The countdown to Castlemaine’s Run The Maine is on with just seven sleeps to go before the big day.
Running of the afternoon event on next week’s Grand Final public holiday – Friday September 23 – marks a much anticipated return to in-person format after two years of adapting to virtual versions due to the pandemic.
“Things have picked up,” event director Gavin Krasner told the Mail as registrations gain pace for each of the three feature events – the 21.1km half marathon, 10km run, and the 5km run/walk.
“The weather looks like it’s going to be good and I’m optimistic we’ll have at least 500 participants which will be good,” Gavin says.
“The half marathon is about 55 per cent capacity.”
Featuring a VGR heritage steam train ride from Castlemaine out to the Maldon starting line, the half marathon event is a favourite among distance runners and registrations are expected to book out, while this year’s five and 10 km events both feature attractive new courses that have also been gaining plenty of interest.
“From a runner’s point of view it’s got a lot of variety,” says keen local distance runner and RTM committee member, Michael Constable who tomorrow heads off to Anglesea to tackle the Surf Coast Century 100km run ahead of next Friday’s local event.
Gavin says Castlemaine’s RTM has multiple aims in the community.
“Our primary aim is to encourage health and wellbeing in our shire,” he says.
“But we’re also showcasing the wonderful place we live in and supporting the hospital as well.”
While early bird registrations have passed there’s still plenty of time left for intending runners – or walkers – to register to take part in the event that raises funds for the local hospital – Dhelkaya Health.
The afternoon event finishes under lights at Camp Reserve with hospital CEO Sue Race telling the Mail she’s looking forward to presenting place-getters medals, after also personally participating in the five kilometre option.
Just seven sleeps: countdown is on to Run The Maine
Edifice Construction takes out National Award
Castlemaine builder Edifice Construction has claimed a national award for business excellence at the Master Builders National Business Excellence Awards in Melbourne.
The local builder of ‘forever homes’ was awarded ‘Small Residential Building Business of the Year’.
The family business is an exemplar in an industry facing considerable challenges.
The judges noted the combined passion, expertise, and experience of husband-and-wife founders, Dugald and Ellissia Campbell and their team, who actively prioritise business excellence.
Rigorous criteria acknowledged the quality of building work, strong customer and supplier relations, and Edifice’s astute project and financial management.
Business Manager Ellissia Campbell said the national win reinforces that they are on the right track.
“It tells us that we are leaders in our community. It shows clients that we take our jobs, their homes and our business seriously. We don’t just build great projects but we have a thriving business,” she said.
Director Dugald Campbell said over the past couple of years Edifice has implemented a range of business improvements behind the scenes.
He also attributes the company’s success to its loyal and capable team.
“Many businesses in our industry are struggling with skills shortages but we develop, appreciate and retain our people, all locals from the Bendigo and Castlemaine communities.
“Earlier this year one of our apprentices, Lewis, won the MBAV Chairperson’s Regional Apprentice of the Year award,” he said.
Ellissia said they have also just signed on Liv, a young Bendigo woman who was struggling to find a workplace that would welcome her as an apprentice.
“That means we’ve now got three industry trained women on the team.”
“This award is a pat on the back for our staff. It’s rare in a busy small business that you make the time to look at how far you have come. Awards are a great opportunity to sit down and reflect,” she said.
The win also provides reassurance to consumers. In an economic climate featuring builders going bust, clients need to trust that a builder has credibility and viability; that they’ll stick around to deliver.
Not every builder can point to an award trophy. That’s why Dugald encourages consumers to check with the Victorian Building Authority to ensure that their proposed builder is registered. This delivers legal protections and insurance.
He also advises consumers to gain clarity about the quote and contract, specifically to understand terms like reasonable and indicative costs, and provisional and prime cost allowances.
“Ask the builder if you can get in touch with their past clients to get real feedback. Ask to take a look at a job that’s underway or recently completed to check the feel and quality for yourself,” he said.
The whole nation will get the see the quality of an Edifice Construction build when the award-winner makes its television debut on Australia’s Best House. The episode goes to air on Channel 9 on October 8.
My Castlemaine with Castlemaine hospital, Dhelkaya Health, CEO Sue Race
Hi Sue. Here we are in your executive suite at Castlemaine hospital and you have a beautiful view here overlooking the town as you go about your very responsible job as CEO for Dhelkaya Health. Can I ask you what, in a nutshell is most rewarding aspect of your work?
Probably making a difference. Being part of the community and improving access to health care services and age care services for the community, listening to the community, working with the community.
What’s most challenging about the role?
At the moment the biggest challenge is getting staff for our workforce, particularly nursing.
Do you live locally?
I do. I live in Campbells Creek. We bought a property and moved here in February 2021.
Where did you move from and where are you from originally?
We still have our family home in Melbourne, and I’ve got half my family still in Melbourne and originally though, I grew up in central Victoria, in Tatura, the Goulburn Valley.
So any other particular involvements in the community beyond your demanding role here with the health service, Sue?
I go to a good gym… I’ve joined a local personal training place which I really enjoy and I’ve met some lovely people through that… The recent local health service amalgamations with CHIRP and with Maldon have kept us really busy… But I’m really keen to get more involved in landcare. And I have an interest in art and the Castlemaine Art Museum. I have been a member of CAM but I need to renew that… and if I had time I’d like to join Buda (historic home and garden) as well.
Special place Buda isn’t it. But speaking of gyms, health, and fitness, we’ve got Run The Maine coming up with funds raised going to benefit the hospital.Will you be getting involved in that in any particular way?
Yes. I’ll be registering for the 5km walk. I’ll be there. I’ll be helping with presenting medals at the end.
Any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Be open, and honest. For me it’s about respecting people from all walks of life. Actively listening. Working with people. Collaborating.
Any pet peeves?
(laughs) Not enough time in the day.
Three dream dinner guests?
Simone Carson AM – co-founder of SecondBite – one of Australia’s largest food rescue organisations; Dylan Alcott – I heard him speak at a conference which was inspirational; My father, died unexpectedly 10 years ago – I miss our debate about politics.
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading Three Women by Lisa Taddeo.
What is your musical artist or genre of choice?
Well I do like Michael Bublé.
So you’re a bit of a jazz fan?
Yes. And probably going back to the ’80s some of the music from the ’80s when I was at uni – Elton John, Queen, Jackson Browne.
Finally then Sue, what do you enjoy most about the place you call home – in your case Campbells Creek?
The garden. The native birds, and I just love the peace. But for me home is where your family is and I have one of my daughters in Campbells Creek, while my partner works in Melbourne so he’s between Melbourne and here, and my other two girls are in Melbourne.
So home for you is both Campbells Creek and Melbourne?
Yes.
Local EV roll call: the shift to electric vehicles is gaining pace
Proud local electric vehicle owners rolled up at the Newstead enviro shop last Friday to show off their respective wheels, exchange notes and celebrate World EV Day.
World EV Day, September 9, is a global movement of EV owners and is now in it’s third year.
It was the first time the Newstead enviro shop had played host to a local celebration of the day but after a strong turnout by 22 EV owners and their respective 13 different evs, the business’ owner Frank Forster says it’s likely to be the first of many such annual gatherings.
“We had everything from Nissan Leafs all the way up to high end Teslas and Jaguars,” Frank says.
“People are basically in love with their EVs and the reasons include that they require very little servicing, the cost savings in terms of paying for fuel, and their performance.
“But there are still some issues with charging infrastructure including reliability and location.
“We’ve surveyed all of the owners that we have contact with and through a whole lot of questions we’ve got some useful data.
“Some of the key takeaways are that the EV owners we’re in contact with are all driving at least 250 ks a week and the majority are driving 250 to 500 ks a week.
“And another key finding is that 90 per cent of their charging is being done at home.”
Frank also says there are strong anecdotal indicators that a high proportion of non ev drivers plan to make their next car purchase an ev.
The Newstead enviro shop offers a “medium speed” charging station which drivers are typically using for “top ups”.
But Frank confirmed he’s now actively planning to upgrade it, before the end of this year, to something a little faster – “although we are restricted in terms of power supply to AC charging ,” he says.
Friday’s local World EV Day gathering represented a great opportunity for local EV owners to compare experiences and share useful info, and happened as Mount Alexander Shire Council got in touch with the Mail to confirm that Castlemaine’s public EV charge station, sited behind the Visitor Info Centre, has finally been updated to enable simultaneous charging of two vehicles at once.
“While dual chargers were installed, it’s only since the beginning of September that two cars have been able to charge at the same time,” a council spokeswoman confirmed late last week.
“The power to these chargers is 100% renewable.”
End the deaths: death in custody prompts call for urgent action
A peak Aboriginal health organisation is demanding urgent action to end Aboriginal deaths in custody following last Sunday’s death of an Aboriginal man at Castlemaine’s Loddon Prison
Mr Austin, a 38-year-old Gunditjmara and Wiradjuri man, died at Loddon prison near Castlemaine in Victoria on Sunday, prompting the call from the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
VACCHO has issued a statement calling for “urgent action to address the completely avoidable loss of lives that continues to shatter the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria”.
Corrections Victoria had earlier this week confirmed Mr Austin had died at the prison on Sunday September 11 and that the matter has been referred to the coroner.
In a statement, a Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson confirmed there were no more details surrounding the death at this time.
“As with all deaths in custody, the matter has been referred to the coroner, who will formally determine the cause of death,” they said.
There have been 24 Indigenous deaths in custody across Australia in the 12 months up to June this year.
In its statement the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation said it was deeply saddened by Mr Austin’s death and extend their most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the deceased.
The organisation also noted that “this latest tragedy is the second Aboriginal death in custody in the state in five weeks”.
Let’s take a look back at the Victoria Railway Foundry
Then: Victoria Railway Foundry. Circa 1861. The decision to construct the Melbourne to Murray River railway was followed quickly by the setting up of a Victorian Railway Foundry at Castlemaine by Messrs Cornish and Bruce in 1860. The new complex was bounded by Barkers and Bruce Streets, shown here in the centre of the photograph and by the railway corridor behind it. The foundry utilized the former three storey flour mill as a saw mill and a pattern room, while the grinding stones on the ground floor were used to grind corn for the horses. The other buildings on the site contained 20 forges, blacksmiths, carpenters, and wheelwright shops as well as large engine rooms. The Foundry was obviously very efficient and by 1862 the rail line had been built and it had outlived its usefulness. By 1864 the site had become a coach building factory.
Now: Fast forward to the current year and the area has now changed completely. The only remnant of the former Foundry is the old flour mill that actually predated it. It can just be seen hiding behind the street post near the centre of the image. The remainder of the site has now been taken over by a caravan park, a service station and gas supply business, and a series of houses. The car on the extreme right is parked where, in the previous photograph, the provision merchant store of E. Bradley was once located on the northwest corner of Barker and Bruce Streets. Photos and historical details courtesy Ken McKimmie
Historic moment for our Castlemaine Women’s Team
The Castlemaine Magpie Women’s side will take on Golden Square at the Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) tonight, September 9, at 7pm for the chance to bring home the silverware in what would be a dream end to their incredible inaugural season. Catch our two page Grand Final spread in today’s Mail and be sure to get along and support the girls as they vie for premiership glory. Read the full match report from last week’s preliminary final here.
Ginnivan best
Congratulations also to Castlemaine Football Netball Club Women’s Football Captain Meg Ginnivan who was also awarded equal first in the Central Victoria Football League Best & Fairest Vote Count on Sunday night.
Meg has put everything into this season and CFNC are proud to have her representing them at a League level.
Meg, along with Magpie teammates Shelby Knoll and Tia Davidge also made the ‘CVFL Team of the Year’.
Tia finished 4th in the vote count while Shelby finished equal 5th.
Mail on Main podcast: September 9, 2022
Listen to the Editor of the Castlemaine Mail Lisa Dennis discussing all the big local stories of the week.
Magpie Women’s Footballers strive for premiership glory tonight!
The Castlemaine Magpies Senior Women’s Football team kept their premiership hopes alive after a convincing 29-11 win over Bendigo Thunder at Canterbury Park on Friday night.
The Magpies have been league-favourites throughout their inaugural season competing in the Central Victoria Football League.
Their previous Round 18 match up against the Thunder saw Castlemaine’s first loss of the year by a single point margin.
A 14-48 semi-final loss against rivals Golden Square last weekend in front of a home crowd forced the Magpies to reassess in the lead up to the preliminary final on Friday night.
The low scoring game saw the return of key forward Lily McNair from an ankle injury the previous fortnight and she proved effective kicking two goals for the game. Also returning was Michelle Barkla, a machine in centre-half back, who took up Captaincy as skipper Meg Ginnivan sat the game out on the sidelines with injury.
The Magpies looked strong in the first term with improved forward entries seeing a goal each kicked by McNair and rising talent Shelby Knoll. Thunder player Jaime Sawers managed a goal whilst lead goal kicker for the league, Britney Mueck, was effectively neutralised by the defensive work of Magpies fullback Taylah Sartori. Unfortunately for Thunder this continued all game. Scores at quarter time were Castlemaine 2.2 (14) to Bendigo Thunder 1.2 (8).
The pressure through the second term intensified as each team tried to get on top of the other and ended with an evenly matched 2.3 (15) to 1.3 (9), the Magpies retaining the lead.
Castlemaine’s game was elevated compared to the previous weeks clash with key forward targets Bridie Semmens, Tiahna Cochrane, Ella Cochrane and Knoll all playing their roles.
Magpie midfielders Emily Cooper and Tia Davidge proved essential as did the rucking capabilities of Emma Pedretti and Semmens who each took a turn against a very physical Thunder playing-coach Jac Louttit.
Castlemaine sibling coaching duo Tiahna Cochrane and Jordan Cochrane used the half-time break to remind the team of its capabilities.
The third quarter being a danger-period in past matches against strong teams like Golden Square. The team was determined to rise to the occasion and lock in a win.
Despite keeping the Thunder scoreless for the third term, and multiple forward entries, the Magpies could not convert and kicked six points for the quarter. They entered three-quarter time ahead on 2.9 (21) to Thunder’s 1.3 (9).
Excitement was mounting across the ground going into the fourth with a substantial crowd lined up along the boundary to cheer on the Magpies. With only a two goal lead and a grand final at stake the out-of-towner’s were anxious to lock in a win.
A desperate Thunder had sustained several injuries over the game but were no less focussed as they pushed for an all important goal to restore confidence. The Thunder had two opportunities throughout the quarter but could not convert. An inspired performance by McNair widened the lead as she kicked her second goal for the Magpies. The final siren sounded to cheers from the gathered crowd. Final scores were Castlemaine 3.11 (29) to Bendigo Thunder 1.5 (11).
The local favourites are now through to the 2022 CVFL Women’s Grand Final to be played at 7pm tonight, Friday September 9, at the Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) in Bendigo. The bar and food will be available for spectators in what will be a promising performance by two top-tier teams.
See pages 32 and 33 for our double page feature on the grand final side.
Rampant growth in Victoria’s illicit vaping black market
Theo Foukkare, CEO Australian Association of Convenience Stores
According to Roy Morgan there are now 285,000 adult vapers in Victoria with CMA research revealing 88% of all nicotine e-cigarette purchases are being made illegally without a prescription.
Australia’s vaping policy has clearly failed. Since the introduction of the prescription model on October 1, 2021, the unregulated illicit black market for e-cigarettes has boomed with widespread reporting of black-market operators profiteering from the sale of illicit e-cigarettes to children.
The Roy Morgan data, based on monthly nationwide surveys of 4,500 adults shows Victoria has seen growth in adult vaping of nearly 200% since the 12 months to June 2018.
The demand for e-cigarettes from adult smokers is overwhelming, yet current policy settings are forcing vapers to purchase unregulated products with no electrical safety or ingredient standards from the black market. It is clear compliance with the prescription model is unenforceable as it applies to adult vapers due to the severely constrained legal accessibility for adults.
New Zealand, the European Union and the United Kingdom have successfully dealt with this issue by making e-cigarettes a strictly regulated and controlled consumer product sold to adults upon age identification by lawful retailers.
A likeminded approach in Australia would allow legal regulated access to adults while cutting off the incentive of black market operators who are currently exploiting the demand for e-cigarettes by illegally selling unregulated products to whoever they want, including children.
A big thank you from Waterloo memorial event organisers
Tom Taft, Castlemaine
I would like to say a big thanks to the Castlemaine Cemetery Trust for all the help and assistance they gave me organising the event for our Waterloo veterans. I would also like to thank Laurie from Geometrix for donating the rock to me. I would also like to thank the girls that sang for our two soldiers, Bob the bagpiper, and Danni the celebrant for all her hard work. You all have my deepest gratitude.
Kindred exhibition at Boom Town Wine celebrates talented local artists
A special pop-up exhibition Kindred, generously supported by Boom Town Wine, will bring together the talent of 11 local artists for a special one-off event next Thursday evening, September 15.
The exhibition is the culmination of the Introduction to Professional Arts Practice course, the first of its kind run by the Castlemaine Community House. Local artists with varied backgrounds and experience came together over the nine-week course to gain an introductory understanding of the intricacies of being a professional artist with co-facilitators Helen Kelly and Zoe Amor.
The exhibition will feature works by Malini Lewis, Diana Orinda Burns, Teagan Niessen, Sally-Ann Charnock, Tiffany Raae, Brenda Hine, Emma Ragheb, Luca Royle, Lorraine Le Plastrier and facilitators Amor and Kelly.
On display will be printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and digital presentations through the PechaKucha platform.
While works are diverse in medium and theme, the kindred nature of the group of artists demonstrates the united driving force to create and express thoughts and ideas. It also shows the community spirit and the bond that artists share through collaborative engagement.
Co-facilitator Helen Kelly commented about the ‘kindred’ nature of the class.
“Zoe and I have had the privilege of working with this talented and motivated group of students who have made facilitating the ‘Introduction to Professional Arts Practice’ an absolute joy. They are forming a really strong bond that will put them in good stead for their future creative endeavours. Nurturing a supportive classroom environment was one of our main aims, but this group gelled beautifully from the very first session,” Kelly said.
Zoe and Helen bring many years of professional arts experience as makers, producers, directors and curators. The course covered a broad range of topics, covering: presenting work to the public including commercial gallery representation and non-traditional options; marketing and promotion, including writing artist statements, CVs and biographies; and business skills such as record keeping, taxation and copyright.
The pop up exhibition will run from 4pm to 7pm next Thursday, September 15 at Boom Town Wine at Shed 10, The Mill, 9 Walker Street.