News

  • Libraries bring us together

    Libraries bring us together

    How do public libraries fight racism? Can you be addicted to books? What’s it really like to be a librarian? The new Castlemaine-made podcast and radio series, Meet Me at the Library, aims to find out. Hosted and produced by Anne-Marie Middlemast, each episode takes listeners inside our local libraries to find out how these…

  • Securing the future of local news

    Securing the future of local news

    Newspaper readers across central Victoria are being urged to have their say on the future of country media in Australia’s biggest survey on local news. The survey, launched nationally this week, is part of the largest study of its kind in Australia, running for three years with almost $250,000 backing from the Australian Research Council,…

  • Plans shaping up for Romsey Ecotherapy Park

    Plans shaping up for Romsey Ecotherapy Park

    Detailed design planning for stage 2 of Romsey Ecotherapy Park is under way, with construction scheduled to start next year. Stage 2 of the master plan will deliver a sensory therapeutic space and an arts/culture open space for people of all ages and abilities. Macedon Ranges Council is working in partnership with the community group…

  • Rationale breaks ground at Kyneton

    Rationale breaks ground at Kyneton

    Australian luxury skincare leader Rationale has broken ground on its global headquarters in Kyneton. Last month, Rationale’s founder Richard Parker, CEO Shamini Rajarethnam and company representatives met with construction company Fairbrother’s general manager Michael Josey and team at the High Street site for the ceremonial breaking of ground. The new global headquarters will see the…

  • Show tickets up for grabs

    Show tickets up for grabs

    Would you usually be busy preparing your craft or your cattle, selecting a fine wool fleece or cultivating your prize-winning rhubarb to enter in the Kyneton Show? Does your family count down to the carnival or is Show Day your favourite? With COVID restrictions forcing the rescheduling of this month’s show, the Kyneton Agricultural Society…

  • Artisan cheesemaker takes first bite of trade

    Artisan cheesemaker takes first bite of trade

    There was plenty of cause for big cheesy grins as Castlemaine’s new artisan cheesemaker savoured its first bite of retail trade on Friday. Over the past few months, Long Paddock Cheese has been established at The Mill, Castlemaine, by the passionate partnership team with Cheese Full Circle Pty Ltd. The new venture features an artisan…

  • Hollywood comes to the Ranges

    Hollywood comes to the Ranges

    Liam Neeson’s new Hollywood action film will feature a slice of the Macedon Ranges. Works began last week to temporarily transform Macedon Reservoir for the $43 million film Blacklight, which is written, directed and produced by Ozark co-creator Mark Williams. Three days of filming will take place this week for the film that has been…

  • Cultural farming venture for Harcourt

    Cultural farming venture for Harcourt

    Work has begun to establish an Indigenous Bush Tucker Farm at Harcourt. “I’m confident to say we’ll probably get going just before Christmas,” local Dja Dja Wurrung man, Harley Douglas said. Mr Douglas is shouldering the role of farm manager, while Castlemaine-based Gunditjmara person Claire Barker will be garden manager and says they’re particularly looking…

  • Justice system reform needed

    Justice system reform needed

    John Herron has been left devastated by a criminal justice system he believes is failing in its primary duty to protect the community. The Riddells Creek resident and Gisborne lawyer has vowed to campaign for increased protection for the community and adequate monitoring of violent offenders following the murder of his daughter, Courtney, in a…

  • Advocate speaks for dual naming

    Advocate speaks for dual naming

    Well-known Castlemaine Aboriginal rights activist Vic Say has spoken out in favour of place-naming measures to acknowledge the region’s Indigenous history. Mr Say has been working to achieve greater appreciation of the region’s Indigenous history for years and said he was prompted to speak out by the recent public stand taken by Kyneton resident Harry…

  • ELECTION ON A KNIFE-EDGE

    ELECTION ON A KNIFE-EDGE

    The local government election rested on a knife-edge in two of Macedon Ranges’ three wards, with first preference numbers too close to call and results determined by preferences. Annette Death swept to victory early in East Ward heralding a strong desire for Riddell representation, the first of just two candidates to achieve the required quota…

  • Jo to make strides

    Jo to make strides

    Kyneton local Jo Hudgson will hit the tracks this month to walk 100 kilometres in support of stroke survivors like her own mother Maureen Green. She is stepping up for Stride4Stroke, which encourages people to get moving to reduce their risk of stroke and raise funds for vital Stroke Foundation programs. At 85 years old,…