This week in the Macedon Ranges (March 20-26)

Monday, March 20

Author Talk Paul Burke – The Enterprising Thomas Fitzsimmons of Woodend: Thomas Fitzsimmons was an irrepressible character who lived in Woodend from 1852-72 and ran the Sydney Hotel (now Holgate Brewhouse). Hear about his life, and how he reinvented himself several times, from historian Paul Burke. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St. 11am-12pm. Free.

Wednesday, March 22

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.

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

Thursday, March 23

Community Celebrating Cultural Diversity Week: Morning tea. Guest speaker Sister Brigid Arthur will talk about the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project and the contribution that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers make to our community. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 10.30am-12.30pm. Free.

Drink Pups and Pints: Catch up with friends and bring your dog along too. Woodend RSL, Anslow St. 5pm-8pm.

Author Talk Laura Waters – Bewildered: Award-winning travel writer Laura Waters talks about her life-changing journey through New Zealand. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St. 6pm-7pm. Free.

Music Swingin’ at The Savoy featuring Amethyst Jane: Enjoy jazz and swing classics. Woodend Bowling Club, 142 High St. 6pm-10pm. $18.

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

Friday, March 24

Festival The Gathering of the Goddesses: For women of all ages. Art and craft workshops, dance, music, food stalls, markets, street theatre and a children’s festival. Rowallan Recreation and Adventure Camp, 6 Kent Rd, Riddells Creek. Adult (3-day pass) $311.10, (1-day pass) $106.10-$147.30. Youth (3-day pass) $203.95, (1-day pass) $85.50-$116.40. Child (3-day pass) $152.45, (1-day pass) $54.60-$75.20.

History Trentham District Story: Unveiling of a series of panels telling the story of the area, from First Nations people to the present day. Includes smoking ceremony. Light refreshments. The Old Police Station, 3-5 Camp St, Trentham. 11am-12pm.

Talk Tele Tales with Andrew Fraser: Hear about Andrew Fraser’s life as a defence lawyer for some of Victoria’s most notorious families, and his journey from lawyer to drug addict to prisoner to best-selling author. Telegraph Hotel, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 12pm-2.30pm. $99.

Music Festival of Small Halls: Featuring Scott Cook, Folk Bitch Trio, Glenlyon Ukulele Team and The Cartwheels. Glenlyon Hall, Barkly St. 6.30pm-10pm. Full $35, Child (14 and under) $20.

Music Blue Moon Marquee: Blues music with A.W. Cardinal and Jasmine Colette. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-10.30pm. $15.

Saturday, March 25

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.

Festival The Gathering of the Goddesses: For women of all ages. Art and craft workshops, dance, music, food stalls, markets, street theatre and a children’s festival. Rowallan Recreation and Adventure Camp, 6 Kent Rd, Riddells Creek. Adult (3-day pass) $311.10, (1-day pass) $106.10-$147.30. Youth (3-day pass) $203.95, (1-day pass) $85.50-$116.40. Child (3-day pass) $152.45, (1-day pass) $54.60-$75.20.

Market Lancefield Farmers’ Market: High St & Park St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.

Market Little Treasures Market: Tasty treats, handmade goods, plants, jewellery, hats and scarves, and more. Mechanics Institute, High St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.

Market Daylesford Farmers’ Market: Daylesford Primary School, Vincent St. 9am-1pm.

Community Woodend Men’s Shed Open Day: Find out about the group. Demonstrations of wood turning. Items for sale include handmade wooden toys, refurbished garden furniture, and second-hand tools. Sausage sizzle. The Old Sawmill, 988 Black Forest Dr, Woodend. 10am-2pm.

Community Tylden Primary School Fair: Rides, camels, reptile show, petting zoo, silent auction, live music. Plus food, craft, plant, and book stalls. Tylden Primary School, Clowes St, Tylden. 10am-3pm. Free.

Equestrian Central Victorian Equine Market: Essential items for equestrian enthusiasts. Laurie Green Pavilion, Lancefield Park, Chauncey St. 10am-3pm.

Gardening Tuberous Begonia and Fuchsia Show: Hundreds of nursery-grown tuberous begonias. White House Nursery, 691 Ashbourne Rd, Ashbourne. 10am-4pm.

Workshop Organic Miso Paste: Make your own miso paste using traditional Japanese tools. Followed by a degustation lunch. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St. 10.30am-1.30pm. $159.

Community Bupa Woodend Open Day: Vintage car show, live music, cooking demonstration, art show, free barbecue, lawn bowls, and more. Bupa Aged Care, 2 Sullivans Rd, Woodend. 11am-3pm.

Music & Drink Songs and Cider: Live music with Bill Barber. DV Cider, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 12pm-8pm (music 12pm-4pm).

Food & Drink Hanging Rock Winery 40th Anniversary Long Lunch: It’s been 40 years since the first vines were planted. Enjoy a three-course lunch, matched with a selection of current vintage and museum wines. Hanging Rock Winery, 88 Jim Rd, Newham. 12.30pm-4.30pm. $179.

Music Macedon Ranges Music Festival: Featuring Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, Vaudeville Smash, Velvet Bloom, One Spirit Africa, Leslie D King and The Trembling Shakes, Sunday Lemonade, Norwood, and the youth stage winner. Plus food and drink stands. Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Rd, Newham. 1pm-10pm. Adult $45, Concession $40, Youth $15, Child (6-12) $10.

Gardening Heirloom Vegetables with Simon Rickard: Former Diggers Club head gardener Simon Rickard will introduce you to the fascinating world of heirloom vegetables. Followed by a tour of Simon’s garden. Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, 56 High St. 1.30pm-4pm. $50.

Workshop Versatile Furoshiki Wrapping: Learn how to use beautiful and practical Furoshiki cloths in everyday life, from gift-wrapping to bags, as protection, and in fashionable and artistic ways. A sustainable alternative to plastic bags. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St. 2.30pm-4pm.

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

Art & Drink Gin and Painting: Enjoy a glass of gin while learning to paint a still-life composition. Plus a tour of the distillery. Mountain Distilling, 2 Meek St, New Gisborne. 3pm-6pm. $95.

Comedy Multicultural Comedy Gala: Some of Australia’s best and emerging comedians. Featuring Dilruk Jayasinha, Tahir, Jeff Green, Ben Lomas, Dora Smith, and Ting Lim. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St. 8pm-9.30pm. Full $59.90, Concession $54.90, Senior $54.90, Student $54.90, Groups 8+ $49.90.

Music Burnin’ Daylight: Country music. Kyneton RSL, Mollison St. 8pm-11.30pm. March 25.

Sunday, March 26

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

Festival The Gathering of the Goddesses: For women of all ages. Art and craft workshops, dance, music, food stalls, markets, street theatre and a children’s festival. Rowallan Recreation and Adventure Camp, 6 Kent Rd, Riddells Creek. Adult (3-day pass) $311.10, (1-day pass) $106.10-$147.30. Youth (3-day pass) $203.95, (1-day pass) $85.50-$116.40. Child (3-day pass) $152.45, (1-day pass) $54.60-$75.20.

Open Gardens The Real Gardens of Lyonville: Eight gardens will be open. Plus lunchtime talks from local garden experts at Lyonville Hall. Lyonville Hall, Cnr Bremner Ave & Gleeson St. 9.30am-4pm. $25.

Gardening Tuberous Begonia and Fuchsia Show: Hundreds of nursery-grown tuberous begonias. White House Nursery, 691 Ashbourne Rd, Ashbourne. 10am-4pm.

Pets Puppy Pride: Meet and greet for LGBTIQA+ people, friends and dogs. Food and market stalls, competitions and activities. Kyneton Botanic Gardens, Mollison St. 12pm-2.30pm. Free.

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

Games Board Game Gathering: Monthly group. New players welcome. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 2pm-5pm.

Community Lancefield Residents Event: Find out about local groups and businesses. Plus petting zoo, face painting, scavenger hunt. Refreshments. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, Cnr High St & The Crescent. 2pm-5pm.

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.

Exhibitions

Castlemaine Follow the Thread: Embroiderers from the Macedon Ranges will be displaying their work as part of an exhibition at the Castlemaine State Festival. March 25-28. 10am-4pm. $5.

Kyneton The Old Auction House Artists: Exhibitions: Nature (group), Martha Iserman. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.

Kyneton Stockroom Artists: Exhibitions: Mathieu Briand, Jemima Lucas, Rachelle Austin. Wed-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm.

Kyneton Art on Piper Artists: Showcasing work by local artists. Exhibitions: Art in Fives (window), Brian Falkenberg (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 Martin Leitch – Abstracts: Photographs showing different ways of looking at built and natural environments. 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

Community Lancefield Whole Town Garage Sale: Maps $5 on the day. Barbecue breakfast/lunch available. Lancefield Men’s Shed, 76 High St. 8am-2pm. April 1.

Community Kyneton Easter Egg Hunt: Find all the hidden Easter characters and exchange for some goodies. Plus roving entertainers, crafts, and footy skills. Kyneton on Riverside, Chisel Av, Kyneton. 10am-12pm. Free. April 1.

Wine & Pottery Wine and Clay Day: Pottery lesson with Sue Chehab. Plus wine tasting and meats/cheeseboard. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 11am-2pm. $65. April 1, 15.

Sustainability E-Bike Expo: See a range of e-bikes, try them out and ask questions. Bookings required for speakers and workshops. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St. 10am-1pm. Free. April 1.

Music Opera at Tugurium: The Australian Contemporary Opera Company’s young artist cohort will be performing in the garden at Tugurium. 8 Centenery Ave, Macedon. 2pm-5pm. $90. April 2.