Castlemaine State Emergency Services has received a $20,000 NAB Foundation Community grant to rebuild the unit’s sandbagging facility.
Located behind the SES headquarters in Castlemaine, the facility provides a place for the volunteers and members of the general public to fill sandbags in preparation for flood events.
The current facility is ageing and does not protect the sand from wet weather. The bags are manually filled, and wet sand is much heavier to carry. The funds obtained through the foundation will assist in removing the current facility and installing a new base and wet weather protection.
“We are very grateful to receive the funds and thrilled to be able to get this work happening,” SES volunteer Kristina Forbes said.
“Having dry sand is much more efficient.”
NAB representative Jane Lincoln visited the site on Wednesday to formally acknowledge the unit’s successful grant through the NAB Foundation Community Grants Program.
“The Castlemaine SES plays a vital role in supporting the local community. Whether responding to floods, storms, road rescue incidents, or helping people during times of crisis, the volunteers consistently put the needs of others ahead of their own,” she said.
“Their dedication, professionalism, and willingness to help make a real difference to the safety and resilience of our region.”
She thanked the Castlemaine SES for their service, commitment, and countless hours they dedicate to helping others.
“Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and our community is safer and stronger because of what you do,” she said.
“On behalf of NAB and the NAB Foundation, we are proud to support the Castlemaine Unit through this grant.
“We hope these funds assist the unit in continuing its important work and enhancing its ability to respond when the community needs it most.”
Steel City Sue and her trio are coming to The Coolroom this Sunday. This concert is part of an East Coast tour for the Hunter Valley-based band, it also launches their new album The Red Zone.
Sue Morley is an award-winning composer best known for her hit song Boom Town plus a pile of fetching anti-coal songs from the belly of the Hunter Valley beast, served up with humour and regret. Flirting, bad driving, and climate catastrophes also get a run in her driven-yet-touching repertoire.
The Steel City Sue trio features the fearsome playing of Naomi Jones (Midnight Chicken) and Tim Merrikin (Coomba All Stars) – all swapping out twin fiddles, old-time banjo, Cajun accordion, double bass and guitar with loads of harmonies.
The new Steel City Sue album ‘The Red Zone’ was recorded in Wales with Mike & Katie West of Truckstop Honeymoon fame.
Genre-bending slide guitarist Dan Musil rounds out the afternoon’s bill. Dan was last seen at The Coolroom playing with Van Walker. It’s fair to say Dan plays like no one else, weaving otherworldly musical journeys with incisive songwriting. Melding masterful lap steel guitar and dobro, his Irish tunes emerge from stomping blues.
This Sunday, July 19, The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel. Bookings through Humanitix.
Name and Address supplied, Castlemaine
Last week after two weeks of consistent and heavy rains impacting on my house, a timely phone call from a reassuring Bob of Castlemaine SES immediately changed an awful situation.
Bob’s kind, calm, human response quickly allayed my overwhelming feelings of panic, isolation and helplessness.
His team of professional men and women (volunteers) quietly arrived, assessed and remediated the situation over a couple of hours: all with absolute cooperation and competence.
Yes, volunteers they were!
I have since contributed to Castlemaine SES, Give Now at www.givenow.com.au/castlemaineses
And at the monthly Farmers Market last weekend I remembered to drop in a donation to the SES at the entry. I admit my donations on such occasions had been dropping off recently; they are now back on track.
This is such a worthy organisation and deserves our continued support.
Suzanne Donisthorpe, Castlemaine
Picture this. Adjacent to the brand new revitalised city centre up Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane, opposite the Town Hall and around the corner from the Library and the Phee Theatre sits a beautifully restored and treasured heritage building, housing the People’s Pool and Wellness Centre.
The beautiful old drill hall has been properly resurrected and the weatherboards have been repaired and painted in soft greys and greens – reflecting the colours of the bush. The south facing windows have been cleaned and repaired and the clearstory windows on the eastern side are a pale gold so the morning light fills the space with golden light and on the western wall, the windows have been tinted pink so that the setting sun sends a rosy glow into the interior. There are folding glass doors along the back northern wall- facing straight out to the newly created town hub facing the library where there is a pop up coffee and juice bar which can be opened up on sunny days to bring the warmth and fresh air inside.
Inside, a false ceiling over the pool has been installed, and the walls have been lined and insulated creating a far more practical space to heat. The interior is freshly painted a soft white, and it is filled with air filtering pot plants with simple wooden benches around the edges. Solar panels, a battery and a heat pump have been installed, thus substantially cutting the costs of heating the pool and it is cleaned with magnesium salt which is environmentally far better and is more like a mineral spring bath than a traditional chlorine pool.
Imagine how beautiful a magnesium pool would be for hydrotherapy sessions, for the babies and small children’s swimming lessons, for the elderly and disabled, for water aerobics and yoga classes. Plus there’s already a spa and sauna and a small pool which could be a cold water plunge pool. There is also a gym which I personally would move as there’s a number of gyms already and that space could be used for other things- but this is just my dream plan.
In this town of inspired art events – what about after hours sound healing sessions- whereby people float with the aid of pool noodles while a mesmeric light show plays on the ceiling and the pool is filled with beautiful music. There could also be special nights for all nude swimming, women only swim sessions, men’s only swim sessions, children’s parties and synchronized swimming performances. The list is endless.
Additionally the spaces around the pool could be rented out to physios, yoga teachers, massage therapists, acupuncturists- all sorts of allied health professionals.
OK its a dream- but I think it’s possible.
Here’s my draft plan
Buying it
It is about to be sold by the mortgagee who will just want their money back so it could be as little as $1 million. It’s a heritage building so it can’t be torn down, but really who else would want it apart from us? So we are in a good place to bargain. As it’s a heritage building – the National Trust and other heritage organisations could be approached for money for the repairs. If it is used as a community resource- the chances of heritage funding is much higher. If we don’t buy it – it will become a sad decrepit eyesore in the middle of our town that no one wants.
The renovation
Yes, it would cost more money to bring it up to scratch – say $4 million more – I’m guessing but given it’s a wooden building that already has a pool, plus a sauna, spa and gym that was functioning less than 12 months ago – it can’t be that much. So far less than any other alternative for a 365 day a year heated indoor pool which could cost up to $40 million.
So how do we do it?
We start a GoFundMe campaign along the lines of the Hub buy back – and raise as much as possible – thus demonstrating to governments – local, state and federal, the community interest is there, and they should really pitch in. We would target the health department, the NDIS scheme, the Swim Australia mob, and the various philanthropy organisations that offer funding for community benefits- something we can easily demonstrate.
Who runs it?
We lease it out to a manager to administer answerable to a board of management. We offer a range of prices – special prices for locals and more for visitors – like the MONA model. The various businesses help offset the costs of the upkeep and we also get some government funding- as most community pools already do. We would need a proper business plan – but that is not really my forte – but given there are 900 people who signed a petition, and at least 30 or more very capable people involved in SWIMMA – I think it’s doable.
As the building could be up for sale at any moment – I feel the need to act promptly is crucial.
Luke Brown, Former Castlemaine resident
The joyous occasion that was the MAIN Game 2026 was the first game of footy I’d played on the Camp Reserve since 1994.
I was staggered to find the facilities almost completely unchanged. I say ‘almost’ only because the facilities have of course degraded over those 32 years.
The facilities of a major town’s main sports ground should not mirror the condition of an old footballer’s knees. Why shouldn’t Castlemaine’s community sport participants have the modern facilities that exist in most other major towns and suburbs?
I’ve played on or watched junior and community sport on something like 100 main sports grounds in Australia and other countries. In terms of facilities, the Camp ranks near the bottom.
My old home town has had a very appealing array of cultural strands. Even if it’s not your thing, it shouldn’t be difficult to understand that community sport is a central plank of any vibrant Australian community. Castlemaine’s golden heritage and wealth gave the town the magnificent public buildings and streetscapes that are central to its appeal. It is perverse that this heritage is being leveraged to keep Castlemaine’s main community sports ground in a substandard condition.
From the teams at CaSS and MASARG
Castlemaine Safe Space (CaSS) and Mount Alexander Shire Accommodation and Respite Group (MASARG) would like to express our immense gratitude to everyone who supported our joint fundraising event ‘Rock for a Reason’ on July 4 in Castlemaine.
Special thanks go to Chris Jameson our super MC, and the marvellous bands Jet Set and Bob Wills Poor Relations. We are very grateful to Stoneman’s Bookroom, MAXI IGA, McKenzie Amcal Pharmacy, Mount Alexander Timber and Hardware Store at Campbells Creek, Undercuts Hair Salon, and Skin ‘n Tonik for their kind raffle prize donations.
More thanks to Jacqueline and Doug and all the staff at The Taproom – Shedshaker Brewing
And last but not least – all our wonderful volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes and everyone who cam along on the night. What a pleasure to work together in partnership, proving once again our community rocks!
Landscape Architect Michael Wright, Glenluce
As debate continues about the siting and design of new facilities for the football and netball club, it is timely to recall that this is public land, crown land, and it belongs to all the community.
The design prepared by consultants for the shire should be inspiring, ambitious, and it should invoke the history of the town and its surrounds. Instead, the proposal is awkward, lack lustre, perhaps even inept and poorly conceived. The proposal has not explored many key issues, such as including a full-sized AFL oval, the side-by-side location of football and netball, nor equal access. The proposal is also largely a monoculture, because uses other than sport can barely occur on the site. Other uses are an afterthought. These issues might make it challenging to satisfy the funding criteria of Sport and Recreation Victoria, but as yet no-one really knows.
The alternative design prepared by our office shows what can be done if a full-size AFL oval was included on the site. This necessitates placing the pavilion either to the south end, or the north end, because there is insufficient space on the east and the west. Both locations flood, so the building must be raised, which is common and feasible.
In both schemes, though, active sport dominates, and this is not just the playing surfaces, but includes the fencing, parking, light poles, roads and other items that come with high-level competition sport. There is almost no site left when a compliant design is drawn.
Issues about ‘what is left over’ seem to the key to the current debate, because the ‘needs’ of a couple of user-groups occupy nearly all of the public land, and only for specific sporting uses. It is the case that these uses could be placed elsewhere, co-located with other AFL grounds, on dry sites, with ample parking, and no floods. It is not yet known if that is possible, but it may be desirable.
It may be desirable because it is probably cheaper, faster and better for the sporting clubs, and it might be a way to get A-grade facilities much sooner than, say 2030. But such a question could only be answered with objective evidence that the funding bodies may need to see, such as a recreation & active sport demand study. Such a study would enable the council and all community groups to understand underlying demand for AFL facilities, and whether other sites could adopt a shared-use arrangement. These questions might also need to be answered in any future funding application. The key question is: “Are these facilities needed here or are there better sites for the facilities to go?”
No one can deny the need for new facilities for the clubs, but it appears the need to permanently alter the public land at Camp Reserve has not been objectively demonstrated. In some ways, this issue has a much higher level of public interest than the arrival of McDonalds, with its presumably compliant use on a commercial site.
The Camp is actually the missing civic heart of Castlemaine. It used to be the place to go for everybody, on a promenade from the civic centre, across the rail and the creek. But now, for much of the community it is fenced off, barren, a place to avoid because there is nothing to do. That won’t change until sport uses move elsewhere or are designed to be properly multi-use. That is not easy, because the site is too small. The clubs have outgrown the fair use of this public land.
It is time to restore Camp Reserve by moving unsympathetic uses elsewhere and build a central city park for the future and for all Castlemainians.
In this month’s DON KR Castlemaine feature we chatted to two inspirational women who have forged exciting new career paths in the trades since joining the local manufacturer.
Maree Cross joined the DON team 16 years ago looking for a new challenge.
“I started out working in the harness racing industry at Kilmore, before moving home to Campbells Creek seeking a change and securing a job at DON.
“It was meant to be a temporary role, but I never left!” Maree said.
“I started on the floor in Bacon load out and did that for about 12 months. Then I went across to Ham preparing hams for baking and slicing. I worked in that area for 11 years until I was ready to tackle something new. I saw a fitting apprenticeship advertised in the maintenance department, and I thought why not have a go.
“I learnt on the job alongside the maintenance team, working six weeks hands on in the factory and a week at Bendigo TAFE. I rotated around the factory in six month blocks, learning all the machinery as I went.
“It really pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was extremely challenging at times juggling work, study and home life but everyone was really encouraging and supportive. I persevered and after four years I am thrilled to now be fully qualified,” she said.
Maree’s career has now come full circle, with her returning to the Ham department as a fitter.
“I am based in Ham and cover Bacon when needed. We need to be flexible and ready for whatever comes our way.
“I’d definitely encourage other women to consider a career in the trades. There is never a dull moment. No two days are the same, it’s always challenging you and testing your skills.
“I was told once I got my qualification it would open up my career pathways, but I don’t have any plans to go anywhere. I’m happy right where I am,” Maree said.
Apprenticeship sparks new career
Nicole Robinson will celebrate her 10th anniversary with DON KR Castlemaine on July 18.
Nicole started out on the floor as a production worker on a line in Bacon slicing.
“I then stepped up to become a line operator, and then up again into a management role as an Area Coordinator,” she said.
“Five years ago I made the switch to take on an electrician apprenticeship.
“It was something I had always wanted to do, but up until then the timing hadn’t been right,” Nicole said.
“I learnt my trade on the job throughout the factory and via formal study at Bendigo TAFE. I went through TAFE at the same time as Maree so it was good to have someone to share the experience with and to be able to support each other along the way.
“It was certainly challenging at times juggling full-time work, study and motherhood. My son turns 11 on Sunday! But everyone was very supportive and I was proud to complete my qualification in February.
“My son was really proud! He told all his friends at after school care before I’d even confirmed I passed!” Nicole said.
“The company has been really supportive right along the way. The best partnership that DON had was with Kowelec – Electrical Services. They sent me out to work with the Kowelec team for three weeks to learn the domestic side of the role outside of the factory fence. It’s a really broad umbrella and it really helped my understanding of that facet of the learning and strengthened my skills overall.”
Nicole has also experienced a full circle moment, returning to Bacon as a fully qualified electrician.
“It’s really tested my skill set, learning all the machines. Interpreting the instructions, with much of the specialised machinery being from overseas.
“We have a big focus on maintenance to try and prevent breakdowns, but when they do happen we jump in to try and get people and production back on track as soon as possible. Having worked on that side of the business I can appreciate and understand both sides.
“I’m really proud of what I have been able to achieve and I’d really encourage others thinking about a career change or taking on an apprenticeship to jump at it. You won’t regret it,” she said.
Whether at school, at work, in the community or online, every Wear It Purple contribution helps create a safer, more inclusive world for LGBTIQA+ young people. The most powerful thing we can do is show up, spark conversations and create spaces where rainbow young people feel seen, supported and celebrated.
This year, Dhelkaya Health want to yarn-bomb objects in the front foyers of local organisations — a chair, a partition, or anything really!
They will continue to feature installations at Castlemaine Secondary College and Dhelkaya Health, but are excited to expand this project beyond their walls and into workplaces, schools and community settings across the region.
If you can spare some time to knit or crochet a contribution – even just one square – we would love you to participate.
If you have a foyer or public access space that could use some inclusive colour, they would love to hear from you.
Call Sherene on 5479 1000 or email lgbtiqa+@castlemainehealth.org.au to find out how you can help.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery’s latest exhibition ‘RAGGED & TAGGED & FLAGGED’ – The Caroline Chisholm, Domesticity and the Victorian Goldfields by Dr Flossie Peitsch opened on June 27.
The exhibition was officially opened by Anthony Camm manager of the Eureka Centre Ballarat.
Maryborough artist Dr Flossie Peitsch is currently a PhD candidate at Federation University, Ballarat, and this exhibition will form part of her thesis on Kyneton pioneer and humanitarian Caroline Chisholm.
Dr Peitsch presents an exhibition where mixed media textile artistry is the medium for imaginatively reinstating Caroline Chisholm into her rightful place in the goldfield’s history.
Pillowcases, placemats, saris, blankets, floor rugs, embroideries and weavings, paper parcel tags and buttons as fine art are used as the domesticated language of protest.
Her self-set task is to alter the textiles as little as possible when allowing the artwork to emerge intuitively. She ponders over discarded materials, then cuts, curls, adds buttons, braid, and other oddments as each piece evolved in its own way.
Peitsch says, “I challenge myself by raising the creative bar ever higher – for over 50+ years. Sometimes, it is almost out of sight but I haven’t outdone myself yet! There is still lots of ‘doing’ to explore.”
As part of the installation, visitors are invited to inscribe the names and roles of unheralded women – both past and present – from the Victorian goldfields. Sharing stories of strong women being recognised for being themselves’ is central to the work, with Peitsch’s practice contributing to a growing global call for a renewed recognition for women in society.
Workshop opportunity
Local craft enthusiasts have the opportunity to come along to the gallery on Sunday July 19 to be part of a fantastic opportunity to learn firsthand from artist Dr Flossie Peitsch how to make a mini finger-hooked rug.
The workshop is free , but registrations are essential at https://events.humanitix.com/free-community-workshop-make-a-mini-finger-hooked-rug-with-dr-flossie-peitsch or call the gallery at the number below.
Go Wild!
The gallery will also be holding a fun, hands-on school holiday workshop for primary age creators tomorrow, Wednesday July 8, from 10.30am-11.30am with arts educator Jennifer Latch for a fun.
Inspired by the current exhibitions, children will explore mixed media and the idea of wild weather – combining papers, fabric, yarns, oil pastels and ribbons to create their own wild styled landscapes.
It’s going to be a messy, fun and unique activity for creative kids. Suitable for children 6–12 years of age. Cost: $5 per child. All children under 16 must be accompanied by a carer. Limited places – book now! Book online at https://events.humanitix.com/go-wild-school-holiday-art-workshop
or call the gallery on 03 5461 6600.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery is located at the Old Fire Station, 1 Neill Street, Maryborough.
The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.
