News
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Empowering women in the climate crisis
The stage is set for an unparalleled national level gathering of visionary leaders, changemakers and advocates at the Victorian Women’s Climate Congress 2025. Taking place from March 28-30 at the Castlemaine Town Hall, this event is a beacon for women, in all diversity, to drive meaningful action for climate sustainability. The Congress will feature a…
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Horse neglect investigated
RSPCA Victoria is investigating multiple animal cruelty reports regarding horses at properties in the Macedon Ranges and Mitchell Shire. “We appreciate the community’s concern, and can assure those who are worried, our inspectorate has active investigations into these matters and have attended the properties reported more than 20 times over the last few months and…
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“We’re not giving up”
Mount Alexander Shire Council is advocating for federal funding to deliver an affordable housing development in Castlemaine ahead of the upcoming federal election. The project will create 22 affordable rental apartments on council land at 65 Templeton Street. Apartments will be a mix of one and two bedrooms, a household type that is currently lacking…
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United to play on
In an exciting new chapter for women’s football, the Kyneton Women’s Football Club and the Gisborne Football Netball Club women’s football team have announced a new partnership for the 2025 season. Both clubs have come together to form a hybrid team—Gisborne-Kyneton United—to compete in the Essendon District Football League. This collaboration unites two passionate, committed…
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Tiny homes, big problems?
Kerrie residents have warned a proposal for four short-stay accommodation ‘tiny homes’ could create big problems if approved at 131 Shannons Lane. Provider ‘Shacky’ has plans for group accommodation at the 35.38 hectare site but nearby residents have alerted council to road and safety risks. Resident Helen Franklin said Shannons Lane was a single-carriage, dirt…
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Woodend arts festival turns 20
An interview with Woodend Winter Arts Festival founder and artistic director Jacqueline Ogeil. Midland Express: Jacky, you are celebrating 20 festivals this year, can you tell us what it means to reach this milestone? Amazement. It has gone so quickly. But also feels longer because the township has changed so much, as has society, and…
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No more snowcam?
A local couple who managed the Top of the Range Tea Rooms had their tenancy terminated last week after 14 years of service. Luke Chapman, manager of the cafe situated next to the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, posted the news on Facebook and it received almost 125,000 impressions from the broader community. Chapman submitted a…
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Chvastek takes on Goliath
At a local cafe, the baristas know Nicole Chvastek’s order: An extra hot almond chai latte. What they may not know, is that she has been intimidating Prime Ministers and the establishment for years, in order to, “keep the bastards honest”. We’ve watched and listened to her hound politicians, expose injustices, and cover historic events…
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Fight ignites over service centre bid
Woodend residents are fighting an application for a freeway service centre at the edge of their town, just four years after VCAT rejected a similar proposal. Plans include three fast-food restaurants with drive-throughs, 174 parking bays for cars/trucks/caravans, internally-illuminated signage, and construction of two new on/off freeway ramps. The applicant, Welsh Leisure, has appealed to…
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Newham store for sale
Newham General Store is up for sale following the business’s closure last year and the community rally to see it reopened. The prominent freehold, on the corner of Dons Road, was listed with Keatings Real Estate in February for $985,000. Agent John Keating told the Express he had led several private inspections through the property.…
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Islay House elite
Woodend’s Islay House has ranked among the best Booking.com venues and won a Travellers Review Award 2025. Established in 1860 as the British American Hotel, Islay House was a coaching inn offering accommodation to miners travelling to the Bendigo goldfields in the 1860s. Owners Tarni James and Clive Warner worked to restore historical character in…
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Gender equity in spotlight
It was International Women’s Day last Thursday, and Woodend-based Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell was pleased to be able to talk to Kyneton Women’s Football Club representatives about gender equality in sport. The KWFC members were visiting Parliament House to help raise awareness about the significant challenges faced by women and girls in community…