Long-time Daylesford resident Megan Jones whoops for joy as she tells of at last becoming a poster girl. At 70.

She’s on the poster for a new play by Hepburn’s Adam Fawcett. Called Every Lovely Terrible Thing, he says it is two acts of family mayhem , funny, chaotic, surprising, with ghosts and magic realism.

A prodigal daughter returns to the family home after 10 years with a secret that threatens to blow everyone up. It even has Megan bursting out of a coffin to sing Don’t Rain on My Parade.

Four years in the writing, the play is co-commissioned by Lab Kelpie, the biggest and first for the 12-year-old company since being based here.

“This shows the strength of independent artists and companies working in regional Victoria who can take a high-quality work like this and stand next to our metropolitan contemporaries.,” Adam says.

Megan’s last stage appearance was 15 years ago in a play called The Prostitute. Amazingly, she got the role after a woman asked her, while she was sitting in the foyer of the North Melbourne Arts Hub, whether she was an actor.

Her record could scarcely be more impressive: besides acting, she is a theatre and circus director, working for 40 years with a wide range of independent artists, companies and organisations, creating more than 80 original theatre shows and 20 main stage circus shows.

Trained with master teachers in London and Moscow, she founded Machination Theatre Ensemble which over the six years of its existence was picked from 60 companies to be on the VCE Drama playlist, being awarded for its contribution.

Adam, 41, says he started writing the play before meeting Megan. “When I got stuck, I went to her, and she was a mentor and gave me encouragement.”

In spite of the seeming toughness of the plot, he stresses that it is “not trauma porn”.

A third play by Adam, Men on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, is a finalist in the 2024 Midsumma Queer Playwriting Award, while a work of prose fiction, Black Rainbow, is a finalist in a new writing award, the Pearl Prize for 750-word pieces to be announced next month.

For her part, Megan says, “He is original in his approach, well balanced and his work is unique because I’ve never seen this topic dealt with in this way. Some people might have a cry here and there, but there’s a lot of comedy.”

Another local involved is costume designer Martelle Hunt, whose credits extend from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to Shakespeare and musicals. The birth of this play may lead to fresh projects, such as theatre classes.

Every Lovely Terrible Thing is on at Theatre Works, St Kilda, from February 29 to March 16. Tickets available from theatreworks.com.au

Story & image: Kevin Childs

The Australian Van Morrison Show is set to captivate audiences at The Palais in Hepburn Springs on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, following their sold-out success in Tasmania, Perth, and Melbourne.

Fronted by soul singer Steve Boyd and his 8-piece band, the evening promises a nostalgic journey to the golden age of pop music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, exploring the extraordinary songbook of the iconic Van Morrison.

Steve Boyd, a respected singer-songwriter, pays a rare musical tribute to Van Morrison, with performances limited to select venues across Australia each year.

Expressing his deep admiration, Boyd states: “A tribute should honor the artist, and I love Van. I never want to tire of singing his songs. The show emphasizes celebrating Van’s timeless classics rather than imitation.

Boyd asserts, “We are not trying to copy Van; we are just playing his great songs.”

Known for his talents as a front-man, Boyd has released five solo albums with his band The Preachers and has a rich history of performances at major roots music festivals in Australia, including Byron Bay Blues and Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Masters in the art of connection, Lindsay Martin (AU) and Victoria Vigenser (NZ) interweave effortless strings, soulful vocals and driving rhythms to form a singular, intense musical voice.

The couple have been called contemporary folk, alt-country and acoustic pop, but words don’t capture their unbelievable musical kinship, or the deeply heartfelt way they relate to their audiences.

Hepburn area locals, however, are about to get the chance to find out as We Mavericks are down to play the Palais on Friday evening , February 9.

Nominated Best Folk Artist in both AU and NZ, this troubadour duo have an inexplicable appeal that has seen them on a steep and fast rise to countless festival billings throughout 2022/23, with their sophomore release due in 2024.

13th Floor, NZ 2022: “He has a familiar soft folk tenor. She has a strong ringing tone with muscle behind a clear crystalline voice… The violin cries for her and the harmony vocals are divine… We Mavericks are a serendipitous pairing…”

Ambient Light, NZ 2022: “… the glorious harmonies and touching melodies of We Mavericks…Together they craft exquisite folk music, evoking spirits originating from Appalachia to Alba”

Australia’s longest running Amy Winehouse Show, Back to Black, returns to the Palais-Hepburn this Saturday January 27th.

Singing sensation Atlanta May Coogan (The Black Sorrows, Bjorn Again, Merril Bainbridge) will be performing Amy’s hits such as Rehab, Valerie and Carole King covers as iconic as ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’.

With a rejigged show and showcasing Amy Winehouse’s iconic look Atlanta will be starring after a long run of sold out performances including Adelaide Fringe and Memo St Kilda.

Winehouse, known for her deep contralto vocals and mixing of genres – including R&B, soul and jazz – died in 2011.

Coogan’s homage to the singer with her Amy Winehouse Show is notching up its 13th year of success recalling the British songstress’ life and talents.

UK festival favourites Dan and Emily bring to the stage a unique blend of English folk music fused with country/Americana.

The duo are headed to Hepburn to play The Palais, Hepburn this Friday evening January 19.

They bring with them a reputation for their energising combination of distinctive warm and powerful vocals and guitar interlaced with a dexterous meld of celtic- and country- style fiddling and beautiful harmonies mesmerises a multi-genre audience.

Dan Webster and Emily Lawler hail from York, UK, and this month will once again be bringing to Eastern Australia their unique blend of English folk music fused with Americana.

After their successful Australian debut in 2023 saw their formidable live performances captivate folkies and country fans alike, Dan and Emily are this time hoping to explore and immerse themselves further in the Australian folk and alt-country music scenes

Whether an introspective ballad or upbeat festival dance tunes, Dan’s distinctive warm and powerful vocals interlaced with Emily’s dexterous meld of celtic- and country- style fiddle playing mesmerises a multigenerational, multi-genre audience.

A favourite of the UK festival circuit playing major shows at Green Man, Shambala, Kendall Calling, and Maverick festivals, Dan has been booked for both festival headline slots and to open for acts such as The Levellers and Turin Brakes.

Dan’s duo partner Emily Lawler has been performing with him for about 6 years, bringing to his music beautiful harmonies and some of the very finest fiddle playing.

Having previously led the Suffolk Youth Orchestra, she has more recently studied a Master’s degree in Community Music and immersed herself in the worlds of folk and country musics, playing in the UK line-up of Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes, with Colin Lillie at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2023, and The Weeping Willows on their UK tour.

A fine singer, writer, and guitarist in her own right, she has won praise across the UK – including Alison Moyet’s seal of approval!

Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie, guitarist from the legendary Skyhooks, is headed to The Palais, Hepburn to perform the classic songs of one of Australia’s most beloved bands.

The Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie’s 50th Anniversary Skyhooks Show featuring Laura Davidson takes place at the Palais on Saturday, January 13.

In between songs Bob threatens to share humorous anecdotes and insights into the inner workings of the Skyhooks.

‘We have a female singer only because no male can match ‘Shirley’s’ vocal range and they are so much better to look at, so no apologies there,” Bob said.

Taxiride brings its unique musical blend of retro sensibility with modern style to The Palais, Hepburn this Friday night, January 5.

Crafted over two years in Melbourne and Los Angeles, their debut album ‘Imaginate’ debuted at Number 1 on the Australian Music Charts.

It launched 4 singles including the memorable ‘Get Set’ and ‘Everywhere You Go’ (the most played Australian song on the radio for 2000).

Their second album ‘Garage Mahal’ contained their biggest hit ‘Creepin’ Up Slowly’, the most played song on the radio for 2002 and featured a further two hit singles.

Taxiride achieved Top 30 status in the States and subsequently toured the US, Japan and Europe. A 10 year hiatus saw Taxiride reform in 2015 with a limited run of shows.

Taxiride now returns with new live shows featuring faithful renditions of their hits plus their favourite album tracks – a must for lovers of harmony and infectious pop.

The future of much-loved Hepburn Wildlife Shelter hangs in the balance with DEECA threatening to enforce the removal of all wildlife in its care from early in the new year.

The departmental threats come after the shelter, that’s been operating for more than two decades, refused to reapply to renew its authorisation (or licence) due to the imposition of conditions which the shelter’s operators say are “unrealistic, unreasonable and absurd”.

Highly experienced local wildlife carers Jon Rowdon BSc and Gayle Chappell BSc have been running the shelter just out of Daylesford for 22 years, rehabilitating hundreds of orphaned and injured wildlife annually, and say it’s the first time the department has ever attempted to enforce such conditions.

“We can’t reapply for our authorisation because we can’t operate under those conditions,” Ms Chappell says.

Their current authorisation to function as a wildlife shelter is due to expire on December 31 with tensions building for the past year and coming to a head this week.

On Wednesday amid the threats, Ms Chappell and Mr Rowdon had been expecting DEECA officers to visit and inspect the shelter that currently has some 100 animals, including some threatened species, in its care.

Anticipating the visit, on Wednesday Mr Rowdon, Ms Chappell, fellow wildlife carers, shelter operators and rescuers from across the region, and Animal Justice Party representatives, gathered at the shelter in a show of support.

But at the eleventh hour the DEECA representatives themselves cancelled their visit and failed to show.

“We’re a good shelter. They need to extend our authorisation to at least allow us to keep the animals currently in our care to the end of their rehabilitation, and essentially they need to engage with us properly,” Ms Chappell said.

She says they and a concerning number of other shelter operators have been subject to “bullying” from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

A letter, dated December 18, to the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter from Ash Burns, Regulatory Program Manger with the department reads:

“Please be aware that from 1 January 2024, any wildlife acquired under your authorisation must either be released or transferred to another authorised shelter or foster carer with the appropriate skills and experience to continue their care.”

Among the most experienced wildlife carers in Australia, Ms Chappell and Mr Rowdon say that forcing the relocation of animals currently in their care to other shelters would be extremely stressful for the animals and potentially risk causing some to die.

They and other shelter operators like Manfred Zabinskas OAM of the East Trentham Wildlife Shelter say there’s a critical need for wildlife shelter operators, carers and rescuers to be enabled meaningful input into the regulation of the sector which is entirely volunteer-run and unfunded yet provides a crucial service.

The brewing crisis at the Hepburn shelter highlights the far wider need for the work of the state’s wildlife carers, rehabilitators, rescuers and shelter operators to be properly valued and funded accordingly, they say.

“Wildlife rescues and calls to Wildlife Victoria have been dramatically increasing over the last couple of years, says Greendale based wildlife rescuer and foster carer Trevor Crawford.

“We’re all volunteers and we get no funding support at all,” says Mount Alexander region wildlife rescuer Glynn Jarrett, also on site on Wednesday.

“We do it because we love it and we rely on people like Gayle and Jon. If we lose this shelter we’re really going to struggle.

“We feel the department is working against us not with us.”

The Hepburn Wildlife Shelter is understood to be the largest such shelter in the state and Ms Chappell said the Animal Justice Party is now making ministerial representations on its behalf.

 A Conservation Regulator spokesperson with the department has since confirmed that the Conservation Regulator had “received further communication from the authorisation holder indicating they would like to continue operating beyond the expiry date”. 

 “This request will be assessed with consideration of the minimum legal requirements for shelters and carers to operate under the Wildlife Act 1975 and relevant Code of Practice.” she told The Local. 

She also said: “The Conservation Regulator cancelled a planned inspection at Hepburn Wildlife Shelter on 20 December 2023 due to the prioritisation of other operational matters”.

Words: Eve Lamb

Second Hand News, the band that presented three sell out shows (Fleetwood Mac & Kate Bush) are promising to bring “one hell of a New Year’s Eve party” to The Palais, with a specially curated night of solid gold Studio 54 dance floor hits.

Studio 54 was the giddy epicenter of 70s hedonism, a disco hothouse of the most eccentric characters where anything went. Think plunging necklines, big hair, big jewelry, big personalities, the sound of sequins and the tinkling of whiskey and Champagne glasses as the local venue prepares to usher in 2024.

Second Hand News recreates the experience of seeing Fleetwood Mac in their heyday. Made up of veteran local musicians (Melissa Brausch, Josh Chicoine, Mike Holtz, Dan Ingenthron, Mike Vanier, and Lindsay Weinberg), the band features spot-on vocal harmonies, careful attention to detail, and electric live shows.

DJ Rich will also be on hand later in the evening right through to 2am, January 1, ’24 to take guests to the world of turntables and the 7” 45rpm vinyl single….from the dawn of the pop era in the 50’s and 60’s, rock classics to Motown soul, 70’s disco, 80’s new wave and old school hip hop.

Rich has done recent DJ sets at Dark Mofo, guest DJ to both John Farnham and Missy Higgins at the Botanical Gardens, Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, Panama Festival in Tasmania + more.

Tickets are limited and there’s prizes for ‘Best Dressed’.

The Backyard Banjo Club are headed to The Palais, Hepburn to perform on Saturday, December 16.

They’re a five-piece trad-jazz/bluegrass bonanza. Think Tom Waits meets Django Reinhardt and plays a jazz cover of a Radiohead tune. High energy up-tempo jazz and the occasional sultry ballad, good times guaranteed.

From sell-out Melbourne shows to folk clubs around the country, the Backyard Banjo Club bring tongue-in-cheek stage banter and a healthy dose of instrumental finesse to the stage.

Four piece nu-soul/deep-funk act from Daylesford, Elevated Plains plays the Palais in Hepburn next Friday night, December 15.

Hard to pigeon hole, the sound is a bass-heavy, percussive groove with a psychedelic vibe designed to be danced-to… Think Talking Heads meets Hiatus Kaiyote in a bar in Berlin, perhaps.

The act includes well known singer Sallie Harvey, Dave Marshall on guitar (ex Wizzpoppa / TST), Al Stanley on drums and Cameron Saunders on bass (cellula / Ezc / ZebraHeard! + Automata Recordings).

Support on the night will be Bangquatsch, an exciting live drumming and global dance music project by Maarten Stenakur. Local legend Clay Ravin will DJ afterwards.

INXS fans are headed to The Palais in Hepburn this Saturday night as the local venue hosts the Australian INXS Show.

Fronted by the Dellacoma Rio whose uncanny portrayal of Michael Hutchence has captivated audiences worldwide, this authentic 6 piece band will take you on a journey through all the classic INXS hits that have made them

A household name for decades. Touring across the globe, The Australian INXS Show has travelled to Dubai, India, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Vanuatu, Singapore, Japan, China, Bora Bora, New Caledonia, Taipei and South Korea.

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, this unique INXS theatre experience is expected to draw a full house to the Hepburn venue tomorrow night.

Ella Hooper was still a teenager when she burst onto the Australian music scene.

Unearthed by Triple J when she was just 13, Ella scored her first number one with the single ‘Mascara’ on her 17th birthday. At 18, she became the first woman to be awarded APRA’s Songwriter of the Year.

After releasing three hit albums with Killing Heidi, Ella embarked on a solo career. Her forthcoming album, Small Town Temple – written in her hometown of Violet Town – has been hailed as a new beginning, showcasing Ella’s deeply personal songwriting.

After a multitude of gold and platinum records and four ARIA Awards, Ella remains committed to her craft and is headed to Hepburn to play The Palais on Friday evening, December 1.

Xylouris White live are compelling. Drummer, Jim White, with a style that can sound like a full band one minute and something stark and beautiful the next and George Xylouris, a self-taught master of the lute with a background in traditional Greek folk – weddings, parties, anything; master musicians both with a supernatural power to express themselves as one.

The Melbourne-born duo are headed to Hepburn to play the Palais live this Saturday, November 25.

“Two seemingly unconnected musical traditions could appear, on paper at least, as somewhat contrived, but Xylouris and White’s never less than compelling chemistry was as symbiotic as calm and storm, and rang as true as the dawn chorus. As timeless too.” – The Thin Air

After recent appearances at the Tomorrow Festival in Shenzhen China and Big Ears in Knoxville USA, they’re tackling Australia next with a debut appearance at the Queenscliff Music Festival and a run of east coast dates. The dynamic duo; lute player George Xylouris and drummer Jim White, will also include Meeniyan, Hepburn, Hobart, Wollongong and Canberra alongside big city plays in Sydney and Melbourne.

The tour comes off the back of 2023’s release The Forest in Me an instrumental album drawn from multiple sessions spawned across two continents; Jim in New York City and George in Crete and pulled together by non-performing band member Guy Picciotto. If previous albums drew critical appraise the response for this, their fifth album, has been exultant.

The Fire Danger Period will come into effect from 1am tomorrow, Monday, November 20 for Hepburn Shire Council and other municipalities in CFA’s District 15.

Besides Hepburn these include the City of Ballarat and the Moorabool Shire Council.

The El Nino weather pattern means Victorians can expect a hotter and drier summer than recent years, and communities should begin preparing their properties and creating a Bushfire Survival Plan. 

The latest Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring predicts the fire risk in the coming months to be normal across the state, as well as strong drying patterns in Gippsland’s forested areas. 

CFA District 15 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lachlan Redman said local conditions were showing a rapid rate of grassland curing.  

“The recent spell of increased temperatures and days of higher than average windy conditions have seen a drying of grassland areas including parts of the forested areas. This means in preparing for the upcoming fire danger period, the community should be clearing up around their properties and have a fire plan prepared and practised,” he said.   

“Careful attention should be given when people are mowing or slashing their properties. It’s always a good idea to do these activities in cooler conditions which will assist in preventing the potential risk of a fire occurring. When burning off, people must always be in attendance when the fire is a light and monitor current and forecasted weather conditions.” 

While CFA’s 52,000 members are poised to respond and support communities this bushfire season, they’re urging people to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires. 

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website. 

There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.   

Fire Danger Period information: 

• A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.  
• Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can. 
• Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms. 
• More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod. 
• To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.