The Delltones were probably the best of the best vocal and instrumental groups ever ‘Made in Australia’, certainly at sixty years, the longest lasting.
Sixty years is a long time in any job but surviving for that long in the notoriously tough music industry is almost miraculous.
The Delltones story is a fascinating one and you can hear it as told by their leader Ian ‘Pee Wee’ Wilson in a special radio program on Christmas Day on Radio 88fm Castlemaine.
Ian takes the time for a revealing and entertaining talk with local radio personality Ian Braybrook, mixed with lashings of the Delltones great music.
The program is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival ‘reimagined on radio’ and is broadcast on stations right across Victoria.
Ian is now retired and lives with his wife Carla in coastal Queensland. He says they would still be performing but the Covid 19 restrictions brought on a decision to retire “early”.
Many local people will recall their visits to this region especially at the Castlemaine Town Hall. Many would have watched them in action.
Pee Wee relates a wonderful story – a true rags to riches epic. You can hear it by tuning to Radio 88fm Castlemaine at 1pm tomorrow, Christmas Day, and repeated at 9pm for those too busy with Christmas Dinner to tune in. Also available online at any time at www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival
The Delltones for Christmas
Santa’s little helper delights
Campbells Creek postie Jane Laidler has been delighting local residents with her festive flair in the lead up to Christmas.
Jane, who is also a local beauty therapist, has decked out her postie bike and helmet with Christmas finery and has been turning heads as she goes about delivering mail on her regular route.
What better way to be Santa’s helper than delivering letters! Local children have reportedly been very excited when they see her coming along the street.
Carols, pizzazz and all that jazz
Eve Lamb
Plenty of pizzazz is ensured when six piece jazz outfit Mouldy Jazz does its thing at this evening’s live carols event in Castlemaine.
This time the town’s lush botanical gardens set the scene for the annual Rotary event which, with a lively line-up of music acts, promises a festive feast.
It’s one that’s likely to be particularly well savoured by the members of Mouldy Jazz as the accomplished group had only just formed when COVID struck back at the start of 2020.
“In the last two years we’ve had a lot of gigs cancelled,” founder, Castlemaine muso Pip Avent says.
Now demand for bookings is such that the six members of Mouldy Jazz are regularly in danger of double-booking themselves, the outfit’s clarinetist, Cam Robbins, says.
“We’re very busy now. We’ve all got gigs coming in and we’re all in other bands.”
Getting gigs again is food for the soul for these local musos and others Australia-wide. Read more in today’s Mail…
New light shed on old Strangways
Eve Lamb
It’s said the gold was once so abundant out Strangways way, beyond Newstead, you could lift it by the shovelful.
So the story goes – and it’s a good one as are many in the new history on Strangways, jointly authored by three dedicated local history buffs.
One of them is longtime Strangways resident, devoted history sleuth Joan Sartori.
Joan has joined forces with fellow history hounds, Derek Reid of Welshmans Reef, and Melburnian researcher Ken James, to co-author the insightful 398 page volume.
“One of my father’s brothers, my Uncle Edgar Ramsey worked on the gold dredges here as a labourer and I can still remember him saying they picked gold up by the shovelful,” Joan says.
Strangways’ golden past, its fortunes and tragedies, are among the wide-ranging aspects to receive attention in the new volume. Read more in today’s Mail…
Folk talent to feature
The creative folk of Castlemaine will come together in February to celebrate some of the best contemporary artists in music today in a one day, multi venue festival.
‘Town Folk Festival’ on February 12 will bring together Victoria’s most exciting contemporary folk artists across four stages at The Bridge Hotel, Shedshaker Brewing and Boomtown Winery, all just a casual stroll apart from each other in the leafy cultural hub of Castlemaine’s Mill precinct.
The mini folk festival will feature performances by 16 artists including locals Jess Ribeiro, Galaxy Hop, Hugh F, Felicity Cripps Band and Hannah Blackburn, as well as recent Music Victoria Awards ‘Best Folk Act’ winners Charm Of Finches (pictured). See the Mail for the full story.
Our newshounds celebrated
The fifth annual Castlemaine Mail/DON Newshounds awards were held at the Castlemaine Library foyer last Saturday December 11.
With the generous support of DON the Castlemaine Mail featured 13 Newshounds pages created by student Newshounds teams from schools across Mount Alexander Shire in 2021.
Saturday’s awards celebrated the achievements of each school and culminated with the announcement of ‘Best Overall News Coverage’ and ‘People’s Choice Award’ – voted on by visitors to the Newshounds display in the library.
The awards were presented by Mail editor Lisa Dennis, advertising representative Tammy Harman and mascot Elliott Newshound.
Editor Lisa Dennis thanked all the teachers and students for their incredible efforts creating the pages in what was another challenging year.
“It’s great to have a overview of what’s been happening in each school, what makes each school unique, and to hear the student voice and how they have coped with what has been a challenging couple of years,” she said.
CDNA celebrates season 2021
It was a massive weekend for the Castlemaine District Netball Association (CDNA) with the Twilight Grand Finals and the winter season awards presentations. The day saw a number of players and officials recognised for their success and achievements including Jack Davidge who received the Marie McCallum Junior Umpire Award. The award was presented by life member Sandra Grant. Jack is pictured his proud grandmother and fellow umpire Wendy Droney and Sandra Grant. Jack juggles his netball commitments and umpiring whilst also recently being part of the boys netball program in Bendigo run by Jayden Cowling (Victorian Men’s netball representative). He is also part of the Junior Development Squad. Well done Jack! See the full spread of grand finalists and award winners in the Mail.
Come and see the real thing!
In what is being touted as the biggest act to ever visit Maldon, Australian music legend Russell Morris will perform live at ‘SteamPacket Under the Stars’ at the Maldon Golf Club this Saturday, December 18.
Russell Morris brings his band to Maldon for one special 75 minute show featuring a repertoire from The Real Thing to the brilliant Sharkmouth to his latest album Black and Blue Heart.
The performance will be staged a fabulous outdoor venue at Maldon Golf Club with great viewing for everybody. Limited numbers and Covid-19 rules apply. See the Mail for more details.
Funding supports diversity
MainFM welcomed a visit from Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters late last week.
Lisa stopped over to congratulate MainFM presenter Sherene Clow on winning a Federal Government Volunteer Grant to assist with training of people who identify as LGBTQI+ which will help enrich MainFM’s diversity of voices across the grid.
MainFM station manager Steph Riddel said while the MP was there she was able to inspect their brand new transmitter and receiver!
“We won these through the Federal Government Stronger Communities Program, Lisa encouraged us to apply and we’re grateful for her support and guidance,” Steph said.
Ms Chesters said across Central Victoria, our volunteers really are unsung heroes of our communities and these grants help them to continue their vital work.
“I know from talking with many of these organisations, and their volunteers, the pride and pleasure they get from contributing towards building and supporting a strong, inclusive and vibrant community,” she said.
Shop local this Christmas
Castlemaine traders will be open late again this Friday evening December 17 as part of two Late Night Shopping nights which have been coordinated by Business Mount Alexander (BMA) and supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council in partnership with the Castlemaine Fringe Festival and local businesses.
Business operators will be open until 8pm providing the perfect opportunity to cross some items off your Christmas list!
The Village Square in Frederick Street, Castlemaine will be abuzz with entertainment, a licensed bar and food trucks. Enjoy roving performers throughout the town and admire the kinetic sculpture installation at Victory Park and lightshow on the historic Market Building. So be sure to get along and support our local traders after another challenging year.
Organic farming co-op gets top biz gong
Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative has been named Mount Alexander’s ‘Business of the Year’ among eight local businesses who topped a field of 27 finalists recognised for excellence in the 2021 Mount Alexander Business Awards.
The winners were announced at a gala event in the Castlemaine Town Hall last Thursday evening.
Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative which includes member businesses are micro-dairy (Sellar Farmhouse Creamery), fruit tree nursery (Carr’s Organic Fruit Tree Nursery), a mixed orchard (The Orchard Keepers), a market garden (Gung Hoe Growers), and an online education business (Grow Great Fruit) was also declared the shire’s Agribusiness Award winner.
Castlemaine dance studio Movement Zone won a special award recognising best practice in accessibility.
And a Covid-19 Business Resilience Award went to the Castlemaine Farmers Market for adapting so well and professionally in the pandemic. See the Mail for the full story…
Colonel Bull Trophy event celebrates club’s 160th
Saturday was the fourth stage of the Castlemaine Rifle Club annual championship. Being the fourth stage it is the halfway mark and the ‘Colonel Bull Trophy’.
A large number of shooters contested this event over the long distances of 800 and 900 yards. Conditions were very difficult with the strong wind causing shooters to lose lots of points.
This is one of the club’s most important trophies as it commemorates the man who donated the rifle range land to the volunteer forces.
Colonel John Edward Newell Bull who came to Australia in 1842 was placed in charge of the Castlemaine volunteers in 1860 and the Castlemaine Rifle Range was gazetted in September 1861, making this year the club’s 160th anniversary. One of the longest histories of any sporting club in Australia. The trophy the club shoot for was donated by his great, great granddaughter Cheryl Looby on behalf of the family. See the Mail for the full story.