Maldon-trained galloper Logo Logic is racing in peak form this preparation, and won effortlessly at Ballarat on Sunday.
With two wins and a second placing behind the smart Tylden-trained In Her Stride as his last three outings, the five-year-old is developing into a stable star for the Brian and Ashley McKnight training combination. Logo Logic is also raced by the McKnight family.
Well suited on the soft 7 rating track at Ballarat, Logo Logic was sent out as equal favourite with Sir Maximus in the Hygain Winners Choice BM64 Handicap.
Ridden by Christine Puls, who has a long time affinity with the McKnight stable, Logo Logic raced just off the pace and went to the front before the home turn, coming away in the straight to win by nearly two lengths from Sir Maximus.
Logo Logic has now chalked up four wins, and several placings, from 19 starts, with stake earnings totalling $78,823. At his previous win at Donald, the very promising apprentice Sheridan Clarke rode Logo Logic.
The co-trainers are likely to consider tackling metropolitan company with Logo Logic in his present form.
Felix's daughter Clare Banfield and brother Vin Cappy are proudly pictured with the bust.
Melva Graham, Harcourt
As a member of the Castlemaine Pioneers and Old Residents Association, I agree with PM Boyer, June 17 Castlemaine Mail, that hiding the bust of Felix Cappy in the Old Telegraph Station that is not open daily is definitely not a good or worthy option.
Felix was a wonderful Castlemaine local who worked tirelessly to preserve many historical buildings in this town.
The Market building is one of those that he stopped from being demolished and, thanks to him, our unique historical building, the centre point of Castlemaine, now attracts both locals and visitors from many places. It is well used as the Visitor Information Centre, and is the ideal place for such a wonderful Castlemaine local as was Felix.
I would like to suggest two points in favour of retaining and refurbishing the current one lane bridge in Froomes Road;
1. The single lane with the ‘give way’ from west to east is a very successful and inexpensive ‘traffic calming’ measure. If the single lane bridge was replaced with a double lane other measures such as the dreaded speed hump would need to be considered to maintain optimum safety in Froomes Road.
2. The installation of a two lane bridge without load limits will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic and especially heavy traffic that currently uses Parker Street. While Parker Street is not ideal for this traffic, it is much safer than Froomes Road which has a number of hairpin bends that can trigger a serious accident if a driver is inattentive.
I feel that road safety should be the paramount consideration in any decision about the future of the bridge and if the council is determined to spend our money on a new bridge it should be a single lane bridge that continues to contribute to keeping Froomes Road as safe as possible.
Mount Alexander Shire mayor Cr Bill Maltby and Cr Christine Henderson at the Templeton Street carpark site. The space above the carpark is being considered as one possibility to develop for new affordable housing. Photo Eve Lamb
Two locations in Castlemaine’s Templeton Street are being explored as possible sites to develop medium density affordable rental homes amid the shire’s deepening housing affordability crisis.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is keen to explore the possibility of securing state or federal funding to develop medium density affordable rental homes at the potential sites – one above the Bendigo TAFE building, and the other above the car park alongside Castlemaine Community House.
“We are pushing the matter as fast as we can,” Mount Alexander mayor Cr Bill Maltby says.
Cr Maltby says the two sites being considered are both “air space” above land which is already council-owned, a fact which means the process of ticking all the necessary boxes and developing the two locations for affordable rental housing can be a less protracted process.
“The government has the cash to give out and all the council is doing is saying ‘you can use our space’,” the mayor says.
A public engagement exercise conducted last year identified housing affordability as among the most important issues in Castlemaine and the wider Mount Alexander Shire with older single women among the groups known to be particularly struggling to secure an affordable place to call home.
It’s prompted the council to appoint its first ever housing officer as it now strives to work with the community to particularly improve access to affordable long-term rental homes.
Locals who think they may have something valuable to contribute are now being encouraged to offer their thoughts on the subject via the council’s ‘Shape Mount Alexander’ community engagement platform.
Councillor Christine Henderson says that if the two Templeton Street sites under consideration can be developed for affordable rental housing, the process will likely take at least five years at best.
“This is in the centre of town and it’s probably our best hope,” Cr Henderson says.
“Affordable housing has traditionally meant a third of your income.”
“This is an issue that needs to be fixed and the council is taking the initiative,” Cr Maltby says.
“We are aware that some of this is moving very quickly, but if there is the possibility of significant funding from state and federal governments, we have an obligation to explore them.”
Baz Luhrmann movie ELVIS is set to make its Castlemaine premiere at the Theatre Royal next Friday evening as part of a special fundraiser toward next year's Castlemaine Fringe Festival. Elvis fan, Harcourt's Brian Inwards (pictured) admits to enjoying any excuse to sport his Elvis outfit. Photo: Eve Lamb
It’s been a fair while since Elvis “left the building” but fans can expect a special return guest appearance from the king of rock ‘n roll in Castlemaine very soon.
Baz Luhrmann’s epic movie ELVIS starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks, is set to make its Castlemaine premiere, screening at the Theatre Royal next Friday evening as part of a special fundraiser for the next Castlemaine Fringe Festival happening March next year.
In a move certain to delight fans of the rock and roll legend, next Friday’s special fundraising screening of ELVIS is being organised by The Fringe Festival’s organising committee.
“I am helping organise a red carpet premiere of ELVIS at the Theatre Royal on Friday July 15th as a fundraiser for Castlemaine Fringe,” says Fringe Festival chair, Castlemaine’s Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns.
“Getting dollars behind a great event like the Fringe Festival is critical.”
The Theatre Royal’s Felicity Cripps says the movie’s Castlemaine screening looks likely to be extremely well patronised.
“It’s probably been one of our most anticipated films of the year,” she says. “And the soundtrack is incredible,” Jacqueline says.
Among those taking a keen interest is Harcourt’s Brian Inwards who loves few things better than slipping into his ’70s Vegas-style Elvis outfit and going out for some fun on the town – many towns if possible.
“It all started at a friend’s stag do and it just grew from there,” confides Brian, who, 12 years on from that stag do is well established among the state’s legion of Elvis devotees noted for doing a pretty mean dress-up impersonation of the King.
It’s something Brian does any chance he gets – “Elvis Day, karaoke, pub sing… Everyone loves Elvis. In fact it’s how I met my wife,” he says.
But if you’ve never quite managed to master those iconic rock ‘n roll dance moves yourself – don’t worry.
Jacqueline says next Friday night’s special fundraising event will also offer a prime chance to amend all that.
“The night will include an after party with rock ‘n roll DJs,” she says.
“And we have dancers from Bendigo’s Jailhouse Rockers coming along on the night to perform and teach rock ‘n roll dance steps.” More details can be found on the Theatre Royal website.
ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros Pictures and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley.
Castlemaine Fringe Festival committee chair Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns, ‘Elvis’ (aka Harcourt’s Brian Inwards) and Felicity Cripps ahead of the special fundraising screening of ELVIS at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal. Photo: Eve Lamb
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Castlemaine's Pru Robinson and her horse Kenlock Super Davina.
Castlemaine teenager Pru Robinson has big reason to celebrate after she and her horse Kenlock Super Davina recently qualified to represent Victoria in the dressage competition at the Australian Interschool Championships in Sydney this September. The 16-year-old year 10 Castlemaine Secondary College student has been riding horses as long as she can remember, and has been riding competitively since the age of five. “About 12 months ago, I got my horse Kenlock Super Davina who is a six-year-old warmblood mare,” says Pru who is a keen member of the Mandurang South Pony Club. Davina was uneducated and knew very little about how to perform in Pru’s chosen field of eventing at the time, but since then things have changed dramatically. “I have been seriously training and she has been absolutely amazing in her response and has learnt so fast,” Pru says. “She is now a competitive horse in all the categories we compete in including dressage, show jumping and cross country. Together Pru and Davina took on the interschool competition at Boneo Precinct representing Castlemaine Secondary College, and the results they achieved were impressive. “We entered in three events; senior secondary preliminary dressage, senior secondary 80cms combined training and secondary 80cms horse trials (80cms is the height of the jumps),” Pru says. During the April school holidays they competed at the Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships. They successfully competed in the class secondary senior preliminary, and then went on to ultimately be awarded champion in the secondary senior preliminary, qualifying them to be a part of the Victorian team to compete in Sydney, late September. “Mum and I will be travelling to Sydney towing Davina in our horse float,” Pru says. “I am really excited and looking forward to participating and representing Victoria.”
Jimeoin is acclaimed as one of the hottest stand-up comics of this generation – a true comedy master – and he's making his way to Castlemaine.
Jimeoin is acclaimed as one of the hottest stand-up comics of this generation – a true comedy master – and he’s making his way to Castlemaine. Loved for his brilliantly funny wit and charming observations on the absurdities of everyday life, audiences are in for a treat with Jimeoin LIVE! at the Theatre Royal. Prepare for a ferocious onslaught of jokes and a constant stream of laughter, all with inimitable facial expressions (and, those worl-famous eyebrows). Jimeoin LIVE! is on at the Theatre Royal, Friday, July 29, from 8pm to 9.50pm with interval. Doors open 7.30pm. Tickets: theatreroyalcastlemaine.oztix.com.au
George Targett and Laura Critchley celebrate milestone runs.
Castlemaine Parkrun director, Michael Constable, informed runners that it was -2 as they stamped their feet into the crunchy grass and kept their down jackets on until the last minute for Saturday’s parkrun.
Gloves were also standard kit. Although cold, once running, the air was crisp and clear and quite perfect for speed. Many people came very close to best time on this invigorating winter morning, and of course the rest of the day was much better for the vigorous start.
Highlights of the day were Laura Critchley (50) and George Targett’s (100) significant milestone runs. Commencing in 2019, Laura has become a regular familiar and happy face on Saturday mornings. Initially completing five kilometres in 52 minutes, Laura has improved 10 minutes and is now able to walk/ jog the course in 42 minutes. On Saturday, Laura completed her 50th parkrun in her fastest time in 12 months.
Well done, Laura. George Targett completed his 100th run on Saturday also showing fantastic improvement. Starting out in 2017 at 34 minutes, George ran a PB of 20 minutes, one second for his 100th run. He is saving up his sub 20 for next week. Congratulations George.
A total of 57 people participated this week, including Melbourne visitors. Claire Brien, Nicole Grant and Keely Williams were the first women finishers. Andrew Kraulis, George Target and Glen Talyor were the first men. Visitor Jo Grainich completed the tail walk in 57.32. Volunteers this week were Michael Constable, Michael Farr, Geoff Faircloth, Colin Moore, Quinn Faircloth and Dianne Cox.
To participate in parkrun, register at www.parkrun.com. au/castlemaine, and Parkrun will welcome you on Saturdays at 8am in the Botanic Gardens at the Froomes Road end barbecue area.
The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games dates are locked in and a process is open for additional sports to be added to the program.
The Commonwealth Games will be held between March 17-29, 2026, beginning with the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where athletes and visitors from around Australia and the world will gather to celebrate the start of the Games.
The Opening Ceremony will be followed by 12 days of competition between the Commonwealth’s best athletes across regional Victoria, allowing the regions to shine on the world stage.
The state government will work with the education sector in relation to the school term dates that year to ensure the participation of as many Victorians in the Games as possible.
An expressions of interest process for additional sports to be included in the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games has commenced and will involve submissions from international sporting federations with support from recognised or affiliated Australian organisations.
In a Commonwealth Games first, Victoria 2026 will introduce a multi-city model that delivers global sport to four regional hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.
Each of those hubs will have its own athletes’ village and host a range of sports that will create a legacy for Victoria that extends well beyond the competition period.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, said the Commonwealth’s finest athletes would compete for gold in regional Victoria at the 2026 Games.
“We’re getting on with delivering this global sporting event and including more sports will draw more of the Commonwealth’s finest athletes to our own backyard to inspire Victorians,’’ Ms Allan said.
Some of the crowd pictured during the 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy Launch in Castlemaine's town hall building. Photo: Supplied.
An estimated 120 people filed into Castlemaine Town Hall last Wednesday night as the My Home Network launched of a 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy. The network that’s facilitated and coordinated by Central Victoria Prevention and Public Health, Bendigo Health, has developed its strategy over 12 months, working with community and government organisations, community members with lived experience of homelessness and housing crisis and Mount Alexander Shire Council The strategy sets out strategic objectives and priorities and targets toward creating affordable housing delivery and reform. Commissioner for Residential Tenancies Dr Heather Holst was MC for the evening, supported by My Home Network coordinator Carolyn Neilson of Bendigo Health. The crowd heard about local lived experience of housing crisis and the benefits of long term rental and Carolyn Neilson explained the 10 year social and affordable strategy. Castlemaine resident Jo Middleton and her son Ned Middleton shared their positive experience of Home Share for which the My Home Network are seeking funding to develop the first rural model in Australia. Home Share is an internationally recognised scheme for formally pairing householders, who could benefit from help in the home and companionship, with individuals who are prepared to give practical assistance in return for free accommodation. Annika Kearton spoke of the Castlemaine Institute Retro-fitting Neighbourhoods project and the crowd also heard from Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Housing Solutions Broker, Clare Richards. Ms Neilson invited the crowd to sign up to one of the many working groups the network has created to “take all the great ideas and turn them into real actions” and received an enthusiastic response. “The people gathered clearly understood that affordable, safe and secure housing is a basic human right,” Ms Neilson said.. “They also appreciated the complexity of the housing crisis in our shire and how it requires a multi-faceted, integrated approach with all relevant stakeholders and community working together. “And they put their hands up to work together to give more people a place to call home. It’s a long road but we are on our way.” “People can join any of the working groups according to their particular area of interest, expertise or passion. “The working groups are a great opportunity to work alongside other community members towards a shared goal.”
Castlemaine social historian, video and digital games creator Louise Rockabilby Cooper is working on a special project that tells the story of some of history's most underacknowledged pre-Federation goldfields women. Photo: Eve Lamb
Long before Agatha Christie became globally famed as the Queen of crime writing one Mary Helena Fortune, a former writer for the goldrush era Mount Alexander Mail newspaper, began writing crime fiction. Fortune, wrote under a pseudonym and had sufficient command of the written word to be offered a sub editor’s job with the early newspaper that was the precursor to today’s Castlemaine Mail. However, when it was subsequently discovered that she was a woman, the job offer was unceremoniously withdrawn. Fortune’s personal story is as mysterious, tragic and significant as it is largely ignored and lost. But now one creative Castlemaine local is doing something to change all that. Keen social historian, video and digital games creator Louise Rockabilby Cooper is telling the life story of Mary Helena Fortune as part of a unique public arts project – the Dunolly Women’s Historical Art Trail. Backed by $10,000 in cultural tourism accelerator funding through a Regional Arts Victoria government grant, plus a handy $5000 Maldon and District Community Bank grant, she’s about to kick some creative goals. The former Dunolly resident, who recently moved to Castlemaine, is creating a stop motion animation telling Fortune’s tale. It’s soon to form part of a special arts project celebrating significant but much under-acknowledged pre-Federation women via what will become the Dunolly Women’s Historical Art Trail. “We will have six or seven different stories of women who all at one time lived in Dunolly,” says Cooper who is overseeing the project that also involves the other artists and creatives telling the women’s historic stories as well. “All of the works will be digital art works that work using GPS, with smart pones or other devices so long as they have location services,” Cooper says. Once the new site-specific trail is up and running, visitors to Dunolly will be able to use their smart phone or device to activate the digital works and learn the stories of each of the significant women that relate to the site. “We’re also mapping what some of the old buildings used to be using the bank funding,” Cooper says. She says the project will also involve production of an augmented reality art game. Other under-acknowledged women whose stories are being told include Eliza Ellen Russell – “who sewed the first Australian flag,” notes Cooper. “We’ll also have the story of Emily Glyndon who performed at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal and who travelled the world advocating for women to be able to wear pants.” Cooper says all will be welcome to attend the upcoming launch of the new arts trail which is set for 5-8pm Saturday September 17 at Dunolly’s Welcome Stranger cafe.
