Castlemaine’s Ian Higgins, already the Victorian 2017 Individual Landcarer of the year, will soon know if he’s taken out the national award – a nomination that means he’s also in the running for the People’s Choice Award, to be decided by an online poll you can vote in.
The Victorian award recognised Ian’s work, beginning in the 1980s, to restore Castlemaine’s creeks and the achievements of the volunteer Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group he co-founded. See tomorrow’s Castlemaine Mail for the full story.
Vote for Ian!
A gardener’s garden
Now Spring is in the air it’s a great time for getting out and exploring some of our magnificent local gardens. Quite a number of our fine local gardens are open now as part of the Open Gardens of the HEDGE — that’s Horticultural Endeavours Demonstrating Gardening Enthusiasm — Open Gardens event. The Mail has got out and into one of these beautiful local gardens and caught up with the unstoppable gardener who has created it it over more than four decades. Catch the full story in today’s Castlemaine Mail …
Maxi farming fundraiser
Maxi IGA in Castlemaine is currently selling tickets for two raffles as a fundraiser for drought affected farmers. See more in the Castlemaine Mail.
Local artist features
The work of Chewton artist and La Trobe Photography lecturer Jessie Boylan is now on show at Bendigo Art Gallery as part of the ‘Going Solo’ series.
‘Going Solo’ aims to foster and promote the careers of artists living right here in Central Victoria.
The multichannel video and sound installation Rupture was launched on Saturday September 22 and runs until February 10, 2019.
Jessie said she was delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit at the gallery and thanked curator Jessica Bridgfoot for supporting her vision for the piece.
Boylan has collaborated with trauma-informed psychotherapist Jenna Tuke, digital media artist Linda Dement and writer and performer Virginia Barratt to interpret how symptoms of ‘disorder’ can be seen as an appropriate response to personal traumas and global catastrophe. For the full story see last Friday’s Mail.
Olé!
Accomplished Flamenco dancer Jessica MacCallum-Cruz is bringing a splash of Spain to Castlemaine in more ways than one with a special role in Castlemaine Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Blood Wedding – and some new dance classes that locals just can’t seem to get enough of. Full story in today’s Mail.
Feedback Welcomed: New move to govern public uses, green spaces
A new draft policy governing community use of public assets in Mount Alexander Shire – including funeral services in green spaces – will now go out for public feedback following a council decision this week. Get the full story in today’s Mail
Bliss Bombs target Taradale
Housework may never be the same again after the Bliss Bombs deliver their racy show at Taradale Hall this weekend – starting tonight. Drawn from around the Castlemaine and Central Highlands region, this troupe of comedy burlesque performers say their aim is to “reveal the sexy side of cleaning and cooking”. Catch our story about these sultry sirens of the stage in today’s Mail.
Burlgary update – photo released
Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after thieves broke into separate businesses in Castlemaine and Maryborough yesterday, September 17.
Investigators have been told two males wearing gloves and hoodies forced their way into a supermarket on Barker Street, Castlemaine about 3.20am.
They attempted to steal cash and cigarettes but fled the store empty-handed after activating the security alarms.
Shortly after, about 4.45am, the same men are believed to have broken into a camping store on High Street, Maryborough.
While inside they stole a till containing cash along with a generator, again fleeing after setting off the alarm.
It is believed the men were travelling in a four-door Holden Astra hatchback, possibly dark blue or black in colour. Police have now released a photo of the vehicle believed to be involved.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Be wary
Joyce Sanders, Castlemaine
As we organise our trips to Cambodia and book our tours, I hope we can all take an hour’s break on iView to see Steve Morrish’s ABC program “Head First: The Orphan Business” that screened Monday night. There were interviews with us Australian tourists who are keeping the orphan business alive with our visits, and with the young well-meaning school leavers on their two-week orphanage ‘voluntourism’ visits.
Hopefully the new Modern Slavery Act that held a forum in Castlemaine last week will fund a list of the 20 per cent of orphanages that are real, so that we don’t accidentally find ourselves funding the 80 per cent that the UN has found not to be real. In the meantime, we need to be careful where we are sending money, and if in doubt send it to UNICEF who are trying to return children to their native villages and extended families.
Testing of older drivers welcomed
Madeleine Edwards, Castlemaine
A while ago my adult son and I were crossing Hargraves Street toward the Theatre Royal. Without warning, at full speed, a small red car reversed out of the angle park into the middle of the road. Terrified, we had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over.
If my son had still been a small child, he would not have been able to jump quickly and would probably have been killed.
Distressed, I went around to the driver’s side, banged on the window and shouted, “You nearly ran over my son!”. What was striking was the complete lack of any appropriate response from the driver, a woman who appeared to be in her 80s. She looked vaguely surprised and distracted, said nothing and drove away. Unfortunately, I didn’t get her number.
What is striking about all the recent incidents in the area involving elderly drivers is that the behaviours are erratic, unpredictable and appear to indicate lack of understanding on how to control a car. What is surprising is that no one has been killed or injured, given that most of them have involved the car ending up on a footpath, or even inside a shop. Cognitive decline in the elderly is common.
Perception and other faculties become impaired. Drivers over 65 have the highest rate of accident of any age group. Having just turned 65 myself I would not object to all older drivers, maybe 75 and over, being tested annually. It would be wildly inconvenient and annoying but might save lives. Elderly patients can present quite well at a medical appointment, giving the doctor no way of judging their capacity to drive. When I get to that stage I would rather be tested than be responsible for the death of a young person.
Boob Club Country for Castlemaine
A Harcourt resident is keen to bring the Boob Club to Castlemaine.
It’s for younger women diagnosed with breast cancer and there’s a very special first event coming up next week. If you know a woman diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s, 30s or 40s don’t miss this story in today’s Mail.
Metcalfe ready to roar
The population of Metcalfe is set to triple this Sunday as the scenic locality hosts a special annual event and raises funds for several important local causes.
If you’re partial to vintage tractors and woodchop events this one’s for you. The Castlemaine Mail has caught up with organisers of a much-anticipated local event to find out what’s happening at Metcalfe this weekend. Full details in today’s Castlemaine Mail.
