Passed away peacefully at Thompson House on 24th March 2023 aged 91 years.
Dearly loved husband of May (dec). Loving father of Annette, Steven and David and father in law to Trevor. Much loved Pa of Kristal, Erin, Rhiannon, Jonathan (dec), Garth, James and Caleband great Pa to Scott, Sarah, Brianna, Loki, Tobias, Hildee, Darby and Acacia.
Always gentle loving and kind, a beautiful memory you leave behind.
The funeral service to honour and celebrate Dick’s life will be held at the Community Centre, Elizabeth Street, Campbells Creek tomorrow, Saturday commencing at 2pm.
At the conclusion of the Service, Dick will be laid to rest at the Castlemaine Cemetery.
A celebration of the life of Wim Janssen will be held at 11am on Thursday 6th of April. At the Northern Arts Hotel, Barker Street, Castlemaine.
The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival kicked off with an opening night celebration under the Western Reserve Big Top last Friday evening with 90s sensations Frente!
Simon and Angie and the crew lit up the stage sharing tales from that time, reminiscing about the songs that hold stories for us all, as they celebrated 30 years of Marvin the Album.
This was followed by the first of the nine Castlemaine Fringe Festival after parties featuring a cabaret theme.
The opening week of the festival has been action-packed with a wide array of events including theatre, live music, performances, exhibitions, Open Studios, the popular Dialogues series and more including a performance ‘A Simple Space’ by the Adelaide based circus company Gravity & Other Myths (pictured).
Tonight Castlemaine’s own KIAN will hit the Western Reserve Big Top stage.
This will be quite the homecoming. By the time he was 16, Kian Brownfield had surpassed the status of local legend and became an international sensation with his four times platinum single ‘Waiting’.
Five years on, KIAN has been polished and held up to the light by Republic Records – home to his idol Stevie Wonder but also his contemporaries in chill melodic style, The Weeknd, Lorde, Drake and Jack Johnson. His latest EP, Shine, was produced by Ariana Grande collaborator Willie Tafa, with guest spots from Jerome Farah and members of 1300.
Shine details the pressures and growth that KIAN has experienced over the past few years. While he still has “feelings deeper than a swimming pool” – as he sang on his previous EP, BLISS, the waters now seem distinctly more sparkly.
KIAN told the Mail he is super keen to be back in Castlemaine to play a homecoming show for the festival.
“I still have great memories of my sold out debut show at the Theatre Royal in 2018 and this will be my first show back since then,” he said.
“I am very excited to announce that I will be bringing along Becca Hatch to perform our new single ‘All Of Me’. I am hoping to see some family and familiar faces in the audience,” the singer said.
For tickets to see KIAN and for other festival events visit castlemainefestival.com.au
Dhelkaya Health (formerly Castlemaine Health) is preparing to undertake the planned demolition of the old nurses’ quarters at the former Halford Street hospital site.
Following the November 2022 announcement of funding to Dhelkaya Health from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), the first of the works are almost ready to take place and the local health organisation held consultation sessions with local community members about the planned works this week.
Dhelkaya Health director infrastructure technology and assets Justin Sawyers said the old nurses’ quarters that sit on the corner of Myring and Hargraves Streets were decommissioned around 25 years ago.
“Given the buildings have lay empty all this time means that they have become unsafe so this funding will see that particular building demolished.”
The competitive tender process has seen Digga Group take on the work.
“This is exciting to see because this company offer experience in building demolition and provide expertise when it comes to quality and safety procedures, and sustainability. They have a target of 95 per cent reuse, recycle or resell of the building materials taken from sites like this,” Mr Sawyers said.
Digga Group will install a site office, temporary fencing and signage in preparation for the demolition works to begin, and safely remove and transport any hazardous materials from the premises.
The demolition works are due to commence on May 1 and are expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
The adjacent building and offices on the Halford Street site, which are currently leased by Workspace Australia, will remain intact. These buildings and offices are run as an incubator for business start-ups and are occupied by up to 80 small local businesses and while there are no agreed plans yet for the Halford Street site’s future purpose, the demolition of the unoccupied nurses’ quarters opens up options for future use.
Dhelkaya Health board chair Vanessa Healy said while they have lots of ideas, they don’t yet know what the Halford Street site will look like in the future.
“But we do know it will be safer and more secure for those who work and live nearby thanks to this funding,” Ms Healy said.
Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) celebrated the launch of its two major 2023 Castlemaine State Festival exhibitions – Melbourne artist David Rosetzky’s highly anticipated Air to Atmosphere and For the Love of Song by local printmaker David Frazer – last Friday evening.
Community members will have a chance to learn more about both installations tomorrow, Saturday April 1, when CAM hosts artists talks with David Fraser at 10am and David Rosetzky at 12 noon.
David Frazer’s For the Love of Song is a passionate and unique collaboration between the renowned printmaker and local artist and some of the most iconic Australian and International songwriters of a generation: Paul Kelly (Aus); Don Walker (Aus); Nick Cave (Aus/UK); Nick Lowe (UK) and Tom Waits (USA). Two great artforms entwine – image-making and song writing – together they reach into our hearts in profound ways. Frazer’s most recent collaboration with Tom Waits is a world premiere.
Rosetzky’s Air to Atmosphere explores the diversity, trauma, resilience, and pride of the local LGBTQIA+ community and has been two years in the making.
Rosetzky, in collaboration with members of the community in central Victoria, including &so, Eden Swan, Terence Jaensch and Rhett D’Costa amongst others, has created the major new work, commissioned by CAM which spans across the Stoneman, Higgins and Benefactor Galleries, including live performance, and a Terrace Projection every evening at dusk.
Flowing from Rosetzky’s renowned practice in video and performance, this large collaborative and multi-disciplinary work includes photography, filmmaking, performance, publishing, music, song, choreography by Jo Lloyd and social events created with and about local artists and community members.
Rosetzky told the Mail he was relieved and excited to see the exhibition finally installed at CAM and to see the community responding and engaging with the work.
“The feedback has already been incredibly positive,” he said.
The artist collaborated with 16 representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community to develop the new work.
“With the work being multifaceted participants were free to be involved with the project in a way they felt comfortable with,” David said.
The work includes beautiful portraits of the various participants, stories of the lived experiences of each of the community members, an hour-long video which delves deeper into five of these personal stories offering different perspectives. There are also paste ups of quotes from each participant, the Terrace Projection on the CAM façade, and a dance element which will include five live performances with choreography by Jo Lloyd to be scheduled throughout the exhibition run at CAM.
“The participants have been brave and courageous to open up and share their stories, but they are also proud to be part of this diverse LGBTQIA+ community and they want to celebrate it and help the wider community gain a better knowledge and understanding,” he said.
“The exhibition is accompanied by a publication printed by Sonntag Press which includes these stories and poetry by Terence Jaensch. Gallery visitors can purchase a copy of the book at CAM or via the Sonntag Press website.
“We also have a micro-site on the CAM website where people can learn more about each of the stories,” David said.
Keep an eye on the website and social media for performance dates.
The exhibition has been supported by the Australian Government through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund and the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Victorian Government’s Pride Events and Festivals Fund. In-kind support provided by Bendigo Art Gallery, Castlemaine State Festival, Haymes Paint, Pidgeon Ward, and Tint Design. Catalogue published by Sonntag Press.
As part of this weekend’s Castlemaine Fringe Festival program Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal will feature a screening of award-winning Australian comedy The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour tomorrow Saturday April 1.
Hilarious and heartbreaking, The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour mixes moments of outrageous absurdity and weird connections in one of the most distinctive Australian films of the year.
Neville Umbrellaman is a verbose, velvet-voiced intellectual who hosts a late-night radio show from his parents’ garage. The alter ego of Rabindranath Chakraborty, Umbrellaman is deeply committed to the program, a labour of love and fantastical fancy that masks deeper, more tragic truths. Luckily, he’s got plenty of eccentric guests to help him out, from folk singer Kenneth Wong and Terry the neighbour to French baker Yvette and Chakraborty’s secret crush, Sabrina D’Angelo. But is anybody tuning in?
The film premiered at the 25th Perth International Film Festival – Revelation and then played at the 70th Melbourne International Film Festival where it was nominated for the Black Magic Innovation Award and took out the gong. The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour also won ‘Best Film’ at the 16th Sydney Underground Film Festival and ‘Best Actor’ at the 24th Festival de Antipodes in Saint Tropez, France.
What’s unique is that this screening will feature an in-person Q&A with the cast and director, travelling down from Sydney for the event. Comedy is best enjoyed with a crowd so be sure you get along!
The film will screen at 11am tomorrow. For tickets visit https://theatreroyalcastlemaine.oztix.com.au
Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve will be bustling with activity this Sunday April 2 for one of the region’s largest and most successful events, the Castlemaine Lions Club Swap Meet.
This year marks the 37th annual swap meet. The swap meet is the local service club’s major fundraiser and over the last three decades its had raised thousands of dollars to put back into many community projects such as the Mount Alexander Shire Accommodation & Respite Group’s McDonald Lions McDonald Hill Respite House.
This year’s event it is expected to once again draw thousands of visitors through the gates from across the state and beyond to buy and browse from 550 plus stalls selling all manner of things.
Castlemaine Lions Club Swap Meet chairman Ron Gartside said patrons can expect to find a treasure trove of vintage and veteran car and motorcycle parts, memorabilia, antiques, collectables, and bric-a-brac.
“You may even find a vehicle or two up for grabs,” he said. “We have stallholders coming from all over Victoria and some from South Australia and New South Wales and Tasmania.
“We couldn’t run the swap meet without the help of others from the community such as our friends at Rotary and Castlemaine SES, the Castlemaine Football Netball Club, Castlemaine United Cricket Club, Muckleford Cricket Club, Castlemaine Scouts, Castlemaine Girl Guides, and the Campbells Creek and Harcourt Valley Primary Schools,” he said.
“We make contributions to the volunteer groups that help on the day so its a win/win for both the club and the community,” Ron said.
There will be onsite catering available throughout the day including a barbecue, hot food, fresh sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and more. Gates open at 6am. Please note the clocks will be winding back an hour in the early hours of Sunday morning with the daylight savings change. Entry is $8. Children Under 15 Free. For more information visit castlemaine.vic.lions.org.au
From today public transport fares for regional Victorians will drop by 87 per cent making public transport more affordable for everyone.
Prior to the new ticket pricing travellers were paying an exorbitant $68.80 to travel from Bendigo to Melbourne, creating a significant barrier for regional residents wanting to access public transport.
From today a full fare ticket will now be capped at $9.20 with concession tickets priced at $4.60, encouraging individuals and families living rurally to utilise the public transport system to travel to work, school, events, or to visit family and friends.
Ms Edwards said she expects to see a strong uptake from residents.
“There are a lot of commuters driving from Bendigo to Castlemaine and vice versa who will now be able to catch public transport,” Ms Edwards said.
“The rising cost of petrol is prohibitive, and the lower fares will encourage more people to catch public transport, which will take cars off congested roads.”
There are some concerns that cheaper train fares will contribute to overcrowding on public transport, with a limited number of trains available for regional passengers.
Ms Edwards confirmed that there will be an increase in carriages, produced within Victoria, introduced in 2024.
“There may be overcrowding in the short-term,” Ms Edwards said. “But that’s a good problem to have.”
The cap will also apply to interstate travel within 60 kilometres of the Victorian border, to ensure those living in border communities in New South Wales and South Australia benefit as well. The fare cap applies to all Public Transport Victoria regional buses, town buses, and V/Line trains and coaches.
“This is a great outcome and something that was desperately needed,” Ms Edwards commented.
On March 23 an emotional Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the proposed wording for the upcoming First Nations Voice referendum which reads: ‘To alter the Constitution to recognise the First People’s of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?’ The proposed referendum question will be introduced to parliament in June before going before the Australian people later in the year.
Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters recently attended an information sharing session in Chewton to provide information and to share ideas about this year’s proposed referendum on ‘The Voice’.
“Current policy making does not include a systematic process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to provide advice, therefore, policy is often made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people rather than with them,” Ms Chesters commented.
“Constitutional recognition through a Voice would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to give advice to the Federal Parliament about laws and policies that will impact them.
“This means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are included in the law-making process, rather than having bureaucrats and politicians deciding what is best for them,” she said.
According to Ms Chesters the Australian Constitution sets out the principles of how our nation works and can only be altered by a referendum. The upcoming referendum will ask all Australians of voting age to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for the proposed changes.
“The failure to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution perpetuates the myth of terra nullius – land belonging to no one – that the British colonisers declared upon their arrival.
“For more than 60,000 years, First Nations peoples have cared for country. Appreciating and understanding this truth is a vital part of what it means to be Australian. We are privileged to share this beautiful country with the world’s oldest continuing culture.”
Local resident and supporter of ‘The Voice’ Marie Jones attended the discussion with Ms Chesters last week.
“This discussion has been going on for ages and this is a continuation of the conversation,” Marie said.
“As Lisa explained the referendum process is a work in progress with parliament to decide on the wording of the questions, then the referendum date is to be decided and the voting period announced, with a possible date in August.”
For more information on the upcoming referendum visit: voice.niaa.gov.au/ or for information on supporting the yes vote visit: www.Yes23.com.au.
Hi Edna, can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 98 and 3/4 and if I had a couple of new legs and eyes I’d be right. I get meals on wheels and a fortnightly cleaner, someone comes to help with the gardening and wood, and my tablets are delivered from the chemist. If you need help you only need to ask and it’s there.
I go on a bus tour every Friday called the Friday Explorers which is great. We’ve been to so many different places and they always ask where we want to go. We’ve to Echuca, to a doll museum in Maryborough, up Mt Tarrangower, on the talking tram in Bendigo and we even went 10-pin bowling – you’ve never seen anyone bowl like us! Next Friday we’re going to Rodilesa Nursery at Harcourt and then for lunch at the Cumberland.
What a fantastic group to be involved with! You were born in Chewton – what was it like going to school here?
I started school when I was four and a half which meant I had to do Grade 8 twice because you couldn’t leave until you were 14 years old.
I loved school and was really good at it. I won the Old Boys Merit Certificate in Grade 6 – which was in 1936. We had to sit an exam for the prize and I was awarded a beautiful book called Westward Ho. I didn’t read it though – it was as dry as anything!
What work did you do when you left school?
I went to the tech school. My father had ideas that I’d be a dressmaker but I didn’t like that and left to work at Gilpin’s (a chain store similar to Coles or Woolworths before they became supermarkets). It was the sort of place you worked your way from the bottom to the top to become a manageress. My second manageress role was in Kerang, which was a real eye-opener – it was so flat, with no hill anywhere! I stayed for 12 months. The people there were really lovely. That’s where I meet my husband. He was part of the fire brigade and they put on dances every Friday. By the end of the year, we were engaged.
Afterward, I was sent to a place in NSW for six months. I resigned to come home and get married (you could only work there if you were divorced or widowed so as not to take work away from the single girls).
When we got married we moved to Kerang at first but came back to Chewton where Eric worked as a relieving baker before working for Alf Rasmussen at a bakery in Winters Flat. After developing a cough from the flour and from smoking Eric was told to get a job working outside and he started working for Ernie Mills building houses for the foundry workers. He also worked for the forest commission and then at Tonks Brothers in the wood yard, driving a truck and that’s when we had our second child.
After a while Eric went back to work as baker at Blooms Bakery and in 1964 we had the opportunity to buy the bakery which we called EJ and EM Preece- it was on Barker Street next door to Coles. We were there for 11 years – until 1975. In the meantime, we had another two children (and I took two years off work). We only had one holiday in that time. We went to Adelaide so we were too far away for anyone to call us back! By the end of the 11 years, we were worn out so we sold the business and did some travelling on bus tours visiting Cairns, Perth, and visiting an expo in Brisbane which we really enjoyed.
How did you come to live in this beautiful house?
Eric built this house. It was just a vacant block of land before that. We moved in here in 1954.
Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I have been either the president, secretary, or treasurer on every committee in Chewton (except sports – I was too busy!) and am now a life member of the Senior Citizens and the Domain Society. And these days I enjoy getting outside and having a wander around, playing solitaire or watching TV
Finally, do you have any advice for the younger generations?
Get out in the open air.
The Harcourt Tennis Club contested the Grand Final in the Marong District Tennis Association last Saturday, March 18 at Marong.
The Harcourt side won the right to play opponents Wilson’s Reef in the First Semi Final played at Harcourt two weeks ago.
In Saturday’s final showdown the Harcourt side pulled out all the stops to score 12 sets and 94 games and defeat Wilson’s Reef 6 sets and 71 games. Harcourt had a trio of three set winners on the day including Simon Gearing, Ellenor Landy and Megan Atkin. Congratulations to the Harcourt side!
