Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, April 24, to Sunday, April 30.
🎤 Toni Childs, the American-Australian singer-songwriter who enjoyed a series of hits in the late 1980s and ’90s, will be bringing her two-hour show, Retrospective, to Kyneton in August.
🎶 This Sunday, the Gisborne Singers will be performing Mozart’s Requiem in the first of two concerts. Catch them in Sunbury on April 30 or in Kyneton on May 7.
🍰 The talents of the CWA Central Highlands Group will be on display in Lancefield this weekend. The Creative Arts Exhibition will feature everything from bakes and preserves to stitching, knitting and photography.
🕚 Woodend’s clock tower is the subject of this week’s local history article. Click here to read it or scroll down. The clock tower’s origin story will surprise you.
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Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges this week:
Click the links for more info 👇
Monday, April 24
Open Garden Viewfield: Majestic trees with brilliant autumn colour, stunning views, a fruit forest, a children’s fairy garden, perennial gardens and a sparkling stream through shady fern glades. Dogs on leads are welcome. Viewfield, 651 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Tuesday, April 25
Anzac Day Mt Macedon Dawn Service: Access via bus only, including shuttle buses from Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon. Memorial Cross, Mt Macedon. Service starts at 6am.
Other Anzac Day services:
- Gisborne – 10am: Gisborne-Macedon RSL sub-branch will hold a service at the cenotaph in Hamilton St.
- Kyneton – 6am: Dawn service at the cenotaph in Mollison St, followed by Gunfire Breakfast at Kyneton RSL. 9.30am: March from corner of Yaldwyn St and Mollison St to the cenotaph for Anzac Day service. The march will then continue along Mollison St to the RSL club.
- Malmsbury – 8am: Service at the War Memorial Gates at Malmsbury Botanic Gardens (cnr Mollison St & Ellesmere Pl).
- Riddells Creek – 6am: Dawn service at the War Memorial Gates, Main Rd.
- Romsey/Lancefield – 7.30am: Wreath-laying ceremony at Romsey cenotaph, Main St. 8.30am: Service at Lancefield cenotaph, High St. Morning tea afterwards at Lancefield Mechanics Institute.
- Taradale – 1.30pm service at the war memorial in Jackson St (Mineral Springs Reserve). Afternoon tea at Taradale Hall.
- Trentham – 6am: Dawn service at the cenotaph (cnr High St & Market St). 11.30am: March from the Town Square to the cenotaph. Morning tea at Trentham Neighbourhood Centre.
- Woodend – 11.30am: March from the top of High St to the RSL hall in Anslow St. 11.45am: Commemorative service followed by light refreshments.
Open Garden Duneira: The beautiful gardens are considered to be of outstanding cultural significance by the National Trust of Australia. Duneira, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Viewfield: Majestic trees with brilliant autumn colour, stunning views, a fruit forest, a children’s fairy garden, perennial gardens and a sparkling stream through shady fern glades. Dogs on leads are welcome. Viewfield, 651 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Community Anzac Day Celebration: George Trimmer band will be performing from 2.30pm. Plus sausage sizzle, yabby races and Two-Up. Telegraph Hotel, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 10am-10pm. Free.
Wednesday, April 26
Environment Sanatorium Eco-Trail Walk: Join Parks Victoria volunteers on a 3km moderate-level walk. Learn about plants and animals as well as the history of the Macedon Regional Park. Days Picnic Ground, Lions Head Rd, Mount Macedon. 9.30am-11.30am. Free.
Sustainability Renewable Energy Information Session: Find out about solar PV panels, inverters, batteries, heat pumps and air-conditioning systems. Organised by Gisborne Renewable Energy Group. Gisborne Library, Hamilton St. 6.30pm-8pm. Free.
Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7.30pm. $12.
Thursday, April 27
History The History of Malmsbury Bluestone: Join Dr Susan Walter for a pictorial tour of local and significant buildings and sites that tell the Malmsbury bluestone story from 1856 to the 1980s. Kyneton Library, Baynton St. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Free.
Craft A Curious Circle – Autumn Craft: Create things in a friendly and inclusive setting. Different activity each month. Romsey Library, Main St. 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free.
Friday, April 28
Food & Drink Lebanese Pie & Wine Flight: Choice of Lebanese pie. Served with house-made hummus, labneh and salad. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-5pm. $35.
Food & Drink Autumn Festival Dinner: Mount Monument and Force of Nature Food Co have put together a five-course menu that celebrates autumn in the Macedon Ranges. Mount Monument, 1399 Romsey Rd, Romsey. 6pm-9pm. $150.
Comedy Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow: Featuring Dave Thornton, Gillian Cosgriff, Nat Harris and Hannah Camilleri, Sam Taunton, Suren Jayemanne. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St. 7.30pm. Full $45, Concession $38.
Saturday, April 29
Running Run the Rock: Three races at Hanging Rock, over 5km, 13.5km and 22km, plus a 2km route for children. Plus games, live music, and food and drink. Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rd, Woodend. 7am-12pm.
Exercise Campaspe Parkrun: 5km fun run along the Five Mile Creek path. Campaspe Park, Campaspe Dr, Woodend. 8am. Free.
Exercise Lancefield Parkrun: 5km fun run around Lancefield Park. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 8am. Free.
Food Macedon Produce Swap: Swap anything from your home garden or kitchen that you think others might value. Macedon Post Office, Victoria St. 9am-10am.
Market Macedon Farmers’ Market: Macedon Primary School, 67 Smith St, Macedon. 9am-1pm.
Gardening Pests and How to Control Them: Learn about the creatures in your garden. Pest control becomes easy when you change your perspective from having a garden to having an ecosystem. Leaf, Root & Fruit, 21 Dettmanns Ln, Kyneton. 10am-3pm. $100.
Food & Crafts CWA Creative Arts Exhibition: Everything from bakes and preserves to stitching, knitting and photography will be on display. Made by members of the CWA Central Highlands Group. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, Cnr High St & The Crescent. 10am-4pm. Entry $5, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Duneira: The beautiful gardens are considered to be of outstanding cultural significance by the National Trust of Australia. Duneira, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Viewfield: Majestic trees with brilliant autumn colour, stunning views, a fruit forest, a children’s fairy garden, perennial gardens and a sparkling stream through shady fern glades. Dogs on leads are welcome. Viewfield, 651 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Bringalbit: Explore the historic homestead’s 4ha garden, including a 60m Quince Walk. Bringalbit, 512 Sidonia Rd, Sidonia. 10am-5pm. $5.
Food & Drink Lebanese Pie Trail & Wine Flight: Choice of Lebanese pie. Served with house-made hummus, labneh and salad. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-5pm. $35.
Music & Drink Songs and Cider: Live music with Louise MacGregor. DV Cider, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 12pm-8pm (music 12pm-4pm).
Gardens Keeping Backyard Chickens: Horticulturalist Craig Castree will explain what’s involved in keeping chickens in urban spaces. Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, 53 High St, Trentham. 1pm-3pm. $10.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.
Ghost Hunt Kyneton Masonic Lodge Paranormal Investigation:This fascinating venue, with an Egyptian-themed main hall, was built in 1866. But who are the ghosts who live here? Zetland Masonic Lodge, 3 Piper St, Kyneton. 7.30pm-9.30pm. $35.
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Sunday, April 30
Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.
Food & Crafts CWA Creative Arts Exhibition: Everything from bakes and preserves to stitching, knitting and photography will be on display. Made by members of the CWA Central Highlands Group. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, Cnr High St & The Crescent. 10am-3pm. Entry $5, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Duneira: The beautiful gardens are considered to be of outstanding cultural significance by the National Trust of Australia. Duneira, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Viewfield: Majestic trees with brilliant autumn colour, stunning views, a fruit forest, a children’s fairy garden, perennial gardens and a sparkling stream through shady fern glades. Dogs on leads are welcome. Viewfield, 651 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $10, Under-16 free.
Open Garden Bringalbit: Explore the historic homestead’s 4ha garden, including a 60m Quince Walk. Bringalbit, 512 Sidonia Rd, Sidonia. 10am-5pm. $5.
Community Romsey Residents’ Event: Stalls showcasing local groups, clubs, societies, businesses, and organisations. Plus food and entertainment. Romsey Neighbourhood House, Main St. 11am-3pm.
Food & Drink Lebanese Pies, Wine and Music: Choice of Lebanese pie. Served with house-made hummus, labneh and salad. Plus live music. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-4pm. $45.
Food & Drink Vino & Vibes: Wine and pizza, plus music from Dan Ferguson. Parkside Winery, 308 Parks Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-4.30pm.
Food & Drink Tapas & Vine Long Lunch: Tapas and shared plates from Miss M’s Lounge accompanied by wines from Kyneton Ridge Estate. Kyneton Ridge Estate, 517 Blackhill Rd, Kyneton. 12.30pm-4.30pm. $159.
Environment Macedon and Mount Macedon Landcare Launch: Speakers include horticulturalist Greg Boldiston, conservation reserves officer Simon Purves, and the new Landcare group’s president, Kate Lawrence. Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House, 47 Victoria St, Macedon. 2pm-3.30pm. Free.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.
Singing Rainbow Voices Community Choir: LGBTQIA+ and allies choir. For anyone aged 13 and over. Kyneton Community House Good Food Hub, 35 High St, Kyneton. 4pm-6pm.
Music Diesel – Greatest Hits Alone With Blues Tour: Diesel will perform songs from his 2021 album Alone With Blues plus the best-known songs from his 30 years in the music business. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St. 7.30pm-9.30pm. A Reserve $106.30, Stalls $88.20, Balcony $80.50.
Exhibitions
Kyneton The Old Auction House Artists: Exhibitions: Joseph Villanueva. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Stockroom Artists: Exhibitions: Hayley Arjona, Troy Emery, Alichia Van Rhijn. Wed by appt, Thu-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm. Official opening: Sat 6pm.
Kyneton Art on Piper Artists: Showcasing work by local artists. Exhibitions: Autumn, Macedon Ranges. Wed-Mon 10am-4pm.
Lancefield Community Art Gallery: Paintings, sculptures, glass jewellery by local artists. 34a High St, Lancefield. Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 10am-1pm.
Mount Macedon The Gallery Members: Exhibition: Landscapes on the Mount. Fri-Tues 10am-4pm.
Newham Art in the Vines: Sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Every day 10am-5pm.
Trentham Little Gallery Members: Artwork by Rose Wilson, Helen Cottle, Kim Haughie, Ri Van Veen, Larissa Gray, Llael McDonald, Frances Harkin, Liz Archer, Ruby Wilson-Peirce, Sam Bloomfield. Thu-Mon 10am-4pm.
Coming up
Food & Drink Winemakers Dinner: Join Shadowfax Winery’s chief winemaker, Alister Timms, for a five-course seasonal menu with paired wines. The Kyneton Hotel, Mollison St, Kyneton. 6.30pm-10pm. $180. May 5.
Community The Great Trentham Spudfest: A celebration of all things potato. Trentham. May 6.
Environment Rewilding Central Victoria: Panel discussion that will explore the potential of rewilding as a conservation approach in central Victoria. Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St. 11am-12.30pm. Free. May 7.
Sport Wayne Carey – A Day with the Duck: The AFL legend will be sharing some of the remarkable tales from his time on the field and off it. Telegraph Hotel, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 12pm-2.30pm. $99. May 12.
Have a great week!
Richard
P.S. I’ve tried my best to ensure accuracy, but please follow the links above to confirm details before attending events.
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In the news
🏦 KYNETON & WOODEND: The National Australia Bank branch in Kyneton will close on July 6. “Nearly 60 per cent of our Kyneton customers have only visited the branch once in the last 12 months,” NAB retail customer executive Larna Manson said. In Woodend, the Bendigo Bank agency at Woodend Newsagency will close on June 17.
🏘️ RIDDELLS CREEK: Riddells Creek has been given a reprieve from development plans that could double the town’s population.
Woodend’s memorial clock tower
PAST TIMES
With thanks to Woodend & District Heritage Society. The society meets on Wednesdays, 10am-4pm, at the old courthouse in Forest St, Woodend.
It’s June 1919. The president of the Woodend branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, James McDonald, is about to address a public meeting at the Mechanics Institute.
Seven months have passed since the end of World War I, and the meeting has been convened to discuss a suitable memorial to the district’s soldiers.
Support for the memorial project has been underwhelming. The number of people at the meeting is smaller than expected. And before this night, less than £40 has been donated to the memorial fund (much of it raised by the soldiers themselves).
Mr McDonald rises to speak. What he says will strike the hearts and minds of those present.
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