The 146th Maldon Easter Fair, Australia’s oldest continuous running fair, will be launching tonight with the annual lighting of the Tower Lights atop Mt Tarrangower followed by The Great Aussie Scone Bake Competition at 7pm in the Maldon Hotel Garden.
Peter Thompson from the Maldon Easter Fair Committee told the Mail that the lighting of the tower initially began to serve as a beacon to light the way home for the holiday.
“The fair began in 1878 as a charity event to raise funds for the Maldon Hospital and included an auction with calves, pigs, sheep, and all sorts of things,” Peter said.
“The minutes from the first meeting said ‘it proved to be a great and gratifying event’.”
On Friday there will be a combined church service at 10.30am at the Beehive Chimney and a family fun day at Bill Woodfull Reserve as Maldon FNC take on Dunolly FNC, with an Easter Egg hunt, face painting, and a jumping castle.
Saturday the Maldon Golf Club will host their annual Hole-in-One Competition (continuing Sunday) with $2000 in prize money available followed by Nearest the Esky later in the evening.
Visit the Maldon Quilt Show at the Community Centre (continuing Sunday and Monday) and head to Vincent Road at 1pm to view the all-important Billycart Race.
The much-loved Torchlight Parade and Dancing in the Street are back on Main Street starting at 7pm- so make sure to put your dancing shoes on!
“We managed to keep the event running even during lockdowns by having an online parade, but it’s great to have the format back to pre-COVID days, with dancing back on Main Street and the addition of a movie night,” Peter said.
If you’re feeling like a quieter day on Sunday, make your way down to the Easter Market at the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre from 9am until 2pm and have wander or make your way to the Vintage Engine Rally at the Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum (open all weekend).
Sit back and relax on Sunday night and watch some good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll dancing on Main Street at 6pm followed by a screening of ‘Grease’.
Finish the weekend off with the fabulous Easter Fair Grand Procession on Monday, April 10 from 10.30 am. There will be floats of all shapes plus performances by the Bendigo Lion Dancers, and belly dancers – an event not to be missed!
Easter fun at Maldon!
Festival hits fever pitch
The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival continues this weekend with a wide array of shows, exhibitions and events to suit festival goers of all ages and interests.
Tonight, Thursday April 6, catch Vanessa Wawruszak, James Ellis and the Jealous Guys at they present ‘The Dolly Parton Experience’ under the Western Reserve Big Top from 8pm.
Ain’t nuthin’ but a knees up going on at the Big Top, courtesy of the top purveyors of honky-tonk and Americana.
Outside of this 9-5, the Jealous Guys have released two albums: It Ain’t Texas (But It Ain’t Bad) which won The Age Music Victoria Award for Best Country Album and Country Lion and Wawruszak plays prolifically in Melbourne. In the past they’ve collaborated on a Merle Haggard-themed live show and this time they celebrate country music royalty – Dolly Parton.
Who is Dolly Parton? In the 1960s, she was the Nashville “girl singer” with the big, blonde hair. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was a country-turned-pop superstar. Today, she’s a business woman, philanthropist and global icon.
Common among all these versions of Dolly Parton are her incredible gifts as singer, songwriter and musician.
Saturday April 8 local favourite Dallas Woods, a Noongar man raised in East Kimberley, known for his truth bombs and speed-rapping will feature under the big top. His track ‘Heaven of My Own’ has had a million streams and counting.
Woods’ set will be followed by a mesmerising performance by Electric Fields. People who saw their gigs or early showcase at Big Sounds simply could not stop talking about the astonishing vocals of Zaachariaha Fielding and epic electronica of producer Michael Ross. They’ve been described as “Daft Punk meets Nina Simone in the Deep Forest”.
Both these shows have been proudly supported by The Bridge Castlemaine and will be followed by an After Parties in the Big Top Foyer so you can continue the celebration after the show ends. For tickets and more festival events visit castlemainefestival.com.au
Experience ‘The Planting’ at The Goods Shed
The Planting will be presented in The Goods Shed during the Castlemaine State Festival April 6, 7 and 8.
An immersive audio work in the form of a sound-feature, The Planting is directed by Castlemaine based artist and filmmaker Alex Kelly.
At once a speculative documentary and deep listening experience, the piece is set in 2029 and explores the future impacts of climate change, social movements and caring for Country across the continent of so-called Australia.
In a series of interviews interwoven with soundscapes across time, the work takes audiences on a journey through visions of other futures.
The work features interviews with Yuin man Bruce Pascoe, Yorta Yorta woman Kathryn Coff, Barkindji woman Zena Cumpston, Canadian journalist Naomi Klein and traditional fire practitioners Jason Smith and Danny Gardner, with field recordings from Landcare plantings on Djaara Country, of bird life on Wadawurrung, the Gulidjan and the Gadubanud Country and features traditional burning workshops in lutruwita (Tasmania).
Composed and sound designed by Lawrence Harvey of RMIT’s Spatial Information Architecture Lab, The Planting has been created for a spatialised ‘speaker orchestra. Audiences are seated inside an array of 20 speakers and experience the sound as a journey through time.
“Now more than ever we need to imagine other possible futures,” Alex Kelly said.
“The Planting is one such experiment in practicing the art of imagination. This work was a complete joy to create through the covid lockdowns of 20-21 and I am delighted to be presenting it at home to my community as part of the CSF”.
Created over three years and completed in Castlemaine as part of a FURTHER residency, it weaves together interviews with real people improvising their future selves, reflecting on political conditions, cultural shifts and social changes throughout the 2020s.
The Planting had its world premiere in 2022 at Storey Hall in Melbourne for ANAT SPECTRA 2022: Multiplicity, presented by the Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT).
The Planting is a project of The Things We Did Next, a collaborative practice exploring futures to come in the era of climates changed and changing.
Castlemaine Secondary College students creative talents on show
The creative talents of the Castlemaine Secondary College FLO Students have been on show as part of the Castlemaine Fringe Festival’s ‘Art Window Trail’ and various other projects.
Local audiences can catch a glimpse of the local students’ digital work screening in the window of the Beleza Uniform Shop in Barker Street which is number ’20’ on the Art Window Trail’ map.
Students studying Personal Development in the FLO Program at Castlemaine Secondary College’s Etty Street Campus used the opportunity to examine Personal Identity and Emotional Intelligence.
Supervising teacher Hermione Merry said students were fascinated to learn their personal strengths in the eight different types of Intelligence – Music/Musical, Mathematical/Logical, Visual/Spatial, Body/Kinesthetic, Self/Intrapersonal, Social/Interpersonal, Nature/Naturalist.
“They explored the symbolic representation of these intelligences in their two-channel video work ‘How Are You Intelligent?'” she said.
As part of their involvement in the Fringe some students also enjoyed work experience in AV and production with Sam Thomas at Mechanics Lane, and the opportunity to work with artist Jim Coad – creating visual art works for projection as part of Fringe event Reactivate.
Fringe Festival director Azzy Jay said it was a massive highlight to work with the FLO students and staff at CSC.
“The students asked thoughtful questions and after time to reflect came up with great ideas for future fringe festivals, including partnering with local sports clubs for post-match live music, which is something we hadn’t previously considered,” she said.
“Jim Coad’s community projection mapping is always a real highlight and it was nice to see young people out and about at the street party! Thanks FLO, you rock!” Azzy said.
The Mail caught up with several of the lead students on the video project late last week Oscar Sattler-Carson, Abbey Carr and Zakk Barron.
The trio said they really enjoyed being part of the Fringe Art Window Trail and it was a real collaborative effort.
“It was great to be able to express my creativity. Especially with painting,” Abbey said.
“Making the video was so much fun,” Zakk said.
CSC principal Justin Hird said the project was a fantastic example of the exciting creative applied learning opportunities available to Castlemaine Secondary College students through the FLO Program.
“Its really wonderful to be able to share this work with the wider community and we look forward to also displaying the video in our school office and sharing it with visitors to the Blakeley Road campus,” he said.
Raising funds for asthma awareness
The ‘RACE YA’ Family Fun Day Asthma Australia fundraiser will be held Sunday April 16 in memory of Maldon teen Ned Cameron who died suddenly of an acute asthma attack in 2016.
Ned’s mum Kristy Lang initiated the event to honour his memory, raise funds for Asthma Australia and increase education about the condition.
More than $58,800 has been raised in Ned’s honour over the past five years through donations and RACE YA family fun days and Kristy is hoping to raise more money than ever at this yea’rs event at the Bill Woodfull Reserve (Maldon Football Netball Ground).
There will be heaps to do from running races, to tug-a-war, face painting, gumboot toss, nail drive, the egg toss and much more. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, a vintage car display, motorbike rides, food and drinks and a lolly hunt.
RACE YA was founded in 2018 to raise awareness and funds for Asthma Australia in memory of Ned who died almost five and a half years ago, at age 14.
“We are hoping to make people more informed about asthma. Ned only ever had mild asthma and I remember the first time I went to my doctor, a couple of days after his death, and she told me a third of the people who die of asthma, only have mild asthma and I was shocked,” the mum said.
“To date we have raised nearly $60,000 and while raising money for Asthma Australia we have also been able to give back to the community, implementing education, information and asthma emergency kits into local schools and sporting clubs,” Kristy said.
“RACE YA is also an opportunity for families to spend an inexpensive day together, with heaps to do and the kids can forget about their screens. Life is too short to not enjoy time together,” Kristy said.
Go along and enjoy a good old-fashioned family day out on Sunday April 16 at the Bill Woodfull Reserve, Maldon from 11am. Entry is $10 adult, $5 child or $25 family.
All profits and donations go directly to Asthma Australia. Donations can also be made directly to the RACE YA account – BSB: 633000 Account: 165285826.
Pen Pals reunited
Pen Pals of more than six decades Castlemaine’s Judy Stuchbree and Canadian Carol Gemmell were thrilled to be reunited in Castlemaine this week.
The pair first put pen to paper back in 1962 when Judy Ellery, as she was known then, was 12 and Carol was 14.
“My mother Wilma Ellery had a long-time pen pal in Canada Dorothy Astridge who was keen to find one for me to establish a connection with in Canada,” Judy said.
“Dorothy worked with Carol’s mum Colleen Clark and she asked whether I may be interested in being Carol’s pen pal and passed on her details in Galt, Ontario and the rest is history!”
The pair have shared countless letters over the last 61 years, first writing about school, hobbies and siblings, then sharing tales of work and study, first loves, marriage and the arrival of their children.
In the early days Carol studied nursing and Judy worked at Sterritt’s Top Shop in Barker Street (where Top End Technology is now) serving the busy lunchtime clientele from the foundry. Judy later secured a job with Meals on Wheels at Mount Alexander Shire and has been working in the field for more than 42 years.
“We both got married in the same year – 1970. I married my husband Leslie Stuchbree in April and Carol married in October,” Judy said.
Carol welcomed three children Krista, Erika and Kevin and Judy welcomed two children Lynda and Steven.
The devoted pen pals eventually had their first face-to-face meeting in 1990 when Judy and her family travelled to Canada.
“It was amazing to finally meet. We felt more like cousins than friends. We knew everything about each other,” Carol said.
Judy and her husband have made several trips back to Canada in the years since and the friends have also caught up at other destinations during their overseas travels.
Carol made her first visit to Australia in 2004 and was delighted to finally see the place Judy calls home.
“Carol and some friends also surprised us during a cruise in Alaska in 2012. It was the best surprise of my life,” Judy said.
“We have shared a lot of ups and downs over the years. I lost my mum and Judy lost her dad, we have had the joy of welcoming our grandchildren and we’ve been there for each other every step of the way,” Carol said.
More recently the pair moved from handwritten letters to emails.
“I still write my letters and then I pass them on to my daughter Lynda who scans them and sends them on to Carol,” Judy said.
Carol was planning to make the trek out to Australia three years ago to help celebrate Judy and Les’ 50th wedding anniversary but unfortunately covid put paid to those plans.
“We took up sending parcels instead. It turned out to be an expensive exercise, but they were so special with us each including special keepsakes from Canada and Australia,” Judy said.
“I’m so thrilled to finally be here,” Carol said. “My daughter Erika has joined me this time. It’s her first trip to Australia and we are looking forward to showing her around,” she said.
The Stuchbrees are planning a trip to some of the region’s silo art and a jaunt down the picturesque Great Ocean Road.
“It doesn’t matter what we do or where we go. It’s just wonderful to finally be together after all these years,” Judy said.
Raising vital funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
The Castlemaine Fire Brigade will once again be out rattling their tins for the 2023 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal (GFA) from today.
The local CFA members have been collecting for this very special cause for more than four decades and are once again proud to throw their support behind the vital Victorian service.
Castlemaine CFA member and Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal area manager Ron Gartside said members have fond memories of their annual collection spanning more than 40 years and are delighted to have made a considerable contribution to the incredible work of the RCH.
“I’ve been rattling the tin for over 25 years myself and many of our members have been donating their time since the beginning of our involvement with the fundraiser,” he said.
Local CFA volunteers will be collecting donations from the community outside the newsagents in Mostyn Street from 7.30am today, Thursday April 6 through until 6pm. You will also find volunteers at Maxi IGA and outside IGA Castlemaine in Barker Street.
Tomorrow, Good Friday April 7, volunteers will be collecting donations at the traffic lights at the intersection of Forest and Barker Streets and will also be doing the rounds of streets around town so listen out for the sirens when they hit your area.
“If anyone misses us they can pop into the Castlemaine Fire Station and make a donation from 8am on Good Friday,” he said.
Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has been dedicated to fundraising for The Royal Children’s Hospital so that it can continue to provide world class care for children in Victoria and beyond. Over its long and proud history, the Good Friday Appeal has provided over $421 million to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
In 2022, the Appeal celebrated a record-breaking total of $22,328,154 thanks to the generous support of fundraising partners, regional area managers and community members from across Victoria and beyond.
The Castlemaine volunteers were proud to be part of that incredible feat.
“This incredible result would not have been possible without the generous support of community members. We are always blown away by the contributions we receive from the local community,” Ron said.
Funds raised support ground-breaking research, state of the art equipment and technology, education and family centred care programs so that The Royal Children’s Hospital can continue to provide world class care to our children. If you should miss our local volunteers you can make a donations online at goodfridayappeal.com.au
Take a look back at the former Metropolitan Hotel
Circa 1853
William Hitchcock and James Farrell were among the original owners of the three storey brick Metropolitan Hotel on the corner of Mostyn and Hargraves Streets in around 1853 to 1856. Owners and licensees changed multiple times over the years, later on becoming Kenyon’s Metropolitan Hotel. The licensee renewal application of July, 1913 shows owner Sarah Esther Pearson bought the hotel in 1902 with Kate Ann Kenyon, Licensee. Mr Newell, representing Sarah, gives a wonderful description of the interior stating the hotel has ’14 rooms, with seven bedrooms, five for public use and two private. Two are unused and unfurnished. Public bedrooms are on the third floor. Access is by a narrow stairway, very straight. The fire escape is rope and a hook that can be let down’. No stabling. No urinal. A stranger to the hotel would not know that the closets behind belong to the hotel. The balcony was built in around 1906 at a cost of Pd200. Evidence given Mrs Kenyon kept cleaner than most other hotels.
Back in May, 1858, a Coroner’s Inquest at the hotel was held on Jane Mason, wife of George, from the Survey Office. Evidence given is that she had a drinking addiction, argued with her husband and fell in the backyard. She was carried to bed, the chemist and druggist being called but she was dead.
On New Years Eve, 1896, a person with knowledge of the place, entered upstairs rooms, filled a pillowslip with cigars, then throwing the parcel into the yard at the rear of Mr. Walker’s shop. Mr Walker heard the noise and notified Miss Zeigler, the barmaid and Miss Hannan, Licensee on finding the slip full of damaged cigars. Robbery foiled.
There was a history of use of the hotel by the railways for their workers with a standing order for three beds three nights per week for the railway guard, engine drive and fireman – meals and bedding.
The hotel was delicenced in 1913 and sold to W.J. Stoneman in 1914, where after re-building, it was turned into a store.
2023
The hotel is no longer. The site is currently the home of Subway Castlemaine and prior to that was the site of a Stock and Poultry Store. Information and original image kindly supplied by our friends at Castlemaine Historical Society – Exploring Our Past. You can visit their headquarters at the Former Court House in Goldsmith Cresent Castlemaine on Tuesdays between 10am and 3pm for assistance to research your own family history.
Way of the Cross
Join the Castlemaine district churches to remember the story behind Easter at the ‘Way of the Cross Castlemaine’ on Good Friday. The special interfaith event is now in its seventh year and will see local church representatives, parishioners and community members celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus and the blessings of our region by walking from church to church, carrying the cross, and sharing scriptures and reflection at each station.
The ecumenical church event will begin at 11am with community members gathering outside St Mary’s Church to join the Way of the Cross procession through the streets.
The Way of the Cross was initiated by St Mary’s Catholic Parish priest Father Wahid Riad who was previously involved in a similar moving event in the Melbourne CBD.
Fr Wahid said many people thought of Easter as a great time to go camping or watch the footy but it was so much more than that.
“The whole period leading up to Easter is special, but Holy Week is particularly special to people of faith,” he said.
On behalf of all local churches, Fr Wahid invites community members of all walks of life and faiths to join in the Good Friday procession on April 7.
The walk will stop at 14 locations across the city including local churches, the Civic Centre, the Market Building, Victory Park and the Recreation Park at Castlemaine Railway Station where Father Wahid said many of the region’s poor gathered.
“Many people in our community are facing hardships, they are suffering, they have their own cross to bear, we will pray for those people, for humanity, for our refugees. We will also give thanks for the gifts, artistic talents and blessings of our region,” he said.
At the conclusion of the event community members will gather for hot cross buns and a cuppa at the St Mary’s Hall.
A 10.30am combined church service will also be held at the Maldon Beehive Chimney.
“It’s a holy and precious day and we invite the community to be part of it,” Father Wahid said.
All Aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway!
Looking for a fun day out for the whole family? Why not jump aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway and enjoy a memorable trip aboard the tourist service to historic Maldon!
VGR run services to Maldon and return every Wednesday and Sunday, plus Saturdays and some public holidays during school holidays.
VGR has a special offer for the month of April – for travel taken during April all children travel free when booked with an Adult or Concession fare in Excursion Class. This special offer is valid for online bookings, one way or return.
The VGR team are also gearing up to hold their next ‘Ales on Rails’ event on Saturday April 29.
This is the ultimate beer, food and train experience.
Indulge as you are taken into a world of decadence, first class style in 1920’s era club and parlour carriages.
As your train takes you through the countryside from Castlemaine to Maldon, you are taking another journey. Beginning with an easy drinking wheat beer you sample a range of specialty beers culminating in a rich chocolate porter. Light snacks are served by VGR stewards on the train to complement your tasting experience. Tasting notes are provided.
You will then enjoy a gourmet lunch at Maldon’s Kangaroo Hotel and a beer from their extensive craft beer range is included.
Travellers are asked to note VGR are currently running their Heritage Diesel Engine while their steam engine undergoes a major mechanical overhaul.
To find out more or to book your next trip aboard the tourist railway visit vgr.com.au
Changing lives with bicycles
Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten (CSSK) joined the national Ride2School Day that took place on Friday March 24.
As well as being a fantastic event for the students, the day raised funds for the international organisation, World Bicycle Relief.
The whole school was involved in the Ride2School event. Starting early Friday morning, 24 students and a handful of parents met to ride 2.5km to school. Later, as a whole school event, students took on the challenge of decorating their bikes for the Bike Parade, peddling the orange juice bike, testing their skills on the obstacle course and riding the weird and wonderful bikes brought along by our bike expert guests ‘Paddy Toastie’ and ‘Rainbow Rider’.
Thirty two students from Grade 2 to 8 and many keen parents then rode the 9 km from school to the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens to finish this activity filled day.
CSSK Outdoor Education teacher and CycleSafe Mt Alexander spokeswoman Penny Gilbert organised the day, being a fantastic supporter of this nation-wide event.
“Cycling to school, or anywhere, is such a great activity for the whole family with many of our younger students and their parents joining us for the ride to school and after school to the Botanical Gardens.” Penny said.
“Riding our bikes has so many benefits, be it for our health and wellbeing, reducing our reliance on cars and also the fantastic social aspect when we ride with others. We were happily surprised at just how many of our students signed up for the longer ride into Castlemaine.”
The event also provided an excellent opportunity to raise awareness for World Bicycle Relief, an international organisation providing great bikes to people around the world. They are “empowering individuals to access education, healthcare and economic opportunities through life-changing bicycles” as stated on their website.
Penny gave students examples of how bikes had changed lives across the globe with the support from World Bicycle Relief.
“Now that they have a bike, they can sell their farm produce to more people in the bigger towns a bike ride away” she explained at a school assembly.
For CSSK, the national Ride2School day has turned into an international fundraising day, benefiting those locally and abroad. Students and parents are already wanting to organise another ride soon and are looking forward to the event next year.
Local events draw big crowds
It has been a very busy couple of weeks on the Castlemaine Rifle Range. The local club ran the first event of the Victorian Precision Rifle Series with lots of shooters competing from Victoria and interstate. The biggest for some time. Local shooters performed very well.
The next big event was ‘The Classic and Military Shoot’ run in conjunction with the Kyneton Rifle Club. Shooting was from 300 and 500 yards using old historic rifles, the most popular being S.M.L.E, .303 and Mauser rifles of many different types.
Winners on the day were Kyneton’s Peter Pearce in ‘Classic Rifle A’ from Castlemaine’s Chris Jolme. ‘Classic Rifle B’ was won by William Green from Kyneton with Adam McLennan, Kyneton second and third place to Robert Pearce also from Kyneton.
‘Military Rifle A’ was won by Andrew Deans from the Military Rifle Club with Adam Stephens second from the Military Rifle Club and in third place Castlemaine’s James Dolphin.
‘Military B’ was won by Kyneton’s Charlie Poskus with second place to Castlemaine’s Mick Goritchan and third place to Castlemaine’s David Perry.
Glenn Woodhatch, representing our major sponsor, The Bendigo RSL was on hand to present the trophies. Greg Penna from the Golden City Collectors Association and Mark Bickham from Smith’s Outdoors were also present and the clubs thank them for their support.
It was good to be able to have a “live fire” of many of the older firearms no longer seen and a great display in the clubhouse of historic guns and equipment used on the range since its beginning in 1861.
Today, Friday March 31 the Castlemaine Rifle Club is very proud to be hosting ‘The Victorian Police and Emergency Services Games’ at Castlemaine.
This is the first time the event has been held at Castlemaine and will bring many members and their families from the Victoria Police, Ambulance Services and Fire Services to Castlemaine.
It will be a busy weekend as Saturday April 1 is also the third stage of the Club’s 300 metre championship.
For more information on the sport of big bore rifle shooting, call the Captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.