Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, January 15, to Sunday, January 21.
🌺 The gardens at Stone Hill in Woodend North will open to the public for the first time on February 17. Designed by Michael McCoy, the perennial garden and quarry garden have attracted attention worldwide. Acclaimed photographer Claire Takacs has featured them in her books, and they have appeared in Gardens Illustrated magazine. Funds raised from the opening will help refugees settle in Woodend. Click here for tickets to visit Stone Hill.
Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges this week:
Click the links for more info 👇
Monday, January 15
Puppet Theatre Summer Holiday Puppet Show: Join Incy Wincy Spider, Mary’s little lamb, a singing zebra and puppet friends on a summer holiday adventure. Presented by Elk Puppets. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 10.30am-11.15am. Family $30, Over 12 years $10, Under 12 years $7.
Swimming Inflatable Fun: Children can play on the pool inflatable. Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre, Victoria St, Kyneton. 1pm-3pm.
Tuesday, January 16
Art Shibori Dyeing: Complete two shibori pieces in silk. With Colleen Weste. For ages 8+. Woodend Art Group Rooms, Woodend Railway Station, Urquhart St, Woodend. 10am-1pm. $85.
Water fun Woodend Pool Party: With DJ and sausage sizzle. Woodend Swimming Pool, Margery Cr. 12pm-3pm.
Swimming Inflatable Fun: Children can play on the pool inflatable. Gisborne Aquatic Centre, Aitken St. 1pm-3pm.
Wednesday, January 17
Swimming Inflatable Fun: Children can play on the pool inflatable. Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre, Victoria St, Kyneton. 1pm-3pm.
Thursday, January 18
Art Painting Class – Kookaburra: Two-hour guided painting class with Tia Alysse, of Country Canvases. For ages 9-14. 34 Davy St, Malmsbury. 10am-12pm. $50.
Horses Equine Assisted Learning and Fun: A fun, learning-based workshop with horses. Activities include grooming, learning about hoof care, learning to catch and lead, making fun obstacle courses. Helpful for children who struggle with finding calm and regulation, negative thinking or anxiety. Applewood Equine, Tylden. 10am-2.30pm. One-day workshop $240, Two-day workshop $480.
Swimming Inflatable Fun: Children can play on the pool inflatable. Gisborne Aquatic Centre, Aitken St. 1pm-3pm.
Film Outdoor Cinema: Watch Barbie. Bring a blanket. Food truck. Old Kyneton Primary School basketball court, Baynton St, Kyneton. 6pm-9pm. Free.
Friday, January 19
Art Painting Class – Fox: Two-hour guided painting class with Tia Alysse, of Country Canvases. For ages 9-14. 34 Davy St, Malmsbury. 10am-12pm. $50.
Swimming Inflatable Fun: Children can play on the pool inflatable. Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre, Victoria St, Kyneton. 1pm-3pm.
Saturday, January 20
Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.
Market Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Memorial Dr, 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.
Puppet Theatre There’s A Dinosaur In My Garden Shed: Children’s theatre show by puppeteer Jason Triggs. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, The Crescent, Lancefield. 10am-11am. $10.
Youth Skate, Scooter and BMX Competition: Compete to be crowned champion in the Western Regional Series of the Victoria League. Hosted by the YMCA. Registration essential. Gisborne Skate Park, Hamilton St. 11am-4pm. Free.
Puppet Theatre There’s A Dinosaur In My Garden Shed: Children’s theatre show by puppeteer Jason Triggs. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, The Crescent, Lancefield. 11.30am-12.30pm. $10.
Wine & Music Picnic Fare and Music: Wine, food and music amongst the vines. Summertime Fling event. Hesket Estate, 856 Romsey Rd, Hesket. 12pm-4.30pm. $50.
Wine Once Upon a Time in the Highlands: Enjoy wines from four central Victorian wineries and meet the winemakers. Summertime Fling event. Lyons Will Estate, 60 Whalans Track, Lancefield. 1pm-5pm. Adult $30, Child free.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.
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Sunday, January 21
Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.
Market Malmsbury Farmers’ and Artists’ Market: Mollison St, Malmsbury. 9am-1pm.
Market Woodend Lions Sunday Market: Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 9am-2pm.
Music Mark Howard: Singer-songwriter Mark Howard will be performing live. Bring a picnic. Lawn games. Summertime Fling event. Wombat Forest Vineyard, 189 Springhill Rd, Denver. 11am-5pm. Free.
Food & Music Sunday Music Sessions: Enjoy music, food and wine. Summertime Fling event. Kyneton Ridge Estate, 517 Blackhill Rd, Kyneton.
Wine & Music Summer Sunday Session: Live music with Georgia and Tom Martin. Plus barbecue, gelati, and children’s activities. Summertime Fling event. Hanging Rock Winery, 88 Jim Rd, Newham. 12pm-5pm. Adult $10, Child free.
Wine & Music Summer Music at The Barn: Live music with Harry Jon Nanos. Plus wine and pizza. Dog-friendly. Summertime Fling event. Paramoor Winery, 439 Three Chain Rd, Carlsruhe. 12pm-5pm. Free.
Music Amethyst Jane: An emerging light on the Melbourne jazz and soul scene. Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carlsruhe. 12pm-5pm. $22.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.
Beekeeping Woodend Bee-Friendly Society: Monthly meeting. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm.
Exhibitions
Gisborne The Ranges in Focus: Updated with 40 new images of the Macedon Ranges. By Macedon Ranges Photographic Society. Gisborne Village Shopping Centre, Brantome St, Gisborne.
Kyneton The Old Auction House: Exhibitions: New Growth (group), Christos Linou. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Art on Piper: Exhibition: Summer Vibes (window). Every day 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Stockroom: Wed by appt, Thu-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.
Kyneton Cusack & Cusack: Fri-Sun 10am-3pm.
Kyneton Stitch in Time: Historical folk art and craft materials. Fri-Sun 11am-4pm.
Mount Macedon The Gallery: Fri-Tues 10am-4pm.
Newham Art in the Vines: Sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Every day 10am-5pm.
Riddells Creek Dromkeen: Exhibition: Between the Pages (art by children’s writers and book illustrators). Sat & Sun 10am-5.30pm.
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.
Coming up
Nature Hanging Rock Night Walk: Experience Hanging Rock after dark on a ranger-guided walk. See gliders, wallabies, native birds, bats, possums, koalas and many other animals. Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Rd, Woodend. 7pm-10pm. Family $75, Adult $30, Child $15. February 2, 9.
Motoring Picnic at Hanging Rock Classic Car Show: Retro cars, trucks and motorbikes, plus miniature train and exhibitors. Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Rd, Woodend. February 11.
Food & Books Lunch with Jelena Dokic: Former tennis star Jelena Dokic will discuss her career, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she reclaimed her life. The Oaks Grill on Piper, Piper St, Kyneton. 12.30pm-3pm. $120. February 15.
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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Small is blue-tiful
GARDENING
Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, shares some tips for growing blueberries.
Blueberries are small shrubs that grow up to two metres tall and 1.5 metres wide, making them well-suited to small spaces. They’re a handy option for renters.
I grow 15 different varieties. They are a range of early, mid- and late-season varieties, which means that my blueberry harvest starts in early December but continues right through to late May.
Deciduous blueberry plants can display stunning autumn foliage, so they are a great addition to ornamental gardens as well as those focusing on edibles. However, the main reason to grow blueberries is for the fruit.
Blueberries have two important requirements that will influence how and where you plant them:
- Amazing drainage (blueberries hate wet feet).
- Acidic soil.
If your soil isn’t acidic and free-draining then grow them in a pot.
Happy gardening!
Duncan
🫐 Learn more about growing berries at my Grow Great Berries workshop. For more gardening tips see my latest planting guide and garden update.
🙌 Looking for things for children to do during the school holidays? Click here for a round-up of school holiday activities.
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