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Over eight million completed Census forms lodged and counting

By
Castlemaine Mail
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As of midnight Wednesday night, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) had received more than eight million household Census forms – online and paper.  

This means that well over two thirds of households have already responded.  

Households that haven’t completed a Census form still have time.

If a household has not yet received their instruction letter or a paper form, they can go to census.abs.gov.au to get a Census number and complete it online.  

Households that would prefer a paper form can request one online or by calling the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.  

There is also help and support available for those who need it, including over the phone and in person at pop-up hubs in locations across the country.   

Australian Statistician Dr David Geuen said the census is an incredibly important exercise for our nation.

“Wednesday night we saw a strong response from communities across the country. As of midnight, (August 11) over two thirds of households had completed a Census form, which is higher than in the 2021 Census,” he said   

“Thank you to every household that has already completed a Census form.

“The data we collect through the Census is used to plan and deliver vital services, help businesses grow, and support local communities.

“Each person’s response contributes to building a snapshot of modern Australia, who we are and where we are going.

To households that have not yet completed a Census form, I encourage you to do it as soon as you can based on where you stayed on Census night.

“In the coming weeks, we will follow up with households that have not completed a Census form and provide them with the help and support they need to do so,” Dr Geuen said.

Resonance to perform at Braemar

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Macedon Ranges mates Mike and Marc are enjoying being part of Resonance.
Macedon Ranges mates Mike and Marc are enjoying being part of Resonance.

Musicians from Castlemaine and across Central Victoria will join Resonance String Orchestra as it presents an unforgettable performance at Braemar College Woodend’s beautiful Performing Arts Centre this Sunday August 16.
The concert will featuring distinguished cellist Zoe Knighton.
The special event marks the orchestra’s return to performing in Macedon Ranges, although it has rehearsed in Woodend for many years.
Zoe Knighton regularly donates her skill, knowledge and artistic energies to Resonance as their Artistic Patron, and will be soloist in this concert.
Since 2025, Braemar College Woodend has been the location for the termly Saturday morning rehearsals of the combined Woodend and Castlemaine-based Resonance musicians.
Braemar College principal Russell Deer has welcomed Resonance to Braemar and has been happy to make the school’s performance facilities available for these rehearsals, and the upcoming concert in August.
In return, Resonance String Quartet performed for the Grade 5 students last year and held a Q&A on playing a stringed instrument.
Resonance has been running a high quality, super supportive all ages string orchestra program for beginners to advanced players in Central Victoria (Castlemaine and Woodend), for over 15 years and is renowned for the quality of its work and the fulfilling experience players enjoy.
Resonance membership is varied and open to musicians of all ages and a variety of backgrounds.
Macedon Ranges mates Mike and Marc (pictured) an electrician and a journalist who both play the cello are just one example. Mike on the left, learned to a high level at school, but has come back to playing more recently, while Marc on the right, started learning in the last few years after his son began learning and playing with the orchestra. Both are in the Woodend group.
2026 will also see the culmination of an 18-month residency with the distinguished Flinders Quartet, fully funded by the quartet, and a November concert in Castlemaine featuring the Flinders Quartet, Resonance String Orchestra, Resonance String Quartet together with Apprenti Strings – the established beginner group that provides the pipeline of players to Resonance.
This year has also seen Resonance present a Big String Day for beginner strings as part of the Castlemaine State Festival, and a workshop with the renowned folk group, The String Contingent.
This Sunday’s performance will begin at 2.30pm. Tickets are available via Humanitix.com
Details of how to join the orchestra and other Resonance news can be found at resonancestringorchestra.org.au

Lets get on and build it!

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Jenny Larsen, Castlemaine


Our beautiful Botanical Gardens, Kalimna, Kaweka, Victory Park, the meandering creek trail, The Western, The Sunken, practically any beautiful tree
lined street in Castlemaine – these are just some of the choices we have in Castlemaine to enjoy ‘green spaces’.
The Camp Reserve however, being the main sporting precinct, is just that – a sporting precinct. To suggest that the football and netball clubs ‘go somewhere else’ or ‘they only play 8-9 games a year’ shows a complete ignorance to the complexity of the user groups involved.
Where may I ask are these many other places that you think the clubs can go and play? None that I can think of? Unless you’re thinking of Wesley Hill
which is the junior ground or Campbells Creek which is Campbells Creek FNC’s home ground (and also not in Castlemaine.)
It feels more like a case of NIMBY (not in my backyard).
To also hide your objections behind the veil of the site being an historic one and yet ignoring the fact that the Castlemaine CFNC is the second oldest club in Victora being formed 167 years ago in 1859 or Castlemaine Agricultural Society formed in 1854 so 172 years old, just doesn’t make sense to me.
That was until a letter writer suggested ‘going somewhere else’. You have revealed your true agenda and to say I was flabbergasted is putting it mildly.
The 134-page planning permit submitted to council, agreed upon and developed over many, many years by all user groups, opened to community
input and passed by council, should be enough to see that this project has the green light and should go ahead without any further filibustering.
The development improving the facilities should proceed and now. Everyone has had their say, it’s been considered, discussed, amended and passed (3 times)
There is overwhelming support for this development.
Just build it!!!

A community insight revealed by Facebook

By
Castlemaine Mail
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John Ellis, Golden Point


Last Monday there was an announcement of funding for further development at the Nalderun Education initiative in Chewton.
An article appeared in this paper (‘A beautiful evolution – Nalderun to build a forever home in Chewton’, Mail, July 31, 2026) and a press release was subsequently distributed by Maree Edwards MP, who had made the announcement. It was deemed positive local news, so it was posted on the chewton.net Facebook page. And then it started to go pear-shaped.
Oh boy! The comments exposed some feral opinions. After deleting one, then a second, and then a third the press release was removed. Comments were vitriolic and quite possibly actionable. Left standing, the organisation behind the administration of the Facebook page may have been held responsible. Unfortunately, there appear to be some racist keyboard warriors within our community. This incident was a genuine wake-up call. Things aren’t always what they seem to be, and certainly aren’t what you’d wish them to be.
Editor’s Note: Racism is never acceptable. We stand with our friends at Nalderun and chewton.net

Extremely disappointing

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Name and address supplied


It is so disappointing that the Council has chosen to implement its Master Plan for Camp Reserve. The sportspeople of our town do deserve to have proper amenities but this area is the wrong place for these developments. The area is too small for what is needed and the whole area, lying close to three creeks is prone to flooding.
Modern sports facilities could find a home in many areas around our town. People want to play sport in good conditions with much better change rooms and facilities. This space could be found in another part of town like the Wesley Hill Sports Complex which could be extended. It might also be possible to maximise the potential of Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve where sporting facilities are currently in the process of being upgraded.
In fact, many people have commented that it would be a waste of money building excellent facilities on a flood plain at Camp Reserve. As well, with no increase in the size of the football oval, in this Master Plan, this site remains too small to meet the standard requirements of the AFL code.
As well, with an increasing population and more people playing and watching sport, more parking will be needed as well as improved traffic conditions. The upgrading of these facilities at Camp Reserve will create a lot more pressure on local residents who live around the grounds – lighting, noise, traffic, car parking.
Instead, small scale development (improved toilet facilities etc) on Camp Reserve could allow it to be used for farmers’ markets, the show and other activities, without destroying the heritage value of the site. It could be used as a historic hub, informing people about the past as they walk through from the railway station to Goldsmith Crescent and other interesting sights.
It should be preserved so all of us (including future generations) can enjoy learning about the past.
I urge the council to reconsider this decision.

More health services for Maldon

By
Castlemaine Mail
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The Maldon team- Jacqueline Cue (admin), Siw Wootton (lymphoedema nurse), and podiatrists Frances Elcoate and Hannah Wellick are taking appointments at the Maldon Campus now.
The Maldon team- Jacqueline Cue (admin), Siw Wootton (lymphoedema nurse), and podiatrists Frances Elcoate and Hannah Wellick are taking appointments at the Maldon Campus now.

Accessing healthcare closer to home has become even easier for the Maldon community, with a broader range of community health and wellbeing services now available at Dhelkaya Health’s Maldon campus.
Over recent weeks, our Community Services and Wellbeing team has expanded its presence at the campus, bringing more of the services people know and trust to Maldon. With even more clinicians now consulting throughout the week, residents have greater opportunities to access the care they need without travelling further afield.
The services are based alongside the Medical Clinic hub (on the corner of Adair and Chapel Street North) and share a central reception, making it simple and convenient for clients to find the support they’re looking for. They are also in the process of creating a dedicated gym space, and when complete, it will provide an ideal environment for exercise programs, rehabilitation and other therapy sessions designed to help people improve their strength, mobility and overall wellbeing.
Many of the most in-demand community health services (including physio, dietitian, podiatry, counselling, district nursing and several other specialists) are now available at both the Maldon and Castlemaine campuses, allowing clients to choose the location that’s most convenient for them.
Dhelkaya Health Ambulatory Care team member Jack Lawrence said they know that being able to access services close to home can make a real difference.
“By increasing the services available in Maldon, we’re making it easier for people to get the support they need while staying connected to their local community. “As the service continues to grow, the team at Dhelkaya are excited to keep building on what’s available and ensure the Maldon community has access to high-quality care in a welcoming, local setting.
Most of the programs don’t need a referral from a GP, so you can find out more by getting in touch with the Maldon Community Services team directly on 5479 8633.
GP referrals can be accepted by email via our central intake at intake@castlemainehealth.org.au

Rail Safety Week 2026

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Victorian Goldfields Railway urges motorists to take care near level crossings.
Victorian Goldfields Railway urges motorists to take care near level crossings.

The Rail Safety Week campaign runs between August 10-16 and is a reminder to all – road users, walkers, cyclists – that safety in and around the rail corridor is important.
A previous Rail Safety week campaign promoted the slogan ‘Expect the unexpected’ and while this is still relevant especially at level crossings, another short reminder from the Southern Pacific Railroad in the USA is also important: ‘Stop, Look and Listen’.
The Victorian Goldfields Railway fully supports the Rail Safety initiative and reminds all in the community that trains can run on any day of the week and at any time, including at night.
It is especially important for everyone to be careful at level crossings. If there are lights and bells working, please wait until the train has passed and the lights have stopped flashing red before moving on. Likewise, at level crossings where there are no lights and bells, please exercise all due care and make sure there is no train approaching.

Maayan Licht set to dazzle

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Maayan Licht, the dazzling sopranista hailed as one of Europe’s most electrifying new stars, will visit Castlemaine this Friday. Photo: Matthias Jung
Maayan Licht, the dazzling sopranista hailed as one of Europe’s most electrifying new stars, will visit Castlemaine this Friday. Photo: Matthias Jung

The Castlemaine State Festival is counting down the days until its next highly anticipated fundraising event this Friday August 14.
Imagine Farinelli meets Freddie Mercury. Enter Maayan Licht, the dazzling sopranista hailed as one of Europe’s most electrifying new stars, making his long-awaited Australian debut which will include a stopover right here at the Castlemaine Town Hall!
With a stage persona as flamboyant as it is fearless, he unleashes devilish trills and high-voltage charisma on the virtuosic arias of Vivaldi, Handel, and Porpora.
At his side, the brilliant early-music master Neal Peres da Costa leads a hand-picked baroque ensemble which will see the soprano joined by two violin players, one cello player and a harpsichord, driving the drama with glittering brilliance. Expect a night where baroque fire meets rock-star glamour. But it isn’t just about the high notes. Licht brings a quicksilver sense of character to every phrase, switching between tenderness, swagger and bite with effortless confidence. What could be pure display becomes something far more engaging — music with personality.
A voice like this is rare. Hearing it this close is rarer still.
The event is proudly supported by Live at Yours.
Make sure you get your ticket at https://castlemainefestival.com.au/event/mayaan-licht/

Outdoor recreation closer to home

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Council is designing a new play space in Wesley Hill adjacent to the Wesley Hill Hall.
Council is designing a new play space in Wesley Hill adjacent to the Wesley Hill Hall.

Mount Alexander Shire Council has allocated $40,000 in its 2026/27 Budget to design a new play space in Wesley Hill, creating opportunities for local children and families to enjoy outdoor recreation closer to home.
The proposed play space will be located on council-managed land in Van Heurck Street, adjacent to the Wesley Hill Hall. The site is already a well-used community gathering place and home to activities including the popular weekly Wesley Hill Market.
Mount Alexander Shire mayor Toby Heydon said the project would help address a gap in play opportunities in the area.
“This investment is an important step towards creating a dedicated play space for local children and families in Wesley Hill,” Cr Heydon said.
“Currently, there is no playground equipment in this part of Castlemaine, with the nearest play spaces located at Victory Park and Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park. Developing this space at the Wesley Hill Hall precinct will improve access to play opportunities and strengthen the area’s role as a community hub.”
The new play space is planned to complement existing activities and facilities at the site, enhancing its appeal as a place for people of all ages to play and spend time together.
Council officers will work with the Wesley Hill Hall Committee throughout the design process to ensure the play space meets local needs.
Community members will also have opportunities to provide input as the project progresses, helping to shape the design and future features of the play space.
Further details about consultation opportunities will be announced as the project moves forward.

Chess: Where 319 billion possibilities meet one very good idea

By
Castlemaine Mail
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CSC teacher Mark Johansson, together with student mentors Edward Harris and Michael Miles, introducing Campbells Creek Primary School students to the mysteries of the opening moves.
CSC teacher Mark Johansson, together with student mentors Edward Harris and Michael Miles, introducing Campbells Creek Primary School students to the mysteries of the opening moves.

The 22nd annual Mount Alexander Schools Chess Challenge will be held at Castlemaine Secondary College on September 15, but the tournament has already begun in a sense.
Not on the chessboards perhaps, but in the minds of the students preparing for it. Over the next eight weeks, Castlemaine Secondary College is trialling an innovative Chess Mentoring Program in three local primary schools.
The initiative is led by CSC teacher Mark Johansson, assisted by a team of enthusiastic secondary students who are discovering that teaching can be every bit as challenging as remembering where you left your queen.
Johansson, together with CSC student mentors Edward Harris and Michael Miles recently visited Campbells Creek Primary School to introduce students to the mysteries of the opening moves.
Former local teacher, chess mentor and advocate, Kevin Brown said it was an encouraging sight.
“Seeing experienced players guiding younger ones through a game where every move has consequences, rather like deciding whether to tell your parents you’ve finished your homework before they’ve asked.
“Mark shared a fascinating statistic with the students. Within the first eight moves of a chess game—four by White and four by Black—there are 318,979,564,000 possible move sequences, or nearly 319 billion ways to begin a game before anyone has even agreed on what ‘a simple opening’ means.”
It seems unlikely the mentoring program will cover all of them in eight weeks, though one suspects some education departments may still request a progress report. The remarkable complexity of chess explains why it has earned a respected place in many schools’ mathematics programs.
“Every game encourages students to think logically, recognise patterns, visualise spatial relationships and solve problems several moves ahead. In other words, it develops exactly the sort of thinking that proves useful in mathematics; and occasionally in deciding who gets the last sausage roll,” Brown said.
“Perhaps the greatest strength of the program is that it extends well beyond the chessboard. Primary students gain confidence from working alongside older mentors, while the CSC students develop leadership, communication and patience.
“Explaining why a knight moves in an L-shape to an eager Year 4 student is excellent preparation for almost any future career,” Brown said.
“By the time the Mount Alexander Schools Chess Challenge begins in September, not every student will become a chess champion. But they will all have practised thinking carefully, planning ahead and learning from their mistakes. And if they can master those skills while remembering there are still 318,979,563,999 opening variations left to explore, they’re already well ahead of the rest of us.”

Celebrity Parkrun

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Lisa Millar and her sound man Ben post for a snap.
Lisa Millar and her sound man Ben post for a snap.

We all know that everyone who attends Castlemaine Parkrun is treated like a celebrity, but when Lisa Millar of Back Roads and Muster Dogs fame, and self-confessed parkrun fanatic, took time out of her busy filming schedule to join local participants on Saturday morning, there was genuine excitement.
Lisa is a fierce advocate for parkrun and its benefits, and is a regular at the Albert Park course, with 162 finishes under her belt and 51 volunteers.
She loves to talk about the ways in which parkrun provides friendship, connection, routine and a sense of belonging, in addition to the obvious health benefits, her television roles enabling her to be a regular parkrun tourist.
It was an episode of Backroads being filmed at Maldon that brought her to Castlemaine Parkrun on a ‘feels like -2.9’ degree morning and without gloves (a situation that was quickly remedied by Karina). She even dragged along her ‘sound wizard’, Ben Travers, who was one of two first timers on the day, the other being Denise Shead; both received a warm welcome.
There were only 96 finishers, the wintry weather obviously keeping some away, but there were five PBs recorded, beginning with first through the chute, Finn Girbon a parkrunner newbie with only two finishes, in a sizzling time of 17:44.
Congratulations Finn, and also to Daniel Cheesman (18:38), Paul May (24:36), Bev Cox (32:31) and Isla Lorenz (34:38).
There were visiting runners from a swathe of Melbourne events, including Lisa, but also from further afield in Werribee, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne, Torquay, Gippsland, Sydney, Adelaide, ACT and Cairns.
Lisa says that she quickly realised volunteering was the key to making friends and building community at parkrun, and as we know, the volunteers are integral to the running of each event. The team who worked to bring the first August 2026 parkrun together were Tyrone, Brendan, Pam, Robyn, Bron, Zane, Ronder, Rosamund, Terry, Margaret, Robin and Elissa.
If you would like to hear more about Lisa and her love of parkrun, tune into the UK produced Parkrunners Podcast for a deep dive. And if you would like to come along and experience it for yourself visit www.parkrun.com.au to register and collect your unique barcode. Then join participants at the bbq shelter in the Botanical Gardens just before 8am on any Saturday.
You will be most welcome, whether you choose to volunteer, walk, jog or run.

Lisa with Run Director Tyrone Rice.

MIFF returns to Castlemaine

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Among the films to feature will be Mārama. This distinctly Māori Gothic horror, set in a haunted seaside manor, tells a terrifying tale of dark family secrets and one woman’s wrath in the face of colonial violence.
Among the films to feature will be Mārama. This distinctly Māori Gothic horror, set in a haunted seaside manor, tells a terrifying tale of dark family secrets and one woman’s wrath in the face of colonial violence.

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) returns to Castlemaine’s iconic Theatre Royal for its 74th edition with two weekends of screenings on August 14-16 and 21-23.
Proudly supported by VicScreen and Screen Australia, MIFF Regional is held across eight regional locations including Castlemaine, Star Cinema in Eaglehawk, Ballarat, Geelong, Healesville, Rosebud, Sale and Warrnambool and brings the spirit of the festival to film-lovers beyond the city in a celebration of storytelling, community and the shared experience of cinema.
Physical attendance at MIFF Regional grew by 25 per cent in 2025, and the 2026 showcase builds on that momentum with an expanded footprint, an ambitious program and a renewed commitment to meeting film-lovers wherever they are across Victoria.
MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar, said Melbourne may be in the title, but MIFF is a festival that goes far beyond the city limits, presenting eclectic and exciting program highlights to cinema locations around our state via MIFF Regional.
“Through this program we continue to bring the best new Australian and international filmmaking, as well as a range of exciting guests, to centres throughout Victoria, meeting audiences where they are, and making MIFF a festival for all Victorians,” Cossar said.
“Additionally, even beyond our state, all of Australia gets to be a part of the Melbourne International Film Festival this year – make sure you also check out our MIFF Online, featuring at-home streaming offerings from major festivals and acclaimed filmmaking, amongst free short film programs, all accessible anywhere in the country. ”
The 2026 MIFF Regional program opens with Wicker, the Sundance-premiering, uniquely funny fable from Australian-born writer/director Eleanor Wilson and her filmmaking and real-life partner Alex Huston Fischer, which screens across all locations on August 14.
It tells the story of a cranky fisherwoman and the sexy handwoven husband she wishes for.
Beneath its whimsical surface, the film is a sharp critique of small-mindedness, superstition and overzealous conservatism – a tale that asks whether we truly know our heart’s desire. Screening as part of MIFF’s Bright Horizons Competition and starring Olivia Colman alongside a dazzling ensemble including Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant and Melbourne’s own Elizabeth Debicki.
Wicker arrives in the regions fresh from its Australian premiere at the MIFF 2026 Opening Night Gala.
Others films to screen at Castlemaine will include: Broken English, Digby & Camille, Hen, Jebediah: Are We OK?, Mārama, Rose, Sovereign Shorts, Sweet Milk Lake, and Time and Water.
For audiences further afield – or those who simply can’t make it to a cinema – MIFF Online returns August 14-30, extending MIFF’s reach by one full week after the festival wraps. Available Australia-wide via ACMI’s dedicated streaming platform Cinema 3, MIFF Online offers a curated suite of festival films and free short films on demand.
For the full program visit miff.com.au and for local tickets visit https://theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au/miff2026/

The MIFF Regional program opens with the cheeky film Wicker.
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