Castlemaine
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Big Splash makes waves
A push for year-round swimming facilities in Mount Alexander Shire has gathered momentum, with hundreds of community members backing a campaign for better access to aquatic facilities. Swim Mt Alexander (SWIMMA) held a ‘Big Splash’ gathering on Saturday morning, bringing supporters together on the steps of Castlemaine’s historic Market Building to highlight the growing need…
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A theatrical masterpiece
Following the spectacular success of its inaugural production, The Seagull, The Ravens Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its second production: Samuel Beckett’s theatrical masterpiece, Waiting for Godot. The Seagull became a remarkable hit, selling more than 1,800 tickets and playing to sold-out audiences in Castlemaine – an astounding achievement for the first production by…
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Artist leaves his mark
What began as a plain Colorbond fence has become a vibrant work of art thanks to Solomon Islander artist Donald Suakapu, whose talent is leaving a lasting impression on the Castlemaine community. Local resident Margaret Grey recently commissioned Donald to paint a sweeping landscape across the inside of her backyard fence after discovering his work…
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Folk singer to perform
Rising Naarm/Melbourne-based dream folk singer and songwriter Bec Sykes is headed to Castlemaine to perform songs from her Australian Music Prize-nominated debut album Pepperpot Magic and preview the new music she’s been creating since its release. Lauded for her songwriting prowess, striking voice and captivating stage presence, the magnetism of Bec Sykes’ live performance is…
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Dancing in your 60s and beyond
What began as a simple idea between two local dance teachers has grown into one of the week’s highlights for many older residents. Designed for older adults, Dance for Wellbeing 60+ is a combination of uplifting music, stretching and dance phrases. Following the enthusiastic response to their Castlemaine classes, dance teachers, Edna Reinhardt and Heidi…
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Climate conversations in Castlemaine
Women from across the Loddon Mallee are being invited to come together in Castlemaine later this month to discuss practical, community-led responses to climate change. The Women’s Climate Congress on Friday, July 24 will explore the challenges rural and regional communities face from increasingly frequent floods, droughts, bushfires, frosts and other extreme weather events, and…
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Best Australian Cheese win
Castlemaine artisan producer Long Paddock Cheese took out the title of Best Australian Cheese at England’s prestigious International Cheese and Dairy Awards last week. Adding to this prestigious win, the small central Victorian cheesemaker also took out second place in the same class. Following intense judging against leading cheesemakers from around the nation, Long Paddock…
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Up close and personal with Elliot Goblet
Ever wanted to ask one of Australia’s funniest comedians the question you’ve always wondered about? Here’s your chance. Up Close and Personal is unlike any comedy show you’ve been to. Part live performance, part candid conversation, the intimate evening features a special guest performing before sitting down for a relaxed interview – with the audience…
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Youths raise funds for Gaza
The second Gig 4 Gaza event held in Castlemaine last Friday was a huge success, with hundreds filling the Town Hall to raise more than $8000 for three important not-for-profit organisations. The evening featured six local and Melbourne-based acts, spanning indie, rock, folk, grunge and electronic music. DJ Luqman finished off the night with a…
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Bringing 80s synth-pop back to Castlemaine
Celebrating the music of 80s Synth Pop, New Wave and New Romantic era, the Blitz Kids will perform at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine on Friday, July 10. Before the charts… before the world caught on…there was The Blitz Club in London—the birthplace of a movement. A scene of style, rebellion, and sound that ignited…
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Last push to release aid
Last year, a group of dedicated volunteers in Mount Alexander Shire spent countless hours gathering and filling a 40-foot shipping container with essential items to send to Uganda through the charity organisation I Am Someone. The shipping container, which has travelled across the world to Mombasa, Kenya, has unfortunately been detained by customs for more…
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Tiny book makes epic journey
A small book has made an unexpected overseas journey and returned to its original purchaser’s family in Castlemaine more than a century later. It is believed a member of the Tingay family, who lived in Castlemaine at the time, purchased The Illuminated Scripture Text-Book For Every Day from a book store in Victoria in 1881.…