Macedon Ranges
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Farm build rights gone?
Landowners in the Macedon Ranges will lose their existing rights to build a dwelling on 40ha or more in the Farm Zone under a state government proposal to protect farmland. It is one of the controversial elements in Planning for Melbourne’s Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Consultation Paper aimed to protect agricultural land within 100km…
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Man airlifted after Hanging Rock fall
Paramedics have airlifted a man involved in a fall from the summit of Hanging Rock this morning. The man in his 20s was assessed at the scene for suspected upper body injuries after falling about four metres. Local SES members were called to assist with the rescue and got the man to a small plateau…
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Hollywood comes to the Ranges
Liam Neeson’s new Hollywood action film will feature a slice of the Macedon Ranges. Works began last week to temporarily transform Macedon Reservoir for the $43 million film Blacklight, which is written, directed and produced by Ozark co-creator Mark Williams. Three days of filming will take place this week for the film that has been…
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ELECTION ON A KNIFE-EDGE
The local government election rested on a knife-edge in two of Macedon Ranges’ three wards, with first preference numbers too close to call and results determined by preferences. Annette Death swept to victory early in East Ward heralding a strong desire for Riddell representation, the first of just two candidates to achieve the required quota…
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A story worth (over)sharing
While the arrival of spring reminds us of years past when it was possible to enjoy being among the hustle and bustle of the Spring Racing Carnival’s unbridled, ahem, social gatherings, season 2020 is shaping up to look considerably different. But all is not lost. In fact, a local good news story has emerged that…
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Time travel team launches series
A friendship formed playing and coaching basketball has led to a children’s book series collaboration between two talented Macedon Ranges men. Chris ‘Roy’ Taylor (Woodend artist, illustrator and author) and James Crabtree (Kyneton writer), are the creators of the recently released Tina and Tom’s Time Travelling Toilet, which combines some brilliant moments in history with rip…
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Turning periods into pathways
A group of local Macedon Ranges women has been making sustainable, reusable menstrual hygiene kits to distribute to girls across the developing world. The local chapter of Days For Girls is one of many around the world (there are about 120 in Australia) that make and distribute the kits together with vital education regarding reproductive…
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Mining bid no laughing matter
Tom Gleeson has used his star power for a second time to help shut down mining plans spanning a huge area of the Macedon Ranges from Hesket to Pipers Creek and Nulla Vale. The comedian, who calls Romsey home, red-flagged two exploration licence applications on social media last week, showing once again that mining Macedon…
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Help for new parents
Castlemaine-based doula Elloise Moffatt has launched a free online parent group aimed to support first-time and new parents across the region. Elloise specialises in supporting parents with postpartum care and grappling with the challenges of feeding and caring for their newborn. The doula said the first few weeks could be enough of a challenge for…
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‘Pay it forward’ balloons bring joy
Birthday parties may be out during the pandemic but one recurrent house guest has likely attended more celebrations in the Macedon Ranges than anyone at this time. A cheerful balloon garland has made its way to about seven children’s ‘iso’ birthdays and shows little sign of feeling flat as families continue to pass on the…
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Footy Star Academy is here
The launch of the Clinton Young Footy Star Academy on Saturday morning represents a further boost for Australian Rules in Gisborne and the Macedon Ranges, and eventually Sunbury. There were 158 young footballers taking part in the special free clinic held at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School at New Gisborne. At a time when football…
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‘Protect the region’
A Kyneton business owner has refused to take bookings from people wanting to visit from Melbourne’s coronavirus lockdown areas. Ellenis Day Spa has had several people attempt to make a booking including one woman who argued that “nobody needs to know”. Owner Irene Thompson said the spa had also cancelled dozens of advance bookings from…