Christmas is coming, and so are the outfits, decorations and trees. The Local caught up with a few of those making the most of the silly season.

At the Daylesford Community Op Shop, above, it’s been a busy year with loads of donations and support going to great causes and those in need.

They include those without a home, the Colleen Shields Youth Sponsorship Award, Creative Indigenous university fees, Daylesford College Awards Night, domestic violence clients and Indigenous clients.

Just over $19,000 in grants have gone to the New Year’s Eve Gala Parade, Daylesford & District Agricultural Show, Hepburn Community Radio, Swiss Italian Festa, Good Grub Club, Highland Gathering, Daylesford Community Child Care, SHIFT Healthy Lunch Kitchen & Young Growers, Sue’s Twilight Christmas Market, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer, Hepburn Wholefoods Collective and schools with supplies for art and craft and dress-ups.

Donations to the op shop have come from the VIP Business Group (#vipbusinessnetwork), Spa Centre,
CWA Daylesford, Belle Property Daylesford, Daylesford Neighbourhood House, Daylesford Rotary, Creswick Woollen Mills, Spot on Motors Hoppers Crossing, Stihl Shop Daylesford, Commonwealth Bank, Community Bank Daylesford District, Daylesford Locksmith, Courtot Automotive and Rustic Habitat Bullarto.

Manager Michelle Clifford said people can donate through using the new Container Collection Deposit Scheme, just around the corner with donations tax deductible. Donate to BSB 633000, account 145943866 with reference Daylesford Community Op Shop.

“We are very thankful to our wonderful volunteers, some pictured here, and the community for its ongoing donations of goods. Wishing everyone a fantastic end to the year and all the best for 2024.”

They’re a lively and character-packed lot, the dogs of Trentham, and not least among them is Trooper the kelpie.

Owned by a resident, Trooper is famous – or infamous some might say – as quite the lad about town and, most recently, also as the front cover pin-up boy on the new calendar produced by Dogs of Trentham.

DOT is the enthusiastic group of local dog lovers and owners who have been working with Hepburn Shire Council to establish a permanent off-leash dog park.

In December 2022 group members were delighted that the council upgraded the reserve in Trentham’s Market Street, erecting fencing and gates to provide the community with two trial off-leash dog areas.

The trial has proven very successful with increasing numbers of locals and visitorsusing the facility, and last year DOT supported its efforts by releasing a fundraising Dogs of Trentham calendar.

Following hot on the success of last year, they’ve now released a new calendar for 2024 featuring a whole new line-up of photographic pooches.

Trentham photographer James Walshe is a DOT committee member and dedicated dog owner who has taken the photographic images that feature in the new calendar.

Trooper was an obvious choice for the front as he is such a local identity, due to his frequent solo sojourns about town, DOT committee members say.

Among them, Trentham’s Cynthia Goudie has attached an air tag to Trooper’s collar so that he can be tracked down using a phone-based app, and safely collected when out and about on one of his community strolls.

“He’s a bit like Red Dog. He’s a real Houdini,” says Cynthia who’s even created a social media narrative featuring Trooper and his frequently humorous tales and adventures. Suffice to say these have gained a significant fan following.

“The whole community knows him and he’s become a community dog,” Cynthia says.

“He’s a bit of an icon in town and he tends to take himself into town for a wander,” James says.

Proceeds from sales of the new calendars will help DOT continue its work toward realising the dream of a larger, permanent space for dogs, and also go to further enhancing the current Market Street dog park.

James and Cynthia say proceeds will also be directed to other good dog-related deeds like training up a “reading dog” to help local school students who may need an extra hand to get ahead with their studies.

“The dog park is about much more than just a space to toss a ball around for the dogs,” says James. “It’s also very much about a space for humans to interact and has certain mental health benefits as well.”

The $20 calendar may be obtained via DOT’s Facebook page or by picking up a copy at the Trentham Post Office or the Community Bank Trentham & Districts.

Words & images: Eve Lamb

CCTV surveillance equipment to protect Creswick’s public EV charge station is scheduled for installation this week, Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas has confirmed.

The new 50kW Chargefox station, located beside the town’s visitor Information centre, was taken offline after it was vandalised in August just over three months after becoming operational, much to the disgust of the wider community keen to see progress toward achieving zero-net emissions.

Late last week Mr Thomas confirmed that CCTV equipment is set to be installed this week with  Hepburn Wind (partners in Hepburn shire’s charge station roll-out) expected to then carry out the necessary repairs to the station early in the new year.

“It won’t be up and running for Christmas, unfortunately. Disappointing but obviously we want to get the CCTV in so that it doesn’t happen again or acts as a deterrent, or if it does became vandalised again we might have some opportunity to catch the people,” Mr Thomas said.

“I haven’t got a final cost, but talking to the team, the damage ended up being a bit more costly then we expected, so obviously disappointing. It was a bit more damage then we thought.

“Obviously we want to get people to the regions over Christmas and the new year and you want to be able to encourage people to make that move to EVs. Disappointing all round. We’d rather not have to have CCTV.”

 The Hepburn CEO also confirmed that the similar new fast charge station slated for Trentham will be installed at the town’s new mechanics building, and in line with that project is expected to be in place by mid next year.

The public EV charge station earmarked for Clunes is scheduled for installation in the first quarter of 2024.

Words & Image: Eve Lamb

An updated planning application has recently been lodged by the City of Greater Bendigo to progress the expansion of Bendigo Art Gallery, as the council’s number one priority project. 

Included in the application are new artist impressions depicting the rear of the building that show the relocation of the café to the sculpture annex. The City has also submitted a separate planning application to Heritage Victoria, which has been closely involved in the development of architectural plans for the Gallery’s expansion. 

The project continues to seek a Federal Government funding commitment and the city will be applying to round two of the Growing Regions program when it opens next year. 

Bendigo Art Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot said the project was ready to proceed to public tender stage, subject to receiving planning approval and the remaining project funds. 

“The application will be on display for 14 days and expressions of interest for the next round of the Growing Regions program are expected to open early in 2024, so this should provide time for the application to be appropriately considered by the City’s planning department.

“The cancellation of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games has revised the city’s timeline for delivering the project. Subject to securing the remaining funding and signing off the planning applications with the City and Heritage Victoria, it is our intention to start construction in the second half of 2025.

“Construction and delivery of this project represents a significant investment in driving economic development, building community pride, celebrating Traditional Owner culture and ultimately creating a place for all people, which was the Gallery’s original purpose when it first opened 136 years ago.”

The expansion will deliver a world-class learning centre for students, second-level blockbuster exhibition space, Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung artefacts, expanded access to free and collection-based exhibitions, redeveloped restaurant with a City of Gastronomy offering, expanded commercial opportunities including pop-up blockbuster exhibition shop, and accessible amenities and expanded public spaces. 

Continued rising construction costs and inflation mean the project is now estimated to cost $54M when building starts in 2025.

To date, the project has a confirmed commitment of $33M, including $21M from the Victorian Government, $9M from the City and $3M from the Gallery Board. The Gallery and City will apply for $15M from the Federal Government and seek to raise a further $6M from philanthropic support. 

Chief Executive Officer Craig Niemann said increased costs were the reality of delivering major projects in a post-COVID environment.

“Any business or organisation that is responsible for delivering infrastructure is facing the same cost pressures,” Mr Niemann said. 

“This will be the City’s biggest infrastructure project to date and to manage any further cost increases, construction needs to start in 2025. The project delivers across a number of key areas including Traditional Owner culture and recognition, education, economic stimulus and environmentally sustainable design. 

“As Bendigo and the wider region continues to grow, an expanded Gallery will be able to grow with it and have a greater ability to serve the community and remain a key driver of our visitor economy. 

“We are confident of submitting a favourable application to the Federal Government.”

The City of Greater Bendigo Council has agreed to go ahead with the next steps for a proposed e-scooter hire trial in urban Bendigo next year.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said councillors had carefully considered the benefits of a 12-month trial.

“We looked at how e-scooter hire trials have been operating in similar cities like Ballarat and Launceston,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The research has helped us to understand what we need to take on board to effectively introduce a trial.

“Both Ballarat and Launceston have found the hire e-scooter schemes to be a positive addition overall to support tourism opportunities, give people an alternative travel option for short trips and to help reduce carbon emissions. 

“Our 12-month trial will begin next year, and we plan to seek consultation prior to the trial with key external stakeholders such as the Victorian Police and Bendigo Health.

“The next step is to seek a commercial operator through an expression of interest process early next year and work with them in preparing a 12-month trial.

“We would want to see the e-scooter operator play an important role in community education as well as monitoring and maintenance.

“The trial will provide a good amount of data to assess its success as an alternative mode of transport in urban Bendigo.”

In April 2023, the Victorian Government extended the e-scooter hire programs across Victoria, enabling all councils to directly engage with operators to set up a trial. 
 
Data from the trials shows the main reasons people hire a trial e-scooter are for leisure, social outings, commuting or to visit cafes, reducing congestion and carbon emissions. Research showed short trips ranged between 2km to 2.5km.

City staff also contacted several hire scooter companies to understand how they operate including e-scooter parking, compliance, use of apps, the response to incidents/queries, and education programs to establish good practice when using hire e-scooters. 

The proposed operating area at this stage closely aligns with the Bendigo Regional City Loop Trail and incorporates the City’s shared path network and protected cycleways. The area includes some of the City’s main tourist sites and major destinations such as Lake Weeroona, Bendigo Botanic Gardens at White Hills, Kennington Reservoir, La Trobe University, Bendigo Train Station, Prince of Wales Showgrounds and Central Deborah Gold Mine.

The e-scooter trial recommendations and proposed conditions would include the following:

• Engage a single operator
• Undertake the trial for at least 12 months to get data from all seasons and have an external working group to help with the roll out plan
• Identify and designate marked parking bays on public land within the city centre that do not interfere with the accessibility of other road users and pedestrians
• Ensure guidelines are provided on appropriate parking within residential areas to be delivered through the booking app
• Consider offering rider benefits for parking in preferred locations outside of the city centre
• Restrict operating hours (suggested riding time from 5am to 11pm)
• Ensure flexibility to make changes in parking and restricted areas throughout the trial
• Integrate the parking and deployment areas with public transport and key tourism destinations
• If the trial is a success and the operator secures a long-term contract with the City, consider charging the operator and use the revenue to improve shared paths
• Restrict e-scooters in the trial from areas where the roads and the bike paths are narrow to discourage users from illegally riding on footpaths

No-go zones would include roads where the speed limit exceeds 60 kilometres per hour, Lyttleton Terrace near Coles, and Pall Mall, Hargreaves Street and Bull Street on Friday and Saturday nights. Rosalind Park, Lake Weeroona, Hargreaves Mall and Pall Mall may also be considered ‘no-go’ or ‘slow speed zones’.

The City of Greater Bendigo will establish an Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA) program to enable local businesses to access low-interest, long-term loans to install solar panels and implement environmental and energy effciency works.

Greater Bendigo will now join 48 other Victorian Councils who already offer EUAs to their local business community.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said an EUA is a financing mechanism that enables lenders, to partner with the City to provide secured lending to local businesses for environmental works.

“Through an EUA, lenders provide finance to a building owner for environmental upgrades such as renewable energy, battery storage, water efficiency, energy efficiency upgrades, electric vehicle charging and waste reduction,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Each property’s outstanding debt, through the program is then recorded against the property in the City’s rates system. The use of the City’s rates system means that loans are a charge secured by the property, thereby allowing lenders to offer more competitive loan terms.

“The repayments are made via a third-party administrator, in this case Building Better Finance, to the lender, the Sustainable Australia Fund. 

“Council is committed to responding to the climate emergency and supporting local businesses to reduce emissions is critical to reach the community target of zero
emissions by 2030. 

“The EUA program strongly supports the goals of the City’s Climate Change and Environment Strategy 2021-2026 and the Greater Bendigo Zero emissions Roadmap.

“In addition, the EUA program will complement the Beat the Power Bills Program offered to business by the City in collaboration with the Bendigo Sustainability Group. This program involves working with businesses to help them identify ways to reduce their emissions and energy bills and an EUA can be used to fund any of the building upgrades identified.

“Emissions from commercial and industrial energy use account for 571,000 tonnes Co2-e. This is equivalent to 40% of Greater Bendigo’s total municipal emissions. By comparison, residential energy use accounts for 35% of the City’s emissions.

“Five local businesses have already expressed interest in accessing finance through an EUA which is great news.”

Businesses wanting more information should contact Ian McBurney, Coordinator Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration via email to gbcc@bendigo.vic.gov.au

Local families are being invited to enjoy an exciting calendar of free activities in Bendigo’s Hargreaves Mall during the summer holiday season which begins this week.           

Straight from the North Pole, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Pals will present a Reindeer Show on Saturday December 23 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Children of all ages will love the interactive musical activities from Scott’s Mascots captivating the journey of Santa’s reindeer as they prepare for their important Christmas Eve flight. There is also a magical photo opportunity for families with the reindeer and their sleigh.

The mischievous Christmas Elves from Connected Circus will be in Hargreaves Mall from tomorrow December 20 to Friday December 22, 11am to 2pm. The elves in the workshop will be busy painting faces, playing games, and wrapping presents.

 Music in the Mall over the next three months will showcase a variety of talented local artists including Charlie Bedford, Steph Bitter, Louise MacGregor, Mia Mazzarella, Jared Healy, Tarah Frawley, Andrew Farrell, Luke Harrington, Adelle David, Luke Warm, Lloyd Dodsworth, The Tipsy Trio and more.

Christmas movies on the big screen will be happening in the lead up to Christmas:

• The Grinch, Wednesday December 20 at 2pm 
• The Polar Express, Thursday December 21 at 2pm
• Elf, Friday December 22 at 2pm

The Moonlight Market will return in 2024 on Saturday January 27, 3pm to 8pm.

Activities in Hargreaves Mall continue during January with more coming in February: 

• Circus fun and face painting with Connected Circus on January 10, 11am to 2pm 
• Safe Archery with The Zone on Friday January 12, 11am to 2pm 
• Circus fun and face painting with Connected Circus on January 17, 11am to 2pm 
• Slot Car Racing with The Zone on Friday January 19, 11am to 2pm 
• Roller Disco with Dragon City Roller Derby on Saturday January 20, 2024, 5.30pm to 8pm 
• Circus fun and face painting with Connected Circus on January 24, 11am to 2pm
• Zorb Ball with The Zone on Thursday January 25, 11am to 2pm 
• International LEGO Day pop up exhibition and build with the Bendigo LEGO User Group on Sunday January 28, 10am to 4pm

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said there was something for children of all ages.

“Families will have a great time at these fantastic free events,” Cr Metcalf said.                 

“We’ve had very positive feedback from families who have really enjoyed our school holiday activities in Hargreaves Mall, and we’ve experienced strong turn outs for events.

“With a variety of fun activities during the holiday season, we’ve got lots of ways to entertain families so please visit our Explore Bendigo website so you can plan.

“Perhaps combine some family fun in the Mall with some Christmas shopping in the city centre.   

“This is a great opportunity to support our local businesses where your Christmas dollars are going back into supporting the local community this festive season.”

The school holiday calendar of events is part of the City’s Hargreaves Mall Action Plan 2023-2026 (to replace the Transforming the City Centre Action Plan, first adopted in 2018). The plan provides a three-year timeframe to increase visitation and drive business development in the city centre. 

Please be aware that planned activations are subject to weather conditions and may be cancelled at short notice.

There was no mistaking the season as the Daylesford Probus Club collectively pulled up a seat at the lunch table yesterday.

The lengthy and lanquid festive season dining occasion took place at Daylesford Bowls Club and The Local was able to obtain plenty of photographic evidence.

The City of Greater Geelong has this month unveiled a permanent rainbow pedestrian crossing on Yarra Street, under the Westfield flyover, as a symbol of pride in the diversity of the region and a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The rainbow flag (also known as the Pride flag) is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) pride and social movements.

The rainbow design chosen for the crossing is based on Valentino Vecchietti’s progress pride flag design, the most current and inclusive rainbow flag to date.

The flag has integrated, alongside the traditional rainbow colors, the transgender flag, intersex flag and the brown and black lines to represent all people of colour, including First Nations Australians.

The need for a rainbow crossing in Geelong has been expressed by the community consistently over the last four years.

Planning was initiated which included the installation of a non-permanent mini crossing in Little Malop Street, at the launch of Geelong Rainbow Festival 2020.

However, the planning for the permanent crossing stalled until 2022 due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Visitors to Geelong this summer holiday season will have the opportunity to take in a world-renowned photography exhibition as Wildlife Photographer of the Year is now on display at the City’s National Wool Museum.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years.

The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum London features exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

The competition first launched in 1965, attracting 361 entries, and has steadily grown to currently receive over 50,000 entries from all over the world.

This year’s award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by over a million people.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is on exhibition until 19 May 2024.

Tickets are available at the door and includes entry to all exhibition galleries with more information via the National Wool Museum website.

The City of Greater Geelong Council’s Planning Committee has refused a Planning Permit application to build a rooming house at 2/380 Ryrie Street, East Geelong.

At 405 square metres, the subject site is vacant after the demolition of a significant Edwardian dwelling and located near Geelong High School and the Geelong Botanic Gardens.

The double story rooming house was proposed to include eight bedrooms with balconies or courtyards and adjoining ensuites, a common kitchen area and five carparking spaces.

While no planning permit was required under the General Residential Zone, Design and Development Overlay or for the use of the land as a rooming house, the area’s Heritage Overlay triggered a planning permit and assessment.

Fifty-one objections and one letter of support were received, raising concerns around Heritage Overlay compliance, use of the land as a rooming house, parking and neighbourhood character.

The City of Greater Geelong has written to the State Government to request they re-direct Commonwealth Games legacy funding from a proposed new learn-to-swim pool at Armstrong Creek to a new Regional Indoor Sports and Events Centre to better serve the community.

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan today to inform the Government a future-proofed indoor complex to cater to soaring participation in basketball and netball would provide better value for public money.

Mayor Cr Tent Sullivan: “The Council has consistently said the proposed Armstrong Creek aquatics facility is not a community priority as there are already existing or planned pool complexes close to the proposed new project.

“Council must make decisions that are in the interests of all community members and taking on an additional swimming pool that is not needed is financially irresponsible. It puts an unnecessary financial burden on current and future rate payers.”

The innovative modular units used in Geelong’s Dell Eco Reef project at Clifton Springs have been recognised with a prestigious international award for design and sustainability.

The project was announced as the winner of the Dezeen Award for Sustainable Design (Building Product) of the Year 2023 in London earlier this month

The award nomination was submitted by industrial designer Alex Goad of The Reef Design Lab, who designed and fabricated the 46 Erosion Mitigation Units installed by the City at The Dell beach, Clifton Springs.

Made of eco-friendly concrete using the bi-product fly ash instead of standard cement, blended with recycled shells, the units are helping to reduce coastal erosion by creating a permeable barrier in shallow water 60 metres offshore.

They’ve also created habitat for marine life and become a tourist destination for recreational snorklers and swimmers.

Work is set to begin on the renewal of Geelong’s Sparrow Park with the playground and maze to close in early February 2024, for a period of up to eight weeks.

The remainder of the reserve will remain open for use by the community.

The renewal follows a period of community consultation, carried out through the early part of 2023, and will see the current playground equipment replaced with new equipment, a seat installed, and additional trees planted for shade.

The popular play space will remain a District playground, providing a range of play opportunities and amenities, catering for all ages and abilities.

A valued and historic play space, the Park is just one of 380 public play spaces managed and maintained by the City of Greater Geelong.

Located in the centre of Geelong West, Sparrow Park has long served the region’s families with numerous play opportunities for all age groups.

Sparrow Park has ample open space for a range of recreational activities including an extensive playground with shade sails, junior skate/scooter area, basketball, and netball facilities.

It also has a large lawn area with rugby posts, alongside quality social and picnic facilities including a rotunda, BBQ’s, toilets and walking paths.

Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade has this month celebrated the official handover of their new rescue truck which will boost the members’ response to road crash rescue incidents.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh MP, joined District 11 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Daryll Hunter, Lakes Entrance Captain Philip Loukes and brigade members for the handover. 

The new $850,000 rescue truck was funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) as part of an ongoing funding arrangement. 

CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Specialist Response Rick Owen said the new rescue truck has state-of-the-art features including emission free stowage, battery operated tools, increased capacity for heavy vehicle response with a rescue work platform and increased ability to carry a full steep angle cache. 

“These new technology and equipment on these rescue trucks makes them one of the best in Australia so we’re lucky to add these to our CFA fleet,” ACFO Owen said. 

“Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade responds to more than 120 call-outs per year, nearly half of those are rescues so it’s easy to see the need to ensure this brigade has the most up-to-date equipment to help protect their community.” 

CFA Lakes Entrance Captain Philip Loukes said they’re excited to have the new rescue truck because of the diverse callouts and the large area they cover. 

“We respond to rescues across Gippsland and the Alpine region, we do road accident rescues, rope rescues and rescues of cars that might have gone down an embankment, so it’s vital we have skills and best possible equipment to boost our ability in this space,” Philip said. 

“This new rescue truck will enable us to continue providing a high-quality service to the community for a wide range of emergency incidents.” 

Lakes Entrance is one of 21 CFA rescue brigades across the state. Brigade members undertake consistent rescue training to keep their skills at a high level to ensure the brigade can continue to service their growing community, particularly over the holiday periods being a popular tourist destination.  

The Lakes Entrance rescue truck is one of four being made as part of the $4.2 million TAC funding package.