History

2026 Community Awards

June 2, 2026

Hepburn Shire Council’s Community Awards have recognised the valuable contribution of community members and volunteers in the shire. The awards were presented during Volunteer Week. Citizen of the Year went to Daylesford’s Frank Page, Event of the Year went to to art event Radical Fields and was accepted by Glenlyon’s Ryan Kennedy and the Hepburn […]

Joan Pickering’s life’s work – doing for others

June 1, 2026

The first time I met Smeaton’s Joan Pickering she was encouraging a craft group at Daylesford Library to weave vintage lace, wool and fabric into future projects. Joan, now 86, was clearly in her element after being taken by a community carer to see for herself where surplus materials, sent to the group on earlier […]

Outdoor dining

May 21, 2026

Hepburn Shire Council has received several questions and comments regarding outdoor dining and trading permits, specifically around Burke Square in Daylesford. A media release said outdoor dining was an important amenity across the shire and the council acknowledged its importance to both community and businesses. “We are preparing to complete a comprehensive review of our […]

$607,000 TO SUPPORT BALLARAT’S HISTORIC TRADES HALL

May 8, 2026

The federal government is continuing to deliver for regional communities, with more than $23 million committed to four Victorian projects under the latest round of the $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. The funding will support projects across regional, rural and remote Australia, driving local jobs, economic growth and more resilient regional communities. This […]

New Voice For Aboriginal Children And Young People

May 8, 2026

Aboriginal children and young people will have a new advocate in the Commission for Children and Young People. Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has announced that Dharug man Dallas Widdicombe has been appointed as Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People. Mr Widdicombe brings expertise in child and family welfare and executive leadership experience at national, state […]

Trailblazers Join Aboriginal Honour Roll

May 8, 2026

First Nations trailblazers have been recognised for their contributions at the Aboriginal Honour Roll Ceremony. Minister Ros Spence inducted 10 new artists, advocates and activists onto the 14th Honour Roll. They join 158 First Nations Victorians recognised for achievements across arts, education, health, sport and community leadership. The 2026 inductees are: Uncle Henry Atkinson, a […]

Just sayin’…

May 7, 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. I used to be the editor of a newspaper that covered Sandringham and Brighton. I regularly had people getting in touch to say it was “all about Sandringham” […]

Our region’s history with Natalie Poole

May 6, 2026

Johann (John) Konrad Vorbach was born on November 28, 1826 in Nieder-Wiesel, Germany, the illegitimate child of Katharina Lander.   The father was Wilhelm Vorbach from Holzhausen, Germany. Wilhelm was present at the baptism of his child and gave the boy his family name. Katharina later married Nikolaus Winter. John moved to England in 1842 […]