News
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Great Good Friday effort
Local fire brigades, businesses and individuals across Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander have boosted this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal total. Woodend, Newham and Hesket-Kerrie fire brigades collected a near-record total of $14,725 including $11,633 for Woodend, $1679 for Hesket-Kerrie and $1413 for Newham. The Woodend brigade noted an increase in the number…
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Forest clearing angers
As ‘salvage logging’ gets under way in the Wombat State Forest, local residents have raised the alarm over the nature and intent of the works. About 100 residents gathered in the forest at Babbingtons Road, Lyonville, last Friday to inspect the first clearing of what VicForests claims is recovery work to clean up wind-thrown trees…
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Filming begins at Gisborne
Renovation series The Block has begun filming in Gisborne South for its first ever tree-change series. This season is set on a 79-acre property at McGeorge Road, which sold for $11 million last year. The show’s executive producer and co-creator, Julian Cress, told the Express the Macedon Ranges was one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets. “I’m so impressed by the…
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New plans for botanical gardens
Mount Alexander Shire Council has developed two new plans to help guide the future protection and management of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. The council’s coordinator of parks and gardens, Stewart Campbell, said the two new plans would help ensure the future protection of the significant local attraction into the future. “The Castlemaine Botanical Gardens is…
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Fresh flow for platypus
The region’s vulnerable platypus population will be given a boost with a freshening flow down the Coliban River this month. Before the millennium drought, platypus foraging around the banks of the Coliban River downstream of Malmsbury Reservoir was a common sight. However, climate change and challenging flow patterns have had an impact on them, and…
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Value in diversity
Windarring Disability Services is encouraging diversity in workplaces across Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shire. Shaelee Desmond, Windarring’s Australian Disability Enterprise team leader for Kyneton and Castlemaine, said hiring a person with a disability contributed to a business’s overall diversity and culture for staff, communities and customers. “Windarring is a people-centered, community-based organisation committed to…
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Music docos to light up screen
Lights, camera, action! Castlemaine Documentary Festival invites the community to attend two free public screenings at The Village Square Castlemaine. CDOC director Claire Jager said the two fabulous music docos featured extraordinary performances and great storytelling and were well-suited to being screened outdoors on a Saturday night. The first film Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami will hit…
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Castlemaine CBD parking changes
Drivers in Castlemaine’s CBD may notice some parking changes in Mostyn Street. In an effort to improve safety and accessibility for motorists and pedestrians, Mount Alexander Shire Council is making temporary changes to two parking bays. Starting this month, the council is undertaking a six-month trial that will see two parking bays adjacent to the…
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Crafting a career in origami
A popular pastime in Japan has developed into a professional practice for expat artist Chieko Hester. As a child, Chieko was taught by her father to fold origami cranes and she practised with friends at school. “Origami itself back then was just that, it wasn’t something that you learnt properly, you just learn as you…
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Calling local tradies
Channel Nine’s famous reality renovation show, The Block, is returning for Season 18, and will break ground in the Macedon Ranges in early April 2022. Producers are calling for local tradie businesses to ‘be ready’. The Block will film for 12 weeks in the area and will see contestants in a competition to transform five family homes which…
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Plea to clear paths
Being able to walk safely down the street is something many people take for granted. But for someone who is vision-impaired, or totally blind like Kate Stephens, the experience can be hazardous if others don’t play their part in clearing obstacles. Kate was born with a genetic condition described as a type of retinal dystrophy…
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Workers assaulted at MYJC
The Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre was placed into rotating lockdown last Friday following the assault of two staff members by inmates on Thursday. The latest incident is the fourth assault on staff over the past fortnight, and resulted in serious head and facial injuries. WorkSafe and union officials met with staff on site on Friday…