News
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TV signals still on the blink
The January 2026 bushfires in regional Victoria caused significant damage to broadcast infrastructure at two sites operated by BAI Communications, formerly Broadcast Australia, at Mount Alexander. The damage resulted in the loss of FM radio services and free-to-air television services to communities across the region including Castlemaine and other areas in central Victoria. Power systems…
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Best Australian Cheese win
Castlemaine artisan producer Long Paddock Cheese took out the title of Best Australian Cheese at England’s prestigious International Cheese and Dairy Awards last week. Adding to this prestigious win, the small central Victorian cheesemaker also took out second place in the same class. Following intense judging against leading cheesemakers from around the nation, Long Paddock…
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Composters call for more time
The statewide rollout of a new four-bin system is creating a stir across Victoria, with many councils expressing concerns that the glass recycling system is unnecessary and costly. In Mount Alexander Shire, however, the issues with glass bins are secondary to the introduction of a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin system, as local composters…
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Wild weather lashes region
A week of wild weather has lashed the region with steady rain and fierce winds causing chaos across the Macedon Ranges. From Tuesday to Friday, Woodend SES attended 42 callouts/requests for assistance including a floodwater road rescue (see report, page 5), trees down and structure damage. A Woodend SES spokesperson said 38 of those calls…
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Orders up for Newham General
Newham General is back and buzzing after reopening its doors to the public on Friday. The town has been without its general store and community hub since it closed in 2024 and local residents were queued up to sample the menu last week. Owner Jo Bombardier said launch day “did not have many quiet moments”.…
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Mountain bikers take out the trash
Frustrated by a lack of action from government agencies, two Macedon Ranges mountain bike riders have begun cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish in the Wombat State Forest themselves. Long-time local residents, Matthew Connor and Craig Jones, spent part of their weekend removing waste from several dumping sites after becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of…
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A frontline service for animals
For the past 10 years, Nikki Medwell has spent her days (and often nights) caring for sick and injured wildlife at the Red Box Wildlife Shelter – her rehabilitation sanctuary in Elphinstone. While the 60-acre bush block, located near Leanganook (Mount Alexander), was spared by the January bushfires, the impacts on the shelter were profound.…
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Funding miss for Macedon reserve
Tony Clarke Reserve has missed out on funding for changeroom upgrades in the Victorian Government’s 2026-27 Country Football and Netball Program. The Macedon project is valued at $650,000 and would upgrade existing changerooms to meet current AFL community standards, ensuring they are inclusive and fit-for-purpose for all user groups. Macedon Ranges Shire Council applied to…
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Hepburn CEO resigns
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas has resigned following a turbulent period in the role. Mr Thomas was assaulted by a community member, when doused in coffee at a public location, following a planning dispute in November. Both Mr Thomas and councillor Don Henderson were each served with alleged criminal charges initiated by a private individual…
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Restrictions remain for Lancefield
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s bid to remove planning controls that have stymied Lancefield development has been rejected by the state government. Earlier this month, the council sought to remove the restrictive DPO24 that applies across about 150 acres of township land in three residential zones, impacting about 22 landowners. The planning tool intended to create…
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Thieves target botanic gardens
Thieves have stolen about 40 plants valued up to $2000 from the Kyneton Botanic Gardens over an 18-month period. Plants have been taken from three different areas of the gardens in several repeat incidents that have left local volunteers devastated. Friends of Kyneton Botanic Gardens secretary Helen Frost said members were “extremely disappointed and disheartened”…
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Little mouse carries big story of hope
A small mouse with a big heart is helping share a powerful story of courage, connection and recovery following the January bushfires in Harcourt and District. Harcourt Valley Mouse, a locally written and illustrated children’s picture book, will be officially launched as part of a special event at the Victorian Miniature Railway in Harcourt this…