News
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Anger over ‘brutal’ pruning in New Gisborne
Recent pruning of heritage trees to clear powerlines in New Gisborne’s main street has been described by angry residents as “brutal”. Local resident Ray Keane said the beautiful oaks and elms that lined Station Street were more than 100 years old. “We contacted Powercor and we met a couple of representatives on site and expressed…
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$50,000 boost for Etty St concept
The transformation of Castlemaine’s old Etty Street college campus has achieved a significant new milestone with Friday’s announcement of $50,000 in state funding toward a guiding master plan. The Etty Street Precinct concept is poised to transform the old Castlemaine Secondary College site into a unique community facility featuring a specialty vehicle training centre and…
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Preserving living history
Kyneton will celebrate a centenary of scouting in about 18 months’ time and thanks to the owners of S&K Signs, Simon and Kirsten Hinneberg, the local history of generations of Joeys, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers won’t be forgotten. “About a year ago, I noticed the honour board was suffering the test of time and together…
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Fatal train derailment – Castlemaine pilot one of two killed, 12 injured
V/Line drivers had refused to traverse a section of unmaintained track where a Castlemaine man died after an interstate train carrying 153 passengers derailed in Wallan last Thursday evening. Victoria Police has confirmed the 49-year-old was the train pilot and died alongside the train’s driver, a 54-year-old man from the Australian Capital Territory. The XPT…
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Seed library to sprout benefits
The Macedon Ranges community will reap the benefits from growing its own plants as a new initiative gets underway. The Macedon Ranges Seed Library will launch on March 7 in a bid to encourage locals to grow their own food supply and help to protect plant diversity in the region. The idea of the seed…
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GDCA celebrates a centenary
Gisborne District Cricket Association celebrated its centenary in style with a memorable gathering at Romsey on Sunday afternoon. The milestone was marked with 36 inductees into the new Hall of Fame to honour former players, administrators and umpires who had played prominent roles in the GDCA’s growth from humble beginnings into one of the strongest…
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‘REINSTATE THE RAILWAY’
Rail campaigners are calling for the Castlemaine-Guildford railway line to be reopened to trains as part of a vision to reinstate the rail connection linking Maryborough to Ballarat and the port of Geelong. Scott Ramsay, the prominent spokesperson for the Rail Revival Alliance, has renewed the call as the old and outdated track between Guildford…
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Shelter for staffies: Community foster care facility opens in Carlsruhe
Rescued staffordshire bull terriers now have a place to take shelter and recover in Carlsruhe. Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes cut the ribbon for a new community foster care facility last week, which was built with the support of community fundraising and a $50,000 Animal Welfare Grant. The facility is vital for the work to…
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New works to conserve old treasure
Vital works to conserve Castlemaine’s historic Buda House are to begin in coming days after the local attraction earlier secured a $120,000 state Living Heritage Program grant. Victoria’s planning minister Richard Wynne visited the grand old home and gardens late last week to announce that applications for the next round of Living Heritage Program grant…
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Protection plan launched
The state government’s long-awaited plan to protect the Macedon Ranges from overdevelopment and urban sprawl was launched during a tour of the region by planning minister Richard Wynne last Thursday. Joining Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, local indigenous elders and shire councillors at Blackhill Reserve, Mr Wynne launched the Statement of Planning Policy, a 50-year strategy…
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In Mark’s memory
The Maldon and district community has rallied around the family of the late Mark Brasser to make his final dream a reality. The proud family man and respected community member died suddenly at his Baringhup farm on January 8. Before his death, Mark was planning to take hay to fire-affected farmers in the High Country…
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Upper circle sitting pretty – Vintage 1930s seating restored at Theatre Royal
Taking a seat in the upper circle at Castlemaine’s historic Theatre Royal is acquiring a new significance. Seat by seat – row by row – the 150-year-old theatre’s vintage 1930s upper circle seating is gradually being restored to its former glory. Theatre managers Felicity Cripps and Tim Heath said they were amazed to discover 1930s…