This is a shout out to the three young men who stopped to render assistance to a woman who had fallen over in Forest Street in front of the Castlemaine Primary School Thursday week ago. I stopped the car when I saw the woman fall and went straight over to her. It was a spectacular fall! The first young man stopped soon after I arrived, and shortly after another two young men came up together. Fortunately, she was not severely injured, but shaken. When the time came to put her in my car to take her home, the young men helped her up and over to the car. I would not have been able to manage without their help. It’s important to recognise and applaud their acts of kindness. It’s etched in my memory. Thank you again for what you did.
Cr Rosie Annear gave an awesome critique of changes to Aged Care services that was full of constructive criticism and much candour, ‘Aged care reform upheaval continues’ (Mail April 24) in which the failures of Labor’s managerial approach to services is exposed. These sneaky withdrawals from important community programs by both the Albanese and Allan governments need to be called out and clearly our council has the courage to do so. Many of us could be forgiven for thinking the Liberal party is still in power in our Federal and Victorian Governments. While almost every sector of our community is being expected to withstand cuts to essential health and quality of life services instead of implementing tax reforms that make the fossil fuel, mining, corporate and the obscenely wealthy sectors of the Australian community pay their fair share we see Australians carrying the load as the cost of living continues to hit hard. Does everyone realise that providing food for the hungry has become a top priority? How come this is happening in this wealthy country? Thank goodness we have a local council that is prepared to tell us exactly what is going on and how they are working hard to protect vital services and advocate to the other levels of government for a more sustainable approach.
Regional news publishers have welcomed the release of draft News Bargaining Incentive legislation and urged all Members of Parliament, regardless of party, to support its passage. Damian Morgan, President of Country Press Australia, which represents more than 240 regional and community news publications and their digital news services across the country, said the proposed legislation was an important step toward restoring fairness between Australian news publishers and major global digital platforms. Country Press Australia recognised the work of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Communications Anika Wells and Assistant Treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino in progressing the draft legislation and acknowledged the constructive engagement that has occurred with the regional news sector through the policy development process. “This is fundamentally about fairness, but it is also about truth, facts and the future of informed communities,” Mr Morgan said. “Professional journalism costs money to produce. Large digital platforms derive value from that journalism, but they do not employ the local reporters, editors and photographers who create it. The News Bargaining Incentive is designed to encourage fair commercial agreements so Australian journalism can remain sustainable.” In simple terms, the NBI would require large digital platforms, including Meta, TikTok and Google, to pay a charge unless they have reached commercial agreements that fairly compensate eligible Australian news organisations. Country Press Australia said the proposed legislation builds on the News Media Bargaining Code introduced by the former Coalition Government, which established the important principle that powerful global technology platforms should contribute to the cost of the news content from which they benefit. Australia has led the world in confronting this challenge. That leadership has been bipartisan, and Country Press Australia is calling for that same spirit of cross-party support to continue. “Local news is not a Labor issue, a Liberal issue, a National Party issue or a Greens issue. It is an Australian issue,” Mr Morgan said. “Every community deserves access to reliable, professionally produced information. Every community deserves journalists who are prepared to ask questions, check facts, attend meetings, report decisions and give local people a voice.” Country Press Australia acknowledged the genuine contribution technology companies have made to modern life, including connectivity, commerce, search, social connection and access to information. It also recognised that Google has continued to engage constructively with Australian news publishers and has shown that commercial agreements between global technology companies and Australian media businesses are possible. “We acknowledge Google’s constructive engagement with the news industry,” Mr Morgan said. “But the responsibility cannot fall on one company alone. All major digital platforms that derive value from Australian journalism must accept their responsibility. No company should be able to benefit from the credibility, relevance and public value of professional news while avoiding a fair contribution to the cost of producing it.” Country Press Australia said it was important the final legislation encourages genuine commercial deals and does not create an incentive for platforms to reduce, remove or downgrade access to Australian news. “Reliable news must remain visible and accessible to Australians,” Mr Morgan said. “The answer cannot be for platforms to avoid responsibility by making trusted news harder to find. At a time of rising misinformation, Australians need more access to facts, not less.” Country Press Australia said the issue was especially important for regional, rural and local Australia, where local news media is often the only professional source of verified local information. Together, Country Press Australia members form the largest regional digital news publishing network in the country. They reach millions of Australians across digital and print each day, and publish more than 1,000 news stories online every day, produced by local journalists who live in, understand and are accountable to the communities they serve. Country Press Australia members cover councils, courts, emergency services, schools, sport, agriculture, local business, community groups and the decisions that affect people’s everyday lives. In many communities, if they are not there to record, question, explain and publish, often no one else is. “That matters deeply,” Mr Morgan said. “Without local news media, communities lose more than a publication or a website. They lose a trusted public record. They lose scrutiny of local decision making. They lose a place where facts are checked, rumours are challenged and local stories are told with care and accountability.” “At a time when misinformation can spread quickly and loudly, the work of professional local journalists has never been more important. Country Press Australia members do not deal in anonymous claims, conspiracy theories or algorithm driven outrage. They stand behind what they publish.” Country Press Australia said the consultation process must ensure regional and community publishers are properly recognised in any future commercial arrangements, not left behind while only the largest metropolitan media companies benefit. “Regional Australians must not be treated as an afterthought,” Mr Morgan said. “Our members are often the only professional news media voice in their communities. They are the ones making sure regional people are seen, heard and understood,” he said. “The choice is not simply between local news and no local news. It is between trusted journalism and an information vacuum. It is between facts and unchecked misinformation. It is between communities with a voice and communities left out of the national conversation.” Country Press Australia urged Parliament to pass legislation that delivers fair, practical and lasting outcomes for eligible Australian news publishers of all sizes. “This reform is about keeping facts in front of Australians,” Mr Morgan said. “It is about protecting local journalism, strengthening democracy and ensuring regional communities continue to have a voice.”
Kerrie Adamson is set to retire shortly after 26 years with Australia Post.
Jade Jungwirth
Kerrie, who has worked at the Castlemaine Post Office for the past 26 years, is a familiar face to many. Following her husband’s recent retirement, she decided it was time for her to follow suit. She will be hanging up her uniform in the next couple of months. “I’ve loved working with everyone. Being in the public eye, you get to see people progress. I’ve seen their kids born, and then they’re moving on, and their kids are having kids. It’s going to be hard leaving,” Kerrie said. Having travelled internationally to Bali and Fiji and, most recently, to the UK last year with her sister and a local tour guide, Kerrie hopes to spend her retirement discovering more of Australia and visiting her grandchildren. “I’ve always lived in Castlemaine or Campbells Creek,” she said. Kerrie’s mum, Marge and dad, Eddie Farthing, bought the Five Flags Store and ran it from 1970 to ’79. “It was great. I can remember we’d go down to the swimming pool, down at Campbells Creek. It wasn’t blue, it was sort of a greeny colour, and the kids with blond hair used to come out and their hair would go green. It was a damn shame when they closed it, because it was fabulous,” she said. “We used to just sunbake there on the tennis court that used to be there. We’d meet our friends and be gone all day Saturday and Sunday. We had a bubblegum tree where everyone used to stick their chewies!” At 18, Kerrie started working at the State Bank (now the Commonwealth Bank). “My husband Steve was working across the road as a postie. One day he rang me up, on the home phone, but at first I thought it was another Steve! But I did quite like Steve Adamson,” Kerrie said. “We went on a date to the pictures. This was in the 1980s, and we went to the drive-in at Bendigo.” Kerrie and Steve were married in 1985 and had their first son, Cody, in 1990, followed by Josh in 1992. They followed in her parents’ footsteps and bought and ran the Five Flags Store from 1997 to 2000. “Back then, it was a general store with a full newsagency. We did fish and chips and burgers and things, and there were groceries, petrol, you know, cigarettes, everything. Steve did a paper round of a morning delivering the papers,” Kerrie said. “We only did that for three years. It was very taxing, but we met a lot of people.” Kerrie and Steve’s kids grew up and went to Campbells Creek Primary School and then to the tech. And later went on to study in Bendigo. Their eldest, Cody has two children and is living in Queensland. He is an electrician who is working fly-in, fly-out at the mines. Their youngest, Josh, is an asphalter living in Echuca with his wife and two kids. “They’re both really hard workers. I love them so much.” And the all important questions. Do you have any hobbies? I like cooking and reading and watching my Tigers play footy. What sort of books do you enjoy reading? Anything really. I’m into crime. I’m into a bit of dragons and things like that. The Hobbit. I loved Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter. Who are your three dream dinner guests? Pink, Princess Diana and Bruce Springsteen. What are your philosophies in life? To treat people as you like to be treated. I mean, I’m a bit of a softie, but then I can be a hard if I need to be. You don’t need to be. My biggest pride and my largest love is my family. Finally, what do you love most about the place you call home? Memories of being a child here. My childhood friends who went to Winters Flat, then Campbells Creek, and then to the Tech College.
Key fundraiser event organisers at the Harcourt Bushfire Fundraiser held in March, (L to R) Matt Leonard, Kathryn McKenzie, Cogho, Gail Fowler, Michael van Haandel, Paul Pitcher, Jules, and Kristyn Slattery. Photo: Anthony Webster
The Bendigo community has raised $33,000 to support the Harcourt bushfire recovery efforts, with local businesses and residents contributing generously. The funds were raised during a recent event at Bendigo’s Le Foyer restaurant, and a result of two Bendigo residents, Gail Fowler and Kathryn McKenzie wanting to do more to support the Harcourt community after the devastating effect from this summer’s bushfire. With leading support from Bendigo business owners Michael van Haandel, Paul Pitcher and staff at restaurants, Le Foyer and The Woodhouse, the fundraiser featured a live auction with an abundance of generously donated, local services and goods. The event was also kindly supported by Triple M’s Cogho & Jules as MCs, Buxton Bendigo’s Matt Leonard as co-auctioneer, with music by Josh DeAraugo and Stellar Perry. The fundraiser audience of approximately 100, heard speeches from Lyn Rasmussen, a volunteer from BlazeAid and Chris McCormack, winemaker from Bress Wines with both presenters sharing their heartfelt experiences about the recent disaster. The funds raised were handed over to Bendigo Bank on Friday April 10, for deposit into a specifically allocated account to support the cause, and to empower the Harcourt community to direct the funds as needed. More fundraisers are planned throughout 2026 in Bendigo, by the community, as the Greater Bendigo residents and businesses show support for its nearby Harcourt community.
Ladies enjoying lunch at the Castlemaine VIEW Club's annual Cabella Mia fashion parade.
Castlemaine Evening VIEW Club’s annual fashion parade has once again raised money for Aussie school kids. “Although we don’t disclose specific amounts, I can tell you that the Cabella Mia parade was a great fund-raising success,” said club President Jennifer Howe. More than 100 ladies gathered at the Castlemaine Golf Club to enjoy lunch and a glass of bubbles at the ticketed event. Naturally, many took the opportunity afterwards to snap up some new-season wardrobe staples. Castlemaine Evening VIEW Club is one of 280 VIEW clubs around Australia that raise money on behalf of The Smith Family to support school children experiencing disadvantage.
Georgia of Cabella Mia presented a wide range of fabulous Fashions.The VIEW Club’s very own models who paraded with flair. Aileen, Brenda, Margaret and Victoria.Aileen, Georgia of Cabella Mia, Victoria, Margaret, Brenda and Cabella Mia model, Lily.
Over 300 members attended the Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club's official season launch on Saturday. Photo: Jade Jungwirth.
Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club officially launched its season last Saturday. Over 300 members were in attendance to kick off the season with team jersey presentations, a BBQ, and of course, a whole lot of football. Chewton was awash with gold and green! The launch was attended by junior teams from Under 10s through to Under 16s and their families. A highlight was the U10S and many new players receiving their very first team jersey. This year marks another record for the Goldfields, with 19 junior teams registered – including seven girls’ teams and 12 mixed teams – alongside five senior teams and an impressive 150 MiniRoos players aged five to nine. In total, the club now boasts well over 600 registered players and volunteers. Supporting this growth are around 75 dedicated volunteers taking on coaching, assistant coaching and team manager roles, underscoring the vital role volunteers play in keeping local sport thriving. While registrations are strong, there are still some places available in the MiniRoos program. The club is encouraging families interested in giving soccer a try to get in contact with the MiniRoos kicking off at Chewton this Friday from 5-6pm. With increasing numbers, space remains a significant challenge. This season, Under 10s and Under 12s teams will play all their home games at the Elsie Palmer Field at Wesley Hill. The club continues to work closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council as plans progress for two full–sized pitches, lighting and supporting amenities at the site. These developments are eagerly anticipated, with the Chewton pitch already showing signs of wear and tear due to around 500 players using it for training each week. Currently, all teams are limited to one training session per week due to space constraints. With the first round of junior competitions kicking off this weekend, we wish all the players a great first game and a season full of fun and development. Seniors battle it out In Seniors action last Sunday April 26 the Castlemaine Goldfields Division 1 Women’s side hosted Eaglehawk at Chewton in round 3 action and posted a massive 10-0 win over the visitors. Goal kickers for Castlemaine were Sophie Milton 3, Kasey Sparks 3, Fianna Gardner 2, Sienna Abicare and Kirsten Audehm. The Youth side made the trek to Strathdale but after a tight contest recorded a 0-0 draw. The Castlemaine Goldfields Men’s Metro League North West 5 squad kicked off their season with a 3-1 loss to Caroline Springs George Cross FC. Goal kicker for Goldfields was Jasper Amoi.
The Season Launch was a huge success. Photo: Jade Jungwirth.The Women’s Div 1 side dominated against Eaglehawk posting a 10-0 win. Photo: Max Lesser.
Huxley Hardman works to shake off his South Bendigo opponent. Photo: Max Lesser.
Football returned for season 2026 last weekend for the Castlemaine Junior Magpies and their campaign got off to a flying start at Castlemaine Fresh Oval at Wesley Hill. With the opportunity to play on ANZAC Day, and drawing a strong crowd of supporters, all teams showed the right spirit and commitment to honour the day suitably. The opening match of the day saw the first of the Castlemaine Under 12 teams playing against South Bendigo. Both sides enjoyed perfect conditions for football which allowed for some neat skills and slick ball-movement, but it was the home team who settled quickest and began to hit the scoreboard. Jonah Forbes Casey was looking threatening, while George Davey looked to be everywhere. Quarter time scores had the Pies 3.2 (20) and the visitors yet to score. The second term was a continuation of the first as Arlo Sherry became heavily involved in scoring opportunities and Baz Fitzpatrick was everywhere, helping the home team to double their lead by the main break. Half time saw Castlemaine lead by 40 points. The second half continued the trend of the first as the Magpies took charge in general play and produced multiple scoring opportunities. Reg Fitzpatrick took his opportunities in front of the big sticks to record two goals and Arlo Sherry’s goal capped his best-on-ground performance. Other key performers included Todd Haire, Jonah Forbes Casey (including four goals), Alex Pearson and Baz Fitzpatrick as they ran out winners 13.9 (87) to 0.1 (1). The second of Castlemaine’s Under 12 teams then took on the Golden Square Bulldogs in another clash played in positive spirit and excellent conditions. After an even first part of the quarter, Castlemaine begin to establish superiority, holding the ball in their forward half and generating numerous shots on goal. At quarter-time, the Magpies enjoyed a 22-point lead, 3.4 (22) to 0.0 (0). The second term began in similar fashion as Castlemaine immediately surged forward and looked to close down the run of their Bulldog opponents. Newly minted co-Captains Sid Wiese and Reuben O’Sullivan were instrumental in their teams’ strong field position, while Eliza Minster was looking dangerous up forward. Half-time scores were 5.6 (30) for Castlemaine while Golden Square were yet to score. A consistent second half of football followed as Castlemaine continued to push the ball into their forward line and create scoring opportunities for multiple players. This approach across the game allowed Aidan Scicluna and Tanner James to both hit the scoreboard. Much of this was due to the work of Fletcher Cheesman, who maintained a strong presence around the ground. In the end, a strong team performance saw the Mighty Pies run out winners by 70 points, 11.10 (76) to 1.0 (6). Best players were Wiese, O’Sullivan, Cheesman, George Cordy, Clancy Hendrickson and Darcy Brown. In away games across the weekend, the Under 14s travelled to Kangaroo Flat and recorded a strong 12.14 (86) to 8.4 (52) win, while an undersized Under 16s competed hard against White Hills for a 15.12 (102) to 4.10 (34) defeat.
Under 14 award winners Xavier Britt, Jimmy Butler and Bailey Bright.The Under 12 sides observe a minute’s silence to mark Anzac Day.
Despite a large number of cyclists in favour of the shire joining Bicycle Network’s Super Tuesday count in 2027, the Mount Alexander Shire Council has instead chosen to conduct their own count. Next Tuesday, May 5, the council will conduct an active transport data collection. The count will take place between 7.30 am and 9.30 am, across 15 sites. It will record the number of pedestrians, cyclists, people using mobility aids or scooters, and people with prams. Direction of travel and time intervals will also be noted. A community-led petition, submitted to the council in April, urging the council to take part in Australia’s largest standardised commuter cycling survey, has gathered 355 signatures. Petition organiser and local bike shop owner Matthias Bringezu said he is disappointed with the outcome. “A hastily organised count, two months later than the Super Tuesday, will not provide data comparable, nor will it get that reach as data collected and made accessible by Bicycle Network,” he said. Despite his reservations, Matthias is encouraging cyclists to make the best of it, calling for May 5 to be ‘Ride to Everywhere Day’, asking riders to be visible on tracks, roads and bike lanes across town. The petition raises concerns about data quality and the need for Castlemaine’s cycling figures to align with state and federal methodologies, arguing that without comparable data, the town risks missing out on infrastructure funding and its cycling community remains undercounted. Responding to the petition during question time, the Director of Infrastructure, Michael Annear, said that the council would not join Super Tuesday and would instead conduct its own count using staff and volunteers. “We believe we can collect data and maximise the resources available to us by undertaking the count ourselves,” he said. Super Tuesday costs between $300 and $415 per site, with Bicycle Network coordinating local volunteer recruitment. Each volunteer nominates a non-profit to receive a $70 donation. The Bicycle Network handles all data collation, analysis and final reporting. In response to questions regarding the estimated cost of the Active Transport data collection, a council representative told the Mail that the count will take approximately 20 hours of staff time. “The council will collate and analyse the data and share results with the Active Transport Working Group, the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). The data will also be used to inform priorities, future investment, and to support future funding applications,” they said. In an update posted to his petition, Matthias outlined his concerns surrounding the timing and reach of the council’s approach. Super Tuesday is held nationally on the first Tuesday of March, when Castlemaine averages a daily maximum of around 25°C. The council’s count will take place in May, where temperatures are presumed to drop to 16°C according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Matthias pointed out that the data collected will not be comparable or have the same reach and accessibility as the Bicycle Network’s. In the lead-up to Tuesday’s count, Matthias is asking every Castlemaine cyclist to be visible: wear high-vis, light up and take their usual routes. “We should focus on the positives and make the best of it,” he said. “If you are a cyclist, you should be seen on the tracks, roads, and the few bike lanes we have that morning. Wear high-visibility clothing, have your lights on, stay safe and make it count,” Matthias said. A formal council response to the petition is due within two scheduled meetings. Whether it addresses the question of nationally comparable data, the door, Matthias says, remains open for community-funded Super Tuesday participation in 2027.
Bill Bates fired four blanks to commemorate the occasion at Maldon. Bill and his daughter Isabella have been attending the ceremony in full costume for the past 10 years. Photo: Jade Jungwirth.
Anzac Day Services were held across the shire to honour the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Commencing on Friday, with students from Chewton Primary School gathering at Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park for a small service and to install tributes to our former servicemen and women on the fence. Friday evening, the 110th traditional Anzac Day Eve commemoration once again took place at dusk atop Maldon’s Anzac Hill. Commencing in 1916, this moving event is understood to be amongst the oldest Anzac services in Australia. A small service took place as the sun quietly set over the historic township, before Bill Bates, dressed in army fatigues to commemorate the occasion, fired four blanks which cracked through the stillness of the Maldon evening, transporting community members back to that time where Australian and New Zealand troops valiantly fought side by side at Gallipoli and in the trenches for the freedoms we enjoy today. On Saturday morning, community members rose early to attend dawn services across the region. At Castlemaine, community members turned out in force for a service at the RSL cenotaph. Castlemaine Lions Club volunteers were on hand with their coffee van to keep those in attendance warm on the crisp Autumn morning with a much-needed cuppa. Later in the morning, main services were held in Castlemaine, Maldon, Chewton, Harcourt, Newstead and surrounding communities. Castlemaine service At Castlemaine, marchers were led from the Town Hall by the Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band on a march down Hargraves Street to the cenotaph outside the RSL Hall at Victory Park. MC Owen Scott then installed the catafalque party, which mounted guard around the cenotaph for the duration of the service, including representatives of the CFA, Victoria Police, Castlemaine SES and Ambulance Victoria. The crowd then enjoyed performances by Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band, hymns from local singer Emma Sayer accompanied by the Thompson Foundry Band, and an emotive performance of ‘Sons of Castlemaine’ by Maggie Jackson. The school captains from Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, spoke about the enduring Anzac spirit, and school captains from Castlemaine Secondary College spoke about the important role women have played in early conflicts in the nursing fraternity, on the home front, and in war and peacekeeping missions to this day. A history Guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Neil James then shared some history of his four generations of family connection and service, and spoke about the importance of remembering and honouring the sacrifice of all those who have served before and since. “We particularly honour the supreme sacrifice, in early death, made by those individuals from our community. Whether we knew them personally, now only know of them, or don’t know of them but respect their sacrifice. “Around 60 in World War I, 69 in World War II, and one in Vietnam. “We duly honour those who have rendered service in our defence force in war and who were able to return to our community. But with many of them greatly affected by their war service. Whether this was identified or whether it remained undiagnosed and untreated, then, since or now. “We remember, acknowledge and honour the anguish experienced by families during a loved-one’s war service, and often after the war for lengthy periods. “As our war veterans recovered. Or otherwise had to cope over their remaining lifetime with physical, psychological or spiritual wounding. “We continue to acknowledge and thank all those who paid the cost then, or who still pay a cost now, for protecting the modern and free Australia we often take for granted today.” He also spoke about Castlemaine’s engineering feats and contributions to the war effort, particularly in World War II. “Castlemaine’s community efforts in World War II were not just those by its soldiers, sailors, aviators and nurses. Nor just by the years of anguish, or mourning, by many Castlemaine families. It was a much broader community effort, here in Castlemaine, than in most towns of our size then and now. This needs to be remembered and honoured too,” he said. Finally, he spoke about the importance of respecting our cenotaphs, memorials and war dead. “No matter who our community’s war dead and wounded, or their bereaved or burdened families, were or remain: – or where they came from and why; – or whatever their ethnicity, class, religion, or passions were or were not; – or who they voted for or against, and why. “Our war dead, in particular, all remain equal in the supreme sacrifice of dying for us. And all of us surely need to continue respecting this. “By their very intention, spirit and nature, and by our respect for them as a community, our cenotaphs and other community war memorials remain venues that are perpetually and intrinsically above all political partisanship. “Our cenotaphs and our other community war memorials should never suffer misuse by unthinking, misguided or ideologically-motivated actions,” he said. Lastly, he encouraged community members to take the time to visit the RSL Hall, view their extensive collection and learn about our local stories and connection to ensure this sacrifice is passed on to future generations. The Ode The service was wrapped up with the reciting of The Ode by RSL president Greg Hughes and the performance of the Last Post by Thompson’s Foundry Band bugler Jeremy Meaden, pausing for a minute’s silence, before he capped off the service with the soaring Reveille. Community members then gathered inside the RSL Hall for the annual gunfire breakfast, complete with Anzac Day biscuits.
Bill Bates fired four blanks to commemorate the occasion at Maldon. Photo: Jade Jungwirth.Chewton Primary School students once again placed Anzac Day tributes on the fence lining Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park. Photo: Max Lesser.Chewton Primary School students lay a wreath at the reserve on Friday. Photo: Max Lesser.Castlemaine RSL president Greg Hughes, Mayor Toby Heydon, RSL secretary Barb Templar, guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Neil James and MC Owen Scott are pictured following Saturday’s service. Photo: Lisa Dennis.The Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band lead the Anzac Day parade to the cenotaph. Photo: Lisa DennisThe Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band lead the Anzac Day parade to the cenotaph. Photo: Lisa Dennis
Thom Woodroofe with Christiana Figueres, the former UN climate chief and Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull (on screen) during the Melbourne launch of his book.
Jade Jungwirth
Power, Prosperity and Planet: Climate & Energy Policy for All will launch at Stoneman’s Bookroom this Sunday, where the writer Thom Woodroofe, joined by special guest Simon Holmes á Court, will discuss why good climate and energy policy should cost people less each month, not more. Drawing on his vast policy expertise and political insights, Woodroofe has written a timely and informative book outlining the importance of widening the support base for action by making climate and energy policy work for all Australians. The book succinctly outlines why the next wave of policy must focus intently on middle Australia, designing policies that make sense from the Cabinet Room to every lounge room across the mortgage belts and beyond. “For about the last 15 years, give or take, I’ve had the great privilege to work at the pretty lofty halls of climate and energy policy internationally,” Woodroofe said. “Having just moved back to Australia after a long time overseas, a couple of things have really struck me. One of which is that despite all the talk of the importance of the Paris Agreement, the importance of reaching net zero emissions and all these other highfalutin notions, there are still a large number of people in this country for whom that is either not resonating or the transition is not benefiting them. “At the same time, there’s a whole bunch of people who want to move and often are moving to the extent they can in terms of their own household transition.” Spending much of his working life looking at the transition from the top down (he played a key role in securing the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015, including helping establish the High Ambition Coalition of progressive nations, worked as chief of staff to former PM Kevin Rudd, for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Washington DC, and forged a backchannel for US–China climate talks during his time at the Asia Society in New York), Woodroofe said he wanted the book to chart the three big transitions the country needed to make. “These are: what we do with our clean power or our power system, what we do with our source of economic prosperity, which at the moment is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and what we do in terms of our planet and our natural resilience.” Throughout the book, Woodroofe draws on his personal experiences, including growing up on a farm between Castlemaine and Maldon. “My family moved there when I was seven. There was no electricity, there was no running water, there was no gas, and no rubbish collection, but of course, the shire council charged full rates!” His parents used a generator to power the bare necessities of lights and charging the laptop, but the diesel-fueled device was unable to run heating, cooling or even an iron or most kitchen appliances. “I talk in the book about how, as kids growing up, we used to be very disciplined with our homework because we only had an hour and a half of our mother’s laptop’s battery life to be able to get something done before it ran out! “But the really transformational story that I talk about is when I was 16, so it was 2005, the Howard government introduced the first serious solar panel subsidy in Australia. Solar panels were pretty expensive back then, but people got about 20 per cent of their outlay back. My parents took that subsidy up, and for the first time, we had regular electricity,” he said. Woodroofe uses this example to demonstrate the transformational potential of renewable energy, and noted 10 million Australians could now to go to sleep each night under the power of solar panels. “For all of them, they now see, feel and experience that transformational potential, albeit perhaps in a slightly different way, but for me, it was a very early lesson in energy literacy,” he said. Woodroofe said that while climate change affected us all, the arguments for climate action were rarely framed in terms of the impact on ordinary Australians. “In the face of high electricity and petrol prices, how can more households benefit from cheaper renewable energy and electric vehicles?” he asked. “Given our continued reliance on fossil fuel exports, how can Australia avoid falling off an economic cliff in the coming decades? With swathes of the country at risk of climate-related disasters, how can we enhance our resilience and avoid insurance loss? And what are the real benefits of seeking to be an international climate leader?” Power, Prosperity & Planet will launch this Sunday, May 3, at 12.45 at Stoneman’s Bookroom, 101 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.
Castlemaine Mail manager Lynda Brew and advertising representative Louise Conron urge you to grab your Golden Ticket to win!
The Castlemaine Mail is thrilled to launch our annual Golden Ticket buy local promotion today, May 1! Make sure you grab your entry ticket free with today’s edition of the Mail and start collecting your weekly puzzle pieces to win! Collect all seven puzzle pieces over the seven weeks of the promotion to be in the running to share in $4000 in prize money from us to spend at our 19 fantastic supporting local businesses. First prize is a $2000 voucher to spend at the businesses of your choice, second prize is $1000, and third and fourth prize winners will receive $500 each. Our Golden Ticket partners include: Aolita Boutique, Beehave, Betta Electrical Castlemaine, Bubble & Squeak Pet Grooming and Treats, Castlemaine Fresh, Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar, Cliffords Quality Cuts, Ivy & Grace, J.M Leech Jewellers, Lyal Eales Store Castlemaine, Maine Shoes and Accessories, Maldon Bakery, P J Tyres, Shoestring Market, Stevens Mensland, Stocks Gifts & Gallery, Stonemans Bookroom, The Moon Balinese Massage and Spa and Wesley Hill Bakery (Grist). Castlemaine Mail manager Lynda Brew said the paper is proud to have been the voice of the local community and to have promoted local businesses since 1854. “Formerly the Mount Alexander Mail, our publication has been a trusted source of local news since the gold rush, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community for many years to come,” she said. Completed entries can be dropped into our office at 13 Hargraves Street or posted to PO Box 227, Castlemaine. Our lucky ‘Golden Ticket’ winners will be drawn on Monday June 22. Be sure to tune in and catch the live stream draw on our Castlemaine Mail Facebook page. For more details on how the competition works see the advertisement on this page.
