This week in the Macedon Ranges (May 3-9)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for the week of Monday, May 3, to Sunday, May 9.

It’s exactly 10 years this week since my wife and I moved from the UK to the Macedon Ranges. Our two daughters, then toddlers, are now tweens. And while I’m a looooong way from being classed a local, I have enough years under my belt here to be able to pause and reflect, and compare then with now.

Much has changed. The villages are more bustling. People have discovered (or rediscovered) the area’s beauty and charms. And much has stayed the same: the community spirit we felt as soon as we arrived; the incredible number of talented people we’re lucky to have in the Macedon Ranges.

This newsletter, meanwhile, is in only its fourth week. My aim is to bring you as much of the goings-on locally as I can, to celebrate our communities and all that we have on our doorstep.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already recommended it to others. Your support means a lot. With your continued help, the newsletter will be a “local” a lot sooner than me!

I’ve added two sections this week: a “coming soon” list of events that are happening in the next 5-6 weeks, and a mini-feature on local history. I’d love to hear what you think about the newsletter, and any ideas you have for improvements. Just hit reply and tell me.

And with that, I’d better get on to the events and activities happening this week in the Macedon Ranges:

Monday and Thursday:
No events.

Tuesday, May 4

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

Wednesday, May 5

[Computing] Tea and Tech: Get together with others to develop digital skills and improve online confidence. Kyneton Library, Baynton St, Kyneton. 2.30pm-3.30pm.

[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.

[Film] Birth Time – The Documentary: Three women embark on a mission to find out why an increasing number of women are emerging from their births physically and emotionally traumatised. Their discoveries lead them to forge a movement that hopes to change the face of maternity care. Baringo Food & Wine Co, 283 Station Rd, New Gisborne. 6.15pm-7.45pm. $27.50.

[Stories] Tenx9: Nine people have up to 10 minutes each to tell a real story from their lives. Theme for this month is “Unlocked”. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8pm. Free.

Friday, May 7

[Music] Australian Blues Brothers 21st Century Tribute Show: Ten-piece tribute band performs feel-good hits from the movie The Blues Brothers. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. 11.30am-12.30pm (morning tea from 10.30am). Tickets from $10.

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

[Music] Karise Eden: The first winner of The Voice Australia. Macedon Railway Hotel, 33 Smith St, Macedon. 7pm. $42.

[Music] Sloan Peterson: Sydney-based artist blurring raw introspection with the stylistic and performative elements of ’60s French rock of the yé-yé era and fresh electronic pop of today. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $20.

[Paranormal] Ghost Hunt: Join host Dolly, from Kyneton Paranormal, and psychic medium Bec in the historic Kyneton Museum for a 90-minute paranormal investigation. Followed by a reading from Bec. Kyneton Museum, Piper St, Kyneton. 9.30pm-11pm. $10 (sold out).

Saturday, May 8

[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] Kyneton Farmers’ & Makers’ Market: St Paul’s Park, Piper St, Kyneton. 8am-1pm.

[Market] Kyneton Community Market: Bric-a-brac, art, clothes, plants, food and local produce. Ebden St & Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 8am-1pm.

[Workshop] Natural Perfume Making: Learn how to blend scents using only plants. Create a perfume roller and a body mist using essential oils. Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House, 59 Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 10am-11.30am. $35.

[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.

[Textile] Macramé Stool Workshop: Make your very own macramé stool. For those with intermediate skills and familiar with the square knot and double half hitch knot. Camp David Farm, 1283 Kyneton-Springhill Rd, Spring Hill. 10am-4pm. $250.

[Sport] Pride Cup Luncheon with Darcy Vescio: Carlton AFLW star Darcy Vescio is the guest speaker at this luncheon to celebrate diversity and inclusion in sport. Before the Kyneton v Eaglehawk match. Light lunch and complimentary drink on arrival. Kyneton FNC social rooms, Kyneton Showgrounds, Mollison St, Kyneton. 12pm-2pm. $25 (includes gate entry).

[Festival] The Americana Carnival: Dainton Beer presents a mini festival that celebrates Americana music and culture. Live music, beer, food, and fashion and record stalls. Macedon Railway Hotel, 33 Smith St, Macedon. 12pm-9pm. $55.

[Art] Gum Trees in a Landscape: Join award-winning artist and art judge Thel Cardwell for a three-hour oil or pastel class. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 1pm-4pm. $50.

[Art] Lighten Your Carbon Footprint: Join local artist Jo Mott to design and draw footprint-shaped artworks that provide everyday actions and tips to lighten our carbon footprint. Gisborne Mechanics Institute, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 1pm-3pm. Free.

[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] Shaun Kirk: Worth the Weight tour. With Wilson Blackley. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm. $25.

[Paranormal] Ghost Hunt: Join host Dolly, from Kyneton Paranormal, and psychic medium Bec in the historic Kyneton Museum for a 90-minute paranormal investigation. Followed by a reading from Bec. Kyneton Museum, Piper St, Kyneton. 9.30pm-11pm. $10 (sold out).

Sunday, May 9

[Horses] Discovering Anatomy Workshop: A practical and theoretical skeletal anatomy workshop led by Maggie Ashley, from Equine Functional Therapy. Kookaburra Park Equestrian Centre, 375 Lauriston Reservoir Rd, Kyneton. 9am-4pm. $250.

[Mother’s Day] High Tea at Camp David Farm: Enjoy the gorgeous surroundings with a delicious high tea served with unlimited mimosas, Prosecco, beer, leaf tea, coffee and soft drink. Camp David Farm, 1283 Kyneton-Springhill Rd, Spring Hill. 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm. Adult $110, child (5-12) $80.

[Mother’s Day] Lavish High Tea: With four wines and live music. Feast on gourmet sandwiches, English pork pie, sushi, terrine, chocolate treats, macaroons and more. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. 10am-7pm. $75.

[Mother’s Day] Bottomless Brunch or Afternoon Tea: Cider-inspired day featuring artisan producers from The Meat Room, Azzurri Cheese, Les Nôtres French Pastries & Mon’s Cakes, Dreaming Goat Dairy, and Chin Chin Farm Honey. Darraweit Valley Cider House, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 10.30am-12.30pm or 2.30pm-4.30pm. Adult $79, child $22.

[Mother’s Day] Lunch and Live Music: Enjoy a two-course a la carte lunch overlooking the vines. Music from the Benji and Ed Acoustic Duo. Cleveland Winery, 55 Shannons Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-3pm. Adult $75, children (12 and under) $20.

[Mother’s Day] Autumn Lunch and Jazz: Featuring a tasty, seasonal menu from Hedge Farm’s Chef Nadyne and music from Jenny Blake’s The JB4. Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carlsruhe. 12pm-5pm. $65 (two courses), $75 (three courses).

[Mother’s Day] Pinot and Pasta Lunch: Hunter-Gatherer Winery is collaborating with chef Erica Crowther, of Life & Fork, for a “pinot and pasta” lunch, fireside in the cosy barrel hall. Hunter-Gatherer Winery, 362 Pipers Creek-Pastoria Rd, Pipers Creek. 12.30pm-4pm. Adult $80, child $40.

[Music] The Bushwackers: Led by enigmatic front men Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett, the Golden Guitar winners bring a unique Australiana brand of music. Macedon Railway Hotel, 33 Smith St, Macedon. 2.30pm. $30.

[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] Bach’s Cello Suites: Join three Australian cellists, Edwina Cordingley, Rosanne Hunt and Josephine Vains, as they explore the exquisite French Dance forms of Suites 1, 2 and 3 on period instruments. Woodend Winter Arts Festival event. St Ambrose Church, Templeton St, Woodend. 3pm-4pm and 5.30pm-6.30pm. Adult $45, concession $40, child $25.

Coming soon

[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. Opens Friday, May 14. Evening and matinee performances. $30.

[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. 7pm-11.45pm. $25.

[Musical] The Mikado: Singularity Choir performs Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera. Romsey Uniting Church Hall, 25 Pohlman St, Romsey. Sunday, May 30. 1.30pm. $20, concession $15. 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. 7.30pm-9.30pm. Adult $74.90, concession $69.90, child $59.90.

[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. 8pm.

[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. 7pm-11pm. $60.

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The house designed by Canberra’s architect

Then & Now

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

This house in Dickens St, Woodend, was designed by the American architect Walter Burley Griffin. Famous for his winning plan for Canberra, Griffin designed several private homes during his time in Australia. This one is particularly notable as it employed a system of linking concrete blocks known as Knitlock. Locals often referred to it as “The Mud House”, no doubt partly due to its sombre colour and construction material. It was built for Mr A. R. Wills in 1929 but has been unoccupied for many years and is now derelict.

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