Leisure
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An afternoon with Damian Callinan
A series of conversations with Australia’s music and comedy superstars at Lyonville’s Radio Springs Hotel has proven hugely popular, with the first two Sunday afternoon sessions sold out. So far the afternoons have featured songbird royalty Marina Prior and her husband, renowned actor Grant Piro, followed by comedy legend Tony Martin. Next up will be…
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Show turns 170!
Castlemaine and District Agricultural Society is gearing up to celebrate its annual show on the evening of Friday November 1 and Saturday November 2. The beloved local institution celebrates its 170th anniversary in 2024 – an incredible feat for the hardworking team behind the annual spectacle. The Friday evening Carnival Night is always a highlight…
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Tea with Miss Poppy
Join Parkside Winery and Farm’s Sparkling Rosé ambassador, Miss Poppy, as she launches her new La Coquelicot Rosé sparkling to coincide with THAT big horse event on November 5. Enjoy a full glass of rosé bubbles plus a treat of five savoury and sweet goodies to match the bubbles, all prepared and home-cooked at Parkside.…
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The art of gardening at the Festival of Gardens
The bright banners are flying and the region is bursting with colour as we count down to the 17th biennial Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens. For nine days during Melbourne Cup week, from Saturday November 2 until Sunday November 10, the festival will showcase stunning private gardens located in the Mount Alexander Shire. There’s…
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Mount Players present A Bunch of Amateurs
The Mount Players’ final production for the year opens Friday November 1 – A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newham. In a desperate plight to save their theatre from developers, a washed-up Hollywood star is flown in to play the title role in King Lear at ‘Stratford’ believing he will be appearing…
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Learn glass art
Hoppers Glass Studio and Gallery in Maldon is offering glassblowing workshops during the Melbourne Cup long weekend. Hoppers Glass is a privately owned studio, founded in 2017, with the aim is to promote all aspects of glass art, including lampworking (glass blowing), stained glass, kiln work (fuse, cast and slump), cold working, glass mosaics and…
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Market birthday party
The Castlemaine Farmers Market is putting on a special birthday party this Sunday November 3 and all are invited to attend! Established in November 2003, the market has ‘come of age’ and from a humble beginning of 25 stalls is now host to more than 70 stalls at the monthly market held the first Sunday…
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Atmospheric festival transforms town
Since its inception in 1974 the Maldon Folk Festival has grown from a small gathering where performers often played for free and, if lucky, received money from donations tossed into a blanket being passed around the crowd, to an event that attracts thousands of people to the historic gold mining town. The festival was established…
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Country carnival returns!
The Vaughan Springs Carnival is returning on Sunday November 10. This much-loved community celebration is held in the historic and picturesque Vaughan Springs Reserve along the banks of the Loddon River, situated on Djaara Country and within the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. The Springs are the perfect setting for this relaxed and fun picnic-style…
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RCVC garden fundraiser
Castlemaine artists Catherine and Neil Tait will have their sprawling McKenzie Hill garden ‘Stringy Bark Hill’ open for the 17th biennial Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens, which kicks off this weekend. Proceeds of the entry will be donated to Regional Community Vet Clinic. The RCVC is a cause close to the local couple’s hearts…
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A whimsical wonderland
Stepping through the ornate gates at Shades of Gray Studio and Gallery in Castlemaine, visitors are immediately transported to a whimsical wonderland full of unique, hand-crafted metal flowers. The beautiful greenery of the garden is adorned with more than 10,000 daisies, lilies and bell flowers in vibrant colours and hues, nestled among the plants and…
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Resonance String Orchestra in concert
Resonance String Orchestra’s 16th annual concert, Emotion, will take place in the Castlemaine Town Hall on Sunday November 17, featuring works by Respighi, Sibelius and Vivaldi, as well as film favourites and more. The concerts will include performances by acclaimed cellist Zoe Knighton (Resonance’s artistic patron), Resonance String Orchestra, the newly formed Apprenti Strings junior…