This week in the Macedon Ranges (August 16-22)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for the week of Monday, August 16, to Sunday, August 22.

Peel your parsnips and pod your peas … the search is on for the best seasonal plant-based food. Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group is inviting entries for its Winter Veg Recipe Challenge. Entries are open until September 1 and shortlisted recipes will be included in an ebook.

You can sample the shortlisted dishes, along with local wines, at a Winter Veg and Wine Night in Newham on September 10, where you’ll also be able to vote on the recipes to determine the winners.

On Saturday and Sunday, Woodend Winter Arts Festival will be trying again after its original August weekend fell victim to the lockdown. Check out the listings below for the revised schedule.

ABC Dream Gardens host Michael McCoy will be holding a planting design symposium in Macedon on October 2. It’s intended for home gardeners as well as design professionals and will feature local and international speakers. As of this morning (Sunday), 15 of the 80 tickets remained unsold.

And finally, this week’s local history feature takes a detour to a tucked-away spot where the present meets the past in beautiful surroundings.

Here are the events and activities due to happen this week in the Macedon Ranges:

Monday, August 16

[Exhibition] All Things Clay: Potters Pat Beasley, Jan Guest and Julie Luck. The Gallery Mt Macedon, Mt Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

Tuesday, August 17

[Books] Shared Reading Circle: Listen to a short story and talk about it with others. Lancefield Neighbourhood House, 78 High St, Lancefield. Every Tuesday during term time. 10am-11.30am. Gold coin donation.

[Family history] Introduction to Online Family History: Tips for getting the most out of the internet and beginning your family tree. Kyneton Library, Baynton St, Kyneton. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Free.

[Exhibition] All Things Clay: Potters Pat Beasley, Jan Guest and Julie Luck. The Gallery Mt Macedon, Mt Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

[Quiz] Team Trivia Challenge: Topical and fun questions plus games. Telegraph Hotel, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 6.30pm-9pm. Free.

Wednesday, August 18

[Craft] Social Craft Group: Are you working on a craft project? Enjoy the company of like-minded people. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 10am-11am. Gold coin donation.

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

Thursday, August 19

[Exhibition] Faery Tales and Forest Trails: Explore an extensive collection of cloaks, wigs, shoes, hats, and gowns. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until August 30. 9am-5pm.

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

[Craft] A Curious Circle – Curiosity, Connection and Creativity: Create things in a friendly and inclusive setting. Different activity each month. Romsey Library, 98 Main St, Romsey. 7pm-8.30pm. Free.

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Friday, August 20

[Exhibition] All Things Clay: Potters Pat Beasley, Jan Guest and Julie Luck. The Gallery Mt Macedon, Mt Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] Faery Tales and Forest Trails: Explore an extensive collection of cloaks, wigs, shoes, hats, and gowns. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until August 30. 9am-5pm.

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

Saturday, August 21

[Exercise] Campaspe Parkrun: 5km fun run along the Five Mile Creek path. Campaspe Park, Campaspe Drive, Woodend. 8am. Free (registration required).

[Market] Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Riddells Creek Primary School, Memorial Drive, Riddells Creek. 9am-1pm.

[Market] Trentham Farmers’ Market: Town Square, High St, Trentham. 9am-1pm.

[Market] Glenlyon Village Market: Shire Hall, Barkly St, Glenlyon. 9am-1pm.

[Workshop] Blacksmith Class: Join Rob Nansen for a three-hour blacksmith class. Make your own fire poker. All materials provided. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 10am-1pm. $140.

[Gardening] The Art of Compost: Explore composting methods and the science behind them. Leaf, Root & Fruit, 21 Dettmanns Ln, Kyneton. 10am-3pm. $100.

[Winter Arts] Crescendo: Macedon Ranges Art Trail’s 10th exhibition. Woodend Tennis Club, Earnshaw St, Woodend. Saturday and Sunday. 10am-4pm. Entry by donation.

[Winter Arts] Pottery exhibition: Macedon Ranges Potters. Cobaw Community Health Service, Forest St, Woodend. Saturday and Sunday. 10am-4pm. Free.

[Exhibition] All Things Clay: Potters Pat Beasley, Jan Guest and Julie Luck. The Gallery Mt Macedon, Mt Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] Faery Tales and Forest Trails: Explore an extensive collection of cloaks, wigs, shoes, hats, and gowns. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until August 30. 10am-4pm (official opening 4pm-6pm).

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

[Winter Arts] John O’Donnell – Lecture on The Art of Fugue: Before his première performance of the original version of Bach’s The Art of Fugue, John O’Donnell will present a free lecture on the work. St Ambrose Church, Templeton St, Woodend. 11am-12pm. Free.

[Food & Drink] American Barbecue Pie and Wine Tasting: Try four gourmet pies and four wines. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. From 12pm. $45.

[Food] Cheese-making Workshop: Learn how to make artisan rennet-curd cheese and ricotta, and how to preserve olives. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 12.30pm-4pm. $120.

[Winter Arts] The Art of Fugue: John O’Donnell gives the first performance of his edition of the original version of Bach’s The Art of Fugue. St Ambrose Church, Templeton St, Woodend. 2pm-3pm. Adult $45, Concession $40, Child $25.

[Beer] Brewery Tour: Learn how the beer is brewed at Holgate Brewhouse. Every Saturday and Sunday. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.

[Exhibition] White Rabbit Winter Show: Featuring a host of renowned local artists. Little Gallery, 32B High St, Trentham. Thurs-Mon until September 6. 3.30pm-6.30pm.

[Exhibitions] Passages of Time, Editions, To Dwell & Respond: Paintings and sculptures. Artists: Hilary Jackman, Sculpture Co and Robyn Phelan. Stockroom, 98 Piper St, Kyneton. Until October 3. Opening 4.30pm.

[Music] Get Rhythm: Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute. Gisborne Golf Club, Daly St, Gisborne. 8.30pm-10.30pm. Full $30, Concession $25.

[Music] Pollyman: George Carroll Wilson’s solo project delivers a powerful blend of rock and roll and the soulful side of pop. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $15.

Sunday, August 22

[Winter Arts] Crescendo: Macedon Ranges Art Trail’s 10th exhibition. Woodend Tennis Club, Earnshaw St, Woodend. Saturday and Sunday. 10am-4pm. Entry by donation.

[Winter Arts] Pottery exhibition: Macedon Ranges Potters. Cobaw Community Health Service, Forest St, Woodend. Saturday and Sunday. 10am-4pm. Free.

[Exhibition] All Things Clay: Potters Pat Beasley, Jan Guest and Julie Luck. The Gallery Mt Macedon, Mt Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] White Rabbit Winter Show: Featuring a host of renowned local artists. Little Gallery, 32B High St, Trentham. Thurs-Mon until September 6. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] Faery Tales and Forest Trails: Explore an extensive collection of cloaks, wigs, shoes, hats, and gowns. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until August 30. 10am-4pm.

[Exhibition] Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 10am-5pm. Free.

[Food] Pizza and Pooches: Every dog has its day and at Cleveland Winery that day is Sunday. Cleveland Winery, Shannons Rd, Lancefield. Every Sunday. 12pm-3pm.

[Wellness] Meditation and Mindfulness with Horses: Mindfulness and meditation accompanied by a homemade hot chai. Heart of the Horse, 275 Zig Zag Rd, Drummond North. 1pm-3pm. $55.

[Crafts] Winter Crafternoons: Bring along a project or something that needs mending. For knitters, sewers, crocheters, weavers and creators of all kinds. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 1pm-4pm. $8.

[Music] Russell Morris and Band: Songs from 50 years in the music business. Come and see The Real Thing. Macedon Railway Hotel, Smith St, Macedon. 2.30pm. $50-$55.

[Food & Drink] Sweet 16th: Soltan Pepper celebrates its 16th birthday. Afternoon tea, sweet treats, tea, coffee. Soltan Pepper, Main St, Romsey. 2.30pm-4.30pm.

[Winter Arts] Afternoon Jazz: The Melbourne Octet presents an afternoon of close harmony jazz arrangements. St Ambrose Church, Templeton St, Woodend. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Adult $45, Concession $40, Child $25.

[Winter Arts] Beth Wilson with Dr Sally Cockburn: Revenge, Justice and The Lost Lovelies Foundation. St Ambrose Hall, Templeton St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $20.

[Beer] Brewery Tour: Learn how the beer is brewed at Holgate Brewhouse. Every Saturday and Sunday. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.

Coming up

[Wellbeing] ‘Out of Lockdown’ Lunch: To help break the isolation we can all feel working from home. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. August 27.

[Community] Kyneton Daffodil Festival: Scaled back festival includes scarecrow competition, window displays, book art competition. Venues across Kyneton. September 2-12

[Drink] Gin Botanical Foraging Workshop: Join a professional forager from Mountain Distilling to find botanicals on Mt Macedon, and enjoy a gin tasting afterwards. Mount Towrong Vineyard, Taylors Rd, Mount Macedon. September 4.

[Food] Winter Veg and Wine: Taste shortlisted recipes from Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group’s winter veg challenge, paired with local wines. Mechanics Institute, Rochford Rd, Newham. September 10.

[Running] Mt Macedon Trail Run: 10th anniversary event. Five routes: 10km, 21km, 30km, 42km, 50km. Cameron Dr, Mount Macedon. September 26.

[Gardening] Planting Design Symposium: Michael McCoy will be joined by several of Victoria’s best-known garden designers to discuss Australian gardens. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. October 2.

Warm wishes,

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 God’s country

Then & Now

With thanks to Malmsbury Historical Society.

Surrounded by paddocks and overlooking the reservoir, Malmsbury Cemetery is a most picturesque and peaceful resting place.

The original cemetery was in the northern section of Barker St. No records of the Barker St cemetery appear to have survived, however, and with no visual evidence of the site, the exact location is unknown.

The current cemetery was established in November 1859 but was not formally gazetted until 1861. The first known burial, in January 1860, was that of Harriett Low, wife of the Rev John Stanley Low, Malmsbury’s first Anglican minister.

Christine Barker, Secretary and Editor of Malmsbury Historical Society.

History of Malmsbury, by Roslyn Stevens, can be purchased for $10 (plus postage) by emailing Malmsbury Historical Society. Alternatively, copies are available at Malmsbury Bakery and Malmsbury General Store.

*The entrance gates from the main cemetery drive. Inside the cemetery, the drive terminates at a large circular lawn originally used as a turning circle for the horse-drawn hearse.*

Early burials can be found in the corners of the southern and western boundaries. These sloping areas were closed for burial in 1906 because of their proximity to the reservoir.

Harriett Low, wife of the Rev John Stanley Low, “fell asleep in Jesus” on January 14, 1860. Her grave is the oldest known in the cemetery. The surviving register only records burials from 1863.

The cemetery lodge is built of Malmsbury bluestone. It was designed in 1930 by Kyneton monumental masons L. Jones and W. T. Jones.

An endowment from Elizabeth Stringer of £500 enabled the lodge to be built. *Miss Stringer died in August 1930, aged 64.* The inscription on the front wall reads: “In Memory of Elizabeth Frances Stringer, Eldest daughter of the late John Stringer, Esq. J.P., And Frances Stringer. Handed over to Trustees on 30th May 1931.”

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