Castlemaine Mail

21/12/2024

~My Harcourt & Castlemaine with Melva Graham~

A keen writer since she was a child, Melva has written and published three books, one full of Australian sayings, another a book of jokes and the third a cookbook she titled Snakes Bum on a Biscuit.

20/12/2024

The fire in the Grampians is showing no signs of slowing down. At 6pm it had consumed over 13,000ha of bushland. At 8am this morning, it was over 28,000ha. This is an unexpected rate of growth. Our thoughts go out to all involved in this fire.
Smoke will be visible on occasions depending on prevailing wind speed and direction. You can expect to have more evenings of smoke haze similar to last night for a while to come.

Please be careful this summer.

20/12/2024

This was approximately 15:00 hours today in Ballarat smoke from the Grampians. The smoke drift is starting to come into the Mount Alexander Shire area . We ask people to be aware and always use the Vic Emergency App for information about fires in the area. Please call 000 only if you see fire

20/12/2024

It was an action-packed council meeting on Tuesday, as the newly elected councillors got their teeth stuck into some juicy issues.

It was an action-packed council meeting on Tuesday, as the newly elected councillors got their teeth stuck into some juicy issues ranging from a controversial planning matter to the relocation of Castlemaine Secondary College's Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program from Etty Street to the redevelo...

20/12/2024

More than 50 farmers, backyard growers and equine trainers across the region grabbed their cameras (or phones) and started capturing creative images of farm life to submit to the Growing Mount Alexander Photo Competition.

https://castlemainemail.com.au/latest-news/2024/12/20/showcasing-the-regions-farming-and-agriculture/

20/12/2024

Castlemaine Secondary College was celebrating its high achievers this week after ATAR results were released for the class of 2024 last Thursday.

Castlemaine Secondary College was celebrating its high achievers this week after ATAR results were released for the class of 2024 last Thursday.

19/12/2024

Victoria Police has teamed up with support services to encourage anyone to seek help if they are concerned about family violence this festive season.

While Christmas is a time to get together and celebrate, we know it’s not always the case for some families.

Crime Statistics Agency figures show during December last year, there was an average of 279 family violence incidents per day across the state.

On Christmas Day alone, 372 family violence incidents were recorded.

Assistant Commissioner of the Family Violence Command Lauren Callaway is encouraging Victorians to “come together and look out for signs of family violence, so that we can keep everyone safe.”

If you or someone close to you discloses they are a victim of family violence, please believe them, and encourage them to contact police or a specialist support service.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is Victoria’s statewide 24/7 crisis support service for anyone experiencing family violence – call 1800 015 188 or use their Web Chat available weekdays between 9am to midnight by visiting safesteps.org.au/webchat

No to Violence runs the Men’s Referral Service which helps men who use violence change their behaviour. If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s behaviour, call 1300 766 491.

Safe and Equal provide policy and advocacy expertise, resources and training for organisations and professionals working to end family violence – visit safeandequal.org.au for more.

19/12/2024

Police have arrested a 21-year-old Castlemaine man following an alleged armed robbery that occurred on the 17th of December.

It's alleged the Castlemaine man attended multiple stores in the Castlemaine CBD making threats and stealing alcohol.

The man was located and arrested immediately after the incident.
The man has been charged with Armed Robbery, Theft, Make Threats To Kill, Resist Police, Assault and Damage related offences and has been remanded to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates Court in April 2025.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any footage is urged to contact the Castlemaine Police Station on 5470 4100 or make a confidential report online at: www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

16/12/2024

WATCH & ACT - BUSHFIRE - Leave Now
Incident Location: Melbourne Rd, Creswick
Issue Date: Monday 16 December 2024, 07:06 pm
Next Update: Monday 16 December 2024, 09:10 pm

More details at http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ #!/warning/34935/moreinfo

This Watch and Act message is being issued for Dean, Newlyn, Newlyn North, Springmount.

- There is a bushfire at Melbourne Rd, Creswick that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Creswick Road, Creswick in a south-easterly direction towards Howards Road, Wattle Flat.
- A wind change is expected around 7.00pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Dean and Mollongghip. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.
- This bushfire could impact Dean and Mollongghip any time between 7pm and 8pm.

Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.

13/12/2024

The goldrush, urbanisation and channelisation have so severely degraded Forrest Creek in Castlemaine that it is no longer recognisable.

Now, after almost a decade of work by the Castlemaine Landcare Group, the federal government has committed $1.8 million to restore the urban waterway.

The goldrush, urbanisation and channelisation have so severely degraded Forrest Creek in Castlemaine that it is no longer recognisable.

09/12/2024

Congratulations to the Castlemaine Cannons on winning the 2024 CBL Championship!

Champs 🏆

06/12/2024

The latest edition of the Mail is out today. Don't forget to grab your free copy of our '2025 The Way Were Calendar' with today's edition. Extra copies will be available for sale at our office at 13 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine from next Friday December 13 for just $3.
The Castlemaine Cannons Country Basketball League squad has made history winning its way through to the grand final showdown against the Bendigo Braves at the Red Energy Arena this Saturday evening, December 7. Catch our grand final spread in today's Mail. Photo: Peter Banko. https://castlemainemail.com.au/sports/2024/12/06/cannons-create-history/

05/12/2024

The latest edition of the Mail is out today. Don't forget to grab your free copy of our '2025 The Way Were Calendar' with today's edition. Extra copies will be available for sale at our office at 13 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine from next Friday December 13 for just $3.
The Five Flags Hotel at Campbells Creek and the Maldon Bakery won their respective categories at the 2024 Golden Plate Awards at Geelong’s ARC centre on Monday evening.
The Five Flags claimed the honours for 'Best Pub Dining' and Maldon Bakery won 'Best Unlicenced Café or Bakery'. https://castlemainemail.com.au/latest-news/2024/12/06/goldendouble/

05/12/2024

Mount Alexander Shire Council is proud to present a special screening of the documentary film Purpose, at the Theatre Royal Castlemaine tomorrow, Friday December 6.
This free afternoon event begins at 12.30pm and invites the community to explore how economies can better serve people, the environment, and our collective future.
A panel discussion with global and local experts will follow the film, offering people a chance to engage in this important conversation.
Purpose is a ground-breaking documentary film that follows political economists Katherine Trebeck and Lorenzo Fioramonti as they reimagine economic success beyond GDP.
Instead, they focus on systems that prioritise human and environmental wellbeing.
Purpose also examines the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) project and Italy’s efforts to implement these ideas in public policy.
Dr Katherine Trebeck, a globally recognised advocate for the wellbeing economy, will introduce the film and participate in a Q & A session following the screening.
Joining her will be Warwick Smith, Program Director of the Wellbeing Economy at the Centre for Policy Development and co-founder of the Castlemaine Institute, and Merryn Tinkler, the council’s Manager of Economy and Culture.
The event is free, but seats are limited. Secure your place through Humanitix at: https://events.humanitix.com/purpose-film-screening-and-q-and-a &a

04/12/2024

CFA North West Region Community Safety invites you to come along to a free Fire Safety Essentials session at the Castlemaine Fire Station next Tuesday December 10 at 7pm to assist you about how to be best prepared for this fire season.