Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, March 21, to Sunday, March 27.
📷 The beauty of our surroundings has been captured in a photography exhibition that opens this week. Magnificent Macedon Ranges runs from Friday to Sunday as part of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. Check out some of the images in a preview article below.
🐨 A stunning photo of Hanging Rock under a starry sky features in the exhibition. If you’re a photographer and/or a nature lover then the night walks at Hanging Rock may interest you. My family and I went on the February walk. In addition to a glorious sunset from the summit, we saw lots of wildlife, including two koalas. Highly recommended. Lots of walking, so for kids aged at least 10. The next night walk is due to take place on Friday.
🏃♀️ And finally … Lancefield Parkrun is due to resume on Saturday morning after a nine-month absence following the big storm in June.
Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges this week:
Click the links for more info 👇
Monday, March 21
Podcasting Macedon Ranges Audio Makers’ Network: A group for podcasters and anyone who enjoys playing with sound and recording equipment. Woodend. 7.30pm-9pm.
Wednesday, March 23
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. Mount Macedon. 9.30am-11.30am. Free.
Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7.30pm. $12.
Thursday, March 24
Drink Pups and Pints: Catch up with friends and bring your dog along too. In an area where dogs can be off-leash. Woodend. 5pm-8pm.
Friday, March 25
Photography Magnificent Macedon Ranges: Exhibition of photos inspired by local people and scenery. Riddells Creek. 7pm-9pm.
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. 7pm-10pm. Family $62, Adult $25, Child $12.
Musical Mamma Mia!: The hit musical based around the songs of Abba. Kyneton. Until March 27. 8pm-10.30pm. Adult $35, Concession $28, Under-16 $25.
Music Hobsons Bay Coast Guard: Rock band. Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $20.
Saturday, March 26
Exercise Campaspe Parkrun: 5km fun run. Campaspe Park, Campaspe Dr, Woodend. 8am. Registration required.
Exercise Lancefield Parkrun: 5km fun run. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St. 8am. Registration required.
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, Main St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.
Market Daylesford Farmers’ Market: Daylesford Primary School, Vincent St. 9am-1pm.
Community Celebrating Dja Dja Wurrung Country: Djaara cultural heritage food and fibre plants tour. Smoking ceremony. Morning tea. Malmsbury Common Reserve, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 10am-11.30am.
Food & Drink CWA Devonshire Tea: Tuck into freshly baked scones. CWA Hall, 662 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-2pm.
Photography Magnificent Macedon Ranges: Exhibition of photos inspired by local people and scenery. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 10am-4pm (meet the photographers 2pm-4pm).
Equestrian Central Victorian Equine Market: Essential items for equestrian enthusiasts. Laurie Green Pavilion, Lancefield Park, Chauncey St. 10am-4pm.
Open Garden Bringalbit: Explore the historic homestead’s 4ha garden, including a 60m Quince Walk. Bringalbit, 512 Sidonia Rd, Sidonia. 10am-5pm. $5.
Food & Drink American Barbecue Pies, Wines and Tunes: Four gourmet pies with wines. Plus live music. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. From 12pm. $60.
Writing Mountain Writers’ Festival Lunch: Lunch and panel discussion with writers Tony Birch, Evelyn Araluen, Tom Griffiths and Sophie Cunningham. The Wine Collective, 652 Black Forest Dr, Macedon. 12pm-4pm. $95.
Food & Music Soul Food and Soul Tunes: Music by Lucy Wise and musicians from Alice Miller School. Wine and Gringo Paella food truck. Hunter-Gatherer, 362 Pipers Creek-Pastoria Rd, Pipers Creek. 12pm-5pm. $37.
Food & Music Blues and Brews: Music with Bill Barber. DV Cider, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 12pm-6pm.
Music Macedon Ranges Music Festival: Featuring Ash Grunwald, The Seven Ups, Baby Velvet, MDRN Love, Taylor Sheridan, Georgia State Line, Busted Chops, Romanie and Hannah Cooper. Food trucks, kids’ activities, cocktail bar. Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Rd, Newham. 1pm-10pm. Adult $40, Concession $30, Youth $15, Under-12 free.
Food & Drink Gin Afternoon Tea: An afternoon tea with an autumn and gin twist. Big Tree Distillery, Hennerbergs Rd, Newham. 1.30pm-4pm. $85.
Community Celebrating Taungurung Country: Welcome to Country and Smoking ceremony. Short group walk. Bald Hill Reserve, Pipers Creek Rd, Kyneton. 2pm-4.30pm.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.
Gardening Flower and Produce Show: Mount Macedon Horticultural Society’s autumn competitive show. Mount Macedon Horticultural Hall, 583 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 3pm-5pm. Gold coin donation.
Art Journey: An interactive light and sound experience around the botanic gardens and lake. Created by artists Kirri Buchler, Thomas Campbell and Tashara Roberts. Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, Ellesmere Pl. 7.30pm-10pm. Free.
Musical Mamma Mia!: The hit musical based around the songs of Abba. Bluestone Theatre, Hutton St, Kyneton. Until March 27. 8pm-10.30pm. Adult $35, Concession $28, Under-16 $25.
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Sunday, March 27
Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.
Walk The Macedon Ranges Circuit: A 20km hike to Camels Hump. Organised by Hiked. Mount Macedon Hotel, Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 9.30am-3.30pm. $60.
Wellness Outdoor Sound Bowl Meditation: Experience a sacred sound bath meditation in the botanic gardens. The Rotunda, Kyneton Botanic Gardens, Mollison St. 10am-10.30am.
Nature Walk of Discovery at Bald Hill: Learn about the flora and fauna at Bald Hill Reserve and the area’s geological significance. Led by the Friends of Bald Hill Reserve. Mt St Mary’s Ln, off Pipers Creek Rd, Kyneton. 10am-12pm.
Photography Magnificent Macedon Ranges: Exhibition of photos inspired by local people and scenery. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 10am-2pm.
Gardening Flower and Produce Show: Mount Macedon Horticultural Society’s autumn competitive show. Mount Macedon Horticultural Hall, 583 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Gold coin donation.
Open Garden Bringalbit: Explore the historic homestead’s 4ha garden, including a 60m Quince Walk. Bringalbit, 512 Sidonia Rd, Sidonia. 10am-5pm. $5.
Community Bullarto Vintage Tractor Pull and Car Display: Includes log-chopping demonstration, mobile phone throwing competition, music and food stalls. Trentham Station, Victoria St, Trentham. From 10.30am. Adult $7, Under-16 free.
Pottery Wine and Clay Day: Pottery lesson with Sue Chehab. Plus wine tasting and meats/cheeseboard. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 10.30am-1.30pm. $65.
Sport Kyneton FNC Launch Day: Live music, kids’ activities, barbecue. Kyneton Showgrounds, Mollison St. 11am-7pm.
Community Ultimate Autumn Picnic: Family fun day. Live music from Cassidy La Crème and Tash York. Bring a picnic. Also food trucks. Jacksons Creek Reserve, Brantome St, Gisborne. 12pm-3pm. Free.
Music The So Saxy Band: Casey Withoos (vocals) with Shaun Evans, Keith Smith, Terry Carrick and Oscar Lenaine. Wood-fired pizzas. Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carlsruhe. 12pm-6pm. $25.
Dance & Food La Gran Fiesta: Discover the passion, magic and rhythms of Argentina. Tango dancing workshop, food, music and live performances. Sol y Sombra Estate, 38 Greenvale Dr, Gisborne. 1pm-6pm. Adult $30, Three-event pass $80.
Food & Drink American Barbecue Pies, Wines and Tunes: Four gourmet pies with wines. Plus live music. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 1.30pm. $60.
Food & Drink Gin Afternoon Tea: An afternoon tea with an autumn and gin twist. Big Tree Distillery, Hennerbergs Rd, Newham. 1.30pm-4pm. $85.
Music Breakneck Road: Four-piece rock and blues band. The Albion Hotel, Mollison St, Kyneton. 2pm-5pm. Free.
Musical Mamma Mia!: The hit musical based around the songs of Abba. Bluestone Theatre, Hutton St, Kyneton. Final performance. 2pm- 5pm. Adult $35, Concession $28, Under-16 $25.
Opera Orpheus in the Underworld: Savoy Opera Company performs Jacques Offenbach’s operetta. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, High St. 3pm-5.30pm. Adult $35, Child $10.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.
Music Juliarna Clark: Jazz classics. Juliarna Clark with Dave Gardner (clarinet/sax), Peter Hooper (banjo), James Clark (double bass) and Dean Cooper (drums). Newham Mechanics Institute, Rochford Rd. 3pm-5pm. $32.
Music Here, There and Everywhere: Violin and harp concert with Mary Johnston and Vanessa McKeand. Mount Macedon Uniting Church, 682 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 4.30pm-6.30pm. Adult $40, Under-12 $15.
Exhibitions
Kyneton Way Out West: Featuring artists Bob Herriman, Di Hutchinson, Heather Larson, Pat Foxall, Sharyn Tyres, and Steve Tyres. Until March 28. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Life Through a Kaleidoscope: The hard-edged geometric style of emerging artist Min Ray. Until April 18. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial – Holding the Circle: Nine-day event involving artists from around Australia. Various sites around Kyneton. Event hub: Social Foundry, Mollison St, Kyneton. Until March 27. Every day 10am-5pm. Adult $20, Concession $15, Under-18 free.
Kyneton Art on Piper Artists: Showcasing work by local artists. Wed-Mon 10am-4pm.
Kyneton A Biodiversity Crisis – Animals and Plants of the Macedon Ranges: Interactive exhibition. Contains taxidermy. Fri-Sun 11am-4pm. Adult $5.10, Concession/student $3.10, Child under 5 free, Family $10.20.
Lancefield Community Art Gallery: Paintings, sculptures, glass jewellery by local artists. 34a High St, Lancefield. Wed-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-2pm, Sun 10am-1pm.
Mount Macedon Japanese Traditional and Modern: Anna Konecny and Yukimi Breaden. Fri-Tues 10am-4pm.
Newham Art in the Vines – AV4: Sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Until April 25. 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
Music Absolutely 80s: Featuring Scott Carne, Sean Kelly and Ally Fowler. Riddells Creek. April 2.
Community Whole Town Garage Sales: Details of two sales. Woodend, April 2. Romsey, April 9.
Food Cheese-making Workshop: Learn how to make mozzarella, artisan rennet-curd cheese and ricotta, and how to preserve olives. Woodend. April 9.
Local history History Tea at Seymour Cottage: Enjoy afternoon tea in the garden at Romsey’s historic Seymour Cottage. Live music, wine tastings, photographic exhibition and guest speakers. Romsey. April 10.
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.
In the news
🌄 Mount Macedon: Dawn Service returns.
🛍️ Gisborne: Market wants bigger site.
⛽ Carlsruhe: Roadhouse upgrade update.
🚧 Gisborne: Historic bridge pulled down.
🔥 Macedon Ranges: Fire restrictions ending.
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Magnificent Macedon Ranges will showcase photographs by members of Macedon Ranges Photographic Society. The three-day exhibition opens on Friday. Club president James Holgate gives us a sneak preview.
Tell us about Magnificent Macedon Ranges
The exhibition celebrates the beauty and diverse attractions of the Macedon Ranges. Among the images are some familiar scenes as well as many that are less well known. We hope they will encourage people to explore the region with their cameras and discover so much more.
Visitors can move through the print exhibition and read the stories behind the images, and then watch an audio-visual presentation of the complete collection. This runs for about 15 minutes.
Talk us through some of the photographs in the exhibition
We have a number of traditional landscapes. John Spring’s Country Lane is a fine example. Taken in Kerrie, John has captured the light and glorious scenery at one of many horse agistment properties in the area.
Paul Fletcher’s portrait of an eastern grey kangaroo is terrific. Look at those eyes – they really lock on to you!
Paul took the photograph on a foggy February evening. A large alpha male had shepherded his mob of does out of the forest and onto the grass to feed. The big roo was constantly casting around, alert for threats. He heard Paul approaching and stared straight at him, expanding his chest to accentuate his size.
Paul got the hint and took this shot before strategically retreating. He said that when the kangaroo stood upright, he was two metres tall and built like a body-builder!
The Macedon Ranges is full of interesting characters. Colleen Mahoney’s Woodchopper was taken during a portrait workshop we held at Hesket.
Stan Mansas has given us a very different view of Hanging Rock. His image shows the Rock beneath the Milky Way with the urban lights of Woodend illuminating the horizon. The waves in the starry sky look like they mirror the contours of the Rock.
Where can we see more?
The exhibition opens on Friday evening (March 25) at Dromkeen, in Riddells Creek. It can also be viewed on Saturday (10am-4pm) and Sunday (10am-2pm). The photographers will be there to discuss their work on Saturday afternoon (2pm-4pm).
After the weekend, Magnificent Macedon Ranges will be available to view on the Macedon Ranges Photographic Society website from March 28.
The photographic society holds regular meetings, for photographers of all abilities, at Dromkeen (1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek).
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