News
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Film to fill a cultural void
Barfold will become the backdrop for a film that seeks to change the portrayal of Chinese-Australians on screen. Fire Rabbit is the simple story of two brothers foraging for food in the Australian bush but explores complex familial and cultural relationships, in a 1939 setting. “The importance of telling this story is that there’s quite…
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Significant signing for new hot rodding centre at Castlemaine
It was no ordinary, everyday lease that was signed on site at Castlemaine’s old Etty Street secondary college campus late last week. With a flourish of pens and several speeches, Workspace Australia Ltd and the Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre signed a lease with Mount Alexander Shire Council paving the way for development of the site…
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Brigades battle burn-offs
Fire brigades across the region have been kept busy bringing escaped fires under control over the past fortnight. In one incident last Friday morning, a contract slasher working to create a fire break sparked a grassfire at Baringhup when the equipment struck granite. Baringhup Fire Brigade captain Brendan McKnight said striking granite was almost 100…
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Class act: Granite Hills secures two trophies at Vic Wine Show
Granite Hills Winery is celebrating a double-trophy victory and nine-medal win at the Victorian Wine Show. The Baynton winery was awarded Best Riesling in the state for its 2018 ‘1971 Block’ Riesling and was also secured the title of Best Small Producer exhibitor. Owner and winemaker Llew Knight said the win was “reassuring that the…
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A conversation can save a life
Melanie Jorgensen is starting the conversation. She is making it her mission to encourage talk around mental health, after losing her 15-year-old son Lachlan to suicide in October 2017. Described as “a lover of all things sport”, Lachlan was a national 400-metre sprinter and talented footballer who had battled depression and anxiety for more than…
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A daughter in danger: Alicia Little’s family calls for offenders national database
The most dangerous time for a woman experiencing domestic violence is when she tries to leave her abusive partner. In December 2017, Kyneton woman Alicia Little was attempting to do just that when she was struck down and killed by a vehicle driven by her fiancé, Charles Evans. The mother-of-four died from “catastrophic injuries”. Evans…
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Kyneton Show shines with record crowds
Organisers have declared the 159th Kyneton Show an enormous success with perfect spring weather on Show Day setting new attendance records. Kyneton Agricultural Society secretary Josephine Rutledge said more than 5800 people went through the gates over the two days, well up on the 5000 last year. She said the country-styled parkour obstacle course was…
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Gisborne firies let their mo’s go
Things are getting hairy at Gisborne Fire Station. Brigade members are ‘letting their mo’s go’ this month to raise funds and awareness for men’s health as part of Movember. In a first-time team effort, Lieutenant Bevan Moody said the brigade had a target to reach $1000 by the end of the of month and were…
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Stable star in top form
Robert Linnell describes himself as Riddells Creek’s only horse trainer, and he’s really pleased with the recent purple patch of form shown by stable star Keep The Magic. It’s often hard to win a race, but the well bred nine year-old chalked up three successive victories – starting at long odds each time – before…
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River in poor health: enviro students concerned about Campaspe
The plight of the Campaspe River has captured the attention of a group of year 11 environmental science students whose water sampling has raised concerns about the health of the waterway. The Sacred Heart College students have been following the issue of Coliban Water’s releases of wastewater from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant to the…
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Kyneton’s new hub for Macedon Ranges creators
Kyneton will bolster its reputation as a hub for creators with a new exhibition expected to regularly showcase the wares of artisans in the Macedon Ranges. While the town may have farewelled the popular Lost Trades Fair earlier this year, Drummond furniture designer and woodwork instructor Phoebe Everill aims to introduce the new platform for…
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Fanny Finch grave to be marked
For many long years the grave of Fanny Finch, first woman ever known to have voted in Australia, has lain unmarked at Castlemaine Cemetery following her untimely death in 1863. But now, thanks to a state government grant, the resting site of this fascinating local figure in Australia’s political history is soon to be marked…