News
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Urgent calls for more police
Romsey’s Thrifty-Link Hardware has had five break-ins in eight months and owner Nick Waldhauser has reached breaking point, desperately calling for more police resources. Last week offenders caused business losses of $40,000 including damage and stolen goods. “When this has happened five times, how long will it take until we’re no longer here as a…
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This ole house …
For many restoring a dilapidated house solo on a budget of practically nothing could be a headache. But for Castlemaine’s Cr Max Lesser it’s become a creative challenge and one he’s relishing since taking on the job to convert a degraded house at Harcourt’s Victoria Road entryway into something to catch the public eye. “I…
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Blow-out: council awards play space contract
A desire not to water down the grand plan for Castlemaine’s new Victory Park play space has prompted Mount Alexander Shire Council to vote in favour of awarding a $455,793 contract to build it despite a significant budget blow-out. The new play space for the well-used local park had been estimated to cost $326,000 with…
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Fun of the fair
Thousands travelled to the historic township of Maldon for the 142nd Maldon Easter Fair last weekend. The five days of festivities included a scone bake, torchlight procession, billy cart races and Dancing in the Streets event on Saturday evening. The fair was capped off with the spectacle of the grand parade on Easter Monday. The…
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Contaminated water fear for Campaspe River landowners
Landowners along the Campaspe River downstream from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant fear they may have been drawing contaminated water from the river for the past decade. Unusually high stock deaths in recent years and the disappearance of aquatic wildlife have led landowners like Huntly Barton to demand answers from Coliban Water in relation to…
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Ditch deadly netting
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network is urging locals to ditch deadly fruit netting in order to protect threatened species. The network recently responded to three separate call-outs over 48 hours for two flying foxes and a goshawk that were entangled in netting. While all three rescues had positive end outcomes, that is not always the case,…
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MCG a showpiece
Malmsbury Cricket Ground has become a showpiece among sporting grounds in the Macedon Ranges at the completion of a $150,000 upgrade. Minister for Sport Martin Pakula and local MP Mary-Anne Thomas joined club members and locals to celebrate the leap forward for the ground which features the only turf wicket in the entire Gisborne District…
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Revved and ready
Lovers of British motorbikes are revved and ready for this Anzac weekend’s All British bike rally that brings hundreds of classic British motorcycles cruising through Mount Alexander Shire. Among those itching to get two wheels on the road are local Mount Alexander Shire councillor Dave Petrusma who is quite a fan of the British breed…
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Chloe’s number one
Kyneton’s Chloe Stewart has achieved a burning ambition to reach the pinnacle in her chosen sport of lawn bowls, with Bowls Australia confirming her number one nation-wide women’s ranking at the beginning of April. The 23 year-old star has rocketed up the rankings in recent months, and has 254 ranking points, replacing Tasmanian Rebecca Van…
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Gisborne gas leak
A gas main ruptured during excavation works in Gisborne yesterday morning shut the area down for four hours. Brantome street was closed off between Hamilton and Fisher streets while Riddells Creek and Gisborne fire brigades worked to make the area safe. Residents and shop owners in the direct path of the vapour cloud were briefed…
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Quad Fit making good times roll
For some exercising conjures images of pain and puffing. Then there’s others, like Castlemaine’s Jo Christy for whom keeping fit is so much fun she doesn’t want to stop. About five years ago Jo started Castlemaine Quad Fit, a fun aerobic workout done to music – with a twist. It’s all done on wheels –…
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Young achievers celebrated
Victorian Youth Week and the school holidays kicked off in style on Friday with a Youth Festival in Castlemaine’s Victory Park celebrating the achievements of young people in our community. The Mount Alexander Shire Youth Festival saw community members enjoy a range of fun activities including tie-dying, a Young Makers Market, live entertainment from young…