Seniors Fest: October 1 – 31

This October, Mount Alexander Shire will come alive with a wide variety of events celebrating the shire's seniors. Some of the events to look forward to are: the annual community lunch and mini-expo a...

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Community calls on council for better biodiversity protection

Architect, and environmental activist, Trevor Scott, and members of Harcourt Valley Landcare addressed their concerns about the recent vegetation removal in Diamond Gully Road, McKenzie Hill at Tuesda...

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Bowling over breast cancer

Gay Buchanan is living with Stage 4 breast cancer. Grateful for the support and treatment she has received she is hosting a fundraiser to support the Breast Cancer Network Australia at the Harcourt Bo...

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Mount Alexander Shire Business Awards closing soon!

Boomtown Winery & Bistro owner Tim Sproal, Midland Express/Castlemaine Mail advertising manager Lynda Brew, Community Bank Maldon & District Community Partnerships Lead Sophie Guerin, 2023 category winner and Big 4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park owner Claire Height, Mount Alexander Shire Council Tourism, Marketing and Development Officer Jessica McNamara and Economic Development Coordinator Daniel Bone encourage local businesses to nominate for this year's awards.
Boomtown Winery & Bistro owner Tim Sproal, Midland Express/Castlemaine Mail advertising manager Lynda Brew, Community Bank Maldon & District Community Partnerships Lead Sophie Guerin, 2023 category winner and Big 4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park owner Claire Height, Mount Alexander Shire Council Tourism, Marketing and Development Officer Jessica McNamara and Economic Development Coordinator Daniel Bone encourage local businesses to nominate for this year's awards.

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting local businesses to share their story and nominate for the 2025 Mount Alexander Business Awards.
The awards celebrate the people and enterprises that drive positive change in our local economy – through innovation, care, sustainability and community connection.
The 2025 award categories include:
– Outstanding Workplace
– Sustainability Hero
– NextGen Champion
– Local Food Excellence
– Accessibility Champion
– Community Impact
– Innovation and Technology
– People’s Choice
– Business of the Year
Council’s Manager Economy and Culture Merryn Tinkler said every business has a story and this is their chance to tell it.
“The awards are not about being the biggest or loudest – they’re about recognising the impact local businesses have in shaping a thriving and inclusive shire,” she said.
The entry process is straightforward and designed to be accessible to all.
Businesses are encouraged to speak in their own voice – no need for perfect wording or polished imagery. What matters is sharing what drives your work, how you support your team and community, and what makes your business unique.
An independent judging panel will assess submissions and develop a shortlist of businesses for site visits. Finalists will be selected based on both the written entry and the insights gathered during visits.
Council encourages all businesses to consider entering, noting that the process itself can be a valuable opportunity for reflection and recognition.
To be considered for any award category – including People’s Choice or the overall Business of the Year – businesses must submit an official entry form. This is required even for those nominated by the public.
Entries close this Sunday September 21.
The awards ceremony this year will be held on Wednesday November 19 at Boomtown Winery & Bistro at The Mill, Castlemaine.
To enter or find out more, visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Business-Awards.
For further information, contact Daniel Bone, Economic Development Coordinator, on 5471 1700 or email d.bone@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Castlemaine Historical Society event blends history, humour, and hospitality at the Old Gaol

Pip Cleaves from Global Village Learning is pictured with some of the Castlemaine Historical Society Team

The Castlemaine Historical Society Inc's event at the Old Castlemaine Gaol Precinct last Saturday September 13 has been hailed a great success. The event drawing an enthusiastic crowd to hear fascinat...

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New look for NAB

The National Australia Bank team are thrilled with the transformation of the historic branch building.

The National Australia Bank Castlemaine has had a makeover. The historic bank building closed its doors last September 12 at 12.30pm before a works team came in and spent the weekend transforming the ...

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Historic relic goes under the hammer

Bendigo Auctions contacted the Mail earlier this week to share the story of the acquisition of a unique brass hand bell which is featured in their current online auction. The bell, picked up a local e...

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More than just roads, rates and rubbish

Cr Rosalie Hastwell said she believed the councillors, who had varied backgrounds and experience, had struck a good balance across the five focus areas of: Communities, Natural Environments, Infrastru...

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My Castlemaine – Ulrike Barbara von Radickevich (Pt. Two)

The first installment of Ulrike two-part interview was published in last week's edition of the Mail on Friday, September 12. A regular holiday maker in Australia, Ulrike enjoyed travelling downunder f...

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Hundreds call for tax to be scrapped

Anyone driving into Bendigo on Sunday morning could have been forgiven for thinking that a major emergency was unfolding. But the steady stream of CFA tankers with lights flashing as they made their w...

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Back-to-back wins for Goldfields FC

Matthew Parkhill Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club men's Melbourne Metro Div 3 side has secured back-to-back league championships and inter-league grand final wins with a 3-2 finish against East Be...

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Friday, September 9, 2025

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