Community News
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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…
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Air League squadron for Woodend
Australia’s oldest uniformed Cadet organisation, The Australian Air League Inc. (founded 1934), is establishing a new Squadron in the Macedon Ranges. The AAL is a uniformed, disciplined, fun organisation open to girls and boys aged 8-18 and adults as officers (18+) with aims to promote an interest in aviation among the youth of Australia, and…
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Williamson’s ‘Most Outstanding’ store
Frances Noonan Following their 50th year anniversary celebrations, Williamson’s FoodWorks Gisborne has been crowned ‘National Most Outstanding Local Area Marketing store of the year’ at the 2026 Australian United Retailers Store Excellence Awards. Independently owned Williamson’s FoodWorks Gisborne was announced the national champion at a gala event in Melbourne in late April. The supermarket is…
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MAIN Game returns
94.9MainFM’s highly anticipated and much-loved community event, the MAIN Game, returns for its seventh year on Sunday June 7 (King’s Birthday long weekend). The historic Camp Reserve in Castlemaine will host the Aussie Rules footy friendly between the Rockatoos and the Radio Galahs. The MAIN Game brings footy and fundraising together for local radio station…
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Showcasing local artisans
Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House has launched a Makers Cabinet — a dedicated space that showcases and sells handcrafted items created by local artisans. The initiative is designed to support makers in the community by giving them greater visibility, while also encouraging residents to consider locally made, high-quality goods when purchasing gifts and special items. The…