The Castlemaine district community turned out in force for the annual Rotary Carols in the Park event in Victory Park last Friday evening.
Participants enjoyed a host of carols performed by Thompson’s Foundry Band, Castlemaine Pride Choir led by Scott Buchanan, Macapella, the budding young musicians from Just Brass, young singers Gen Alpha led by Scott Sanderson, a group of Solomon Island singers, and local soloists including Meg Corson.
Sound engineer Calum McClure even got in on the act sharing a rendition of one of his grandfather’s favourite carols – ‘It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas’.
The Castlemaine Lions Club were on hand with a barbecue to keep help carolers warm up on what was a chilly evening, and the man in the red suit made an appearance and was swamped by eager youngsters.
Thanks to the success of their recent Truck Show and earlier Art Show, the Rotary Club of Castlemaine were pleased to present $31,200 in donations on the night to a number of community groups to ensure they have a ‘Merry Christmas’ and can continue their good work into 2023.
Among those to receive support were: Thompsons Foundry Band $1000, Castlemaine SES $1000, St Vinnies $2000, The Salvation Army $2000, Pride Choir $500, Castlemaine CFA $1000, Castlemaine Safe Space $1000, Campbells Creek Grounds Committee/ Campbells Creek FNC/ Campbells Creek Trotting Club $4599, Castlemaine 1st Pioneer Scouts $600, Newstead Men’s Shed $500, Castlemaine Men’s shed $500, Campbells Creek Fire Brigade $1500, Campbells Creek Primary School $500, South Castlemaine Kinder $500, Castlemaine State Festival $3000, Castlemaine Gift $2000, Community House Christmas Lunch $500, Castlemaine Jazz Festival $3000, Castlemaine Art Museum $5000, and Chewton Fire Brigade $500.
The gift giving continued with representatives from the Mount Alexander Community Enterprise (MtACE) also on hand to distribute grants to local organisations.
The Mt ACE Community Grants Program is funded by our local Castlemaine branch of Bendigo Bank. When you bank with any branch of the Bendigo Bank anywhere in Australia, you can nominate to have your accounts linked to one of the Community Grants programs. In Castlemaine there are two programs, both auspiced by Mt Alexander Community Enterprise.
For many years, Mt ACE funds were primarily funnelled in to the Wesley Hill Sports Complex. Over $100,000 was contributed by Bendigo Bank though Mt Alexander Community Grants to that project!
The other major project of Mt ACE is the Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre which is in the process of repurposing part of the old Etty St Campus of Castlemaine Secondary School.
If you are a Bendigo Bank customer and wish to further support our community just ask the friendly staff at your Bendigo Bank to link you accounts to the Mt ACE Project Number of your choice.
The following Mt ACE grants were distributed on the night: Castlemaine Gift $1000, Castlemaine Heath L2P Project $1000, Castlemaine Community House – Christmas Lunch and Community Lunch Program $1000, Salvation Army Castlemaine Corps – Christmas Hampers $2000, and St Vincent de Paul Society Castlemaine $1000.