Featured
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Victim of scam praises local bank
Castlemaine resident Glenn Sutherland has warned locals to be wary of phone scams after thousands of dollars were stolen from his Commonwealth Bank Australia account. He has praised the Castlemaine CBA’s quick response for enabling his funds to be recovered. A result that Glenn has been told is rare. The local man was contacted earlier…
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Big reveal soon
Excitement is in the air as The Block enters the final production weeks for its upcoming season set in Gisborne South. Last week the Midland Express had a sneak peek as contestants prepared for potential buyer walk-throughs with just two weeks of production remaining. This year’s couples have worked on the biggest Block yet, each with a home to renovate as…
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A film lover’s feast
Eve Lamb True stories that cut to the core of what it is to be human offer film lovers a weekend-long big-screen binge as Castlemaine Documentary Festival opens this Friday at the town’s Theatre Royal. “The theatre can fit 300 and we hope it’s packed,” says festival director Claire Jager who’s strongly advocating a “bingey…
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Forest furore
Victoria’s Conservation Regulator is assessing a number of allegations of non-compliance with timber harvesting laws in the Wombat State Forest. A Conservation Regulator spokesperson said the action was prompted by the department’s proactive coupe inspection program and reports from the community. “It is our standard practice, proportionate and within our powers, to gather information while…
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Storm recovery continues
One year on from devastating storms that rocked the region, Trentham Fire Brigade has received a boost to support its response efforts. The brigade received $17,000 for a new generator through the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program. Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas visited the station to announce the funding last week. “Recovering from a disaster is…
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Thief targets coop
Four isa brown hens were stolen from St Ambrose Primary School in Woodend over the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Staff and students were devastated to make the discovery with signs of damage to cyclone fencing and an open coop. “The top of the cyclone fence in which the coop was enclosed was damaged and the coop…
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Poles add spring to walkers’ steps
Eve Lamb The weather may be making many feel Nordic lately, but for an increasing number of local souls that’s a good thing. In fact Nordic pole walking seems to really have hit its stride in both Castlemaine and Maldon with many keen locals picking up the poles and joining the warming weekly walking program…
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Writing with fire
The countdown is on until the 2022 Castlemaine Documentary Festival, set to feature at the Theatre Royal from July 1-3. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Realise the Possible’ and the team behind this year’s event has once again gone above and beyond to source an array of films that feature ‘Real stories. Real…
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A relieving yarn
A Castlemaine shearer has played a key role in the triumphant yarn of Victoria the overly burdened sheep, relieving her of a massive matted fleece following her hairy rescue from the wild. It took 18 kind hearts a total of five hours on steep and rugged terrain in the bitter cold and rain, but lost…
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Trackside reinvention
Eve Lamb Driving past the old railway goods shed in Newstead it’s hard to miss the fact that work is well under way towards transforming the long idle slice of local railway history into a lively community space. Scaffolding is up and workers in high vis vests are busy on site with Bendigo-based construction company…
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It takes a village
How the community can work together to address Mount Alexander Shire’s housing crisis is the focus of a new 10-year social and affordable housing strategy to be launched at Castlemaine Town Hall next week. My Home Network developed the Mount Alexander Shire My Home Network 10-year social and affordable housing strategy in collaboration with a…
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Dog attack devastates
Two escaped dogs attacked a flock of sheep at Baynton last week, killing two and maiming 33 that later had to be euthanised. Farmer Daniel McKenna discovered the gruesome scene on his property last Wednesday. “It was like a battle scene,” he said. “There were sheep lying down kicking in the air everywhere. “The dogs…