Castlemaine born Declan Fraser did the region proud as a wildcard entry racing alongside motorsport legend Craig Lowndes in the Bathurst 1000 last Sunday.
Declan said it was an incredible experience.
“Where do I begin. First Bathurst 1000, led the race, highest ever wildcard finisher and finished inside the top 10 in 8th!” he told his followers.
The 22 year old thanked everyone from Supercheap Auto and Triple Eight Race Engineering and his family for their support.
“I love you all so much and can’t thank everyone enough for everything they’ve done to make this possible.”
“Finally to Craig Lowndes, thank you so much for taking me under your wing these past few days. I learnt so much from you, it’s a debt I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay.”
Declan’s dad Justin Fraser told the Mail the family were thrilled with his historic wildcard result and his efforts in Super2 where he currently leads the championship.
“Leah, Jasmine, and I are incredibly proud of everything Declan has achieved to date,” he said.
Wild ride at Bathurst for Castlemaine young gun Declan Fraser
Mt Alexander Falcons to feature at Ballarat
The Mt Alexander Falcons and Kyneton Tigers are set to feature in Sunday’s AFLW game at Mars Stadium in Ballarat after both teams were invited to play in a curtain raiser before the Western Bulldogs take on St Kilda.
Kicking off at 11am Sunday’s game forms part of the AFLW’s Pride round celebrations and recognises the focus that the Mt Alexander Women’s Sports Club and Kyneton FNC have dedicated to giving women and gender-diverse people of all backgrounds the opportunity to play football in regional Victoria.
Mt Alexander Falcons and Kyneton Tigers have already met this year in a couple of cracking games including contesting the inaugural Gender Equality Cup in partnership with Women’s Health Loddon Mallee. Both clubs work hard behind the scenes to provide an environment that is welcoming encouraging and fun for players and supporters of all backgrounds.
Sunday’s game will start at 11am at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, ahead of the Bulldogs playing St Kilda at 1.10 pm.
Mt Alexander Falcons president Alana Wearne said the team is excited to take part.
“It’s thrilling to get the chance to showcase the Falcons’ game at Mars Stadium, and at the same time we’re incredibly humbled to be recognised by the AFLW for the work that we’ve been putting in to give LGBTQIA+ people the chance to play footy who might not otherwise be able to in regional Victoria,” Alana said.
“We’ve played Kyneton in the rain and mud to get hold of the Gender Equality Cup and we’ll bring the same mentality as we run out together at Mars Stadium on Sunday, they’re a great bunch of people and we can’t wait to give them another hard game.”
Legendary local actor to feature in documentary
Local celebrity John Flaus is set to feature in a biographical documentary being developed by independent filmmaker Penny Moore.
The documentary aims to acknowledge the huge body of work that John Flaus has produced and will explore his contribution to film culture in Australia over the last 70 years.
Flaus became active in the film society movement in the 1950s and began writing film reviews for independent and industry publications.
A member of the Push Movement (an intellectual subculture in Sydney) John was also actively involved in the Sydney University Film Group and the WEA Film Study Group in the 1960s.
John was giving free film lectures in and around Sydney when he came to the attention of Dr Patricia Edgar who was lobbying for film to be included as a legitimate course of academic study in Australia. She offered John a job in Melbourne where he worked with her to develop and design a course in Cinema Studies. The Media Unit was established at La Trobe University in 1975 and it is the first film course of its kind to be offered in Australia.
John subsequently went on to become Head of Education at the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School.
A dedicated teacher, Flaus has lectured at numerous tertiary institutions over the last 40 years.
Considered ‘the Father of Cinema Studies’ in this country, this title reflects the huge contribution John has made to film culture and education in Australia.
Thrust in front of the camera in 1969 as part of an experimental film made by members of the Push Movement, Flaus went on to be cast in numerous independent and student productions which he continued supporting throughout his career.
In 1978 Flaus was approached by a casting agent and began acting professionally in his spare time. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that John devoted himself to full-time acting.
With over 130 acting credits in film and television plus dozens more in live theatre, John has established himself as a veteran performer.
John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in late 2019 and is currently dealing with the early onset of dementia.
In a race against time, filmmaker Penny Moore is running a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds that will enable her to capture and record important footage before John’s health deteriorates and his dementia makes it impossible for him to participate in filming.
If you would like to make a contribution, all donations are tax-deductible and every dollar donated is doubled (up to $5,000) thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia through MATCH Lab and the Australian Cultural Fund.
Contributions can be made online until October 18 at the Australian Cultural Fund. Donate today at: artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2E9q000000A8RzEAK/john-flaus-documentary-in-development
Green addition for Maldon Hospital
Staff at Maldon Hospital are now visiting and transporting their patients in battery-electric cars.
The rural hospital has received three Hyundai Kona Electric cars replacing the existing petrol and diesel models.
The initiative is part of a state government fleet conversion investment of $15 million for 400 ZEVs and associated charging stations over a two-year period.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said Maldon Hospital is a vital part of the community and they’re proud to support the hospital’s staff and programs with this initiative.
The Kona’s have a 480km range which enables staff to make long trips for outpatient work or meetings without needing to charge en route, with dedicated charging stations located at Maldon Hospital.
Deputy Director of Nursing Peta Ballinger told the Mail that Maldon Hospital has been putting a number of sustainable initiatives in place.
“We’ve changed to a segmented waste system which includes, compost, soft plastic, recycling, and general waste,” Ms Ballinger said.
“We’ve also started a composting project with the residents. The aim is to have the least amount of general waste left to go off-site. “Shannon Uren our General Manager and Director of Nursing at Maldon Hospital has been a huge driver towards the hospital becoming more sustainable,” Ballinger said.
In addition to reducing emissions to make our towns, cities, and regions more liveable, the ZEVs will also deliver ongoing savings due to having lower maintenance and running costs than their petrol or diesel predecessors.
Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said it was a positive step forward.
“This is an important step towards ZEVs making up half of all light vehicle sales by 2030, part of our nation-leading climate action which will see us slash emissions by 50 percent by the same year,” she said.
To help spark community interest in the take-up of sustainable transport, the government will make the ZEVs available for public purchase at the end of their lease.
In addition to reducing emissions to make our towns, cities, and regions more liveable, the ZEVs will also deliver ongoing savings due to having lower maintenance and running costs than their petrol or diesel predecessors.
Victorian-based industry expert JET Charge is fast-tracking the government fleet’s transition as the contractor supplying and installing the charging infrastructure. The 7kW charging stations are manufactured in Victoria.
The government has also invested $19 million in grants to expand the publicly accessible fast-charging network, including several locations in the Maldon region.
Under the government’s $100 million ZEV Roadmap, more than 5,000 Victorians have taken up subsidies of $3,000 on the purchase of eligible ZEVs with sales in 2021 sales jumping 310 per cent.
Spring Sculpture Prize to return to Lot19
The Spring Sculpture Prize returns to Lot 19 Arts Precinct this weekend after a two year hiatus!
Since its inception in 2006, the Spring Sculpture Prize has been a key event in the Central Victorian artistic calendar.
Featuring over $6,000 worth of prizes, independent judges and a three-week exhibition, the prize is beloved by artists and visitors alike.
The Opening Party will take place this Saturday October 15 from 2pm. Judging will been carried out earlier in the day, and the celebration will include the prize-giving, along with live music from gypsy-folk band Vardos, gorgeous Thai inspired food from Good Thaimes and bar by Shedshaker Brewing.
Lot19’s Mark Anstey told the Mail it’s an absolute joy to feature such an incredible array of work.
“We’ve had a record number of entries for our 14th annual event, and it’s wonderful to see the gallery and outdoor space come alive with spring and sculptures,” he said.
There are eight prizes as part of the competition, including the Lot19 and Ron Anstey Memorial Prizes, which are both adjudicated by a panel of independent judges. There are six other prizes which are donated and judged by a selection of local businesses.
Mark said 2022 also sees the return of the Kids Sculpture Prize and the introduction of a ‘People’s Choice’ award.
“It’s an honour to be hosting such a high calibre of work, especially after being forced to take two years off the event,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to sharing this exhibition with the community again.”
The Spring Sculpture Prize is open to the public from 2pm on Saturday October 15, 11am-4pm Sunday October 16 and then 11am-4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday until October 30.
Swashbuckling fun awaits!
Tickets are now on sale for the Castlemaine Theatre Company’s first full-stage production since COVID-19 swept across our shores – ‘Peter Panto: Or One Flew Over the Second Star on the Right’.
The production is a swashbuckling adventure! It’s Peter Pan as you’ve never seen before! It’s a proper panto, so plenty of booing and
hissing and ‘Behind you!’ moments.
Nurse Ratched is a cross-dressing Dame looking for love, the Lost Boys want to be a Boy Band, Tiger Lily is a martial arts expert (and Skipper of the Castlemaine Magpies footy team) and Nana is a Freudian analyst.
An irreverent mash-up with One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, the story begins in Castlemaine Health’s Youth Psych Ward…and it’s medication time…
Peter Panto has been a true labour of love, first thwarted after a successful casting in 2020, as the pandemic swept across Australia. The production this year is set to wow audiences.
Director Kate Stones was inspired to bring this adaptation to life after rewatching the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, featuring Jack Nicholson.
“I was struck by the similarities. McMurphy is such a Peter Pan character – he’s arrogant, a born leader, and definitely averse to being a sensible grown-up, and he ends up with his own band of lost boys in the ward, whom he takes on various crazy adventures,” Stones says.
“To me pantomime means permission to be naughty – it’s anti-authoritarian, low-brow, guerilla entertainment. It takes traditionally enshrined stories and mixes them up, there’s gender fluidity built in and lots of yelling from the audience. Families will love it, but I hope everyone comes along to enjoy the fun,” she said.
This is a pantomime sure to entertain with popular songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s to bop and sing along to!
Stellar casting rounds off the production with new and familiar faces, with a cast of both young and young at heart.
The vocal arrangements have been created by cast member Orvokki Britton (who plays Lost Boy Nibs) and fun dance routines are put together by cast member Paula Russell (Pirate Starkley).
Orvokki says “I absolutely adore turning up to rehearsal, the cast, and crew of this production are a group full of fun and many laughs. I always come in feeling excited and leave feeling fresh and full of life. I am simply bursting to get this show on the stage!”
Fellow cast member Leah Fistric (‘Pirate Coco’) says, after all the challenges faced by the performing arts industries and their audiences over the last few years, Peter Panto feels like the perfect show to bring the community back into their theatre seats, to laugh out loud and sing- along.
“We have a fabulous all-ages cast to work alongside, inclusive, warm, energized, and ready to perform,” Fistric says.
Peter Panto: Or One Flew Over the Second Star on the Right will be performed at the Phee Broadway Theatre from November 4-20. Tickets are available from Maine Shoes and Accessories, 174 Barker St, Castlemaine or on Trybooking.
Hockey players welcome to participate
A passionate, local group of hockey players are getting together on Sunday mornings at Castlemaine Primary School during October. Anyone is welcome to join them. There is equipment to loan. Juniors are at 9am and teens and adults are gathering at 10am. Photo: Max Lesser.
Local development making an impact
Chris Hooper, Castlemaine
Many houses going in especially on hilltops and slopes means the ground being covered by the house, driveway, paths and paving. This means more run off. Rhonda Hall wrote in Castlemaine Mail October 7 about the need for new houses to have water tanks to catch the run off from roofs. She says there’s more run off now at the bottom of McKenzie Hill which has a large number of new houses on it.
Some new housing developments have tanks connected to toilets so rainwater can be used for flushing but the more water we catch less is going into the ground. Water in the ground is good, plus creeks need the run off too. But, the more we clear or build and make non permeable surfaces the more run off we’ll have maybe in excess.
The hill at the back of Campbells Creek has many new houses on it now and I’ve heard there’s excessive run off. The new housing on the hill behind Dudley Street and Munro Court to the north of town causes excessive run off to creeks below. This is one reason I don’t like the council plan for Camp Reserve. There’s too much hard surface which means radiant heat and a lot of run off. With the heavy rainfall conditions we’re having we need more permeable surfaces and to slow the water flow.
Forest Creek creeps higher as rains continue
With today’s weather event set to further impact the region’s already swollen creeks, rivers and catchments local residents are being urged to take care. Follow our Facebook page for more updates.
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Taradale playground underwater as Back Creek swells
With today’s weather event set to further impact the region’s already swollen creeks, rivers and catchments local residents are being urged to take care. Follow our Facebook page for more updates.
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Cairn Curran spillway surging after heavy rains
With today’s weather event set to further impact the region’s already swollen creeks, rivers and catchments local residents are being urged to take care. Follow our Facebook page for more updates.
Please consider a digital subscription to support your local news coverage. Free trial available for a limited time.
Your Chewton with Duang Tengtrirat, local chef
Hi Duang. Most people will know you from your stall selling delicious food at the Castlemaine Farmers Market. How long have you been at the market and how did you become involved?
I’ve been at the weekly market since it first started three years ago. I was one of the founders. In the beginning, we only had eight to ten stalls, but now, during the busy season, there are around 30 stalls. I like that the market is curated, everything has to be made locally and sold by the makers. The ingredients I use in my food are usually bought at the market, locally, or grown at home.
How long have you lived in Australia?
I was born in Thailand in a place called Nan. I then lived in America for 35 years. I came here 14 years ago because I married an Australian man. We first moved to Eltham. I was 60 years old and didn’t know what I was going to do. I started volunteering at a community garden, which was mainly for people with intellectual disabilities. I started taking food on the days that I worked and the teachers asked me to organise catering for them and that’s how my catering business started. 10 years ago I moved to Chewton and when I saw the benchtop in this house I knew I wanted to run cooking classes.
You went back to visit Thailand earlier this year. How was that trip?
I went back twice, once in January and again in June. I try and go every year. It still feels like home. I recently inherited my family home, which is being renovated to become a cooking school. I want to turn it into a place to run food and cultural tours for people from Australia and America. My home town Nan is not yet a tourist town and I want people to see it while it is still untainted.
Have you had other careers?
I originally trained as a nurse and then as a counsellor. I taught English as a second language and ran a few businesses. But I’ve always loved cooking.
What are your other interests?
Gardening. I grow a lot of my vegetables, things that I can’t buy. In summer I grow a lot of basil. I also grow eggplant which I use a lot in my cooking. The house we live in is built on a large sheet of rock, and my husband and I are both in our 70s, so growing things in raised boxes is the most conducive.
I love to sew, but don’t have time to write now, I mostly cook. I’ve always loved cooking. I started cooking as soon as I could walk. My mother had four daughters, and I must have an aptitude for cooking. None of my sisters were interested in cooking.
Any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
I’m not sure I can answer that in a short time or condense my answer! I guess it’s people. I believe in equalising for people who are disadvantaged, such as refugees. I think food is a fantastic equaliser. During COVID I started making and giving away free food at the market, it was a lot more than I bargained for but it taught me so much about people; the people who came for food and the people who supported the idea. There were farmers who supplied food and community people who came to help cook. Those that had a lot, gave a lot. That’s what I love about this community, the generosity of spirit. So that’s part of my philosophy, to make food accessible to people as much as I can.
Who would your three dream dinner guests be?
Bruce Pascall, who wrote Dark Emu, and Behrouz Boochan, who wrote No Friend but the Mountains. He came to Australia as an asylum seeker and was put into detention in Preston. He was very badly treated. He managed to get his story out through an outsider while he was in detention. He eventually moved to New Zealand.
Annie Smither the cook or if I could choose a dead person it would be John Reid who owned the Red Beard Bakery in Trentham. He was a foodie and a supreme equaliser which is a double plus.
Pet peeves?
The misuse of language. I hate it when people say, ‘people that came’, instead of ‘people who came’ or ‘the amount of people’ instead of ‘the number of people’.
What’s your musical genre of choice?
I don’t have one. I like silence. I cook in silence and I drive in silence.
What are you reading at the moment?
How to tell a story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth and Writing the Story of Your Life by Carmel Bird.
I sense a theme here. Are you planning on writing your story?
Yes.
How’s it going?
It’s going extremely well because I haven’t written anything!
I’ve been talking about writing a book for years. I love writing for the Chewton Chat and writing Facebook posts.
The final question Duang, what do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
There isn’t anything that I don’t enjoy. I love the physical house and the people of Chewton and Castlemaine. I’ve never lived anywhere with such a sense of belonging. I’ve been blown away by how the people support what I want to do! For example, the Red Hill Pub lost a chef. They asked me if I’d do a pop-up and I thought, ‘it’s the local pub. It’s a beautiful place where my friends go to drink’. So we agreed I’d try it and see how it goes. The first date booked out in a day! He asked me to give him a second date and it also booked out in a day! This is what I mean, I can’t believe it! I’m a no-name cook and 50 people a day are booking without knowing what the menu is! I don’t even know what the menu is!
