At the end of 2021, Justin and his partner Melanie purchased a large property in Shelbourne in the hopes of turning the place into a retreat for themselves and their six kids. The property of almost 50 acres has no town-supplied water, no electricity, or utilities of any kind but this did not deter the pair, excited at the prospect of being self-reliant and surrounded by veggie gardens, fruit trees, chickens, and possibly a few cows.
They knew it would be a huge job, doing everything from scratch, but were excited by the challenge of creating a welcoming place where they could retire and their adult children could come to get away from it all.
Then in early 2022, the couple found out about the plans for the quarry.
“When we got here in the summer of 2021 I had started making plans,” Justin said.
“I looked at all the things around me, the grasses that were growing, the fences, the water, the soil… everything was going to be hard, everything was like starting from scratch, but everything was doable, I was ready… just not ready for this.”
Justin and Melanie first heard about the quarry from a local man involved with the local Landcare group. Justin had asked him to come to the property and talk about the farm and make plans for the future. When Justin asked whether digging a bore would be a possibility the man responded, “Well they’re going to dig a quarry in the hills behind you, so any water you find will likely disappear after they do.”
Since then, Justin and Melanie have spent countless hours getting up to speed on the proposed quarry, including meetings with Mawson’s staff about the facility and the impact it will have on their property and the nearby community.
The quarry is estimated to reach 5000,000 tonnes of rock per annum at the peak of operations and has a life span of between 70 and 100 years. Local residents have raised a number of issues at public meetings regarding property values, noise, potential impacts on the supply of surface and groundwater, ecology, and others which are being addressed by Mawson’s.
One of the most recent pieces of information garnered by Justin and Melanie is the truck route of the proposed quarry will include travel to Maldon along Bridgewater-Maldon Road with approximately 120 trips in and out each day.
“It’s my opinion that this development will now bring a significant increase of heavy vehicle traffic to Maldon residents, and I suspect that not many people will be aware of this new route from the Blue Hills Quarry,” stated Justin.
“As far as I am concerned, at the very least this latest change requires a broader consultation with residents who could be affected by the heavy vehicle traffic. Needless to say, moving 50 per cent of heavy truck traffic through a historic township will have a major impact on everyone including retail operators, and will no doubt likely affect tourism.”
The Mail spoke to Mawson’s Resource Manager Cheryl Ward who indicated that they are currently in the process of finalising the ecology surveys and are hoping to submit the application to the government and host a community information session by the end of July.
“The trucks will travel through Maldon with 60 trucks travelling northeast and southeast each day,” Cheryl said.
“So far we have been conducting community consultation with people who are living within a 5km radius of the quarry. The impacts nearby residents will experience are going be different to residents in Maldon and are related to dust and noise etcetera.
“The response we’ve had from residents has been pretty good on the whole, particularly from long-term residents,” noted Cheryl.
Proposed quarry unearths concerns
Events grants awarded
Mount Alexander Shire Council is pleased to announce that 17 local events will share in $33,000 in grants to activate the shire in the coming months.
Council’s Events Grants program supports local groups that are running public and community-oriented events.
Events funded this round will support a variety of cultural, artistic, and community programs to take place before the end of 2023.
Projects to receive funding include the Castlemaine Kindergarten Fete, the Maldon Fire Garden, Run the Maine, the Castlemaine Farmers Market, and more.
Live music events supported by funding through the program include the Castlemaine Folk Festival, the Resonance String Orchestra’s annual orchestral concerts, and the Goldfields Piping Weekend Headline Concert.
There will also be a special summer party for young people at Castlemaine’s creative space and events venue, Lot19.
Other events to benefit from the funding include the Commemoration of the 1851 Monster Meeting of Diggers at Chewton, an information evening exploring neurodiversity, the Goldfields Gothic Festival in Maldon, reuse and repair workshops at the Good Op Shop, and a community dance-off with the event Hot Moves. No Pressure.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Venues and Events Coordinator Todd O’Brien said council received a strong selection of applications this round, including both annual and new events.
“Mount Alexander Shire is renowned for its vibrant program of events, and we’re really pleased we can continue to support that,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Local events benefit our community in so many ways. They help bring our community together, support the visitor economy, and are a whole lot of fun to get along to and be part of.”
To read the full list of funded events, visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Grants.
The next round of Events Grants opens on August 7, 2023.
For more information, contact the Venues and Events team on 5471 1700 or email events@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
My Castlemaine- Neil Barrett
Hi Neil, can you tell us a bit about your early years?
I spent the first two years of my life in Keilor. When my father came back from the war we moved to a dairy farm in Ballarat. We had horses and carts to carry the milk and from the age of 10, until I left home at 19, I looked after the horses. I went to Melbourne University where I studied economics for eight years. When I finished my studies I was conscripted, but I failed my medical due to old football injuries, which I was very pleased about, especially as I was involved with opposing the Vietnam War.
You spent some time travelling in South East Asia and India, what was that like?
I was 27 and stayed in a Buddhist meditation retreat in India for six months. One day this Canadian guy, a lapsed doctor, said I had a dirty, big lump in my neck and I should get it seen too. I had my thyroid taken out at Bombay Hospital, but in the end, I was so exhausted that I had to come home to the care of my loving parents. After I recovered I went to Nimbin and stayed in Tuntable Falls at co-op for a year. There are quite a few people in Castlemaine who were there at that time. We lived in tents, gardened, played music, and swam. It was a marvelous lifestyle. I played piano in a band called Smiling Ruth and the Backward Boys which became quite popular.
When did you get more involved in environmental work?
After Nimbin, I came back to Melbourne and became the State Coordinator of Friends of the Earth. That was in 1975-1976. We worked 12-14 hour days working on uranium mining. We had energy then. We lived in primitive circumstances around Carlton and were paid $30 a week. I did that for 18 months. Then my wife Heather and I became involved in making environmental kits for schools. We bought four acres in Castlemaine, where we raised our three girls and at first, we ran our business out of 20 old concrete duck sheds on the property that we had fixed up. It was a very busy life. We had Environment Audiovisuals for 25 years.
Later, Heather, myself, and a few others started Mt Alexander Sustainability Group. In 2002 we bought the old closed-down pub and used it as an office. We then renovated and turned it into the Hub, which was a great pleasure to run and was always full of good tenants.
We also set up the Mount Alexander Solar Homes which helped set up over 1000 systems and was sold to Central Vic Greenhouse Alliance.
Oh and I nearly forgot, Heather and I have both been awarded OAMs in 2020 for our environmental work.
Tell us about The Paddock Eco Village- when did that begin?
We began work on The Paddock in 2015 and it really brought together everything we’ve been doing on the environmental scene. There are 26 houses and a big garden complex and a community space. It should be finished for us by May next year. At the moment there are 20 people, ranging in age from three to 83, living in 15 houses. People get along so well and enjoy being among like-minded people. The buildings hardly use any energy except for solar, which is being exported back into the grid.
As a long-time environmentalist do you have hope or worry about the future?
I feel so much frustration. While the government is much better than it was, they are still allowing new fossil fuel projects. Unless we take very serious action now and stop using fossil fuels we are going to have to adapt to many changes, like the risk of having 50-degree days to deal with.
What are you reading at the moment?
Humanity’s Moment written by Joelle Gergis, a climate scientist. In the book, she expresses strong emotions about what is happening to the world.
What other interests do you have?
I do a lot of cycling and I’ve been writing; memoirs and family history.
What philosophies do you live life by?
What I jokingly call the three C’s: Kindness, courage, and curiosity.
Who are your three dream dinner guests?
Tongerlongeter, the leader of the black resistance in Tasmania. Alexei Navalny who opposed Putin and is now in jail. Oscar Peterson, the greatest jazz pianist. If I could choose a fourth it would be Maurice Rioli the greatest centre man of all time.
What genres of music do you like listening to?
Jazz and classical. I like to play jazz on the piano. I made a CD in 2022 called Rags, Boogie, and Honky Tonk: Warts and All, with an emphasis on the warts!
What do you love most about the place you call home?
The wonderful range of people. I’m constantly bowled over by how many people with interesting backgrounds live here. And the environment. I cycle all around Castlemaine and it’s a delightful and interesting environment to be in.
Take a look back at the Anglican Church on Agitation Hill
Circa 1900
This photograph looking South East along Mostyn Street from Kennedy Street shows the Castlemaine Christ Church Anglican on Agitation Hill. The hill in Mostyn Street was originally as high as the church building but the road was cut down in the second half of the 1800s to its present level, leaving the building high and dry on the hill. As a consequence the large stone wall visible was erected to support the cutting and the church. The foundation stone of this stone building was laid in February 1854 and officially opened on February 21, 1858, and it was later extended to include a sanctuary and vestry in 1892. On the stone wall facing Mostyn Street is a small plaque to commemorate one of the very early European visitors to the site, John Hepburn who camped on the hill on April 17, 1838.
2023
The present day structure of the church has barely changed in the approximately 130 odd years since the earlier photograph was taken, except that the whole area on the Mostyn Street side of the church has been covered with a large variety of trees scrubs and gardens.
Modern day safety features also line the top of the cut on the church property. Part of the retaining wall on Mostyn Street that collapsed in recent times has now been replaced and is ready to last another 100 years. Information and photos courtesy of Ken McKimmie author of Chewton Then and Now.
Castlemaine Goldfields kick off 2023 season
Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club’s Competitive Junior (U12-U16) season got underway last Saturday April 22 with opening games at Chewton as well as away across the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League. For the second consecutive season the Chewton based club have been able to field 15 teams with five of those across the Girls competitions and at least a single teams in every age group from U10s to U16s.
At home at Chewton the Castlemaine Goldfields club hosted three opening round games with U12 Black, U14 Matildas Green and U14 Gold all taking to the field.
For round two Castlemaine will host seven games at home, including the start of the Non Competitive Junior (U10s) season while the Women and Girls teams will be heading to Epsom for Female Football round and a big day of celebrating the Female game in our region.
To follow the Goldfields Junior fixtures for the season you can head to the BASL website.
Small Sided
Castlemaine Goldfields program aimed at kids ages 5 through to 9 starts up again on Friday May 5. Limited spots are still available before we open up a waiting list for this ever popular fun packed program that will once again run across Terms 2 and 3. For more information email cgfcsecretary@gmail.com
Seniors & Youth
Goldfields Senior Women and Youth squads both enjoyed wins in round three of their BASL competitions. The Women came away with a huge 14-0 win over a depleted Golden City Women’s squad for their second win of the season after a 6-0 away to Swan Hill in round 2. As part of Female Football Week the Women along with other female sides from the club will all play their games at Epsom on Saturday April 29. The Women will face off against Kyneton in a top of the table Derby at 1pm
Earlier in the day Castlemaine’s Youth team also took out a convincing 10-3 win to Golden City. After going in 3-3 at half-time a red card for Golden City around the 60 minute mark saw a further 5 goals come for the ‘Prospect’s as they took their first win for the season.
The Senior season kicked off with the Men’s (Reserves) in Div 7 Metro North West against Swinburne Uni. A new look squad sees a handful of players from last season plus a new group from Castlemaine new residents from the Solomon Islands, all on debut. So this was the first true test. Also on debut was coach Steve Peterson. Maine started positively from the beginning, moving forward at every opportunity. Mid way through the first half the defence won the ball at the back and immediately launched a counter attack. With the ball played out wide to Gianluca he zoomed past his opponent and then angled in on goal. The keeper came out to him but he finished past him tidily to make it 1-0.
The second half started brightly for Maine and we looked in control. Unfortunately they struggled to string passes together and couldn’t capitalise on that control. Swinburne began to push forward and take some risks. A couple of good balls over the top of the Maine defence saw their strikers seize on a couple of opportunities but luckily they were narrowly wide, Paul O’Connor in goals applying the all important pressure. Through the second half it took a piece of individual brilliance from Gianluca again to extend the margin. Playing wide on the left he cut inside. He weighed up the options for a cross but decided to back himself and go for the shot. It cannoned into the top right corner. 2-0.
The central midfield continued to be dominated by Goldfields FC, ensuring that Swinburne couldn’t gather any meaningful momentum. Instead Maine created a number of further chances. Kane Parker went narrowly over the top with his shot and then Barnabas continued to pepper the Swinburne keeper with shots. Carlos Billy worked hard out wide and tried to get balls into the box and our defenders at the back held strongly alongside Ashay, with some resolute defending.
The whistle went and the Maine had prevailed.
Week 2 will see the Goldfields team travel to Reservoir United.
In Div 5 North West the first were on the road against Birrarung FC, in a replay of last seasons final game which resulted in a 3 all draw.
After a comprehensive preseason but with a much changed line up, Castlemaine started brightly and had the majority of possession. Birrarung were dangerous on the counter, with pace up front and out wide, as a result Castlemaine soon found themselves 2-0 behind against the run of play.
The Maine intensified their attack, winning the midfield battles, and started to create chances of their own. However, It wasn’t until a fortuitous handball decision in the box, leading to Ollie Gunter scoring from the penalty spot for Castlemaine to pull one back. It stayed this way till half time.
A few stern words and a slight change of tactics after half time meant that more goals were to come. First Michael Jones scored from a free kick to make it 2 all, and Jerome Time finished nicely on his debut for the Maine, to make it 3-2. Next week sees the Men away to West Point Soccer Club.
Mick wins Una Mills Cup
Castlemaine Rifle Club members contested the ‘Una Mills Cup’ on Saturday. The event was run the previous week but the second range was washed out and the event cancelled.
Last Saturday was a very pleasant autumn day with a light breeze and some mirage. The biggest problem was the difficult hazy sight picture which caused most shooters to lose points. The trophy was donated back in 2010 by the family of Una Mills. Una was the wife of long time captain John Mills and was herself a great shot. She did a massive amount of work helping to build the club into the successful club it is today.
At the first range, 600 yards, in ‘Target Rifle’ Richard Ruddick scored 46.0 to lead Greg Brown with 44.1. In ‘F Class’ Darren Trevena led with 57.1 from James Dolphin with 51.1.
Brad McIntosh was the leader in ‘F Open’ with 56.4 from Peter Svelzle with 44.0.
Moving back to 700 yards sighting was difficult. In Target Rifle Greg Brown had the best score of 45.0 followed by Chris Jolme with 44.. In F Class Mick Goritchan scored 59.0 to lead Darren Trevena with 53.0.
Brad McIntosh again had the best sore being 59.0 in F Open followed by Peter Svelzle with 41.0
The winner is determined by an unusual handicap system. Last year Chris Jolme won from Mick Goritchan. This year the winner was Mick Goritchan an F Class shooter. This was the first time Mick had won the event. Second place went to Darren Trevena with James Dolphin was not far behind.
Both shooters also compete in ‘F Class’. The club thanks Una’s family for their continued support.
This Saturday is the sixth stage of the Club Championship to be shot over 500 and 600 yards.
The competition will need to start at 1pm as the light fades quickly at this time of year.
For more on the sport of big bore rifle shooting call the captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.
Magpies valiant
The Magpies Senior Men’s Footballers put on a spirited performance against Gisborne last Saturday, keeping within four goals at half time. It was an improvement on previous years’ with the Magpies fighting hard through all terms, Gisborne kicking away in the final minutes.
The Magpie Netball sides battled equally hard on court with a standout performance by young goal attack Emma Winfield in A Grade. The side falling just eight goals short against the Bulldogs.
The Magpie Women’s Footballers kicked off their 2023 season with a massive 235 point win over the North Bendigo Women on Sunday.
Tonight, April 28 from 7.15pm the Magpie Women’s Footballers will play their first home fixture against Eaglehawk at the Camp Reserve, and tomorrow, April 29 the Magpie BFNL sides will host Strathfieldsaye.
A magical Parkrun
Castlemaine Parkrun held another great event last Saturday with 124 people taking to the track for a run, walk, or
stroll of the required three laps of our beautiful Botanical Gardens course.
Joe McNeill was the first across in a new PB of 19:48 and he was followed by John Gray, a Castlemaine ‘First Timer’ but parkrun veteran on 20:34 – Joe has 214 events under his belt which is impressive at whatever speed. Next across was Johnny Horrocks, again in a new PB at 20:42.
The first of our female participants to finish was Melissa McGauran in her first ever Castlemaine run at 23:21 and in only her ninth ever run. She was followed by Keely Williams on 24:16 and Bec Percoco just three seconds slower and in a new PB too.
While there were too many ‘First timers’ to individually mention, as in their first time at our event, we should note Gabriel O’Sullivan who ran a terrific 24:25 in his first ever parkrun. He was followed across by Jason Cordy in 24:23, Jen Hendry in 26:02, Abel Davies in 27:08, Helen Ashwell at 32:18, Simone McInerny at 46:02, Jackie Brierley at 50:04, Peter McConvill on 58:46, and Simone Woodrow on 1:03:33 in her first ever event.
This is something to celebrate, the arrival of eight new participants to the parkrun community and we’d like to see each of them become regulars to what is a fantastic community event.
These numbers were augmented by another 20 people who attended our event for the first time, having notched up events at other venues.
By way of contrast, we saw Paul David Sales notch up his 383rd event and Margaret Ann Sales her 381st – a remarkable effort by a couple of parkrun devotees.
Of interest is that of the 18 Personal Bests recorded, the vast majority were gained by relative newcomers, typically people with less than 10 parkruns under their belt.
The volunteer contingent, upon which so much depends was made up of Robyn English, Donna Faircloth, Geoff Faircloth, Marilla Faircloth, Quinn Faircloth, Jane Harding, Ross Jarvis, Dave Petrusma, and Jeff Rogers who got the show on the road – and kept it there. Jane, it should be noted, doubled up as the day’s Run Director and volunteer wrangler – ‘Great Job!’. Castlemaine Parkrun is very well served by its volunteers and in particular the Run Directors who do so much behind the scenes.
If you’d like to join our friendly parkrun community, just register online, turn up for the briefing a bit
before 8am and set off on your own parkrun adventure. We’d love to see you there.
Celebrate at Castlemaine Pride Week
Castlemaine Pride returns in 2023 and not even its founders could have imagined its phenomenal expansion. From a single afternoons picnic in 2018, the community-led festival has grown into a week-long celebration of the culture, history, creativity, and determination of the LGBTQIA+ community in Mount Alexander Shire.
The first Castlemaine Pride picnic was held as an act of healing after the dark days of the marriage equality debate. Since then, the LGBTQIA+ community has had some significant wins, but at a high cost; a cost the community — and trans and gender diverse people in particular — are still paying. Through it all, Castlemaine Pride has continued to flourish.
“There is a staggering amount of backlash directed towards the queer community at the present moment of time,” says Castlemaine Pride co-founder Sherene Clow (she/her).
“Crazy, hateful stuff like anti-trans rallies. But the way we overcome that as a community is with our joy. And so what we’re aiming for in this year’s Castlemaine Pride is the loudest, proudest, most joyful celebration of the diversity that our queerness brings to the world,” commented Sherene.
To that end, Pride-goers can enjoy a program that includes talks, tennis, cinema, live music, drag, a scavenger hunt, and a dance party.
Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond will also be bringing their famous clothes swap back to Castlemaine Town Hall on Sunday, April 30.
“Safe and affirming spaces are important,” says Event Organiser Zara Jones (she/they).
“But safe and affirming spaces where people can have a great time are essential, and generally, when we come together as a community, that’s exactly what happens.”
The flagship event of the festival is still the Castlemaine Pride Picnic, which will kick off proceedings on Saturday, April 29 at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens from 11 am until 5 pm. The picnic — as with the majority of events in the festival — is free to attend, with food trucks and entertainment laid on. This year the lineup includes performances from Cath Jamison, Australia’s leading female magician and mentalist, and Polly Filla, the Goldfields’ own drag icon, as well as the ever-popular Petstock Dog Show.
Always a family-friendly event, this year there will be some extra special entertainment for the kiddos courtesy of The Connected Circus.
Castlemaine Pride has been made possible largely through the hard work of volunteers, who have put in hundreds of hours to make it a reality. When asked why, volunteer Rani
Kerrin (she/her) comments, “It’s a labour of love, and the reward is a LGBTQIA+ community that’s thriving and vibrant.”
For more information or to download the full program of events visit: www.castlemainepride.org.au.
Local legend to feature
Local actor John Flaus stars in the newest feature film Mr Cripes Blimey screening at the Northern Arts Hotel next month. The offering has been written and directed by Saidin Salkic.
The film explores the many spheres of mood and excitement, hitting strong and hard and introducing audiences to a character and a story yet inexperienced by the Australian film public. The hero is desperate, aged, and enchanted by the forest he is in and by his magic clock which is making him younger. He is desperate to win the horse race and he wants to collect his money desperately.
“I want my money desperately, I want to claim my money, desperately,” screams Mr Cripes Blimey.
He celebrates his ‘regrowing’ hair in the mirror, as his reverse clock starts to make him feel younger. He is unsure as he faces the mirror, with honesty, delusion, and fear.
Mr Cripes Blimey is: “…starting to feel strange”.
The forest has surrounded him and he can not find his way out. His desperation grows and his will is keeping him strong. What audiences don’t know yet; it is Mr Cripes Blimey’s birthday today.
The film will be screening at the Cool Room at Northern Arts Hotel at 5.30pm on Sunday, May 14.
Local artist honouring our Diggers
The Central Goldfields Art Gallery’s latest exhibition – IMMORTALS– featuring the work of Castlemaine artist Clayton Tremlett will be officially opened by Councillor Geoff Lovett this Saturday at 2pm.
Immortals is an exhibition that brings together a portrait study of the faces of 54 Digger memorials throughout the State of Victoria. Through his comparative portrait study of the Digger memorials, Tremlett provides us with an opportunity to focus on cenotaphs to fallen soldiers in World War I.
This is the first ever visual record of Victorian Digger memorials which took four years of research by local artist and restoration expert of historic monuments.
The result of Tremlett’s extensive research shows that each Digger Cenotaph is a unique individual and not just mass-produced generic faces as may be assumed by the onlooker.
This study celebrates and connects a shared history for regional communities. The series invites the community to reflect on a time when Australia was a fledgling nation that answered a request to send troops to a war in foreign countries.
Presented just after ANZAC Day, the exhibition also provides the opportunity for audiences to focus on the Maryborough memorial situated in McLandress Square just a few minutes walk from Central Goldfields Art Gallery.
The sculptor of the Maryborough memorial was the remarkable Margaret Baskerville (1861- 1930) who is known as Australia’s first female sculptor. The Maryborough Womens’ Patriotic League campaigned for Baskerville to sculpt Maryborough’s memorial.
Despite opposition, they were successful and the Maryborough Memorial was dedicated in 1926 with the support of the council.
Tremlett visited and documented all of the monuments depicted in this exhibition. With most of the monuments facing east, the artist was often onsite at sunrise to capture images of the faces of the Diggers in these memorials in the light of the rising sun. Each monument was digitally photographed between 80 and 120 times with one selected image transformed via digital editing software. The image was then separated into five tonal (grey) layers and produced as a screen print that resembles a WW1 studio portrait.
Clayton Tremlett’s artwork is represented in collections around Australia including the National Gallery of Australia, Geelong Art Gallery and the State Library of Victoria.
Refreshments will be provided at the opening and the community and visitors to the region are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The exhibition will be on display until June 11, 2023.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery is situated at 1 Neill Street, Maryborough. The gallery is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm and entrance is free.
The exhibition will also feature a Art History Tour next Sunday May 7, an Artist’s Talk on Sunday May 14 and an Art Talk by Barbara Nielsen on May 18.
For more information visit www.centralgoldfieldsartgallery.com.au
Anzac Day crowds pause to remember
Community members turned out in force at Anzac Day services across the local region on Tuesday April 25.
A huge crowd gathered to honour our Anzacs at the Castlemaine dawn service followed by another sizeable crowd at the main service.
The Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band led marchers from the Castlemaine Town Hall along a new reversed route down Hargraves Street and into Mostyn Street to the cenotaph. Marchers included ex-service personnel and family representatives, Castlemaine Returned & Services League (RSL) and Legacy members, CFA and SES personnel, local Scouts and Girl Guides, school students and the mayor Rosie Annear.
The crowd was welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Alan Lane who gave an acknowledgement of Country and oversaw the mounting of the ‘Cenotaph Guard’ of local Scouts and Guides.
Mr Lane said the Anzac Day tradition was not a time for the glorification of war but for sombre reflection.
“The sight of so many graves (crosses) reminds us of the terrible cost of war and, of course, the tragedy of so many young lives lost did not end there. The pain of their loss lived on in the hearts of all those who loved these sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, and friends. While war may at times be unavoidable Anzac Day is a time to remind us of the preciousness of peace,” he said.
Mr Lane also spoke of the Pacific War campaign in Papua New Guinea and the bravery of the Papua New Guinea people which risked their own lives to protect our troops, the 50th anniversary of the cessation of the Vietnam War and the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.
“Forty Australians are still listed as Missing in Action in Korea,” he said.
“As we look around us at the sacrifices that those who lay here made despair must not be our tribute to them, rather as we consider the enormity of their sacrifice let us remember that their true and lasting legacy is the freedoms that we continue to enjoy to this day,” he said.
The Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band then performed a stirring rendition of the Highland Cathedral.
Alan then welcomed RSL president John Whiddon to the podium.
John acknowledged the recent 100th birthday milestone of WWII Corporal Maisie Douglas the oldest local service member.
John also shared the inspirational story of Royal New Zealand Airforce pilot Vance Drummond who served in the Korean War and survived interment as a prisoner of war before later serving in the Vietnam War and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Emma Sayer and the Thompson’s Foundry Band then performed the hymn ‘Oh God Our Help in Ages Past’ before Mount Alexander Mayor Cr Rosie Annear gave her address.
Cr Annear acknowledged that the ceremony was being held on Dja Dja Wurrung country and honoured our elders past, present and emerging and all those indigenous people who served and continue to service in Australian military forces.
“I’d also like to acknowledge and honour the sacrifices made by all members of our armed forces – those who paid the ultimate price, those who returned with scars both seen and unseen, spoken and unspoken, and to all those family members and friends who waited at home for all their loved ones gone to war who supported our service members through good times and bad. We thank you for your service,” she said.
Local singer and musician Maggie Jackson then shared a beautiful moving tribute to our Diggers with a performance of Lee Kernaghan’s ‘Spirit of the Anzacs’ which acknowledges that those who so bravely fought and died for our country and the freedoms we enjoy today were everyday Australians – a farmer, a drover, a city lad.
Castlemaine Secondary College School Captains Laura Smolak and Lucie Price also spoke sharing their thoughts on Anzac Day.
“My speech today is inspired by one of my favourite novels Gallipoli Street. As I read I realised how blindsided the Anzacs were, just pawns in a game of chess for the politicians of the world. A number, a statistic, not treated as the sons, husbands and fathers they were,” Laura said.
“As they sailed away from home some thought it would be a trip away, a chance to go and weed out the Turks in a week or so and return home heroes. They didn’t know they were sailing into an awaiting ambush. Two thousand men, some even younger than I, died on that first day at Gallipoli,” she said.
Community representatives then took the chance to lay wreaths at the cenotaph which was surrounded by a sea of little white crosses honouring each service person from our local region which has served our country in conflict and peace keeping missions since World War I.
RSL president John Whiddon then led the crowd in the citing of the Ode to Fallen Comrades before a member of the Thompson’s Foundry Band sounded out the Last Post and community members observed a minute’s silence in remembrance.
Emma Sayer and the Thompson’s Foundry Band then rounded out the service with performances of God Save the King, Advance Australia Fair and God Defend New Zealand.
Those in attendance were invited to join the RSL for morning tea and an Anzac biscuit to follow the service.
Anzac Day Services also took place at Campbells Creek, Chewton, Maldon, Newstead, and Harcourt and last Saturday an Anzac Day match was also contested between Campbells Creek and Carisbrook with Anzac Medals awarded to the Best on Ground and Court on the day.
Maldon Brass Band leads marchers to the cenotaph. 
Colin Peake served in Vietnam, Ray Lindstrom – wearing his father’s medals, and Gordon Tigg who served in Korea are pictured at the Maldon Anzac Day Service. 
Maldon Primary School students pay their respects at the Maldon cenotaph. 
George Milford pays tribute to the fallen at Harcourt’s afternoon Anzac Day service. 
Master of Ceremonies Alan Lane addresses the large crowd gathered at the Castlemaine cenotaph. 
Chewton community members gather to pay their respects at Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park. Photo: Max Lesser. 
Thompson’s Foundry Band perform at the Castlemaine Anzac Day service.
