The Variety Bash is Australia’s longest running and most iconic charity motoring event – and a team from Trentham and the Macedon Ranges are among those taking up the challenge.
The Bush Buccaneers, Donna Fabris (2nd Variety Bash), Margot Roulstone (2nd), Maureen Dickins (5th), Jeff Laycock (1st), Kate Pryde (2nd) and James Walshe (8th), headed to the start in Hamilton on August 8 with their two Mercedes Benz vehicles. The finish was in Darwin on August 17.
While on the tour, James Walshe was in touch with The Local and said in Hamilton, Variety distributed $62,000 to local schools for special needs and projects.
“More grants and donations have been made along the way and we continued on to Adelaide for celebrations for Variety’s 50 years in Australia. Flinders Ranges came next on the way to Marree stopping at Coober Pedy.
“We are currently in Alice Springs for a well-needed rest day. Coober Pedy to Alice via The Painted Desert was a real bone shaker. Some cars are needing serious work to keep them moving, however, that is the challenge of the Bash, driving old cars and raising much-needed funds for Variety.”

Later, from Darwin, James said they wanted to thank local generous supporters, Phillip and Rika Moraghan from Shimora Wines, Ashleigh Sillar from McQueen Real Estate, Rafael’s Coffee Lancefield and The Pig & Whistle in Trentham East, the 1860 Pub in Romsey and The Lancefield Pub. Plus all friends and family who have supported them.
“We take part to raise funds for disadvantaged and disabled children throughout regional and rural Victoria and Australia, then see the smiles on their faces when grants and funds are delivered to their schools. The fun part of the trip is the camaraderie between all teams.

“There are no real bad parts, although some roads were brutal on the cars and repairs were needed to some cars on some sections as most cars are 30 years old or more. Our two Mercs survived some of the roughest roads I have been on.
“As on all bashes, the locals love to see us. On average the bash injects 30 to 40k in a town overnight, with accommodation, meals, coffee and fuel.
“Would we do it again? Never say never, however, it is not necessarily for the faint hearted and there is a cost to preparing a car for such a trip as we travel on dirt roads for most of the trip.”
The Bush Buccaneers raised $100,532. The total Bash effort was $1.83 million.
Each year, the Variety Bash features a colourful convoy of creatively themed cars and a route that takes participants through some of Australia’s most stunning and remote landscapes, covering diverse terrains from outback tracks to coastal roads.
The true highlight for many participants is the opportunity to witness first-hand the impact of their fundraising, delivering Variety grants which provide life-changing equipment and programs to children in need.

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: As above | More images at tlnews.com.au

The Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa is a community festival which celebrates the enduring contribution of Swiss Italian migrants who came to the Hepburn Springs/Daylesford region during the 1850s gold rush.
These Italian speakers came from the villages and towns on either side of the Swiss Italian border. Into a world of mutton, potatoes and beer, they brought salami, pasta and wine. The early Swiss Italians recognised the quality of the local mineral springs and lobbied to protect them from the destructive practices of the prospectors. They started building stone houses with cellars and wells. They planted grapevines, olive trees and orchards. Australia’s first pasta factory was built in 1859, and still stands in Hepburn Springs.
The Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa was first staged in 1993 and will be held again over three days from October 24 to 26.
Program director Cathy Cole said she was really excited with the new condensed format – thanks to community feedback, which will make sure families can attend all of the exciting events at the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve on Saturday.
“We’re still a three-day format, but the first day is going to be launch events and historical walking tours, and then the second day is our big day, the Carnival Day, with the street parade that everyone loves, and then down at the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve we’ll have live music, and food and artisan markets, the kids’ zone and musical guests, and then we’ll also have the lantern parade and the fireworks.

“On the Sunday we’re going to be running a lot of our off-site activities, our open gardens and historical tours around the Hepburn Shire.”
Cathy, who is new to the committee, said she joined to become more engaged with the community and also has family from Northern Italy – although they arrived in the early 1900s so were not part of the original group of settlers.
“I was drawn to the history of the area and have a very small stake in it. It’s also been really great getting to learn about all the things that I took for granted. There are so many amazing historical sites around the area thanks to the Swiss Italian settlers.”
Cathy said the committee was fantastic and included: Steve Carr – president; Jenny Beacham – vice president; Bree Melotte – co-secretary; Michele Green – co-secretary; Cathy Cole – project manager; Maureen Dean – treasurer; Nick Galik; and committee members Jesse Lubitz, Eddie Beacham and Melissa Togni.

Finally, there’s a teaser: an Italian disco fundraiser planned for late September with DJs who specialise in retro Italian disco from the 70s and 80s.
“We want to see everyone dressed up in their most fabulous outfits and have a bit of a boogie. It will be a lot of fun. Watch this space for where and when.”
Oh, keen to be a festa volunteer? Head to www.swissitalianfesta.com

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: File | Scan the QR code for a parade movie!

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham

Jeremy Beggs – Saturday, August 23, free show, 3pm-5pm
Andrea Robertson – Saturday, August 30, free show, 3pm-5pm

Odessa at Leaver’s, Creswick

Sharon and Slava Grigoryan – Friday, August 29
Frente – Sunday, September 7
Hugo Race & Michelangelo Russo – Friday, September 12

A Month of Sundays – Invictus Quartet
Old Law Courts, Camp Street, Ballarat – August 31, 2.30pm

Young and vibrant, the Invictus Quartet has been praised for their luminous and blended sound since their formation in 2017. Based in Melbourne, the quartet is made up of four friends who share a love for music, travel, and food. Together, they have performed all around the world, bringing music to global audiences as emerging artists through a variety of competitions, festivals, and performances.
The Invictus Quartet was formed during the members’ studies at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, where they worked together under the guidance of the Ormond Quartet, who were the resident quartet of the conservatorium.
They are currently mentored by esteemed violinist and educator, William Hennessy AM.

Tickets: eventbrite

www.invictusquartet.com

An amendment to the Victorian Planning Provisions will make it easier to establish micro-abattoirs.
Under the amendment, micro-abattoirs will be classified as a Section 1 use in the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone and Green Wedge Zone, which means they will no longer require a permit.

This will ensure farmers and producers have better access to abattoir facilities closer to the farm gate subject to environmental, amenity and human health conditions.

Micro-abattoirs will be required to remain small, operationally contained, located on the same land as the animal production and away from neighbouring homes and other sensitive uses.

A responsible authority, usually the local council, will continue to manage abattoirs through planning and building permit approvals and enforcement.

A Pillowcase Workshop, for children aged 8 to 10, will be held in Trentham on Saturday, September 13 from 9.30am to 10.30am.
The pillowcase scenario was originally inspired by the events during Hurricane Katrina in America.

While evacuating on campus, university students used pillowcases to carry their possessions. The workshop involves engaging discussions and interactive activities to help children understand the importance of being prepared during emergencies. Each child is given a pillowcase to decorate and take home to make their own personal emergency kit.

Delivered by Red Cross volunteers and staff, the workshop encourages children to be active participants in their own emergency preparedness. Bookings: eventbrite

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale opened over the weekend.

The event is a world-class arts organisation delivering an internationally significant photographic arts festival.
Over 60 days from August to October, Ballarat Foto delivers a curated Core Program showcasing Australian and international artists, an Open Program of new artists and workshops and public programs, artist-in-residence and more.

Jeff Moorfoot OAM is the founder of the organisation, starting the event in Daylesford before it relocated to Ballarat as the festival expanded.

The Local, as a media partner, has 10 single day festival passes and two season passes for unlimited visits across the duration of the festival. For your chance to win email news@tlnews.com.au

Water security in Daylesford and nearby towns is being boosted with a new pipeline delivering up to 300 million litres of additional water per year nearing completion.

Minister for Water Gayle Tierney last week 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.

Birdie’s Tree is an award-winning set of storybooks and resources created by the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health to help children and families going through natural disasters and disruptive events.

Hepburn Shire Council’s Resilience and Recovery team is facilitating four sessions for under 18s with special guest storytellers, Birdie and Mr Frog.

Participants will learn about different natural disasters and find out how to cope and recover from stressful events. The sessions will be held in Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick.

It’s Leo to the rescue
Jeff Glorfeld wants to tell a shaggy-dog tale.
It’s funny, the things we remember. My wife Carol and I lived in our house in Wheatsheaf for 17 wonderful years, full of labours of love and fun times with family and friends. But when I think of the place, one day in particular still vividly comes to mind – the day the religious folks came calling. But I’m not sure they even had time to identify themselves or which sect they represented.
One of our neighbours had a dog, a big, fat, lovable boofhead yellow lab named Leo, who was something of an escape artist. Leo liked to drop in and check on folks, and his preferred route involved swimming in every dam between his house and his destination, so that when he arrived, he’d be sopping wet with muddy dam water and brimming with doggy joy.

Leo also had a party trick: he’d see you out in the yard and come ambling up to you in his boof-headed friendly manner, but instead of stopping and waiting to be patted or something, he would continue walking, duck his head, and go between your legs. Which we thought was hilarious the first time he did it to us, but which we knew to avoid during subsequent Leo visits.
So one day these two evangelical blokes drove down our driveway, climbed out of their car, both dressed in pressed black slacks and white shirts and carrying sheaves of religious literature, and headed towards where we were sitting on the back verandah.
As it happened, Leo had just arrived too, fresh from a swim in our muddy dam, so when these guys came walking up, Leo took it upon himself to act as official greeter. As I said, he was big but completely non-threatening. Even so, these chaps looked mildly alarmed as Leo approached, tail waving, spraying dam water. This turned to utter confusion as Leo showed them his party trick, pushing between their legs. Muddy, wet, smelly, hairy yellow dog – meet pressed black trousers. Carol and I tried to call him off but Leo had a job to do and he did it well. Plus, we were laughing so hard, he probably took it as a sign that his efforts were welcome.
Those two religion salesmen didn’t even stay to give their pitch, they just jumped back in their car and took off.
You might gather from this yarn that we’re not fond of religious spruikers knocking on our door, and you’d be correct. Living out in Wheatsheaf pretty much protected us from their ministrations but every once in a while a pair (ever notice how they always travel in pairs?) would wander down the drive, looking a strange mixture of apprehensive and hopeful, usually on a Saturday and generally right after I’d cracked open a well-deserved frosty ale.
My usual response was to offer a trade-off: I would listen to their spiel if they would first allow me to describe to them in detail how, rather late in life, I became a devoted fan and follower of the band the Grateful Dead – a Deadhead. None accepted the offer. Oh, well.
One of the many characteristics I loved about the vast majority of Australians I met over the years was their equanimity towards religion. My brother refuses to talk about religion because, I think, it makes him uncomfortable to try to articulate his feelings about such a personal matter. But I also think for most Australians it’s a matter of respecting the rights of others to hold such beliefs in private. If I choose to attend a house of worship, that’s where I will share my faith – not on the doorstep of some stranger who is just sitting down for some footy and a beer.
A great many Americans don’t share my feeling that religious faith is a private personal matter. Evangelical Christianity is rampant here now, encouraged by the ruling political party. There is a movement underway to have the United States declared to be a Christian nation, removing the US Constitutionally mandated separation of church and state – that church being Christian, no other faiths needing representation.
I wonder how Leo is going – I could use an emotional support dog.

Internationally renowned landscape designer and sustainability advocate Jamie Durie will hold free workshops on preparing properties for the challenges of drought and the upcoming fire season.
Designed for anyone from hobby gardeners to those on acreage, the practical workshop is designed to leave people with practical actions to protect their homes, improve their landscape and live more sustainably.
Topics include how smart landscape design and sustainable gardening practices can help reduce fire risk, conserve water, and build long-term resilience on properties.

Jamie will share expert tips on: drought-tolerant and fire-wise planting; designing defendable spaces around the home; soil improvement and mulching techniques; and seasonal property maintenance for fire preparedness.
Two workshops will be held at the Victoria Park Pavilion in Daylesford on Wednesday, September 3 at 5.30pm and The Mechanics Trentham on Thursday, September 4 at 2pm. A Creswick workshop has sold out.
Although the workshops are being held by Hepburn Shire Council, they have been fully funded through external grants from the state government under the Community Recovery Hub and Local Government Support Fund grants.
Registration is required. Head to www.hepburn.eventbrite.com.au.
Those who can’t attend can register to receive a video of the highlights at www. hepburn.eventbrite.com.au.
For all queries contact contact Jai Edwards, Community Recovery officer, on 0456 267 727.
Jamie, a renowned Australian horticulturist and television personality, was born on June 3, 1970, in New South Wales.
His passion for gardening and design has driven his successful career, featuring on TV shows such as Backyard Blitz and The Outdoor Room.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Jamie is a dedicated family man. He and partner, Ameka Jane, have two children, daughter, Beau and son Nash.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

RACV Goldfields Resort was recently honoured with the Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence for Resort Style Accommodation of the Year.

Accepting the awards, from left , Jose Sosa – head chef, Sanjay Kafle – chef de cuisine, Paii Kepa – Housekeeping manager, Anthony Harvey – Front Office manager, Jason Camillo – Resort general manager & Linh Nguyen – Restaurant manager Image: Event Photos Australia

Hepburn Region Blue Light has come to an end.
President Michelle Clifford said this was a significant moment, marking the end of an era for this branch and its dedicated members.
“Over the years, Hepburn Region Blue Light has made a profound impact on our youth and the relationship with Victoria Police. We’ve had many exciting achievements alongside our discos. For example: supported youth mental health education and raised awareness with Live4Life, our fabulous ‘Get your Art On’ competition during Covid, the magnificent AltWave Youth Music extravaganza, pool parties, working with all schools in our shire and the Indigenous Yarn Bark event. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and hard work of each and every one of our volunteers who include our shire’s Victorian Police.

“Hepburn Region Blue Light has cultivated authentic relationships between youth and our local police and champion partnerships across our local community. We focused on working together with young people, and our key partners to advance our mission and deepen our impact. We are so proud of all our youth over the many years, their achievements, embracing challenges as opportunities, and their curiosity.
“We wish to express our deepest gratitude to our members, volunteers, local Victoria Police, donors, partners, and all those who have supported us along the way. Your commitment has been part of the driving force behind our success.
“Special thanks to Inspector Matthew Flood, Sergeant Ryan Newman, retired Senior Constable Ian Wallace and his wife Bronwyn, sons Will and James, along with other officers, Mina Martin, Samual Barber, Jason, Tracey Mitchel, James Ross, Karen Burns of Victorian Blue Light Incorp and the fabulous team.”
Michelle said the decision wasn’t made lightly and is a result of changing community needs, strategic review and a decline in volunteer resources. “We have carefully considered all options and believe that winding up is the most responsible course of action at this time.
“Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication on behalf of Inspector Matthew Flood, Michelle Clifford, Rachel Robertson, Fiona, Sharon, Nicole, Stephen and our youth committee Rose, Eden and Melissa.”
The balance of any fundraising will be shared with Blue Light Victoria, Daylesford College Youth and Pathway Essentials on programs to inspire, engage and equip young people to be their best self.

There’s been plenty of drama on The Block so far.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 to see what happens when The Rex Cinema Challenge is announced on Monday, September 8 and then the winner of the challenge is announced on the Tuesday, September 9 episode. Above, contestants Mat and Robby

Clunes Hit & Giggle Pickleball has celebrated its first year of fun and fitness.
Maxine Hardinge said pickleball was a fun and easy way to stay active and meet new people.
“Anyone can join us for Hit & Giggle Pickleball every Wednesday at 1pm at the Clunes Sports Centre. We’ve just celebrated our one-year anniversary, and what a fantastic year it’s been.”

Maxine said what started with a small but enthusiastic group had grown into a friendly, social hub of regulars who had improved their skills while enjoying plenty of laughs and light-hearted competition.
“Pickleball is a fun and dynamic paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and is easy to learn and quick to master.
“We welcome all ages, genders, and skill levels – no experience is needed! You’ll learn the rules and scoring as you play, with friendly guidance from more experienced players.
“Come when you can, pay when you come – it’s just $10, which covers court hire and all equipment. Just bring your sandshoes and a sense of fun.”
Details: Wendy Vorstenbosch on 0458 372 906 or check the Clunes online noticeboard, Creswick Community Page, or All Together Pickleball, Ballarat & Surrounds Facebook groups.

When the late Betty Rea, a former shire president and councillor, bequeathed a parcel of land in Raglan Street, Daylesford, her wording was that “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”.
Betty’s son Stefan, a former police officer at Daylesford, also says he clearly remembered his mother expressing her desire that it be made available as a park for the citizens of Daylesford and for visitors to the area for future generations,
A decision last month by Hepburn Shire Council to look into the potential sale of the park has raised the ire of the community, and Betty Rea’s only child Stefan.
Cr Lesley Hewitt moved a motion at the July meeting saying she wanted an investigation into whether the land could be sold. Cr Hewitt later told The Local it was clear Mrs Rea thought community was at the heart of everything she did. “And then the question is, what’s community benefit?”

Stefan said his mother would definitely not have been in favour of selling the land to fund other projects. “She wanted it to remain as a parkland. Obviously, it’s been developed by the Daylesford Community Food Gardeners. They’ve done a superb job with where they’ve got it to today with further tree plantings and other facilities that are there.
“I think she would have been very proud and impressed when they took over the role. She would have been more than satisfied that it was being used for a community park and community purpose here. The suggestion for it to be sold off and the funds used by council for any other event, she would have been totally against, as I am and I’m sure quite a lot of other locals are as well.”
Stefan said the council tried to sell the land in 2011. “We fought them then. At one stage they even offered to swap the land with us so that they could dispose of it. There was a site of land down at the corner of Bleakley Street and King Street, directly over the road from where the BP petrol station is now. They wanted to swap the land over basically and call that Rea-Lands Park. We said no for a couple of reasons, one because it had nothing to do with the Rea name and secondly because I knew it was built on top of a mullock heap and a mine shaft. It wouldn’t have been stable.”
Stefan said 2011 was when the Daylesford Community Food Gardeners were given a lease on the land, and the council had agreed to mow the park and pay for water. “We thought that was the end of it. It would be good to know it will remain as a park in perpetuity.”

Who was Betty Rea?

Betty Rea was born in Fremantle, Western Australia on January 17, 1921 to Phillip and Virginia Guest-Sanderson.
Phillip had served in the British Army in the Royal Engineers during World War I and worked alongside Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab insurrection. He later emigrated to Australia where he met Virginia, and then served in the Catering Corp of the Australian Army in World War II.
After the war the couple started up their own catering company and even catered for Queen Elizabeth when she came out after the coronation. Phillip was also awarded a MBE for his extended service to both Britain and Australia during the war.
After Betty grew up she went into nursing, helping with the war efforts at home, and then an opportunity came up to move to Bonegilla, near Benalla in Victoria to help new Australians arriving at migrant camps.
“Mum was one of the nurses or matrons who assisted them with settling in to Australia at those migrant camps. Sometime after that she met my father, Henry John, known as Jack, and they got married and settled in Daylesford. My father was the fourth generation of the Rea family living there.
“They ran a general store-cum-hardware shop in Howe Street next to where the Daylesford Central Motor Inn is. They worked there for many, many years.”
Meanwhile, Jack and Betty bought a house in the late 50s/early 60s at 25 Hill Street with land from Hill Street down through to Raglan Street.
Betty also continued her nursing duties at both Daylesford and Trentham hospitals – at times working with Dr Gweneth Wisewould – and also taking on duties as a midwife.
Betty was also a local reporter for the Daylesford Advocate, The Ballarat Courier and also did some filming for BTV6 in Ballarat and BCV8 in Bendigo.
“Mum also kept a scrapbook and any media articles that appeared in The Advocate or the Ballarat Courier, were pasted into them. She had a lot of history from the Daylesford area from the 60s and 70s and part of her bequeathment was that those scrapbooks got donated to the Daylesford Museum and they’re still there.”

Jack died in 1972 leaving Betty, at 51, a single parent with a 10-year-old boy to look after.
It was at that time Betty decided to run for council and was elected. “I think it was just that she wanted to help give back to the community more from there. She felt it was the right thing to do. She’d always been very community involved with organising committees and other bits and pieces.”
She was the second female councillor for the shire and then became the first female shire president since the municipality was formed back in 1858. Just some of her achievements and involvement included being instrumental in establishing the community housing, Harper Court, in Hospital Street, Daylesford, being on the Business and Professional Women’s Association in Daylesford, on the board for the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, helping with the Leonards Hill Baby Show, and the entire family was involved with the Daylesford Highland Gathering – there was even a Betty Rea Trophy for the best window display for the event.
Betty was also a Justice of the Peace and regularly called into the Daylesford Police Station in Camp Street, or people’s homes, to sign documents.
Stefan said another volunteer role was organising billeting for people who were being flown out of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy hit on Christmas Eve 1974.
“They had to evacuate a lot of people around so they could do the clean-up and Mum was instrumental in setting up a spot in Daylesford for the refugees to come and stay.”
Betty, who spent her life helping others, died in 1982 while having open heart surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. She had bequeathed Rea-Lands Park to the people of, and visitors to, the shire. In perpetuity.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed