Latest News
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‘Mac Off’ campaign begins
A packed community soup gathering in Castlemaine last Thursday night has signalled growing opposition to a proposed McDonald’s, with residents officially launching the Mac Off – Protect Castlemaine campaign. Young people involved in the recent Kids Against Maccas rally joined local business owners and residents at the Healthy Food, Not Fast Food event, united in…
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Thefts and dumping impact charity services
Rubbish dumping, theft and attempted break-ins are impacting services at Kyneton charity op shops and support services. Kyneton Foodbank has experienced an increase in rubbish dumping over the past 12 months, and a recent attempted break-in and damage to its refrigerated food van. Video surveillance has also captured people rifling through donation bags left and…
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Horse rescued from spillway
Emergency services assisted with an unusual rescue of a horse that became trapped last week. The horse, named Flicker, had fallen through a collapsed concrete dam spillway and was unable to free himself. Working alongside SES Gisborne Unit, the attending veterinarian and the specialist team from Arthurs Creek and Strathewen CFA Large Animal Rescue, Gisborne…
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‘Hands off’ the Ranges
“We don’t want to be Melbourne. We don’t want urban sprawl. So, hands off!” was the message Macedon Ranges councillor Daniel Young directed at the state government last week. It comes as the council continues its battle against inappropriate development at Clarkefield in a 2300-home proposal that the state government will now decide. The proposal…
Sport
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Sizeable losses for Riddell, Kyneton
Home ground advantage did nothing to help Riddell and Kyneton as both suffered sizeable football defeats in RDFNL round 16 matches on Saturday. The Bombers expected to bounce back hard after an upset loss to Gisborne Giants a week earlier, but a promising start gradually fizzled out as ladder leader Diggers Rest surged ahead to…
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Hawks back on top
Woodend-Hesket, winner of the last three Riddell League A-grade netball premierships, finds itself back on top of the ladder with two rounds to go before the finals. What an intriguing home and away season 2026 has been, with several teams certainly in contention if they produce their best form in the finals. The Hawks predictably…
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Wedgies play for BCNA
The Wedge-Tailed Eagles hosted Pink Round at Woodend Racecourse Reserve on Sunday, taking on reigning premiers Castlemaine in a hard-fought contest while raising funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia. With a finals chance still in sight, the Wedgies came out firing despite challenging windy conditions. Co-captains Teagan Ainslie and Ayesha Nicholson were influential through the…
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Tigers win back-to-back
Kyneton’s FIDA football team has claimed back-to-back premierships after producing a determined 24-point victory over the previously undefeated Sunbury Kangaroos at the Showgrounds on Sunday. The Tigers entered the grand final as underdogs against a Kangaroos side that had not lost a game all season, but rose to the occasion with a disciplined team performance…
Community
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Giving the gift of life
Three years ago, Gail Laycock lost her adored husband Darren ‘Muddy’ Laycock, a week before his 56th birthday. Darren was a motor mechanic and a ‘dinky-di bloke’ who loved football, speedway racing, camping and fishing. His nickname ‘Muddy’ came from his habit of coming off the football grounds with mud on him – even on…
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A celebration of nature and art
From a graffitied drainpipe to the beautification of Murnong Creek – a new mural project at Lions Memorial Park in Riddells Creek is transforming an eyesore into an inspiring celebration of nature, art and local collaboration. Riddells Creek Lions Club worked along two local artist, Lyn Hovey and Jarryn Pitts, to convert a graffitied structure…
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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.…
Leisure
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Maayan Licht set to dazzle
The Castlemaine State Festival is counting down the days until its next highly anticipated fundraising event on August 14. Imagine Farinelli meets Freddie Mercury. Enter Maayan Licht, the dazzling sopranista hailed as one of Europe’s most electrifying new stars, making his long-awaited Australian debut, which will include a stopover at the Castlemaine Town Hall. With…
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Dancing in your 60s and beyond
What began as a simple idea between two local dance teachers has grown into one of the week’s highlights for many older residents. Designed for older adults, Dance for Wellbeing 60+ is a combination of uplifting music, stretching and dance phrases. Following the enthusiastic response to their Castlemaine classes, dance teachers, Edna Reinhardt and Heidi…
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‘Words in Winter’ at the Athenaeum
As part of the upcoming ‘Words in Winter’ event on Saturday July 25, author Lynne Cooper will speak at Maldon’s Athenaeum Library. Cooper is the author of The Mystery Medal, which tells the story of her great grandfather, Sergeant Henry Frood of the Victorian Police. In 1889 a small delegation of Chinese men from the…
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Up close and personal with Elliot Goblet
Ever wanted to ask one of Australia’s funniest comedians the question you’ve always wondered about? Here’s your chance. Up Close and Personal is unlike any comedy show you’ve been to. Part live performance, part candid conversation, the intimate evening features a special guest performing before sitting down for a relaxed interview – with the audience…