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Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week: A time to reflect

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Uncle Rick Nelson will again lead a Reconciliation Week Walk.

Mount Alexander Shire Council will be recognising Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week with a number of events open to the community from today.

A Sorry Day Commemoration will be held at Castlemaine Secondary College in Lawson Parade today May 26 at 10.30am.

The morning will include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony and guest speakers.

National Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 7) will be launched tomorrow, May 27, with an official opening to be held at the historic Market Building in Mostyn Street at 10.30am.

The event will include a performance from the Peace Choir and the annual Nalderun Awards.

This year’s theme is ‘Be a voice for generations’, and encourages everyone to use their power, their words and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for everyone.

Community members can also join local Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, Jaara descendant and Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owner on a Reconcililation Week Walk on June 1. Bookings are limited. Call Dhelkaya Health on 5479 1000 to register. $5 donation to Nalderun.

World-first support for local mums

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Dr Richard Mayes and midwife Sam Ward at Dhelkaya Health using the new iCOPE screening tool.

A world-first online screening program is supporting the mental health of new and expectant mums across the Castlemaine region, thanks to a new partnership between Dhelkaya Health and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE), Australia’s peak body for reducing the impacts of perinatal anxiety and depression.

COPE has developed the iCOPE digital screening tool to identify mums at risk and facilitate faster and more effective mental health screening in the perinatal period (pregnancy and year following birth).

iCOPE enables perinatal mental health screening to be undertaken across all clinical settings, from in-person to remote screening via the patient’s mobile phone. The new service is now being used at Dhelkaya Health Maternity Services.

Founder and Executive Director of COPE and perinatal mental health specialist Dr Nicole Highet said the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence and severity of perinatal depression and anxiety and had a dramatic effect on the mental health of new and expectant parents. 

“Though restrictions are over, we’re still seeing a high demand for perinatal mental health services as calls to helplines and support services continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels,” Dr Highet said.

“Becoming a parent is challenging enough, but now new and expectant parents are experiencing the additional long-lasting mental health effects of living through a global pandemic. It’s now more important than ever to be using this world-leading technology to implement regular, faster and more efficient perinatal mental health screening to identify those at risk and those experiencing symptoms. The sooner symptoms are detected, the faster the treatment can begin, which is why it’s so important to spot the signs early,” she said.

“iCOPE is changing the way perinatal mental health screening is conducted across the country to ensure all mums-to-be have the opportunity to undertake regular mental health screening, in line with the National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline,” Dr Highet said.

Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race said perinatal anxiety and depression is a serious issue facing our community. 

“With 107 women booked with Dhelkaya Health’s Maternity Services in the last year, the iCOPE screening tool will make a real difference for our community. It will allow us to provide improved mental health support to more new mums, and mums-to-be, than ever before,” Ms Race said.

“Dhelkaya Health is proud to be using this world-first tool to provide every new mum in our care with regular mental health checks as an essential part of our maternal healthcare services.

“The iCOPE screening can be conducted on an iPad in the waiting room or the patient’s mobile phone at home before their health consultation, saving time and increasing privacy, which many women have told us is really important,” Ms Race said.

Perinatal depression and anxiety affects one in five mothers, and nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of affected women don’t seek help until they reach crisis point.

A recent international review also found that among women with perinatal mental health conditions, 20 per cent will experience suicidal thoughts or undertake acts of self-harm.

“With suicide being one of the leading causes of maternal death in Australia, mental health screening during pregnancy and the year after birth is critical. The iCOPE digital health check speeds up and facilitates this process,” Dr Highet said.

iCOPE is available in 25 languages and also includes two perinatal mental health screening tools that have been developed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: the Kimberly Mum’s Mood Scale, and the Mt Isa Postnatal Depression Scale.

The iCOPE patient report includes access to the e-COPE Directory of local specialist perinatal mental health support services, ensuring that parents who are doing it tough can get the professional support they need, where and when they need it.

More than 97,000 iCOPE perinatal mental health checks have been conducted to date in Australia (including clinical trials).

Parents and health professionals seeking information about emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and after birth can visit www.cope.org.au. 

Parents needing counselling support should call the free PANDA National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline on 1300 726 306 (Monday to Friday 9am to 7.30pm AEST/AEDT).

Reconciliation Film Festival screenings

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Limbo (2023). Set in a small Australian outback town, detective Travis Hurley arrives to investigate a 20 year old unsolved homicide of an Aboriginal woman.

Theatre Royal Castlemaine is hosting a special program of films as part of the Central Victorian Reconciliation Film Festival from this Sunday May 28 until Sunday June 4. 

The star of the event is Fighting Giants which will screen at the historic cinema on Thursday June 1 at 7.30pm. Nalderun are organising a Welcome to Country for this special event and a Q & A will follow. 

Frack Free Kimberley proudly presents Fighting Giants, the powerful new film and rallying call to protect the Kimberley from oil and gas fracking. 

The stunning, intact landscapes of the Kimberley and the rich culture of its Aboriginal custodians are at risk. 

Frackers are the closest they have ever been to turning the region into an industrial wasteland and wrecking the climate in the process. 

Frack Free Kimberley teamed up with Kimberley Traditional Owners, climate scientists and economists from The Australia Institute to produce Fighting Giants and can’t wait to share this ode to the Kimberley and urgent call to action with you, your family, and your friends. 

The film features Dr Anne Poelina, Mr Corpus (recently deceased), Nuriah Jadai, Madelaine Jadai, John Butler and EK Director Martin Pritchard. 

Kimberley Traditional Owners will be travelling from the Kimberley to speak at these premiere events – for the Theatre Royal screening, participants will be viewing a pre-recorded introduction and discussion by Mangala Traditional Owners.A further discussion panel will take place after the screening with Anitra Nelson from the Wararack, Laura Leveton from Central Victoria Climate Action, Annika Kearton, CEO of Central Victoria Greenhouse Alliance and special guests. 

Don’t miss your chance to hear from and support these strong individuals who are standing up for their Country. 

For tickets visit theatreroyalcastlemaine.oztix.com.au 

Theatre Royal full Reconciliation Film Program is as follows: 

Sunday May 28 

Walkabout 2pm 

Limbo 4pm 

Thursday Jun 1 

Walkabout 5pm 

Fighting Giants with Q&A 7.30pm 

Friday Jun 2 

Limbo 5pm 

The Survival Of Kindness 8pm 

Sunday June 4 

The Survival Of Kindness 7pm 

For more info visit https://www.theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au/cinema 

My Elphinstone with Castlemaine Mail digital guru Liam Runnalls

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Hi Liam, can you tell us a bit about your early years? 

I moved to Elphinstone in early 2021 – but I am from Woodend originally, so it felt a bit like being back in my place. After high school I went to Uni in Melbourne and studied creative writing. When I was 22, I travelled to Ireland and had the whole backpacking experience. While I was there, I got quite sick and found I was sleeping during the day a lot and awake at night so I wrote a screenplay which has never seen the light of day – a romantic comedy. 

I also lived in New York for about a year. My girlfriend at the time wanted to go and I had nothing better to do so I went and bummed around. It was a good time to explore what I wanted to do. 

You write cryptic crosswords for The Age and The Saturday Paper how did that come about? 

Before I went to New York I was working as a proof reader in the puzzle department of a media company and myself and some others started creating puzzles. Going to New York which was the home of crosswords was very inspiring. 

When I came back from New York I got my old job back in the puzzle department and eventually I started making my own. 

I’d always been interested in drawing cartoons as well (I was obsessed by the Far Side cartoons as a kid) and I really got into the drawing by in 2013, but it never turned into a career. It’s sort of symbolic because I’m colour blind and I chose the black and white crosswords over cartoons. I’ve been writing the crosswords for the papers since 2012. I like amusing people and lots of people love crosswords. 

I got married in 2019 – two kids later and a move to the country. Actually, I’ve found a way to slip little personal details into my puzzles to mark life events, like when I married Helen and each of the kid’s names when they were born. And even Castlemaine has been an answer, although I haven’t used Elphinstone yet. My grandfather was a puzzle solver and I wrote a puzzle for his funeral. 

How did you end up working at the Castlemaine Mail? 

I’ve worked with a lot of newspapers and over the years became involved in web design. I started at the Castlemaine Mail in May last year to help design the paywall for the paper. 

What other hobbies do you have? 

I am a Brisbane Lions supporter. I follow AFL quite passionately. It’s a great way to vent my frustrations, I’m otherwise a pretty chill person. I also enjoy chopping wood. I live in a very old house that gets quite cold. And I play tennis in Kyneton. 

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to?

At the moment I’m listening to Jenny Hval, a Norwegian singer. She’s very poetic and has incredible lyrics. And I am a big Radiohead fan. 

What are you reading at the moment? 

I just finished Bewilderment by Richard Powers for book club. It was the best book I’ve read in a while. 

Who are your three dream dinner guests? 

Rupert Sheldrake the philosopher, Damon Albarn, the lead singer of Gorillaz and Blur and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. 

What philosophy do you live life by? 

Try not to be too cynical. 

And finally, what do you love most about the place you call home? 

I really enjoy the history of the area, both recent and ancient and I love going for bush walks. 

The countdown is on for Castlemaine Jazz Festival!

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Central Victorian faves The Seduceaphones will bring their infectious vein of Balkan brass-fusion to the festival.

It is just two weeks to go until the Castlemaine Jazz Festival swings into action! The 2023 festival kicks off on Friday June 9 with a Big Band extravaganza not to be missed at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal. 

Three bands will take to the Royal stage on the night including the TEK TEK Ensemble, The Seduceaphones and The Seven Ups. 

TEK TEK perform virtuosic and original music inspired by tropical jungles, late night discos, 1960’s chic, and shamanistic desert rituals. 

The balance of three guys and three girls captivate audiences with exclamatory trumpet; hedonistic violins and organ; deeply pulsating drums and bass; wild psychedelic electric guitar; and a rich smearing of harmonized singing (and wailing) thrown on top. 

TEK TEK Ensemble formed in 2010 and have performed countless times around Australia and the world including Jakarta, The Pilbara, Berlin, New Caledonia, Bangkok and Paris. The band has its roots in the wildness of late-night Melbourne pub music with the sophistication of jazz and classical performance, and the danceability of tropical rhythms and hard-partying disco beats. 

Central Victorian gipsy-brass beast The Seduceaphones create grooves that move crowds in completely new and unusual ways, they pioneer an infectious vein of Balkan brass-fusion. 

Their shows at MOOMBA Festival, Lorne Falls Festival and Rainbow Serpent Festival have invariably left the crowd gasping for breath. They have also shaken the stages at the Castlemaine State Festival, Eltham Jazz Festival, Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival and the list goes on. Their debut album Muskrat was released at the Night Cat in 2019 showcasing their Balkan ‘Eurotrash’ sound. 

Seven piece heavy groove combo The Seven Ups from Melbourne will take you on an abstruse journey into the darker fringes of instrumental music, drifting from funk to spiritual jazz and through to psychedelic fuzz rock. The Seven Ups are your soundtrack to the dancefloor at the end of the world. 

The Seven Ups music has been featured in Wax Poetics (USA), album of the week (twice) on PBS fm and Beat magazine top 10 on KEXP (USA) and they continue to receive airplay on BBC Radio, KEXP, Triple J, and community radio around Australia.

Castlemaine Jazz Festival runs from June 9-11. Head to the website for tickets to this unforgettable evening at www.castlemainejazzfestival.com.au 

Sandon’s colourful history documented

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Sandon State School was relocated to a new site in 1936. Students are pictured outside the new building at the opening.

Melbourne based local historian Ken James has recently completed another of his comprehensive local history offerings this time on Sandon. 

The prolific author has now compiled about 60 to 70 history books and says the latest 400 page covid project is made of 19 chapters, 19 appendices, a surname index and lots of colourful local stories and photographs. 

Sandon is located 11 kilometres from Newstead on the Creswick–Newstead Road. Ken says the region was originally known as Green Gully. 

The book is dedicated to the memory of much loved local resident Maureen Heagney who died in late 2022. 

Ken said Maureen was a great help and was passionate about having a history written of Sandon. 

“She provided many photographs and much information and checked two drafts for accuracy,” Ken said. 

“A special feature of this particular book are nine accounts by current or former residents about their memories of Sandon,” he said. 

“Maureen arranged for the writing of seven of them, including one by her husband Maurie which really adds a richness to this offering,” the author said. 

Two buildings which would be familiar to those who have passed through Sandon are the still active St Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church and the former Primitive Methodist Church both erected in 1883. 

The St Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church is one of the few in Victoria to have a cemetery. 

The Primitive Methodist Church started its life in a tent in the 1850s before the establishment of the current building. 

In 1902, with the creation of the Methodist Church of Australasia it became the Sandon Methodist Church, functioning up to 1914. The building was purchased by the local community in 1918 and was the Sandon Public Hall up to the 1980s. 

Just across the road from the two churches are two former hotels, now private residences. 

“Sandon also had three schools – the Green Gully Catholic School (1859–1875), Sandon State School (1875–1968) and Kingsbury Reformatory School (1893–1912) which catered for Wards of the State from Melbourne,” Ken said. 

“This school was located on an orchard and boys were given practical training in farm work.” 

Local history buffs can snap up a copy of A History of Sandon at the Castlemaine Visitor Centre at the historic Market Building. 

Ken James is pictured with a copy of his new book A History of Sandon which is available at the Market Building.

Gentleman’s Ride raises $18,871 men’s health

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Adam and Evelyn set off on the ride. Photos: Max Lesser.

The Castlemaine Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on Sunday was a roaring success with a whopping 81 riders taking part. 

The riders joined the global DGR community in coming together to celebrate in trademark dapper fashion, and the local group raised an impressive $18,871 for men’s health. 

Organiser Brian Rix said it was the second highest fundraising effort in the state after Melbourne. 

“Of the 891 rides around the world, on the fundraising stakes we came in at 142, even beating Paris!” he said. 

The huge crowd of riders gathered outside the Castlemaine RSL before setting off on the ride.

“I have to say thank you to Dr Ali Clark-Hakimi of Goldfields Medical Group who came along and spoke about how important funding for research into men’s health is, particularly prostate cancer and mental health. 

“We had bikes, scooters, electric bikes, old bikes, men dressed up in period costume and garb, and we had a few women riders come along too to support their men, which was wonderful. 

“We travelled from Castlemaine, Maldon, Newstead, Guildford, Vaughan, Fryerstown and to Campbells Creek, where Paul at the Five Flags Hotel put on a great lunch for us. 

“Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and hopefully we can do the same next year or better!” 

Brian said another big thank you was owed to the Castlemaine RSL for helping out with a PA system and support, and Castlemaine and Maldon Police for helping the ride run smoothly. 

Youngsters Hunter, Will, Ross and Kelly and Adam are pictured with Evelyn and their Vincent Motorcycle.

Budapest comes to Castlemaine!

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Excitement came to Buda Castlemaine last Sunday with Goulash, dancing, singing and cake. 

The Aranykalàsz Corio Geelong Dancing group provided a sold-out audience of 70 people, with their cooking, dancing and musical skills. 

Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Rosie Annear warmly welcomed the visiting Hungarians, including Mr Mihály (Michael) Geiger, Victoria consul to Hungry. 

Michael Geiger (head of Hungarian Consulate Victoria), Pat Grumont, Marcella Paska, Aranykalász (social and dance group), Rosie Annear, (Mount Alexander Shire Mayor) Bronwyn Rudolph (Buda president), Tania Tomaszewski, Bela Paska, Maria Besei and Erica Geiger are pictured at Sunday’s event.

The Aranykalàsz Corio Geelong Dancing group came in November 2022 and filmed a short documentary on Buda for Hungarian Television Association MHTV. shown on Channel 31. 

After this experience the group decided, they would like to bring a little of the vibrant life of Hungry to Buda, so this special event was organised by them, in their volunteer capacity, because “they love having this property as a significant part of the Hungarian community in Victoria” 

Mr Mihály (Michael) Geiger responded with high praise for the work involved in keeping a heritage property of this quality maintained and running smoothly He is delighted to have such a special place in Victoria with strong links to the Hungarian culture and he encouraged those attending to ensure that it continues. 

A pear tree was planted by the Consul, in the garden, as a symbol of this unique connection. 

Walk Safely to School Day celebrated

By
Jade Jungwirth
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Students and staff at St Mary's Castlemaine were proud to participate in National Walk Safely to School Day.
Students and staff at St Mary's Castlemaine were proud to participate in National Walk Safely to School Day.

Primary school-aged children in the Mount Alexander Shire joined children across Victoria to make those important steps towards a healthier future by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday May 19.
This year marked the 24th anniversary of National Walk Safely to School Day. Championed by the Pedestrian Council Australia, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport, and environmental benefits that regular walking, or alternative active transport (especially to and from school) can provide for the long-term well-being of our children, not just on May 19, but every day.
The principal of St Mary’s Primary School John Doherty said the students of St Mary’s love being active.
“As a school, we know that being physically active improves health, reduces stress, and is a great way to boost your self-esteem. That’s why being active is such an important part of the day-to-day life at St Mary’s. Physical education lessons, outside ‘brain break’ times and even helping out in the school vegie patch are all an important part of day-to-day life at St Mary’s,” stated John.
“This Walk to School Day, the students of St Mary’s will be out on the street being active again. They’ll meet up with friends and family to make their way to school on Friday.
After the walk, the students will be able to celebrate with our regular breakfast of toast on arrival as well as a fruit platter selection for that natural energy renewal.”
The national initiative also promotes healthy eating and encourages schools to Host a Healthy Breakfast on the day.
Dean McLaren, Walk Safely to School Coordinator for Campbells Creek Primary School told the Mail that around 20-25 of the students walk to school with a similar number riding or scooting.
“We will be hosting a healthy breakfast on the day of the walk with fruit on hand for the student’s arrival. We run a breakfast program to ensure that students have eaten before school,” said Dean.
Parents at Campbells Creek Primary said they feel it is very important that children walk to school to get exercise and stay healthy.
“We are even occasionally increasing the distance that the children walk to school each day,” commented one of the parents.
Apart from the physical benefits, regular walking (or similar) also has a favourable impact on children’s cognitive and academic performance.
Being active every day, including walking to school, can help make a difference for many Australians. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer – everyone has a role to play in helping children and young people to lead active healthy lives.

My Castlemaine with Castlemaine Mail editor Lisa Dennis

By
Jade Jungwirth
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Over the years we’ve chatted to so many wonderful people and we thought it was time to put our staff in the spotlight! Kicking off the My Castlemaine Mail/Midland Express series is our wonderful Castlemaine Mail Editor Lisa Dennis.
Lisa, can you tell us a little bit about your early life?
I grew up in St Albans and moved to Castlemaine when I was 14 years old and went to school at CSC.
When did you first start writing?
I always loved books and always wanted to be a writer. My mum and dad bought me a typewriter when I was in primary school and I used to write little books and I remember meeting John Marsden at primary school. He was so inspiring. At some point, it dawned on me that unless I wrote a best seller I should do something else so I studied humanities at LaTrobe, which I enjoyed, but I still wasn’t on the right path.
What other jobs have you had over the years?
My first ever job was at the Harcourt General Store when I was 17. Then I got a job at Safeway in the seafood department at Bendigo Marketplace. I worked at Castle for two years in packing and slicing. I had applied for a cadetship at the Castlemaine Mail when I was in Year 12 and they told me to wait until I finished school. So I applied again when I was 20. I did the first 18 months of my cadetship in Kyneton and then transferred to Castlemaine. After I’d finished my three-year cadetship I studied remotely at Deakin completing my post-cadetship. It was so long ago that the work was done in hard copy and posted back.
You’re coming up on 26 years at the paper you must have seen a lot of changes during that time?
When I first started were still pasting the pages up and printing from a negative. We still had a darkroom and used film camera’s that we would take to get developed, which was always stressful, waiting to see what would come back. And the papers were still in black and white then! It was rare to have colour pages. The papers today look incredible with colour and the graphic design we have available. It’s pretty special to be a part of history – I’m only a small chapter in a long history. I’ve been the Editor for the past six years and since I started working here I’ve married a local boy and had three babies.
What are the good and bad elements of your job?
It’s a real privilege to tell people’s stories and I’m always amazed at the people that live here.
I hate covering accidents. And it can be challenging to tackle some contentious issues but we always do our best to be balanced and give everyone a voice.
Have you travelled?
I’ve been to the UK, Paris, and Asia. I’ve been to Ireland, which was always somewhere I’d wanted to visit as my ancestors are from there. I’ve seen a lot of Australia too. We’re pretty blessed to have such incredible places to visit in our own country.
What are you reading at the moment?
Inheritance by the late local doctor Kath O’Connor and Telltale by Castlemaine’s Carmel Bird. That’s one of the perks of the job, we get copies of books before they hit the shelves.
What genres of music do you listen to?
I have a wide taste. My mum and dad introduced me to a lot when I was younger and I listen to some of the modern music the kids listen to. Oh, and I love Abba.
Who would your three dream dinner guests be?
Mum and Dad and JK Rowling. I’m a big nerd at heart. And if I write a book one day it would be fantasy so I would love to chat with her about how she builds her characters and how she juggled motherhood and writing.
What philosophy do you live life by?
Believe and achieve – I even have the saying in a frame on my desk at work. When you have two deadlines a week it’s a good adage. I also think you should treat others how you’d like to be treated.
Do you have time for any hobbies?
Netflix and chill. Spending time with my family and reading.
Finally, what do you love most about the place you call home?
The community. On the whole, it is such a welcoming, friendly, and vibrant community.

Castlemaine Documentary Festival – No one has the last word

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Keep Stepping will be shown on June 17 in The Yurt on the Western Reserve Castlemaine. The film follows the parallel stories of Gabi and Patricia, two remarkably different female street dancers, as they train for the biggest street dance competition in Australia: Destructive Steps.
Keep Stepping will be shown on June 17 in The Yurt on the Western Reserve Castlemaine. The film follows the parallel stories of Gabi and Patricia, two remarkably different female street dancers, as they train for the biggest street dance competition in Australia: Destructive Steps.

Castlemaine Documentary Festival (C-Doc), now in its ninth year, will run from 16-18 June at the iconic Theatre Royal in Castlemaine, mainland Australia’s oldest continuously operating cinema.

The festival brings an outstanding selection of eight Australian and international feature-length films, along with stimulating panel discussions and conversations where viewers will have the chance to engage with filmmakers, panelists and other festival-goers. A selection of films will also be available to view online.
Several Australian films will premiere at the festival including Trained To See – 3 Women and the War, Equal the Contest, The Thief Collector and Weed & Wine.

Festival Director, Claire Jager says, “We are calling this 2023 edition of the Castlemaine Documentary Festival – No One Has The Last Word. The films in this year’s program are as entertaining as they are authoritative and generous, challenging our preconceived notions and norms, and inviting us to step into the lives of others and see their worlds.

“From the exhilarating tension, we feel as we see what’s happening deep beneath the ice caps, to the maverick Elvis-singing teacher who arms his young charges with lessons from Plato. The coming together of ancient cultures in a surprising take on our colonial past, the women trailblazers at the forefront of the birth of photojournalism, and the unravelling intrigue of secret double lives in a wildly entertaining film about a 1980s art heist.”

This year C-Doc introduces a second venue – The Yurt – a beautiful micro-cinema located within easy walking distance to the Theatre Royal. The Yurt features an alternative program of family-friendly sessions across Saturday and Sunday mornings and enticing programs for young people in the afternoons and evenings. It will also host an immersive interactive parlour game, Werewolves, for more daring festival-goers. C-Doc’s closing night will see the extraordinary early silent masterpiece, GRASS – made in 1925, accompanied by a live music score by ZÖJ – a Ballarat-based duo featuring the exquisite voice of Gelareh Pour and Persian Kamancheh, with Brian O’Dwyer on drum kit.

GRASS is testament to the sheer forces of nature and the human spirit as we witness the annual migration of the nomadic Bakhtiari tribe into Iran. Fifty thousand people and half a million animals make the perilous journey each year in search of fresh grasslands, crossing a raging river torrent nearly a kilometre wide and traversing over an impossible terrain up sheer snow-covered mountains to finally descend to their winter pasture.

To view C-Doc’s full program and to purchase tickets, visit cdocff.com.au.

Harcourt in the spotlight

By
Lisa Dennis
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Postcards‘ presenter Todd Woodbridge will be visiting Harcourt in this Sunday’s episode.
The former Australian professional tennis player and sports broadcaster with the Nine Network will be visiting Harcourt Produce and General Store, Rodilesa Nursery, and Henry of Harcourt as part of the episode filmed in the ‘Apple Centre of Victoria’ which airs this Sunday May 21 at 5.30pm on Channel 9 & 9NOW.
Woodbridge explores Harcourt (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) where his first stop is the Harcourt Produce and General Store for a delicious meal and chat with the owner, Annette Larsen.
At the Rodilesa Nursery he grabs a coffee from its cafe, the Nosh and Bevy, before taking a wander around the plants.
Todd follows up with a tasting at Henry of Harcourt, a family-run orchard specialising in traditional cider recipes and boutique varieties.
The episode ‘Wining and Dining Around Victoria’ will see Todd and the Postcards team wine and dine their way from the city to the country, showcasing more superb destinations in Victoria, including Oakwood Premier Melbourne hotel in Southbank, the Yarra Valley and Coldstream, and a culinary adventure in Armadale. Photo: Supplied.

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