News
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Offer on Hanging Rock’s East Paddock
Macedon Ranges Council discussed the future of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock behind closed doors on Friday. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning made an offer to purchase the council-owned site which is adjacent to the iconic landmark. The offer was listed on the agenda for the council’s special meeting last week but councillors…
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HELPING BATTLERS
Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel has teamed up with local businesses to offer free meals to those doing it tough during the coronavirus crisis as part of its ‘Trooper Tuesdays’ initiative. The Bridge recently introduced a pub meal takeaway and home delivery service to enable them to keep their chefs and kitchenhand employed during the pandemic closure…
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Inspirational and dynamic
AFL Women’s best and fairest winner Maddy Prespakis is a shining example to a cavalcade of juniors players — both girls and boys — on how you can reach the pinnacle in your chosen sport. A high level of natural ability is a good start, but dedication, application and opportunity all play a part. It’s…
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Join the fun at Mondo Lounge
Friday afternoons look a little different for young people at the moment so Mount Alexander Shire Council’s youth initiative Mondo Lounge has moved online. Mondo Lounge is mixing things up with approved social distancing activities, including a virtual dance lesson! People aged 12 to 25 years are invited to join a free online hip-hop dance…
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A budding horticulturist
A Macedon Ranges flower show has been the seed of inspiration for young green-thumb Bethany Thompson. The nine-year-old scooped prizes in both senior and junior sections of this year’s Mount Macedon Autumn Flower Show and dreams to open her own market garden and café. The Newham youngster impressed judges to win Grand Champion Rose for…
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The Royal experience – at home!
Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal had been hosting a series of monthly popup screenings in the lead up to the 2020 Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival. Organisers had planned to show another wonderful film, the aptly titled – The Show Must Go On, later this week. And the show must go on! But it will be a virtual Theatre…
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Malmsbury in isolation
Malmsbury photographer Adam Brentnall has embarked on a project to document this never-before-experienced pandemic lockdown on his community. Faced with the prospect of the majority of his work having been essentially wiped out due to social distancing rules and the number of people able to congregate in one place at one time, Adam was suddenly…
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Help keep VGR on track
Like the rest of the world, the Victorian Goldfields Railway has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Society has had to stop running public services and is not sure when it will get permission to resume. However, the wonderful team of dedicated volunteers has not been sitting idle, it…
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A date with destiny
Big weddings are out during the coronavirus pandemic, so Macedon Ranges newlyweds Fernada and Raymond DeMack found a new way to reach their 300-plus guest list on Saturday. Chairs were empty as they said their vows at Sunbury Baptist Church but cameras captured and livestreamed every moment to friends and family. All understood the significance…
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Treetop rescue – Wildlife carers urge responsible dog ownership
A young koala’s brush with death in a canine encounter at Mount Macedon has wildlife carers urging responsible dog ownership. The koala, Amigo, suffered deep puncture wounds and severe bruising after he was attacked on Tucketts Road on Easter Saturday. Fast on the scene, Macedon Ranges Wildlife Rescue’s Sue Anderson and Mel Fraser made efforts…
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Solidarity in times of crisis
It may seem a very long time ago now that Australia was shocked by the devastation of the summer’s bushfires, but the kindness and solidarity shown during that crisis continues in our communities today. During the bushfire crisis the team from Harcourt Valley Winery wanted to do its bit to help raise much-needed funds for…
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Trees desecrated at Ravenswood
Residents of Soldier Road at Ravenswood contacted the Express last week angered at the desecration of a number of mature eucalypt trees on a local roadside. The furious residents said someone had taken it upon themselves to cut down four of the 30-foot trees on the picturesque roadside for firewood. The perpetrator has also reportedly ‘ring-barked’…