Community News
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Community pantry up and running
Local volunteers, community groups and organisations are working together to provide food relief for residents in need in Mount Alexander Shire. The newly created Mount Alexander Community Pantry is a centrally coordinated food relief system that aims to provide assistance in the absence of a local foodbank. Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick said everyone…
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Good Friday Appeal online not on foot
For more than 40 years, CFA brigades in the Mount Macedon and Mount Alexander regions have been collecting for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, and in that time they have collected many millions of dollars. However, this year, due to the virus, things have had to change. Traditionally, brigades have used the Good…
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Never lonely with letters
Cheerful letters, drawings and paintings have been making their way to elderly residents across the Macedon Ranges to help them stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. It is the result of a Kyneton-born pen pal project that coordinator Katy Condliffe said had a simple aim: “to bring some joy, happiness and love to our older…