Following a massive weekend of Harcourt Rising fundraising events at Shedshaker Brewing (February 20-22) plans are now gearing up for a Bendigo event.
Bendigo industry identities have put together ‘Harcourt Rising – A Bendigo Music Festival for Bushfire Relief’ which will take place this Sunday March 8.
The festival will run across five Bendigo venues all within a short walking distance of each other – The Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo Brewing, The Social, The Courthouse Hotel, and The Deck.
With 40 live acts performing, the hotels, in conjunction with the volunteer crews from organising groups Bendigo Blues & Roots, Live Music Bendigo and Phoenix FM, aim to raise $50,000 to be donated to the Foundation For Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) a certified charity for Harcourt Fire Relief.
Black Swan Hotel manager Peter Phillips said venues in “the top end of town” have all been collectively thinking about ways they could assist in raising funds for the people and fellow businesses affected by the fires in Harcourt and surrounds.
“We are proud to partner with our fellow McCrae Street venues to get behind the community of Harcourt and surrounding districts in the wake of the fire.
“Thanks to the support of our event partners at Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival, Live Music Bendigo and Phoenix FM we will feature more than 40 live acts – soloists, duos and bands across the five venues and eight massive hours from 12 noon through to 8pm Sunday,” Peter said.
“Many musos are generously donating their time or heavily discounting their costs to get behind this special event.
“It promises to be an unforgettable day with 100 per cent of ticket proceeds going directly to the nominated charity: the Foundation For Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR),” he said.
The FRRR plans to work closely with Business Mount Alexander to channel this funding into tourism initiatives and other events to support Harcourt and district businesses and producers impacted in the long term.
To get tickets to this special event visit https://events.humanitix.com/harcourt-rising-bendigo-music-festival-for-bushfire-relief or pop into the ticket booth outside the Black Swan Hotel for your wristband which will provide entry to all five venues.
The newly launched ‘Harcourt Rising- Phoenix Pacific Pale Ale’ fundraising brew – a collaboration between 10 local breweries – will also be on sale at select venues. With fresh galaxy hops, citrus aroma and a beautifully balanced aftertaste, be sure to grab a pint on tap or purchase a can (also available at supporting local breweries) and help support the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) in rebuilding the community.
Harcourt Rising – Bendigo edition this Sunday
300 metre comp heats up
Rae’s legacy fondly remembered
The Mt Alexander Friends of Lolotoe have kindly shared a special tribute to their friend and passionate Timor Leste advocate, Rae Kingsbury, who passed away late last year…
Rae was a remarkable individual whose bond with Timor Leste (East Timor) was demonstrated numerous times over the 26 years she was involved with Australia’s tiny neighbour.
In 1999, Rae initially lobbied the Australian government to send an observer to the ‘Popular Consultation’, Timor-Leste’s much anticipated vote for independence. Following the then Howard government’s muted response, Rae established, in conjunction with the then head of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid Human Rights Office, Pat Walsh, the Australian observer mission to the Popular Consultation. It was known as the Australia-East Timor International Volunteers Program and was critically important as an observation body monitoring the first free vote in Timor Leste’s history.
It was through this process that Rae met Damien, later to become her husband, in his role as coordinator of the observer group.
Rae later observed the Popular Consultation in Dili and Balibo as a guest of the Australian Parliamentary delegation.
Following the violence and destruction of the Popular Consultation by Indonesian forces Rae organised, as the airlines organiser for the Australian Services Union, a black ban of all flights to Indonesia until it accepted a UN-approved international peacekeeping force. This was indeed a remarkable achievement.
In December 1999, in co-operation with Timor-Leste’s soon to be ambassador to Australia, Abel Guterres, Rae founded the community based Australia-Timor-Leste Friendship Groups. There are now still more than 30 of these groups across Australia who owe their existence to Rae Kingsbury.
In Central Victoria, Mt Alexander’s Friends of Lolotoe, Macedon Ranges Friends of East Timor who focus on Turiscai and Bendigo’s Friends of Maubisse all have active, long lasting and very involved connections with their respective Timor communities.
Construction, educational, agricultural, sanitation and food security projects developed over the years and now continuing to grow in these often very isolated areas of East Timor can be traced back to Rae’s initiatives.
Apart from personally establishing the City of Darebin Friends of Baucau and being instrumental in the establishment of City of Port Phillip Friends of Suai/Cove Lima and City of Moreland Friends of Alieu, Rae always took a deep interest in the activities of all Friendship groups.
As a progression of this interest, Rae established the Australia Timor-Leste Friendship Network in 2008 to facilitate coordination and sharing of knowledge between the groups.
Rae went on to coordinate the Australian observer groups to Timor-Leste’s presidential and parliamentary elections in 2002 and in partnership with her husband, Professor Damien Kingsbury, to later elections in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2018/19.
In December 2012 Rae was appointed Honorary Consul for Timor Leste Victoria, a position she retained until 2017.
Rae’s work was acknowledged by her being inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll by the state government, with a member of the Order of Australia, and by the Timor Leste government with a Medal of Merit.
Rae and Damien were active members of Mt Alexander Friends of Lolotoe when they came to live in the area in recent years.
Sadly, Rae passed away on December 9, 2025 after a period of illness.
She will be remembered with great fondness by many in both Australia and Timor Leste for her boundless enthusiasm and energy, her warm and engaging nature and her deep love for the tiny developing nation of Timor Leste. She will be missed.
Local author to feature
Local business advocate and author, Kerry Anderson, will be the guest speaker at the Castlemaine Historical Society’s monthly meeting on Monday evening, March 2.
Kerry is the author of Australian Rural Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship: It’s Everybody’s Business.
She will talk about her latest literary challenge that features a rural business family with a history and mystery twist. Set in a fictional place called Parkers Flat that some may recognise as Wattle Flat, this fictional story has presented a few dilemmas when blended with historic content. Currently a work in progress, Kerry will share her reasons for taking this pathway in her quest to showcase the value of businesses to communities, and to simultaneously engage readers with local history.
CHSI are pleased to welcome Kerry and invite interested community members to come along to the meeting at their headquarters at the Former Court House, 7 Goldsmith Crescent, Castlemaine at 7.30pm.
Learn about Newstead’s Flood Study
Mount Alexander Shire Council is holding an information session to update residents on the outcomes of the Newstead Flood Study.
The council is committed to working with the community to improve safety, reduce impacts and build long–term flood resilience in Newstead.
The flood study has been delivered over three stages, with strong community involvement throughout Stage One (2024) and Stage Two (2025). The project is now in Stage Three, where the council is sharing the study results and recommendations.
A community information session will be held to present flood mitigation plans and other key findings.
Community members will be able to discuss the outcomes with staff from the council, Water Technology, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
The Community Information Session will be held on Monday, March 16 from 6pm to 7pm at the Newstead Community Centre, Main Hall, 9 Lyons Street, Newstead.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Toby Heydon said that community engagement played a vital role in the Newstead Flood Study.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the Newstead community who took the time to review the flood study and provide feedback,” said Cr Heydon.
“This is a fantastic example of the council and community working together to come up with the best possible solution – one that focuses on the safety and wellbeing of Newstead now and into the future.
“I invite residents to come along to the upcoming information session to learn about the recommended mitigation option, view the flood study reports and ask questions.”
Information packs detailing the study results and recommendations will be available from March 17 at the Newstead Post Office, Newstead Rural Transaction Centre and Castlemaine Civic Centre.
Information is also available online at www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/newstead-flood-study.
Coliban Water continues support for Harcourt customers
Coliban Water has announced a package of bill relief and support for its customers in Harcourt following the bushfires that impacted the community on January 9.
Managing Director, Damian Wells, said the Bushfire Bill Relief Program was designed to directly assist those most impacted by the fires and contribute to the community’s broader recovery effort.
“We know the fires have had a devastating impact on the whole community, and we know the road to recovery for Harcourt will be a long one.
“We hope the support we’re providing will have an immediate positive impact for the whole community and ease some of the financial pressure for customers who have experienced the loss of their home or business,” he said.
For its urban customers in Harcourt who lost their primary dwelling or business to the January fires Coliban Water will waive its entire bill for the current quarter and waive its fixed services charges for the following quarter.
“This means customers who lost their homes will pay nothing now and only pay for any water they use on their property in the following quarter,” Mr Wells explained.
“We’re also providing bill relief for our rural customers who access water from our network of rural channels and pipelines and are billed using a different structure.
“All rural customers will receive $450 in bill relief, including a $300 rebate off their current bill and a further $150 rebate off their next bill. They may also be entitled to an additional $500 if their primary dwelling was destroyed by the fires,” Mr Wells said.
Coliban Water will communicate directly with individual customers to explain the bill relief entitlements.
As part of its Community Rebates Program, Coliban Water announced an additional $6,000 contribution to the Harcourt Progress Association who are supporting local recovery efforts.
“We recognise the widespread impact the fires will continue to have on the whole community. Our contribution will ensure our whole-of-community support following the Do Not Drink Advisory caused by the fires can be directed exactly where the community believes it will be best spent.”
Mr Wells said Coliban Water had structured its Bushfire Bill Relief Program to provide as much immediate support as possible but acknowledged the social and economic impacts would likely extend beyond this.
“I would encourage our customers to speak with us if they are having difficulties with their water bills, want to discuss their services, or just need a helping hand or some general advice.
“Through our Coliban Assist program, eligible customers can access support ranging from Utility Relief Grants, free financial counselling, and referrals to hardship programs,” he added.
“Our message to Harcourt is clear. We’re here to do whatever we can to help and are only a phone call away.”
You can call Coliban Water between 8am and 5pm weekdays on 1300 363 200 or visit www.connect.coliban.com.au/harcourtColiban Water continues support for Harcourt customers
Watch the Matildas under the stars this Sunday
Soccer fans are in for a special treat this weekend as the community gathers for Matildas Under the Stars!
Hosted by Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club at Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park this Sunday March 1, this outdoor event will allow fans to watch the Matildas take on the Philippines in an exciting Asian Cup showdown on the big screen.
The event promises a lively atmosphere with family-friendly activities including: BBQ, social kick, juggling comp, penalty shootout, quiz, and plenty of opportunities to cheer on the Matildas. Events will start at 6pm, with the Matildas kicking off at 8pm.
Fans of all ages are encouraged to bring their picnic rug, bean bags, or camping chairs to enjoy the match under the open sky.
Entry is by donation to support the Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club.
Don’t miss out on this exciting community event! Bring your team spirit and enjoy a night of soccer under the stars!
Strong start for new students
Castlemaine Secondary College hosted its Year 7 Welcome BBQ last Thursday evening, bringing together incoming students, their families and carers, and school staff to begin building connections within the school community.
The sun was shining and the sausages were sizzling, but the most noticeable sound throughout the evening was the buzz of conversation between families, students and staff.
The relaxed setting gave students the chance to spend time with their peers outside of school and begin forming new friendships ahead of the year. For many families, the event offered a sense of connection and a chance to become familiar with the college environment, meet their children’s teachers, and connect with other families. The evening highlighted the college’s strong focus on belonging, relationships, and community from the very start of students’ learning journey.
Principal Justin Hird said events such as the Welcome BBQ play an important role in supporting students and families during the transition to secondary school.
“This evening is about building relationships and helping our students feel a strong sense of belonging from the very beginning,” he said.
“When students and families feel connected to their school community, it creates the foundation for confidence, engagement and success throughout their secondary years.”
The CSC Parents and Carers Club also played a key role in the success of the evening, generously volunteering their time to run the BBQ and warmly welcoming new families.
Storyteller to feature
The Castlemaine Farmers Market returns to the Western Reserve this Sunday March 1 and will welcome a special new free monthly storytelling segment.
Under the trees at the market, local storyteller Brenda Joy Addie will share original spoken stories for children — told aloud, without screens or images. Beneath branches and birdsong, these gentle stories invite imagination, listening, and a slower kind of attention.
A small circle of story, held by the trees, in the midst of the market day. Children, families, and wanderers welcome.
Stories will be offered at intervals through the morning from 10.30am. A quiet place to listen. A quiet place to wonder.
As part of this month’s event the CFM team is also excited to launch a ‘Young Growers Stall’ for the very first time – to encourage 10-18 year olds to grow produce!