Victoria’s Country Cob Bakery has won Australia’s Best Pie with its Malaysian prawn pie – a mix of coconut curry, spices and prawns tucked up in golden pastry.

Country Cob has locations in Kyneton, Boronia and Springvale.
More than 300 bakeries competed for the Baking of Australia Association Best Pie and Pastie Competition crown, held on the Gold Coast.
Country Cob co-owner Ryan Khun, far right, said the idea came from a seafood curry he and his wife tried one night while eating out. He thought it would make a great pie and his brother, Chan, pictured left, who is also a co-owner and chef, agreed.
The brothers were awarded best pie-maker in the same competition three years in a row (2018-2020), and again in 2023 for their Cambodian fish amok pie.
Victoria took home eight wins across pies and pasties.
On Facebook, the brothers said they had started 10 years ago this month with a simple dream – to create pies that were delicious, different, creative and unique.
“We wanted to bring something special to our community, even though we had very little knowledge about making pies at the time. We still remember our first week in business. We sold around 300 pies and looked at each other and said: ‘Let’s make a change’. Fast forward to today, and we’re humbled to be baking around 10,000 pies and pastries every week.
“Along the way, we began experimenting with new flavours and unusual fillings, especially Asian-inspired creations. At first, many people weren’t sure about them, and honestly, we had plenty of failures. There were lots of trials, lots of errors, and many pies that never made it to the display cabinet. But we kept going.
“Today, we’re incredibly grateful to have been named Australia’s Best Pie Maker five times, won more than 400 awards, and served countless pies to pie lovers from near and far. To our loyal customers – thank you for believing in us, supporting our crazy ideas, and being part of this journey. And to our amazing team – thank you. Your hard work, passion and dedication are the real reason behind our success.
“Here’s to the next chapter, and to many more pies shared together.”
Words: Kyle Barnes | Image: Contributed

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas has announced the successful applicants in the latest round of the state government’s Sporting Club Grants Program.
Grant recipients include the Trentham Bowling Club which will receive $1000 for new uniforms and the Daylesford Speedway Drivers’ Association which will receive $879 for pit crew safety coveralls.

Minister for First Peoples Ros Spence has announced funding for 13 organisations as part of the eighth round of the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program.
As part of the funding, Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation in Central Victoria will receive more than $1.4 million to build a co-designed Indigenous Education Place in Chewton. The service will deliver educational, employment and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations people.

Victoria’s visitor economy is booming, generating record spending and supporting thousands of jobs across the state, according to results from Tourism Research Australia’s Domestic Tourism Statistics and International Visitor Survey.
The survey found visitor spending has increased by 6.5 per cent and more than 2.9 million international visitors spent a new high of $10.5 billion in the year ending March 2026, an increase of 16.7 per cent. This includes $774 million in regional Victoria.

The biggest spenders were Chinese visitors followed by those from the UK and then the US.

Hepburn Shire Council will no longer look into the Daylesford-Hanging Rock Rail Trail project.

It will also give up the rail corridor leases between Bullarto and Lyonville, to allow Daylesford Railway (formerly Daylesford Spa Country Railway) to take up the leases from VicTrack to construct its planned rail extension to Lyonville.
A report at last week’s council meeting said the move comes because of the significant costs of the project/s, availability of funding and risks associated with community support, landholder complexities, uncertainty around alignment, and other complicating factors.
“The concept of a Rail Trail from Daylesford to Hanging Rock was originally identified in a 2013 report Crossing Borders Tracks and Trails, a partnership initiative between Hepburn, Central Goldfields, Ballarat and Macedon Ranges shire councils, as well as the Victorian Government,” the report said.
The report looked at potential tracks and trails projects to link key towns in the region for the purposes of increasing physical activity, as well as tourism. From 2021-2023 the council invested in the early-stage planning of the project, with feasibility and preliminary trail alignment the key focus.
“Council partnered with Macedon Ranges as they were further progressed on rail trail initiatives within their boundaries, which would connect to the trail in our shire should it progress to construction stage,” the report said.
“Significant community consultation took place in 2021 as part of the initial feasibility work. The council resolved in December 2021 to support both projects and pursue external funding for the subsequent $1.5M planning stage.
“MRSC, in reprioritising current projects, has removed any commitment to progressing this rail trail. DSCR has indicated they have the resources to pursue the rail extension and can do so with only minor involvement from council.”
Words: Kyle Barnes

Clunes’s Booktown’s featured speaker for July is Sean Dooley, author of The Big Twitch.
Join Sean, author and comedian from Birdlife Australia, as he discusses his memoir, the results of the latest Aussie Bird Count and the joys of birdwatching. The event is on Sunday, July 12 at the Clunes Railway Station. Doors open at 1pm with the talk from 2pm. Bookings: www.clunesbooktown.org.au

The Victorian Electoral Commission has received an application from I’m Voting to Avoid the Fine for registration as a political party.
Objections to the proposed registration must be submitted to the VEC in writing no later than Saturday, July 25, 2026. Valid reasons for objection include: the party is not an eligible political party as defined under the Electoral Act 2002 (the Act); application is not in accordance with the requirements of section 45 of the Act; and/or the proposed name should be refused under section 47 of the Act.

Words in Winter has appointed Aunty Alison McRae – a Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta Elder and leader – as its inaugural Cultural Advisor.
The friendship between festival producer Devon Taylor and Aunty Alison began at Paradise Bookshop in Daylesford. That connection has now deepened into a formal role that will see Aunty Alison guide the festival committee and programming to ground the event on Djaara Country. Aunty Alison is also a member of the Pitcha Makin’ Fellas art collective, alongside her son Jack Shilvock and Uncle Ted Laxton. Meanwhile, Words in Winter has released this year’s line-up of authors and events – with tickets now on sale. Link: www.wordsinwinter.com

“And he’s telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can’t get no, oh no, no, no
Hey, hey, hey, that’s what I say.”
– Lyrics from (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction…

Hepburn Shire Council’s overall performance dropped by five points, from 46 in 2025 to 41 in 2026, in the 2026 Victorian Community Satisfaction Survey. Meanwhile, the average of small rural councils was 60, just over that of Victoria-wide councils at 57.
Mayor Cr Tony Clark said the results would “only spur us on and do the best job we possibly can – it’s just going to take time”. That is despite the survey saying the overall score for Hepburn Shire was the lowest in 10 years.
Cr Clark said the results were underwhelming and the council knew the community was not satisfied “with our performance because that’s what they’ve been telling us over the last year or so”.
“With a small team and financial limitations, we have been working hard to focus our efforts on our lowest performing areas from 2025 and committed to continued transparency, maintaining sealed roads and refining processes in the Planning and Building department. And this year, we saw an increase in satisfaction with sealed local roads, waste management and customer service.”
The survey said contributing to the poor overall rate was declines across most measures including a significant decrease in perceptions of value for money.
“Community decisions has the strongest influence on perceptions of overall performance but remains one of council’s lowest performing service areas. The related areas of planning and building permits, community consultation and lobbying, as well as sealed roads and slashing and weed control, are other influential areas.
“Improving communication, transparency and advocacy and addressing concerns around planning and road maintenance will help to strengthen perceptions of overall council performance.”
The survey said the council performed significantly lower than the small rural group average and the overall average across participating councils in most areas.
“This will require a concerted effort from council to correct if it is to endeavour to be on a comparative level with the small rural group average.
“Council performs strongly on arts centres and libraries, and waste management ratings have significantly improved after a sharp decline last year. Council should maintain efforts in these areas in the year ahead. Public areas and recreational facilities are other strong performing areas however further minor declines this year have eroded significant gains made in 2024.”

Hepburn 2026 | Hepburn 2025 | Small Rural | Overall

Overall performance – 41 46 60 57
Value for money – 35 39 52 49
Overall council direction – 34 38 52 48
Appearance of public areas – 60 63 73 71
Tourism development – 60 63 65 64
Recreational facilities – 57 60 69 71
Environmental sustainability – 54 56 60 60
Enforcement of local laws – 52 55 60 60
Business & community dev. – 49 53 59 56
Consultation & engagement – 44 47 57 53
Slashing & weed control – 42 44 47 45
Lobbying – 41 45 57 54
Community decisions – 36 42 56 52
Customer service – 69 64 70 69
Waste management – 63 58 71 69
Sealed local roads – 35 33 48 46
Planning & building permits – 33 33 47 46
Libraries – 70 none 77 76

Words: Donna Kelly

Hepburn Shire Council’s pools are nearing “end of life” but the council will now create a community panel to look into the future of providing aquatic resources – including natural waterways.

However, the provision of an indoor aquatics centre is not feasible, according to a report presented to the council last week.
Hepburn Council has three outdoor pools (Clunes 25m, Trentham 25m, and Daylesford 50m), four currently closed toddler pools (Daylesford, Trentham, Clunes and Creswick) and one splash park (Creswick).
The pool season runs from early December to the long weekend in March. The pools are open three weekdays (3pm to 6pm) and weekends (1pm to 6pm) during school term, and every day (1pm to 6pm) during school holidays. Entry is free.
A capped amount of $150,000 for each of the three pools is available for any urgent major repairs – but has not been budgeted for and would have to be “found”, councillors were told.

Challenges
At the council meeting last week, Mayor Cr Tony Clark said officers had “identified some real challenges in the space around aquatics, also in our short, medium and long term financial situation”.
“It also clearly identifies the aquatics centres that we have within the shire are facing clear structural and long-term maintenance issues. Like many across the state, we’re heading towards the end of life.
“This report identifies a proposed path forward in terms of aquatics and what we should be considering, looking at how we actually work together with the community to develop a future vision of what that might look like. (It) seeks to commence discussions and discussions can develop with our community, a strategy and a plan for the future for this very, very important resource.”
Cr Clark said the pools would reopen for summer.

Study
The Aquatic Feasibility Study, completed in 2022, found that developing an indoor aquatics facility in Hepburn Shire was not feasible, with costs ranging from $17M to over $30M.
“(To) renew existing assets like-for-like – estimates a $33M cost over the next 10 years, highlighting the significant financial challenges of just maintaining the existing aquatics provision,” the study says.
The study also looked at operating a shuttle bus service to aquatic facilities in towns outside the shire in Ballarat, Maryborough, and Kyneton – three bus routes running three times a day, three days a week, year-round.
“This option was initially costed at $234,000, however upon subsequent review the costings are estimated to be at least $750,000 annually. Low use is a significant risk.”

Upgrade
Another option was upgrading the existing Daylesford Pool with the development of an outdoor 25m pool, an indoor 20m pool and a smaller warm-water program pool. The cost of $21.6M was not considered feasible.
Meanwhile, Cr Lesley Hewitt told the meeting that the life of pool was an issue councils around Victoria and interstate were facing.

Olympic help?
“These pools were built post the Melbourne Olympics. It’s an opportunity for funding when you think about the proposed 2032 Olympics coming up in Queensland. I just make that point.
“That’s where we all got our funding from for these pools 60, 70 years ago, following the successful Melbourne Olympics in 1956. So, opportunities do arise, sometimes only very occasionally. And we wouldn’t want to be closing off any options or any solutions at this stage.”

Coming clean
Cr Brian Hood told the meeting he welcomed the release of the feasibility study which would “better inform the community”.
“The two most important aspects in this motion are that we form this community panel. I think that piece of consultation is important. These are very, very important, valued assets.
“And the other second very important part is what we adopted in February of this year with the advocacy statement and the priority projects document. Let that play out. Let’s see where that advocacy leads.”
Council’s Priority Projects document, adopted in February 2026, includes an advocacy action calling for a dedicated funding program from state and federal governments to substantially support the refurbishment and improvement of rural and regional outdoor aquatic facilities.

Consultancy/study cost
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.

DIAC
The Daylesford Indoor Aquatic Centre group has campaigned for an indoor pool in Daylesford for 10 years.
DIAC president Tim Bach said the group would now consider an invitation to join the community panel.
“We’ve put a lot of thought and effort into the issue of indoor aquatic facilities and we have some knowledge and experience to share,” he said.
“(This problem) is not something that local government can solve. I don’t think it’s viable for the council to take this forward, given their current financial situation. I can’t see them solving it (but) I think it’s solvable.
“The Royal Life Saving Society has said there’s 500 pools across the country that are nearing end of life and it’s going to be an $8 billion project to renew.
“It’s a national problem and the federal and state governments are going to have to tackle it at some point.”

History
The Daylesford & District Memorial Swimming Pool, dedicated to those who served, was opened on Saturday, November 11, 1972.
The Clunes Memorial Pool was built immediately after World War II at Victoria Park.
The Trentham Pool is in Market Street and was built in 1957.
The Creswick Splash Park opened in 2015.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Cartoonist Glenn Robinson aka GROB

Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas has resigned, effective from Friday, August 21.

Mr Thomas has served Hepburn Shire Council since 2019 and has held the role of CEO since 2021, leading the organisation through a significant period of challenging change and achievement.

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 the 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,” he said.

“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,” Mr Thomas said.

“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.”

Cr Clark said the council will move forward to seek a new CEO over the coming months.

Victorians deserve world-class care and the state government is ensuring our hospitals have the equipment to deliver it.

The new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital is now home to a world-first medical imaging system.

The new Canon Alphenix Insight Angio-CT Scanner is making it easier for hardworking doctors to deliver faster, safer care – especially in emergencies.

It delivers quick, clear and detailed imaging during surgical procedures so issues can be detected and treated earlier.

The advanced system combines two types of imaging, allowing CT examinations and image-guided interventions.

By using this hybrid technology, expert interventional radiologists can take both types of scans in the same room, at the same time.

Its location close to the operating theatres means surgical teams can adapt and innovate in real time.

For some of the hospital’s sickest patients, this hybrid technology is a gamechanger.

They won’t need to have scans on different days, and procedure times are often shorter, meaning reduced anaesthesia exposure.

This technology will support doctors to perform highly specialised or one‑off procedures.

These include stopping internal bleeding, unblocking blood vessels, destroying cancer or even repairs to tiny leaking lymphatic vessels.

The state government is expanding Chemist Care Now to make health more accessible, and save you time and money.

Coming in July

Adult women can access the oral contraceptive pill directly from their pharmacist with a free consultation.

No prescription or GP visit is required.

They will only need to pay for the cost of the medication at the counter.

It’s a big help for regional Victorians facing long GP wait times and limited access.

The pharmacists who deliver this service have completed a postgraduate training module to keep women safe.

Before dispensing the medication, pharmacists must undertake a thorough consultation in a private consultation room and outline any risks.

Consultations will include advice about other options, including long-acting reversable contraception.

Also from July, Victorians will be able to access treatment for mild dermatitis and acne such as topical retinol and tretinoin.

Available now

Acute and mild musculoskeletal pain – including minor sprains, strains, and joint pain – can now be treated at your local chemist.

Highly trained pharmacists can provide certain anti-inflammatory medicines for short-term use, with no GP visit required.

Not only will this service save Victorians time, but it will also save on out-of-pocket costs.

Why we need it

Since launching, Chemist Care Now has delivered almost 100,000 services.

67 per cent of services have been for women, including more than 43,000 treatments for uncomplicated UTIs and more than 20,000 consultations for the resupply of hormonal contraception.

Around 27 per cent of pharmacies offering Chemist Care Now are in rural and regional areas.

Find where Chemist Care Now is offered near you at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/chemist-care-now.

More than half of all jobs created in Australia last month are right here in Victoria.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released yesterday shows that an additional 22,900 Victorians were employed in May 2026 – the highest total for the month across Australia.

Victoria’s economy has grown faster than any other state and added 877,000 new jobs.

Almost 3.8 million Victorians are now in employment, and the share of working-age Victorians employed is elevated at 64.0 per cent.

The labour force participation rate also remains elevated at 67.2 per cent.

Employment in Regional Victoria is also strong.

Yesterday’s ABS data shows that an additional 6,600 regional Victorians found work in May.

This means that regional unemployment is second-lowest among the states at 3.6 per cent.

The state government will deliver more nurses in more hospitals by strengthening nurse-to-patient ratios.

Stronger nurse-to-patient ratios

Legislation will be introduced this term to further strengthen nurse-to-patient ratios.

It will add an additional 253 full time equivalent nursing positions to our world-class health system.

The amendments to the Safe Patient Care Act are backed by a $109.7 million investment.

The legislation will reclassify 26 hospitals, including 17 in rural and regional Victoria, to a higher level.

Where they will go

This change will enshrine in law an increase in required staffing levels – reflecting the increasing demand.

26 hospitals, including 17 in rural and regional Victoria, will see a boost in staff across general medical and surgical wards, EDs and ICUs. They are:

• Maryborough
• Maroondah Hospital
• Mercy Women
• Royal Women’s Hospital
• Werribee Mercy
• Angliss
• Rosebud
• Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital
• Victorian Heart Hospital
• Sandringham
• Ballarat Base Hospital
• Bendigo Health
• Latrobe Regional Hospital
• Shepparton
• Bairnsdale
• Echuca
• Sale
• Swan Hill
• West Gippsland
• Wimmera
• Wodonga
• Wonthaggi
• Ararat
• Colac
• Wangaratta
• Hamilton

Stronger staffing ratios mean better, safer care for Victorians when and where they need it most.

It also means less pressure on our hardworking nurses, preventing burnout so we can retain the workforce.

The additional roles will also create more opportunities for graduate and early career nurses.