Featured
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Malmsbury YJC to close
The Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre will close by the end of the year and its future use is unknown. Inmates at the centre will be progressively transferred to the new Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct and the existing Parkville facility over the next six months. Minister for Youth Justice, Enver Erdogan, said the staff would…
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Harnessing beneficial fungi
Beneficial fungi are disappearing from our soils at an alarming rate, but one nursery in Harcourt is hoping to reverse the trend. Carr’s Organic Fruit Tree Nursery in Harcourt is the only Victorian supplier of certified organic fruit trees, which makes them quite a rarity. But does it really matter if fruit trees are grown…
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Families disadvantaged
The recent capping of public transport fares has been celebrated by many in central Victoria, in particular individuals who regularly commute to Melbourne, but the new pricing structure has resulted in the eradication of the popular Family Saver Ticket, putting families travelling with young children at a disadvantage. Castlemaine resident Nina Trikojus told the Express…
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Soil removed from supermarket site
Work has begun to prepare the old Castlemaine gasworks site for a proposed new Woolworths supermarket. Four Lantrak trucks have removed two mounds of soil from the Lascorp Investment Group site on Duke Street. The activity sparked intense debate on local social media site Castlemania as some community members welcomed the beginning of works while…
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Woodend in for top title
Woodend has been named a finalist in the 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards. The Macedon Ranges town is competing for the top title in the small regional Victorian town category alongside Heathcote, Koroit and Sorrento. Award finalists have demonstrated a strong commitment to tourism, excellent visitor experience, and strong collaboration with tourism operators,…
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Jo’s link to Woodend
A pedestrian bridge has been bequeathed to Woodend by much-loved member of the community, Jo Clancy. Jo was passionate about the work done by the local landcare group, where her love of nature stretched beyond her garden, and her passion for activism was given free rein. Occupying many leadership roles including the presidency, she put…
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OAM for winemaking pioneer
John Ellis is a true pioneer of winemaking in the Macedon Ranges. Arguably the first person in Australia to make a merlot, cabernet merlot, cool climate chardonnay and fumé blanc, he has also worked tirelessly to build up the food and wine tourism industry in the region, and indeed across the country. This, together with…
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Art director honoured
From Anzacs to The Man from Snowy River, Leslie Binns has been a creative mind behind some of Australia’s most iconic filmmaking. The talented art director and production designer from Kyneton has more than 40 credits to his name. On Monday he also added Medal of the Order of Australia to his achievements for service…
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Literacy trailblazer recognised with OAM
Castlemaine teacher, educational consultant and author Rosemary McKenry has received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to education in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Rosie said she was shocked to receive the award honour. “There are so many amazing teachers working in our Indigenous communities and in the English as a Second…
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A love of adventuring
The joy of seeing young people learning and adventuring is the reason Alex Forrest has dedicated decades to the scouting movement. The Mount Macedon resident’s passion began as a child spending several years as a scout himself, but it wasn’t until the early 1980s, when Alex’s sons joined cubs and his daughters joined guides, that…
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Working towards net zero
The Mt Alexander Net Zero Working Group has been busy behind the scenes highlighting the efforts of local businesses in working towards 100 per cent renewable energy. Following the success of their first short film featuring The Mill Castlemaine, the group successfully applied for a Mount Alexander Shire Council grant to assist with the production…
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YIMBY compost hubs expanding
YIMBY is set to expand access to backyard compost hubs in Castlemaine after a very enthusiastic response to a call for new composters earlier this year. Having completed an intensive advanced composting workshop with YIMBY educators, Mikaela Beckley, Joel Meadows and Nico Pye, the new team is ready to make some great compost, from your…