The community engagement period for the Daylesford Community Facilities project in the historic town hall building has started.

The project is investigating the potential of establishing a community hub at Daylesford Town Hall, with the proposal to include a library, customer experience hub and multipurpose community facilities.

Hepburn shire residents and ratepayers are now being invited to review the council’s engagement materials and provide feedback before Sunday April 13.

Those keen to provide input can visit the project page on the Participate Hepburn website to view floorplans, artistic images and complete the community feedback survey.

They can also attend one of three drop-in sessions to discuss the project with council officers and members of the Project Advisory Group.

Hard copies of the designs can be printed on request at the Daylesford Library or the Daylesford Customer Experience Hub at Duke Street.

Those keen to have a say should go to https://ow.ly/m2zb50Vfer6 online.

The Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, in its annual Feast of Music, produced an outstanding four concert program in the Daylesford Town Hall from September 13-15.

The virtuosity and commitment were breathtaking while exploring and reimagining music from J.S. Bach to contemporary compositions.

The passion and energy commenced with Haydn’s Gypsy piano trio on Friday evening and finished with a blaze of tango from all musicians on Sunday afternoon.

At the forefront of this event was classical accordionist James Crabb. His arrangement of the J.S. Bach Cm concerto for two keyboards, accordion and piano, was one of many highlights.

With the irrepressible Stefan Cassomenos at the piano and the superbly disciplined MCO Strings in full flight, the performance was genuinely convincing.

Similarly, Crabb’s arrangement (piano and accordion) of Lutoslawski’s Variations on a Theme of Paganini sparkled with its complex rhythms, precisely realised, while contrasted with the grand romantic theme late in the work.

The traditional chamber compositions were delivered with enthusiasm and freshness. The power and energy of the Brahms Piano Quartet Op.25 was balanced perfectly by the understated elegance of the Vanhal Divertimento in G major.

The world premiere performance of Cassomenos’s Quintetsatz was the ideal companion to Schbert’s Trout quintet.

This new work clearly references the late classical style while adding a new dimension, particularly with its rhythmic drive.

The pleasant surprises were not limited to the accordion. Violinist Sophie Rowell demonstrated subtlety and bravura technique in Alan Ridout’s music for Ferdinand the Bull, with Lucien Fischer narrating the popular children’s story.

Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, for string quartet, revealed a broad range of unusual string techniques within its challenging style. Finally, it was the irresistible appeal of the tango which had the last say.

Antonio Agri and Jose Carli’s Desde Adentro, with the gorgeous solo violin entry performed by Elizabeth Sellars, grew into a kaleidoscope of tonal colours and syncopated rhythms.

Piazzolla’s Libertango drove the program to an exciting conclusion.

Words: Bronislaw Sozanski BA DipEd ATCL VMTA

The Daylesford Community Facilities project team has been given the green light to develop designs to locate the library and community multipurpose facilities at the Daylesford Town Hall site, ahead of proposed community engagement.

Hepburn Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Thomas said the decision provides a clear path forward for the historic site.

“The Daylesford Town Hall is a key historical landmark for the shire and reflects the region’s unique architectural character,” Mr Thomas said.

“This decision allows the project team to move forward with certainty and begin to design a wholistic community space.”

Now that the site is confirmed for the project, further analysis will be undertaken to determine the preferred approach for design and construction.

Community consultation will be undertaken as the project progresses. Final decisions on designs and proceedings will be subject to Council decision in 2025.

A contract has been awarded to Abode for critical preservation works to the roof and other associated building elements on the heritage Daylesford Town Hall building.

The works are due to commence later this year in line with warmer weather.

In December 2023, the council resolved to progress the Daylesford Town Hall as the site of a future library and community facility.

Council officers have since established a project consultant team and a Project Advisory Group of seven community members, who have supported the project and provided design input.

In working with project architects k20 Architecture, two spatial relationship diagrams have been developed developed, demonstrating the site’s capacity to host the library and other elements either within the Town Hall, within a new construction on the site of the Senior Citizens facility, or a combination of the two approaches.

This story based on a Hepburn Shire Council media release.

A report examining the feasibility of housing Daylesford’s public library and community multipurpose facilities in the town’s historic Town Hall will go before councillors at this month’s Hepburn Shire Council meeting.

Scheduled for Monday September 16 the ordinary meeting is the last for the current council which then enters caretaker mode until October 26.

A new council will be elected by postal ballot next month with newly elected councillors set to then to be sworn in to what will become a wardless council, in November.

 While the new shift to a wardless arrangement is creating plenty of community discussion in its own right, the future of the Daylesford Town Hall is also set to change.

Currently council officers have been working with project architects, k20 Architecture, to investigate the feasibility of refurbishing and developing the historic site to accommodate a library and multi-purpose community spaces. 

The Daylesford Town Hall was built in the 1800s and until recently housed Council chambers, offices, and hosted events.

“The project team is supported by the Project Advisory Group (PAG), which is comprised of two councillors and seven community members,” Mayor, Cr Brian Hood said.

To date, the PAG have convened on four occasions to provide input into the design.

The PAG members bring to the project professional and special interest backgrounds, as well as connections to community, to shape the design that’s hoped to ultimately best meet community needs.

Besides outlining the feasibility of locating the library and community multipurpose facilities in the Town Hall, the report to go before councillors at Monday’s meeting will also seek endorsement to proceed with design work.  

Subject to the council’s endorsement, the project team will continue to develop the design to a schematic level ahead of proposed community engagement either late this year or early next year. 

“We are also examining the Town Hall’s essential roofing works and have a tender underway,” Cr Hood said.

“The Town hall is now closed as we undertake this essential work,” said Cr Hood. 

Staff that operate from the Town Hall and the council chambers have recently relocated to leased premises at 24 Vincent Street. 

Meanwhile, those keen to know more are being directed to go online at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/daylesford-facilities 

Ten residents of the Hepburn Shire have taken Australia’s national citizenship pledge or oath in recent days.

In a social media announcement following the event held in the Daylesford Town Hall on Thursday July 11, the Hepburn Shire Council posted: “This is such an important day, and we’re very proud to warmly welcome them to our beautiful region.

“Thank you to Jason Kerr for the wonderful Welcome to Country.

“Our new citizens have come from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, India, the Philippines, and Ireland.”

Words & Images: Supplied

The Hepburn Shire Council has appointed seven community members to its new Daylesford Community Facilities Project Advisory Group to consult with the council and community on potential redevelopment of Daylesford Town Hall into a community facilities hub.

Appointment of the new Project Advisory Group (PAG) members follows a public Expression of Interest stage with an eighth position to be filled by a youth representative.

The group consists of Adam Fawcett, Joanne Tsakoumagos, John King, Louise Johnson, Sarah Bibby, Sarah Lang and Matt Johnson.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said the appointees cover a broad cross-section of the community including gender diversity, LGBTQI+ people, people living with a disability, young families, community groups, seniors groups, arts, library, tourism, and events interests, and those with broader community connections. 

“The PAG membership also encompasses individuals with a diverse array of skills, such as project management, community engagement, marketing and communication, local government, technology and innovation.  We appreciate the time, effort and expertise these members will be putting towards this important project,” said Cr Hood. 

The council has also appointed a lead architect for the Daylesford Community Facilities Project, k20 Architecture, to examine the design and development of a multi-function assembly hall and contemporary library at the Daylesford Town Hall site which includes the Town Hall, office accommodation and Senior Citizens’ room. 

“The architectural and design elements of the multi-phase project will begin with a feasibility and schematic design study. Depending on the outcome of that study and availability of future funding, detailed design and construction will follow,” said Cr Hood. 

Of the eighteen high-quality submissions, the tender has been awarded to k20 Architecture, and the delivery of future stages are subject to outcomes of the feasibility study and future funding. 

The first stage of contracted services covers extensive community and stakeholder engagement, and close liaison with the PAG.

The council is inviting individuals under the age of 25 years, or people with youth engagement experience, to apply for a position on the PAG. EOIs are open until 5pm Wednesday 5 June 2024.   

The Hepburn Shire Council is inviting community members to apply to join an advisory group to help determine if Daylesford Town Hall can be refurbished to include a community hub with a library and multi-purpose spaces.

The Daylesford Community Facilities Project Advisory Group (PAG) will comprise up to eight members to represent the community, working as a reference group rather than a decision-making body.

Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, says the council has successfully utilised PAGs on other projects, including recently on The Mechanics Trentham.

“We are looking for a variety of community members to join the advisory group and to use their local knowledge and connections to support the future of this significant building,” said Cr Hood.

“Ideally the PAG would reflect a diverse range of skills, with applicants invited to outline their connections to the Daylesford and Hepburn communities along with how their skills and expertise would benefit the project.”

An expression of interest is available online via the council’s website with printed copies available from Daylesford Library and the Council Hub on the corner of Duke and Albert streets in Daylesford.

“The Daylesford Town Hall is an exceptionally important and well-loved building. We expect there will be many community members interested in helping with this project. We welcome expressions of interest until the cut-off date of Wednesday 24 April,” said Cr Hood.

The Daylesford Town Hall will be closed for essential electrical and roofing works for at least 18 months from September 2024. The works are necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the building and modernise the ageing electrical system. Priority works to protect the significant heritage building include extensive repairs to the roof, parapets and chimneys, with electrical upgrades to commence once the roof is replaced.

The Daylesford Town Hall will close for essential electrical and roofing works for at least 18 months from September, the Hepburn Shire Council has announced this afternoon. 

Priority works to protect the significant heritage building include extensive repairs to the roof, parapets and chimneys, with electrical upgrades to commence once the roof is replaced. 

Hepburn CEO Bradley Thomas says $1 million has been allocated toward the project in this year’s budget, with $200,000 also allocated for further planning, with the “best estimate” of the overall cost of the project to this point is $1.5 million.

Holding a media conference earlier today to announce the works and temporary closure, the council says it will work with regular users of the building to help identify alternative venues while it is closed.

Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, says the council will concurrently assess the feasibility of maximising future use of the significant building.

“We are investigating options to consolidate and upgrade the town hall so it could act as a community hub, similar to what we have in Creswick, Clunes and Trentham,” Cr Hood said.

“This would include whether Daylesford Town Hall could be refurbished to include a library along with multi-purpose community spaces to cater for meetings, functions, performances and events,” he said.

When the council cancelled the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project in November 2021, it resolved to identify possible solutions for staffing accommodation and community facilities for Birch Ward.

The possible relocation of the town’s library and upgrade to the Town Hall space is now being identified by the council as a means to help to achieve those objectives.

Community consultation had highlighted the community’s strong connection to the Daylesford Town Hall.

“There are many steps required before this kind of project would proceed. In order to assess the feasibility of the project we need to obtain architectural advice on the suitability of the site, receive community input and consider feasibility and concept designs,” said Cr Hood.

“Progression of the project will be dependent on securing external funding. A rejuvenated town hall could deliver fit-for-purpose, modern community facilities that maximise the use of this important community building and meet the needs of the community,” he said.

The council will establish a Project Advisory Group (PAG) of eight members in coming months to guide discussions on how the proposal would best meet the community’s needs.

“We will invite expressions of interest for this PAG in April. I encourage anyone interested in community facilities in Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs to put up their hand,” Cr Hood said.

“A PAG has been very effective in the development of The Mechanics Trentham, a council building that is almost complete, which encompasses a new library, kitchen and community spaces,” he said.

Should the town hall project progress beyond the upgrades that have already been identified as required, the council will look to seek additional funding from state and federal governments. In the meantime it has established an online page on its Participate Hepburn site to enable members of the community to engage and find out more.

The roofing and electrical works at Daylesford Town Hall have been identified as necessary to preserve the structural integrity and modernise the ageing electrical system.

The works have been deemed necessary regardless of any changes to the building’s future use.

While the works are underway, the council chambers and council staff who work in the town hall will relocate to leased premises at 24 Vincent Street.

The Daylesford Town Hall was decorated in red, white and blue and alive with the festive music of France, and other parts of Europe too, for the annual Quatorze Juillet celebrations conducted by the Hepburn Shire U3A French Group and the Daylesford Community Brass Band.
Over 120 people braved the weather to celebrate the French National Day in style. There were prizes for French-themed dress and French-themed tables and almost everybody arrived in some form of French tribute costume.
This was the ninth annual French Night in Daylesford and all present enjoyed a happy evening of food and music and a little can-can in the grand finale.
This is the Daylesford Community Brass Band’s major fundraising event of the year and the band provided a number of rousing tunes from Bizet, Dvorak, Lecuona and even Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Christine Douglas sang Songs my mother taught me, by Dvorak and Millie Gouldthorpe sang La Mer. Euphonium soloists Chris Billings and Mark Lyall performed the duet from the Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet, and Jenny Jordan led the band through the other numbers.
There were raffles and a silent auction to raise funds for the band and notable this year was the large number of Daylesford eateries who provided meal vouchers to be snapped up in the silent auction.