The 34th annual Rotary Club of Castlemaine Art Exhibition & Sale was officially opened with a gala event at the Castlemaine Town Hall on Thursday evening.
The night included musical interludes, canapes, art prize presentations and the opportunity to meet some of the featured artists.
The exhibition will be open daily across the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 9-12) from 10am.
Art Show committee convener Robert Cordy said arts enthusiasts from all over Victoria and beyond are expected to once again descend on Castlemaine for the highly anticipated event which features more than 450 works in a wide array of mediums.
The featured artist for 2023 is Castlemaine’s Juliana Hilton.
“Hilton’s first solo exhibition in 1966 paved the way for her long career. Her work is seen in both public and private galleries,” Cordy said.
“The show will once again be complemented by the popular annual raffle featuring a limited edition artwork ‘Rubicon Valley’ by local artist Jeff Makin and a range of other wonderful prizes,” he said.
Entry to the show is $5 Adults, Free Under 16. Raffle tickets are $2. EFTPOS facilities are available at the hall.
All proceeds support Rotary’s charity work and projects in the community.
Local arts talent on show
Magpies give their all for Dallas
The Castlemaine Magpies made the decision to return to the football field and netball court in honour of Dallas Keogh-Frankling last weekend with two big days of sporting action and tributes on Saturday and Sunday.
Players from the Castlemaine, Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye and Bendigo Thunder Women’s sides wore black arm bands, red ribbons – in recognition of Dal’s favourite colour and beloved Bombers – and many proudly inked his #8 on their arms in honour of the 17-year-old.
It was an emotional day for the young footballer’s family, friends and teammates but his Under 18 side recorded a heartfelt win in the Indigenous Round match and the A Grade, A Reserve and B Reserve netballers, Women’s footballers and Under 14 footballers also triumphed.
The family and club face another tough hurdle today as they bid Dallas farewell in a service at St Mary’s Catholic Church before he is laid to rest at the Harcourt Cemetery. Vale Dallas.
Campbells Creek teams celebrate big funding win
After years of campaigning for better facilities, the Campbells Creek Football Netball Club (CCFNC) is celebrating a win with the announcement of $250,000 in state government funding and a further $300,000 from the Mount Alexander Shire Council to build new netball courts.
The funding for new courts is welcome news following the club’s recess in 2021. Unable to field Senior football side CCFNC spent the time furiously fundraising, lobbying and recruiting, resulting in husband and wife duo Kris and Jordan Bagley coming on as senior football and senior netball coaches. Actively recruiting through media interviews and word of mouth the club was able to recruit a number of new senior football and netball players and last year the club sided their first A Grade team since 2018 and had their first Under 11s netball team.
Netball Manager May Pratt told the Mail that the Under 15s made finals last year, the Under 11s netball team hasn’t lost a game this year and the Under 13s and C Grade sides are sitting in the top eight in their respective grades.
“We are definitely building momentum as a club. We have full Senior and Reserves footy sides, as well as an Under 11.5s footy team who’ve had a couple of wins,” May said.
The proposed design for the new netball courts will feature a full-sized court, a half-court, lighting, new shelter sheds, and footpaths. While the new netball facilities are gratefully received there is still quite a way to go to improve the sub-par conditions at the 159-year-old club’s community sporting venue.
Most notably the change facilities for netballers are still less than ideal, with club netballers changing inside toilet facilities and visiting clubs changing in old, run-down portable buildings.
“We are so excited to get this funding. The courts that we have now are not up to code, with no room for the umpires, water pooling on the court, and players and visitors walking through the mud to access the courts,” May said.
“We just need the facilities to match our growing success and hopefully entice even more players over to the Creek!”
While making the funding announcement Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards noted that the CCFNC has been so passionate about getting development for the facility.
“CCFNC has a powerful history, including a lot of ups and downs over the past 10 years,” stated Ms Edwards.
“This is on the back of a lot of hard work from all of you. There is always a lot more to do but this is a good start.”
Mayor Rosie Annear spoke of when she first visited the reserve and how horrified she was to think how the club had survived so long with the facilities they had. She noted how much heart and passion the club and the community have put in to achieve the upgrades.
“Historically it feels like Campbells Creek gets forgotten about. This is the start of things falling into place and more can be done. The new netball courts, shelter, and lights are an actual game changer – to have somewhere that is safe and accessible for everyone,” commented Mayor Annear.
Authorities act on Castlemaine tent city
As the housing crisis worsens the visibility of homelessness is becoming more apparent and if you’ve driven along Barker Street over the last few weeks its likely you will have noticed the large encampment underneath the Street Rod Centre of Australia sign.
A Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) spokesperson told the Mail that the council became aware of the issue relating to unsightly land and general amenity and is working with the land owner to address these concerns.
“Council has liaised with appropriate agency providers to make contact with the individuals concerned in order to address their specific needs,” said the MASC spokesperson
According to Castlemaine CFA Captain Terry Franklin the land on which the encampment sits belongs to Country Fire Authority. Up until recently the land was leased to another organisation, but it has since reverted back to the CFA.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer from CFA District 2 Steve Alcock told the Mail the CFA will fence the area off this week and clean up the site whilst working with police and the council to move the individual somewhere more appropriate.
“The situation has been going on for the last few weeks. We have made numerous attempts to engage the person so we can relocate them to somewhere more appropriate, clean up the mess and return the land to a more suitable nature,” Alcock said.
Castlemaine Police Acting Senior Sergeant Mick Peckham said that it was his understanding that the individual living at the site has been moved from area to area.
“It’s far from ideal but the police don’t have the resources to solve the core problem,” Peckham said.
“Until a more permanent solution can be found, we are just going to see more and more of this and at this time of year it is very cold and wet for someone to be living in a tent on the side of the road. Police members have spoken to the individual on the site in order to try and resolve the matter.”
Peckham said that it’s great that people in our community want to help, but it’s important to understand that every circumstance is different.
“There can be family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol and financial concerns and we have to treat each case on it’s own merit,” commented Peckham.
“We don’t always want to be the bad guys – we really want to help, but unfortunately there are no easy answers.”
“If you are struggling with an issue please call the police and we will listen and try to help by putting in referrals.”
If you are experiencing/or are worried about someone experiencing homelessness please contact Housing Victoria on 1800 825 955 or contact Dhelkaya Community Health on 5479 1000.
Update on the redevelopment of Chewton’s Wesleyan church
Mount Alexander Shire Council is continuing work to repair and restore the former Wesleyan Church in Chewton.
Built in the 1850s the historic church has sat vacant since 2010.
In 2017 the council resolved to sell the building, however, following advocacy efforts by members of the community, councillors determined in 2021 to undertake works to restore the former church.
Works began in November 2022 and have included the removal of rotten and damaged timber and concrete flooring, roof repairs, brick repairs, and restoration.
Stage two works proposed for 2023-2024 include the installation of an accessible entrance to the building, an accessible toilet and a kitchenette to support community use of the building once complete.
The church will remain closed to the public over the coming year whilst works continue.
For more information, contact Michelle Hayward, Council’s Buildings and Projects Coordinator on m.hayward@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or 5471 1700.
Minor flooding after deluge
Castlemaine SES crews attended three minor flooding incidents on Wednesday morning and a further call out on Wednesday night as heavy rain swept across the region.
Castlemaine SES member Bob Pratt said they recorded 40mm of rain in the 24 hours from 9am Wednesday to 9am Thursday.
“We also had call outs about two trees over roads Wednesday evening and a further tree down Thursday morning.
“Fortunately the storm has not resulted in too much damage and we don’t expect too much more rain,” he said.
The volunteer said the majority of flood damage was the result of blocked drains backing up and water coming into houses.
“It’s a timely reminder to make sure you check your drains and gutters ahead of any forecast rain and ensure they are cleared and ready to cope,” he said.
Castlemaine golfers vie for glory
My Castlemaine Mail with manager Lynda Brew
Hi Lynda, you grew up in Castlemaine didn’t you? Can you tell us about your early years?
I was born at the Castlemaine Hospital in Halford Street. My family are from Yapeen, but I grew up in Castlemaine. I went to kinder at Etty Street and was at Winters Flat Primary in the 70s and 80s and went to Castlemaine Tech. My first job was at the Campbell Street Motor Lodge when I was 15 and then I started working at Hot and Crusty too. I started working in classys at the Castlemaine Mail when I was about 19 or 20 just casually- so I was working three jobs, but that’s just what we did back then. I got into uni but decided not to go – I wanted to get down to Melbourne and get into the hotel industry.
What hotels did you work in?
I started out at a hotel in Carlton (which was part of the Flag Choice Hotel Group) when I was 21 and was there for eight and a half years. I’ve always loved the industry and wanted to work my way up. Leaving there was a hard decision because they’d become like family, but I was poached by a building corporation to open the Panch Hospital site on Bell Street. I worked as the sales and marketing manager and I pretty much lived there 24/7 while turning it into an 86-room four-star hotel and 350+ student accommodation rooms.
It was eventually taken over by Rydges Hotels and I worked in the management team in Preston, Carlton, and North Melbourne.
You are a very family-orientated person; can you tell us a bit about them?
My husband Coryn and I were childhood sweethearts. We dated on and off since the age of 15 and finally got married when we were 31. After we had our first child, Caitlyn I really wanted to come back home so we moved in with mum and dad for 10 and half months. We started to look for a house to buy but couldn’t find anything in Castlemaine so we bought nearby. Three years later we had our son Will.
How did you end up working back at the Castlemaine Mail?
I worked as a relief hotel/motel manager in Bendigo for a while and then I got a phone call from the Castlemaine Mail manager who told me there was a position available and invited me to apply. I was successful and returned to the team and the rest is history.
Do you have any time for hobbies?
I follow the kids around for hockey. I love spending time with family and friends and I love travel. When I was 16 years old we travelled around the world for three months and in 1999 went to Israel, Turkey and Egypt and in 2005 we went to the UK and Ireland for our honeymoon. I enjoy long walks in the bush with my two Jack Russells Boizey and Vader.
What sort of music do you enjoy listening to?
I like Icehouse, Matchbox 20. 80s and 90s stuff mostly, but living with teenagers I like a lot of new stuff like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift.
Who are you three dream dinner guests?
Ryan Gosling, my amazing mother in law who left us suddenly and my nana and pa to ask the things I wished I’d asked them.
What philosophies do you live life by?
Living every day to the fullest and it’s important to be nice. I believe in having balance- but I’m far from having balance.
What do you like about the place you call home?
I have so many beautiful memories in this town. Castlemaine is home to me. Growing up here in the 80s and 90s going to the Theatre Royal and walking home and having pizza at 3am at Capones. I have so many amazing friends from my childhood. We’ve been friends for over 40 years and they live all over Australia now but when we meet up, it’s like we have never been apart.
Rain fails to dampen Goldfields spirits
It was a very wet Saturday at Chewton for Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club’s juniors as players, coaches all braved the damp weather to put on a show for the supporters on the sidelines.
From our U10s to our U16s the rain wasn’t able to dampen the spirits with players giving their all in the challenging conditions before heading home for a well-earned warm shower.
Away from Chewton around the grounds the weather was a bit more favourable, none more so than for the U14 Matildas Gold and U16 Gold who both enjoyed a balmy sunny 21 degree day at Swan Hill. For the U16 Gold the match up saw them face second placed Swan Hill who were also undefeated for the season heading into the game. A proper ‘six pointer’ saw the Maine come away with a hard fought 1-0 win to move three points clear at the top of the ladder in the U16 Pre-Qualifying Comp.
This weekend sees Regional Juniors and all Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL) teams take a break as those players involved with their rep squads head to Ballarat for the Country Champs. Good luck to all CGFC players and coaches representing BASL at the comp as well as any of our local referees officiating on the weekend.
Seniors and Youth
It was another mixed weekend for our Senior and Youth squads. The Women and Men’s First team both took out solid wins. In the Women’s League 2, League Cup Round 2 the Women took out a 3-0 win away to Epsom.
Goals came in the first half to Eva Thacker, after one minute, Ziggy Williams and Noora Niasari. Epsom put on a solid display second half to keep the score line at 3 goals.
In Div 5 the Men overran Point Cook 9-1. Like the Women once again it was three goals in the first half for the Maine, but the second half saw a real blow out as the Men turned in another 6 goals to Point Cook’s 1. Scorers on the day were Ashley Taisau (4), Tom Slater, Ollie Gunter, Dotahn Henderson and Michael Jones. The win sees the Div 5 squad head into a top of the table clash vs Spring Hills this Sunday at Chewton in an 11am kick-off.
The Youth and Div 7 Men were both on the wrong end of the results. At home to Shepparton United, on a sticky Chewton pitch the Youth squad went down 3-0 to Shep in a pretty heated game that saw 10 yellow cards and red for a second yellow to a Shep player. From 1-0 down at half time and even with a one player advantage ‘The Prospects’ were unable to get a hold in the game to stage a comeback instead conceding a penalty in the 66th minute and a third goal in the 69th.
Castlemaine Goldfields’ Reserves team were on the road again this week and unfortunately the tough run continued, this time going down 2-0 to RMIT.
On a narrow pitch that restricted us from playing some of the football from the week before, Maine struggled to get into any rhythm for most of the first half, conceding a sloppy goal just 10 mins in. Most of the first half continued to be very difficult for Goldfields, who lacked composure and were outplayed for large parts of it.
At half time there were some strong words from the coach and amongst each other, focused on finding improvement and settling on the ball. Largely it was a different side that came out after halftime, playing a better game of football and using the ball in a much better fashion. In the final third there was not the composure that was required and RMIT defended well. As Maine pushed for the equaliser they again conceded a goal which took the game away from them.
Claudio was solid at the back all day and deserves a mention, and a huge improvement in the second half, but there were few other winners on a frustrating day down in Melbourne. This week the Reserves are back at home and will try and absorb some of the winning ways of the First team, who are flying in their game against third placed Melbourne Uni at 1pm.
Maldon and Newstead meet under lights
Saturday’s games took us to Newstead, under lights, for our night game of the season. It was a memorable occasion for both Clubs with not only coming together to play the sport we love but a ceremony and minute silence held to commemorate the life of Dallas Keogh-Frankling, a Castlemaine Football Netball Club Under 18 Player who tragically lost his life, and to pay respects the family, friends and community that mourn the loss of Dallas – coming together to support each other is what community is all about and this is a great community sport.
This week we also have a cohort of junior footballers and netballers participating in the interleague. The experience and skill of the teams and players they came up against was certainly exceptional and all the girls were able to put in brilliant games for the tournament. The teams will play Horsham District as Navarra on June 18 for the next game as an interleague. The MFNC U15 and U18 interleague teams didn’t come away with any wins, but get a second chance for our next scheduled games on Sunday 18/6 at Navarre Recreation Reserve. Football Under 13’s interleague training is on Wednesday night. A practice match will be held at Newstead at 6 pm.
This coming weekend we have a BYE and then we take on Carisbrook at home.
Football
Seniors: Maldon 49 Def by Newstead 67. Very disappointed to lose on the weekend, on what was a big night for Newstead full Credit to them they just wanted to win a bit more than us. Better players: Seb Greene, Alex Farrow, Cody Gunn and Pat Long.
Reserves: Maldon 65 Def Newstead 24. After an even first quarter, we were able to assert our dominance and take control of the game. A good team performance. Best: T. Rowe, B. Rowbottom, S. Burchell, I. Hartley, B. Kitchingman, L. Brennan.
17.5s: Maldon 45 Def Avoca 7 (Newstead no team). The U17.5s travelled to Trentham for their second clash in 3 weeks against Avoca. Maldon had many attempts at goals but only came away with 5. Our back line was strong in defense only letting Avoca score a total of 7 points. Best: Blayne Cananzi, Flynn Rowbottom, Noah Thompson, Tadgh Cananzi, Ryan Burchell, Callum Buchanan.
14.5s: NO GAME
11.5s: Maldon 0 Def by Newstead 46. Newstead got the jump on us in the first quarter and was hard to catch, but our legends never gave up. Best: Chloe Jennings, Oliver Merlo, Yoshi Turner, Will Govier, Nash Jennings, Darcy Robertson.
Netball
A Grade: Maldon 36 Def by Newstead 39. The Team had a solid start to the game, our defensive end once again stood up and was able to force errors. A few unforced errors allowed Newstead to get a jump on us in the last few minutes of the game and had them take the win. Best on: Mackenzie Shepherd.
B Grade: Maldon 25 Draw 25 Newstead. The game was once again an end-to-end situation. At the final siren, a draw was had with a score of 25 all. Best on: Ashlee Forster.
C Grade: Maldon 20 Def by Newstead 31.With the score level at halftime, it saw Newstead really fight back in the second half to take the win! Best: Tay Doyle.
Under 17s: NO GAME
Under 15s: Maldon 14 Def Newstead 13. The U15s were again victorious on the weekend with Newstead certainly bringing their game on the weekend. The team is really starting to find its rhythm and has come up against some higher sides on the ladder proving they can match it with the best. Best Player; Maggie Walmsley.
Under 13s: Maldon 10 Def by Newstead 22. The under 13s took the court in a twilight match and took the court with big smiles and determination, unfortunately not coming away with the win but executing what they have been working on at training incredibly well. Best: Holly Williams and Wren Beckett
Under 11s: Maldon 7 Def by Newstead 13. We were able to challenge Newstead at times creating many moments of solid consistent play. Best: Elsa
The Hard-Ons Ripper ‘23 tour is coming to Castlemaine
The Hard-Ons are bringing their Ripper ’23 tour to the Bridge Hotel this June following the release of their 14th studio album – the first made from start to finish with the band’s newest member, front-man for You Am I, and solo artist Tim Rogers.
Tim told the Mail that he has been a fan of the Hard-Ons since his teens and they were the first band he travelled to see in his teens.
“They were my heroes then and continue to be,” commented Tim.
“It was a massive surprise when they asked me to join them. They are admirable people and very gracious to their fans.
“I don’t think I’ve got a punk bone in my body but they have consistently been one of my favourites. The guys from the band are some of the smartest people I know. I enjoy their wonderfully adolescent perverse sense of humour. Just because something is silly doesn’t mean it’s dumb. We share a lot in common, musical tastes and sense of humour. The rest sorts itself out,” said Tim.
“Performing at 53 is more fun, you’ve got nothing to lose. I’m closer to the grave than the cradle. The band is very high energy – it doesn’t make medical sense in your ’50s but if you love what you do it gives you oxygen.”
Now residing in central Victoria, Tim continues to advance his solo career, performs with You Am I, and appears in more than 100 shows each year. Dealing with panic attacks is an ongoing issue for the performer and he talked to the Mail about the importance of dealing with them in a calm way.
“On stage is the safest place to be and doing something physical like that really helps. I’m good at recognising when I’m in the zone, not looking after the noggin and pushing myself too hard.”
The band have just returned from their European tour following the success of their last album I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken, where Tim was joined by his 22-year-old daughter Ruby.
“She sold merch with the Hard-Ons while we were touring. It was wonderful being on the road with her and she’s very good at it. She’s an excellent musician herself so she’s very adept at it.
“The audience from the Europe tour was a real mix, some had first seen the band in the late 80s and others were kids. The Australian tour last year was the same.”
The Hard-Ons specialising in fast, loud, and tuneful punk rock with strong melodic hooks that balanced out their fondness for rude adolescent humour, often rooted in sex and bodily functions (They once described their approach as ‘Motörhead playing the Beach Boys’) will be appearing at the Bridge Hotel, 21 Walker Street Castlemaine on Sunday, June 25 supported by Boom Boom Kids. Tickets are available at: thebridgehotel.oztix.com.au.
Extraordinary masterpiece to screen
The extraordinary early silent masterpiece made in 1925, GRASS, will be screened at the Castlemaine Documentary Festival accompanied by a live-music performance.
GRASS is testament to the sheer forces of nature and the human spirit as we witness the annual migration of the nomadic Bakhtiari tribe across Iran with half a million animals.
This classic adventure film by the makers of King Kong is cited as one of the greatest documentaries of all time.
In 1924, filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack hooked up with journalist and sometime spy Marguerite Harrison and set off to film an adventure.
They found excitement, danger and unparalleled drama in the migration of the Bakhtiari tribe of Persia (now Iran).
Twice a year, more than fifty thousand people and half a million animals surmounted seemingly impossible obstacles to take their herds to pasture.
The filmmakers captured unforgettable images of courage and determination as the Bakhtiari braved the raging and icy waters of the 800 metres wide Karun River.
Cooper and Schoedsack almost froze when they filmed the breathtaking, almost unbelievable, sight of an endless river of men, women and children – their feet bare or wrapped in rags – winding up the side of the sheer, snow-covered rock face of the 4500-metre-high Zardeh Kuh mountain.
Few people have actually ever seen this legendary silent masterpiece that is sure to astonish today’s audiences with its beautiful photography and heart-stopping adventure.
It will be accompanied by a live music score by ZÖJ – a Ballarat-based duo featuring the exquisite voice of Gelareh Pour, playing the Persian kamancheh, and Brian O’Dwyer on drum-kit.
Details and tickets at cdocff.com.au.