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
Grab a bargain at the Castlemaine Lions Club Swap Meet
Affordable regional train fares
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.
Community support for ‘The Voice’
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.
My Chewton: Edna Preece
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.
Harcourt tennis side celebrates
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!
Fabulous fun at CDTA tennis grand finals
Castlemaine and District Tennis Association Junior Grand Finals were battled out in spirited competition at the Lawn Tennis Courts last Saturday March 18.
In Junior A Grade Castlemaine Rogue Four, Captained by Arlo Vellacott, took out a well-fought Grand Final 4 matches to 2 over Castlemaine Kelpies, Captained by Max Henderson.
In Junior B Grade Castlemaine Bandits, Captained by Madeleine Lane and backed up by Zeno d’Evie prevailed also 4 matches to 2 over Newstead Kangaroos, Captained by Will Garsed with Xavier and Sophia Britt backing him up.
Junior C was the Grand Final with the most fabulous fun. A special six player against six player format was adopted to give all regular players a game. The last match lead to much excitement with all players from both teams, and many parents and supporters, cheering loudly at every point. The match was a close as can be. Castlemaine Stars, Captained by Lucina Kaptein Gringel, won the narrowest of victories over Maldon Masters, Captained by Wilbur Carr and Elsa Curran. The result was 5 matches 13 sets to 4 matches 12 sets.
The President of CDTA, Leigh Campbell and the Senior Vice President, Margaret Grant presented Premiers and Runners-Up medallions to all participants, and some brand new shields which Margaret had arranged.
All parents and supporters loudly clapped, being very happy at the conclusion of a top level fun season of CDTA Junior Tennis.
Drawn and mixed pairs champs decided at Harcourt
Harcourt Bowling Club Men’s and Ladies’ Champion Pairs and 100-Up competitions are all still in play with the final outcomes to be completed within the next couple of weeks.
Jackpot bowls social games have been moved to Wednesday afternoons commencing at 1pm. All bowlers welcome and the club ask that you have your names in at the club before 12.30pm to allow time for the draw and commence at 1pm.
The Sponsors Night which was scheduled for last Tuesday was postponed because of the forecast rain and thunderstorm.
Gough Drawn Pairs
The Men’s (Gough) Drawn Pairs were played on Wednesday March 15.
It was another perfect evening for bowling. Teams were drawn to play three games of eight ends with the evening finishing with a meal prepared and served by the lady members. The overall winners on the night were John Grant and Barry Marsh.
Grant Mixed Three Bowl Pairs
A full field of 18 teams competed in the Annual Grant Mixed Pairs last Saturday, March 18. The gusty wind and the heat provided a challenge for the bowlers who all competed in great spirit; playing three games of eight ends with three bowls amid much laughter and showed some surprising competition. This day is proudly supported by the Grant family in memory of Charlie and Freda Grant, founding members and long time bowlers at the Harcourt Bowling Club. The winning team was Phil Clarke and Judy Ewing, with Diane and Barry Marsh finishing second.
GALLERY: Castlemaine Idyll 2023
Music lovers of all ages once again gathered at the Lot 19 arts precinct last Saturday March 18 for Castlemaine Idyll 2023. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Gallery photos are available to purchase as prints or digital downloads via our photo purchase form.
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Dive into the moshpit this weekend at the Castlemaine State Festival!
The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival kicks off today with a huge opening night party under the Western Reserve Big Top with Frente!
If you missed out on tickets for the opening don’t despair as there are a myriad of events to enjoy over the 17-day extravaganza including the premiere of Punctum’s Maloya Moshpit. Award-winning Castlemaine live arts organisation Punctum will premiere new work ‘Maloya Moshpit’ as part of Castlemaine State Festival and FRAME: a biennial of dance with four very special shows at The Castlemaine Goods Shed this weekend, March 25 and 26.
Maloya Moshpit bursts with the evolutionary influence of Creole culture arising from Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
In a live mash up of dance, music, percussion, and song, Maloya Moshpit invites audiences to a collective act of creolisation where cultural collision blooms in a performance petri dish. Synching Creole performance born of resistance, with House music and dance, street procession and flash gatherings, each night performers and audiences uplift each other and give rise to a new performance form.
Maloya Moshpit combines the supreme performance prowess of Réunion /Australian Maloya expert – Muriel Hillion Toulcanon and Creole musicians and singers, with Punctum’s international renown for bold, live performance in collaboration with some of our region’s top performers, music makers, and electronic maestros.
Punctum’s artistic director Jude Anderson says from once covert struggles to public revelry and joy, Maloya Moshpit is a cultural quaking, mixing, and morphing that celebrates collective connection and shift.
“It offers a glimpse of who we might become and how we might arrive there together. Whether observing, hyping, or moving around, for every leap we take in the Maloya Moshpit together, we grow wings as a people,” Anderson said.
Maloya Moshpit has been created with the generous support of collaborating partners Dancehouse, the Community Impact Foundation, Goods Shed Arts FURTHER Residency and Creative Victoria.
The performances will feature this Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and 5pm. Bookings via castlemainefestival.com.au
Castlemaine State Festival exhibitions to be launched at CAM
Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) invites the community to come along tonight to celebrate the opening of two major exhibitions presented as part of the 2023 Castlemaine State Festival.
Join them for the opening of David Rosetzky’s highly anticipated Air to Atmosphere and For the Love of Song by local printmaker David Frazer tonight, Friday March 24 from 6.30pm.
Air to Atmosphere explores the diversity, trauma, resilience, and pride of the LGBTQIA+ community.
David 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 a major new work, commissioned by CAM which spans across the Stoneman and Benefactor Galleries, including live performance, and a major Terrace Projection every evening at dusk.
Two years in development 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. Community members can catch an artist talk with Rosetzky next Saturday April 1 from 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.
Frazer told the Mail he always wanted to be a songwriter and this was the next best thing.
“I am using this old fashioned medium to illustrate the text and bring the lyrics of the songs to life. I find each song is packed with imagery,” he said.
“There is 10 years worth of images and books here. I started out with Paul Kelly back in 2014, then Cold Chisel’s Don Walker and the iconic ‘Flame Trees’ and ‘Pool’ one of his solo projects and then continued to explore the theme of ‘heartbreak’ with the work of Nick Cave and Nick Lowe.
“My latest works have seen me come back full circle to where it all began – Tom Waits. My former school teacher took my best mate and I to see Tom Waits in concert at the Dallas Brooks Centre back in 1981. This work is unusual as unlike the others it celebrates love and in particular the love story of Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan and my former teacher and his wife,” David said.
“I was really thrilled to be able to make contact with Tom and Kathleen to share the latest project and they told me they both love handmade made books made using wood cut and type. It was destiny!” he said.
Be sure to catch For the Love of Song in CAM’s Sinclair Gallery.
Casey Rice will be performing a live DJ set at tonight’s opening on the CAM terrace in Lyttleton Street from 6.30pm.
Drinks will be provided thanks to local winemaking co-operative Boomtown Wine alongside bar and brewery Love Shack Brewing Company. Light refreshments provided by Murnong Mammas.
To reserve your free ticket to tonight’s event visit Eventbrite.
Fringe festivities continue this weekend
The Castlemaine Fringe Festival was officially opened with a huge opening party in Mechanics Lane last Friday evening.
The fun and frivolity continues this weekend with a massive theatre program, family friendly gigs including the Monster Mash Day Party in Victory Park tomorrow Saturday March 25 from 3-7pm, free events such as the Reactivate Street Party tomorrow night from 7pm which will feature more than 100 performers and projections and will be staged over four venues in the town centre, the Art Window Trail, 30th anniversary exhibition at the Phee, exhibitions, performances and much more. Visit www.castlemainefringe.org.au. Photo: Craig Gaston.
Building a better future after prison
Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan visited Loddon-Middleton Prison in Castlemaine on Monday to meet Corrections staff and prisoners who are part of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Centre of Excellence program that provides prisoners with the opportunity to obtain civil construction licenses and tickets.
Former prisoners have turned their lives around by using the program to find employment and pre-apprenticeship pathways and land a job in the construction sector, a well as warehousing and traffic control.
Minister Erdogan said 32 prisoners were part of the initial pilot, including 18 from the Castlemaine facility. Such was the success of the initial pilot the program has now been rolled out to prisons across the state.
The state government has allocated $37 million in its 2022/2023 budget to support the program over the next three years to ensure prisoners have access to quality VET education programs that reduce the barriers to aid employment upon release.
The program delivered by Corrections Victoria in conjunction with Bendigo Kangan Institute and major employers provides prisoners intensive training over 12-15 weeks and focuses on practical skills such as operating forklifts, skid steers, excavators and elevating work platforms.
Twenty-eight-year-old Sarah completed the VET Centre of Excellence (COE) at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in July 2022 and told the Mail she highly recommends the program to other women in prison, so that they can also feel empowered to succeed.
“I was one of the first four women to sign up for the pilot back in March 2022 and I found the training was really comprehensive. They didn’t just hand us a white card at the end of the course, we learnt a wide range of skills such as forklift driving, skid steer (bobcat), excavation skills, Stop/Slow traffic management and the mathematics behind different aspects of civil construction. We had to reach certain hours of training on the various machinery to complete our course,” she said.
Sarah received tickets and licences in traffic management, skid steer, excavator and gained many more skills related to work in the civil construction sector.
During her COE studies, Sarah was engaged with the Women’s Employment Specialist (WES) service at DPFC, who provided pre and post-release employment support.
Following her release in August 2022, the WES introduced Sarah to SHEForce, a recruitment company giving women ex-offenders a second chance and was employed on a casual basis.
Sarah’s skills soon impressed her new employer and within a short period of time and with much support she is now employed full time on a large construction site.
Sarah said that she is extremely grateful for the skills she learnt in the VET Centre of Excellence, the support she received from the Women’s Employment Specialists and the second chance from SHEForce.
“I am now working on a big construction project. I earn good money and I have a good life. I am sober and clean and making the most of this second chance,” Sarah said.
She definitely recommends the program to other women in custody.
“Just have a go. Not everything will be your cup of tea but it never hurts to learn new skills. I was really pleased to have skills and a clear plan to put in motion on my release,” she said.
