deb’s contributions span a wide range of community groups: Macedon Tennis Club, Mountain District Ladies Tennis Asso-

Deb's story isn’t just about volunteering; it is about a lifetime dedicated to building a stronger, more caring community

ciation, Gisborne Ambulance Auxiliary. She was also a committee member of the former groups of the local National Trust branch and Stanley Park committee of management before they both folded. She is consistently willing to step up, to take on responsibilities to ensure these groups thrive. And she always does it with a cheery smile.

Deb’s roots are well-established in Macedon, her parents’ families having established themselves there 100 years ago.

Stitching together a long history

Patch n Quilt celebrates 20 years in business

Mary Kelly celebrated a big milestone last year when her business ticked over to 20 years of operation. She started her business under the name The Drapers of Mt Macedon, on the Mount, moved to Aitken Street in Gisborne five years later, and finally to her current storefront in Prince Street in 2013.

Mary first became enamored with sewing and knitting as a child. Her grandmother owned a haberdashery shop in Castlemaine and then Riddells Creek but Mary said her greatest inspiration was a brilliant needlework teacher at school who instilled the love of sewing in her.

Mary kept up her hobby over the years and planned to start her own business once her children were self-sufficient. She notes that when you have a passion for something, it is easy to do and attracts like-minded people.

While many people have remarked to her that sewing is a dying art, Mary says when you are in the industry, you see that is not the case

Her father Steve was a forestry worker who tracked the movement of bushfires from the Mount Macedon fire tower. Her mother Estelle instigated the establishment of both Scouts and Guides in Macedon. They were both great community people and their example has been followed by Debbie and her three sisters and three brothers.

Deb is married to Chris who is also a long-time member of the Mt Macedon Brigade (and the Gazette photographer) and they have two daughters and five grandchildren who all live locally.

Deb continues to work part-time as a kindergarten teacher; she has been with the council for 17 years. Before that she was a primary school teacher for 20 years.

At the presentation in December Sarah said, “Deb’s impact is immeasurable. She helps keep our community vibrant, connected and safe. She consistently gives her time and energy wherever it is needed.

"Her story isn’t just about volunteering; it is about a lifetime dedicated to building a stronger, more caring community.”

Deb Fleming with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the staging ground for the Harcourt fire in January.

Quilt on show in Mary Kelly's shop in Prince Street.

Joanne McFadyen

Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society news

A lot has happened at the Steam Park over the past few months leading up to the Christmas break. We have been working hard with the tram covering now well underway and we hope to have it completed in the first couple of months of 2026.

This is to preserve this heritagelisted W class tram that was donated to us by the government just prior to COVID and is a great asset to the society and the wider community.

We have started planning for this year’s Steam and Vintage Machinery Rally for the third Sunday of May and the jobs that must be done are slowly getting crossed off.

We have stripped down two of the boilers for their bi-yearly inspection and will hopefully have them back up and running in time for the rally. This year is going to be a cele-

bration for the society as it is Matilda the Steam Roller’s 100th birthday.

Our miniature railway has been busy on the first Sunday of each month from 11 am to 3pm. We also attended the Castlemaine truck show for two days and had a Christmas breakup by the Riddells Creek Goodstart Daycare. Work has continued around the railway with improvements to make the railway more enjoyable for families. It still surprises me the amount of people

who say they didn’t know we existed. So, drop by on the first Sunday of the month for a ride and follow us on Facebook.

We are always looking for new members for the society. It is open to all ages both males and females. We also run a junior member mentoring program. If you, or you know some who may be interested, drop down and see us on the first Sunday of the month.

Solid response to heat pump bulk buy

Community Bank grants opening soon

Each year, Community Bank Gisborne & District grants and sponsorships to local organisations with creative ideas that align with our impact pillars: Community connection and good health; People, capacity and resource building; Climate, environment and energy. In this way, we return income generated by local banking to the communities that have supported us.

Our autumn funding round will open on 1 March. For more information and to apply online, visit mrce. com.au or email community@mrce.com.au

Submitted by Gemma Gamble, Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd

Schools urged to register for water-saving program

Greater Western Water (GWW) is encouraging schools to sign up for the Schools Water Efficiency Program this year. The program, which is free for all Victorian schools in the first year, is helping schools across its region save water and money, and educate the next generation about the value of this vital resource.

More than 55 households in the Macedon Ranges and surrounding areas have replaced their outdated gas or old-fashioned electric hot water systems with costefficient and energy-efficient heat pumps. By participating in the bulk buy program run by Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG), via a combination of bulk-buy discounts and rebates, on average these households saved 32 per cent in up-front costs. And now, these pro-active households are enjoy-

ing hot water at the lowest possible cost.

The MRSG Bulk Buy was run in conjunction with Gisborne Renewable Energy Group (GREG) and supported by t2zero and Reclaim Energy.

Although the 2025 Bulk Buy has now ended, a 2026 program, likely running from May to October, is planned.

So if you have an outdated gas or electric hot water system – or a wood-fired system – that you would like to replace, keep an eye out for more details of the 2026 program from April at mrsg.org.au.

Since 2012, 211 schools in GWW’s region have collectively saved 1.84 billion litres of water at an estimated avoided cost of $6.6 million, thanks to early detection and repair of issues such as dripping taps, leaking toilets and malfunctioning evaporative coolers.

The program enables schools to track their water use in real-time by installing data loggers on water meters. This technology allows schools to identify leaks, faulty appliances, or unusually high water use, often before they become major problems. To get your school involved, visit gww.com.au/SWEP

The cover for the W class tram is well underway.

Board director Sina Smale with Holy Cross Primary School’s Mikey Papoutsis and Principal Eloise Meyer celebrate their Traffic School Project grant.

MEMBER’S MESSAGE

With Mary-Anne Thomas, MP

Dear Gisborne Community, As Term 1 gets underway, I want to wish every student and family a great start to the school year. A special welcome to those beginning a brand-new journey in kindergarten, primary school or high school.

I’m proud that every child starting Prep at a Victorian Government school will be taking home a Prep Bag, filled with story books and practical resources to support learning at home. It’s about backing busy families and making sure every child, in every classroom, gets the best possible start - regardless of their background.

Families with younger children will also see Kinder Kits coming home with every child enrolled in a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program. These kits are packed with books, toys and activities to help build language, creativity and social skills, giving kids a strong foundation as they grow and learn.

A reminder for families and young people under 18 to make sure you’ve got your new Youth myki, so you can enjoy free travel every day, everywhere. Free public transport for under 18s began on 1 January and covers every tram, bus and train across the state. Purchase the new Youth myki online or visit a staffed station. Children aged four and under continue to travel free without a myki.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the January bushfires and thank our emergency services volunteers and community members for their courage and generosity. Your efforts remind us of the strength of our community when it matters most.

As always, I’m here to help on any state government matters. You can email me at 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.

Community care

Funding deadline remains critical to Cross's Anzac Day reopening

Late last year the Mount Macedon Memorial Reserve Committee of Management called on the community for help in covering an unexpected increase in funds needed to complete renovation works at the Cross.

During construction, engineers discovered that the original footings did not align with the 1990 engineering drawings.

It became clear that additional structural works were required to safely install the balustrade and reopen the site.

A new engineered solution has now been designed, but this unforeseen issue has added more than $200,000 in unplanned costs.

The committee says that to reopen the Memorial Cross by Anzac Day, funding must be secured by 31 January. Without this funding, the final safety works cannot proceed and public access will remain restricted.

You can help

The easiest way for the community to support this urgent appeal is via the committee's GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/0bce31638 .

Essential restoration works have already been completed. These include major repairs to the Cross foundations, drainage improvements, new lighting, safer access pathways, erosion control, and detailed heritage and engineering assessments.

Community can seek free defibrillators

Could your community group benefit from having access to a defibrillator (AED) in case of an emergency?

Community Bank Gisborne & District is committed to building heart-safe communities. We have donated 12 AEDs across the southern Macedon Ranges and installed one outside our branch in Nexus Way, and now we’ve bought additional units from St John Ambulance to donate to local community groups. If your club or group needs an AED, email us via community@mrce.com.au and we’ll send you an online application form. Please note: AEDs must be installed in a publicly accessible location.

Submitted by Gemma Gamble, Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd

These works have ensured the long-term stability of the memorial.

The Committee of Management sincerely thanks everyone who has supported this project so far.

Essential safety works will cost an extra $200,000.

This bucket of free water bottles was placed outside Kaffeine Bar in Aitken Street on 24 January, a day the temperature was forecast to reach 40 degrees. The thoughtful gesture was greatly appreciated by passers-by.

NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL

COUNCILLOR'S COLUMN

With Cr Rob Guthrie

Victoria has experienced a disastrous commencement to 2026 with large parts of the state destroyed by catastrophic grass and bushfires, and 18 municipalities declared emergency areas impacted by those fires. We have been extremely lucky in the Macedon Ranges Shire with only a couple of small fires quickly brought under control.

The fire season is far from over so we can’t afford to be complacent, and I can remember a bushfire approaching Woodend on 23 March a few years ago. Make sure you remain alert and keep up to date via the Vic Emergency website (emergency.vic.gov.au) or app and emergency broadcasters including ABC local radio. I would also like to acknowledge the incredible work of fire fighters and emergency services personnel and thank them for their bravery and selflessness.

Council called for submissions to the 202627 Budget late last year and received a pleasing response. A Submitters Delegated Committee meeting will be held on 4 February allowing submitters to expand on their submissions. We will also be inviting public submissions on several other strategic documents over coming months, and I encourage all residents to read them and have your say, as this helps Council determine policies and outcomes for the community. Scheduled Council meetings recommence on 25 February and are held on the fourth Wednesday each month except December. All meetings are open to the public and are held at the Gisborne Administration Centre.

Construction work on Stage 2 of the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct is well underway, expanding the indoor ball courts from three to six and building a second oval on the east side of Barringo Road.

Help wildlife stay cool in summer

Hot summer days can be tough for our native animals. You can help by leaving out shallow dishes, plates or saucers of water in shaded spots. Add stones or sticks so small animals can climb out safely and remember to refresh the water regularly. For more tips, head to mrsc.vic.gov.au/Live-Work/Environment/Backyard-Biodiversity

Healthy Landscapes event

Join the council’s Private Land Conservation Officer, Jason McAinch, as he shares the benefits of boosting farm biodiversity across Central Victoria. Learn how diverse pastures, mixed plantings and thoughtful property design can improve livestock health, strengthen farm resilience and support healthy soils and waterways. Book at mrsc.vic.gov.au/environment-events .

New Director, Community

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has announced the appointment of Martin Collins as its incoming Director Community from 27 January, Martin’s experience includes senior roles with Central Goldfields Shire Council, the Victorian Government and Glasgow City Council.

Information session: Residential Aged Care

The council, in partnership with Arcare Gisborne, is hosting a free community information session on Wednesday 11 February from 10.30am to 11.30am for residents wanting to learn more about residential aged care. To register or find out more, contact Rosemary from Arcare on 0467 527 471.

My Aged Care drop-in session

Wednesday 25 February, 1pm, Gisborne Library Got a question about My Aged Care? Feeling confused about changes, including the Support at Home Program? Come to the drop-in session at Gisborne Library on 25 February at 1pm. No bookings necessary. For more information, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/village-connect .

Thinking of selling your property?

If I can be of any assistance, please email me at rguthrie@mrsc.vic.gov.au or phone me 0419 309 953.

with Rhys’s new company and knew instantly that we would be say enough about Rhys as a person and agent that we trusted integrity and honesty is second to none and he supports you including tips that made a huge difference to our property. His were as though he were selling his own home. Sale in 3 weeks, purchasers. Don’t look anywhere else, Rhys is the best!”

International Women’s Day

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is holding two events for International Women's Day that will explore the theme 'Balance the Scales' in different ways.

1. Saturday 28 February - performance of The Deplorables, Bluestone Theatre, Sunbury. 1874, two women’s teams play cricket for the very first time in Australia.

2. Sunday 8 March - Author panel event, Kyneton Town Hall

Delivered in partnership with Northern Books on International Women’s Day. (Panel details unavailable as Gazette went to press).

For more details or to book, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/IWD. People of all genders are welcome.

Youth Summit

Local young people are invited to attend 2026 Youth Summit. The Summit is returning on Tuesday 24 March at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute. This is an opportunity for young people to talk with council youth staff and industry experts about the things that matter to them. Over the day, young people will lead the conversation on topics such as mental health, creativity, transport, careers, and more.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is seeking interest from young people (12-25) who don’t attend a school (school leavers, home schooled, apprentices, etc.) to attend. Interested? Contact the Youth team on youth@ mrsc.vic.gov.au to enquire about attending.

Citizens of the Year

Do you know a local hero who makes a real difference in our community? Now is your chance to shine a spotlight on the people who go above and beyond to make our beautiful community a better place. Council’s Community Awards celebrate individuals and groups whose passion, dedication, and service inspire others and strengthens our community.

We want to hear and share their story. There are eight award categories open for nominations:

Citizen of the Year

Young Citizen of the Year

Inclusive Communities

Contribution to the Environment

Contribution to Community Arts

Contribution to Sports and Wellbeing

Youth Leadership

Community Event of the Year

Award recipients will be announced during National Volunteer Week (18-24 May). Nominations close on 22 February. To check eligibility and nominate a local hero, visit the council’s website at mrsc.vic.gov.au/ community-awards

News from Gisborne CFA

The local Fire Brigade has experienced a particularly busy and rewarding few months, balancing community engagement with emergency response.

In December, brigade members proudly took part in a range of festive activities, helping Santa visit kindergartens, clubs, and community events. These visits brought plenty of smiles and excitement to children and families across the district.

One of the most anticipated events of the year was the annual Christmas Eve Santa Run around town, which once again proved to be a highlight on the brigade’s calendar. Residents lined the streets as Santa made his way through the community, with brigade members handing out lollies and sharing in the festive spirit. The joy and excitement on the faces of children and adults alike made the day especially rewarding for all involved.

The festive season quickly gave way to more serious duties in early January, when the brigade was called upon to assist in fighting the Harcourt fires. Members worked alongside other brigades and emergency services under challenging conditions. Their efforts contributed to protecting local communities, property, and the surrounding environment during a demanding and fast-moving fire situation.

These recent months have highlighted the dual role of the Fire Brigade — not only responding to emergencies when they are needed but also playing an important role in supporting and strengthening the community throughout the year.

As the fire season continues, the brigade is asking everyone in the community to stay alert and be prepared. Residents are encouraged to have a fire plan ready and to think ahead about whether they will stay or leave on days of Total Fire Ban or extreme heat.

Remember if you are leaving, to leave early. Everyone is also reminded to keep an eye on the VicEmergency website or app for the latest updates, warnings and advice.

Looking out for each other and remember, being prepared can make a big difference.

Lions Club gives $20,000 to aid bushfire recovery

A donation of $20,000 has been provided by the Gisborne and District Lions Club to directly support those who lost homes and businesses in the disastrous Harcourt and Ravenswood fires. Latest estimates are that 47 homes and three business structures were destroyed.

Harcourt Lions Club secretary Sue Nash, herself displaced with her family because of the fires, described the donation as “wonderful ... so genuinely appreciated”.

Sue said donations such as that of Gisborne Lions were especially important for people such as Harcourt retirees Ray and Loretta Rice, a couple who never stopped giving to their community, who always put others first, and who lost their house and everything but the clothes they stood up in.

“At their time of life, to lose everything is devastating. Lions for 40 years, they are the backbone of our club, the reason our club in Harcourt kept going.

“I would encourage everyone to donate for people like Ray and Loretta.”

Gisborne Lions President Russell Walker OAM thanked all involved in the club’s $20,000 donation.

“Such a significant contribution relies on the community’s support of our club’s various fundraising activities, including the recent Gisborne Lions Christmas Wheelbarrow Raffle which was won by Jane Gruber of Gisborne.”

To join Gisborne Lions in supporting those who suffered significant losses, provide a personal tax-deductible donation (receipt will be provided) to ALF Emergency Disaster Appeals, BSB: 036-001 Account Number 474157. Use your initial and surname as reference and email your relevant details to alf.treasurer@lions.org.au. Tony Fawcett

Attention all home builders, renovators, and project enthusiasts!

NEW Interior Design Services Available Across The Macedon Ranges

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Are you renovating your forever home?

Are you starting a new project in 2026?

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Contact us today to begin your interior design project

Book Online: styleintheranges.com.au hello@styleintheranges.com.au

The January fires that prompted Gisborne Lions’ $20,000 donation.

Gisborne Fire Brigade joins the festival parade in December

FEBRUARY NEWS

We’re excited about all that lies ahead for the Macedon and Mount Macedon Community House this year. As it continues to grow, the Community House and surrounding gardens remain a welcoming place of connection, belonging and togetherness for our Macedon community.

We warmly encourage locals to get involved in the programs listed here and to reach out if you have an idea, interest or would like to make use of the space. Our event room also continues to be a versatile and popular venue, suitable for meetings, workshops, children’s birthday celebrations and, when needed, funeral services.

Probus Club of Gisborne

The Gisborne Probus Club committee trusts that 2026 will be a period of good health, peace and fulfilment for Gazette readers and all local residents. The final gathering of the club’s members and friends for 2025 was held in early December in the form of a most enjoyable Christmas lunch at the Victoria Hotel in Woodend attended by approximately 55 people.

Probus Club members enjoy their Christmas lunch in December.

MACEDON & MOUNT MACEDON COMMUNITY HOUSE

Regular programs

Canasta Club: Wednesdays from 2pm to 5pm Community Gardening Volunteers: Fridays from 9:30am to 11am

Playgroup: Mondays from 10am to 12 noon

Craft Circle: Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon

Community Library: Fridays from 10am to 12 noon

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

For many years the club has also endeavoured to include a longer tour, ‘away from home’, in its schedule. Late last year some of our members combined with the Kyneton and Woodend Probus Clubs for a six-day tour of Newcastle and parts of the Hunter Valley. This proved to be an interesting and happy experience.

Our first meeting for this year will be held on Thursday 5 February in the Gisborne Community Centre at 10am. If you are curious about joining, why not come along or contact our president Gary Jones on 0458 841 947.

Michael O’Brien

Macedon Produce Swap: first and third Saturday of every month from 9.30am to 10.30am Gentle Yoga: Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

New programs

We have room in our calendar for more programs if you are interested in running a regular group or activity. Contact hello@mmmcommunityhouse.org/ and we can organise one of the committee members to discuss this with you.

More information about programs is available on our website: www.mmmcommunityhouse.org or please contact Megan at admin@mmmcommunityhouse.org .

COME ALONG TO A VICTORIAN BALL WITH A SCOTTISH TWIST TO CELEBRATE DUNEIRA ESTATE’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY. IT’S GOING TO BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

STEP BACK INTO THE 1870'S WITH A HORSE AND CARRIAGE TAKING YOU AROUND THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN, A SCRUMPTIOUS SUPPER, DRINKS FLOWING, AND ENTERTAINMENT THAT WILL HAVE YOU DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW AND JOIN US FOR THIS UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION.

All the Christmas winners

GREAT Association Christmas Window competition

The GREAT Association would like to thank all the shops who decorated their windows for Christmas, it certainly made Gisborne bright and colourful over the festive season. It was a very difficult competition to judge, but we did have three very strong place getters.

First place went to TSID clothing, Aitken Street, second to Max Potential Fitness gym, Aitken Street, and third to Switch Hair Room, Hamilton Street.

Congratulations!

Karan Grieve President GREAT

Rotary Gisborne Lights competition

Festive cheer shone brightly across Gisborne at Christmas time as local residents turned their homes into dazzling displays.

Congratulations to Peter and Jenny Buttigieg of Willowbank Road, John and Magda Hike from Howey Street, and Rebecca and Dylan Tame on Childe Harold Road. Their beautifully decorated homes were the top three nominated by the public in the Rotary Christmas Lights and Decorations Competition, held with the assistance of the Gisborne Gazette

The overall winner, Peter, reckoned it had taken him all of 30 years’ effort to work out how to avoid ending up in a tangle.

Rotary Gisborne extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part. Your creativity brought joy and colour to our streets during the festive season.

A special thanks goes to Helloworld Travel for hosting the ballot box outside their shop during December, making it easy for locals to cast their votes.

Each winning household received a certificate and a gift voucher in recognition of their efforts. Well done to all involved for making Gisborne sparkle!

Men's Shed Foodbank fundraiser

The Men's Shed's sixth annual fundraiser for the Gisborne Foodbank was another success. We raised $7822 taking our total to $43,910 since 2020. To ensure proceedings were all above board, the raffle winners were drawn by Macedon Ranges Shire councillors Alison Joseph, Rob Guthrie and Cassie Borthwick.

As advertised, the three winners each received a garden ornament wheelbarrow made by our Shedmen plus the all-important gift vouchers. The prize-winners were first Kim Kurdell, second Fiona Callega and third Sue Harvey.

Thanks to the GREAT Association for its support on this project and thanks to everyone who bought their share of the 1550 tickets sold (the arithmetic is correct - some people just made a donation!). Thanks also to each of our local supermarkets who allowed us to sell tickets on their premises. Many Shedmen contributed to this project but two deserve a special mention. Doug was the initiator of the new raffle prize concept and Terry provided a lot of the horsepower constructing the wheelbarrows. Thanks gents.

Our focus is now firmly on 2026, with the aim of more fun and more satisfaction from contributing to our community.

Graham Snell

Christmas Lights' winners, Jenny and Peter Buttigieg with grandson James and the Rotary President, Graham Snell.

First raffle winner Kim Kurdell.

Second, Fiona Calleja

Above: the TSID clothing store team with their award

Left: the window at Max Potential Fitness.

Right: Switch Hair Room's window.

Flying Pigeon

Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre

We are open again this year with a huge range of courses, classes, workshops and activities on offer.

This year we are introducing children’s activities and will continue providing Gisborne residents a local place to learn, connect and thrive. Look out for language classes, music and movement, creative pursuits and skills to help you start your own business.

If you have skills to teach or an idea for a course, please drop in and say hello. We are at the rear of 12 Hamilton Street. Find us if you can!

For more information, call us on 5428 3799 or enrol online at www.mrfec.net.au

Pauline Fyffe Centre Manager

Dad: "Son, I'm worried about your being at the bottom of the class."

Son: "It's OK Dad, they teach the same stuff at both ends."

Flying Pigeon soars in Christmas Wreath Project

The Gisborne Town Team wrapped up the festive season with its Christmas Wreath Project, delivering 50 locally designed wreaths to businesses across town to help spread Christmas cheer and encourage community connection. The project was a huge success, with wreaths oversubscribed and plans already underway to return even bigger for Christmas 2026.

While many local businesses embraced the festive spirit, one soared above the rest. The Gisborne Town Team is delighted to give a special shout-out to the Flying Pigeon Restaurant, recognised for outstanding community engagement and Christmas spirit.

The Gisborne Town Team thanks everyone who helped make this project such a success — proof that when a community comes together, wonderful things happen. Simon Matthee (Gisborne Town Team)

St Paul’s Anglican Op Shop Jottings

Brett began volunteering at St Paul’s Anglican Op Shop, Gisborne, in 2020 when our coordinator said that the Op Shop no longer had enough volunteers to open on Saturday. For years, the Op Shop had served the community by opening from 10am to 1pm on a Tuesday and Saturday, and 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Friday. Brett knew that some customers couldn’t make it during the week, and that a special group came on Saturday.

Even though he was working a full-time job, Brett, as a faithful member of the Anglican Parish of Gisborne, decided the community needed the Op Shop to be open on Saturday. He found a buddy to work with him, and so began a great adventure as a volunteer.

Brett invited other faithful members of the Parish to be Saturday volunteers, and since then, St Paul’s Op Shop has remained open on Saturday. Despite his busy schedule, and occasionally having to find a sub to cover for him, he loves being in the Op Shop, where he gets to meet amazing people from the Gisborne/ Macedon Ranges community.

Our Facebook page is now called the Gisborne Anglican Op Shop. Check it out weekly so you know what is in stock. We regularly post notices on Facebook, especially opening and closing times, when we need new volunteers (always), and pics of great new items for sale.

Every Saturday is an exciting experience as local people, including kids, drop in to find great bargains. Smart parents bring their kids to one of the best and friendliest op shops in the area, and the kids learn the benefits of recycling. Seeing these happy customers makes Brett’s day! Drop in soon and let us make you a happy customer too.

Jan Volkman Harris, volunteer

Simon Matthee of the Gisborne Town Team and Stephanie Rocard from the Flying Pigeon with their Christmas Wreath.

Op Shop volunteer Brett

A variety of courses are on offer at the Further Education Centre in Gisborne.

WHAT'S ON AT THE LIBRARY

Regular sessions – Storytime, Baby Rhyme

Back to school means our regular Storytime sessions are back. Join us at Gisborne Library from 2 February on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10.30am for children aged one to five years old.

And for the babies we have Baby Rhyme time on Fridays at 10.30am.

Bring your little one along for stories, songs, and rhymes that nurture listening, language and learning skills while sparking their imagination. It’s the perfect way to foster a love for books and boost their confidence. And it’s a great way to make some new friends!

Author talk – Robyn Annear: Shutter City

Robyn Annear

Robyn Annear introduces her latest and greatest quirky exploration of Melbourne’s history.

Shutter City presents a photographic view of city streets spanning the hurly-burly decades of the 1850s to 1870s, between the gold rushes and Marvellous Melbourne. Robyn peers into shadowy corners to reveal postcard streetscapes as miraculous time capsules, packed with hidden-in-plainsight historical detail. Book sales and signings available.

Robyn Annear is the author of 10 books of history.

Bookings requiredbook online or call the library on 5428 3962.

Jacqui

Community invited to help at Macedon Cemetery working bee

The Macedon Cemetery Trust warmly invites locals to come along to a Gardening Working Bee on Saturday 21 February, from 9am to 1pm. It’s a relaxed, hands-on morning focused on garden maintenance such as weeding and tidying, and a lovely chance to enjoy the outdoors while helping care for this special community space. No gardening experience is needed - everyone is welcome, whether you can stay for the whole time or just pop in for a while.

Volunteers will be treated to a light lunch and refreshments after the morning’s work.

Please dress for the weather and bring gardening gloves. If you have tools like secateurs, rakes or pruners, it would be helpful if you could bring them along.

To help with catering, please RSVP to macedoncemetery88@ gmail.com, including any dietary requirements.

The cemetery is at 50 Bent Street, Macedon.

Helpers at work at a previous working bee at the cemetery.

SERVICES

• Children's health checks advice and treatment including routine childhood immunisations.

• Women's health advice and treatment on contraception, antenatal and obstetric shared care, cervical screens, and breast checks.

• Men’s health advice and treatment about concerns such as physical issues, prostate checks.

• Mental health diagnosis and treatment, care plans, and referrals to counselling services.

• Health checks, including physical check-ups and tests for lifestyle concerns such as diabetes and cholesterol levels.

• Cancer screening spirometry testing audiometry testing heart health checks and ECG

• Diagnosis and management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.

• Full body skin checks, individual spot checks, minor and complex excisions.

(03) 5428 3355 16 Brantome Street, Gisborne VIC gisbornemedical.com.au

Open on Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3pm

We are here to provide temporary food assistance for those in need Enter via Heritage Way at the back of the Gisborne Uniting Church Enquiries: 0492 850 520 Email: gisborneccf@gmail.com

CWA news

GISBORNE

The Christmas Fair in December was a success and at the end of the year we were able to donate some funds to the Early Intervention Program at Gisborne Secondary College, and New Gisborne Scouts to help with the setup of their new headquarters.

We welcomed in the New Year with a picnic in the park instead of our usual meeting.

MACEDON

2026 is well and truly with us and we hope everyone enjoyed the festive season and had a safe and relaxing start to the New Year.

In February you might see Allison and a friend or two extolling the virtues of the Country Women’s Association in the IGA complex on a Friday, from the thirteenth. You will be able to pick up a brochure or have a chat and learn some more about the Association’s aims and what our Gisborne branch is up to.

Christine Edwards

Our first meeting for the year is on Monday 9 February at 10am at the Stadium, Gisborne Secondary College. Coffee, Craft and Chat is the following Monday 16 February at the same venue. Visitors are invited to stop by for a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Christine Edwards

Mum Life – Sorted

with Katrina Wurm

Katrina Wurm

Thanks to everyone who supported the Macedon Ranges Group Christmas Fair on the wet and windy day in December. We loved meeting with both locals and people from other areas as they shopped for Christmas goodies, enjoyed a sausage from the barbecue and a rummage at the Trash & Treasure stall or maybe bought a Christmas cake or shortbread.

Funds raised help support our aims of helping women, children and families in crisis situations.

If you have a special event coming up this year, our attractive hall in Mt Macedon Road is available for hire. Please contact us for a viewing to see if it meets your needs.

Our first meeting for the year is on 17 February at 1pm. You are very welcome to come along and find out about CWA.

If you would like more details, please call Anne Fyfield on 5426 2210.

Welcome back to the school year...

...That magical time when the lunchboxes come out of hibernation, the uniforms no longer fit properly, and suddenly everyone needs something urgently at 7.58am.

If you’re already feeling the familiar Sunday night dread creeping in, you’re not alone. After years of coaching mums who are juggling work, family, sport, homework, mental load and everything in between, I can tell you this with absolute confidence: the week is won or lost on Sunday.

This is what I use in my home: it’s called Plan, Prepare, Organise, and it turns chaos into calm.

First, we Plan. Our fridge became the nerve centre of the house. It’s home to a collection of charts that show the month, the week, chores, rewards for positive behaviour and even emergency contact numbers. Everyone in the house can glance at it and know what’s happening without asking me 47 questions before breakfast. It’s colour coded, visual and it gives children ownership of their responsibilities.

Then we Prepare, my favourite part, because it saves my sanity Monday to Friday. Sunday is lunchbox HQ. Vegetables chopped. Snacks sorted into labelled tubs in the fridge, freezer and pantry. The rule is simple: one from each tub, add fruit and fill the water bottle. Lunch sorted in under two minutes. Yes, even frozen sandwiches. They defrost beautifully by lunchtime if you avoid soggy fillings, and no, your children will not be traumatised for life by them.

Finally we Organise. Clothes for the entire school week are laid out on Sunday night using hanging wardrobe compartments or a small drawer unit, one slot/ drawer for each day, socks and underwear included. If uniforms are limited (and let’s be honest, who can afford five sets?), start a second-hand uniform swap at school. One wash a week instead of nightly laundry marathons!

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving your future self the gift of calm mornings, responsible children and, dare I say it, hot coffee. And that, my friend, is how you really welcome yourself back to the school year.

Stitching together a long history

From page 3

Many people have and still do sew, knit, crochet, patch and repurpose clothes.

Mary’s store is often a hive of activity with people coming from across Victoria and even interstate to visit. Bright and colourful quilts, many of Mary’s own making, hang on the walls of the shop, and shelves of brightly coloured fabric create a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere.

Patch n Quilt supplies 100% cotton fabric for the patchwork and sewing industry and all the infrastructure

that goes with that including yarn, wool, needles, patterns. There are also regular gatherings and classes in sewing and quilting, held in a room at the back of the store.

Mary has noticed the connections made between people through a genuine interest in a shared passion. She says the industry attracts a broad section of people because no one is telling you what you can and cannot when you are creating with fabric: “You can be who you want with what you want, how you want.”

Bushwalkers step into New Year

In the previous 12 months GBWC has conducted 50 walks with around 490 participants and walked 550km.

Although 2026 has started with challenging weather for all, we have had to postpone a few events, we have a full calendar of wonderful walks and activities ahead.

Late in the last year we explored Boeing Reserve and Jacana Wetlands at Strathmore Heights, a bit of a hidden gem with a 1920s railway bridge and the birdlife nesting.

Anakie Gorge provided a little more challenging walk with narrow trails zigzagging along the contours of a hill but mostly well-maintained tracks and great scenery. We stopped for our lunch and an inspection of the historic Lower Stoney Creek Reservoir dam before meandering a couple of easy creek crossings back to the cars.

walk at

Reserve in Gisborne was a surprise to many of us who didn’t know it existed. There was lots of birdlife including an eagle perched in a tree, kangaroos, some deer, a beehive to be avoided, and then a gully with the sound of many happy frogs. Great views looking back towards Mt Macedon, Mt Gisborne and Red Rock, and a stunning sunset made this a beautiful evening for all.

You should come and join us. GBWC 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. For details about the Gisborne Bushwalking Club, please contact Secretary Jenny on 0438 691 801 or our President Gail on 0419 374 603. Our website is www.gisbornebwc.org. Keep active and stay safe.

Deborrah

RSL back in action

Gisborne RSL Sub-Branch resumes business this month following our annual break. Meetings and planning have now begun and we expect a busy 2026 with scheduled commemorative services, fundraising for veterans’ welfare, community engagement and RSL member activities.

The devastating bushfires across the state are a reminder of the fragility of life and property, but also the resilience of communities that come together in recovery from natural disasters. Our thoughts remain with all those people affected, particularly those in the Harcourt, Ravenswood and Castlemaine district.

The Gisborne Sub-Branch is part of the ‘RSL Region 7’ group which includes the above areas. Within these communities, some veterans and their families have lost homes and property, and many more are facing the ongoing stress and dislocation that comes with fire warnings, evacuations, and disrupted services.

RSL Region 7 also supports the Central Victoria BlazeAid volunteer program which calls on people in our local communities to volunteer for the recovery and rebuild of the Harcourt district.

RSL reminds veterans that if you have been affected and need assistance, our Veteran and Family Services Team can help you access available support, including emergency relief options, and can provide practical guidance and direct support where appropriate.

You can contact Veteran Central via 1800 MILVET (1800 645 838)

We encourage all veterans, current and former ADF servicemen and women to join the Gisborne SubBranch. RSL offers care, advocacy and camaraderie. We need your support to ensure we sustain our commemorative services and welfare programs. If you’re interested, please contact our secretary via email at admin@gisbornersl.com.au or on 0487 278 681.

Darren Grevis-James President

Darren Grevis-James

Some of the bushwalking crew on

Djirri Djirri Waterway Sunset Walk.

A sunset

Djirri Djiir Waterway

Hello from the Ramblers

I am using a fire ban day (9 January) to write this, when the Ramblers should be enjoying the second walk of the year. After successfully completing 52 walks last year, we are already behind the eightball!

Perhaps like me, the festive season was a time of over-indulgence and now it is time to remove some of the extra weight gain. Walking is generally an easy and safe way to get fit, and couple it with a social group (like the Ramblers) - a win all round!

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 details are below.

I have detailed a walk you may want to try in the meantime. This is the Campaspe River walk at Kyneton. It is a very easy and picturesque walk which also offers the cooling effect from the river on hot days. Cheers.

Charles (gisramblers@gmail.com)

Relief fund ready for emergency activation

Macedon Ranges communities will benefit from a secure, centralised method of accepting emergency-related donations, through a collaboration led by Council and Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises (MRCE).

The emergency relief fund has been established within the Community Enterprise Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bendigo Bank, and will channel donations from the public into projects that address community needs and priorities.

The fund is governed by an appeal committee, comprising representatives from the council, MRCE, and local health and emergency recovery organisations. The committee can activate an appeal for donations for any emergency event where community members are significantly impacted (not dependent on the declaration of a ‘declared emergency’).

Funds raised will be distributed to affected communities in a timely, considered and coordinated way, mitigating the chance of opportunistic scams and targeting support to the areas that matter most during and after an emergency.

The CEO of MRCE, Jo-ann Irwin, said that the emergency relief fund would ensure any donations received in response to an emergency would be responsibly managed to ensure maximum community benefit.

“When emergencies happen, people want to help. This appeal gives them a trusted way to do that, so help can flow quickly to affected communities,” she said.

MRCE operates Community Bank Gisborne & District, a franchise of Bendigo Bank, and is a volunteerled, profit-for-purpose, accredited social enterprise, giving back 80% of profits back to the Macedon Ranges community.

RAMBLERS WALK

An open picturesque walk. Distance: 6km Level: Easy

Directions: From Gisborne, drive up the Calder Freeway to Kyneton. At the T-junction with Mollison Street, turn left towards the railway station. Before crossing the river, turn right at the Botanic gardens into Clowes Street and park. The walk starts from here.

Walk through the Botanic gardens taking any path that leads in a downward direction until reaching the riverside. Keeping the river on your left, follow the path all the way to the racecourse which is the outward limit of the walk.

On certain days (race and training excluded) the racecourse is freely available for a walk round. This is an extra if you are feeling fit.

Retrace your route to your car or when reaching the Piper Street bridge detour through the township, if preferred, the distance is about the same.

Note that one section of the riverside walk is closed off as it is a private property, but the detour is well signposted and brings you back to the river without confusion.

This is one of the easiest walks, with no hills on easy gravel and new concrete paths. Try to make time to explore the Botanic Gardens to complete the day.

Campaspe River Walk, Kyneton

View along the Campaspe River.

From left: Jo-ann Irwin (MRCE), Kate Kendall (Mayor), Mal Carter (MRCE chair), and council CEO Bernie O'Sullivan.

Small Talk

Five minutes with folk about town.

Phoebe Hartley speaks to Paul Fox.

Nestled between the creek and the service station at the northern end of Gisborne is the gravel piste of the Mount Macedon Petanque Club. Here, Phoebe Hartley chatted to club president, Paul Fox.

Paul: I’ve only been playing petanque for about six years. The name petanque means ‘feet on the ground’.

I originally got involved through the Gazette The club was doing a promo to come down and try. So I came down with my partner Carol, and we loved it.

We live at Mount Macedon. The people who play here, they come from everywhere. They come from Woodend, they come from Kyneton, all over the place.

The club has a lot of seniors playing, meaning that a lot of the people here are retired, they’re in their 60s and 70s, but it’d be good to get that new generation coming through.

Petanque is a little bit confusing to a lot of people. They haven’t been exposed to it so much in Australia, but if you went to France and you went to every little village there, they’d be playing petanque and having a glass of wine.

It’s a really simple game. You can play on any terrain

— on grass, in the park, the beach. The idea is that you try and beat the other opponent’s ball however you can, getting close to the jack. There’s maybe a 30 percent element of luck in the game.

So there’s that, and there’s the camaraderie. There’s gamesmanship. There’s the health side of it, the mental side of it too.

We play competitively, so we play all over Victoria and Australia. A lot of our players play internationally. So you’re meeting people all the time. It is a social game.

Once you get your own set of balls, you’re kind of committed then. And it’s very addictive.

Classic car fans, prepare to gather

For over 38 years, the Macedon Ranges and District Motor Club has organised the Annual Picnic at Hanging Rock Car Show, to be held this year on Sunday 8 February.

An event originally run once to allow club members and some friends from other clubs an opportunity to meet for a picnic in the park with their families; it has now become one of, if not the biggest, one-day motoring exhibition days in Victoria, with more than 2000 vehicles (including spectators), converging on the picturesque Hanging Rock Reserve.

The popular car show returns for its 39th year.

The event is open for display vehicles of all makes, models, marques and styles, with the only criteria being that it must be able to be driven to the event, and of course, it must be someone’s pride and joy. All display cars enter via the South Rock Road entrance from 8am. For further information check out the frequently asked questions on our website, mradmc.com.au/picnic-at-hanging-rock/pahrevent-faqs . Full entry details can be found on the club’s website, mradmc.com.au/picnic-at-hanging-rock

Paul Fox (second from right) with members of the Mount Macedon Petanque Club at their piste in Gisborne. Photo: Phoebe Hartley.

Dry mouth: small symptom, big dental problems

Dental Talk Dental Talk

with Dr Jacob Chan

Dry mouth might sound like a minor inconvenience, but it can have a surprisingly big impact on your oral health.

Saliva plays a vital protective role in the mouth. It helps neutralise acids, wash away food particles, and protect teeth from decay. When saliva flow is reduced, the mouth becomes more acidic. This creates the perfect environment for enamel erosion and tooth decay to begin — often quietly and without obvious early symptoms.

What causes dry mouth?

Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is commonly linked to both medical conditions and medications.

Common medical conditions associated with dry mouth include diabetes, autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, anxiety and depression, menopause and hormonal changes, sleep apnoea or chronic mouth breathing.

Common medication groups that can reduce saliva flow include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines (for allergies and hay fever), blood pressure medications, including beta-blockers and diuretics, certain pain medications.

Strength training for older women

If you take regular medications and notice ongoing dry mouth, it’s worth mentioning this to both your GP and your dentist.

Simple strategies to manage dry mouth

While dry mouth isn’t always preventable, there are several things you can do to reduce its impact.

● Sip water frequently throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once — this keeps the mouth consistently moist.

● Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production.

● Avoid sugary or acidic drinks, which can worsen erosion.

● Maintain excellent oral hygiene and attend regular dental check-ups.

Your dentist may also recommend saliva-substitute products or topical fluoride if your risk of decay is higher.

Did you know?

On average, your body produces around one to 1.5 litres of saliva every day — roughly the same as a large water bottle. When that production drops, your teeth lose one of their most important natural defences.

If you are experiencing persistent dry mouth, don’t ignore it. Early intervention can make a big difference in protecting your teeth long term.

Strength training for older women is vital for combating age-related muscle and bone loss, improving balance, mobility, and overall health, with benefits such as better posture, weight management and reduced osteoporosis risk, achievable through bodyweight moves (squats,

Warm water exercise supports range of health conditions

Traditional exercise can present serious challenges for Macedon Ranges residents living with arthritis, chronic pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

Warm water exercise has become an increasingly popular alternative, offering a gentle, proven approach that supports movement and confidence.

The warm water reduces pressure on joints while the heat helps muscles relax, allowing greater range of motion with less pain.

It also has been shown to have a positive effect on bone health in adults, adding to growing research supporting aquatic exercise as a safe and effective form of physical activity.

Beyond joint relief, warm water exercise gently builds strength, improves circulation and promotes relaxation, supporting overall wellbeing.

Macedon Ranges Health offers Warm Water Exercise Group sessions for adults of all ages, providing a safe and supportive option for those wanting to improve their wellbeing. For more information or to book a spot call Macedon Ranges Health on 5428 0300.

push-ups), resistance bands, weights, and machines, focusing on consistency (two to three times a week) and listening to your body. Start simple (bodyweight/bands), progress gradually to weights, work major muscle groups, and prioritise rest for recovery.

Working with a resistance band.

My Valentines

Valentine’s Day has a long history, quite distanced from the origins of activities of the third century’s Saint Valentine, but still in the 21st century is very much focused on the emotion of love.

The Gallery member Jahne Hope-Williams creates for our first exhibition of the year the appropriately titled February exhibition 'My Valentines'. Jahne combines her love for making and painting miniatures with her interest in spiritual concepts. Reiki symbols appear to emphasise the Valentine theme.

This exhibition reveals the love the artist has for making miniatures especially. Jahne uses pen and watercolour washes of Beatrix Potter style animals on dried teabags enhanced by the natural stain of the soft fabric.

She also paints on acrylic canvas and these small images are often adorned with gold symbols. Her exhibition will include some new soft sculptures that are for hanging. Her creations are ideal for gifts for all ages.

Jahne’s exhibition begins on Tuesday 3 February and goes through to Monday 1 March. The opening of 'My Valentines' takes place on Saturday 7 February at 2pm until 4pm.

The Gallery Mt Macedon is open 10am to 4pm from Friday to Tuesday (behind the Trading Post).

Sue Anson, 0413 581 632

Two of Jahne HopeWilliams' pieces in the exhibition: Left: Monkish – cloth sculpture, and below, Miniature – watercolour and pen on teabag.

Looking forward to 2026

CRAFT CORNER

with Mary-Beth O'Brien

Crochet opportunities are erupting all about the place with the ever-increasing popularity of the fibre artists' community. The year ahead is jam packed with events and activities to interest those in the local crafting community.

On Saturday 28 March there is the Lost Trades Fair at Hanging Rock, from 10am to 5pm. This is an extraordinary extravaganza with a festival feel. Trades and crafts this year include metal, wood, leather, textiles, decorative arts, stone, fibre, clay, glass, paper and wool. With the opportunity of talking with the artisans.

Purchase tickets at www.losttradesfair.com.au

Another local opportunity for crafters is a ‘Craft Group’ at Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre (MRFEC) in Hamilton Street, every Monday from 2 February until 30 March from 10.30am to 1.30pm (cost $5).

I very much look forward to the ‘Changemaker Craft SWAP’ on 24 March from 10am to 1pm at MRFEC. Donate or trade your overstock craft stash supplies.This is a free event. For further details for these events, go to www.mrfec.net.au

There is also a warm and welcoming group of dedicated crochet fibre artisans who meet at 2pm on the first Monday each month at the Gisborne Library. Join us to share your crochet projects at no cost to participants.

Seraphim Trio in Resurrection show

This year’s Music at Resurrection concert series begins on Sunday 22 February at the Church of the Resurrection with the celebrated Seraphim Trio. For pianist Anna Goldsworthy, violinist Helen Ayres and cellist Tim Nankervis, this will be their 12th annual performance at this lovely venue. The concert starts at 3pm.

Music lovers will hear a program of delightful works informed by the classical style. Beethoven’s Piano Trio in C minor Op 1 No 3, which opens the program, exemplifies the young Beethoven already challenging the neat symmetries of the classical style.

For example, the first movement features unrelenting energy, high drama and virtuoso writing, while the third (a minuet) challenges the traditionally sedate minuet style.

The Piano Trio in G major KV564 is a work of great simplicity, elegance and beautifully balanced ensemble. Mozart was the first composer to write trios that explicitly included the piano (rather than an unspecified keyboard) and in this work the potential of the instrument is well explored.

Although the final work, Piano Trio in C minor Op 66 by Mendelssohn features classical structures, it encompasses a different sound world with great diversity and complexity.

This is a monumental work that offers an exhilarating and enjoyable listening experience.

Bookings: Trybooking.com

Mount artist opens new studio

Mt Macedon artist Kay Cohen has opened a new studio, bringing large-format, colour-rich resin works to the Macedon Ranges.

Cohen focuses on dimensional abstractions that sit between painting and sculpture. Working with poured resin, embedded forms and layered translucency, she builds surfaces that catch and refract light, creating shifting fields of colour.

“I’m interested in the point where stillness turns to

energy,” Cohen says. “Resin lets me sculpt light itself— so the work keeps breathing as you look.”

Cohen studied a Master of Art in Sydney before spending seven years in France, where she refined her methods and developed a series exploring rhythm, movement and light.

She is working on setting up a studio at her home, but for now her studio is in Woodend.

Kay Cohen enjoys working in resin.

Range of works go off at art and craft show

Phoenix Macedon Ranges Art and Craft Group wishes all a Happy New Year and thanks everyone who attended our Exhibition and Sale in December. Another local, Deborah Francis, was the winner of the basket raffle which contains an item from each of our members.

Our next exhibition and sale is over the Easter Gisborne Market weekend (Saturday and Sunday, 4 and 5 April), when patrons will have the chance to view all the varied artists' work and to buy a unique one of a kind item at a reasonable price made locally.

Our members produce a wide range of work including pottery, painting, paper-craft, woodwork and glassware, as well as textile crafts such as spinning, weaving, thread painting and puppets.

If you want to find out more about our history, work and the next exhibition, visit our website www. phoenixmrac.com or our Facebook page www. facebook.com/phoenixmrac/

If you are interested in joining our group you can contact Kay Beale on 9744 2646.

The picture of summer fun

The Macedon Ranges Photography Society is excited to be holding an exhibition showcasing images taken in and around the Macedon Ranges. To browse the images, visit Art on Piper, 44 Piper Street, Kyneton, from 3 February to 3 March, between 10am and 4pm daily.

The society starts its summer program on Monday 2 February with a social meet and greet followed by a digital display of members' 'Summer Fun' images. Potential new members and guests are very welcome to attend two free evenings prior to joining.

The summer program meets on the first and second Monday in the months of February and March, October and November. The first meeting is a general meeting, and the second is a technical presentation and practical session.

The winter program is on the first Monday of the months of April through to September. Walkabouts are organised throughout the year.

Mount Players start with a

laugh

After a short break, the theatre is again buzzing with rehearsals in full swing for its first show, The Cemetery Club, a comedy by Ivan Menchell running from 20 February until 8 March.

Tickets include a complimentary sherry, free tea/ coffee and treats at interval and the bar open to cap off the experience.

Synopsis: Three New York widows meet once a month for tea before visiting their husbands’ graves. Ida is sweet-tempered and ready to begin a new life. Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who wants to have fun, and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene, along with that other woman!

A story filled with laugh-out-loud humour and pathos about love, navigating grief and the challenges of moving on.

The Photographic Society consists of photographers ranging from complete novices to professionals, a mix of genders and age groups. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Phone photographers are also very welcome. A program of activities, information regarding

the club, and member images may be found on our website, www.macedon-ranges-photography.org.au

The society meets at Jubilee Hall, Macedon, at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Jeni Marinier, President

are here to provide temporary food assistance for those in need

on Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3pm

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

Pictures from December's Christmas Market weekend Exhibition and Sale.

Macedon Ranges Photography Society members at their end-of-year awards evening in December.

Vet Talk Vet Talk

with Dr Caitlin Retchford Veterinarian

No hot dogs

Lucy came for an impromptu visit to Gisborne, as her family evacuated temporarily to my place during the recent Harcourt fires. Her experience is a powerful reminder of the importance of including pets when making your bushfire plan.

It is crucial to remember that animals are just as susceptible as humans to heat exposure, smoke inhalation, and of course direct burns.

Beyond preparing for a fire, everyday summer safety is vital for our pets. Be mindful of not taking them out on the pavement on a hot day, as it can easily burn their paws. A good rule to follow is if the temperature is so hot that it might burn the back of your hand, it is not a good time to take them for a walk. Stick to early morning or late evening.

Because dogs do not sweat, they can be particularly susceptible to heat exhaustion if they are unable to pant effectively. This makes it an absolute no-no to leave them in an enclosed place where they cannot effectively heat exchange through

their lungs. If you do have to bundle your pets into the car, remember you can’t stop and leave them enclosed in there. A window down is not enough. Stay safe over the summer and remember to include pets in your fire plan.

Lucy the Great Dane was kept cool during the heat wave.

Chris and Nicole stopped for a rest in Gisborne while walking two very large and loving companions. The couple are dogsitting for holidaying friends.

Gang-gangs in Daly Nature Reserve Bullengarook ready for active year

Gang-gang cockatoos were recent visitors to Daly Nature Reserve. These cockatoos are monogamous and are usually seen in pairs. They have soft dark grey plumage with white edges. The female has a pink blush to her front whereas the male is typically showier with a distinctive bright red head. Their call is creaky and raspy.

In winter these birds prefer to live in the lowlands but in summer they come into the higher altitudes to nest and raise their young.

Unlike other cockatoos they don’t necessarily need old tree hollows to nest in. If a suitable hollow cannot be found the female will use her strong beak to create a hollow in a tall younger tree.

Habitat for gang-gang cockatoos is critical, so it is wonderful that Daly Nature Reserve is part of their habitat.

These birds (Callocephalon fimbriatum) are listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, so it is an absolute privilege to have them in our reserve.

This year we will be continuing our working bees on the usual second Tuesday of each month, meeting at the Scout Hall starting at 9.30am, and we finish around 11am with a cuppa and a chat.

Friends of Daly Nature Reserve

The Bullengarook Landcare Group committee sends a big thank you to all the members for their support through 2025. For more than 25 years, we’ve been caring for our local bushland, keeping our green spaces healthy, and building a connected community.

We’ve got plenty lined up for the year ahead and can’t wait to see you at one or all of the following events.

● The monthly Harvest Exchange at the Bullengarook Recreation Reserve - bring along your extra veggies, fruit, eggs, preserves or homemade treats and swap them with neighbours

● The Bullengarook Community Resilience gathering, now an annual event featuring info sessions, food vans and hands-on demos from local organisations

● The annual Spring Potting Up morning where we enjoy a cuppa while helping pot up vegie seedlings (and then choose what we want to plant in our own patch)

● Workshops and working bees including education sessions, weed-spraying support and tree-planting days

● The progressive dinner will hopefully make a comeback – look out for details!

If you’re a Bullengarook local and want to help care for our landscapes and waterways, we’d love to have you join us. Membership is just $20 per family per year and includes access to our spray team, who can help identify and manage weeds on your property. To sign up, email bullengarooklandcare@ gmail.com or scan the QR code above.

The beautiful gang-gang cockatoo.

View of a beautiful area of bush at Bullengarook.

An echidna was grateful to find a cool drink in the dog's bowl on a hot day last month in South Gisborne.

SCOUTING

News from 1st Gisborne Scouts

All sections of the 1st Gisborne Scout Group came together for our end of year celebration at Zone Watergardens with ten-pin bowling, arcade games, laser tag and pizza - this is always a popular way to finish off the scouting year.

The end of 2025 was busy for Scouts. They spent a day rock climbing on Camels Hump at Mt Macedon, making multiple climbs ranging from easy to very difficult.

They also went on a two-day 60km bike hike from Geelong to Queenscliff along the Bellarine Rail trail and went canoeing on Lake Eppalock, stopping for a barbecue lunch on an island before paddling back again.

Two of our Venturers, Angus and Cooper, were part of the Australian Contingent attending Venture ’26 in New Zealand.

They both participated in the Race Crew Expedition in which they stripped and rebuilt cars and then honed their driving skills. This was followed by all 1000 attendees converging at Brookefield outside Wellington for the Core Camp, which was a ‘choose your own’ adventure of onsite and offsite activities.

Many lifelong friends were made whilst enjoying the amazing hospitality and countryside that New Zealand has to offer.

For more information about the fun and adventurous things that we get up to, please follow 1st Gisborne Scout Group on Facebook with the QR code included.

Carolyn

Goode (Joey Leader)

Girl Guides news

Gisborne Lightning Guides will return from the summer break in February to begin work on the Thinking Day badge and to make plans for the rest of the term.

The girls had a great time at camp in November working on a variety of nature activities and developing their team work as they undertook challenges.

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

The Gisborne unit meets at the Daly Reserve community hall on Thursdays between 5pm and 6.30pm.

The Scouts enjoy a canoe activity at Lake Eppalock.

A Venturer reflects on the spectacular scenery at Venture '26 in New Zealand.

As the water sparkles, so too do New Gisborne Scouts

Our 2025 Scouting year ended with the traditional Canoeing Night and BBQ at Nursery Lake, closely followed by participating in the 2025 Gisborne Festival.

The Canoeing Night is one of the highlights of our year, a great reminder to families of what Scouting offers with training, teamwork, adventure, safety precautions and lots of fun in the wonderful Macedon Ranges outdoors.

Now, our new Scouting year is about to start and already there’s excitement. Among other exciting events and activities this year will see us complete the final stage of our Scout Hut project, fitting out the Hut with toilets, kitchen facilities, storage areas and a dedicated trailer bay. Donations are tax-deductible and welcomed!

We are planning to widen our

focus to offer the community maximum use of the completed Scout Hut and look forward to introducing our Group to new families in the Gisborne and New Gisborne area. Scouting offers proven programs, challenges and opportunities for young people and leadership opportunities for parents.

Golden start for the Genies

The first meeting of the Gisborne Genealogical Group for 2026 will be held on Thursday 26 February at 7.30pm in the Gisborne Library. Adrian Hem will talk about the ‘Great Walk from Robe to the Goldfields’ by so many Chinese miners.

Adrian was a guest speaker at our Gold Seminar two years ago – a most interesting speaker. All are welcome.

The Family History Room, adjoining the Gisborne Library, will be closed until its refurbishment is completed, hopefully by mid-year. Instead, during the next few months we will hold our monthly meetings in the Library (on the fourth Thursday of the month), and volunteers will be available to help the general public with research on Thursdays between 1pm and 3pm, also in the Gisborne Library.

All are welcome to come along to “have a look”. We meet Wednesdays, from 6:30pm to 8pm, Venturers on Fridays. Contact Group Leader Russell Barker on 0400 297 025 or via russell@jeem. com.au to learn more.

For Venturers call Tracey on 0407 098 032.

Our thanks to all the support we have received from Gisborne Library staff and Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

Our first outing for the year is to Ballarat to attend the Genealogy Seminar “Getting to know your ancestors in Ballarat and beyond” on 7 February from 9.30am until 4pm. For more information contact Mary Ritchie on 5428 3887. More information about the Gisborne Genealogical Group is available on our website www.ggg.org.au

Ranges Shire Council and Arcare Gisborne invite you to learn about residential aged care, fees and funding, what’s on offer, and where to start.

Lyn Hall

Lyn Hall

Canoeing night.

Festivalgoers enjoy the fun and activities at the Gisborne Festival on 12 December.

FESTIVAL FUN

KIDS' quiz

1. What is the Roman numeral for 81?

2. Which is the largest internal organ of the human body?

3. Water colour, oil, and acrylic, are all kinds of what?

4. Which company makes the Play Station?

5. Which star is nearest to Earth?

6. Above which number on a computer keyboard is the '@' symbol?

7. Mainly what colour are the stars on New Zealand’s flag?

8. From which fruit is wine made?

9. What is another name for iron oxide starting with “R”?

10. In Australian Rules football, one behind is worth how many points?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Jokes & riddles

What musical instrument can you find in the bathroom?

A tuba toothpaste.

When you get a bladder infection you know urine trouble.

What is a robot’s favourite snack? Computer chips

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

How much does it cost a pirate to have his ears pierced?

A buck-an-ear.

I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid but he says he can stop any time.

What do you call a furry bird? A hairy canary

My friend likes to take the escalator, but I prefer to take the lift. I guess we were raised differently

What was the largest moth ever discovered?

The mammoth Answers ►page 39

Can you find 10 differences between the pictures?

Artwork by Eliza Ransome

SCHOOL'S IN

All systems go: GVL Robotics powers up

The Global Village school robotics team, Totally Clucked Robotics, has blasted off into the 2026 'FIRST Robotics' season — and they’re charging forward with sky-high energy, fierce determination, and awesome team spirit.

Their season began with a bang at the Kick-Off Event hosted by their mentor team, IC Robotics, on 11 January. That’s where the brand-new game challenge was revealed, officially launching their mission to design and build a robot ready for competition.

This year’s theme is “Rebuilt”, inspired by archaeology, so picture high-speed treasure hunts, puzzle-solving, and clever engineering all rolled into one adrenaline-packed challenge.

Over the next few weeks, the team will be hard at work dreaming up, building, testing, and improving their robot to rack up maximum points. They’ll even be crafting their own game pieces so they can practise nonstop and gear up for the regional finals in Sydney in March.

Totally Clucked Robotics ended 2025 with some huge wins. They were excited to receive two generous grants, one from the Ford Motor Company and another from FRC International (robotics competition), which will help fund the transport of their 50kg robot to Sydney. They also wrapped up the year with a fantastic fundraiser at the Lions Gisborne Festival in December, selling handmade Christmas earrings, keyrings and pendants created by the team. A massive thank you to everyone who visited the stall and cheered them on.

Eddie Gardiner Memorial Scholarship set up

Following Eddie Gardiner’s death on 3 April 2025 it was agreed by the Gardiner families that a memorial scholarship be created in his honour.

The award will be made annually to a student or students at Eddie and Peter’s former school, St Brigid’s Primary. The award will go to a student/students who, on the recommendation of the principal and teachers at St Brigid’s, demonstrates strong interest and aptitude in one or more areas that Eddie valued highly: writing, poetry, history.

The scholarship fund was created in November 2025 with an amount of $5200, being the profits from sales of Eddie and Peter Gardiner’s book of memories of Gisborne over the years, Tales of Old Gisborne

If you would like to contribute to the team through sponsorship or mentorship, please contact the lead mentor, Janet Di Pilla, on JDIP@gvl.vic.edu.au .

The scholarship fund will be administered by three trustees: the President of the Gisborne Gazette management committee (the Gazette funded the printing of the book), a representative of the Gardiner families and the Principal of St Brigid’s Primary School. The annual award will be paid from the interest from the investment account. It is expected that the fund will generate approximately $150 each year.

Global Village Learning's robotics team, Totally Clucked Robotics.

GAZETTE SCHOOL AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Some of the students chosen by their schools to receive an award of $50 each from the Gisborne Gazette were presented with their awards in December.

Josh Meldrum, Macedon Primary School, with parents Alistair and Rachael.

Maggie Maher, Macedon Primary School, with parents Tom and Bern and sister Indi.

Alexander Evans, Gisborne Secondary College, with parents Wendy and Leigh.

Lily Siu, vice-captain at Gisborne Secondary College, with mother No.

Raphy Crawford, Mt Macedon Primary School, with parents Laura and Bill and sisters Poppy and Penny.

A fond farewell as big adventure starts

Late in 2025, the year 10s at Gisborne Secondary College took part in the annual Year 10 marketplace where, in groups, they thought of stall ideas that would stand out in their own way. This special day included not only all the students at our school but also the staff, which gave everyone a chance to see the hard work Year 10s put into it over the past couple of months.

From baking or cooking the night before, to organising props and advertising it, all funds raised from the event were donated to the Cancer Council, making the day even more meaningful.

Each stall was organised to ensure safety while still having fun. This opportunity gave the Year 10s a chance to express their creativity and personal ideas and share with their peers, which also gave them a chance to become a friendly face to many more people.

During Connect class, they decided their groups and then brainstormed ideas for potential stalls. People were deciding on a unique idea or something they knew everyone would enjoy. Some stalls decided on were hamburgers, snowcone, photo booth, Nintendo games, plants, sausage sizzle, sweet treats, and so much more.

Organising the stalls included figuring out risks, the level of risk, and how to prevent any issues. Then it was a matter of deciding what was needed to bring the stalls to life while also considering profit. For food stalls they needed to organise ingredients, and activity stalls needed to figure out props. After all the preparation, when the day came each stall created an exciting environment that received positive feedback and was definitely successful for the Year 10 cohort.

Lyla Harvey and Nat Scoble, Year 10 (2025)

Year 6 has come to an end for the graduating class of 2025. I'm sure I can say all the Year 6s have had a wonderful experience at New Gisborne Primary School.

Some highlights were the Colour Fun Run, Book Week, Cross Country, Athletics Day, Swimming Carnival and more.

Thinking about us being in Prep in 2019 and now heading to Year 7 in 2026, it seems crazy how much we’ve grown. Year 6 was probably for sure the best year of primary school. Everyone had a wonderful time and we are very excited and nervous for Year 7 to begin.

Funfields Theme Park was one of our most spectacular memories. I’m sure every Year 6 will remember going on the bus, spending time with our friends and going on all the rides at Funfields. It sure was an experience.

Our graduation ceremony was beautiful, and it was so exciting for everyone to mark the end of this chapter

Captains ready for new year

St Brigid's Principal Mel Daly with this year's school captains, Neve Kelly and Stella Spano.

in our lives. Saying goodbye to our Foundation buddies was not easy. We will never forget the fun moments we’ve had with them, helping to guide them through their first year of school. We will all remember them, and we hope our buddies will remember us too. Lastly, I would love to thank all the friends and teachers we have met throughout our primary school years. We appreciate all the kindness, care and help that we have received. We wish everyone from the Year 6 graduating classes from all the local primary schools the best and we’re really excited to start our future as Year 7 students.

GISBORNE SECONDARY COLLEGE

Matilda, Year 6 reporter (2025)

Matilda

Lyla and Nat

Petanque players already engrossed in competition

Mt Macedon Petanque Club members had a successful 2025 season, with members playing at many petanque competitions around Victoria and heading to South Australia for the National Championships.

2026 is starting with many of our members forming their teams mostly with fellow club players, competing in Ballarat, Mt Martha and St Kilda.

Our club Secretary, Rhonda Shears, has again been selected to represent Australia to play New Zealand at Mt Martha in March.

Early results for the club came at the singles Northwestern Regional Competition at Ballarat, where Paul Fox came third out of 18 men and Caroliza Job was fifth out of 14 ladies in a very strong field.

If you enjoy a challenge and playing in a team of one

AROUND THE GROUNDS

or two more players of either gender, petanque could be your sport.

Visit us behind the Ampol Service Station in Station Road, Gisborne, on Wednesdays at 2pm and the second and fourth Saturdays at 10am, or contact us via the website, mtmacedonpetanque.org

Macedon wins section 1 ladies' tennis grand final

Congratulations to Macedon Tennis Club's Section 1 women's team, who won the grand final of the Mountain District

Ladies Tennis Association mid-week summer comp in December. Bad luck to Section 3, who were defeated in their grand final. The new season begins on 3 February.

Barefoot Bowls at Macedon

Macedon Bowling Club members were pleased to host Macedon Primary School’s Grades 5 and 6 for fun on the green during December, with “Rooky Rollers” bowls. We hope to continue this initiative during 2026, sharing the enjoyment of bowls.

Our next Barefoot Bowls night is Friday 6 February from 5.30pm. Equipment is provided and there will be a barbecue. Book by 4 February (and please advise of dietary requirements).

Cost: Adults $20, Children $10, Pre-school Free. Contact Helen on tel. 0402 812 550, or email treasurermacedonbowls@gmail.com .

We’d love to see you. Lesley Ritchie, Secretary

'Rooky Rollers' from Macedon Primary have a try at bowls.

Earle Ware, Caroliza Job, Paul Fox and Dany Green.

Brothers both play in Australian Futsal Championships

Two young athletes, brothers Cooper (12) and Oliver (8) Brennan, of Gisborne, played for the Central Victorian State Futsal Team at the National Club Futsal Championships in Sydney in January.

The event was a family affair, as the boys' parents, Melanie and Bradley, took on the roles of team managers at the championships, and they are also lucky enough to be supported by a sponsorship arranged via their older sister, Jasmine.

Finishing up on 16 January, the boys fared well in their teams. Oliver was in the first Under 8s Victorian team to participate in the championship. He kicked a goal despite an arm injury.

He said, “It was my first big futsal competition so I was so excited to be picked for the team. I felt so happy and it was cool to see teams from other states. My Mum and Dad were good team managers and took care of all the kids. It was fun having them on the bench with me.”

Cooper kicked three goals for his team, was made team co-captain, and their team also won a game. Cooper said of the experience, “I competed in a big tournament last year in Brisbane, so I knew what to expect this time. I was really happy to be picked again and to meet some new teammates. I’m joining a futsal academy this year and really hope to get selected for an international tour!”

Busy time at Mount Macedon Golf Club

It has been a busy couple of months at the Mount Macedon Golf Club with annual events alongside the regular Monthly Mug o’ the Month and Monthly Medal.

Kicking off the events was the Gold Plate team Stableford which was won by Terry Bonello, Darren Mantynen, Peter Palmer and David Watt with 113 points (best three scores taken). This was followed by the John Lowe Memorial 4BBB Stableford which was secured by the all-Semmens team of Peter and daughter Grace (Owen) with 47 points.

The December Monthly Medal was won by Hamish Allen with a great score of net 60 from PJ Cushen (63).

The stroke competition was taken out by Darcy Doyle.

There has been time for two mid-week Mug o’ the Months, with the December version taken out by the evergreen Marcus Ward and his 34 points. January was won by the only person to play to their handicap, Jenny Svendsen, and her 37 points.

One of the highlights of the holiday period for the club was the successful completion of a junior golf morning that saw 16 golfers aged between eight and 15 enjoy the course and a barbecue lunch. Thanks go to members David Watt, Mick Doyle and Mike Hoiles for donating their time to allow the session to go ahead, and the hope is that additional events will follow.

Sean Bassett

Macedon Cricket Club is holding a High Tea on Saturday 14 February to raise awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation, to help ensure that no one goes through cancer without the care of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse.

The McGrath Foundation has now expanded to offer cancer care nurses to those with any type of cancer, not just breast cancer.

Guest speakers are skin cancer specialist Dr Bronwyn Edmunds, Sarah Phegan, an intimate bra fit specialist, a speaker from the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, and a McGrath Cancer Care nurse.

Enjoy tea, delicious food, live music, and community spirit.

On the field will be the Macedon men's first 11 in day two of their match against Sunbury.

High Tea tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for under 16s.

Scan the attached QR code to purchase.

(On Sunday 15th, the Macedon women's team will be playing Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve from 10am.)

Macedon Ranges Croquet Club

Happy New Year to all.

Macedon Ranges Croquet Club had an early Christmas luncheon at Macedon CWA hall, provided by the CWA ladies - a big thank you. It was a great day and well attended by our members.

It is sad news that we lost Albert McGill, a stalwart of the club, before Christmas. He will be sadly missed. With the weather being up and down our members have been having some enjoyable games of croquet over the Christmas break.

The club will be holding their championships in early March so hoping for a good turnout of members.

Come and join us at Dixon Field in Gisborne on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9am. Terry

Oliver, 8, and Cooper Brennan, 12.

Built on belonging, powered by passion: Gisborne female footy

Whether you’ve been playing footy for years or you’ve never kicked a Sherrin before, Gisborne Rookies and Gisborne Football Netball Club warmly invite girls and women of all ages to be part of the 2026 season.

Gisborne proudly stands as the only club in the region offering a complete female football pathway, with teams from Under 12s through to Seniors. This means players can start young, build their skills and confidence and continue playing in a supportive environment for years to come.

Since launching a female program in 2013, Gisborne has continued to build a welcoming and inclusive environment, no matter the player’s background or experience level, focused on fun, friendships and development.

Gisborne also runs a four- to six-week off-season Football Academy for junior girls aged U14s and above, focusing on skill development, confidence and fundamentals.

Past programs have included support from AFLW and AFL players, as well as experienced coaches helping players of all abilities develop, whether they’re just starting out or dreaming bigger.

If you are curious, have questions, or feel ready to give footy a go, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Amanda on 0422 324 379 (Female Football Co-Ordinator, Gisborne Rookies), or Darren on 0412 335 554 (Director of Female Football, Gisborne

Join Gisborne SES!

Expressions of interest are NOW OPEN for our next volunteer intake in February 2026

When storms or emergencies strike regional Victoria, it's your neighbours who respond. Now it could be your turn to support your community.

Why join Gisborne SES?

Respond to storm or flood damage

Assist with land searches

Clear fallen trees

Assist with road crash rescues

Join community events

Receive full training and learn new skills

Protective clothing and equipment provided

Join a supportive and inclusive team Join us!

Email: gisborne@ses.vic.gov.au

Visit: ses.vic.gov.au/volunteer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GisborneSES

Football Netball Club). There’s a place for you at Gisborne. Come and be part of something special.

Darren Mitchell

Winning Gisborne Football Netball Club women's team from last year.

Anna Djoneff was all smiles at the International Day of People with Disability tennis challenge at South Gisborne.

Year for opportunity and new experiences

Finishing up 2025 with the most attended tennis challenge for International Day of People with Disability set us up at South Gisborne Tennis Club to roll into the new year confident the club and coaching vi sions are on track, providing all in the community the opportunity to experience the game of tennis.

Thursday afternoon All Abilities tennis lessons will be in its 26th year and given that the coaches now instruct two groups there is plenty of space for others to join in.

The Spark tennis brand has worked hard over the break and has some “Game Changing programs” on of fer. Coach Lee is an accredited psychologist who works with children who are neurodivergent. Her program will not only include a tennis aspect but will expand into building on life skills through developmentally appropri ate environments. Check out www.sparktennis.com.au for all details on this program and many others.

Congratulations to our newest senior club champi ons, Ash Sullivan and Paul Sylvia.

The club’s Open Day will be on Sunday 8 February from 10am to 1pm. Come and meet the local tennis community and coaches. Take to the court with some Fast Four format doubles, Mini Spark activities for the littlies, cardio and pickleball tryouts and lots more on offer. There are membership discounts for those who sign up on the day. Ask about competition, coaching and social tennis available.

Check out all details on club website www. sgtennisclub.com Gail Scott

Come and try table tennis

Swimmers storm into finals at big events

Late November and De cember were busy months for our swimmers, with athletes competing across multiple Victorian state‑level events and delivering strong performances in and out of the water.

The Victorian Sprint Championships in late November saw nine swimmers com pete in 26 individual events in Melbourne, as well as three relays. Sprint Champion ships focuses on the fast‑paced 50‑metre events, and personal best times were tum bling throughout the meet.

A highlight performance came from Jeff C, who qualified for finals in both the 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly. Jeff went on to secure third place in the 50m Freestyle and achieved two national qualifying times, marking an excellent start to the long course championship season.

Swimmers backed up in mid‑December at the Vic torian Age State Championships, held over five days. Day One featured relays, with Thunder teams produc ing impressive PBs and heat wins. Across the individ ual events, five swimmers competed in 21 races, with Jeff C and Samuel R both earning finals appearances in several events. Continued personal best performanc‑ es across the meet set swimmers up with strong seed

CROSSWORD

times heading into the Victorian Country Champion ships in Geelong.

On pool deck, the club is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Kearns as a new coach for 2026. Matt brings valuable experience from Melbourne Swim ming Club, and his arrival supports the club’s continued growth, including expanded squad offerings at Kyneton.

Next Club Night: Saturday, 14 February. Registration opens at 5:45pm, with racing from 6pm. Follow our so cials for updates and results.

Kate Hager

Compiled by Chris Antoniou

ACROSS

3. A dozen pennies

4. Space telescope launched in 1990

8. Orange jam

9. Romantic composer Lud wig van…

11. Inventor of the helicopter, Igor…

12. Unit of electric current

13. Iron stick and card game

15. Used to be known as Constantinople

Hundreds of locals have enjoyed playing table tennis at Gis borne & District Table Tennis Association since our first season in 2010. 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.

Our super friendly association welcomes new, cur rent and past players to the Summer Autumn competi tions for all ages and skill levels.

A come and try and practice evening is scheduled for 18 February from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Competition pennants start on 25 February from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Group and one-on-one coaching sessions are also available. We play at Macedon Com munity Centre, Waterfalls Road, Macedon. For more information please call or email Stan Thomas at 0437 508 338 or sthomas@gisbornects.com.au

DOWN

1. The colour of Picadilly in Monopoly

2. Iconic Australian spread

3. Early car, the Stanley…

5. Painter of Collins St 5 pm, John…

6. Most famous painting in Young and Jacksons

7. A total of 16 on a chessboard

10. Our second Prime Minister, Alfred…

11. Children’s author Theodor Geisel, Doctor…. (please note the grid includes a spelling error in this answer which we were unable to correct before publication)

17. Brass, woodwind, per cussion, and…

13. Monotreme on the 20c coin

14. George Eastman founded this company

16. Bodily fluid where the Rhesus is a factor

From left: Coach Steph, Jeff C and Coach Masia after Jeff’s third place in 50m freestyle at the Sprint Championships in November.

GISBORNE DISTRICTS TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

GAZETTE AT LARGE

QUIZ

1. Who was the leader of the USSR during World War 2?

2. The ventricles are part of which human organ?

3. Which European nation colonized Algeria?

4. Sir John Monash and which other Melbournian are on the $100 note?

5. In 1891 Sandhurst was renamed what?

6. What is 672 in Roman numerals?

7. What was the name of Australia’s first fleet flagship?

8. What common household chemical has the formula NaCl?

9. Colour television in Australia was officially launched in which year?

10. Whisky that is 100 Proof has what percentage of alcohol?

GISBORNE GOSS

Neighbourhood Policing Forum

The Victoria Police Neighbourhood Policing Forum welcomes local services and commu nity members to talk with police about what issues are important in your community at an online event on Thursday 19 February be tween 6pm and 8pm.

The forum will explore topics including:

• Current crime trends and crime pre vention • Family violence • Young people • Road policing • Drugs and drug-related crime.

The online forum will be run by a Victoria Police panel and questions will be taken from the audience throughout the event.

Registration is a must. Please scan the QR code or visit: https:// tinyurl.com/yts8t9vb .

A Microsoft TEAMS link will be made avail able via email to all registered attendees on the day of the event.

 New Telstra tower is up on Couangalt Road, South Gisborne.

The Mount Macedon Hotel is under new management, (Ned Stanley, Lisa Pham and Davin Conner), after being sold to new owners, Steven Elthoury and his son Daniel, and Cal lum Ross. They are pictured here with the hotel's new ex ecutive chef, Samuel Gledhill. The hotel is donating $5 from every parma sold on ‘Parma Wednesdays’ in February to the CFA.

Congratulations to Gisborne local Alan Shipp who has been selected to play in the Australian Over 65s Masters Crick et team. Alan plays with Rupertswood Macedon Ranges Masters and thoroughly enjoys the companionship on and off the field with other locals. In early February, he will play some lead up games against Australia and England Over 70s, with the main tournament involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand in June.

 Earthworks are under way for the next stage of the sports hub in New Gisborne.

Jo Mott of Mount Macedon found time while on a trip to New York to catch up on Gisborne news.

SPORT IN PICTURES

Macedon cricketers commemorate 40 years since their last grand final win.

Steven Freeth of Gisborne wields the bat against Sunbury in December.

Lions netball team - runners up.

Leith Campsie bowls for Gisborne against Sunbury United in the Jensen Shield, 6 December

Bri Goddard scored a great 50 not out for Gisborne Girls on 28 November

Macedon’s A. Munro Lawrence bats against Rupertswood in the McIntyre Cup, 10 January

Gisborne batter Spencer shapes up against Woodend, McIntyre Cup, 10 January

All

from

Junior cricket: Gisborne batter falls to a very good ball, v Woodend, 5 December.

RDFL netballtryouts for the Inter League

Left: Mid week Ladies netball Pink Ladies

Macedon bowler Greg Kennedy

Pam Flint bowls for Gisborne Division 3

Ian Morley bowls for Gisborne Division 1

Junior cricket: Gisborne v Macedon

Far left: Mid week Ladies netball Coms

Pictures by Chris Fleming

available

Maddisons of Gisborne, Hamilton Street, at low cost.

Girls basketball, Bulldogs v Saints, 6 December

LOCAL HISTORY

Last official Nasho service set for ’26

On 20 November 2025, a few of us visited the Nasho Remembrance plaque at Mt Macedon, where the Rev Matt Browne conducted a service for all nashos, past and present. This was our yearly journey to the Mount.

The service was led by Matt, then there was a welcome from Ian, ‘He was only nineteen’, The Ode was re cited by Bill and a wreath laid by Bren dan. It was so nice to see Matt, Bill, Lorraine, Alan, Ian Mc, Ian G, Sam, Carl, Barry, Brendan, Ruth and Poppy.

Some photos were taken by Chris Fleming (long time friend and Gazette photographer). The Australian flag flew proudly behind the gathering.

There were a number of apologies.

Coffee was had by most as a cara van is operating in the car park. .

We then went to the Vic Tavern in Gisborne for lunch, where we were met by Peter R and a hearty meal was enjoyed by all.

Thank you to those who were able to attend and remember that this time next year will be our last official ser vice, so please try to make it.

Ian Goss

Nasho Sunbury sub-branch member

Who are the Nashos?

‘Nasho’ is short for National Service men, or men who were required to undertake compulsory military ser vice. The best known period for this scheme was between 1964 to 1972. Twenty year old males were select ed via a ‘birthday ballot’ and over 15,000 went on to serve in Vietnam. Sadly, 200 died and around 1200 were wounded.

The National Service scheme was abolished in 1972, just before the last combat troops returned from Vietnam.

Ian Goss is part of a Sunbury Nasho sub branch. Members meet up every second month, and the commit tee meets every month. Each year the members go to the Mount for Remem brance Day. Due to the increasing ages of the Nashos making it increas ingly difficult for them to attend the service at Mount Macedon each year, the last official service will be in 2026.

Postcards – emails of yesteryear

Researched by Phyllis Boyd OAM

Postcards are believed to have origi nated in Austria c.1869 and first gained popularity in Australia in the 1870s as a simple way of sending short messages.

Most of the cards from the Historical Society collection that are shared in this article were printed from the 1890s and were particularly popular with travellers, as a means of sharing their journeys or to keep as souvenirs of places visited. Initially postcards featured a picture on the front and had a blank reverse, but over time the reverse was designed to what we see today.

The communication era of 1905 to 1915, became known as ‘the Golden Age’, especially after postcards were created with a part or full division on the reverse, indicating clearly where the address, the stamp and the message should be placed. With multiple mail de liveries each day, postcards were used for last minute invitations, special greet ings, to advise of having arrived safely at destinations or messages about holi day adventures being enjoyed.

Between 1875 and 1882, each state in Australia introduced official, simple style postcards with a preprinted stamp, while the front displayed a picture ex tolling that state’s virtues. Private en terprise, including local accommodation venues, soon began creating their own postcards, many of which were printed by German printing works, who were most experienced in the field of lithog raphy and fine detailed colour printing.

About 1912, George Rose of Mel bourne began producing topographical black and white photographic postcards and other photographers began to fol low suit.

During World War 1, postcards were still in great demand although the sub ject matter became more serious. Many Australian producers created cards dec orated with gum leaves or native wild life, which were designed for sending to the troops who were serving overseas. Fewer pretty cards were available, as access to German printing works was no longer available and exporting them from Britain was limited. After 1918, fold greetings became more popular and

A humorous postcard.

Fitting in as much information as possible.

standard postcards became a steady in come for the producers, general stores and newsagents in most towns.

The use of postcards declined during the depression years of the 1930s and 40s that impacted greatly on family trav el and holidays and also because the telephone became more readily avail able as the next social media prefer ence.

During their heyday of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, postcards had made available to the general public, im ages of places, people, events, nature, art and subjects both serious and comi cal, at a time when newspapers had few if any illustrations. With local develop ments in lithography and photography and a wealth of images available, post card collecting known as ‘deltiology’ be came almost as popular as stamp and coin collecting.

Postcards were indeed the ‘emails’ of their day, when most areas of Victoria had multiple mail deliveries each day and therefore, correspondents could in teract with one another on a daily basis.

An early tinted postcard of Victoria Street, Macedon. The sign on the building advertises the ‘Argus’ newspaper. The Church of the Good Shepherd at Mt Macedon.

 Card to Clyde Lock who was in the Navy in WW1, from his mother Ann Jane Lock. Their farm, ‘The Pines’ was on today’s Cabbage Tree Lane.

 The bridge in Aitken Street, known at the time as Hughes Bridge after the neighbouring family of former sea captain John Hughes.

Tales of old Gisborne

Where people worked

The two main employers in the town were Cherry’s factory and the saw mill.

Cherry’s was a rambling net work of corrugated iron sheds on the corner of Brantome and Rob ertson Street opposite where the Uniting Church is now.

by Eddie Gardiner

For many years it employed large num bers and made the famous Cherry’s butter churns in various sizes. It also did much woodwork and in the latter years made the red telephone boxes we all knew.

Later on Alston Windmills took over the site and the factory operated into the 1970s. That short summary does not do Cherry’s justice as for so many years it was the prin cipal employer in Gisborne. Photos show al most 40 men there in the 1940s and earlier photos show many more.

The other interesting place was the Gisborne Case and Hardwood Mill on the corner of Hamilton and Prince Street, now the Village Shopping Centre car park. It was owned by Harry Higgins who had during the war produced charcoal out in Bullengarook.

It’s difficult to believe that even over sixty years ago such a place could have ex isted within a town. It was a bush mill with all that entailed. Huge logs were dragged into place by old bulldozers and ex

army blitz buggies that churned up huge mounds of mud in the winter and clouds of dust in the summer. Not to mention the noise of the saws, especially the endless short sharp bursts from the saw slicing off the mill ends. “Zing, zing,” it echoed through the town incessantly and some times well into the night.

The mill ends were sold for firewood and were delivered by Stan Roberts - also known as “Mill Ends - in a dilapidated old tip truck with high sides. Everyone burnt mill ends in their fireplaces.

The mill had a sawdust burner which showered the town with smoke, sparks, ash and burning debris.

It was a spectacular sight on a windy night but not appreciated by those located downwind, which our home generally was. The town was at war with the mill and at one stage the women had a minor victory.

“Don’t light the burner on Monday because that’s wash day!”

Periodically the whole thing would catch fire as the layers of saw dust built up over the years, and, always smoulder ing, would erupt in flames.

It all relocated in the 1960s in an amalgamation with other local saw mills to form the Black Forest Saw Mill near Woodend.

Rear view of Cherry’s timber yard, looking towards Magnet Hill, New Gisborne. Picture courtesy Tom Sankey

Cherry’s factory after the site had been taken over by Alston Windmills, on the corner of Brantome and Robertson Street. .

The famed Cherry butter churn

Card prior to division line-light pencil line can be noted.

Cricket match at Gisborne, early 1900s.

Greeting details, written vertically.

Coloured card, view at Mt Macedon.

THE CHURCHES

St Brigid’s Parish Gisborne

– incorporating St Ambrose Riddells Creek and St Patrick’s Macedon Parish Priest: Fr. John Healy

2026 Baptism

Baptism is available each month, generally on the fourth Sunday. Please contact the parish office for the next available dates. The 2026 Baptism calendar has now been set.

Enquiries to: gisborne@cam.org.au or 5428 2591.

2026 Sacraments

Registration is now open for Sacraments to be cele brated in 2026.

Please contact the office at gisborne@cam.org.au if you would like to be included in information sent out for Sacraments in 2026.

Reconciliation available to Year 3 and above, Holy Communion available to Year 4 and above and Confir mation available to Year 6 and above. Sacrament fee for 2026 is $125. Baptism details required for registration.

Normal weekend services

Saturday 6pm St Brigid’s Sunday 8am St Ambrose

Sunday 9.30am St Patrick’s

Sunday 11am St Brigid’s Everyone welcome!

Weekday services

Please check the parish website for the weekday Mass schedule as it may change regularly. www.melbcatholic.org/s/gisborne

Parish Secretary: Tammie Dalgleish

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm Parish website: www.melbcatholic.org/s/gisborne Tammie

From Christmas into the New Year at Mt Macedon

Mount Macedon Uniting Church was filled with joyful song for the Christmas Eve Carols service. The candlelit church was well filled with locals and visitors who enjoyed the Christmas story in readings and song.

The Christmas morning service was also well attend ed with many visitors too.

A good donation was made to Act for Peace Christ mas Bowl Appeal for their international relief work.

Now, we are preparing for a new year of activities. The Men’s Group restarts on Tuesday 3 February at 10am with a full program on the first Tuesday each month.

The Thistle Club ladies recommence on Wednesday 25 February at 2pm. They always have interesting ac tivities on the last Wednesday each month, and support the local food banks and other mission projects.

These groups are both ecumenical and make ev eryone most welcome, as we do at our regular Sunday morning services at 10.30am.

We look forward to contributing to this vibrant Mace don Ranges community once more.

Neil Tweddle, 0488 001 336

Gisborne Uniting Church: from bells to sirens

Readers do not need reminding that the happy jingling of Christmas bells have been replaced by sirens alerting us to dangers from human evil and from Na ture itself. There has been a deluge of sug gestions as to what’s wrong with Australia and how we can heal the landscape and our relations with each other.

In a recent contribution to The Age’s weekly column titled ‘Faith’, minister and Darebin councillor Alexan dra Sangster wrote with great simplicity and empathy about simple acts of kindness in the midst of grief.

Standing with parents of a murdered teenager she wrote, ‘We stood in silence, and I reached out my hand. Such an intimate thing, a handshake. Like a promise, I mean you no harm, we are saying’.

And later in the column, she has a word for all those wondering how to respond to those gutted by fire’s wrath ‘Just say something – but say it with love…But always say something if you can.’

Such responses are not only ‘feel good’ acts; they require us to think and act ethically. That’s what we aim to do at weekly gatherings for worship and fellowship –reflecting on ourselves as individuals and as members of a community.

This month there will naturally be an emphasis on what we, safe so far in Gisborne, can do to help those who have lost so much in the January fires. We also need to continue to support others in need.

Hence on Sunday 1 March we will hold our annu al Pancake Day, raising funds for Uniting, our social welfare agency which particularly cares for struggling families.

And advance information for our annual Peter Bar cham memorial lecture: the guest speaker this year will be Father Chris Dimolianis from the Greek Ortho dox Parish of Bentleigh.

So mark your diary for March 6, 10am, Gisborne Uniting Church. For more information contact D’Arcy Wood on 5428 6700.

Janet Wood

Muddy’s Musings: ‘New Year, New Me’ - come and see

I was pondering the other day on the phrase “New, Year, New Me” – a very popular phrase in the world – is a great way to look at making a new commit ment for 2026 – encountering Jesus again, and that starts with three simple words: Come and see.

In John’s Gospel, There’s a great story where Philip is telling his brother about his meeting Jesus, and how he’s unlike anyone he’s ever met. Nathanial is sceptical at best, because Jesus is from a place that was a bit like Colling wood or Frankston, and he didn’t think

much of anyone from there, but is curi ous when Philip begs him to “Come and see” and the rest, as they say, is history. Nathanial met Jesus, and became one of his disciples. There was something about Jesus that changed him, but it be gan with those three words. Not a sales pitch, but an open door.

Most of us aren’t looking for grand theories in January. We’re looking for

something that feels real — a sense of grounding, purpose, or peace as we step into another year with its unknowns.

The idea of “come and see” suggests that real change doesn’t begin with hav ing everything figured out. It begins with curiosity. With showing up. With being willing to look, listen, and experience something for ourselves rather than standing at a distance.

Church, at its best, is meant to be a place like that. Not a gathering of people who have life sorted, but a community of ordinary people learning how to live

with hope, forgiveness, and care for one another. A place where questions are welcome, where silence has space, and where joy and struggle can sit side by side.

So perhaps this year’s “new me” doesn’t need to be built on pressure or perfection. Maybe it begins with a smaller, braver step: to come and see. To step inside a church, light a candle, sit quietly, or join a community at prayer. You might just find that something new is already waiting. With every blessing to you all. Fr. Scott

Knitted Nativity scene in foyer at Christmas.

YEARS AGO

From the

JAN-FEB 1926

Cricket Gisborne v Macedon

Gisborne went to Macedon last Saturday and gave the locals a day of leather hunting, having the fine score of 265 for six wickets on the board at the close of the day’s play. Oakley played a chanceless innings for 106 and hit eleven fours. Reverend Vickerman and his son Keith put on 91 runs for the fourth wicket partnership; Keith fills a much felt want in the Gisborne team. He is only 15 but can always be relied upon to keep his wicket against any bowling.

Gisborne Gazette 8 January 1926

Power House Interference

Some months ago Mr. Cole, Electrical Engineer to the Shire of Gisborne, found the crude oil had been rendered useless in consequence of a lot of dirt and grit having been thrown into it. This necessitated the Council buying two tanks to hold the oil. On Jan. 3rd, while the engineer was absent from the power house, one of the taps of an oil tank was turned on, and before it was noticed, more than 50 gallons of oil had run to waste. Grit and dirt had also been thrown through an open window into one of the gener ators and caused considerable inconvenience and stoppage of the service. To replace it would probably cause the expenditure of over £100.

Local News

From January 11th, the name of Lancefield Junction changed to Clarkfield and the name boards on the railway station have been changed accordingly. The change is the result of representations made some time ago by the Junction Progress Association to the Romsey Shire Council.

Gisborne Gazette 13 January 1926

Bush Fires

On Sunday a very serious bush fire broke out at Bullengarook East and during the afternoon and night, presented a grave outlook. Fanned by very strong north westerly hot winds which blew during the whole day, matters were very menacing. Bullengarook was in a state of alarm and everyone who could hurried to the scene and helped to beat the flames back. Car loads of willing helpers from Gisborne were also rushed to the locality and spent Sunday after noon and evening and the following day as well in helping to check the devastating fire. At night the whole of the western sky was brightly illumi nated for a stretch of many miles and the swirl, swish and crackling of the flames could heard not far from Gisborne.

Gisborne Gazette 19 February 1926

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 8.30pm & Thurs 9.30am, Macedon Community 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

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

Baringo Film Club

Screening times: 2.30pm Wednesday, 7pm Friday, 2.30pm Saturday.

FEBRUARY

Date Film

Feb 4-7 Sita Sings the Blues (Anime Pared-down adaption of a legend)

11-14 Emilia Perez Crime/Thriller (Oscars for best supporting actress and original song 18-21 Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Romance/Comedy) 25-28 Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (History/Drama)

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

PONY CLUB Bullengarook 1st Sunday Rec Reserve

PONY CLUB Gisborne 1st Sunday Robertson Reserve

PROBUS 1st Thurs 10am Susan 0419 530 041 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 Peter 0402 088 491

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

crossword answers

3. Shilling 4. Hubble

QUIZ answers

www.baringofilmclub.com

pages of the old Gisborne Gazette

new company and knew instantly that we would be enough about Rhys as a person and agent that we trusted and honesty is second to none and he supports you tips that made a huge difference to our property. His though he were selling his own home. Sale in 3 weeks, purchasers. Don’t look anywhere else, Rhys is the best!”