Words and Image: Eve Lamb

Daylesford is a long way from Venice, Italy but for 26 year old visiting Italian Christian Scaletta it’s an intriguing place to visit and work.
Christian arrived in Australia in April, along with about 29 other Italians,
all of them posted for a half-year stint to assist with teaching the Italian
language and culture at various schools, mostly in Melbourne.
Christian, who also speaks Russian, German, Spanish and Czech, was
assigned to assist with teaching Italian in Daylesford – at the local
primary school for one day of the week, and at the secondary college for the other four.
“I was born in Sicily and my family moved to near Bologna in the central
north of Italy when I was eight, but I have been living in Venice for the
past six to seven years,” Christian said.
The posting to Australia is for six months, a temporary arrangement
through the international organisation Co. As. It (Italian Assistance Association).
Christian says he became aware of the opportunity through his
university, Ca’foscari University of Venice, where he graduated in language studies before securing work there as an intern in the university’s international relations office.
“I thought it (assisting with teaching Italian in Australia) sounded very
interesting. I’ve always been interested in teaching,” Christian said
recounting how he jumped at the opportunity to experience life on the other side of the globe.
Coming to Australia for the very first time has been a bit of an eye- opener and Christian admits he is keeping an eye open for dangerous and potentially lethal Aussie critters – like snakes and spiders.
While in Daylesford he has been staying with local couple Leonie Keynes and Mark Bird.
Leonie says hosting Christian in their home has been a blast for all of
them and, just quietly, she has enjoyed having a bit of a chuckle at her visitor’s expense.
“He has been very wary of the ‘animals that can kill you in Australia!’ but
I think he is getting used to living in the country now,” she says.
“One of the first questions he asked when he moved into our place was
‘what type of animals can come into your backyard that may be dangerous?’.”
Conveniently, Leonie and Mark’s residence is opposite Cliffy’s cafe,
noted locally for its coffee, and Christian has been getting used to doing coffee the Aussie way.
This too has been a very different experience for the visiting Italian who,
when back home drinks espresso as a matter of course through the day.
While in Daylesford he has been getting used to the Aussie flat white.
“Coffee here is just a different experience. I don’t get espresso here,” he said.
“I would normally have three or four cups of coffee to go – espresso to
go, to get through the day, whereas here it’s more like a treat and my
order has been flat white which you just don’t get in Italy – maybe in Milan,” he says.
Christian has been making the most of his time in Australia, visiting as
many places as he can readily get to, and so far, during term breaks,
he’s managed to pack in trips to Tasmania, Adelaide, Sydney, Byron Bay and Brisbane.
As a self-confessed city boy he admits that he particularly enjoyed Sydney.
‘I’m not used to being in quiet places. I have always been in big cities so
I have really liked just taking my time while I’m here. Daylesford is lovely
and it’s very nice to just get the real Aussie experience,” he says.
“It’s been very interesting to see a lot of animals that I normally wouldn’t
see like kangaroos and wallabies and so many different birds. I did ask
for some help as to whether I should be worried about certain animals or not.”
Christian’s Daylesford visit is particularly timely as it coincides nicely with
the return of the area’s popular Swiss Italian Festa.
The local primary school children have been getting into Festa mode
with his assistance, by learning some traditional Italian folk dancing and
card games, and Christian plans to experience the festa vibe while he has the chance.
“I’ll probably be joining in the parade on Saturday,” he said.
Now, with only two months remaining of his time Down Under, Christian
says living in Daylesford and assisting both local teachers and students
with their Italian language and cultural know-how has been a wonderful and beneficial experience.
“They also correct me sometimes when I get a word in English wrong – which is fair,” he said.
“I love it. It’s extremely useful and I’ve created a bond with some classes. There’s this trust. I’m really enjoying my time here. It’s just a really enriching experience from both sides.

Words & image: Narelle Groenhout

Tributes continue to pour in from across Hepburn Shire, the state, the country and the world, following the recent untimely passing of Creswick’s Dr Kevin Tolhurst.
Kevin was Australia’s top bushfire scientist and one of the most measured voices that was quietly but unreservedly determined to promote science-based forest fire management.
The week of his funeral, he had been due to be in Queensland to receive the NW Jolly Medal – the highest honour for outstanding service to the forest science profession in Australia. He was instead honoured posthumously by nearly 500 of his peers.
Forestry Australia president Michelle Freeman said “Kevin’s contribution to forest and fire management has been phenomenal – his knowledge and passion were truly awe inspiring. Generations of foresters and forestry scientists were inspired and influenced by Kevin.”
It was standing room only at St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Creswick last Tuesday. Kevin’s son Michael shared stories of his father, paid tribute to the hands-on grandfather he was and for the work he did in his family, community and professional life.
Parishioner and friend David Preston spoke of Kevin’s tireless work in the Creswick community and for the church. On his early life at the Creswick School of Forestry where he met his future wife Rosemary, on his devotion to his faith and his profession. Kevin was part way through cutting a hedge on the church grounds. Testament to his tireless work.
Late last year, Kevin was a key contributor to a landmark body of work released to assist governments and private organisations to tackle Australia’s bushfire concerns, and to save lives, land and property.
At the time of the release of the report, he said: “We have developed this framework to promote greater coordination, collaboration across state and federal governments and are calling for buy-in at all levels.”
It is unlikely that we will ever have anyone with the experience, knowledge and training to do what Kevin has achieved as a forester, and particularly as an internationally renowned expert in forest fire.
Kevin leaves behind his wife Rosemary and children, Michael, Chris, Gen and their families.

Iconic Australian actor, Bryan Brown is headed to Daylesford for a cocktail event to discuss his new psychological thriller, The Drowning.

Famed far and wide for his roles in screen gems including Breaker Morant, Cocktail and Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Brown will feature in conversation with Derek Guille at the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine and at the Convent, Daylesford.

He will be chatting about the art of storytelling with a focus on his new psychological thriller, The Drowning.

An Evening with Bryan Brown takes place at The Convent, Daylesford next Friday November 3 from 6pm.

The cocktail event will celebrate the release of The Drowning and will include canapés, a drink on arrival, conversation with the Aussie screen icon and book signing.

An afternoon with Bryan Brown takes place at the Theatre Royal, in Castlemaine on Saturday November 4 from 1pm.

Words: Narelle Groenhout

Daylesford stalwart Max Primmer was recognised for his tireless work in the community at the recent Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Surrounded by his posse of friends, some who attend his weekly Ageing Disgracefully coffee group, Max was presented with the Ageing Well Award by Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner and Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt.
In his usual manner, Max gracefully accepted the award and shimmied around the gardens of Government House to personally meet with all other award recipients and congratulate them.
“I feel very humbled to receive the award but I give back, volunteer, make sure people know they are loved and connected because that is who I am. I don’t do it for any other reason than to try and make a difference to people in their lives.”
In presenting the award, Governor Gardner said: “Max is a humble person known for his sense of humour and a strong advocate for human rights for all members of the community.
“He serves as an elders rights advocate, leads the Ageing Disgracefully Thursday group fostering connections among seniors, is actively involved in the ChillOut Festival, volunteers at Hepburn House’s aged care community, visits dialysis patients to provide support, motivation and encouragement while they undergo dialysis and is a dedicated speaker for the National Kidney Foundation.”
Much has been written about Max over the years. Locally and beyond his story has been shared far and wide. From his open-heart surgery prior to a kidney transplant, to his early life on a farm to the loungerooms of elderly locals where he simply offers friendship and his time, to donning his heels and sequins for his alter ego – Di Alysis, (although she’s recently retired) to his community radio work, his
committee work across Hepburn Shire, his housesitting and other side hustles, and his ability to have the stamina and energy of people half his age.
Max Primmer is certainly one in a million.

Words and Image: Eve Lamb

Garden lovers are in for a treat over the weekend over November 11-12 as Creswick Garden Club again stages the Creswick Garden Lovers’ weekend featuring top gardens in Creswick and surrounds.

This year there’s a choice of seven diverse private gardens to visit and enjoy, including large and small town gardens, quirky and eclectic gardens, sustainable gardens, and real country gardens.

Among them, and opening its gates for others to visit for the first time, is the Secret Garden Home Garden at Mollongghip, not far out of Creswick.

It’s hard to believe that owner residents Lou McLachlan and Deb Clarke only started developing this impressive slice of paradise about nine years ago.

They brought in a large number of advanced trees, laid out paths and carefully designed using hedging to create  a series of garden rooms to delight the eye and the senses.

“It all started with us  wanting to cut down on lawn mowing,” recounts Lou, an experienced horticulturalist and well known in Daylesford as owner-operator of the town’s Secret Garden nursery.

“They call it the ‘slow creep’; once you start you can’t stop,” she laughs.

“As the hedges reach a mature height it’s been exciting to see the garden rooms develop.”

“We’re right on top of the great dividing range here so we sort of have our own weather here and it can turn on a dime,” adds Deb.

The garden now features plenty of herbaceous perennials that have proven they can withstand the area’s unique climatic challenges, and also plenty of garden sculpture particularly including beautiful native bird sculpture by renown local creative Miriam Porter.

“We’re privileged to have  Miriam’s sculpture displayed in the garden and we will also have an array of garden art and ornaments available for sale on the weekend,” Lou says.

While Deb humbly praises Lou as chief on-site gardener, both Lou and Deb clearly love their patch of paradise and are looking forward very much to sharing it with the wider community for the first time.

“It’s the serenity, the insects and the bees, all of the insects,” says Deb when asked what she appreciates most about The Secret Home Garden which is situated at 490 Dean-Mollonghhip Road.

“And it’s great to see the results from all of our hard work. It just kind of sings to us.”

Coincidentally, when The Local dropped in to visit Lou and Deb in their Secret Home Garden last week, they were also getting ready for a visit from ABC’s Gardening Australia team that was going to be filming on site for a future episode of the popular TV gardening program.

“We’ve got Costa coming along with a film crew and a drone,” Lou said.

Further information about this garden and the other wonderful local gardens that will be opening over Creswick Garden Lovers’ weekend may be found at www.creswickgardenclub.com/glw.html.

All profits from the Creswick Garden Lovers’ weekend are used for local community projects while the event itself affords garden lovers a great chance to visit the historic Central Goldfields Region of Victoria and see an array of diverse private gardens, iconic commercial gardens and nurseries, and more.

Central Highlands Water says it was pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 National Water Week poster competition last week.

National Water Week is held during the third week of October every year. It inspires individuals, communities and organisations to build awareness around the value of water.

“Access to clean water is hugely important in our daily lives, and it’s up to all of us to protect our water environments and resources, and to use water wisely,” a CHW spokeswoman says.

“United by Water’ was the 2023 theme for National Water Week and 90 students from seven schools across the CHW service region created colourful, imaginative posters.

“From water saving, and watering the garden, to recreational water use and water in the environment, we learnt what this year’s theme means to the students in our region.”

Congratulations have gone to:
Early Learning/Kindergarten
Yirram Burron Early Learning – winner
Goodstart ELC Mt Helen – runner up
Prep/Foundation
Isabella – Timor PS – winner
Aylah – Timor PS – runner up
Year 1/2
Ivy – Waubra PS – winner
Adeline – Timor PS – runner up
Year 3/4
Emerie – Wendouree PS – winner
Kiwi – Wendouree PS – runner up
Year 5/6
Abbey and Kenzie – Napoleons PS – winner
Marlie – Waubra PS – runner up

An Australian-first pilot program that teaches year seven Victorian students how to save lives will now be expanded to Years 8 to 10 students, Ambulance Victoria says in a media released issued earlier this month.

The Kids Save Lives program aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates by teaching students how to give life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Last year there were more cardiac arrests in the state than ever before, with paramedics treating 7,361 patients – an increase of six per cent.  

While Victoria has one of the best cardiac arrest survival rates in the world, every day about 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest but only one in 10 people survive.

With nearly 80 per cent of cardiac arrests occurring at home, Ambulance Victoria Executive Director of Operational Communications Danielle North said it is important that both adults and young people know CPR and how to use an AED.

“It’s essential for everyone to be equipped with these life-saving skills,” Ms North said.

“Students will not only be able to share their knowledge with friends and family but also with their wider community.”

CPR training in schools is endorsed by the World Health Organisation, which recommends the optimal age to learn is from 12 years old.

The program is designed to be delivered by Victorian teachers to assist students to recognise when someone is in cardiac arrest and to learn the three simple steps of Call (Call Triple Zero 000), Push (Perform CPR) and Shock (use an AED).

The program is conducted in partnership with the Heart Foundation, Monash University, Australian Resuscitation Council, Department of Education and Training and Heart of the Nation (established by original Yellow Wiggle Greg Page who survived a cardiac arrest in January 2020).

Heart Foundation Victorian General Manager Chris Enright said Heart Foundation-funded research shows only half of Australian adults are trained in CPR, but that those trained are more willing to help others in emergency situations.

“Educating children is a successful way to reach the entire population as children can be encouraged to teach others. We know that CPR training programs in schools that have run overseas in Sweden, France, Denmark, Norway and the UK, have equipped participants with life-saving knowledge; these countries now have some of the highest bystander CPR and survival rates internationally,” Ms Enright said.

“Working alongside our project partners, and with the support received from The Lionel and Yvonne Spencer Trust, and the Danks Trust, we are confident students will learn the skills that could save the life of someone in their community.”

Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas said the expansion of the Kids Save Lives program coincides with AV’s annual Shocktober campaign which is also aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates.

“Shocktober is all about giving more Victorians who suffer a cardiac arrest a greater chance of returning to their loved ones,” Minister Thomas said.

“You don’t have to be a paramedic to save a life – you just need to be able to perform CPR and know how to use an AED.”

Central Highlands Water says it’s been throwing its support behind social impact workwear brand, TradeMutt this month as October is Safe Work and National Mental Health Month. 

TradeMutt’s vibrant workwear, aims to reduce Australia’s suicide rate, by encouraging tradies and workers alike to take ownership of their own mental health, while also making a social impact through financially supporting mental health services. Every TradeMutt purchase supports TIACS.org, as well as other charitable organisations and social initiatives.

CHW team members have the opportunity to add these impactful shirts to their ongoing uniform.

“Our hope is that these new additions to our uniforms help start, or continue, meaningful conversations between our team members, contractors, and the broader community, around mental health,” a spokeswoman for the local water management body says.

“The vibrant shirts work to make an invisible issue, difficult to ignore, and furthermore enable us to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the broader community by supporting mental health services,” she says.

“As part of our safety-first culture and associated uniform regulations, all personal protective equipment must comply with Victorian Railway standards. Through our support of this mental health initiative, a partnership has formed between Trademutt and local supplier, Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety Ballarat, which saw their shirt modified to add vertical reflective tape to the design, to meet rail requirements.”

Hepburn shire locals planning to head to the Melbourne Cup this November are being encouraged to consider taking public transport.

V/Line services will run to a Saturday timetable for the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday, a V/Line spokesman says.

V/Line trains will run to a Saturday timetable for the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday on Tuesday 7 November.

A V/Line spokesman says scheduled coach services will also run to an altered Saturday timetable on Tuesday November 7.

Sedgwick Fire Brigade has officially received its new heavy tanker at a ceremony attended by the Premier of Victoria and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan.

The $430,000 tanker, funded by the Victorian Government, is just one of 95 new heavy tankers that’s been rolled out across the state since 2020.. 

Sedgwick Captain Brendan Drechsler said it was an exciting new era for the community. 

“When I found out we were going to get a tanker, I went home and thought ‘how lucky are we!’” he said.  

“When I sat down and thought about it, there’s not a major strike team that we haven’t been on in the last few years. We are very active, have good community spirit and youth in our brigade.”  

“The new truck will make a huge difference when fighting fires. It’s extremely important to have the extra water and the improvements, such as the front-mounted monitor.  

“And better to have our crew safely in the truck in case of a burn-over, and much bigger pumps. It is an exciting time for the brigade.”  

The brigade’s former tanker will be handed to The Preservation Society, which has been providing full restoration services since 1986.  

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the new state-of-the-art assets were a welcome addition to CFA brigades across Victoria ahead of the looming bushfire season. 

“The heavy tankers feature a 15-tonne crew-cab chassis with a 4000-water litre tank, electronic monitor operated from within the cabin and electric rewind hose reels,” CO Heffernan said.  

“Their 4×4 capability and automatic transmission will help crews access fires in difficult terrain. 

“The heavy tankers also have a 1200 litres per minute diesel engine-driven firefighting pump, crew/vehicle rollover and burn-over protection and full equipment stowage cache.” 

The new vehicle has been funded through the Victorian Government base capital fleet replacement funding. 

Captain Brendan Drechsler was also presented with a 50 years service award and a CFA lifetime membership award. 

Also on display was a local book about the history of Sedgwick that was written by three locals and includes the history of the Sedgwick CFA. The book is a best seller with 120 copies printed and five unsold. 

Work is underway on a $444,000 upgrade to the Daylesford Jubilee Lake Sewer Pump Station, and is anticipated to be expecting to be complete by late November, the Central Highlands Water Authority says.

The Jubilee Lake Sewer Pump Station upgrade has been designed to enable greater wastewater capacity during emergency events; preventing spills and overflows into the local environment.

The installation of two underground storage tanks, and associated infrastructure, will provide an overall capacity of 43,000 litres bolstering the pump station during maintenance works and providing standby storage in the event of a power outage.

“We’ve worked closely with Hepburn Shire Council and other local stakeholders, considering Jubilee Lake’s environment and we’re committed to limiting environmental impacts during the upgrade works, and improving the park overall,” a CHW spokeswoman said.

“The majority of the new pump station assets will be installed underground and we are looking to reduce trench digging, implementing a less invasive boring technique with minimal impact on established trees,” she said.

“A temporary walking path has been put in place to provide access for park visitors and walking groups during the works. The original walking path will be reinstated with granite stone to match the current style.

“Our priority throughout this project is to support the Daylesford community, and also leave Jubilee Lake surrounds in better condition than before, and as part of this we’ll be adding enhancements including resurfacing and levelling of the park’s green spaces.”

The Mount Alexander Shire Council is offering free green waste disposal to help its residents prepare homes and properties for the upcoming fire danger period.

Residents can dispose of green waste at no cost at the Castlemaine and Maldon transfer stations from Saturday 25 November to Monday 11 December.

“Council is encouraging residents to take advantage of the free green waste disposal period to clear their property of fire hazards ahead of the bushfire season,” said Luke Ryan, Emergency Management Coordinator at Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“It’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of fire around your property in the lead-up to summer”, said Mr Ryan.

“Things to do in your garden to prepare for summer, include pruning bushes, cutting overhanging branches, clearing out gutters and relocating piles of wood away from buildings”.

Responding to a callout in recent days, CFA crews were able to rescue a foal that had gotten itself stuck in a hole.

On Saturday (14, October 2023) a rare one week old Icelandic foal was safely reunited with its mother thanks to the efforts of Arthurs Creek & Strathewen CFA Large Animal Rescue Unit alongside members from Doreen Fire Brigade and Panton Hill Fire Brigade.

The owner found the prized foal stuck in a hole within a dam wall and quickly contacted her neighbour, Lachie Bakewell, a first lieutenant at Arthurs Creek Fire Brigade who notified the rest of his brigade to assist.

“When we arrived, we found the foal completely stuck in a hole and couldn’t reach its head,” said Warren Rees, Arthurs Creek & Strathewen CFA Captain,

“Safety being a priority, the foal was sedated by a vet before we dug into the dam and brought pulled it up with ropes.”

Hypothermic from the event, the 70kg foal was carried to safety by the rescue team and placed in a warm rug.

Much to the relief of the owners, the foal quickly recovered and was reunited with its mother. 

Detectives from Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit are seeking public assistance following a series of vehicle thefts and break-ins across Castlemaine and Bendigo earlier this month.

It is understood a group of offenders stole eight unlocked vehicles from 1 October to 11 October, between the hours of 10pm and 4am.

Police say the offenders targeted cars with keys left in the ignition along Carloway Drive, Phyliss Crescent, Woodman Drive and Grand View Drive in McKenzie Hill.

They also stole unlocked vehicles in driveways on Fletcher Street and Hall Street in Castlemaine and on Scott Street and Cherry Avenue in Campbells Creek.

Additionally, the thieves broke into at least 17 unlocked cars, stealing cash and property from inside the vehicles between 1 October and 11 October.

The offenders are described to be in their late teens, last seen wearing dark clothing, puffer jackets, hoodies and face coverings.

Police are urging residents to ensure their vehicles are locked without any valuables stored inside. Investigations are ongoing.

A collaborative research project is improving the data used by aerial firefighters to find nearby water sources, the CFA says.

During active bushfires, aerial firefighting units are dispatched by members of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC). NAFC members use a variety of data sources to find suitable nearby water sources for firefighting helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. It is critical for effective decision-making that the most current and accurate data about the location of water is available as quickly as possible.

The Identifying Water Sources For Aerial Firefighting project is a collaboration between NAFC/AFAC, Natural Hazards Research Australia, Geoscience Australia (GA) and FrontierSI that is improving the reliability and clarity of information about water bodies by adding recently observed water and currency attributes to datasets used by firefighters.

CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia Andrew Gissing highlighted the benefit of collaborative research when advancing Australia’s bushfire planning technology.

“This project is a great example of ways we can work together to serve emergency management and the community through high-impact research,” he said. “The project team from Natural Hazards Research Australia, NAFC, GA and FrontierSI has delivered new scientific knowledge that’s actionable and useful in keeping our communities safe from bushfire.”

The first phase of this project – now complete – focused on extending an earlier proof-of-concept project developed through the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. A workshop in February 2023 gathered perspectives from several key emergency management agencies across Australia about the ways they currently use waterbody datasets and how these datasets might be improved for bushfire pre-planning decisions.

Users provided insights into new information and software requirements, operational suitability and additional waterbody attributes (such as waterbody features, dataset currency, surrounding environment and biosecurity risks) that would strengthen the relevance and accuracy of existing waterbody datasets.

Following this, the project team (managed by Anthony Gallacher at NAFC) delivered a method to augment GA’s Digital Earth Australia satellite-based data products with the latest water availability information to meet NAFC’s needs.

This significantly improves the accuracy of agencies’ knowledge about nearby water and provides critical support to disaster management planning to facilitate rapid and effective bushfire response. In the past, data about nearby waterbodies might have been months or years old, but now this information is updated regularly and can be easily accessed.

The new system:

• identifies aircraft-accessible waterbodies
• contributes to aircraft selection and allocation based on access to water
• contributes to efficient use of aircraft
• provides information to air desks, air bases and air crews to help their situational awareness and decision-making.