Castlemaine

  • Showcase of female musical talent for IWD

    Showcase of female musical talent for IWD

    In celebration of International Women’s Day, a group of local performers will be hosting an evening of entertainment at the Northern Arts Hotel in Castlemaine on Wednesday, March 8. Now in its third year, the event showcases some of the terrific female musical talents in the local area, with this year’s event shaping up to…

  • Suitcase reveals extraordinary story

    Suitcase reveals extraordinary story

    Jade Jungwirth Last July, two local residents chanced upon a World War I diary written by a young Australian soldier among the belongings of a World War II journalist. Living in Yapeen during the height of the pandemic, Karen Nancarrow and David Darcy, took to attending online garage sales and auctions to keep their spirits…

  • New brewer at Shedshaker

    New brewer at Shedshaker

    It’s a new year and new chapter for Castlemaine’s Shedshaker Brewing. Andrew Cronin, formerly of Melbourne’s Cavalier Brewing, has taken on the role of head brewer at Shedshaker, bringing more than 10 years of independent beer brewing experience to Castlemaine. Shedshaker director Doug Falconer said Andrew was a standout candidate with his combination of brewing…

  • New treatment options approved

    New treatment options approved

    The Castlemaine chapter of Mind Medicine Australia is celebrating the recent announcement that the Therapeutic Goods Administration will reschedule the medical use of MDMA and psilocybin from July 1. The rescheduling will enable authorised psychiatrists to prescribe these psychedelic substances for treatment-resistant depression and treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. All other uses of MDMA and Psilocybin…

  • Cyclists call for action

    Cyclists call for action

    Community members are calling for urgent improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure at McKenzie Hill on the outskirts of Castlemaine following several near misses in recent months. With ever-expanding housing developments sprawling across McKenzie Hill and consequently bringing a significant number of cars onto the Pyrenees Highway from Diamond Gully Road and other intersections local…

  • A dream realised

    A dream realised

    The celebrated debut novel of late Castlemaine resident and beloved local GP Dr Kath O’Connor Inheritance is being officially launched by Affirm Press worldwide today. Inheritance is a profoundly moving and eloquent novel about two women in very different worlds, whose lives are shaped by a single fatal gene – a gene that the author herself inherited. Kath,…

  • 2023 festival line-up revealed!

    2023 festival line-up revealed!

    A huge crowd packed The Goods Shed on Saturday morning for the launch of the impressive 2023 season line up for the Castlemaine State Festival’s highly anticipated 24th biennial event. The diverse curation of the very best local and international arts talent and events will bring focus to Castlemaine, spotlighting the arts culture of the…

  • Prison healthcare shake-up

    Prison healthcare shake-up

    Following a massive shakeup to the state’s prison healthcare system Dhelkaya Health in Castlemaine will become the lead healthcare provider for prisoners at Tarrengower Prison from July 1. Private healthcare provider GEO Group Australia will be replacing Correct Care Australasia in the state’s male prisons, including the two in Castlemaine, and maximum security Dame Phyllis…

  • Telegraph station connects to NBN

    Telegraph station connects to NBN

    Some exciting developments have recently occurred at the Old Telegraph Station in Barker Street, Castlemaine. In December, the building was connected to the NBN bringing the historic station into the 21st century. In January 1857, the building had been connected to the Sandhurst telegraph line. The introduction of the electric telegraph in Castlemaine, and other…

  • Are you the next Idyll?

    Are you the next Idyll?

    Registration for Castlemaine Idyll 2023 is now open! Castlemaine Idyll is Castlemaine’s ultimate annual talent contest, and has been running for more than 12 years. Featuring hot local talent, a hugely talented professional band, celebrity judges and a community uniting joyously in support, the theme for Idyll 2023 is ‘Shine’. Registrations close this Friday January…

  • Big line-up for Town Folk Festival

    Big line-up for Town Folk Festival

    The countdown is on until Castlemaine’s highly anticipated second annual Town Folk Festival on Saturday February 11. Bringing together 16 of the best contemporary artists from across Victoria and beyond, Town Folk Festival celebrates diverse, compelling and exciting music, which all fits vaguely or specifically under the ever-widening umbrella of folk. The one-day festival will…

  • Flagship festival to launch

    Flagship festival to launch

    Now in its 47th year, the Castlemaine State Festival is launching its 2023 season with a preview event at Castlemaine Goods Shed this Saturday January 28. The free public launch of Australia’s flagship regional arts event kicks off at 11am at the Kennedy Street venue with festival director Glyn Roberts presenting this year’s generous program.…