Unauthorised drivers in the local area will find it much harder to flout the law when the first car equipped with Victoria Police’s new automatic number plate recognition system hits the road. Senior Sergeant Peter Carey of Castlemaine Police says this new car will be used in the Castlemaine area. Read more in the Castlemaine Mail.
Radar technology locates lost graves
For years they’ve laid lost to time and memory – the unmarked graves of Guildford Cemetery. Now they’re finally being identified and marked thanks to ground penetrating radar technology and some successful grant applications.
Home destroyed
Castlemaine Police are appealing for information after a “suspicious” fire destroyed a home in French Court, Castlemaine in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Sergeant David Semmens of the Castlemaine Police told the Mail the fire started just before 3am. Full story in today’s Mail…
Donations – not all joy for thrift shop
While the Marie Kondo decluttering craze has been motivating many to rid themselves of stuff that does not spark joy, it also seems to be impacting on local charities – and not always for the best.
In Castlemaine the Salvation Army Thrift Shop is among countless charity stores across the nation reporting an upsurge in donations due to the popular KonMari method that has taken off among fans of the Japanese tidying expert’s Netflix programs. Story in today’s Castlemaine Mail.
Fire spotting luxury
Life has become far more comfortable for local fire spotter Peter Skilbeck since the brand new observation cabin was craned into place atop the historic Mount Tarrengower fire spotter’s tower.
As Mr Skilbeck celebrates the Maldon tower’s 95th anniversary this weekend he will be doing so in comparative luxury from 20 metres up – with a view of about 100 km in all directions.
His vantage point is one of 74 towers strategically sited across the state, enabling spotters to detect the first signs of fire.
“Isn’t this lovely – space,” said the pleased fire spotter as the Castlemaine Mail nervously surmounted the final stretch of runged steel ladder to pay him a visit earlier this week. Full story in today’s Castlemaine Mail …
Defibrillator win
After entering a competition to win a defibrillator for all hours public access in Castlemaine, staff and volunteers at Castlemaine District Community Health are celebrating.
Back in November community health nurse with the local health service, Bronwyn Grieve, led the push to gather signatures and enter the competition run by Australian Hearts.
In recent days they received the good news – they’d won a brand new defibrillator valued at about $3000.
The thing that makes this defibrillator such a community win is that it is now destined to be installed in a public location in Castlemaine, making it to available to anyone who needs it 24/7. Full story in today’s Castlemaine Mail …
New beginnings
User groups received the keys to the new multi-purpose pavilion at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve this week. See the Castlemaine Mail for more.
Australia Day events
You’re invited to join your community at Australia Day events this year in Castlemaine, Maldon, Harcourt and Faraday. For details see the Castlemaine Mail.
Kitchen facelift for Maldon RSL
The Maldon RSL sub branch is currently undergoing a kitchen makeover with thanks to $10,504 in funding from the Federal Government. See the Castlemaine Mail for more.
Close encounter!
Families got the chance to meet creatures both cute and curious in a close-up encounter with Australian wildlife from Wildlife Gone Walkabout at the Castlemaine Library. See the Castlemaine Mail for more.
Anyone for ice cream?
When the temperature soars – so does demand for ice cream.
As home-grown Castlemaine business, Icecream Social prepares to open a brand new metro outlet in Thornbury, this week’s blast of summer heat has seen their small batch ice creams, gelato and sorbets in hot demand. Full story in today’s Mail…
Women who fight fires
Fighting fires was once the preserve of the blokes in the brigade, but these days it’s nothing unusual for the person on the end of the hose to be a woman.
This week the Mail catches up with some of the women of the local Castlemaine and Harcourt brigades – all longtime volunteers – to gain insights into their experiences as firies on the front line. Full story in today’s Castlemaine Mail …