The federal and state governments are strengthening bridges across Victoria, boosting road network capacity and improving efficiency for freight operators and farmers.

The jointly funded program of works will allow heavier loads to move more efficiently, delivering immediate benefits for industry while also preparing the network for the future as part of Victoria’s High-Productivity Freight Vehicle Network.

These works recognise the importance of freight and logistics to Victoria, with over 260,000 Victorians employed in the $36 billion dollar industry.

Bridge strengthening works across the state are being delivered thanks to a joint investment by the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments of more than $128 million, with the Albanese Government committing a total of $56.6 million to the projects.

In Geelong, four bridges on Corio Quay Road are being upgraded to cater for our most efficient road-freight combinations, supporting GeelongPort to continue to function as one of Victoria’s main grain export shipping hubs.

Along the Great Ocean Road, bridges at Skenes Creek and Wye River will be upgraded, along with two structures on Lavers Hill-Cobden Road – supporting the region’s dairy industry.

Later this year, projects on the Princes Highway west will begin at Allansford, Dennington, Weerite, Narrawong, Yambuk and Dartmoor, improving key routes that support wind-farm and plantation timber businesses.

In Gippsland, the Bunyip River Princes Highway Bridge westbound at Longwarry North has been upgraded, with strengthening works on the Nerrena Road Leongatha Tarwin River Bridge almost complete.

Along the Hume Freeway – our busiest interstate road freight corridor – the Wodonga Creek and Pranjip Creek Longwood upgrades are also nearing completion.

The state government is making it easier for Gisborne residents to get to school, work and shops, thanks to dozens of new bus services on popular local routes.

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams has announced 66 extra trips each week will be added to routes 73 and 74 from Sunday, 16 November – extending services until later in the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays.

This will make it easier to enjoy a weekend night out in Gisborne, as well as providing more connections to Gisborne Central Shopping Centre, local schools, medical clinics, aged care centres and Gisborne Train Station.

These increased travel options, particularly on weekends, will enhance connections for residents who want to connect to a train service to visit the Melbourne CBD for evening events or a night at the footy and return to Gisborne on the same day.

These uplifts continue last year’s upgrade to the Gisborne network, which saw the creation of a more flexible bus network for Gisborne with more services, longer hours and improved coverage of new estates and more schools.

Ceramics studios will open around Australia over November 8 and 9 – including the Central Highlands.

Minna Graham, pictured, of Minna Graham Ceramics says making with clay is part of the human story from ancient times.
“But it doesn’t live in history. Ceramic practice is continuous in every culture all over the world. And it’s thriving in Australia right now. More people are taking pottery classes, restaurants are using locally made tableware, galleries are showing ceramic art and artists’ markets are brimming with colourful and quirky ceramic creations.
“Over one weekend in November, ceramic artists and studios around Australia will welcome everyone from curious neighbours to collectors. City warehouses, suburban garages, farm sheds and everything in between may offer demonstrations, work for sale, great conversation and warm hospitality. Some studios get together and make their own local trail for people to follow. Some host hands-on workshops, studio tours – even kiln firings.”
Desiree Radi Mansbridge will be offering demonstrations both days at noon and 2pm, watch how she makes and decorates her unique pieces. Her work will be for sale, and her new studio is open for the first time. Head to 199 Zig Zag Road, Drummond North.
Minna will also be selling her work, as well as conducting her annual studio and seconds sale, so if you’re looking for a bargain, make sure you come early. Minna will be demonstrating at 2pm both days. There will be refreshments and conversation, as well as a kids’ clay play area. Head to 2 Hogans Lane, Musk Vale.
Mel Ogden will be hosting an ikebana demonstration open to the public at 12.30pm on Sunday, November 9 as well as a private workshop. At the same studio Lois Ogden will also be showcasing her embroidery. Head to 35 Leonards Hill-South Bullarto Road, Bullarto South.
Entry to all studios is free and they are family-friendly.
The artists are all members of The Australian Ceramics Association which is in its 70th year. TACA is a not-for-profit, grassroots organisation that seeks to elevate ceramics in Australian culture.

Toody Cole, her band and members of Jenny Don’t & The Spurs will play at the Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on Saturday, November 22.

Toody, co-founder and mainstay of iconic Oregon group Dead Moon returns to Australia for the first time fronting her own band, following three decades of appearances here with Dead Moon, Pierced Arrows and as a duo with her late great husband Fred Cole.
In Toody Cole & her band, she is joined by Kelly Haliburton and Christopher March (on drums and guitar respectively) of fellow Oregon outfit Jenny Don’t & The Spurs.
Toody had a lifelong journey with Fred Cole, her dearly loved husband of 50 years, carving a unique approach with their passion-drenched raucous dirt road garage punk rock. Toody was the guts, the heart and the unyielding determination and drive of the bands she shared with Fred. Like a garage-grit Patti Smith, jagged-edge Joan Jett, or even Janis Joplin’s older biker sister, Toody Cole, now 76 years young, is a ‘door-busting, ceiling-cracking riot woman’ – and a senior citizen at that.
Famously turning down a US tour with Nirvana in ’92 having already committed to a 20-date run in New Zealand, Dead Moon were influential on subsequent generations of raw rock’n’rollers, from Mudhoney through to the White Stripes.

South Australian folk-country outfit Tin Town – Courtney Robb and Snooks La Vie are excited to release their highly anticipated debut album Down in the Dirt.

The 11-track collection is stripped back, honest and warm, a reflection on family, ageing, memory and connection.
For lovers of Kasey Chambers, Paul Kelly, Kathleen Edwards and Lucinda Williams, Tin Town’s signature is their interplay.
Robb’s distinctive, earthy voice paired with La Vie’s soulful harmonica and vocals, creates a dynamic that is tender, gritty, and unmistakably Australian.
Recorded at Wizard Tone Studios, produced by Ryan Martin John (Cactus Cactus Sound) and featuring an all-star band rounding out the duo’s sound; Tom Kneebone (guitars), BJ Barker (drums), Lyndon Gray (bass), Graeme Hollis (hammond organ) and Lucky Oceans (pedal steel guitar).
To celebrate the release, Tin Town will be hitting the road for a very special string of shows across Victoria this month.
Local shows are at Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Creswick on Friday, November 21 from 7pm supporting Minor Gold and at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham on Saturday, November 22 from 3pm
Link: www.tintown.com.au

Who doesn’t love a competition? Well, the Daylesford Show, on Saturday, November 22, has hundreds of them.
Daylesford & District Agricultural Society committee member Mary Harvey said the competitions covered a broad range of interests, levels of expertise and age levels, from pre-school to adult.

“Traditional animal competitions include chooks, horses, sheep and dogs. Our dog competition is the biggest in country Victoria, with around 400 dogs. Last year, for the first time, we had gypsy cobs, which were very popular.”
Mary said the homecrafts competitions ranged from farm and garden produce, flowers and floral art, cookery, crafts such as knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving, arts and crafts, patchwork, sewing and embroidery, leatherwork, metalwork, woodwork, ceramics and photography.

“The cookery competition features a bloke’s chocolate cake. This is our one men-only competition but men are eligible to enter all cookery and other competitions. Last year the winner and runner-up of the regional VAS rich fruit cake were men.”
Mary said winners of Victorian agricultural show competitions go on to regional competitions. If they win there they go on to the Melbourne Royal Show. In 2024 four winners at Daylesford went on to win first prizes at the Melbourne Royal.
“There are similar competitions for juniors, with no entry fees and substantial prizes. A feature of our junior competitions is a colouring competition with three different age groups. There is also a cup and a sash for the best junior exhibit. There is a sash and a $50 prize for the best school display.”
Mary said all the competition details were available at www.daylesfordshow.com or from various locations in Daylesford, Creswick and Trentham. Copies have been left at libraries, Bendigo banks and information centres.
There will be displays at the last two locations next week. Entries are due in by Friday, November 16. A very popular addition last year was a colouring competition for juniors and entries from schools and libraries in this year’s colouring competitions will be collected in the week that entries are due.

2024 Daylesford Show | Images: Tommy Campion

I have found myself in Queensland a couple of times this past winter. Luxury boat reviews to do, and they won’t do themselves. And of course, the editor, as much as she loves the Central Highlands in winter, had to come along for the ride. And the Tesla provides a great ride – despite its diminishing brand. A few memories here.

Crush was out of control

One of the diminishing perks of being a writer is that from time to time you get a junket offered up by a company that wants some exposure. Back in 2023 Donna and I accepted a quick trip to the Brisbane Riverfire event which turned into just short of a post-Covid nightmare. We stayed at the invitation of Oaks Aurora Suites, unfortunately the lifts weren’t all working in this 67-floor building.
And just before the fun kicked off in the river a surge of tenants, friends and guests which I reckon was about 400-strong were trying to get up into the lifts at the same time. The problem was that the lift wasn’t all stops, it would only take you to your allocated floor.
The crush was out of control, so I collected our guests and made a beeline to the basement and got up that way. It only took an hour from when I left the room to pick them up from the foyer. And the promised “river view” was a glimpse between two buildings with no view of the fireworks and you were lucky to spot the planes as they flew past.

Fast forward
After a few conversations with management, Donna secured a deal to have another look at Riverfire this year. We had left our Tesla up there, as a week prior I had been doing some writing for a boatbuilding company – so it was perfect to fly in and drive home.
The over the top three-bedroom apartment Donna secured at the Oaks had been offered to us at an extremely big discount with a cost of just $500 for the night. Still big coin for a couple of journalists, but it was three bedrooms, so we got a few buddies in on the deal and halved the cost. For reference, to book this 66-floor apartment with views from the Story Bridge to Southbank is usually $2000 for the night.

Poor old Dad

One of the first planes to come over at eye level was the EA-18G Growler, with a window-rattling, discombobulating roar as it hit the afterburners and shot skyward only 100 metres away. Dad yelled out “I got the photo” and after closer examination it turns out he had dropped his phone in the sensory overload commotion and got a photo of his sock. If you scan the QR code about 2 minutes and 50 seconds in, you can see our building from the pilot’s point of view.

Rolling into Coffs with no aircon

All was forgiven with Oaks Aurora as they had certainly bunged on a fabulous night which was punctuated with fireworks in stereo from the two barges directly below us – what a feast for the senses.
We all said our goodbyes, Donna and I finished our stay on the Gold Coast – where the beaches are still recovering from that cyclone – and started the road trip back to the Central Highlands via Yarrawonga with the first stop being Coffs Harbour.
A quick plug into the map in the Tesla reveals we would arrive with 17 per cent power left. But unfortunately the car fails to consider it was around 40 degrees outside, and my princess likes it to stay around 18 inside, putting a big deficit in the battery power. As we rolled into Coffs with the air conditioning off, windows open and four per cent left in the battery, I dropped Donna at our accommodation, she went straight to the bar – and I gingerly crept the extra three kilometres to the supercharger. Made it but talk about range anxiety.

Tumbi Umbi
The next day we cautiously headed for a little place just north of Sydney called Tumbi Umbi. Great name for a town. I made sure I topped up three times that day. We stayed at the Mingara Recreation Club, a fantastic stop with club facilities and a supercharger just up the road.
A fun fact – a 250kW supercharger will charge you from zero to 100 per cent in around half an hour depending on the volume of cars being topped up.

Self-driving
Although I haven’t got the latest full-driving mode and quite frankly refuse to get it, I still have the self-driving mode which I use very occasionally as I don’t trust it. But when it comes to trying to eat a large burger while driving it is pretty handy. You just set it, sit in behind a truck, and it takes care of the drive.
However, I don’t trust it, particularly when overtaking and around other traffic, as it has a mind of its own. You can find yourself dropping from 110 to 60kph in a heartbeat which is a worry when you have someone up your backside who has no idea what is about to take place.
This is so common there is even a name for it “phantom braking” – so no thanks. I do however quite often use the adaptive cruise control. This simply gets set and should you come up behind another vehicle stops you ploughing into the back of it. But even the cruise control suffers with phantom breaking and picking up on old roadwork zones where they have forgotten to remove the speed limit from the maps.

The road to Gundagai
The next stop was Gundagai where a trip down to the RSL revealed the latest fashion in high-vis wear, and it looked as if gyms were a bit light on the ground. Not shaming anyone though. Best efforts and all that. But the beer was cold and the bed was comfortable. However I was left with a burning question as to why that digger was so desperate to get back to his dog on the tuckerbox.

Ripped off

The awards night at Yarrawonga was the final sleep before getting back to the Central Highlands and you can read all about that in my column about us being “ripped off”.
We stopped for a couple of top-ups including the Holbrook supercharger where Donna wanted to go into the church craft shop. I reminded her of how it would go, that there would be a couple of old ducks to welcome her in and she would be guilted into buying some old rough mis-fitting knitted scarf that would cost $50 and never see the light of day again. So that put the kibosh on that.
I stopped once more at the Albury Commercial Club for another quick charge before heading to Yarrawonga, a place completely devoid of superchargers. Wandering into a club with the tinkling excited sounds of the pokies was not as good as sitting in the carpark playing another game of solitaire while waiting to charge up. Still, you should move around.
So, I wandered around the club and reflected on a time when we were much younger and Donna and I had asked the guy at the front desk to summon a dear friend of ours, Michael Hunt. Commonly known as Mike. When Mike Hunt was called over the loudspeaker, applause and laughter rang out through the club. We wanted to claim credit but were too afraid so it was a quick exit stage left. And that was our 2025 spring road trip full of fun, adventure and a few pints along the way.
Scan the QR Code to see Riverfire in full action

Daniela Palumbo, who runs publicity for the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market, also helps her mum Yolanda Palumbo in her Italian baking business, one of the stallholders at the market. Daniela said her mother was born in Italy and came to Australia when she was four. She was a hairdresser by trade but was always passionate about baking. Daniela was born in Australia and was a laboratory technician. She chatted with Donna Kelly about Yolanda’s Homemade Cakes and Biscuits.

Donna: So, how did the baking business start?
Daniela: My mum has baked my entire life so when she retired, it was a way to keep her active; markets add a social aspect too. When it all got a little bigger than anticipated I jumped on board to lend a hand.

Donna: How long do you take to get ready for a market – must be a hard push?
Daniela: We take our time baking and bake the entire month. We want our products to be at their freshest when people buy them, so small batches and frequently. The week leading up can get chaotic, especially if we have a special order thrown into the mix.

Donna: Do you get a lot of Italian clients or is everyone keen?
Daniela: Our clientele is diverse, we have many who come because it reminds them of their childhood, many who have travelled to Italy and reminisce about their trip, many who just love Italian desserts and quite a few who have dietary intolerances and are happy to have found something they can indulge in that suits their requirements and is full of flavour.

Donna: What is yours and your mum’s favourite – if you have one?
Daniela: We still love the cannoli, light lemon and real chocolate-flavoured custard in a crispy shell. We fill them fresh at the market so the custard stays fresh and the shells stay crisp. We usually sell out of them at every market, so a big seller.

Donna: What is your best seller?
Daniela: In terms of biscuits, in the traditional range, crostoli. They’re a sweet citrus pasta-type dough that is fried and sprinkled with sugar. In the gluten-free range; brutti ma buoni, a light, crispy, outer meringue and slightly chewy in the centre made with roasted almond pieces. In the vegan range, d’acero e mandorle, the texture of an Anzac biscuit but made with tiny roasted almond pieces, maple syrup and vanilla bean, no refined sugars so a good option for the health-conscious, and in the not-so-traditional Italian range, definitely the tessori. Think shortbread with crushed, freeze- dried strawberry, drizzled with vanilla icing – that is also vegan.

Donna: Do you sell anywhere else apart from Clunes?
Daniela: We attend the Talbot Farmers Market and The Clunes Greengrocer also stocks our product. We supply a few things to Cafe 52 in Clunes, The Salty Sparrow in Ballarat, and Just Planet Coffee Roastary in Sunbury and Collins Street, Melbourne. We also do the odd one-off festival or market.

Donna: Why did you get so involved with the Clunes Market?
Daniela: We live in Clunes and so it just made sense to support the local market, in turn the locals also support us.

Donna: What does Christmas look like for your family – must be some great food involved?
Daniela: When you think of an Italian family you think huge, but we’re small. Christmas is a time for us to get together, catch up, unwind and relax. The food is amazing and there’s always too much. When I was younger most of what we sell at the market was made for special occasions only, so you knew it was a time for celebration when the baking began. For this reason there are a few things we have kept from the market, just for ourselves and to keep celebrations special.

Donna: If people want to start trying to make some Italian dishes what should they start with – or just stick to buying from you?
Daniela: Italian food is about simplicity, don’t overcomplicate it. A few quality ingredients and time. If you’re keen to try something it really is just about the basics and as clichéd as it sounds, a little bit of love really does make a difference.

Donna: Finally, would you like to add anything else?
Daniela: See everyone at the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market on November 9.

Country Press Australia is calling for urgent action to stop illegal scraping of local news.
The CPA has welcomed the federal government’s decision to rule out a copyright exemption for AI companies, but says urgent action is now required to enforce copyright laws and stop AI platforms from stealing regional journalism.
CPA president Damian Morgan, pictured, said the damage to regional journalism was no longer hypothetical or distant, it was already occurring.

“AI companies think they are above the law. They are harvesting local news stories, paraphrasing them, and delivering them back to users as answers rather than links.
“The public still consumes the journalism, but they never reach the publisher, never subscribe, and never see a local advertiser. The reporting is ours, but the commercial benefit is captured by offshore technology companies.”
Mr Morgan added that some regional publishers now operated metered or hybrid paywalls to fund journalism, but AI scraping routinely bypassed those protections, further threatening the economic base needed to keep local journalists employed.
“The problem is not only training data. These platforms are now replacing the publisher in real time. They extract our reporting, convert it into their own output, and keep the audience. That removes the economic base needed to keep journalists employed in regional Australia,” he said.
Mr Morgan said the policy failure that occurred when Meta walked away from funding news must not be allowed to repeat itself in the AI era.
“Google has remained engaged with the industry, but Meta walked away while still benefiting from Australian journalism.
“We cannot go through a second cycle where big tech uses regional reporting to drive engagement but refuses to fund the journalism that makes it possible. If AI companies want to use Australian news, they must license it and pay for it,” he said.
The CPA is calling for a national framework that ensures licensing covers both training and output; that regional publishers are explicitly included alongside larger media companies; and that there is a low-cost, fast enforcement pathway for small publishers who cannot afford lengthy litigation.
The Local editor Donna Kelly said small, independent publishers just wanted what was rightly theirs. “We love journalism but we should be paid for it.”

Organisations are already putting out their summer warnings, although with recent rains and the dropping of water restrictions for some regions, it can be hard to keep up. The Local will keep readers updated over the summer period – we continue to print and upload over Christmas and the New Year.

Hepburn Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Don Henderson said that heat doesn’t always feel like an emergency, but it should be treated as one.
“Heat can affect anyone, but the elderly, young children, people with pre-existing health conditions, and those living alone are especially vulnerable. For that reason, it is important to know the risks, signs of heat illness and what to do.
“To help people stay safe during extreme heat, the council has partnered with the Grampians Public Health Unit, Central Highlands Rural Health and 14 other agencies to pilot the Heatwave H.E.L.P. project in our region.
“This project focuses on bringing communities together so that they can help support each other during extreme heat, particularly heatwaves. It also serves as a timely reminder about the risk of leaving children and pets in hot cars.”
H = home and environment. You might need to make changes during extreme heat to stay cool, and if you can’t make changes, your vulnerability to heat is increased.
E = environment, including people living alone, working outdoors, or where people are isolated because they don’t have access to internet and alerts.
A = age and underlying conditions. If your body must work a little harder to function, then during extreme heat, your body will have to work harder again.
T = taking certain medications. We know that many common medications can prevent your body from cooling down naturally, so ask your doctor or pharmacist if that applies to you.
There are ways to stay safe during heatwaves: stay hydrated and keep cool; avoid the heat by staying indoors; keep in touch with others, especially older family members, neighbours, or anyone who may be isolated; and emergency apps which can often predict heat in advance so you can make preparations, and often means other risks, like fire, are more likely.
Link: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Central Highlands Water
CHW will introduce Stage 1 water restrictions from Wednesday, November 5 across the Forest Hill region including the townships of Allendale, Broomfield, Kingston, Newlyn, Newlyn North, Smeaton, and Springmount.
Continued dry conditions in the Forest Hill region have resulted in persistently low soil moisture levels and reduced natural groundwater recharge, placing additional pressure on local water resources.
The Forest Hill system is currently operating under an initial 50 per cent groundwater allocation announced in September for the 2025-26 season. These groundwater allocations are set and regulated by Goulburn-Murray Water in accordance with their Regional Groundwater Management Plan.
CHW managing director Jeff Haydon said the initial restrictions were being introduced at this time of year to help raise awareness and encourage the community to stay focused on using water efficiently during one of the driest periods on record.
“We’re closely monitoring our water supplies and how the community is using water. Our aim is to ease restrictions if the conditions improve, however, if the dry weather and soil moisture levels continue, we may need to consider higher levels of restrictions,” Mr Haydon said.
Unlike surface water storages, groundwater aquifers respond slowly to rainfall, making recovery from extended dry periods gradual. As such, ongoing community support and water-wise behaviours remain essential.
“The extended dry conditions have placed real pressure on our groundwater storages and aquifers. We thank residents, visitors and the community for their ongoing efforts in limiting their water use,” Mr Haydon said.
“Reducing household water use can make a meaningful difference. By making simple changes inside and outside the home, like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, washing with full loads, and not watering gardens in the heat of the day, customers can lower water and energy bills, and help the environment – every drop counts,” he said.
CHW: Water saving efforts and community support
Community members are encouraged to download and use the Snap Send Solve app to quickly and easily report water leaks within the community.
The app allows residents to take a photo, add a brief description, and pinpoint the location of the leak, usually in less than a minute.
CHW says it understands that many in the community may be facing cost-of-living pressures. Support for vulnerable customers is available through targeted plumbing assistance programs, which help improve water efficiency and reduce household costs.
There is also a customer support program for anyone experiencing difficulty paying their bill.

Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Victoria’s Rachael Campbell said with the long dry period, many farm dams were yet to fill. Support is available to assist with stock water planning and other farm management decisions.
All farmers in Victoria can register for a free one-to-one consultation with a farm management specialist. This advisory service offers a session of up to three hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to talk through and help develop a plan for managing drought conditions. Advice can include stock feed planning, water planning and a range of other on-farm decisions.
There are also online tools to assist in farm water management. Knowing your farm water requirements allows you to plan and make informed changes as required.
Agriculture Victoria has information and tools available to help assess stock water supply and calculate how long water will last.
Reducing water losses across the farm can achieve significant water savings. For example, in the short term, repair any reticulation leaks and in the longer term, reduce evaporation from farm dams by planting windbreaks and minimising seepage.
Dairy farmers can also explore how to reduce water use in the dairy whilst maintaining milk quality by measuring water use in everyday activities such as vat and machine washing, pit activities and yard cleaning.
Improvements can then be identified that could achieve significant water savings by adopting different technologies or work practices.
Link: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Next edition: Summer outlook from the CFA.

Words: Donna Kelly

In the last edition of The Local, historian Natalie Poole wrote about the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Trentham Primary School.

Student Jack Watson Sleeman, 10, wrote his own history of the region, edited here for space, which appeared in the Kyneton Guardian on May 14, 1918.
“In 1856 wood splitters and pit sawyers, who were the first settlers in the Trentham district, commenced their work among the timber in the ranges, where they lived in huts. These men cut the timber (and) sent it to Kyneton to be sold.
The forest known as ‘Clowes’ Forest’ proved to have immense quantities of valuable timber in it. This forest kept many sawmills working continuously for over 40 years. The timber was very useful for building houses and bridges, making fences, and was also good fuel.
The first steam sawmill in the district was erected by Mr. J. B. Enders in 1857. Subsequently followed by sawmills erected by Messrs. McPherson Bros., Mr Lyons, Laver Bros., Christian Bros. and others.
Gold was first discovered in March 1859, at the site of the Trentham township, and although considerable quantities have been obtained over several miles of country no rich finds have been discovered. Newbury, Garlick’s Lead, Barry’s Reef, and Blackwood are mining districts adjoining Trentham.
The township is situated on the River Trent, a tributary of the Coliban, on which are the Trentham Falls. The water going over the falls has a descent of 100 feet. The scenery at the Falls is very fine, it being a place of much natural beauty.
The district contains a considerable quantity of rich volcanic soil suitable for agricultural purposes, which has been the chief industry since 1860; the principal crops being potatoes, wheat, oats, rye, maize, and hay. The first farmers to come to Trentham were Messrs. Ogden, Bickley, Middlemiss, Glenn, Pearson and Watson. Sheep raising and dairying are also carried on.
The Carlsruhe to Daylesford railway, which goes through Trentham, was completed in 1880 and the first passenger train passed through Trentham on the 17th of March 1880.”
Jack was awarded a scholarship at a district high school in early 1919. He went into banking after he left school and eventually returned to Trentham in his later life.

In the present day, it may be hard to imagine what our landscape was like before white people came to Australia.

But one thing is for sure, there would have been many more trees, particularly huge old ones, the likes of which most people have never seen. These trees would have been home to innumerable species of animals from insects to bats, gliders, possums, birds and even koalas.
The removal of vast numbers of trees from the landscape has had many effects on the wildlife that would use them for their homes. One effect that impacts nesting birds is the influence of the wind.
When trees were sheltered by other trees the impact of the wind was reduced. But these days when we have strong winds like the ones we have experienced recently, nests can be dislodged and blown to the ground. This may be how a baby tawny frogmouth ended up on the ground, where it was discovered by a local.
Jon Rowdon from the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter says the tawny frogmouth builds nests in the forks of trees. Unlike the well-constructed nests of other birds, which can be connected to tree branches with mud or moss or even cobwebs, the tawnies’ nests appear to be just bunches of twigs, with leaves in the middle. These twigs are held in place by the tree forks. So it is not such a surprise that a nest in an unsheltered tree could be blown to the ground in strong winds.
Since the baby bird has been at the shelter it has been fed every three hours, even throughout the night. The diet consists of moths, cockroaches, crickets and other invertebrates. As the bird gets older it will be taught to hunt.
Jon says that they do this by using long tweezers to drag dead insects along a branch to mimic something living. This will teach the bird to link movement to food. Jon stresses how important it is that people do not try and raise baby birds themselves as they will not learn the hunting skills that they need for survival.
The baby tawny frogmouth has been at the shelter for a few weeks now and it will soon be a fledgling. At this stage it will be moved to an aviary where it can practise learning to fly in a safe environment.
It will be a resident at the shelter for quite some time until it has fully grown and is able to look after itself in the wild.
If you find wildlife that needs help please contact the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter on 0409 380 327 and the Wildlife Emergency Helpline: is 8400 7300. Pop them in your phone.

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

While The Block was a fun ride for Daylesford and the region, the auction on Saturday, October 25 was pretty cringeworthy to watch.
With high reserves, contestants and real estate agents alike were left reeling.

But there is always a winner and West Australian cops Britt and Taz, pictured above with host Scott Cam, took the top prize, leaving $520,000 richer.
Britt and Taz’s home sold to an unknown buyer through an advocate for $3.41million.
Controversial buyer Danny Wallis, who likes his auction bid to end in wacky cent figures, go figure, bought Robby and Mat’s house for $3,099,999 leaving the pair to split the profit of $109,999.
Sonny and Alicia’s place sold for $3.06million, giving them a $120,000 profit on top of the car they won.
Emma and Ben, and Han and Can, both had their properties passed in after vendor bids. House 1 and House 2 have returned to the market and will be sold via a private sale campaign.
Speaking to The Local before the auction, executive producer Julian Cress said all of the houses looked absolutely amazing at the end of the show.
“It was a mad, mad dash to the finish as always, but all of the contestants did an incredible job and they looked great.
“I think the contestants have done such a fantastic job. The homes are amazing, they’re as good as anything I think that’s ever been on offer in Daylesford.
“The challenge, of course, for us is trying to sell five of them in one day at auction. I’d have to think that while you could do that in Brighton because there are so many more properties for sale, but when have five houses ever sold in one day in Daylesford? Never. I guess that’s the question.
“We set ourselves a very hard target and I think that’s where all of our nervousness will come in. It’s got nothing to do with the quality of what we’re offering to the market.
“It’s just the fact that at any given time, there are only so many buyers for houses in Daylesford. But if a team does not sell on the day they can still make a profit and sell the house subsequently on the market, which is something that happens in real estate quite often as well.
“We’re not kidding ourselves and just assuming that they’re all going to sell on the day. But you hope for the best.”
Julian said there had been a 100 per cent clearance rate on auction day plenty of times. “Obviously, that’s what we’ll be hoping for everyone and that they all do really well. But I don’t think it would reflect badly on anybody if we didn’t get 100 per cent on the day. It’s a big ask.”
Julian said everyone had loved being in Daylesford for the show.
“Not just the contestants, but all of us, the whole crew, all the producers, camera and sound guys. All of us moved there for three and a half months. And everyone had an absolute blast living in and among that wonderful community.
“The welcome that we got from the people of Daylesford was extraordinary. And I’d like to think that we returned the favour. I’ve certainly had lots of local business people tell me that they’ve seen a lot of traffic coming to town, tourists who are visiting Daylesford because they’ve enjoyed watching The Block this year.
“Daylesford certainly has captured the hearts and minds of our audience. They’ve loved the show. It’s rated very strongly. And I think the fans of The Block have really enjoyed watching the show set there. And equally, I think they’ll enjoy Mt Eliza as well.”
Julian said the program had just celebrated its 1000th show.
“Honestly, we never expected to get to 50 shows, let alone 500 or 1000 episodes where we are now. We’re grateful for every time we get renewed for another series. We’re all very grateful for the opportunity.”
Living away from family and friends was always challenging, Julian said.
“Certainly, it’s a big sacrifice. For the contestants and for our crew too. But on the flip side, everybody also just enjoys the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new community. And it has its real positives as well.”
And did they ever work out the Daylesford vibe?
“If they sell to a local, then you’ve got to presume that they got Daylesford exactly right. I think all of the houses have different appeal in different ways. And to give you an idea, we had about 650 local people come through a couple of weeks ago as a thank-you to the local businesses and families and people that supported us throughout the program.
“And I’d say about 80 per cent of them told us that they really liked house number two, which was Han and Can’s house.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: File

The Algerian oak (quercus canariensis) in Kingston has been named the 2025 Victorian Tree of the Year, securing more than 40 per cent of the vote.

Estimated to be over 130 years old, this remarkable tree stands 16 metres tall with a canopy spanning 31 metres, and occupies the only piece of public land in Kingston.
Currently under threat of removal to make way for transmission lines, the tree, already on the Significant Trees Register, has become the focus of strong community-led efforts to secure its retention for future generations.
The removal of the oak would not only destroy the tree itself, but also threaten the surrounding ecosystem – including native vegetation and species such as platypus, frogs, and other wildlife that inhabit the nearby Birchs Creek Nature Reserve.
While winning the title of Victorian Tree of the Year does not confer any legal protection, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) says the competition highlights the vulnerabilities faced by significant trees across the state – many of which lack consistent protection under current planning laws.
“Our planning system does not adequately protect trees, even when their significance is well-documented,” said Justin Buckley, executive manager of Gardens and Landscapes at the National Trust.
“While we welcome the state government’s recent planning amendment on canopy trees, many significant trees still face the risk of removal. At a time when our communities need more trees, canopy cover and green space, we must strengthen protections rather than allow further loss.”
Although heritage-listed buildings are protected by law, trees – even those recognised on public registers, remain exposed to removal and development pressures.
While an independent environmental assessment is underway, the National Trust hopes that public recognition through this award will influence decision-makers and help secure the tree’s future.
Kingston resident and nominator of the tree, Jeremy Harper said winning the title of National Trust Tree of the Year was a great honour.

“It recognises both this magnificent old tree and our community’s commitment to protecting it. Kingston already has one of Victoria’s finest Avenues of Honour, and now we can proudly say we also have Victoria’s finest tree of 2025.”
Jeremy said to receive 40.5 per cent of the vote was fantastic. “We had a pretty good feeling because it’s a magnificent tree and we were the only one of the nine that was under threat. On the other hand, we’re a small town,” he said.
Jeremy said while winning did not give the tree legal protection “you’d think that would have some impact”.
“I suppose they (AusNet) might have thought there won’t be any objections over public land because it’s not a private landowner. But there are community objections because the whole community owns the land.”
Jeremy said he was supportive of bringing renewable energy to Melbourne.
“I wonder now if they will consider a completely different route (such as) the south side of the Western Highway on existing easements, or going underground.
“We just don’t know. In the meantime, we’re just rapt that we’ve won Tree of the Year and we think that will be a significant factor in preserving it.
“I mean, who wouldn’t want to save a beautiful tree? It wasn’t as though we were backing some controversial thing. It’s just a beautiful tree.”

Bradley Thomas has been reappointed for a further four-year term as Hepburn Shire Council CEO, following a decision by councillors at October’s meeting.

Mr Thomas has led the organisation since May 2021.
After questions from The Local, a council spokesperson said the position had not been advertised “which is fully compliant with legislation”.
“Six months prior to the expiration of the CEO contract, councillors have the right to either reappoint the current CEO or readvertise the position. In this instance, councillors chose to reappoint.”
Asked if a four-year term was standard, the spokesperson said terms of a CEO appointment could be anything up to a maximum of five years. “The term is negotiated between councillors and the CEO.”
The Local also asked if the Community Satisfaction Survey ratings had been taken into account – after dropping consistently over the past four years.
“Results have not consistently dropped over the four years, however a whole range of factors were taken into consideration by councillors in the reappointment of the CEO,” the spokesperson, who would not comment on whether the vote for Mr Thomas was unamimous, said.
Mr Thomas said 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.”
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