Community News
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Local talent to shine
The 2024 Rotary Carols in the Park returns to Castlemaine’s Victory Park this Friday evening and is once again set to feature a host of local talent. Rotarian and Carols coordinator Scott Buchanan is at the helm for his third and final year and says it will be a special event not to be missed.…
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‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’
Festooned with hand-made Christmas trees, bunting and bows, Castlemaine resembles the township of ‘Whoville’ from the Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Unfortunately, the resemblance does not end there. Like every classic tale, a villain appeared and stole the ladder the volunteers were using to decorate the town. The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole…
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Gardens make progress
The Friends of Kyneton Botanic Gardens group is ending 2024 with increased membership and major progress in the gardens. Members are also celebrating two successful tours as part of the Daffodil and Arts Festival, a successful plant sale with Kyneton Horticultural Society in November and significant plans for the year ahead. The Friends have worked…
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A sprinkling of Christmas sparkle
Newham CFA members have brought Christmas sparkle to their home village … and a lot of it is clever recycling! While a mass of hundreds of solar-powered twinkling lights give the intersection where the fire station stands a festive glow at night, during the daytime the recycled decorations stand out in pride of place. Wooden…
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Seaweed in compost? Yes but…
The answer to the question of whether adding seaweed to our compost will enhance it, is a simple yes. Seaweed is a rich source of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphate, which are essential for plant growth. It also contains vitamins, amino acids and trace elements like manganese, zinc, copper and boron, which are often…
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Christmas trees please
Romsey Neighbourhood House and Romsey Community Co-Op has launched its Christmas tree sales fundraiser. If you’re seeking a fresh tree this festive season, you can purchase one grown locally and see funds put back into the community. Trees are priced as: 5ft tree $70, 6ft tree $75, and 7ft tree $80. People can order the…
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Festival poster revealed!
Renowned local artist and illustrator Chris ‘Roy’ Taylor has revealed the 2025 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival poster – the latest in a popular series designed over five consecutive years. Mr Taylor, who moved to the Macedon Ranges with his family 14 years ago, said following the first year, the Autumn Festival had grown and grown.…
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National winners!
Maine Bridge Club members Robin Archer and Charles Young have won the 2024 Australia Wide Restricted Pairs Title. This is an enormous achievement, with the local duo beating 1057 other pairs from around Australia to claim the prestigious national honours in the bridge competition. The comp was open to Australian Bridge Federation members with less…
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Sunflowers to spread cheer
A Romsey micro flower farmer is spreading joy through the gift of sunflower seeds to Macedon Ranges residents. Sunflowers have been a symbol of hope and joy for Gaynor Faye who was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition at the age of 42. Facing difficulties with walking, talking and tremors, Gaynor had to give up…
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Spreading festive cheer
Kyneton Christmas Collective is determined to spread the festive spirit this year. The newly formed collective is a small group of passionate community members planning Christmas activities in Kyneton throughout December. “We really felt there was a lack of cohesive community Christmas spirit and wanted our kids to experience festivities,” member Andie Webster said. “This…
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A very tiny, big issue
I was chatting to new YIMBY composter Laura Jade about things that make it through our compost piles virtually unscathed. Laura started composting with her partner Lesley back in June as part of the West End Compost Cluster, a rapidly growing YIMBY area, in West Castlemaine. Laura and Lesley have already composted over 700kg of…
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Palestinian film fundraiser
To commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People this Friday November 29, a film screening of the award-winning documentary No Other Land will be held at Theatre Royal Castlemaine. The film is being presented by the Theatre Royal and Free Palestine Central Victoria in proud partnership with the Palestinian Solidarity Film Festival.…