Many people have attended a drive-through Covid-19 test clinic at CHIRP Community Health after routine sampling at the Castlemaine Waste Water Treatment facility last week detected coronavirus fragments.
The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed low levels of viral fragments were detected in a waste water sample last Tuesday.
Over Friday to Monday 120 people attended the pop-up clinic that was then set up at CHIRP, and the steady flow of those lining up to be tested at the clinic continued on Tuesday.
They included locals and people travelling from Sydney and other parts of New South Wales.
“We had 120 people come through over the weekend since Friday,” community health nurse with CHIRP Bronwyn Grieve said, speaking to the Mail on site during Tuesday’s drive-through clinic… Read more in today’s Mail ~
Pop-up clinic busy after virus fragments found
Proof is in the pud
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first – is a slogan beloved by many a sweet tooth.
In a year gnawed at by a global pandemic it’s a motto that appears to be going down particularly well with Castlemaine’s Pud For All Seasons.
Despite the vagaries spooned out by the pandemic, the local maker of traditional and contemporary puddings has recorded an impressive uptick in sales for the year.
“We’re up 40 per cent on demand for our sauces on last year and 25 per cent up on puddings,” Pud’s Karen Kelly says.
There was a worrying while when the local pudding manufacturer was unsure what impacts Covid might have on business.
“With so many people staying at home and taking up bread making and cooking we thought people might be all making their own puddings,” Karen said.
Instead the opposite has proven the case when it comes to pudding. Read more in today’s Mail…
Local lifter shines at Nationals
Harcourt powerlifter Hugh Finlay shone in his first National Powerlifting Championships event held in Melbourne last Saturday December 12.
Finlay lifted in the over 60 years Division, weighing in at 85kgs.
He was successful in all nine of his attempts and finished with the impressive lifts of 137kgs for his squat, 82 kgs for his bench press and a whopping 175kgs for his deadlift!
“Hugh has been training with us at Real Strength Studio in Castlemaine for the last 18 months and has made impressive progress,” said his coach Dean Mawby.
Ginnivan joins the Magpies
Castlemaine football talent Jack Ginnivan has been selected by the Collingwood Football Club in the AFL’s Rookie Draft at pick # 13.
It was the ultimate birthday present for the talented young Strathfieldsaye and Bendigo Pioneers forward/midfielder who turned 18 just the day before.
Jack said that when he received the news he was beyond elated.
“It was a really emotional moment. It’s something I have worked towards for many years and I am still pinching myself that this is happening!” the young gun said.
It has been a whirlwind few days for the footballer who was whisked to Melbourne on Sunday to enjoy a tour of the Holden Centre with player welfare manager Chris Dixon and was presented with his Magpie guernsey and locker.
Ginnivan has been given the No. 33 guernsey last worn by Magpie great David Cloke. See the Mail for the full story.
Spirit kept alive
Christine Barkla, President, Castlemaine Rotary
On November 28-29, 2020 the Castlemaine Rotary’s 32nd consecutive Truck Show was scheduled to be conducted. Each year this national event brings around 250 trucks and lots of spectators to the shire. It also raises around $40,000 for our community.
2020 was different.
With COVID restricting our program we introduced new activities including a photographic competition and calendar designed by local artist Geoff Hocking.
We had a go at Facebook Live simultaneously streaming speakers and activities through Zoom. It was far from perfect but attracted thousands of viewers from all over Australia and beyond.
The generosity of businesses in donating prizes to our raffle and the community in buying tickets was phenomenal.
Our primary purpose was to pay tribute to the trucking industry that kept the wheels turning during an extraordinary year, but we also raised close to $9,000 to benefit our community.
Imagine our joy at being able to conduct a Truckie’s Breakfast and Convoy on Sunday November 29 albeit in reduced numbers. Thank you Maxi IGA and Don KR for your support.
A big thank you to the 38 trucks that rolled out, to the community that cheered them on, and to Elliott Midland Newspapers and MAINfm for your ongoing support.
Together we have kept the spirit alive.
Paying it forward
A Castlemaine hairdresser is paying it forward by collecting a year’s worth of tips from clients of her barber shop and giving it to local men’s suicide prevention charity HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies).
Gemma Archer said Christmas was all about giving and because most of her clientele were men she could think of no better way to give back to the community than by supporting the work that HALT did.
“Our customers are all so generous and we make them aware their tips are going to HALT and everyone loves it,” she said.
“We’ve raised $1020 from our generous customers.”
HALT founder Jeremy Forbes said they planned to use the money to give out $25 vouchers to men who may be struggling, to be spent at local businesses including green grocers, butchers and other food providers. See the Mail for more…
Solar Farm gets the greenlight
Mount Alexander Shire Council has granted a planning permit application for the development of a solar farm and energy store at 333 Hokins Road Ravenswood South.
The application received seven objections and one letter of support. Many of the objectors raised concerns about visual impact, an increase truck movements, noise, EMI and potential impacts on wildlife.
The permit was assessed against the policy and specific controls of the planning scheme and required a balancing exercise to resolve policy tensions that exist between the encouragement for solar energy facilities and the retention and protection of productive agricultural land.
Council planners indicated the application should be supported as the land can support the establishment of a renewable facility, whilst minimising and managing its impact on the amenity of the area. See the Mail for the full story.
Size Matters rallies support
A group of around 150 local residents with concerns about plans for the new supermarket development in Forest Street turned out to a public meeting in Victory Park on Wednesday evening.
The meeting was called by ‘Size Matters’ – a new group formed by local residents which say that any new supermarket should be sized for our town and it’s time for a rethink.
In 2018 Mount Alexander Shire Council and the Minster for Planning approved a permit for a 1,500 square metre supermarket on the site at the corner of Forest and Urquhart Streets.
The developers have subsequently submitted a new application for a 3,800 square metre development which has since been revised to 3,500 square metres – more than double the size of the original proposal.
‘Size Matters’ say there are a number of questions that need to be addressed about the proposal for a new supermarket opposite the Castlemaine Primary School and they are interested in working with the community to explore these issues. See the Mail for the full story.
New shed officially opened!
It’s been an incredibly challenging 12 months for the Mount Alexander Vintage Engine Club (MAVEC) but they are delighted to have capped off 2020 on a high note with the official opening of their new shed and headquarters at the Dave Bennett Reserve at the Muckleford Railway Station.
The shed build project got underway in February with a team effort by members to raise the roof and poles and the Mail was there to cover the historic moment.
But then covid threw a spanner in the works and the project ground to a halt for a time.
MAVEC president Stephen O’Connor said members worked away on what they could and as restrictions began to ease they finished the walls, got the concrete done and worked to install the kitchen.
The shed will eventually house a meeting room, function/exhibition space and a mezzanine level which will feature an office and a library.
As part of the occasion the club were delighted to celebrate a number of new Life Members. See the Mail for the full story.
Tribute to champions
Taradale’s most famous residents have been honoured with a new public art tribute.
On Tuesday, Mount Alexander Shire Council and the Taradale Community Forum unveiled the much-anticipated tribute to local brothers and world champion sheep-shearers, Mark and John Conlan.
Located at Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve, the public art piece recognises the brothers’ world-famous record of shearing 426 sheep each in seven hours and 15 minutes. See the Mail for the full story.
Residents urged to get tested for COVID-19
Routine testing at the Castlemaine waste water treatment facility has detected fragments of coranavirus (COVID-19).
Wastewater monitoring can show the possible presence of COVID-19 in a local community. However this does not mean there is an active case in the area.
The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed low levels of viral fragments were detected in a waste water sample on December 15.
The result is unexpected given there are no recently confirmed cases or diagnosis of COVID-19 in the area, and there are no known cases of community transmission in Victoria at this time.
Residents and visitors to Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, Chewton, Harcourt, Newstead and Maldon are urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of coronavirus to reduce viral transmission if there are any cases in the community.
A drive though testing clinic is open 10am to 12noon Saturday December 19 and Sunday December at CHIRP Community Health at 13 Mostyn Street in Castlemaine. For more information or to make an appointment call 5479 1000 or visit www.chirp.org.au. Local GP clinics within Mount Alexander Shire are also testing registered patients. Anyone who has visited the Northern Beaches in NSW is also urged to get tested.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the viral fragments are likely to be due to people who have recovered from COVID-19 who continue to shed the virus.
People who have had coronavirus may shed the virus or virus fragments for several weeks, well beyond the infectious period. Similar patterns have occurred in other locations across the state and it is not a cause for concern.
More testing is underway and the community will be updated as results become available.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Emergency Management Coordinator Luke Ryan urged community members to remain calm but vigilant.
“While the risks associated with the detection of viral fragments in waste water is low, this is a good reminder that COVID-19 is part of our lives and we must all remain vigilant.”
“This is a good time to review the COVIDSafe plan for your home or business to keep yourself, friends, family, colleagues and customers safe.
“Practice good hygiene, maintain physical distancing, and continue to wear a mask in places like supermarkets, on public transport and in situations where you can’t stay at least 1.5 metres away from others.
“Please get tested if you show any symptoms of COVID-19 no matter how mild, and stay at home until you get your results,” he said.
Symptoms to watch out for are a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and a runny nose.
Samples of untreated wastewater are analysed for fragments of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19) – at more than 60 locations across Victoria including Castlemaine and Bendigo.
Where to get tested
Mount Alexander COVID-19 Screening Clinic
The drive through pop-up testing clinic located at CHIRP Community Health during the weekend at 13 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.
10 am – 12noon, Saturday December 19 and Sunday December 20.
For more information or to make an appointment call 5479 1000 or visit www.chirp.org.au. Local GP clinics within Mount Alexander Shire are also testing registered patients.
If you aren’t registered with a local GP clinic visit your nearest COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinic on weekdays or go to Bendigo Health, seven days a week. Testing clinics are also available at Kyneton and Maryborough.
Bendigo Respiratory Clinic
126 Spring Gully Road, Spring Gully
9:30am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday.
Testing by appointment only.
Visit www.bendigorespclinic.com.au to make an appointment.
Bendigo Health COVID-19 Screening Clinics (Walk in and drive through) Old Emergency Department
Stewart Street, Bendigo
10.00am -5.30pm, Monday to Sunday.
Call 03 5454 6000 or visit www.bendigohealth.org.au.
Useful information and resources
For more information visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call the COVID-19 hotline on 1300 651 160.
To view the locations of testing stations visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19.
Read the Coronavirus Home Safety Plan at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-home safety-plan.
Find out how to create a COVIDSafe Plan at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-plan.
For local information, support or a referral to a local community organisation or service, call Council on 1800 512 446, send an email to covid19@mountalexander.vic.gov.au, or visit our Virtual Emergency Relief Centre at www.connectmountalexander.com.au.
Eyes forward at Newstead FNC
Newstead Football Netball Club is looking forward to a successful 2021 season with the club appointing a strong executive committee and general committee at its recent AGM.
New club president Mark Leckey said football operations manager Sam Chapman would be responsible for day-to-day football operations from seniors through to juniors, while club development manager Peter Kerr would build the long-term sustainability and success of the club by aligning it to AFL standards.
Margie and Shae Petersen will be responsible for the netball operations ensuring everything is in place week to week. See the Mail for the full story.