Castlemaine Cannons Basketball Association sides have been enjoying a spirited competition in the lead up to Christmas. It is great to see players of all ages back in action on the local courts at the War Memorial Stadium at Wesley Hill.
It was a big week of basketball action with the Castlemaine Cannons Country Basketball League (CBL) squad also playing their final home game. Unfortunately, the Cannons lost their bout against Mildura by three points knocking them out of the finals race. It was a great game but the local side just fell short. Congratulations Mildura on a great win and getting into the big dance. Best of luck.
The Cannons thank all their supporters, friends and family and all the people behind the scenes for assisting them throughout the season.
They will be back next season ready for revenge!
Basketball action aplenty
My Sutton Grange with artist Chris Moule
Hi Chris. You always look dapper in your suits. Do you always wear them?
I was born in London and my family was evacuated from London to a little village called Harpole. All we had with us were little gas masks and a small case with pajamas. That was it, that’s all we had.
When we arrived there were 47 other children who had evacuated London. People would come and look at the children and say, “she’s pretty, she’ll be good in the kitchen, he looks strong, I’ll take him.”
By 1 am we were still there and someone came over and asked why we hadn’t left. I was always quite outspoken and I replied, “we’re not pretty enough or strong enough so no one wants us”.
I was given a suit by a rich family, before that everything I owned had holes in them.
I was granted a scholarship to a grammar school and to Wellingborough Boarding School and we wore suits there too. I had wanted to become a doctor but ended up going directly into the army. Again a suit.
After leaving the army I worked as a cinema manager, where once again I was required to wear a suit. My job was to paint the windows to promote the shows, which I was quite good at. I ended up working at the Savoy, which was a much bigger cinema (six and a half thousand seats). I was approached by the Vauxhall Motor Motor Company to work as an entertainment manager so I gave notice at the The Rank Organisation. When I arrived at Vauxhall Motors, there were pickets. They had just laid off 10,000 men and I had to limp home. It was 1957, everyone had lost their jobs.
I ended up talking my way into a job at a local shop by offering to work for free for two weeks and in return, I would double the takings, which I did. We ended up moving to bigger premises with multiple levels. I remember one day there was a lady with a baby and a basket struggling to get to the register and I thought, ‘we need something like a double pram where you can put the baby and the shopping. I had a friend help me to design it. It’s the same design they use today.
When did you move to Australia?
I was headhunted by Woolworths to manage Big W and came to Australia with my wife and children in 1969. Nothing came of the management role so I worked at Nancarrows in Burwood and eventually went into real estate, selling blocks of land to people in Australia and overseas.
What an interesting and varied career. Did you have time to pursue any other interests?
Singing, painting, and photography. I started my singing career while I was an evacuee. I joined the Baptist Church choir. They put a dress on me, I looked like Lady Diana, I couldn’t read, couldn’t read music, I learned from listening to the others.
My partner Viv and I also started Hoppers Gallery in Maldon which we open on Wednesdays and weekends. We’re both artists and wanted a place to share local artists’ works.
What are you reading at the moment?
Art books and Biggles Flies to Work.
What genre of music do you enjoy?
Anything from rock and roll to grand opera, but I can appreciate all music (except heavy metal).
What philosophy do you live life by?
As an evacuee, I was taught to stand on my own two feet. I’m a giver, not a taker, always out to help other people. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. There’s no such thing as can’t.
What do you love most about the place you call home?
This place was a highly guarded secret until we moved here in 2004. We were living in Melbourne and saw a nice little dirt road with a little house for sale with a beautiful view.
Supermarket gets the green light
The Victorian Civil Administration Tribunal (VCAT) released its long awaited decision on the proposed supermarket for Castlemaine’s former gasworks site on Tuesday.
The authority has set aside Mount Alexander Shire Council’s decision in relation to the amended permit for the larger supermarket, paving the way for developer Lascorp Investment Group Pty Ltd to move ahead with plans to build the new supermarket subject to conditions.
The outcome has been met with mixed reactions from the community with some elated to see more competition in the market and others disappointed by the decision which will alter the landscape of Castlemaine forever.
VCAT members stated “we find that the proposed supermarket and two specialty shops are an as-of-right use in this location and that the design response is acceptable in terms of neighbourhood character, layout, built form, scale, traffic, carparking and landscaping.”
Further the members said “We accept that the introduction of a large supermarket will likely have trading impacts for a small number of existing retail stores, particularly supermarkets, in the region. However, we consider that these impacts would not threaten the viability of any existing retail stores and would be offset by the net community benefit resulting from: improvement in the range of retail facilities available to the residents; improvement of choice and price competition; retention of spending currently being directed at other large supermarkets outside of Castlemaine; and employment opportunities during construction and its ongoing operation”.
Lascorp has previously confirmed the proposed supermarket would be a Woolworths.
Mount Alexander Shire Council had originally granted a permit for a smaller 1,500m2 supermarket development which was originally intended to be an Aldi and two speciality shops at the site in April 2018. However, the developer then submitted plans for a larger 3300m2 supermarket after Aldi pulled out of the project.
The developer took the amended permit to VCAT when the council did not make a determination on the permit in the prescribed time.
Mount Alexander Shire Council later voted against supporting the amended permit for the larger supermarket and took this stance to the tribunal hearing earlier this year.
In response to Tuesday’s decision a council spokesperson said the issue of this supermarket has been of great interest to the community for some time.
“Here at council we have made a concerted effort to listen to the diverse concerns of our residents. It’s important to note that councillors had not made any decisions on the permit in question. Rather this approval comes directly from VCAT. We are satisfied, however, that VCAT’s decision incorporates several of the conditions council suggested, reflective of the deep and broad consultation we have undertaken for several years,” the spokesperson said.
Local objector group Size Matters were among those to make representations to the tribunal hearing held over various dates in March, July and August and the group has worked hard to keep the community informed throughout the extensive process via their Facebook page.
Size Matters spokesperson Kaye Swanton said Size Matters did everything it could to ensure the best possible outcome for residents.
“The group, and other resident respondents who appeared at the VCAT hearing, argued for a more viable stormwater management plan, preservation of existing trees, enhanced
building design and landscaping features and easier traffic flow through the designated carparking area. Concerns about these elements have been somewhat addressed through
the conditions placed on the development,” she said.
“Size Matters welcomes the 73 conditions VCAT has imposed on the development. In particular, the requirement that the original architect and landscape architect be retained
during the construction phase of the development to ensure what was presented in the planning is what is delivered to the community, and maintained over time.
“Without this condition, the risk is that any landscaping will fall short of planned expectations, as is too often common for similar developments, and over time becomes neglected and fills with dead plants, weeds and litter”. Readers can find Size Matters full response on our website.
Lascorp Investment Group National Development Manager Rob Harris told the Mail that they are thrilled with the decision.
He thanked council officers for their support of the project and everyone who contributed to the process for their input.
“I think that what we have now is a far better outcome for the community. A better integrated development and a design which will be very attractive,” he said.
Mr Harris said the development will also enable Woolworths to offer a full line supermarket ensuring locals can access their full range of products.
“This will also be a far better outcome for Castlemaine, it will stop escape expenditure, enable people to purchase the basics that need, and also create 100-200 full and part-time jobs,” he said.
Mr Harris said he feels it will be great for the town as it will also encourage competition, encourage other the supermarkets to develop and improve and keep shopping local.
“People will no longer have to make the 60 kilometre round trip and leave their town to shop. It will keep money local,” he said.
Mr Harris said they hope to begin construction on the new supermarket as soon as possible.
“We have some work to do with council and some work to do on the site environmentally before construction can start. However, we are close to securing a builder and once construction begins the build itself should only take nine to 10 months,” he said.
Chewton wildlife sanctuary opens its gates
Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the heart of the Chewton bushland, is a wonderfully engaging experience for people of all ages, right on our very own doorstep.
Follow the trail of arrows marked alongside the winding dirt track and you will find yourself at the top of a steep incline. Walking down into the historic goldfields gully, you will be met with the high howls of 150 dingos as they respond to the alpha dingo’s call.
Jirrahlinga (meaning to seek a home for a kangaroo) initially began in 1975 at Barwon Heads and was founded by Tehree Gordon and her husband Hamish, who took over the Dingo Farm at Chewton in 2005. The property was run down and required a significant amount of work, including rounding up and sorting a number of dingo packs that were loose and running wild in the valley.
Since then the couple, and a small group of dedicated volunteers and employees, have spent countless hours revegetating the property, building enclosures for the multiple varieties of native animals, relocating animals from their former Barwon Heads Sanctuary and are currently in the process of setting up an on-site cafe.
The space is now unrecognisable, with beautiful bush landscape, a large dam with swans and ducks floating on the surface, numerous quaint areas to sit and relax and an incredible range of native animals to visit and learn about. Plus, a surprisingly large number of dinosaurs scattered around the park for the kids to enjoy.
Head Keeper Rowan Mordy runs daily tours around the sanctuary, giving informative talks on the 300-plus animals and providing visitors with hands-on experiences and photo opportunities. There are snakes to be held, blue tongue lizards, a remarkably friendly wombat to pat, emus to feed, and hand-reared dingos to enjoy.
A large number of the animals at the park are unwanted pets – cockatoos that have become too noisy for their owners, who have realised that the birds can live to 100.
If you’re lucky you might get a chance to meet the owner of the park Tehree who has spent most of her life-saving animals and helping people in need. Over the course of her life she has taken in over 56 kids, teenagers and those in their later years. She has won countless awards and has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
During the recent floods, staff at Jirrahlinga have taken a wombat, koala and a few reptiles to flood-affected communities in Bendigo and Echuca and Tehree is hoping in the future to organise external visits to nursing homes and schools.
The sanctuary is currently looking for volunteers so if you’re passionate about Australian wildlife give them a call on 0493 387 144 or via email at: enquiries@jirrahlinga.com.au. Training is provided and they only require a few hours a week.
Jirrahlinga is open to the public Wednesday – Sunday with tours running 10.30am-12 pm and 1.30pm and a Junior Ranger Program running every school holidays. It’s sure to become a popular destination so make sure to check it out at www.jirrahlinga.com.au
Local objector group Size Matters responds to supermarket decision
Local objector group Size Matters has worked hard to keep the local community informed of the VCAT panel hearing process and developments. Here their full media release in response to Tuesday’s decision…
After years of speculation, delays and arbitration, a controversial proposal for a third supermarket to be built at the eastern entrance to Castlemaine has been given the green light.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has now given the developer, Lascorp Investment Group Pty Ltd, a permit to build a 3,300 plus square metre supermarket at the Urquhart and Forest Street intersection.
Size Matters, the community objector group that argued against the proposal on urban planning grounds, is now calling on the developer to “do the right thing” and start construction immediately.
Spokesperson for the group, Kaye Swanton said Castlemaine residents will face unprecedented traffic congestion during construction of the supermarket, which could take up to five years to complete.
“Once built, traffic movement through the Forest and Urquhart Street intersection, and further west to the Hargraves and Forest Street intersection, will cause significant traffic congestion in a small regional township such as Castlemaine,” Ms Swanton said.
“While we recognise that many residents will welcome this decision, we also remain concerned about how such a large supermarket will impact on smaller, locally owned businesses in the core of the Castlemaine CBD.
“We’ve seen examples of these big stores knocking out whole local retail strips in regional areas.”
Ms Swanton said Size Matters did everything it could to ensure the best possible outcome for residents.
“The group, and other resident respondents who appeared at the VCAT hearing, argued for a more viable stormwater management plan, preservation of existing trees, enhanced building design and landscaping features and easier traffic flow through the designated carparking area. Concerns about these elements have been somewhat addressed through
the conditions placed on the development,” she said.
“Size Matters welcomes the 73 conditions VCAT has imposed on the development. In particular, the requirement that the original architect and landscape architect be retained during the construction phase of the development to ensure what was presented in the planning is what is delivered to the community, and maintained over time.
“Without this condition, the risk is that any landscaping will fall short of planned expectations, as is too often common for similar developments, and over time becomes neglected and fills with dead plants, weeds and litter”.
In April 2018, Mount Alexander Shire Council granted the applicant, Lascorp Development Group Pty Ltd (now Lascorp Investment Group Pty Ltd) a permit to build a 1,500 square metre supermarket on the site. At the time, it was hoped the smaller supermarket would be an Aldi. The land was rezoned to accommodate the application, and the permit granted, enabling the developer to commence construction. However, the developer instead applied for an amendment to the permit to more than double the size of the original proposal.
When this was refused, the applicant lodged a whole new application for the larger full-line supermarket, which attracted 178 objections from residents. The council knocked back the planning approval for the larger proposal in August 2021 and the applicant took the matter to VCAT.
Size Matters members were among the 11 resident objector respondents who took part in the 16-day VCAT hearing into the matter, which reflected the complexity of the proposal, the number of parties involved, and the 3,998 pages of submissions and expert witness statements tendered.
“After such a long, drawn-out process, it is now incumbent on the developer to do the right
thing by the community and begin construction as soon as possible”, Ms Swanton said.
“This decision will change the nature and character of Castlemaine for ever.”
Perfect day for Parkrun
Saturday’s sizable parkrun contingent was greeted with a wonderful sunny summer morn, (hard to recall the last time that happened) and were rewarded too with some terrific runs. Thomas Martin got things off to a flying start, zooming around the three laps of the Botanical Gardens in 16:24, close to his personal best. He was followed by two of parkrun’s consistently quick finishers in George Targett on 20:29 and Glenn Taylor, the 3rd runner across on 21:20
Clair Brien was the first of the female runners over the line in 24:04; of course Clair is mentioned in these dispatches pretty regularly for her terrific efforts. Next was Megan Horgan at 24:18 and Jodi Oakman on 25:01. ‘Well Done!’ to all of them.
A quite remarkable feature of Saturday’s run was that the Castlemaine Parkrun crew were visited by a contingent of ‘out of town’ volunteers, mostly from Kerang, who had decided to rock up and offer their assistance – something they do quite regularly and apparently now quite a ‘thing’ among the wider parkrun community. It was lovely to have these stalwarts of parkrun join the local group, offer their services, and mingle with the super friendly Castlemaine crowd.
Their efforts were of course matched by our own local volunteer group consisting of Christine Christie, Dianne Cox, Geoff Faircloth, Michael Farr, Jane Harding, Lynette Hills, Ross Jarvis, Amanda Lake, Thomas Martin, Oliver Moynihan, and David Reidie.
Dianne was Run Director and Jane the volunteer wrangler, but the group also contained some terrific runners who elected to forgo a run and assist with staging the event instead. Thanks to all of them for their terrific, and quite selfless work. It is appreciated.
There was a decent crop of PBs too and Elliot Hutchinson kicked off these with his time of 23:04.
Damian Paynter at 24:20, Melissa Waddington in only her 2nd run completed the course in 26:33 and Rachel Kennedy 37:49 was the last of the Personal Best runners.
Parkrun is a completely free event, there are no charges, no levies, and no membership fees – all you need to do is register online (again, free) and then turn up at the BBQ carpark at the Botanical Gardens a bit before the 8am briefing. Organisers would love to see you. And don’t fret about being slow, or not being able to run the course – plenty of people walk the three laps and they’re every bit a part of our parkrun community as the best of the runners. So, get along and join in.
Bowls galore for Castlemaine
Saturday December 10 saw a successful day for Castlemaine Bowling Club’s Weekend Pennant sides with Premier Division 1 and Division 4 both recording a win.
Premier Division 1 Castlemaine defeated Bendigo East at East, Division 4 with a win over Bendigo East at Castlemaine. Division 5 travelled to Calivil, David Carlin and team had a win but the side going down overall. Results were as follows:
Premier Division 1 Castlemaine 79 defeated Bendigo East 65. Peter Brain 17/14, Greg Brain 23/15, Lachy Darroch 15/20, Rod Phillips 24/16.
Division 4 Castlemaine 98 Defeated Bendigo East 64. Mal Stevens 15/23, Chris Crossley 28/9, Steve McCoombe 23/15, Rosalie Roberts 32/17.
Division 5 Castlemaine 48 lost to Calivil 78. Charles Madgin 12/18, David Carlin 17/15, Pam Fraser 8/25, Nina Hufer 11/20.
Monday Midweek Pennant Division 2 Castlemaine 71 Defeated Bendigo 51. Mal Stevens 21/22, Rod Phillips 31/10, Peter Brain 19/19.
Division 3 Castlemaine had a Draw with Eaglehawk 63/63. Bruce Miller 14/27, Nina Hufer 32/12, Kathy Parsons 17/24.
This was the final game Midweek before Christmas, Weekend Pennant have their last last game on Saturday, with Div 1 playing a second round on Sunday.
Pennant teams
Teams for this Saturday, December 17 are as follows:
Division One Castlemaine play Inglewood at home. Chris Brain, Robin Lynas, Kevin Shuttleworth, Peter Brain (skip). Lee Bastin, Michael Diprose, Neil Bouch, Greg Brain (s). Taylor Walsh, Klai Jermyn, Dallas Klemke, Rod Phillips (s). Bernie McConnell, Kevin Earle, Paul Darroch, Lachy Darroch (s).
Division 4 Castlemaine play Golden Square away. Don Ross, Alan Nichols, Chris Crossley, Mal Stevens (s). Russell Chapman, Jack Taylor, Bruce Miller, Maureen Fletcher (s). L Carlin, Alicia Beauchamp, Pam Hunter, Steve McCoombe (s). Alene Jolme, Rod Fletcher, Graham Fraser, Rosalie Roberts (s).
Division 5 Castlemaine play Dingee at home. Sandra Grant, Sandra Phillips, J Smith, Charles Madgin (s). Kathy Hayward, Harry Fleury, Ian Devereaux, David Carlin (s). Peter Rotteveel, Peter McKnight, Robyn Fleury, Pam Fraser (s). D Barnett, Don Steet, Wendy Walsh, T O’Shea (s).
Division One teams for Sunday December 18 are:
Division One Castlemaine play Bendigo away. Chris Brain, Robin Lynas, Kevin Shuttleworth, Peter Brain (skip). Lee Bastin, Michael Diprose, Neil Bouch, Greg Brain (s). Taylor Walsh, Klai Jermyn, Dallas Klemke, Rod Phillips (s). Bernie McConnell, Kevin Earle, Paul Darroch, Lachy Darroch (s).
Novice Singles
Last Sunday Castlemaine bowlers Kathy Hayward and Jack Taylor played in the Novice Singles at North Bendigo. Kathy lost her game but enjoyed the experience. Jack won first game 21/4, second game 21/15 and is now down to the Semi Final. He plays Bailey Bradbury on a date to be announced. Good luck Jack! Castlemaine bowlers will be there to support you.
Girls on the Green
Girls on the Green concluded after five weeks of fun and serious but good natured competition.
Castlemaine Bowling Club was pleased to welcome the Regional Bowls Manager of Bowls Australia Peter Williams as a guest.
He explained that Castlemaine have the only all female Jack Attack program in the country, this drew loud acknowledgment from the ladies. It is great that we are encouraging more women to play sport.
Nightly winners for December 8 were ‘Champagne Chicks’ – Carina Bouch and Jan Brain.
Runners up for the season were ‘Spring Rollers’ featuring Caro Foley, Suzanne Hogan, Annabelle O’Regan and Christine Pickering.
Winners for the season were ‘Rockin Bowlers’ the team of Valda Campbell, Helen McEwan and Aileen Campbell who all accepted the Green Folly vouchers.
Castlemaine Bowling Club loved having such a great mix of ladies from all walks of life and ages.
They look forward to the next season in February/March.
Living with the weather
This really has been a pretty terrible Spring for sporting codes. More matches than normal have been washed out. In the Castlemaine District Tennis Association sometimes tennis matches have had to be delayed for an hour or more before starting. Sometimes we have just managed to finish a Saturday morning match 15 minutes before the rain descended.
Tolerating bad weather is just something you have to get used to when playing sport.
Sometimes our players have to keep playing through drizzle to finish their sets. I suppose getting used to weather variations – whether rain, wind, or scorching sun – essentially it is all part of the fun of playing an outdoor sport – and tolerating this helps build resilience for our players and team managers – so perhaps it is all part of the glory of the outdoor Australian life!
CDTA results for Saturday December 10 were as follows:
Junior A Grade
Castlemaine Kelpies defeated Castlemaine Rockets 4 matches 8 sets to 2 matches 6 set, 6 points to 2. Castlemaine Rogue Four defeated Castlemaine Sharks 6 matches 12 sets to 0 matches 0 sets, 8 points to 0.
Junior B Grade
Newstead Kangaroos defeated Maldon Mavericks 5 matches 11 sets to 1 match 3 sets, 7 points to 1. Castlemaine Bandits defeated Castlemaine Powerhits 5 matches 10 sets to 1 match 3 sets, 7 points to 1. Castlemaine Death Adders defeated Harcourt 5 matches 11 sets to 1 match 4 sets, 7 points to 1.
Junior C Grade
Castlemaine Flaming Balls defeated Castlemaine Stars in a very close tussle 3 matches 9 sets 35 games to 3 matches 7 sets 37 games – 5 points to 3 – as the match was decided on number of sets won. Maldon Masters defeated Newstead Wallabies 6 matches 9 sets to 0 matches 1 sets, 8 points to 0.
Ladders
Junior Ladders to Saturday December 10 were:
A Grade: 1 Rogue Four 53; 2 Kelpies 43.5; 3 Rockets 27.5; 4 Sharks 4 (All Castlemaine teams).
B Grade: 1 Castlemaine Bandits 48; 2 Castlemaine Powerhits 39; 3 Newstead Kangaroos 32; 4 Castlemaine Death Adders 32; 5 Maldon Mavericks 28; 6 Harcourt 13
C Grade: 1 Maldon Masters 51; 2 Castlemaine Flaming Balls 44; 3 Castlemaine Stars 28; 4 Newstead Wallabies 5.
Carols in the Park
Bring your family and friends, a chair or a rug and head down to Victory Park in the heart of Castlemaine this Friday December 16 to enjoy a fun-filled musical evening at the Rotary Carols in the Park.
Sing along to all your favourite carols performed by Thompsons Foundry Band, Castlemaine Pride Choir, and local soloists.
The Lions Club will be manning the barbecue from 6pm or you can BYO your own snacks and goodies.
Keep an eye out for the big man himself, who will be making an appearance, ho ho ho!
The carols will kick off at 7pm. If it looks like rain the event will be moved up to the Autoplex at the old Castlemaine Secondary School gym in Etty Street.
Cool summer party at Lot 19 this Saturday
Castlemaine’s Lot 19 arts space is throwing a cool summer party this Saturday December 17 and they want to see you there!
Yep, it’s back! All the fun of summer, wrapped up into one cool party, featuring live music from Vibraphonic Orkestra and The Seduceaphones and DJ sets from Jen Moore.
The Vibraphonic Orkestra features 10 pieces of red hot, deep fried funk, afro and dub! Built on a foundation of deep bass and heavy drums, driven by almighty horns. They have been rocking venues far and wide since 2010.
The Seduceaphones are a party making gypsy-brass beast. Creating grooves that move crowds in completely new and unusual ways, they pioneer an infectious vein of Balkan-brass-fusion.
The Lot 19 bar will be operating thanks to the support of Shedshaker Brewing and there will be food from Woodley’s Pies.
Lot19 is a non-profit arts space, committed to supporting the Mount Alexander Shire community – and beyond. The Cool Summer Party is not only a chance to come and hang out with each other at Lot 19, to get this summer started right, but also an opportunity to support the venue itself.
The event will run from 7pm-12am at the Langslow Street complex.
Group tickets are also available for anyone who wants to make a little Christmas party of it! More info and tix can be found on the Lot 19 website at www.lot19art.com
Castlemaine Primary SRC seek funding for a new playground
The Student Representative Council (SRC) at Castlemaine Primary School is advocating for a new playground to replace the school’s deteriorating play space.
Parents and the student council recently invited Member for Northern Victoria region Wendy Lovell MLC to take a tour of their school grounds highlighting the issues with the playground and netball courts.
Ms Lovell told the Mail it’s a great school but the playground leaves a lot to be desired.
“The slide and a fireman’s pole have had to be removed, the upright poles are split or are rotting at the base, many of the rock wall footholds have either been removed or are loose and the netball courts are cracked and the surface is uneven. In short this playground must be replaced,” she said.
Ms Lovell said the school has been applying for grants from the state government’s Minor Works program to replace the structure for several years but unfortunately has been unsuccessful.
“There was no grants program in 2022 so they couldn’t even apply,” Ms Lovell said.
Ms Lovell promised students she would be raising the need for funding directly with the Minister “because these students deserve better!”
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said she had also met with the student leaders of Castlemaine Primary some weeks ago, just before the government went into caretaker mode.
“They are preparing a petition to present to parliament as well as letters to the Minister for Education,” she said.
“This was the first indication I had that the school was in need of a new play area,” Ms Edwards said.
“I have suggested that they think big and give some thought to what they want the school outdoor area to look like.
“There will be opportunities for funding from the state government. I have been working with them on solutions and I am confident that by continuing to work with the school and the students we will reach an outcome that benefits all the students and families at the school,” Ms Edwards said.
“The Andrews Labor Government has delivered record investment to schools across Bendigo West with almost every school receiving funding for a rebuild or an upgrade and I’m determined to continue that support,” Ms Edwards said.
Goldfields Quilters sewing for a cause
Every two years the Goldfields Quilters host an exhibition and hold a fundraising raffle to raise funds for the community.
This year the raffle successfully raised $2938, with Campbells Creek CFA and Castlemaine SES being this year’s recipients. The volunteer organisations received donations of $1000 each, with the remaining amount going directly into fund raising for the next exhibition and raffle.
Castlemaine SES deputy controller Daniel Bone told the Mail that the organisation relies on the community’s generosity to keep them on the roads.
“This money will assist with purchasing petrol and training new recruits,” Daniel said.
“We’ve been very lucky to have growth in our membership lately, but that requires more money for training”.
Firefighters with the Campbells Creek CFA Charlotte Bathurst and Edwin Hocking said the money will be incredibly useful and will contribute towards works around the station.
“This is money that we would have had to fundraise ourselves otherwise,” Charlotte said.
Goldfields Quilters currently has 34 members who meet at the Castlemaine Golf Club on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
Ros Wilson joined the quilting group three years ago after moving to the area. She has found the group to be very active and outwardly focused on the community.
“The group is very friendly and embraces new members,” Ros said.
“We’ve recently spent a few days making 200 quilted Christmas decorations for aged care residents and the hospital and at Arcare. It’s a great way to share kindness and love.”
Goldfields Quilters are accepting new members. Visit goldfieldsquilters.wordpress.com/ to find out more.