Former Daylesford resident Jasmine Gruar, a ballet dancer, has been featured on the front page of The Local in a painting. Her grandmother, Irene Mooney, created the acrylic portrait to celebrate Jasmine's recent 21st birthday, and Jasmine was thrilled with the gift. Jasmine trained from a young age at Starz Dance Centre in Kyneton and later with Ballet Theatre Australia. She has performed in ballets including The Nutcracker and Giselle, and now teaches dance to pre-schoolers in Melbourne.
The Rural City of Wangaratta will hold a special meeting on Wednesday 21 October at midday to formally support Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines, her family and staff following an incident in Wangaratta on Monday. Council will also consider a resolution condemning violence, threats and intimidation. Mayor Irene Grant said the incident had deeply affected people across the town and wider region. The proposed resolution also recognises the courage of community members and emergency services personnel who assisted, including local resident and business owner Ricky Jefferies. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Comedian Mark Trevorrow, performing as his character Bob Downe, shared the stage with drag queen Stan Munro at the Kyogle Bowlo on Saturday, October 17. The pair played to a packed crowd. Munro, who said Trevorrow makes him laugh easily, first met him 30 years ago at Daylesford, Victoria. Munro, 86, calls himself the oldest living Les Girl and has written a book, Secrets of a Showbiz Dame. He will be interviewed for Antiques Down Under and speak about the book in Sydney on November 7.
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The Swiss Italian Festa will run for six days from October 20 to 25, 2026, in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. It honours Swiss and Italian migrants who arrived during the gold rush of the 1850s. The program includes a film screening, a Heritage Dinner, a street parade, a Tarantella world record attempt, a pasta sauce competition and a fireworks finale. Festa Around Hepburn on Sunday, October 25, will feature local businesses, live music and a landscape art prize.
Marg Robinson, a Broomfield resident, has revived her poetic pursuits with a cheerful piece about a daffodil. Her work, which celebrates the vibrant yellow blooms brightening the town, appears in Local Lines, a column featuring poetry from locals. Robinson, who previously wrote during her teenage years, submitted her piece to Bill Wootton. The column welcomes submissions on any topic from residents. Broomfield's landscape is currently adorned with daffodils, wattle, and broom, which are causing some sinus issues for locals.
Dipsy, a six-month-old kitten, seeks a home where her playful and mischievous personality can flourish. She enjoys exploring, chasing toys, and engaging in light-hearted antics. The energetic feline, identified by microchip number 956000019056979, is available for adoption at the Mornington Animal Adoption Welfare (MAAW) shelter. The initiative is supported by Daylesford’s petstock and honours the memory of Rosie and Curly, previously adopted from the Peninsula RSPCA. Interested parties can contact MAAW at 5472 5277 or [email protected].
The Daylesford Show is on Saturday, November 28, running from 9am to 3pm, with plenty of activities for children. A petting zoo will return, though poultry may be excluded because of H5 bird flu. Magician Cath Jamieson will run a magic workshop, while The Puppetman and a popular face painter are also booked. Entries for children's competitions can be collected through libraries, schools and childcare centres, and the colouring competition drew more than 380 entries.
The Daylesford Bowling Club, established in 1899, has evolved significantly over its 125-year history. Initially founded with 64 members, it merged with the tennis club in 1907, creating a multi-sport hub. The club's social activities, including dances and euchre nights, fostered community engagement. Today, it operates from its original Camp Street site, featuring a bistro and both grass and synthetic greens. The club remains a vital part of Daylesford's social fabric, attracting visitors for its dining and scenic views.
In the Central Highlands of Victoria, five plant species stand out from late September to October. The Japanese flowering crabapple and Persian lilac offer vibrant blossoms, while the Chinese bladdernut features distinctive pink and white flowers. Chilean guava produces sweet, edible fruits, and the double-flowered Japanese wisteria presents unique, fluffy racemes. These plants, along with others like camellias and magnolias, contribute to the region's springtime floral display.
Spring lamb is at its most tender and best value in Australia. The Daylesford Meat Co. sources its lamb from its own farm, Green Hill, near Malmsbury, where flocks graze on rich pastures. The company recommends roasting a leg of lamb at 220°C for 20-30 minutes, then reducing the heat to 180°C for an hour, to achieve a crisp, golden skin and medium-rare internal temperature of 55-60°C. The lamb should rest for at least 15 minutes before carving and serving with roast vegetables and fresh peas.
Artist Kristeena Saville discusses her creative journey, from her childhood in St Kilda to her current work in the Central Highlands. She reflects on her diverse artistic pursuits, including drawing, painting, and video creation, and her involvement in the local art scene. Saville's upcoming exhibition at Hepburn Palais will feature musician portraits drawn at various venues in the region, with live music and free entry.
An online information session on Phase 2 of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 1pm to 2pm. It is free to attend.
A free course on how to safely respond to someone experiencing mental health concerns will be held at the Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre on Thursday, October 29, from 9am to 3pm. Participants who meet the requirements will receive an accredited Certificate of Completion. The course, Mental Health First Aid International, teaches people how to support someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening problem or in a crisis. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
A free workshop on succession planning for farming families will be held in Longwood on Thursday, October 29, from 9.30am to 3pm. It is being run at the Longwood Community Centre and presented by Dr Kate Burke. The session will cover protecting family legacy, keeping a business viable, and transferring wealth across generations. Participants will develop a succession timeline and set practical goals. Morning tea and lunch are provided, and places are limited, so registration is required.
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The Healthy Landscapes Project is holding a practical workshop on Friday, October 30, from 10am to 12pm on Axedale-Goornong Road, Axedale. The interactive session will show how physically assessing soil can reveal its health and productivity. It is open to people new to soil assessment as well as those wanting to build their skills. Participants will gain practical knowledge to better understand the soils on their farms.
Stock Sense is holding a fencing workshop in Gisborne on Friday, November 20, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Participants will learn how to install new fences using the right tools, materials and techniques. The day also covers how to inspect, maintain and repair existing fences to extend their working life. Stock Sense will lead a discussion on biosecurity and best-practice measures for protecting farms. The exact venue will be sent to participants closer to the date.
Melbourne student Aparjot, 21, has self-published her first novel, When We Were Souls, while studying cybersecurity and working part-time. The 376-page story follows two people who meet, fall in love and face the reality that some connections do not last. It is structured around seven Sufi stages of love, reflecting the Punjabi poetry she has written since childhood. Aparjot funded the book herself, designing the cover and editing the manuscript with help from friends. She is now preparing a second book, Ibadat, due in January 2027, which will draw on her Punjabi poems.
A Melbourne couple has moved into a new home that cost $80,000 less than they planned to spend. Jeyakaran Karnan and Shree Harini Vinothkumar chose a $720,000 house-and-land package in Clyde North after finding auctions stressful. They built at the Orana estate, where they hoped their son Yaalan could grow up among other young families. The couple used the federal 5 per cent deposit scheme, which reduced their deposit to $36,000. Construction took about four months, with the keys arriving roughly 10 months after they signed up.
North Geelong will aim to win its fourth consecutive T20 cricket premiership. The Magpies, who are on a 17-game winning streak, open their season with an away match against Lara. Both sides sit in Group D of the Division 1 and 2 competition, alongside Bell Park and Geelong West. Each team plays three round robin games before quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the final set for Tuesday 26 January. Defending Division 2 champions Lethbridge are in Group A with Winchelsea, Meredith and Teesdale.
Altona Meadows Primary School will celebrate the 10th edition of its internal news program, AMP NEWS, on Thursday 29 October. Year five and six students film, write and edit stories on fetes, special days and sports events. Two episodes are produced each term, featuring teachers and students. Teacher Sarah Capri has run the program since 2017, after it was started by a former teacher in 2016. About 60 students took part this year.
Kerry Janten has announced she will contest the St Albans seat as an independent. She says she is dissatisfied with the party system and wants the freedom to address electorate issues without following a party line. Her policy focus includes state debt, cost of living, transport, environment and disability access. Ms Janten will hold a campaign launch on Friday 30 October from 6pm to 9pm at the St Albans Community Centre. She says she wants to hear from a broad range of residents, including homeless people and those whose first language is not English.
The Class of 2026 at Chairo Christian School in Leongatha has marked the end of its school years with a series of celebrations. A carnival morning used a toy-themed design, with graduates dressed as characters and running stalls for younger students. The next day, the final assembly featured a devotional message from school captain Meg Stokes and flowers presented by Prep students. That evening, a Valedictory Dinner recognised the graduates and their families. Principal Amy Stork said the school was proud to celebrate with the students.
WorkSafe inspectors will be able to issue on-the-spot fines from 31 March to reduce fatal falls at work. Employers can be fined for failing to control fall risks, keeping safety records unavailable, or starting high-risk construction work without a Safe Work Method Statement. Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Steve Dimopoulos said falls remain a leading cause of workplace deaths and serious injuries. WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said employers face no new obligations, but those breaking the law will face consequences sooner.
