Local Brandon Leigh kindly shared this incredible footage of the deluge outside the new Hot n Crusty Bakery Cafe in Barker Street, Castlemaine, yesterday afternoon as storms lashed the region. The clean up continues after numerous homes and businesses were impacted by flash flooding.
Vax rolls out for youngsters
Eve Lamb
Local children aged 5-11 have turned out in number to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine jabs as the number of officially recorded COVID cases ballooned in Mount Alexander and surrounding municipalities this week.
Children as young as five rolled up their sleeves as Castlemaine Health’s on-site clinic got down to business on Wednesday this week, administering first jabs for the younger age-group.
“It was good – a bit stingy,” is the way young Harlow Sanson, 9, described receiving his first shot.
The Taradale nine-year-old was among the first 50 children in his age group to get their first dose of the vaccine on Day One at the Castlemaine Health clinic set up especially for the younger age group.
Australian children aged five to 11 this week became eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with parents rushing to book appointments before the school year returns.
“I was nervous but excited,” said Harlow summing up how he felt while waiting to receive the injection.
With children like Harlow now required to wait eight weeks before they get their second shot of the vaccine, Harlow’s father Alex Sanson said delaying the start of the school year to enable all young students to be vaccinated might be a wise move.
Term one is scheduled to start for students on January 31 – about the time that Victoria’s current rate of infection is forecast to peak. Read more in today’s Mail…
New rating strategy packs win for commercial properties
Eve Lamb
Local business operators are welcoming a council decision to drop a consultant’s suggestion that would have seen rates on commercial properties in Mount Alexander Shire rise by 20 per cent over the next two years.
At its recent December meeting Mount Alexander Shire Council endorsed a new rating strategy for 2022-27 which will now determine the way in which rates are calculated for properties shire-wide over the next few years.
But following robust feedback particularly from the local business community, the council decided to remove a consultant’s proposal to progressively increase the differential rate for commercial properties over the next two years from the current 130 per cent of the residential rate to 150 per cent.
“We certainly got some feedback that that was not what the business community wanted,” Cr Rosie Annear said, moving the motion to adopt the new rating strategy 2022-2027 with that proposal removed.
“It was decided we don’t do this at this time,” Cr Annear said.
“I think that was a good solution. I do not believe it was an appropriate time to introduce that increase in the rating strategy.” Read more in today’s Mail…
Graffiti accused charged
A man in his 30s has been arrested and charged with a raft of offences following an extensive spate of graffiti across the Castlemaine region just after Christmas.
Constable Eliza McCarron of the Castlemaine Police said police received a tip off from a community member in the early hours of Monday December 27, 2021.
“A community member had spotted a man during graffiti with the tag ‘Spunk’ and rang police to provide a description. We sent a patrol out at around 5am that morning and police came across a man and woman and stopped to speak to them,” she said.
Police reportedly almost didn’t stop to speak to the pair as the man met the description but was an older gentleman.
However, when officers began chatting to the individual they noted he had paint on his hands and clothing and later discovered permanent markers in his backpack. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Peggy turns 100!
Renowned Castlemaine artist Peggy Shaw celebrated her 100th birthday last Sunday January 9.
Peggy’s family had a function arranged at Buda but had to cancel it due to the latest covid outbreak. They ended up enjoying a small family lunch on the back deck of her daughter Julie’s Castlemaine home.
Peggy has her own granny flat at the back of the property and the pair share a studio where the acclaimed watercolourist was determined to do a painting on her 100th birthday and she did!
When asked what the secret was to living a long and happy life, Peggy said she feels keeping physically and mentally active has contributed to her longevity. See today’s Mail for more…
CDCA junior sides excel at Country Week
Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s (CDCA) Under 13 and Under 15 teams once again produced some fantastic performances at the Central Highlands Junior Country Week competition last week.
In fact, the Under 13 side posted two wins to make the grand final showdown against the Grampians and finished second overall in their pool. The side’s win in the final at Russell Square at Ballarat on Friday may just see the talented young side promoted to Pool A in 2023. For the full story and all the latest cricket updates see the Mail. Out Now.
Landscape artist to feature
The stunning landscape works of Castlemaine artist Robert Cue are set to feature in a new exhibition at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery next month.
‘Near and Far’ is the name of the latest exhibition of oil paintings by the talented local artist.
Robert taught art for many years at the Swan Hill College and now lives in Castlemaine.
Cue is known for his Mallee and Central Victorian landscapes, and says Mount Alexander is one of his favourite places to paint.
In this exhibition of 30 paintings, the artist has included some of his paintings inspired by his travels to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. See the Mail for the full story.
Send us your pics!
With the new year having arrived and local functions and events back up and running we are excited to reboot our much loved social page – Local Faces, Local Places. If you’ve recently celebrated a wedding, birthday milestone, special event or welcomed a new bub we’d love to feature your photo on the page. Just email your picture and caption to our Editor Lisa Dennis at ldennis@midnews.com.au
Jodie McLean-Taylor (pictured bottom right) recently celebrated her 50th Birthday with a 1920s Flapper/Peaky Blinders themed dress up party at the Campbells Creek Community Centre on Saturday, January 1.
Third jab, test clinic demand soars
Eve Lamb
Castlemaine area locals are turning out in droves to get their third COVID jabs as the number of notified Omicron cases continue to snowball nation-wide.
At Castlemaine Health the on site vaccination clinic this week opened up extra vaccination booking options while currently administering jabs in arms to around 180 people each day – almost all of them third doses.
“We’re just being slammed at the moment by (people lining up for) boosters,” nurse unit manager Shelley Leathem told the Mail this week as the hospital also prepares for Wednesday which will be its first day of administering vaccinations for youngsters aged five to 11.
The local health service this week released a series of new vaccination appointments for January.
The new appointments are afternoon slots only and can be booked online via the Castlemaine Health website with the hospital also confirming that new appointments for February will be opened up over the coming weeks.
“Registrations are now also open for the five to 11 year-old age group,” Ms Leathem said.
Registration for these is via a link on the Castlemaine Health website.
“This link is hosted by Bendigo Health but you can select ‘Castlemaine Health’ as the clinic of choice when completing the form,” Ms Leathem said. Read more in today’s Mail…
Stride into ’22 with Nordic poles
If you’re feeling the need to walk off a few of those post Christmas calories Nordic Pole Walking classes by be just the answer.
Bookings are now open for weekly Nordic Pole Walking classes in 2022 with classes to be held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Castlemaine and on Wednesday evenings in Maldon.
Trained volunteers who have been described by participants as “patient and encouraging” lead the groups and teach participants Nordic Pole Walking skills over 10 weeks.
Previous participants say they’ve noticed health benefits as a result of doing Nordic Pole Walking, with one reporting that he can “now enjoy long walks without aggravating my health issues”.
“I knew I needed to do regular walking for my fitness, but never enjoyed it due to my health issues,” Nordic Pole Walking participant Phil says. Read more in today’s Mail…
Call for court upgrade
Eve Lamb
Through COVID lockdowns it became one of the favoured neighbourhood spots to grab some sanctioned exercise and fresh air.
But with an uneven and heavily cracked surface, and its little kiosk vandalised, the old tennis courts at Castlemaine’s West End Hall precinct are in dire need of an upgrade, locals say.
About 100 of them have added their names to a petition calling on the council to help fund and facilitate an upgrade of the old courts.
Just before Christmas, longtime local Chris Hosking presented the petition to the Mount Alexander Shire Council at its last meeting for 2021.
“It would complete the upgrade of the West End precinct alongside the West End Hall and the playground which has had a significant increase in usage since it was upgraded,” Mr Hosking told the Mail this week.
“I believe an upgrade will also see a significant increase in usage of the courts. Read more in today’s Mail…
Sutton Grange Syrah a winner!
The team at Sutton Grange Winery are celebrating after their 2018 Sutton Grange Estate Syrah took out multiple honours at the prestigious 2021 Sydney Royal Wine Show.
The local drop collected the Dr Gilbert Phillips Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Red Wine; The Drinks Association Trophy for Best Shiraz; and The Restaurant & Catering Industry Trophy for Best Small Producer with 96 Points and a Gold Medal.
Handmade with passion, flair and uncompromising commitment to quality, the 2018 harvest marks 20 years since the Sidwell family, along with the help of Stuart Anderson and Alec Epis, first planted vines at Sutton Grange.
Renowned for her meticulous approach and respect for the rich eccentricities of Sutton Grange, set amongst the granite-earth foothills of Mount Alexander, Head Wine Maker Melanie Chester said they were absolutely thrilled to receive the recognition for the special vintage. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
