By Donna Kelly

So the Local Government Inspectorate will not release any report into its five-year investigation of Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex Theatre development.

That’s pretty amazing. Imagine working on something for five years, using taxpayer money, and then deciding “nothing to see here”.

Or imagine working on something for five years, in a private company, and then telling shareholders “nothing to see here”. Wouldn’t pass the pub test. Or the shareholder test.

The Inspectorate issued a media release last Monday, September 2, which said there was insufficient evidence for any disciplinary breaches or criminal offences. It also said the Chief Municipal Officer was satisfied that the council had taken remedial action to avoid future complaints of a similar nature.

So, nothing to see here, but let’s not let it happen again. What the actual?

The release went on to say the Local Government Inspectorate is “the dedicated integrity agency for local government in Victoria”.

Good to know. Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood says it’s disappointing and the failure to issue a report into The Rex project denies transparency and accountability, and lets down the community, councillors and council officers.

The community is not that rapt either. To put it lightly. Social media went into overdrive with ratepayers left wondering where their rates had gone and who was accountable.

“So where is the explanation for the missing money?”

“Outrageous!”

“It’s astounding that after all this, millions wasted, project unfinished, massive debt accrued putting council at danger of existence, residents saddled with debt through increased rates…a whole host of negative and destructive outcomes to the shire and to the public…yet no finding of wrong doing, none worth publishing a report, none worth taking action, no criminal or unlawful activity found, not even incompetence, ‘misguided’ action with detrimental effects, incorrectly followed processes…nothing.

“Just a mysterious massive blunder that cannot be explained or has no accountability, no responsible decision makers who may have cause or contributed to the problem.”

“Unacceptable.”

“One wonders how much it’s cost for the LGI and the CMI to come to this conclusion! What a total f”!k up!”

“It’s like we need a Hepburn Shire ratepayers’ private investigation into where the $$$ went, we personally worked out we are all owed $500 each at the time of the blunder.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Speechless. All these years and we’re left with this. It’s as if we live in a totalitarian state. No one accountable. Shocking.”

“What a strange and flawed process where no one is ever held accountable! What a debacle and utter disgrace.”

And yet on we go. Millions lost, no-one accountable, no explanation and anyone who rocks the boat and releases the report – well, you wouldn’t want to be them.

The integrity agency has made that clear. Ask your local councillor about the report and you will probably hear: “What report?” No longer exists. Nothing to see here. Just sayin’…

The Local Government Inspectorate will not take any further action into the  investigation of Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex Theatre development –  and its report will never be released.  

The Inspectorate issued a media release last week which said it found there was  insufficient evidence to prove to the requisite standard of proof of the commission of  any disciplinary breaches or criminal offences contrary to the 1989 Act.  

“Further, the Chief Municipal Officer is 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.”  

The release said in 2019, the LGI received a complaint that made allegations  relating to the council’s involvement with The Rex Theatre redevelopment.  

“Since receipt of the complaint, the LGI has undertaken a rigorous investigation  of the allegations. Throughout, Hepburn Shire Council and its councillors have co operated. The LGI’s investigation has now been finalised.”  

The release says the Local Government Inspectorate is the dedicated integrity  agency for local government in Victoria.  

“The Chief Municipal Inspector leads the LGI and has functions and powers,  including those set out in the Local Government Act 2020, to enable the LGI to  examine, investigate and prosecute any matter relating to a council’s operations and  any potential breaches of the 2020 Act and its predecessor the Local Government Act  1989 (1989 Act).”

Hepburn Shire Council response  

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said that it was extremely disappointing that it had taken so long for the Inspectorate to arrive at its conclusion and no report would be issued.  

“We are frustrated and very disappointed that a comprehensive, detailed  report won’t be released. The failure to issue a report into The Rex project denies  transparency and accountability and lets down the community, councillors and  council officers,” he said.  

Cr Hood said ensuring the appropriate checks and balances were in place meant  failures of the past would not be repeated and emphasised the importance of “having  a culture where officers of all levels feel able to raise concerns about governance”.  

“The same applies to councillors. The LGI media release acknowledges the current  officer and councillor group had improved governance oversight.”  

Cr Hood said he had other concerns including that the LGI undertook a  “rigorous investigation” yet has provided no reason why it will not issue any report.  

“The failure to report denies an explanation the community is owed. It prevents  accountability and transparency.”  

He added that the LGI concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to warrant  any disciplinary or legal action.  

“For any organisation to self-report to a regulatory authority is a significant  step. Council management of the day were obviously of the view that some matters  warranted investigation by an independent regulator.  

“It would seem there is a significant disparity between the council management  who self-reported to IBAC and the Inspectorate’s unexplained conclusion.”  

Cr Hood said The Rex saga highlighted what can go badly wrong in any  organisation if the culture isn’t right or if there is a light-handed approach to  governance.  

“The purchase of The Rex, contrary to community consultation, led to a  substantial financial loss – a waste of ratepayers’ money – and tarnished the council’s  reputation.  

“And let’s not forget while all the attention was on The Rex, the Daylesford Town  Hall was shamefully neglected and is only now getting its much-need new roof and  replacement electrical systems.”  

History

Hepburn Shire Council bought the Vincent Street, Daylesford former theatre in  2016 for $6 million – a move prompted after its toilets were closed to the public.  The council then spent $3 million on the building which was to house a cinema,  staff offices, a library and public toilets, with another $6 million needed to complete  the project.

Interim CEO Bruce Lucas paused the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project in June  2018, becoming concerned about governance failures, also reporting the issue to the  Audit and Risk Committee. Incoming CEO Evan King reported concerns to the  Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), and ultimately the  Inspectorate commenced an investigation.  

In December 2021, council officers recommended that the council continue with  the project. However, four councillors voted against the project – Cr Lesley Hewitt,  Cr Don Henderson, Cr Juliet Simpson and Cr Brian Hood. In favour of continuing  with the hub were Cr Jen Bray, Cr Tessa Halliday and Mayor Cr Tim Drylie.  

Present day  The Rex was bought from the council in December 2022 by entrepreneurs and  businesspeople Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and David and Yuge Bromley, for $3.75  million.

Words & image: Donna Kelly  

By Donna Kelly

I managed to break my wrist, in two spots, during a recent weekend celebrating Kyle’s dad’s 80th over  in New Zealand.  

It happened on the Saturday night,  I must admit after a couple of wines,  but there was also a very slippy patch on the lawn where a tree had recently  been removed.  

We were heading home on the  Monday so I hoped it was just a sprain and nursed it back to Australia.  

I went to the doctor who was  worried I had broken my scaphoid  which is apparently quite a bad thing to do. It’s also known as the snuff  box – sort of the spot between the base  of your forefinger and your thumb – I  guess where people used to put stuff to  snuff.  

If that was the case it was going to be about eight weeks in a cast which would  have been a real pain with showering and plastic bags etc.  But the x-ray showed it was a bit lower down, or is that higher up the wrist, and  all I have to do is wear a wrist brace for a few weeks while it knits up.

And I can still type, which Kyle is pretty happy about. Would be a slow news day every day if I had to rely on Kyle and his two-finger typing for the paper.  

So I am pretty happy and also very pleased that I live in Australia. Someone asked  if I had thought about getting an x-ray in NZ but that is a hard no. Especially where  we were up north of the north island.  

Kyle’s step-mother died a couple of years ago after about six months of severe back pain, so bad she was doing nightly trips to the local hospital in an ambulance.  Each time they sent her home, telling her the last time, she needed to walk  around more because she was basically being lazy.

I kid you not.  Then came the call that the tests, finally done, revealed she had stage four bone cancer in her back – and was heading to palliative care.  

More recently, after years of grieving, Kyle’s dad put himself back onto the  market and met a lovely woman who we were introduced to at the party weekend.  

Di had some pretty bad stomach pains happening and a few days after we left she got a call to say the tests showed she had stage four bowel cancer.  But, and this is the rub, they were happy to catch up with her in six weeks to  have a chat about moving forward.

No mention of pain relief, mental health help, nothing. You couldn’t write this stuff. And of course, they are of an age where doctor knows best and there is no-one to advocate for them.  

I felt lucky that the few times Mum needed help I could be there for her. She  had a fall once, straight onto her back, off a stool that she apparently needed to find something on a top shelf in the kitchen.  

Anyway, she had to go into respite care for six weeks but was lucky enough  to find something just over the way from her retirement village unit – in the same  complex. But when we arrived there was just a bed.  

I asked whether there was a television happening? No. A chair for visitors? No. Not sure what they thought Mum would do for six weeks in an empty room but Kyle just marched back to her place and returned the first time with a comfy armchair and then on the second trip, a television.

While she was there, they had a food poisoning outbreak and closed off all the  rooms so the patients could not spread anything around. I remember visiting one day  and asking when the movement ban would be lifted. It turned out to be the previous day but they hadn’t got around to telling patients or removing strict signs. FFS.  

Finally, Mum was given clearance to return home, but the head matron told me she thought Mum should stay one more night. I asked why and didn’t get a real reason. I think there must be some nice government funding available for high needs people. Or is that just me being cynical.

Anyway, Mum went home that day.  Not sure what to do about Di. Do we head back over and try to fix a broken medical system? Or leave Di to die?

Can you pay for advocates or do they have to be related to the patient to get involved?  Not sure on this one. Just sayin’…  

By Donna Kelly

“Damn never become a carer – you won’t like it.” This was the sage advice of my Frankston-based doctor, dating back about 20 years. I can’t quite remember but I think maybe Mum had been a bit crook and I was looking after her.

I think Paul was concerned I would take on the role a bit too seriously. Luckily, Mum continued to recover from many little hiccups and I never became a carer.

I did help out from time to time. Like when she fell backwards while on a small step reaching into a high cupboard. That was not a good one.

Or the time a stent got blocked in her stomach and by the time they finally worked out why she had lost about 30kg she was in a situation which the specialist described as “some patients don’t do well”.

I asked what that meant. He replied: “They die.”

I always remember telling my sister Mum was not out of the woods quite yet and being called a hypochondriac. Hmmm.

Anyway, some people have no choice about becoming carers. At the moment my sister-in-law’s parents are being looked after full-time by her sister. But that means every second weekend, my brother and her take over.

I talked to my brother the other day and he said it was draining and depressing. Both parents have varying levels of dementia and there are good days and bad days. More bad days now. But they soldier on.

And every other weekend is spent pretty much at home, doing the washing, cleaning, lawns etc. Just living.

I also have a friend who is looking after her nephew who has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He has moved in with her and her husband and she has taken the past two months off work to make sure he attends chemo.

He doesn’t want to go any more, too hard, so she cajoles and threatens and pleads. He is 32. So, sometimes people just become carers. No choice involved.

Like Ruth Bray, who looks after her husband of more than half a century, Malcolm. And the government of the day decides they want to hear from people like Ruth, older carers, and arrange a national roundtable. Great. Well done. All hail the politicians for their wise decisions.

But Ruth gets the invite five days out, and has to find care for her husband, talk to other carers so she can take their views along, organise digital wallets, virtual cab charges, plane tickets and an online photo.

Oh, the government in its wisdom want Ruth to catch a 6.10am flight from Tullamarine to Brisbane. So, say, be at the airport about 5am, so, say, leave Daylesford about 3am, just in case of black ice or the odd early kangaroo.

But Ruth is 83 and has lived long enough to be too smart for them and says she wants to arrive a day early. Which she does. And lots of issues are raised, which is great. But will they listen? And will they make real changes? Or is this another talk fest?

Hello, Commission into Aged Care. I am talking about you. Anyway, have a read of Ruth’s story on page 6 (of The Local, August 12, 2024,Issue: 312). It is interesting and I hope change is afoot. Especially the bit where Ruth talks about the different agencies in the same home often being uncoordinated. FFS.

“My husband and I both need transport to the gym. He has an (aged care) package and I am under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Two workers in two cars arrive at our home at the same time, from the same agency, to take us to the same gym, as I am not permitted in his worker’s car. This is your taxes at work.”

And that’s the bit where you just shake your head. And wonder. Just sayin’…

By Donna Kelly  

I received a media release last week from Central Highlands Rural Health  saying that they are partnering with the council to provide free access to  puberty education resources.  

As part of that they are also giving primary school students, in grades five and six,  two pairs of reusable period underwear and a wet bag.  Wow.

As a middle-aged woman I was a bit gobsmacked, one that we are talking  about this, and two, how does this underwear work?

I feel like I grew up in the last century, well I did actually, and when I was a kid  we never talked about periods. To the extent that when I got my first one, at age 11, I  had no idea what was going on.  

The adverts for pads and tampons were really subtle. It was all about riding horses  and surfing. I thought that if I got my period it just meant I would suddenly have  some sporting prowess.

I told Mum what had happened and she asked if I hadn’t already worked it all out. No, I said. No idea. She got some pads from the top of her wardrobe shelf and  handed them to me.

“There you are,” she said. Dad wandered by about this time and  asked what was going on. “Our little girl has become a woman,” Mum said. So Anne  of Green Gables. Dad kept walking.  And that was pretty much my introduction to something that would happen  every month for another 40 years or so.

The pads were awful things, huge and lumpy,  with a tendency to spill over at any time. So bathroom checks were constant. It’s  almost post-traumatic thinking about it.  

Change came a few years later, aged about 16, when a friend of mine said I should switch to tampons. She had made the move when she was just 14, she said. It  happened after she had sex in a football ground in Frankston with a random stranger.  

She decided “if that can fit in, a tampon can”. Practical girl.  

Not much else changed, so the research that most tweens and teens will continue to use the first sanitary products they were introduced to for most of their menstruating life, seems to be pretty true.  

Luckily, for me, I had very heavy periods and got popped onto a Mirena IUD  device, for both birth control and to help out.

It worked so well my periods stopped  altogether – which I was pretty pleased about.  I had a hormone test a few years back and it came back as nothing left in the  tank. All gone.

I told Kyle whose only comment was “that’s a bit sad”. I asked what the sad bit was and he said “you can’t have children”. Hmmm. I think at 55 that  horse had long bolted – especially after the conversation that we did not want kids  about 25 years earlier. Maybe he forgot that bit.  

True story. We used to have people tell us we would have made great parents but  I think you really want to have the children first. And I have had many nightmares  where I am pregnant, only waking up to a huge relief that it was just a bad dream. All  power to those of you wanting, trying or having children. Just not us.  

Anyway, it is great that periods, something that happens to 50 per cent of people  throughout the world, and should be understood by the other 50 per cent, are out of the closet and into the discussion.  

Mind you, the research bit where pads containing plastic and tampons ultimately  end up in landfill means it’s time to swap to reusable period underwear might be a harder sell. Cloth nappies again, anyone? Just sayin’  

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’…

After 30 years Kyle Barnes and Donna Kelly returned to Hamilton Island, the place where they met while working on this tropical paradise. Kyle, a Kiwi, was a skipper, while Donna, a born and bred Frankston girl, was a Japanese speaking interpretor. It was a fun time to be in hospitality and then to find new and lasting love. They shared their thoughts on the past and the latest Return to Hamilton Island…

Kyle said:

Travelling back to Hamilton Island with just north of 30 years of wrinkles on my face and a couple of inches of well-earned lunches under my belt felt like slipping on an old pair of shoes. 

Or more to the point, slipping off an old pair of shoes. You see it was a place where I wandered barefoot back in the day. There was even a bar called the Barefoot Bar.

In fact I never bothered with shoes and they weren’t a requirement of my job which was more or less simply messing around on boats.

Life was simpler and warmer then. Mind you, I do remember my new love at the time, who just happens to be my older love now, instructing me to wear shoes on a night out.

I had to lay down the law in my fledgling romance and stated that I wouldn’t be told what to do. As it turns out our night out was over on the mainland which happened to have a strict “no shoes, no entry policy” in most of the bars.

And the dingbat of the week award was once again won with the wry “told you so” look from my future bride.

The island has changed a lot since the nouveau riche have discovered it and for me it seems to have lost a lot of its Australiana with a lot of rules and regulations, but it is the world we live in.

As I lurched my golf buggy to the side of the road looking for a park, a staff member in the following buggy instructed me not to park there and pretty much told me to move on.

Back in the day, there is no way we would say something to an island guest, in fact we had as little to do with them as possible. Except for this one night where I and eight of my new besties, including Donna, thumbed down a lift from a lovely guest couple on a buggy.

They were equally as intoxicated as us and even with our total numbering 11, we got that thing blasting around the island until security caught up with our drunken mob of reprobates.

We quickly abandoned the vehicle, and the fun-loving couple, secreting ourselves in the bush in order not to get the dreaded NBO (next boat out) treatment. And I guess that sort of nonsense behaviour is where the rules have come from.

I can see this very clearly with an older head on my shoulders, but shit it was fun. I worked for a watersports and adventure company that is still there operating with the brothers that I used to work with.

My job would vary from changing a tyre out on the parachute plane, to jumping out of said plane and towing folks behind the parasailing boat.

One day I was on the parasailing pontoon, clipped Donna into a harness and decided to hang on as she took off into the air. The idea was to let go once we had some height which would create a rocket effect for her, but my grip started to weaken as we rose above 20 metres.

I went through the mental argument of “did I have enough strength to hang on for another five minutes to finish the journey?” And the answer was no.

By then I was about 70 metres up and consequently I let go, hitting the water like a rock on cement. Once again I guess that’s why they now have rules for mad bastards like me in my 20s who liked to play rough.

My recent stay in Hamilton Island was a relaxing affair and obviously a lot safer than in years gone by.

It still has that sense of going barefoot in the sand and is an extremely safe, family-friendly place that caters for most budgets. The island is very accessible with various airlines servicing the little slice of paradise and has all you need for a relaxing stay.

From the time you land (where I almost expected Tattoo from Fantasy Island to yell out “the plane, the plane” and right the way through the stay this place puts out those tropical vibes, and it’s right here in Australia.

Words: Kyle Barnes 

Donna said:

I don’t know why it took 30 years to return to Hamilton Island. And I am sorry it did. It is such a piece of paradise in our own country. Sandy beaches, swaying palms, beautiful breezes and wonderful vibes.

Of course, this time around we were tourists, just soaking up the sun and kicking back at the many cool bars and restaurants, and cruising around in our golf buggy. Back then, we were workers.

Kyle was a skipper who I inadvertently found a job for when I got another bloke sacked for inappropriate behaviour. I was a Japanese- speaking tour guide – home after three years of living in Japan but not quite ready to settle back into life in Frankston.

Kyle always said he fell in love with me but I always wonder if it was the accommodation. There was nothing for staff when I arrived so I was popped into a room on the 18th floor of Hamilton Towers, now the Reef Hotel.

We met for a drink one night, I invited him for one more at home and he never returned to his shared donga. That is a real word.

So we worked hard but we also played hard and it was a lot of fun. Rules were few and far between and the worst thing that could happen was an NBO or Next Boat Out. I don’t know anyone, apart from that one bloke I mentioned, who got NBO’d.

I remember Kyle coming to collect me, while I was working, to take me out for a parasail. No worries. Came back dripping wet and just continued on, helping the Japanese guests decide on which tour they would like in my sodden clothes.

Went out on the Adventure Cruise, which was really about fishing, and after Kyle dropped anchor we left the punters and climbed onto the roof for a bit of a chat. Maybe stole a kiss? No worries.

We held a competition to see how many we could fit on a buggy, 11, and wandered the island from tip to tip checking out private beaches and generally having fun.

We found a lovely swing seat – see below – and managed to break it despite both being quite a few kilos lighter back in the day.

There were karaoke nights, arm wresting competitions (which Kyle mostly won), a wonderful staff restaurant where meals were just $2 and drinks about the same, but no-one was game to go in the staff pool, nicknamed the sperm pool for good reason.

We also got the barge to Airlie Beach a bit, to either hit a bar or shop for food at mainland prices we could afford.

Kyle’s story next to this talks about the barefoot incident but I can tell it better.

“Where are your shoes?” I asked as we met at the barge. “Don’t tell me what to do, this is who I am,” retorted Kyle. Standing outside the bar looking at the sign which said clearly “no shoes, no entry” I look at him and asked “How do you feel now, dickhead.” Got to make sure they know who is boss early on. 🙂

Anyway, this time around we were much more sedate – and we stayed one floor higher, on the 19th floor, a two-storey Reef Suite. It was fantastic – views forever, right over Catseye Bay. Huge room, full kitchen (not that we cooked), two king beds upstairs. And lovely staff. Thanks for the towel animal!

We didn’t worry about $2 meals. Romanos, an Italian restaurant on the marina, was fantastic and also loved the Reef Hotel bar for its cocktails, and the Marina Tavern for a more casual menu but a great view over the boats.

One Tree Bar was clearly the spot to watch the sunset but it was pretty busy so we headed back down the hill to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club. That’s the sun setting over on the right (photo below). Beautiful.

We chatted with quite a few staff members and they are all clearly loving being a part of the experience. Lots of Aussies but also plenty of people from overseas enjoying hospitality with a place that does it so well.

It’s very much now a destination for couples, friends and families. When we lived there it was probably 90 per cent for the Japanese but I guess the way their yen has gone it’s no longer an option.

Some of it is a little expensive, like our suite, but really if you have the money well worth investing for a bit of extra luxury.

Food and drinks were really just normal prices – especially if you are used to going out around our region. And there are plenty of walks and activities that are free for all to just enjoy.

Having the airport on the island itself was also great, you are in holiday mode the moment you land – whisked off to your lodgings, ready for the adventure to begin.

Will we go again? You bet and we won’t be waiting another 30 years. I reckon a yearly trip is the go – and maybe one day we will find that swing seat waiting. If it’s been repaired. Hmmm.

Words: Donna Kelly  

Kyle and Donna travelled at their own cost with Qantas but stayed at the Reef Suites courtesy of Hamilton Island. They are fabulous! Pictured above clockwise from right: the infamous swing seat from 1994, the Reef Suite view, sunset at the yacht club Images: Donna Kelly & unknown

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 

Fern Hill’s Lauretta Hanson is heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The road cyclist will compete in the women’s road cycling event on August 4, alongside teammates Grace Brown and Ruby Roseman-Gannon. 

The Local first caught up with the now 29-year-old when a 110km ride taking in Carlsruhe, Mount Macedon, Hanging Rock, Newham, Pipers Creek and Kyneton, was just another day of training as she prepared for the 2019 European cycling season. 

The long-time member of the Macedon Ranges Cycling Club was flying to Spain for her first race with Trek- Segafredo. 

Europe was a big move after six years cycling with United Healthcare in the US. “Trek-Segafredo is a new women’s world tour team,” Lauretta said at the time.

“They already have a men’s team so adding a women’s team is an exciting move. They’re putting a lot of support behind it with the aim to be one of the best teams in the world.” 

Lauretta joined the Macedon Club as an eight-year-old with her mother, Heather, who had been an elite cyclist in the 1970s and 80s. 

She never seriously considered professional racing until a trip to the United States saw her spotted by scouts and offered a scholarship at Milligan College in Tennessee. It was in college that Lauretta realised her cycling talents.

 “I won the national road omnium in 2015 for the collegiate level cycling and got quite a few national medals and was then offered a spot on a domestic team in the US.” 

After getting good results and finding her feet she progressed to bigger and bigger teams before joining United Healthcare – one of the country’s top cycling teams.

She flourished in the role of domestique – a rider who works for the benefit of his or her team and leader, rather than trying to win the race. 

Now an established member of the UCI Women’s World Team Lidl-Trek team, Lauretta has continued to work on building that reputation as a strong, unwavering support rider. 

High-profile Lidl-Trek rider Ellen van Dijk has made it clear her success depends on the support of Lauretta. “Lauretta is very valuable,” Dutchwoman Ellen said.

“She is always where she needs to be. She does what she needs to do and is super strong. It’s not [that] she is a domestique [because] she is not as strong. On the contrary. In smaller teams she could get her own results, but it’s a choice she made and that is great for us as a team.

“She always gives her all and without riders like her you just don’t win races. She is loyal on and off the bike. She is always happy and will never complain.

These personalities are important on a team.” Lauretta said as a domestique she loves helping her teammates to achieve the best results possible. 

“Other women told me there isn’t a place in women’s pro cycling for a professional domestique and historically in women’s cycling you never got a contract if you weren’t a winner.

But now teams see more and more they need dedicated riders to help others win. I enjoy helping fellow team members as much as myself. 

“A lot of the time people at home will ask me how my race went. Having coverage makes such a big difference for riders like me. 

“You can now see the players other than those in the winners group. Lauretta Hanson on the road to Paris “You can see the story of the race now.

I hope this makes younger riders realise there is a place for domestiques and that it’s not all about the winners.” The former Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, student said she had a great time growing up on the family farm at Fern Hill.

“We had a great time as kids on the farm,” she said. “We had so much space roaming around and riding bikes on the property. Cycling is the feeling of being free. It’s exploring. “Cycling gives you the opportunity to see the world.

I have seen more of the world than I expected to ever see and that’s largely due to my cycling career.” For young cyclists wanting to make the professional circuit, Lauretta has this advice. 

“Don’t be afraid to follow opportunities and take your own pathways. For me, this wasn’t always clear. I’ve never had directions in front of me and I was never part of an institute or an academy. 

“I kind if did it my own way. It may have been a little daunting and overwhelming at times but I think it’s made me a stronger and more resilient athlete. It’s not always been easy but I’ve made a lot of good friends and networks along the way. I’ve loved the experience and where it’s taken me.” 

Lauretta has a bachelor of business, sport and fitness administration/management at Deakin University. Sacred Heart College principal Darren Egberts said the school community was very proud of Lauretta’s achievements. 

“As a past student (Class of 2012), we have always enjoyed following her progress. Her recent selection in the Australian Olympic Cycling Team is fantastic news.

 “Long-serving staff members recall her passion for cycling during her years at the college and particularly her selection, while in Year 12, to ride with Cadel Evans, following his Tour de France win. “

Having a past student at these Olympics will make them even more exciting for all at the college – we will be loudly cheering for Lauretta and her team.” 

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: AusCycling – Josh Chadwick  

By Donna Kelly

Hmmm. If I don’t hurry up this could be the first edition of The Local without a Just sayin’… column. OK, I agree, maybe not a bad thing.

Sadly I am a procrastinator so I have lots of ideas but not a lot of action. And I am also a perfectionist so if I start a column and then read it through and don’t like it, I hit delete and start again.

So after staring at this page for some hours, and wondering if Jane (above) would make a nice pet, I have decided to write about a few things.

Someone once told me when you start writing about your dog then things have gone pear-shaped, so no more talk about Jane. Although she does look sweet and greyhounds do make nice quiet pets. Anyone?

Anyway, here goes.

Firstly, I already feel sorry for the next set of Hepburn Shire councillors. Personally I think you would have to be mad to stand. The council is broke, has a low satisfaction rating (again), and it still has to work through its highly unpopular town structure plans. And the rates have just gone up.

So why would you put your hand up to step into the firing line? I guess if you are really keen on giving back to the community – although there is no money to give back with – or perhaps someone who should be popped into an institution to have a bit of a think about life.

The lack of wards will be interesting. I think there will be an over-representation from Creswick and Daylesford which may not play out so well for the smaller areas.

I guess we wait and see. The last council meeting for this current mob is September and then it’s into caretaker mode. So watch this space.

I can’t believe it’s been four years since we lost my mum. She died in May 2020 and after thinking about it I do blame the pandemic. She was in hospital, not for much at all, but things just kept going wrong.

And I think because everyone was so panicky that the ball got dropped a little with small things (not) like stopping blood thinners, wrong medications, a fall the family was never told about.

Of course we were wearing masks, you could only have one family member in at a time to visit and everyone had that look of fear, if you remember that part. The look of “I can’t believe I am in a hospital in a pandemic”.

Anyway, she died and we had a stupid tiny funeral with just 20 people. And everyone had to stand in their own pew which meant my mum’s best friends, who I had known all my life, were standing alone, crying. And I couldn’t even hug them.

It was two years later that we could finally hold a ceremony with about 80 people and scatter mum’s ashes off Olivers Hill in Frankston. Her wish. She used to go fishing with her dad off there in a little dinghy when she was a child.

He would tie her with a rope so she wouldn’t fall in. Her called her Sammy. This year on her birthday, June 21, I reached out (I hate that expression) to a Frankston Facebook page and asked if anyone would give their horns a little beep as they drove up or down Olivers Hill.

Lots of people wrote back that they would or had. So that was a nice thing. I hope to make it an annual event – Beep for Betty. Sorry in advance if it takes off and you live on Hopes Rise…

Oh, I know a few people who have lost parents recently and send them my love. It is a such a hard time. And even if they are “a good age” or “had a good innings” it’s always too soon.

Finally, and very much alive and well, is Maureen Andrew. She got in touch to say she is in a production of The Boy from Oz. So being a former local, and just a great person, I did a bit of a story and we also have some double passes to give away. Check out the story on page 14 (The Local current edition).

Maureen says performers, and all creatives, have a little bit of insanity going on and just keep on going with their passions.

I remember her atop our TL ute in the ChillOut parade one year. She was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Just climbed up and over, no worries at all.

And Kyle watched her limbering up at the gym once. Let’s just say this woman can bend. I am sure the show will be a big hit – if you get time pop along and support our performers. They did it hard and are back with a vengeance.

And pop Beep for Betty in your calendar – you never know, you might just be in Franga for the day. Just sayin’..

Prolific independent musical theatre company Theatrical is presenting The Boy From Oz, playing for a limited season at the National Theatre, St Kilda from July 6-21.

And among those taking part in one of the lead roles is former Daylesford and Creswick resident, and accomplished performer, Maureen Andrew.

Maureen has had an exceptional and ongoing career in music theatre, film, stage and television with over 50 years’ industry experience as an actor, singer, dancer, producer and director.

Her first touring gig was with the original cast of Hair in 1971 travelling throughout Australia and New Zealand. Then there’s been Elton John, Billy Elliot The Musical, Calendar Girls, Hugh Jackman’s Boy From Oz, Cabaret, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Saturday Night Fever, Grease the Mega Musical, Sunset Boulevard and Scrooge the Musical.

Television credits include Neighbours, My Brother Jack and Blue Heelers. And many Central Highland music fans would have seen Maureen’s tribute cabaret shows including Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Bette Midler, Shirley Bassey, and Marlene Dietrich.

In The Boy from Oz, Maureen plays Peter Allen’s mother Marion Woolnough. “It’s a marvellous role, so emotional and pivotal to Peter’s life. I am so pleased I finally got to do it. And the cast are all wonderful people who are very passionate about performing.

“I am realising the longer I last in it (performing), there is a certain insanity performers are born with, and that includes artists, writers, anyone who has a creative endeavour, there is something passionate in us from an early age and we just keep going. I still think I am 16.”

Also starring in the musical is Peter Allen tribute artist Matthew Hadcraft, who has been performing his own Peter Allen show across Australia since 2015.

“There is no one quite like Peter Allen. His infectious energy, love for his audiences, free-wheeling enthusiasm and sense of fun is still so captivating decades after his death. He’s a true Australian icon, and I feel very lucky that I get to play him and perform his legendary songs,” says Matthew.

“Peter came out as bisexual, and although it’s not explicit (he always talks about you/me/us and never used gendered pronouns), you can hear his coming out journey through some of the lyrics in his songs.”

The Boy From Oz has a true ‘Peter Allen in concert’ feel to it. The biographical musical follows his fascinating global career and life with Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli in bars, nightclubs and concerts across the world.

From Australia to Asia, to winning an Oscar and selling out performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York, The Boy From Oz showcases Peter Allen’s one-of-a-kind gift as a musical storyteller with hits like I Still Call Australia Home, I Go To Rio, I Honestly Love You and the biographical Tenterfield Saddler.

Tickets: www.theatrical.com.au

Words: Donna Kelly

Results from Hepburn Shire Council’s Community Satisfaction Survey have been released.

The state government-commissioned survey is administered by JWS Research and covers the period from June 1, 2023 to March 18, 2024 and is now conducted quarterly instead of yearly.

In the survey 72 per cent of survey respondents rated the shire’s overall performance as ‘average and above’, an increase from 70 per cent in the previous year.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said it was pleasing to see improvements in many of the key metrics.

“We recognise council has lots more to do to improve its service delivery, but seeing this upward trend in many service areas is a further step in the right direction.

“Of the 17 service areas surveyed, council recorded improved results in 12 areas compared to the last survey and the same result in one area. There was a decline in satisfaction in four service areas.”

However, the council still finds itself below other small rural shires and state-wide results in 14 of the 17 areas surveyed.

The survey results for overall satisfaction in those 14 areas were:

Hepburn 2024 | Hepburn 2023 | Small Rural 2024 | State-wide 2024
Overall performance: 49 49 53 54
Customer service: 64 66 66 67
Appearance of public areas: 64 60 71 68
Recreational facilities: 61 57 67 68
Enforcement of local laws: 56 53 60 61
Community decisions: 46 42 50 50
Sealed local roads: 29 33 41 45
Planning & building permits: 35 39 43 45
Business & community development: 56 54 57 57
Environmental sustainability: 57 56 59 60
Value for money: 42 41 47 48
Waste management: 65 64 67 67
Recreational facilities: 61 57 67 68
Lobbying: 48 44 50 50
Community decisions: 46 42 50 50; and
Slashing & weed control: 42 39 46 45
Those closest to small rural shires and/or statewide results were:
Tourism development: 61 62 61 59; and
Overall council direction: 44 41 44 45
The best result was for Consultation & engagement: 52 46 51 51.
They survey findings said one in five residents (21%) rate the value for money
they receive from the council in infrastructure and services as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.
Almost twice as many rate the council as ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’ (39%).
Link: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/Plans-and-publications/Performance

Words: Donna Kelly

Ballarat’s Regent Cinema has suddenly closed its doors – just a week out from the winter school holidays.

Management posted on Monday, June 24 that: “It’s with a great amount of sadness that we have taken the decision to cease operations effective immediately.

“We have arrived at this point after a great deal of consideration and as result of a number of factors that have contributed to the heart-breaking decision to close the business.

“We would like to thank the Ballarat community for their support over the years.”

A sign outside the cinema says there are no session times available and customers who had booked for events like birthday parties have received emails saying the booking can no longer be honoured.

On social media people posted they had wonderful memories of the historic cinema.

“Absolutely heartbreaking…I have so many wonderful memories of going to the Regent, even from childhood when my first ever movie (The Muppets take Manhattan) was shown and they had intermissions, or in recent years, the fabulous camaraderie of a packed-out theatre, celebrating the latest Star Wars movie. Is there no way this can be kept…the Regent is a huge part of Ballarat’s history and culture!”

“Sad news, but cinemas have been struggling for a long time and the studios haven’t helped. Almost every second movie these days is a nostalgia recall for people like me who grew up in the 80s, but guess what, we don’t go out on a Friday night now.

“The studios failure to deliver for contemporary audiences, plus the fact that movies are on streamers within weeks meant that cinemas needed to sell an experience – but it was a notoriously expensive one given the cost of food and drink. I hope someone else comes in a can turn it around. Free popcorn and soft drink refills would be a start given tit cost next to nothing for the vendor.”

“What a shame we will be losing the Regent Cinemas Ballarat. We have been supporting for so many years with our family of six and so many movies have been seen.

“Recently to see IF and I was surprised that on a Tuesday afternoon we were the only ones in there with one older regular customer.

“It’s a shame there wasn’t notice for all, not knowing the circumstances but with winter school holidays starting I’m sure many would have loved the opportunity to use their vouchers/loyalty points and just one last hoorah for The Regent.”

History

The Regent was opened in 1928 with almost 2000 seats in stalls and balcony levels. 

Melbourne architects Arthur W. Purnell and Cedric H. Ballantyne were responsible for the design. Mr Ballantyne also designed the Regent Theatre on Collins Street in Melbourne.  

Fire damaged the interior in 1943 and architects were commissioned to redesign the building. 

Hoyts closed the business in 1970 but it was re-opened in 1976 by the Anderson family.

Ten years later it was opened as three separate theatres and in the early 2000s another three screens were added.

Words: Donna Kelly

By Donna Kelly

I had some time last week so I did a bit of a Google around about farmland and farm zones. I realise there are experts just waiting on Facebook but instead I went to the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning.

Anyway, I found some interesting words and thought I would share them. From a guide for planning authorities about the strategic work required to apply the different zones, the purposes and features of each zone and where they may be applied.

I might have cherry picked a little, but it was a long read. And I only get this little column so I have to be sparse with words. Here goes:

“The rural areas of Victoria accommodate a range of farming, residential, industrial and commercial uses and contain many of the state’s significant natural resources, such as native vegetation, minerals and water. They also provide important resources for recreation, tourism and timber production.

“The suite of rural zones for Victoria: recognise the state, regional and local importance of farming as an industry and provide greater protection for productive agricultural land: discourage ad hoc and incompatible use and development; and recognise and protect rural areas that are environmentally sensitive.

“Victoria’s changing rural landscape requires planning authorities to think strategically about their farming areas and rural settlement patterns, so that sustainable farming is promoted and potential conflicts between farming and other land uses are avoided.

“Sound strategic planning for rural areas is essential to ensuring that land use and development achieves the planning authority’s vision and strategic objectives for an area.

“It can help ensure that: farmland and farming industries of state, regional or local significance are protected; future use of existing natural resources, including productive agricultural land, water, and mineral and energy resources, is sustainable; scarce resources, such as water, are protected; existing visual and environmental qualities of rural areas are protected; and conflicts between farming and other land uses are avoided.

“(Any) strategy should include an assessment of: the physical attributes of the land and its capacity to support productive agricultural uses including soil type, climate, vegetation cover, access to water, slope and drainage; agricultural trends in the area, including agricultural productivity, changes in farming practices and processes, and farm investment patterns; and the natural resources and environmental features in the area and their importance including flora and fauna, significant habitats, wetlands, scenic landscapes and sites of archaeological or cultural significance.

“(A) farming zone – a zone that is predominantly focussed on protecting and promoting farming and agriculture.

“Farming Zone Purpose: To provide for the use of land for agriculture; to encourage the retention of productive agricultural land; to ensure that non agricultural uses, including dwellings, do not adversely affect the use of land for agriculture; to encourage the retention of employment and population to support rural communities; and to encourage use and development of land based on comprehensive and sustainable land management practices and infrastructure provision.”

And I think that just might be my submission to council. Thanks Department of Planning. Done. Just sayin’…

Daylesford Macedon Tourism will host Growth Mindset in Uncertain Times at the Macedon Ranges Hotel & Spa this Wednesday, June 26 from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

This year’s theme is about having a growth mindset in uncertain times. The conference will hear from some of the country’s most innovative and forward thinking leaders.

Topics for discussion include learning about using AI to generate content, how to market a business in challenging times, and why invest when others are cutting back.

There will be a chance to gain insights into the international market and what they expect, as well as real life examples of how to get traction in the weddings and events space.

A finance expert will talk about how to survive in a lower spend environment, and speakers from Visit Victoria and Tourism Australia will also keep the audience up-to-date with the latest marketing initiatives, and how to get involved.

The keynote speaker, Dan Monheit, CEO and the cofounder of Hardhat, is a behavioural scientist who has presented on the international stage and worked with the likes of Visit Victoria, and will talk about the power of a positive mindset and bring real life examples.

Also speaking are Macedon Ranges Shire CEO Bernie Sullivan and Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas, pictured above, on the theme: Housing, Planning and more: how councils are enabling growth.

The cost is $79 +GST for DMT partners and $158 +GST for non-partners.

Link: www.dmrtourism.com.au/events/

Words: Donna Kelly