A long-serving member of Sedgwick Fire Brigade, Brendan Drechsler, who dedicated more than five decades to CFA has been posthumously awarded the CFA Outstanding Service Medal (OSM), recognising a lifetime of outstanding service, leadership and community contribution.
Brigade members, family and friends gathered on Friday May 22 for a presentation evening honouring the late Brendan Drechsler, whose 52 years of active service left a lasting impact on CFA and the wider Sedgwick community. Brendan’s connection to the brigade began long before he officially joined CFA in 1972 at the age of 16.
Before Sedgwick had its own fire station, the brigade’s first fire truck was housed at the Drechsler family farm, where Brendan helped prepare the appliance for incidents as a young boy.Fire service was deeply embedded in the Drechsler family, as Brendan followed in the footsteps of his father, who helped form Sedgwick Fire Brigade in 1942 and later became its first Captain.
Brendan’s brother also served as Captain before Brendan took on the role in 2015.
Over more than half a century, Brendan served in numerous operational and leadership roles, including Brigade Captain, First Lieutenant, Apparatus Officer, Brigade Secretary, Group Delegate and Junior Leader.
He attended hundreds of incidents, including Black Saturday in 2009 and the large Sedgwick fire in 2013.Brendan’s son, Ben Drechsler, said his father never sought recognition for himself.
“Dad always made it about the brigade and helping other people,” Ben said.
“He dedicated his life to CFA, the Sedgwick brigade and the local community. To see his service recognised with the Outstanding Service Medal is incredibly special for our family and everyone who knew him.
“Even in the final weeks of his life, he still wanted to help the brigade and the community.”
Brendan became widely respected for his calm leadership, dedication to mentoring younger members and commitment to community safety. He played a key role in strengthening the brigade’s capability, helping secure major improvements including a second tanker, quick-fill trailer, heavy tanker and station extensions.
He was also instrumental in rebuilding the brigade’s junior running team in the 2010s, personally coaching Sedgwick members who went on to become state champions.
Brendan continued volunteering despite battling illness, responding to incidents until just days before becoming bedridden.
Beyond the fireground, he also contributed widely to local sporting and community organisations.
In recognition of his contribution and legacy, Sedgwick Fire Brigade recently placed Brendan’s name on one of the brigade’s fire trucks.
The Outstanding Service Medal is CFA’s highest internal honour and recognises prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance and contribution to the organisation and community.
Late Sedgwick volunteer awarded CFA’s highest honour
Growing in Mount Alexander!
A community initiative, Growing in Mount Alexander, is inspiring young children and their families to embrace healthy eating while building practical skills through hands-on vegetable gardening.
Harcourt Pre–School and Maldon Pre–School have been selected to participate in the project, which aims to support families to grow fresh produce at home.
The project has also provided wicking beds, tools and infrastructure to enable the successful growing of edible produce.
Additional support through membership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program is also equipping educators and children with the skills to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, affordable and culturally diverse food.
The Mail caught up with students at the Harcourt Pre-School earlier this month to see them enjoy the opportunity to take part in a hands-on workshop with Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Healthy Loddon Campaspe Project Officer Jess Brown.
The workshop saw children plant their very own herb and vegetable seedlings alongside their parents.
The well-timed event meant the children were able to take home their mini gardens just in time for Mother’s Day and share the chance to grow and eventually harvest their plants with families.
Harcourt Pre-School’s Sally Long said the project couldn’t have come at a better time as they work to rebuild a section of the pre-school garden ravaged by the devastating January 9 fire.
“We lost fencing, our garden shed and chook shed and many established plantings. Fortunately, the chooks were off-site at the time,” she said.
“This project is the beginning of an even greater project for the Harcourt Pre-School. We have enlisted a landscape designer to help us to further develop the gardens surrounding as well as within the kinder playground.
“Caroline Hyett Gardens and Design is donating her services to our kindergarten following the fires, and is working closely with staff and children towards the brief,” Sally said.
“The community has also been extremely generous in helping us rebuild. We have had a shed, water tank and hose reel donated and just last week the Harcourt Lions Club dropped off an Rodelisa voucher for plants.
“This latest initiative has also enabled us to build three new wicking beds to plant out,” she said.
Healthier together
As part of the new Growing in Mount Alexander program children at the Harcourt and Maldon centres will take part in planting, nurturing, and harvesting vegetables, helping them develop practical skills and a stronger connection to where their food comes from.
Participating families will also receive growing booklets and recipe cards featuring the vegetables grown during the project, building confidence in preparing healthy, affordable meals at home.
Boosting vegie intake
This initiative responds to significant local health challenges identified in the Active Living Census (ALC). Vegetable consumption in the shire remains low. Poor vegetable intake is strongly linked to increased risk of overweight, obesity, and chronic disease. Food insecurity is another pressing concern. According to the ALC, households in the Mount Alexander Shire have experienced higher levels of food insecurity than the Victorian average.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Acting Director Healthy Communities Rosalie Rogers said by helping families grow their own vegetables, they’re not only building practical skills but also supporting lifelong healthy habits.
“This project is about making healthy eating accessible, engaging, and achievable for local families- starting from an early age.”
Children and families can learn more about the program and explore helpful resources on the Healthy Loddon Campaspe website: www.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/growinginloddoncampaspe.
Growing in Mount Alexander highlights the power of local, community-driven solutions to improve health outcomes – supporting families to grow, learn, and thrive together. It is delivered in partnership with Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Mount Alexander Shire.
If you would like to make a donation to assist Harcourt Pre-School to rebuild their garden you can email them at harcourt@ykinders.org.au for more information.
World-class pianist to perform at The Goods Shed this Saturday
Breaking: Please note change of venue the concert will now be held at The Goods Shed.
After the huge success of the recent 50th Castlemaine State Festival, there’s more to look forward to — with internationally acclaimed pianist Lucas Debargue set to perform in town this Saturday May 30 as part of the festival’s upcoming fundraising events.
The performance is part of the ongoing collaboration with Live at Yours.
Debargue will appear at The Goods Shed — bringing a touch of the world’s biggest concert halls to the heart of regional Victoria, while also supporting the future of the festival.
The 50th Castlemaine State Festival drew strong crowds and glowing feedback, reinforcing Castlemaine’s reputation as a go-to destination for arts and culture. This upcoming concert continues that momentum, with proceeds helping to support future programming and keep world-class performances coming to the region.
Debargue first caught the world’s attention at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, where audiences were struck by his originality and depth. His path into music hasn’t been conventional — shaped by interests in literature, painting and jazz — and that comes through in performances that feel fresh, thoughtful and completely unique.
Since then, he’s played at some of the world’s most iconic venues, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall, and alongside leading orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mariinsky Orchestra and Orchestre de Paris.
A Sony Classical artist, Debargue’s recordings span composers from Scarlatti and Bach through to Chopin and Ravel, as well as his own compositions. With more than 20 original works to his name, he’s as much a creator as he is a performer.
Trained in Paris under Rena Shereshevskaya, Debargue has carved out a reputation as one of the most intriguing pianists on the international stage — with performances that feel less like recitals and more like an exploration of the music itself.
This Live at Castlemaine x Lucas Debargue performance promises an intimate, memorable night of music in The Goods Shed in Kennedy Street, Castlemaine — and a chance for audiences to support the continued success of the festival.
Doors open at 6.30pm. The concert begins at 7pm. Tickets are expected to sell quickly.
Get your ticket at castlemainefestival.com.au/event/live-at-castlemaine-lucas-debargue
Creekers notch up 250!
Campbells Creek Football Netball Club stalwarts and brothers, Lachlan and Jordan Picken, will play their 250th game together this Saturday May 30, at Trentham, in the Reserves team.
Jordan is the Reserves Assistant Coach and co-captain of the team and Lachlan has been a regular fixture week in and week out. The club thank them for their valuable contribution and loyalty to the historic club, and wish them every success against the Saints as they celebrate this significant milestone.
Campbells Creek FNC’s injury crisis reached breaking point on Saturday as a severely undermanned Seniors side was overwhelmed by premiership contender Carisbrook, going down by 235 points in their Round 7 clash.
Just two weeks after celebrating a long awaited breakthrough victory, the Creekers found themselves at the opposite end of the football spectrum, with coach Matt Manning forced to patch together a side after the club’s injury list ballooned into the teens.
The extent of the club’s personnel shortage was highlighted by Tyson Logan and Harrison Gane backing up from the Reserves to also play Senior football, while several regular Reserves players were thrust into the Senior side.
The home side wasted little time asserting its authority, slamming through 10 first-quarter goals to open up a 65-point lead. Any hopes of a Creek fightback were quickly extinguished in a brutal second term as Carisbrook added another 12 majors.
Despite the scoreboard pressure, the Creekers continued to battle. Jack Larkin provided a rare highlight with a classy goal and continued the strong form that has made him one of the club’s most consistent performers this season.
To their credit, Campbells Creek produced its most competitive football after the main break. A defence under relentless pressure dug in throughout the third quarter, limiting Carisbrook to six goals. However, the absence of several key forwards left the visitors struggling to generate meaningful scoring opportunities.
Carisbrook finished strongly with another nine-goal final quarter to complete the comprehensive victory.
Dylan Stevens was back to his best for the Creekers, producing a tireless four quarter effort around the ground to be named best. James Haber, Isaac Fletcher, Jack Larkin, Mitchell Stevens and Tyson Williams also worked hard in difficult circumstances.
With a host of Senior players expected to return in the coming weeks, the Creekers will be confident that days like this will soon become a thing of the past.
Gas and Net Zero
Lisa Chesters MP, Federal Member for Bendigo
Gas is still needed for industry and homes who can’t currently electrify. That’s why Albanese Labor Government will introduce a domestic gas reservation scheme that will require gas exporters supply a proportion of their total production to the Australian market – equivalent to 20% of exports, from 1 July 2027 – ensuring Australians have the affordable gas they need. Gas has an important role to play in our energy system as we transition towards more renewable generated electricity. We are delivering through large scale solar and battery projects more cheap, clean reliable renewable energy to our energy grid.
The boom in home batteries and roof top solar means more renewable energy is being generated taking some pressure of the electricity grid.
Renewables already generate over 45% of Australia’s electricity and this is increasing. Australia is on track to reach 82% of electricity generated by renewable energy resources by 2030.
But not every business, manufacturer and home can electrify. Gas power generators can be turned on and off in a couple of minutes – providing the ultimate backstop in our energy grid. We do tax gas companies. The Petroleum Resource Rent Tax raised $1.4 billion this financial year giving Australians a greater return on profits gained through export contracts.
I know that some people would like us to go further and increase tax on gas but in time of global economic and political upheaval, there are good reasons to prioritise fuel supply and gas reservation. Labor’s domestic gas reservation scheme will. We’ll keep 20% of our gas here so prices are more affordable for Australians.
Kids rally against Maccas
Acknowledging the darkest chapters
Golden Plate honour for Five Flags
A call to action
Winton bound!
Irish musicians visit
Award-winning Irish musicians Colm Broderick and Niamh Dalton will be performing at the Ray Bradfield Room in Castlemaine this Saturday May 30.
Hailing from County Carlow, Colm Broderick is widely regarded as one of the leading uilleann pipers of his generation. A multiple All-Ireland champion, he received the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal in 2021 and was named TG4’s Ceoltóir Óg (Young Musician of the Year) in 2025.
In a rare honour, Colm has been entrusted with the set of pipes once owned by Liam O’Flynn of Planxty fame.
This is Colm’s second visit to Castlemaine. He performed here in 2023 and specifically asked that he do a return concert.
He is joined by celebrated concertina player Niamh Dalton from Gneeveguilla, County Kerry.
Niamh is steeped in the rich musical heritage of her native Sliabh Luachra and is deeply influenced by the music of her family and legendary musicians such as Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford. She is an important ambassador for the distinctive Sliabh Luachra style of playing.
Alongside her performing career, she is a respected teacher and tutor at leading traditional music events including Consairtín and the Willie Clancy Summer School.
Together, Broderick and Dalton bring a powerful combination of virtuosity, authenticity, and deep musical tradition. Audiences can expect an unforgettable evening of reels, jigs, airs, and stories from two of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians.
The concert forms part of the artists’ Australian tour, sponsored by Culture Ireland and the Celtic Piping Club, and offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class Irish traditional music in an intimate setting.
Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are available through Humanitix. Seating is strictly limited, so get in quick.
