Local residents can obtain advice on their flood risk and fire season preparation from local experts at the Castlemaine Emergency Response Expo tomorrow Saturday October 8. Community members are asked to note that due to the wet weather the expo will now be staged at the CAMP RESERVE in Forest Street from 11am tomorrow.
SES Castlemaine Deputy Controller Daniel Bone said the expo could not be better timed with local waterways at capacity and more rain predicted.
Expo participants will be able to learn practical skills such as sandbagging, fire safety, CPR and wildlife rescue skills.
“The expo presents a unique opportunity to meet with local first responders and emergency workers to learn how to prepare your home and family for floods, bushfires, storms and other emergencies,” Bone said.
“With concerns increasing about the possibility of local flooding you can chat to local organisations about your flood risk and preparation, look over historical mapping on areas which traditionally have been impacted and do your best to respond if needed,” he said.
“And of course its a great chance for first responders to reiterate the dangers connected with flooding and remind locals and visitors to the region not to risk entering floodwater as it only takes just 15 centimetres of water to float a small car,” he said.
“Don’t risk it. If there is water over the road turn around and find a safe route to your destination. It’s just not worth it,” he said.
The event is expected to be bigger than ever with close to 30 organisations attending, including the State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, DELWP/ Forest Fire Management Victoria, Red Cross, Disaster Legal Help Victoria, CSIRO-RMIT Evacuation Risk Modelling Project, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Wildlife Victoria and many more.
Among the exhibitors will be Powercor with their new emergency vehicle MERV.
Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV) was built after last year’s major storms caused widespread and extensive damage to power infrastructure. It will be used to support local communities during emergencies and prolonged power outages.
The vehicle will provide a central hub for Powercor to provide localised updates, and has on board a generator, flood lighting and phone charging facilities for residents.
The expo will also include a BBQ provided by the Lions Club, coffee cart, talks from first responders, demonstrations and activities for children including a petting zoo, a toy truck, face painting, lawn games, balloon art and more.
The expo will run from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free. A gold coin donations to the local CFA and SES is welcome.
New location for tomorrow’s Castlemaine Emergency Response Expo
Heavy rain turns Hargraves St into a raging creek
Huge boost for Newstead Men’s Shed
Newstead Men’s Shed has been successful in receiving a grant of $26,504.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards visited the shed on Tuesday this week to make the funding announcement.
The shed is one of 30 Victorian sheds to share in a $1 million state investment into Men’s Sheds across the state.
The funds will assist with the extension of the current shed, located behind the iconic men’s shed shopfront. The extension will create more space in the existing steelworks bay, plus space for people to get together and socialise in a dust-free environment, and will include a digital space for IT equipment.
Shed Secretary Graeme Lees told the Mail that the shed currently has 33 members, many of whom aren’t tradespeople, and would simply like to get together for a cuppa and chat.
“The extension will allow us to cater to their needs and provide a space for them to sit and connect,” Graeme said.
“We realised, particularly during COVID, that many of our members are limited with technology, and with the increased space we can have a dedicated area to put IT equipment and run training on emailing etcetera.
“We have also been working with age care facilities such as Shannon’s Bridge, running workshops for the members and we have such limited space that we’ve had to hire facilities. It will be great to have the space to run the workshops here at the shed,” he said.
Members of the Newstead shed have raised an additional $13,000 through fundraising to assist with the works. Fundraising efforts have included community BBQs as well as the sales of hand-made crafts and tables. Sixty of the beautifully handcrafted timber, outdoor tables have skilfully been crafted by members of the shed and sold to individuals, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Castlemaine Salvation Army, and the Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club.
MP Edwards congratulated the Newstead Men’s Shed and said they were an important part of the Newstead community.
“Since their new shed was opened, they have gone from strength to strength with increased membership and participation in the broader community,” she said.
Victoria is home to over 360 Men’s Sheds that provide practical and engaging spaces for men to connect, socialise, learn new skills and work on common building projects together. Men’s Sheds support local communities in many ways, running first-aid courses, building picnic tables, and making toys for local childcare groups.
“The grants allow an opportunity to undertake refurbishments that will ensure an existing men’s shed is fit for purpose so that safe, productive, and accessible meeting places are available to our diverse men’s sheds groups,” Ms Edwards said.
Council backs calls for intersection safety works
Mount Alexander Shire Council has pitched its weight behind residents’ calls for safety upgrades at the Castlemaine intersection of the Pyrenees Highway and Sawmill Road, scene of several accidents including one fatality in recent times.
The council had last month received a petition from residents raising concerns about the intersection and demanding action to improve safety there, and the matter went before the council for a decision at its September meeting.
Local ward councillor Matthew Driscoll noted that the residents’ petition highlighted “several accidents over the past couple of years” while also noting an increase in traffic generated from Castlemaine’s Don KR factory, Amicus Respite centre and McDonalds honey.
There has been one recorded casualty crash at the intersection in the last six years and two customer requests for maintenance works there, in the past two years, councillors heard.
At last month’s meeting they were tasked with deciding whether to support an officer recommendation to approve initial works to straighten the Sawmill Road alignment by reshaping drains, creating mulched garden beds for tree planting, installing signage and additional white posts, and supporting future capital work improvements there as well.
The Pyrenees Highway is the responsibility of the Department of Transport and the intersection in within a 100 kmh speed zone, councillors heard.
The local ward councillor Cr Matthew Driscoll moved in favour of the recommendation stating that several residents had approached him in person to raise concerns around the need to improve safety at the intersection.
“I’ve had several people come to me,” Cr Driscoll said.
“Residents are generally most concerned with the entry onto the Pyrenees Highway and how vehicles are shortcutting the intersection to get onto the highway.
“The residents would like the bell mouth of the intersection sealed and bollards or barriers installed to prevent this shortcutting form occurring.
“The traffic volumes using the intersection averages 110 vehicles per day with nearly fifty percent of this volume turning off at Melissa Court.”
Cr Gary McClure seconded Cr Driscoll’s motion in favour of backing the residents’ calls for safety improvements with the move then winning unanimous support around the council table.
Yarning Strong to break down barriers at Gold Sounds Conference
The Australian Music Industry’s charity Support Art are bringing their Yarning Strong series to Castlemaine as part of the Gold Sounds Music Conference on Saturday October 15.
Yarning Strong is a series that focuses on First Nations mental health and what it looks like in the music industry; how music heals and is an expression of storytelling that has been passed down for generations; and why it’s important for the industry to create a culturally intelligent space for First Nations artists, artist managers, crew and music workers to express themselves and their history.
The ‘Breaking Down the Barriers’ panel at Gold Sounds will feature special guest panellists Dallas Woods (Musician), Larissa Ryan (Manager/A&R Warner Records) and Cerisa Benjamin (Support Act) and will be hosted by Mitch Tambo, who was an Australia’s Got Talent finalist and is a well-known and respected musician and First Nations advocate.
First Nations Community Engagement & Social Worker from Support Act Cerisa Benjamin said this yarn will focus on the lack of First Nations people accessing support services.
“It will look at why many First Nations people struggle and why it’s important for us to break down those barriers and have discussions around mental health, rather than feeling ashamed to do so,” she said.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Yarning Strong to Gold Sounds, as our first regional event. It’s a series that allows the voices of First Nations people in music to express, support and heal together,” Cerisa said.
“It’s a big step forward in addressing issues in our community and ensuring First Nations people in the music industry feel safe to come forward, have a yarn and ask for help if needed.”
Tickets for Gold Sounds are available via www.goldsounds.com.au.
First Nations people can access free tickets via the same link.
My Castlemaine with Gold Sounds Music Conference director Fionna Allan
Hi Fionna. You’re known for your role in making the annual Gold Sounds Music Conference happen. How did that come about?
I was working for Music Victoria on the Regional Music Development Program – a new project to support the regional music industry in the wake of covid.
The festival is now in its second year and you are director?
Yes. I secured a grant from Creative Victoria to run the conference again in 2022. It’s just me this year. I’m the director, marketing manager, and programmer! But I’ve received incredible support from talented people in the music industry and have another event planned on October 13-16.
I am working to bring city based and regionally based musicians and industry together as equals to share their experiences. It’s a pretty intimate event where people can take time to have conversations and connect. I really aim to demystify the industry and breakdown the barriers to enable regional artists to achieve success.
How did you find your way into the music and events industry?
I had a radio program on community radio when I was at uni in Lismore. I then moved to Sydney and got a job in a Record Store. I have had countless jobs over the years but I eventually landed a job with a record label in Melbourne. From here it was a natural progression. I organised events for the label. Then a couple of bands needed help on tour and I was sent away with them to assist with logistics and the rest is history.
I worked in London for a brief period and then moved to Wales where I started touring with bands. My career has now spanned over 25 years and has seen me have the opportunity to travel the world. I think 18 year old me (and actually 48 year old me) wouldn’t believe where my work has taken me and the people I’ve been fortunate to meet.
So how did you find yourself here in Castlemaine?
Having a child took me off the road. I worked on festivals and for the Arts Council and the BBC in Wales for a time. But I soon felt the pull back to Australia and wanted to raise my daughter Elin in the country. A sound engineer friend who lived in Castlemaine suggested I settle here. We’ve been here four years now!
What does your work these days entail?
When I first moved here I was fortunate to land a job straight away with the Castlemaine State Festival. I also worked with the Theatre Royal and MainFM.
More recently I have created my own business ‘Lady Adventurer: Creative Projects and Strategic Support’. I am letting the opportunities which are presented to me guide my work and see what direction it takes me in. I am currently doing some work on a few local projects, as well as Almost Summer Festival in Bendigo. I’m also working for Lot19 Arts Precinct. I love their passion and the annual talent contest Castlemaine Idyll is an event I’m grateful to have become involved in.
OK, any other community involvements in this part of the world?
Well I still present a radio program ‘One Crowded Hour’ on MainFm Monday nights at 5pm. My involvement in the station really opened up the community to me. During covid the ‘Kids Lockdown’ program I ran with Elin really helped to keep us connected with people – and kids connected with each other.
Any other particular interests keeping you busy Fionna?
Yes – I love road trips! And my daughter and I enjoy walks throughout the local region. We have the best neighbours in town. I love our little pocket of Wesley Hill.
OK, any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Try not to always default to ‘No’! And – everyone and everywhere has a great story to tell. I’ve definitely discovered that. I love a little road trip and discovering new places. If I can throw in a music gig along the way that’s a bonus – or a great excuse.
Nice one! Three dream dinner guests?
This is a hard one. I change it every time I am asked this! I think Welsh opera singer Charlotte Church. I’ve been out with her – she is a lot of fun! Alan Rickman. There is just something about him. And Susan Sarandon – she is utterly brilliant.
Do you have any Pet Peeves?
People who stand too close to the baggage carousel at the airport! And people who stand in the middle of the escalator or moving carriageways (Laughs).
Musical genre of choice?
I can’t pick one! Whatever brings me joy or big feelings. If I can dance to it in the kitchen it’s a bonus. Nothing like a kitchen disco! Elin and I had a few during lockdown. As for what I am listening to at the moment it’s Jess Parker’s new album ‘Bread and Butter’ and Laura Jean’s ‘Amateurs’.
What are you reading at the moment?
I love reading, but I don’t do it as much as I should. Shame, as I used to work at a bookstore! I am reading Myf Warhurst’s biography ‘Time of My Life’ in preparation for her book launch at Gold Sounds and ‘How to Lose Friends and Influence White People’ by Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf.
Just finally then Fionna, what do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
I love my neighbourhood and my neighbours. I love being able to walk along the Forest Creek track to Chewton and beyond. I also love swimming at the Rez!
Album launch and all ages event at Oni Streetwear
Castlemaine band/art project DEAD are set to launch their new LP ‘The Laughing Shadow’ with an art exhibit and all ages show at Oni Streetwear in Forest Street, Castlemaine tomorrow, October 1.
This will be the tenth album release for the local outfit which is headed up by Jem Ponussamy who works locally at HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) on drums and landscaper Jace Rogers on bass and guitars.
Recorded in Campbells Creek at Sound Recordings by Mike Deslandes (Cosmic Psychos/ Tropical F**k Storm) the album also features talented local saxophonist Jenny Divers.
DEAD’s Jem Ponussamy said this album is a lot more orchestral than their previous metal offerings.
“We wrote and recorded the music during the covid lockdowns. It was a time when we were unable to attend funerals and we lost a number of friends and were unable to gather and celebrate their lives. This album really kind of channels those feelings and emotions,” Jem said.
“It is a lot more orchestrated, deliberately. It is like a 40 minute continuous piece, like a soundtrack each song blends together as a whole work,” he said.
Jem said the band has a backlog of material created during covid and has another couple of albums waiting in the wings.
The ‘The Laughing Shadow’ will also be released nationally in October via the band’s own label WeEmptyRooms.
To celebrate the release the band are teaming up with Oni Streetwear to present an all ages, alcohol free gig and art exhibit tomorrow.
Jem says Oni has been engaging with local youth and providing a safe and supportive space for them to work and express themselves.
“As part of the event we will exhibit original artworks from the album art and perform music from the new offering,” he said.
They will also be making T-shirts on demand at the show, featuring a unique design available at this show only.
Jem says it was important to them to create a live gig which was accessible to all and they hope it will be the first of many.
“Many live gigs are linked with alcohol consumption. Whilst were are not against alcohol we’ve seen the damage it can do to musicians.
“We want to provide an option where live music is more accessible and young people are not excluded. A space where they can enjoy and play music and create art and there is a positive focus on wellbeing,” he said.
Melbourne duo Thistleswitch will play also, returning to Castlemaine for the first time in ages.
The event will run from 3pm-6pm. Tickets are $22 Adults, $16 12-18 years. Under 12s are free but must be with a parent/guardian.
Grab your tickets or order your shirts at www.trybooking.com/CCBQT
‘Renewal’ raising funds for climate
Respected Central Victorian printmaker Helen Seligman is set to unveil an exhibition of her latest works at Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre foyer in the spirit of ‘Renewal’.
Helen’s exhibition aims to raise funds in support of climate action organisations ‘Market Forces’, 350.org, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), and the Indigenous Youth Climate Action group ‘Seed’.
Seligman has exhibited Australia wide, has a Masters Degree in Visual Art and has been teaching printmaking in the Art Pathways course in Castlemaine for more than 20 years.
The exhibition opened on September 26 and will be formally opened with a special event this Saturday October 1 at 12 noon by Josh Meadows from Australian Conservation Foundation.
Local art enthusiasts can catch the artist in attendance in the library foyer Wednesdays and Fridays between 3pm and 5.30pm and Saturdays between 11.30am and 1.30pm for the duration of the exhibition which runs until November 5. A wide range of smaller works will be on display at these times.
Sharnie hopes to inspire with marathon effort
Melanie Barnes
Castlemaine resident, Sharnie Digby will be completing the Nike Wheelchair Marathon this Sunday October 2 in her new race chair and is ready to crack her best time.
The Mail caught up with Sharnie last week to talk about her achievements. This will be her 6th marathon, and 3rd marathon this year. Sharnie wants to inspire others to join wheelchair marathons and noted that hardly anyone in wheelchairs participate in these events in Australia.
Sharnie became sick in 1999 with a neurological condition that put her in a wheelchair in 2002. She didn’t do a lot of running prior to her diagnosis being an avid swimmer.
“I made a complete change with the direction of my life once I was in the wheelchair,” she said.
Sharnie started out in her regular chair using a ‘freewheel’ before taking to a race chair. She recently completed two marathons and a half marathon in just two weeks!
“My friends started a ‘Go Fund Me’ page and I was amazed at how quickly funds were raised to purchase my racing chair,” she said.
The new chair has shaved off hours from her personal best in competitions and she can’t wait to compete in the race chair category for the first time at Melbourne this weekend.
“I share the love of marathons with my brother who runs, and I recently beat him in my new chair,” she says proudly.
“We travel to the US to compete in the ‘Disney Marathon'”.
They compete together in the ‘Dopey Challenge’ which is a total of 48.6 miles run around the Disney theme parks and is open to all who want to be in it.
Her training involves gym sessions and stretches as well as getting out in her chair. Sadly Sharnie has to travel to Bendigo to train on a decent sports ground that caters for wheelchairs.
“There are still a lot of changes that need to be made for people in wheelchairs,” she said.
“Local walking tracks such as the rail trails are quite rough and not suitable for chairs”.
Sharnie wants to see more people in chairs participating in marathons and says that the US is well ahead of us with a large social network of wheelchair marathon participants over there, who she keeps in touch with.
“I was one of only two competitors which competed in the Melbourne Marathon in a wheelchair last year. It would be fantastic to see more people like me getting out there and having a go,” she said.
In her spare time, Sharnie has been helping local animal welfare shelter Mount Alexander Animal Welfare (MAAW) by volunteering at the op shop to raise money for animals in the area. She is also kept busy with her gorgeous dog who is the ‘Dulux’ paint dog which can be seen in the Dulux advertisements.
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival is open to everybody from beginners to elite runners looking to achieve a personal best.
In 2021, participants and supporters raised over $1.2 million for more than 162 deserving charities and causes across the country including this year’s premier charity partner, the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC).
For more information or to register visit melbournemarathon.com.au
Runners celebrate as Run the Maine returns
Hundreds of runners celebrated Run The Maine’s highly anticipated return last Friday September 23 taking to the trails in and around Castlemaine and raising valuable funds for Castlemaine’s hospital Dhelkaya Health.
Featuring three different runs over 5km, 10km and 21.1 km, the action started with the 21.1km half marathon runners catching the Victorian Goldfields Railway steam train out to their Maldon start line, while the 10km run featured a loop through Walmer Forest and the 5km walk/run took participants up Gingell Street and through the picturesque Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. The event winding up under lights at Camp Reserve.
Run The Maine event director Gavin Krasner said the team were delighted with the response to their first physical run back following covid.
“Maree Edwards once again came along to open the event. We really appreciate Maree’s support,” he said.
“We had just under 500 runners take to the three courses with participants travelling to Castlemaine from as far away as Perth, Brisbane and right across Victoria.
“We even had a Dutch runner take out our five kilometre Open Men’s event!” he said.
Gavin said funds were still being tallied at the time of going to press but they were well on target to achieving their fundraising goal and securing a BiPAP ventilation machine for Dhelkaya Health.
The run director said they had a fantastic response to their new 5km and 10km course routes.
“Thanks must also go to Shire CEO Darren Fuzzard and Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race who assisted with the presentations,” he said.
Gavin also thanked the incredible team of volunteers which worked so hard to make the event possible and all the sponsors for their support of the event.
“I’d like to particularly thank the Rapid Relief Team for providing the barbecue and putting together a massive team of 65 marshalls. Keeping our participants safe while they enjoy their runs is our highest priority and the friendly marshalls made our participants feel safe and secure on course. The RRT do some fantastic work in the community and we are extremely grateful for their support in helping making the day a success,” he said.
“The three main things we aim to do is to create a really good community event; ensure our runners have a really good time with fun and challenging runs; and promote the importance of health and wellbeing while raising funds for our hospital in the process and I think we ticked all those boxes,” he said.
RTM Results
The top placegetters in each division were as follows:
Open Men’s 21km: 1st Sean Tee 1:26:14, 2nd Ryan Worn 1:27:09, 3rd Daniel Rees 1:32:43.
Open Other 21km: 1st Jesse Boylan in 2:16:34.
Women’s Open 21km: 1st Vanessa Bull 1:44:02, 2nd Anna Huggins 1:46:47, 3rd Sophie O’Hare 1:47:06.
Veteran Male 21km: 1st Mark Dainton 1:40:46, 2nd Ray Durrant 1:56:37, 3rd Anthony Greaves 2:09:25.
Veteran Female 21km: 1st Robin Murdoch 2:06:14, 2nd Pam Joseph 2:06:32, 3rd Raewyn Rice 2:30:11.
Open Female 10km: 1st Laura Sammon 46:55, 2nd Alyse Starr 0:47:37, 3rd Laura Latter 50:34.
Open Male 10km: 1st Taine Lang 37:02, 2nd Ben Orphin 42:19, 3rd Karl Quast 42:59.
Open Male Veteran 10km: 1st David Reidie 52:30, 2nd Hunter Gill 54:34, 3rd Alan Pearce 1:07:09.
Under 15 Female 10km: 1st Keely Williams 50:30, 2nd Mackenzie Ridgway 1:10:05.
Under 15 Male 10km: 1st Lachlan Stewart 48:10, 2nd Cooper Ridgway 52:56.
Open Female 5km: 1st Tully Lang 20:47, 2nd Eve Lamb 23:17, 3rd Ebony Anglin 24:36.
Open Male 5km: 1st Bram Van Druten 16:02, 2nd Tez Kavanagh-Dando 18:32, 3rd Rory McPhillips 19:02.
Veteran Female 5km: 1st Jane Marriott 31:53, 2nd Marg Prowse 35:17, 3rd Susan Verbyla 36:38.
Veteran Male 5km: 1st Gavin Kearney 20:04, 2nd Steven Townsend 25:08, 3rd Bill Wiglesworth 32:53.
Under 15 Female 5km: 1st Willow Kelly 21:59, 2nd Madeleine Davies 26.11, 3rd Arora Annear-Foster 30:11.
Under 15 Male 5km: 1st Alex Welch 20:27, 2nd Will Runnalls 22:26, 3rd Seth McGill 22:42.
For more results see the Run the Maine website.
Netball clinic assists local netballers to hone their skills
Magpie netball co-coach and former Super Netball, Commonwealth Games and World Cup elite netballer Fiona Fowler conducted a free school holiday clinic for talented local netballers in the Mount Alexander Shire at Castlemaine’s Wesley Hill Netball Complex on Wednesday last week.
The day saw around 40 netballers ranging from 15 & Under through to 17 & Under enjoy a number of drills and receive tips on their game from the respected elite Aussie netballer, before putting those new found skills to the test in a series of practice games.
Fiona Fowler (née Themann) is a former Suncorp Super Netballer with the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Collingwood Magpies.
With dual nationality Fiona has also represented Scotland on the court and brings experience to the Castlemaine region having played at the highest levels including the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2015 Netball World Cup.
Fowler and Castlemaine Magpie co-coach former Victorian Men’s netballer and long time coach Gary Cooke had a great inaugural season with the Magpies coaching their A Grade and A Reserve sides to finals in 2022 and aim to continue what they started in 2023.
“We are excited to continue to build on our 2022 season, focusing on whole club success which will help provide a quality netball pathway for our juniors in the region,” Fiona said.
To that end they will be holding Senior Netball Try Outs for its 2023 squads at the Wesley Hill courts next Tuesday October 4 and Thursday October 6 from 6pm to 7.30pm each evening. To find out more and to register check out the Castlemaine Football Netball Club Facebook page or website at castlemainefnc.com.au
‘All that Steams’ to celebrate 160th anniversary of railway
Castlemaine Historical Society Inc are gearing up to hold a special fundraising event in October ‘All That Steams’ to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the opening of the railway at Castlemaine in 1862.
The community is invited to explore the history of the railway and the station at the event by taking part in one of two walking tours of Castlemaine Railway Station, which will include a visit to one of the few remaining mechanical signal boxes.
Castlemaine Historical Society president Carol Dorman said the railway was opened on October 15, 1862 with enthusiastic celebrations including a grand ball in the market building, now the Visitor Information Centre.
“It was a really momentous event and one we look forward to celebrating with our guided tours,” she said.
“Funds raised will assist the society with the ongoing maintenance, preservation and promotion of our local collection,” Carol said.
The walking tours will take place on Sunday October 16 at 10am and 2pm and will run for an hour and a half. Visiting the signal box will involve stairs.
Tickets are $25 per adult, $10 students, $60 family. Bookings can me made through the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre.
Participants are asked to meet outside the kiosk on Platform 3 home to the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Please note the tour price does not include tickets for the steam train.