Going On in the Goldfields

14/06/2024

The Vinelander departed from Maryborough to Spencer Street Station on Tuesday, following its journey up to Mildura and back! 🚆

13/06/2024

NAIDOC Celebrations will take place at the Maryborough Pony Club on Thursday 27th of Jun from 10am until 2pm.

The day will begin with a cleansing of bad spirits, a Welcome to Country, and a Smoking Ceremony.

Also featuring will be netball and footy clinics, a Baarlinjan dance group performance, and activities, crafts, painting, BBQ, stalls, displays and giveaways.

"Keep the fire burning, blak, loud and proud," urged event organisers.

07/06/2024

Tag someone you think should run for Council! 🏛️

🤔Have you considered standing for Council in 2024?

✍️Every four years, Central Goldfield Shire residents vote to elect councillors to represent our local community.

🕰The next Council Election will be held on Saturday 26 October, 2024.

ℹ️ The Municipal Association of Victoria are hosting a series of candidate information sessions to support participants to understand more about the process.

📌The next session to be held that is closest to our Shire - is on Wednesday 17 July in Bendigo.

👉 To find out more, including session times and dates, visit wwww.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/stand4council

25/05/2024

Central Goldfields Wildlife Rescue are looking for volunteers to assist with the daily care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife! 🦘

We need more volunteers 🙋‍♀️ 🙌🦘🤩

Assist with the daily care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife by becoming a shelter helper 🤩

We are looking for volunteers who can donate time on a weekly basis to help us with the upkeep, cleaning roo pens, aviaries, preparing feeds and general day to day operations at the shelter 🦘

You must be
- over 18
- compassionate
- reliable
- commit to a minimum of 3 hours weekly

Gain hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation, make a meaningful impact on animal welfare, and join a supportive community of fellow volunteers, whether it be a stepping stone to become a future wildlife carer or you just would like to make a difference and volunteer your time.

We need volunteers for both morning and afternoon shifts, weekdays and weekends!

To find out more or to discuss further, please send us a message with any questions 🤩🦘

23/05/2024

Central Goldfields Shire Council's Nolan Street building has been lit up in blue to raise awareness of Huntington's Disease! 🔵

💙 Our Council building in Nolan Street is doing the blues tomorrow tonight!
We're lighting it up with 🔵blue🔵 to raise awareness of Huntington's Disease.

🧠 It's a brain condition that is irreversible, affecting people's movement and coordination. It's usually genetic - but not always. While symptoms most commonly begin from 30 years upwards, there's also a juvenile version from around 18 and up.

👷👖 You can wear blue clothing, dye your hair blue or decorate your home or office in blue. The options are endless to get your blue on! 👟👔

For further information visit Huntington's Victoria at:
https://huntingtonsvic.org.au/go-blue-may-22/

18/05/2024

Central Goldfields Shire Council are currently flying diversity flags outside the Maryborough Railway Station in recognition of IDAHOBIT (International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intesexphobia and Transphobia). 🏳️‍🌈

16/05/2024

Central Goldfields Shire Council are inviting everyone to attend a community information session next week to learn more about its controversial Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.

The session will take place on Tuesday 21st May at 5:15pm, running until 6.30pm at Maryborough's Community Hub at 48 Burns Street. Registrations are not necessary.

12/05/2024

Congratulations to these new local road users! 👏🏼‍ 🚘

06/05/2024

Congrats to these two new local drivers! 👏🏼‍ 🚘

03/05/2024

Regional Victorians of Colour will host the Harambee Homework Club every Tuesday afternoon during the school term at the Old Church on the Hill in Bendigo. 📝

02/05/2024

Concerns over a community meeting designed to give the illusion of choice about the Victorian Government’s proposal to shut the gate on the use of the Central Highlands State Forest. 🌳

What are your thoughts? 💬

28/04/2024

Well done guys and girls, welcome to the road! 👏🏼

27/04/2024

Beautiful wallabies! 🦘🦘🦘

25/04/2024

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation has clarified Forest Gardening is not logging, and that its works in the Wombat State Forest have been confused with such. 🪵

Forest Gardening is not logging.
It is healing Country.
It includes cultural thinning and cultural burning.
It represents many thousands of years of land management experience.
In recent media and publications, DJAARA’s 2022 storm recovery works in the Wombat State Forest have been confused with Forest Gardening.
DJAARA's storm recovery works were separate from our Forest Gardening activities, which are about recreating a healthy, bio-diverse forest ecosystem.
To be clear: DJAARA is no longer involved in any storm recovery works in the Wombat State Forest, and we have no legal authority to influence those works.
Follow us to find out about our forthcoming Forest Gardening webinar.



Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland Lily D'Ambrosio MP
The Australian National University
Allen & Unwin Books
Dr Monique Ryan

23/04/2024

The Council meeting is now LIVE! 🔴

22/04/2024

Congratulations to the Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett, and her partner, Sam, on the exciting announcement! 👶🏼 ✨

Some very happy news from Sam and me. There’ll be a new member of our family in October. 👶🏼 ✨

11/04/2024

A belated congratulations to these new road users! 🚘

02/04/2024

On behalf of the Victorian Government, Central Goldfields Shire Council is continuing to encourage local residents to get their covid shots.

31/03/2024

The State of Things with the Member for Maryborough's region of Western Victoria, Joe McCracken.

27/03/2024

The Member for Northern Victoria, Georgie Purcell, has asked the Government why it refuses to listen to the public about their concerns with ongoing kangaroo shooting. 🩸🦘🔫

Last week I asked the Government why it refuses to listen to the public about their concerns with ongoing kangaroo shooting.

The Government undertook public consultation for the 2024-2028 Kangaroo Harvest Management Program, and hundreds of people gave their feedback.

It was clear that the community had concerns with every aspect of this government sanctioned slaughter, including how close shooting occurs to residential homes.

And yet, none of these issues were addressed in the final report.

Kangaroos in Northern Victoria are subject to one of the highest shooting quotas, despite councils in the area calling for exclusions and communities speaking out against the industry.

What will it take for them to listen?

24/03/2024

Many people were sad to see the ribbons removed from Ballarat's LOUD Fence yesterday due to maintenance on the fence. 🎗️

22/03/2024

The Maryborough-Castlemaine Rail Trail has received $20,000 from the Bendigo & Adelaide Bank. 💰 🚶🏻‍♂️

Wonderful to receive $20,000 from Bendigo Bank; Today's announcement in The Maryborough District Advertiser - see pic - thanks everyone.

17/03/2024

The LEAD Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program group recently made the visit to Maryborough! ✨

ℹ️ Today our Visitor Center was fortunate to have the LEAD Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program group visit our region, with our Mayor Liesbeth Long CGSC.

☝️The group were impressed with the Railway Station Activation Project and our fabulous new interactive and interpretive resources 🙌

15/03/2024

Central Goldfields Shire Councillor Liesbeth Long has published her latest Councillor column, which covers the recent bushfires.

"Two weeks ago, bushfires raged in a neighbouring shire. In response, Council set up an Emergency Relief Centre at Princes Park, open seven days straight."

"The centre was for those directly affected who were asked to evacuate their homes."

"I visited most days and was blown away by the outpouring of support. Our Shire staff, from our Acting CEO to the Customer Service Team and everyone in between, manned the centre around the clock - over 500 hours! All this on top of ‘business as usual’ for the Shire. I cannot thank them enough for their dedication to our neighbours in need."

"Plus there were animals and pets, some 30 dogs, 20 goats, 6 cats, 3 caged birds and chickens."

"But it wasn’t just Council that stepped up. Volunteers were there from the Red Cross, VCC Emergencies Ministries, St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army, who prepared approximately 1400 meals in their mobile food van over seven days including breakfast, lunch and dinner."

"Then there were the supporting agencies: Department of Family, Fairness and Housing, Central Highlands Water, the Department of Health and Victoria Police."

"And finally, a shout out to our local businesses from large national corporations to small family-owned businesses who donated to the centre."

"As Mayor, I was humbled beyond belief to see everyone rally. Nobody wants to see our Shire in emergency situations. However, it gives real comfort knowing that when they do occur, we are ready and able to snap into action."

"I thank you all."

08/03/2024

The Ballarat community united tonight under a heavy heart as many gathered at Eureka Stockade Park for a vigil in memory of Samantha Murphy. The tragic news of her murder left a deep wound, and the gathering served as a space for shared grief, reflection, and support.

A sea of candles flickered in the evening air, casting a warm glow on the faces etched with sorrow. Tributes poured in, with friends and family sharing stories of Samantha's kindness, warmth, and vibrant spirit. The park, a symbol of resilience and community spirit, became a stage for collective strength in the face of tragedy.

The Ballarat community has always stood strong, and this time was no different. The vigil was a testament to the power of compassion, love, and coming together during hardship.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Samantha's family and loved ones. May they find comfort in the outpouring of support from the wonderful Ballarat and surrounding community.

28/02/2024

Great to see rain falling in the fire zone! 🌧️

26/02/2024

Horrific scenes were experienced by the Beaufort Fire Brigade This in the early hours of Thursday morning! 🚛 🔥 :'(

26/02/2024

Great to see people donating to Central Goldfields Wildlife Rescue, which has allowed them to replace vital equipment to help the local wildlife! 🦘 🙏🏻

I would like to say a huge thank you to those who donated, I am able to replace my equipment which has been vital to being able to help our wildlife.
I can't thank our community enough for the support!! 🥰
I would also like to thank Brian, a fellow rescuer who kindly made the trip over to Maryborough to lend me a spare until a new one arrives (which will be hopefully this week!!)

The piece of equipment that broke was a captive bolt device, this is used commonly by rescuers to provide humane euthanasia to animals suffering. As a majority of the rescues I attend are kangaroo road trauma cases, this piece of equipment is absolutely vital to the work I do.

I can't thank everyone enough for their generosity and support 💜🦘
I would also like to express my gratitude to fellow rescuers, who have offered assistance & advice over the past days.

Yesterday, I travelled to a kangaroo in carisbrook who was hit by a vehicle - with a broken leg and spine.
A lizard in Maryborough, with spinal damage and trauma to its body.
Then it was off to Moonambel to a large adult roo, who was suffering from infection from a wound on his neck, closing his airways. 💔

25/02/2024

Central Goldfields Wildlife Rescue has provided an important update on the bushfires. 🔥🦘

🦘BUSHFIRE UPDATE🦘

As we know, the out of control bushfire in Buangor has decimated state forest, homes and threatened many communities, including our own.

Currently the fire grounds are to dangerous to enter. So we are relying on members of the community who are still in the affected areas, as well as our heroic volunteer firefighters and department staff of Parks, FFM & DEECA to be assisting and getting what wildlife they can out safely.
We are eager to get out there and help our wildlife, but we also need to allow our CFA to work unhindered and assess our own safety.

We are currently networking with people on the scene as well as other Shelters, rescuers, transporters and those willing to help.

Right now, do not require anything, many are asking what we need but as animals start to come in, we will put requests for assistance of items to Warriors 4 Wildlife who are here to support Shelters, as well as our broader community. But if we do require anything, we will ask for help 💜🦘

It will be over the coming weeks that animals will be coming through, between myself and the beautiful people in our network, we will do our best to provide support to the wildlife impacted.

Recent Grampians fire has seen multiple fire victims go into care at Wildwood Wildlife Shelter - Gariwerd, so remember, to please support your local Shelters and rescuers during these disasters. As this new fire unfolds, we can't forget about the victims and survivors from other recent events.

Right now the wildlife world needs UNITY. We need to work together, for the best possible outcomes for wildlife.
We need wildlife to go where the Shelters are equipped to deal with such complex critical care cases.
We need to utilise our network of rescuers, transporters and those willing to help.

Beaufort and surrounds has been an area I've provided wildlife rescue services to over the past 4 years, and I intend on continuing so with the help of our network.

Remember it costs nothing to be kind, and right now we kindness, unity and to work together.

See below; a healthy mob, who escaped the fires at Main Lead (24/02/24)

THANK YOU 🦘🦘🦘🦘

24/02/2024

⚠️ The Emergency Relief Centre in Ballarat has closed, while the ones at Princes Park (Maryborough) and Alexandra Oval (Ararat) remain open. ⚠️

Please note, the Emergency Relief Centre in Ballarat has closed.

Two Emergency Relief Centres are available in Maryborough and Ararat for those who need them.

Ararat
Alexandra Oval Community Centre
Waratah Avenue
Ararat

Maryborough
40 Park Road
Maryborough