News
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From gallery to garden
Eve Lamb Castlemaine’s botanical gardens have a new feature … and if you think you’ve seen it somewhere else before then you’re spot on. Ever since it was created back in 2009 by local artist Zoe Amor, the striking bronze sculpture, Dusk, has graced the portico at the front of Castlemaine Art Museum in Lyttleton Street. But…
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Tragedy commemorated
Two prisoners of war with Kyneton family have been honoured in the 80th anniversary of their tragic deaths. Civilian Harry Darley Holland and Sydney McGregor, Private 2/22nd Battalion, were among those to perish on board the unmarked Japanese transport freighter SS Montevideo Maru. The freighter was torpedoed on July 1, 1942, off the coast of…
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Macedon Ranges mayor takes up Plastic Free July challenge
How can an environmentally conscious resident reduce their single-use plastic uptake even more? That’s a question facing Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson this month as she tackles her own challenge for Plastic Free July. The Australian-born initiative is a global movement that encourages people to reduce their plastic use to lessen their environmental impact. This…
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Kyneton Tea of Earth entrepreneur hailed a local business hero
Kyneton business owner Rebecca Moore says her local Australia Post team had been friendly faces during the pandemic when she made the move to post online orders for Tea of Earth. Now they’ve hailed her a 2022 Australia Post Local Business Hero, recognising her unique and valued connection to the local community. “The continuing support…
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Farmers push for strategy rethink
Farmers have united in a bid for a fairer deal in Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Draft Rural Land Use Strategy. The strategy proposes rezoning pockets of Farm Zone land to Rural Conservation that would restrict primary producers who wish to diversify away from or change their agricultural focus. It’s a move that Pipers Creek farmer…
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Williams biopic filmed in Ranges
It was lights, camera, action in Macedon Ranges last month as filming got under way for Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man. Directed and co-written by Melbourne-born Michael Gracey, Better Man will offer an introspective look into the experiences that shaped the popular UK entertainer. The film follows Williams’ journey from working-class roots to stadium-filling stardom, and the demons…
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Resilience group tackles emissions
Eve Lamb A survey conducted by Castlemaine’s West End Resilience group indicates a high level of enthusiasm for community-based energy solutions towards reducing carbon emissions. Members of the home-grown energy group say they’re are now looking into sustainable energy solutions that are accessible for all West Enders including tenants, home-owners and businesses, and also community…
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Hedgerow rejuvenation
Historic field hedges at Kyneton’s Windmill Farm are being painstakingly restored by a specialist hedgelayer. Property owner Sallyanne Craig said the 170-year-old hedges were significant enough to be heritage-listed, but were in poor repair. “Their advanced age and the absence of proper management for perhaps 70 years means they are in an exceptionally perilous state,”…
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Filmmaker puts body on the line
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the completion of a local documentary film celebrating the journey of the Mt Alexander Falcons Women’s Football Club. The community is urged to get behind the campaign to help complete Equal the Contest, a feature-length documentary film following the development of the new women’s football club and their…
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Skate park priority
Macedon Ranges Shire Council will prioritise the Gisborne Skate Park and Pump Track in its application to the state’s Growing Suburbs Fund. The council is seeking $450,000 for the project which will rejuvenate the park and increase activity for users of all skill levels. In 2020 the Express reported then nine-year-old Thomas Gilmour’s campaign to council to…
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Victim of scam praises local bank
Castlemaine resident Glenn Sutherland has warned locals to be wary of phone scams after thousands of dollars were stolen from his Commonwealth Bank Australia account. He has praised the Castlemaine CBA’s quick response for enabling his funds to be recovered. A result that Glenn has been told is rare. The local man was contacted earlier…
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Big reveal soon
Excitement is in the air as The Block enters the final production weeks for its upcoming season set in Gisborne South. Last week the Midland Express had a sneak peek as contestants prepared for potential buyer walk-throughs with just two weeks of production remaining. This year’s couples have worked on the biggest Block yet, each with a home to renovate as…