The Hepburn Shire Council is inviting all residents of the shire to attend a special free event celebrating its community award winners for 2024 and welcoming its new Australian citizens on Thursday January 25.

The free event will be held from 2pm on Thursday 25 January and will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall.

Refreshments will be provided and during the event the council will announce its Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year.

Community events are also being organised by local community groups at Clunes and Trentham on Australia Day/Survival Day Friday January 26.

At Clunes, the town’s Tourism Development Assoication is hosting a sunrise walk and flag raising ceremony with a 5.45am start from the Mt Beckworth Reserve (meet at the Dam). A pancake breakfast atop Mt Beckworth is also on the program.

Then at 12 noon there’s a flag lowering ceremony, community barbecue and live entertainment at Collins Place in the town’s Fraser Street.

At Trentham there’s a flag raising ceremony, a community barecue and entertainment in the town square.

The Trentham Lions Club is hosting the event and music starts at 10 am with the main event including flag raising and speech from Hepburn mayor Cr Brian Hood scheduled to get under way from 11.30 am.

Do you recognise any of these bowlers?

The Daylesford Bowling Club will celebrate its 125th anniversary in April this year.

The club is keen to record and copy any photos, objects or records related to the club activities that current or former members may have at home or with family and friends.

The Daylesford & District Historical Society is assisting to photograph and scan items for the anniversary.

Email history@daylesford.net or contact the club committee representative Dot Bull on 0419 482 866 or Daylesford & District Museum curator Gary Lawrence on 0412 665 087.

The Daylesford Bowling Club was formed on April 17, 1899 and was opened on December 20, 1899 with 64 founding members. The first club president was J Wheeler and the first secretary was J Anderson.

In 1904, the club joined the North Western District Bowling Association and in 1907 the Daylesford Tennis Club was brought in.

This combined body then became The Daylesford Bowling and Tennis Club. The Bowling Club had four rinks and the Tennis Club had two asphalt courts.

A free workshop, produced by Justice Connect, “Preparing for your future: A conversation guide for the LGBTIQA+ community” is specifically designed to encourage older people to engage with the process of future planning.

A facilitator from Justice Connect will expertly lead people through the conversation guide, answer questions and help discuss ideas.

The workshop, on Monday, January 29 at the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, is funded by Justice Connect, The Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program – Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health and the Silver Rainbow Social Club – Castlemaine and Hepburn Shire.

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health spokesperson Belinda Brain said talking about older age was not always easy.

“However planning now means that you take the steps you need so you can live the life you want as you age,” she said.

“People are invited to attend this free 2.5-hour workshop that will help them clarify what matters most to them and help them communicate their wishes and decisions to the people around them.”

The workshop runs from 11am to 2pm and lunch will be provided with RSVPs essential for catering. Register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/PFYFJan29

Words: Donna Kelly

The recently installed reverse vending machine in Creswick received a record 9500-plus containers in just one-week courtesy of 112 customers, the Hepburn Shire Council has reported.

It’s further indication of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) success in reducing litter and supporting community fundraising, the council says.

CDS is a Victorian government initiative that provides 10-cent refund for every eligible drink container returned. Many sites are now open to accept containers and locations in the Hepburn Shire are:

• Creswick Hub, 68 Albert Street, Creswick
• Daylesford Industrial Estate, 37-39 East Street, Daylesford
• Pig and Whistle Hotel, 705 James Lane, Trentham East.

And a site for a machine in Clunes is being investigated, the council has recently reported.

The machines are operated by TOMRA Cleanaway with those intending to make a deposit also able to download the CDS Vic West app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Following the success of Hepburn Shire Council’s first Sustainable Hepburn Day hosted at Trentham in 2022, the informative community event is set to return on Saturday 16 March 2024 at Victoria Park in Daylesford.

The council is encouraging locals to “save the date for what promises to be a fun, interactive and educational expo of what’s going on in our shire and how residents and businesses can join in nature conservation, climate action and circular economy.”

Business or community groups who would like to share their sustainability work, wares or engage people through an activity, are also being invited now to register to be involved in the event via an online form before Friday 12 January.   

By Donna Kelly

First of all, Happy New Year! It’s 2024 already – and the years just keep rolling around. My lovely Nan told me once that time goes faster as you get older, and it’s true. But getting older is also a privilege not open to everyone.

So who’s complaining.

This edition came out on January 1 and, as usual, we decided on a retrospective edition with just a few of the stories we wanted to share again, including the sad loss of a couple of wonderful community stalwarts. Vale Harold and Serge.

Of course, you can’t cover everything and some things are best left in the past.

We mostly try to be a good news publication but it’s hard sometimes. You know what I mean. It’s not that we are not thinking about those situations but just not bringing them to the fore. I hope everyone is OK.

And I hope you have enjoyed the past year of editions of The Local – we love putting it all together and have a fantastic crew who do all the hard yards. Thanks to all of them for their work, commitment and, most of all, friendship and support.

Also thanks to our advertisers. I hope that you do support them. It is not because of us, but because of them, that you have a lovely free read each fortnight. Have a look through the pages each edition and if you can thank them by using their services it would be much appreciated.

Now, as I said most of this edition is looking back but we do have new adverts, check them out, and also a bit of a distressing story on the potential closure of the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Or DEECA. Formerly DELWP.

If you check out our story on page 4 by journo Eve Lamb you will read that the departmental threats come after the shelter, that’s been operating for 22 years, has refused to reapply to renew its authorisation (or licence) due to the imposition of conditions which its operators say are “unrealistic, unreasonable and absurd”.

Those operators are Gayle Chappell and Jon Rowdon. Both very experienced and trained wildlife carers who have basically put their lives on hold for those 22 years and dedicated themselves to saving wildlife. Day in, day out, night in, night out, theytake in injured wildlife and nurse them back to health.

There is no funding. They are helped by amazing volunteers who wash and dry bedding, make up formulas, feed animals around the clock, provide compassion, raise funds and collect donations of
sheets and blankets and anything that could possibly help an animal in need.

As far as I know no injured animal has ever been knocked back. They all get the care, and love, that they need in the most stressful time of their lives. I remember seeing Jon in town during the 2009 bushfires and he looked exhausted. Fifteen years ago – and still they continue with their life’s work.

I don’t know what’s going on with the department, but surely the fix is a helping hand not a fist. Maybe some of the department’s cost to change its name could have gone to wildlife shelters. I don’t think an injured joey gives a stuff if the overriding wildlife body is DEECA or DELWP.

Hmmm. Maybe if the shelter is shut down we take any injured wildlife to the nearest DEECA office? And if it’s after five, perhaps we drop them off at a manager’s home for the night. I am sure they wouldn’t mind doing the 2am feed.

This is just bureaucracy gone mad. This is an essential service. You help not hinder. Gee, a thank you might even be nice as well, for 22 years of service to the community. Oh, stop the press, read page 4 about a fundraiser at the Hepburn Golf Club! It’s such a great cause. Just sayin’…

Words: Serena Everill. Images: James Healey

The Sybil Disobedients from Central Vic Climate Action crew took part in the Daylesford New Years Eve parade.

The “ Sybils” were devised by Extinction Rebellion in Central Highlands NSW in response to COVID.

The costumes ensure physical distancing and the slow gliding /spinning choreography draws attention to the slogans on the skirts.

The gentle performers create another opportunity for people to talk, think, and feel about the terrifying ecological and climate issues we face, and imagine how to resist it.

Mathew from the “ Sybils” said he was prepared to give up his New Years Eve party this year to encourage people to take more visible action. He said it was also fun!

December 31 means just one thing to many people in Daylesford and Hepburn – the New Year’s Eve Parade and Gala.

And no wonder – committee president Cathy Davies has been doing some research and believes the parade goes back to 1914.

Cathy said the evening will be divided into two parts starting with the Gala from 6pm to 8pm – which sees Vincent Street transformed into a huge fun community area.

Up the southern end, think Frangos, there is live music with a blues band, food trucks, barbeque and plenty of tables and chairs. Next door is the “soft area” with the astroturf laid covered with bean bags, deck chairs, small tables and big games like noughts & crosses and jigsaws.

It’s the place for families to come and sit around and chat about the year that was while the kids play games. Big pots of flowers, created by the Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, will provide a festive feel.

Keep heading north and you will find yourself in the woodchop area – where the woodchoppers will show off their expertise with an exhibition for an hour or so.

If that’s not enough, head further north, think Coles way, and that’s the Kids’ Corner with a petting zoo, face painting and fire trucks. Old fashioned games include coconut shy, quoits and pin the tail on the donkey. There’s also balloon creatures and craft on offer.

By 8pm the floats – walking and motorised, historic vehicles, fire trucks and everything in between, will have found their spot in Duke Street, and the always colourful parade gets underway.

The festivities finish with the Daylesford Community Brass Band playing a few tunes, ending with tearjerker Auld Lang Syne, before parade prizes are presented.

Cathy said the committee was hoping many people would register floats, with a special Hepburn Wind Sustainability Award for the best walking/sustainability float on offer, by December 30.

To register with a hard copy head to the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre or for an online copy email tracey.petrie@gmail.com

See you there to farewell 2023!

The Christ Church Daylesford (Anglican) will hold a Christmas Eve service at 10am on Sunday, December 24 and a Blue Christmas service at 6pm for people who have lost someone this year.

All are welcome to this all-faith no-faith service of prayer, reflection and hope. The Christ Church Daylesford (Anglican) will also hold a Midnight service at 11pm and a Christmas Day service will be held at 10am.

The Catholic Parishes of Creswick and Daylesford will hold Christmas Masses on: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 8.30pm at St Peter’s Daylesford and Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 9am at St Augustine’s Creswick.

The Uniting Church Daylesford will hold: a Sunday service on Christmas Eve at 9.30am and a Christmas Day service at 9am.

Christmas is coming, and so are the outfits, decorations and trees. The Local caught up with a few of those making the most of the silly season.

At the Daylesford Community Op Shop, above, it’s been a busy year with loads of donations and support going to great causes and those in need.

They include those without a home, the Colleen Shields Youth Sponsorship Award, Creative Indigenous university fees, Daylesford College Awards Night, domestic violence clients and Indigenous clients.

Just over $19,000 in grants have gone to the New Year’s Eve Gala Parade, Daylesford & District Agricultural Show, Hepburn Community Radio, Swiss Italian Festa, Good Grub Club, Highland Gathering, Daylesford Community Child Care, SHIFT Healthy Lunch Kitchen & Young Growers, Sue’s Twilight Christmas Market, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer, Hepburn Wholefoods Collective and schools with supplies for art and craft and dress-ups.

Donations to the op shop have come from the VIP Business Group (#vipbusinessnetwork), Spa Centre,
CWA Daylesford, Belle Property Daylesford, Daylesford Neighbourhood House, Daylesford Rotary, Creswick Woollen Mills, Spot on Motors Hoppers Crossing, Stihl Shop Daylesford, Commonwealth Bank, Community Bank Daylesford District, Daylesford Locksmith, Courtot Automotive and Rustic Habitat Bullarto.

Manager Michelle Clifford said people can donate through using the new Container Collection Deposit Scheme, just around the corner with donations tax deductible. Donate to BSB 633000, account 145943866 with reference Daylesford Community Op Shop.

“We are very thankful to our wonderful volunteers, some pictured here, and the community for its ongoing donations of goods. Wishing everyone a fantastic end to the year and all the best for 2024.”

There was no mistaking the season as the Daylesford Probus Club collectively pulled up a seat at the lunch table yesterday.

The lengthy and lanquid festive season dining occasion took place at Daylesford Bowls Club and The Local was able to obtain plenty of photographic evidence.

Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) detectives have charged a Mount Macedon man following the fatal collision in Daylesford last month that claimed the lives of five people.

Detectives on Monday morning (December 11) charged the 66-year-old man with five counts of culpable driving causing death, two counts of negligently causing serious injury and seven counts of reckless conduct endangering life.

Emergency services were called to reports a BMW SUV mounted the kerb and struck a number of patrons on the front lawn area of a licensed premises on Vincent Street just after 6pm on 5 November.

A 38-year-old Tarneit man and his 11-year-old son both died at the scene.

The man’s wife, a 36-year-old woman, and a second six-year-old son were injured and taken to hospital, and have since been released.

A 30-year-old Point Cook man and his partner, a 44-year-old Point Cook woman died at the scene, the woman’s nine-year-old daughter was taken to hospital but later died.

A 43-year-old Kyneton woman, a 38-year-old Cockatoo man and an 11-month-old baby boy were taken to hospital, and have all since been discharged.

Planning is well advanced for Daylesford’s ChillOut ’24 with a “cornucopia of queer talent” in store for the annual March long weekend attraction.

Five major key events have been launched with a considerable number of umbrella events also locked in, along with the 2024 theme – Boots and Bling.

Friday night, March 8, is opening night at the town hall and it’s shaping as one colossal dance party.

“Friday night we have 100% Dance at the town hall so we can get some more life into the main street,” says festival programmer Jacqui Walter.

“That’s with the 100% Kylie Tribute Show and we have Kween Kong and her dancers, and we also have the amazing soulful voice of Shauna Jensen. She’s coming down from Sydney with lots of great dance hits.

“It’s basically designed to have people up and dancing from start to finish with DJ Du Jour closing the night out. It should be fantastic.

“Saturday night we have Funk Soul Sista at the Town Hall. That is a queer women event. Queer women and their chosen family and friends are welcome, celebrating queer women’s music and that’s emceed by the amazing singing sensation Denise Hanlon from Sydney.”

Bluehouse will also be making a rare appearance with their drummer, Julia Day, and Sydney’s Bek Jensen will have festival-goers up and dancing with her funk soul band while the services of DJ Eddie have been secured to close out the night.

It’s a case of being spoilt for choice, with ChillOut’s inimitable Bush Dance also poised to return on the Saturday night at Victoria Park where it will be co-hosted by Sexy Galexy and Nate Byrne from the ABC, with some potentially startling appearances by Spankie Jackzon, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under in 2022.

“We’ll also have Brenda Bressed singing with country band The Cartwheels and we’ll have The String Band back. It will be a massive night,” Jacqui says.

Sunday, March 10 features the festival’s iconic street parade down Daylesford’s main drag and Carnivale at Victoria Park.

“It’s anticipated that special guest Courtney Act will be popping up at any one of the events over the weekend,” says Jacquie.

Jacquie also says Courtney will be shouldering co-hosting duties at Carnivale, a day of community, laughter, and joy co-hosted by Nate Byrne, and Narelda Jacobs.

Carnival will also feature Kween Kong, Katie Underwood, Sexy Galexy, DJ Du Jour, DJ Eddie, Shauna Jensen, The Lost Girls, Bek Jensen duo, Dolly Diamond and more, with a closing performance by Courtney Act.

“There’s a whole lot of umbrella events being launched at the moment as we speak, and our usual suspects like the tennis tournament, the social walking, there’s an art experience, wine tours and we’ll have our shuttle bus working as well,” Jacqui says.

“It’s just a feast. We’ve got all the great local drag queens coming up from Melbourne and Ballarat. We’ve got the Youth Muster, which is a free event, happening on Saturday at Vic Park, drag story telling…

“And Lavandaze of course, out at Lavandula on Sunday into Sunday night. That’ll be a big afternoon and it’s incredibly popular too. It’s a beautiful setting.

“There are more announcements to come. We’re still a good two months off yet. We’re working on some more exciting events. We’re looking to celebrate a real cornucopia of queer talent.”

Words: Eve Lamb | Images: Michelle Donnelly

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

Above The Greens, the Daylesford Bowling Club’s bistro is back up and running with some great fare on offer from chef Geoff Wellington.

Geoff, who is a bit of a raconteur, got his career start in hotels and has also spent a fair bit of time in clubs already – so he knows how to provide well priced, good food for the community.

By his own admission, Geoff is not into fine food, but he is into hearty meals with loads of flavour. And that shone through when we arrived last Wednesday in time for the first day of opening. (Mind you, some people had popped in on the Monday not realising the bistro was closed, so Geoff just cooked them up a meal. How good is that. Welcoming and hospitable.)

We started with the traditional bruschetta ($12.90) with Turkish bread topped with Spanish onion, tomato, toasted garlic, EVO and cheese. It’s a big serve and really tasty with a great combo of flavours. Off to a good start.

Next up were the vegetarian arancini balls ($15.90) atop a tomato relish served with balsamic glaze and parmesan. These deep-fried rice balls had a deliciously crunchy breadcrumb coating and were just yum. We had three between us and I scored two before Kyle knew what was happening.

Oh, drinks. This is a club so you are still only paying genuine 1970s prices. A pot of beer is from $5.80 – $7, a schooner is $8.20 – $9 and even a pint is just $10-$11.50. Wines are from a tiny $6.50. I guess there are also non-alcoholic drinks available…

We decided to share a main, the serves are big, and Geoff served us up the nasi goreng ($34). Rice based, it was loaded with jumbo prawns, big hunks of juicy chicken and peas, and flavoured with onion, chilli, garlic and ketjap manis.

As is per tradition, on top was a lightly fried egg with the yolk just folding into the meal. This is really good. Slightly sweet, slightly hot. I guess umami is the best description – covering all the flavour bases. And certainly enough for two.

We were pretty done by this time but there are plenty more mains to choose from. Of course there are all the club classics but there’s also a few different dishes to try like the jambalaya risotto, the cauliflower steak or the bbq pork stirfry.

One dish I have not seen for a while, might provide a challenge, The Beast. It’s an 800gm rump steak ($68) cooked to your liking with a choice of sauces or an additional $12 for the surf ‘n’ turf sauce with prawns and calamari in a creamy, garlic white wine sauce. You also get a beer, wine or soft drink as part of the deal.

Now I am not much of a red meat eater but I do know a few people who will take on that challenge and I know couples who will share it for something special.

If you are keen on dessert, there is pavlova with coulis, berries and cream or sticky date pudding, both $12. Kids’ meals are all $14 and seniors get a great deal on weekdays with a main for $20 or a main and dessert for $25.

So find your way down to Above The Greens and settle in for a nice arvo or evening with great food and service. And you’re bound to find a local to chat to at The Bowlo.

WHO’S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY HOUSE was the title of an ABC television series which researched the fascinating history of a selection of Australian homes and the people who once inhabited them.

With our district’s long and colourful history, we have our fair share of interesting stories attached to local houses and the people who once occupied them. Some of these stories go back to the gold rush era or even earlier. Others to more recent times.

An example of a house with an interesting story from more recent times is No. 46 West Street, Daylesford. This simple Californian bungalow style house sits on a large block with a spectacular view to Wombat Hill. It is currently a holiday rental named ‘Churchills’.

In 1973 the property was purchased by a woman named Xenia Borovansky. It is her story which adds such a colourful layer to the history of this Daylesford house. Who was Xenia Borovansky? Those with some knowledge of the history of the Australian Ballet may be familiar with the name Borovansky.

Xenia Borovansky was born Xenia Nikolayena Smirnova in 1903 in Russia and was the niece of the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (pictured below). Xenia was taught ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre and after her family migrated to Germany she joined Anna Pavlova’s troupe. It was there she met Czech-born dancer Edouard Borovansky whom she would later marry and thus become known as Madame Borovansky.

In 1938 the couple travelled to Australia with the Royal Covent Garden Russian Ballet. At the end of the tour and with the outbreak of WWII imminent, they decided to stay.

Together they established a ballet school in Melbourne which they named ‘The Melbourne Academy of Russian Ballet’. The academy grew and in 1940 they established the ‘Borovansky Australian Ballet Company’.

With its various reincarnations the Borovansky Australian Ballet Company became the precursor to
Australia’s National Ballet Company – ‘The Australian Ballet’ which formed in 1962.

Edouard choreographed a number of works for the Borovansky Australian Ballet Company, often with Australian themes. One was titled Terra Australis, which is credited by some to be the first all-Australian ballet, and the first with an Aboriginal theme. It premiered in Melbourne in May 1946 and was focused on Australia’s colonisation by white settlers.

‘Boro’ as Edouard was called by those who knew him, was a colourful extrovert renowned for being a strict disciplinarian and somewhat of a womaniser. He would become known as the ‘Father of Australian Ballet’.

Xenia, a far more reserved personality, became the head teacher of the Borovansky Ballet. She also choreographed some works and designed costumes. It is said it was because of her height that she never became a great ballerina, so turned to teaching instead.

Australia’s first ballet dancer of Indigenous heritage Noel Tovey AM was a pupil of Xenia’s. She provided him with free lessons and in his book titled Little Black Bastard he writes: “When I look back at all the teachers I had in my career, I would have to say that when it came to teaching style there was no other better than Madame Boro”.

The late Barry Kitcher, an ex-Borovansky Company dancer who was interviewed by ballet historian Michelle Potter, spoke of his impressions of Xenia Borovansky in a National Library oral history interview.

“She was very tall, extremely tall – she towered over Boro – and she wore high heel shoes as well. She was so regal and elegant and when she walked into a room it was like a star. She had rather bulbous eyes. You really stopped and looked at Madame Boro as she came in…she was a very impressive lady. Her carriage and her stature were outstanding.”

In an article which appeared in The Argus newspaper on June 25, 1955 we are told: “…Russet-haired Madame Borovansky, an artist from her fingertips to her dancing toes, is a serious withdrawn personality, content with her pupils, her home and piano studies…she still takes lessons. But there is a lighter side. Last night she was a witch in Carnival Fantasy at Chevron to help the Red Cross…”

Edouard and Xenia became well-known identities in Melbourne and lived in a grand old mansion ‘Strathnaver’ in Hawthorn. Edouard died suddenly whilst on tour in December 1959. After Edouard’s death Xenia continued teaching and running her Melbourne ballet school.

Xenia would have been around 70 years old when she purchased 46 West Street. Why she decided to buy this particular Daylesford property and at this stage of her life is unclear.

Daylesford in the 1970s was a quieter and very different place than it is today. It became the home of many creative and bohemian-type figures who fell in love with its beauty, tranquillity and affordable real estate.

Perhaps this also attracted Madame Borovansky to Daylesford in her retirement. Daylesford may have also been a place that held nostalgic memories of holidays spent with ‘Boro’ and friends. The drawcard
for this particular property was very likely that magnificent view to Wombat Hill along with the spacious grounds.

After Xenia Borovansky died in 1985 her house in Daylesford was put up for sale. An article appeared in the Daylesford Advocate and was headed; ‘Borovansky’s House Under the Hammer’. The article tells us that “… Many of Madame Borovansky’s former pupils shared time with her in what became an ideal retreat…”

Some of these former pupils may have included famous dancers who became the nucleus of our national ballet company – names such as Garth Welch and Marilyn Jones.

When visiting a local woman in her West Street home some years back, she told me as we were chatting, that there was a connection to Anna Pavlova and a house nearby. I was intrigued, although I
wondered how true this was. A few years ago when I came across The Advocate article, I carried out some further research and I found it was indeed true.

It is not hard to conjure up an image of an ageing but still graceful and elegant Madame Borovansky relaxing on the front porch at 46 West Street. As she gazes across to that beautiful vista of Wombat Hill perhaps she is reminiscing about days long ago when she danced with her aunt – the great Anna Pavlova.

Xenia Borovansky died on the 25th November 1985 at the age of 82 and is buried with her husband Edouard in the Box Hill Cemetery. Their gravestone reads: DOYENS OF THE RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF BALLET IN AUSTRALIA. FOUNDERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET.

So who’s been sleeping in your house? Words: Heather Mutimer | Images: National Library of Australia