August 2024 e-news

‘The equal right of all people to the use of land is as clear as their equal right to breathe the air: it is a right proclaimed by the fact of their existence.
For we cannot suppose that some people have a right to be in this world, and others no right.’

Henry George, Progress and Poverty.

Welcome to the August edition of Localising Leanganook’s e-newsletter.  In this month’s newsletter, our feature article by local economist Karl Fitzgerald describes one of the hidden factors contributing to the chronic shortage of rental housing in Australia, and an innovative scheme for fixing the problem. The newsletter also includes regular updates on upcoming local events for the month of August plus activities that contribute towards localisation.  We hope you enjoy it.

Cheers, Nikki, Keppel, and Laurel

Note to Contributors and Readers

As you can see, Localising Leanganook’s e-news continues to grow from strength to strength reaching more than 700 subscribers. The monthly newsletter  includes an ever expanding range of localising events, programs and creative initiatives  in  our central Victorian region.  If you’ve got items for inclusion in future editions, let our editing team know – (nikki.marshall@mmnet.com.au). To help our editing team please email through information you’d like included in the following format:

• program/project/event name plus date, time and location if relevant
• summary of event/issue/program, in word format,
• accompanying photo as a jpeg or png

July’s edition includes:

1. Special Feature: Airbnb’s hidden threat requires a sensible response
   
2. Arts and Culture
3. Food Growing, Farming and Food Security
4. Ecology and Environment
5. First Nations
6. Sustainable Living Resources
7. Building Community
8. The Spirit and the Sacred
9. Local Government News
10. Workshops and Courses
11. Letters
12. Food for Thought

Special Feature: Airbnb’s hidden rental threat requires a sensible response

By Karl Fitzgerald

Should Airbnb’s be allowed to run unhindered or should we cap the numbers and channel some of the profits towards affordable housing? That’s the question we’ve asked in Grounded’s recent report “Airbnb: from a housing problem to solution”. Thirteen of Australia’s leading tourism towns were analysed, revealing that Airbnb investors enjoyed a stunning 81% higher return than a traditional landlord. Such a premium provides an incredible incentive for investors to switch towards short-term rentals (STRs). The housing supply is going backwards in the towns studied, with more of it going towards Airbnb than it is to either the rental or ownership markets. Over the last decade, the equivalent of 74% of new supply has migrated towards these short-term profits. Airbnb sponsored reports typically water down their impact by comparing their stock to total dwellings. “Nothing to see here, we account for just 5.7% of total dwellings”.

When investors prioritise short-term returns over a long-term community, the rental market is where the pain is first felt. People on the margin are forced to make ends meet, by paying 50% of incomes on escalating rents or worse, sleeping precariously. Analysis should focus on where this change has been enforced – the rental market. Such a comparison shows that Airbnb’s account for 35% of rental supply. No wonder there’s a housing crisis, as this ABC segment describes. Apollo Bay and Noosa Heads both have more than twice as much short-term rental supply as is available for traditional renters. Investors in these towns receive a return on investment of more than 100% above the typical rental property.

Meanwhile, Castlemaine only has 121 total STR listings (96 active listings), out of 5,059 total dwellings. However, despite the low STR concentration, the number of active STR listings is up 4%. This is despite annual revenues being down 12% to $40,800. If we compare STR incomes to median rents at $19,022 p.a (Census 2021 indexed to 2024), we can see a clear signal to the market: invest in STRs.  Averaged over a decade, Castlemaine produced 76 news homes per year. Despite this, only 64 new rental homes were produced over this same time frame to 2021 (Census, ABS). Meanwhile, 96 active STRs appeared.

Whilst shocking at first glance, our numbers are unsurprising to analysts of the short-term rental market. They’re actually quite conservative because we looked at active listings rather than total listings. That provides a 25%+ discount to the numbers analysed. So it’s likely that Airbnb is actually equivalent to 50%+ of rental supply.

Our report details how and why we must cap the number of Airbnbs, reducing the number every two years. By auctioning off STR licences that increase in value alongside their scarcity, Airbnbs become less profitable. Importantly, rising licence fees discourage marginal Airbnbs, incentivising them to rejoin the traditional housing market.  Not only does the Airbnb cap-and-trade system reallocate investments, but it raises revenue for the funding of affordable housing.

As this ABC article describes:

‘Mr Fitzgerald estimates that in the Hepburn Shire where he lives, there are around 1,400 short-term rentals but only 1,100 of them are active. “So the beauty of the ‘cap and trade’ system is that it works most effectively on marginal sites,” he said. “Those excess 300 sites that aren’t so active would probably head back onto the market.” ‘

A significant advantage for government is that it doesn’t have to spend much to drive meaningful change. Housing policies are costing billions of dollars these days because you barely get two affordable homes for a million dollars. We need to help the market help itself.

In my discussions with Airbnb operators, they prefer the cap-and-trade system over the 90 day cap rate because the latter would wipe out much of the industry – even for those providing innovative tourism experiences. The cap-and-trade system gives entrepreneurs time to adjust. Those that aren’t operating effectively will likely return to the traditional housing market quite quickly.  Over time, as the cap-and-trade licensing fee increases, the funding should be given to local councils to fund affordable housing. Community Land Trusts (CLTs) can then partner with councils, working together to lock in perpetual affordability, maintaining and recycling any public subsidy. By rolling the cap-and-trade policy in over time, we would expect the licensing to start at around $3,000 in year one. By year 8, it would account for some $8,500 on a median $42,000 in net profits. That’s a small price to pay to ease the housing crisis.

If you need further convincing of why this change is needed, just plug your suburb into one of the many rental listings websites to see how few homes are available for renters. Then pop over to Airbnb to see how many short term rentals are on the market. Do we really need 1000 plus Airbnbs in Sydney’s Canterbury, when it only has 196 rental properties? In West End, Brisbane, there’s 542 long-term rentals to 1000 plus Airbnb’s. Merri-bek in Melbourne’s inner north has only 664 long term rentals to 1000 plus Airbnbs. These numbers are replicable across the nation, which is why it is time for change. The STR incomes earned will see this as a juggernaut that is only just beginning. Ask your Treasurer whether we need housing resources allocated this way – particularly during a never-ending housing crisis?

Watch out for the international figures being released very soon, covering global cities such as Berlin, Barcelona, Zurich and others.

Check out the Youtube recording of the recent public event discussing the report – Channelling Airbnb Profits Toward Community Land Trusts. It features Professor Peter Phibbs (AHURI) and a number of councillors discussing the impact of STRs on their community.

Arts and Culture

Words in Winter Festival- Daylesford and Surrounds

When: Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th  AUGUST

Where: Assorted venues in Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Yandoit, Clunes, Trentham

This year’s Words in winter theme is ‘Connection of the Heart’- A sensory feast of community and beyond. Featured events include in conversations with writers and thinkers Arnold Zable and Bruce Pascoe. There are also Author talks, poetry readings, comedy, travel writing , open mic’s and much more.

Band without Borders play at Yandoit Cultural

When and Where:  Saturday August 10^th at 3pm, at Yandoit Cultural, (the old church in the bush), Uniting Church rd, off High st, Yandoit

Dance and clap your way through Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Scandinavia and beyond with this mighty 10 musical ensemble. Klezmer, Gypsy, Balkan and Greek tunes to raise your spirits and get your feet moving. Band without Borders, formally known as The KGB, hail from various towns and villages from Victoria’s central highlands. They are drawn together by a love and passion for music from the Middle East, Balkans and Scandinavia. With relentless passion and enthusiasm they fill a room with beautiful music that makes  the audience happy and want to dance & they appeal to all ages.

Entry by donation- Please be generous to support musicians. 

For more information and Bookings: https://yandoitcultural.org/

Acceptance is the Door to Freedom

When and Where:  Saturday August 17^th, 5.00pm, Yandoit Cultural– the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit

“Imagine just being diagnosed with cancer and because the letter C is close to the letter D on the keyboard, I made the word ‘cancer’ into the word ‘dancer’, so my diagnosis became somewhat different” .

In this special performance by renowned French clarinet player, Benoît Oury, and local artist Petrus Spronk, Petrus will share the story of his experience with cancer and how he overcame it until Mr Parkinson’s tripped him up.

Entry by donation.   For more information and Bookings: https://yandoitcultural.org/

Radius Gallery

Love’s Brother 20th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate 20 years since Love’s Brother was filmed at the Macaroni Factory in Hepburn Springs. Join us for a glass of wine and some nibbles. Entry by donation. Seating is limited to 40 people, so please reserve via link below. Movie starts 7:30pm.

Sunday 28th July 7-8pm  

BOOK NOW

Local Elections Future Forum

As council elections approach in October, we are reigniting our collective spirit and inviting you to be a vital part of enhanced democratic participation in Hepburn Shire.- see more in  the Local Governement section below. 

Sunday 4th August 10.30 am – 12.30 pm at Radius Gallery 

READ MORE

Also, there’s lots of events being held at Radius Gallery for the Words in Winter Festival: https://www.radiusart.com.au/

Northern Arts Hotel

The wonderful documentary concerning the last 100 days of Maggie Fooke’s iconic Brooklyn Arts Hotel, To Thank The Room will have an encore screening on Wednesday 31 July at 6.30pm at Cinema Nova, Carlton. All welcome.
Don’t forget there is a new 16 week Permaculture Design Course starting NOW ON 29 JULY. It conducts much of the course at the Northern Arts Hotel as well as including a tours of  a range of other local permaculture projects. For details and registration, see the Courses and Workshops section of this newsletter.

THE COOLROOM DIARY [Click on links for event details] MUSIC GIGS  [Usually at 7.30pm]
Saturday 27 July 7.30pm | Maggie Jackson NY Jazz Trio | Lush Jazz…always
Saturday 3 August 7.30pm | Kavisha Mazzella Trio | Italian Songs
Friday 9 August | Derrin Nauendorf launches The Desert Machine.
Saturday 10 August 7.30pm | Deep in a Dream: Tribute to Chet Baker
Friday 16 August 7.30pm | Rose Turtle Ertler & The Cherry Reds
Saturday 17 August 7.30pm | The Anticlinal Fold with Jo Huf
Friday 23 August 7.30pm | Geoff Achison – Acoustic
Saturday 24 August 7.30pm | Langue de Chat – French Musette Quartet
Sunday 8 September 7pm | She: Beccy Cole, Felicity Urquhart & Lyn Bowtell
FILM
Sunday 28 July at 2.30pm  | Free Secret Sunday Matinee
Wednesday 31 July at 6.30pm | Cinema Nova Carlton | To Thank The Room
Monday 5 August | CFU presents Tale of Two Peoples
SPOKEN WORD & REGULAR GROUPS
Saturday 27 July 2.30pm | PoetiCas with Lina Shilton (4th Saturday of every month)
Monday 29 July | 16 weeks | Permaculture Design Course Starts
Thursday 1 August 4pm | Maine-ly Ukes (every Thursday except school holidays)
Monday 5 August | CFU presents Tale of Two Peoples
Thursday 15 August 7.30pm | Guildford Folk Club (3rd Thursday of every month)
Saturday 17 August 2.30pm | Celtic Song Circle (3rd Saturday of every month)
NORTHERN ARTS HOTEL
Ongoing | Ethiopia, Hudad Plateau: A Self Portrait Series
Every Tuesday | Potluck Dinner from 7pm

Open Mic for Words in Winter at Yandoit Cultural

When: Sunday August 25th, 11.00am

Where: Yandoit Cultural, the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit

Yandoit Cultural will host another Open Mic as part of this years Words in Winter festival, around the theme-  ‘Connection of the Heart’. A chance for anyone and everyone to have their 5-10 minutes and share a  story, song , poem, musical piece, local history and more.

Always an eclectic range of offerings, listenings and connection with others in our community. And there’s time at the end for a cuppa and the best of Yandoit’s country hospitality.

Contact Katy to express your interest: katylbauer@hotmail.co.uk or 0430 530 868

Newstead Arts Hub

Newstead Spinners: Fibre to Fabric ’24 

Exhibition: Starting NEXT Sat 3-18 Aug, Weekends 10am-4pm.  

The Newstead Spinning and Weaving Group have been busy spinning, weaving, felting and hand knitting creations. There will be lovely things to look at and purchase.

Come along to see all their beautiful creations and demonstrations. The whole Hub will be buzzing.

Food Growing, Farming and Food Security

Hepburn Wholefoods change to opening hours

From July we will be changing our regular shop opening times. We will no longer be open on Wednesdays, but will be extending our opening hours on Saturdays from 11am until 2.30pm (starting on Saturday 6th July)

Ecology and Environment

Natural Newstead- Silvereyes

The gentle calls of Silvereyes are with us year round, but they are not the same birds.

If you have a close look at our local Silvereyes at present they’re likely to have rich chestnut flanks, indicating that they are ssp. lateralis, winter migrants from Tasmania. Click here for a more detailed discussion on the movements of our local Silvereyes.

Silvereyes will opportunistically take nectar, often piercing the corolla to get at the sweet liquid inside. Irish Strawberry is a popular garden tree with a propensity to go rampant on areas of disturbed and depleted soils. It has become an environmental weed in some areas in nearby places such as Creswick, where large specimens have established in mature conifer plantations. The species is found naturally across the Mediterranean basin and also in south-west Ireland, hence its common name.

The Creek Kids Podcast

This local podcast is produced by climate champion Rob Law from the banks of Campbells Creek. Give it a try on the next road trip with the kids. Join the Creek Kids on their adventures along their local creek. You may be surprised what mysteries lay in store, and what creatures they will encounter along the way. A podcast audio book series created by Ralph and Otto Maguire-Law and Rob Law. All music and sound production by Rob Law. Created in Central Victoria on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung in January 2023. Cover art by Anna Read (Copyright 2023).

Winter in the Gardens-Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens and Daylesford Convent

All day Saturday & Sunday 3/4 August
Wander the heritgage listed Wombat Hill Gardens and use the gate to enter the garden of the neighbouring Convent.

10am-4pm Sat/Sun Winter Flower Competition- Alf Headland Conservatory, Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Host: Agricultural Society
11am-3pm Daylesford Museum, 100 Vincent St, Daylesford. Special display of historical material related to Wombat Hill. Host: Historical Society
Saturday 3 August- 1.30pm Guided walking tour of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens & Convent Garden significant trees with Arborist & Horticulturist John Beetham, Host: Horticultural Society
3pm Afternoon Tea (by donation) Stanbridge Hall, 54 Central Springs Rd, Daylesford, Host: Horticultural Society
3.30pm “Victoria’s Botanic Garden Legacy.”- Talk by Janet O’Hehir, Camperdown Botanic Gardens & Arboretum. Stanbridge Hall
6.30pm Winter in the Gardens Celebration Dinner, Daylesford Town Hall 76/78 Vincent St ., Daylesford, Guest speaker Peter Leigh, Post Office
Farm Nursery, Hellebore specialist. Eureka string Trio, complimentary champagne on arrival. $75 BYO.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/

Sunday 4 August, 10am “La Trobe the Plantsman” Senior Citizens’ Rooms, rear Daylesford Town Hall, Talk by Helen Botham, La Trobe specialist with
National Trust & Australian Garden History Society
11.00am Morning Tea (by donation) Senior Citizens’ Rooms. Host: Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens
11.30am “Unearthing our public garden history – The Ken Duxbury postcard collection.” Senior Citizens’ Rooms, Talk by Helen Page, horticulturist, foundation member Australian Garden History Society

“Winter in the Gardens” is a joint project in partnership between The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Daylesford & District Horticultural Society, Daylesford & District Historical Society, Daylesford & District Agricultural Society, Hepburn U3A, The Convent Daylesford, supported by Hepburn Shire Council and the Daylesford and District Community Bank.

Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests AGM

When and Where: Monday 12 August 2024 at 7.30pm,  Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine  

Local ecologist Geoff Park will talk about Woodland birds in central Victoria – historical observations, current status and future prospects.

Woodland birds are an iconic and special element of the box-ironbark forests and woodlands of central Victoria. The impacts of European settlement, from gold-mining to agricultural intensification, have contributed to a steady decline in species diversity and populations. This decline is now being exacerbated by the clear and present effects of climate change.

Geoff’s talk will span some historical perspectives on what are now locally extinct or rare woodland bird species, discuss what we think we know about the current situation and consider options and possibilities for future conservation efforts.

For more information: Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (FOBIF)

Central Vic Climate Action Film Night

Repair Cafes

Castlemaine:  Sunday July 28th, and Sunday August 25th, 10am -1.00pm at Castlemaine Community House.

For updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/castlemainerepaircafe/

Daylesford: Sunday August  18th, 1-4pm at Victoria park Pavillion.

For updates: https://www.facebook.com/daylesfordrepaircafe/

Creswick: Sunday August 18th, 1-4pm at Creswick Neighbourhood House

Landcare

Joan Kirner Landcare Award-  Winner: Marie Jones

The Joan Kirner Landcare Award honours a long-term Landcarer in Victoria who has forged partnerships and inspired, encouraged, and mentored others to undertake on-ground action. Marie Jones is an exceptional grassroots environmental leader, who has been involved in Landcare for 30 years with Golden Point Landcare Group, Post Office Hill Action Group, Friends of the Box Ironbark Forest and Connecting Country.

Marie has an impressive history of making things happen in Landcare through partnerships, advocacy, and delivery of on-ground projects, including at landscape scale. She has provided inspiration to others by finding innovative ways to involve the community in landcare, and mentoring and supporting many volunteers and staff.

Winter 2024 edition of the Victorian Landcare & Catchment Management magazine is here! You can read Issue 87 online or download it in PDF forma

First Nations

Harcourt Organic Farming Coop- Listening to Djaara

Here at Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op we have been working to listen and build a new relationship with Djaara, and new understanding of the history of this place. Here, Katie Finlay reflects on the process over the past couple of years that has led to “Supporting Djaara leadership and management at Leanganook” being included as a key component of our new Whole Farm Plan. We share it here not to pat ourselves on the back, but because we know it has already generated questions and interest from other farmers keen to take similar steps, and we’re committed to openly sharing the resources and process that we have worked on.

Discovering the farm’s true history: When I was a little girl, I grew up riding my pony and walking all over Mount Alexander. I never heard it called Leanganook, and didn’t know that was its original name…. read more at : https://hofcoop.com.au/2024/07/11/listening-to-djaara/

Sustainable Living Resources

Community Electricity Offer- Hepburn Energy

We’re piloting our community electricity offer with a small group of co-operative members.Our community electricity provides a closer link between our energy and what customers use at home. Our offer comes with 100% GreenPower, Melbourne-based support staff and tools to lower your energy use.

Register here

https://www.hepburnenergy.coop/energy-community-offer/

Castlemaine Seed Library- Mini Seed Swap

The next working bee is Thursday 1st August, 11am, at the library, when we can all start thinking about what we want to plant in our Spring and Summer gardens.

Bring your little ones along and grab some seeds. Bring seeds to swap, or just take some seeds away.

Building Community

Castlemaine Free University – A Tale of Two Peoples

Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust

We’re progressing plans to make affordable housing possible for more people in our shire by establishing an affordable housing trust. The trust is an independent charitable organisation, which will hold land and funds for the development of affordable housing locally.

We’re excited by the trust and its possibilities, but understand it’s complex, so we’ve created a space online where you can ask questions and get them answered by Council’s Housing Solutions Broker.

Visit www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au to find out more about the trust and ask us questions. We’ll also be holding face-to-face information sessions in the coming weeks.

Learn more about the trust

For the shire news: https://mountalexandershirecouncil.cmail20.com/

Castlemaine Community Cooperative

We are now 167 members STRONG.  Local lawyers have reviewed our Debenture Disclosure Statement.  Our final due diligence steps are mapped out ahead of launching on offer on the Hub.

If you have skills and a bit of time, we could use some help with: conveyancing, accounting, migration of our documents to Microsoft 365 SharePoint, and planning a big launch and fundraising drive!

Everyone is also welcome to our next Board meeting 9am Saturday 17th August at the Castlemaine Community House (Castlemaine Institute is moving!)

Castlemaine Community Coop have been included in the CoPower 2024 democratically elected budget. CoPower is Australia’s cooperative energy not-for-profit electricity retailer. The revenue they generate is used to fight poverty, tackle the climate crisis and support communities. Customer members decide how revenue is spent. We are included in this year’s vote for $1,500 to help us leaflet households across our town about our upcoming campaign to buy the Hub. If you are a CoPower customer member, vote for us! If not, you can switch your energy to CoPower here and help disrupt the energy market for good.

https://www.cooperativepower.org.au/

Degrowth Central Victoria

Clever Town Crossword Challenge

Clever Town Challenge
Are you a crossword enthusiast, or want to improve your skills? Come along to our crossword challenges across the Shire on Saturday 3 August, from 10.30 – 1130am.

• Creswick Library, Daylesford Library and Clunes Attitude

Remember, no Googling or texting a friend, but reference books are allowed.

The Spirit and the Sacred

Yandoit Sacred

Yandoit Sacred is gathering every 6 weeks at Yandoit’s historic Uniting church in the bush.  We gather again around things that matter, wisdom sharing and with time to connect to the earth and to each other. We’ll be exploring the sacred in our lives. All welcome.

Our next gathering will be on Saturday afternoon, August 3^rd at 2pm.at the Yandoit’s Uniting Church.

For more information: nikki.marshall@mmnet.com.au or mob.  0432 232 073

The Grail Chapel

The Grail Chapel in Green Gully is home to the Castlemaine Johannine Community, a spiritual community that practises ‘pagan Christianity’: a spirituality based in the mystical tradition of St John, Mary Magdalene and the Rosicrucians, and grounded in deep reverence for the sacredness of the Earth and the wisdom of the ancient Celtic, Aboriginal and Native American spiritual traditions. Through both inner and outer work, we seek to collaborate with the impulse of Christ and Sophia to bring healing and renewal to our communities and the Earth. We meet monthly for Eucharist services and other special events shaped by the sacred calendar of the seasonal Christian and Celtic festivals.

This month’s events include an Imbolc Eucharist on Sunday 5th August from 11am followed by a shared lunch. Imbolc is a seasonal Celtic festival that marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. At this time, the light of the Sun is beginning to return as the days start to grow longer, and with it comes the first stirrings of new life.

Where: the Grail Chapel, 75 McMillans Rd, Green Gully

Cost: all events are free, donations are welcome. Enquiries: contact Ken Killeen on 0423 194 878 or email: johannine@hotmail.com

Castlemaine Zen Winter Sesshin

Local Government News

Hepburn Shire

Community Voice- Hepburn Shire Future Forum

As the council elections approach in October, Community Voice is reigniting our collective spirit and inviting you to be a vital part of a movement for enhanced democratic participation and decision-making in Hepburn Shire. Join us for an invigorating strategy session and potluck lunch at Radius Gallery, 76 Main Rd Hepburn on Sunday, August 4th, 10:30 am–12:30 pm.

Why Should You Attend?-

 Meet Your Candidate: Get to know some of the candidates running and learn how you can step forward to represent our community or encourage others to do so.

 Shape Our Future: Voice your opinions on the values, policies, and causes that matter most to you.

 Forge a Vision Together: Help decide the future direction of our community group and whether we should adopt a new name and platform for ‘Community Voice’.

 Contribute Your Talents: Discover ways to contribute your skills and time to the 2024 campaign and beyond.

Hepburn Matters and Local Government Elections

When and Where: Sunday 11 August, 11am -3pm; Paddock Room, Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, 13 Camp St.

An information day for those who: have decided to stand for Council;  are thinking about standing for Council; are thinking of encouraging others to stand; and are interested in obtaining more information.

Running for Council and being elected needs to be considered carefully and this seminar has been designed to help assist you with your decision or with helping others. We have brought together a team of people to discuss their experiences on how to be elected, the challenges of being a candidate and how the one ward election works. Each has a unique insight into the process.

Speakers are : Clair Ferres Miles, Independent candidate for Casey, past CEO of Sustainability Victoria, current CEO of Jobsbank. Clair will share her experience of running a campaign; Kate Redwood, Ex Councillor of Hepburn on being a candidate; Dr. Danny McDiarmid, Government expertise across all levels on getting elected, including how to put a support team together.

Cost includes a light lunch: $40.00 for non-Hepburn Matters members. ( includes membership of Hepburn Matters if requested)
$25.00 for Hepburn Matters members.

RSVP : David Reilly 0419 985 245 or Jenny Beacham 0427 512 159 jennifer.beacham@gmail.com

Pastures not Pavements

Hepburn Arts and Culture Strategy

Council is pleased to present the first Arts and Culture Strategy for Hepburn Shire. It was endorsed at the June Council meeting and informed by many community feedback sessions and industry cultural standards. The strategy objectives are based on community needs and achievable positive outcomes for creative industries and the Museum sector.

Valuable insight was sought from our Traditional Owners, DJAARA, who contributed significantly. Art and Culture has long been important in Hepburn Shire, with many artists and creative industry businesses residing in the Shire. We also have several Museums that hold Council collections that are run by dedicated volunteers.

Mount Alexander Shire

Really Local

Want to make your voice heard? Local conversation about how Council works, what matters in Wesley Hill and how we can work together to influence.

Date: Aug 4, 2024 2:00 PM- 4:00 pm  Location: Wesley Hill Hall

Join us for a cup of tea and a casual and respectful conversation on:

1. How council works and the role of Councillors
2. Our priorities to take to Councillor candidates (sharing concerns and ideas)
3. What we can do to make sure our voices are heard in Council

In the October elections, Wesley Hill and surrounds will have two Councilors representing our end of Castlemaine (one from either side of Duke St). It’s an important opportunity to find someone local who can represent us and to have our voices heard about what is most important for Council to do over the next four years.

For more information: https://www.reallylocal.au/

Join the Affordable Housing Trust Advisory Committee

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting community members to express their interest in joining the Advisory Committee to the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust. The trust is an independent charitable organisation that will hold land and funds for the development of affordable housing locally. Council is looking for six representatives to advise the trust on housing needs in the shire, bring a range of professional expertise, and represent the community.

Members of the advisory committee will:

• Advise on affordable housing needs and opportunities in the shire.
• Represent the community in an inclusive way that accounts for all affordable housing needs.
• Present informed, balanced and fair advice based on objective evidence and broad engagement with the community.
• Provide advice free from personal or representational bias.
• Provide advice on potential projects, donation and funding opportunities in and for the community.

To register your interest:

• Complete an online EOI form or download a hardcopy from www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/mount-alexander-affordable-housing-trust.
• Pick up a hard copy from Council’s Customer Service Centre, located at the Civic Centre, corner Lyttleton and Lloyd streets, Castlemaine. Then return it in one of the following ways:
  • Email it to affordablehousing@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
  • Hand it in at the Civic Centre.
  • Mail it to PO Box 185, Castlemaine VIC 3450

Expressions of interest close Sunday 4th August at 11.59pm

Let’s Work Together to Support Young People in our Shire

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to have their say on the services, programs, opportunities and challenges that affect young people aged 12-25. The feedback will be used to inform a new Youth Plan, which will outline Council’s commitment to supporting young people through its youth programs, initiatives, and events over the next four years. Council is inviting input from three different cohorts within the community – young people, parents and carers, and youth service providers.

Through community consultation, Council is aiming to better understand:

• The needs, issues and challenges facing young people and their families.
• The gaps in local services.
• How our shire could be a better place for young people and their families.

To have your say, visit shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/youth-plan

Workshops and Courses

Castlemaine Permaculture Hub: Permaculture Design Course (PDC)

When and where: from Monday 29th July, 9.15am – 3.15pm for 16 weeks at the Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine.

Cost: single payment of $1400/$990 concession or 2 monthly payments of $720/$500 concession

Further information and registration: castlemainepermaculturehub.com.au/pdc/permaculture-design-course-mondays-july-to-november-2024/

Healthy Landscapes Regenerative Agriculture Program

Holistic Grazing Management Short Course

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting local landowners to sign up for a Holistic Grazing Management short course. The course will assist landowners in improving their skills and knowledge about grazing livestock. It will also include discussions and six visits to various farms, a visit to each participant’s property to develop a plan, and online tutorials. The course is structured for large and small landholders with grazing livestock. Landholders in the Macedon Ranges Shire, Hepburn Shire, Mount Alexander Shire or the City of Greater Bendigo are eligible to attend.

When and where: August 2024 – May 2025

Cost: $150 per property.

To apply: visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/HealthyLandscapes.  Applications close Sunday 28th July.

Healthy Landscapes free events

Planting the right plant
Date and time: Monday 29 July, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Location: Lancefield Mechanics Institute
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/planting-the-right-plant-understanding-evc-s-info-session

Multi-species cropping
Date and time: Friday 30 August, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Location: Woodstock West
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/farm-walk-multi-species

Letters

No letters this month…we welcome your ideas.

Food for Thought

Renewable energy: Are optimistic scenarios feasible? by Peter Yates- https://degrowthcentralvictoria.substack.com/

What binds you? by Peter Yates  https://degrowthcentralvictoria.substack.com/

SBS Audio’s Everything we need: a series of podcasts about communities leading the way on adapting to climate impacts and making change in their lives for the better. Read more here

An  interview with Isabel Cavelier Adarve, winner of the 2022 Climate Breakthrough Award,

Isabel explains how she unexpectedly became a climate negotiator for the Colombian government in 2011 and how she approaches self-care in order to “stay with the trouble.” She also shares her path to realizing that “solving” the climate crisis requires a transformation in how we relate with one another and the more-than-human world.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH ISABEL CAVELIER ADARVE

The Nightingale’s Song– An Interview with Sam Lee- In this interview, which weaves conversation, song, and the music of nightingales, folk singer Sam Lee speaks about the transformative experience of collaborating with nightingales, the stories of ancestors passed through folk music, and the space for communion that is opened with silence:  https://emergencemagazine.org/interview/the-nightingales-song

Milkwood– Skills for Living like it Matters: https://www.milkwood.net

North Central Catchment Management Authority:  https://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/media/documents/North_Central_Chat-_July_2024.pdf

Beyond the Horizon of Possibility workshop practice will help you to make sustainability transitions feel possible and to create a local context in which interest can turn into action, together with others. https://practise.transitionmovement.org/

Joan Scheckel, a master storyteller with a preternatural gift for story structure, emotional rhythm and throughline. A deep dive into storytelling as a means to heal and connect rather than generate conflict.  https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdom-and-action-podcast–

Shades of Green: Finding a Middle Path Through the Forest by Chrissy Sharp – A book review by David Holmgren

Feminine Futures – a program by Local Futures in collaboration with Schumacher College, UK – as well as other upcoming events.

Dive deep into the global-to-local worldview with Charles Eisenstein and Diego Isabel la Moneda in our newest Planet Local Voices episodes.

Sharpen your big-picture perspective with two new blogposts from Local Futures that get under the skin of mainstream (mis)representations of global trade and climate change.

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