A dash of local trivia  🌋

How many volcanic formations and landscapes are in West Vic?

Council cash 🗞️

💰️ “Just doesn’t make sense”: Moyne councillor calls for review of festival and events funding after $150,000 approval

Moyne Shire Council unanimously approved $150,000 in festival and events grants at last Tuesday's meeting, but not before councillor Jim Doukas used the vote to call for tighter criteria for applicants before next year's round.

A local boost: Presenting the report, economy and tourism manager Darby Lee said the program had supported a wide range of events across the shire. Council’s recent Public Events Economic Impact Analysis report estimated those events contributed about $22 million to the local economy.

• The grants program, which has operated for more than a decade, attracted 21 applications seeking a combined $175,000 – $25,000 more than the available budget.

• Four council staff reviewed the applications against the current funding criteria and recommended which ones should get funding.

Under the microscope: Moving the motion, Doukas supported the funding package but urged council to take a tougher approach before next year’s round. 

• Doukas said some events deserved support, but added “some of the funding they’re getting just doesn't make sense”.

🗣️ “Because I see a lot of the money goes into propping them up … I think we need to review it from a more business perspective to see which of those events could survive without our help.

🗣️ “It's a great facility that we provide to the community. I've just spoken about a few little issues that I have with it, that doesn't mean we're going to cancel them,” he said. “We just need to be more prudent and stringent with the way we go about it.”

Now what? Lee agreed to bring a review of the funding guidelines back to council before applications open for the grants next year, while confirming this year’s recommendations had been finalised.

The Brolga has contacted councillor Doukas for further comment. 

Art and pubs 🗞️

🎨 Inside the circle: the 9.5cm challenge for West Vic artists

Ten years ago, Katherine Gage watched as artists drew on coasters in a San Francisco bar.

“If it was cool enough, they’d display it behind the bar,” Gage told the West Vic Brolga. The thought crossed her mind - could Warrnambool run with a similar idea? After all, “coasters are everywhere”. 

This August, hundreds of entries will fill The F Project gallery for the annual Coaster Art Show, all created on circular coasters with a 95mm diameter.

❓What happened: The Coaster Art Show is open to artists of all ages and levels of expertise.

Working on such a small surface is a challenge, and over the last decade Gage has seen creativity expressed in a variety of formats, using materials including felt, oil, collage and jewellery.

• “One of the most innovative designs was made by a jeweller named Trish Paige. It was a solid brass coaster, yet on closer inspection it separated into earrings and a necklace. It was really clever and quite beautiful.” 

• Another favourite featured clay monsters, called Ginklets, made by artist Molly Melican.  

Warrnambool's art scene: The venue for this year’s exhibition, The F Project, is a self-funded, volunteer-run space. Gage has lived in southwest Vic for 23 years, and said the community nurtures artistic talent. 

• “It’s easy to get involved here. Honestly, if you want to do something, just do it, there are definitely people here who will help support you.” 

Local Jane Curtis said her 2026 entries are downsized versions of previous paintings.

• “l really enjoyed scaling them down to very small details, which was a wonderful challenge, and they stand up on their own as original art.” 

Accessible art: Statistics from Creative Australia show the biggest barrier to Australians attending art shows in 2025 was cost. The exhibition for the Coaster Art Show will be free. 

🗣️: "The show is a local favourite because it’s totally inclusive,” Gage said. “It’s fun for talented folks to have a chance to display something creative, maybe someone who has never been in an art show before.” 

The Coaster Art Show is from August 22 and September 13.

🍺 Eight historic West Vic pubs where you can have a feed

We’ve rounded up some of the best spots to get a robust dinner and a taste of heritage. 

Did we miss your favourite? Reach out to [email protected] and we’ll add it to the list. 

The Munster Arms Hotel 

The Munster Arms is an Irish pub, opened in 1862 by Irish immigrant Jeremiah Shelley. It’s named for one of Ireland’s four provinces and serves staples like bangers and mash and Irish stew. 

Where is it? 10 Victoria Street, Bakery Hill  

The Farmers Arms Daylesford 

This pub is 169 years old and has the rustic brick and overgrown vine to prove it. The menu includes venison pot pie and veal schnitzel. 

Where is it? 1 East Street, Daylesford 

New Caledonian Inn & The Stump 

One of the oldest continuously-licensed pubs in Victoria, The Stump was constructed in 1844. Meals include roast of the day and a surf and turf parma. 

Where is it? 41 Bank Street, Port Fairy 

The Avoca Hotel 

The Avoca Hotel is another relic of the Victorian gold rush, built in 1872. Their “Pub Grub” menu features The Avoca Steak Sandwich, crispy pork belly and souvlaki. 

Where is it? 115 High Street, Avoca 

The Victoria Hotel Dimboola 

The Victorian Hotel Dimboola is a popular stop in the Wimmera region, serving “mini-beers” and a menu that includes scotch fillet, gnocchi and barramundi. The pub opened in 1924. 

Where is it? 32 Wimmera Street, Dimboola

Read the full list here.

On Your Feed 📱

🐑 Zara visited the almighty Sheepvention in Hamilton, where she met several of the VIPs:

And I unpacked a few things I learned in my chat with a Wimmera grain farmer who travelled to Melbourne to discuss wind turbines with MPs: