Mount Alexander
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PM witnesses Harcourt destruction, funding announced
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Harcourt on Sunday and unveiled a $19.5 million support package for those affected by the ongoing bushfires. He was joined by state MPs from across the Bendigo electorates – Maree Edwards, Lisa Chester’s, and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. The joint funding between the federal and state governments will establish a…
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Emergency services continue fire fight
The Harcourt, Ravenswood South and Walmer communities and surrounds are shocked and devastated following Friday’s fire. The fire began in Fogartys Gap Road at Ravenswood South on Friday afternoon and the catastrophic conditions saw it get away from emergency services, pushing it through parts of Walmer towards Harcourt. It then jumped the Calder Freeway and…
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Harcourt fire not expected to expand far beyond current footprint tonight
The Ravenswood Fogarty’s Gap Road fire that has impacted Harcourt is not expected to expand far beyond its current footprint tonight, authorities have told residents. Incident controller Michael Masters explained what occurred during the fire and its current status at a community meeting this afternoon. The meeting was held at Kyneton where about 80-100 fire-threatened…
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State of disaster declared for Mount Alexander
Premier Jacinta Allan has declared a State of Disaster for Mount Alexander and 17 other Local Government Areas and one Alpine Resort as fires burning across the state continue to pose risk. The declaration comes following advice from the Minister for Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Commissioner. The Premier is satisfied there is an…
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Arduous firefighters at ready to respond in remote areas
A group of CFA firefighters are ready to fight fires in remote areas across the state following seven weeks of intensive training to become arduous firefighters. The pilot program is a first for CFA where 15 arduous firefighters will have the capability to attack and suppress fires in difficult terrain that aren’t accessible via a…
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Medals of friendship to local volunteers
The volunteer work of 26 Timor-Leste friendship groups from across Australia was recognised with the Order of Timor-Leste Medal at a special event held in Melbourne last Tuesday. President, His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, presented the awards. The Order of Timor-Leste is the highest honour currently awarded by the nation. It recognises the contributions of…
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Working towards net zero
Mount Alexander Net Zero Working Group is a group of seven passionate individuals who are helping local businesses reach 100 per cent clean energy. To increase their campaign, the group has produced a short documentary, featuring the owner of The Mill in Castlemaine, to increase visibility of local businesses that are taking huge strides towards…
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Cyclists call for action
Community members are calling for urgent improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure at McKenzie Hill on the outskirts of Castlemaine following several near misses in recent months. With ever-expanding housing developments sprawling across McKenzie Hill and consequently bringing a significant number of cars onto the Pyrenees Highway from Diamond Gully Road and other intersections local…
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Twilight market a hit
The inaugural Maldon Twilight Market was a huge success with more than 1000 attendees and 32 market stalls, showcasing fabulous food, regional produce, and artisan makers. Held last Friday on a warm summer’s evening, the historic town came alive with music performed by local band ‘The Martini Set’, performances by the exotic Bellydance Goddess troupe,…
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Big line-up for Town Folk Festival
The countdown is on until Castlemaine’s highly anticipated second annual Town Folk Festival on Saturday February 11. Bringing together 16 of the best contemporary artists from across Victoria and beyond, Town Folk Festival celebrates diverse, compelling and exciting music, which all fits vaguely or specifically under the ever-widening umbrella of folk. The one-day festival will…
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Wood’s landscape win
Eve Lamb Castlemaine artist Greg Wood has won Victoria’s $20,000 John Lesley Art Prize. The local artist claimed the newly announced award with his oil on linen work entitled Reimagining, inspired by Castlemaine’s Forest Creek where it runs near his Chewton home. And fellow Castlemaine painter, Rob Maclaurin, also has cause for celebration as he…
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Restoration begins for old church
Mount Alexander Shire Council has begun work to repair and restore the former Wesleyan Church in Chewton. The building located at 205 Main Road, was built in the 1850s but has sat vacant since 2010, and is in a poor state of repair. In 2017 the council resolved to sell the building, however, following advocacy…