Obituary

Don Gunn - 1942-2013

Don was born in Williamstown in 1942, the youngest of Alexander and Lillian's seven children: Agnes (Annie), Millie, Alexander, Betty, Norman, Jean and Don.

His parents came from northern Scotland and Don was a Gaelic speaker at home at a time when Williamstown was known as 'Little Scotland'.

Three things shaped a young Don: his father's First World War experiences, post-Second World War Williamstown and the loss of his parents.

His father fought with the Seaforth Highlanders in the deserts of Mesopotamia and the trenches of the Somme - the mud and ice of France later blamed for his crippling and excruciating arthritis.

Alexander didn't speak much of his soldier days and only once opened up to his youngest son about the horrors he experienced. Don wanted to wear his medals to school one Anzac Day. Alexander refused him, telling Don he "didn't know what he'd done to earn them".

His father didn't mince his words and that one conversation led to Don's life-long abhorrence of war that saw him become involved in the anti-Vietnam war movement of the 60s and 70s.

Don was barely out of his teens when he lost his parents. His father first in 1960 and then his beloved mother, Lillian, just four years later. In many ways, the loss of his parents made him more compassionate towards others. He could empathise and that empathy became a hallmark of his writing in later years.

But Don wasn't always a journalist. He completed his apprenticeship as a boilermaker at the Williamstown Naval Dockyards and he became involved with the Labour movement and the Labor Party.

In the early 1970s Don was on the Victorian ALP state executive and a member of the DOGs - the Defence of Government Schools. Out of his involvement with the Trade Union movement came an invitation to visit Fiji - the invitation coming from Apisi Tora; a member of Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs.

Don took his first wife Trish and young daughter Nikole to live in Suva, where he was installed as 'deputy' editor of the Pacific Review - a Fijian Trade Union publication. 

In post-Independence Fiji, the hiring policy meant he couldn't 'take away a job from a Fijian' by being hired as editor. But in reality, he ran the newspaper.

On returning to Australia, Don worked as a freelance writer for various publications, before taking on a position as a proofreader and reviser at The Sun News Pictorial and later The Herald. By this time, Don had grown weary of city life and he and his family moved to the country.

Eventually his first marriage broke down and he moved back to Melbourne where he met his second wife Paula, with whom he would have two children, Anna and James.

They moved to the Kyneton area eventually settling in North Drummond, where they have lived for nearly 30 years.

Don originally worked for Elliott Midland Newspapers in the early 1980s, filling in at Castlemaine when journalists were on leave. This was during a period when he was completing an arts degree, majoring in Philosophy and Western Traditions. 

Don's mode of transport at that time was an on old motorbike which was followed by an old Toyota which had more body filler than metal.

In 1984 he became a full-time employee at Castlemaine and over his 26 years with the company held editor roles of the Midland Express, Macedon Ranges Guardian, and on his return to Castlemaine in 1997 was editor of the Castlemaine Mail until his retirement in 2010.

Don was a fearless journalist who upset some at various times, but if he knew something that he felt his readers should know, it was published, no matter who disagreed.

He knew media law and ensured his stories were within the legal requirements. He could also be trusted, and many an 'off the record' meeting was held with Don so he could get a better understanding of an issue.

Victory Park, Castlemaine, was a popular meeting place across the road from the Mail office when it was at 155 Barker Street, where Don one day shared a bottle of red with a local catholic priest.

Don was often seen wandering down the street, with fag in hand, heading to the local TAB, which some objected to, but little did they know how many extra hours he actually worked. Time didn't matter to him. He would be at work at 6am or before on publication mornings, many a time after attending a late meeting the night before. 

If there was a shortage of staff he didn't stress, he just said "We'll get there, do the job with what we've got". 

With his two-finger typing, prior to computers Don would produce multitudes of copy on his portable typewriter, and later finally found his way around a computer.

His editorial layouts to production were a nightmare. He often announced how well he
worked with production, which he did, in presenting his stories, and layouts on time, but nothing ever fitted and he was lucky the production manager adjusted photos etc. to fit, and then Don would say how easy he made it for them to follow.

Don Gunn had an extraordinary memory and knowledge of so many things, a great love of poetry and music. Coincidently as a child in his hometown of Williamstown, he was neighbour of the family of Stan Doran who for many years was musical director of Thompson's Foundry Band in Castlemaine, so many a story was told when they met.

In his spare time, Don continued to pursue his passion for cricket playing as a spin bowler variously for Lancefield, Kyneton and Malmsbury over many years. He was also an accomplished guitarist. In his early years in Williamstown, he was in a band which earned money playing at various social events. In later years he was involved in organising a number of music events in the district including arranging for singer/songwriter Alistair Hulett, whom he greatly admired, to perform. 

In 1998, he had one of his articles reprinted in the Press Council News as a result of a letter written by Clive Alsop, Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Victoria, in which he referred to Don's decision to not publish the name of a person who appeared in the Kyneton Court and his reasons for not doing so. Alsop wrote: "The editor's actions have directed (sic) ensured the preservation of this man's right to privacy and assisted him to put the past behind him. I consider this was an act which would not even occur to some of the larger newspapers in the country".

In early 2000, he was appointed to the National Advisory Group for Suicide Prevention as a result of his handling of the issue in the local newspapers when the Kyneton community was rocked by a spate of youth suicides.

Don always had time for everyone, and helped many troubled people by spending as much time as they needed to make them feel better and head in a positive direction.

Sadly Don passed away on Sunday, April 14, at Bendigo Hospice after a short battle with cancer.

What is your ideal Woodend in 2030?

More than 100 Woodend residents braved the first signs of winter last week to attend a community workshop hosted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council and consultants, Planisphere, to discuss the Woodend Town Structure Plan.

Woodend community members attend a workshop to discuss the Woodend Town Structure Plan last week.

The workshop gave attendees an opportunity to consider a discussion paper in preparing the town's future structure plan and to consider the question: What is my ideal Woodend in 2030?

"The room was filled with energy and passion and we were joined by two of our three ward councillors, council officers and a representative from the CFA, to consider what we want for the future of Woodend," said community reference group member, Andrew Wilson-Annan.

Mr Wilson-Annan said one of the key points most attendees agreed on was a desire for continued low growth.

"People who live in Woodend do not all work in Melbourne. Many work in Woodend itself, while others work in regional Victoria - Woodend is more than an outer suburb," Mr Wilson-Annan said.

"In the 15 years to 2006, Woodend grew 0.6 per cent per year - that's eight extra houses per year. More recently the stats tell us that we grew 1.5 per cent in the last five years to the 2011 population of 3,414 - an extra 21 houses per year which has been accommodated by infill and small subdivision developments.

"At the town meeting, the vast majority of people wanted to retain our historical growth and they were fully aware of the consequences of that preference - Woodend may not get a new aquatic centre or a secondary school, that's part of the deal of wanting to retain the village atmosphere, while other resources are available in nearby towns.

Another community reference group member, Miranda Bain, said the Woodend township is "the golden egg of the Macedon Ranges and should remain the tourist attraction that it is with its four sister towns of Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Romsey and Kyneton absorbing the growth and happy to be service towns".

"The town, because of its unique village atmosphere and speciality shops, is a drawcard for tourists and visitors in the region who come to the town to enjoy our warmth and charm that only comes from being a village," Ms Bain said.

MRSC director of planning and environment, Sophie Segafredo said council was delighted with the number of people who attended the workshop and with the contributions that individuals and groups made.

"The notes and feedback received will make a valuable contribution to the preparation of the draft plan, which is the next stage of the project," Ms Segafredo said.

The project team will now commence the preparation of a draft structure plan and neighbourhood character study. It is anticipated that the draft structure plan and neighbourhood character study will be released for public comment in July or August 2013.

Council will accept comments on the discussion paper up to April 30. To view the discussion paper visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au or drop in to one of council's service centres. Comments should be sent to David Nevin, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444 or emailed to strategicplanning@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Finally funded

State Education Minister Martin Dixon visited Macedon Ranges schools including Woodend Primary School to announce maintenance funding on Wednesday. Mr Dixon met school vice-captain Jack Hansford, school captain Emily Hoey, and student representative Maggie Clune. Photo: Chris Fleming

School maintenance has finally hit the State Government's priority list in a funding announcement this week.

Education Minister, Martin Dixon, toured local schools on Wednesday as he revealed funding allocations with Member for Northern Victoria, Donna Petrovich and Federal candidate for Bendigo, Greg Bickley.

The minister announced $51.5 million to be shared across the state for school maintenance needs identified in an audit last year.

"The independent maintenance audit of schools across the state has been an essential part of understanding what schools had not received maintenance funding under the previous Labor Government," Ms Petrovich said. 

Kyneton Secondary College (KSC) will receive this shire's most significant amount, an allocation of $627,726. 

The college has been calling for desperately needed maintenance for years, while also enduring years of State Government knock backs for the K12 (kinder to year 12) Kyneton Education Plan. Without either solution, parents, teachers and committee members resorted to undertaking their own maintenance works in late 2010.

This funding allocation has come as relief to KSC, principal Mark Ridgeway said.

"We were very, very happy and very excited. It's great news," he said.

"It's going towards major maintenance of a number of our buildings; the English wing, the woodwork wing, food technology wing and the arts/textile/music wing." 

Mr Ridgeway said the K12 project was discussed at the minister's visit.

"What we've been campaigning for is the Kyneton Education Plan. The minister indicated that that would be separate to this main funding," he said.

"What he was saying was that they support our plans for the Kyneton K12 plan and it was not a question of if, but more of when."

Woodend Primary School, another school that has led a strong campaign for maintenance, will benefit from $308,384.

In 2011 and 2012 the school lobbied for state funds.

"While we all worked and waited for a response, the school's fabric continued to decay and the associated safety risks increased," Woodend Primary School parent, Rebecca Colless said. 

Ms Colless, a former school council member, attended the announcement on Wednesday. 

"This isn't a special gift or new grant, it's the money owed to the school for a long time," she said.

"It is the government's responsibility to maintain our public schools in a safe and presentable condition, in a timely fashion. I can't congratulate the government for doing their job: (a) when we have had to nag them to do it; and (b) late."

Other local schools to benefit from the funds are Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist Schools ($416,055), Gisborne Secondary College ($73,134), Romsey Primary School ($22,148), Bolinda Primary School ($55,876), and Clarkefield Primary ($3,824).

A time to reflect

Photo: Valerie Hornbuckle

From the chilly dawn service around Mount Macedon's Memorial Cross to the slightly warmer streets of Kyneton with the sun peeping through the clouds a few hours later, Anzac Day was honoured across the district by thousands of locals, who, if the Kyneton service was anything to go by, are coming out each year in increasing numbers as we approach the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Anzac spirit.

In Kyneton around the cenotaph, the catafalque party stood still and silent throughout the service as the 4th/19th Prince Of Wales regiment's Lt Col Ian Upjohn gave the Anzac Day address.

Former members of the armed forces including Vietnam veterans, a scattering of WWII vets and current members of the army, some wearing the distinctive Afghan campaign medal, gathered under the oak trees of the Mechanics Reserve to pay tribute to those who contributed so much to enable us to be who and what we are today. 

River rubbish runaround

 A Tylden resident was disgusted to discover bags full of household rubbish flowing down into the Coliban River at Springhill this week.

Kylie Kitchen

A load of rubbish was discovered dumped at the Coliban River which runs directly into the Coliban System (Southern) - the drinking water supply for Kyneton, Springhill, Lauriston, Malmbury, Trentham and Tylden.

Plastic bags and containers, food and toiletry packaging, soiled nappies, cardboard and even greasy mechanical parts were dumped in and around the river, in bushland off Coliban Road, Springhill.

A Tylden resident spotted the rubbish from a dirt track in the bushland on Tuesday.

He said he was disgusted as he got closer and saw bags full of household rubbish flowing down into the river.

The resident reported the matter to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Coliban Water, Macedon Ranges Council and Trentham Police.

The Guardian could not establish exactly which authority is responsible for the subject site and waterway. The EPA said it is not responsible. Macedon Ranges Shire is outside the subject site, while Hepburn Council is determining if the site is its responsibility. Coliban Water is responsible for reservoirs, not rivers, while the North Central Catchment Management Authority said it is responsible for only some aspects of rivers. At the time of going to print, the Department of Sustainability and Environment was still looking into the matter while Parks Victoria had not responded to the Guardian's enquiry.

Trentham Police attended the scene on Tuesday morning and collected evidence.

A name on bills and prescription medicine boxes among the waste led police to another person who was the offender.

Leading Senior Constable Leeanne Curran said a man has been fined and is required to clean the site.

"We've identified a person involved. A fine will be issued, they're expected to be prosecuted by way of fine, and will be responsible for clean up," she said.

"We've told him to do it within the next couple of days and we will follow up to make sure it's done."

NCCMA executive manager of Murray, Campaspe and Avon Richardson catchments, Emer Campbell, said this matter is the EPA's concern.

"Various agencies and departments have responsibilities for different aspects of management of Victorian waterways," Ms Campbell said.

"Responsibility for an incident such as this will depend on the nature of the incident and other factors.

"In this case, the EPA is the peak agency (pollution) and will manage it according to their procedures. The North Central CMA will provide what assistance it can if requested by the EPA."

Coliban Water is the authority responsible for the Upper Coliban Reservoir which supplies town drinking water, but is not responsible for the rivers that feed the reservoir.

"River health and potential water contamination is always a concern to us, however we conduct routine water quality monitoring at our catchment storage sites and also at our water treatment plant prior to treatment and supply to customers," a spokesperson said.

A Hepburn Council spokesperson said council is looking into the matter. The spokesperson said offenders are usually given the option to clean up the rubbish themselves or council may clean up and recoup the costs if the area is found to be in council's jurisdiction.

"If litter is on land controlled by other authorities we will work with the relevant authority to assist them if required," the spokesperson said.

Macedon Ranges Council assets and environment director, Dale Thornton, said residents are able to dispose of recyclables and green waste for free at transfer stations.

"Bottom line is that most items are free at our transfer stations now and only those items going to landfill are charged for. In all cases this is cheaper than the fines for illegal dumping and far more environmentally responsible," he said.

Mr Thornton said council's free days for specific activities have seen no reduction in illegal dumping.

"A great example is that council doesn't charge for green waste now, but yet we still have people dumping green waste on the side of the road and in front of the transfer stations," he said.

"Recyclables are also free to dispose yet they are dumped as well.

"Dumping is done by both residents and non-residents and is always investigated by the shire and/or the EPA. We have a good track record of finding those responsible as current detection methods allow for this."

Autism forum at Woodend - Understanding the challenges for adolescents with an ASD

Photo: Shantelle Images

Insight into adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be offered by specialist psychiatrist, Emeritus Professor Bruce Tonge. 

Cobaw Community Health will host a question and answer forum with the professor to help understand the issues facing adolescents with ASD. 

"This forum is for parents, teachers, youth and community workers and anyone who knows someone with an ASD," Cobaw children's services coordinator, Prue Southey says.

"Adolescents with an ASD have unique challenges as they struggle to understand the social rules that are constantly changing. This is difficult for parents, teachers and their peers to understand."

"This question and answer forum is part of the broader Autism Awareness campaign that has been happening around the Macedon Ranges for the past few weeks and will continue until the end of April as part of Autism awareness month."

Statistics show about one in one hundred people are diagnosed with ASD. 

Professor Tonge is a psychiatrist who has specialised in autism and other mental health issues associated with ASDs for children and adolescents. He has a distinguished record in practice, teaching and research. 

"Adolescence can be a tricky period for everyone, but especially young people with Autism," Professor Tonge says.

"Parents need reliable information to reduce family stress associated with having a young person with an ASD. They need effective strategies to help improve the adaptive behaviours of young people with autism."

Jack, 15, has Aspergers disorder, a diagnosis under the umbrella of ASD.

"I sometimes feel like something is wrong with me, like something is broken," Jack explains.

Macedon Ranges Autism Network convener Fiona Le Nepveu says feeling out of place or different is a common issue young people with ASD.

"Through accurate, evidence-based information and practical strategies, families and professionals can be better equipped to guide children and young people with an ASD through this period of their lives," she says.

Colenso Café Woodend is sponsoring the event. Owner, Kathryn Russack, says she is passionate about the ASD cause. 

"We seem to be hearing more from friends and family about autism and it seems like an issue on the rise. This event enables people to access the right sort of information and support which is important," she says. 

Questions for the forum must be submitted prior ahead of the event. If you have a question you would like discussed please send to prue.southey@cobaw.vic.gov.au this evening (Friday).

The forum will be on Monday, April 22, 6-8pm, at the Woodend Community Hub, 47 Forest Street. The cost is $10 and includes a light supper.

Small business champions! - Country Cob Bakery wins out

Country Cob Bakery's Ben Hall, Mason Cumisky, Kate Neale, Declan Neale, Paige Brock and Bec Sawyer celebrate the bakery's win at the Australian Small Business Champion Awards last Saturday.

Kyneton's Country Cob Bakery was named Champion Bakery/Cake Store at the Australian Small Business Champion Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony, held at The Westin Sydney on Saturday.

With about 900 guests in attendance, 39 small business categories, including two entrepreneur categories and one business growth category, were presented on the night. Award recipients demonstrated the strength of the Australian small business community during challenging economic times. 

Country Cob owners, Kate and Declan Neale, told the Guardian they were thrilled to have been recognised for their hard work and achievements in their industry over the past 12 months.

"We are bursting at the seems with excitement, our hard work has paid off with the early mornings and late nights," Kate said.

"We are stoked for the customers who have supported us, they are the reason that we are here 20 years later, it is great that they continue to support local businesses.

"Among the thousands of entries from all across Australia, our dedication to business excellence, our team of staff, customer service, suppliers, the local community and environmental sustainability has shone through and seen us victorious winners. The underdogs! The only single store, independently run business among the finalists.

"We have so many people to thank; our staff, our suppliers and above all, our wonderful customers for their loyalty in supporting the small, independently run and locally owned business."

Kate and Declan now aim to promote their business as "that award-winning bakery in Kyneton" and help boost tourism to the town.

The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is the only national program of its kind to recognise the achievements and performance of small businesses. The awards aims to encourage excellence and drive businesses to success. 

"The Small Business Champion Awards is a way to give back to the backbone of the Australian economy," said Steve Loe, managing director of Precedent Productions and founder of the awards. 

"Every business that entered displayed passion, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit." 

Small businesses from across Australia delivered an impressive array of entries, with winners representing a broad range of industries from all states and territories. 

The awards are proudly presented by Precedent Productions, a small business in its own right, and supported by the Castaway Financial Forecasting System, Australian Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Key Person of Influence and Goalstribe. 

* Country Cob Bakery is hosting a pie eating competition tomorrow morning from 10.30am. The competition is a fundraiser for the local autism support group as part of Autism Awareness Month, so go along and be part of the fun and support a very worthy cause!

Serious danger ahead

Gisborne Roads Group president, Bruce Overall at the risky Station Road/Wallaby Run intersection.

Kylie Kitchen

Dangers at Gisborne's Station Road/Wallaby Run intersection have been revealed in a confidential traffic report released under Freedom of Information.

Nine high risks are identified in the Traffic Works road safety audit (31/07/12), all listed as a likely 'serious severity' and 'occasional frequency'.

The serious severity rating means likely deaths or serious injury, and the occasional frequency means a likely occurrence once every five to 10 years.

Gisborne Roads Group president, Bruce Overall says this level of danger is unacceptable.

"The general view is a matter of not if but when there'll be a serious accident," he says.

"If it's certainly above that medium risk rating, I'd have to say that's extremely dangerous.

"The injustice in the thing is it's jeopardising the safety of not only the Gisborne public but the Macedon Ranges traffic that goes through there everyday."

Mr Overall says the risks at the intersection will be exasperated by development at Jacksons Creek Estate, off Wallaby Run.

"It's only a matter of months before they start to develop the section 9A lots and then there's onset of black ice with winter," he says.

Road safety improvement works formed part of the permit conditions for Townshend Homes when the Jacksons Creek Estate was approved. However, the developer is not required to undertake those works in stage one (section 9A). Mr Overall says Townshend Homes is responsible for the intersection's safety. He is calling on council and VicRoads to demand safety works are completed before any further development goes ahead.

Safety improvements recommended in the road report such as road widening and guard railing installation are esssential, Mr Overall says.

"Station Road needs to be 15 metres wide to accommodate all the lanes it needs and that will require removing that old tree. At the moment it's 14.5 metres, that half a metre does make a difference," he said.

"The only way to avoid the tree removal is to take away that right turning lane. So you will have only a left in and a left out."

Removing the right turning lane will mean access in and out of Wallaby Run, when right hand turns are needed, will require using the existing roundabout at Robertson Street and constructing a roundabout at Morrow Road.

Macedon Ranges Council assets and operations director, Dale Thornton, says Townshend Homes will be required to carry out the permit-specified safety works at the Station Road/Wallaby Run intersection.

"(It is the developer's responsibility) to construct turning lanes, safety barriers and associated works to Australian standards," he says, "... as well as a guard rail along Station Road on the west side".

"The guard rail barrier will increase the safety at this intersection in the unlikely event that a vehicle loses brake power approaching Station Road from Wallaby Run."

Although an urgency for these works has been raised by Gisborne Roads Group, they are not scheduled until stage two of the development.

"These works are programmed to be carried out in three stages over the life of the permit. This is standard practice, because it is not feasible to construct everything in the first stage. Council supports the staged approach," Mr Thornton says.

"Station Road is a VicRoads road and meets current safety standards."

VicRoads regional director, Mal Kersting says VicRoads and council will consider the matters identified in the Station Road/Wallaby Run road safety audit.

"These matters are currently being investigated and include ongoing discussions with the Macedon Ranges Shire," he says.

Hub site proposed

Grant Avenue Kinder will relocate in the future to form part of the proposed Gisborne Early Years Hub.
Photo: Chris Fleming

Investigations into the Gisborne Early Years Hub location has listed the land between the Gisborne Public Cemetery and the Gisborne Secondary School as a possibility.

Macedon Ranges Council selected the location from a confidential list of proposed sites in the town.

It follows council's controversial decision late last year to approve Daly Nature Reserve as the location, subsequently withdrawing the decision following public backlash.

The newly proposed site, on Melton Gisborne Road, is State Government-owned and is currently used as a pine plantation.

"Of all of the sites, we prioritised this one for further investigation because it has the required space to build a hub," Mayor, Cr Roger Jukes said.

"It's also well-located to service Gisborne including the growth areas on the south side of the town, and has good car, cycling and walking access," he said.

Cr Jukes said this block also gives two potential options for access to the site, either from Aitken Street or Melton Gisborne Road.

This will depend on how council decides to use the site in terms of building placement. The process will involve obtaining feedback from key stakeholders.

Initial consultation has begun with stakeholders who may have an interest in the project. This includes the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Gisborne Cemetery Trust, Gisborne Kindergarten and Gisborne Secondary College.

Residents close to the site have also been informed of council's interest in the land and have been invited to put their views to council on the proposal.

"Once we've got the feedback from this initial consultation stage, ouncil will consider if the site has sufficient merit to progress to a more detailed investigation," Cr Jukes said.

"This would include soil and vegetation studies, a traffic study and broader community consultation.

"However, there is still a very long way to go.

Even if the site proved suitable in every way we still have to negotiate with DEECD to secure the site and then find the money to build the hub," he said.

Previous estimates put the cost of building an Early Years Hub at $3.8 million, but a new cost analysis will be undertaken to take into account the specific requirements the selected site.

"Council is unlikely to be able to develop a new early years hub without a significant state and/or federal government contribution to the project," Cr Jukes said.

Buy Local - be rewarded

Lyn Dinwoddie of Glosters Better Home and Living enters a customer's Buy Local Card into the Buy Local entry box.

This month, local shoppers are encouraged to shop in Kyneton and reap the rewards of the Buy Local campaign. 
The Macedon Ranges Council-supported initiative has local businesses offering great specials and prize giveaways. 
To be in the running for prizes, pick up a Buy Local Card from participating businesses. 
When you purchase goods to the value of $10 or more from the Buy Local Businesses your card will be stamped. 
Once you have four different stamps you can enter your card in the entry boxes at Glosters Betta Store Kyneton, Ryans IGA Kyneton or Elliott Midland Newspapers Kyneton.
Entries put shoppers in the running to win a 510 litre Beko refrigerator, or a $500 Ryans IGA shopping voucher or a $200 Kyneton Traders shopping voucher.
Enter as often as you like. 
Entries close Tuesday May 7. 
The winners will be announced on Friday May 10. 
The Macedon Ranges Guardian and Midland Express will publish all the exciting giveaways and shopper specials throughout the campaign. See page 6 for more details. 
Buy Local will roll into other towns throughout 2013.

Daly Reserve conservation

Wild Action's Chris Humfrey and Friends of Daly Reserve members Helen Radnedge, and sisters Lydia and Ellena Best are promoting the conservation of Daly Reserve. Photo: Chris Fleming

The Friends of Daly Nature Reserve group was formed at a community meeting in Gisborne last month.
Residents shared aspirations and ideas for conserving UL Daly Nature Reserve.
The group has already identified a number of objectives including weed removal, native flora and fauna protection, pest control, and, regeneration.
Removing weeds such as gorse, ivy, broom and radiata pines will enable the local vegetation to flourish.
Protecting the native flora, fauna and land will create a strong habitat for the many wildlife species in the area.
Chris Humfrey of Wild Action zoo in Mt Macedon was there to help launch the friends group.
"In the Macedon Ranges the koala population is dwindling. I was there with the koala just to show that all the trees in that reserve are koala food trees. So much of Gisborne and Macedon Ranges is carved up with development, it's so important to preserve any remaining viable areas of habitat," Chris said.
"Basically this is just trying to get public awareness of Daly Reserve and how important it is to save and keep it biodiverse.
"The whole idea is to connect up existing open land space for animals to move through and save the wildlife including microbats to bird and invertebrate species.
"All too often most people are oblivious to the smaller creatures. The message is all things biodiverse and small need to be saved to have a healthy environment."
At the launch, guests a walked through the reserve and admired some of the flora and fauna in the nature reserve.
A pair of eastern grey kangaroos watched on, and two new plant species were identified. The number of indigenous species recorded there has now moved to over 100.
The friends group will share knowledge about the local flora and fauna and compile the reserve's history.
Future goals include becoming incorporated to allow for grant applications and sponsorship.
Regular working bees will be hosted by the Friends of Daly Reserve to preserve and enhance the natural environment.The group thanks Macedon Ranges Councillor Sally Piper for her support, and also guest speakers, John Bradford (landcare coordinator), Michelle Patrick (council staff), Paul Gray (council staff) and Jason Jones (native plant grower), and Chris Humfrey for bringing a koala and lorikeet to the event.
The first committee meeting was held last week, where the office bearers were elected. They are: president Helen Radnedge, vice president Irene Perkin, treasurer John Phair, secretary Deb Dunn, with general committee members Rod Green, Tony Smith and John Clarke.

Fresh and best at Woodend

Stock up after the Easter break at the Woodend Community Farmers Market this Saturday morning. The market features about 40 stalls of fresh, delicious and local goodness, with market proceeds going to Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group campaigns and projects. This month the market organisers especially look forward to some special autumn produce from their great accredited stallholders.

Pollards Orchards will be bringing along apples and pears. Apple varieties will be jonathan, red delicious and golden delicious. Pears will be josephine and bosc.

Sandor's Harvest will have new season mushrooms such as shiitaki and oyster, plus kifler and nicola potatoes and end of season summer tomatoes (yellow pear, opollo, tigarella, green zebra), basil, capsicums and eggplants (lebanese and angela). 

Somerset Heritage Produce will have the bumper new season supply of pumpkins such as musquee de provence, tromboncino, galeux d'eysines, gialla, butternut, and will have end of season eggplants, capsicums and zucchini. 

Longinomus Rare Plants will have perennial sunflowers, perennial blue and rare pink delphiniums, drunken choirboy poppies and new season potted rare species bulbs.

Remember the market has free facepaint for the kids with the talented Fiona Fraser in her gorgeous facepaint tent nearby the barbecue. Friendly dogs are welcome to the market on a leash. Please take your own bags, baskets and trolleys as the aim is to keep the market plastic bag free. More info? Call 0407 860 320.

Did You Know...?

* The average plastic bag is used for only five minutes, yet can take up to 1000 years to break down in the environment.

* Australians use over 10 million plastic bags a day.

* Almost half of these bags are given away by non-supermarket retailers such as newsagents, discount stores, pharmacies, fruit and vegetable shops, liquor stores and take-away outlets.

* Plastic bags suffocate, disable and kill thousands of marine mammals and sea birds worldwide each year. When the animal dies and decays, the plastic bag is free again to repeat the deadly cycle.

* It only takes four grocery trips for an average Australian family to accumulate 60 plastic shopping bags.

* Australians throw away about 7150 recyclable plastic bags a minute, with 429,000 recyclable plastic supermarket bags dumped in landfill every hour.

* Plastic bags are considered to be a 'free' commodity, but the cost to households of $10 to $15 per year is added to the price of goods that they purchase.

* The production of plastic bags accounts for some 20,000 tonnes of plastic polymer derived from non-renewable resources. While plastic bags can be recycled, only a tiny proportion of plastic bags are collected and reprocessed.

* Plastic has remained the most common category of rubbish picked up on Clean Up Australia day during the last 20 years. Most common plastic consumer items include chip and confectionery bags, bottle caps and drink containers.

For more information please visit www.noplasticbags.org.au

Take a challenging journey

Meet Ringo, homeowner and survivor. Displaced from an African homeland and disconnected from this new one. Come spend some time with him at his new address in a local park: a home he has made himself from the things most of us throw away without a second thought. 

"This is my home. I made it myself. It didn't cost me anything... I can tell you stories. What are my stories worth?"

A powerful, critically acclaimed new Australian play, Boxman is a one-man show written by Daniel Keene and directed by Matt Scholten with the extraordinary African actor, Terry Yeboah, performing.

Terry Yeboah's charismatic, energetic solo performance of words and songs will capture your heart and take you on an amazing journey. 

The Town Hall Kyneton is committed to challenging its audiences and giving secondary students an opportunity to see the play and have a question and answer session with Terry Yeboah after the show.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its funding and advisory body.

It's showing on Tuesday, April 30 at 1.30pm (school session) and 8pm at the Kyneton Town Hall, 129 Mollison Street. 

Running Time: 70 mins, no interval.

Warning: Not suitable for primary school aged children and younger.

Bookings: 1300 88 88 02 or via www.takeapeek.com.au or any Macedon Ranges Customer Service Centres (Romsey, Gisborne, Woodend or Kyneton).

Tix: $25/ secondary students $5.

Barfold's got a few secrets...

Valerie Hornbuckle

There's a secret life to lots of places around and about which a carload of people on their way to somewhere other would not even guess let alone stop to explore.

Barfold Hall is one such place. It sits as any well cared for little wooden building would beside the Kyneton-Redesdale Road not giving any hint of its past life. It's survived some of the fiercest bushfires the district has known, the latest was being on the edge of the roaring flames which whipped by it destroying countryside and homes nearby on Black Saturday 2009. But survival aside, this building didn't begin life as the Barfold Hall. It was originally the Emberton State School several miles away from where it now stands. When finished being used as a school, it was occupied by workers constructing the railway line, acted as a meeting place from time to time, and more. Then in 1894 it was purchased by the Mechanics' Institute Committee for the sum of 25 pounds and taken by bullock team to its present site in 1906.

There was also a railway line running through Barfold, although its existence is a little more obvious than the hall's past given that the raised up area the railway track went along can be seen parallel to the road in the paddocks. A station was at Barfold just nearby the hall on the Redesdale side, although it was more in the form of a hut rather than a grand structure we are familiar with in the towns of the district.

The railway did more than transport passengers. A true reflection of the agricultural life of the area, it was a means of getting stock to markets which leads us to another feature no longer seen in its full form beside the Barfold Hall. The remnants of stock yards (the first ones were constructed in the early 1890s) could be clearly seen there until recent days. Almost gone now, they were a major trading area for farmers in the district. Sheep came from far and wide, sometimes being walked over land for several days to the Barfold sales. When sold, sheep were often loaded up into stock trucks pulled by locomotives and chuffed down the line to major centres such as Newmarket in Melbourne.

The closure of the Kyneton to Redesdale rail line in 1954 meant the end of rail transport of fat lambs and other stock after the sales. They had to go by road. Stock sales at Barfold continued for about three years after the rail line closed, then after that stock was trucked to Kyneton, Newmarket or perhaps Bendigo for sale. And that was certainly the end of an era for the Barfold district, and indeed, the surrounds of the little hall. So next time you drive through Barfold, there are a few things to think about, aren't there?

(Thanks to the Kyneton Historical Society for allowing us to photograph the old pictures.)

 

The Barfold Hall today. It still looks very much as it did more than 100 years ago.

A relic from the past dating from the days when the surrounds of Barfold Hall were a hive of activity.

Remnants of the rail line can still be seen on a private property beside the hall.

Sheep were taken by truck from the yards when the rail line had closed. This photo is dated 1957.

 Fat lamb sale at Redesdale around 1956

Love your bugs!

Dr Saul Cunningham leads the bug diversity field walk and seminar.

"Love your bugs!" This is the catch cry, and the final words of advice from CSIRO scientist, Dr Saul Cunningham, at his Bugs Biodiversity workshop at the Baynton Hall last month. 

About 50 people attended this event hosted by North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group as part of the 'Protecting, linking and enhancing priority remnants in the Kyneton Woodland' project.

Dr Cunningham spoke of the practical aspects of insect habitat during a walk on a nearby property which has been only lightly grazed and where fallen trees have been left in place, thereby providing habitat for a myriad of insects. 

Scientific data demonstrate that insects have the most effective mechanisms in the world to assist in nitrogen transfer, soil infiltration and pollination. Because of their variety, adaptability and enormous numbers (there are over 10 million varieties of insect, and probably more), their impact is more rapid and positive than say that of birds. 

Typically, we think of biodiversity as involving exotic birds, vulnerable whales or magnificent rainforests. But biodiversity really takes the form of millions of small creatures, like insects. Dr Cunningham's presentation focused on the positive role of insects in soil improvement, pest control and pollination.

Soil improvement is a key consideration to many in our area, and insects are a critical part of the process and speed up the work of the microbes. They also increase the infiltration rate of moisture into the ground - by as much as 30 per cent. 

How can we assist in achieving this improvement on our land?

· Reduce or avoid wide spectrum insecticides;

· Leave appropriate levels of soil residue;

· Increase heterogeneity in the landscape, i.e. ensure a variety of crops/grazing/native vegetation;

· Allow for patches of non-agricultural land, e.g. road margins, drainage areas, revegetation. No matter how small, these 'islands' will provide a breeding habitat for insects, allowing them to carryout their beneficial works.

Pest control by insects is efficient because generally it is carried out by other insects. Providing non-agricultural patches in the landscape helps support the predator insect communities that provide pest control.

Insect pollination is Dr Cunningham's area of expertise and he noted that pollination by insects affects both the quality and quantity of most orchard and broadacre fruit and seed crops (with the exception of grains). Bees are the key pollinators as they focus on flowers. Insect communities typically contain a few major species and a large number of smaller representations. It is this constant diversity which can be of such value in agriculture i.e. many species doing a job is better than one, and this diversity is most likely to provide a service under a wider range of conditions and in the face of adversity. 

What can we do to assist insects to work for us?

· Provide patches of non-agricultural land e.g. scattered or isolated trees, and fencelines adjacent to grazing land; these will serve as both food and nesting options. 

· Avoid broad spectrum insecticides.

· Encourage patch heterogeneity e.g. smaller field sizes.

The imported honey bee also needs to be managed. The arrival of the Varroa Mite is imminent in Australia, having already decimated honey bee populations elsewhere in the world. Research published by scientists including Dr Cunningham clearly demonstrates that wild bees (which are not affected by the Varroa Mite) are more important to production than honey bees. 

We live in a human-modified landscape where land use is intensifying and therefore biodiversity is reducing. How do we achieve biodiversity?

· Protect isolated trees

· Fencelines and paddock margins

· Reduce broad spectrum insecticides

· Manage soil erosion

· Off-farm influence by the community to encourage all of the above.

Everything we do is a help to get it started.

Many small contributions add up across the landscape to make an impact.

This event was funded through the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund.

Students pitch in to address maintenance woes

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters (left), with Kyneton Primary School student council members, Maggie Copeland and Chloe Meyer, and school council president, Fiona Copeland. The student council is pitching in to raise funds to repair the school's toilets.

Angela Crawford

The desperate need for Kyneton's K-12 Education Precinct to be realised has been further highlighted by increasing maintenance issues faced by both Kyneton Secondary College and Kyneton Primary School.

The most recent example is Kyneton Primary School's antiquated heating system, which broke down during first term and is awaiting repair, hopefully before the students return to school.

School council president, Fiona Copeland, said the maintenance budget won't cover all that needs to be done. 

"It's an old boiler system and needs parts - it's blown out the budget really, the winter's coming in and we really need to have it working," she said.

"There's a lot of things that need repair and issues that have been tagged as priority."

A general clean up and painting of the school's toilets is also needed, so the student council has taken up the task of raising the funds itself.

The students held a 'Guess the Easter Eggs in the Jar' competition before the end of term and raised $120 for the effort.

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, visited the school for an assembly last week and was shocked to learn the students had to fundraise themselves to repair the toilets.

"It is shocking enough that young students are fundraising to fix the toilets, however, it's not the only maintenance issue at Kyneton Primary. Other issues challenging the school maintenance budget include a heater that needs repair, loose roof slates and leaking guttering," she said. 

"Principal Wendy Pearce and the Kyneton Primary school teachers are doing an outstanding job. Whilst the teachers, staff and school community are working hard to ensure their students receive a quality education, the state of the school buildings and facilities is appalling."

"Public school maintenance and maintenance budgets are the responsibility of the Victorian State Liberal Government but they are clearly failing meet the funding needs our schools."

Ms Chesters said the Federal Government's National Plan for School Improvement will provide a fairer school funding model for all schools.

"Negotiations are continuing ahead of COAG and we're working hard to secure a deal with all states and systems," she said. 

 "We're asking the State Liberal Government to pay their fair share and commit to the National Plan for School Improvement."

In favour of growth

Woodend was a key focus of an independent panel's interim report on Planning Scheme Amendment C84.

Kylie Kitchen

Critical changes to a significant planning document were accepted by Macedon Ranges Council and are now open to public scrutiny. 

Council has adopted independent panel recommendations to Planning Scheme Amendment C84 for the purpose of consultation. 

The C84 document's function includes implementing the shire's settlement strategy and its plans for population and infrastructure, and reviewing the Local Planning Policy Framework.

The panel made recommendations in an interim report last September, following a hearing in June. 

The panel criticises C84 for its unsubstantiated directions.

Macedon Ranges Residents Association (MRRA) secretary, Christine Pruneau, was among those vocal about the interim report at its release last year. She said it would be a huge job for council to fix what it had gotten wrong, labelling C84 as "not policy-neutral". Ms Pruneau fears Macedon Ranges' sensitive landscape will be at risk if the document fails to make clear statements and justifications against development pressure.

Residents have the opportunity to comment on the range of changes council has accepted and considered, under the panel's interim recommendations before C84 returns to the panel for a final hearing. 

Woodend was a key focus of the report. 

Among the more significant directions is to delete a line stating no more greenfield land is required in Woodend to 2036. Another direction asks council to identify preferred and non-preferred greenfield development areas when it prepares a Woodend Structure Plan.

Developers may see opportunity in the changes. Villawood executive director, Rory Costelloe, praised the panel report last year and said that as a result, Villawood will return to council with a smaller Davies Hill proposal. 

The panel recommends a justification for Woodend's modest growth, adding reference to its rail and freeway access and its infrastructure, as well as environmental constraints and preservation needs. 

The interim report directs investigations into development to the south of both the Riddells Creek and Kyneton railway lines. 

In Romsey, the panel asks council to delete statements ruling out further rezonings, and that it qualify statements on infrastructure constraints.

It also recommends changes relating to small towns and whole-of-shire directions. 

Planning and environment director, Sophie Segafredo's report to council last week, assessed the panel's interim report.

"Amendment C84 was noted by the panel as seeking to redress the longstanding weakness in location planning policy by implementing the settlement strategy. The panel, however, also noted the difficulty of planning for an extended timeframe, and the need for ongoing monitoring, review and adjustment of planning strategy.

"The panel considers the shire's attributes, including transport and community infrastructure, creates a predisposition in favour of accommodating growth, however this is subject to the caveat that landscape and environment values are protected.

"The investment made in the development of the MRSS (Macedon Ranges Settlement Strategy) by the council and the local community required Amendment C84 to proceed. By implementing the recommendations .... the significant but critical changes to Macedon Ranges LPPF (Local Planning Policy Framework) can be made and council's adopted approach to planning for growth implemented."

The changes to Amendment C84 will begin exhibition this month at council's offices and via its website. The changes will be exhibited for four weeks and will be open to feedback.