New club champions and handicap winners for the year Jamie Griffin, Dan McColl, Greg Brown, Sam
Swagemakers, Richard Ruddick and Chris Jolme.
Saturday was the final round of the Castlemaine Rifle Club’s Championship for 2022-2023.
The event consists of eight stages contested over 12 months to determine the Club Champions in ‘Target Rifle’, ‘F Class’ and ‘F Open’.
Distances from 300 yards to 900 yards are shot over in all types of weather from hot to cold, wet and dry, and varying degrees of wind and mirage.
The winners, ‘The Club Champions’ are the shooters who can shoot with the most accuracy and skill in all of these conditions over the twelve months, proving to be the best shooters at the club.
Shooting was over the long distances of 800 and 900 yards in pleasant conditions.
At the first range, Club President Richard Ruddick started well with 49.2 in Target Rifle.
In ‘F Class’ Sam Swagemakers scored 55.2 to lead Greg Brown with 54.1.
In ‘F Open’ Dan McColl had the best score of 57.3 to lead Tony Skinner with 53.2.
The next range was our longest distance being 900 yards.
Target Rifle was again led by Richard Ruddick with 53.6 followed by Chris Jolme with 39.0.In ‘F Class’ Greg Brown scored 62.1 with Darren Trevena next with 58.2.
In ‘F Open’ Tony Skinner scored 59.2 followed by Dan McColl with 59.1.
Final results for the day saw Richard Ruddick win Target Rifle followed by Chris Jolme.
Chris won the handicap from Richard.
In ‘F Class’ Greg Brown won the day with 116.2 followed by Sam Swagemakers with 111.5.
Sam won the handicap from Greg.
Dan McColl won ‘F Open’ with 116.4 from Tony Skinner with 112.4.
Tony won the handicap from Dan.
The next was the totals to determine this year’s Club Champions.
The ‘Target Rifle’ winner was Richard Ruddick from Chris Jolme and Gary Ryan.
Chris won the handicap from Richard and Gary.
The winner in ‘F Class’ was Greg Brown with Darren Trevena second and Sam Swagemakers third.
Sam won the handicap from Greg and Darren.
This was Greg’s first win in the Club Championship.
F Open was won by Dan Mc- Coll.
This was also the first win for Dan.
Second place went to Jamie Griffin with third Phil Smith.
The handicap was won by Jamie Griffin with Dan second and Phil third.
It was a tough fought contest in all grades with the winners deserving the title of ‘Club Champion’.
This weekend is the second round of the Victorian Precision Service Rifle Series commencing with a practice on Saturday.
This event has really grown in popularity around Australia with entrants coming from many parts of Australia to Castlemaine to compete.
For more information on the sport of big bore rifle shooting call the Captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.
Perth artist Katy Steele will take to the stage at The Bridge on August 5.
Perth artist and former Little Birdy frontwoman Katy Steele released her second long awaited solo studio album Big Star last Friday June 9 and to coincide with the release she will be heading out on a massive national tour which kicks off in July.
The tour will include a stopover at Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel on August 5 and Katy told the Mail she is looking forward to sharing her new music with the local audience.
The new album features recently released alt-pop track Come And See Me plus previous singles End Is Near and Feel So Bad.
The album was created and recorded at her home in Perth alongside life partner Graham McCluskie over a period of time where they became parents to two beautiful girls.
The latest offering is completely DIY and really shines a light on Katy’s craftsmanship as an artist as well as her ability to do it all as a musician and mother.
Katy reflects on the process, “Of course, like many projects that demand so much energy and creativity, there were times I questioned everything. However, one of the most important lessons I’ve learnt about myself is that I will never stop creating, no matter what life throws my way. This is what I was born to do,” she said.
“All of the elements that you will experience when listening were lovingly created and recorded in my home studio, by me and my life partner. To be able to hit record whenever you feel that spark inside you is pretty incredible. The world we live in is forever changing and now this album is a part of it.”
If there’s one thing that you remember about Katy Steele it’s that voice. Undeniable, ethereal, dramatic and melodic. She’s a one and only. A creative chameleon. A singersongwriter. An artist with almost two decades in the Australian music industry who continues to impress.
Katy is no stranger to hard work. At 19, and as the lead singer of one of Australia’s biggest bands Little Birdy, she travelled the world building her music career and releasing three studio albums with the band (BigBigLove, Hollywood, Confetti).
The success of which came with a myriad of ARIA nominations as Little Birdy continued to make its mark on the music scene.
A band hiatus saw her move to New York to work on song writing and production allowing her to develop and explore her own sound while navigating a personal and emotional evolution.
Out of that experience came her first solo album Human, including It Ain’t Me, Everywhere With You and Where’s The Laughter.
Speaking to the Mail during her recent stint as the Double J Artist in Residence Katy said it was wonderful to have the ability to experiment and build on the sound for this latest album.
“It was also incredible to have input into the art direction as well. We had control over every aspect of the project,” she said.
“It involved growth, strength and determination but I am really proud of the final result and so excited to be able to share it with a live audience,” she said.
The Radio Galahs celebrate their victory last Sunday. Photo: Craig Gaston.
Richard McLeish
Local community radio station MainFM’s annual MAIN Game football fundraiser drew a crowd of birdwatchers, musos and legends alike to Camp Reserve last Sunday.
As the siren sounded it was two footy teams of a different persuasion than usual that had taken centre stage.
Dressed in pink, grey and white, with plenty of glitter and face-paint to match, the Radio Galahs held off a fast-finishing Rockatoos in red, black and yellow to take out bragging rights.
Connecting three pillars of Mount Alexander’s diverse community – sports, radio and music – the MAIN Game has become a prominent feature of the local events calendar since its inception in 2018.
In front of a 700-plus crowd of all ages dressed largely in the colours of their preferred team, this year’s battle of the birds didn’t disappoint.
After the sporran-donned Highland Pipe Band sounded the opening of the afternoon in fine style, the ball was bounced and the feathers began to fly.
A close contest was battled out between the two sides
but in the end the Radio Galahs were victorious.
Photo: Max Lesser.
Rockatoos fans get vocal as the proceedings hit fever pitch. Photo: Max Lesser.
The Rockatoos and Radio Galahs pause for a minute’s silence for Dallas Keogh-Frankling. Photo: Craig Gaston.
The Rockatoos are cheered onto the ground at the start of the
match. Photo: Craig Gaston.
The Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band performs at the
opening of the annual match. Photo: Craig Gaston.
The Radio Galahs celebrate their victory last Sunday. Photo: Craig Gaston.
With some efficient use of the ball inside 50, the Galahs managed to kick three goals in the first quarter utilising the breeze.
Sam Wills snagged a pair, offering a strong target up front and leaving the Rockatoos scratching their beaks for defensive answers.
But with a change of direction in play to downwind, the Rockatoos went to work in the second quarter chipping away at the deficit.
The mixed-gender nature of the game saw the ladies take the on-ball roles in the even quarters, with players from both local female teams – CFNC and The Falcons – racking up the stats and matching the physicality of their counterparts with prowess.
The seven-piece Presbyterians took to the stage at halftime in an assortment of footy tops, belting out originals and familiar favourites such as Electric Six’s Gay Bar and Morphine’s Thursday, giving the crowd something further to cheer about as they snacked on sausages cooked by the Castlemaine Football and Netball Club (CFNC) and sipped locally brewed beer from the Taproom.
As the action returned to the field for the third quarter and the players’ hammies began to tighten and the height of the Galahs came to the fore.
A series of intercept marks helped them hold off the hard-running Rockatoos who were contained in their defensive half for much of the term.
Play was briefly suspended as an unidentified streaker graced the field wearing a head-to-toe ‘nude’ onesie before being subdued by a dubious-looking figure of authority.
The boundary rider for the MainFM broadcast, which ran all afternoon on 94.9FM, was also in a full-length He-Man costume complete with inflatable sword, in line with the costumes of the day – Castlemaine loves to dress up.
A similar pattern of play continued for the final term, where the Rockatoos spent most of the time in their forward line trying to pierce through the solid Galah defence.
Alas, their comeback was ultimately denied by the clock as much as anything else.
But by that stage of the afternoon, most of the crowd mightn’t have even noticed.
The winner was indeed the event itself and nobody left the ground with a frown.
Final scores were Radio Galahs 5.1 (31) to Rockatoos 3.4 (22).
Rockatoos captain Paddy Tobias took out best on ground with a swag of possessions.
The attention to detail reflects the commitment to such events in a testament to the passion of the local community.
Professional-grade team songs were recorded in the build up to the match by Rockatoo Tim Johnson.
Football cards have been a fixture, along with plenty of merchandise.
It’s an event that totals more than the sum of its parts, and rivals anything like it, including the Reclink Community Cup in Melbourne that inspired it.
It’s been a challenging month for many involved in the sporting community of the region after the tragic passing of local footballer Dallas Keogh-Frankling late last month.
Players and officials acknowledged the resilience and solidarity of the late young footballer’s family and the community around him with a minute’s silence before the game.
The trending hashtag #putyourbootsoutfordallas had featured prominently among the social media accounts of MAIN Game players in the build-up to the match.
Regional rocker Tim Rogers graced the DJ decks at the afterparty held at the Bridge Hotel as the sound of bird calls were heard late into the night.
The MAIN Game happens each year on the King’s Birthday Weekend at Camp Reserve in Castlemaine.
Orlando Dutton’s Bas-Relief on the CAM façade. Photo: James McArdle.
By James McArdle
Architectural details have long been inspired by myth, heraldry and symbolism, dating back to the classical era.
Such is the case for Orlando Dutton’s bas-relief on the Castlemaine Art Museum’s façade.
Orlando Henry Dutton, whose initials and surname are on the sculpture, was an Australian immigrant born in Walsall, Staffordshire, on April 1, 1894.
After fighting in WW1 and contracting malaria in Malta, he followed other members of his family to South Australia in 1920, marrying there and completing four bronze reliefs that surround the obelisk of a war memorial in the town Booleroo Centre (confirmed in my query to State Library, SA) from memories of his own wartime experiences, before setting up in Melbourne.
The son of a baker, he was trained as apprentice to an architectural sculptor in Lichfield as a stone carver, and was employed on buildings in various parts of England before coming here, where he also fought in the AIF in WW2.
At sixty-one on a nostalgic return to England in 1955, he revisited his beloved home town, and his early sculptural commissions, intending to settle permanently with his then 75-year-old wife Emma. Tragically she died there.
He returned to Australia in 1960, and died two years later.
I have tried to discover if Percy Meldrum, architect of the 1931 CAM building, commissioned Dutton directly.
Perhaps he knew of sculptures on which Dutton was working for the façade of the Manchester Unity Building at the intersection of Collins and Swanston Streets.
Below is one of its duplicate sculptural groups from the facade’s bas-relief, from Ken Scarlett’s Australian Sculptors (they are six stories above the street).
Even with the assistance of young Stanley Hammond over 1930-32, Dutton was under pressure to complete these and other commissions at the same time.
His solution was ingenious; both the CAM bas-relief and the Manchester Unity sculptures are cast from moulds… expedient in the case of the Melbourne commission given the need for identical sets of figures (Faith, Hope and Charity) above each entrance on the corner block.
For that, he used high-fired terracotta cast in pieces and assembled for installation.
For CAM, since it had to be transported from his Melbourne studio, he cast the bas-relief in artificial stone.
The process is evident in the way none of the shallow figures is undercut, so that it could be easily extracted in three pieces from the negative mould, itself cast in plaster from a clay original.
One of the sculptural groups from the Manchester Unity Building from Ken Scarlett’s Australian Sculptors.
That is why no chisel marks are visible, and you can see the incisions into wet clay that form spare line work… it is modelled additively, not sculpted ‘subtractively’ in the traditional sense.
That technique is echoed in the planters on the terrace by sculptor and textile artist Michael O’Connell, also from England, who made them and his house ‘Barbizon’ in (Clarice Beckett’s) Beaumaris in cast concrete. Their panels in warm artificial stone depict local native animals.
The subject of Dutton’s bas-relief is understood from its symbolism. The identity of the central female figure is conveyed by the fact that her throne bears on her left a ‘mural crown’ which looks like it is made of brick or stone blocks.
The crown descends from that legendary golden band or halo bestowed on the Roman soldier who was first to breach the walls of a city or fortress besieged by his army (though earlier mural crowns appear on heads in Greek sculptures too).
It was taken up in medieval heraldry, and appears on coats of arms of many countries, including that of Malta where Dutton fought, and is the symbol of the guard- ian deity of nations, states or cities.
So the woman at the centre of CAM’s building façade is the goddess of Castlemaine.
To reinforce her power, at her right appears the fasces carried by the attendants of any Roman authority figure, be they magistrates, senators, or emperors.
One of the terrace planters by sculptor and textile artist Michael O’Connell. Photo: James McArdle.
It is a bundle of birch rods – truncheons in effect – and when carried beyond Rome’s walls, they were bound around a battleaxe – in this case double-headed, to be used to punish any who would defy Roman law.
Originally a literal symbol of punitive ‘fascist’ authority, here, they may attach to another legend, that of Aesop’s tale of a despairing father whose sons were constantly fighting.
For their edification he presented each with sticks tied in a bundle which he challenged them to break. None could.
He then untied the bundle and gave each son one of the sticks, again inviting them to break them, which they did easily.
“United,” he said, “you are strong. On your own, you can be defeated. Agree, look out for each other, and you may thrive.”
That may be the intention here… it was a dedicated group of women who united to realise the building of CAM.
The figure we know is Castlemaine herself, gestures broadly.
On one side, she takes the gold dug out by the miners depicted on our right, labouring in the mud of Forest Creek with shovel and pan, and uses it to build Castlemaine.
On the other she gives of this wealth to artists; a painter, and a sculptor who perhaps carves a version of herself with his mallet and chisel.
The miners’ windlass and the sculptor’s plinth; and the mound of miner’s clay and the leaves of acanthus at the artist’s feet; in the corners these forms bracket the strict symmetry, like that of the whole gallery façade.
The woman at the centre of CAM’s building façade is the goddess of Castlemaine. Photo: James McArdle.
Those leaves emerge from another Roman tale told by Vitruvius in which Greek architect Callimachus saw on the grave of a little girl that her nurse had set a basket of her favourite toys and placed a slate upon it to protect it.
Acanthus around the grave had grown through the basket, thus inspiring the ornate Corinthian capital.
Stout trunks growing beside the throne of the goddess Castlemaine sprout more leaves above her head; flowering gum to the right, and over the artists, laurel, the symbol of triumph worn by champion athletes and poets laureate, and of the women whose vision is realised in this building.
As you walk through the iron porch gates to enter the Art Museum you pass under another relief, a scallop shell in stone placed directly above the glass doors.
In heraldry it is the badge of those who had been on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and here it belongs to pilgrims of art, the visitors to CAM.
Castlemaine Art Museum is open from 12-4pm Thursday,12-6.30pm Friday, and 12-4pm Saturday and Sunday.To discover more visit castlemaineartmuseum.org.au
The Arcare Castlemaine team drying off after their icy plunge. Photo credit: Liam Frogley.
Last Friday ten staff from Castlemaine Arcare braved the cold wintery weather and allowed themselves to be dunked into the freezing water of the dunk tank, much to the joy of the residents and onlookers.
The Arcare Castlemaine Big Freeze Fundraiser has raised more than $2000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), more than doubling their original $1000 goal, with $731 in cash donations on the day, a huge $500 donation from Big 4 Caravan Parks Castlemaine and the Residence Manager Catherine McDonald donating $50 for each staff member that was dunked – a total of $500 for the 10 staff members that participated.
“Community engagement is an integral part of Arcare’s value system and being a home of avid footy fans, the residents and team have jumped on board to make this MND fundraiser a community event,” Catherine said.
The original idea sprang from one of the Arcare residents, Dot Farley who told Patrick Merrin (Arcare staff member) that she’d pay money to see him get a bucket of ice poured over his head.
“I mentioned the idea to Peter Dolan and it grew from there,” commented Patrick.
“Being footy season and with the focus on the upcoming ninth installment of ‘The Big Freeze at the G’ Melbourne v Collingwood match on Monday we decided to hold the fundraiser to coincide with the AFL event.”
Arcare Castlemaine would like to say a big thank you to their sponsors – Luke’s Plumbing, Jim’s Mowing and Cain’s Suck ‘Em Up Gutter Cleaning.
Director Vocational Services Vin Cappy; Castlemaine Rotary Apprentice Award Winner Griffin Day from KW Thompsons Transport;
guest speaker Helen Butcher, and Rotary Club President, Grant Thomas are pictured at last week’s event.
Castlemaine Rotary showcased ten apprentices and trainees last Wednesday June 7 as part of the 2023 Castlemaine Rotary Apprentice & Trainee Awards.
At a packed event at the Cumberland Hotel attended by the nominees, employers and proud family members, Rotary Club President Grant Thomas celebrated the excellence of the apprentices and the local workplaces that provide them with strong values and valuable learning.
Guest speaker Helen Butcher reflected on the value of the trades and the importance of networks and local businesses to provide employment for our young people.
Helen and husband Trevor have employed many apprentices over their years in business and she encouraged the young people in the audience to engage with the people around them.
“Be aware of who you are following, who is supporting you, and who you are leading.”
When announcing the awards, Vocational Services Director, Vin Cappy, said that given the high calibre of the nominees the judges had a difficult time narrowing down the field to just one.
“They all presented extremely well in the interviews and demonstrated great pride in their work, however, there was one compelling nomination that stood out,” he said.
That worthy winner was KW Thompsons Transport apprentice Griffin Day.
“We have been in the transport industry for 50+ years and have had many mechanics come through our workplace. But never have we come across an apprentice as dedicated and hard working as Griffin,” stated Keith and Scott Thompson in their nomination.
A clearly delighted Griffin was awarded the $1,000 prize.
Highly Commended Awards of $250 were presented to Caleb Betts nominated by David Anderson Plumbing & Gasfitting, and Andrew McCartney nominated by Kowelec Electrical Services.
A $50 encouragement voucher provided by HALT Australia was presented to the remaining nominees James McDougal (Rural and Outdoors), Dalton Williams and Kaine Fleeton (Maine Plumbing), Jack Waters and Max Chapman (Kowelec), Andrew Clover (Don KR) and James Kerr (Parsons Motor & Body Shop) ensuring that everyone went home smiling.
“Our future is in good hands,” Rotary President Grant Thomas said.
The Castlemaine Billy Cart Challenge is set to return in 2023!
The team behind the Castlemaine Billy Cart Challenge have announced that after a few years parked in the garage gathering dust, the ol’ billy cart race is ready to roll down the hill in 2023! Event organisers Camilo ‘Silverado’ Demarco and Jane ‘Fast Lane’ Goodrich have teamed up with the support of the good folk at Rotary Castlemaine to help make this classic Castlemaine event happen once again.
Yes that’s right, the race that stops a nation and brings the town together is back on! Locals are urged to save the date – Sunday October 1.
Time to get busy building those winning carts and let your friends and family know! Stay tuned to the Castlemaine Billy Cart Challenge Facebook page for updates.
Visit Maldon from June 23-July 9 to view a unique art project
featuring 17 life size kangaroos and six joeys - showcased in
selected shop windows.
Maldon Inc is presenting an art installation comprising of 17 life size kangaroos and six joeys to be showcased in selected shop windows during the Maldon in Winter Festival 2023 from June 23-July 9.
Secretary of Maldon Inc Pamela Jewson said the unique Kangaroo Art Project is a first for Maldon. “We invite everyone to come to the opening on Friday June 23 at 5pm in support all of our fabulous artists.
Starting at Bank Corner, High and Main Streets, Maldon we will feature Didge Circle performing didgeridoo, Dr Mark macropod vet from Red Box Wildlife Shelter will open the installation and trail maps will be issued to spot each of these wonderful art kangaroos and meet the artists,” Pamela said.
The aim of the installation is to instill connection and respect for these sentient beings and acknowledge our volunteer wildlife rescue network.
At the end of the Maldon in Winter 2023 Festival, the art kangaroos will be auctioned with the proceeds gifted to www.redboxwildlifeshelter.com.au
Project Coordinator Felicity Howard project coordinator said they have been overwhelmed with the response of the artists, local traders and wider community around the art installation.
“There are 13 diverse artists, plus contributions from Maldon, Elphinstone and Newstead Primary Schools along with Mount Alexander Girl Guides, Castlemaine Scout Joeys and the North Melbourne Football Club (kangaroos) who are generously creating the installation,” Felicity said.
Feature artists include Trace Balla, Robyn Riley, Troy Firebrace, Eliza Tree, Rocky and June Huxley, Sally Andressen, Anne Borg, Jennifer Barnett, Stephen Phyllis, Rachel Devine and Ros Young, Carlo San Giorgio, Julie Patey and MANet Arts Focus Gallery, Kim Devenish and Castlemaine artist Eliza Tree.
Eliza has created “Spirit of Kangaroo” – in memory of Elizabeth Gould.
This important piece has thoughtful meaning and will proudly be displayed in the window of Watermark 28 Main Street, Maldon.
“My painting is reflective of the early images and records of Kangaroos and Macropods portrayed through the images and descriptions by John and Elizabeth Gould, on their visit to Australia in the 1840’s,” Eliza said.
“We now recognise and appreciate the significant contribution Elizabeth made towards these beautiful, sensitive, and accurate depictions. They represent a valuable record of the diverse range of Macropods’; Kangaroo, Wallaby, Wallaroo, Bilby, Antechinus, Dasyures etcetera – too many of which are now rare, vulnerable, endangered, or Extinct.
“I feel so happy and proud to be involved with the Maldon Kangaroo Art project, to remind our communities of their presence and importance in our unique landscapes, and their vulnerability into the future. And the important work by voluntary rescue groups like Redbox Wildlife Shelter, in caring for our injured wildlife,” commented Eliza.
“It’s all of our responsibility, to care for Country and nature, now, and into the future.”
Following on from the Art opening Maldon Inc will officially launch the 2023 Winer festivities at a free Winter Solstice bonfire to take place next to the Men’s Shed off Phoenix St Maldon, featuring music by James Rigby, pagan rituals, a BBQ and mulled wine.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to have their say on the draft Castlemaine Railway Precinct Master Plan.
The master plan outlines a series of recommended projects to revitalise, repair, and re-purpose the precinct.
It aims to breathe new life into the space, while not detracting from its primary role as a functioning train station in a heritage setting and was created by consulting community and key stakeholders and through a dedicated reference group.
Feedback provided during consultations informed the development of the draft Castlemaine Railway Precinct Master Plan, which was guided by the three principles of stitching the precinct together, creating and enhancing destinations, and rediscovering Barkers Creek.
The plan proposes seven key projects under the three principles, which the council is asking the community for input on.
Council’s Acting Manager of Development Services, Melissa Wilson said the development of a master plan for the site ensures the precinct will continue to thrive for many years to come.
“The purpose of the master plan, and our long-term vision for the precinct is to create a thriving area that connects people and places, and fosters a sense of community,” said Ms Wilson.
“Based on what we heard during our consultations, we’ve identified seven key projects for the precinct. “They aim to improve connectivity around the area, enrich the environment, boost tourism opportunities, and much more. “Input that we receive will also guide how we prioritise each of the projects within the plan,” said Ms Johnston.
Community members are encouraged to view the draft Castlemaine Railway Precinct Master Plan and provide feedback or registering for a guided walking tour of the precinct by visiting the Shape Mount Alexander website.
There will be three drop-in sessions at the Castlemaine Bazaar, Mill Precinct on Wednesday, June 14, 11 am- 1 pm, Sunday, June 25, 11 am- 1 pm or Tuesday, June 27, 11 am – 2 pm.
There will also be a drop-in session at the Castlemaine Farmers Market, Camp Reserve Wednesday, June 14, 2.30 pm- 5 pm.
Submissions close on Friday July 7 and the council will finalise the Castlemaine Railway Precinct Master Plan later this year, with the plan scheduled to go to councillors for consideration in August or September.
For more information, contact Nathan Lord, Council’s Strategic Planner, on 5471 1700 or via email at n.lord@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
Castlemaine Lions Club members met with RCVC Directors to make a donation of an anaesthetic machine for the new Vet Clinic.
The Regional Community Vet Clinic (RVCV) was founded in 2021 with the belief that companion animals play a vital role in the welfare and overall well-being of residents in regional communities.
After many years of fundraising the clinic has been successful in obtaining the necessary funds to establish a facility where they can provide affordable, quality veterinary care for companion animals when their owners are experiencing social disadvantage or financial hardship in central Victoria.
Following their recent fundraising success members of the Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) were pleased to receive a donation from the Castlemaine Lions Club and the Australian Lions Foundation, that will enable them to purchase a brand new anaesthetic machine.
This vital piece of equipment will assist the clinic in providing healthcare to companion animals and is designed for portability which will allow the clinic to utilise the equipment during their pop-up clinics and mobile veterinary work.
“Receiving this generous donation from Lions is a wonderful bonus for us,” cofounder Yvette Berkeley said.
“Not just for its practical use as a piece of equipment but as an endorsement from a club so deeply rooted in our local community that identifies with our mission of social welfare”.
RCVC is conducting another public information session this Sunday June 18 at the Campbells Creek Community Centre to update the community on achievements, the progress of the building, and future plans, plus opportunities to ask questions and have input into the future of RCVC and discuss volunteering opportunities.
Local MPs Maree Edwards and Georgie Purcell will be in attendance. The information session will begin at 3.30pm. All welcome.
MainFM’s annual footy match fundraiser takes place at the Camp Reserve, Castlemaine, this Sunday June 11. Players have been fine tuning their skills and improving their fitness since training started in April and are ready to take to the ground with gusto. The MAIN Game 2022 was awarded ‘Community Event of the Year’ at the Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Australia Day Ceremony and is an event the whole family and furry friends can enjoy, with live local entertainment from the Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band to open proceedings and six-piece ensemble The Presbyterians at half time. All your food and beverage needs will be covered with BBQ, pizzas, fresh donuts to accompany coffee and milkshakes and the MAIN Bar. Get on down and support 94.9 MainFM to keep community radio live. Tickets are $5 for MainFM subscribers, $10 general entry, U18s free and can be purchased online via mainfm.net or at the gate. Gates open at midday with pre-game entertainment at 1pm. Game starts at 1:30pm sharp.
Art Show Curator Catherine Tait and volunteer Judy Eastwood making final adjustments to one of the panels on Wednesday.
The 34th annual Rotary Club of Castlemaine Art Exhibition & Sale was officially opened with a gala event at the Castlemaine Town Hall on Thursday evening. The night included musical interludes, canapes, art prize presentations and the opportunity to meet some of the featured artists. The exhibition will be open daily across the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 9-12) from 10am. Art Show committee convener Robert Cordy said arts enthusiasts from all over Victoria and beyond are expected to once again descend on Castlemaine for the highly anticipated event which features more than 450 works in a wide array of mediums. The featured artist for 2023 is Castlemaine’s Juliana Hilton. “Hilton’s first solo exhibition in 1966 paved the way for her long career. Her work is seen in both public and private galleries,” Cordy said. “The show will once again be complemented by the popular annual raffle featuring a limited edition artwork ‘Rubicon Valley’ by local artist Jeff Makin and a range of other wonderful prizes,” he said. Entry to the show is $5 Adults, Free Under 16. Raffle tickets are $2. EFTPOS facilities are available at the hall. All proceeds support Rotary’s charity work and projects in the community.
