Submit your initiatives for the Budget 2024/25 and Council Plan

Individuals or groups are being encouraged to put forward their case for Macedon Ranges Shire Council funding in the 2024/25 financial year as part of an earlier, streamlined budget consultation process.

Through to Monday 20 November, the council welcomes submissions from the community for the Budget 2024/25 and Council Plan 2021-2031 (Year Four). In a change to previous years, this is the only formal public consultation period for these two key documents.

The full Draft Budget and Council Plan documents will be included in the agenda of meeting papers before being adopted by the end of the financial year – an approach consistent with a number of other councils.

“Getting input from the community early, with adoption of Council’s annual budget aimed for the May Council Meeting, will enable us to be more responsive to community attitudes and be fully prepared for action from 1 July 2024,” Mayor Annette Death said.

“Even if you – or the group you are representing – don’t yet have detailed costings for what you would like funded at this early stage, we encourage you to still submit your initial idea now for consideration, and then submit more detailed costings as soon as you are able to.

“Your valuable ideas will be sent directly to the appropriate Council department for consideration and will inform the preparation of our next Budget 2024/25, ensuring our officers and Councillors understand the community’s current priorities and can strike the right balance.”

The annual budget ensures Council can continue to deliver essential services to the community, while also progressing a range of strategically chosen infrastructure projects and other initiatives to support our growing shire.

Funding available each financial year mostly comprises rate revenue, external funding through grants that the council works hard to advocate for on behalf of the community, and other regular fees and charges.

Those interested in making a submission are encouraged to contact customer service to seek advice or assistance from council officers in preparing their budget idea, ensuring the council can provide prompt support and boost the quality of submissions.

Submitters will be able to speak to their proposals at a Submitters Delegated Committee meeting, to be held online in early 2024.

Cat owners in Ballarat once again have the opportunity to have their cat desexed at a subsidised cost.

The City of Ballarat and the National Desexing Network, in conjunction with participating local vet clinics, are partnering to provide low-cost desexing for household cats as part of the City of Ballarat’s annual desexing assistance program.  

The program is now available for City of Ballarat residents who meet criteria to receive a special rate at the vet when desexing their cat, which makes the cost only $50.  

The criteria includes:

• Residents who hold pension, concession or health care cards
• Residents on low incomes
• Residents with large numbers of cats; and
• Semi-owners who are willing to take responsibility for stray unowned cats, by microchipping, desexing and registering the cat.  

To check eligibility, call 1300 368 992 or visit the National Desexing Network website.

The goal is to end pet overpopulation by making desexing available and more affordable to pet owners who need it most.  

The program is incredibly popular, so if residents who meet the criteria are urged to apply quickly to obtain funding.

Recently the Ballarat Animal Shelter has seen an increase in kitten surrenders, as peak breeding season commences, with some owners not prepared to have a litter of kittens.  

As a cat owner it is important to remember that as the weather warms up, if your cat is not desexed they will start seeking a mate, so owners are urged to keep cats inside.  

The City of Ballarat has a cat-curfew, which requires cat owners to keep cats confined to their premises between sunset and sunrise. This assists in minimising harm to the environment and wildlife as well as limiting unwanted litters of kittens.  

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Amy Johnson said cats fit into domestic life and routines easily and comfortably and make great family pets.  

“We know that the cost of desexing can deter pet owners its hoped that this low-cost option can help many people afford the procedure on their cats,” she said.  

“As the weather warms up, cats start seeking a mate and we’ve already seen an increase in the number of kittens surrendered to our shelter.  

“Jump online or give the NDN a call to check your eligibility for the program.”  

Life with El Niño
In normal years we usually expect days of rough and windy November weather. So who can tell what this year will bring? Apart from broken branches caused by the sheer force of the wind, many plants suffer splits and abrasions from being battered against buildings and fences.
Fractured, split and weakened branches should be completely removed or cut back to a point of healthy wood. Dead wood should be removed completely.
You will probably notice that the twine or string used to secure fragile branches to
stakes or other supports has caused rubbing or chafing during strong wind. It may be
necessary to remove any badly affected branches.
Less damaged ones will benefit from a dressing of pruning mastic – sterilising paint or petroleum jelly over their scrapes and cuts, to seal the wounds and aid the healing process.
Old pantyhose are one of the best materials for tying up plants as they do not
cause chafing and their resilience allows some natural movement in the plant.
Young trees, particularly in heavy, sodden soils, may have been blown about so
that their roots have been damaged and the tree now rocks. Look carefully to see if
your young plants need staking, or perhaps, even restaking.
It’s far better to use three evenly spaced stakes around plants, than just one. With a loop that passes from each stake and around the main stem, allowing about 5cm of movement each loop, the tree is able to move minimally and will be almost self-supporting.
Usually trees completely supported by a single stake placed right up to them become totally reliant on that stake and likely fall over if the stake is removed. That’s if the stake itself hasn’t become loose and floppy.
Water the key to success
Gardens can be damaged as much by incorrect watering as they can by lack of it. Fresh green lawns and lush, healthy flower beds can be maintained year long, even through times of drought, by regular feeding and maintenance. It is the way the garden has been watered that holds the key.
Prolonged hot weather can place plants under great stress if the moisture supply
isn’t kept up to their feeder roots, but the problem isn’t necessarily lessened in the
cooler months if the plants aren’t being watered correctly. The first point to remember
is that it is the root system that takes in the water supply for the plant, so there is little
point in supplying water anywhere else but on the ground.
Drip watering systems are most successful because they supply all of the plant’s
needs directly to the roots, and use less than half of the amount of water needed for a
sprinkler or hand-held hose to do the same job.
Thorough watering is best as it encourages deep, strong and self-sufficient roots. A heavy watering once or twice a week – depending on the weather – is far better than frequent surface waterings that encourage developing root systems to grow close to the surface in anticipation of the next supply.
It is best to water early in the morning so the moisture can soak in before the sun’s drying rays can take effect. This is even more important in the heat of summer. If you are using sprinklers, much of the water will have evaporated before it reaches the ground.
Even more importantly, If you are using sprinklers, watering in the evening or
night builds up humidity in the lawn and garden beds and aids in the spread of
fungal disease. Gardens Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

The Hepburn Shire Council has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to reconciliation, in the wake of the nation’s defeated Voice To Parliament referendum.

The council asserted its stance on the issue during its October scheduled meeting held last week.

Having previously adopted a positive position on the Voice referendum Council acknowledged that the failure to alter the Australian Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia is a lost opportunity to set things right.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood said “The rejection of the opportunity to demonstrate inclusiveness, respect, justice and equity for all Australians and to address historical inequality will have far-reaching consequences for many in our community.  The referendum result must cause anguish and distress.”

In that context Council resolved:

1. When advancing from a Reflect Reconciliation Plan (RAP) to an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan Council remains committed to:

(a) Further recognising, strengthening, protecting and promoting Dja Dja Wurrung culture and connection to Country, for the benefit of our local communities.

(b) Broadening opportunities for reconciliation in the Hepburn Shire.

(c) Refining Hepburn Shire Council business processes to create a culturally safe workplace.

(d) Ensuring Council officers have the knowledge and resources to meet Council’s obligations for maintaining and managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage locally.

“As Mayor it is my privilege to chair Council’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee. My message to Dja Dja Wurrung people and everyone else in the Shire is that reconciliation is not dead…at least not in Hepburn Shire,” said Cr Hood.

The council was also mindful that events overseas, in the Middle East and Ukraine, create the risk of significant adverse effects on the mental health and general wellbeing of our people, especially through intensive media coverage.

The council resolved to reaffirm its commitment to implementing policies, strategies and programs founded in fairness, inclusion, respect, diversity, equity and prevention of violence.

It also resolved to condemn the use of violence or other forms of offensive behaviour or language, particularly when it is directed towards people such as LGBTQIA+ or cultural or religious groups or individuals.

Central Victoria is rightly celebrated for its wonderful food and accommodation, but the arts community is the beating heart of the region.
Ceramics is a medium well represented in this area and once again the Central
Victorian Potters Clay Trail offers a chance to visit local makers in their studios.
This year four makers, Minna Graham, Frances Guerin (pictured above), Angie Izard and MelOgden, in Hepburn Shire will open their studios over weekends of November 4 and 5, and November 11 and 12.
Minna Graham, 2 Hogans Lane, Musk Vale: Nature is Minna Graham’s greatest
influence, be it the softness and gentle warmth of spring or the threat of bushfire
during the breathless, dry heat of summer. She responds to her surroundings by
creating functional, contemporary forms and employing traditional techniques and
practices. By altering forms through carving and tearing Minna aims to describe her
emotional response to seasons, cultures and traditions.
Frances Guerin, 55 Whitegum Drive, Wheatsheaf: Frances Guerin is a multi- disciplinary artist though ceramics is her main medium. She has been a finalist in the Clunes Ceramic Award several times and in many other awards. Her sculptural pieces draw on art history, psychology and mythology. Guerin’s figurines are created from a wheel-thrown vessel, then altered and limbs and head attached.
Angie Izard, 64 Pine Court, Porcupine Ridge: Angie Izard creates wheel-thrown
stoneware vessels which become a ground for her gestural brushwork and mark
making, creating functional ware that invites reflection. Her work responds to shifting
light, chance encounters and the search for deep connection with the world. The
pieces are reduction fired to bring out the individuality of each piece.
Mel Ogden, 35 Leonards Hill-South Bullarto Road, Bullarto South: Mel Ogden’s
ceramic practice encompasses both hand-building and using a pottery wheel. She
creates tableware for everyday use and vessels for ikebana, the Japanese art of floral
arranging. Ogden’s work explores the interplay between landscape as material source
and form. Sogetsu floral arrangements will be on display and Lois Ogden will
demonstrate the practice on Saturday, November 11 at 2pm.
The event is part of the Australian Ceramics Association’s annual open studio
program and makers from around the country are participating.
Map at www.centralvictorianpotters.org or follow @central_victorian_potters

Hey! I’m Cupcake. I’m two-and-a-half-years-old and I am a very sweet-natured girl. 

I love getting attention and I am very affectionate. I love spending time with people. I would love to find a good, caring home where I will receive lots of love and attention and I will make a superb companion. 

I need to be an indoors only cat due to the skin cancer risk posed by my beautiful pink skin. Microchip no. 956000013291485 Adoption fee $150. You can make a time to meet me by contacting the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine on 54725277

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly – we picked them.)

When I was a wee lad, depending on where at the time we lived, bearing in mind I went to 13 schools, I would nip down to the local dairy, which was what we Kiwis called a milkbar, not the local farm.
I would have to pick out my 10 cents worth of lollies from the very patient shopkeeper, changing my mind along the way a few times, and backflipping on my delectable choices.
I would instruct them to swap the lollies for other bargains I had spotted in the glass cabinet. Fun fact, a K-Bar, a three-inch-long super chewy, fruit- flavoured toffee bar, would retail for five cents in those days and now sells for $8.54.

But my decision wasn’t based on the value for money as I didn’t have much. It wasn’t even about the flavours, it was about another ledger, time. I would be thinking how long the lollies would last me and the longer they lasted the better bang for buck.
While drooling over the lolly counter, I always dreamt that when I got older I would buy the whole counter and stash it in my bedroom, but there were issues with that in regard to actually having a bedroom to stuff it into.
Sometimes we lived in tiny little flats with three kids stuffed into one little room and when you shut the door the doorknob would get into bed with you. And sometimes there was no bedroom, it was simply the annexe of a caravan parked outside a barn 50 metres from the local pub – think of a bar scene from the Once Were Warriors movie and you have your pub.

I guess my reflective mood is due to a recent birthday that puts me closer to 60 than 50. I have never been much for birthdays, maybe it was my family’s devout Jehovah’s Witness beliefs that we never celebrated them, or Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas or Easter.
Obviously all grown up now I am an agnostic, a fence sitter of religions, sort of the same way I feel about the Bledisloe Cup every year, where my citizenship for the year is decided by the winning team.
But back to my dislike for my birthday. I love and celebrate others’ birthdays, but I hate being the centre of attention and people singing a song for me just because I was born.
For God’s sake, sing your shanty to my mother. She was the one that had to put up with the pain of this 12-pound naturally birthed, bouncing baby, and don’t forget I had no say in it, no say in it at all.
And then there is the Facebook attention. Thank you to all of those people who Donna pointed out put special messages on Facebook, but if you knew me and really cared you would know I don’t read Facebook. It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to rant over.

By Donna Kelly
I think most people heard about the tragedy in Daylesford last week. An alleged robbery and someone dying as a consequence. I don’t want to go into it more than that.
But I watched in horror at the social media onslaught – photos of the scene, jokes about the death, talk of karma and assumptions of drug use which may or may not be right.

Now of course you can’t defame a deceased person. And they can’t be charged. So it’s open slather time for some. But honestly, there are many things to consider, perhaps the first being humanity.
We are all pretty much just a few steps from helplessness and even homelessness.
Losing a job, an illness, not having a supportive network, a few bill payments missed.
Then there’s the slippery slope of drugs and alcohol. Most people I know have tried
a few drugs at times, some continue with them daily with no real side effects. And
everyone I know has a drink now and again, also many daily. But for some it becomes
a problem and it’s an easy break from the stress of life. Maybe bad choices follow,
maybe they don’t. But we are all still human.

Then there’s the family. I don’t know where they are but I do know the internet
reaches everywhere. And they will probably read comments they don’t need to see.
Everyone is someone’s son or daughter, and often a brother or sister, or a husband or
wife, or mum or dad. Few are immune to the slippery slope.
Finally, there are the people who were involved. This incident is now part of their
life. And they are locals who certainly don’t need to see this over and over again in
their Facebook pages.
We live in the wonderful region of the Central Highlands and most of us have
great lives. We work, play, have friends, gather for festivals and spend our money
at some pretty nice cafes and restaurants. But behind the facade are people doing it
tough. Just talk to Michelle at the Community Op Shop about the people they help
daily. Or the wonderful 5000 Club and Good Grub Club volunteers feeding the
masses and providing a chance at companionship for a few hours a week.
Maybe chat to the churches who offer clothing during winter to people perhaps
sleeping in their cars or couch surfing. And yes, people sleep in their cars in our
region. There’s also a nice spot behind the Daylesford visitor centre that gets a bit of
use, which I find ironic as the cashed-up visitors head to the front doors to find out
how to spend their money.
Look, I am not preaching. I am a journalist and have done some stories in my
time that I am not particularly proud of. All quite legal and above board but some
that kept me awake at night as I wondered how the family would feel reading the
news about a wayward relative in the morning. It was sometimes awful and I would
never dream of doing that now – and that’s why we concentrate on good news.
But these days social media can take things to a whole new level. Everyone has
a camera on them, everyone is ready to comment, everyone wants to know what
happened as quickly as possible, even if it is still under investigation. I get that people
are curious but maybe just take a breath, think about your own family, and how you
would like them to be treated. I am guessing with respect.

Oh, The Rex report. I talking to my brother about it. He is in Queensland and
works for a council. “They should take it to a council watchdog,” he said. “We have
those in Queensland.” “Yes,” I said. “We have them in Victoria too. It’s with them.”
Just sayin’…

with Eve Lamb

Clunes-based artist Kate Edwards is especially renowned for her personality-packed ceramic pieces. Her talents have seen her work selected multiple times among the finalists in the Clunes Ceramics Award. Kate shares her passion for art by teaching at a local secondary college and her work has won this talented local creative plenty of fans who love the joyful nature of her original creations.

Eve: Hi Kate, How should we best describe your artistic style? Does it fit into a particular arts genre?

Kate: I love the elemental process of ceramics but also bright colours and patterns. My ceramic sculptures and mosaics reflect this. Last year I returned to study to support my daughter and started painting as well.

Eve: How did you come to art?

Kate: As a child of the 1970s growing up in the outer east of Melbourne, handcrafting was very popular. My mother sometimes wove the fabric to make my clothes and I was a dab hand at macramé. Childhood mud pies developed into pottery and then into ceramic sculpture.

Eve: How did you nurture your innate arts talent?

Kate: I originally moved to the Central Highlands to complete my degree in visual art, but I keep the learning alive by attending master classes and workshops with visiting artists quite regularly.

Eve: Where do you do most of your art work?

Kate: I am presently between studio spaces completing work where and when I can. My dining table at my home in Clunes hasn’t seen many meals lately as it currently hosts all my latest artistic endeavours.

Eve: Which artists have influenced your work?

Kate: So many, from Etruscan and Aztec ceramics, through folk art and modern painters. I’m a bit of a magpie really, picking up shiny ideas from everywhere and weaving them into my art.

Eve: Are there any other factors that have influenced your practice?

Kate: I do love travel. Trying to stand in the same spot Van Gogh painted a scene in Arles helps me link in with artists through time. Collecting souvenirs that inspire me with exotic designs and colours; although I wouldn’t recommend loading up your suitcase with Moroccan plates and dragging it through the Paris Metro. Gardening is another major obsession of mine.

Eve: What is your media of choice?

Kate: Ceramics is my first love, and mosaics, but sometimes it is fun to just draw and paint.

Eve: What is your subject matter of choice?

Kate: Ask anyone and they will say “cats, birds and foliage”. I did try to delve into more deep and meaningful themes at university but I had to admit it wasn’t me. Why cats, birds and foliage? Because they give me joy.

Eve: Have you ever worked in any other areas?

Kate: My mother was a teacher and I was adamant that life wasn’t for me but after attempts at being a radiographer and several public service positions I found my calling as an arts educator.

Eve: What are you working on at the moment?

Kate: Just for fun, I am currently painting in gouache a series of angels in the style of gilded Byzantine icons, with cat’s faces, of course.

Eve: What work, goals or projects do you have in mind for the future?

Kate: In my ideal world I would build the perfect studio and spend half my time making and selling art and the other half travelling the world, but between work and my responsibilities caring for my mother and my children I have so little time and money. Hopefully I will get closer to my dream in retirement.

Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?

Kate: I have had work selected in the Clunes Ceramics Award three times. It’s such a privilege to see my work displayed beside the work of famous ceramicists.

Eve: Do you have any exhibitions or special arts events coming up that you would like to let others know about?

Kate: I am hoping to attend the exhibition “Picture This” at the Possum Gully Art Gallery in Adelaide Lead on the Melbourne Cup weekend.

Eve: What would you rate as the biggest challenges in being a professional working artist today?

Kate: For me I would say “finding headspace”.

Eve: And, for you what are the greatest rewards?

Kate: Taking a piece of earth and creating something never seen before.

with Clive Hartley

Field Blends
In the tiny Great Western sub-region of the Grampians, Best’s have their Nursery
Block within the Concongella vineyard which has grape vines first planted in 1866.
They have 39 different grape varieties planted in the tiny 1.2-hectare plot, with eight
varieties still unidentified. Some of the rarer red grape varieties include the obscure
and nearly extinct gueuche noir as well as fer and aubun. All three originated in
France. Whites include the likes of furmint from Hungary, dourado from Portugal
and troven from France. With so many grape varieties, Best’s make two wines from
the Nursery Block, an excellent field blend of the whites and one from the reds.
Field blends have gained more attention in recent years, and I like them. As the
old saying goes ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and field blends seem
to make more interesting wines than single grape varieties. Often the white wines
are a blend of the more aromatic grape varieties. I like the expressive aromatics and
texture that these blends create. Australian examples have often been inspired by the
traditional gentil and edelzwicker wines from Alsace that blend together riesling,
muscat, pinot gris, and gewurztraminer. If you want to try a top field blend from
Alsace look no further than the wines of producer Jean-Michel Deiss.
Returning closer to home, Hanging Rock Winery in the Macedon Ranges does
a delicious field blend of riesling, gewurztraminer and pinot gris from its Jim Jim
vineyard, aptly named Jim Jim Three. Another cracking example is by Tasmanian
winemaker Samantha Connew with her Stargazer wines. She makes a complex, wild
fermented wine from pinot gris, pinot blanc, riesling and gewurztraminer called
Tupelo which is named after the honey produced from the Tupelo black gum tree.
Riesling and pinot gris/grigio are well-known white grapes. However, gewurztraminer is a bit unloved by Australians. It can be very pungent, lack acidity, has high alcohol and a phenolic mouthfeel which I guess might not be attractive to some people. It’s a maverick sort of wine, a loner, on its own, but partnered with riesling and co. it seems to settle down and plays an important part in the blend. If
you want to explore gewurztraminer on its own, Delatite winery in Mansfield does a
plethora of wines involving the grape including a gewurztraminer schnapps.

Clive Hartley is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant. His Australian Wine
Guide (7th ed) is at Paradise Books in Daylesford or visit www.australianwineguide.com.au

In a fruitful relationship, the Maldon Artists Network (MANet) has partnered with EDGE Galleries in Maldon to present the 2023 Maldon Landscape Prize for painting, drawing, and mixed media.
The generous prize of $10,000 is sponsored by the HMR Foundation and will be
judged by highly respected landscape painter, Mary Tonkin.
Mary Tonkin works en plein air, a process documented for the first time by the
National Gallery of Victoria for its web series inspired by the exhibition She-Oak
and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism, 2021. The stereotypical notion of the smock-
wearing artist perched imperiously on a hilltop, or ponderously surveying a vista, is
anathema to Tonkin’s robust practice.
The Maldon Landscape Prize encourages artists to personally interpret the
landscape. The theme ‘Essence of Place’ invites artists to bring their skills: everything
they know, observe, and apprehend, to create work for consideration that may be
formal, technically balanced, out of order, maverick, wildly inventive, traditionally
understood, arresting, composed, sublime, joyous, anguished, abstract or a combination of those.
The work has to conform to certain requirements including: being no more than
80cm wide, and available for sale. From the 177 entries, three judges have pre-selected
41 works to be judged by Mary Tonkin. All judges are working totally ‘blind,’ which
means they do not know the names of the artists. Thus, the works are judged purely
on the piece in question, not the artist’s reputation. Imagination, technique, and
composition are some of the criteria on which the judges base their decisions. Works
are not necessarily realistic. They could be quite abstract. There have been entries by
many Goldfields artists, as well as further afield, including Sydney and Queensland.
The $10,000 prize is provided by the HMR Foundation which is based in
Italy. The Fondazione Hillary Merkus Recordati has a passion for the service of art,
creativity and social inclusion. It is a platform created to support contemporary
figurative arts, to protect young talents, and to contribute to the evolution of
creativity. The People’s Choice Award is worth $1000. Works will be available to view
online from November 19 to February 14, after the opening in October.
EDGE Galleries’ opening hours for the Maldon Landscape Prize are 11am – 3pm,
Wednesday – Sunday, from October 29 until November 11. EDGE Galleries is at
35-37 Main Street, Maldon. Link: www.maldonartistsnetwork.org.au

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Saturday, November 4 – Learning To Fly – A Celebration Of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were a special kind of band. A band that sustained a decades-long career while never compromising.
Together for over 40 years, they scored iconic rock ‘n’ roll hits in each one of those decades,
earned 18 Grammy nominations and entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tom Petty will be remembered as an extraordinary singer, songwriter, and band leader. His career included hugely successful solo albums and time as a Traveling Wilbury. The Heartbreakers recorded 13 albums, along with collaborations with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash.
From early FM radio favourites such as American Girl to the anthemic Free Fallin’,
and the swagger of Mary Jane’s Last Dance, Petty’s songwriting continued to reveal layers.
Learning To Fly – A Celebration of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers is set to be
yes, a celebration of all things Petty, performed by some true fans. Josh Owen, Dan
Lethbridge, Rick Plant, Ben Wiesner and Adrian Whitehead have played with the likes of James Reyne, Buddy Miller, Missy Higgins, Glenn Richards, The Audreys and more.
Together they will back some of Melbourne’s finest in Nick Barker, Rebecca Barnard, Charles Jenkins and Rob Craw (Huxton Creepers).

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Narelle Groenhout

Daylesford artist Brian Nash has produced a coffee table book, The Golden Shire – Locations and
Surroundings of the Hepburn Shire.
Brian, whose large landscapes are regular winners in
art shows, said when he first moved to the region from
Melbourne 23 years ago, he was impressed with “the
various and diverse landscapes, the myriad towns and their histories”.
“You don’t often see as many small towns close
together, part of the gold rush, so that was fascinating for
me. And I wanted to leave a legacy. Some of the things I
have painted for the book have already gone. If you don’t
record these things, they can disappear.”
Brian said he had always dreamed of creating a book
and started painting and collecting his work about 12
years ago. “I have this theory that every artist should
paint where they are, the area they are in. I like painters who do that.”
The book, at 224 pages, is big, and has more than
200 paintings of more than 26 towns from the larger
ones like Daylesford and Creswick, to the tiny and often
now almost forgotten hamlets of Smokeytown and
Lawrence. Brian has also included snippets of history
which have tickled his fancy.
In the 1800s, it was decided to move the smallest
pub in Australia from Smokeytown to Allendale. But to
keep the licence, it had to remain open during the move.
Using Australian ingenuity, the pub was hoisted onto a
tray and pulled by oxen for the short move, with punters
still inside drinking their beers.
Then there is the bridge at Lawrence, built in 1900
by Sir John Monash, an engineer before he became
Australia’s most famous army general. It is the oldest
concrete bridge in Victoria, with plans afoot for restoration.
“There are a lot of incredible stories and so many
quirky places, like Radio Springs at Lyonville – the
Centre of the Universe. And people can read the book
and then go and see the places for themselves. And some
have already changed.”
Brian also thanked his book designer Emma Paine
and former Daylesford Rotary president Terri Oprean
“for doing all the technical things I can’t.”
The book is for sale at Shire information centres,
Paradise Books in Daylesford, Daylesford Trading and
directly from www.briannash.com.au It will also be for
sale at the Daylesford Art Show. Cost is $69.95.

Planning for the 149th annual Daylesford and District Agricultural Show is well under way and the show committee is looking forward to a fantastic day at the Daylesford Showgrounds at Victoria Park, Daylesford on Saturday, November 25.
Show president Don Harvey said after two years of cancellations due to Covid
and then wet weather and mud over much of the display area led to a curtailed show with almost no animal exhibits last year; this year, if all went well, would be the first full show since 2019.
“The essential essence of agricultural shows is the local competitions they provide
in the pavilions for those who have grown fruit and vegetables, created fine pieces
of needlework, embroidery, sewing, knitting or crochet or used their kitchen skills
to produce cakes, pies, pasties, sausage rolls or jams, jellies and preserved fruit or vegetables.
“If you have grown or produced any item that you are really proud of and would
like to show off please look up the schedule online at our website, look for a printed
copy in several stores in Daylesford, or contact us at info@daylesfordshow.com.au
“Unlike last year we hope that there will be prize horses sheep, dogs and poultry
on show as well as horse events on the oval.”
Mr Harvey said all show dogs had to be registered with the Canine Council of
Victoria and subject to their rules, regulations and biosecurity arrangements. The only
other dogs allowed onsite are registered and maintained for medical assistance.
A large photography exhibition will be held in the football clubrooms with arts
and crafts, and musical performances in the Tom Ford Pavilion at the northern end of
the oval. School displays will be on the walls.
Mr Harvey said there would also be musical performers in the Hall of Flowers
(Daylesford Table Tennis Centre) and under the shadesail people will be able to dance
to country bush band music. For the littlies there will be the free petting zoo with
baby animals to nurse, and the puppet theatre.
“The Daylesford and District Agricultural Show is organised and staffed entirely
by voluntary helpers. If you think that you would like to help conduct the show in
any way, we particularly need admission gate staff, but stewards around the various
pavilions are still needed too, we provide uniforms and training,” Mr Harvey said.
For further information contact the secretary John Nicholls on info@daylesfordshow.com.au

Words: Eve Lamb. Image: Supplied
Organisers of this year’s Daylesford Highland Gathering are urging locals to get out in force and enjoy the long- running annual event.
Happening December 2, the Gathering is now in its 72nd year making it one of the town’s most long-standing annual events.
“It’s very popular in the district and I think the only longer running annual event for the town would be the agricultural show,” muses Gathering committee member Keith Pyers who himself has been with the
Gathering organising committee for 40 years.
Established in 1952 by Dan McKinnon, the Gathering has a proud history of bringing together those interested in Scottish culture from throughout Australia and internationally.
Daylesford’s Highland Gathering last year made a strong comeback after Covid’s interruption and this year it’s back with a vengeance.
Run in conjunction with the Victorian Pipe Bands Association, it promises a great spectacle with numerous highland pipe and drum bands, and dancers from around the state and further afield performing and competing throughout the day.
“Our Daylesford Gathering is the first of the new season of Highland gatherings so it’s very popular with the Scottish community and with the competing bands,” Keith says.
The day fires up with the morning parade through Vincent Street, itself a competitive event for bands and judged by top judges with the Victorian Pipe bands Association.
After that the full day’s entertainment takes over the town’s Victoria Park transforming it into a tartan microcosm of traditional dance and band performance and competition.
“We’re hoping to see a big surge in local attendance at Victoria Park,” says Keith, who himself boasts a 25 percent dram of Scots genetic heritage.
“And at the end of the day, around 4pm or 4.30pm, all of the bands come out onto the arena for the massed bands performance and it is a really brilliant spectacle.
“It’s very moving actually. The power of those pipes is something to hear.”
Keith says accommodation venues in and around Daylesford are typically heavily booked for the weekend and he’s urging local accommodation operators and other businesses to promote the
Gathering and let visitors know about its significance.
“The Scottish community and the history of Scottish settlement is very strong around western Victoria,” he says.
“The Hepburn Shire is named for one of the early Scottish migrants, John Hepburn, who came into the district.”
For anyone with even a trace of Scots heritage coursing through their veins – and there are plenty of such folk in the wider district – the skirl of the pipes can be undeniably stirring. But you don’t need Celtic blood to appreciate the entertainment on offer at the Gathering.
There’ll also be food and merchandise vendors and it’s a great chance for those with the ancestry to pick up some Scottish souvenirs or find out a bit more about their lineage with Clans marquees also present on the day.
“In recent years we’ve encouraged the Clans to attend and they’ll be setting up a tent section,” Keith says.
Secretary with the organising committee, Anne Heriot, has strong Scottish heritage. She also has very fond memories of competing in theDaylesford Highland Gathering dance events as a child.
“I used to be a Highland dancer from the age of four to 16, when we used to live in Melbourne and we’d come here every year for the competition. They are very fond memories for me,” Anne says.
She says it was wonderful to see the Gathering return last year after Covid, and says this year promises an even bigger turnout of bands.
“We’re expecting more than last year – 16 or more,” Anne said“And this time we’ve also got Ballarat Scottish Country Dancing coming to do some demo dances – reels and jigs.”
In a side-note likely to please all with a dash of Scots, Keith says the cost of a day pass “has not significantly moved in 20 years”.
More information can be found on the Daylesford Highland Gathering’s dedicated website.