News
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Council to join service centre fight
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has slammed plans for a Calder Freeway service centre at Woodend and will join petitioners to fight it. 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. Woodend residents have launched a campaign and petition to stop the…
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Global star to shine
Castlemaine’s undisputed Weimar kabarett punk provocateur Bernie Dieter is set to take over North Melbourne’s historic Meat Market with ‘Club Kabarett’ from this Thursday. Dieter, hailed as an ‘electrifying cross between Lady Gaga, Marlene Dietrich and Frank-N-Furter in sequins’, is renowned for her riotous original songs, immense vocal talent, and flair for debaucherous mayhem and…
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Making change happen
Fresh from ‘Climate Action Week’ held at the University of Technology in Sydney, Castlemaine is about to get a dose of global action with a twist. FutuResilience Events is bringing two exciting workshops to town, strengthening sustainability action with the globally recognised Inner Development Goals Framework. First up, as part of the Women’s Climate Congress,…
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A spectacular start!
Castlemaine was alive with excitement Saturday night as the 2025 Castlemaine Fringe Festival kicked off with a bang! The Street Party Spectacular was attended by more than 4000 festival-goers. The Movement Zone dancers (pictured) were among the local talent to feature. Photo: Diana Domonkos
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Legacy project completed
After more than a decade closed to traffic, the Vaughan-Tarilta bridge (or low-level crossing as the experts call it) has been replaced. The original timber bridge crossing the Loddon River was built in 1868. The closure of this vital crossing has caused long detours and limited access for locals. The replacement concrete crossing came with…
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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…