Community News
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Reverse advent calendar to share some Christmas cheer
A different kind of advent calendar aims to bring cheer to Macedon Ranges families in need this Christmas. Woodend Neighbourhood House is inviting locals to take part in the reverse advent calendar project. Unlike a regular advent calendar where the focus is on receiving a treat every day, the reverse advent calendar takes the focus…
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Celebrating our differences
Today is the International Day of People with Disability. Mount Alexander Shire Disability Action Group chair Lorraine Le Plastrier said one in five Australians lived with a disability and 90 per cent of those lived with an invisible disability. “The theme of this year’s International Day of People with Disability is ‘not all disabilities are…
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Busy, busy, busy at new Romsey Co-op
The new Romsey Community Co-Op was officially opened on Saturday. An initiative of the Romsey Neighbourhood House, the strategically placed co-op shop serves multiple purposes, and is run entirely by volunteers. The exciting project has already received considerable support, and months of work and planning culminated in Saturday’s opening. Neighbourhood house coordinator and co-op manager…
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Mosley to feature on Castlemaine radio program
After only 12 weeks on air, the new Go Well radio program hosted by Cate Mercer on Castlemaine’s 94.9 MAINfm has secured its first internationally acclaimed guest with two exclusive interviews with Dr Michael Mosley set to be broadcast on November 19 and 26. The interviews will focus on the topics of fasting and sleep;…
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Reach out to connect
CHIRP Community Health has appointed a new LGBTIQA+ engagement officer to reconnect the community after a lengthy period of COVID isolation. Sherene Clow, a long-time local of Castlemaine, hopes to reach out to both long-term residents and newcomers to the shire who have not been able to connect with others during lockdown this year. Ms…
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Show tickets up for grabs
Would you usually be busy preparing your craft or your cattle, selecting a fine wool fleece or cultivating your prize-winning rhubarb to enter in the Kyneton Show? Does your family count down to the carnival or is Show Day your favourite? With COVID restrictions forcing the rescheduling of this month’s show, the Kyneton Agricultural Society…
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Romsey’s new hub
Macedon Ranges makers and producers will have a new platform to connect with the community as the Romsey Community Co-op prepares to launch in November. The multi-faceted community hub aims to provide opportunities for local creators to generate a source of income and also support a community garden and food share service. It is a…
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Song with heart tops charts
Macedon Ranges country music artist Donna Fisk has topped the Australian Airplay country charts with her hit Shoulder at the Wheel. The song, produced by Robert Angello, Nashville, was the theme for a Trentham community led hay run to help “the forgotten” farmers and community of Lake Cargelligo, earlier this year. Fisk joined the convoy…
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Unite in dance
Come together to dance as part of the annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign. Recognised globally each year, 16 Days of Activism runs from November 25 to December 10, beginning on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year, the Macedon Ranges Family Violence Network and Mount Alexander Family…
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Building community resilience
A number of local resilience groups have cropped up in the region in recent years and have seen neighbours forming networks and supporting each other. Groups such as West End Resilience and Castlemaine Commons aim to support their neighbours and spread important messages such as fire safety. The importance of these local social networks has…
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Local heroes honoured
Eight Gisborne Fire Brigade volunteers who responded to catastrophic bushfires in NSW earlier this year will be formally acknowledged for their significant roles. The premier of NSW is awarding Bushfire Emergency Citations and certificates to acknowledge the dedication, selfless actions and outstanding contribution of CFA volunteers across Victoria who assisted in the fire fight. The…


