Australia Day
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Celebrating all Australians
In most parts of Australia, January 26 is a divisive day, one where the divide between fundamental beliefs is more pronounced than ever. In the shire of Mount Alexander, the community is able to celebrate the complexities of those two opposing ideologies side-by-side with the dual-named Australia Day Survival Day. Since 2018, the annual celebration…
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Dyer’s third Cup — course record
Long-time Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer won his third Hanging Rock Cup on Australia Day (Monday). Highly promising four-year-old His Finest Hour, ridden by Irish jockey Cian MacRedmond, came with a withering burst to win the 1800m feature event in course record time. Both Dyer and MacRedmond are confident His Finest Hour will be well suited…
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Great day at ‘The Rock’
There were plenty of highlights from the 2025 Hanging Rock Cup meeting on Australia Day. Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines, made his first visit to see racing at ‘The Rock’. “He was very supportive,” said Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club president, Gary O’Meara. The club was very pleased to have the minister and leading…
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Councils prioritise Indigenous relations
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has joined more than 30 per cent of Victorian councils and once more decided against hosting Australia Day celebrations in reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. This action has been in place since August 2023 when the council voted 5-2 in favour of moving the annual Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony. To…
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Australia Day in spotlight
Macedon Ranges Shire Council will no longer host traditional Australia Day events on January 26, beginning next year. Last week councillors voted 5-2 to move the date of its annual awards and citizenship ceremony to January 25 following passionate debate. The vote also saw council’s Australia Day Awards renamed ‘Community Awards’ and increased the Australia…
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AO for Woodend’s Professor Tonge
Bruce Tonge’s ground-breaking work in child psychiatry over five decades has focused on autism spectrum disorders and behavioural and emotional disturbance in children with intellectual disability. The Woodend-based Emeritus Professor has been named an Officer of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Honours in acknowledgement of his service to research and education…
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Citizen of the Year honoured
Sue Anderson has made thousands of rescues in more than 20 years as a wildlife carer. Last week the Gisborne resident was honoured for her tireless work as Macedon Ranges’ Citizen of the Year. No two rescues are the same and being nimble is almost a prerequisite for the job when rescues can involve anything…
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A lifelong passion
Watching a child have a light-bulb moment in education is one of the greatest joys in teaching for Elaine Murphy. Her successful 40-year career in primary teaching, and dedication to the arts, saw her awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day honours. Ms Murphy told the Express teaching had been a…