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MIFF returns to Castlemaine

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Among the films to feature will be Mārama. This distinctly Māori Gothic horror, set in a haunted seaside manor, tells a terrifying tale of dark family secrets and one woman’s wrath in the face of colonial violence.
Among the films to feature will be Mārama. This distinctly Māori Gothic horror, set in a haunted seaside manor, tells a terrifying tale of dark family secrets and one woman’s wrath in the face of colonial violence.

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) returns to Castlemaine’s iconic Theatre Royal for its 74th edition with two weekends of screenings on August 14-16 and 21-23.
Proudly supported by VicScreen and Screen Australia, MIFF Regional is held across eight regional locations including Castlemaine, Star Cinema in Eaglehawk, Ballarat, Geelong, Healesville, Rosebud, Sale and Warrnambool and brings the spirit of the festival to film-lovers beyond the city in a celebration of storytelling, community and the shared experience of cinema.
Physical attendance at MIFF Regional grew by 25 per cent in 2025, and the 2026 showcase builds on that momentum with an expanded footprint, an ambitious program and a renewed commitment to meeting film-lovers wherever they are across Victoria.
MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar, said Melbourne may be in the title, but MIFF is a festival that goes far beyond the city limits, presenting eclectic and exciting program highlights to cinema locations around our state via MIFF Regional.
“Through this program we continue to bring the best new Australian and international filmmaking, as well as a range of exciting guests, to centres throughout Victoria, meeting audiences where they are, and making MIFF a festival for all Victorians,” Cossar said.
“Additionally, even beyond our state, all of Australia gets to be a part of the Melbourne International Film Festival this year – make sure you also check out our MIFF Online, featuring at-home streaming offerings from major festivals and acclaimed filmmaking, amongst free short film programs, all accessible anywhere in the country. ”
The 2026 MIFF Regional program opens with Wicker, the Sundance-premiering, uniquely funny fable from Australian-born writer/director Eleanor Wilson and her filmmaking and real-life partner Alex Huston Fischer, which screens across all locations on August 14.
It tells the story of a cranky fisherwoman and the sexy handwoven husband she wishes for.
Beneath its whimsical surface, the film is a sharp critique of small-mindedness, superstition and overzealous conservatism – a tale that asks whether we truly know our heart’s desire. Screening as part of MIFF’s Bright Horizons Competition and starring Olivia Colman alongside a dazzling ensemble including Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant and Melbourne’s own Elizabeth Debicki.
Wicker arrives in the regions fresh from its Australian premiere at the MIFF 2026 Opening Night Gala.
Others films to screen at Castlemaine will include: Broken English, Digby & Camille, Hen, Jebediah: Are We OK?, Mārama, Rose, Sovereign Shorts, Sweet Milk Lake, and Time and Water.
For audiences further afield – or those who simply can’t make it to a cinema – MIFF Online returns August 14-30, extending MIFF’s reach by one full week after the festival wraps. Available Australia-wide via ACMI’s dedicated streaming platform Cinema 3, MIFF Online offers a curated suite of festival films and free short films on demand.
For the full program visit miff.com.au and for local tickets visit https://theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au/miff2026/

The MIFF Regional program opens with the cheeky film Wicker.

Mixed results for Goldfields

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Youth player Gene Edwards is pictured in action at Chewton. Photo: Max Lesser.
Youth player Gene Edwards is pictured in action at Chewton. Photo: Max Lesser.

Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club’s Youth squad played host to Shepparton United at Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park last Sunday.
It was a tight tussle from start to finish which resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Both sides work hard to make inroads into attack in the first half. Castlemaine was eventually rewarded with a goal to Joaquin Demaria O’Sullivan just shy of halftime.
The arm wrestle continued in the second half, but Shep found an equaliser via Asim Khan in the 79th minute.
Neither side could break the deadlock ending in a draw.
Despite the result the side sits in third spot. This weekend the travel to Strathfieldsaye to take on Colts United.
The Goldfields Div 1 Senior Women beat top team Spring Gully 1-0 at home, with a calculated header from Kasey Sparks at 28 minutes, from a millimetrically perfect corner kick by Sophie Milton.
They sit in second spot on the ladder and will enjoy a spell this weekend.
The Div 2 Senior Women were on the opposite end of a 1-0 result against Golden City at Shadforth Park. The side currently sits in third spot and will aim to bounce back this Sunday against Epsom at Chewton. Kick off is at 1pm.
The Div 2 Senior Men’s Gold side lost a tough clash against Border Raiders a Chewton 3-0. Green forfeited to Deniliquin and hope to regroup against the Border Raiders at Moama this Sunday.
The sides are currently sitting in fifth and sixth spots on the ladder.

Rodeo dream realised

By
Jade Jungwirth
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Maldon local Toby Collins has been crowned the 2026 Cowboy of Origin. Photo courtesy of PBR Australia.
Round one of thre PBR Australia state of origin between NSW VS QUEENSLAND on the 30 of may 2026 in Newcastle Entertainment center Toby Collins took on BarTender from MC Bucking Bulls and failed to cover him

Jade Jungwirth Winning the 2026 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Origin Series has been a wild ride for local cowboy Toby Collins.While the series decider in Sydney on Saturday was a tight race, Toby's ...

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Tagging incidents on the rise

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Castlemaine Mail
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The Graffiti Busters recently attended the Castlemaine Mail building to remove vandalism from the side of the building.
The Graffiti Busters recently attended the Castlemaine Mail building to remove vandalism from the side of the building.

An increase in graffiti tagging across the township has led the Castlemaine Graffiti Busters to hold more 'busts'.Castlemaine Neighbourhood Watch and Castlemaine Graffiti Busters secretary Jane Cafare...

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Forces of nature

By
Lisa Dennis
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Australian aviator Deborah Lawrie is pictured in the studio with sculptor Ruth Lyon. Photo: Gail Power.
Australian aviator Deborah Lawrie is pictured in the studio with sculptor Ruth Lyon. Photo: Gail Power.

Lisa Dennis The filming of a new documentary, ‘Return of the Goddesses’ which documents the life's work of Bendigo sculptor Ruth Lyon has begun in earnest.The film is being created by Castlemaine film...

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Crafted with care

By
Jade Jungwirth
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Kathy, Elizabeth, Heather, Pam and Flo were some of the local crafters who made blankets for people affected by the January bushfire.
Kathy, Elizabeth, Heather, Pam and Flo were some of the local crafters who made blankets for people affected by the January bushfire.

Jade Jungwirth

After the catastrophic fire that tore through Harcourt and its surrounds, a group of local crafters came together to make hand-knitted and crochet blankets for people living in the neighbouring community.
Wanting to do something to help, Muckleford resident Pam Joseph put a call out on Facebook for anyone wanting to help make a blanket.
“People had lost homes and farms and animals, but also a lot of people in the community had experienced a whole lot of loss of safety and security. It had an impact on everybody,” Pam said.
“So I decided to make a blanket and asked if anyone wanted to help make squares.
“I was thinking it would be lovely if four or five of us got together and made a blanket. Within 24 hours, I had 70 people who contacted me, and I ended up having to have a spreadsheet!”
While many of the people involved did not meet one another, instead delivering squares to friends or at the drop-off point at Grist, there were a few craft gatherings at the Muckleford Hall, where people talked through their experiences and supported one another.
“In that aftermath: people are full of lots and lots of big feelings and don’t necessarily have a way to process that,” Pam said.
“People who hadn’t visibly lost anything, but still had a load of stuff to think through and feel.”
People contributed in a variety of ways, with some knitting or crocheting squares, others putting them together, and some only able to provide yarn.
To ensure the wool was moth-free, Pam put the squares into Ziploc bags and froze them for two weeks, meaning freezer space was at a premium; so an offer from Anne at Malets to use the freezer was welcomed.
One of the members involved, Elizabeth, said she wanted to do something to help.
“I didn’t have cash to splash to go and help someone, and then I heard about the knitting,” she said.
Another member, Flo, said she saw the post on Facebook and thought it was a wonderful idea.
“I can’t build towns or go out and clear the debris or anything, but I can knit squares,” she said.
“I’ve never joined a group where people come and knit, and I really enjoyed the company of everyone here. Now I’ve joined another knitting group with a lot of the Harcourt women where everyone sits and chats and talks and eats. It’s just nice to talk to them.”
So far, the group has given 14 blankets of different sizes to the Harcourt Valley Community Centre for distribution. There are still another eight being created, and once they’re finished, the group will wind up.
“We wanted it to be about community helping people in the community. That sense of neighbours and that we’re all here for each other, but also about the dignity of the people receiving them, who are already traumatised,” Pam said.
“We wanted people to have a choice about what blankets they took, if any, and be empowered.”

Community partnerships

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Rotary President Marina Scott recently acknowledged the contribution of Darryl and the team at Giant Castlemaine for their generous partnership with Rotary and the community to service 35 donated bicycles for fire impacted families.
Rotary President Marina Scott recently acknowledged the contribution of Darryl and the team at Giant Castlemaine for their generous partnership with Rotary and the community to service 35 donated bicycles for fire impacted families.

In the wake of the Harcourt bushfire, we continue to be reminded of the power of community and local businesses when they volunteer together.
Rotary Castlemaine recently recognised a valuable partnership with local business, Giant Castlemaine and the wider community, that has brought mobility, joy, and relief to impacted families.
Following the January 9 bushfire, Rotarian Marina Scott issued a public call-out requesting good-quality, pre-loved bicycles for families in need.
The community responded with overwhelming generosity, donating 35 bikes, some from as far away as Echuca.
Recognising that every bike needed to be safe and roadworthy before reaching its new owner, Darryl and the team at Giant Castlemaine stepped up to service and tune all 35 donated bicycles entirely free of charge.
“We are so grateful to Darryl and his team along with the community members who donated the bicycles,” said Marina Scott.
“Thanks to their generosity and support, the fully serviced bicycles have now been distributed to local families, providing practical transport, recreation and a much-needed morale boost following the bushfire.”

Friday, August 7, 2026

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Travel through time with CSC

By
Castlemaine Mail
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The cast and crew of CSC's 'A Wrinkle in Time' are excited to share their performance the community. Photo: Lisa Dennis
The cast and crew of CSC's 'A Wrinkle in Time' are excited to share their performance the community. Photo: Lisa Dennis

The curtain officially opens on Castlemaine Secondary College’s highly anticipated 2026 school production ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ tonight.
Local primary school students were treated to a sneak peek earlier today before the official launch.
The latest production follows on from the school’s sell-out 2025 performances of Mamma Mia.
The production is taking place at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine with three more shows scheduled this weekend, and promises a thrilling journey for community members of all ages.
The production is being directed teachers Jo Tsakoumagos and Kat Vearing, and Year 11 student Neon Robertson.
The massive cast features students from Year 7 through to Year 12 supported by a student led backstage and production crew.
CSC teacher and producer of the 2026 show Jacqui Teague said students are involved in every aspect of the show from performance, choreography and dance to costumes, set construction and design, props, lighting and sound.
“A Wrinkle in Time is a faithful, ensemble-driven adaptation by Morgan Gould, of the beloved 1962 science-fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle, that masterfully retells the story in a fresh and enduring way,” Jacqui said.
The plot follows one of literature’s most enduring young heroines, Meg Murry, who is on a mission to save her father. Meg joins forces with Mrs Whatsit, Charles Wallace, Calvin O’Keefe and more to battle the forces of evil so she can rescue her father, save humanity and find herself.
In the end, we know two things for sure: 1. Love CAN overcome evil and 2. There IS such a thing as a tesseract!
Performances will take place tonight August 7 at 7pm, and Saturday August 8 at 12.30pm and 7pm.
Secure your ticket before they sell out at https://www.trybooking.com/DMTSQ

CSC students bring the magic

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Castlemaine Secondary College students are gearing up for their 2026 production A Wrinkle in Time with rehearsals in full swing and sets taking shape. Photo: Lisa Dennis
Castlemaine Secondary College students are gearing up for their 2026 production A Wrinkle in Time with rehearsals in full swing and sets taking shape. Photo: Lisa Dennis

Castlemaine Secondary College is deep into rehearsals on its 2026 school production of A Wrinkle in Time.
The latest production follows on from the school’s sell-out 2025 performances of Mamma Mia.
The whole-school production will take place at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine with four shows scheduled over three massive days from August 6-8 and promises a magical evening of entertainment for community members of all ages which showcases the talents of CSC students.
The production is being directed by teachers Jo Tsakoumagos and Kat Vearing and Year 11 student Neon Robertson.
The massive cast features students from year seven through to year 12 supported by a student-led backstage and production crew.
CSC teacher and producer of the 2026 show Jacqui Teague said students were involved in every aspect of the show from performance, choreography and dance to costumes, set construction and design, props, lighting and sound.
“A Wrinkle in Time is a faithful, ensemble-driven adaptation by Morgan Gould, of the beloved 1962 science-fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle, that masterfully retells the story in a fresh and enduring way,” Jacqui said.
The plot follows one of literature’s most enduring young heroines, Meg Murry, who is on a mission to save her father. Meg joins forces with Mrs Whatsit, Charles Wallace, Calvin O’Keefe and more to battle the forces of evil so she can rescue her father, save humanity and find herself. In the end, we know two things for sure: 1. Love CAN overcome evil and 2. There IS such a thing as a tesseract!
“The show is fast coming together and we are now deep into rehearsals with costumes and sets taking shape,” Jacqui said.
“The students are also looking forward to bumping into the theatre from August 3 for full dress and tech rehearsals, and will be treating local primary school students to a sneak peek, performing Act 1 on Thursday August 6, in a final preparation for opening night!” she said.
Performances will take place on Thursday August 6 at 7pm, Friday August 7 at 7pm, and Saturday August 8 at 12.30pm and 7pm.
To secure your ticket to this unmissable show, visit www.trybooking.com/DMTSQ

The truth revealed?

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Stuart Dunn, Castlemaine


The community owes Michael Wright a huge thanks for his recent letter to the editor (Castlemaine Mail, July 10) in which he exposed the true motivation behind the group known as ‘Gold Camp’.
In his letter Wright laments the Camp Reserve “…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.”
The letter also suggests the sporting clubs using the facility should perhaps ‘move elsewhere’.
And with those extraordinary sentiments, we can at last begin to understand the senseless opposition ‘Gold Camp’ has mounted against a master plan unanimously endorsed by all of the Camp Reserve users.
The Castlemaine Show? Fenced off. Farmers Market? Barren. The Main Game? A place to avoid because there is nothing to do. And if you play sport, just get lost altogether.
The simple truth is to ‘Gold Camp’ the hundreds of thousands of people who attend the multitude of community and sporting events at the Camp Reserve each year don’t count. For them it isn’t a community, unless it is THEIR community.
Gold Camp doesn’t want events or any sort of organised use of the Camp Reserve. They want community events and sports moved elsewhere, out of sight and out of mind so they can enjoy the views from their porches and stroll around the grounds at will without all this irritating community use happening around them.
This thinking explains why Gold Camp engaged a company to produce a mediocre alternate master plan, without ever consulting the multiple user groups who are currently at the reserve, and why they held a ‘public’ meeting to discuss the Camp Reserve, without any discussion with those groups.
Why on earth would you need to consult with a user group, when your ultimate aim is to move them all out so you can enjoy your daily walk without some annoying community event breaching the peace?
If you attend the Camp Reserve for anything that happens there currently, whether it is sport, markets, charity events, agricultural shows, swap meets or anything else, Gold Camp is not with you. They don’t consider you community and want you elsewhere.
They don’t appreciate the simple joy the hard-working user groups have delivered this community through the myriad of events they provide at the reserve, the colourful, joyous spectacles that happen there most weeks and bring people together in all sorts of ways and have for many years.
Gold Camp consider those events fenced off, barren, and a place to avoid. In the words of Paul Keating they are truly more to be pitied than despised.
Editor’s Note: Gold Camp Castlemaine has reiterated on numerous occasions that they are not against the redevelopment of Camp Reserve, but are keen to preserve the heritage of the precinct. They also invited user groups to attend the public sessions and be part of the discussion around potential alternatives.

You don’t know what you’ve got till its gone

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Kirsty McIntyre, Castlemaine


“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”, the words of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi rang through my ears, coming out of the council meeting last Tuesday night.
Disappointingly, most councillors have decided to approve the council’s master plan for Camp Reserve.
This will mean the demolition of the topography (hillock on the south-western corner), the destruction of significant heritage trees and the removal of other markers of our past. From the hill, there are views directly to historic buildings in nearby streets (the houses of famous figures, the court house, the gaol and the pre-gold rush tree along Goldsmith Crescent including the heritage-listed ‘prisoner’ tree). As well, the view from Goldsmith Crescent towards the Camp is an uninterrupted vista to Camp Reserve hill, the beautiful River Red gums and across the oval to the avenue of 1860s elms and
Barkers Creek. This continuous view was planned so many years ago. Without these features and views, we will just have photos and paintings to understand our past.
This area was an important place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people who would have benefited from living in a fertile area where three creeks join. In the early years of the gold rush, it was known as ‘Canvas Town’ where a large number of families camped. It was also the administrative centre of the whole of the central Victorian goldfields.
Soldiers paraded up and down the grounds when it was used as military barracks. Chinese opium dens were to be found on the edges of the camp ground. It was an important place for so much of our history. There are good reasons why this area is, and should continue to be protected by a heritage overlay.
People come to visit and to live in Castlemaine because of its history and its character. Quaint, historic small-scale buildings and streetscapes make it different from other towns which have been taken over by main roads, traffic and huge commercial signs.
If this area was to be preserved, it could become a premier historic precinct where tourists could walk along a tree-lined avenue from the railway station through the Camp Reserve grounds towards the historic buildings in the nearby streets, with informative signs, artwork and installations along the way.
I look forward to the day, if it ever comes, when we value our history and our environment as much as we do our sporting facilities. One day, future generations will wonder what were we thinking when we bulldozed so much of our rich and fascinating heritage.

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