Community News
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A more grounded kind of worm farm
Why keep our compost worms in a box when they are probably happier in the ground? In-Ground Worm Farms do just this, bringing our worms down into our gardens. The size and shape of IGWFs vary greatly, but they all share the same basic design. The top and access lid sit above garden level with…
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The house that Castlemaine built
Ten years ago, the Castlemaine community generously supported Mount Alexander Accommodation and Respite Group to construct a purpose-built respite facility for people with intellectual and development disabilities in Mount Alexander Shire. The generosity of the McDonald family donating land, the Castlemaine Lions providing a substantial seeding grant and community members donations provided the Committee of…
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Get your show entries in!
The 171st Castlemaine and District Agricultural Show returns to the Camp Reserve this Friday and Saturday, October 31 and November 1. Be sure to get your horticulture, flower and cookery entry forms in by tomorrow, Wednesday October 29, at 5.30pm. These entries must be dropped off between 8am and 10am on Thursday October 30. Judging…
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Three generations keep tradition alive
For the Collier family of Kyneton, the Agricultural Show isn’t just a date on the calendar – it’s a family tradition that’s spanned nearly 30 years and now three generations. It all began in the mid-1990s when Sarah and Ross Collier’s daughter, Steph, and youngest son, Andrew, first entered the pavilion competitions with home baking.…
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Young women to broadcast
A pilot program is offering young women in Mount Alexander Shire the opportunity to develop a podcast to be broadcast on MainFM radio show, Femme Fortissima, which airs on Fridays from 11am – 1pm. The hands-on podcasting workshop series is tailored for young women, providing skills in audio storytelling, editing, interviewing and podcasting. The program…
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Woodend market a world best
Woodend has been honoured as one of the Top 3 Farmers Market Towns… not just in Australia, but in the world, for 2025. The recognition was given at the Third General Assembly of the World Farmers Markets Coalition, held during the World Food Forum in Rome. While Rome took the top prize, Woodend’s recognition as…
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Fundraiser garden sale
The Mount Alexander East Timor Friendship group, the Friends of Lolotoe, is having its annual fundraiser garden sale on October 18 from 9am to 12 at the Hub garden, behind the Hub building, corner Barker and Templeton Streets, Castlemaine. Enter via Templeton. The group has been going since 2008, linking with the region of Lolotoe,…
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The 100th Compost Conversation
This week we celebrate 100 editions of the Compost Conversation! From the start, our aim has been to lift compost literacy and composting skills in this community. But, just how many backyard composters are we writing for out there? Back in early 2023, I was door-knocking around the West End of Castlemaine with a new…
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Building kids’ social skills
Harcourt families are invited to join a new supported playgroup at Harcourt Preschool, launching on Friday October 10. The two-hour sessions are free and run weekly for families with children aged 0-5. The sessions are facilitated by Aurora Ricci, a trained early childhood professional using the Smalltalk parenting support program. Ms Ricci, the council’s supported…
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Shoe recycling proves a hit
Kyneton Shoes and Accessories is encouraging locals to recycle shoes that are past their prime. Owners Andrew and Geraldine Ramselaar said that, in partnership with Macedon Ranges Council, they were excited to offer a recycle option for shoes that would otherwise be thrown in the bin. “We encourage people to donate good pre-loved shoes to…
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Tuck your worms in with a blanket
Compost worms really don’t like sunlight. When exposed to the sun they are likely to dry out and are also susceptible to getting picked up as breakfast by an early bird, so they do best to stay just below the surface of whatever they are feeding on. Understanding these worm vulnerabilities can help us operate…
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Dog club celebrates 40 years… or 280 in dog years
Kyneton Obedience Dog Club will celebrate its 40th year of operation this weekend with special guests including Mary-Anne Thomas MP and local councillors in attendance. KODC president John Flynn has been involved in the club for about 15 years, and said there were others who had been involved for much longer. He believes its success…