Michelle Dorian, Tarrangower Times

The scent of blooms and blossoms — coupled with longer, warmer, sunnier days — signals the start of spring and for many, a change in mood ... And while Health Direct, an Australian government-funded source of health advice, reckons that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is rare in this country, there might also be a sense that wintry depression is starting to drift away.

A buoyant crowd gathered at Maldon Community Centre on Thursday 21 August to hear the announcement from Community Bank Maldon & District about its BIG Project grant, which offered a million dollars over five years to create long-lasting impact within the local community ... $650,000 will be invested with the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust towards affordable housing in Maldon.

"We've organised the weather to be beautiful today," announced Maldon Golf Club President Glyn Milner to the large group of locals and visitors who assembled on Sunday morning, 24 August. It was day two of the club’s annual tournament, augmented by the presence of hickory club enthusiasts from around the country who competed in the Schenectady Putter Championship.

A small and dedicated crowd attended a ceremony at Maldon Cenotaph on Monday 18 August to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day, which takes place on the anniversary of the 1966 Battle of Long Tan ... Around 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1973, of which over 500 died and thousands were injured.

Tucked away from Maldon's main drag is the old grain store facing Templeton Street, built in 1866 and run by the Maldon Co-operative Store Trading Company until its sale to John Brooks in 1872. It's a striking building, perched high on the corner of Edwards St, retaining a multitude of historic details, including advertising and patina.

Every vintage vehicle enthusiast rolled out on the right side of bed on Sunday 10 August, it seemed, and decided to hit the road. It was the right weather for Sunday Driving, with markets and cafes drawing visitors, so the streets of Maldon were lined with cars of all kinds.

Solstice Energy has confirmed the closure of the compressed natural gas (CNG) network in Maldon, which currently services 79 residences and five businesses, saying this will ultimately reduce energy costs for those customers affected.

Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) has been keeping play a priority; it has featured as a key agenda item at its recent council meeting and in the recently released budget. It comes as school starts back again, after a holiday period that saw local children and visitors looking for wintry activities in regional small towns.

The final days of the Maldon in Winter Festival and the school holidays resulted in some interesting sights around Maldon ... On Thursday 17 July, the mythical Knight in Shining Armour became a reality for participants in a drawing session with Greg Nash, who is a professional jouster from Kryall Castle (one of only two in Australia, guess where the other one works?).