Castlemaine
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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…
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Castlemaine locals in tree-sit actions
Castlemaine residents were among up to 60 protesters arrested last week at a controversial highway upgrade site in Western Victoria, after emotions ran high amid claims a culturally significant tree had been felled. Castlemaine’s Gabe Lillington, 21, was arrested and bailed late last week after spending several days and two nights up a tree as…
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Bushfire preparation begins
Forest Fire Management Victoria continues to prepare the region for the upcoming bushfire season, building on fuel management works conducted throughout the year to reduce bushfire risk for communities and the environment. FFMVic has recruited additional seasonal firefighters, with 55 fixed-term firefighters in place across the district from late October to work alongside the department’s…
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Beauty awaits behind the garden gate…
Chelly and Peter Gray of Castlemaine’s renowned Shades of Gray Studio Gallery and Garden will launch their highly anticipated spring exhibition of new work this Saturday. The talented artists have been working furiously behind the garden gates for the past six months in preparation for their major event. “We have been working 12 hours a…
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Unite in dance
Come together to dance as part of the annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign. Recognised globally each year, 16 Days of Activism runs from November 25 to December 10, beginning on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year, the Macedon Ranges Family Violence Network and Mount Alexander Family…

