This week’s Gig of the Week at the Shedshaker Taproom is another awesome local rock band – Chris Hudson & The Late Entrants.
Chris Hudson & The Late Entrants are launching their debut single Lost in Silence with a free entry show at Shedshaker Taproom on Friday August 21.
Punters can expect an evening in two acts featuring an all-local lineup. The night opens with an intimate acoustic set with special guest DTC on trumpet, before The Late Entrants take the stage in full for a longer second set.
The band will also be sneak previewing songs from their forthcoming EP Live Later Vol.1, due for release later in 2026.
“Drawing on a life lived across the UK, Cold War Russia and Australia, I write with the clarity of someone who has earned his perspective the hard way,” said Chris.
“After years working as a corporate strategist, I’ve spent the last five years distilling that experience into high-fidelity, literate indie. Atmospheric, unflinching and deeply biographical. Music for sophisticated ears and searching minds.”
Chris said the Live Later project sits at the heart of everything he writes.
“It’s built on the belief that life’s most resonant work begins when the noise of youth finally fades. The songs explore deferred ambition, the creative instinct set aside, and the courage it takes to pursue the life not yet lived.
“It’s music for anyone who has ever felt the pull of an unlived life and decided, finally, to act.” The show gets underway at 8pm.
As of midnight Wednesday night, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) had received more than eight million household Census forms – online and paper.
This means that well over two thirds of households have already responded.
Households that haven’t completed a Census form still have time.
If a household has not yet received their instruction letter or a paper form, they can go to census.abs.gov.au to get a Census number and complete it online.
Households that would prefer a paper form can request one online or by calling the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
There is also help and support available for those who need it, including over the phone and in person at pop-up hubs in locations across the country.
Australian Statistician Dr David Geuen said the census is an incredibly important exercise for our nation.
“Wednesday night we saw a strong response from communities across the country. As of midnight, (August 11) over two thirds of households had completed a Census form, which is higher than in the 2021 Census,” he said
“Thank you to every household that has already completed a Census form.
“The data we collect through the Census is used to plan and deliver vital services, help businesses grow, and support local communities.
“Each person’s response contributes to building a snapshot of modern Australia, who we are and where we are going.
To households that have not yet completed a Census form, I encourage you to do it as soon as you can based on where you stayed on Census night.
“In the coming weeks, we will follow up with households that have not completed a Census form and provide them with the help and support they need to do so,” Dr Geuen said.
Musicians from Castlemaine and across Central Victoria will join Resonance String Orchestra as it presents an unforgettable performance at Braemar College Woodend’s beautiful Performing Arts Centre this Sunday August 16.
The concert will featuring distinguished cellist Zoe Knighton.
The special event marks the orchestra’s return to performing in Macedon Ranges, although it has rehearsed in Woodend for many years.
Zoe Knighton regularly donates her skill, knowledge and artistic energies to Resonance as their Artistic Patron, and will be soloist in this concert.
Since 2025, Braemar College Woodend has been the location for the termly Saturday morning rehearsals of the combined Woodend and Castlemaine-based Resonance musicians.
Braemar College principal Russell Deer has welcomed Resonance to Braemar and has been happy to make the school’s performance facilities available for these rehearsals, and the upcoming concert in August.
In return, Resonance String Quartet performed for the Grade 5 students last year and held a Q&A on playing a stringed instrument.
Resonance has been running a high quality, super supportive all ages string orchestra program for beginners to advanced players in Central Victoria (Castlemaine and Woodend), for over 15 years and is renowned for the quality of its work and the fulfilling experience players enjoy.
Resonance membership is varied and open to musicians of all ages and a variety of backgrounds.
Macedon Ranges mates Mike and Marc (pictured) an electrician and a journalist who both play the cello are just one example. Mike on the left, learned to a high level at school, but has come back to playing more recently, while Marc on the right, started learning in the last few years after his son began learning and playing with the orchestra. Both are in the Woodend group.
2026 will also see the culmination of an 18-month residency with the distinguished Flinders Quartet, fully funded by the quartet, and a November concert in Castlemaine featuring the Flinders Quartet, Resonance String Orchestra, Resonance String Quartet together with Apprenti Strings – the established beginner group that provides the pipeline of players to Resonance.
This year has also seen Resonance present a Big String Day for beginner strings as part of the Castlemaine State Festival, and a workshop with the renowned folk group, The String Contingent.
This Sunday’s performance will begin at 2.30pm. Tickets are available via Humanitix.com
Details of how to join the orchestra and other Resonance news can be found at resonancestringorchestra.org.au
Jenny Larsen, Castlemaine
Our beautiful Botanical Gardens, Kalimna, Kaweka, Victory Park, the meandering creek trail, The Western, The Sunken, practically any beautiful tree
lined street in Castlemaine – these are just some of the choices we have in Castlemaine to enjoy ‘green spaces’.
The Camp Reserve however, being the main sporting precinct, is just that – a sporting precinct. To suggest that the football and netball clubs ‘go somewhere else’ or ‘they only play 8-9 games a year’ shows a complete ignorance to the complexity of the user groups involved.
Where may I ask are these many other places that you think the clubs can go and play? None that I can think of? Unless you’re thinking of Wesley Hill
which is the junior ground or Campbells Creek which is Campbells Creek FNC’s home ground (and also not in Castlemaine.)
It feels more like a case of NIMBY (not in my backyard).
To also hide your objections behind the veil of the site being an historic one and yet ignoring the fact that the Castlemaine CFNC is the second oldest club in Victora being formed 167 years ago in 1859 or Castlemaine Agricultural Society formed in 1854 so 172 years old, just doesn’t make sense to me.
That was until a letter writer suggested ‘going somewhere else’. You have revealed your true agenda and to say I was flabbergasted is putting it mildly.
The 134-page planning permit submitted to council, agreed upon and developed over many, many years by all user groups, opened to community
input and passed by council, should be enough to see that this project has the green light and should go ahead without any further filibustering.
The development improving the facilities should proceed and now. Everyone has had their say, it’s been considered, discussed, amended and passed (3 times)
There is overwhelming support for this development.
Just build it!!!
John Ellis, Golden Point
Last Monday there was an announcement of funding for further development at the Nalderun Education initiative in Chewton.
An article appeared in this paper (‘A beautiful evolution – Nalderun to build a forever home in Chewton’, Mail, July 31, 2026) and a press release was subsequently distributed by Maree Edwards MP, who had made the announcement. It was deemed positive local news, so it was posted on the chewton.net Facebook page. And then it started to go pear-shaped.
Oh boy! The comments exposed some feral opinions. After deleting one, then a second, and then a third the press release was removed. Comments were vitriolic and quite possibly actionable. Left standing, the organisation behind the administration of the Facebook page may have been held responsible. Unfortunately, there appear to be some racist keyboard warriors within our community. This incident was a genuine wake-up call. Things aren’t always what they seem to be, and certainly aren’t what you’d wish them to be.
Editor’s Note: Racism is never acceptable. We stand with our friends at Nalderun and chewton.net
Name and address supplied
It is so disappointing that the Council has chosen to implement its Master Plan for Camp Reserve. The sportspeople of our town do deserve to have proper amenities but this area is the wrong place for these developments. The area is too small for what is needed and the whole area, lying close to three creeks is prone to flooding.
Modern sports facilities could find a home in many areas around our town. People want to play sport in good conditions with much better change rooms and facilities. This space could be found in another part of town like the Wesley Hill Sports Complex which could be extended. It might also be possible to maximise the potential of Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve where sporting facilities are currently in the process of being upgraded.
In fact, many people have commented that it would be a waste of money building excellent facilities on a flood plain at Camp Reserve. As well, with no increase in the size of the football oval, in this Master Plan, this site remains too small to meet the standard requirements of the AFL code.
As well, with an increasing population and more people playing and watching sport, more parking will be needed as well as improved traffic conditions. The upgrading of these facilities at Camp Reserve will create a lot more pressure on local residents who live around the grounds – lighting, noise, traffic, car parking.
Instead, small scale development (improved toilet facilities etc) on Camp Reserve could allow it to be used for farmers’ markets, the show and other activities, without destroying the heritage value of the site. It could be used as a historic hub, informing people about the past as they walk through from the railway station to Goldsmith Crescent and other interesting sights.
It should be preserved so all of us (including future generations) can enjoy learning about the past.
I urge the council to reconsider this decision.
Accessing healthcare closer to home has become even easier for the Maldon community, with a broader range of community health and wellbeing services now available at Dhelkaya Health’s Maldon campus.
Over recent weeks, our Community Services and Wellbeing team has expanded its presence at the campus, bringing more of the services people know and trust to Maldon. With even more clinicians now consulting throughout the week, residents have greater opportunities to access the care they need without travelling further afield.
The services are based alongside the Medical Clinic hub (on the corner of Adair and Chapel Street North) and share a central reception, making it simple and convenient for clients to find the support they’re looking for. They are also in the process of creating a dedicated gym space, and when complete, it will provide an ideal environment for exercise programs, rehabilitation and other therapy sessions designed to help people improve their strength, mobility and overall wellbeing.
Many of the most in-demand community health services (including physio, dietitian, podiatry, counselling, district nursing and several other specialists) are now available at both the Maldon and Castlemaine campuses, allowing clients to choose the location that’s most convenient for them.
Dhelkaya Health Ambulatory Care team member Jack Lawrence said they know that being able to access services close to home can make a real difference.
“By increasing the services available in Maldon, we’re making it easier for people to get the support they need while staying connected to their local community. “As the service continues to grow, the team at Dhelkaya are excited to keep building on what’s available and ensure the Maldon community has access to high-quality care in a welcoming, local setting.
Most of the programs don’t need a referral from a GP, so you can find out more by getting in touch with the Maldon Community Services team directly on 5479 8633.
GP referrals can be accepted by email via our central intake at intake@castlemainehealth.org.au
The Rail Safety Week campaign runs between August 10-16 and is a reminder to all – road users, walkers, cyclists – that safety in and around the rail corridor is important.
A previous Rail Safety week campaign promoted the slogan ‘Expect the unexpected’ and while this is still relevant especially at level crossings, another short reminder from the Southern Pacific Railroad in the USA is also important: ‘Stop, Look and Listen’.
The Victorian Goldfields Railway fully supports the Rail Safety initiative and reminds all in the community that trains can run on any day of the week and at any time, including at night.
It is especially important for everyone to be careful at level crossings. If there are lights and bells working, please wait until the train has passed and the lights have stopped flashing red before moving on. Likewise, at level crossings where there are no lights and bells, please exercise all due care and make sure there is no train approaching.
The Castlemaine State Festival is counting down the days until its next highly anticipated fundraising event this Friday August 14.
Imagine Farinelli meets Freddie Mercury. Enter Maayan Licht, the dazzling sopranista hailed as one of Europe’s most electrifying new stars, making his long-awaited Australian debut which will include a stopover right here at the Castlemaine Town Hall!
With a stage persona as flamboyant as it is fearless, he unleashes devilish trills and high-voltage charisma on the virtuosic arias of Vivaldi, Handel, and Porpora.
At his side, the brilliant early-music master Neal Peres da Costa leads a hand-picked baroque ensemble which will see the soprano joined by two violin players, one cello player and a harpsichord, driving the drama with glittering brilliance. Expect a night where baroque fire meets rock-star glamour. But it isn’t just about the high notes. Licht brings a quicksilver sense of character to every phrase, switching between tenderness, swagger and bite with effortless confidence. What could be pure display becomes something far more engaging — music with personality.
A voice like this is rare. Hearing it this close is rarer still.
The event is proudly supported by Live at Yours.
Make sure you get your ticket at https://castlemainefestival.com.au/event/mayaan-licht/
Mount Alexander Shire Council has allocated $40,000 in its 2026/27 Budget to design a new play space in Wesley Hill, creating opportunities for local children and families to enjoy outdoor recreation closer to home.
The proposed play space will be located on council-managed land in Van Heurck Street, adjacent to the Wesley Hill Hall. The site is already a well-used community gathering place and home to activities including the popular weekly Wesley Hill Market.
Mount Alexander Shire mayor Toby Heydon said the project would help address a gap in play opportunities in the area.
“This investment is an important step towards creating a dedicated play space for local children and families in Wesley Hill,” Cr Heydon said.
“Currently, there is no playground equipment in this part of Castlemaine, with the nearest play spaces located at Victory Park and Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park. Developing this space at the Wesley Hill Hall precinct will improve access to play opportunities and strengthen the area’s role as a community hub.”
The new play space is planned to complement existing activities and facilities at the site, enhancing its appeal as a place for people of all ages to play and spend time together.
Council officers will work with the Wesley Hill Hall Committee throughout the design process to ensure the play space meets local needs.
Community members will also have opportunities to provide input as the project progresses, helping to shape the design and future features of the play space.
Further details about consultation opportunities will be announced as the project moves forward.
