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Artists

Artists

Artists of the Central Highlands

24-11-2024

The large-scale sculptures that Jannie Alday make are sophisticated works of beauty as much as they are fully functional one-offs, designed to appeal to the connoisseur. Middle-eastern architecture is among the influences that ignited this talented creative’s  passion for simple elegant form and fluidity of line. Alday deploys traditional fabrication methods, welding and rendering, alongside modern technology to make sculptures that are sensual, tactile and alluring. Right now she is preparing to celebrate the launch of her new Newlyn studio.

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Places revisited at Newstead Railway Arts Hub

19-11-2024

Places Revisited…Again is the name of the latest exhibition of work by established Castlemaine artist, Bill Beasley.

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Record result for Daylesford’s Rotary Art Show

14-11-2024

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.

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Wide Open Road exhibition

12-11-2024

In September this year, five Daylesford artists travelled to outback NSW to paint and create new art inspired by the fauna, flora and unique landscape and spiritual connections to country and history that is Lake Mungo.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

27-10-2024

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.

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Central Vic Clay Trail

25-10-2024

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.

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Kyneton art exhibition

25-10-2024

Spirit of the Highlands is an exhibition by local artists Nadia Kliendanze and Pam Gleeson. The exhibition opened recently at The Old Auction House in Kyneton and presents two starkly contrasting perspectives of the diverse landscapes of Victoria’s Central Highlands.

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‘Forever I Live’ retrospective coming to Art Gallery of Ballarat

20-10-2024

Sheduled to open at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on October 26, XSH MVIR: Forever I Live is the biggest retrospective of works by the late Josh Muir (1991–2022).

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Autistic Artistic showing at Ballarat’s Post Office gallery

20-10-2024

Vienna Drysdale Bischard explores her own experiences of living with autism in her exhibition  ‘Autistic Artistic’ currently showing at Ballarat’s Post Office Gallery.

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Whopper result for Little Gallery’s winter fundraising show

11-10-2024

The Little Gallery in Trentham has raised a whopping $10,450 at its annual Winter Show fundraising exhibition.

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Swagload of success: artshow benefits homeless

11-10-2024

A huge success is how artists have summed up last month’s From Behind  Closed Doors fundraising art exhibition.

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Two sisters, an artist and a poet…

08-10-2024

Mother Mother, a new exhibition exploring the sometimes vexed relationships of mothers and daughters through images and words, has opened at Newstead's Railway Arts Hub and runs through to October 27.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

29-09-2024

Clunes-based Prue Simmons is a zoologist turned SAORI weaver who revels in colour and in this meditative form of creativity. Having discovered this beautiful form of Japanese weaving whilst exploring the mountains of Japan in 2007, Prue was instantly hooked...

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Showcasing Pearl’s Petals at The Convent

27-09-2024

Surrounded by family photos, keepsakes and memories of her late husband Donny, Daylesford's Sandy Breen creates magic on canvas sitting on a stool in her kitchen.

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Railway arts hub hosts nature photography exhibition

23-09-2024

Newstead's Railway Arts Hub is hosting an exhibition of nature photography.

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From Behind Closed Doors a treat for art lovers

14-09-2024

Coming up this month, Daylesford Regional Arts Co-operative’s From Behind Closed Doors fundraising art exhibition promises to be a treat for anyone who loves original art.

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Up, close & personal

11-09-2024

The Local journalist Tony Sawrey is one of the  artists taking part in the SWELL Sculpture  Festival being held at Currumbin Beach,  Queensland, until September 15.

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Big spend to boost gallery’s reputation

10-09-2024

A significant project that's expected to enhance the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s ability to attract the best exhibitions and loans from around the world has started.

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State announces funding for Ballarat art gallery plan

03-09-2024

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is set to develop a master plan that's expected to bolster its position as a leading Australian regional gallery.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

02-09-2024

Taradale potter Ian (Ox) McColl unearthed a passion for pottery while still in his teens. It was a discovery that has shaped his life’s path ever since.

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Creative industries consultation open for input

22-08-2024

Consultation has opened for the state government’s new creative industries strategy with residents in the Macedon electorate encouraged to share their ideas to help shape the future of the state’s creative sector.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

02-08-2024

Woodend photographic artist Deborah Mullins draws plenty of inspiration from the landscape, including frequent trips to the Outback and also from her own 1.6-hectare garden on the stunning 16-hectare Hesket Farm property where she and her husband Tom reside. Deborah’s work has been displayed in many galleries in Melbourne and the Central Victorian region. Some of her latest work will be part of Little Gallery’s winter fundraising show launching in Trentham this-evening Friday, August 2.

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Art transforms information centre

24-07-2024

The City of Ballarat has unveiled an attention-grabbing artistic Acknowledgement of Country in the Ballarat Town Hall’s Visitor Information Centre.

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Contemporary arts group looks for funding

20-07-2024

Radical Fields, an emerging contemporary arts group based in the Central Highlands has launched its winter fundraiser and is accepting tax deductible donations until July 24. 

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Maldon turns arty to beat winter blues

19-07-2024

As part of the Maldon in Winter program MANet Gallery invited 33 local  artists to participate in a group show, together with the eight regular MANet  artists.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

06-07-2024

Malmsbury artist Tia Alysse discovered her natural and considerable talent for art while still a school child. From a very young age she was encouraged in her arts endeavour with praise from teachers. Her love for animals, however, would see her go on to study veterinary science at university before she ultimately resolved to dedicate herself to art.

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Art trail launched in Ballarat CBD

29-06-2024

Bold new local art is now on display at multiple public locations throughout Ballarat in an initiative designed to encourage locals and visitors to explore the CBD. 

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Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee Live!

26-06-2024

Anh Do’s bestselling book The Happiest Refugee has made readers laugh and cry, and was described by Russell Crowe as 'the most surprising and inspiring read I have had in years.'

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Regent closes its doors

25-06-2024

Ballarat’s Regent Cinema has suddenly closed its doors – just a week out from the winter school holidays.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

09-06-2024

Just at home riding a Harley motorcycle through the desert as he is mingling in a classy art gallery, Sailors Falls creative, Michael Lelliott works with paint, drawing, photography, film, sculpture and sound to celebrate beauty where he finds it. Currently, inspired by a very recent desert excursion, he is working on a suite of new paintings to exhibit as part of this August’s winter fundraising show at The Little Gallery in Trentham,  where he will be among participating artists.

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Ceramics Collection launch at Daylesford

08-06-2024

Daylesford & District Museum held a launch of its new Daylesford Ceramics Collection on Thursday, May 30 to thank the donors of works to the contemporary collection.

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Out of despair comes … art

07-06-2024

Brilliantly coloured images of rock and pop stars fill a book by Yandoit’s Dave Lewis. They arose out of extreme trauma.

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Castlemaine Rotary to stage King’s Birthday art show

30-05-2024

Rotary Castlemaine’s 35th annual Art Show will be held over the King’s Birthday weekend, June 6 to 10.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

11-05-2024

When bodily stresses intervened, artist and designer David Dawson went from making a living as a builder to creating Blampied’s unique Overwrought Garden Art workshop, gallery and display garden.

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Women on Women exhibition showing in Maryborough

11-05-2024

Women on Women is the latest exhibition at Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough.

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PUZZLING!

09-05-2024

The Bullarto Hall recently became the temporary home of what may just be one of the world’s biggest jigsaw puzzles.

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Gisborne’s Charlie makes young achiever finals

03-05-2024

Young Gisborne artist, Charlie Jackman has been named as a finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards (Victoria) in the Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, Ethical Business category.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

12-04-2024

From his earlier days as a rock musician and his years at the prestigious Academy of Art in Dresden, Germany - to his new upcoming exhibition at the Convent Gallery, Daylesford’s Monty Osewald is the sort of vivacious talent whose creative work gets noticed wherever he goes. His personal story could be described as fiery, even phoenix-like. Ahead of his new show that opens later this month, he shared a little of that story.

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Bendigo launches French flavoured café galleries program

09-04-2024

To celebrate the Bendigo Art Gallery’s latest exhibition Paris: Impressions of Life 1880 – 1925, the City of Greater Bendigo has launched the Café Galleries project to provide local creatives with an opportunity to exhibit their art in cafes across Bendigo.

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Chance to help shape future of arts and culture in Hepburn shire

04-04-2024

The Hepburn Shire Council is calling for community feedback on its inaugural Arts and Culture Strategy with submissions open until April 14.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

31-03-2024

Lyonville artist Suzi Donovan is not sure how to describe her artistic style. She is still experimenting with landscapes, clouds and still life but also trying seascapes, rocks and forests. Also extending into abstract work, this local creative is busy right now preparing for her first public exhibition, together with fellow artist Gayle Cykner, at Trentham’s Cosmpolitan Hotel.

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This CresFest World podcast series

31-03-2024

This CresFest World! is a podcast series of interviews with the people who inspire and are part of CresFest, Creswick's own home-grown folk music festival.

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Pop-up art show: ‘Behind Closed Doors’

30-03-2024

Behind Closed Doors is being presented by the Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative as an Easter pop-up art show at 94 Vincent Street, Daylesford.

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Student exhibition set for next month

30-03-2024

The New School of Classical Painting will hold a student exhibition at Stanbridge Hall, Central Springs Road, Daylesford on Saturday, April 6 from 1pm to 5pm.

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Putting Trentham on the map

29-03-2024

Trenthamites have gathered in recent days, to raise a glass to a new mural that really puts their neck of the woods on the proverbial map.

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Mysterious landscapes at Newstead

03-03-2024

Mysterious Landscapes will be held at the Newstead Hub over the weekends of March 2 & 3, 9 &10 & 11, 16 & 17 and 23 & 24 with the opening today, Sunday March 3.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

29-02-2024

Sarah Koschak’s fascination with pottery began as a small child and never really left. For several decades, though, it was a passion that lay dormant as, in adulthood Koschak travelled the world, working as a photographer in some amazing places. These days the childhood fascination is made manifest as this talented local devotes herself to creating objects of beauty and functionality at her studio/gallery at Newstead.

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Ballarat secures leading arts and culture conference

29-02-2024

Countless eyes from art galleries and museums around Australia will turn towards Ballarat this year after the city secured hosting rights for a major conference.

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Bendigo’s big letters zhooshed for International Womens Day

25-02-2024

The big Bendigo sign in the city's Rosalind Park piazza has been zhooshed up by local artists as part of the Women of Gold project to celebrate International Women’s Day coming up March 8.

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Tasty prospect for local creatives: Bendigo launches cafe galleries program

25-02-2024

The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting local artists and creatives to submit expressions of interest for a new program called Cafe Galleries.

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Ulumbarra to host ‘kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music and visual art’

04-02-2024

Dancenorth's Wayfinder, a spectacle of dance, music and visual art is set to light up Bendigo's Ulumbarra Theatre.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

03-02-2024

The artistic oeuvre of Newstead-based Carol de Graauw is impressively diverse. Jeweller, silversmith, ceramicist, sculptor, this mutli-talented local designs and creates jewellery using gold, silver, bronze, cloisonne enameling and resin. She is just as at home, however, working with clay to create functional and decorative pieces. De Graauw has described creativity as  “an escape pad” that “engages the heart, mind, soul and body in the act of making unique pieces”.

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First nations art addition for the Capital, Bendigo

27-01-2024

An artwork from First Nations artist Daikota Nelson has been unveiled to mark The Capital’s 150th anniversary in recent days.

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Portrait drawing workshop for the artistically inclined

14-01-2024

A one-day workshop being offered at the Sebastopol Community Centre this month aims to equip aspiring artists with the basic knowledge to draw faces with confidence in charcoal.

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Time running out to catch the Ballarat Belles art show

13-01-2024

Time is fast running out to catch the Ballarat Belles exhibition now showing at Art Space Ballarat, 14 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central.

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Creative projects dollars up for grabs

26-12-2023

Artists and creatives in the wider Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shire areas are being encouraged to apply to the state government’s Creative Projects Fund.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

23-12-2023

From his childhood in rural America, Ryan Kennedy (aka RFK) moved to New York City and worked in the fashion industry including textile design and runway installation. From there he pursued his own creative studio practice in Brooklyn and in 2009 hosted a tour group of Australian art educators, curators and collectors which led to...

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Look out: radical harvest ahead

22-12-2023

Using a motorbike to “paint” with doesn’t just produce a fairly unique work of art in the landscape.

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Newstead hub hosts debut artists’ market

08-12-2023

The Newstead Arts Hub's inaugural artists market will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 10am to 4pm - in and around the historic Newstead Railway Station and garden.

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Artists of the Central Highlands…

27-11-2023

The considerable artistry of Kyneton sculptor Anne Anderson has seen her work recognised with multiple high profile arts awards including the most recent Toorak Village Sculpture Prize. For this busy professional creative the schedule ahead includes exhibiting at McClelland Sculpture Park in Narre Warren in January and at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in March. Anne chatted with Eve Lamb.

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Central Vic Clay Trail

29-10-2023

Central Victoria is rightly celebrated for its wonderful food and accommodation, but the arts community is the beating heart of the region.

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Artists of the Central Highlands…

28-10-2023

Clunes-based artist Kate Edwards is especially renowned for her personality-packed ceramic pieces. Her talents have seen her work selected multiple times among the finalists in the Clunes Ceramics Award. Kate shares her passion for art by teaching at a local secondary college and her work has won this talented local creative plenty of fans who love the joyful nature of her original creations.

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Landscape Prize

27-10-2023

In a fruitful relationship, the Maldon Artists Network (MANet) has partnered with EDGE Galleries in Maldon to present the 2023 Maldon Landscape Prize for painting, drawing, and mixed media.

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Diverse landscapes, myriad towns & history

27-10-2023

Daylesford artist Brian Nash has produced a coffee table book, The Golden Shire – Locations and Surroundings of the Hepburn Shire.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

15-10-2023

Long established artist and observing Jew, Daylesford’s Bill Meyer can name a multitude of diverse career highlights. They range from a painting commission for the Werdiger family...

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Bangay is special guest for Sculptures in the Garden

13-10-2023

World-renowned garden designer and former Denver resident Paul Bangay, above, is the special guest of Sculptures in the Garden in the burgeoning art hub of Mudgee, New South Wales. And Kyneton sculptor Anne Anderson is among those exhibiting, with her work Treaty, pictured below.

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From Overwrought to Humoroos: entries roll in for upcoming art show

12-10-2023

Paintings. Well, on July 1 when art entries were invited, paintings began to flow in, soon afterwards however there was a hiatus. For someone new to this job that was a matter of concern despite the perpetual comments: Don’t worry they’ll all pile in on the last few days. So true – they did.

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Little gallery raises tidy sum for local centre

30-09-2023

Trentham's Little Gallery Winter Show held in July has this year raised more than $5000 which will be donated to the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

28-09-2023

Renown for his photographic landscape studies and creation of gaze-grabbing images in the commercial realm, acclaimed Hepburn based photographer David Rosendale enjoys an ongoing love-affair with light and its transformative role in image-making. He currently has an exhibition taking place at Eastern Peake Winery Cellar Door, Coghills Creek as part of the wider Ballarat Foto Biennale happening now through to October 22.

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Cats coming to Creswick

27-09-2023

Cat and art lovers alike will be heading to the Creswick Town Hall this long weekend.

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Arts Incubator officially opens

27-09-2023

A living, breathing, creative arts hub in the heart of the CBD is further cementing Ballarat’s reputation as a Creative City.

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Help shape public art in Mount Alexander

20-09-2023

The Mount Alexander Shire Council says it's seeking six passionate community members to join the council's inaugural Public Art Advisory Panel and guide the development of a new public art program.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

16-09-2023

Glenlyon's Julie Coyle, one of the many artists taking part in the upcoming Rotary Daylesford Art Show, says her artistic style leans towards abstraction and certainly impressionism. She looks for an emotional response to the landscape. Julie spared some time to tell The Local a bit about her creative practice.

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While we live: new exhibition explores the analogue digital divide

15-09-2023

While We Live, the analogue digital divide, by Hugh Wayland and James Healer, opened at the Newstead Arts Hub last weekend.

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Art Gallery of Ballarat visitation on the rise

11-09-2023

There has been a significant rise in visitor numbers to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, showing a positive trend in audiences returning post COVID.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

03-09-2023

Rose Wilson’s prodigious artistic talent for creating captivating portraiture has seen her make the finals of some of the nation’s most prestigious arts awards including the Archibald Prize. This acclaimed Trentham artist is also renown for her impressionistic paintings paying homage to the natural environment and to the living creatures that inhabit it.

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Chance to ‘taste’ the ‘Sight of Sound’

03-09-2023

Nick Carpenter's new art exhibition, Sight Of Sound, goes on show at the historic Guildford Hotel Music Hall this month.

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Rotary launches 2023 Daylesford Art Show

01-09-2023

Daylesford Rotary is proud to announce the launch of the 2023 Daylesford Art Show to be held between November 2 and 7 in the Daylesford Town Hall.

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Perfect to make art pundits purr: cat art comes to Creswick

31-08-2023

Cats Come To Creswick Art Show, will be held at the Creswick Town Hall from Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1, and raise funds for a new bus for John Curtin Aged Care.

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Artists of the Central Highlands … with Eve Lamb

20-08-2023

An enduring love affair with the Australian landscape, its power and diversity, underscores the work of much-collected Daylesford painter and printmaker Greg Mallyon. Greg’s abstract topographical images are inspired by an aerial perspective and his life story includes constant study, travel and rich exposure to European, Asian, Middle Eastern and our own Indigenous cultures. The many arts awards that this talented local creative has collected along the way include the 2021 National Capital Art Prize for Landscape and the Digital Art Award for the 2023 Queenscliff Art Prize.

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The Local Podcast August 14 edition

12-08-2023

The latest Local Podcast is now on our website where we discuss what is in the next edition of The Local

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Artists of the Central Highlands …

04-08-2023

Daylesford’s Brian Nash has long captivated art lovers with his powerful interpretations of the world around him, particularly landscape. Right now his work, together with that of photographer Bec Walker, is part of a feature exhibition showing at the Convent Gallery. In recent days, Brian generously shared his time with journalist Eve Lamb to provide some insights into his creative process, sources of inspiration, and life as a professional artist.

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Artists of the central Highlands

20-07-2023

Castlemaine’s Neil Tait has built up an admiring following for his artistry when it comes to decorative ironwork. This local creative – ably assisted by his team – designs and creates wrought iron pieces that are aesthetically pleasing works of art which frequently also serve the most functional of purposes.

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The Local Podcast July 17, 2023

16-07-2023

The Local crew talk about what to expect in the upcoming edition of The Local

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Big show coming up for Little Gallery

09-07-2023

The Little Gallery in Trentham is no stranger to fundraising as over the past 11 years of its existence it has donated proceeds from its many exhibitions to local charities and interstate communities in need.

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Making his mark: Wardle is feature artist

08-07-2023

Recently opened in Maldon, the MANet artists’ gallery is a collective of eight local artists who are all excited about the opportunity to exhibit, and sell their work, locally.

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Artists of the Central Highlands …

08-07-2023

Formerly Sister Maleita, serving as a nun with a French Order in New Zealand, Daylesford’s Millie Gouldthorpe came to painting later in life than many, but once she did – Oh Boy! The canvas really exploded. Millie’s style which emerged in a torrent of creativity during the time of COVID lockdowns is vibrant, abstract expressionist, and the way she revels in the sheer joy of colour is all the more fabulous for the fact that she is classified as blind due to the development of a degenerative eye condition. When she makes art, sometimes literally in the dark, this local arts talent almost seems to be channelling some higher force.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

23-06-2023

Armed with a personal attitude that “life is too short” Karima Baadilla ditched professional accounting to pursue her passion for art, and swapped life in the inner city for a tree-change at Clunes on the old central Victorian goldfields. She is now a multi-media artist whose prints create a narrative of everyday life, migrant identity and community that is fresh, vibrant and tends to bring instant cheer.

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Landscape prize up for grabs … if you’ve got the talent!

23-06-2023

The Maldon Artist Network has partnered with EDGE galleries in Maldon to present the Maldon Landscape Prize for painting, drawing and mixed media.

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Local arts talent on show in ‘the Phee’

20-06-2023

Castlemaine's Phee Broadway Theatre foyer exhibition program has opened with a selection of local artists now exhibiting their work in the space right through to June next year.

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Golden textures quilt exhibition goes on show in Maryborough

19-06-2023

Twenty-one art quilts from around Australia are finalists in a prestigious national award which has now gone on display at Maryborough's Central Goldfields Art Gallery (pictured above) until 20 August 2023.

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Back on track: an exhibition

11-06-2023

Back on Track, an exhibition of artworks by MAGNET is being held at the Art Trax Gallery, 30 Pratt Street, Beaufort until July 3.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

09-06-2023

The creations of Creswick artist blacksmith Ernie Terry are the sort of pieces that stop people in their tracks and start conversations. Forged from fire, steel and beautifully burnished copper - among other  metals - they’re imposing, frequently life-sized and capture a fiery elemental energy that’s been winning this local creative plenty of fans and commissions – functional and purely aesthetic - ever since he opened his Lucky Monkey Blacksmith workshop and gallery at Creswick in fairly recent times.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

27-05-2023

Acclaimed arts couple Julie McKenzie and Malcolm King (above) have further enriched the Hepburn Shire’s rich arts scene after moving here from interstate last year. Julie is particularly renowned for her landscapes and Malcolm for his travel poster works. They are both widely collected and exhibited, and their studio has screen-printed works for some of the biggest names in Australian contemporary art.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

11-05-2023

HEPBURN Springs artist Lisa Gervasoni is renowned for her imposing abstract landscape works. As a child she was fascinated with geographical and street maps. Her passion for cartography persisted into adulthood informing her preoccupation with land and the many layers of value it holds. Today this abiding interest informs both her professional work as a strategic and town planner and the creation of her imposing art works, some of which are about to feature in her new exhibition, Reimagining our Cultural Landscapes, held from today, May 11 to June 25, at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

28-04-2023

TRENTHAM'S Morag Turner hails originally from Lanarkshire, Scotland and it was her love of art that led to her completing a degree in textile design which then led to her moving to Australia. Today she’s inspired by the landscape and natural beauty she sees around her. But this well-established local artist is equally at home turning her talent to life drawing and portraiture, and to realism or abstractionism.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

14-04-2023

AN ONGOING love affair with all things Italian informs the aesthetic in the much collected and admired work of Daylesford artist Brian Reberger. Each year, Brian spends time working in his studios in both Daylesford and Umbria, Italy. Now he’s preparing for a significant exhibition coming up at Steps Gallery in Carlton in May.

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Magical birds, joyful singing & art exhibits

31-03-2023

DAYLESFORD artist and musician Vanessa Craven has just published a children’s colour picture song book, Birds in My Tree: The Magic of Birds and the Joy of Singing.

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The craft of photography in the 21st Century

31-03-2023

PHOTOGRAPHY in the 21st Century is a remarkably easy medium to engage with. Every phone has a camera and digital technology, including editing and digital filters which can generate results that satisfy most people.

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Artists of the Central Highlands

30-03-2023

DIANNE Longley’s considerable artist oeuvre depicts dreams and fantasies, weaving real and imagined figures and landscapes to create works that intrigue and beguile the viewer. Working at her Agave Print Studio in Trentham, Dianne uses both traditional and digital methods and here she chats about her prolific creative practice.

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From furniture to philandering: a fascination with fungi

30-03-2023

FOR countless years the mysterious world of fungi has been the domain of a fairly exclusive handful of boffins.

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Arty Newstead hosts open studios art trail

19-03-2023

Newstead is a dynamic centre for artists of all stripes and once again the little town that punches above its weight when it comes to creativity is inviting people to visit its studios and exhibition spaces over three weekend

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Artists of the Central Highlands …

18-03-2023

WORKING in her attractive little Springmount studio, just out of Creswick, ceramicist Kim Haughie draws much of her inspiration from the region and its diversity of beautiful natural shapes and textures. This talented ceramicist creates functional pieces that are as much purposeful, practical items to be used and appreciated every day as they are unique works of art.

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Artists of the Central Highlands …

03-02-2023

Creswick’s Lyn Cooke has established herself as one of Victoria’s leading wildlife artists. Her work is admired for its detail and beauty as she challenges herself to capture not just the physical appearance of her subjects but also their intrinsic nature – or “jizz” as the birdos call it. Here this talented local artist shares some insights into her love of portraying our exquisite native wildlife.

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Chilling Out with MC Art Simone

16-02-2023

Art Simone will MC the All Ages Soundshell event on Saturday, March 11 and co-MC at Carnivale on March 12 with ABC’s favourite weatherman Nate Byrne! She chatted with ChillOut Festival’s Amy Fabry-Jenkins.

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Artists of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb

16-02-2023

The prolific creative output of Wheatsheaf artist Frances Guerin is informed by a background in philosophy and transpersonal psychology.

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Meet MC Art Simone

09-02-2023

Art Simone will MC the All Ages event Saturday Sound Shell, and co-MC at Carnivale with ABC’s favourite weatherman Nate Byrne! She chatted with ChillOut Festival's Fabry-Jenkins.

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Chilling Out with Sam Lohs – one half of the Tuck Shop Ladies

09-02-2023

Sam Lohs, one half of the Tuck Shop Ladies, will be performing at a few events at ChillOut (see below). Sam chatted with the festival's Amy Fabry-Jenkins.

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Shine on Immortal Diamond

06-02-2023

Wheatsheaf artist Frances Guerin is holding an exhibition, Immortal Diamond, at the Southbank Vitrines on Melbourne from January 30 to February 26.

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A stitch in time: the Textile Palette Exhibition’s back

04-02-2023

If you’re a nifty needleworker with a talent for textiles then the Clunes organisers of this year’s Textile Palette Exhibition want to hear from you.

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Central Highlands artist profiles

03-02-2023

GLENLYON artist Pam Gleeson brings her background discipline as a professional photographer to her creation of imposing landscapes that reflect her deep love of the land and its stories. Pam is no slouch when it comes to observing detail. She’s previously worked as a medical scientist. Here, she chats to The Local journalist Eve Lamb about her art.

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Cosmo BLOOMing

03-01-2023

BLOOM, an exhibition of new paintings by local artist Kevin Smith is now showing at the The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham

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Craig Barrett: A love of art and pared back simplicity

19-01-2023

Creswick’s Craig Barrett is one of the region’s accomplished artists whose love of landscape and the natural world and the way human endeavour has interacted with it, resonates through his creative output. He has works held in the National Gallery of Victoria, the State Library of Victoria and the Shrine of Remembrance in addition to private and corporate collections. He chatted with journalist Eve Lamb about his love of art and his personal arts practice.

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Get your creative on, Gisborne writing and illustration challenge

09-01-2023

Gisborne Library and the Gisborne Gazette are calling for entries into the Gisborne Writing and Illustration Challenge.

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Cricket, art, writing…

06-01-2023

In our July 18 edition we sadly reported on the loss of Trentham's Peter Young, who wrote many pieces for The Local.

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Dragon Dance: Lauren Mitchell and Geoff Hocking

01-01-2023

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

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Woo Hoo Spacey Jane tops again

17-12-2022

It's official. Spacey Jane are, once again, the people's choice when it comes to new music.

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Wenham taps his inner scrooge

16-12-2022

It's a great last minute Christmas gift idea for the person who has everything - and packs some timeless food for thought to boot.

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Damo brings his music-filled vibe to the Woodend library

16-12-2022

Damo is headed to the Woodend library in the new year to help keep local kids entertained with a free gig during the summer school holidays.

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Keele’s work in exhibition at Radius Gallery

27-11-2022

Artist Keele Breen is holding a new exhibition at Radius Gallery in Hepburn Springs.

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A mural mood boost

21-11-2022

Trentham Aged Care residents are pretty chuffed with their new landscape and wildlife mural which now adorns their dining room wall.

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Daylesford Art Show: Couldn’t do it without you!

12-11-2022

THE 2022 Daylesford Rotary Art Show closed last Tuesday, with 182 artworks on show by 78 artists, after what was months of planning and hard work.

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Mt Players’ Madagascar

09-11-2022

The Mount Players are presenting their final show for 2022.

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Open studios in Maldon thanks to MANet

30-10-2022

FOR more than a decade the Maldon Artist Network has provided a supportive environment and network for creatives in the regional area.

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Camera win leads to love of photography

30-10-2022

ARTIST Kaye Dixon grew up in Brisbane, moved to Melbourne in 1980 and then to Yandoit in 2000. Her love of photography started when she won a camera at a school fete.

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Spring art and old masters

28-10-2022

CRESWICK taps its rich vein of arts heritage this Melbourne Cup long weekend with the town hosting two concurrent art exhibitions.

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Meet locals from the Daylesford Art Show

27-10-2022

THE Daylesford Art Show is ready to kick off this Thursday, October 27, with the Community Bank Daylesford District Awards Night at the Daylesford Town Hall.

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Head out on the central Victorian clay trail

26-10-2022

Connect with regional ceramicists in their studios on the Central Victorian Clay Trail, held on Sunday, November 13 and Monday, November 14 from 10am to 4pm.

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Italian music concert

Lauded as “one of Australia’s most angelic-voiced sopranos” Sara Macliver is headed to Daylesford this month to dispense a feast of Italian music together with the Genesis Baroque ensemble.

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The Big Rainbow comes to Daylesford They swiped right!

05-10-2022

DAYLESFORD has been named the home of The Big Rainbow, Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion.

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A Feast of Music

29-08-2022

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra’s A Feast of Music festival is returning to Daylesford for the first time in three years, after the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 festivals.

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ChillOut headliner

29-08-2022

ChillOut has announced its first headliner for next year - Kate Miller-Heidke! Kate will be performing at Carnival Day on Sunday, March 12.

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Water competition for kids

28-08-2022

Primary school-aged artists are being asked to create their own water story as part of Central Highlands Water’s National Water Week poster competition.

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Performance at Kyneton

26-08-2022

Kyneton Town Hall will host a spectacular one-night only performance of Fred Smith and the Urban Sea Shanties Community Choir on Saturday 10 September. The not-to-be missed performance is the culmination of months of choir rehearsals under the guidance of choral leaders Andrew Price and Seija Knight.

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Where is the Big Rainbow?

17-08-2022

Six weeks after voting closed, there is still no word if Daylesford will be the home of Tinder’s Big Rainbow, the first big landmark celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ Pride and inclusion.

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Reservoir dogs

16-08-2022

The Mount Players' third production for 2022, Reservoir Dogs opens on Friday, August 19 playing through to Sunday, September 4.

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Find Your Wings theme for ChillOut 23

16-08-2022

CHILLOUT has unveiled its theme for 2023 – Find Your Wings. Festival director Emma Ireland said the theme came from the discovery of the bright-eyed brown butterfly at the Grove of Gratitude at Wombat Flat, Lake Daylesford.

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Spanish flair, virtuosic Paraguayan guitar and a few goosebumps

15-08-2022

CLASSICAL guitarist Clancy McLeod grew up in Alice Springs and moved down to Victoria when he was 15. He spent quite a few years of his childhood travelling through the desert with camels and a wagon - the family were cameleers.

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Concert delivers plenty of satisfaction

05-08-2022

A self-indulgent, bucket list trip to the other side of the world to see a (The) rock band. I guess you could absolutely argue that point.

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Local Lines

03-08-2022

Local Lines

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Church concerts

02-08-2022

Daylesford’s Christ Church Anglican has launched a series of five very special concerts on Saturday afternoons from winter to spring.

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Inspiring Jasmine

01-08-2022

From a young age, Daylesford’s Jasmine Gruar knew she wanted to be a ballet dancer. Her memories of dancing with her sister at home cemented her love of dance.

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On song with big dreams

01-08-2022

Twenty-year-old Atticus Punt-Trethewey is close to releasing his first EP while also organising a live music event in Daylesford, AltWave, with a group of fellow college students. An event by young people for young people.

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The Rex now for sale to the highest bidder

31-07-2022

HEPBURN Shire Council will sell The Rex building to the highest bidder despite 66 per cent of survey respondents being against the move.

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True event stage drama

27-07-2022

A powerful stage drama based on a true event and set in a farmhouse in rural Victoria, is now in rehearsal at Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre.

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Palestinian film night

24-07-2022

Central Victorian Friends Of Palestine will screen two multi-award winning short films from leading female Palestinian directors in Kyneton - The Present by Farah Nabulsi and Like Twenty Impossibles by Annemarie Jacir.

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Peter’s life: Art, cricket, writing, style

18-07-2022

TRENTHAM artist and PR legend Peter Young passed away last Thursday, July 14, after a short illness. His own Twitter handle describes him as: "Former Cricket Aust head of public affairs-turned-slow-left-arm painter. Of canvases, not houses."

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Reclaiming art and shows

17-07-2022

ALISON Parkinson was raised in a farming family and had all the space in the world to explore in the Warracknabeal district where "the lands are flat with the biggest skies".

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Funding for public space and streetscapes

14-07-2022

Applications are now open in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne for the $20 million Living Local Fund.

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VFF Stock Sense workshops

13-07-2022

Stock Sense is teaming up with several expert speakers to present at a FREE workshop on a range of sheep and goat health, welfare, and biosecurity topics.

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Local Lines

08-07-2022

Local Lines

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Funding for artists

08-07-2022

CENTRAL Highlands' artists and creative organisations are invited to hit the road and take their performances, exhibitions and events across regional and outer-metropolitan Victoria.

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France’s national day celebrated

07-07-2022

FRANCE'S national day celebrations will be presented by the Daylesford Community Brass Band and U3A Hepburn Shire’s Le Cercle Français.

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Venie Poetry Prize

07-07-2022

The 2022 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize, in partnership with Rabbit, a journal for nonfiction poetry, has been launched.

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Funding for Maldon’s Porcupine Village

06-07-2022

Maldon’s Porcupine Village tourist attraction will create more than 100 jobs and attract more visitors to the Central Goldfields region.

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Christmas shopping at Hanging Rock

04-07-2022

Enjoy a magical Christmas shopping experience on Melbourne Cup weekend, at our Hanging Rock Market, on Saturday, October 29.

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The sound of winter finally arrives in 2022

FINALLY, after two cancellations due to, ahem, unforeseen circumstances, Winter Sounds is set to nourish the souls of music lovers of the shire and beyond.

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Little Gallery reaches double digits

03-07-2022

THIS year marks the 10th anniversary of the Little Gallery, which was originally established as an artist collective in 2010.

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A tribute to Dear Fay

03-07-2022

WHEN well-known and much-loved local John Hungerford started sharing Facebook posts about his beautiful wife ‘Dear Fay’, he never expected the outpouring of emotions from friends and strangers alike. John and Fay were well known in the Newlyn and wider district with Newlyn Antiques and Nursery and their shared love of people.

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Money for grassroots creatives

27-06-2022

Grassroots creative organisations are being supported to deliver creative content to more Victorian audiences, providing stable funding and new opportunities.

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Ciao!

23-06-2022

I'm Mara Ripani and I love being with community, talking and discussing all that is important to us. Problem solving and diving deep into conversations about everything and anything, no matter how difficult, no matter how light.

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Local Lines

23-06-2022

Local Lines

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Bonsai Society celebrations

23-06-2022

Goldfields Bonsai Society will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an exhibition at the Daylesford Town Hall on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 from 10am to 4pm.

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Silent films at Radio Springs Hotel

22-06-2022

When silent films first made an appearance, they were almost always accompanied by live music, starting with a pianist at the first movie projections by the Lumière Brothers in Paris in 1895.

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Chris to perform Lennox tribute

21-06-2022

Chris Burgess grew up in Naarm, Melbourne and from an early age aspired to be in musicals as his mum took him to every show that came through. He even has a closet full of programs and ticket stubs to prove it.

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Clunes Writers’ Group launches anthology

07-06-2022

CLUNES Writers’ Group has published Unmasked: An Anthology. Convenor Patsy Skinner said the book was started two years ago, with the idea that masks and restrictions would be a thing of the past within a year.

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Philip’s time to shine

07-06-2022

“IT'S not about the time on earth – it’s what you do with that time.” That’s the affirmation 77-year-old Clunes local Philip Oyston lives by and each day this ‘oldest roadie in Melbourne’ lends his heart and time to those around him.

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Pop-up artwork

06-06-2022

FOLLOWING a successful exhibition on the Australia Day long weekend, the Daylesford Art Collective is planning a new pop-up exhibition for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from June 11 to 13.

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Blessed with a fabulous job called ‘art’

25-05-2022

TRENTHAM artist Helen Cottle grew up in the western suburbs of Melbourne and began drawing from a very early age. Even though she was obsessed with art she was also an animal lover and intended to become a vet, not an artist. During her later high school years her art teachers strongly convinced Helen to continue her passion for art and she took their advice and studied art. The venture lasted all of three days before she realised it was not for her. She said in those days it was more about commercial art, graphic design or teaching and not fine art which she believed was her direction. Helen left art school and pursued her passion in "my own way", self-educating by absorbing all the information she could through visiting art galleries, exhibitions and art books. She chatted with Donna Kelly.

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Howzat!

23-05-2022

Over the next few editions we are taking a look back at some of our favourite photos. And here's Ian Tinetti like you have never seen him before.

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Spa Quilters on show

22-05-2022

THE Spa Quilters hold an biannual show to showcase the work of its members and raise funds to make charity quilts.

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& Juliet to premiere in Melbourne

21-05-2022

The West End’s award-winning contemporary musical & Juliet will make its Australian premiere in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre in February next year.

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WAGS winter art show at Woodend

19-05-2022

Annually WAGs members hold their winter art show over the Queen's Birthday Weekend.

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Looking back

12-05-2022

Over the next few editions we are taking a look back at some of our favourite photos. Reproducing Abbey Road are, from left, Lyndall Jenkin, Rodney Peacock, Tony Raftes and Alex Pearce. First published November 24, 2014.

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The Odd Couple

11-05-2022

THE Mount Players' second production for our 2022 season, The Odd Couple, is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

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Horoscopes with Jennifer Hart May 9 – May 23

08-05-2022

The dreamy month of April has come to a close and we find ourselves moving into a more action-oriented time. With expansive Jupiter and energizing Mars moving into the pro-active sign of Aries this month, there are topics in your life that might get a boost, or you have the ability to level up in some way. Fair Venus has moved into fast-paced Aries as well, we all need to mind our impulse spending for the next few weeks. Mischievous Mercury turns retrograde from May 10th, a phenomenon that gives the illusion that this planet is moving backwards across the sky. In fact, it’s due to our point of view from Earth and the orbital cycle of Mercury that bring about this effect three to four times a year. It’s a time to reassess, reconnect, reunite, or revisit certain areas of our lives. It is commonly known for causing technology glitches, miscommunications, and misunderstandings but I find it great for wrapping up any projects that have been languishing on my desk. The second Eclipse (they always happen in pairs) takes place on May 17th and can be a continuation of the stories that have been kicking around since last month. Read on to see how you might harness the power of the planets. If you know your rising sign, start there first.

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Easter musings from St Andrews Creswick

08-05-2022

Easter musings from St Andrews Creswick

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New music event

07-05-2022

A new live music event known as ‘The Gig’ will take place in Woodend on Saturday 21 May.

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Cecilia living her best life in Daylesford

25-04-2022

THE Central Highlands are familiar territory for Cecilia Macaulay. Her grandfather lived and farmed in East Trentham and her sister is in Kyneton.

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The local who killed off Neighbours’ Madge

25-04-2022

FOR many of us who grew up watching iconic Australian television series Neighbours, news of its axing after nearly 38 years on our small screens is unthinkable.

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Join a choir

20-04-2022

Have you always wanted to experience the thrill and connection of singing in a choir? If so, now is your chance!

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Turn on, tune in, drop out with Jeff Glorfeld

15-04-2022

THERE'S a joke told on baby boomers that goes: “If you remember the 1960s, you weren’t there.” The funniest part about that old witticism is that no one remembers for certain who said it first.

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Music and movies

14-04-2022

SMALL Space Music and the Radio Springs Hotel are pairing live improvised music scores with classic movies for the Magic Lantern Sessions.

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Youth festival in September

07-04-2022

The Victorian Youth Fest 2022 will be a month-long celebration for young people in September.

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Upgrade for Lauriston Hall

07-04-2022

The 90-year-old Lauristone Hall in Lauriston has been transformed from a much-loved community hub into a more accessible space to be better equipped to host more events.

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CresFest 2022

04-04-2022

Cold Central Victoria-type weather seemed to sync with the end of daylight saving, perfectly setting the scene for a new, sprawling and cosy music festival - Creswick's CresFest.

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Ageing DisGracefully

03-04-2022

IF YOU missed out on last year's Hepburn House movie-inspired calendar, don't fret, the residents are already working on 2023 - and the theme is Ageing DisGracefully!

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Bigger Little Gallery

01-04-2022

TRENTHAM'S Little Gallery is celebrating its first anniversary as the bigger Little Gallery in its spacious, light-filled new premises by showcasing two new guest artists.

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Small halls

30-03-2022

Award-winning indie folk darlings Charm of Finches and prolific singer-songwriter Jack Carty have hit the road for the Festival of Small Halls Autumn Tour 2022.

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Romeo and Juliet

30-03-2022

OZACT is presenting Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, at Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve next month.

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Farewell to Anne, ‘the ground’s
not the same’

28-03-2022

FOR Anne E Stewart, brilliant storyteller, one long narrative is about to end and another to start.

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Money for regional events

24-03-2022

The state government is backing rural and regional Victorian makers, artists, entertainers and producers with new funding to revitalise the community events calendar.

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Supporting the arts and recovery

23-03-2022

The federal government continues to support the recovery of the arts and entertainment sector in Ballarat with $85,000 awarded to Regent Cinema Central Ballarat under the $20 million Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods (SCREEN) Fund.

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CresFest: The story of the festival unfolds

28-03-2022

AN INITIATIVE that’s sure to surprise attendees at the inaugural CresFest from Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3 is an A2 folded map with the full program on one side and on the other a list of venues and other important information.

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Australian artist performing in festival

20-03-2022

Australian artists Nick Cave, Warren Ellis and Tash Sultana will perform at locations across the state as part of a major music festival supported by the state government.

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White Night back in September

19-03-2022

White Night will return to Bendigo on 3 September this year, with tens of thousands of locals and visitors expected to attend the event and provide a significant boost to tourism businesses.

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Gig Guide

16-03-2022

Gigs

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Creating a musical festival – CresFest

14-03-2022

HOW many people have thought to themselves: “I’ve got a great idea”, “I can do that”, “how hard can it be?”

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Our Time To Shine

13-03-2022

ChillOut was back with a bang with the Sunday Street Parade.

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Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival

12-03-2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to fostering respect, understanding and trust between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Macedon Ranges communities.

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Supporting events

10-03-2022

The state government is supporting multicultural and multifaith communities to reconnect, celebrate and share their culture through community festivals and events.

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Open studio at Wheatsheaf

06-03-2022

Frances Guerin is holding an open studio over the long Labour Day weekend, Chillout Festival, IWD 12, 13, 14 March at Whitegum Studio, 55 Whitegum Drive, Wheatsheaf.

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CresFest – the story unfolds

05-03-2022

LIKE an intricate tapestry, the threads that weave together the story of CresFest start to reveal a cohesive picture that celebrates what started out as the initiative of a few to a collaboration of many.

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Great day at Woodend

05-03-2022

WOODEND Hanging Rock Petanque Club and Woodend Pony Club are again running a great day for the family at the old Woodend Racecourse in Forest Street, showcasing a wide range of fabulous activities and products available in and around Woodend.

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Wattleseed Ensemble

05-03-2022

New Melbourne-based crossover group Wattleseed Ensemble is proudly presented by the Anglican Parish of Daylesford on Saturday, March 19 at 3pm for the opening concert of their debut tour, HOME.

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Foo Fighters to rock Geelong

27-02-2022

International rock supergroup, the Foo Fighters, will take to the stage in Geelong next month as part of a major statewide live music program being delivered by the state government.

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Still floating ideas, after all these years

25-02-2022

Fantasyland is a carousel that sits out the back of Tom Henderson’s place. It seats four, with two people propelling it by cranking an arm up and down.

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Stories of Us – coming to CresFest 2022

21-02-2022

QUESTION: What do poet Banjo Paterson, singer Simon McDonald of Springmount, photographer Daisy Harriett Llewelyn and the people of Creswick have in common?

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Open studios in Newstead

19-02-2022

ART lovers take note. Over two weekends in March, 26 artists across 14 locations in and around Newstead invite you into their studios and other venues to show what they have been creating.

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50th anniversary

19-02-2022

THE Mount Players are proud to announce that 2022 will mark their 50th anniversary.

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The Local in oils…

16-02-2022

The Local, usually in print and online, has now also appeared in oil paint.

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Triple threat Maureen takes on The Voice

16-02-2022

CRESWICK'S triple threat performer Maureen Andrew, pictured above, was one of the stars of Channel 7's four-night production of The Voice - Generations starting on Monday, January 31.

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ChillOut on its way

15-02-2022

IT'S just weeks until the community celebrates 25 years of ChillOut. Festival director Em Ireland said this year's theme was Our time to shine, "so get your shiny wardrobe ready for some well-deserved celebrations".

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The MANet

09-02-2022

The MANet upcoming I Be Human portrait prize exhibitions will be held at the EDGE galleries in Maldon.

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Local Lines

06-02-2022

Local Lines

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New Robbie Williams biopic

23-01-2022

Thousands of Victorian creatives will soon be working on the set of the new Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, which will begin filming in Victoria early 2022.

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Arts and culture in regional Victoria

22-01-2022

Arts and culture fans in regional Victoria will experience world-class performances in their local venues and see local productions brought to life, backed by new support from the state government.

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RENOVATION SALE

19-01-2022

COMPLETE DISPERSAL FLOOR STOCK All prices reduced by 1/3 and some by 50%Open 5 Sundays in January 2022.12 noon to 5pm.

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Joe Camilleri living the dream

19-01-2022

HE IS one of Australia’s favourite rockers, an ARIA Hall of Famer and together with The Black Sorrows he’s sold more than two million albums. And just last month he released yet another album.

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Further residency announcement

13-12-2021

Six local artists have today been revealed as the recipients of Castlemaine State Festival’s Further Residency Program, an initiative aimed at artists with projects at mid-to-late-stage creative development level to help them reach the next phase of their creative journey.

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So, this is Christmas

10-12-2021

Santa, aka Richard Herr, and his naughty helpers have come down from the North Pole to Daylesford and will be around town from December 1-25.

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Daylesford’s Annual ChillOut Festival announces Silver Jubilee Programme

03-12-2021

ChillOut Festival is thrilled to announce their 2022 programme. Join us from the 10-14th March as the Central Highlands of Victoria will loudly and proudly celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ChillOut Festival. A time for us all to bring our community together after being apart for so long. Whether it’s dancing, tennis or bushwalking shoes you need, dust them off and be a part of what we are planning to be the biggest and best festival yet. Bring all the moves that missed their dancefloor debuts and remember what it feels like to be celebrating what makes us proud of who we are, together as one incredible community, where we shine the brightest.

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Mt Players Award

26-11-2021

THE Mount Players Youth theatre leaders have won the Macedon Ranges 2021 award for Pure Imagination - young people pursuing their passion for creativity through the arts.

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Bush not so ideal when the sun goes down

23-11-2021

THE forests of the Central Highlands are lovely in the day. A bucolic place, abounding with precious orchids, meandering butterflies and grazing kangaroos. A benign arcadia, safe, beautiful, serene.

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Did somebody say that’s D’Arcy Spiller

23-11-2021

SINGER/songwriter, and former Smeaton resident, D’Arcy Spiller is one of the stars of Menulog’s reworked Snoop Dogg’s Did Somebody Say track.

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Sprouting joy

20-11-2021

THE shopfronts of Daylesford and surrounds came alive over the weekend with 120 beautiful floral installations designed to celebrate spring.

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NEW ANTI-SCALPING LAWS CRACK DOWN ON INFLATED BUNDLE DEALS

17-11-2021

Victorian fans attending major sports and entertainment events will be further protected from scalpers under new legislation that outlaws the back-room bundling of tickets with other items to circumvent existing laws.

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CresFest 2022 will be a joyful celebration of music and dance

13-11-2021

CresFest 2022 will be a joyful celebration of music and dance

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Backing regional events

10-11-2021

The state government is backing regional Victorian events of all sizes, to ensure the state’s diverse and vibrant calendar of community events can continue to thrive.

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Accommodation boost for silo trail

07-11-2021

The state government is boosting accommodation along the state’s popular Silo Art Trail, giving travellers more options to stop and enjoy regional towns.

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Boost for regional culture, heritage and arts

05-11-2021

In a boost for community organisations across regional Australia, the federal government has announced the opening of the new $3 million Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism (CHART) program, to be delivered in 2021‑22.

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Summer re-opening for Melbourne

04-11-2021

Melbourne’s top public galleries, museums and performance venues are gearing up for a big summer as they re-open their doors to the public.

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Regional and rural events

25-10-2021

The Victorian Government is backing the return of a packed calendar of crowd-pleasing public events in regional and rural areas in 2022, bringing thousands of visitors and creating local jobs.

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Elvis lives on

In an Australian exclusive, Bendigo will celebrate the life and legacy of the “King of Rock’n’Roll” Elvis Presley with a major exhibition travelling from Memphis, Tennessee to Victoria in 2022.

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Local lines

25-10-2021

Local lines

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Just briefly

25-10-2021

Just briefly

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Movie extras needed

25-10-2021

A FEATURE film, In God’s Care, is being shot in Hepburn Shire in November and December - and they need extras! Harvest Pictures Group co-CEO Tony Coombs said the film was inspired by tragic and true events which happened in the mid-90s but the story line was being kept under wraps for the time being.

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Daylesford to come alive with ‘Art on Vincent’

25-10-2021

DAYLESFORD'S town centre will come alive with colour when ‘Art on Vincent’ kicks off this Friday. As part of the 2021 Daylesford Art Show, hosted by Rotary, the exciting new concept will bring artwork to the community and truly highlight our region's remarkable talent.

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Vale Bob McKinnon

25-10-2021

SILENCE fell over the small town of Clunes last Tuesday in a beautiful farewell for town stalwart Bob McKinnon. A small family service ended in a community event that some locals have described as a once in a lifetime moment.

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Clay trail roadmap

25-10-2021

The Central Victorian Clay Trail is one roadmap that will lead you on a journey of discovery to the inner sanctums of the region’s ceramicists and help blow out the lockdown cobwebs.

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Art X Music exhibition opens at Mt Franklin

11-10-2021

NICK Carpenter's Music Is My Muse exhibition will open at the Wildwood Instruments Art Gallery at Mount Franklin on the Cup Day long weekend, October 30.

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Wombat fundraiser

11-10-2021

MUSICAL tribute to the wombat is the feature of a Daylesford benefit concert for the planned Central Victoria Wildlife Hospital.

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CresFest: A new style festival in an old style town

11-10-2021

NEWLYN resident, fundraiser and musician Judy Turner was coming to the end of a contract with Sovereign Hill, when an epiphany occurred – what better thing to do in retirement than to start a new festival, right here in beautiful Creswick?

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Take a bow, young writers and dreamers

THIS is the second in The Local's series of primary students tackling the topic My Dream and secondary students on The Stranger for the Words in Winter festival.

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Take a bow, young writers and dreamers

THIS is the second in The Local's series of primary students tackling the topic My Dream and secondary students on The Stranger for the Words in Winter festival.

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Take a bow, young writers and dreamers

The Stranger for the Words in Winter festival.

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Joe Camilleri: Country life, music and gardens

HE IS one of Australia’s favourite rockers, an ARIA Hall of Famer and together with The Black Sorrows he’s sold more than two million albums.

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Japanese artists’ connection with Trentham

VISUAL artists Akiko Nagino and Takahiko Sugawara met in 2006 and they are still together, travelling and making works. Growing up in Tōhoku the remote and scenic north east region of Honshu, Japan's largest island, they both completed studies at Tōhoku University of Art and Design in the city of Yamagata.

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Supporting events for young Victorians

The Victorian Government is providing a significant funding boost for youth programs, offering more opportunities for young people to reconnect with their community as pandemic restrictions ease.

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Community grants open for Hepburn Shire

With COVID restrictions easing, this is an opportunity for community groups to apply for Round 2 of Community Grants.

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The Lighthouse

The waving line between shore and sea dissolves footprints like friendship and time The way ahead is dark and uncertain A lighthouse on the cliff illumines the black sea where white birds hover as heralds.

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Completing Year 12 in the time of Covid

07-06-2021

AS KIARA Clifton says, it’s been a year like no other. The Glenlyon resident, who completed Year 12 last year at Daylesford College, concedes that there are many worse off, but says she is not alone in feeling ripped off by Covid. Kiara chatted with Donna Kelly.

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Alice, crossing the desert of love and Sufism

15-03-2021

TRENTHAM novelist Alice Melike Ülgezer’s life is like a best-selling thriller, or even a riveting TV series.

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Electronic control addictive for Aimee

08-03-2021

NEWSTEAD musician Aimee Chapman has been working at her craft since the 1990s, with her career based on jazz studies at Victorian College of the Arts and Music, majoring in lead vocals.

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A chance meeting, friendship and a time to shine

01-03-2021

ANGUS O’Callaghan always dreamed of becoming a famous photographer. Fascinated by people going about their daily lives, Angus captured shots of Melbourne. Shots that evoke memories for those who lived or visited Melbourne in the 60s.

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Festival: fun and fundraising

01-03-2021

ON SATURDAY, March 13, the Macedon Ranges Festival will take place in Gisborne providing some much needed live music for people in the area after a year of not much at all.

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Just 15 and creating futuristic folk songs

08-02-2021

SAGE Roadknight, 15, is a singer/songwriter from the Macedon Ranges creating, in her own words, futuristic folk music. She comes from a musical family and has been involved with music for pretty much her whole life, starting with piano at the age of six.

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Uncovering the history of the Convent Gallery

15-02-2021

THE Presentation Sisters, officially the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are a religious institute of Roman Catholic women founded in Cork, Ireland, by a pioneer of Catholic education Nano Nagle in 1775. Historically, the Sisters have focused their energies on creating and staffing schools to educate young women.

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Carnies coming to curbsides near you

01-02-2021

HER stage name portrays her perfectly – Sophie deLightful. And delightful she is. While thousands of Victorian artists and performers were starved of work and an income, Sophie turned a negative (she had a double whammy – an entertainer and a home-based travel agent) into a positive and was the inspiration behind pop-up circus Curbside Carnies.

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Artist Dorothy Enders keen to hang work

01-02-2021

THE Kyneton Art Group has been operating for more than 40 years. Its members meet every Tuesday at the Red Brick Hall in Yaldwyn Street Kyneton. The aim of the group has always been to provide fellowship and a space for artistic creativity.

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Alex loving new work at Hepburn House

25-01-2021

Alessandro 'Alex' Micheli moved from Florence, Italy 25 years ago, taking up an IT position in Albury, New South Wales.

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Redesale quilt

07-12-2020

COMMEMORATIVE Quilt, a book which charts the creation of a triptych quilt made to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening and naming of the Redesdale Bridge on January 23, 1868, has been published.

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Punk lives on

07-12-2020

MUSICIAN Steve Douglas has been living in Daylesford with his partner and band mate Stacy Kilpatrick for 16 years. He grew up in the USA but decided to stay here after performing at the Harrietville Bluegrass and Traditional Music Convention in 2004. Best if Steve describes the circumstance that made him an Daylesford Aussie.

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Out of the frying pan …into ???

23-11-2020

IT'S been an 'unprecedented' year and for most Central Highlands residents it's been one of lockdowns but also open spaces for enjoying masked walks. But for some former residents it's been a different year. Some better, some worse.

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Newstead Live Music Festival back for 2021

16-11-2020

THE last weekend of January has always been a time to look forward to with the running of the Newstead Live Music Festival. It is a four-day event of folk, roots, Americana and Celtic live music performances, as well as workshops, open mic sessions, spoken word performances and has been a popular fixture in Newstead since 2007.

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Kyneton Art Group goes online and ‘plein air’

09-11-2020

FOR SOME, living in lockdown due to COVID-19 has been a trying time, but for the members of the Kyneton Art Group there has been an upside. With nowhere to go, no interruptions and time on their hands this has provided the opportunity to paint, draw and produce to their hearts’ delight.

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The Mount Players: Marg and Allan Cameron

02-11-2020

MARG and Allan Cameron have been an integral part of Macedon's Mountview Theatre for the best part of 50 years.

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Trentham community hub pushes ahead

24-08-2020

AN 1890s painted wall-hanging capturing a sardonic depiction of the Australian coat of arms will be incorporated into Trentham’s new community hub in the town’s revamped Mechanics Institute building.

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Bold and passionate

17-08-2020

TALKING to Tahlia Stanton is like being caught up in a breath of fresh air. The 21-year-old “pop, abstract, realist painter” is bright, bubbly, passionate and clearly talented.

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A balancing act

17-08-2020

SOCIAL justice advocate, opera singer, mother and local event manager – Tiffany Speight is every woman, it’s all in her.

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The world needs hippopotamus magic

03-08-2020

CLAIRE Clifton grew up on Enid Blyton books – Noddy and Big Ears, Book of Brownies and most especially, The Magic Faraway Tree.

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Local Lines

03-08-2020

Poems for Local Lines come predominantly from a group of poets. However, other locals who would like a poem considered for publication can contact Bill Wootton - cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

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Cows of the Apocolypse

29-06-2020

TRENTHAM photographer wins a gold award in the prestigious San Francisco Bay International Photography Awards.

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Mike finds bliss, after his fashion

22-06-2020

“ISO,” as it inevitably became known, produced an extraordinary range of reactions.

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Mural to depict six seasons of Dja Dja Wurrung

15-06-2020

A commissioned mural to depict the six seasons of the Dja Dja Wurrung.

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Newstead Arts Hub

NEWSTEAD Arts Hub is presenting its first online Artist Market.

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Sandy driving in to take away photography

25-05-2020

THE Driveway Project - Life in Lockdown, by Trentham photographer Sandy Scheltema.

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Online art exhibition with Trentham Iso Art

11-05-2020

The global pandemic might have stopped one of Victoria’s biggest regional art events.

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Finalist in photo prize

11-05-2020

TRENTHAM photographer Mike Rutherford's Lost Boy - Kerala.

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Festa artwork winner

11-05-2020

MELBOURNE creative Lliam Amor is the winner of the Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa Artwork Prize for 2020.

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Instrument artworks at Mount Franklin

23-03-2020

A STUNNING new exhibition in Mt Franklin, now set for Spring, has struck just the right note.

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Newstead Open Studios

24-02-2020

THE Australian Open is a famous January event but in March it is the Newstead Open.

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Meet the locals: photographer Mike Rutherford

24-02-2020

MIKE Rutherford, a Trentham local, studied photography at RMIT and worked as a commercial/advertising photographer.

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