A Castlemaine man hopes to start a new business converting standard fuel run cars into electric vehicles – like Castlemaine’s former Blade business did between 2008-2012.
In fact Randal Berger owns and drives a 2008 Blade Electron that he recharges using the bank of solar panels on the roof of his Castlemaine home.
Nicknamed “Sparky” his Blade Electron was created right here in Castlemaine back in 2008 when Blade – run by Ross Blade – was operating here, converting conventional Hyundai Getz cars into EVs by retrofitting them with electric motors, speed controllers and battery packs.
“It was built for the City of Melbourne,” Randall says of Sparky.
“I actually saw this car and met Ross Blade in 2009 at a sustainability festival in Fed Square. It is a little piece of Australian engineering history. A total of 54 were built, some of which were exported to New Zealand. Many are still alive”.
While Blade may have wound up back in 2012, today Randall and some of the engineers who were part of the Blade team have a renewed vision to see another similar local business reinstated to affordably “recycle” conventional cars as EVs.
“While many cars have clapped out engines, the rest of the vehicle is in quite good condition,” Randall says.
“Why not extend their useful lives as recycled EVs? More in the Castlemaine Mail, Friday February 7, 2020
Revisiting the Blade’s edge: Castlemaine EV conversions
Only if it’s shifted
Maldon Vintage Machinery and Museum would be the best place for Thompson’s historic dive bell to be displayed – if the council proceeds with plans to shift it from Castlemaine’s Market Building, the Maldon attraction’s president says.
Alan Miller says the Maldon venue did not suggest that the historic dive bell, made by Thompsons of Castlemaine, should be moved – but was quick to suggest that if it were moved, it should be to join the significant collection of historic Thompson’s items already on display at the Maldon attraction.
“We heard that that the council was thinking of removing it out of there,” Mr Miller said.
“We didn’t suggest that the dive bell come out of the Market Building but I think that if it comes out it should come here.
“The only other options are Thompsons themselves – or Flowserve (which took over Thompsons in 1995). But if it went to Flowserve no-one would ever see it because you can’t access the factory.
“The other one, the whisper I heard, was that it could go to the Mill. If it went to the Mill it would be going into private hands and if ever that was sold then the bell could be scrapped.
“We’ve got more of Thompsons here then what they have themselves,” said Mr Miller who is a retired Thompson’s toolmaker.
His comments come after a Mount Alexander Shire Council spokesperson last week confirmed that relocating the historic dive bell from the Market Building is being considered. More in the Castlemaine Mail, Friday, February 7, 2020.
Shooters take aim
Last weekend the Castlemaine Pistol Club hosted its 33rd annual Goldfields Open shoot. The Open saw competitors from all across Victoria as well as interstate converge on Castlemaine all aiming to win gold. Athletes of all skill levels were represented on the range, from club shooters, to state shooters, even Olympians. See the Mail for the full story.
A call for action
Community members and climate change campaigners gathered on the steps of the Castlemaine Market Building on Tuesday February 4 in a show of solitary for those who had made the trek to Canberra for the ‘People’s Climate Assembly’. See the Mail for more.
Emergency meeting called
Local action group ‘Friends of Castlemaine Community Health’ are holding an emergency meeting regarding CHIRP’s future next Monday February 10 and urge community members to get along and show their support for the much loved local institution.
The meeting at the Castlemaine Town Hall is a follow-up to a public meeting held in October and aims to continue the campaign to save Mount Alexander Shire’s independent community health service (CHIRP). See the Mail for more.
New kinder for Harcourt
The first day of kinder proved an extra exciting one for the children of Harcourt Pre School with the announcement that Harcourt will
have a brand new kindergarten by the end of the year! See the Mail for the full story.
Chance to get into gardening
You don’t need to have a garden to get into gardening as a new course that’s soon to start at Castlemaine Community House proves.
Leading the eight-session Get Into Gardening course is qualified permaculture designer Rayna Fahey.
“It’s everything from soil to harvest, to seeds for next year,” says Rayna who previously ran a western Melbourne community plant nursery – that featured on ABCs Gardening Australia.
Now, Rayna and her family farm fresh produce on their 27 acre property at Drummond.
Rayna is passionate about what she does and says the wish many people experience to get their hands into the soil and grow their own healthy food seems to be part of a wider shift in awareness about the way we live and the impact we have on the planet.
“Every week we’ll do a little bit of theory and a lot of practice in the garden and people will have some homework to do in their own space,” she says.
Those who sign up for the course don’t even need to have their own garden as such – “because you can garden anywhere including in a pot,” Rayna says. More in today’s Castlemaine Mail, Friday, January 31, 2020.
Cannons into semis
The Castlemaine Cannons Country Basketball League (CBL) side have had a stellar season and are now poised to take on the Maryborough Blazers in the CBL semi finals this Saturday February 1. The match at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre will commence at 8pm. Local fans are urged to make the trek to Maryborough to get behind the local boys. Go Cannons!
AM for Rae
Castlemaine resident Rae Kingsbury was honoured
as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Australia Day Awards.
Her AM honour is for significant service to the
international community of Timor-Leste. See today’s Mail for the full story.
Lions lend a hand
The Castlemaine Lions Club has made a generous donation to Castlemaine Health. See the Mail for more.
Calling all artists
Castlemaine Secondary College is seeking expressions of interest from established, emerging, or mid-career artists, who live in the Mount Alexander Shire to be their next Artist-In-Residence. See the Mail for the full story.
Hands off our diving bell
Jack Jefferies, Castlemaine
My background locally: I am 92 years old and I was born in the upstairs front room of building no. 184 Barker Street. I was educated at the Castlemaine South and the Castlemaine High School. My family has been in various businesses in Castlemaine for 107 years and is presently continuing. I suggest the above facts qualify me to write as a Castlemaine resident and I do so forthwith.
I’ve heard from a reliable source that plans are being drawn up to remove the iconic diving bell presently located in our magnificent Market (Building) to another town in the shire. This will cost the ratepayers (you and me) great expense as special heavy duty lifting equipment will be required to make the shift.
The contract to manufacture the diving bell was awarded to Thompson’s Foundry against strong competition from other Australian firms. It was crafted by skilful and dedicated tradesmen in the specialised shops that made up the foundry.
The diving bell was designed to recover gold bullion from the ‘S.S. Niagara’ which was sunk off New Zealand by German mines during World War II. A remarkable 98 per cent of the gold was salvaged. On present day prices the gold would be valued at many millions of dollars.
I say it is outrageous to make moves to relocate the bell after a successful 37 years on display in our most impressive civic building.
Readers can readily see that the story is also part of the gold history of our grand old town.
I urge all readers of this letter to demand that plans to relocate the bell be scrapped.
Editor’s Note: See story on this subject on page 9 of today’s Castlemaine Mail, Friday, January 31, 2020.