Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, October 7, to Sunday, October 13.
🎸 Tickets to see former You Am I frontman Tim Rogers in Kyneton on December 8 have just gone on sale. Click here for concert details.
👮 When Robyn Howarth was 10, two masked men burst into her tiny school in Faraday, near Castlemaine, and kidnapped Robyn, her five classmates and their teacher. The Faraday State School kidnapping in 1972 led to one of Victoria’s biggest manhunts. On Wednesday, you can hear Robyn discuss their ordeal when she gives a talk at Kyneton Library.
🎃 Witches, ghouls, ghosts and zombies will be out in force in Woodend on October 31 when the Community Halloween Party returns after a one-year absence.
🎵 First Nations musicians Canisha and Pirritu will perform at Kyneton Mechanics Institute on Saturday. Click here for full details.
🪲 What bugs are loving life in your spring garden this year? Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking discusses harlequin bugs in this week’s gardening article. See 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 👇
Wednesday, October 9
Film Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: A comedy romance based on Winifred Watson’s novel. Miss Pettigrew, a jobless governess, gets involved in the glamorous life of a young actress and singer in 1930s London. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 10.30am-12.15pm. Free.
Film High Ground: In a bid to save the last of his family, Gutjuk, a young Aboriginal man, teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara, the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, his uncle. Gisborne Library, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 1pm-2.45pm. Free.
Author Talk Robyn Howarth – Faraday: Hear from one of the six children who, along with their teacher, were kidnapped by two masked men from Faraday State School near Castlemaine in 1972. Kyneton Library, Baynton St, Kyneton. 2pm-3pm. 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.
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.
Quiz Pub Trivia: Put your knowledge to the test. The Lancefield Hotel, High St, Lancefield. 7pm-11pm.
Thursday, October 10
Sustainability Tim Forcey – My Efficient Electric Home Handbook: Tips on converting your home into a comfortable, healthy, efficient space from the author of My Efficient Electric Home Handbook. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Free.
Film Frankenstein: See the original 1931 Frankenstein film on the big screen. Gisborne Library, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 5.30pm-6.40pm. Free.
Sustainability Tim Forcey – My Efficient Electric Home Handbook: Tips on converting your home into a comfortable, healthy, efficient space from the author of My Efficient Electric Home Handbook. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 6pm-7pm. Free.
Friday, October 11
Environment Memorial Cross Group Hike: Join Parks Victoria volunteers on an 8km moderate-level walk. Learn about plants and animals as well as the history of the Macedon Regional Park. McGregor’s Picnic Ground, Cameron Dr, Mount Macedon. 9.30am-1pm. Free.
Talk The Story of the Rabbit in Australia: Dr Brian Coman grew up on a farm in Kyneton and worked as a field biologist and then a Landcare coordinator, spending more than 25 years in the Coliban River catchment, mainly in rabbit control. His talk will be drawn from his book, Tooth and Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia. Hosted by Kyneton U3A. All welcome. Red Brick Hall, 23 Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 2pm. Free.
Community Kyneton High School Twilight Market & Show ‘n’ Shine: 40 market stalls and food vendors, including CWA scones and jam. Cars, 4WDs, fire engines and motorbikes. Music, raffle, and auction. Kyneton High School, Epping St, Kyneton. 5pm-8pm. Free.
Refugees Rural Australians for Refugees National Conference: Opening event of the conference. Hear from Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish-Iranian journalist, human rights defender, writer and film producer who was held in the Australian-run Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea from 2013 until its closure in 2017. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. 7pm. Adult $40, Concession $30.
Music The Royal High Jinx: Music inspired by European traditions, with gypsy jazz, Latin, Balkan, swing and folk sounds. Lauriston Hall, Lauriston Rd, Lauriston. 7pm-10.30pm. Adult $30, Child free.
Theatre Legally Blonde: Musical based on the Reese Witherspoon movie. Legally Blonde: The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Performed by Kyneton Theatre Company. Bluestone Theatre, Hutton St, Kyneton. 8pm-10.30pm. Adult $38, Concession $30, Child $28.
Music Paprika with The Mods: City pop/funk band. Supported by Macedon Ranges band The Mods. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $15.
Saturday, October 12
Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.
Market Kyneton Farmers’ & Makers’ Market: St Paul’s Park, Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30am-1pm.
Market Kyneton Community Market: Bric-a-brac, art, clothes, plants, food and local produce. Ebden St & Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 8.30am-1pm.
Community Woodend Men’s Shed Open Day: Items for sale include toys, garden and household furniture, and turned timber items. The Old Sawmill, 988 Black Forest Dr, Woodend. 10am-2pm.
Garden Duneira Open Garden: Enjoy the grand garden at Duneira at its springtime peak. Duneira, 1 Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $12, Senior $10, Child (under 16) free.
Sport The Dirty Docker: Cross-country running races (8km, 6km and 2km courses) and cyclo-cross races. Plus live music, fire pits, food trucks, and bar. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 12pm-8.30pm.
Theatre Legally Blonde: Musical based on the Reese Witherspoon movie. Legally Blonde: The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Performed by Kyneton Theatre Company. Bluestone Theatre, Hutton St, Kyneton. 2pm-4.30pm, 8pm-10.30pm. Adult $38, Concession $30, Child $28.
Music & Drink Rocktoberfest: Dust off the lederhosen for Rock & Ranges’ annual beer festival. With music from Dolla Pots. Mount Macedon Hotel, Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. From 2pm (music until 5pm). Free.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $25.
Music Nathan Gabriel: Live music in the bar. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 6.30pm-9.30pm.
Music First Nations Music Night: An evening of music, storytelling, learning, tea and cake, featuring Canisha and Pirritu. Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. 7pm-11pm. First Nations free, General admission $30, Unwaged $15, Solidarity $50.
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Sunday, October 13
Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.
Market Romsey Market: Bric-a-brac, woodwork, jewellery, candles, handmade goods, and food vans. Run by Lancefield Romsey Lions Club. Romsey Skate Park, Cnr Main St & White Ave. 9am-1pm.
Nature Aussie Bird Count Walk – Woodend: To celebrate National Bird Week, bird enthusiast Tanya Loos will lead a one-hour walk along Five Mile Creek to introduce you to some local feathered friends. Meet in the car park at Margery Cr, Woodend. 10am-11am. Free.
Garden Duneira Open Garden: Enjoy the grand garden at Duneira at its springtime peak. Duneira, 1 Officer Ln, Mount Macedon. 10am-4pm. Adult $12, Senior $10, Child (under 16) free.
Art Second Chance Art Sale: Donated artworks, frames and canvases for sale. Proceeds to community projects. St Ambrose Hall, Templeton St, Woodend. 10am-4pm.
Nature Aussie Bird Count Walk – Kyneton: To celebrate National Bird Week, bird enthusiast Tanya Loos will lead a one-hour walk along the Campaspe River Walk to introduce you to some local feathered friends. Meet in St Agnes Pl, Kyneton. 12pm-1pm. Free.
Sport The Dirty Docker: Gravel cycling races 115km, 80km and 40km routes. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St, Lancefield. 12pm-8.30pm.
Theatre Legally Blonde: Musical based on the Reese Witherspoon movie. Legally Blonde: The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Performed by Kyneton Theatre Company. Bluestone Theatre, Hutton St, Kyneton. 2pm-4.30pm. Adult $38, Concession $30, Child $28.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $25.
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.
Exhibitions
Kyneton The Old Auction House: Exhibition: Victorian Quilters. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Art on Piper: Exhibitions: Ali Hill, Things With Wings. Every day 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Stockroom: Exhibitions: Pia Johnson, Alicia King, Victoria Lynagh. Thu-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Opening event Sat 3pm-5pm.
Kyneton Cusack & Cusack: Fri-Sun 10am-3pm.
Kyneton Kyneton Museum: Exhibition: Nurses, Medicine and Caring. Fri-Sun. 11am-4pm.
Mount Macedon The Gallery: Exhibition: Elizabeth Harvey. Fri-Tues 10am-4pm.
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 Lancefield Agricultural Show: Working dog trials, horse events, tractor pull, woodchop, sheep, poultry, market stalls, and rides. Lancefield Park, Chauncey St. 9am-4pm. Adult $15, Concession $10. October 20.
Cars Clarkefield Swap Meet and Car Show: Classic and vintage cars and more. Clarkefield Recreation Reserve, Station St, Clarkefield. 8am-2pm. $5. October 27.
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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Here comes the red and black army
GARDENING
Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, discusses harlequin bugs.
The mild conditions of spring, high humidity and rampant flushes of plant growth create opportunities for pests to thrive. Each year is a little bit different, but in October and early November there’s always a pest species or two that tends to dominate. Sometimes it’s slugs, other years it’s earwigs, aphids or whitefly.
For me, this year it’s harlequin bugs. Since I first discovered them in my garden two years ago, I’ve noticed they are very seasonal and they proliferate during dry spells. They must really appreciate the relatively dry and mild spring we are experiencing in 2024.
I haven’t resorted to undertaking any form of control strategies for the harlequin bugs, but if you are suffering from “harlequin mania” then my blog post gives you some control methods to try. Regardless of the pest in question, I generally don’t conduct any form of pest control. This post about population dynamics helps to explain why.
Happy gardening!
Duncan
🪲 For more gardening tips see my latest planting guide and garden update.
In the news
🏆 MACEDON RANGES: Teenage actor Felix Cameron has followed up his double success at the Logies with the award for best actor in a leading role (Australia) at the 2024 Asian Academy Creative Awards.
👮 MACEDON RANGES: Crime in the Macedon Ranges increased by 1.1 per cent in the past year. “When population growth is considered, crime in the Macedon Ranges is at its second lowest level in a decade,” Superintendent Brad Dixon said.
🚒 ROMSEY: Romsey Fire Brigade has taken delivery of a new $392,000 medium tanker. “The vehicle couldn’t arrive at a more opportune time, and to be able to put it online prior to the fire season is a real plus,” Romsey Fire Brigade captain Nic Needham said.
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