News
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A slice of Trentham’s pub past
A slice of Trentham’s pub past was captured for the last time before it was dismantled earlier this month as its owners prepare for a fresh start. Chris and Victoria Perry purchased their Victoria Street property in 2017 and the old Ogdens Forest Hotel building was part of its charm. The couple had plans to…
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Montessori preschool’s plea
Parents and educators are racing time to boost enrolments and save Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool from potential closure. For almost 40 years the preschool has offered an alternative early education experience but the cost-of-living crisis and state government’s new free kindergarten offering have impacted the not-for-profit organisation. Preschool committee member Moya Grech said enrolments had…
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OAM for healthcare champion
It takes courage, education and passion to transform a country’s approach to maternal child health services. They’re key ingredients to Samantha Turner’s success in changing lives of women and children in countries across the world through her volunteer and advocacy work. The Macedon resident was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the…
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Breaking barriers
When Luz Restrepo received an email telling her she had been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the multicultural community of Victoria, the Maldon resident thought it was spam! “It’s incredible. I feel so proud. I am the only Latina this year and I think in the history of…
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The Love of community
When Sue Love says she’ll do something, she always turns up. It is this tenacity and commitment to serving her community of Malmsbury that has led her to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. “If I say I’m going to do something, I stick with it and…
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Highest rate of trauma
Macedon Ranges has the highest rate of wildlife road trauma in the state, adding to a strain on Wildlife Victoria’s services. CEO Lisa Palma said since 2019, more than 4000 native animals had been struck by cars in the Macedon Ranges alone. The organisation experienced a 46 per cent increase in state-wide incidents over that…
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Archibald finalist a study of Greer
Artist Liz Sullivan has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Archibald Prize for her portrait of Germaine Greer. Greer is a trailblazing feminist, academic, author and conservationist, who became a household name in 1970 with her seminal, bestselling book The Female Eunuch. She now lives in aged care near Sullivan’s home in regional…
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Golf club rebuilding
Gisborne Golf Club is beginning to rebuild after losing its clubhouse to an electrical fire in April. GGC general manager Brett Campbell said attention had now turned rebuilding and players had already returned to the course. “We have been working hard to arrange temporary portable buildings for the pro shop and office team, which we’ve…
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Fears for drill hall future
Fear is mounting in the Kyneton community that the historic Mont St Quentin Barracks is being left to rot. The drill hall has been home to the 430 Squadron Air Cadets for more than 40 years but the squadron was forced to move out in 2020 when the hall was found to be in disrepair.…
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Animus in administration
Animus Distillery in Kyneton has entered into voluntary administration. Leading advisory and restructuring firm, Cor Cordis, has been engaged to assist the business with opportunities for sale or potential recapitalisation. In a statement issued to customers and partners, the Animus team said the decision was not made lightly. “We firmly believe that this is the…
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PUSH TO PROTECT ROMSEY
Developer interest and fear of potential state government planning intervention played a hand in accelerating Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s adoption of the Romsey Structure Plan. The plan delivers a vision for Romsey until 2050 and establishes a protected settlement boundary to define long-term growth. Leading the push, Cr Rob Guthrie said he held some concerns…
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Jazz legend to headline
Australia’s leading jazz vocalist, Vince Jones, is set to headline the 2024 Castlemaine Jazz Festival with an unmissable performance at the Phee Broadway Theatre on Saturday June 8. Jones told the Express he was looking forward to returning to Castlemaine. “I’ve played a few shows in Castlemaine in the past. It’s a lovely part of…