As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, we also start to see the occasional swooping bird. Native birds enter their breeding season in spring, and some may get protective of their young.

Lachlan Clarke, Manager Statewide Wildlife Advisory Services at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) said: “Swooping is a normal, temporary behaviour for native birds like magpies, butcherbirds and masked lapwings to defend their eggs and chicks for a short time while their young are most vulnerable.”

“Think of it as a warning sign. They’re telling you to keep your distance. While it can be a bit unsettling, it’s rare for them to make contact.”

Swooping can occur in both urban and rural areas, including parks, gardens, and along bike paths.

“Not all birds swoop during the breeding season, so the presence of magpies or other common swooping birds does not necessarily mean you will be swooped”, Mr Clarke said.

This behaviour only lasts a short time, usually ending once the young have left the nest.

If you are worried about being caught out by a protective bird this spring, here are some steps you can take to feel safe, while also protecting our native birds:

• Avoid known swooping hotspots.
• Move quickly, don’t run if near a swooping bird.
• Wear protective head and eye coverings.
• Don’t harass birds, as this can escalate swooping.
• Don’t feed birds or destroy their nests.

Report a swooping incident on Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map by visiting: https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds.

All native wildlife is protected by law. Harassing, harming or disturbing native birds and other wildlife is illegal in Victoria and penalties apply.

You can report wildlife crime such as harassing, harming or disturbing wildlife to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.

Every school in Ballarat is equipping students with the tools they need to build healthy and respectful relationships grounded in equality.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll recently visited Ballarat High School to announce that all government, Catholic and independent schools in the region are now signed up to the Government’s Respectful Relationships program.

This milestone makes Ballarat the first major regional centre to have 100 per cent uptake of the program in schools. It forms a crucial part of the state government’s world-leading ‘saturation model’ being rolled out in Ballarat – which brings together all parts of the community in a coordinated effort to prevent family violence.

These schools join more than 2,000 Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools across the state signed up to the program – to help embed a culture of respect and gender equality across their entire school community.

Schools are supported with startup funding, assistance implementing the initiative into their curriculum, classroom resources and training for teachers.

A recent Respectful Relationships evaluation found that the program significantly improved social and emotional skills. Students reported having a better understanding of their feelings and emotions, were more able to cope with challenges and could express their needs more clearly.

For more information on the Respectful Relationships program visit www.vic.gov.au/respectful-relationships.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll said Victoria was leading the nation through our Respectful Relationships initiative, which is supporting schools to embed a culture of respect and equality across their entire school community.

“This program is part of a broader community effort to prevent family violence – and I commend schools in Ballarat for playing a key role in this nation-leading change that’s fostering respect and gender equality.”

A record number of Victorians have had their say on the state government’s work from home laws – with an unprecedented amount of people participating in the consultation to date.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes joined Lana Dennis – a Melbourne woman who benefits from work from home – to announce that 18,448 Victorians have already participated in consultation.

Some 122 businesses have also registered their interest in participating in online industry forums, which begin this week.

By these numbers, the Have Your say: Working From Home survey is one of the biggest online engagement processes ever run by a state government in Australia – and it broke Engage Victoria records for number of submissions and speed of submission.

More than 1,000 responses were received in the first two hours of the consultation, with 5000 responses received by the end of the first day. The Engage Victoria platform averaged 8 to 9 submissions per minute.

The Victorian postcodes with the most participants in the engagement process to date are:

1. Point Cook (3030)
2. Truganina (3029)
3. Roxburgh Park (3064)
4. Wyndham Vale (3024)
5. Sandhurst (3977)
6. Clyde (3978)
7. Berwick (3806)
8. Mernda (3754)
9. Reservoir (3073)
10. Redan (3350)

With one month to go before consultation closes, the Government is encouraging all workers and employers to take part and help shape the state’s new work from home laws.

The survey has now also been translated into Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek and Italian to ensure even more Victorians can have their say.

Under the proposed laws, if you can reasonably do your job from home, you will have the right to do so for at least two days a week, whether you work in the public sector or private sector.

The consultation won’t determine whether working from home should be a right – we already know it should be. This is about making sure the rules are appropriate.

The Government is seeking feedback on key elements of the proposed laws including the types and sizes of businesses that will be covered, the definition of remote work, and who can reasonably work from home.

Consultation data will reveal what Victorians think about working from home – including how important the ability to work from home is for employees and whether they are more likely to choose one job over another because of working from home arrangements.

The Government is also capturing the view of business, with industry discussions to begin this week.

Have your say and help shape the future of work in Victoria by making a submission or participating in the survey by 28 September at engage.vic.gov.au/wfh

Premier Jacinta Allan said Victorians were leaping at the chance to have their say about work from home.

“Over the past few years, we’ve heard a lot about what big business thinks of work from home, but we haven’t heard enough about what workers think. That’s what this survey is all about.”

Victorians will be able to collect firewood for domestic use when collection areas reopen for spring on Monday September 1.
Firewood collection is only allowed during the firewood seasons from designated firewood collection areas in state forests and some forest parks.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Michael Condon encouraged people to get their wood now ready for winter 2026.
“Spring is an ideal time to collect your firewood,” he said.
“Depending on the species and level of dryness when cut, most wood takes longer than 12 months to dry.
“Ideally people should plan their firewood needs two years in advance.”
Mr Condon urged Victorians reliant on firewood for heating and cooking, to plan their needs early.
“Maps are now online, so it’s a good time to organise your collection,” he said.
“If you are unable to collect firewood for domestic use, you can nominate someone to collect firewood on your behalf.”
He reminded people to only collect a limit of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.
“Most people do the right thing, collect wood that is already on the ground, take only what they need and stick to limits and rules,” he said.
Mr Condon encouraged collectors to have a safe day out.
“Check the weather and conditions before you go, always be aware of your surroundings and take care when using your chainsaws.”
The spring firewood collection season ends on Sunday, 30 November.
Financial assistance is available for people on low incomes who buy firewood: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/energy-concession-and-support
Maps will be live from midnight, Monday 1 September. An interactive map includes details about vehicle access, while pdf maps include safety and other practical information.

As we begin Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation has raised a record-breaking $3.18 million and counting, in just a few hours at the 15th annual Wagners It’s a Bloke Thing Luncheon.
The funds will diversify the Foundation and establish a nation-first Mobile PSA Blood Testing Service, in partnership with Heart of Australia, taking life-saving prostate cancer screening directly into regional and remote communities.
Every day in Australia, 72 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 11 lose their lives – making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country. Men in regional and remote communities face a 24% higher risk of dying due to late diagnosis.
The Queensland Government has shown strong commitment to regional health, pledging $400,000 to support the pilot program, ensuring men across the state have been access to diagnostic services.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has also reconfirmed its partnership, pledging to continue a dollar for dollar commitment fund specialist prostate cancer nurses and vital research programs.
Jack Wagner, Chair of It’s a Bloke Thing, said the Foundation has now raised more than $18 million which goes directly towards delivering life-saving prostate cancer care, particularly for men in regional and rural communities.
“This is about more than breaking records. It’s about backing our regional men, and now it’s up to every man to back themselves and get tested. For years, mums in the bush could rely on the BreastScreen truck pulling into town. Now, finally, dads will have the same opportunity with PSA blood testing on their doorstep,” It’s a Bloke Thing Chair, Jack Wagner, said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the generosity shown by our business community. To raise over $3.18 million in one afternoon is an extraordinary Father’s Day gift, but the hard work starts now. We need to keep pushing, keep talking and make sure every man takes this seriously.”
Mr Wagner said Prostate Cancer Awareness Month was an opportunity to spark important conversations about health with the men in your life, learn more, and book in a test.
“We want to break the stigma around prostate cancer. This isn’t just an ‘old man’s disease’ – it’s something every man needs to take seriously. Whether it’s your grandfather, father, brother, son, or mate, starting that conversation could save a life,” Mr Wagner said.
Funds raised will also go towards the expansion of the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Program, run in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Callister AM, National Chairman of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia said this outcome is a testament to community generosity and shared vision.
“We are delighted to announce that PCFA has matched all funds raised, broadening our partnership and dedicating critical funds into lifesaving research, awareness, and support that will significantly strengthen our joint efforts to achieve zero deaths in our lifetime.”

The 2025 Pollinator Photography Competition is now open, inviting photographers of all ages to zoom in on the fascinating world of Australia’s bees and other pollinators. Now in its fourth year, the Competition celebrates the beauty and importance of Australia’s insect pollinators, including more than 2,000 native bee species, honey bees, flies, butterflies, moths, wasps and beetles. First place wins $1500, with $750 for second, $500 for third and $750 for people’s choice, and every winner also receives a 12-month subscription to Wild Magazine. The School Competition awards a primary and secondary school winner with individual prizes for the students and a $500 class prize each. Run by the Wheen Bee Foundation, the Competition has attracted more than 1,200 entries since its launch in 2022. Last year’s winner, Paul Harrop, took the top spot for the second year in a row and said his photo came down to being in the right place at the right time. Mr Harrop, a retired primary school teacher and volunteer guide at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, was practising his macro photography skills with his photography club at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane when he noticed a native bee seemingly posing inside a Tibouchina flower. “The sunlight was catching the bee’s large pollen sacks, and the bee was perfectly framed by the flower’s stamens,” Mr Harrop said, capturing the shot with his Olympus OM-1 Mark 1 and OM System 90mm macro lens. “I love macro photography because it gives us a rare glimpse into the tiny wonders of pollination. “I’m curious to see if I can hold my winning streak this year, but either way the competition is a perfect excuse to spend more time admiring these incredible little creatures,” Mr Harrop said. The 2025 judging panel includes evolutionary biologist and professional photographer Dr James Dorey and junior judge Sophie Anderson, winner of the 2024 primary school competition. The Pollinator Photography Competition takes place in the lead-up to Australian Pollinator Week, a nine-day festival from 8-16 November, dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of pollinators and supporting their needs.The 2025 Pollinator Photography Competition is sponsored by Flow, Hornsby Beekeeping, House of Honey, Wild Magazine, the Centre for Bee Education and Bee School by Beechworth Honey.

Students across Australia are invited to be creative and shine a spotlight on the small but mighty pollinators in a new national art competition. The Schools Pollinator Art Competition gives primary and secondary students the opportunity to learn about pollination and be inspired by the vital role pollinators play in food production and healthy landscapes. Run by the When Bee Foundation, the Schools Pollinator Art Competition complements the popular Pollinator Photography Competition, which has attracted more than 1,200 entries since its launch in 2022. The primary and secondary school winners will each receive an individual Bees Are Amazing gift hamper and certificate valued at more than $100, along with a $500 voucher to The Centre for Bee Education for a teacher of their choice. When Bee Foundation CEO Fiona Chambers said she is excited to see the creativity that will come from students across the country. “The Competition gives students the opportunity to unleash their imagination and creativity while celebrating the incredible diversity and importance of pollinators,” Ms Chambers said. “The more students who learn about pollination, the more people will understand the vital role pollinators play in securing the food we eat and the landscapes we live in.” The Schools Pollinator Art Competition runs in the lead-up to Australian Pollinator Week which starts on 8 November and ends on 16 November. The winning artworks will be judged by the Wheen Bee Foundation based on creativity, originality and how well they capture the world of pollinators. The Schools Pollinator

distances

fallen
a candlebark leaf
flutterless

the distance
from cloud to tube
rain gauge

morning light
brightening slowly
a shadow starts

the key
no solution
it locks

lifted head
of a black wallaby
testing the air

– Bill Wootton

Bill lives and writes in Hepburn Springs. His latest published collection of poetry is Watch, available at Paradise Books, Daylesford.

Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters.
Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

Well here I am again penning another article for you, the reader, to enjoy…

This time we’ll be having a peek at our upcoming spring which officially starts on September 1, however my old mate from the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (ex-director and CEO Tim Entwisle) has coined the phrase ‘sprinter’ to describe the transition from winter to spring. I know, I can hear you all saying: “Oh paleeze…name dropping…really?” Haha.
So let’s get this party started by looking at the many varieties of flowering trees available to us. Perhaps some of the best showy ornamental trees are those in the botanical family rosaceae which includes genera such as amelanchier (serviceberry), crataegus (crabapple), malus (flowering apple), prunus (flowering apricot or cherry) and sorbus (rowan).

They all produce masses of white and pink flowers that are often bee attracting (do remember that, if planting) and some are followed by attractive (and in some cases edible) berries.
Staying with trees for the moment, I thought a tour of the magnoliaceae might be worth booking – all aboard. There are myriad late winter/early spring flowering magnolia taxa out there so making the right choice is definitely subjective and here are a few of my faves.
M. denudata (yulan magnolia), M. figo ‘Lady of the Night’ (port wine magnolia and such a controversial cultivar) & M. x soulangeana ‘Black Tulip’ (saucer cup magnolia). Another member of the magnoliaceae worth mentioning is liriodendron chinense (chinese tulip tree – the Asian cousin of the Northern American species L. tulipifera) which may take a long time to flower but in the meantime the emerging scalloped leaves are tinged with a purple hue.
Steering away from trees, let’s now explore the world of shrubs in alphabetical order. Camelia, cornus (dogwood), dendromecon (tree poppy), exochorda (pearl bush), forsythia, garrya (silk tassel bush), rhododendron, stachyurus (spiketail) and viburnum.
Just a small selection of genera that are guaranteed to please with displays of pinks, whites and yellows and in the case of garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ a riot of amazing pendulous yellowy-green flower tassels, and as an afterthought it will be interesting to see how the camellia breeders of the future fare with the now ongoing hybridisation of camellia species, C. nitidissima is now C. petelotii with its vibrant pure yellow flowers and other more common cultivars. In the meantime you might like to source C. japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’.

So far you may have noticed I have not included any Australian native plants as I know they deserve their own separate article (watch this space). Think wattles, grevilleas, eucalypts, tea-trees, bottlebrushes and banksias.
The ever-expanding universe of spring-flowering perennials defies imagination, think sages, foxgloves, mints, lupins, hostas, penstemons and hollyhocks.
I have recorded and photographed a selection of these plants from around the Hepburn Shire and will endeavour to pen another future article on these most ornamental beauties for your reading pleasure.

Cheers JB (Trees in Australia)

Next time: Aussie natives for the spring garden.

Scan the QR code to see JB’s instagram post.

I find Cate Graceson’s story (page 6) quite upsetting. Talking to her, you realise she is an intelligent woman, who for some reason two years ago found herself homeless.
As she says, if she was a victim of domestic violence there is help around. But if you are just a victim of the system where women get paid less (still), lose superannuation when they stop working to raise children, and put others’ needs in front of their own, there is little help. Or maybe your mental health has taken a hit – like during the pandemic for me. And while you may think it would not happen to you, I honestly believe being homeless is just a step or two away for many.
In 2011 Kyle and I rented our house out and moved to Karratha where Kyle had been offered a great job. I worked for the local paper over there and we stayed for a year. If you have ever lived in Karratha you will realise a year is enough.
Then came the effort to move back to the eastern side of Australia. Hard work at our ages then – mid 40s. But I managed to find a job on a newspaper in south-east Queensland and Kyle worked as captain on the ferries out of Cleveland.
Kyle popped back to Victoria for a course and stayed with mum. She had been saying she was not well but when he arrived he was shocked. She had lost about 30 kilos in a few weeks and was dying. Within a week we were driving south to try to find someone to help mum. It was touch and go but the story ended well with some life-saving surgery.
But we were still paying rent in Queensland and when we moved back into our home in Glenlyon we had no work, so no income. The red letters from the bank started arriving and we found out that while Centrelink will help pay the rent if you are unemployed, there is no help for people with a mortgage.
So we were facing having to sell our home and rent something so we could get rental assistance. Go figure. We finally got out of our Queensland rental agreement, after a fight in QCAT, and found part-time jobs before starting The Local in 2013.
The moral of the story is that homelessness is just a step away. So when you find somewhere to call your own, like Cate did through the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society, it must be like landing on a soft pillow. You can catch your breath, relax, know you are safe…become part of the community again.
But Cate is no longer breathing easy because the rent has gone up to the point where she cannot afford it, and she is seriously looking at living in her car again. At 70-plus. I don’t know what is happening there because the Society chose to ignore my queries and give them a chance to have their say. Cate says she thinks it is a plan to get rid of her because she is a problem tenant. Raises too many concerns about what she believes are sub-standard living conditions.
But surely as the Premier Jacinta Allan said in the article, tenants have a right to have things fixed and brought up to code. Even in housing that is run by charities. A person I ran this story past said they thought Cate would do well to shut up. Some might agree. I don’t, because I would be just like Cate querying why things aren’t working. Because it’s 2025 and we have the right to live in safety.
But in reality, for some people like Cate, we don’t. We often hear about the housing crisis but when you are living in your own home, with all your nice things around you, all paid for, it seems a long way off. I always thought Australia was the lucky country and yes, we pay a lot of taxes but that is meant to provide a safety net for those who have fallen through the cracks. It seems the safety net has holes in it.
I don’t know the answer for Cate but I hope the Society sees that she is in need, and as a charity, takes on the responsibility to look after its tenants. Whether they complain or not. Or talk to the media or not. Just sayin’…

Laundry

soaked wars hang
shouldered over
broken chairs
strung up across
ceiling skies
dripping sores
weep through
floor boards
temperatures drop

clean linen cravings
itch the skin
dust covers dust
dry scrubbed shame
piles laundered in
brackish baskets

outside the hoist doesn’t
turn under the weight
of blood moist towels
rape stained knickers
grey sheets web and
weave unnatural
geometry twisting
under the tug
and endless flap
of shots and shocks

the world spins dry
vibrating walls crack
another load clicks over
ready to tumble

– Sam Beranic

Samantha Beranic lives on Dja Dja Warrung country, Woodend. She writes about place, sense making and what life simmers to the surface.

Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters.
Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

I am proudly Generation X and I look at the Gen Zs with a sort of flummoxed perplexity.
The little buggers are raised on high protein, high fat and participation trophies, where my generation was raised on the bare minimum, street smarts and a whack on the arse.
Don’t get me wrong, particularly in the Central Highlands I know a lot of Gen Zs who are kind, courteous with strong worldly views, but that is a result of the parents, community and the good down-to-earth education that is on offer.
But what’s going on in Melbourne with the kids breaking into houses, carjacking and general dickhead behaviour? It seems that the problem comes from the home and the community, and the demise in ability for folks to call out bad behaviour.
When I first went to the pub at the tender age of 15 (the actual drinking age was 21) I was with my father, uncles and grandfather, and you didn’t muck up. This is the sort of education that you can’t buy, it was okay to get pissed but not messy, and of course there was the odd fight, but by and large you kept your shit together.
These days, it seems it’s okay to punch old ladies in the head, carjack folks and gain money from others’ misfortune. But if I drive around in my car with a weapon onboard due to “headline fear” it is deemed illegal.
I can’t carry a weapon in a car for self-defence. Correct, the law prohibits the carrying, possession or use of weapons. And offences related to weapons can be very serious, but full confession; I always have something in my ute that could I weaponise for the purpose of self-defence.
And I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. My view on mace spray is the same and although illegal in Victoria, you bet the little thugs have a stash for a rainy-day carjacking.
You can buy it over the counter in WA and as for a taser gun, what about a piggy-prodder, that would certainly move the little dirtbags on. Last week a Richmond woman had an attempted car commandeering as she pulled her bike out of the back of her car. But weapons were quickly gathered including a golf club while the car was trapped in by other motorists – that’s the sort of response that should happen.
One thing about being a Gen X is that we are a resourceful bunch, we have had to learn about computers from scratch, even enduring Microsoft DOS where you almost had to be a mathematical genius. We grew up operating cars that were designed for people with three feet, trying to operate a brake, accelerator, clutch and light dipper all at the same time.
We didn’t experience fast food until our late teens, learnt to ride bikes while bouncing off walls and used thongs on our hands to corner at highspeed on skateboards. We played in the streets after school with our friends until dark, explored the bush and considered and still do consider sitting on our arses for three hours staring at an inanimate object (phone) and grabbing your dingdong while dancing, uncool.
If we really wanted a car and we couldn’t afford it we would put it on a hire purchase agreement at 20 per cent and pay it off in the next lifetime.
So, to the crotch grabbing Gen Z thugs who roam our streets, who think they are tough hiding behind their weapons and under their hoodies, I have a couple of surprises should you wish to relieve me of the possession of my ute.
But then again you wouldn’t because I am not female, elderly or someone you feel you could overpower. Get a life rant over…

Hi there, I am Orvar, a gentle giant with a big heart. I am an eight-year-old male staghound.
My sweet nature makes me the perfect companion for anyone seeking a loyal friend. I am friendly and mellow and easy to get along with. I love nothing more than to cuddle up at the end of the day. I am big but gentle, I love quiet moments and long walks. I can also be a bit goofy at times. Oh, I do require ongoing medication.

Come and meet me at MAAWs in Castlemaine. Ph: 5472 5277.
Microchip no. 941000023899717

Ballarat’s Rare Trades Centre and Gold Rush Centre is presenting the 2024 Makers’ Film Festival, an international short film festival celebrating craft – makers, making, and materials.
The bi-annual festival featuring 14 films from around the world including collaborations from Australia, Canada, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, UK and USA.
Selected from a worldwide callout, the final set of films includes a wide variety of genres as well as craft practices and materials from organic fashion to incense-making, terrazo files to glass, ceramics, puppetry and automata, and more.
The 1-hour 45-minute program includes a 20-minute interval.
The festival is being held on Saturday, September 13, with doors opening at 5.15pm and screening from 5.30pm-8pm with intermission.
Price: $15 concession and $20 adults.