Leisure
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Writers celebrate place, story, nature
The inaugural Mountain Writers Festival was a draw for booklovers and nature-lovers alike. Held earlier this month, the festival was the flagship event for the Macedon Ranges Literary Association and carried the theme ‘Place Story Nature’. It was the first Australian literary festival to solely focus on environmental and ecological writing, and the impact literature…
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Your chance to share in $6000
We’re sliding headlong into Christmas and that means one thing! The Midland Express’s Christmas Candy Card is back! It’s your once-in-a-year opportunity to share in the chance to win great cash prizes and vouchers. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it will help you get your Christmas shopping done! Take part and go in the draw…
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View the world differently
The news: We read it, we watch it, we listen to it, we scroll our devices looking for it. But how aware are you of the choices you are making and how they are affecting your health – and your life? Cate Mercer, editor/publisher of The Art of Healing, is celebrating 20 years of producing…
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A bloomin’ good weekend
There’s a rare opportunity to view professionally designed private gardens in the Macedon Ranges during Garden DesignFest over the weekend of November 19-20. Five gardens will open for the event across Kyneton, Tylden and Gisborne – all differing in design and features. They range from designers Kate and Kendall Monk’s Aperture Garden in a residential…
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The best day of country fun
Round up the family on November 26 and head to Woodend Primary School’s Carlsruhe Country Fair. The kids can romp around the oval, slide with glee down the 30m slide or take a train ride as they burn off the delicious cupcakes from the cake stall. Meanwhile, you can wander the kitchen garden, load up…
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Truck show returns bigger and better
Tickets are on sale now for the 2022 HHA & Larsen’s Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show. Now in its 34th year the show will be returning bigger and better than ever with a full program of events at the Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve on November 26 and 27. The long running event is a popular attraction…
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Backyard Fest finally hits town
From humble beginnings in a suburban backyard five years ago, Backyard Fest will officially launch this weekend at Castlemaine’s unique art space – Lot 19. Backyard Fest is the brainchild of mates Alex Kavenagh and Blake Van Leeuwen, who have spent almost three years planning the event, experiencing multiple setbacks and venue changes along the…
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Rock fest soon
Time is running out to secure your tickets for the inaugural First Nations music festival at Hanging Rock on November 27. Presented by Mushroom Group, the Victorian Government and Bad Apples Music, First and Forever will celebrate Blak excellence and the irrepressible force that is contemporary First Nations culture and music. Curated by Bad Apples…
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Exhibition dedicated to dead mothers
Postpartum is an exhibition dedicated to honouring the dead mothers of artists Melissa Clark, Melissa Urquhart and Hayley West. Through art and ritual, they explore the nature of the relationships and memories they hold of their mothers, and how they have changed over time. The opening of the exhibition on Saturday night included a wake…
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MainFM celebrates Australian music
94.9 MainFM will be celebrating all the diversity and talent of homegrown artists with a full week dedicated to playing Australian music in honour of Australian Music Month. Celebrating everything that’s great about Australian music, listeners can expect to hear even more local content, special programs, interviews, retrospectives and playlists. “Ausmusic Week has always been…
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Sculpture entries open
It’s a Small World sculpture prize, coinciding with next year’s Castlemaine State Festival, is being hosted by the Newstead Arts Hub from March 18-April 9. Established and emerging artists are welcome to enter pieces exploring the theme It’s a small world. It’s a phrase often used to describe the connection between people and events around…
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Keeping backyard chooks
Understanding chicken (chook) social behaviour makes it easier for the backyard enthusiast to properly house, feed and importantly, enjoy their personalities. Chooks are really smart. They have exceptional eyesight, can recognise people’s facial features, distinguish colours and communicate with more than 24 vocal sounds. Their hearing is amazing too and they recognise differing voices, car…