Words and main image: Eve Lamb

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.

The story that ran in the April 7 edition reported a tree planting ceremony held back in March in Daylesford’s Avenue of Honour on Daylesford-Malmsbury Road.

The tree being planted was to honour the memory of Private Thomas Alfred Chaplain, Noel’s great uncle who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War One.

Born in 1882, the young Thomas had attended Daylesford State School and later worked as a miner but in May 1915 as WWI raged he enlisted, joining the 26th Infantry Battalion of the Australian  Imperial Force.

The 26th Battalion was a unit raised from Queensland and Tasmania, part of the 7th Brigade and Thomas became among the first Australians to provide reinforcements at Gallipoli, landing there in early September 1915.

Thomas and his battalion endured the brutal conditions of the peninsula – steep terrain, relentless enemy fire, disease and hunger as they played a key role in holding the line at the infamous Lone Pine and Russell’s Top, where trenches were so close that battles were fought not just with bullets, but with grenades and bayonets.

Sadly, it was in these conditions that Thomas fell ill with dysentery, a fate that claimed many young men in the trenches of Gallipoli. He was evacuated to a hospital ship, but succumbed to his illness on the 8th of November 1915.

Thomas was buried at sea, far from his Daylesford home, yet forever remembered on the Lone Pine Memorial in Turkey (Turkiye).

Now aged 82, his great nephew Noel says the story in The Local caught his eye for obvious reasons.Noel’s mother, Marion Ewer (nee Chaplain) was Thomas’s niece.

“My grandfather Robert  was Thomas’s elder brother,” says Noel.

“I’m 82 now and as far as I know I’m the last of my mother’s family, probably the last of the Chaplain line.  I’m not aware of any others.”

Noel has a photos of his maternal grandfather, Robert (Thomas’ brother) and of his own mother Marion (Thomas’ niece), but unfortunately no photos of Thomas himself. He values the information he has been able to amass about his Great Uncle Thomas and says he wouldn’t have known anything about the recent Avenue tree planting in Thomas’ honour had he not read the recent article.

“I was quite pleased to see it,” says Noel who’s been living in Blackwood for about 35 years now.

“We had been to the RSL in Dayleford a couple of years back and they showed us a history book done by local school kids that records all the Daylesford soldiers that went to World War I, including Thomas, and I had been told a little bit of the history. I knew his name was on the war memorial.

“My (maternal) grandfather Robert, his elder brother, worked as a bullock driver and there was also another older brother called William who was also a bullock driver but he never married.”

Suffice to say, visiting the historic Daylesford Avenue of Honour now offers added cause for a little quiet reflection for Noel as he remembers his Great Uncle Thomas and watches the tree that’s been planted in his memory slowly grow with the years.

Coming up next Saturday, the annual Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers an action-packed day out for the whole family.

The Carnival begins  with a street parade, followed by the woodchop and live music, plus loads of  fun stuff.

Carnival organisers say those who get along this year can expect plenty of gumboot throwing, the popular pet  show, treasure hunt, kids novelty  games and races, face-painting, a tug-o-war, market stalls, delicious eats and licensed bars.

It all happens at the beautiful  Blackwood Recreation Reserve.  See you there, Saturday, April 19 from 10am to 6pm.  

Image: Contributed  

Blackwood – A Haven in the Hills is the name of a poem by the late Grace  Rayner. It is all about the village’s rich history and scenic beauty.  

And it has also provided much of the inspiration for new Blackwood Hotel owners Jerry and Jess.  The couple, with their two young children, have been locals of Blackwood for more than seven years.

They also have plenty of hospitality experience with other venues including two in Docklands where their Cargo and Berth, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, host annual Christmas Day Brunches for those less fortunate.  

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

The fantastically renovated pub opened over the January long weekend and it has been pumping with plenty of local support, and visitors keen to find a real country hotel again.  

Kyle and I headed there on Saturday and were met by Jerry, as was pretty much every customer as they arrived. Along with meeting and greeting, Jerry is also hands-on with serving, pouring drinks behind the bar and even cleaning tables.

Busy but  relaxed and clearly enjoying his latest venture, Jerry showed us to our table by the window in the dining room. There’s also a  dog friendly verandah and an inviting bar.

We opted to leave the food selection up to  him – a great idea.  Three entrees arrived – the sizzling saganaki with peppered figs ($16), hummus with caramelised onion, sumac and flat bread ($12) and Asian glazed pork belly with sticky soy ($20). All fantastic.

I love saganaki but this absolutely hit the next level with the sweet and slightly spicy figs. Kyle’s favourite was the pork belly, tender meat  with crunchy crackling.  

Next up, the mains, a very decent sized Parwan Valley porterhouse with chips, salad and a huge round of garlic herb butter ($45) and the barramundi atop cashew cream with green beans, roasted tomatoes and a fennel and herb salad ($38).  

Jerry couldn’t have known but this was the perfect pairing. I am not much of a  meat eater but while Kyle rarely has steak, he pretty much ate the lot. “I don’t need a  steak knife,” was about all I got out of him for a while.  

Buying from Parwan Valley is just part of Jerry and Jess’ ethos to shop as local as possible. (They are also providing work for locals – with a crew of 20 plus –  Blackwood’s biggest employer!)  

The barra was amazing. Perfectly cooked with crisp skin and firm flesh atop the  veggies and cream. And these are big serves – no-one is going home hungry from Blackwood.

We didn’t do dessert, we couldn’t.

But there’s sticky date pudding and choc mousse ($15 each) and a seasonal sorbet ($12).  It’s not a huge menu but it covers all the bases and every dish is done well, something I think most people appreciate these days. I think the days of broadsheet sized menus is well and truly over – or should be.  

The Blackwood Hotel is a great country pub and I am sure it will be one of those places long talked about as it reclaims its place in the history of not only the town but also the region.

I love the “real” front entrance, not a side door, the nod to its past with some of the original wallpaper left up and framed, a front bar with a bar  you can actually sit at, staff with big smiles and the sound of friendly banter.  

Oh, I nearly forgot the drinks. Plenty of beers from the tap, a good choice of wines by the glass, nothing overly expensive. As I said, a good country pub.  See you there. I’d give you an address but just find Blackwood. You can’t miss it.  

Link: www. blackwoodhotel.com.au Words & images: Donna Kelly  

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.

Richard managed the building of both the Lerderderg and Leanganook tracks on behalf of the Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA)

He had great knowledge of central Victorian plants and initiated a flora guide for the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club.

In 2013, he won Bushwalking Victoria’s Distinguished Service Award (Gold) for his role in advancing the development of recreational bushwalking in Victoria. He was a founding member of the Old Scotch Collegians’ Walking Club.

Richard was a contributor to our community in many  ways: as a member of the Great Dividing Trail Association, the Field Naturalists Club and the Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests and as a volunteer for the Chewton Domain Society and the Castlemaine Tourist Information Centre.

His detailed knowledge of the natural history of the Goldfields region made him an invaluable contributor to field guides of the area and a knowledgeable leader for many bushwalks in the region.

Richard moved to Melbourne to be close to his children some years ago. He had been sick for some time, but this did not stop him from regularly travelling by train to Castlemaine to volunteer in the Tourist Information Centre or to go on bush forays with Field Naturalists and FOBIF.

As late as last March, Richard attended the Blackwood launch of the GDTA’s interpretive signage project on the Lerderderg Track.

Richard loved our local bush and was a knowledgeable and engaging companion to have on our many bushwalks.

He was always ready to provide advice to volunteer organisations and land managers about maintaining, developing and protecting our natural heritage.

His passing is a loss not just to his family and friends, but to the wider community as a whole.

Richard leaves behind two daughters, Fran and Cecilia, and many grandchildren, who he absolutely adored.

His family held a private funeral and planned to scatter his ashes on Mount Alexander/Lianganook, which was, for him, a happy place.

There are two memorial services planned for Richard; a family memorial will be held in The Gleeson Centre in the Darebin Parklands, Separation Street, Alphington on Friday, February 7, from 1pm.

On Saturday, February 15, the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club will host a memorial in the Former Tea Rooms at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens starting at 3pm.

His knowledge, his friendship and his contributions will be long remembered.

This obituary & Images: Supplied GDTA

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.

The 1885 wedding gown of  Sarah Trewhella will go on display  from Saturday, October 26.  And in the lead-up to its public  exhibition, professional textile conservator, Hepburn’s Larry Edwards will be giving a  guest talk on the specialised processes used to bring this salvaged item of social history ‘back to life’.  

Larry’s guest talk, at 11am on Thursday, October 24, will be open to the general public (following a similar booked-out presentation for D&DHS members).  

The linen, cotton and silk tulle lace number was worn by Sarah Trewhella (nee Hosking) upon her marriage to Ben Trewhella on January 7, 1885 at her parents’  home at Simmons Reef, Blackwood.

For many decades after that special day it had languished in a box, its considerable beauty fading with each passing year.

But in recent times, assisted by some funding through the Rosalind Pyers Memorial conservation support fund, the museum has been able to draw on Larry’s  expertise to bring the glorious garment back to be publicly admired afresh.  

The museum’s Gary Lawrence says the treasured retro wedding dress will be on display through to the end of the year, while Larry’s talk promises to be a must  for anyone interested in textile and fabric conservation, vintage fashions – or social  history.

 Words: Eve Lamb  

ARIA Award winner C.W. Stoneking will headline this month’s popular annual Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival.

The carnival was crowned Winner of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year 2023.

Now in its 122nd year, the event offers an action-packed day out for the whole family on Saturday, March 30. It features one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in Victoria, attracting competitors from across the state.

The carnival begins with a street parade, followed by a host of activities including tug-o-war, gumboot throwing, pet show and novelty races.

This year’s live music program is absolutely top-notch. One of the fabulous headline acts is none other than ARIA Award winner C.W. Stoneking.

It’s difficult to summarise all that this genre-spanning artist has to offer – old-time bluesman, potent storyteller, songwriter, guitarist and banjo player. C.W. himself describes his style as “Hokum Blues”, a musical brew influenced by pre-war blues, ragtime, vaudevillian tunes, old hillbilly songs, jazz, and calypso.

Another incredible headline act is four-piece band Austral – hot favourites on the folk festival circuit. Austral is a high-energy, Australian tunes band combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high powered fiddling, journeying songs and energetic foot percussion.

Also on the bill is Scots singer Fiona Ross. She’ll be joined by fellow songstress Christine Kydd, who’ll be visiting from Scotland. There will be bluegrass from Hardrive, old-time from The Greater Glider Stringband and Celtic tunes from Is the Big Man Within?.

With market stalls, food vans, licensed bars and an abundance of fun, family-friendly activities – the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers something for everyone.

Tickets are on sale now with kids under 15 free of charge. Link: www.blackwood3458.com.au | www.trybooking.com/COPBM

See you in Blackwood.

Organisers of the Blackwood Collaborative 2024 Artist Series Songwriting Retreats say they’ve staged a coup by gathering the talents of some of Australia’s best songwriters and musicians for a two-day songwriting workshop series to be held in Blackwood.

An impressive roster of talented Australian writers will be offering insights into their own song writing processes and helping to guide workshop guests through the often difficult process of getting their own musical ideas realised, Ben Sims says

Among the array of professionals on offer for the weekend retreats will be solo artist Charles Jenkins (pictured above) of ‘Ice Cream Hands’ fame, kicking off the first event of the series on the 18th and 19th of May by hosting “Techniques to help your songs make a more powerful connection with the listener” and singer/songwriter, and member of the beloved indie rock band ‘Clouds’ front woman Jodi Phillis.

The workshop series will also include events focused on film and TV scoring and instrumental composition and arranging, Ben says.

Those keen to book a spot can head to Blackwood-collaborative.com to join the mailing list and check out the full roster of Artists on offer, organisers say.

The tiny town of Blackwood is getting set to host an impressive line-up of live music and dance when it stages the Blackwood Festival of Music and Culture over December 2-3.

The line-up preparing to play the Blackwood Hall features the Foghorn Stringband from USA, and includes:

‘Is The Big Man Within’, Greater Glider Stringband, Johnny Can’t Dance, Mick Coates and The Shallow Gravediggers, Rhiz and The Sugarplums, Fingerbone Bill, Pete Daffy Trio, Cross-Eyed Cat, Gumbo Express, The Rummagers, The Strating Sisters, The Free Wheelers, Daffy and Rhiannon and Blue Mount Stringband

There’ll also be workshops and dance including country dance and cajun zydeco dance followed by a dance featuring Foghorn Stringband, Sound Bath meditation, a singer circle trad session, traditional bluegrass, old time, and Irish sessions

Organisers say there’ll also be food trucks and other refreshment options including a cocktail bar.

The Moorabool Shire Council says it’s received state government confirmation that construction has begun on an energy back-up system at Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park.

The new energy back-up system is expected to be able to be used during an emergency event, such as a fire or storms.

The system has been funded under the government’s Energy Resilience Systems program, which will fund solar panels, batteries and back-up generators to 23 community buildings located in areas at high risk of bushfire or storm activity.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Ally Munari said it was pleasing Blackwood was one of the 23 areas, as the town could benefit from the energy back-up hub if an emergency situation was to arise.

“Blackwood was identified as a priority town as it was without power for seven days during the June 2021 storms,” Cr Munari said.

“This energy back-up system would have been invaluable then, and if we’re ever in the unfortunate situation that Blackwood experiences a similar event again, having a power source if power goes out will make a big difference to Blackwood residents.

“There was quite a long process to go through between the government, power companies, council, committees of management, landowners and the CFA to get to the stage of construction, so I thank everyone involved in the process for making this happen.”   

Easter Saturday is a special day in Blackwood. Each year, the town hosts the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival, now in its 121st year, and the second-oldest festival in Australia.
The event was recently awarded the title of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year 2023.

Spokesperson Fiona Ross, on behalf of the Blackwood Progress Association, said the street parade, featuring striking costumes and floats, was a highlight of the morning’s events.
“Accompanied by a brass band, the parade makes its way from the town centre down to the Lerderderg River and the Recreation Reserve – known as ‘the prettiest sportsground in Victoria’ – where the carnival and woodchop take place.”

The Blackwood Woodchop is one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in
Victoria, with axemen and women travelling from across the state to compete for the
coveted titles and prize money.
“The carnival is action-packed, with tug-o-war, gumboot throwing and a pet
show among the many activities happening throughout the day. And to honour
Blackwood’s gold-mining history, there is the chance for everyone to try their hand at
gold-panning.
“A family-friendly event, there is loads of other fun stuff for kids too – the treasure hunt, novelty games and races, face-painting and more. With live music, market stalls, delicious eats and licenced bars, the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers something for everyone,” Fiona said.
The event is organised by the Blackwood Progress Association with proceeds from
ticket sales going to support numerous community groups.
Discounted earlybird tickets can be bought online in advance or buy your tickets
at the gate on the day, Easter Saturday, April 8.
Tickets: www.trybooking.com/CFPDV

Words: Eve Lamb. Image: Kyle Barnes

BASALT grandmother Verna Baker is flexing her forearms to compete
in the Australian Gold Panning Championships at Blackwood this
Saturday, March 4.
Verna is a dab hand with the gold pan. She’s been honing her gold panning
prowess since the age of five.

Over the years she’s found “probably 100 specks” of gold – enough to have turned
into a lovely little gold pendant.
“I’ll be competing in the women’s skilled, the veterans’ and the teams’ categories
on Saturday,” says Verna, 68, who has plenty of other “golden” aspects to her life as
well, including farming daffodils.
Another golden facet to Verna’s life is the fact that this year marks the professional
childcare educator’s 50th anniversary of working at local kindergartens.
“I love my work,” says Verna who has worked at pre-schools across the shire and
beyond, including Daylesford, Hepburn, Franklinford, Glenlyon, Creswick, Clunes
and Wallace.
And there’s no doubt the kinder kids at Daylesford Preschool, where Verna
currently works three days a week – and at all the other little local kinders where she’s
worked over the years – return the love.
For one thing, Verna not only teaches the littlies how to gold pan, sharing her
enjoyment of the sport that gets her out into some beautiful places, she also brings
in small animals from her Basalt farm to teach them about caring for critters and to
impart her own love of nature.
Verna has won many firsts and seconds in the women’s skilled gold panning
competition and team event prizes over the years she’s been competing in the gold
panning competitions.
The mother of three and grandmother of four – who also runs a native tree
nursery and volunteers with Franklinford CFA – is keenly anticipating this Saturday’s
competition.
“It’s a really, really fun day,” she says.
Run by the Victorian Gold Panning Association, the annual Australian Gold
Panning Championships are expected to draw around 100 competitors from near and
far.
Victorian Gold Panning Association president Marcus Binks is also keenly
anticipating the event which he says offers good competition for all skill levels from
established champs to those who have never wielded a gold pan before in their lives.
“It’s a great family event and really we’re trying to preserve the history of gold
panning,” says Marcus, a geologist by profession who has a couple of national gold
panning championship titles to his name.
“I’ve been gold panning since I was a kid and I started at the first Australian
championships that were held at Sovereign Hill in 1993,” he says.
This year’s event will see gold panners racing against the clock to find a number of
tiny golden pieces that have been carefully pre-counted and hidden in sand buckets.
“We even provide pans for those who have never panned before,” Marcus says.
At the top end of the competitive spectrum the competition is keen and close and
the addition of an electronic timing system in recent times comes in handy.
“We have a heap of prizes on offer including two metal detectors,” Marcus says.
The championships are taking place at the Blackwood Cricket Ground on
Recreation Reserve Road and getting along to watch the competition as a spectator is
free.
“It’s a great way to come and learn about panning,” Marcus says.
“We’ll have catering by the Ballan First Scouts and a coffee van. We’re affiliated
with the World Gold Panning Championships and we get competitors from New
Zealand coming over. They really like our competition. We also get them from
interstate – Queensland and Western Australia.”