News
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Prison inmates help threatened phascogales
Phascogales in the Barfold area will soon be getting new homes thanks to inmates at Middleton Prison in Castlemaine. The inmates have been hard at work constructing 20 nest boxes for the Campaspe Valley Landcare group suitable for the phascogales, a threatened species found in central Victoria. The distinctive small creatures, known as ‘duan’ by…
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For youth, by youth
Young people helped design Macedon Ranges Shire’s draft youth strategy and now the shire is hoping more young people will have their say now the document is open to community comment. The draft strategy has been titled Elevate by its young codesigners, who say it aims to actively elevate the voices and desires of young…
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AFL kicks in $100,000
AFL Victoria is providing $100,000 towards the multi-million dollar Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct sports fields at New Gisborne. Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the AFL’s backing is very significant, as it is the first external funding commitment to the major project. There was jubilation at Gardiner Reserve in Gisborne on Thursday evening as AFL Victoria’s…
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Water price freeze
The Essential Services Commission has effectively placed a freeze on water prices for customers across the region. Bills will increase at a rate lower than inflation over the next five years for customers of Coliban Water, while bills for Western Water customers will increase only at the rate of inflation. The independent economic regulator reviewed…
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A rockin’ burger joint
David Portelli is a self-described “car and bike mad” man. That’s why it was a shock when he sold off his $20,000 Harley Super Glide Custom in exchange for the chance to set up his own ’50s diner in Gisborne. He and his partner Tanya purchased the former ‘Flamin’ Chicken’ restaurant on Brantome Street two…
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These riders dispel the myth
Macedon Ranges ULYSSES Club is working to dispel the long-held myth that ‘bikers mean trouble’. Beyond the intimidating Harley handles, leather jackets and ‘tough guy’ exteriors at the over 40s club are largely retirees just looking for an excuse to hit the road and share a love for riding with others. “Bikes are on the…
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Riders raring to race
Harcourt’s new mountain bike park hosts its first major competitive mountain biking event this Sunday. The Goldfields Winter Series is expected to bring up to 140 riders to the scenic La Larr Ba Gauwa Park for the competition. The competitive series is a new initiative of the Castlemaine Rocky Riders Mountain Bike Club and the…
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Trains a disgrace
Is it too much to ask that a traveller on a train is able to see out the window? Kyneton resident Rupert Dalley doesn’t think so, which is why he’s been writing to the Minister for Transport Jacinta Allan, and Public Transport Victoria, to express his disgust with the state of our trains. Mr Dalley,…
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Fiesta de Salsa!
Castlemaine may be a long way from Colombia but for local salsa dance instructor Camila Serrano that’s no reason to leave the rhythms of her Latin birthplace behind. Camila’s passion for salsa dancing is catching on with an increasing number of locals keen to acquire the smooth moves and racy repetitions that is salsa. In…
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Final years to change in pilot
Students in Gisborne will be among the first to trial a state government program that integrates apprenticeships and traineeships over a longer period with their final years at school. Premier Daniel Andrews visited Gisborne Secondary College on Friday, with local MP Mary-Anne Thomas, to announce the $50 million Head Start Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative would…
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Sports precinct gains momentum
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is advocating for state and federal government support for a Regional Sports Precinct in New Gisborne. Last week the council met with Minister for Sport John Eren, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas and representatives from the New Gisborne Regional Sports Field and the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub Projects for a briefing…
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Match 500 for a sport master
If, when he began playing junior footy for Macedon in 1981, Ray Tadd had listened to people who told him that he was “not much chop” then he wouldn’t have run out with the Woodend-Hesket Masters last Sunday afternoon through a banner congratulating him on his 500th game playing football. Ray, who has been playing…