Community News
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Active Living Census stats a wake-up call
The results of the 2025 Active Living Census are in, and some results are concerning. People living in the Loddon Campaspe region have higher rates of risky drinking, poorer health and lower life satisfaction than the rest of the state. People are not eating enough fruit and vegetables, and more than 50 per cent of…
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Young filmmaker wins People’s Choice Award
Sacred Heart College student Thomas Corboy (Class of 2025), was announced last month as the winner of the Top Screen 2026 People’s Choice Award. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s annual Top Screen program celebrates the creative achievements of outstanding VCE Media students. Just 15 films were selected from more than 350 nominations across Victoria.…
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Tiny Homes on Wheels – An affordable housing option for homeless women
The housing crisis is hitting our community hard, and sadly, older women are an increasing demographic predisposed to homelessness. Mount Alexander Shire has a higher percentage of homeless women than the Victorian average, and the drivers for that are gender inequity and men’s violence against women. The local council changed the local law a few…
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Youths raise funds for Gaza
The second Gig 4 Gaza event held in Castlemaine last Friday was a huge success, with hundreds filling the Town Hall to raise more than $8000 for three important not-for-profit organisations. The evening featured six local and Melbourne-based acts, spanning indie, rock, folk, grunge and electronic music. DJ Luqman finished off the night with a…
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Men encouraged to ‘See Your GP’
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell is a big fan of the men’s shed movement. As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Men’s Sheds he has long supported the valuable work they do and the important role they play in men’s health. Last week, during Men’s Health Week 2026, Mr Mitchell paid a visit to the Lancefield…
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Romsey artist in international project to lift spirits
Romsey artist Debbie Daks is continuing her connection with Ukraine through a new cultural children’s mural project. Ms Daks has worked closely with the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria and, in particular, young people from Ukraine. Following the recent launch of the book Many Colours of Home, a montage of thoughts, art, poetry and recipes…
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Last push to release aid
Last year, a group of dedicated volunteers in Mount Alexander Shire spent countless hours gathering and filling a 40-foot shipping container with essential items to send to Uganda through the charity organisation I Am Someone. The shipping container, which has travelled across the world to Mombasa, Kenya, has unfortunately been detained by customs for more…
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Community advocate’s vision for carer support
Long-time Macedon Ranges community advocate Cherry Servis has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for her service to community health. Ms Servis, now living in Koroit, was honoured for decades of work supporting people living with dementia and their carers, much of it inspired by…
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Red carpet for culinary star
Malmsbury author Yoko Nakazawa has been awarded a prestigious James Beard Award. Her book, The Japanese Art of Pickling & Fermenting, won Best Single Subject Book at a ceremony in Chicago. Known as the ‘Oscars of food’, the James Beard Awards are the highest honours in the American culinary industry, recognising exceptional talent in chefs,…
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Tiny book makes epic journey
A small book has made an unexpected overseas journey and returned to its original purchaser’s family in Castlemaine more than a century later. It is believed a member of the Tingay family, who lived in Castlemaine at the time, purchased The Illuminated Scripture Text-Book For Every Day from a book store in Victoria in 1881.…
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Station stalwart retires
Maxine (Max) Clohesy has retired from her position as admin clerk at the Kyneton Police Station after 39 years. Max was unsworn by Victoria Police in September 1987 (to work as a civilian) and has worked at Kyneton ever since. Her main responsibilities were making sure all charges got to court, all briefs and evidence…
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Tigers take the plunge for FightMND
Kyneton Football Netball Club has raised more than $2300 and counting for FightMND after a successful Big Freeze fundraiser held during the club’s MND Round on May 30. Players, volunteers, supporters and community members gathered at the Kyneton Showgrounds to support the cause, with 10 brave club representatives taking the plunge down a giant slide…