News
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Council seeks input on 2025/2026 budget
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting residents to have their say on the council’s 2025/2026 budget. The submission process is now open for community members and organisations to submit a proposal for projects or funding considerations in the new financial year. This is the opportunity to have your say on what you would like to…
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Glimpse at plant’s future
The Castlemaine community had an opportunity to have its say on plans to upgrade the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant at two public drop-in sessions this month. Feedback from the public acknowledged the need to upgrade the plant to meet the area’s growing population, while ensuring improved wastewater treatment that will continue to benefit Campbells Creek’s…
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Theme set for dawn service
Planning is under way for the 2025 Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service, with the theme for next year’s event unveiled by the volunteer organising committee. The theme for the 2025 event will be ‘The Unseen Wounds of Conflict’, exploring the many impacts that war has on those who serve, from the physical injuries to…
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Highlighting rich heritage
It’s been a roller coaster year for the Castlemaine State Festival, which is now preparing for its triumphant return in 2026 and its 50th anniversary celebrations. Following heavy losses from the 2023 festival, Australia’s longest-running regional multi-arts festival was forced into voluntary administration in March 2024. A few months later, the committee announced it had…
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Critical upgrades for primary school
Castlemaine Primary School will soon begin works to refurbish the school toilets which, with a ceiling that is collapsing, a hole in the floor and a leaking urinal, are in desperate need of repair. Utilising $499,879 allocated through a capital works grant, the school will also create a new gender-neutral toilet to ensure children of…
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Studio extension wins accolade
A master bedroom and ensuite extension at Carlsruhe has been recognised at the Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Housing Awards. Romsey based Macedon Ranges Building Services won Best Renovation Addition Under $300,000 for the build, and was also a national awards finalist. Project ‘Two Hares’ was a studio cottage extension to create a private space,…
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Ciao from a town icon
It’s the end of an era for much-loved local institution, Kyneton Pizza. Operated by the Matricardi family for 50 years, ‘The Billy’, as it is affectionately known for its billiard tables, is closing its doors this month. For generations of kids and teens, it was the place to go for “pizza, pool and pinnies” and…
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River restoration a win-win
A community-backed plan to restore and protect a key section of the Coliban River at Lauriston will take its next steps early in the new year. Over the next four years, the A Healthy Coliban Catchment project will focus on rehabilitating the river’s frontage between Lauriston and Malmsbury reservoirs. Willow removal and revegetation works on…
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Hot Variety 3.0 set to rock!
The Bridge Hotel, Boomtown Wines and Shedshaker Brewing are joining forces to present a New Year’s Eve spectacular ‘Hot Variety 3.0’ in Castlemaine. With the Taproom at Shedshaker Brewing joining the event for the first time, the 2024 NYE Party is set to be bigger and better than ever with a wide array of music…
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Campbell House claims bronze
Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation’s magnificent heritage property, Campbell House, has claimed bronze at the Victorian Tourism Awards. Proprietors Donna Greenway and Rod Printz were thrilled to accept the award in the Self-Contained Property category at the November 21 event at Palladium at Crown. The pair founded Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation in 2012 and are the caretakers of…
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Woolies signage installed
While supermarket giant Woolworths was in the national news last week due to its ongoing union negotiations concerning workers at four of its distribution centres, the Castlemaine supermarket build continued to forge ahead. The first official Woolworths signage was installed on the building last Wednesday and Thursday. Local history buff and photographer David Williamson has…
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A defining moment in history
In December 1851, 173 years ago, 15,000 gold miners gathered for a Monster Meeting at Forest Creek to defy colonial governor Charles La Trobe’s plans to double the cost of their gold licence. The annual celebration of the Diggers’ 1851 Monster Meeting at Forest Creek is set to take place once again this Sunday December…