News
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Fair not lost to the Ranges
Macedon Ranges has secured the return of one of the region’s most unique events for 2026: The Lost Trades Fair. Hanging Rock will be the backdrop for the event, which celebrates craftsmanship, skilled manual work, decorative arts, heritage crafts, rare trades and generational knowledge. Lost Trades Fair founders, Lisa and Glen Rundell, are thrilled to…
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Joey drowns, mother euthanised
A female kangaroo has been euthanised and its joey has drowned after the two became trapped in the Coliban Water Channel near Elphinstone. Wildlife rescuer Ian Slattery attended the incident and said the female kangaroo was found lying in two feet of water with a ripped patella, “a death sentence for kangaroos”, while its joey…
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Call for caution after battery fire
Firefighters battled a shed fire in Maldon last Monday, managing to contain the blaze before it spread to a nearby house. The fire, which was believed to have started in a stand-alone battery pack stored in the shed, broke out at 4pm at a residence on Maldon-Newstead Road. Firefighters from 11 CFA units worked together…
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Plans to drop road speeds
Plans to reduce speed limits in core business and activity areas of Kyneton, Woodend and Riddells Creek for are now out for public comment. The three town proposals aim to improve safety and most proposals are to reduce speeds to 40km/h. The plan is fully funded through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Street…
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Farmers under pressure
Fourth generation Gisborne sheep farmer Tom Neal could be the last in his family to work the land. He doesn’t like to think that but admits it’s a possibility he faces as more and more challenges emerge for Victorian farmers. After months of drought and dry conditions across most of the state, the latest obstacle…
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Builders try to burn a house
Two builders renovating a house set light to a toxic bonfire in Carlsruhe last Friday afternoon and resulted in police, a local laws officer and multiple fire brigades from across the region battling the blaze until 8.30pm. A CFA member from Carlsruhe station said the 7x12m pile of waste being burnt was made up of…
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Kyneton pubs feature in new TV series
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has commissioned a new three-part TV series about the life of Evonne Goolagong and filming of the production took place last in Kyneton last Friday. TV crews were seen filming inside The Kyneton Hotel and a few blocks away outside The Royal George Hotel. While many details about the show remain…
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Now or never for Hub
Time is nearly out for the Castlemaine Community Investment Co-operative to buy the Hub. At the time of printing, the Co-op had raised more than $1,184,000 (61 per cent) of investments needed from 150 members. Anyone still considering investment needs to act now to be part of making history in Castlemaine. The Co-op officially formed…
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Old ‘Res’ needs some TLC
A project is under way to explore options for strengthening the dam wall of Expedition Pass Reservoir, near Castlemaine. The project, supported by a $6.2 million state government investment, will help ensure the ‘Res’ remains safe for residents and visitors who enjoy visiting the tranquil swimming hole located in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.…
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Half-time for Hub
At the time of going to press on Monday, the Castlemaine Community Investment Co-operative had raised $818,500 or 42 per cent of the funds for the purchase of the Hub, a beloved landmark property in the heart of Castlemaine. The investments have been raised from 103 of its 315 members. The offer closes June 29,…
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Drought funding boosted
Drought is an enduring feature of the Australian landscape, one that central Victorians know too well, and managing drought is becoming more challenging as the climate continues to change. In response to continuing drought conditions, the federal government has committed an additional $2.8 million to the Rural Financial Counselling Service and an additional $36 million…
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Growing pains for Ranges wildlife
Joanna Beard It’s a crisp, June morning on the outskirts of Gisborne. Stolen glances of Mount Macedon and the comforting smell of woodsmoke are among the wintry delights here. But there’s something that distracts from the beauty. It’s the dead animals splayed along the roadside. Two eastern grey kangaroos, one ringtail possum, one crimson rosella…