A new fund manager has been named to run the state government backed Victorian Startup Capital Fund (VSCF).
Led by Neil Stanford and Brighid Pappin, highly respected leaders in the Australian venture capital sector, V-Ignite will bring together the skills and expertise of the former Hostplus Private Equity and Venture Capital team with leading VC manager, Brandon Capital.
V-Ignite is set to raise at least $60 million from investors, including superfunds, wealth managers and high net worth individuals, to match the Labor Government’s cornerstone investment managed by LaunchVic.
Investors in the new VSCF will benefit from access to Victoria’s growing start-up sector and a diverse range of other equity funds, as well as a preferential rate on returns.
Announced in the Government’s 2019-20 budget, the VSCF has been designed to harness budding entrepreneurs as they look to grow their companies.
V-Ignite was selected through a competitive procurement process run by LaunchVic, with the support of an expert selection panel.
Potential investors interested in finding out more about the Victorian Startup Capital Fund can email: info@v-ignite.vc
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford: “This is a red-letter day for Victoria’s startup community. Our ecosystem is growing rapidly and this fund will turbocharge this growth. This fund led by V-Ignite will invest in local VC Funds and enable more start-ups to scale, driving economic growth and creating new jobs for Victorians.”

Member-based business organisations are being offered tailored mental health and wellbeing support, through an state government initiative.
Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford has announced the Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grants Program, providing up to 200 member-based business communities with a $15,000 grant for training and tailored support to manage stress and anxiety.
Under this program, a ‘Business Community’ is defined as a not-for-profit member-based organisation which represents, serves and advocates for its business members.
Eligible business communities include chambers of commerce, business councils, industry associations and trader groups, with the program set to have flow-on effects for the tens of thousands of Victorian small businesses they support.
The program is about providing practical and evidence-based strategies unique to businesses – with the business community organisation then encouraged to share the learned mental health and wellbeing solutions with their members to implement over the long term.
Grant recipients will nominate representatives to receive 10 hours of free mental health and wellbeing training plus an additional 12 hours of expert masterclasses which will help them design a care plan for their members.
The training will involve businesses collaborating on ideas of best practice for improving mental health including shifting ways of thinking and ideas on motivation.
This program forms part of the Victorian Government’s $26 million commitment to providing timely, needs-based support through the Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Businesses Initiative, announced in August 2020.
For full details of the program and more information on other wellbeing resources for small businesses, visit business.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford: “Our small businesses have had massive challenges thrown at them for two years and while their resilience and ingenuity is inspirational, these pressures can take a toll.
“We’re working closely with chambers and traders group so make sure they are equipped to support their members’ health and well-being.”

More than 10,000 Victorians have now been vaccinated against COVID-19 through a dedicated liaison program that helps those living with disability or with special needs get protected against coronavirus in their local area.
The Australian-first program matches Disability Liaison Officers with people, families, and advocates to decide the best way to get vaccinated – whether through specialist support at a state vaccination clinic or as part of Victoria’s at-home vaccination service.
The Disability Liaison Officer Program, which is open to people five years and over, ensures all Victorians have equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Several vaccination centres across Victoria also offer enhanced accessibility for people with special needs, including those living with disability, mental illness and severe anxiety. These clinics offer longer appointment times, additional space and easy to read resources in a low-sensory environment.
Victoria was the first jurisdiction in Australia to establish a dedicated disability liaison program in June last year and the rate of the state’s National Disability Insurance Scheme participants aged 16 and over who are double vaccinated is the highest of any state.
In a further boost to Victorians wanting to get vaccinated, 100 per cent of state-run sites are now open to walk ups, allowing people to get vaccinated at any state site without needing to book.
Victoria is also continuing its pop-up vaccination clinics for five to 11-year-olds, which have been rolling out in some of the state’s most well-known venues – including Scienceworks, Melbourne Zoo, and Sealife Aquarium – to support vulnerable children, including those living with disability.
Victorians can contact the program by emailing DLOcoordinator@dhhs.vic.gov.au, submitting an online request via www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-information-people-disability or calling the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 and identifying as needing specialist support.

Thousands of Victorians are sitting on a surprise windfall, with the state government calling on potential
beneficiaries to check if they can lay claim to a share of millions of dollars in unclaimed cash.
The State Revenue Office (SRO) is holding $111 million in unclaimed money that belongs to people of all ages from across the state. The cash is theirs for the taking if individuals and companies can establish their bona fides through a simple system that begins with an online search.
There are more than 740,000 entitlements waiting to be claimed.
SRO data reveals that a Box Hill man is entitled to a $882,697 deposit while a Nunawading woman can claim $677,002. A Banyule doctor has 105 entitlements worth $3,379 recorded in their name waiting to be claimed, while a South Yarra woman has 61 deposits totalling $153,165.
In the past five years, there have been more than 60,000 successful unclaimed money claims worth almost $20 million from sources including electricity, gas and water companies, local councils, real estate agents, insurance companies and lotto tickets.
The SRO holds records of money that remain unclaimed after 12 months – with the minimum set at $20 – from sources including share dividends, salaries and wages, rents and bonds, debentures and interest, and proceeds from sales. The majority of entitlements have been held by the SRO for less than 10 years.
The City of Melbourne is the council area with the most potential claims – 57,000 totalling $15.2 million at an average of $266 – followed by Monash ($7 million), Boroondara ($6.7 million) and Whitehorse ($4.8 million).
In regional Victoria, Greater Geelong leads the way with almost 24,700 people able to claim $2.9 million at an average of just under $120 each. Greater Bendigo residents can potentially claim $1.2 million and Latrobe City Council residents around the same amount.
In addition to unclaimed money, the SRO also holds Tattersalls, Intralot and Tabcorp prizes, as well as TAB winnings, that have remained unclaimed for six months. To claim these winnings, claimants must supply the original ticket.
The highest unclaimed gaming ticket is $2,136,327 from Tattersalls – received in March 2016. Some $860,000 in lottery winnings sitting with the SRO were eventually claimed by the owners of the tickets last year, while tickets worth $100,000 and $73,190 were among those notified by gaming companies as being unclaimed.
To claim owed monies, go to sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimedmoney and submit a personal or company name and the address that the lodging organisation would have had on file.

Frances Guerin is holding an open studio over the long Labour Day weekend, Chillout Festival, IWD 12, 13, 14 March at Whitegum Studio, 55 Whitegum Drive, Wheatsheaf.

The studio is full of work for an exhibition at City of Ballarat ArtSpace 14 Lydiard Street from March 17 to April 10.

“These works began as the mega fires tore across Victoria and NSW in the summer of 2019, and Greta Thunberg sailed across to New York to address the U.N. with furious words “How Dare you” in response to inaction on the climate change and species extinction.  Then Covid struck and the smog across Delhi cleared……

“Humanity is at a crossroad, which way will we choose? The crossroad paintings explore this question in the beautiful landscape of Central Victoria, personified as Irish Bridgit of the Tuatha de Danaan, clothed in the patchwork of fields and flowers. The crossroad in Irish myth is a liminal space or threshold imbued with the power of the Otherworld by the druids, the first deep ecologists.

“Will we listen to nature and change our relationship to the natural world in time or will the economy and battle cries win out and our civilisation crumble into ruins, to be reclaimed by nature. Australian Ballet Company will perform Harliquinade in 2022 and inspired these Commedia del Arte figurines to provide a range of emotional states from tearful Pierrot to the bombastic Pulcinella. They are as relevant a description of human folly today as they were in 17^th Century Europe.

“Both depth psychology and Eastern philosophy point to the goal of awakening from personal identity to an expansive view of interbeing, a term coined by Thich Nhat Hahn to describe the interdependence of all nature. In the same way James Lovelock named the earth, Gaia and theorized that it is a self-regulating system. The mutations of Covid could be seen as a regulation of human impact on all of earth’s systems.”

Pictured: a fanciful view of Glenlyon landscape and ceramic figurines of the critters at the crossroad

www.francesguerinartist.com

IN THE lead-up to ChillOut, less than two weeks away, Daylesford local Sandy Breen reminisces about her lifelong friendship with music guru and 2022 ChillOut Ambassador, Ian (Molly) Meldrum.

“It has been written into St Kilda Football Club folklore that Ian Meldrum and I first met at the football in 1963 when he asked me if he could join my Cheer Squad. I say ‘Ian’ because he certainly wasn’t ‘Molly’ yet.

He was at Melbourne Uni doing law and I was at Elwood High in Year 11 – known as ‘leaving’ back then. The following year I started work in the Myer Emporium advertising department.
Ian had several friends who also worked at Myer including Ronnie Burns. Ian lived with Ronnie and his parents in Elwood for eight years. That’s another story for another day. Anyway, Ian quit the law and got himself a job in the Myer men’s store so he could be with us all.
He proposed to me at work in 1964. I told him I thought we were having way too much fun to get married. Marriage would have been hilarious…we probably would have been divorced in a year.
As it stands, this is our 60th year of friendship. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing but I have a lifetime of incredible memories. Without Molly in my life, I was always going to have an interesting one. Having him in it for six decades has sure put the icing on the cake.
I sometimes struggle to realise what an extraordinary person he is. After all, he’s just my friend. The words guru, icon, legend (he’s beyond legendary) are often used to describe him. I will never forget the outpouring of love and respect for him after the ladder fall in 2014. As he teetered between life and death, I was constantly updated. When I knew he wasn’t going to die, I used to say to people: “Can’t get rid of him that easily.”

My precious husband Donny (who passed away last year) and I actually moved to Daylesford during the ChillOut weekend in 2009. I kept asking: “What’s ChillOut?” I certainly found out in subsequent years.
I used to say to Ian that he should attend. I was thrilled to find out last year from ChillOut director Emma Ireland that she had persuaded him to be a ChillOut Ambassador for 2022. I was also very proud and humbled when she asked me to accompany Molly in the Sunday street parade and at Carnivale at Victoria Park to follow.
Seriously, 60 years ago, could we have possibly imagined being chauffeured together down the main street of Daylesford celebrating LGBTQI+ pride? I am honoured and I know Molly is too. After all, he is not only a music industry legend, but a gay icon too.”

Pictured, above, attending the St Kilda Football Club Best and Fairest Awards in 1991

Below, at Molly’s home in 2016 with a copy of his first book showing Sandy and ‘Ian’ at the St Kilda Ball in 1964

LIKE an intricate tapestry, the threads that weave together the story of CresFest start to reveal a cohesive picture that celebrates what started out as the initiative of a few to a collaboration of many.
The music and sung and written word will reflect the diverse communities and their backgrounds that are the essence of this CresFest tapestry. From the colours of Iran and India, the music of the Scottish isles, to the rhythm of the blues, from words unspoken reflecting the pain of separation, to the sounds of Smeaton resident Archer who takes his music on a journey bringing his sounds to anyone who will listen.
Archer, pictured with nursing home resident Val, is a powerful storyteller using music to heal, for those who want to listen. Archer listens.

There is nothing in the universe that Archer doesn’t hear to create his amazing music. He appreciates the beauty in every part of life. His songs reflect the mountains, the rivers and the valleys he travels through. And travel he has, from Canada where he performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, at the Nannup Music Festival in West Australia and recently New Zealand. Archer has been everywhere and played everywhere. He is known variously as The Claypan Crooner, Australia’s Woodie Guthrie and the one and only “singin’ talkin’ leakin’ slowboat to China”.
There is no venue that he will not visit and some of his most memorable times have been at nursing homes where even flies and robotic toothbrushes have been added to his musical collection. Archer’s song writing and performance skills have a way of encapsulating the extraordinary in the ordinary, for those willing to listen, leaving audiences wanting more. His is a sound you will want to book for!
CresFest also features other headline performances including Emma Donovan, Eric Bogle, Freya Josephine Hollick, Kat Mear and Craig Woodward, Pete Denahy, and not forgetting Creswick’s very own Swingalong Ukestra who made a stunning appearance at the launch of CresFest.
CresFest is the one of the most exciting Victorian regional festivals to open up since the pandemic reared its head way back in 2020. With courage and commitment CresFest convenor Judy Turner has amassed around her a strong network of local people to help bring the festival to fruition.
“There have certainly been moments when I have wondered about the wisdom of continuing but I am an optimist and I know that CresFest is going to bring people together to celebrate music, singing and dance through shared experiences and participation,” Judy said.
Musicians and artists will be gathering in Creswick to start a weekend of fantastic performances on Friday, April 1 through to Sunday, April 3. Local, national and international musicians will create a kaleidoscope of performances that will be a feast for sight and sound.
In acknowledging all volunteers, Judy said that their input had been a collaboration of skills, commitment and enthusiasm.
“Along with the performers, volunteers will provide visitors to our inaugural CresFest with a memorable experience.”
Tickets, performers and full program information at www.cresfest.com.au
Words & image: Contributed

WOODEND Hanging Rock Petanque Club and Woodend Pony Club are again running a great day for the family at the old Woodend Racecourse in Forest Street, showcasing a wide range of fabulous activities and products available in and around Woodend.
This is the second year the event has been run, last year was a great success until the torrential rain, came forcing an early closure. The day will be even better this year as we have booked great weather, claimed a spokesman for the Petanque Club.
The Woodend Discovery Day is the result of much planning by the club, working with the Pony Club, their joint occupants of the old Woodend Racecourse. Their aim is to promote a wide range of lesser-known benefits and products available for residents and visitors to Woodend and surrounding areas in the Macedon Ranges.

Whilst mainstream sports are well represented in Woodend with some outstanding clubs, little is heard of petanque, despite it being a great game well suited to a wide range of people. Nor are the range of activities run by the Pony Club widely known. Surprisingly, many people have not discovered some of the wonderful smaller vineyards, boutique distilleries and cideries operating close to Woodend.
The Discovery Day will show everybody just how wonderful these features are. There will be a Petanque Tournament running for spectators interested to discover just how skilful this strange sport with its French origins is, and the club is offering everybody to ‘Give it a Toss’ and try out the game for themselves, helped by some of the club’s skilled players. It’s great fun tossing the steel balls through the air and it’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
The Pony Club will have an exhilarating show happening which will be very interesting for all ages and there’s great stuff for the children with the opportunity to ride a pony and play with the animals from the Mobile Farm. Come on parents, we bet you can still remember the excitement of all this, so bring your kids and re-discover your childhood.
Woodend Men’s Shed will have a stand demonstrating their skills and offering some of their wonderful items for sale, you’ll be amazed at what these ‘old guys’ are producing.
Discover fantastic wines from some of the area’s best small vineyards, some unusual and really exciting products from the local boutique gin distiller, craft beers and ciders from local producers plus some wonderful food to enjoy at very reasonable prices. We’ve even secured the best coffee van in the state. While all this is happening you can listen to fabulous music from Big Horn & the 6 String Bandits, one of the area’s best bands.
We want everybody to come and have fun whilst discovering a little more about wonderful Woodend. So get along to the old racecourse on Sunday, March 13 from11am till 4pm and be part of the fun. It’s not expensive at only $5 a person or $10 for families and there’s plenty of free parking. You’ll have a great day discovering some fantastic and lesser-known aspects of Woodend.
Words & image: contributed

WHEN Lyonville’s Anne Bremner was approached to be featured in a story given her devotion to the local area, her commitment to the preservation of the original mill town and its history, she agreed on the proviso the little country hall was part of the story.
The former Mechanics Institute and Free Library built in the 1880s is in Anne’s words, the township’s “heartbeat” and for 50 years Anne has been a committee member of the little hall, ensuring its history, conservation and importance to the town and the wider shire remains relevant.
It would be hard not to combine the two as Anne has been on the Lyonville Hall committee since 1972, first joining at 22 as one of the town’s pioneering families, the Bremners. And in original committee minutes Anne’s name appears alongside her mother-in-law when the first woodchop event was being planned.
The famous Lyonville woodchop held earlier in February this year was one of the biggest in its history and for Anne and fellow committee members that’s not only a fantastic achievement but money raised on the day through food and raffle sales all goes back into the little hall’s upkeep.
The hall was constructed in the then timber milling town, settled by Charles Cowie in 1868 with land and timber donated to build the hall by Horatio Weatherhead. The town is named after sawmill proprietor James Lyon.

A new sign, the newest addition to the hall, is a reminder of the age and importance of the building that has stood the test of time including a fire which destroyed the books and part of the stage. It’s gone through a number of upgrades thanks to fundraising efforts, government grants and in-kind support. And a dedicated committee with the same drive and passion as Anne.
The tightly knit locals made up of descendants from pioneers and newcomers are pretty protective of the hall and changes. While Anne says it’s important the history and future development of small townships are protected, she said groups set up by local government should leave hall committees alone.
While Anne grew up on a small property near Dandenong and was always a self-confessed tomboy who dreamed of marrying a farmer, her world was already connected to Lyonville as her great-grandparents were pioneering Swiss Italian settlers, the Debernadis. But it was a blind date set up by her brother who insisted she meet George Bremner that was the start of her new life in the shire.

“My brother David often worked on my great-grandparents’ farm and he met George. David told George about me and we met at the Royal Melbourne Show in front of the bull statue at the station. I was 15 and George was 21 and we met up for a while but I was concerned about the age difference. I was a silly teenager and suggested we part ways. Poor George nearly had a coronary.”
But George’s persistence paid off and the couple married four years later and lived with George’s parents in Lyonville. The couple worked on George’s family farm and eventually took over the property, later becoming one of Victoria’s first sole organic farm producers.
The couple, who have three children, twin sons Adam and Alex, and daughter Catherine, said their one stipulation should the kids choose a life on the farm was to get a profession behind them so they always had something to fall back on.
Son Adam, a 6th generation farmer, now runs Wombat Forest Organics. He trained as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic before heading back to the farm. Catherine lives with her family in Berwick and is described by Anne as the one who keeps the family all connected while also being the bookkeeper for the farm. Alex, the “academic” of the family lives in Edinburgh and is an architectural history professor.
Anne was always hands-on at the farm but started winding back around 10 years ago – the same time she discovered bowls. She is a regular face at the Daylesford Bowling Club, on the board and selection committee and a favourite at the Friday night raffle.
Anne can always be found at the Lyonville Hall helping to organise the three main fundraising events – the annual woodchop, the Harvest Festival and the annual bake-off (local Melissa Jenkins is aiming for her third best in show for her muffins) and for Anne and the committee the next upgrades for the hall include a roof over the outdoor pizza oven and a fresh coat of paint – in original colours.

Café de Lyonville
Every Sunday morning from 10am to 1pm the little hall comes alive with fresh coffee and baked goods, thanks to members of the hall committee and volunteers. It’s been running for about two years with all proceeds going to the upkeep of the hall. It’s where you’ll be treated to freshly-baked favourites worthy of first prize in the annual Lyonville Hall bakeoff with the prices and the atmosphere reflective of years gone by.

Words: Narelle Groenhout | Image: Contributed

New Melbourne-based crossover group Wattleseed Ensemble is proudly presented by the Anglican Parish of Daylesford on Saturday, March 19 at 3pm for the opening concert of their debut tour, HOME.
This concert explores the idea of home in its diverse forms. Through the program, Wattleseed visits a spiritual home in music by Hildegard of Bingen and JS Bach; a national home through traditional folk music; and the planet and environment as home, through the world premiere of From Home, a new work by composer Matt Laing, commissioned especially for this tour.
“This stunning work focuses on the place Matt considers his home, the Fleurieu Peninsula,” says Katie Yap, Wattleseed’s violist and director. “From musical responses to the ancient granite cliffs, to a young bird struggling into the wind, From Home reflects on the past, looks forward into the future, and captures the moment of choice we have now. It’s incredibly special to be able to make music of our time and place on these ancient instruments.”
Wattleseed Ensemble brings Australia’s exciting young string players together – Natalia Harvey (violin), Katie Yap (viola) and Anna Pokorny (cello), combining expertise on period instruments with wide-ranging repertoire and a love of musical storytelling. They play with Australia’s most prestigious ensembles including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
Bookings: www.ticketebo.com.au/homedaylesford, wattleseedensemble@gmail.com or 0448 162 067.

Creswick and Ballan are among a number of regional fire stations to receive new dual cab tankers, replacing single-cab tankers and allowing the entire crew to sit in the cabin.
The fleet is part of a government roll-out that has so far delivered 20 tankers Victoria-wide.
The heavy tankers feature a 15-tonne crew cab chassis with a 4000-litre water tank, automatic transmission, electronic monitors and rewind hose reels and crew/vehicle roll over and burn-over protection.

Firewood collection in the Hepburn Shire has become a bit more complicated, with new changes announced by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
Firewood collection regulations come into force on March 1 and collectors may be asked to provide proof of residency when collecting in local coupes.

Firewood can only be taken from designated collection areas in state forests or parks during approved collection seasons by local residents from March 1 to June 30 and spring collection from September 1 to November 30.
A spokesperson said the changes will maintain a more sustainable domestic firewood supply for local residents.
Fines are hefty for those breaking the rules and DELWP says it uses video surveillance cameras to monitor state forests with officers issuing on the spot fines.

Organisations and groups who serve Victoria’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer communities will be able to apply for further funding to help them grow, as part of a new round of grants for LGBTIQ+ groups.

Minister for Equality Martin Foley last week announced applications were open for the LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants. The program will allocate $700,000 to various LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups to strengthen the services they provide to Victoria’s diverse rainbow communities.
The grants will support the growth of established and emerging organisations, allowing them to continue their important role in driving equality for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, including LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those based in regional and rural areas.
Established organisations with demonstrated experience in supporting LGBTIQ+ communities can apply for grants of up to $50,000, and emerging organisations can apply for grants of up to $25,000.
Funding supports a range of activities including training to build the capacity of staff and volunteers, expanding operations into regional and rural areas and developing strategic plans to better engage diverse LGBTIQ+ communities. Organisations and groups can also use the funding to ensure their financial sustainability and strengthen their governance structures.
Applications are open until March 25 at www.vic.gov.au/lgbtiq-organisational-development-grants

REIV president Adam Docking says Covid-19 has just “supercharged” the move for many to the regions.
“Over the past few years (pre-Covid) we were seeing more of a focus on people moving to the regions because of the internet, infrastructure and technology, and realising they don’t have to work in a concrete jungle.
“So we were already seeing that in regional and satellite areas and that was just supercharged by Covid. It has really fast-tracked people thinking ‘I really don’t want or need to live in the city, I don’t need to be close to the CBD to work in the CBD.

“There was a huge spike in the numbers but moving forward everything will settle down as supply and demand equal out but people’s love affair with the regions will continue.”
Adam said initially governments had been unable to keep up with the infrastructure needed by the regional population growth but it will catch up. “With population growth comes jobs, jobs bring money, money brings tax and tax brings infrastructure. It’s a great equation.”

Adam said prices would remain high but not as “crazy as it was”. They certainly would not drop in the short term. “When we talk about prices going down, we are talking medium to long term, a spike, or a flat spot. Generally, in real estate everywhere, you see a very rapid growth for five years, then it’s stable for five years and then rapid again. We had that rapid price rise as the flood gates were opening as soon as lockdown finished and there was all that pent-up demand but no supply. Now people are realising this is going to continue and we will see stable price rises over the coming years.”
Adam said he didn’t think Covid lockdowns around the world would see an influx of people moving to Australia but he said the love affair for Australia would continue.
“Everyone around the world has a love affair with Australia. I was talking to an older friend, perhaps 65, who is a Greek Cypriot who moved here. I asked him when he looked at immigrating what his options were. He said Canada, America and Australia. Now, as an Aussie I wouldn’t mind living in Canada or America but he said Canada’s winters are too cold, America is too unstable and Australia had everything to offer. We have a stable government, a stable economy and an abundance of vacant land.”
Finally, would people moving to the regions one day, with no Uber Eats or, in many places, fast food, return to the cities in a few years?
“No, I don’t think so for a couple of reasons. One is I don’t think people would make a lifestyle change like that lightly. They would have planned it and may even have a history or involvement with a particular regional area. Secondly, one of the things about moving to a region is obviously the median price of the region is lower than the metro areas, so it is very difficult to sell and move back because of the price difference.
“But people might move from say Glenlyon to Shepparton or Warrnambool, which are bigger satellite cities. But I don’t think you are really going to see that happening. Moving to the regions is not a kneejerk reaction. I think people are planning for it because they want to change their lifestyle.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

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.
John has been passionate about all things botanical since he dropped geology studies, travelled around Australia for a year and then took up a job as a technical officer in the National Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.
He first walked through the gates in 1977 and stayed for the next 10 years.
“We were at the forefront of doing garden censuses. We would map and identify everything, put it all in a big data base…we were also pressing specimens. So, it was a fairly scientific background but then I went into landscape and design.”

And while he has worked on and visited gardens around the world, John is also keen to contribute to his craft, joining a number of organisations including the Australian Garden History Society, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand, the International Dendrology Society, the National Trust (Victoria) and the Garden Plant Conservation Association of Australia. And they are all just his current memberships.
But after a lifetime on the garden tools, including 25 years at Lake House in Daylesford, John is keen to use his extensive knowledge to provide a new service offering consultation, design, plant identification, and creating conservation and master plans.
He has two sides to his business idea. The first is with real estate agents where he sees his services as a unique selling point, offering pre- or post-design for people buying properties along with existing tree identification and the conservation of old trees and plants.
“That will bring all my knowledge about design, identification and surveying to the party with the local community. Then there is a service for anyone who would like me to add more design detail to their existing gardens, designing concepts in totality, or even greenfield sites. Owners can then bring in their own people to do the work. It’s merging my technical background with the physical landscape and design.”
Mind you, there is also plenty to be done with greenfield sites which are popping up all over the shire. “I can come in at ground zero and if they have a site plan or an idea of the orientation of the house, I can start with the driveway, do perimeter plans and irrigation.
“The whole package really. Then you look to the future for trees, maybe for shade, think about climate change and biodiversity. It’s not as easy to choose the right plants as it was in the past.”
“I can come up with a scale of how much people would like to spend and that could range from say $200 to $20,000+…after careful consideration I will come up with a package and keep to that budget. I have always worked like that. Everyone deserves a wonderful garden that suits their budget. I can also provide cultural services like when to feed and prune etc.”
As he talks on the phone John says he is looking at a Chinese tulip tree in the backyard of the Hepburn home he and wife Jane share. He says today it is his favourite. Another, which he uses most in landscape and design, is a Chilean myrtle. I get the feeling there is no tree John doesn’t like.
Link: beethams.wixsite.com/trees-in-australia
Disclaimer: I have known John and Jane for many years and he pops around now and again offering design advice. We have a beautiful almost-walled garden of pittosporums thanks to John. I also have a magnolia, that was pretty much gone, still alive thanks to him. After a visit by John to check on our garden, I came out and found it pruned back hard and watered. I moved the pot and today it is flourishing. Miracle worker! – Donna
Advertorial

THE Blampied/Kooroocheang Landcare Group held a training day recently after buying a new spray unit from Goldacres.
President Gary Wilkinson said the group, which has been active for 25 years, covered from Eganstown through to Newlyn North, Kingston, Smeaton, Blampied, Kooroocheang, Campbelltown and across to the Yandoit Hills area.

“We bought the unit, which was given to us at cost by Goldacres, 18 months ago, but due to Covid and other things the unit has had very little use and we have not been able to carry out training.
“I was in touch with Goldacres recently and they indicated it would be good to do the training day when possible as the unit has a bit of high tech gear on it.
“We held the day along with a general meeting on February 12 at Blampied. We had a pretty good attendance and Goldacres has been really generous with their service.

“In the training, Bruce McIntosh from Goldacres, not only focused on the proper operation of the spray unit, but he was also very detailed into the proper storage and maintenance of the unit as well as giving a good understanding of the various chemical types and their proper handling.
“His talk also showed and demonstrated what type of PPE was required for different chemicals and the reasons why. Bruce handed out some very detailed notes and information on chemicals, cleaning and how to work out spray rates.
“We have also had fabulous support from Hepburn Shire Council and its biodiversity officer Brian Bainbridge, who helped us buy the spray unit along with a gorse/weed puller and many other things.”

Top, members of the Blampied/Kooroocheang Landcare Group with their Stop AusNet’s Towers sign

Below, Goldacres’ Bruce McIntosh demonstrates how to use the spray unit

Images: Contributed