Leisure
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Dog park still to have its day
Efforts to settle on a site for Castlemaine’s long-mooted off-leash dog park are progressing – slowly – with hopes a location will be finalised soon. Castlemaine ward councillor Dave Petrusma raised the issue at the most recent council meeting and also attended a meeting last week involving a local committee charged with managing a site…
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Kyneton Show shines with record crowds
Organisers have declared the 159th Kyneton Show an enormous success with perfect spring weather on Show Day setting new attendance records. Kyneton Agricultural Society secretary Josephine Rutledge said more than 5800 people went through the gates over the two days, well up on the 5000 last year. She said the country-styled parkour obstacle course was…
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A dash of Latin passion catches hold in Castlemaine
A dash of Latin passion is catching hold in Castlemaine and surrounds. The distinctly Spanish flavour fomenting in some unexpected local hotspots follows a happy convergence of events and people. Take Jose Baena, for example. Jose hails from Andalusia, Spanish Granada and came to Australia in his mid-30s about 15 years ago. Those who know…
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Ready, set … Run The Maine
This Friday public holiday is a big one for Castlemaine as the town hosts hundreds of runners for the annual Run The Maine. Event director Gavin Krasner says the half marathon course has been particularly hitting the mark with strong registrations from runners keen to tackle the 21km distance that will follow the Maldon to…
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Drone daredevils take fishing to new heights at Upper Coliban Reservoir
A daring Kyneton fisherman and his mates have tackled the first-ever drone fishing at Upper Coliban Reservoir in a stunt that put everything on the line. Armed with his rod and a VB stubby of courage, Sam Foreman dangled metres above the water, suspended in a chair from a purpose-built drone while captured on film.…
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Lights up after dark
The launch of six new floodlights at Chewton’s Soldiers Memorial Park on Friday means Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club can now expand its membership and programs. A large crowd including numerous young soccer players gathered at the park on Friday evening to launch the new floodlights that will now be used for after-dark training by the…
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Lifting spirits – Belly dancing a wellbeing boost
Anita Zacchigna clearly recalls seeing belly dancing performed for the first time. “I was about 15 when I first saw belly dancing and I just thought ‘wow, the women in my family don’t dance like that!’” she says. The powerful impression that the Arabic expressive dance form had on Anita as a teenager remained with…
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Twenty years of dance
Castlemaine’s long-running hip-hop dance school Movement Zone is celebrating 20 years of dance with a special event at the Theatre Royal on Saturday August 3. Dancers past and present, parents and supporters are encouraged to get along to ‘Ready, Set, Glow’. The school’s humble beginnings began in Melbourne in 1999. It was co-founded by renowned…
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On-water access
Residents are seeking reassurance on water quality and safety as the state government prepares to open on-water access for Coliban Water’s Kyneton catchment from August 1. For the first time, kayaks, canoes and small craft with electric motors will be permitted for recreational use at Malmsbury, Lauriston and Upper Coliban reservoirs. The new access comes…
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Let off some steam!
With the school term break now in full swing, a special steam train running between Castlemaine and Maldon has been offering kids the chance to let off some holiday steam themselves. The Victorian Goldfields Railway Steam Train for Kids is rolling down the tourist track between Castlemaine and Maldon on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during…
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Time to take tea at Plaistow
Renowned for its luscious cakes and home-baked scones, the annual Biggest Morning Tea at Plaistow Homestead has gained a hungry legion of supporters. In preparation for this year’s morning tea Lil and Peter Skilbeck, owners of this gracious country homestead at Joyces Creek, have again been busy preparing delicious morning tea treats ahead of the…
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Biggest morning stroll
Pull on your walking shoes and take a stroll around Castlemaine’s beautiful botanical gardens for a very good cause this Thursday. Castlemaine District Community Health nurse Bronwyn Grieve said that to coincide with Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea they were holding the special morning walk at the gardens with all funds raised to fund…