The Hepburn Shire Council has advocated for additional support for regional local government at two key events held in recent days.

Last Friday (March 28) the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) quarterly meeting took place in Daylesford with mayors and CEOs agreeing on regional priorities they believe require federal government support and action. 

Council leaders advocated for an equitable share of government funding to ensure residents have access to adequate infrastructure and services. 

Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that regional councils need a commitment from government to improve access to housing, major transport networks, digital infrastructure and adequate funding to ensure the financial and communal success of our region. 

“The meeting was a good opportunity to come together to align interests and put forward a united voice,” Cr Henderson said.

“We need the Federal Government to further support regional councils to ensure their financial viability and community growth. It is critical that federal leadership commits to empowering local governments for the betterment of all Australians.

“The time to act is now—with a federal election around the corner, adequate federal support for our region is long overdue. All parties in the election need to commit to supporting local government.”

The Hepburn Shire Council’s Mayor, a number of Councillors and the Chief Executive Officer also met with the newly appointed State Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, and local MP Mary-Anne Thomas last Friday to discuss the current opportunities and challenges facing the Shire. 

The Future Hepburn project, a once-in-a-generation program of major projects, was discussed and details as to how it intersects with the new ‘Plan for Victoria’ was released by the Victorian” Government.

“We are committed to protecting the region’s rural lifestyle while planning for future growth and meeting targets set by the State Government,” Cr Henderson said.

“Meeting directly with the Minister and Mary-Anne Thomas MP, gave us the opportunity to be upfront about the issues facing the shire.”

Other topics discussed included new waste service guidelines, the emergency services and volunteers fund and the shire’s Financial Vision. 

The council says it will continue to advocate for its community to ensure it can deliver key programs and projects now and into the future.

This story based on a Hepburn Shire Council media release. Image: Supplied

Affordable housing, spreading kindness, appreciating the great outdoors and peace. It’s a fairly compelling mix and it’s all part of what makes Daylesford’s Mary-Faeth Chenery tick.

Mary-Faeth is one of the newest inductees onto the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll, an accolade bestowed at the  Hepburn Shire Council’s recent  IWD event held in Trentham.

“For me it’s continuing to focus on kindness and inner peace and trying to radiate that to others,” she says as we chat about her volunteer contributions that led to this recent recognition.

Originally from North Carolina USA, Mary-Faeth retains the trace of a US accent. In her light-filled Daylesford home a Steinway grand piano is a family treasure and when quizzed she says that yes, she does play a little – “classical”.

Her little schnauzer-poodle cross dog named (Ellie in honour of Eleanor Roosevelt) snoozes alongside on the couch as we chat about the recent IWD honour, spirituality, community, and some of the challenges our world faces.

The IWD recognition in large part acknowledges Mary-Faeth’s ongoing leadership in striving to ensure affordable housing exists, particularly for the largest growing cohort of homeless Australians, older women.

Prior to “retiring” and shouldering her current voluntary roles, Mary-Faeth headed up the Department of Outdoor Education and Nature Tourism at La Trobe University in Bendigo.

She has a masters in management, a PhD in psychology and has studied theosophy and spiritual traditions and practices from around the globe.

Her work toward perpetuating global peace includes serving as a distinguished representative of Australia at numerous international events organised by the Global Peace Initiative of Women.

And, as co-founder and president of Older Women in Cohousing (WINC), Mary-Faeth has made great strides in addressing the housing security needs of older women, including older lesbians.

Under her leadership, WINC is now developing a project that will provide 31 new, small, sustainable and accessible homes within a mutually supportive community in nearby Castlemaine.

Since 2017, she has worked with her co-founder to establish the organisation, acquire the property, foster a community of older women and secure planning permission for this innovative “village”.

“We are now receiving interest from all over Australia and from the media,” says Mary-Faeth whose vision aims to help ensure older women experiencing financial hardship have the opportunity to live with dignity and agency.

She is also founding member and current president of Safe Place Homes, an incorporated society dedicated to alleviating housing challenges within the Hepburn Shire and beyond.

This work (all voluntary) has notably contributed to the inclusion of four social housing units as part of Daylesford’s Middleton Fields development.

Quietly honoured and humble in receiving her IWD honour, this well informed and erudite local pauses and reflects for a moment before thoughtfully answering the question I put to her: “how can anyone help make the world a better place in such troubled and troubling times?”

“Something my spiritual teacher Ananda Tara Shan said to me is ‘look for where the good is radiating and follow that’. That to me is a good approach.”

“And,” she adds, “I think it’s terribly important to listen to others.”

Words: Eve Lamb

Daylesford’s Timeless Outdoors is taking part in the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show with a garden titled Timeless Repose.

The garden is designed by Timeless Outdoors and constructed by Latham Landscapes.

The design ties in subtle hints of old Melbourne bluestone combined with old English heritage with cleanliness and simplicity, giving a modern take on the two.

The floating elements are designed to spark curiosity, and strongly emphasise the detailing of the building process.

The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is taking place at the Carlton Gardens from March 26 to March 30.

The Florence Thomson Tour is heading to Ballarat, and the Daylesford  Amazing Mill Markets, this weekend.  

Created in 2017, the tour is a unique rally for women drivers celebrating the  pioneering spirit and contribution of women to Australian motoring.

The tour was  aptly named after Florence Thomson, who, in 1905, was the sole female entrant in the Dunlop Reliability Motor contest from Sydney to Melbourne.

She was one of the  16 entrants who successfully completed the five-day trial, driving a six horsepower  Wolseley, over what was then nothing more than 562 miles of dirt track between the  capital cities.  

This year more than 95 vehicles have entered, ranging from veteran to vintage  then to more modern classics and over 200 people are participating as either drivers  or passengers.

All participants are encouraged to dress to match the era of the vehicle that they are driving.  The community is invited to see the tour vehicles and talk to the participants at  Windmill Drive, Ballarat on Sunday, March 30 from 9am to 11.30pm.  

The day before, Saturday, March 29, many drivers will head to Kingston and Creswick before stopping at the Daylesford Mill Markets about noon.  

The Scotty Camburger is the latest offering from the Daylesford Seafood Bar.  It’s named after Scott Cam, one of the two faces of The Block, which is now  filming at Raglan Street at the eastern entrance to the town.  

Meanwhile Shelley Craft, the other on-air talent on the show, is loving Daylesford  where she now heads every week from her home in Byron Bay.  

“I just love the actual feeling of a small town. You go into every store and  everyone knows everybody else who comes in. They might not know us particularly,  but they say hi to all the other customers, like their friends.

 “And I really appreciate that, being from a small town myself. But just that idea,  I think, of being able to get off site, and for the intensity that happens here every day,  for our crews and for the contestants themselves, and all the production, to actually  take a step back and just slow down a little bit on those few hours a week they have  off, is a really lovely thing.  

“It’s a bit like Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree – every season we pop up and  land somewhere else and go, what on earth does this world have to offer us?”  

Scotty, who is still looking for a favourite pie, said the welcome from the town  and community had been terrific.  

“I’ve rented a really nice, lovely, quaint cottage. And that’s the beauty of our job,  that we get to experience the town for three months. It’s not just like a fly-in business.  We live here, we immerse ourselves. I rent a house, I live in it, so I live in a different  household every year. So that’s really fun. And my wife comes and visits. She’s  coming next weekend for a week.  

“And then we love going out for tea, and all the great restaurants and pubs. We  went to the Lake House last night, and it was incredible.”  

Shelley said the news about Daylesford being the latest home for The Block had  got out ahead of time and she hoped the contestants had done their research into the  region.  

“They should have been looking at what houses they can design here that are  really going to suit the market. And that’s where Scotty and I come in on Fridays,  where we say, hey, you might have missed the mark here. Have you seen the eclectic  lifestyle, the amount of colour that’s in town? Bring in the natural environment.

“Don’t just build a house that you can build anywhere. Build something specific  for Daylesford that’s really going to appeal to the audience that A, already lives here  and might be looking for an upgrade, or B, is really going to attract new locals to the  area. So, yeah, we’re trying to every week go, Daylesford, Daylesford.  

“And we are hoping that they have enough time in their week to get out and  actually explore the area a little bit so they get those tiny details right. Yeah, see who  comes here. See who wants to live here. Is it a family? Is it single people?

“Who’s  buying in the town and what style are they looking for? That’s the key. If you build a  house that people aren’t looking for, they just go next door.”  

Scotty said the show would leave a few legacy projects around the region.  

“We do (this) every year. We do a community centre, something to that effect.  We did a surf club last year and we get our sponsors on board so we can generally tip  in quite a few bucks, like a lot, and do a reno that they would never do. And we try  and do that.”    

Hepburn Shire councillors and council staff, including Mayor Cr Don  Henderson and CEO Bradley Thomas, took the opportunity to take a tour around the site of The Block last Thursday. The Local tagged along.  

They met with Scott Cam and Shelley Craft along with other members of the  television show crew. Scotty told the councillors and staff the welcome from the town had been amazing with everyone friendly and happy.  

“(And) there’s 200 of us here roughly and we don’t provide catering for our team.  So 200 people have to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in town somehow, whether  they cook it or buy it, or go to a restaurant.  

“So from our point of view, it’s great for the town. We always try and do a  community service as well, somewhere along the line.  

“We’ve also rented probably, I don’t know, 50 houses. And when we come to  a town, an original town like Daylesford, we go boots and all. We come in and we  really get involved and we love it.”  

Scotty said taking part in the ChillOut parade had also been amazing and would  be the first episode when The Block aired later this year.  

Shelley said she lived in a regional town, Byron Bay, and loved the lifestyle that  is on offer.

“So I feel responsibility to introduce the rest of Australia to what regional  living is like. To somehow, through the show, show that little window of how  wonderful regional living can be. And perhaps encourage other city slickers to get out  a little bit more, even if it’s just on the weekends.

 “We’re not sure what audience these homes are going to bring as far as buyers. We  hope that they end up being huge contributors to the town as well and integrate into  the community.”  

Image: Kyle Barnes  Words: Donna Kelly

The Hepburn Shire Council has acknowledged an apparently unauthorised release of the Local Government Inspectorate (LGI) draft report on the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project.

The draft report concerns an investigation of the management of the project which proposed to convert an art deco shopping arcade (Rex Theatre) on the main street of Daylesford into a community facility, including library and council offices.

The council also acknowledges that due to the report’s release, the community will be feeling a range of emotions; frustration, anger, sadness, discontent and discomfort.

The council has been calling for the finalisation and release of the LGI report for many years, to bring closure to the situation.    

In a media release issued this week the council has stated that: “The way the confidential draft report has been made public is concerning and Council has formally written to the LGI to request a thorough review of the situation.”

The council’s media release also states that:

“As far as Council’s awareness of the matters raised in the report, in 2021 a number of Councillors and Officers were provided with an earlier draft for comment.

“However, they were under a legal obligation not to reference receipt of the report or disclose its contents. This 2022 version of the report, though, is unfamiliar to our organisation and Councillors and Council cannot comment on its origins or accuracy.

“The report obviously highlights significant areas for improvement, and a media release issued by the LGI in September 2024 noted that they were ‘satisfied that the Council has taken remedial action to put in place measures to avoid future complaints of a similar nature, including the creation of a new governance and policy framework’.”

Hepburn shire mayor Cr Don Henderson, said: “The current leadership (post-2018) at Council has implemented important improvements to governance, service delivery, community engagement, and transparency.

“These vital improvements have occurred while we have responded to the pandemic and the impact of three major storm events (costing Council $3.5 million), and delivered key projects including Djuwang Baring, The Mechanics Trentham, Future Hepburn and our Financial Vision”.

Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Thomas said he was proud of the organisation’s willingness and ability to ensure that the failings identified in the report do not occur again.

“Our organisation and community deserved better, so over the last six years we have put in place countless improvements to systems, processes and governance; the implementation of Project Control Groups, creation of a Major Projects Unit and an increased oversight by the Audit and Risk Committee and Councillors.

“This has resulted in improved project delivery, governance and financial oversight,” Mr Thomas said.

The financial loss associated with the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project was $5.65 million. This included the purchase of The Rex in 2016 for $6.345 million, additional expenditure of $3.04 million, and proceeds from the sale amounting to $3.74 million.

“The $5.65 million is significant, however, it is important to be clear to the community that the current rate cap variation and savings associated with the implementation of our Financial Vision would still be required even without it,” mayor Cr Henderson said.

“The Financial Vision notes an annual shortfall of $4 million per year across the 10 years so, had the loss associated with The Rex project not been incurred the shortfall, would still have amounted to $3.5 million annually.

The council is working with the relevant stakeholders to bring closure to and recover from this incident and will continue to advocate for the community and their interests now and into the future.

This story based on a Hepburn shire Council media release. Image: File

Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Don Henderson has welcomed “Australia’s much loved renovation competition reality TV series, The Block“.  

Filming started at the Raglan Street, Daylesford site last week.  Cr Henderson said Daylesford was known for its charming streets, culinary delights, mineral springs and spa resorts, and was set to benefit from the anticipated  influx of visitors.

“The cast, crew and travelling fans, will be able to indulge in Daylesford and all of our shire’s hospitality and shopping at our artisanal businesses and the local craftsmanship.

“Hosting The Block is an excellent opportunity for our shire. It will deliver noticeable economic benefits and showcase our beautiful landscape, rich history and vibrant community to millions of viewers across the country.   

“As filming takes place over the next few months, we look forward to the business The Block will bring to our accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants, local trades  and suppliers.”  

“The shire stands to gain far more than architecturally beautiful homes, the exposure will boost tourism beyond the show’s broadcast, reinforcing Hepburn Shire as a must-visit destination for local and international travellers.

“Council and our  communities look forward to The Block shining a national spotlight on our shire’s  charm, heritage and businesses.”  

Meanwhile, The Block contestants took part in their first challenge creating floats for the ChillOut parade last Sunday.

The show will air later this year.  

Above, Daylesford’s first Bunnings Warehouse, on The Block site  Words & images: Donna Kelly  

With Eve Lamb

Three Lost Children Walk, Daylesford, 15 km (total)

Part B

Today is the day we shoulder our packs once again to complete the final remaining half of Daylesford’s famed Three Lost Children Walk.

We start where we left off last time, in Hogans Lane at Musk Vale surrounded by comfortable homes on acreage, and it’s a couple of ks of hiking on gravel, across the Ballan-Daylesford Road blacktop, and onwards, following unsealed Hogans Lane right to its end. Then it’s right into Foxs Lane, then left into Manna Gum Track.

Here, finally, we begin to leave the lifestyle acres, goats and alpacas behind, and things start to get a bit bushy.  For a start there’s a large male kangaroo eyeing us off and making me feel just a tad nervous, recalling tales of how these fellas, who have every right to feel miffed at people invading their ancestral home, have been known to eviscerate folk with a well placed claw hook.

Thankfully the big roo merely stares peaceably. And we walk on.

We’re equipped with a well thumbed copy of the Three Lost Children Walk brochure, readily available from the Daylesford Vistor Information Centre, and my copy of Walks, Tracks & Hikes of Victoria by Derrick Stone.

The bush is dry. The day is hot.  We reach the point where the trail descriptions indicate we should swing left into Paddock Track. But a brief moment of confusion arises. There’s a marker post facing us but its face is bare, displaying no signage of any kind.

My walking accomplice, Paddy H, ever observant, takes a look and discovers that the about-facing side of the post does display the now familiar stylized Three Lost Children trail marker, confirming that this is, indeed, where we turn left. And we’re on the right track.

“That’s why I bring you along,” I tell Paddy H who accepts this as his due. As we gain a bit of elevation there are fallen eucalypts on the forest floor, relics of the famous June storm from a few years back. We’re on a rough-hewn dirt vehicle track, surrounded by the forest now. After a while, we hear the  engine of a vehicle drawing closer.

A ute appears, trawling slowly behind us.

Glancing behind me, peering back at it,  I see the occupants are a friendly-looking couple.

Paddy H stops to say G’day to the bloke behind the wheel, beside whom the female passenger grins back at me. Or is that a look of empathy?

I wait beside the track while Paddy H and the bloke behind the wheel converse. And wait. And then wait a bit more.

Finally they’re done.

“Nice bloke,” surmises Paddy H as we start moving again. “He’s concerned about climate change and the impact it’s having on the forest.”

Pretty soon it becomes apparent that our printed walk guide has failed to mention just how gnarly, and flinty this walk is. Let’s just say there are some undulations here that could bring delight to hard core theme-park enthusiasts if you ran a light rail over them.

And once again I find myself thinking of those poor three lost little tackers whose tragic 1867 meandering this walk memorializes. This is no leisurely pleasure promenade. I marvel especially, for the hundredth time or so, at how their small-child legs could ever have carried them so far.

Sweating as we tackle the dusty undulations beneath the blazing February sun we reach the almost-evaporated and rather sad-looking Specimen Hill Dam. More of a bog hole today really. History records that it was near this spot that a young man called John Quinn had encountered the lost children and (unsuccessfully) attempted to turn the three doomed smalls back for home.

“Good advice,” I reflect aloud.

“Reminds me of the bullock driver in Joseph Furphy’s ‘Such Is Life’,” muses my walking companion, cryptically.

“I’ll have to read it.” We still have a fair way to go and I need to conserve energy.

The walk description is proving fairly straightforward to follow, though, and the trail well-marked. We reach, and cross Specimen Hill Road that wends its lonely way on through the Wombat State Forest bushland as far as the eye can see from this juncture.

And from here we trudge on along the dusty and evocatively named Cockatoo Track for about 3km to finally reach the Wombat Creek Dam.

The walk officially ends here at the Wombat Creek Picnic Area. The “dam” water storage reservoir is a decent little body of water. On a hot day like today just reaching it is a very welcome reward.

Note: The first part of this walk review appeared in the January 13, 2025 edition of The Local.

Social media went a little viral recently with people wondering if Daylesford’s Victoria Park was an off-leash area for dogs.

After queries from The Local, the Hepburn Shire Council has confirmed that the park is an on-leash dog park – and has been for many years.

Development and Community director Ron Torres said there were two designated off-leash dog areas in Hepburn Shire, one at Trentham and one at Clunes.

The fenced off-leash dog park in Clunes is situated on the town’s Scenic Drive while Trentham’s off-lead park is in Market Street next to the pool and now includes picnic table facilities.

“Council works with dog owners through raising awareness and education on responsible dog ownership,” he said.

Perfect conditions shone down on the ChillOut Parade on Sunday, March 9, transforming Daylesford’s Vincent Street into a sea of circus-themed razzle-dazzle.

It was a bumper turnout for the Rainbow Circus Spectacular-themed event. These photos capture just a bit of the colour and vibe.

Images: Eve Lamb

The region’s real estate agents have responded with cautious optimism following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate cut – dropping the cash rate by .25 per cent. 

The February 18 decision – dropping the cash rate from 4.35 to 4.1 per cent – will help ease pressure on mortgage holders, but many hope the official cash rate will fall further. 

With the major banks agreeing to pass on the 0.25 per cent cut in full to variable rate customers, it is estimated that a household with a $500,000 mortgage would save about $77 a month, a household with a $750,000 mortgage $115, and a household with a $1 million loan about $155 a month in repayments. 

Belle Property Daylesford and Trentham principal director Will Walton says the RBA decision is a welcome move for property owners with a mortgage and buyers looking to consider entering the market. 

However Will did also note the diversity of personal situations which exist within the region with some households struggling to meet rents and repayments, while others do not stand to benefit so much from the cut. 

“A portion of our local population are potentially self-funded retirees with no mortgage,” Will acknowledged. 

“Certainly, once confidence is stimulated, we should see more real estate transactions in our local market. A number of very generous first home buyer programs are on offer and we recommend first home buyers investigate these offers with their financial lender or bank. Bendigo Bank certainly has all the detail.” 

Creswick real estate agent Katie Minchinton of Katie Minchinton Property said the cut was good news. 

“The Reserve Bank has cut rates to 4.10 per cent – the first reduction since 2020,” Katie said. 

“This could be the perfect moment to step into the market or make your next move. Don’t miss out on new opportunities. 

“It’s certainly very good news. We’re looking forward to great growth and more confidence in our market in the near future.” 

Rob Broadhurst of Broadhurst Property said the decision to cut the cash rate to 4.10 per cent marked a significant shift in economic policy. 

“While this move offers welcome relief for mortgage holders, its impact on the Macedon Ranges and surrounding property markets remains to be seen,” he said.

“The RBA’s decision reflects growing confidence that inflation is stabilising, with headline inflation recorded at 2.4 per cent in December 2024, well within the target band of 2–3 per cent.

“However, despite this rate cut, many households will still face financial challenges due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures. 

“For the regional property market, the rate reduction should help stabilise home values, halting the incremental declines seen in Melbourne over recent months. 

“However, while lower interest rates can make borrowing more attractive, prospective buyers remain cautious. Rising costs across multiple sectors, including energy, groceries, and services, mean many households are still hesitant to stretch their budgets. 

“As a result, while the rate cut may encourage more buyer activity, it is unlikely to be a silver bullet for rapid price growth in the immediate term.” 

Frances Harkin of Harkin Estate Agents in Trentham said as interest rates decreased, there would be restored confidence and momentum in the property market. 

“Regional areas particularly remain a strong and desirable market. A rate cut in 2025 could drive increased buyer activity, making it an ideal time for sellers to position their properties strategically,” she said.

“If you’re considering buying or selling, staying ahead of market shifts will be key to making the most of upcoming opportunities.” 

In an article in Australian Property Update, CoreLogic Head of Research Tim Lawless said the cut was significant, but “arguably the greater effect on housing markets will be the confidence injection received from the commencement of the rate-cutting cycle” . 

“Measures of consumer sentiment have already shown a solid rise through the second half of 2024 as households became more certain the rate-hiking cycle was over and the outlook for household finances started to improve. 

“Historically, there has been a clear relationship between changes in consumer sentiment and home purchasing activity.” 

PropTrack Senior Economist Eleanor Creagh agreed.

“Both buyer confidence and borrowing capacities will be boosted now interest rates have begun to fall,” she said.

“As a result, the price falls seen over the past two months are likely to be short- lived and may reverse with the slight improvement to affordability and buyer confidence driving renewed demand and price growth.” 

Words: Eve Lamb & Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes 

The Block 2025 is being filmed in Daylesford and the Raglan Street site already has the steel bones of five huge houses up, waiting for the contestants to arrive next month to turn them into homes.

The Local’s editor Donna Kelly chatted with the show’s executive producer Julian Cress, above, about all things Daylesford, local businesses, leaving legacies, building and a worldwide profile – for free. 

Donna: How are things shaping up for this year with The Block. 

Julian: Fantastic. We are just finalising our pre-production at the moment, getting all of the properties ready, getting our contestants ready and getting our crew ready. 

We kick off in a few weeks’ time, and everything’s looking really positive. We start filming in March, and we’ll finish in June. 

Donna: What’s the feeling like for you and your guys in the town now, because you know you had a bit of opposition for a while there? 

Julian: We had a couple of people who were anti the development, but the response we’ve had from the wider community has been absolutely awesome, extremely positive, and very welcoming. And a lot of business owners I’ve talked to see it as a great economic benefit. 

Donna: Do you find regions like Phillip Island (2024) get an economic lift out of it? 

Julian: Yeah. I’ve been a bunch of times since we were filming last year, and I’ve had incredible responses from local business owners who are so grateful that The Block was there.

They’ve seen a really big uptick in tourism and trade. I noticed that our friends at the Penguin Parade put out a press release recently saying that The Block effect had delivered a record year for them.

So we can really see that it’s not just the money that we spend in the community when we’re making the show, but it’s all the money that flows when people watch the show and choose to go to that destination. 

Donna: There are a few people selling their own properties and hoping The Block will shine a light on the region. Does that happen? 

Julian: I think there’s no doubt that people who aren’t familiar with an area can learn a lot about it from watching our show. And let’s not forget, it’s not just about the audience watching the show in Australia.

Our show goes to over 170 territories around the world. And I think that what we can deliver for tourism isn’t just people around Australia coming to Daylesford, but people from all over the world choosing to visit Daylesford when they come out to Australia. 

Donna: You would know that Daylesford is the largest LGBTIQA+ regional town in Australia. Are you choosing any contestants based on that? 

Julian: Absolutely. The Block was the first TV show in the world to have a gay couple. And we’ve had a bunch of contestants from that community on the show over the years. This year will be no different. 

Donna: Do the contestants know what they are getting into? 

Julian: No. No contestant, no matter how much they’ve watched the show, can really understand just how challenging it can be to do it. And I know that because they all tell me. Every season, every contestant says to me at some point, ‘Jules, I knew this would be hard. I just didn’t know it would be this hard’. But they also at the end, when they finish, they always say to me, ‘that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but it was also the best’. 

Donna: And do you still enjoy it yourself? 

Julian: Very much so. And I’m very, very much looking forward to doing this series in Daylesford because I live in the Macedon Ranges. I moved up from Melbourne a few years ago. So I’m a local (and) I’m really pleased that I won’t be away from my family for four months, like I was last year. I absolutely love it. You know, I’m fully in love with the area and planning to spend the rest of my life here. 

Donna: And is that how Daylesford was chosen? 

Julian: I wish I was that powerful. We came across the location through a friend of ours, Natalie (Fagan), at Belle Property. She’s a great agent in the area there. And she introduced me to the developers. I just love the fact that the property is so well positioned.

It’s like the gateway to Daylesford. And obviously we’re taking the responsibility of that very seriously and planning to put in a lot of effort to create homes that really will set the scene for people arriving in Daylesford. 

And, you know, we’re going to spend millions of dollars locally. A bunch of my builders have been on site now already for a couple of months and they’ve already all become members of the local bowling club and they’re loving it up there. 

I think once my film crew starts to arrive in the next few weeks, you know, I think local businesses are going to see a lot of new customers because all of those people need to eat and drink. And we’re renting accommodation for everyone.

We’ve booked many, many homes for many months. They’ll spend a lot of money locally. And then of course, when the show is on the air later in the year, you’ll start to see tourists coming. And that tourism will happen for many years to come as the show rolls out around the world. 

Donna: A win-win for the community. 

Julian: I certainly hope so. And we’re going to really work very hard. We’re actually going to be doing some community projects while we’re there. Some charity projects that the community has told us they really want. 

We’re looking forward to not just leaving five great homes behind us but an even more valuable legacy for the community with other projects that we can undertake as well. 

Donna: Well, I can’t wait to see what you have in store and for the show to start airing. Thanks for your time. 

Julian: My pleasure and I look forward to showing you around the site when we get under way. 

It’s almost here. ChillOut is only days away with the theme of Rainbow Circus Spectacular. And national treasure Marcia Hines will be there – delivering a huge set of disco mega hits on Friday, March 7 under the Big Top at Victoria Park. 

Marcia said she was thrilled to visit ChillOut Festival for the first time. 

“My favourite performances have always been for the LGBTIQA+ community. I am taking leave from filming Australian Idol especially to travel to Daylesford for my first appearance at the ChillOut Festival. 

“I am so excited to visit such a beautiful part of Victoria but mostly to perform for my most treasured audience. I can’t wait for ChillOut.” 

All the festival favourites are back, including Bush Dance, Pool Party, Carnival Day, Street Parade, Poof Doof After Party and a host of other events will roll into venues across Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. 

There will also be social sports, comedy, art, and family-friendly fun including the All Ages Youth Muster In The Park. 

“The Youth Muster is an extremely important feature on the ChillOut events calendar,” ChillOut president Matt Clarke said. 

“Generally, regional youth are isolated from many activities and experiences purely because of location. 

“Travelling to any event in a capital city is costly. Event ticket costs, transport, and accommodation all become quite stressful and are often the final factor in whether they attend. 

“Being a young queer person in regional Victoria adds further layers of complexity, as often being out or proud of who they are can come with bullying and violence.” 

ChillOut Festival 2025 kicks off with a free community event under the ChillOut Big Top at Victoria Park on Thursday, March 6 from 6pm to 8pm, hosted by ChillOut favourites Dean Arcuri and Spankie Jackson. 

The Big Top Burlesque, pictured above, is also bound to be a crowd favourite. For all information and tickets head to www.chilloutfestival.au.

And check out the timetable on pages 10 and 11. The Local is proud to be ChillOut’s media partner for 11 years 

Local small business owners looking to sharpen their social media and content marketing skills are invited to a free workshop facilitated by Hepburn Shire Council with Business Victoria.

This month’s free workshop is designed to help participants master the essentials of social media and create content that connects with their target market.

It will be held at Daylesford’s Victoria Park Pavilion next Monday, February 24 from 9am to noon.

The face-to-face workshop is for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to master social media and create compelling content.

Participants can expect to learn how to:

• choose the right platform to reach your target market
• curate and create content that engages your audience
• enhance your content marketing social media skills
• use Google Business Profile to boost your visibility.

They will also create a social media and content marketing plan to attract more customers and help drive their business goals.

RSVPs: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/business-events

FEDERAL MP for Ballarat Catherine King has joined with the St Michael’s school community in Daylesford in recent days to officially open the school’s newly refurbished learning space.

The custom-designed space provides an opportunity for students to undertake independent learning or play while windows connecting the space and classrooms mean they are still supervised by their teachers.

It also provides an opportunity for students from different classes to learn and play together.

It was previously a dark and dated hallway but is now perfect for students engaged in autonomous learning or imaginary play.

The project also included the revitalisation of the school’s library and a specialised STEM room and was supported with $2 million from the federal government’s capital grants program.

Words & Images: Contributed