Circa 1940s Although the Vaughan mineral spring was discovered in the late 1800s it wasn’t until the advent of the motor car about 1900-1910 that The Springs became a very popular location for large group picnics and gatherings. The Mt Alexander Shire Council, The Castlemaine Progress Association and other groups worked to set up facilities for visitors who not only came from the local district but as far as Melbourne as well. One of the facilities set to provide an outlet, particularly for the children, was this picnic sports lawn track which was in reality a fenced, 50 metres long running track. It was located in close proximity to the swimming area, the change rooms and the kiosk.
2022 This modern photograph reveals that there has been virtually no change in over 80 years except for a bitumen track and an information sign. The track was frequently used up to the mid 20th century but is now probably not used at all. In the early 1950s I had the pleasure of accompanying relatives on an annual basis from Kyneton to Vaughan Springs to take part in a Lodge picnic, and I had the opportunity on a number of occasions to race down the track with the other children. Although the track remains intact, other surrounding facilities have fallen into decay. The reserve incurred significant damage in the October 2022 floods and had to be closed until repairs could be undertaken. Information and photos kindly supplied by Ken McKimmie.
A local resident has approached the Mail over concerns about the lack of functional, safe and accessible female toilets at the Castlemaine Magistrates Court. Pauline Pope said while many people appreciate being able to have matters heard locally at our Magistrates Court facility, she queried why are there are no functional female-only toilets available for the public attending the local court. Ms Pope said she understands the female toilets at the facility have been out of action for about six months now and female court attendees are currently advised to walk a hundred metres down the street to use a public facility. “Females with disabilities are advised their only other option is to use the male-only facility which features an open urinal beside the door through which users enter,” she said. Ms Pope said the dysfunctional toilet blocks are also tucked away, out of sight, at the rear of the court building. “They are old and filthy and over-ripe for replacement. Their accessibility doesn’t pass muster at all. The toilets are reached by following a broken path up a slight incline which is difficult, but possible, to do if you’re using a walker or a cane, but it’s utterly impossible if you’re independently using a wheelchair. The possibility of tripping on the broken path is very real for the short-sighted,” she said. Ms Pope said is concerned the isolated location of the toilet blocks also makes it particularly dangerous for females attending the court for Intervention Order matters. “The male subjects of those orders are likely to stalk their victims within the court precinct. The toilet location, combined with its lack of security, makes it an ideal site for bullying to be conducted with impunity,” she said. The local resident questioned why has this situation been allowed to fester for over six months now? “A public building housing a public service must provide accessible and safe toilet facilities. How can a court operate outside of the very law it’s meant to apply? Ms Pope said functional and accessible toilets are an absolute necessity for court attendees who may be required to wait in the court for up to seven hours before their matters are heard. “The local community cannot afford to lose the Magistrates Court. Many elderly, disabled and impoverished local residents are not able to travel to Bendigo to seek justice. This makes it imperative for council and other responsible bodies to ensure that the toilet situation is resolved post haste,” she said. In the meantime she urges authorities to get a decent portaloo on site. The Mail has since learned that Court Services Victoria (CSV) is responsible for managing court facilities in Victoria. A CSV spokesperson told the Mail the CSV is committed to ensuring that court buildings are safe, secure and accessible for all court users. “CSV is currently undertaking planning for an approved plan of works for upgrades at the Castlemaine Court, and is preparing design and tender documentation for Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant works,” the spokesperson said. “The works will include Ambulant and DDA-compliant toilets within the new waiting area; a DDA compliant entrance to the new waiting area; a new DDA compliant path from the street into the new waiting area/registry office; and egress from the new waiting area into the registry office,” she said. It is currently expected that the works’ tender will be issued in February 2023.
Hi George, congratulations on being awarded Citizen of the Year for your incredible volunteer work. How did you begin volunteering? I worked at Thompson’s and trained to be an accountant at night school in 1968. I was the finance controller there from 1979- 2008, working under four different employers during that time. I got to meet some amazing people, doing amazing things – it was a marvelous crew. It was about that time that I was recruited as treasurer of the Harcourt Uniting Church, where I am still treasurer to this day! Being a treasurer brings me in contact with movers and shakers, people that aren’t necessarily interested in bookwork. People talk about the three levels of government, but they don’t talk about how much work is expected of volunteers. There’s a lot of paperwork, especially from the banks and that’s the work I do. I don’t want to be idle and there’s only so much reading, gardening, and watching TV you can do. There’s a real sense of collegiality when you do volunteer work – you’re not doing it on your own. What other volunteer work have you done? I was involved with getting the Harcourt Leisure Centre up and running back in 1983 and I’ve been the treasurer there ever since. It’s fun and it keeps me in touch with what’s happening. I’m probably best known for my work at the Harcourt Heritage Centre where they have a nice big collection of Henry James’ things. And once a month we contribute to the Harcourt Core from things we’ve found in his collection. I’m also the treasurer at Buda Historic Home and Garden in Castlemaine. I enjoy being involved with the Harcourt Applefest too. This year there will be an art show and dinosaurs wandering around, family-sized apple pies, and Eliza Hull and the Australian Women’s Choir will be performing. I’m involved with Legacy which is a great organisation providing very constructive help to widows. Oh, and I’m a trustee for the Stoneman Foundation. After Stuart Stoneman died last year he created a charitable foundation and left his heritage property Duneira Estate in Mount Macedon to trustees. It’s got a big art collection and beautiful gardens. I’m involved with the Maldon Vintage Engine Museum and the Vintage Engine Club and I was recruited to the Cemetery Trust in 1979. We made it tidy and accessible and in 82′ we added the lawn section. Everyone attends the working bees with enthusiasm but when it’s time to do the bookwork everyone has to go. Organisations rise and fall from good secretaries and chairs and I enjoy meeting up with people and helping them out. If you’ve got skills, you may as well use them. That’s an incredible amount of work, George! How many volunteer roles do you have?! I do enough to keep me off the streets. How long have you lived in Harcourt? We’ve been in this house for 48 years. I was brought up on the property next door under an apple tree. My family has been here since 1959. This place is like an aviary, with kookaburras, crimson rosellas, yellow-faced honey eaters, blackbirds, thrushes, and magpies who love the flowering natives and the creek behind the house. We love living next to the bowling green, and hearing them laughing and clapping, it’s good company. I don’t bowl though, I don’t have time! We have two kids, one in Castlemaine and one in Sunbury. All through COVID we were minding our ten-year-old grandson, as his mother is an essential worker. We played a lot of loungeroom soccer, which was great because my daughter has a very large lounge room with four doors leading off it, two of the doors were his goals and two were mine. We didn’t break anything – the rule was no kicking the ball off the ground. We did puzzles together and he loved beating me at Petanque! Have you got time for any other interests? Growing roses, I have Mutabilis, Masquerade and For Your Eyes Only, and they all change colour every day. During COVID I dug a nice new bed and put in some more roses. What are you reading at the moment? Erik Newby’s travel book Around the Mediterranean Have you travelled? We went to England, America, Scotland, and France. I went to Singapore 21 times for work and to Japan in 1986 to negotiate a license agreement. What music do you enjoy listening to? I like hymns and classical and I like listening to Macca on Sunday mornings. What philosophy do you live life by? I’m a Christian person. I try and brighten up the world around me. I think we have every reason to be positive about most things. And finally, what do you love most about the place you call home? Harcourt is the centre of the universe! Marvelous people, great environment, good soil and grows the best apples.
arcourt organic fruit growers Katie and Hugh Finlay will have you jumping for joy about your annual fruit harvest thanks to tips delivered through their all new online short course. Photo: Ella Henderson, Biomi Photo.
Are you the proud owner of fruit trees on your property? Are you feeling unsure about how to look after your trees in the face of the changing weather patterns brought on by climate change? Then mark your calendar for an upcoming three-part live online course on fruit tree care, designed for home fruit growers. Harcourt based organic orchardists Katie and Hugh Finlay are dedicated to help you grow great fruit. They are now offering a course called Learn.Plan.Succeed: Create Your Fruit Tree Action Plan. The course is written for those who have fruit trees in their backyard and are confused about what jobs to do, and when to do them. The course especially suits people who live in central Victoria. Different from their year-long ‘Grow Great Fruit’ course which focuses on the “how” of fruit tree care, this new three-part short course is all about the “when”. Katie said they have been teaching people about fruit tree care for many years now, and they’ve noticed that not knowing when to do all the different jobs can cause big headaches. “But to create an action plan for your fruit trees, you also need to know what jobs you need to do. So, we’ll be talking about how to schedule your pruning, all the different pest and disease prevention activities, and other jobs like planting and fruit thinning, for example,” she said. The course will take place online, making it easy for anyone to participate, regardless of location. However, local residents will get extra value from doing the course. Katie explains they’ve written the course for fruit growers all around Australia, but because as they live right here in central Victoria, they are more familiar with the best timing for all the fruit tree jobs in this climate. “We can help local gardeners to write a more accurate plan right from the start,” Katie said. “We’ve also kept the course super-affordable at just $37 for all three sessions, because we want to make it available to everyone who’s trying to grow their own food.” The course kicks off on February 14, at 7.30 pm, but registration is open now. Head to the website growgreatfruit.com, click on the ‘courses’ tab, and then click on ‘Learn.Plan.Succeed’ to register. “We’ve already opened up a Facebook group for course participants, so you can start getting your fruit tree questions answered as soon as you register. It’s also a lovely friendly group where you can meet other home fruit growers,” Katie said. The course runs over three evenings from February 14 to 20, but all sessions will be recorded so participants can watch the replays if they miss a session. Hugh said they want to empower people to take control of their fruit tree care and to understand that by writing an action plan, they can make informed decisions that will help them to protect their fruit trees and get a great harvest every year. “This course is a game-changer. By the end of the course, participants will have an action plan that will help them feel a lot more relaxed about their fruit trees by being prepared for the challenges ahead,” Hugh said.
As part of the monthly Castlemaine Free University (CFU) series at Northern Arts Hotel the Beehive Design Collective is swarming our way in March with a mural showing the True Cost of Coal.
Castlemaine Free University (CFU) is gearing up for its return in 2023 and convener Anitra Nelson says they have a huge line up in store to kick off the new year. “CFU presents entertaining speakers on a current topic on the first Monday of every month at Castlemaine’s Northern Arts Hotel. Entry is free and there’s always plenty of time for collective discussion afterwards,” Anitra said. First up they will present ‘The Flooded Forest … and Further Thoughts’ next Monday February 6. The Flooded Forest, a short film made by locals Rory McLeod and Peter Yates, reflects on filming a doco on the flooding of the Baarka early 2022. It is hot. Father and son are surrounded by mosquitoes. They are not just on, but in, the river. Screening this film, talking about doco making, and life’s curious meanings, Peter Yates takes us on a journey. On Monday March 6 the world-renowned Beehive Design Collective swarms our way with a mural showing the True Cost of Coal. This event is not only about mountaintop removal, and damaging communities and ecosystems, but also future alternatives, remediation and regeneration! Not so Rare Earths, and Toxic. Then on Monday April 3 catch ‘Rare earths’. Rare earths are critical components in mobile phones and solar panels — essential raw materials for the hailed ‘green revolution’ to combat climate change and reduce emissions. But, Lee Tan will reveal how the Western Australian company Lynas operates its notorious refinery in the coastal city of Kuantan, Malaysia. Did you know: Harcourt has a rare earth, monazite, deposit? For more details and to subscribe to the CFU e-list visit https://anitranelson.info/cfu
Jesse Boylan, At the end of the day (Francis), 2023, video still. Courtesy of the artist.
Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) invites the community to the launch of the latest Terrace Projection installation Jesse Boylan’s ‘At the end of the day’, and the opening of the next Orbit exhibition by Tara Gilbee ‘Ellipses’ Friday evening, February 3. Terrace Projection ‘At the end of the day’ is a new video work by local artist Jesse Boylan who asked staff working in Dhelkaya Health (Castlemaine Health), as well as residents of Penhall Hostel (Aged Care), about what they think goes unseen in their daily lives and work. In a kind of ‘behind the scenes’ set up, Boylan has created a series of silent video portraits. In the latest ‘Orbit’ exhibition ‘Ellipses’ describes both the subject and material process of Tara Gilbee’s work. The photographic apparatus and employed processes embody the idea of disturbance, the elliptical framing, with blurred and out-of-focus sections and sharp striations of light breaking through the camera and frame. Historic sites are represented as psychological ‘grey zones’ and connected to contemporary carceral complexes as places of deep trouble. The event will begin at 6pm. Entry is free and drinks and light refreshments will be provided. The opening is proudly supported by the Australian Government RISE Fund, Besen Family Foundation, Boomtown Wine, and Love Shack Brewing Company.
Castlemaine's Division 1 side went down in their match at home last Saturday, but the Division 5 bowlers had a win over Marong on the local greens. Photo: Max Lesser.
Castlemaine Bowling Club were well represented on Sunday at the Champion of Champions event at Eaglehawk Bowling Club. Club Champions Greg Brain and Tricia O’Shea both played well on the good Eaglehawk greens. Greg defeated John Pasternak the Woodbury Champion comfortably. Then played in the next round going down to Wade Roberts the Inglewood Champion. Tricia had a very close game against Helen Clough representing Bendigo East. The match was even most of the time with Helen just coming away in the last few ends. Spectators all around both greens enjoyed watching top bowlers in lovely weather. Castlemaine club members were there to support both players. In other bowls news the club’s Weekend Pennant sides had a tough round with only Division 5 victorious. Midweek Pennant faired better with two wins from two games. Saturday Pennant results were as follows: Premier Division 1 Castlemaine 69 lost to Golden Square 84. Scores were Peter Brain 11/21, Greg Brain 23/23 , Lachy Darroch 13/20, Rod Phillips 22/20. Division 4 Castlemaine 47 lost at Marong 98. Mal Stevens 14/25, Maureen Fletcher 14/18, Steve McCoombe 8/31, Rosalie Roberts 11/24. Division 5 Castlemaine 117 defeated Marong winning all four teams. Peter McKnight 28/15, David Carlin 37/6, Pam Fraser 29/20 Tricia O’Shea 28/9. Monday Midweek results were: Division 2 Castlemaine 60 defeated Harcourt 46. Maureen Fletcher 18/19, Pam Hunter 19/15, Steve McCoombe 23/12. Division 3 Castlemaine 59 defeated Marong 45. Bruce Miller 14/18, Charles Madgin 23/12, Kathy Parsons 22/15. Division 2 are now on top of the ladder and Division 3 in third position. Pennant teams Pennant teams for this Saturday, February 4 are as follows: Division One Castlemaine play Marong away. Chris Brain, C Madgin, Kevin Shuttleworth, Peter Brain (skip). J Taylor, R Roberts, 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 White Hills at home. Don Ross, Alan Nichols, Chris Crossley, Mal Stevens (s). Russell Chapman, H Fleury, V Passalaqua, Maureen Fletcher (s). L Carlin, Alicia Beauchamp, Pam Hunter, Steve McCoombe (s). Alene Jolme, Rod Fletcher, Graham Fraser, B Miller (s). Division 5 Castlemaine play Kangaroo Flat away. Sandra Grant, Sandra Phillips, J Smith, P McKnight (s). D Barnett, G McClure, B Chester, David Carlin (s). R Fleury, P Rotteveel, P Fraser, W Walsh (s). R Lynas, D Steet, L McClure, T O’Shea (s). Midweek pennant teams for Monday February 6 were as follows: Division 2 Castlemaine play Heathcote at Castlemaine. 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 at Strathfieldsaye. Sandra Grant, Don Steet, Pam Fraser, Bruce Miller (s). Angie Hill. Regina Saville, Charles Madgin, Nina Hufer (s). Lyndal McClure, Peter Rotteveel, Alan Nicholls, Kathy Parsons (s). Coming up Wednesday the Castlemaine Bowling Club’s Pink Charity Day was scheduled to be held. See next week’s Mail for results. Thursday ‘Girls on the Green’ also recommenced and will run run for six weeks. The final game March 9. All ladies welcome, teams or individual names to Maureen 0417 321 048. Sunday February 12 Jack Taylor will be representing Bendigo District players at Mulgrave Country Club in the Novice Championship. Good luck Jack!
Tricia O’Shea and Greg Brain did the club proud at the Champion of Champions event at Eaglehawk.
Anticipation is building for works to begin on Castlemaine’s new Woolworths supermarket on the former gasworks site. Local supporters of the new development were excited to see signage go up on the block earlier this week indicating construction on the Lascorp Investment Group project would begin in early 2023. In December, the Victorian Civil Administration Tribunal (VCAT) set aside Mount Alexander Shire Council’s decision in relation to the amended permit for the larger supermarket, paving the way for the developer to move ahead with plans to build the new supermarket subject to conditions. Lascorp had previously confirmed the supermarket would be a Woolworths and this week’s signage further acknowledges this. Mount Alexander Shire Council had originally granted a permit for a smaller 1,500m2 supermarket development and two speciality shops at the site in April 2018 for a potential Aldi store. However, the developer then submitted plans for the larger 3300m2 supermarket to cater to a larger Woolworths store layout. The plans need to be finalised with council and some more works undertaken to prepare the site before construction can begin. The developer advised the Mail in December that once they break ground the actual construction of the supermarket should only take around nine to 10 months.
Anneke Deutsch, Jennifer Feeney and Mary-Faeth Chenery celebrating the purchase of land in Castlemaine to build cohousing for older women.
The current housing market is becoming untenable for many; particularly low-income earners, young people, and ageing members of our community. As a consequence, councils, government, and interest groups like My Home Network, are discussing innovative solutions such as tiny houses, air rights to council-owned buildings, and an increase in share housing and co-ops. One group of innovative older women have recently spent a little over $2 million on a five-acre property in Castlemaine to build a small village consisting of 30 units and a common house. Older Women in Cohousing Inc (WINC) formed in 2017, consists of 35 members aged between 52 and 78. Originally looking for property in the Daylesford region the group was unable to find anything suitable and began exploring elsewhere. Largely due to its proximity to public transport and its lively and active community that has a thriving music and arts scene and embraces lesbian culture the group decided on the Castlemaine area. Another positive for the group was a community that strives to achieve affordable housing and sustainability, plus the gold rush history and the architecture of the region. WINC member Mary-Faeth Chenery told the Mail they have been working on the project for five and a half years, but found it difficult to find land. “We found a property in Castlemaine and it’s a wonderful piece of land, close to town and large enough for the units plus the common house, which will be a place where the women are able to eat and cook together when they want. It will be a place to gather together for music or movies or to be booked for parties. “Everything has been designed to increase incidentally running into your neighbours, such as a shared laundry and car parking, things that help prevent isolation.” The common house will include an exercise space and two guest rooms that can be booked by residents when having friends or family coming to stay. The design will include inclusive access for wheelchairs and walking frames and have handrails throughout. “There will be around 15 homes for buy-in, four for social housing, and ten for what we call ‘middle women’, those with some assets but not enough to buy a property, using a creative approach such as a shared equity or investment partner,” Mary-Faeth said. “We’ve already had a lot of enquiries from people and expect to have a waitlist once the building is completed.” Members will be required to sign an agreement to sell their houses to another member of WINC in the event of their death or decision to sell, so the asset can remain within the cohousing model. The group is hoping to have planning completed in six to eight months and to have a design and builder lined up by the end of the year. WINC is anticipating building will commence next year and members will be moved in 18 months after that. “We’re not only developing our own community but also developing a model that can be used by others,” Mary-Faeth said. Another group considering alternative housing models for ageing members of the community is Last Home Partners Inc, a not-for-profit exploring the possibility of long-term rentals for senior residents who are receiving government benefits. Last Home Partners founder Clif Edwards is hopeful that recent changes in leasing and tenancy laws will allow for a new model of housing that involves a partnership between landowners and renters. “Our difference is we want a decent home for people to live in, not a retirement village home scenario or a limit of 40 or 60 square metre home, but real homes with living spaces, workshops, and studios,” Clif said. “Our model uses the income generated from government pensions and rent assistance to fund the building of the home. Ideally, we’d love to find people on rural and farming properties to partner with. “There are a lot of people in our region that are past retirement age and are looking for secure housing. We’re still very much in the formulation phase but we’ve had positive feedback from peak bodies so far,” he said.
Council is asking community members for input on aged care services ahead of Federal Government changes in the sector.
Last year the federal government passed the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Act 2022 which establishes new requirements for aged care providers through nine measures that respond to the royal commission. The changes being implemented by the federal government come into effect from July 1, 2024, and will drastically alter residential aged care service provision across the region. For Mount Alexander Shire Council to continue providing community aged care services in the future, it will have to compete for available funding, as residents will be able to choose from a range of different service providers. The council will also need to retain and attract clients, in order to maintain the viability of the service. A number of local residents and personal care workers have expressed concerns about the future of council-managed aged care services, noting that many councils in other local government areas are walking away from service provision as the reforms loom Federal MP Lisa Chesters told the Mail that the final reform arrangements will be settled in early 2023 after taking into consideration feedback from the people who use and deliver the services. “I’ve had a few discussions with different representatives from Mount Alexander Shire about the importance of these services and the council’s ongoing commitment to delivering them,” Ms Chesters said. “Council has been proactive in consultation with government around what future delivery looks like. “I want to see local councils continuing these services. It’s an important service for local residents and provides good local jobs.” Mount Alexander Shire Council communications have expressed that there will need to be changes to the current management and provision of community aged care services in order to meet the new regulatory requirements and to remain feasible in a new market environment. The council is considering how to respond to future arrangements to best meet the needs of its older residents and ageing community by undertaking a review in partnership with Central Goldfields Shire Council at a cost of $25,000 for each local government area. Mount Alexander Shire Council’s manager of Community Wellbeing Rosalie Rogers said the council currently provides aged care services to more than 800 residents across the shire, with approximately 40 staff members delivering services including personal care, home care, respite, and social support programs. “In light of the federal government’s reforms to the aged care sector, the council is undertaking a thorough review of the services we provide,” Ms Rogers said. “We know reforms in the sector are coming, and right now, we need to hear from our community before we consider any decisions on the future of those services. “Input provided as part of this consultation will help us better understand community views, needs, and experiences around in-home and other aged-care services.” Ms Rogers said she understands there may be concerns in the community about the continuation of the council-delivered aged care services into the future and that there are many considerations the council needs to address regarding the future delivery of services. “We will continue to listen to our community about what they need regarding aged care services, now and into the future. We will also report back to the community on what they’ve told us during this consultation.”
Jane Goodrich and Adam Perrett encourage locals to join the team at Shedshaker Brewing and take part in the FebFast fundraising challenge. Photo: Lisa Dennis.
A brewery may be the last type of business you would expect to join the FebFast challenge but that’s exactly what Castlemaine’s Shedshaker Brewing is doing next month. Shedshaker Brewing director Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns said Shedshaker has long promoted socially sustainable living and FebFast, which raises money for youth in need, is a great initiative for the brewery to support. “A brewery promoting a break from drinking might seem a strange thing but FebFast is much more than that – it’s a reminder to live a healthy life while raising money for a great cause,” Ms Brodie-Hanns said. “Some of us will be giving up alcohol for 28 days, others may choose to give up a different vice like sugar or smoking or you can sign up to be FebFit and work on getting more active,” she said. “I’m planning on doing ‘FebFab’ where I will customise my own challenge!” Brodie-Hanns said. To launch Shedshaker’s fundraising campaign, the Taproom will host a special Books in the Brewery event in conjunction with Northern Books with the launch of Jill Stark’s new book Higher Sobriety next Thursday February 2. “Jill will be in conversation with one of our favourites, local author Jenny Valentish, to talk about Jill’s journey over the past 10 years since she wrote her first book about going sober, High Sobriety,” Ms Brodie-Hanns said. “To further promote FebFast throughout the month, our Taproom will stock an extensive range of non-alcoholic drinks for not only those people who are giving up booze for a month, but those who already don’t drink. “There is a real movement away from alcohol and people choosing to live a life of sobriety. We cater for vegans and for gluten free customers and this is just another way we can provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all,” she said. “Of course, for those who have decided to give up another vice, our hand-crafted beers will be available for your enjoyment. “We will be encouraging our patrons to donate to FebFast and are hoping to raise more than $1000 for the cause,” Brodie-Hanns said. FebFast is an annual campaign to raise money for Youth Support + Advocacy Services (YSAS), who help disadvantaged young people deal with addiction. Ms Brodie-Hanns said there is more to FebFast than just not drinking or taking on the fitness challenge. “We have a young workforce here at Shedshaker and see ourselves the challenges many young people face. “FebFast is a chance to help raise money for a really good cause while also promoting sensible life choices.” To book a seat or table for Jill Stark’s Books at the Brewery event, visit: https://www.northernbooks.com.au/jill-stark To donate to FebFast, visit https://febfast.org.au/s-brewing and help Shedshaker reach its $1000 goal.
Long time Landcare volunteer and Faraday resident Christine Brooke has been recognised in the 2023 Australia Day Honours list with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the environment and the community. Christine told the Mail she was surprised but deeply honoured to be recognised. “I had no idea until I received the letter from the Governor General’s office,” Christine said. “It is lovely that your peers think enough of your efforts just to nominate you, let alone all those who stepped forward and took the time to add their support to the application,” she said. Christine has worked in administration and volunteer administration roles for much of her life. When Christine and husband John made their treechange to Pyramid Hill in the mid 1990s they joined the Loddon Vale Landcare Network with Christine going on to hold the role of secretary. “There was a lot of work to be done on our 500 acre property and the surrounding region. There were hardly any trees on our farm when we arrived. We planted hundreds and it just grew from there,” Christine said. In later years her involvement with Landcare expanded to the board of Landcare Victoria, a committee representative position with Australian Landcare International, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority where she was Deputy Chair from 2011-2013. Christine also played an active role in local government as a councillor for the Loddon Shire Council from 2005-2012 and mayor from 2007-2009. Christine said each professional and volunteer role she has taken on has expanded her skills and enabled her to bring valuable knowledge to the table to assist the local organisations she was passionate about. “I even took on the role of Loddon Valley Netball League president for a time as there was no-one else to take on the job. I’ve never played netball but the girls needed me,” she laughs. After downsizing and moving to a smaller 90-acre property at Faraday 10 years ago, Christine wasted no time getting involved in the Sutton Grange Landcare group, Connecting Country and joining the committee of the Faraday Community Association which hosts regular community events at Dunstans Flat to maintain community engagement and connectedness. Christine said while it is lovely to be acknowledged for her role in all these wonderful organisations many volunteers have been part of making all those projects a success along the way. “This is an award for all those incredible volunteers. It wouldn’t have been possible without them,” she said. Christine also thanked her husband John for his tremendous support. “He is always there encouraging me to have a go and do what we can to make a difference. He has also done a huge amount of work. In light of the issues, we face with climate change and other factors caring for our environment has never been so important,” she said. “We are proud to be part of this grassroots movement managing environmental issues in the local community and also working to support farmers and private landowners to make a difference,” she said. Christine encourages those considering a volunteer role to give it a go. “It doesn’t matter how big or small your contribution is every little bit helps. Whether you can help behind the scenes or on the ground planting trees. Every role is important and valued,” she said.
