Latest News
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Five years and 65 local films
Castlemaine Documentary Festival is celebrating its archive of 65 locally made short films and inviting anyone interested to help make the next ones. LOCALS is Castlemaine Documentary Festival’s (CDoc) annual homegrown documentary showcase of short films (six minutes or less) made by people with a meaningful connection to central Victoria. Over the past five years,…
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Exciting new project for young creator
When an alien object lands in a backyard in rural Victoria, one family will stop at nothing to capitalise off the anomaly. It’s the story that young Gisborne multimedia artist, Lucas Taylor, tells through creative animation and puppetry in his latest project: Out of Halmsway. Lucas describes the film as an absurd, short bush-sci-fi set…
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Parents call for halt on tree carnage
Elphinstone Primary School parents are calling on the Department of Education to halt vegetation removal works at schools across the region, after finding large sections of the small school grounds cleared during the school holidays. Parents say they support measures to protect children from bushfire but want the department to allow time for community consultation…
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Let your imagination run wild
The Newstead Arts Hub will transform into a literary village this Sunday as some of Australia’s best-loved children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers gather for the Newstead Young Writers Festival. It will be a full day of creativity, stories and inspiration for young people and their families, with something new, exciting and whimsical around every corner.…
Sport
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Hay makes his mark in Tassie
Talented teenage footballer Lachlan Hay crossed from Macedon to be a senior premiership player with Riddell seniors last season, then seized upon a remarkable opportunity to try his luck with the Tasmania Football Club (Tassie Devils) in 2026. Last week Lachy’s success story was enhanced when he accepted the inaugural ‘Honour the Map, Inspire the…
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Bernacki, Shepherd top awards
Gisborne Football Netball Club’s 2026 Presentation Night was one to remember for many years. It celebrated the club’s final season in the Bendigo League, with thoughts turned to making an impact in the Ballarat League next season. There were three Bendigo League premierships to applaud — the senior football victory over Sandhurst, and the netball…
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Upset as bowls season begins
Highlands pennant bowls for the 2026-27 season began on Saturday, with the big surprise in the top division being the last end defeat sustained by Kyneton at Diggers Rest. A strong Kyneton side comfortably won the 2024-25 premiership against Romsey, then went down to the Redbacks in an extraordinary double extra time finish in last…
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Treble for Ruby!
Ruby Watts’ rating as the outstanding player in Riddell League women’s football was further enhanced as she captured the league’s best and fairest for the third season in a row. After winning the top award with 31 votes in 2024, and 35 last season, Watts finished ahead of her Macedon teammate Taya Konias in the…
Community
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Duigan brothers’ memorial site recognised
Spring Plains in Mia Mia has been recognised as a site of great significance to the Australian and global aerospace historical record. On Monday September 21, the Duigan brothers’ memorial at Mia Mia was presented with a plaque by members of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. It is one of three sites in…
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Men’s shed in race to build new home
The Woodend Men’s Shed has just 12 weeks to build a new workshop, relocate its machinery and equipment, and be ready to reopen by mid-December — and its members are rolling up their sleeves to make it happen. The Men’s Shed has been based at the old Mill site at 988 Black Forest Drive, Woodend,…
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Faces of Kyneton captured
The heritage-listed library at Old Kyneton Primary School came to life recently with the sounds of enthusiastic young people learning new photography skills. Guided by photographer Sandy Scheltema in collaboration with Social Foundry — a not-for-profit social enterprise in Kyneton — the budding photographers operated a pop-up studio during the Kyneton Arts and Daffodil Festival,…
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Ready, set, run!
Run The Maine is back for its 18th edition this Grand Final Eve, Friday September 25. The Midland Express and Castlemaine Mail are proud to be event sponsors and to have highlighted this year’s inspirational Run The Maine ambassadors. Catch the last instalment in today’s paper! 2025 was the biggest year yet—just under 1200 runners…
Leisure
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Things are not what they seem
Excitement is building as the mystery thriller Deathtrap (written by Ira Levin and directed by Bette Sartore) opens in just 10 days at the Kyneton Masonic Centre, 7 Yaldwyn street West. Sidney Bruhl, once a successful playwright is drowning in treacle. After 18 years of flops, his creative juices have all but dried up, and…
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Private gardens put on a show
Explore stunning private gardens during the Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens from Saturday October 24 to Tuesday November 3. A curated selection of 19 gardens will open their gates to the public for 10 days up to, and including, Melbourne Cup Day. Whether you’re an avid gardener or simply enjoy nature’s beauty, these serene…
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Countdown on for Lancefield Show
The countdown is on for this year’s Lancefield Show. Happening on Sunday October 18, 9.30am-4pm, you can expect to see crowd favourites such as the dog show, horse events, sheep shearing and care, camel rides, show bags, line dancing, the jaws of life demonstration by the Kilmore SES, the traditional woodchop and much more. Due…
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Art on show at Kerrie Hall
Art lovers are invited to Kerrie Hall for the 17th annual Exhibition of Artwork by Selected Artists this month. The exhibition will open on Friday, October 16, with Tim Murphy officially opening the event at 8pm. The evening will begin at 7.30pm, giving visitors the opportunity to gather with family and friends before viewing the…