News
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Busy, busy, busy at new Romsey Co-op
The new Romsey Community Co-Op was officially opened on Saturday. An initiative of the Romsey Neighbourhood House, the strategically placed co-op shop serves multiple purposes, and is run entirely by volunteers. The exciting project has already received considerable support, and months of work and planning culminated in Saturday’s opening. Neighbourhood house coordinator and co-op manager…
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Creative residencies
Four local creatives have been given residency at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine as part of the 2020-21 At Home program. The Mount Alexander Shire Council program provides industry development opportunities for creatives through a three-week residency opportunity, artist fees and marketing and technical support. Alex Kelly and her Melbourne-based collaborator David Pledger will…
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Make an impact in Maldon
Ambulance Victoria is on the hunt for first responders to provide lifesaving care across the Maldon region. New team members are currently being sought to bolster Maldon’s Community Emergency Response Team team, which services Maldon, Nuggety, Welshmans Reef and surrounds. Maldon CERT trainer Kelli Jones said CERTs provided a vital service for rural communities. “Our…
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Brave young students sing
Twenty brave Kyneton Primary School students took a leap of faith to take part in a Victorian State School Spectacular performance of a very different kind this year. COVID meant that a live stage performance was not possible, so organisers scrambled to figure out an alternative to allow the talented kids to perform another way.…
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Stand taken on thongs
The humble thong has long been a classic of stereotyped iconic Aussie footwear, and from now on they’re also going to be smiled upon at Mount Alexander Shire’s citizenship ceremonies. Thongs, and their official positioning in the council’s Citizenship Dress Code Policy, came in for a splash of the spotlight at last week’s Mount Alexander…
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MYSTERY MANAGER Local groups miss out on claim to old school site
The old Kyneton Primary School will be transformed into an arts space for touring exhibitions thanks to a $12 million investment from the state government, but just who will manage the site is yet to be revealed. Three local community groups vying for management of the 1.2-hectare site – the Kyneton Town Square Co-op, Kyneton…
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Keeping watch on Mount Macedon
A new fire observer cabin has been installed on top of Mount Macedon. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning project officer, Andrew Johnstone, said the new cabin and access ladders replaced an older model and included improved safety features for the fire lookout observer. “The new cabin looks similar to the old one but…
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Hot rod stalwarts honoured
Castlemaine hot rod stalwarts Larry and Mary O’Toole have been recognised with a special ‘Legends’ award by the Australian Street Rod Federation. The founders of Graffiti Publications and creators of Australian Street Rodding magazine were awarded the honour by the ASRF National Control Council, the governing body for street rodding in Australia. It is understood…
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Running on high
With COVID putting an indefinite halt on big running challenges that typically attract throngs of keen contestants, a group of Castlemaine runners has set its own small group challenge. The keen local runners are heading off later this week to run about 100km through some of Victoria’s most breathtaking high country over three days. Castlemaine’s…
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Truck convoy returns!
In a tribute to the trucking industry of Australia and the people who have kept the wheels turning during an extraordinary year, the Castlemaine Rotary Club is conducting a ‘reverse’ truck convoy from Campbells Creek this Sunday. Truck Show coordinator Kerry Anderson said that while the local Rotary Club might not have been able to…
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Newstead Arts Hub returns
The Newstead Arts Hub is re-emerging from lockdown with a new look, a very special exhibition and a relaunch celebration event this Sunday. The Hub, which has been closed during lockdown, is a community creative space in a converted railway station that hosts exhibitions, events and workshops. The Hub has just launched new branding and…
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Global project heads to Castlemaine
Renowned French street artist JR is preparing to make his mark on Castlemaine, inviting Mount Alexander Shire residents to participate in a global large-format outdoor art project. The Inside Out Castlemaine project encourages locals to share a large black and white self-portrait photograph that makes a statement about who they are and what they stand…