Latest News
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Mountain bikers take out the trash
Frustrated by a lack of action from government agencies, two Macedon Ranges mountain bike riders have begun cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish in the Wombat State Forest themselves. Long-time local residents, Matthew Connor and Craig Jones, spent part of their weekend removing waste from several dumping sites after becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of…
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A frontline service for animals
For the past 10 years, Nikki Medwell has spent her days (and often nights) caring for sick and injured wildlife at the Red Box Wildlife Shelter – her rehabilitation sanctuary in Elphinstone. While the 60-acre bush block, located near Leanganook (Mount Alexander), was spared by the January bushfires, the impacts on the shelter were profound.…
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Funding miss for Macedon reserve
Tony Clarke Reserve has missed out on funding for changeroom upgrades in the Victorian Government’s 2026-27 Country Football and Netball Program. The Macedon project is valued at $650,000 and would upgrade existing changerooms to meet current AFL community standards, ensuring they are inclusive and fit-for-purpose for all user groups. Macedon Ranges Shire Council applied to…
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Hepburn CEO resigns
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas has resigned following a turbulent period in the role. Mr Thomas was assaulted by a community member, when doused in coffee at a public location, following a planning dispute in November. Both Mr Thomas and councillor Don Henderson were each served with alleged criminal charges initiated by a private individual…
Sport
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Magpies shoot down Bombers
The eagerly awaited clash between reigning football premiers Riddell and unbeaten ladder leader Wallan was expected to be close on Saturday … it was anything but, with the jubilant Magpies winning by 62 points. And this match was at Bomberland, with 39-year-old ruckman-forward Chris Stewart a match winner for the visitors. Stewart, who won the…
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Vernon to coach Dragons
“To now have the opportunity to lead this club is incredibly special,” Riley Vernon commented after his appointment as Gisborne Cricket Club’s new senior coach last week. He succeeds his older brother Jarryd in the key role, and will have a powerhouse team at his disposal. An extremely talented all-round cricketer, the 25-year-old home grown…
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Templar coach at Tigerland
Garry Templar has a very competitive outlook and a long-time sporting involvement. For the past six seasons he’s been a dedicated senior coach at Romsey Bowling Club, culminating in the club’s first-ever top grade premiership in an unforgettable tension-packed extra-ends Highlands grand final against Kyneton in 2025-2026. Templar’s now a head coach once again this…
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Truly a winter sport!
The tenth round of Riddell League football on Saturday had more than its share of wet and cut-up grounds, mud and conditions that brought out the best in many players, and proved others would much prefer a dry day. In the match of the round at Riddell, the Bombers asserted their superiority by restricting Kyneton…
Community
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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…
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Community advocate’s vision for carer support
Long-time Macedon Ranges community advocate Cherry Servis has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for her service to community health. Ms Servis, now living in Koroit, was honoured for decades of work supporting people living with dementia and their carers, much of it inspired by…
Leisure
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Len Fox Prize launches
Castlemaine Art Museum has announced that entries are now open for the 2026 Len Fox Painting Award. This a biennial acquisitive painting prize and is awarded to a living Australian artist to commemorate the life and work of Emanuel Phillips Fox (1865–1915), the uncle of Len Fox, partner of benefactor Mona Fox. The Len Fox…
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Take a walk on the wild side
Families across the Macedon Ranges are invited to rug up, get curious and come face-to-face with some of Australia’s most extraordinary wildlife these winter school holidays, as TV Zoologist Chris Humfrey and the Wild Action Team bring their unforgettable live wildlife workshops to Jubilee Hall, Macedon. Running from Tuesday July 7 to 10, with sessions…
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Let’s rock for a reason!
Two of Castlemaine’s community groups are joining together for the first time to present a fundraising event – Rock for a Reason. Castlemaine Safe Space (CaSS) is a non-clinical drop-in space for anyone in emotional distress or experiencing loneliness or suicidal thoughts. Community designed and led, and staffed by trained peer volunteers with lived experience,…
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Move Ya Body at Cdoc!
We are just two days out from the 2026 Castlemaine Documentary Festival June 26-28 at the Theatre Royal Castlemaine and tickets are selling fast. Saturday night will once again be a highlight with the screening of Move Ya Body – The Birth of House at 8pm, and a chance to try out some of those…