Latest News
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Podium finish for Gisborne gymnast
Gisborne gymnast Sophie Strano has won third at the Australian Gymnastics Championships. Sophie competed in Sydney on June 28 and 29, across eight events, successfully sticking all performances. Her score on the first day was 47.500 and combined score over the two days was 95.850. This not only put Sophie in third place overall, bur…
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New organics partnership forms
A new coalition of Mount Alexander farmers, businesses and community groups has put $100,000 of its own money behind a home-grown plan for the shire’s food and garden waste. They are offering to fund a trial to demonstrate how the scheme could scale across the shire. The Mount Alexander Organics Partnership is concerned that Mount…
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New operator for old Kyneton school site
The Old Kyneton Primary School is a step closer to reopening as a creative and community precinct, with the state government announcing a consortium led by local social enterprise Social Foundry as the site’s new operator. Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced the appointment last Wednesday, saying the consortium would oversee the site’s operations as it…
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Folk and fun awaits!
Town Folk Festival has dropped its second artist announcement and welcomes five more Australian acts to round out its 2026 lineup. Joining the already stacked bill are buzz-worthy Adelaide band Any Young Mechanic, Geelong’s vintage-folk newcomer Daisy Kilbourne, the hypnotic Gaia Scarf, scene-stealing Melbourne folk rocker Maggie Alley, and Castlemaine’s own new-wave pioneers Tiramisu Misterioso.…
Sport
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Kyneton FIDA Tigers chasing back-to-back
Kyneton’s FIDA football team will run out for an historic second consecutive Grand Final this Sunday (July 26), looking to defend the premiership they won in stunning fashion last year. The Tigers meet Sunbury at Kyneton Showgrounds, first bounce at 11:30am, in the 2026 FIDA Grand Final. Last year’s flag ended a long wait for…
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New chapter for Gisborne FNC
“Now, we’re excited to begin an exciting new chapter in the Ballarat Football Netball League.” This was Gisborne Football Netball Club’s reaction to AFL Victoria approving the Bulldogs’ application to switch from Bendigo League to Ballarat League, from the beginning of the 2027 season. Last week’s Express reported the Bendigo FNL had approved Gisborne’s transfer, and AFL…
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Riddell District Football Netball League stresses zero tolerance
With an eye on finals coming up for plenty of teams, the Riddell District Football Netball League has emphasised it has a zero tolerance policy towards poor behaviour. “We are asking all clubs to speak to their players and let them know that umpires will be cracking down on dissent and will be awarding 50-metre…
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Cats claim a big scalp
Macedon senior footballers dug deep under pressure to beat highly rated Diggers Rest by a goal with a resurgence last quarter at Tony Clarke Reserve on Saturday. The victory was one of the best by the Cats in recent years as they swamped the visitors by outscoring them five goals to one in a pulsating…
Community
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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…
Leisure
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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…
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Karaoke to support local theatre
Kyneton Theatre Company is holding its annual fundraiser next Saturday, July 18, and this year, it’s a karaoke disco night. “It was all inspired by the ‘porch karaoke’ we used to have at cast parties,” committee member Lucy Watson explained. “We would all pull songs up on YouTube and sing them to the party on…