Leisure
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Oz Day gong for Ken
Citizen of the Year for Mount Alexander Shire, Ken Maddern has not let having chronic fatigue stand in his way. Instead, the passionate local volunteer, sports administrator and junior sports promoter has done more to benefit his local community than many achieve in a lifetime. It’s a fact that on Saturday saw Ken named the…
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Parlez-vous Francais?
The hot, dry bushland of Walmer is a very long way from Canada’s French Quebec famed for its icy winter carnival. But you don’t have to chat to local French language tutor, Emma Dubuc, for long to see she loves the Aussie bushland she now calls home. Originally from Quebec City where French was her…
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In need of TLC
Kyneton’s botanic gardens have the potential to be a real visitor drawcard but are in need of some tender loving care. The Friends of the Kyneton Botanic Gardens are calling for support from the community to help them renew the town’s beautiful gardens. The group was formed in 2005 but membership has waned and a…
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Raising the roof
Founder of the highly successful Vocal Ranges Festival and director of the Pollyphonics Choir, Polly Christie is bringing her latest choral project to the bar stools of Kyneton. The KC Pub Singers are inspired by the rising movement of pub choirs – kicked off by the Choir! Choir! Choir! project in Canada – bringing together…
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Free-range fun
Let the kids roam free on Kyneton Show Day this Saturday to explore their imaginations with hours of free activities in the kids’ zone around the netball courts. There’ll be a new ‘free play’ addition in the kids’ tent where youngsters can choose from a craft smorgasbord, reusing materials like cardboard tubes, boxes, fabric, yarn…
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Fun on the farm
Experience food, wine, beer and craft from across the region at the Carlsruhe Fire Brigade’s Wine and Food Festival on Sunday, November 4, from 11am to 4pm. The event will highlight local producers as well as art, craft and variety stalls, and children’s activities. It will also feature performances by local musicians. The event will…
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This project was picked!
A project engaging local teenagers to help build Australia’s biggest miniature railway at Harcourt has won a $198,000 boost, emerging as one of the state’s Pick My Project winners. The $198,000 sum will soon to be used to build a replica of the historic Maryborough railway station – complete with six platforms – as part…
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New management for Newstead pool
Bendigo Regional Young Men’s Christian Association Youth Services will manage Newstead Swimming Pool for the next three years following a council decision last week. But the Newstead committee that has managed the local pool since 1964 will still have some input into the pool’s operations in a move aimed at ensuring the community retains its…
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New festival collapses
An arts and wellness festival awarded $450,000 in state government funding has been cancelled. Eyebrows were raised when the government announced the significant funding allocation earlier this year for the new Live.Love.Life Festival, which aimed to showcase Daylesford and Macedon Ranges, while established festivals including the Woodend Winter Arts Festival had their funding reduced. Daylesford…
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The splash on our pool contracts
A new $1,056,455 council contract will see Bendigo Regional YMCA Youth Services manage outdoor pools in Castlemaine, Harcourt and Maldon over the next three years. Mount Alexander Shire councillors unanimously voted in favour of awarding the pool management contract to Bendigo Regional YMCA Youth Services at the ordinary meeting of council last Tuesday night. But…
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Locals join the ride
Castlemaine locals Greg Barkla and Bob Bent have teamed up to take part in the Black Dog Ride, a 10-day motorcycle tour to raise funds and awareness for the suicide prevention organisation the Black Dog Institute. The lads will join hundreds of participants from across Australia on the ride, an adventure that will see the…
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These riders dispel the myth
Macedon Ranges ULYSSES Club is working to dispel the long-held myth that ‘bikers mean trouble’. Beyond the intimidating Harley handles, leather jackets and ‘tough guy’ exteriors at the over 40s club are largely retirees just looking for an excuse to hit the road and share a love for riding with others. “Bikes are on the…