Community News
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A true ‘people person’
Malmsbury Pharmacy is officially home to Victoria’s Pharmacy Assistant of the Year – and regular customers are not surprised. Amanda Carlyle has claimed the Pharmacy Guild of Australia title and will represent Victoria in the national finals later this year. Malmsbury pharmacist Beshr Farid said regular customers agreed Amanda was deserving of the title. She…
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Radiothon returns
Castlemaine’s award-winning station MainFM is getting amped up for its annual Radiothon and looking for support. Bring the Noise is the theme of MainFM’s Radiothon for 2023. What is the Noise? It’s the music, it’s the talk, it’s the singing, it’s the song, it’s the chit and the chat, the events and the vibe, it’s…
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Hop to it and snap up book
Local author and illustrator Trace Balla has created a new graphic novella to raise funds to support the Red Box Wildlife Shelter at Elphinstone. Singing for Joeys – A True Roo Tale of Wandering and Wondering, set on Djaara Country, south eastern Australia was officially launched as part of the Maldon In Winter ‘Kangaroo Art…
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Food pantry opens
Castlemaine Community House has opened a Food Pantry to address an increasing demand for food relief in Mount Alexander Shire. CCH manager Martyn Shaddick said over the past few years they had observed a growing number of individuals and families requiring food assistance. “By launching the CCH Food Pantry, we aim to support the efforts…
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Locals’ chance to shine
Maldon’s very own Stephen Howard was one of 72 local extras who worked on new comedy series Gold Diggers, which was filmed at Porcupine Village in his hometown and will premiere on ABC TV and ABC iView tomorrow night. Stephen told the Express locals would be able to spot him dressed as a bank manager…
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Scintillate the senses
A renowned Indigenous chef is coming to Kyneton Town Hall in July in celebration of NAIDOC Week 2023, featuring a live cooking demonstration to scintillate the senses. Mark Olive, aka ‘The Black Olive’, has been a chef for more than 30 years and has featured in his own television series The Outback Cafe, on SBS…
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Woodworking women
Six women completed an all-female woodworking course with the Woodend Men’s Shed this month. The women were selected by ballot to take part in the course, which had attracted a large number of applicants from across the Macedon Ranges. Designed to teach the participants basic woodworking skills, the women produced a toolbox, a bird nesting…
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Gisborne stirs a cuppa
Four cafes in Gisborne threw their support behind World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with Stir a Cuppa events last week. The Jolly Miller, 3 Little Pigs, Kaffeine Bar and Gisborne Bakery and Café backed the cause, encouraging people to meet or accompany the elder in their life – relative, neighbour, colleague or friend – for…
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Trade, exchange and connect
An Offers and Needs Market will be held in Castlemaine next month, giving people an opportunity to meet to identify and exchange passions, knowledge, skills, resources, opportunities and needs. Facilitator Samantha Wittenberg said the concept was nothing new, with roots in ancient indigenous cultures, but just needed a bit of support to re-enliven it. “From…
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A lasting legacy
A much-loved member of the Woodend community has left the town she loved a lasting legacy. Jo Clancy died in 2018 but left her entire estate to the Woodend Landcare group to build a new pedestrian bridge over Five Mile Creek. About 50 community members got together on Sunday to celebrate, joined by local councillors,…
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Food for the soul
The Cup of Kindness Community Food Van is a new initiative designed to offer a little help to local people who are doing it tough. The little green and purple van will be parked in Mechanics Lane Castlemaine (just down from the library entrance) every Thursday from 10am to 2pm serving free hot soup and…
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Fundraiser for Jirrahlinga
Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre in Chewton is holding a fundraising evening and silent auction at the Cumberland Hotel this Saturday. The local sanctuary opened its doors to the public around six months ago and has been receiving five star reviews from visitors from across the world. Jirrahlinga (meaning to seek a home…