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Looking back on the year that was …

December 31, 2024

Christmas is done and dusted and now it’s time to kick back and chill – whether you want to add Netflix or not is completely up to you.  It’s also time for the crew at The Local to have a little bit of downtime but not without completing a great look back at the year that was.  […]

Woman fronts court following Mount Helen stabbing

December 31, 2024

A woman charged with the murder of a man in the Ballarat suburb of Mount Helen on Saturday remains in police custody following her first appearance in court on Monday. Cheryl Lucas, 38, of Mount Helen, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Monday December 30. She did not apply for bail and was to […]

Liam Neeson headed back to regional Vic to film ‘The Mongoose’

December 31, 2024

Actor Liam Neeson will return to regional Victoria to film his next action-thriller. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said cameras would roll on The Mongoose from late this month. The production is expected to create 453 jobs for Victorian screen workers, inject more than $19 million into the state economy and engage an estimated […]

Chop chop: Get along to the Lyonville chop

December 31, 2024

Popular annual calendar fixture, the Lyonville Woodchop takes place Saturday February 1 from 10.30am at the Lyonville Hall.  Once again, this time-honoured competitive event will provide a showcase for the prowess of local and visiting axe-wielders and the hammer–hefting ladies at the nail drive competition. Organisers say all the usual attractions will be available at the […]

There’s gold in them thar hills…

December 31, 2024

Over the past decade there has been an average of 8000 Miner’s Right licences sold in Victoria each year.   This licence, obtained from Resources Victoria costs $28 and allows you to remove and keep minerals discovered on Crown Land or private (with permission).   Many of those licence holders are going out looking  for […]

Five years on and still no Wombat bill

December 31, 2024

Wombat Forestcare convenor Gayle Osborne says the community is angered by the failure of the State Government to introduce the bill to create the new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park as promised. Ms Osborne, pictured below, said members and supporters of Wombat Forestcare had been assured in letters from the Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos and Macedon MP […]

Drink drivers run a real risk this New Year’s

December 31, 2024

An alarming number of motorists are choosing to start the new year by getting behind the wheel despite knowing they might be over the blood alcohol limit, Victoria Police report. Many people are miscalculating their alcohol intake, mistakenly thinking they’re OK to drive. Some are blatantly ignoring the rules, knowingly putting their own safety and […]

Circus fun for New Years Eve, Daylesford

December 31, 2024

The Circus Workshop will be a new addition to Daylesford’s upcoming New Year’s Eve Gala.  The workshop will be provided by NICA, a national nor for profit arts training institute, primarily funded by the Australian government through the Department of Communications and the Arts.  NICA is the only training institute of its kind in Australia and they are […]

Gordon Gypsies headed to Daylesford this New Years Eve

December 31, 2024

The Gordon Gypsies are a quartet of talented young musos from Gordon, Victoria playing a lively eclectic mix including Gypsy-jazz,  Irish, folk and Middle Eastern melodies. Armed with violin, guitar, tin whistle, harmonica, bodran and vocals they’re aiming to get NYE revellers singing and dancing with their toe-tapping tunes as part of Daylesford’s NYE Parade and Gala event that’s set to see […]

New Year’s Eve parade and gala planned for Daylesford

December 31, 2024

Organisers of this year’s Daylesford NYE parade and gala are urging local groups and businesses to register a float for the parade. The annual December 31st event will offer an evening of excitement and entertainment, starting with the gala from 6-8pm, followed by a parade. The town’s Vincent Street will be transformed into a lively, fun-filled area for all […]

Objector number a focus in planning decision: 18 month trial to start

December 31, 2024

Some changes to the way in which planning applications are dealt with in Hepburn Shire will be trialed for 18 months following a decision by the Hepburn Shire Council. Under pre-existing arrangements planning applications had been dealt with by the council’s planning officers guided by planning frameworks and policy, but have been required to go […]

The cost to repair a vandalised rainbow

December 31, 2024

The cost to clean, repair and repaint the Big Rainbow is $1500. The cost of adding sparkle will not be known until the contractor is available in the New Year.  Vandals recently sprayed graffiti on the Big Rainbow at Daylesford Victoria Park. The well publicised vandalism happened after the Hepburn Shire Council had just had the rainbow refreshed, […]