News
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Chefs forced to leave
Visa restrictions and sponsorship cost challenges could see Kyneton’s Little Swallow Cafe lose three valued chefs as their visas expire. The chefs have been filling worker shortages at the cafe since 2023 but the federal government has not offered them optional permanent residency at the end of their visa period. “As their 485 visas expire,…
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League shuts out Eagles
The newly formed Kyneton Women’s Football Club is facing the prospect of being unable to play this year after being rejected by three local leagues. The women who have joined the Kyneton Eagles had hoped to continue playing in the Riddell District Football Netball League, where they had played the past two seasons as part…
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Car chases, closures and film crews in Castlemaine
Liam Neeson is returning to Victoria to film his next action-thriller, The Mongoose, at locations across Melbourne and regional Victoria — including Castlemaine! The film crew is expected to arrive in Castlemaine on February 19 for three days of shooting. Castlemaine will double as a town Arkansas, USA, and the scenes being shot will involve…
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Region to star in regenerative agriculture
A group of Macedon Ranges farmers has achieved an extraordinary coup, convincing award-winning documentary filmmaker Peter Byck to come to Kyneton for a groundbreaking new event. He will headline GROW, a one-day conference, field day and festival at Kyneton Racecourse on Saturday February 22 that will position the region as a centre for excellence in…
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Making metal masterpieces
When Steve Cox sees an old discarded tool he’s not adding it to the scrap pile and trading it in for cash. A lifetime spent with horses, keen observation of the natural world and an artistic streak have contributed to quite a different perspective. Suddenly, retired hames become the jaw of a horse, rusted rabbit…
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Enviro-Energy Expo returns
Riddells Creek Cool Changes Enviro-Energy Expo will return on March 15, as the opening event for a week-long festival organised by Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The free family friendly expo will bring together experts, innovators and community members to explore sustainable living solutions that benefit both the environment and household budgets. This year’s expo will…
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Comet captured at Newham
The skies of central Victoria were blessed by the visit of a very rare comet last month. On Wednesday January 22, a fleeting glimpse of this rare phenomenon was captured by Bruce Hedge at Newham at about 10pm. “It was bitterly cold, with a strong southeasterly blowing clouds across the sky towards the south west,…
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Pub sets the scene
It was lights, camera, action at The Kyneton Hotel last Friday, with the popular pub to feature in a new commercial. While the commercial’s product cannot yet be revealed, the Express can report that Friday’s film-day was part of a six-day shoot that also included filming at a Bullengarook property. Palomina Production Company said when…
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Take Back the Track
Following numerous incidents of women being harassed while running or walking along the Campbells Creek Trail, a group of 30 local women gathered late last year to meet and discuss what could be done. One of the group organisers Marion Yates told the Express that many of the women told stories of being followed, some…
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A step closer to World Heritage status
Victoria’s Goldfields have been added to Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List. This is the first formal step on the path to World Heritage status, celebrating the extraordinary history, culture and heritage of Victoria’s goldrush era. From hard-rock open-cut mines at Castlemaine to the Victorian-era buildings of Bendigo, the region is considered the most extensive and…
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OAM honour for Linn
Elphinstone resident Linn Maskell has received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2025 Australia Day honours for service to the community of the Brighton region. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Australia’s honours system, which aims to recognise Australians making a difference in their communities. Linn has been living in the…
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Supporting our regions and agriculture
Walmer resident Sharyn Williams is among 732 outstanding and inspirational Australians to be recognised on the 2025 Australia Day Honours List. Awarded a Public Service Award for outstanding service in the agricultural sector and for supporting Victoria’s rural regions, Sharyn told the Express she was thankful to have been given a lot of opportunities and…