DEECA is using helicopter-mounted cameras to monitor Victoria’s coastline and detect possible H5 bird flu cases in wild birds and wildlife. Detections of H5 bird flu on Australian shores reinforce the need for continued surveillance, preparedness and prompt reporting of sick or dead wild birds and wildlife.

Five of Hepburn Shire Council’s seven councillors are now stood down after private prosecutions from a Hepburn Shire resident. Cr Don Henderson was stood down in March followed this month by Mayor Cr Tony Clark, then Cr Lesley Hewitt, Deputy Mayor Cr Shirley Cornish and Cr Pat Hockey. The two remaining councillors are Cr Brian […]

Macedon Ranges Shire Council will hold an Unscheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday 4 August 2026 to elect a new Mayor following the resignation of Cr Kate Kendall from the office of Mayor. The meeting will be held at 12.30pm at the Gisborne Administration Centre, in accordance with Council’s Governance Rules, which require a mayoral election […]

Central Highlands Water is providing surplus water to the Goldfields Reservoir. The water is being delivered under a Memorandum of Understanding between Central Goldfields Shire Council and Central Highlands Water that enables water to be diverted to this important community asset whenever the Evansford Reservoir exceeds capacity. Water began flowing last week at a rate […]

Central Highlands Rural Health will host a Women’s Wellbeing Day at the Mechanics Trentham on Saturday, September 5, in celebration of Women’s Health Week. Organised by the CWA Trentham Night Owls and Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, this event will focus on the health and wellbeing needs of women over 40. The program includes expert guest speakers […]

The Liberal Party has endorsed local farmer, small business owner, volunteer and mother of four Megan Read as its candidate for Ripon at the Victorian election on November 28. Born in Creswick, raised in Ballarat and now farming near Beaufort with her husband Warwick, Megan has spent her life living, working and volunteering across the […]

The 2025 Active Living Census results have revealed Loddon Campaspe residents are moving more and smoking less than Victorian benchmarks, but many are reporting food insecurity, poorer health, lower life satisfaction and risky drinking. More than 8000 residents took part in the Census which collected data on six local government areas: the City of Greater […]

A new alliance of foster carers, community service organisations and the Foster Care Association of Victoria is warning that without urgent action, more vulnerable Victorian children will miss out on the safety, stability and belonging that only family-based care can provide. With more than 40 foster carers actively involved, the Alliance is co-chaired by a […]

A new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care centre is now open in Newington. The free service offers specialist, around-the-clock care for young people aged 16 to 25 years. The voluntary, referral-based service is designed to feel like a home away from home – enabling young people to access the mental health care they need, while […]

Comedy For A Cause will be held at the Lyonville Hall on Saturday, August 1 with doors open from 6.30pm and the show starting at 7pm. The hall fundraiser features world-class comedians from across Australia in an adults-only event. Tickets are $30. Link: www.comedyforacause.net

Throughout August, the streets of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs will come alive with spontaneous art, literary intervention and interactive moments in the lead up to Words in Winter from August 26 to 30. Through the festival’s Around the Town program, art is stepping out of traditional venues and directly into public spaces, turning everyday streets […]

Daylesford Dialysis – delivering more than treatment For Daylesford resident Peter Smith, the dialysis team at Daylesford Health is more than a group of healthcare professionals. They are family. For the past six years, Peter, a resident at Lumeah Lodge, has attended dialysis treatment at Daylesford Hospital three days a week, spending four hours at […]