News
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A re-purpose focus
An op shop with a focus on funding local natural environment projects will open its doors in Castlemaine this Friday. Named The Good Op Shop, the not-for profit will be fittingly based at the Salvage Yard, with a re-use and re-purpose focus.“The Castlemaine community has been such a great supporter of both environmental action and…
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Hospitality hit hard
Labour market shortages and COVID uncertainty are placing strain on Macedon Ranges’ hospitality industry. Many have successfully pivoted to takeaway models during COVID lockdown periods but some have been forced into temporary closure and are struggling to keep staff.Those reliant on Melbourne and tourism trade have also taken a financial hit during last week’s state…
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International acclaim
Performances in short film recognised around the world Castlemaine resident John Flaus is well known to Australian audiences and has been appearing on our cinema and TV screens for more than 50 years (The Castle, Jack Irish, Lillian’s Story), but it is his recent performance in the short film Trust Frank that has earned him and his co-star international…
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Join the ‘Vacctorians’
Some Mount Alexander Shire councillors were among those lining up on Friday morning to get their COVID-19 jabs, joining the increasing number of people in the state who might now be called ‘Vacctorians’. Mount Alexander Shire’s deputy mayor Cr Bill Maltby and Tarrengower ward’s Cr Stephen Gardner were both anxious to get their first jab…
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VICTORIAN FIRST FOR WASTE
Mount Alexander Sustainability Group has secured DON Smallgoods in Castlemaine as the development site of a proposed multi-million dollar bioenergy facility. The planned project represents the first community led integrated waste-to-clean-energy initiative of its kind in Victoria.Confirming support, DON Smallgoods signed a term sheet covering energy off-take, waste supply and land to the north of…
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Grand plans for Clarkefield?
Developers have hatched a grand plan for the future of Clarkefield and yesterday began community consultation on their proposal. APD Projects is overseeing the proposed development of between 350 and 450 homes on 26 hectares of land in the town’s centre that would form the first stage of what its website describes as the “future…
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Top shot from firie
Chewton Fire Brigade volunteer Steve Womersley has been named runner-up in the annual CFA National Volunteer Week Photo Competition.Steve snapped a picture of fellow brigade members in smoke at a fireground. “It’s a photo of my mate Mouse (Barry Mounsey) who’s always got a keen eye for a dangerous tree,” Steve said.“A fire had broken…
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Welcomer of babies
For three decades Chris O’Higgins has welcomed newborn babies into the Kyneton and district community.The recently retired maternal and child health nurse has seen the children of babies she first met when she began in the role in 1990 but can’t imagine how many babies that overall figure would equate to. “New babies alone, every…
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Artist moved to mark history
Inspired by our report on the campaign to rename Hutton Street in Kyneton due to its namesake’s links to an Indigenous massacre in 1839, Woodend artist Dr Ray Hearn created a collage to acknowledge this history.In recognition of Reconciliation Week 2021, Hearn shared his work with us. “The collage deals with the Campaspe Downs massacre…
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Castlemaine supermarket plan heads to VCAT
A controversial planning permit application for a proposed Woolworths supermarket in Castlemaine’s Forest Street is headed to VCAT with a mediation session set for next month to be followed by a hearing in November. Lascorp Development Group, developers proposing plans for the site, lodged the application on April 1 citing failure by Mount Alexander Shire…
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Nature played ‘a trump card’ – Burn controller details what went wrong in Cobaw planned burn
The man at the centre of two planned burns that escaped control in the Cobaw Forest 12 years apart has spoken publicly for the first time about what went wrong. Lee Gleeson was the planner and controller of the most recent Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning burn that escaped its boundaries on Grand…
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Kyneton hotel fire leads to arrest
A Kyneton man has been arrested after three people were injured in a suspicious fire in the Newmarket Hotel at Kyneton.Fire broke out in the upper floor accommodation section of the hotel shortly before 7pm last Tuesday night. A triple zero call taker, hearing people coughing, immediately responded multiple CFA units and paramedics.Six guests were…