This week in the Macedon Ranges (November 18-24)

Tuesday, November 19

Nature Immersive Forest Walk: Join Parks Victoria volunteers for a meditative walk through a tranquil corner of Macedon Regional Park. McGregor’s Picnic Ground, Cameron Dr, Mt Macedon. 10am-11am. Free.

Wednesday, November 20

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.

Thursday, November 21

Food Japanese Home-Style Cooking: Learn to cook seasonal, healthy and delicious Japanese home-style food. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 10.30am-1.30pm. $195.

Author Talk Tanya Loos – Living with Wildlife: Possums in the roof, an echidna in the garden, or perhaps a bird attacking your windows? Join Tanya Loos, author of Living with Wildlife: A Guide for our Homes and Backyards, for practical information, advice and solutions to encounters with wildlife. Kyneton Library, Baynton St, Kyneton. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Free.

Friday, November 22

Art Nature journaling workshop with Jane Rusden: Explore the grounds of Duneira with artist Jane Rusden, examining the plants, insects and birds. Mountain Festival event. Duneira Estate, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. $250.

Food & Talk Zero-Waste Lunch with Jo Barrett: Enjoy a three-course zero-waste lunch and a conversation between The Age Good Food Guide’s 2024 chef of the year Jo Barrett and former ABC journalist Mary Gearin. Mountain Festival event. Mount Monument Winery, 1399 Romsey Rd, Romsey. 1pm-3pm. $149.

Workshop Japanese Fabric Wrapping: Learn how to use Furoshiki, a beautiful and sustainable cloth that offers countless uses, from wrapping gifts to carrying items and home decor. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 2pm-3.30pm. $99.

Poetry & Music Welcome to Mountain Festival: A Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, followed by performances by First Nations poets Jeanine Leanine and Evelyn Araluen and author Alexis Wright. Music from Pirritu. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 7pm-9pm. $30.

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.

Dancing Old Time Dancing: Dance to a live band. Plus supper. Lancefield Mechanics Institute, Cnr High St & The Crescent, Lancefield. 8pm-12am. $8.

Music Andy Golledge: Country music singer and songwriter. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $25.

Saturday, November 23

Nature The Dawn Chorus Bird Walk: Join Harry Saddler (A Clear Flowing Yarra) on a bird-watching walk. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 7am-8am. $25.

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

Nature Why Do Birds Do That? Bird Walk: Join Georgia Angus (Birds with Personality) and Grainne Cleary (Why Do Birds Do That?) on a bird walk through the Middle Gully bushland. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 8.30am-9.30am. $25.

Market Lancefield Farmers’ Market: Central plantation, High 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.

Author Talk Alexis Wright – On Praiseworthy: Waanyi writer Alexis Wright is the only person to have won the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Stella Prize twice. She will discuss her latest novel, Praiseworthy, with poet Evelyn Araluen. Mountain Festival event. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 10am-11am. $30.

Art Botanical Art with Sarah Hankinson: Learn how to draw, sketch and paint beautiful botanical art with Sarah Hankinson. Mountain Festival event. Duneira Estate, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-1pm. $120.

Community Country Spring Fair: The Anglican parish of Gisborne’s annual fair. Includes cakes, preserves, plants, and a barbecue. St Paul’s Parish Hall, Cnr Fisher St & Brantome St, Gisborne. 10am-2pm.

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

History Lancefield History Trail: Join Bronwyn Wilson on a tour of historic Lancefield. Hear about the 19th-century buildings 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.

Cooking Organic Tofu Workshop: Learn how to make organic tofu from scratch and how to make tofu meals. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 10.30am-1.30pm. $195.

Storytelling Story Maps: Join Trace Balla (Leaf-light) for a hands-on storytelling workshop. A mix of nature journalling, illustration and fossicking for natural treasures. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 11am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Adult $40, Child $10.

Discussion For the Love of Animals: Why do so many people have strong relationships with animals? Authors Georgia Angus (Birds with Personality), Robbie Arnott (Dusk) and Tanya Loos (Living with Wildlife) will discuss living alongside and loving animals with chicken fanatic Fiona Scott-Norman (This Chicken Life). Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 11.30am-12.30pm. $30.

Discussion From Yirrkala Bark Petitions to Treaty: Clare Wright and Inala Cooper will discuss the long, powerful history of First Nations sovereignty and activism. With Tom Griffiths. Mountain Festival event. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 11.30am-12.30pm. $30.

Environment Joelle Gergis – Highway to Hell: Climate scientist Joelle Gergis will discuss Australia’s fossil fuel reliance and the future consequences. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-2.30pm. $30.

Music Nature’s Chorus with Valanga Khoza: Join musician Valanga Khoza for an introduction to the joyous music of South Africa. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-2.30pm. Adult $25, Child free.

Environment Introduction to Indigenous Agriculture: At Yumburra, Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood are re-establishing traditional food-growing and Country management processes. Join them for a hands-on introduction to tubers, native grasses and First Nations agriculture. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-2.30pm. $30.

Theatre Ash Wednesday Play Reading: Performed by Shane Jacobson and Pia Miranda. Drawn from survivor interviews and extensive research, Kate Rice’s play features fictional characters in a portrayal of the devastating 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires in Macedon. Mountain Festival event. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-3.30pm, 4.30pm-6.30pm, 7.30pm-9.30pm. $40.

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.

Music Davide Monti – The Italian Devil Returns: Experience the electrifying virtuosity of renowned Italian violinist Davide Monti. St Ambrose Church, Templeton St, Woodend. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Adult $48, Concession $42, Child $25.

Discussion Bob Brown – Getting into Strife: Environmental activist Bob Brown will discuss dedicating his life to advocacy, Australia’s biggest environmental moments, and the politics of place. With Jeff Sparrow. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 3pm-4pm. $30.

Music Drum Jam: Join a dynamic drumming session led by musician Shaun Evans. No experience necessary. Instruments provided. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 3pm-4pm. Free.

Community Kerrie Hall 90th Birthday Celebration: Music and dancing, face painting, sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea. Kerrie Hall, Kerrie Valley Rd, Kerrie. 4pm-11.30pm. Donation.

Author Talk Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood – A Year at Yumburra: Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood will discuss Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra, in which they attempt to disrupt the way we think about food production and agriculture. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 4.30pm-5.30pm. $30.

Music Ollie: Live music in the bar. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 6.30pm-10pm.

Nature Nocturnal Animal Walk: Walk through bushland as nocturnal animals begin to stir. Guided by Harry Saddler (A Clear Flowing Yarra). Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 7pm-8pm. $25.

Film The Giants / Bob Brown Q&A: Join us for a screening of Bob Brown’s documentary The Giants, which explores the intertwined fates of trees and humans. Followed by a Q&A with Bob Brown. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 7.30pm-9pm. $25.

Astronomy Fireside Introduction to Sky Country: Join Gomeroi astrophysicist Krystal de Napoli (First Knowledges: Sky Country) and Duane Hamacher (The First Astronomers) on a journey into the sky. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 9pm-10pm. $30.

Sunday, November 24

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

Nature Living with Birds Walk: Spot native birds in Middle Gully with expert twitchers Sean Dooley (BirdLife Australia) and Tanya Loos (Living with Wildlife) and learn how you can create habitats for birds in your own backyard. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 8.30am-9.30am. $25.

Market Trentham Sunday Market: Trentham Railway Station, Victoria St. 9am-1pm.

Walk & Wine Mount Macedon Gourmet Walk: A 13km walk along bushland tracks and a visit to two wineries. Mount Macedon. 9.30am-3.30pm. $175.

Author Talk Robbie Arnott – Dusk: Novelist Robbie Arnott will join Astrid Edwards to discuss his latest novel, Dusk, and how his landscape informs his writing and creative practice. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 10am-11am. $30.

Discussion Lynne Kelly – The Knowledge Gene: Lynne Kelly will talk to Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell about uncovering the source of human creativity, a gene that mutated 500,000 years ago and transformed humanity into musical, artistic and storytelling beings. With Jane Rusden and Hilary Blackshaw. Mountain Festival event. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 10am-11am. $30.

Community Mount Macedon Primary School Spring Fete: Rides, face painting, arts and crafts, flowers, plants and produce, Devonshire tea, barbecue, silent auction, and more. Mount Macedon Primary School, Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm.

Market French Vintage Market: A French-themed brocante marché. Goods sourced from France and across Europe. Plus second-hand household items. Madame Vintage, 69 Mollison St, Malmsbury. 10am-4pm.

Discussion Bob Brown: In 1982, Bob Brown was the face of the campaign to save the Franklin River. This was just the beginning of a long career of environmental activism. Join Bob Brown as he reflects on a life of activism. With Mary Gearin. Mountain Festival event. Duneira Estate, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10.30am-11.30am. $50.

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

Gardens Paul Bangay – Big Garden Design: Garden designer Paul Bangay is no stranger to working at scale, and throughout his career has created huge gardens to wander and explore. He will join horticulturalist Stephen Ryan to discuss his grandest plans. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 11.30am-12.30pm. $30.

Nature For the Love of Trees: Ramble through the rich expanse of Australian natural history with tree experts Dave Witty (What the Trees See) and Sophie Cunningham (City of Trees). Mountain Festival event. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 11.30am-12.30pm. $30.

Food & Music Music in the Vines: Live music from Dolla Pots, plus food and drink. Glen Erin at Lancefield, 200 Rochford Rd, Lancefield. 12pm-4pm.

Environment Sustainable Living for a Sustainable Future: Dr Kate Luckins, a sustainable living researcher and the creator of the global clothes-swapping movement The Clothing Exchange, will join futurist Jose Ramos and historian Billy Griffiths to discuss what a sustainable future might look like. Mountain Festival event. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-2.30pm. $30.

Nature Meet the Trees with Dave Witty: Join Dave Witty on a walk through Middle Gully and learn what the local acacias, gums and even pines and pin oaks say about Victoria’s history. Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-2.30pm. $25.

Nature The Medicinal Garden: From edible treats to therapeutic remedies, unearth the healing potential of plants. With Caroline Parker (The Medicinal Garden). Mountain Festival event. Middle Gully Reserve, opposite Macedon Primary School, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-3.30pm. $40.

Theatre Ash Wednesday Play Reading: Performed by Shane Jacobson and Pia Miranda. Drawn from survivor interviews and extensive research, Katie Rice’s play features fictional characters in a portrayal of the devastating 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires in Macedon. Mountain Festival event. Mountview Theatre, Smith St, Macedon. 1.30pm-3.30pm, 4pm-6pm. $40.

Author Talk Annie Smithers: Join chef Annie Smithers (Kitchen Sentimental) for a journey through every significant kitchen in her life. Mountain Festival event. Duneira Estate, Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 3pm-4pm. $50.

Discussion Place. Story. Nature. Music.: Join musicians Tim Rogers, Valanga Khoza, Tiana Khasi and writer Gregory Day as they interrogate the influence of nature on our creative lives. Mountain Festival closing ceremony. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 3pm-4.30pm. $40.

Exhibitions

Kyneton The Old Auction House: Exhibition: Buttlejorrk, Macedon Ranges Potters. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.

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

Kyneton Stockroom: Exhibitions: Steven Bellosguardo, Welfe Bowyer. Thu-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Opening event Sat 3pm-5pm.

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.