Ballarat MP Catherine King, Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Group CEO Rodney Carter officially opened the redeveloped Central Springs Reserve at Lake Daylesford last Friday, July 26. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said the project had delivered a wonderful new public open space for locals and visitors to enjoy. 

“This beautiful area close to Lake Daylesford will no doubt attract more visitors to an already popular area, thereby benefitting our local economy.” 

This is the first stage of implementation of the masterplan which was adopted following community consultation in 2021 and sees three new mineral spring pumps (one accessible), complemented by Dja Dja Wurrung artwork. 

Ms King said the Hepburn Shire Council had done “a terrific job of completing this project ahead of schedule, and the collaboration with Djaara ensures that this is a very special place for visitors and locals to enjoy”. 

“Whether it’s for a barbeque, a nature walk or to sample Daylesford’s famous spring water, this redevelopment and the improved accessibility mean that even more people can enjoy iconic Lake Daylesford.” 

Mr Carter said embedding Dja Dja Wurrung knowledge and culture in the built and natural landscape benefitted Djandak (Country) and communities. 

“We look forward to people being on Country enjoying this revitalised parkland.” 

Image & words: Contributed 

Daylesford has been named the best Small Tourism Town for 2024 in the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town awards.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that only five places made it to the finals and the council was thrilled to have won the award against some formidable competition.

“Daylesford is beautiful in all seasons, with visitors travelling great distances to spend time rejuvenating and seeking wellness experiences.

The town’s natural beauty, including Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and the top-quality amenities around Lake Daylesford, has always drawn people for weddings and celebrations, and to escape from the city.

“We have a vibrant arts community and events throughout the year. Set amidst heritage buildings and hills and forests, Daylesford will continue to draw people from many walks of life for rest and recreation, be it short term or for more lengthy stays.”

Daylesford’s nomination was put forward by Daylesford Macedon Tourism in partnership with the council.

The award is judged on a demonstration of commitment to tourism and increasing visitation, excellent visitor experience, and exhibiting collaboration with tourism operators, local businesses and the community.

Daylesford won in the category ‘Top Small Tourism Town’ (population between 1500 and 5000) against Heathcote, Koroit, Maldon and Sorrento. The awards were announced at an event in Lancefield last Thursday, July 26

Police are renewing their appeal for information regarding a man who went missing from his family holiday home in Daylesford in 2021.

Local police, along with the SES and Search and Rescue, are currently searching the vicinity of Victoria Park in Daylesford.

It is believed that Esteban (pictured above) was last seen about 3.30am on 3.30am on Sunday 11 April 2021.

Esteban, who resides in Patterson Lakes, is about 182cm tall with a medium build and has a slight limp when he walks.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black 2XU puffer jacket, distinctive rings on his fingers and was carrying a green satchel and tan coloured water bottle.

Police have released images of Esteban in the hope someone recognises him and can provide information on his current whereabouts.

Anyone who sees Esteban or with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Various local groups in Daylesford have joined together to celebrate the area’s wintry pleasures while highlighting the beauty of Wombat Hill and Victoria’s historic Botanic Gardens.

Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens have joined with the Daylesford and District Horticultural Society, Historical Society, Agricultural Society and U3A , to compile a unique program of events over the first weekend of August.

The Friends and Horticultural Society are hosting talks on Saturday and Sunday in the Senior Citizens’ room at the rear of the Town Hall in Vincent Street.

On Saturday night the Friends are hosting a Celebration Dinner at the Town Hall and also on Saturday, the Horticultural society is organising a walking tour of the Botanic Gardens by tree expert John Beetham.

Over the whole weekend, the Agricultural Society with assistance from U3A, will hold their inaugural Winter Flower Show.

An exhibition focusing on the Botanic Gardens will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Historical Society’s Museum. Events scheduled include:

Gardens walk

Saturday 3 August 1.30 Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Lead by John Beetham whose particular interest has been the heritage tree collection. Followed by afternoon tea at the Town Hall. (Entry by donation.)

Stand-alone Talks

Victoria’s Botanic Garden Legacy. Janet O’Hehir –  Honorary Curator, Camperdown Botanic Gardens. Saturday 3 August 3.30 Senior Citizens’ Room Daylesford Town Hall.

La Trobe the Plantsman. Helen Botham OAM – Garden Historian and National Trust researcher. Sunday 4 August 10.00 Senior Citizens’ Room Daylesford Town Hall. Followed by morning tea (Entry by donation.)

Unearthing our public garden history – The Ken Duxbury postcard collection. Helen Page OAM, horticulturalist, foundation member of the Garden History Society. Sunday 4 August 11.30 Senior Citizens’ Room Daylesford Town Hall.

Celebration Dinner

Fine food, fine music and presentation by Peter Leigh, Hellebore breeder of considerable reputation. Truly, the magical event of the weekend. Saturday 3 August 6.30 Daylesford Town Hall. Tickets $75pp with bookings through TryBooking online.

Flower Show

Inaugural Winter Flower Show. Beautiful specimens and floral art. Entries from all gardens and gardeners are welcome! Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August. 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Alf Headland Conservatory Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens.  Free entry.

Historical Exhibition

Wombat Hill Exhibition. Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, 11.00 am to  3.00 pm. Daylesford Historical Museum.  Museum entry $5 .

Further information: is available by contacting Patrice O’Shea, Secretary 0408 852 595 or Frank Page, President 0417 010 817

Daylesford has been named the best Small Tourism Town for 2024 in the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town awards.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that only five places made it to the finals and the council was thrilled to have won the award against some formidable competition.
“Daylesford is beautiful in all seasons, with visitors travelling great distances to spend time rejuvenating and seeking wellness experiences. The town’s natural beauty, including Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and the top-quality amenities around Lake Daylesford, has always drawn people for weddings and celebrations, and to escape from the city.
“We have a vibrant arts community and events throughout the year. Set amidst heritage buildings and hills and forests, Daylesford will continue to draw people from many walks of life for rest and recreation, be it short-term or for more lengthy stays.”
Daylesford’s nomination was put forward by Daylesford Macedon Tourism in partnership with the council. The award is judged on a demonstration of commitment to tourism and increasing visitation, excellent visitor experience, and exhibiting collaboration with tourism operators, local businesses and the community.
Daylesford won in the category ‘Top Small Tourism Town’ (population between 1500 and 5000) against Heathcote, Koroit, Maldon and Sorrento.
The awards were announced at an event in Lancefield last Thursday, July 26.

Above, Hepburn Shire Council acting CEO Dr Karina Lamb, Mayor Cr Brian Hood & Economic Development & Visitor Economy coordinator Bridgette O’Brien

Daylesford’s rejuvenated Central Springs Reserve has reopened to the public as of last week.

In a social media post, the Hepburn Shire Council encouraged visitors and locals to “wander down and enjoy the new mineral spring pumps, view the stunning brass artwork by Timani Nicholls, or fire up the BBQ and enjoy lunch in the new shelter”.

The council also advised that some temporary fencing still remained in place to allow the new turf and creek bank plantings to continue to establish.

Words & Images: Supplied

By Donna Kelly

I have two quite interesting stories this edition. Well, maybe more, but we’ll see where these end up. First one came to mind after reading Eve’s latest Bushwalks of the Central Highlands.

I hope you are enjoying the reads, I certainly am. I can imagine people tearing them out and making a little folder about where to head when the weather improves. Although that doesn’t seem to slow down Eve and her faithful companion Paddy H.

Anyway, I read this one and enjoyed that she liked the lovelocks on the bridge at Lake Daylesford. You read a lot about fake news these days but that was something we dreamed up when we started The Local.

I had been reading about bridges around Europe being weighed down by so many lovelocks they were going to have to start cutting them off. And I thought, what if Daylesford had a lovelock bridge?

So we asked a couple we know and they posed with the sun behind them as they sealed their love with a lock.

And we added a few more, one for us, one each for Rosie and Curly, maybe one for my mum and dad. And slowly, but surely, the locks grew in number and they became “a thing”.

I even thought about setting up a little lock stall on weekends but then I remembered I don’t like the general public so that put paid to that.

A few years later some knob cut the wires and slid many of the locks into the lake, but the council repaired the wires and back the locks came. All nice and new.

We put a few more back on as well. Seeing we started it and all. So that was fun to read – like when someone quotes something back to a journo they have read “somewhere” and it was written by that journo. Little thrills and all that – just to get you through.

The other interesting story, well funny in a way, also came from Eve. She sent through a story about plantings at Creswick Creek in Clunes. And it got me thinking. I was either working for The Courier at Ballarat or The Advocate at Daylesford and was called to the Clunes Bowling Club one morning to photograph an act of vandalism.

Over I went and arrived at the club to hear the sad tale. Someone, after the club had cleared quite a few saplings from the creek, had got their knickers in a twist and poured sump oil on the carefully tended green.

Club members had tried to help out by dumping white kitty litter on the oil in an attempt to soak it all up. Good idea, sort of.

Inside I talked to a very clearly upset president, an older gentleman who said he couldn’t believe it when he arrived at the club and saw the metre long letters spelling out the word CLUNES.

“Donna, who would do such a thing?” he asked. I looked around the room, wondering who would help me out. Everyone just looked down at the floor and I realised it was up to me, as a journalist and with my code of ethics, to tell the truth.

“Hmmm,” I said. “It doesn’t say Clunes.” The president looked at me blankly and asked “well then, what does it say?” Again, no help. “Hmmm. It does start with a C and ends with an S but it’s not Clunes.”

I don’t think we ran the photo. Just sayin’…

Words & Images: Eve Lamb

“This would have to be the classic Daylesford walk,” enthuses Paddy H as we head off beneath an ominous sky to sample the Two Lakes 8km loop. 

“You’re probably right,” I reply after we’ve exchanged pleasantries with a beaming couple and their well rugged-up Italian greyhound.

Ahead, our walk will take us from Lake Daylesford to Jubilee Lake, and return, through some lovely remnant native bushland and past some notable physical remnants of Daylesford’s colourful 1800s past.

We’re responsibly equipped with a printed walk description and map that I picked up from the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre much earlier in the year when the days were still warm.

Now, heading out clockwise around Lake Daylesford, from the main car park off Bleakley Street, we reach the spillway, its guidewires festooned with lovelocks, poignant little emblems of personal commitment.

The words “40 years married,” are etched onto the nearest lock on which my camera lens lands.

Sauntering along, discussing diverse things and feeling fairly glad we’ve worn serious coats, we complete the Lake Daylesford circuit and cross Bleakley Street, heading left along the path that takes us past the rear of the Lake House to Wombat Flat Springs.

We then follow the lake edge to reach the boardwalk and continue on to the end of the boardwalk. Here we need to wake up and pay attention as about 30 metres or so past the boardwalk we must take a grassy and indistinctly marked uphill track to our left, and follow it until we reach bitumen Burrall Street.

There we turn left and continue on, the caravan and cabin park on our right, to the intersection with Ballan Road near the entrance to Victoria Park. From here we cross the Ballan Road and walk just a short way to our right to pick up the Jubilee Lake walking track that’s marked with a weather-faded sign.

The walkers who were braving the elements at Lake Daylesford are now nowhere to be seen. It’s instantly just us and the kookaburras.

The track meanders along, continuing straight ahead, through the bush and past private properties until it reaches the bitumen Lake Road.

Here we turn left and walk about 30 metres to spot an ever-useful Great Dividing Track/Goldfields Track sign marking the way ahead, on the other side of the road.

From here the beautifully tree-lined track leads gently uphill until we reach the old railway footbridge at the far northern end of Jubilee Lake.

We cross the old bridge beneath which water rushes after a little recent rain, and we keep walking in an anti-clockwise direction around the glittering lake edge toward the kiosk with its damply upturned colourful canoes dreaming of summer.

Suddenly a brilliant, sparkling burst of gorgeous winter sunlight turns the lake surface to a sheen of dancing diamonds.

Paddy H and I choose a sun-splashed park seat alongside the silvery spectacle on which to have a late lunch and coffee. But no sooner have we unravelled the first sandwich than the delicious sunlight vanishes, to be swiftly replaced by a scud of dark cloud that dispenses first drizzle then decisive showers.

We grab up our camera gear, backpacks and lunches and go helter-skelter for the nearest shelter, counting our lucky stars there’s one to be had.

And here we sit for a good half hour, lunching, reading the walk notes for the section ahead and waiting for the cloudburst to end.

After a while it does and we resume, following the lake’s edge, keeping it to our left for a kilometre or so until we reach the mossy wooden footbridge at the lake’s southern end.

We cross and continue on, anti-clockwise, headed back around the lake toward the old railway bridge. At the entrance to the old bridge we now turn sharp right and climb up a steep short flight of steps to enter the old railway line.

Later, a spot of research enlightens us that: “opening in 1887 and closing in 1953, the Ballarat to Daylesford railway line ran from the North Creswick railway station northeast across Jubilee Lake to connect with the existing Daylesford- Carlsruhe (Bendigo) railway line, launched in 1880.

“The construction of these two railway lines was part of the railway-mania that accompanied and fed the property speculation boom of the 1880s. Every town and hamlet agitated for a railway line. They were regarded as both a symbol of progress and a passport to prosperity”.

Admiring the tall eucalypts, noting evidence of wombat habitation, we walk on until we reach the intersection with a gravel road where an Italian Hill sign is visible.

We turn left and walk downhill for about 50 metres to find a Great Dividing Trail sign. We turn right here and follow the track downhill and across a little gully, following GDT signs and then climbing fairly steeply up to Cornish Hill and its pine tree forest ambience.

From here we basically just follow the path past the old Cornish Hill gold mining relics down and back into town, emerging at the skate park and walking down to Ruthven Street.

We turn right and pick up the well-made path leading back to the lake edge to complete the last scenic little stretch of Lake Daylesford in a clockwise direction, reaching the car park just as the drizzle sets in again on dusk.

Gryphon Baryton Trio – Laura Vaughan, baryton, Katie Yap, viola and Josephine Vains, cello – will perform Divertimento, music by Joseph Haydn at Daylesford’s Christ Church on Saturday, July 27.

The baryton was a classical instrument with a large and rarely performed repertoire by Joseph Haydn, who composed over 130 works for it.

The majority of this output takes the form of elegant and charming Divertimenti for baryton, viola and cello, the so-called ‘Baryton Trios’ in which the baryton plays a critical role.

These works are full of invention and colour, with the unique combination of low instruments creating unique and beautiful sonority.

Until now, the ‘Baryton Trios’ were not performable in the Antipodes in their original form. However, with the commission of a new baryton in 2023, the Gryphon Baryton Trio is passionate about sharing this extraordinary music with Australian audiences.

Josephine is a versatile and engaging performer, heard regularly in concerts around Australia and overseas as a cellist and chamber musician.

She is a passionate educator, currently training the next generation of musicians at Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne.

Melbourne-based viola da gamba specialist Laura is a dynamic and well- recognised member of the early music movement in Australia.

Following studies with Miriam Morris at the University of Melbourne and Wieland Kuijken and Philippe Pierlot at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, she has established an active performing career as a versatile musician, encompassing a wide range of solo and chamber repertoire on viola da gamba, violone, lirone and baryton across Australasia.

Modern and baroque violist Katie plays regularly with Australia’s finest ensembles including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Van Diemen’s Band, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and has joined groups like the Academy of Ancient Music overseas.

All concerts in this series commence at 2.30pm. Link: www.trybooking.com/eventlist/christchurchconcerts

Words & image: Contributed 

The Block is heading to Daylesford next year. Executive producer Julian Cress confirmed the Raglan Street site in a statement reported on by 9Entertainment last week.

“It’s a very exciting place for us to bring The Block to Daylesford,” he said. “It’s been a destination for Australian and international tourists for a century now, and it has really cemented itself as one of the top weekend destinations in the country.”

Mr Cress said the destination was originally intended for the 2024 season. “We put nine months of hard work into [Daylesford] before we had to pivot to Phillip Island,” he said.

“But Phillip Island has taught us that taking the show to a place which is a holiday destination is great for The Block, and we hope it will be great for Daylesford as well. The fact that it was still an option seemed a no-brainer.”

Mr Cress said he had been spending time with the Daylesford community. “I think they are really excited for us to bring the show there next year. We think it will be a wonderful opportunity for Daylesford and for the community as a whole.

“We also try to film much of our show focusing on the local community and whether that be renovating a community project, or just being able to showcase great local artisans and businesses, is something that is a real hallmark for The Block.

“We want to make The Block not just about the properties in Raglan Street, but about the whole town. We work incredibly hard to make sure our houses are built with the best possible environmentally sound modern practices available.

“We are always looking at sustainability and environmental concerns, we are not just throwing up project houses, we are trying to build houses of the future.”

Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the council originally approved the five-dwelling development by developer Hygge at the October 2023 meeting, with a significant number of conditions, including the retention and protection of all Avenue of Honour trees.

“This decision was appealed at VCAT by residents, after which the Minister for Planning issued a permit allowing the development,” Cr Hood said.

“The Minister’s permit includes a number of requirements around landscaping, construction, stormwater and environmentally sustainable design.

“Daylesford will provide a picturesque backdrop for the filming of The Block, and it is anticipated that the production will generate a boost for the local economy.

“We would strongly encourage (the) producers, contestants and the support crew to shop and eat local to ensure economic benefits flow back into our community.”

A media release from Hygge Property said the 2025 Block homes were in its Middleton Field neighbourhood. “(The) five new highly sustainable pavilion-style homes are to be built along Raglan Street at the eastern entry to the town, as part of its popular TV series.

“The land forms part a new carbon-neutral neighbourhood in Daylesford known as ‘Middleton Field’.”

The release says following a meeting with Mr Cress, organised by Belle Property Daylesford in 2022, detailed plans evolved alongside The Block team for the new homes embracing modern architecture considerate to Daylesford’s landscape and aligned with the design guidelines for the wider neighbourhood.

“Hygge eventually sold the five 2400sqm lots to Channel 9 earlier this year through agents Ashlee McKee and Natalie Fagan from Belle Property, Daylesford,” the release says.

“Importantly, the larger architecturally designed homes to be delivered by The Block next year will round out the Middleton Field neighbourhood framing the eastern entry to town.

“Since Hygge first started planning a new community in Daylesford, locals and the municipality were clear around a desire to see a range of sustainable housing options within its popular lifestyle town – recently nominated as one of Victoria’s ‘most walkable towns’ by global platform World Atlas.

“The neighbourhood already includes a series of 31 small footprint, stylish eco- townhouses designed by highly regarded, sustainable architect Breathe – now selling off-the-plan as ‘The Village’.”

Words: Donna Kelly 

The Hepburn Shire Council has secured several Regional Development Victoria Tiny Towns Fund grants to improve facilities and infrastructure in various small towns across the shire. 

The council was making no secret of the fact that it was “very pleased” to be planning upgrades for outdoor fitness equipment in Trentham, shade sails in Clunes, a masterplan for Victoria Park in Daylesford, an accessible equestrian ramp at Glenlyon Recreation Reserve and playground relocation at Newlyn.

The council is also pleased to auspice the Lyonville Hall Community Asset Committee, who were successful in obtaining a $50,000 grant towards a landscaping project at the popular Lyonville Hall. 

The council had supported community groups in various ways to successfully apply for funding. 

Successful projects that the council will lead are –  

• Queens Park (Clunes) shade structure – $45,000 

• Newlyn Recreation Reserve playspace upgrade planning – $18,750 

• Victoria Park, Daylesford Masterplan Development – $50,000 

• Accessible Equestrian Mounting Ramp Glenlyon Recreation Reserve – $37,500 

• Trentham Outdoor Fitness Equipment Installation – $44,970 

The council has funded contributions to each of these projects in the adopted 2024/25 Budget.  

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said that federal and state funding streams are critical for small rural councils to deliver new and upgraded infrastructure. 

“It’s encouraging to see this investment being made in our smaller communities. These funds will enhance our facilities and enable greater participation in community activities around the shire,” Cr Hood said.

“Together with respective community groups and committees, we will begin work to plan the delivery of these works now so the benefits of these projects can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Forest Fire Management Victoria is keen to secure additional staff, with the agencies’ annual recruitment drive for seasonal firefighters now underway through to July 28.

Applications are now open for project firefighter roles across 10 locations in the Grampians region including Daylesford, Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Edenhope, Cavendish, Horsham, Halls Gap, Wail, Beaufort, and Serendip.

Grampians Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Jason Hellyer, said successful applicants would boost Victoria’s
firefighting and land management capacity in the lead-up to summer and peak fire season.

“Being a project firefighter can bring a sense of purpose and personal achievement knowing your efforts
contribute to protecting Victorian communities and the environment,” Mr Hellyer said.

“Recruits will have opportunities to train and work alongside FFMVic’s permanent firefighting staff,
responding to emergencies such as bushfires and floods.

“They will also work in land management and help reduce bushfire risk through planned burning, weed
control and maintaining the public land road network.

“Planned burning and emergency response deployments can occur anywhere across the state, providing
opportunities to travel and work in different locations.”

“In previous seasons, some recruits have also been deployed to support firefighting efforts across Australia and internationally. The new recruits will be part of a team of close to 1800 frontline personnel and 1200 accredited incident management personnel this bushfire season.”

Fire support officer roles will also be available in Horsham. Fire support officers are primarily office-based roles which are responsible for helping district staff coordinate fire preparedness, prevention and response activities and support incident and regional control centres.

FFMVic is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the Victorian community. As part of an ongoing commitment to support meaningful careers for current and future First Nations staff, designated positions are available.

Applications are set to close July 28 and employment occurs between October and May, with some variation depending on seasonal requirements.

Daylesford’s Swiss Italian Festa is among more than 240 organisations set to share in $1.8million through the state’s Multicultural Festivals and Events Program and Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund.

Announcing the funding in recent days, Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas says it will help bring Victorians together to learn about cultural identities and celebrate the vibrant diversity that makes up the state.

Grants will support community organisations to host festivals and events from 1 July to 31 December 2024 to share and celebrate culture, build social connections and to preserve our state’s proud cultural diversity.

Hepburn Springs Swiss & Italian Festa Inc has secured $7500 to help stage the annual Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Congratulations to the team at the Swiss Italian Festa, this local festival celebrates our multicultural community and brings people from across the state to visit our fantastic region.”

The funded organisations represent the diverse cultural landscape of Victoria with 200 ethnicities and more than 70 faith groups supported through the latest round of the Multicultural Festivals and Events program.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt: “Ensuring Victoria’s diverse communities have every opportunity to celebrate their culture is key to strengthening social connection, inviting all Victorians to learn about and embrace different cultures.”

“This funding is all about supporting multicultural communities, and fostering a diverse and inclusive society where everyone is celebrated and feels welcome.”

Lyster Opera, Victoria’s Travelling Opera Company, returns to Daylesford with Rossini’s hilarious comedy, The Italian Girl in Algiers this September.

From the production team that brought opera fans Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea, this opera features one of Rossini’s most dazzling scores, brought vividly to life by some of Victoria’s most exciting professional singers.

L’italiana in Algeria (Italian Girl In Algiers) is a comic opera by Gioachino Rossini, composed in 1813 when he was only 21 years old.

It tells the story of Isabella, a spirited Italian woman who shipwrecks in Algiers and outwits the local ruler, Mustafà, who wants to marry her.

She rescues her lover, Lindoro, who is Mustafà’s slave, and teaches him a lesson in female power and charm. The opera is full of witty humor, lively music, and vocal fireworks.

The Italian Girl in Algiers will be staged as an afternoon matinee in the Daylesford Town Hall on Sunday September 8 with bookings through Trybooking.

On Sunday, July 14, the Daylesford Town Hall will take on a Parisian ambience. U3A spokesperson Janet Quilty said the French National Day event would celebrate all things French, and an important feature of the evening will be the music.

“This will transport us through Europe on a grand musical tour. As well as the performances from the Daylesford Community Brass Band, some of the musical highlights of the evening include wonderful soloists.

“We will immediately be taken to Paris with Val Goodwin singing Chanson D’amour, and by the band’s musical director Mark Lyall with Softly Awakes My Heart.

“Christine Douglas will fly us to Italy with the beautiful aria O mio babbino caro and the music will then take us as far as the Gates of Kyiv before bringing us back to France with Evidemment from Eurovision 23, and of course, the Can Can.”

The event starts at 5pm, BYO food, drinks, cutlery, crockery and glasses. People are welcome to make up a table or join one and make new friends.

Bookings are essential through Monica Cole via onicaske@hotmail.com or 0425 851 679. Tickets are $25 with the proceeds going to support the band in purchasing new instruments. The band’s major sponsor is the Bendigo Bank Daylesford District.

Janet said those wearing something French are eligible to win prizes. “With great music, prizes for themed table decorations, costumes and some exciting raffle prizes, it will be a brilliant evening,” she said.

Vive La France!