HelloPlus: Exploring Life & Philosophy.
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Experience the energy of African folk music
Ghanaian master musician Atongo Zimba is coming to Castlemaine, offering a rare chance for locals to experience the energy of African folk music in an intimate setting. Atongo is known as one of the great ambassadors of West African sound. He has played Womadelaide and has just returned from packed houses in Hobart and the…
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Fire relief ‘snowballs’
A community-led fundraiser in Woodend on January 18 raised more than $56,000 for victims of the recent Harcourt bushfire. Local resident and Rock and Ranges Brewing Cooperative co-director Penny Morton said she felt compelled to help after the fires tore through Harcourt. “We lost our beer in the fires at Harcourt Coolstore, so we held…
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Farming ‘unconference’ breaks new ground
Local farmers have turned to their community in a grassroots quest to position Macedon Ranges as a centre for excellence in regenerative agriculture and land stewardship. The organisers of GROW Festival went back to the drawing board to redesign the event for 2026, even after the bumper success of the first GROW in 2025. This…
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Compost for a cause
What a start to the year it has been! Floods, fires and a local township severely impacted, with buildings, business, homes, gardens and bushland burned. YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) sends love to everyone who has been impacted and thanks to everyone who has helped out so far. We know there is so much…
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Celebrating all Australians
In most parts of Australia, January 26 is a divisive day, one where the divide between fundamental beliefs is more pronounced than ever. In the shire of Mount Alexander, the community is able to celebrate the complexities of those two opposing ideologies side-by-side with the dual-named Australia Day Survival Day. Since 2018, the annual celebration…
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Population fear in Riddells Creek
A Victorian Government-appointed advisory committee decision last year witnessed the Macedon Ranges Shire Council overruled once more, approving the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan and creating the reality that Riddells Creek’s population will double in mere years to come. The fear of some is that this sets a precedent for other large blocks of land…
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Will Kyneton be kept country?
A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision that overruled Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s position on a Kyneton development will see an urban commercial precinct built on the outskirts of town. The first stage of works will soon begin on the development of a $100M service station and retail precinct at Edgecombe Road. Located 1km from…
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Gisborne’s furore over development
A VCAT decision that overturned council’s refusal for a housing development in Gisborne, has seen nearby residents voice multiple complaints since construction work escalated in the past six months. Following proposed amendments in 2025, the Rosalia Estate is expected to provide 861 dwellings on about 85 hectares of land close to the town’s centre. But…
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Government email confirms wildlife rescuer’s rights
Clarity surrounding the rights of wildlife rescuers has emerged since reports surfaced a week ago that many had been threatened by state government officials in fire-affected areas. Last week, the Express spoke with multiple rescuers attempting to assist burnt wildlife in the the Mount Alexander region. They all said they had been threatened by state…
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Dyer’s third Cup — course record
Long-time Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer won his third Hanging Rock Cup on Australia Day (Monday). Highly promising four-year-old His Finest Hour, ridden by Irish jockey Cian MacRedmond, came with a withering burst to win the 1800m feature event in course record time. Both Dyer and MacRedmond are confident His Finest Hour will be well suited…
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Season launch and club open day
Kyneton District Soccer Club is getting ready for its biggest season yet and is inviting the whole community to go along to its 2026 Season Launch and Club Open Day. The free event will be held on Saturday February 7 from 11am to 2pm at Barkly Square, Kyneton, and everyone is welcome – whether you’re…
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Shield final for Under 17s
Last week was a successful one for Gisborne District Cricket Association Under 17s players, as they combined well to win their way into the final of the Kirton Shield in Central Highlands Region. The GDCA representative lineup won all three matches, and played at three different venues. After defeating Maryborough easily in the opening match,…