Castlemaine
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‘Glamping’ comes to Castlemaine
While this year has been immensely difficult for local tourism operators, Big 4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park has used the lockdown closures as an opportunity to continue to revamp the historic park on the fringe of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. Park owner Claire Height said she decided she needed to get on with things. “In…
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A gnawing problem
Quite a few people are said to keep a secret in their closet. Turns out one Castlemaine area woman had a secret in her closet she didn’t even know was there. But when Karen Micallef recently shifted a suitcase that had been sitting beside her closet, all that was about to change. “I looked down…
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Concern over church plan for Castlemaine
A proposed church development that would become the largest place of assembly in Castlemaine is currently before Mount Alexander Shire Council. Residents have raised concerns about the application for 83 Blakeley Road, which would have the capacity to seat up to 870 people and an adjoining car park to accommodate 160 cars. The application outlines…
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EV tax slammed
With the first of the region’s new electric vehicle fast charge stations to roll out at Maryborough within days, advocates are slamming the state government’s proposed new tax slug on EV road users. “Electric vehicles currently make up only one per cent of vehicles on our roads so it’s far too early to disincentivise their…
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Creative residencies
Four local creatives have been given residency at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine as part of the 2020-21 At Home program. The Mount Alexander Shire Council program provides industry development opportunities for creatives through a three-week residency opportunity, artist fees and marketing and technical support. Alex Kelly and her Melbourne-based collaborator David Pledger will…
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Spreading joy through jazz
A former Castlemaine girl now based in the US is preparing to launch an uplifting new jazz album recorded during the pandemic. Let’s Get Serious is the third album from soul-jazz singer, songwriter and saxophonist Gemma Sherry, who left Australia bound for New York a decade ago to pursue a career in jazz. Shortly after…
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Riding out of lockdown
By Penny Gilbert CycleSafe Mount Alexander is excited to be rolling out a series of bike rides to help our community ride out of lockdown. With assistance from Healthy Heart of Victoria and Mount Alexander Shire Council we present a ride to suit everyone. In collaboration with our friends at Bike Bendigo, you’ll find a…
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Intricate illustrations
Imagine setting off from your home in Castlemaine to wander among forests and castles in France, carrying your camera, lenses and iPad (which doubles as a light-box). You would also need heaps of zip-lock bags for collecting feathers, leaves and insect wings. In 2019 that is what Lorena Carrington did. She was working on the…
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Mosley to feature on Castlemaine radio program
After only 12 weeks on air, the new Go Well radio program hosted by Cate Mercer on Castlemaine’s 94.9 MAINfm has secured its first internationally acclaimed guest with two exclusive interviews with Dr Michael Mosley set to be broadcast on November 19 and 26. The interviews will focus on the topics of fasting and sleep;…
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Reach out to connect
CHIRP Community Health has appointed a new LGBTIQA+ engagement officer to reconnect the community after a lengthy period of COVID isolation. Sherene Clow, a long-time local of Castlemaine, hopes to reach out to both long-term residents and newcomers to the shire who have not been able to connect with others during lockdown this year. Ms…
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Artisan cheesemaker takes first bite of trade
There was plenty of cause for big cheesy grins as Castlemaine’s new artisan cheesemaker savoured its first bite of retail trade on Friday. Over the past few months, Long Paddock Cheese has been established at The Mill, Castlemaine, by the passionate partnership team with Cheese Full Circle Pty Ltd. The new venture features an artisan…
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Learner drivers back on the road as restrictions ease
Shanti Steventon-Lorenzen is gearing up to new freedom after gaining her ‘Ps’ with a little help from TAC and CHIRP Community Health in Castlemaine. The TAC L2P program has been running through CHIRP for five years, and it helps young learner drivers attain their probationary licence. The program matches them with trained volunteer mentors to…