Community News
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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…
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Folk dance and friendship
Ten members from the U3A Kyneton International Folk Dance group were excited to share their skills with students at Lockwood South Primary School earlier this month. They were even more excited when the RSL Kyneton branch donated their minibus, together with a driver. The group’s dance instructor Sarah Brooke said that after a delicious morning…
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Building thriving communities
Community Bank Gisborne and District is celebrating its contribution to building thriving communities, with $518,718 returned to the southern Macedon Ranges, funding 46 projects over the year to June 30, 2025. Chair of Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd, the social enterprise behind the bank, Mal Carter said they were proud to be part of the…
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Small acts of kindness create big change
Found shivering and alone on the roadside in rural Victoria, tiny Reggie the piglet could so easily have become another tragic statistic. Instead, he has found sanctuary at Edgar’s Mission in Lancefield, where more than 550 rescued animals live lives defined by compassion, not cruelty. This week marks Be Kind to Animals Week, a national…
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Celebrating 50 years of wildlife rescue
For 50 years, Tehree and Hamish Gordon have been rescuing and caring for Australian wildlife, first in Barwon Heads and for the past 20 years in Chewton. The pair established Jirrahlinga (to seek a home for kangaroos) in 1975 at Barwon Heads, where they rescued and rehabilitated native animals for decades. Following the death of…
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Autumn Festival to go big
The Visitor Economy team at Macedon Ranges Shire Council has unveiled the 2026 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival poster with artwork by Chris ‘Roy’ Taylor. Preparations are already well under way for the biggest and best Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival yet – highlighting a month-long celebration across nine villages on April 1-30. The release of the…
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Best in Aus
Gisborne Post Office has been crowned the best in Australia and beaten more than 4000 branches across the country at the Australia Post Awards Night. Gisborne Post Office manager Joe Vella accepted the award last Wednesday night on behalf of his team. He told the Express nothing was ever too difficult for him and his…