Latest
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Farm build right threat
A strategy aimed at protecting productive agricultural land in the Macedon Ranges is being challenged by farmland owners. The local council’s draft Rural Land Use Strategy will scrap existing rights of landowners to build a dwelling in the Farm Zone on land of 40ha or more, which farmers fear will create barriers and uncertainty about…
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A changing landscape?
Accommodation, restaurants and convenience stores could become part of Macedon Ranges’ farming and rural landscape, under the newly released Draft Rural Land Use Strategy. Greater ease for tourism and commercial activity would come with the new Rural Activity Zone recommended for land in the shire’s northeast between Woodend, Malmsbury and Tylden. A land analysis of…
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Don't forget the flu jab
While the spotlight is on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, local health professionals are warning against complacency around getting the flu vaccine as well. Among them, state Pharmacy Guild committee member Kin Chong said local pharmacies were now stocked up with the flu vaccine. “In the past we’ve encouraged people to start getting their flu vaccine…
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Residents receive COVID-19 vaccine
Central Highlands Rural Health continued its rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to residents in Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham aged care facilities last week. More than 70 residents across the three sites rolled up their sleeves to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was administered by the Grampians mobile vaccination team from Ballarat Health Services. Specialist nurse…
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Remembering a music titan
Rod Laver Arena hosted its first live music in more than a year last Wednesday night, and it was in honour of Macedon Ranges’ own Michael Gudinski. A long list of stars gathered to pay tribute to the godfather of Australian music at a state memorial attended by 7000 people including Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena…
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Dogs of the vines
Our 2021 Wine Trail magazine is out now and has some gorgeous four-legged ambassadors we’d like to share. Among the many ‘dogs of the vines’ featured, Lily and Clive have the job at Coliban Valley Vineyard of chasing pesky birds out from under the protective netting. Needless to say Lily and Clive, english pointers who are beautifully…
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A golden idea
To celebrate the 2021 Castlemaine State Festival and as a nod to the region’s gold rush heritage, The Tea Dispensary in Castlemaine’s Templeton Street has created a special ‘gold blend’ featuring black tea with edible gold flakes. The Tea Dispensary’s founder Lisa Candy said there had already been loads of ‘golden moments’ during the festival.…
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Harcourt wine on top
Harcourt Valley Vineyards has been crowned Bendigo Region Winery of the Year and awarded double gold for its 2018 Barbara’s Shiraz in the Melbourne International Wine Competition. The winery was a standout among more than 1400 entries from around the world and theirs was one of only three shiraz wines to take double-gold. “It’s thrilling…
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Ranges declares climate emergency
Macedon Ranges has joined 32 Victorian local councils in declaring a climate emergency and stepping up its plan for action. In its next budget the council will consider increased climate action response, which includes two paid staff ($189,000 total), and $50,000 over two years to accelerate its Cool Changes program to all towns by 2023.…
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Where art meets … footy!
Sport and art are often pitched as polar opposites. But now a Castlemaine artist has teamed up with the Castlemaine Football Netball Club to bring the two fields much closer together, creating a two-channel video to be projected onto the CFNC clubrooms. Play On is the brainchild of Castlemaine’s Martin John Lee and explores the loss…
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New look for good cause
Castlemaine’s Ebony Robinson Greenley has a sleek new look after bidding farewell to her lovely long locks – all for a top-notch cause. The 21-year-old decided to sign up for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave with an initial aim to raise $500. After setting her decisive appointment with local hairdresser Jodie McLean, Ebony is…
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Students brave the razor
Eight year 12 Sacred Heart College students and one past 2020 student braved the razor earlier this month to raise more than $9000 in the World’s Greatest Shave. Working to raise funds together as team ‘Pokemon Bald’ they have to date reached $9,195.08 – well above their target of $7000! All funds raised go towards…