Local News
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Coronavirus testing ramps up with new sites opening in Kyneton and Daylesford
Coronavirus testing is ramping up across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shire regions, with testing now available at Kyneton District Health, and a testing location soon to be established at Daylesford Community Health Centre. This follows an announcement from the Victorian Government of a major testing blitz across the state to better understand how the…
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Health facility completed
A year since works first began on the Caroline Chisholm Drive site, Cobaw Community Health’s new Kyneton home has now been completed. The purpose-built new facility, made possible by a $9.7M grant from the Victorian Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, will replace Cobaw’s main office at 47 High Street. “This vital part of local infrastructure…
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Constant interruption to ADSL internet
Residents of Ashbourne and Woodend are struggling to work and study from home during lockdown with constant interruption to their old technology ADSL internet service. Congestion on the Mount Macedon mobile tower that services the district has impacted mobile data use, especially in the outlying area to the east and south-east of Woodend. Some residents…
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Council bid for old school site
Macedon Ranges Council will make a bid to take over part of the vacated former Kyneton Primary School site. The proposal comes as the state government moves to find an organisation or group to manage and use part or all of the 1.2 hectares of land on Baynton Street by calling for expressions of interest…
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Offer on Hanging Rock’s East Paddock
Macedon Ranges Council discussed the future of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock behind closed doors on Friday. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning made an offer to purchase the council-owned site which is adjacent to the iconic landmark. The offer was listed on the agenda for the council’s special meeting last week but councillors…
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HELPING BATTLERS
Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel has teamed up with local businesses to offer free meals to those doing it tough during the coronavirus crisis as part of its ‘Trooper Tuesdays’ initiative. The Bridge recently introduced a pub meal takeaway and home delivery service to enable them to keep their chefs and kitchenhand employed during the pandemic closure…
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Inspirational and dynamic
AFL Women’s best and fairest winner Maddy Prespakis is a shining example to a cavalcade of juniors players — both girls and boys — on how you can reach the pinnacle in your chosen sport. A high level of natural ability is a good start, but dedication, application and opportunity all play a part. It’s…
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Join the fun at Mondo Lounge
Friday afternoons look a little different for young people at the moment so Mount Alexander Shire Council’s youth initiative Mondo Lounge has moved online. Mondo Lounge is mixing things up with approved social distancing activities, including a virtual dance lesson! People aged 12 to 25 years are invited to join a free online hip-hop dance…
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A budding horticulturist
A Macedon Ranges flower show has been the seed of inspiration for young green-thumb Bethany Thompson. The nine-year-old scooped prizes in both senior and junior sections of this year’s Mount Macedon Autumn Flower Show and dreams to open her own market garden and café. The Newham youngster impressed judges to win Grand Champion Rose for…
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Malmsbury in isolation
Malmsbury photographer Adam Brentnall has embarked on a project to document this never-before-experienced pandemic lockdown on his community. Faced with the prospect of the majority of his work having been essentially wiped out due to social distancing rules and the number of people able to congregate in one place at one time, Adam was suddenly…
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Help keep VGR on track
Like the rest of the world, the Victorian Goldfields Railway has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Society has had to stop running public services and is not sure when it will get permission to resume. However, the wonderful team of dedicated volunteers has not been sitting idle, it…
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A date with destiny
Big weddings are out during the coronavirus pandemic, so Macedon Ranges newlyweds Fernada and Raymond DeMack found a new way to reach their 300-plus guest list on Saturday. Chairs were empty as they said their vows at Sunbury Baptist Church but cameras captured and livestreamed every moment to friends and family. All understood the significance…