Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

Above The Greens, the Daylesford Bowling Club’s bistro is back up and running with some great fare on offer from chef Geoff Wellington.

Geoff, who is a bit of a raconteur, got his career start in hotels and has also spent a fair bit of time in clubs already – so he knows how to provide well priced, good food for the community.

By his own admission, Geoff is not into fine food, but he is into hearty meals with loads of flavour. And that shone through when we arrived last Wednesday in time for the first day of opening. (Mind you, some people had popped in on the Monday not realising the bistro was closed, so Geoff just cooked them up a meal. How good is that. Welcoming and hospitable.)

We started with the traditional bruschetta ($12.90) with Turkish bread topped with Spanish onion, tomato, toasted garlic, EVO and cheese. It’s a big serve and really tasty with a great combo of flavours. Off to a good start.

Next up were the vegetarian arancini balls ($15.90) atop a tomato relish served with balsamic glaze and parmesan. These deep-fried rice balls had a deliciously crunchy breadcrumb coating and were just yum. We had three between us and I scored two before Kyle knew what was happening.

Oh, drinks. This is a club so you are still only paying genuine 1970s prices. A pot of beer is from $5.80 – $7, a schooner is $8.20 – $9 and even a pint is just $10-$11.50. Wines are from a tiny $6.50. I guess there are also non-alcoholic drinks available…

We decided to share a main, the serves are big, and Geoff served us up the nasi goreng ($34). Rice based, it was loaded with jumbo prawns, big hunks of juicy chicken and peas, and flavoured with onion, chilli, garlic and ketjap manis.

As is per tradition, on top was a lightly fried egg with the yolk just folding into the meal. This is really good. Slightly sweet, slightly hot. I guess umami is the best description – covering all the flavour bases. And certainly enough for two.

We were pretty done by this time but there are plenty more mains to choose from. Of course there are all the club classics but there’s also a few different dishes to try like the jambalaya risotto, the cauliflower steak or the bbq pork stirfry.

One dish I have not seen for a while, might provide a challenge, The Beast. It’s an 800gm rump steak ($68) cooked to your liking with a choice of sauces or an additional $12 for the surf ‘n’ turf sauce with prawns and calamari in a creamy, garlic white wine sauce. You also get a beer, wine or soft drink as part of the deal.

Now I am not much of a red meat eater but I do know a few people who will take on that challenge and I know couples who will share it for something special.

If you are keen on dessert, there is pavlova with coulis, berries and cream or sticky date pudding, both $12. Kids’ meals are all $14 and seniors get a great deal on weekdays with a main for $20 or a main and dessert for $25.

So find your way down to Above The Greens and settle in for a nice arvo or evening with great food and service. And you’re bound to find a local to chat to at The Bowlo.

The new Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Community Garden was officially opened on Saturday, November 18, after six years in concept and development phases.

About 35 people attended the opening with speakers including Hepburn Shire Mayor and Coliban Ward Cr Brian Hood, Ballarat federal MP Catherine King, Little Gallery Trentham’s Kim Haughie, TNC Committee of Management treasurer Corina Sabo, garden project manager Michelle Leeder, TNC manager Richard Goodman and previous president and long-term Trentham local Ina Bertrand.

Funding for the garden came from the federal government – $30,000, Hepburn Shire Council – $8000 and Little Gallery Trentham – $5200, along with donations of funds and assistance from other organisations and individuals.

TNC president Anne-Marie Pedeau said the garden was partially designed, and then built, by Anthony Morrey.

Features include four wicking beds, two of which are planted with vegetables, a herb garden, beds filled with ornamental flowers, a pergola planted, a sculptural artwork made by the TNC Youth Group on one wall, playing areas for chess or draughts (designed into the paving), a decking area for a table and chairs and a heritage woven wire fence.

Ms Pedeau said she hoped people would come, use and enjoy the garden in a variety of ways from just somewhere to sit and relax, to playing a game of chess, or a place for organised groups to set up various hobbies and events.

Country driving

The most obvious difference about moving to the country from inner-city Melbourne is that pedestrians are at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to road use in towns.

Many inner city and city fringe Melbourne councils have imposed a speed maximum of 40kmh on all roads. In Daylesford the speed limit is 50kmh.

Some statistics may illustrate the point. Eighty per cent of pedestrians hit by cars travelling at 50kmh will die from the impact. At 40kmh 26 per cent of pedestrians will die from the impact. And at 30kmh 10 per cent of pedestrians will die from the impact.

Studies also reveal that social interaction and social use of streets along the footpath and crossing the road, increases as car speeds are reduced.

The third point to make is that motorists see pedestrians in a different light when driving at higher speeds compared to lower speeds. At 60kmh drivers see an outline of a figure. At 40kmh drivers can tell whether the pedestrian is male or female, young or old, carrying a child, or even pregnant.

From now on I will be the old motorist who, when driving in Daylesford, brings the world economy to a standstill by giving way to pedestrians at the upper and lower roundabouts. And I invite the council to do the maths on visitors from Melbourne.

Are they welcome or not? From Tom Perfect, Glenlyon

Hepburn House’s new, stunning extension, pictured above, is close to completion with inspections happening soon.

Manager Dianne Jones said the new area, which is Rainbow Tick accredited, as is all of Hepburn House, was open to everyone, offering a safe space for all.

Ms Jones will hold open afternoons on Saturdays from December 9, from 1pm to 3pm, until the facility opens in January. Bookings are needed via email to dianne@hepburnhouse.com.au in case of any last minute changes.

Covid RAT tests are not needed until the extension opens. For inspections during the week contact Hepburn House to arrange an time.

Hepburn House is also keen for more staff, either working or doing a Certificate 3 onsite next year. Anyone interested should go along and bring their resume.

During the open days the original building will not be open for viewing. For those interested in taking a look at that building, they will need to make an appointment and complete a RAT test.

Hepburn House, located at 1 Hepburn Road, Hepburn, is a residential aged care facility designed to provide a safe, secure, healthy and happy environment.

Staff care for residents while meeting individual lifestyle needs and managing practical issues for each resident.

Last month’s Musk open gardens event has raised thousands of dollars for the Musk CFA.

Event coordinator Duncan Evans says it raised $13,500 and achieved the main goal of purchasing a
thermal imaging camera.

While there had been many cancellations due to the prior Daylesford accident on November 5, Duncan said the open gardens fundraiser had still been a success.

Many made a full day of it, lunching in the featured gardens of Musk Manor and neighbouring Musk Farm, and catching the train out from Daylesford.

Duncan said after expenses, $2200 will go to the Spa Country Railway and $8100 to the CFA. Organisers say they are particularly grateful to the owners of the two featured gardens and to the many local businesses and sponsors who supported the event.

Musk Farm owner Cathy Ai, (pictured above right) with Musk Manor owner Helen Hayes, said she had loved seeing others enjoy the beautiful garden at Musk Farm.

A comparative newcomer to gardening, Cathy admits there were nerves in the lead-up to this year’s
open garden event.

“I was very nervous before the open garden but next time I should be fully prepared,” says Cathy. “It’s a big challenge but I’m really keen to learn.”

Duncan’s thoughts are now turning to coordinating another community fundraising event in 2024.

He expects the next one will again feature either an open garden or two – or an online art auction. “And it will probably raise funds for a local wildlife facility,” he said. Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes

If you have ever wandered around Daylesford in November, you have probably seen Robbie Holbery signwriting the windows of Daylesford Meat Co in Vincent Street, and Albert Street Butchers, just around the corner.

Nothing remarkable so far, but Robbie’s calligraphy is a little different from most you will see. It’s handwritten copperplate – perfected over 60 years in the game. And there’s much more to his life than just writing.

Robbie, now 81, actually started his working life as an apprentice butcher in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. His boss used to ask him to write the specials on the shop window and in 1961, with the Hawks up for the VFL grand final, he went one step further.

Hawthorn
“My boss, who was an apprentice ruck coach and runner at Hawthorn, said ‘gee, Rob, you are pretty good’, went and bought me some gold paint and said ‘see what you can do with that’.

“I did a hawk with its wings outspread and wrote ‘premium quality, go hard, 1961 VFL Champions’. The boss thought it was amazing and all the tradies used to come down Glenferrie Road and put their thumbs up. That went in The Age and the Hawthorn Football Club asked me to recreate it for their museum out at Waverley. They wanted to pay me but I said I was just happy to do it. Oh, they won that year.”

When Robbie finished his apprenticeship, he took his boss’s advice and swapped to signwriting. He was mentored by another signwriter, returned to school and practised every chance he could.

Daylesford
He started doing all of the markets, Victoria, Prahran, Moonee Ponds, along with plenty of shops, and then 31 years ago he was in Daylesford and popped into what is now Daylesford Meat Co and had a chat with owner Ronnie Layfield.

“Ronnie said I could have a go and a few years later I started with Danny in Albert Street. They are both lovely people and I have been coming to Daylesford for 31 years now. And even though it’s only a short time each year I feel like I am part of the town.

“People stop me and ask how I can do such beautiful work. It sounds like I am skiting, but I really love what I do and getting compliments is just wonderful. And today it is mostly done with stencils, and everyone is so rushed. I am just an old bloke standing on the footpath with paints and brushes everywhere. I think people feel they can come up to me. The window is my canvas.”

As if on cue, while we talk on the phone and Robbie is working on the corner of Nicholson and Pigdon streets, Fitzroy North, he stops for a moment to pass on his phone number to an interested shopkeeper.

Covid
During Covid, Robbie, who also paints old farmhouses as a hobby, kept busy with his calligraphy, but not with shops.

“I got the old (phone) directories out and picked names at random and wrote messages of hope in copperplate and then posted them all out. I live at Plenty, and the Diamond Creek Post Office ladies all knew me there.

“I just wrote things like ‘look after your family’ and ‘be safe with Covid’ and sent them out. Feelgood letters. Some people might have opened them and wondered ‘what nut did this?’ but for others it might have been a wonderful thing to receive.”

I ask if Robbie received any feedback. “I never put my address. They were just feelgood letters. Letters of hope.

I say I wish he had found my address, I could have done with a letter of hope. I think one might arrive soon…

Daylesford again
Back to Daylesford. This year, “with a few medical things” he was joined by his wife Eileen and youngest daughter Kate, but mostly he has come alone which led to him staying with the late Don Wreford, a glassblower of fame.

“Don used to admire my work and I got to know him well and he said to come and stay at his place, so I did for a while. One year I came up and called out in thefront of his house but his son-in-law came out and said he had passed away. That was quite a shock.

“He said no-one writes like that anymore. He even gave me some of his work. And I stayed with his daughter, Jessie, a few times after that. Wonderful people.”

Football again
And finally, back to football. Now while Robbie did the big gold hawk back in 1961, he was always a Carlton supporter. While writing on Anne Jesaulenko’s dress shop in Heidelberg in 1979, he met Carlton captain and coach Alex Jesaulenko who said he had heard Robbie used to do a bit of running.

“I competed in the Stawell Gift, that sort of thing, and Alex said ‘how would you like to come down to Carlton and show the boys how to move along?’.

“So, I did that and met people like Peter Jones, Geoff Southby, Bruce Doull… they all accepted me. And they won that year too.” Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

Ellie Young of Trentham was born in New Zealand. Her father was a lighthouse keeper, and her mother was a schoolteacher.

The culture of living by the sea with her parents and brother and not many other people at all, until she was 10 years old, taught her to appreciate the ocean, the mindful details of nature and to be comfortable in her own skin. The ocean in particular always provided peace and stillness for her.

Her dad always loved photography and often had the camera out documenting his kids as they were growing up. After leaving the lighthouse service, her parents had more children, she is one of five, but it’s interesting how different their upbringing was. Ellie and her elder brother were always drawn to nature.

Ellie met her husband Alan in Dunedin where they lived down the road from each other. They got together when they were about 17 years old. Together they still enjoy jumping in their van and taking off travelling. When their daughter was young, they travelled like gypsies, up to 10 months at a time. She too has the travel bug now.

Ellie’s Gold Street Studios workshops was established in 1999 and developed out of a passion and concern that many early photographic processes and techniques were losing their place in the photographic institutions and art world.

In 2000 Ellie attained the National Gallery of Victoria Trustee Award for her work in gum bichromate printing. After some years of research, her Salt Printing Manual was published in 2011. She constantly exhibits her work locally, nationally and internationally.

Pre-covid Ellie was teaching in Beijing, Tianjin and Nanjing in China. She describes the experience as magical, providing beautiful connections with people, amazing food and countryside.

Originally set up in Collingwood, Ellie’s experience of the commercial side of the business was one of it being cut-throat. It took away the joy of “passing down the techniques” and impeded on her time to take photos herself.

Trentham became an escape, with no mobile phone reception at the time, beautiful nature, and she fell in love with the area. She and Alan found a beautiful house and in time set up the workshop and studio space on site.

Today, her passions for travel, photography and family are threaded through her daily life. Ellie feels very lucky she gets to do what she loves every day. For her the photography techniques and art are about “sharing not about selling”.

“It is an honour if people buy your photos, the ultimate compliment if someone wants to hang your art in their dining rooms.”

Her main passion is macro close-up photography, mindfully zooming in on insects, butterflies and other organic things. “A fly’s wing can turn into a church window, refracting light, different shapes and shadows – quite beautiful.”

It is the craft that is not always understood. For example, a carbon print can take 2 to 3 days to complete. “You really have to be passionate about the process and the outcome takes your breath away. Online doesn’t do it justice.”

Four years ago, during Covid lockdowns, one of her grandsons committed suicide at just 14 years old. Ellie said William was a huggable, gorgeous kid who suffered from a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. He had an affinity with friends, loved animals and photography.

Although it felt raw and painful to talk about the loss, Ellie said she felt it was important to talk about it more. It was a terrible shock to the family without any warning signs.

As it was during Covid lockdowns the family were so grateful to the police for being so compassionate and even received a beautiful letter from Daniel Andrews, expressing his condolences.

“People don’t know what to say or do to support you in grief, but it always meant so much when someone could acknowledge and chat.” Ellie and Alan hug their family even more tightly now and together they mark each anniversary of his passing and the birthday of William. At Ellie’s next photographic exhibition, they are planning on raising money for youth suicide.

Although Ellie loves living in Australia, coming from NZ, she finds things so different with regard to indigenous culture. She recalls as a young child, Māori culture being celebrated and taught in schools
– Māori Poi dancing for example was part of the curriculum.

It saddens her that the same respect is not given to Aboriginal culture. In NZ they had the Treaty of
Waitangi signed in 1840 honouring Māori culture and integrating the country so there was less division. She believes Australia is behind in this way.

“The Aboriginal culture can teach us so much – respect for land. It could have and still can look different in Australia.”

The Newstead Arts Hub’s inaugural artists market will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 10am to 4pm – in and around the historic Newstead Railway Station and garden.

The artists market will have more than 25 stalls inside the Hub, scattered along the old railway platform and in the garden. It’s a chance to meet the artists as well as make a purchase or two.

A special feature is the inclusion of some favourite visual artists who have exhibited at the Newstead Arts Hub recently: Milton Moss, Marcus Hotblack, Prue McAdam, Bridget Farmer, John Smith, Sean Kenan, Chrisanne Blennerhassett, and the print-making foursome from the recent The Shape of Blue exhibition – Malini Lewis, Janet Neilson, Penny Peckham & Anne-Maree Taylor. Add to that list local
art stars Mary Caspar and Carol Porter.

The Newstead Arts Hub is a community/artist run creative space. It is committed to creating opportunities for the communities to enjoy, share and get hands on creatively. And it is committed to supporting local artists.

During the first year of Covid, Newstead Arts Hub initiated an online artists market as a way of supporting local artists whose chance to share and sell their art had been so suddenly shut down
– as had the Arts Hub. Now, the market is going live for the first time.

Nine-year-old Willow has taken home the 2023 Daylesford & District Agricultural Show Best Exhibit by a Junior Contributor, sponsored by Robert Nathan.

The Daylesford Primary School student entered a chocolate sponge with vanilla butter cream in the decorated cake section. She also entered a painting of a tree, which took second prize.

Willow, who also won the Florence Liversidge Encouragement Award in Junior Cooking, said she had been very excited to win, after leaving it a little too late to enter last year.

The year 4 student, who loves cooking cakes and cookies, said she would definitely encourage others to enter next year’s 150th show. “It’s really good fun.”

Show president Don Harvey said up to 2500 people headed to Victoria Park for the show with 551 dogs shown on the day.

“We had about 1400 prepaid tickets and then another 1000 or so people through the gates, so we were pretty happy with the attendance.”

Don said the weather had also been kind, with “abysmal weather” on the Friday night clearing for the Saturday show, with just a bit of rain starting before it ended at 3pm.

Don thanked his “hard-working committee” who had put in many hours, especially in the lead up to the show, and said with their experience it was now possible for the show to take a new direction in coming years.

“We also had more than 60 volunteers on our list, which was fantastic. I think it was the best show we have had in 20 years.

“So it’s really a big thanks to everyone who came along and to the hard-working committee and all the volunteers. I feel sure there are several in the committee who will be able to take over the president’s role in the future.” Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

The Mount Macedon Shire Council is searching for community-minded residents with some spare time to help service an expanding program of diverse, fulfilling volunteer initiatives.

The council relies on volunteers to help deliver services across many areas including visitor information centres, environment and the Kyneton Museum. Volunteers will also be needed to help manage planned resale shops at resource recovery facilities in Kyneton and Romsey.

Recently, Council’s volunteer program expanded to include the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS): a free service available for aged care residential or Home Care Package recipients, who are matched to a volunteer with similar interests for regular visits.

RM Begg Kyneton resident Alois recently joined the ACVVS program and has been matched with volunteer Diane (Di) Aliker for regular visits. He said he looks forward to Di’s visits and having meaningful conversations.

“I’m not a big talker, most men are not, and Di would lead me. She would start something and we could converse. For me it’s good to have someone coming to talk to, I enjoy it,” he said.

Di said she also looks forward to her visits and chats with Alois. “He takes me for a little walk around every now and then to show me what’s going on, and sometimes we listen to music,” she said. “It’s something different to what I’m up to at home.”

Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said volunteering delivers a range of benefits for both the individual volunteering and the recipient, by strengthening social bonds and supporting inclusion.

“Our volunteers play a significant role in keeping our community connected, helping those who need assistance and providing company to those who may be feeling isolated or lonely,” she said.

“I would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers for their commitment and for making such a positive impact on the lives of others in our community. I also encourage anyone who has been thinking about volunteering to see what opportunities are available through council’s programs.”

On Tuesday the council marked International Volunteer Day (5 December) by thanking and recognising the outstanding contribution local volunteers are making to the community, while also encouraging others to explore the benefits of volunteering.

Creswick Brass Band has extra reason to feel festive after being named Band of the Year at the recent Lions Blue Lake Festival in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Facing plenty of talented competition from around Victoria and interstate the Creswick band came second in the contest street march, won best band in the Christmas parade, best hymn on the day, best stage march (open C Grade), took first place in the Open C Grade competition and ended up being named Band of The Year.

Competition for the November 18 event included bands form Adelaide, Ballarat, Mount Gambier, Warrnambool, and Portland. Tastefully decked out as Christmas trees for at least some of their public appearances, the members of Creswick Brass had particularly impressed as they took to the streets of Mount Gambier for the Christmas parade.

“I think we were all extremely proud,” said band member and cornet player, Sheena Johnson.

“It made all the hard work worthwhile. Our director works magic and all of the musicians in the band are very talented and very loyal.”

Taking the multiple awards is a big coup for the local band whose existence dates all the way back to the 1800s with some leaves of absence, however, due to world wars, global pandemics and the like.

It’s clearly now back with a vengeance and some 60 members whose ages range from about eight to about 80, says Creswick Brass Band president, Rob Ohlsen who plays tuba.

“We play anywhere and everywhere and it’s starting to really get back now,” he said.

“It was very slow over Covid for us and for a lot of bands. We have everything brass from cornet to tuba and also percussion, and a main focus for us now is percussion. We need more percussion.

“We are a happy band and very family oriented and we do lots of different gigs. We practice on a Thursday night at the Senior Cits in Creswick so people who are interested can just roll up.”
Rob says beginners are welcome with a beginners’ practice session at 6pm and the more advanced rehearsal session from 7pm.

“Music is just universal. Everyone loves it and giving enjoyment back to people is great,” Rob says.

Having acclimatised to the festive season vibe during its Mount Gambier coup, the band is now looking to play plenty of live public gigs in the lead up to Christmas, including the community Carols at The Courthouse event being hosted by Creswick Theatre Company this Saturday, December 9.

The carolling gig and the many other performances that the band has lined up between now and Christmas offer great opportunities to check it out, enjoy its big brassy sound and maybe even think about joining up, Rob says.

There’s other performances coming up in Creswick including evening gigs at Creswick’s ‘Christmas House’ on Creswick-Ballarat Road on December 23 and 24.

The upcoming Carols at The Courthouse event will also feature community carolling led by local singers including members of the Creswick Chorus, local school children and anyone else who wants to get along, flex their own vocal chords and let the seasonal joy rip. Words: Eve Lamb.

Kinder educator Verna Baker celebrated 50 years of teaching at the Daylesford Preschool with a large
gathering of parents, children and friends and family recently.

Verna was presented with a garden seat made by Marty Hull, which has been placed under a tree at preschool.

It is inscribed with the words: “Verna’s garden seat, 50 years educating children in early childcare in the Hepburn Shire.”

Over her long career, Verna has helped more than 4000 children with their first early years in education.
Verna, who began working at Daylesford Preschool as an assistant when she was 18, said every child was special to her.

“It was always my dream to work with preschool aged children. I have so many lovely stories to tell over my time working at Daylesford Preschool, Hepburn, Trentham and experiencing relief work with the mobile kinder, which operated at Glenlyon, Franklinford and Mount Prospect, Creswick and Clunes in the Hepburn Shire.

“Working with children brings a lot of happiness and rewards to me, especially when I bring my baby
farm animals from my farm at Basalt for the children to understand how to care for them and to learn about their surrounding environment.”

And while many people would see the 50-year mark as time to retire, Verna has no plans to leave her workplace. She continues to enjoy her work at Daylesford Preschool and was “very proud” to reach her goal of 50 years as a educator.

Tackling a course of study at tertiary level is generally challenging enough, and difficulty with
finances, travel and other costs is the last thing anyone needs as they go about it.
That’s where The Daylesford Foundation just quietly and efficiently is making a massive difference in
the lives of many young locals.

The Foundation is able to help out by providing unique scholarships especially tailored to meet the
needs of young individuals who are serious about reaching out to achieve further study goals.

The Daylesford Foundation’s Jo Van Son says that it may be help with materials like laptops or
assistance with finding somewhere to live near to uni, or help with meeting the cost of transport,
that can make all the difference.

The Foundation has been able to assist many young locals including former Daylesford Secondary
College students like Alexie Philippou and Hayley Smith to take on new studies, potentially changing
their entire life direction and employment prospects in very positive ways.

For Hayley, 20, the Foundation’s carefully tailored assistance to help cover ancillary study costs like
equipment, has enabled her to successfully complete the two-year diploma in nursing course – which
she has just finished.

Now the Foundation has been able to come to the party yet again to provide additional support to
help Hayley go on further next year and tackle a nursing degree at Federation University.

“The Foundation has been very supportive,” says Hayley whose personal experiences of time spent in
hospital as a child contending with a serious hip condition helped inspire her interest in becoming a
nurse.

“I would love to work in orthopaedics. I’ve always wanted to help people,” Hayley says.

For Alexei, 19, the Foundation has this year been able to assist with travel expenses enabling him to
get to Federation University in Ballarat and complete a bridging course so that he can now go on to
begin a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in sociology, next year.

Specifically, the Foundation’s unique scholarship support has now provided Alexei with the top-up
funding needed to enable him to purchase a reliable car to get to and from uni as needed.

“It’s a massive help,” says Alexei. “And Jo was very open about what I could use the money on.”
Alexei says he was able to make the all important purchase by pooling the Foundation’s financial
contribution together with the government’s Unsafe to Safe vehicle upgrade grant, and with his own
carefully accumulated savings to purchase the car.

In the lives of young locals like Alexei and Hayley, the scholarship assistance provided by The
Daylesford Foundation has made a lynchpin difference between making a dream to study and pursue
a career in a particular area come true.

Jo says now is the time for any young people who think they may similarly benefit from some well
placed financial help and support to apply for a scholarship.

She says the Foundation takes the time to personally meet with applicants and find out exactly what
their circumstances and study goals are, and what type of assistance may help make all the difference
toward achieving them.

Providing support is sometimes not just about granting strategically useful financial assistance,
although this is often a key.

“Often the people we help may be the first person in their family to study at tertiary level,” says Jo.
In such situations the background support of The Foundation is also about simply having someone to
talk to, someone who can provide useful insights and guidance as to what to expect at uni and how to
contend with challenges that may arise.

Those who think a Daylesford Foundation scholarship may just make all the difference for them, or
for someone special that they know, to pursue a study dream need to get cracking now, though.
“As soon as possible because we’re looking at the applications constantly and the next round officially
closes on January 5,” Jo says.

Words Eve Lamb. Image: Supplied.

The reproduction of the beautiful 1920s Bullarto Station building is now complete.

Daylesford Spa Country Railway (DSCR) will use the space to display original railway memorabilia and host events in conjunction with their popular weekend heritage train service.

The DSCR currently operates a 9 kilometre rail excursion using restored vintage carriages and engines through the picturesque Wombat State Forest.

The Hepburn Shire Council had contributed $184,000 to the project, the DSCR provided $63,000 and the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund contributed $500,000.

Yesterday marked one month since the fatal tragedy that occured in Daylesford and impacted many in the local community and far beyond.

Marking the occasion, Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Brian Hood sent condolences and love to the victims’ families and acknowledged that many people are still feeling the impact following the tragic accident.

“The cmmunity has gathered around one another and shown incredible support over the last month,” said Cr Hood.

“I again thank the community for their outpouring of love and support of one another during this very difficult time.”

He said it was important to recognise that recovery will take time.

“This is not the type of thing that people recover from quickly – it is vital to give yourself space and time to heal. Free counselling continues to be available for those who could benefit from talking to a skilled professional. I strongly urge anyone who may be struggling to make use of this service,” said Cr Hood.

Central Highlands Rural Health is continuing to offer free counselling, which is available by calling (03) 5321 6551.

Shane Richardson, Operations Manager – Community Health and Wellbeing at Central Highlands Rural Health reiterated the ongoing support for the community.

“Support will be provided until it is no longer needed. If there are people in the community that feel like they need to talk with someone, please get in touch with us,” said Mr Richardson.

“We’re here to ensure impacted people have access to vital mental health and wellbeing services when they need it,” he said.

Council has carefully collected the tributes left at the accident site in line with the families’ wishes.

“We are carefully considering a number of options for a more permanent way to pay tribute to the victims and those who so bravely provided assistance. We know there have been many suggestions from the community and this is something we are continuing to work on,” said Cr Hood.

“It is important that any memorial or lasting tribute is respectful and culturally appropriate, and we will work to get it right,” he said.

The council issued a public statement advising that it “will be guided by the various investigations that are underway and a report will be prepared for consideration by Council on options to further improve safety near the intersection”.

Outdoor dining remains in place across the Hepburn shire, including at The Royal Daylesford Hotel where tables have been relocated closer to the building.