Castlemaine
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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…
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VGR in state’s new rail training pilot
A new pilot program will offer training and hands-on experience helping Victorian Goldfields Railway upgrade the tourist railway’s infrastructure between Castlemaine and Maldon. Late last week the state government announced support for indigenous and vulnerable people in the Loddon Mallee region to gain a certified qualification through the program. Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll…
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K Hub arrives in Castlemaine
Castlemaine’s new look K Hub (Kmart) store opened its doors to the public last Thursday morning. A Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony was held before the official opening of the new-look store. Wet weather did not deter shoppers who turned out keen to be among the first through the doors. A Kmart spokesperson confirmed…
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Exploring degrowth
Castlemaine activist, scholar and author, Anitra Nelson, will be speaking on the topic of degrowth as part of an online event this Thursday evening. Nelson co-wrote the new book, Exploring Degrowth: A Critical Guide, with French activist and spokesperson for the French and international degrowth movements, Vincent Liegey, who is currently living a degrowth lifestyle…
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Parlour gone, but ice cream lives on
Pressures from the coronavirus pandemic have led to the closure of Castlemaine’s much-loved Icecream Social ice cream parlour at the corner of Forest and Hargraves Streets after three years of trading. Operators Helen Addison-Smith and Craig MacDonald said they were devastated to have to close the doors last week but unfortunately the extended lockdowns had…
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Jobs boost for CHIRP
CHIRP Community Health in Castlemaine will be able to employ eight new staff members thanks to a funding boost from the state government. Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford and Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards visited CHIRP on Friday to make the announcement. The funding is part of the government’s $500 million Working for Victoria fund…