with Natalie Poole

A lifetime of service  

Trentham’s Edith Kathleen (Kath) Tresidder was born on March 12, 1907 in Blue Mountain, Trentham the second of five children to Martin and Ada  Tresidder. Her father was a farmer at Cold Spring Farm, near Trentham and her mother kept house.  

After leaving school she was a domestic, but yearned to help people. In 1934,  Kath with her eldest sister Frances, left home to commence nursing training at the Mooroopna Base Hospital in the Goulburn Valley.  

Kath graduated from her training and continued to work at the Mooroopna Base Hospital. A few years later, in July 1939, she qualified as a midwife at St George’s  Hospital, Horsham.  During World War II, Kath was nursing at Wembley Private Hospital in Horsham when she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service on December 16, 1941, aged 34 years.

She saw service on Thursday Island and Rabaul from August 30,  1943 to May 16, 1947 serving 1817 days. She was promoted to lieutenant in 1943.  

While serving, she contracted tuberculosis and entered the Heidelberg  Repatriation Hospital upon her discharge from the armed forces in May 1947. She  lost a lung due to the condition.

Immediately following her discharge from the  Repatriation Hospital, Kath returned to Cold Spring Farm near Trentham where she  looked after her ageing parents, and sister Sarah who had chronic arthritis.  

She returned to full-time nursing in 1948 when she began at the Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital. Kath eventually became matron of the hospital and was the sole nurse for the six-bed hospital. She was assisted by a young woman who worked as the cook and laundress.  

The demarcation between nursing duties and domestic duties was not so clear in  those days and Kath involved herself in the preparation of meals and laundry duty as well as her matron and sole nurse commitments.

Dr Gweneth Wisewould was the town doctor at this time and Kath and Gwen got on very well and became friends.  

From the Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital, Kath went on to nurse at Clunes District Hospital where she continued until her retirement in 1980, aged 73 years.  

She moved to Bendigo in 1981 and became a resident of the Returned Serviceman’s League units. With a nursing background and having never married,  Kath continued in an informal way to serve the profession she had entered as a young woman by attending to other residents when the need arose.  

In her 90th year, Kath returned to the district in which she had been born and had lived a large part of her life.

In January 1997, she became a resident in the  Trentham Hostel, a facility attached to the then Bush Nursing Hospital.  

She had lived a wonderful life, serving many communities with her nursing skills  but ultimately wanted to return to the place she called home for her final goodbyes.  

Kath passed away peacefully on March 30, 1997 and is remembered on the Mooroopna Base Hospital Graduates’ Honour Roll and on her gravesite at Tylden, with the symbol of the Armed Forces.   

Words: Eve Lamb. Images: Supplied

The Celebration of SAORI Exhibition has returned to Clunes, showcasing more than 100 works by over 30 artists from across Australia.

The exhibition launched at the Clunes Warehouse on Saturday, June 7 and is now continuing through to Sunday, June 22 offering art lovers and textiles fans a unique chance to revel in the colours, textures and forms that are part of this unique hand-weaving method.

A celebration of texture, fibre and colour, along with the SAORI method of weaving itself, the exhibition showcases the work of over 30 artists from across Australia.

Co-ordinated and curated by accredited local SAORI teacher, Clunes’ Prue Simmons (pictured above) of Dyeing To Weave studio, the exhibition brings together students from across Australia who are supported through her studio weaving programs.

Showcasing more than 100 woven artworks, it is the largest SAORI weaving exhibition ever held in Australia.

Visitors can explore this expressive, niche art form, meet the artists, and even try SAORI weaving themselves.

Many of the distinctive works, ranging from garments to home décor, will be available for purchase, offering original pieces to art lovers and creative inspiration for fellow textile artists alike.

SAORI is a freestyle weaving style which originated in Japan during the 1960’s. A modern take on traditional weaving, it celebrates self-expression, mindfulness, and innovation over rules or repetition.

Often described as “weaving meditation,” it encourages intuitive creativity, where artists use texture, colour, and freestyle techniques to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

Celebration of SAORI Exhibition is open from Saturday 7th to Sunday 22nd June 2025. Open daily (closed Tuesdays) from 10am to 4pm.

The exhibition is being held in the Esmond Gallery (upstairs/lift available) at The Warehouse – 36 Fraser Street Clunes, Victoria 3370

Words & Image: Eve Lamb

Losing the function of her hind legs last year wasn’t about to stop pooch Sheba getting out and having a ball.

The beautiful 11-year-old long-haired German-Belgian shepherd and her owner, Clunes’ Dave Liddle, can often be seen out enjoying walks, ably assisted by a pair of sturdy dog wheels.

Attached to Sheba’s hindquarters with a specially-designed frame, the wheels allow her to walk after she lost the function of her hind legs last year due to cruciate ligament and spinal problems, and unsuccessful surgery.

But Dave, a retired UK police dog handler, was not about to see Sheba miss out on enjoying life to the full. So when a vet told him about the option of dog wheels, he wasted no time in jumping online and ordering a pair for Sheba.

Dave says that to start with, Sheba was not all that fond of her new set of wheels or “dog trolley”, as he calls them.

But eventually she settled into using them and now it’s clear to all who meet them out strolling that Sheba enjoys putting her wheels to good use, even managing an impressive turn of speed as she sees fit.

“I ordered it online in December, on Amazon, and they were calling it a wheelchair for dogs. But I call it a trolley. She didn’t like it to start with but now she loves it,” Dave says.

“She comes everywhere with me and we take her to the park and give her a good run. You wouldn’t think she had the trolley on when she’s off running.”

Dave, who relocated to Australia in 2007, has previously owned and worked with several German shepherd dogs, and also labradors, as part of his former career in Yorkshire. During that time he came to love and respect these intelligent breeds in particular.

“I’ve had three shepherds before. They’re excellent. In the city of Leeds in the 90s we used them a lot. They were good at searching and tracking stolen cars or wheres omeone had been disturbed at a burglary.”

Dave was with the UK police for 28 years and also worked with the dogs helping to provide security during special occasions such as dignitary visits.

He adopted Sheba about five years ago from a friend who had become unable to keep up with the zesty shepherd, and says that since Sheba lost the use of her hind legs last year, the wheels have made a major difference to her quality of life.

“It’s fantastic. She’s got her life back. Once she’s got the trolley on, she’s off.”

Author of The Buried Life, Andrea Goldsmith joins Clunes writer Tess Brady in conversation on June 8 as part of the Clunes Booktown Sunday series.

In The Buried Life three people form an unlikely but spirited connection. Adrian is a renowned scholar, an expert on death in the modern age whose life has stalled.

Kezi, a young and passionate artist, has been rejected by her family. She hurtles through her days with defiance and regret. Laura is a successful town planner submerged in a seemingly perfect marriage.

In the book, Andrea Goldsmith dissects the conflicts and complexities of contemporary life in a story of love and friendship, faith and fundamentalism, subtly underscored by the power of poetry and music.

Andrea Goldsmith’s acclaimed novels include Gracious Living, Modern Interiors, Facing the Music, Under the Knife, Reunion, The Prosperous Thief (shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award), Invented Lives and The Memory Trap, which was awarded the 2015 Melbourne Prize for Literature.

Her essays have appeared in Meanjin, Australian Book Review, Best Australian Essays, The Monthly, and numerous anthologies. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

The upcoming conversation takes place at 1.30pm at the Clunes Booktown venue at the historic railway station building with more details at https://creativeclunes.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events

A new early childhood learning Centre for Clunes is among 14 such centres scheduled to open next year with builders now engaged for the construction works.

Victoria’s minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn in recent days visited the future site of another of the 14 Early Learning centres – at Noble Park – to mark the start of construction, and announce that builders have been appointed for all of the new centres.

The centres, known by interim names, are:

• Early Learning Victoria Clunes
• Early Learning Victoria Frankston 
• Early Learning Victoria Hallam 
• Early Learning Victoria Mickleham South 
• Early Learning Victoria Noble Park 
• Early Learning Victoria Numurkah
• Early Learning Victoria Portland South
• Early Learning Victoria Shepparton
• Early Learning Victoria Kings Park 
• Early Learning Victoria Teesdale
• Early Learning Victoria Toolern Waters 
• Early Learning Victoria Wedderburn
• Early Learning Victoria Werribee 
• Early Learning Victoria Wollert 

The centres will charge fees below local market rates, making childcare more affordable for families – on top of savings from the state’s Free Kinder program, which is saving families up to $2,600 a year for three and four-year-old kinder.

Each centre will be located on or near a local school, easing the double drop-off and making the transition from kinder to school simpler for children and families.

With these additions, a total of 18 government-owned and operated Early Learning Victoria centres will be open by 2026 – providing more than 1,800 licensed places for children across the state.

The first four centres are already welcoming local children in Fawkner, Sunshine, Murtoa and Eaglehawk North.

Enrolment for kinder in 2026 is now open. To learn more about Early Learning Victoria and to tour an existing centre, visit earlylearning.vic.gov.au/enrol.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn: “Our nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms are delivering a better life for our littlest Victorians with new childcare centres close to home offering kinder as well – I encourage parents to enrol their kids for next year now.”

“We heard where Victorians needed childcare the most, and that’s exactly where we’re delivering our 14 newest centres – with market-beating fees on top of up to $2,600 in Free Kinder savings, per year, per child.”

If you’ve ever thought of giving meditation a whirl then an ongoing series of free community classes being offered at Clunes may be worth checking out.

Led by an experienced meditation facilitator, the free hour-long evening meditation classes are being offered through the Clunes Attitude (Ageing Well in Clunes) Club and are aimed at adults of all ages.

Sessions take place from 5 pm to 6 pm every Monday in the facilitator’s home and are resuming from May 19.

Each session includes a self-reflective activity and discussion and finishes with a guided meditation.

More information is available by contacting Sandra on 0438 415 715 or Clunes Neighbourhood House manager Lana De Kort at manager@clunesnh.org.

Murder, beauty, guilt, blame, rumours and … footy. All get a look-in within the pages of the new anthology launched by the Clunes Writers’ group at last month’s Booktown festival.

Launched with readings from the writers, or their stand-ins, at the Esmond Gallery in The Warehouse, Boundless is the third anthology of collected short story and poetry by members of this lively local group.

Convenor of the group, Sandra Nichols, said the new anthology is “a treasure trove of thoughts, dreams and experiences”.

“We currently have close to 20 members and they are not only people who live in Clunes but also come from surrounding areas including Newlyn, Newstead, Talbot, Maryborough and  Scarsdale,” Sandra said.

Among the 17 contributors to the new book, group member Deb James read one of her own pieces entitled Grandpa’s Bookcase,’  telling the launch audience: “This is a story about the beginnings of a love of books and reading”.

Members say the welcoming group meets every second Monday of the month from 1-3pm at Attitude Clunes and have the opportunity to read out their work and receive feedback – if they wish.

“Each month we have a new theme to write to and that’s great because people will all interpret that in very different ways,” says group member Julie Moran.

“The thing we’ve found this year is that people’s writing has really developed.”

The group has stood the test of time. It’s been running for 20 years now, and current members say it’s great for socialising.

“Oh God I love it,” says member Judi Palmer.

“It gets me out of the house and stimulates my mind  to have to keep coming up  with something each month. The camaraderie is great and the mental and physical health benefits are a huge advantage of belonging to a group like this.”

Boundless retails for $32 and members say it is currently available for purchase at Boom Clunes, the local green grocer’s shop and online, with a small fee for added postage,  at harmony4books@gmail.com .

Words: Eve Lamb

On Friday April 4^th Agricultural Show Prize winners from across the region met at Clunes for the annual Midland Group of Victorian Agricultural Societies Inc. dinner with inter show presentations and judging. Some of the committee and exhibitors enjoyed the night out.

Nine Daylesford Winners presented their winning entries from last year’s Show in 11 of the 28 possible categories being judged at Clunes. Of the 28 classes being judged on the night 13 offered winners entry to display and show at this years Melbourne Royal in September.

For the first time since 2017 Daylesford had an entrant, Charlotte Cain, in the Rural Ambassador competition and it was great to see she finished runner up to the Group winner Darcy Gervasoni representing Clunes. Charlotte’s speech on “The Importance of Biosecurity in Agriculture” was well received.

Gracie Hetherington and Rebeka Walker won first places in the junior and open section Photography and later in the year will represent the Midland Group at the Melbourne Show. Trish Barron was runner up with her fine Embroidery.

In the Midland Group awards Daylesford had 2 winners, Suzie Wyatt of Trentham who took out the handmade Christmas Greeting Card and Christopher Hargreaves who took out the hotly contested “Blokes Chocolate Cake”.

While Daylesford might seem to have fewer winners going on to Melbourne this year the standard at Group level seems to be getting higher in this our third year of recovery after the Covid break.

Daylesford Show Society President John Nicholls was really pleased that so many of our winners were prepared to go on and take up the challenge at a higher level and says that everybody who went on should be very proud of their efforts and can now say proudly that they have represented Daylesford.

The Daylesford and District Agricultural Society Committee and their Schedule sub committee are already meeting and reviewing our competition sections and classes for the 151^st Annual Daylesford Show on Saturday November 22^nd this year. Pavilion entries increased by over 35% last year and John Nicholls would like to see another big increase in 2025.

More than just a smart way to ensure surplus garden produce does not go to waste, the newly launched Clunes Produce Swap is also aimed at strengthening community.

The first in what will now be an ongoing series of monthly produce swaps took place on Saturday  March 29.

It’s  the brainchild of Transition Clunes which is auspiced by the Clunes Neighbourhood House, that also provided a barbecue brunch for the debut swap.

The resourceful event took place from 10am-12noon  at the front of the Attitude Clunes building with local gardeners invited to bring along any excess fruit, veg or herbs to swap.

People could also bring  along seedlings, bunches of flowers and homemade goods made using garden produce – things like preserves, jams, sauces, relishes or pickles to exchange for like-valued items.

Other useful backyard produce like eggs or honey were also welcome to swap, as were handicraft goods such as useful knitted or crocheted items.

Terms like “re-localising” and “circular economy” do apply here, says organiser and Transition Clunes member Sandra Nichols who moved to Clunes some years back from the Blue Mountains where she ran a permaculture group.

“It’s about bartering or swapping goods, so no money exchanges hands. People don’t get stuff for free, they exchange items. But if we do have any produce left over we’ll take it up to Food Is Free (which operates from the back of the old Clunes Bottle Museum),” Sandra said.

“We’re also offering tea and coffee and the idea is that people hang about and talk and share knowledge.

“This is about building community. It’s an opportunity for people to talk to each other about what they’re growing, so you’re sharing knowledge about things like what type of plants grow well here.”

Sandra herself had some prized goodies from her own garden to exchange after the summer season left her with “a massive crop of almonds, my first crop ever”.

The keen local gardener also brought along bunches of sage, rosemary, mint and tomatoes while others had plenty of cucumber, zucchini and rhubarb to exchange for this first swap.

The next swap, set for Saturday April  26, is expected to feature quite a few quinces among all manner of other fresh produce.

“It is also all about building community resilience for an uncertain future. Supermarkets only have two weeks of fresh food in stock”.

From here on the produce swaps are planned to take place on the fourth Saturday of each month for the rest of the year with people keen to swap produce welcome to simple roll up with their goods.

Words & Image: Eve Lamb

The Hepburn Shire Council is currently inviting local residents to have a say in response to several proposed road safety and streetscape projects, including two possible mini roundabouts, in Clunes.

The council is encouraging community members to provide feedback responding to several different proposed road safety and streetscape proposals for Clunes. The opportunity to submit feedback opened several weeks ago and is still able to be lodged up until Sunday April 13.

The current opportunity for members of the public to provide feedback marks the second and final stage of the Fraser Street Island trial consultation. It’s part of a process, aimed at improving safety for all road users in the township, which began last year and involves the trial of pedestrian safety islands at the intersection of Fraser and Service streets.

The five areas currently identified for consideration, and on which people can now have a say, are:

A speed reduction to a 40 km/h zone through the centre of Clunes

Proposed safety treatments for the Templeton Street and Bailey Street intersection

Proposed safety treatments for the Service Street and Bailey Street intersection, including the possible inclusion of a mini roundabout

Proposed safety treatments for the Ligar Street Precinct

Proposed safety treatments for the Fraser Street and Service Street intersection, including the possible inclusion of a mini roundabout

Those keen to have a say are being encouraged to review the concept designs and submit feedback at https://ow.ly/5is250VhJJV via the Have your Say portal on the council’s website.

A paper set of consultation plans are also available to view at The Warehouse Clunes during opening hours.

This story based on a Hepburn Shire Council media statement

The Clunes Booktown on Sunday series is set to return on Sunday, April 13, with Jacqui Horwood in conversation with Fiona Hardy, author of Unbury the Dead.

Unbury the Dead is a fresh and pacey high-stakes drama with two irresistible heroines. Best mates Teddy and Alice are hired hands with flexible moral boundaries. Whatever the mess, they can be relied upon to fix it with no questions asked. But sometimes it’s not as simple as cleaning up.

Teddy is searching the suburbs for a missing teenager with her occasional sidekick Art, while Alice’s mission is to drive one of Australia’s richest men along Victoria’s east coast to his final resting place before anybody finds out he’s dead.

But when a surprise revelation sees their cases collide, Teddy and Alice turn the tables on their wealthy employers to shake out the truth.

The event takes place at 1.30pm at the old Clunes Railway Station and More details can be found at https://clunesbooktown.org.au/booktown-on-sunday/

The woman who supplied the magic mushrooms at last year’s fatal healing event at Soul Barn in Clunes, has avoided jail time after appearing before the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates Court.

Diane Mathews, 54, faced the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday to plead guilty to a single charge of drug trafficking in relation to last April’s incident in which a Melbourne woman died.

The drug in question, psilocybin, had been ingested as a tea by 10 participants attending a “healing ceremony” being hosted by Mathews in Clunes on April 13, 2024.

It emerged that Mathews had rented the space at Clunes’ Soul Barn venue, for the event and charged participants to attend.

Among the participants was 53-year-old Melbourne mother Rachael Dixon, who died from cardiac arrest after ingesting the substance.

The mushrooms had been ground up and brewed into tea, with bowls seized by police at the site containing traces of the hallucinogenic compound.

The court heard Mathews had long practiced alternative healing practices and her lawyer, Jon Ross, asserted that psilocybin had a medical application despite being illegal, and compared the compound to cannabis, which has been legalised for medicinal use in Victoria.

Mr Ross, said police were unable to establish a “causal link” between Mathews’ supplying of the mushroom and Ms Dixon’s death.

He also said Mathews had performed CPR on the 53-year-old mother before she died and was was “haunted” by her death.

Magistrate Julia Barling said Matthews’ early plea of guilty and lack of criminal history had worked in her favour.

“To come before the court with your first offence being a charge of trafficking a drug of dependence is a very serious manner in which to enter the justice system,” Magistrate Barling said.

“Trafficking charges are always taken very seriously by the court.”

Mathews was given a $3000 fine without conviction.

Social media went a little viral recently with people wondering if Daylesford’s Victoria Park was an off-leash area for dogs.

After queries from The Local, the Hepburn Shire Council has confirmed that the park is an on-leash dog park – and has been for many years.

Development and Community director Ron Torres said there were two designated off-leash dog areas in Hepburn Shire, one at Trentham and one at Clunes.

The fenced off-leash dog park in Clunes is situated on the town’s Scenic Drive while Trentham’s off-lead park is in Market Street next to the pool and now includes picnic table facilities.

“Council works with dog owners through raising awareness and education on responsible dog ownership,” he said.

Clunes blokes are among those across the state expected to benefit from a new round of state funding announced in recent days for men’s sheds.

Victoria’s Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence last month visited Aberfeldie Men’s Shed to announce that 29 men’s sheds across Victoria will share in more than $850,000 as part of the 2024-25 Men’s Shed Funding Program, ensuring they have welcoming and well-equipped spaces to work on projects, enjoy some social contact and access support.  

The Clunes Neighbourhood House secured $10,000 to build a Young Men’s Shed next to the town’s established Men’s Shed in a move that’s aimed at supporting younger men to engage with their community and build hands-on skills and relationships.

In a media release announcing the funding the state government described Men’s Sheds as more than just a place to tinker.

“They’re an important support network for men right across Victoria helping them to learn important skills from woodworking to home repairs, while providing a sense of purpose and community,” the media release stated.

Aberfeldie Men’s Shed will use their grant to install a shade sail across their outdoor area, and update a variety of machinery to expand their capacity to deliver projects that benefit the local community.

Beaufort Men’s Shed will use their ($100,000) grant to rebuild after their previous shed was destroyed by floods.

The shed will also involve young people and women in some projects through partnerships with the local Neighbourhood House, Croquet Club and Apex Club, building a stronger community for members of the shed.

Monash Men’s Shed will use their grant to expand, building a new outdoor area and additional storage space allowing more locals to engage in activities.

For a full list of recipients, visit vic.gov.au/mens-shed-funding-program.

Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence: “Men’s sheds are essential community spaces where men can forge friendships, share experiences and support each other in a safe and welcoming environment, as well as working on meaningful projects.”

“These grants will make an incredible difference to communities across Victoria, providing men with the spaces and opportunities they need to develop new skills, enhance their wellbeing and strengthen social connection.”

This story based on a state government media release

If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to stay active and meet new people then you may want to consider trying Hit and Giggle Pickleball that’s happening at the Clunes Sports Centre every Wednesday at 1pm or Friday at 5pm. 

Spokesperson Maxine Hardinge said the lively social game had been running for the past six months in Clunes, with a small but committed group of regulars who have been steadily improving, learning the rules and how to score, while enjoying a friendly hit and lots of laughs. 

“Pickleball is a fun and dynamic paddle sport that is played on a badminton-sized court, combining elements of that game, as well as tennis and table tennis,” she said. 

“It is accessible to all skill levels and abilities, is very easy to pick up and quick to master. 

“We’d love to have more players join us. We welcome all genders, all ages and all skill levels. No experience is necessary: you’ll quickly learn the basic rules and scoring as you play. 

“Come when you can, pay when you come. Just bring your sandshoes, sense of fun and $10 to cover court hire and all equipment.

“There is also the option to play badminton at 5pm on Fridays if there are enough people interested.” 

To find out more call organiser Wendy Vorstenbosch on 0458 372 906 or look out for posts on the Clunes online noticeboard, Creswick Community Page or All Together Pickleball, Ballarat and surrounds Facebook groups. 

Words & image: Contributed