By Donna Kelly

Hmmm. So Dan Murphy’s is appealing a Victorian Liquor Commission decision and still trying to open a store in Daylesford.

Back in August, the Commission decision was the first using the new definition of “harm” under the Liquor Control Reform Act, a landmark decision.

Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas said the decision was made namely on the basis that granting the licence could pose a public risk, encourage harm (particularly to minors) and have adverse social impacts.

In announcing its decision the Commission concluded “that granting the Licence would be conducive to or encourage harm, specifically to minors”.

“In particular, the Commission concludes that there is an appreciable risk that granting the Licence would result in an increase of secondary supply of alcohol to minors in Daylesford and (therefore) an increase in alcohol consumption by minors and (therefore) increased harm from the misuse and abuse of alcohol by minors.

“This conclusion is driven by the accumulation of a number of factors … deriving from the ‘particular local, social, demographic and geographic circumstances’ of Daylesford.”

But Dan’s apparently knows better and is giving it another go. I guess, if you were sceptical, you would think owners, The Endeavour Group, would be just a little bit worried it could lead to more knockbacks in other small towns.

Daylesford leading the way. Or do they just think we all have the right to cheap alcohol? Not sure. But it is a bit of a body blow to many in the town.

As Kyle, just over there to the left, has written, we have put our wonderful Glenlyon property up for sale. So many people say they would love it, and we did for many years. And still do but there comes a time when you realise you are getting a bit older and it’s time for some downtime in between getting The Local out each fortnight.

I remember when we first bought the property, we were so excited. Mum called it “a ruin” at the time but we just thought it was full of potential and fun.

We loved everything about our move from Frankston to the country – our home, its history, the people, the surrounding region. We even got rugged up and sat at the Glenlyon Store enjoying mulled wine during winter. Outside!

But it is time to call time, and we will look for somewhere in Daylesford, closer to restaurants and pubs, and supermarkets and stores. To be honest, the taxi ride home from Daylesford was always a bit of an adventure, thanks to the great, late, Serge. Miss him and his “hello lovers”.

I worked out I have lived in about 25 homes so far. And apart from perhaps 22 years all up at 2 The Range, Frankston, the second longest has been at Glenlyon.

There have been some strange places. Japan twice, in Niihama in the island of Shikoku and Ome, about an hour from Tokyo, Alice Springs, Karratha in northern WA and quite a few places around Queensland.

Then there is Caulfield, near the track, and Mordialloc, where we felt like we lived in a retirement village. Now and again an ambulance would arrive during the night and the next morning someone would tell us, “another one of us has gone”. I kid you not.

Anyway, time for a new caretaker for the school, and hopefully someone who gets the history, potential future and myriad possibilities. And The Local will continue, in a new office, with the same passion for sharing stories and connecting the community. Love this place. Just sayin’…

The Hepburn Shire Council has expressed its disappointment by the Endeavour Group (Dan Murphy’s) decision to appeal the Victorian Liquor Commission ruling to refuse a licence to operate in Daylesford.

CEO Bradley Thomas said the council and community strongly advocated for the refusal during the submission process and at hearings.

” We continue to believe that there is a public risk, and any decision to grant a licence would have adverse social impacts,” Mr Thomas said.

The council will seek legal advice and determine what steps it will now take.

The Hepburn Shire Council has today welcomed a Victorian Liquor Commission decision to refuse Dan Murphy’s a licence to operate in Daylesford.

The council had strongly advocated for the refusal during the submission process and at hearings, along with a number of committed community members.

Announced this morning, the Victorian Liquor Commission decision represents the first time the new definition of “harm” under the Liquor Control Reform Act has been used to refuse a licence, making it a landmark decision.

“The decision, which was announced this morning, was made namely on the basis that granting the licence could pose a public risk, encourage harm (particularly minors) and have adverse social impacts,” Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas said in a statement issued this afternoon.

In announcing its decision The Commission: “concludes that granting the Licence would be conducive to or encourage harm, specifically to minors.

“In particular, the Commission concludes that there is an appreciable risk that granting the Licence would result in an increase of secondary supply of alcohol to minors in Daylesford and (therefore) an increase in alcohol consumption by minors and (therefore) increased harm from the misuse and abuse of alcohol by minors.

“This conclusion is driven by the accumulation of a number of factors … deriving from the “particular local, social, demographic and geographic circumstances” of Daylesford.”

The full decision can be found at https://www.vic.gov.au/liquor-decisions-and-hearings