News
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Celebrating our differences
Today is the International Day of People with Disability. Mount Alexander Shire Disability Action Group chair Lorraine Le Plastrier said one in five Australians lived with a disability and 90 per cent of those lived with an invisible disability. “The theme of this year’s International Day of People with Disability is ‘not all disabilities are…
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Taking a stand against gender-based violence
Three local primary schools are making a pledge to be proactive in the prevention of family violence and the promotion of respectful and positive relationships. To mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, and as part of the Lancefield Romsey Stand Together Campaign, teachers at Lancefield Primary, St Mary’s and Romsey Primary…
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Respect women: call it out
Macedon Ranges Family Violence Network held its International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women event at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute grasslands last week. The event included guest speakers, a flash-mob dance and a moving vigil acknowledging the 45 women and 11 children who have died this year in Australia as a result of family…
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EV tax slammed
With the first of the region’s new electric vehicle fast charge stations to roll out at Maryborough within days, advocates are slamming the state government’s proposed new tax slug on EV road users. “Electric vehicles currently make up only one per cent of vehicles on our roads so it’s far too early to disincentivise their…
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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…