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...

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 them, their eyes light up as soon as the word art is mentioned. To enter their home is like entering another dimension, tell-tale signs are everywhere.  Their world is constructed in such a way that every direction you look the word art comes to mind.  Objects are placed in ways that invite questions or contemplation.  Nothing is mundane.  Your eye is directed with purpose, care and meaning.  Conversations are focused keenly because you are inside a living breathing work of art. I first met...

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

“Ghost On The Canvas”, released in 2011, was Glen Campbell’s 61st and final studio album. It was intended as Campbell's farewell studio recording following his...