HelloPlus: Exploring Life & Philosophy.

  • Men encouraged to ‘See Your GP’

    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…

  • Romsey artist in international project to lift spirits

    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…

  • Len Fox Prize launches

    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…

  • Last push to release aid

    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…

  • Community advocate’s vision for carer support

    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…

  • Take a walk on the wild side

    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…

  • Let’s rock for a reason!

    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,…

  • Red carpet for culinary star

    Red carpet for culinary star

    Malmsbury author Yoko Nakazawa has been awarded a prestigious James Beard Award. Her book, The Japanese Art of Pickling & Fermenting, won Best Single Subject Book at a ceremony in Chicago. Known as the ‘Oscars of food’, the James Beard Awards are the highest honours in the American culinary industry, recognising exceptional talent in chefs,…

  • Move Ya Body at Cdoc!

    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…

  • Kyneton grandmother gobsmacked by Tatts win

    Kyneton grandmother gobsmacked by Tatts win

    A Kyneton grandmother has started the week in a wonderful whirlwind after discovering her TattsLotto ticket in the weekend’s draw scored a life-changing $1.8 million prize. The Macedon Ranges resident held one of the 11 division one winning entries nationally on Saturday, and looks forward to a total prize of $1,818,181.82. When an official from…

  • Sophie vaults into championships

    Sophie vaults into championships

    Hard work has paid off for Gisborne gymnast Sophie Strano, with the teenager having just qualified for the Gymnastics Victoria State Team. The 16-year-old’s milestone comes after years of dedication, having first stepped onto the mats at Gisborne’s Jets Gymnastics as an energetic two-year-old. By age four, she had earned a spot in the pre-squad,…

  • ‘Race still on’ for Clarkefield

    ‘Race still on’ for Clarkefield

    “Premature, insufficiently resolved, and not yet justified” is how Macedon Ranges Shire Council has described controversial plans to transform Clarkefield into a new township. The council has called for the development to undergo a full public hearing before an independent planning panel in its preliminary submission to the state government. The planning amendment in question,…