Central Highlands Rural Health has been named the Premier's Small Health Service of the Year at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. The award recognises leadership, governance, innovation and service delivery. It is the first time the organisation has won it since forming from the 2019 merger of Kyneton District Health Service and Hepburn Health Service. CEO Maree Cuddihy said the win reflected the efforts of staff and the trust of local communities. The organisation serves the Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires from campuses in Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham.
A community Holly Task Force in Hepburn Shire is urging residents to pull up small holly seedlings while the ground is wet. Task Force member Annie Dennis said holly is a priority weed, rated higher risk than blackberry on Victoria's advisory list of environmental weeds. Birds spread holly seeds into the forest, and townships and roads act as sources. Work is under way in Trentham and Bullarto to remove holly, and Melbourne Water offers a grant scheme for landholders. Task Force members will attend the Daylesford Show on November 28 to offer advice and mapping.
Zak Resuggan has returned from the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, where he cooked for Australia and finished 14th. Resuggan served his apprenticeship at Daylesford's Bistro Terroir. Australia sent its largest-ever WorldSkills delegation, with 37 Skillaroos competing and 34 experts supporting their training and preparation. The event ran from September 22 to 27 and drew more than 1400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions across 64 skill areas. WorldSkills, the world championships for young tradespeople, offers apprentices, trainees and students a chance to test their skills against the best young talent globally.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Daylesford is drawing residents who want to live there year-round, not just visit, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing permanent population growth over the past decade. Middleton Field, a new neighbourhood at the town's eastern entrance, offers architecturally designed townhouses and larger homes, close to the Sunday Market and Raglan Street. Within it, The Village has released its Central and Northern townhouses, which were designed by Breathe, the Melbourne practice led by Jeremy McLeod. Hygge Property's Catherine Webster says the homes suit downsizers and buyers wanting low-maintenance living.
Council has received reports on its financial position, unpaid rates and charges, and an independent expert review of its long-term financial plan. A second phase of the review in November will examine options for revising that plan. Overdue rates and the timing of government grants have significantly affected council cash flow. About 1,000 of the council's 8,000 residential ratepayers have overdue rates, but only 200 are on payment plans. Residents struggling to pay can contact council to discuss a payment plan.
Daylesford Health has received a $12,000 grant to buy a new wall-mounted monitor for its Urgent Care Centre. The equipment, funded by Community Bank Daylesford District, allows staff to track patients' vital signs in real time. Further fundraising is planned for January 2027. The hospital has relied on community support for 166 years, providing acute, community and aged care services.
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.
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.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
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.
