A dedicated group of parent volunteers from Harcourt Valley Primary School have been busy baking a record number of apple pies for the school’s annual major fundraiser. The baking sessions have created a space for the parents to connect, talk and process the recent bushfires. Thanks to generous donations from Bendigo Foodshare, Backpack for a Firefighter, La Manna Supermarkets, Lauke Flour Mills, Hillcrest Orchard and the tireless work of the volunteers, 650 pies will be available for purchase at tomorrow’s Applefest.
Michael Henry, Henry of Harcourt
Just two months ago, our town of Harcourt was reeling. The January 9 bushfires tore through our valley, claiming 54 homes, devastating the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store, and leaving scars on properties like my own orchard at Henry of Harcourt. In those dark days, as we gathered at the Leisure Centre hub sharing meals and supporting neighbours who had lost everything, the idea of celebration felt distant.
But Harcourt is not a town that stays down for long.
On Saturday, March 7, from 10 am to 4 pm at James Park, the 2026 Harcourt Applefest will return, and it’s doing so ‘bigger and better than ever before.’
This year, the festival carries a deeper meaning. It’s not just about apples, though there will be plenty of toffee apples, apple pies, and local cider to go around. It’s about something far more significant: community recovery.
The theme for 2026, officially embraced by organisers, is ‘coming together, supporting one another and helping the Harcourt community recover.’ Half of the ticket sales will be going directly to support the Harcourt community.
What to Expect
The day will feature all the beloved traditions: the bustling Applefest Market with local produce and crafts, entertainment on the Main Stage, the crowning of Applefest royalty, and the gloriously messy apple pie eating contest. With the new permanent stage in James Park slated to be finished in time, it means we can have a second stage in Stanley Park, doubling the acts.
Entertainment is headlined by the Australian Women’s Choir, followed by the much-loved Solaris Dance Collective Dancers, King Stone, and Skyscraper Dan, with plenty of other local talent on display throughout the day.
Art and cookery competitions will showcase local talent, and a Lego competition promises fun for the younger crowd.
This year carries an extra layer of meaning. Businesses that were defending the town just weeks ago are now ready to welcome you. The Harcourt General Store (run by Annette, one of our earliest relief stalwarts), Woop Woop Gardens (Judy’s beloved spot), Rodilesa Nursery, and my own Henry of Harcourt cidery are all open. The Victorian Miniature Railway, which literally split the fire in two and saved the heart of Harcourt, will be running and is very much part of our rebirth.
More Than a Festival
In the weeks since the fire, our community has shown what resilience looks like. The relief hub at the Leisure Centre has distributed countless meals and essentials. Tania and her team at the distribution centre have worked tirelessly to ensure affected families feel supported. The HPA’s GoFundMe has surpassed $300,000, and government support is flowing. But Applefest represents something different: it’s our invitation to you. It’s the moment we collectively say, “We’re still here, we’re open, and we’d love to see you.”
As I’ve said before, there’s no need to rebuild the community because the community was never broken. The spirit was always there, in the CFA volunteers who fought the flames while losing their own homes, in the neighbours who showed up with trucks to move hay, in the 450 scoops of ice cream donated by a business owner who’d just evacuated .
On March 7, we invite you to experience that spirit firsthand. Come for the apples, stay for the music, and leave knowing you’ve supported a community that refuses to be defined by disaster.
Harcourt is back. And frankly, we can’t wait to see you.Event Details:What: Harcourt Applefest 2026
When: Saturday, March 7, 10am–4pmWhere: James Park, Harcourt
Cost: $10 adults, kids free
More info: Follow Harcourt Applefest on social media
Michael Henry is the owner of Henry of Harcourt cidery and a lead coordinator with the Harcourt Bushfire Relief Group.
See today’s Mail for more Applefest happenings.
Now in its 17th year, the Taradale Mineral Springs Festival is set to return this Sunday March 8.
The festival is a major feature on the Central Victorian calendar for the Labour Day long weekend.
The Mineral Springs Festival Committee is planning to make this year’s event another memorable day for families from local towns and day trippers. Attractions include live music on stage all day, a huge variety of stalls offering a wide range of food, wine, craft beer and spirits.
There will be local artisan stalls, a CFA display plus children’s activities including face painting, storytelling and a visit by Captain Koala.
Committee President, Matt Butta said they have worked for many months to assemble a great lineup of stallholders and entertainment for this year’s event.
“We have a raffle with over $8,000 in prizes including a $5,000 travel prize courtesy of Broadhurst Property, with tickets just $5 each,” Matt said.
Entry to the festival is $5, with free admission for children under 15.
All proceeds from the day go towards Taradale Volunteer Community Groups to assist with local projects.
“We are very grateful to our major sponsors Broadhurst Property and our Raffle and Event sponsors. The event is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council Event Grants Program. Come one, come all, bring a rug and enjoy the festivities,” he said.
The festival kicks off at 10am and runs through until 4pm.
Mount Alexander Shire Council today announced that Chief Executive Officer Darren Fuzzard will conclude his tenure in July 2026, marking 10 years of service to the organisation and community.
Mr Fuzzard has advised councillors that he will not seek a new contract.
Reflecting on his decision, Mr Fuzzard said the past decade had been the most rewarding of his career.
“I cannot tell you how much this organisation, the work we do and the people in it mean to me and I know that when my final workday comes it will be the toughest of my professional life.”
He said he leaves with great confidence in the organisation’s strength and the council’s direction.
“I feel so proud of the leadership, capability and quality of the people we have in every part of our organisation, and of the focus that our councillors have embedded in their new Council Plan to ensure that we keep getting stronger,” he said.
“I have been enormously privileged to work for and with outstanding teams of councillors and mayors throughout my 10 years. I am deeply grateful for the effort, thought and time that they have invested, and continue to invest, in working so well as a team, both amongst themselves and with our staff.”
Leadership through major challenges
Mr Fuzzard’s decade of leadership included guiding council through some of the shire’s most disruptive events, including:
– the unprecedented COVID–19 pandemic, leading relief, community support and recovery efforts.
– the October 2022 floods, which caused extensive damage across the shire.
– the January fires, which placed significant pressure on emergency services and local communities.
His leadership ensured council was able to respond quickly, compassionately and effectively during each crisis.
Champion for an inclusive Australia Day – Survival Day
A hallmark of Mr Fuzzard’s tenure has been his commitment to the Australia Day – Survival Day event, co–designed with Dja Dja Wurrung Elders to acknowledge both community achievements and the deep history and survival of First Nations people.
The event – featuring Welcome to Country, citizenship ceremonies, community awards and a Survival Day concert – has become one of the shire’s most significant celebrations of identity and reconciliation, earning Council a 2024 Maggolee Award from Reconciliation Victoria.
“The event reflects who we try to be as an organisation in all that we do – it’s honest, respectful, done in partnership, and looks to create a better future for everyone,” Mr Fuzzard said.
Delivering for the community
During his decade as CEO, Mr Fuzzard oversaw major achievements, including:
– the two biggest grant funding investments from the State and Federal Governments in the shire’s history, and ongoing high levels of additional grant funding being secured year after year on the back of highly effective relationships with local State and Federal members of parliament and government departments.
– the expansion of council’s aged care services to support more than 1,000 of the most vulnerable people in our community.
– the creation of a sector-leading and award-winning economic development strategy that focuses on improving the wellbeing of people, place and the environment.
– the expansion of council’s services into nearby council areas to increase revenue streams and strengthen the organisation.
– a sector-leading approach to address housing affordability and supply challenges including investment in a Housing Solutions Broker role to identify and drive initiatives such as the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust and significant housing developments on private, council and state Government land.
– the establishment of leading-edge community engagement processes and tools such as Shape Mount Alexander to better inform decision-making and shared understanding of the reasons for those decisions.
– consistent delivery of strong capital works programs including roads, bridges, footpaths, recreation and community facilities.
– the development and implementation of a wide range of strategies and plans in close partnership with the community and other institutions that are aimed at making the most positive collective impact on people’s lives and the environment that we live in.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Toby Heydon thanked Mr Fuzzard for his decade of service.
“Darren has led this organisation with integrity, steadiness and deep care for our community. His leadership through crises, his commitment to reconciliation, and his dedication to strengthening our organisation have left a lasting legacy. On behalf of councillors and the community, we thank Darren for his enormous contribution.”
Recruitment for the next CEO will commence in the coming months.
Local netball fans will be excited to learn that the Melbourne Vixens will be completing their tour of regional Victoria this Thursday evening March 5, heading north for the inaugural stand-alone Suncorp Super Netball pre-season derby, taking on cross-town rivals the Melbourne Mavericks in Bendigo as part of the 2026 Bound 4 Bendigo showcase.
Held at Red Energy Arena, the event marks the first time a Vixens vs Mavericks pre-season clash will be staged as a standalone derby, delivering elite netball to regional Victoria ahead of the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Off the court, the day will include coaching and umpiring workshops, providing valuable development from professionals for the Bendigo netball community. The two clubs will also be combining forces to put on a junior clinic, looking to develop the next generation of Netball superstars!
Thanks to the support of the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government, the day will also feature a Victorian Netball League curtain raiser, with the Bendigo Strikers taking to the court in an intra-club showdown to kick off proceedings – further strengthening the pathway connection between community and elite netball.
Both games will be live streamed via the Vixens’ YouTube channel, ensuring fans not able to make it in person can tune in to what promises to be a fantastic night of Netball. Melbourne Vixens Head Coach Di Honey said that the team is excited to return to Bendigo and embrace the local support.
“We’re really looking forward to heading to Bendigo to take on the Mavericks. It’s not just about testing ourselves on the court – it’s also a fantastic chance to connect with the local community and the fans who make netball so special.”
“It’s always special to play the Mavericks here in Victoria. Being a local derby, the intensity is always high, both teams know each other well, and every contest is fought hard. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase elite netball and test ourselves under pressure.”
Earlier in the day, the Bendigo Strikers will take centre stage in front of their home crowd, using the occasion as a crucial lead-in to their VNL campaign.
Ahead of this festival of netball, Bendigo Strikers Captain Elle McDonald said the opportunity to play at home in front of a strong, local crowd is invaluable.
“Playing at home is always special. To do it in front of our local supporters gives the group a real lift and helps us build momentum heading into the season.”
“It’s really important for us to have this hit-out in Bendigo before Round 1. Pre-season training is one thing, but match intensity is completely different. This gives us a chance to put our combinations under pressure and fine-tune those connections across the court.”
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said netball fans are in for a real treat, with the Bendigo Strikers inter-club game kicking off proceedings before the Melbourne Vixens go head-to-head with the Melbourne Mavericks in a thrilling local derby at Red Energy Arena this Thursday. Hosting this standalone derby reinforces the City’s commitment to supporting major sporting events and giving Greater Bendigo fans the chance to experience elite netball on their own doorstep.”
With elite competition, emerging talent and grassroots development – Bound 4 Bendigo shapes as more than just a pre-season fixture. Expect plenty of local support and a highly contested game with Bendigo providing the perfect stage for an exciting day of netball action ahead of the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Season. For more details and tickets visit https://melbournevixens.com.au/community/2026-pre-season-bendigo
