Latest

  • 2023 festival line-up revealed!

    2023 festival line-up revealed!

    A huge crowd packed The Goods Shed on Saturday morning for the launch of the impressive 2023 season line up for the Castlemaine State Festival’s highly anticipated 24th biennial event. The diverse curation of the very best local and international arts talent and events will bring focus to Castlemaine, spotlighting the arts culture of the…

  • Prison healthcare shake-up

    Prison healthcare shake-up

    Following a massive shakeup to the state’s prison healthcare system Dhelkaya Health in Castlemaine will become the lead healthcare provider for prisoners at Tarrengower Prison from July 1. Private healthcare provider GEO Group Australia will be replacing Correct Care Australasia in the state’s male prisons, including the two in Castlemaine, and maximum security Dame Phyllis…

  • Mount Macedon Memorial Cross plans questioned

    Mount Macedon Memorial Cross plans questioned

    Significant native vegetation is earmarked for removal in a proposal to restore views to Melbourne from Mount Macedon Memorial Cross. Built in the 1930s, the cross is considered one of the most significant war memorials in Victoria but decades of growth have altered its original view lines. Parks Victoria’s viewscape project seeks to clear up…

  • Telegraph station connects to NBN

    Telegraph station connects to NBN

    Some exciting developments have recently occurred at the Old Telegraph Station in Barker Street, Castlemaine. In December, the building was connected to the NBN bringing the historic station into the 21st century. In January 1857, the building had been connected to the Sandhurst telegraph line. The introduction of the electric telegraph in Castlemaine, and other…

  • Pop up garlic farmers program

    Pop up garlic farmers program

    With its aim to give Australians hands-on experience and to grow a new generation of Australian farmers, Farmer Incubator has announced the return of its sought-after Pop Up Garlic Farmers program. Kicking off in February, people have the unique opportunity to participate in a program that teaches you how to plant and nurture a market…

  • Are you the next Idyll?

    Are you the next Idyll?

    Registration for Castlemaine Idyll 2023 is now open! Castlemaine Idyll is Castlemaine’s ultimate annual talent contest, and has been running for more than 12 years. Featuring hot local talent, a hugely talented professional band, celebrity judges and a community uniting joyously in support, the theme for Idyll 2023 is ‘Shine’. Registrations close this Friday January…

  • Big line-up for Town Folk Festival

    Big line-up for Town Folk Festival

    The countdown is on until Castlemaine’s highly anticipated second annual Town Folk Festival on Saturday February 11. Bringing together 16 of the best contemporary artists from across Victoria and beyond, Town Folk Festival celebrates diverse, compelling and exciting music, which all fits vaguely or specifically under the ever-widening umbrella of folk. The one-day festival will…

  • Folk-rocker gives back

    Folk-rocker gives back

    Tim Rogers and The Twin Set will perform a CFA fundraiser gig at the Malmsbury Hotel on February 2, with all proceeds going to the Malmsbury and Taradale fire brigades. “Until I learn their skills I wanted to show that even D-List old folk-rockers appreciate their skills and time and compassion,” Rogers told the Express.…

  • Bin bandit put on notice

    Bin bandit put on notice

    Castlemaine Police are seeking information from the public following a series of incidents where rubbish and recycle bins were mowed down by a vehicle across the township. Leading Senior Constable Wayne Cairnes said Mount Alexander Shire Council contacted them regarding the incidents, which took place sometime overnight on Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning on January 10-11 and…

  • Kyneton Cup at Bendigo today

    Kyneton Cup at Bendigo today

    The $125,000 bet365 Kyneton Cup for 2022 will  highlight a nine-event program being run at Bendigo today (Wednesday). The Kyneton meeting was switched to Bendigo at the weekend, with persistent rain in the preceding days taking its toll on the track and surrounds. Racing Victoria  and the Kyneton & Hanging Rock Racing Club  announced the venue switch at the…

  • Legal action over creek

    Legal action over creek

    A group of landholders have threatened legal action over the discharge of Class B recycled water into Deep Creek in the Romsey area. Greater Western Water began controlled releases from Romsey Recycled Water Plant last month attributed to a rise in storages from sustained heavy rainfall. The release has contaminated the creek which those fronting…

  • Brigade seeks new home

    Brigade seeks new home

    Could Riddells Creek Fire Brigade soon have its new, long-awaited, home at the south-west corner of Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve? Last week, Macedon Ranges Shire Council released the CFA’s draft proposal to relocate the brigade’s station following a lengthy search for a site. The Crown land reserve, zoned public park and recreation, at 26-32 Sutherlands…