News

Students from St Michael’s Primary School rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty as part of Schools Tree Day, joining volunteers from Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare to help enhance local biodiversity through revegetation works at the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve and Biolink.

London Calling is an adventurous recital focusing on members of the double-reed family. With two oboes and baroque bassoon positioned alongside two recorders and harpsichord this very rare concert offering is sure to captivate, surprise and delight.

As the countdown to Words in Winter 2026 enters its final stretch, excitement across Daylesford and Hepburn is palpable. In the next edition of The Local, you’ll find our single-page program grid, where you can check out every speaker, talk and ticketed event scheduled across our town's iconic venues and plan your festival journey. But before the main stage spotlights turn on, we want to invite you to the heart and soul of the celebration: our Festival Opening and Festival Hub.

Wombats are very social creatures. At the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter, the 13 orphaned wombats sleep cuddled up to each other.

A host of MPs visited Creswick Aged Care recently to mark the final stage of the federal government's aged care wage increases.

Daylesford Spirit Distillery has come away from the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australia International Spirits Awards with a trophy for the Champion Victorian Gin for its Australian Dry Gin.

Hepburn Shire's five councillors and former CEO Bradley Thomas have been cleared of all criminal charges.

The state government will review Victoria’s serious driving laws to make sure they are clear, strong and keep Victorians safe.  

The high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 strain (H5 bird flu) has been detected in Victoria.

Minister Harriet Shing has welcomed 53 new paramedics who have joined Ambulance Victoria’s ranks.

A striking exhibition of illustration and photography, telling the stories of three Victorian women who have lived through homelessness, will open in Traralgon in early August.

The high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 strain (H5 bird flu) has been detected in Victoria.

Ongoing shortages of type O and A blood supplies have prompted an urgent call for an extra 12,000 people to donate immediately, as peak winter illness keeps donors away and emergency orders remain high.

The expansion of Victoria’s Smile Squad free dental program is now underway.

By Alison Desmond, Project Leader BestWool/BestLamb For many sheep producers, lambing is already underway or completed. However, those lambing in August and September still have opportunities to influence lamb survival and marking percentages through management of the lambing environment. Improving lamb survival remains one of the most profitable opportunities in sheep production. While genetics and seasonal conditions play a role, management decisions before and during lambing can have a major impact on the number of lambs weaned. The first 48 hours of a lamb's life are particularly critical, with most lamb losses occurring during this period.

Ongoing shortages of type O and A blood supplies have prompted an urgent call for an extra 12,000 people to donate immediately, as peak winter illness keeps donors away and emergency orders remain high.

More than 20 volunteers came together at Shelford Recreation Reserve on Saturday 25 July to plant 950 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses along the Leigh River, helping improve habitat and restore an important local waterway.

From Sunday, 23 August, more than 400 extra weekly train services will start across the network.

Surveillance activities continue across Victoria following the detection of H5 bird flu in wild birds along the state's south west coastline.