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"I need answers": Devastated widow vows to stage hunger strike

<p>A woman who lost her husband and son in the devastating crash at a pub in Victoria last year has vowed to stage a protest, just days after the driver of the car was dismissed of all charges. </p> <p>In November 2023, 66-year-old William Swale was behind the wheel of his BMW when he suffered a medical episode, crashing into the beer garden of The Royal Daylesford Hotel, killing five people. </p> <p>Charges against Mr Swale were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/charges-dropped-over-crash-that-killed-five-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dropped</a> on Thursday, after a magistrate ruled the evidence against him was “so weak”.</p> <p>Mr Swale's lawyers successfully argued his actions were not voluntary because he was in a state of severe hypoglycaemia, as he is an insulin-dependent diabetic. </p> <p>After hearing that the charges were dropped, Ruchi Bhatia, whose husband Vivek, their son Vihaan, 11, were killed as a result of the crash, says the ruling is as though she has lost them all over again. </p> <p>Ruchi and her nine-year-old son were also injured in the crash, but survived after spending months in hospital. </p> <p>Speaking for the first time since the deadly incident, Bhatia expressed her pain and said it feels like her life has been torn apart again, recalling the horrifying moment she woke in hospital to learn her husband and eldest son did not make it.</p> <p>“Still today I don’t believe that they are not with me,” she told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/daylesford-beer-garden-crash-victim-ruchi-bhatia-plans-protest-after-driver-charges-dismissed-c-16164598" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>7News</em></a>.</p> <p>“We were just having fun, we were outside, we were all together and the next moment they were gone and I’m never going to see them again.”</p> <p>In court on Thursday, Magistrate Guillaume Bailin found the prosecution case was flawed and decided not to commit Swale to stand criminal trial, as all charges were dropped and Mr Swale walked out of court a free man. </p> <p>Despite the ruling, Bhatia is demanding answers and says her fight for justice is far from over.</p> <p>“He stopped the car in the middle of the road — why did he start his engine again? I need answers for that,” she said.</p> <p>Bhatia and her family are planning to protest, which will include a hunger strike. </p> <p>While Bhatia said she knew the protest wouldn't bring back her family, she said they needed justice to move on from the tragedy. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News </em></p>

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Charges dropped over crash that killed five people

<p>The elderly driver who was charged after his car crashed into a pub in Victoria, resulting in the deaths of two children and three adults, will walk free after charges against him were dropped. </p> <p>William Herbert Swale, 66, had all charges dismissed after a magistrate ruled the evidence against him was “so weak”.</p> <p>Mr Swale's lawyers successfully argued his actions were not voluntary because he was in a state of severe hypoglycaemia, as he is an insulin-dependent diabetic. </p> <p>The devastating crash occurred on November 5th 2023, when Mr Swale's car sped down a hill before crashing into an outdoor dining area outside The Royal Daylesford Hotel.</p> <p>Pratibha Sharma, her husband Jatin Chugh, and her daughter Anvi were enjoying the last of the weekend at the pub when Mr Swale's BMW crashed through the pub. </p> <p>Sharma and Chugh <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/entire-town-in-mourning-as-daylesford-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> at the scene, while nine-year-old Anvi was flown to hospital but did not survive her injuries and was later pronounced dead. </p> <p>The family were joined by their friends, Vivek Bhatia, 38, his wife, and their two kids at the pub. </p> <p>Vivek and his 11-year-old son Vihaan were both killed in the crash, while the 36-year-old woman, and a second son, aged six, were taken to hospital for their injuries and survived. </p> <p>Initially rushed to hospital after the crash, Mr Swale was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/major-update-in-daylesford-crash-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> with 14 offences following a month-long police investigation.</p> <p>Prosecutors alleged that as a type-1 diabetic of 30 years, Mr Swale should've known not to be driving while in a state of hypoglycaemia, alleging gross negligence.</p> <p>After a three-day hearing, Magistrate Guillaume Bailin determined the evidence against Mr Swale was so flawed it should not be sent to a higher court for a jury trial, and instead dismissed all charges. </p> <p>“It is reasonably possible the accused was suffering a severe hypoglycemic event; the result of which means his actions in driving from 5.36pm onwards were not voluntary,” Magistrate Bailin said. “The evidence is so weak that the prospects of convictions are minimal."</p> <p><em>Image credits: ABC News / Magistrates' Court of Victoria</em></p> <p> </p>

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Major update in Daylesford crash tragedy

<p dir="ltr">One month after the devastating tragedy in the regional town of Daylesford that killed five people, charges have finally been laid. </p> <p dir="ltr">In November, a car crashed into the beer garden of The Royal Hotel where two families were having dinner. </p> <p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/there-were-bodies-everywhere-five-people-dead-in-horror-pub-crash#xd_co_f=YTM5MzVmOGQtNTY4My00NWE1LThjNDctMTUxMjJlNjVhMWNj~" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fatal car crash</a> claimed the lives of three adults and two children, critically injuring others. </p> <p dir="ltr">Now, almost six weeks on from the tragedy, the 66-year-old driver of the car has been charged. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 66-year-old man who was driving the white BMW SUV has been charged with five counts of culpable driving causing death, two counts of negligently causing serious injury and seven counts of reckless conduct endangering life.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man is due to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court later on Monday. </p> <p dir="ltr">As the investigation commenced into the incident, it was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/new-details-revealed-as-daylesford-driver-s-lawyer-speaks-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alleged</a> that the man suffered a medical emergency moments before the crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Mount Macedon local is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and allegedly required immediate treatment at the scene. </p> <p dir="ltr">Solicitor Martin Amad, who is representing the driver, said his client returned a negative alcohol breath test after the crash, and has no previous criminal history.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was a terrible tragedy," Amad said in the days after the crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">"He is deeply distressed and feels great empathy for the families and friends of the victims and wider Daylesford community."</p> <p dir="ltr">On November 5th, Pratibha Sharma, her husband Jatin Chugh, and her daughter Anvi were enjoying the last of the weekend at the Royal Hotel in Daylesford when a white BMW SUV crashed into the beer garden. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sharma and Chugh died at the scene, while nine-year-old Anvi was flown to hospital but did not survive her injuries and was later pronounced dead. </p> <p dir="ltr">The family were joined by their friends, Vivek Bhatia, 38, his wife, and their two kids at the pub. </p> <p dir="ltr">Vivek and his 11-year-old son Vihaan were both killed in the crash, while the 36-year-old woman, and a second son, aged six, were taken to hospital for their injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: ABC News</em></p>

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Injured mother and son finally reunited after Daylesford crash

<p>Two survivors of the Daylesford crash have been reunited in hospital, nearly two weeks after the tragedy that claimed the lives of five people. </p> <p>Among those killed were Vivek Bahtia and his 11-year-old son Vihaan, while his 36-year-old wife Ruchi and younger son, aged six, were injured and taken to separate hospitals.</p> <p>Now, Ruchi and her six-year-old boy have been reunited at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, after a gruelling 11 days apart. </p> <p>After the emotional reunion, the mother was taken back to the Royal Melbourne Hospital to continue treatment.</p> <p>Members of their family told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/car-accidents-melbourne/daylesford-pub-crash-victim-update-as-surviving-mum-and-son-reunite-c-12574232" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>7News</em></a> that the mother and son still have a long way to go in their recovery, and are also devastated by the loss of their family.</p> <p>To help the grieving family, a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/daylesford-tragedy-helping-the-bhatia-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page was set up after the crash to help cover medical and funeral costs, with the page raising more than $140,000.</p> <p>“We request the community to get behind the Bhatia family — Vivek and his 11-year-old son have lost their lives and Ruchi and her youngest son are hospitalised,” the fundraiser, organised by family friends Preet Singh and Ruby Kaur, states.</p> <p>“It will be a long way to recovery and to get over this unbearable loss.”</p> <p>Last week, Ruchi’s friend Ruby Kaur told <em>7News</em> the mother didn’t see the car coming before it hit her family.</p> <p>“They were enjoying their meal and then she woke up at the hospital. She says she does not know anything. She did not even see the car coming,” she said. </p> <p>Kaur said Ruchi has been asking questions about the crash, mainly about the driver.</p> <p>“She’s asking: ‘Where is that person? Why did he do that?’,” Kaur said.</p> <p>The driver, a 66-year-old man, has been questioned by police, but no charges have been laid as their investigation continues. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

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New details revealed as Daylesford driver's lawyer speaks out

<p>Important information about the 66-year-old man who crashed into the Royal Hotel in Daylesford has been released. </p> <p>According to the man's lawyer, he required immediate treatment at the scene, as the elderly man is an insulin-dependent diabetic. </p> <p>Detectives <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/daylesford-crash-victims-family-speaks-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interviewed</a> the man, a Mount Macedon local, for the first time on Tuesday, but was not arrested or charged.</p> <p>Solicitor Martin Amad, who is representing the driver, said his client returned a negative alcohol breath test after the crash, and has no previous criminal history.</p> <p>"It was a terrible tragedy," Amad said.</p> <p>"My client has been interviewed by Victoria Police. He has not been charged with any offence. It's anticipated the investigation will take some time."</p> <p>"He is deeply distressed and feels great empathy for the families and friends of the victims and wider Daylesford community."</p> <p>The driver remains in the hospital and is undergoing medical treatment. </p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #ffffff;">“At this time the driver has not been charged, with inquiries to continue after his eventual release from care,” a police statement provided to the</span><em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"> Herald Sun</em><span style="font-size: 16px; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #ffffff;"> said.</span></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Just days after the <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s;" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/there-were-bodies-everywhere-five-people-dead-in-horror-pub-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">devastating car crash, t</a>he town of Daylesford is in mourning after five people died in the car crash. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Pratibha Sharma, her husband Jatin Chugh, and her daughter Anvi were enjoying the last of the weekend at the Royal Hotel in Daylesford when a white BMW SUV crashed into the beer garden on Sunday evening. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Sharma and Chugh died at the scene, while nine-year-old Anvi was flown to hospital but did not survive her injuries and was later pronounced dead. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">The family were joined by their friends, Vivek Bhatia, 38, his wife, and their two kids at the pub. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Vivek and his 11-year-old son Vihaan were both killed in the crash, while the 36-year-old woman, and a second son, aged six, were taken to hospital for their injuries.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: Nine</em></p>

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Daylesford crash victims' family speaks out

<p>The family of the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/entire-town-in-mourning-as-daylesford-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">victims</a> of the fatal crash in Daylesford, Victoria, have spoken out, sharing the last conversation they had with their daughter before her untimely death. </p> <p>Pratibha Sharma, her nine-year-old daughter Anvi, and her partner Jatin, 30, were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/there-were-bodies-everywhere-five-people-dead-in-horror-pub-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed</a> outside the The Royal Daylesford Hotel on Sunday after a car crashed into the pub's beer garden, along with two of their friends. </p> <p>Pratibha’s father Vikas said she has spoken to her mother Urmila just two hours before her death.</p> <p>“She said they were staying in a beautiful house all together,” he told the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/devastated-mum-of-daylesford-victim-pratibha-sharma-reveals-final-conversation-with-daughter/news-story/11c4459ba7806c00709ec7c961097556" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="11c4459ba7806c00709ec7c961097556" data-tgev-label="news" data-tgev-metric="ev"><em>Herald Sun</em>.</a></p> <p>Mrs Sharma added, “She said: tomorrow I will come (home) early”.</p> <p>Mr Sharma said they tried to call Pratibha later that night but there was “no reply”.</p> <p>“We thought it was okay and there was no need to disturb them because they were enjoying themselves,” he said, expressing his disbelief at his hardworking daughter’s sudden death.</p> <p>“Why? Why? I don’t understand,” he said. “Her whole life she struggled, worked hard. Her beautiful daughter, also dead.”</p> <p>The heartbreaking recollections comes just hours after the driver of the car that crashed into the pub's beer garden was questioned by police for the first time. </p> <p>The unnamed man, a 66-year-old from Mount Macedon, was spoken to by police on Tuesday but was not arrested or charged.</p> <p>“At this time the driver has not been charged, with inquiries to continue after his eventual release from care,” a police statement provided to the<em> Herald Sun</em> said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine</em></p>

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Entire town in mourning as Daylesford crash victims identified

<p>The town of Daylesford is in mourning just days after the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/there-were-bodies-everywhere-five-people-dead-in-horror-pub-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">devastating car crash</a> that claimed the lives of five people, as the victims have been identified. </p> <p>Pratibha Sharma, her husband Jatin Chugh, and her daughter Anvi were enjoying the last of the weekend at the Royal Hotel in Daylesford when a white BMW SUV crashed into the beer garden on Sunday evening. </p> <p>Sharma and Chugh died at the scene, while nine-year-old Anvi was flown to hospital but did not survive her injuries and was later pronounced dead. </p> <p>The family were joined by their friends, Vivek Bhatia, 38, his wife, and their two kids at the pub. </p> <p>Vivek and his 11-year-old son Vihaan were both killed in the crash, while the 36-year-old woman, and a second son, aged six, were taken to hospital for their injuries.</p> <p>The driver of the BMW, a 66-year-old man, was taken to hospital and treated for shock and minor injuries and is expected to be interviewed by police when he is fit enough to answer questions about the crash. </p> <p>Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said it's believed that none of those killed were locals, but were all tourists visiting the popular town.</p> <p>In the wake of the tragedy, Hepburn Shire Mayor Brian Hood has told of locals' "remarkable" actions after the crash, as the town is reeling from the devastating incident. </p> <p>Speaking to <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/mayor-describes-daylesfords-pain-after-deadly-crash/0cddcf2d-cf2d-4aaf-a16f-5d8aa6e9b189" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>, Hood praised locals for jumping into action in the aftermath of the unprecedented disaster.</p> <p>"People immediately leapt into action, doing what they could before the emergency services arrived," Hood said.</p> <p>"It was a remarkable reaction, it would have been a terribly confronting sight."</p> <p>"Injuries were severe, I understand, so people showed a lot of bravery, a lot of courage in helping fellow humans."</p> <p>"We don't, fortunately, experience these sorts of accidents around here," he said.</p> <p>"Our main concern is the health and wellbeing of the community, the mental health in particular...this will hit hard."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair / Courtesy of the Bhatia family</em></p>

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Megan Gale's Daylesford retreat up for rent

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After purchasing their dream weekender a year ago, model Megan Gale and her husband, former Carlton player Shaun Hampson, have </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/28790133?source_impression_id=p3_1618269099_qcQ704JcVbotUTyk&amp;guests=6&amp;adults=6" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">listed it on Airbnb</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple bought Dollywood, a 1940s bungalow in the pretty Victorian town of Daylesford, from their friends, former footballer Marcus Baldwin and his wife Eloise Fox. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After giving it some subtle updates, the couple listed it on Airbnb in April for up to six guests per stay.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The weatherboard home is known for its neon ink sign at the front, and features vintage Hollywood and Palm Springs stylings throughout.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As regular visitors to Daylesford, Gale and Hampton visited the area before and after they had their children, River, 7, and Rosie, 4.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Daylesford, for Shaun and myself, has always been a really special place,” Gale told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/living/stay-at-dollywood-the-daylesford-airbnb-owned-by-megan-gale-and-shaun-hampson-1103561/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Domain</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2018, they discovered Dollywood, and snapped it up when it hit the market in September last year.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQN5G11DAVC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQN5G11DAVC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by MEGAN GALE (@megankgale)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We thought it was so sweet; it had great charm and the kids loved it,” Gale said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bungalow now features an indoor wood heater, backed by a curved timber wall separating the living area from the bedrooms, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to the verandah.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout the house, artwork including a cactus print, a neon sign (a nod to Dolly Parton), and various wall hangings, have been chosen by Gale.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I wanted some warm mustard, navy and pink tones coming through the house, so I injected that here and there,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guests can stay at the home for between $400 and $800 a night and can enjoy a hamper filled with local goodies and curated soundtrack of Hollywood classics during their stay.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: @dollywood_daylesford (Instagram)</span></em></p>

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