Latest
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USA firefighters assist
Thirty-nine firefighters from the United States were trained in the use of CFA fire trucks by local volunteers from Darraweit Guim and Kyneton at the Victorian Emergency Management Institute at Mount Macedon last Friday. With conditions worsening across the state, they were put straight to action with deployment to fight the Gippsland fires. The USA…
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‘Time to wake up’ – Extinction Rebellion demands emergency declaration
Extinction Rebellion protesters took to the street in Woodend recently in a display of polite civil disobedience to raise awareness of our climate emergency. On December 28, nine protesters with the well-known logo printed on their flags shared the High Street crossing with pedestrians as part of global protests demanding action on climate change. Traffic…
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VCAT rejects Gisborne South Buddhist temple bid
Plans for a Buddhist temple at Gisborne South have been scrapped following the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s ruling to refuse the application last week.The Lao Buddhist Society of Victoria proposal sought to develop the Rural Living Zone site at 125 McGeorge Road to allow for worship, gatherings and meetings. While the planning officer recommended…
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Landowners along Campaspe want guarantee
Coliban Water must guarantee that the Campaspe River will never again be contaminated by non-EPA compliant releases of wastewater from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant, river landowners say. The landowners have accused Coliban Water and the state government of using the most recent announcement of upgrades to the plant to deflect attention away from charges…
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Sidonia brothers’ courage honoured
A favour for a friend led two brothers to a chance discovery that would save a life. Daniel and Nick White were on the way to help a mate move his sheep when they saw a plume of smoke on Burke and Wills Track at Baynton but what they found was beyond imagining. A steaming…
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Kyneton Golf land deal off
“Cumbersome and lengthy” planning processes have sunk GemLife’s plans for a 172-lot development on Kyneton Golf Club land. The anticipated land sale was to relieve the golf club of financial difficulty, and received overwhelming support from members in June. But GemLife director and CEO Adrian Puljich confirmed last week the over 50s lifestyle resort operator…
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Nation’s number one
Even though she is now living ‘up north’ and playing bowls for Queensland, Chloe Stewart still calls Kyneton home. The 24-year-old expects to be ‘home for Christmas’ and is sure to receive a warm welcome especially as she has just become the Australian women’s singles champion for the first time. Chloe is pictured with her…
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Macedon Ranges Council urged to drop glyphosate
Macedon Ranges Council has been urged to drop its use of potentially harmful glyphosate-based herbicides. It is one of many councils that continues to use glyphosate weedkillers such as Roundup to manage parks and roadside weeds despite the chemical coming under fire for its possible link to cancers. Pushing for change, Kyneton local Lyle Green…
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Innovation and creativity shine at 2019 Mount Alexander Business Awards
Ten local businesses have been recognised for excellence in their field at a gala event to announce winners of the 2019 Mount Alexander Business Awards last Thursday night. The independent judging panel had the difficult task of selecting winners from 23 high-quality finalists. Mt Alexander Timber & Hardware took away the coveted Business of the…
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Nothing new? Sixth book from Castlemaine writer Robyn Annear
Castlemaine writer Robyn Annear is a self-confessed fan of op shops and loves nothing better than the thrill of finding the unexpected within them. Now she has published a new book – an entertaining history about all things second-hand – dating back through the ages to the now. Nothing New: A History of Second-Hand is…
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New chapter begins for Castlemaine Sergeant Peter Lukaitis
Long-time Castlemaine policeman and well-respected community member Sergeant Peter Lukaitis hung up his hat and badge for the final time last Sunday. But before Sgt Lukaitis signed off at the station for the last time he had the opportunity to spend one special day on the local beat with his daughter and newly graduated Victoria…
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Co-located aged care and childcare planned for Old Kyneton Hospital
After years of false starts, new plans have emerged to restore the Old Kyneton Hospital building to its former glory following the site’s sale last month to aged-care provider Embracia Victoria. Plans by previous owner Winport Developments to develop the 1850s bluestone building into apartments and build 64 houses on the surrounding five acres were…