Iconic Australian actor, Bryan Brown is headed to Daylesford for a cocktail event to discuss his new psychological thriller, The Drowning.

Famed far and wide for his roles in screen gems including Breaker Morant, Cocktail and Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Brown will feature in conversation with Derek Guille at the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine and at the Convent, Daylesford.

He will be chatting about the art of storytelling with a focus on his new psychological thriller, The Drowning.

An Evening with Bryan Brown takes place at The Convent, Daylesford next Friday November 3 from 6pm.

The cocktail event will celebrate the release of The Drowning and will include canapés, a drink on arrival, conversation with the Aussie screen icon and book signing.

An afternoon with Bryan Brown takes place at the Theatre Royal, in Castlemaine on Saturday November 4 from 1pm.

Words: Narelle Groenhout

Daylesford stalwart Max Primmer was recognised for his tireless work in the community at the recent Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Surrounded by his posse of friends, some who attend his weekly Ageing Disgracefully coffee group, Max was presented with the Ageing Well Award by Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner and Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt.
In his usual manner, Max gracefully accepted the award and shimmied around the gardens of Government House to personally meet with all other award recipients and congratulate them.
“I feel very humbled to receive the award but I give back, volunteer, make sure people know they are loved and connected because that is who I am. I don’t do it for any other reason than to try and make a difference to people in their lives.”
In presenting the award, Governor Gardner said: “Max is a humble person known for his sense of humour and a strong advocate for human rights for all members of the community.
“He serves as an elders rights advocate, leads the Ageing Disgracefully Thursday group fostering connections among seniors, is actively involved in the ChillOut Festival, volunteers at Hepburn House’s aged care community, visits dialysis patients to provide support, motivation and encouragement while they undergo dialysis and is a dedicated speaker for the National Kidney Foundation.”
Much has been written about Max over the years. Locally and beyond his story has been shared far and wide. From his open-heart surgery prior to a kidney transplant, to his early life on a farm to the loungerooms of elderly locals where he simply offers friendship and his time, to donning his heels and sequins for his alter ego – Di Alysis, (although she’s recently retired) to his community radio work, his
committee work across Hepburn Shire, his housesitting and other side hustles, and his ability to have the stamina and energy of people half his age.
Max Primmer is certainly one in a million.

Work is underway on a $444,000 upgrade to the Daylesford Jubilee Lake Sewer Pump Station, and is anticipated to be expecting to be complete by late November, the Central Highlands Water Authority says.

The Jubilee Lake Sewer Pump Station upgrade has been designed to enable greater wastewater capacity during emergency events; preventing spills and overflows into the local environment.

The installation of two underground storage tanks, and associated infrastructure, will provide an overall capacity of 43,000 litres bolstering the pump station during maintenance works and providing standby storage in the event of a power outage.

“We’ve worked closely with Hepburn Shire Council and other local stakeholders, considering Jubilee Lake’s environment and we’re committed to limiting environmental impacts during the upgrade works, and improving the park overall,” a CHW spokeswoman said.

“The majority of the new pump station assets will be installed underground and we are looking to reduce trench digging, implementing a less invasive boring technique with minimal impact on established trees,” she said.

“A temporary walking path has been put in place to provide access for park visitors and walking groups during the works. The original walking path will be reinstated with granite stone to match the current style.

“Our priority throughout this project is to support the Daylesford community, and also leave Jubilee Lake surrounds in better condition than before, and as part of this we’ll be adding enhancements including resurfacing and levelling of the park’s green spaces.”

Work at Daylesford’s Central Springs Reserve starts this week to prepare the site for the drilling of a new mineral springs bore.

The new bore will extend to a depth of around 50 metres to provide more reliable and safe mineral drinking water at the popular reserve. The current bores at Central Springs Reserve are about nine metres deep.

“High-quality mineral water is a major drawcard for visitors to our Shire and is enjoyed by plenty of local residents,” said Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Bruce Lucas.

“Central Highlands Water tests the water quality each fortnight and Council closes access to the pumps if readings do not meet requirements. Hydrogeologists engaged by Council have advised that a deeper aquifer would produce more consistent water quality for years to come,” he said.

Over the coming weeks there will be vehicles at the reserve to prepare the site for the drilling equipment. Pedestrian access to the reserve will be impacted throughout October and early November while works are underway, which will be clearly delineated onsite.

The three mineral springs pumps at the reserve will be closed in late October while the drilling is underway. The closest alternative pumps are Sutton Spring approximately 500 metres northwest of Central Springs (along Dry Diggings Track, adjacent to the creek) or Wombat Flat Spring on the southeast bank of Lake Daylesford (off King Street).

Three new pumps will be installed in early 2024 as part of a broader redevelopment of the reserve in line with stage one of the reserve masterplan, which was based on widespread community consultation in 2021.

Along with new mineral springs pumps, the works will include improvements to Wombat Creek, beautification of Hard Hills Spring, installation of new park furniture, landscaping and connecting pathways. Budget pending, the picnic and shelter area and works to highlight the historic hydropower pump infrastructure may also be included.

The council plans to consider the contract for the stage one works its ordinary meeting in December.

“In the short term, there will be some impact on reserve users while preparation works and drilling are underway. We aim to minimise the disruption during this time, but some areas will be temporarily closed to pedestrians between the carpark at Fulcher Street and the reserve while works are carried out,” Mr Lucas said.

“We appreciate the support of the community during this time and look forward to delivering this project for the Shire.”

The TV show “The Block” maybe coming to the Daylesford township, or at least it was coming to town until a few objectors, climbed onboard the “Leave our pretty town alone” train and stopped it in its tracks.

Or that was what it looked like from the outside and it was strange that the TV show that normally keeps to itself in terms of outside media unless they are looking for attention, started communiques to media outlets pertaining to it’s struggle in getting permits from the Hepburn Shire Council.

It seems the trouble is over the scale of the builds, the heated pools and maybe a bit of Tall Poppy Syndrome. I personally sit in the pro-development camp, after realising a long time ago that there is not much you can do about it, the way our society is setup with the rules bending to the elite and rigid for the rest of us.

Like The Block I have done a few renovations in my lifetime, buying my first house in my twenties, and just before moving in, getting a job with a demolition crew in the old George Walkers building (kind of like the Myer of New Zealand).

My whole purpose of getting the job was to figure out how a wall was constructed in the days before Google, so as I would be able to renovate my new purchase. I also needed to remove a wall in the house as it was a rough, gang-ridden neighbourhood and you had to unlock the back door and walk across the porch to access the toilet.

I was on a four-week swing, meaning I would spend four weeks at sea with the next four weeks off when I was on the offshore tugboats. Which meant leaving my girlfriend at the time home alone, so the wall had to go.

I also asked dad how to remove a wall and he turned up with his chainsaw and yes cutting into a 1960’s laundry wall which abutted the toilet with a chainsaw and no protective gear is not recommended. Think asbestos poisoning.

But I had no idea and removed the wall rendering the toilet accessible from inside the house. This meant I had a taste of the renovation bug and still had Dad’s chainsaw. So, I kept removing walls and renovating, looking back I’m surprised the joint didn’t come down like a house of cards.

I have done a few small renovations since but even though I measure twice and cut once I am not much for getting things level so leave things to the professionals. But back to The Block, I haven’t watched the show for years and decided to tune in last Monday. Because maybe it is coming to town or maybe it isn’t? Either way I figured I should get in sync and after 35 minutes I decided it was a load of emotional waffle. I kid you not, I was screaming at the TV set “for the love of God, just build something.”

But, I wasn’t entirely caught up with things at The Block and it had been an emotional weekend (Go the Pies), so on the Tuesday night I once again sat there ready to be entertained and was once again disappointed. As two of the bickering back-biting teams went to Scotty’s house in Gisborne to have dinner and talk about their emotions (strike me pink) – just go and build something.

It’s like watching a teenager’s party when some young drunken idiot cracks onto someone else’s squeeze and fisticuffs and emotion ensue.

So, for mine, if the Block comes to Daylesford it could be good to shine a spotlight on our area, but in terms of entertainment it is tantamount to the Days of Our Lives, with long lingering looks, a lot of emotions and not much actual building taking place.

Block rant over…

Words: Eve Lamb. Images: Supplied

There could hardly be a better way to welcome the quickening pulse of the season. All who are partial to a good wine will be keen to note that the famed Macedon Ranges Bud Burst Festival is back and happening over the weekend of Friday 17-Sunday 19 November.

The quintessential Macedon Ranges wine-tasting experience, Budburst is a once-a-year chance to step behind the vines and meet the knowledgeable winemakers.

Over a glass of something good, and amidst a backdrop of lush vineyard rows, volcanic rock and ancient plateaus, festival-goers soak up a unique sense of how the region’s family-owned and small-batch makers shape mainland Australia’s coolest wine region.

Across the weekend more than 25 of the Macedon Ranges region’s winemakers across 18 budburst sites, will open their wineries and cellar doors offering tastings, curated food menus championing local produce, art shows, sculptor walks and live music.

Notably, last time it all happened was 2019, pre-COVID, and this time there’s additional good reason to mark the event up big on your personal wine appreciation calendar.

That’s because this time the vineyards on the western (Daylesford) side of the Calder Freeway will also be offering a special wine bus loop – in the same way that those on the eastern (Kyneton) side do.

Among the ‘Daylesford side’ wineries participating is Musk’s Passing Clouds Winery owned and run by Cameron and Marion Leith (pictured below).

In recent days Marion chatted to The Local about preparations for the festival and explained that previously the wineries from this end of the region had participated by showcasing their wines at a central hub at Trentham’s Cosmo Hotel.

But Bud Burst really is all about getting out into the beautiful vineyards themselves – experiencing the terroir where it all happens.

“This time we have created a special bus loop for the Daylesford end as well,” Marion says.

“We have teamed up with Attwoods at Glenlyon and Zig Zag Road winery, and with Wombat Forest Winery and also Shadowfax Wines to offer a bus loop.

“To have a bus loop is a new thing for us and I think it’s a great way of bringing the wineries together.

“People can really make a weekend of it and stay for the weekend, so they could do the wineries on the Kyneton side on one day and then the wineries on the Daylesford side on the other day,” Marion suggests.

Festival goers can jump aboard any of the festival buses and visit up to five wineries on four different dedicated bus routes – including the new Daylesford Drive loop. There’s also the Lancefield Loop, the Kyneton Cruise or the Woodend Wander bus loop options.

Alternatively, wine appreciators may travel independently around the region’s winding country roads and scenic ranges to visit participating wineries and vineyards.

“The festival is really championing cool climate wine,” Marion says.

“Here (in Musk) we are one of the highest vineyards in the Macedon Ranges at 774 meters above sea level.

“Some of the wineries will be offering music and food and there will also be some special umbrella events on the Friday as well.

“We (at Passing Clouds) will be offering an exclusive tasting list highlighting our cool climate wines.

“The Macedon Ranges Vignerons’ Association, which we are part of, really wants to get people to the vineyards. It’s really nice for people to see the vineyards and experience where the wines come from.

“It’s a great weekend for locals to come out and support their local businesses and wineries.”

More detail about the festival, participating wineries, and different ticketing options available can be found on the festival website www.macedonrangeswineandfoodfest.com.au

With Eve Lamb

Long established artist and observing Jew, Daylesford’s Bill Meyer (pictured above) can name a multitude of diverse career highlights. They range from a painting commission for the Werdiger family, and their patronage over many years to having works included in the Hirsh collection and incorporated in multiple public collections. Further highlights include a touring exhibition of prints and drawings called Gapscape which, in the eighties, was showing in 26 state, regional and national galleries nation-wide. Today, while now in his 80s, this gifted local remains busy with digital arts and music.

Eve: How would you describe your style Bill? Does it fit a particular genre?

Bill: Art writers have described my work variously as related to German Expressionism, to lyrical abstract expressionism, to heavy metal girders rather than petit-point… I prefer to think of my visual work as landscape-in-metaphor.

Eve: How did you come to Art?

Bill: There was never any real alternative…I attended night classes in life drawing for several years until graduating from university when I was accepted as a full-time day student at the National Gallery Art School, which, by the time I graduated with a fine arts degree in painting and printmaking, had transformed into the VCA and nowadays is part of Melbourne University. Graduate studies in London followed and I spent the next decade in the Northern Hemisphere. Exhibitions lead to further development and encouragement from visiting artists to The Royal College and also curators and directors of the Institute of Contemporary Art where I exhibited, brashly, several times.

Eve: Where do you do most of your work? Where is your home?

Bill: I have lived and worked in Melbourne…also in London during the seventies. There have been multiple stays as a guest artist in Israel at the studios in Mishkenot Sha’ananim, Jerusalem, several years in America, again Australia as artist-in-residence at several university-attached art colleges and regional city galleries; rural accommodations for artist-in-schools projects, and now, for the past four decades mostly living and creating from my studio on the family property in the beautiful bushland of Hepburn Shire.

Eve: Which artists have influenced you?

Bill: The artist most valued by me would be Rembrandt for his philo-semitic intensity, his draftsmanship and composition, his use of light and shade, dramatically, aesthetically, and his tenaciousness towards creativity even under the worst of adverse times. My list of admired and influencing artists include the New York Greenbergian artists of the fifties through the seventies, including Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, Rothko, Barnet Newman … also artists such as Modigliani, although I am not a figurative artist, I admire the poetry of his figuration, same for Klimt and the Viennese secessionists. Landscape influences include Turner, Caspar Friedrich David, and Hobbema.

In Australian influences I include Arthur Boyd, Fred Williams and my mentor with whom I learned so much about the philosophy and beauty of being an artist; Roger Kemp. The friendship extended to the entire Kemp family household. Victor Majzner, an artist friend to this day, has been part of both that world involving galleries, professional practice and education, and also the more spiritually focussed aspects of the Jewish art world. There are others…

Eve: Are there particular factors which have influenced your creative work?

Bill: Money was always an issue but somehow I have survived with the help of democratic governments, friends, family and patrons albeit that they complained often and frequently at length.. Networking and working on projects with other artists has been personally and creatively a great thing… In the past several decades, being located in the Central Highlands has given me a sense of much needed personal, spiritual and working space.The forests around Daylesford have contributed content and metaphor to my work.

Eve: What is your media of choice? Why so?

Bill: Printmaking as in fine art editions, initially as a conventionally analogue printmaker and more recently using digital technology. I also paint on canvas with either acrylic or oil, I draw, and have constructed multi-media installations with sound, light paper and natural organic materials. Recently, over the past decade, I have returned to musical composition, recording the finished works in digital formats.

Eve: What work, goals or projects do you have in mind for the future?

Bill: A large project on Trees in History, legend and Metaphor. Images, text and my dreadful poems. I’m also working on musical compositions which I had deferred for years whilst establishing as a professional visual artist. The music is very important to me.

Eve: What would you rate as the biggest challenge in being a professional artist today?

Bill: In some ways the challenges to professional artists today are similar to challenges to artists since the rise of mercantile civilisation from the Renaissance onwards. Money, creative head space and time, quiet creative time… The speed of life today however is destroying the creative head- space required for the truly competent and caring professional. We may ironically have to search out the scorned amateurs as in the C19th for a truly spiritual experience to be gleaned from the Fine Arts.

Eve: And for you, the greatest rewards?

Bill: The greatest rewards are that well- known ‘frisson,’ that delicious shivering when, in your soul, you know that something good has happened; a creation which has meaning…This is so rare but it is an affirmation that I am in the correct type of service and in the right place…

Words: Committee coordinator Jenny Hopkins | Image: Contributed

Paintings. Well, on July 1 when art entries were invited, paintings began to flow in, soon afterwards however there was a hiatus. For someone new to this job that was a matter of concern despite the perpetual comments: Don’t worry they’ll all pile in on the last few days. So true – they did.
This is being written on D-day, October 2. A week ago, there were 84 paintings…right now the 150th one I dreamed about last night has rolled in and tumbling over it are more. Not just quantity but uniqueness and quality. Such a relief. Thank you artists.
While that is happening, entries for various forms of sculpture arrived. And, I mean various forms, from Overwrought to Humoroos.
Sometime in between, talented quilters Tina Whittaker and Chris Calheiros opened up and categorised more than 50 outstanding quilts.
Then there was the visit to Newstead to meet Trevor, Helen, and their bonsai trees in their flourishing garden. Many years ago, they replaced an empty paddock with plants including bonsai trees.
In early November, some bonsais will find a spot on the smaller stage in the Daylesford Town Hall with some locally produced pottery and sculpture – not far from the Bendigo Bank Bar, perhaps more appropriately named Cheers for Forty Years.
We needed a judge of course. Well, we have two, Kim Percy and Morgan Williams, who are very used to judging and commenting on art in many forms at Radius Gallery.
This is Daylesford Rotary’s Art Show. Already we are delighted to involve Rotary members and friends. The Art Show committee members are Hepburn Council former CEO Victor S, Citizen of the Year 2022 Danny M, Victorian Quilters vice-president Denise L, artist, book author and donor of the major raffle prize, above, Brian N and his partner artist Roberta D, our scribe, Koos H, and me.
We are pleased also to involved members of the newly established Art Co-operative. They will be seen during the Art Show, welcoming you at the door, ensuring we have lots of delicious food and refreshing drinks at the not- to-be-missed Bendigo Bank Daylesford District opening and awards night.
That night and the four days afterwards will be filled with activity including scones, jam and cream, with fresh coffee, while you consider buying a painting, sculpture or quilt.
That does sound like a lot of helpers/volunteers – but we do need more for the opening (awards) night. We would love to involve more members of the community who are sure to find the experience fun and enjoyable. Link: www.daylesfordartshow.com.au/openingnight

Words: Eve Lamb. Image: Supplied

Former corporate lawyer, Mikaela Stafrace, (pronounced Staffarachi) is clearly passionate as she discusses her role as founder and CEO of WomenCAN Australia. The highly motivated change-maker will be guest speaker at the upcoming U3A AGM taking place in Daylesford on October 16.
Mikaela will share insights into why this not-for-profit, that helps disadvantaged women secure and retain good paid work, came into being, the work it’s doing now, and the difference it’s making.
Training and peer support are key aspects of what WomenCAN Australia does to help disadvantaged women secure good ongoing work.
It teams up with training institutions and employers to give free training and guaranteed jobs to women and girls who need them, but might otherwise miss out.
In the process, Mikaela says, it saves scarce taxpayers’ funds as the cost of its activities is “significantly less than Centrelink payments while the benefit is significantly more than that provided by Centrelink”.
In fact Mikaela says the numbers are currently being professionally crunched to work out just how much WomenCAN is saving the taxpayer.
Mikaela say women whom they particularly aim to help include refugees or asylum seekers who may need to retrain after fleeing oppressive and dangerous regimes. Sometimes simply learning to drive and gaining a licence is a key enabler for such women.
Other groups that may be assisted include women aged over 45, women who have fled domestic violence and those whose working lives have been disrupted by chronic illness.
In the four years since it started this organisation has changed lives and our wider society for the better.
“It’s now around 800 that we’ve helped and that includes 333 women who are now fully employed and 479 that have trained or are training towards securing work,” Mikaela says.
“A big sector of our cohort are women who have escaped domestic violence and are now getting back on their feet and coming into the healing process. We have some women who are exiting the justice
system.
“We only focus on five areas of high labour demand, providing peer support in five vocational areas, because we know there’s work there.
“That’s in aged care and child care, in transport, horticulture and commercial cookery, trades and, one for next year will be, cyber security. There’s a big need for data analysts and the like. Not the techies and the computer engineers, but data analysts.”
WomenCan Australia has a head office in South Melbourne but in the four years since it started it’s helped women in both metro areas and regional areas including the Castlemaine and Kyneton areas.
“I’d like to speak about the story of WomenCAN in terms of our journey and how we began and what we’ve achieved,” Mikaela says ahead of her upcoming Daylesford talk. “We’d rather that there was no inequality and that every woman had as much chance as the next person but that unfortunately is just not the case.
“None of us know each other’s stories and it can be incredible what a difference one offer of employment or one act of kindness can make.”
The AGM is at 10.30am with Mikaela’s guest speech set to start at 11am. Members of the public are welcome, but to help determine whether the venue is the town hall or the senior citizens building, those planning to attend should first email their RSVP to Hepburn U3A at info@u3ahepburnshire.com

A Daylesford woman is an instant multimillionaire after winning last Thursday’s entire Powerball draw of $60 million.
The local woman realised she had won after checking online when her husband accidentally hung up on officials calling to break the news. The woman said she would help a lot of charities – especially those working with disadvantaged children.

The buying and selling of The Rex building in Daylesford resulted in a cash loss for the project of $5.647 million, Hepburn Shire Council reports show.
The building was bought in 2016 for $6.345 million and sold for $3.735 million in 2021. The total expenditure on the project was $9.382 million. The sale proceeds were used to repay the $1.5 million
loan associated with the purchase, and the remaining balance of $2.1 million was used to create a reserve to assist with funding Birch Ward community facilities and council staff accommodation.
The Local has contacted the Local Government Inspectorate to ask if the report into the Hepburn Shire Council and the purchase of The Rex building in Daylesford was going to be released soon.
A spokesperson replied via email. “Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, we are unable to share any information at this time.” The investigation into the issue started over four years ago.

A planning application for five houses at 1 Raglan Street, Daylesford, understood to be for television show The Block, will go before Hepburn Shire Council at its October 17 meeting.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said after an extensive process the council approved a planning permit for the subdivision in April 2023.

“A very small number of objectors to the subdivision subsequently sought to challenge the decision at VCAT. The developer then applied for the matter to be considered for an accelerated determination by the Planning Minister,” Cr Hood said.

“Council is looking forward to understanding the economic and social benefits that the television show may bring to the shire and is still very much interested in having those conversations.”

With the Pyrenees Unearthed Festival now a must-attend annual event for many wine lovers, the region’s wineries are taking the festival to the road.
The Daylesford Town Hall will host the Pyrenees Wine Region’s best winemakers over two sessions tomorrow, Saturday, September 30.
Fifteen wineries will be in attendance on the day, each presenting a series of highly regarded wines for tasting. This offering promises to encompass a diverse range of styles from both famous brands and lesser-known producers.
For those interested in learning a little more about the intricacies behind each wine the event also has opportunities for guests to speak directly with the makers. The two three-hour sessions are accompanied by live music from The Brothers Bishop.
Tickets for both the afternoon and evening sessions – priced at $25 plus booking fee – are on sale now and include a souvenir wine glass and carry bag. The afternoon session runs from 1pm to 4pm and the evening session is from 5pm to 8pm. More details: www.pyreneesunearthedfestival.com.au

Daylesford’s Kirstie Swift got into property conveyancing in quite a surprising way.
She had been working in a completely different field, at Castlemaine’s Loddon prison, when she broke her leg. As a result she was forced to take time off work for several months and in that time a friend encouraged her to do a real estate course.
While the sales aspect of real estate wasn’t quite Kirstie’s cup of tea, she soon discovered that property conveyancing did appeal.
The enterprising local used her enforced time off ultra productively, completing an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancy online while recuperating. After that she swiftly secured new work in law firms in Ballarat and thoroughly enjoyed it.
In April this year the licenced conveyancer took another big step, launching out with her own Daylesford-based business, Swift Conveyancing, specialising in residential and farming property.
Swift is a name that not only happens to be Kirstie’s surname, but also bodes well for those in need of the timely legal transfer of property ownership.
“Settlement on time is what we’re aiming towards,” says Kirstie who, beyond her professional working life, also happens to be extremely well travelled.
She’s originally from New Zealand but has also lived in various parts of the world including the UK and Thailand where she previously worked as a dive instructor.
“My role is to keep the conveyancy procedure on track. I like to make sure my clients fully understand what’s going on,” she says.
It’s an interesting time in real estate right now, but some things remain constant, and the need for good communication throughout the conveyancy process is one of them, Kirstie firmly believes.
She particularly appreciates that the legal transfer of property from one party to another can be “one of the most stressful times in people’s lives”.
To help ease the stress element and ensure a smooth process, one of Kirstie’s main aims is to be really approachable for her clients, and while it’s all very much an electronic process these days, Kirstie makes sure she’s readily available to visit and chat to clients in their own homes should they wish.
“My aim is to be approachable so my clients know that if they have any questions they can just phone me, email me straight away.”
Words: Eve Lamb.

Daylesford’s annual Chillout Festival has received $50,000 in funding from the state government’s Regional Events Fund to help stage next year’s event.
ChillOut Festival is Australia’s premier regional LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural festival, held annually in the villages of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. ChillOut Festival 2024 will be the 27th iteration of the festival, making it Australia’s oldest and longest running regional queer festival, now attracting 28,000+ visitors and filling accommodation and restaurants in the region.
To be held from Thursday 7th March – Monday 11th March 2024 (Labour Day Weekend), the festival is made up of over 55 diverse activities and events, including visual arts, live music, comedy, cabaret, parties, sport, social events, and public forums. This includes ticketed and free events from a range of LGBTQIA+ artists and performers. Chillout has continued to raise the profile of the Hepburn Shire as a visitor destination.
The Government is backing a jam-packed calendar of crowd-pleasing public events in regional and rural areas in 2023.
The $20 million Regional Events Fund is a critical component of the $633 million Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan and supports festivals, sports events, creative exhibitions and other cultural celebrations.
The Regional Events Fund drives economic benefits to Victoria by increasing visitor numbers and length of stay, thereby boosting spending in regional areas and supporting local jobs.
Since 2016, the Government’s Regional Events Fund has funded more than 300 events across the state.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “We are proud to support Australia’s premier regional LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural festival because it encourages people to visit regional destinations and enjoy the wide range of experiences on offer.”