Pen Pals of more than six decades Castlemaine’s Judy Stuchbree and Canadian Carol Gemmell were thrilled to be reunited in Castlemaine this week.
The pair first put pen to paper back in 1962 when Judy Ellery, as she was known then, was 12 and Carol was 14.
“My mother Wilma Ellery had a long-time pen pal in Canada Dorothy Astridge who was keen to find one for me to establish a connection with in Canada,” Judy said.
“Dorothy worked with Carol’s mum Colleen Clark and she asked whether I may be interested in being Carol’s pen pal and passed on her details in Galt, Ontario and the rest is history!”
The pair have shared countless letters over the last 61 years, first writing about school, hobbies and siblings, then sharing tales of work and study, first loves, marriage and the arrival of their children.
In the early days Carol studied nursing and Judy worked at Sterritt’s Top Shop in Barker Street (where Top End Technology is now) serving the busy lunchtime clientele from the foundry. Judy later secured a job with Meals on Wheels at Mount Alexander Shire and has been working in the field for more than 42 years.
“We both got married in the same year – 1970. I married my husband Leslie Stuchbree in April and Carol married in October,” Judy said.
Carol welcomed three children Krista, Erika and Kevin and Judy welcomed two children Lynda and Steven.
The devoted pen pals eventually had their first face-to-face meeting in 1990 when Judy and her family travelled to Canada.
“It was amazing to finally meet. We felt more like cousins than friends. We knew everything about each other,” Carol said.
Judy and her husband have made several trips back to Canada in the years since and the friends have also caught up at other destinations during their overseas travels.
Carol made her first visit to Australia in 2004 and was delighted to finally see the place Judy calls home.
“Carol and some friends also surprised us during a cruise in Alaska in 2012. It was the best surprise of my life,” Judy said.
“We have shared a lot of ups and downs over the years. I lost my mum and Judy lost her dad, we have had the joy of welcoming our grandchildren and we’ve been there for each other every step of the way,” Carol said.
More recently the pair moved from handwritten letters to emails.
“I still write my letters and then I pass them on to my daughter Lynda who scans them and sends them on to Carol,” Judy said.
Carol was planning to make the trek out to Australia three years ago to help celebrate Judy and Les’ 50th wedding anniversary but unfortunately covid put paid to those plans.
“We took up sending parcels instead. It turned out to be an expensive exercise, but they were so special with us each including special keepsakes from Canada and Australia,” Judy said.
“I’m so thrilled to finally be here,” Carol said. “My daughter Erika has joined me this time. It’s her first trip to Australia and we are looking forward to showing her around,” she said.
The Stuchbrees are planning a trip to some of the region’s silo art and a jaunt down the picturesque Great Ocean Road.
“It doesn’t matter what we do or where we go. It’s just wonderful to finally be together after all these years,” Judy said.
Pen Pals reunited
Raising vital funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
The Castlemaine Fire Brigade will once again be out rattling their tins for the 2023 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal (GFA) from today.
The local CFA members have been collecting for this very special cause for more than four decades and are once again proud to throw their support behind the vital Victorian service.
Castlemaine CFA member and Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal area manager Ron Gartside said members have fond memories of their annual collection spanning more than 40 years and are delighted to have made a considerable contribution to the incredible work of the RCH.
“I’ve been rattling the tin for over 25 years myself and many of our members have been donating their time since the beginning of our involvement with the fundraiser,” he said.
Local CFA volunteers will be collecting donations from the community outside the newsagents in Mostyn Street from 7.30am today, Thursday April 6 through until 6pm. You will also find volunteers at Maxi IGA and outside IGA Castlemaine in Barker Street.
Tomorrow, Good Friday April 7, volunteers will be collecting donations at the traffic lights at the intersection of Forest and Barker Streets and will also be doing the rounds of streets around town so listen out for the sirens when they hit your area.
“If anyone misses us they can pop into the Castlemaine Fire Station and make a donation from 8am on Good Friday,” he said.
Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has been dedicated to fundraising for The Royal Children’s Hospital so that it can continue to provide world class care for children in Victoria and beyond. Over its long and proud history, the Good Friday Appeal has provided over $421 million to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
In 2022, the Appeal celebrated a record-breaking total of $22,328,154 thanks to the generous support of fundraising partners, regional area managers and community members from across Victoria and beyond.
The Castlemaine volunteers were proud to be part of that incredible feat.
“This incredible result would not have been possible without the generous support of community members. We are always blown away by the contributions we receive from the local community,” Ron said.
Funds raised support ground-breaking research, state of the art equipment and technology, education and family centred care programs so that The Royal Children’s Hospital can continue to provide world class care to our children. If you should miss our local volunteers you can make a donations online at goodfridayappeal.com.au
Take a look back at the former Metropolitan Hotel
Circa 1853
William Hitchcock and James Farrell were among the original owners of the three storey brick Metropolitan Hotel on the corner of Mostyn and Hargraves Streets in around 1853 to 1856. Owners and licensees changed multiple times over the years, later on becoming Kenyon’s Metropolitan Hotel. The licensee renewal application of July, 1913 shows owner Sarah Esther Pearson bought the hotel in 1902 with Kate Ann Kenyon, Licensee. Mr Newell, representing Sarah, gives a wonderful description of the interior stating the hotel has ’14 rooms, with seven bedrooms, five for public use and two private. Two are unused and unfurnished. Public bedrooms are on the third floor. Access is by a narrow stairway, very straight. The fire escape is rope and a hook that can be let down’. No stabling. No urinal. A stranger to the hotel would not know that the closets behind belong to the hotel. The balcony was built in around 1906 at a cost of Pd200. Evidence given Mrs Kenyon kept cleaner than most other hotels.
Back in May, 1858, a Coroner’s Inquest at the hotel was held on Jane Mason, wife of George, from the Survey Office. Evidence given is that she had a drinking addiction, argued with her husband and fell in the backyard. She was carried to bed, the chemist and druggist being called but she was dead.
On New Years Eve, 1896, a person with knowledge of the place, entered upstairs rooms, filled a pillowslip with cigars, then throwing the parcel into the yard at the rear of Mr. Walker’s shop. Mr Walker heard the noise and notified Miss Zeigler, the barmaid and Miss Hannan, Licensee on finding the slip full of damaged cigars. Robbery foiled.
There was a history of use of the hotel by the railways for their workers with a standing order for three beds three nights per week for the railway guard, engine drive and fireman – meals and bedding.
The hotel was delicenced in 1913 and sold to W.J. Stoneman in 1914, where after re-building, it was turned into a store.
2023
The hotel is no longer. The site is currently the home of Subway Castlemaine and prior to that was the site of a Stock and Poultry Store. Information and original image kindly supplied by our friends at Castlemaine Historical Society – Exploring Our Past. You can visit their headquarters at the Former Court House in Goldsmith Cresent Castlemaine on Tuesdays between 10am and 3pm for assistance to research your own family history.
Way of the Cross
Join the Castlemaine district churches to remember the story behind Easter at the ‘Way of the Cross Castlemaine’ on Good Friday. The special interfaith event is now in its seventh year and will see local church representatives, parishioners and community members celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus and the blessings of our region by walking from church to church, carrying the cross, and sharing scriptures and reflection at each station.
The ecumenical church event will begin at 11am with community members gathering outside St Mary’s Church to join the Way of the Cross procession through the streets.
The Way of the Cross was initiated by St Mary’s Catholic Parish priest Father Wahid Riad who was previously involved in a similar moving event in the Melbourne CBD.
Fr Wahid said many people thought of Easter as a great time to go camping or watch the footy but it was so much more than that.
“The whole period leading up to Easter is special, but Holy Week is particularly special to people of faith,” he said.
On behalf of all local churches, Fr Wahid invites community members of all walks of life and faiths to join in the Good Friday procession on April 7.
The walk will stop at 14 locations across the city including local churches, the Civic Centre, the Market Building, Victory Park and the Recreation Park at Castlemaine Railway Station where Father Wahid said many of the region’s poor gathered.
“Many people in our community are facing hardships, they are suffering, they have their own cross to bear, we will pray for those people, for humanity, for our refugees. We will also give thanks for the gifts, artistic talents and blessings of our region,” he said.
At the conclusion of the event community members will gather for hot cross buns and a cuppa at the St Mary’s Hall.
A 10.30am combined church service will also be held at the Maldon Beehive Chimney.
“It’s a holy and precious day and we invite the community to be part of it,” Father Wahid said.
All Aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway!
Looking for a fun day out for the whole family? Why not jump aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway and enjoy a memorable trip aboard the tourist service to historic Maldon!
VGR run services to Maldon and return every Wednesday and Sunday, plus Saturdays and some public holidays during school holidays.
VGR has a special offer for the month of April – for travel taken during April all children travel free when booked with an Adult or Concession fare in Excursion Class. This special offer is valid for online bookings, one way or return.
The VGR team are also gearing up to hold their next ‘Ales on Rails’ event on Saturday April 29.
This is the ultimate beer, food and train experience.
Indulge as you are taken into a world of decadence, first class style in 1920’s era club and parlour carriages.
As your train takes you through the countryside from Castlemaine to Maldon, you are taking another journey. Beginning with an easy drinking wheat beer you sample a range of specialty beers culminating in a rich chocolate porter. Light snacks are served by VGR stewards on the train to complement your tasting experience. Tasting notes are provided.
You will then enjoy a gourmet lunch at Maldon’s Kangaroo Hotel and a beer from their extensive craft beer range is included.
Travellers are asked to note VGR are currently running their Heritage Diesel Engine while their steam engine undergoes a major mechanical overhaul.
To find out more or to book your next trip aboard the tourist railway visit vgr.com.au
Changing lives with bicycles
Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten (CSSK) joined the national Ride2School Day that took place on Friday March 24.
As well as being a fantastic event for the students, the day raised funds for the international organisation, World Bicycle Relief.
The whole school was involved in the Ride2School event. Starting early Friday morning, 24 students and a handful of parents met to ride 2.5km to school. Later, as a whole school event, students took on the challenge of decorating their bikes for the Bike Parade, peddling the orange juice bike, testing their skills on the obstacle course and riding the weird and wonderful bikes brought along by our bike expert guests ‘Paddy Toastie’ and ‘Rainbow Rider’.
Thirty two students from Grade 2 to 8 and many keen parents then rode the 9 km from school to the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens to finish this activity filled day.
CSSK Outdoor Education teacher and CycleSafe Mt Alexander spokeswoman Penny Gilbert organised the day, being a fantastic supporter of this nation-wide event.
“Cycling to school, or anywhere, is such a great activity for the whole family with many of our younger students and their parents joining us for the ride to school and after school to the Botanical Gardens.” Penny said.
“Riding our bikes has so many benefits, be it for our health and wellbeing, reducing our reliance on cars and also the fantastic social aspect when we ride with others. We were happily surprised at just how many of our students signed up for the longer ride into Castlemaine.”
The event also provided an excellent opportunity to raise awareness for World Bicycle Relief, an international organisation providing great bikes to people around the world. They are “empowering individuals to access education, healthcare and economic opportunities through life-changing bicycles” as stated on their website.
Penny gave students examples of how bikes had changed lives across the globe with the support from World Bicycle Relief.
“Now that they have a bike, they can sell their farm produce to more people in the bigger towns a bike ride away” she explained at a school assembly.
For CSSK, the national Ride2School day has turned into an international fundraising day, benefiting those locally and abroad. Students and parents are already wanting to organise another ride soon and are looking forward to the event next year.
Local events draw big crowds
It has been a very busy couple of weeks on the Castlemaine Rifle Range. The local club ran the first event of the Victorian Precision Rifle Series with lots of shooters competing from Victoria and interstate. The biggest for some time. Local shooters performed very well.
The next big event was ‘The Classic and Military Shoot’ run in conjunction with the Kyneton Rifle Club. Shooting was from 300 and 500 yards using old historic rifles, the most popular being S.M.L.E, .303 and Mauser rifles of many different types.
Winners on the day were Kyneton’s Peter Pearce in ‘Classic Rifle A’ from Castlemaine’s Chris Jolme. ‘Classic Rifle B’ was won by William Green from Kyneton with Adam McLennan, Kyneton second and third place to Robert Pearce also from Kyneton.
‘Military Rifle A’ was won by Andrew Deans from the Military Rifle Club with Adam Stephens second from the Military Rifle Club and in third place Castlemaine’s James Dolphin.
‘Military B’ was won by Kyneton’s Charlie Poskus with second place to Castlemaine’s Mick Goritchan and third place to Castlemaine’s David Perry.
Glenn Woodhatch, representing our major sponsor, The Bendigo RSL was on hand to present the trophies. Greg Penna from the Golden City Collectors Association and Mark Bickham from Smith’s Outdoors were also present and the clubs thank them for their support.
It was good to be able to have a “live fire” of many of the older firearms no longer seen and a great display in the clubhouse of historic guns and equipment used on the range since its beginning in 1861.
Today, Friday March 31 the Castlemaine Rifle Club is very proud to be hosting ‘The Victorian Police and Emergency Services Games’ at Castlemaine.
This is the first time the event has been held at Castlemaine and will bring many members and their families from the Victoria Police, Ambulance Services and Fire Services to Castlemaine.
It will be a busy weekend as Saturday April 1 is also the third stage of the Club’s 300 metre championship.
For more information on the sport of big bore rifle shooting, call the Captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.
BAIN, Duncan
Passed away peacefully at Thompson House on 24th March 2023 aged 91 years.
Dearly loved husband of May (dec). Loving father of Annette, Steven and David and father in law to Trevor. Much loved Pa of Kristal, Erin, Rhiannon, Jonathan (dec), Garth, James and Caleband great Pa to Scott, Sarah, Brianna, Loki, Tobias, Hildee, Darby and Acacia.
Always gentle loving and kind, a beautiful memory you leave behind.
GREEN, Richard Trevlin “Dick”
The funeral service to honour and celebrate Dick’s life will be held at the Community Centre, Elizabeth Street, Campbells Creek tomorrow, Saturday commencing at 2pm.
At the conclusion of the Service, Dick will be laid to rest at the Castlemaine Cemetery.
JANSSEN, Wim
A celebration of the life of Wim Janssen will be held at 11am on Thursday 6th of April. At the Northern Arts Hotel, Barker Street, Castlemaine.
Castlemaine State Festival in full swing!
The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival kicked off with an opening night celebration under the Western Reserve Big Top last Friday evening with 90s sensations Frente!
Simon and Angie and the crew lit up the stage sharing tales from that time, reminiscing about the songs that hold stories for us all, as they celebrated 30 years of Marvin the Album.
This was followed by the first of the nine Castlemaine Fringe Festival after parties featuring a cabaret theme.
The opening week of the festival has been action-packed with a wide array of events including theatre, live music, performances, exhibitions, Open Studios, the popular Dialogues series and more including a performance ‘A Simple Space’ by the Adelaide based circus company Gravity & Other Myths (pictured).
Tonight Castlemaine’s own KIAN will hit the Western Reserve Big Top stage.
This will be quite the homecoming. By the time he was 16, Kian Brownfield had surpassed the status of local legend and became an international sensation with his four times platinum single ‘Waiting’.
Five years on, KIAN has been polished and held up to the light by Republic Records – home to his idol Stevie Wonder but also his contemporaries in chill melodic style, The Weeknd, Lorde, Drake and Jack Johnson. His latest EP, Shine, was produced by Ariana Grande collaborator Willie Tafa, with guest spots from Jerome Farah and members of 1300.
Shine details the pressures and growth that KIAN has experienced over the past few years. While he still has “feelings deeper than a swimming pool” – as he sang on his previous EP, BLISS, the waters now seem distinctly more sparkly.
KIAN told the Mail he is super keen to be back in Castlemaine to play a homecoming show for the festival.
“I still have great memories of my sold out debut show at the Theatre Royal in 2018 and this will be my first show back since then,” he said.
“I am very excited to announce that I will be bringing along Becca Hatch to perform our new single ‘All Of Me’. I am hoping to see some family and familiar faces in the audience,” the singer said.
For tickets to see KIAN and for other festival events visit castlemainefestival.com.au
Old nurses’ quarters set for demolition
Dhelkaya Health (formerly Castlemaine Health) is preparing to undertake the planned demolition of the old nurses’ quarters at the former Halford Street hospital site.
Following the November 2022 announcement of funding to Dhelkaya Health from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), the first of the works are almost ready to take place and the local health organisation held consultation sessions with local community members about the planned works this week.
Dhelkaya Health director infrastructure technology and assets Justin Sawyers said the old nurses’ quarters that sit on the corner of Myring and Hargraves Streets were decommissioned around 25 years ago.
“Given the buildings have lay empty all this time means that they have become unsafe so this funding will see that particular building demolished.”
The competitive tender process has seen Digga Group take on the work.
“This is exciting to see because this company offer experience in building demolition and provide expertise when it comes to quality and safety procedures, and sustainability. They have a target of 95 per cent reuse, recycle or resell of the building materials taken from sites like this,” Mr Sawyers said.
Digga Group will install a site office, temporary fencing and signage in preparation for the demolition works to begin, and safely remove and transport any hazardous materials from the premises.
The demolition works are due to commence on May 1 and are expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
The adjacent building and offices on the Halford Street site, which are currently leased by Workspace Australia, will remain intact. These buildings and offices are run as an incubator for business start-ups and are occupied by up to 80 small local businesses and while there are no agreed plans yet for the Halford Street site’s future purpose, the demolition of the unoccupied nurses’ quarters opens up options for future use.
Dhelkaya Health board chair Vanessa Healy said while they have lots of ideas, they don’t yet know what the Halford Street site will look like in the future.
“But we do know it will be safer and more secure for those who work and live nearby thanks to this funding,” Ms Healy said.