Film shooting in Castlemaine

Castlemaine is set to feature as the backdrop of a short film being created by a group of students, staring the talented Castlemaine actor John Flaus.
The film titled An Old Man’s Epilogue is an emotional drama about an elderly, recently widowed man, Ronan, who is forced to make decisions about his life. His daughter, Daisy, is moving him into a nursing home.
The film’s screenwriter and producer Heidi Ylä-Ajos said the film crew chose Castlemaine as the location because they wanted it to be not like the city, not as hectic.
“Our lecturer actually suggested Castlemaine. We had a look around other towns in this area as well but we liked Castlemaine. We loved the colours. And everyone has been so friendly and helpful here, it’s been amazing.”
Ms Ylä-Ajos said the film is a collaborative work between herself, director Melisa Visca, first AC Liam Fouracre, first AC and editor Chris Michael, sound recordists Daizy Murithi and Sudharshan Hariharan, PA and runner Daniel Robbins, audio mix and post Timothy Knowles and Jordan Montgomery as the DOP (Director of Photography) who has worked on the film’s visual and how it comes alive on screen with Melisa. The film is the final project for Heidi and Melisa for their bachelor’s course at SAE in Melbourne.
“We had worked on another short film with John Flaus and when I was writing the script, I thought he’d be perfect for the role of Ronan. We totally adore him. His voice is amazing and we really love hearing it,” Heidi said.
Scene’s of the film were shot at various locations in Castlemaine including at Castlemaine Fresh and Top Meats, the Castlemaine Railway Station and at a private residence in George Street.
“Ronan’s house was generously provided by the owners Bronwyn and Rodney,” Heidi said.
“They have been really generous, the gave us the house for a whole weekend, then we had Bendigo Castlemaine Removals come for some shooting. Everyone has been really supportive and so helpful, so it feels like it was meant to be.”
The film crew began filming on June 15 and wrapped on June 20. The film will be screened at an exhibition at SAE in Melbourne on August 23 then it will become part of the filmmaker portfolios at www.taivalfilms.com.

Myths and legends

Local builders Casey Cain and Kinga Roy help artists Ted Waayers, Bernice Steinfort, Catherine Tait and Jenny Merkus install Maldon's new street art depicting local myths and legends - and aspects prior to European settlement.

There’s the local woman who used to serve tea to kangaroos – or so Maldon folklore has it.
Then there’s the legendary visit paid by wartime prime minister Billy Hughes, the local nurse who’s ministrations gained her hero status, and the local writer Henry Handel Richardson – whose real name was Ethel.
All are among the local myths and legends represented in some bold new street art newly installed in Maldon to coincide with the town’s Winter Wonderland program.
Local native animals like the powerful owl and the phascogale, important to the Dja Dja Wurrung, are also represented in the art panels installed on McArthur’s Corner wall at the intersection of Main and Dolphin Streets and across the road on the Maldon Hotel.
The art panels are the collaborative work of seven local artists with Maldon Artist Network MANet.
“They’ve been commissioned by Maldon Inc Traders’ group,” says Maldon Artist Network’s Jenny Merkus, one of the participating artists.
Jenny says some of the work depicts Maldon prior to European settlement and aims to portray some of the magic of that time.
She says the town’s history museum was among sources consulted to help unearth local myths and legends depicted.
“Apparently there was a woman who use to give tea to kangaroos, then we’ve got Bill Hughes – who was sometimes called The Rat who visited Maldon and entered local folklore so he’s depicted as a rat on a speakers’ box,” Jenny says, mentioning some of the legendary figures depicted.
Others include the Maldon writer, Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson (1870-1946) who wrote under the pen name Henry Handel Richardson.
There’s a particularly notable local golfer and much-loved yesteryear nurse Jessie Bowe who once worked at the local hospital.
Local artists who created the works include Bernice Steinfort, Ted Waayers, Catherine Tait, Allex Hall, Andrea Ebsworth, Jenny Merkus and Norm Close.
“Even though we’ve all got very different styles it all come together really well,” Bernice says.
The work will remain on display in the streets until August 6.

Maldon is an inclusive town

Next time you’re in Maldon keep an eye out for a sandy-coloured sticker in the window of businesses who have signed up to the Inclusive Towns project.
Inclusive Towns is a collaborative project that Mount Alexander Shire Council is undertaking alongside the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council. It is funded through the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building National Readiness Grants program.
The program aims to improve inclusion in rural communities and is raising awareness of the purchasing power that people with disabilities have within the community.
Inclusive Towns project officer Alison Jones said inclusive businesses are smart businesses, and are businesses that make more money.
“We are working with accommodation providers, retailers, tourist destinations and cafés to improve accessibility of businesses and promote inclusion, so that people with a disability feel welcomed and valued within their community,” Ms Jones said.
The project employs six support officers – local people with a disability – who visit each business and develop an action plan of simple and inexpensive changes the business can make to be more inclusive.
So far 19 Maldon businesses have signed up to the project.
“We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from local businesses and it’s great to see the community embracing the project, recognising the support officers out on the street and making these simple changes,” Ms Jones said.
Support Officer Peter West said that as a local resident he has been frustrated at the lack of access to some shops. However, he has been delighted with the response to the project.
“I have been really impressed with how many businesses want to work with us to improve access for the whole community.”
Maldon Getaways was the first business to sign up and business owner Jamie Heffernan said it was a really simple process.
“It was great to get the perspective of the team, who have a lot of knowledge to share.
“They gave me some ideas around making our accommodation options more accessible, with links and suppliers for inclusive supports we could purchase that could be used in several of our holiday homes,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Everyone should be able to have a holiday in Maldon, it’s a great town! As accessible accommodation in town is very limited, it makes good business sense for Maldon Getaways to have lots of options, and to provide a range of inclusive supports that can meet a wide variety of needs,” he said.
For more information on the project, or to find out how you can get involved, contact Alison Jones on 5434 6000 or email inclusivetowns@bendigo.vic.gov.au.

Partnership a win for all

A new partnership is set to create an opportunity for 30 local indigenous people to undertake training in rail infrastructure at the Victorian Goldfields Railway.
Representatives from the VGR, the Centre for Excellence in Rail Training and Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative met at the VGR headquarters at Maldon Station to sign a Memorandum of Understanding last Wednesday.
The initiative will boost local tourist rail infrastructure and generate skilled workers to support the Victorian rail industry.
VGR special projects manager Steve Strangward said the occasion formalised an exciting partnership.
“Together this tripartite team aims to deliver training to and qualification of local indigenous people in rail infrastructure maintenance. The training will largely be through theory and practical engagement on the VGR, which also will deliver an upgraded infrastructure for our future sustainability,” he said.
CERT general manager Mark Haigh said suitable trainees – 20 from Castlemaine and 10 from Daylesford – would be sourced and nominated by BDAC to complete the training in Certificate Two Rail Infrastructure over a period of 30 months focusing on tracks, slippers and ballast.
“We are hopeful that at the completion of their training participants will secure rail jobs in Victoria, as has been the case with similar training programs we have conducted in Western Australia,” he said.
“There are a massive amount of rail infrastructure projects underway in Victoria and the supply of labour cannot keep up with the demand.”
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said the state government was set to benefit enormously from the program.
“Vossloh Cogifer Castlemaine has put on additional apprentices. The industry is really booming and with the Ballarat line upgrade and other projects in the pipeline there will be lots of opportunities for these trainees,” she said.
With improved rail infrastructure VGR trains will be able to safely travel at faster speeds allowing the tourist railway to add more services and increase the number of visitors they can cater for each year.
“It’s a win/win for all,” Mr Strangward said.

Community bus hands over the wheel

The Baringhup-Maldon Community Bus is under new management with the Baringhup Bus Committee handing over the steering wheel after more than five years.
The Maldon Neighbourhood Centre has taken on the role of managing the community bus service that will continue to be available for affordable hire to community groups and individuals in Baringhup, Maldon and district.
The service covers Castlemaine, Maldon and Baringhup providing a flexible door-to-door service on Tuesday and Fridays and is continuing after the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre Committee of Management endorsed a plan to keep it going.
This followed the completion of the Age Friendly Communities project and bus trial which indicated the level of use justified retaining the service.
Maldon Neighbourhood Centre coordinator Amy Atkinson said the centre is setting up a small working group to support the operations of the community bus and welcome any interest from the community.
“The success of the community transport trial shows us that this is a valuable service for our communities combating social isolation and transport disadvantage,” Ms Atkinson said.
“The community transport service is able to pick-up residents in Chewton, Campbells Creek, Barkers Creek, Wesley Hill, Baringhup, Maldon and locations in between.”
Fares are set at an affordable $3 one way or $5 return with those intending to use the service required to pre-book the day before by calling 5475 2093.
There is no change to the bus chartering process and charter is discounted for community and not-for-profit groups.

Hot rod read

Castlemaine’s Rocket Rod is an icon in the world of hot rodding and now the story of his life has been comprehensively documented by his daughter Allison.
After much extensive research, Allison Hadfield, a librarian at Daylesford, has written The Mad Scientist of Australian Hot Rodding: Rod Hadfield – her father’s biography.
The new book published by Renniks Publications was launched with fanfare in Chewton on June 30.
Rod is the first to admit he is delighted and honoured by his daughter ‘s achievement in penning the 185 page book that he says contains treasured images, good laughs – and some details that have surprised even him.
“I’m very, very proud of the work she’s done. It’s taken her two years and I didn’t even know for a long time that she was doing it,” he says.
A large number of guests attended the launch at the Hadfield’s Chewton property – home to Rod’s famed hot rod collection and a popular destination for hot rodding devotees from around the nation.
“I’ve always thought it was a story that needed to be told,” Allison says.
“For years and years I’ve thought someone should write his biography. He’s led a very interesting life, overcome a lot of obstacles to get to where he is, but it was only about two years ago that I actually put the two things together – that I should be the one to write it.
“Now that I’ve got the book in my hand, I’m just over the moon.”
Several of the state’s hot rod clubs and some of Australia’s leading hot rodding writers and editors were present for the launch which also saw the surprise unveiling of a new work by acclaimed local sculptor, Chewton’s Richard Yates.
Allison has dedicated The Mad Scientist of Australian Hot Rodding to her mother, Rod’s wife Carol Hadfield who laughs when it’s noted that she is generally acknowledged as the quiet background achiever, often responsible for holding the show on the road.
Volunteers with Mount Alexander Animal Welfare assisted in the kitchen at the launch as a means of raising funds toward the work of the local organisation.

Repair order for neglected site

Macedon House has fallen into a state of disrepair, says Heritage Victoria.
Macedon House has fallen into a state of disrepair, says Heritage Victoria.

Urgent repair orders have been issued for heritage-listed Macedon House in Gisborne.
Heritage Victoria served the notice late last month stating, “owners had allowed the heritage property to fall into disrepair to the extent that its conservation is threatened”.
“The property has been allowed to fall into disrepair while the current owners pursue planning permission to construct a retirement village on the site,” a Heritage Victoria spokesperson said.
“Work has not been undertaken despite ongoing correspondence with Heritage Victoria.”
The owners are now required, within three weeks, to secure the fencing around the site, clean up the site to remove rubbish and overgrown vegetation and secure all external doors and windows to prevent unauthorised
access.
Within three months the owners are also required to install new eaves to gutters and downpipes, re-fix or replace roof sheets, install a new stormwater system, underpin external bluestone walls to prevent collapse, treat the building to eliminate termites, and other urgent repairs.
Failure to comply with a repair order could result in fines of up to $373,104 or imprisonment for five years or both for a natural person, and $746,208 for a body corporate.
Macedon House came to the attention of authorities in 2015 and, since then, communication with the owners has been ongoing about the condition of the building.
Heritage Victoria issued a ‘show cause notice’ February 2, 2018, requiring the owner to show cause why a repair order should not be made.
A Heritage Victoria spokesperson said there had been few repair orders issued in the past 20 years.
The Heritage Act 2017, which began in November, has strengthened enforcement and compliance provisions to protect state-listed heritage places including increasing maximum penalties for unauthorised works to deter damage to heritage places and objects, and a range of other measures.

Meet the Dads Club

Dads Club committee members Luke Spielvogel, Mark Constable and Andrew Watt.
Dads Club committee members Luke Spielvogel, Mark Constable and Andrew Watt.

It might be difficult to make new mates in a new town but one group of dads is making it easier for people to connect.
With “a couple of beers and a few laughs”, ‘Dads Club’ aims to facilitate better connectedness for regional men and promote male mental health awareness, says vice-president and co-founder Luke Spielvogel.
“It’s a chance for commuters, stay-at-home dads, or others who don’t get the social opportunity as often, to meet some people,” he said.
“We want to make it accessible and approachable to those new to the area, feeling a bit isolated or just lack the time or inclination to join a ‘for-purpose’ group or committee.”
While the name suggests it’s all about dads and blokes – it is a mere nod to the group’s roots and everyone is welcome, says president and Newham resident Mark Constable.
“The Macedon Ranges has seen massive growth in particularly young families moving to the area and that move away from friends and family can sometimes prove isolating,” Mr Constable said.
“Having been one of those families I know what that isolation can feel like, between driving up and down the Calder every day, looking after a property and spending time with young kids, it’s hard to find time to get out and make new friends. That’s where Dads Club was great, we were all in the same boat and I’ve made some lasting friendships.”
Andrew Watt works in construction in Melbourne and moved to the Macedon Ranges two years ago.
“It was great, within a couple of weeks of moving up here, I was invited to a Dads Club function and met 25-30 local blokes who were really welcoming. I’m now involved with the local hall committee and the cricket club as well as now joining the Dads Club committee.”
Mr Constable was pleased with the group’s most recent event that celebrated club becoming incorporated and attracted about 25 people to the gathering in Newham.
The group now looks forward to the next chapter with a strong committee on board and growing interest in the community.

Small producers on cloud nine

Cloud9 cheese and wine producers Alan and Susan Deeble, and daughter Jacquie, welcome a new fund for small producers.
Cloud9 cheese and wine producers Alan and Susan Deeble, and daughter Jacquie, welcome a new fund for small producers.

Artisanal producers are expected to find some relief in a $2 million agriculture and premium food state government fund designed to help grow the emerging industry.
The program will include an Industry Development Plan for the artisanal agriculture and premium food sector in Victoria, a grants program, and biosecurity and industry support services tailored to the needs of the sector.
Cloud9 cheese and wine producers Alan and Susan Deeble, and daughter Jacquie, said the fund, announced in the state budget, would be encouraging for small producers in the Macedon Ranges where a strong trend was emerging.
“It’s not easy for a small family to run a business but there are a lot of people in the Macedon Ranges producing some great quality stuff,” Mr Deeble said.
Ms Deeble said there were many areas where people might need relief to see their visions realised.
For Cloud9 she said, despite producing on a much smaller scale, the Pipers Creek business must undergo the same industry checks and audits as a large producer, but with a significantly smaller budget to meet costs involved.
“The costs of testing is huge and we only work in small batches so it takes a fair bit out of the profits,” she said.
The family are strong supporters of regional producers with several local products showcased at their property. They believe in the positive flow-on effect of successful business in the region through tourism, supporting local jobs and growing small business.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said throughout June and July, there would be a series of forums with premium food producers and industry groups to survey the sector’s needs and identify opportunities for business growth, industry development and increased connectivity to services.
The forums will be held at nine locations across the state including Woodend, Bendigo, and Daylesford.
Launching the fund at Cloud9 last week, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said it was a “game-changer” for the Macedon Ranges where “we are spoilt for choice with some of the best producers”.

Cloud9 cheese and wine producers Alan and Susan Deeble, and daughter Jacquie, welcome a new fund for small producers.
Cloud9 cheese and wine producers Alan and Susan Deeble, and daughter Jacquie, welcome a new fund for small producers.

Heat over CFA sale move

"Fighting tooth and nail" for Romsey and District Fire Brigade's Headquarters - (from left) Ron Cole, David Needham, Noel Smithwick, Ralph Hermann and Peter Brooks.

Local firies are fighting to halt the shock sale of the Romsey Group Headquarters.
Group officer Ralph Hermann said the bombshell news had left brigade members baffled as the decision appeared to be made in Melbourne CFA headquarters without consultation at a local level.
The old courthouse at Stawell Street has served the brigade for decades and an extension was built in 2003 through a significant contribution from Macedon Shire Council’s Ash Wednesday Fund.
Mr Hermann said one of the biggest blows in the sale was the knowledge that the funds would not be returned.
“The CFA owns the current site but any sale proceeds goes into treasury funds. The CFA and the community are the losers here,” he said.
“It is the opinion of the group that the sale of this property is shortsighted and a blatant misuse of community funds.”
Several community groups that had found a home at the old courthouse will also be impacted by its sale including Lancefield Romsey Lions Club, a local art group and Red Cross.
Following the sale, Romsey Group Headquarters is expected to share space at the newer Romsey Fire Brigade Station, a few doors down, but is a notion members deem “impractical”.
Members say the move will reduce space for both parties and eliminate all external storage and shedding for equipment and workshop space which the brigade has been relying on at the group headquarters site.
In Parliament recently, Shadow Assistant Minister for Environment, Communities and Volunteers Cindy McLeish said the move was “disrespect shown to volunteers”.
“The government is going to…force volunteers back into the poor working conditions they were in before, conditions that no business or government department would force upon its staff,” she said.
Last week, the Romsey Group raised its concerns with local councillors and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas.
Ms Thomas said the state government valued the incredible work CFA volunteers did in protecting Romsey and the surrounding area.
“We understand the need for Romsey Fire Brigade to continue to be at the heart of the community, and CFA will work with Romsey Group to ensure that they and other community groups continue to be accommodated,” Ms Thomas said.
She said the government’s $10 million Enhancing Volunteerism Grants program was available for brigades who required funding for facilities or other requirements to ensure brigades could continue to support and protect their communities."Fighting tooth and nail" for Romsey and District Fire Brigade's Headquarters - (from left) Ron Cole, David Needham, Noel Smithwick, Ralph Hermann and Peter Brooks.

Living treasures

Maldon's Bev Phillips with one of the town's pre-European living treasures - a Eucalyptus melliodora, or yellow box, estimated to be 530 years old.
Maldon's Bev Phillips with one of the town's pre-European living treasures - a Eucalyptus melliodora, or yellow box, estimated to be 530 years old.

At a carefully estimated 530 years of age the mighty yellow box tree standing at Maldon’s Bill Woodfull Reserve was there well before Captain Cook found his way to Australia.
It stood during the Renaissance, as Leonardo da Vinci completed The Last Supper, and as Michelangelo added the finishing touches to The Last Judgement in Rome’s Sistine Chapel.
Today it’s one of 61 surviving eucalypts growing in Maldon township that have been identified as pre-European, somehow retaining their grip in the earth while all around them countless trees were axed during the Victorian Gold Rush.
Now, Saturday May 5 will present a unique chance to learn more about these local living treasures as they will be the subject of one of Maldon’s popular Quarterly Conversations – only this will be a Quarterly Conversation with a difference, says conversation coordinator Bev Phillips.
That’s because, Bev, who is also secretary of Maldon Urban Landcare, will lead a public walking tour taking in some of the pre-1852 living treasures themselves.
Bev says that last year Maldon Urban Landcare members organised a field day to survey all indigenous eucalypts in Maldon that might be classified as being over 165 years old.
“They ended up recording the 61 trees in Maldon and another 36 on the Maldon Historic Reserve,” she says.
“To have 61 trees in town that were growing prior to European settlement makes them so very special, not just for the fact that they’re a living tree giving harbour for birds, insects, animals – but they’re part of our natural heritage.”
The local landcare group is keen to work with Mount Alexander Shire to see the trees protected and their significance recognised.
This comes at a time when the shire’s newly released 2018-19 draft budget includes an allocation of $120,000 for data collection on local park trees.
The upcoming Living Treasures tour is part of the National Trust Heritage Festival and will start at 1.30pm on Saturday May 5 from the rotunda at Maldon Shire Gardens.
“We’ve also hired a community bus and we’ll also car pool and take a short drive to visit some of the trees further out,” Bev says.
The $5 donation to take the tour includes refreshments and bookings aren’t needed – although the tour is weather dependent.

 

 

Funds for local LGBTIQ community

Local LGBTIQ community consultant Sherene Clow, Castlemaine District Community Health prevention and allied health manager Louise Falconer, Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick and Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership's Emma Shannon celebrate Friday's $76,140 announcement.
Local LGBTIQ community consultant Sherene Clow, Castlemaine District Community Health prevention and allied health manager Louise Falconer, Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick and Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership's Emma Shannon celebrate Friday's $76,140 announcement.

Friday was a great day for the local LGBTIQ community in Castlemaine and surrounds with news of a $76,140 state government grant delivered through the LGBTI community grants program.
Castlemaine District Community Health was the successful applicant – in partnership with Castlemaine Community House, the Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership, and the local LGBTIQ community.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards was in town to announce the $76,140 grant as a significant step toward improving the lives of local lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse and intersex locals.
Castlemaine District Community Health interim CEO Di Couch was among those celebrating the $76,140 announcement.
“It’s a great opportunity to engage with the local community, to build on some initial work that we’ve done talking to the LGBTIQ-plus community about needs,” Ms Couch said
“It really enables us to carve out the time to come together and to put a whole range of processes in place.
“We just really can’t do that within existing roles so this really gives us that capacity to have a person on the ground who can support our community leaders and bring them together.
“I think that, between the partners we’ll look as to whether we put in a paid position or we work with some consultants who are experienced in this particular area, so it’s really something that we will decide together with the community.”
Ms Edwards said Castlemaine had a very strong LGBIQ-plus community.
“These community grants are part of a $700,000 program of grants that the Andrews labor government has been rolling out and this is about supporting our LGBTIQ-plus communities across regional Victoria,” Ms Edwards said.
“This will be funding that will assist with a strategic plan in partnership to make sure that our LGBTIQ-plus community is looked after, whether it be through their mental health needs, their health needs more broadly, whether it be through education.”

 

Local LGBTIQ community consultant Sherene Clow, Castlemaine District Community Health prevention and allied health manager Louise Falconer, Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick and Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership's Emma Shannon celebrate Friday's $76,140 announcement.

Featured