News
-
Help for new parents
Castlemaine-based doula Elloise Moffatt has launched a free online parent group aimed to support first-time and new parents across the region. Elloise specialises in supporting parents with postpartum care and grappling with the challenges of feeding and caring for their newborn. The doula said the first few weeks could be enough of a challenge for…
-
Carbon neutral plan for council
Mount Alexander Shire Council has adopted a detailed plan outlining the path it now intends to follow to achieve zero net carbon emissions for its operations by 2025. Local councillors last week unanimously voted in favour of adopting the new Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025 with Cr John Nieman moving the motion in favour and…
-
‘Stakeholders’ call for new candidates
A group of ‘concerned local stakeholders’ who believe the potential of the Macedon Ranges “is being constrained by current regional decision makers” has put out a call for new council candidates. Placing a classifieds advertisement in the Midland Express last week, the group stated it was “dedicated to supporting new councillors to bring innovative ideas…
-
Dicko to the rescue
Electricity runs through Gordon Dickeson’s veins. The Powercor linesman has worked with live wires for 37 years and still to this day loves his job. Even in the depths of Kyneton’s winter, he’s one of that rare breed who looks forward to getting up and going to work. “I love it with a passion,” he…
-
Woodend designer builds new sustainable brand
Woodend designer Bree Cresp has combined her skill for dressmaking and passion for the environment to make a difference. Her new eco fashion label Get Conscious produces quality and quirky ethical clothing with sustainability at its core but it needs community support to launch. Bree has begun a Kickstarter campaign with a goal to raise…
-
Elections will go ahead
Local government elections will proceed on Saturday October 24, despite some concern they have been compromised by COVID-19. Last week, Municipal Association of Victoria president Coral Ross said it was “incredibly frustrating” that the State Government had not listened to the sector and taken the common-sense decision to delay elections. “We have been calling for…
-
Who will seek re-election?
Six of Macedon Ranges’ current nine councillors have confirmed they will seek re-election in October and one will bow out after serving 12 years. Roger Jukes, one of the longest serving current councillors, told the Express he would be “retiring from local government at this election” after chalking up three terms. “Although there is still…
-
FARM DECISION OVERTHROWN
Macedon Ranges Council’s decision to refuse farmland development for a small-scale farm venture at Woodend North has been overthrown by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The proposal sought to build a house and large shed on 6.2 hectares at 130 Russells Lane to support a speckle park cattle breeding pursuit with about 10 cows.…
-
Newstead’s solar farm plan
Plans for a small-scale solar farm, big enough to generate enough electricity for Newstead, have opened for public review. Renewable Newstead, the community group behind the plan for a solar farm of up to 10 megawatt, said the planning permit application was a great step towards its goal of delivering affordable and reliable renewable energy…
-
Conservation partnership blooms
Mountain Distilling has struck a partnership with conservation group ‘aTree’ with a shared vision to restore and protect Australia’s forests. The Mount Macedon distillery has commissioned a planting of more than 3000 native trees on dedicated conservation land in Victoria through the ‘aTree’ program, beginning this month. Linking with aTree, which launched in late 2019,…
-
‘Pay it forward’ balloons bring joy
Birthday parties may be out during the pandemic but one recurrent house guest has likely attended more celebrations in the Macedon Ranges than anyone at this time. A cheerful balloon garland has made its way to about seven children’s ‘iso’ birthdays and shows little sign of feeling flat as families continue to pass on the…
-
Marnie rises to the challenge
Woodend’s Marnie Thorsen is a ‘bloody legend’ in the eyes of the Mito Foundation. She has been named in the top 30 individual achievers for the Bloody Long Virtual Walk after raising more than $1700 for Australians living with mitochondrial disease. The event challenged participants to walk or run 35km during August 1-10 to raise…