THE state’s selection of the Creswick Trails to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games mountain biking competition has big implications for local business and the town’s future.
“You can’t buy that sort of exposure,” Business and Tourism Creswick acting
president and secretary Margaret Giles said.
“I would imagine it will represent a huge injection of funds into the community
but it’s also the ongoing exposure that’s invaluable,” Ms Giles said.
“It’s very exciting and a wonderful opportunity for Creswick. Creswick is growing
and an event like this just adds to people’s awareness of where Creswick is, and what
it has to offer.”
Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie foresees the Creswick Trails network
becoming one of Australia’s leading mountain biking destinations.
“The Creswick Trails project will deliver 60 kilometres of world-class mountain
bike trails built in and around the regional park, state forest and plantation lands of
Creswick.”
And work is now underway on the town’s Hammon Park Trailhead which
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas says will serve as a start and finish focal point
for the trail-based competition during the Games.
The impressive multi-level pump track complex being developed there is shaping
as a complementary all-ages community asset and a venue for local, regional and
national events long into the future.
“This will hopefully be finished around Christmas and will be a permanent fixture
that will be well utilised by families and youth,” Mr Thomas says of the trailhead
pump track complex.
Meanwhile, tenders to build the trails themselves have closed and the council is
working through the formal tender evaluation process with a report regarding the
appointment of a successful tenderer due to go before the November 15 council
meeting.
Mr Thomas says construction of the Creswick Trails themselves is anticipated to
start early next year, with work to be completed mid-2024.
“There’s a fair bit of construction work for the trails. They will range from easy
through to elite – which will be used for the Games that millions of people around
Australia are going to be watching,” he says.
Those already keenly anticipating trying them out include members of the VOGA
local cycle club whose membership spans road cyclists and mountain bikers through
to BMX and juniors.
“It will be a race to be the first person to ride them,” VOGA president and keen
local mountain biker, David Tannard said.
“In terms of hosting the Commonwealth Games in Creswick it’s just amazing. It
just brings a spotlight to Creswick.
The anticipated economic and visitation fillip is something businesses may need
to start thinking about and planning for now, Ms Giles suggests.
“I guess staffing is going to be a big issue. It already is. It gives businesses an
opportunity to prepare, to look at their business and maybe do a new business plan.”
From left, CEO Bradley Thomas, VOGA cycling club president David
Tannard, mayor Cr Tim Drylie (seated), VOGA cycling club treasurer Bradley
Martin and Cr Don Henderson at Creswick’s Hammon Park Trailhead pump
track. Words & image: Eve Lamb

YANDOIT’S historic Uniting church is getting set to host two vibrant concerts supporting good causes this month, under its new guise as the venue for Yandoit Cultural live events.
For the time being, the little 1875-built bushland church is in community hands
and being run as a community arts and culture space with locals keen to see the
arrangement become permanent.
Coming up, Sunday, November 13 at 4pm, the venue will host ARIA award winning folk musician Kavisha Mazzella with a benefit concert for Ukrainian refugees.
Singing in English and Italian, Mazzella promises to take her audience on an
uplifting journey of well-crafted stories and songs ringing with echoes of Celtic, Fado
and gypsy influences.
Then on Sunday, November 27 the church will again set the scene for a 4pm
concert, this time with Didgeridoo, Debussy and the Birds of Oz.
It will feature Claude Debussy’s wonderland dreamscapes Syrinx (1913) and the
Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1915), blended with contemporary Australian
compositions themed around connections to nature and each other.
Organisers say an added highlight will be the Yandoitian Birdbath – an audio
visual celebration of the area’s local birdlife featuring photography by Jodie Heap
accompanied by Debussy’s Prelude La fille aux cheveux de lin (The girl with the flaxen
hair) arranged for solo harp.
Acclaimed artists featured in the ensemble are Amos Roach, a proud Ngarrindjerri
and Djab Wurrung and Gunditj Mara man, on didgeridoo, Jacinta Dennett on harp,
Johanna Selleck on flute and William Vyvyan Murray on viola.
The reinvention of the church as a place of live cultural events comes as the
Uniting Church synod had been looking at selling it, along with other churches
where congregations have dwindled dramatically over the decades, and upkeep has
become an issue.
“Over the years we have been negotiating with the Castlemaine Uniting Church
parish and back in February we got the lease signed to keep this beautiful, historical
building in community hands,” Yandoit Cultural steering committee member Nikki
Marshall, a local for 11 years, said.
“This is an alternative, for the time being, to private sale, which has been the fate
of so many historical churches in our local area.”
She said the lease had been secured under the auspices of the Yandoit, Clydesdale
and Franklinford Community Planning Group, in a move driven by the community.
Nikki also said that one of the church’s stand-out features was its fantastic
acoustics.
“It has excellent acoustics, perfect for musical concerts and spoken word. The
raked floor makes for easy viewing and listening, and the stained glass windows
beautifully frame the surrounding eucalypts.
“We’ve had it for about six months now and in that time all of the musicians who
have played here have said the acoustics are just brilliant,” she says.
“It’s an intimate venue that can take about 100 to 120 people and we are keen to
have as much quality music, story and other cultural events between now and the end
of next November as we can.
“We are testing the waters and we are hoping we can make this beautiful place
zing. We would love to keep it on and we definitely have it until the end of next
November and after that we may well have a discussion with the Uniting Church
synod.”
Bookings for the Sunday, November 13 concert are available on 0432 232 073 or
ycfcpg@gmail.com, with entry by donation going to support Ukrainian refugees, and
musicians.
Bookings for the Sunday, November 27 concert are via email ycfcpg@gmail.com
or phone 0432 232 073 and entry is by donation in support of musicians who have
been hard hit by Covid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9NBF6ih7GA

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes

The Mount Players are presenting their final show for 2022.
The last production for 2022 is Madagascar by JT Rogers,
a must-see drama for theatre lovers.

A haunting story of a mysterious disappearance that changes three lives forever.
At three different periods in time, three people find themselves
alone, in the same hotel room overlooking the Spanish Steps in
Rome.
They each tell their individual story of how and why they
are here. Their relationship to each other, what this room means
to them, and why they have been called to it slowly reveal
themselves.
Their stories spill out, weave back and forth – each
contradicting, clarifying, deepening what the others say –
becoming strands of one gripping and disquieting tale. Secrets are
revealed, and the mystery solved. Or is it?
The show opened on November 4 and runs until November 20.

Tickets: www.themountplayers.com

Words: Karen Hunt

Aries: Financial matters might be shaken up, you could be offered up some new
ways to earn money. There’s a need for financial freedom, or that you need to move
your spending habits in a new direction. Look closely at an unorthodox solution, it
might be just what you need to move forwards.
Taurus: Money matters might be slow right now, even feeling like you’re moving
backwards, this trend is only temporary. Look to savings where insurance and debts
are concerned, there might be a better deal and you are primed to nab it right now.
Gemini: You might be feeling a drop in your energy levels and motivation now, I
urge you to keep plodding along at work. You can make some major inroads, perhaps
even achieve an accolade that you’ve been chasing. It’s your last chance to enjoy a very
flattering light being cast on you for the next 10 years, so use it well.
Cancer: If you’re lucky enough to have a valid passport and money to burn, take
that overseas trip you have been lusting after. If this isn’t in your purview, find joy in
new cultures, higher education, or spiritual growth. If your mental health has taken a
turn, these things can help bring some joy back to you.
Leo: Some money is headed your way, perhaps through inheritance, income
tax return or your spouse gets a raise. Or you might take on a large debt, but for
something that benefits you, like a new home or car. Be mindful of the strings.
Virgo: Absence does make the heart grow fonder, if you need a little space, don’t
be afraid to take it, if it’s a relationship with a solid foundation, it’ll keep. Your career
might be feeling a little stalled now, rest assured that you’ll find the accelerator in the
new year.
Libra: You’re blessed with the gift of eloquent communication for the next few
weeks, with a sharp mind and clever articulation you can achieve almost anything. If
you’ve had a writing project simmering away on the stove, this might be the time to
turn up the heat and make it boil.
Scorpio: Romantic times abound until Christmas, you might be overwhelmed
with options, who wouldn’t love that? If you’re more settled in your life, lovely
experiences with children are available, arty creativity, hobbies, and sports can offer
up opportunities to have fun.
Sagittarius: If life has felt like a bit of a slog lately, this might be the lifting of the
fog that you have been desperately seeking. You’ll feel a shift from the hermit in the
cave to the star at centre stage, which is much more conducive to your Sagittarius
nature.
Capricorn: New additions to your family could soon be on their way with the
eclipse offering possibilities of pregnancy. Take precautions if this is not what you
want on your agenda right now. You’re bursting with big ideas and thoughts right
now, keep a notebook handy to jot them all down.
Aquarius: The luckiest of planetary charms has re-entered the arena of all matters
financial for you. If you experienced a boost to your income earlier in the year, that
story is back, be sure to grab it with both hands. You won’t get this kind of blessing
again until 2033, so make the most of it until Christmas this year.
Pisces: This might be a time when you are looking to fill in some gaps in your
education, renovate your resumé or chase a dream that you have been harbouring
since you were a kid. You can make your own luck until Christmas.
Unti

Hi. I’m Bella and I’m a desexed female tri-colour
kelpie-border collie cross.
That means I’m pretty cute
with my attractive black, white
and tan coat – and I’m also young
at three years of age.
I just need to find the right
caring human or humans to take
good care of me and ensure I have
a good secure home and get the
regular supervised exercise that I
need.
I have heaps of energy and I
am smart as well, so I need plenty
of mental stimulation.
I already have basic training
under my collar and I am very
good at walking on lead, but I
would really benefit from having more training to keep my mind busy.
Microchip number: 956000012247565.
Mount Alexander Animal Welfare MAAW Shelter is at 9 Langslow Street,
Castlemaine. Phone: 5472 5277.
(Pick me, pick me is run in memory
of Rosie & Curly – we picked them.)

The state government has invested $919,989 across Macedon the to provide essential
operational equipment, vehicles and appliances.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas announced the following SES and CFA would
receive VESEP funding:
VICSES Hepburn Shire Toyota Hilux 2022 $80,617.32
CFA Franklinford Medium Tanker $375,000.00
CFA Leonards Hill & District Thermal Imaging Camera -Rural $2,705.00
CFA Tylden Medium Tanker $375,000.00
CFA Woodend Rehabilitation Unit $86,667.00
This round there were 250 grants sharing in $14 million in funding under the Victorian Government’s
2021-22 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
Under the program, the Victorian Government matches every $1 paid by volunteer groups with a $2
co-contribution.
The annual grants program gives volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for
grants to purchase equipment including vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft and trailers, and for
minor improvements including refurbishments and amenities, such as kitchens and change rooms.