Creswick Chronicles

17/02/2026

The Victorian Labor Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett, has stopped by Creswick Primary School for a photo opportunity as she promoted the State Government’s Prep bags program.

“They’ve got books and lots of learning activities in them,” reported Martha. “Every Prep at a Victorian government school gets one,” she added, stating they help families with the cost of living.

15/02/2026

Creswick now has a blue tree! 💙

“The Blue Tree is a symbol of Hope… We hope the blue tree will inspire meaningful conversations about mental wellbeing and help reduce the stigma still associated with mental health challenges.”

24/01/2026

Following significant community backlash, Hepburn Shire Council has issued a follow-up statement addressing what it describes as “misinformation” circulating after its recent Australia Day announcement.

In the new statement, the council said its stance on 26 January has not changed, and that the earlier announcement simply reaffirmed a long-standing approach rather than introducing a new decision.

The council again confirmed it stands with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, noting this position aligns with its Council Plan 2025–2029 and its INNOVATE Reconciliation Action Plan.

The clarification follows the council’s original statement, which formally confirmed it would not host Australia Day events or official celebrations on 26 January, and outlined a deliberate shift away from the day as a civic occasion.

That announcement made clear that council-run citizenship ceremonies and community awards have already been moved to other dates, reinforcing that the position is established rather than temporary.

In its follow-up, the council pointed to Australia Day events taking place in Trentham and Clunes. However, those events are community-led and organised independently of council, rather than council-run celebrations.

While the council has said it is providing support, the events themselves are being held outside of council’s own programming, underscoring the distinction between community activity and council involvement.

The council also clarified that essential services will continue to operate as normal over the long weekend, including bin collections, transfer stations, visitor information centres and pools. Council hubs and libraries will be closed.

The original announcement sparked significant backlash throughout the shire, with many residents expressing frustration at the council’s firm stance, and raising concerns about whether meaningful community consultation occurred.

Those concerns were amplified when comments were disabled on the council’s Facebook post announcing the decision – a move residents said prevented open discussion.

This practice has become common across council posts, leaving locals with little option but to air their concerns elsewhere – including community-run forums such as Daylesford’s Community Grapevine Noticeboard, the Creswick Community Page, and the Maryborough & Goldfields Community.

While the follow-up statement sought to address confusion about services and events, it does not change the substance of the council’s position.

Hepburn Shire Council remains opposed to hosting or formally celebrating Australia Day as a council-led civic event, with any 26 January activities in the shire proceeding independently of council rather than under its banner.

21/01/2026

Hepburn Shire Council has released a statement that leaves little ambiguity about where it stands on Australia Day, formally confirming its decision not to host any events or official celebrations on the date.

“Today the Dja Dja Wurrung and First Nations people who live among us are strong, resilient, and vibrant peoples” began Council's statement, published today on Facebook.

“We acknowledge the profound disruption of Australia’s colonisation, and its continuing impact on First Nation Country and Culture,” it continued.

“Hepburn Shire Council stands with DJAARA’s decision to not celebrate Australia Day, therefore will not host events and celebrations on 26 January.”

“Hepburn Shire Council is an inclusive Council and understands individual community groups who may wish to host their own events and celebrations of 26 January.”

The statement formalises Hepburn Shire Council’s clear and entrenched position against Australia Day celebrations.

It was reportedly developed in consultation with Councillors and the Reconciliation Advisory Committee, and builds on actions taken over several years to distance Council from the day altogether.

The council has progressively scaled back its involvement in Australia Day activities, with citizenship ceremonies now held on other dates, and the Community Awards shifted to National Volunteer Week.

Taken together, these changes underline that Council’s stance is not symbolic or temporary, but a deliberate and sustained rejection of Australia Day as a civic occasion.

Council says this approach reflects its commitment to the reconciliation journey, which it frames as one based on unity and respect.

However, the strength of Council’s position has also made it one of the more openly opposed local governments when it comes to Australia Day, a point not lost on residents across the shire.

The decision has sparked significant backlash across Creswick, Daylesford, Clunes and Trentham, where many residents have expressed disappointment and frustration.

A common concern raised locally is the belief that proper or meaningful community consultation did not occur before such a definitive position was adopted, particularly given the importance of Australia Day to many in the community.

Those concerns were amplified this afternoon when Council immediately disabled comments on its Facebook post announcing the decision.

The move was immediately criticised by residents, who argued that shutting down comments prevented ratepayers from engaging in discussion or expressing their views on a decision that directly affects them.

For some, it reinforced the perception that Council is unwilling to tolerate debate on Australia Day, preferring instead to close off conversation rather than allow disagreement to be aired publicly.

While Council has stated it recognises the right of community groups and individuals to mark 26 January independently, its own position is unmistakable.

The statement and the handling of community response all point to a council that is firmly and openly opposed to Australia Day as an official celebration, regardless of the level of division that stance has created within the shire.

09/01/2026

Remembering Odinn Cole

16/09/2025

Over the weekend, some absolute grubs went and trashed the Changing Place facility at Hammon Park in Creswick – not once, but twice.

The damage bill? Around twenty grand according to Hepburn Shire Council. Yep, twenty thousand bucks down the dunny because a couple of clowns thought smashing up a community facility was a good laugh.

The council has had to lock the place up for an extended period, meaning the very people who actually rely on it – those with disabilities and their carers – are the ones paying the price.

It’s not just Creswick either. The Council reckons vandalism’s becoming a bigger headache right across the Shire, chewing up time, resources, and cash that could’ve been spent elsewhere.

23/08/2025

Creswick’s sneaky wood rustlers thought they were being clever, but nah – Taskforce Ironbark was on the case… because apparently this is where all our taxpayer money needs to go.

A full-blown sting with Parks Vic, the Conservation Regulator, and VicPol, all to nab two blokes flogging a trailer of logs like some dodgy Bunnings clearance sale.

What’d they collar? A car, a trailer of wood, two chainsaws and a couple of splitters. Wow. Australia’s answer to Pablo Escobar shut down right there, eh?

Meanwhile, actual crooks running around with machetes, stealing cars, or half the neighbourhood’s bikes barely raise an eyebrow. But chainsaws in Creswick? Oh mate, send in the cavalry.

Locals had already dobbed them in – so was this “joint taskforce” really about saving the bush, or just easy pickings to justify a shiny press release?

They’ll tell you it’s about protecting the forest. Fair enough. But let’s not pretend the forest would collapse if a few gum logs went missing.

Half the region reckons there’s firewood everywhere, and the only thing of real value they carted off was the blokes’ load for winter.

So here’s the big lesson from Parks Vic HQ: treat the forest like your personal woodshed and you’ll get slapped with fines, lose your car, and star in the next “Friday Fail.”

Meanwhile, the real criminals are still laughing all the way down the highway.

17/08/2025

Bloom Well-being in Creswick is closing the doors on its Albert Street home after four years, and the team’s feeling a mix of sadness and excitement.

Owner Jemma shared a heartfelt farewell, saying the old house wasn’t just a workplace but a second home – filled with stories, memories, team catch-ups in the garden, and even the muddy paw prints of dogs that brought plenty of joy.

Goodbye 42 (+40) Albert St 🏡

Feeling all the feels as we say goodbye to this beautiful house that has embodied ‘Bloom’ for the past 4yrs 🌻

Whilst we are excited for this new chapter and all that it brings, (especially having everyone in one building,) I just wanted a moment for the sadness and the things we’ll miss.

In a way, as we cleaned the house today it was like a farewell of sorts. A chance for slow remembering of the memories we’ve created there, and a chance to acknowledge the stories that have been heard and held with calmness and peace inside those four walls 🤗

Not to mention the summer days and weekends spent at Bloom because we didn’t have aircon, team meetings in the outdoor garden listening to the birds singing, and all the joy the dogs shared here. Wiping off their last muddy paw-print from the wall today, felt symbolic of saying goodbye, but also acknowledging all the memories we’ve created and the time we’ve spent here, in this welcoming house, that felt like an old friend 💚

Being a small business owner, I spend more hours at work than I do at home, so in many ways this has been like my home over the past 4 years. So, to our now former home of Bloom, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the space that you offered us and for the homely environment you offered guests 🥰

And with goodbyes in mind, whether you’re a previous or current client, or just enjoy walking past, we’d love to know what’s something you’ll miss ⬇️

- Jemma
Wilde Consulting

27/07/2025

Check out the amount of rain at Slaty Creek in Creswick! 🌧️ 🌊