A personal new documentary Harcourt Fires by local writer and photographer, Katherine Seppings, has been selected for the LOCALS program at this year’s Castlemaine Documentary Festival (CDoc) June 26-28.
On January 9, 2026, as the Fogarty’s Gap Road fire approached, Katherine evacuated from Harcourt town to North Harcourt, experiencing the fire twice. She captured the terror and devastation on the day, and the following weeks of recovery and renewal.
Katherine has extensive knowledge of bushfires. She contributed to The Complete Bushfire Safety Book, written by her mother, Joan Webster OAM; has organised local Community Fireguards, and has documented the aftermath of major bushfires in Victoria since Ash Wednesday, 1983.
“Living in Harcourt, and documenting the fires here on January 9 was deeply personal. It felt imperative to share what I witnessed, and to honour the impact on our whole region,” Katherine said.
LOCALS, one of the highlights of the festival, returns for its fifth year to celebrate homegrown storytelling and champion grassroots creative voices from across the region.
From heartfelt to hilarious, this vibrant collection of short-form documentaries offers a window into the people, places, and stories that make our community unlike any other.
For tickets to this special event visit https://events.humanitix.com/locals-2026-after-party-at-theatre-royal
For more on the festival program visit https://cdocff.com.au/
Harcourt Fires to feature at ‘LOCALS’
Voices for reconciliation
PubSing is proud to once again present Voices for Reconciliation at the Taproom in Castlemaine this Friday, as part of the Reconciliation Australia annual national choirs project.
This will be their fourth year participating in this beautiful collective big sing, which occurs in hundreds of communities across the country.
Each year, Reconciliation Australia chooses a song that ties in with the theme for Reconciliation Week. They provide a special arrangement of the song, but many groups also choose just to sing the original well-known version.
For PubSing, they create their own original three-part arrangement of the song, as they do for each of their gigs.The Reconciliation Choirs concept originated in 2023 and was then called ‘Voices for Generations’. That first year, they chose to do the beautiful Archie Roach classic ‘We won’t cry’ as their main song, and did the Reconciliation Australian nominated song ‘From little things big things grow’ as a bonus, complete with a wonderful guest harmonica player! Interestingly, they named that gig ‘Voices for Reconciliation’ before the Reconciliation Australia choirs project adopted this name in 2024 (Pubsing like to think they got the idea from them!)
In 2024, Pubsing learned Black Fella/White Fella by the Wurumpi Band, and in 2025, they learned Solid Rock by Goanna, with PubSing having the honour of teaching a special chorus in Pitjantjatjara, which is the language of the Agananu peoples of the Western Desert, where Uluru is located.
The song this year is Midnight Oil’s huge land rights anthem Beds are Burning. This legendary song was actually the song for Castlemaine’s third only PubSing back in early 2019, and the organisers can say with certainty it’s an absolute banger for a big group sing. One of the fun parts of doing this song is the iconic horn section riff, which they recreate vocally en masse!
The theme for Reconciliation Week this year is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.
Castlemaine PubSing Voices for Reconciliation events are the same format as all of their gigs, but with a specific intention to honour the oldest living culture on earth, support truth-telling about the history of this country, and take meaningful action as allies alongside First Nations people.
As part of their commitment to meaningful reconciliation, PubSing is proud to be able to donate to Nalderun and the Archie Roach Foundation each year, along with their amazing venue partner, the Taproom, who generously matches their donation.
PubSing Voice for Reconciliation – ‘Beds are Burning’ will be held on Friday June 5 from 7.30 to 10.00pm at the Taproom at Shedshaker Brewing – Walker St, Castlemaine
Tickets can be purchased at: www.trybooking.com/DLTNI
*advanced bookings are encouraged as our events regularly sell out
First Nations folk are warmly encouraged to attend – free entry.
Forensic Linguistics expert to speak
The Castlemaine Historical Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Wednesday June 3.
The guest speaker will be Professor Georgina Heydon who will speak on Forensic Linguistics: language analysis for fun and profit. Mostly fun.
In this presentation, Professor Georgina Heydon, forensic linguist and criminologist, will explain how linguistics is used in authorship analysis, helping to solve historical mysteries and unmask anonymous authors.
Professor Heydon is also likely to stray into adjacent territory such as the history of, and key changes in, English language, the vagaries of hearing and why forensic linguists hate spell checkers and autocorrect more than most people.
Questions welcome.
Georgina Heydon is Professor of Forensic Linguistics in the Criminology and Justice Studies Discipline at RMIT University. She also hosts Language Warning, a monthly linguistics edition of SciCurious on MainFM first Tuesday in the month 10am-11am.
The meeting will be at the Former Court House, 7 Goldsmith Crescent, Castlemaine from 4pm.
All welcome, CHCI looking forward to seeing you there.
Local sides battle it out
Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club Senior Men’s Green team had their first win of the season against Golden City in round seven of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League last weekend.
It was a hard fought game, very tight first half with Castlemaine scoring at the end of the half via Floyd Wesley (42 mins).
The second half saw the game become more open and free flowing. An early own goal (47 mins) helped the boys style into the game and apply further pressure. A goal off the boot of Rory McLeod on 90 minutes closed out a great first win for the Mainers’ 3-0.
The Senior Men’s Gold team had to settle for a draw against Deniliquin 1-1. Gold scored early through Zander Cotterell, but Deni nabbed one back in the dying minutes of the match to even the score.
This Sunday Green host Deniliquin at Chewton at 1pm and Gold hit the road to tackle the Border Raiders.
The Castlemaine Women’s 1 side had a 1-0 win over Tatura and the Women’s 2 side absolutely dominated with a crushing 12-0 victory over La Trobe. This weekend the Women 1 have the bye and Women 2 host Golden City at Chewton on Sunday from 11am.
The Youth squad were on fire with a 6-0 win over Colts United. This week they head to Stanley Avenue to play Spring Gully.
Castlemaine Goldfields Under 16A squad welcomed Kyneton to Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park last Saturday May 23 in round four.
A spirited contest was battled out between the two sides with Goldfields emerging victorious 3-1 at the final whistle. This weekend they journey to Strathfieldsaye to play Colts United.
Exciting times for junior Magpies
Volunteers were the flavour of the week for Round 5 action in the Bendigo Junior Football League as both of the Castlemaine Football Netball Club Juniors Under 12 teams were on show at Wesley Hill.
Special thanks to the club’s volunteers sponsor, Grainger Legal, who helped ensure all helpers around the club were looked after well in acknowledgment of Volunteers Week.
First up were the 12D all-stars as they took on St Francis in a competitive and entertaining contest. The first quarter started positively for the home team as they landed the opening blows. Baz Fitzpatrick started well and the visitors were finding it hard to break through his solid defence. Quarter-time scores were 2.3 (15) to 0.0 (0).
The second stanza went much the same way as the first with the young Pies continuing to hold sway. Todd Haire was showing his polish through the middle of the ground and Violet Sharrock’s quick hands began opening up the play. Half time had the home side up 3.4 (22) to 1.2 (8).
The premiership quarter started with a flurry as the contest really took hold.
St Francis had it all to play for and threw everything they had at the locals who were able to stand tall in the face of the onslaught. Fitzpatrick remained solid behind the ball and George Davey was working well through the middle of the ground. Scores at the end of the third were 5.4 (34) against 2.3 (15).
The final quarter saw the young Magpie team finish off positively, enjoying their work and celebrating strongly as a team. Jamie Barrett-Norton was terrific, and Elijah Hardman showed some real style in the front half of the ground, teaming well with Nate Parsons who capitalised with two goals. Final scores Castlemaine 6.4 (40) to 2.7 St Francis (19).
Best players for the young Magpies were Haire, Fitzpatrick, Barrett-Norton and Jonah Forbes Casey.
The second game of the day saw the 12B legends take on the Huntly Hawks in an arm-wrestle from start-to-end. Scores were low throughout the first term as both sides sounded each other out, unable to make headway on the scoreboard. The home side held firm, though, and clung to a slender 0.3 (3) to 0.0 (0) lead.
The second quarter followed the trend of the first as scoring was hard to come by.
The defences of both teams held up well with Reuben O’Sullivan impassable for the Pies, while Sandy Atkin began to get into the game and used his run to great effect.
Half time it was an inaccurate Magpies 0.5 (5) to Huntly’s 1.1 (7).
The game changed complexion in the third quarter as Huntly began to find space in their front half. This led to a number of scores coming from players ‘out the back’, and they were able to lock the ball in their attacking zone. Sid Wiese jagged a goal for the Pies to keep them in the hunt but it was 1.8 (14) versus 3.2 (20) at the final change.
The fourth term, however, saw the momentum swing back the Magpie’s way. Clancy Hendrickson was enormous in pushing the ball forward and Fletcher Cheesman was fighting strongly to hold the ball in attack. But despite the multiple forays forward, the young Pies simply couldn’t get it through the big sticks. But then, enter fast Eddie Carson who fought hard to win a ground ball deep in attack, spun out of trouble and
calmly snapped a goal to give the lead to the home side. In a tense last four minutes, 12B stood firm to hold on for an unforgettable 2.11 (23) to 3.3 (21) victory.
Best players on the day were George Cordy, Hendrickson, Atkin, O’Sullivan and Darcy Brown.
In away games this week, the Under 10s travelled to Strathfieldsaye and enjoyed a spirited contest against the Storm. They continued their developing team play and showed off some building levels of ball movement.
Meanwhile, the sole Sunday game was the Under 14s who travelled to Ewing Park to take on Sandhurst. It was a tough game for the travellers who went down to the Dragons 14.18 (102) to 6.0 (36).
Backing across the community for the Junior club has been high and the club is rapt to have such positive and energetic supporters join in. Check the fixtures on the Castlemaine Football Netball Club – Juniors Facebook page and come down to the Castlemaine Rod Shop Canteen for a coffee or a bite to eat. Go Junior Pies!
300 metre champs crowned
Saturday was the final of the Castlemaine Rifle Club’s 300 metre Championship that has been contested for over the last 12 months.
It consists of four stages of 20 shots each all shot from the 300 metre mound.
This increasingly popular event was introduced to the club in 2000 by Tom Hollinger and Alby Jackson who both had shot in this event at Williamstown Rifle Range whilst members of the Melbourne Rifle Club.
Saturday’s conditions were quite still which led to some excellent scores being recorded.
At the first round of 10 shots in ‘Target Rifle’ Richard Ruddick scored 89.0 to lead Dan McColl with 88.0.
Sam Swagemakers shot brilliantly in ‘F Class’ scoring 100.6 for his first ever ‘possible’ followed closely by Greg Brown with 100.4.
Some good scores were recorded in ‘F Open’ with Tony Skinner scoring 100.6 followed by James Dolphin with 100.3.
Round two again saw some skilled marksmanship. Dan McColl scored 95.1 to lead Richard Ruddick with 95.1 also, but Dan won on countback.
Greg Brown in F Class had an excellent score of 100.5 followed by Rob Softley with 99.4.
In F Open Tony Skinner scored 99.7 followed by James Dolphin with 98.2.
The daily winners were, Target Rifle Richard Ruddick top scorer with 184.1 from Dan McColl with 183.1. Dan won the handicap from Chris Jolme.
Greg Brown was the winner in F Class with an exceptional 200.9 with Kerri Neven next with 198.5. The handicap winner was Kerri from Bradley Knox.
The winner in F Open was Tony Skinner with 199.13 from James Dolphin with 198.5. James won the handicap from Tom Christie.
Once the four rounds were added up, Club Champions in 300 metres were decided. The champion in Target Rifle was Richard Ruddick from Dan McColl and Chris Jolme. Dan won the handicap from Chris Jolme and Malcolm Lawrence.
Greg Brown won in F Class from Bradley Knox and Kerri Neven. The handicap was won by Bradley Knox from Kerri Neven and Rob Softley.Tony Skinner was the winner in F Open from Tom Christie and Shannon King. Tom Christie won the handicap from Shannon King and Tony Skinner.
A great year of competition, with the champions being worthy winners.
This week a practice will be held. The following week is the final of the Club Championship to be held over the long distances of 800 and 900 yards. There are some very close scores making for an interesting final.
For more on this sport of big bore rifle shooting call the Captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.
Late Sedgwick volunteer awarded CFA’s highest honour
A long-serving member of Sedgwick Fire Brigade, Brendan Drechsler, who dedicated more than five decades to CFA has been posthumously awarded the CFA Outstanding Service Medal (OSM), recognising a lifetime of outstanding service, leadership and community contribution.
Brigade members, family and friends gathered on Friday May 22 for a presentation evening honouring the late Brendan Drechsler, whose 52 years of active service left a lasting impact on CFA and the wider Sedgwick community. Brendan’s connection to the brigade began long before he officially joined CFA in 1972 at the age of 16.
Before Sedgwick had its own fire station, the brigade’s first fire truck was housed at the Drechsler family farm, where Brendan helped prepare the appliance for incidents as a young boy.Fire service was deeply embedded in the Drechsler family, as Brendan followed in the footsteps of his father, who helped form Sedgwick Fire Brigade in 1942 and later became its first Captain.
Brendan’s brother also served as Captain before Brendan took on the role in 2015.
Over more than half a century, Brendan served in numerous operational and leadership roles, including Brigade Captain, First Lieutenant, Apparatus Officer, Brigade Secretary, Group Delegate and Junior Leader.
He attended hundreds of incidents, including Black Saturday in 2009 and the large Sedgwick fire in 2013.Brendan’s son, Ben Drechsler, said his father never sought recognition for himself.
“Dad always made it about the brigade and helping other people,” Ben said.
“He dedicated his life to CFA, the Sedgwick brigade and the local community. To see his service recognised with the Outstanding Service Medal is incredibly special for our family and everyone who knew him.
“Even in the final weeks of his life, he still wanted to help the brigade and the community.”
Brendan became widely respected for his calm leadership, dedication to mentoring younger members and commitment to community safety. He played a key role in strengthening the brigade’s capability, helping secure major improvements including a second tanker, quick-fill trailer, heavy tanker and station extensions.
He was also instrumental in rebuilding the brigade’s junior running team in the 2010s, personally coaching Sedgwick members who went on to become state champions.
Brendan continued volunteering despite battling illness, responding to incidents until just days before becoming bedridden.
Beyond the fireground, he also contributed widely to local sporting and community organisations.
In recognition of his contribution and legacy, Sedgwick Fire Brigade recently placed Brendan’s name on one of the brigade’s fire trucks.
The Outstanding Service Medal is CFA’s highest internal honour and recognises prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance and contribution to the organisation and community.
Growing in Mount Alexander!
A community initiative, Growing in Mount Alexander, is inspiring young children and their families to embrace healthy eating while building practical skills through hands-on vegetable gardening.
Harcourt Pre–School and Maldon Pre–School have been selected to participate in the project, which aims to support families to grow fresh produce at home.
The project has also provided wicking beds, tools and infrastructure to enable the successful growing of edible produce.
Additional support through membership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program is also equipping educators and children with the skills to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, affordable and culturally diverse food.
The Mail caught up with students at the Harcourt Pre-School earlier this month to see them enjoy the opportunity to take part in a hands-on workshop with Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Healthy Loddon Campaspe Project Officer Jess Brown.
The workshop saw children plant their very own herb and vegetable seedlings alongside their parents.
The well-timed event meant the children were able to take home their mini gardens just in time for Mother’s Day and share the chance to grow and eventually harvest their plants with families.
Harcourt Pre-School’s Sally Long said the project couldn’t have come at a better time as they work to rebuild a section of the pre-school garden ravaged by the devastating January 9 fire.
“We lost fencing, our garden shed and chook shed and many established plantings. Fortunately, the chooks were off-site at the time,” she said.
“This project is the beginning of an even greater project for the Harcourt Pre-School. We have enlisted a landscape designer to help us to further develop the gardens surrounding as well as within the kinder playground.
“Caroline Hyett Gardens and Design is donating her services to our kindergarten following the fires, and is working closely with staff and children towards the brief,” Sally said.
“The community has also been extremely generous in helping us rebuild. We have had a shed, water tank and hose reel donated and just last week the Harcourt Lions Club dropped off an Rodelisa voucher for plants.
“This latest initiative has also enabled us to build three new wicking beds to plant out,” she said.
Healthier together
As part of the new Growing in Mount Alexander program children at the Harcourt and Maldon centres will take part in planting, nurturing, and harvesting vegetables, helping them develop practical skills and a stronger connection to where their food comes from.
Participating families will also receive growing booklets and recipe cards featuring the vegetables grown during the project, building confidence in preparing healthy, affordable meals at home.
Boosting vegie intake
This initiative responds to significant local health challenges identified in the Active Living Census (ALC). Vegetable consumption in the shire remains low. Poor vegetable intake is strongly linked to increased risk of overweight, obesity, and chronic disease. Food insecurity is another pressing concern. According to the ALC, households in the Mount Alexander Shire have experienced higher levels of food insecurity than the Victorian average.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Acting Director Healthy Communities Rosalie Rogers said by helping families grow their own vegetables, they’re not only building practical skills but also supporting lifelong healthy habits.
“This project is about making healthy eating accessible, engaging, and achievable for local families- starting from an early age.”
Children and families can learn more about the program and explore helpful resources on the Healthy Loddon Campaspe website: www.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/growinginloddoncampaspe.
Growing in Mount Alexander highlights the power of local, community-driven solutions to improve health outcomes – supporting families to grow, learn, and thrive together. It is delivered in partnership with Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Mount Alexander Shire.
If you would like to make a donation to assist Harcourt Pre-School to rebuild their garden you can email them at harcourt@ykinders.org.au for more information.
World-class pianist to perform at The Goods Shed this Saturday
Breaking: Please note change of venue the concert will now be held at The Goods Shed.
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 Saturday May 30 as part of the festival’s upcoming fundraising events.
The performance is part of the ongoing collaboration with Live at Yours.
Debargue will appear at The Goods Shed — 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 20 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 Goods Shed in Kennedy Street, Castlemaine — and a chance for audiences to support the continued success of the festival.
Doors open at 6.30pm. The concert begins at 7pm. Tickets are expected to sell quickly.
Get your ticket at castlemainefestival.com.au/event/live-at-castlemaine-lucas-debargue
Creekers notch up 250!
Campbells Creek Football Netball Club stalwarts and brothers, Lachlan and Jordan Picken, will play their 250th game together this Saturday May 30, at Trentham, in the Reserves team.
Jordan is the Reserves Assistant Coach and co-captain of the team and Lachlan has been a regular fixture week in and week out. The club thank them for their valuable contribution and loyalty to the historic club, and wish them every success against the Saints as they celebrate this significant milestone.
Campbells Creek FNC’s injury crisis reached breaking point on Saturday as a severely undermanned Seniors side was overwhelmed by premiership contender Carisbrook, going down by 235 points in their Round 7 clash.
Just two weeks after celebrating a long awaited breakthrough victory, the Creekers found themselves at the opposite end of the football spectrum, with coach Matt Manning forced to patch together a side after the club’s injury list ballooned into the teens.
The extent of the club’s personnel shortage was highlighted by Tyson Logan and Harrison Gane backing up from the Reserves to also play Senior football, while several regular Reserves players were thrust into the Senior side.
The home side wasted little time asserting its authority, slamming through 10 first-quarter goals to open up a 65-point lead. Any hopes of a Creek fightback were quickly extinguished in a brutal second term as Carisbrook added another 12 majors.
Despite the scoreboard pressure, the Creekers continued to battle. Jack Larkin provided a rare highlight with a classy goal and continued the strong form that has made him one of the club’s most consistent performers this season.
To their credit, Campbells Creek produced its most competitive football after the main break. A defence under relentless pressure dug in throughout the third quarter, limiting Carisbrook to six goals. However, the absence of several key forwards left the visitors struggling to generate meaningful scoring opportunities.
Carisbrook finished strongly with another nine-goal final quarter to complete the comprehensive victory.
Dylan Stevens was back to his best for the Creekers, producing a tireless four quarter effort around the ground to be named best. James Haber, Isaac Fletcher, Jack Larkin, Mitchell Stevens and Tyson Williams also worked hard in difficult circumstances.
With a host of Senior players expected to return in the coming weeks, the Creekers will be confident that days like this will soon become a thing of the past.
Gas and Net Zero
Lisa Chesters MP, Federal Member for Bendigo
Gas is still needed for industry and homes who can’t currently electrify. That’s why Albanese Labor Government will introduce a domestic gas reservation scheme that will require gas exporters supply a proportion of their total production to the Australian market – equivalent to 20% of exports, from 1 July 2027 – ensuring Australians have the affordable gas they need. Gas has an important role to play in our energy system as we transition towards more renewable generated electricity. We are delivering through large scale solar and battery projects more cheap, clean reliable renewable energy to our energy grid.
The boom in home batteries and roof top solar means more renewable energy is being generated taking some pressure of the electricity grid.
Renewables already generate over 45% of Australia’s electricity and this is increasing. Australia is on track to reach 82% of electricity generated by renewable energy resources by 2030.
But not every business, manufacturer and home can electrify. Gas power generators can be turned on and off in a couple of minutes – providing the ultimate backstop in our energy grid. We do tax gas companies. The Petroleum Resource Rent Tax raised $1.4 billion this financial year giving Australians a greater return on profits gained through export contracts.
I know that some people would like us to go further and increase tax on gas but in time of global economic and political upheaval, there are good reasons to prioritise fuel supply and gas reservation. Labor’s domestic gas reservation scheme will. We’ll keep 20% of our gas here so prices are more affordable for Australians.
Kids rally against Maccas
