Hepburn Matters, The Rex Vincent Street, Daylesford (2026)

is a newly incorporated association created by the Rethink the Rex community group as a vehicle to help advocate for community assets within Hepburn Shire that deliver the kind of long term, intergenerational benefits that will ensure we stay connected and thriving as a local community into the future. Our current campaign is focussed on the Rex project in Daylesford, where we are asking our Counc

il to explore alternative options for the Rex in consultation with the community. Our community group has identified four essential elements that community cannot afford to lose in either the re-design or the sale of the Rex Theatre:

1. HERITAGE PROTECTIONS* – We cannot lose the external and internal heritage architectural elements of this 95-year-old iconic building in our main street.

2. CINEMA – We cannot lose our community cinema – this is a proven, outstandingly successful and rewarding asset for the community.

3. COMMUNITY SPACE FOR LOCALS – We cannot accept the loss of the promised spaces that would have allowed us to showcase our local artists and produce and provide community space for meetings and performances.

4. PUBLIC TOILETS – Both locals and tourists – and especially the aged in our community – depended heavily on the Rex Public Toilets and Council promised their priority in returning. Alternative options could include:

• A sale with conditions for community use of some parts of the building.
• Community ownership of the building.
• A social enterprise initiative via a consortium. Transparency is key – both in terms of Council’s community consultation process, and any arrangements made for sale of the building.

*Heritage value needs to be protected. Aubrey Moulden Christie, a Daylesford resident and movie enthusiast, purchased the building known as the Rex in Vincent Street Daylesford and opened the cinema to the community in August 1929. The Rex was previously occupied by Stubbs Commercial hotel and was possibly a former Cobb and Co staging post. The Rex was designed as an “atmospheric” theatre in the grand Spanish colonial style by architectural firm Bohringer Taylor & Johnson who were also responsible for the famous Forum theatre in Melbourne and several other regional cinemas including Hamilton, Horsham and Sale. The Rex is one of the few remaining Spanish colonial style cinemas in Australia and is heritage listed.

30/05/2026

📢💰💰💵 You are warmly invited to "Hepburn Matters explores Council finances now and beyond" 💵💰💰📢

RSVP via Humanitix link: https://events.humanitix.com/hepburn-matters-explores-council-finances-now-and-beyond

Hepburn Matters explores Council finances now and beyond
• Would you like to know more about the health of Hepburn Shire Council finances and draft budget for the next year following the increase in rates?
• Would you like to be able to ask questions or give feedback to Hepburn Shire Council but find budget papers overwhelming?
• How can we find a constructive way forward with limited income, given the small population living across a large geographic area in this Shire?

Join Hepburn Matters in discussion with Tony Clark, Mayor, Brian Hood and Tim Drylie, Councillors, facilitated by Hepburn Matters. We will be providing a respectful environment with an opportunity to ask questions.

When: Tuesday 2 June from 7pm – 8.30pm (7pm-9pm timeslot on Humanitix to allow for pack up)
Where: Bendigo Bank meeting room, 113 Main Road Hepburn Springs

21/05/2026

Hepburn Shire Council Agenda and Attachment online now for next week's Meeting on Tuesday

Items from Agenda

Quarterly Finance Report - Quarter 3

Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Pavilion - Project Update And Funding Strategy

Endorsement Of The Draft Budget 2026/2027 For Public Exhibition - Embargoed Until 6:00pm 26 May 2026

Adoption Of The Creswick Flood Mitigation Study

Algerian Oak Planning Scheme Amendment Authorisation

Awarding Of Contract - Kerbside Recycling Processing

Award Of Contract - Daylesford Town Hall - Municipal Offices Upgrade Design

Award Of Project - Cambridge Street And Victoria Street Improvements, Creswick

See attachment with agenda for details

www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes

Find Council Meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings.

17/03/2026

The Shire's natural assets are the topic of the next Daylesford Conversation. It will explore how walking, cycling and nature-based tourism can build on the region’s existing strengths.

The talk will feature Tim Bach, president of the Great Dividing Trail Association, and Adam Ford, Hepburn Shire Visitor Experience Officer.

Join the Conversation at Connect, 113 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, on Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 pm. Entry is free but bookings are essential for catering and seating purposes.

Walking Country: Activating Nature-based Tourism in Daylesford Bushwalking has long been part of the Daylesford district’s identity, but its...

08/01/2026

2026 Hepburn Shire Council Meeting Dates - pop them in your diary now. Agenda is usually available online end of the week before the meeting.
Remaining meeting dates 2026
* Tue 23 June 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 19 Jun
* Tue 28 July 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 24 Jul
* Tue 25 August 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 21 Aug
* Tue 29 September 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 25 Sep
* Tue 27 October 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 23 Oct
* Tue 24 November 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 20 Nov
* Tue 15 December 2026 at 6pm - check for agenda Fri 11 Dec

Special Meetings
* Statutory Meeting of Council for the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to be held on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 6pm

Find the agendas and minutes here: https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes
Details on how to participate in meetings: https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Participate

Find out how to raise a question, submit a petition, or make an address at an Ordinary Meeting of Council.

16/12/2025

Tonight Important items on Council Agenda
Vic Park Master Plan and Town Hall redevelopment . There is also structure plan changes/responses for Trentham.
$12 mil for Vic Park - has elements of " You're Dreaming" as Cr Hood pointed out at the last meeting in relation to the Clunes Sporting Facilities
You can watch via Council's YouTube channel, ➡️ https://ow.ly/2m5o50WvOic
which certainly beats attending as the acoustics are very poor and the public are set well back from the discussion

Address

The Rex Vincent Street
Daylesford, VIC
3460

Website

http://eepurl.com/h2ocs1

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