November 7th, 2026Just briefly…
The state government will invest $7.8 million to upgrade Daylesford Aged Care through Central Highlands Rural Health.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas made the announcement on her Facebook page saying the funding is part of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), which gives rural and regional health services the opportunity to put forward their priorities for the upgrades their communities need. The funding will go to Daylesford Aged Care to deliver dementia-friendly, home-like living environments including dining, quiet spaces and safe outdoor areas.
Hepburn Shire Council has awarded three contracts to improve road infrastructure and safety.
Stanbridge Street and Central Springs Road in Daylesford will receive safety upgrades after a tender was awarded for almost $1 million of improvement works. The council also awarded a contract for around 15,500 tonnes of gravel material to deliver its annual gravel resheet program across 15km of the council’s unsealed road network. The final contract was to replace the council’s 2015 Isuzu tipper truck.
Victoria is expanding its network of AI-powered bushfire cameras, using advanced technology to detect fires earlier and help keep communities safer.
The $3.8 million project is jointly funded with Hancock Victorian Plantations and Green Triangle Fire Alliance. Using AI, the cameras provide a 24-hour digital lookout, scanning the landscape for signs of smoke and fire and flagging potential fires for further checking. The network will provide coverage across more than 1.4 million hectares of land, including 211,000 hectares of plantation. More than 85 per cent of the monitored area is non-plantation land, providing early bushfire detection for nearby regional communities.
Applications are now open for the Victorian Rural Women’s Network 2026/27 Leadership and Mentoring Program.
Participants in the 2026/27 program will receive mentoring and leadership training from experienced industry and government leaders, helping them to build their leadership capability and strengthen their contribution to decision-making across Victoria’s agriculture sector and rural communities. Costs are covered for each participant, including a bursary towards accommodation, childcare, and travel in acknowledgement of the financial barriers that prevent many women from participating in leadership programs. Link: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/rural-womens-network The reboot of McLeod’s Daughters will be filmed in regional Victoria and produced by Werner Film Productions.
The series will film almost entirely in regional Victoria, showcasing local landscapes, communities and culture. VicScreen is calling on communities to submit images of their film-friendly towns as the search for locations begins. The original McLeod’s Daughters was filmed in South Australia, ran for eight seasons and 224 episodes, and was broadcast in over 100 countries.
Long-standing Hepburn Shire Cr Don Henderson has been awarded the Mayor Emeritus title from the Municipal Association of Victoria for his long-standing service to the community and three terms as Mayor of the Hepburn Shire.
The award was announced at the 2026 Councillor Service Awards dinner, held in Melbourne on October 22. Serving as Deputy Mayor in 2012-2013, Cr Henderson was then elected Mayor in 2013-2014, 2018-2019, and 2024-2025 at the annual elections. Cr Henderson said he was extremely honoured to receive the award. “The opportunity to be a councillor has led to great fulfilment, and the chance to be part of a team that has made a difference cannot be underestimated. In my time I have adopted a view of doing my best for those least able to represent themselves and have a voice. Time spent with many young people has enriched my own life and I hope I have had a positive influence upon them. The protection of the rights of women and children has also been a huge focus and will continue.”
