Our 2022 Castlemaine Mail calendars have arrived! Be sure to ask for your free copy with today’s edition of the Castlemaine Mail. Extra copies will be available for sale at our office at 13 Hargraves Street for just $2 while stocks last. The 1980s themed calendar will make a great stocking filler for the family! Thanks to the Castlemaine Historical Society Inc once again for their wonderful support sourcing images for the popular offering.
Community invited to ‘Gather’
The Castlemaine Commons Collective is inviting members of the local community to ‘GATHER’ together for an afternoon at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal this Sunday, December 5.
The Castlemaine Commons are a collective who create media and events to foster new ways of communicating, community connection, sense making, catalysing action and creating the future together.
Castlemaine Commons member Alex Kelly said this weekend they are inviting people to attend a kind of public town hall event to share reflections on the pandemic and where we might go from here.
“With over 100 people already having indicated they will be attending we are expecting this to be a powerful and engaging event,” Alex said.
“We invite reflections about where we have been and where we might be going. For we know that while we are in the same storm, but not the same boat and we want to make space to share our diverse experiences and responses across the pandemic. We imagine an open conversation reflecting on what has happened and looking forward as our responses to covid shift again,” she said.
Alex said they wanted to provide an opportunity for people to gather again and share their experiences.
“We aren’t being too ambitious as we know people are fatigued, but we felt that we haven’t really had a chance to meet and share our stories, reflect on our experiences and look at what lessons which we can take forward,” she said. See today’s Mail for more…
Truck Show a success
As the dust settled and the rumble of big engines subsided into the distance last Sunday afternoon, members of the Castlemaine Rotary Club were left both exhausted and relieved.
Although far from the full two-day program usually offered, the 33rd annual Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show has been labelled an outstanding success.
Truck Show director Kerry Anderson said that up until six weeks ago they weren’t sure that they could hold the show.
“Then the big question was, would anyone come to a low-key event?” she said.
“Despite the uncertain lead-up, this year exceeded all our expectations,” confirmed Club President, Lyn Ellery.
“The public and trucking industry showed us how happy they were to be able to come out and attend. We were so grateful for the support of our Rotarians, the Lion’s club and other volunteers who worked tirelessly to cater for the unexpected crowds.” See the Mail for the full story and more images from the event.
Creek rolls into action
Local pennant and social bowls is back in full swing. Campbells Creek Weekend Division 9 Team continued on their winning way with a convincing win over Bendigo VRI at home, this leaves them sitting top of the ladder after two rounds. The club’s Weekend Division 5 team and Midweek Division 3 went down to their opponents but hope to bounce back this week. See the Mail for all the latest local bowls results.
Explore Mica Grange
This weekend is your last chance to enjoy the wonders of spring at the Mica Grange Open Garden Sculpture Exhibition.
Property owners Mary and Bede Gibson say with abundant rains and the roses in full bloom, the gardens at their Sutton Grange property have never looked better.
“The spacious gardens are full of creative ideas to enhance the beauty and enjoyment of your own garden,” Mary said.
There are 16 sculptors exhibiting in this year’s exhibition and a vast array of garden art including a variety of wind spinners, plus plants and preserves, all for sale.
Morning tea, a light lunch and afternoon tea are served on the spacious decking or at tables set up around the garden. Bookings are not required as there is plenty of seating available.
You will find Mica Grange at 373 Faraday Sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange. Contact: 0499 897 242 or 0409 322 413 or visit www.micagrange.com for more information. Entry: $7 Adults, children free.
Proof of Double Vaccination is required for entry.
Lighting the way
Come nightfall each evening during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign the Castlemaine Town Hall is being lit up with a visual vigil created by Castlemaine artist Jim Coad.
The lights are on between 9pm and 10pm each night until the campaign winds up next Friday December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
Mount Alexander Shire Council is leading the ’16 Days’ campaign locally with support from a working group which includes members from the community and Loddon Mallee Women’s Health, and with funding from Domestic Violence Victoria and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre.
Best regional main street win
Eve Lamb
Go to Maldon any day of the week and it’s easy to see the pop-up project that’s reinvented the town’s Old Bank Corner in the middle of town is a winner.
The number of people generally gathered there chatting, having lunch or coffee or simply taking a break is the giveaway that this is one project that’s gone down well with locals and visitors alike.
But now it’s official after the project took out Victoria’s Best Regional Main Street award at the Mainstreet Australia Awards announced in St Kilda last Friday.
“I’m really chuffed. We love a challenge,” said Anna Winneke of The Salvage Yard in Castlemaine.
Anna and The Salvage Yard did the design work and also the physical installation work involved, with Mount Alexander Shire Council overseeing the project using state government public outdoor dining space funding – a response to the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Work happened in the first half of this year, delivering a pleasant outdoor public sitting and dining space using an eclectic mix of recycled materials and plants.
The project was robustly supported by Maldon Inc. Read more in today’s Mail…
Epic concert in the hall
Eve Lamb
Music lovers are in for a treat this weekend with the region’s 50-piece Resonance String Orchestra set to dispense Epic, the concert, live in Castlemaine Town Hall tomorrow afternoon.
Led by Zoe Knighton of Victoria’s acclaimed Flinders Quartet, the vibrant community string orchestra is made up of adult and student members who live in Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shire areas.
Members like Castlemaine’s Sue Proeve, Orvokki Britton and Anais Kerr say tomorrow’s 3pm matinee concert is a special one as it’s the first time the orchestra’s two chapters – based in Woodend and Castlemaine – have come together to perform in public.
“I just moved here at the start of the year from Mansfield and I love music so much, so being able to walk in here and find this is a dream come true,” says Orvokki Britton among the orchestra’s young violin players and completing year nine at Castlemaine Secondary College.
“After working with them for a year to be able to get out and perform is going to be amazing.”
Another of the orchestra’s Castlemaine violin players, Sue Proeve says to tomorrow’s concert will present a wide variety of music.
Sue also says it’s a great chance for those interested in joining the orchestra themselves to get along and see what they’re all about.
“Come along to the concert,” Sue says. Read more in today’s Mail…
Big rigs roll in…
All roads will lead to Campbells Creek this Sunday November 28 for the 33rd annual Rotary Castlemaine Truck Show.
Among those to take part will be Ian McClure of McClure Earthmoving in his father Malcolm’s 1982 Mack R Model.
Ian recently had the 320 horsepower rig restored by the talented Peter ‘Clapo’ Clapton of Sherwood Restorations at Chewton and is thrilled with the final result.
Ian took the truck’s long time driver Don Finning out to check out the revamped Mack on Tuesday, and Don was thrilled to see the old girl looking as good as the first day he climbed into the cabin.
Ian and brother Gary had long planned to have the truck restored and are delighted it has been completed in time for the Truck Show. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Supporting our frontline workers
Local volunteers from the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) in Castlemaine have donated 100 Comfort Snack Packs to healthcare workers at the Castlemaine Health/CHIRP Community Health COVID-19 testing clinic.
The Comfort Snack Packs contain a number of tasty goodies, including nutritional muesli bars, fruit cups, cheese and crackers, and some sweets.
RRT local team leader for Castlemaine Eben Pudney said the donation was a small token of appreciation to the local healthcare workers.
“The pandemic has created many challenges for Australians, particularly for our healthcare workers,” Mr Pudney said.
“We’d like to thank the workers at the Castlemaine COVID-19 testing clinic who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep the community safe – putting the needs of others above their own,” he said. See the Mail for more…
High flyers
The Castlemaine Cannons Basketball Association Men’s competition resumed on Sunday. Two of the local sides are pictured in action at the War Memorial Stadium. A short sharp Women’s comp and Junior competition also starts shortly and Mini Hoops has returned. Check out the Castlemaine Cannons Basketball Association Facebook page to learn more about how you can get involved in our local basketball association. Photo: Max Lesser.
Summer Art exhibition to be unveiled
The Summer Art exhibition at Castlemaine’s historic Market Building is set to officially open to the public tomorrow, November 27.
Mount Alexander Shire Council customer services manager Aileen Walsh said dozens of talented local artists have contributed works to the Summer Art exhibition with a wide range of themes and genres represented.
“The works are for sale which is a great way for us to support our local artists after a tough couple of years. Visitors are welcome to take their chosen piece home with them and we will be constantly updating the exhibition which means there is always something new for locals to see when they pop in,” she said.