This week in the Macedon Ranges (December 9-15)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, December 9, to Sunday, December 15.

I’ve updated my guide to Christmas in the Macedon Ranges with details of several events. This week, Macedon and Mount Macedon’s carols by candlelight will celebrate its 20th anniversary and Hanging Rock Winery will host its first “carols by the barrels”. Click here for the Christmas guide.

Conventional gardening wisdom holds that you can’t grow passionfruit in the Macedon Ranges. Yet Duncan Cocking is determined to prove it can be done. In his latest article, which you’ll find below the event guide, he shares the methods that are working for him. Duncan has also learned how to succeed here with citrus. You can get his detailed guide to growing lemons in a cool climate – and access to many more gardening tips – by subscribing to his newsletter, starting at $8 a month.

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

Click the links for more info 👇

Tuesday, December 10

Craft A Curious Circle: Create things in a friendly and inclusive setting. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 5pm-7pm. Free.

Wednesday, December 11

Film The Last Daughter: Brenda Matthews embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her past as a member of the Stolen Generations and reconcile her white foster family with her Aboriginal family. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 10.30am-12pm. Free.

Film It Ends With Us: When a woman’s first love suddenly re-enters her life, her relationship with a charming but abusive neurosurgeon is upended, and she realises she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future. Gisborne Library, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 1pm-3pm. Free.

Author Talk Kathy Mexted – Take Flight: Join Kathy Mexted to find out about the determination, skill and expertise of Australian women who have beaten the odds to find success and joy in our skies. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 2pm-3pm. Free.

Community Macedon & Mount Macedon Carols by Candlelight: Live music, sausage sizzle, coffee and ice cream. Plus a visit from Santa. Shane Jacobson will be master of ceremonies. Tony Clarke Reserve, Waterfalls Rd, Macedon. 5.30pm.

Orienteering Go Explore – Gisborne: Beginner-friendly twilight orienteering event. Suitable for adults and children, and all fitness levels. Jackson Creek Reserve, Brantome St, Gisborne. 6pm-8pm. $5 per participant (parents shadowing children free).

Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7pm. $12 (first session free).

Quiz Trivia Night: General knowledge quiz. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7pm. Free.

Storytelling Tenx9: Nine people have up to 10 minutes each to tell a real story from their lives. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8pm. Free.

Friday, December 13

Garden Bonsai Nursery Open Day: A wide range of bonsai grown by an accomplished and knowledgeable plantsman. Visitors welcome to look and ask questions. Mount Macedon Bonsai Nursery, 4 Cheniston Rd, Mount Macedon. 9am-5pm.

Environment Memorial Cross Group Hike: 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.

Community Lions Gisborne Festival: Street parade plus children’s activities, market and food stalls, music and entertainment, carnival rides and fireworks. Gardiner Reserve, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 4.30pm-9.30pm. Free.

Film Outdoor Movie Night: Santa visit at 6pm, movie from 7pm. Hosted by Woodend Cricket Club. Gilbert Gordon Oval, Davy St, Woodend. 6pm-10pm. Free.

Community Christmas Carols in the Park: The Sunsets will sing a mixture of classic favourites and Christmas carols. Barbecue available or bring a picnic. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Music Grinding Eyes, The Black Heart Death Cult and Junkyard Wizards: Psych-rock music. Major Tom’s, Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $20.

Saturday, December 14

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

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.

Community Photos with Santa: No bookings required. Proceeds support Riddells Creek CFA. Riddells Creek Fire Station, Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 10am-12pm. $5 donation.

Author Talk Karen Martin – The Little Book of Red Flags: Karen will discuss the collection of poems, quotes, and musings she compiled during the breakdown of her marriage, later recognising them as red flags. Her book features illustrations by Braemar College student Thomas Corboy. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 11am-12pm. Free.

Poetry Chamber Poets: Celebrate Christmas with songs and poetry. All welcome. Performances by Woodend Warblers and Black Forest Smoke. Woodend RSL, Anslow St. 1pm-4pm. $10 (cash only).

Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $25.

Community Romsey Community Carols: Bring a picnic. Food vans available. North Oval, Romsey Primary School, Station St, Romsey. 6pm (carols from 7pm).

Community Carols by the Barrels: Live performances of festive favourites by Woodend Warblers. Food and drinks available. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. 6pm-9pm. $10.

Music Nathan Gabriel: Live music in the bar. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Music Christmas Variety Show: Fun, laughs, stories and songs, with a Christmas carol singalong to finish. By Safe Space Performances. Bluestone Theatre , Hutton St, Kyneton. 7.30pm-9.30pm. $35.

Music Six Degrees of Separation – The Stories Behind the Songs: Discover the inspiration and stories behind some of contemporary music’s timeless songs and iconic artists. Music by the six-piece band Six Degrees of Separation. The Lancefield Lodge, 50 Main Rd, Lancefield. 8pm-10.30pm. $30.

Music The Great Divides and Snowy: Folk-rock music. Major Tom’s, Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $15.

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Sunday, December 15

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

Market Malmsbury Farmers’ and Artists’ Market: Mollison St, Malmsbury. 9am-1pm.

Flowers Festive Wreath Workshop: Join florist Aga Jones to make a festive wreath. Plus, enjoy a flower farm tour. 302 Flowers, 302 Mt Gisborne Rd, Gisborne. 10.30am-1pm. $135.

Community Christmas Family Fun: Face painting, petting zoo, barbecue, ice cream, vintage games, Santa visit. Christmas carols from 1pm. St Paul’s Anglican Church, Main St, Romsey. 11am-2pm. Free.

Food & Drink Gin & Gingerbread: Decorate your own gingerbread house. Sample gins with seasonal food. Gindu, High St, Woodend. 2pm-5pm. $80.

Music Billy Barker, Anna Schneider, Claudie Joy, Jack Davies: Folk music. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 2pm-5pm. $20.

Music A Cappella Christmas Carols: Chamber choir Ensemble Gombert will fill St Ambrose Church with the sound of carols, old and new. Organised by Woodend Winter Arts Festival. St Ambrose Catholic Church, Templeton St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. Family $75, Adult $30, Child $10.

Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $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.

Community Bullengarook Community Christmas Gathering: Children’s activities, barbecue, Santa visit. Bullengarook Reserve, Bacchus Marsh Rd, Bullengarook. 4.30pm.

Exhibitions

Kyneton The Old Auction House: Exhibition: Buttlejorrk and Macedon Ranges Potters. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.

Kyneton Art on Piper: Exhibitions: Traditional Christmas. Every day 10am-4pm.

Kyneton Stockroom: Exhibitions: Steven Bellosguardo, Welfe Bowyer. Thu-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

Kyneton Cusack & Cusack: Fri-Sun 10am-3pm.

Kyneton Kyneton Museum: Exhibition: Nurses, Medicine and Caring. Fri-Sun. 11am-4pm.

Kyneton Kyneton Ridge Artspace: Exhibition: Summer Show. Sat & Sun 11am-5pm.

Mount Macedon The Gallery: Exhibition: Christmas. Fri-Tues 10am-4pm.

Newham Hanging Rock Winery: Exhibition: Art in the Vines (sculptures). Every day 10am-5pm.

Trentham Trentham District Story: Outdoor display telling the story of Trentham from its earliest Indigenous inhabitants to the present day. Open every day in the grounds of the Old Police Station, 3-5 Camp St, Trentham.

Trentham Little Gallery: Fri-Mon 10am-4pm.

Woodend The Back Shed Gallery: 33 Urquhart St, Woodend. Tues-Sun 10am-5pm.

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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My passion project

GARDENING

Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, explains how he’s growing passionfruit in the Macedon Ranges.

I’m often told that you can’t grow passionfruit in Kyneton, but this summer, I am one step closer.

Dozens of flowers are open on the passionfruit vine and some have already set fruit. Many more flower buds are developing and the foliage growth is explosive. With a bit of luck, I will harvest our first homegrown passionfruit this summer. Here are a few tips if you’re wanting to grow them too:

Choose a cold tolerant variety: I’ve gone with Nelly Kelly Black. It’s grafted, which means the plants sucker like crazy. However, I initially planted non-grafted ones and they died. Hopefully the abundance of fruit will offset the pain that is pulling all the suckers out.

Timing of planting is critical: I’ve found that planting in late spring allows the plants to establish before the onset of summer. The vines can grow all summer and harden off before the onset of winter. The frost still knocks them back severely, but at least they’ve put on enough foliage in the first summer of establishment to cope with frost and recover in the second spring. I initially killed quite a few plants by planting at the wrong time of the year. Plant passionfruit at the same time you would normally plant tomatoes.

Select the best microclimate you can find: Mine are growing in my citrus grove against a water tank which provides thermal mass. The vines are protected by a tall hedge from wind and all but the heaviest frosts.

🍋 Find out more in my guide to microclimates (free) and my guide to growing citrus in a cool temperate climate (paywall).

Happy gardening!

Duncan

🍑 For more gardening tips see my December planting guide and garden update.

🎅 Find out about Christmas carols, films, workshops and festivals. Click here for a round-up of Christmas events.

In the news

🍹 KYNETON: Piper Street bar Miss M’s Lounge has been named 2024 Cocktail Bar of the Year in the Golden Plate Awards.

🏡 DAYLESFORD: Planning documents submitted to Hepburn Shire Council reveal that the producers of The Block want to build five eco homes in Daylesford for contestants to complete in the 2025 season.

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