BESTSELLING author Tim Winton is coming to the region with a message of hope: good
information and organisation can stop destruction of our world.
He’s spent decades striving to save one of the last intact wild places left on Earth, Ningaloo Reef on Western Australia’s remote coast, beside the Indian Ocean. Once given over to the fishing of turtles and whales and set to become a quarry and an oilfield, it now has World Heritage listing.
Winton will be in Castlemaine and Kyneton next month talking ahead of what is said to be his visually stunning three-part TV documentary on the reef.
Author of 29 books which have sold in the millions, and winner of countless awards, the 62-year-old father of three and grandfather of two is seen stopping a whale shark, getting hit by a critically endangered ray, holding a dugong against his heart, saving baby turtles and encountering sea snakes and
tiger sharks.
All this began about 23 years ago when he gave the campaign $28,000 from the Miles
Franklin Award for his book Dirt Music. Now a National Trust Living Treasure, Winton
largely set aside his writing to throw himself into the fight for Ningaloo, an indigenous
word for promontory.
Here, as he says, where the desert has its feet in the sea, survival depends on a clash of ideas. What has happened is a beacon of hope on the edge of an abyss. It’s a place, Winton says, that could teach us how to get things right if we just pause a moment and listen.
Not that it was a complete triumph, however. “We tried to get all three eco-systems (heritage) listed as an entity. Exmouth Gulf was to be included but developers white-anted it.”
One irony is that just recently thousands of people from all over the world came
to Exmouth to see another natural phenomenon, an eclipse of the sun.
So is he ever dispirited? “Every day. I’m enraged daily, and nightly, by the poverty of public discussion, but slipping into despair is giving victory to the dark side. We have to cling to life, we have to cling to hope.
“People are tired of being told something is impossible when it is possible. Every lake, every forest that is saved is because people acted.”
The documentary was made, he tells The Local, “in my other spare time” and done out of a sense of duty. He didn’t want to be on television but without him there was no money for the project, while cracking the old joke, “I’ve got a good face for radio”.
Cultural and ecological values are examined in the series which, Winton says, is not as outstanding as, say, the BBC might make, but nevertheless is blue chip natural history.
Making it meant working in “a bubble”, a massive, six-days-a-week undertaking
involving animals and children, where the day’s script changed all the time.
Having always worked alone, he found it strange at the age of 60 to be with a
team working for the long haul. “The writing is different. It’s a recipe, a wish-list for the animals to show up at a certain time…”
Filmed over 57 weeks during Covid lock-downs, and in collaboration with traditional owners and cultural advisers, the series involves almost 100 experts in fields such as archaeology, geoscience, biology, marine science and eco-tourism.
Now the documentary, called Ningaloo Nyinggulu, is to be shown on the ABC and in more than 100 countries.
This is not a campaign documentary, Winton adds. “I just hope that when people
see one of the last places of global significance they will be inspired.”
At the end of our 20-minute phone talk, Winton discloses that, in spite of the
demands of the documentary, he has that day finished another novel. “But I don’t
know if anyone will want to publish it. Shit, what else would I do?”
Words: Kevin Childs | Main image: Vee@BlueMediaExmouth

The Local has six books by Tim Winton to give away to readers. For the chance to win
email donna@tlnews.com.au with your name, town, contact number and which title
you would like to win from Eyrie, Shallows, The Shepherds Hut, The Riders, Three
Plays and An Open Swimmer. Entries close on Friday, May 5.

Two months after it was scheduled for activation the new public EV charge station at Creswick
remains yet to be activated.
The 50 kW Chargefox station was installed beside the town’s visitor information centre in Albert Street in
December and had been expected to be up and running by late February.
But it still remains to be switched on, leaving local EV users asking “when?” and “why the delay?” as they
fork out the EV Road Users Charge and check the public PlugShare website, that lists locations of charge stations nationwide, for updates.
Both the Hepburn Shire Council and Hepburn Energy, collaborators in the new station’s installation,
declined to speak publicly, citing a “state government embargo”.
However The Local’s various enquiries, including of Chargefox itself, suggest the new station will likely
be activated in the next couple of weeks pending arrangements involving Chargefox and Powercor.
The PlugShare website was listing the new station as “Coming soon” while stating also that “parks have been painted and wiring begun as of 23/12/2022”. Comments posted on the site illustrate EV drivers’ frustration at finding the station still unusable.
Meanwhile the number of charge stations that are operable in Hepburn Shire does include the Creswick
RACV Forest Resort’s 7kw type 2 Chargefox free charge station, while others listed across the shire include:
Daylesford – 25kw Chargefox public charge station, front of town hall, Vincent Street & 22kw Tesla
Destination station, the Lake House, King Street.
Hepburn Springs – Hepburn Springs Recreation Reserve – two slow
charging power outlets on side of building open 24/7;
Peppers spa retreat free 10 amp slow charge wall plug for
hotel guests to use, Tenth Street
Musk – Prani Glow Day Spa 7kw Tesla Destination charger
Lyonville – Radio Springs Hotel Bed & Breakfast 14kw Tesla Destination charger
Newlyn – Newlyn Recreation Reserve, slow charge power point inside toilet block, (power outlet three metre power lead required)
Others in the area include:

Kyneton – 50.065kw Evie Network fast charger in Hutton Street;

Newstead – Newstead Enviro Shop J-1772, type 2 charge station;

Castlemaine – Castlemaine 50.065 Evie Network fast charger, Market Building carpark;
two 10 amp slow charge outlets at Castlemaine Park and Garden parking, Downes Road; 5kw Tesla Destination charge station, Campbell Street Lodge.

Woodend – 50kw Evie Network charger at 124 High Street.

In addition to the still-to-be activated Creswick site, new charge stations are slated for Hepburn Springs and Trentham in coming months after Chargefox secured $159,500 through the state’s Destination Charging Across Victoria Program to install the new 50 kW DC
fast-chargers at the three local locations and Apollo Bay.

Words and Image: Eve Lamb

BECK Lewis has breast cancer, but she doesn’t want your sympathy. She wants you to check your boobs. And that’s you blokes as well.
In October last year, the 41-year-old was happily looking forward to a few
weeks of long service leave, after working as a casual for seven years, mostly at That
Bargain Place, and also Brick Lane Bazaar, both in Daylesford.
But finding “a weird lump” in her underarm eventually put paid to some much-earned time off. Beck knew something was not quite right but friends and family told her she was too young to worry about breast cancer.

“Many people told me it was just a cyst and I was overreacting,” she said.
Beck put the doctor’s visit off for six weeks but after feeling it again, and knowing
in the back of her mind she had to take action, made the call. It was just as well she
did.
“I had an ultrasound and the woman doing it was all chatty and there seemed to
be no worry about that lump but then she went a bit quiet after finding another one
in the upper part of my breast. A week later I got a call to go to Ballarat Base Hospital
for more scans and they booked me in for an ultrasound which led to multiple
mammograms and more ultrasounds. And in the afternoon, a half hour core biopsy
followed by another mammogram after inserting a tiny marker, called a magseed. You
know then something is really wrong.”
One week later, on January 19, Beck returned to see a doctor. She and her very
supportive partner Aaron Reading waited 40 minutes, and just as he left for a quick
toilet break, the doctor walked in with a McGrath Foundation breast nurse to share
the bad news. She asked them to wait for Aaron’s return.
“That is when the shock set it and I didn’t really know what shock was before
that. I remember looking at the wall, trying to process everything, this was happening
to me, looking at the wall again, trying to process again. I was shaking and then the
tears came. I didn’t want them to, they just came. They told me 10 women received
the same news as me, in that building, that day.”
Beck was fast-tracked for surgery just four days later with no time to think about
the future. “I just knew I had cancer and it was coming out. During the ultrasound it
was measured at 16mm but when it was removed it was 20mm. I was told it had been
growing for 10 years, since the age of 31, and had just started to spread over the past
two or three years.
“There are three grades – one, two and three, and I had grade two, not good or
bad but because I got it relatively early they said it was 99.9 per cent curable. If it had
been grade 3 things would be very different. Because I got in early, I avoided chemo.
And the radiation is really, just to quote the medical people, to ‘mop up’ anything left
after surgery.”
Beck had a week off work, thanks to that hard-earned long service leave, and
then went back to work on light duties for six weeks, waiting and getting ready for
radiation treatment. “I had to have 19 treatments in total. Fifteen plus four, they call
it. The last four are a different technology, stronger. And the radiation takes place
every day except weekends and public holidays. Having Easter and Anzac Day public
holidays have extended my treatment.”
Beck is now down to her last few treatments this week and while her breast is red
and raw, and likely to start blistering, she does not have pain which she thinks might
be because she takes daily antihistamine tablets for a skin issue.
Having daily radiation treatment has “thrown a spanner in the works” to say the
least for the woman used to getting up, getting things sorted and getting to work.
Daily trips to Ballarat from Hepburn Springs and back, and waiting for treatment
while talking to other patients or reading a book, are not much fun. Less so when
one of the two radiation machines breaks down, as happened recently. Despite any
malfunctions, Beck is quick to add she has huge admiration for those working at the
Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Care unit.
It is probably not as much admiration as those around have for her and the way
she has taken on her diagnosis and treatment – also taking time for daily updates on
social media under #checkyourboobs – with the eye-catching eight-ball emojis. They
have already led to many people leaving messages of not just support but “just got my
boobs checked – thanks Beck!”.
“I really just want people to check their boobs. Men as well. And if anything feels
wrong then go to the doctor, check it out. Follow your intuition, you know your
body. And if people say you are too young, or too old, or too healthy, just ignore that
and get checked. Don’t put it off. It could save your life.”
Oddly, given all she is still doing to give back with her message while going
through treatment, Beck said she had been surprised by the support from her
community, friends and family. It’s coming in spades.
“I really want to thank the community, no need to name anyone, they know
who they are. And my workplaces, That Bargain Place – I love that place, and Brick
Lane Bazaar, have been wonderful. My thinking through all of this is, I am going
to get better, it is just a little hurdle, and then I get back to my new normal. And to
everyone, please check your boobs!”
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Luka Spoljaric

Words: Eve Lamb. Images: Supplied.

The rain pelted down but the staunch team of volunteers were not to be beaten as they sloshed about, collecting for this month’s Good Friday Appeal on the main street of Daylesford.

They may have been weather-blasted but their volunteering spirit shone through like a ray of sunshine – as did the generosity of innumerable locals and visitors who opened their purses, wallets and hearts.

Ultimately, when the adding up was done, they’d roundly raised a mighty total of $20,520 toward the critically important work of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Local coordinator of the annual Good Friday Appeal for Daylesford and Surrounds, Natalie Kirby, was well impressed by the community spirit she witnessed through the persistent precipitation.

“It’s pretty amazing given that it poured rain all day which made it a very cold and very wet experience for our volunteers who were out in it and really had to face the elements,” Natalie said.

“One volunteer said she’d  probably be less drenched if she’d gone for a swim.”

Natalie also said they were particularly grateful for the marquee that had been provided by Biggin Scott, Daylesford real estate agents, who were main sponsors of the appeal locally.

“The Biggin Scott marquee was very, very useful,” Natalie said.

“We had volunteers who were locals and volunteers from Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo who had connections to our community.

“It was really an incredible effort by the volunteers and they included school children as young as six and seven year olds helping out, and locals like the two Tanias – Tania Henderson and Tania Grant (pictured above) – who have both been volunteering for the Good Friday Appeal for more than 20 years.

“The fire brigade brought in their truck and went to the two holiday parks and that probably added $1200 to the total

“The Spa Country Railway held train rides which raised over $800, and Blooms the chemist also raised over $500 through a sausage sizzle they held on the Thursday before Good Friday.”

The Daylesford and District effort was added to those of other communities from around Victoria and beyond, producing an exceptional record breaking fundraising tally for the annual appeal. When the contributions from all over were finally totalled the overall final Good Friday Appeal tally was an amazing $23,061,320. 

From tin shaking to raffles, fundraisers and auctions, regional and rural Victoria – including Daylesford and District – had together raised a remarkable$2,955,656 towards that impressive overall total.

 “Giving for the kids is what the Good Friday Appeal is all about and what big, generous hearts Victorians have had this year,” said Penny Fowler, Chairman of the Good Friday Appeal.

“The Appeal continues to shine a light on the very best in our community and this year’s Appeal is no exception. We are incredibly grateful to communities in Victoria and all the volunteers for digging deep for The Royal Children’s Hospital.”

#

ABC Radio has “temporarily” replaced weekday regional program Statewide Drive with Melbourne Drive.
A spokesperson said the move came after “operational reasons outside our control”.
“We are working hard to have the show back on air as soon as possible and
apologise to our regional Drive listeners for any inconvenience.”

The spokesperson said he did not have a timeframe for the return of the popular
show, hosted for many years by Malmsbury’s Nicole Chvastek (pictured above).
“I don’t have a timeframe, sorry. ‘As soon as possible’ is what I’m told. And you
can definitely say the show is returning. It hasn’t been axed!!” The spokesman said he
believed Ms Chvastek would return with the show.
In March, The Local approached the ABC with some questions after hearing
from a number of sources that the regional division was being axed after a decision
in December. A spokesperson said then that the ABC’s commitment to servicing
audiences outside the major capital cities and in regional Australia was not changing.
“The ABC has just completed a significant expansion of its regional network,
putting 60 more journalists into locations in regional Australia. These are in addition
to the 80 content roles added as part of our Connecting Communities Project
between 2017-18.
“We now have around 600 content makers working and living in regional towns
and cities, including the largest team of specialist rural reporters in the world.
“The ABC’s 58 regional bureaus provide vital services to the nation. Coverage of
local, state and national issues, significant conversations for communities everywhere
and the broadcast of crucial information during emergency events remain at the heart
of what the ABC does.
“In December, managing director David Anderson flagged plans for a restructure
of the content teams which will see the regional newsrooms become part of the ABC
News division. At that time, he expressly stated that the ABC’s deep commitment to
serving audiences in regional Australia remains strong. Details of the new structure
are currently being developed with our teams.”
A number of people have vented their anger and spoken in support of Statewide
Drive and Ms Chvastek on social media.
“So so wrong….rural people deserve rural news…bring back Nicole… Melbourne is not our domain.”
“This is terrible news. We need Nicole Chvastek on our airwaves. I wouldn’t have
thought ABC Ballarat made the decision, think it’s higher up the food chain. I’ll
contact ABC Melbourne in the first instance.”
“It is very much disregard of rural Vic. All the issues that were relevant to this
part of Victoria/Ballarat and suburbs around including our farmers who have ABC
on 100% of time will not be able to access information. It stinks. In our little village
of Clunes, Nicole’s program and Nicole are loved, listened to and trusted. Poor form
ABC.”
“What the hell has happened to the ABC? And this under a federal Labor government.”
“Another example of rural theft. Government happy to take regional produce,
resources and taxes but fail to invest in these communities because their voices are not
valued. Shameful decision by ABC News.”
“No way! Regional Victoria needs regional radio! Nicole was/is a great supporter
of all volunteers in our states emergency services. We need her voice!”
“We have many reasons to require regional forums to hear and to be heard. Don’t
make us the second-rate unheard country cousins ABC.”
“What hypocrites, big on supporting females in the workplace then axe one of the
best and most talented female interviewers. Maybe the big energy companies shaking
in their shiny shoes because she would not take their BS.”
“I think that we are seeing that even the ABC (thinks) regional Australia doesn’t
exist or need any regional affairs programs. I fear that anything outside of the 50
kilometres from Melbourne CBD is considered remote and unworthy.”
“Everything has to be Melbourne centric now days.”
“We aren’t interested in hearing Melbourne’s woes, that’s why we don’t live there.”
“Nicole is a (local) legend!! No way.”
Ms Chvastek could not be contacted for comment before print time.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

THE 5000 Club’s newly elected president, Sandy Breen, says she has big shoes to fill.

Founder and patron Loretta Little has stepped down 14 years after establishing the weekly community lunch in Daylesford.
Her philosophy was to provide a weekly lunch for the local community with an emphasis on those who otherwise may not be in a position to enjoy a
nutritious three-course meal, and also to provide a social connection to help alleviate loneliness and encourage new friendships.

Sandy says 14 years down the track and The 5000 Club is still going strong,
largely due to a group of dedicated volunteers, some pictured below, who preside over
the weekly lunches each Friday from noon to 1pm in the pavilion at the Daylesford
footy ground.

“Our cook Pauline and several of the volunteers provide food for the lunches out of our own coffers each week.
“During the Covid years when we were forced to close our doors, our bank balance remained static, but now in our second year back in operation, we are certainly feeling the pinch of inflation on all fronts. It is not mandatory but we do welcome a small donation from our guests each week.”
Sandy said the club was recently approached by the manager of the Daylesford
Bowling Club, Neil Jordan. He invited them to be the recipient of the bowling club’s
Thursday night Community Meat Tray Raffles for April and May.
“It was music to our ears and we jumped at the opportunity to raise much-needed funds. The bowling club sells tickets at $2 each throughout the week which culminates in the Thursday night raffle. Vollies from The 5000 Club will be in attendance. We have already discovered how good the meals are – and inexpensive too.”
Sandy said someone must have been looking after them because “out of the blue”
they were asked by Daylesford’s Farmers Arms if they would like to fill a gap during
April at the hotel’s Friday night Meat Tray Raffle. Once again, they replied in the
affirmative.
“It never rains, but it pours,” says treasurer Tim Cansfield-Smith. “That’s cool,
we love rain.” Tim said The 5000 Club volunteers would sell tickets on the night
and gratefully receive the proceeds of the raffles that take place each Friday around
7.30pm until April 28 for the club.
Sandy said support for the club also came from several local businesses including
occasional grants from the Daylesford District Community Bank, Hepburn Shire
Council and Daylesford Rotary. They are also indebted to Bakers Delight, Wombat
Hill Florist, The Daylesford Meat Co, Hepburn Spa Company “and our dear friends
at The Local – we thank you all for your continued support”.
“We are also putting out feelers to encourage several other local food suppliers to
help with donations of surplus items. If any local businesses or individuals would be
interested in sponsoring us, please contact Tim on 0412 446 437,” Sandy said.
“Not long ago a local Blampied farmer gave us a box of zucchinis and another
farmer gives us potatoes, all of which are turned into delicious lunch items.
“(And) when a well-known (but anonymous) local donated $100 because ‘she
just wanted to be able to help’ we were very humbled. Her observation was that the
5000 Club is an extremely worthwhile addition to our community and should be
supported. We have also just had Daylesford Country Retreats come on board with a
very helpful donation. Thank you Brendan and Troy for your thoughtful generosity.
“Times are tough and money is tight, but the volunteers of The 5000 Club are
dedicated to providing wholesome lunches for our guests – between 35 and 40 each
week – and are determined that these lunches remain an important part of each week.
And we know only too well that we couldn’t achieve this without great dollops of
community spirit.”
For more details, email The5000Club@hotmail.com or follow the club on
Facebook and Instagram
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes
Disclaimer: We love The 5000 Club

Trentham is working up a hearty appetite ahead of Spudfest coming up fast on Saturday May 6.

The annual festival celebrates the humble, and not-so-humble, spud in all its glory and multitude of culinary guises, and also celebrates the local farmers who grow them. It’s also an important fundraiser for the community.

Entry is free but a gold coin donation is invited and appreciated, with all proceeds raised ploughed back into the community and its local groups like the CFA, primary school and historical society.

 This May 6 Spud Fest is shaping as a cracker with numerous stalls offering locally grown spuds, prepared and presented in all manner of methods from hand-cut fresh chips and spud spirals to spud scones, potato pizza and delicious donuts.

There’s a strong focus on local makers with multiple stalls offering original craft and produce from artisan breads to gin and wines.

The Victorian Vegetable Innovation Days (VicVID) will be held tomorrow, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 April.

They mark the return of specialist vegetable industry field days to Victoria, with the field days to be held over the two days in Catani, south-east of Melbourne.

Entry to the field days is free.

More information about the Victorian Vegetable Innovation Days 2023 is available on the VicVID23 Facebook page.

Combining the earthiness of folk, the lament of country and the authenticity of stories that you just know are true, The Distant South have been sweating it out in some of Victoria’s best venues over the last 2 years – honing their sound and their songs to the delight of a growing audience.

The Distant South play stories in song – covering the many elements of the human condition. Love, loss, depression, hope and hopelessness. Childhood and adulthood and the fear and accomplishment of reaching middle age. Songs are written with an authentic voice and brought to life with acoustic guitar, banjo, double bass, drums, violin and soaring harmonies. 

2022 saw The Distant South finish recording their debut, self-titled 10 track album with Myles Mumford at Rolling Stock Studios with mastering taken care of by Adam Dempsey at Deluxe. This beautiful collection of songs has been captured on 180g Vinyl – and will be launched and available for purchase at The Hepburn Palais on the 29th of April. 

Influences on the Melbourne-based band include artists such as Sierra Ferrell, liz Stringer, Jason Isbell, Kerryn Fields & Gillian Welch. Acoustic by nature – but never shy to rock out with a Telecaster and a solid backbeat – melody, harmony and emotive lyrics are the artefacts that define the sound of The Distant South.

The album launch gig happens Saturday, April 29 from 6.35pm

Farmers throughout the Hepburn Shire area and across Victoria are being encouraged to complete a series of free online training modules to help them protect their animals from diseases and biosecurity threats.

Agriculture Victoria’s online training modules aim to give farmers an overview of the risk and impacts of an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak.

They raise awareness of foot-and-mouth disease and Lumpy skin disease, what a livestock standstill means for the industry and how people can visit farming properties safely.

The four modules include:

• Foot-and-mouth disease awareness
• Lumpy skin disease awareness
• Come clean, stay clean, go clean – when visiting farms
• Livestock standstill for Foot-and-mouth disease.

Each module takes about 15 minutes to complete. To get started, click here.

A Victorian volunteer collective at the forefront of invasive pest management was this month announced Community Award winners in the Australian Biosecurity Awards in Canberra.

Partnering with Agriculture Victoria, the four Community Pest Management Groups joined forces to deliver the Weeds and Rabbits project to improve the way pest animals and weeds are managed in Victoria.

“We salute the work of this team of volunteers who’ve shown exactly what can be done when community is at the centre of invasive pest management,” Agriculture Victoria Director Plants, Chemicals and Invasives Sharyn Williams said.

“They have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and understanding of weeds and rabbit management in Victoria and changed attitudes and behaviours in ways that reduce biosecurity risks to Australia’s environment.”

The Weeds and Rabbits Project ran from 2016-2021 and engaged almost 6500 people through activities including workshops, field days and masterclasses.

“The team has delivered outstanding results to help landholders improve their understanding and raise the standard of weed and rabbit management,” Ms Williams said.

The $4.3 million Weeds and Rabbits project was funded by the Federal Government, with project management and staff support provided by Agriculture Victoria.

The community leaders were from the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Gorse Taskforce, Victorian Rabbit Action Network and Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party.

“We look forward to continuing to support the four Community Pest Management Groups via the Victorian Government’s 2022-2023 budget commitment of $500,000 over two years to support the delivery of further community-led programs,” Ms Williams said.

Further support will also be provided via the Backing Victoria’s world-class producers to grow initiative, with $5 million from 2023-24 to support community action to manage established pests and weeds.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Australian Biosecurity Awards recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have shown a commitment to support and promoting Australia’s biosecurity and the systems that underpin it.

AgVic Talk podcast is back for season five, this time talking about the future of Agricultural Technologies (AgTech) and Energy.

From solar-powered poultry farms to on-farm drone trials and the difficulties of connectivity in rural and remote areas, this season covers everything you need to further understand the evolving world of AgTech and Energy.

The series will help farmers learn what AgTech is, what energy solutions are available and how they can use them to improve productivity and efficiency on-farm.

These 14 episodes are the latest in the AgVic Talk series, which began as a pilot in August 2020 to cover contemporary commentary on how members of the agricultural community recover, grow, modernise, protect, and promote Victorian agriculture.

You can subscribe and listen to AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts:

• Subscribe to AgVic Talk on Spotify
• Subscribe to Apple podcasts.

It’s been 16 years since Damien won over Australia’s heart, taking out the 2006 series of Australian Idol.

Since then he has released 10 studio albums and has toured extensively. This year he’s embarking on a limited run of intimate shows entitled, ‘Damien Leith – Through the Years’ and it’s coming to The Palais, Hepburn Springs, on Friday April 28.

Performing solo, the show will showcase Damien’s most requested songs that he’s performed through the years. From ‘Night of my Life’ ‘Hallelujah’ to ‘Oh Pretty Woman’ and ‘Superhuman’. An intimate and unmissable night of crowd favourites and original compositions.

Speaking about the tour, Damien said, “I love performing intimate shows, they allow me to truly engage with the audience and sing songs that I know everyone in the room will love.”

His upcoming Palais gig gets started from 6.30pm.

Through the 2023 Victorian Landcare grants, $3.95 million is available for Landcare and other environmental volunteer groups and networks that are working to protect and restore land and the environment. 

All up a total of $3.95 million is available for project and support grants across Victoria.

Project grants of up to $20,000 are available for on-ground works and community education projects that protect or improve the natural environment, including native vegetation and wildlife, waterways and soils.

Support grants of up to $500 are available to help with group and network administration and running costs.

Eligibility

The grants are open to environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, Coastcare groups and Aboriginal groups to support their important work in helping protect the health of our land, waterways and biodiversity.

Timeline

Applications open:    Tuesday 28 March
Applications close:    5 pm Tuesday 16 May

Recipients notified:   September 2023
Projects completed:  30 November 2024.

Find out more at – environment.vic.gov.au/grants