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Epic concert in the hall

By
Eve Lamb
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Castlemaine musicians Anais Kerr, Orvokki Britton and Sue Proeve are among the members of the 50-piece Resonance String Quartet looking forward to performing in tomorrow afternoon's Epic concert in Castlemaine Town Hall. Photo: Eve Lamb

Eve Lamb

Music lovers are in for a treat this weekend with the region’s 50-piece Resonance String Orchestra set to dispense Epic, the concert, live in Castlemaine Town Hall tomorrow afternoon.
Led by Zoe Knighton of Victoria’s acclaimed Flinders Quartet, the vibrant community string orchestra is made up of adult and student members who live in Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shire areas.
Members like Castlemaine’s Sue Proeve, Orvokki Britton and Anais Kerr say tomorrow’s 3pm matinee concert is a special one as it’s the first time the orchestra’s two chapters – based in Woodend and Castlemaine – have come together to perform in public.
“I just moved here at the start of the year from Mansfield and I love music so much, so being able to walk in here and find this is a dream come true,” says Orvokki Britton among the orchestra’s young violin players and completing year nine at Castlemaine Secondary College.
“After working with them for a year to be able to get out and perform is going to be amazing.”
Another of the orchestra’s Castlemaine violin players, Sue Proeve says to tomorrow’s concert will present a wide variety of music.
Sue also says it’s a great chance for those interested in joining the orchestra themselves to get along and see what they’re all about.
“Come along to the concert,” Sue says. Read more in today’s Mail…

Big rigs roll in…

By
Lisa Dennis
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Former driver Don Finning and Ian McClure are pictured with the newly restored Mack R Model which will feature in Sunday's Truck Show.
Former driver Don Finning and Ian McClure are pictured with the newly restored Mack R Model which will feature in Sunday's Truck Show.

All roads will lead to Campbells Creek this Sunday November 28 for the 33rd annual Rotary Castlemaine Truck Show.
Among those to take part will be Ian McClure of McClure Earthmoving in his father Malcolm’s 1982 Mack R Model.
Ian recently had the 320 horsepower rig restored by the talented Peter ‘Clapo’ Clapton of Sherwood Restorations at Chewton and is thrilled with the final result.
Ian took the truck’s long time driver Don Finning out to check out the revamped Mack on Tuesday, and Don was thrilled to see the old girl looking as good as the first day he climbed into the cabin.
Ian and brother Gary had long planned to have the truck restored and are delighted it has been completed in time for the Truck Show. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.

Supporting our frontline workers

By
Lisa Dennis
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Local volunteers from the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) in Castlemaine have donated 100 Comfort Snack Packs to healthcare workers at the Castlemaine Health/CHIRP Community Health COVID-19 testing clinic.
The Comfort Snack Packs contain a number of tasty goodies, including nutritional muesli bars, fruit cups, cheese and crackers, and some sweets.
RRT local team leader for Castlemaine Eben Pudney said the donation was a small token of appreciation to the local healthcare workers.
“The pandemic has created many challenges for Australians, particularly for our healthcare workers,” Mr Pudney said.
“We’d like to thank the workers at the Castlemaine COVID-19 testing clinic who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep the community safe – putting the needs of others above their own,” he said. See the Mail for more…

High flyers

By
Lisa Dennis
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The Castlemaine Cannons Basketball Association Men’s competition resumed on Sunday. Two of the local sides are pictured in action at the War Memorial Stadium. A short sharp Women’s comp and Junior competition also starts shortly and Mini Hoops has returned. Check out the Castlemaine Cannons Basketball Association Facebook page to learn more about how you can get involved in our local basketball association. Photo: Max Lesser.

Summer Art exhibition to be unveiled

By
Lisa Dennis
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The Summer Art exhibition at Castlemaine’s historic Market Building is set to officially open to the public tomorrow, November 27.
Mount Alexander Shire Council customer services manager Aileen Walsh said dozens of talented local artists have contributed works to the Summer Art exhibition with a wide range of themes and genres represented.
“The works are for sale which is a great way for us to support our local artists after a tough couple of years. Visitors are welcome to take their chosen piece home with them and we will be constantly updating the exhibition which means there is always something new for locals to see when they pop in,” she said.

Hospital consultation closes Sunday

By
Lisa Dennis
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Castlemaine Health board chair Peggy Ronnau, CEO Sue Race and Maldon Hospital board chair Vanessa Healy are pictured at Monday's drop-in consultation session at the Ray Bradfield Rooms.
Castlemaine Health board chair Peggy Ronnau, CEO Sue Race and Maldon Hospital board chair Vanessa Healy are pictured at Monday's drop-in consultation session at the Ray Bradfield Rooms.

There are just three days left for Mount Alexander community members to provide feedback in the survey into the proposed unification of Maldon Hospital and Castlemaine Health, as it closes this Sunday November 28 at midnight.
Feedback from the community is being sought via the survey shared on the websites of Castlemaine Health and Maldon Hospital, community social media pages, and is also available in hard copy.
In Maldon the survey can be collected from Maldon Hospital, Maldon Pharmacy and Maldon Butchers.
In Castlemaine, the survey is available from Castlemaine Health, Castlemaine Community Centre and Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Maldon Hospital board chair Vanessa Healy said they’ve had more than 100 of surveys returned so far, a terrific response.
“I’ve been interested to hear about some of the services Maldon residents are excited about accessing such as podiatry. We’ve also heard the message that the name at Maldon Hospital must not change, which we can again reassure the community about,” she said.
“We are still seeking feedback, so if you haven’t filled in the survey, please go online and let us know what you think,” Ms Healy said.

New mayor Maltby

By
Eve Lamb
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Castlemaine's Cr Rosie Annear and Cr Bill Maltby shortly after being voted in as new deputy mayor and mayor respectively, at Tuesday evening's Mount Alexander Shire Council meeting.

Eve Lamb

Castlemaine’s Bill Maltby is the new mayor for Mount Alexander Shire Council following a contested vote at this week’s council meeting.
With the one-year term for outgoing mayor, Calder Ward’s Cr Tony Cordy, now expiring, the election of a new mayor and deputy was a routine item on the agenda for Tuesday evening’s council meeting.
During the meeting Cr Gary McClure nominated Castlemaine Ward’s Cr Bill Maltby who was quick to accept the nomination after earlier successfully moving a motion for the new mayoral term to be a one year – rather than a two year – term.
However, Tarrengower Ward’s Cr Stephen Gardner then nominated Castlemaine Ward’s Cr Rosie Annear as mayor, with that nomination, also accepted.
When it came to the vote, councillors McClure, Maltby, Driscoll and outgoing mayor Cordy all voted in favour of Cr Maltby.
Councillors Gardner, Henderson and Annear voted in favour of Cr Annear, resulting in Cr Maltby succeeding 4:3 before donning the mayoral robes and being sworn in to the top post at the council table. Read more in today’s Mail…

Salvos Christmas appeal gets started

By
Eve Lamb
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Castlemaine Salvation Army captains David and Annita Allman are inviting everyone who is able to pitch in and support this year's Christmas Appeal. Photo: Eve Lamb

Eve Lamb

The countdown to Christmas has begun in earnest with Castlemaine’s Salvos launching their annual Christmas appeal following an upsurge in calls for assistance.
“In the last month or two the need for assistance has definitely gone up,” the Salvation Army’s Captain Annita Allman said.
“We’ve seen a bigger need with some people out of work because of COVID.
“We are seeing some new families contacting us for assistance.”
Captain David Allman says the impacts of COVID have exacerbated hardship for local households already doing it tough in the lead up to the often costly Christmas festive season.
The two local Salvation Army captains are encouraging everyone who is in a position to be able to help to pitch in and donate to their annual Christmas appeal launched in Castlemaine this week.
While Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many, others doing it tough in our community find it an extremely difficult period for them personally,” Captain Allman says. Read more in today’s Mail…

If those graves could tell their tales…

By
Eve Lamb
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Ken James, Ray Pattle and Max Kay have collaborated to produce 'Guildford Cemetery: Commemorating 150 years since the first burial 1871-2021' - set to be launched next month. Photo: Eve Lamb

Eve Lamb

If the yesteryear souls interred in our regions’ local cemeteries could speak they might tell tales like those unearthed in the new book on Guildford Cemetery.
Keen local history researchers Yapeen’s Max Kay and Guildford’s Ray Pattle have again teamed up with Melbourne-based researcher Ken James to produce Guildford Cemetery: Commemorating 150 years since the first burial 1871-2021.
Besides giving a general history of the local cemetery and a listing of all its known interments, the new 183-page volume teases out the personal stories behind 50 of its occupants who lie at rest within, dating all the way back to the first – Vincenzo Canevasani, interred after dying at age 42 in December 1871.
“We’ve pulled 50 people out of their graves to tell their stories,” says Max who concentrated on writing the book’s “colour” while humbly attributing the countless hours of painstaking factual research that have gone into its production to Ken and Ray. Read more in today’s Mail…

Shining a light on family violence

By
Lisa Dennis
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Council staff members Mel Fowler and Sarah Gradie are getting ready to highlight the role that gender inequality plays in driving family violence during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Council staff members Mel Fowler and Sarah Gradie are getting ready to highlight the role that gender inequality plays in driving family violence during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

A stunning nightly light show on the facade of Castlemaine’s Town Hall will lead Mount Alexander Shire Council’s support for the annual global 16 Days of Activism campaign to end gender-based violence.
The light show, starting next Thursday November 25, will feature an artistic representation of the impact of family and gender-based violence in the shire.
In the last year alone, there were 201 incidents of family violence reported to the police in Mount Alexander Shire.
Council’s community projects officer Mel Fowler said the light show would be a visual vigil to acknowledge and show support for local families impacted by family violence and to encourage people to reflect on and address the causes.
“This campaign, led by the United Nations, aims to empower our communities and organisations to address gender inequalities and ultimately eradicate violence against women and girls,” Ms Fowler said.
“During the sixteen days we are inviting the community to be immersed in the beauty of the show and reflect on how we can come together to end gender-based violence and violence against women and children. See the Mail for more…

Barkers Creek Anzacs honoured

By
Lisa Dennis
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Barkers Creek CC researcher Dr Geoff Courtis, Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards and former premier Steve Bracks are pictured with some of the commemorative boards.
Barkers Creek CC researcher Dr Geoff Courtis, Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards and former premier Steve Bracks are pictured with some of the commemorative boards.

Barkers Creek Cricket Club members past and present and the wider community turned out at the special Remembrance Day event to commemorate the cricketers and residents of Barkers Creek who volunteered in World War I.
Guests were treated to a performance by the Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band before being welcomed by Barkers Creek Cricket Club president Rebecca Henderson and club historian Dr Geoff Courtis.
The evening saw the unveiling of a permanent photographic display, an honour board, and a history of the club by former premier Steve Bracks.
“This is the first Remembrance Day I can recall spending at a cricket club, but as Geoff has reminded us this is no ordinary cricket club, members have been batting and bowling on this ground since 1858 – that’s six generations,” he said.
Mr Bracks said World War I had a profound impact on the community of Barkers Creek with 38 local men going off to war, nine never to return.
“It remains Australia’s deadliest conflict with 60,000 killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed or taken prisoner,” he said. See the Mail for the full story.

Golfers go ‘pink’

By
Lisa Dennis
-

The Mount Alexander Golf Club held its annual Pink Day for Cancer last Thursday with a great turnout of varying shades of pink outfits worn by both ladies and men and lots of colourful carts. Golfers enjoyed a variety of special events and lots of laughter around the course. Players were only allowed to use three clubs which some relished more than others. See the Mail for more…

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