Castlemaine
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Climate action convoy headed to Canberra
The road leads to Canberra for a growing contingent of determined locals heading there to join a national rally calling on the federal government for effective climate change action. They’re inviting anyone who shares their concerns to join them and secure a spot on one of two charter buses headed to the People’s Climate Assembly…
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Walking the walk…Nordic pole style in Castlemaine
Castlemaine’s Johanna Winchcomb admits she loves few things better than a bracing Nordic pole walk. “Nordic pole walking is actually fitness walking,” says Johanna, one of an increasing number of locals taking up this international outdoorsy activity originally developed in Finland to keep skiers fit in the off season. “You exercise 45 percent more of…
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Help for fire-hit farmers
Castlemaine’s Vossloh has donated thousands of dollars worth of steel from its local railway component manufacturing business to help fire-hit farmers at Lexton rebuild fences. The local business teamed up with Castlemaine’s Leech Transport to deliver the donation after one of Vossloh’s employees decided she wanted to do something to help. Emily Merlo, human resources…
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Castlemaine event to connect a community …
The unprecedented fires impacting Victoria and other states, and the underlying issue of climate change, is upsetting not just for those directly involved – but for the wider community. It’s a strong awareness of this that’s prompted local muso and editor and publisher of national health and wellbeing magazine The Art of Healing, Cate Mercer,…
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New chapter begins for Castlemaine Sergeant Peter Lukaitis
Long-time Castlemaine policeman and well-respected community member Sergeant Peter Lukaitis hung up his hat and badge for the final time last Sunday. But before Sgt Lukaitis signed off at the station for the last time he had the opportunity to spend one special day on the local beat with his daughter and newly graduated Victoria…
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Dog park still to have its day
Efforts to settle on a site for Castlemaine’s long-mooted off-leash dog park are progressing – slowly – with hopes a location will be finalised soon. Castlemaine ward councillor Dave Petrusma raised the issue at the most recent council meeting and also attended a meeting last week involving a local committee charged with managing a site…
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Castlemaine joins climate rallies
As thousands joined climate rallies in cities and major centres across Australia on Friday, Castlemaine was not left out. Friday’s rally involved people from all walks of life – young and otherwise – who were all there to add their voices to the growing calls for more effective actions to address climate change and runaway…
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Castlemaine radio’s night of nights
MAINfm is rolling out the green carpet for its inaugural Rogies – like the Logies but for radio, it’s an event to celebrate the talented and dedicated volunteer presenters at Castlemaine’s own radio station, 94.9 MAINfm. Awards in various categories including The Chatterati Award for ‘Best Talk Show’, The Rex Watts Music Award for ‘Best…
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Brigades battle burn-offs
Fire brigades across the region have been kept busy bringing escaped fires under control over the past fortnight. In one incident last Friday morning, a contract slasher working to create a fire break sparked a grassfire at Baringhup when the equipment struck granite. Baringhup Fire Brigade captain Brendan McKnight said striking granite was almost 100…
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Fanny Finch grave to be marked
For many long years the grave of Fanny Finch, first woman ever known to have voted in Australia, has lain unmarked at Castlemaine Cemetery following her untimely death in 1863. But now, thanks to a state government grant, the resting site of this fascinating local figure in Australia’s political history is soon to be marked…
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Flag raising celebrates diversity in Castlemaine
The rainbow flag and the Aboriginal flag will fly alongside Castlemaine’s Community House 365 days a year from now – following a special flag-raising ceremony held on site last Thursday. The two new flags were hoisted with fanfare following a Welcome to Country by local indigenous elder Uncle Rick Nelson at the event attended by…
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A dash of Latin passion catches hold in Castlemaine
A dash of Latin passion is catching hold in Castlemaine and surrounds. The distinctly Spanish flavour fomenting in some unexpected local hotspots follows a happy convergence of events and people. Take Jose Baena, for example. Jose hails from Andalusia, Spanish Granada and came to Australia in his mid-30s about 15 years ago. Those who know…