Local business advocate and author, Kerry Anderson, will be the guest speaker at the Castlemaine Historical Society’s monthly meeting on Monday evening, March 2.
Kerry is the author of Australian Rural Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship: It’s Everybody’s Business.
She will talk about her latest literary challenge that features a rural business family with a history and mystery twist. Set in a fictional place called Parkers Flat that some may recognise as Wattle Flat, this fictional story has presented a few dilemmas when blended with historic content. Currently a work in progress, Kerry will share her reasons for taking this pathway in her quest to showcase the value of businesses to communities, and to simultaneously engage readers with local history.
CHSI are pleased to welcome Kerry and invite interested community members to come along to the meeting at their headquarters at the Former Court House, 7 Goldsmith Crescent, Castlemaine at 7.30pm.
Local author to feature
Learn about Newstead’s Flood Study
Mount Alexander Shire Council is holding an information session to update residents on the outcomes of the Newstead Flood Study.
The council is committed to working with the community to improve safety, reduce impacts and build long–term flood resilience in Newstead.
The flood study has been delivered over three stages, with strong community involvement throughout Stage One (2024) and Stage Two (2025). The project is now in Stage Three, where the council is sharing the study results and recommendations.
A community information session will be held to present flood mitigation plans and other key findings.
Community members will be able to discuss the outcomes with staff from the council, Water Technology, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
The Community Information Session will be held on Monday, March 16 from 6pm to 7pm at the Newstead Community Centre, Main Hall, 9 Lyons Street, Newstead.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Toby Heydon said that community engagement played a vital role in the Newstead Flood Study.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the Newstead community who took the time to review the flood study and provide feedback,” said Cr Heydon.
“This is a fantastic example of the council and community working together to come up with the best possible solution – one that focuses on the safety and wellbeing of Newstead now and into the future.
“I invite residents to come along to the upcoming information session to learn about the recommended mitigation option, view the flood study reports and ask questions.”
Information packs detailing the study results and recommendations will be available from March 17 at the Newstead Post Office, Newstead Rural Transaction Centre and Castlemaine Civic Centre.
Information is also available online at www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/newstead-flood-study.
Coliban Water continues support for Harcourt customers
Coliban Water has announced a package of bill relief and support for its customers in Harcourt following the bushfires that impacted the community on January 9.
Managing Director, Damian Wells, said the Bushfire Bill Relief Program was designed to directly assist those most impacted by the fires and contribute to the community’s broader recovery effort.
“We know the fires have had a devastating impact on the whole community, and we know the road to recovery for Harcourt will be a long one.
“We hope the support we’re providing will have an immediate positive impact for the whole community and ease some of the financial pressure for customers who have experienced the loss of their home or business,” he said.
For its urban customers in Harcourt who lost their primary dwelling or business to the January fires Coliban Water will waive its entire bill for the current quarter and waive its fixed services charges for the following quarter.
“This means customers who lost their homes will pay nothing now and only pay for any water they use on their property in the following quarter,” Mr Wells explained.
“We’re also providing bill relief for our rural customers who access water from our network of rural channels and pipelines and are billed using a different structure.
“All rural customers will receive $450 in bill relief, including a $300 rebate off their current bill and a further $150 rebate off their next bill. They may also be entitled to an additional $500 if their primary dwelling was destroyed by the fires,” Mr Wells said.
Coliban Water will communicate directly with individual customers to explain the bill relief entitlements.
As part of its Community Rebates Program, Coliban Water announced an additional $6,000 contribution to the Harcourt Progress Association who are supporting local recovery efforts.
“We recognise the widespread impact the fires will continue to have on the whole community. Our contribution will ensure our whole-of-community support following the Do Not Drink Advisory caused by the fires can be directed exactly where the community believes it will be best spent.”
Mr Wells said Coliban Water had structured its Bushfire Bill Relief Program to provide as much immediate support as possible but acknowledged the social and economic impacts would likely extend beyond this.
“I would encourage our customers to speak with us if they are having difficulties with their water bills, want to discuss their services, or just need a helping hand or some general advice.
“Through our Coliban Assist program, eligible customers can access support ranging from Utility Relief Grants, free financial counselling, and referrals to hardship programs,” he added.
“Our message to Harcourt is clear. We’re here to do whatever we can to help and are only a phone call away.”
You can call Coliban Water between 8am and 5pm weekdays on 1300 363 200 or visit www.connect.coliban.com.au/harcourtColiban Water continues support for Harcourt customers
Watch the Matildas under the stars this Sunday
Soccer fans are in for a special treat this weekend as the community gathers for Matildas Under the Stars!
Hosted by Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club at Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park this Sunday March 1, this outdoor event will allow fans to watch the Matildas take on the Philippines in an exciting Asian Cup showdown on the big screen.
The event promises a lively atmosphere with family-friendly activities including: BBQ, social kick, juggling comp, penalty shootout, quiz, and plenty of opportunities to cheer on the Matildas. Events will start at 6pm, with the Matildas kicking off at 8pm.
Fans of all ages are encouraged to bring their picnic rug, bean bags, or camping chairs to enjoy the match under the open sky.
Entry is by donation to support the Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club.
Don’t miss out on this exciting community event! Bring your team spirit and enjoy a night of soccer under the stars!
Strong start for new students
Castlemaine Secondary College hosted its Year 7 Welcome BBQ last Thursday evening, bringing together incoming students, their families and carers, and school staff to begin building connections within the school community.
The sun was shining and the sausages were sizzling, but the most noticeable sound throughout the evening was the buzz of conversation between families, students and staff.
The relaxed setting gave students the chance to spend time with their peers outside of school and begin forming new friendships ahead of the year. For many families, the event offered a sense of connection and a chance to become familiar with the college environment, meet their children’s teachers, and connect with other families. The evening highlighted the college’s strong focus on belonging, relationships, and community from the very start of students’ learning journey.
Principal Justin Hird said events such as the Welcome BBQ play an important role in supporting students and families during the transition to secondary school.
“This evening is about building relationships and helping our students feel a strong sense of belonging from the very beginning,” he said.
“When students and families feel connected to their school community, it creates the foundation for confidence, engagement and success throughout their secondary years.”
The CSC Parents and Carers Club also played a key role in the success of the evening, generously volunteering their time to run the BBQ and warmly welcoming new families.
Storyteller to feature
The Castlemaine Farmers Market returns to the Western Reserve this Sunday March 1 and will welcome a special new free monthly storytelling segment.
Under the trees at the market, local storyteller Brenda Joy Addie will share original spoken stories for children — told aloud, without screens or images. Beneath branches and birdsong, these gentle stories invite imagination, listening, and a slower kind of attention.
A small circle of story, held by the trees, in the midst of the market day. Children, families, and wanderers welcome.
Stories will be offered at intervals through the morning from 10.30am. A quiet place to listen. A quiet place to wonder.
As part of this month’s event the CFM team is also excited to launch a ‘Young Growers Stall’ for the very first time – to encourage 10-18 year olds to grow produce!
Christmas came early for Castlemaine SES
Funding lifts venue to new heights
“Build back better”
A business expo, held in Harcourt this week, featured a wide array of professionals available to help business owners navigate recovery.
It was revealed during the panel discussion, led by Business Mount Alexander’s Jacqueline Brodie- Hanns and featuring local state MP Maree Edwards, Mayor Toby Heydon and Coolstore Cafe owner Remy Snowman, that at least four emergency recovery positions will be created and filled by Mount Alexander Shire Council, with plans to expand the positions to eight. The positions will be filled for two years and help businesses and communities navigate recovery.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said the Disaster Recovery Officer position, funded by the state, will lead the process and will be on the ground, hopefully by next week.
“They will be the go-to for anyone in the shire who needs access to information and support. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is to take the pressure off the volunteers who have been doing the heavy lifting here, but also to make it more streamlined for families, households and businesses to access supports that are available.
Ms Edwards noted that the recent bushfires impacted a lot of Victoria, and there are still many assessments that need to be done.
“The variety and the geographical spread of the disasters are challenging. We are looking at the packages that might be delivered in the future, but we’re still in the phase of not knowing what the rest of the summer will bring and doing that broader assessment of what the packages might look like for each area of business, from tourism operators through to the agricultural sector,” she said.
Coolstore Cafe owner and Harcourt Progress Association member, Remy Snowman, said that up until now, whilst the community has been able to connect and access services, the business community has been left out.
“Now’s our opportunity to come together and look after ourselves and think about what the future looks like for us and how we want to grow as a town and have an impact on the long-term recovery of the region,” he said.
“I feel, personally, that I have a responsibility in the recovery. Our venue was customer facing hospitality. We were a place for people to connect, and we’re looking at how we can rebuild with that in mind. How can we create a space where people can come together and get a cup of coffee, but also be with each other and share stories and hugs?”
Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns acknowledged the extraordinary contributions of the business community and outlined multiple fundraisers that have taken place.
“But what Business Mount Alexander has done is establish a fundraising account with the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal specifically to help with economic recovery. We currently have about $100,000 pledged, and we’re on track for $200,000,” she said.
“We will be coming out to the community, businesses and producers and asking, ‘What is the most effective use of this bucket of money to help support economic recovery?’ The sorts of things I would envisage are promotion and marketing campaigns… tourism campaigns, and potentially more events,” Jacqueline said.
“We need to start articulating what we want from the future because if we can start articulating that now, we can feed that into the funding plans, we can look at creating a dynamic precinct around the Coolstore. How can we reimagine what that looks like?
“This is not back to what we were, but where we want to be. Build back better.”
Maldon’s 60th Anniversary Celebration
