As part of the Words in Winter festival in Daylesford, Australian poets with a passion for the natural world are invited to enter the 2026 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize, offering a $1000 major prize for unpublished work. The prize honours Venie Holmgren, who began writing poetry in her late 50s and went on to […]

The Little Gallery in Trentham continues to celebrate visual artists of the Central Victorian region with a fresh rotation of new talent from emerging to established creators. Rose Wilson, the founding member of the Little Gallery, said: “Over the past 15 years, we have proudly exhibited more than 250 artists. This not only highlights the […]

Wow, the world has gone and got itself into a tangle again, things seemed to swing so far to the left just a couple of years ago and now they are pulling to the extreme right. With racism comes sexism and all the other “isms” follow. Once you divide a community on the matter of […]

As a journalist, I love it when the Community Satisfaction Survey is released. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and as long as I have been editing The Local – Hepburn Shire Council has done pretty poorly. So, you know, it makes for a good story, I can always use the ‘can’t get no […]

Hi there, I am Missy, the shelter’s sweetheart! I just love engaging in playful activities, showcasing my curiosity and intelligence. I have already mastered basic commands and enjoy walks and games of fetch. I am also gentle and love a cuddle, so I am an ideal companion. I really hope for a home where I […]

trip a wheelie suitcase carried by its handle one wheel wiggles they come for cezanne and art’s heavy hitters still life in aix balance at the calder exhibit a one-legged woman bip bip BIP BIP BIP BIP too close to art distant squarks lasso the summer sky thirsty seagulls all quiet in montparnasse cemetery a […]

Wow, the world has gone and got itself into a tangle again, things seemed to swing so far to the left just a couple of years ago and now they are pulling to the extreme right. With racism comes sexism and all the other “isms” follow. Once you divide a community on the matter of […]

Many times, driving past the Daylesford Cemetery, I would sight a large marble tombstone on a grave. It was hard to miss due to its size and presence on the landscape, and I always wondered – who does it belong to and what did they do for the town of Daylesford? Those questions were answered […]

Maryborough’s Central Goldfields Art Gallery’s latest exhibition RAGGED & TAGGED & FLAGGED Caroline Chisholm, Domesticity and the Victorian Goldfields by Dr Flossie Peitsch is now open. Maryborough resident Dr Peitsch reclaims discarded handwork and transforms these textile foundlings into fine art. As part of the installation, visitors are invited to inscribe the names and roles […]

Gigs Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford Okey Dokey Karaoke – Thursday, July 2, 6pm Live piano – Friday, July 3, 6.30pm–9.30pm Chloe’s Drag Bingo – Christmas in July – Thursday, July 16, 7pm Christmas in July – Friday, July 17, 18 & 24, 5.30pm – Ticketed event Live piano – Friday, July 31, 6.30pm-9.30pm Link: www.daylesfordhotel.com.au

Well, good news, the slab is down and the walls are up. Nah, only joking, still nothing happening on our block. However there has been a positive update. The permit has finally been signed off by Hepburn Shire Council, which is great, and also by the builders – Sherridon Homes. But a funny thing happened […]

Words in Winter has appointed Aunty Alison McRae – a Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta Elder and leader – as its inaugural Cultural Advisor. The friendship between festival producer Devon Taylor and Aunty Alison began at Paradise Bookshop in Daylesford. That connection has now deepened into a formal role that will see Aunty […]