The state government has extended the time Victorians have to access a 20 per cent vehicle registration rebate. Victorians now have until August 31 to apply. A driver with one car gets up to $186 back and a family with two cars gets up to $372 back.

Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward has announced a new round of the Small Regional Presenters program. The program brings top artists to regional venues and builds local talent. Community groups and not-for-profits can apply for grants of up to $16,750. Applications are open at: www.visitrav.net.au

Bullarto Station has new heritage features thanks to $42,000 from the state government’s Tiny Towns Fund. Works have seen heritage-style cabinetry installed in the Station Master’s office, new furniture for the Lamp Room waiting area and picket fencing around the station grounds. The funds are also supporting the installation of floodlighting to improve visibility and […]

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has called on the Minister for Planning to pause a decision on Amendment C164 – Clarkefield Township Development. The council wants what it calls major unresolved planning, infrastructure, safety, environmental and financial matters to be independently reviewed and addressed. “Council is seeking greater certainty that any future growth in Clarkefield is […]

Wombats are very social creatures. At the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter, the 13 orphaned wombats sleep cuddled up to each other. They are very playful and love to chase each other, playing just like you would see baby lambs or puppies playing. They are very inquisitive animals, following each other around to see what’s going on. […]

A host of MPs visited Creswick Aged Care recently to mark the final stage of the federal government’s aged care wage increases. Among those attending were, pictured from left, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King MP, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles MP, Loren Phelps (Creswick Aged Care) Nicole Allan (Australian […]

Daylesford Spirit Distillery has come away from the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australia International Spirits Awards with a trophy for the Champion Victorian Gin for its Australian Dry Gin. And if that’s not enough, the Mt Franklin business took home three gold medals, four silver medals and a bronze medal across its range including Triple Cask […]

Hepburn Shire’s five councillors and former CEO Bradley Thomas have been cleared of all criminal charges. The councillors, Don Henderson, Tony Clark, Shirley Cornish, Pat Hockey and Lesley Hewitt, are now back at work. A council media release said last week a representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) attended the hearing of private […]

The Creswick Friendship Shed is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is looking to reconnect with past members. The Shedders are also seeking old photographs, newspaper clippings, memorabilia and stories that capture the history of the shed over the past 25 years. If you were once a member, or know someone who was, they […]

Hepburn Shire residents are invited to hear from the organisations which support communities before, during and after emergencies at a free Emergency Services Panel on Tuesday, August 18, 10am to 12.30pm. Hosted by Hepburn Shire Council, the Emergency Services Panel will bring together representatives from emergency services, essential service providers and government agencies to share […]

The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education will close St Mary’s Primary School, Clarkes Hill at the end of the 2026 school year. Executive director Tom Sexton said the decision had been made after the 2027 forecast of enrolments falling below the level required for non-government schools and the anticipated impact of the proposed Enterprise Bargaining […]

The expansion of Victoria’s Smile Squad free dental program is now underway. Students at low-fee non-government schools now have access to the service. An initial 54 schools across metro and regional Victoria have been invited to participate in the program. A phased roll out to all low-fee non-government schools will follow. Smile Squad is putting […]