Latest
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A strong voice
Just a few years ago Shaylyn Blyth, 17, did not expect to spark change nor the positive impact she has on those around her. Now a strong voice for youth and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, the Woodend teen has been named one of Macedon Ranges’ Young Citizens of the Year. Shaylyn is a founding…
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Path-breaking project
The first residents are expected to begin moving into Castlemaine’s new cutting-edge eco village housing development, as early as this September. The Paddock Eco Village is being developed on a site off Castlemaine’s Reckleben Street by a team – that includes architects, a landscape architect, town planner, civil engineer and energy consultant – led by…
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Field day to double
Tree changers and farm novices will have access to practical advice and demonstrations to get their property thriving at This Farm Needs a Farmer’s second annual field day. Already promising double the exhibitors on last year, the February 24 event will feature mentors, community groups, roving farmers, demonstrations and guest speakers at the Kyneton Showgrounds.…
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Worth his salt
Rob Renton is exactly the kind of bloke who could brighten your day when you are down on your luck. The Vietnam veteran has done that and so much more for many war widows and veterans in the community through his role as pension and welfare officer at the Kyneton RSL since 2003. He draws…
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Oz Day gong for Ken
Citizen of the Year for Mount Alexander Shire, Ken Maddern has not let having chronic fatigue stand in his way. Instead, the passionate local volunteer, sports administrator and junior sports promoter has done more to benefit his local community than many achieve in a lifetime. It’s a fact that on Saturday saw Ken named the…
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A curious and collectable affair
There’s something special about picking up an antique musical instrument. The saxophones in Ken Smith’s collection hint at something of the lively past of their former owner. “They belonged to Ian Punton who played with the Passalaqua band in Guildford around the 1930s or 40s,” says Brian Owens who, along with Ken, is co-organiser of…
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Yards too hot?
Scorching temperatures brought animal welfare to the fore as Kyneton prepared for its annual weaner calf sale last Wednesday. Despite a forecast well above the mid-30s the sale proceeded with 1300 quality steer and heifer weaners yarded, which is typical practice according to Macedon Ranges Shire Council. “Sales are usually only cancelled if dangerous conditions…
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Don KR evacuated: Hazardous gas leak
About 250 workers at Castlemaine’s Don KR factory had to be evacuated from the factory late last Thursday night following a hazardous ammonia gas leak on site. Ammonia is used as an industrial refrigerant and the leak was understood to be due to an equipment breakdown. Once in volatile gas form ammonia may cause severe…
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Our fire bird
A Newham born and raised helicopter pilot was among the air attack team fighting a bushfire that broke out at Benloch last Tuesday. Amy Miller flew a Firebird 306 and said it felt good to help out around her home area. “I knew mum and dad’s place was fine because they’re on the other side…
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Set for sound: Newstead goes live
Newstead is a town in anticipation just days out from its biggest event of the year. The annual Newstead Live Music Festival is about to triple the town’s population over this Friday evening through to Monday throughout the Australia Day long weekend. And while there’s more at the racecourse reserve, camping at the town’s oval…
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Why so high?
Kyneton locals are fed up with their town’s three petrol stations consistently boasting some of the highest fuel prices in the state. Unleaded fuel was priced at about $1.40 a litre last week at the BP service station owned by Vantage Fuels, the Woolworths Caltex station and the independently owned Kuppers Fuel Stop, while prices…
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Parlez-vous Francais?
The hot, dry bushland of Walmer is a very long way from Canada’s French Quebec famed for its icy winter carnival. But you don’t have to chat to local French language tutor, Emma Dubuc, for long to see she loves the Aussie bushland she now calls home. Originally from Quebec City where French was her…