Elizabeth Hudspeth and Alex Stephenson are among the vignerons who will throw open their doors for the Macedon Ranges Food and Wine Festival.
Visitors will be encouraged to explore Macedon Ranges gems at the festival, affectionately known to locals as Budburst, during the weekend of November 12 and 13. The event celebrates the buds bursting on the vine.
Visitors can explore wineries, vineyards, cellar doors and foodie destinations, with the best of the region’s produce on show.
Program details and bookings: www.budburst.com
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Colourful fun run
Lace up your runners and get set for the Macedon Ranges Colour Run and Walk this Sunday, October 23, at Gardiner Reserve in Gisborne. The fundraiser helps put a focus on health issues in the community such as healthy lifestyles, obesity and social inclusion.
Mates for mental health
Woodend-Hesket Masters Football Club is encouraging its players to round up their mates and bring them down to the clubrooms for a forum run by Beyondblue. The night will be held at Gilbert Gordon Oval on October 19 from 7.30pm.
■ daron.a.jacks@gmail.com
Makers market
A boutique makers market featuring homemade and handmade products from Macedon Ranges and further afield will be held at Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Road, Woodend on Sunday, October 30, from 9am-2pm. Entry costs $5.
Festival of gardens
This year’s Garden DesignFest is on the horizon and residents will be able to tour the gorgeous gardens of the Macedon Ranges. Open gardens will be held over two weekends in November with gardens in regional areas including the Macedon Ranges being open on the weekend of November 19 and 20.
Healthy ageing
Sunbury and Macedon Ranges VIEW Club will host 3AW’s Gerald Quigley at its October 21 meeting. He’ll be speaking about the challenges of healthy ageing from 11am at Club Sunbury (Sunbury Bowling Club). New members welcome.
■ 0413 088 301
Mental health expo
My Family Matters mental health carer’s support group and Macedon Ranges Health are hosting a mental health expo to create awareness on mental health services in the region. Runs from 5.30-7.30pm on Wednesday (October 19) at the Macedon Ranges Health Centre. 
