The West End’s award-winning contemporary musical & Juliet will make its Australian premiere in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre in February next year.

Melbourne has secured the hit musical in only its third ever production worldwide.
Featuring the music of legendary pop songwriter Max Martin and with a book by the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt’s Creek, David West Read, & Juliet tells a version of Romeo and Juliet in which Juliet doesn’t die but chooses her own fate.
The musical features iconic hits from Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, The Weeknd and Kelly Clarkson, accompanied by electrifying choreography.
& Juliet first premiered in London’s West End in November 2019 to critical acclaim and has experienced strong box office sales since reopening in September 2021.
Melbourne will be the third destination after London and Toronto to host this feel-good new musical, providing strong incentive for people to travel from interstate to see the show and explore everything else on offer in the city.
Securing the Australian premiere of & Juliet continues a run of theatrical triumphs for Melbourne. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child recently become the first stage play in Australian history to sell more than one million tickets.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical received stellar reviews and a string of sold out shows, resulting in the production announcing it would return to Melbourne from August 2023.

The village of Mount Macedon has been announced a finalist in the prestigious 2022 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards and needs your vote to win the crown!
Eighteen towns were chosen as finalists from thirty nominated destinations, with Mount Macedon named in the Top Tiny Tourism Town category in recognition of the fantastic nature-based experiences Macedon Regional Park and nearby Hanging Rock provide visitors year-round.
Macedon Ranges Accommodation Association (MRAA) President Andrew Towner said he is very excited that the Macedon Ranges has been recognised in the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards and called on locals to show shire-wide pride and vote for Mount Macedon in the public vote which accounts for 25 per cent of the overall score.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said the nomination was fantastic news as tourism businesses are only just starting to recover from a tough two years and awards such as these create a natural flow-on effect of visitation to the region.
“An increase in visitors would be a welcome boost to our local economy with both day trippers and those taking extended stays eating, drinking and shopping while exploring Mount Macedon and surrounding villages,” she said.
The Macedon Ranges community can show its support for our region’s tourism industry and Macedon Ranges businesses by voting for Mount Macedon as your favourite Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town at www.vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/.
Voting closes 31 May and all entrants go into the draw to win ‘one perfect Melbourne weekend’ for two sponsored by Time Out and Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.
Victorian winners in each category will go on to represent the state at the national awards where they have the opportunity to be crowned as one of Australia’s Top Tourism Towns.
An inspirational two-day itinerary to experience the town and its surrounds, along with a promotional video, was submitted as part of the award process and can be viewed at
www.visitmacedonranges.com/itineraries/mount-macedon-nature-escape/

The bid to save the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot has been boosted.

The first of 36 Orange-bellied Parrots were released over two locations, as part of a successful five-year program to add captive-bred birds to the wild population and give them a better chance of survival.
The birds released from Lake Connewarre and Western Port Bay join 100 Orange-bellied Parrots now part of the wild flock, previously let go from Victorian sites in the Mainland Release Trial.
Supported by the success of the trial, this autumn will see the largest flock of Orange-bellied Parrots migrate to Victoria in 15 years, with over 140 expected to fly north from their Tasmanian breeding grounds.
The Orange-bellied Parrots have also benefited from a successful breeding season in the wild, combined with large-scale releases of captive-bred birds at the Tasmanian site in spring and late summer.
The species has gone from being at imminent risk of extinction, with only 50 birds left in the wild in 2017, to a 15-year high thanks to the trial and broader conservation efforts.

The state government is serving up more jobs supporting hospitality venues and tourism in regional
Victoria.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford has announced a $6 million initiative which will provide 240 jobseekers with hospitality and tourism traineeships to help address workforce shortages across the state.
Trainees will receive 12-months of secure employment, undertaking placements across regional businesses, while completing a Certificate III in Hospitality or Tourism.
To attract staff, trainees will be paid a wage supplement up to $10,000 above the relevant industry award over the 12-month period.
They will also receive one-on-one mentoring in the lead up to the traineeship and while on the job.
Roles will be prioritised for women over 45, people under 25, Aboriginal Victorians and people who are long-term unemployed.
The initiative will roll out across regional Victoria with a focus on the hospitality and tourism centres of the South Coast, Geelong, Colac, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Mildura and Gippsland between now and mid-2023.
The program is supported by the $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund, which is creating 10,000 steady and secure jobs for those most impacted by the pandemic.
People looking for work can register for the Jobs Victoria Online Hub and explore a range of other free employment support services on offer by visiting www.jobs.vic.gov.au.

The state government is supporting creatives and businesses to deliver more affordable and accessible workspaces, developing a stronger and more sustainable creative sector.

Labor Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford has invited local creatives to apply for the Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program, which will provide grants for infrastructure upgrades that enable creatives to develop and present their work in improved, affordable and accessible workspaces.

Supporting creatives to grow their careers and businesses, the program supports small to medium capital works, digital infrastructure upgrades as well as equipment purchases and installation.

Availability of safe and accessible workplaces will be increased with the program supporting refurbishment and renovation of existing spaces, in addition to support for the creation of new fit-for-purpose creative spaces.

It will help meet industry demand for appropriate and affordable workspaces, an issue that has been amplified by the impacts of the pandemic.

Now open for applications, the program has three streams:

• First Peoples stream, for First Peoples creative entities with grants available from $5,000 to $150,000.
• Small grants stream, with grants available from $5,000 to $74,999 for projects such as minor refurbishments or fit-outs to adapt spaces for creative use.
• Large grants stream, with grants available from $75,000 to $150,000 for more significant infrastructure projects.

The program is part of Creative State 2025 – the Labor Government strategy to support the recovery and growth of Victoria’s creative industries.

Applications for the Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program close on Thursday, 2 June 2022.

For more information and eligibility requirements, visit the Creative Victoria website at creative.vic.gov.au.

The state’s lamb producers are strengthening international exports to new and established markets while supporting jobs.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas attended a cooking masterclass as part of the 2022 ‘Lambassador’ program and met with 30 international chefs who are in Melbourne to undertake a ‘paddock to plate’ workshop as part of the initiative.
The leading chefs will spend the week learning about Victorian lamb and the state’s producers, inspiring them to create their own signature dishes and promote Victorian lamb when they return home.
The Lambassador program is delivered by Meat and Livestock Australia with support from a $2.5 million grant from the state government’s Global Victoria’s Export Recovery Fund and Agriculture Victoria’s Food to Market program.

Having operated virtually during the pandemic, the return of the in-person program will see the group travel to regional Victoria to see where Victorian lamb is farmed, learn more about how it is produced, discover new cooking techniques and experience some of the state’s best food and wine.
The ‘Lambassador’ program began in Japan and will now be expanded to new regions including South East Asia, the Middle East and North America over the next two years.

Regional Victorians can look forward to extra road lanes, a new rail bridge and more level crossings gone for good as work heats up on Victoria’s Big Build this winter.
In Geelong, a three-week construction blitz will close the intersection at Barwon Heads Road and Breakwater Road at Belmont to most traffic from June 17. Crews will work around the clock to raise the entire intersection by up to a metre to help prevent future flooding. Motorists are urged to plan ahead with delays up to 20 minutes expected.
Work continues to build two new lanes on Barwon Heads Road closing the northbound lane between Breakwater and Settlement Roads from 27 May to 17 June. This will allow crews to carry out these complex works quickly and safely.
A number of Barwon Water pipes will be relocated and upgraded as early works on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication ramp up in preparation to start track work later this year. The project will mean more services and better reliability on the Geelong Line.
In the north, work to improve train detection technology at 10 level crossings between Eaglehawk and Bendigo on the Swan Hill Line and early works to improve the tracks between Goornong and Rochester on the Echuca line are kicking off this winter.
Crews will get trenching, pipe installation and track works done at the same time as the Sunbury Line Upgrade works, meaning fewer disruptions overall. Commuters are urged to plan ahead with sections of the Sunbury, Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill lines to be closed for four weeks from 3 to 29 June.
On the Gippsland Line, upgrades between Pakenham and Traralgon will progress while coaches replace trains from 27 July to 8 August for level crossing removal works. Works will include drainage improvements between the new and existing tracks at Bunyip and Longwarry and trenching works to make way for level crossing upgrades.
The third and final stage of the Princes Highway East upgrade is well underway with the foundations for the new rail bridge over the rail line in Kilmany going in this winter. In order for crews to safely carry out these works, coaches will replace trains between Bairnsdale and Traralgon from the last week of June and into July.
Train lines across regional Victoria will benefit from important maintenance and renewal as we work to
continuously improve the network. Coaches will replace trains from Southern Cross Station to Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough from July 2 through to July 14 while the Warrnambool line will run coaches between Geelong and Warrnambool from June 20 to June 29.
Passengers are asked to plan their journey and wear a mask while on public transport. For more information about planned disruptions over winter visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au

Annually WAGs members hold their winter art show over the Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
This is a great time to visit the Macedon Ranges and Woodend is nestled in the foothills of Mt Diogenes {Hanging Rock}.
Having the gallery in the historic railway station building means that visitors from all over the state can visit without the need to drive.
Paintings both framed and unframed, felt work, silk scarves, sculpture, pottery, photography and much more will be available to be viewed and purchased.

❊ When & Where ❊

Date/s: Saturday 11th June 2022 – Monday 13th June 2022

Times: 10 am – 4 pm

❊ Location ❊

⊜ Woodend Railway Station Gallery   Woodend Map

✆ 0409 193 369

Macedon Ranges Shire residents affected by the June 2021 storms have until 31 May 2022 to lodge a claim for Disaster Recovery Allowance, and/or an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP).
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the storms and floods.
DRA provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on the person’s circumstances.
DRA is available to Australian residents who are 16 years and older.
DRA is not available to those already receiving another income support payment or pension such as the Age Pension, JobSeeker Payment or Service Pension.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the storms and floods.
The rate of AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.
AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, whose major assets have been directly damaged or are the immediate family members of a person who has died as a direct result of the storms and floods.
For eligibility information, visit the Services Australia website, www.servicesaustralia.gov.au or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims for assistance.
For more information about what support and assistance is available for residents of the Macedon Ranges go to mrsc.vic.gov.au/storm-recovery

The state government is boosting funding for Victorian schools to support kids with disability, to ensure they have the tools they need to learn and thrive in the classroom and in life.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas announced that Bullarto Primary School, Coimadai Primary School, Daylesford Primary School, Daylesford Secondary College, Hepburn Primary School, Trentham District Primary School and Yandoit Primary School will join schools across Mallee and Central Highlands areas in receiving further funding support to make their school more inclusive for all students, under the government’s Disability Inclusion reform.
Schools can use the funding to implement whole-school practices that support the inclusive education of students with disability and diverse learning needs such as autism and learning difficulties.
Initiatives could include professional development for staff, employing new disability and inclusion staff, and purchasing programs, interventions or specific equipment and technology – depending on the needs of their students and the school.
The schools receiving the funding boost are in the second year of the five-year Disability Inclusion roll-out and will all receive a base level of funding with additional funding provided depending on the individual school’s characteristics.
This new funding support is ongoing and is in addition to support already provided through other programs and initiatives, including the Program for Students with Disabilities.
Ms Thomas said the funding was the biggest change in disability support Victorian schools have ever seen, enabling our local schools in Macedon to support more students with disability, so that they can get the great education they deserve.

Foxes and wild dogs are ‘declared’ established pest animals in Victoria.

They cannot be eradicated from the state and require ongoing management by all public and private landowners.

Effective fox and wild dog management requires an integrated approach utilising all suitable management practices including:

• poison baiting
• trapping
• exclusion fencing
• fumigation
• appropriate animal husbandry.

Hunting can play an important role in supporting an integrated management approach.

The collection schedule for North West Victoria, includes:

Bendigo collections (Fox only), Corner Midland Highway and Taylor Street, Epsom, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Dates:

• Monday, 6 June
• Monday, 4 July
• Monday, 1 August
• Monday, 29 August
• Monday, 26 September
• Monday, 24 October.

Ouyen collections, Fox and wild dog (wild dog by appointment only), Gregory Street, Ouyen, 2 – 4 pm

Dates:

• Tuesday, 7 June
• Tuesday, 5 July
• Tuesday, 2 August
• Tuesday, 30 August
• Tuesday, 27 September
• Tuesday, 25 October.

St Arnaud collections (Fox only), 4 Montague Street, St Arnaud, Victoria, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Dates:

• Thursday, 9 June
• Thursday, 7 July
• Thursday, 4 August
• Thursday, 1 September
• Thursday, 29 September
• Thursday, 27 October.

2022 Swan Hill collections (Fox only), 7 Quin Drive, Swan Hill, 8.30 – 10.30 am

Dates:

• Tuesday, 7 June
• Tuesday, 5 July
• Tuesday, 2 August
• Tuesday, 30 August
•  Tuesday, 27 September
•  Tuesday, 25 October.

The bounty will run until the end of October 2022, consistent with previous years.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty to find out more or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty is now digital

To streamline payment processes for fox and wild dog bounty participants, we have introduced a digital bounty application system.

Registering is easy. Access the form at agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty and simply input your email and banking details.