WALKLEY Award winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator Jane Caro will be at The Convent in Daylesford on Saturday, March 5.
The Northern Books event is part of International Women’s Day celebrations.

Ms Caro spent 35 years as an award winning copywriter and seven years teaching advertising creative in the School of Communication Arts at Western Sydney University. She is now a full-time writer, social commentator, speaker and broadcaster.
Ms Caro has published 12 books, including Just a Girl, Just a Queen and Just Flesh & Blood – a trilogy on Elizabeth Tudor, and a memoir Plain Speaking Jane. The event is from 11am to 1pm and includes High Tea, a glass of bubbles on arrival, a copy of Jane’s new book (or alternative to the same value), an In Conversation with Jane plus Q&A and book signing. Cost is $105. Bookings: www.northernbooks.com.au

WITH just a month to go, ChillOut director Emma Ireland chatted with ChillOut ambassador ABC weather reporter Nate Byrne.

Em: What excites you most about ChillOut 2022?
Nate: We have had one heck of a ride recently, and ChillOut 2022 is going to be the perfect way to breathe and celebrate after the summer we’re having. Getting out to some stunning country and enjoying a communal (and Covid-safe) sigh of relief is what we all need. Personally, I can’t wait to dance all night under the stars among family…hopefully every night of the festival.

Em: Can you give us any updates on changes that have had to take place this year due to Covid?
Nate: ChillOut 2022 is living up to its name – we’re going to Chill, Out-doors. Why wouldn’t you, with Daylesford as the backdrop? Victoria Park is going to be the focus of the action, with all of the well-loved favourite events back this year. There will be new faces too, and something for all ages, and we’ll all be following the Covid-safe guidelines to make sure that everyone can have a blast and can really chill out.

Em: Any personal takes you can share from past ChillOut Festivals that make it particularly special to you?
Nate: I love Carnivale – it’s like the biggest country fair mixed with glitter. You can’t go five minutes without bumping into someone you know, and there’s absolutely nothing pretentious about it. Oh, and don’t get me started on the dog shows…

Em: What’s an iconic event at ChillOut that shouldn’t be missed?
Nate: We’ve got parties galore – and they are all going to be heaving – but the Bush Dance has a special place. If you’re in the country, you should embrace it. It’s our unique take on a country tradition. It’s all about flannel and cowboy hats (the brighter the better) and if you don’t know how to line dance, you’ll learn quickly. Oh, also, chaps and spurs and…well, you’ll have to come and see for yourself.

ART lovers take note. Over two weekends in March, 26 artists across 14 locations in and around Newstead invite you into their studios and other venues to show what they have been creating.
The Newstead Open Studios Art Trail began in 2015 and since then thousands of people have made their way around the ever-expanding map. It is a chance to see firsthand the inner workings of an artist’s studio and pick their brains about the how, what and why of their creative process.
This year the line-up includes printmakers, jewellers, painters, potters, fibre artists, photographers and sculptors. Visit six studios and you can enter the draw for a door prize comprised of work donated by participating artists. So keep an eye out for the red flags around town.
The trail is on over the Labour Day long weekend, March 12, 13, 14 and the following weekend, March 19 and 20, 10am to 5pm. For information call Sarah Koschak on 0419 322 681 or head to newsteadopenstudios.org

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.
Cafe spokesperson Nikki Marshall said repair cafes were an incredible community resource with strong environmental credentials.
“Every item for repair is weighed as you come in so we can record how much is being saved from land-fill. Our repairers give loved and useful items a new lease of life.
“Do you have a toaster that no longer pops up, or a hem that’s too long, a bicycle chain that needs work, or a knife or tool that needs sharpening? Then bring them along to the wonderful repair cafe, and one of our ‘geniuses’ will fix it for you, for a small donation.
“Hepburn Seed Savers also meets every third Sunday of the month so we’re joining forces for February. While your items are being repaired you can chat to others over a cuppa and cake, or you can pack seeds; you can watch and learn from our skilled fixers, or you can find out how our local seed savers are creating a seed bank for all of us.”
The February Repair Café will also include a how-to workshop with Julian Alaba – taking things apart and putting them back together. Julian will also advise about what to look out for to ensure new items can be repaired rather than end up in landfill.
Nikki said the cafe was always looking for more fixers.
“All our fixers are volunteers. They have skills to repair mechanical, electrical and digital items, as well as clothing, furniture, and household and gardening equipment. Knives and tools can be sharpened as well as bicycles repaired. We also have a ‘mending broken hearts’ table. We’re always looking for more geniuses with skills in sewing, jewellery, musical instruments, shoes, digital equipment and more.”
To join the group call Danny on 0488 604 231 or call into the cafe on Sunday.
Nikki said the cafe expects to be back at the Victoria Park Pavilion on Sunday, March 20. The February move is to accommodate Motorfest.

THE Mount Players are proud to announce that 2022 will mark their 50th anniversary.
Throughout those years the theatre has never missed a season of performance (albeit a short one after their original theatre was burnt down in 1983). With a diverse season of four productions, play readings, the return of their One Act Play Festival and a dinner dance in October which will include the launch of their book…it’s going to be a busy time all round.

Love Song by John Kolvenbach is the first production for 2022.
Beane is an exile from life – an oddball. His well-meaning sister Joan and brother-in-law Harry try to make time for him in their busy lives, but no one can get through.
Following a burglary on his apartment, Joan is baffled to find her brother blissfully happy, and tries to unravel the story behind Beane’s mysterious new love Molly. Funny, enchanting and wonderfully touching.
The season runs from February 18 to March 6.
Bookings at www.themountplayers.com or call 0412 131 260.
From left, Harry, played by Peter Bevin, and Joan, played by Chenoah Eljan

Hepburn Shire Council cannot afford, but has released, its draft Aquatics Strategy for community feedback, with the strategy aiming to provide a 10-year priority plan to guide the future direction for aquatic facilities in the shire, including how best to manage the current aquatics facilities, aspirations for
the future, and ways to maximise residents’ participation.
Along with the future strategic direction, the draft strategy will guide infrastructure
development priorities, asset renewal and upgrades, operational improvement and activation of
aquatics provision throughout the shire.

“We know that indoor aquatic facilities are a long-term investment that cost tens of millions of
dollars. We would need to attract sufficient capital funding for a new facility, along with the
ability to sustain the ongoing operational costs,” said Mayor Tim Drylie.
“The draft strategy recognises there’s more work to be done in terms of detailed planning work
for such a facility, including feasibility, business case and funding strategy, but we’ve certainly
heard that this is an identified community need.”

The draft strategy includes a combination of information on facilities, what council heard during
community consultation, industry research and short-term capital works and maintenance
priorities to increase use of the existing facilities.
The high order indicative costs associated with implementing the actions in the draft strategy are
estimated to be $5.9 to $7.98 million. This includes facility upgrades, compliance and safety
works; along with investment in management and operation, programming and activation, and
further planning for an indoor aquatics facility.
“Councillors want to be very clear and transparent about the fact that we do not have money in
our current budget, nor in our Long-Term Financial Plan set aside for these recommendations,
and these works will need to be prioritised with other council expenditure,” said Cr Drylie.
Further work undertaken as part of indoor aquatics facility planning will identify the capital and
operating costs associated with an indoor aquatics facility and this will need to be further
considered by Council at the appropriate time. Such a facility would require significant external
funding.
Council has five public aquatics facilities – Daylesford outdoor pool, Trentham outdoor pool,
Clunes outdoor pool, Calembeen Park Toddlers Pool (Creswick), and Creswick Splash Park. Entry
is free to each facility. The net cost to Council for the 2020/2021 pool season was $385,548.
Council undertook extensive community engagement between April and August 2021 to inform
the draft strategy.
“In spite of the challenges of the year, including due to COVID-19, we heard from more than
1000 shire residents and over 50 shire-wide community organisations and schools,” said Cr
Drylie.
“We heard there’s a strong desire for more opportunities for learn to swim programs,
hydrotherapy, aquatics programs and recreational swimming,” said Cr Drylie.
“We know that our existing pools and facilities are underutilised. This is due to a range of
factors, including ageing infrastructure, water temperature, the weather policy and access,” said
Cr Drylie.
“The draft Aquatics Strategy is very comprehensive and we are keen to hear what the
community thinks of it,” he said.
Read the full draft strategy along with a summarised version and have your say at
https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/aquatics-strategy by Friday 18 March. Council will also
host pop up sessions during February and March at each township for a chance to discuss the
strategy with staff. Keep an eye on Council’s Facebook page and the website for details.

HEPBURN Shire Council’s in-principle decision to outsource the delivery of aged and disability services to more than 300 local residents has sent shockwaves through the community, causing anger and concern for many receiving the services, their families and carers.
Council made its decision in November last year behind closed doors at a council meeting, with no public consultation ahead of its decision.
In a press release at the time council said the transition to outsource aged and disability care services would not affect service quality or availability. It stated that the decision was “necessary given the continuing reforms being placed on providers by the Commonwealth Government”.
But community outrage forced council to backflip and community input was sought.
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said if a change to a new provider occurred, council had committed to ensuring the interests of clients, families and carers, staff and the community were met.
“A final decision has not been made, but the in-principle decision triggers consultation and communication with staff, clients and their families, stakeholders and the community. This is not a decision that council has taken lightly, and it is committed to identifying community impact and ensuring that any future pathway is well managed, and risk mitigated.”
Resident and community advocate, Michelle Clifford labelled the in-principle decision as appalling.
“These residents have paid their rates for many years and these services allow them to remain independent in their own homes,” she said.
“There was no community consultation, it was done quietly without accountability. This is appalling. Privatisation does not work.”
Council stated its consultation and communication with staff and clients has included formal written communication, meetings and individual conversations and follow-up calls.
If the council decides to outsource the services, it will vet potential suppliers, with the Commonwealth having the final say.
Residents can still have their say, until the March 15 council meeting, online through council’s website www.hepburn.vic.gov.au, email shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au or 5348 2306. Words: Narelle Groenhout

He said:

THE alarm sounded as we rounded the point into Metung. I quickly bolted down the boat’s stairs in the blustery wind trying to figure out what was making the racket, and then the sound gave way to silence as the motor took its final breath.
That’s it, I thought, as the rickety old jetty on the windward shore came into focus fast as we headed for it, powerless to stop the collision, but then I had the sudden idea to throw out the anchor. I had no clue as to the depth, but judging by the swift-moving current I anticipated it to be a long way down. The chain quickly turned to warp and rattled out, finally locking into the mud as the boat yoyoed and then settled between the opposite forces of the wind and tide.

This was in the last hours of our three-day journey that for the most part, aside from some fairly savage wind, had gone without incident. Our adventure started with a 20-minute car drive from our Paynesville apartment to Metung where we had decided to leave the car. After all, Paynesville offers great waterfront eateries and a couple of grocery stores. So no vehicle necessary. Simply pull up to the wharf on the main street and pick up your supplies and then offload again on the jetty off the front lawn of our waterfront apartment.
Mind you, considering the size and intricacies of the 34-foot vessel, the handover was brief and wrapped up within five minutes. There are a couple of training videos to watch prior to your arrival however with three levels, two bedrooms and a toilet located on the lower-level fore and aft, and the galley’s lower helm station and lounge/diner on the middle as well as a flybridge station, it could be a lot for a novice.
The final question, which for me should have been the first, was “how much boating experience do you have?” I conceded I had a Master IV commercial captain’s qualification and avoided the boat handling talk.

So with the informative handover completed (he also talked a lot about going aground and I didn’t want to be one of “those” guys) it was time for me and the editor to sail off into the morning.
She (and I am not sure if it is still okay to call a vessel she but all boats are female) was a little underpowered for my liking. In fact I could hear my old grandfather saying in my head “she couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding”. This did make it a little difficult to manoeuvre in tight spots up the canals where one hesitant move meant you could be sitting alongside a $4 million Riviera 68 Sports motor yacht and not for sunset drinks, just to sign the insurance paperwork.
We did happen upon some blowy conditions, and I found it best to drive it like you’d stolen it – flat-out aiming at where you intended to be, followed by a good touch of the brakes. My method mostly worked apart from the fact the throttle was stiffer than a ‘largest pothole’ competition in the Hepburn Shire and took some arm-wrestling. The boat though mostly clean had a few spiders which made for some formidable moments as Donna hucked out the fenders and ropes to go alongside.

All in all, it was a fabulous experience taking in plenty of wildlife and scenery albeit with a side serve of adrenalin. The aforementioned breakdown, just outside our home port, ended up with an engine restart which tripped the anchor and sent us back into the direction of the mudbank. The first mate Donna came to the rescue wrestling the controls and boat back towards our dock while I heaved up the 20 metres of anchor warp and we made it back into our berth at Metung, shadowed by the company’s rescue boat who had answered our earlier call of distress.

The lakes
The Gippsland Lakes are a boater’s playground of coastal lakes, rivers and lagoons in East Gippsland, covering an overall area of about 354 km². Now that’s a lot of “messing around in boats” according to The Wind in the Willows famous wisdom as uttered by the Water Rat. Stretching between the towns of Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale and Sale and across to the Ninety Mile Beach the lakes offer something for almost every weather condition.

Words: Kyle Barnes

Scan the QR code to see a video of Kyle and Donna messing around in their boat Sunshine.

She said:

WITH overseas holidays still a long way off, for us at least, we headed to Paynesville in Gippsland for a little break and a water view recently. It was fabulous.
Kyle was a skipper long before he took on photography and business management so he was pretty rapt to get back to the water. So much so we hired a 34-foot flybridge cruiser for a few days.
Of course then we had to rent a waterfront apartment with a dock – which we did at Captain’s Cove. It’s a great place. Only about 10 minutes’ walk into town which was good because we picked up the boat at Metung, about a 40-minute drive, and left the ute parked there. (Sadly in the ute was the key to the chain locking up Kyle’s bicycle at the apartment – but the less said about that the better…)

There’s plenty of great boating down at the lakes and lots of places to tie up a boat and go exploring. Ninety Mile Beach, Metung (with its hotel), Lakes Entrance…and plenty of secluded camping and picnic areas. There are also canals to explore. I love looking at houses and there is no better way than from a boat. You get a real glimpse into the lifestyles of those lucky enough to have waterfront homes.
We have been going to Paynesville for quite a few years but very intermittently. I think the last time was probably four or five years back. And you can really see the changes. Upmarket homes, lots of fantastic and expensive vessels moored everywhere and lots of water toys on hand.
Unfortunately we had a bit of roughish weather while we were in Gippsland so didn’t take the boat out as much as Kyle had hoped for. For me, about three hours a day was plenty, leaving time to catch up on reading, just enjoying the view from our apartment and sampling a couple of the restaurants and cafes.
We went a couple of times to Pier 70 where they offer fantastic waterfront views and great food and wines. The staff were lovely, the chef/owner thanked us for coming, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere and surrounds.
We also discovered Paynesville PNC which was set in the drive-through of the Paynesville Hotel. Sounds strange but we had a pizza delivered and it is one of the best we have tasted. Their menu is really extensive, the driver was really friendly and they also deliver alcohol. The whole package.
Just round the corner, near the Raymond Island ferry terminal, is Cafe Toonalook. We had great hot chocolates there, again with great service, and they also have loads on offer.
Another place we found ourselves in was the Paynesville Foodworks. A supermarket and gift store rolled into one with some really good looking take home meals available. Again, service with a smile.
Like all tourist destinations in Victoria, Paynesville has suffered over the past two years, also being that bit further from Melbourne when lockdowns lifted. But they seem to have kept their spirits up despite some pretty empty restaurants. Nothing was too much trouble and there was always that welcome happening.
Oh, back to Raymond Island. Once we dropped the boat back, and more about that in the next par, we headed to the jetty and had a drive around the island. It’s known for its koala population but it’s also really interesting looking at some of what must be the original island homes – and the new ones. Not sure that I would like to live on an island but clearly from the friendly waves from verandahs as cocktail hour arrived, people enjoy their lifestyle here.

Yes, the boat. Now I am not a skipper but I know I am in good hands with Kyle, no matter the weather or conditions. Yes, it is true, we once ran out of fuel in the middle of the shipping channel in Port Phillip Bay but that was a one-off. And we only ran out because the boat used more than it should, Kyle told me. Hmmm.
But I had to take the helm as we returned our boat to Metung. It was pretty windy and choppy and we had rounded the land into Metung where I hoped it would calm down a bit. Almost there and an alarm sounded and then the engine stopped. We were drifting but Kyle’s instinct kicked in and he dropped the anchor and we were fine. I called the company to come and tow us in but then Kyle managed to start up the engine. Only problem was that the boat had a helm up the top, where I was, and one down the bottom where Kyle was. And when the engine stopped it was still in drive upstairs. So we were off again and pulled the anchor from the mud.

Kyle yelled at me to put it in reverse so we could back up over the anchor and he could have a chance at pulling it up. Once up, another yell, this time to hit forward and steer away from the shoreline. Although I felt I had saved the day, I was pretty happy when he came up and took over again. I think I’ll stick to telling the story, not being in it.
All up, a great trip and good fun. We returned well rested. And ready to tackle The Local, The Little Local, House.Land.Home.Premium and the ChillOut edition. I think I need another holiday. 🙂
Words & images: Donna Kelly and contributed

Read He Said next!

Water features in your garden

Whether it be a waterlily- and reed-filled patio tub on the terrace, a washed stone pebble fountain in a quiet corner or a formal fully-grown pond in the lawn, a water feature of any shape or size will add a new dimension to your garden.
Besides, a permanent source of water means your garden will never be devoid of birdsong but will bring about a noticable decline in the garden pest population. Even if the only water is a permanently topped-up birdbath.
As avid bird watchers we delight in the ever-increasing variety of native birds, like our friend Jacko, pictured visiting our birdbath under the trees outside our lounge window.
It wasn’t so long ago that it took skill and labour to construct a leak-proof, water-holding garden ornament of any shape and size.
Fortunately, in these days of pre-formed, moulded liners it’s merely a case of digging a suitably sized and shaped hole and dropping the mould in. All that’s then needed are aquatic plants and, if you wish, fish to deal with any mosquitoes.
A solar powered submersible pump can operate any fountains or waterfalls.

Hi Glen, just wondering, I am growing mint which looks a bit ill. It gets plenty of sun, but someone said it’s better in a bit of shade and with plenty of water. I can move it and water it more. Also my parsley started sprouting, then went to seed and is now brown/dead. What are the best herbs for a beginner to start with and do they need a lot of care? Louise, Musk

Hi Louise, your friend was right about the mint preferring a bit of shelter from the sun. Plant it in well-drained soil, in a coolish spot, with plenty of water and it’s virtually bullet-proof. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one to have trouble with parsley. It can be quite finicky and prefers to be in a damp but well-drained spot, otherwise they decide to go to seed and die off. I usually plant them somewhere near a tap, so they get the stray drops. You can deter them from going to seed by cutting off any flower stems as soon as they appear. Thanks for asking about the best herbs to start a herb garden. I’ll make that the main topic of my next column. Glen

Hi Glen, the year my husband and I moved into our house (2019), a gorgeous established plum, and the lawn surrounding it were simply covered in juicy plums. Sadly since that first crop it has not had any fruit, apart from a stray handful. It flowers beautifully in spring, but I don’t know what I do wrong. I have applied fertiliser and some lime this year, but so far, no success. Can you suggest anything else that might help? Andrea, Woodend

Hi Andrea, unlike a great many other trees that are self-pollinating, plums and quite a number of other fruit bearers need the pollen from other similar variety of trees. To add to the problem the process requires three things – the proximity of other like trees, lots of bees and calm, sunny weather for the time the blossoms are at their peak. There must be a suitable host tree nearby and calm weather at the right time, for the tree to have had that first bounteous crop. If it’s any cold comfort quite a few local fruit crops, including our own, have suffered from the lousy spring weather these past couple of years. You can improve the chances of successful pollination of all your fruiting plants by encouraging bees into your garden and planting insect-attracting shrubs and perennials in your garden. Glen

Got a gardening question: Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

St George’s Lake

You turn left just before the bush deepens,
slow jolt over orange ruts, a gravelled side street
where sun faded fibros crowd its edges,
blank windows like sunglasses, secretive, watchful.

Silent rooms leak out to ochre, threadbare weeds
and then, suddenly, a giant eye,
shimmering behind the trees
meets muddy waters
in its sleepy, skyward gaze.

Small brown ducks glide, impassive,
then dash and plunge
bums up to plunder and gulp.
Sun kisses twinkle on tiny wave spills like
whispering lights on a waving bed
of gold brown silk.

My grandson reclines on a plastic tube,
young brown flesh and the liquid skin of the lake
exploding as his legs lift and thrash, water
sequinned air shaping sculpted columns
that dissolve and fall.

Four ducks surge in formation behind him,
small feathered tugboats
breasting water with an air of
solemn industry, a sedate power that surges,
little webbed machines, the engines that lie
beneath the surface of things.

Lake St George, cradled in the embrace of clay and stone, rests,
its stillness murmuring beneath the surface.
Its hidden icy waters.
Its rocky quarry heart.

• Rhonda Cottsell

Retired librarian Rhonda lives in Creswick and though most of her working life was spent in cities she was born to a farm and small towns have finally been able to build her writing life. Her other loves are her adult offspring and grandson, garden, cooking and eating, and reading way too much.

Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions are always welcome. To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

SCROLLING through Facebook can sometimes be a waste of time but sometimes it is great fun.
Lately I have connected with former high school friends at Mt Eliza High School. That’s not so much fun because I then go and look at their photos now and think “how old are they?” And then realise I am that old too.
But there is gold out there.
I was on the Hepburn Shire Council page yesterday and found this gem although I am not sure why planner has a cap P. It’s not a proper noun. Nor is council.
“Do you need to speak with a Planner? Going through the planning process can be complicated. If you would like to discuss a planning matter you are welcome to make an appointment to meet with one of our Planners. You can make an appointment to meet with a Planner or drop in (on certain days and times). To make an appointment call Council on 5348 2306.
“Catch ups can be over the phone or in person. If a Planner is not available when you call we will give you a customer service request number for reference. We’ve found that most people like to catch up early in the day, but the team can accommodate appointments outside of these times, as required.”
That’s already quite funny if you have ever tried to get hold of their planning department but then there are the comments. More gold.
“Oh boy you guys are opening a can of worms if our experience is anything to go by. 1/ If your times are accurate and a person is available, then that’s a great improvement. 2/ If your planning person works with other sectors of council, for example the heritage person, then that’s wonderful. 3/ Does your planning person who promised to find out actually get back to the customer? If so, that’s a great improvement. 4/ Can the planning person actually read both site plans and building plans? If so, then that’s great. 5/ Will your planning person understand the difference between a multi-dwelling allotment and a subdivision? If so, that’s a step forward. 6/ Will your planning person be able to pass on to other agencies, eg. VicRoads, information accurately? I hope so.
7/ Will your planners return calls and emails when they promise? Will they communicate? If so, tremendous because that doesn’t happen so much now. All these issues and probably a dozen more will help improve the process of ‘planning’.”
And there’s more.
“Interesting. I called two weeks ago to speak to someone and was told they’d get back to me in about a week. Still waiting…” “At least 12 month wait??” “Been trying to get hold of someone for well over a month. Never receive call backs. Left three messages so far.”
Anyway, if you are at a loose end, and aren’t we all, it’s worth a wander around FB. Also keep an eye out for the You Know You’re In Daylesford When…posts. Hilarious. And Grapevine just keeps on giving. Especially vaccine posts.
Away from social media, but still with Hepburn Shire Council, I received an email from them saying their community engagement platform, Participate Hepburn, launched a year ago, has been “hugely successful”.
Mayor Tim Drylie said the Participate Hepburn platform had been successful in gathering community feedback on both big and small projects.
“The platform is a very successful community engagement tool. It complements our other engagement techniques like face-to-face pop-up sessions, SMS text and more traditional email and mail-outs.
“Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback to council to inform our decision making, and we understand there is still room for improvement in the way we go about engaging with our community.”
It may just be me but there seems to be an elephant in the room. Let’s call it The Rex. A loss of $6 million and bugger-all consultation.
Another elephant – the zoos must be empty – is the decision by Hepburn Shire Council to withdraw from delivering aged and disability services. It’s in-principle with a final decision on March 15. When it was announced in November it seemed like a done deal but once the public found out, there has been a lot of consultation happening. So all out in the open. Just see the screen shot of the first page of the Community Services Update – Public Version. So not hugely successful. Just sayin’…

RateMyAgent has announced Belle Property Daylesford & Trentham Office’s as the winner of its 2022 Agency Awards.

The RateMyAgent Agency & Agent of the Year awards are the only of their kind in the industry and based on customer satisfaction. They acknowledge those who have been the most consistently recommended by local Australian home sellers and landlords.

To win means to have secured the highest satisfaction rating across the region – celebrating and recognising real estate agents and agencies that provide truly excellent client service to home buyers, sellers and landlords.

Will Walton & Peter Douglas, directors of Belle Property Daylesford & Trentham Offices are so honored and proud of the teams in both agencies in winning these awards, which they say are testament to the sales, property management and support people and the relationships each and everyone has with buyers, sellers and landlords, as these awards are based on their feedback.  Being multiple winners from previous years also shows the consistency and service provided has been built over several years and we will continue to provide to all our clients.  

RateMyAgent is used by agents who sell 80% of all property in Australia – and high-performing agents are determined by real reviews from those who have bought or sold a home with the agent.

RateMyAgent provides reviews, ratings and rankings for real estate agents The website’s one million verified reviews are attached to the property sale transaction, ensuring that the information provided is unique to the agent and from a genuine property seller or buyer.

2022 Awards:

Agency of The Year – Blackwood                      Agent of The Year Blackwood – Fiona Kelly

Agency of The Year – Clunes                             Agent of The Year Clunes – Angela Flowers

Agency of The Year – Daylesford                      Agent of The Year Daylesford – Annette Leary

Agency of The Year – Glenlyon                          Agent of The Year Glenlyon – Annette Leary

Agency of The Year – Hepburn                          Agent of The Year Trentham – Ceri Spain

Agency of The Year – Hepburn Springs

Agency of The Year – Trentham                        

WHAT is going on with the potholes? Driving around the Central Highlands is like a stint in the Dakar Rally. Instead of the obligatory scattering of gravel and stomp down that may last a day, the good people on the roadworks seem to have given up.
Our roads haven’t ever been all that flash up here but at least there were once trucks, road gangs and steamrollers attempting to keep some sort of levelness and my teeth from puncturing my tongue every other kilometre. Now there are signs saying slow down to 60, and you enter some sort of slalom run. Case in point is the road to Woodend from Trentham, pictured below. (Not really.) Just at the entrance to the town exists a one-kilometre stretch of the most treacherous bob and weave piece of road you will encounter in your life.
I think about those movies where they run out of fuel in the plane and have to put it down on a road and they are all thinking “thank God we are not far from the airport and several hundred metres above it”. If it happened here the captain would have to be one hell of a skilled pilot to firstly find a straight piece of road, secondly not blow the aircraft’s wheels on a pothole and thirdly avoid the wildlife and other idiot road users that are so prevalent around the district.
Speaking of pilots, well people in charge anyway, we have an election coming up and it frightens me to death at the prospects they have wheeled out in front of us to run the country. I have never been politically minded, motivated or really even given a stuff but I am shifting into the age bracket now that likes to stick their bib in.
On one hand I think keep the same bloke in as we need continuity coming out of the pandemic, but then I think of all the blunders that ScoMo has made. Here a just a few that spring to mind – Hawaii, “I’ll be having a beer with my mates at the footy”, “Don’t touch your face, it’s as simple as that”. And that’s just to name a few.
On the other hand we have Albo, who granted, hasn’t had a crack at steering the good ship Australia but for whatever reason simply annoys me. His presence is like running my teeth down a blackboard. (Worse than nails…)
As aforementioned I have no political alliance, but can’t we get away from these white polished males from the boys’ club and get some diversity around the place, people who actually represent what it is to be Australian.
Spoken like a true Kiwi, rant over…

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.
Leonards Hill property owner Adele Chivers is hoping it’s knocked back. Not because she is against renewable energy, she is very much for, but because the panels will be 30 metres from the property she and her late husband bought in 2007.
Not long after the purchase they found two wind turbines erected on the paddock behind their house and learned to live with them. But this next step is too much, she says.
Adele said the solar arrays would come within 30 metres of her boundary fence, whilst the fencing for the development would come within 20 metres.
Meanwhile, the western boundary is 325 metres away and the southern and eastern boundaries are 424 and 904 metres away, respectively.
But, Adele says, she feels as the only objector she is being seen as just a complaining NIMBY. “I just feel like I am being treated like a whingy old lady but I think my concerns are very valid, anyone in my position would feel the same way.
“But I have listed all my objections and just hope they listen to some of my issues and make some concessions. They told me I won’t hear anything in the house, but I didn’t buy in the country to stay in the house all day and night.
“It has been really difficult because I am a private person who doesn’t stick their neck out about anything but I had to give it a shot. My husband’s ashes are up there – it was meant to be our forever home.
“I don’t want the green fields around my property replaced with shiny, noisy, industrial-scale solar panels. Just thinking about it makes me ill. I’m in favour of renewable energy but I’m having my sanctuary threatened.”
In January last year, Hepburn Wind manager Taryn Lane told The Local the organisation, which operates the two wind turbines at Leonards Hill, was “proposing an Australian first for how to integrate solar appropriately into valuable agricultural areas”. “The solar array will be placed on the least arable area on the farm using a technology which reduces the footprint of the solar system by over 50 per cent.”
The project has been supported by Hepburn Shire and in 2019 received a $500,000 grant as part of the Victorian Government’s Renewable Communities Program. Words: Donna Kelly