People

Colour Me Happy

02-06-2026

Colour dominates the life of the phenomenal Prue Acton. Her eyes sparkle when she talks about it.

24-05-2026

Gee, the scammers are out there. Or a ghostly tale.

Pick me, pick me

24-05-2026

Hi there, I am Tangen. A male staffy mixed breed. Loyal as!

23-05-2026

In life there are a couple of things that give me the shits and this is just the place to air them out and create conversations around nitwits and head- scratching situations.

Beetham’s Botanicals

23-05-2026

Well here I am penning another article for you, the reader, to enjoy…

Timber up for auction

23-05-2026

Timber and firewood businesses will have the opportunity to buy 7000 tonnes of storm debris removed from the Wombat State Forest when DEECA auctions it off in Daylesford on Tuesday, May 26.

To build or not to build, that was my query

22-05-2026

As I said in the last edition, I am not for building from scratch. But one can be worn down by one's husband - and also the promise of the new.

Volunteer workforce stable, but under pressure

22-05-2026

Volunteering is critical to Australian society, especially at times like this, delivering essential services from support in the care economy to food relief and shelter as well as strengthening community cohesion, improving mental health and reducing social isolation.

The quiet strength of community

22-05-2026

In rural and regional areas, access to healthcare is shaped by things like geography, workforce availability and infrastructure. But perhaps most important are the dedicated volunteers who show up each day to cover so many roles.

To build or not to build, that was my query

21-05-2026

As I said in the last edition, I am not for building from scratch. But one can be worn down by one's husband - and also the promise of the new.

Trentham traffic

21-05-2026

After listening to the local community and working with Department of Transport & Planning, Hepburn Shire Council is working on a range of road safety and transport improvements across Trentham, with advocacy and planning works underway, and funding secured for upgrades to local roads.

Outdoor dining

21-05-2026

Hepburn Shire Council has received several questions and comments regarding outdoor dining and trading permits, specifically around Burke Square in Daylesford.

Hepburn Wildlife Shelter

19-05-2026

How to increase biodiversity in a small way...in your space.

Helping pets in need

19-05-2026

Petstock Daylesford is encouraging people to adopt a pet in need this May, or donate to help with their care at Castlemaine’s Mt Alexander Animal Welfare Shelter.

Victorian Multicultural Awards

19-05-2026

Nominations for the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are now open.

Celebrating inclusion, connection and community across the Ranges

13-05-2026

Three major recognition events are being marked in the Macedon Ranges this month, each celebrating what makes our community strong, inclusive and connected.

Supporting students with practical, inclusive period education

11-05-2026

Macedon Ranges Council is partnering with Share the Dignity to deliver new period education kits to school across the shire, supporting students with access to practical, up-to-date and inclusive learning resources.

Trailblazers Join Aboriginal Honour Roll

08-05-2026

First Nations trailblazers have been recognised for their contributions at the Aboriginal Honour Roll Ceremony.

Federal government must address Australia’s shortage of skilled tradespeople and apprentices – HIA

08-05-2026

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is urging the Federal Government to use the upcoming Budget to directly address Australia’s severe shortage of skilled tradespeople and apprentices, warning that housing supply targets will not be met without decisive action.

07-05-2026

This was an interesting edition to write. Lots of stories - somehow seemed to be a bit Daylesford-centric but sometimes it's just how the edition turns out.

Our region’s history with Natalie Poole

06-05-2026

Johann (John) Konrad Vorbach was born on November 28, 1826 in Nieder-Wiesel, Germany, the illegitimate child of Katharina Lander.

WWII: A story of death, survival and life…

06-05-2026

Sometime this year, a memorial service for Thomas Burrowes will be held, 83 years after his death. Tom was a wireless operator and air gunner on the Beaufort Bomber A9-211, when it was hit during a bombing mission to Rabaul during World War II on December 14, 1943.

To be or not to be…with The Mount Players

06-05-2026

Craig Lenaine-Smith did the tree change thing in 2008. He sold up his café in Thornbury and moved to Woodend with his wife, screenwriter Emma J Steele and their two young children.

Just briefly

05-05-2026

Two Macedon state electorate organisations have received funding from the state government.

The Block price drop

24-04-2026

One of two houses from The Block in Daylesford which remain unsold has had a price drop.

$14,800 for Clunes Neighbourhood House

24-04-2026

Ballarat federal MP Catherine King has announced $14,800 for the Clunes Neighbourhood House for its Safe and Connected Rural Women program.

Mary-Anne Thomas calls it quits for 2026

23-04-2026

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas will quit politics at the forthcoming 2026 state election.

Lest We Forget – Anzac Day 2026

23-04-2026

Lest We Forget - Anzac Day 2026

Black Spot funding for Albert and Howe streets

23-04-2026

Ballarat MP Catherine King has announced that Hepburn Shire Council is receiving $1,064,700 from the Federal Government’s Black Spot program to realign the Albert Street and Howe Street (Midland Highway) intersection.

Trentham history walks

22-04-2026

A Trentham Cemetery Walk will be held on Sunday, May 3 at noon and 2pm.

Meet Lisa Wilkinson

22-04-2026

An Evening with Lisa Wilkinson will be held at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine on Friday, May 8 from 7pm.

Mr Bailey’s Minder

21-04-2026

The Mount Players second show for 2026, Mr Bailey’s Minder, a dramatic comedy by Debra Oswald, opens Friday, May 8 and runs to May 24.

Hepburn Shire Council news…

21-04-2026

Hepburn Shire Council has taken action against landowners breaching planning regulations and related permits.

Twelve Best Roses

21-04-2026

Twelve Best Roses

Our history with Natalie Pool

13-04-2026

The settlement of Glenlyon dates back to 1846 when Richard Babington and John Carpenter opened the first drinking establishment on a track between the Loddon River and Kangaroo Creek known as the Glenlyon run.

Let there be light

13-04-2026

Kyle Barnes caught up with an old mate, artist and sparky extraordinaire Gary Miles, who with his wife Jen, has recently opened an eclectic shop in Creswick called Imperial Lighting. Kyle chatted with Gary and used the opportunity to roll out every lighting and electrical reference and pun he could think of. Apologies in advance.

Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens

29-03-2026

Entry into the gardens is always part surprise, part inspiration. The towering trees that sit iconically above the town become the canopy of green, cool and magic that are the very unusual legacy of early shire councillors, local philanthropists, a 19th century scientist and any number of local gardeners.

Rose helping others navigate life

29-03-2026

Rose Foulds may only be 19 but she is already wise beyond her years – and keen on helping others. She also realises there is more than one way to navigate life.

28-03-2026

If you loved The Block's Daylesford show you just missed the chance to rent Robby and Mat’s House 5. The fully furnished four-bedroom house at 1 Cedar Lane has been leased, with an asking rent of $2500 a week. That's $140,000 per year.

Head to Blackwood Carnival

28-03-2026

Winner of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year, the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers an action-packed day out.

Baby bundles available

27-03-2026

More than 220,000 Victorian families have received a free Baby Bundle, packed with essentials to help new parents and carers through the first few months.

Tea and tech

27-03-2026

Hepburn Shire Council’s free digital literacy program, Tech Talk and Tea, is back from Tuesday, March 24.

College joins Blue Tree project

27-03-2026

The 2026 Daylesford College Live4Life members have joined the Blue Tree project, a movement that encourages communities to paint trees blue as striking visual reminders to speak up and help reduce mental health stigma.

Western Renewables Link

26-03-2026

Hearings on the Western Renewables Link project have finished.

CresFest funding

25-03-2026

In another boost for the Creswick community, the Victorian Government has secured CresFest for another year - attracting visitors and fueling local businesses.

Edgy Veg Awards are back

25-03-2026

If you think vegetables are boring, bland or only something you eat out of guilt, the Edgy Veg Awards 2026 would like a very polite (but firm) word with you.

Easter Services

24-03-2026

Easter Services

Anzac Services

24-03-2026

An Anzac Day Service will be held at the Bullarto Public Hall on South Bullarto Road on Saturday, April 25 at 2pm. Due to the unpredictable weather the service will be held in the hall adjacent to the flag pole. The order of service is available on the day. Everyone is welcome.

More providers to keep kids engaged in sport

21-03-2026

Eight more providers to keep kids engaged in sport have been announced.

New homes in Bendigo

20-03-2026

Families in Bendigo now have a safe place to call home as the Big Housing Build delivers more homes.

More Free Mental Health Support For Melbourne’s West

20-03-2026

It is easier for Victorians in Melbourne’s west to access free mental health care, when and where they need it.

New Library Kiosk To Open In Colac Otway

20-03-2026

Birregurra residents will now benefit from a new automated library kiosk for easy borrowing and pick-ups.

Junortoun flood study to be updated

19-03-2026

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is updating the Junortoun Flood Study to bring it into line with the latest climate change data and residential growth across the eastern Bendigo suburb.

NEW REPORT SHOWS HOW ‘MODERN RELATIONSHIPS’ MAY BE LEAVING SOME COUPLES EXPOSED

19-03-2026

A new report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) explains that many unmarried Australian couples may not understand the legal and financial consequences of separation, as growing numbers move away from traditional marriage and embrace more diverse relationship arrangements.

HESTA launches search for Australia’s early childhood education champions

18-03-2026

The search for Australia's most outstanding early childhood educators is underway with nominations opening today for the 2026 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards.

More Homes Near Public Transport Locked In

18-03-2026

More homes are being built in Melbourne's best connected suburbs - many which have experienced some of the slowest housing growth over the past 30 years.

Final Festival Confirmed For Pill Testing Trial

18-03-2026

The state government’s pill testing trial saw record demand at the recent Pitch Music and Arts festival.

Upskilling Workers To Secure The Jobs Of Tomorrow

16-03-2026

The recipients of Round 2 of the Skills Solutions Partnerships program have been announced with five innovative projects awarded a total of $1.7 million in funding.

Safer roads for Victoria

16-03-2026

The state government has announced the latest recipients of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) with a further $2.4 million to help councils make local roads safer.

Nation-Leading Laws To Keep Children Safe, Families Strong

16-03-2026

Two landmark pieces of legislation passed the Victorian Parliament this week which remove the strict time limit for Family Reunification Orders, as well as creating a nation leading shared responsibility across government to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.

Homes In A Sweet Location

14-03-2026

Hundreds of new homes at the former Cadbury building site have been fast-tracked.

Community Power Agency

14-03-2026

Australia’s shift to clean energy is reshaping the country’s landscape, yet communities hosting renewable projects are often consulted rather than brought in as genuine partners.

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS REGIONAL VICTORIA ON THE RISE

13-03-2026

Data shows affordability, flexible work and evolving regional economies are driving renewed confidence beyond Melbourne.

Helen Silver president of the Library Board of Victoria.

13-03-2026

As the State Library Victoria marks its 170th anniversary, the iconic institution will usher in a new era with the appointment of respected public and private sector leader Helen Silver AO as the 25th President of the Library Board of Victoria.

Grampians Peaks Trail now fully reopened

12-03-2026

One of the state’s most iconic overnight hiking trails reopens to visitors following extensive safety works following bushfire damage.

No veteran should come home to homelessness, Vasey RSL Care

11-03-2026

Vasey RSL Care has submitted an Expression of Interest under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) Round 3 to deliver additional veteran housing across the state and to help combat veteran homelessness.At a time of growing global conflict, we are hearing more discussion about the potential need to deploy our troops to protect democracy and stability.

Making voting easier

05-03-2026

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has proposed a range of reforms aimed at making voting more accessible, as part of its submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee inquiry into voting centre accessibility.

Young people in Victoria are facing overwhelming issues

03-03-2026

Young people in Victoria are facing overwhelming issues like anxiety, depression, loneliness, isolation, lack of confidence and lack of hope.

02-03-2026

I got a letter the other day. A real letter. From the post office. Most of mine are emails these days so it felt quite special. Until I saw who it was from. It was from Medicare.

Coles celebrating and giving back

01-03-2026

Naome McDougall has worked for Coles her entire career. She started with Bi-Lo in Swan Hill in 1999, and at 43 is in her 27th year with Coles.

Celebrate IWD

28-02-2026

Macedon Ranges Shire Council invites the community to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, with two inspiring events that highlight the extraordinary achievements and voices of women.

New beds at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre

27-02-2026

The Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre will have another 45 beds when it reopens, to keep the community safe, according to the state government.

New tourism name

27-02-2026

Daylesford Macedon Tourism is known as Destination Central Victoria and now represents Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires along with Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields shires.

Action at Trentham

27-02-2026

Trentham Community Action was formed at a meeting of interested citizens in November 2024. The purpose of the group is “to work to build a stronger and more resilient future for the town and district through active representation, advocacy and collaboration”.

Cooking up help for region’s young people

27-02-2026

Cooked Initiatives is expanding its hospitality program helping local and vulnerable youth with new vans and menus.

Hepburn Wildlife Shelter

25-02-2026

It has been a very busy month at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter, with five orphaned joeys arriving in one day.

International Women’s Day in Creswick

25-02-2026

Hepburn Shire Council is hosting its annual International Women’s Day event on Wednesday, March 4 to honour the achievements of women in the shire.

Size does matter – Trentham’s tree is bigger

25-02-2026

After last week's edition of The Local and the big Murray River red gum on our front page, a call came through from Trentham.

Local lines

23-02-2026

Local Lines

Love locks linger

23-02-2026

Love locks continue to take over the bridge outside the change rooms at Lake Daylesford.

Booming tech sector – the fastest growing in the nation

22-02-2026

The state government is creating new jobs in the booming tech sector – the fastest growing in the nation.

More Education And Care Closer To Home

19-02-2026

New government‑owned and operated childcare centres are opening across Victoria.

Government incentives essential to support skills trade training

16-02-2026

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the release of the new data showing a steady uptake of incentives under the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP), which each represent a future skilled trade in the home building industry.

Kickstarting Hands-On Learning For Students

16-02-2026

Victorian students will now have more chances to experience hands-on learning and develop real-world skills in the classroom.

Supporting young people from refugee backgrounds to access vital road safety education and supervised driving experience

12-02-2026

The state government is supporting young people from refugee backgrounds to access vital road safety education and supervised driving experience through a new pilot program delivered by the Salvation Army as part of the TAC L2P initiative.

National Apprentice Week shines a light on trade skills shortage

12-02-2026

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says National Apprentice Week is the time to highlight the urgent need to expand apprentice training if Australia is to address ongoing housing shortages and meet future housing demand.

Drew loving his lifestyle at Hepburn House

11-02-2026

Drew Muscat celebrated 10 years working at Hepburn House last August – and he is not going anywhere.

Seek help for financial relief

11-02-2026

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is encouraging individuals and families across the Central Highlands region to seek support early if they are feeling overwhelmed by financial stress, following new research released by The Salvation Army.

Tiny Towns Fund grant extended

10-02-2026

Victoria’s smallest towns have an extra month to apply for a Tiny Towns Fund grant.

Clunes Booktown celebrates 20 years

09-02-2026

Clunes Booktown Festival will mark its 20th anniversary on March 21-22 with a stellar program on the theme of defiance and hope.

Kim: The person you wish you could create

09-02-2026

Good businesses don’t fail - they leak.

The Phoenix @ The Rex to open in April

09-02-2026

Daylesford’s community cinema, The Phoenix@The Rex, will open in April.

Your Say…

09-02-2026

Your say on Australia Day...

More bush kinders

07-02-2026

Hundreds more Victorian children will soon be given the chance to learn, explore and play in nature, with the state government expanding the highly popular Bush Kinder program.

Free TAFE

04-02-2026

The state government is protecting free TAFE to make it easier and more affordable for future generations of Victorians to build the skills they need for the rewarding careers they want.

Holding privatised electricity distribution companies to account

04-02-2026

The state government is holding privatised electricity distribution companies to account, helping to protect local communities from power outages due to extreme weather events.

Help for schools impacted by recent bushfires

04-02-2026

The state government is standing with school communities affected by January’s devastating bushfires.

COSBOA sets out priorities for the 2026–27 Budget backing small business investment, jobs and productivity

02-02-2026

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has set out its priorities for the 2026–27 Federal Budget, outlining the policy settings needed this year to ensure small businesses can remain viable, competitive and confident to invest.

Tiny fish helps with genetic mutation research

28-01-2026

A tiny zebra fish is helping researchers rapidly determine whether a newborn’s genetic mutation is likely to cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), one of the leading causes of infant mortality worldwide.

New research into Long Covid and ME SFS

28-01-2026

People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID experience a disruption to their brain connectivity during a mentally demanding task.

AV donations to help wildlife

28-01-2026

Ambulance Victoria (AV) staff and volunteers have banded together over the last few weeks to provide emergency care to fire-affected communities across Victoria, with recent efforts going towards supporting the recovery of injured wildlife.

Major Works On Watson Street Interchange Upgrade

27-01-2026

The state and federal governments are delivering safer and more reliable journeys for Melbourne’s north, with major works now underway on the Watson Street Interchange Upgrade in Wallan.

Nominate An Exceptional Victorian Woman Now

27-01-2026

The state government is recognising women who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to Victoria through the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

More Support Services To Help Renters Realise Their Rights

27-01-2026

The state government is boosting support services for Victorian renters, who will benefit from better access to advocacy and advice thanks to the new Victorian Renter Rights Program.

Rabbit-busting bait deals at Kerang on again

25-01-2026

Landholders next to Kerang’s Ramsar-listed wetlands will again have access to a buy-one-get-one-free rabbit bait program this year.

Better domestic care help

25-01-2026

Victim-survivors of family violence in the Barwon South West region will have greater access to justice and support services with the opening of a Specialist Family Violence Court based out of the Geelong Magistrates’ Court – backed with funding by the state government.

Mental health group calls for more urban greening to combat heat waves and improve wellbeing

25-01-2026

Australians for Mental Health is calling on state and local governments to sharpen their focus on urban greening infrastructure, as more hot weather hits areas with less green space especially hard.

Moneycare, free and confidential financial counselling service

23-01-2026

Most Australians have never heard of one of the most effective forms of financial support available to them — and The Salvation Army says that needs to change.

Multifaith vigil for Bondi

22-01-2026

A multifaith vigil to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack will be held at 11.15am on Thursday, 22 January at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.

9.7 million Australians starting 2026 in debt, 45% feeling pressure to spend more than they can afford

22-01-2026

Most Australians have never heard of one of the most effective forms of financial support available to them — and The Salvation Army says that needs to change.

Supporting stronger families: Cafs offers free parenting programs for 2026

22-01-2026

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is pleased to announce a new suite of free parenting programs commencing in February 2026, designed to support parents, carers, and dads across the Central Highlands region.

Books for schools

22-01-2026

The state government is delivering real cost-of-living relief to families and making the first day of school extra special with Preps at every government school to receive a free bundle of books and resources.

Backing Pride across Victoria

21-01-2026

The state government is backing dozens of events and activities celebrating Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQA+ communities held around the state.

Intersection upgrade in Knoxfield

21-01-2026

The state government is getting on with delivering the Henderson Road and Ferntree Gully Road Intersection Upgrade in Knoxfield, with the contract now awarded and major construction starting this year.

Lower interest rates but new homes below target

21-01-2026

Lower interest rates have seen the volume of new homes commencing construction increase, but they still remain well below the government’s target,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Maurice Tapang.

Socceroos’s farewell

21-01-2026

Victoria’s visitor economy is set for another boost – as Melbourne secures a major soccer event that will bring four nations together for the Socceroos’ farewell ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Care at Hepburn House, Daylesford

12-01-2026

While the move to permanent care in an aged care facility can be an emotionally challenging time, Hepburn House's compassionate staff work closely with residents and their loved ones during the transition period to ensure everyone involved feels supported. Manager Shelley Simpson said while many people embraced the move for onsite medical support, social interaction and mobility support, others found it harder to leave the home they know for an aged care facility.

Victoria’s screen industry in full swing

10-01-2026

Victoria’s screen industry is already in full swing for 2026 – with Gerard Butler’s new action blockbuster transforming the streets of Melbourne and building on a stellar line-up of local and international productions filmed across the state – thanks to support from the state government.

Suncorp on standby to respond to extreme weather across the country

10-01-2026

Insurer Suncorp, whose brands include AAMI, Apia, Shannons and Vero, is on standby to support and respond to customers impacted by intense rainfall in North Queensland and bushfires in Victoria.

State of Disaster in 18 fire-affected local government areas and one alpine resort declared

10-01-2026

The Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen, following advice from the Minister for Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Commissioner, has declared a State of Disaster in 18 fire-affected local government areas and one alpine resort.

Paramedics and first responders at Ambulance Victoria’s Daylesford win awards

09-01-2026

Paramedics and first responders at Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Daylesford branch have been recognised for going above and beyond to provide best care, named Grampians Team of the Year at AV staff recognition awards.

Police appeal for help over suspicious fires in Goldfields area

09-01-2026

Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a series of suspicious fires in the Goldfields area over the past couple of months.

Ambulance Victoria declares a Red Escalation across Victori

08-01-2026

Ambulance Victoria has declared a Red Escalation across Victoria from 7am on Friday 9 January 2026, in response to the catastrophic fire danger declaration for the South West, Wimmera, North Central and North Country regions and in consultation with our emergency service partners.

CFA firefighters ready to fight fires in remote areas

07-01-2026

A group of CFA firefighters is ready to fight fires in remote areas across the state following seven weeks of intensive training to become arduous firefighters.

Golden Plains Council’s pedestrian safety project for the Bannockburn-Shelford Road in Teesdale

07-01-2026

Golden Plains Council has developed a pedestrian safety improvement project for the Bannockburn-Shelford Road in Teesdale. This project has been approved by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

Resilience and hope shared with over 64,000 teenagers through Australia’s largest youth wellbeing event in 2025

06-01-2026

In a year filled with challenges for young people in the realm of anxiety, depression, suicide, self-harm and bullying, Australia’s largest youth wellbeing event, Stand Tall, is sharing an overwhelmingly positive story of impact, hope and change.

Extreme heat warning for Victoria

06-01-2026

Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner has issued a warning for extreme heat from today, January 6 to Saturday, January 10.

Lake Mist at Spice of India

05-01-2026

Join Lake Mist — Vanessa Craven and Zdena Schwangmeier — for an unforgettable live performance blending award-winning originals and inspired covers.

Bushfire preparations

05-01-2026

Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman has shared information about staying safe this fire season.

More than 10,000 Victorian apprentices complete their training in 2025

04-01-2026

More than 10,000 Victorian apprentices completed their training in 2025 and are now job-ready with in-demand skills, thanks to the state government.

Boost to local healthcare in north-central Victoria

02-01-2026

The state government is delivering a boost to local healthcare in north-central Victoria with the completion of new accommodation for key workers at Kyabram and District Health Services.

Protecting Australian consumers and brands from scam messages

01-01-2026

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is calling on organisations that use branded identifiers in their SMS messages (such as “myGov” or “AusPost”) to act immediately and register their sender IDs with their telco provider ahead of the launch of the SMS Sender ID Register on 1 July 2026.

Redeveloping the Daylesford Town Hall

30-12-2025

Hepburn Shire Council continues to deliver the Daylesford Community Facilities project which will redevelop the Daylesford Town Hall to provide a library, customer experience hub and multi-purpose community facilities.

Cliffy’s CFA Fundraiser raises $37,428

30-12-2025

The 2025 Christmas at Cliffy’s CFA Fundraiser raised $37,428 for local CFA brigades through the Christmas raffle and opening its doors on Christmas morning for coffee, a barbeque, ham rolls, a few mimosas, and plenty of good cheer.

Irymple welcomes a new community of key workers

30-12-2025

Irymple has welcomed a new community of key workers after 10 new houses were built in the Mallee town.

Making election campaigns fairer

29-12-2025

Reforms to Victoria’s laws will make election campaigns fairer and give Victorians a clearer understanding of how parties are financed.

Latrobe Valley mine rehabilitation goes back to local communities and families

29-12-2025

The state government is ensuring that every single dollar received from water access for the Latrobe Valley mine rehabilitation will go back to local communities and families.

Strengthening protections for Victorians born with variations in sex characteristics

28-12-2025

The state government is strengthening protections for Victorians born with variations in sex characteristics, with legislation introduced into the Victorian Parliament.

Easier to register as organ and tissue donors

28-12-2025

It is easier for Victorians to register as organ and tissue donors – because every registration can save a life.

New funding to boost Community Information and Support Victoria

28-12-2025

The state government is helping all Victorians benefit from online government services, with new funding to boost Community Information and Support Victoria (CISVic).

$20 million boost to road policing operations

27-12-2025

The state government is making Victorian roads safer with a $20 million boost to road policing operations, which will see more roadside drug tests and improved technology to catch those doing the wrong thing.

One-stop-shop for outdoor recreation activities across the state

27-12-2025

The state government is securing jobs and delivering a one-stop-shop for outdoor recreation activities across the state, with a new agency to strengthen support to get more Victorians and visitors enjoying our state’s great outdoors.

Adult time for adult crime

27-12-2025

Children aged 14 and above will face serious consequences for violent crimes under the Adult Time for Violent Crime laws which have passed Parliament.

Asking motorists to drive safely

25-12-2025

As thousands of Victorians take to the roads this festive season, the state government is reminding motorists of a simple but life-saving message – take regular breaks and avoid driving while tired.

Exploring Omeo

24-12-2025

The state government is making exploring Omeo’s historic gold mining legacy, epic mountain bike trails and scenic surroundings easier, safer and more enjoyable revitalising the main street for locals and visitors.

Travel easier for all passengers

23-12-2025

Travel is easier for all passengers this festive season with two days of free travel across Victoria and more ways to travel to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the Boxing Day Test.

Nw Transport Accident Commission campaign sees Victoria’s grassroots and elite sportspeople spread critical road safety messages

23-12-2025

A new Transport Accident Commission (TAC) campaign will see Victoria’s grassroots and elite sportspeople spread the critical road safety messages across Victoria – beyond the field.

Bushfire planning for pets and larger animals

22-12-2025

Pets and larger animals such as horses need to be included in farm and household fire planning, to ensure both people and animals are as safe as possible during an emergency.

Boosting capacity of the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic

22-12-2025

Over the coming months, additional funding will boost the capacity of the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic with additional funding to employ additional staff in periods of high demand. The funding will also improve existing services, including enhancements to their pathology collection.

Tracy Beaton Principal Commissioner of the Commission for Children and Young People

22-12-2025

Tracy Beaton has been appointed the Principal Commissioner of the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), from today, December 22.

Relief fund ready for activation in an emergencies

22-12-2025

Macedon Ranges communities will benefit from a secure, centralised method of accepting emergency-related donations, through a collaboration led by Council and Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises (MRCE).

December 2025 Macedon Ranges Council Meeting wrap

21-12-2025

Key items considered and endorsed at the December 2025 Macedon Ranges Council Meeting included:

Apprentice Helpdesk proving valuable tool for trainees

21-12-2025

The free Apprentice Helpdesk is proving a valuable support tool for apprentices and trainees.

Breaking the cycle of disadvantage and getting back into work

21-12-2025

The state government is helping more Victorians break the cycle of disadvantage and get back into work or training.

Stronger protections for Victorian homeowners

20-12-2025

The state government is backing Victorian homeowners with stronger protections to provide greater confidence in the building industry.

Hot-car call-outs reduced

20-12-2025

New figures show a 14 per cent reduction in hot-car call-outs across Victoria, and while Ambulance Victoria (AV) thanks the community for its vigilance, paramedics warn the danger remains life-threatening as temperatures climb.

Suburban Rail Loop to slash travel times

20-12-2025

The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – Australia’s largest housing and transport project – will slash travel times and cut congestion for families, while building 70,000 homes around six new stations within walking distance of jobs, healthcare, green open spaces and the largest universities.

17-12-2025

Art comes in many varieties. Artist Margaret Morgan's father studied violin at the Melbourne Conservatory and her mother had her learning ballet with Jennie Brenan before she realised her daughter had two left feet.

Dry Diggings historic property tree change

17-12-2025

Three years ago Samantha and Ned Palay made a tree change, from Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula, to Central Victoria, buying historic Frog Hollow Estate.

New community food hub in Daylesford

16-12-2025

Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with the Good Grub Club has secured $89,000 through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief Program.

Clearing trees from Avenue of Honour in Daylesford

16-12-2025

Hepburn Shire Council has started removing 12 trees from the Daylesford Avenue of Honour.

CFA Dean donation

16-12-2025

Dean Recreation Reserve committee president Brian Maher last week presented a cheque for $1500 to the Dean/Newlyn CFA – funds raised at the Old Sniff Sheepdog Trials in October and the Dean Kite Festival on Father’s Day.

Victoria’s first regional Coles Local at Daylesford

15-12-2025

Daylesford welcomed Victoria's first regional Coles Local last Thursday, December 11, as the supermarket reopened with a modern new look and expanded specialty range to serve not only the local community, but also the thousands of visitors who flock to the region each year.

Lerderderg Track guidebook launched

15-12-2025

The 84km-long Lerderderg Track between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh now has its own guidebook, thanks to the Great Dividing Trail Association.

Doing Cartwheels for Pamela’s birthday

15-12-2025

Pamela Ansell is all about creating memories – which is why she asked The Cartwheels’ Dave Patterson and Wendy Phypers to play at her 68th birthday last weekend.

Never too late to follow your dreams

15-12-2025

Amanda Care won four medals this year. Three for bowling and one for powerlifting. The 55-year-old, who only recently started both sports as a competitor, says it is never too late to follow your dreams. The Hepburn resident is a real pocket rocket– and despite being born deaf – never let that get in the way of her dreams either. She chatted with Donna Kelly.

TAC safety campaign

14-12-2025

The Victorian Government is encouraging drivers to make the right choices behind the wheel this holiday season.

Why Your Year 12 Result Doesn’t Define Your Future

13-12-2025

“Your result isn’t everything. If you really have a goal and believe you can do it, there are ways of getting there.”

West Gate Tunnel

13-12-2025

With preparations to open the West Gate Tunnel tomorrow Victoria’s newest road network control centre is ready to keep traffic moving safely from day one.

Celebrating VCE results

12-12-2025

The grand final of the education year has come to an end for our Victorian Year 12 students, who will receive their official VCE results from 7am today.

Financial Hardship Assistance program for older people

11-12-2025

Older people are being reminded of the government’s Financial Hardship Assistance program, amid concerns some people are finding the new Aged Care Act changes difficult to navigate and manage.

Victoria’s aerial firefighting fleet ready to take to the skies

10-12-2025

Victoria’s aerial firefighting fleet is ready to take to the skies and support hardworking ground crews ahead of another high-risk fire season this summer.

Summer by the Sea

10-12-2025

More families are discovering the magic of Victoria’s beaches this summer with free activities that get families outdoors and staying active without stretching the household budget.

More Victorians getting skills and training

10-12-2025

More Victorians get the skills and training they need for a career in local government, following a successful first year of the Earn and Learn pilot program.

Permanent solutions needed for energy affordability

09-12-2025

We need permanent solutions to energy affordability, not just band-aids, says Rewiring Australia.

Formal apology to First Peoples

09-12-2025

Victoria has taken another important step towards building a shared understanding of our history and addressing past injustices, with a formal apology to First Peoples in the Victorian Parliament.

Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support customers get ready for silly season

09-12-2025

Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support customers are encouraged to prepare for payment and service changes over the holiday season.

Skye Cappuccio new CEO of COSBOA

08-12-2025

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) today announced the appointment of Skye Cappuccio as its next Chief Executive Officer. Ms Cappuccio will commence in the role on February 3, 2026.

Boosting volunteer numbers to keep Victorians safe

08-12-2025

The state government is helping emergency services brigades and groups across Victoria to boost volunteer numbers and provide them the tools and skills they need to keep Victorians safe.

Gen Z suicide figures shows urgent need for a Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing

07-12-2025

Australians for Mental Health is urging the federal government to appoint a dedicated Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, after new research revealed younger Australians are more likely to report suicidal thoughts, self harm and suicide attempts than older generations.

Ageing Disgracefully

06-12-2025

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome.

05-12-2025

I swear if one more kid asks me to say "sixes and sevens" one more time I will punch them in the head. If you don’t know what the phrase “sixes and sevens” means, please Google it and get back to me with the answer.

05-12-2025

As a child, Rosa Fedele was avidly in love with books and devoured anything with beautiful and spellbinding words and imagery that would allow her to escape into other worlds. By the age of 10 she had already decided she wanted to be an artist and a writer. Rosa chatted with Donna Kelly.

World Mountain Day

04-12-2025

The United Nations International Mountain Day is celebrated each year on December 11. Its goal is to raise awareness about the role that mountains play in the lives of people and their importance to the planet.

Decision to abandon proposal to reduce default speed limits on unsigned rural roads welcomed

03-12-2025

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association has welcomed the federal government’s decision to abandon the proposal to reduce default speed limits on unsigned rural roads, following overwhelming public feedback.

Swim bookings open

03-12-2025

Bookings have opened for the Aquatics and Recreation Victoria-run VICSWIM Summer Kidz swim classes at Daylesford Outdoor Pool.

Share views on pets in Hepburn Shire

03-12-2025

People can share their views on Hepburn Shire Council's draft Domestic Animal Management Plan, which will guide how cats and dogs are cared for and managed in the shire over the next four years.

World Aids Day

02-12-2025

On Monday, December 1, World Aids Day, people gather to remember friends, lovers, family members and patients who have been lost to HIV/AIDS.

Upgrade for Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens

02-12-2025

Daylesford's Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens have been given a $500,000 upgrade.

Rea-Lands Park safe

02-12-2025

Daylesford's Rea-Lands Park will remain a public park.

Magic Pudding fun

01-12-2025

Creswick's Magic Pudding Playground came alive last Friday with new artworks admired by officials, school kids from Creswick, Creswick North, Newlyn and St Augustine's primary schools and their families, and even The Buninyong Bard Players.

Local History with Natalie Pool

01-12-2025

The Kingston Grandstand - and tales of travel The Smeaton, Springhill and Bullarook Agricultural Society had its origins at Smeaton, having formed in April 1859.

Spreading Christmas cheer

01-12-2025

Christmas decorations are up in Vincent Street, Daylesford thanks to a group of energetic women.

Rents not affordable

01-12-2025

Rental affordability across regional Victoria has continued to decline, falling to its lowest level on record, according to the 11th annual National Shelter-SGS Economics and Planning Rental Affordability Index.

Boosting support for farmers facing drought

29-11-2025

The Victorian Government is boosting drought support for farmers and communities – expanding programs that connect Victorian farmers to essential services they need to stay resilient and overcome drought conditions.

Funding boost for libraries

29-11-2025

The state government is giving Victorian libraries a major funding boost, with the latest round of the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program set to invest in 18 libraries across the state.

Expanding training pathways for pharmacists

28-11-2025

Training pathways for pharmacists are being expanded – so more Victorians can access care, easier and closer to home.

Inaugural Mary Rogers Awards ceremony

28-11-2025

The state government is celebrating the remarkable achievements of women in local government today at the inaugural Mary Rogers Awards ceremony, shining a spotlight on their contributions to the sector in Victoria.

More families are getting a place to call home right across Ballarat

28-11-2025

More Victorian families are getting a place to call home right across Ballarat thanks to the state government's investment in social and affordable housing.

Review of My Aged Care exposes significant flaws and inadequacies

28-11-2025

The Inspector-General of Aged Care’s final report of its Review of My Aged Care has exposed significant flaws and inadequacies with the platform designed to be the single-entry point to the aged care system.

Completion of accommodation for key workers at Kyabram and District Health Services

27-11-2025

Boost to local healthcare in north-central Victoria with the completion of new accommodation for key workers at Kyabram and District Health Services.

More support for food relief across Victoria

27-11-2025

No one should go hungry, so there is more support for food relief across Victoria.

Redevelopment of Bendigo Art Gallery starts this summer

26-11-2025

The redevelopment of Bendigo Art Gallery starts this summer following the appointment of a head contractor on the $45 million project.

Raising awareness of high cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases

26-11-2025

Leading heart charities across Australia are uniting to raise awareness of high cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), while educating Australians about the different types of cholesterol. High cholesterol is a condition that affects approximately 2.1 million Australians.

Developing innovative housing solutions

25-11-2025

Regional communities across Australia are leading the way in developing innovative housing solutions alongside the renewable energy rollout, a new report by RE-Alliance shows.

More welcoming experience for visitors to Smythsdale Gardens

25-11-2025

Upgrades to Smythesdale Gardens mean a more welcoming experience for visitors and better connections to local businesses – as well as a stronger sense of Wadawurrung culture.

Women and children at risk of family violence can stay in their homes

24-11-2025

More Victorian women and children at risk of family violence will be able to stay safely in their homes thanks to an expanded initiative delivering urgent security upgrades.

Snapchat acts on new social media laws

24-11-2025

Snapchat has announced the implementation of new age verification measures for its Australian community, in compliance with Australia's Social Media Minimum Age Act (SMMA).

The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival returns in 2026

24-11-2025

The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is returning from 20 to 29 March with 200 events to excite the appetites of foodies seeking uniquely Victorian experiences.

New laws to set up Victoria’s Portable Rental Bonds scheme

24-11-2025

The state government is helping to keep more money in Victorian pockets, with important new laws to set up Victoria’s Portable Rental Bonds scheme, and the next phase of the Fair Fuel Plan, passing Parliament.

Ambulance Victoria paramedics faced record-breaking winter

23-11-2025

Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics faced a record-breaking winter with demand for critical emergency care surging as seasonal illness spread throughout the state.

Open the government, release the files Praise the lord and pass the whisky, says Jeff Glorfeld

22-11-2025

As our fingers are poised over the keyboard, word arrives that the United States Senate has reached "a tentative deal" that will end what is the longest shutdown of the US government in the country's history, or that "Government shutdown may be nearing end".

21-11-2025

That was an interesting Friday.

Magic day at Daylesford Show

20-11-2025

This year’s Daylesford Show really does promise something for everyone - from magic, to bubbles, mini golf to music.

Got ourselves a convoy

20-11-2025

The Shamick's Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show 2025, held over the weekend of Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30, is the 37th consecutive year that the trucking industry will gather at the Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve.

International Men’s Day

19-11-2025

International Men's Day, held on Wednesday, November 19, is a global awareness day celebrating the positive value men bring to the world and raising awareness of men’s wellbeing

Fire Danger Period starts on November 24 in Hepburn Shire

19-11-2025

The Country Fire Authority has announced that the Fire Danger Period starts on November 24 in Hepburn Shire.

Blue trees around Hepburn Shire

19-11-2025

Blue Trees, a symbol to break the silence and the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, are popping up around Hepburn Shire.

Speed, drink driving

19-11-2025

Statement by Macedon Ranges Shire Mayor Dom Bonanno

Community environmental projects funding

19-11-2025

Landcare and community groups will share in almost $340,000 of Victorian Landcare grants.

Hepburn Shire Council asked to lift game

18-11-2025

The 2024/25 Local Government Performance Reporting data, published last week, has Hepburn Shire Council again looking for ways to improve its services - especially in planning and workforce turnover.

Local history with Natalie Poole

18-11-2025

The folk custom of ‘tin kettling’ welcomed many newly married couples into rural communities during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Crime didn’t pay, but hosing and pruning did

18-11-2025

Rod Halsted takes 18 seconds to give a rapid-fire rundown of his life of drug dealing, prison, alcoholism and survival. That’s on his website.

Financial assistance to help with study move

17-11-2025

Finishing school is one of life’s major milestones. Moving out of home is another.

Geelong’s waterfront development rises

17-11-2025

As the Nyaal Banyul development continues its rapid rise on Geelong’s Waterfront, the state government is supporting new job opportunities for Geelong residents who have experienced barriers to employment.

Swap screens for books

17-11-2025

The state government is giving Victorian schoolkids the opportunity to swap screens for stories these summer holidays, as part of the fifth annual Big Summer Read.

Cafs stands with Ballarat to end Gender-Based Violence during 16 Days of Activism

17-11-2025

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is proud to stand with communities across Ballarat, Victoria and the world for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from 25 November to 10 December.

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run or walk through the state government’s West Gate Tunnel

16-11-2025

Tens of thousands of Victorians took part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run or walk through the state government’s West Gate Tunnel before it opens to traffic next month.

Serious consequences for threats and abuse

15-11-2025

If you abuse a shop assistant, if you punch a fast-food worker, if you threaten your rideshare driver or Uber Eats delivery driver, if you throw a coffee over your waiter – you will face serious consequences.

More opportunities to join Ballarat’s thriving industrial sector

15-11-2025

The state government is supporting job creation and offering businesses more opportunities to join Ballarat’s thriving industrial sector, with expressions of interest now open.

Dry summer ahead, Fire Danger Period commencing

15-11-2025

With summer fast approaching, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is encouraging residents to get a head start on preparing their homes and properties for the months ahead, as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) declares the Fire Danger Period will begin at 1am on Monday 17 November 2025.

New vehicles, enhanced technology and tailored safety gear for CFA volunteers

13-11-2025

The state government is backing CFA volunteers with new vehicles, enhanced technology and tailored safety gear – supporting them to have the tools and protection they need to stay safe while protecting communities.

Animal health company Zoetis marks 10th year of continuous support for mental health in rural and regional Australia

13-11-2025

Animal health company Zoetis is marking its tenth year of continuous support for mental health in rural and regional Australia, with $1 million contributed to Beyond Blue since partnering together in 2016. This milestone includes a new $100,000 donation to Beyond Blue, which will help provide vital mental health services for people living outside the nation’s major cities.

Learning to swim

13-11-2025

With summer just around the corner, more Victorian kids will get their chance to learn important water safety skills at an affordable price.

Life sentence for engaging children in violence

13-11-2025

Premier Jacinta Allan joined Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny to announce that the state government will significantly increase the maximum penalty for recruiting a child to engage in a violent offence.

More peer support for Victorians living with a disability

12-11-2025

More Victorians living with disability will have access to peer support, with the state government opening a new round of Self-Help Grants.

More kinders for regional Victoria

12-11-2025

More families in regional Victoria will soon have access to new kindergarten facilities.

New tailings storage facility at Fosterville Gold Mine

11-11-2025

A new tailings storage facility at Fosterville Gold Mine has been approved by Resources Victoria.

School behaviour expectations

10-11-2025

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced a school statement of expectations to be rolled out to every government school to support students, parents and staff to understand the expectation of how best to behave at school.

Connecting to the world’s global communications network

10-11-2025

Victoria will soon be directly connected to the world’s global communications network for the first time.

08-11-2025

Under Wisdom’s Tree For our visitors killed in the Royal Hotel tragedy.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

19-10-2025

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is one step closer to opening its doors with events now booked for the world-class venue.

Calling all competitors

06-11-2025

Who doesn’t love a competition? Well, the Daylesford Show, on Saturday, November 22, has hundreds of them.

Queensland jaunts

05-11-2025

I have found myself in Queensland a couple of times this past winter. Luxury boat reviews to do, and they won't do themselves. And of course, the editor, as much as she loves the Central Highlands in winter, had to come along for the ride. And the Tesla provides a great ride - despite its diminishing brand. A few memories here.

Italian food about simplicity & a little love

05-11-2025

Daniela Palumbo, who runs publicity for the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market, also helps her mum Yolanda Palumbo in her Italian baking business, one of the stallholders at the market. Daniela said her mother was born in Italy and came to Australia when she was four. She was a hairdresser by trade but was always passionate about baking. Daniela was born in Australia and was a laboratory technician. She chatted with Donna Kelly about Yolanda's Homemade Cakes and Biscuits.

AI thinks it’s above the law

05-11-2025

Country Press Australia is calling for urgent action to stop illegal scraping of local news.

05-11-2025

Organisations are already putting out their summer warnings, although with recent rains and the dropping of water restrictions for some regions, it can be hard to keep up. The Local will keep readers updated over the summer period - we continue to print and upload over Christmas and the New Year.

Our history at Trentham

04-11-2025

In the last edition of The Local, historian Natalie Poole wrote about the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Trentham Primary School.

04-11-2025

While The Block was a fun ride for Daylesford and the region, the auction on Saturday, October 25 was pretty cringeworthy to watch.

Tree of the Year at Kingston

04-11-2025

The Algerian oak (quercus canariensis) in Kingston has been named the 2025 Victorian Tree of the Year, securing more than 40 per cent of the vote.

Bradley Thomas reappointed

03-11-2025

Bradley Thomas has been reappointed for a further four-year term as Hepburn Shire Council CEO, following a decision by councillors at October's meeting.

Springs bulk bills

03-11-2025

Springs Medical Centre's campuses in Daylesford, Trentham and Kyneton are now all fully bulk-billed services.

Judy honoured for making a difference

03-11-2025

Creswick identity and CresFest founder Judy Turner has been honoured at Government House, among a group of older volunteers who are making a difference in their communities.

02-11-2025

People are finding the best deal at the petrol pump, with Servo Saver - on the Service Victoria app.

Cost-of-living pressures easing for families

01-11-2025

Cost-of-living pressures are easing for families by removing the requirement for parents to provide digital devices for primary school students.

Better boating

01-11-2025

Boating is being made safer and more enjoyable, with new upgrades and works across Victoria.

Making boating safer and more enjoyable

30-10-2025

The state government is helping to make boating safer and more enjoyable, with new upgrades and works across Victoria.

Giving older Australians greater independence, autonomy and choice

30-10-2025

The new rights-based Aged Care Act commences this Saturday 1 November, and will afford older Australians with greater independence, autonomy, choice and control regarding their care.

Making vet care more affordable

30-10-2025

The state government is backing shelters, rehoming groups and community vet clinics – making vet care more affordable and helping more pets find loving homes across Victoria.

Light After Dark illuminates The Rex

29-10-2025

A rare chance has arisen to acquire a painting by the much sought-after artist David Bromley.

Supporting Victoria’s wildlife rehabilitator volunteers

28-10-2025

The state government is supporting Victoria’s wildlife rehabilitator volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

Getting kids hooked on fishing

27-10-2025

Grade 5 students across Victoria will have the chance to become hooked on fishing, thanks to free Little Angler Kits.

Getting kids active

27-10-2025

The state government is helping families with $200 vouchers so their children can get active and play the sports they love this summer.

Gardens help The Rex

26-10-2025

Keen garden-lovers helped raise more than $10,000 for the Phoenix@The Rex community theatre.

Support for grieving parents

25-10-2025

Parents who have lost a child are helping other families who suddenly face the same heartbreaking loss through a specialised program now available in Victoria as part of a national expansion.

Beetham’s Botanicals

25-10-2025

Well here I am penning another article for you, the reader, to enjoy...

25-10-2025

By the time you read this, depending on whether that is online on Sunday, or in print on Tuesday, The Block's final room reveals may be over.

25-10-2025

Local Lines

Live at Glenlyon

24-10-2025

Scott Cook & the Little Rippers will perform on November 7 as part of the Glenlyon Progress Association’s 'Live Music at the Glenlyon Hall'.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

23-10-2025

Lyster Opera, now in its 10th year of touring country Victoria, proudly unveils its latest production: The Merry Wives of Windsor, a spirited operatic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy.

Genesis Baroque

23-10-2025

Genesis Baroque presents Death and the Maiden at Christ Church, Daylesford, on Saturday, November 8 at 2.30pm.

Trentham Primary School celebrating 150 years

23-10-2025

The show must go on with Natalie Poole

23-10-2025

Regional agricultural shows in Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires date back to 1865 when the Glenlyon, Franklin and Daylesford Agricultural Society began having an annual show.

Emergency Services Expo 2025

22-10-2025

The Emergency Services Expo 2025 is set to take over Victoria Park, Daylesford this Saturday, October 25 from 10am to 2pm.

Probus wants you!

22-10-2025

October is Probus Month and Daylesford Probus Club wants the next generation to get involved.

Fire ready properties

22-10-2025

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is encouraging residents to get their properties ready for summer with a free green waste disposal week from Monday, October 27 to Sunday, November 2.

Love Creswick Gardens

21-10-2025

The Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend, now in its 10th year, is an annual community event organised by the Creswick Garden Club.

Clunes Spring Show

21-10-2025

The annual Clunes Spring Show is always a family favourite and this year will be no exception. Mark the calendar for Saturday, November 15.

Tree of the Year at Kingston

21-10-2025

Online voting in the National Trust 2025 Victorian Tree of the Year closes at midnight on Thursday, October 23.

21-10-2025

Lambo Man, aka billionaire and LMCT+ founder Adrian Portelli, has featured in a TikTok video - filmed at The Block in Daylesford, in a wine cellar built by Victorian contestants Emma and Ben.

Celebrating United Nations International Mountain Day

20-10-2025

United Nations International Mountain Day is celebrated on December 11.

Glenlyon Pavilion refurb

20-10-2025

The Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Pavilion will be renovated instead of being knocked down for a new build.

Residents’ Group

20-10-2025

A new Hepburn Shire Residents Association will be formed at a public meeting to be held at the Victoria Park Pavilion, Daylesford on November 13 from 7.30pm.

Betty Togni celebrates her 100th by Narelle Groenhout

20-10-2025

Family. Home. Church. Three things Daylesford’s Betty Togni has devoted her life to. A life that has spanned a full century.

Portable Rental Bond Scheme

19-10-2025

Renters know the feeling: paying for a new rental bond out of pocket before their existing bond has been returned. Most people don’t just have a spare few thousand dollars lying around to cover it.

New kinder in Bendigo

19-10-2025

Construction is underway on a new kindergarten in Bendigo.

Connecting Carers in their Community

19-10-2025

Thirty-four organisations will share in $760,000 from this year’s Connecting Carers in their Community grants program.

Exploring robotics and STEM

18-10-2025

Students from Forest Street Primary School are exploring robotics and STEM thanks to $30,000 in support from the Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions, a part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

Reforming the taxi and ride share industry

17-10-2025

The state government is taking action to reform the taxi and ride share industry, introducing new legislation into the Victorian Parliament to ban dodgy taxi and ride-share drivers from operating.

No digital devices for primary students

17-10-2025

The state government is easing cost-of-living pressures for families by removing the requirement for parents to provide digital devices for primary school students.

One in Three Australians Sexually Harassed at Work

16-10-2025

Despite landmark legal reforms, sexual harassment remains entrenched in Australian workplaces. New analysis from Burke Mangan Lawyers, specialists in employment law, reveals that one in three workers have experienced sexual harassment in the past five years – yet fewer than one in five victims ever make a formal complaint.

Cyber Internship Program open

16-10-2025

Expressions of interest have opened for acceptance into the third round of the Cyber Internship Program, which will run from February to August 2026.

Barnardos Australia calls for urgent action on child poverty

15-10-2025

Barnardos Australia is calling for urgent action on child poverty as new analysis reveals 823,000 children are now living below the poverty line across Australia, the highest number in more than two decades.

Strengthening Victoria’s labour hire laws

15-10-2025

The state government is strengthening Victoria’s labour hire laws to help stamp out the poor culture that has been exposed in the construction sector.

Positive Ageing Expo

12-10-2025

Hepburn Shire Council is holding a Positive Ageing Expo at The Mechanics Trentham on Tuesday, October 28 from 10am to 3pm.

Council planning applications delays tough

12-10-2025

An article in the last edition of The Local (Issue 341, September 22) raised the ire of some in the planning industry. The article raised the issue of harassment against Hepburn Shire Council staff with CEO Bradley Thomas saying it had to stop. Here are the thoughts of building designer Stephen Schenk and Julie Lee. And a right of reply by Mr Thomas.

Heavy lifting at Daylesford Highland Games

11-10-2025

Fran Fitzpatrick is the president of the Highland Games Heavy Events which are traditional feats of strength including the caber toss, hammer throw, stone put and weight for distance. She is looking forward to this year’s Daylesford Highland Gathering on November 6 with about 20 athletes taking part in those events, including some from interstate. Fran, pictured above, talked with Kyle Barnes.

2025 Old Sniff Classic Sheepdog Trials

11-10-2025

The Old Sniff Classic Sheepdog Trials took place at the Dean Recreation Reserve last Sunday, October 5.

Pick me, pick me

10-10-2025

Hi there, I am Halloumi, a young and sweet two-year old boy with a gentle soul.

10-10-2025

Lots of things happening around our shire this edition.

Pop up tour at Newstead

10-10-2025

Songstress Anna Smyrk, who is releasing a new song Garden-Variety Grief, and heading on a pop-up garden tour, is performing free all-ages shows in community gardens across Victoria before heading to Europe and the US.

Funds sought at no cost to council for cinema

09-10-2025

Hepburn Shire Council is being offered a chance to make a serious investment in arts and culture, with no cost to ratepayers or its budget.

Budburst is back

09-10-2025

Budburst is back for another fabulous weekend.

Lyonville Bake Off

09-10-2025

The morning sun spills gently over Bremner Avenue as the Lyonville Hall begins to stir. By 9am, the quiet country air is buzzing with excitement - cars pull up, arms cradle cake boxes, and the hall doors swing open to welcome a flurry of bakers and volunteers.

Walking 240km to help Glenlyon CFA

09-10-2025

Glenlyon CFA volunteer Shaun Gedge is walking the walk, literally, to raise money for his brigade.

Koos on the move

08-10-2025

Koos Hulst is on the move, to the Netherlands to be precise, where he met his ex-wife Carol in 2002. The couple fell in love, moved in together and with Carol an Australian ex-pat working for Shell, they talked about the future. Stay in the Netherlands or move to Australia? The latter won. In 2006 they moved to Australia and chose Daylesford for their home because they had bought a property, Sault Estate, and had plans to develop that into a well-being centre. Koos chatted with Kyle Barnes.

Fundraiser into childhood allergies

08-10-2025

Patricia Ilhan’s daughter was severely allergic to tree nuts. Patricia and her late husband John (of the Crazy John’s mobile phone business) found out when their daughter was just one. John ate a jar of peanuts and kissed her on the face.

Cosmic Horror

08-10-2025

Erik Horvat grew up in Daylesford, has always been creative, and at just 25 already has his first book on sale, The Sleep Walking Game, at Paradise Books, along with various online booksellers. The Sailors Falls resident chatted with Donna Kelly

Locals do their Block getting in

07-10-2025

They came in their hundreds, ignoring sputtering rain, with children in tow, phone cameras poised and verdicts ready.

Rea-Lands motion lost

07-10-2025

An attempt to try to stop Hepburn Shire Council from selling the bequeathed Rea-Lands Park in Daylesford, or changing its use, was lost at last month's council meeting.

New owners for Bellinzona

07-10-2025

Travel + Leisure Co., a leading leisure travel company, are the new owners of the historic Hotel Bellinzona in Hepburn Springs.

Daylesford Show winners do well in 2025 Melbourne Royal Show

07-10-2025

Daylesford Show winners, representing the Midlands Group, have done well in the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show in a number of categories.

Creswick’s Djuwang Baring costs another $300K after traffic impacts

06-10-2025

"Unintended traffic impacts" since the opening of the Djuwang Baring all-abilities 60-kilometre mountain bike trail network in Creswick, will see Hepburn Shire Council spend at least another $300,000 on the project.

$13M for Creswick’s John Curtin Aged Care

06-10-2025

Creswick’s John Curtin Aged Care has received federal funding of $13 million for a new 18-bed residential support wing and refurbishment of 35 smaller existing rooms.

So, nobody beats Dan Murphy’s? Daylesford does. Twice!

06-10-2025

Daylesford is celebrating, again, after winning a two-year long battle to stop the Endeavour Group from putting a Dan Murphy’s in the town.

Hatch – Match – Despatch: new exhibition

06-10-2025

Hatch – Match - Despatch is a new exhibition by the Daylesford Historical Society to be held at the Daylesford Museum on Saturday, October 11 from 11am to 3pm.

New index shows Victoria’s housing crisis deepening

05-10-2025

Victoria’s housing crisis has worsened across almost every key measure, with new data released today showing surging rents, a ballooning social housing waitlist and thousands of people forced into homelessness because of family violence and housing stress.

Fuel retailers across Victoria commended

04-10-2025

Fuel retailers across Victoria have been commended for their compliance with mandatory fuel price reporting regulations now in effect and set to save Victorian motorists money at the pump.

More homes fast-tracked

03-10-2025

More homes are getting off the ground faster after fast-tracking the approval of 270 homes across Geelong - close to public transport, jobs and services.

Motorcyclist Awareness Month

03-10-2025

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is urging drivers and motorcyclists to look out for each other and share the road safely, with the number of riders being killed and injured still concerningly high.

Free public transport to Victorian Seniors Card holders

01-10-2025

There is free public transport to Victorian Seniors Card holders to explore thousands of Seniors Festival events this October – ahead of introducing extended free public transport on weekends across the state for more than 650,000 seniors from next year.

New campaign encourages Australians to break the silence around breast cancer

01-10-2025

Every day in Australia, 58 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. It remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, with more than 21,000 new cases expected in 2025. Heartbreakingly, nine Australians die from the disease every single day.

Australian Diamonds spearheading new tourism push for Victoria

01-10-2025

The state government has announced superstars from the Australian Diamonds will spearhead a new tourism push to help drive more visitors to the state, as part of its partnership with Netball Australia.

Outstanding teachers recognised for their work

30-09-2025

Outstanding teachers and schools are being celebrated for their innovation and excellence, with finalists being announced for this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards.

28-09-2025

A few things to write about this edition. Firstly I love the front page picture of young Mason at his footy team's first grand final win in 31 years. Go the Trentham Saints.

28-09-2025

I watch The Block most nights, not to get any renovation tips but in the hope of seeing the odd local who might have made an appearance.

Old Sniff at Dean

27-09-2025

With the Father's Day Kite Festival done and dusted, above, it's time for sheepdogs and their trainers to head to Dean Recreation Reserve for the 12th running of the Old Sniff Classic Sheepdog Trials on Sunday, October 5.

Real estate news

27-09-2025

Kyle Barnes chatted with REIV CEO Jacob Caine about the state of play for real estate.

Railway garden journey for cinema funds

26-09-2025

Train enthusiasts and garden lovers are in for a treat next month. Daylesford Spa Country Railway will take them on a journey on Saturday, October 11 through bush and farms to two renowned country house properties for an open garden fundraiser for the Phoenix@The Rex Community.

Small Business Bus

25-09-2025

The Small Business Bus will roll into Daylesford on Monday, September 29, offering free expert business advice to small business owners and those wanting to start a business.

Foster carers needed

24-09-2025

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is inviting members of the Central Highlands community to consider becoming foster carers, as the region faces a growing need for safe, stable homes for children and young people.

24-09-2025

Hepburn Shire locals are loving, mostly, watching the challenges on The Block and last week's Phoenix @ The Rex proved popular.

Hepburn Netball’s B Grade team win grand final

28-09-2025

Hepburn Netball's B Grade team defeated Springbank 31 to 27 at the recent grand final with best on court Summah Joyce from Hepburn.

Harassment has to stop, CEO

23-09-2025

Attacks by keyboard warriors on social media, and personal attacks on staff just doing their work in the community, is impacting the mental health of Hepburn Shire Council staff.

The Local shortlisted for awards

23-09-2025

The Local has been shortlisted for two awards in the 2025 Victorian Country Press Awards.

Victorian students feeling safer, more supported and stronger sense of belonging

20-09-2025

Students in the Victoria are feeling safer, more supported and have a stronger sense of belonging at their schools.

Fresh food easier to find

20-09-2025

It's getting easier to get fresh food to Victorian families with a new food safety regulator.

Snakes on the move

15-09-2025

As temperatures rise, snakes become more active, emerging from a period of reduced activity to seek food and mates. While they may be more visible, snakes generally pose little danger to people when left alone.

The Local shortlisted for VCPA awards

15-09-2025

Sue Grattan giving back

13-09-2025

Founder of Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property, Sue Gratton, is now spending a quietly carved-out portion of her time, not only transacting property sales for her vendors and purchasers, but finding an avenue to, in some small way, assist women in crisis.

Prue Acton to open Daylesford Arts exhibition

12-09-2025

Iconic fashion designer and artist Prue Acton, also known as Australia's 'golden girl of fashion' during the 1960s, will open Daylesford Arts upcoming exhibition, Connected Horizons, on Thursday, September 25.

Dealing with Mad King a bitter pill to swallow, says Jeff Glorfeld

12-09-2025

An item from the news: eagle-eyed members of the "news" media recently noticed something unusual about the physical condition of the US president, Donald J Trump, known to many here as Mad King Donny, or as Dear Leader, in homage to his close friend Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of North Korea.

Words in Winter wraps up for another year

12-09-2025

The 2025 Words in Winter festival has wrapped up, leaving the region buzzing with energy and cementing its status as a monumental success.

Markets

10-09-2025

Celebrate markets - Leonards Hill Market is celebrating its 100th market on Saturday, September 20 from 9am to 2pm.

10-09-2025

Events across regional Victoria as part of Victoria’s Pride – a summer-long celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities - will culminate in an all-ages Street Party in Melbourne on Sunday, February 8.

Trentham Top Tiny Tourism Town in Australia

08-09-2025

Trentham was last week named the Top Tiny Tourism Town at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards.

Water security for Daylesford & surrounds

08-09-2025

The state government is boosting water security in Daylesford and nearby towns, with a new pipeline delivering up to 300 million litres of additional water per year nearing completion.

20,000 home care packages to be released immediately

07-09-2025

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes the announcement by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler that 20,000 home care packages will be released immediately.

Victoria’s best apprentices and trainees head to the global stage

05-09-2025

Victoria’s best apprentices and trainees are one step closer to taking their turn on the global stage, following the announcement of Australia’s national training squad for the world’s largest trades and skills competition.

Firewood collection areas open

04-09-2025

Victorians are able to collect firewood for domestic use now collection areas have reopened for spring.

Machetes are banned in Victoria

04-09-2025

Machetes are banned in Victoria – keeping more Victorians safe from these weapons.

WFH consultation

03-09-2025

A record number of Victorians have had their say on the state government’s work from home laws – with an unprecedented amount of people participating in the consultation to date.

30-08-2025

The Variety Bash is Australia's longest running and most iconic charity motoring event - and a team from Trentham and the Macedon Ranges are among those taking up the challenge.

Hepburn Festa on its way

30-08-2025

The Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa is a community festival which celebrates the enduring contribution of Swiss Italian migrants who came to the Hepburn Springs/Daylesford region during the 1850s gold rush.

Birdie and Mr Frog helping kids

28-08-2025

Birdie’s Tree is an award-winning set of storybooks and resources created by the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health to help children and families going through natural disasters and disruptive events.

27-08-2025

Block Watch

Clunes Hit & Giggle Pickleball celebrates first year

27-08-2025

Clunes Hit & Giggle Pickleball has celebrated its first year of fun and fitness.

Charity unit rent raise too much for Cate

26-08-2025

Cate Graceson was living in her car with her dog in March, 2023. She was 70 years old.

New science lesson plans

20-08-2025

New science lesson plans are being released and rolled out across Victorian primary schools.

Child safety overhaul

20-08-2025

The Victorian Government is announcing a child safety overhaul.

Transforming public libraries

20-08-2025

The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is transforming public libraries across the state – with the next round of funding now open for applications.

Bushfire safe schools

18-08-2025

The state government is making sure schools across Victoria are well-prepared for the upcoming bushfire season by providing grants to clear vegetation growth and reduce the risk of fire.

More affordable housing

17-08-2025

More affordable housing in regional Victoria will make it easier for workers to live near their jobs while helping local businesses keep skilled staff in the industries that need them most.

Feedback sought on surplus properties

16-08-2025

Hepburn Shire Council has declared an intent to dispose of seven properties around the shire, with three suitable for affordable housing.

$3-3.3m for The Block

13-08-2025

Price guides for The Block homes have been revealed - $3 million to $3.3 million - for the luxury Raglan Street properties.

Trentham Tops for Tourism

12-08-2025

Trentham is the 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town in the Tiny Tourism Town category - for its "charm, community spirit, and visitor appeal".

Rebecca Lister at Words in Winter

12-08-2025

Rebecca Lister was born and raised in the mining town of Mount Isa in northwest Queensland. It was the boom years for mining and the town flourished both financially and culturally.

Tim Loveday at Words in Winter

12-08-2025

Tim Loveday grew up on the south coast of NSW on acreage, where the closest he had to a poetry collection in his house was the TV guide. "Mum, though, was an avid reader of romance and mystery novels. From as early as I can remember, I was taping pages together, trying to scribble out the next best seller.

Gold for Victoria

09-08-2025

Victoria has taken home 18 gold medals from the 2025 WorldSkills National Championships in Brisbane, with a talented apprentice jeweller claiming the prestigious event’s top award.

Park ideas wanted

09-08-2025

The state government is inviting people to have their say on their local parks and green spaces – and how they can be improved as we deliver more homes across Victoria.

Forum for Truth and Recognition

07-08-2025

The Victorian Government is making sure the voices of all victim-survivors of historical abuse in government schools are heard, that their experiences are reflected on the public record and that Victoria’s education system learns from the grave failures of the past to make sure this never happens again.

Public consultation on corporation laws

07-08-2025

The state government is urging Victorians to have their say on owners corporation laws, with public consultation beginning today as part of a review into the laws.

Western Port Bay decision welcomed

06-08-2025

Leading conservationists have welcomed the decision to declare the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET) at Western Port Bay a "controlled action" under federal nature laws.

TeaTime combating loneliness in aged care

04-08-2025

As Loneliness Awareness Week kicks off, (4-10 August, 2025) a new technology solution powered by the TeaTime platform is being rolled out across aged care homes to combat loneliness – with Medical & Aged Care Group (MACG) first to adopt.

Urea use has successful option for boost winter

04-08-2025

Urea use has proven to be a successful option to boost winter growth, helping farmers to grow more grass, which is vital during the current drought conditions.

New pedestrian lights for Bendigo

04-08-2025

The Australian and Victorian governments are making central Bendigo safer for everyone with work on new pedestrian-operated traffic lights now underway.

Grants for carers

03-08-2025

The state government is backing grassroots initiatives that support unpaid carers – with grants available for projects that boost social connections and open up work and study opportunities.

Victoria, the Education State

03-08-2025

Victorian students have achieved their strongest NAPLAN results ever, leading the nation and proving Victoria truly is the Education State.

Stories of Survival: Words in Winter festival brings voices of resilience to Daylesford

03-08-2025

This August, the Words in Winter festival will bring to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs extraordinary tales of human resilience, featuring artists who have transformed war, displacement and trauma into powerful art. From besieged Sarajevo to Somali refugee camps and the Palestinian struggle, their stories offer profound insights into the human capacity to endure and create.

Fellowship for Adam

01-08-2025

Hepburn Springs resident Adam Fawcett has been awarded the 2025 Kerri Hall Fellowship for Performing Arts at State Library Victoria.

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever

31-07-2025

Red was the colour de jour as 100+ people headed to the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens on July 19 for The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever.

Hook, Line and Misadventure: Cliff Barnes

31-07-2025

Fishing was part of Cliff Barnes’ life from the beginning. He muses that he must have used up eight of his nine lives along New Zealand's Northland coast but, on a recount, concedes he has used up the lot. "I must have been crazy," is a thought that often occurs to the father of The Local's Kyle Barnes, as he reflects on life at the grand age of 80.

The Secret History of Sharks: John Long

31-07-2025

Sharks live in our consciousness. Each summer brings reports of swimmers or surfers being “attacked”. A new book by a local shark expert reveals, however, that they do not set out to attack humans as in the hit film Jaws, but may take inquisitive bites or make a mistake in murky water. And of 500 types, most bites are caused by just three species: white, tiger and bull sharks.

Clunes’ Bendigo Bank agency to close

30-07-2025

The Bendigo Bank agency at Clunes will close on October 21 this year - which means the Clunes NewsXpress Newsagency might also going.

Final tools down

28-07-2025

The filming of television show The Block had its final hurrah on Friday, July 18 with a gathering of hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft, the contestants and a host of media showing up at the Raglan Street, Daylesford site.

2026 Anzac Day services

26-07-2025

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has long supported ANZAC Day services across the shire through assistance with funding for traffic management and in-kind support, including Malmsbury and Kyneton as well as Woodend, Gisborne, and Romsey-Lancefield.

Homelessness Week 2025

25-07-2025

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is partnering with Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health on a community event in August marking Homelessness Week 2025, to raise awareness of the issue and local supports available.

Vale Ray Robinson

15-07-2025

Ray was an intensely private man and lived his life on his terms. He saw a lot of changes in the country and in the world during this time.

Overall satisfaction rating for council drops

14-07-2025

Results from the 2025 Satisfaction Survey for Hepburn Shire have been released. And in the words of Mick Jagger, the community still can't get no satisfaction.

Aged care: The ugly, the bad & the good

14-07-2025

Australia is suffering a crisis in aged care and Hepburn Shire is not exempt. Here are just a few of the people and their lives. Below are the responses and perhaps some good news.

Our artists

02-07-2025

Cath Jamison and Aurora Kurth will present Sass & Secrets - a magical cabaret promising a touch of Broadway and a splash of Vegas - at Radius Art in Hepburn on Saturday, July 19. Cath is a multi-award-winning illusionist and mentalist while Aurora is a comedy chanteuse. Both are Hepburn locals.

Hands-on training

27-06-2025

The state government is supporting more students with hands-on training during the final years of school to build the skills they need and ensure they are job ready.

22-06-2025

Spent some birthday time on the Gold Coast and talked to the locals, as you do. Their memory of Covid is so different from those of us who spent it in Victoria.

17-06-2025

Filming for the The Block has ended with the show due to be aired in early August - before the five houses on the Raglan Street, Daylesford site go up for auction.

A bit about Noel’s Great Uncle Thomas…

07-06-2025

Reading a story in The Local back in April, Blackwood resident Noel Ewer’s attention was quietly captured as he realised it was about his own Great Uncle Thomas.

Kirsty: Beating the odds – one day at a time

24-05-2025

Kirsty suffered several inexplicable seizures prior to giving birth and two days later she woke from an induced coma with no memory, a newborn baby and the news she had brain cancer.

A Trewhella woman ahead of her time

07-05-2025

Over a long life, she was a trend-setter, taking on female roles if necessary but determined to break with tradition and relishing in the male roles.

Ellen’s & Maldon’s little shop of lollies

25-04-2025

It’s just on one year since Ellen Gladman took over Maldon’s much-loved Lolly Shop. April 24, 2024 to be precise. So she’s made it through the chocolate rush of her first Easter.

Gender equity champ making great strides

11-04-2025

Daylesford’s Lynda Poke says that while many great strides have been made in improving gender equity there is still much ground yet to cover.

Flatpack battles? You may need to call Bec…

01-04-2025

Ever bought a flatpack and then struggled to put it together? Or bought a smart TV only to just keep on watching free-to-air programs? Ever tried to connect your smart TV to your smart phone? If you answered yes to any of the above you need to Give Beck a Call.

Community housing and… kindness

30-03-2025

Affordable housing, spreading kindness, appreciating the great outdoors and peace. It’s a fairly compelling mix and it’s all part of what makes Daylesford’s Mary-Faeth Chenery tick.

Volunteer, stand up and be counted …

29-03-2025

New inductee onto the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll, Bullarto’s Mary Harvey says her recent IWD accolade comes as an unexpected surprise.

Florence Thomson Tour headed this way

28-03-2025

The Florence Thomson Tour is heading to Ballarat, and the Daylesford Amazing Mill Markets, this weekend.

Recalling Covid … five years on

16-03-2025

Empty roads. Diary of a delivery driver in the times of Covid. I like driving open roads. I find the activity good for thought. And when the plague came in 2020 I had plenty of time to enjoy those empty expanses of bitumen.

How do you like them apples?

14-03-2025

Newspapers usually see plenty of giant pumpkins, but Glenlyon's Ralph Stewart has grown a giant apple.

Meet Bendigo graduate paramedic Tahnee Stevenson

08-03-2025

Tahnee Stevenson grew up playing soccer but, unfortunately, her young sporting career was marred by several injuries.

Big serving of Kelly’s Gravy

02-03-2025

Christmas 2024 in the Glorfeld home was a subdued affair. My father, Bill, a room-filling character in life, died the previous February and this was our first Christmas without him, and my mother had recently moved into an assisted-living facility - what we in our young ignorance used to call an old folks home - and wasn't adjusting well.

Paralympian to address Hepburn’s International Women’s Day event

25-02-2025

The Hepburn Shire Council is preparing to celebrate International Women’s Day at a free community event on Wednesday March 5, featuring a keynote address by Australian Paralympian Shae Graham.

Local town crier officiates at establishment of Parliamentary Friendship Group with Thailand

21-02-2025

Hepburn Shire Town Crier, Philip Greenbank, has officiated at the establishment of the "Parliamentary Friendship Group with Thailand" in a special event held this earlier month in Toorak, Melbourne.

A haven in the hills: dining review

18-02-2025

So, they are local and know food, hospitality and kindness. A great combination...

Fungal funk: photo journeys among fungi with Alison

16-02-2025

Funga Obscura, Photo journeys among fungi has been released by Daylesford's Alison Pouliot.

Rewarding a movie passion for Alison

16-02-2025

Alison Robb has such a passion for films that she would sometimes see three a day at the Melbourne International Film Festival, as well as belonging to four cinema clubs.

Walks of the Central Highlands

15-02-2025

Since launching a couple of months ago, Trentham’s new self-guided walk honouring the life of Dr Gweneth Wisewould has been proving a real winner - much like the good doctor herself.

Never too late to say ‘I do’

14-02-2025

After 30 years together, Kevin Quick and Ivy Owen have said "I do", marrying in Creswick on February 5.

ChillOut president Matt & all things rainbow

14-02-2025

ChillOut president Matt Clarke was born and raised in regional Victoria in the small town of Wycheproof.

Signs of change underway

13-02-2025

It has been the saddest of years for the family and friends of Samantha Murphy. An unfathomable loss of a wife, mother and a friend. We continue to hold them close in our thoughts and to support them...

04-01-2025

Like many, our first Radio Springs experience was during their first week. Ken and Jackie had opened during Easter and it was a disaster.

How Clochemerle came to Daylesford

02-02-2025

This is the first in a contributed series on people behind the campaign to bring back The Rex.

Vale Richard Piesse: GDTA life member, track builder and naturalist

31-01-2025

GDTA track builder, life member and naturalist, Richard Piesse, died peacefully at Peter Mac Hospital on December 28, 2024, after a long battle with melanoma, aged 82.

Locals who made the news in ’24 …

25-01-2025

From quick-thinking Creswickians who came to the aid of someone under attack, to young jiu jitsu champs, the diversity of stories and the locals behind them made sure 2024 was a year to remember.

Locals who enriched the year that was …

06-01-2025

From Olympians to town criers, the people of the Central Highlands make the place in which we live rich indeed. The Local had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of them throughout 2024, the year that was. Here are just a few...

Bold thrill seekers, generous benefactors…

06-01-2025

Looking back on 2024, the year that was, The Local had a ball catching up with people doing amazing things, from amazing thrill seekers to generous benefactors. Here are a few of them...

When the Cup came to Trentham: recalling the year that was

04-01-2025

Looking back on 2024 the year that was, one highlight - particularly for Trentham locals - came on Wednesday, October 16 when The Melbourne Cup international tour paid the town a visit in the lead up to The Race That Stops The Nation.

Going to the Gatherin’ at the ‘borough

28-12-2024

The Maryborough Highland Gathering is readying to return for its 162nd instalment this upcoming New Years Day.

The lady of the manor on ‘Gardening Australia’

22-12-2024

Helen Hayes has always been a keen gardener but a busy corporate career kept her from creating something on the scale befitting her imagination.

Ritchie: Gregarious, flambuoyant, kind

23-11-2024

Richard Herr, otherwise known as Ritchie Rich, is a Daylesford icon. There is no doubt about that. Many people are familiar with his sartorial excess as part of his many appearances in the yearly Chill Out parade. Others know him as the best dressed Santa in town.

Finding small wins and sharing stories

22-11-2024

After a long period of closure, retired sportsperson Chris Anstey re-opened the refurbished Trentham Hotel last January.

Tommy’s amazing life

21-11-2024

The scars are still there. Not only mentally from the cruel abuse Richard “Tommy” Campion and his sister suffered in a home after being abandoned when young but also on his back from beatings.

Jean’s Kitchen opens with high tea at Korweinguboora

08-11-2024

Long-standing Korweinguboora resident Jean Howard has had the local reserve's kitchen named after her - as part of a revival of the reserve's complex.

Book launch of Naku Dharuk (message on bark)

08-11-2024

My husband Malcolm Bray and I, Ruth Bray, were recently fortunate to attend the launch of Professor Clare Wright’s book Naku Dharuk, The Bark Petitions. How the people of Yirrkala changed the course of Australian Democracy.

Clunes booktown on Sunday returns

18-10-2024

Coming up November 10, Clunes' Booktown on Sunday series will feature Ross McMullin, author of “Life So Full of Promise: Further Biographies of Australia’s Lost Generation”.

Family pilgrimage

12-10-2024

In every community around the country there are a multitude of stories to be told. So many of those tales are ones of diaspora, of individuals and families from all backgrounds fleeing poverty, war and social upheaval and creating a new life.

Something old, something new: the tale of a wedding dress

11-10-2024

The story of a lavish 1880s wedding dress and its painstaking restoration is about to be shared as the historic Trewhella gown goes on display later this month at Daylesford & District Museum.

Virginia Trioli & Annie Smithers in discussion at the Phee

28-09-2024

ABC presenter and journalist Virginia Trioli and Australian food legend Annie Smithers will be talking about their books at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine.

Daylesford’s Arlo has a passion for puzzles

13-09-2024

While most are content to pit their wits against the latest Wordle or tackle the crossword in their local newspaper, not so Daylesford’s Arlo Schwarz Deakin.

Bob Conroy inducted into Hall of Fame

12-09-2024

The late Bob Conroy has been inducted into the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

Pests, partnerships and people power at the biodiversity seminar

03-09-2024

There is still time to grab a ticket to the Wimmera Biodiversity seminar that is back for its 27th edition with the theme 'Pests, Partnerships and People Power'.

The Rex – No Report

02-09-2024

The Local Government Inspectorate has issued a media release about the Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex Theatre Development.

Wolf-Tasker accepts Readers’ Choice Icon Award for Lake House

31-08-2024

Australian culinary hero Alla Wolf-Tasker has accepted the Gourmet Traveller's Readers’ Choice Icon Award for her Daylesford restaurant Lake House, which celebrated its 40th anniversary recently.

Daylesford’s merry men of The Shed

30-08-2024

There’s little doubt that the blokes at the Daylesford Men’s Shed could whip up a nifty set of gates, a neat kitchen table or some handy signage.

Commendation for thwarting assault on police

12-08-2024

Creswick’s Oscar Broad, and Lachlan McKenzie were just 16 when they noticed a police officer being assaulted and seriously injured in a park in Creswick several years ago, and rushed over to help.

Pets@Work – Dianne, Pepper & Rishi

01-08-2024

Ducking into the Clunes IGA supermarket for a few essentials, the sound of a puppy yap from somewhere within says it all. Dianne Hill, owner-operator of the supermarket has another puppy in her care.

Don is good, but out, and the show goes on

01-08-2024

Don Harvey sharply remembers the jargon of a local council officer when he was getting involved with the Daylesford Show.

Long-serving Clunes Museum curator steps aside

23-07-2024

Clunes' Dot Keller has retired as head curator at the town's museum after serving in the role and on the committee for many years.

Return to Hamilton Island – after 30 years

21-07-2024

After 30 years Kyle Barnes and Donna Kelly returned to Hamilton Island, the place where they met while working on this tropical paradise.

GoFundMe for world champion title tilt

20-07-2024

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help a young Clunes girl achieve her dream of becoming a jiu jitsu world champion.

Kate Redwood celebrated for community passion

19-07-2024

Tireless volunteer Kate Redwood will step away when her current term ends with the Central Highlands Rural Health Board of Management to focus on new projects closer to home.

Lauretta Hanson on the road to Paris

17-07-2024

Fern Hill's Lauretta Hanson is heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The road cyclist will compete in the women’s road cycling event on August 4, alongside teammates Grace Brown and Ruby Roseman-Gannon.

Town criers all about history and tradition

04-07-2024

It’s the sense of tradition, history and occasion that Creswick’s Philip Greenbank most loves about his role as town crier.

Melbourne Cup coming to Trentham

25-06-2024

The Melbourne Cup is coming to Trentham as part of the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

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.

How Alan ‘took’ his dad to Gallipoli

24-06-2024

The desire to go to Gallipoli for the Dawn Service burnt strongly in Daylesford’s Alan Eaton. Major heart surgery and three operations firstly stopped him, but even when he did go it was with an undiagnosed broken leg.

Gripping survival tale of sibling abuse

22-06-2024

My Father’s Suitcase is described as a gripping tale of resilience and survival that offers hope to others who have experienced family violence and suffered at the hands of a sibling.

Happy 70th anniversary!

22-06-2024

An unlikely match produced an incredible 70-year bond for Joan and Stuart McEwen of Hepburn, who celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary next Wednesday, June 26.

Planting seeds: a chat with Patrice O’Shea (OAM)

19-06-2024

Coomoora’s Patrice O’Shea recently received an Order of Australia Medal in the General Division for services to the environment and secondary education in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Woman of vision: meet videographer Nadine Jade

08-06-2024

After many years of paying her dues in the competitive world of professional video production, Bullarto’s Nadine Jade has reached the stage where she can finally choose which projects to accept.

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.

Sweet sound of success: Hepburn couple crack global games market

09-05-2024

World-wide, some truly remarkable things have come out of the global Covid pandemic and one of them is the meteoric rise to international success of a new part game developed by a Hepburn Springs couple during lockdown.

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.

A century of that big band sound

29-04-2024

Michael Gilchrist and his extended family have lived in Broomfield since relocating from Melbourne in 1978.

Pubs and women’s work in Australia’s history: guest talk in the ‘Rat

15-04-2024

Professor Diane Kirkby is presenting a guest talk on the socio-political history of women running pubs in Australia at Ballarat's Eureka Centre on Thursday May 2.

Prof Lake to give guest talk at Ballarat Heritage Fest

15-04-2024

One of Australia’s leading historians, Professor Marilyn Lake AO will present a talk on colonial radicalism and democratic equality as part of next month's Ballarat Heritage fetival.

Writers launch new Chequerboard anthology

12-04-2024

The Clunes writers group is a diverse lot so it’s little wonder that their new anthology has something in it to appeal to just about every kind of reader.

Ancestory detective connecting generations

11-04-2024

It’s the thrill of the chase in large part that makes family history research such an addictive pursuit for professional genealogist, Lynda Collier.

To feel the need, the need for sidecar speed…

28-03-2024

When you’re doing well over 200 km an hour, just centimetres from the ground with no seat belt and no air bag you don’t think about much other than remaining upright.

Those fascinating folk, now at rest…

14-03-2024

Retired Anglican priest, Trentham’s Peta Sherlock admits she’s more than a tad addicted to fossicking out fascinating stories of the past.

A wonderful journey of food & friendship

17-02-2024

Sometimes there are people who wander into our lives and our communities with an unexpected gift of compassion and connectedness. It is often hard to articulate the extent of their reach. Raman Richards is one such example.

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”.

Mayhem for Megan, back on the boards

02-02-2024

Long-time Daylesford resident Megan Jones whoops for joy as she tells of at last becoming a poster girl. At 70.

Council awards for citizens and events

31-01-2024

Creswick's Neville Cartledge OAM and Pat Tacey have shared the top honour and jointly been named Hepburn Shire Citizen of the Year.

Berry fine way to spend a day

18-01-2024

Going summer berry picking makes for an idyllic holiday activity whether you’ve got kids along for the fun or not.

Teaching the next generation: Returning the Fourth Bark Petition to Country

17-01-2024

In 1962 my husband Malcolm Bray went to Yirrkala Mission in Northern Territory to work as a mechanic. I joined him three years later. We learnt the local Aboriginal language, and would often go to listen to the singing, the didgeridoo and the clapsticks in the evenings, and loved going out on Country with the Yolngu people.

Santa House at Creswick

21-12-2023

Creswick’s Santa House is in full festive season glory once again.

Tiny nativity a welcome waiting room distraction

21-12-2023

The lovely little hand-made nativity scene in Central Highlands Rural Health’s Clunes campus has been winning fans and influencing busy and preoccupied people to take a moment and reflect on the meaning of Christmas.

Beginning to look like Christmas

21-12-2023

Christmas is coming, and so are the outfits, decorations and trees. The Local caught up with a few of those making the most of the silly season.

Very merry lunch for Probus

19-12-2023

There was no mistaking the season as the Daylesford Probus Club collectively pulled up a seat at the lunch table yesterday.

Madame Borovansky and 46 West Street, Daylesford

10-12-2023

WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY HOUSE was the title of an ABC television series which researched the fascinating history of a selection of Australian homes and the people who once inhabited them.

Sign of the times: it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

08-12-2023

If you have ever wandered around Daylesford in November, you have probably seen Robbie Holbery signwriting the windows of Daylesford Meat Co in Vincent Street, and Albert Street Butchers, just around the corner.

Celebrating extraordinary lives with Simone Kaplan

08-12-2023

Ellie Young of Trentham was born in New Zealand. Her father was a lighthouse keeper, and her mother was a schoolteacher.

Deva launch at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

26-11-2023

Former Glenlyon resident Jill de Vos has written a cat book. But this is not about any ordinary cat, nor an ordinary life.

How Tony takes the plunge, again and again

24-11-2023

If Tony Kelly didn’t exist, someone possibly would invent him.

Des returned as mayor for City of Ballarat

17-11-2023

The City of Ballarat councillors have elected Cr Des Hudson as Mayor and Cr Peter Eddy Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 term.

12-11-2023

It was a real shock to hear of the sudden death just last week of Serge Kislinsky. I hope you are not just reading it now in this column.

Vale Tim Hayes

10-11-2023

Tim Hayes was a community leader and internationalist who rejuvenated the township of Clunes and saw its population double.

Community mourns loss of much-loved Serge

08-11-2023

Popular Daylesford taxi driver Serge Kislinsky often told his daughter Natasha Waters he couldn’t visit the grandchildren in Melbourne because “the village needs me”.

Pitch perfect..

08-11-2023

When it comes to playing soccer, many children learn bad habits. Lee Stevens wants to put them right. At 38, this Coomoora resident with two young children understands how some parents may struggle to coach their offspring.

Breast cancer survivor tells her story to help fellow firefighters

06-11-2023

A CFA volunteer firefighter and breast cancer survivor has shared her story and the support she received with the hope she can help others in a similar situation.

National human rights award for Creswick’s Tony Clark

14-10-2023

Creswick’s Tony Clark has received the inaugural Kimberley Kitching Human Rights Award at the recent ALP National Conference in Brisbane, using the opportunity to advocate strongly for a cause so dear to his heart.

Classic ‘win-win’: the inside story of WomenCAN

12-10-2023

Former corporate lawyer, Mikaela Stafrace, (pronounced Staffarachi) is clearly passionate as she discusses her role as founder and CEO of WomenCAN Australia. The highly motivated change-maker will be guest speaker at the upcoming U3A AGM taking place in Daylesford on October 16.

Guildford firey Will ‘always happy to help’

08-10-2023

A CFA volunteer since the age of 14, Guildford Fire Brigade Firefighter Will Dodson is always happy to help.

Communication the key to Swift Conveyancing

29-09-2023

Daylesford’s Kirstie Swift got into property conveyancing in quite a surprising way.

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.

About to bloom: Musk gardens open day nears

28-09-2023

Two of the region’s premier gardens are preparing to open their gates to visitors for a fundraising picnic day on Saturday, November 18.

Farewell to a woodchop champ: Vale Harold

28-09-2023

The state’s woodchopping sports fraternity is mourning the recent loss of one of its favourite locals, Korweinguboora’s Harold Suckling.

Jim Lycett: Residents’ advocate at Hepburn House

16-09-2023

It's a job you have to do well. Jim Lycett was an hydraulics engineer with Ansett Airlines - working on the important things like landing gear and brakes - and he loved it.

CFA service runs in the family

11-09-2023

Frank and Luke Commisso are just one of the many wonderful family pairs within CFA.

Cardiac arrest survivor’s tearful reunion with life-savers

10-09-2023

A father who suffered a cardiac arrest while driving home from work a few months ago has reunited with the emergency services responders who saved his life.

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.

Here’s cheers: Great times ahead at The Pig

02-09-2023

Eammon Hamilton was determined when he set about securing kitchen maestro Joel Reilly to be head chef at the Pig&Whistle.

Amanda to compete in Deaf Bowls Champs, Scotland

31-08-2023

Hepburn’s Amanda Care is heading off to Scotland to compete in the International Deaf Bowls Championships.

Winning youth in Macedon Shire

25-08-2023

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s annual Youth Awards were held at Kyneton Town Hall earlier this month with a crowd of over 100 people gathering to celebrate the outstanding achievements of young people in the shire.

Pacific Air Show 2023

22-08-2023

The inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast was a sensory overload. The show sported aerobatic aircraft from the mid-sized two airplanes in one, a super loud Yak110 and the huge C-130 Hercules through to my favourite the air ripping F/A-18 Super Hornet’s handling display.

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.

That’s a lot of bull!

19-08-2023

Trentham's John and Sue Harvey, on the cusp of their retirement, are delighted with the recent news that a son of their bull Torr Down Marvel 3, AI Z Providence Dr Octopus (pictured above) has won Supreme Exhibit and South Devon Breed Champion at the UK National Show.

Friday’s time to ‘get your uke on’ in Clunes

18-08-2023

It’s Friday on a chill mid winter afternoon in Clunes but the sounds emanating from the town’s Attitude building have a distinctly sunny edge. The weekly ukulele group gathering is in progress.

Trio to be honoured at Rotary’s 70th party

18-08-2023

Tourism stalwarts Carol White, Tina Banitska and Alla Wolf-Tasker, will be the guests of honour when the Rotary Club of Daylesford celebrates its 70th anniversary next month.

Keep the legend simmering

17-08-2023

In his day yesteryear Creswick identity Simon (Simmy) McDonald was something of a household name in folk music circles.

Vale Graeme Johnstone 18.01.1946 – 30.07.2023

16-08-2023

The central Victorian goldfields township of Clunes is mourning the loss of community stalwart, Graeme Johnstone.

Firey’s commitment to helping others

12-08-2023

Inverloch Fire Brigade’s 1st Lieutenant Matthew King has been making blood donations for around a decade now, and he’s kept this habit up for this year’s Lifeblood Emergency Services Blood Drive.

Clarksdalesfordians – a musical exchange

05-08-2023

CLARKSDALE is a town of 15,000 in the US state of Mississippi and considered by many music aficionados to be an important part of the development of blues music.

Sharing your stories …

04-08-2023

TRENTHAM'S Mary Walsh describes herself as a simple Irish girl, from a farming family, in Brideswell. She doesn’t like talking about herself and her mum used to say “self praise is no praise”. Even still, we had so much to talk about and the essence and wisdom of Mary Walsh was abundant.

Viva the vinyl retro revolution

03-08-2023

There’s a moment of aural frisson, the needle dropping, the prelude crackle just before the soundwaves hit and transport you to...

Long walk to leave limbo

03-08-2023

Keep an eye out and you may just spot him hiking along the chilly, muddy Hepburn Shire roads this week.

Researching sonic boom times at Werona

02-08-2023

THE world is a strange place. Even after most of the earth has been explored, mapped and explained there is always something weird which can rattle our peace of mind.

Way forward for Sutton Grange and Myrtle Creek Fire Brigade

31-07-2023

Jan Hull has been striving towards captaincy within CFA for over 30 years, and now as Sutton Grange and Myrtle Creek’s first woman to become Captain, she is ready to put her promising ambitions into action.

Aromatic Healing with massage and facials

22-07-2023

ORIGINALLY from Sydney, Fiona Harris grew up by Cronulla Beach before moving to Victoria in 1995. After 12 months in Melbourne it was time for a tree change, so with husband Stan, the couple moved to Daylesford.

Jine loving her new role at Hepburn House

21-07-2023

JINE Alpuerto has just started in the role of clinical nurse manager at Hepburn House and is already loving the staff and clients.

09-07-2023

Ernie Hug was a back pocket for The Pies in ‘65but up front were his hands With 28 centimetre spans...

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.

Order of Australia for staunch advocate

05-07-2023

“Grateful” is the way Clunes local, proud Yorta Yorta and Barkandji woman, Karen Heap humbly described being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Leeanne socks it to us

22-06-2023

Finding an enterprise that makes beautiful handmade socks in every colour of the rainbow in Clunes is really not so odd.

Being seen … for a career in ophthalmology

21-06-2023

DR SANDRA Staffieri has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine as an orthoptist and vision researcher, and to paediatric ophthalmology.

King’s Birthday honour for Anneke Deutsch

21-06-2023

DAYLESFORD’S Anneke Deutsch has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

Service to medicine recognised

13-06-2023

Dr Sandra Staffieri has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine as an orthoptist and vision researcher, and to paediatric ophthalmology.

Award for community service

12-06-2023

Daylesford’s Anneke Deutsch has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

Greater purpose in growing clean, healthy food

WHEN Edward Benedict lived in a bedsit in East Melbourne, his neighbours called him The Farmer. He had a small patch opposite the MCG, where his veggies grew and grew and grew.

Equal the Contest to premiere at documentary film fest

09-06-2023

When documentary maker Mitch Nivalis contacted The Local a little way back requesting use of an article the paper had published in 2017, editor Donna Kelly was happy to oblige.

Beautiful vocal music coming to Daylesford

07-06-2023

Renowned opera singer and director Christine Douglas may have had a distinguished career, and continues to do so, but she remains down to earth when it comes to describing her passion.

DFNC launches Jim Gull Memorial Scoreboard launched in style

04-06-2023

It may have been cold rainy and bleak, but that wasn't about to stop the Daylesford Football Netball Club launching its new Jim Gull Memorial Scoreboard in recent days.

Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize launched

26-05-2023

The 2023 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize has been launched by Holmgren Design with a major prize of $1000.

Lockdown life leads to sequel and 10th novel

25-05-2023

OH, WHAT one could do if only given the time to think, to have the freedom from the millstone of work and social distractions. What art we could create, what books we would write.

Beth headed to Hungary for world champs

10-05-2023

DAYLESFORD'S Beth Whiting is heading to Hungary next month to take part in the World Kettlebell Sport Federation championships.

Legends: Eastoe and Murray drop a new life track

16-04-2023

FROM supporting Pink Floyd and featuring on Countdown to doing guitar for The Wiggles, the combined experience of local musos Gilly Eastoe and Terry Murray is the stuff of legend.

As happy as…

12-04-2023

THE sky rolls wide and blue above Pig and Earth, a sustainable free-range organic pig farm set on the volcanic plains just out of Kingston.

In the ring at Wombat Fight Club

01-04-2023

AS A a paramedic, Baydon Beddoe says he picks up the injured by ambulance. As a boxer, he says, he knocks ‘em down.

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.

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.

The Path well travelled

29-03-2023

TURNS out simply hanging with horses is really good for your health and happiness. It’s a basic tenet that underscores the good things happening at The Path of the Horse, just out of Trentham.

Clues about Russia revealed at Clunes

19-03-2023

AS AN adolescent, Sheila Fitzpatrick challenged her father, including questioning his view on the Soviet Union. Being a socialist, he was hopeful that it was achieving something like socialism...

Coffee? You’ll love Daylesford’s Brew Jays!

18-03-2023

IF you like a good brew...Espresso, filter, pour over, batch or cold brew. If you like your coffee you’ll love Daylesford’s Brew Jays. This new kid on the block...

Lessons from Lucy book launch at Convent

17-03-2023

Elizabeth Huxtable is a former Daylesford resident and has written a memoir about her time in the town while parenting her daughter with disabilities, Lucy.

Move over Icebergers, we’re the Polar Bears

16-03-2023

In the weeks since it was publicly floated as a thought bubble, the Calembeen Polar Bears swimming group has quickly caught on as Creswick’s inland answer to the coastal Icebergers.

Revealed: How The Local helped an ex-truckie become a demented killer

15-03-2023

FOR some time now there’s been a belief that print is dead. Many say the world is all online.

ChillOut 2023

12-03-2023

ChillOut 2023

Goodbye Glyn!: Castlemaine State Fest director soon vacates director’s chair

08-03-2023

Glyn Roberts, current director of the Castlemaine State Festival has announced that the 2023 iteration of the premiere arts event will be his last in the director’s chair. After six years, he will be stepping down next month.

Sweet new role gives Karla the buzz on bees

28-02-2023

Meet AgVic's newest apiary officer, Karla Williams.

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.

Locking in love: Happy Valentines

14-02-2023

Happy Valentines! Daylesford's Alexis Saville and Odin Jonsson, who has just moved from Trentham to Ballarat, have been dating for just one month but have known each other for 10 years and been best friends for seven.

Powercor reply to Just Sayin’… Feb 13, 2023

12-02-2023

Powercor is working to address reliability issues affecting customers in Daylesford, Glenlyon and surrounding areas.

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.

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.

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.

Meet Stella Savy, conductor of the Creswick Chorus

03-02-2023

Quite a few will know her as the friendly face up front conducting the Creswick Chorus, Creswick’s own community choir for adults who like to sing.

PETstock: For all creatures great and small

03-02-2023

As all pet owners know, running out of pet food is not an option.

Hepburn House and regional Vic: best ever

02-02-2023

Jo Beswick has already led an amazing life but she says moving to the Central Highlands and taking up the position of care manager at Hepburn House are the “best decisions ever."

The doco history of the projectionists’ craft

01-02-2023

A DECADE ago, cinema complexes across Australia were going digital, dumping their old analog equipment and almost overnight, projectionists found themselves out of a job.

Community Awards recipients announced

01-02-2023

HUMBLED and “a bit surprised” is the way farmer John Drife describes discovering he’s this year’s Hepburn Shire Citizen of the Year.

New citizens welcomed to Hepburn Shire

02-02-2023

Twenty-one people took the pledge to become Australian citizens at Hepburn Shire Council's civic event last Wednesday, January 25.

Carol calls time on her Lavandula property

20-01-2023

CAROL White is calling time on Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, putting the historic Shepherds Flat property up for sale.

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.

Meet Sally Buck: Supercharging the plant-based protein industry

18-01-2023

Dr Sally Buck never dreamed of becoming a scientist when she grew up. But that was only because she didn’t know it was an option.

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.

Principal inducted onto shire honour role

05-01-2023

In our March 14 edition, we reported on Bullarto Primary School Principal Jo Pegg and her induction onto the Hepburn Shire's Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

Civic recognition for Danny’s tireless work

04-01-2023

In our February 14, 2022 edition we reported on volunteer extraordinaire Danny Moynihan and his appointment as Hepburn Shire's 2022 Citizen ofthe Year.

‘Sex is never just sex’: Miller to feature in library author talks series

02-01-2023

Acclaimed Castlemaine author Alex Miller will be discussing his new novel, A brief affair, with Prue Mansfield in a special event coming up at Bendigo Library.

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.

The eyes of the storm

23-12-2022

MEMORIES of the June winter storm that cut a swathe through much of Hepburn Shire last year remain strongly etched in the mind’s eye of Trentham’s Charl Parris.

Riding for Cambodia

23-12-2022

PREPARING to cycle 650 kilometres through the heat of a Cambodian January may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Wait a minute – 2023? What happened to 2022?

22-12-2022

KEEN-eyed readers of this paragon of print media that you hold in your hands at this moment might have noticed that its United States correspondent hasn’t been contributing much news over the past several months, and many, perhaps, have even asked themselves, “why?” Which could have led to the follow-up query: “who cares?”

Cath: Magic roller coaster of emotions

08-12-2022

IT'S not your average job description but being Australia’s “leading female magician and mentalist” is a profession Daylesford’s Cath Jamison simply loves.

A note to attend mass this Christmas

03-12-2022

Daylesford district locals and visitors are being invited to get along to some of the upcoming Catholic Church Christmas Masses as part of their festive season celebrations this year.

social enterprise shifts the menu to nutrition-rich eats

28-11-2022

FORGET the days when school lunch meant a pallid pastry followed by a fizzy saccharine chaser and a stomach ache.

Ruth leading lady in Ageing DisGracefully

27-11-2022

RUTH Irving has come a long way. Raised on a farm at Mollongghip, she is now gracing the front cover of Hepburn House's latest calendar albeit disGracefully!

Tonia says ‘I do’ to challenges and projects

26-11-2022

TONIA Todman, well-known television personality, queen of craft and author feels very lucky with the opportunities she has been given over a long career

Welcome Week at Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club

17-11-2022

Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club is running Welcome Week starting Thursday 24th November 2022. We welcome any new players, young and not so young, beginners and people who haven’t played for yonks. There is something for everyone with free tennis events running all week on Daylesford’s beautifully maintained grass courts. Come down and give tennis a go! It is a week of free smashing good fun!

Just briefly: some rainbow-coloured funds

15-11-2022

ChillOut is among three organisations to receive funding for 2023 from Victoria's Regional Events Fund.

Travels with, and without, our vase by Jeff Glorfeld

15-11-2022

MOST everyone has antiques of some kind in and around their home, and by antique I don’t mean beat-up old slobs like me.

Go Local Clunes

13-11-2022

Home or gardenware gifts, ethically-produced meats, the freshest fruits and veggies, your pick of great coffee, a pot & parma and so much more. It’s time to remind ourselves of the value of buying local.

Kyle’s rant

30-10-2022

DOROTHEA Mackellar wrote: "I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains.

Just sayin’… By Donna Kelly

30-10-2022

BLOODY hell, that was a busy week.

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.

Horoscopes

27-10-2022

A busy couple of weeks happening overhead with eclipse season upon us, as well as Mars turning retrograde, both might cause some upheavals.

Battery power to the rescue: Daylesford CFA

14-10-2022

THE value of forking out a cool $100,000 or so to upgrade the Daylesford CFA rescue truck was well demonstrated in recent days. When the truck was called in to help free a man trapped in a crushed utility following a head-on collision near Glenlyon, the new addition of battery power to run its critical lifesaving equipment proved a massive help, members of the volunteer brigade say.

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.

R U OK?

30-08-2022

A number of activities are being planned for R U OK? Day on September 8 to help people to be able to start a conversation that could change a life

Empathy in the classroom

The bistro is back at the Daylesford Bowlo

28-08-2022

THE new chef at the Daylesford Bowling Club Bistro, Lenny Giri, has a philosophy which is that food is the way to healthier living if it's made with soulful dedication and emotions.

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.

Changes to aged care services at Macedon Ranges

26-08-2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has decided to change the way it provides aged care services as of 1 July 2023, following Commonwealth Government changes to the sector under Aged Care Reforms.

St Augustine’s Church celebrates 150 years

28-08-2022

ST AUGUSTINE'S Church Creswick will celebrate its 150th anniversary on the weekend of September 17 and 18.

Amy’s connection with Olivia

17-08-2022

WITH the news of the death of Olivia Newton-John last Tuesday, there were many shared tributes and memories.

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.

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.

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.

Police, businesses, call for CCTV cameras

15-08-2022

DAYLESFORD business owner Chris Hartigan came to work last Tuesday to find someone had tried to break into his Vincent Street business.

Trains almost back to Bullarto

15-08-2022

DAYLESFORD Spa Country Railway trains are not far from heading back to Bullarto after the track was covered by fallen trees and debris in the June 2021 storm.

Back on track

15-08-2022

The Daylesford Spa Country Railway volunteers have been kept busy since the June storm last year. But they are almost back on track to Bullarto thanks to their hard work and that of Bushfire Recovery Victoria.

Hepburn Shire still can’t get no satisfaction

14-08-2022

THE 2022 Victorian Community Satisfaction Survey has found that Hepburn Shire Council has shown a decline in 14 of 16 key areas since last year including Overall council direction, Overall performance, Community decisions and Sealed local roads.

Spotlight on homelessness with Narelle Groenhout

14-08-2022

‘LET’S go far – together.’ There’s an African proverb that resonates across our local towns. “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Horoscopes August 14-28 with Jennifer Hart

14-08-2022

Horoscopes August 14-28

Ageing with Attitude: Clunes to host a new ageing well conference

13-08-2022

On Friday October 28, the regional town of Clunes will host nationally acclaimed leaders and experts in positive ageing in the community at the Talking Ageing with Attitude conference. This new conference hosted by the Clunes community group Attitude will offer local perspective on the global conversation around strategies for ageing well in community.

Mental health help for kids

07-08-2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council invites parents and teachers in the Macedon Ranges to participate in an upcoming focus groups to help shape a new holistic mental health education program to support the wellbeing of grade five and six students across the shire.

Education staff recognised

04-08-2022

Two staff members from Daylesford College have been recognised for their long-serving dedication to students and families through the Recognition of Service to Victorian Education program.

01-08-2022

SO, The Rex is for sale to the highest bidder. Not really a big surprise although it did look like a last-minute reprieve might have happened thanks to Councillors Halliday, Bray and Drylie. But it was not to be. No stalling, said the other councillors, it was time to bite the bullet and put up the For Sale sign.

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.

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.

Horoscopes August 1st to 14th with Jennifer Hart

31-07-2022

Horoscopes August 1st to 14th with Jennifer Hart

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.

New fire station at Mount Macedon

26-07-2022

Construction is underway on a new fire station in Mount Macedon, which will deliver a significant boost to fire services in the Macedon region.

Building new roles for women in sport

25-07-2022

Victorian women now have the chance to build specialist skills to thrive in leadership roles in the sport and recreation sector.

Sell The Rex: Council

23-07-2022

Hepburn Matters is calling on the Hepburn Shire Council to hold off on any decision to sell The Rex until the end of November and “commit in principle to a co-design process between the council and community, to explore and reach mutually satisfactory outcomes”.

Snap rally

21-07-2022

More than 50 people attended a snap rally in Gisborne last Friday, called by the Wombat Action Group to voice their concerns about the VicForests’ salvage logging in the Wombat State Forest.

End of an era for Peter

18-07-2022

An advert in the local paper - and his wife’s avid reading - led Peter Matthews to the Board of Kyneton District Health. After almost a decade as a board director, including a long stint as board chair, the Woodend local is stepping down from the now Central Highlands Rural Health.

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."

Vale David Endacott

18-07-2022

DAYLESFORD's David Endacott has sadly passed away after an accident on July 1, just short of his 76th birthday.

Ukraine Appeal

17-07-2022

The Daylesford Parish launched its Ukraine Appeal in late April 2022 and is currently remitting close to $800 to the Anglican Diocese of Europe who are managing this appeal and the distribution of aid.

Looking back

07-07-2022

BACK in September 2013, Glenlyon Anglican Church held a wonderful Blessing of the Pets service, above. Father Andrew Eaton met with a 20-strong crowd with their beloved pets - all canines on the day.

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.

The sick state of our health system

05-07-2022

ACROSS the country, a medical crisis seems to have erupted. Some rural hospitals have become so short of staff the military has been called in. In the cities, reports abound of lines of ambulances and crowded waiting rooms.

Ageing well and time to talk

04-07-2022

CLUNES is a place of firsts. First gold town. First Book Town and now the first country town to tackle the issue of ageing well in the community by bringing the conversation right to its own door.

Hepburn Matters

03-07-2022

HEPBURN Matters, a community advocacy group, was launched at the Daylesford Town Hall on June 22 in front of more than 100 people.

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.

40 years in education

25-06-2022

Teacher Vicki Hughes from Creswick Primary School, has been recognised for 40 years in education.

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.

Congratulations Fr Jeff and Terry

22-06-2022

On Sunday morning, June 5, (Pentecost Sunday), Father Jeff O’Hare, left, and Terry Langevin were married by the Anglican Bishop of Ontario, the Right Reverend Michael Oulton, in front of Father Jeff’s congregation of Christ Church Belleville.

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.

Resorts with Narelle Groenhout

20-06-2022

IT’S no secret that Aussies love a resort holiday. Thousands of us flock to tropical destinations like Fiji and Bali for family-friendly, cheap and cheerful holidays. Well, before Covid anyway. But as life and international borders start looking like pre-Covid days we start dreaming and planning our escapes.

The pub with no wine with Donna Kelly

20-06-2022

IT MAY be a long way to Tipperary but it’s also a long way from Glenlyon to Cairns. About 4000km. You can apparently do it in four days if you really push yourself but what’s the fun in that. Road trips are about taking it easy, taking in the scenery and chatting to locals. Connecting, breathing, dropping back to a slower pace.

The grey nomad life with Peter Young

19-06-2022

MY wife Sally, aka “my gal Sal” has often reminisced sentimentally about happy childhood holidays on the Murray and at Eildon in her family’s tiny plywood teardrop caravan.

Amy turns 103 and celebrates a great life

09-06-2022

ATHLETICS legend Amy Burow AM celebrated her 103rd birthday on Monday, May 30.

Multiple portfolios for Catherine King

06-06-2022

BALLARAT Federal MP Catherine King has been sworn in as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Horoscopes – June 6th

05-06-2022

Horoscopes - June 6th

& 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.

Funding for kids with a disability

19-05-2022

The state government is boosting funding for Victorian schools to support kids with disability, to ensure they have the tools they need to learn and thrive in the classroom and in life.

Say on youth in Hepburn Shire

06-05-2022

If you want to have a say on the development and coordination of services, programs, activities, for people aged 12- 25 years, take a look at Hepburn Shire Council’s Youth Development Strategy – known as THE ACE.

Lighting the hall for Ukraine

04-05-2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council will be lighting up Kyneton Town Hall in the Ukrainian colours every evening from Friday 6 May until Thursday 12 May as a sign of solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine.

Making tracks: the timeless history of our trees

04-05-2022

WHO would guess that to some people big storms and bushfires are almost welcome? The measured pleasure they get is because these disasters may laying bare secrets tucked away in the bush, such as century old timber-getting tramways in the Wombat state forest.

Backflip on The Rex?

27-04-2022

Hepburn Shire Council appears to have done a backflip on the sale of The Rex building in Vincent Street.

All things potatoes and more at Spudfest

26-04-2022

AS AUTUMN stretches out, Trentham spud farmers are starting to pull their potatoes out of the ground – just in time for The Great Trentham Spudfest on Saturday, May 7.

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.

Battle brewing in forest

25-04-2022

A NEW forest battle is brewing, not even a year after the state government announced three new national parks, including linking the Wombat and Lerderderg state forests to create a new park of 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh.

Biggest Morning Tea

24-04-2022

On Monday, May 9, head to the Daylesford Bowling Club for a Biggest Morning Tea event from 10.30am.

Bringing back bird species

21-04-2022

Bringing the world’s most important bird species back from the brink is a story that belongs on a big screen. And now it is.

Community access hub opens

20-04-2022

Residents in the Macedon Ranges and surrounding communities now have better access to a range of vital health, family and community services under one roof, after the opening of the Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health Hub in Kyneton.

Ageing DisGracefully

15-04-2022

HEPBURN House is taking orders for its 2023 calendar, with the theme of Ageing DisGracefully!

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.

Lest We Forget

14-04-2022

Anzac Day services for April 25

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.

The future is now, local tells uni students

13-04-2022

STAYING home during the pandemic has meant a quiet revolution. For Daylesford’s Craig Mutton it changed a lot, including his job.

From convict to land holder

13-04-2022

ON THE river flats along Creswick Creek in the area known today as the township of Clunes, European settlement emerged to take advantage of the land for the growing of livestock.

5000 Club back

13-04-2022

After several years of necessary closure, the 5000 Club has decided to re-open operations. President Loretta Little said the first day back would be a celebration on Friday, April 29 at noon at the Victoria Park Pavilion.

Night of the Proms

12-04-2022

Night of the Proms will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Saturday, April 30 and is a fundraiser for the Daylesford Community Brass Band, sponsored by Community Bank Daylesford District and U3A Hepburn Shire.

No more dropping in on planning department

12-04-2022

HEPBURN Shire Council is actively looking for new planners, CEO Bradley Thomas says. The statement comes after a number of people contacted The Local to say the planning department was either understaffed or had no staff remaining after a number of resignations.

Good Friday Appeal: Cash, card, online, cheque

12-04-2022

IT’S that time of year – Easter and the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Don’t sell The Rex – group’s call to council

11-04-2022

A PUBLIC meeting held by organisation Rethink The Rex, has resulted in a call for Hepburn Shire Council to “rescind the motion to sell The Rex and release the Crowe Haworth auditor’s report”.

Bullarto Tractor Pull great success at Trentham

11-04-2022

THE Bullarto Public Hall Committee reports that the 2022 Tractor Pull and Classic Car Show at Trentham was a great success, with over 700 people attending.

Vicki on Team Vaccination at the Top End

11-04-2022

MOST people take long service leave to get away from work. Not so Vicki Sundblom.

Support for older residents to stay in their homes

09-04-2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is holding free information sessions for older people, their families and carers about Commonwealth Home Support Programme services across the shire during April and May.

Waterbirds on the increase

09-04-2022

The diversity and numbers of waterbirds breeding and feeding across the North Central region’s wetlands continued to rise this season, thanks to the Victorian environmental watering program.

Frontline for biosecurity risks on farms

08-04-2022

Grain Biosecurity Officers (GBO’s) are at the frontline of protecting Australia’s $18 billion grains industry by helping growers manage biosecurity risks at a farm and industry level.

Duck talk

08-04-2022

Kirsten Diprose lives and farms near Caramut in the state’s south west. She’s the co-collaborator of ‘Ducks on a Pond’, a podcast series connecting and sharing stories and advice among rural women on the land.

Rabbit woes?

08-04-2022

Are rabbits a problem in your garden or small land holding? Would you like to know more about best practice rabbit control in regional communities?

Desexing pets to improve animal welfare

08-04-2022

The Victorian Government is supporting councils and not-for-profit organisations to desex thousands of dogs and cats to improve animal welfare outcomes and reduce the number of unwanted pets.

Zero Emissions Vehicle subsidy uptake

07-04-2022

Thousands of Victorians are saving up to $500 a month on fuel costs after taking advantage of the Zero Emissions Vehicle subsidy.

Accessible information & support is critical for the wellbeing of Australians with IBD

07-04-2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects around 100,000 Australians – that’s 1 in every 250 people living with chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. With no cure for the disease, access to relevant and up-to-date information, and a strong support network to manage this chronic illness, are vital.

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.

Quail callers suspended for the 2022 Stubble Quail season

06-04-2022

The Game Management Authority has today announced the use of electronic quail callers will be prohibited during the 2022 Stubble Quail hunting season.

New riverside camping sites online

06-04-2022

The first of hundreds of new riverside camping spots are now online with the hundreds more of the Croown Land sites to be added progressively in the coming weeks.

Japanese encephalitis update

Agriculture Victoria is working closely with both the pig and horse industries in response to Japanese encephalitis.

Help for business

05-04-2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is again encouraging local businesses affected by COVID-19 to apply for vouchers of up to $1000.

Listening to veterans

05-04-2022

Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane has asked the Victorian Veterans Council to commission the third Veterans Sector Study, an assessment of the needs and priorities of veterans and their families, as well as the ex-service and community organisations that support them.

REIV wants fairness and transparency

04-04-2022

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is calling for full sales price disclosure, standardised residential sales contracts, identity verification of buyers and sellers and the same price estimation standards that apply to estate agents, to be enforced for all residential sales.

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.

Money for emergency groups

04-04-2022

The state government has announced the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) is open for applications.

RUNNERS RETURN TO STRIKE IT RICH ON THE GOLDFIELDS

03-04-2022

Hundreds of running prospectors are expected to strike single track gold in Victoria’s Daylesford-Hepburn Springs spa country with return of the Goldrush Trail Runs on Sunday 10 April.

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!

Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival

02-04-2022

THE Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival will be held on Saturday, April 16.

Open for (men’s) business

02-04-2022

TRENTHAM'S Cool Country Men’s Shed was officially opened after a two year delay thanks to Covid restrictions. The shed, at 55 Mulcahys Road, opened on March 19.

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.

A bank with a heart

30-03-2022

In the 10 years since the Community Bank Daylesford District opened its doors on Vincent Street, it has contributed more than $500,000 in community funding.

Puppy Pride

29-03-2022

Is your dog a puppy prodigy? Do you swell with pride at the tricks your dog can do? Or perhaps your pooch has a unique feature to share.

Operation Cookies

28-03-2022

MANY of us have watched in horror and disbelief as Russia has rolled over Ukraine, killing soldiers and civilians, and wondered what we can do to help.

Daylesford…not just a place but a community

28-03-2022

Sarah Flemming 31, and Marlie Regis 30, met in England six years ago.They left their IT and marketing careers to see the world and have been in Australia for four years and are now influencers and bloggers, highlighting the sights and people they come across on their journey. Their recent return to Daylesford, a community that supported them during lockdown, homeless and alone, has seen them spread the joy of ChillOut with their Instagram, Facebook posts and videos - so far reaching more than 200,000 keen followers. This is their story.

Hepburn Shire pulls pin on aged services

21-03-2022

Hepburn Shire Council will stop delivering aged care and disability services to more than 300 residents.

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.

Public meeting to Rethink The Rex

27-03-2022

The sudden decision by Council in November 2021 to sell the Rex, against the recommendation of council officers, prompted the formation of the ‘Rethink the Rex’ community group aimed at halting the sale pending a proper community consultation.

New school opens

21-03-2022

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson has joined students and staff members at Iona College Geelong to open a new secondary school funded by the federal government.

Apology for forced adoption

17-03-2022

Victorian women who had their children taken from them under heartbreaking historic forced adoption practices will receive redress, counselling and formal apologies from the Victorian Government.

Help for diversity in sports

16-03-2022

Sporting clubs and physical activity-based community groups across the Macedon Ranges are being given the opportunity to be active allies for diversity and inclusion, and create clubs that are welcoming and safe for everyone.

Simple, easy, power

16-03-2022

GENERATORS have been lifesavers in the Central Highlands over the past few years as the electricity grid reliability has deteriorated, culminating in the period after the 2021 storms where many people were without power for days.

Full of energy

15-03-2022

Hepburn Energy’s Impact Fund has provided $10,287 to help six Hepburn Shire schools save energy and emissions with demand management and education.

Pete Risstrom: Ambo, greenskeeper

14-03-2022

PETE Risstrom is one of those Daylesford locals who make up the essential character of the town. His story, like many of those who have moved to the region over the years, is a circuitous route.

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?”

Rallies to Stop AusNet

14-03-2022

TRACTORS rumbled through Melbourne last Tuesday, March 8, as hundreds gathered to protest at Parliament House against 85-metre high towers planned to cross valuable farmland and destroy pristine vistas in Hepburn Shire and beyond.

Principal inducted onto shire honour roll

14-03-2022

INSPIRATIONAL Bullarto Primary School principal Joanne Pegg has been inducted onto Hepburn Shire’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

Our Time To Shine

13-03-2022

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

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.

Celebrating our schools

12-03-2022

While the state government is getting on with building the schools of the future, 2022 marks a massive milestone – the 150th anniversary of the Victoria’s world-class public education system.

Cash cow

06-03-2022

Thousands of Victorians are sitting on a surprise windfall, with the state government calling on potential beneficiaries to check if they can lay claim to a share of millions of dollars in unclaimed cash.

Just Molly and me – by Sandy Breen

06-03-2022

IN THE lead-up to ChillOut, less than two weeks away, Daylesford local Sandy Breen reminisces about her lifelong friendship with music guru and 2022 ChillOut Ambassador, Ian (Molly) Meldrum.

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.

Lyonville Hall – the township’s heartbeat

05-03-2022

WHEN Lyonville’s Anne Bremner was approached to be featured in a story given her devotion to the local area, her commitment to the preservation of the original mill town and its history, she agreed on the proviso the little country hall was part of the story.

Fire & wood

04-03-2022

Creswick and Ballan are among a number of regional fire stations to receive new dual cab tankers, replacing single-cab tankers and allowing the entire crew to sit in the cabin.

Your Say – Wobbly Woodend Warblers

28-02-2022

WHAT? Me? Sing? When my daughter, newly arrived in Woodend with her family this year, suggested I join her to give Woodend Warblers a try, all I could think of were obstacles.

Subbing The Local

28-02-2022

SINCE its inception, Lindsay Smith and Nick Bunning have been sub-editing The Local.

Protecting cyclists

27-02-2022

More than 20 Victorian communities are set to receive funding for local road safety projects to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

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.

Creaks and groans lead to paranormal career

21-02-2022

AROUND 18 months ago Dolly Adamson and her family moved into a century-old house in Kyneton. Not long after that the weirdness commenced, the shadows flickering in the corners, the creaks, the groans. All those little things that suggest that your new home harbours something more than you may expect or even wish for.

Sadie after forever home

20-02-2022

BEAUTIFUL Sadie is now looking for her forever home after a life saving, crowd-funded operation. Sadie is a purpose-bred golden retriever born with a hereditary genetic condition issue known as ectopic ureter(s).

Anger over aged care moves

18-02-2022

HEPBURN Shire Council’s in-principle decision to outsource the delivery of aged and disability services to more than 300 local residents has sent shockwaves through the community, causing anger and concern for many receiving the services, their families and carers.

Simply messing about in boats at Paynesville

18-02-2022

THE alarm sounded as we rounded the point into Metung. I quickly bolted down the boat's stairs in the blustery wind trying to figure out what was making the racket, and then the sound gave way to silence as the motor took its final breath.

Simply messing about in boats at Paynesville

18-02-2022

WITH overseas holidays still a long way off, for us at least, we headed to Paynesville in Gippsland for a little break and a water view recently. It was fabulous.

Final say on solar farm

17-02-2022

THE decision on whether eight hectares of industrial solar panels will be placed at Leonards Hill will be made by DELWP some time after February 14.

Avenue may be overshadowed by AusNet

15-02-2022

IN AUSTRALIA , Avenues of Honour are a ubiquitous feature of the landscape. Planted to commemorate those who fought and died in theatres of war, particularly WWI, there are 547 known Avenues of Honour in the country with over half of them in Victoria.

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".

Upgraded facilities for Creswick North Primary School

14-02-2022

Creswick students now have the facilities they need for a great start in life with the Andrews Labor Government completing an upgrade at Creswick North Primary School

Things to see and do

08-02-2022

The MANet upcoming I Be Human portrait prize exhibitions will be held at the EDGE galleries in Maldon. The painting, drawing and mixed media finalists exhibition will be held February 5-13 and photography exhibition February 19-27.

Local tourism business insights

29-01-2022

Do you run a local tourism business and want to learn more about the eight types of customers that visit our region? If so, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

27-01-2022

Local Lines

More mental health help

28-01-2022

The federal government is investing a further $44 million to increase access and reduce wait times at headspace services for young people aged 12 to 25 years.

New Local Jobs commissioner

28-01-2022

Victoria’s new Local Jobs First Commissioner will champion local businesses and workers getting roles in the state’s big infrastructure, manufacturing and services projects.

Your Say

27-01-2022

Why I voted "No" to selling The Rex - Cr Jen Bray. At the November council meeting the 4-3 decision to halt the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project, and sell the building, has sent shockwaves through the Hepburn community.

27-01-2022

THIS edition is all about looking back so I thought I would take a stroll down memory lane, to my "born and bred" town of Frankston.

Australia Day protest

26-01-2022

A number of people gathered outside the Daylesford Town Hall on Wednesday, January 26 to protest against Australia Day.

Survey on cosmetic surgeon meaning

22-01-2022

All Australians will be invited to take part in a national consultation on the use of the title “surgeon” by medical practitioners, with Victoria leading the way.

Be wary of heat stress in livestock

21-01-2022

Heat stress in livestock can become a major issue both for production levels and animal welfare, but there are precautions you can take to help minimalise the risk.

Community-minded, passionate and dedicated

02-01-2022

GIVING back to her community has been very rewarding for Janine Booth – and it’s been pretty rewarding for her home town of Creswick, too.

Glenlyon Sports Day back for 2022

13-12-2021

THE Glenlyon Sports Day will be held again on Saturday 1 January 2022.

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.

Iso Pod at Springs

07-12-2021

SPRINGS Medical Centre in Daylesford has introduced an “Iso Pod” as part of its fight against Covid-19, and any other contagious diseases. The pod, which is set up fo

Industry recognition for The Local

07-12-2021

THE Local has been awarded three runner-up awards in the highly-contested 2021 Victorian Country Press Association awards. The awards were announced last Friday, December 3.

Launch of the Grampians Community Power Hub

26-11-2021

The Grampians Community Power Hub, led by BREAZE Inc, was officially launched on Friday bringing together community members, those working on the hub and the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio.

Hepburn Hub project scrapped, Rex for sale

05-12-2021

THE controversial Hepburn Hub at The Rex project has been scrapped.

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.

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.

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.

It’s beginning to look like Christmas

22-11-2021

Daylesford Trading Co owner Gary Grach has always loved Christmas so what better time to go overboard with his own store.

Megan and Tom excited to take on The Guilly

22-11-2021

THERE is a real vibe happening at Guildford. And driving around you get the feeling it’s about to boom.

Have your say about our water future

22-11-2021

You’re invited to one of three Central Highlands Water online Urban Water Strategy community sessions to help shape the future of water in our region.

GET INVOLVED IN SUSTAINABLE HEPBURN

21-11-2021

Hepburn Shire Council is calling on residents to get involved and help shape Council’s updated commitment towards environmental sustainability. Sustainable Hepburn will be an inclusive, aspirational yet realistic, strategy to guide Council’s environmental sustainability ambitions into the future.

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.

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.

RECOGNISING VICTORIA’S OUTSTANDING SENIORS

17-11-2021

Ballarat dementia advocate Anne Tudor OAM has received the 2021 Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year for her tireless work campaigning for dementia awareness and inclusive aged care services for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Teaching kids to swim

17-11-2021

The state government is helping the next wave of Victorian kids learn to swim and have fun safely at the beach and in the pool this summer.

Women recognised

16-11-2021

Women leading their communities through disaster, helping address cybercrime and lifting-up vulnerable communities are some of the 23 remarkable inductees to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women this year.

Help for new parents

16-11-2021

New parents will soon have better access to the vital mental health support they need, with an investment from the state government to expand and reform community perinatal mental health teams across the state.

Tackling crime

15-11-2021

The state government is continuing to support projects that tackle the causes of crime through the Building Safer Communities Program.

Kate Taylor imagines no more disability tropes

12-11-2021

IMAGINE there’s no disability tropes. I wonder if you can.

Hepburn House residents out and about

11-11-2021

IF YOU think it's been a long 20 months or so, put yourself in the shoes of the residents of Hepburn House.

Toys and vouchers needed for Christmas

11-11-2021

EVERY year Hepburn Regional Community Cheer collects toys and gift vouchers to make sure every child receives a toy for Christmas.

11-11-2021

WENT to a function the other day. It was pretty exciting. I even washed my hair. It's not that hard once you get around to it.

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.

Environment boost

09-11-2021

The Victorian Government has delivered a boost to the Macedon environment and economy with grants to Landcare Groups and for upgrades to caravan parks and campgrounds.

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.

Susie O’Neill and how tragedy can turn to triumph

08-11-2021

WHEN Susie O’Neill was writing When Bad Things Happen...Good Things Can Grow, to be launched in Daylesford next month, she couldn’t believe how her title turned into reality.

Flowers of joy

08-11-2021

THE shopfronts of Daylesford and surrounds will come alive later this month with 120 beautiful floral installations designed to celebrate spring and move towards a better future.

Celebrating five years at STIHL Shop Daylesford

08-11-2021

AS A youngster Dave Osborn would spend time with his grandfather who was in the logging trade. He learnt how to use a chainsaw and a passion for power garden tools, and particularly the STIHL brand, started to grow.

Swamp success something special

07-11-2021

When hectares of a rare aquatic plants are growing over a once-degraded wetland, you know something is working well.

Online agriculture courses

07-11-2021

A selection of online courses can be undertaken at your own pace, at any time and from any-where with an internet connection is available from Agriculture Victoria.

Best practice lessons for farmers

07-11-2021

For some farmers, running a business according to best practice management techniques is something to aspire to, but for many it’s not always easy knowing where to start.

Grants for emergency service volunteers

06-11-2021

Emergency service volunteers will get a critical boost to important equipment needed to keep Victorians safe, just in time for the summer season thanks to grants from the state government.

Boost for regions

06-11-2021

The state government has delivered a boost to the state’s regions and environment with $6.1 million in grants for Landcare Groups and upgrades to caravan parks and campgrounds.

Tree changers not thinking about natural disasters

06-11-2021

Suncorp research has found 27 per cent of Australians have moved or considered relocating during COVID. And although experts are predicting more cyclones, fires and floods this summer, half failed to consider the impacts of natural disasters.

Boost for Victorian health system

05-11-2021

Victoria’s health system will be boosted further with a range of measures to free up capacity in public hospitals, as we head toward an expected surge in COVID patients.

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.

Work starts on Tylden Primary

05-11-2021

Better facilities are on their way for students at Tylden Primary School with works commencing on an important upgrade thanks to the state government.

Better homes for renters

04-11-2021

Rental providers are now eligible for a rebate to upgrade inefficient heating and cooling systems to make homes more comfortable, drive down power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Small Towns Big Difference

04-11-2021

The state government is supporting small community-based organisations in the state’s north-west to back projects in their region.

More footage from June 2021 storm-affected properties

03-11-2021

Over the past few months, Bushfire Recovery Victoria has been capturing video footage from June 2021 storm-affected properties which have registered with BRV’s clean-up program. They include Diana and Shane who took over the Jubilee Lake Caravan Park just two months earlier.

footage from June 2021 storm-affected properties

03-11-2021

Over the past few months, Bushfire Recovery Victoria has been capturing video footage from June 2021 storm-affected properties which have registered with BRV’s clean-up program. They include Central Highland local Paul Ulrik.

Business award finalists

25-10-2021

Josh’s Rainbow Eggs Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards 2021 finalists have been announced.

Helping business recover

25-10-2021

The state government is providing more support to small businesses and sole traders with a new round of grants for local business chambers and trader groups.

Backing regional Victoria

25-10-2021

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.

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.

Helping young Victorians

The state government is making sure young Victorians have the physical and mental wellbeing support they need to thrive

2021 Youth Awards Winners announced

25-10-2021

Macedon Ranges 2021 Youth Award winners have been announced. The ceremony was presented online on 28 October. This year received a total of 33 nominations across our six award categories.

Power savings on offer

25-10-2021

The Victorian Government is encouraging people doing it tough to apply for the one-off $250 Power Saving Bonus. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced today that 300,000 payments, totalling $76.6 million, had been made to Victorians since the program was established 12 months ago.

New jobs for aviation

25-10-2021

Victoria’s aviation industry will benefit from an influx of new jobs as the sector begins to recover from the effects of the pandemic and looks to the future of flying.

Mental health support for students

25-10-2021

Schools in Macedon will be able to pick the mental health tools that best match the needs of their students, with the Victorian Government’s Schools Mental Health Fund providing a suite of options to give students tailored support.

Two new free courses to upskill

25-10-2021

More Victorians will be given the skills to identify and respond to gender inequality and family violence, with two new courses added to the Victorian Government’s Free TAFE program from 2022.

New jobs for Ballarat region

25-10-2021

The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is going from strength-to-strength with five new tenants bringing more than 150 new jobs to the precinct – cementing BWEZ as an engine room for growth in regional Victoria.

Investment in new ideas

25-10-2021

The North Central Catchment Management Authority has created a new program aimed at facilitating and enabling NRM investment in local projects, and is looking for community ideas

Volunteer nominations open

25-10-2021

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Volunteering Awards, which celebrate the extraordinary efforts of Victoria’s hard-working volunteers.

Building new regional homes

25-10-2021

Cooking with Jen Clarke

25-10-2021

Cooking with Jen Clarke

BOOM Clunes up for Mainstreet awards

25-10-2021

BOOM Clunes has been shortlisted in the Mainstreet Australia awards to be announced in November. The awards have been running for 20 years and recognise and celebrate the achievements of businesses or volunteers who ensure the ongoing success and survival of main streets.

Just briefly

25-10-2021

Just briefly

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.

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.

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.

Stories of the Storm

25-10-2021

SANDY Scheltema's Stories of the Storm series is supported by Hepburn Shire Council, Trentham & Districts Community Bank and the Trentham Lions Club. The series showcases stories of courage, tenacity, bravery and resilience within the community from people who experienced the terrifying storm of June 10, 2021.

Fresh wave of myxomatosis concern for domestic pets

25-10-2021

RABBITS came to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 and were bred and maintained as food animals with more introduced in later years for recreational huntin

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.

Romsey Stranger winner

WHILE the pandemic killed off the Words in Winter writers’ festival for the second year, it couldn’t stop a vigorous short story competition under the theme of The Stranger.

Support for carers

19-10-2021

Local unpaid carers who selflessly support their loved ones will receive more support from the Victorian Government to help care for their own wellbeing.

Time to check assets and insurance

19-10-2021

A good insurance policy is important when it comes to preparing for the fire season, but just as important is knowing exactly what you have on your farm and in your shed.

Farm thefts – speak up

19-10-2021

Crime Stoppers Victoria is urging farmers and rural property owners across the state to speak up about theft on farms

eLearning from home

19-10-2021

A selection of online courses that can be undertaken at your own pace, at any time and from anywhere with an internet connection.

Duck survey

19-10-2021

The GMA is conducting its annual helicopter survey across Victoria to monitor the abundance of game duck populations, to help improve our knowledge of waterfowl ecology.

Mental health tools for students

20-10-2021

Schools will be able to pick the mental health tools that best match the needs of their students, with the Victorian Government’s Schools Mental Health Fund providing a suite of options to give students tailored support.

Lest We Forget

20-10-2021

Schools, ex-service organisations and community groups across Australia will soon receive resources to help them plan Remembrance Day commemorative services and activities.

New all-abilities fishing platform and kayak launch

20-10-2021

A new all-abilities fishing platform and kayak launch has been constructed along the Campaspe River, near Rochester – to provide safer access to the river as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to boost recreational activities along waterways.

Funded kindergarten

19-10-2021

The state government is making sure all children in Macedon attending a funded kindergarten program in 2022, have the right support in place to help them transition from early childhood education to the start of their formal school life.

Free access for childrens’ mental health

18-10-2021

Victorian parents and carers now have free access to dedicated online programs to support children experiencing anxiety, as part of the Victorian Government’s latest mental health funding boost.

Water win for Hepburn students

19-10-2021

Central Highlands Water commenced National Water Week celebrations with the announcement of Hepburn Primary School students winning the region’s poster competition.

Planning underway for theatre upgrade at Daylesford Hospital

19-10-2021

Central Highlands Rural Health has commenced planning for the upgrade to its theatre facilities at Daylesford Health. Regional Health Infrastructure Fund recently announced an allocation of $4.5 million for the upgrade that will re-develop the theatre and sterilising areas at the hospital.

More rental choices

18-10-2021

The Victorian Government is continuing to ensure more people have the safety, security and stability of a home, thanks to new incentives for investors to build rental properties.

Recruiting healthcare workers

18-10-2021

The Victorian Government will recruit up to a thousand healthcare workers currently living overseas, including Australian healthcare workers wanting to return home, as part of a package designed to help ease the pressure on hard-working staff in the state’s hospital system.

Agricultural shows and field days to share in $25 million Covid recovery fund

18-10-2021

Agricultural shows and field days cancelled or postponed during to the Covid-19 pandemic will be eligible to apply for the $25 million Round 2 of the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program in coming weeks.

Funding for business events

11-10-2021

The Victorian Government has expanded the National Business Events Program in further support for the business events sector in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Storm help

11-10-2021

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is continuing community recovery sessions to help local residents and landholders directly affected by storm damage.

Storm help ending

11-10-2021

Macedon Ranges Shire Council encourages residents who were impacted by the June storm, and whose property is eligible for the Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) Residential Storm and Flood Clean-up, to make sure they register by 31 October.

The Last Word: Kate Taylor is no Paralympian

11-10-2021

“YOU should be a paralympian.” What?!

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.

Building revolution

11-10-2021

THERE’S a building revolution happening – in Daylesford – and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

News from Ballarat Health

14-10-2021

As part of the state-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ballarat Base Hospital is now a designated streaming hospital for adult COVID-19 patients, as required. Ballarat Health Services will continue to provide the best possible care for our community and broader Victoria.

Speak up

11-10-2021

Macedon Ranges community is being called to action to speak up against sexist and abusive behaviours. Research demonstrates that being an active bystander can discourage perpetrators of sexist and abusive behaviour and at the same time supports the victim.

To market, to market

11-10-2021

You can find everything you need at weekend markets, from fresh fruit and veg to handmade jewellery and wares, throughout the Central Highlands and surrounds. Here are just a few.

Ageing (Dis)gracefully at Hepburn House

11-10-2021

THE Convent Gallery is proving a popular meeting place for Hepburn House's LGBTIQ initiative Ageing (Dis)gracefully.

Lauren’s continuing passion for media

11-10-2021

CLUNES local Lauren Goodrham has always had a passion for the media. Working part time as a 15-year-old camera assistant at the then Ballarat television station BTV-6 to now owning one of Australia’s leading audio agencies based in Ballarat, Lauren was instrumental in paving the way for female camera operators at a time when women were generally in front of the camera.

A gratitude page to our Local Legends!

11-10-2021

The Local asked people to tell us who is helping them through this tough time, and our readers responded. Some were quite specific and others just sent us the names of their legends. Send us more and we will print them in the next edition. Email: donna@tlnews.com.au

In brief

11-10-2021

Eight of the state government's promised mental health pop-up clinics have opened with one for the Central Highland still to appear.

New sporting facilities

11-10-2021

THE Hepburn Burras Football and Netball Club and Hepburn Cricket Club now have more room to grow, with the completion of a new, female-friendly pavilion at the Laurie Sullivan Reserve.

Affordable housing snub

11-10-2021

HEPBURN Shire has been left off the preference list for the state government's four-year $5.3 billion Big Housing Build which calls on developers and landowners in regional Victoria to put forward any developments or vacant land that could be turned into social or affordable housing.

Hospital appeal done

THE $100,000 needed for a masterplan for the Daylesford Hospital has been raised 10 weeks ahead of schedule. The committee had hoped to reach its target by Christmas but was overwhelmed with the support, passion and generosity of the Daylesford community.

Stories of the Storm

11-10-2021

SANDY Scheltema's Stories of the Storm series is supported by Hepburn Shire Council, Trentham & Districts Community Bank and the Trentham Lions Club. The series aims to showcase stories of courage, tenacity, bravery and resilience within the community from people who experienced the terrifying storm of June 10, 2021.

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.

Can you help beautiful Sadie live her best life? Woof…

11-10-2021

BEAUTIFUL Sadie is a purpose-bred golden retriever born with a hereditary genetic condition issue known as ectopic ureter(s).

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?

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.

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.

Take a bow, young writers and dreamers

The Stranger for the Words in Winter festival.

Covid-19 care factor zero in California

A FEW Fridays ago I went out for lunch with a vaccinated friend. Isn’t that a sign of the times - I don’t describe him as an old friend, a good mate, someone I’ve known since high school, who I’ve shared many adventures with over the years. No, he’s a vaccinated friend.

Hey honey!

KYNETON resident, and founder and CEO of Sweet Justice, Claire Moore, has received the inaugural Rotary Melbourne Environmental Sustainability Award in recognition of her work to support and protect the honey bee population.

Funding for Talbot

NEW outdoor exercise equipment has been installed at a park in Talbot, thanks to funding from the state government. Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas opened the Activating Talbot project last week. It was given a $150,000 investment from the Healthy Heart of Victoria initiative.

GDTA guidebook for walks and bike rides

MOST people heading out into the bush for a walk or a mountain bike ride don’t have all day, so the Great Dividing Trail Association has produced a new guidebook, consisting of walks and bike rides within the Daylesford region, all short enough to complete in four hours.

Tutor program to continue

The Victorian Government will make sure that not one school student is left behind in the wake of the pandemic, with the state’s extraordinarily successful tutor program to continue until the end of 2022.

Upgrading public care aged care facilities in Creswick

The Victorian Government is upgrading public sector residential aged care services in Western Victoria, creating new jobs and ensuring hundreds of older Victorians continue to receive the care and comfort they deserve.

Business recovery support for agriculture industry

The Victorian Government is fast-tracking the road to recovery for agriculture and food supply chain businesses in rural and regional Victoria.

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.

Creswick trails update

The planning work is continuing on the Creswick Trails Network, a project which will see delivery of 60km of mountain bike paths and a trailhead at Creswick, with council expecting to begin works next year.

Proposed renaming of Jim Crow Creek

Hepburn Shire Council is working with project partners, Mount Alexander Shire Council, North Central Catchment Management Authority and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation trading as DJAARA, on the proposed renaming of Jim Crow Creek to Larni Barramal Yaluk.

Celebrating Macedon Ranges Seniors

The Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined is back in 2021 and to celebrate, Macedon Ranges Shire Council will deliver 'celebration boxes' to 30 older residents who have made significant contributions to the Macedon Ranges community. Council’s Corporate and Community acting director Gina Lyons said this year’s festival theme of ‘keep’n on’ recognised the resilience of older people and the many different ways they contribute to our community.

Stories of the Storm

SANDY Scheltema's Stories of the Storm series is supported by Hepburn Shire Council, Trentham & Districts Community Bank and the Trentham Lions Club. The series aims to showcase stories of courage, tenacity, bravery and resilience within the community from people who experienced the terrifying storm of June 10, 2021.

Battles continue for hospitality businesses

HOSPITALITY businesses around the Central Highlands are doing it tough as Melbourne remains closed and inside limits remain at just 10 people per building.

LAST week I hired a post hole digger from the blokes at Kyneton Hire. The reason for the post hole digger procurement was as an easy way to plant a few plants that have grown too big for their pots. The cost was $90 for a 24-hour hire and when you are looking down the barrel of a dozen or so big tree holes, a bargain by anyone’s calculation.

Just sayin’… By Donna Kelly

27-09-2021

YOU will find it hard to believe but I get annoyed at times. Yep, kind, placid me. If you really want proof, just ask Kyle. Maybe don't.

The Last Word: Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club

26-09-2021

HELEN Jenkin joined the Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club as a player in 1967, before becoming secretary the following year, holding the position until 1970. She was also president for two years from 1987 and started running the juniors for 10 years from 1997.

Pothole causing costly chaos but no compo

16-08-2021

A MAJOR pothole on the Ballan-Daylesford Road near Victoria Park in Daylesford has caused thousands of dollars in damage to residents' and visitors' vehicles.

Housing policy but no quick fix on cards

16-08-2021

HEPBURN Shire Council has included funding for a strategic plan into an affordable housing policy in its June budget but there will be no quick fix.

Storm damage and relief in sight for Trentham

10-06-2021

Just a few photos of some of the damage around the region

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.

Cinema frustration

07-06-2021

THE Daylesford Cinema Committee is "frustrated, bitterly disappointed and gobsmacked" that plans for the Hepburn Hub at The Rex are being revisited by Hepburn Shire Council, with the project now being workshopped by councillors.

High tea at Daylesford Bowling Club

07-06-2021

THERE has never been a better time to indulge in a high tea - designed to take you away from reality and into a more pleasant era where people took time to sit back and indulge in decadent food and gentle conversation.

Embracing the six seasons of our land

07-06-2021

A TRADITIONAL smoking ceremony, community elders, a didgeridoo performance and a captivated audience of school children, set the scene for the unveiling of an amazing indigenous mural depicting the six main seasons of Djandak.

07-06-2021

These pigeons have certainly chosen a great perch.

Aussie rules future bright for Chloe Leonard

07-06-2021

AS ANY regular follower of Australian rules football will be aware, women’s footy has really taken off. While state based leagues emerged as far back as the 1980s it was really only in the past decade that the women’s game became professionalised.

Rush to buy regional double-edged sword

05-06-2021

ALL tiers of government need to think and act faster with Covid leading more and more people to regional lives, says REIV president Leah Calnan.

Kevin Tolhurst – a life devoted to forests and fires

01-06-2021

KEVIN Tolhurst is one of many leading Australian foresters whose career commenced with training at the Creswick School of Forestry.

The little school that could

24-05-2021

FOR 163 years, Newlyn Primary School has seen many changes in its time.

Hepburn Hub at The Rex project in doubt

24-05-2021

The current Hepburn Hub at The Rex project may be cancelled.

24-05-2021

Rod Poxon is the greens director at the Daylesford Bowling Club - and is usually there with his dog Minty.

Push for national parks

15-05-2021

MORE than 40 state, national and international groups, representing hundreds of thousands of Victorians, have called on the Victorian Government to accept recommendations for new national parks in Victoria’s central west.

Biggest Morning Tea at Daylesford Bowls Club

15-05-2021

The Daylesford Bowling Club will be busy this Monday, May 17, with a Biggest Morning Tea event at 10.30am.

Lending many helping hands to refugees

15-05-2021

GREGORY Clark joined the Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees three years ago. He heard about three Malaysian refugees living in Melton sleeping on blankets on the floor with only three plastic chairs, three cups, bowls, spoons, and an esky for a fridge.

Ford: Councillor, horticulturalist, artist

15-05-2021

THE Clunes Town Hall and Courthouse is a striking municipal building designed by Percy Oakden. Built in 1872, the distinctive building reflected the prosperity of a gold mining town in its heyday. But this is not a story about the Clunes Town Hall as such, though it is worth mentioning that the grand building has recently had a substantial makeover, returning it to its original glory.

Concern over transmission lines

15-05-2021

HEPBURN Shire Council says it continues to advocate on behalf of community groups concerned about the construction of 190km of overhead transmission lines, proposed as part of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project.

15-05-2021

Dougie the labrador is only five months old but is already hard at work at laundry service Daylesford Green.

Attitude, attendance and ability

09-05-2021

IT’S a long way from its origins in Korea, but tang soo tao has quickly become a popular martial art in Daylesford where it is being taught at the ARC at Daylesford College.

Eggs, wine: Uber balloon?

26-04-2021

AUTUMN evenings in Daylesford are peaceful affairs at Rob Alexander and Ros Marsden’s Mistover property. So when a sudden roar engulfed their house on recent afternoon, they rushed outside to investigate the menacing sound.

26-04-2021

Jay-Jay (rear) and Didak are hard working office companions for Brendan Hutchinson (front) and Troy Daff of Daylesford Country Retreats.

Lest We Forget

26-04-2021

Numbers were down at some Anzac Day services around the region, again thanks to Covid concerns.

Ambulance times cause for country concern

26-04-2021

HEPBURN Shire residents have “a valid concern” about the time it could take for an ambulance to arrive in an emergency, Mayor Lesley Hewitt has told The Local.

Creating BOOM in Clunes to avoid a bust

12-04-2021

THERE is something truly special about living in a smaller community. The sense of connectedness, caring and support, in good times and in bad, continues to live on in smaller communities across Australia, and it’s seen every day across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires.

Celebrating 40 years of the Daylesford Sunday Market

12-04-2021

DAYLESFORD Sunday Market, at Daylesford Railway Station, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Sunday, April 18 - with plenty of fun for everyone.

A century on, a dinkum digger’s medals glisten

12-04-2021

ALF Morrison of Yandoit was two months short of his 21st birthday when a bullet cut him down. Now, 104 years later, his nephew, 89-year-old Don Morrison, plans to wear replicas of Alf’s medals at the Anzac Day service in Daylesford. The two medals shine brilliantly on Don’s chest as he talks in his Yandoit home, with its glorious views of the countryside, including Mt Franklin.

12-04-2021

Belle the pug, and Lola the border collie spend their days at Tylden's Springhill Nursery & Garden working hard as therapy dogs

It’s a grave job but Alan never lost the plot

12-04-2021

ALAN Graham, gravedigger at Daylesford Cemetery, is tall and weather tanned, with the demeanour of a solitary man who has worked with his hands for a long time.

COVID vaccine roll-out in Hepburn Shire

29-03-2021

Trentham Aged Care Facility was bustling with activity and there was an air of excitement when the Grampians' mobile vaccination team from Ballarat Health Services arrived with the AstraZeneca vaccine last week to begin vaccinating aged care residents.

Peter Waters: Running his own race

29-03-2021

PETER Waters lives by two mottos…never give up and always do your best. Despite living with cerebral palsy and being a wheelchair user, Peter does just that and proudly admits he runs his own race.

29-03-2021

Molly, an 11-month-old Brittany, can be found at Quality Floorz in Daylesford with owner Jill Barker.

Good Friday Appeal

15-03-2021

EASTER is not far off, with Good Friday on April 2, and that means it's also time to donate, if you can, to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

The life and times of our Swiss Italian settlers

15-03-2021

Corruption, intrigue and damn delays and danger

Exotic fauna or a pesky pest? Still no idea!

15-03-2021

BACK in the 1880s various species of deer were introduced to Australia as game animals and their descendants remain in forests across Australia.

Beautiful blooming begonias…and bees

15-03-2021

BEGONIAS have captured the imagination of flower lovers for hundreds of years with their almost quirky and often flamboyant offerings.

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.

How Basil brewed a golden beauty

15-03-2021

LYONVILLE'S Basil Eliades was on a break down the coast when a thought struck him. Why not, he pondered, enter my vodka in an international competition. Hundreds of kilometres away at home, his wife Jane was thinking the same.

Kyneton frontline workers get COVID jab

15-03-2021

FRONTLINE workers at Central Highlands Rural Health's Kyneton campus received the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 last week.

15-03-2021

Fiona Harris adopted Luna five years ago and now she is working from home in Glenlyon, has her employed in her business, Aromatic Healing.

15-03-2021

Central Highland Limericks

Your say on the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens

08-03-2021

THE Friends of the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens committee is encouraging the local community to contribute comments to the draft Master Plan for the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens.

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.

A fungus lover’s foray into fun foraging

08-03-2021

INTEREST in foraging for wild food is on the rise, and magnificent mushrooms are very much on the menu. But if you’re gathering your own, you’ve got to get it right. From the right knowledge and equipment, to following a forager's Code of Practice.

Wild horses couldn’t keep her away

08-03-2021

THE Rolling Stones wrote a song about them and now Clunes' own resident Leslie Scott has her own incredible story about wild horses that became the focus of her life during COVID.

Travel: Water views and Western Victoria

01-03-2021

A COUPLE of weeks ago we headed over to Nagambie and then up to Moama. The first real escape in about 15 months. It was great to get away for a few nights. So good we thought we would try it again. This time, over west and down to Port Fairy.

01-03-2021

Miss Mollie, a three-year-old schmoodle, works with Father Gary Jones, the priest for St Peter’s Daylesford and St Augustine’s Creswick parishes.

The Last Word: Another shot in the arm

01-03-2021

Vaccination Part II

New category mooted for Wombat Forest

01-03-2021

THE investigation into public land in the state’s Central West region was commissioned by the Victorian Government in 2017.

Hepburn Shire’s housing crisis in focus

01-03-2021

A GROUP of Hepburn Shire residents is determined to spotlight the issues of the housing crisis in the shire.

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.

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.

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.

At one with a horse’s heart

08-02-2021

WHEN a group of 20 strangers, from all walks of life, all ages and all parts of Victoria, gathered together on a property in Drummond North last weekend to take part in a two-hour healing program involving horses, no-one really knew what to expect.

Dr Monica Nolan at the COVID front line

08-02-2021

FRANKLINFORD’S Dr Monica Nolan is among those leading the way in developing and implementing an innovative program monitoring wastewater across Victoria state for traces of the COVID pathogen as an early detection tool.

08-02-2021

Big ears and noddies

Bullarto Primary: The little school that could

08-02-2021

A TINY school nestled at the edge of the Wombat State Forest has a simple but formidable motto: Where the forest meets the school and the children greet the future. And it has never been more relevant.

15-02-2021

Silence and Pain

15-02-2021

THANKS to demand, The Local is bringing back Pets@Work. So if you know someone who has a pet at work, dog, cat, hamster, rabbit or other, let us know. Email donna@tlnews.com.au

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.

Playing games at Woodend

15-02-2021

DAVID Haines, a Woodend resident, has been playing board games for about 20 years and wondered if there were other local board game players within the community.

Plenty of attitude for those ageing in Clunes

15-02-2021

THE Clunes Senior Citizens Centre in Fraser Street had been central to the needs of its older residents since the early 1970s. Sadly 2020 and the restrictions on social gatherings brought about the dissolution of the centre and a 50-year chapter of community history came to a close. The building, with its range of meeting rooms suitable for a whole range of intellectual, physical and artistic pursuits lay empty and silent.

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.

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.

Communities rally around Brad Fernando

01-02-2021

COMMUNITIES around the Central Highlands, Ballarat, Bendigo and beyond are rallying for wine connoisseur and regional wine advocate Brad Fernando, after he was diagnosed last year with an aggressive tumour of the jaw.

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.

Loving the locks at Lake Daylesford

25-01-2021

"SHE said yes!", is inscribed in one of the many lovelocks starting to take over the spillway bridge outside the historic change rooms at Lake Daylesford.

Changing women’s lives – one pack at a time

25-01-2021

IT'S hard to imagine that in today’s day and age, girls and women across the world are denied access to basic sanitary needs. While periods are a part of every woman’s life, thousands endure unthinkable hardships, simply by being a woman.

Beating the odds with incredible will power

25-01-2021

TWENTY-three-year-old Michael Smith is nothing short of inspirational. The Macedon Ranges resident has overcome the odds to become an inspirational role model for others and to prove that anything is possible even when you are paralysed on one side and unable to enjoy all the things able-bodied people do.

Staying positive about the live music scene

25-01-2021

IF you’re a musician you definitely know how abysmal last year was for getting out and showcasing your music. And if you think it was bad in the capital cities, spare a thought for the people operating in regional areas like here.

A shot in the arm

25-01-2021

ON JANUARY 16 I received a COVID-19 vaccination. This is how it happened.

The Last Word – A pandemic reading guide

18-01-2021

IT LOOKED like Victoria had beaten COVID-19 into submission, and then new cases began leaking in from NSW.

Bread tags: From little things big things grow

18-01-2021

BREAD tags, those pesky coloured plastic squares used to close bags of bread, are in high demand. From Woodend, and all across Australia, they are collected and recycled to fund wheelchairs for disadvantaged South Africans.

Why not everyone’s a fan of a solar farm

18-01-2021

IT’S hard to find anyone today who is not in agreement about the need to find alternative replacements to fossil fuels. A recent poll by the Lowy Institute found 84 per cent of Australians believe that governments should increase investment in this area.

Pandemic pivot: Seat swap for Steve

18-01-2021

AS THE the events of the year 2020 played themselves out across the world, perhaps one of the most visual manifestations of its far-reaching effects was the sight of dozens of aircraft lined up at disused airports across the world. Grounded almost instantly as international and domestic travel ground to a halt when borders closed, it was certainly not a good time to be holding your life savings in airline company stock.

Rewiring neural pathways part of healthy ageing

18-01-2021

THERE is a commonly held assumption that as people get older they tend to fall into rigid habits and are less able to quickly learn and acquire new forms of knowledge. As people enter their 50s and 60s there may just be an element of truth in such assumptions; at least if one does not take steps to disprove them.

One step forward… the Hepburn Hub

21-12-2020

THERE is no doubt, the Hepburn Hub at The Rex in Vincent Street, Daylesford has been an absolute disaster from the outset.

Magic hour in the Wombat Forest

21-12-2020

MOVING can become a habit with some people. Carol and I drifted through our share of flats and houses in St Kilda and Elwood before we finally settled on a five-acre block in Wheatsheaf. It wasn’t that we were stuck, or had lost the urge to pack up and go, it’s just that the thought of living anywhere else just didn’t quite feel right.

Bland life in Clunes

21-12-2020

THE site of the old Port Phillip Mine in Clunes is nothing but an intriguing pile of dirt and gorse these days. But while every scrap of plant and infrastructure has been long obliterated, the remains still dominate the heart of the town.

Joan looks back on sowing her wild Oates

21-12-2020

THE many friends of Joan Oates remark on her capacity to respond to life with grit and determination. She is seen as a shining example of independence and strength, with a wonderful, sometimes wicked, sense of humour and a sharp, observant mind.

21-12-2020

Back tracking

Kerryn Wildenburg: Out of the darkness, into the light

21-12-2020

THERE are people in this world who are so truly inspirational, that it’s hard to know where to begin to tell their story.

Pandemic has brought people back to reality: Don

21-12-2020

CR DON Henderson asks to meet me at Caleembeen Park. He proudly tells me he was recently successful in achieving funding after lobbying for 12 years for upgrades at the popular swimming spot, including making it more accessible for those with disabilities.

Group taking action on vegetable front

21-12-2020

MANY readers find statistics and reports awfully tedious, so let’s get them out of the way right now.

Lighting up Trentham

21-12-2020

TRENTHAM Houses have been vying for the title of best Christmas decorations.

A very Christmassy Clunes

21-12-2020

Christmas lights in Clunes!

Harry’s Lights in West Street Daylesford

21-12-2020

HARRY Scascighinis's lights in West Street have been a Daylesford institution for more than 20 years. He started off small. They all start off small but then the obsession grows.

Welcome to Dollywood

14-12-2020

IT’S no secret that Daylesford and the wider region is a destination of choice for many in the public eye. Some say it’s because they can enjoy privacy. For others it’s a place to blend in with the locals and tourists alike.

Cr Juliet Simpson reviving a family tradition

14-12-2020

THE new councillor for Holcombe Ward is Juliet Simpson, and her connections to the area go back to the late 19th century. Her great-great grandfather, William Stanbridge, settled in the district before the gold rush four generations ago and became a sheep farmer.

Out of the frying pan…

14-12-2020

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. "Out of the frying pan…into ???. In the fourth of our series, former Glenlyon resident Jill de Vos, pictured far right, talks about life in Europe with partner Shelley Beer, right, aboard their boat SV Eucalyptus.

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.

Volunteering role leads to Clunes councillor move

07-12-2020

COUNCILLOR Tessa Halliday’s infectious smile lights up her face as many locals driving past slow down to wave and chat.

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.

No picnic at Hanging Rock

07-12-2020

WHEN Dr Amy Spiers, artist, writer and researcher, chose Woodend’s Hanging Rock to study as part of her artistic research into a significant Australian landmark, she had no idea where her work would take her.

War on waste

07-12-2020

A GROUP of Hepburn Shire residents has recently started their own war on waste - and they're looking for input from the wider community to collaborate and contribute across the shire's communities.

Out of the frying pan…into???

07-12-2020

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.

Out of the frying pan…

30-11-2020

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. "Out of the frying pan…into ???. In the second of our series, former Daylesford resident Helen Greenwood talks about life in Tasmania with her husband Andy and pooch Chewie.

Keeping up with the Joneses in Clunes

30-11-2020

MOST people are aware of Clunes’ gold mining history. It was home to Victoria's first registered discovery, made by one William Campbell in 1850. Up to the 1890s, gold powered the town’s growth and gave it many fine buildings which survive relatively intact from ornate public halls to austere worker cottages.

Principal and staff rise to COVID challenge

30-11-2020

DAYLESFORD Primary School, the oldest and longest running school in the town, has seen a lot of changes in its 155-year history.

To bee, or not to bee

30-11-2020

BEE friendly. Bee friendly to each other and bee friendly to those busy, buzzing, winged creatures currently swarming in big noisy clumps all around the Central Highlands.

Vision for sustainable future for Hepburn Shire

30-11-2020

Cr Tim Drylie arrives for his photo shoot in an electric car, which he is using to run test drives as part of the Hepburn Wind EV Bulk Buy. He enthusiastically tells me how he’ll plug it in to the power point when he gets home to recharge it. One of two new councillors for Creswick Ward, he has a vision for a sustainable future for the shire.

Mayor back at Macedon Ranges

30-11-2020

WEST Ward Cr Jennifer Anderson, inset below, has been elected for a one-year mayoral term with Macedon Ranges Shire Council. It is the fourth time Cr Anderson will serve as mayor, having previously been elected in 2014/15, 2016/17 and 2017/18.

New mayor for Hepburn Shire

30-11-2020

HEPBURN Shire Council has elected Cr Lesley Hewitt (Birch Ward) and Cr Brian Hood (Coliban Ward) as Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

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.

Ray Spencer – Creswick’s own forestry pioneer

23-11-2020

DR RAY Spencer has worn many hats over the years. A Creswick local, he travelled the world as a forestry and urban planning professional with his young family and later as an internationally renowned forest industry expert.

Home grown and hand made at Trentham

23-11-2020

IRENE and Andrew Brooks have been at their Trentham East/North Blackwood property for 12 years. In that time they have turned a hectare over to a diversified cultivation of fruit trees and market gardens.

23-11-2020

MELBOURNE is a great place for walking. One thing I loved about the tram network was how much exercise I got from walking all through the city.

Woodend Warblers back to full rehearsals

23-11-2020

BACK in April 2018 Andrew Price saw a post on the Woodend Community Ponderings Facebook page that piqued his interest. Someone had written: ‘Would like to organise a small singing group – any ponderers who would be interested in coordinating?’

Council to provide for the needs of community

23-11-2020

JEN Bray is one of the two new councillors for Birch Ward and is well known in the Hepburn Shire for her extensive work on community issues. Her commitment to projects such as the Daylesford Skate Park, festivals, youth, and improving the schools, led to many people encouraging her to run as councillor in the recent elections.

A bell helps give new life to a Blackwood

23-11-2020

A LINK with one of the world’s most famous bells has been found in the tiny town of Blackwood, a discovery that is now part of its renewal.

16-11-2020

Ring of steel

Horsin’ around in the family

16-11-2020

THE Conroy family are well known in the harness racing industry and have run trotting training stables in Daylesford since Bob and Pat Conroy bought a five-hectare bush block south of the town in the 1950s. Up to the time he passed in 2017, Bob was a familiar sight in Hepburn Regional Park where he would often venture to exercise his horses.

Out to Africa: and now helping from here

16-11-2020

A SHY eight-year-old fights to survive alone on what she can find on a rubbish tip in one of Africa’s poorest nations. Fast forward 11 years and, having aced all her exams, Kadiutu waits to see if she’s off to uni to study business.

16-11-2020

California schemin’ The United States of America staged one of its quaint cultural rituals on November 3. Yanks call it election day, but this iteration of the festival elongated into an election week, with the possibility of it becoming election month looming like a 500-kilogram bull moose in the headlights

3bears: Just right

16-11-2020

ON A 48-acre farm in Tylden, a small family with a love for country living, ethically grown food and a passion for feeding people, is living their dream. 3bearsfarm is home to Tim, Madeleine and baby Leela along with 300 very happy chooks, a small herd of South Devon cattle and four incredibly loyal alpacas, who not only provide a great source of amusement, but guard the chooks’ mobile caravan with their lives.

Communication, better performance, Trentham

16-11-2020

With six of the seven councillors recently elected to the Hepburn Shire, being new to the game, a sense of optimism and hope exists for more positive interactions between community and council. This weekly series by Sandy Scheltema will explore the new councillors' hopes and wishes for the shire.

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.

Melbourne returns

14-11-2020

With the ring of steel down, Melburnians were keen to get back to the regions including the Central Highlands of Victoria.

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.

Clunes history

09-11-2020

THE Independent Order of Rechabites is a fraternal organisation founded in England in 1835. Founded by a group of Methodists in Manchester, its name was lifted from the nomadic, teetotaller Rechabites of the Old Testament.

Noel shadowing This Farm Needs a Farmer

09-11-2020

ONE day in 2015, Melissa Connors struck up a conversation with retired farmer, the late Noel Jenner, who passed by her property every day. She said how dedicated he was to be walking every day no matter the weather. He said: “I am off the farm now, so what else can I do with my time?”

Macedon Ranges Shire: The tribe has spoken

09-11-2020

THERE are six new faces in Macedon Ranges Shire Council with just three councillors returned including West Ward’s former mayor Janet Pearce and Jennifer Anderson, and East Ward’s Bill West.

Hepburn Shire Council: The tribe has spoken

09-11-2020

CRESWICK Ward's Don Henderson is the only former Hepburn Shire Council councillor to remain standing after the October 2020 election. And four of the new councillors are candidates supported by lobby group Community Voice after agreeing to align with the group's charter.

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.

Love of all things fishing leads to kids’ club

02-11-2020

FINN Masuda is seven years old and loves fishing. His parents Hiroshi and Meaghan have a video of him, not much more than one year old, trying to take the rod off his dad and have a go by himself.

Finally, it’s time to smell (and taste) the roses

02-11-2020

MARCH 18, 2020. This date is stamped into many people’s memories as the day everything shut. Among them is Lauren Richardson, grower of edible flowers in Glenlyon.

Chainsaws v. trees: the Buangor battle continues

02-11-2020

A DAYLESFORD family has been relieved by a court ordering a halt to the chain-sawing of ancient gum trees on the Western Highway.

Guiding a school in the time of COVID-19

26-10-2020

WITH all students in regional Victoria now back face-to-face, principal of Daylesford College Steve MacPhail reflects on the challenges of guiding his school through months of lockdown and a global pandemic.

Simple life and ethical farming

26-10-2020

WIFE and husband farming team Catherine Taumoefolau-Evans and Bohdan Evans with their three children Angus, Hepi and Leon, have returned to a simpler life.

Restoring Park Lake to its former glory

19-10-2020

CRESWICK’S Park Lake Botanical Reserve turns 160 this year, but celebrations are on hold until April 18, 2021.

The quick brown fox always in Barry’s sights

19-10-2020

BARRY is a skilled shooter. His specialty is eradicating introduced feral animals and he is very good at it. But you won’t find him advertising his work in the paper or online. He prefers to remain anonymous.

Of fish, massive gold and blackberries: Laurie’s world

19-10-2020

YARNING with Laurie Mitchell starts with the strange disappearance of the name plaque from the Daylesford Angling Club rooms, moves into decades of fishing contests, diverts into a fabulous gold find, and even makes its way to home building a hand-hewn, earthen-floored miner’s hut.

A life-saving project within your back fence

19-10-2020

A LONG road for a pair of former journalists runs from country Queensland to a nursery at Tylden.

On becoming a local

05-10-2020

DISCLAIMER: The following is an approximation of actual events, some of which may have occurred as described. My relationship with the folks at The Local was cemented over common interests and a question of propriety.

Keeping us to account

05-10-2020

I HAD left my full-time job in July 2015 and started my own business. I looked at the first invoice I sent to The Local, it was in November 2015.

Design with The Local

05-10-2020

LOCAL being the operative word. It goes with other words such as care, support, friendship, interest, meaningful, current, conscientious, convenient and beneficial.

Journalist, paperboy… living the dream

05-10-2020

I WAS born in Queensland and came to Victoria as a kid when the family purchased a farm in north east Victoria in the late 70s. Both my parents were into fine art and Dad made a good career out of it. Mum spent her time reading, running a horse stud and breeding cattle.

Dianne: Really connecting the community

05-10-2020

When Kyle and Donna asked me to write a piece for the 200th edition about how I started working with them, I really didn’t know how I would form the words that would show my appreciation to them both for taking me on as a member of the crew.

Kate Taylor rocking the look with her awards

05-10-2020

IT ALL started with a pile of rocks that ended in an award. Well, kind of. A few years ago, my husband decided we should go for a drive around Hepburn looking at the old-school drystone walls. I had to try and turn it into something that would interest me – a story. It turned out that they’re actually pretty interesting, as well as being a popular geo-tourism attraction.

Nick and Lindsay, keeping the typos at bay

05-10-2020

BOTH Melbourne born and bred, in 2007 we decided, like numerous other city slickers before and since, to opt for a tree-change. We moved to Daylesford in early 2008, and met and became friends with Kyle and Donna the same year, through our involvement with the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre.

Blizzards, ferret bites, all in a day’s work

05-10-2020

It’s not very often you’ll see an ad saying “Photographer Wanted” but back in May 2015 while reading The Local one magically appeared before my eyes.

When telling your story is such a joy

05-10-2020

IT MAY be something as superficially simple as the renaming of a creek. Or as sad as the wanton shooting of a pet pig near Wombat State Forest.

The Local celebrates its 200th edition

05-10-2020

ONE thing the pandemic has done is bring us to Edition 200 much quicker than we had planned.

Butch’s model a hit on top auction site

21-09-2020

A MODEL replica of the Glenlyon Shire Hall made by Hepburn’s Butch Tori has sold on prestigious auction site Leonard Joel for $600. The asking price was $200-$300.

Working towards a new COVID normal

14-09-2020

REGIONAL Victoria was set to open “imminently”, Daylesford Macedon Tourism CEO Steve Wroe has told The Local.

Daylesford Post Office – Legends of Lockdown

14-09-2020

LUKE Zu and Steve Mason from Daylesford Post Office are the latest nominations for Legends of Lockdown.

Come for the house, stay for the community

07-09-2020

ANGELA Flowers says, with a laugh, that when you buy in Clunes you don't just get a house, you get a community.

Soup solace

07-09-2020

ON A cold wintry night in the depths of a pandemic affecting everyone, a warming fire and hot soup provided by the Daylesford Community Church offers nourishment, solace, a sympathetic ear and social contact.

The tail of three dogs

31-08-2020

WE VERY nearly lost our Scout last week. Scout is a smooth-haired Jack Russell terrier. She came into our lives in 2003 - she was a puppy when we bought her in a pet shop in Woodend.

Australia’s Best Pie at Kyneton!

31-08-2020

KYNETON'S Country Cob Bakery has done a hat trick, taking out the Baking Association of Australia's Best Pie for the third year in a row.

To the Woodend community, with love…

31-08-2020

HELLO. My name is Aubrey, and I would like to tell you a story. It is an awesome story about kindness. I am learning to read, but can’t write yet, so I have asked my Mama to share this story with you.

Hiroshi enjoying soccer again and winning

24-08-2020

HIROSHI Masuda started playing soccer in grade 2 at primary school – and as was the way with the country at the time, pretty much trained at least five days a week after school.

New grassroots movement launched

24-08-2020

A NON-political grassroots movement, Community Voice, has been launched in Hepburn Shire and already has 643 members on Facebook.

24-08-2020

Fairy Tale Ending

Melbourne buyers on their way

24-08-2020

MELBOURNE residents, tired of lockdown and now realising they can work from home, are beating a path to the Central Highlands, real estate agents have told The Local.

Loss of land use rights concerns residents

24-08-2020

A GROUP of residents are concerned that a Hepburn Shire planning scheme amendment will remove their rights in terms of land use and development.

Coles Woodend – Legends of Lockdown

24-08-2020

STAFF at Coles Woodend have been nominated as The Local's Legends of Lockdown.

Banding together for craft and company

24-08-2020

YOU might think a brass band which can’t play together, thus no longer a band, would give their instruments a miss during a global pandemic, but you would be wrong.

Tradie Torque

17-08-2020

CHRIS Kendall has been painting houses for 19 years now and still enjoys his work – just don’t ask him for a really early start, like 3am. The Bullarto resident tried his hand as an apprentice baker for about six months after high school but didn’t like the early hours. Bricklaying was also not his thing.

Game, set and healthy match

17-08-2020

IT’S a great, and healthy, match. Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club and Hepburn Wholefoods Collective have come together, with the latter sharing the club’s rooms to offer organic, local food to the community.

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.

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.

Tonnas- Legends of Lockdown

17-08-2020

TONNA'S Fruit & Vegetables have been nominated as The Local's latest Legends of Lockdown.

17-08-2020

Local Lines

Chrissy busy taking part in community life

10-08-2020

LENDING a hand comes very naturally to Chrissy Austin. After spending the past 16 years working in the community sector, as well as having a background in working with refugee and multicultural communities, she’s now the chair of the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre board.

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

Balancing community work with paid work

03-08-2020

Gina Lyons is busy balancing community work with paid work.

Roger McLean – a Legend of Lockdown

03-08-2020

Herbal Lore's Roger McLean is The Local's latest Legend of Lockdown.

03-08-2020

Journalist Jeff Glorfeld wonders if he is an influencer.

The Many Humans Of Clunes

29-06-2020

BARBARA Curzon-Siggers is a particularly fascinating human of Clunes.

An Aussie in America Part 2

29-06-2020

I was already overdue for a haircut in late March, when California issued its first coronavirus shutdown orders.

Vale John Madigan: July 21, 1966 – June 16, 2020

22-06-2020

JOHN Madigan was born into a Catholic family and belonged to a youth group run by the National Civic Council founder, B.A. Santamaria, in Melbourne.

Changing Times:

22-06-2020

The times they are a-changing, So Bob Dylan sang some time ago.

22-06-2020

The Coodabeens’ light-hearted football-centred banter is a much-needed respite from our regular news diet of COVID-19.

Queen’s Birthday honour for Judith Fawcett

15-06-2020

SHE has just received a Queen’s Birthday honour for her services to the community of Clunes but really, Judith Fawcett isn’t one for all the fuss.

Vale Betty 1932 – 2020

01-06-2020

OK, Mum is a true Frankston girl, born and bred.

Vale Bill Hickey 1940 – 2020

18-05-2020

MANY people could write the story of William Thomas Hickey...

Creating beautiful floral displays for all

18-05-2020

DENISE Robinson’s work is truly beautiful and even more than that, she is a beautiful person.

Confessions from the great Glenlyon Confest

18-05-2020

THE Hare Krishnas were making meals. Just about everyone else was making love.

Life changed with simple diet and exercise

11-05-2020

DAYLESFORD’S "Big" Dale Callahan is big no more. The 56-year-old has lost a massive 102kg in just 40 weeks.

From sport to army to hospitality: a great story

11-05-2020

FROM international squash tournaments to the Israeli Army, to The Boathouse Restaurant, Claire Levine has a hell of a story.

Storytelling online throughout COVID-19

04-05-2020

THERE are many ways to tell a story – and Anne E Stewart knows all of them.

Recognition for Dallas’s ongoing work

30-03-2020

JUST talking to Dallas Kinnear is inspiring. So, if you put together all of the amazing work she has done towards creating a better environment ...

Big contributions lead to honour roll

30-03-2020

IT’S Loretta Little’s big contributions to her community that have seen her inducted into Hepburn Shire’s Heather Mutimer Women’s Honour Roll.

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.

How to sustain wildlife in Hepburn Shire

23-03-2020

GLENLYON resident Jill Teschendorff and Wombat Forestcare have produced a new book.

Citizen of the Year

10-02-2020

It’s traditional for the award to be given to one person, one citizen, and David is certainly well deserving of the nod.

2020 great time to visit Dubai’s World Expo

10-02-2020

IT IS coming up to a great time to visit Dubai with the World Expo looming from October 20.

Our Newest Australians

27-07-2020

ZIG Zag Wines owners Harriet and Henry Churchill became some of the nation’s newest citizens on Saturday night.

Australia Day awards

27-01-2020

AUSTRALIA Day ceremonies were held by Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shire councils with recognition given to both citizens and events.