A lively program of music is in store as the beautiful Hepburn Mineral Springs sets the scene for next month’s Sunset in the Springs free community concert series.

Staged with support of the Hepburn Shire Council, the free concerts are set for Friday February 14 and the following Friday February 21 and get under way from 5pm.

Locals and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and blanket, then settle in for two evenings of stellar local music in the beautiful setting.

There will also be a range of kids’ activities, face painting with the youth-led COOKED van cooking up a BBQ on the night.

Acts set to take to the stage on Valentines Day, Friday February 14 include Dayfever, The Stamps and local supporting artist Sasha Taylor.

The line-up for Friday February 21 features: Milkpunch, Pyrex Duo and local supporting artists Stevie and Arlo.

Both concerts in the series are set to run until late.

Preparations are already well under way for this year’s returning Trentham Easter Art and Craft Show which will be staged in the new Mechanics in High St Trentham this April.

Organisers say the beautiful new home will provide a lovely space to celebrate original art and craft while accommodating plenty of visitors.

The show was last held at the old Mechanics in 2019 where over 350 entries were exhibited.

The show’s organisers say they regard the Trentham Show as important to revive interest and expertise in crafts including: knitting, crochet, macrame, embroidery, textile, patchwork, cross stitch, tapestry, weaving, lace/tatting, glasswork, leatherwork, metalwork, ceramics, basketry, jewellery, and sculpture as well as art such as oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, photography, and digital design.

There are three age groups for submitting entries: ‘under 12’, ’12 to 18’ and ‘above 18’, and 17 Award categories with significant prizes including two honouring the much loved Trentham community members Dr Gweneth Wisewould and Stan Fallon.

“We hope in future shows to incorporate artists in residence during the show and classes for visitors to see and learn about how to make these artworks,” organisers say.

“We are even hoping to introduce a community art project to encourage everyone to get involved in making art together.

“Our aims might be a bit too ambitious to achieve by April 2025, but we’re hoping TEACS will return as a permanent, growing and vibrant feature of the Trentham activities calendar.”

The Trentham Easter Art and Craft Show will open on Thursday April 17, 2025 and remain open every day over Easter, closing at lunchtime on Easter Monday 21st.

Those interested in volunteering or assisting organisers with prize sponsorship are being invited to chat with Lynne Farrell on 0408 013 391, Leonie Hehir or Elizabeth Parsons.

<a href=”http://www.teacs.org.au”>www.teacs.org.au</a>

The CFA and RSPCA Victoria are urging residents to include pets in their bushfire survival plans, with significant fire activity having already impacting Victoria this summer.

Having bedding, food, and water ready to go for your furry friend could save valuable time in the event of a fire. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan emphasised the importance of being ready to leave early on high-risk bushfire days. 

“While you should always prioritise your own safety ahead of your pets, your bushfire plan isn’t fully complete unless it accounts for them,” Jason said. 

“When creating a plan, consider what your pets will eat and drink, how you will transport them, and where you are taking them. 

“Once you have your kit prepared, keep it somewhere that’s easily accessible.  

“Keep towels and woollen blankets on hand to protect pets during the journey and to keep them as cool as possible.  

“Another valuable step is microchipping pets for easy identification and ensuring your phone number is visible on their collar. 

For horses and livestock, a separate plan is required. 

“If you’re unable to evacuate livestock, the safest place is a large, well-grazed, and fenced area away from roads where they can move freely with access to water,” Jason said.  

“Make sure you’re prepared; late evacuation will put you and your animals at risk.” 

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker reiterated the importance of including pets in bushfire survival plans. 

“Planning for emergencies is such a crucial part of life in Victoria particularly during the summer months,” Dr Walker said. 

“Many people across the state already have a Fire Ready plan in place, and we’re urging everyone to make sure their pets are included too. 

“An emergency kit with medication, updated contact details on microchips and collars, photos or scans on your phone of important documents like vaccination certifications, are just some of the items to prepare in advance.  

“Our pets are such an important part of our lives, including them in your Fire Ready plans increases the chances of you and your pet making it to safety in an emergency situation.” 

For more information and tips on how to keep your pets and livestock safe during high bushfire risk days, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/pets. 

Your Pet Bushfire Relocation Kit should include: 

• Food and water.

• A bowl for each pet.

• A second collar and lead.

• A carrier for cats and smaller pets.

• Bedding and a woollen blanket.

• A pet first-aid kit – seek your vet’s advice.

• A favourite toy.

• Any medications, along with a written list of what they are.

• Your pet’s medical history, including proof of vaccination.

• Your vet’s contact details. 

Tips for keeping pets cool  

• Have fresh, cold water available at all times 

• Ensure your pet has shade at all times or bring them inside into a cool room 

• Wipe your pet down with a cool, damp towel or leave wet towels out for them to lie on 

• Wet your dog with cool water several times throughout the day 

• Consider buying a wading pool for your dog 

• For cats, rub damp hands over their coat or along their tummy 

• Place ice blocks in your pet’s water bowl 

• Place ice in a pillow case and place it near your pets 

• Consider having your dog clipped if their coat is long and thick 

• Never leave your pets in a vehicle on a hot day. 

This story based on a CFA report

Now at its half-way point, more than 5,000 households across the city of Ballarat have opted into a 12-month pilot program allowing them to recycle their ‘scrunchable’ soft plastics.  

The City of Ballarat and the Australian Food and Grocery Council launched the 12-month kerbside soft plastics recycling collection pilot program in July last year, meaning the program reached its six-month milestone mark last week.

Since the launch of the pilot in Victoria, 16,229kg of soft plastics have been diverted from landfill across the state. 

The soft plastics that residents recycle will be included in a circular solution to turn them back into quality products or packaging, as part of plans to develop a long-term circular system for soft plastic packaging waste. 

The pilot program has space for 10,000 households.  

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the pilot program was performing strongly.  

“It is heartening to see that Ballarat households have filled more than half of the allocated spaces in the pilot program,” she said.  

“I’d encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the pilot program and divert their scrunchable soft plastics from going to landfill.”  

Soft plastics can only be recycled in the supplied orange bags and should be empty and dry. The orange bags are made in Australia from 100 per cent recycled plastic.

Scrunchable soft plastics include bread and cereal bags, frozen vegetable packets, lolly wrappers, bubble and cling wrap as well as plastic toilet paper wrap.

You can also look for the former REDCycle logo or the Australian Recycling Label ‘Return to Store’ or ‘In-store Drop-off’ logo.

The supplied orange bags must be filled tightly like a basketball and secured with a double knot. Residents can then place the orange bag in their fortnightly yellow lid recycling bin.  

The orange-bagged soft plastics are being collected and transported to APR Kerbside in Truganina, where they will be sorted, cleaned and shredded for research and development testing for recycling back into packaging or other products.

With just under 5,000 places left on the pilot program, it’s not too late for Ballarat locals to sign up while in the neighbouring shire of Hepburn, the council had earlier resolved to monitor the outcome of Ballarat’s trial.

To register for the soft plastics kerbside collection residents in Ballarat can visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/property/waste/recycling-ballarat or call Customer Service on 5320 5500.

After registering, residents can pick-up their orange bags from one of the designated locations. 

They then need to keep all other recycling items loose in their bin and never put loose soft plastics directly into their yellow-lid recycling bin. Loose plastics can damage collection trucks and recycling machinery. 

Fast facts:  

• 5,287 households have opted into the soft plastics kerbside collection pilot program.  
• 90 households have requested additional bags after collecting their initial supply.  

Soft plastics that CAN be recycled

• Scrunchable soft plastic packaging that easily folds in your hand:
• Empty and dry big bags from pet food and mulch
• Bags for food such as chips, bread, cereal and sweets
• Film wrapping like bubble and cling wrap  
• Soft plastics that have any of these numbers – 2, 4 and 5

TIP: Look for the old REDcycle logo on the label and/or the Australian Recycling Label (ARL) “Return To Store” or “In-store Drop-off” logo. These items can be included in your bag.

Note: The Ballarat pilot is not connected to REDCycle.  

Soft plastics that CAN NOT be recycled

• Any rigid containers, such as bottles, cans, takeaway containers:
• Remove all small parts – no lids, bread tags, desiccant sachets, straws or balloons  
• No compostable or degradable plastics or products with the labels 1, 3, 6 or 7  
• No dirty or wet plastics and no food residue.

The soft plastics collection bags are going to Australian manufacturers to make high quality products, with all participating households urged to ensure they only recycle clean and dry soft plastic.  

This story based on a City of Ballarat report

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash that happened in Avoca last week.

Officers have been told the crashed vehicle was spotted off to the side of the Pyrenees Highway, by a passing motorist, on Thursday 16 January about 2.30am.

It appears the driver of the white Toyota Corolla was travelling north on the Pyrenees Highway, between the two junctions of Porcupine Lane, when he appears to have lost control and crashed.

At this stage it is believed the crash may have occurred sometime between 9pm on Wednesday 15 January and when discovered by the passing motorist.

Sadly the 79-year-old driver from Amphitheatre was found deceased at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have passed through the area with dashcam is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

For the current provisional lives lost tally please see – https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Police have in recent days seized approximately 750 vapes and 3000 sticks of illicit tobacco, from a service station in Kyabram, as part of an ongoing investigation.

The investigation was launched after information was received from the public about underage children being in possession of vapes that had been purchased within the local community.

As a result, police executed a search warrant at a service station on Allan Street, last Friday 17 January, just after 8am.

Investigators located the vapes and subsequently found illicit tobacco which was also seized.

The investigation remained ongoing and anyone with information in relation to the selling of vapes to persons under 18 years of age was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppers.com.au

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit detectives have in recent days charged a man with murder following an assault in Golden Square on January 2.

Emergency services were initially called about 10am to a hotel on High Street.

A 34-year-old man of no fixed place of address was found and treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

He sadly died in hospital on Wednesday January 15.

A 33-year-old Swan Hill man was arrested in the Bendigo CBD shortly after the incident.

He was initially charged with intentionally cause serious injury.

Detectives have reviewed the charge and the man has now also been charged with murder.

He remains in custody on remand, to appear at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Apri 2.

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in Queenscliff last week.

A man was found unresponsive in water in the vicinity of Queenscliff Pier about 4.20am on Saturday January 18.

The 62-year-old Caroline Springs man died at the scene.

It is understood he had been fishing in the area during the early hours of the morning.

The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined but the matter is not believed to be suspicious.

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following two separate fires in bushland east of Bendigo on Boxing Day in December.

Emergency services were called to two separate bush fires near Munroe Road in Mandurang just before 7.30am on 26 December, 2024.

Emergency services were also called to a fire later that evening about 5.45pm in the Wellsford Forest, east of Bendigo.

No one was injured and the fires were quickly extinguished.

The fires are being treated as suspicious and investigators believe the fires were deliberately lit.

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone that may information or anyone that may have seen any suspicious activity in these areas at the time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

This story based on a Victoria Police report

A woman from Mount Macedon has been charged with drug trafficking in recent days, following a police investigation into a death at a retreat that was held in Clunes last April. 

No charges have been laid in relation to the death itself, however police say that during an investigation they found evidence the 53 year old Mount Macedon woman was trafficking drugs.

The investigation was launched after a Ringwood woman died on April 14, last year while at the retreat.

A Victoria Police statement said an autopsy had been conducted, but a cause of death was unable to be determined.

It also stated the Mount Macedon woman has been charged with trafficking psilocin, a hallucinogen found in psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms.

She will now be required to face the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court on January 29.

Following the Ringwood woman’s death last April, Soul Barn, the Clunes venue where the retreat took place, had distanced themselves from the private event.

In a social media post, the Soul Barn stated that it hired out its workshop space to external businesses, and that no one who had been working at the retreat was associated with Soul Barn.

“There are no words to express the deep sorrow and shock we are feeling here at Soul following the tragic incident that occurred,” the post had stated.

It had also stated: “We share the shock and devastation of everyone involved and our hearts are with those families affected.”

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Victoria’s health miniser Mary-Anne Thomas has this month announced 400 grants, worth up to $40,000, have now been awarded to medical graduates who take up a career in general practice.

A further 400 grants are available in 2025 for those commencing a GP training program in Victoria.

Doctors who commenced their training this year and who had applied, enrolled and were accepted on or after 27 November 2022 are also eligible.

The $32 million program aims to address some of the disincentives that stop young doctors from pursuing a career in general practice, such as the higher remuneration typically on offer in other medical specialties.

Ms Thomas, in a media release, says the grants are already making a difference to primary care in Victoria, with a survey of applicants showing:

• 59 per cent of recipients are now doing their placement in regional Victoria
• 13 per cent said they moved to Victoria from overseas or interstate because of the program
• 64 per cent said it had some influence on their decision to enrol in GP training in Victoria
• 44 per cent said they would have pursued a different career path in medicine if they program did not exist.

Graduates can apply for a grant directly through the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) once they have been successfully accepted and enrolled into one of the relevant GP training programs.

Applicants are assessed against an eligibility framework and preference is given to applicants who are Australian medical graduates and doctors training in rural locations and areas of workforce need.

It comes as 2023/2024 marked Victoria’s biggest ever yearly workforce growth, with a massive 6.7 per cent jump in new roles, that saw 7,664 nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and other frontline positions filled.

Minister for Health and MP for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas: “So many Victorians have built trusted relationships with their GP over a number of years, but we know for many others, it is a lengthy wait or too expensive – that’s why we have stepped in to make primary care more accessible.”

“Supporting more graduates to pursue a career in general practice and improving access to primary care will help to ease pressure on our busy emergency departments and prevent delayed care.”

More information about the grant program is available at health.vic.gov.au/general-practitioners-grant-program .

Victoria’s Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has this month announced the recipients of the first round of Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants for heritage sites damaged by floods, storms and bushfires.

The grants will breathe new life into beloved landmarks, including the Bael Beal Homestead near Kerang, which will receive $300,000 for storm damage repairs, and the historic grandstand at Benalla Showgrounds, which will receive $142,000 to restore flood damage.

In Gippsland, the grants will restore key community landmarks, including the Rail Bridge at Nowa Nowa, which will receive $230,000 for vital repairs, and the Walhalla Bandstand, which will undergo conservation repair works thanks to $120,000 in funding.

The Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants program was launched last year to help repair heritage sites impacted by extreme weather events, particularly to help small community organisations that needed more support after their insurance and damages were assessed following the October 2022 floods.

Victoria’s heritage sites contribute approximately $2.4 billion each year towards the state’s tourism industry and support around 185,000 jobs.

For a full list of successful projects visit: https://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/heritage-grants

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny: “We’re not just restoring heritage landmarks – we’re ensuring these sites are better equipped to withstand future floods and natural disasters that come their way.”

“By supporting the recovery of these much-loved landmarks, we’re making sure they remain a source of pride, identity, and connection for their communities while keeping them alive as part of our state’s rich history.”

Open Gardens Victoria will open two stunning Ballarat gardens for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2.

Located just 10 minutes apart, both gardens are set within historically significant precincts with rejuvenated gardens by award-winning landscape designer and TV host Paddy Milne.

The Oaks is a stunning 3500 sqm garden just five minutes’ walk from Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

Owners Harry and Alison Zehnwirth purchased the land in 1989, and have continued the historic garden legacy dating back to 1856 when Fenwick and Sarah Hamilton established a homestead called St Ernan’s on the site.

According to a local nineteenth-century arborist’s account, the Hamiltons shipped 100 oak trees from England around 1860.

“This places our four oaks, the oaks in neighbours’ gardens as well as those in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, at around 160 years old. They are an integral part of our garden. Nothing has been built or planted without recognition of their importance,” says Alison Zehnwirth.

In 1989, the first contemporary landscape design was completed, resulting in a ‘stroll garden’ that provided a variety of experiences and activities for the growing family.

At this time, the property’s entry and large stone driveway were created to accommodate the root systems of the oak trees.

A ten-minute drive will find garden lovers at Craigie, the beautiful circa 1860s home and expansive garden of owners David and Maria Cook, located in the precinct of Soldiers Hill with the suburb covered by a Heritage Overlay.

David and Maria purchased Craigie in 1991 and within four years re-acquired two sections of the previously subdivided property.

In 1998 they undertook extensive renovations that stayed true to the house’s original character and established the foundational structure of the garden, including a vegetable garden, where beautiful historic bluestone paving was unearthed.

Like many gardens in Ballarat, Craigie’s garden suffered during the millennium drought’s harsh Stage 4 water restrictions.

“Our once thriving English-style trees and shrubs withered, and the lush green lawns turned a brittle shade of brown,” says David.

“The watering system lay unused, leaving the garden to endure the harsh conditions.”

Many garden projects were planned over the years and David and Maria recognised the need for assistance and turned to Paddy Milne to complete the task. Link: opengardensvictoria.org.au

Thousands of Victorian Year 12 graduates are set to begin their journeys towards rewarding careers through university and TAFE as more young Victorians received offers for post-secondary courses this month.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll recently congratulated the Victorian graduates who received an offer from the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) for their preferred TAFE or university course.

VTAC issued 12,938 offers to students for undergraduate and vocational courses earlier this month. This was the second round of offers, with four more rounds to come. 

Including offers made in November and December, a total of 64,780 domestic study offers have been issued for courses starting in 2025. This represents a 5.2% increase compared to the 61,576 domestic offers released by the same time last year.

There are many education and training pathway options which deliver the skills and qualifications Victorians need to achieve their career goals.

TAFEs offer career pathways in a wide range of study areas, from carpentry and electrical trades to health and social care, as well as covering emerging areas to support transition to a carbon free economy – such as electric vehicles and hydrogen technology. 

Victorians can access a wide range of TAFE courses without the cost of tuition fees, through Victoria’s Free TAFE program. 

More than 187,900 students have benefitted from Free TAFE since it was introduced in 2019, saving them more than $550 million in tuition fees and providing them with strong employment opportunities upon completion.

There are now also more Free TAFE places available in construction qualifications and short courses, thanks to the Australian and Victorian governments, who are together providing 5,200 more places in Free TAFE construction-related courses, including up to 1,300 pre-apprenticeship places. 

Students that haven’t received an offer yet can either wait for further rounds of VTAC offers in January and February or change their VTAC preference if they meet course requirements. They can also apply directly to TAFEs without a VTAC offer.

For the full list of Free TAFE courses visit: vic.gov.au/free-tafe 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll: “Congratulations to all the Victorian Year 12 graduates who received offers today, you should be proud of your achievements, and I wish you well as you embark on your studies.”

“Our world-class universities and TAFEs provide so many promising education pathways, and I encourage Victorians starting a new training journey or looking to switch careers to consider all their options before making a decision.”

Tennis fans from across the globe have been flocking to Melbourne where the job-creating, record-smashing Australian Open is now in full swing.

This year the women’s final is set for Saturday, January 25.

The men’s final, a day later, will take place on Sunday, January 26.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each earn $3.5 million, with runner-ups pocketing $1.9 million and semifinalists $1.1 million.

Last year’s record-breaking crowds at the Australian Open generated more than $533 million in economic benefits for the state, taking the total benefit to Victoria to more than $3.1 billion since 2014. 

The event attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Melbourne. Last year more than 620,000 hotel nights were booked in Victorian hotels across the tournament – smashing the previous record by nearly 50,000 visitors. In 2024 the average daily visitor spend was also the highest on record, at $308 per person.

A calendar of off-court entertainment is running across the entire Australian Open for all ages to enjoy – with live music, great food and drinks, free activities for kids, plus two exciting new additions with The Village and TOPCOURT opening for the first time this year.

The Village gets fans closer to their favourite tennis stars with a new viewing platform between Kia Arena and John Cain Arena, offering unmatched access to players practicing.

TOPCOURT is a world-first immersive experience where tennis, culture, and video gaming collide in the heart of Birrarung Marr – linking the Australian Open and Melbourne’s CBD. It will feature live music and DJs, a Padel Court where fans can play, retail pop-ups and a host of the latest gaming setups.

The state government earlier announced that Australian Open ticket holders and staff can travel for free on Route 70a for the whole two weeks. 4,500 extra tram services will run to get people where they need to be.

This year’s Australian Open runs to 26 January at Melbourne Park. For tickets, go to ausopen.com.

 Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos:

“We work hard to secure blockbuster, exclusive major events for our state – generating a record $39.7 billion in tourism spend, giving Victorians and visitors unparalleled access, and giving a boost to local businesses.”