NGV Kids on Tour 2025 has partnered with more than 150 community venues across Victoria this January to offer free art-making activities – and that includes Daylesford, Clunes, Creswick, Trentham and Kyneton. 

Activities include making a playful cat and dog ear headband, illustrating a Kusama-inspired pumpkin and creating fashion designs for paper dolls. Coinciding with the NGV’s summer exhibitions Yayoi Kusama and Cats & Dogs, NGV Kids on Tour celebrates the work of local and international artists and designers, as they draw inspiration from the colour and vibrancy of nature and the world around them. 

In celebration of the Cats & Dogs exhibition, children can design a Furry Friend Headband, a set of cat or dog ears inspired by their own beloved pets or furry animals in their lives that they can take home and wear. 

Kids will also be able to enjoy the work of iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in the Lots of Dots with Yayoi Kusama activity and children’s book.

Pumpkins have appeared in Kusama’s artworks since a young age growing up on a seed and plant farm, and this drawing activity invites children to add their favourite colours and designs to dots on a pumpkin and write a short poem about the humble fruit. 

Younger children will be able to spot big dots, little dots and shiny dots in Lots of Dots story time sessions. 

Melbourne-based fashion designers and sisters Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako from slow fashion label Collective Closets celebrate the beauty and history of the African continent through their designs.

The designers have developed the Fashion, Culture & Creativity with Collective Closets activity where kids and families will create paper dolls and design their own vibrant clothing for the dolls to wear. 

Children will learn about bogong moths in the drawing activity developed by Dr Deanne Gilson, a proud Wadawurrung woman living on her ancestral country at Ballarat.

And the tour invites teenagers to learn about the creative practices of emerging artists and build skills for their own art portfolios through an activity developed with Gamilaroi Yinarr weaver and textile artist Sophie Honess. Link: www.ngv.vic.gov.au/kids-on-tour 

Local kinders and early childhood services in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are among those to share in $1.4 million in state grants to upgrade IT equipment, the local MP for Macedon says.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas in recent days announced that seventeen services across the Macedon state electorate will receive funding through the latest round of Building Blocks IT grants which will help services deliver educational programs and support administration.

Grants up to $2,000 are being distributed to over 760 eligible services for equipment such as laptops, iPads, screens and IT hardware used to deliver kindergarten programs.  

Those to benefit include:

• $2,000.00 for Daylesford Community Childcare Centre

• $1,769.26 for Daylesford Preschool  

• $1,769.26 for Hepburn Kindergarten  

• $1,560.18 for Trentham Early Learning 

• $1,701.82 for Woodend Kindergarten

• $1,344.45 for Macedon Kindergarten  

• $860.00 for Kyneton Kindergarten  

• $1,882.20 for Goodstart Early Learning Kyneton  

• $1,882.20 for Goodstart Early Learning Woodend   

• $1,738.18 for Manna Gum Family and Children’s Centre  

• $1,465.36 for Swinburne Avenue Children’s Centre  

• $1,411.73 for Riddells Creek Kindergarten  

• $1,634.55 for Lancefield Kindergarten  

• $1,634.55 for Romsey Kindergarten  

• $2,000.00 for Goodstart Early Learning Riddells Creek  

• $2,000.00 for Goodstart Early Learning New Gisborne  

• $1,999.00 for Rothschild Road Kindergarten at Willowbank Primary School

The Building Blocks Program, which offers grants to contribute to kindergarten infrastructure and equipment, is rated important to ensure the success of the roll-out of the Best Start, Best Life reforms across Victoria.  

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:  “We’re delivering IT upgrades and improvements to more than 760 eligible childcare and  kindergarten services across the state, so teachers, educators and children have the facilities  they need.”  

“These grants build on our investment in early childhood infrastructure and free kinder –  providing the tools for childcare and kindergarten services to provide quality services to local  kids in Macedon.”  

The Circus Workshop will be a new addition to Daylesford’s upcoming New Year’s Eve Gala. 

The workshop will be provided by NICA, a national nor for profit arts training institute, primarily funded by the Australian government through the Department of Communications and the Arts.

 NICA is the only training institute of its kind in Australia and they are one of eight elite arts training organisations that comprise the Arts8, and members of the Federation of European Circus Schools (FEDEC).  

As part of the annual Daylesford New Years Eve  Parade and Gala event set for  Tuesday December 31,  NICA will have a marquee where kids  – and adults – can learn juggling, hula hooping, plate spinning and diabolo.

Local sports clubs, including a Daylesford fight club,  are among those to benefit after the state’s community sport minister announced that 875 grants will go to more than 740 clubs.

State-wide the clubs – including some at Daylesford, Glenlyon, Woodend and Malmsbury –  will share in more than $1.2 million through the Sporting Club Grants Program, minister for community sport Ros Spence said.

The grants will be used to support clubs to purchase uniforms and equipment, upskill volunteers, coaches and officials, and improve their accessibility and engagement with local communities. 

Clubs to benefit include:

• Wombat Fight Club Daylesford, $1,826 for first aid training 

• Wombat Fight Club Daylesford, $178 for first aid equipment 

• Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club, $1000 for uniforms for 2025 

• Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club, $1,000 for tennis balls for juniors 

• Daylesford Table Tennis Association, $1000 for an upgrade of playing equipment 

• Riddells Creek Football Club, $1000 for new footballs for the Senior Women’s team 

• Riddells Creek Tennis Club, $1000 for tennis balls for junior players 

• Woodend Junior Football & Netball Club, $1,971 for first aid training 

• Woodend Hawks Basketball Club, $1000 for new balls & first aid kits for young teams 

• Woodend Junior Football & Netball Club, $1000 for a new defibrillator and first aid supplies 

• Malmsbury Cricket Club, $992 for uniform and equipment for girls’ team

• Riddells Creek Basketball Club, $990 for new basketballs for Juniors 

• Riddells Creek Volleyball Association, $981 for training equipment and playing tops 

• Glenlyon & District Pony Club, $962 for new long sleeve sun protection competition shirts 

• Bullengarook Adult Riding Club, $791 for first aid equipment 

 Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “This program is always popular amongst our local clubs and athletes, it supports them to have what they need, to take part in the sports they love.” 

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence: “This is a major boost for clubs across the state – we’re making sure clubs have the skills and equipment they need to thrive, and get more people involved.

“We want our local sporting clubs to be backing the next generation of local champions – and these grants provide them the chance to do just that.”

This is what can happen when a father meets Father Christmas. Andrew Moore and  his 11-year-old daughter Annabelle were among the capacity crowd at Stanbridge Hall for a fundraiser for Daylesford’s new cinema when they headed for Santa’s knee.  

The result can be seen. And a great round of applause erupted when it was announced that  the Cinema Group plans the reopening between Easter and mid-2025.  

A further round of fundraising will start in the New Year, including two gala dinners. And the pleasing flow of money from events such as this reinforced a point made by a character in the film shown at the fundraiser, Miracle on 34th Street:

“Faith is believing things even though common sense tells you not to.”  

The 1974 remake of the 1947 classic poses the timeless question: “Is Santa real? Macy’s department store employs one Kris Kringle, who is threatened with jail or being locked away because he believes he is Santa.  

When it goes to court, a judge’s difficulty in whether he can rule on the case is decided when six-year-old Susan hands him a piece of paper bearing a line from the American Constitution: “In God We Trust.”

As for Kris Kringle, he says, “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind, and that’s what’s been changing. That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I can do something about it.”  

with Eve Lamb

Glenlyon’s Claire Clifton is a great example of how being told you’re no good at something may just lead you to become very good at it indeed. Claire’s passion for using creative art to express the inner self – particularly that which does not readily find expression any other way – has led her to produce powerful and award-winning abstract works, to find immense joy in her own life and recently, to establish a very special program that helps others de-stress and tap into their own inner creative spirit. 

Eve: I hear you’re a member of the Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative and part of a series of pop-up exhibitions at the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre. 

Claire: Yes. I only joined them a few months ago. There is a community spirit for creativity. It’s so important. It gives people that opportunity to express themselves. Everyone’s got a story. 

Eve: What is your own journey to becoming an artist? 

Claire: I was totally not an artist. I was told that very firmly by a teacher at school, that I was not a painter anyway. So I went to textiles and interestingly when I did it, it came out abstract. That gave me the opportunity to create in a less traditional way.

I didn’t start painting until 1996, with some encouragement from a friend. Naturally it was abstract. The very first painting I did I still have. It’s called Onward and Upward. I looked at it and thought – ‘that’s my life’. 

Eve: And I understand that you also love painting in a tactile way using your hands. 

Claire: Yes, to have paint on your hands is fabulous. I love the way the paint moves under your hands. I go through a lot of gloves. When there’s no words for what you are feeling it’s a way to express those feelings.

When I was going through my cancer journey it helped me to somehow articulate what I was going through. 

Eve: Can you tell me a bit more about that journey? 

Claire: I had breast cancer in 2010. A full year of therapy, radical surgery, chemotherapy, the whole catastrophe. And through that came the chance to exhibit through the Cancer Council.

When you sit down with some paints, pencils or even just one pencil you will learn something about yourself every time.

Eve: I hear that you have taken that passion in another direction as well. 

Claire: I completed the Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapies Training Course through Soul-Full Mind College, a 12-month course, which I did last year. I graduated with honours which was nice. It was the best thing ever. 

Eve: Have you worked in any other fields? 

Claire: Yes. I worked for 40 years in medical reception. I was a practice manager for a paediatrician in Geelong and I have also managed hospitality venues, a few of those. But this is what I love. It only took me 60 years. 

Eve: You do give the impression that you have found your passion in life. 

Claire: I love it. This is about self discovery through the creative arts and it’s about joy. We all spend so much time in fight or flight. Your body can’t heal when it’s in fight or flight.

I now work with groups or individuals with the program I have developed called Untangle You which I developed during the course last year. It’s for anyone. 

We do meditation and breathing to become utterly relaxed and then we can start to create. The empowerment that comes from that is just exquisite. People always want to learn but they don’t necessarily want to be taught.

I am hoping to run a parent and child event probably through the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre through this summer break. 

Eve: And what’s happening with the pop-up art exhibitions at the Visitor Centre? 

Claire: The Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative is having a different member artist each exhibit their work solo for four to six weeks at a time right through 2025. I’m January I believe which means I’d better get going. 

While Australia grapples to keep kids safe online, Daylesford’s Dharma School is embarking on a bold new project that uses a mindfulness approach to tackling the problem. 

From the new year the school will be part of a Global Wisdom Project as it adapts the Victorian state government’s eSmart package in a way that it hopes will yield far better traction with children. 

While the state’s eSmart package has much going for it, including the best of intentions, Dharma school principal Andrea Furness says that in practice they’ve found the children are not relating all that well to it. 

“It’s a good resource but the children don’t engage with it. I’m guessing that the language isn’t right for them,” Ms Furness says. 

Through their Global Wisdom Project they’re adapting the state’s eSmart package using the language and ethos that already underpins all they do at the school so as to guide every interaction the children – and their adults – have with social media and the online space into the future. 

“These precepts, our values, are Reverence for Life, Generosity, Body Responsibility, Deep Listening and Loving Speech, and Mindful Consumption,” Ms Furness says. 

eWise 

“We’re applying the precepts to reframe the language of eSmart and calling it eWise. 

“It’s part of the wider Global Wisdom Lab. We and two other schools in Victoria are part of it.”

It’s an undertaking for which they are receiving support from Monash University’s Professor Zane Diamond. 

“This research is being conducted by our school with Professor Zane Diamond from Monash University as our Digital Wisdom project contribution to the larger international umbrella of the Global Wisdom Lab,” Ms Furness says. 

“We are hoping we will launch the resource next year. The second stage will be a Community Participatory Action Research Project so parents, including those who are not part of our own school community, can then choose to participate in a series of groups facilitated by Professor Diamond. 

“Groups of parents will have the chance to participate in action research alongside students, creating an opportunity to bridge home and school expectations in the digital world.

Ripple effect 

“This has a lot of capacity for ripple. We will be inviting expressions of interest to be part of the CPARP on our website before the end of the year.” 

Ms Furness said the school didn’t have any internet devices. 

“We have some kids who have access to phones but while we’re at school we don’t have access to them. Even smart watches go into your bag while we’re at school.” 

In terms of the new federal legislation aimed at protecting under 16s from the well-documented damage associated with social media use, Ms Furness says it’s well intentioned but, like many, questions how it will work in practice. 

“I think it’s a great idea but I don’t think it’s being rolled out in a way that’s really set up to be successful,” she says. 

“We need resources for parents and I think big tech companies really need to be on board as well.” 

Algorithms 

The algorithms operating behind the visible face of social media, and the enormous social pressures to remain connected within a social cohort, particularly among young people, especially need to be carefully factored into addressing the issue long-term, Ms Furness believes. 

Story: Eve Lamb

The Hepburn Springs Sound Shell sets the scene for community carols this Sunday evening from 7pm.

Live brass band music and a visit from Santa are all part of the family-friendly program that runs through to 8.30pm.

Around the region there’s plenty of festive season fun happening with many special Chrismas church services, masses and events scheduled in the lead-up to Christmas, and on Christmas day as well.

Here’s a bit of what’s scheduled:

Catholic Ministry District of Creswick, Daylesford & Wendouree

Christmas Mass Times 2024

Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24, 6pm. Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Wendouree

Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24, 8.30pm. St Peter’s Catholic Church. Daylesford

Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25, 9am. St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Creswick

Christmas Worship at Christ Church Anglican 54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford

Christmas Eve – December 24, 9pm – Eucharist

Christmas Day – December 25, 9am – Crib Service & Holy Communion

Daylesford Community Brass Band

Carols in Vincent Street, Daylesford – Saturday, December 21, 10am – noon.

Community Carols at the Hepburn Springs Sound Shell – Sunday, December 22, 7pm-8.30pm. Santa will make an appearance and the Daylesford Community Brass Training Band will give a short performance.

Bring a chair, jumper, picnic, mosquito repellent and Christmas spirit.

It may not be boughs of holly but Daylesford resident Jenny Paradisi, with the help of friends Wendy Berry and Heidi Hauck, has decorated the main streets of Daylesford with colourful hessian bows.

Wendy, (pictured above right), said Jenny, (pictured above left) put a social media post on Facebook asking why the community was not putting up Christmas decorations this year.  

“There were lots of comments but nobody did anything, so we put up another  post saying ‘let’s get together’ but it ended up with me and her and Heidi.  

“Jenny initiated it and went to Spotlight and bought two rolls of hessian, 60 per cent off so why not, and we went to her house on Sunday (December 8) and cut  them up, sewed the edges and tied them up with string.  

“Then we went down the street on Monday at 8.30am and just started putting  them all up. We just tied them around the posts at Jenny’s height, because she is tall.  

“It was just something we wanted to do and I know some of the businesses have already put up decorations, but it can be expensive.”  

Wendy said those passing them in the street as they worked were “just so joyful and happy that someone was doing it”.

“When we finished we went into the shops  and asked if they wanted to donate towards the costs and people were putting in between $10 and $50, even some employees, and people just shopping.

“Everyone was so happy, and we not only covered our costs, we had $50 left over  so we gave that to Michelle Clifford at the Daylesford Community Op Shop.”  

Wendy said there was a plan to do it all again next year but go even further, not  just covering the main street.

“It’s just such a nice thing to do and people were really  grateful. I know lots of people but I have never had that many come up to me and say thanks for what you are doing. It’s the real spirit of Christmas.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed  

The cost to clean, repair and repaint the Big Rainbow is $1500. The cost of adding sparkle will not be known until the contractor is available in the New Year. 

Vandals recently sprayed graffiti on the Big Rainbow at Daylesford Victoria Park. The well publicised vandalism happened after the Hepburn Shire Council had just had the rainbow refreshed, ready for next year’s ChillOut celebrations. 

Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that he, the councillor group and the organisation would not tolerate “a small few in the community who attempt to spread misinformation and deface public property with discriminatory language”. 

“Council stands firm in its commitment to combating hate in all forms. Council will not tolerate homophobia, racism or any behaviour that seeks to diminish and devalue another’s life experience. 

“We believe in the values of respect, kindness, and equality for all. I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate bigotry.

“We will not tolerate homophobia. And we will not tolerate racism. We are proud of the diverse, vibrant, and inclusive community we live in. Together, we will continue to stand against hate and discrimination in all forms.” 

Many people commented about the incident on social media. 

“Very sad that some in our community feel like they need to deface a symbol designed to represent diversity and unity.” 

“That is just so disappointing and really reflects on the childishness of the perpetrators. Pathetic behaviour.” 

“The council was covering it when we were there. Unbelievable, makes my heart heavy. It’s childish. Regardless of your personal beliefs.” 

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed 

Owners of two Daylesford hospitality venues have been slapped with fines amounting to $104,000 in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in recent days, after more than 90 staff were underpaid more than $320,000 in total.

On Wednesday December 4 the owners of Daylesford’s Hotel Frangos and Cafe Koukla, Louise Maree Melotte and Travis Francis Melotte received a $95,000 and a $9,000 fine respectively.

The two were fined after Ms Melotte had admitted involvement in underpaying 97 staff a total of $321,202 between May, 2017 and July, 2019.

Most of the underpayments related to 27 full-time employees who were paid salaries not sufficient to cover their minimum entitlements under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010.

The underpaid workers included 15 junior staff members aged between 15 and 20 years at the time – and several visa holders from countries including Armenia, Nepal and Pakistan.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth has welcomed the penalties.

“These penalties and back-pay order send a clear message that all employees must be paid their basic minimum lawful entitlements, and employers who deliberately pay insufficient salaries will be met with enforcement action,” Ms Booth said.

“It is unacceptable that nearly 100 workers were deliberately underpaid.”

“That young and migrant workers were some of those left out of pocket is also concerning, particularly the exploitation of the two cooks who were requested or required to work unreasonable long hours.”

Organisers of this year’s Daylesford NYE parade and gala are urging local groups and businesses to register a float for the parade.

The annual December 31st event will offer an evening of excitement and entertainment, starting with the gala from 6-8pm, followed by a parade.

The town’s Vincent Street will be transformed into a lively, fun-filled area for all ages.

At the southern end, near Frangos there’ll be plenty of opportunity to groove to live music by The Vintage Blues Machine, savor delicious offerings from food trucks and BBQs, and relax at the tables and chairs.

Right next door, you’ll find the Chill Out Zone, a cozy spot with astroturf, bean bags, deck chairs, and big games like noughts & crosses and jigsaws, the perfect place for families to unwind and let the kids have a blast.

The festive ambiance will be enhanced by big pots of flowers created by the Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens.

Heading north, don’t miss the wood-chop at 6:30pm and new addition, a circus workshop provided by NICA.  

Revellers will also have the chance to discover more exciting things in the Kids’ Corner, featuring face painting, fire trucks, and games, balloon creatures and craft activities.

By 8pm, the floats – whether walking, motorised, bikes, historic vehicles, or fire trucks – will be lined up on Duke Street, ready for the parade to begin.

The festivities conclude with a performance by The Daylesford & District Pipes and Drums Band, culminating in a heartfelt rendition of Auld Lang Syne, sung by co-host (and Australian opera star) Christine Douglas.

And this will be  followed by a solo Bag Pipe performance of Auld Lang Syne by young local piper – Juliet – that will bring a tear to your eyes revellers see out the year that was and usher in the new one,.

Organisers say they will publish the winners of the parade prizes at the conclusion and also announce them the following day on their social media platforms.

Those keen to register a parade float or group should jump on website https://daylesfordnye.com.au/.

The Hepburn Shire Youth Advisory Group is hosting a Pool Party Extravaganza at the Daylesford public outdoor pool next Monday December 16.

It’s a party for all young people in the Hepburn Shire and will run from 3.30pm till 6.30pm with free food, drinks, music, circus, games and swims on offer.

Free food will be provided by Cooked and circus workshops by Asking for Trouble! Music performances by Sasha, Stevie & Arlo.

 The local Youth Advisory Group from the Young Mayors Program has been busy with planning behind the scenes. 

For the last six months, five younger residents of the Hepburn Shire have been meeting fortnightly to discuss youth engagement, issues for young people in the shire and plan events just like this.

The Young Mayors Program is a pilot program by the Foundation for Young Australians with an aim being to share a bit of power and decision-making with locals of a  younger age-group.

You know things are warming up and Christmas is almost here when the public pool season starts.

In the Hepburn Shire it started on Saturday (December 7) with council-managed outdoor pools opening for free throughout the shire.

To celebrate the start to the pool season the Clunes, Daylesford and Trentham outdoor pools all opened over the launch weekend (Dec 7-8) between 1pm to 6pm regardless of any predicated cooler weather (21 and below).

The new aquatics season for the shire’s pulbic pools and Creswick Splash Park is now scheduled to run through to March 13 2025 (Labour Day public holiday).

2024/2025 Pool Opening Times

 Fees

Entry is free to all council pools and the Creswick Splash Park.

Locations

Daylesford pool

Location: Central Springs Road, Daylesford

Facilities: 50m Pool and toddlers’ pool

Trentham pool

Location: Corner of Market Street and Camp Street

Facilities: 25m pool and toddlers’ pool

Clunes pool

Location: Bull Millgate Reserve, Clunes. Turn off at Ligar Street and Clunes – Campbelltown Road intersection

Facilities: 25m pool and toddlers’ pool

Calembeen Park toddlers’ pool

Location: Calembeen Park, access via Cushing Avenue, Creswick

Facilities: Toddlers’ pool

Creswick Splash Park

Location: Opposite IGA Creswick, Turn off from Albert Street

Facilities: Splash pad with numerous water play features

Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa – locals’ discount 

While not managed by the council, the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa is another bathing facility in the shire and it’s worth noting that Hepburn Shire residents can head to the bathhouse year-round to take advantage of the locals’ discount.

The rate for residents in the shire is $12.50 per session or a ten pass for $99. The offer is for Monday to Thursday excluding public holidays. Walk in only.

Further information about the local public pools, including the new hours is at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/pools

The Hepburn Shire Council has announced a series of workshops to help local community groups successfully apply for grants.

Set for Trentham, Creswick, Daylesford and Clunes, the sessions are designed to make the grant application process more accessible, practical, and successful for organisations across the shire. 

The training will be led by the council’s grants specialist, who brings experience in securing funding for local projects and initiatives.

Participants will learn valuable skills in grant writing including how to identify the right funding opportunities, craft compelling applications, and understand the key criteria that funding bodies are looking for. 

Hepburn Shire’s Director Performance and Transformation Brooke Holmes says the workshops aim to empower local community groups with the knowledge and confidence they need to secure grants and make their projects a reality.

 “We want to create a fun and interactive environment where participants can ask questions, share ideas, and leave with practical tools to boost their chances of success,” she said. 

The training sessions are open to all community groups within the Hepburn Shire including sports clubs, arts organisations, environmental groups, and others.

By participating, local groups are expected to not only improve their grant application skills but also build stronger links with other groups and organisations across the region. 

The timing of these workshops coincides with council’s grants program being open for applications until January 31 2025.

“So this is a perfect opportunity to refine your application and pick up some valuable grant writing skills,” Ms Holmes says. 

Workshop details

Trentham Neighbourhood Centre – 16 December, 2pm – 4pm  

Creswick Neighbourhood Centre – 17 December, 2pm – 4pm  

Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre – 21 January, 10am – 12pm  

Clunes Neighbourhood House – 21 January, 2pm – 4pm  

For more information, or to register, community groups are being encouraged to contact the neighbourhood centres.