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Net Set Go kids celebrate a season of learning new skills

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Castlemaine District Netball Association Net Set Go participants are proudly pictured with their certificates last Wednesday night.
Castlemaine District Netball Association Net Set Go participants are proudly pictured with their certificates last Wednesday night.

The final round of Net Set Go for Castlemaine District Netball Association was held on Wednesday June 22.

The CDNA celebrated the night with a game for the ‘Net’ and ‘Set’ netballers followed by the presentation of their certificates. 

After that the ‘Go’ group, which is now officially ready to hit the court for competition, took part in a round robin event with netballers from the Newstead 11/U, Harcourt 11/U and Campbells Creek 11/U. 

It was great to see some netball being played at CDNA courts again. All players did an amazing job and the CDNA hopes to see them all return for their summer Twilight Netball season. 

Net Set Go coordinator Wendy Jarvis said it was good to see so many kids having fun and enjoying playing netball at CDNA.

“A massive thanks to the umpires on the night, Elouise Jones, Sandra Grant, Jessica Rhone, and Tegan Maddern,” she said.

“Thanks also to Jo Rhone for doing the barbecue, Ken Maddern for time keeping and all the parents and scorers for making it a great night.”

The success of the Net Set Go program could not have been possible without the coaches, Wendy Jarvis, Debbie Ginnivan, Tegan Maddern, Elouise Jones, Rosie Jarvis, Madeleine Springate and their weekly helper Sianne Rhone. Congrats to the region’s newest netballers on completing the program. The future of local netball is looking bright!

Harcourt Lions hang on for important win

By
Castlemaine Mail
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The long-awaited battle of the 2021 unbeaten senior MCDFNL football teams took place in the cold and muddy conditions of Trentham. 

The Lions put together a solid first half but left the door open with missing a few set shots that could have added to scoreboard pressure. 

The second half saw Trentham come out determined to maintain their unbeaten win streak as they hit the front while playing better to their conditions. But then the Frost brothers started to get on top, seeming to not be affected by the cold. 

It was a muddy affair when the Lions travelled to Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hammond

The Orchardists gained the momentum in the last by kicking four goals, holding on for a famous five-point victory.

The ressies had a tough time of it, struggling to handle the muddy pill. After leading at quarter-time, Trentham handled the conditions better to run out comfortable winners. Gurdy put in a solid four-quarter effort to put his hand up for a game in the ones.

HFNC was super proud of the efforts of the junior footballers put in under such cold, wet and muddy conditions. 

The U11.5s gallantly fought in a narrow loss. The BuildPro players of the week were Jack Dorian and Harry George. 

The U14.5s got off to a great start and were able to maintain throughout to secure the win. The BuildPro players of the week were Fraser McAinch and Edward Teed.

In the netball, The U13s continued their strong form, as did an equally as versatile 15s side, to start the day off with some big wins. 

The U17s went down once again by one goal, unable to keep their third-term lead to hold on to a win. 

C grade had a slow start in miserable conditions but they proved once again to be the most consistent side. Suzie Rinaldi led the way with the support of Bec Waddington. 

B grade’s defensive pressure down the court was rewarded by both Georgia Brown and Kirrily McKay. Hopefully this is the start of a winning streak for B grade to work their way back into the top four. 

In the A grade match up, the Lions overcame Trentham’s physicality to lead by 25 points at the final whistle. The pressure emitting from Carly Chaplin and 

Council’s “cynical engagement” with Froomes Bridge

By
Castlemaine Mail
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Castlemaine's historic Froomes Road Bridge over Barkers Creek.

Pamela Dale, Castlemaine

The Save The Froomes Road Bridge fight by the community is on again less than a year after it was voted down in council and after considerable objection to its replacement by the community.

The council at the expense of the ratepayers has engaged a consultant to box tick the ‘Community engagement’.

This consultant is with only five days notice, to hold a ‘workshop’ to discuss what the community wants, a very cynical exercise on their behalf revealing a lack of esteem for what the community has already stated long and loudly what it wants.

This council will not release to the interested parties the engineers report, again paid for by the ratepayers, in order for there to be full and complete knowledge of the situation with the bridge and indeed their ongoing intentions to destroy the historic and local amenity of this precinct.

This move by the council is like a script from ‘Yes Minister’ the one where box ticking, cynical engagement and withholding factual information to wrong foot interested stakeholders.

I think it was titled “Waste of Breath”.

Maldon stables create history with rare ‘treble’

By
Lisa Dennis
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Maldon magic: Pictured with four-year-old San Marino after his win at Donald are (from left) – co-owners Michael Young, Gordon Gray, Russell Healy, trainer Ashley McKnight, strapper Tara Simpson and jockey Christine Puls. Photo: Brendan McCarthy/Racing Photos.
San Marino and owners after winning the Megelec Electrical Contractors 0 - 58 Handicap at Donald Racecourse on June 18, 2022 in Donald, Australia. (Brendan McCarthy/Racing Photos)

Bill West
The long time Maldon father and son training combination of Brian and Ashley McKnight created history with a winning treble at Donald races on Saturday.
The enormity of the feat took a while to settle in, and Brian – who began his training career 53 years ago – reflected that there are many other stables which have spent a long time in the industry without a treble on their record.
McKnight Racing and Oakford Thoroughbred Farm on 800 acres are an institution at Maldon, and congratulations to all involved have flowed in since news spread about the treble in successive races – the first three legs of the quadrella.
The McKnights generally have around 15 gallopers in work at a time, and they took eight to run at Donald.
Their three winners were Oak Bridge – home bred and raced by Brian and wife Judy – San Marino and Logo Logic. See today’s Mail for the full story…

My Castlemaine, Carmel Bird

By
Eve Lamb
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Castlemaine writer Carmel Bird

Eve Lamb

Hi Carmel. How long have you been part of the local community here in Castlemaine now?
I’ve been here for 15 years.
Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Tasmania where I grew up, and I left there when I was 22 and since then I’ve basically lived in Melbourne. I’ve been overseas, done writers in residence at various places overseas and travelled overseas, but I was located in Melbourne for many years, and then you might wonder what brought me here?
Indeed that was going to be my next question.
Well my daughter and her husband and their baby moved here about 16 years ago and a bit after that I decided to follow them.
And as a writer, of course, this community is one that I’m guessing you would find very welcoming?
Oh, It’s jumping with writers and painters and potters and musicians and film-makers. Everybody knows Castlemaine is a very big artistic community.
You’re a prolific writer and now you’ve released you’re latest book Telltale, what number book is that for you?
It’s 40-something.
And Telltale is memoir but your writing to date encompasses multiple genre doesn’t it?
I do a lot of fiction, collections, short stories, anthologies of other people’s short stories, other people’s essays and I’m very proud of the anthology I did called The Stolen Children, their stories.
Well you’re in the process of officially launching Telltale now but I’m guessing that as a prolific writer you already have another project on the go?
I do and I’m very excited about it. It’s a…Read more in today’s Mail…

Women in music will warm away winter

By
Eve Lamb
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Some of the local talent that will be performing at the Women in Music season series starting this July in Castlemaine.

Castlemaine’s Northern Arts Hotel is preparing to turn up the warmth to full blast throughout the rest of winter by celebrating Women in Music.

Starting Saturday July 2 jazz, folk, contemporary, pop, bluegrass, Celtic and even a dash of prohibition era soul-blues are all on the program.

Co-manager at the local venue Alan Joyce says a main aim is to offer a feast of sound to chase away the winter blues while celebrating the area’s wealth of female musical talent.

“It’s a celebration of women and how important they are to music in general,” Alan says ahead of the series that includes four shows in July, two in August and the final one on September 3.

“It is an exciting concept,” says well known Castlemaine jazz muso Maggie Jackson who is…

Read more in today’s Mail…

Froomes bridge saga back on Council agenda

By
Eve Lamb
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Castlemaine's historic Froomes Road Bridge over Barkers Creek.

Eve Lamb

Battlelines are again being drawn up over the future of Castlemaine’s historic Froomes Road Bridge with the matter drawing some impassioned discussion during public question time at this week’s Mount Alexander Shire Council meeting.

In the face of considerable public outcry at the time, the council had last April voted down an officer recommendation to replace the historic single lane structure over Barkers Creek with a two lane new bridge using federal grant money.

While locals who had strongly opposed the replacement of the old heritage structure with a new double lane bridge celebrated that decision at the time, the opening up of a new public consultation to explore possible options for the bridge and associated traffic management options on that section of Froomes Road has immediately reignited tensions.

These were clearly on display at Tuesday evening’s council meeting where Froomes Road Action Group members including unimpressed local resident Ian Edwards noted that options now on the table include “replacing the bridge with an even bigger two lane structure or closing the bridge completely”.

He and several other local residents used public question time to make it clear they do not want the existing single lane structure replaced with a double lane structure something they believe would destroy…

Read more in today’s Mail…

Cage misuse prompts appeal to public

By
Eve Lamb
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MAAW shelter manager Rosie Skinner in front of the shelter's night cages which have been misused in recent times prompting the shelter to issue a public appeal. Photo: Eve Lamb

Eve Lamb

Misuse of the night cages intended for dropping off stray animals found wandering after hours has prompted Mount Alexander Animal Welfare animal shelter management to speak out in the hope of putting an end to the pesky practice.
“We provide our night cages specifically so local residents can drop off any strays that are found wandering when the shelter is not staffed,” MAAW shelter manager Rosie Skinner says.
“But recently people have been using the cages to dump their own animals even when the shelter is staffed and we’re sitting right here.
“These cages are designed for stray animals to be dropped off after hours and not for people to surrender their own animals.”
The night cages include four cat cages and one larger dog cage and are situated at the front of the shelter gates.
“Dumping in the after-hours cages causes unnecessary stress for the animal,” Ms Skinner says.
“And when an animal is dumped in the night cage with no history it makes it harder and more time consuming for us to process the animal and get it through to the adoption stage.
“With no history or information available, these animals must be considered as a stray and that means… Read more in today’s Mail…

LOCALS to feature on the big screen at the Theatre Royal

By
Lisa Dennis
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A short film on the glitzy and glamourous local dance troupe Lady Fun Times will be among the offerings to feature at LOCALS on July 1. Photo: Penny Ryan Photography.
A short film on the glitzy and glamourous local dance troupe Lady Fun Times will be among the offerings to feature at LOCALS on July 1. Photo: Penny Ryan Photography.

The 2022 Castlemaine Documentary Festival (C-Doc) is only one week away! This year’s festival returns to Castlemaine’s iconic Theatre Royal from July 1-3.

Film buffs can expect a weekend of moving documentaries and post screening conversations for film lovers and those curious about the world and the people in it.

This year’s festival will kick off next Friday night, July 1 with inaugural special event ‘LOCALS’ an evening focusing on just that! Local films!

Castlemaine Documentary Festival director Claire Jager said they can’t give too much away just yet but audiences can expect some great offerings from local film makers.

“Beloved local dance group, Lady Fun Times, knocked us up a treat – no surprise there! There’s is also a taster of the feature doco planned about the Mt Alexander Falcons,” she said.

“There’s some films about well-known Castlemaine personalities, some very touching personal stories as well as some that are around tougher issues – driven about the things affecting us and our planet. Some are inspired by our natural world and others are animated, or music focused. Amazing creations!” she said.

See today’s Mail to find out more about the three day festival and get your tickets today!

It takes a village – Housing Strategy to be launched

By
Lisa Dennis
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My Home Network members Kaz Neilson, Janet Trotter, Isabella Shaw, Alison Whitten and Jan Steen welcome the community to attend the launch at the Town Hall.
My Home Network members Kaz Neilson, Janet Trotter, Isabella Shaw, Alison Whitten and Jan Steen welcome the community to attend the launch at the Town Hall.

A new 10-year social and affordable housing strategy is set to be launched at Castlemaine Town Hall next Wednesday June 29.
The strategy will outline how community members, organisations, businesses and government can work together to address Mount Alexander Shire’s housing crisis.
My Home Network (MHN) developed the ‘Mount Alexander Shire My Home Network 10 year social and affordable housing strategy’ in collaboration with a range of local and specialist stakeholders and in consultation with Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Dhelkaya Health (formerly Castlemaine Health) CEO Sue Race said the hospital recognises the impact of housing stress on our community.
“We are proud to support and participate in the work of the My Home Network, working collaboratively with local services, government, housing specialists, community and people with lived experience of homelessness and housing stress,” Ms Race said.
Everyone is invited along to the launch, which will feature a range of MHN speakers on local housing solutions and importantly, community members will have the opportunity to sign up to one of MHN’s working groups to be “part of the housing solution”. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.

Castlemaine Maternity service celebrates its first birthday

By
Lisa Dennis
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Dhelkaya Health (formerly Castlemaine Health) held a special celebration at Buda Historic Home and Garden last Friday to mark the first birthday of its new look maternity service.
VIPs including Mums, Dads and Bubs which have utilised vital local service were among those that gathered to celebrate.
It was a first birthday party to remember with entertainment and balloon animals for the kids and an afternoon tea of sweet treats for the grown ups.
Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race opened proceedings by introducing Dja Dja Wurrung elder Aunty Kerri Douglas who welcomed everyone to country and shared a Dja Dja Wurrung teaching ‘Bunjil Dreaming’.
Ms Race then acknowledged and thanked all the key people and groups who had contributed to the establishment of the new Midwifery Group Practice model of care including local GPs and Obstetricians, midwives, the Castlemaine Maternity Service Governance Committee – which is comprised of members of the hospital board, staff members, consumers, Safer Care Victoria, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Foundation, Victorian Branch, Bendigo Health and all the families which had utilised the service. See the Mail for the full story…

Castlemaine Documentary Festival invites you to join ‘The Rumba Party’

By
Lisa Dennis
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Melbourne's La Rumba are set to feature at the Theatre Royal.
Melbourne's La Rumba are set to feature at the Theatre Royal.

Next Saturday night July 2 is ‘RUMBA Party night’ at the 2022 Castlemaine Documentary Festival (C-Doc) when they screen The Rumba Kings at the Theatre Royal Castlemaine from 7.30pm followed by a live music performance from 9pm.
C-Doc director Claire Jager said The Rumba Kings is a joyous exploration of the liberating power of music.
“The screening will be followed by live music from Melbourne’s acclaimed La Rumba giving festival-goers a chance to hit the floor and dance the night away!” she said.

Founded upon a shared love for both old and new wave Spanish flamenco, La Rumba present their unique and passionate take on the spontaneous rhythm that is rumba flamenca. Having performed steadily on the Melbourne scene for the past 10 years, La Rumba have established themselves as true crowd favourites: from their infectious grooves right through to their stirring guitar-instrumentals, this is one night not to be missed!

See the Mail Living section for more. Out Now.

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