Newstead’s Roger McKindley has used his time during the Covid lockdowns and restrictions constructively.
He’s constructed numerous new sculptures, adding to the ever-expanding collection at the unique attraction that is Antares Iron Art Garden.
If you’ve visited Antares before, expect a few new additions now as Roger opens Antares to the public throughout this Melbourne Cup long weekend – plus the following weekend as well.
“I’ve made a lot of new metal sculptures,” the iron art garden’s creator says.
“Over the past two years I’ve probably made another 40 new sculptures from the very small to the large.”
Roger handcrafts all of his idiosyncratic pieces using all manner of recycled and metallic materials and objects to cleverly complement Antares’ expansive rural vista.
Antares is entirely off grid and the hardy trees, shrubs and flowering plants that thrive here provide excellent indications of what works in a tough, dry climate subject to occasional killer frosts.
The old schinus molle or peppercorn trees remain gnarled, standout beauties at Antares.
“I’ve got no mains power and I’ve only got tank water so trees are my main thing for shade and colour,” Roger says.
“I’ve created a new entrance to the side paddock and many new metal sculptures are in there.
“It’s ongoing, all the time. I’ll only stop when I’m injured.”
Antares was among the gardens originally intending to open over Melbourne Cup Week as part of the region’s biennial Festival of Gardens.
In the wake of Covid and the resultant cancellation of the wider festival, Antares is now among the handful of gardens that are now opening independently to the public over this long Melbourne Cup weekend – and in some cases throughout the entire Cup week.
Others opening their gates are Lixouri at Barkers Creek, Laceys’ at Newstead, Mica Grange at Sutton Grange, Forest Edge at Muckleford and Mossbank in Castlemaine. Read more in today’s Mail 30.10.20…
Iron art garden grows…
Support for Indigenous names in our shire
Lorraine Le Plastrier, Castlemaine
I read Pat Healy’s letter last week (Mail, October 23) commenting on reinstating original Dja Dja Wurrung names of landmarks, creeks and mountains of our area. I have seen examples of this in other shires in their signage and I would love to see this happen in our “Mount Alexander/ Leanganook Shire”.
I think it is significant for the living culture of descendants of this lands first people and of great value to us all learning the significance of these names.
I would love it, if the shire employed Dja Dja Wurrung person/s to work on this project. If you agree with these thoughts… join with me in writing to the shire and councillors suggesting that this happen
Maldon’s Hole-In-One comp returns Sunday
The Maldon Golf Club is set to host its popular annual Hole-In-One competition this Sunday, November 1 and invites community members and keen golfers to get along and try their luck!
The competition is normally a major feature of the Maldon Easter Fair but unfortunately the fair was cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Thanks to support from the Maldon and District Community Bank the Maldon Golf Club is thrilled to have been able to reschedule it’s popular competition for this Sunday and there will be guaranteed prize money of $1000 to the Hole-In-One winner! See the Mail for all the details.
Cricket is back!
The Castlemaine District Cricket Association (CDCA) 2020/2021 season gets underway tomorrow, Saturday October 31 with A Grade and A Reserve sides to take to local fields.
C Grade (Under 16) also return this Saturday for day one of two day contests.
B Grade cricketers return to the pitch on Saturday November 7 and the CDCA’s Women’s competition begins on Friday November 6.
The competition will welcome newcomers Maiden Gully Marist which will field teams in A Grade and A Reserve and the Women’s competition.
Catch the Mail for your CDCA 2020/2021 fixture.
Beauty awaits behind the garden gate…
Artists Chelly and Peter Gray of Castlemaine’s renowned Shades of Gray Studio Gallery and Garden are set to launch their highly anticipated Spring exhibition of new work this Saturday October 31.
The talented pair have been working furiously behind the garden gates for the last six months in preparation for their major event.
Chelly and Peter’s latest exhibition features a stunning array of new creations including Kooky Owls, majestic Wishing Trees, beautiful wreaths and signs, and flowers! Hundreds and hundreds of stunning flowers in every hue!
Those who visit will enter the garden under a ceiling of beautiful bellflowers and after exploring the majestic gardens dotted with intricate birdhouses, garden sculptures, weather vanes and taking in the wide array of pieces to be enjoyed in the intimate galleries, will exit via a ‘Florist Shop’ (pictured) decked out with Shades of Gray’s signature metal flowers – complete with daisy chains and hand-picked bouquets. See the Mail for the full story.
Guildford celebrates school return
The Guildford community has successfully campaigned for the reopening of the Guildford Primary School. Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards visited Guildford on Monday to announce that the state government has officially signed off on plans to reopen the school as a campus of Campbells Creek Primary School in 2021. Works will begin shortly to refurbish the school in preparation for the return of students earlier next year. See the Mail for the full story.
Dusty makes history
Richmond superstar and former Castlemaine lad Dustin Martin has created AFL history being the first footballer to win three Norm Smith Medals. His Best on Ground performance against Geelong at Brisbane’s Gabba last Saturday helped lift his side to a 31 point win and their third premiership in four years. The Mail chatted to Dustin’s Nan Lois this week about her pride in his extraordinary achievements.
An idea
Geoff Minns, Maldon
With such diversity and talent of council nominations surely an opportunity exists to harness the leadership and public input aspirations, ideas and perspectives to serve us all as an active ‘Congress’ or forum to help council and councillors and all like minded people to entertain, develop, research and hone initiatives and problems, perspectives in real time imaginative and lateral non partisan ways everybody’s voice.
I envisage an active thinking tank not a zealots forum or a pressure group, just the best ideas we can find for us all. I have no idea what if any this idea has merit or what? Just an idea.
60 years young!
Campbells Creek Bowling Club celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a special event last Sunday October 18.
The day saw 24 bowlers turn out to enjoy the club’s Sunday Social Bowls competition and cut the cake to celebrate 60 wonderful years of bowls and friendship.
The weather was fantastic and all present had a great day. See the Mail for the full story.
Andrea goes above and beyond
You might describe it as going ‘above and beyond’ but Andrea Napthine is putting her hair on the line for a very good cause.
Andrea, an IT Assistant working in Castlemaine Health’s IT Department, is planning to shave her head to raise funds to help redevelop Castlemaine Health’s café.
The event will be held in the Quick Fix Cafe next Friday October 30 with a socially distanced number of staff there to show support and watch Andrea’s transformation.
Andrea said that she is sacrificing her locks as she thinks the hospital’s patients, families and visitors all deserve a café that’s comfy and modern, especially right now. See the Mail for the full story.
Visitor Centres reopen, volunteers return
The Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Centres have reopened and last weekend welcomed back their volunteers for the first time since Covid forced the closure of the two centres in late March.
The Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Centres will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday only at this stage. The centres are also open for the Grand Final Eve/ Thank you Day public holiday.
Mount Alexander Shire Council team leader visitor services Aileen Walsh said they were absolutely delighted to welcome back their wonderful volunteers at both centres last weekend after seven long months.
“Our volunteers were excited to return. We are like a family. Many have tried to keep in touch during the lockdowns but it has been hard. Everyone was happy to get back and catch up,” she said.
The teams look forward to welcoming visitors from across regional Victoria. See the Mail for the full story.
Virtual run goes the distance
More than 200 keen runners participated in last weekend’s first ever virtual version of Run The Maine with some very impressive times achieved.
Some seasoned runners even took on all four run distances – the 21 km half marathon, 15km, 10km and 5km during the 60 hour-long event.
With entry ticket sales exceeding the $5000 mark, Run The Maine director Gavin Krasner says he’s more than pleased, particularly given there was a moment when it was uncertain the event would even happen due to the impacts of Covid on large gatherings. See the Mail for more.