Omoikiri Budo Kai, a freestyle Karate, held its annual major grading (or testing day) on July 23 at the Wesley Hill Sports Complex.
Omoikiri Budo Kai is based out of Castlemaine with another club also operating in Bendigo. Grading’s are the method used to assess students’ abilities and award changes in belt colour.
Local instructor Jason Gray said the club usually hold two gradings each year, the major grading allows all levels to be tested and includes students attempting various levels of black belt.
“This year over 70 local students ranging in age from 5 through to over 65, were promoted with new belts , with two student attempting Black Belt,” he said.
“A black belt grading is a physically and mentally demanding grading, which requires the students to demonstrate all the techniques learned over the previous years, to a satisfactory standard,” Mr Gray said.
“Both Harry Jones and Miller Jones were assessed and passed the grading and are now Omoikiri Budo Kai’s newest Black Belts!” he said.
This major grading also doubles as the club’s presentation day, with students being presented various awards for work done during the year.
This year Elvie Dobson and Odetta Bennett were presented the Castlemaine Little Dragons Students of the Year award.
Lexi Schultz was awarded the Junior Student of the Year award and Harry Jones the Senior Student of the Year award, a variety of other students received Achievement awards and special commendations.
Three students were presented with long service awards with Patricia Barratt being presented with a 10 Year long service certificate, Lillie Spragg 15 years and Rueben Larson a 25 years certificate for long service to local Martial Arts.
Omoikiri Budo Kai Karate students skills put to the test
A big thank you
Pam Connell, Newstead
I would like to thank the person who ‘rescued’ me in the Amcal Chemist in Castlemaine on Monday. I had come out without my wallet and had unwittingly gone ahead with a prescription and a few other items and only realised when it came to paying at the checkout.
I berated myself audibly then asked for my things to be kept aside until I could return to Castlemaine in a few days time. This was being done when a young woman carrying a toddler on her hip said to put my items through with hers. I protested unsuccessfully. Neither would she give me her bank details so I could repay her and insisted that it was nothing.
It was not ‘nothing’! It was an act of extreme generosity for which I am extremely grateful. There are some kind and generous people out there and if I can’t repay her directly then I’ll make sure I do someone else a good deed as soon as the occasion arises.
Melbourne International Film Festival returns to the Theatre Royal
Castlemaine’s historic Theatre Royal is getting set to launch their Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) weekends, August 12-14 and 19-21.
MIFF is back for another mid-winter celebration of cinema an expansive program of acclaimed international cinema, world premieres and the best in new Australian film.
This iconic annual festival the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere brings the most highly anticipated films from around the world to the heart of Melbourne.
The Castlemaine venue is thrilled to once again be a satellite site for the festival screening all this year’s films over two massive weekends.
Castlemaine Theatre Royal’s Felicity Cripps said their MIFF opening night on Friday August 12 will be huge with the premiere of Franklin kicking off the evening from 7pm.
Franklin tells the story of a young Tasmanian activist who follows in the footsteps of his father, who in the 1980s fought to save the pristine Franklin River wilderness.
“As soon as the film ends around 8.30pm, we will transform the space for ‘Hop It To The Top’: A Punky Reggae Party, full of ska, rocksteady, reggae, soul, rhythm and blues. Franklin ticket holders and Loyal Royal members will get in for free!” Felicity said.
“We are also excited to be screening the world premiere of Goran Stolevski’s anticipated sophomore feature, Of An Age which will open this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).
Accelerator Lab alumnus Stolevski’s delivers a heart-meltingly tender, quintessentially Melbourne queer coming-of-age tale that will make you swoon from beginning to end.
Local audiences can catch Of An Age when it screens right here at the Theatre Royal on Saturday, August 13 at 7pm.
Other films to feature across the two weekends will include Greenhouse by Joost, Petrol, Dreaming Walls, Australian Shorts, Mass, The Reason – Jump, Under Cover, Call Jane, Sweet As, Lingui – The sacred bonds, Navalny, and Volcano Man. Book tix via theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au
Local performers provide musical treat to raise funds
Scores of people responded to Castlemaine Uniting Church throwing its doors open for an enjoyable community event last Saturday afternoon.
They had responded to an invitation to hear local musicians and singers present a delightful wide ranging program.
The event raised $2000 in donations to Save the Children.
One of organisers, Teeshia Fitzgerald, described it as “a beautiful way for the Uniting Church to interact with its community and assist a worthwhile cause”.
“Thirteen year old violinist Thomasina Challender was one of the local artists which absolutely brought the house down. We were all in awe of her composure and talent for such a young age,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
Organisers thank all the local artists for donating their time and everyone who came along and ensured it was such a successful fundraising event.
More mentors and learners invited to jump on board as L2P-plater program drives ahead
A Castlemaine learner driver program has been able to continue following the formation of a unique partnership that brings local police together with community service providers.
The TAC L2P program matches young learner drivers with a trained volunteer to help them achieve the necessary 120 hours of driving practice.
The program, is now welcoming applications from more learner drivers who face a barrier acquiring 120 hours to apply, and also volunteers with driving experience to help learner drivers gain on-the-road driving experience through the TAC L2P Program.
The TAC L2P program was previously run by CHIRP Community Health but following integration with Castlemaine Health in 2021 and Maldon Hospital in 2022, Dhelkaya Health has now taken on responsibility for the program that helps locals keen to advance from being learner drivers to P-plate drivers.
“When Community Health moved to Spencely House in Cornish Street site, we were keen to maintain a presence for L2P in town,” Dhelkaya Health’s L2P Coordinator Lisa Cavallaro says.
“With the support of Castlemaine Community House and the Castlemaine Police Station, we’ve managed to do this.
“We’d love to see some new young people and volunteers to come forward to take part.”
Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick was keen to offer his support for the arrangement.
“New learners can meet their driver mentor at Community House,” Martyn said.
“We are just a few minutes’ walk away from the school bus stop.”
Dhelkaya Health’s Community Health Information Hub recently opened at Community House, so the two organisations already had a co-location arrangement in place.
The L2P vehicle is now located at the Castlemaine Police Station for convenience and security.
“From the Victoria Police’s perspective, the L2P program means safer young drivers on our roads,” Castlemaine’s Senior Sargent Darren McQueen said.
Anybody interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or joining as a learner driver is encouraged to contact Dhelkaya Community Health on 5479 1000.
The TAC L2P Program is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council, funded by TAC and managed by the Department of Transport.
Winds of change, council starts kicking goals toward achieving net zero
Harnessing wind to power local council buildings and upgrading street lighting to LEDs are two goals Mount Alexander Shire Council says its already kicking towards reaching zero-net emissions by 2025.
In August 2020, the local council adopted its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025 outlining priority actions it plans to take to cut greenhouse gas emissions in its operations across its vehicle fleet, buildings, street lighting, procurement and waste management.
Now some significant steps towards achieving some of those roadmap objections include the council in January having joined the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) which now means its operations are now almost completely powered by 100% renewable electricity, sourced from two wind farms in regional Victoria.
“Reducing council’s operational emissions was a key commitment of our Climate Emergency Declaration back in 2019”, Mount Alexander Shire mayor, Cr Bill Maltby said.
Street lighting along the shire’s major roads was also upgraded earlier this year in an effort to improve energy efficiency and safety.
This was funded by the federal government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grants, and followed on from the 2015 upgrades to lighting along residential streets in the shire.
The council’s biggest operational source of greenhouse emissions is the Castlemaine Landfill, and now the process of capping and rehabilitating the local landfill has begun, with gas flaring infrastructure to be installed in the future forecast to greatly reduce landfill emissions.
The council has also purchased its first electric vehicle for its fleet, marking the beginning of its electric vehicle transition.
The achievements have been outlined in the recently released 2022 Progress Report: Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025.
“Our community made it clear that climate action is vital to them, and we are actively responding,” Cr Maltby said.
“Council’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025 is really just one part of the picture, and speaks to how council will reduce our operational emissions.
“We also want to continue to support our community to reduce emissions, and work together to adapt to the climate impacts we
already know will come our way.
“This is why council will be developing a climate change strategy over the coming months, along with a new waste strategy.
“We will be looking to our community for input on both of these documents, so I encourage residents to keep an eye on our online engagement platform Shape Mount Alexander for details on how to get involved,” Cr Maltby said.
Service to reflect and remember loved ones lost, online event returns
Castlemaine’s Dhelkaya Health is again offering its annual Remembrance Service of Reflections and Memories as an online event.
The service began in 2019 as a means by which loved ones, staff and the wider community can remember and give thanks for the lives of patients, residents and clients of Dhelkaya Health – formerly Castlemaine Health – who died between December 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021.
Pastoral care coordinator at Dhelkaya Health, Danni Moore, has conducted the service since its inception.
“Continuing COVID-19 restrictions in health care settings requires us working in healthcare to continue to be flexible, responsive and creative,” Ms Moore said.
“Although watching the service is nowhere near the same as gathering in person, like the previous year, so many more people were able to participate in our online offering in 2021 than would have been able to attend in person.”
“The feedback from family and friends, many of whom live in Melbourne and interstate, is that they really value the opportunity to honour their loved ones in this way.
“Even though most COVID-19 related restrictions have ended, COVID-19 has not, and many people are still hesitant to gather in large groups.
“Add in the rising cost of travel, and it’s easy to see why providing this remembrance service as an on-line service makes sense.
“It’s our hope that watching the service offers people comfort, recognition and a time to be still and remember in the midst of a world that continues on, regardless of what they may be experiencing.”
This year’s service was filmed in the beautiful autumnal setting of the Garden Room at Buda Historic Home and the Remembrance Service of Reflections and Memories is available to watch on Castlemaine Health
website at www.castlemainehealth.org.au/events. It can be accessed via any PC, phone or tablet device
with an internet connection.
For further information or a copy of the memorial service booklet (hardcopy or electronic), please contact Danni Moore, Pastoral Care Coordinator, on 5471 3542 or email dmoore@castlemainehealth.org.au.
Give Castlemaine its supermarket!
Nancy Wybar-Pitts, Morwell
I am writing as a former Castlemaine person who still follows the news up there! I have rellies living there. I grew up, went to the South School and then the old High School and my job was at the Mill. I went on to get married and have my kids at the old hospital.
Even though we had all the food shops we needed etc and four grocers around the main streets, the town was called a sleepy hollow. The reason being industries were all knocked back and the main reason for my family plus several others having to leave town was for work.
It was hard on us having to leave our families and friends. So when I see the people want a new supermarket why don’t they get what they need and want? Who has all the say there? Why do shoppers have to travel miles to either Bendigo or Maryborough for items they can’t get in their own town?
Castlemaine shop keepers are losing out as well. Castlemaine is not a retirement village as some may think.
Bring it up to date, give the residents what they want now, and if you people want the change keep at the do-gooders who are not thinking of you.
One of the main things to think about is as you get older shopping gets harder like most things, so other town shopping will be out.
By the way people in the Latrobe Valley know what its like to be promised industries will be built here, then find out they are in another town. So Castlemaine people keep fighting for another supermarket, you deserve one.
Mail on Main podcast: July 29, 2022
Editor of the Castlemaine Mail Lisa Dennis chats with Dr Bridget Haylock to discuss the top local stories of the week.
You can listen to this segment every Friday on Main FM‘s Femme Fortissimo program. Proudly sponsored by the Castlemaine Mail.
Plant a tree for National Tree Day: Castlemaine Landcare to host big public planting event
Castlemaine Landcare Group is inviting anyone and everyone to roll up their sleeves and be part of this Sunday’s big community planting event marking National Tree Day.
National Tree Day is this Sunday July 31 and to mark it in style the local landcare group is aiming to get between 1500 and 2000-plus plants into plots they have especially prepared alongside Castlemaine’s Moonlight Creek.
The Landcare group’s president Christine Kilmartin says the family-friendly outdoorsy event will take place between 10am – 1pm.
Besides the planting of numerous native plants especially selected for the site, it will also include a free barbecue lunch cooked by the Castlemaine Lions Club, with some vegan-friendly options available as well.
“This site was old gold mining and then farming, and it’s a hard site to work to get back but in the long run it’s starting to look terrific,” the landcare group president says.
Restoration of biodiversity is a big focus with many low growing plants and grasses going in, along with “a small clump of trees” in an effort to enhance habitat for small birds that feed on grass seeds.
“We’ve already got a lot of trees planted,” notes Christine, ahead of this Sunday’s event which promises to be a warming and sociable way to spend National Tree Day.
“I would suggest rugging up and wearing boots,” Christine says.
Sunday’s big planting event is part of the landcare group’s ongoing work to strengthen the Moonlight Creek vegetation corridor from Forest Creek to Kalimna Park under a Victorian Landcare Grant through the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Sunday’s National Tree Day planting site is accessible from Happy Valley Road with a map and further details available via the Castlemaine Landcare Group’s Facebook page and website – with COVID safety protocols to be followed.
Planet Ark’s National Tree Day started in 1996 and has grown into Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event with the Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group and Elphinstone Creek Care also registering planting events for people to join.
Safety concerns raised over Faraday truck depot ‘still operating without a permit’
Faraday residents are raising questions over the continued operation of a truck depot despite it having not yet obtained council planning approval, amid fears it’s causing costly road damage and is placing local lives at risk.
Using public question time during last week’s Mount Alexander Shire Council meeting two local residents made separate appearances before the council to raise their concerns about the way in which the Faraday depot has been allowed to continue operating without having gained planning approval.
One long-time Faraday resident called for clarification “as to why the applicant for a truck depot, proposed and currently operating without a permit in Ellerys Road, Faraday, has recently been given yet another extension to provide information to the planning department thus extending the time they may operate without a permit”.
“The council asked them to provide a planning application approximately one-and-a-half years ago,” she told councillors at last week’s July council meeting.
“The business has been operating for years. My family and other objectors to the permit application have expressed many times the concern we have about firstly, the safety of utilising Ellerys Road regularly for large trucks, including B-doubles, and secondly, the extreme wear and tear on the deteriorating gravel road that council has to continually maintain at ratepayers’ expense.
“Could you please explain why a further extension has been given and why the applicant continues to operate without a permit?”
Another local resident who raised concerns said the operation of the depot was “a major safety issue”.
“I don’t understand why you have let them conduct a business for three years plus without a permit,” he said, addressing the council during public question time.
“It destroys the road… A B-double going one way and a resident coming the other is an accident waiting to happen,” he told councillors.
The council’s Director of Infrastructure and Development Michael Annear said the extension had been granted to the end of August after which time the application was expected to go before the council for a decision in September with an objectors’ meeting also scheduled to take place in early September.
“The extension has been granted to complete the collection of information that’s requested by council officers to help put forward a recommendation to council which will then be taken to the council meeting,” Mr Annear said.
Mayor Cr Bill Maltby stated “you can be assured that in September council will make a decision”.
Furphy Literary Award win for Castlemaine author Cate Kennedy
Acclaimed Castlemaine writer and poet Cate Kennedy has won the 2022 Furphy Literary Award with her entry ‘Art and Life’.
The 2022 Furphy Literary Award was announced at a ceremony at the Shepparton Art Museum on Saturday evening.
As the winner of one of the richest short story writing prizes in Australia, Kennedy was awarded a $15,000 cash prize in addition to a residency at La Trobe University and publication in The Furphy Anthology 2022, which will be published later in the year.
With over 600 entries received, the highly-credentialled judging panel made up of Anson Cameron, Tara June Winch, Margaret Hickey, John Harms, Thornton McCamish and John Kerr had their work cut out for them. However, unusually, there was little debate about the standout entry for 2022.
Judges said of the winning story, “Cate’s ‘Art and Life’ had us smiling and nodding from the beginning. It’s so funny and insightful, so light of touch. We felt like we knew parents like that, and we knew pressured students like that. And the response of the young classical musician is brilliant. The story is totally engaging and entertaining and invites us to ask ourselves questions.”
Many locals would be familiar with Cate’s two previously published collections of short stories Dark Roots and Like A House on Fire which are on the Victorian Secondary School syllabus. She has also written a novel and three volumes of poetry. She works as a writing mentor and teacher and lives in Castlemaine with her daughter and a huge book collection.
Cate told the Mail was absolutely elated to win the award.
“I was shortlisted in 2020 and just loved the beautiful quality of the Furphy Anthology and what it represents as far as the Aussie tradition of storytelling and yarn spinning,” she said.
“I didn’t feel like I had anything which fitted the criteria in 2021, but I decided to have another go this year and was thrilled to be shortlisted again,” she said.
“Many people think writers enjoy sitting at home at their desk but it was joyous, euphoric to be at a gathering of others from my ‘tribe’ and to receive recognition for something I had created,” she said.
Cate said that it is getting out into the world where she gathers her ideas and inspiration.
“Short stories are the form I find myself returning to again and again – learning how to compress and distil my ideas, seeing ways to take the reader on a journey, reflecting on how the form brings out our instinctive storytelling powers to make each other laugh, cry and think,” she said.
The Furphy Literary Award is named in honour of Australian writer Joseph Furphy and celebrates Australian story telling in the short story format. Joseph Furphy was the author of a number of works written under the pen name Tom Collins – the most famous of which was ‘Such is Life’, published in 1903.
Shepparton is the historic home of the Furphy family and the location of the ongoing Furphy manufacturing companies, established in 1864.
Furphy Literary Award (FLA) director Sam Furphy said it is such a pleasure to put on this competition and provide this platform for writers to showcase their talents and tell a great story.
“From all corners of our wonderful country, we are so thrilled to receive so many high quality and diverse entries.”
FLA co-director Adam Furphy said whilst everyone likely has at least one good story in them, this competition and the accompanying annual anthology allows us all the opportunity to enjoy a curated distillation of these stories and the fine writing that brings them to life.
The 2022 Furphy Anthology featuring Cate’s work and the other 15 shortlisted stories is expected to hit bookstores just before Christmas.
