Featured
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Holding the class in the palm of his hand
An inspiring teacher can make a young person’s high school experience extraordinary. And there is no one more deserving of that praise than English and drama teacher Bernie Monagle. In a career spanning more than four decades – 27 of those years spent at Kyneton’s Sacred Heart College – the recently retired Kyneton local has…
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Exemption on farm worker accommodation
Farmers will no longer require a permit to build on-farm worker accommodation under new Victorian planning changes. The permit exemption is available to accommodate up to 10 workers engaged in agriculture and must be on at least 40 hectares of land in the Farm Zone. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the amendment would remove…
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Still waiting on safety upgrades
Safety upgrades for a risky Baynton road floodway remain on Macedon Ranges Council’s draft works list more than eight years on despite calls for action. Residents say the Martins Road floodway has posed a risk to motorists for years with its dangerous dip and lack of signage and railings, yet the council continues to delay…
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Hundreds turn out for testing
New COVID exposure sites across Macedon Ranges and Castlemaine led hundreds of people to front up for testing on the weekend. On late Friday afternoon the Health Department listed seven new local exposure sites including two contacts at Coles Gisborne, Gisborne’s Woks N Dumplings, McDonald’s Gisborne, Romsey Compounding Pharmacy, and Castlemaine Hospital. Most were listed…
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Ranges interrupted
Poor telecommunications is hindering business, social interaction, health and learning online in the Macedon Ranges. A survey conducted across the shire in May identified that more than 70 per cent of respondents were not satisfied with their current reliability. Just under 60 per cent of survey responses referred to being unable to access education. More…
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Getting regional students back in the classroom
The Victorian Government is ensuring students in regional Victoria can return to face-to-face learning as soon as possible – with a plan outlined to return regional areas to school quickly and safely in Term Four, alongside extra measures to protect school communities and detect outbreaks as early as possible. A staggered return will see all…
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Awards entries closing soon
Entries for the 2021 Mount Alexander Business Awards are closing soon and local businesses nominated for this year’s awards are urged to get their submissions in before the October 4 deadline. Residents in Mount Alexander Shire and beyond have shown their support for the work of local businesses, with more than 170 businesses nominated in…
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Police report influx of unauthorised workers
Police have reported an influx of unauthorised workers from metropolitan areas coming into Gisborne and Macedon Ranges. They warn that under the current restrictions, employees of businesses such as nail and hair salons and other beauty services are not listed as authorised workers at this time. “We wish to remind people that those living and…
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Volunteer trappers wanted
Volunteer trappers mark eight years of operation of the Macedon Ranges Indian Myna Action Group this year. Indian mynas are an introduced species, now considered one of the world’s most invasive pests. Territorial and domineering, these birds commonly form large flocks on the fringes of town, driving out native species and out-competing them for nesting…
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Romsey aged care to VCAT
A 120-bed residential aged-care facility for Romsey has Macedon Ranges Council’s tick of approval as it progresses to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Councillors voted 5-3 in favour of the proposal, which aims to fill a void of services in the east but threatens to extend Romsey’s town boundary. The SignatureCare facility would be…
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Podcast a finalist
Castlemaine sustainability podcast Saltgrass has been announced as a finalist for the world’s top nature media competition – the Jackson Wild Media Awards. Created by long-time MAINfm presenter Alison Hanly, Saltgrass is a fortnightly radio show and podcast spotlighting what individuals are doing to address the climate crisis within their local community. Saltgrass celebrates grassroots, bioregional change-makers – from farmers…
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Message made material
Helping raise awareness around mental health maintenance is a matter close to Simon Robins’ heart. “I’ve lost a few mates in the music scene who have taken their lives during the pandemic,” says the Fryerstown-based vocalist in thrash band Pissbolt. Also renowned as a comic book colourist, Robins didn’t hesitate when contacted by Castlemaine-based suicide…