Community News
-
Biggest Morning Tea returns to Plaistow
Lilian and Peter Skilbeck are opening their gardens at the historic Plaistow Homestead to host a Biggest Morning Tea over Thursday and Saturday this week. The annual Cancer Council Victoria fundraiser has special significance for the Joyces Creek couple. They lost their daughter Tamara to cancer 20 years ago this Friday and have been raising…
-
Building rainbow bridges
An exhibition opened last week in Kyneton that brings together the voices of both young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people and those older members of the LGBTIQA+ community in a way not seen before in the Macedon Ranges. Intergenerational art project Rainbow Bridges, which was funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund,…
-
Love to sing?
The Pollyphonics Choir has found its voice again after a year-long COVID-19 hiatus and is regrouping this Thursday in Woodend.Conducted by vibrant choral conductor Polly Christie, this mixed voice choir sings a blend of soul, global folk, African rhythms and delicious harmonies. Polly says the choir meets fortnightly and is open to all lovers of…
-
Ready to roll for MS
Kyneton’s Carole Hemmings is ready to roll for the MS fundraiser event at Albert Park Lake. She will switch her wheelchair for her walker to take on 5km on May 30 to raise funds and awareness for the disease she battles. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis herself in her 30s, Carole says its a condition that…
-
Good for your soul
Singing is making a comeback! Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s initiative #creativeencounters has funded several projects across the shire including a ‘pop up choir’ project that local choir leaders Tara Flinn and Andrew Price, together with music presenter and grant winner Elly McKinnon, are rolling out over the next three months. The project is called ‘Sing…
-
Great effort all round
After a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2020, tin rattlers at the traffic lights and street walkers were back, collecting for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal from residents and holiday travellers throughout the Macedon Ranges and beyond. More than $18,500 was collected from the Kyneton area, with Kyneton cubs and scouts, fire brigade and residents…
-
Friends raise dough for local baker in need
A crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $50,000 for a local family in crisis. Castlemaine resident and founder of Trentham’s famous RedBeard Historic Bakery John Reid was diagnosed with brain cancer in February, placing enormous stress on his wife Thaïs Sansom and their three sons. A friend’s initiative and community generosity has brought some welcome…
-
Make it good for Theo
When Theo was born last year, Samantha Moore realised her family had joined other Ranges families that had a fight on their hands. Theo was born with bilateral renal cystic dysplasia and requires regular visits to The Royal Children’s Hospital from Woodend to manage his kidney condition in the lead up to his kidney transplant…
-
Austin's big ride
Community members have rallied around the family of Castlemaine youngster Austin Vearing in a bid to make ‘Austin’s Wish to Walk’ a reality. Fundraising for the four-year-old’s life-changing SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy) surgery is on track and the family has locked in his surgery in the US for June 3. Austin’s dad Julian Vearing is…
-
Banter and goodwill – Volunteers keep op shop tradition thriving in Woodend
A special camaraderie exists between the volunteers who manage Woodend’s Uniting Church Op Shop. This cheerful group shares a love of giving back to the community, plenty of cheeky banter and a healthy sense of humour – a necessity when the clothing off your own back gets accidentally sold out from under you! “You can’t…
-
Help in your pocket
A handy new wallet card is available from local businesses and community hubs to keep local residents mentally well in Mount Alexander Shire in the lead up to Christmas. Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership executive officer Shelly Lavery said the the new cards were easy to understand with tips on how to stay on top…
-
Youth shine in awards
Extraordinary and diverse achievements of young people were celebrated in the Macedon Ranges Youth Awards last week. Eight youths recognised across six categories were: Michael Smith, Daniel Smyth, Isaac Fletcher, Shyla McPhail, Kirk Close, Kyle Hayes, Monet Lewis and Emily Medbury. Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson said the event acknowledged the many ways young people participated…