News
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Events play a role in recovery
Events will play an important role in Macedon Ranges’ economic recovery from the impacts of coronavirus, according to the draft Macedon Ranges Event Strategy 2020-25. The strategy suggests establishing ‘signature events’ of state or national interest and support for events that promote the shire’s ‘brand strengths’ such as arts, culture, nature and produce. It also…
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A toast to Karens
For the first time in their lives, middle-aged Karens are in the spotlight, for all the wrong reasons. They’ve gone about their own business for the past five decades, under the radar, with little or no interest in them … living their lives, pursuing their careers, raising their children. Now, all of a sudden, Karens…
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Teen’s generous donation
Demand for Piper Spaltman’s handmade face masks in Gisborne is high and with good reason. The 14-year-old last week donated $1000 from their sales to Gisborne Foodbank, which helps locals put food on the table in hard times. With the need higher than ever, Piper donated 30 per cent of her face mask sales, which…
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‘Miner must stay’
Castlemaine residents have raised concerns about potential plans to move the iconic gold miner monument at the entrance to town to pave the way for traffic lights. The plan to investigate moving the monument and water feature from the Forest Street roundabout is muted as a ‘low priority’ in Mount Alexander Shire Council’s recently adopted…
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Married and buried in the age of COVID
It’s a tough time to need a funeral or to want to get married. But local celebrants say that despite COVID-19 restrictions it’s still possible to mark these important life ceremonies – particularly using technology. Under Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions, weddings are now limited to just five people including the religious minister, priest or celebrant presiding,…
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Library lovers panic borrow
Forget panic buying toilet paper – panic book borrowing was higher on the agenda for many as libraries state-wide prepared for their second COVID-19 shutdown last week. Libraries were inundated with bookworms hoping to take home a tall enough pile of reading material to keep them occupied during the service’s six-week closure. Goldfields Library Corporation…
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Property to be sold to recoup rates
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has resorted to drastic measures to recoup unpaid rates of more than 10 years on a residential Gisborne property. As a last resort, the council has gained authority to sell or transfer the property at 103 Sheedy Road under Section 181 of the Local Government Act 2020. John Hausler, council’s director…
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Woodend wildlife op shop opens
A new op shop has opened in Woodend to provide much-needed financial support for our regional wildlife rescue and shelter services. Woodend local Sandy Howe has opened Wildlife Shelters Op Shop, at 42 Urquhart Street, after years of wanting to do more to help protect our native wildlife. Having worked for the neighbouring Salvos Store…
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ADF assists at Kyneton testing clinic
Six members of the Australian Defence Force have been deployed to help assist nursing staff at Kyneton Health’s COVID-19 screening clinic. The Respiratory Assessment Clinic at Kyneton Health is one of two clinics operated by Central Highlands Rural Health. The other clinic is in Daylesford. Since opening at the beginning of April, Kyneton Health’s Respiratory…
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Employees rise to the challenge
The aged-care workforce in Australia is made up of more than 360,000 people working in nursing, personal care, allied health, catering, cleaning, leisure, administration, maintenance and more to contribute to the care and wellbeing of older people. RM Begg Kyneton Aged Care will celebrate these dedicated team members on Aged Care Employee Day on August…
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Capturing life in the time of coronavirus
Trentham photographer Sandy Scheltema is thrilled to be successful in her Sustaining Creative Workers grant application, part of the Victorian Government’s survival package for the state’s creative sector. Funding from Creative Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria will help her work on her photographic series ‘Life in The Time of Corona Virus in Central Victoria’. The…
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Beanies make Gisborne No. 1
Gisborne Football Netball Club and its affiliates have raised $88,880 this year for FightMND Big Freeze 6, by far the largest amount by any community fundraising group. “As a club, as a community, we are only too pleased to support FightMND and the battle against the deadly disease,” Gisborne FNC president John Wood said at…