This week in the Macedon Ranges (November 22-28)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for the week of Monday, November 22, to Sunday, November 28.

🎁 If you need some Christmas gift ideas, several of this week’s events provide good opportunities to find them. We have twilight markets in Riddells Creek and Woodend on Saturday. Oxart Pottery and friends will be offering their hand-crafted wares at a Christmas market in Taradale on Sunday, and nine artists in Macedon will be opening their studios all weekend.

📷 Additionally, Journey By Light Photography is offering a 15% discount on prints and its 2022 Macedon Ranges calendar. See below for more info and the discount code. Plus details of a discount on a local artist’s landscape paintings.

❓ Which Macedon Ranges landmark would you be visiting if you were standing on the site of Popple Town? Find out in the local history article.

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

Click the links for more info 👇

Online, anytime

Exhibition Macedon Ranges Art Trail Exhibition: Paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and mixed media by 26 artists. Until November 30.

Monday, November 22

Exhibition Buttlejorrk Artists: The group’s 45th anniversary show. Features work by 11 members and six special guests. Kyneton. Until December 6. 9am-5pm. Free.

Exhibition Moments of Being and Everything in Between – Lynka: Explores a woman’s relationship with herself and others, and ultimately her place in the world. Kyneton. Until December 6. 9am-5pm. Free.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: New exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Tuesday, November 23

Exhibition Buttlejorrk Artists: The group’s 45th anniversary show. Features work by 11 members and six special guests. Kyneton. Until December 6. 9am-5pm. Free.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: New exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Quiz Team Trivia Challenge: Topical and fun questions plus some games. Gisborne. 6.30pm-9pm. Free.

Wednesday, November 24

Exhibition Buttlejorrk Artists: The group’s 45th anniversary show. Features work by 11 members and six special guests. Kyneton. Until December 6. 9am-5pm. Free.

Craft Social Craft Group: Are you working on a craft project alone? Enjoy the company of like-minded people while you’re being creative. Woodend. Every Wednesday. 10am-11am. Gold coin donation.

Open Garden Gardens of Tieve Tara: Spring opening. Mount Macedon. Until November 28. 10am-3.30pm. Adult $10, Child free.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: New exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Exhibitions Liss Fenwick, Nicholas Burridge, Lauren Joffe: Kyneton. Until November 28. 10.30am-5pm.

Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Everyone welcome. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7.30pm. $12.

Thursday, November 25

Exhibition Buttlejorrk Artists: The group’s 45th anniversary show. Features work by 11 members and six special guests. Kyneton. Until December 6. 9am-5pm. Free.

Open Garden Gardens of Tieve Tara: Spring opening. Mount Macedon. Until November 28. 10am-3.30pm. Adult $10, Child free.

Exhibition Little Gallery Members: Artworks by Rose Wilson, Helen Cottle, Kim Haughie, Ri Van Veen, Larissa Gray, Llael McDonald, Frances Harkin, Liz Archer, Ruby Wilson-Peirce, Sam Bloomfield. Trentham. 10am-4pm.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: Exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Charity Woodend Community Biggest Morning Tea: Raising money for the Cancer Council. Organised by Woodend Neighbourhood House, St Mary’s parish and Woodend Eves CWA. Woodend. 10.30am-12pm. $10.

Gardens Paul Bangay – Stonefields Private Tours: See Paul Bangay’s incredible garden at his home. Denver. 10.30am and 2.30pm. $240.

Exhibitions Liss Fenwick, Nicholas Burridge, Lauren Joffe: Kyneton. Until November 28. 10.30am-5pm.

Beekeeping Introduction to Beekeeping (online): Learn about what you need to get started. With Craig Castree. Goldfields Libraries. November 25. 6pm-7pm. Free.

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Friday, November 26

Exhibition Buttlejorrk Artists: The group’s 45th anniversary show. Features work by 11 members and six special guests. Kyneton. Until December 6. 9am-5pm. Free.

Open Garden Gardens of Tieve Tara: Spring opening. Mount Macedon. Until November 28. 10am-3.30pm. Adult $10, Child free.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: Exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Exhibitions Liss Fenwick, Nicholas Burridge, Lauren Joffe: Kyneton. Until November 28. 10.30am-5pm.

Exhibition A Biodiversity Crisis – Animals and Plants of the Macedon Ranges: Interactive exhibition. Contains taxidermy. Kyneton. 11am-4pm. Adult $5.10, Concession/student $3.10, Child under 5 free, Family $10.20.

Entertainment Youth Night: A safe space for teenagers to hang out. Music, games, Xbox, free Wi-Fi. Riddells Creek. 5.30pm-7.30pm. $2.

Saturday, November 27

Market Daylesford Farmers’ Market: Daylesford Primary School, Vincent St. 9am-1pm.

Market Lancefield Farmers’ Market: High St & Park St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.

Games Petanque at Hanging Rock: Woodend Hanging Rock Petanque Club is holding its Annual Triples Petanque Tournament. Watch petanque being played and have a go yourself. Sausage/burger sizzle. Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Rd, Woodend. From 10am.

Art Open Studios: Nine artists in Macedon will be opening their studios and discussing their work. Macedon. Saturday and Sunday. 10am-4pm. Free.

Exhibition Buttlejorrk Artists: The group’s 45th anniversary show. Features work by 11 members and six special guests. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until December 6. 10am-4pm. Free.

Exhibition Moments of Being and Everything in Between – Lynka: Explores a woman’s relationship with herself and others, and ultimately her place in the world. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until December 6. 10am-4pm. Free.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: New exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Open Garden Gardens of Tieve Tara: Spring opening. 751 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. Until November 28. 10am-5pm. Adult $10, Child free.

Exhibitions Liss Fenwick, Nicholas Burridge, Lauren Joffe: Stockroom, 98 Piper St, Kyneton. Until November 28. 10.30am-5pm.

Music Blues and Brews: Blues music with Bill Barber. DV Cider, 39 Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim. 12.15pm-4.15pm.

Gardening The English Australian Country Garden: A workshop with garden designer Kaz Krasovskis. Part of the School of Gardening series. Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, 56 High St. 1pm-5pm. $45.

Community Riddells Creek Twilight Festival: Food, entertainment, music and competitions. Walter J Smith Reserve, Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 3pm-8pm. Booking required.

Community Woodend Twilight Festival: Light show, entertainment, shopping, food trucks, street dining. High St, Woodend. From 5pm.

Sunday, November 28

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

Food Trentham East Farm Gate: Fresh produce. 150 Bergs Ln, Trentham East. 10am-12.30pm.

Art Open Studios: Nine artists in Macedon will be opening their studios and discussing their work. Macedon. Saturday and Sunday. 10am-4pm. Free.

Art Friends of Oxart Pottery Christmas Market: Purchase unique, hand-crafted Christmas presents. 128 High St, Taradale. 10am-4pm.

Exhibition Art in the Vines – AV4: New exhibition of sculptures by 26 acclaimed artists. Hanging Rock Winery, Jim Rd, Newham. Daily until April 25. 10am-5pm. Free.

Open Garden Gardens of Tieve Tara: Spring opening. 751 Mount Macedon Rd,Mount Macedon. Until November 28. 10am-5pm. Adult $10, Child free.

Music The Five Aces: Songs from the Motown era. Featuring Tom Martin (guitar), Dan Marsh (keyboards), Rohan Sherlock (bass), Rory McDougall (drums) and Shaun Evans (saxophone). Hedge Farm, 124 Three Chain Rd, Carlsruhe. From 12pm. $58 (includes $40 food credit).

History Talking History – Seymour Cottage: Architectural historian Prof Miles Lewis will discuss Romsey’s 165-year-old Seymour Cottage. Romsey Community Hub, 96 Main St. 2pm-4pm. $25.

Coming up

Music Waterloo: All the hits that made Abba famous. Gisborne. December 4.

Market Gisborne Montessori School’s Twilight Christmas Market: Gifts, arts and crafts, homewares, groceries, and face painting. New Gisborne. December 4.

Books Heather Morris – The Tattooist of Auschwitz Trilogy: Hear international best-selling author Heather Morris talk about her journey in uncovering and writing these remarkable real-life stories. Woodend. December 10.

Market Christmas Illuminations and Twilight Market: Festive lights, food trucks, shopping, music. Market at the Mechanics Institute. Romsey. December 10-11.

Music Athol Guy & Friends: The Seekers star will be joined by Buddy England. Supported by Jenny Blake and Rod Hulls. Woodend. December 31.

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.

Deals and discounts

💰 Are you offering a special deal or a discount? If you’d like me to feature it in this newsletter, please email me.

JOURNEY BY LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Every year since 2019, Journey By Light Photography has published a calendar full of stunning images from the Macedon Ranges. They’re so good that I’ve kept every one.

You can now get a 15% discount on Journey By Light’s 2022 calendar, plus their prints, framed prints and canvas prints, during November.

Click here to visit the Journey By Light Photography shop and enter YMR15 at the checkout to apply the 15% discount.

ART BY FIONA LEEANN

Landscape artist Fiona Leeann is offering 25% off all artwork and commissions, and free delivery within Australia. Click here to visit her website.

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Welcome to Popple Town

Then & Now

With thanks to Malmsbury Historical Society

The viaduct (c.1860) around the time of completion. Picture: John H. Jones / State Library of Victoria

An engraving from The Australian News of August 1864. Picture: State Library of Victoria

The viaduct in the 1950s. Picture: Victorian Railways / State Library of Victoria

Popple Town sounds like it could be found in a kids’ TV show.

In fact, it was the name given to the tent “village” inhabited by the workers who built Malmsbury Viaduct.

(“Popple” means the heaving, bubbling or rippling of water.)

The viaduct’s foundation stone was laid on October 25, 1859, by the Commissioner of Public Works, the Hon. G. S. W. Horne. About 500 people were present, including children from the National School, who had marched in procession behind a flag bearing the words “Advance Malmsbury”.

They saw an enormous block of bluestone weighing about 2.5 tons placed over a hole into which a bottle containing copies of the Mail and Advertiser newspapers had been deposited.

When work on the viaduct began, about 600 men and 40 horses were engaged on the Malmsbury section of the railway line.

Five hundred of those men were occupied in quarrying bluestone for the works, all the stone coming from within a mile of the viaduct. Thirty eight masons and labourers were employed to dress the stones, and the constant service of another 30 men was required to lay them.

The final keystone was inserted on October 25, 1860, and the viaduct’s stonework was completed in February 1861.

At the start of the works, Mr Horne had looked to the future with no thoughts that the time capsule hidden beneath the foundation stone might one day be recovered.

The viaduct, he said, “would probably last for ever”.

📘 History of Malmsbury, by Roslyn Stevens, can be purchased for $10 (plus postage) by emailing Malmsbury Historical Society. Alternatively, copies are available at Malmsbury Bakery and Malmsbury General Store.

Every stone in the viaduct came from within a mile of the site.

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