News
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Check off that Christmas list
Castlemaine traders will be open late again this Friday evening as part of two late night shopping nights that have been coordinated by Business Mount Alexander and supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council in partnership with the Castlemaine Fringe Festival and local businesses. Business operators will be open until 8pm providing the perfect opportunity to…
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Theatre co moves in
After years of having no fixed abode, Castlemaine Theatre Company has finally secured a new base to call home. Last week marked the final big shift of wildly assorted props, costumes, sets and equipment to the former Castlemaine College campus at Etty Street. For years these items have been scattered about, stored in members’ garages…
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A little French tête-à-tête
Friday mornings mean just one thing for a growing group of Castlemaine locals – time for a little French tête-à-tête. Originally from France, Delphine Laboureau-Ormancey is a dual citizen who last year returned to Guildford after a 20-year absence. The French language teacher and tutor has now introduced regular weekly French chat and coffee sessions…
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New arts hub for Lancefield
Metal sculptures, local landscapes and botanical art are among the works to be discovered at Lancefield’s new gallery space. Opened last week, the gallery on High Street features the diverse work of 10 artists from Lancefield and surrounds. Artist Sharon Pappas said when Lancefield Neighbourhood House offered the location for a gallery, many were excited…
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COVID test clinic shifts
While more than 95 per cent of eligible people living in Castlemaine have now been double vaxxed, the town’s newly relocated COVID testing clinic is experiencing strong demand for testing, particularly from people who’ve attended exposure sites. The drive-through clinic last week shifted from where it had been operating in Mostyn Street to the McGrath…
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Collaboration for change
Mount Alexander Shire residents plan to reframe and refocus their efforts to address climate change through the launch of an innovative new project – the Wararack Initiatives. Launched at Victory Park last Thursday, the Wararack Initiatives will see council and the community work collaboratively on a 10-year Community Transition Plan addressing climate adaptation, cultural renewal…
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Local stars shine at MVAs
Soul virtuosos Emma Donovan & The Putbacks were the standout triumph at the 2021 Music Victoria Awards. The group, which has a local connection, scooped up three awards at the 17th annual event at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Thursday evening including Best Soul, Funk, R’n’B or Gospel Act, Best Group, and Best Album for…
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Mine shaft rescues
Two dogs have been rescued from mine shafts by local CFA brigades and a specialist unit in the space of week. In the most recent incident, a dog was rescued from a shaft in a remote location in the Wombat Forest near Woodend in darkness last Friday night. Woodend CFA volunteers took some time to…
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Inclusion vital
Members of the Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group were out in force in the Castlemaine CBD last Friday to celebrate the UNESCO International Day of People with Disability. MASDAG representatives Lorraine le Plastrier and Cathy Wheel told the Express the day was an opportunity to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. The…
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‘Road graffiti’ message
‘Road graffiti’ from a likely wildlife rescuer artist has been been praised as Three Chain Road residents hope to see wildlife road trauma reduce. The large yellow wombat sketch was seen sprayed on the road about 6kms west of Lancefield last week, alerting drivers to a nearby wombat that had been hit and killed by…
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Debut album drops
Castlemaine singer/songwriter Nadia Phillips has launched her highly anticipated debut album A Million Birds and One Stone. The EP has hit Bandcamp and music streaming services just as the talented 19-year-old, now based in Melbourne, and band The Girlfriends prepare to join fellow Castlemaine artists Dallas Woods and Galaxy Hop as part of the ‘Comin’ Down…
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Ghosts of Chewton’s past
The ghosts of Chewton’s past are about to be brought back to life when local historian Ken McKimmie leads a public history walk this weekend. All are invited to join the knowledgeable local history researcher and writer as he leads the walk through the history-rich little town this Sunday 12 December 12, sharing colourful insights…