Have you heard? Our friends at community radio station MainFM 94.9 have been impacted by flooding at their station home, The Old Hospital at 1 Halford Street, due to a burst water main. The radio station is currently homeless – but thanks to the dedication and tenacity of their technical team – they are still on the air!
MainFM are broadcasting remotely, which means you will notice disruptions to their regular programming. They are broadcasting pre-recorded shows only (for now).
Staff and volunteers are working hard to source solutions, and hope to find a temporary home. In the meantime, thanks for your patience and for sticking with our wonderful little local community radio station. They’ll be back with regular programming soon.
Step into a world where real-life stories are wilder than fiction—right in the heart of Castlemaine this July.
The 2025 Castlemaine Documentary Festival (July 4-6) isn’t your usual cinema trip. Think jaw-dropping data conspiracies in opening night world premiere Human Algorithm, a performance artist literally turning his body into living art in Stelarc – Suspending Disbelief, poetic laser-lab voyages in Tracing Light, and three generations of Hazara women forging resilience in Writing Hawa.
When night falls, the CDoc team crank it up: silent-film masterpiece Man With a Movie Camera gets a live electronic music score with beloved Melbourne band, Underground Lovers Moda Discoteca; and on Saturday, the boundary-blurring hybrid doco-musical Reas transforms a Buenos Aires women’s prison into a stage of song and dance, followed by a live performance by the local glam-pop band, Sugar Fed Leopards which will have you up and dancing.
You don’t have to be a film buff—or even a film fan—to get hooked. These stories are high-voltage adventures featuring espionage, cosmic marvels, and encounters with the unexpected. Plus with Friday and Saturday ending with a late-night disco who says documentaries can’t conclude with a dance party?
Sunday the adventure continues with the screening of Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story which tells the tale of the controversial Irish writer, powerful archival doco Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, The Wolves Always Come at Night the story of young nomads in Mongolia, and Look Into My Eyes which examines the work of psychics and mediums.
Swap your usual weekend on the couch for a festival that blends mind-blowing visuals, real-life drama, and live music.
The team from Castlemaine Community House will also have their pop-up kitchen operating in the Theatre Royal Garden offering soup to warm the soul and raising funds to support the CCH Food Pantry.
Tickets are on sale now: Single Sessions, Day Passes, or go all-in with a Full Festival Pass (complete with prize-draw entry and exclusive food & drink deals).
To see the full program, head to www.cdocff.com.au
Ready to swap scripted drama for actual wonder? Discover CDoc 2025 — where truth is stranger, funnier, and more thrilling than any blockbuster.
Develop new skills, connect with industry professionals and get inspired by local success stories at today’s Micro and Small Business Day (June 27) – an event for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Featuring panels, workshops, a business expo and networking opportunities, today’s event kicks off at 9am and runs until 6.30pm and offers practical experiences, expert advice and direct conversations with industry professionals.
Highlights include:
A Business Expo at the Castlemaine Town Hall
Running from 12.15pm-2.30pm the expo will feature a diverse mix of employers, training providers and resources. Experts will be on hand to provide personalised advice and support, helping attendees plan their next business step.
Panel discussions and workshops
These events will cover topics like generating cash flow, strategic marketing, using AI to boost productivity and more.
Networking opportunities
There will be a number of networking opportunities at venues across Castlemaine in the evening.
Business mentoring
Book a one-on-one session with a business mentor.
Farming Forum
This session will run in the Council Chamber from 9am-11.15am and is a chance to connect, share experiences, and hear from local producers and experts on howto manage the pressures facing agriculture today
MainFM will be broadcasting live from the event.
Program and tickets are available at https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Business-and-Growth/Micro-and-Small-Business-Day-2025
The event is hosted by Mount Alexander Shire Council, and made possible with the support of Castlemaine Mail/Midland Express, Workspace Australia, Castlemaine Community House, Business Mount Alexander, StartUp Central Victoria, Workforce Australia and MainFM.
