Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for the week of Monday, May 17, to Sunday, May 23.
The main weekend of Woodend Winter Arts Festival is only a few weeks away. As part of the festival, renowned Macedon Ranges filmmaker Michael Dillon will be introducing his multi-international award-winning documentary A Little Bit Mongolian about Angus Paradice, a 12-year-old Australian horse rider who dares to compete with local Mongolian children in their dangerous long-distance horse races.
One of the delights of the film is its music score, complete with throat and harmonic singing, the latter by Dean Frenkel. He will also be present to give a live performance of harmonic singing, and a lesson on how to do it.
This session will run from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday, June 12. Tickets are $30.
The full program of Winter Arts Festival events can be found here.
- Do you have an event you’d like me to list? Please fill in this form to tell me about it.
- And if you find this newsletter useful, please forward it to a friend.
Here are the events and activities happening this week in the Macedon Ranges:
Monday, May 17
[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 18
[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.
[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.
[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. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 11am-12pm. Free.
[Environment] Creatures of the Night (Kyneton): Help record the night animals found by the roadsides within the shire’s biolink areas. Registering essential. Locations and meeting points in Kyneton to be provided. 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Wednesday, May 19
[Internet] Be Connected – Staying Safer Online: Learn the essentials of safe passwords, how to pay safely online and tips to avoid scams and tricks. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Free.
[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.
[Environment] Creatures of the Night (Lauriston): Help record the night animals found by the roadsides within the shire’s biolink areas. Registering essential. Locations and meeting points in Lauriston to be provided. 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Thursday, May 20
[Sustainability] Solar For Your Home or Business: Are you thinking about getting solar panels installed? Learn about solar panel rebates, how solar power systems work, and what to look for when shopping around. Woodend Neighbourhood House, 67 Forest St, Woodend. 6pm-7.30pm.
Never miss a thing in the Macedon Ranges
Get this newsletter every Sunday
“New to the newsletter and it’s brilliant. So much happening in our region I wouldn’t otherwise know about.”
“So much information … excellent resource for the community. WELL DONE. We’ve forwarded it on!”
Friday, May 21
[Gardening] Seed Packet Folding: Fold and pack seeds, and talk all things gardening. Woodend Libary, Cnr High St & Forest St. Every Friday. 10am. Free.
[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.
[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.
[Jazz] Casey Withoos and Jem Sherwill: Enchanting music from the Great American Songbook. Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carslruhe. From 5pm. $14.
[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. Until May 30. 8pm. $30.
[Paranormal] Ghost Hunt: Join host Dolly, from Kyneton Paranormal, and psychic medium Bec in the historic Kyneton Museum for a 90-minute paranormal investigation. Kyneton Museum, Piper St, Kyneton. 9.30pm-11pm. $10 (sold out).
Saturday, May 22
[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] Lancefield Farmers’ Market: High St & Park St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.
[Workshop] Blacksmith Class: Join Rob Nansen under the gum trees for a three-hour blacksmith class. Make your own fire poker. All materials provided. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 10am-1pm. $140.
[Gardening] Reproductive Genetics – Seed Saving and Pollination: Learn about pollination, vegetative methods of propagation (including different types of cuttings), how to graft fruit trees, and how to choose the right rootstock. Leaf, Root & Fruit, 21 Dettmanns Lane, Kyneton. 10am-3pm. $100.
[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.
[Art] Warrabah and Gundooee Aboriginal Art Showing: Extensive Western Desert art showing and sale. 8 Sproule Pl, Woodend. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm.
[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] Peter Cupples: Former lead singer of Australian soul band Stylus. Two-course meal and show. The Stables, Ellesmere Pl, Malmsbury. 6.30pm-10.30pm. $75.
[Music] Brooke Taylor: Melbourne-based singer, songwriter and guitarist performs her debut album, It’s the Little Things. Macedon Railway Hotel, 33 Smith St, Macedon. 7pm. $20.
[Music] Yeah Nah Yeah!: Macedon Ranges-based cover band Yeah Nah celebrate two years since their first gig. Gilbert Gordon Social Rooms, Davy St, Woodend. 7pm-11.45pm. $25.
[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. Until May 30. 8pm. $30.
[Music] The Lazy Eyes: Four-piece psychedelic rock band from Sydney. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm. $18.40.
[Music] Kevin Borich Express: Trio led by Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter Kevin Borich. Telegraph Hotel, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 8.30pm-11pm. $25.
Sunday, May 23
[Environment] Woodend Landcare Working Bee: Slatey Creek black gum reserve, Ashbourne Rd. Meet at 9am in the slip road near Donalds Rd.
[Gin] Gin Botanical Foraging Workshop: Join a professional forager from Mountain Distilling to find botanicals on Mount Macedon, and afterwards enjoy a gin tasting. Mount Towrong Vineyard, Taylors Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-2pm. $165.
[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.
[Art] Warrabah and Gundooee Aboriginal Art Showing: Extensive Western Desert art showing and sale. 8 Sproule Pl, Woodend. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm.
[Music] Gisborne Singers – Americana: Contemporary choral works from the US. Conducted by Luke Severn with accompaniment from Anna Clarke (grand piano) and Daniel Tan (violin). Barcham Theatre, Gisborne Secondary College, Melton Rd, Gisborne. 1pm-2.30pm and 3.30pm-5pm. Adult $40, concession $35, student $20, under-12 free.
[Wellness] Meditation and Mindfulness with Horses: Mindfulness and meditation accompanied by a homemade hot chai. You will love these sessions if you are curious about how healing with horses works. Heart of the Horse, 275 Zig Zag Rd, Drummond North. 1pm-3pm. $55.
[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. Until May 30. 2pm. $30.
[Community] Sing Park Sing: A pop-up singing event for people of all ages and abilities. Woodend Children’s Park, 12 Nicholson St, Woodend. 2pm-3.30pm.
[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] So Saxy Trio: Jazz, funk, soul and more with Shaun Evans, Keith Smith and Terry Carri. Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carslruhe. From 5pm. $16.
Coming up
[Comedy] A Hall Lot of Laughs 2: An evening of laughter with five of Melbourne’s best stand-up comics, Col Cameron, Sonia Di Iorio, Russ Wigginton, Randy Feltface and Ivan Aristeguieta. Newham Mechanics Institute, Rochford Rd, Newham. Saturday, May 29.
[Arts] Woodend Winter Arts Festival: Events every day over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Venues across Woodend. June 11-14.
[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 Crème. Prize for best costume. Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. Saturday, June 19.
[Music] Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Performed by the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. Friday, July 30.
[Comedy] Arj Barker Comes Clean: Australia’s adopted son of comedy returns with a new hour-long show. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. Saturday, August 21.
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.
A shop with art and sole
Then & Now
With thanks to Malmsbury Historical Society.

Recognise this antique-looking shop in Mollison St, Malmsbury? While the occupants may have changed many times over the last 139 years, the building still looks much the same.
It was built in 1882 as two separate shops for Robert Hunter. At the time this photograph was taken (about 1904) shoemaker Edward Stone (far left) was in the left-hand shop and the right-hand side was a bakery. Today the building houses Rathdowne Antiques.

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!”