Leisure
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Follow the art trail online
Macedon Ranges Art Trail’s 2021 Spring Exhibition has pivoted to an online show. Art Trail founding manager Nadine Hartnett said artists were facing challenges arising from being isolated from their audiences as galleries closed and onsite exhibitions were cancelled time and time again during the pandemic. “Embracing new ways of exhibiting artworks sounds like a…
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Radio 88fm to feature
Castlemaine-based seniors radio station Radio 88fm is once again being featured as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival program. Radio 88fm’s Ian Braybrook said the local station recently recorded the second of its four-part podcast series for the 2021 Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined.“Our offering was reportedly really well received by audiences on the airwaves and…
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Billy Cart Challenge is racing again
Castlemaine’s favourite event, the Castlemaine Billy Cart Challenge, is back.“Everyone knows Castlemaine is the home of the hot rod. We’re reminding everyone it’s also the billy cart capital of the world,” organiser Camilo Demarco says with a smile.“Sunday October 10 is race day, so tell your aunty to hold off on the wedding and lock…
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MAIN Game footy fundraiser returns
The MAIN Game is an event like no other this side of the Great Divide and returns to Castlemaine on Sunday June 13.A community engagement and major fundraising initiative for 94.9 MAINfm, the day features a game of Aussie rules footy between the Radio Galahs and the Rockatoos at the historic Camp Reserve. The teams…
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On your bike teens and tweens!
School has not yet begun for 2021, but CycleSafe Mount Alexander and Bike Bendigo are gearing up to support students to ride from day one. Early last year, Bike Bendigo introduced the On Your Bike! school holiday program, supporting teens and tweens to ride safely to school. The program will run in Castlemaine again this…
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‘Glamping’ comes to Castlemaine
While this year has been immensely difficult for local tourism operators, Big 4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park has used the lockdown closures as an opportunity to continue to revamp the historic park on the fringe of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. Park owner Claire Height said she decided she needed to get on with things. “In…
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Woodend Bowling Club celebrates 130 years
On Christmas Day this year, Woodend Bowling Club will celebrate 130 years since the very first green was opened – December 25, 1890. The origins of the club dated back just over six months from then when, on June 1, it was decided at a well-attended meeting to establish a bowls, croquet and lawn tennis…
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Hot rod stalwarts honoured
Castlemaine hot rod stalwarts Larry and Mary O’Toole have been recognised with a special ‘Legends’ award by the Australian Street Rod Federation. The founders of Graffiti Publications and creators of Australian Street Rodding magazine were awarded the honour by the ASRF National Control Council, the governing body for street rodding in Australia. It is understood…
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Running on high
With COVID putting an indefinite halt on big running challenges that typically attract throngs of keen contestants, a group of Castlemaine runners has set its own small group challenge. The keen local runners are heading off later this week to run about 100km through some of Victoria’s most breathtaking high country over three days. Castlemaine’s…
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Riding out of lockdown
By Penny Gilbert CycleSafe Mount Alexander is excited to be rolling out a series of bike rides to help our community ride out of lockdown. With assistance from Healthy Heart of Victoria and Mount Alexander Shire Council we present a ride to suit everyone. In collaboration with our friends at Bike Bendigo, you’ll find a…
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Castlemaine – Maryborough rail trail gains momentum
Moves to develop a new rail trail linking Castlemaine to Maryborough are gaining momentum with a new committee of six now formed to pursue the vision. “Our group incorporated last month, and we’ve taken some important steps towards community and council engagement,” new Castlemaine – Maryborough Rail Trail Association president, John Carruthers, said. Mr Carruthers…
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Tail-wagging wonderful!
It’s official – Castlemaine finally has a site for its first off-lead dog park. After many years of speculation and multiple aborted suggestions for a suitable site, the new off-lead park site was announced on the spot late last week. Covering 1700 square metres of leafy natural space, the site occupies the Castlemaine township edge…