A gathering is planned at Burke Square in Daylesford this Saturday, April 11 from 2pm.
The area has been a public space for many years but during Covid years the Daylesford Royal Hotel was given permission to use the area for outdoor dining.
Hepburn Shire Residents’ Association president Tim Anderson said a number of residents were coming together to spend some time in the space and reflect on its role in our town.
“Burke Square has long been a shared place for the community, and this gathering is an opportunity to reflect on how it continues to serve that role,” he said.
“This isn’t a protest. It’s about being present, respectful, and part of a broader conversation about how the square evolves into the future. If you care about Burke Square and its role as a public space, you’re warmly invited to come along.”
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said all public spaces often had conflict to work through.
“And this is one of those areas as well. It’s an area that does have an outdoor dining permit and there is some dual use of outdoor permits and green spaces. The council will review its outdoor dining and trading policy next financial year. And that’s the document that would guide officers around anything. It’s a regular process.”
Mr Thomas said in assessing applications for outdoor dining and trading, the council would be guided by accessibility, the impact on foot and vehicle traffic, public safety and amenity, visual amenity, size or footprint of dining or trading area, available open space, support of other traders or the community, the impact on other traders or the community, maintenance of permit area and elements, impact on other council services and existing infrastructure and the overall benefit to the community.
Words: Kyle Barnes | Image: Contributed

Words in Winter will return across Daylesford and Hepburn from August 26 to 30 with a theme of Curiouser and Curiouser.
Now entering its 24th year, the volunteer-led festival continues to bring together writers, readers and storytellers from across the region and beyond to celebrate words in all their forms – from page to stage.
Across five days of conversations, readings, workshops and performances, local creators and visiting artists will share ideas, craft and imagination with audiences of all ages.
Festival organisers say curiosity is central to both reading and community life.
“Curiosity is what brings people together around stories,” festival producer Devon Taylor says.
“It invites us to listen more deeply, imagine differently and explore the world through other perspectives. Curiouser and Curiouser celebrates that spirit of discovery.”
Community connection remains at the heart of the festival. Words in Winter is powered by volunteers and supported by a festival producer, with programming shaped by local voices and partnerships across the region.
The festival also continues its commitment to honouring Djaara Country and amplifying diverse perspectives, including First Nations storytelling and voices from across Australia’s literary community.
In 2026 the festival will focus on strengthening its foundations while deepening community engagement, ensuring Words in Winter remains accessible, welcoming and vibrant for audiences of all ages.
The festival is now inviting expressions of interest from writers, event-makers and workshop presenters who want to help shape the 2026 program. EOIs are open until Friday, May 1.
Local and debut authors are particularly encouraged to apply.
Submit EOIs at www.wordsinwinter.com/expressions-of-interest-2026.
The full program will be announced on June 29 when tickets go on sale.

Words: Kyle Barnes

rendan Murray joined Hepburn House in 2017, initially as a carer, but he now works in the Leisure and Lifestyle area.
“We create activities to keep residents engaged, connected, entertained and having fun during the day. They range from handcrafts to board games to bingo to jewellery making, to artwork and performances or even driving down the main street in the ChillOut Parade.
“Then there’s our cinema, local history sessions, scenic drives…we’ve got quite a full calendar really.”
Brendan says he loves interacting with the residents and encourages them to get involved as much as they want. “That might just be trying to connect up like-minded residents so that people find more companionship. It’s always rewarding.
“And we do take it seriously, we have a staff of five in Leisure and Lifestyle, and have facilities which are purpose-built for the residents’ relaxation and recreation.”
Brendan is also now the New Resident Support person, so part of his work is greeting people when they arrive, showing them around, making them feel welcome and listening to any concerns so he can address them. It is important that residents feel not only cared for, but valued.
“I am one of the early point of call people and really do get to know everyone.”
As a long-time local himself, Brendan also loves that Hepburn House offers continuity of community life for the residents.
“There’s a continuity and connection that perhaps does not exist in other aged care residences. There’s a good chance residents will meet staff members and people from within the local community and with that comes recognition and familiarity, which is quite important.
“I think the fourth age of living is where you realise you are ageing and need another level of care – and that is where we come in.”

Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford.
Phone 5348 8100 or email reception@hepburnhouse.com.au
Advertorial

An Anzac Day Service will be held at the Bullarto Public Hall on South Bullarto Road at 2pm. Due to the unpredictable weather the service will be held in the hall adjacent to the flag pole. The order of service is available on the day.

Kingston

Guest speaker is Ruth Ord Evans, the great-grand niece of Sister Margaret Anderson (1871-1967) who is honoured on the Avenue of Honour with Tree East 141. The service starts at 9am, assemble at the Cenotaph at 8.45am. People are then invited to the Commercial Hotel for a cuppa and to view the Kingston Remembers Resource Centre.

Creswick

Service at 10.30am.

Daylesford

Dawn Service at 6.30am at the Cenotaph.
Service at 10.30 at the Cenotaph after the march steps off at 10.15am.
The unveiling of the newly installed WWI Memorial will take place at 1pm just to the west of the East Street, Daylesford roundabout outside Middleton Fields.

Hepburn

Service at 8am at the Hepburn Memorial, Park Avenue.

Eganstown

Service at 9am at the Eganstown Memorial in Old Main Road.

Kyneton

Dawn Service at 6am, followed by Gunfire Breakfast.
Parade at 9.30am followed by 9.45am ceremony at the Kyneton Cenotaph.

Hepburn Springs’ Aurora Kurth, a critically acclaimed singer and actor, will bring the production of Mara to life. The actor will bring 10 characters to life while a live musician creates a richly layered, Foley-inspired soundscape that functions as both score and storytelling engine.
Mara is presented by Theatre Works and Machination Theatre Ensemble and will run from April 22 to May 2 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda.
Mara is a new reimagining of Charles Perrault’s fabled Cinderella and was written by Paris-based Australian playwright Hanna Pyliotis and is directed by theatremaker Megan Jones. The play refocuses the traditional lens in the Cinderella myth, positioning it from the stepmother’s perspective, revealing a woman trapped inside a story she never wrote.

A spirited, ambitious girl desperate to escape her prescribed destiny, marriage to a wealthy widower seems to promise a new beginning for Mara, but the fantasy quickly unravels. Families won’t blend, her husband vanishes, and she is left caring for a stepdaughter who will never love her. Exploring the emotional terrain of blended families and the complex bonds between parents and children, this powerful retelling is set in a crumbling home, haunted by broken promises.
Asking what happens when the fairytale breaks down and a woman is left holding the consequences, this production of Mara has been selected for the 2026 VCE Theatre Studies Playlist and is playing as a part of the By Theatre Works programming stream.
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au/2026/mara Inquiries: 9534 3388
Words & image: Contributed

The Theatre Royal will host a special performance by Tarab Ensemble, Australia’s leading group devoted to classical Arabic music, in a concert celebrating the rich musical traditions of Palestine and the Arab world.
The Sunday, April 12 event, In the Shadows of Music, is a collaboration between Daylesford for Palestine and Free Palestine Central Victoria, with the full support of the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine.
Founded by award-winning Palestinian-Australian musician, academic, and storyteller Yousef Alreemawi, Tarab Ensemble brings together a collective of musicians from Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Australia, Armenia, Japan, Iran and Egypt.
The two-hour concert (with interval) will take audiences on a journey through a stunning variety of Arabic musical styles: from Andalusian Muwashah and Syrian Qudoud to Sufi traditions, Longa, and 20th century classics.
Blending traditional Arabic instruments like the oud and nay with keyboard, western flute, saxophone and double bass, the ensemble creates a sound that is both hypnotic and deeply moving.
Tarab is an Arabic word describing the deep state of emotional pleasure that music can bring – and this afternoon of music promises exactly that.
Yousef Alreemawi, who sought refuge in Australia with his family many years ago, is widely respected as a multi-talented artist and thinker. Beyond his work with Tarab Ensemble, he is an academic in Arabic language and culture, a translator, writer, refugee advocate, and political analyst – deeply engaged in the intersection of art, identity and justice.
Many in the region will remember Alreemawi from his powerful storytelling session at Words in Winter 2025 in Daylesford. This concert offers the chance to experience his musical artistry for the first time.
The event will also feature local ensemble Band Without Borders, based in Daylesford, Castlemaine and surrounds.
Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/3sv9vv7r

Australians for Mental Health has hailed a new initiative unveiled by the Federal Government, which will provide free access to mental health therapy for all Australians over the age of 16. 

The second phase of the Medicare Mental Health Check In has been launched, with Australians now able to access free Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which will be guided by an approved practitioner via Telehealth.

The free therapy can be accessed through the Medicare Mental Health Check In service.

The program is designed to provide early support to people needing help before their mental health concerns escalate, freeing up specialist services to care for those with more complex needs.

“This is the kind of initiative which could change the course of so many Australians’ mental health journeys. We know accessing and affording mental health care isn’t easy,” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said.

“This will absolutely make a difference, and help people avoid costly and hard to access treatment by offering them free support early. This is good news for all Australians,” he said.

The service is available for anyone who has or is at risk of emerging mental ill health or temporary distress. The program is being delivered in partnership with St Vincent’s.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an evidence-backed treatment for managing mental health, focussing on the link between thoughts, physical sensations and behaviours.

“We understand this program is expected to help up around 150,000 people a year by 2029. That will free up other services, and prevent so many Australians from experiencing prolonged mental ill health because they couldn’t get help and their condition deteriorated,” Chris Gambian said.

“We have a long way to go in addressing the mental health crisis in this country, but this is a positive measure, and we welcome it warmly.”

About Australians for Mental Health

AFMH is a national movement advocating for structural reform so every portfolio, not just health, is accountable for improving population mental health and wellbeing. Our platform calls for a Wellbeing Act, an Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing in PM&C, and an independent national Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner

New timelines for party registration and an earlier close of roll are just some of the changes the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is implementing for state elections, following legislative reforms passed by Parliament on Tuesday. 

The changes will impact election timelines with the close of electoral roll now occurring on the same day a writ is issued – now even more reason for Victorians to keep their enrolment details up to date.

The close of all candidate nominations will align and happen earlier in the election timeline, with the new deadline now 6 days after issue of writs for general elections.

Under the reforms, the deadline to apply for registration as a political party is 60 days earlier, with registration now closing 180 days before a general election. For the 2026 state election this will be by Monday 1 June. This deadline will also apply to existing registered political parties to apply to change their names or logos.

Other changes include:

• changes to authorisation requirements for electoral material, including removing the printer detail requirement for printed electoral material except how-to-vote cards
• additional political party name and logo requirements to prevent certain misleading names or logos from being registered
• removal of the requirement to conduct a review of registered political parties after by-elections, supplementary elections and re-elections
• more flexibility for the VEC to appoint alternative voting centres during emergencies
• new mechanisms to recover funding from registered political parties that are about to be de-registered, and independent elected members who resign, die or join a registered political party.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said the VEC will now progress implementation to ensure the changes are delivered effectively ahead of the 2026 state election.

‘With the legislation now passed, our focus turns to implementing the reforms in a way that supports participation, transparency and trust in the electoral system,’ Mr Bluemmel said.

‘We will continue working closely with all stakeholders to implement the reforms and support understanding, compliance and meaningful participation in our democracy.’

Perth retiree Damien Kelly’s 4,000km solo, unsupported cycling journey across Australia has reached a significant milestone, with the 67-year-old arriving at Border Village and officially crossing into South Australia, marking the beginning of the Nullarbor Plain crossing.

Having departed Perth on 16 March 2026, Damien has now spent approximately 18 consecutive days on the road, covering an estimated 1,400-1,600 kilometres under his own power, carrying all equipment required for the journey and relying entirely on his own planning, resilience and adaptability.

The ride is being undertaken in honour of Callum (32) and Jake (31) Robinson, two Australian brothers who, along with their friend Carter Rhoad (33), were tragically killed while travelling in Mexico in 2024.

Damien is aiming to raise awareness and support for the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, a not-for-profit established in their memory to help others “Live Bigger, Shine Brighter and Love Harder” and to create positive outcomes from an unimaginable loss.

Entering the Nullarbor

Reaching Border Village represents both a symbolic and logistical turning point in the journey, as Damien now begins crossing the Nullarbor Plain, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most challenging and remote cycling stretches.

The landscape is defined by vast, treeless plains, long distances between services, exposure to the elements and extended sections of uninterrupted road that test both physical endurance and mental resilience.

Unlike earlier stages of the ride through Western Australia, the Nullarbor demands careful management of supplies, energy and mindset, with limited shelter and minimal margin for error, making it a defining phase of the broader 4,000km journey from Perth to Geelong.

Damien acknowledged the significance of this stage, noting that while the Nullarbor is often seen as the most daunting section, it is also central to the purpose and character of the ride itself.

Battling Strong Crosswinds

The early stages of the ride have already delivered challenging and often unpredictable conditions, with strong and persistent side winds across Western Australia playing a major role in shaping daily progress.

These crosswinds have added a significant layer of difficulty to an already demanding endurance effort, forcing constant adjustments on the bike and increasing fatigue across long distances.

“The crosswinds have been one of the toughest parts so far,” Damien said.

“They hit you from the side all day – you’re constantly correcting and working just to stay in a straight line, which takes more out of you than you expect, especially when you’re doing it day after day.”

Despite these conditions, Damien has maintained steady forward progress, demonstrating both physical resilience and mental discipline as he prepares for the next phase of the ride.

A Ride Driven by Purpose

At its core, the journey is defined not by distance but by purpose, with Damien consistently reinforcing that the motivation behind the ride extends well beyond the physical challenge of cycling across the country.

The story of Callum and Jake Robinson has resonated deeply across Australia, particularly among parents and families, highlighting the fragility of life and the importance of community.

“This ride is about honouring Callum and Jake and supporting something positive in their name,” he said.

“Like many people, their story stayed with me, and this felt like a way to contribute, to do something meaningful and to help keep their memory alive.”

By linking a personal endurance challenge with a broader charitable purpose, the ride aims to create awareness, generate support for the Foundation and reinforce the values it represents, including resilience, compassion and connection.

The Road Ahead

Following the Nullarbor crossing, Damien’s route will continue east through South Australia and into Victoria.

The journey will take in Ceduna, Kimba, Port Augusta and Adelaide, before heading south-east toward Mount Gambier and then along the Great Ocean Road to Geelong, where the ride will conclude.

This next phase will introduce more varied terrain, increased traffic and a transition from remote to more populated regions, while still requiring sustained physical output and recovery across consecutive days.

The cumulative fatigue from weeks on the bike, combined with changing environmental conditions, will continue to test both endurance and consistency as Damien progresses toward the finish.

Honouring Callum and Jake

The Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation stands as a legacy of two lives lost too soon, focused on creating meaningful and lasting impact by supporting initiatives aligned with its mission.

The Foundation seeks to help people live bigger, shine brighter and love harder, turning tragedy into a platform for positive change.

Damien’s ride is helping to carry that message across Australia in a tangible and visible way, linking individual effort with collective purpose.

By sharing the journey publicly and inviting others to follow and contribute, the ride extends the reach and impact of the Foundation’s work.

Journey Progress

• Departed: Perth – 16 March 2026
• Current Location: Border Village, South Australia
• Days on the Road: ~17 days
• Distance Covered: ~1,400-1,600km
• Total Distance: ~4,000km
• Format: Solo and unsupported

Follow and Support the Ride

Supporters can track Damien’s journey in real time and contribute to the cause via the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation:

• Live Tracking: https://share.garmin.com/Damiensride
• Donations: Supporting the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, via https://www.cjrfoundation.com/donate

Damien on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damienkelly79/

Victoria’s emergency services volunteers will receive $31 million to upgrade trucks, equipment and facilities through the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward has encouraged volunteer brigades, units and rescue organisations to begin preparing their applications ahead of the VESEP grant round opening on 16 April.

The $31 million package marks the biggest VESEP funding round ever.

Grants of up to $250,000 are available for volunteer organisations including the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR).

Funding can be used for vehicles, operational equipment, technology and station or facility upgrades.

Last year’s VESEP funding delivered major upgrades across the state, including:

• More than $160,000 for station upgrades at CFA brigades in Boneo, Campbells Creek and Melton
• Over $100,000 each for new vehicles at VICSES Cobden, Emerald and Heidelberg
• $150,000 for a new rescue vessel at Queenscliff Coast Guard
• Over $65,000 for new equipment at Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.

The VESEP program backs volunteers who back their communities, with the government contributing $2 for every $1 raised locally.

Thanks to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, VESEP funding has been doubled over four years with an additional $62 million to support volunteers.

Every dollar raised through the ESVF goes directly into emergency and disaster response.

Applications for the 2026–27 VESEP round open Thursday 16 April 2026 and close Thursday 11 June 2026.

For more information and application details, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.

Fiona Baker, livestock extension officer

If purchasing fodder to see the farm through to the autumn break, or build reserves coming into winter, don’t forget to consider the increased risks of introducing pests and weeds to the property.

There are key steps that farmers should follow to minimise the risk of introducing and spreading unwanted weeds and pests.

To minimise the risk of these weeds and pests establishing across your farm, make sure all purchased fodder is fed in a designated containment area, feedpad or sacrifice paddock that has been sited to mitigate risks.

Feeding out in restricted areas allows for better observation of any new plants geminating. It enables quick eradication and control of any weeds or pests that might emerge, therefore reducing the risk of these becoming established in the area.

If looking to source fodder from interstate, Agriculture Victoria is providing a free and tailored service to suppliers, transporters and farmers to help them to efficiently navigate the permit requirements to bring feed into Victoria while managing biosecurity risks.

When purchasing feed, farmers are encouraged to request a commodity vendor declaration with every load.

When buying from interstate, there are no restrictions or permit requirements for fodder coming from the Northern Territory (NT) or Tasmania (Tas). Fodder coming from all other jurisdictions requires either a plant health certificate or a permit issued by Agriculture Victoria.

This is to protect Victoria from exotic pests and pathogens that could be spread by transported fodder, including:

• annual ryegrass toxicity – a seed-transmitted nematode found in Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA) and New South Wales (NSW)
• green snail – an invasive snail species found in WA
• red imported fire ant – an invasive ant species found in QLD and small zones in NSW
• electric ant – an invasive ant species found in QLD.

A plant biosecurity permit will be issued free of charge for fodder movement. If an inspection of fodder by Agriculture Victoria is required on its arrival to Victoria (which will be stipulated as a permit condition), the cost of this inspection will also be waived as part of the current drought support package.

For more information on entry conditions and documents required to move fodder, visit Moving hay and fodder across states

More Australians will be a step closer towards earlier and more effective diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) under a proposed plan by the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT).

Utilising its established networks of GPs across three states, ADNeT intends on combining digital cognitive tests and blood tests (pTau217 AD) for a large-scale study of people at risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dementia is one of Australia’s greatest public health and economic challenges with more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia and it is estimated to cost Australia about $18.7 billion in 2025.

It is the leading cause of death in Australia and about three quarters of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease.

Those showing signs of, or being at risk of, Alzheimer’s Disease in the pilot will be directed to Brain Health Clinics or conventional specialist memory clinics for expert diagnosis and early treatment.

The pilot will mean earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment, delaying severe dementia and increasing time at home for people with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Current testing shows signs of Alzheimer’s Disease can be detected in the brain up to 20 years before symptoms emerge.

ADNeT Director, Professor Christopher Rowe MD FRACP, who has more than two decades of experience in dementia research, said the pilot aims to take advantage of new testing becoming available over the coming months.

“There are currently a small number of locations in Australia using blood tests to rule out Alzheimer’s with more accurate tests expected to be available later in the year,” he said.

“This pilot brings forward the opportunity to one day have the combination of cognitive and blood testing available to Australians across the country.

“This would have transformative benefits for our society with earlier diagnosis and intervention leading to people at risk of or with early onset Alzheimer’s leading happier, more productive and fulfilling lives.

“It also has the potential to save the Australian Government billions of dollars in healthcare costs.”

The proposed cost of the trial, which is included in ADNeT’s pre-Budget submission, for the Australian Government is $6 million over 5 years.

Professor Rowe said the new blood testing has the potential to greatly improve diagnosis level outside of metropolitan areas.

“With current wait times outside of Melbourne and Sydney for dementia diagnosis and treatment exceeding 12 months, there is a desperate need for greater support for patients,” he said.

“The impact of Alzheimer’s is higher in rural, regional, indigenous and culturally diverse communities due to longer delays in diagnosis and difficulty accessing treatment.”

The Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) is a national collaboration of leading Australian clinicians and researchers from across 24 institutions focused on improving dementia diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

For more information, go to https://www.australiandementianetwork.org.au/.

The Victorian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Fuel Emergency Act 1977 to make it clear that fuel businesses must share their supply data.

This data goes further than Servo Saver – it includes how much fuel distribution companies are receiving and where it is going.

The changes will deliver a complete, end-to-end picture of fuel supply and distribution, helping us plan and prepare for the future outside of a declaration of a fuel emergency.

It means Victoria can act quickly to intervene to keep essential services, regional communities, freight and agriculture moving should the fuel supply situation worsen.

This data will complement data being feed directly into the Commonwealth, supporting a clear national picture of fuel security.

The amendment also updates penalties, which would be used as a last resort when critical fuel supply data cannot be obtained through cooperative reporting.

Drivers can use the Servo Saver app to lock in the lowest price.

Reducing the fuel excise will provide immediate relief at the bowser and switching the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to zero will ensure freight keeps moving.

Across government, continuity plans are being developed for energy, agriculture and other critical sectors.

A dedicated State Energy Controller has been appointed within the State Control Centre to monitor the situation, prepare response options and provide regular updates to government.

The government will continue regular meetings with the Commonwealth and industry to monitor the situation and respond as needed.

The Victorian Government is donating $1 million to this year’s Good Friday Appeal on behalf of all Victorians.

It kicks off a massive day of fundraising for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) – supporting young Victorians to get the lifesaving care they need.

The Appeal is now in its 95^th year and has become an annual Easter tradition – raising more than $491 million.

The fun filled day also includes the Kids Day Out event at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Appeal supports the latest equipment and technology, patient and family-centred care programs, and attracting and retaining the brightest minds.

It also supports groundbreaking research at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics.

For the third consecutive year, funds raised by the Appeal will also be shared across Victoria’s five regions.

$3 million will be shared across more than 30 regional health services building on the more than $8.5 million allocated in the last two Appeals.

Some of the regional programs supported by last year’s generous donation includes:

• Equipping every region with new, paediatric-specific equipment and technology
• Enhancing neonatal services through training and equipment in Barwon South West
• Upgrading video conferencing tools and paediatric therapy spaces in Gippsland
• Improving paediatric life support and critical care for regional ICU patients in Albury-Wodonga.

Providing care to the community for over 150 years, the RCH is Victoria’s major specialist paediatric hospital.

It extends its care to children from Tasmania, southern New South Wales and other states, as well as overseas.

For more information on the Good Friday Appeal and to donate, visit goodfridayappeal.com.au.