Elite runners from across the state and beyond will descend on Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve for the annual Castlemaine Gift this Sunday February 26.
Castlemaine Athletics Club member Darryl Nettleton said a top day of athletics action is assured for the whole family.
“We will be kicking off the event with our junior races from 10am. Local youngsters are encouraged to just come along and register on the day and there will be a little prize for every competitor who takes part,” he said.
Senior racing will commence at 11am and run through until approximately 6.40pm wrapping up with the 400m events.
“We are expecting more than 250 runners to compete over the course of the day which is the only full day athletics carnival in the shire,” he said.
“There will be eight heats in the men’s 120m Gift sponsored by the Mineral Council of Australia (Vic Division) with runners vying for a share of $5000 in prize money,” he said.
In the first heat Will Johns and Massimo Acquaro are expected to have a good match up.
Heat 3 will pit Aidan Green against Patrick Martin and Heat 4 will see Jack Lacey take on former winner Tim Rosen.
In Heat 5 reigning Stawell Gift winner Harrison Kerr will have some strong competition against Spencer Brown and Tapasu Paea. Heat 6 will see last year’s winner Nathan Riali return. His main danger will be Luke Mitchell, Tom Perry and Jerome Lugo.
In Heat 7 former Stawell Gift winner Matthew Rizzo will take on former Castlemaine Gift placegetter Kevin Brittain.
In Heat 8 favourite Newcastle’s Jack Newman will be the one to watch after success at the Wangaratta, Beachside and Ballarat Gifts.
“Jack has finished second at our last three Gifts and is in great form, but he will be tested by Rose Bay challenger Hamish Lindstrom,” Darryl said.
In the Women’s 120m Gift proudly sponsored by Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards and Leech Earthmoving runners will contest six heats to decide the finalists.
In Heat 1 Stawell placegetter Cassandra Wang-Lecouteur will face off against Sounya Bisvanathan, Lucy Carter of Hobart and Buninyong’s own Tiana Shillito.
“That will be a brutal heat. A really close one,” Darryl said.
In Heat 2 Grace O’Dwyer will be coming into the event fresh off her Keilor Gift win, her first in eight years, and will tackle Ruby Crisp.
In Heat 3 the winner of Adelaide’s big race the ‘Bay Sheffield’ Jessie Andrew of Riddells Creek will be up against Jennifer King and Halle Martin of Ballarat.
Heat 4 will see Ellie Keratianos face Victorian Athletics League CEO Taylah Perry and Taya McPhan.
Seymour’s Lucy Zotti will be the one to watch in Heat 5 up against Liv Ryan, Akshaya Iyer, and Olympic 4 x 400m runner Kendra Hubbard.
Heat 6 will also be tight with Zoe Neale and Trinity Inall-Bejah from Tasmania both in great form.
“The Women’s 400m and Veterans 300m events will also be standouts with some fantastic athletes from 35-70 plus set to feature in the latter,” Darryl said.
Entry to the Gift is $5 per person, $3 for pensioners, and kids are free. There will delicious food and drink available for purchase from the canteen, ice creams, a coffee van, and sweet treats from ‘My Goodness’ Chewton Service Station.
Castlemaine Gift returns to the Camp Reserve this Sunday
Camp Reserve redevelopment back on the agenda
There were unusually high attendance numbers at last Tuesday’s meeting of Mount Alexander Shire Council, with public question time extended to allow residents a chance to discuss the highly contentious Camp Reserve masterplan.
Local sporting representatives spoke in favour of the current plan with concerns about the facilities not being fit for standard and a lack of female change facilities causing incredible difficulties for female players, which impacts negatively on Australia’s second-oldest football/netball club, which is trying to encourage diversity in sport.
Captain of the Senior Women’s Cricket team Simone Frasier told the council that at present there are 30 women on the local team.
“The youngest is 11 and she is very passionate about her cricket. Our only options are to get dressed in the car or in a toilet cubicle, walking past urinals,” Simone said.
“We are an inclusive club, but the lack of facilities is creating a barrier for women in sport. It’s embarrassing.”
At Tuesday’s meeting John Carruthers spoke on behalf of Gold Camp is Castlemaine (a local group dedicated to preserving the history of the reserve and has offered an alternate proposal whereby the netball courts and pavilion remain in their existing locations) stating that if the council ignores the 51 per cent of survey respondents in opposition to the current masterplan those community members will loom large.
“There is a grave risk that the council will go down a costly path. One that costs ratepayers more money and causes further delays in facilities that the sports team so desperately needs. The plan that doubles down on the current master plan will solve one problem but will make in another. A path that will give footballers and netballers facilities they so richly deserve, but will bury a fair chunk of ground zero of the gold rush heritage under concrete.”
Councillor Gary McClure moved the motion to commence the planning permit application stating that he was shocked to learn that this has been going on for three decades.
“At the moment we have an adopted masterplan, we have a position to move forward and apply for a planning permit with the schematic drawings that we have. We are moving forward on this proposal not backward.
“Council and staff did listen to the 386 comments, but the council has to move forward for the sake of the people that sat in this room tonight and said, ‘we’ve got disgusting facilities’,” Cr McClure said.
“We’ve got to do something about it and going back to square one and starting again is not the way to go about it.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, particularly in regards to heritage issues, but this will all be dealt with under the planning permit process.”
The vote from councillors to proceed with the approved designs and commence the planning process was unanimous.
John Carruthers from Gold Camp is Castlemaine contacted the Mail regarding the heart-rending stories about young sportspeople enduring sub-standard facilities.
“We agree with them,” John said.
“What we don’t agree with was the attempt by several councillors, to lay at the doorstep of objectors to the current plan, all responsibility for any delay going forward.
“That is a deflection of responsibility. It belongs elsewhere. The council has had a decade and a half at least to sort out a plan that ticks all the boxes, gets reasonable consensus, and gives sports the salvation they deserve. Instead over that period, it’s done relatively little by way of sustained effort, and more recently decided that ticking a couple of boxes is enough,” he said.
Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests celebrate 25 years of advocacy
Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (FOBIF) was formed in 1998 by people in the Mount Alexander Region to work towards the protection of the surrounding Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands. Now in its 25th year, FOBIF is holding an exhibition at the Newstead Arts Hub to celebrate the member’s achievements in promoting the value of our forests and campaigning for a better future for them.
Members and supporters of the group were invited to submit photos of their local bush and write a piece describing why the subject of their photo was important to them. FOBIF received a huge response of terrific photos, ranging from macro shots of flowers and insects to magnificent birds and landscapes, with 20 of the photos appearing in the show and available for purchase.
The exhibition will also include historical material about FOBIF and the group’s incredible history, a geological display, and drawings by Chewton Primary School students.
FOBIF’s six published books and nature cards will be available to purchase, as well as a seventy-page catalogue of the exhibition, with extra historical material. All photos will be for sale with proceeds going directly to FOBIF.
Marie Jones, President of FOBIF and one of the founding members is grateful to have been involved with an incredible group of passionate volunteers who help to support our indigenous community by preserving and promoting the value of our forests.
“This exhibition gives us a snapshot in time, from where we’ve been, to where we’re going,” Marie said.
The exhibition is open over three weekends: February 25-26, March 4-5, and March 11-13 (including Labour Day) between 10 am and 4 pm.
Well-known fungi expert and engaging speaker, Alison Pouliot, will open the exhibition at 10.30am tomorrow February 25, with a speech from Phil Ingamells, one of the group’s founding members and a retired Victorian National Parks campaign worker.
Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided.
For more information visit www.fobif.org.au or ring Bronwyn Silver on 0448 741 111.
Castlemaine Fringe launches 2023 festival program
The Castlemaine Fringe Festival’s 2023 program was launched with a special community celebration at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tearooms on Sunday night.
The evening featured free live entertainment, local beer, wine and ciders, a shared supper and facepainting and circus skills with The Connected Circus.
The Fringe will celebrate its 30 anniversary in 2023 with a massive program proudly produced by Print Together.
Fringe Festival director Azzy Jay warmly welcomed everyone to the launch and thanked the incredible working group which had helped to put the program together.
“I’m a bit emotional. It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point. It’s really wonderful to be able to present a program of events which brings people together,” Azzy said.
The Fringe will kick off with an opening night extravaganza on Friday March 17 in Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine with local legends So Much Soul and the original Fringe Samba band, plus roving performers, dance acts and MainFM DJ’s!
The festival will also include a massive theatre program at the Phee Broadway Theatre, free events such as the Reactivate Street Party which feature more than 100 performers and projections and will be staged over four venues in the town centre, family friendly gigs including the Monster Mash Day Party in Victory Park on March 25, Castlemaine Idyll at Lot 19, an Art Window Trail, 30th anniversary exhibition at the Phee, exhibitions, performances and much more.
The Fringe are also thrilled to be teaming up with the Castlemaine State Festival to host after parties in their ‘Big Top’ on the Western Reserve with a Cabaret to kick off the first event on March 24. The Fringe Festival will run until April 2.
Community members are encouraged to consider taking up a membership with the Fringe Festival to help make it all happen.
Be sure to grab a free program and get behind this incredible event. For more information and tickets visit www.castlemainefringe.org.au.
Harcourt residents call for action on unsealed roads
Residents of Barker and Bagshaw Streets in Harcourt are urging Mount Alexander Shire Council to seal the unmade roads in order to reduce the detrimental impact of dust and increasing traffic on local residents.
Barker Street resident Vera Hemkes recently contacted the Mail to voice her frustration at council’s lack of action on the issue.
Ms Hemkes has been campaigning council to address the matter for the last three years.
“I have gone to extreme lengths to get action. I’ve interviewed most of the residents on the two roads and put together a petition to council. In 2021, there was some idle promise that council would develop design plans in that year and possibly, yes possibly seal the roads but despite repeated attempts to contact council and get an update on the issue I keep hitting brick walls,” she said.
Ms Hemkes recently wrote to councillors and the Minister for Local Government querying where plans were at for the roads.
Ms Hemkes says there has been a lot of new development in the area since the petition was submitted and up to three more developments are reportedly planned for the surrounding area, but the roads remain unmade.
“It’s (Barker Street) the only unmade road of any significance within the town centre. Barker Street is the most densely populated road in the town gird. The dust levels, corrugations and potholes are not conducive to healthy living. It’s also becoming increasingly dangerous for pedestrians with no footpaths. Council has a duty of care to residents to address these issues,” she said.
A Mount Alexander Shire Council spokesperson told the Mail that subject to budget approval, Barker and Bagshaw Streets will be included on the list of roads forming the road design program for the financial year 2023/2024.
“In preparation, traffic counts are being conducted to provide additional data for consideration of the roads requested,” the spokesperson said.
“Once the design works for the road are complete, the project will then be submitted through the budget process for construction, pending the allocation of funding.”
At this stage, construction works for Barker Street are unfunded. Any proposals for new road maintenance and improvement works are required to go through council’s annual bid proposal process. For more information about roads within the shire, visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Roads.
Castlemaine golfers go pink to honour Una
Castlemaine Golf Club is once again hosting its Una Carroll Anti-Cancer Fund Raising Day this Sunday February 19.
Una Carroll was an active member of the Castlemaine club for more than 20 years and treasurer for many. She passed away in 1992. As a memorial to her, the Una Carroll Anti-Cancer Fund Raising Day was established as an annual event the year she passed away and has been held ever since.
Money raised goes to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) to support its work across Victoria.
In between when you woke up this morning and when you go to sleep tonight, 57 Australians will be told they have breast cancer. The same will happen tomorrow, and the next day too, making breast cancer the most common cancer affecting Australian women.
BCNA is Australia’s leading breast cancer consumer organisation. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that all Australians who are affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support.
This year’s golf event is being proudly supported by Leech Earthmoving Contracting Castlemaine, Glen and Megan Carroll and CGC golf coach Paul Powell.
Event coordinator Peggy Ronnau said the fund raiser is a great tribute to Una and a celebration of partnerships within the local community, whilst raising funds for a very important cause.
“We wanted to fill up part of one of our large dams and Leech Earthmoving were undertaking construction works on the new Arcare Aged Care facility at the time and needed a place to unload clean fill. They kindly brought it down and filled part of the dam and this area will now be landscaped and enhanced. Now they have gotten on board sponsoring this special event,” Peggy said.
Leech Earthmoving’s Darren Rice said they were proud to support this important event.
“It’s a terrific cause and a great way of raising awareness and funds to tackle this disease,” he said.
Castlemaine Golf Club greenkeeper Glenn Carroll said that it is wonderful to see his mum’s memory and contribution to the club still being celebrated 31 years after her death.
“Dad started the initial event and the club has carried it on after his passing. It’s a really great way of honouring mum’s memory and raising awareness,” Glenn said.
An individual stableford will be played and visitors are welcome. Start time: 10am for a 10.30am shotgun start. Entry fee $20.
The Una Carroll Trophy will be awarded to the Best Female Castlemaine golfer, plus $600 worth of prizes will be awarded for Straightest Drive, Nearest the pin on Par 3, Best Male Golfer, Best Female Visitor Golfer, Best Pink Outfit and Best Pink Tattoo placement.
To book to be part of the fundraiser text Peggy 0409 232 919, Garry 0414 684 201 or Ross 0419 091 154.
Castlemaine cyclists get back on track
Castlemaine Cycling Club members headed over to Ballarat on Saturday February 11 to take part in the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club road/track event. It was great to see so many members heading over to support our fellow cycling clubs.
Local track racing is on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Castlemaine Cycling Club’s headquarters at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve. For updates on racing please join their Facebook page by searching for Castlemaine Cycling Club.
New members are always welcome with track bikes available to come and try.
Castlemaine Parkrun celebrates eighth year of running milestones
Parkrun Castlemaine is settling into its eighth year and completed 344 parkruns this week.
Saturday saw 117 participants welcomed to the Botanical Gardens course including 14 visitors from across Victoria, Queensland and NSW. Castlemaine Parkrun members especially welcomed regular overseas visitors Helen Storrar (295 parkruns) from Pegwell Bay Kent, and Susan Farmer (95 parkruns ) from Comber, Ireland both who have family in Castlemaine. Members hope they are here long enough to achieve their next milestones in Castlemaine. Welcome to seven first ever parkrunners Flynn Hart, Tom Manderson, Grant Hickey, Hadley Cole, Frankie Chapman, Mary Vieceli, and Dhi Singh.
Going faster isn’t necessary but can be a bonus to just getting around the 5k. Special congratulations to Reece Hodge who achieved a PB of 1 minute whilst pushing two infants around in their pram. They looked very comfortable! Andrew Kraulis, a committed athlete and parkrunner of four years is still running faster and can now run now well under 20 mins for the 5k. Well done also to Laurie Vigor, Travis Leversha, Trent McGregor, Lucy Medley and Sam Gearing all who will have stories to tell about their fastest run ever at Castlemaine Parkrun. Well done to Kerry Calkraft for smiling all the way and also to walkers Sharon Hughes, Nikki Alvery and Hannah White who came to Castlemaine for the weekend and managed to get the 5k walk in together. A significant milestone this week was for Clovis Mpundu for 50 parkruns. Clovis has been a regular Castlemaine participant for three years and has maintained his form the whole time. First women this week were Claire Brien, Piper Marshall and Jodi Oakman. First men were Andronis Ndihokubwayo, Jarred Combe and Andrew Kraulis. Best age graders were David Reidie and Helen Storrar both over 80% of their age group. Volunteers this week were Ronder Clayton, Michael Constable, Dianne Cox,
Bessie Faircloth, Geoff Faircloth, Henry Faircloth, Jane Harding, Pam Joseph, Jodi Oakman and Dave Petrusma. See you all next week.
Castlemaine Parkrun is a weekly, free, timed event held in the Botanical Gardens commencing 8am. It is a participation event for fitness and fun. You can come to walk, run or jog or volunteer. See https://www.parkrun.com.au/castlemaine/ to register and get your barcode.
– Di Cox.
Busy week for Castlemaine bowlers
The Castlemaine Bowling Club congratulates Jack Taylor on reaching the Semi Final in the State Novice Singles.
Jack was the representative for Bendigo Campaspe Region after winning his way through the preliminary games in Bendigo.
A large contingent of bowlers from Castlemaine travelled to Mulgrave Country Club to support Jack in this prestigious event.
In the first game Jack played Paul Lockman (Clayton) representing Sandbelt, winning 21/13.
In the second game Jack defeated Daniel Earl (Traralgon -RSL) Strezlecki won that 21/14.
In the Semi Finals Jack played Joel Clark (City Oval) Ballarat Highlands, this was a very exciting and close game which could have gone either way with both bowlers sitting on the Jack most ends. Unfortunately, Jack went down 18/21. A great effort Jack! Castlemaine and Bendigo Campaspe are very proud of you.
Pennant results
Saturday Pennant saw Division Four win well with all rinks up, this moves them up to fourth position on the ladder, needing to win last game next Saturday to hold their spot. Results were as follows:
Division 1 Premier Castlemaine 54 lost to Kangaroo Flat 111. Scores were Peter Brain 14/29, Greg Brain 19/23, Lachy Darroch 6/29, Rod Phillips 24/17.
Division 4 Castlemaine 111 defeated South Bendigo 56. Mal Stevens 27/17, Maureen Fletcher 28/11, Steve McCoombe 32/11, Rosalie Roberts 24/17.
Division 5 Castlemaine 70 lost at Campbells Creek 79. Peter McKnight 14/19, David Carlin and team won 26/20, Pam Fraser 14/23, Tricia O’Shea 16/17.
Monday Midweek Pennant results were:
Division 2 lost at Woodbury 50/56. Maureen Fletcher 16/23, Pam Hunter 15/15, Steve McCoombe 19/18. Division 2 finished second on the ladder and now have a double chance in the finals.
Division 3 Castlemaine had a good win defeating Woodbury at Castlemaine 68/58. Bruce Miller 26/17, Nina Hufer 23/24, Kathy Parsons 19/17. Division 3 finished third on the ladder. A good result to have both Divisions in the finals.
Pennant teams
Weekend Pennant teams for Saturday, February 18 are:
Division One Castlemaine play Moama at home. Chris Brain, J Taylor, Kevin Shuttleworth, Peter Brain (skip). J Smith, M Diprose, Neil Bouch, Greg Brain (s). B. McConnell, Klai Jermyn, Dallas Klemke, Rod Phillips (s). T Walsh, Kevin Earl, Paul Darroch, Lachy Darroch (s).
Division 4 Castlemaine play Bendigo East away. Don Ross, Alan Nichols, Chris Crossley, Mal Stevens (s). Russell Chapman, H Fleury, B Miller, Maureen Fletcher (s). L Carlin, Alicia Beauchamp, Pam Hunter, Steve McCoombe (s). Alene Jolme, Rod Fletcher, Graham Fraser, C Madgin (s).
Division 5 Castlemaine play Calivil at home. Sandra Grant, Sandra Phillips, W Walsh, P McKnight (s). D Barnett, G McClure, I Devereaux, David Carlin (s). R Fleury, J Hunter, B Chester, P Fraser (s). R Lynas, D Steet, L McClure, T O’Shea (s).
Midweek Pennant teams for the Semi Finals on Monday February 20 are:
Division 2 Castlemaine play Woodbury at Woodbury. Jack Taylor, Rod Fletcher, Chris Crossley, Maureen Fletcher (s). Alene Jolme, Alicia Beauchamp, Rosalie Roberts, Pam Hunter (s). Pat Devereaux, Graham Fraser, Tricia O’Shea, Steve McCoombe (s).
Division 3 Castlemaine play Golden Square at Castlemaine. Sandra Grant, Don Steet, Pam Fraser, Bruce Miller (s). Sandra Phillips, Regina Saville, Charles Madgin, Nina Hufer (s).
Lyndal McClure, Peter Rotteveel, Alan Nicholls, Kathy Parsons (s).
Club News
Castlemaine bowlers have been doing very well in District Tournaments. Kerang held their Classic Triples Tournament on Monday and Tuesday last week, Rod Phillips, Kevin Shuttleworth and Rick Parr were runners-up, a good effort with 120 premier bowlers playing over the two days.
On Sunday Castlemaine had two teams competing at Diggers Rest Bowling Club, Greg Brain, Kevin Shuttleworth, Klai Jermyn and Peter Williams were the winners. Second place went to Peter Brain and son Chris Brain, Paul Darroch and his son Lachy Darroch. A special day with two fathers and their boys runners-up.
Girls on the Green also enjoyed the lovely balmy weather Thursday evening with approximately 30 ladies bowling and catching up with friends in a social atmosphere. Four more weeks to go, Phone Maureen 0417 321 048.
Vigil for Southern Turkey and Northern Syria earthquake victims
The Anglican Parish invites members of the local community to attend a Prayer Vigil for Southern Turkey and Northern Syria this Saturday morning, February 18.
The vigil will be held at 9am at the Anglican Church Labyrinth, cnr Forest and Kennedy Streets, Castlemaine. All are welcome to come and pray for those affected by the devastation of the recent earthquakes.
Donations towards recovery are also welcomed which will be sent to assist those impacted via the Anglican Board of Mission or you can donate directly via www.abmission.org
Tune in to Radio88fm for 150 ‘Oldies and Goodies’
Youth radio station Triple J recently had a hugely popular top 100 day. Not to be outdone our local Seniors radio station, Radio88fm is about to go one better. On Wednesday February 22 they will present their top 150 songs for 2022.
Presenter Ian Braybrook says it is coincidentally in line with the first ever radio show he presented in Central Victoria in 1981. It was a trial program lasting a half hour and broadcast on 3CV
Maryborough.
“I can’t believe it is 42 years ago. At the time we were working to establish pioneer station 3CCC in Castlemaine and a few of us were involved in presenting a half hour show in the downtime late evening slot once a week. We recorded them in a makeshift studio in the old Technical School building. All pretty primitive. The Manager of 3CV was very generous in allowing a potential rival to use their airwaves,” Ian said.
3CCC was the forerunner of all the community radio stations in Central Victoria and it began broadcasting on Anzac Day 1982.
“From those beginnings we now have four community radio stations in the region, KLFM, Phoenixfm, Freshfm and Mainfm, the latter a direct descendent of the 3CCC pioneers beginning as WMAfm in 2006. 3CCC was delicensed following a move to Bendigo some years ago,” Ian said.
“This will be the longest stint I have ever done in my forty plus years of broadcasting – approximately nine hours all up. It will be back to back music from the past, mostly 1950 to 1990, with
no advertising or other promotions. Wall to wall great music interspersed with identifying remarks and little else. We invite people to tune in and we would appreciate their feedback,” Ian said.
Make sure you tune in from 9.05am next Wednesday February 22 at catch the Top 150 on Radio88fm!
Small businesses performing big acts of kindness
The pandemic brought disease, medical masks, fear and uncertainty into our small regional towns. It brought out the best and the worst in people and and for many it completely isolated them from the world. The ongoing impacts on people’s physical and mental health are still being felt across our region and the around world. With rising costs of living and a lack of affordable housing compounding peoples’s daily struggles, it’s more important than ever to treat each other with kindness and respect.
A number of individuals and small businesses in Castlemaine have been working quietly and diligently behind the scenes to provide those in need with a little extra support and relief from their hardships.
Patricia Cridge from Sprout Bakery told the Mail that as an essential business that remained open during COVID-19 the staff were seeing a lot of people who were really needing a place to come and talk.
“Then there was one of those sudden lockdowns and we were left with a lot of bread that businesses could no longer use. We offered it to the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Salvation Army and were told that on any given night there will be 17 people sleeping rough in Castlemaine. That’s how the weekly soup nights started,” said Patricia.
Since that time, Patricia and her staff have served over 5000 bowls of free soup, providing people with nourishment, a community and a listening ear.
“It’s not always people who can’t afford food, but people who are socially isolated, particularly single women and older men,” Patricia noted.
“We’re not trained, but just check in with people.
“With mortgages rising and a lack of affordable housing, we’re seeing a lot of families coming in now too,” Patricia commented.
Sprout has received a lot of community support since they began their free soup Mondays two years earlier, with donations of leftovers from Harvest Fruit and Veg, community members dropping off surplus fruit and vegetables, donations from Harcourt CWA and help from a range of volunteers.
Local artist and published author Trace Balla, who was living alone and feeling isolated during the pandemic, started coming to the soup nights and found great comfort in the company.
“It was nice to have a little family to eat with and to get to know people of all ages, a lot of whom are in similar situations,” said Trace.
Trace decided to write a song about the soup nights, using comments from the participants to inspire her lyrics. With the aid of a musician friend she put the words to a song. They then secretly practiced before performing to those gathered at Sprout for their weekly soup.
“The chorus was, ‘soup tastes sweeter when you eat it with others, sharing soup with your sisters and brothers,” Trace told the Mail.
“And soon everyone was singing along.”
Sprout are not the only business in Castlemaine quietly working behind the scenes to provide dignity to those in our community that are doing it tough.
Livio Lizzul and Carolyn Spencer, owners of Castlemaine Fitness, have been providing free showers to those in need for the past eight years.
“Sometimes its for people who are homeless or others who are struggling,” said Livio
“I’ve been there and done that and what goes around comes around.”
Laura Keogh, owner of Sac’O’Suds Launderette, has also partnered with Orange Sky, a volunteer organisation that helps connect people with regular laundry and shower services. People who are doing it tough, or need some positive connection can chat with the volunteers and access free washing at the local launderette.
“If you are doing it tough, or are just looking for some connection, then bring along your washing, or just yourself to one of our shifts,” Laura said.
“Volunteering with Orange Sky is super easy! You don’t need to be a pro at washing clothes, you just need to love a good yarn, be positive and non-judgement, and a great team player. I am happy to show our volunteers the ropes,” she said.
Sac’O’Suds Launderette located at 231 Barker Street provides free laundry services to those in financial hardship every Thursday from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Sprout Bakery located at the Mill 1/9 Walker Street provide free soup to those in financial hardship every Monday 4.30 pm 6 pm.
Castlemaine Fitness Centre 23A Lyttleton Street. Free shower passes can be accessed at St Vincent’s De Pauls 244 Barker Street.
For more information or to volunteer at Orange Sky visit: orangesky.org.au/.