News
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Foodbanks meet changing needs
Foodbanks in Kyneton and Gisborne are preparing to meet the changing needs of Macedon Ranges locals amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kyneton Caring Community’s Kerryn Wildenburg said the Kyneton foodbank experienced a spike at the end of March as many workers were stood down and unable to access basic necessities. Ms Wildenburg anticipates more people will…
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Community pantry up and running
Local volunteers, community groups and organisations are working together to provide food relief for residents in need in Mount Alexander Shire. The newly created Mount Alexander Community Pantry is a centrally coordinated food relief system that aims to provide assistance in the absence of a local foodbank. Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick said everyone…
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Ready to tackle the crisis
An army of volunteers has been working behind the scenes to sew gowns, caps and masks for Castlemaine doctors to ensure they are well protected and ready to tackle the coronavirus crisis. A grateful Dr Richard Mayes and Dr Dominic Blanks of Castlemaine’s Lyttleton Street Clinic described it as a “massive effort”. “We have had…
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VCE and VCAL continue online
Senior secondary students are preparing for major changes to their education as schools switch to online teaching platforms this term amid state-wide coronavirus precautions. Victorian Certificate of Education students will still receive an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank score, but there will be several changes to the academic timetable including rescheduled tests, exams and assessments. The…
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New kind of school
School may look different this term but Sacred Heart College at Kyneton is encouraging staff and students to inject fun into their new online learning experience. Principal Dr Darren Egberts said staff had worked hard over the past four to six weeks to prepare for remote schooling from home amid state-wide coronavirus precautions. “A variety…
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Coronavirus update for Victoria
The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1291 – an increase of 10 from yesterday, as testing for the virus expands in Victoria. There were no new deaths reported yesterday. To date, 14 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. The total number of cases is made up of 672 men and…
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Good Friday Appeal online not on foot
For more than 40 years, CFA brigades in the Mount Macedon and Mount Alexander regions have been collecting for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, and in that time they have collected many millions of dollars. However, this year, due to the virus, things have had to change. Traditionally, brigades have used the Good…
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Never lonely with letters
Cheerful letters, drawings and paintings have been making their way to elderly residents across the Macedon Ranges to help them stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. It is the result of a Kyneton-born pen pal project that coordinator Katy Condliffe said had a simple aim: “to bring some joy, happiness and love to our older…
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Aged care residents keep in touch with outside world
The residents of RM Begg Kyneton Aged Care may currently be in lockdown but the staff are making sure they still have contact with the outside world. No visitors are permitted but residents continue to be connected with their family and friends via email, face time, phone calls, letters and social media. Families also have…
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Coronavirus update for Victoria
The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1191 – an increase of 33 from yesterday. Yesterday a woman in her 80s died in hospital, taking the number of people who have died in Victoria from coronavirus to 11, as new measures come into force from tonight to further slow the spread. The…
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Gain solace from gardening
Sandy Scheltema In these extraordinary times when we must stay at home and cancel everything except our commitment to our common humanity, many of us are finding solace in growing food. To dig the soil, plant seeds, tend to and nurture a garden can bring great joy and calmness, and seeing something growing from what…
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Rethink on discharge to Deep Creek at Romsey
Landcarers have welcomed Western Water’s rethink on a planned discharge of Class B recycled water into Deep Creek at Romsey. Deep Creek Landcare’s Robin Ford said members were optimistic to see the water authority explore alternatives to its proposal last August. Western Water had signalled its intent to release 300 megalitres of excess wastewater over…