Victorian twist on teen portraits

Fryerstown photographer Denise Martin pays creative respects to a Victorian era tradition in her latest exhibition featuring current day portraits of recent final year secondary school students.
“My projects are often inspired by personal cycles or transitions in life,” reflects the photographer whose Teen Portrait exhibition opens at Castlemaine’s Upstairs 22 Gallery tonight. Full story in today’s Castlemaine Mail.

Top exhibitors trot to show

The big and the small of the horse world goes on show in Castlemaine this Sunday for the annual April feature show.
With gentle giant Clydesdales at one end of the spectrum and miniature horses and Shetlands at the other, the long running show brings top exhibitors trotting to Camp Reserve from across the state and further.
Among them, Elphinstone’s Sally Henderson will be exhibiting her classy minis from success at the Miniature Horse Association National Show held at Sydney over Easter. Full story in today’s Mail..

Keeping the legacy alive

Maree Edwards MP with Castlemaine RSL
Maree Edwards MP with Castlemaine RSL treasurer Alan Lane, president John Whiddon, secretary Barb Templar and memorabilia coordinators Peter Trounson and Hetty Veldman at the grant announcement at the Castlemaine RSL

The state government is helping the Castlemaine RSL keep the legacy of veterans alive for future generations with a $1617 grant to conserve and store WWI uniforms. See the Castlemaine Mail for more.

When loss is gain

The universal human experience of loss is central to a new exhibition by award-winning artist Lucy Foster.
In Healthy Loss, which opened at Castlemaine Contemporary Arts Space on Friday, Foster explores notions of loss, of grieving and of letting go. But perhaps most central to this body of work is the artist’s consideration of the potential for loss to be a positive, rather than a negative, experience. Full story in today’s Mail…

Green light for new late trade store

Castlemaine looks set to get a new late trading convenience store following a council decision this week.
The applicant behind the move had been seeking approval to develop the existing Best Motors service station and vehicle sales business at 30-32 Duke Street, adding extra fuel bowsers, parking and a new 24 hour-seven day convenience store at the site.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting councillors were asked to make a decision after seven objections were received, with the council’s planning department recommending the application be refused … Full story in today’s Mail.

Get set for Easter fair fun

There’s something iconic about a good old fashioned billy cart battle.
And when the setting is a classic historic Aussie town like Maldon the traditional downhill billy cart race is hard to beat for pure spectacle.
This weekend’s annual Maldon Easter Fair billy cart race is shaping as no exception with young competitors honing their race day strategies and putting their hand-built racing machines through their paces.
Meantime, members of the town’s Men’s Shed have been busy ensuring their custom-built fleet of billy carts is in good order so youngsters who otherwise may not have access to a billy cart can still compete. Full story in today’s Mail …

Castlemaine CFA shakes up 60 years

Castlemaine Fire Brigade members Bill Chapman, Ian Franklin, Ron Gartside and captain Terry Franklin will be among those shaking collection tins for this year's Good Friday Appeal.
Castlemaine Fire Brigade members Bill Chapman, Ian Franklin, Ron Gartside and captain Terry Franklin will be among those shaking collection tins for this year's Good Friday Appeal.

This week members from the Castlemaine Fire Brigade were gearing up for their 60th year collecting for the Good Friday Appeal. See the Castlemaine Mail for more.

Bandidos back in town

Lucky numbers winner Ron with his prize bottle of Jim Beam, donated by the Cumberland Hotel, during the Bandidos' visit to Castlemaine last weekend.
Lucky numbers winner Ron with his prize bottle of Jim Beam, donated by the Cumberland Hotel, during the Bandidos' visit to Castlemaine last weekend.

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club held a lucky numbers fundraising ride for prostate cancer at the weekend and made Castlemaine one of their stops. For more see the Castlemaine Mail.

Kayaks, canoes get thumbs up at Barkers

After many decades of being banned, kayaks and canoes are now permitted to go out on Barkers Creek Reservoir.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards yesterday took to the local reservoir in a kayak herself as she announced the new move which is understood to be the first time a Coliban Water reservoir has been opened for on-water access of any kind. Full story in today’s Castlemaine Mail.

Get set to salsa!

Castlemaine’s Taproom is rearing for some racy rhythms as it prepares to host Salsa Social tomorrow night. Originally from Colombia, Salsa Social instructor Camila Serrano brought salsa to Castlemaine about four years ago, introducing regular salsa dance classes for locals.
Since then, Camila’s Salsa Social classes have taken off with some 50 to 60 regulars attending the classes she runs. Catch our chat with Camila Serrano – and some of her enthusiastic salsa students – in today’s Mail.

GP’s welcome

Castlemaine GP Dr Mark Farrugia lead junior doctors on a tour of local health services, with Lyn Marie from Murray City Country Coast (MCCC) GP Training.
Castlemaine GP Dr Mark Farrugia lead junior doctors on a tour of local health services, with Lyn Marie from Murray City Country Coast (MCCC) GP Training.

Junior doctor visit hopes to attract rural stays

With hopes of attracting more doctors to work in regional areas, a group of professionals have collaborated to proactively host a ‘GP Jaunt’ visiting Castlmeiane, Newstead, Kyneton and Maryborough.
The jaunt was held last Saturday April 6, and saw junior doctors and medical students visit the Botanical Gardens Health, Mostyn Street and Lyttleton Street medical practices as well as the Castlemaine hospital – Castlemaine Health. 
Leading the initiative is the Monash University North West Victorian Regional Training Hub, Murray City Country Coast (MCCC) GP Training and Castlemaine GP, Dr Mark Farrugia. See the Castlemaine Mail for more.

Rental Squeeze

Finding a home to rent in Castlemaine is becoming increasingly difficult with the town ranked second least affordable in regional Victoria and reports of some being forced to leave for cheaper towns.
Castlemaine Housing Service team leader Michael McMahon says the rental squeeze in Castlemaine is pricing many out of the market, while a lack of social housing is also forcing some to leave and go to other regional towns like Bendigo and Maryborough to get a roof over their head.
Mr McMahon has observed that some of the housing stress they’re witnessing now is a result of owners needing to move back into their properties themselves, and he says the problem is increasing. Full story in today’s Mail …

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