Harcourt
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Saving our apple heritage
Carr’s Organic Fruit Tree Nursery at Harcourt is urging community members to ‘plant a fruit tree you’ve never heard of’ in a bid to save our heritage fruit varieties from extinction. Carr’s Nursery’s Katie Finlay said there were hundreds of different apple varieties in the world, but many were on the brink of disappearing. “If…
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Nordic pole walking expands
Local nordic pole walking classes have really hit their stride, proving so popular they’re now being offered in Castlemaine, Harcourt, Newstead and Maldon. Volunteers have recently had their qualifications updated by the Nordic Academy and as a result are enthusiastic to offer this opportunity in more locations across Mount Alexander Shire. Healthy Heart of Victoria…
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Rhythms in the red gums
John Butler is hitting the stage in Harcourt this weekend to support The Thin Green Line Foundation and their work with Indigenous women rangers. The internationally revered artist will be joined in the lineup by brother-in-law Nicky Bomba, wife Danielle Caruana and good mate Dingo Spender of Mama Kin Spender – as well as by…
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Drivers trapped in two accidents
Castlemaine SES unit was called out to rescue people trapped in vehicles at two separate incidents within 36 hours of each other over the weekend. At 14.08pm last Friday, the unit was called to an accident on Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road where a man had become trapped after his car rolled onto its side. SES volunteers…
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Contract awarded for upgrade of fatality road
Eve Lamb A contested vote of council has seen a local earthmoving firm clinch the $529,842 contract for roadworks to upgrade notorious Fogartys Gap Road – the site of four fatalities in recent years. Mount Alexander Shire Council has voted 5:1 in favour of awarding the contract to Castlemaine-based Leech Earthmoving. But it’s a decision…
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Lifeguard shortage impacts pools
A shortage of lifeguards due to COVID has forced some changes to the operating hours for public outdoor pools in Castlemaine, Harcourt, Maldon and Newstead. Mount Alexander Shire Council late last week confirmed that the operating hours for its public outdoor swimming pools in each of these centres will be adjusted for the remaining four…
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Strawberry summer
It’s a bumper season for strawberries. In fact it’s the best they’ve ever had out at the Blackwood Orchard in Harcourt, providing a welcome foil to the trickier cherry season with which they’ve been contending amid strong demand for both fruits. “This is the best season for strawberries we’ve ever had,” Blackwood’s Suzanne Pickering told…
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Preserving our heritage apples
Harcourt has always been known as the ‘apple centre of Victoria’ but in recent years some of its heritage apple varieties have almost disappeared.One family of long-time Harcourt orchardists is trying to do its bit to save these heritage gems by making them available to the wider community. Carr’s Organic Fruit Tree Nursery co-owner Katie…
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Rain impacts finals fortunes in CDCA
Castlemaine District Cricket Association grand finals got underway Friday evening with Harcourt hosting Barkers Creek in the Women’s showdown. Harcourt finished on top of the ladder and Barkers Creek were vying for back-to-back premiership honours. At the conclusion of a top evening of competition, Barkers Creek emerged victorious and claimed the 2020-2021 Premiership Cup. The…
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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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Cultural farming venture for Harcourt
Work has begun to establish an Indigenous Bush Tucker Farm at Harcourt. “I’m confident to say we’ll probably get going just before Christmas,” local Dja Dja Wurrung man, Harley Douglas said. Mr Douglas is shouldering the role of farm manager, while Castlemaine-based Gunditjmara person Claire Barker will be garden manager and says they’re particularly looking…
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Get on board with Harcourt’s Miniature Railway
It’s an imposing sight. The newly built replica of Maryborough’s grand 1870s railway station, complete with newly added clock tower, stands testament to the massive work that’s already been done towards creating Harcourt’s Miniature Railway. Now Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions have placed Victorian Miniature Railway’s work to realise its grand vision on hold. But the…