Community News
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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;…
-
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…
-
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…