Help your trees to health

Healthy trees growing in their native habitat rarely suffer seriously from insect attack. The trees’ in-built defences and the insects’ natural enemies provide a balance.

When the trees are taken out of their natural environment the balance is lost. Some insects, such as the gumtree scale, can multiply to the point where they can cause serious defoliation and sometimes kill the tree.

It becomes necessary in an artificial environment to help nature control those insects that reach plague proportions. When insect activity is noticed on a tree or shrub, the insect should be properly identified before any control is attempted.

Natural controls, such as for disease or predators, may prevent serious damage. Insecticidal sprays applied wrongly or at the wrong time may do more harm to the natural control than the pest.

If the insect is no longer present, sprays will be useless and other harmful and beneficial species could be needlessly killed. The presence of some insects such as borers often indicates a reduction in the health and vigour of the tree.

The insects enter trees dying from old age or trees damaged by humans or natural factors such as drought, frost, wind and intense summer heat. When the insects are finally discovered, it may be already too late to save the tree.

For control, insects fall into three major groups: leaf-eating insects, sap-sucking insects and bark- and wood-feeding insects.

Leaf-eating insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles and the larvae of some moths and sawflies attack most trees at times with little effect.

Control of leaf-eating insects may require spraying or injection at the right time with a suitable insecticide, or simply the removal and destruction of the offenders where they are accessible.

Sap-sucking insects such as gumtree scale, psyllids, mealybugs and gall-forming insects often affect young trees.

Natural predators usually control these in mature trees. Removal by hand from small trees is usually sufficient. Ant control is important here too.

The ants interfere with the insects’ natural enemies and help in the distribution of the pests to healthy new growth.

The presence of bark and wood-feeding insects such as alongicorn, wood moth larvae and the common auger beetle can suggest the tree is in a weakened state.

Attacks on healthy trees usually fail because of natural substances in the sap. Insecticides are not effective here because the pests are inaccessible.

Tree surgery is often required to repair the damaged part of the tree – that is, if the tree is worth saving.

Victoria’s health minister, MP for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas says the state government is making fertility care more equitable and affordable and helping Macedon families save up to $10,000 to start or grow their family.

Ms Thomas’ media statement comes as the state government celebrates two years of free public fertility care in Victoria, welcoming 50 babies into the world and giving more Victorians the chance to start a family.

Since the landmark service began in 2022, more than 4,300 Victorians have commenced their
treatment journey, including more than 600 from regional and rural areas.

Victoria’s public fertility service is also improving access for multicultural communities with more than 20 per cent of people accessing the service speaking a language other than English at home.

As it enters its third year, locals in Macedon looking to start their fertility journey should speak
with their GP or specialist, as the service has capacity to help more Victorians start their family, Ms Thomas said in a media statement.

The advice focused on people expected to benefit most from the public service, including those with financial barriers to accessing private services, rural and regional Victorians, multicultural and multifaith communities and LGBTIQA+ Victorians, and those undergoing medical treatment impacting fertility.

Minister for Health and Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Welcoming a new baby into the world is an incredible experience, but for some Victorians this journey isn’t always straightforward – that is why we making it fairer and easier for more people to start or grow their families.”

“For many families in Macedon – this groundbreaking service will save money and time, and
help them realise their dream of starting or growing a family.”

Patients can access a range of free treatments including in vitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, as well as fertility preservation like egg
freezing for people undergoing medical treatment for illnesses that may compromise their fertility.

Delivered in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital, a number of satellite sites have also opened across the state, ensuring more people can access fertility care closer to home and helping hopeful parents cut down on unnecessary travel time and other indirect expenses.

Satellite clinic locations include Bendigo, Ballarat, Epping, Clayton, Sunshine, Heidelberg, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, and Warrnambool.

These services are also supported by Australia’s first public egg and sperm bank – opening in July 2023 and located at the Royal Women’s Hospital, it is providing crucial donor services for Public Fertility Care patients.

Featuring state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and staffed with highly qualified fertility experts, altruistic donations are encouraged from Victorians who want to give someone the chance to start or grow their family.

More information visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/services-support/public-fertility-care-services.

This story based on a media release from the office of health minister, Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas.

By Donna Kelly

“Every day I would wake up with this knot in my stomach thinking am I going to be screamed at, white-anted or publicly humiliated today, or is it someone else’s turn? Watching the humiliation happening to others was almost as bad as being the target, but at the same time you were grateful it wasn’t you that day.”

No, not another day at TL HQ, but many days at the Nine Entertainment Corporation according to an independent review of the company’s workplace culture.

The report is really damning. As we were all being entertained, although we mostly avoid free-to-air television, except for the ABC and SBS, the staff were being terrorised.

It’s hard to believe that it is still happening in 2024. Even after the Me Too movement, RUOK? and much research into mental health and the importance of being made to feel a productive part of life.

Surely someone would be standing up for these people being bullied and harassed but as the intro says, it was hard to watch but you felt grateful it was not you being targeted.

I worked at a newspaper a few years back, maybe 15 or so years ago, not in Victoria I would like to add. I applied for the role of deputy editor at a daily, and was successful. Or so I thought.

Every day we would have an editorial meeting and the editor would go around the room and sweetly ask: “Who wrote this piece?” It all seemed quite nice that first morning of my employment, for about a minute.

Someone slowly put their hand up and was then subject to the line: “Well, it’s really f..king stupid and I don’t know why we pay you.” I kid you not.

Next up was a sub-editor who got the same for their headline. “You are f…king useless and I don’t know why you turn up for work.”

This went on around the room and I just watched, in horror. For some reason I was exempt but I also know I did not jump to anyone’s defence, for which I remain truly sorry.

The meeting concluded every day with the editor saying: “Well, let’s move on and make tomorrow’s paper sing.”

I think people were more likely to be looking for a razor blade. However, the editor was heading off within a week for a four-week trip to Europe so I made an appointment with the bosses of the newspaper company and drove an hour to meet with them and tell them my concerns – basically that their employees were in harm’s way.

It was a very short meeting which ended when one of them asked me: “Why did you apply for the job if you don’t want to work with us?”

Hmmm. Top-down management and culture at its worst. So I quit.

I think I was there two months all up and then headed back to Victoria where things seemed a little saner. Started The Local not long after and had some T-shirts made up with our logo and the slogan: “Arsehole free zone” or something like that.

It’s a strange world, when some people make themselves feel better by bullying or intimidating. Must be something pretty wrong at home or in their heads.

I don’t know what will happen at Nine but I hope some heads roll. Probably not, but at least it is out in the open. I wish them all the best. And, more importantly, RUOK? Just askin’… (If you need help call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue.org.au, and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800) 

Just had the great-nephew over from New Zealand. I say great, not because he is great, although he is, but because he is my sister’s daughter’s child. So I guess that makes him great rather than grand. Not sure. Happy to be corrected.

He’s 14 now and first started visiting us on his own at just 12. He loves Glenlyon and thinks Radio Springs Hotel is the most friendly place in the world. Alcohol will do that to you. Not him, the friendly adults.

Then we took him to Japan this year in April which was great fun. We don’t have kids so we finally get to do all the kid stuff that looks odd when you are an older adult.

And he didn’t even mind that we popped him on a rickshaw for a ride around an old historic town and its onsen. Matsuyama if anyone is wondering.

And he told us this time around that he doesn’t think of us as old. Maybe in our 30s and much younger than my sister and her husband, which is very nice. I passed on that news very quickly.

And so, thinking we are young, he spent some time teaching us the latest words the young people are speaking. That was interesting. Laugh Out Loud is long gone although he does use it for fun.

But think of words like Sigma, or my favourite, Skipidi. They both have pretty much no meaning and can be used at any time, for anything. Work that one out.

So for example, you could say “see you on Monday, sigma”. Might be good, might be bad, no-one really knows. Still getting my head around the point of it all, as least when we were young our slang had meaning.

Then there’s the phrase “put the fries in the bag, lil bro” – a sort of putdown for people working in menial jobs. I asked if I could use that in the McDonald’s Drive Thru and he said I would probably end up wearing a McShake.

“Cap that” means that it’s wrong or bad. Where I always thought it was a reference to a bullet, as in “put a cap in you”.

There’s another one I won’t mention here because it is quite rude but the woman who coined the phrase has since made millions off TikTok and other social media platforms.

Oh, “rizz” is short for charisma so that was an easy one to work out and then there’s “brainrot” which is a term for all the useless words and web scrolling being carried out by Generation Alpha. As in my great nephew.

His generation also finds it hilarious when other generations try to use their language, as did independent Australian senator Fatima Payman talking in Parliament last month.

Just some of her speech went like this: “To the sigmas of Australia, I say that this goofy ahh government have been capping”. (Lying.) “Just put the fries in the bag lil’ bro.” (Labor, do your job.) “You can forgor (forget) all about watching Duke Dennis or catching a dub (win) with the bros (friends) on fort (the game Fortnite).”

And then – “I would be taking an L (losing) if I did not mention the opps, who want to cut WA’s “gyatts” and services tax. The decision voters will be making in a few months’ time is between a mid government, a dogwater (unskilled) opposition or minor parties and independents that will mog (be better) both of them.”

Anyway, it was a lot of fun having him around for the week and we think next year we might do a roadtrip from Darwin to Alice or vice versa.

Donna and I lived in Alice for a bit and there’s something about the red of the Outback. We feel like we have to keep it happening because in a few more years he will work out that we are old and will choose his friends over us, as it should be. But for now, he’s our friend and we are his fun, and young, uncle and aunt. Feels good. Family rant, more rave, over.

Local businesses were warned in advance to take steps to avoid vital business systems and equipment failure when the 3G network is switched off tomorrow, 28 October.

The warning, issued about a month ago, came from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“Many of us do not realise there is an awful lot of technology and equipment we use everyday that’s enabled by 3G as the wireless comms link and that it will stop working when the system is turned off later this month unless it is upgraded,” Mr Billson says.

“I fear many small, family and farming businesses are unaware of the scope of this event and the possible business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction they may face.”

Small business owners are encouraged to check older-style EFTPOS terminals  vending machines, security systems and cameras, asset tracking tools and water and environmental monitors. Everyone should check hand-held phones and tablets, medical monitors and sensors. Remember that some 4G devices also run on 3G.

“This change is about far more than upgrading an old 3G phone,” Mr Billson said. “Business owners need to ‘check your tech’ on vital business systems and services that have a wireless communications link back to a base, service hub, control centre or panel that relies on 3G.

This story based on an Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman media statement.

with Eve Lamb

Creativity has always been central in the life of Musk Vale ceramicist Minna Graham. This exceptionally skilled ceramicist creates hand-made, functional tableware with a sculptural twist. Right now Minna is preparing to participate in a national open studio event and to exhibit her work at one of Australia’s foremost contemporary ceramics galleries, the Skepsi Gallery in Malvern.

Eve: What do you draw on for inspiration in creating your work Minna?

Minna: (gestures beyond her studio door) Out there! The bush. Landscape. I think I’ve come to terms recently with the fact that I’m a landscape artist. I’m really interested in mountains and volcanoes. Big inspiring landscapes. And we do travel a lot. I do chase different landscapes. Patagonia is a big one that’s stuck in my memory. Since 2016, when we travelled there, I’ve been having a love affair with the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia The Himalayas. The volcanoes of Indonesia. The Australian desert… And also the small things.

We live very close to the earth here. After a while you notice things in detail, The seasonal changes. There’s so many amazing micro-details that fascinate me like the gum leaves changing colour, tiny little micro orchids. These influence my glazing and colour and texture as well. I like to have a sculptural element to my work … The landscape kind of finds its way into every aspect of my work both physically and metaphorically.

Eve: What are some of your main ceramics career highlights?

Minna: Probably one of the best was that there was an Amazon Prime series that was filmed at Byron Bay called Nine Perfect Strangers, shot in 2020 and starring Nicole Kidman. Anyway when that was happening people who follow me on Instagram started sending me all these photos of Nicole going ‘Cheers’ with a drink in hand, in the series. I was wondering why are all these people sending me photos of Nicole Kidman going ‘Cheers’ and it took me a while to work out that she was going ‘Cheers’ with a piece that I had made. And there is also a breakfast scene in the series which has a lot of my work in it as well. It was especially satisfying because I’ve heard that Nicole Kidman is a bit of a stickler for being in control of the aesthetic.

Eve: That’s an excellent highlight.

Minna. Yes. There was also some artwork in that series by another Daylesford artist as well, Gav Barbey. Some other highlights for me over the past 10 years … I’ve enjoyed being selected for some major ceramics awards in Australia including the North Queensland Ceramic Awards. I’ve been shortlisted as a finalist this year. It’s opening in late November. And at the moment I’ve got three teapots in the Sydney Teapot Show.

Eve: Do you have any special events or exhibitions coming up?

Minna: Yes I will be participating in The Australian Ceramics Association’s national open studios event over November 23-24. My studio here in Musk Vale will be open and I will be doing demos though the day. I will also invite another local artist to be part of the open studio here as well. I will have the upstairs gallery open and work for sale there. I also set up sales items downstairs here in the studio and we have coffee and cake as well… I will also be part of a group exhibition in November at the Skepsi Gallery in Malvern which I’m very excited about. It’s a very well established gallery and attracts a lot of collectors. That opens on November 16 and runs for about a month.

Eve: Have you ever worked in any other sectors Minna?

Minna: I’ve done a lot of other things but I have always been in the creative arts. I have a background in music. I trained as a classical musician and I also used to make costumes for festivals and that sort of thing. Costume making and performing. But then in my late 20s I came back to ceramics and never looked back really. Both my parents were artists so I was never going to escape really.

Eve: Are there any changes that you’ve noticed in the wider realm of professional ceramics practice?

Minna: My God yes. The ceramics scene has enjoyed a real renaissance, probably since COVID. I think ‘ The Great Pottery Throw Down’ may have had something to do with it. Now people are becoming more educated. They have a bit more of an appreciation for handmade things. Ceramics is one of the toughest art forms to learn. There are so many elements to it.

Eve: What are some of the main professional challenges that you have to contend with?

Minna: It can take a good four plus months for me to get a piece from start to finish. It’s very time consuming. There’s zero instant gratification in ceramics (laughs). A friend once said to me when I was unloading the kiln: ‘it’s like some kind of horrible-wonderful anxiety Christmas’. And that’s true!

The new Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub at Kyneton Health has been given a boost with extra funding allocated from the state government to significantly increase the free services offered to the local community. 

In September, Central Highlands Rural Health in Kyneton was announced as one of the 20 locations to open a specialised women’s health clinic in Victoria. 

The Women’s Health Clinic in Kyneton will provide more specialist services than is currently offered at the Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub including access to gynaecologists, endocrinologists and other specialist services including nursing and allied health support. 

It will make it easier for women to access care for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), incontinence, perimenopause and menopause.

Work has begun to get the clinic operational before the end of the year. Central Highlands Rural Health CEO Maree Cuddihy said the organisation was thrilled to be announced as a location for a Women’s Health Clinic. 

“Historically, there hasn’t been enough emphasis on listening to women and dedicating time to their diverse health needs across various conditions. 

“Recently, we were selected to establish a Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub, which is now fully operational, and when the opportunity arose to express interest in creating a dedicated women’s health clinic, we were eager to pursue it. 

“The clinic at Kyneton Health will address the substantial delays that individuals in regional and rural areas, as well as those facing financial or cultural barriers, often experience when trying to access specialist sexual and reproductive health services. 

“We’re proud to offer these services in a locally established, supportive and confidential environment.” 

In the Mount Players’ production of A Bunch of Amateurs at Mountview Theatre, Macedon next month, keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero, Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find out it is not the birthplace of the Bard but a sleepy  village in Suffolk.  

Instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench the cast is comprised of a  bunch of amateurs desperately trying to save their beloved theatre from developers.  

Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity is tested to the limit by the  enthusiastic thespians.

This laugh-out-loud comedy is full of hilarious characters and snappy dialogue as  theatrical worlds collide head on. Jefferson’s world implodes and he discovers some  truths about himself – along with his inner Lear.  

The play runs from November 1 to 17 with evening performances on Fridays and  Saturdays at 8pm and matinees held on Sundays at 2pm.  

Tickets via www.themountplayers.com  

Words: Karen Hunt, Mount Players president. Image: Supplied 

Cliffy’s Emporium is proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated Christmas Day fundraiser, now in its sixth year, with a  goal of raising over $100,000 to support the local CFA brigades.  

Set to take place on December 25 from 8am to 11am, the Daylesford event promises festive fun, delicious food, and the opportunity to give back to the community.  

Since its inception, this Christmas tradition has become a cornerstone of holiday celebrations in Daylesford, raising nearly $80,000 over the past five years.  

All proceeds from food, drink sales, and donations go directly to the CFA brigades that serve Daylesford and the surrounding regions, ensuring local firefighters receive the support they need to continue their life-saving work.  

This year, Cliffy’s is seeking donations of products or vouchers to be raffled off during the event, with all proceeds going to the fire brigades.  

Every donation, big or small, plays a crucial role in helping to reach this  year’s ambitious goal. In return, all donors will receive recognition across event promotional materials.  

“We know times are tough, but the generosity of this community has  always amazed us. Every contribution makes a tangible difference, and together, we can make this year’s fundraiser the most successful one yet,” said Liam Thornycroft, event organiser.  

Anyone interested in contributing to the event or learning more can email info cliffysemporium.com.au.

Donations must be submitted by November 29, 2024 with all invited to head to Cliffy’s on Christmas morning for a coffee, a mimosa, and the joy of knowing you’re supporting a cause that truly matters.

 Image: Chris Turner at Inkd Fotogrfa  

A surprise phone call to Daylesford Health will change lives in rural Victoria  thanks to Harry and Peggy Maddicks.  

The estate of the late Maddicks siblings has been supporting the Daylesford  Hospital for over 25 years thanks to family friend and executor Tim Byrne, who recently donated $250,000, bringing the total given to an incredible $528,000.  

Mr Byrne said it was vitally important for rural people to have access to quality healthcare.  

“Harry wanted to support the health of the Daylesford community after his  passing and I’m honoured to make the donation on behalf of Harry and Peggy.”  

Tim was taken on a tour of Daylesford Hospital’s new operating theatre and  shown the updated plaque honouring the generosity of Harry and Peggy since the first donation in 1999.  

Director of Nursing for Daylesford Health Meagan Harding said a quarter of a million dollars would change lives.  

“It will have a lasting impact on the patients here at Daylesford Hospital. On  behalf of Central Highlands Rural Health’s Board, executives, staff and patients I  would like to thank Tim for giving so generously to the health and wellbeing of the  Daylesford and district community.”  

The Maddicks family arrived in Daylesford during the early gold rush days of the 1850s, where three generations lived and worked.

Henry Jnr (Harry), Margaret  (Peggy) and Kevin were the children of Henry and Anastasia Maddicks. Henry Snr ran the Delta Photographic Studios from 1906 for over 60 years, and  many of his treasured photos are archived at the Daylesford Museum.  

Harry was a keen radio enthusiast and established a shop selling radios and  household electrical appliances, and he continued to run the photographic business  after his father’s death.  

Kevin, who joined the war effort, was sadly killed while on service in New Guinea in 1945.  Their sister Peggy was an active tennis club member and quietly involved with many community groups.  

None of the siblings married, and although private and reserved, they actively volunteered in many of the community’s organisations and causes.  

Harry was particularly interested in assisting the WWII refugees from the Baltic  states at the Bullarto camp.  

Words & Image: Contributed  

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be in the running for 1st or 2nd at  the 150th Daylesford Show on November 23, 2024?  

Agricultural shows have many competitions – cookery, arts and crafts,  photography, farm and garden produce, cut flowers and floral art, horses, sheep,  poultry, dogs and there are specific junior competitions.

Exhibitors from all over are  invited to compete, only a few are district competitions limited to those living no  more than 25km from the Daylesford Post Office.  

Some hints and tips for success at the show: when entering farm produce, make  sure it is good quality produce, free from disease and damage; vegetables and fruit must be fresh, crisp and clean and of uniform shape and size; flowers must be at the  peak of their development, with strong, straight stems and clean, healthy foliage;  floral art exhibits must be well-balanced and in a complementary container, and jams, jellies and preserves must be flavourful and true to the colour of the fruit or vegetable  from which they are made.

They must be presented in the specified container, with  jam seals, not lids. They must be properly labelled.  Also keep in mind: cakes, biscuits and slices must be of a fine, even texture, with  even colour; knitting, crochet, sewing and needlework must be clean and unworn; exhibits must comply with the description in the schedule, entries must have their  section tickets attached.

If you enter online, you must print out your section tickets; and exhibits must have been made in the past 12 months, by an amateur exhibitor.  

Do you want to pit your skills against winners from other Agricultural Shows?  

Entries in Victorian agricultural shows must be of the highest standard as  winners at our show will be judged against winners from other shows in the state and exhibited at the Melbourne Royal next year.

Entries in Midlands competitions, similarly, will be judged against winners from other shows in our area.  

You can enter at www.daylesfordshow.com or use the entry form, also online. Entries close midnight November 17 and exhibits must be delivered to the relevant pavilion at Victoria Park between 10am and 12.30pm on Friday, November 22 for  judging.

Looking forward to your entries. For more information email info daylesfordshow.com  

Words: Mary Harvey, Schedule Secretary, Daylesford and District Agricultural Society   

The Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend will be held on Saturday, November 9 from 9am to 5pm and Sunday, November 10 from 9am to 4pm.  

This year Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend is organised by the Creswick Garden Club and brings together a dedicated group of amateur gardeners.

It celebrates the  skills of passionate gardeners in and around Creswick and showcases the region’s outstanding garden businesses and other unique outlets. Plenty to keep a gardening fan occupied for the whole weekend.  

There is a choice of nine diverse and beautiful private gardens: town gardens, sustainable gardens and large country gardens.

Entry fees are $6 per garden, children under 16 are admitted free.  

There’s also the Creswick Garden Club’s Flower Show at the Creswick  Neighbourhood Centre and a Monster Plant Sale at Coopers Reserve near the Creswick Visitor Information Centre on Saturday.

There will also be plants for sale on both Saturday and Sunday in the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre car park.  

It’s also a great time to visit the iconic commercial gardens and nurseries: Bells Water Gardens, Brenlissa Nursery, Lambley Gardens & Nursery, Miss Northcott’s Garden, Overwrought  Sculpture Garden & Gallery, Spring Park Nursery, Lucky Monkey Blacksmith and Captains Creek Winery, all with free entry.

Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre,  19-21 Victoria Street. This is also the collection point for maps. EFTPOS facilities are  available and there are two ATMs in town.

Online bookings at: Humanitix: Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend.  Details: Facebook and Instagram creswickgardenloversweekend or head to  www.creswickgardenclub.com  

For lovers of all things  ceramic, the Central  Victorian Clay Trail is a  chance to visit regional ceramics studios and peek  behind the scenes into the  working lives of ceramic artists.

 It is a wonderful way to  connect with individual makers  and gain an insight into their  processes.

This year is the sixth year of the Central Victorian Clay Trail and this time we have 11 studios  open, allowing you to view and purchase works from 12 ceramicists working on Dja  Dja Wurrung and Taungurung country.

The work covers a range of ceramic techniques  and styles, from tableware to sculptural pieces.  

The trail is on from Saturday, November 2 to Tuesday, November 5, 10am to 4pm.  

You can download the map from the website centralvictorianclaytrail.org and follow us on Instagram centralvictorianclaytrail  

Above, participating ceramicist Emma Jimsom  

Words: Sarah Koschak  

Cinema  

Thank you to members of this wonderful community for your enthusiastic response to the news that cinema is returning to Daylesford, upstairs in the iconic Rex building.  

The response on both Facebook and the Daylesford Community Grapevine  was huge with so many heartwarming messages and lots of offers of help to make it happen.

Thank you one and all. We are in the process of following up the many offers and channelling them in various directions according to interests and skills.

More offers are always welcome as there are many tasks to complete.  It is now time to call on all cinema lovers to dig deep and contribute financially.  

We have just launched our GoFundMe campaign and are very much hoping that  you will be keen to support us financially.

All contributions big or small are most  welcome. Simply go to: https://gofund.me/73e585b0 and follow the prompts.  

Your financial assistance will enable us to get underway with creating an art deco  interior to be proud of, a welcoming entrance with attractive lighting, carpeting, comfortable seats, state-of-the-art cinema equipment, well-equipped café/bar and  ticketing area as well as assisting us through the establishment phase.  

We envisage our community-run cinema being a wonderful space for locals to congregate and socialise as well as providing much-needed nighttime, weekend and  holiday activity for tourists to enjoy.

Involvement in all aspects of both creating and  operating the cinema, bar and café will provide great opportunities for people of all ages to socialise, learn new skills and engage in meaningful activity whilst making an  important contribution to this community.  

As well as providing a variety of film genres, the cinema will host locally made movies/documentaries, musical events, stand-up comedy and small theatrical  productions.

As the town hall will be closed for approximately two years, we see possibilities for the cinema to meet a variety of community needs in addition to its  core business.  

For those who have queries about fundraising and the GoFundMe campaign  contact Jenny Beacham, Daylesford Cinema Group Treasurer, on 0427 512 159.  

For more information contact me, Jules McDonald, on 0400 455 993 or email  julesmcd11k gmail.com

From – Jules McDonald, Daylesford Cinema Group president  

There’s still time to get your entries in for the competition categories for the upcoming Clunes Spring Show.

“Entries for all our competitions close early in November,” says Clunes and District Agricultural Society secretary Gayle Wrigley, ahead of the show happening Saturday November 16.

“People can go into the schedule to get all the details and enter through our website,” says Gayle.

She says all the favourite fixtures that people love about classic country shows will be back. But there’s going to be some new crowd-pleasing attractions that will be well worth catching this time as well.

“We’ve got whip cracker Stewart Bryant and his whip cracking show which will be a highlight,” Gayle says.

“We’ve never had whip cracking before and that will be a headline act, featuring on the main arena at noon and 3pm. Stewart is recently back from performing for the winter season at the Longreach Hall of Fame.

“We’ve also got Dean Smith ‘the Dancing Bear’ who is a world-renowned chainsaw sculptor and performer and he will be doing demonstrations. And then we will also be auctioning the pieces he creates to raise funds to help the agricultural society maintain facilities.

“We’ve got our local food and wine pavilion and live music including Troy Elliot who will be entertaining on the stage around 3.45pm for a couple of hours and during his performance our chainsaw sculptures will be auctioned.

“We’re having free entertainment on stage all day and all the favourites like the dog high-jump, the Bute Ute and the novelty things like the ferret racing, ladies’ wood-splitting, gumboot throw, keg throw and the tug-o-war.

“We’ve also got the Western Wolves-Ballarat Medieval Combat displays returning. We had them last year and it was a great spectacle.

“The other thing that was a ripping success last year, and that we will have back again, is the kids’ under-10s sandpit with buried ping pong balls containing prizes.

“And people just love all the traditional things like wandering through the home crafts pavilion, and all the animals. The equestrian events are always a key part of our show ring and are beautiful to watch.”

Gayle says competition entries close for most sections on Tuesday, November 5 so it’s time to be part of the fun and get some entries in. The schedule can be found on the website clunesshow.com.au

Words: Eve Lamb