Talkin' about Talbot

25/11/2025

The Pyrenees Advocate is reporting that Talbot resident – and newly crowned Central Goldfields Shire Mayor – Ben Green is now seeking Liberal Party pre-selection for the seat of Ripon at the 2026 Victorian State Election.

Ripon is currently held by Victorian Labor MP Martha Haylett, although her prospects of retaining the seat have been widely questioned following recent controversies and a noticeable decline in community support.

Ben represents the Paddys Ranges ward – covering Talbot, Daisy Hill, Alma, Adelaide Lead and Bowenvale – where he narrowly defeated former Mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor at the 2024 Central Goldfields Shire election.

Chris – an incumbent and former Mayor – actually received more primary votes than Ben, but Ben ultimately passed him on preferences from Gregory Corcoran, who had withdrawn from active campaigning after nominations closed.

Ben also previously ran for federal politics, contesting the seat of Ballarat for the Liberal Party in 2022 and securing 27% of the primary vote in his challenge against Labor MP Catherine King.

With his move toward state politics now public, it raises a reasonable community question: was Ben’s run for council – and his swift elevation to mayor – part of a longer-term plan for higher office?

22/11/2025

Talbot Primary School has wrapped up another huge year at Energy Breakthrough, capping off three days of determination, teamwork, and sheer effort from students, staff, and families! 🙌🏻

Months of preparation came together perfectly, with the whole crew – from Talbot staff and parent helpers to the pit crew and the pit-lane duo of Zack and Kevin Miller – backing the riders every step of the way! 🙏🏻‍

Their support helped deliver a brilliant result, with Wheel Wizards finishing 4th overall in a field of sixteen. A fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work, and enthusiasm of everyone involved! 👏🏻

22/11/2025

The Councillor for Talbot's Paddys Ranges ward, Ben Green, is the new Central Goldfields Shire Mayor! 🏛️

Central Goldfields Shire Council locked in its leadership team for the year ahead during Wednesday night’s Statutory Meeting, confirming who will be steering the organisation

Councillors appointed Paddys Ranges Ward Councillor Ben Green as Mayor for the next 12 months, while Anna de Villiers Tullaroop Ward was appointed Deputy Mayor.

Ben narrowly defeated former Mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor in the 2024 election, thanks to preferences received from Gregory Corcoran, despite Chris receiving more primary votes.

Raised in the Western District on a cattle grazing and thoroughbred racing property, Ben has lived and worked across Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and regional Victoria, and now calls Talbot home.

His early career included time in construction and advertising, as well as a stint sailing racing yachts and working as a boat builder.

He returned to the legal profession 17 years ago, becoming a partner at DSA Law in Queen Street, Melbourne before moving to Nevett Wilkinson and Frawley Lawyers in Ballarat in 2022 as Special Counsel.

His board and committee experience spans the Ballarat and District Law Society, Graduate House at the University of Melbourne, Channel 31, and the Talbot Fire Brigade.

He also previously contested the federal seat of Ballarat for the Liberal Party in 2022, receiving 27% of the primary vote in his challenge against Labor MP Catherine King.

Away from council duties, Ben reportedly enjoys snooker, billiards, pool, reading, and travelling throughout the state.

When elected last year, his priorities were to upgrade and maintain local infrastructure such as roads and bridges, re-open the Maryborough Outdoor Pool, and support small businesses across the shire.

Congratulations to both Ben and Anna on their appointments, and very best wishes for the year of leadership ahead!

16/11/2025

Big congrats to Jamieson House on being crowned the MCDFNL Footballer of the Year – absolutely massive effort from the Talbot lad! 👏🏼

09/11/2025

Talbot Football Netball Club has announced that Caitlyn Murrell and Kaleigh Perry will return as co-coaches for the 2026 11 & Under netball side – a well-deserved continuation after an impressive 2025 season that saw their young team finish runners-up in the Grand Final! 🦅

🦅 2026 11 & UNDER NETBALL CO-COACHES 🦅

Talbot FNC is excited to announce co-coaches for our 11 & Under netball in Caitlyn Murrell and Kaleigh Perry for 2025.

Caitlyn & Kaleigh will be continuing in their role as co-coaches after successfully coaching the team to becoming runners up for the 2025 11 and Under Grand Final. We're excited to see our 11 & Under team continue to grow under the guidance of these two fantastic coaches.

08/11/2025

Big congrats to Zac Cicchini for being named Talbot’s Football Rookie of the Year! 🏆🦅

What a season from the young bloke – hard at the contest, cool under pressure, and already making a name for himself in the brown and gold! 🤎💛

12/10/2025

The Talbot CFA hosted a well-attended ‘Fire Ready’ session at the local fire station today, focusing on private firefighting equipment and community preparedness. 🚒

Locals turned out to check out a range of impressive firefighting trailers and even a vintage Isuzu tanker, formerly part of the NSW Rural Fire Service – generously brought along by local resident Tom.

The event sparked plenty of discussion and knowledge-sharing among attendees, with volunteers and locals alike swapping tips, stories, and laughs throughout the day.

A big thank you was extended to everyone who came along and helped make the day such a success, strengthening the region’s readiness ahead of the fire season! 🔥

07/10/2025

The Talbot CFA has shared the sad news of the passing of former Captain Keith Harris, who died yesterday morning aged 81.

Keith was a long-serving and deeply respected member of the brigade, remembered for his dedication and years of service to the Talbot community.

He played a key role in securing the community-owned truck, Tanker Two — a lasting legacy of his commitment to improving local fire response and safety.

Vale Keith — a true community leader and volunteer whose contribution will not be forgotten.

It is with great sadness we have learnt of the passing of former Talbot CFA Captain, Keith Harris. He passed this morning, aged 81. Keith was a dedicated member and served our community for many years. Keith was also instrumental in obtaining our community-owned truck, Tanker Two. Funeral details will be announced when known. Vale Keith.

05/10/2025

Talbot’s Zac Graham has taken out the MCDFNL Reserves Best and Fairest, polling 23 votes for the season! 👏🏼‍

A standout performer all year, Graham’s strong form and consistency saw him top the count and claim one of the league’s top honours – a well-earned win for the Hawk! 🏈

27/09/2025

Talbot and Maryborough CFA crews got the call yesterday when a burn-off went pear-shaped and crept out into the bush.

What started as someone’s “little tidy-up job” quickly turned into a scramble, with the trucks rolling in to knock it down before it spread any further.

This morning, the Talbot crew were back on the scene doing the rounds, making sure nothing was still smouldering.

Sure enough, their thermal imaging camera picked up a sneaky hot spot hiding under the ash – the kind of thing you’d never spot with the naked eye until it flared up again.

So don’t be a goose with your burn-offs. Lighting up on a windy day is asking for trouble, and ducking inside for a cuppa while it’s still going is how disasters are born.

The fire danger period isn’t far off, and once it kicks in you’ll have stricter rules to deal with. If you need to burn off, don’t leave it to the eleventh hour.

Do it smart, do it safe, and don’t end up with half the CFA on your doorstep because you couldn’t be bothered to do it properly.

📷: Talbot CFA

25/09/2025

It was a lovely day at the Talbot Markets! 🛍️

05/08/2025

Bit of a throwback today – here’s the Talbot Football Club reserves squad from way back in 1983, 42 years ago! 😮

Classic photo, classic crew! 🏈

Talbot Football Club - Seconds 1983