“It's not only the nourishment of the nutrients in the food that's important that nourishment of the time that we pay for eating, and taking notice of the texture, flavours and the environment that you're sitting; perhaps in a beautiful garden or in a room with a beautiful flower arrangement or the way that light might be falling through the window and leaving shadows in the room.”

Eventually, Tammi began working with a regional butcher in Ballan named Salvatore Fusca to learn the craft of butchering a pig. But the essence of what Jonai Farms was embarking on was about how we should be living, “the research is really clear that peasants and Indigenous peoples are the best custodians of biodiversity and maintaining a sustainable resource base, and they've done it for millennia. And industrial society is so separated from that, that they really need to look back to the small holders and the Indigenous peoples for guidance.”

It was the first pebble that sunk into what Brett describes as the imaginary pond, “and the ripples started.” The stories are kept secret, within the circle, “But I can tell you about my feelings. Something magical was happening. I thought, something really needed is happening here. And, and we've just begun it.”

Mark creates poetry from physical exercise. From behind long locks and a bushranger’s beard, his part-guru part-footy coach persona is a melting pot of an original larrikin spirit.

He writes, “I share my excitement for life with seekers, with my retreats and one-day events, I aim to inspire you to be your true authentic self, wear your heart on your sleeve and help you light a fire within.”

The Haymes business model only deals with other family businesses; 15,000 professional family trade businesses, independent paint specialists and independent hardware stores. “That whole idea of familyness leads to community, which leads to Australian, which leads to care for the environment. These are the cornerstones of what we’re creating,” asserts Matt. “We’re a family business because of the 300 families not because of our family. We always say, blood is thicker than paint. Sounds corny, but it is.”

The Ulysses Club is a social club for motorcyclists over the age of 40 years. “And I started my passion for riding about 40 years ago, on a farm, riding bikes with my brothers,” quipps Macedon Ranges' first female club president, Sylvia Behan.

Teagan’s work, as photographer and filmmaker with a social conscience and international agenda, has in many ways become an empowering testament to young country-town creatives across Victoria. Armed with her mum’s advice, she embraced the unknown and her dreams came true.

Winding down a path littered with fresh Feijoas, we discover Melliodora; a 2 1/4 acre property nestled on the edge of Hepburn Springs. However, it’s the integrity and significance of the philosophical landscape that startles the imagination.

Mara’s work is a holistic project titled Village Dreaming. It thrives on reviving the displaced community of her Italian heritage through the things that made her grandmother's hometown so special; hosting, cooking, baking, preserving, and foraging workshops.