Castlemaine
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Damaging winds overnight
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for damaging winds developing about elevated terrain from this evening. A strong cold front will enter the west of the state late on Tuesday, bringing a vigorous north to northwesterly flow. Showers and thunderstorms are likely along the front, as well as in northwesterly winds in its…
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Local duo on MKR
Eve Lamb It’s not the best-kept secret around town that Castlemaine father and daughter, Peter and Alice Bottomley, are soon to appear as contestants on the new TV season of My Kitchen Rules. The two are no strangers to keeping their cool when the temperature soars in the kitchen as the family owns and operates…
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A tale of two friends
The beautiful friendship of Castlemaine youngsters, Jarrah Podesta and Mathilde Cross, has inspired a new children’s book by award-winning author, Pip Harry. Pip said the first spark for August & Jones came to her in 2019 after reading about 11-year-olds Mathilde and Jarrah in the Sydney Morning Herald ‘Two of Us’ column. Jarrah had lost…
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National conference coming to Castlemaine
In recent years, main streets and town centres have faced many challenges to their survival. First, shopping centres, then online, and finally, COVID. Now they’re faced with worker shortages and price increases. However, in comparison to metro main streets, regional precincts have done it even tougher with a smaller population to call on for support…
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Salvage project finds hidden photo gem
Eve Lamb Salvage yard operator Karl Haass of Glenluce has been in the business of dismantling old houses for 40 years. But Karl does not use a wrecking ball. Instead he painstakingly dismantles yesteryear abodes and salvages the resulting beautiful, precious and often rare materials and fixtures, ensuring they do not go to waste but…
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Artists deliver new course
Eve Lamb Established Castlemaine artists Zoe Amor and Helen Kelly know what it’s like to turn a personal passion into a professional practice. Unfortunately, for many talented artists, it’s not always something that comes about easily – or ever. But now the two accomplished practitioners are teaming together to deliver a new course aimed at…
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Our organics are not ‘waste’
Transitioning to a localised economy is both pressing and exciting. As we learn of recycling industries in crisis, rising fuel prices and unaffordable lettuce, the YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) members scratch their collective heads, especially when it comes to removing food organics from landfill and increasing local food growing capacity. YIMBY composters are…
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One more chorus
Eve Lamb If you love singing … then the community choir that’s about to be piloted in Castlemaine – starting tomorrow evening – may be for you. The One More Chorus community choir is the brainchild of talented sister singers, Elsie and Maggie Rigby, who are well known to many as Melbourne folk icons, The…
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Chicks in Sticks co-founder named award finalist
Eve Lamb A love of the land and of landcare has seen former Castlemaine Secondary College student Tess Grieves named among the finalists for this year’s national Steadfast Young Landcare Leadership Award. Helping to organise the annual Chicks in the Sticks rural women’s event, which she co-founded 10 years ago, is just one of the…
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Litter disgusts Rod
Eve LambCastlemaine’s Rod Hadfield is not impressed with what’s been appearing in his patch lately. The well-known local hot rod collector and enthusiast says he’s disgusted by the amount of litter he’s noticed discarded along the Pyrenees Highway at Chewton – a main entry to Castlemaine – over recent weeks. “Where is the pride in…
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Bust of the late Felix Cappy unveiled
Lisa Dennis A huge crowd gathered at the Castlemaine Town Hall on Sunday to witness the unveiling of a bronze bust to celebrate the life and achievements of the late Felix Cappy OAM. Felix was born and bred in Castlemaine and devoted his life to community service, charitable work and preserving the town’s history. Felix…
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Resilience group tackles emissions
Eve Lamb A survey conducted by Castlemaine’s West End Resilience group indicates a high level of enthusiasm for community-based energy solutions towards reducing carbon emissions. Members of the home-grown energy group say they’re are now looking into sustainable energy solutions that are accessible for all West Enders including tenants, home-owners and businesses, and also community…