News
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A win for conservation – National Park recommended for the Wombat Forest
A Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and Cobaw Conservation Park will be created if the state government accepts recommendations released by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council on Friday. Tasked by the state government to conduct a two-year investigation into the forests of central west Victoria, VEAC’s final recommendations aim to restore the health of the forests. They…
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A Victorian first
Up on the hill in Harcourt, local fruit growers Katie Finlay, Sas Allardice and Merv Carr have been busily working to form new venture Carr’s Organic Fruit Tree Nursery. Growing their own rootstocks from seed and cuttings and then later grafting and budding an array of delicious fruit varieties onto them, they are now ready…
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Surprise $3M for new station
Riddells Creek firefighters are elated with the guarantee of a new $3 million station by 2021. On Sunday, local MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced a surprise addition to the initial $950,000 promised in the Victorian Budget 2019/20 for refurbishments. Brigade captain Tom Morley said the change in scope was “amazing news” and aligned with future plans…
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Sustainability success
Kyneton Secondary College year eight science students and their teacher met in the dark last Thursday morning at Kyneton Railway Station to make the trip down to Melbourne for the Sustainability Victoria Resource Smart School Awards at the MCG. The excited students were finalists in the awards and were delighted to hear directly from Minister…
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MasterChef’s Rock backdrop
“There is nothing more iconic than a picnic at Hanging Rock,” said MasterChef judge Matt Preston as he welcomed the television show’s contestants to the Rock to film a team challenge episode. The teams were challenged to create picnic baskets for 200 guests for the episode featuring guest judge Maggie Beer, which aired last Wednesday…
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Solar farm debate heats up
Concerns about loss of quality farmland, fire risk and visual amenity are among those driving longtime locals to object to a $195 million solar farm proposed for Baringhup. A Planning Panels Victoria directions hearing held in Castlemaine on Thursday marked the start of a process to determine if the 75 Megawatt solar farm gets ministerial…
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Gleeson for Gold
The Midland Express is throwing its full support behind Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson in his bid for Gold at this year’s TV WEEK Logie Awards, and we’re asking our readers to do the same. The Romsey comedian and ABC TV host thinks it’s only right too, as the Macedon Ranges owes him a debt…
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EPA investigates waste discharges
The Environment Protection Authority has issued health warnings for residents and is investigating after Coliban Water began emergency discharges of Class C recycled wastewater from its Kyneton wastewater treatment plant to the Campaspe River last Friday. The releases will impact landowners along the river downstream of the plant who draw water for stock and domestic…
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Twilight market to help Doof
Doof is a dog with an unimaginably awful start to life. Believed to be half bull terrier, half great dane, he was most likely bred to become a pig dog by someone around northern Victoria way. He was kept in a cage and virtually starved. One day a neighbour to the property where he was…
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Veterans are appreciated
Appreciation and recognition of Defence Force veterans and their contributions to our country took place at the Gilbert Gordon Reserve in Woodend on Saturday. The Woodend-Hesket versus Riddell senior football match and accompanying ceremonies and speeches celebrated current and former district defence personnel and their service to the nation in a local sporting environment. The…
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There’s no place like Kyneton
The fictional land of Oz took new shape in a unique modern-day retelling for Kyneton Secondary College’s latest stage production, with a notable Australian actor and teacher at the helm. Directing this year’s year nine and 10 production was Kenneth Radley who imparted his knowledge and stagecraft to students from many successful years in film…
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Richly deserved
Castlemaine resident and respected beekeeper Eileen McDonald has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Mount Alexander Shire, and to apiculture. The mother of six and passionate apiarist said she was shocked and a little embarrassed when she first got news of the award. “Being named the…