This year marks the 86th anniversary of the beloved annual Past Apex Club of Castlemaine Santa Run which has cemented its place in the hearts and minds of locals over the past eight decades.
Past Apexian Stephen Cooper said they are proud to have kept the long running tradition alive thanks to the dedication of their volunteers and the support of the local community.
“It actually began during the depression in 1937 and saw Apexians handing out apples donated by local orchards and hams from Castlemaine Bacon Company,” Stephen said.
These days the volunteers visit streets and towns across the shire handing out lollies and icy poles to celebrate the festive season. Donations from the community have helped to keep the 86 year tradition alive despite the club disbanding back in 2002.
“Many local families throw us a few dollars as we travel around and this has helped to keep things ticking over to ensure the tradition can be enjoyed by the next generation,” he said.
And of course the run wouldn’t be possible without their wonderful pool of volunteers.
“We have had volunteers come and go over the years but everyone is determined to see the run continue and we always have people prepared to give up their time on Christmas Day to help spread a little Christmas joy,” he said.
The Guildford Grumpies Car Club Inc have once again chipped in a $1500 donation to support the work of the former Apex Club of Castlemaine and its annual Santa Run ensuring they can continue to spread Christmas cheer across an ever growing Castlemaine and surrounding communities.
Guildford Grumpies secretary Steve Cole said many of their members fondly remember the Santa Run from when they were children.
“We are really keen to bring that magic to a new generation and this is one of our major funding contributions each year,” Steve said.
“We hold a number of fundraisers through the year including our annual Peter Turner Memorial Show and Shine in April to enable us to give back to the community and support initiatives such as the Santa Run, and also educational support for students attending Campbells Creek Primary School’s local ‘Guildford Campus’,” Steve said.
“In fact, over the last six years we have raised about $50,000 which we have put back into the local community, including a $6500 contribution to Blaze Aid,” he said.
The Grumpies meet at their headquarters at Guildford’s John Powell Reserve every Tuesday from 10am and also enjoy Friday night Social Club gatherings. In fact, the group is also recognised as a men’s shed and offers friendship and camaraderie.
“New faces are always welcome,” Steve said.
In 2023 Santa and his helpers will undertake five runs across the local region. Volunteers will gather from 6.30am and hit the road from around 7-7.30am on runs throughout Castlemaine and Campbells Creek, out to Chewton and Elphinstone and Guildford. With housing estates across the region growing in size they may be a little later than usual as they get around to everyone. Look for signage in your town for times or listen for the bells, horns and Ho, Ho, Hos!
Castlemaine Police executed two search warrants in Castlemaine on Tuesday this week and have arrested two people in relation to graffiti offences.
Senior Constable Brendan McManus told the Mail the two offenders are allegedly some of the most prolific taggers in the region at present, with their graffiti tags popping up all over town in recent weeks.
The pair have been released pending summons to court at a later date.
“Hopefully these arrests will slow down the rate of graffiti incidents in town,” Sen Const McManus said.
A group of Mount Alexander residents met their Bendigo neighbours at MP Lisa Chesters’ office on Wednesday in a peaceful protest against the war in Palestine.
Christine McCue, a Castlemaine resident and protest organiser, wants people to keep putting pressure on the Australian government to intervene.
“We need our federal representative to push for a ceasefire and to push for America to stop providing weapons,” Christine said.
“The rules of war have been broken, not allowing food, shelter or medical attention, and our government needs to take concrete steps in the future to make sure there is accountability for the genocide that if being committed,” she said.
Lina, a proud Muslim woman from Jordan, is visiting her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons in Bendigo.
“We have been suffering for more than 75 years,” Lina said.
“My family had to leave Bethlehem after the war in ’67. My mother had six children. My father had just finished building our house and we had to evacuate and couldn’t go back.
“Palestine is a country for all people and religions and we are suffering.
“I can’t image there’s a religion where God would want people to kill each other. In the Koran we have respect for all religions. The message of God is to not judge others but correct yourself.”
Lina’s daughter-in-law, Stephanie, said the situation in Palestine was not about culture or religion, it was about Zionism and colonialism.
“We have a big family in Gaza, many who have been killed. It is difficult to get any news with the closure of the telecommunication and no electricity,” Stephanie said.
“I am so grateful that my Aunty (mother-in-law) is not in the Middle East and alone, that she can be with family, and we can grieve together.
“The only thing I am finding hopeful at the moment, is people coming together in a peaceful and respectful way,” she said.
The Mail contacted Lisa Chesters who said Australia was committed to working with partners toward a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians could live securely within internationally recognised borders.
“Overnight the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Prime Ministers released a joint statement,” MP Chesters said.
“It states Australia, Canada and New Zealand mourn every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life that has been lost in this conflict and expresses our condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence.
“It also states that we support Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We oppose the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade.”
