Meet the writers
Helen Goh, a baker who also writes for Good Weekend, has an enormous fan base and will talk about her baking secrets as well as her philosophical approach to what it means to bake.
Enjoy a High Tea with Helen Goh at the Daylesford Convent on Sunday, October 5 from 11.30am to 2pm. www.northernbooks.com.au/helengoh

Julian Kingma has challenged himself, faced his fears and spent a year talking to and photographing Australians who have chosen to die a Voluntary Assisted Death – to die on their own terms.
Join award-winning photographer and journalist at Buda House in Castlemaine on Saturday, September 13 from 2pm to 4pm.
Link: www.northernbooks.com.au/juliankingma

Celebrate markets
Leonards Hill Market is celebrating its 100th market on Saturday, September 20 from 9am to 2pm.
Bring the gang down to pick up some yummy goodies, grab a delicious Devonshire tea inside or bullboar snag from the barbeque and have a chat with friendly stall holders who will be selling sourdough bread, local honey, jams and preserves, made-with-love craft goodies, jewellery, children’s clothing and items, collectibles, gifts, plants, toys, crafts, sweet treats, cakes, muffins, books, preloved goods and more. Don’t forget the famous bake stall with all proceeds going to the Leonards Hill Hall.

The third and final stage of the $655 million redevelopment at Ballarat Base Hospital is now underway.
Structural works on a new seven-story tower have started and once complete, will include a new emergency department, 100 more inpatient and short stay beds, a new state-of-the-art theatre suite, a new helipad and a new and expanded women and children’s hub. A new critical care floor will transform patient care, helping surgical staff deliver 4000 more surgeries every year, bringing together operating theatres, procedure rooms, an expanded intensive care unit, endoscopy suites and consulting rooms. The redevelopment has already delivered an expanded multi-deck carpark with 400 more spaces. The redevelopment is on track to be completed in 2027.

Hepburn Shire Council’s draft Road Management Plan 2025–2029 is open for consultation until Friday, September 19.
Key areas of the draft plan include: council’s responsibilities under the Road Management Act 2004; management of road and footpath assets; inspection and maintenance schedules; and intervention levels and response times for defects. The plan and the Road Register and Footpath Register can be viewed at the Participate Hepburn website. The plan applies to local roads only and does not include roads managed by external agencies such as the Department of Transport and Planning, Parks Victoria, VicRoads and others.

Events across regional Victoria as part of Victoria’s Pride – a summer-long celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities – will culminate in an all-ages Street Party in Melbourne on Sunday, February 8.
Highlights of the Regional Activation Program include Thursgay Bellarine Pride Fest – a celebration featuring local DJs, drag artists, emerging performers and market stalls. Ballarat will create Queer-ways: Retracing Ballarat’s Queer Footprints Mural, a permanent tribute to Ballarat’s LGBTIQA+ history, and in Mildura, Friends of Comedy will host a travelling show featuring queer comedians.
Link: www.midsumma.org.au/regional-activations.

The firewood season is now open until Sunday, November 30.
Firewood collection, for domestic use, is only allowed during the firewood seasons from designated firewood collection areas in state forests and some forest parks. Maps are now online, with a limit of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year. Financial assistance is available for people on low incomes who buy firewood: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/energy-concession-and-support

I’m often asked why Meta (owners of Facebook) should be forced to pay compensation to news publishers. It’s a fair question.
On the surface, Facebook can be seen as a media disruptor, like Uber upending the taxi industry, or cars replacing horse and cart. It’s easy to think social media is just the “new and improved” media.
But Facebook isn’t a modern version of traditional media at all – it’s an entirely different thing. The core business of traditional media is producing content – primarily news and entertainment. We are a product business. Facebook doesn’t produce any content. Zero.
Its business model is to “share” other people’s content – without paying for it. This has never been done at scale before.
In the early days, many of us curated our Facebook feeds to include trusted news sources. That made the platform more important to us, more credible, and far more valuable.
Credible journalism gave Facebook enormous legitimacy. It made the feed worth coming back to – and helped Facebook build its empire.
Credit where due – Facebook was a brilliant pioneer of the internet, effectively inventing social media and colonising the World Wide Web. It offered everything for free – until we relied on it. Then they cashed in – creating one of the most powerful and profitable corporations in history.
But like all new boom industries, social media’s race to dominate the internet has left regulation in the starter’s blocks. There were no guardrails to protect people and organisations from the consequences of its domination.
No recourse for scams or misinformation. No regard for the mental health of teenagers. No thought for the destruction of regional news services.
Facebook’s real “product” is you. Your attention is what they sell. And they’ll serve up almost anything to keep it – along with your personal data – to advertisers, based on what you read, watch, click, and where you go online.
While Facebook deserves credit for innovation, its refusal to engage with regulation is contemptible.
Google has behaved differently. Its core product – search – is also vastly more valuable when it includes journalism from credible sources. For example, when you search for updates on a local bushfire or the war in Ukraine, those results are far more valuable when they include stories from trained journalists at credible news organisations.
Without trusted journalism in the mix, Google’s search results would be less relevant, less useful – and far less valuable. That’s why Google agreed to pay Australian news publishers after the introduction of the world-first News Media Bargaining Code in 2021.
Facebook initially complied. Then they walked away. They are now openly defying the Australian government and refusing to pay for the journalism that helped build their empire and continues to drive their profits.
The Albanese Government is responding with the News Bargaining Incentive to force them to the table. So far, Facebook has responded with silence and contempt.
– Damian Morgan, Country Press Association president

I am writing to express my concerns about the recent article featuring a resident of the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society units. (Issue 399)
As the husband of the secretary who has served the Society for over 28 years I have witnessed their dedication and hard work.
Although my wife was approached for comment she was advised by a government department previously not to engage with this resident due to her history of harassment and provocation. Unfortunately the journalist has chosen to publish this article without providing a balanced perspective.
I find it particularly concerning that the journalist did not seek out the views of the other residents to confirm the rent requirements and gain a broader understanding of the care provided by the Society, with only 12 residents it would not have been difficult to gather a range of perspective.
The Society volunteers work diligently to provide housing support and I believe the article did disservice to their efforts.
The Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society has a remarkable history of over 160 years as a volunteer organisation. It is these combined years that have made possible the homes they provide.
I hope you will consider publishing a more balanced article that reflects the true nature of the Society’s work
– John Kinghorn, Daylesford
(Ed’s note: The Local approached the Society’s secretary three times for comment. None was forthcoming.)

Block contestants Han and Can found themselves in hot water on the edition which aired Sunday, August 31 when foreman Dan checked The Block’s on-site security footage to catch the WA couple in the act.
Website news.com.au said Dan approached the pair as they stood outside their house, cleaning their dirty paint brushes and buckets under a tap but contestants can only dispose of paint in a designated wash space further offsite.
“There’s a big puddle of coloured liquid pooling on the ground nearby, but the girls insist they weren’t responsible for it,” the website says.
“I’ve just come up and seen the girls rinsing their buckets of paint just here … they reckon they didn’t do this puddle, they reckon that was a plasterer or something,” Dan said.
“We’ve got springs everywhere. We don’t want to be contaminating our soil near the springs. We don’t want to do it anywhere, anyhow. I can only take their word and hope they’re not lying.”
Dan then headed to the The Block’s site office and watched as Can cleaned her paint brushes and buckets, creating the large coloured puddle they’d blamed on a plasterer.
“Why lie? Why would you lie about it? They’ve washed out paint on the ground, they’ve lied to me, and they’re not taking ownership.”
Can offered an apology and said it wouldn’t happen again.

The wine cellar
What has probably puzzled most Hepburn Shire residents is the speed with which Robby and Mat got the tick of approval to dig a giant hole for their wine cellar.
They asked for permission in the first week of the show and by the end of the week it was a goer. Foreman Dan told them: “There’s three hurdles that we had to get ticked off, today alone we got two ticked off. The structural engineering of it, the second is the building surveyor, he’s also said ‘Yep it’ll be allowed’.
“The third one that we’re waiting on is council for planning and I reckon we’ll probably get an answer within the next few days.”
And they did.

Words: Donna Kelly

Hepburn Shire Council will continue to investigate whether the bequested Rea-Lands Park in Raglan Street, Daylesford can be sold as surplus property.
This is despite her son Stefan Rea, a former Daylesford Police Officer for 10 years, telling The Local (in the last edition) that his mother asked for it be “bequeathed to the mayor, councillors and citizens of the Shire of Daylesford for the use and benefit of the citizens of Daylesford and for it to be named Rea-Lands Park”.

The possible sale of the land arose when Cr Lesley Hewitt moved a motion at the July Council meeting for an investigation into whether the land could be sold.
Cr Hewitt said at the time it was clear Mrs Rea thought community was at the heart of everything she did. “And then the question is, what’s community benefit?”
When The Local contacted Cr Hewitt last week to ask if the motion could be halted because of opposition from the family and many in the community, she said: “The details about Betty Rea’s bequest including any information about her intention in making the bequest will be included in the officer’s report on the property.”
Patrick Jones, who heads the Daylesford Community Gardeners, said after the council first tried, and failed, to sell the land in 2011, he facilitated the planting of a community orchard at the park land in the same year.
“From 2012 we had a lease with council with the arrangement they got to advertise their support and partnership with community gardeners (as promotion of them being a ‘sustainability-focused’ council) in exchange for them waiving the costs for water use and lease, and regular mowing.
“After we established this and other community gardens in Daylesford, council flyers then presented in their brochures an impression that the community gardens were the work of the council working with the community.
“The actual story is that we did all the work and had to persuade council to back us through a series of actions, including having Costa (Gardening Australia) come and open the library garden that council at the time was trying to evict us from.
“We had this arrangement for several years until new council officers, without any prior understanding of the exchange, made the demand we paid for those items.
“I sent a letter to council saying, because council uses ‘community gardens’ on their literature and flyers, we would like to keep the agreement as an exchange. I never heard back from council. Since 2012 there has been continual community tending of Rea-Lands Park. Many people, locals and tourists alike, use this garden. Picnics, berry picking, working bees, birthday parties and other celebrations, and pruning and gardening workshops have taken place at Rea-Lands Park. The avocado trees are starting to mature and many existing trees were planted by Daylesford’s ancestors and they are significant trees.” Words: Donna Kelly

Image: Betty Rea’s son Stefan Rea plants jostaberry under the watchful eye of Daylesford Community Gardener Anita McKone, at a planting day last month.
Image: Debora Semple

Daylesford is about to be lit up as it gets national exposure for its new civic heartbeat.
Having raised an astonishing $70,000 in just six months, the district is readying for its community theatre which will be featured over two nights (September 8 and 9) on the high-rating TV show The Block.
Now known as the Phoenix @ The Rex, this theatre is a cultural gem rising from the ashes.

Work on the 73-seat theatre was greatly helped by contestants on The Block.
Over four weeks the theatre will be showcased in “Lights Up Daylesford: Phoenix Rising” as organisers plan a range of fundraisers from raffles to market entry donations, a gala dinner, a magic and jazz show, and more.
Sponsorships and memberships will be accepted in this latest wave, with a focus also on community engagement, both interactive and digital before, during and after the TV shows.
A Phoenix Party with the second night’s TV screening will be featured at Hepburn’s recently reopened Savoia Hotel.
Short videos will be screened of volunteers, locals and artists telling why the Phoenix is so important.
This beautiful Spanish colonial-style building was designed by the same people who created Melbourne’s famous Regent Theatre. The Rex first opened in 1929 and entertained locals for over three decades before closing in 1963 when TV became popular. Although the building then had other uses, the community brought a smaller cinema back to life there in 2013.
It was housed in The Rex Arcade, a private shopping mall, but was left without a home after The Rex was bought by the council in 2016.
The council wanted to use the venue as a community hub to include a new library, customer service centre, public toilets and staff accommodation. But this fell through and the building was sold to private owners in 2022. In spite of this setback, the incorporated Daylesford Community Centre continued following the 2017 closure to resurrect a community cinema that had proved to be such a valued part of Daylesford and now looks to the future. Words: Contributed

Trentham was last week named the Top Tiny Tourism Town at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards.
The award comes after winning the 2025 Victoria Top Tourism Town in the Tiny Tourism Town category in July 2025.

Trentham took out the Gold Award, with the town of Huskisson in New South Wales taking silver and Town of 1770 in Queensland, the bronze.
Cr Brian Hood, a Trentham resident and the former ward councillor for Coliban Ward, said winning the small-town tourism award for Victoria was fantastic recognition for the town of Trentham and its wonderful people.
“But to go on and win the national gold award is just tremendous. We are delighted and honoured,” Cr Hood, inset, said.
“It’s one thing for visitors to enjoy Trentham’s walking trails and forest, the iconic Trentham Falls, our boutiques, eateries, our fabulous pubs and accommodation providers – but the experience is complemented by the warm and friendly reception everywhere. This award is a great result for a great community.
“Winning the award is also a tribute to the dedicated hard work of Bridgette O’Brien and her team at council and to Steve Wroe and his team at Destination Central Victoria (formerly Daylesford Macedon Tourism).
“Not only is the win great for Trentham but on top of last year’s recognition for Daylesford both awards are a welcome boost for the area.
“The message for town structure plans (across the whole shire) is clear – maintain and preserve the character, heritage and amenity of our towns and streetscapes and respectfully care for the natural environment!”
Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes & Contributed

The state government is boosting water security in Daylesford and nearby towns, with a new pipeline delivering up to 300 million litres of additional water per year nearing completion.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney has announced the start of the third and final stage of the $25 million upgrade to the water supply system for Daylesford, Hepburn, and Hepburn Springs.
Once completed in 2026, the pipeline will connect Daylesford to the Goldfields Superpipe, able to boost the Wombat and Bullarto reservoirs with up to 300 million litres of additional water per year. This secures more water during times of drought and low rainfall, reducing the risk of water restrictions.

Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs are currently on Stage 2 water restrictions, as the region’s driest summer and autumn in more 30 years saw storage levels drop to around 30 per cent.
Completion of stages 1 and 2 of the project have already seen the construction of 17 kilometres of pipeline connecting Daylesford to the Goldfields Superpipe, with works now starting on upgrades to the treatment plant to boost its capacity, ensuring more high-quality water is available for households and businesses.
The $25 million upgrade is CHW’s largest investment into Daylesford’s water supply – marking a significant milestone in the region’s water security.
While projects like this direct more water to the region, Victoria’s climate is drying with declining rainfall and population growth putting increasing pressure on Victoria’s drinking water supplies.
Ms Tierney said the new pipeline would support the long-term liveability, growth, and economic prosperity of the Daylesford region.
“By investing in climate resilient infrastructure today, we’re ensuring that communities like Daylesford have a reliable and sustainable water supply into the future.”
CHW managing director Jeff Haydon said the completion of the three-stage project represented a lasting investment in water infrastructure, delivering long-term benefits in water security, reliability, and quality for the Daylesford and Hepburn communities.
Above, from left, CHW chair Angeleen Jenkins, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Water Gayle Tierney and CHW Customer & Business Services general manager Philippa O’Sullivan

The release of the Victorian Transmission Plan has been welcomed as a much-needed step forward for clarity and certainty in the state’s shift to renewables – but in an open letter released today, community, environment and industry groups say urgent investment in Local Energy Hubs is needed to build trust and ensure regional benefits are delivered.

More than 50 organisations spanning the eastern seaboard have today issued an open letter to Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, urging the Federal Government to urgently fund a network of Local Energy Hubs across Australia.

From community groups to peak environment and industry bodies, the signatories are united in their call for a practical solution in rural and regional communities where renewable energy projects are being proposed or built, often without adequate information or support.

RE-Alliance, Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables have been calling for the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs across Australia, a proposed network of outreach centres staffed by locals to assist communities navigating renewable energy and transmission projects, while helping local households, businesses and farms to lower their energy bills and electrify.

Wendy Farmer from Voices of the Valley in Gippsland, Victoria, said: “Local Energy Hubs will build community trust in renewables, turning confusion into confidence and sparking community led change, making the energy shift work for everyone”.

While 70% of people living in renewable energy zones support Australia’s shift to renewable energy, that support is highly conditional. The open letter argues that Local Energy Hubs are essential to building trust and unlocking the full benefits in the shift to renewables for regional communities.

“Australia has a real opportunity to be a global leader in renewable energy, and that starts with supporting the regions that are powering the country. That means ensuring communities have the guidance, information and support they need to navigate this energy transformation, and secure the benefits that will flow to workers, homes and businesses,” said Justin Page, Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator.

“Local Energy Hubs can provide that trusted, practical support to help our community with everything from household electrification – all the way to making the most out of the big projects.”

The organisations warn that given the complexity of the change ahead, what happens in the next five years is critical. Without urgent government action to fund Local Energy Hubs, the shift to renewable energy will not happen at the speed and scale required, putting at risk both community support and Australia’s broader clean energy goals.

“We’ve been working in regional communities at the centre of Australia’s shift to renewables for more than a decade, clearly articulating the case for Local Energy Hubs for more than two years,” said RE-Alliance National Director, Andrew Bray.

“We keep hearing the same thing: we need clear, trusted information and practical support and we can get that through the Local Energy Hubs model. Without it, the rollout of renewable energy will keep running into delays, cost blowouts and opposition. Everyone has a stake in getting this right.”

The full open letter and list of signatories is available here.

The state government is helping busy families with the cost of living and supporting sports clubs to sign up more kids to local sports with another round of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program opening next month.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has announced registrations are open for sporting clubs and organisations to become a Get Active Kids Activity Provider ahead of Round 9 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, opening in October.

Clubs and sporting organisations can register as a provider, which allows families to sign up their kids by using the voucher up front and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

Eligible families with health care or other concession cards will be able to apply for vouchers of up to $200 per child ─ families apply for the vouchers online before redeeming them at an activity provider like a local sporting club.

To be eligible for registration as an activity provider, clubs and sporting organisations must be affiliated with a recognised State Sporting Association or State Sport and Active Recreation Body.

Since the program launched in 2020, almost 190,000 vouchers have been provided to families and 2,100 activity providers have registered, opening up more opportunities across Victoria for kids to play sports.

It’s not just the kids that benefit, by being a provider, clubs get more memberships and can provide more opportunities for kids to get involved.

There are two rounds of the popular program in 2025-26, with the first opening in October followed by another round in February 2026.

The program is open to kids aged up to 18 who are named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and named on a Medicare Card.

A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.

Eligible clubs can register now at getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers.