In our February 14, 2022 edition we reported on volunteer extraordinaire
Danny Moynihan and his appointment as Hepburn Shire’s 2022 Citizen of
the Year.

“YOU don’t look for appreciation, but I suppose it’s nice when it comes
your way.”
Those are the humble words of Hepburn Shire’s 2022 Citizen of the Year
Danny Moynihan, who has spent the past 37 years helping improve the lives of others
through countless volunteer roles with more than 24 organisations.
At the January 25 Community Awards and Civic Ceremony, Mayor Tim Drylie
described Danny, as a “quiet achiever”. “Once he makes a commitment to be involved
in a community cause or project he is there for the long haul.”
Danny moved to Daylesford with his wife, the late Roz Moynihan and their two
young children, Justin, then six, and Natalie, then three, in 1984. Born in Ballarat,
he joined the Post Office in 1968 as a postal clerk in training. Danny, pictured with
Natalie’s dog Waru, was sent to Melbourne for what was meant to be a six-month
stint which lasted 16 years.
“I was at Huntingdale and the office was downgraded so I didn’t have an
‘attachment’ to a post office and was transferred to Daylesford. The fellow here, Lloyd
Williams, had died, just in his 40s, so I thought I might as well come up to the bush.
I was also sick of the travelling in Melbourne. We had a house in Mulgrave but I
could be working at Seaford, or Port Melbourne or City Road. It was a long way to
go to all these offices.
“So I moved in December 1984 and Roz and the kids came up in January 1985
so Justin could go to school. We bought a house in Hospital Street, opposite the
hospital, which we eventually sold to the hospital and then moved to Tipperary
Springs in 1987. And we have been here ever since.”
That’s except for a short transfer to Maryborough for Danny just eight months
after he started at Daylesford. Again, it was supposed to be a short stint of just three
months but lasted 18 months. With just one car between them he stayed during the
week and returned on weekends so Roz could have the car to ferry the kids around.
He and Roz eventually bought the post office in 1998 and ran it until 2006.
“When I came up here it was a corporate office owned by Australia Post. The
exchange was there as well, all under the one building. But they subdivided the
building in the 1990s and after 30 years as a postal manager I became a licenced
postal manager. The building was quite dear at the time, well I thought it was because
they were selling other post offices for less, but they said quite rightly it would be
worth a lot more in the future. It’s been good superannuation.”
Danny said Roz was always keen to get involved with the community and causes
and when he arrived back from Maryborough she was already well known. But it
didn’t take him long to make his mark as well, joining many of the same organisations
but also doing his own thing.
Among those he has been with, or the 11 he still is with, are Daylesford Rotary,
Hepburn Regional Community Cheer Committee, ChillOut, Daylesford Good
Grub Club, Hepburn Shire’s White Ribbon, Daylesford Hepburn United Soccer
Club Junior Group, Hepburn Shire Neighbourhood Watch, Daylesford Agricultural
Show, Daylesford Community Op Shop, Daylesford Indoor Recreation Facility
Organising Committee, Community Based Bushfire Mitigation Group, Daylesford
Hospital Redevelopment fundraising committee, Daylesford Hospital Redevelopment
Committee, Daylesford Scouts Management Committee, Daylesford Girl Guides
Management Committee, New Year’s Eve Parade, Daylesford Speedway, Salvation
Army Red Shield Appeal, Daylesford RSL, Very Special Kids Annual Appeal,
Daylesford Probus, Daylesford Gift Run on New Year’s Day to raise funds for Camp
Quality and the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal street collection.
One of his most remarkable, or perhaps different, achievements was being elected
the first, and probably only, male president of the Daylesford Girl Guides.
Danny said hearing his name called as Citizen of the Year was “more pleasing for
the family than the individual.
“Roz was placed on the Hepburn Shire’s (Heather Mutimer) Women’s Honour
Roll in 2019 so I said to Nat now I can put my certificate alongside hers.
Inset: Danny with his family, from left, daughter Natalie Moynihan, grand-
daughter Wynter Grey, Joel Grey and son Justin Moynihan
Words: Donna Kelly | Main image: Kyle Barnes
(Ed’s note: Danny was in the back of our ute for the 2022 ChillOut parade. I said to
Kyle: “Wow, people are really cheering for us this year!” Of course, I finally worked out
it was Danny they were cheering for. And quite rightly.)
News 5www.tlnews.com.au

Police say they’re alarmed at the number of drivers who were recently caught breaking road rules during the first week of Operation Roadwise.

Operation Roadwise commenced at 12:01am on Friday 16 December and concluded at 23:59pm on Tuesday 27 December.

In the first six days of the statewide road policing operation, Victoria Police detected 6,970 traffic offences, which is 15 per cent more than the same time last year.

Police conducted 103,943 preliminary breath tests, with 255 drivers detected for drink driving, whilst one in every thirteen motorists tested for drugs have returned a positive roadside drug test.

Mid-range speeding between 10km/h and 25km/h has resulted in the most infringements issued (1,854), with speeding offences overall making up 35 per cent of all detections.

Mobile phone use has resulted in a costly Christmas for 444 motorists, each receiving a $555 fine and 4 demerit points.

Automatic numberplate recognition technology has also helped police to identify 496 unauthorised drivers, who are either suspended, disqualified or unlicenced to drive and should not be on the roads.

A summary of traffic offences detected during just the first six days of Operation Roadwise, included:

• 255 drink driving offences from 103,943 preliminary breath tests

• 209 drug driving offences from 2,626 roadside drug tests

• 233 disqualified/suspended drivers

• 263 unlicensed drivers

• 713 unregistered vehicles

• 2,418 speeding offences (1,854 for between 10km/h and 25km/h)

• 444 mobile phone offences

• 368 disobey signs/signals

• 202 seatbelt offences

• 170 vehicle impoundments

Local aspiring poets will have a unique chance to hone their creative technique when the Gisborne library hosts award-winning poet and writer Lorraine Marwood for a sampler of poetry styles, techniques and inspirations later this month.

Two hour-long poetry sampler workshops led by the accomplished poet and writer are taking place at the Gisborne Library on Tuesday, January 17 – the first at 2pm and the second starting at 5.30pm.

The workshops are being hosted as part of the Gisborne Writing and Illustration Challenge collection and are suitable for adults and young adults.

Lorraine Marwood has published four verse novels, a literary poetry collection, and is extensively published in literary magazines.

She is passionate about helping others be creative.

The workshops are free to attend but bookings are required and can be made via the library’s online website.

Police were left shaking their heads after two mates began racing each other in front of them in recent days, they report.

Westgate Highway Patrol members had first spotted the two hatchbacks allegedly speeding along Leakes Road in Altona on the evening of December 23.

The officers caught up with the pair on Maidstone Street when they started racing, failing to see the marked police car behind them about 10.50pm.

The vehicles were allegedly clocked doing more than double the speed limit at 135km/h in a 70km/h zone.

The two Tarneit men, aged 22 and 23, had their vehicles impounded for 30 days and police, in recent days, said they could expect to be charged on summons with speeding and street racing offences.

This catch formed part of Operation Roadwise, a state-wide road policing operation during the high-risk Christmas period.

Police had targeted impaired driving, speed, distraction, and fatigue in high-risk areas throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The operation commenced at 12.01am on Friday, 16 December and concluded at 23.59pm on Tuesday, 27 December.

Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance after more than $1.25 million worth of jewellery was stolen during a burglary last month.

The rare items – which included gold and diamonds – were stolen from a residential address in the Eildon area sometime between 5.30-8.30pm on Saturday 17 December.

Investigators have been told the victim returned home about 8.30pm to find the offenders had earlier gained access via a side door to the house, stealing over $1.25 million worth of jewellery.

As part of their investigation, detectives have released images of the distinctive pieces in the hope someone recognises them and comes forward with information.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after allegedly travelling at double the speed limit in Shepparton early Christmas morning.

Shepparton Highway Patrol members were travelling along Doyles Road when they spotted a Hyundai travelling with no headlights about 1.30am.

A check of the vehicle’s speed allegedly clocked the driver doing 144km/h in a 60km/h zone, police report.

Police went to intercept the vehicle when it suddenly stopped in the middle of the road as it had run out of fuel.

Officers were shocked to discover a 16-year-old boy behind the wheel.

It’s alleged the driver returned a positive drug test for methylamphetamines.

The Mooroopna youth has been charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving and breaching bail.

He was expected to face court at a later date.

This catch forms part of Operation Roadwise, a state-wide road policing operation during the high-risk Christmas period.

Police are targeting impaired driving, speed, distraction, and fatigue in high-risk areas throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The operation commenced at 12.01am on Friday, 16 December and concluded at 23.59pm on Tuesday, 27 December.

Police from VIPER Taskforce have in recent days arrested two men following an ongoing investigation into drugs allegedly being sold on social media platforms.

Search warrants were executed at two addresses in Narre Warren and Berwick on December 23.

A number of items were seized at both addresses including firearms, drugs, knuckle dusters, cash and ammunition.

A 19-year-old Narre Warren man was interviewed and released to be charged on summons.

A 19-year-old Berwick man has been charged with trafficking cocaine, possess cannabis and possess proceeds of crime. He had been been remanded to December 29, 2022.

The VIPER Taskforce is a tactical and investigative unit based within Crime Command focused on preventing, detecting, deterring, disrupting and dismantling the criminal activities of groups such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, organised crime networks and street gangs.

The taskforce, which commenced in July 2022, supports the work of specialist investigation units and regional police by providing further resources to assist with investigation tactics and enforcement actions.

VIPER is an acronym for visibility, intelligence, prevention, enforcement and reassurance.

Anyone with information about organised criminal or illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at Crime Stoppers online.

The Real Gardens of Lyonville is an event to gladen the heart of all who appreciate good gardens and gardening – and it’s set for Sunday, March 26 2023 from 10am – 4pm.

The Real Gardens of Lyonville event is a showcase of local cool climate gardens.  Small and large, wild and manicured, you will see a selection of gardens to pique your interest. 

There is a dedicated group of passionate gardeners in the small township who tussle with the challenges of invasive weeds and an unpredictable climate to nurture some great gardens, both beautiful and bountiful.

The idea for this event was first hatched by the Lyonville Garden Club.  It then made its way into the Lyonville Community Plan and this helped when applying for a grant from Hepburn Shire Council to assist with the cost of setting up this inaugural event. 

All proceeds from the day will go towards the many other projects to enhance the township, that are in the Community Plan.

For the first year of this event, organisers are delighted to include Babbington Park, home to celebrated chef and local restauranteur Annie Smithers.  They also have six other local gardens for garden lovers to visit during the day. 

There will be short lunchtime talks from local garden experts scheduled at the hall.  Refreshments, including morning teas and lunches, will be available at the Lyonville hall but bookings are essential when buying tickets which are available through humanitix on line. Updates via the event’s Facebook and Instagram sites.

Police have arrested a woman following the alleged theft of a therapy dog in Essendon on Christmas Eve.

A woman left her dog Kyron outside a Mt Alexander Road supermarket while she ducked in for some last-minute groceries about 8.45pm.

She returned outside to find Kyron had been stolen.

A tip from a member of the public lead police to an Essendon address where it’s alleged Kyron was located inside about 2am on Christmas morning.

Officers soon became unlikely Santas and delivered Kyron to his grateful owner.

She told police it was the best Christmas present she had ever received.

The alleged Grinch, a 26-year-old Essendon woman, has since been arrested and charged with theft.

Police officers from the Mounted Branch had rescued two sisters on Monday night earlier this week following reports they were struggling in waters off St Kilda Pier.

The members were patrolling along Jacka Boulevard, as part of Operation Summersafe, when a member of the public flagged them down reporting two children were in the water and needed help about 7.40pm.

The acting sergeant and leading senior constable rode down to the foreshore before they stripped off their police equipment and entered the water.

Two other mounted branch teams stayed back on the shore with the equipment, horses and raised the alarm.

Both officers swam out to the pair, aged 10 and 11-years, and from what it appears were just in time.

The first officer was able to make it back to shore with one of the girls.

The second officer, in very difficult circumstances, had to fully submerge herself and push off the bay floor to try and bring the young girl to the surface and out of an undertow.

They encountered rough and choppy waters and a strong pull into the pier near construction infrastructure.

The pair were exhausted and very lucky to escape serious injury, with the officer able to make her way onto nearby rocks and the young girl assisted back to the shore by a member of the public.

The young girls were checked over by ambulance paramedics before they were left in the care of their mother.

Police would also like to thank the member of the public who assisted with the rescue.

Acclaimed Castlemaine author Alex Miller will be discussing his new novel, A brief affair, with Prue Mansfield in a special event coming up at Bendigo Library.

A brief affair is a tender love story that transports readers from the bustling streets of China to familiar central Victorian locations, and is about love in its many guises, condoned and illicit.

“Sex is never just sex,” the award-winning local author says, discussing A brief affair.

“There is always more to it: friends, family, trust, betrayal. It is through a brief affair with a stranger that Frances comes to an understanding of what really matters to her”.

The new book has been described by critics as ‘deceptively simple and hauntingly beautiful’ and Miller will be discussing it at Bendigo Library ias part of the Goldfiles Libraries’ Author Talks series on Thursday, February 23 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm.

The free session will include book sales and signings and, while it’s free to attend, bookings are required via evenitbrite or the library website.

Alex Miller has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award twice, for his novels The Ancestor Game and Journey to the Stone Country.

The annual Lyonville Woodchop will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 10.30am at the Lyonville Hall.

This year is the 50^th anniversary of the Lyonville Woodchop so organisers plan to make it a particularly memorable event. 

To mark the anniversary, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP, has been invited to present the $1,300 Woodchop championship prize to the winning axeman.  Ms King will also supervise the Ladies’ Nail Drive competition and award the prize to the fastest lady hammer wielder.

Woodchop events have been a feature of rural life for many years to celebrate the strength and speed of our local axemen.  Lyonville was a timber town for many years and our Woodchop is a great way to commemorate this part of our history.  All proceeds from the Lyonville Woodchop go towards the upkeep and development of the historic Lyonville Mechanics Institute (the hall).

All the usual attractions will also be available at the woodchop: a bar, BBQ, barrista coffee, cakes and light lunch stall, plus raffle and spinning wheel with lots of great prizes to be won.

Organisers say they’re really looking forward to welcoming a robust crowd to the 50^th anniversary Lyonville Woodchop.

Event details:

Date: Saturday, February 4 2023 from 10.30am

Venue: Lyonville Hall, Corner Bremner Ave & Gleeson St, Lyonville

Cost: Entry is $5 per adult, children are free.

The Hepburn Shire’s new draft Disability Action Plan is now open for public review and response.

The council has worked closely with the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) on the plan and is now welcoming feedback while also calling for expressions of interest to join the DAC.

Community members living with disability and their friends, family members or carers are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft plan by Sunday, 22 January 2023.

“The action plan will guide our work to support and advocate for community members living with disability so it’s important that we get it right,” said Mayor, Cr Brian Hood.

The plan covers a range of priorities including inclusive communities; health, housing and wellbeing; fairness and safety; and opportunity and pride. The four areas are specified in the Victorian Disability Plan and all actions must fall into at least one of the priority areas.

Community feedback will help Council to fine-tune the actions in the draft action plan. Actions range from changing attitudes, to transport, sport and recreation, assistance animals to supporting a high-quality NDIS.

The new plan has a focus on ‘invisible disabilities’ including neurological, cognitive and sensory disabilities. It also aims to improve the accessibility of information Council provides to the community, and will continue the process of removing access barriers in the built environment.

The draft action plan is available at Council hubs and on Council’s engagement platform at Participate Hepburn.

The council is particularly encouraging people to apply to join the Disability Advisory Committee if they have lived experience of a physical, sensory, psychiatric or neurological impairment; care for a person living with disability; are an experienced disability service provider; or disability advocate. Expressions of interest to join the committee close on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

The Disability Action Plan aligns with the four-year Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan and integrates with many other Council plans and strategies.

Council will consider the Disability Action Plan for adoption in early 2023.

Police were preparing a report for the Coroner following the death of a young man in Lorne on Christmas evening.

Officers have been told the teenager was one of three young men body surfing in the vicinity of where the Cumberland River meets the ocean, at Cumberland River Beach, when one of the men got into difficulty shortly before 6pm.

The two other males tried to assist before all three of the men found themselves in difficulty.

The trio were able to make their way to shore before they collapsed needing assistance.

An off-duty doctor along with an onlooker and then police and Surf Life Rescue performed CPR and provided first aid to the men before ambulance paramedics arrived.

Sadly, a 19-year-old St Albans young man died at the scene.

The second male, believed to be in a serious condition, had been airlifted to a Melbourne hospital.

The third young man was conveyed to a local hospital for treatment.

Dragon Dance is a story of hope, resilience and creativity, and a celebration of Bendigo’s much-loved Chinese dragons and a special event is this month offering central Victorian locals a chance to hear first-hand from its creators.

The book’s creators, Lauren Mitchell and Geoff Hocking will feature as part of a special hour-long talk coming up at Bendigo Library on Sat, Jan 21, at 10am.

“We are delighted to welcome Anita Jack to launch a very special children’s book set in Bendigo,” organisers of the event, part of the Goldfields Libraries Author Talks series.

“Dragon Dance is a story of hope, resilience and creativity, and a celebration of Bendigo’s much-loved Chinese dragons.

“Join local author Lauren Mitchell and illustrator Geoff Hocking for insights, readings, and a fortune cookie or two!”