The state government is driving employment growth in regional Victoria, with more workers securing jobs last month.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released today shows that an additional 5,800 regional Victorians found work in November – the highest regional jobs growth among the states.  

The regional unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.4 per cent, the lowest in Australia.

This good news for workers has pushed total regional employment in Victoria to 822,000 jobs with Victoria’s total employment now at a record 3.83 million.

The positive job numbers show Victorians have good reason to be confident about our economic future – with more people employed in regional Victoria and a strong economy.

Victoria is the best place in the country to live, work and invest. More people are choosing to call our state home, with Victoria’s population increasing by 1.8 per cent to 7.07 million over the year to June this year – the highest population increase of any state. 

Victoria’s economy has grown faster than any other state in the past decade, with state final demand – a key measure of the economy that combines public and private investment and spending – increasing by 2.2 per cent over the year to September 2025.

Christmas is upon us. How did that happen? And how did 2026 almost arrive as well? I remember looking for an outfit for 2000 – the year we all thought the computers would crash. And nothing happened.
So many years come and go now, it’s hard to keep up. I remember some Christmasses and others I have long forgotten.
I remember getting up early one morning when I was about 10 and seeing a bicycle for my younger brother in the lounge. Dragster I would imagine. On the way back to bed, I snuck into his room to wake him up and tell him – stopping just before I got around to the spoiling the surprise. Even at 10 I had too much empathy.
Another year I remember opening a tallie of beer, pouring some into my dog’s bowl, and then pushing the cap back on and carefully placing it back in the fridge – on its side of course. The dog got a bit pissed and my dad was also pissed off because the beer leaked everywhere. So hard to please everyone at Christmas.
We never had stocking fillers, our stockings were pillowcases. One year I saw my sister get all the little treats that I would have loved. And I got all the stuff she would have wanted. I think mum and dad might have had a little too much Christmas cheer that night.
I had a white Christmas once, when I was living in Japan in my early 20s. I went to a friend’s house, a Canadian girl, who was making a full Christmas dinner using a benchtop oven. We are talking turkey, stuffing, potatoes, all the veggies…and I had eggnog for the first time. It was fantastic. I looked out the window and snow was falling. It was like a miracle for a kid from Franganistan.
Kyle and I have had some great orphans’ Christmases. You know, when you are living away and have no family to share the day with. One year, in Cairns, we took a chicken and champagne picnic to Crystal Cascades and then scared ourselves witless that there might be crocs in the water. So we headed to a new James Bond movie, had dinner in a Chinese restaurant and headed home to our apartment – which had no aircon back in the day – and spent most of the night in the apartment’s pool.
Another time at Glenlyon, we had friends coming around with all of the food. Mum was with us and kept saying ‘I am sure you should be doing something’. But no, one couple origiuinally from America brought the turkey and gravy, another, a chef, the pav and some others potatoes – which the chef quickly got into shape.
It was a fantastic day and not one argument about who got the first bike, or who was the favourite child. Very grown up and yet a lot of fun.
This year we are heading to friends in Melbourne. A family affair without a single family member we have to worry about. She has about 15 coming and I checked if she could handle two more after the invite. “I don’t know Donna, but let’s find out.”
So we will be with old, as in long-time friends, and lots of people we don’t know. I asked what we could bring and everyone pretty much has it covered. I am down to a salad and will do my best to make it interesting, but let’s face it, it’s probably lettuce, tomato, red onion and cucumber. Maybe fancy it up with some Greek cheese?
Anyhow, it will be a nice day with great company and I am sure great food – and maybe a chardy. And what else do you need?
I hope you have a lovely Christmas – whether you are with friends, family or just chilling out for the day. And if you are struggling with life, I hope you are OK and remember it is just one day. And some years are just better than others. Or worse.
Then we are all back on the wheel – until New Year’s. And just another night, and it’s into 2026 we slide.
Wishing you all a happy and fun Christmas and we’ll catch you for the “retrospective” or “lazy” edition on December 29. Just sayin’…

Nailman

Tuh-tap-tap-Waap. Four blows
and the three inch nail was flush.
That’s counting the set-up tap.

When the power goes off now
on a building site, carpenters
knock off for the day.

In Jim’s time, you just
got on with it. Power
was for the Sparkies.

Stripped to the waist,
cracked leather tool bag
aproning his faded Stubbies

Jim put in steady days
on Bendigo housing blocks,
armed with his smooth,

wooden-handled hammer
& nail punch, black-handled
builder’s square rammed

in his belt, flick-hinged
carpenter’s rule at the ready
and stubby, flat, red pencil.

A portable one-man constructor.
Even as I homeworked
over a desk as a teenager,

on weekends, I knew
his presence, nails jangling
in that tool bag, interspersed

with regular hammer blows,
some backyard project
always on the go.

The fete on a Saturday
at the local grammar school,
saw well-heeled mothers,

cardiganed fathers and kids
haggling for bargains. Away
from trimmed doilies and napkins,

a makeshift side-show
offered a pound note
to anyone who could drive

a nail into thick board
in five or fewer blows.
I had to insist.

Dad bought Choc Wedges
for the family, all five of us.
Proud, was I, as punch.

– Bill Wootton

Bill lives and writes in Hepburn Springs. His father is still kicking but not nailing so much.

Australia has an identity issue. Shopping for a Christmas card the other day, the choices were dismal. My choices were one beach Santa or a tonne of different winter scenes. Hot chocolate mugs by the fire, people snuggled up in the cold or fir trees dripping in tinsel and snow.

When are we going to get out own version of Christmas and for that matter do we need it? According to our 2021 Census, Christianity in its varying forms is the largest religion (43.9 per cent), but the largest group overall is “No Religion” (38.9 per cent), a significant rise from previous years, while other faiths like Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism also saw growth, reflecting a diversifying spiritual landscape with Christianity declining from over half the population.
I’m not trying to be a grinch, but it is a lot of pressure for one day of the year, spending time with all your loved ones you haven’t seen for the year – now there’s a reason for that.
I met a local woman the other day who talked with a sense of pride or was it competitiveness, that she was hosting 38 people for the big day. WTF. I couldn’t think of anything worse and more draining than putting together a hot lunch for that many hungry-gutted drunkards. And why would you have a hot lunch in the summer, it’s just another Northern Hemisphere tradition being pushed down our throats.
And the next day is not so happy for the earth, groaning as we push tonnes of landfill into it. Don’t get me wrong I love the holiday season, and I look forward to a good feed on the day, however I prefer to dine with people I actually like.
And I am not comfortable with the ‘buy now pay later’ pressure of the whole day. Last year we spent the day with my sister and her family and it was nice enough. However I watched as the kids savagely opened our carefully selected presents, gave them a curious look, popped them into a pile and moved on. It was like watching that cartoon Tasmanian Devil tear through a library.
I risked the skin being ripped from my arm as I intervened and moved our Christmas offerings to get them away from the growing rubbish wrapping paper pile. At the end of the day, those kids had no idea what we had given them and to that end I flew the gifted micro-drone to its new home at the top of a tree and they never noticed it had gone.
And if you’re into this whole Christian tradition, Christmas is now a far cry from what it was meant to be. It was simply a celebration of the birth of one JC, apparently the direct descendant of the big fella. And if you do pay some attention to the Christians’ guidebook, gluttony, as in a huge feast, is considered a sin.
The other sins are:
Pride: An excessive love of self and a belief in one’s own greatness or my insta-Christmas is better than yours.
Greed: An excessive love of and attachment to earthly goods.
Lust: Cracking on to the sister-in-law (not mine) in a drunken stupor.
Envy: Wishing you had received those tickets to Metallica.
Wrath: A classic family ending to a fiery Christmas afternoon.
Sloth: The usual post-Christmas lunch afternoon.
And if you do follow the letter of the law from the scriptures, I don’t think old mate wanted us to have a day off from abstaining from the sins.
But whatever you get up to, whatever you believe in and whatever you do have a great day and I’ll catch you next year…

The Local sent out invites to local charities and not-for-profit organisations asking for their Christmas activities. Here they are, in no particular order.

Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel is hosting an Orphans’ Christmas lunch with orphan musicians. Pay what you can. Money goes to the banquet. Xmas raffle donations welcome. Bookings: www.events.humanitix.com/orphans-christmas-at-odessa

The Daylesford Community Brass Band is holding its annual Community Christmas Carols at the Hepburn Springs Sound Shell on Monday December 22, starting at 7.30pm. Guest appearances from the Daylesford Pipe Band, the HoneyTones Choir – and the man in the red suit. The band will also be playing carols on December 20 in Vincent Street, Daylesford, 10am-11.30am.

Cliffy’s Emporium in Daylesford proudly presents its much-anticipated Christmas Raffle. The proceeds from this year’s raffle will directly support our local CFA brigades. Tickets: www.rafflelink.com.au/christmasatcliffys25

Christian Bible Fellowship, Creswick will hold a Christmas Day Church Service at North Creswick Primary School’s multi-purpose room (at rear of site), 9.30am to 10.30am. Enquiries: Don and Lindy Oswin on 0488 944 337. All welcome.

Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group has its Christmas party for members and friends on Tuesday, December 16 from 6pm at 600 Above Wine Bar, Macedon.
More information and tickets: https://mrsg.org.au/events-calendar/2025/11/11/mrsg-end-of-year-2025

Woodend Neighbourhood Centre will hold a Gift of Creating with Yoga, also for children in Prep to Grade 6. Children can enjoy a blend of yoga and hands-on creative activities. There are two sessions on Monday, December 22. Bookings: www.socialplanet.com.au/at/woodend-neighbourhood-house/collection/66

Catholic Christmas Mass Times are on Wednesday, December 24, 8.30pm at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Daylesford; Thursday, December 25, 9am at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Creswick.

Lights on for Corey and Christmas Carols, with a visit from Santa, will be hosted by Tell Tales Bed and Breakfast at 155 Melbourne Rd, Creswick on Sunday, December 21 from 5.30pm. There will be a smoking ceremony, music and fun.

Not Christmas but Daylesford’s NYE Parade and Gala is well on the way with just a few weeks to go. Visit the Parade Inspo page at daylesfordnye.com.au/parade-inspo Register your float at daylesfordnye.com.au/parade-info

Odessa @ Leaver’s Hotel, Creswick

Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier – Friday, December 19

Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford

The Martini Set – Friday, December 20, 2pm-4pm
Dayglow Disco with Mr. Smith DJ – Sunday, December 28, 2pm-5pm

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham

Joyce Prescher – Saturday, December 20
Freya and Tom McGowan – Saturday, December 27

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission – Friday, December 19

Got a gig happening? Email news@tlnews.com.au

Art comes in many varieties. Artist Margaret Morgan’s father studied violin at the Melbourne Conservatory and her mother had her learning ballet with Jennie Brenan before she realised her daughter had two left feet. Her father would play his grand piano for hours for relaxation. Margaret was taught painting at school by Mrs Zieker who would have the class painting to music, getting the students thinking outside the square. Mother Marcella would take the class on walks throughout the garden, taking in the beautiful purple shadows cast by the cypress trees. Fast forward and Margaret has just received an honourable mention in Teravarna’s 15th Abstract International Juried Art Competition for her work Lake Nagambie. She chatted with Donna Kelly.

Donna: When did you realise you were an artist?
Margaret: I have always loved painting and took oil painting lessons from Ron Reynolds and Marion Bruere when my children were at kindergarten. My first painting with Ron was Beethoven’s death mask. Ron would have us paint tonally from black and white photographs. An en plein air excursion every four weeks was beneficial to development. I spent many years between baseball, basketball, swimming and poodle breeding when the children were at home. I took up painting when they left home, having watercolour lessons from David Taylor.

Donna: What is your preferred media – and subject?
Margaret: I will say watercolour, I find it exciting and challenging. One has to work out systematically how the pigmentation will lay on the paper, however, the same applies to silk paint and acrylic pouring. I poured on a guitar recently (pictured below) and am itching to paint another with a schmear effect. The mind has come up with how I would tackle it, drawing outlines with gutta. I enjoy pouring acrylic paint, mixing pigmentation and working with a blow torch to create cells.

Donna: You have won many prizes, is that still a thrill?
Margaret: Always. Recognition is wonderful.

Donna: Can anyone be an artist? You used to hold classes at Woodend.
Margaret: I am not taking classes at present, but yes, anyone can paint. What I have found interesting with students is that so many people don’t think outside the square, have never painted a subject with paper upside down or held a finger on a watercolour brush and rubbed along paper to form a broken line.

Donna: Where can we see your work?
Margaret: I have an exhibition at Heathcote Winery. The paintings will be hung on the morning of December 16 and remain until February 9.

Donna: What drew you to life in the country?
Margaret: This is interesting, I bought in Kilmore East (daughter was in Lancefield, one son in Pheasant Creek, another son in Montmorency). Kilmore East was central to all of them. I often drove a school friend to Kerang, we would stop in Kilmore on the way home, fish and chips, a brandy and toilet break. I used to say ‘I would love to live in Kilmore’ not believing that one day I would. I have great uncles buried in Heathcote Cemetery, some relatives were born in Bylands, my maternal grandfather was born in Woodend. Perhaps an attraction to an area. I grew up in East Rosanna as a young child and the first house I bought when I married was in Montmorency – both rural years ago.

Well here I am again penning another column for you, the reader, to enjoy…
This time I’ll be concentrating on broad-leaved trees and shrubs for your garden, and when I say broad-leaved, I mean plants that are significantly wider than say, for example, eucalypyts, tea-trees and willows.
So let’s start with one of my favourite trees…
1. Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple) has extraordinary deeply cut large leaves that are the largest in the genus and turn a vibrant yellow in autumn. For those keen on travelling, you must visit the Hoh River rainforest in the north of Washington state (USA) to see them covered in literally tons of moss.

2. Aesculus hippocastanum (common horse chestnut) has lovely emerging palmate leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets that, in time, are followed by great trusses of white flowers speckled with red and yellow which then give way to a crop of ‘conkers’ which remind me of my early Australian childhood. There is a listed magnificent specimen growing in the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens giving shelter to a cannon.
3. Corylus maxima purpurea (purple-leaved hazelnut) is a small tree with striking bold deep purple emerging leaves that gradually fade to a greeny-purple colour…not grown for its fruits but primarily for its foliage which works well when postioned alongside plants such as viburnum japonicum (Japanese viburnum), luma apiculata (Chilean myrtle) and camellias.
4. Hydrangea quercifolia (oak-leaved hydrangea) is a medium to large shrub that has broad foliage not unlike an oak tree (hence its name) and can tolerate dappled shade as well as full sun – as long as the root run is kept moist during hot spells – the elongated white flower clusters are long flowering and the somewhat unusual leaves may turn deep burgundy in autumn if weather conditions are just right.
5. Quercus dentata (daimyo oak) is a wide-spreading tree (requiring a good deal of space to show its true potential) that carries large-toothed leaves that can reach 20cm long and 10cm wide. Fine specimens can be seen growing in the Domain Parklands and another close by on the Oak Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. And there’s your lot – a slightly biased selection of broad-leaved plants to display in your garden.
Cheers John Beetham (Trees in Australia)
Next time – Planting a seasonal perennial

Three years ago Samantha and Ned Palay made a tree change, from Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula, to Central Victoria, buying historic Frog Hollow Estate.

The property is on the Castlemaine Road at Dry Diggings and has had a number of iterations from the homestead built 130 years ago to cottages originally built for miners and later used for visitor accommodation.
Samantha and Ned, both in construction, bought the property in 2022 after deciding they wanted their own project to work on that would give back to people. “We wanted to create something that people want to come to and enjoy,” Sam said.
“We were looking for different things and as soon as we drove into this place, we thought this is special, there’s something about this place. Everyone that comes here, it’s almost like you forget about everything else that’s going on in your life.
“You come here and all your stress just alleviates. We just thought it’s a beautiful place for weddings and events, for people to gather.

“We’re big on family and we wanted a place where families can get together. Families can just have a space where kids can run.”
Ned said the couple had arrived with the vision of restoring the property and “of giving it its life back”.
“We’re restoring its potential. And because we’ve got the engineering/building background and we’re later in age we just wanted to have a project where we can sort of wind up and give it our all and hopefully potentially retire on it.”
Samantha said there were days when the couple stepped back and thought ‘wow, it’s amazing’ and other days then they went ‘what the hell are we doing’ but it had been a great journey and was coming together.
“We’re at the pointy end now and we’re proud of it because we have been a part of every single element. We feel like we’ve made it our own now.”
Also helping with the restoration is stonemason Marcus Glue.

The Hepburn resident started out studying architecture but turned to stonework and finished his apprenticeship in 2002.
“When I didn’t finish my architecture degree I deferred and went and lived in Broome for a year on an Aboriginal reserve. I spent a lot of time travelling up through the Kimberleys, and there’s just rock everywhere up there. And then I drove back home from there on my own, back through the Tanami, and the whole time I was thinking ‘I’m going to quit uni when I go back and I’m going to get an apprenticeship, and that’s what I did’.
“During that time I lived overseas, working in Ireland and Italy and moving around a fair bit, and then I came back here and I’ve been doing other things for a long time, but mostly stonework. I do it just for the love of it, I’m a tragic old soul.”
Marcus said stonemasonry was still happening and many stonemasons were keen to pass the trade on to the next generation. It also keeps the 50-year-old fit, healthy and grounded.
“I’ve got a fast brain too and that’s important. It’s good for a brain that’s got to figure out shapes all the time and needs that stimulation, like a spectrum-y brain, which I’m happy to admit I’ve got. I’ve come and gone from this trade over the years and I’ve never felt more grateful and attached to it because of how it’s allowing me to stay grounded in my life.”
Words & images: Kyle Barnes

Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with the Good Grub Club has secured $89,000 through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief Program.
The funding will see the creation of a new community food hub – The Paddock & Pantry Project – set to transform food security and community engagement across Hepburn Shire. From January, the 18-month project will revitalise underutilised outdoor space at DNC into a productive garden, community kitchen and expanded food relief centre.

Hepburn Shire Council has started removing 12 trees from the Daylesford Avenue of Honour.

The council reported on October 3 that it had become aware of some wood decay and tree death while conducting recent tree risk mitigation audits in line with its Tree Management Plan. “Old age, recent storms and damage have led to tree death and wood decay. Twelve trees (out of 184) will need to be removed along the Midland Highway and Daylesford-Malmsbury Road. Our parks team will replace the memorial trees next winter. The timber from these important trees will go to DJAARA Timbers for milling, in line with our Resource Recovery MoU with DJAARA.”

The Old Sniff Classic

Did you know it’s been 13 years since the word was passed around
They’re going to run a sheep dog trial at the Dean Recreation Ground
Thanks to our small committee and the talent that’s been tapped
From across the state and interstate, we’ve put Dean on the map

Yes from Gippsland to South Australia and further afield they come
To put their dogs to the test and show us how it’s done
They’re all seeking jubilation and pats on the back to abound
If by chance they take out the title at the Dean Recreation Ground

Johnny Tuddenham and Jimmy Dodge, they’ve always been good mates
They’ll be out to show the judge, yes we’ve got what it takes
Tuddy will be out there, with his top dog named Roo
While Jimmy Dodge with Cooper, can show Roo a thing or two

Normy Severs comes from Bairnsdale, the best trial judge in Australia
He can sort these blokes out, from success to total failure
With 40 dogs and trainers competing for the trophies and the cash
Norm’s keen eye and score card, can dash their hopes in a flash

Mark Fagan comes from Dean’s Marsh, in his thongs and daggy hair
He turns up the night before, with his esky, swag and chair
He likes to sit around the fire, and the stories he can tell
About a handy dog, he used to have, a distinctive dog called Nell

Fr Peter Kerin from Don Bosco College, he comes every year
He also turns up the night before, with a grin from ear to ear
He’s got some handy Collie dogs, of all he’s very proud
He gets them out at lunchtime doing tricks before the crowd

Barry Paton hails from Koroit, he’s competitive yes he’s true blue
While his Irish mate Connor McConnell will show us all what he can do
When the two of them get talking you just can’t shut them up
While they’ve both got their greedy eyes on the first place Trophy Cup

Mary Tuddenham is the time keeper she’s the boss, no ifs or buts
If anyone tries to question her, let’s just say they’re out of luck
With one eye on the time clock and the time bell ready to ring
You better get off the ground, when she goes, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding

Our main sponsors TB White and Sons, they’re always on the ball
For the best advice in your livestock give Leo or Jerry White a call
Greg Slade Transport from Dean helps with the sponsorship load
So if you’ve got any transport needs, his depot is just up the road

Now the blokes up in the let out yards, they’ve been there all day
Letting out three fresh sheep at a time and the spent ones put away
They do it all with skill and care while talking a yarn or two
Without them we’d be buggered, so good on ya Robbie Greive and Blue

Thanks to all who come along and enjoy the atmosphere
Hope you’ve all had a good day out and come along again next year
To the Dean and District Sheep Dog Trials
The Old Sniff Classic

– Brian Maher (with thanks to Slim Dusty)

Dean Recreation Reserve committee president Brian Maher last week presented a cheque for $1500 to the Dean/Newlyn CFA – funds raised at the Old Sniff Sheepdog Trials in October and the Dean Kite Festival on Father’s Day.

Brian said a raffle on both days helped, with $1000 worth of prizes donated by many local businesses.
“The reason the fire brigade was selected this year is because of the fire services levy. So we are helping out where we can.
“It’s all really about the community helping the community, looking after each other.”
Over the years other recipients have included Creswick’s John Curtin Aged Care and Shannon’s Bridge.
CFA captain Dominic Prendergast said the money would go towards laying a new floor covering down in the station after a new extension was recently added.
Donations came from Brandt John Deere $200; Skipton Street Sheet Metal $400; O’Connors Farm Machinery $200; Swiss Mountain Hotel $100, Black Cat Truffles $40; The Cutter’s Chair $40; and the Shepparton Cannery $40.
The major sponsors of the Old Sniff are TB White & Sons and Greg Slade Transport with a combined donation of $3000.

Words & image: Kyle Barnes

Daylesford welcomed Victoria’s first regional Coles Local last Thursday, December 11, as the supermarket reopened with a modern new look and expanded specialty range to serve not only the local community, but also the thousands of visitors who flock to the region each year.

Coles Local Daylesford brings fresh investment to the community, creating 16 new jobs and giving regional Victorians an elevated one-stop shopping destination.
Coles Local Daylesford store manager Naome McDougall, a country Victorian who has been with Coles for over two decades, said she’s proud to be bringing a localised shopping experience to Daylesford that’s designed to meet the unique needs of the community.
“Daylesford is a special community and we’re proud to be making the weekly shop even easier – we’ve got everything locals need to create beautiful meals and home entertaining experiences, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas,” she said.
“We now offer four more grocery aisles, an expanded meat selection, and a range of premium products, from artisan sourdough to specialty cheeses and organic pizzas, to better serve our community and visitors.
“Customers told us they wanted more choice close to home and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered in this store with a thoughtfully selected range of everyday essentials and specialty items, all while providing the same great value customers expect from Coles stores nationwide.”
Reflecting Daylesford’s creative spirit and creating a visual landmark for locals and visitors alike, the store features a striking mural by Australian artist David Bromley, whose Bromley & Co studio calls Daylesford home.
Victorian producers take pride of place throughout the store, from Farro Organic Pizza’s slow-fermented sourdough bases to Ivan’s Pies, Aston Lucas Italian ready meals and Foxes Den gourmet salads, soups and meals.
Time-poor shoppers can skip the aisles with rapid Click & Collect delivering groceries straight from shelves to car boots or enjoy free parking at the store.
Beyond the checkout, Coles Local Daylesford is committed to strengthening the local community through its SecondBite partnership, donating unsold, quality food to local charity partner Good Grub Club. The store will also support Daylesford Football Netball Club, home of the century-old Daylesford Bulldogs.
This festive season customers can help SecondBite put meals on the table for Australians facing hardship by purchasing a $2 charity gift tag or by making a donation at any Coles supermarket checkout until Christmas Eve. Every gift tag purchased can help SecondBite to provide the equivalent of 10 meals to people doing it tough this Christmas. Advertorial

The 84km-long Lerderderg Track between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh now has its own guidebook, thanks to the Great Dividing Trail Association.
A team effort by GDTA committee members, the Lerderderg Track Walk or Ride Guide, was launched by the walking group’s patron, Olympian and marathon runner, Steve Moneghetti, last Wednesday at the Bridport Street Lake Daylesford lookout, after a smoking ceremony by local Djaara Elder Uncle Ricky Nelson.

“We now have complete map and track note coverage of the whole of the 300km-long Great Dividing Trail Network captured within a sturdy wiro-bound guidebook format,” said the guidebook’s editor and publisher, Gib Wettenhall.
The Lerderderg Track guidebook will act as a companion to the GDTA’s highly successful, award-winning Goldfields Track Walk or Ride Guide. More than map spreads, the guidebook will follow a similar style and format, sandwiching the large scale 1:17,500 ratio maps and accompanying track notes between essays on the Lerderderg’s wildly diverse natural beauty and vivid slices of its cultural heritage, people and places.
“Although close to Melbourne, the Lerderderg’s formidable, complex terrain has rendered it largely inaccessible – until now,” Gib said.
The publishing of the Lerderderg Track guidebook is timely. After three years’ consideration, the Victorian Parliament finally agreed last month to the formation of the new 44,860-hectare Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, which will double the area under state parks, and embraces the whole of the Lerderderg Track.
Featured for the first time in the Lerderderg Track guidebook are Welcomes to Country from the two Kulin Nation language groups whose traditional lands encompass the Lerderderg Track – the Dja Dja Wurrung in the north and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung in the south.