The Hepburn Shire Council has recently inducted five local women to the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll, paying tribute to their contribution to the Shire and progressing women’s causes.

Council inducted Anneke Deutsch, Joyce Orr, Mariwyn (Tess) Brady, Joee Aganetti-Fraser and Marie Magdalen Lewis (posthumous) to the honour roll at a special event on International Women’s Day (IWD- March 8) in Daylesford.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said the inductees were very worthy recipients who had jointly made a considerable impact on the Shire, from the 1930s right through to today.

“These local leaders are an inspiration to everyone. It is incredibly gratifying to recognise them and the contribution they have made to our Shire and beyond,” said Cr Hood.

“We are incredibly proud to be able to acknowledge and celebrate their efforts. I congratulate and thank each of the inductees on behalf of our community,” he said.

A large crowd turned out for the event at Daylesford Town Hall, which included a Welcome to Country by Racquel Kerr, wonderful performances by Daylesford College students Lily, Indigo and Rose, and speeches by Eliza and Anika.

“We are also very appreciative of our guest speaker, Dr Elizabeth Boulton, who stepped in at late notice as our special guest speaker,” said Cr Hood.

2023 Heather Mutimer Honour Roll inductees are:

Anneke Deutsch has been incredibly influential in the field of prosthetics and orthotics, which was very male-dominated when she began in the 1980s. Anneke has been a leader in this area and an enormous supporter of women. She continues to do so in her role as President of the Older Women in Cohousing Inc, a group aiming to build housing for women based on collaboration, sustainability, accessibility, and a blend of opportunities for privacy and for social interaction.

Joyce Orr is an unassuming trailblazer who has led by example and demonstrated through decades of volunteering the many opportunities for women to excel within the community, all whilst raising five children. She has been an active member of the Daylesford Brass Band for over 40 years and was the first female Treasurer for the Daylesford Historical Society. Joyce has made an incredible difference to people living with disability through her fundraising work and craft events at Windarring Centre.

Tess Brady has worked for two decades as a powerful agent for change in her community of Clunes, advancing the status of women by empowering them to take on change and showing that if you have a vision and determination, anything is possible. Tess has been an active participant on many groups in Clunes and actively mentors and encourages other women to back their own visions and dreams.

If you don’t know Joee Aganetti-Fraser, you might be familiar with her work. Joee is a fifth-generation young farmer who took a stand by ploughing her opposition to AUSNET installation into the family farm hill at Mount Prospect. Joee is a strong leader, inspiring a wide group to follow and fight for the campaign. She works full-time on the farm with other part-time jobs, studies agriculture, and still finds the time to advocate on the community’s behalf.

Marie Magdalen Lewis (posthumous) challenged traditional stereotypes throughout her 106 years. Marie worked as a Post Mistress and telephone operator at Blampied Post Office, and later enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) in 1942. She was posted to various air force bases during this time and worked in signals for five years, moving up the ranks to become a sergeant. After the war, Marie returned to Blampied with her husband Harold to raise their two young sons, and she operated the Blampied Post Office and Telephone Exchange for over 20 years. She was the sacristan at St Joseph’s Catholic Church for more than 40 years, a long-time member of the Creswick Golf Club and the Mt Prospect Tennis Association and a proud member of the Creswick Smeaton RSL sub branch. Debbie Stoneman accepted the certificate on behalf of Marie.

A P-plate driver had his car impounded after three passengers were found hiding under a blanket in the rear of a ute during a routine intercept in Goughs Bay over the recent Labour Day long weekend.

Mansfield Highway Patrol officers intercepted a Ford Falcon utility, with two people in the vehicle, on Walshs Road just before 10am on Sunday, 12 March.

Officers spoke to the driver who was the holder of a P1 licence who can only have a one passenger in the car.

As police were conducting a preliminary breath test on the driver, they noticed a blanket in the cargo area of the ute move.

Officers inspected further and found three passengers curled up under the blanket in the rear tray.

The driver, an 18-year-old Cheltenham man, had his vehicle immediately impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1865.

He is expected to be charged on summons with driving with a passenger in part of the vehicle designed primarily for the carriage of goods and P1 Probationary driver drive with more than one peer passenger.

One of his adult stowaway passengers was also fined.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and Knox Highway Patrol officers have charged two men following a road rage incident in Wantirna South that left a man in a critical condition in recent days.

It’s alleged an altercation occurred between the drivers of a white Ford station wagon and a white Mitsubishi ute travelling north on Eastlink just before 5pm on Sunday, 12 March.

Both vehicles exited at High Street, turned onto Stud Road then onto Burwood Highway before the Ford has allegedly collided with a third vehicle, a silver Toyota RAV 4 which overturned onto the centre median strip.

The 52-year-old male driver of the Toyota was taken to hospital in a critical condition where he remained at the time a police report was released on Tuesday March 14.

The passengers in the Ford, four children aged between 17 years and five months, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One child remained in hospital at the time a police report was released on Tuesday March 14.

The passenger in the Mitsubishi ute, a 10-year-old child, was not physically injured.

The driver of the Ford, a 43-year-old Mernda man, has been charged with dangerous driving causing a serious injury.

He had been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 March.

The driver of the Mitsubishi ute, a 43-year-old Mooroolbark man, has been charged with conduct endangering life and dangerous driving causing a serious injury.

He had been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 March.

Arson & Explosives Squad and Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating an alleged assault in Wheatsheaf on Tuesday, 14 March.

It is alleged a man was assaulted following an altercation on Wallaby Road about 10.25am.

He was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A 59-year-old Wheatsheaf man was arrested at the scene and was assisting police with their enquiries.

Police are working to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers website.

The state’s Police Air Wing located a man and a woman who were lost on Mount Buller last Sunday night March 12.

The pair from Adelaide were hiking near Eagles Peak on Sunday afternoon when they became disorientated.

They managed to contact emergency services around 11.45pm and a search commenced.

Officers searched throughout the night and the Air Wing and members from Search and Rescue arrived to assist early Monday morning, March 13.

The Air Wing located the pair about 9.45am near Eagles Peak Track and returned them to Horse Field Carpark where they were checked by ambulance crews.

The pair were found to be in good health.

Clunes locals and visitors will soon have less excuse to delay exercise.

The town is getting some new public excercise equipment and it’s being installed alongside the creek, connecting in with the scenic creek walk that’s already pretty popular with walkers and joggers.

The Hepburn Shire Council is installing the new Creek Walk Outdoor Fitness Space and reports that the equipment is being installed creekside at the bottom of Clunes’ Scenic Drive over the next few weeks, with some pieces already in place.

Pieces include an aerobic walker, dexterity bar, hand cycle, push up bar, step up, and chin up bar.

It’s all expected to be up and running – and to get locals up and running as well – by the end of March.

Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team are appealing for public assistance following an affray at Federation Square in late January.

Police were in attendance at a Khalistan Referendum event at Federation Square on 29 January when two fights broke out, one at about 12.45pm and the other at about 4.30pm.

During the fight, flag poles were used by several men as weapons which caused physical injuries to multiple victims. Two victims, one with a laceration to their head and another with a hand injury, were treated at the scene by paramedics. Several other victims sustained injuries and required medical treatment.

An Indian flag was also burnt by a group of men.

In both incidents, police quickly responded to separate and disperse the crowd. OC spray was used in the second incident to separate the fighting men.

Two men were arrested on the day, and police have been making a number of enquiries to identify remaining individuals.

Investigators have released images of six men 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.

For love of a rose
The incredible story of the creation of a magnificent hybrid rose that brought love
to its creators, peace and new life to a war-torn world and, ultimately gave inspiration
for Antonia Ridge’s heartwarming novel…
It was a miracle that the rose ever saw the light of day.
It all began in 1935, when Francis Meilland, third generation of the famed
French rose breeders, selected a promising plant from that season’s crop, and tagged it
3-35-40.
Over the next four years, Francis and his father, Papa Meilland watched over its
development and eventually shared their enthusiasm with other professional rose
growers, despite the gathering war clouds.
World War II
Three months later Hitler invaded France, so with the nursery under threat of
destruction, three packages of budwood were hastily sent out of France, one of which
was smuggled out in a diplomatic bag to America.
Throughout the entire war, the Meilland family never knew if any had survived.
In America their agent planted the rose in his own trial beds and gave it to other
rose fanciers for testing in all the climatic zones throughout the states. The rose did so
well it was decided to release it so thousands of plants were propagated.
Despite the war still raging in Europe, the launch date was set for April 29, 1945,
in Pasadena, California.

Peace
On the same day that two doves were released into the American sky to symbolise
the naming of the rose, Berlin fell, and truce was declared. By sheer coincidence, the
rose was named with these words: “We are persuaded that this greatest rose of our
time should be named for the world’s greatest desire: Peace.”
Meanwhile, back in France, the rose had been named “Madame Antoine
Meilland” in memory of Francis’s mother who had died, tragically young, of cancer.
At the same time, news came back from the other recipients of the budwood. In
Germany the rose had been named “Gloria Dei” (Glory of God) and in Italy it was
named “Gioia” (Joy).
“Peace” went on to receive the All American Award for roses, coincidentally on
the day war with Japan came to an end.
United Nations
On May 8, 1945, when Germany signed its surrender, each of the 49 delegates
who met to form the United Nations were presented with a bloom of “Peace” and a
message of peace from the secretary of the American Rose Society.
But the tale doesn’t end there, the story of “Peace” seemed to breathe new life into
the gardening world, which needed a lift after the devastation of war. Because of its
dependability, vigour and perfectly shaped large blooms it has been used in breeding
programs world-wide. Records show that “Peace” was a parent in more than 600
modern roses – and still counting.
Must-have
It is said that “Peace” is in every park and the must-have variety for every garden.
Francis Meilland died in 1958, but his children still continue the Meilland
tradition of breeding beautiful, prize-winning roses.
After “Peace” became so well known, Francis wrote in his diary: “How strange to
think that all these millions of rose bushes sprang from one tiny seed no bigger than
the head of a pin, a seed which might so easily been overlooked or neglected in a
moment of inattention.”
For Love of a Rose, Antonia Ridge’s delightful story of the Meillands and Peace
rose was first published by Faber in1961 and my copy was printed in 1968. There
have been paperback editions much later than that because they are still listed by
online booksellers.
Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

Forest Fire Management Victoria says it intends t take advantage of favourable weather
and forest conditions to undertake planned burns across the Midlands district in the coming weeks to reduce the threat of bushfires to the community.

FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Tony English said planned burning was one of
the most effective ways to reduce the impact bushfires have on people, property and
the environment.
“Reducing ground level fuels such as leaves, sticks, and fallen branches means
fires are less intense and slower to spread, making it more likely that firefighters can
keep bushfires small and contained before they pose a risk to communities,” he said.
“The wetter and cooler conditions this summer will mean communities can
expect to see firefighters conducting planned burns if the weather and forest
conditions are suitable and it is safe to do so.”
High priority burns are planned for public land near Daylesford, Hepburn
Springs, North Blackwood, Macedon, Greendale, Smythesdale, Linton and Beaufort.
“People in these communities may see and smell smoke, and some roads and
forests may be closed for public safety while these works are being undertaken.
“We know that smoke from planned burns may concern some people, and
we work with communities and stakeholders to reduce smoke impacts as much as
possible.
“However, it’s important that crews take every opportunity to reduce fuel loads
while conditions are suitable.
“For some large planned burns, our crews will use aircraft including helicopters
for aerial ignition, observation and to assist with the management of burn operations
throughout the region.”
FFMVic works closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather
conditions – such as humidity, temperature, and wind speed – and will only carry
out burns when conditions are safe to do so.
The fuel management program is underpinned by scientific evidence and local
knowledge, including bushfire history, to make sure works are focused where they
can be most effective.
To find out when and where planned burns are happening call 1800 226 226 or
go to www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns

Americana meets the Palais, Hepburn Springs come Easter Saturday when The Rechords take to the stage to do what they do best.

A dynamic trio on stage, The Rechords don’t disappoint when it comes to demonstrating a musical passion for the love of all things Americana wwhether it be celebrating the songs of artists that have influenced their journey or putting their all into the songs they’ve created with the flavours of early Country, Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly and Alt Country.

They have chosen the stripped back lineup of instruments being guitars and upright bass and letting the flood of sweet three part harmony and multiple lead vocals create the fullness that has become the distinct sound they are known for.

In the 13 years they been together they have managed to perform over 500 shows in many venues and festivals throughout Australia not to mention completing 3 successful European Tours in 2011, 2013 and 2018 so let your ears be the judge.

At first blush, you might be tempted to put The Rechords in the rockabilly bin, but you’d be making a big mistake.

While they may opt for an old school vehicle for delivery, the songs move well beyond generic rockabilly and exhibit a soul and sophistication all their own. Think rockabilly by way of Nick Lowe or Buddy Holly, with the focus more on melodic songs and less on retro style. Dig it!

The Rechords play The Palais Easter Saturday (evening) April 8.

A thrilling boxing event is coming to Daylesford on Sunday, March 26 with the
Wombat Fight Club Boxing Trials.
The boxing trials are where local boxers get to show the Daylesford community, friends and
family their skills in a formalised exhibition format.
All groups at the club including open, women’s and juniors will be competing.

A highlight of the trials is the international contest featuring Jackie Chen of Chinese
background, versus Diego Aritzia of Chilean background.
Denis Beddoe, pictured above, and his son, and fight club secretary, Baydon, will show their
preparation for the upcoming Masters Boxing Championships.
Gates open at 10am at 94 Wombat Dam Road, Daylesford. Entry is $2 and there will be a barbeque.
Baydon said everyone was welcome to come along and enjoy this exciting sports tournament.
Those inerested can also check out further details on Facebook.

THE site of the old Trentham Police Station on Camp Street is getting a makeover.
Built in 1866 it is one of the town’s oldest buildings and now the home of the Trentham and District Historical Society. And, along with its museum, lockup and stables, it will soon feature a new installation, the Trentham District Story project, commemorating the district’s history and people up to the
present day.

“It is a project we have wanted to do for a long time,” society vice president
Susie Spence said. “We have a very active committee and have decided to use the
large outdoor space at the old police station to make a walk-in display.”
The society has realised the project through support from Hepburn Shire
Council, Bendigo Bank, Cool Country Classic Car Club, Trentham Masonic
Centre, private contributions and fundraising. Work is almost complete and the
official opening with Mayor Cr Brian Hood will take place on Friday, March 24.
There will be 12 panels featuring detailed history of the region including
the lives of the original indigenous inhabitants, flora and fauna, the arrival of
European settlers seeking timber and gold and the town’s ups and downs through
disease, wars and economics.
The new exhibit will also include, with the support of Gardens For Wildlife
Victoria, a native garden featuring many of the plants the first inhabitants used for
food and medicine.
And to mark the contribution of agriculture and timber harvesting to the
timeline of local history there will be a single furrow plough and Trewhella tree
jack.
An important part of the display will be the often overlooked role of women
contributing to the wellbeing, prosperity and character of the area; from the wives
of early settlers and bush nurses to teachers and the Grasshoppers women’s football
team of the 1950s.
“The women’s stories start with Louisa Tubbs adapting to the loneliness of
station life at Tylden,” Susie says. “Then there was Betsey Trewhella who made
the arduous journey from England with her children to join husband Ben on the
Blackwood goldfields and Charlotte Robson who nursed the sick and delivered
babies in the fledgling Newbury community.”
The mining, timber and agriculture industries of the area posed inherent
dangers for the early European settlers. Furthermore, outbreaks of measles,
typhoid, whooping cough, diphtheria and the perils of childbirth made life in the
Trentham district one of isolation and hardship until well into the 1930s.

And during World War II when many of the men enlisted to serve overseas,
agricultural survival depended on the mothers and daughters left behind.
“Many people today would have no idea about that sort of thing and the
impacts it had on the community. But the Trentham District Story project paints
a very good picture of what life has been like here. I’m not sure that everyone will
take the time to read the lot but locals particularly can come back and take in
some more every time and reflect on the changes that have taken place over the
years.”
The official opening of the Trentham District Story will start at 11am on
Friday, March 24 at the old Trentham Police Station at 3-5 Camp Street.
For information and to RSVP contact info@trenthamhistoricalsociety.org.au

Words: Tony Sawrey | Images: Contributed

Hi there. I’m Minka and I’m a smart, friendly young gal, just five months old. As you can tell
from my mugshot, I’m a spunky brindle and white staffy/bull arab cross.
I’m a super sweet little girl who loves being around people and having lots of attention. I would
fit in well with any caring home and I’ve already learned to sit and to walk on lead. Oh, I will require
secure fencing and ongoing training.
So if you are keen for a new best friend, just contact the shelter in Castlemaine on 5472 5277 and
we can meet up.

Microchip no. 956000015927004
Link: www.maaw.org.au

By Donna Kelly
KYLE was asked an interesting question the other day. Someone was wondering why we cover some festivals/events and not others.
Without going into too much detail, this is our business after all, here is a bit of an explanation.
The Local started in September 2013, 10 years ago this year, and it was pretty much Kyle and I wandering around asking businesses if they would like to advertise in what was going to be a monthly publication.
We did that because someone told Kyle that he and I should start up something in opposition to The Advocate, a then Fairfax paper, later sold to Australian Community Media, who pretty much promptly shut it down at the start of the pandemic.
To our surprise, quite a few businesses said ‘yes’. Our prices were low but we were
also determined to keep the quality of our publication high. And there would be no
charge to pick it up and read it. Yes, our wonderful advertisers/clients are paying for
your free read which is why it is so important you support them. Or at least buy local.
After our first publication we realised we had a bit of a success happening
and immediately went fortnightly, which we still do, except for 12 months from
March 2020 to March 2021 when we went weekly to get as much good news and
information out when we were all pretty worried we were going to die.
Anyway, back to the start, after asking individual clients if they wanted to
advertise we realised that there were many festivals and events which also needed
publicity at affordable prices.
So we teamed up with events like the wonderful ChillOut Festival, the Great
Trentham Spudfest, Lyonville Bake-Off, Daylesford Art Show, Swiss Italian Festa…
and other organisations like The Mount Players, Daylesford Community Op Shop,
Hepburn House…you get the idea.
And they pay us some money and we run their adverts and we also run free
editorial and photos – most of which we take. Sometimes we put them on the front
cover, sometimes on the back.
It works really well. But not everyone is keen to partner up. And that is fine. They
might just take a one-off advert or they might ask us if we can run something for free
because they are a start-up and have no funding. And we happily do that.
But sometimes organisations prefer other papers to place their advertising, which
is fine, but we then don’t run their editorial for free. That would be like paying for
a main meal in one restaurant and then strolling into the next and asking for a free
dessert because you were out of cash. Wouldn’t be fair.

So that is pretty much it. And here we are, almost 10 years on, so we must be
doing something right. There was a little bit of time, during the past three years,
when we wondered whether we would be able to continue printing, but we have.
And we are also online at www.tlnews.com.au and every day we upload four stories to
Google News Showcase, so the world can find out about our little neck of the woods.
And I hope you continue to enjoy the reads and the photos and your stories, and
support our local advertisers who pay for the reads and the photos and your stories.
And to the gentleman, and I use the word lightly, who asked Kyle the original
question, we do not run “all the gay stuff”, we run all the good stuff and that includes
our amazing LGBTIQA+ community. And if you don’t like it, that’s cool. Just pick
up a copy of the other local paper from the newstand. Oh, that’s right, there is no
other paper. Just sayin’…

AS AN adolescent, Sheila Fitzpatrick challenged her father, including questioning his view on the Soviet Union. Being a socialist, he was hopeful that it was achieving something like socialism.

Later, she went to see for herself, emerging as the most prolific and influential
historian of the Soviet Union now at work. Her 11 books and many articles guided
two generations of scholars eager to crack open the mysteries of what is now again
Russia. An engaging and warm personality, she has been studying Russia since going
from Melbourne to Oxford University as a graduate student in 1964.
The winner of many awards, she is still hard at it at 81, although she retired from
the University of Chicago (home to “the nerdiest of the nerds”) after about 20 years
and is now at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. She will be at Clunes
for Booktown.
We discussed the famous Winston Churchill quotation from 1939 that Russia is
a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. It is possibly less so now, she says.
“But when I first went into the field I felt very strongly that it is a total mystery.
Some people would say everything over there is terrible and other people say that
everything over there is great and nobody actually seemed to know very much
because, of course, the Iron Curtain was a real obstacle to the passage of people and
information.”
That changed, but she says we still don’t collectively have a very clear sense
of what Russia is all about. We do know that Russia has been worried about the
expansion of NATO towards its border, and it felt that it had been assured that this
would not happen. At the time of the break-up of the Soviet Union, its President,
Gorbachev, did get such assurances.
“I don’t see a sign of any quick ending of this terrible war,” she says. “At the
moment neither side seems to be achieving a clear military victory, therefore there’s
got to be a negotiated settlement, at some point, one assumes, but I don’t see it soon.”
An indication of her following is that her latest work, the 256-page Shortest
History of the Soviet Union has had four English editions and 10 translations,
including Ukrainian. Surprisingly, she says, there is a Russian edition. The contract
was signed just before the invasion.
As an historian she used journalistic methods to track changes in Russian power,
looking up the Moscow and St Petersburg phone directories to see what people and
organisations had been dropped. Her father, Brian Fitzpatrick, had been a journalist,
as well as helping set up the civil liberties movement in Australia, and she says she has
some of the journalist in her.
“I loved doing that. I was very happy to find that source and to work away…”
Amazingly enough, while researching a new book on displaced persons from the
Soviet Union and the Baltic, she found that a secret agent was sent to Australia by
the Soviet to try to persuade former Soviet citizens who became “displaced persons”
because of the World War II to return. This was in 1951-52 and, she says, he had a
lot of difficulty because the migrants did not want to go back. She says the agent had
many psychiatric cases on his doorstep and was kind to them.
Almost as fascinating as her work was how she came to marry. She was on a
flight from New York to Austin, Texas, in 1989, which stopped in Houston. She
had an aisle seat and invited the man next to her to stretch his legs. They fell into
conversation. His name was Mischka Danos, a Latvian who, astonishingly survived
the World War II by moving to Germany, and then to the US with his mother, who
was sponsored by one of the Jewish people she saved.
He and Professor Fitzpatrick talked on that flight. They spoke in Russian. “He
suddenly stopped, explaining later that this was because he had a conflict about which
version of ‘you’ to use: the familiar, which felt natural but impolite given our very
recent acquaintance, or the polite one, which felt wrong because of his feeling that he
was talking to someone he knew well.” They were together until his death 10 years
later.
Away from academia, Professor Fitzpatrick played violin in chamber music groups.
And then there are her three passports. On entering or leaving this country
she uses her Australian one. Earlier, she automatically lost this by getting a British
passport so she could enter the Soviet Union. This was in her newly-acquired married
name, but she published under her maiden name, which helped because her first
scholarly article as S. Fitzpatrick (presumably male) was denounced as anti-Soviet
propaganda by a Moscow daily paper but nothing happened to her. Then she got an
American passport and now has an Australian one as well, so she can certainly travel…
Professor Fitzpatrick will appear with fellow historian Professor Joy Damousi
talking about Russia’s Soviet past at a sold-out event at Clunes Courthouse at
1.30pm on Saturday, March 25.
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Contributed