Gisborne Gazette April 2026

Gisborne Gazette

Take part in festival fun

Across April, locals and visitors are encouraged to indulge in foodie feasts, weekend markets, enchanting autumn gardens, twilight escapades, guided walks, and captivating art exhibitions and creative workshops. There is an extensive Festival calendar of more than 50 events across the shire.

Follow Australia’s Biggest Pie & Tart Trail, featuring 50 sweet and savoury pastry creations, and raise a glass along the Autumn Tipple Trail, pairing delicious bites with 37 signature drinks.

EATERIES

Local eateries taking part in the Pie & Tart Trail are 3 Little Pigs, Gisborne; Sheppards Choice, Gisborne; Baringo Food and Wine, New Gisborne; Gisborne Ice Cream Co; Gogos Cafe, Macedon; Mount Macedon Winery; Macedon Village Hotel and Dromkeen Gallery. Others venues taking part around the shire can be seen on the Festival website or on the Map and Passport.

TIPPLERS

Local venues taking part in the Tipple Trail are Gisborne Collective, Baringo Food & Wine, Macedon Village Hotel, Mt Macedon Trading Post, Mount Macedon Winery and Mount Towrong Winery. Other venues taking part are available as above.

OPEN GARDENS

Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail includes complimentary shuttle bus with ticket purchase. The three participating gardens – Duneira, Forest Glade and Viewfield – have created a single ticket for visitors to make the most of their day on the mount. They are open at weekends and public holidays during April (including Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day).

The complimentary shuttle bus is available from Centennial Park, Macedon, for visitors with the three-garden day ticket, or a single ticket to any of the three gardens. Collect the Autumn Festival Map and Passport from participating venues. Honour Avenue traffic changes page 14

HOME PAGE

From the Editor's desk

The annual Autumn Festival runs throughout April with so much happening for us to participate in and enjoy. Make sure that you and your family are part of it this month. I’ll be looking out for the pies!

April brings us the most solemn day in the nation’s calendar when on the 25th we gather to remember the sacrifices veterans and serving men and women have made and are continuing to make on our behalf. You will find information about the Mt Macedon and Gisborne ceremonies in this issue.

Warm congratulations to Emily, Andreas and Julia of 1st Gisborne Scout company who were recently presented with their King’s Scout awards by the Governor. The King Scouts awards demand incredible dedication and persistence, qualities these three young people have proved they have in abundance.

Well done to the scouts cubs, joeys and their leaders from 1st Gisborne, 1st New Gisborne and MacedonWoodend companies for cleaning up the rubbish in parts of Gisborne and Macedon as participants in Clean Up Australia Day on 1 March. It would be great to see more groups involved in the event next year. (Even better to see everybody binning their rubbish.)

April sees the change of sporting seasons. Cricket gear is being put away for the next six months and football and netball will be taking centre stage until September. Our local teams are talented and very competitive, so get along to Gardiner Reserve, Tony Clarke Reserve and the new sports hub in New Gisborne to give the teams your support.

The long-awaited opening of the new club house at Gisborne Golf Club is nearing. We congratulate all associated with the club who have kept the show on the road following the disastrous fire in April 2024. It will be a proud day for them all. See page 5.

Katrina will be back with you for the May edition. Bryan Power

MINUTE WITH MAXINE

I need some extra volunteers to help unload the truck when the Gazettes arrive from the printers.

Depending on traffic they usually arrive between 10.15am and 11.15am. The bundles of 50 Gazettes need to be carried into designated places. With enough volunteers, it only takes a short time and afterwards there is a reward of homebaked cake.

The Tuesday morning dates are 28 April, 26 May, 30 June, 28, July, 1 and 29

Gisborne Gazette PO Box 9, Gisborne 3437 www.gisbornegazette.org.au

Circulation 8000

Gazette Team

Editor: Bryan Power gisbornegazetteeditor@gmail.com 0401 874 441

Production Pip Butler 0439 816 278 pbutlerhistory@gmail.com

Photographer Chris Fleming 0417 322 944

Distribution Manager

and committee members:

Bryan Power

Patsy Smith

Dorothy Murray

Deb Fleming (Absent for this issue, Editor Katrina Buttigieg)

Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 maxineandpeter@bigpond.com

Advertising Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 gisbornegazetteadvertising@gmail.com

Social media Jenny Shipp

Distributors: Proudly distributed to letterboxes in Gisborne, New Gisborne, Macedon, Mt Macedon, South Gisborne and Bullengarook by more than 90 volunteers.

Where you can find the Gazette

Available online at www.gisbornegazette.org.au

DEADLINES FOR COPY AND ADVERTISING

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in the Gazette are not necessarily those of the Gazette or its management committee unless acknowledged as such. No endorsement of products or services is implied by the listing of advertisers or sponsors. Any advice offered is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace or substitute for any professional advice. While every effort is taken in printing contributions accurately, the Gisborne Gazette takes no responsibility for errors.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Copies of the Gazette are posted to subscribers each month for an annual subscription of $37.40 to cover postage. Payment can made through direct deposit online. Please contact Maxine on 0438 711 138.

OBITUARIES

To submit an obituary for publication, please email bryanp2@bigpond.com. Please also provide a photo for publication and restrict the article to about 300 words.

If you do not receive the Gazette in your letter box, you can collect a copy at: Gisborne: Post Office, Village Shopping Centre, Priceline Chemist, Hardy's UFS Pharmacy, Gisborne Medical Centre Brantome Street, Foodworks supermarket, Hello World Travel, Gisborne Library.

Mt Macedon: The Trading Post. Macedon: Post Office; United Service Station on Black Forest Drive.

New Gisborne: Baringo Food & Wine, Station Road; Smithy's Cafe, 3 Ladd Road. Riddells Creek: Newsagency Woodend: Coles supermarket.

September. If you are interested, please email maxineandpeter@bigpond.com or call/text 0438 711 138.

If you like to have a leisurely walk around the Gisborne area and would like to help deliver Gazettes to letterboxes at the same time, please contact me.

The Gisborne Gazette acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community, and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging. To

You will be welcomed with open arms and volunteering will give you a sense of pride by giving back to the community.

Maxine Barker

www.gisborneoldetimemarket.org.au or find us on Facebook contact us at greatgisborne@gmail.com to discuss becoming a volunteer or applying for a grant

Storms pummel Gisborne, Macedon and the Mount

The town experienced rain and hail damage during two storms in late February.

On Tuesday 24th, flooding from the Rosalia Estate caused damage in the Swinburne Avenue/Cherry Lane area (as reported on the Council page). On the evening of Saturday 28th, a severe hail storm shredded trees, smashed laserlite panels, damaged cars in Gisborne, Macedon and Mount Macedon and damages grapes at Mt Towrong vineyard. Classrooms were flooded at Gisborne Primary School.

The storm was localised and intense. South Gisborne and Bullengarook fortunately escaped the hail.

Gisborne RSL prepares for Anzac Day observances

Gisborne launches Autumn Chalk Walk

Local families are invited to transform a Gisborne laneway into a colourful outdoor art space at a free event, the Gisborne Autumn Chalk Walk, on 15 April.

The Chalk Walk is part of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival and coincides with the Easter school holidays. The community event will take place from 10am until 2pm in the Aitken Street laneway between 3 Little Pigs Cafe and Kaffeine Bar, where a series of large chalkboard canvases will be installed for children and families to colour in.

The event builds on the success of the Gisborne Christmas Chalk Bomb, which saw more than 100 children transform the laneway walls into a vibrant chalk gallery.

Six large-scale chalkboards will feature autumnthemed designs created by local artist Chris Roy Taylor. One canvas will display the official Autumn Festival colouring-in competition design, while the others will showcase individual elements of the design for children to colour. Chris said the project was designed to encourage community participation.

Neighbouring cafes 3 Little Pigs and Kaffeine Bar will

April 15 10am-2pm

Family colouring fun and a cheery autumn vibe.

be providing refreshments at the start. Magical fairies from Myths & Legends Gisborne will also be roaming the laneway offering face-painting for children.

The interactive artworks will remain installed until the close of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival on 30 April, with the community encouraged to continue adding colour in the days following the launch event.

The chalkboards offer a sustainable option that can be removed, repainted and reused for future community events. For more information on the Gisborne Town Team and upcoming events, head to their Facebook page.

The Gisborne RSL sub-branch will conduct the veterans’ march and commemoration service at the Gisborne Cenotaph in Hamilton Street.

Anzac day provides an opportunity for collective reflection and remembrance in honour of all who have served and sacrificed in the defence of Australia.

The memorial service begins at 10.30 am.

It’s important that we know before the 25th if you intend to lay a wreath at the cenotaph. Each year we see an increase in the number of wreaths and it is a challenging task to ensure your name or community organisation is called forward in a timely way to lay your wreath.

Therefore, we need you to register your intention to lay a wreath by no later than 23 April. Please contact our RSL secretary via email: admin@gisbornersl.com. au or by phone on 0487 278 681.

In the lead-up to Anzac Day we will continue with our RSL Appeal badge sales in Gisborne and Riddells Creek. All money raised goes to RSL local and state welfare funds which support our veterans and families.

Darren Grevis-James President

RSL secretary dedicated to service page 5

Former sniper to speak at Mt Macedon Dawn Service 

Dixon Field parkrun celebrates special milestone

Huge congratulations to Christine Kovacs on reaching her 250th parkrun milestone at Dixon Field parkrun on 7 March. Parkrun milestones are officially recognised at the completion of 10 (for juniors), 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 parkruns, and celebrated as great personal achievements. Christine persevered through many personal obstacles, including two separate full knee replacements, to reach this goal.

Christine was also pivotal in bringing parkrun to Gisborne, and without her support, the Dixon Field parkrun would not exist. She has also volunteered at parkrun on over 155 occasions and assists every week by setting up the start/finish area, supplying the popular finish-line snakes and lollies, and also the special dog treats she provides each week for the four-legged finishers!

Parkrun is a free, fully inclusive, 5km event that promotes health, a wonderful community atmosphere, and is run completely by volunteers.

It is held every Saturday morning at 8am. Tom Kovacs (event director), 0408 691 826

Community Bank announces 2026 scholarship recipients

Community Bank Gisborne and District is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Early Tertiary Scholarship program – an initiative that supports young people from the region as they take their first steps into higher education.

The scholarships provide financial assistance to recent secondary school graduates beginning their studies at university or TAFE, helping cover study fees, accommodation or equipment costs.

This year, scholarships have been awarded to 11 young people from Gisborne, Macedon and Riddells Creek.

Charlie Jackman, of Gisborne, will be studying a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at William Angliss Institute of TAFE.

“I’m so happy to be awarded this scholarship,” Charlie said. “This support will help so much with my TAFE course … including the costs of my chef uniforms and equipment. It means a lot to me to have come this far.”

Diani Howard, also from Gisborne, will be studying a Diploma of Business at RMIT University. “This

scholarship means a lot to me as it will allow me to focus more on my course, rather than having to work long hours at the same time,” Diani said. “I’m very grateful I was given this award.”

Scholarships were also awarded to Abbi Kropman - Diploma of Business and a Diploma of Leadership and Management at RMIT University; Charlotte Matthews - Bachelor of Nursing Science at University of the Sunshine Coast; Domenic Fattore - Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Victoria University; Jack Williams - Bachelor of Psychological Science at La Trobe University; Lewis Hydon-Woods - Associate Degree in Design (Furniture) at RMIT; Steph Waddington - Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Midwifery at Deakin University; Tahlia Said - Diploma of Educational Studies at Australian Catholic University; Annie Bowyer-Smith - Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at La Trobe University; Christian Murray - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at RMIT.

Gemma Gamble Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd

RSL secretary dedicated to service

The Secretary of the Gisborne RSL, Daniel Hall, is passionate about the values embodied in the spirit of Anzac and Australian mateship.

Born into a military family in Smithton, Tasmania, these values were kindled in him when he became a Navy Cadet at the age of 13 while at school in Devonport. When he reached 16, the minimum age of acceptance by the Navy, he confronted his parents with a recruitment form and they didn’t hesitate to sign it.

So, he was off to HMAS Cerberus in Hastings, Victoria, with a bunch of other Tasmanian recruits to do basic training. He thrived throughout this new experience and was selected to proceed to a course that saw him qualify as an electronic technician.

From there in 1997 he was transferred to HMAS Watson in Sydney to train as a communications officer. Then came the excitement of being posted to a ship. However, before heading to sea he was seriously injured while training. To his bitter disappointment his injury was so severe that he could no longer serve in the Navy and he was discharged on medical grounds.

Despite this setback, Daniel never despaired and was keen to move on with a positive attitude to the next stage of his life.

He moved to Canberra where he found a place in a group advising the Defence Department on providing better support for former military in post-military life. The group was backed in their efforts by Daniel’s grandfather and Tasmanian Senator, Ray Devlin.

Daniel worked briefly as an auto electrician and then found a role in the security industry which was a good fit for his skills. In 2004 he moved to Melbourne and it was there that he met and married Nicole Smallacombe, whose family’s history stretches well over a century in

Gisborne. So, a move to Gisborne was very likely and they set up home in New Gisborne in 2010.

Daniel suffered another blow when he lost almost all his eyesight in 2009. Again, he vowed to move on and with Nicole as his carer and driver he manages to enjoy a full and productive life which is marked by his willingness to volunteer. Daniel joined the Gisborne RSL in 2019 and in 2022 became its secretary. He also manages the sound system for the RSL ceremonies.

“The RSL is a great resource for veterans,” says Daniel “I know of younger vets in our community. We would love them to come along because we can provide a network of members who will support them with meal services, transport and good company. The veterans are the ones who will give you the shirt off their back.”

Works start on retirement village in New Gisborne

Groundworks at the site of the GemLife retirement village in Ferrier Road began on 23 March.

Earlier in March, GemLife ran four well-attended information sessions at Baringo Food and Wine to reveal their plans for the lifestyle community village.

Many attend an information session on the over-50s village.

GREAT Association is here to help

Just a reminder to our community that the GREAT Association (Gisborne Region Events Activities & Tourism) is here to support community organisations with grants for projects they may want to pursue.

The Gisborne Lions Club received the most recent grant, to support their fundraiser benefiting the victims of the Harcourt and Ravenswood fires.

Members also reached out to GREAT's market vendors who generously donated goods that made up four hampers for the Monster Raffle at this fundraiser.

The Gisborne Olde Time market raises all the funds for the GREAT grants and other events run throughout the year. Contact GREAT at greatgisborne@gmail.com.

Karan Grieve,

President

The new clubhouse at Gisborne Golf Club.

Golf Club tracking for reopening

It is not long to go until reopening of the new clubhouse at Gisborne Golf Club, so pencil in these dates.

Wednesday 8 April – the clubhouse will open its doors so players can access the Pro Shop and the bar. The bar will open, with drinks and a light lunch menu while Harvest & Soul get the kitchen set up. The full dining offering will not be available at this time.

Saturday 18 April – the club will hold the Phoenix Cup and “members’ opening” ceremony. For those members who cannot play, just go to the club at 5.30pm to join in the celebration.

Wednesday 22 April – the restaurant plans to open, with meals and dining open to members and the public.

Friday May 22 – the official Opening Ceremony takes place.

Former sniper from Woodend to share story at Anzac Day Dawn Service

A father and former Army sniper from Woodend will share his story of service, sacrifice and transition at this year’s Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service.

The service on Saturday April 25 will reflect this year’s theme, 'Passing the Torch, Enduring Bonds', exploring how service and remembrance are carried forward by new generations and honouring the enduring connection between those who have served.

Among the voices featured will be Sergeant Joel Forster, a former member of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), who completed 20 years of continuous service, including deployments to East Timor, Afghanistan and the Philippines.

The Dawn Service Committee president, Leona Latcham, said Joel’s story highlighted the experience of Australia’s younger veterans.

“Younger veterans often feel their service is not as significant as those who served in previous conflicts. This is not the case,” said Leona.

“While the nature of warfare has changed, the psychological and physical impacts of service have not. Joel’s story reminds us that the legacy of service and sacrifice is not just distant history, it lives within our own community to this day and will continue to do so.”

The service will also acknowledge the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, where there were 5500 Australian military casualties in just 24 hours.

The service starts at 6am at the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross. Free town bus services will run from Gisborne, Woodend, Sunbury, Kyneton, Riddells Creek, Lancefield and Romsey – online bookings are required for these town buses.

Free shuttle buses (no bookings required) will operate from Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon from 4.15am, as roads to the Cross are closed to public traffic. Parking is available at Tony Clarke Reserve.

Council responds to February flooding

An intense one-hour storm dropped 32mm of rain on Gisborne on 24 February, causing localised flooding in the Rosalia Estate development area, particularly around Swinburne Avenue and Cherry Lane.

The downpour exceeded the capacity of both the partly constructed drainage system within the estate and the existing surrounding infrastructure, resulting in overland flows and inundation of the local road network.

The council recognises that this sudden storm has had a real impact on neighbouring residents, particularly those who experienced flooding. We understand the disruption and concern caused and are working closely with the developer to address the immediate issues and reduce the risk of a similar occurrence in the future.

Rosalia Estate is a private development and council officers from Engineering and Civil Services inspected the area and have met with the contractor, Winslow, to discuss immediate and longerterm solutions.

The council will continue to investigate the performance of existing infrastructure, including undertaking CCTV inspections and cleaning of council drainage assets, while Winslow has been asked to assess the subdivision drainage network and provide a remediation plan.

Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly and bring a torch and water bottle.

A sausage sizzle and tea/coffee will be available, with a gold coin donation appreciated.

For bus timetables, town bus bookings and more information, visit www.mtmacedondawnservice.org.

Council will review the developer’s remediation proposal, monitor reconstruction of affected crossovers and temporary controls, and work with the developer to bring forward feasible outfall upgrade options to improve the system’s overall capacity and reliability.

Further updates on this situation will be provided.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

$22,000 raised at Gisborne Lions fire fundraiser

Gisborne & District Lions Club’s sell-out fundraising dinner and auction last month added a further $22,000 to the $20,000 it had already donated, bringing to $42,000 the total it provided to victims of January’s Harcourt and Ravenswood blazes.

Proceeds from the dinner attended by 110 people at the Gisborne & District Bowling Club will go to those who lost homes and business structures.

Guest of honour was long-time Harcourt community member George Milford, a director of the Harcourt cool store.

Hailed by many as “a Harcourt legend”, George gave an emotional account of how his never-say-die town is fighting back.

While 53 homes and a number of businesses were lost, he said it was a miracle no-one had died in the “blowtorch-like fires” that came to the valley. He thanked firefighters and the many like Gisborne Lions who have aided the town.

Despite the heartbreak, George said

Harcourt is already on the comeback trail, with the cool store to be rebuilt and new housing estates being planned for the town.

George’s own fire losses were great yet he is most sad at losing a 160-yearold Aboriginal scar tree on his property.

Representing Lions of District V1-4

at the dinner were District Governor Samantha Wu and partner Lion Ivan Luo. Country music award-winner Craig Lloyd and singer/musician Adey Jordan, who both appeared free of charge, kept guests entertained, while Raine & Horne’s Ken Grech staged a highly successful auction of donated products that raised $3,800.

Top auction price of $1550 came for a framed Western Bulldogs jumper signed by captain Marcus Bontempelli and head coach Luke Beveridge.

Gisborne Lions President Russell Walker OAM thanked the community for their fantastic support of this significant fundraiser.

He also thanked Lions, friends of Lions, businesses and individuals who provided $11,500 in sponsorship, those who donated 90 prizes to a monster raffle that raised $3000, and the Gisborne & District Bowling Club for providing the venue free of charge.

Tony Fawcett

'Thriving Communities' grants return to support local community groups

Greater Western Water’s Thriving Communities grants program is back for 2026, offering funding to help local groups deliver projects, events and initiatives that strengthen community connection.

The program supports a broad range of activities, in-

cluding water-saving initiatives, family and multicultural events and community care programs.

Last year the Gisborne Lions Club received $5000 towards the Lions Gisborne Festival. The much loved local tradition attracts more than 4500 people from Gis-

Professional Counselling & Equine Assisted Therapy

Providing counselling and equine assisted therapy in a supportive, confidential environment to explore life’s challenges, build self-awareness, and strengthen emotional wellbeing.

Clients may choose traditional counselling sessions in a private therapy pod, or equineassisted sessions working alongside horses in a calm outdoor setting.

Through guided interaction with horses, clients can explore communication, boundaries, confidence, and emotional awareness in a practical and experiential way.

Sessions available by appointment.

borne and surrounding areas and fosters community connection and engagement.

Applications for Thriving Communities grants are open now, and close 22 April. To find out more and to check your eligibility, visit gww.com.au/grants.

Bullengarook Progressive Dinner a sellout

The township of Bullengarook hosted a sell-out Progressive Dinner on 14 March, celebrating local food, landscape and community connection while raising funds for local community groups.

Tickets for the event were sold out two weeks in advance, demonstrating wonderful local enthusiasm.

The three courses were held across three local venues, including a farm overlooking the Pyrete and Lerderderg forests, a grassy bank under towering gums between picturesque dams, and a mud-brick home in a charming garden bordering the Pyrete State Forest.

Catering was expertly handled by the Bullengarook CFA, Landcare and Halls Committee, while entertainment included a popular local trivia competition and a baby photo quiz. Organisers would like to thank the many volunteers who provided venues, culinary talent, and time to make the event a success. All funds raised will be reinvested into the local community.

If you are interested in making a meaningful differ-

ence in your community, connecting with awesome community members, and having a good time, we encourage you to join Bullengarook Landcare or the CFA. By becoming a member, you will have the opportunity to help us continue to bring this and other community events to life.

You can find the Bullengarook Landcare and Bullengarook CFA groups on Facebook or contact Michele from the Halls Committee on 0412 809 137.

April focus: women spies and code breakers

The April meeting of the Gisborne Genealogical Group always falls close to Anzac Day so we usually have a military theme. This year is no exception - we will be looking at the many women who played critical, often unsung roles as spies and code breakers, deciphering enemy messages, and tracking enemy ships.

Many helped to identify spies. These ‘code girls’ shortened the war and saved countless lives. Do you have one in your family? If you want to know more, or you have a story you would like to share, come along to our meeting on Thursday 23 April at 7.30pm in the Gisborne Libraryyou will be most welcome.

The Family History Room is temporarily closed. Our Saturday Workshops and the DNA Group (DIG) have been suspended until the refurbishment of the Family History Room is completed, hopefully by mid-year.

Lyn Hall

However, we have Genealogical Group volunteers on duty in the Library on Thursdays between 1pm-3pm, so if you need help with your research come to the library. Our thanks to the Gisborne Library staff for their support during this time.

For more information about the group and our activities, check our website www.ggg.org.au

Lyn Hall

Gisborne CWA

Kathy, Kerri and Judy represented Gisborne at the Group AGM in Kyneton early in March with the state treasurer, Marie Vassallo, in attendance. We are proud to have three Central Highland members, Amanda, Peg and Mel, on the state board of directors of CWA.

It's a busy time of the year for CWA crafters and cooks over the next few weeks, preparing for the Central Highlands Group Creative Arts Exhibition.

Christine Edwards

This will be held in the Lancefield Mechanics Institute on Saturday 18 April, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 19 April, 10am to 3pm. There will be a presentation of awards and trophies on Saturday at 1pm. Admission is $5, children under 16 are free.

There will be soup and slices for lunch and Devonshire teas to purchase, raffles and a destash stall where you might find a bargain. Come along and see some wonderful work by our very talented ladies.

Our country of study for the year is Canada and one of our new members, Noeline, gave us a short talk on her Canadian adventures after our last meeting.

Our next meeting is 10am at the stadium at Gisborne Secondary College on 13 April, with Coffee, Craft and Chat the following Monday, 20 April.

Christine Edwards 0437 953 253

'What

are you planning to do today?'

'Oh,

thought I might go bang into a few windows when I've finished here...'

Macedon CWA

After a busy month in March which saw some of our members participating in a Group walk in Macedon, it was off to Kyneton for the Central Highlands Group Conference. We heard of head office’s plans to be active in bushfire recovery work as needs arise. We ratified our Group office bearers for 2025-26 and heard of the activities of the various branches in our Group. Our aim of assisting women, children and families remains at the forefront of our activities.

Macedon Branch hosted an afternoon tea for folk who are supported by Legacy Victoria. We shared a happy afternoon with this group.

We want to thank those who supported the Easter Raffle and stall. We will publish the raffle winner’s name in the May Gisborne Gazette

In April we are looking forward to our Central Highlands Creative Arts Exhibition in the Lancefield Hall on Saturday and Sunday 18 and 19 April. There will be an extensive display of handcrafts, knitting, cooking, photography etc. Light lunches and morning and afternoon tea are available to purchase. Love to see you there.

The CWA Hall in Mt Macedon Road has had new vinyl flooring laid in the kitchen and it looks great. This is a welcoming, well-maintained venue and is available for hire. If you would like to “check it out” please call the number below and I will refer you to our hallkeeper.

Macedon CWA members wish all our readers and their families a safe and happy Easter.

Call Anne Fyfield on 5426 2210 if you would like to know more about CWA.

Paul’s desk job hits the mark

We not only restore Old Blokes at The Shed, sometimes we restore furniture and equipment too.

Shedman Paul recently took on a project of restoring an old school desk. You can tell how ancient it is because it has the inkwell holes … remember those days?

After many hours of work and some assistance and advice from his fellow Shedmen (most of it helpful), the job was done and Paul advertised it for sale.

We’re not going to tell you what price he put on it but it sold in a flash. He should’ve asked for more!

Paul comes to The Shed on Thursday mornings but we’re also open on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Drop in on any of those days for a cuppa and to see a few Old Blokes undergoing restoration.

Card group needs players

St Brigid’s Euchre Group would like to have a few more players join them on Tuesday evenings at 7.15pm for a prompt 7.30pm start. Games finish at 9.30pm

then a light supper is served. The location is St Brigid’s Hall, Fisher Street. Entry is $10 per person. This covers first prize, last prize and a raffle prize. It is not essen-

tial to attend every week but the more you attend the better it is all round. Just turn up or, if you would like more details, please ring Janice on 0408 332 624.

'Man, it’s cold!' Exchange student adjusts to Danish winter life

Gisborne Rotary International Exchange student Veronica Reid has settled into her school, host family life and community in Virring near Aarhus, Denmark.

ary College but is taking a break for the year while staying in Denmark. She will resume her studies in Gisborne in February next year after she returns home.

Community House news

MACEDON & MOUNT MACEDON COMMUNITY HOUSE

The Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House crew were delighted to welcome Mary-Anne Thomas, MP, to the House in March to meet the wonderful Volunteer Community Gardening Crew.

It was a fantastic opportunity to show the success of the Community Gardening Program, funded by a Tiny Towns grant, and the incredible work of our volunteers. Over the past year, they have developed thriving garden precincts including a kitchen garden, permaculture forest, indigenous garden and courtyard garden, while creating meaningful opportunities for connection, learning and wellbeing.

Importantly, produce from the garden is donated to Gisborne Foodbank.

We also appreciated the opportunity to discuss the proposed Stage 2 Landscape Design & Construction Project for the House as part of the next Tiny Towns funding round. We’re hopeful this visit will

help support the continued growth of this much-loved community space. Thank you to Mary-Anne for taking the time to visit and hear firsthand about the positive impact of this program.

Information about programs is available on the website: www.mmmcommunityhouse.org or please contact Megan at admin@mmmcommunityhouse.org.

Repair works scheduled for Gisborne

Veronica will there for 12 months to learn the Danish language and customs through an immersive experience.

Veronica left for Denmark in January and says she is slowly learning Danish at school (as her lessons are in Danish) and at home where her host family helps her with everyday phrases and Danish vocabulary.

Veronica attends Gisborne Second-

Her exchange experience will be life changing. She is learning to ice skate, walk safely on the snow and keep warm while training for her soccer team. Veronica says, “man it has been cold out!”

If any family or individual is interested in a Rotary International Exchange trip for a school year, please visit https:// yrea.org.au or contact Rotary Gisborne on 0493 870 635. Laurel Harrison

Macedon Ranges Shire Council will soon be undertaking roof-renewal works at the Gisborne Mechanics Institute and Community Centre. Works will involve removal of the two pediments facing Hamilton Street, refurbishment of the porticos, and renewal of roof and stormwater systems.

The footpath section in front of the building along the Hamilton Street

service road will be closed off to ensure public safety while works are underway.

There will be a slight reduction in car parking.

Works are anticipated to begin on 7 April and run for approximately four weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact the Facility Projects team at facilityprojects@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Breast Cancer Group members help each other

The Gisborne Breast Cancer Group meets at Canteena Cafe, Prince Street, on the first and the third Tuesday of the month at 10.30am for tea/coffee and a chat.

Group members get together on 17 March.

During April we will return to our original home, the Gisborne Golf Club, where our group began three and a half years ago and which has been recently rebuilt. We have all been affected by cancer and support one another through a very difficult journey.

Our ladies have a wealth of information to support new ladies to the group.

If you are going through cancer, these meetings may help you.

Lesley Cole, facilitator, 048 469 1226

Stories and wisdom for women’s wellness

What do women need today and what do women want for tomorrow?

These questions are ripe for pondering at a free community event for all Macedon Ranges women, to be held at Newham Mechanics Hall on Thursday 14 May.

The ‘Tomorrow Woman’ team promises an engaging and impactful two hours of casual and honest conversation exploring what tomorrow might look like for each of us.

It is an opportunity for anyone identifying as a woman to share stories, experiences, and wisdom around issues such as gender stereotypes and modern womanhood. The evening is being jointly organised by the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group (MRSPAG), with the support of Murray Primary Health Network.

MRSPAG’s Bianca Darmanin said past events tai-

lored to men’s mental health highlighted the value of making time for gender connection and support.

“Seeing the friendships and conversations that grew from the many Men’s Nights inspired us to create a similar evening for women — a chance to connect, reflect, and feel part of something meaningful,” Bianca said.

Organisers hope the event will lay the foundation for an annual occasion.

Guests will also be invited to honour the massive contribution to the community made by MRSPAG founder Noelene Ward, who died in January.

Doors open at 6pm, with a catered dinner served before the workshop at 6.30pm.

Register now: www.tomorrowwoman.com.au/publicevents-calendar/gather-with-the-ladies-of-the-macedon-ranges.

For information about 'Tomorrow Woman' visit www. tomorrowwoman.com.au.

Dental Talk Dental Talk

with Dr Jacob Chan

Exciting

news, and dental care through motherhood

We have some wonderful news to share! Our Dr. Nardin has headed off on maternity leave to welcome her new little one. We are thrilled for her as she embarks on this incredible journey, and we know you’ll join us in wishing her and her growing family all the very best.

Dr Nardin’s upcoming arrival has sparked conversations in the clinic about the unique relationship between pregnancy, postpartum life, and dental health. While it’s a time of immense joy, the physiological and lifestyle shifts can take a toll on your smile if you aren’t prepared.

The science of 'pregnancy gingivitis'

During pregnancy, surging hormones (particularly progesterone) can increase blood flow to gum tissue, making gums more sensitive, swollen, and prone to bleeding. This is often called pregnancy gingivitis. If left unchecked, it can lead to more serious gum disease, which has been linked in some studies to preterm birth. Navigating lifestyle changes

It’s not just biology; it’s the daily grind!

Eating Habits: Cravings or the need for frequent small meals to combat nausea can mean your teeth are exposed to acids and sugars more often.

Hydration: Between morning sickness and the exhaustion of newborn life, staying hydrated is a challenge. A dry mouth lacks the saliva needed to neutralize acids and protect enamel.

Simple steps for a healthy smile

You can enjoy the magic of a newborn without the “dental dread” by following a few proactive tips: The pre-conception checkup: If you are planning to grow your family, book a preventative cleaning now. Addressing issues early prevents the need for major dental work while pregnant.

Smart snacking: Reach for “tooth-friendly” snacks such as cheese, plain yoghurt, or nuts, which are low in sugar and high in calcium.

The midnight sip: When you’re up for those 2am feeds, keep a bottle of plain water nearby. It’s the quickest way to hydrate and rinse your mouth without adding sugar to the mix before heading back to sleep.

SERVICES

• Children's health checks advice and treatment including routine childhood immunisations.

• Women's health advice and treatment on contraception, antenatal and obstetric shared care, cervical screens, and breast checks.

• Men’s health advice and treatment about concerns such as physical issues, prostate checks.

• Mental health diagnosis and treatment, care plans, and referrals to counselling services.

• Health checks, including physical check-ups and tests for lifestyle concerns such as diabetes and cholesterol levels.

• Cancer screening, spirometry testing, audiometry testing, heart health checks and ECG

• Diagnosis and management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.

• Full body skin checks, individual spot checks, minor and complex excisions.

Gisborne Oaks residents celebrate colour and love for Mardi Gras

Vibrant colours and costumes were unleashed on Benetas Gisborne Oaks last month as residents and employees celebrated Mardi Gras.

The fun-filled afternoon featured dance and diversity with all in attendance acknowledging inclusion.

Vaccination gaps: Measles cases grow

The community is being urged to check their measles vaccination status following a rise in cases across Victoria and Australia.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. One infected person can spread the virus to up to 18 other people. The virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain in the air for up to two hours.

In some people, measles can cause serious complications including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis.

Measles cases have increased significantly over the past two years. So far in 2026, 56 cases have been reported in Australia, 17 of those in Victoria.

Measles is significantly more infectious than COVID19 and can spread very quickly where vaccination coverage is incomplete.

Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best way to ensure immunity. Adults born between 1966 and 1992 are at increased risk as they may have received only one dose and are often unsure of their vaccination history. People born overseas are also at higher risk of being under-immunised. Free vaccination is being offered through the council.

Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit

Hello from the Ramblers

With all the troubles in the Middle East and the destruction by hail to my verandah’s laserlite panels, at least there is some brighter news on the horizon: it seems like the Newham Corner Store has new owners.

Hopefully it will reopen as before, a great cafe and shop.I mention this as it was always a go to stop-off after walking the Newham Round.

The ramblers (all 24 of us) managed this walk recently. An open country walk with some panoramic views along the way. Mainly a wildflower area but of late, very sparse. I have detailed the walk (below), which you may like to try. No special hiking gear is required.

As I have mentioned in previous columns, only the most straightforward walks are published, as my descriptive powers are very limited. Details of our weekly walks are emailed out if you care to join the mailing list; there is no cost or obligation, you can walk with the group on Fridays or solo at your preference.

Charles (gisramblers@gmail.com)

An open country loop walk, with panoramic views. Distance: Short 5km or long 8km Level: Easy-Moderate

Directions: From Gisborne, drive along the Calder Freeway towards Kyneton. Exit at the second Woodend turnoff, turning right towards Hanging Rock/Romsey/ Lancefield.

Turn left, passing the Hanging Rock entrance, and drive towards Lancefield. On reaching Newham, turn right at the corner store into Rochford Road. After about 3km, turn left into Bolgers Lane.

Drive a further 3km until you see a right turn – this is Sheltons Road. Park offroad at the junction, the walk starts from here.

Although the walk is on dirt roads, there is little traffic, mainly servicing local properties. Walk up Sheltons Road (a medium incline) until four-way crossing is reached. Take the left turn (this is Hennerbergs Road) and walk until you find a left turn called Saunders Road. Decision time! Long or short walk?

Short: Take the Saunders Road route until reaching a T junction – this is Bolgers Lane. Take the left turn to return you to your car.

Long: Continue onwards (and downwards) eventually reaching the main bitumen road (this is Three Chain Road); turn sharp left before the bitumen into Bolgers Lane. As with the shorter loop, this will return you to the starting point.

Nurse practitioners a vital part of care

Across the Macedon Ranges, nurse practitioners are playing an increasingly important role in keeping local communities healthy.

In towns where access to healthcare can sometimes be limited, these highly trained professionals help to bridge gaps, improve access, and deliver patientcentred care close to home.

Nurse practitioners are experienced registered nurses with advanced clinical training. They hold a master’s as a nurse practitioner and are qualified to assess patients, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage both acute and chronic health issues.

Locally they can be found working in general practices, community health services, mental health, and outreach settings, often supporting people who might otherwise need to travel long distances for care.

For many residents, nurse practitioners offer a familiar and approachable point of contact. They are known

for taking the time to listen, explain treatment options clearly, and work closely with patients to manage ongoing health needs such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and mental health concerns. You may see them working at HMS Community Gisborne and Health in Mind Macedon Ranges, among other medical clinics and practices. By sharing workloads and skills, they help reduce pressure on local health systems and improve waiting times, while ensuring patients receive safe, highquality care. In a region built on strong community connections, nurse practitioners are proving to be an essential part of the healthcare.

Lindsay

Sunrise and gems for bushwalkers

Gisborne Bushwalking Club recently hosted the Waverley Bushwalking Club during their Daylesford Base Camp and led them on five walks in the region during their five days’ stay. It was great for our members to meet those from another club and exchange stories and advice on bushwalking. The weather was perfect and a great time was had by all those who attended.

We also enjoyed a fantastic sunrise walk on Mt Towrong, Macedon, which has spectacular views and well worth the steady but steep climb from Anzac Road.

A hidden gem not too far away is the Gellibrand Hill/ Woodlands Historical Park, where we had a great walk through a diverse landscape which has many culturally significant artifacts and a sanctuary for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot.

It also has the largest population of kangaroos in the metro region and is a great place to take your next overseas visitors, being close to the airport and having a willing mob to greet you.

Come and join us. The club has something for eve-

ryone so if you would like to give bushwalking a try you can join us as a casual participant for $5 (insurance coverage) and see if it’s for you.

For details about the Gisborne Bushwalking Club, please contact secretary Jenny on 0438 691 801 or our President, Gail, on 0419 374 603. Our website is www. gisbornebwc.org.

COUNCILLOR'S COLUMN

With Cr Rob Guthrie

The last article I wrote, for the February Gazette, was about the disastrous commencement to 2026 with large parts of the state destroyed by catastrophic grass and bushfires, and I encouraged all to remain alert and keep up to date via the Vic Emergency website.

That same website in February had warnings and reports of flooding in Gisborne on two separate days in one week which included locations in Swinburne Avenue, Ormerod Court and shops in the commercial area.

At its March meeting, Council considered a revised Open Space Strategy, which provides strategic direction on planning, delivery and maintenance for the next 10-year period. Council owns and manages over 900 hectares of open space including public parks, waterways, recreation reserves and bushland conservation reserves. We have master plans in place for most of the major reserves, but financial restrictions mean maintenance has to be carefully considered each year as part of the budget deliberations.

Autumn is a busy time in the Macedon Ranges with thousands of visitors from Victoria, interstate and overseas. The Autumn Festival highlights a diverse range of events, markets, workshops, exhibitions, tours and live music along with leafy local picnic locations, enticing seasonal food and more across the whole of the shire and its nine towns rather than excessive crowds in one location.

Yes, there may still be large crowds at Mount Macedon, so please check mrsc@vic.gov.au to be aware of restrictions.

If I can be of any assistance, please email me at rguthrie@mrsc.vic.gov.au or phone me on 0419 309 953.

NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL

Business Excellence Awards open

Entries for this year’s Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards will soon open.

Across 12 categories, the awards recognise local businesses for their outstanding service, innovation, professionalism and products, while highlighting the important role they play in creating local jobs and supporting community activities.

Nominations are open from 27 April, with eligible businesses encouraged to self-nominate by completing the online application.

The community will also have an opportunity to participate through the People’s Choice Award, with all finalists eligible for public voting.

Award winners will be announced in November.

To find out more or to nominate, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/ business-awards.

Grant programs now open

If you have a project idea ready to go and are in need for funding, check out the council’s community grants.

Open for applications from 6 April to 3 May, The grant program could cover future costs across a range of initiatives from cultural, environmental and climate change and organisational support, infrastructure to festivals and events.

Not sure where to start? Get in touch with a grants

officer at grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au for guidance on the best grant initiative for you or how to apply.

Visit the council’s website for full details at mrsc.vic. gov.au/grants

Honour Avenue traffic changes

The council has again introduced tem porary measures to help manage increased visits to Macedon and Mount Macedon during the busy autumn season.

Management measures will start on 3 April and run until 26 April, with additional signs and enforcement in place.

On weekends and public holidays between 8am and 6pm, Honour Avenue will be closed to traffic between Mount Macedon Road and Waterfalls Road.

Temporary no-stopping signage has been installed along Honour Avenue and nearby council-managed roads, and council officers will be patrolling the area to enforce parking restrictions. Extra toilets and waste facilities have been installed to support visitors.

For the latest updates and information, visit mrsc.vic. gov.au/Honour-Avenue-Management-Plan.

Council meeting wrap up

February: Key items considered and endorsed at the Macedon Ranges Shire Council meeting held on 25 February included:

Adoption of Amendment c147macr – Benetas

The council adopted Planning Scheme Amendment C147macr and supported planning permit PLN/2022/354, enabling a new retirement village on land bounded by Robertson, Neal and Hamilton streets in Gisborne (including the old hospital site).

Following a review by Planning Panels Victoria, the Amendment and Permit were deemed strategically justified and likely to meet an important community need. The council adopted the Amendment, with an amended motion also requiring a Section 173 Agreement to restrict the future use of the land to only a ‘Retirement Village’ and/or ‘Residential Aged Care Facility’.

Australia Day Award recipients 2026: The council congratulated local recipients of the Australia Day Awards. Dianne Dale received the Emergency Services Medal for her dedication to assisting people in crisis. Emeritus Professor Colin Chapman was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant contributions to pharmacy and pharmaceutical science. The late Mr Graham Dickinson was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the Gisborne community in tourism, human rights, and religion.

Art show to support Mt Macedon Memorial Cross

A powerful exhibition honouring service, sacrifice and remembrance will be presented in Kyneton in April, while also raising funds to support the preservation of the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross.

'The Art of Sacrifice', created by artist George Petrou OAM, will be held at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute Hall from Tuesday 14 April to Sunday 26 April, coinciding with Anzac commemorations. (Open daily: Mon, Wed, Thur, 10am to 2pm. Weekends: 18-19 and 25-26 April. Admission is adults $10, children free.)

Young Voices to perform at Riddell and Abbotsford

Having finished 2025 by participating with the choir of the Anglican Church of Gisborne and singers from the Australian Chamber Choir in the annual Service of Readings and Carols at the Church of the Resurrection, Macedon, Young Voices of Macedon have embraced 2026 with new Artistic Director, Rosie Cocklin

The exhibition will also serve as a fundraiser supporting the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, with proceeds from the event generously donated by the artist to assist with restoration and maintenance of the memorial.

The exhibition itself features a collection of striking portraits and textured artworks that capture the human stories behind military service, portraying veterans, civilians, men and women connected through courage, resilience and sacrifice across generations.

Under her enthusiastic and inspiring leadership the choir is preparing for a busy program of performances, the first taking place at the Riddells Creek Farmers’ Market on Saturday 18 April, with a further performance there on 16 May. Sunday 3 May will see the choir present a program at the annual Choralfest at the Abbotsford Convent, this marking our 15th presentation at the festival, and in the company of 30 other choirs, both adult and children.

Young Voices of Macedon aims to provide quality music education through choral singing. But although

much emphasis is placed on the development of good vocal technique, part singing and performance skills, ample provision is made for fun games and activities that also serve to reinforce good learning. Socialisation is also important, with time given for free play and delicious afternoon teas.

Parents and carers are invited to bring along children from the age of 6 to observe or try out a rehearsal free of charge.

We meet on Thursdays during term time from 4.15 –5.45pm at 247 Station Road, New Gisborne. 0437 941 690 Yvmacedon.org.au.

The Mount Players happenings

The Mount Players' second show for this year, Mr Bailey’s Minder by Debra Oswald, opens on Friday 8 May and tickets are selling fast. This Australian dramatic comedy is the troupe's entry in the Victorian Drama League Awards.

Abusive, cantankerous and burned out by booze, Leo Bailey is one of Australia’s national treasures. A gifted painter and chronic alcoholic, he can no longer take care of himself. His resentful daughter, Margo, has been through a succession of minders, until Therese comes along, fresh out of jail and determined to make a go of her limited options. Mr Bailey’s Minder is a tough, funny and big-hearted play.

On 13 February, two outstanding members of the company were presented with their Life Memberships. Frank Harvey and Karlana Santamaria have both given much to make the theatre what it is today – a thriving, successful, creative space for the whole community to enjoy. Congratulations to both!

For tickets and full details on everything theatre go to www.themountplayers.com or call us on 5426 1892. Karen Hunt

The Gallery 2026 Art Prize

The Gallery Mount Macedon is holding its 5th Annual Art Prize competition. Following the success of last year’s open competition, artists were not restricted by theme and have responded with a range of portraits, landscapes and mixed media.

This year’s entries were judged by two well-known and respected artists. The competition has again been generously sponsored by the Community Bank Gisborne and District, with a first prize of $1000. There is also a $500 Highly Commended prize.

The Art Prize has again attracted talented artists. The official opening is on Saturday 11 April at 2pm, when the winners will be announced. This event was opened to local artists, so join us for the celebration.

The exhibition runs from 7 April to 3 May. The People’s Choice prize of $250 nominated by visitors to The Gallery during the exhibition will be announced on Sunday 3 May.

There are some vacancies for exhibition space in our Focus Room for 2026 and 2027. Please check the website, www.thegallerymtmacedon, for further details.

A few of our members have recently left the area, so there are some vacancies for two or three new members. If you are an artist or craftsperson living in the Macedon Ranges or Sunbury and would like to join our unique gallery, look on our website for details of membership conditions, or call in to The Gallery during opening hours, Friday to Tuesday 10am-4pm.

The Gallery Mount Macedon, 684 Mt Macedon Road, Mt Macedon.

Sue Anson, 413 581 632

Last year's Easter Exhibition.

Phoenix art show to run on Easter weekend

Happy Easter to all the Gazette readers. Phoenix Macedon Ranges Art & Craft group's next exhibition will be over the Easter Weekend – Saturday 4 April from 10am4pm and Sunday 5 April from 9am-3pm.

Sunday coincides with the April Gisborne Market. The exhibition will be held in the Old Court House in Gisborne.

Our members work in a large range of creative activities including painting, glass art, ceramics, jewellery, paper craft, woodwork, textile art and knitted crafts. We welcome a new member who is joining us this time, Rebecca, a year 12 student who will be exhibiting her jewellery, art calligraphy and tattoo style cards.

All are invited to come and see our exquisite, unique work – all handcrafted and made locally by our artists.

To find out more about our history and work, visit our website https://phoenixmrac.com or Facebook page phoenixmrac.

If you are interested in joining the group please contact Kay Beale on. 9744 2646 or email contact@phoenixmrac.com.

Join the poets at Woodend

The next Chamber Poets event is on Saturday 11 April at Woodend RSL, 1pm to 4pm. Special guests, open readings, live music, bar and snacks. $10 at the door. facebook.com/groups/ChamberPoets/

Cosy up with a granny square or two

CRAFT CORNER

with Mary-Beth O'Brien

As the first of the year’s mist settles gently upon the mountain range and fog rolls sleepily through paddocks, nothing says cosy up like a granny square crochet blanket. Hooks at the ready, now is the best time to crochet, starting with the basics – and nothing says basic like a granny square or two. One granny square can be the blanket or if you prefer a multitude of granny squares can create a funky lifetime accompaniment to future winter months.

Crochet Easter bunnies

Easter

In preparation for Easter celebrations, web-based crochet Easter patterns are freely available. From rabbits to eggs through to garlands and easter themed blankets and clothing.

Guinness World Record

Amazingly, another Guinness world record was awarded for the longest crochet scarf to Daisy Ptak from California. The scarf measures 299.3 metres. For comparison, the crochet scarf is a few feet shorter than the Eiffel Tower and two-and-a-half times the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza. To those who dream of achieving a world record, Daisy says go for it and give it your all. Reference Guinness World Records 2026

Crochet and Conversation

The Crochet and Conversation group meets at 2pm on the first Monday of the month at Gisborne Library, at no cost to participants. All are very welcome to join this friendly group or get in touch via the Gisborne Library. Bring wool, crochet hook, yarning needle, pair of sharp scissors and your inspiration and imagination.

Macedon Ranges Photographic Society

Macedon Ranges

Photographic Soci-

ety's last club meeting was a technical night which focused on editing techniques, giving members a chance to explore practical workflows, ask questions, interact and refine our postprocessing skills.

Whether used for polishing competition entries or simply wanting to get more from our images, this session offered guidance and shared learning.

Due to Easter, the club night will be Monday 13 April. Guest Rob Clarke will judge the heartfelt members'

interpretations of the set subject 'Love Is' and the open category.

This club night is an opportunity to view all images and hear constructive critiquing for future reference.

Our winter program has now begun, consisting of only one meeting per month – the first Monday – and the addition of daytime workshops.

New members and visitors are always welcome.

Social chats start at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Jubilee Hall, Macedon. For more information, please email info@macedon-ranges-photography.org.au

Jeni Marinier, President

What

is a motet?

A: A medieval musical gem still turning heads

Singers

Long before playlists and power ballads, the motet was lighting up cathedrals and courts across Europe. First appearing in the medieval period and later becoming a Renaissance favourite, the motet wowed audiences with layers of intertwining vocal lines.

Often summed up as “a piece of music in several parts with words,” it’s a simple definition for something that usually sounded anything but simple.

Some early theorists insisted the motet was far too refined for everyday listeners. In their view, motets were “not to be celebrated in the presence of common people, because they do not notice its subtlety, nor are they delighted in hearing it, but in the presence of the educated and of those who are seeking out subtleties in the arts.”

In other words: medieval music snobbery at its finest!

The Gisborne Singers are delighted to present their first concert of 2026, celebrating the beauty and brilliance of the English motet. Works by Purcell, Holst, Tallis, Stanford and Weelkes feature in a program designed to sweep away centuries-old snobbery and share the motet’s glory with everyone.

Sunday 3 May, 2.30pm, Church of the Resurrection, Macedon. Tickets $35 / $30 / $0.

https://www.trybooking.com/DJZSX

For more details, visit www.gisbornesingers.org.au.

Kitty Skeen

Easter School Holiday Program page 27

Vet Talk Vet Talk

with Dr Caitlin Retchford Veterinarian

Misty's snow-white secret

Misty is another beautiful cat adoption story.

She recently joined her forever home as a young adult, and my friends are marvelling at how clean is her snow-white hair coat.

Cats spend a quarter of their waking hours selfgrooming. Their little pink tongues, which look cute from afar, are amazing grooming machines, dotted with over 250 incredibly strong individual keratin papillae spines.

The tongue’s spines act like hooks to grab at the hair coat, removing dirt, fleas and tangles.

In cool climates, the hair coat usually undergoes an annual seasonal shedding, but in a warm indoor environment shedding may be continuous.

The spines have an additional function of wicking saliva within their tiny U-shaped tip, distributing moisture over the skin during grooming to keep the cat cool.

Random events such as the stress of a trip to the vet, or an illness, will make the coat shed more.

That’s where those flexible spines are kept hard at work, standing up straight to hook onto the fur, then laying down backwards, sweeping loose fur directly into the mouth, so the cat swallows fur as the spines relax and lie flat.

This is how annoying ingested hairballs are created, an inevitable consequence of an effective tongue grooming tool.

(I’m secretly glad they didn’t adopt the long-haired Persian with the matted hair coat).

Autumn spotlighting: Wildlife watch

Spotlighting is a vital monitoring tool that helps track native species and understand the health of our bushland corridors. Come along, contribute to real conservation work, and experience the magic of the bush at night.

Hanging Rock – Wednesday 15 April 6.30-8pm

Barringo Reserve, New Gisborne –Wednesday 22 April 6.30-8pm

Places are limited, book now at mrsc.vic.gov.au/ environment-events.

Doggie doo does not magically disappear

No one likes stepping in dog poo, whether it’s on a sports field, footpath, or other public space.

Picking up after your dog is your responsibility. Under the shire council’s Community Local Law 2023, dog owners/walkers must always carry a supply of poo bags, dispose of collected waste in a bin, or when there is no bin nearby, take it with you to dispose of at home.

People who don’t pick up after their dog or fail to carry a suitable device for the collection of dog poo from that dog, risk an on-the-spot fine.

Don’t be “that” dog owner. Do the right thing -- pick up the poo.

Local birds in Daly Nature Reserve

The habitat in Daly Nature Reserve is perfect for small birds such as this grey fantail.

The preferred habitats of fantails and wagtails are heathlands, shrublands, drier woodlands and parks, so Daly Nature Reserve just about ticks all of these boxes.

Grey fantails are constantly active, with much flitting back and forth, cocking and fanning of their tails and they have a fluttering, looping flight.

This photo (at right) is of a juvenile bird as its feathers have a brownish colouring and a downy appearance. As the bird matures it will lose the brown colouring and go a sleek grey colour.

Fantails are an inquisitive bird and if you stand quietly, they will often come over to check you out. If they have a nest nearby, they will attempt to distract you by flying around trying to lead you away from their nest.

Small Property Grazing course

Do you run livestock on a small property and want to boost soil health while improving the wellbeing of your animals? The council’s Small Property Grazing course could be the perfect next step.

Designed specifically for landholders with 2–20 hectares, this hands-on course supports anyone managing grazing animals—whether horses, sheep, cattle, alpacas, or others. You’ll build practical skills and confidence in grazing management, helping you reduce bare soil, lift soil carbon, and grow more resilient perennial pastures, including native species.

Workshop: Friday 15 May, 2pm–6pm, Gisborne

On-farm session: Sunday 17 May, 10am to 12 noon, Woodend.

To avoid disappointment, as this course has been full three years running, fill in the form on the ‘Course’ tab on the website, www.mrsc.vic. gov.au/healthylandscapes.

The group's working bees are on the second Tuesday of each month.

Newcomers are always welcome and there are tasks suitable for all ages and abilities. We meet at the Scout Hall on Howey St, starting at 9.30am and finishing around 11am with a cuppa and a chat.

Friends of Daly Nature Reserve, a sub-group of Gisborne Landcare

Landcare grants to boost outstanding work of volunteers

Landcare groups and environmental volunteers are receiving more support to care for nature.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is inviting applications for the State Government Landcare Grants to fund projects to enhance and protect Victoria’s great outdoors.

Landcare and environmental volunteer groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 for projects, and $500 for support, from now until 23 April.

For more information, visit environment.vic. gov.au/grants/victorian-landcare-grants

Friends find gratifying signs on Mount Gisborne

The Friends recently walked the summit track to see how it had fared over summer and to observe plants beginning to recover along the track.

With fewer maintenance vehicles permitted to access the summit, there are encouraging signs of regeneration. Native grasses and small plants are starting to return, and several areas of the track appear less compacted – poas are establishing themselves as the track slowly recovers.

The resident rock wallabies watched from a very close distance as we passed by. What a special treat.

A young visitor joined the walk and later wrote:

“On 11 March we saw lots of butterflies at Mt Gisborne Reserve. We didn’t know what type of butterfly they were at first so we did some research and we figured it out that this butterfly was the Common brown butterfly. It is active in spring and summer when there is sunshine and plenty of flowers to feed on. Mating occurs during October or November and the males die shortly after. Females live for three months or more, waiting for the heat of summer to pass and the grass to grow before laying their eggs in early March. We saw hundreds of them. They launched out of the grass as we walked up the grassy path, it was beautiful to see.” Finley (Finley comes along to a lot to the working bees with his mum. He is our Mount Gisborne Nature Explorer, always discovering something on his visits.)

Jayne Guilmartin President, Friends of Mount Gisborne Bushland Reserve

Ulysses: riding to better health

Riding motorcycles, and being part of a larger group, sharing a common interest, can deliver real health benefits.

Many studies over the years, including by the University of California Los Angeles and the University of Tokyo, have delivered tangible results showing big improvement in cognitive test scores, enhanced sensory perception, improved heart rate and adrenaline levels found in exercise.

Couple this with a sense of community and social connection, significant overall wellbeing improvement can be delivered for both body and mind.

So if you are looking to do less scrolling and more rolling back into wellbeing, then why not come and join the Macedon Ranges Ulysses Branch.

We cater for a wide variety of riding styles, have a full monthly ride calendar including Saturday lunch rides, Sunday rides, annual weekend getaways and monthly meetings over dinner at a local venue.

You can find us shooting the breeze with greatest of ease at the Saturday morning Tyre Kick in Brantome Street, Gisborne. Sidle up and say hello.

Ulysses members at the beginning of one of their recent monthly

Improved health starts with a smile, and grows by the mile when riding with friends.

You can also contact us via email at Seccatarri@ gmail.com

Matthew Dridan

Over 55s, learn about powers of attorney and wills

Wednesday 15 April, 10am, Woodend Library, corner High and Forest Street

Join solicitor Suzanne Carey-Thomas for an informative session on protecting your future and your loved ones through proper estate planning. Suzanne

will explain the critical importance of having upto-date wills, powers of attorney, and medical treatment decision-maker documents in place. For more information call 5422 0333 or visit mrsc.vic. gov.au/Village-Connect.

Enrolments open for Term 2 at MRFEC

It has been a busy few weeks at Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre (MRFEC). With Term 1 now behind us, we are gearing up for our regularly scheduled programming for Term 2, plus some brand-new courses and workshops.

Starting on Monday 22 April, we have a new suite of Health and Wellness courses on offer. This includes Line Dancing, MADBODS, Mums and Bubs Yoga, Chair Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation and Latin Dance.

We are also offering English and German for Beginners, as well as some new youth after-school programs – a Kids Art Club and an English Homework Club for years 7-12.

We also have a fantastic range of workshops designed to let you dip your toes into a variety of fields.

Hoping to create a thoughtful gift? Join us for our Mother’s Day Floristry, Silk Scarf Painting and Silver Jewellery workshops. Wanting to learn something new? Join us for our Cosmos Space Talk, ‘Write a Short Story in 3 Hours’, ‘How Money Works’, or ‘Spice and Soul: Cooking and Connecting’.

Whether you’re looking to build new skills for a career change or looking to connect with likeminded people and find a new favourite hobby, there is something for everyone. For more information, call us on 5428 3799, pop in to say hello at 12 Hamilton Street or hop on to the website to enrol online at www.mrfec.net.au.

WHAT'S ON AT THE LIBRARY

Gisborne Library staff regularly recommend new authors and books on displays throughout the library; we also love when patrons happily suggest great reads to us to share with everyone.

Local paramedic Sarah H is an enthusiastic reader and recommends some of her favourite reads; Broken Country written by Clare Leslie Hall and Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

MACEDON MAIL

It was great to see so many out and about supporting the Macedon CFA Community Day and Fundraiser. The day was a huge success raising in excess of $30,000, which will go towards buying equipment to enhance the safety of firefighters and improve the Brigade's response to fires and other incidents.

Macedon Ranges Bowling Club has wrapped up the Pennant Season with the Saturday Division 2 team making the finals. If you’re keen to try bowls and enjoy social activities, pop down to the club at Tony Clarke Reserve on Thursdays from 3pm. No experience needed and new members are most welcome.

The RDFNL season is about to get underway, with Macedon playing Gisborne Giants at Tony Clarke Reserve on Good Friday. Congratulations to Macedon’s Andrew Meldrum for being selected in the Under 16 Calder Cannons 2026 squad. Congratulations also to Ronan Yow Yeh, who has been selected in the Under 18s Calder Cannons squad, and to Sian Andrews and Kalea Brodie, who are in the Calder Cannons Under 18 Girls squad.

On the tennis front, the autumn Thursday night competition has begun and the Junior comps are coming to the end of the season.

Long time Macedon local Joy Wright passed away peacefully on 2 March. Condolences to Jason, Wayne, Rebecca and families.

Thanks to Simon and Marz at Mr Cafe Macedon who have provided the community with 8.5 years of

Ssshh no more, The library has a new quiet pod –a bookable one-person space to host video meetings or phone calls. Book a two-hour time slot with staff either at the desk or via 5428 3962.

Renovations are beginning soon, so there are not many programs planned for the next couple of months; however other local libraries in Woodend, Romsey and Kyneton have a range of interesting events happening next month.

There will be some creative opportunities in the kids’ area during the school holidays. And there are always games and puzzles to swap for children and adults.

Macedon Cats Football Netball Club members attending the Macedon CFA Community Day join guest Robert DiPierdomenico.

friendly service, great coffee and excellent food. They have recently handed over the reins to Gargan and Nav. Please make them welcome.

The Macedon and Mt Macedon Community House Produce Swap takes place at the front of the Post Office on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9.30am to 10.30am. Swing by for a chat and check out what the locals have been growing.

Welcome to Macedon’s newest resident, baby Noa Susan Patrice. Congratulations to proud parents Nicola and Johnathan and big brothers Jobe and Jace.

For the period 11 February to 11 March, Victoria Street recorded 160mm rain. 52mm fell on Tuesday 24 February while a massive 80mm fell in a short time on Friday 27 February, causing lots of storm damage and flooding in the town.

Anne

MEMBER’S MESSAGE

With Mary-Anne Thomas, MP

Dear Gisborne Community,

I’m pleased to share some good news for our local kinders. Rothschild Road Kindergarten, Swinburne Avenue Children’s Centre, Manna Gum Family and Children’s Centre and Goodstart Early Learning have all received funding to upgrade their IT equipment. This will help support learning and teaching, while also making day-today admin a little easier.

It was great to drop by Gisborne Secondary College recently and catch up with students to see how they’re settling into the new Trades Hub that opened at the start of the year. It’s fantastic to see the spaces being put to good use, giving students the chance to develop practical skills and explore pathways in trades and vocational education.

I also recently attended the open day at the Women’s Health Clinic and Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub at Kyneton Health. It was a great opportunity to meet the incredible GPs and the multidisciplinary team who are helping transform the way women’s healthcare is delivered in our region. The clinic provides expert support for women and girls across the Macedon Ranges, making it easier to access the care they need closer to home. To find out more visit: www. betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/services-andsupport/womens-health-clinics

As always, I’m here to help on any state government matters. You can email mary-anne. thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au, call 5428 2138, or visit my electorate office team at Shop 14 Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne.

Landcare grants to boost work of volunteers

The state government is inviting applications for landcare grants to fund projects to enhance and protect Victoria’s great outdoors. Landcare and environmental volunteer groups can apply for up to $20,000 for projects, and $500 for support, from now until 23 April.

For more information, visit environment.vic.gov.au/ grants/victorian-landcare-grants.

KIDS' CORNER

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Jokes & riddles KIDS' quiz

What is the difference between a cat and a comma?

A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a pause at the end of a clause.

What word will make you sick if you take away the first letter?

Music

I thought I’d take up skiing but then decided I’d let it slide.

What did the duck say when she bought a lipstick

Put it on my bill.

How do echidnas play leapfrog?

Very carefully.

What was Camelot?

A place where people parked their camels.

Why was there a bug in the computer? It was looking for a byte to eat.

Can you find 10 differences between the pictures?

Artwork by Eliza Ransome

Kids cooking up summer holiday fun

Keeping the kids occupied, entertained and interested during the school holidays can often be a challenging prospect. Macedon Ranges Health has developed a cooking program entitled the Mystery Box Challenge, helping children aged between nine and 13 appreciate the joys of the culinary arts.

The free dietician-led program involves children opening a surprise box of fresh, healthy ingredients and working in small teams to create a colourful snack

masterpiece, with no right or wrong answers.

Friendly judges will be on hand, seeking nutritious choices, eye-catching presentation and great teamwork in a MasterChef-style format, with a prize awarded to the team that most impresses the judges.

The Mystery Box Challenge runs on 14 and 15 April at Macedon Ranges Health, Neal Street, Gisborne.

For more information or to book in your aspiring chef, please email Kristen.holding@benetas.com.au.

1 On which date is April Fool’s Day?

2 In which season is Christmas in Australia?

3 Car maker GMH stood for General Motors what?

4 According to the nursery rhyme, how many blackbirds were baked in the king’s pie?

5 How many years are there in a millennium?

6 What number is the Roman numeral, CLXI?

7 What is the chemical symbol for oxygen?

8 In what year were the Sydney Olympics?

9 What is the ninth letter of the alphabet?

10 The femur is the longest bone in the human body and is also known as the ----- bone?

Sports for 3 to 5 years

Every Monday at 10am (for 45 mins) at the Sports Precinct in New Gisborne, Active Kids provides an engaging class for preschoolers to learn and practise different sports. Learn ball skills, play games and develop the correct techniques to enjoy sports.

To book a free trial class, new participants are required to call in advance on 5421 1469.

Obtain more information about this program via the council website mrsc.vic.gov.au.

SCHOOL'S IN

CAPTAIN'S RAP

Gisborne Secondary College

Junior School report

As we come to the end of term 1, the junior school has already had a great start to the year.

The year 7s had an awesome start to high school, kicking it off with a school camp to the Grampians (Roses Gap). They went on the giant swing and enjoyed abseiling, canoeing and a bush walk, and had a go on the vertical playpen and low ropes.

They also had a movie night when they watched Jurassic Park and had a scavenger hunt.

The Year 8s have settled back into the year in a great way and have also started to have classes in different buildings across the school.

Year 7s and 8s are in equal standing when it comes to the student merit reward system, with having around 1100 total in each year level.

Year 9s have had great fun participating in the RAID program. RAID focuses on developing student skills through experiential learning based on the values of Respect, Achievement, Innovation, and Diversity.

The students have visited the Gisborne Golf Club, travelled into the city and have had people come to do activities with them at school.

RAID gives students more knowledge and independence in moving in and around the city and gaining experiences along the way. This year they have begun choosing their elective subjects which allows them to have more of a say in what they learn.

Isabella Smith, Junior School Captain

Classrooms flooded at Gisborne

On Friday 27 February, Gisborne and Macedon experienced fierce storms. Thunder and lightning cracked across the dark gloomy sky whilst giant hail stones cluttered onto families’ homes, damaging some, as well as the Gisborne Primary School.

Two of the 5/6 classrooms in the building next to the oval were flooded, which means these classes have been spread out in spare spaces around the school. The classrooms that were flooded have been stripped of any desks, chairs and carpet.

To make things worse for us, the main street next to the fountain also got a sewage leak which smelt terrible. Yuk! It took the SES a while to clean it all up. All the students and teachers at Gisborne Primary School are hoping that the classrooms will be fixed and back to normal soon.

Lachlan C – Year 5 Writers’ Club

Chickens studied in STEM

In STEM lessons (Science, Technology, Engineeing, Mathematics), we have all been learning about chickens and their eggs and have been lucky enough to see lots of cute chickens hatch.

If you listen closely, you will be able to hear the little chick nip away to get out of their shells.

We have been labelling diagrams of the inside of a chicken egg. All these parts help the baby chicken to grow. We know that the yolk in the egg is really yum to eat, but it’s also the food that chickens use to make them grow.

After hatching, the chickens are wet at first, so they were kept in a sealed container, with a heated light to dry them and keep them warm.

There were brown, yellow and black chickens.

Connor B – Year 6 Writers’ Club

michelle@michelleabela.com.au www.michelleabela.com.au 0472 688 589

New Gisborne Primary steps back in time

It was the morning of camp and everyone had big smiles on their faces and were jumping around excited for the next three days.

On our way we had a stop at the MADE Eureka Centre in Ballarat, we explored the artefacts and information around the place and discovered many new things. My favourite part was seeing the real Eureka flag from the Eureka Stockade in the Ballarat gold rush.

Once we arrived at Sovereign Hill we felt like we had travelled back in time to the 1850s.

Some of the activities we did there were gold panning, watching raspberry drops being made, playing on the playground and dressing up in costumes the 1850s kids would have worn in school.

We attended three different costume schools, they were St. Peter’s, which was the upper class, Red Hill which was the middle class, and the Ragged school which was the poor class.

To experience life in the 1850s was so different: back then kids were seen, not heard. Girls didn’t have as many opportunities and, in general, it was a much more challenging life.

I enjoyed camp, especially when I got to taste the raspberry drops and see how they were made.

By Paisley, Year 6 Reporter

School captains

Macedon

Primary School

captains Anja Eljan and Archer Damrow with Principal Andrew Bloomfield.

Big rock and beach camp for Braemar

Last month the Year 5 students of Braemar went to the mesmerising Hanging Rock. The day was a wonderful one filled with excitement and active fun.

From the nature art activity (where we saw an echidna) to climbing the rock, each moment was something to remember.

Orienteering was challenging but provided opportunities for us to work together. It was so nice to see everyone playing, having fun and getting to know each other. Overall, the trip to Hanging Rock was a fantastic experience with the most beautiful scenery and wonderful memorable moments.

Audra Tulloch Year 5 Early in Term 1, the Year 7 students at Braemar College went on camp to Anglesea for three nights.

The cohort was split across two camps; Coastal Forest Lodge and Araluen Lutheran Camp. The camp activities included surfing, bodyboarding, sandcastle building, river kayaking, and a beach walk. Everyone enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends.

The third day was declared a Total Fire Ban day,

in Anglesea.

and the whole cohort came together to spend the day at the Waurn Ponds Leisure Centre. Everyone had fun riding the big slides!

Year 7 camp was an amazing experience, and a great way to start the new school year.

By Celia Ho and Percy Dunn, Year 7

From NAPLAN to Colour Run at Mt Macedon

We had our annual Mount Macedon Primary School House Athletics Day on 13 March, at Dixon Field in Gisborne. We competed in sports such as discus, shot-put, running and long jump. Winners in these sports will jump into district athletics.

NAPLAN took place from 11 to 17 March. Our school is really impressed by the way the students coped with NAPLAN, because some technical errors occurred over the entire system. The students wrote stories about a rock (Grade 5s on computer and Grade 3s on paper). Thank you to all the family and friends who came

to the Harmony Day Breakfast. It was amazing to see all those people there and to be able to share all the wonderful and delicious food that your culture represents!

Last week we had our Colour Run. It coincides with Holi Festival which is an annual event that mainly takes place in India. It celebrates how we can be different, yet still so similar.

The festival involves spraying colours and water on students, running through tunnels, and having a massive amount of fun throughout the day.

The Colour Run continued until every last bit of fun had been soaked out of this incredible day!

Could a Gisborne or Mount Macedon dish win Edgy Veg Award again this year?

The Edgy Veg Awards returns for its fifth delicious year in April. Running from 1 to 30 April, the celebration of creative vegetable dishes spans eateries across the Macedon Ranges Shire and Mount Alexander Shire.

This year, 29 cafes, pubs and restaurants are serving up inventive veg-forward dishes — and the public decides the winners by eating and rating them.

In Gisborne, 3 Little Pigs Café is warming things up with a fragrant Vegetable Curry, while Bowl’d has their health-giving Soul Harvest Protein Bowl.

Then for dessert, pop up to Mount Macedon Trading Post, where they are tempting tastebuds with a Blueberry and Coconut Chia Pudding topped with toasted seeds. It’s fun, democratic and very tasty — eat the dishes, rate them, and help crown this year’s winners. Democracy has never tasted so good! Plan your veg adventure at edgyvegawards.com.au

1st New Gisborne Scout pursuits

many and varied

New Gisborne Scouts had fun at Founder’s Day celebrations. The highlight was the 'Going Up' ceremony for four Cubs who travelled across a rope bridge to new friends in Scouts. Cub Scout numbers will be replenished as five Joey Scouts are ready to 'Go Up'.

The next big Group events will see us proudly join the wider Gisborne community in the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal and the Anzac Day march.

Joeys brought tongs and sturdy gloves to Gisborne’s Adventure Park for Clean Up Australia Day. Lots of rubbish no longer bound for the creek! Now Joeys are working on cycling safety and skills preparing for the 'Jamboree on Pedals.'

The Macedon Ranges District 'Spy Camp' is coming with opportunities for Cub Scouts to learn the secrets of espionage, tunnels and abseiling. Next, a weekend camp at Noonameena (Lauriston) and the statewide Cuboree in September.

We will soon start fitting out the Scout Hut with toilets, kitchen, shelving and a trailer bay. Donations are tax-deductible.

Scouting offers proven programs, challenges and opportunities for young people and leadership opportunities for parents. We meet Wednesdays 6.30 to 8pm, Venturers on Fridays. Contact Group Leader Russell Barker on 0400 297 025 or russell@jeem.com.au.

For Venturers, call Tracey on 0407 098 032.

Top award among 1st Gisborne Scouts' activities

Over the past month the Scouts have run activities ranging from a quiet night painting self-portraits to building giant catapults where they fired basketballs at towers of milk crates.

On 1 March the Scouts joined up with the Joey and Cub section for ‘Clean Up Australia' Day. This year we focused on cleaning the parkland from behind Petstock in Robertson Street to around John Aitken Reserve on Aitken Street.

The youth did a great job of cleaning up the rubbish, collecting four big bags of rubbish and recycling before finishing with a sausage sizzle.

Three Venturers from 1st Gisborne Scout Group were each recently presented with their King’s Scout Awards. Emily, Andreas and Julia attended Government House where they were given their certificates and presented to the Governor, Professor Margaret Gardner AC.

The King’s Scout Award is the highest award a Venturer can earn and is the most recognised Scout youth award in the community. It is the culmination of over 300 hours of dedicated Venturing activity. Huge congratulation to these Venturers on their achievement.

For more information about the fun and adventurous things that we get up to, please follow 1st Gisborne Scout Group on Facebook.

Carolyn Goode (Joey Leader)

Water is essential for life in our region.

Let’s

look after it together.

Drying conditions are placing pressure on our local storages.

Gisborne Guides focus on environment

Gisborne Lightning Guides decided they would like to work on nature themes badges over the next few weeks so began by doing a scavenger hunt in Daly Reserve to see what was growing.

The following session they walked along a section of Jacksons Creek to check the water quality and habitats along the banks. Over the next few sessions they will be exploring ways they can care for our local environment.

If you think you would like to try Guiding this year then refer to the Girl Guides Victoria website: www.guidesvic.org.au.

The Gisborne unit meets at the Daly Reserve community hall on Thursdays between 5 and 6.30pm.

Permanent Water Saving Rules are always in place to help us all use water wisely. Every small action you take to save water can make a big difference to your community.

Follow these tips to help protect our precious water supply:

Stick to a 4-minute shower.

Turn the tap off when brushing teeth.

Install a water-efficient showerhead. If you have a leaking tap, replace the washer.

Visit our website for more information gww.com.au/saving-water

It's no hard cell to get Probus members on Pentridge Gaol visit

At the Probus Club’s AGM on 5 March, we elected the new committee and Michael O’Brien was presented as the newest Life Member.

Members very much enjoyed their Pentridge Gaol monthly outing in February and while on the guided tour were surprised to find out that women were once housed in the gaol too. The monthly meetings and outings provide members with the opportunity to stay engaged, connected and active.

March’s outing was lunch at Houdini’s in Diggers Rest.

The club organises a longer tour each year and this year it will be in October to Norfolk Island - the trip is already fully booked.

Probus is open to semi-retired and retired people and gives people the opportunity for social connection, with our focus being on fun and new experiences.

You are welcome to come along and check us out at the next monthly meeting on Thursday 2 April.

Probus members wish all a very Happy Easter.

If you want to find out more about Probus you can contact our President Gary Jones on 0458 841 947.

Dianne Egan

Easter School Holiday Program

Monday 13 April, Tuesday 14 April, Wednesday 15 April, 9am to 12 noon

Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct, New Gisborne

Looking for something fun and active for the kids during the Easter school holidays?

Join us at the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct, for our April Easter School Holiday Program for children aged three to 12 years.

Each session includes sports (Monday and Tuesday), dance (Wednesday), plus arts and craft every day. Three-day pass: $117.90; one-day pass: $39.30.

Sibling discounts available Places are limited, and the program will run subject to minimum numbers. Book now to secure your spot.

To register: Phone: 5421 1469, email: leisure@mrsc. vic.gov.au. For more information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/ school-holidays

Vintage Machinery group gears up for May steam rally

Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society members are busily preparing for the society’s annual rally, to be held on Sunday 17 May at the Steam Park in Webb Crescent, New Gisborne.

The society’s steam roller “Matilda”, shown in the photo, is celebrating her 100th birthday this year.

The society’s large portable steam engine, which worked in a timber mill at Bullengarook, is also of a similar age. Restoring that engine back to operation was a foundational activity of our society.

As part of our preparations for the rally, the boilers of the society’s steam roller and large portable steam engine have been opened up and cleaned by our heavy steam team, and then inspected by an independent boiler inspector.

This inspection task is scheduled well in advance of the rally to enable us to subsequently organise any repairs the inspector deems appropriate.

The society’s miniature railway, which gives pleasure to many young passengers, also undergoes regular inspection and maintenance to ensure safe operation.

We look forward to seeing you at the rally in May and sharing with you our passion for Gisborne’s mechanical heritage.

Chris Dixon

'Last week, my old tractor got stuck in reverse, and before I could get it to stop I'd unploughed 2 hecares!'

LOCAL HISTORY

WE FORGET

AHow Anzac tradition began

nzac Day is a National Day of Remem   brance in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga, commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations throughout the world.

The Anzac tradition began in World War I with the landing of troops on 25 April 1915 on the Turkish Aegean coast, near Gallipoli. Due to a navigational error, the Anzacs came ashore north of the intended landing point, so instead of facing the expected beach and gentle slope, the troops found themselves at the bottom of steep cliffs, facing their enemies.

After eight months of fighting, the Allies withdrew, leaving a loss of 10,000 among the Anzacs and more than 33,000 British dead. The last known Gallipoli veteran of any nationality was Alec Campbell of Tasmania who died in May 2002.

On 30 April 1915, when the first news of the landing reached New Zealand, a half-day holiday was declared and impromptu services of remembrance were held. The following year a public holiday was declared on 5 April and services to were organised by the returned servicemen. From 1916 onwards, in both Australia and New Zealand, Anzac services were held on or about 25 April, mainly organised by returned servicemen and

school children in cooperation with local authorities. Anzac Day was not listed as a public holiday in New Zealand until 1921, after lobbying by the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association, the RSA.

In Australia, it was decided at the 1921 state Premiers’ Conference that Anzac Day would be observed on 25 April each year. In both Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day commemorations feature solemn dawn or morning services, a tradition that began in Albany,

Western Australia, on 25 April 1923 and is now held at war memorials throughout both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in all conflicts, to the ceremonial sounds of the bugle rendering the Last Post.

One of the traditions of Anzac Day is the ‘gunfire breakfast’ (coffee with rum added), which occurs shortly after many dawn ceremonies.

Marches by veterans from all past wars and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force are held in capital cities and towns nationwide. Marches are often followed by social gatherings of veterans and their families, hosted either in a hotel or an RSL Club, often including the traditional gambling game “two-up”, which was an extremely popular pastime with Anzac soldiers. The importance of this tradition is demonstrated by the fact that, though most Australian states have laws forbidding gambling other than in designated licensed venues, on Anzac Day, it is legal to play “two-up”.

Since 1995, an Australian Rules Football match has become an Anzac Day feature at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Contested between Collingwood and Essendon, in celebration of the Anzac spirit, this game has become one of the most popular AFL matches, with the best player on ground awarded the Anzac Day Medal.

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

St Paul’s Anglican Op Shop Jottings

About nine years ago, Joanna had just gone through the trauma of admitting her beloved dad into care, when her friend Diana said to her, “You should come and work in the Op Shop.”

Federal grant secures major step towards full reopening of Cross

A new display, titled 'Local Sports & Community Activities', has been mounted in the stable at the rear of Gisborne Court House by the Historical Society. Open daily from 10am to 2pm.

After your visit, if you see an item missing that you would like to lend for the exhibit, please drop it in to the Court House on a Wednesday 10am to 4pm, or phone Phyllis on 0431 063 119 to arrange a suitable time.

The next General Meeting will be held at the Courthouse on Wednesday 22 April at 7.30pm, when John Keating will speak on ‘Changes in Real Estate over the Decades’.

All are welcome.

After thinking about it, Joanna decided it might be just the thing to do. She wasn't familiar with the Anglican Op Shop in Gisborne where Diana voluteered, but before long she was working one shift a week with Diana.

From the start Joanna loved it. Meeting people, and seeing them leave happy with their purchases was so satisfying. She is one of the shop's “emergency staff,” being on the list of those who step in at a moment’s notice if a volunteer is unable to fill their shift.

Volunteers, for the most part, find their own 'subs' when they are unable to fill their shift. This means a minimum of administration is needed, and we appreciate every volunteer. With 50plus volunteers, many of whom work one half-day shift a month, the Op Shop is open Tuesday/Thursday, 10am to 1pm, Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

We always need new volunteers. The Facebook page is called Gisborne Anglican Op Shop. We add a few pictures weekly of our stock, some of those items quite unique. Check it out, and drop in soon!

Jan Volkman Harris, volunteer

The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Committee of Management has been awarded $150,000 in federal funding to support critical accessibility and safety works at the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross.

This funding will enable Stage 2 accessibility and safety works, bringing the project significantly closer to fully reopening the memorial safely to the public.

However the project is still a little short. While this grant represents a major milestone, the total funding target of $200,000 has not yet been fully achieved.

Additional funding is still required to complete the full scope of restoration works and ensure the long-term conservation of the memorial. (The Memorial Cross will be open for the Anzac Day Dawn Service.)

Committee chairman David Mann said, “This funding places us in a strong position to reopen the Cross, but we will continue working with the community to complete the remaining restoration works and secure the memorial for future generations.”

The committee acknowledged the advocacy of the Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, and extended its appreciation to the State Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman, for her support.

Carnage on the roads

The Gardiners felt road accidents could not be omitted from their stories; they were such a big part of their tenure at the garage.

Eddie: In 1970, fatalities on Victorian roads exceeded 1000. This fact became an issue of public disgrace and The Sun newspaper started a vigorous campaign with the slogan “Declare War on 1034.”

From the mid-1950s and for almost the next 30 years serious road accidents could be distressing and harrowing experiences for all concerned. This was a time of limited equipment or readily available medical help. The SES was not formed until 1977, the CFA was in its early stage of support on the road and the nearest ambulance was a volunteer-driven (if available) unit stationed at Woodend. Hopefully, the town’s only doctor was able to attend or, if not, as I have seen, desperately injured people were loaded onto the back of a ute and taken to the newly opened Gisborne Hospital.

Compare the past with today when an accident scene often takes on the appearance of a disaster area, bristling with equipment and personnel. Imagine what it was like in the past with no means of communication at all, no police car, no flashing lights, no SES, no jaws of life, no floodlighting, no hi-vis clothing only hacksaws, crow-

Tales of old Gisborne

Told by Eddie and Peter Gardiner

bars and levers and often the tow truck winches used to literally pull crashed vehicles apart. The only light was from hand-held torches.

Picture an accident in the Black Forest in the early hours of the morning, pitch back and raining, with fully loaded semi-trailers thundering past. It could be a dangerous, perilous and frightening situation.

At the height of those worst of times, when so many horrific accidents were caused by excessive drinking, the smell of blood, beer and battery acid will forever live in the memories of those who were there.

Who did the extrications? The tow truck operators. They were the first responders. Gardiners Garage ran tow trucks of different types over the years and attended

an extraordinary number of accidents. Peter excelled at road smashes: his ability to assess and act was outstanding. He was backed up by a group of competent operators. There was a great camaraderie amongst the responders of those days. There had to be, they relied on one another. There was no debriefing or counselling afterwards just talk among yourselves.

Carnage on the roads

Eddie: In one October in the 1970s we attended 30 road accidents.

Peter: We had a job to do. We got them out. We just got on with it. We went to many accidents where we personally knew the people. They were locals and several of them had been killed.

Eddie: We came across a lot of accidents where people were trapped in their cars. Peter was the chief extricator. It usually took him a lot of time to get them out and by then the ambulance would have arrived. If they were badly injured either Peter or Tom Ritchie (who was always with us) would drive the ambulance to the hospital while the ambulance officer took care of the victim.

Peter: The biggest accident scene we had to deal with was on an Easter Monday. It was pouring rain and 27 cars were involved in various nose-totail pile-ups on the highway. We towed the cars and double parked them along Hamilton Street opposite the garage.

Peter: Then there was a big semi that went upside down coming down the hill past Calthorpe Street in front of Jimmy Young’s old place. I got the good job there. I crawled in the left-hand door. In the cabin the windscreen was gone and the roof was shoved back and the back window was looking up at the sky. He (the driver) was in it. He was pinned right under the steering wheel upside down. I hack-sawed the steering column off. It took a long time because no one else could help you. We got him out. He was in one piece. He survived. But a lot of others didn’t.

Eddie: In all those years Peter and I never got injured except for the hot day when a B double ran up the extended back of our tilt tow truck, crushing the cabin. Peter jumped to safety but in the couple of hours sorting things out the top of his head was sunburnt because he didn’t have a hat.

Untimely loss to sports community

Obituary

David William Anderson

11 May 1964 – 4 March 2026

David was a beloved son, devoted husband, proud father, cherished brother-in-law, and a loyal friend to many.

He was someone who brought warmth, laughter, and a sense of ease to every room he walked into. His presence made people feel welcome, valued and at home.

As a valued member of the Gisborne Rookies and Gisborne Dragons, David was more than just a teammate — he was a mate, a supporter, and someone others could always count on.

His spirit, camaraderie and love for being

part of a team left a lasting impression on everyone around him.

Above all, David’s greatest legacy is his family. The love he shared with Sharon was strong and unwavering, and the life they built together was one filled with care, dedication and pride.

His sons Josh and Zach carry forward his values, his strength and his sense of humour — a reflection of the incredible father he was.

David Anderson

Environment grants

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is proud to support the environment grant program in recognition of the contributions community environment groups make.

The program supports groups with capacity building, weed control and biolink enhancement.

The Group Support grant has in-

Smart idea to keep bin lids down

Thank you to a practical reader who passes on this ingenious solution to the problem of windy bin days – they have clearly had enough of their rubbish blowing all over the place.

A couple of water bottles attached with straps to the handles of rubbish bins helps to keep the lids from blowing open.

David gave his family a life full of memories, laughter and love that will be held forever. His impact remains in the lives he touched and the moments he created.

May David rest in eternal peace, and may his love continue to live on in all who knew him.

Frances Dimech

creased to up to $1000 per group, providing flexible support for administration, training, governance, insurance and small-scale environmental works.

The next round of Group Support grants opens on 6 April and closes 3 May. For information, call 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au.

If you have CCTV that covers driveways, front yards, streets, rear lane-ways and security doorbells that activate when pressed, then your local police station would like to add this to our secure database.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The most famous cricket match in Gisborne’s history

By Brian Norton

The Gisborne Dragons Cricket Club celebrated Past Players Day on February 28.

After 33 years some of us could finally talk about the most famous game of cricket ever played in Gisborne.

D Grade was playing at Sankey Oval in a meaningless match. But it mattered to our oldest player, Cliff Dean, who was bowling to a Macedon opponent he’d been facing since the 1950s.

Suddenly I heard a loud whizzing sound and a ‘crack’ overhead coming from the pine trees behind me. Either Mario Pinti or Graham Hall yelled, “That was a bullet!” Then a second whizzed overhead.

“Must be some kid shooting a .22!,” I said. Tom Sankey – a fine cricketer and the man who built the oval – corrected me, “That was no .22. More like a .303.”

A third shot seemed even closer, and everyone hit the ground – all except the batsman and

Local cricketer behind new sports app

Gisborne cricketer Riley Vernon is helping change the way players and clubs connect through a new sports technology platform called FreeAgent Sports.

With strong local roots in the Gisborne community through both sport and family, Riley first came up with the idea during a conversation in a local coffee shop with a cricketer mate about the challenges players face trying to organise opportunities with clubs.

After spending the past three seasons playing cricket in England, Riley experienced firsthand how difficult the process can be. Much of the communication between players, clubs and agents often happens across text messages, emails and WhatsApp chats.

FreeAgent Sports aims to simplify that process by bringing everything into one place. Players and clubs can build profiles, connect with each other and manage opportunities locally and around the world through the platform. Messaging, video calls, contracts and visa information are all built into the app.

Cricket is the first sport on the platform, with soccer currently being developed as the company looks to expand globally.

Riley’s father Brett Vernon is also a co-founder and recently travelled with Riley to Britain to launch the platform at the Lancashire Cricket Expo at Old Trafford in

the bowler. “Whatya doing? Don’t let a stray bullet stop a game of cricket,” Cliffy yelled, as his arch-enemy tapped his bat on the crease.

But when another flew by, we ran for shelter, and the batsman and bowler reluctantly followed. Someone ran to the servo and called the police. Soon a helicopter arrived on Sankey Oval with a SWAT team!

Later, on ABC Radio 6 o’clock news I was surprised to hear about ‘a cricket match in Gisborne, Victoria,’ and the voice of Graham Hall describing the scene. The ABC rang the rooms – and were

Manchester, which attracted around 5000 attendees and representatives from more than 600 cricket clubs. The company also has business partners in Britain and India. They are developing India’s Fastest Bowler competition, with the final to be held in Delhi. The winner will earn the opportunity to travel to Australia next summer and play at a local cricket club for six months.

Riley is now back home playing for Gisborne Cricket Club while continuing to expand FreeAgent Sports, which is free for players and clubs and available on the App Store.

lucky to find a sober man.

For ‘borrowing’ a rifle, two local boys were later treated leniently by Kyneton Magistrates Court, with Graham serving as witness.

On Past Players Day neither Tom, Graham, Mario nor myself talked of bullets. Instead we laughed at remembering old Cliffy Dean refusing to leave the ground. And today a Cliff Dean Award is given annually for service to the Gisborne Cricket Club.

Thanks to Greg, Brendan, Andrew and the volunteers at GDCC, and to the Gisborne Historical Society.

Cricket ends, footy and netball begin

April sees the change of sporting seasons with the playing of cricket finals and the commencement of the footy season.

In the cricket, Gisborne defeated Romsey in a McIntyre Cup semi-final on 21 and 22 March, making it to the Grand Final as they did last year. The Dragons were set face Woodend on 28 and 29 March in Wallan.

The Kookaburra Women’s A Grade Final saw Gisborne go down to Wallan in a closely fought 30-over Grand Final.

Gisborne started brightly, posting 54 runs before the loss of the first wicket. From then on, despite the efforts of captain Brianna Woodburn who scored 61, the innings fell away and Gisborne were all out for 133. Wallan reached 134 with the loss of six wickets in the 29th over.

Emily McDonald took 4/20 in a good bowling effort for Gisborne.

In football and netball, Gisborne will continue in the Bendigo League this season and the football and netball teams will play their opening matches on Good Friday 3 April at Gardiner Reserve, hosting Kangaroo Flat. Macedon also kicks off their footy and netball season at home on Good Friday and they will be opposed by Gisborne Giants at Tony Clarke Reserve.

Gisborne Midweek Bowls side are premiers

Gisborne and District Bowling Club 3 sides, Division 1, 2 and 3 played in the Highlands Midweek Bowls grand finals with the Division 1 side winning the premiership after defeating Kyneton by 22 shots. However, Gisborne only scraped home in the second semi-final by 2 shots that put them straight into the grand final. The side’s ultimate success followed a strong performance throughout the season. Success did not follow for the Division 2 side that

was defeated by Kyneton, nor the Division 3 side that was defeated by Mt Cottrell. However, it was a great achievement to have three teams playing in grand finals.

Subsequent to Gisborne winning the Division 1 premiership, they played in the Ballarat Highlands Regional Championship against Sebastopol BC with the winner playing in the State Championships. After a close tussle throughout the game, Gisborne went down by just 6 shots.

Lots happening in golf on the mount

It has been a busy month of events at the Mt Macedon Golf Club, with these kicked off by the annual Ash Wednesday Commemorative Ambrose. Net winners were Peter Semmens, Sean Bassett and Kevin Taylor and the gross competition was taken out by Matt Wills, Jerome and Jonno Langmaid with 7 under par 60.

Next up was the Gisborne Gazette 4BBB which was won by Hamish Allen and Brian Freestone with 49 points from Geoff Pickles and Bryce Singh with 48.

The February Monthly Medal ended with a tie between Peter Palmer and Saurabh Singh both with net 64. The medal will be decided at the March event. What was decided on the day was the 2025 Medal of Medallists, which went to Darcy Doyle, who also took out the gross event on the day, with 69.

The mid-week Mug of the Month (and A grade) was taken out by Mike Gorman with 39 Stableford points. B grade went to Hamish Allen with 35 points.

The club was impacted by the severe storm in February. Thanks to members Mick and Patrick Doyle, Matt Willis, Richard Payne, Sean Smyth, Nick Clesielski, Peter Watson, Mike Hoiles, Rob Beatson and Sean Bassett who attended a working bee to assist in the clean up.

Finally, former Club Captain, tournament secretary, committee member and 27-year member Gary Liddy played his last competitive game at MMGC before moving with his family to Queensland. A barbecue was held in his honour and thanks and best wishes go to him from the club for his years of hard work. Sean Bassett

Girls’ participation in futsal soars

Female participation in futsal is on a strong upward trajectory in the Macedon Ranges. Ten year old Rose Bartram thrives on running around the court and saving goals, and she describes her teammates as talented and funny. Their team is fittingly named the Purrfect Panthers.

Macedon Ranges Futsal currently has female only competitions for girls in grades 3 and 4, grades 5 and 6, years 7-8 and years 9-10. In the coming winter season, starting late April, it is anticipated that a women’s open division will also commence. Girls are also represented in the mixed divisions for all age groups.

The vice-president of Macedon Ranges Futsal, Jenni Gadd, said, “We are fortu nate to have such high female participa tion rates. Our women and girls enjoy this fun, fast-paced sport, bringing technical skill and physicality to the games. Our girls finals matches are always espe cially exciting to watch.’’

Female participation in futsal ex tends through to the national women’s futsal team who represent Australia. In a huge breakthrough for women’s futsal, in March, the national team finished runners up against Thailand in the Asian Women’s Futsal Championship.

Kristy Mutsaers (committee member) Rose Bartram, member of the Purrfect Panthers.

Gisborne young guns are firing

The Gisborne Golf Club has invested significant resources to encourage and teach junior players to play the game of golf. And guess what – this is starting to produce some talented young golfers.

This year, young Jackson Lee won the George Rich trophy, a coveted Board event fought over by monthly cup winners.

Another Gisborne junior, Nate Jackman, recently won the SACCSS Open Championship at Werribee, shooting 81 in extremely wet conditions. In the SACCSS Junior Golf Championships, Jacob Memery, Gisborne’s 2025 C Grade Champion, joined Ollie Durling to win the pairs event. (SACCSS is the Sports Association of Catholic Co-educational Secondary Schools.)

Also, the Salesian junior team which included Gisborne junior members, Jacob, Ollie, Harry Larkins, Xavier Newton and Mitch McCready, won the junior team’s event.

But wait, there’s more! Letti Sacco, another one of our junior stars, recently shot a 77 off the stick. Letti is a graduate of the Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Scholarship program, tailored to teach girls between 9 and 16 years the game of golf. Gisborne has been running this scholarship program for the past three years.

Gisborne Junior members increased by 54% in 2025 compared to the state average of 16.7%, so we must be doing something right.

But we want more junior members, so we will continue to hold Junior 9-hole competitions on Sundays, plus a wide range of clinics for all ages.

Remember, golf is a game for life and learning it at a young age is a gift that will never fade away.

Mt Macedon Petanque Club

The Mt Macedon Petanque had a busy February, with several members travelling to competitions. Four players travelled to Coonawarra in South Australia, all finishing in the top 16 out of 64 teams. Apollo Bay was attended by five members who enjoyed playing with the sound of the waves breaking on the nearby beach. The team of Paul Fox, Rhonda Shears and Caroliza Job came in 4th place out of 30 teams.

The club members wish Rhonda Shears all their best wishes for her, whilst playing for Australia against New Zealand in mid-March.

Come and see the club in action, behind the Ampol Service station in Station Road, every Wednesday from 2pm, and every second and fourth Saturday from 10am, or visit the website at mtmacedonpetanque.org

QUIZ

1. Who was Australia’s only female Prime Minister?

2. Which is the only horse to have won the Melbourne Cup three times?

3. How many kangaroos are depicted on the back of the 2026 Australian $1 coin?

4. Tonsils are part of which system in the human body?

5. VJ Day celebrated the victory against which nation in World War 2?

6. Na is the chemical symbol for which element?

7. Which is denser, gold or lead?

8. How many points is the “X” tile worth in Scrabble?

9. Why are minus 40 degrees C and minus 40 degrees F remarkable?

10. What is the only double album by the Beatles commonly referred to as?

Answers page 39

Great showing for Thunder at District Swimming Championships

Nineteen swimmers from Gisborne Thunder, the swimming club of the Macedon Ranges, travelled up the Calder Freeway to Bendigo on 1 March to compete in the Central Victoria (District 15) Swimming Championships.

The team delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home an impressive 10 gold, 19 silver, and 14 bronze medals, along with countless personal best times. Their combined efforts secured the club a third place overall.

All swimmers were fantastic on the day, but a special congratulations goes to Samuel R, who was crowned Age Champion for Boys 13 and Under.

Many of our swimmers have also achieved strong results at their individual school swimming carnivals, with a large number progressing to District, Division and Regional finals in both individual and relay events. We wish them all the very best as they vie for a spot at the School State Championships at MSAC (Melbourne) in April.

Please note: There will be no club night in April, as our swimmers, committee, and coaches take a wellearned break after a busy summer season. The next club night will be on 9 May.

Interested in joining? Visit the club’s website for more information: www.gisbornethunder.org

Kate Hager

CROSSWORD

Futsal finals

Several futsal finals were held in late March, unfortunately too late for this issue of the Gazette Some of the pictures will be published in the May edition.

Compiled by Chris Antoniou ACROSS

3 Famous ship which sank in 1912

4 Small palindromic boat

8 Ship’s “chimney” where smoke exhausts

9 Fishing boat using large drag nets to catch fish

12 Captain Nemo’s submarine in the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

13 A window in the hull

14 Ship’s kitchen

16 This fuelled the first steam ships

17 Largest aircraft carrier in the US fleet, USS Gerald R. ______

18 Large fabric sheet designed to catch the wind

19 Small ship designed to carry passengers on short trips between two points, common in Sydney DOWN

1 Mythical ghost ship, The Flying ______

2 Ships used to carry people and cargo on the Murray River, paddle ______.

5 First and usually the largest part of a ship being built

6 A boat fitted with a periscope

7 Two-masted sailboat with the forward mast taller than the rear mast

10 Steering mechanism

11 The proper name for a ship’s screw

15 Famous sailing ship moored in Melbourne, Polly ________.

16 Room on board a ship Answers page 39

South Gisborne Tennis Club Open Day

South Ward sports clubs share in new grants

More grants now available

Two local sporting clubs received state government grants in March. Macedon Junior Netball Club received $1000 towards uniforms and equipment, and Macedon Bowling Club received $1000 towards uniforms and equipment.

The grants were among 10 in the Macedon electorate announced on 26 February by the Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, from the Sporting Club Grants Program.

A new round of the grants is now open, and will close on 7 April.

The program provides grants of up to $1000 for uniforms and equipment, up to $1500 for resources that improve governance and engagement, up to $5000 for projects to strengthen volunteering and officiating, up to $5000 to deliver a new sport or recreation program, and up to $750 to support athlete travel. For information on applying, visit sport. vic.gov.au

A new round of grants for sporting clubs is now open.

SPORT IN PICTURES

THE CHURCHES

St Brigid’s Parish Gisborne

– incorporating St Ambrose Riddells Creek and St Patrick’s Macedon

Parish Priest: Fr. John Healy

Assistant Priest: Fr. Zaher Al Mhanna

Baptism

Baptism is available each month, generally on the fourth Sunday. Please contact the parish office for the next available dates. The 2026 Baptism calendar has now been set.

Enquiries to: gisborne@cam.org.au or 5428 2591.

Sacraments

Registration is now open for Sacraments to be celebrated this year.

Please contact the office at gisborne@cam.org.au if you would like to be included in information sent out for Sacraments this year.

Reconciliation available to Year 3 and above, Holy Communion available to Year 4 and above and Confirmation available to Year 6 and above. Sacrament fee for 2026 is $100. Baptism details required for registration.

Normal weekend services

Saturday 6pm St Brigid’s

Sunday 8am St Ambrose

Sunday 9.30am St Patrick’s Sunday 11am St Brigid’s Everyone welcome.

Weekday services

Please check the parish website for the weekday Mass schedule as it may change regularly.

EASTER SERVICES

Holy Thursday – Gisborne and Woodend 2 April 7pm

Stations of the Cross – Gisborne and Woodend 3 April 10am

Good Friday – Macedon and Lancefield 3 April 3pm

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil – Gisborne and Lancefield 4 April 7pm

Easter Sunday – Normal Sunday Mass times www.melbcatholic.org/s/gisborne

Parish Secretary: Tammie Dalgleish

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm

Parish website: www.melbcatholic.org/s/gisborne

Easter welcome and beauty at Mount Macedon Uniting Church

The Easter long weekend for many is a chance for a decent break with good weather. But Easter stands as the defining moment of the Christian faith — not just a historical event that happened roughly 2,000 years ago, but a living reality that offers new life and hope in our darkest moments. As we celebrate Easter this year may we dare to hope for sense and wisdom in world leaders as we recall once more Christ’s message of love and peace for all the world.

Mount Macedon Uniting Church offers an opportunity for people in the wider community to come and hear the Easter message.

Our services are on Good Friday at 9.00AM and Easter Sunday 10.30 AM. Everyone welcome!

April also brings the Autumn Festival to the Macedon Ranges. The vibrant colours of the Boston Creeper foliage often see crowds jostling for photographs with the colourful church as background.

Wishing you and your family a joyful, hope-filled Easter. May you find moments of stillness, joy, and a deep sense of hope. Neil Tweddle, 0488 001 336

Pancakes and praise

GISBORNE UNITING CHURCH

In recent times, one of the headaches for many churches is that church building sizes have outlived their time. We love looking at bluestone, spire-topped structures grandly situated on a hill.

It won’t surprise any reader that they are very, very expensive to maintain. Gisborne Uniting Church doesn’t have that problem – no bluestone, no spire, just what one of our wits calls ‘garage gothic’, referring to its previous use as a car showroom. Yet, we still have the responsibility of using its space well and for the greater good.

Its main purpose is for worship and ventures into the wider Christian world, as our recent Peter Barcham guest lecturer, Greek Orthodox priest Fr Dimolianis, vividly reminded us of the deep roots of our faith over a 2000-year period.

The building hosts the much-needed FoodBank, well-supported by the local community for a seriously necessary cause. It’s so obvious that each one of us has the right to three meals a day.

Fulfilling another need is the Gisborne Singers choir, which rehearses here each Wednesday evening. Blissful music!

Mostly though, it is a place of praise and prayer. Easter services begin with our Good Friday service on Friday 3 April at 9.30am and reach the peak of the glories of Easter Day, same time, same place on 5 April. We have the happy tradition on that day of the greening of the Cross, a lovely sight for passers-by.

And always there is the challenge of a needy world. Used (or even unused) stamps continue to raise funds for small overseas projects which could never attract grant funding.

A larger project is the recent one of supporting food production in Timor Leste.

Closer to home is continual fund-raising for our church’s social arm, Uniting, with its emphasis on the homeless and the housing needs of so many. Hence flipping pancakes recently raised $300 – flour and water, just add chef-like skills!

Janet Wood

From darkness to dawn: entering the story of Holy Week and Easter

At the end of Lent, Christians step into the most important week of the year: Holy Week. It is not just a remembrance, but a journey — one that moves from quiet intimacy, through sorrow, and into unexpected joy.

Holy Week begins with Maundy Thursday, where we remember Jesus sharing a final meal with his friends, washing their feet, and giving a new commandment: to love one another. It is a night of closeness and tenderness. But it ends with us, like the disciples, fleeing into the night and betraying Jesus.

Then comes Good Friday, the darkest day. We gather to reflect on the death of Jesus on the cross — not as a distant tragedy, but as a moment where God enters fully into human suffering, holding even our darkest experiences.

Holy Week reaches its climax on Holy Saturday. As a new fire is lit, the first sign of Easter is heralded with song, bells and shouts of acclamation.

Easter Day bursts forth with light and life. It proclaims that death does not have the final word. This is the beginning of Eastertide, a season of joy that stretches on, celebrating hope, renewal, and the promise of new life that lasts us 50 days, to reflect the joy of the risen Jesus.

You are warmly invited to walk this journey with us in the Parish of Gisborne:

Maundy Thursday – 7.30pm at Gisborne

Good Friday – 8am at Gisborne, 10am at Macedon

Holy Saturday – 7.30pm at Macedon

Easter Day – 10am at Gisborne.

With every blessing to you for this Holy Week. Fr. Scott

WHAT'S ON

YEARS AGO

APRIL 1926

Riddell – Alongside the entrance drive at ‘Strathardle’, the country home of Mr. R. Ferguson, is an attractive object by way of a curious growth formation of a large white gum. By some process, the main trunk, after reaching a height of about 25 feet (7.5m), made a horizontal growth and then a downward one, making an archway which had now an upward growth on the top of the span. This is really “The Bent Tree”.

Football – R.D.F.A. Reformed Delegates

Meeting. It was unanimously decided to affiliate with the Victorian Junior Football Association. Delegates agreed that the umpires were of a very good standard and thought that they would be doing the best thing in the interests of the Association.

Gisborne Gazette 2 April 1926

Gisborne – A good muster turned up to the working bee held on Saturday last to remove the fire station and fence on the Gisborne Island reserve. The Progress Association wishes to thank those men who attended for their services. As the work was not quite finished it is hoped to have sufficient men turn up on Saturday to complete the job already started. It is also hoped at an early date, to erect a railing fence partly round the arena and when this is done, Gisborne will have one of the finest grounds in the R.D.F.A.

Gisborne Gazette 16 April 1926

Swimming Pool for Gisborne – The hon. secretary of the movement to establish a swimming basin at Gisborne reports that the sum of £102 is in hand or has been promised. In order that the work may be carried out in time for the swimming season, it is essential that those willing to contribute towards the cost should do so at once. Plans and specifications of the proposed basin have been drawn up by Mr. Ewing and they make provision for a pool 10 feet (3m) long, 30 feet (9m) wide and varying in depth from 18 inches (45cm) to 6 feet 9 inches (2m). A suitable site has been selected and the ground tested so that the work can be put in hand as soon as sufficient funds are available. The total cost is estimated to be £200.

Gisborne Gazette 16 April 1926

KIDS' QUIZ answers

1 April

REGULAR MEETINGS

If your group is missing from this list, please email gisbornegazetteeditor@gmail.com with details.

ADULT RIDING CLUB (Gis) 2nd Saturday Robertson Res, Sth Gis.

ADULT RIDING CLUB (Bullengarook) 2nd Saturday Rec Reserve

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 3rd Saturday 10am Woodend RSL. www.mrarc.org.au

BADMINTON Tues 8.30pm & Thurs 9.30am, Macedon Community Centre, macedonrangesbadminton@ gmail.com or David 0419 589 425

BOTANIC GARDENS working bee first & last Thurs every month 9.30am-11am email infogisbotgard@gmail.com

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 1st & 3rd Tues 10.30am, Canteena, Gisborne. Enquiries, call Lesley 0484 691 226 BUSHWALKING CLUB Various locations 0402 088 491 or secretary@gisbornebwc.org.au

CANASTA CLUB Macedon & Mt Macedon Community House Wednesdays 2pm

CAR CLUB (Mac Ranges & District Motor Club 1st Wednesday, 8pm, Steam Park, New Gisb. secretary@mradmc.com.au

CARERS GROUP (Mac Ranges) 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1pm Woodend RSL Cherry 5420 7132 (Note: 4th Thurs carers only)

CHAMBER POETS 2nd Saturday of month,1pm Woodend RSL COMMUNITY GARDEN Wed 9.30am Church of Christ (Facebook for updates)

CROCHET & CONVERSATIONS 1st Mon 2.30pm Gisborne Library

CROQUET CLUB Mon, Wed & Sat AM Dixon Field Terry 0493 463 357

CWA GISBORNE 2nd Monday 10am Gis Secondary College

CWA MACEDON 3rd Tues 1pm & 7pm 5426 2210 662 Mt Macedon Rd

DALY RESERVE WORKING BEE 2nd Tues 9.30am Scout Hall, Daly Res dalynaturereserve@gmail.com

FILM SOCIETY 2nd Wed Norma Richardson Hall, Woodend 0402 299 153 or 0407 012 140 FLY FISHING CLUB 4th Wed 7.30pm MRFEC Gisborne info@calderflyfishing.com.au

FRIENDS of JACKSONS CREEK working bees 3rd Sun 10-noon

GARDEN CLUB 2nd Wed various venues Edwina, 0407 576 545

GENEALOGY GROUP 4th Thurs 7.30 Family Hist Rm, Library

GIRL GUIDES Thursdays 5pm Gis Scout Hall

GISBORNE SINGERS Wed 7.30pm Gisborne Uniting Church

HISTORICAL SOCIETY open Wed 10am-4pm Court House

LANDCARE: Gisborne Landcare working bee every 4th Sat, venue to be confirmed each month, gisbornelandcare@gmail.com

LIBRARY: TODDLERS’ STORY TIME 10.30am Mon, Wed, Thurs; BABIES GROUP Fri 10.30am 5428 3962

LIONS CLUB (Gisb) 1st Thurs of month, 7.30pm 247 Station Rd

MARTIAL ARTS Thurs from 6pm St Brigid’s Hall; gisborne@junseikan.com.au

MASONIC LODGE 2nd Thurs 7pm Masonic Hall Aitken St MASTERS AFL Wed 6.30pm all year round Sankey Reserve

Baringo Film Club

1-4 The Travellers (warm-hearted drama, Aus ) 8-11

The Stolen Painting (dramedy, French) 15-18

The Correspondent (documentary, Aus ) 22-25

The Teacher Who Promised The Sea (drama, Spanish) 29-2 May The Deluge (historical drama, French, ‘The Flood’)

OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB Sun 9am Riddell Rec Res macedonrangesdogclub.org.au

PARKRUN Dixon Field every Sat 8am start at pavilion Tom 0408 691 826

PETANQUE 2nd & 4th Sat 10am behind Ampol service station, Station Rd, Gisborne 0439 887 178

PHOENIX ART & CRAFTS 1st Thursday phoenixmrac.com

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOC 1st & 2nd Mon 7pm Jubilee Hall, Macedon. macedon-ranges-photography.org.au

PICKLEBALL Monday 6.30pm & Wed 10.15am, Macedon Community Centre, macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com or David 0419 589 425

POETRY Chamber Poets 2nd Sat 1pm-4pm RSL Woodend

PONY CLUB Bullengarook 1st Sunday Rec Reserve

PONY CLUB Gisborne 1st Sunday Robertson Reserve

PROBUS 1st Thurs 10am Susan 0419 530 041 Gisborne Community Centre hall

RAMBLERS Fridays 9.15am meet Tennis Club Dixon Field

ROTARY CLUB Gisborne 1st & 3rd Tues 7pm Telegraph Hotel (email gisbornerotary@gmail.com for confirmation of venue)

RUNNING GROUP Tues & Thurs 9am, 6pm, Sun 8am Gisborne Aquatic Centre Craig 0417 775 785

RSL Gis Bowling Club For dates & times contact secretary, admin@gisbornersl.com.au or call 0487 278 681

SENIOR CITS (Macedon) Tues 11am Tony Clarke Res macedonseniors@gmail.com

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS Thurs 1-3 Buffalo Stadium Woodend, Lynne 0417 331 439

SPINNERS & FIBRE GROUP Wed 12.30 Rec Reserve, Bullengarook. Kerrie 0406 719 557

SUPPORT AFTER SUICIDE 2nd Mon each month, even if public holiday, 7-8.30pm Newham Mechanics (1292 Rochford Rd)

TABLE TENNIS Wed 7.30pm Tony Clarke Res, Macedon Stan 0437 508 338

THUNDER SWIMMING CLUB 2nd Sat 5pm Gisborne Aquatic Centre Peter 0402 088 491

TOY LIBRARY gisbornetoylibrary@yahoo.com.au Sat. 9.30-11am 71 Robertson St

ULYSSES GROUP 3rd Tues 6pm Sunbur y FC secretary@mrub.org.au

VINTAGE MACHINERY Working bees 1st Sun of month, 8.30am Steam Park; meetings last Friday of month 7pm Steam Park 0419 393 023

WRITERS (Scribes & Scribblers) 2nd Tues 10am-12 Riddell Neighbourhood House 5428 7836

YOUNG VOICES Thursdays 4.15-5.45pm House of the Rock, New Gisborne; yvmacedon.org.au or sdggome@patash.com.au

crossword answers