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Food and organics bins proving handy for Hepburn households

Hepburn shire residents have helped divert an impressive 275 tonnes of composable material from landfill in the first three months since the shire's new food and garden organics household bins started being collected.

Hepburn House extension opening soon

Hepburn House's new, stunning extension, pictured above, is close to completion with inspections happening soon.

Rainbow tick accreditation for Hepburn House

Set amongst the picturesque surroundings of Daylesford, with glorious vistas of the surrounding countryside from almost every window, Hepburn House is serene and welcoming, the perfect place to spend quality years.

Jim Lycett: Residents’ advocate at Hepburn House

It's a job you have to do well. Jim Lycett was an hydraulics engineer with Ansett Airlines - working on the important things like landing gear and brakes - and he loved it.

Jine loving her new role at Hepburn House

JINE Alpuerto has just started in the role of clinical nurse manager at Hepburn House and is already loving the staff and clients.

Hepburn House expansion right on track

Hepburn House’s new building is going ahead in leaps and bounds with the 15-bed memory support unit for people living with dementia on track to be finished by October 31.

Brendan rocking his life at Hepburn House

BRENDAN Dundas is, in his own words, a rock star.

Hepburn House and regional Vic: best ever

Jo Beswick has already led an amazing life but she says moving to the Central Highlands and taking up the position of care manager at Hepburn House are the “best decisions ever."

Hepburn House: a country home

PEOPLE driving past Hepburn House over the past months have watched as a large building has taken shape next door.

Angela loving her life at Hepburn House

ANGELA Rigby is a great advocate for Hepburn House – but her move in March last year was far from planned.

Hepburn House residents out and about

IF YOU think it's been a long 20 months or so, put yourself in the shoes of the residents of Hepburn House.

Ageing (Dis)gracefully at Hepburn House

THE Convent Gallery is proving a popular meeting place for Hepburn House's LGBTIQ initiative Ageing (Dis)gracefully.

Alex loving new work at Hepburn House

Alessandro 'Alex' Micheli moved from Florence, Italy 25 years ago, taking up an IT position in Albury, New South Wales.

Hepburn House: a new beginning for Lillian

Lillian Curtis was born in Birregurra, Victoria, between the Otways and the Surf Coast, on January 22, 1927.

Hepburn Shire achieves big reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

The Hepburn Shire Council has achieved a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the last financial year.

Hepburn shire in top ten for same sex households

The Hepburn Shire Council this month held a flag raising ceremony to celebrate IDAHOBIT Day amid findings that four of the ‘top 10’ localities for Victorian same-sex households are in Hepburn.

FOGO service to start next year, Hepburn households

The Hepburn Shire Council will introduce a weekly kerbside collection of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) for township residents early next year in a move aimed at diverting thousands of tonnes of organic material from landfill

Organics service getting results for Hepburn

The first five months of a food and garden organics service for Hepburn Shire are proving successful, the council is reporting.

EV drivers linger longer at Hepburn

The Hepburn Springs EV charger is so far proving to be the most popular charger in the Hepburn shire, at least for the last financial year.

$134,000 in funding for Hepburn attractions

The local member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas has highlighted funding for two significant projects for the region, as part of the Labor Government’s Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.

Oscar Wilde play reading at the Courthouse, Creswick

Creswick Theatre Company is inviting everyone to get along to its play reading at the Courthouse this Sunday afternoon.

Council plans for the future of Hepburn Shire

The potential rezoning of farm land to residential in East Street, Daylesford, as part of the Future Hepburn draft plans, has raised the ire of many residents in the region, along with the farming family who owns 14 hectares of the land.

Historic Hepburn Springs landmark up for lease

The Hepburn Pavilion and Kiosk, which has operated at the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve since 1908, is up for lease.

Sweet sound of success: Hepburn couple crack global games market

World-wide, some truly remarkable things have come out of the global Covid pandemic and one of them is the meteoric rise to international success of a new part game developed by a Hepburn Springs couple during lockdown.

Paranormal investigation at the Palais, Hepburn

The Palais at Hepburn Springs is delving into its in-house spirits as it prepares to host a Paranormal Investigation with medium later this month.

Healthy ageing project expands in Hepburn shire

A pioneering healthy ageing project in the Hepburn Shire has been expanded to Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick after a successful pilot program in Clunes.

Amy Winehouse Show presented by Atlanta Coogan & the Back To Black Band

Australia’s longest running Amy Winehouse Show, Back to Black, returns to the Palais-Hepburn this Saturday January 27th.

Go solar for less: Hepburn Shire Council urges locals

The Hepburn Shire Council says it's making solar power more accessible to low-income households through the Solar Savers program, which is now in its sixth year.

Hepburn Shire to start new food and organics collection

The Hepburn Shire Council will introduce a weekly kerbside collection of food and garden organics for township residents this year, in a bid to help divert thousands of tonnes of organic material from landfill.

INXS tribute show plays the Palais, Hepburn

INXS fans are headed to The Palais in Hepburn this Saturday night as the local venue hosts the Australian INXS Show.

Glen, about the house…

Hey Glen, I have a batch of healthy young tomato seedlings, almost growing out of their pots. Now the weather has started to warm up, would it be safe to plant them out now? If not, then when? - David, Hepburn

Input invited on Hepburn shire transport future

The Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging its residents to complete a survey on how they travel around the shire and to provide their own ideas for improving local transport options.

Hepburn golf club tees off Friday evenings

As the Central Highlands emerges from winter chill, the Hepburn Golf Club is opening its doors to locals on Friday nights.

Treehouse4Two: retreat for dementia couples

A diagnosis of dementia can be incredibly upsetting, and unfortunately the incidence of this lethal disease is rising across Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires.

Bluehouse headed to The Palais

Bluehouse has earned a reputation for folk pop with grunt.

Whats on this weekend around the Hepburn Shire

Take your weekend plans up a notch with some great ideas to get out & about our region. Flea markets, poetry slams or jazzy nights at a speakeasy - we have the list to make it memorable.

A Treehouse4Two

Central Highlands Rural Health has launched Treehouse4Two, a transformative three-day retreat program for people recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers.

Whar’s on this weekend around Hepburn Shire

Distribution first for Hepburn Energy

Hepburn Energy is set to become Australia’s first energy park on the distribution network with wind turbines and battery storage at Leonards Hill after funding from the federal government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.

Helping low income local households to reach for the sun

The Hepburn Shire Council says it's making solar power more accessible to low-income households through the Solar Savers program.

Hepburn shire releases $59.10 million draft budget for feedback

The Hepburn Shire Council has released its $59.10 million draft budget for 2023-24, which is now open for community feedback.

Not ‘local’ but loving Hepburn

ADAM Ferrier makes the point that he is not a “local” to Hepburn Springs as such, but he does spend most weekends there – taking time out from his base in St Kilda.

Upgrades for Hepburn Golf Club

HEPBURN Springs Golf Club is among eight regional clubs across Victoria to receive major upgrades from state government funding.

Draft budget released by Hepburn Shire Council

Hepburn Shire Council has released its $58.06M draft budget for 2022/2023, which has a total revenue increase of $15.24M or 37 percent on the current budget due to a considerable injection of State and Federal capital grants and stimulus project funding, along with reimbursement of the high costs related to storm recovery.

Group urges Hepburn Council to Rethink The Rex

A GROUP of "concerned citizens" has formed to try to stop the sale of The Rex. Hepburn Shire Council voted in November for the sale, which would mean a loss of up to $6 million in works already done on the former theatre in Vincent Street, Daylesford.

Hepburn Hub project scrapped, Rex for sale

THE controversial Hepburn Hub at The Rex project has been scrapped.

Hepburn Shire’s housing crisis in focus

A GROUP of Hepburn Shire residents is determined to spotlight the issues of the housing crisis in the shire.

Vision for sustainable future for Hepburn Shire

Cr Tim Drylie arrives for his photo shoot in an electric car, which he is using to run test drives as part of the Hepburn Wind EV Bulk Buy. He enthusiastically tells me how he’ll plug it in to the power point when he gets home to recharge it. One of two new councillors for Creswick Ward, he has a vision for a sustainable future for the shire.

Daylesford’s merry men of The Shed

There’s little doubt that the blokes at the Daylesford Men’s Shed could whip up a nifty set of gates, a neat kitchen table or some handy signage.

Memory Lane Unit providing personal care

Chloe Dridan is loving working at Hepburn House's new Memory Lane Unit.

Five women inducted to IWD Honour Roll

A large crowd gathered in Daylesford last Thursday evening to congratulate five new inductees to the International Women's Day (IWD) Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

Max is one in a million

Daylesford stalwart Max Primmer was recognised for his tireless work in the community at the recent Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.

Loving aged care role

Mahilpreet Singh (pictured above) moved to Australia from India in 2020 - just in time for Covid lockdowns.

Legends: Eastoe and Murray drop a new life track

FROM supporting Pink Floyd and featuring on Countdown to doing guitar for The Wiggles, the combined experience of local musos Gilly Eastoe and Terry Murray is the stuff of legend.

Just sayin’…

KYLE was asked an interesting question the other day. Someone was wondering why we cover some festivals/events and not others.

Just disgraceful

In our September 26 edition we let you know what the residents of Hepburn House had been up to. And it's disGraceful.

Just Sayin’

THERE'S been a lot of Black Friday sales going on, online. And that's OK, but with Christmas fast approaching spare a thought for your local businesses.

Ruth leading lady in Ageing DisGracefully

RUTH Irving has come a long way. Raised on a farm at Mollongghip, she is now gracing the front cover of Hepburn House's latest calendar albeit disGracefully!

Amy’s connection with Olivia

WITH the news of the death of Olivia Newton-John last Tuesday, there were many shared tributes and memories.

Santiago, from hospitality to aged care

Santiago Delasa made the move from hospitality to working in aged care at Hepburn House a year ago and couldn't be happier.

Ageing DisGracefully

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome.

Amy turns 103 and celebrates a great life

ATHLETICS legend Amy Burow AM celebrated her 103rd birthday on Monday, May 30.

Ageing DisGracefully

HEPBURN House is taking orders for its 2023 calendar, with the theme of Ageing DisGracefully!

Ageing DisGracefully

IF YOU missed out on last year's Hepburn House movie-inspired calendar, don't fret, the residents are already working on 2023 - and the theme is Ageing DisGracefully!

Industry recognition for The Local

THE Local has been awarded three runner-up awards in the highly-contested 2021 Victorian Country Press Association awards. The awards were announced last Friday, December 3.

Peter Waters: Running his own race

PETER Waters lives by two mottos…never give up and always do your best. Despite living with cerebral palsy and being a wheelchair user, Peter does just that and proudly admits he runs his own race.

Of fish, massive gold and blackberries: Laurie’s world

YARNING with Laurie Mitchell starts with the strange disappearance of the name plaque from the Daylesford Angling Club rooms, moves into decades of fishing contests, diverts into a fabulous gold find, and even makes its way to home building a hand-hewn, earthen-floored miner’s hut.

Kyle’s Rant

IT'S been a scary few months with the bushfires wreaking havoc across the country.

Kyle’s Rant…

The cat is now out of the bag. TL HQ (AKA The Old Glenlyon Primary School) is on the market with rumours and speculation whirring about the future of The Local. (It's all good...)

Creswick prepares for big community garage sale

Creswick residents have already started delving into the depths of their garages and assembling all manner of goodies and curios ahead of the town’s popular community garage sales set for next month.

Stand by: Here come The Blockheads

Daylesford is headed for massive exposure via TV show The Block.

Kyle’s Rant

I am definitely a dog guy. I have had cats in my life but just can’t warm to the claws sticking into me, and they think they are being funny by swiping at your ankles as you walk past.

Town hall feasibility report goes before final council meeting

A report examining the feasibility of housing Daylesford's public library and community multipurpose facilities in the town's historic Town Hall will go before councillors at this month's Hepburn Shire Council meeting.

Nothing to see here, no report from LGI

The Local Government Inspectorate will not take any further action into the investigation of Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex Theatre development - and its report will never be released.

Daylesford gets silver in nation’s top small tourism town awards

Daylesford has scooped silver in the nation's Small Tourism Town Awards announced today.

Big things in store for tiny towns

Some big things are headed to Victoria’s tiniest towns with new support through the state's Tiny Towns Fund set to make some of the smallest communities even better locales to live, work and discover.

Creative practice outside metropolitan life

Hepburn Shire Council has just recently endorsed its first Arts and Culture Strategy with the aim to provide a strategic framework for artists, art organisations, businesses and visitors to ferment a healthy arts culture.

Free local sessions to up-skill scam spotting, tech smarts

Funding from Telstra's Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal is enabling the Hepburn Shire Council to host ongoing free sessions for local residents to learn how to make better use of their devices, stay safe online and improve their tech knowledge.

Hard rubbish collection coming up for Clunes

Clunes residents are being encouraged to start thinking about what items they may like to discard - or instead donate to their nearest tip shop - ahead of the town's annual hard rubbish collection.

Merci beaucoup

Last month's French National Day event held in the Daylesford Town Hall has raised over $5000 for the Daylesford Community Brass Band to purchase new instruments.

The Block finally coming to Daylesford

The Block is heading to Daylesford next year. Executive producer Julian Cress confirmed the Raglan Street site in a statement reported on by 9Entertainment last week.

Local projects win Tiny Town dollars

A number of community-led projects throughout the Hepburn Shire area are set to benefit from the state government's $20 million Tiny Towns Fund.

Real estate market state of play in Highlands

Vendors' expectations need to be adjusted with a drop in property prices after the panic buying and selling of the pandemic.

Pick-up in property sales

New real estate data suggests property sales are on the uptick in the Hepburn shire region property market.

Just sayin’…

OK. By now we all know the Hepburn Shire Council is in a bit of a state financially.

Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize open

Entries for the Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize are now open until Sunday, August 4.

Free living well info events ahead for Daylesford

Central Highland Rural Health has launched a series of community information events as part of its Living and Ageing Well project.

Your say…

Hepburn Shire Council have completed a tremendous task in producing the Future Hepburn Housing Strategy, but they have reached some unnecessary and damaging conclusions.

Your say…

While the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance applauds Hepburn's efforts in the Rural Hepburn Strategy to protect agricultural land from further inappropriate development for so-called lifestyle blocks we assert that the town structure plans as drafted will thwart this intent to the detriment of both valuable farmland and the character and liveability of our shire's towns.

Just sayin’…

It will be interesting. So many people against the idea to turn productive farmland into residential land in East Street, Daylesford, but can they change the Hepburn Shire Council's mind?

Walks of the Central Highlands

‘One day,’ I’d always thought, while driving past the Twin Bridges picnic area on the Midland Highway just out of Daylesford.

The untold story of William Shum: biography of an early influencer

Way before social media influencers were a thing, the way we lived was subtly shaped by talented individuals like colourful yesteryear influencer William Shum.

Lost girls find their way to the Palais this Saturday

The Melbourne pub music scene thrived in the 80s and 90s, a vibrant era marked by the prominent presence of women and lesbian bands.

Out of the bunker, back on the green

To many people, the Hepburn Golf Club is one of the district’s hidden gems. Tucked away off the main road, it’s an oasis for kangaroos as well as those out for a bit of a hit in the open air.

TRATA plans for former railway station

In the second half of the 19th century Trentham was a major hub for timber production, much of which went underground supporting the tunnels excavated at mines in nearby Daylesford.

Transition Clunes to hold clothing swap event

Newly formed local group, Transition Clunes, is preparing to hold its very first public event this month – a women’s clothing swap.

Tougher times impacting property sales

The cost of living is cutting into demand for property locally and further afield, the latest real estate trends indicate.

Luoda to play the Palais

Luoda is their original music to Victoria’s beautiful Spa Country for the first time, playing songs from their debut album “Running Out of Time” as well as some new music to be recorded this year.

The magic of CresFest

There will be an element of magic in the air at Creswick this CresFest.

Countdown to CresFest…

CresFest 2024 will be the third time around for the small Goldfields community of Creswick.

Sustainable Day Out coming up soon

The Hepburn Shire Council is preparing to host the Sustainable Hepburn Day Out at Daylesford's Victoria Park on Saturday March 16.

Mind Your Pet closes its doors on an era

After 18 years Rob Hands and Annie Reeve have stepped away from their Mind Your Pet business in Daylesford.

Kerbside food and garden organics service starts April

Kerbside bin collection is set to change in townships in Hepburn Shire with the introduction of a weekly food and garden organics service (also called FOGO) from Monday April 8.

Council awards for citizens and events

Creswick's Neville Cartledge OAM and Pat Tacey have shared the top honour and jointly been named Hepburn Shire Citizen of the Year.

Karise Eden to play The Palais

Shooting to fame at the age of 19 with a viral audition video that now has over 50 million views on YouTube, Karise Eden has arguably one of Australia’s most distinctive voices, with two ARIA Awards, gold and platinum records and multiple Top 5 positions in the ARIA and AIR charts.

Teaching the next generation: Returning the Fourth Bark Petition to Country

In 1962 my husband Malcolm Bray went to Yirrkala Mission in Northern Territory to work as a mechanic. I joined him three years later. We learnt the local Aboriginal language, and would often go to listen to the singing, the didgeridoo and the clapsticks in the evenings, and loved going out on Country with the Yolngu people.

Local progress toward shift from fossil fuels

Last financial year saw a further 18% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from Hepburn Shire Council operations, and good progress on community-wide emissions, the council has reported in the latest edition of its Sustainable Hepburn newsletter.

Council awards major contracts

The Hepburn Shire Council has awarded several major contracts at its December meeting held last week.

Beginning to look like Christmas

Christmas is coming, and so are the outfits, decorations and trees. The Local caught up with a few of those making the most of the silly season.

Studio 54 Revisited: Palais hosting NYE dance party

Second Hand News, the band that presented three sell out shows (Fleetwood Mac & Kate Bush) are promising to bring "one hell of a New Year's Eve party" to The Palais, with a specially curated night of solid gold Studio 54 dance floor hits.

Sweet Monas at the Palais

The Sweet Mona’s Choir is headed to The Palais, Hepburn for a special pre-Christmas performance happening next Saturday, December 9.

Shopping Bus for Christmas

In the Hepburn Shire's recent Transport Survey at least 75% of people who responded said their lives would be improved with access to better transport.

Vale Tim Hayes

Tim Hayes was a community leader and internationalist who rejuvenated the township of Clunes and saw its population double.

Responsible building on bush blocks

In a region such as the Central Highlands, the natural environment is what attracts people to this area, it sustains our tourism industry and by extension, the real estate market as people seek a more permanent escape from the city.

Ciao baby! What a Festa

Locals and visitors celebrated the Hepburn region's Swiss Italian heritage over the weekend with a bumper turn-out for the Swiss Italian Festa.

Kyle’s Rant…

The TV show “The Block” maybe coming to the Daylesford township, or at least it was coming to town until a few objectors, climbed onboard the “Leave our pretty town alone” train and stopped it in its tracks.

Artists of the Central Highlands

Long established artist and observing Jew, Daylesford’s Bill Meyer can name a multitude of diverse career highlights. They range from a painting commission for the Werdiger family...

Creswick Community Garage Sales ’23

Numerous garage sales, all over Creswick and surrounding districts will be held on Saturday, 21st October from 8am. This is an annual event for the Creswick Aquatic Centre campaign.

Daylesford planning application understood to be for ‘The Block’

A planning application for five houses at 1 Raglan Street, Daylesford, understood to be for television show The Block, will go before Hepburn Shire Council at its October 17 meeting.

Daylesford Rotary celebrates 70 years of giving

It’s been 70 great years of doing good deeds in the community – and beyond - for Daylesford Rotary and right now this longstanding local service club is getting set to celebrate in style.

Locals encouraged to help cut big food waste, curb emissions

The average household in Victoria throws away $2600 worth of food a year. Food that ends up in landfill creates harmful greenhouse gases.

Alternative sport and active recreation site proposed for Clunes

Draft masterplans released for Queens and Pioneer Parks in Clunes: feedback sought

The Hepburn Shire Council has released draft masterplans for Queens Park and Pioneer Park in Clunes and is inviting the community to have a say on the future direction of these important community sites.

What’s on this weekend

What's on arounf the Hepburn Shire

Regional Victoria feeling housing shortage pressure

Shaye Topaz was five months pregnant when she was given notice by her landlord.

Rate notices hit local letter boxes

Ratepayers in Hepburn Shire have begun receiving their rates notices over recent days.

Vale Graeme Johnstone 18.01.1946 – 30.07.2023

The central Victorian goldfields township of Clunes is mourning the loss of community stalwart, Graeme Johnstone.

Just sayin’…

OK. THIS is my last instalment on aged care provider Benetas. Well, for a bit.

The Block in Daylesford?

A PLANNING application for five dwellings at 1 Raglan Street, Daylesford, has people wondering if it is the site of next year’s series of television show The Block.

The Old Heppy to become someone’s home

LOVED by many for its music, eccentricity and atmosphere, the Old Hepburn Hotel upset many locals when the taps were turned off and doors shut three years ago.

Good grub – gratis – beats the belly rumbles

Potato and bacon soup, baked ham with roast seasonal veg, piping hot apple and rhubarb pie with cream... I could be at a cafe, pub or restaurant – or a good friend’s place about to be fed. But no I’m in the Uniting Church Hall on a Thursday surrounded by the Good Grub Club’s good deeds in action... and it’s all pretty yummo.

Long walk to leave limbo

Keep an eye out and you may just spot him hiking along the chilly, muddy Hepburn Shire roads this week.

Like a good wine: ageing well project launches

They're a fairly fiesty and active lot out Clunes' way ... and they plan to stay that way. The little goldfields town's local neighbourhood house, the local Attitude - Ageing Well in Clunes group, and the Central Highlands Rural Health have formed a pioneering partnership aimed at ensuring locals' more mature years are among the best they've ever had.

Just sayin’…

I have run a couple of briefs, back on page 11 (of the latest hard copy edition of The Local) if you want a look, about a positive ageing expo and another program called Living and Ageing Well in Hepburn. As in Hepburn Shire.

Blood orange brings music plus laughs to The Palais

After two years of award winning comedy dealing with the personal and global effects of COVID 19, Paul McDermott + 1 return with their new show Blood Orange.

What’s on this weekend

Booked: council launches new system for booking its venues

Booking a council-managed venue to hold an event within the in Hepburn shire has become easier to do following this month's launch of a new booking system, the council says.

Veteran road warrior Mosley to play the Palais

Veteran road warrior Bret Mosley plays the Palais, Hepburn on Friday August 4.

Grand old hall restored to former grandeur

The Creswick Town Hall is back to its former grandeur and ready to reopen to visitors and locals.

Playful blend of jazz, swing, blues and boogie

Bringing a playful blend of jazz, swing, blues and boogie infused vintage party tune, the inimitable Shuffle Club return to Palais Hepburn on Saturday night, July 15.

Double shot of blues at the Palais

Hepburn Palais and I Love it Live are getting set to present a special Double Shot of Blues event, featuring two of Melbourne’s leading blues acts coming up at the local venue on Friday July 7.

Australian Doors Tribute Show at the Palais

Whiskey a Go Go June 1966…. The Doors hit the stage with energy, and electricity bringing the room to a fever pitch. Jim Morrison announces the show … Is everybody in? The ceremony is about to begin…

Being seen … for a career in ophthalmology

DR SANDRA Staffieri has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine as an orthoptist and vision researcher, and to paediatric ophthalmology.

King’s Birthday honour for Anneke Deutsch

DAYLESFORD’S Anneke Deutsch has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

Council’s draft Affordable Housing Strategy out for public response

The Hepburn Shire Council has released its draft Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan which aims to help address the many challenges of meeting housing needs in the shire.

Service to medicine recognised

Dr Sandra Staffieri has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine as an orthoptist and vision researcher, and to paediatric ophthalmology.

Award for community service

Daylesford’s Anneke Deutsch has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

Greater purpose in growing clean, healthy food

WHEN Edward Benedict lived in a bedsit in East Melbourne, his neighbours called him The Farmer. He had a small patch opposite the MCG, where his veggies grew and grew and grew.

A little help to de-tox the home, free event at Daylesford

Hepburn shire locals are about to get a little help and added incentive to clean out those unwanted household chemicals from their sheds, cupboards and under their sinks and dispose of them safely at Sustainability Victoria’s free Detox your Home event.

Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize launched

The 2023 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize has been launched by Holmgren Design with a major prize of $1000.

Daylesford Foundation lends helping hand

BACKED by a scholarship from the Daylesford Foundation, Hepburn resident 19-year-old Lucinda Lowe had the stress removed from her travel equation as she tackled a double diploma course last year.

Creswick EV: No movement at the station

Two months after it was scheduled for activation the new public EV charge station at Creswick remains yet to be activated.

Old friends realise dream of a Good Friday at the Palais

Inner Melbourne original jazz stalwarts, the Reg Cole Quartet, are realising a decades-old dream in playing their original music at the historic Palais- Hepburn on Good Friday.

Free fashion for those in need of fine threads

IT'S been said that “clothes maketh the man” – and there’s little doubt that applies for women as well. But sometimes obtaining snappy threads, so essential to making a vital good first impression, is easier said than done. That’s where Thread Together comes in...

The craft of photography in the 21st Century

PHOTOGRAPHY in the 21st Century is a remarkably easy medium to engage with. Every phone has a camera and digital technology, including editing and digital filters which can generate results that satisfy most people.

EV bulk buy set to launch at Malsbury

If you've ever thought about ditching your climate-change fueling petrol guzzler for an electric vehicle then now might be the time to make it happen with an EV Bulk Buy scheme set to launch in Malmsbury at the Malmsbury EV Expo on 15 April.

Coffee? You’ll love Daylesford’s Brew Jays!

IF you like a good brew...Espresso, filter, pour over, batch or cold brew. If you like your coffee you’ll love Daylesford’s Brew Jays. This new kid on the block...

Repair café diverts half a tonne from landfill

DAYLESFORD'S Repair Café is alive and kicking after hiccups caused by Covid. Over the past 12 months the café has stopped almost half a tonne (482kgs) of household items from ending up in landfill.

Community batteries…the potentials and pitfalls

COMMUNITY groups keen to get their own community battery, fed by clean renewable energy, up and going need to make sure they know their stuff first.

Another go to grab the $250 power saving bonus

Local households in Hepburn shire and surrounds will be able to access a new round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus within weeks, as the state government drives down the cost of living across the state.

Kyle’s Rant

IF YOU are sick of people bagging the Hepburn Shire Council then it’s time for you to turn the page. For the rest of you I have a tale to tell that will have you saying “that would be right” under a slow, shallow exhale.

Grassfire threatens homes: fire risk remains

Several houses were threatened when a grassfire broke out on Mount Glasgow near Clunes on the border of Hepburn and Central Goldfields shires ...

Grab a free RAT

Hepburn Shire locals are among Victorians now able to pick up two free packets of RATs through their local council to help with early detection and treatment of Covid-19.

Just sayin’…

IT'S the start of a new year, well just past the start, but there are a few things which seem to linger longer - and I have been thinking about them.

A stitch in time: the Textile Palette Exhibition’s back

If you’re a nifty needleworker with a talent for textiles then the Clunes organisers of this year’s Textile Palette Exhibition want to hear from you.

Compliments to chef Lizzy at The Savoia

THE Savoia Hotel in Hepburn Springs has been a fixture of the region for 150 years in some form, or name, or another.

Driving down emissions

ELECTRIC vehicle owners are keenly watching to see when the newly installed charge station at Creswick will come online.

Zac Anthony does the SupperClub

Zac Anthony has been performing on stages around the globe for over 20 years as the front person and songwriter for The Wellingtons.

Brian Mannix and The Androids headed to The Palais

Pop-punk legend Brian Mannix and The Androids are preparing to play The Palais at Hepburn Springs on Saturday February 1

Your Say: Short stay accommodation

In May 2022, I wrote to The Local – Edition 256 – detailing the many issues relating to short stay accommodation within the Hepburn Shire.

The Rex: a few questions

Who are the Comellis and the Bromleys?

Alex Lloyd: ‘live and amazing’ at the Palais

Alex Lloyd is getting set to return to the stage at The Palais, Hepburn with his 'Live & Amazing' tour, next Friday January 27.

Civic recognition for Danny’s tireless work

In our February 14, 2022 edition we reported on volunteer extraordinaire Danny Moynihan and his appointment as Hepburn Shire's 2022 Citizen ofthe Year.

DUD: Risk to iconic natural mineral water too high

GOLD mining caused great harm to the mineral spring water supply in Hepburn Shire from late 1910. And now a growing number of residents in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are anxious at the risk any new deep gold mining creates for this unique underground mineral water aquifer.

Ageing with attitude and maturing in place

THEIR parents may have been okay with becoming senior citizens, but as they move beyond a certain age, today’s baby boomers and the first of Gen X behind them - not so much.

Wait a minute – 2023? What happened to 2022?

KEEN-eyed readers of this paragon of print media that you hold in your hands at this moment might have noticed that its United States correspondent hasn’t been contributing much news over the past several months, and many, perhaps, have even asked themselves, “why?” Which could have led to the follow-up query: “who cares?”

Kyle’s Rant

WE HAVE an amazing collection of towns and villages here in the Central Highlands of Victoria, each having their own unique history and vibe.

Functional pieces with an earthy aesthetic

IF YOU'VE ever encountered the term wabi-sabi while exploring Japanese spiritual or aesthetic philosophy you will have a bit of an insight into the style of Clunes ceramicist Chandra Paul.

Defibrillator signage for Clunes, a state first

CLUNES has achieved a state first, getting public signposts installed to highlight the location of every public defibrillator in the town.

Legally blind – but you wouldn’t know it: public events to promote awareness

The Hepburn Shire Council is hosting three events to celebrate International Day of People with Disability in partnership with its Disability Advisory Committee.

Keele’s work in exhibition at Radius Gallery

Artist Keele Breen is holding a new exhibition at Radius Gallery in Hepburn Springs.

RDA providing riding techniques for
physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities

Daylesford’s Riding for the Disabled is always looking for volunteers – and loves those it already has.

Mark the date: December 5 is a significant day

INTERNATIONAL Volunteer Day is held annually on December 5 to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world.

Council seeks bright ideas to help solve the affordable housing crunch

Hepburn Shire Council is inviting the community to come forward with any bright ideas or insights to help increase affordable housing across the shire.

Two Daylesford restaurants score the double chefs hat gong

Daylesford's Kadota and the town's Lake House have both taken out two chef's hats accolades in the newly announced Age Good Food Guide Awards 2023.

Go Local Clunes

Home or gardenware gifts, ethically-produced meats, the freshest fruits and veggies, your pick of great coffee, a pot & parma and so much more. It’s time to remind ourselves of the value of buying local.

Council help to recover from storm damage

A recovery centre has been opened in Creswick for residents to attend and report storm damage, with council help also available for storm-impacted Clunes locals at The Warehouse.

Truckin’ good Burras honour leader ‘Dools

ONLY 54 life memberships have been awarded by the Hepburn Football and Netball Club in a century and a half. And the Burras, famously built on truck raffles, fittingly rewarded a recent president who runs a trucking firm.

From the Mayor Cr Tim Drylie

Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Tim Drylie, who represents Creswick Ward, the most affected area, said the community, council and agencies had come together in an "amazing effort" in response to the October floods.

A Feast of Music

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra’s A Feast of Music festival is returning to Daylesford for the first time in three years, after the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 festivals.

Have your say on pets

Do you have a dog or cat, or want to have a say on how pets are managed in Hepburn Shire? Council’s draft Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) is now open for feedback.

Council supports community compost

Hepburn Shire Council is dedicated to keeping waste and valuable resources out of landfill, and is supporting residents on their low waste journey by offering subsidised compost bins to give a new life to food scraps and garden waste. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about composting at an upcoming workshop.

Spotlight on homelessness with Narelle Groenhout

‘LET’S go far – together.’ There’s an African proverb that resonates across our local towns. “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Subdivision at Raglan

Smith Development Partnerships has put in a planning application to the Hepburn Shire Council for a housing subdivision at 9 Raglan Street, Daylesford.

The Rex now for sale to the highest bidder

HEPBURN Shire Council will sell The Rex building to the highest bidder despite 66 per cent of survey respondents being against the move.

Sell The Rex: Council

Hepburn Matters is calling on the Hepburn Shire Council to hold off on any decision to sell The Rex until the end of November and “commit in principle to a co-design process between the council and community, to explore and reach mutually satisfactory outcomes”.

End of an era for Peter

An advert in the local paper - and his wife’s avid reading - led Peter Matthews to the Board of Kyneton District Health. After almost a decade as a board director, including a long stint as board chair, the Woodend local is stepping down from the now Central Highlands Rural Health.

Venie Poetry Prize

The 2022 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize, in partnership with Rabbit, a journal for nonfiction poetry, has been launched.

Community batteries

Hepburn Shire residents and businesses can now have their say about community batteries.

Draft strategy up for comment

Council has released the draft Sustainable Hepburn strategy to the community for feedback. Sustainable Hepburn 2022-26 will be Council’s updated commitment to environmental sustainability and has been developed with the community over the past eight months.

Clunes Writers’ Group launches anthology

CLUNES Writers’ Group has published Unmasked: An Anthology. Convenor Patsy Skinner said the book was started two years ago, with the idea that masks and restrictions would be a thing of the past within a year.

Creswick residents remain out of homes

FEAR and dissatisfaction continue to affect Creswick residents five months after the January 6 storm.

Zelman in Daylesford

THE Zelman Concert will be held at Daylesford Town Hall on Sunday, June 19 - but who or what was Zelman?

Viva! A precious slice of Italy is born again

THE year 1859 was amazing. Among inventions patented that year were the paper bag, electric range, lifts and rechargeable batteries. A Tale of Two Cities was published by Charles Dickens, as was Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Big Ben began ticking in London and the French acrobat Blondin crossed Niagara Falls.

Just briefly

Organisations in Hepburn Shire have shared $23,000 under the latest round of the council’s Community Grants Program.

Cecilia living her best life in Daylesford

THE Central Highlands are familiar territory for Cecilia Macaulay. Her grandfather lived and farmed in East Trentham and her sister is in Kyneton.

The future is now, local tells uni students

STAYING home during the pandemic has meant a quiet revolution. For Daylesford’s Craig Mutton it changed a lot, including his job.

‘Mortar-fied’: no council cash for old gun

WORLD War I lasted four years. Paul Dwyer has spent that much time trying unsuccessfully to restore an historic weapon from that conflict that is rusting away in Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens.

Simple, easy, power

GENERATORS have been lifesavers in the Central Highlands over the past few years as the electricity grid reliability has deteriorated, culminating in the period after the 2021 storms where many people were without power for days.

Full of energy

Hepburn Energy’s Impact Fund has provided $10,287 to help six Hepburn Shire schools save energy and emissions with demand management and education.

Rallies to Stop AusNet

TRACTORS rumbled through Melbourne last Tuesday, March 8, as hundreds gathered to protest at Parliament House against 85-metre high towers planned to cross valuable farmland and destroy pristine vistas in Hepburn Shire and beyond.

Schools saving energy and emissions

Hepburn Energy’s Impact Fund has provided $10,287 to help six Hepburn Shire schools save energy and emissions with demand management and education.

All things botanical

JOHN Beetham is a pretty laid-back bloke but don’t get between him and a rare tree, or a garden in need of a design hand.

Repair Cafe heads to Glenlyon

THE Daylesford Repair Cafe is heading to Glenlyon and joining up with Hepburn Seed Savers. The two groups will be at the old CFA building, behind the Glenlyon Hall on Sunday, February 20 from 1pm to 4pm.

Final say on solar farm

THE decision on whether eight hectares of industrial solar panels will be placed at Leonards Hill will be made by DELWP some time after February 14.

Civic recognition for Danny’s tireless work

“YOU don’t look for appreciation, but I suppose it’s nice when it comes your way.”

Civic ceremony

HEPBURN Shire Council hosted its annual Australia Day Eve to welcome new citizens and announce community award winners.

New citizens and community awards

HEPBURN Shire Council hosted its annual Australia Day Eve to welcome new citizens and announce community award winners.

Storm and Flood Recovery Support

Support is still available for residents affected by the storms and floods that impacted homes and businesses across Victoria in June 2021, and financial counsellors are urging residents to put their hands up for assistance.

Administrator should replace council – petition

A PETITION is circulating asking for the Minister for Local Government to replace Hepburn Shire Council with an administrator.

New custodians for Wombat Park

DAYLESFORD couple Tony De Marco and Theresa Albioli have bought the historic Wombat Park homestead and estate at auction.

FREE GREEN WASTE DISPOSAL WITH A SMILE

Residents in Hepburn Shire Council can dispose of green waste for free at transfer stations in Daylesford, Creswick and Trentham throughout November. When you drop off your green waste, one of the friendly faces you may see is attendant Clem Nemeth.

Stories of the Storm

SANDY Scheltema's Stories of the Storm series is supported by Hepburn Shire Council, Trentham & Districts Community Bank and the Trentham Lions Club. The series showcases stories of courage, tenacity, bravery and resilience within the community from people who experienced the terrifying storm of June 10, 2021.

The Good Grub Club: Sharing food and love

WE MIGHT be seen as the wellness, spa and foodie capital of Victoria, but behind closed doors many people continue to be supported each week thanks to the efforts of Daylesford's Good Grub Club volunteers and community support.

Stories of the Storm

Affordable housing snub

HEPBURN Shire has been left off the preference list for the state government's four-year $5.3 billion Big Housing Build which calls on developers and landowners in regional Victoria to put forward any developments or vacant land that could be turned into social or affordable housing.

Stories of the Storm

SANDY Scheltema's Stories of the Storm series is supported by Hepburn Shire Council, Trentham & Districts Community Bank and the Trentham Lions Club. The series aims to showcase stories of courage, tenacity, bravery and resilience within the community from people who experienced the terrifying storm of June 10, 2021.

Joe Camilleri: Country life, music and gardens

HE IS one of Australia’s favourite rockers, an ARIA Hall of Famer and together with The Black Sorrows he’s sold more than two million albums.

Stories of the Storm

The Last Word: Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club

HELEN Jenkin joined the Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club as a player in 1967, before becoming secretary the following year, holding the position until 1970. She was also president for two years from 1987 and started running the juniors for 10 years from 1997.

Housing policy but no quick fix on cards

HEPBURN Shire Council has included funding for a strategic plan into an affordable housing policy in its June budget but there will be no quick fix.

Communities rally together after the storm

THE great storm of June 9/10 will go down in history as one of the most devastating events in the Central Highlands. Thousands of trees came down, crashing onto homes, cars, sheds, fences and powerlines. More continue to fall as people deal with the aftermath and the clean-up.

Cinema frustration

THE Daylesford Cinema Committee is "frustrated, bitterly disappointed and gobsmacked" that plans for the Hepburn Hub at The Rex are being revisited by Hepburn Shire Council, with the project now being workshopped by councillors.

Creating BOOM in Clunes to avoid a bust

THERE is something truly special about living in a smaller community. The sense of connectedness, caring and support, in good times and in bad, continues to live on in smaller communities across Australia, and it’s seen every day across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires.

European wasps on the wane, or are they?

ONE of the more pleasant things about autumn, once the crowds have evaporated after ChillOut, is taking advantage of the remaining few weeks of daylight saving to head into town in the cool of the evening for a wander.

The life and times of our Swiss Italian settlers

How Basil brewed a golden beauty

LYONVILLE'S Basil Eliades was on a break down the coast when a thought struck him. Why not, he pondered, enter my vodka in an international competition. Hundreds of kilometres away at home, his wife Jane was thinking the same.

Plenty of attitude for those ageing in Clunes

THE Clunes Senior Citizens Centre in Fraser Street had been central to the needs of its older residents since the early 1970s. Sadly 2020 and the restrictions on social gatherings brought about the dissolution of the centre and a 50-year chapter of community history came to a close. The building, with its range of meeting rooms suitable for a whole range of intellectual, physical and artistic pursuits lay empty and silent.

Uncovering Lauriston’s history

THE hamlet of Lauriston, nestled in the Coliban Valley between Drummond and Kyneton, boasts around 235 residents. It is a figure, give or take a dozen people, that has remained unchanged since World War I.

Why not everyone’s a fan of a solar farm

IT’S hard to find anyone today who is not in agreement about the need to find alternative replacements to fossil fuels. A recent poll by the Lowy Institute found 84 per cent of Australians believe that governments should increase investment in this area.

Joan looks back on sowing her wild Oates

THE many friends of Joan Oates remark on her capacity to respond to life with grit and determination. She is seen as a shining example of independence and strength, with a wonderful, sometimes wicked, sense of humour and a sharp, observant mind.

Local Lines

Back tracking

Pandemic has brought people back to reality: Don

CR DON Henderson asks to meet me at Caleembeen Park. He proudly tells me he was recently successful in achieving funding after lobbying for 12 years for upgrades at the popular swimming spot, including making it more accessible for those with disabilities.

Welcome to Dollywood

IT’S no secret that Daylesford and the wider region is a destination of choice for many in the public eye. Some say it’s because they can enjoy privacy. For others it’s a place to blend in with the locals and tourists alike.

Volunteering role leads to Clunes councillor move

COUNCILLOR Tessa Halliday’s infectious smile lights up her face as many locals driving past slow down to wave and chat.

Swiss Italian Festa back on track for 2021

FORMER Australian House of Representatives speaker and Swiss Italian descendant, Anna Burke, has been appointed patron of Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa. The Festa, like most events, has been cancelled for this year but the committee is already busy working on its return in 2021.