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.
Big rigs roll in…
Supporting our frontline workers
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
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
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
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
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
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…
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
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
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’
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…
Watch a Flick with Flaus
Respected local actor, film critic, reviewer and all-around film doyen John Flaus is set to lead a unique film experience at Castlemaine’s Northern Arts Hotel.
Presenting ten films over ten weeks, ‘Flicks with Flaus’ promises a line up of films which is ‘intrinsically worthy and idiosyncratically engaging’.
Commencing this Sunday November 21 at 2.30pm in the Sunday matinee tradition join Flaus as he will introduce and engage wholeheartedly in a dialogue with the audience about one of his chosen films.
At 87, John is a Castlemaine local and a national treasure, who, after a lifetime of watching, has chosen ten films which he feels you must not miss.
“My top 10 is actually a top 17,” Flaus told the Mail.
“I initially selected a top 10 for Sight and Sound Magazine back in 2012 but since then a few other films have been added to the list. I will be preparing notes on them all and will be surprised along with the audience with what Maggie selects!” John said.” See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.