The Castlemaine Mail looks back at pages from our archives in this monthly column.
20 years ago
February 14, 2003
New life for old lady. Former Guildford Hotel owner Siro Scopel was preparing to breathe new life into the historic old music hall at the rear of the hotel, which was once a pivotal part of life in Guildford. Tom Hall is pictured inside the music hall before it was restored with works carried out on the stage, roof, floors and old gaol! The hall has hosted many events in the years since including the Guildford Banjo Jamboree. In other news police were trying to track down the person responsible for lighting a fire at the rear of Tobins Lane in Maldon and 25 nominations had been received for the council elections.
15 years ago
February 8, 2008
The worst-kept secret around Castlemaine was finally out of the bag with the official announcement that food giant George Weston Foods Limited intended to acquire KR Castlemaine. The acquisition was subject to regulatory (ACCC) and other approvals and brought together two iconic Australian companies – KR Castlemaine and Don Smallgoods. A decision by Bendigo Radiology at Mount Alexander Hospital (now Dhelkaya Health) to discontinue bulk billing for Health Care Card holders was impacting local residents, with patients having to pay the full fee for services up front before receiving a rebate from medicare.
10 years ago
February 15, 2013
The Castlemaine pokies battle came to a close. The Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) knocked back a bid by the Maryborough Highland Society to open a gaming venue with 65 pokies in the old railway goods shed in Kennedy Street, Castlemaine. Council and local community group EPIC welcomed the decision concerned about the potential detrimental impact on the shire. Maryborough Highland Society accepted the decision and opted not to push ahead with any further bids to create a venue in the town, whilst supporters Castlemaine Sports and Community Club were disappointed in the lost opportunity.
5 years ago
February 23, 2018
Harcourt’s new mountain bike park La Larr Ba Gauwa Mountain Bike Park was almost ready for launch. The park features 34 kilometres of track and 11 trails. The park officially opened on the March long weekend and has welcomed scores of visitors over the last five years. Mourners were able to farewell loved ones with a casket in Mount Alexander Shire parks and green spaces while council worked to adopt a formal position on the sensitive issue. Council had earlier banned the practice after complaints from members of the public distressed at encountering a casket at a service in the botanical gardens.
