TURNS out simply hanging with horses is really good for your health
and happiness.
It’s a basic tenet that underscores the good things happening at The Path
of the Horse, just out of Trentham.

Here on his beautiful 11-hectare property embraced by the Wombat State Forest,
qualified psychotherapist and experienced horseman Dean Mighell and his horses are
helping make life better for all sorts.
Kids with ADHD, teens with autism, NDIS clients and traumatised emergency
service professionals and returned military service veterans with PTSD are among
those whose health and wellbeing is benefitting from what happens here.
Dean started The Path of the Horse as a registered charity back in 2016 and now
has 10 horses – think characters with big equine personalities.
With a background in the army and the trade union movement, and personal
experience of post traumatic stress disorder, Dean was inspired to start his unique
equine-assisted service after watching a documentary about two American ex-military
veterans who took a life-changing horse trek in Colorado.
At 50 and looking for a new direction in life, Dean was so inspired by what he
saw that he realised he could use his own many years spent around horses – and his
bushland property – to do something pretty special.
He also signed on to study with the Equine Psychotherapy Institute to become
an equine-assisted learning practitioner, and then after four years with Gestalt
Therapy Australia, he emerged as a fully qualified psychotherapist.
Joining forces with his equine friends, some of whom are rescue horses and have
themselves survived traumatic pasts, Dean has not looked back.

When The Local headed out to the forest to pay The Path of the Horse a visit
recently, Dean explained that the time clients spent hanging with the horses mostly
(95 per cent of the time) did not involve riding them – “except where fear is an issue
and it may help with this”.
Instead time spent at The Path of the Horse is far more likely to involve just being
with and near these dignified, cheeky, charismatic creatures.
This might involve leading a couple of horses through the forest, and just chatting
together with a client, Dean says.
Or it may involve grooming a horse. Or kicking back and shooting the breeze
in the excellent company of a horse. Photos capture clients and horses reclining –
literally flat out – just soaking up the sunshine and each other’s presence.
“It’s very client-led in terms of how they interact, and it’s a lot of fun as well,”
Dean says. “We call it invisible therapy.”
Confidence-growing, trust-building, and social skill enhancing are all typical
benefits Dean mentions.
Learning how to “self regulate” is something to which he repeatedly refers during
the course of our conversation.
“The horses are just beautiful at self regulation. They love affection and they give
it back. When we’re out there with the horses, our minds are in the here and now.
“It’s very grounding for people who are anxious. Our horses are treated with
respect and they are so calm that people will sometimes say ‘do you drug them?’ And
we say ‘no, we love them’. We get people of all ages, but our youngest regular is a
three-year-old boy with autism.”
A gentle giant of a horse named George has formed a special bond with this little
autistic boy, Dean says, noting that the formation of special connections between
particular horses and clients are quite common.
“The change in this little boy is amazing. He’s gone from non-verbal to verbal.
He’s learned how to self regulate,” Dean says.
Among those who love what’s happening at The Path of the Horse so much that
they regularly volunteer here is Kyneton local Eva Parkin, inset.
With a background in local government economic development, Eva is now
completing an equine assisted learning course and ultimately hopes to become a
qualified psychotherapist as well.
“Being with horses is for me very therapeutic in and of itself,” she says. “It’s very
rewarding work helping others with life challenges.”
Like Dean, she too has personal experience with some of the issues clients may
be dealing with. “I have experienced severe anxiety in my past,” says Eva who was also
drawn to The Path of the Horse because she grew up with horses and loves just being
around them.

While this uniquely therapeutic enterprise does receive some payment for the
NDIS work it gets, it survives on donations and support including some it gratefully
receives from returned service organisations like the RSL, Melbourne Legacy and
Young Veterans.
“We’ve seen hundreds of veterans and we’ve assisted people from all walks of life,
but the Department of Veterans Affairs can’t fund us,” Dean says.
He says that right about now some more support from individuals or sponsorship
from businesses would make a huge difference.
Words & images: Eve Lamb

IT MUST be one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks. “PISS OFF
AUSNET” was mowed in huge letters into a hill two years ago this Easter.
The reason behind the straightforward message at Mt Prospect was simple.
The community did not want to have huge electricity towers planted across pristine
views and valuable farming land. Nor did they want a giant terminal station.
And, as it turns out pretty much no-one else does either.

Support has come from many places including the young woman, Joee Aganetti-
Fraser, above, who mowed the message, being inducted this year onto the Hepburn
Shire Council’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.
In taking on the David and Goliath battle, the 19-year-old has been thrust into
the spotlight many times but takes it all in her stride. “It’s a slow process and a long
one but we will get there and we won’t stop fighting until it is where it should be.”
Joee, and many others, believe that the lines should be placed underground along
the Western Highway. It is not a “not in my backyard” battle for the community, it is
a “not in anyone’s backyard” message.
Joee said the induction onto the Honour Roll had been overwhelming but there
had been amazing support from all corners. “I was the only young one that got
through so that was quite an achievement.”
The farmer said she had the idea for the Piss Off AusNet sign after attending a
meeting against the powerlines and realising most of the farmers were not ready to
take a public stand.
“I thought the farmers needed to be heard so I took it upon myself and mowed
that into the hill. It was Easter so it was really busy and it was great to get the word
out and get people starting to talk.”
Joee said she mowed while being given directions from a two-way radio in a ute a
few kilometres away. “It took about six hours and now we just maintain it and keep it
up to scratch.”
As for the fight, Joee is quietly confident and, as she said, will not stop fighting.
“I am pretty confident with what is happening so far with the progress but it is a
right and a constant stress. There was a meeting with AusNet on Tuesday (March 21)
and that was pretty appalling but typical in that they don’t want to hear our concerns.
“It will be a long, slow process but we will get there. But with the constant stress
it is getting to the point where people are getting fed up. Right from the very start we
should have been consulted properly, each and every landholder in the district that
was going to be affected.
“But no-one really did that. AusNet is only bullying people and we have elderly
people here, both in nursing homes and still on farms, and at their age they just do
not need that worry.
“If AusNet is listening I would tell them to piss off and that it should be on the
Western Highway and underground so it doesn’t affect anyone. There is no point just
moving the terminal station 20km away from us and still say we will give you $80,000
just to walk on your property. If they have the money to do that, they have the money
to put it where it should be.”
An AusNet spokesperson told The Local that AusNet Services was working closely
and constructively with communities along the route “to ensure the proposed Western
Renewables Link is fully investigated for the strict Environment Effects Statement
which will be submitted later this year – the project will then be assessed by an
independent government panel”.
“The WRL project team have acted appropriately and legally at all times. AusNet
Services this week took a significant step towards negotiating compensation with
landholders who will host transmission lines for the WRL. Landholders were sent
guidelines to outline the process for AusNet acquiring an easement on their property
for the construction and operation of the transmission line.”
Meanwhile, Hepburn Shire Council is urging the community to make
submissions on the latest consultation report into the Victoria to New South
Wales Interconnector West project before the April 5 deadline.
The council has welcomed some aspects and expressed serious concern about other
conclusions outlined in the Australian Energy Market Operator and Transgrid report.
“Council will make a strong submission to AEMO and Transgrid regarding the
latest update,” Mayor Cr Brian Hood said.
“We know there is high community interest in this project and we encourage
people to take a close look at the report and make a submission. While Mount
Prospect is no longer the preferred option for a terminal station, it remains an option.
We also note that the proposed route of the Western Renewables Link transmission
line through Hepburn Shire remains largely unchanged and is highly problematic.”
A major concern for the council is the recommendation to increase the capacity
of the proposed power lines from 220kV (kilovolt) to 500kV along the section of the
Western Renewables Link west. From Mount Prospect to Bulgana, the height range of
the proposed towers will be increased from 40-60 metres high to 60–80 metres high.
The easement under them will increase from 40-60 metres wide to 70–100 metres
wide. “We are very disappointed that the undergrounding of power lines has not been
considered,” Cr Hood said.
Link: participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/VNI-West.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

Smeaton is again without an operating pub after a decision by the publicans to move on amidst setbacks and following a much publicised incident that left one of the publicans injured in February.

The earlier reopening of the Cumberland Smeaton by couple James and Caleb Consiglio had been strongly welcomed by the wider local community and countless visitors.

But late last month publican James Consiglio was left injured and recovering after allegedly being struck by a vehicle in an attempt to deal with alleged troublemakers during a Friday night incident.

Many locals expressed concern for the couple who had breathed much-welcome fresh life into the historic, attractive old pub and countless locals were disgusted by reports of harassing behaviour “from a small handful of community members”.

Fears the Consiglios may be shutting up shop were strengthened when removal trucks were brought in on March 17. Then this Monday, March 27, these concerns were confirmed when the publicans announced via their social media account “This is Goodbye” and offered full refunds for anyone who had purchased a voucher.

Their post included the following statements:

“We thank you.

We started on this journey, newly weds, we found a place we wanted to call our forever home, a place where we could offer exceptional food, local beer, wine and spirits, a community affair, and we did just that. we reunited a community, we showcased our small town boasting Victoria’s oldest weatherboard pub, creating a destination for travellers near and far. We created a venue in our region where people could be.

It was never easy, we never thought it would be, but we also never knew that we would be subject to so much hate and harassment from a small handful of community members.

We have made the tough but necessary decision to close the pub, and move on. We do not want to be another failed marriage. Nor should we be the subject of hurtful, pathetic and disgraceful rumours.

We tried, we worked tirelessly to restore the pub to her beauty. We remain proud of our achievements and will never forget the comments about the wallpaper!

We sadly got to the point where we could no longer keep fixing capital repairs at our own expense, we could also not operate a pub that was unsafe for our staff to work in and for our guests. We could not make the uneducated see sense and uphold accountability.

We thank you for your loyalty, the moments you shared with us and our 162 year old girl. The birthdays, engagements, Christmas parties, hens parties, the morning chats over a bacon and egg roll. We will forever cherish these.

Every night we would read the reviews change and learn from what need to be, and felt the warmth from the kind words.

We loved the pub, our home, and our guests. No one has loved it more, we believe we truly respected her beauty like no one ever had.

We will miss serving you the best wines, food and service in the region…

Thank you for a fantastic time.

Caleb and James Consiglio

Publicans | The Cumberland Smeaton”

Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged impersonation of police officers incident in Whittington last week.

A 47-year-old Corio man was arrested following a warrant at a premises on Tuesday, March 21.

He’s been charged with robbery, false imprisonment, home invasion, impersonate police officer, theft of motor car and other offences.

He was to appear at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, March 22, police reported earlier.

The charges relate to an alleged incident where the occupants of a black Mazda, a woman and three men, stopped on Solar Drive about 8am on Monday, 20 March.

The group allegedly approached two men, identified themselves as police officers, searched the pair then stole their mobile phones and wallets.

They fled the scene and allegedly attended an address on Orbit Street about 9am, where they told occupants they were police before entering.

The group allegedly ransacked the premises and stole two cars, mobile phones and cash.

A 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, also from Corio, were arrested in Norlane last Monday, March 20..

They were charged with robbery, false imprisonment, home invasion, impersonate police officer, theft of motor car and other offences.

They appeared at Geelong Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday, March 21, and have been remanded to next appear on 20 June, 2023.

All three cars have been recovered in the area. The investigation is ongoing.

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, last week launched AquaWatch Australia, a mission to deliver a world first ground-to-space water quality monitoring system for Australia and the globe.

AquaWatch will provide near real-time updates and predictive forecasting – a weather service for water quality – once fully operational.

Using an extensive network of Earth observation satellites and ground-based water sensors, it will support better water quality management, with early warning of harmful events such as toxic algal blooms, blackwater and runoff contamination.

The system will also increase the resilience of Australian communities who depend on water, as well as improved outcomes for our natural environment after events like bushfires and floods.

CSIRO, with foundation partner SmartSat CRC, is bringing together research, government, and industry with an initial co-investment of $83 million to design and develop AquaWatch.

CSIRO Chief Executive, Larry Marshall, said water is one of the most important and vital resources in Australia and across the globe.

“Imagine taking your family to the local swimming spot and being able to open your phone and check the water quality before they dive in. Or better yet, getting a forecast for the water quality days before you planned your family day out,” Dr Marshall said. 

“Now imagine the impact of this if you were an environment manager, able to receive advance warning of the oxygen-depleted blackwater events often responsible for mass fish kills. Or an aquaculture farmer able to plan ahead for an impending algal bloom.

“Overseas, in places where people still face the risk of unsafe water for basic needs like drinking and sanitation, such a service could be a game-changer.

“The ingenuity behind AquaWatch is it integrates Earth observation with other science capabilities like in-situ sensing, ecosystem modelling, engineering, data science and artificial intelligence.

“It is the latest example of CSIRO’s Missions Program which are large-scale scientific and collaborative research initiatives aimed at accelerating the pace and scale at which we can solve some of the nation’s greatest challenges,” he said.

Working with a range of implementation partners, AquaWatch will extend from rivers to coasts, with the ability to monitor bays, coastal wetlands, aquaculture farming, mangrove forests and coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Yarra Crime Investigation Unit detectives have released vision and images to appeal for information following a burglary at a Princes Hill home earlier this month.

It is understood four people broke into the property on Pigdon Street, smashing the front windows to gain entry around 1.50am on March 11.

Police were told they stole goods and sentimental items, including a distinctive blue and silver urn containing the victim’s fathers’ ashes. They also took several antique Australian coins handed down through generations to the victim. (Images of the stolen items as released by Victoria Police below).

No one was home at the time of the incident.

It is believed two of the offenders fled the scene in what is believed to be a small hatchback vehicle, while the other two ran from the scene.

Investigators have released CCTV images of two men who may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Detectives have also released images of the items that have been stolen, in the hope that someone may recognise them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to the Crime Stoppers website online.

Moreland Crime Investigation Unit detectives have released CCTV of a man they believe may be able to assist their investigation into three suspicious fires in Dallas on 14 January.

Emergency services were called to the fires at Laura Douglas Reserve about 7.15pm.

It is alleged a man piled timber and branches against a tree, before lighting the stack on fire.

Nearby civilians noticed the fire and quickly worked to extinguish the flames.

It is believed the man may have visited a hotel in Coolaroo prior to the fires being set and may have returned afterwards.

The offender is described as being approximately 50 years old and thinly built with a white beard. He was last seen wearing a dark t-shirt, grey pants and smoking.

Anyone who recognises the man or with further information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report via the Crime Stoppers website.

Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, is calling on citizen scientists to find and record egg cases washing up on Australian coasts so researchers can better understand egg-laying sharks, skates and chimaeras.

The Great Eggcase Hunt, an initiative of United Kingdom-based charity The Shark Trust, has launched in Australia in partnership with CSIRO to help provide new data for scientists studying the taxonomy and distribution of oviparous chondrichthyans.

Helen O’Neill, CSIRO Australian National Fish Collection biologist, said recording sightings of egg cases on beaches and coastlines would help scientists discover what the egg cases of different chondrichthyans look like, with some species still unknown.

“Egg cases are important for understanding the basic biology of oviparous chondrichthyans, as well as revealing valuable information such as where different species live and where their nurseries are located,” Ms O’Neill said.

Cat Gordon, Senior Conservation Officer at The Shark Trust, said the Great Eggcase Hunt began in the United Kingdom 20 years ago and has since recorded more than 380,000 individual egg cases from around the world.

“We’re really excited to be partnering with CSIRO to officially launch this citizen science project in Australia and to be able to expand the Shark Trust’s eggcase identification resources,” Ms Gordon said.

“There’s such a diversity of species to be found around the Australian coastline, and with a tailored identification guide created for each state, they really showcase the different catsharks, skate, horn sharks, carpetsharks and chimaera eggcases that can be found washed ashore or seen while diving,” she said.

Also known as mermaids’ purses, egg cases come in many different shapes and colours, ranging from cream and butterscotch to deep amber and black. They range in size from approximately 4 to 25 centimetres.

Some egg cases have a smooth and simple appearance, while others have ridges, keels or curling tendrils that anchor them to kelp or coral. Port Jackson sharks have corkscrew-shaped egg cases that they wedge into rocks.

Each different species’ egg case has a unique morphology that is helpful in taxonomy, the science of describing and naming species.

“At the Australian National Fish Collection, we are matching egg cases to the species that laid them,” Ms O’Neill said.

“We borrow egg cases from other collections, museums and aquariums around the world and use our own specimens collected from fish markets and surveys at sea or extracted from the ovaries of preserved specimens in our collection,” she said.

Chondrichthyans have the most diverse reproduction strategies found among vertebrates, encompassing parthenogenesis (no father), multiple paternity (more than one father of the litter), adelphophagy (baby sharks predating each other in the womb) and various modes of egg laying.

Egg cases found on beaches rarely contain live embryos, whose incubation times range from a few months up to three years, depending on the species.

“Egg cases found washed up on beaches have likely already hatched, died prematurely due to being washed ashore or been predated on by creatures like sea snails, who bore a hole in the egg case and suck out the contents,” Ms O’Neill said.

The Shark Trust is a United-Kingdom-based charity dedicated to safeguarding the future of sharks, skates, rays, and chimaera through positive change. The Trust achieves this through science, education, influence and action.

To get involved in the Great Eggcase Hunt, you can record sightings via the Shark Trust citizen science mobile phone app or through the project’s website.

Wodonga Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for assistance from the public following an armed robbery in Rutherglen in recent days.

Officers have been told a man armed with an iron bar entered a service station on Main Street about 8.50pm on Saturday 18 March.

It is alleged he threatened the attendant and forced him to hand over cash and cigarettes before leaving the store.

The offender was last seen headed north towards Douglas Street.

Investigators have released images (above) and CCTV of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquires.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers website online.

Police are appealing for witnesses after they charged a man following a collision on Chapel Street in Prahran in recent days.

It’s alleged a white Lamborghini was travelling along Chapel Street, near Walker Street, just after 10.30pm on Saturday, March 18.

A 46-year-old man was on a bicycle, crossing the road, when he was struck by the vehicle.

The man was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The 14-year-old male passenger of the vehicle was treated for minor injuries.

The 24-year-old Sunshine West man driving the car was interviewed and has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering life.

He has been bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ court on 16 October.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to the Crime Stoppers website online.

A range of temporary traffic management measures will be in place in the Macedon Ranges shire throughout April, the council has warned motorists.
At this time every year, crowds are drawn to towns such as Macedon and Mount Macedon that
boast an abundance of autumn attractions.

The influx of visitors provides a welcome boost to local businesses, however the council says it’s equally
committed to the ongoing support of residents during this busy period, to minimise disruption, and
protect the natural environment.
In collaboration with communities, authorities, local businesses and open gardens, temporary
measures which will be in place from 9am–5pm on weekends and public holidays from 1-30 April
include:
 the closure of Honour Avenue to traffic between Mount Macedon Road and Waterfalls Road,
to maintain traffic flow along Mount Macedon Road and ensure visitor safety
 dedicated visitor parking close to Honour Avenue and Centennial Park
 a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus service ($5 per adult) that will run from the visitor hub at
Centennial Park to the open gardens, festival events, and Mount Macedon township
 additional amenities and a visitor information booth at Centennial Park
 speed reductions to 40km/hr and “No U-turn” repeater signs along Mount Macedon Road, as
well as “no standing” signage on one side of Devonshire Lane.
Council will provide vehicle passes to support residents impacted by road closures, while signage will
also be available for residents to install on fences, advising visitors of private property (no access)
and to keep driveways clear.
Visitors will also be encouraged to experience other activities in the shire throughout April as part of
the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. The festival program includes a range of foodie experiences,
tipple trails, farmers markets, artisan workshops and more across various towns in the shire.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said the shire-wide festival was initially
implemented to help entice the autumn visitors to explore other parts of the shire and support more
community events and local businesses.
“The festival is now in its third year and has proven to be extremely successful in providing a boost to
our local businesses and community,” he said. “In 2022 alone, the festival contributed an estimated
$1.6 million to our visitor economy.”

Geelong Divisional Response Unit have in recent days released new CCTV images, as they close in to identify a man they believe is connected to multiple attempted aggravated burglaries and trespassing incidents.

The man is being sought for questioning in relation to a series of such incidents across Geelong, Surf Coast, and Werribee between 29 January and 7 March.

The suburbs allegedly targeted include Bell Post Hill, Highton, Rippleside, Torquay and Werribee.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 180cm tall, medium build and aged between 30 and 40 years old.

Police also believe the man has worn a broad brimmed sunhat and a jumper with an Adidas logo during some of these incidents.

While there has been no damage to property or items stolen, the alleged offender has been depicted on CCTV loitering around and attempting to enter properties.

Police urge anyone who can identify this male or may have CCTV, dash-cam or other information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers official website.

It certainly is shaping as a good Friday for jazz lovers at The Palais, Hepburn Springs on April 7.

The Palais is tuning its ears for some fine jazz sounds ahead of next months Good Friday evening live performance by Melbourne’s Reg Cole Quartet.

The Reg Cole Quartet is an original jazz/soul/latin outfit which formed in the mid 90s while it’s members Zac, Sergio, George, Tim and Justin were all studying at Melbourne University.

They were regulars at venues like The Uptop, the Nightcat and released a number of recordings. After a long hiatus the guys have recently reformed and are recording an album of new tunes which they’ll be performing along side some of their more popular pieces from the 90s.

Northern Grampians Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man after two pedestrians were struck by a car in Stawell earlier this month.

It is alleged three pedestrians were walking near the intersection of Sloane Street and Cooper Street about 5.20pm when two were struck by a Toyota Corolla on Wednesday, March 15.

Two male pedestrians from Stawell, a 53-year-old and a 23-year-old, were both taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The alleged driver of the vehicle, a 35-year-old Stawell man, has been interviewed and charged with attempted murder, reckless conduct endangering life, intentionally cause serious injury and other offences.

He had been remanded to appear at Ararat Magistrates’ Court on 17 March, according to a police report issued earlier.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, with information or CCTV/dashcam footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto the Crime Stoppers website.

Matt Joe Gow grew up in the deep south of New Zealand in a town with bad weather and good music: Dunedin.

Surrounded by music, he was encouraged to pick up a guitar at an early age. After traveling the world, Matt moved to Melbourne, Australia, drawn by its vibrant music scene. In 2009 released his debut record The Messenger, produced by multi-Aria award-winner Nash Chambers, and featuring contributions from Jim Moginie of Midnight Oil, and iconic Australian country guitarist Bill Chambers.

As Alternative Country continued to grow in popularity, Matt toured and supported acts such as Chris Isaak, Justin Townes Earle, James Reyne, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson.

Whilst regularly working on other projects in the studio, it would be 2016 before the next Matt Joe Gow record, Seven Years, was released to critical acclaim. The record was self-produced by Matt and guitarist Andrew Pollock. After touring and numerous festivals in support of the record, and encouraged by its positive reception, Matt returned to the studio in 2018 to make the follow-up, Break, Rattle and Roll. An ambitious record which went on to win the Music Victoria Award for Best Country Album.

After the rewarding but demanding process of making Break, Rattle and Roll, Matt headed back into the studio in 2020 with the concept of making a stripped-back album. Midway the world was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The result is a unique record which, although laborious to make during a dark time is the most pure expression of Matt’s songwriting and artistic vision of his career.

Right now he’s headed to Hepburn Springs to perform live, this Friday evening March 31, as part of The Palais’ popular SuperClub Friday series.