Featured
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Buzz for new project
The common bee that most cherish in their gardens is a foreigner – and the The Woodend Bee Friendly Society plans to do something about it. “We value it, we accept it, we profit enormously by getting the honey it produces and we benefit from its billion-dollar contribution to crop pollination. But it doesn’t belong…
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Taking seed in Kyneton
Amy HumeWhen Kylie Swain began a seed library for Woodend in 2020 she was hopeful the concept would spread its roots. The seed library allows residents to ‘borrow’ seeds to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers at home in exchange for ‘return’ seeds from their crop. Now into its third year, the project is taking seed…
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Fire brigade in limbo
Amy Hume Riddells Creek Fire Brigade remains in limbo as the proposed site for its new station was all but struck out last week. Macedon Ranges Shire councillors voted not to pursue plans for the brigade’s relocation to Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve following community opposition. The Crown land reserve at 26-32 Sutherlands Road, zoned public…
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Work ethic pays off
Bill West Catapulted into the limelight by being selected as the female electrical apprentice of the year for Victoria and Tasmania, Bonnie Saunders is keen to motivate other girls to consider tackling a trade. “From my experience the school education system is still too sexist-orientated at times, though it is improving. I’ve always been willing…
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Works begin on Mark’s Country Place
Works began last week on Mark’s Country Place at Deep Lead Lane in Kyneton following approval at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last year. Mark’s Country Place, a registered charity, is planned to be an all-access rest and recreation facility and gardens. The facility will be open to all with the intention of catering…
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Ash Wednesday memories captured
Macedon Ranges stories from the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires have been captured in a book. Memories of Ash Wednesday documents personal accounts from Bullengarook, Gisborne, Macedon and Mount Macedon residents who lived through the February 16 disaster. Gisborne resident Bryan Power compiled and edited the stories for the project that grew from a commemorative article…
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Art and music collide
Art and music have always converged for emerging young talent Amalie. The 18-year-old from Macedon will release her new single Good Luck Black Cat in May, which showcases her artistry in both forms. The song inspired Amalie’s cover art, which also happens to be her submission to the 2023 Archibald Prize. “I knew early on…
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Change looms for local law
Macedon Ranges residents have until April 30 to have their say on local law changes that range from street parking to shopping trolley restrictions. Use of fireworks is just one new addition to the local law, with four options ranging from a blanket shire ban to no local law change at all. Changes to the…
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Controversial film to premiere
The most controversial documentary film in the world last year – and despite the storm it created, one of the least seen – will be screened for the first time in Australia in Castlemaine in early May. The film – originally titled Jihad Rehab, but since re-titled as The Unredacted – had a wildly controversial…
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Bendigo Bank Woodend agency to close
Bendigo Bank’s agency operating from the Woodend Newsagency will close on June 17. It comes after the last of Woodend’s physical bank branches, the Commonwealth Bank, closed its premises last year. A spokesperson for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank said the closure followed a detailed review of transaction activity, evolving customer banking habits and declining numbers…
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Restoration works begin
Kyneton Museum is currently closed for restoration works. The former Bank of New South Wales building in Piper Street was built in 1856. Restoration is being undertaken on the roof of the building in line with heritage specifications, as well as internal floor maintenance. During the closure period, museum staff will review and care for…
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NAB branch to close
Kyneton’s National Australia Bank branch will close on July 6. NAB retail customer executive, Larna Manson, said that over the past few years, fewer customers were going into branches to do their banking. “Nearly 60 per cent of our Kyneton customers have only visited the branch once in the last 12 months, and more than…