By Donna Kelly
THIS is a public service announcement. Ladies, check your boobs.
Firstly, I am all good. Yay. But not everyone is so lucky. And it is one of those
things, like so many of the health checks available, that if you get it early, you
have a very good chance of winning. And it is usually very simple. Usually.
For some reason I have been asked by a specialist to get a check every year.
Lumpy, bumpy breast tissue I think was the medical term. So every year in March
I go along to Lake Imaging, even during Covid, and get a mammogram done and
mostly after that, an ultrasound, just to be sure. That is their decision, not mine. They
always say it is just routine but once I only had a mammogram so I dunno…

Anyway, a few weeks before I was thinking about making my appointment I
thought I felt something, a little lump, and nearly died of a heart attack. I felt again,
and nothing. Again and something. By this time I was starting to feel like a sex
offender so I stopped feeling myself and called the doctor to get a referral. You need
one if you have more than one mammogram every two years.
They, the doc, were a bit like “why are we doing this” and “it is radiation”
but I mentioned maybe a lump and they agreed and I called to make the Ballarat
appointment. The closest was about three weeks away, and yes, I did try other places,
but they were all busy.
So the three weeks went by and some days I thought about it, and some days I
didn’t. Well, most days I did, just wired like that for health things. Kyle could tell me
we are about to go into bankruptcy – came close a few times over Covid – and I would
think “oh well, bummer” but health is health.
Anyway, the day came and I went in and stripped off the top half and plopped
my boob on the mammogram tray, leaned forward, with my right elbow back and my
left hand holding the rail at the front, and my bum back and my hips twisted to one
side and they lowered the top to squash my boob flat. A man made this machine.
And then I sat in the gown while they looked at the images and then they said
they would just do a routine ultrasound. Hmmm, here we go, I thought. And felt a
bit sad. Then I lay down and they pushed my boobs with the ultrasound thing and
then the person said “something of concern here” and I felt really sad. It was noted as
indeterminate and would need a biopsy.
So I went to another doctor the next day, the first one was busy, to get a referral
for the biopsy and also to that breast specialist for any findings. And the doctor said
it was already eight centimetres big and marked the referral with “urgent”. By now I
was pretty much getting my affairs in order…
I couldn’t get a biopsy for two weeks, even though it was marked urgent, but
finally the day came. They give you a local anaesthetic, which hurts a bit, which I find
strange because its only job is to stop pain, and then put in a big needle which pulls
out a bit of tissue, three times, making really loud clicking noises each time.
I had my next appointment lined up but not for a week. It was a long week but
eventually came along and then I sat in the waiting room for 30 minutes past my
time. I imagined the specialist was putting on his game face. And then in I go.
“Well Donna, what brought about this mammogram?” he asked. “You told me
to go every year,” I blurted. “And they found something?” “Yes.” “And then had the
biopsy?” “Yes…” “Well, it’s all good, nothing wrong.” F%$K! I mean, great news, but
who is training these people? “Was it 8cm,” I asked. “No, 8cm from the nipple, just
6mm, gee 8cm would have been a worry,” he laughed. Yeah, it was.
Anyway, boob check done. I think I will take April off health worries. Just sayin’…

Words: Eve Lamb | Images: Robbie Noakes

FROM supporting Pink Floyd and featuring on Countdown to doing
guitar for The Wiggles, the combined experience of local musos Gilly
Eastoe and Terry Murray is the stuff of legend.
Now, after 14 good years living at Strangways near Daylesford, these
consummate muso entertainers are about to bid this region farewell to begin living
a new melody in coastal NSW. Woolgoolga, about 25 minutes from Coffs Harbour,
to be precise.
Anyone who’s ever enjoyed some ripping live music at a local pub in recent
years has likely caught this generously talented duo doing what they do best. Since
moving to the region 14 years ago they’ve become firm favourites on the local live
music scene.
They’ve also been making life itself a far more cheerful gig for countless mature
residents through their regular Morning Melodies performances at Maryborough’s
Highland Society and also at Hepburn House.
As hinted at above, the background tales that these two have to tell are
impressive. To give you just a little taster, Terry’s include playing and organising gigs
for the Royal Family at Windsor Castle in England and performing with stars like
Tom Jones, Randy Crawford, Tommy Emmanuel and Jimmy Barnes.
Originally an Englishman who left school at 15 to play with Thunderclap
Newman – known for their hit single Something in the Air – Terry’s CV also
includes supporting Pink Floyd at the ridiculously tender age of just 17, as part of
the band, Berlin.
He moved to Australia in the 80s, became an Aussie citizen and chose not to
return to his homeland due to the “dismal weather”.
Once over here Terry’s professional experiences spanned working with guitar
legend Tommy Emmanuel and gigging with Jimmy Barnes to doing live stuff for
Sydney’s Triple M, with Peter Garrett, Nirvana and Guns ‘n’ Roses. It also includes
doing guitar and keyboard for children’s entertainer megastars, The Wiggles.
Gillian (Gilly) Eastoe’s background is just as colourful. She and her band
Gillian Eastoe and King Dog featured on Countdown in heady 1979. Alongside
Gilly’s powerhouse rock vocals, the Sydney-based band also featured Phil
Emmanuel as lead guitarist, and Gilly toured extensively, performing on stage with
many R & R greats including Tom Waits, Jimmy Barnes, Dragon, Midnight Oil,
Rose Tattoo, Air Supply and Jon English.
Gilly is also a composer who’s written hundreds of original songs spanning rock
to tracks especially for the popular ABC children’s 0-9 series.
In fact Gilly and Terry met while recording material for the ABC about 20 years
ago. You don’t have to talk to them long to work out that theirs has been a winning
partnership.
They’ve travelled all around Australia dispensing hundreds and hundreds of live
shows, including many school-based shows, and inspiring countless new young
musicians along the way.
Terry says they moved to Strangways because they loved the place and it
provided a nice home too for their many animals including rescue horses.
Now though, the couple have accepted an offer they could not refuse, moving
into a house on the beach at Woolgoolga, owned by their property developer son-
in-law.
“He’s doing up the house as we speak,” Terry said.
Gilly says that while leaving Central Victoria will be a wrench, she’s looking
forward to taking her beloved leopard appaloosa horse, Floyd, for walks on that
very beach again – as they did many years ago when they lived in Sydney.
“He’s called Floyd because he’s got pink skin,” she says. “He won’t believe it
when his hooves touch the sand.”
Terry notes that Floyd’s name is not the only ode to the famed English rock
outfit. “Our son-in-law has plans to eventually build a retirement village with a bar
to be called The Pink Floyd Bar and everyone who comes in can put a brick in the
wall,” he says. “It will be like Hepburn House – lots of people ageing disgracefully.”
Now Terry and Gilly’s beloved Strangways property is on the market and Terry
says they expect to make their big move in June or July.
But between now and then they’ll be doing plenty of gigs including private
events and some public ones as well. These include gigs coming up soon at
Maldon’s Kangaroo Hotel, the Pig and Whistle at East Trentham, and The Savoia
at Hepburn Springs.
“It’s been a magic life. We’ve ridden the wave exactly when things were right,”
Gilly says, generously sharing tales from their days on the road touring the length
and breadth to dispense musical exhilaration “sometimes in a paddock, sometimes
in a grand stadium”.
“You had to be absolutely versatile,” she says. “It was brilliantly demanding
but I think we can say that we’re proud of the fact that we came up with the goods
every time. We’ve loved being part of this community. This has been my little piece
of heaven and I adore it here.”
Suffice to say, they’ll be missed. But this is a duo whose truly extensive
repertoire straddles country, rock, classical and jazz and Terry says they’re already
envisaging some intimate wine bar type gigs as they write their new life melody
ahead.

The state government is supporting transgender and gender diverse
Victorians, their families and carers, with funding to expand access to vital
mental health and support services.
The government will deliver a $900,000 package to eight organisations to help
respond to the additional demand these services are seeing following events late last
month.
Funding will go to
• Mind;
• Transcend;
• Transgender Victoria;
• Switchboard;
• Zoe Belle Gender Collective;
• Thorne Harbour Health/Equinox;
• Rainbow Families; and
• Queerspace.
“The toxic public debate around the hurtful, divisive Let Women Speak march
– an anti-trans rally – has had a significant impact on members of the transgender
community, and on their loved ones,” the media release stated.
“This package will boost counselling and family therapy, referrals and peer
support to ensure LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their families and carers can get the support
they need – and that they know it’s available.
“Just as LGBTIQ+ Australians should never have been subject to a plebiscite on
whether they deserved to marry the person they love, transgender Victorians should
not have to endure their worth being debated by a so-called ‘mainstream political
party.’
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing said trans people routinely endured abuse,
violence, and discrimination in the name of free speech.
“The (debate) has caused further trauma for an already vulnerable group. Trans
people deserve better, and this funding will help organisations to provide crucial
support, safety, and care.”
Meanwhile, Hepburn Shire Council raised the trans flag in Daylesford in
recognition of Trans Day of Visibility on March 31.
Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the international Trans Day of Visibility was
an important day and recognised and celebrated trans and gender diverse people
and their important contribution to the community.
“The diversity of our community is one of the wonderful things about our
shire.
“We strongly support inclusion and we are committed to ensuring our
community is a place where trans and gender diverse people feel safe and
welcome.
“We know that a number of recent events have regrettably impacted our LGBTIQA+ community. Council has a zero tolerance towards violence of any kind, which of course includes violence against the
rainbow community.
“In our Prevention of Violence Leadership statement we declare that we condemn
not only the abuse itself but also societal attitudes that normalise it, tolerate it or create
an atmosphere to perpetuate it. Violent behaviour is inexcusable, preventable and
simply unacceptable.
“As councillors, we feel a responsibility to help create a Hepburn Shire that is a
safe place for everyone. Today we celebrate our trans and gender diverse people. We see
you, we appreciate you. You matter.”
Trans Day of Visibility is celebrated on March 31.

Helicopters carrying patients requiring emergency care will be diverted to
the Ballarat airport or an oval for three years while a helipad is built on the
top of the new multi-level Ballarat Base Hospital.
Minister for Heath and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced funding
of $54 million to deliver the helipad and an extra 400 parking spaces for staff and
patients.

Construction on the tower begins next year and is set for completion in
2027. It will include a new emergency department, women and children’s hub, state-
of-the-art theatre suite, 100 additional inpatient and short stay beds and the helipad.
Ms Thomas said the new helipad would give patients quicker access to the emergency
department and operating theatres – “ensuring patients in an emergency get the care
they need as fast as possible”

Cafs’ Thread Together Program has received a mobile wardrobe which will
allow the delivery of new clothing to reach even more people experiencing
hardship across the Central Highlands region.
Operating in Ballarat since 2021, Cafs Thread Together Program is stocked
with new clothing and is open, via referral, to anyone in the community who is
experiencing hardship including homelessness, women and children escaping family
violence, long-term unemployed, refugees, people facing severe illness, children or
young people in care and young adults preparing to leave care. Details: 5337 3333.

Barringo Reserve
I am in Barringo Reserve, and in the waning sunlight, there is no path to organise
my footsteps or show me a clear, linear way of moving.
Instead, I am guided by the rise and fall of the land’s contours and the pull of the
plants which catch my eye. In this way, I break past the wall of long-leaved box trees
(Eucalyptus goniocalyx) and move from the grassy paddock into the reserve’s wooded
interior.
From above, my course of movement would look erratic and inefficient. I zigzag
between violet chocolate lilies (arthropodium strictum) and carnivorous sundews
(drosera hookeri). My eyes struggle to comprehend the latter, as the sundews have the
bronze of the evening light trapped brightly within each green stamen, making me
suddenly bent down and eye level with a small solar system.
With a field of these tiny suns blazing all around me, I follow a spur to the
back of the reserve. Here, in secrecy, lives a community of grass trees (xanthorrhoea
australis). Most are adorned in a brown skirt of expired leaves while some wear a
crooked black spire upon their head, a reminder of a season’s flowering.
The grass trees are here every day, slowly rising in the blindspot of our rushing
lives and hurried tasks. I contemplate their spindly leaves stretching for sunlight every
morning as I eat my breakfast and reaching for eternity in the evening as I brush my
teeth. This thought walks with me as I continue through the reserve.
I find my foot midway down a depression in the soil. Water has pooled at the
bottom making a dark puddle. Fallen gum leaves, in various states of decay, swim in
circles and the tannins steep like eucalyptus tea. All around me as I walk, I can see
life leaving the reserve. There is an abandonment in the browning kangaroo grasses
(themeda triandra) at this time of year. A goodbye in every ribbon of peeling bark.
I sit with my back sloped against a horse jump, legs straight out in front of me. I
tilt my head back and my gaze settles on the canopy of peppermint gums (eucalyptus
dives). Their dark, defined leaves fracture the blue dome of sky like a mosaic.
At present I’m inseparable from the droning of flies, the warm and drowsy sun.
I feel calm, and my body dissolves like a teaspoon of sugar on my tongue.
From: Joanna Beard, Macedon Ranges

Abbatoir thoughts
A flyer in the letterbox entitled ‘Say No to an Abattoir in Eganstown!’ says “our
health, environment and way of life are under threat!”
The exclamation marks show the unidentified complainant clearly alarmed.
However, the nine reasons put forward seem exaggerated and inflammatory and
on examination specious, not very convincing.
The complainant claims drinking water will be contaminated. A bit insulting to
municipalities doing a good job at keeping water pure and potable.
Effluent and waste is to be put on paddocks. Shock horror. Sounds like a tree-
changer who doesn’t know that manure from ruminants is the best fertiliser for
regenerating soil, augmenting it with beneficial micro-organisms.
Other good and natural fertilisers are tree ash from fires, silt from floods, and
ground rock. In contrast, industrial fertiliser for growing grain in quantity lowers soil
quality – especially chemicals originally patented as an antibiotic. They deplete soil
and can create a dustbowl effect by killing micro-organisms thereby preventing plants
from absorbing minerals essential for health. Result? A booming supplements sector.
Noise and dust from trucks? How many additional trucks will be on the roads
every day, one or two? Flies, they cries. Flies are a tiny price to pay for the many
significant benefits of local production.
Every town needs its own meat processing facility.
The benefits will be obvious to all as time goes by: food security, local jobs,
reduced imports therefore lower food miles, therefore less greenhouse gas emission.
It’s neither cows nor rotting organic matter whether animal or vegetable that is
the number one producer of greenhouse gases but transportation.
So more power to Tammi and Stuart’s farm.
Localism and local produce, that’s the way to go, for security, sustainability, real
prosperity, and peace. Bankers, traders and internationalism not so much.
Which is why, to borrow the words of The Local editor from another context: “It
is so important you support them. At least buy local.”
At Least Buy Local. ALBL. And all will be well, O ye of little faith.
From: Peter Jenkins, Blampied

Two Daylesford Show winners are competing in the Royal Melbourne Show – after winning in their
categories at the Midlands Group of Victorian Agricultural Show.
Sharni Digby in Crochet and Rosemary Keogh in the Open Carrot Cake were announced best in show at
the Midlands Group’s annual dinner at the Maldon Community Centre on Friday, March 24.
Eight Daylesford Show winners competed against winners from Ballarat, Beaufort, Clunes, Kingston and Maldon shows for the right to represent the district at the Royal Melbourne Show, from
September 22 to October 2 this year.
The Daylesford Show last November featured 25 classes in the pavilion section and had nine winners represented at Maldon.
Those winners were: Crochet – Sharni Digby (whose winning work is pictured below) Carrot Cake – Open – Rosemary Keogh, Rich Fruit Cake – Senior – Janet MacDonald, Boiled Fruit Cake – Junior – Lachlan Apsley, Photography – Open – Emily Hicks, Blokes’ Chocolate Cake – Mick Bolton, Embroidery – Gail Joordens, Set Subject Photography – Senior – Pam Sheean and Set Subject Photography – Junior – Albert Meadows.

Daylesford Agricultural Show president Don Harvey, pictured above, said the group dinner was
attended by more than 70 show representatives and winners with speeches by junior and senior
show ambassadors and a presentation from the former Bendigo Bank Community Development
manager Geoff English.
Mr Harvey said Daylesford would be hosting next year’s group dinner in the run- up to presenting its 150th show.
“A number of classes had no representation this year including sewing, scones,
cross stitch, decorated cupcakes and a posy of seasonal flowers – all of which you
would think would be popular in Daylesford.
“Let’s hope we can be represented next year by more winners from the Daylesford Show on November 25.”

The Bullarto-Trentham Tractor Pull and Classic Vehicle Display will be held at Trentham Railway Station on Sunday, April 23 from 10.30am.
The railway site allows spectators to sit along the raised platforms on either side of the
railway tracks for a better view of the tractors working hard to pull the sled for the full 100 metres – hopefully allowing the crowd to call out “full pull”.
Along with several classes of tractors there will also be about 60 classic vehicles on
display under the auspices of the Trentham Car Club.
They will be judged by Graeme Orr, Ballarat MP Catherine King and Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood.
Bullarto Public Hall committee president Sandra Barnfield said there will be something for everyone who likes a country fair.
There is free entertainment by the Daylesford Community Brass Band and a free
petting zoo for the kids. There’s also a raffle and silent auction with tickets available
and bids accepted throughout the day.
Entry is $5 with children under 12 free. Classic vehicle entry is $5.

Two private Trentham gardens will open their gates on Saturday, April 15
and Sunday, April 16 as part of the Open Gardens Victoria scheme.
Rhonda’s Garden, Gemmola, (pictured above) was created three years ago by local landscape designer Tim Pilgrim of TP Gardens. Designed around a new sustainable home, Tim has created a relaxing space full of light throughout most of the year.
Owner Rhonda Watson’s design brief was to provide a small lawn for her
grandchildren to play on, a small vegetable patch, plants that attracted pollinators,
and a garden that was sustainable and friendly to local wildlife. Tim then applied
his artist’s eye to create a cottage garden full of colour and movement, informal and
naturalistic.
“With great soil, wet, cold winters, and hot, dry summers, Trentham has plenty
of beautiful cottage gardens growing in its midst. I wanted a cottage garden aesthetic
and liked the style of Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf. His style of perennial mass
plantings in a naturalistic style and planting in drifts rather than blocks appealed.”
At the other end of the village is Tranquillity, described by
owners Margot Burros and David Kotzman as “an approachable, un-intimidating,
nonprofessional home garden, evolving and adapting as we learn about our gardening
conditions and as we ourselves change”.
Purchased five years ago, the owners changed and enhanced the established
garden around the house, replacing scoria gravel with buffalo lawn and removing
large clumps of flax to open up vistas. A group of xanthorrhoea johnsonii was also
relocated to the front garden.
Plants in this area are mainly Australian, South African and New Zealand species.
The ‘fence’ is an irregular line of upright bush poles with native plants and rocks
scattered between, giving a sense of boundary but remaining open to ‘see in’ and
allowing kangaroos to pass through.
“The original plan was to create mass with dense plantings of blackwood trees
(acacia melanoxylon),” says Margo. “However, this species has not done well in open
areas with our severe Trentham frosts. Consequently we are trialling new species,
including several snowgums (wolgan, lacrimans) and swamp gums (E ovata).
Rhonda’s Garden is at 32 Park Street and Tranquillity is at 3 Gunyah Drive.
Both gardens are open 10am to 4.30pm. The cost to view each garden is adults
$10, students $6, under 18 free. Tickets at the gate or via Trybooking

with Darren Lowe

CresFest 23
From little things, big things grow. This festival went leaps and bounds toward
establishing itself as a fixture on the music calendar in its second year, demonstrating
a level of professionalism, confidence and maturity which was admirable and a credit
to all involved.

This year ironed out a few glitches, ticketing being more streamlined and the
sheer volume and good nature of volunteers helping to run the festival to make the
spread of venues feel inclusive, unified, with a strong, palpable, sense of community.
Creswick had some beautiful venues and performers were suited to the room, the
audience and the acoustics.

Upstairs The American hosted a lovely opening ceremony then a constant stream of solo, duos and bands. I was lucky enough to hear Greg Champion, pictured, entertain a roomful of admirers followed by Cat Canteri with her heartfelt personal tales of inner city gut-wrenching material, where you could
almost hear the audience holding their breath.
Archer, as always, is mesmerizing, channelling classic US mavericks such as Hank
Williams, somehow incorporating Americana seamlessly into Outback Australian
yarns, where it all makes sense. Combine this with Appalachian songstress, picker and
two step dancer, Martha Spencer and you have a perfect combination.
Leavers Hotel is an amazing venue, often reaching capacity early but you wouldn’t
change a thing to affect the ambience, even if you can’t always get in.
The Town Hall held a range of acts in a traditional concert set up. The town’s
community centre, primary schools, churches and halls all became functioning
performance venues. There were plenty of free gigs in The Farmers Arms pub and at
various outdoor venues.
Sound was impeccable at all venues with stage managers running the gigs like
clockwork. The word was out with impromptu jams occurring on the street and in
the pubs with a distinct Celtic flavour.
The organising committee should be commended. Arising bravely in a nervous,
not quite post-Covid environment, we now have a fully-fledged, mature and inspiring
local festival. Make sure you get there in ’24.
Gig Guide
Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford
Friday, April 14, 6pm – Ania (piano sessions)
Saturday, April 15, 6pm – The Martini Set
Sunday, April 16, 5pm – Rosario De Marco
Thursday, April 20, 6pm – Don Morrison
Friday, April 21, 6pm – Kim and the Meme
Saturday, April 22, 8pm – Isabel Rumble
Sunday, April 23, 5pm – Katankin
Palais-Hepburn, Hepburn
Friday, April 14 – Stevie Rigby & guests
Saturday, April 15 – D’Arcy Spiller & guests
Friday, April 21 – Honeyfields & Corn Nut Creek
Friends for over 20 years, Honeyfields’ bond was forged through sitting around
kitchen tables or campfires singing and playing their favourite songs and tunes.
Formerly known as The Beenies, they have performed together at major venues and
festivals across Australia.
Bound together through sisterhood with a spiritual connection to nature,
Corn Nut Creek’s Danielle Vita and Tanya Bradley are storytellers whose original
songs draw upon the traditions of Appalachian music. They were finalists and
awarded Jurors’ Top Five in the 2020 Blues and Roots Radio International Song
Competition.
Saturday, April 22 – Stewart D’Arrietta – Tom Waits for No Man
Wombat Forest Vineyard
Saturday, April 15 – Annual Locals’ Day – Music by Jared Brentnall, 1pm-4pm
Got a gig? Email news@tlnews.com.au

with Eve Lamb

AN ONGOING love affair with all things Italian informs the aesthetic in the much collected and admired work of Daylesford artist Brian Reberger. Each year, Brian spends time working in his studios in both Daylesford and Umbria, Italy. Now he’s preparing for a significant exhibition coming up at Steps Gallery in Carlton in May.

Eve: How do you describe your artistic style?
Brian: My artistic style isn’t easy to categorise. I guess a realist with a twist, capturing fleeting
moments in people’s daily lives, or aspects of nature. The finished works often resonate deeply with
the viewer.
Eve: How did you come to art?
Brian: I came to art almost by accident. As a floundering 19-year-old in a very small
country hometown in NSW, one day a close family friend invited me to visit her art studio. She sensed that there was perhaps an untapped artist flair awaiting release. That day changed my life, I never looked back and I will always be indebted to Molly Lewis.
Eve: Which artists influence your own work?
Brian: My influencers and admired artist list has always been broad and varied.
They include Piero della Francesca and Raphael for an Italian Renaissance mix. Then
Edward Hopper, David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Jeffrey Smart for a more modern
addition.
Eve: What is your medium or media of choice?
Brian: In the past I have worked in oil on canvas, and chalk pastel on Italian
rag paper. For the past few years, I have specialised in charcoal on rag paper. It
is a medium that many artists find difficult, but I thoroughly enjoy the depth of
contrast achievable and the challenge of keeping it in total control. Sometimes I also
incorporate a broad mix of varying media with the charcoal. It all depends on the
individual piece, and the look I want in the finished work. I love that there are no
‘rules’. Anything is possible and experimenting can often surprise both the artist and
the viewer in a very positive and unexpected way.
Eve: What is your subject matter of choice?
Brian: My subject matter has always had a very strong Italianate influence.
Indeed, I have always had a very strong calling for everything Italian, and now I
am very fortunate to spend time in Italy each year, cementing and gathering the
inspiration, and working in my Italian second studio. The first studio being in
Daylesford. It is fascinating how spending time in a place as a local totally changes
the finished outcome. You are able to view from the inside, not merely as an outside
observer passing through.
Eve: Have you ever worked in any other area besides your arts practice?
Brian: Of course, in my younger days there were the hospitality experiences to
supplement my art practice. Later on I was fortunate to be the buyer for a boutique
homewares store specialising in European high end products. Even though I am a
full-time artist, I now work casually as an extra for film and television.
Working in the art studio can become a solitary, introspective experience, so the
extras work allows me to meet new people, experience at very close range a totally
diverse art practice – the crazy, manic world of film production – and travel to many
varying locations. It allows great flexibility with working hours.
Eve: What are you working on at the moment in your current arts practice?
Brian: I am completing two major private commissions to take back to Italy later
this year. I have been very lucky in recent years to have successfully completed many
major commission projects. This was particularly so during the Covid lockdowns. I
am also working towards my solo retrospective exhibition to be held the first week of
May 2023 at Steps Gallery in Carlton.
Eve: When you work in the studio do you like to play music?
Brian: This is a very important question for me, and one that artists are seldom
asked about. My artworks take from weeks to months to complete each one, and for
me working on them becomes like a form of meditation. Hence the preparation for
work each day is an important ritual. With lighting, scent, and of course sound in
the studio all being important considered elements. For the music I have created a
carefully edited, and often tweaked, Spotify playlist for the studio comprising close to
10,000 tracks.
It is a very eclectic mix ranging from opera and classical, to ambient, Italian pop
and current music, each one chosen for a personal resonance. Played on shuffle, so I
am constantly surprised and the concentration is tweaked without being interrupted.
Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?
Brian: Every exhibition is a wonderful highlight. Over the years I have had many,
and the opportunity to share your work, and discuss it with visitors and clients, is
always wonderful. Also I have been told on numerous occasions from collectors of my
works that my paintings have changed their lives, or give them endless joy when they
look at them daily. Such feedback is always such a positive affirmation that the time
spent on the creative process is never in vain.
Eve: Do you have any exhibitions or special arts events coming up?
Brian: Yes, I have a very special exhibition planned very soon. This will be my
40 + 1 year retrospective exhibition. I have called it ‘My Italian Life’ and it will be
a celebration of my career as an artist for over 40 years, and also celebrating my
ongoing love affair with all things Italian, in particular the people, the landscape
and its culture. Works from all periods of my career will be exhibited. It is at Steps
Gallery, 62 Lygon Street Carlton (the city end) from May 2 to May 7. The opening
hours are 11am to 5pm daily. I invite all your readers to visit if they can, and make themselves known to me, as I will be there each day.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

A bushwalker in his 30s was rescued after falling down a mineshaft near Sailors Falls on Sunday
morning, April 2.
Leonards Hill Fire Brigade captain Marc Dankers, who was the incident controller, said he received a call at
11.41am about the incident off Telegraph Road.

“It was a confined space rescue, a mineshaft, so that activated a specialist mining unit which was the CFA’s
Oscar 1 unit, located in Bendigo and Castlemaine.
“We also had Fire Rescue Victoria’s Hazmat 68 from Lucas in Ballarat, and a FRV pumper from Ballarat City
because of the possibility of toxic gases.”
Support also came from Daylesford CFA, FRV’sDistrict Operations, Ballan Group FCV, Birch Group
FCV, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.
Captain Dankers said the man and a woman, in their 30s, had been bushwalking in the area with their dogswhen the man “misstepped” and fell into the mineshaft.
The woman called triple zero.
“The mineshaft turned out to be reasonably small,with a narrow shaft and only about two metres deep. So that was very lucky,” Captain Dankers said.
“The man just misstepped – there are heaps of mineshafts around that area – and
despite a dislocated shoulder, was eventually able to climb out with assistance using a
ladder. Everyone worked really well as a team to get that good result.
“It’s the first mineshaft rescue I have been involved in but you hear about
them from other areas, they do happen, but often people can get themselves out of
trouble.”
Captain Dankers said the rescue took a couple of hours and as they were
debriefing, a call came from Ambulance Victoria that a man had fallen off his horse in
Blampied. He had broken his femur, the thigh bone, and was in a lot of pain.
“He needed assistance so it turned out to be quite the afternoon – and I want to
thank everyone involved.”
Captain Dankers said being a CFA volunteer meant you could be called to any
kind of incident “from car accidents and traffic incidents to fires and bush rescues”.
“It really is very diverse but that makes it interesting as well.”

The Regional Community Vet Clinic has been awarded $50,000 from the federal government in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal.

The clinic, a Mt Alexander Shire-based organisation, received $50,000 which
brings the organisation very close to its funding target to build a dedicated facility for
not-for-profit veterinary care in regional Victoria.
The grant was awarded to the clinic on the grounds of reducing social isolation,
providing volunteer opportunities, and fostering resilience post pandemic through
supporting the establishment of a low-cost vet clinic for the companion animals of
disadvantaged community members.
The clinic has been operating monthly pop-up clinics and expanded its social
outreach program which has already amounted to more than 400 hours of volunteer
time spent supporting the community.
The clinic was granted deductible gift recipient status in June last year with all
donations over $2 fully tax deductible. To donate head to www,rcvc.org.au/donate/
The clinic is also inviting any organisations interested in corporate giving
or sponsorship to contact them at info@rcvc.org.au, call 0493 447 394 or
visit www.rcvc.org.au Anyone who wants to volunteer can also find information at
those contact points.
The Regional Community Vet Clinic was founded in 2021 with the belief that
companion animals play a vital role in the welfare and overall wellbeing of residents
in regional communities.
Its mission is to establish facilities that provide affordable, quality veterinary care
for companion animals when their owners are experiencing social disadvantage or
financial hardship in Central Victoria.
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal is the only national foundation
specifically focused on ensuring social and economic strength in rural, regional
and remote areas of Australia by aligning government, philanthropic and local
community purpose and investment.
FRRR provides funding and capacity building support at the hyper-local level.

Words: Donna Kelly

After the success of concerts last year and a recent four-concert music festival, Christ Church is holding a new concert series.
The six concerts start in June and will all be held at Christ Church, Daylesford.
They will cover from baroque to romantic periods with song and unique instruments, including the musette, the smallest and most charming bagpipe, to a full string ensemble and the big sounds of the much-loved town band, above.
Saturday, June 24 – Christine Douglas & Studio Singers, Adam Przewlocki pianist
– a feast of song from Purcell to Puccini.
Saturday, July 29 – Ensemble Pompadour – Laura Vaughan viola da gamba and
Simon Rickard baroque musette.
Saturday, August 26 – The Coomoora Ensemble – Alison Catanach baroque flute,
Elizabeth Welsh baroque violin, Edwina Cordingley baroque cello, Ruth Wilkinson
viola da gamba and Ann Morgan harpsichord.
Saturday, September 30 – The Saltbush Ensemble – Reidun Turner viola da
gamba, Joy Lee harpsichord and Stephanie Eldridge baroque violin.
Saturday, October 28 – Klemantyne Ensemble – Nicci Dellar, Yvonne Holley first
violins, Elise Wright, Jill Gilbert second violins, Louise Hildyard, Kate Both viola,
Miriam Kriss, Nigel Smith cello and Francis Chataway double bass.
Saturday, November 25 – Daylesford Community Brass Band – Mark Lyall
music director, Sue Morris deputy music director, Jenny Jordan artistic director. The
much loved 160-year-old town band returns after their triumphant concert last year.
Presenting Light of Gold, an evocation of music’s power to illuminate and inspire,
drawn from various musical genres and styles, from classical to contemporary.
Link: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1040691