Latest
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Prepare to huff n puff
Eve Lamb With hundreds of runners already limbering up for Friday’s long anticipated Run The Maine, organisers have their fingers crossed for ideal conditions. “We’re on target to raise at least $15,000,” event director Gavin Krasner says ahead of the multi-distance afternoon running event happening this Friday’s Grand Final public holiday. Since Run the Maine’s…
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Ballantinia, banksias and blue-banded bees
In 1997 an enthusiastic group of local residents joined forces to form the Harcourt Valley Landcare Group. Twenty five years later the enthusiasm of this hard-working local group has been sustained and they will celebrate their longevity and success with a special event this Sunday. Since its inception, Harcourt Valley Landcare has completed more than…
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Energy park on hold
Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group has put its community energy park project on hold indefinitely after receiving confirmation from the state government that regulatory barriers can’t be overcome in the next term. The vital step to enable the project to move forward was for the government to amend the Plantations Act to allow for non-forestry uses,…
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Blaze at Carlsruhe
Fire tore through a two-storey mudbrick home at Carlsruhe early last Thursday morning. Brigades from across the district turned out to the blaze at a property on Institute Road about 2.30am. The fire gutted the upper storey of the home while the lower level sustained significant smoke and water damage. All occupants of the home…
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Macedon Ranges mayor takes up Plastic Free July challenge
How can an environmentally conscious resident reduce their single-use plastic uptake even more? That’s a question facing Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson this month as she tackles her own challenge for Plastic Free July. The Australian-born initiative is a global movement that encourages people to reduce their plastic use to lessen their environmental impact. This…
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Kyneton Tea of Earth entrepreneur hailed a local business hero
Kyneton business owner Rebecca Moore says her local Australia Post team had been friendly faces during the pandemic when she made the move to post online orders for Tea of Earth. Now they’ve hailed her a 2022 Australia Post Local Business Hero, recognising her unique and valued connection to the local community. “The continuing support…
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Community throws support behind two young Lancefield boys injured
Romsey Mitre 10 is leading a community charge of support for the family of two Lancefield boys recovering from severe burns following an accident last Friday. Brothers Xander, 3, and Tanner, 22 months, suffered burns to their hands and faces after a small explosion from an aerosol can accidentally put into a fire at their…
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Garden the fire-wise way: Woodend brigade shares tips
Woodend Fire Brigade’s new fire-wise garden has opened and members have shared tips for anyone seeking to take a similar approach. Located at the front of the station, the garden was a combined effort of members including removal of hazardous trees and careful planning and design. The garden also offers the community landscaping ideas in…
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Meeting labelled a sham
Campaspe River landowners have labelled a Coliban Water community meeting held via zoom last week a “sham”. The meeting was advertised as being held to discuss a proposed Environment Protection Authority licence amendment in relation to discharges of wastewater from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant to the river, but participants were not given any detail…
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Clubhouse condition critical
Woodend golfers are urging action to bring their dilapidated clubhouse up to building code or for demolition to rebuild.Last year, Macedon Ranges Shire Council set aside $200,000 to bring facilities up to scratch but members report little movement. “We haven’t seen any evidence of that money being spent,” Woodend Golf Club secretary, Barney Hearnden said.“The…
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Austin on the road to recovery
Courageous Castlemaine youngster Austin Vearing has successfully conquered two rounds of surgery in the United States and is now on his road to recovery.The four-year-old and his family flew to America earlier this month where he underwent life-changing SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy) surgery at St Louis Children’s Hospital. Austin’s mum Kat and dad Julian said…
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Communication breakdown?
Residents cut off from power and telecommunications for days in June’s storm are questioning Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s communications with residents in emergency.Web, social media and phone proved ineffective means of communication for thousands of residents cut from power for between one to six days. “We were cut off from power and running water for…