Adorable street library in Taradale

Staff, children, parents and friends at Taradale Primary School have introduced a wonderful street library at the school.
Thanks to the incredible generosity and talent of parents from the school community, the beautiful street library showcases hand-painted images.
Lovingly created by local artist Clair Dewort, the library features local flora, fauna and unique local sites.
Parent and local carpenter, Steve Doyle, thoughtfully built the library to create greater access to books and encourage a love of reading among the young people in our community.
The library is accessible from the street, making it easy for the wider community to visit at any time.
Everyone is warmly invited to pop past, take a book to enjoy, or donate one to share. The school are so grateful for the time, skill and community spirit that made this project possible.

Thanks FOCAL!


Geoff Payne, Castlemaine


It saddened me to see the piece about FOCAL (Friends Of Castlemaine Library) winding up, they have done a magnificent job organising book sales in Castlemaine for 30 years. The ladies (& a few blokes) deserve very high praise and I for one will miss their marvelous work, book collectors came from far and wide to attend the sales. Best wishes to everyone!

Castlemaine Idyll 2026: a big, joy-filled celebration

Spirit of Idyll joint winners Pixy and Jen Moore celebrate their win. Photo: Diana Domonkos.
Spirit of Idyll joint winners Pixy and Jen Moore celebrate their win. Photo: Diana Domonkos.

Castlemaine Idyll 2026 was, once again, a big, joy-filled celebration of local musicians, emerging performers, and the enduring power of community and song.Kids Karaoke returned for its third spectacu...

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My Castlemaine with Jennifer Howe – Part Two

This is the second instalment of Jenny's two-part interview. Part one was published last week on Friday March 13. Jade Jungwirth After 10 years as the assistant director of nursing, the Children's Hos...

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Pathways for young people

Nina (left) is joining the program to gain a greater understanding of local farming. Deane is passionate about sustainable agriculture practices.
Nina (left) is joining the program to gain a greater understanding of local farming. Deane is passionate about sustainable agriculture practices.

Five local farmers are on the hunt for a handful of young people with an interest in regenerative agriculture for an exciting hands-on experience.Mt Alexander Regenerative Agriculture Group (MARAG), w...

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Tiny Homes on Wheels – caretaker model information session

As the housing crisis hits our community hard, the appeal of the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) has risen.
Over two years ago, the Mount Alexander Shire Council amended Local Law No. 13, allowing a THOW to be placed and remain on land with an existing permanent dwelling without a permit, for an ‘indefinite period of time’ as long as it complies with Local Law 13 conditions.
The My Home Network THOW working group appreciates the council’s leadership in changing the local law. They feel this has had a positive impact on increasing housing
diversity, and the THOW working group continues to work towards improving the appropriate uptake of THOW in our Shire on Djaara Country.
To this end, the Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) working group are holding a free community information session on a THOW Caretaker Model.
Tom Danby from the My Home Network THOW working group said the model enables the THOW owner/occupier to have a secure place for their THOW in return for them providing light property maintenance, general oversight and appropriate bush fire risk reduction on commercial, industrial, residential, farming or community properties.
“This model has been used successfully in Melbourne, and there is interest in this model from stakeholders in our shire. We are keen to develop a pilot trial and build on the
appropriate use of THOW as affordable housing and at the same time also caretaking properties – a win-win for everyone,” Tom said.
Learn about the THOW Caretaker Model at Wesley Hill Hall, 149 Pyrenees Highway, Tuesday, March 31, 7 – 9 pm. Light snacks will be available.
For more information and to register email cneilson@castlemainehealth.org.au
For further details of these conditions see: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Council/Local-laws-permits-and-fines/Local- laws/Caravans-and-tiny-houses-on-wheels-on-private-property

Wombat State Forest needs your help!


Kirsty McIntyre, Mount Alexander Knitting Nannas


Please write to your politicians to get our state Labor government to take action to protect Wombat-Lerderderg State Forest.
There is a state election coming up this year and we need to remind Labor of their promise in 2021 to create regional parks, 11 nature conservation reserves and 18 bushland reserves.
These areas are not being protected properly, open to mining and logging. There are so many rare and endangered species in this area – the Greater Glider (endangered), Powerful Owls (vulnerable – they breed in large tree hollows), Gang-gang cockatoos (endangered), a skink which is genetically different from others in areas close by, as well as significant species, such as Mountain Brushtail Possums, Spotted Quail-thrush and Red-browed Treecreepers.
Keeping our bushland intact is so important to stop the emission of more carbon into the atmosphere. The destruction of forests is a major factor in the worsening impact of climate change. As well, the logging of bushland worsens the intensity and frequency of bushfires. The big, old trees hold so much water and removing them creates more undergrowth, open spaces for fires to race through.
We need to protect these beautiful places for people to enjoy and for future generations.
Write a personal letter to your MP, and c.c. the Minister for the Environment and the Premier at the email addresses below:
The Hon. Maree Edwards MP
maree.edwards@parliament.vic.gov.au
The Hon. Jaclyn Symes, Member for Northern Victoria
jaclyn.symes@parliament.vic.gov.au
The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for the Environment
Reception.Dimopoulos@deeca.vic.gov.au
The Hon. Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria
jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au

Extraordinary/Ordinary podcast goes live!

Natasha Joyce is a historian, researcher, and PhD candidate at La Trobe University in Bendigo. Her research focuses on accidental childhood fatalities during Victoria's gold rush era.
Natasha Joyce is a historian, researcher, and PhD candidate at La Trobe University in Bendigo. Her research focuses on accidental childhood fatalities during Victoria's gold rush era.

March is Women’s History Month, honouring the contributions and achievements of women around the world and a perfect way to do that is to attend Extraordinary/Ordinary event in Maldon on March 28.
Extraordinary/Ordinary is a podcast series that commemorates and celebrates women, living and historical, in Central Victoria.
Join host and producer Lisa D’Onofrio in raising up women’s voices and elevating local women’s stories for this very special live event for this year’s Castlemaine State Festival.
Special guests will include Natasha Joyce, talking about 12-year-old goldfields immigrant Lucy Hannah Birchall.
Natasha is a historian, researcher, and PhD candidate at La Trobe University in Bendigo. Her research focuses on accidental childhood fatalities during Victoria’s gold rush era. Known as the ‘Victorian Historian’, Natasha enjoys sharing her expertise with the public through storytelling and expert commentary. Natasha has appeared on national television shows, such as Who Do You Think You Are.
Other speakers will include Louise Cooper discussing Waif Wanderer (Mary Helena Fortune) – one of the earliest female detective novelists in the world; and psychotherapist and wanna be farmer, Petra Bueskens speaking about her friend Miri.
Extraordinary/Ordinary aims to serve as a taster or guide regarding the extraordinary/ordinary women in our area, and to bring to light ‘hidden histories’ as well as offering a fuller and more vibrant picture by creating new histories, filling the many gaps in traditional history methodologies.
Extraordinary/Ordinary was shortlisted for the Victorian Community History Awards 2024.
Podcast creator Lisa D’Onofrio is thrilled to present this iteration of the podcast in historic Maldon for our very own Castlemaine State Festival.
“I’m looking forward to sharing our women’s fascinating stories with a live audience, and giving women the platform we deserve,” Lisa said.
You can book a ticket to see this live version here https://castlemainefestival.com.au/event/extraordinary-ordinary/ and listen to the podcast here: https://writeasrain.podbean.com/

Cyclists hit the nationals

Castlemaine Cycling Club Masters and Elite riders are hitting the track in Brisbane over the next fortnight.
Castlemaine Cycling Club Masters and Elite riders are hitting the track in Brisbane over the next fortnight.

The Castlemaine Cycling Club’s Masters and Elite riders have been hard at work preparing for the 2026 AusCycling Track National Championships in Brisbane in recent weeks.
Competition kicked off on Tuesday March 17 with Emma Jackson and Daniel Jackson representing the club in the Masters events. The pair had each picked up a silver medal at the time of going to press!
The Elite competition will follow from next Tuesday March 24, where Hope Harnetty, Bryce Nicholls, Jade Maddern and Zaren Fong-Sutton will take to the start line.
The Castlemaine club and wide community wish all of our local riders the very best of luck and look forward to cheering them on as they compete on the national stage.
Keep an eye on the Castlemaine Cycling Club social media over the next couple of weeks for results and updates!

Joyce turns 100!

Centenarian Joyce Perry (centre right) is pictured with her family members Rhonda, Rachael, Daniel, Damian, Nova, Elise, Justin, Tricia, Cai, Tom, Eddie, Marilyn, Simon, Olive, Martin and Lawrie. Photos: Max Lesser.
Centenarian Joyce Perry (centre right) is pictured with her family members Rhonda, Rachael, Daniel, Damian, Nova, Elise, Justin, Tricia, Cai, Tom, Eddie, Marilyn, Simon, Olive, Martin and Lawrie. Photos: Max Lesser.

Longtime Castlemaine resident Joyce Perry celebrated her 100th Birthday with a special luncheon with family and friends at the Mount Alexander Golf Club last Sunday March 15.Many readers may recall th...

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St Patrick’s Day celebrated

Arcare residents are pictured in their Irish flair for the St Patrick's Day event with team members Amanda and Marianne and visitor Milly.
Arcare residents are pictured in their Irish flair for the St Patrick's Day event with team members Amanda and Marianne and visitor Milly.

Residents at Arcare Castlemaine enjoyed a special St Patrick's Day celebration on Tuesday this week.A packed room of residents were transported to a pub in Ireland for the afternoon, enjoying live ent...

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Forest Creek Fest to showcase exciting local talent

Treasured singer-songwriter Lior will be performing with local community choir Forest Creek Folk.
Treasured singer-songwriter Lior will be performing with local community choir Forest Creek Folk.

After a near sell-out first event, Forest Creek Fest returns this Sunday March 22 with a matinee gathering of some of Victoria’s most exciting established and emerging singer-songwriters, sharing song...

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