Featured
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Where ‘strange’ is welcome
The historic township of Maldon came alive on the weekend as goths from across Australia converged to celebrate the dark side of the goldfields with performances, music, food and friends. Goldfields Gothic organisers Valentina Tansley and Michelle Dorian said the historic township of Maldon made a great backdrop for the festival. “Maldon was a tourist…
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An earthmmoving enterprise
A little earthmoving business from Elphinstone has plans to make a big difference to the lives of underprivileged people. Kruzer Earthmoving director Josh Blundell said he wanted to bring smiles to the faces of anyone doing it tough by giving them free landscaping work. “I came from a poor background and I felt like I…
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Mayor shares family’s battle
When Annette Death’s three-year-old nephew successfully battled leukemia in 2018 there was every reason to believe they would not face it again. But just three weeks after becoming Macedon Ranges’ mayor last year, Annette received the devastating phone call that the cancer had returned. “It was scarier this time. Far scarier. He had beaten it…
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RUMantic story and ceRUMony
A rum-loving Riddells Creek couple has tied the knot in a ceremony with a difference at Queensland’s iconic Bundaberg Distillery. Brooke and Jake Mallon were the winners of a Bundaberg Rum competition, which covered the cost of their ceremony and up to $10,000 towards their reception and honeymoon. The catch was that all big wedding…
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Rare opportunity to own Barfold Gorge
One of country Victoria’s hidden treasures is up for sale. Just 17 kilometres from Kyneton, the Barfold Gorge on the Campaspe River, is the only privately owned gorge in Victoria. Its current owners, Karen and Martin O’Sullivan, are selling the 500-acre property, where they have raised their four sons, while farming sheep and cattle. “We…
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Classics go under the hammer
An incredible collection of vintage vehicles will go under the hammer this weekend featuring a massive range of antique cars. Some are ready to drive (including a fully restored 1927 Lancia Lambda 7th series and a 1956 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT, a 1934 Triumph Gloria and a 1962 Jaguar) and others are an ongoing project…
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Meet the festival ambassadors
The Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival is introducing something new this year. Two local celebrity ambassadors will give talks about their lives and careers and will also be out and about at events. Renowned sculptor Peter Cole and television personality and author Tonia Todman are this year’s ambassadors. Cole said he was excited to be…
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From Fern Hill to France
Lauretta Hanson is making her debut at the Tour de France Femmes this month. It’s a proud milestone for the 28-year-old from Fern Hill who the Macedon Ranges has been cheering on throughout her professional road cyclist career. “I’ve always watched the Tour de France, but it was only last year that a women’s edition…
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Encore screening for ‘Equal the Contest’
Equal the Contest is a groundbreaking documentary film that follows the footy journey of filmmaker and director Mitch Nivalis. The film invites audiences to explore the power of inclusion and the transformative potential of sports in creating a more equitable and diverse society. The documentary had its sold-out world premiere at the Castlemaine Documentary Film…
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Pilot program already making an impact
In response to a growing need for mental health support to extend to the younger years, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is leading a first-of-its-kind primary school mental health program. After months of community consultation, the co-designed Branch Out program is introducing parents and teachers to clinicians from Tuning in to Kids who will teach them…
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Game on for regional funds
Local shires expecting an economic boost from the 2026 Commonwealth Games now look to the Victorian Government’s $2 billion spending package for the regions. Premier Daniel Andrews announced last week the state would withdraw from its regional Games hosting duties, citing soaring cost estimations of at least $6 billion. Macedon Ranges and Hepburn councils expressed…
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Vegetation over views
Macedon Ranges Council has refused a divisive proposal to remove vegetation at the Mount Macedon Regional Park. Parks Victoria’s application aimed to reinstate the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross viewscape, which has been lost due to regrowth and lack of maintenance. The proposal triggered passionate debate, with 62 objections, many relating to loss of significant vegetation,…