The first ever Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Awards saw the Best in Show G&T pairing awarded to Daylesford Spirit’s Miner’s Gin & Fever-Tree Mediterranean Light Tonic. In addition to taking home the cup, the winners will also enjoy a five-night break away to enjoy a luxury holiday for two in Singapore’s historic Raffles Hotel and […]

Communities across Australia will help create vital habitat for bees and other pollinators thanks to the Trees for Bees Community Tree grants. Now in its fourth year, the Trees for Bees Community Tree Grants program provides grants of up to $500 to schools, clubs and community groups to plant pollinator-friendly trees and shrubs in their […]

Magpies are on top after Australians counted a record-breaking five million birds in one week during BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count. The figures include more than five million birds counted, 64,000 participants submitted a combined 153,000 checklists and 621 different species observed. Held in October last year, 64,000 Australians took part in the count. The […]

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is inviting community members from across the Central Highlands region to help shape services for children, young people and families by joining its Community Advisory Committee. The group plays an important role in Cafs’ governance by providing feedback, insights and community perspectives to help strengthen services, programs and organisational […]

Hepburn Springs Village is coming together to support the Cancer Council with a community morning tea on Sunday, June 21 from 9.30am to 11.30am. The event will be hosted at the Old Macaroni Factory, with guests gathering in the H.D.C. Longroom and Lucini’s Lounge. Adding to the community spirit, The Surly Goat, Lotte, Cello, Shizuka […]

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has recognised the exceptional individuals and groups helping shape a strong, inclusive and vibrant community through the 2026 Macedon Ranges Celebrating Community event. Held during National Volunteer Week, the event included special recognition for community volunteers and leaders, and the Community Awards program. This year saw strong interest across all 8 […]

The first time I met Smeaton’s Joan Pickering she was encouraging a craft group at Daylesford Library to weave vintage lace, wool and fabric into future projects. Joan, now 86, was clearly in her element after being taken by a community carer to see for herself where surplus materials, sent to the group on earlier […]

The latest firebombings in Melbourne are a scary and real thing and threaten once again to push residents out of the CBD. A quick look back at history in America reveals the same tactics – firebombings to businesses with a balance in damage so they can still trade but know they are being threatened. And […]

etryetc. hot day in lyon with his picasso t-shirt a man wipes off sweat a plane tree leaf rising in the breeze her striped shirt heat wave lyon’s pastel buildings blanch a little more – Bill Wootton Bill likes to travel in France. France does not care much for air conditioning. Local Lines features poetry […]

Hi there, I am Cash, a one-year-old border collie, with a big personality and an even bigger love for life. I am always ready for fun, whether it’s a game of fetch, a run around the yard, or learning something new. I am very eager to please and thrive on attention, activity, and positive interaction. […]

A major opinion poll last week forecasted One Nation would win dozens of seats if a federal election had been held then. Pauline Hanson’s party would have pretty much wiped out the Coalition, but also taken seats from Labor. It’s scary stuff. I know it is just a poll, and I mean, who would vote […]

Hepburn Shire Council has decided to temporarily close a pedestrian bridge on the Domino Trail in Trentham, after independent advice confirmed the structure is unsafe for use. The bridge crosses over Stony Creek, just to the west of Station Street and is a short distance from the historic Trentham Railway Station. Users can detour via […]