This week in the Macedon Ranges (November 11-17)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, November 11, to Sunday, November 17.

🍷 Wineries will throw open their cellar doors on Saturday and Sunday for Budburst, the Macedon Ranges wine festival. In addition to wine tastings, you can enjoy food, art and live music across the 15 Budburst sites. Click here to find out what’s happening at each winery and in nearby villages.

🤣 Comedian Ross Noble will bring his “cranium of curiosities” to Kyneton Town Hall on April 29. Tickets are now on sale.

🪓 Woodchoppers will swing into action on Saturday as part of a packed program of entertainment at Kyneton Show. The festivities will get under way on Friday night at the show carnival, with games and rides, whip-cracking lessons, music, and fireworks.

🍎 Do you have fruit trees? In this week’s gardening article, Duncan Cocking explains why November is a critical time for them, plus two important tasks to carry out in the next few weeks. Find his advice below the event guide.

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

Click the links for more info 👇

Monday, November 11

Photography Introduction to Photo Books: Hear from Greg McMillan at Macedon Ranges Photographic Society’s tech night. Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek. 7pm.

Wednesday, November 13

Film The Lost City of Melbourne: Rare archival film and photography reveals the city’s former glory. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 10.30am-12.15pm. Free.

Game Canasta Club: Join a friendly group to play the card game Canasta. Beginners welcome. Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House, 47 Victoria St, Macedon. 2pm-5pm.

Orienteering Go Explore – Macedon: First of five beginner-friendly twilight orienteering events around Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges. Suitable for adults and children, and all fitness levels. Ash Wednesday Park, Smith St, Macedon. 6pm-8pm. $5 per participant (parents shadowing children free).

Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7pm. $12 (first session free).

Quiz Trivia Night: General knowledge quiz. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7pm. Free.

Thursday, November 14

Flowers Pick Your Own Peonies – Spring Hill Peony Farm: Select stems from the peony paddock. Spring Hill Peony Farm, 1385 Kyneton-Springhill Rd, Spring Hill. 11am-1pm. Pick $56, View $14, Child (1-16) $5.

Friday, November 15

Food & Drink Wolf of the Willows Beer Banquet: Scotty McKinnon, one of the duo behind Wolf of the Willows, will talk all things beer at a five-course lunch. The Kyneton Hotel, Mollison St, Kyneton. 1pm-4pm. $120.

Community Kyneton Show Carnival: Laser tag in the hay bales, whip-cracking demonstrations, youth music stage, fireworks. Kyneton Showgrounds, Mollison St, Kyneton. 5.30pm-10pm (fireworks 9pm). Two-day Show pass $80, Family $50, Adult $20, Pensioner/Senior $10, Child (ages 2-17) $10.

Entertainment Silvers Circus Spectacular: Be amazed by daring aerial acts, acrobatics and tricks. Gisborne Steam Park, 10 Webb Cr, New Gisborne. 7.30pm. Adult $35-$65, Child $25-$55.

Theatre A Bunch of Amateurs: Comedy by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to discover that this is not the birthplace of Shakespeare but a sleepy Suffolk village. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 8pm-10.30pm. Adult $30, Concession $25.

Music Van Walker: Prolific Tasmanian singer-songwriter. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $15.

Saturday, November 16

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

Market Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Memorial Dr, Riddells Creek. 9am-1pm.

Market Trentham Farmers’ Market: Town Square, High St, Trentham. 9am-1pm.

Market Glenlyon Village Market: Shire Hall, Barkly St, Glenlyon. 9am-1pm.

Community Kyneton Show: Woodchopping competitions, sheep-shearing demonstrations, country parkour, pony rides, animal nursery, farm workshop, and more. Kyneton Showgrounds, Mollison St, Kyneton. 9am-4pm. Two-day Show pass $80, Family $50, Adult $20, Pensioner/Senior $10, Child (ages 2-17) $10.

Garden Durrol Open Garden: The gardens at Durrol date back to the early 20th century and incorporate an enclosed garden by Edna Walling. Walk mossy steps, rock-walled paths and lawns amongst magnificent mature trees. Durrol, 800 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. $10.

Garden Verdicus Open Garden: Enjor retired landscape architect Bruce Honey’s home garden. The nine-acre site has been transformed from neglected farmland into a garden that fuses “picturesque” and formal design. Verdicus, 5-7 Lowe St, Tylden. 10am-4.30pm (tours 11am, 2pm). Adult $10, Student $6, Child (under 18) free.

Wine Budburst: The Macedon Ranges wine festival. More than 20 winemakers will open their wineries and cellar doors. Multiple venues. 10am-5pm.

Running Lancefield Gift: The meeting will feature 13 races, including the richest men’s and women’s 400m races in the state ($6,000) and the 120m Lancefield Gift races ($5,000). Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. From 12pm.

Entertainment Silvers Circus Spectacular: Be amazed by daring aerial acts, acrobatics and tricks. Gisborne Steam Park, 10 Webb Cr, New Gisborne. 2.30pm, 6.30pm. Adult $35-$65, Child $25-$55.

Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $25.

Music Lizanne Richards and Gavan Andersson: Alternative-folk blues. Gindu, High St, Woodend. 3pm-6pm.

Music Eloise: Live music in the Mountain Shed. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Quiz 1980s Trivia Night: Dress up in your best 1980s outfit. Silent auction, raffles, games and more. Gisborne Cricket Club Rooms, Gardiner Reserve, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 7.30pm-12am. $25.

Music Matt Dynon: Singer-songwriter from country Victoria. Shamrock Hotel, Mollison St, Kyneton. 8pm-10pm.

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Sunday, November 17

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

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

Flowers Pick Your Own Peonies – Spring Hill Peony Farm: Select stems from the peony paddock. Spring Hill Peony Farm, 1385 Kyneton-Springhill Rd, Spring Hill. 9.30am-11.30am, 12.30pm-2.30pm. Pick $56, View $14, Child (1-16) $5.

Motoring Cool Country Classics Show and Shine: See a wide range of classic vehicles, from the early 1900s to the modern day. Trentham Railway Station, Victoria St, Trentham. 10am-2pm. Gold coin donation.

Garden Durrol Open Garden: The gardens at Durrol date back to the early 20th century and incorporate an enclosed garden by Edna Walling. Walk mossy steps, rock-walled paths and lawns amongst magnificent mature trees. 800 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. $10.

Garden Verdicus Open Garden: Enjoy retired landscape architect Bruce Honey’s home garden. The nine-acre site has been transformed from neglected farmland into a garden that fuses “picturesque” and formal design. Verdicus, 5-7 Lowe St, Tylden. 10am-4.30pm (tours 11am, 2pm). Adult $10, Student $6, Child (under 18) free.

Garden Hazelmere Open Garden and Picnic: Visit the home garden of Margot McDonald, former 3CR radio presenter and Kyneton nursery owner. Bring your own picnic. Hazelmere, 32 Hazelmere Dr, Lauriston. 10am-5pm. Family $20, General admission $10.

Wine Budburst: The Macedon Ranges wine festival. More than 20 winemakers will open their wineries and cellar doors. Multiple venues. 10am-5pm.

Gardening Native Screening Shrubs and Trees Launch and Workshop: Join Gardening Australia presenter Millie Ross for the launch of a guide to using native plants in hedges. Tully Sumner, from Grow Locals nursery in Woodend, will also conduct a workshop. The Mechanics Trentham, 66 High St, Trentham. 10.30am-11.30am (workshop 12pm-1pm). Free.

Pets Puppy Pride: Meet and greet for LGBTIQA+ people, friends and dogs. Hosted by Farmer Dave. Enjoy dog demonstrations and competitions, live performances, market stalls and food. Kyneton Botanic Gardens, Mollison St, Kyneton. 11am-3pm. Free.

Entertainment Silvers Circus Spectacular: Be amazed by daring aerial acts, acrobatics and tricks. Gisborne Steam Park, 10 Webb Cr, New Gisborne. 11am, 3pm. Adult $35-$65, Child $25-$55.

Flowers Spring Bouquet Workshop: Join florist Petrina Burrill (@petrinablooms on Instagram) for a hands-on workshop suitable for all skill levels. Followed by a guided tour of the flower farm. Fleurs de Lyonville, 35 Leishmans Ln, Lyonville. 1pm-4pm. $225.

Music Brett Franke: Acoustic blues and roots music. Wombat Forest Vineyard, 189 Springhill Rd, Denver. 1pm-4pm.

Music Taylor Sheridan: Singer-songwriter from the Macedon Ranges. His debut album, Troubadour, was No.1 country album in the Aria Charts for five weeks. Special guest Jay Santilli.The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Cnr High St & Cosmo Rd, Trentham. 2pm-4.30pm.

Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $25.

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

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.

Ghost Hunt Lancefield Mechanics Institute Paranormal Investigation: Who is the stage spirit who likes to hear singing? And what’s special about the number four? Lancefield Mechanics Institute, The Crescent, Lancefield. 7.30pm-9.30pm. $35.

Exhibitions

Kyneton The Old Auction House: Exhibition: Buttlejorrk and Macedon Ranges Potters, Terri MacDonald. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm. Meet the artists from Buttlejorrk and Macedon Ranges Potters on Sat Nov 16 from 2pm.

Kyneton Art on Piper: Exhibitions: Ali Hill, Black and White. Every day 10am-4pm.

Kyneton Stockroom: Exhibitions: Pia Johnson, Alicia King, Victoria Lynagh. Thu-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

Kyneton Cusack & Cusack: Fri-Sun 10am-3pm.

Kyneton Kyneton Museum: Exhibition: Nurses, Medicine and Caring. Fri-Sun. 11am-4pm.

Kyneton Kyneton Ridge Artspace: Exhibition: Lucie Howson. Sat & Sun 11am-5pm. (Artists are invited to submit artworks for the annual summer show. Email jordan@kynetonridge.com.au)

Kyneton Trio Art Studio & Gallery: Exhibition: Maxine McKee. Sat-Mon 10am-4pm.

Mount Macedon The Gallery: Exhibition: Reuse and Recycle. Fri-Tues 10am-4pm.

Newham Hanging Rock Winery: Exhibition: Art in the Vines (sculptures). Every day 10am-5pm.

Trentham Trentham District Story: Outdoor display telling the story of Trentham from its earliest Indigenous inhabitants to the present day. Open every day in the grounds of the Old Police Station, 3-5 Camp St, Trentham.

Trentham Little Gallery: Fri-Mon 10am-4pm.

Woodend The Back Shed Gallery: 33 Urquhart St, Woodend. Tues-Sun 10am-5pm.

Coming up

Community Carlsruhe Country Fair: Rides, games and children’s activities. Food, plant, and market stalls. Carlsruhe Annexe of Woodend Primary School, 57 Nicholson St, Carlsruhe. 10am-4pm. Free. November 23.

History Lancefield History Trail: Join Bronwyn Wilson on a tour of historic Lancefield. Hear about the 19th-century and their owners. Refreshments afterwards at Lancefield Courthouse. Participants will receive a copy of the Lancefield History Trail book. Lancefield Post Office, High St, Lancefield. 10.30am-12.15pm. $35. November 23.

Culture Mountain Festival: Environmental literary festival. Guest speakers will include Gina Chick, Bob Brown, Alexis Wright, Robbie Arnott, and Paul Bangay. Workshops for all ages wil include nature journalling, meditation, and stargazing. Ash Wednesday play reading by Shane Jacobson and Pia Miranda. Macedon. November 22-24.

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.

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Critical time for fruit trees

GARDENING

Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, explains two important tasks to do in the next few weeks.

November is a critical time for deciduous fruit trees such as apples, pears and stone fruit.

Did you know that the trees are currently determining the outcomes of buds for next year? Right now, the amount of water you give to a tree, and its state of health, will determine which buds will turn into flowers (and therefore fruit) and which buds will turn into leaves when the tree wakes from its dormancy in spring 2025.

Soil moisture is incredibly dry for this time of the year, and for the next six weeks, you should give your established fruit trees a good, deep soaking fortnightly (weekly for newly planted trees). Don’t bother with light, regular watering. That doesn’t encourage a good root system or help as much as a deep watering.

Thinning of fruit is another important task in November. This ensures good size and quality of remaining fruit (and helps to prevent biennial cropping). You are aiming to thin the fruit so that when it reaches full size it is not going to be in contact with another piece of fruit. I do this in stages because the trees may naturally abort some fruit themselves.

Clusters of ripening fruit create habitat for pests such as earwigs. I’ve found that it is better to have less fruit on the tree, of better quality, than to have masses of fruit all damaged by pests and disease.

Happy gardening!

Duncan

🍑 For more gardening tips see my latest planting guide and garden update.

In the news

🗳️ MACEDON RANGES: The shire council election results have been announced. Nine councillors will be sworn in on Monday. Click here for the full results.

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