News
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Five years and 65 local films
Castlemaine Documentary Festival is celebrating its archive of 65 locally made short films and inviting anyone interested to help make the next ones. LOCALS is Castlemaine Documentary Festival’s (CDoc) annual homegrown documentary showcase of short films (six minutes or less) made by people with a meaningful connection to central Victoria. Over the past five years,…
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Exciting new project for young creator
When an alien object lands in a backyard in rural Victoria, one family will stop at nothing to capitalise off the anomaly. It’s the story that young Gisborne multimedia artist, Lucas Taylor, tells through creative animation and puppetry in his latest project: Out of Halmsway. Lucas describes the film as an absurd, short bush-sci-fi set…
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Parents call for halt on tree carnage
Elphinstone Primary School parents are calling on the Department of Education to halt vegetation removal works at schools across the region, after finding large sections of the small school grounds cleared during the school holidays. Parents say they support measures to protect children from bushfire but want the department to allow time for community consultation…
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Let your imagination run wild
The Newstead Arts Hub will transform into a literary village this Sunday as some of Australia’s best-loved children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers gather for the Newstead Young Writers Festival. It will be a full day of creativity, stories and inspiration for young people and their families, with something new, exciting and whimsical around every corner.…
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Fuel apps help motorists find cheaper prices
With fuel prices stretching household budgets, motorists are increasingly turning to online tools to find cheaper petrol and diesel. Unleaded and diesel prices have fluctuated significantly in recent months, with prices currently ranging from about $2.30 to $3 a litre depending on location. Earlier this year, the Australian Government temporarily halved the fuel excise on…
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The science of the super oil
A Macedon Ranges olive oil producer’s focus on the potential health benefits of olive oil has been rewarded with a gold medal at the International Australian Olive Oil Awards. Quartz Hill, founded by Melissa Lococo and Deb Radford, received gold for its Q600 oil, along with silver medals for its Estate and Gilt oils. The…
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Residents push for 60km/h on Grahams Road
A large amount of in-depth evidence has been collected to justify action to cut the speed limit from 100km/h to 60km/h on an unsealed rural road close to Lancefield. “In summary, the problems could be solved through three major signage installations, saving the shire council considerable time and money,” local resident Denis Graham said yesterday.…
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Songbird joins campaign to ban duck hunting
“Duck hunting in Victoria needs to end.” That’s the emphatic statement of acclaimed Malmsbury singer songwriter Lucy Wise who is throwing her weight behind the fight to end the annual blood sport. “These beautiful animals are vital to the ecosystem that we and all living things on this land depend on,” she said. “It is…
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Residents fundraise for Bald Hill battle
Kyneton residents opposing a proposed nine-lot subdivision adjoining Bald Hill Reserve are raising funds for legal representation ahead of a VCAT hearing. A small group of community objectors launched a fundraising campaign after Macedon Ranges Shire Council rejected the development in December last year. The Melbourne-based developer has appealed the decision, with the matter due…
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Bonanno runs as Independent
Back in 2022, Dom Bonanno was the Liberal Party candidate in the state seat of Macedon, trying to unseat Labor’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. Fresh life was injected into the 2026 campaign with Bonanno — a Macedon Ranges Shire councillor for almost six years — announcing yesterday he was running as an Independent candidate. He…
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Does the political system need reform?
Bryn Davies, government and democracy lead, Castlemaine Institute and Really Local Are you sick of the election before it even starts? You are not alone (but there is another way…). September 15 was the International Day of Democracy. Don’t worry, most people didn’t know that either. There weren’t many street parties celebrating the day. And…
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Multi-million pub revival plans
It has not yet been decided whether a planning permit application for a proposed $8 million upgrade to the long-closed Romsey Hotel will be decided by Macedon Ranges councillors, or by council officers under delegation. Council’s director of planning and environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, stated this in response to queries raised by the Express last week.…