Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
11 JUNE, 2024
Wonderful witches fair Get your broomsticks and cauldrons ready – The Lancefield Witches Fair is returning to the Lancefield Mechanics Hall for another day of magic. Starting last year for a successful run of three markets, the event boasts about 25 stalls offering products and services like tarot readings, altar tools, incense, amulets, protection poppets, oracle cards, herbal tea, and more. Event organiser Guy Walter, a practising witch for over 35 years, said that the focus of the event is not just the witch-related products but the local benefits. “When we put the idea together, we not only wanted to promote what the people in the market offer, but also Lancefield,” Mr Walter said. With 450 people attending the first market in June last year, Mr Walter said the event also helps other Lancefield businesses. “If they want to get lunch they go to the brewery, or the pub, or the bakery, or the fish and chip restaurant … it‘s a way of promoting what’s in Lancefield,” he said. “It was really successful – we were thrilled with the response.” The event started when Mr Walter and his friend, Michelle Richards, wanted to create an event with a strong point of difference that brings together the witchcraft community. The fair will be held from 10am–2pm on Sunday, June 16, at the Lancefield Mechanics Hall.
Lancefield Witches Fair event organiser Guy Walter and administrator Michelle Richards. (Damjan Janevski) 410897_03
Ranges locals honoured By Oscar Parry A Macedon maternal health nurse and Malmsbury stalwart have been awarded Medals of the Order of Australia as part of this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Nurse and lactation clinic head Samantha Turner was recognised for her for service to nursing and to the community. Malmsbury Town Hall, Village Fayre committee, Mail committee, Farmers’ Market, Advance Association and the Collingwood Children’s Farm volunteer Susan Love was recognised for
her service to the Malmsbury community. From volunteering in Nepal and Mongolia to working across the Northern Territory, Ms Turner has had a long career of serving community health. Ms Turner said it was a “big surprise” to receive an email notifying her of the award, and that she was in a state of disbelief. “I had just spent about $300 getting a virus out of my computer, and I said to my son ‘can you come and have a look at this email? It looks very official … it sounds like a scam,” Ms Turner said.
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“I had tears. I was stoked, I was shocked, honoured … and grateful – it did feel nice to be recognised. I’m glad it wasn’t spam.” Ms Turner grew up in Ballarat, and in her early career, she moved to the Northern Territory to serve clinics in Catherine and Arnhem Land. “I got dropped off at a petrol station and realised no one was speaking English … I thought ‘how am I going to work here? How am I going to make a difference … when the clients don’t speak English?,” she said. Ms Turner said these roles taught her important lessons that have served her
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throughout her career. “I worked out that secondary communication … is very powerful, and that women communicate quite well and intuitively … by secondary communication through all different cultures in the world.” Ms Turner has also volunteered with the Rotary Club of Gisborne and Rotary International, offering her skills to maternal and infant health projects in Mongolia and Nepal. ■ Continued: Page 5.
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