News

  • Kind-hearted generosity

    Kind-hearted generosity

    We only have to witness the trials and tribulations leading up to the belated 2020 Olympics in Tokyo to realise that even a big budget and teams of people cannot guarantee a successful event in these challenging times. But that didn’t deter the kind-hearted ‘good sports’ that surround Kyneton’s not-for-profit, community-owned aged care facility RM…

  • Postie pilgrimage

    Postie pilgrimage

    They’re not hitting the road for a mail run, but these Australian ‘postie bikes’ are destined to deliver a different kind of message. The Postie Bike Pilgrimage is raising funds and awareness for the Cancer Council in a trip from Bannockburn to Warrnambool, via The Great Ocean Road. Kyneton organiser Callum Leemon said the pilgrimage…

  • Festival flexible

    Festival flexible

    Even a small setback won’t deter the Woodend Winter Arts Festival from this weekend’s performances. With the past few weeks being rather tumultuous, anyone would forgive the festival crew if they decided to pack their bags and go home!But, not to be beaten, the committee has vowed to bring the program to Woodend and cope…

  • Oarsome Olympic effort

    Oarsome Olympic effort

    Water sport was never on the horizon for a young Ria Thompson growing up in Woodend.But that didn’t stop the now 23-year-old from scoring a bronze medal in her Olympic debut in Tokyo last week. Together with her rowing crewmates, Harriet Hudson, Caitlin Cronin and Rowena Meredith, Thompson secured a podium position by powering from…

  • Farmer wants a home

    Farmer wants a home

    A Malmsbury cattle farmer is fighting to make his shed turned ‘man-cave’ into a legal residence. Travis Bruni is seeking permanent residence to farm a purebred Angus and Hereford breeding herd and fodder production.He said his shed at the Youngs Road property gradually evolved into a residence over 18 months as he found increased presence…

  • Schwass to speak

    Schwass to speak

    Since retiring from Aussie Rules football in 2002, Wayne Schwass has been a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, and became one of the first footballers to speak openly about his experience with depression.At a special online Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing event hosted by Sacred Heart College, Wayne will share insight into his passion…

  • A hunt for the haunted

    A hunt for the haunted

    Many people would keep their distance from haunted buildings but Dolly Adamson is seeking them out.The Kyneton paranormal investigator is eager to explore the region’s most haunted venues and is searching for her next location. “There are many old buildings in the Macedon Ranges and Goldfields area that I’d love to investigate because it’s got…

  • The Last Days of Loneliness to premiere in Castlemaine

    The Last Days of Loneliness to premiere in Castlemaine

    Set to premiere at Castlemaine’s Northern Arts Hotel on August 1, the latest film by Aussie filmmaker Saidin Salkic co-stars Castlemaine resident John Flaus.The Last Days of Loneliness was also partly shot in Castlemaine.The 51-minute arthouse feature film deals with enduring themes of loneliness, the need for human connection and mortality. “It’s a narrative feature film…

  • Reimagined, rescheduled

    Reimagined, rescheduled

    Part Three of this year’s reimagined/rescheduled/reconstructed Woodend Winter Arts Festival is planned for August 7 and 8, pending outcomes of lockdown of course! A successful July event weekend has spurred the committee on in their determination to bring the arts to the region, and support artists.The back-up plan if that weekend can’t go ahead will…

  • Vaccine confidence booster

    Vaccine confidence booster

    As demand to get the jab at Castlemaine Health’s coronavirus vaccination clinics has continued to grow in recent days, so too has confidence in vaccine supply say frontline health professionals administering the local rollout. While it’s been hard to miss the national criticism around the federal government’s role in facilitating adequate supply of – particularly…

  • Push to get tram back on track

    Push to get tram back on track

    A fundraiser has launched to get one of Lauriston’s most unique stays back on track after it was destroyed in the severe June storms.The refurbished 1920s W-Class tram was a popular bed and breakfast before a tree crashed through its roof on June 9.The tram was just a shell with broken windows when Angela Henley…

  • C-DOC this weekend

    C-DOC this weekend

    The 2021 Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival is going ahead this weekend … online.The festival will see eight incredible films screened over two big days on Saturday and Sunday. C-DOC festival chair Claire Jager said organisers were ready to go ahead online with 48 hours to view.“We are now the festival you can participate in when…