The final task of 2022 for Trentham Neighbourhood Centre was a happy one.

It was the job of announcing the community’s Christmas Lights Competition Winners – and thanking all who entered and all who voted.

In the end, the 2022 winners were: 

1st prize: House G: 6 Park Street.
2nd prize: House D: 24 Cosmo Road
3rd prize:  House B: 13 Camp Street.

Small farmers new to farming, or those just starting out farming, can now have access to a supportive year-long program designed to help get the best results from their land.

The ‘Regenerator’ farm management program includes four consulting sessions with specialist farm advisors, social events, monthly workshops with like-minded farmers and specialists, and field trips to working farms to meet people that have already established successful farms in the region

Winner of the 2018 Victorian Rural Women’s Award Melissa Connors:

“As the AgriFutures Victorian 2018 Rural Woman of the Year, I have teamed up with Cultivate Farms to design a series of events, connections, farm consulting services and practical advice to help new famers avoid costly mistakes and enjoy your farming experience.
“The ‘Regenerator’ farm management program includes four consulting sessions with specialist farm advisors, social events, monthly workshops with like-minded farmers and specialists, and field trips to working farms to meet people that have already established successful farms in the region.
“By the end of the year, you will have written a farm plan that is specific to your own farm vision. The farm plan will ensure that your slice of land is giving you the satisfaction you dreamt of.
“I learnt through my own experience how costly mistakes can be when starting out on a larger property. “I was so excited about living on acreage, but I didn’t really know what I was in for. I thought it would just be a ‘bigger’ suburban block, but there’s so much more to it than that.”
“At the end of the series, you will understand the detail of your property and have made strong connections in your community with those that can support your successful farm lifestyle.
“Whether you have 5 acres, or 500, there will be something in this program that everyone can learn from. Plus the supportive environment will help you make friends and connections with others in your local community with similar experiences.
“Cultivate Farms works to connect good people with good farms to produce good food in Australia. Their network of farm advisors, with a focus on regenerative farming and good soil health, walks new farmers through a series of steps to help them identify their goals for their farm and lifestyle.
“Over the course of the ‘Regenerator’ program, you will learn how to write your own farm plan, put together a financial business plan for your farm, minimise risks, and ensure that your farm is sustainable in the long term.”

In our October 24 editon we reported on the spring floods. And rain was pretty much on the radar for the next couple of months.

Thanks to all those who contributed photos and video – Frank Page, Emma Visser, Eve Lamb, Michael Sayn, Sarah Dalby and Natasha Morgan.

The state government is encouraging the state’s brightest health and medical researchers to apply for the 2022 Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research.

Acting Minister for Medical Research Gabrielle Williams has now opened applications for the prestigious awards which recognise the outstanding achievements of early career researchers and reflect the breadth of research being undertaken across Victoria.

Researchers can apply for one of five award categories – Basic Science, Clinical Research, Health Services, Public Health, with a category for Aboriginal researchers in any health or medical field.

Each category winner will receive $5,000, with one selected to receive the coveted Premier’s Excellence Award and an additional $15,000.

Last year’s winner of the Premier’s Excellence Award and Basic Science Researcher Award, Dr Xiaodong Liu, was recognised for his research into stem cell therapies in early pregnancy.

Dr Liu helped create a new model of human embryos from skin cells, termed an iBlastoid, that can be used to study diseases that affect early development and infertility.

Through his innovative work with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Dr Liu has enabled researchers to better study early human development and has increased the understanding of diseases and complications experienced during early pregnancy.

In 2022 the Labor Government released the Health and Medical Research Strategy: 2022-2032, which provides a framework for Victorian activity and investment in health and medical research over the next 10 years, including investments in talent to ensure the incoming research workforce is well supported.

The Premier’s Awards were established in 1995 in partnership with the Australian Society for Medical Research.

To find out more and apply, visit djpr.vic.gov.au/medical-research-awards. Applications close on 15 February 2023.

Acting Minister for Medical Research Gabrielle Williams: “We’re supporting our early career researchers so they can make discoveries that will save and improve lives here and around the world.”

In our August 15 edition reported on the state of Daylesford Spa Country Railway train tracks after the June 2021 storm.

DAYLESFORD Spa Country Railway trains are not far from heading back to Bullarto after the track was covered by fallen trees and debris in the June 2021 storm.
Board member Stuart Smithwick said Bushfire Recovery Victoria had done a
fantastic job with work looking like it will be finished this Friday, August 19.
“It’s great and while it doesn’t mean we will be running trains on Saturday, the
work BRV and the contractors have done just needs to be noted.”
Mr Smithwick said the storm damage was devastating for the railway’s many
dedicated volunteers but “you just keep your chin up and keep plodding along and
you know someone will come along and help you eventually”.
“And we have definitely been proved right that it was not just a job for a couple
of blokes and a chainsaw. You see the gear they are using and the volumes they have
been taking out. We could never have done that.”
Mr Smithwick said the organisation originally contacted VicTrack and Macedon
MP Mary-Anne Thomas with BRV unable to work on public land until legislation
was changed.
“The contractor did an assessment back in January, and they brought in arborists
to look at the trees, and then we all got the green light on June 30 this year. I think
the six months was all about who was going to pay for it.”
Mr Smithwick said despite the delays, the volunteers never gave up on their
railway. “At the end of the day it is a government asset and the government recognises
that we are pretty important to the region. So it was just a matter of being patient –
the same as it was with the fires in 2009.”
Mr Smithwick said it had taken until now to discover the extent of any track
damage with “literally spots we couldn’t actually see the track because there was so
much debris over it”.
“I walked the track last Monday and it doesn’t look too bad. And if we have to
put down a couple of sleepers, that is what we do.”
Mr Smithwick said it could be a couple of months before the train reached
Bullarto and people riding the train will find a huge change of scenery.
“There is going to be sunshine where it hasn’t been for a long time, and in some
spots where it was forest it is now open. “It’s not until you actually go into the bush
and go ‘wow’ that you get a real feeling of what has happened.”
(Ed’s note: The trains are back up and running. Make sure you get onboard over the
silly season. It’s a great ride. All monies raised, like those by the Sunday Market, are
used for the upkeep of the trains and track.

In our September 26 edition we let you know what the residents of Hepburn
House had been up to. And it’s disGraceful!

THE residents at Hepburn House have been keeping busy over the past
year – creating their second calendar – ready for 2023.
The theme is Ageing DisGracefully and Kyneton photographer David
White has returned to work pro bono again after the success of last year’s calendar
based on movie classics.
David and the residents and staff are having a lot of fun as they dream up ideas
and images for ways of Ageing DisGracefully.
Hepburn House manager Dianne Jones said the calendars would be on sale from
early November with the price $20.
The theme is named after the Ageing DisGracefully group started after successful
lobbying of the state government by Ms Jones and the Ageing With Pride committee.
The group meets every Thursday at 11am at the Amazing Mill Markets café in
Daylesford with everyone welcome. Email ageingdis3461@gmail.com or check out
the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.
Above, Hepburn House resident Irene Hannah found herself going home in
the back of a divvy van under the watchful eye of Daylesford Police’s Senior
Constable Jeremy Freckleton – it’s all part of the fun of creating a calendar
with the theme Ageing DisGracefully
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: David White Photography
(Ed’s note: The calendar is now for sale from Hepburn House and Blooms the Chemist
in Daylesford. Irene, who made our front page, was released with just a warning.
Head to the September 26 edition for more photos. Oh, the residents of Hepburn
House also appeared on The Project with Tommy Little and gained lots of other media attention.)

Hello there! I’m Mouse and I am a “massive smooch”. As you can see I’m a good lookin’ gal with a gorgeous tortoiseshell and white coat. I’m also desexed and young – just one year old!

I absolutely love cuddles and attention and I would spend all day having pats if I could get
away with it. I would be best suited to a home where someone can spend plenty of time with
me and basically adore me. I will fit in well with any good caring family. Microchip no.
956000015700738
If you would like to meet me then please contact the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine to make a time on 5472 5277.

By Donna Kelly

KYLE and I lived for a year in Karratha, WA. Below Broome, way above Perth. It was 2010 or maybe 2011.
It was an interesting time. I say interesting because I can’t say I really enjoyed it. It is a long way from anywhere and there was not much to do. And it was hot in summer, really hot.

We should have known. We flew over from Melbourne for a meet and greet at the
KI – or Karratha International Hotel – with the board members of the tourism centre
where Kyle had applied for the position of general manager.
It was all very jovial, us and about six board members of varying ages and
professions, all with an interest in tourism and more visitors. For the sake of
conversation I asked where was a good place to eat. “The BP’s not bad,” said one.
Kyle and I laughed good-naturedly, nice one. That is when we should have
known. Turns out the BP was not bad, nor was the Dampier Yacht Club for Chinese –
only 20km away, or the fish and chips the other way at Point Samson – maybe 40km.
Mind you, while we were living there a Chinese restaurant did open up at
Karratha itself. Yay, no more long trips for a few dimmies. Only trouble was, it was
BYO. Nah, not just alcohol. Everything. Plates, chopsticks, glasses, Esky…they did
provide tables. You ordered at the counter, sat down and waited for them to call your
number. Then you collected your order from the counter, all of a metre or so away,
and took your plastic box and plastic bag, ready to go, to your table. I kid you not.
Anyway, when we were there, the mining was going gangbusters. And everyone
was paid a fortune. A cleaner could be on $100,000 at a mine site. Kyle was paid a
packet and we had a free house that was apparently worth over a million, way back
then. And whenever he needed money for some project he would just ask one of the
mining companies, Rio Tinto, etc, for a grant. And they were very happy to oblige.
It was all part of a thing called Royalties for Regions and it was a way of giving
back to the community for all of the iron ore they were digging out and sending to
China. And making a tidy profit on along the way.
I am thinking about this now as an English-based company has an exploratory
licence for an old gold mine site in Daylesford. They are also looking at Glenlyon
and Yandoit. Hmmm. If the mining does eventually go ahead and there is noise and
dust and trucks and rumbling underground, what does this community receive for its
inconvenience?
As far as I am aware there is no Royalties for Regions here. A company
spokesperson told The Local that minerals sector companies directly contributed
over $2.8 million to 63 separate community groups across Victoria in 1920/21.
That’s $41,269 for each group. Pretty nice, you think. But Victoria’s gold industry
production alone, according to Earth Resources’ Regulation Statistical Report, was
worth $1.84 billion in the same time frame. That leaves $997,200,000 in the kitty.
So I can see the point for gold companies to come in, mine under our towns,
maybe give us a few bucks along the way and take away massive profits.
But I really think the time has come, to say fair’s fair, push off now and just let it
lay there. Oh, different era and mineral but I will tell you another time about the rock
art graveyard we saw near Dampier in WA. Meaningful rock art carefully collected
by mining companies, so they could blast away, and placed art side down in a huge
locked up area in the middle of nowhere. “Are you damaging rock art?” “No way.
Look at the care we take to ensure it’s survival.” Just sayin

In our June 6, 2022 edition we announced that Daylesford was in the
running to be the home of Tinder’s Big Rainbow.

Daylesford is one of four finalists for Tinder’s Big Rainbow, the first
BIG landmark celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ Pride and inclusion.
After thousands of submissions and from more than 50 regional towns
suggested, the final towns are Daylesford, Hay, Broome and Katherine.
“Daylesford, the Traditional Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, is known as
the rainbow capital of regional Victoria. It’s also home to ChillOut Festival, one of
the longest-running events celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ pride,” the Tinder site
says.
“Nestled on the WA coast, Broome, the Traditional Land of the Yawuru people, is
home to one of the most remote Mardi Gras celebrations in the country, providing a
melting pot of culture and people. As the hub of The Big Rivers region in the NT, the
town of Katherine, the Traditional Lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman
peoples, has an ever-growing LGBTQIA+ community and annual Pride celebration
for regional territorians.
“Deep in regional NSW, the small town of Hay, the Traditional Lands of the
Nari Nari and Wiradjuri people, is home to the first Mardi Gras of the region, the
Rainbow on the Plains festival.” Voting closes on June 30.
That news was followed up in our October 10 editon – we won.
DAYLESFORD has been named the home of the Big Rainbow,
Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of
regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion.
Daylesford was chosen after 16,000 public votes were cast, ahead of fellow
shortlisted towns Broome (WA), Hay (NSW) and Katherine (NT). The Big Rainbow
project is an initiative by online dating website Tinder Australia.
Hepburn Shire Council will now work with Tinder, and ratepayers through its
Participate Hepburn website, to chose from four potential sites – Lake Daylesford, the
Community Skate Park, the Lost Children’s Reserve or Victoria Park.
Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said it was brilliant to see the Big Rainbow,
which is 12 metres long and 6 metres wide, coming to a town that was considered to
be the rainbow capital of regional Australia.
They swiped right!
“Daylesford is the home of the ChillOut Festival, the longest running regional
LGBTIQA+ festival in Australia, and home to many rainbow families. Council will
soon initiate a period of community engagement to tap into the community’s local
knowledge and perspectives about the best suited location for the Big Rainbow which
will celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community.
“We are so grateful for the support that people across the country have shown us
in voting for Daylesford to be the home of the Big Rainbow. We have a long history
of supporting our LGBTIQA+ community and visitors to our town, and we hope
that The Big Rainbow will be an example of what it means to show love and support
to everyone.”
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said that while the rainbow was a symbol
of inclusion, he envisaged it also being a tourism drawcard for Daylesford.
“We see people seeking out the Big Pineapple in Queensland and the Big Merino
in New South Wales, we believe the Big Rainbow will continue to add to our visitor
experience in the beautiful Daylesford and Hepburn Shire.”
Council will now be working with Tinder on the logistics of installing the Big
Rainbow, which made from ply marine wood and metal. As part of the Big Rainbow
Project, Tinder has also pledged to donate $100,000 to support regional organisations
which deliver services to LGBTIQA+ people across Australia.

Words: Donna Kelly

Ed’s note: There is still no word on where the Big Rainbow will end up. Many
people think it will be Victoria Park and announced in the lead up to ChillOut.
Others would prefer no rainbow at all. And others are concerned that there was no
community consultation – Hepburn Shire Council just randomly hooked up with Tinder.

In our July 18 edition we sadly reported on the loss of Trentham’s Peter
Young, who wrote many pieces for The Local.

TRENTHAM artist and PR legend Peter Young passed away last
Thursday, July 14, after a short illness.
His own Twitter handle describes him as: “Former Cricket Aust head of
public affairs-turned-slow-left-arm painter. Of canvases, not houses.”
In 2015, Little Gallery ran a short piece on Facebook to promote a “Talk with
Artist” the following weekend. It said: “Peter Young sold cartoons to his local
newspaper as a schoolboy, has drawn all his life, and has haunted galleries for
decades. But he came late to painting, picking up a brush after 42 years of media and
corporate life, the last 25 as head of corporate affairs at Ansett, Medibank Private and,
most recently, at Cricket Australia.”
In Trentham, Peter and his wife Sally were involved in many organisations
including Spudfest, the Trentham Urban Sketch Club and the Little Gallery. Peter
was also always ready to knock out a media release for any group needing a bit of
publicity. Sally and Peter also loved to travel and many people loved reading their grey
nomad trials and tribulations with Neurotica the dog on Facebook.
(Ed’s note: The Local was lucky enough to entice Peter to write now and again and
feature some of his fantastic art. His latest piece ran in the June 20 edition with his
painting on the front cover. The Local crew are all, like so many others, devastated by his
passing. Pete, you have left us too soon and we miss you. You touched the lives of so many
people and your legacy will live on through them. Hope they have a brush and easel up
there – and they get your fantastic sense of humour.)

In our April 11 edition, we reported on a group, Rethink The Rex, calling on
Hepburn Shire Council to change its mind about the Daylesford building.

A PUBLIC meeting held by organisation Rethink The Rex, has resulted
in a call for Hepburn Shire Council to “rescind the motion to sell The
Rex and release the Crowe Haworth auditor’s report”.

Macedon MP and Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas and
Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane have been asked to release the Local
Government Inspectorate report on the building’s recent history.
Mayor Cr Tim Drylie told The Local last Thursday that, in accordance with the
Local Government Act, the motion to cease the Hepburn Hub project and sell The
Rex building could not be rescinded “as officers have commenced actioning it”.
Group spokesperson Jules McDonald said the meeting, held on April 5, saw 120
people at the Daylesford Town Hall with another 126 watching via streaming.
“The meeting focused on providing information to give people an understanding
of the story behind the long and sad saga of The Rex, the difficulties experienced in
finding the information and the emerging picture of the appalling mismanagement
of the project dating from the purchase in 2016 and finally resulted in an abrupt
decision to sell the building in November 2021,” Ms McDonald said.
“Whilst not providing solutions, the meeting presented many positive ideas
about alternatives to continuing with the plan to accommodate council staff in the
currently uninhabitable, water-compromised concrete base within the basement of
the building.
“It was suggested that a cheaper alternative would be to utilise this space as a two-
level car park which could then be built above either as a library or accommodation
or even a boutique hotel with entry from Duke Street. This would leave options for
community use such as the cinema, social enterprise café and hospitality training
space and a Made In Daylesford shop.
“Many positive ideas were introduced. Tammi Jonas, a local regenerative and
agroecological farmer and key organiser for the Hepburn Food Hub, was excited
about the possibility of a physical food hub in Daylesford offering producers much-
needed facilities for processing and distribution, and a collectively managed resource
to improve locals’ access to local food.
“(And) local artist Kristeena Saville encouraged us to imagine young and old
coming together in a central space, where artisans and artists are encouraged to
express and share. A connective space with a theatre and a food hub for youth
training with locally produced and made goods, served on locally made ceramics –
where workshops are held, ideas shared, and skills exchanged.
“Just think …visitors could experience a vast amount of local talent that is
normally hidden away due to the prohibitive costs associated with exposure in one of
the most prominent buildings in the area.”
Ms McDonald said Mary Crooks, executive director of the Victorian Women’s
Trust gave an inspirational talk emphasising the importance of retaining the history
and culture of the town which often resides in iconic buildings such as The Rex. Ms
Crooks outlined ways of developing community projects using social capital such as
community owned or social enterprise models.
Meanwhile Daylesford Community Theatre president Gina Lyons described The
Rex as an iconic building in the heart of the town. Ms Lyons told the meeting while
the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project may have been costly to complete, the finished
result would have provided an asset for the next 50-60 years and beyond. She said if
the council walked away and sold the building now, they were “simply locking in a
cash loss in the vicinity of $5 million with nothing to show for it”.
Ms McDonald said the meeting called on those attending to get involved
and express their views by phone or email to local councillors, newspapers and
social media. It also called on the council to conduct a comprehensive community
engagement process and “not to engage in a tokenistic tick-a-box process”.
“The Rethink The Rex group plans to arrange community meetings to explore
some of the ideas expressed further, especially the use of social capital in community-
owned or social enterprise projects.”
Cr Drylie said in November 2021, the council voted to not proceed with final
construction works of the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project, and instead sell the
historic building.
“Council purchased the building in 2016 and the project has had a difficult
history. The project is subject to a Local Government Inspectorate (LGI)
investigation after council self-reported and we are awaiting the final report. The LGI
report is independent of council, and we are as frustrated as the community with the
delay of its release.
Don’t sell The Rex – group’s call to council
“Council initiated its own independent audit of the project prior to the LGI
investigation, and these findings are not able to be made public due to it being a key
report being considered by the LGI as part of their review.
“We are required to undertake community consultation for the sale of any council
building, and we are committed to the community engagement process on The Rex
sale which will commence shortly. We will consider all feedback received from the
community and council will make a final determination at a future council meeting.”
Local Government Inspectorate chief municipal inspector Michael Stefanovic said
the inspectorate was finalising its report into Hepburn Shire Council.
“We won’t make any further comment at this time.”
Asked for any comment on the meeting and its outcomes, Macedon MP
Mary-Anne Thomas told The Local that the Local Government Inspectorate was an
independent integrity body responsible for examining and investigating potential
breaches of the Local Government Act 2020.

Words & images: Donna Kelly

(Ed’s note: Hepburn Shire Council sold The Rex in December to Daylesford locals
Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and David and Yuge Bromley. The building sold for
$3.75 million, just above the reserve price of $3.7 million.)

In our May 9, 2022 edition we reported that the Daylesford Field & Game
Club could return to the Glenlyon Reserve.

THE Daylesford Field & Game Club can finally return to its home at the Glenlyon Reserve after three years now a final report has found the risk of soil contamination is “low and acceptable”.
The news comes three years after concerns were raised over potential lead
contamination, possibly caused by clay target shooting, and an initial assessment
found elevated levels of lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the reserve.
The Daylesford Field & Game Club, which has operated out of Glenlyon for 43
years, was told to stop using the reserve at the start of 2020.
However a final report presented to Hepburn Shire Council this year has found
“the extent and severity of soil contamination is less than indicated in the preliminary
assessment” and “no further risk assessment, remedial actions or further management
controls are required for the site based on its use as a recreational reserve”.
Club secretary Colin Johns, pictured, said once a few fences were repaired, club
members were looking forward to their first shoot in a couple of months.
“I have had a lot of calls over the past few days from members who are fairly keen
to get back into it but we also have to do a bit of rebuilding of the club. It’s been
three years and some people were almost ready to give it away, but they are pretty
keen to get back now.”
Mr Johns, who has competed at state, Australian and international levels, said the
majority of people living around Glenlyon had been very supportive. “I think we are
actually more welcome than we had thought.”
Mr Johns said the club would love new members and had already been talking to
new Glenlyon residents who were shooters and “dead keen” to get going.
Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Mr Johns on 0427 530 559 or
vice president Jody Wallace on 0417 592 952.
Words: Donna Kelly
(Ed’s note: We have not heard any gunshots from the reserve in 2022 but look forward
to waking up on Saturday to the sounds of real country living.)

Looking back over the year that was, we’ve particularly enjoyed recalling the stories and people behind the images that made the front of The Local. Here are a few of our favs that fronted up throughout ’22!

They say an image tells “a thousand words…”

In our March 14 edition, we reported on Bullarto Primary School Principal Jo Pegg and her induction
onto the Hepburn Shire’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

INSPIRATIONAL Bullarto Primary School principal Joanne Pegg has been inducted onto Hepburn Shire’s
Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.
At last week’s event celebrating International Women’s Day, Jo was surrounded by family and friends, colleagues, past and present students and their families.
Her work in the school system, a system that often sees children fall through the cracks of mainstream education, her advocacy, her tenacity and determination was recognised through her inclusion on the honour roll.
Jo was featured in The Local last February at the height of Covid. She had moved to the little school on the edge of the forest from the Grampians. While it was assumed she was there to create an exit strategy for the school with four students, Jo had other plans and with the help of a passionate community,
the school now has 22 students, and a menagerie of animals.
In the Victorian public school system teachers and principals can no longer freely speak to the media without going through the bureaucratic hoops. Jo will always be the advocate, willing to share
her thoughts, fight for the wellbeing of her students, her son and children of all ages,
if it means voices are heard.
On the night, Jo spoke about the influence her parents had on her life. Being born with a hand anomaly her parents raised her believing she could do and be anything.
Growing up she witnessed her parents advocate for her every step of the way.
When she was stopped from using scissors in kindergarten, and when her Year 9
teacher refusing to teach her typing, Jo’s parents intervened and instilled the power of
advocacy. They fought for her when she was too young to have her own voice. Now
she’s the voice for many children and their families.
“My parents are the reason I am here. My colleagues, my school community and
my parents. If you are a student of mine, I’ll have your back forever.”
#BreaktheBias
One of the themes for this year’s International Women’s Day was Break the
Bias. Hepburn Shire Mayor, Tim Drylie, broke the bias in his own way – not
only delivering a powerful speech – but actually delivering the speech when it was
suggested by a few that it wasn’t his place.
“I take full responsibility for my own biases and recognise the privileges that come
my way as a white, able-bodied, heterosexual, Anglo-Saxon middle-aged man,” he
said.
“When I asked my daughters what they thought about me giving a speech at an
International Women’s Day event they said I shouldn’t do it and I am sure there are
some people who would agree with them.
“However, after speaking with several other men and women, I realised that
I could be an ally by speaking in solidarity with women and to continue to take
proactive and preventative measures to help ‘Break the Bias’ associated with this toxic
masculinity.”
Cr Drylie spoke about recently formed group, Safety, Respect, Equity and the
work sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame and parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins are
doing. He called on men to stand up in solidarity.
“Call out and break our own biases and refuse to be a part of this toxic masculine
identity that pervades the top tiers of government and filters down, and to be better
for others,” he said.
“In our own relationships as men we need to look in the mirror and acknowledge
our biases, to be honest with ourselves and begin breaking repeated patterns of abuse
and control, be it of a physical or emotional nature. We need to understand that
healthy relationships are based on respect, good communication, trust, honesty and
equality.”

Words & image: Narelle Groenhout
(Ed’s note: Late in 2022, Jo announced that Bullarto Primary School had reached
an enrolment of 19 students for 2023 and a full-time teacher. The little school that
could, did.)

Welcome to 2023. As is our custom for the first edition of a new year, this
edition of The Local is all about looking back. but with the story of the sale
of The Rex breaking over the past couple of weeks, we felt it was one we
could not miss.

HEPBURN Shire Council has named local entrepreneurs and
businesspeople Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and David and Yuge
Bromley, as the successful bidders in the purchase of The Rex
building in Vincent Street, Daylesford, following a public expression of
interest process.
The building sold for $3.75 million. This was above the reserve price of $3.7
million, which was set in accordance with an independent property valuation and the
requirements of the Local Government Act 2020.
There was substantial interest in the purchase, and the council received six formal
submissions.
Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the sale of the building marked the beginning of a
new chapter for the heritage property.
“The Comelli and Bromley submission was very strong. Their unconditional
offer was clearly the preferred bid, and their submission outlined a strong desire to
redevelop this property in a way that will benefit our community,” he said.
Both the Comelli and Bromley families live in Daylesford and have strong
connections in the community. They said they were looking forward to making the
most of The Rex’s potential.
“With both of our families local to the Daylesford community, the honour of
purchasing and developing this iconic building into a thriving destination spot for
both locals and visitors alike was our key driver,” Yuge Bromley said.
“We are truly honoured to have the privilege of purchasing this building. We will
take time to regroup and plan but our intention is to tap into our combined passions,
connections and resources to transform the building into an evolving dining, retail
and entertainment destination with a diversity of culture, food, art, music and
entertainment.
“We have some initial plans regarding the arcade and atrium, making it a place
where visitors local and from afar can frequent time and time again. Our driving
goal is to create a space that our children and grandchildren can look to with pride
for what the combined energies of the Comelli and Bromley families can bring to
fruition.”
Cr Hood noted that any works that fell outside the existing planning permit
would require planning approvals including heritage, which is separate to the sale
process. “The sale proceeds will be used to repay the loan linked to the purchase
of the site and remaining funds will be allocated into a financial reserve for future
expenditure on staff accommodation and community facilities,” Cr Hood said.
“We have already begun our planning, and we will progress our investigation into
options for staff accommodation and community facilities throughout 2023. This will
include community consultation.”
The council’s principal objectives of the sale process were to identify a proponent
with the financial capacity to purchase the land and develop the property; identify
a proposal which provided an economic and social benefit for the local community;
respond to the council plan; and achieve an optimal financial return to the council.
The EOI and sale process was overseen by an independent probity advisor to
ensure the transparency and integrity of the sale process. The marketing and sale
campaign was managed by real estate agent Fitzroys.
Cr Hood acknowledged the challenging history of the building since the council
purchased it in 2016. “The decision to sell The Rex was a complex one and we
appreciate there has been considerable interest in the building, its legacy and the sale
process. We are optimistic that the Comelli and Bromley families will breathe new life
into this historic building in the heart of Daylesford.”
Council’s original purchase of The Rex building and other matters relating to the
Hepburn at The Hub project remain under investigation by the Local Government
Inspectorate.
Above, inside The Rex as works originally got underway, inset above, Eddie
Comelli, inset below, artist David Bromley
Main image: Donna Kelly | Insets: Kyle Barnes