Latest News
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TV signals still on the blink
The January 2026 bushfires in regional Victoria caused significant damage to broadcast infrastructure at two sites operated by BAI Communications, formerly Broadcast Australia, at Mount Alexander. The damage resulted in the loss of FM radio services and free-to-air television services to communities across the region including Castlemaine and other areas in central Victoria. Power systems…
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Best Australian Cheese win
Castlemaine artisan producer Long Paddock Cheese took out the title of Best Australian Cheese at England’s prestigious International Cheese and Dairy Awards last week. Adding to this prestigious win, the small central Victorian cheesemaker also took out second place in the same class. Following intense judging against leading cheesemakers from around the nation, Long Paddock…
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Composters call for more time
The statewide rollout of a new four-bin system is creating a stir across Victoria, with many councils expressing concerns that the glass recycling system is unnecessary and costly. In Mount Alexander Shire, however, the issues with glass bins are secondary to the introduction of a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin system, as local composters…
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Wild weather lashes region
A week of wild weather has lashed the region with steady rain and fierce winds causing chaos across the Macedon Ranges. From Tuesday to Friday, Woodend SES attended 42 callouts/requests for assistance including a floodwater road rescue (see report, page 5), trees down and structure damage. A Woodend SES spokesperson said 38 of those calls…
Sport
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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…
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Romsey almost cause boilover
Romsey A-grade netballers may not have had the season they hoped for, but in their round 13 match on Saturday, they almost put a huge dent in Kyneton’s bid to play finals. Only four matches were played, and the Romsey versus Kyneton encounter was a thriller. The outcome was a 42-42 tie, with both sides…
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BFNL approves Gisborne FNC transfer
The Bendigo Football Netball League Board has formally approved the application of the Gisborne Football Netball Club to transfer to the Ballarat Football Netball League, effective from the 2027 season. The decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy process and allows both the league and the club to move forward with certainty following extensive discussions…
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Kyneton fires up when it matters
Perseverance and self-belief played a big part in Kyneton senior footballers fighting back in the second half to win a vital match against Macedon by 10 points on Saturday. The round 12 match of the day at the Showgrounds lived up to expectations from the perspective of the outcome being uncertain until the dying stages…
Community
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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…
Leisure
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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…
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Local art brightens the building
The work of more than 150 local artists is on display in Castlemaine’s historic Market Building as part of the winter season Market Building Art exhibition. Mount Alexander Shire Council’s team leader of visitor services, Aileen Walsh, said the exhibition had a range of paintings, sculpture, jewellery, glassware, prints, photography, textiles and more. “These exhibitions…
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Scales, feathers, fur and facts
This winter, Jubilee Hall in Macedon will come alive with scales, feathers, fur and fascinating facts as TV Zoologist Chris Humfrey and the Wild Action team present their unforgettable Winter School Holiday Wildlife Workshops. Children and adults alike are invited to Take a Walk on the Wildside and come face-to-face with an extraordinary lineup of…