News
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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…
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DOCTORS, NURSES NOT PROTECTED
Stress is mounting for medical professionals as they struggle to access basic personal protective equipment to face the coronavirus pandemic, including Macedon Ranges’ own. A local doctor, who did not wish to be identified, said supplies were shockingly low and healthcare workers were now resorting to desperate measures to feel safe in their work environment.…
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Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial to return
In March 2021, the creative capital of central Victoria, Kyneton, will be immersed in unexpected artforms for the second iteration of the Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial. Presented by local arts collective Kyneton Contemporary Inc., and taking place over nine days, KCAT (pronounced kay-CAT) celebrates the work of 11 contemporary Australian artists. The event’s theme is…
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Resurgence in home gardens
Dozens of free veggie seed starter packs are helping Macedon Ranges locals to become self-sufficient. The seed packs will improve the home-grown food supply and it’s just the beginning for the Woodend Seed Library, says its creator Kylie Swain. “Everyone has gone crazy for gardening and I think it’s amazing,” she said. The Woodend local…
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Stablemates tread the boards
Zulu and Sinatra are the envy of every horse paddock. It’s not often equine stars get the chance to shine on stage at the Sydney Opera House. The Newham stablemates threatened to steal the show as handsome steeds in Opera Australia’s ambitious production of Attila. Their commanding presence helped bring to life the legend of Attila…
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Grape help for hospitality workers
Fruit-picking is hard manual labour but Harcourt Valley Vineyard has seen a sudden influx of offers and is returning a favour with this year’s harvest. The team has offered this season’s remaining work to local hospitality staff facing an employment slump in the COVID-19 pandemic. Vineyard owner Kye Livingstone said hospitality was among the first…
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Impact and opportunity for VGR tourist railway
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the Victorian Goldfields Railway to suspend all of its advertised passenger service until the end of June. The VGR has also had to halt its project taking up the old disused main line track between Guildford and Castlemaine for recycling on part of its tourist line. “We’re not happy with…
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Local business offers smart response to crisis
Local businesses are finding innovative ways to adapt amid the current coronavirus restrictions. One such businesses is Castlemaine’s Mulberry’s Delicatessen, which has been quick to respond to the crisis by developing a new phone and email based ordering and home delivery service. The innovative new way of continuing to function rolled into action on Friday…
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Nature can help calm
We are lucky in this region to have beautiful parks and gardens full of glorious autumn colours to enjoy during this time of social isolation. With many of us feeling anxiety and fear getting out into nature can help calm us. Spending time outdoors has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, calm you, and…