Community News

  • Club joins positive role model move

    Club joins positive role model move

    As the footy season hopes to make a welcome return, members of the Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club are a part of a new online portrait exhibition called ‘Role Modelling Respect’. The portraits were taken early this year as part of a joint project between the club and Cobaw Community Health. At the WHFNC registration…

  • MAINfm needs you!

    MAINfm needs you!

    If you’re a MAINfm listener, it’s your time to shine as the best little station in the nation is seeking support! Here comes the sun and here comes Castlemaine’s annual MAINfm radiothon, running June 20-27 and kicking off Winter Solstice, when the days get longer and the music gets stronger. In the weeklong radiothon, listeners…

  • Locals helping locals

    Locals helping locals

    Mt Alexander Community Enterprise Inc has donated $4000 to local groups in support of their COVID-19 work in the community. Representatives of Mt ACE attended the Community Pantry at the Castlemaine Church of Christ to hand over their contribution last week. Mt ACE recognises the important work local groups are undertaking during this difficult time…

  • Connecting seniors

    Connecting seniors

    Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, while essential to protecting older Australians who are particularly vulnerable to the virus, may be causing social isolation and loneliness. The Digital Connection for Seniors Project aims to support people over 65 in the Macedon Ranges to socially connect with family and friends using internet-enabled digital technologies. There has…

  • Grants cash splash

    Grants cash splash

    Maldon Urban Landcare has reason to feel well pleased with itself this week after being named among the local groups to secure some grant dollars through Mount Alexander Shire Council’s latest round of community grants funding. All up, 16 successful local groups and organisations have secured a grant – sharing in close to $48,000. Announced…

  • Sarah leaves her mark

    Sarah leaves her mark

    For 20 years, Sarah Collier has led and nurtured a team of more than 150 staff to create a home-like environment for residents of RM Begg Kyneton and provide high-quality aged care to the local community. Under Sarah’s hard-working leadership, RM Begg has grown exponentially in that time, and one of her proudest achievements is…

  • Surprise rescue

    Surprise rescue

    Fryerstown CFA volunteers and local community members joined forces on Sunday to rescue a three-year-old horse from a ravine at Glenluce. The owner of ‘Surprise’, as she is aptly named, alerted Castlemaine SES about the incident about 2pm when the bay filly was discovered in a hole that leads to the entrance of an abandoned…

  • A whole new world

    A whole new world

    Remember when you were a kid and libraries were quiet places where you got shushed? Libraries these days are so much more than just books on shelves (don’t worry though, there are still plenty of books!). Modern libraries are active community spaces with creative and engaging programs for all ages, shared and welcoming spaces for…

  • Pen pals multiply

    Pen pals multiply

    The Pen Pal Project launched by the Rotary Club of Castlemaine last month has taken off! Another 25 letter writers joined the initiative aimed at sending cards and letters to residents at Castlemaine Health’s aged-care facilities since the article appeared in our sister paper the Castlemaine Mail a fortnight ago. Pen Pal Project coordinator Kerry Anderson said…

  • HELPING BATTLERS

    HELPING BATTLERS

    Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel has teamed up with local businesses to offer free meals to those doing it tough during the coronavirus crisis as part of its ‘Trooper Tuesdays’ initiative. The Bridge recently introduced a pub meal takeaway and home delivery service to enable them to keep their chefs and kitchenhand employed during the pandemic closure…

  • Solidarity in times of crisis

    Solidarity in times of crisis

    It may seem a very long time ago now that Australia was shocked by the devastation of the summer’s bushfires, but the kindness and solidarity shown during that crisis continues in our communities today. During the bushfire crisis the team from Harcourt Valley Winery wanted to do its bit to help raise much-needed funds for…

  • Foodbanks meet changing needs

    Foodbanks meet changing needs

    Foodbanks in Kyneton and Gisborne are preparing to meet the changing needs of Macedon Ranges locals amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kyneton Caring Community’s Kerryn Wildenburg said the Kyneton foodbank experienced a spike at the end of March as many workers were stood down and unable to access basic necessities. Ms Wildenburg anticipates more people will…