News
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Maldon youth camp seeks support
Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp is seeking support to develop a series of youth mental health programs. For 30 years the camp, which has a base in Maldon, has provided learning opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk youths through programs that foster personal development, learning, leadership and trust. Now the camp is developing a program to…
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From little things…
Five years after the seed of an idea was planted, Castlemaine’s innovative seed library has blossomed and this month is celebrating its fifth birthday by launching a new website. “If you haven’t come across it yet, the Castlemaine Seed Library is a wonderful community resource,” coordinator Eliza-Jane Gilchrist says. “People donate seeds, a group of…
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Storm recovery ongoing
Macedon Ranges residents who were impacted by the June storms can now apply for federal disaster recovery payments. The council was only added to the Australian Government Disaster Payments list on October 6 despite extensive damage to the region. Residents who suffered injury or major damage to their property can apply for the one-off, non-means…
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New artwork presentation for Kyneton
The Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial has had to reschedule its event, Holding the Circle, due to the ongoing restrictions and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-director Clare Needham said the event would now take place from March 19–27, 2022. “As a celebration of our original launch date of October 9, and to lift our spirits in…
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COMMITTED TO THE JOB
Castlemaine’s Les Vearing is among 27 central Victorian Forest Fire Management Victoria firefighters recognised for their longstanding commitment to protecting communities and the environment from bushfires. The staff, who together have a combined 600 years of service, were awarded with a National Medal and Clasps on behalf of the Office of the Governor-General at a…
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Suspicious car fire at Gisborne
A car fire at Gisborne South early this morning has been deemed suspicious. Firefighters from Gisborne, Toolernvale and FRV Station 53 arrived on the scene on Couangalt Road just before 1.30am. Incident controller Lieutenant Bevan Moody said the vehicle was fully alight upon arrival. “When we arrived, two crews in breathing apparatus immediately worked to…
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Protest targets NAB
They stood out a proverbial country mile against Friday’s grey, rainy sky. The group of demonstrators stationed out front of Castlemaine’s National Australia Bank may have been small in number – due to COVID-compliance – but was just as big on determination. “We’re just ordinary local citizens calling on the NAB to stop its investment…
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Trivia night promises fun
It’s time to brush up your general knowledge and finesse your fascinating facts as Castlemaine Community House gets set to host its major fundraising Trivia Night. Ticket sales opened last Friday with the event taking place Saturday November 13, enabling plenty of time to beef up your brains trust, organisers say. “Castlemaine Community House has…
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Pink without a permit
A pink building in Gisborne is turning heads for all the wrong reasons since it was painted without a permit. The building, at 44 Hamilton Street, is the trade space of electrical wholesaler Middy’s, which has the trademark pink branding. Former Macedon Ranges Shire councillor Andrew Twaits questioned the bold change at council’s recent ordinary…
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Brewery battle ends
Holgate Brewhouse’s new discovery centre has been granted dining privileges and increased opening hours in the resolution of a bungled planning permit. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has removed restrictions on serving beer and food, and extended hours at the visitor centre and beer gardens to 9pm. VCAT’s order comes with a patron cap…
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Holding the class in the palm of his hand
An inspiring teacher can make a young person’s high school experience extraordinary. And there is no one more deserving of that praise than English and drama teacher Bernie Monagle. In a career spanning more than four decades – 27 of those years spent at Kyneton’s Sacred Heart College – the recently retired Kyneton local has…
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Exemption on farm worker accommodation
Farmers will no longer require a permit to build on-farm worker accommodation under new Victorian planning changes. The permit exemption is available to accommodate up to 10 workers engaged in agriculture and must be on at least 40 hectares of land in the Farm Zone. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the amendment would remove…