The New Woodend Star

25/10/2024

🎃✨ Halloween is just around the corner! Join the Woodend Rotary Community Halloween Party on Thursday, October 31st, at the Woodend Children's Park!

It’s a free event full of fun, costumes, and delicious treats like fairy floss and a sausage sizzle. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Please confirm your attendance here for catering purposes: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1286028

03/10/2024

Join us Thursday 31st Oct for the Woodend Rotary Community Halloween Party 🎃 👻

A fun-filled costumed event held at the Woodend Children's Park and hosted by the Rotary Club of Woodend as a thank you to the community for supporting our projects and fundraising activity. It is a free event, that includes sausage sizzle, fairy floss and other treats.

To help us with catering we ask you to please confirm your attendance via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1286028

07/07/2024

Congratulations Pen Longton for receiving the Paul Harris Recognition award at our Woodend Rotary Changeover. It is given to a Rotarian or a member of the community that has made an outstanding contribution to the community. Thank you Pen for all your work.

09/05/2024

A free talk courtesy of Startup Central Victoria for aspiring or emerging businesspeople--while the event is being held in person in Bendigo, it's open to other central Victoria LGAs, including Macedon Range Shire, via a streaming link.

The event is free, but RSVPs are required--more detail behind the link.

Anyone can be a problem solver and entrepreneur. Just ask TV personality Jane Bunn!

Join us on Tuesday 28 May for a FREE lunch in Bendigo or via livestream to be inspired by her personal startup journey with Jane's Weather App.

Please register early as places are limited.

https://startupcv.com.au/events/janes-weather/

Campaspe Shire Council Committee for Echuca Moama Loddon Shire Council City of Greater Bendigo Be.Bendigo Emporium Creative Hub Young Professionals Network - Bendigo Bendigo Telco Central Goldfields Shire Council
Committee for Maryborough Business Mount Alexander Inc. Mount Alexander Shire Council Macedon Ranges Shire Council LaunchVic Rural Entrepreneurs & Business Bush Biz Boost North Central LLEN Goldfields LLEN La Trobe University, Bendigo Workspace Australia Australian Sheep and Wool Show

08/05/2024

This weekend, local author, editor and photographer Kathy Mexted will talk about The Lucky Ones with its author, Melinda Ham, foreign correspondent and author. Hosted by Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees.

Coming soon - Saturday 11 May …

Author Talk - In Conversation with Melinda Ham

Award winning Journalist and former foreign correspondent Melinda Ham will be talking with Author , Editor and photographer Kathy Mexted about her book The Lucky Ones.

A moving book about Refugee Stories from different generations, countries and cultures. It’s a window into the complex history of Australian refugee experiences.

Norma Richardson Hall
15 Buckland St Woodend
Saturday 11th May, 2pm-4pm
Tickets $20
https://www.trybooking.com/CQTRF

15/03/2024

Upcoming event Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees.

Local Trentham storyteller of 15 years, Peter Fernon, will perform one of the great poetic epics of antiquity, Homer’s Odyssey. It tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his 10-year journey home through Africa and Southern Europe after 10 years’ fighting in the Trojan war.

Peter himself has journeyed from journalism, teaching, then acting and singing to performance poetry. He has produced some of his own theatre and done shadow puppetry by which he discovered storytelling. Arts Atlas quotes him: “I discovered storytelling and there I stopped, for it seemed to me storytelling included all the things I had become interested in.”

His recent works include the “Doctor,” about Gweneth Wisewould, a GP in Trentham from 1938-1972, as well as a production using research from members of his family to produce a five-generation saga of his family called the “Wheel”. Other works include, “Courage Now and Then” from the Trentham Hostel and “The Emerald Dragon” from Bullarto Primary School amongst others.

It is an apt choice by Peter to perform Odyssey as a fundraiser for refugees - hosted by the Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees - as it enables the audience to reflect on the refugees’ epic journey endured to reach our shores. Unfortunately, their journey is yet to end. Storytelling enables the listener audience to go on a journey of understanding - something that is sorely missing when it comes to our understanding of refugees forced to flee for their lives.

Odyssey presented by Peter Fernon, is being staged on Saturday 16th March at Norma Richardson Hall, Woodend. Doors open 7.30 for 8pm start. Tickets/donations at the door. Proceeds go to the Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees. All welcome.

15/03/2024

Considering giving your time? Attend the Macedon Ranges Community Volunteer Expo to explore various volunteering opportunities available in the community.

Visit the Woodend Community Centre tomorrow, Saturday March 16th from 11am - 2pm

26/02/2024

We've extended the deadline to get on the map for the Woodend Whole Town Garage Sale!

📍 Registrations now close Wednesday 28th February at midnight.

Book via our website or pop into the Woodend Neighbourhood House between 9am - 3pm Monday to Friday.

https://www.socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=20771

26/02/2024

Woodenders, you are all invited to join the Macedon Ranges Relay For Life on 2 March! 2024 is the twenty-second year that this iconic community event has been run in the Macedon Ranges.

For all information, further queries, and to register or donate, click below.

Relay For Life is a global movement that brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember loved ones lost and fight back against cancer.

11/01/2024

You are all invited to celebrate Australia this Friday 26th of January with Woodend Rotary at the Woodend RSL

Gates open at 12pm and free lunch to all that come.

Register your attendance using the QR code or the link provided

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1148901

17/12/2023

Many residents frequenting the Woodend Golf Club golf course may have noticed a directional monument near the current 17th green. John Townsend, inquisitive about its origin, placement, and purpose, has undertaken extensive research with the support of the Woodend & District Heritage Society, Council archives, and others.

Based on gathered information and interpretation of the directional tablet, it is believed that the structure dates back to approximately 1900. Records confirm its existence in 1933, with indications suggesting it might have been erected in the late 1800s.

John encourages the community to share any family tales or knowledge related to the monument, hoping to uncover more details through collective recall. Those with information can reach out to him at [email protected].

Submitted by John Townsend

14/12/2023

This year we are saying goodbye to the stalwart leaders of 1st Woodend Scouts:

Pam Lenders, Marli Traill, Elaine Young, and Colleen Dwyer-Grey.

With a collective 125 years of wisdom, their impact extends beyond Scouting into the broader community.

For years, 1st Woodend Scouts has been a haven for Macedon Ranges youth. Pam, Marli, Elaine, and Colleen, armed with outdoor expertise, shaped generations, emphasising self-leadership and resilience.

As these leaders embark on new chapters, their impact remains indelible. With gratitude for 125 years of dedication, we bid them farewell!

12/12/2023

A thank you message from Ben:

Hi everyone! I have now braved the shave! In October, I decided to start raising money for brain cancer because my grandfather was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.

Thank you for all your support, look at how much we have raised together! With your help, we have raised over $8,000, and I hope to raise even more before Christmas.

I know I can’t fix Pa's cancer, but I hope this fundraiser will help other people live beautiful lives.

The Walter and Eliza Institute have invited Pa and me to go on a tour soon, which I am so excited about. I get to see the labs and experiments and see where they work on finding a cure.
You can visit my fundraising page at https://bit.ly/bens-shave

Thank you.

📇 Story submitted by Ben Sumpter

10/12/2023

Ed Irons, the 70-year-old bookshop owner, lights up Goodstart Early Learning Centre every Wednesday! 🎩📖 Dressed in his trademark style, Ed reads captivating stories, fostering a love for books in little ones. 💖 Kids eagerly await his arrival—pure excitement!

Ed is passionate about promoting literacy at all levels, addressing parents' concerns about screens replacing books. He emphasises the lasting impact of early reading, creating a lifelong association for young children. A typical session involves two stories, followed by engaging questions and comments

The Centre actively invites skilled volunteers to provide diverse experiences for children.

📇 Story submitted by Ed Irons

08/12/2023

On Remembrance Day 2023, the Woodend RSL and 150 community members gathered, joined by WWII veteran Joy Damon, an RAAF flight mechanic. President John McCausland, a peacekeeping operations veteran, spoke of November 11's importance, emphasising values from Charles Bean—courage, endurance, sacrifice, and mateship.

McCausland recognised local schools for imparting Remembrance values to students. Senior students from five schools presented readings,

- Woodend Primary School, “A Poem for Remembrance Day’;
- Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, “The 11th of November”;
- St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, “In Flanders Fields’;
- Newham Primary School, “To the Sunburnt Ear’;
- Hesket Primary School, “For the Fallen”.

Braemar College Cadet Unit provided the catafalque party and flag orderlies. The Ode from “For the Fallen” was delivered by Vietnam veteran Mr David Crockett. At the end of the service, wreaths were laid at the RSL Cenotaph by local support and service groups and school representatives.

In closing the service, Mr McCausland thanked the community for its generous support to the Poppy Appeal, which raised around $9,200 for the support of veterans.

02/11/2023

As summer approaches, it’s time to start talking about bushfires. To help start the conversation, Woodend CFA wants to know what questions you have about fire.

Scan the QR code or head to their stall at the Woodend Farmer’s Market this Saturday.

19/10/2023

📣 Calling all budding photographers of Woodend! 📣

Share your pictures with us! 📸

Submit your favourite pictures of locals, landscapes and events and we’ll try and feature them in an edition or online 🍁

We’re always pleasantly surprised with the wonderful content locals submit, we can't wait to see more!

Email: [email protected] 📲 and be sure to include your details or the details of who to credit!

📸 via KGMG Creative