Daylesford and Hepburn brigade members have met with CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan in recent days to highlight the importance of road crash rescue brigades and the vital work they do in the community.

This comes just four months after members attended a horrific incident where five people were killed outside a Daylesford pub.   

Recently the brigades did a road crash rescue demonstration, the extraction of a patient, and stepped the CFA Chief Officer through the process.  

Daylesford Fire Brigade Captain Glenn Webster said having a rescue unit adds a lot of pressure. 

“We do a lot of training, last month the brigade turned out to six serious car accidents, far more than usual,” he said. 

“Some years are busier than others. We have had a particularly busy year due to potholes in the road that have caused some driver distraction.” 

Speaking about the events of 5 November 2023, Glenn said they don’t generally train for mass casualty events like that one.   

“I was the officer in charge and tasked the team to split up, find someone who was conscious or was at least breathing and stay with them and keep them alive. Do what they could until more paramedics arrived. The team performed amazingly.” 

He said the days after were extremely difficult. 

“The team was wonderful. They attended public vigils, they attended church services, they held each other up. They held me up when I was struggling. I couldn’t ask for a better response from the brigade. They were amazing.” 

And the community rallied, even leaving the brigade flowers at the station and cooking for them.  

“It did take a while for the shock and pain to start to settle down, but I think the community is pretty much back to where it should be now.” 

Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said rescue units play a vital part in keeping Victorians safe. 

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of road crashes and fatalities in Victoria. We are fortunate to have such dedicated rescue units like Daylesford, volunteers available day and night, to render assistance to anyone in a road crash,” he said. 

“I feel safe in the knowledge we have some of the best trained rescue operatives in this state should we ever need them.” 

CO Heffernan said he wanted to meet up with the brigades to share his gratitude for the hard work and dedication they perform for the community.  

“I also wanted to recognise the horrific accident that happened in the town that touched so many in the community. 

“The members have been doing it tough. It’s an opportunity for me to come along and say thank you on behalf of the community and also listen to them and continue to support them in their recovery.” 

The CFA has 21 road crash rescue brigades including Daylesford.

The Hepburn Shire Council is preparing to host the Sustainable Hepburn Day Out at Daylesford’s Victoria Park on Saturday March 16.

The returning event will feature workshops and activities which align with the four focus areas of the Sustainable Hepburn Strategy: learn how to electrify your home (Beyond Zero Emissions); learn how to garden for wildlife (Nature Conservation and Biodiversity); learn about how to run a zero-waste kitchen (Low Waste); and sign up to play the Adaptation Game with your neighbours (Climate Resilience).

The event will offer fun and interactive ways to manage household waste, with a focus on the council’s new food and organic service scheduled to start in early April.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood says the event will be a fun day out for the whole family and will showcase some of the businesses and community organisations addressing issues of sustainability in the shire. 

“There will be live music, games, a treasure hunt, local food and drinks, alongside workshops, art and interactive displays to help the community with their sustainability journey at home and at work,”Cr Hood said.

“A highlight of the day will be the circular fashion precinct with the chance for community members to pick up op shop bargains and to craft costumes from waste for the circular catwalk.

“I encourage the community to come along and learn more about what we’re doing and how they can take more action to protect our environment,” Cr Hood said.

“There will be a bin audit as a display and Sustainability Victoria’s Resource Smart Schools will be there with activities.  There will also be fun activities for kids around waste sorting and there will be a composting guru offering advice for adults,” he said.

The council will also launch its Circular Economy Business Toolkit at the event while the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter will also use the fair to launch their Living with Wildlife pamphlet.

By Donna Kelly

Wow. Daylesford is the fourth most welcoming place on earth. Who knew. Well the good folk at Booking.com and they are busy spreading the word.

I know, it is easy to be cynical. A few people are saying things like: “Have they had a look at Grapevine?” or “Have they ever been in the Coles carpark on a Friday afternoon?”

I get it, not everyone is welcoming all the time. But I reckon that Daylesford and actually the Central Highlands is a pretty awesome place.

When we moved up here 19 years ago we loved the friendly nature of the people on the streets and in the shops and in the pubs. We chatted to strangers, made new friends and enjoyed wandering around the region, finding things to do and places to see.

And I will say one thing, it was a big change from Frankston, or Franganistan, as we born and bred people are allowed to call the city. I would take a pub in the Central Highlands over a pub in Frankston any day of the week. Sorry Franga.

When I saw the accolade for Daylesford I did stop and wonder if people were still as welcoming and I reckon they are. For our front cover photo we gathered a few people up.

Neil from the Bowlo always offers a big welcome whenever we are there and I get a hug and a kiss now Covid has wandered away, and Roger from Herbal Lore always has a smile. (Roger even made and gave away free sanitiser during Covid. Talk about above and beyond.)

Emma from Springs Medical always has time for a chat and young Pasha from Daylesford Meat Co. stopped after the photo shoot to talk us through the best way to cook a steak.

Then I just had a quick look through this edition. There’s Raman who’s only been here a short while but spends his time creating food and friendships. Check out page 20. And read page 5 about Rob and Annie from Mind Your Pet who for 19 years have provided welcome advice to pet owners.

I used to work next door at the old Advocate office and we shared hundreds of greetings and smiles and coffees – with Theo and the late Geof. Good times.

Oh, the Scottish Country Dancers on page 7 want more people to get involved and “everyone is welcome” regardless of their ability.

Then there’s the Historic Vehicle Show coming up at Clunes, which Jon says “is a time for everybody to come and enjoy themselves and relax”. Go back to page 8 if you haven’t already read the story.

I guess at the end of the day, if we are welcoming and also get some good publicity to increase our visitor numbers, that’s a great thing. I know we sometimes grumble about the tourists but we do need them if the region is going to thrive again.

We are also competing against many other one-day from metro Melbourne drives like the Mornington Peninsula and the Dandenong Ranges, and plenty of other overnight destinations including interstate and overseas again.

So if we can be welcoming, and it takes no longer than being taciturn, in fact, I think it’s quicker, why not?

I love that people come here and have the chance to enjoy what we probably take for granted too often. Friendly faces, fresh air, great stores, fantastic food and a wonderful free paper. Not many places have their own local newspaper these days.

Just sayin’…or maybe you’re welcome.

Hepburn Shire Council officers have been working with the Department of Transport and Planning on a proposal for a new 40 kilometre per hour speed zone in the central business district of Daylesford.

A formal application has previously been submitted to DTP, who have worked with the council in considering the proposal which will now be submitted to the relevant minister for approval in the coming weeks.

The proposed zone is envisaged to encompass the Daylesford Primary School, Daylesford Preschool, outdoor swimming pool, bowling club, Coles, police station and the Howe/Vincent Street shopping precincts.

The council’s website states:

“The Department of Transport has ultimate control of speed limits in Victoria. However, any requests to change speed limits on local roads needs to come from council.

“Where evidence of a required review exists, officers will review the speed limit against the standards. If a change in speed limit has some merit, Council receives additional input from local police.

“Enforcement of speeding is responsibility of Victoria Police.

“Some roads have no sign posted speed limit. These are default limits. Currently all urban speeds limits are 50km/hr unless signposted differently and 100km/h on rural roads. Default limits exist because it is not possible to fully evaluate every road in the shire, often they have low traffic volumes and are predominately used by local vehicles.”

Daylesford is soon to experience a rare operatic experience when Lyster Opera presents the first professional revival of Friedrich von Flotow’s Martha in many years.

From the mid-nineteenth century until the outbreak of WWI, Martha was amongst the most performed musical works in the world.

Its unique blend of comedy and romantic drama, coupled with a rich and beautiful score, endeared it to audiences worldwide, and it was said to be Queen Victoria’s favourite opera. It was a direct influence on many composers, including Sir Arthur Sullivan, who conducted it many times.

For director, and Lyster Opera founder, Jamie Moffat, its neglect in recent years is inexplicable. “The score is amongst the most ravishing I have ever heard,” he says.

“Apart from some instantly recognisable pieces, such as The Last Rose of Summer which is woven throughout, it is in turn funny and at times unbearably moving. Finding a cast to do it justice is a challenge, and we are so lucky to have singers who can bring it to life.”

Martha tells the story of two Irish noblewomen who, bored with life at the Queen’s Court, decide to disguise themselves as servants and visit the local fair at Richmond. There they are hired by two farmers to attend to their housework – when comedy turns to romance and a bad case of mistaken identity.

The cast is made up of experienced singers who have performed regularly at Melbourne Opera and Victorian Opera, as well as newcomers.

Paul Biencourt and Michael Lampard play the brothers Lionel and Plunkett who hire Lady Harriett
(Jesse Linke) and Nancy (Maria Woolford) without knowing their true identities.

Newcomer Nicholas Sheppard plays the Richmond Sheriff, who ensures that the laws of the Shire are adhered to, and Troy Castle brings slapstick comedy to the role of Lord Mickelford.

This is Lyster Opera’s first visit to Daylesford Town Hall and is on a larger scale than previous productions, and features new costumes and sets. Musical direction is by Pamela Christie, who has been an audience favourite at previous Lyster performances.

There is one performance only on February 24 at 2pm. Tickets: lysteropera.com.au (concessions available)

Sometimes there are people who wander into our lives and our communities with an unexpected gift
of compassion and connectedness. It is often hard to articulate the extent of their reach. Raman Richards is one such example.

Moving to Daylesford around four months ago, it’s incredible how this man with a passion for honouring his mum’s Indian cooking and a love of connecting people through food has had a much-needed positive impact on our little community.

It all started with Raman making a simple request on a local Facebook page asking where to purchase local produce and has now had an unexpected and beautiful impact on the lives of many.

“It has been overwhelming. The people I have met in such a short time; the friends I have made; the food producers and the local butchers and fruit shop owners I have connected with has been humbling. I’m so grateful for the love I have been shown in such a brief time,” he said.

“I have met people from all walks of life. From people living in small units to large properties, I have connected with people through my mum’s recipes and my love of sharing and connecting through food.”

When Raman received so many responses to his first request on Facebook, he responded with a thank you and a photo of the recipes he had made. Then people started asking for his recipes, and many then shared their attempts.

The messages continued. People sharing their photos with Raman, asking where to buy certain spices.

For Raman, it was a natural progression to have a cook up and share his recipes. He wasn’t expecting the response he received when he asked publicly if anyone would be keen to taste test.

“It was never planned. It all happened so organically. There was such a genuine passion for my recipes and food that sharing it was a natural progression. My passion is connecting people with local produce and sharing recipes and food with people.”

So, after a mammoth 18 hours of cooking, Raman drove around the countryside literally – delivering Indian food or as one Facebook message read: “His little gift of love.”

“I was humbled to receive produce from those I had visited, beautiful handmade gifts and most importantly the connections I made. I delivered a meal to a lovely lady in Hepburn who said it was hard for her to afford takeaway.

“She said she had invited her neighbour in to share the meal I had delivered. She recently told me they are now sharing a meal weekly. That’s what food does. It brings people together. It provides companionship.”

What’s also remarkable is that all of the private and public messages have been positive. Raman said initially he was warned that some messages might be negative, he has only had messages of support and kindness.

For Raman, sharing his food is his way of paying tribute to his mother. A strong woman, he says, who has taught him the importance of respecting others, connecting with others through the sharing of food and most importantly through kindness.

“My mother grew up in a little Indian village. After she moved to Australia, she opened several restaurants and still raised a family and imparted a love of sharing food on all of us. All of my knowledge of food, my love of food and sharing of food is all because of my mother. To be able to pass that on is so humbling,” he said.

For now, Raman continues to work in his corporate IT role, volunteers with Beyond Blue and has connected with local groups including the 5000 Club and the Good Grub Club and cooked up a feast for a local wildlife fundraiser – to help share his passion of food and his mum’s ideal that food connects us all.

His plan is to have a little patch of land where he can grow his own produce, have five kelpies running around and continue to share his mother’s legacy. But for now, he is preparing his next cooking adventure following a recent trip back to India with his mum.

And for the hundreds of us who have been part of Raman’s story to date, we are all looking forward to seeing his journey of food and friendship unfold.

Words & image: Narelle Groenhout

The Daylesford Speedway Drivers Association, administrators of the Daylesford Speedway track in the Basin Reserve, have set up a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 for a new concrete safety wall for the historic circuit.

While already part of the club’s six year infrastructure improvement plan, the fundraising efforts have been given greater urgency by the track’s temporary closure after the death of competitor Stephen Douglas at a meeting in February last year.

“Everything’s been on hold since the accident,” says club president Aaron Meakins, pictured above.

“Our land is managed by Hepburn Regional Council who have been very supportive. But DEECA, (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) who own the reserve, have said we are not to run any more meetings until the report from the Coroner is released and any recommendations are carried out.”

The Daylesford Speedway is the oldest speedway in Victoria and has been in operation for over 60 years after being built in the late 1950s by two returned servicemen, Kim Walker and Keith Cole.

A community-orientated track, its meetings have always had an air of nostalgia about them recalling the rough and ready fender-bending action from the sport’s earliest days.

While the club has struggled with adversity from bushfires to flooding in the past, the current situation has been difficult. There has been no racing now for 12 months and it is a sad experience to visit the site, see fixtures rusting and weeds spreading across the banked corners of the old ring.

There is no clear indication when the Coroner’s report will be released and the situation has obviously been frustrating for the DSDA’s dedicated members.

But ever optimistic, they are using this downtime to coordinate fundraising initiatives so as to be on the front foot once permission is given to hold meetings there once again.

“We are expecting some form of directive from the Coroner regarding safety upgrades,” says Aaron.

“Ultimately, putting a concrete wall in at a speedway is a natural progression that we as a club have to take. It was already in our six-year plan prior to the incident but of course, with losing 95 per cent of our income that we could normally generate in a season, it has put a hold on everything.

“We have had to resort to other avenues to try and get funding to get the place reopened.”

Besides the GoFundMe page which has received $2000 in pledges so far, they have created a legislative council petition for State Government assistance and begun the process of applying for state and federal grants.

Other support is coming from the various competitors and sponsors across the entire dirt track speedway fraternity who have fond memories of the Daylesford circuit which they would like to see continue.

“I’m very optimistic that we will have the work started within the next six months and everything ready for the 2025 season.

“Every club needs to fight to keep their tracks open and Daylesford is the oldest speedway in Victoria. To lose a piece of history like that would be a massive loss.”

Link: www.gofundme.com/f/help-daylesford-speedway-build-a-wall

Words & image: Tony Sawrey

After 18 years Rob Hands and Annie Reeve have stepped away from their Mind Your Pet
business in Daylesford.

It was a hard decision to make – because of the customers, or as they know them after so many
years, friends.

Farewell tea

The Porcupine Ridge couple hosted a farewell afternoon tea a couple of weeks back and were
overwhelmed with how many people turned up, some even bearing gifts and cards.

“There have been a lot of tears,” says Annie.

“And that was the hardest part, our customers. Because they are not just customers, they are our
friends. But we exchanged a lot of phone numbers and have been invited for many cups of tea.

“And some came back after that just to say how much they had enjoyed the afternoon. It was pretty
wonderful and we have just loved getting to know them all – and their pets.”

Time to move on

Rob said they were offered a three-year lease but after 18 years, and with pretty much most of Covid working with just Sundays off, decided it was time to move on.

“It’s a lot of heavy lifting with the stock and we just thought we couldn’t do it for another three years. It was time and now we are enjoying having a break – and cleaning out everything that came home from the shop!”

Keen cyclists

Both keen cyclists, the couple met while working on a bike race in South Australia. Annie was on the Ballarat team, working as a massage therapist, but someone took her place and she found herself on the same team as Rob.

They travelled in the same vehicle to get to the next stop ahead of the team, and well, what happens on the bus stays on the bus. That was 31 years ago.

Rob had a former life as a sparky also working at Home Hardware in Daylesford and Hepburn Bathhouse while Annie managed Women’s Health Grampians, worked in hydrotherapy at St John of God and also at the Bathhouse.

Why a pet shop?

The move to owning Mind Your Pet came as they shopped for feed in Ballarat for their sheep and cats – they have two feline friends, one 18 “going on two and ruling the roost” and one 13.

The couple realised there was nothing available close to home, saw the opportunity and opened up their own store, specialising in premium brands.

There was never any issue about working together although some people have asked how they will fare being at home together now. “We just say we have already been together every day,” Annie laughed.

Staying put

The couple has no plans to leave their Porky Ridge home, where they are both active long-term members of the Porcupine Ridge CFA – Rob was captain some years back.

“We have had a wonderful time with our store and really want to emphasise how much we have enjoyed it and how much our customers mean to us. Those friendships have just been terrific,” Rob said. Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

It was in Germany, of all places, that they eyes of Creswick’s Susan Greenbank were first opened to Scottish Country Dancing.

Eight years on it’s clear it was to be an enduring passion as Susan is among the region’s legion of Scottish Country Dancing devotees now keenly anticipating the resumption of the Daylesford Dancers’ Scottish Country Dance Group sessions from March 5.

From that date the Daylesford group will be dancing on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Masonic Hall in Vincent Street.

The group’s Heather Ross says it’s a very sociable session and Scottish Country Dance is itself a very social activity.

“It’s not Highland Dancing,” Heather says.

“It’s more like square dancing and it’s purely for fun.”

Like many of the Daylesford group members both Heather and Susan also dance regularly with the Ballarat Scottish Country Dance Group as well.

Members from both groups recently joined forces to give a demonstration of the time-honoured dance form as part of a multicultural event at Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree.

Chatting with them after catching their engaging kilt-swirling performance it quickly became clear that members of both groups jump at just about any opportunity to dance with others who share their passion for the dance form.

“People come to our Daylesford group from as far as Werribee, Melbourne, Castlemaine, Ballarat,” Heather says.

“The Daylesford group was actually started by (the late) Les Morrow from Castlemaine, for people who love the dance form to come together from across regional areas.

“The group’s been going for at least nine or ten years now. It’s just kept going and it’s very casual but we’d love new dancers to come along. We’d love to have more Daylesford area people coming to the group.

“When we get new dancers beginning we take it very slowly. We introduce them to it slowly.

“You don’t have to wear tartan. No special clothes are needed. The main thing is just to have soft shoes and a sense of rhythm, and you’ve got to be reasonably fit.”

There must be something fairly addictive about Scottish Country Dancing as many of the region’s members become so engrossed in it that they travel to Melbourne on a weekly basis to participate in social dance sessions there as well.

“I’ve been going (to the Daylesford dances) now since 2016,” Creswick’s Susan Greenbank says.

“It’s not competitive. It’s all social. The thing I enjoy most about it is the fun and the laughter, especially when you mess up. You laugh your head off.”

Many of the Ballarat group members regularly travel to Daylesford to participate in the sessions at the Masonic Hall in Vincent Street as well as attending their group’s regular dance sessions on offer in Ballarat.

One of their members, Graham Gooding, says the dance form seems to particularly appeal to people with a maths or science background. Perhaps because of the repeating patterns, sequences and symmetry involved.

For these reasons it’s also recognised as being pretty good for the brain as well as the body, dancers say.

Graham is pretty clear about what the main attraction is for him – “the music and the fitness and the fun,” he says.

No partner is necessary to participate and the upcoming Daylesford dance sessions take place between 10am and 2pm with those who attend invited to bring lunch along with them, and drinks provided as part of the $10 session cost.

Heather says all newbies are more than welcome and should give her a call first on 0418-313-060.

Words & Image: Eve Lamb

Booking.com have announced the recipients of its 12th annual Traveller Review Awards, with Daylesford featured in its top 10 ‘Most Welcoming Cities on Earth’ list of award winners.

Booking.com’s Traveller Reviews Awards are based on more than 309 million verified customer reviews with 1.48 million accommodations, 449 rental car companies and 129 taxi providers receiving an award, including over 22,000 in Australia.

This year’s list of the Most Welcoming Places on Earth showcases a vast range of destinations from across the globe.

From enchanting coastal towns to alpine retreats and rustic desert gems, all of the featured locations are likely to ignite a sense of wanderlust in many for the year ahead.

The results in order are:

1. Arraial d’Ajuda, Brazil

2. Ermoupoli, Greece

3. Viana do Castelo, Portugal

4. Daylesford, Australia

5. Grindelwald, Switzerland

6. Moab, United States

7. Uzès, France

8. Mazatlán, Mexico

9. Jaisalmer, India

10. Fujikawaguchiko, Japan

Booking.com Regional Manager for Oceania Todd Lacey: “The Traveller Review Awards are our way of thanking and publicly acknowledging the top notch service our Australian partners provide to travellers and the critical role they play in our mission of making it easier for everyone to experience the world.

“This year, we’re proud to see Daylesford, Victoria featured on our global list as one of the Most Welcoming Cities on Earth.” 

Large boulders have recently been installed in Daylesford’s Bourke Square.

The move by Hepburn Shire Council, in collaboration with the Royal Daylesford Hotel, comes after five people died following an incident at the site involving a car on November 5 last year.

The case is now before the courts. A council spokesperson said the interim measure would be in place while the council cooperated with authorities and awaited the conclusion of investigations that will determine whether other works are required at the Bourke Square site.

It’s almost time to dust off the boots and flannel shirts for the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Bush Dance has become an iconic ChillOut mainstay outdoor event at Daylesford’s Victoria Park and it’s now poised to return on Saturday, March 9.

Opening the night are two DJ highflyers, Sugar Plump Fairy and Butch Le Butch to get you in the mood

Hosted by the sexiest weatherman in the business, Nate Byrne along with famous drag artist Sexy Galexy, the night promises non-stop country dancing with the Devil Goat String Band back to deliver country fun with dance caller Bruce. Courtney Act will also be calling the moves.

Country stars The Cartwheels will grace the stage once again with special guest drag queen Brenda Bressed singing country favourites.

Close out the night with the DJs keeping everyone on the dancefloor until 1am. Favourite outdoor venue, Victoria Park, will close out ChillOut with Poof Doof following Carnival on Sunday night, March 10.

This after party is hugely popular and will sell out as the Poof Doof crew bring the famous Horse Meat Disco to town with international DJs and drag queens. The theme for Poof Doof this year is Denim & Diamonds, so get ready to sparkle.

Want to be a part of one of the longest running heritage festivals in Daylesford? Then you need to keep a couple of dates free.

The Daylesford Highland Gathering, founded in 1952, is keen to hear from people from all walks of life who would like to become members – and hopefully committee members.

The current committee, made up of John McColl (president), David Smith (vice president), Anne Heriot (secretary), Bob Orr (treasurer and life member), Keith and Rosalind Pyers (life members), Rhonda Smith and Barbara McColl, have given 20 years of service – Keith and Rosalind have actually clocked up 40 years each – and would like to see some new blood, and perhaps younger people, take over.

John said most of the committee were at the “retiring stage” and while they had enjoyed seeing the December festival thrive, it was time to step down.

“We are holding a public meeting for new members to sign up in February and then we hope that some of them will take up committee positions at the AGM in March.”

Anne said her involvement was all about the Scottish heritage of the event – and a long-held love of Scottish dancing.

“I started as a Highland dancer here when I was just four years old and I danced every year for 14 years. I love the history of the event and we want that to continue for another 72 years at least.

“I still dance with the Ballarat Scottish Country Dancing Association in Daylesford’s Masonic Hall every fortnight – and we all danced at the event last year. It’s always lots of fun.”

Keith said a new committee would be offered as much assistance as needed and with 20 years of hard work already done, all the processes were well in place.

“We have a very strong financial position, thanks to our strong and perhaps partly Scottish committee, and we built a great shed at Victoria Park which has the latest equipment in it.

“The Hepburn Shire Council has been very supportive each year and we also get excellent support from local businesses.

“It’s also great from a volunteer point of view that you hold the gathering in December and then it’s pretty much time out until October apart from a few things to tie up.

“We’ve also just recruited the Daylesford Football Netball Club to help with some of the heavy lifting in the leadup and on the day.

“It’s a very viable operation and this wonderful group of people are only stepping away because they are getting a little older. Being able to continue this heritage is something to be very proud of.”

A public meeting to recruit new members will be held at the Mitchell Hall in Daylesford (next to the Uniting Church in Central Springs Road) on Wednesday, February 21 at 7.30pm. The AGM will then be held at the same venue on Wednesday, March 6 at 7.30pm.

The history of the Daylesford Highland Gathering Founded in 1952 the Scottish festival has become an integral part of Daylesford’s diverse culture. It is the second-oldest event in the local calendar, runner-up only to the Daylesford & District Agricultural Show, which started in 1865.

Held in early December it is the first event of the new season of Highland Gatherings in Victoria each year with its location of Victoria Park offering a beautiful summer setting.

Hepburn Shire Council has helped the committee for 40 years with shire workers erecting the dancing platforms and ensuring Victoria Park is in its best condition.

Since the foundation years in the 1950s many distinguished citizens have acted as Official Openers and taken on the honourable role of Chieftain.

The list is impressive and includes state governors, current and ex state premiers, police commissioners, federal and state ministers, future prime ministers, local MPs (both state and federal)
and even a bishop.

A red-letter day was when Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop graced the event as a dignitary.

The Daylesford Highland Gathering is now an important part of local experience and brings colour and music to the community as well as drawing attention to the strong Scottish ancestry of Victoria’s Western District.

Words: Donna Kelly. Committee image: Kyle Barnes. File image: Contributed

Long-time Daylesford resident Megan Jones whoops for joy as she tells of at last becoming a poster girl. At 70.

She’s on the poster for a new play by Hepburn’s Adam Fawcett. Called Every Lovely Terrible Thing, he says it is two acts of family mayhem , funny, chaotic, surprising, with ghosts and magic realism.

A prodigal daughter returns to the family home after 10 years with a secret that threatens to blow everyone up. It even has Megan bursting out of a coffin to sing Don’t Rain on My Parade.

Four years in the writing, the play is co-commissioned by Lab Kelpie, the biggest and first for the 12-year-old company since being based here.

“This shows the strength of independent artists and companies working in regional Victoria who can take a high-quality work like this and stand next to our metropolitan contemporaries.,” Adam says.

Megan’s last stage appearance was 15 years ago in a play called The Prostitute. Amazingly, she got the role after a woman asked her, while she was sitting in the foyer of the North Melbourne Arts Hub, whether she was an actor.

Her record could scarcely be more impressive: besides acting, she is a theatre and circus director, working for 40 years with a wide range of independent artists, companies and organisations, creating more than 80 original theatre shows and 20 main stage circus shows.

Trained with master teachers in London and Moscow, she founded Machination Theatre Ensemble which over the six years of its existence was picked from 60 companies to be on the VCE Drama playlist, being awarded for its contribution.

Adam, 41, says he started writing the play before meeting Megan. “When I got stuck, I went to her, and she was a mentor and gave me encouragement.”

In spite of the seeming toughness of the plot, he stresses that it is “not trauma porn”.

A third play by Adam, Men on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, is a finalist in the 2024 Midsumma Queer Playwriting Award, while a work of prose fiction, Black Rainbow, is a finalist in a new writing award, the Pearl Prize for 750-word pieces to be announced next month.

For her part, Megan says, “He is original in his approach, well balanced and his work is unique because I’ve never seen this topic dealt with in this way. Some people might have a cry here and there, but there’s a lot of comedy.”

Another local involved is costume designer Martelle Hunt, whose credits extend from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to Shakespeare and musicals. The birth of this play may lead to fresh projects, such as theatre classes.

Every Lovely Terrible Thing is on at Theatre Works, St Kilda, from February 29 to March 16. Tickets available from theatreworks.com.au

Story & image: Kevin Childs

A recent VCAT ruling means a large advertising sign for Dan Murphy’s liquor retailer will not be able to be installed in Daylesford as planned.

In VCAT case P493/2023 – Banco Properties v Hepburn Shire Council, VCAT has denied the appeal which would have allowed the sign ( to be installed on the corner of Central Springs Road and Bridport Street.

VCAT agreed with the Hepburn Shire Council and the objectors that the sign was not in keeping with the aesthetics of the area.

The VCAT member stated in the findings: “The introduction of a 5-metre-high pole sign with internally illuminated display areas will be inconsistent with the character of this area, both the commercial land to the north of Central Springs Road and the residential land to the south.”

The original design of the proposed sign had a height of 6.4 metres, width of 1.6 metres, and a panel area of 10.2 square metres. The sign was to be double sided, and internally illuminated with a lux level of 1500 and have Dan Murphy’s face on it.

However, the applicant changed the sign prior to the hearing, reducing the height to 5.0 metres, change the width to a maximum of 3.2 metres, increasing the overall area of the sign, and reducing the internal illumination to 1000 Lux.

However, the overall design was determined by VCAT to be “not compatible with the character of the area or the streetscape or setting.”