Latest News
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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.…
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Questions over skatepark tender and cost blowout
New questions have been raised over the tender process and delays surrounding Kyneton’s long-awaited skatepark redevelopment, with construction costs now estimated to be up to $1 million above the original budget. These questions come from local designers Baseplate and EastbyWest, whose quote to design the project was unsuccessful despite receiving a higher raw score than…
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A ‘second gold rush’ at Maldon
Armed with modern technology, mining companies determined to find what their predecessors couldn’t are buying up Victorian mining sites, in what some have called the ‘second gold rush’. At the centre of what is often referred to as the ‘Golden Triangle’ (from Ballarat to Wedderburn and Tarnagulla to Ararat), lies Australia’s First Notable Town –…
Sport
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Harcourt pride! From heartbreak to triumph, Lions roar to victory
After an incredibly challenging start to the year, the Harcourt community is celebrating after its senior footballers claimed premiership honours in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League Grand Final at Princes Park, Maryborough on Saturday. The club was proud to have both Senior and Under 12s football sides in the big one. While the…
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Hawks in Grand Final blowout
Woodend-Hesket A-grade netballers continue to be the record setters, outclassing Wallan 59-34 in Saturday’s 2026 season grand final. The winning margin of 25 goals was by far the biggest in the five Riddell League grand finals played at Romsey. Premierships in the other four grades were all decided by single figure margins. Sunny conditions prevailed…
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Giants hang on to claim flag
Leading by 29 points at three-quarter-time in a low-scoring U19.5s football grand final, Gisborne Giants were fully extended by a desperate Woodend-Hesket on Saturday. The young Hawks, coached by Jeremey Pennefather, came from fourth on the ladder to challenge the ladder leaders, who only lost one match in the home and away season — going…
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Carlisle will miss the GF
The saga of Wallan star Jake Carlisle jumping the fence early in the Riddell League semi-final against Kyneton resulted in a third tribunal hearing last night. The final outcome was that the former Essendon and St Kilda player was ‘outed’ for two weeks on the misconduct charge, which became the subject of an RDFNL appeal…
Community
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Safer backyards for wildlife as Net Swap program triples
Backyards across Victoria will soon be safer for native animals, with more households set to make the switch to legal fruit tree netting this spring. As home-grown fruit ripens in backyards over the warmer months, many Victorians will use netting to protect their harvest; but the wrong netting can become a deadly trap for wildlife.…
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Daffodil blooms take centre stage
A celebration of daffodils has blossomed into one of Kyneton’s most popular art competitions, with almost 200 entries vying for honours in this year’s Daffodil Art Prize. Denise Martin has taken out the $1500 Open Medium Major Prize at The Old Auction House as part of the 2026 Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival for the…
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Gathering for Good
With the Macedon Ranges shaking off its winter blues, local refugee support group, Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees, has decided to welcome the new season with their ‘Gather For Good’ celebratory fundraising luncheon. In recent years, MRRAR has thrown its support behind the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project. Established in Melbourne in 2001, BASP was…
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Neighbourhood House opens its doors
Woodend Neighbourhood House will open its doors to the community next Saturday, September 5, giving locals a chance to discover the wide range of activities, groups and programs on offer. The Spring Open House will run from 9am to noon alongside the Woodend Farmers Market. Visitors can meet tutors, activity coordinators, volunteers and staff, explore…
Leisure
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A work of staggering genius on stage
The Ravens Theatre Company is set to launch its second production, Samuel Beckett’s renowned work Waiting for Godot, at Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre this Friday. The play is being directed by Janice Mueller who has had a stellar career in Australian theatre. She has developed and directed new work for Malthouse Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre,…
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Dreams, memories and midnight musings
Dreams, memories and midnight musings have been stitched, sewn and woven into a striking new textile exhibition at Newstead Arts Hub. Night Thoughts – Dreams and Inspirations brings together the work of local artists Sally Roadknight, Liz Sardone and Lee Shelden, whose shared love of textiles has grown into a regular creative exchange of ideas,…
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Curry to tread the boards
Macedon Ranges resident, legendary Australian actor and comedian Stephen Curry is about to make his musical theatre debut. Curry, renowned for his role in the iconic Australian film The Castle, is stepping into the regal shoes of King Arthur in the upcoming production of Monty Python’s Spamalot at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre. The Tony Award-winning Best…
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Creative Industries Incubator
Applications are now open for a free 10-week professional development program in artistic direction, event management and stage and production management. Kwabo Events and Ausdance VIC have announced the 2026 Kwabo Creative Industries Incubator, a free 10-week professional development program designed by and for People of Colour, delivered as part of the HARAMBEE Creative Futures…