Community News
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BMT returns to Plaistow
Joyces Creek couple Peter and Lilian Skilbeck will once again be throwing open the garden gate to their beautiful Plaistow Homestead as part of the annual Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser this Saturday May 24. The event will kick off at 10am and run through until 12.30pm. Every cent raised goes directly to Cancer Council to…
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A timely evolution
When the Newstead Men’s Shed first formed three decades ago, the founding members would never have dreamed that one day women would be admitted into the group. Last week, however, the first eight female inductees happily made their way into the workshop – with a further six already signed up! Shed secretary Graham Lees told…
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Rebrand for foodbank
The Kindness Collective has rebranded as Kyneton Foodbank in a move to improve connectivity to its services. Board director Rhonda Holmes said the rebranding had helped people in need locate the service with ease. “We found that people didn’t understand what The Kindness Collective was and when people in need tried to search for foodbanks…
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‘Greens’ and ‘browns’?
Many compost educators use the rule of ‘greens’ and ‘browns’ to differentiate between compost ingredients that are high in nitrogen (greens) and those that are high in carbon (browns). Perhaps the idea originates from leaves and grass being ‘green’ (and high in nitrogen), while sticks and woody things are ‘brown’ (and high in carbon). If…
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Learn to ‘plant them right’
People planting tree seedlings typically hope to see belts of established trees within a few years. Some will want to protect their stock from cold and heat, and some may hope to provide nesting places for small birds and homes for beneficial insects. However, there can be great disappointment, and waste, when those newly planted…
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What does YIMBY do with the compost?
Here at YIMBY we are often asked what we do with all the compost we make. Yes In My Back Yard is a community composting initiative that has been going, and growing, since 2021. We now have 28 community composters in Mount Alexander Shire and 10 more about to start. We collect food scraps from…
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Fundraising postershowcases town
The now 200-member strong Castlemaine Community Investment Co-operative is thrilled to announce the launch of a special fundraising poster as part of its campaign to buy the Hub building in Castlemaine. Co-op director Cath Jolly said this stunning poster, by Australian cartoonist David Pope, captured the spirit of Castlemaine and some of the things people…
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Art for the Ages
Residents at Bupa Aged Care Woodend are learning that it’s never too late to acquire new skills. They’re picking up pencils, crayons and brushes and revisiting a pastime that many haven’t pursued in decades. Bupa lifestyle coordinator Lauren Monaghan says that some residents can be reluctant to take part. “It’s not for everyone,” she concedes,…
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Farmer R.U.O.K?
Organisers of Kyneton Saleyards’ livestock trade donned technicoloured workwear garments last Wednesday to raise awareness for farmers’ mental health. The apparel’s design bore the words, ‘this is a conversation starter’, printed on its back. Dean Coxon, a livestock agent at Elders Kyneton, had the farmers’ attention for the livestock bidding war and sent a message…
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Sieving finished compost
When we have a fully cured, finished compost pile, ready to spread on the garden, we will still see a range of coarse, recognisable ingredients in the compost that have not been fully integrated into the gluey goodness of the compost structure. All the nitrogen-rich food scraps should be well gone (though we might see…
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Dapper up and ride!
Ready your engines and dust off your suits – the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is returning to Castlemaine on Sunday May 18. Join hundreds of thousands of dapper gentlefolk in the world’s most stylish on-road motorcycling charity event, as they ride to raise funds and awareness for men’s health. Local DGR hosts Brian Rix and Mick…
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Giving our compost a great start
When we are starting a new compost pile – be it bin or bay – it is good practice to start with a good layer of course, chopped up, carbon-rich ingredients at the bottom of the pile. This ‘bedding’ will help the bottom of our pile to have good oxygen access in, and good carbon…