Demand for protective face masks in Castlemaine and surrounds has spiked sharply in recent days as the state government urges regional Victorians aged over 18 to wear masks when unable to socially distance while in public.
In the state’s COVID-19 lockdown areas of metro Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire the wearing of protective face masks in public this week became mandatory.
But closer to home, Castlemaine retail stores are experiencing a surge in demand for disposable masks that appear to be walking out the door of many local retail outlets as quickly as new stocks come in.
And in Castlemaine those making the more permanent washable varieties are reporting a similar story.
“What’s a bigger word than demand. It’s insane,” said Linda Newton of The Drying Shed Art Space at The Mill, Castlemaine.
Several members of this local artists’ collective have formed a close-knit little production crew that has been extra busy lately making and distributing quality protective cloth face masks that are not only made to high standards but also come in funky colours and designs to boot. Full story in The Mail Friday, July 24,2020.
Mask upsurge
Castlemaine Junior Poetry Prize closes today
Entries for the 2020 Castlemaine Junior Poetry Prize close today Friday September 18 at 5pm.
Entries for the Senior Section (poets 16 and over) closed on September 4.
Elliott Midland Newspapers is proudly sponsoring the 2020 Castlemaine Poetry Prize which carries a first prize of $100 (Senior section) and an award.
The ‘Judge’s Choice Award’ is proudly supported by Soldier and Scholar Bookshop Castlemaine and the winner will receive an award and a $50 book voucher.
In the Junior Section there will be three categories and prizes on offer. The sections are Grade 2 and Under, Grade 6 and Under and Year 10 and Under. There will also be awards for Highly Commended and Commended Poems.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is sponsoring the three junior prizes with the winner of each section to receive a trophy and $50 book voucher.
Selected entries, including the winning poems, will be published in the Castlemaine Mail.
The poem must not have been published or have won another prize, a strict maximum of 40 lines applies and all entries should be double spaced. Poets can choose any theme. There is no entry fee but only three entries from each poet are permitted.
Contact details, including a phone number must be enclosed but preferably not on the same page as the poem.
Castlemaine poets Tegan Gigante and Annie Hunter have generously agreed to once again judge this year’s Senior and Junior competitions.
Junior entries can be submitted via email to ldennis@midnews.com.au or dropped off under the door of our office at 29 Templeton Street, Castlemaine, VIC 3450.
The awards will be presented to our winners at ceremonies to be held in October. Stay tuned for details.
Gold explorer increases tenure
The renewed interest in exploring our region’s uptapped gold potential continues to grow with exploration company Kalamazoo Resources announcing this week it has increased its ground holding.
Kalamazoo has extended its existing Castlemaine Gold Project with the granting of a new Exploration Licence ‘Queens’, adjacent to the company’s Wattle Gully South Tenement.
The Castlemaine Project now covers three tenements and 310km2.
Queens contains known mineralisation and is considered highly prospective for high grade Fosterville style mineralisation.
Kalamazoo’s chairman and CEO Luke Reinehr said the addition of the valuable exploration tenure on the eastern border of their Castlemaine Gold Project is an important result for Kalamazoo and their shareholders. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Calling junior netballers
The Castlemaine District Netball Association (CDNA) is excited to be soon starting its season. The committee is preparing to be strictly following Netball Victoria’s COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing and cleaning.
The Junior competition is set to begin on Wednesday July 29 at the Wesley Hill Netball Pavilion with many eager teams already forwarding their team sheets in for 11&U (Mixed), 13&U (Mixed) and 15&U (Mixed). The closing date for team sheets is Wednesday, July 22 so get your teams together and don’t miss out. See the Mail for more details.
Real and dangerous
Ian Braybrook, Castlemaine
This pandemic is real – and dangerous. It is up to us to ensure that Castlemaine and surrounding towns do not admit city people. As difficult as it may be, tell our city family and friends to stay away – and if we know of breaches – report them. We know that our local police will do their job and we must support them.
This pandemic is a warning of what is possibly to come. What if in future a more deadly and infectious virus descends upon us? We can now see clearly that concentration of people and population is bad news. Decentralisation should be elevated to urgent, not just forever talked about. As for those high rise monstrous monuments to the Bolte government known as “community housing” they should be torn down quickly and decent homes built to replace them. What a good start to a proper decentralisation program! Big, bold, costly steps are necessary but which government has the guts to do it?
Premier Dan Andrews has done a great job under intense pressure in regard to controlling the dreaded virus. He was let down by those entrusted with the job to protect us. To the critics: What would you have done?
The Heart of The Bubble
Castlemaine based author Trace Balla has used her time in isolation to pen another book about just that titled – The Heart of the Bubble.
The much loved local children’s author and talented illustrator of Rivertime, Rockhopping, The Thank You Dish, Shine and Landing With Wings released the new self-published book last week.
Balla’s books are about care for the planet and one another. They also explore themes of first nations peoples, death, gratitude, resilience, friendship, community and sustainability, and are popular in schools and for all ages.
The Heart of the Bubble – a story with 2020 vision set in the time of corona is a touching tale of a family’s awakening to what really matters, set during the coronavirus pandemic. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
The careful dance: classes in a time of Covid
This week the Castlemaine Mail speaks to local dancers about how they’ve had to adjust their dance and circus classes for their very dedicated legion of students — of all ages — and change the way they do business amid the Covid crisis. Full story in today’s Mail. 17.07.20
Welcome news
Lorraine le Plastrier
Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group
MASDAG (Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group) reported our concern about the unsafe pedestrian crossing at the Barker Street-Parker Street area in September 2018 and are pleased to hear that that the government has made funds available to the shire to improve the safety.
Barker Street is a Regional Roads Victoria responsibility and MASDAG understands that the shire has been advocating for safe crossing at this area for a long time. That area is a seriously dangerous hot spot and we are relieved that a solution is imminent. We support the local resident group calling for a safe crossing in this area.
Soccer finally kicks off
Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club’s competitive junior sides returned to the pitch last Saturday July 4 in Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL) action.
Castlemaine Goldfields FC president Aaron Shooter said the whole club was elated to see the players finally hit the park after months of uncertainty.
“After eight hours in the wet and cold I was still smiling from ear to ear and my heart was full of joy. For everyone that made it possible my sincere thanks,” he said.
Castlemaine Goldfields FC’s Unders 10s are also set to return to action this weekend in the BASL Non-Competitive Junior Competition with both Under 10 Girls and Under 10 Mixed playing at Chewton on Saturday from 9.15 am.
Join the club
There are still spots available in the Goldfields Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 14s sides so please contact Club Secretary – Tony Cormack on secretary@castlemainegoldfieldsfc.net.au to find out more.
The club also hope to be able to make an announcement about their ever popular Friday afternoon Small Sided program in the coming weeks. They are still taking registrations and will finalise and commence the program in Term 3. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
3000 meal milestone smashed
Mount Alexander Shire’s Community Pantry volunteers smashed their 3000th meal milestone last week for needy community members impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters stopped into visit with volunteers at the Castlemaine Church of Christ on Tuesday this week as they whipped up their latest batch of tasty meals and hampers of essential goods.
Ms Chesters thanked the volunteers which span across a range of community groups and organisations for their tireless efforts to support the vulnerable during the pandemic.
Castlemaine Church of Christ pastor Dave Tolputt said they have been honoured to play host to the community initiative and it has been a wonderful success.
Mr Tolputt said 13 agencies were involved in the pantry initiative including Castlemaine Community House and volunteers from Nalderun, Castlemaine Church of Christ, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the wider community. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Friends of CHIRP launch lobby podcast
The Friends of Castlemaine District Community Health (CHIRP) are launching their podcast series ‘The Story of CHIRP’ on radio program Around the Wireless on MAINfm 94.9 next Wednesday July 15.
Friends podcast project manager, Elizabeth Scanlon explained that the series has been developed as part of the Friends’ campaign to lobby state government to provide the funding needed so CHIRP and other independent, community health services can restore services which have been reduced and continue to provide services. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Extend JobKeeper – Chesters
Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP has met with travel industry experts in Castlemaine to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to demand the extension of JobKeeper.
Ms Chesters said there’s no doubt that the travel industry has been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The recent spike in cases in Victoria is a clear indicator that we are still in uncertain times, with no end date to the pandemic,” she said.
“I’m calling on the Morrison Government to extend JobKeeper for the travel industry and save local jobs.
“Cancelling JobKeeper too early would have a devastating impact on local businesses and households,” Chesters said.
Former Castlemaine lad Ben Ross and partner Nicola Veltman operate 1000 Mile Travel Group and said the travel industry was the first hit and will be the last out of this crisis.
“We have largely been forgotten about and are in a stalling pattern not being able to forecast or plan for our business which is a theme across our industry,” Ms Veltman said.
“Right now, even though we need JobKeeper to be extended, it is a band aid effect,” she said.
“If JobKeeper is extended and borders remain closed we will see an exodus from the industry as staff will consider alternative industries not impacted and we will lose highly valued skilled workers,” Veltman said. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.