News
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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…
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Gone fishing
Macedon Primary School students have helped to restock Nursery Reservoir with fish as their landcare fishing program launched last month. Students were involved in the release of 250 catchable rainbow trout (and some surprise ex-brood stock trout) with a fisheries team from Snobs Creek. Fisheries officers offered their knowledge along with special guest visitor Victorian…
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No safe crossing
St Ambrose Parish Primary’s community doesn’t want to see a disastrous traffic accident resulting from a lack of safe pedestrian access in the school precinct. The Woodend school is one of the only ones in the district without school crossings and the school community wants action. More than 150 parents lodged concerns with the council…
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Residents dark on solar farm
Faraday residents fear a solar farm proposed for the area would be visually intrusive and may damage property and tourism values. Tetris Energy is proposing to establish 15,176 low-reflective photovoltaic solar panels at a 12-hectare site about six kilometres northeast of Castlemaine at 3040 Harmony Way, Faraday. Last week several residents in the area met…
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Murmuring Walk launched at Mount Macedon
A guided audio experience has launched that’s inspired by the environment and the birdlife inhabiting the lush bush surrounds of Sanatorium Lake, Mount Macedon. Connected by your personal device, ‘Murmuring Walk’ allows participants to enter a contemplative space that will bring Sanatorium Lake to life with a multi-layered and poetic soundtrack featuring exquisite vocals, rhythms…