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Faraday truck depot application denied by Council

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Mount Alexander Shire Council has denied an application for a truck depot at Ellerys Road Faraday. The application was submitted to the council in January 2021 for the inclusion of a depot to store trucks and trailers associated with the family’s freight business. 

Council officers recommended issuing a notice of refusal due to concerns regarding traffic issues not being adequately addressed in the applicant’s revised Traffic Management Plan provided to the council in August. 

During last week’s council meeting, Cr Gary McClure said he was “conflicted”. 

“There are conditions that need to be applied in order for approval to be given,” he said. 

“I have spoken to the neighbours about the dust, loss of amenities and noise. I don’t think the applicant did enough to address these issues.” 

Cr Stephen Gardner said he didn’t support the refusal easily. 

“Unlike most applications, this rejection affects the livelihood of the people, which I take very seriously,” he said. 

“The recommendation is primarily around the road not being able to take B-doubles, subject to upgrades of bitumen or widening of the road.” 

The officers’ report indicated that the proposed use of land for a depot, within the farming zone and affected by an environmental overlay, was inappropriately located and would negatively impact agricultural uses on adjoining land. Councillors Rosie Annear, Tony Cordy, Stephen Gardner, Gary McClure and Bill Maltby voted to adopt the recommendation. 

Cr Matthew Driscol opposed the motion but said he didn’t support the application as it stood. 

“It would be good if we could defer the decision to a future meeting for officers to recommend an alternative,” he said. 

Also in opposition to the motion, Cr Christine Henderson said that on first viewing, it was not a place to operate a business like this. “But if not here then where? It’s a small family operation with one truck in and one out in a day,” she said. 

My Castlemaine with climate activist Malcolm Robins

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Hi, Malcolm can you tell us a little about your life and how you came to live in this corner of the world? 

I’d be classified as a ‘baby boomer’, born in London, UK, in 1946. I spent my childhood in southern England and reached adulthood during that defining decade for Britain, the ‘swinging sixties’. 

After graduation, I was employed by a US-based manufacturer as a computer systems engineer, based in the UK and Europe. 

In 1977, I was given the opportunity to transfer to Victoria with my wife and two young sons (a nine-month-old and a two-year-old), it was an interesting flight I can tell you! 

We stayed on, living in Melbourne for the next 39 years, and since the late ’80s, I’ve worked freelance. 

I became familiar with Castlemaine through working as a member of the engineering team at Don KRC where I spent over a year living at the caravan park during the week, travelling home to Melbourne for the weekends. 

You spend a lot of time advocating for action on climate change. How did you become interested in this issue? 

Since moving to Castlemaine, I’ve grown to realise that it’s a community that cares, and is willing to participate in creating consensus, and acting decisively on both local and global issues. 

I felt the alarming potential impacts of human-caused climate change were highlighted by the 2018 federal election result. My retirement coincided with the emergence of the global youth-driven movement for climate action following the election, which convinced me that urgent intergenerational climate justice is both essential and worth fighting for. It motivated me to join with a like-minded group of concerned locals in a six-month campaign that managed to convince Mount Alexander Council to join the many councils and governments (currently 2279 globally covering over 1 billion citizens) by declaring a Climate Emergency and implementing associated action plans. 

Are there any philosophies you live life by? 

Since that experience, I’ve attempted to view my life agency through a lens of ‘longtermism’, the idea that individuals can positively influence the long-term future. Quoting Jonas Salk, “Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors”. 

Do you have other interests? 

I used to love ice skate racing in Europe, then in Australia, I took up rollerskating. I also participated in triathlons for 25 years. At the age of 60, I took up mountain bike riding. 

Who are your three dream dinner guests? 

Three authors: Jeff Sparrow, a renowned left-wing, Ross Garnaut who is an amazing economist and I’m really impressed with Scott Ludlam who wrote Full Circle. 

So no need to ask who you’re reading at the moment! Is there a particular genre of music you enjoy? 

I have no musical ability, but I am really appreciative of musicians who can improvise. My main preference is jazz but I also really like classical music as a whole. 

What do you enjoy most about the place you call home? 

It’s occupants. I lived in Melbourne for the last 20 years and there’s no longer a feeling of belonging there. It’s so refreshing in Castlemaine, you can’t walk down Mostyn Street without stopping to have a chat with someone. 

Belly dancing and more at Buda’s Traditional Arts Fair

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Pictured are Anita Zacchigna (teacher), Wendy Ashton, Alison Ross, Caroline Brockhoff and Jenny Kyritsis.

By Melanie Barnes

Buda Historic Home and Garden’s Traditional Arts Fair next month offers a day full of family friendly entertainment. 

Together with crafts, workshops, food and drinks, a colourful and blingy dancing experience will delight visitors to Buda on November 20. 

The Mail caught up with Anita Zacchigna and her intermediate class who will be performing traditional belly dancing at the Arts Fair. 

“The costumes worn by the dancers for this performance are tribal gypsy style, earthy and traditional in keeping with the theme of the Fair,” Anita said. 

While completing a dress rehearsal at Buda this week, the company of five dazzled groups of visitors passing through the grounds. 

Wendy Ashton, also a yoga teacher, enjoys being part of the dancing group. 

“It’s great exercise, great music and great fun, and good for mental health,” she said. 

Jenny Kyritsis was introduced to the dancing class by friends. 

“Joining Anita’s class brings out my inner child and the theatrical side of me,” she said. 

As well as volunteering at Buda, Anita teaches belly dancing at the Castlemaine Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday mornings at 10am for intermediate dancers, and two classes for beginners in Maldon on Thursdays from 1.30pm. 

Buda’s Traditional Arts Fair will be held on November 20, from 10am to 4pm. The dancers will dazzle in two performances at 12pm and 1.45pm. 

The Fair will provide many activities and tours on the day as well as children’s craft and traditional games, including gold panning for the first time. 

There will be market stalls selling traditional arts and crafts, homemade produce and beverages for all tastes including a bar. 

Buda’s famous produce, jams and chutneys will be on sale, a jazz band will be playing along with roving gypsy music, bringing a lively spirit to the gardens. There will also be Devonshire teas and barbecue food available. 

Admission is $5 and children are free. You can find out more by visiting Buda’s website, www.budacastlemaine.org/event/2022-traditional-arts-fair 

If you would like to join Anita’s belly dancing class, contact her on 0466 370 680.

Connect with ceramicists on the Central Victorian Clay Trail

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Rye Senjen and Kirstie Murdoch of Fluxed Earth based in Castlemaine will be participating in this years Clay Trail.

This year on the Central Victorian Clay Trail, 18 ceramics studios will open to the public over the weekend of November 12-13 from 10am to 4pm, offering a glimpse into the working life of a potter. 

The event is part of The Australian Ceramics Association’s annual open studio program and makers from around the country are participating. 

Artists from Mount Alexander, Hepburn, Golden Plains and Macedon Ranges Shires will welcome visitors and be on hand to explain the individual processes they use to take clay through to its final state. 

A huge range of styles will be on show, from sculptural work to tableware and everything in between, and techniques demonstrated including hand-building, wheel-throwing and mould-making. 

Participating in the clay trail for the second time are Rye Senjen and Kirstie Murdoch of Fluxed Earth. Based in Castlemaine and specialising in Japanese, Korean and Chinese-inspired works, the ceramicists have worked in creative collaboration since they came to ceramics seven years ago. 

The married couple moved to Dunedin in New Zealand where Rye went to the School of Art and Kirstie set up shop at Otago Potters Group and learned from experienced potters. 

“There are so many different styles to enjoy on the clay trail,” Rye said. 

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see what actually happens in a studio.” 

All of the studios are those of professional artisans and the high quality of the work speaks for itself. 

Make a day of it, or better still, a weekend, and avail yourself of all the region has to offer. 

Download the map from the website: centralvictorianpotters.org and follow us on Instagram@central_victorian_potters. 

Brochures are available from Visitor Information Centres in the area and many other locations. 

Castlemaine students’ thought-provoking art on show

By
Castlemaine Mail
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CSC art teachers Clayton Tremlett, Pip de Bondt and Hermione Merry are pictured with one of the stunning works featured in this year’s show created by year 12 student Chloe Wrzesinski.

An exhibition celebrating the incredibly talented artists at Castlemaine Secondary College was unveiled at the historic Castlemaine Market Building on Sunday. 

The annual exhibition features portfolio pieces by CSC’s year 12, year 11 and emerging year 10 artists. 

CSC art teacher Clayton Tremlett said the works featured in this year’s exhibition were extremely high calibre. 

“There are some confronting, thought-provoking, beautiful and emotive pieces created by our year 12 artists that touch on topics such as gender identity, disassociation, love and loss,” he said. 

“And our year 11 students are already exceeding expectations, we can’t wait to see what they create over the coming 12 months.” 

Visitors to the exhibition will first encounter a stunning painting by Chloe Wrzesinski. 

“Their painting explores gender identity and features the cuttlefish, which can be both male and female,” Mr Tremlett said. 

Next you will encounter a striking oil on panel piece by Sigrid Doolan. 

“This is a powerful and deeply personal piece for the young artist,” Mr Tremlett said. 

“We then have a series of works in which Liana Parks explores her experience of disassociation and what she sees in the mirror, it has scratch and sniff elements which really engage the viewer. 

“Year 12 student Jordan Finning’s drawings are inspired by the art of Goya and gaming.” 

There are even 3D installations such as a beautiful, handcrafted tent created and intricately embroidered by textiles student Saskia Lynzaat, which evokes memories of childhood, and a stunning plywood and paper model of a conservatory created by one of CSC’s visual communication students Violet Kennedy. 

Other works include etchings and printmaking, sculpture, digital images and short films created by Media Studies students. 

The exhibition can be viewed at the Market Building between 9-5 daily. 

Trunk your junk for cash at Campbells Creek car boot sale

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Castlemaine Historical Society members, Jenny, Ruth and Carol, invite people to book a site for their upcoming ‘Trunk your Junk’ car boot sale.

Castlemaine Historical Society is calling for locals to join in the fun of a ‘Trunk your Junk’ car boot sale next month. 

Book a site, fill up your car and your boot and turn up between 7am and 8am on Saturday, November 26, at the Campbells Creek Community Centre. 

It’s election day and the Rotary Truck Show is on so there’s sure to be plenty of people out and about. 

It costs just $15 per car load ($20 extra for limited 6×4 trailer loads) to take part. Public entrance is from 8.30am and warm muffins, tea and coffee will be for sale. 

To book a site, contact Ruth Giddings via email at ruth.giddings@bigpond.com

Festival garden raising funds for Ukraine

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Friends of Red Cross members Marg Guest, Joy Lovelace and Sue Tribe invite you to visit ‘Tranquillo’.
Friends of Red Cross members Marg Guest, Joy Lovelace and Sue Tribe invite you to visit ‘Tranquillo’.

During the Castlemaine Festival of Gardens (October 29 – November 6) the Friends of Red Cross Castlemaine have teamed with local gardener Mary Stuart to hold a special fundraiser to support the people of Ukraine. 

Friends of Red Cross Castlemaine member Sue Tribe said they knew that the flood response is front of mind for many people at the moment, but this fundraiser was organised some months ago. 

“The war in Ukraine continues and we aim to offer support to those suffering through this terrible crisis,” she said. 

“Of course, you can also support the Red Cross flood appeal if you wish via the website.” 

Friends of Red Cross volunteers will be manning the table at Mary Stuart’s gorgeous Britton Street garden ‘Tranquillo’ for much of the festival, with funds raised going to support the people of Ukraine through the Red Cross Ukrainian Project. 

‘Tranquillo’ means tranquil in Italian. Mary has had a long affinity with Italy having visited many times. 

She has spent the last 40-plus years developing the garden. 

“I’ve constructed the garden to recreate memories of happy holidays in Italy, with a highlight being the tromp l’oeil landscape on one of the garden buildings painted by local artist Lois Callister,” Mary said. 

“Most of the metalwork throughout the garden has been made by Paul Hosmer and the space also features local stone.” 

The garden is extensive, set out in a series of separate spaces, with gateways from one area to another, and many nooks for sitting and relaxing. It is also a haven for a wide variety of birds. 

Be sure to pay a visit to Tranquillo at 23 Britton Street, Castlemaine and show your support for this important cause. The garden will be open from 11am-4pm daily during the festival. 

Circus Mania set to hit!

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Rouge is a decadent blend of sensational acrobatics, cabaret and burlesque. Photo: Jodie Hutchinson.
Rouge is a decadent blend of sensational acrobatics, cabaret and burlesque. Photo: Jodie Hutchinson.

The ‘Circus Mania’ Circus Festival is set to hit Castlemaine this November!
The long awaited event will be staged over four big days and nights and has been coordinated by local circus performers Caz Walsh and Mason West.
The festival was to be held in 2020 but was sidelined due to covid.
However, the festival has been locked in for November 17-20 and will feature in the couple’s own 300 seat big top – The May Wirth.
The big top will be erected at 74-80 Forest Street (opposite the Western Reserve) for the four day extravaganza.
The event will feature ‘Big Tops & Tiny Tots’ for the littlest festival goers. A circus adventure for 3-6 year olds! Big Tops & Tiny Tots is a non-stop whirlwind of plate-spinning, hula hooping and unicycling fun brought to you by Solid State Circus.
‘Suitcase Circus’ is an energetic all ages circus show. Set in the glory days of the past, this show is full of awe-inspiring, gasp worthy tricks from a mesmerising cast of world-class, award winning circus performers! There are acrobats, agile and athletic, defying gravity as they tumble and roll and create human towers on each other’s shoulders. There are aerialists, elegant and strong, plunging down the silks and being flung across the stage. There are jugglers and balancers, skilful and dexterous, as they manipulate with incredible timing and focus.
And after dark headline cabaret act ‘Rouge’ which received five star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival will entertain the adults.
Rouge: Circus for grown ups is a decadent blend of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret and twisted burlesque.
A non-stop celebration of the astonishing, surprising, subversive and the supremely sexy: award-winning Australian circus sensation Rouge brings an outrageous brand of adult circus.
“We have worked hard to create a program which offers something for every age group,” Caz said.
“Members of our very own Castlemaine Circus, where I am a trainer, will also be part of our all ages show,” Caz said.
And on the Saturday and Sunday Castlemaine Circus will also be offering a free opportunity for locals of all ages to come down and try their hand at some circus skills.
“There be three shows each day as well as live music, food trucks, a Garden Bar thanks to support from Shedshaker Brewing and other festivities taking place each day,” she said.
“We aim to create a real community atmosphere with something for everyone,” Caz said.
Early bird tickets are now on sale visit circusmania.com.au to get yours today!

Maldon Museum digitises 52 years of local news

By
Castlemaine Mail
-

Maldon Museum and Archives Association hosted a reception last Friday to celebrate the near completion of the museum’s project to digitalise the Tarrangower Times for the years 1858 to 1910.

In 2021 the museum was a successful recipient of grants from the state government’s Public Records Office Victoria and the Community Bank Maldon District. Two further private donations brought the total raised to almost $36,000 which enabled the project to go ahead.

An 1894 ad for the Kangaroo Hotel, which still operates in Maldon.

The State Library of Victoria provided the National Library of Australia (NLA) with microfilms of the newspaper and the Maldon Museum and Archives Association then engaged the NLA to carry out the digitisation project and to make the records available online via the NLA Trove website, thus providing accessible, searchable records for researchers everywhere.

Maldon Museum and Archives Association are proud to have the Tarrangower Times for these years available online to all researchers and students of history and are very appreciative to the funding bodies for realising the value and benefit of the project. 

It is hoped that in the future more years will be able to be added.

To explore the new resource go to trove.nla.gov.au

Thanks to flood workers one and all!

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Andrew Le Clercq, Castlemaine 

I want to sincerely thank all those unnamed legends from Powercor, their subbies, SES, CFA and all others who worked their arses off to initially keep the water at bay from the Castlemaine substation and, when the floodwater had hit the fan, safely shut down the substation and then in an amazingly short turnaround reactivated it without thundering a power surge through all our consumer electrical gizmos… 

All during heavy rain, probably up to their ankles in water while dealing with high voltage. Respect. 

Further flood fears as clean up continues

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Floodwater has inundated the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens reigniting memories of the 2011 floods.
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens was inundated with rising floodwaters from Barkers Creek on Thursday.

Mount Alexander Shire experienced widespread damage to housing, public property, roads, parks, and local businesses as a result of last week’s significant rainfall event and subsequent local flooding. 

Members of the Castlemaine SES, local fire brigades, emergency services, and selfless community members worked around the clock in a bid to protect homes from flooding in Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, Guildford, Newstead, Harcourt, and surrounding areas. 

And in the aftermath many pitched in to assist with the clean-up and help those impacted get back on their feet. On behalf of the community, we thank them for their tireless efforts. 

Council opened a Flood Information and Recovery Centre at the Castlemaine Town Hall from Monday to Wednesday to provide information and support to those affected. 

These types of natural disasters bring out the very best and the worst in humanity. Fortunately, the majority of local stories have been positive – locals jumping in to help thwart flooding at The Mill complex in Walker Street and assisting with the mop-up at businesses affected; community members lending a hand to fill sandbags to help protect new residences threatened at Harcourt; and our exhausted SES volunteers backing up their efforts by travelling up to the help the community of Echuca. 

Then there are the stories of people out rubbernecking and driving through floodwaters unwittingly pushing waves of water into homes at Campbells Creek and those that chose to mock local residents at Harcourt (Opinions, page 14) rather than stopping to assist fellow community members facing their toughest hour. 

With more wet weather on the way over the coming days, already swollen rivers and creeks, and sodden ground, local residents and emergency services remain on alert for further flash floods. In the days, weeks and months ahead hopefully we won’t see scenes like we did last Thursday. But if we do. Spare a thought for those affected. 

The impact of last week’s flooding to parks, gardens, and trails in the shire has been significant and resulted in the closure of the children’s playground and public toilets at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, Campbells Creek, and Leanganook Trail, as well as Camp Reserve. 

Camp Reserve will remain closed until an audit can be conducted which has resulted in the unfortunate cancellation of this year’s Castlemaine Show. 

A large number of roads in the shire have been impacted by the recent rainfall and Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) staff has been working to clear debris from blocked drains and repair roads as a matter of urgency. 

MASC is also working with the Department of Transport (DOT) which has responsibility for main arterial roads including the Midland and Calder Highways, to prioritise the works that are needed. 

Emergency flood payments are now available to help meet immediate needs including food, shelter, clothing, and medication. If you have been impacted by flooding you may be eligible for payments of $2,030 per family, including $580 per adult and $290 per child. Residents can apply online at emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au/ 

The Castlemaine Transfer Station will remain open for all residents with flood-damaged material until December 31 and skip bins have been placed at the Campbells Creek Community Centre car park and the Campbells Creek Bowling Club to further support residents in high-impact areas. 

A $73.5 million state government package is also available delivering grants to help farmers and business owners clean up their properties. 

A further $19.5 million Primary Producer Flood Relief Program will deliver a one-off $10,000 payment to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, re-establish their properties, and get their businesses up and running again. Applications for both grant programs are now open with applicants for the agriculture grants encouraged to visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods/ flood-advice-and-support. For small business grants, call the Business Victoria hotline on 132 215. 

Residents are encouraged to stay informed on local flood alerts at emergency.vic.gov.au/respond and to report potholes, fallen trees, or road and footpath damage via the ‘customer request’ section on council’s website at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au or by calling 5471 1700. 

VIDEO: Forest Creek creeps higher as rains continue

The Castlemaine Mail’s coverage of local floods is free to read. Please consider a digital subscription to support our local journalism.

Newstead solar farm project gets underway

By
Jade Jungwirth
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Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio, Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards, representatives of Renewable Newstead, Flow Power and DELWP celebrate the beginning of construction on the Newstead solar farm on Tuesday.
Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio, Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards, representatives of Renewable Newstead, Flow Power and DELWP celebrate the beginning of construction on the Newstead solar farm on Tuesday.

Construction of Renewable Newstead’s solar farm began on Tuesday with a welcome to country from Dja Dja Wurrung and Wamba Wamba woman Cassandra Lewis and a visit from Minster for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio, Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards, and representatives from Flow Power and DELWP. 

The solar farm and battery system will generate enough electricity to transition Newstead to 100 per cent renewable energy and is expected to be completed by July 2023. 

The community group Newstead 2021 Inc spearheaded the project and overcame significant challenges including the pandemic, grid constraints, market changes, weather events, and international supply chain issues to finally break ground on the project. The group has collaborated with Powercor and retailer Flow Power to make the project a reality. 

Renewable Newstead volunteer Gen Barlow said this is a model that can be used in lots of other small rural communities. 

“It’s great because everyone in the community can use the energy, including renters or those with houses that don’t support solar,” Ms Barlow said. 

A retail offer will be made available for Newstead residents through Flow Power, offering 100 per cent clean energy and power bill reductions of up to 30 per cent. Flow Power will reinvest a portion of profits back into the community for further renewable energy projects. 

Flow Power CEO Matthew van der Linden said they were proud to be part of the project. 

“We’re proud to create an energy solution together with Renewable Newstead, that not only delivers a local clean energy generator, but incorporates solar, battery, energy hardware, and community engagement,” he said. 

“This combination is the holy grail of the ideal energy system and is the missing link in what is needed to transition this industry to a 100 per cent renewable energy market,” Mr van der Linden said. 

Renewable Newstead convenor Geoff Park said the Renewable Newstead long-held dream is getting closer. 

“The first idea for a local energy project in Newstead emerged in 2009. Local volunteers have helped bring this to fruition, and we’ve had a big hand with the help of a $1.1M grant from the state government in 2018. Now we’re pleased to see Flow Power take on the project to bring our dream to life – locally generated clean energy and a retail offer for our residents to champion renewable energy,” Mr Park said. 

The community-led Renewable Newstead Energy Project is a three-megawatt (MW) solar farm and five-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system that will generate enough electricity to transition Newstead to 100 per cent renewable energy. The battery system will provide additional benefits with the ability to feed into the grid at times of low sunshine and outside daylight hours. The 6.2-hectare site will include 80-100m rows of panels, six metres apart, and include a tracking system to follow the sun and provide maximum energy production. 

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said, “Great ideas always find a way. This project is a credit to the Newstead community and will be an exemplar for rural communities around the country.” 

“Newstead is leading the way – driving down their energy bills by up to 30 per cent and helping Victoria hit our target to reduce emissions by 50 per by 2030.” 

During the event, Minister D’Ambrosio announced $1.15 million for 15 new Victorian renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through the latest round of the New Energy Jobs Fund (NEJF). 

Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards and Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio sign solar panels to mark the construction milestone.

A total of $20 million has been provided to communities through the NJEF, which was designed to support community-based projects that create long-term sustainable jobs, increase the uptake of renewable energy, slash greenhouse gas emissions and drive innovation in emerging energy technologies. 

“This fund is empowering communities and local businesses to take part in Victoria’s clean energy transition while creating jobs, slashing emissions and sharing economic benefits locally,” Minister D’Ambrosio said. 

For more information on the project visit renewablenewstead.com.au 

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