Latest
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Tower proposal ignites debate
Residents of Wesley Hill at Castlemaine are up in arms over proposed plans for the installation of a new Optus communications tower just a couple of hundred metres from nearby homes. The residents say it will be a ‘blight’ on the heritage landscape and will be visible as visitors drive into the gateway to Castlemaine.…
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Sisters get show-ready
Drummond North sisters Rhiannon, 12, Zoe, 10, and Sasha, 7, have been preparing for months for the cattle competition at November’s Kyneton Show. It will be the first time all three Hohnberg girls are old enough to enter the Junior Handler competition. “They live for it,” their mum Hannah said. “That’s all they talk about…
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It takes a village
Gisborne Leading Senior Constable Jason Azzopardi could not stand by as he saw the impact of issues like bullying, mental illness, substance abuse and family violence on youth in his community. To help young people avoid becoming victims or offenders, he created not-for-profit youth engagement program KidzFlip, and was recently recognised for his work as…
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World HQ for Kyneton
Australian luxury skincare brand Rationale has announced plans for a new $6 million world headquarters at Kyneton’s eastern gateway, opening in 2020. Envisioned by founder and director of Rationale, Richard Parker, the facility will serve as the epicentre of Rationale’s research, training, production, worldwide logistics and operations. “The picturesque townships in the pristine Macedon Ranges…
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Platypus project begins!
About 130 people gathered on the banks of the Campaspe River in Kyneton on Friday for the launch of the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network’s Platypus Project. With the sound of poddlebonk frogs calling from the river, they learnt from senior wildlife ecologist and platypus expert Josh Griffiths of EnviroDNA how they could be part of…
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Wages dispute standoff
Angry maintenance workers at Castlemaine’s Don KR factory site have taken industrial action and are threatening more, blaming the company for eroding their pay and conditions while ramping up productivity expectations at the site. On Friday about 70 maintenance workers including mechanical fitters, mechanical tradespersons and electricians joined a four-hour work stoppage and implemented an…
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Scene set for sculpture
The sort of vista that stops you in your tracks sets the scene for the well-anticipated Mica Grange Open Garden and Sculpture Exhibition that opens this weekend at Sutton Grange. Since Mica Grange owners Mary and Bede Gibson held their first such event some five years back, the annual attraction has become a must-do fixture…
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Fire closes High Street
High Street in Kyneton was closed to traffic for several hours last night and again early this morning while fire crews attended to a large shed fire. Kyneton firefighters happened to be at the station for a preseason briefing when they received the first callout at 6.45pm on Monday and were on scene within three…
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Fun on the farm
Experience food, wine, beer and craft from across the region at the Carlsruhe Fire Brigade’s Wine and Food Festival on Sunday, November 4, from 11am to 4pm. The event will highlight local producers as well as art, craft and variety stalls, and children’s activities. It will also feature performances by local musicians. The event will…
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Mine bid withdrawn
People power has halted controversial plans for a mining exploration licence in Macedon Ranges’ east. Comedian Tom Gleeson made clear the plans were no laughing matter in leading a petition to stop Perth-based mining company Macedon Resources from beginning rock chip sampling, mapping and low-impact drilling. The initial proposal was for a 234km2 exploration area…
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Taking care of the Coliban River
The long-term protection of one of the region’s most important waterways is at the centre of an innovative 20-year plan bringing together government agencies, councils and local communities. A Healthy Coliban Catchment focuses on the health of the Coliban River and its tributaries upstream of Malmsbury Reservoir. For the first time, Coliban Water, the North…
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Kyneton Men’s Shed opens its doors
The new Kyneton Men’s Shed officially opened its doors last week. The purpose-built facility, complete with a workshop, is a meeting place where men young and old can learn valuable skills, make connections and contribute to their community. Shed chair John Mitchell said the land offered by Bupa at 2 Riverwalk Boulevard had been a…