If you’ve ever considered keeping bees then a workshop coming up at the Trentham Neighbourhod Centre may be for you.

Beekeeping for Beginners will be part of The ABC of Rural Living workshop series that the local neighbourhood centre is hosting.

The upcoming beekeeping workhop will take place from 1-5pm on Saturday November 23 and will cost $10 to attend.

The course is an introductory guide to beekeeping which focuses on what tools you’ll need and how to keep you and the bees safe.

It also explores beekeeping regulations as well as when and how to harvest honey.

Those keen to be part of it can register now at https://ow.ly/b8Mc50TGpnC online.

The last concert in this year’s Daylesford Christ Church concert series will be held on Saturday November 30 at 2.30pm – and it promises to be memorable.

Featuring Daylesford Community Brass Band, the upcoming Fire-Water-Wood concert  features a special commissioned piece by renowned band composer Dr Jodie Blackshaw.

For There is Nothing Lost was inspired by the landscape of regional Victoria, especially that of the Hepburn Shire.

Its three movements promise to carry the audience on a journey through Daylesford and Hepburn Springs history.

Movement 1, Swept by Grief, brings fire and destruction. Movement 2, Washed with Love, evokes the love and conservation efforts of the European immigrants for the mineral waters. Movement 3, Blessed by Art, celebrates the Hepburn Springs region of today.

A second commission for the upcoming concert is Incantations by the band’s artistic director, Mark Lyall.

Additional programming includes works by Manuel de Falla, Dvorak, Allan Jay Lerner, Adele Adkins and a traditional Irish folk song for good measure.

It promises to be one not to miss.

Bookings are through trybooking online.

Date: Saturday, November 30
Time: 2:30 pm
Venue: Christ Church, 54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist/christchurchconcerts

Staff at Ballarat’s Federation University are calling for reform to address the impacts of gambling in the wake of Lancet Commission report findings.

Published last month, the report findings indicate that harms caused by gambling are more significant than previously thought and are being exacerbated by digital and online platforms.

The Commission estimates that 46·2% of adults and 17·9% of adolescents had engaged in gambling in the past year, globally with gambling now available 24/7 to anyone with internet access.

Principal research fellow at Federation University, Dr Angela Rintoul, a member of the Lancet Commission, said she was concerned about the Federal Government’s response following last year’s Murphy Enquiry.

“Constant promotion of gambling is exposing young people to gambling advertising as never before, with devastating consequences for many,” Dr Rintoul said.

“We know that gambling causes enormous harm not only to those who gamble, but their family members, friends, and colleagues.

“High levels of gambling contribute significantly to suicide, domestic violence and other health and wellbeing issues.

The Lancet Commission report indicates that adolescents, children, and those from disadvantaged socio-economic groups are most at risk of being impacted by gambling harms.

“The recommendations in the Lancet Commission Report clearly outline urgent recommendations that will help keep our communities safe,” said Federation University vice-chancellor Professor Duncan Bentley said.

“Gambling advertising has catastrophic impacts on lives far beyond financial stress and it is our responsibility to protect young people who are especially vulnerable to the risks.”

Ballarat’s Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades is getting set to host an open day this weekend to celebrate its second anniversary.

Launching with spoken word event Pecha Kucha tomorrow, Friday November 15, the centre will then open with free entry this Saturday November 16, offering a prime opportunity to check out the centre.

Those who get along will be able to explore the venue, catch live demonstrations and meet staff to chat about what the centre offers and also hear about its achievements over the past couple of years.

Over the last two years, the Rare Trades Centre has held 185 workshops led by 68 artisans, welcomed nearly 1300 participants and provided more than 1600 hours of hands-on learning.

It has five areas dedicated to rare trades spanning fashion and textiles, woodwork, metalwork, decorative arts, and leatherwork.

“What people can expect to see is workshops in action and they can get a feel for the incredible facilities that we have,” Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades general manager Erin Santamaria says.

“We’ll have some hospitality on offer as well.”

More than 390 works were exhibited and a record 58 of them sold at the 2024 Daylesford Rotary Art Show held over the recent Cup Day long weekend.

All of the profits from the annual show, which was the 41st, will be used for community projects and causes, Daylesford Rotary President Danny Moynihan said.

He said most of the money raised from the show will be used in the Daylesford region but some funds will be going to national and international causes.

Each year the local Rotary club supports the Rotary International Polio plus campaign which has assisted to eradicate polio in almost all countries, Mr Moynihan said.

Daylesford Art Show Coordinator and Rotarian, Jenny Hopkins: “This year we had immense support from more than thirty volunteers and artists to set up, run the Art Show and pack up.

“Their support has been fantastic and we thank them all. Without them, we could not have staged this important event.

“Our art show organising committee started planning more than six months ago… Last year we made over $14,000 profit and this year we expect to improve on this.”

Hepburn Shire Council has formally welcomed its new councillors as they were sworn in earlier this afternoon.

Don Henderson, Brian Hood, Lesley Hewitt, Tony Clark, Tim Drylie, Pat Hockey and Shirley Cornish were sworn in as councillors during an event in Daylesford, attended by Hepburn Shire Council CEO, Bradley Thomas, friends and family, and council staff.

Over the next couple of months the councillors – four of whom have previously served in the role of councillor for Hepburn, and three newcomers to the role – will be taken through the induction program.

They will meet to elect a mayor and deputy mayor on November 26 with the community welcome to attend this meeting at the council chamber in Daylesford’s Vincent Street from 5:30pm.

The meeting will also be live streamed via the council’s Facebook page.

The CFA has announced that the Fire Danger Period (FDP) will come into effect from 1am on Monday, November 18 for Ararat Rural City Council and Pyrenees Shire Council in the west region.

Following a drier-than-average autumn and winter, several areas in Victoria are facing an increased fire risk this summer due to a build-up of dead and dry vegetation, particularly in forested regions, the CFA is warning.

While the CFA’s 52,000 members are well equipped to support communities, it’s important for the community to understand that fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the public.

CFA District 16 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Alcock said it’s vital for everyone to be vigilant.

“Across much of our region, the lack of consistent rainfall has left large areas of grass and vegetation highly flammable,” he said.

“The community needs to be aware of the heightened danger and take proactive steps to ensure their properties and families are prepared.

“The soil is very dry, and grass is curing faster than last year. We expect grasslands to fully dry within three weeks, increasing the fire risk in the region.”

Further Fire Danger Periods will be announced for other Victorian municipalities in the coming weeks and months based on rainfall, grassland curing rates, and local conditions.

Residents are urged to use the time before the FDP begins to clean up their properties. Landowners are encouraged to conduct safe private burn-offs where possible, ensuring they notify authorities in advance and abide by local council bylaws.

Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling Triple Zero Victoria on 1800 668 511.  

By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately. 

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website. 

There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.   

Fire Danger Period information: 

• A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.  
• Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can. 
• Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms. 
• More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod. 
• To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. 

APPLICATIONS are open for the second round of the State Government’s Green Links grants program which aims to enhance local waterways.

Eligibility has been extended for this round to include projects being run by schools, to provide young people with an opportunity to protect rivers and creeks.

Community groups, water and land managers, Traditional Owners, local councils and schools can apply for funding between $20,000 and $350,000.

“As our communities grow, it’s so important to respect and protect our precious waterways and the environments that we know and love,” said Minister for Water Harriet Shing.

“The green links grants are helping more people to get involved, and to make a positive and lasting difference.”

For more information visit water.vic.gov.au/grants/green-links-grants.

The CFA is hosting a Bushfire Planning Workshop for the Trentham and Lyonville region next week.

The workshop will take place on Monday 18 November from 7-9pm.

The event is aimed at helping residents and local landholders to prepare in the event of a bushfire while also providing an opportunity for attendees to test out their bushfire plans.

The event will take place at the Trentham CFA shed in Market Street, Trentham with more detail available from CFA West Region.

The Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging residents to discover new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle during National Recycling Week – this week.

Established by Planet Ark in 1996, National Recycling Week, is held every year during the second week of November (11th to the 17th November 2024).

The Planet Ark website at https://ow.ly/2LEt50U40qW hosts a useful range of tools and ideas to think about ways to refuse and reduce waste as well as smart ways to repair and re-use items.

The website includes a directory listing a wide range of available recycled products – from road manufacturing material to eye glasses and swimwear.

Those keen to do the right thing around recycling are also being invited to check out the Hepburn Shire Council’s website at https://ow.ly/NFya50U40qV for localised tips and tricks to reduce waste and recycle better.

Set to start next Monday, a new Victorian government scheme is designed to help victims of crime obtain financial assistance outside of court.

The new Financial Assistance Scheme is scheduled to start on Monday November 18, replacing the courts-based Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.

Along with financial compensation, victims of crime will also be able to elect to receive a recognition statement from the state.

Application timeframes have also been extended from two years to three years, or for sexual offences or family violence cases to 10 years.

Under the former Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, there were strict definitions around who was considered family.

The new scheme will expand eligibility to recognise Aboriginal kinship relations, LGBTQI+ relationships and other family members that an applicant may consider to be close family (a sister-in-law, for example).

“We know that when financial assistance is easy to access, victims of crime can focus on their emotional and physical recovery without the additional worry of navigating complex systems,” Financial Assistance Scheme CEO Marnie Williams said.

Minister for Victim Support Enver Erdogan said the scheme will be simple to access and straightforward.

“By making it easier to get financial assistance, we are giving victims a clear path forward, helping them to move on with their lives,” Mr Erdogan said.

Until the new scheme opens, victims can continue to make applications for financial assistance and queries through VOCAT.

Further information, including details on how to get help or make a victim impact statement, can be found on the Victims of Crime website.

Asthma deaths in Victoria have dropped by seven per cent over the last year, Australian Bureau of Statistics data has revealed.

All up, the state accounted for 23 per cent of national asthma deaths with 74 female and 33 male Victorians losing their lives to asthma last year.

Deaths among women aged 55 to 74 underwent the most significant increase, doubling from 10 deaths in 2022 to 20 last year, but women aged over 75 remain most at risk.

But National Asthma Council Director and respiratory physician, Professor Peter Wark says most asthma-related deaths are preventable.

“More effort needs to be made in diagnosing asthma properly and emphasising to patients living with asthma the importance of using an inhaled preventer treatment,” he said.

“Asthma is a chronic disease of inflamed airways and needs to be treated with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid preventer to control symptoms and reduce asthma deaths, not just use of a blue reliever puffer alone.”

Victorians are being urged to see a general practitioner if they have asthma symptoms and to have an updated asthma action plan if they’ve been diagnosed.

Caravan parks provide accommodation for visitors and permanent residents alike. However, the high risk of injury and fatality with caravan fires and fires at caravan parks makes fire safety education and training crucial for park operators – particularly those in high-tourism areas like Daylesford.

Not only can fires in caravans and caravan parks lead to serious injuries and fatalities due to their inherent intensity and ability to spread quickly, if a fire breaks out in a tourist area it is critical that park staff and guests know what to do to evacuate safely and efficiently. 

Education is vital to ensure park operators understand fire hazards so they can implement measures to prevent fires, protecting both property and guests. 

CFA’s Bellarine Group of brigades, supported by CFA’s District 7 team, recently worked with the Victorian Caravan Parks Association to deliver a full day of fire safety education and training to more than 60 caravan park operators from across the state. 

Held at Portarlington Fire Station on 18 October, the day covered fire risk, caravan park legislation, emergency management and evacuation planning, first attack firefighting and use of extinguishers, and property preparation. 

Participants heard from CFA’s Community Infrastructure and Community Education  teams, witnessing a demonstration of a gas cylinder flare off and learning how to use a fire blanket and test gas bottles for leaks.

They also used CFA’s Virtual Reality technology to experience putting out a small fire. 

CFA district staff then helped owners familiarise themselves with how emergency services operate and respond in the event of a fire, discussing whether a truck could fit on the premises if a fire broke out at their park.  

CFA’s Specialist Risk and Fire Safety Manager Matt Allen said educating caravan park operators, staff and ultimately their guests about fire safety could save lives and reduce injury in the event of a fire. 

“Fire safety risks can vary in parks depending on where they are located, however the flammability of caravans and their small size means that if a fire starts from cooking, an accident or faulty equipment, there is a high risk of fatality,” Matt said.

“The fire is also likely to spread quickly due to its proximity to other caravans and park facilities. 

“For those parks situated in holiday areas such as our coastal hamlets, the risk of bushfire impacting the park is high and inadequate planning can lead to delays in people being able to evacuate safely. 

“Knowledge of fire safety allows caravan park operators to develop and communicate effectively to their guests about emergency plans, ensuring a quick response if a fire occurs.” 

Matt said education and training was also important to help caravan park operators better understand their legal obligations in relation to fire safety. 

“Caravan parks must comply with a range of legislative requirements in Victoria in relation to fire safety, including the CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines, which were updated this year,” Matt said. 

“Caravan parks also often operate within local communities so being proactive in fire safety fosters goodwill and promotes community safety – as well as encourages visitors to come back.” 

The Caravan Parks Information and Training Day was originally the brainchild of Ocean Grove brigade volunteers and was held each year at their station for about seven years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

David Wynn from Wynndean Holiday Resorts said it was great to see the day up and running again, especially given the release of new Caravan Park Guidelines. 

“Relationship building is critical in the interpretation of the guidelines and their application,” David said. 

“The day allowed park operators and staff to use firefighting equipment in a controlled setting which assisted greatly in understanding our fire safety and emergency management obligations.”  

David, who is also a volunteer with Wye River Fire Brigade, said the timing of the event was perfect preparation for the peak holiday period and the upcoming fire danger period.   

“We are very lucky to have access to this day in our region and the highly-credentialled and experienced presenters,” he said.  

“The CFA team made it clear they were there to support us. Thank you to them and the many volunteers, local brigades and CFA district staff who contributed to the day’s success.   

“We are looking forward to next year’s event, and if you are a park operator please go out and meet with your local brigade, invite them into your park and actively build those relationships.” 

CFA Bellarine Group manager and Wallington brigade firefighter Alistair Drayton AFSM said part of CFA’s role was to help communities build resilience to fire and other emergencies through education, upskilling and developing relationships with sectors most at risk. 

“Events such as this are important in building that momentum and supporting and promoting a safer response for all brigades across the state,” Alistair said. 

“Thanks to the park operators for giving their time and enthusiasm. Their feedback was extremely positive including that the content presented was what was needed and easy to understand and implement. 

“We look forward to continuing to build relationships with them in our ongoing efforts to foster resilient and safer communities.”  

More information: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/building-planning-regulations/caravan-park-fire-safety 

This story based on a media release from the CFA. Image: CFA

The Victorian Government is calling on startups to help solve farm safety and productivity challenges as part of a new program that aims to harness innovation and the technological knowledge of Victoria’s startup sector.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the CivVic Labs Farm Safety challenge – a bootcamp experience connecting aspiring and early stage startup founders with government to solve public sector challenges.

This challenge is part of Victoria’s AgTech Regional Innovation Network (AgRIN) and will run over six weeks.

Participating startups will learn new startup skills, grow their connections and develop their business idea with government, supported by $15,000 equity-free funding. At the end of the experience, they’ll pitch for a chance at a further $35,000 to bring their startup ideas to life.

Farms make up 14% of workplace fatalities in Victoria, despite employing only 2% of working Victorians. On average, 2 people are hospitalised by an incident on a Victorian farm every day.

Since 2018, CivVic Labs has been a launch pad for more than 50 local startups, as it provides a unique opportunity for founders to build their idea with a potential customer in the room. Alumni startups have raised nearly $20 million in investment capital since the program’s inception.

For more information about the CivVic Labs Farm Safety challenge and how to apply, visit launchvic.org.

Words: Agriculture Victoria

Preparation is under way in the Hepburn Shire for the upcoming fire season and Fire Danger Period (FDP).

The Hepburn Shire Council is urging property owners to start preparing their properties for the upcoming bushfire season.

The FDP is likely to be declared early this month and the council says it’s continuing to reduce potential fire risks in the municipality.

The council, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Transport Victoria, will be working together to mitigate bushfire risks and ensure all preventative measures are taken to manage the safety of the region and community.

Works include the roadside slashing program, weed control and fire inspections.

The council is once again offering residents the opportunity to drop off their green waste for free at Transfer Stations during November.

Residents need to provide proof of residency and take care not to bring in noxious weeds as they cannot be accepted. 

Bradley Thomas, Hepburn Shire Council CEO, said that if the wider community can work together now to prepare for the warmer months, it will be doing its best to minimise the threat of bushfires in the region.  

“Our Shire is at high risk of bushfires and grassfires during summer, and we all can act now to prepare and help reduce the threat and impact of fire.

“By making the most of the free green waste drop-off offer, residents can prepare their properties now to ensure they are bushfire ready,” said Mr Thomas.

Residents are encouraged to reduce fire hazards by slashing grass, bracken and weeds, especially around buildings and fences. Undergrowth, fallen branches, and tree cuttings should be removed, and tree branches and shrubs should be pruned.