Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for the week of Monday, October 11, to Sunday, October 17.
🛍️ Even in normal times, our local markets are wonderful. But during these past couple of months they have been beacons of hope while we wait for larger in-person events to become possible again. Next weekend promises a bumper crop of three farmers’ markets (Riddells Creek, Trentham, and Malmsbury).
🥕 Speaking of bumper crops, if you’re a gardener the recent rain-sun-rain-sun has no doubt been keeping you busy. Two courses on Saturday could be helpful. They’re both about soil and how to give your veggies the best chance.
Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges this week:
Click the links for more info 👇
Online, anytime
Gardening Planting Design Symposium: Four of Victoria’s best-known garden designers, plus three of the world’s most innovative designers, join Michael McCoy to discuss Australian gardens. Access recordings of the live event held on October 2, plus extended interviews and a bonus live session on October 13. Recordings available until October 17. $85.
Multimedia Living Live: Gisborne-based sound artist Jenny Hickinbotham uses video, sound, performance and song to investigate life’s highlights and challenges. Melbourne Fringe event. Online until October 17 (see Friday and Saturday for details of in-person performances).
Exhibition Macedon Ranges Art Trail Exhibition: Paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and mixed media by 26 artists. Until November 30.
Monday, October 11
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. Kyneton. Until October 25. 9am-5pm.
Exhibition Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until October 15. 10am-5pm. Free.
Tuesday, October 12
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. Kyneton. Until October 25. 9am-5pm.
Exhibition Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until October 15. 10am-5pm. Free.
Wednesday, October 13
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. Kyneton. Until October 25. 9am-5pm.
Exhibition Art in the Vines – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until October 15. 10am-5pm. Free.
Exhibitions Passages of Time, Editions, To Dwell & Respond: Paintings and sculptures. Artists: Hilary Jackman, Sculpture Co and Robyn Phelan. Stockroom, 98 Piper St, Kyneton. Until October 17. 10.30am-5pm.
Community Storm Recovery – Macedon, Mount Macedon & Surrounds (online) : Help for residents and landholders affected by storm damage. Macedon Ranges Shire Council. Online. 6.30pm-7.30pm.
Thursday, October 14
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. Kyneton. Until October 25. 9am-5pm.
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 – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until October 15. 10am-5pm. Free.
Exhibitions Passages of Time, Editions, To Dwell & Respond: Paintings and sculptures. Artists: Hilary Jackman, Sculpture Co and Robyn Phelan. Kyneton. Until October 17. 10.30am-5pm.
History The Forgotten People (online): The story of the Ngurai-illum Wurrung people. Goldfields Libraries. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Free.
Health Good Thinking and Behaviour Habits (online): With clinical and forensic psychologist David Cherry. Goldfields Libraries. 6pm-7pm. Free.
Sustainability Prepare Your Home for Summer (online): Learn about easy, cost-effective ways to make your home cool and efficient. Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group. 6.30pm-8pm. Free.
Friday, October 15
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. Kyneton. Until October 25. 9am-5pm.
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 – the Renaissance: Sculptures by 25 acclaimed artists. Newham. Daily until October 15. 10am-5pm. Free.
Exhibitions Passages of Time, Editions, To Dwell & Respond: Paintings and sculptures. Artists: Hilary Jackman, Sculpture Co and Robyn Phelan. Kyneton. Until October 17. 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.
Multimedia Living Live: Gisborne-based sound artist Jenny Hickinbotham uses video, sound, performance and song to investigate life’s highlights and challenges. Melbourne Fringe event. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend (venue capacity 18). 7pm.
Music Folky Friday (online): Four 15-minute sets by Malmsbury’s Lucy Wise, Meremba, Dan Witton and Paddy Montgomery. Online. 8pm.
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Saturday, October 16
Market Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Memorial Dr. 9am-1pm.
Market Trentham Farmers’ Market: Town Square, High St. 9am-1pm.
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until October 25. 10am-4pm.
Gardening Ecological Succession and Soil: Discover how soils are created and understand how ecosystems evolve over time. Learn how to improve your soil. Leaf, Root & Fruit, 21 Dettmanns Ln, Kyneton. 10am-3pm. $100.
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. Little Gallery, 32B High St, Trentham. 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.
Exhibitions Passages of Time, Editions, To Dwell & Respond: Paintings and sculptures. Artists: Hilary Jackman, Sculpture Co and Robyn Phelan. Stockroom, 98 Piper St, Kyneton. Until October 17. 10.30am-5pm.
Exhibition A Biodiversity Crisis – Animals and Plants of the Macedon Ranges: Interactive exhibition. Contains taxidermy. Kyneton Museum, Piper St. 11am-4pm. Adult $5.10, Concession/student $3.10, Child under 5 free, Family $10.20.
Food & Drink Smoked Pork Belly and Wine Pairing: Try four gourmet tasters and four wines. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. Saturday and Sunday. From 12pm. $65.
Gardening Growing Produce: With Fiona Hamilton. Covering: soil, water, light, nutrients space, garden location and design. Group limited to 18. Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, 56 High St. 1pm-5pm. $45.
Multimedia Living Live: Gisborne-based sound artist Jenny Hickinbotham uses video, sound, performance and song to investigate life’s highlights and challenges. Melbourne Fringe event. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend (venue capacity 18). 7pm.
Sunday, October 17
Market Malmsbury Farmers’ and Artists’ Market: Malmsbury cricket ground, Ellesmere Pl. 9am-1pm.
Exhibition Kyneton Art Group Annual Exhibition: Featuring work by 16 local artists. The Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison St, Kyneton. Until October 25. 10am-4pm.
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. Little Gallery, 32B High St, Trentham. 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.
Exhibition A Biodiversity Crisis – Animals and Plants of the Macedon Ranges: Interactive exhibition. Contains taxidermy. Kyneton Museum, Piper St. 11am-4pm. Adult $5.10, Concession/student $3.10, Child under 5 free, Family $10.20.
Food & Drink Smoked Pork Belly and Wine Pairing: Try four gourmet tasters and four wines. Double Oaks Estate, 104 Ashworths Rd, Lancefield. Saturday and Sunday. From 12pm. $65.
Coming up
Environment Fungi of the Macedon Ranges (online): Discover the diversity and beauty of the fungi found on Mt Macedon. With fungi expert Greg Boldiston. October 19.
Gardening Edible Gardens (online): Join horticulturalist Craig Castree to learn about the difference between an edible garden and a vegetable garden, and how to turn your garden into a productive, edible, organic space. October 26.
Poultry Spring Poultry Sale: Fixed prices. Heritage breeds, backyard layers, and rare and unusual breeds. Plus poultry-related goods. Organised by Kyneton & District Poultry Club. Kyneton. October 31.
Music The Meanies: Punk-rock band with their latest album. Macedon. November 6.
Comedy Hannah Gadsby: Emmy Award winner with her new show. Kyneton. November 13.
Running Mt Macedon Trail Run: Five routes: 10km, 21km, 30km, 42km, 50km. Mount Macedon. November 21.
Music Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks: From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock, and as a solo artist, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s best-known and most respected performers. Macedon. November 28.
Music Kate Ceberano: ARIA-award-winning singer with one of the great voices of her generation. Macedon. December 12.
Warm wishes,
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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Flowing freely in Main St
Then & Now
With thanks to Romsey & Lancefield Districts Historical Society. The society meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm, at the courthouse, in Main Rd, Lancefield.


To commemorate Queen Victoria, a fountain was built in Romsey. However, it stood for less than half as long as the 63 years that she reigned.
The fountain, at the intersection of Barry St and Main St, was commissioned by the Shire of Romsey and unveiled in July 1901, six months after Victoria’s death. Its central column consisted of a pedestal supporting dolphins and seagulls, with the figure of a woman on the tier above. Water spurted from the dolphins and seagulls and the top of the column.
A crowd of 800 attended the opening. They sang God Save the King and then marched behind a brass band and riflemen to the park, where they enjoyed refreshments and the children played.
But only 23 years after that celebration, the fountain was taken down.
Some say it had become a traffic hazard. Another version is that the fountain was damaged and that the council intended to rebuild it but the components went missing.
📘 From Fay Woodhouse’s book Romsey: An Historical Guide, which tells the stories of 55 buildings and landmarks in Romsey, and the families behind the businesses that occupied them. (Published 2021, $40.)

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