News
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A lifelong passion
Watching a child have a light-bulb moment in education is one of the greatest joys in teaching for Elaine Murphy. Her successful 40-year career in primary teaching, and dedication to the arts, saw her awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day honours. Ms Murphy told the Express teaching had been a…
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2023 festival line-up revealed!
A huge crowd packed The Goods Shed on Saturday morning for the launch of the impressive 2023 season line up for the Castlemaine State Festival’s highly anticipated 24th biennial event. The diverse curation of the very best local and international arts talent and events will bring focus to Castlemaine, spotlighting the arts culture of the…
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Prison healthcare shake-up
Following a massive shakeup to the state’s prison healthcare system Dhelkaya Health in Castlemaine will become the lead healthcare provider for prisoners at Tarrengower Prison from July 1. Private healthcare provider GEO Group Australia will be replacing Correct Care Australasia in the state’s male prisons, including the two in Castlemaine, and maximum security Dame Phyllis…
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Mount Macedon Memorial Cross plans questioned
Significant native vegetation is earmarked for removal in a proposal to restore views to Melbourne from Mount Macedon Memorial Cross. Built in the 1930s, the cross is considered one of the most significant war memorials in Victoria but decades of growth have altered its original view lines. Parks Victoria’s viewscape project seeks to clear up…
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Telegraph station connects to NBN
Some exciting developments have recently occurred at the Old Telegraph Station in Barker Street, Castlemaine. In December, the building was connected to the NBN bringing the historic station into the 21st century. In January 1857, the building had been connected to the Sandhurst telegraph line. The introduction of the electric telegraph in Castlemaine, and other…
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Pop up garlic farmers program
With its aim to give Australians hands-on experience and to grow a new generation of Australian farmers, Farmer Incubator has announced the return of its sought-after Pop Up Garlic Farmers program. Kicking off in February, people have the unique opportunity to participate in a program that teaches you how to plant and nurture a market…
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Are you the next Idyll?
Registration for Castlemaine Idyll 2023 is now open! Castlemaine Idyll is Castlemaine’s ultimate annual talent contest, and has been running for more than 12 years. Featuring hot local talent, a hugely talented professional band, celebrity judges and a community uniting joyously in support, the theme for Idyll 2023 is ‘Shine’. Registrations close this Friday January…
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Big line-up for Town Folk Festival
The countdown is on until Castlemaine’s highly anticipated second annual Town Folk Festival on Saturday February 11. Bringing together 16 of the best contemporary artists from across Victoria and beyond, Town Folk Festival celebrates diverse, compelling and exciting music, which all fits vaguely or specifically under the ever-widening umbrella of folk. The one-day festival will…
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Dexter to the rescue
Dexter doesn’t wear a cape but he is now an unlikely hero of his quiet Woodend cul-de-sac. The eight-year-old jack russell’s insistent barking raised the alarm to the cries of an elderly neighbour injured in a fall. Owner Philip MacCana said Dexter was adamant something was wrong. “I was at the back of the house…
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Sparks fly over fireworks
Demand for greater restrictions on fireworks in the Macedon Ranges has sparked a petition that’s garnered more than 4500 signatures. Springfield Equestrian Park’s Emily Bannister launched the petition in December in a bid to ban noisy fireworks on private properties in rural areas. Ms Bannister said the Macedon Ranges and Mitchell Shire areas were known…
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Rubbish dumped in Kyneton
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is investigating the dumping of hard rubbish in Kyneton last week. Local residents discovered a hot tub and a generator among items dumped on land at the intersection of Kyneton-Springhill Road and Sebastopol Road last Friday. The residents regularly check the site and said the rubbish must have been dumped overnight…
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Flagship festival to launch
Now in its 47th year, the Castlemaine State Festival is launching its 2023 season with a preview event at Castlemaine Goods Shed this Saturday January 28. The free public launch of Australia’s flagship regional arts event kicks off at 11am at the Kennedy Street venue with festival director Glyn Roberts presenting this year’s generous program.…