What a rollercoaster for councillors, council staff and ratepayers. Last week five of Hepburn Shire’s councillors – Don Henderson, Tony Clark, Shirley Cornish, Pat Hockey and Lesley Hewitt – and former CEO Bradley Thomas were cleared of all criminal charges brought against them by shire resident David Penman. Apparently, the Director of Public Prosecutions attended […]

I am so bored talking about the council, potholes and how cold it is. Yes, it’s bloody cold, we have just had a huge bunch of ratepayers’ money that we can ill afford swallowed up in litigation (what was all that about, FFS?). So I thought I’d talk about a dark theory I spotted on […]

Hi there, I am Olive, just one and still finding my way in the world. I am growing more confident and curious, which the shelter guys say show just how resilient and adaptable I am. I like calm interactions and am learning to like human companionship – you guys are lovely. I would love a […]

My garden wears a shawl of lace an icy shimmering across the grass. Cold morning air kisses my face and air tastes sharp and bright as glass. Chilly mornings I inch from my bed coldair coldroom coldfeet coldface in the waking day, not easy to comprehend all joy of warm and snug gone, without trace. […]

Caitlin Marks was raised by her maternal grandparents from an early age, following the unexpected death of her mother. Her grandmother was a craftsperson and her grandfather an author and journalist, her mother’s brother a musician. Caitlin says creativity has always pulsed in her background and through her veins, and she continues to find large […]

Daylesford classical artist Deny Christian will hold an exhibition of her New School of Classical Painting students’ work in Stanbridge Hall on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20. The exhibition will include works of drawings, pastels and oil studies. Deny said two years ago, she and her students held their inaugural exhibition at the […]

Since March, the Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance Ballarat has provided the opportunity for 15 people from Creswick and surrounds district, to come together on a weekly basis in Creswick to participate in Art Escape 2026. Art Escape is a program funded by the Community Bank Creswick & District, to enable people living with dementia to […]

The Swiss Italian Festa will return to Hepburn Springs in October, bringing together food, wine, music, history and community for a celebration of the unique Swiss Italian heritage that helped shape the region. Running across the weekend of October 23–25, with the traditional Heritage Dinner commencing celebrations on Thursday, October 22, this year’s Festa will […]

As the countdown to Words in Winter 2026 enters its final stretch, excitement across Daylesford and Hepburn is palpable. In the next edition of The Local, you’ll find our single-page program grid, where you can check out every speaker, talk and ticketed event scheduled across our town’s iconic venues and plan your festival journey. But […]

London Calling is an adventurous recital focusing on members of the double-reed family. With two oboes and baroque bassoon positioned alongside two recorders and harpsichord this very rare concert offering is sure to captivate, surprise and delight. Step into the vibrant musical world of early eighteenth-century London, where a remarkable group of expatriate composers found […]

Students from St Michael’s Primary School rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty as part of Schools Tree Day, joining volunteers from Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare to help enhance local biodiversity through revegetation works at the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve and Biolink. The planting day, held on Friday, July 24, saw enthusiastic students working […]

Women from Trentham and surrounding districts are invited to take time out for themselves at the first-ever Trentham Women’s Wellbeing Day, to be held on Saturday, September 5. Made possible through the support of a Look Over the Farmgate Grant, the event is a collaboration between the Trentham CWA Night Owls and the Trentham Neighbourhood […]