After the huge success of the recent 50th Castlemaine State Festival, there’s more to look forward to — with internationally acclaimed pianist Lucas Debargue set to perform in town this May as part of one of the festival’s upcoming fundraising events.
The performance is part of the ongoing collaboration with Live at Yours.
Debargue will appear at the Castlemaine Town Hall on Saturday May 30 — bringing a touch of the world’s biggest concert halls to the heart of regional Victoria, while also supporting the future of the festival.
The 50th Castlemaine State Festival drew strong crowds and glowing feedback, reinforcing Castlemaine’s reputation as a go-to destination for arts and culture. This upcoming concert continues that momentum, with proceeds helping to support future programming and keep world-class performances coming to the region.
Debargue first caught the world’s attention at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, where audiences were struck by his originality and depth. His path into music hasn’t been conventional — shaped by interests in literature, painting and jazz — and that comes through in performances that feel fresh, thoughtful and completely unique.
Since then, he’s played at some of the world’s most iconic venues, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall, and alongside leading orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mariinsky Orchestra and Orchestre de Paris.
A Sony Classical artist, Debargue’s recordings span composers from Scarlatti and Bach through to Chopin and Ravel, as well as his own compositions. With more than twenty original works to his name, he’s as much a creator as he is a performer.
Trained in Paris under Rena Shereshevskaya, Debargue has carved out a reputation as one of the most intriguing pianists on the international stage — with performances that feel less like recitals and more like an exploration of the music itself.
This Live at Castlemaine x Lucas Debargue performance promises an intimate, memorable night of music in the beautiful surrounds of the Castlemaine Town Hall — and a chance for audiences to support the continued success of the festival.
The concert begins at 7pm. Tickets are expected to sell quickly.
Get yours at https://castlemainefestival.com.au/event/live-at-castlemaine-lucas-debargue/
World-class pianist heads to Castlemaine
Life on the wing
Birds are ever-present in our landscape. They hold a place in our hearts, culture and community. Some of our local birds are very rare, and all of them are great indicator species, signaling the environmental health of a landscape. In this, birds cross the perceived boundaries of art, culture and science.
Jane Rusden’s art practice exists in these three realms. Her solo exhibition, Life on the Wing, soon to open at Artpuff Gallery in Castlemaine, is an inspiring, accomplished and
heartfelt ‘shout out’ to birds, the urgency of their survival, and the fundamental importance of their thriving.
In her work, Jane seeks to tap into our deep emotional spaces as humans and draw links with the natural world of which we are a part, using birds both as a metaphor and tangible creatures.
Jane’s background in zoology is fundamental to her practice, in all its aspects – process, materials, subject and environmental context. Her scientific knowledge very much shapes
the way she paints and draws birds on paper, using watercolour, ink, pencil and charcoal:
“Bird watching and the bird survey work I do influence the species I paint. I’m interested in the connections between bird species and their habitat, and in expressing these connections
through art materials and their interactions with water and paper, as water brings life to our landscape and paper is an organic material,” Jane said.
Particular to Life on the Wing is Jane’s focus on resilience in adversity, expressed through birds and insects.
“If given a chance to, indigenous species will flourish. So often, the pressures are so great that many species are grimly hanging on. However, Life on the Wing celebrates renewal,
resilience and adaptability. It is a show of hope and hard work in the field of species conservation, and a celebration of beauty, awe, and immersive delight in the wonder of the
natural world,” Jane said.
Life on the Wing asks us to stop, listen, think and honour the life of birds. This is an awe-inspiring show, its centrepiece, Female Gang Gang Foraging, Geebung an incredible five metres long and 1.5 metres high! Be sure not to miss it, from May 21– June 8, Thursday – Sunday 11-5, public holidays 11 – 3 pm (and online throughout).
Opening celebration Friday, May 22, 5-7pm, with speaker Kate Millar, CEO BirdLife Australia.
Artpuff is located at The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine.
artpuff.com.au/shows/
My Castlemaine with Val Dwyer – Part Two
Deep remorse and grief
Terry Willis, Harcourt North
The Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria came to Harcourt on April 30. It was a triggering day for many of us. What struck me was the lack of acknowledgement at the loss of biodiversity and old growth trees from the fire and the clean up.
I spoke in the open mic section and chose to highlight that nature’s community houses were lost as well.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to honour the life of a tree lost on our property – a very, very old Grey Box scar tree. Most of its crown had been lost over time, but its hollow limbs still reached for the stars high above us. Our family was the last of many, many families that thought of this tree as precious – families both human and animal.
And then the fire happened. The CFA came at least five times to douse water on the smouldering stump over a period of two weeks after that first terrible day. Its root system stretched deep into the earth. The burnt base of the tree’s outer layer is all that remains, reaching like a blackened twisting claw out of the charcoal, in a haunting tribute to its former glory.
This was a tree that had witnessed over 400 years on Dja Dja Wurrung country.
A tree so wide at its base that our family of four could not hug it together.
A tree so loved that every new person to visit us would be proudly shown the scar tree.
A tree that survived an attempted ring barking, who knows how many years ago.
A tree that life centred around, providing a community house in the landscape.
A tree that sheltered possums, phascogales, Krefft’s gliders, bees, antechinus, cockatoos and galahs from the harsh conditions outside.
A tree that was a nursery for these creatures to raise their young.
A tree that nourished and provided food.
A tree that held soil together on the slopes of Leanganook.
A tree that gave life and hope.
Who knows how many more years it could have lived for? We don’t know.
This tree was one of many old habitat trees that were lost in the Harcourt fire. It’s a tragedy. You can’t rebuild this tree – it’s lost forever. No amount of nesting boxes will replace the homes it once provided.
It feels like an injustice that this has happened and fills us with deep remorse and grief”.
DON supports Bendigo Health paediatric unit
The DON KR Castlemaine team has raised $4,000 to purchase a new Mindray Vital Signs Patient Monitoring Machine for Bendigo Health’s Children’s Ward.
Raised through DON’s annual Christmas raffle at the Castlemaine factory and other Victorian sites, the funds will directly support babies and children receiving care at Bendigo Health.
When DON KR Castlemaine approached the Bendigo Health Foundation to partner on a paediatric project, the Foundation consulted nurses working on the ward to identify where the funds would have the greatest impact.
Bendigo Health Children’s Ward Nurse Unit Manager, Michelle Creed, said the team was unanimous in recommending a new vital signs monitoring machine.
“Of course, there is always a wish list of items we would love, but the team felt that the Mindray Vital Signs Patient Monitoring Machine would significantly strengthen the ward’s essential equipment,” Michelle said.
Director of Fundraising at Bendigo Health, Shaun Spence, said the hospital had initially planned to co-fund the equipment with DON. However, the fundraiser exceeded expectations.
“The DON fundraiser was so successful the machine was purchased outright, allowing other funds to be redirected to vital equipment, services and research,” Shaun said.
The Children’s Ward at Bendigo Health cares for children and adolescents throughout the Loddon Mallee region, including many from Castlemaine and surrounding communities.
The health service works closely with the Royal Children’s Hospital to treat patients locally wherever possible.
“We know how stressful it can be for families when a child needs hospital care, so being able to receive that care close to home makes a real difference.”
Paediatric Nurse, Whensday Bake, said the state-of-the-art machine measures temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate.
“Having more equipment readily available allows us to take observations quickly and efficiently, while minimising disruption to children and their families during an already challenging time,” she said.
DON Program Manager, Helen Shaw, thanked DON KR Castlemaine staff for supporting the raffle and helping make the fundraiser a success.
“This new monitoring machine is already making a tangible difference in our local community,” she said.
To support Bendigo Health patients to stay close to home and their loved ones during treatment, visit: www.bendigohealthfoundation.org.au/donate
Supporting critical rescue vehicle replacement
Castlemaine residents are being invited to support local emergency services at a fundraising high tea aimed at helping the Victoria State Emergency Service Castlemaine Unit replace a vital rescue vehicle. The event will be held this Sunday, May 17, from 2pm to 4pm at the Buda Historic Home and Garden.
The Castlemaine SES unit responds to a wide range of emergencies across the region, including storm damage, road crash rescue, and search operations.
Organisers say replacing the ageing rescue vehicle is essential to maintaining the unit’s ability to respond quickly and safely to incidents in the local community.
Event organiser Kristina Forbes said the high tea is designed to both raise funds and increase community awareness of the SES’s broader role.
“Many people associate SES with storms and floods, but our volunteers are called out to a wide range of incidents throughout the year,” she said.
“This event is an opportunity for the community to connect with our members and directly support the equipment we rely on to keep people safe.”
Guests will be welcomed with refreshments on arrival and can enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury items while meeting local SES volunteers and learning more about their work. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange in support of the SES, with prizes awarded on the day. A raffle will also be held, with a format allowing winners to select their preferred prize.
Tickets are $55 per person and available online via Humanitix, with limited seating.
Funds raised will go directly towards the replacement of the unit’s rescue vehicle, supporting the ongoing emergency response capability of the Castlemaine SES.
There’s still a few tickets available so head to: events.humanitix.com/castlemaine-ses-high-tea
Rascal Clothing launch at ONI Street Wear
ONI Street Wear in Castlemaine is set to host a launch party tonight, Friday May 15, to showcase the winter collection of Rascal Clothing.
Rascal Clothing creator Casey Tosh said he is passionate about upcycling street wear into modern fashion.
“This is an area I started to explore after a collaboration in Seoul, South Korea, two years ago, with a fashion brand called Chemical Sister.
“I was screen printing my artwork on to vintage clothing and the two sisters would add colour and sewing designs,” Casey says.
“Since that time I have began to learn more about construction and sewing,” he said.
A chance meeting with Josh Salmon of ONI Street Wear has led to the latest collaboration.
“We met at the Castlemaine Artists Market where both had screen printed clothing displays. Josh invited me to visit his skate store and screen print shop,” Casey said.
“After seeing the space and what Josh was doing we agreed that it would be cool to work together.
“As a skateboarder and clothing designer I thought our work could be complementary, trading our different areas of expertise and skill sets.
“Where possible adding in some upcycled designs. Old fabrics are often of a higher quality in their design and materials. This also aims to address the problem of fast fashion,” Casey said.
Tonight’s launch will include a live performance by The Punk Monks. The band will be modelling some of the new designs.
There will also be a DJ set from Sir Elbow from Guildford.
The launch is part of a larger collaboration takeover, including an in-house art work, and will run for a month. Be sure to pop into ONI Street Wear at 22 Hargraves Street and check it out.
The launch will run from 5.30pm-8pm tonight, with the band to hit the stage at 6.30pm.
A warm introduction to joining
Jade Jungwirth
Castlemaine’s inaugural Town Open Day will be held this Saturday May 16 – giving residents a taster of the wide breadth of groups, teams and hobbies on offer locally.
A fun-filled day full of food, activities, demonstrations and workshops, the Town Open Day is the perfect place to meet new people, pick up a hobby and get involved.
From sports to choirs, and bird watching to roller skating, there really is something on offer for everyone.
Organised by Castlemaine Community House and Get Connected Mount Alexander, the family-friendly, accessible event is designed to help bring people together.
Community Connector Isis Jordan said there will be around 30 clubs and groups available on the day.
“It’s kind of like O’Week at university, a community open day with a range of hobbies, activities, and clubs,” she said.
“It can be really hard to find where the action is, especially if you don’t live in the centre of Castlemaine. Maybe you’re on the periphery, and you don’t know anyone, maybe you’re not tech savvy, maybe you’re not on Facebook.”
CCH executive officer Mahira Sobral said Get Connected is a social prescribing program that identifies the need for a more medical approach to social inclusion, one which identifies that mental health and community wellbeing are key.
“We see great outcomes from people being connected,” she said.
“Town Open Day is the brainchild of Get Connected – bringing that work to life in a physical space.”
Local holistic practitioner Rich Moffat is one of the many stallholders who will be offering demonstrations on the day.
“I teach yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong; they’re all a little bit different, so it’s good for people to understand what they are, so I’m going to teach short classes on the day so people experience them for themselves,” he said.
Other groups include: the Falcons, Bird Life Castlemaine, Queer Book Club, the Nordic Walking Group, Silent Disco, Pickleball, Nalderun, and a variety of local choirs just to name a few.
Pizza De Wheels, Ice Cream Republic and Les Bean Coffee will be on site, plus a BBQ cooked by CCH.
Town Open Day will be held on Saturday May 16 from 10am to 2pm at The Goods Shed, 21 Kennedy Street (*no longer at the Botanical Gardens due to the weather).
This is a free event, and transport is available across the shire. Call CCH on 5472 4842 to book your place on the free bus.
For more information, please visit www.cch.org.au/town-open-day or follow Castlemaine Community House on socials for updates.
Vegelicious stars shine
Castlemaine’s thriving food scene has once again proven its famous creativity, with four local businesses taking top honours in the 2026 Edgy Veg Awards in Mount Alexander Shire.
Now in its fifth year across the Macedon Ranges and second in Mount Alexander Shire, the awards saw a record-breaking 946 diners sample and vote on vegetable-focused dishes over the month-long competition. The results confirm what locals already know — Castlemaine’s chefs are redefining how vegetables are enjoyed.
Leading the charge was Shedshaker Brewing, which claimed the Restaurant, Pub and Bar category for the second consecutive year with its Pumpkin and Ricotta Ravioli. Described by voters as “Delicate, sublime flavours. Beautiful presentation. Left me wanting more!”, “Made with love – flavour all the way through!” and “It is a wow factor dish. I don’t expect such rich flavour from a veg dish!”.
Shedshaker Brewing head chef Bec Murphy said they were thrilled to claim the honours in the restaurant category for the second year running.
“It really puts the pressure on for next year!” Bec said.
“We felt like there was a lot more engagement this year, polling was definitely up.
“We don’t think vegans should miss out on flavour. It’s nice to put something out there that shows people plant based foods don’t have to be boring.
“It took a bit of tweaking to get the dish just right, but we were really pleased with the final result and obviously diners were too,” Bec said.
In the café category, a rare tie saw both Saffs Café with their Autumnal Okonomiyaki, and Togs Place Café with their Zaatar Tofu share first place.
Saffs’ rave reviews included: “I can’t believe you don’t have this exciting delicious dish on your menu. Thank you for making it for the competition. We had never been to Saff’s Cafe and were drawn by the description of this unique dish.”
Togs’ dish was described as, “Beautiful presentation! Fresh and flavourful, I would definitely recommend this and order it again.”.
Saffs Cafe chef Emily Jennings said they too were pretty excited take out the gong.
“The feedback has been really amazing,” she said.
“We have had Okonomiyaki on the menu before, but this particular dish was developed especially for the competition and we were delighted it was so well received,” Emily said.
Elissa Wilsher of Togs Cafe said it was super exciting to be recognised.
“There was a lot of interest in the competition this year and our waiters and kitchen staff really encouraged our patrons to try the dish and cast their vote.
“Our fully qualified chef is vegan and started the development process, but the whole team had input into the final offering and we are thrilled it was so warmly received.”
Meanwhile, Johnny Baker took out the bakery category with its Ginger, Carrot & Pineapple Cake, described as, “Absolutely sensational. A beautiful combination of flavours that feels decadent yet healthy” and “So yummy! I have never had this combo in a cake before and it really worked!”
Johnny Baker chef Josh Bendeich said they were surprised and elated to win the bakery category.
“The Ginger Carrot and Pineapple Cake is a staple on our menu and well-loved by our regulars.
“However, it flew off the shelves during the month long competition. We went through a lot of ginger!” he laughed.
“It really opened a lot of people’s eyes about vegan cuisine. One customer asked for it and I commented ‘the vegan cake?’ And he said ‘no way’. I pointed out it was what he had been enjoying all along!” Josh said.
The award winning cake is not going anywhere.
“It will definitely remain on our menu,” he said.
The awards, delivered by Veg Action of Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, continue to support local businesses during challenging economic times, bringing a burst of interest and increased custom from both locals and visiting Edgy Veg Awards diners.
The Edgy Veg Awards are supported by Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Toby Heydon praised the winners, noting they are “leaders in our communities,” helping to build a healthier and more sustainable local food culture.
Sports upgrades in the pipeline
Homes For All – Rally and Concert
Homelessness, high rents, mortgages unavailable, government housing estates too few and poorly managed. There are so many issues making life difficult for people trying to find a home they can afford!
A group of concerned citizens of Mount Alexander Shire, on the land of the Djaara, are planning a rally and concert to address this issue.
The day will include information stalls, speakers and live music on Saturday May 23 at the St Mary’s Hall Castlemaine.
One of the organisers of the event, Peter James Wreford Dawson says in what he considers the richest country on Earth there should be no homelessness, families should be able to obtain a mortgage at a reasonable interest rate or affordable rental.
“Why are governments wasting money on beautification of streetscapes rather than building houses? How is it that $quillions are earmarked for useless
submarines and jet planes while housing, health and education are always at the bottom of the list?
“With our population aging, more and more people will need affordable accommodation especially in government estates. Apart from the financial
pressures, the stress of finding suitable accommodation is a serious factor in the detriment of mental health in our communities. Existing estates are too few and appallingly managed. Maintenance is haphazard and issues are ignored by Housing Officers,” Pete says.
Determined to make a difference Pete and friends have organised the rally and concert.
“The rally, supported by St Mary’s Catholic Church, Castlemaine is designed for those with a need for information about help that is available and
also an attempt to get government to listen!” he says.
Speakers have been invited from the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, DJAARA Corporation, Housing groups, etc.
Speakers confirmed to appear will include Mayor Toby Heydon – Mount Alexander Shire Council; Tom Danby – Tiny Homes program; Malcolm Robins – Environmentally friendly community housing; and Dr Jamel Kaur Singh – Financial Literacy & Using Government Incentives towards Home Ownership.
Musicians to perform on the day will include Andy Dunne, Ange Lawson, Georgia Darcy, Les Thomas, Loz Lawrey, Peter Bodin, Trudy Fatnowna Edgeley, Silverfish and Scott Sanders.
The Homes For All rally will begin at 12 noon in St Mary’s Hall cnr Hargraves and Lyttleton Streets, Castlemaine with the concert following the speakers at approximately 3pm.
For more information email mujik@y7mail.com or check out the Housing In The ‘Maine Facebook page.
New building at MAAW
