This week in the Macedon Ranges (December 5-11)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, December 5, to Sunday, December 11.

🕯️ Shane Jacobson will be hosting Carols by Candlelight at Macedon on Wednesday evening. Lots more Christmas events are included in this week’s listing and the Coming Up section.

🛍️ Hanging Rock Craft Market on Saturday has been cancelled. The organisers said the grounds were not in a suitable state after the recent rain.

This edition is sponsored by:

Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges this week:

Click the links for more info 👇

Tuesday, December 6

Podcasting Macedon Ranges Audio Makers’ Network: A group for podcasters and anyone who enjoys playing with sound and recording equipment. Woodend Community Centre, Cnr High St & Forest St. 10am-12pm.

Tour A Day on the Mount: Visit four beautiful gardens on Mt Macedon: Duneira, Cameron Lodge, Shepherd’s Bush, Viewfield. Lunch at Duneira’s stables. Duneira, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-3pm. $220.

Wednesday, December 7

Community Macedon and Mount Macedon Carols by Candlelight: Hosted by Shane Jacobson. Performances by local bands, musicians and schools. Sausage sizzle, ice cream and coffee. Santa visit. Tony Clarke Reserve, Waterfalls Rd, Macedon. 6pm. Free.

Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7.30pm. $12.

Thursday, December 8

Dance Introduction to Bellydance: Come on a Middle Eastern journey. Learn some Egyptian-style Raqs Sharqi. Kyneton Library, Baynton St. 6pm-7pm. Free.

Quiz Trivia Night: General knowledge quiz. Gisborne Golf Club, Daly St. 7pm. Free.

Film Cinema Pop-up – The Grinch: A grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville. Margery Cr, Woodend. 7.30pm-10.30pm. Bean bed $25, Adult $5, Child free.

Friday, December 9

Environment McGregor’s Loop Walk: Join Parks Victoria volunteers on an 8km moderate-level walk. Learn about plants and animals as well as the history of the Macedon Regional Park. McGregor’s Picnic Ground, Cameron Dr, Mount Macedon. 9.30am-1.30pm. Free.

Talk Birds of a Feather Lunch – Rodney Croome: Hear from Rodney Croome, who fronted the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania and was the founder and national director of Australian Marriage Equality. Kyneton Bowling Club, Mollison St. 12pm-2pm.

Food & Music Songs and Cider: Music from The Vintage Blues Machine. DV Cider, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 4pm-8pm.

Community Gisborne Christmas Festival: Street parade, carnival rides, food trucks and stalls, market stalls, main stage, children’s entertainment, and a fireworks display. Aitken St (parade) and Gardiner Reserve, Cnr Aitken St & Hamilton St, Gisborne. 4.30pm-9.30pm. Free.

Equestrian CVEM Christmas Twilight Market: Essential items for equestrian enthusiasts. Laurie Green Pavilion, Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 6pm-10pm. Free.

Food & Drink Pinots for Christmas with Patrick Walsh: Patrick Walsh, founder of CellarHand, will be available to discuss the wines whilst you enjoy a five-course meal. The Kyneton Hotel, Mollison St, Kyneton. 6.30pm. $180.

Film Cinema Pop-up – Bad Guys: To avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretend to seek to be rehabilitated, only for their leader to secretly find that he genuinely wants to change his ways. Margery Cr, Woodend. 7.30pm-10.30pm. Bean bed $25, Adult $5, Child free.

Music Yeah Nah Christmas Spectacular: Macedon Ranges cover band Yeah Nah, plus Shaun Evans, Mia Platt and Emily Royle. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7.30pm-11.30pm. $20.

Saturday, December 10

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

Market Kyneton Farmers’ & Makers’ Market: St Paul’s Park, Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30am-1pm.

Market Kyneton Community Market: Bric-a-brac, art, clothes, plants, food and local produce. Ebden St & Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 8.30am-1pm.

Wellness Psychic and Wellness Expo: Psychics, tarot readers, products and holistic services. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 10am-3pm.

Family Christmas Puppet Show: A Christmas story for young and old. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 10.30am-11.30am. Family $30, Over-12 $10, Child $7.

Food & Music Songs and Cider: Music from Louise MacGregor. DV Cider, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 1pm-5pm.

Food & Drink Wine, Food and Festivities: Two-course meal – charcuterie board followed by a traditional English pork pie with garden salad – plus wine tastings. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-3pm. Adult $45, Child $20.

Music Blast From The Past Christmas Spectacular: Dance to Christmas hits from Mariah Carey, Wham!, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Destiny’s Child and more. Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carlsruhe. 12pm-5pm. $22.

Wellness Lavender Sensory Experience and Farm Tour: Learn about lavender, discover the therapeutic benefits of pure oil, and delight in the flavour sensations whenit is used as a culinary herb. Chin Chin Farm, 673 Chintin Rd, Chintin. 1pm-3pm. $100.

Workshop Create Your Own Wreath: Make a wreath using natural vine and flowers. With Madelene Sutton, from Flower Heaven Trentham. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St. 1pm-3pm. $110.

Environment Building Canopy Rope Bridges for Habitat: Join Dr Joanne Isaac and Alana Begg, from Ecology and Restoration Australia, to help create 100m of rope bridge for the forest around Hanging Rock. Woodend Community Centre, Cnr High St & Forest St. 1pm-4pm. Free.

Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.

Book Launch The Bringer of Happiness – Karen Martin: Launch of the second book in Karen Martin’s Women Unveiled series. The Tap Room, Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-5pm. Free.

Equestrian CVEM Christmas Twilight Market: Essential items for equestrian enthusiasts. Laurie Green Pavilion, Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 4pm-9pm. Free.

Community Romsey Community Carols: Lions Park Reserve, Main St, Romsey. From 6.30pm.

Film Cinema Pop-up – Minions: The Rise of Gru: The story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain. Margery Cr, Woodend. 7.30pm-10.30pm. Bean bed $25, Adult $5, Child free.

Community Christmas in the Park Outdoor Cinema: Santa visit. Screening of the animated film Arthur Christmas. Food, coffee and market stalls. Lancefield Park, Millers Ln. 8.30pm-10pm. Family (up to three children) $5, Additional children $2.

Music The Moth Body & Andrew McCubbin: Andrew McCubbin is an internationally acclaimed producer, songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $15.

Never miss a thing in the Macedon Ranges

Get this newsletter every Sunday

“New to the newsletter and it’s brilliant. So much happening in our region I wouldn’t otherwise know about.”

“So much information … excellent resource for the community. WELL DONE. We’ve forwarded it on!”

Sunday, December 11

Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.

Market Flea Market: Treasures to be found. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St. 9am-2pm.

Nature Malmsbury Common Walk and Talk: Join bushland reserves officer Martin Roberts on a guided walk through Malmsbury Common and learn about the different types of grasses you can find there. Malmsbury Common Reserve, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 10am-11.30am. Free.

Food RedBeard Bakery Bread Workshop: Learn how to make your own sourdough starter culture and how to knead, shape, proof and bake classic sourdough loaves. RedBeard Bakery, Wolff Ln, Trentham. 10am-4pm. $330.

Food & Music American Barbecue and Live Music: Smoked American barbecue, wine tastings and live music. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-3pm. Adult $65, Child $20.

Music Harp Performance – A Moment’s Peace: Christmas concert in the gardens with Michael Johnson, resident harpist and composer from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 1pm-3pm. $30.

Nature Mt Macedon Geological Walk: Join Greg Boldiston for a tour through the history of Mt Macedon and the story the local geology tells. Camels Hump Car Park, Cameron Dr, Mount Macedon. 2pm-5pm. Free.

Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.

Exhibitions

Kyneton The Old Auction House Artists: Exhibitions: Lesley Rankin, Buttlejorrk artists. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.

Kyneton Stockroom Artists: Exhibitions: Tom Borgas, Rhett D’Costa, Angela Hayes. Wed-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm.

Kyneton Art on Piper Artists: Showcasing work by local artists. Exhibitions: Merry Rarer Christmas (window and exhibition), 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: 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

Flowers Wreath Workshop: Join floral designer Aga Jones to create a festive wreath to display or give as a gift. Riddells Creek. December 15.

Community Lancefield Community Christmas Event: Jumping castles, Santa visit, face painting, live music, and barbecue. Lancefield Park. 6.30pm-8.30pm. December 16.

Community Carols by Candlelight: Bring a picnic and enjoy live music and carols. John Aitken Reserve, Aitken St, Gisborne. 6pm-10pm. December 16.

Community Carols in the Garden: Bring a picnic blanket and your singing voice. St Mary’s Church, High St, Woodend. 6pm. December 16.

Community Carols in the Park: Kyneton Brass Band, coffee van. Bring a picnic. Walter J Smith Reserve, Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 7pm-9pm. December 17.

Food Garlic Festival: Market garden tour, garlic braiding workshop, French donuts, cakes, hot cheese croquettes and barbecued shoulder of lamb. Plus heirloom tomato and vegetable seedling sale. Force of Nature Food Co, 221 Ochiltrees Rd, Romsey. 8am-2pm. December 17.

Music Countdown to 2023 Party: Blast from the Past event featuring dance hits from the ’70s and ’80s. Woodend. December 31.

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.

How am I doing?

Your Macedon Ranges is researched, written, and edited by me alone. Compiling it takes me 10+ hours each week. I love doing it, and the response has been incredible. I’m very grateful for your kind words.

If you find value in the newsletter, I’d so appreciate you subsidising my coffee habit … it helps with the collating and the writing!

In the news

🔥 MACEDON RANGES: People who own less than one acre (4,000sq m) will not require a council permit to burn off during December. The shire council’s director of community, Maria Weiss, said that waiving the permit would help residents to get their properties fire-ready after the wet spring.

🐄 GISBORNE: A Victorian Highland cattle breeder has sold a 14-month-old heifer for what could be a world record price of $67,500.

🍂 MACEDON RANGES: The Autumn Festival has been named best festival at the Victorian Tourism Awards. This year’s festival attracted almost 15,000 visitors.

Enjoyed this newsletter?

Get it emailed to you every Sunday – and never miss a thing.

“I am so happy to be able to receive your emails and keep up to date with what’s going on in the area as well as learning a bit of local history!”