Winters Flat Garage Sale fundraiser

Winters Flat Primary School students Heidi, Hermione and Harriet encourage community members to come along to their Garage Sale on March 23 and help raise funds for new readers and books.
Winters Flat Primary School students Heidi, Hermione and Harriet encourage community members to come along to their Garage Sale on March 23 and help raise funds for new readers and books.

Winters Flat Primary School is holding a Garage Sale fundraiser this Sunday March 23 and invites community members to join the fun!
The school encourages members of the wider community to book a stall for just $25 and take the opportunity to clean out that shed, playroom, or wardrobe whilst helping to raise valuable funds for the school.
The school is raising money for new decodable readers for students in the junior grades – in line with the new reading program being encouraged by the Department of Education.
They are also aiming to expand their collection of non-fiction books for self-directed/inquiry-based learning.
The garage sale fundraiser fits with the ethos of Winters Flat Primary School – reducing waste, circular economy, promoting sustainability, and building community.
The Garage Sale will kick off at 9am and run through until 1pm. There will be muffins from the school’s Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program and woodfired pizzas available for sale.
To book a stall visit https://wintersflatps.schoolzineplus.com/form/66 or call the office on 5472 1522.

Limitless possibilities

Tabletop newspaper puppetry- making good use of your Castlemaine Mail after reading it!

Limitless Possibilities Newspaper puppetry for the Castlemaine Fringe Festival is both a workshop for creating a performance and being an audience viewing the performance in the evening at the Cool Ro...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Silent vigil against nuclear 

The first of series of silent vigils took place on Tuesday.

A silent vigil was held on the steps of Castlemaine’s historic Market Building on Tuesday afternoon was part of the ‘National Day of Action against Nuclear Power’ held across Australia.
The day marked...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Bravo Blake!

Apprentice of the Year - Excellence in Trades Award winner Blake Retallick is proudly pictured with VR Builders project manager Luke Sinderberry.

Carpentry apprentice Blake Retallick of VR Builders Castlemaine has taken out an award at the 2025 Master Builders Victoria Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The fourth year apprentice claimed the ‘Apprentice of the Year – Excellence in Trades Award’ at the Bendigo event.

Blake studied at the Bendigo Kangan Institute and his passion for carpentry and distinctive skill set stood out to this year’s awards judges. 

The judges said, ‘Blake thrives on problem-solving and finds great satisfaction in completing a project and delivering it to the client. 

His eagerness to learn and tackle challenges has helped him and his co-workers navigate difficult situations on-site. Blake looks forward to continuing to showcase his dedication while further developing his leadership skills. Described as a strong nominee by his employer, he has proven himself to be a reliable tradesman capable of managing job sites daily.’

VR Builders director and builder Ross O’Neill said Blake is incredibly motivated. 

“This makes him a very productive work-wise, but he demonstrates that he wants to learn as well. He is keen to increase his knowledge and skill-set. You can tell when an employee cares about their work. That’s Blake. He’s very conscientious, very eager to contribute to the team and a reliable colleague. He has exceptional interpersonal skills and talk to anyone, be they two or 92!

“Not only is he everything we could ask for in an apprentice, his is a genuinely great person. We are so glad he is part of the VR Builders team. He is an asset to us and the building industry!”

Blake said he was chuffed and humbled to be acknowledged.

“I really appreciate the opportunity VR Builders have given me. It’s a great environment to work in. I have felt extremely supported. I’ve learned a lot. It has just been a joy,” he said.

“The custom work we do is so varied and different it has really helped me to hone my carpentry skills. From custom homes to passive houses it is a challenge to navigate each build and work with our team to help make the client’s vision come to life,” Blake said.

“It’s exciting to see each new project take shape and put our skills to the test. It’s a real privilege and extremely rewarding,” he said. 

Taradale Mineral Springs Festival

The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group crew manning the Wash Against Waste station. Photo Jade Jungwirth

A large crowd gathered in the picturesque reserve located in the heart of Taradale for the 16th annual Mineral Springs Festival held last Sunday. 
Vying for seats in the shade to escape the scorc...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Parkrun welcomes new Run Director

New Run Director Pam with Shana Chong and Steve Harris.

There were 141 participants including 13 visitors from across Victoria, at Castlemaine Parkrun 456 on March 8. 
Seven first time parkrunners were welcomed this week. They were aged from 10 years ...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Fruit Salad Day a sweet success

Bowlers from across the state hit the greens for the Fruit Salad Day event.

Campbells Creek Bowling Club held their annual Fruit Salad Day on Tuesday March 11. 
It was a superb day and the competitors travelled from all over the district, from Golden Square, Strathfields...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Invitation Fours draws huge field

The Castlemaine Bowling Club’s Invitation Fours event drew a huge crowd to the green on Monday. Photo: Max Lesser.

The Castlemaine Bowling Club’s Invitation Fours were held on Monday March 10. 
The day saw a full green with visiting teams from all over Victoria. A colourful array of various uniforms and bowls...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Grand Final showdowns this weekend

Castlemaine United A Grade batsman Darcy Carroll takes a tumble at Wesley Hill as the semi finals action heats up. Photo Max Lesser.

Castlemaine District Cricket Association semi final contests were battled out last weekend. 
In A Grade matches finals contenders undertook a two day fixture to decide this year’s grand finalists...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Art jewels to feature in Rex auction

A superb work by local ceramicist Petrus Spronk is up for auction.

A superb piece by local ceramist Petrus Spronk will be one of many remarkable items to go under the hammer at sold-out fund-raising dinner on March 22 in aid of the return of the Phoenix Cinema at the...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

My councillor with Rosalie Hastwell for Tarrengower Ward 

Rosalie has spent her working life in leadership roles between local government and community organisations, but her first love was music. 
“I trained as a very serious young classical pianist. I...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Idyll returns

Hosts Brilliant Briega and Sensational Scott were thrilled by the talent at the inaugural Castlemaine Idyll Kids Karaoke (CIKK) event. Photo: Diana Domonkos.

 The highly anticipated Castlemaine Idyll, lot19’s annual fundraiser, is back tomorrow, Saturday March 15! 
This one-of-a-kind event brings together local performers, incredible live music a...

Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.

Already a subscriber? Log in below

Problems logging in?

Featured

550 games for Rinaldi

My MAAW – Steve Mann

L2P info session