Doggerel is performing at the Daylesford Hotel the Friday evening, December 8.

Doggerel burst from the kennel and onto the stage to flog their special brand of bung blues, roughhouse rock, and sundry sad tunes about drinking, dishonour, and death.

Based around the steel guitar and drums of founding members Kier Stevens and John Kostaras, Doggerel always keep a tight focus on looseness, ratbaggery, and having a rollicking good time.

Throw in some bass, saxophone, and a shot or two, and things are really starting to look up for you.

Every Doggerel show is a cheerfully irreverent affront to blues tradition that will leave your ears in even better condition.

Nature in the City is a folk-rock band based around the voice, guitar and songwriting of Robin Sellin born in Germany, now living in Naarm/Melbourne.

What started out one year ago as a duo soon turned into a full band infused with some serious Melbourne vibes with violin, drums, and bass.

Nature in the City invites the listener on a sonic journey rife with improvisation and with no two sets ever the same.

In the last year, Nature in the City has played at local venues and festivals alongside artists such as the Pierce Brothers, Gretta Ray and Pete Murray… and even at the German Parliament!

Back from their annual European tour, the band and its shifting constellation of musicians emanate a refined yet grounded stage presence, reminiscent of Jack Johnson and Simon and Garfunkel.

They’re booked to play the Daylesford Hotel on Saturday evening, December 23.

Macedon’s tourism industry has recieved a tidy boost with a $50,000 grant from the Victorian
government to Daylesford Macedon Tourism, and a further $625,000 grant to Goldfield Gateways.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas in recent days announced the Daylesford Macedon Tourism grant under Stream A and the Goldfields Gateway grant under Stream B of the $3 million Visitor Servicing Fund.

The $50,000 grant will enable Daylesford Macedon Tourism to deliver the DMT Regional Visitor
Servicing Strategy working with both Hepburn Shire Council and Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

In a media statement Ms Thomas announced that the project will include:

• New visitor and community research, industry workshops and interviews.
• Clarity on what visitor services should be delivering.
• How the region can better work together in delivering visitor service solutions.
• Delivery of a visitor servicing strategy for the region with recommendations on a range of
  potential investments with returns to the visitor economy.
  

The Backyard Banjo Club are headed to The Palais, Hepburn to perform on Saturday, December 16.

They’re a five-piece trad-jazz/bluegrass bonanza. Think Tom Waits meets Django Reinhardt and plays a jazz cover of a Radiohead tune. High energy up-tempo jazz and the occasional sultry ballad, good times guaranteed.

From sell-out Melbourne shows to folk clubs around the country, the Backyard Banjo Club bring tongue-in-cheek stage banter and a healthy dose of instrumental finesse to the stage.

As of last week the tiny towns and communities in the state electorate of Macedon can apply for grants through the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas late last month called on local community groups to submit their ideas and apply for a Tiny Towns grant, with applications opening from Monday 27 November.

From barbecues at the park to community centres, these projects will make a difference to those who
need them in towns across the Macedon Ranges Shire, Hepburn Shire, Mount Alexander and Moorabool Shire.

The fund will offer grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to deliver infrastructure projects, such as
hiking trails, splash parks, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art and more.

Eligible applicants include community and non-profit groups and councils in towns with under 5000
people across regional Victoria and outer metro-Melbourne.

The Government’s record $41 billion investment in rural and regional Victoria over the past decade
means small communities are already growing from projects that have helped them become even
better places to live and visit.

With more people than ever before choosing lifestyles away from major cities, new initiatives like Tiny
Towns will help ensure regional and outer suburban communities continue to flourish.

While Round 1 for the Tiny Towns Fund opened on Monday, 27 November, further rounds will be available from 2024.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Our tiny towns have so much to offer and we’re helping them unlock new reasons for people to visit, explore, work and live in them.”

Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney: “Whether it’s renovations to a community centre or new barbecues at the local park, our investments in Victoria’s tiniest towns will support local businesses and jobs, and help attract more visitors.”

The Melbourne Chamber Orchestra will visit Daylesford in 2024, with an exciting line-up of
creative experiences for all ages.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, in recent days said the latest round of the state
government’s Touring Victoria program was “a win for local audiences”.

The program supports leading creative organisations across Victoria to take their works on
the road and connect world-class art with more communities and local venues – boosting
accessibility and opportunity for Victorians.

It enables Victorian arts companies to hit the road, reach new audiences and connect with
local creative workers and communities.

The Melbourne Chamber Orchestra will present a program of orchestral and chamber music,
including performances, student masterclasses, talks and more.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “The Touring Victoria program gives Macedon audiences of all ages the chance to experience incredible creative performances, events and professional development activities that may otherwise be a city trip away.”

Four piece nu-soul/deep-funk act from Daylesford, Elevated Plains plays the Palais in Hepburn next Friday night, December 15.

Hard to pigeon hole, the sound is a bass-heavy, percussive groove with a psychedelic vibe designed to be danced-to… Think Talking Heads meets Hiatus Kaiyote in a bar in Berlin, perhaps.

The act includes well known singer Sallie Harvey, Dave Marshall on guitar (ex Wizzpoppa / TST), Al Stanley on drums and Cameron Saunders on bass (cellula / Ezc / ZebraHeard! + Automata Recordings).

Support on the night will be Bangquatsch, an exciting live drumming and global dance music project by Maarten Stenakur. Local legend Clay Ravin will DJ afterwards.

The Ballarat City Council has adopted its new Public Toilet Strategy 2023 at its recent November meeting.

The Public Toilet Strategy was informed by an extensive program of stakeholder consultation and two rounds of community consultation, involving direct feedback from 741 people across the municipality.

The strategy makes 68 recommendations to improve the existing and future network of public toilets, ranging from location and distribution to improving the design of public toilets, making toilets more accessible and inclusive, and the maintenance, cleaning and management of public toilets.

It also outlines a 10-year capital works plan, dependent on funding in future budgets, which includes a program of updates, refurbishments and renewals.  

The strategy includes recommendations for the construction of three new public toilets within the next three years – in Little Bridge Street at the Bridge Mall, along the south-western corner of Lake Wendouree and at De Soza Park, Buninyong.  

It recommends public toilet facility upgrades at the Victoria Park public toilet, a minor upgrade at the Weeramar Park public toilet, and upgrades at the Parent Place and Town Hall public toilets.

It also proposes alignment with other City of Ballarat strategies, local laws, policy and regulations, as well as a number of minor upgrades to facilities such as hooks, seats, signage and provision of soap.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the Public Toilet Strategy 2023 will now inform the planning, provision, design and management of public toilets across the municipality.

“Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback in the two rounds of community consultation and helped to inform the Public Toilet Strategy,” he said.

“We look forward to implementing the Public Toilet Strategy and achieving outcomes that will ensure our entire community has access to facilities that are high quality, accessible, safe and inclusive for all.”

The City of Ballarat manages 55 public toilets across the municipality.

The strategy will replace the existing Public Toilet Planning Framework 2015 and Draft Public Toilet Plan 2021, and aligns with City of Ballarat Council Plan 2021-2025 Goal 4 – ‘A city that conserves and enhances our natural and built assets’.    

The City of Ballarat says it will remove and replace 12 poplar, willow and claret ash trees that are at the end of their life or in poor condition around Lake Wendouree.

The trees were assessed by an independent arboriculturist in April 2023 and have been recommended for removal to minimise the risk to public safety.  

The City of Ballarat’s Parks and Gardens team will replace the trees with the same species, in accordance with the Heritage Council of Victoria Lake Wendouree Registration under H2419.  

Works to remove and replace the trees were expected to begin this week and to take five days. While works are carried out, detours will be in place for pedestrians using the Steve Moneghetti Track.

There are more than 2,000 trees around Lake Wendouree. The Parks and Gardens team proactively inspects and maintains the health of trees across the City of Ballarat’s parks, gardens and reserves, as well as undertakes succession planning to guide the removal and planting of trees.

The tree removal complies with the City of Ballarat’s Tree Management Plan and Lake Wendouree Master Plan as well as the City of Ballarat’s tree maintenance in accordance with the Australian Standards.

City of Ballarat Director Infrastructure and Environment Bridget Wetherall said the works are an important part of tree renewal for Lake Wendouree.

“The removal and replacement of the trees will maintain the historical beauty of Lake Wendouree while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors,” she said.

Kyneton’s Barkly Square will soon welcome back local user groups following a comprehensive upgrade of its playing surface.

State Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas and Council Mayor Annette Death were among those to inspect the ground recently and mark the $1.26 million project’s completion, which comprised close to $756,000 from Council and $500,000 from the Victorian Government’s World Game Facilities Fund.

Currently home to the Kyneton District Soccer Club, Kyneton Obedience Dog Club and Kyneton Smallbore Rifle Club, the ground’s drainage issues had previously made it prone to waterlogging, resulting in events – such as soccer matches – often needing to be cancelled or relocated.

Identified as a key project in the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Barkly Square Master Plan, the completed sports field reconstruction aims to provide a fit-for-purpose, water-resilient playing surface that results in better reliability and greater opportunities for participation.

On the project, Mayor Death said: “It’s so pleasing for Council to have been able to deliver these much-needed Barkly Square upgrades, which will allow user groups to expand their offerings and future-proof their existence.”

“I’d like to thank the Victorian Government for their vital contribution to making this project a reality, and I’d also like to thank the user groups for their patience and collaboration during the works – particularly Kyneton District Soccer Club, which advocated for these upgrades for several years.”

Works undertaken throughout this year included removing the existing turf wicket table, installing new irrigation and drainage systems, and overhauling the existing playing surface by stripping, regrading, cultivating, and resurfacing it.

New sporting infrastructure, including a synthetic cricket pitch and soccer goals, was also installed. The ground is anticipated to be ready for use in February 2024 once the turf has established.

As a primary user of the ground, Kyneton District Soccer Club President Ron Cole said: “The big benefit for our club is that we’re going to be able to train and play throughout the year without having to worry about moving – that makes it more enjoyable and beneficial for everyone involved.”

“We’d like to thank Council, the Victorian Government, all our sponsors and everyone else who continues to support us. We’ve managed to continue to grow our numbers and we’re excited for what the future holds.”

The Barkly Square Master Plan also proposes to build a new pavilion to replace the current ageing changeroom facilities. Council is continuing planning and design work on this aspect.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has endorsed a number of significant items at its recent November scheduled meeting.

Matters endorsed include:

Macedon Ranges Shire Skate and BMX Strategy: Following another period of community consultation earlier this year, the council adopted the Macedon Ranges Shire Skate and BMX Strategy, which will guide the future development of skate and BMX facilities throughout the shire.

A key proposal of the council’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy (2018-2028), the new strategy suggests a series of short, medium and long-term priorities to upgrade or expand on the council’s six existing skateparks and four BMX tracks.

The short-term priorities include the in-progress detailed design and construction of a new skatepark in Romsey, a similar approach for new facilities in Kyneton and a site feasibility study for new facilities in Gisborne, building on concept designs proposed for Gisborne Skatepark in late 2022.

Romsey Skatepark designs: The council endorsed a period of community consultation on designs showcasing what the new Romsey Skatepark would look like, with $550,000 committed by the Victorian Government and work continuing behind the scenes to secure the project’s full funding.

An upgrade driven by the Lancefield Romsey Lions Club for a number of years, including periods of community consultation throughout 2022 and 2023, the new skatepark would feature a large bowl, a quarter pipe, pump track and a series of hips and corners.

The council will lead the next phase of community consultation, set to formally begin in early 2024, to account for the upcoming extended school holiday period and to support maximum engagement (consistent with past consultations).

Positive Ageing Plan annual update: The council noted the Year Three annual review and Year Four action plan for Council’s five-year Positive Ageing Plan, PARTICIPATE, which responds to the needs, priorities, aspirations and challenges of older people in the shire.

Centred around four priority action areas, the plan’s recent related outcomes include the extensive transition out of in-home support services, the ongoing and highly engaging Village Connect program, and securing funding to deliver the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).

Actions to target this coming year include supporting accessible and improved transport options, encouraging and supporting older people to participate in council volunteering opportunities, and reviewing all council plans against accessibility requirements.

In other matters, the council:

• endorsed the schedule of meetings for 2024 for both the council and planning delegated committee meetings
• endorsed funding adjustments to budgeted infrastructure projects as part of capital works monitoring, including increasing funds towards Kyneton Cricket Club net upgrades and Mission Hill Road bridge works, and reallocating funds to complete detailed designs for two key local reserves.

On Friday November 17 at 3.50pm, CFA brigades and an Fire Rescue Victoria crew were called to a shed fire in Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge.

When Main Ridge Fire Brigade arrived on scene, the shed was fully alight with flames at least two metres higher than the roof, licking at a power line.

A CFA Westernport Group strike team leader, David Breadmore, who was nearby at the time was also quick to attend to manage the incident.

A local man, David Hunt from Peninsula Fresh Water Supplies, noticed smoke coming from the shed while he was driving past. He pulled over in his water tanker and used a hose to put water on the fire.

While approaching the fire a significant dark plume of smoke was visible, so more tankers were requested immediately. When Main Ridge and Rosebud trucks poured water onto the shed fire, both brigades ran out of water in under 10 minutes. More water was sourced from the Peninsula Fresh Water Supplies tanker to protect the home from the shed fire. This extra water supply allowed brigades to stop the fire spreading to the nearby house.

The shed fire took approximately 30 minutes to control and around an hour to extinguish, with Red Hill, Main Ridge, Rosebud, Flinders, Dromana and Shoreham brigades attending and working together.

Thirteen CFA vehicles were on scene including the Group field operations vehicle and Rosebud’s support van. Also on scene were Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, a CFA fire investigator, United Power and the Mornington Peninsula building surveyor.

Without these resources the house would have been lost or severely damaged. Two community members were injured (smoke inhalation and burns) trying to contain the fire and were treated by Ambulance Victoria.

The historic Charlton Post Office was destroyed last month after a fire tore through the building forcing the roof to collapse.

The building, a three-bedroom home with a post office at the front was built in 1879. In 1941 the post office section was demolished and remodelled. Up until Sunday November 19, it had served as the town’s current post office.

Charlton Group Officer Phil Ellis was incident controller on Sunday 19 November with support from Charlton Captain Craig Walsh and Wycheproof Lietuentant Laura Harrison. They were responsible for the 11 CFA and FRV units that battled the fire. He said it was devastating.

“It started in the back of the building in the laundry and spread into the roof space,” Phil said.

“We thought we had it contained at the back, but it ran along the roof to the front of the building in about 35 minutes.”

The fire began around 11.30am and by 12.51pm the roof had begun to collapse.

11 CFA units from Wycheproof, Charlton, Swan Hill, Teddywaddy, Wooroonook, Woosang, Yeungroon and Wedderburn attended the fire.  

Crews worked hard to extinguish the blaze but were unable to save the Charlton Post Office.  

 “The baker heard the pop and explosion and tried to put the fire out,” Phil said.

The cause was believed to be a fault in a washing machine in the laundry.

After the fire the local community was looking for the post master’s house cat and dog, which have both been found.

The Kyneton and Districts Toy Library has successfully relocated and reopened in recent days, ensuring local families will be able to continue lending quality toys.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has worked closely with the toy library committee to find a suitable alternative location, following the decision to hand back its former home – the leased site of the former Lady Brooks Kindergarten on Hutton Street – to the Victorian Government.

The toy library is now located at 127 High Street in Kyneton – adjacent to the current Visitor Information Centre – and is open from 10-11am on Saturdays, with its transition also supported by a $3,000 grant through the council’s Small Project Grants.

Mayor Annette Death said the council’s Children, Youth and Family Services team had been working with the toy library committee to investigate alternative accommodation options and ensure a smooth transition to a new site.

“We’re really pleased for the toy library to have a new dedicated space, which we hope will make it easier for their volunteers to run sessions and manage toys,” she said.

“Thank you to the Kyneton and Districts Toy Library committee members who worked closely with Council on the relocation and new fit-out, and thank you also to the council staff involved on this positive outcome.”

The toy library’s move follows the other remaining tenant of the former Lady Brooks Kindergarten – council’s Maternal Child and Health Service – moving to Kyneton Health’s Ambulatory Care Centre in February this year.

The City of Ballarat has partnering with Grampians Health, Grampians Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees and Zonta to launch the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign locally.

Launched in Ballarat last Friday November 24, it is a global campaign calling for the prevention and elimination of gender based violence.  

The 16 days officially began on 25 November – which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – and ends on 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day.  

City of Ballarat Youth Ambassadors are throwing their support behind the 16 Days of Activism campaign, seeking to promote awareness of the prevalence of domestic and family violence by creating tote bags, sharing appropriate support resources and stenciling around the CBD.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows 3.8 million Australian adults — 20 percent of the population — reported experiencing physical and/or sexual family and domestic violence since the age of 15. 

Additionally, one in six women — or 17 percent of women — have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of a current or previous cohabitating partner since the age of 15. The figure for men is one in 18, or 5.5 per cent.  

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson said reducing the rates of family and gender-based violence would need to begin with respect.  

“Violence against women is driven by a culture that allows it to happen,” he said.  

“Challenging gender stereotypes is a simple way we can all contribute to the reduction of gender-based violence and family violence in our communities.”  

City of Ballarat Youth Ambassador Millie Collins said the Youth Ambassadors aspired to work towards a safer Ballarat for all, fostering hope to eliminate domestic violence. 

“After flagging domestic violence and gender based violence as a significant, impactful and prevalent subject within the lives of young people locally, Ballarat Youth Ambassadors made the active decision to join the call to prevent and educate young people within the spheres of domestic violence,” she said.  

“As young people, we deserve a promising future free from the fear of violence at the hands of a loved one.”