Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, September 9, to Sunday, September 15.
🐨 The school holidays are two weeks away! Children’s activities will include the chance to meet animals from Wild Action Zoo at a series of workshops at Hanging Rock, led by TV zoologist Chris Humfrey. Click here for my guide to school holiday activities (if you find the guide useful, please share it with friends).
🌸 With gardens bursting back to life, the Bolobek Garden Fair is just around the corner. Previously called Garden Lovers’ Fair, it will be held in Macedon on October 5 and 6. Click here to find out more about this year’s garden fair.
🥕 Looking to improve your gardening? Kyneton-based horticulturalist Duncan Cocking has two upcoming gardening workshops: one on weed control and edible forest gardens, and another on irrigation, rainwater tanks and sunlight. You can also read Duncan’s gardening advice in the article below the event guide.
Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges this week:
Click the links for more info 👇
Monday, September 9
Author Talk Annie Smithers – Kitchen Sentimental: Paddock-to-plate pioneer Annie Smithers answers the question “why cook?” and discusses the significant kitchens in her life. Woodend Library, Cnr High St & Forest St, Woodend. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Free.
Wednesday, September 11
Art Painting For Connection Workshop: A fun, supportive workshop that encourages connection and self-expression through painting. Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 9.30am-11am. $20.
Film Barbie: Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. When Barbie and Ken leave the perfect world of Barbie Land, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans. Romsey Library, Main St, Romsey. 10.30am-12.30pm. Free.
Film The Colour Purple: A bold new musical take on the classic story about the lifelong struggles of an African-American woman living in the South during the early 1900s. Gisborne Library, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 1pm-3.30pm. Free.
Game Canasta Club: Join a friendly group to play the card game Canasta. Beginners welcome. Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House, 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, September 12
Community RU OK? Day Sausage Sizzle: Join the volunteers at Woodend Neighbourhood House for chat and a sausage in the garden. Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 12.30pm-2.30pm.
Author Talk Barbara Minchinton – Madame Brussels: Join historian Barbara Minchinton to learn about Madame Brussels, the professional name of Caroline Hodgson, a notorious Melbourne brothel keeper in the 19th century. Gisborne Library, Hamilton St, Gisborne. 2pm-3pm. Free.
Entertainment Dolly’s Disco Bingo: Music-based bingo. Mark off songs when you hear them. Kyneton Bowling Club, Mollison St, Kyneton. 6.30pm-8.30pm. $5.
Singing Open Mic Night: Your time to shine! Daffodil Festival event. Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. 7pm-9pm. Free.
Environment Wind, Rain, Cloud and Sun: Enchance your understanding of the climate in the Macedon Ranges with Dr Linden Ashcroft from the University of Melbourne. Jubilee Hall, Smith St, Macedon. 7.30pm-9pm. Free.
Friday, September 13
Environment Memorial Cross Group Hike: Join Parks Victoria volunteers on a 9.5km 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-1.30pm. Free.
Gardens Bus Tour of Open Gardens: Visit four of the gardens that are open for Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival: Rosebank, Willowbrook, Rosebery Hill and Peter Butterworth’s garden and sculpture gallery. Lunch at Spring Hill Nursery. Tour departs from Kyneton Railway Station (10.15am) and Kyneton Mechanics Institute (10.20am). 10am-4pm. $22.
Film Hotel Transylvania: Join Count Dracula, and Mavis, Johnny and their monster friends for a Friday the 13th screening of the animated comedy film Hotel Transylvania. Daffodil Festival event. Mary Moloney Theatre, Sacred Heart College, High St, Kyneton. 5.45pm-7.45pm. $15 (up to six people).
Saturday, September 14
Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.
Community Romsey Whole Town Garage Sale: Maps can be bought for $5 until 12.30pm. Romsey Neighbourhood House, Main St, Romsey. 8am-2.30pm.
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.
Sport Try Croquet: Discover croquet with the oldest croquet club in Victoria. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this tactical and absorbing sport is suitable for all ages. Kyneton Croquet Club, Cnr Ebden St & Donnithorne St, Kyneton. 10am-12.30pm.
Food & Drink Devonshire Tea and Cake Stall: Homemade scones and cakes, plus tea and coffee. Daffodil Festival event. St Mary’s Hall, Hutton St, Kyneton. 10am-3pm.
Food & Drink CWA Craft Market and Café: Many interesting stalls. Enjoy scones, sweet slices and cakes with coffee or tea. Plus sandwiches and soups. Daffodil Festival event. Masonic Hall, Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 10am-4pm.
Exhibition Handweavers and Spinners Exhibition and Sale: Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. 10am-4pm.
Poetry Chamber Poets: Poets young and old, new and experienced share their poetry in a supportive environment. All welcome to participate or listen. Music from Black Forest Smoke. Woodend RSL, Anslow St. 1pm-4pm. Entry $10, Concession $5.
Beer Brewery Tour: See how beer is brewed. Holgate Brewhouse, High St, Woodend. 3pm-4.30pm. $25.
Music 3 on the Tree: Rock, blues and soul music. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7.30pm.
Theatre Hello Red Planet: Join storytellers Bunk Puppets for a satirical information session that lays out their daring escape plan from Earth. Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison St, Kyneton. 7.30pm-8.30pm. Full $25, Concession/Student $20, Child (under 15) $15, Family $65.
Music Emilee South: Rock music. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30pm-11pm. $15.
Music Dolla Pots: 1960s-90s acoustic ensemble. The Lancefield Hotel, High St, Lancefield. 9pm.
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Sunday, September 15
Fun Run The Pub to Pub: Run, jog or walk 7.5km or 15km along the Federation Trail between Romsey and Lancefield. Also a 1.5km route for children. The Lancefield Hotel, High St, Lancefield. From 8am. 15km $48; 7.5km $40; Junior $16.
Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.
Market Malmsbury Farmers’ and Artists’ Market: Malmsbury cricket ground, Ellesmere Pl, Malmsbury. 9am-1pm.
Food RedBeard Bakery Bread Workshop: Learn how to make your own sourdough starter culture and how to knead, shape, proof and bake classic sourdough loaves. RedBeard Bakery, Wolff Ln, Trentham. 9.30am-4pm. $330.
Art Floral Painting Workshop: Flower farm tour followed by a painting workshop with Emily Raubenheimer. 302 Flowers, 302 Mt Gisborne Rd, Gisborne. 9.30am-4.30pm. $480.
Craft All About Fibre and Yarn Festival: Showcasing the best in Australian wool, natural fibres, indie dyers and crafters. Romsey Mechanics Institute, Main St. 10am-2.30pm. $2 donation.
Food & Drink CWA Craft Market and Café: Many interesting stalls. Enjoy scones, sweet slices and cakes with coffee or tea. Plus sandwiches and soups. Daffodil Festival event. Masonic Hall, Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 10am-3.30pm.
Exhibition Handweavers and Spinners Exhibition and Sale: Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. 10am-4pm.
Daffodil Grand Parade and Fair: Bands, floats, marching groups, and entertainers will celebrate Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival. Mollison St to Simpson St, Kyneton. 12.30pm-4pm.
Music Daffodil Festival After-Party: Keep the festival spirit going after the Grand Parade. Live music from the Cha Cha Chas, plus food and drink. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 2pm-5pm. $15.
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 Victoria Hotel Paranormal Investigation and Dinner: Meet spirits Gwendolyn, Isabella, the two-up players, and Wild George drinking at the bar. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7.30pm-9.30pm. $65.
Exhibitions
Kyneton The Old Auction House: Exhibition: Daffodil Festival visual arts and photography competitions. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Art on Piper: Exhibition: Small Heath Artists. Every day 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Trio Art Studio & Gallery: Exhibition: Grounded. Every day 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Stockroom: Exhibitions: Michael Carney, Ash Coates, Tatts. 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 Art Group Annual Exhibition: Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison St, Kyneton. Fri 7.30pm (official opening), Sat & Sun 10am-4pm.
Kyneton Kyneton Ridge Artspace: Exhibition: Ian McColl, Leanne Manniche. Sat & Sun 11am-5pm.
Kyneton Peter Butterworth Garden and Sculpture Gallery: Wood, stone, clay, and forged and welded steel. Sat & Sun 10am-4pm.
Mount Macedon The Gallery: Exhibition: Jahne Hope Williams. 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.
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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🧒 The school holidays are almost here. Click here for a guide to the children’s activities that will be taking place. If you find the guide useful, please share it with friends.
Spear we go
GARDENING
Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, discusses early asparagus and what they mean for carrots.
I harvested our first asparagus spears of the season at the end of August. It was only a small handful, but the kids especially enjoy a change from our brassica glut. I’ve picked a few more spears since then. Asparagus is such a rewarding crop for relatively little effort.
This year’s initial harvest is much earlier than usual. My previous dates for the first asparagus harvest are as follows: September 22 (2019), September 9 (2020), September 5 (2021), September 24 (2022), September 16 (2023), and August 25 (2024).
I’m putting this early first harvest down to the mild winter that we’ve had. Soil temperatures are probably a bit higher at this point than they have been in other years. This has stimulated an early flush of growth from the asparagus crowns.
My first asparagus harvest is my phenological indicator that it’s time to start growing carrots and other root crops. So this week I cultivated some soil and planted crops of carrots and beetroot. I’ve covered the seed beds with polycarbonate sheeting to help keep the soil warm and speed up germination.
Early spring is the best time to sow carrot seeds. The high humidity and frequent rainfall of September makes it so much easier for them to establish. Plant them right now to enjoy tasty homegrown carrots by Christmas.
Find out more in my guides to growing asparagus and growing carrots.
Happy gardening!
Duncan
🥕 For more gardening tips see my latest planting guide and garden update newsletter or come along to one of my workshops.
In the news
🏹 ROMSEY: Archer Patrick French delivered a tremendous performance in tough conditions at his first Paralympic Games.
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