The $27 million dollar Castlemaine Secondary College (CSC) redevelopment is officially complete.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards visited the school on Wednesday to declare the new look school open.
The four stage project has been a decade in the making.
Ms Edwards has been a driving force behind the redevelopment advocating for funding for each stage of the major project and was proud to open the completed school.
“The school community and the broader Castlemaine community have been looking forward to this day when a when a tired, dated school complex is transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art learning facility,” she said. See the Mail for the full story.
Investing in our future
Just Heavenly
Those with a penchant for divine fabrics are likely to be in heaven when they check out the exhibition showing at Castlemaine’s Upstairs Gallery.
Since Heavenly opened last month in this local gallery above Run Rabbit Run Café on Hargraves Street, it’s been drawing a steady throng of visitors from all over the state.
Vintage clothing and ephemera from life’s significant religious occasions are the focus of this exhibition which collector-curator Peter Bottomley has assembled, motivated by a passion for history and fine couture.
“It’s the stories behind them which really add to the richness of the items,” he says.
Included are treasured first communion and baptism ephemera, exquisite vintage wedding attire and, poignantly, custom-made mourning clothing and intricate accessories. Read more in today’s Mail …
Wombat trophy that went viral
It’s the trophy that this week got the tennis world talking – and it was designed and made by Yapeen local Ron Murray.
As everyone who’s been following the tennis knows, Ash Barty has another trophy in her ever-expanding cabinet – and this one’s likely the most unique of them all.
When the world number one signaled her intent ahead of the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Garbine Muguruza to clinch last Sunday’s final of the Yarra Valley Classic warm-up event, she was presented with the prize.
The trophy commissioned by Tennis Australia and designed and made by Yapeen Indigenous artist and muso Ron Murray. Read more in today’s Mail…
Police call to report culprits … quick
Three youths were caught on the spot when their vandalism at a Castlemaine primary school in recent days caught the attention of a member of the public who was quick to report it to police.
The three youths were apprehended after a member of the public heard glass bottles being smashed at Castlemaine North Primary, police said.
The incident illustrates the importance of being quick to report vandalism or graffiti while it’s still happening, says Acting Senior Sergeant Gary Walter at Castlemaine. Get the full story in the Mail …
Top effort by CDCA young guns
The Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s Under 17 Kirton Shield side lost its grand final showdown against rivals Ballarat last Sunday January 31 despite a determined effort.
CDCA coach Brian Brasher said that it was a great effort by the team to make the final.
“Hopefully we can take one step further next year,” Brasher said.
“Over the carnival there were some great individual performances.
However, it was the teamwork and team spirit that made us successful over the week and I congratulate all of our players on the way they
represented the CDCA with pride,” he said. See the Mail for the full story.
Wake up and smell the groceries
Tom Allen, Welshmans Reef
A note in response to the ‘No Supermarket in Forest Street’ group endeavouring to influence/ gain momentum in the community.
I put it to you that it is ultimately up to the Woolworths Corporation as to where this supermarket is located as it is this entity that is, after all, the one throwing the bucks around.
The word ‘location’ is commonly utilised within the property market and in this case is no exception: ‘Location is key’
The Forest Street location would be an obvious choice preference for Woolworths as it accesses the Melbourne to Bendigo traffic streams (via Castlemaine).
As far as putting the supermarket “in Campbells Creek or Harcourt” as some suggest, the chain would rightly argue that it is going to receive shoppers from these areas anyway. Also shoppers from: Chewton, Elphinstone, Newstead, Guildford, Muckleford and districts etc.
It desires a centralised location for enhanced traffic and is ultimately focused on upon profit driven motivations.
I here state the obvious in pointing out that people appreciate the convenience of:
A. Local shopping
B. Reasonable prices
C. Diversity in choice in a supermarket.
To the Forest Street crew, keep complaining about it if you so desire (it is, after all, your democratic right to do so). But, to have some impact here, you will need to accumulate some savvy with regard to the company’s mindset.
Become a volunteer
With Victoria returning to a state of normal after the Covid-19 lockdowns and tourism on the rise our local tourist information centres are looking to boost their volunteer pools.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from community members who would like to take on volunteer roles at their tourist information centres at the Historic Market Building in Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Centre. See the Mail for more…
New course offerings at CCH
Castlemaine Community House (CCH) is launching a new Eco-Carpentry and Natural Building course today.
The innovative new course is just one of the many offerings in the CCH 2021 Semester One program and the 12 places were snapped up extremely fast! See the Mail for more…
Riders roll in…
A group of Penny Farthing riders turned heads on Saturday as they rolled into Castlemaine.
The members of the Penny Farthing Dan Owners Club enjoy regular monthly rides across Victoria and beyond and on this occasion enjoyed a 70 kilometre ride from Malmsbury meandering through the local countryside to Castlemaine. See the Mail for more. Out Now.
Ahead of the jab: GP clinics lodge EOIs
Each of Castlemaine’s three local medical clinics have lodged expressions of interest with the federal government to provide Covid-19 vaccinations.
While it’s not yet clear exactly when the vaccine rollout will begin the three local clinics are among many hundreds across the country to respond to the government’s request for EOIs from medical clinics prepared to be at the frontline of the impending rollout.
“The government asked for Expressions of Interest from all GP’s clinics and all three clinics here have put in EOIs so we are now waiting to hear back from the government,” GP at Mostyn Street Clinic Dr Ronnie Moule said.
“Logistically it’s going to be enormous.” Get the story in today’s Mail…
A quiet achiever
The 2021 Mount Alexander Shire Australia Citizen of the Year honour went to Castlemaine Lions Club member and volunteer Corrections Officer Ian Gallagher. Ian is a quiet achiever who is considerate, respectful and always ready to lend a hand. He has been a volunteer Corrections Officer for 15 years where he has earned the trust, respect and co-operation of offenders under his charge.
He has also been an active member of the Lions for 15 years and is a driving force and key contributor for all of their events. See today’s Mail for more on Ian and all our local winners…
A time for reflection
Australia Day-Survival Day commenced with a poignant smoking ceremony led by local Jaara elder Uncle Rick Nelson on Leanganook (Mount Alexander) at dawn on Tuesday. Uncle Rick later welcomed community members to the Australia Day-Survival Day service at Victory Park. For full details on all our 2021 award winners see the Castlemaine Mail. Out Now.