A retired Woodend politician, member of numerous local groups, passionate organiser of the Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service and member of the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross committee, Bruce Mildenhall is deeply entrenched in Macedon Ranges communities. He tells Elsie Lange what brought him to the ranges 18 years ago, what he loves about the area and what he hopes for the region’s future.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do.
I am semi-retired, and still involved in at least a dozen committees and community projects. I was a state MP for 14 years and a municipal councillor in Footscray for nine years. Before that, I was a municipal officer and a state public servant in sport and recreation. Locally, now I help organise the Mount Macedon Anzac Dawn Service and I am a member of the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Committee of Management. I also have a long involvement in the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.
What’s your connection to the Macedon Ranges?
I have lived here with my partner Karen for 18 years, just south of Woodend near the old timber mill. When I met Karen she already lived here, and when I saw how beautiful it was, and she is, it wasn’t a hard decision to move here. I was also nearing the end of my parliamentary career and was a bit fed up with being accosted in the local supermarket. Sometimes it’s good to be a bit anonymous.
What do you like about where you live?
It has a beautiful natural environment and a caring community. As the population grows people are keen to improve things like community safety, roads and other transport, and the local environment. With cooperation between the local council and state government all sorts of things are happening or are in the planning stages. It is an active community and there are not enough days in the week to get involved in all the opportunities for improving our area.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I would like to see the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross commemoration area and the infrastructure on the mountain improved. As a major tourist icon it should be the next ‘cab off the rank’ after the Hanging Rock project in our area. The number of visitors we had at the Mount during the recent Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival showed how inadequate the facilities are. I would like to see more walking tracks in the Wombat Forest as the National Park is developed, and look forward to the bike track plans for our area being implemented.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
Mount Macedon of course! The walking tracks are great, the views fantastic, and the Memorial Cross has a special significance for our area and the whole state. I used to cycle in that direction until I had a collision with a kangaroo this time last year. I also walk in the Wombat Forest – another beautiful natural area. I could also mention the local wineries and cafes, but that sounds a bit indulgent.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you
As a retirement adventure, we lived in a mountain village in Crete for a year in 2016/17 while my partner wrote a book. It was a great experience, as Australians are well liked in Greece. But as tragic Bulldogs supporters, we were stuck there as the grand final approached. We hung our streamers and balloons out, and the locals asked if the red, white and blue were supporting the French football team!
