Curtain opens on festival jubilee
The wait is over! Australia's longest-running regional arts festival is celebrating its 50th year. The 2026 Castlemaine State Festival opens this evening with a...
Behind the scenes of the inaugural state festival
A prison workforce, two very different committees and a stack of chair dramas, the behind-the-scenes of the inaugural Castlemaine State Festival were somewhat akin...
Big polluters foot the bill
Lily Tuck
Mount Alexander Shire councillors have backed a push to make major polluters help pay for the growing cost of climate damage.The shire has...
Dancers to descend for summit
Dancers, educators and dance professionals from across regional Victoria will gather in Castlemaine for a full day of movement, creativity and connection at the...
Petrol prices soar – Independents and farmers worst hit
As the impacts of the war in the Middle East filter through to Australia, soaring fuel costs and scarcity fears are at the forefront...
Movie Soundtracks, big band energy and community courage
Castlemaine IDYLL returns to Lot19 this Saturday March 14 for its sixteenth-ish year, bringing together locals, live band complete with big horns and serious...
FOCAL farewelled
The Friends of Castlemaine Library (FOCAL) has wound up after 30 years of providing friendship, advocacy and fundraising support to the Castlemaine Library.FOCAL members...
Inclusive playground on the way for Chewton
Students at Chewton Primary School will benefit from an upgraded, outdoor, inclusive learning space from 2027.Principal Bernadette McKenna said the small school has a...
Trial pole protection for bushfire prone areas
Victoria’s largest electricity distributor Powercor is trialling a new product designed to protect power poles during bushfires, strengthening the power network for regional communities...
Baked with love
A dedicated group of parent volunteers from Harcourt Valley Primary School have been busy baking a record number of apple pies for the school's...
Bold vision for the future
Local sporting groups have united to create a bold new vision for the upgrade of the Elsie Palmer Field that will support both cricket...
The roof that couldn’t roof
Students at Newstead Primary School are now enjoying upgraded and modernised facilities and a leak-proof roof!When Newstead Primary School Principal Kathy Callander started at...