The Wombat Post is published by the Daylesford District Community News Association (DDCNA), an incorporated not-for-profit governed by a volunteer board and editorial committee. Editorial decisions are made collectively by the committee under our editorial policy, which is published here and includes standing arrangements for declaring and managing conflicts of interest. Recent public commentary has suggested that a member of our editorial committee, Mark Rak, has used his position to improperly influence the Post's coverage of Hepburn Shire Council. That suggestion is false. Mr. Rak's relationship with Cr Lesley Hewitt is declared and has always been known to the committee. Consistent with our policy, he does not take part in...

Analysis The resignation of Hepburn Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Bradley Thomas, announced on 29 June and taking effect on Friday 21 August, brings to a close a turbulent chapter in the Shire's administration. It also confronts the Council with two decisions that will shape the organisation for years: who leads the Shire while a permanent replacement is found, and how the search for that replacement is conducted. Mr Thomas joined the Council in 2019 and served as CEO from 2021. Whatever view one takes of his tenure — and views in this community are sharply divided — the circumstances of his departure underline the scale of the...

Hepburn Shire Council adopted its 2026/27 Budget at a Special Council Meeting on 30 June, following a public exhibition period and community submissions. The vote was not unanimous: Cr Brian Hood opposed the Budget, citing concerns about the Shire's long-term financial sustainability. Cr Tim Drylie also opposed the budget. The division at the Council table reflects a wider debate about the Shire's financial position. The adopted Budget provides for an underlying operating deficit of $679,000, which the Council attributes to significant increases in annual depreciation expense in recent years. An underlying deficit means the Council's day-to-day revenue is not covering the full cost of its operations, including the wearing out of its roads, buildings and other assets. While the deficit is modest in dollar terms, it follows a very substantial run of deficits...

Our photos of the week are becoming more popular. This week we have a set of excellent Daylesford images from photographers, Tommy Campion and...

Some people embody their art practice so fully it becomes an all-consuming way of living.  These people are rare.  You know when you meet...