News

In 2016, Victoria legalised the use of medicinal cannabis, and since then scientists have improved strains to produce better health products.

Agriculture Victoria has positions available for sheep and beef farmers to participate in the 2022 Livestock Farm Monitor benchmarking project.

Season three of the AgVic Talk podcast takes listeners on a virtual bus tour to speak with farmers and agricultural influencers who are looking at different ways to manage climate variability.

With the flu on the rise for the first time in three years, community pharmacists across Victoria can now administer the seasonal flu vaccine to anyone aged 5 years and over – taking pressure off GPs and boosting the number of vaccine providers by 600.

Victoria’s epic new long-distance walk is getting upgraded trailheads and the iconic MacKenzie Falls area will be upgraded with better facilities, enhanced views and trail connections.

The state government's Drink Victorian program is backing Victorian drink producers across the state to showcase their produce and encourage people to try more locally produced beverages.

Ballarat is positioning itself as a must-visit craft and small batch drink destination with a new hub for distilling and brewing.

The state government has secured hosting rights for the nation’s largest trades and skills competition, reinforcing Victoria’s reputation as the skills and training capital.

Heritage motoring on display at Trentham

IT'S a funny thing getting older. Just the other day I was joking with Kyle that he used to be ripped and now he's more just Van Winkled, or Van Wrinkled. Actually he's in great shape, thanks to interval fasting and refusing to have a drink until 6pm. I am more of a "must be 5pm somewhere in the world" kind of a woman.

Amongst the Corridors of our Minds

BY THE narrowest of margins the better of two weevils have won the race, we have chosen one white balding 50-something-year-old chump over another.

THE Taylor and Sangster Lecture will be held by the Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Daylesford at Stanbridge Hall, Daylesford on Friday, June 17 at 7.30pm.

Winter proof your precious house plants

THE state government is rolling out modular homes to mostly regional areas where construction shortages and supply issues can impact the timing of building new houses.

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.

THE Zelman Concert will be held at Daylesford Town Hall on Sunday, June 19 - but who or what was Zelman?

Autumn photography winners: Natasha Morgan with Autumn

RESIDENTS in the small township of Lyonville are fed up with the unruly behaviour of guests staying in nearby accommodation sites. Unregulated all night loud music, trespassing and a blatant disregard for locals and their property are among the numerous complaints being made.

THE great Central Victorian gold rush brought thousands of people to the region. Today most people imagine men humping swags and tools ready to scratch away at the earth in a fevered hope of finding something to secure their fortune.

THE year 1859 was amazing. Among inventions patented that year were the paper bag, electric range, lifts and rechargeable batteries. A Tale of Two Cities was published by Charles Dickens, as was Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Big Ben began ticking in London and the French acrobat Blondin crossed Niagara Falls.

Last issue (The Local, May 9) had two letters condemning the recent fire risk mitigation and timber salvage operations being undertaken by VicForests in the Wombat State Forest abutting Lyonville township, calling it environmental destruction.

In our unpretentious street in Clunes I can count at least five houses which I would describe as uninhabited.

Daylesford Hospital was officially opened on 22 May 1862 so this May, it is celebrating 160 years of serving the people of Daylesford and the surrounding districts.