Glenlyon schools

Glenlyon is noted for having been a gold-mining area with the original settlement of the town dating back to 1846. At one time Glenlyon had three schools operating: a State School No. 266, Rae’s Hill School No. 1294 (Private) and Burke No. 1677.

Rae’s Hill No. 1294 was opened on July 11, 1870 with the head teacher being William W. Emmason.
A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria (1975) describes the school as being built of slabs with a bark roof and an earth floor; it stood on private property on the west side of the Loddon River, six miles north of Glenlyon.
This site was later deemed unsuitable and a new site on the east side of the river was gazetted on April 24, 1874. The first school closed in early 1875.
The new Rae’s Hill School, set on five acres, was opened on January 1, 1876. It was a wooden school building 24 feet by 18 feet with a shingle roof and two attached rooms.
The head teacher was R. E. Williams. In 1880, the attendance was 17 and after declining further Rae’s Hill closed on June 6, 1884.

Burke No. 1677 was opened on the January 1, 1876 with the head teacher being Mathew M. Bourke, with Jane L. Macfarlane as the work mistress. It opened with 74 enrolments.
A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria (1975) states this school was situated three miles east of Glenlyon beside Spring Hill Road, half-way between Daylesford and Malmsbury. The changing population of the area could not support the school. It closed on November 8, 1894 with Enoch Richards the final head teacher.

Glenlyon School No. 266 opened on November 1, 1861 on Lot 4, Section 8 in the township of Glenlyon.
A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria (1975) imparts the following information: “The original building still stands and at times has had up to 80 pupils attending. The school is a single room brick type building.”
Glenlyon was once a gold-mining area and at one time had three schools operating, state, church and private. The head teacher was Herbert Packer and the school’s attendance on opening was 24 students. School No. 266 had four names over its time of operation. It commenced as Glenlyon School, then became a Common School (free to attend) and like most government schools was changed to a State School and ended as Glenlyon Primary School.
For 132 years the school was brimming with life and the Inspector’s Report gives an insight into the building, furniture and records of the school.
“This old building provides ample accommodation for the present enrolment of 13, maintenance duties are carried out and the accounts are balanced. Furniture is more than sufficient but the arrangement of the blackboards is such that all desks are used.”
By 1955 enrolments were 25 and numbers continued to fluctuate. In 1978, the Inspector’s Report read as follows: “The school has an enrolment of five students. A program of regular visits to the group leader’s school is planned in order to overcome a lack of stimulation resulting from the small enrolment. The school should retain sufficient numbers to be staffed until 1980.”
It managed to surpass expectations and closed on June 12, 1993. The dwindling numbers and parents’ preference for a busier school with more stimulation were the resulting factors for its closure.

Little snippet – In 1893 the head teacher T. H. Jenkins of the State School reported 13 cases of measles.

Final snippet – The old Glenlyon School is now a residential home – of the editor and manager of The Local.

Roll of Honour courtesy of www.vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au

(The roll originally hung in the school but was moved to the town hall across the road after the school was sold off by the Education Department.)

One of last month’s rescued animals at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter was a tawny frogmouth.

This bird was found trapped in a stormwater pipe, which was positioned vertically into the ground. Jon Rowdon from the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter thinks that the bird probably went down into the pipe looking for food.
Contrary to popular opinion tawny frogmouths are not owls, but nightjars, and their diet mainly consists of insects, whilst owls are carnivores (meat-eaters).
This bird most likely saw something tasty in the pipe and went down to catch it, then found it couldn’t spread its wings wide enough to fly out.
Unlike birds such as chooks, the tawny frogmouths are unable to jump up and down and the pipe was too smooth to climb up, so the bird was trapped down there for some time before the property owner came across it.
The fact that the person could remove the bird from the pipe without getting badly pecked indicates the poor state it was in when found.
At the wildlife shelter the tawny frogmouth was fed specialised food suitable for its species. Gayle Chappell says that it is very important that sick birds are fed the specialised food they need, as it will contain the nutritional requirements that enable them to regain health.
This rescued bird was underweight and dehydrated and it took three weeks for it to recover. Like many birds the tawny frogmouths only see moving prey as food, so it had to be force fed until it began to recognise what it was being fed as food.
When it began to snatch the food, Gayle knew it was on the road to recovery. The bird has now made a full recovery and been released back into its home range.
Unfortunately, our properties have many unintentional animal traps, but if we keep an eye out and cover any holes, pipes or buckets that animals can become trapped in, we may save a few lives.
Dr Marita McGuirk is a field ecologist and environmental scientist, and a volunteer at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Marita writes monthly columns about the shelter and the animals it cares for. If you would like to donate or volunteer, or just to find out more information, head to www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.org | Image: Barb Davies

Leading the nation in cardiac arrest survival, Victorians can boast that their paramedics are among the best in the world.

Whether in the city, bush, snow or at sea, Ambulance Victoria’s range of highly skilled paramedics are equipped to respond to all emergencies, providing world-leading out of hospital emergency care to those who need it.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics form the backbone of Ambulance Victoria’s clinical response, delivering emergency and community-based healthcare across the state. They work alongside specialist Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics who provide advanced critical care for patients experiencing major trauma, cardiac arrest, heart attacks and other life-threatening medical emergencies.

Air Ambulance Victoria’s fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing planes extend this care across the state through specialist ALS and MICA Flight paramedics who are trained to perform retrievals in the most remote and hard to reach locations, so patients in regional and remote areas can access high-quality critical care regardless of location.

Ambulance Victoria’s broader paramedic workforce also includes specialist communications, wilderness, motorcycle and bicycle paramedics, along with clinical leaders, educators, researchers and managers who support safe, evidence-based patient care.

This Thank a Paramedic Day (24 July), Ambulance Victoria is recognising all the hardworking paramedics across our state who demonstrate extraordinary skill, compassion and resilience each day.

“From metropolitan Melbourne to regional and rural communities, Ambulance Victoria has a workforce of nearly 6000 dedicated and passionate paramedics,” Ambulance Victoria Director Paramedicine A/Prof Ben Meadley said.

“Whether responding to life-threatening emergencies, caring for critically ill and injured patients, or helping people navigate complex health needs, our paramedics play a vital role in the Victorian health system.

“Our paramedics choose this career because they want to make a difference in their communities and care for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

“While we never expect to be thanked for the job we do, days like Thank a Paramedic Day are a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community we serve.”

Thank a Paramedic Day is an annual event in Victoria to acknowledge and appreciate the dedication and service of paramedics across the state and the crucial role they play in providing pre-hospital emergency healthcare.

Victorians wanting to show their support this Thank a Paramedic Day can make a donation to their local Ambulance Victoria Auxiliary or via the Ambulance Victoria website.

Victorians have been showing their support for our paramedics for decades, through a network of more than 40 Ambulance Victoria Auxiliaries who work tirelessly to support their local paramedics and ambulance branches.

From the first auxiliary in Maryborough, which began in 1918 and is still going strong, to our more recent auxiliaries through Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and the Metropolitan region – seeing the gratitude of our community through their volunteer efforts and community donations not only contributes to improved community care, but sends a great message of thanks to our frontline clinical workforce.

Every contribution, big or small, goes towards investing in advanced training tools, specialised equipment and resources which help Ambulance Victoria’s paramedics and first responders provide Best Care to communities – and continue to give Victorians access to one of the best ambulance services in the world.

So, the build is well underway. Nah, just joking.

We did however have a call from the building administration person to ask where we would like the gas bottles.
We said out the back, away from the front road, so that no-one could see them, along with the other bits and bobs like aircon etc.
That was all good. And she also said we would have a meeting in about two weeks with the builder and they would start putting up the temporary fencing and all that. Yay.
We mentioned that we would like the hedge we carefully planted many years ago, and that is now about eight feet high, to be untouched – as in just left alone.
She asked if we meant the bit labelled “shrubs” and we said that was it. I called it our Secret Garden and I was actually going to call it Betty’s Garden after my mum.
It is only pittosporum but it looks great and also is where the rainwater tank is so it covers that as well.
The woman said she would make a note of that.
But she did ring back an hour or so later and said there was a piece on the plan that had a concrete pad at the front of the house for the gas bottles.
We explained that had been knocked back long ago, by us, because we don’t want any services along the front of the house – where they can be seen from the road.
She asked if we had any emails showing that and we just said to go back to the person we originally dealt with. Hmmm. I grow weary.
I also asked if October, as we were promised way back when, was still a potential end of the build date. She laughed, and said “no, not October”. I feel like she thinks I am quite a curmudgeonly person.
I can feel the life being sucked out of me. And I do my best to remain upbeat.
But, we did have some good stuff happen this week. Another woman, Lise Heymer, the founder of Heymer Design Studio, sent us through some amazing renders of what the old school could look like. See above.
It is enough to get you really thinking about whether you want a new modern home or an older home with amazing design.
One thing I love about the school is that everyone who steps inside says: “Wow”.
And I am not sure if you get that with modern homes. Mind you, when we went to Bendigo to look at our Sherridon Home we were very impressed. It does look amazing and huge and new. And the price point is fantastic.
So we will see. At the moment, I am not a fan of building. But as someone told me last week, once you walk in, you will fall in love. I hope so.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Heymer Design Studio

Hi there, I am Crackers, no, all good, that’s just my name.

I am just six months old so getting used to human companionship but making steady progress. I am a little timid and prefer to take things at my own pace and observe from a safe distance. But once I get to know you I will be a very affectionate friend. Quiet voices, slow movements, and a calm environment help me feel secure.
I would love a peaceful home with someone patient and understanding. Come and meet me at MAAWS.
Microchip number: 956000018916319
Call 5472 5277 | shelter@maaw.org.au

In this column, in the last edition, I wrote that Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas said the council was doing its best and just needed more time.
That was after the Community Satisfaction Survey came out saying the council’s overall performance score was the worst in 10 years.
I said I knew plenty of people who worked for council who were doing their best, but as a team it was not working. Mr Thomas, as the head of the organisation, needed to take the brunt of the complaints, I added.
So The Local came out in digital form on Sunday, and we sent the file off to the printer, and then on Monday I read that Mr Thomas had resigned.
Whoa. That was a surprise. For me, anyway.
It was only in November last year that Mr Thomas was reappointed for a further four-year term, with no advertisement up for his position.
That was a council call apparently.
Mr Thomas said at the time he was pleased with the “council’s confidence in the leadership of the organisation and excited about what we can achieve together in the next four years”.
Then he seemed to borrow some quotes from Hugh Grant playing the Prime Minister in Love Actually.
Hugh said: “We may be a small country, but we’re a great one too. Country of Shakespeare, Churchill, The Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter, David Beckham’s right foot, David Beckham’s left foot, come to that.”
Mr Thomas was quoted as saying: “While we are a small council, we do great things.”
He never quite said what great things but probably not The Rex, or an indoor pool, or the toddler pools, or, no, I can’t go there just yet, I’ll get sued, or the outdoor dining permit stuff at the Royal Daylesford Hotel, or the Bleakley Street houses, or the Hepburn Depot, or the rail trail to Hanging Rock, or the…nah, that’s enough.
I wish Mr Thomas all the best in his next posting – although I have heard he might be throwing his hat into the ring for the state election.
(You all know what’s it like here. If you are not sure what you are up to, just ask the community. They usually know.)
Hopefully it is a position which pays well…
Under the 2025/2026 final budget documents on the council website, a male employed under executive services was to see his wage rise from $305,000 in 25/26 to $316,000 in 26/27 to $327,000 in 27/28 and then $339,000 in 28/29. I wouldn’t mind that salary. Must talk to Kyle…

Now, the above is a strange thing. Australia is getting a new alert system for nationwide and local emergencies. A test is being held on Monday, July 27 at 2pm in Victoria. Phones and devices will vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for 10 seconds. An AusAlert message will appear and clearly say it is a test.
The test overrides the silent mode so if you don’t want to be part of it, or are still triggered by Covid alert sounds, you actually need to turn your phone off.
I am pretty switched on but I can’t find the reason for this new system – unless the aliens are actually landing and we need to find shelter. I saw this in a movie once. And what also worries me is the Presidential Alert on the website. I kid you not. I did not realise we had a president but then I didn’t know there was an Islamic State of Japan.
Mind you, with the Telstra outage last week, who knows if this will even work? Wishing everyone the best and hope to still be writing an editorial for July 27.
Just sayin’…

Craters of the Goldfields is my latest tourism idea.

Every year my car goes in for a roadworthy. This is a self-induced chore so as I know the state of my tyres, brakes, lights, you know, the works. Some bloke in overalls gets down on his back with a torch and decides whether my vehicle is fit to be unleashed on the public. Because nobody wants to share a road with a car that’s one pothole away from losing a wheel.
But what about carworthy roads? Because out here in the shire of a plethora of potholes, the roads have been failing their own roadworthy for years, and there’s no bloke with a torch checking much it seems.
If you’ve driven Daylesford to Creswick lately, or ventured out past Trentham after dark, you’ll know the drill. It’s not driving so much as navigating a slow-motion slalom around craters that would embarrass a moonwalker, punctuated by the odd full-body flinch when you meet one you didn’t see coming – forget about the roos.
To be fair to the council, they’re not sitting on their hands. Back in 2023, HSC tipped $2.73 million into reconstruction, resealing and gravel re-sheeting, on top of roughly $3 million more in general repair works – a genuinely serious spend for a shire with a population sitting around 16,500 people spread over 1473 square kilometres.
But it seems the potholes are being triaged rather than fixed – with a bloke with a shovel full of black rock and a handheld compounder, only to be kicked out by the next semi full of sheep or logs traversing through from east to west.
In 2023 then mayor Brian Hood put it plainly at the time: “Successive years of wet weather have seriously deteriorated road conditions and led to potholes and other road defects.” He’s not wrong, and to give the man his due, this isn’t unique to Hepburn, every rural council in the state has been fighting the same soggy, budget-draining war since the storms of 2021 and 2022 flooded the region’s roads.
Where it gets properly frustrating is the jurisdictional shell game. A fair chunk of the roads locals actually complain about, the Midland Highway, Daylesford-Trentham Road, Ballan-Daylesford Road aren’t even council’s to fix. They belong to state government, which means the council can sympathise, forward your complaint, and otherwise shrug. Meanwhile you hit the same pothole twice a week and get told it’s someone else’s pothole. Try explaining that distinction to your wheel alignment.
None of this is a dig at the crews out there with the hot-mix trucks patching a shire this size, this wet, on a rural rate base, it was never going to be a quick job. Gravel re-sheeting doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does a reseal program that has to work its way methodically through four townships and the hamlets scattered through the district before the next wet season undoes half the progress anyway. It’s a genuinely thankless treadmill.
Meanwhile with the Bureau of Meteorology declaring an El Nino weather pattern and forecasts indicating an increased likelihood of hotter and drier conditions, the council is encouraging residents to plan ahead and make use of the knowledge, networks and resources developed through the Heatwave HELP (Health Emergency Local People) project which finished on June 30 this year.
HeatSAFE training is a new municipal Heat Health Plan helping people cope with extreme heat. All the things you would think about, including the production of 250 cooling neckties for vulnerable residents and another 100 for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It seems a resource-heavy waste to me. Strip off and jump in a dam. Shut the blinds. Aircons and fans on. But I do reckon those neckties would come in handy as a neck brace when hurtling into a pothole at 100kph. My two cents rant over…

Destination Central Victoria has appointed Joel Chadwick as its new chief executive officer.

Mr Chadwick joins DCV from Tourism Midwest Victoria, where he has held a number of senior leadership roles including Visitor Economy acting executive manager. He is also chair of Australian Regional Tourism. Mr Chadwick was born in Maryborough and has held key tourism-focused roles with Central Goldfields Shire and the City of Ballarat. He starts next month.

Hepburn Shire Council has partnered with mecwacare to host over 30 workshops across the shire to help people over 55 to stay healthy, independent, and connected as they age.

The mecwacare Healthy Ageing Workshops are designed to support residents with practical, easy to understand information on topics that matter, from nutrition and heart health to sleep, mental wellbeing, and staying connected. Mayor, Cr Tony Clark, said living in rural and regional areas can sometimes make it harder to access services and support. Link: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/positive-ageing-events

Hepburn Shire Council chief executive officer Bradley Thomas served his notice on Monday, June 29.

Mr Thomas started with the council in 2019 and has held the role of CEO since 2021.
Mayor Cr Tony Clark thanked Mr Thomas for his leadership and contribution to the council and the Hepburn Shire community.
“I want to sincerely thank Bradley for his many years of contribution to our community. Joining council in 2019, he has led a dedicated team and provided informative and clear advice to councillors over his tenure.
“Bradley has been instrumental in commencing the major change program to shift the organisation towards financial sustainability.
“On behalf of all councillors, I would like to say thank you to Bradley for his dedication and work.”
Mr Thomas said it had been a privilege to serve the organisation and the community.
“I want to sincerely thank councillors, past and present, for the opportunity to serve as chief executive officer of Hepburn Shire Council.
“I am incredibly proud of the way our staff have worked together to deliver outcomes for our community. Local government allows for meaningful and deeply important work, and I have seen first-hand the dedication, care and professionalism our people bring to the Hepburn Shire each and every day.
“My hope is that the community can work together to support each other and council, and recognise the great work that is carried out across our shire.”
Mr Thomas’ resignation takes effect on Friday, August 21.
The Bendigo resident started at Hepburn Shire Council as the director of Community and Corporate Services in May 2019 and two years later became the interim CEO and then CEO.
Prior to that, Mr Thomas worked at Mt Alexander Shire Council for four years, from 2014 to 2018 as Business Performance executive manager and Corporate Support acting director.
From 2008 to 2014, he worked for the City of Greater Bendigo as a senior management accountant and a senior financial accountant.
Mr Thomas was president of FinPro, Victorian Local Government Finance Professionals, for six years from 2018 to 2024.
Earlier this year Mr Thomas was involved in an incident where a coffee being thrown on him by a member of the community.
The case was heard in the Ballarat Magistrates Court and the offender pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful assault and was issued a fine and placed on a good behaviour bond.
Mr Thomas had called for members of the community to respect council workers and stop ongoing harassment at the time.
Meanwhile, the council confirmed, on March 11, that Mr Thomas and Cr Don Henderson had each been served with alleged criminal charges initiated by a private individual.
“This matter is proceeding as a private prosecution. It has not involved an investigation, fact finding process, or assessment by Victoria Police or any public prosecutorial authority,” a council media release said.
“Council is taking the matter very seriously and is acting in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Integrity Policy.
“As required by the Local Government Act 2020, Cr Henderson is automatically stood down while this matter is managed through the appropriate processes.
“The chief executive officer is not legally required to stand down and will continue to act in his role.
“Council is incredibly disappointed with the allegations and fully supports Mr Thomas and Cr Henderson as they work to resolve these matters.
“Council supports a fair process and will uphold any recommendations handed down by the courts.”
In November last year Mr Thomas was reappointed for a further four-year term.
After questions from The Local, a council spokesperson said the position had not been advertised which was “fully compliant with legislation”.
Mr Thomas said at the time it was a privilege to continue leading the organisation and serving the Hepburn Shire community.
“I’m pleased by the council’s confidence in the leadership of the organisation and excited about what we can achieve together in the next four years. While we are a small council, we do great things.”
At the time, under 2025/2026 final budget documents on the council website, a male employed under executive services will see his wage rise from $305,000 in 25/26 to $316,000 in 26/27 to $327,000 in 27/28 and then $339,000 in 28/29.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

Words from friend Maia Irell

“This beautiful man, Petrus Spronk meant so much to all of us together and apart.
As Tina (Banitska) said, we’ve lost the patriarch of our town.
Friend, son, father, uncle, brother, beloved artist, thinker, disciplined Do-er.
Ceramic bowls, casts of pears, of rabbits, mud balls, sand sculptures, mirrors of birds in flight on hospital walls and amphitheatres, story teller, fighter for justice, book author, extreme Words in Winter event creator, mentor to many young and old, magical human who pulled together music and words, sounds and vibes, light and dark, to make us feel.
I felt loved and cared for by Petrus, he took us just as we were.
His repertoire goes on…like our love for him which purls out drowsily behind us.
May we write poetry and letters to each other, collect acorns and fallen bits of nature, share ideas and support and love, construct temples in the worship of our gardens, be curious, dream big.
I’m sure I’ve missed a lot, but just totally heartbroken.
Vaya con dios, Peti.”

A memorial service was held for Petrus at the Daylesford Town Hall on Friday, July 10.
A Words in Winter event in Petrus’ honour has sold out.

Pictured, Petrus’ Feast on the opening night of the Daylesford Ceramic Exhibition in June 2024, which he organised to celebrate the work of many local ceramicists

Image: Kyle Barnes

Hepburn Shire Council has confirmed that councillors Shirley Cornish, Lesley Hewitt and Pat Hockey have been served with criminal charge by the same individual who served other councillors and the CEO earlier this year.

The matters are proceeding as private prosecutions and, like the previous charges, have not involved any investigation, fact‑finding process, or assessment by Victoria Police or any public prosecutorial authority.

A media release said the council was limited in what it could publicly say about the charges since they are before the courts.

“Council can say that it is bitterly disappointed with the impact that this individual’s actions are having on our community and its right to be represented by its democratically elected representatives.

“With only two councillors not stood down as a result of this individual’s actions, council meetings of any kind cannot proceed as a quorum cannot be reached.

“It is extremely important to note that council’s day-to-day operations, like bin collection, library operation and road maintenance, will continue unaffected.

“Council continues to work with the Victorian Government and relevant authorities to address these matters, and remains committed to maintaining strong governance, transparency and continuity of service to the Hepburn Shire community.

“Council continues to act in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Integrity Policy.

“As required by the Local Government Act 2020, Cr Shirley Cornish, Cr Lesley Hewitt and Cr Pat Hockey are all automatically stood down while this matter is managed through the appropriate processes.”

Mayor Cr Tony Clark and Cr Don Henderson have already been stood down after being served withy criminal charges.

The two councillors remaining are Cr Brian Hood and Cr Tim Drylie.

I wish to respond to your article in the June 29, 2026 edition headed: ‘HSC: No geese, no Rex and now no indoor pool’.

In your article you state re consultancy/study costs: “A spokesperson said the council had spent in the order of $70,000 over three financial years which included the original scope and some additional investigation”.
I suspect the figure is far more substantial than this. The Aquatics Strategy cost $80k ($50k council & $30k state government). This strategy fed into Indoor Aquatic Feasibility & Business Case study.
In the 2022-2023 Budget I understand there was an allocation of $160k to undertake ‘The Indoor Aquatics Feasibility/Business Case Study’. It is unclear how much of all this is related to consultant fees. On top of this, have there been other related costs?
At the June meeting of council, the outcome of the long-awaited feasibility study was finally released. It concluded what many of us already knew – the fact that an Indoor Aquatic Centre for Hepburn Shire was financially not viable. This is the same conclusion of an earlier study undertaken in years gone by.
Council officers wisely recommended that council cease the pursuit of such a facility because it would be too costly to construct, too costly to operate and the unlikelihood of receiving the required funding.
But despite this, councillors, led by Cr Lesley Hewitt, chose to override this sensible advice and instead decided to keep the unlikely prospect of an Indoor Aquatic Centre alive.
It is worth noting a public question was tabled at the meeting in relation to option ‘D’ (a completely new indoor aquatic facility to a minimum service level) of the Feasibility Study. The question related to the funding allocated in the 2026-2027 budget for outdoor pools and queried the possibility of it being redirected towards option ‘D’.
The following was part of the answer provided by the Deputy Mayor Cr Shirley Cornish, as recorded in the minutes. “… If these funds were to be reallocated to financing an alternative project (such as an aquatics facility as outlined in option D) it would require the closure of all three existing outdoor pools and the Creswick Splash Park…”
In this latest budget, council has allocated $45k for the establishment of the community panel referred to in your article. It will focus on the financially feasible and responsible options for aquatic service provision.
Yet the costly recent feasibility report has concluded that an indoor aquatic facility is financially not feasible.
Any glimmer of possibility would require an outlandish financial commitment from council in future budgets for many years to come. And concerningly, the closure of all our outdoor pools to fund it.
Despite all of this, it seems, the proposed Community Aquatics Panel will be permitted to waste time and money continuing to discuss the pursuit of an Indoor Aquatic Centre. It does not make rational or responsible sense.
Members of this panel will likely include representation from influential organisations such as the Daylesford Indoor Aquatic Centre (DIAC).
It was time at the June meeting to ‘pull the plug’ on this ‘pie in the sky’ project, regardless of how well intended and desirable it might be. Like the $20m plus Daylesford Town Hall project, councillors have chosen to keep on giving false hope and wasting valuable time and public money. It beggars belief.
– Heather Mutimer, Musk

Society XVII, a group of players who specialise in 17th and 18th century music, are heading to the Clunes Town Hall for a 60-minute recital on Sunday, July 26 at 3pm.

All four members play with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra – but with that based in Sydney, the Victorian quartet have decided to also do their own thing.
They are Timothy Willis on baroque violin, Jamie Hey and Edwina Cordingley on baroque cello and Nicholas Pollock on theorbo. Jamie is the principal cello of the ABO and Nicholas is the principal theorbo player.
Jamie lives in Castlemaine, Edwina in Woodend and Timothy and Nicholas in Melbourne.
Edwina said the recital would cover cello sonatas, violin and solo theorbo work.
“We have worked together for many years but this ensemble is quite new. We had our first concert on Saturday at Elphinstone in the old St Mary’s Church which is now privately owned by an artist.
“We got together because we are all from Victoria and we spent a lot of time together on the road and in hotels – and this is the music we really love playing. This is what we are really passionate about.
“The cello sonatas and the trio sonatas and the really intimate kind of chamber works that are really beautiful to play.”
Edwina said she would like to think that their music appeals to everyone but the reality was the audiences tended to be older.
“But that’s largely because they’ve got more time to go to concerts. I know what life’s like when you’re busy and working with children and all of that. But we love having everyone in our audience.”
Edwina said the group were always interested in the acoustics of the places they were playing.
“Elphinstone is just this beautiful space with all timber floorboards and timber rafters in the ceiling. We take the time to try to find acoustics that will complement the music. It needs to be small enough that it’s an intimate chamber ensemble.
“Clunes is pretty commonly used by us. We’ve all performed there with different ensembles. It’s on the regional touring concert route. So, even the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has performed there with their regional tour.”
Bookings: Trybooking.com

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

The Words in Winter name carries a unique resonance across the Central Highlands, representing a trio of distinct festivals.
While the Central Goldfields festival in Maryborough celebrates in May, the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs festival and the Trentham festival wait for the chill of August.

The shared roots of 2002
Words in Winter began in Daylesford in 2002, founded by local literary champions David, pictured, and Lorelle Hall. Conceived as a response to the introspective winter months, it aimed to transform the season into a celebration of ideas.

David Hall recalls: “Recognising the wealth of literary talent in the shire, we saw the opportunity for communities to work together productively. The result was the concept of a literary festival with space for writers and commentators to share their thoughts and work. Timed for midwinter to bring warmth to a dull period of the year.”
Inspired by this regional literary momentum, the Trentham community soon followed suit, embracing a joyful festival that captured the spirit of its distinct community.
Sylvia Johnson of the Trentham committee remembers those early days: “The first festival in 2004 was about celebrating words in a grassroots way – filling our bakeries, cafes and laneways with readings and discussions about words.
“Now 22 years later, the Trentham festival has become a much-loved celebration of language, stories, music and community. When winter settles in, it’s a chance for our community to leave their homes and gather together to experience a truly diverse program of events.”
Today, while the Daylesford and Trentham festivals both share the same DNA, the two festivals operate independently. Words in Winter Trentham is now a fully autonomous, self-funded association. Meanwhile, the Daylesford team continues to forge its own path, with locals making up 60 per cent of this year’s 35+ event program.
Words in Winter Daylesford festival producer Devon Taylor expresses it best: “These two festivals represent a shared regional legacy and a belief that the Central Highlands is a premier hub for the love of words and literature. And with the 25-year anniversary of the very first Words in Winter in 2027, we are getting excited to share this milestone – but first, this year’s program.”
This August, the banners will fly once again. Both the Daylesford and Trentham teams have launched their programs, and tickets are officially on sale.
Whether you are wandering through the historic venues of Daylesford or exploring the cosy nooks of Trentham, you are participating in a single, magnificent story that started 24 years ago – a story that proves winter in our region is anything but quiet.

The Local Publishing Group is a proud media partner with Words in Winter.

Words: Contributed | Image: Kyle Barnes & contributed