This week in the Macedon Ranges (May 10-16)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for the week of Monday, May 10, to Sunday, May 16.

The Mount Players’ latest show, Too Many Crooks, opens on Friday and runs until the end of the month, with 10 performances over three weekends. Originally a 1959 British comedy film starring Terry-Thomas, Sid James and George Cole, it’s a tale of a gang of inept crooks who kidnap the wife of a shady businessman, only for him to decide he doesn’t want her back. If it sounds like your cup of tea, don’t delay in buying your tickets. At the time of writing, 13 are left for the opening night.

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

Monday, May 10

[Exhibition] Debbie Harman: Melbourne artist who combines ceramics, textiles, paper and canvas. Exhibition titled Underwater and Finding Footing. The Gallery Mount Macedon, 684 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. Until May 30. 10am-4pm.

Tuesday, May 11

[Books] Shared Reading Circle: Listen to a short story and talk about it with others. Lancefield Neighbourhood House, 78 High St, Lancefield. Every Tuesday during term time. 10am. Gold coin donation.

[Books] Kirsty Manning – The French Gift: Mount Macedon author Kirsty Manning will be talking about her latest novel, The French Gift, a story inspired by the courageous life of French Resistance fighter Agnès Humbert. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 6pm-7pm. Free.

Wednesday, May 12

[Consultation] Influence the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children: A chance to have your say. Hosted by Loddon Gender Equality and Violence Prevention Consortium. Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. 4pm-6pm.

[Pets] Pooches in the Park: A weekly get-together for dogs and owners in the church garden. Bring a picnic rug, food, drinks and poop bags. St Mary’s Anglican Church, Buckland St, Woodend. From 6pm.

Thursday, May 13: No events

WITH ONE EMAIL EVERY SUNDAY, YOU’LL NEVER MISS A THING

Friday, May 14

[Gardening] Seed Packet Folding: Fold and pack seeds, and talk all things gardening. Woodend Libary, Cnr High St & Forest St. Every Friday. 10am. Free.

[Craft] Learn Crochet: Class for beginners. Run by Tina’s Love of Crochet. Romsey Neighborhood House, Main St, Romsey. 10am-12pm. $15.

[Books] Shared Reading Circle: Listen to a short story and talk about it with others. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. Every Friday during term time. 4pm. Free.

[Entertainment] Youth Night: A safe space for teenagers to hang out. Music, games, Xbox, free Wi-Fi and snacks. Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House, 59 Main Rd, Riddells Creek. Every Friday. 5.30pm-8pm. $2.

[Music] Bayou Boogie: Dance the night away to New Orleans-inspired spins on classics from Springsteen, U2, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett and more. Performed by four-piece band Bayou Boogie. Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. From 6.30pm. $16.

[Psychic reading] Crossing Over to the Other Side: Get a short reading with psychic medium Maryanne Azzopardi. Gisborne Mechanics Institute, 8a Hamilton St, Gisborne. 7pm-9.30pm. $65.

[Theatre] Too Many Crooks: The Mount Players present a tale of a bunch of inept robbers who turn to kidnapping. Originally a British comedy film starring Terry-Thomas, Sid James and George Cole. Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St, Macedon. Opening night. Until May 30. 8pm. $30.

Saturday, May 15

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

[Exercise] Lancefield Parkrun: 5km fun run around Lancefield Park. Every Saturday. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 8am. Free (registration required).

[Market] Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Riddells Creek Primary School, Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 9am-1pm.

[Food & Drink] Macedon Ranges Foodies Lunch: Hosted by the Facebook group Macedon Ranges Food, Foodies, Wine and Cooking. Lunch includes pizza slices, cheese garlic bread, cheese and smoked meats boards, and desserts. Plus a demo on how to preserve olives. Gisborne Peak Winery, 69 Short Rd, Gisborne. 12pm-4pm. $40.

[Food & Drink] American Barbecue Pie and Wine Tasting: Try four gourmet pies and four wines. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. From 12pm-6pm. $38.

[Art] Paint Unwind Parkside: If you’ve ever fancied yourself behind an easel, now is your chance to channel your inner Picasso safe in the hands of a professional artist. Parkside Estate Winery, 308 Parks Rd, Lancefield. 1pm-3pm. $110.

[Jewellery] Silver Jewellery Workshop for Beginners: Sarah Munnings guides you through traditional techniques. Design and make your own sterling silver ring, earrings, or pendant. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. 1.30pm-4pm. $120.

[Equestrian] I.R. Robertson Reserve Clubhouse Official Opening: Afternoon tea and a display of equestrian activities. I.R. Robertson Reserve, Couangalt Rd, Gisborne South. 2pm-4pm (RSVP by May 10).

[Wellness] New Moon Circle: For women to gather and realise their inner power. Liz, from Sunranges Qoya, will lead a qoya class and Monique, from Love Life with Monique, will help you connect with the new moon energy. Afternoon tea and a goodie bag. Riddells Creek Community Centre, 74 Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 2pm-5.30pm. $55.

[Beer] Brewery tour: Learn how the beer is brewed at Holgate Brewhouse. Every Saturday and Sunday. Holgate Brewhouse, 79 High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.

[Music] Renée Geyer: One of Australia’s finest exponents of jazz, soul and R&B. Macedon Railway Hotel, 33 Smith St, Macedon. 7pm. $50-$55.

[Music] 10 Weeks Earlier: Quirky two-piece band playing songs from all eras. Lancefield Hotel, High St, Lancefield. 8pm-11pm.

[Music] Mighty Duke & The Lords: Trop-pop quintet whose songs feature cheeky lyrics, wild rhythms and belting horns. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $20.

[Music] Recall The 80s: Tribute show. Telegraph Hotel, 19 Hamilton St, Gisborne. 9pm.

Sunday, May 16

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

[Market] Woodend Lions Sunday Market: Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 9am-2pm.

[Community] Warrina’s Open Day: Stalls, pony rides, face painting, jumping castle, Devonshire tea. To celebrate the opening of the aged-care facility’s new wing. Warrina Aged Care, 176 Station Rd, New Gisborne. 10.30am-2.30pm. Free.

[Community] Pop-up Picnic: Live music with Cassidy La Crème and The Old Fashioneds. Kyneton Mechanics Institute Reserve, Mollison St, Kyneton. 1pm-3pm.

[Music] Our ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ Concert: A mix of light classical and popular music performed by local musicians, hosted by Friends of Kyneton South. With afternoon tea. Kyneton Masonic Centre, 7 Yaldwyn Street West, Kyneton. 2pm-4.30pm. Adult $20, child $10 (tickets at the door).

[Music] 20 Years of Dancing in the Garden With Cosmos: This year Michael Johnson celebrates 20 years of composing in the Royal Botanic Gardens. In this concert, Michael (harp) will be joined by Michael Conolan (cello) and Raymond Hoefer (oboe and recorder). Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 2pm-3pm. $35.

[Beer] Brewery tour: Learn how the beer is brewed at Holgate Brewhouse. Every Saturday and Sunday. Holgate Brewhouse, 79 High St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm. $25.

[Beekeeping] Woodend Bee-Friendly Society: Monthly meeting. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm.

Coming up

[Music] Yeah Nah Yeah!: Macedon Ranges-based cover band Yeah Nah celebrate two years since their first gig. St Ambrose Hall, Templeton St, Woodend. Saturday, May 22.

[Musical] The Mikado: Singularity Choir performs Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera. Romsey Uniting Church Hall, 25 Pohlman St, Romsey. Sunday, May 30. Book before May 15.

[Dance] A Taste of Ireland: Starring dancers from the West End’s Lord of the Dance, Riverdance, and Gaelforce Dance alongside Irish Dancing world champions. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. Sunday, June 13.

[Comedy] Jude Perl – I have A Face: An honest and hilarious show that uses humour and song to discuss mental health, with a theatrical twist. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. Friday, June 18.

[Community] The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: Kyneton Community Lunch’s major fundraiser. Food, drinks, auction. Entertainment from Cassidy La Creme. Prize for best costume. Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. Saturday, June 19.

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.

Before petrol, customers here bought beer

Then & Now

With thanks to Woodend & District Heritage Society. The society meets every Wednesday, 10am-4pm, at the Old Courthouse in Forest St, Woodend.

McKenzie's Hotel in Woodend stood on the site of the BP petrol station — McKenzie’s Hotel stood on what is now the 19th Hole Shopping Centre car park in Woodend. Picture: Rose Stereograph Co / State Library of Victoria

McKenzie’s Hotel sat roughly where Woodend’s BP petrol station and 19th Hole car park stand, and was built by Alfred McKenzie in 1853 as the London & Liverpool Hotel. His son Henry took over and by 1896 the hotel was so popular it had to refuse 187 applications for rooms in December alone, with many of the visitors bringing maids and governesses.

Henry officially changed the name of the hotel to McKenzie’s Hotel. In 1936, Ellis Davis, referred to in the Woodend Star as Melbourne’s leading bookmaker, took over and added counter lunches and gambling. By the 1950s, Nellie Dowling ran the hotel, arranging every Christmas for busloads of old-aged pensioners to be brought from Melbourne for a lavish dinner.

Ted Rippon, a well-known footballer, renamed it the 19th Hole Hotel to attract the golfing crowd, and renowned golfers such as Joe Kirkwood and Peter Thomson were among the visitors. Delicensed, the hotel burned down in November 1960.

Jannyse Williams, author of Time Gentlemen, Please! Hotels of Woodend and the Surrounding District

Picture: Woodend & District Heritage Society

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!”