Midland Express Tuesday April 15 2025

Explore our golden past

Donatedlandindoubt

AmyHume

Descendants of Humphrey Dixonhave challenged plans forretirementagedcare living on land in Gisborne donatedfor community healthcarepurposes.

Benetas has applied to remove building restrictions on the land forits project through acombined planning scheme amendment(C147macr)and planning permit.

Theamendmentseeks to rezone the land from its currentSpecial UseZone, Schedule 4PrivateHospital to General Residential Zone, and remove arestric-

tivecovenant.

Humphrey Dixondonatedthe land for the former Gisborne and District Bush Nursing Hospital, which operated from 1958 to 1997.

Michael Dhillon told the Express his family, direct descendants of Mr Dixon, wanted the original intent forthe land honoured.

"The possible rezoning is an affrontto the gifting of asignificantasset(intended) for'whole of community' benefit,"hesaid.

"Should the land be rezoned, the current valueofthe land should be paid for by the developer and used forthe greater Gisborne community. Thevalue of that

ELECTRIC BLANKETS

assetshould be retained in some way. The intention wasalwaysthatthe land donation benefited as manypeople as possible: nota select fewwho can afford it."

"Rezoning forBenetas' benefit would create adisincentivefor futurecommunity minded donations of significance. The 1950s wasnot thatlongago."

This is notthe first time the Dixonfamily has facedthis problem. They were among 18 families to donate land to theirlocal school foruse as apine plantation and bird sanctuary in the 1920s.

As reported in the Express,thatsitehas sincebeen declared surplustoneeds and

referred to theDepartmentofTransport and Planning to facilitate its sale. Community membersare nowcalling forittobe returned to community use.

SUBMITTERS HEARD

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil heard from submitterstothe Benetas proposalat aPlanning DelegatedCommittee meeting last week.

Theapplication attracted 21 submissions with three in support and 18 objections. Amajority of those objectors referenced the original intent of the Dixon land donation in theiropposition. Continued page2

Explorethe history behind our golden pastaspart of the highly anticipatedThe AlchemyofGold event, coming up next month in Castlemaine. Pictured areartist ClaytonTremlett and historianKacey Sinclair with areplica of the Hand of Faith nugget.Story,page2

Donatedlandindoubt

From page1

Objector Phillipa Butler said it was"immoraltowrite-off the donation conditions on land thatwas given by afamily that gave so much to thelocal community"

"Retirementliving is apopular model forcommercial developments and thereare anynumber of sites in Gisborne currently and within areas slated fordevelopmentinNew Gisborne thatcould house such adevelopment."

Thecovenantcurrently restricts the land to be used forthe purposes of only a‘hospital, nursing home or similaruse’. It also establishes thatthe land can only be used as a‘public park’if the land wasnot used fora ‘hospital, nursing home or similar use’within a20-year time limit from the transfer in 1987. It also restricts anyfurther subdivision, sale, transfer or otherwise method to disposesaid land bounded by Robertson, Neal and Hamilton streets.

Supportersofthe Benetas proposal spoketoaneed forthis type of developmentinthe town andhighlightedopportunities forcommunity connection.

Andrew Graywas thetownplanning consultantacting for Benetas andaddressed councillorslast week.

"This site wasformerlyownedbyMacedon Ranges Health, acommunity-basedorganisation, and the members had a vision to develop asenior living precinct on the Gisborne site thatwas also shared by Benetas, and wasoverwhelmingly supported by its membersaspartofthe amalgamation in 2017," he said.

"Allowing developmentofland foraffordable retirement living and to provide an integrated retirementagedcarefacility will allow forageing in placeand the ability forresidents to move from independentliving to assisted living and into more comprehensivecareasprovided in the aged carefacility."

PROCESS

SO FAR

Thecouncil received the Benetas application in August 2021, and in April2023 soughtauthorisation from the Minster forPlanning to prepareand exhibit the planning scheme amendmentC147macr andplanningpermit PLN/2022/ 354.

Minister authorisation in March2024 saw the combined amendmentplanning permit publicly exhibited forfeedback in June/July

Theamendmentwas putonhold while aCultural Heritage ManagementPlan wasprogressed with Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural HeritageAboriginal Corporation.

Alarge artefact scatter of morethan900 pieces is located registered within the property parcel.

Thecouncil wasnotified on March19thatin-principle support wasreached between the parties in relation to theCHMP

Thecouncil is expected to determine the applicationinMay

Exploreour goldenpast

Lisa Dennis

Explorethe history behind the region's golden past as part of the highly anticipated TheAlchemyofGold event, which will takeplaceinCastlemaine from May16to18.

Thethree-dayforumwill bring together morethan 40 experts, historians and community memberstoexplore howthe discovery of gold in Victoria in the 1850s reshaped the state economically,environmentally,socially and politically

Part of the National Trust's Australian HeritageFestival, TheAlchemyofGold is aseriesoflectures, workshops and field visits thatwill takeplaceinand around Castlemaine.

Theevent is facilitatedbyCastlemaine Historical Society Inc, Castlemaine Society,Chewton Domain Society, Maldon Museum, andthe Castlemaine Pioneersand Old Residents Association.

The Express metwith organising committeemember RogerArchbold, one of the featured speakers,Chewtonbased historian KaceySinclair,and one of the workshop facilitators,Castlemaine artist Clayton Tremlett, to discuss whatparticipants could expect

Rogersaid the eventoffered an inspiring and thoughtprovoking programdesigned to illuminate the Victorian goldfields' rich history and its transformativeimpact on the state.

Historian KaceySinclair will talk on 'When Women Speak: Newwaystosee thegoldfields through the letters and testimonies of women'–shedding lightonthe individuals who helped shape Australia's past

Many will know Kaceyfromher involvementinhonouring the lifeofCastlemaine's FannyFinch –one of the first European women to vote in apolitical election in Australia.

Sincethattime Kaceyhas gone on to research the lives of countless women on the goldfields as part of her PhD.

"This is such an importantevent.With some recent populations booms, alot of people probably arenot really awareofour goldfields history: the peoplewho reshaped the region and the impacts of this on country and DjaDja Wurrung people,"she said

"Following the discovery of gold, Castlemaine was slatedtobethe next big city.When thealluvialgold was exhausted, the town quietened significantly,but youwere left witha very diverse community of people.

"Thereisa renewedinterestingoldfields history,especially in the stories and legacies of the hidden and silenced. Forlocals, thisevent is an opportunity to better understand the very landscape we call home while forvisitors, it'sanopportunity to better understand the microhistories thathelpedshaped Victoria,"she said.

Castlemaine printmaker,painterand educatorClayton Tremlett will be conducting aworkshop called 'All That Glitters: ArtofGold Leafing'

Clayton's work delves deeply into Australian history, oftenreinterpreting its narratives through extensive research.

"I'vealwayshad afascination with the gold rush and gold, but also with thecharactersofthe time,"hesaid.

"All That Glittersworkshop attendees will have the opportunitytobring asmall item of significancetogild."

Andglitter the eventwill, with the talentedDean Smith from Newstead, who createsmuseum-qualityreplicas of significantgold nuggets, having craftedareplicaofthe 'Hand of Faith'nuggettobeshowcased at the forum.

At 874.82 ounces or 27.21kgs, the Hand of Faith is reported to be the world'slargest gold nuggetfound by using ametal detector

Rogersaid the nuggethad afascinating story in itself and highlightedthe fact the allureofgold wasstill alive and well,withmodern daygold hunters frequently scouring the region forany specimens the pioneering prospectors overlooked.

"The nuggetwas found by KevinHillier using ametal detector near Kingower, Victoria, on September 26, 1980.

"Itissaid that he actually had adream aboutthe nugget weeks before making thediscovery.Hejotteddownhis dream and asketchofthe nuggetand asked afriend to witness his musings,"Roger said.

"The nugget, which resembles ahand, wasdiscoveredin an vertical position, with Hillier'spick striking the tip, before he carefully unearthed the remainder of the giantfind."

To discovermorestories likethismakesureyou get your ticket to TheAlchemy of Gold

Pre-booking is essential. With strong interest and limited capacity,walk-ins will notbeaccepted.

To find out moreand book visit www.thealchemyofgold.com.au

Abeautiful daybroughtout another large crowd at the Lancefield Swap Meet on Sundaywith 3000 peopleattending the annual event.

Oneofthe highlights is the annual car showheld on the oval with about400 cars entering this year.Asusual therewas an incredible array of vehicles on displaymany bringing back childhood memories from admirersastheywalked among the cars.

Simon Brettwas the owner of the amazing Buick thatwon Best Patina. Acar that he discovered three yearsago sitting under atreeinapaddock between Creswick and Newstead. Next year’sSwapMeetis scheduled forMarch 29.

Thewinnersineach category were as follows:

In Show:

Best Australian Car: Lime Green HG Monaro Best American Car: OrangeThunderbird

Best European /Asian Car: Blue MazdaRotary Coupe Best Original Patina: Buick Coupe Best Motorcycle: AJS motorbike

Community Grants awarded

Congratulations to the17local groups who received funding in our lastround of Community Grants.

Some of the projects include aradio series on menopause, aseed library celebration, amap of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and community-based artwork.

“Community groups and clubs arethe heart of our shire, and we want them to feel supported in all the positivework thattheydo,”said MayorRosie Annear

“We’refunding an excitingvariety of project this round, all of which aim to connect and strengthen our community

“Congratulations to all our grant recipients. I’m excited to see these amazing projects come to life.”

Read the full listofrecipients at mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Grants.

Thenextround of Community Grants opens on Monday14July

Riddells Creek ringleaderarrested

Detectives have dismantled an organised car theft syndicateoperating in Melbourne’s west, arresting the alleged ringleader from Riddells Creek and recovering 36 stolen cars.

Melton Crime Investigation Unit arrested four people earlierthis month at an address in Sunbury

It’s alleged the group stole ablack Holden Commodorefroma café in Caroline Springs on March23, which policethentracked to a property on Greigs Road, Truganina, on the same day.

With the AirWingmonitoring from above, policeobservedatleast four alleged stolen vehicles in the paddock at the back of the property

It’s alleged the vehicles fled oncenoticing the chopper above and were tracked to areas in south-eastern and eastern suburbswhere theywerelocated unoccupied laterthatday

Oneofthe vehicles didn’t makeitoff the property aftergetting bogged while attempting to flee out the back of awirefence.

Investigators believe the group is also linked to aproperty on PlumptonRoad in DiggersRest, where30alleged stolen vehicles were recoveredearlier this year,including a towtruck and acar carriertrailer.The vehicles arealleged to have been stolen from suburbs across the state afteroffendersforcedentry into carsand used onboarddiagnostic toolsto steal them.

Some of the vehicles stolen include several Holden Commodores, aHolden Special Vehicle Maloo valued at $200,000, aToyota Landcruiser as well as car carrier trailers

Inside the seized vehicles, policealso located severalregistration platesallegedly stolen from railway stations right across the state

It’s alleged thatinadditiontostealing highend vehicles, the group has also been stealing

significantquantities of copper,which they were stripping andonselling.

During the warrantinSunbury on March 31, policealso locatedammunition, methyl amphetamine, suboxone, twoonboarddiagnostic tools, and asignificantquantity of stolen copper whichoffenderswereinterrupted allegedly stripping forre-sale on policearrival.

Thealleged ringleader is a26-year-old from RiddellsCreek, who has been chargedwith sevencounts of theft of motorvehicle, prohibited person possess firearm, three counts of dangerous drivingwhile pursued, three counts of reckless conduct endangering, three counts of handlestolen goodsand possession of ammunition.

He hasbeen remanded in custody to appear at Sunshine Magistrates Court on May2

Policealso arrested a43-year-old Diggers Rest woman and a28-year-old BacchusMarsh man. They were both chargedwith theft relatedoffences and drug possession, and were bailed to appear at court at alater date

Thefourth person, a29-year-old Ballarat man, wasinterviewedand released pending enquiries

MeltonCrime Investigation Unit, Detective Acting SergeantDavid Bonnier said the result wasextremely positivefor the community with investigators working tirelessly to recover thevehicles and put an end to further thefts.

“The result also highlights our ongoing commitmenttoaddressing the rise in car thefts, which we knowisofconcern to both policeand the community," Bonnier said.

“Weare absolutely committed to continue targeting those behind organised vehicle thefts and getting carsbackintothe hands of their rightful owners.”

Policeare continuing to investigate the alleged syndicatewithfurther arrests expected.

Tacklingmodern slavery

Victorian politicians were given awakeup call at arecentSpeaker’sBreakfast when told modern slavery is almost certainly happening in everyelectorateinVictoria.

LegislativeAssembly Speaker MareeEdwardsMPorganised TheSpeaker'sBreakfast at ParliamentHouse.

Theevent waspartofa series highlighting keycommunity issues and the organisations actively addressing them.

Ms Edwardshas workedclosely with the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans organisation over the past 18 months planningthe event, learning about modern slavery and listening to storiesbyACRATHmembers.

ACRATH’s anti-slavery work washighlightedin 2023 when Victoria’s Health Minister and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas urgedall MembersofParliamentto maketheir electorateoffices slavery-free, starting with tea, coffeeand chocolate.She promotedthe collaboration withACRATH during aSlavery Free Kitchen initiativeand campaign

“I am certain thatno one in this place wantstodrink beverageswherethere’s slavelabour in thesupplychains thatbring them to us. It’s asimple and smallaction thatcan make asignificantdifference,”Ms Thomas told the Victorian Parliamentduringher member’saddress on February 23, 2023.

Duringthe Speaker’sBreakfast, ACRATH representatives highlightedACRATH’s effortsin thecommunity,focusing on their programs and initiatives aimed at eliminating modern slavery in Australia and highlighting the importanceofactions to preventmodern slavery andtosupport victims/survivors.

ACRATH's mission to eliminate modern

slavery in Australia includes tacklingissues such asforcedmarriage, exploitation of migrantworkers, and slavery within the supplychains of local shops, marketsand supermarkets.

"Nomatterwhatelectorateyou belong to thereishumantrafficking and modern slavery in your electorate,"said ACRATH memberMargLeahy.

Megan Bourke, amemberofACRATH’s workinggroup on forced marriage, noted thatforcedmarriagewas one of themost highly reported formsofmodern slavery across Australia and in Victoria.

Fire banscoming off

TheFireDanger Period will officially end in the Macedon Ranges and MountAlexander shires early next week.

TheCountry Fire Authority has listed projected datesfor lifting firebans in various municipalities across the state

In regardtoMacedon Ranges and Mount Alexander,the Fire Danger Period will be lifted at 1am next Tuesday, April 22.

CFAActing AssistantChiefFireOfficer Michael Hembrow said while the local landscape remained dry,weather conditions had made it the righttime to lift fire restrictions.

"However, we still need the community to actcautiously and takepecautions, when and if theydecide to burn off,"hesaid.

TWOFIRES TRIGGER ACTION

Within the past fewdays, firesatClarkefield and to thesouth-west of Daylesford have required attention by firefighting personnel.

On Thursday, afirethatbroke out in very

dry grass at Clarkefield spread to properties and buildings, and among lifestock.

"Thanks to greatwork from firecrews therewas no significantlossessuffered,"a local brigade statedafterwards.

Theblazeburnt from BoggyCreek Road in anorth-easterly direction.

Gisborne wasone of the CFAbrigades thatsenttankerstoClarkefield, and the brigade wasagain in action on Sundaywhen it senta striketeam to alarge blazeatMusk Vale, to thesouth-west of Daylesford.

This fire, which required the attention of aerial and ground crews,was the result of acontrolled burn ignited on Thursday, and then getting out of controlonSunday.

It reched bushfirestatus, and authorities have confirmedthe blazeescapingwill be the subject of adetailed investigation.

Fire bans in HepburnShireare to be lifted on Thursday, May1

In Mitchell Shire, which adjoins Macedon Ranges, restrictions were lifted yesterday.

Morning Wednesday 30 April

"ACRATH’sresponse to this is averyhuman perspectivefor astart in thatwelook to train and educate people to noticeand respondtobehavioural indicators of forced marriage, to look forpeople who may be in aforcedmarriageoratthreatofbeing in a forced marriage,"she said.

Following the presentation, ACRATH members and staff engaged in meaningful discussions with the MPswho were also invited to find out moreabout ACRATH initiatives thatsupported and identified victim/survivorsofmodern slavery afterthey discussed concerns in their electorates.

Data sought

Calling all weather data geeks! Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcareislaunching a small citizen scienceclimate project.

Thegroup is looking forweather data for wind and temperaturefromNovember-December 2019, and rainfall in October 2022.

“The monolith of the Macedon Range has aprofound impact on the weather of these areas, but thereislittle compiled or analysed data,”said Kate Lawrence, chair of Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcare group.

“A better understanding of local variationsinrainfall, winds, fireweather and heatcan help us better predict and prepare formorefrequentand extreme weather events.”

In September last year the landcare group hosted averysuccessfultalk by climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft, andthey have nowreceived aClimate Action Grant from Macedon Ranges Council.

Climatologist Neil Plummerhas been engaged to analyse local weather data forthe twoextreme weather periods, and he will report on the variations shown in the data.

“Ofcourse, thestrength of this project is entirely dependenton thequality of the datawereceive,”hesaid, “Sowe’re really hoping the amateur weather watchers and data keepersget involved.”

Find out and moreonthe Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcarewebsite.

Please Register Online csc.vic.edu.au or email us at 8824-transition@schools.vic.edu.au

The Castlemaine Steiner School Board of Directors is inviting Expressions of Interest from people in the community who would like to contribute their expertise to the school. Abackground in management, governance or related fields, combined with alove of, or interest in, anthroposophy and/or Steiner education, is preferred.

Please submit your interest via email to chairofboard@cssk.edu.vic.au ExpressionsofInterest tojointheBoardofDirectors

We have astrongemphasis on positive relationships and wellbeing, providing asafe and inclusive environment for all students of the local community. We support all students to achieve academic excellence throughout their secondary education.

Official Welcome:9.30am Tours: 10.00am-11.00am Morning Tea: 11.00am-11.30am

Hours: Monday-Saturday10am-4pm Sunday11am-3pm 54A Piper St, Kyneton|4404 8740 kyneton@missmaisie.com.au 62 Mostyn St, Castlemaine |4406 6750 castlemaine@missmaisie.com.au

E. castlemaine.sc@education.vic.gov.au W. csc.vic.edu.au

Marg Leahyand Mornington

MP Chris Crewther

Short-staytiny homestoVCAT

AmyHume

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil will fight an application forfour short-stay accommodation 'tinyhomes' at 131 Shannons Lane, Kerrie.

Provider ‘Shacky’ has plans forgroup accommodation at the35.38 hectaresite but nearbyresidents have alerted council to road and safety risks.

Last week, the council determined it would oppose the application thathad sincebeen referred to theVictorian Civil and AdministrativeTribunal.

Council officers statedthe proposal was notinaccordancewiththe RuralConservation Zone wherethe sitewas located, andwould result in permanentand irreversible changeinland use if approved.

"Allowing group accommodation on the land would undermine the environmental values and detrimentally impact the locality due to apermanentand irreversible change to the waythe land is used,"theysaid.

"Further to this, the proposed group accommodation has the potential to limit the operation or expansion of agricultural activities on surrounding and nearbyparcels of land.

"The proposal also fails to reducebushfirerisk to an acceptable level."

Thereisanexisting house on thesite, meaning the proposal would result in a single parcelcontaining fivedwellings and contributetoproliferation of dwellings in the area, council officers said.

Councillorsmoved themotion to oppose the application at aplanning meeting last week without discussion.

Last month, councillorshad heardfrom submitterstothe proposal.

Sevenobjections flaggedseveral concerns including access safety,inconsistency with neighbourhood character,loss of amenity,and firesafety.

In particular,residents described Shannons Lane as asingle-carriage, dirt road thatis"impassable most of the year" and "unable to withstand additional traffic"

However, the road condition wasnot listed amongthe council'sconcerns. The report to council statedthe engineering departmentwas "satisfied thatthe road could accommodate the additional traffic movements thatwouldresult from the proposal"

Theapplication will nowbedetermined at VCAT.

Fines go digital

Victoria Police has rolled out newtechnology thatallowsmemberstocreateand issue penalty infringementnotices electronically

StateHighwayPatrolmemberswerethe first to begin issuing electronic penalty infringementnotices (ePINs) in Victoria in February.There have been 5143 ePINsissued between February 11 and April 7.

Thenew ePINsapplication, which operates on Victoria Police issued mobile devices, simplifies theprocess of issuing an infringement.

Theapplication features built-in information on penalty codes, penaltyamounts,demerit points and the abilitytocalculate infringementdue dates.

Those who have interacted with policeand arereceiving their infringementnoticeelectronically areasked to provide their email address or mobile phone number

Rather than receiving apaper-based infringementnotice, recipients cannow receivea Portable DocumentFormatnoticevia email or aMultimedia MessageServiceontheir mobile device. Thesameprocesses forpaymentand objection applies to ePINsasitdoes nowfor paper-based infringements. If amember of the public cannotreceivethe infringementnotice electronically,the ePIN can be printedand mailed to theirresidential address.

Theshift away from paper-based administration is said to create efficiencies, with more time able to be dedicatedtopolicing and community safety

What’s Abundant this month

Welcometothe first instalmentofthis regular column, featuring news, tips and recipes from the Castlemaine CommunityHouse and Growing Abundancecommunities and networks.

Growing Abundance, and their popular Harvest program, nowunder the Castlemaine Community House led Abundantly Yoursproject, createsa viable local food system, by harvesting from local farms andgardens and sharing the producetokey food relief distribution points across MountAlexander Shire.

Abundantly Yoursisacomprehensiveand collaborativeproject thatbrings together lead partner Castlemaine Community House withMountAlexander ShireCouncil and Castlemaine Safe Space. TheHarvest programsits alongside anewly formed shire-wide Food Relief Network and community accessible food pantries.

Forthe past 15 years, Growing Abundancehas been all about local food, community,volunteersand sharing and continues to develop and strengthen its efforts to reducefruit and vegetable wasteand increase access to local producewhile simultaneously providing opportunities forthe strengthening of community relationships through resource andskill-sharing.

Solway Nutting wasoriginally involved as avolunteer in the project during the early years, both harvesting fruit, then returning oncethe trees were dormant, to help prune them. Beforethat, in the 1980s, she was inspired by Bill Mollisonofpermaculture fame, suggesting one could collect and redistributelemonsaround one’s neighbourhood. Behind the Growing Abundancedecision to visit people’s backyards wasthe knowledgethatsome ownersoftrees were no longer physically able to pick all their apples, pearsor stone fruit

Today, Solway continues her links with the harvest program, by sharing the produceofher abundantfruit trees. Besides avery oldapple tree, she has a jonathan graftedonaseedling apple grownfromaseedthathad sprouted inside the original apple! Shehas plantedasensation pear tree, which bears beautifulred-skinned fruit every year,and has abeurrebosc graftonit. Other trees arepackham and josephine pears, agoldrich apricot,several feijoas, and afig in atub thatlostits babyfigs during the hotweather

This month -APPLES

This month –applesare abundant so to celebrate we shareSolway’s recipe forApple Crumblebelow:

APPLE CRUMBLE

AdaptedfromNMAACOOKS[1975] for gluten-freeversion

Stew three to four cups apple, adding cinnamon when nearly cooked. (Choose amount thatfits your preferred baking dish).

Mixtopping ingredients and spread in knobs overfruit.

CRUMBLE TOPPING

3tablespoons wholemeal SR flour or 4tablespoons gluten-free flour plus 1teaspoon baking powder

1to2tablespoons rawsugar

2tablespoons wheatgerm or ricebran

2tablespoons lecithin –Optional: replacelast twowith LSA 2tablespoons desiccatedcoconut or crushed walnuts

¼teaspoon cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg,ginger or cloves

60 gbutter or Nuttelex margarine

To getinvolvedwith GrowingAbundancecontact growingabundance@cch.org.au

Castlemaine Community House –a welcoming hubthat supports and connects our community.

To find out more about these, and other programs,goto: cch.org.au Abundantly Yoursissupported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund.

Free Kinder: Enrol for2025.

Free Kinder is available forthree- and four-year-old children in Victoria at participating services. Free Kinder is available in sessional (standalone)and long daycare(childcare) settings, saving families up to $2,563each year,per child.

At kindergarten, your child will: •learn language,literacyand numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance •learn to expressthemself and makefriends in asafeand caring environment •build skills and confidencebeforeprimary school.

Contact your preferred kinder serviceorlocal counciltolearnabouthow to enrolfor 2025. Visit vic.gov.au/kinder

Stellarlineup for20th festival

TheWoodend Winter Arts Festival is celebrating its 20th festival this year as it delivers another feast of music,film, wordsand ideas overthe King'sBirthdaylongweekend –June 6to9

Themusic programfeaturesinternational guests Moroccan vocalist Lamiae Naki and her ensemble Seffarine along with Davide Monti(violin)and Maria Christina Cleary (harp). Direct from Vienna, Anne-Harvey-Nagl will perform Brahms’three sonatas with John O’Donnell.

Other artists include Chris Johnstone (guitar)and the MatJodrell Quartet;Trio Anima Mundi (piano), KenMurray (Spanish guitar), Berta Brozgul (solo piano)and 8Cellos. Internationally acclaimed Victorian-based ensembles Ensemble Gombert and Accademia Arcadia return,while InventiEnsemble will deliver afamily friendly performanceofCinderella.

TheWords and Ideas programwill deliver engaging debatesand discussions. In celebration of 250 yearssincethe birth of the great Jane Austen, audiences will hear from her greatniece, Caroline Jane Knight; while art consultantChristopher Menz will discuss the works of one of the greatest pattern designers of alltime, William Morris.

Festival-goerswill also hear from literary greats such as DonWatson, RodneyHalland Margaret Simons; political historian Judith Brett; leading scientist Dietmar Toubier; and local garden designer Michael McCoy.

This year’sengaging programisrounded off with both theatreand film, withtwo absurdist plays from award-winning author and publisher,PeterRose, along with ascreening of The Great WhiteWhale by Michael Dillon. Andmuchmore! Ticketsare on sale now and selling fast.

Head to WWAF websitetoviewthe full program: woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au

Accademia Arcadia pictured at Hanging Rock

Working alone is acontributing factor in the majority of farm workplace deaths.

No matter if it is aperfect day, or astorm is coming and youonly have ashort window to getthe jobdone.Whateveritis, takeaminutetothink through whatyou’redoing.

Forstrategies to stay safe while workingalone,visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/working-alone-farms

It’s neveryou, until it is. Scan forfarm safety support.

An Eat-Talk-Walk at Buda

This year’sAustralian HeritageFestival is on and the team at Buda Historic Home and Garden at Castlemaine is celebrating.

Held from April 18 to May18each year,the Australian HeritageFestival (Vic)explores the state’s places and spaces, stories, collections and ideas that makeuswho we are.

Buda’s AutumnGarden Ramble and talk will run concurrently with the in-house exhibition From Mountains to Mullock Heaps: Ernest LevinyUnZIPSed and Buda is bundling it all into aspecial packagefor the National Trust Heritage Festival.

TheAustralian HeritageFestival is organised and led by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), the state’s premier community-based heritageadvocacy organisation, and supported by the HeritageCouncil Victoria and TheVictorian Goldfields World HeritageBid. This year,exploring the theme 'Unearthed',amazing expertsand local guides investigate stories of the unusual and unknown.

On SaturdayMay 3, dig in to adelicious hotsoup lunch as Buda’s curatorsunearth the lifeand gardens of Goldfields legend, Ernest Leviny

Join Buda’s garden curator Ryan Garrattat11am foran autumn ramble in Buda's three-acreheritagegarden highlighting the influenceand distinctivedesigns of its creator, Ernest Leviny

Then join house curator SarahFrazeroverlunchasshe ploughs into the richand fertile history beneath this Goldfields migrantsuccess story

ExpectanadventureofRomanticism and Revolutions starting in Leviny’s Zipser homeland of Carpathia, and traversing 1800s Buda (/Pest), Vienna, Paris and London before arriving in Castlemaine.

Participants will also look at whatwecan learn of Leviny’spersonality through archival records.

Cap the dayoff with aviewing of the house exhibition, From Mountains to Mullock Heaps:Ernest LevinyunZIPSed DelveintoErnest Leviny’s formativeyearsinsearchof whatinspired him as aperson and an artist.

Learn about the artistic movements of the time that arereflected in both his commercial work as ajewellery designer and the paintings of his lateryears

Bookings areessential at budacastlemaine.org/events

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN THE MACEDON RANGES

TheCommunity-Led Safe SpaceinWoodend is a warm, welcomingdrop-in space offeringpeer support, connection,and understanding.

What to expect:

T i d P S t d t li t ra ne eer uppor ers rea y o s en

A non-clinical, judgment-free space

No appointments, no referrals - just come in

Access to sensory items

Activities to support emotional regulation

Wildliferoad trauma effort to continue

Efforts to mitigate wildlife road trauma areexpectedto continue on Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil roadsand the council will preparea budget bid forworks.

Thecouncil has resolved to continue collecting data and collaborating with Wildlife Victoria to identify areas with ahigh frequency of wildlifevehicle collisions.

Seeking to reducethe potential forinjury when planning and designing roads will continue to be aconsideration.

Thecouncil will also to advocate foradditional funding to support theongoing implementation of Wildlife Victoria’s WildlifeRoadToll Reduction project.

Otherareas of council focus will include community education about wildlifeand road safety and review road operating speeds and signage at identified hotspots.

Thecouncilwas responding to apetition forthe council to allocate funds in the council-managed roads audit towardswildliferoad trauma mitigation. It attracted 65 signatures.

Petitionerscalled for improved wildlifewarning signage, speed limit review with aviewtospeed reduction in wildlifeprone area, and wildlifecorridor feasibility studies.

–

(fortnightly) 1:00

Buda’s owner and renowned local jeweller Ernest Leviny also paintedinthis lateryears

WWII veteran to celebrate 100

World WarIIveteran JoyceDaymon is preparing to celebrate her 100th birthdayinstyle.

TheWoodend residentisreturning to Shangri-la resort, Fiji, with friends and family forher big dayinMay –whereshe celebrated her 99th last year

An overseas adventureisfitting forsomeone who spenther earlier yearshelping planes take flightfor the RoyalAustralian Air Force.

Shewas just 18, working retail at the time,and had hoped to become adriver, but wassteered toward training to become a flightmechanic.

Joyceenlisted at Perth on October 27, 1943, and served as an aircraftwoman at RAAF Pearce until her discharge on June 25, 1946.

"I liked the work Idid. It wasvery interesting and Iliked the

regularity of everything,"she said Joycealso enjoyedthe friendships she made and the"smart uniforms" were another fond memory

Shewas stationed on abaseatBairnsdale when news of the war'send broke: acelebration therethatshe'll neverforget.

Joycereturned to Western Australia and worked in retailafter the war. Shemarried aMelburnian, Reginald, in July 1951 and theydecided to move to Victoria.

Herhusband died in September 1995 and soon aftershe relocatedtoWoodend to livenearbyfamily.

Joyceisa member of the KynetonRSL andwas aspecial guest at arecentMountMacedon Dawn Servicewhereshe read out the Odetothe Fallen andhad her story shared.

Hersecret to along lifeisto“livea good,clean and happylife and eata little of everything youlike"

Unseen woundsofconflict

The2025 MountMacedon Anzac Day Dawn Servicewill again takeplaceonApril 25 at the MountMacedon Memorial Cross. Thecommunityisinvited to attend and help acknowledgethis year’stheme, ‘The Unseen Wounds of Conflict’, exploring the manyimpacts that warhas on those who serve. Theservicecommences at 6am and runs forapproximately an hour.Freeshuttle buses run from Tony ClarkeReserveinMacedon from 4.15am as roadsto the Crossare shut to public trafficfor the morning

Attendees areencouraged to dress forthe weather and bring awater bottle and torch. A sausagesizzle will be available and agold coin donation would be appreciated. Formoreinformation visit: www.mtmacedondawnservice.org

Take control of

your health today

The GPspracticing at ourclinic arehighly trained and supported by ateam of friendly receptionistsand experienced nurses.

GP servicesinclude:

•Women’s,men’s and children’s health

•LGBTQIA+ health

•FotoFinder skin checks

•Health assessments

•Hearthealth checks

•Medical body composition analyser

•Flu and COVID-19 vaccines

•Mentalhealth

•Chronic disease management.

OPENINGHOURS

Mon –Thu: 8:00am –7:00pm

Fri: 8:00am–6:00pm Sat: 9:00am –3:00pm 03 5422

Anzac march

TheKynetonRSL Sub-Branch is hosting the traditional Anzac Day marchand ceremonyinKynetononFridayApril 25 to commemoratethe 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.

Anzac Day begins with the Dawn Service conducted at the Cenotaph at 6am.Attendees should begin assembling at about 5.45am. This servicewill be followedbythe traditional GunfireBreakfast at the KynetonRSL clubrooms. Agold coin donation is requested forthe breakfast and all monies collected will go to providing welfaresupport forour veterans.

TheAnzac Day march in Kynetonwill form up at the corner of Yaldwyn andMollison Streetsat9.15am andstepoff at 9.30am.The march will proceed to the Cenotaph where the Anzac Day ceremony will be conducted. Following the servicethe marchwill continue along Mollison Street to the RSL whereitwill disband. Refreshments will be provided at the RSL following themarch

An Anzac Day march and ceremony will also takeplace in Trentham. Theparade will form upatthe Town Squareatabout 11.30am and march to the Cenotaph at the intersection of High and Market Streets. The ceremonywill be followedbyrefreshments at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre.Earlier in the daya Dawn Service will be conducted at 6am at the Cenotaph in Trentham.

Anzac Dayceremonieswill also be conducted at Malmsbury at 8am at the Memorial Gardens in Malmsbury,Woodend at 11.30am and at Taradale at 1.30pm. To ensurethatelder citizens do notmissthe opportunity to commemorateAnzacDay,membersofthe Kyneton RSL will be conducting ceremonies at Respect (Ray MBegg), BUPAand Trentham Aged Care facilities on theday before AnzacDay In thelead uptoAnzac Day,the Kyneton RSL will be conducting itsannual appeal and badges will on sale in town andatthe RSL. All monies collectedgoesinsupport of our veterans.

World WarIIveteranJoyce Daymon will celebrateher centenary in May.

HotMovesNo Pressureset to return

It’s time to gather your troupe and your big ideas in preparation to register forHot Moves No Pressure2025 on SaturdayApril 26

DanceMom Rhanihas been doing some manifesting andhas made afew minor tweaks to theHot MovesNoPressureCastlemaine eventyou know and love

In 2025, dancerswill have afull 12 hours to register their group’s interest.

"Entries willgointoaballot, then Castlemaine Royalty will draw out the luckygroups. Teams forthe 2025 eventtobeheldinAugust will be announced on Sunday April 27," shesaid.

"You don’t have to be aprofessionaldancer to participate in HotMovesNoPressure, it’sall about high enthusiasm,low experienceand uncommon talent! This eventisyourtime to shine, connect with others in the community and shake your stuff to an adoring crowd."

Your group canbemade up of friends,colleagues, neighbours or strangers. Anyone really Findyourtribe! Just makesureyou have a minimum of three and amaximum of 12 participants.

"I enjoyedthe silliness, creativity,coming together with newfriends andold to collaborate and playtogether, the surprise of witnessing other crews’dance,and ultimately sharing it all with such an amazing and supportivecommunity," said one2024 dancer.

The2025 HotMovesNoPressureevent will be held at the beautiful Boomtown Wines at TheMill Castlemaine on Saturday August 16. For moreinformation anddetails on howtoregister your troupe, head to www.hmnp.dance

Calling all photographic artists

Artists around theworld areinvited to showcase their work as part of the 11th Ballarat International Foto Biennale, which takes placefromAugust 23 to October 19, 2025. Artists have the opportunitytoexhibit their work in Ballarat’s vibrant festival precinct, exposing their work to thousandsoffestival-goers. Thereisalso achancetowin the$2000 Judges’Prizeorthe $500 People’s Choice Award. TheOpen Programisopentoall photographersand photo media artists, providing a unique opportunity to be apartofAustralia’s leading photographyfestival. Forfurther information on the Ballarat International Foto Biennale visit ballaratfoto.org

HotMoves No Pressure is heating up in Castlemaine DanceCity. The2024 event went off and2025 should be no exception.

Photo:Penny Ryan Photography

WhatisPublic&ProductsLiability Insuranceandwhoshouldhaveit?

Publicliabilityinsuranceprotectsa businessagainstclaimsmadebythird partiesforallegedoractualinjuriesor damage.Productsliabilityinsurance coversdamagescausedbyproductssold bytheinsured.Bothareequallyimportant andtherearen’tmanybusinessesthat don’tneedtohavethiscoverinplace. PublicLiabilityInsurancecoverisalso includedaspartofMotorVehicle, Landlord,Home&Contentsandother typesofpolicies–wanttoknowmore? Giveusacallon54223333

TheadviceprovidedisGeneralinNature–ForPersonalAdvicepleasecontactyourInsuranceBroker Callustoday: 45BMollisonSt,Kyneton Phone54223333 www.simplexinsurance.com.au

Istthereabboutttobbearebbatteonbbattteries?

Yes!Well,maybe.Voteforwhoyoulike,of course,butifLaborwinstheelectiononMay 3rd,theywilllaunchnewfundingonhome batteries,asannouncedrecently.Funding willbesubstantial,beingaround$370per kWh,whichequatesto$4070onan11kWh battery.Thispaysforjustunderhalfofoneof ourfantastictopqualityBYDbatterystacks, withinstallationbeingabitextra.Installa largerbatteryandyou’llgetmorefunding forit.We’vebeenawaitingsucharebate forawhile,andit’slikelytomakeindustry verybusy.Letusknowifwecanassistyou assoonaspossible,thenyoucangetinthe queue.Remember,adecentsolar+battery systemcanbringyoudowntogrid-zero, meaningyoupaynearlynothingatallfor yourpower.

Callustoday: CentralSparkVictoria 3AMarketStreet,Kyneton Phone54625516 sales@central-spark.com

Why should Iregister forMyMedicare?

My Medicareisanew voluntarypatient registration modelthat will formaliseour doctor-patient relationship with you, and will giveyou access to moreMedicare rebates,including funding for longer phone consultations.

Registering with MyMedicarewillinitially providethe most benefitifyou areanolder Australian, if youneed mental healthcare from your GP,orifyou have chronicand complexhealthconditions.

Thereisnocharge to register for MyMedicare. Formoreinformation, visit https://www health.gov.au/our-work/mymedicare

Whattimelimitsaretherein personalinjuryclaims?

Thereareavarietyoftimelimitswhenit comestopersonalinjurymatterssuchas WorkCoverorTACclaims.Theyincludetime limitsfornotificationofinjury,lodgementof claimforms,disputingmedicaltreatmentor lossofearningsdeterminations,andtime limitstoclaimlumpsumcompensation.The timelimitsvarybetweenbeinganamount ofdays,monthsorsometimesyears TelephoneGraingerLegalon(03)5407 0161oremailinfo@graingerlegal.com.auto speakwithalawyeraboutyourinjurymatter andfindoutwhichtimelimitsapplytoyou.

CallCarolineGraingerat: GraingerLegal Castlemaine|Sunbury|BacchusMarsh Phone54070161 www.graingerlegal.com.au

Q: A AmIItooyoungtohaveaWWill?

A:

Everyoneovertheageof18shouldhaveaWill Youngpeopleusuallythinktheydonothavemuch toleave.However,theyoftenhavesuperannuation benefitswhichalmostalwaysincludesignificantlife insurance,equityintheirhome,digitalassets(eg. onlinebankingaccounts,socialmediaaccounts), animals,motorvehicles,personalpossessions.If thereisnoWillitisoftendifficulttodealevenwith assetsofinsignificantvalueasthereisnotanexecutor andthenextofkinhastoapplytotheSupremeCourt tobeappointedadministratoroftheirestate.Ifthere isnoWilltheIntestacyRuleswillapply,dictatinghow theestatewillbedividedandtowhom.Thismay meanthatyourassetsgotosomeonewhoyoudid notwanttogetthem.HavingaWillcanmakeiteasier foryourfamilybyhavinganexecutorandguardianof yourminorchildrenappointed.

ContactVesnaPocucatoday: Phone54721588or157BarkerSt.Castlemaine Formoreinformationrobertsonhyetts.com.au

Q: Canyoustretchcanvasesand TapestriesandFramethem?

A: YESwecan. WecanalsoframeFootballJumpers, T-ShirtsandalldifferenttypesofTextiles andNeedleworks.

Callustoday: Chapman’sofCastlemaine Phone54705302 77MostynSt.Castlemaine

MatthewWilson

Q:

A:

EmmaSwinden

Grantsonoffer

Eldershas opened applications forgrants of up to $20,000 forgrassroots initiatives thatwill promote sustainable, focused and long-term changeinrural and regional communities.

TheEldersCommunity Giving Project awarded 14 grants and morethan $185,000 to communitygroups around Australia in 2024. It is nowinits second year

Pillarsofthe project include: investing in people and regions, environmental consciousness, innovation into the future, healthy bodies and healthyminds, encouraging and celebrating diversity,safetyfirst, and people’s choice.

Applications close Thursday, May15.

Criteria and further information canbe found on the website: elders.com.au/aboutus/for-your-community/community-givingproject

Thegenius The genius of Nijinsky y

Anew book by Castlemaine author Jill Rivers explores the incredible story of Nijinsky,the famed Russian dancer It is atale of brillianceand despair,ofinnocence and stardom, celebrity,sensitivity and tragedy,and among the saddest historical cases of artistic success versus mental health.

Rivers wasintroduced to his story by filmmaker Paul Coxduring the filming of the dancer’sdiaries in 2001, resulting in an invitation to stay with Nijinsky’sdaughterTamarainPhoenix, Arizona, and the opportunity to probe further in the Jerome Robbins DanceDepartmentofthe NewYork Public Library and numerous other places.

"I gradually pieced together my interpretation of the famous dancer’slifeand controversies from re-

search including meeting his grandson and namesake VaslavMarkevitch, in Italy in 2005,"Riverssaid.

"Whatbecameapparentwas thatNijinsky was ahead of his times –atthe vanguardofWestern Modernism in multiple artforms –movement, literatureand art. This book applauds his genius, acentury on."

As along-term media director of TheAustralian Ballet, Rivers said the subject wasclose to her heart.

TheGenius of Nijinsky waspublished on March31 to coincide with TheAustralian Ballet Sydney season of the balletNijinsky

It is available directly from Art-full Living artfullliving.com/the-genius-of-nijinsky-the-book or selected bookstores including Stonemans Bookroom, Castlemaine.

Learnrepair skills

TheGood Op Shop at Castlemaine is running its monthly Reuse and Repair workshops again this year,withthe next one coming up on Saturday.

"These arefun, taster workshops,"said TiffanyInglis, director of TheGood Op Shop."We hope people come away with the basics of anew skill, and an interest to find out more."

Thereare nine workshops held oncea monthonaSaturdaymorning at Sac-o-Suds Launderette on Barker Street.Thisyear, there’sa variety of things on offer, from introduction to crochet, basic sewing machine skills, screen printing and darning and mending.

"It’sa waytohelp morepeople keep things outoflandfill,"Tiffany said. "And these workshops arebeing taughtbypeople who liveinour community.We’re so lucky to be able to learn from thosearound us."

Theworkshops, supported by the MountAlexander ShireCouncil eventprogram, last from one to twohoursand are$10 to attend. They area funway to meet others, sharein learning something newand finding ways to reduceour impact on the planet.

To find outmore, visit TheGood Op Shop on Facebook and Instagram @thegoodopshop forthe full list of what’s on offer. Andtobook into aworkshop

email: opshopworkshops@gmail.com

TheReuse and Repair workshops help people keep things outoflandfill.

Castlemaine authorJill Rivers explores the brilliantand tragic story of Nijinsky,the famed Russian dancer

peaceofmind

thisEaster

What did youenjoy about school? Whowas your favouriteteacher? What wasyourvery first job and whatdid youlearn from it? These mightseem likesimple questions, but theanswerscan reveal so much about the person youare—and the lifeyou’velived.

Sometimes, the people who knowusbest neverhear these stories. Yetit’soften these memoriesthatreflect the very heart of whoweare Taking time to record them is morethan just areflectiveexercise—it’s a gift to thosewelove, alegacy thatcan be shared forgenerations.

Lifehas away of reminding us just howimportantthe little things are—a walk with afriend, achatovercoffee, afamily dinner.These everydaymoments, though oftensimple, carry deep meaning and connection. They’rethe threads thatweave our stories together.That’swhy there’snever been abettertimetoshare your memories, your reflections, and your unique journeywiththe people who matter most.

Wouldn’t we alllovethe chancetoask these questions of those we’velost? To hear their voiceinour heads as we read their memories, laugh at their favouritejokes, or learn something aboutthem we never knew?

Youdon’t need to be awriter to leave something trulyvaluable behind. Allittakes is afew thoughts jotted down—a favouritebook or song and whyitmatters,the peoplewho influenced youmost, the values youcarry from your parents, or your favouriteway to spend aday

At TJ Scott&Son, theyunderstand the comfort that stories can bring. That’s whythey’reoffering acomplimentary copy of their Your Story booklet—agentle guide to help youstart sharing themoments thatshaped you. With simple prompts like“Whereisyourfavourite place?”it’seasierthan youthink to begin writing alegacy of love and life.

They'realso offering acopyoftheir Your Goodbye compendium booklettohelp families start conversations around end-of-lifeplanning withclarity andcare.

To receiveyourcomplimentary copies, contactKelly Scotton(03) 5422 6455 or email kelly@tjscottandson.com.au. Because your story matters—and your lovedones deservetoknowit.

Sharing your story– agift forgenerations

TJ Scott &Son is offering acomplimentary copy of the Your Story booklet—a gentle guide to help youstart sharing the moments thatshaped you.

Ariotous tale of transformation

Afterthe greatsuccess of As YouLikeIt in 2018, The Tempest (a soundproject) in 2021, and Romeo and Juliet in 2023, Castlemaine TheatreCompanyisdelightedto bring another of Shakespeare’sgreat plays to thePhee Broadway Theatre: the belovedcomedy AMidsummer Night’sDream

Thestory is setinthe moonlit woods outside Athens, wherefour young lovers,a feuding fairy king and queen, and ahapless troupeofamateur actorscross paths with the mischievous Puck

Spells arecast, identities aremistaken, and love takes on the most unexpected forms in this riotous tale of dreams and transformation.

This production is directed by RobJorritsma, alongtime contributor to Castlemaine’s theatrescene.

Robhas previously directed the celebrated productions of As YouLikeIt in 2018 and Romeoand Juliet in 2023 forthe company.

Thecastof22features adeeply talentedensemble of local actors, with manyinspired to join the companyfor the first time afterseeing previous CTCshows

With boundless energy and theatrical magic, this production promises to be agloriously memorable take on Shakespeare’sclassic. Don’tmiss your chancetoexperiencethe laughter, romance, and delightful chaos of A Midsummer Night’sDream!

AMidsummer Night’sDream is playing from May16 to June 1. Fridayand Saturdayevenings from 7pm and Sundaymatinees from 2pm.

Ticketsare available at www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1367188

Would youliketobepart of the magic?CTC are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteerstohelp out on FrontofHouse.Volunteerswill be gifted acomplimentary ticket to seethe show. To register your interest, email castlemainetheatreco@gmail.com or call Kate on 0431 998 707.

The power of words

VisitorstoTrio ArtStudio and Gallery can look forwardtoseeing the powerof wordsindifferentstyles of original artworks by professional artists in the Words in Art 2D-3D exhibition.

Artists have famouslyused massproduced printed materialsincethe early 1900s with thecreation of collage being an accepted art form.The Cubists used found objects with printed letters, words and sentences, or parts thereof,toadd surfacetexturetotheir works. Today, the use of text is explored within paint, stone, metal, print, clayand themovingimage. This exhibition willshowthe many variations

This visual response to the theme is inspiredbythe artists' ownpoetryand stories and some from written works by others

Join them at the Trio ArtStudio and Gallery at Kynetonfor worksin2D, 3D and video art in theirthree exhibition spaces. Openingevent SundayApril 20, 2-5pm. Aworthwhilevisit.

Gallery opening hours areSat,Sun, Mon10am-4pm. www.trioartstudiogallery.com.au.

Cast members(L-R) Tristan Bennett, DigbyBrandenburg, Hannah Jeffcoat, GusRead-Hill and Catina Eyresare deepintorehearsalsfor the CTC’slatest production AMidsummer Night’sDream. Photo:Stephen Mitchell

John Hendriks’‘Look into your heart’

PeterButterworth’s ‘Boody Parkinsons’.

Let’stalk HEALTH +

Experts disturbed by influenzaoutbreak

Morgan Reinwald

Medical practitionershave warned this year'sflu season will harm the community, with 51,000 influenza cases already recorded across Australia. This time last year,there were 23,000 cases.

Local clinics received their annual government-funded flu vaccines over thepast twoweeks, suggesting health authorities didn't foresee the outbreak to begin this early

Doctorsand nurses across the region warned thatthe majorityofvulnerable people hadn't received aflu vaccination. Under the National Immunisation Program, flu vaccines arefreefor Australians considered 'at-risk'

This includes people above 65 yearsold,below fiveyears old, pregnantwomen, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and residents with chronic medical conditions.

Chris Green,immunisation nurseatGoldfields Medical in Castlemaine, said she feared forchildren belowfiveyears of age.

"There'sbeen 10,000 cases increased in the last week and ahalf," Ms Green said.

"Statistically,children from six months to fiveyearsofage have hadthe lowest rate of immunisation. Thegovernmentreally wantstoget children in thathigh-risk category because theyare moresusceptible to seriousillness from influenza.

"There'salsopressurewith parents who have to work and send sick kids to childcare. That perpetuatesthe illness."

Theflu vaccine forchildren in this agebracket is still unavailable to clinics.

Beshr Farid, pharmacist and owner of Malmsbury Pharmacy,stressed the general population should also vaccinate themselves, but said the200 private fluvaccineshe received forthese residents hadn't been used.

"Fromthe privatestock, maybe less than six or sevenpeoplehavereceived it,"hesaid.

"Sincewe've had the NIP stock, we'vehad at least 20 people aday.Eighty per cent of those people areabove 65 yearsold."

Dr AlexRomain, aGPatSprings Medical in Kynetonand Daylesford, has worked around the world for13yearsasa doctor and medical advisor to governments. He believesmisinformation, vaccine fatigue post-COVID-19, and cost-of-living pressures have contributed to lowimmunisation figures.

"Itiseasyfor people to discountthe value of vaccines –all vaccines, notjust flu –when they have neverbeen exposedtothe consequences of diseases theyprevent," he said.

"Elements of the health and wellness movementhaveprovidedanalternativereality to conventional medical advice, giving people agreater sense of confidenceinnot vaccinating. This intersectswith social media messaging and populism,and probably isn't a uniquely Victorian problem, or even an Australian one; it is happening in the UK and New Zealand, whereI have also worked.

"The averageperson does nothavethe sameamount of exposuretothe flu thatthe averagedoctor does. When yousee young, fit men dying from theflu, as Ihave, it is shocking."

Last year,the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 1002 influenza-relateddeaths.

Allthree clinics interviewedsaid theysold flu vaccines at cost price, or at aslight increase to coverstaff wages. They fear an unvaccinatedcommunity mayproducemore hospitalisations and burden the already overwhelmed health system.

Help to quit

Themost effective and easiest wayto quit smoking is with hypnotherapy.

MariannePattinson of KynetonHypno Therapies says it works because it deals with themain reasons people smoke.

"These reasons aremaintained from deep in your subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy helpsbyreprogramming whatis in your subconscious, to whatyour logical conscious mind wantstodo,"Marianne says TheQuit Smokingprogram works by identifyingthe various triggers to smoke, and by changingyourresponses to those triggers. It also gives youvarious new, effectivewaystorelax anddeal with stress.

A2021study also foundthat86per cent of subjects no longer smoked six months afterundergoing hypnosis.

Phone Marianne on 0437001 065 for details, and really makeithappen this time!

Stronger bodies, stronger spirits Over-60s lifting morethanweights

At Real Strength Studio in Castlemaine, local residents over theage of 60 arediscovering anewfound sense of strength—both physical and mental. Butit'snot just about lifting weights—it's about lifting self-belief.

Formany, walkingintoagym forthe first time in decades can feel daunting.

"I’ll neverbeable to lift that!" is acommon expression from newcomers.

Yearsofconditioning have ledmanyolder adults to believe thatexercise at their age should be limited to seated movements with lightdumbbells.

Real Strength Studio is changing thatnarrative

Breaking away from stereotypes about aging and fitness, thestudiooffersaprogram thatempowers seniorstopush beyond perceived limitations. While every journeybegins with the basics—often as simple as lifting abroomstick—membersquickly progress to lifting weights theynever imagined possible. Along the way, theybuild morethan just muscle: theybuild confidence, capability, andarenewedsense of independence.

“What’smostrewarding is seeing our memberssurprise themselves,”saysAimee Black, thestudio manager.“They start feeling stronger and moreconfident, and thatspills over into everydaylife. It could be something small, likecarrying the groceries without asecond thought—or something big, likefinally going on thatoverseas walking trip theyusedto worry their body couldn’t handle.”

Foranyone curious aboutwhat’spossible beyond 60, Real Strength Studio offers afree membership consultation. To find outmore, visit www.realstrengthstudio.com.

mobility, and bone density so youcan stay active, independent, and confident as youage?

At Real Strength Studio in Castlemaine,wehelp older adults build real strength—starting from anylevel—in a safe,supportive, and encouraging environment.

•Small group sessions with afriendly community

•Fully supervised by qualified Real Strength coaches

•Tailored to your individual needs and abilities

•Suitablefor all fitnesslevels, including beginners

Sally,Real Strength member,lifting an impressive60kg.

@ Y YourOPINIONS

Maybethat’s toosensible?

Peter Henderson, Kyneton

In referencetothe article 'Council seeks answers on school site' (Midland Express,April1).

In late 2022 the state governmentannounced the start of work at the old KynetonPrimary School, work continued through 2023 and 2024 where greatwork wasdone in the bluestone building and the grounds area.

Inexplicably in late 2024 all work stopped, rumourscirculatedthatfunds (originally $12 million) had run out and all work had stopped, correspondencewas received from the governmentwhich statedthatwork to re seed thegrassed area was the only work still proceeding, and thatthe sitemay open mid-2025. I’m notsurewhy the grounds of the sitecan't beopened nowand thegrassed area fenced off, maybe that’stoo sensible?

Thelocal community has lost out on this project, with it basically locked up for12months, again with no adequate explanation.

We nowsee thatthe creambrick building on the siteiscompletely boarded up and rumoursare that it has no funds forany further works, withcommunitygroups that were to utilise thatbuilding all missing out terribly

Thethree governmentauthorities have been absentinany communication with the community DevelopmentVictoria had plans on their website advising the sitetoopen in 2024. CreativeVictoria has only afew mentions in July 2022, and Working Heritage, the intended manager of the site, has NO mention of the Former KynetonPrimary School on their website.

Threelocal community groupswereasked at the start of the tender process some yearsago to submit proposals foruse of the site(with NO governmentfunding). These submissions all included community use of the whole site, unfortunately all three submissions were unsuccessful.

Local knowledge (1 point)

1. Wherewill MountAlexander Vintage Engine Club’s April Rallybeheld?

2. What ‘creature’ wasdriving the heritagetrain Castlemaine to Maldon recently?

3. ‘RaceYa’ is afamily fun dayinMaldon raising funds forwhich organisation?

4. What is the postcode forKyneton? (3 points)

5. Whowon the topindividual awardsin the GDCA forthe 2024-25 season?

General knowledge (1 point)

6. Whopenned the poem‘Waltzing Matilda’?

7. Wholives in apineapple under the sea?

8. In which US state is Pittsburghlocated?

9. Carrie Bradshaw is acharacter from which television series? (3 points)

10. What does RSPCA stand for?

With intending redevelopmentworks to the Bendigoand Ballarat artgalleries in 2025/26, this is aperfect opportunity to showcase the Kynetonsite.

$12 million has been allocatedand spentonthe siteand still no answersonanopening date or any managing group to operatethe site, the community deserves aresponse.

Malmsburyagain the ‘orphan’

Dr David Kram, Malmsbury

Requesting all interested to writetoV/Line and membersofparliamenttourgechanges to theBendigoline timetable, which has just been re-issued as from April 13. As usual, Malmsbury, agrowing community, is the ‘orphan’, with Clarkefield, Riddells Creek, Macedon and Kangaroo Flat continuing to benefit from services while the train whizzes past Malmsbury,particularly at peak times.

This must change!

FYI: these arethe services affected by the new timetable, focusing on MondaytoFriday:

TowardsSouthern Cross:

6.20 am from Eaglehawk

7.49 from Bendigo

11.28 from Bendigo

Noting thereisnoservicetothe City between 7.27 and 9.21

TowardsBendigofromSouthern Cross 15.06

19.08

Noting thereisnoservicetoMalmsbury between 16.29 and 17.49

This is the most urgent consideration.

Another issue forconcern is the car park at Malmsbury,which has an increasing uptake, often 20 vehicles or more, and growing. This needs to be properly surfaced.

Downthe track –platform extension.

Lateralthinking –arequest stop forsmaller stations.

Have

News

your say

Hepburn ShireCouncil is inviting communitymemberstohelp shape the futureofthe region by having their sayonthe draftprioritiesfor the Council Plan 2025–2029.

People areencouraged to complete the short survey available on the Participate HepburnwebpagebeforeSundayApril 27. Hard copy surveys areavailable at council libraries and hubs.

Allsubmissions will be considered as council works to developa draft Council Plan and Budget which will be released forfurther community consultation in mid-May

Romseybreak-in

Policeare investigating aburglary at aRomseytransferstation on February 20.

Investigators believe twopeople brokeintothe transfer station on Johnston Court about4am.

Thepair drove their vehicle

into aroller door at the station before gaining entry

Anyone with information is urgedtocontact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit aconfidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Memorial restoration

Heritage-listed MalmsburyWar Memorial gateswill be restored witha granttoconservethe memorial built in 1922 in tribute to the “bravemen who enlisted in the GreatWar 1914-1918”

TheMacedon Ranges memorial will have soldiernames re-guilded, old paintand rust removedand works on the memorialrailings and gate Restoration works will take placewithagrant from thestate government'sRestoring CommunityWar Memorials and Avenues of Honour 202425 grantprogram.

Ayear on ...

This is avery emotional week forthe members of Gisborne Golf Club, as they remember thedevestating firethatdestroyed the clubhouse on April 17 last year

Awooden duck thatsurvived the fireisnow known as ThePhoenix. It will bethe trophygolfersplayfor on Easter Saturdayastheyreflect on the wonderful times they enjoyed, and the friendshipsforgedtogether in the old clubhouse.

Poet to feature

Melbourne poetAnnaFern will featureatthe PoetiCas reading in April. This monthly eventwill be held on SaturdayApril 26 at Northern Arts Hotel, 359 Barker Street Castlemaine. Entryisjust$5. Anna Fern has been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including TheBest Australian Poems.Having written morethan adozen non-fiction books forchildren, she brings aplayful mix of spoken word, sound and song to thestage. Anna is experimental yetdown-to-earth. Sheenjoys living in Altona between Truganina Swamp and thepetrol refinery. Theevent will run from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Allwelcome.

Melbourne poet Anna Fern is settovisit Castlemaine.

EasterCelebrations

Easter church

Anglican Parish of Castlemaine Christ Church, 8Mostyn Street,Castlemaine St John's,FryersRd, Chewton

April 17 –8pm Maundy ThursdayEucharist (Christ Church Castlemaine)

April 18 –8.30amGood FridayLiturgy (StJohn’sChewton)

–3pm Veneration of the Cross (Christ Church)

April 19 –5pm Holy Saturday Vigil (StJohn’sChewton)

April 20 –8am Easter Day Eucharist (Christ Church)

–10am Sung Easter Eucharist (Christ Church)

Enquiries: Fr IanHowarth 5472 1137.

Castlemaine Presbyterian Church 89 Main Road,Campbells Creek

April 18 –9am Good FridayService followed by acuppa with ahot cross bun. Allwelcome.

April 20 –10am Easter SundayService

St Mary'sCatholic Parish

St Mary's76Hargraves Street,Castlemaine

St Brigid's5-7 Chapel Street,Maldon

April 17 –7.30pm Holy ThursdayService Mass of the Lord's Supper followedbyAdoration until 11pm.

April 18 –11am Castlemaine Wayofthe Cross starting at St Mary'sChurch –10.30am Ecumenical Wayofthe Cross, Beehave ChimneyMaldon 3pm –Celebration of the Lord's Passion (StMary'sCastlemaine).

April 19 –7.30pm Easter Vigil Saturday Mass

April 20 –8.30am Easter SundayMass St Brigid'sMaldon –10.30am Easter SundayMassStMary's Castlemaine.

Castlemaine Uniting Church 24 LyttletonStreet, Castlemaine April 17 –8.30am Maundy Thursday

services

Blessing of the Buns (Sprout Bakery at TheMill Castlemaine) –7pm Taize’ Tenebrae Service.

April 18 –Stations of the Cross (starting from St Mary’sChurch)

April 20 –10.30am Easter SundayService. Allwelcome.

Angican Parish of Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Macedon

April 18 –8am Liturgy of the Passion and Mass of the Pre-Sanctified Church of the Resurrection, Macedon 10am –Solemn Liturgyofthe Day

St Paul's, Gisborne 3pm –Stations of TheCross St John's,Riddells Creek

OurLady of theRosary Catholic Parish Kynetonand St Mary Magdaleen'sTrentham

April 17 –7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

OurLady of the Rosary Church, Kyneton

April 18 (Good Friday) –10am Theway of the Crossinconjunction with SaintAndrew’s Uniting Church, SaintPaul’sAnglican Church and KynetonBaptist Church. 3pm –Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

April 19 –7pm Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday– 8.30am Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord SaintMary Magdalen’s Church,Trentham

10.30am –Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord

OurLady of the Rosary Church, Kyneton.

St Ambrose Parish Woodend, Romsey, Lancefield

Good Friday– 2pm Lancefield and 4pm Woodend

Easter Vigil –5.30pmRomseyand 7.30pm Woodend

Easter Sunday– 9am Romsey and Woodend

Bring the children foranEaster egghunt in the church gardens afterthe 9am Easter SundayMassatWoodend.

Wayofthe Crossreturns

Thecommunityisinvited to once again join local churches as theyhostthe 'Way of the Cross' walk on Good Friday, April 18.

In its tenthyear, Wayofthe Cross, is amulti-denominational walk across town and attracts large groups to participate in the annual event.

Thewalk will begin at St Mary's Church in HargravesStreetCastlemaine at 11am and continuetovarious stops

across town. At each stop those gathered give thanks to Jesus Christ through prayer and song.

TheWay of the Cross procession will takeapproximately one hour and a quarter,with transportavailable forthose who requireit.

Participants arethenwelcome to return to the St Mary'sHall to enjoya cuppa and ahot cross bun.

Anglican Parish of Castlemaine Christ Church, 8Mostyn Street,Castlemaine St John's,Fryers Town Rd,Chewton

17 April8.00pm -Maundy ThursdayEucharist (Christ Church Castlemaine)

18 April8.30am -Good FridayLiturgy (StJohn’s Chewton) 3.00pm -Veneration of the Cross (Christ Church)

19 April5.00pm- Holy SaturdayVigil (StJohn’s Chewton)

20 April8.00am -Easter DayEucharist (Christ Church) 10.00am -Sung Easter Eucharist (Christ Church)

Enquiries: Fr Ian Howarth 5472 1137

Father Wahid Riad from St Mary’s Catholic Parish invites everyone to join the Way of the Cross Good Friday procession

Covering the Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires

Circulated throughout: Kyneton, Castlemaine,Gisborne,Malmsbury,Trentham, Woodend, Redesdale,Lancefield, Romsey,Macedon, Mt. Macedon, Metcalfe Chewton, Harcourt,Newstead,Maldon,Taradale, Elphinstone Campbells Creek, Guildford, Barkers Creek, Sutton Grange, Baringhup,Muckleford, Yapeen.

ELLIOTT MIDLAND NEWSPAPERS

3Market St., PO Box153,Kyneton, 3444

Telephone: (03) 5422 1488

Facsimile: General (03) 5422 3173

13 Hargraves St.,POBox 227,Castlemaine,3450

(03) 5472 1788 Facsimile: (03) 5472 4504

HappyBirthday Birthday Birthday Club

TheCompost Conversation

Gettingthe compost goodness out of bones and shells

Adding bones or shells to our compost pile is fine –ifwehavegood rodentcontrol in place– but we will noticethatthese ingredients will still be present when the compost is finished, pretty much intact, just stripped of anymeatand residue.

Bones and shells areactually high in nitrogen, with collagen making up much of their structure, but these proteins are encased in protectivecalcium and phosphorus layers thatmakeitvery hard for compost bacteria to break them down or plantroots to access the nutrients.

Calcium and phosphorus areboth nutrients that we want in our garden and areoften lacking from ourpoorercentral Victorian soils, but even inhot compost piles the chemical bonds of the bones and shells won’tbreak down. So,whatshould we do with these useful, but nutritionally unavailable materials?

We can fast-track thebreak-down of these structures by burning bones and shells in asmall fire, using heattochemically break the bonds and release those nutrients.

Anybones or shells Ifish outofa finished compost arestock-piled in adedicatedbin. Then, acouple of times ayearI will build alittle fire, stacking up alternating layers of wood and bones and shells, till Ihaveanicelittle ‘campfire’

Ikeep alittle stack of extratwigs and branches to add to thefiretomakesure the pile burns niceand hot, with minimal smokeand rightthrough. Iuse long-handled barbeque tongstomoveany bones or shells thatfall out, back to thehot centre of the fire. Thebones can smell alittle ‘proteiny’ when theyburn, but it is notan

awful smell. Always check and adhereto fireregulations, even with asmall fire. Once cooled, the residual bones and shells can be collected up, and the wood ash sievedout.Ifthe burn has been successful, they will have changed colour to chalky whiteand be very brittle, and can then easily be pounded into abone-meal powder

Abig mortarand pestle is ideal, buta sledgehammer or malletona concrete block does the job pretty well

Ourbone-meal powder can then be added straighttothe garden, but Iprefer to dust it into thelayer of my compost piles, adding this nutrientbacktothe garden withthe next dressing of compost Bone meal is also thesecret ingredient in bone china and some pottery glazes. Alex Perry of BarMidland in Castlemaine is akeen hotcomposter who uses the YIMBYcontinuous hotcompost system to process the food scraps that come out of his kitchen garden and from the restaurant, including lots of bones from stock and gelatine production. Bones coming out of Alex’s compostpile are being heatedand powdered to go into the bone glazes thatBar Midland co-owner Lowden Cooper is turning into beautiful bowls, platesand serving vessels forthe restaurant

Anothergreat use forthese valuable resources.

–Joel Meadows works with *Yes In My Back Yard,(YIMBY), acommunity-scale composting initiativeinCastlemaine and surrounds. Send questions or comments to hello@yimbycompost.com, or to book in fora compost workshop.

Don’tcross theline

Worksafe Victoria has launched anew campaign to stomp out work-relatedaggression. 'Don’t cross the line'calls on everydayVictorians to consider the toll on workerswho mayexperienceyelling, swearing and hostilityaspart of their daytoday work.

Thecampaignwill run on TV,radio, social media,print and featureinworkplaces –focusing on the cumulativeimpactofthese forms of aggression.

It comesasWorkSafedatareveals almost 1000 workerswereseriously injured, including 316 workerswho suffered mental injuries, because of suspected work-relatedaggression or violenceincidents last year

About 100 of the victims were young workersagedunder 25, including severalteenagers. Claims were made from workersacross arangeofindustries including retail, transport, health careand social assistance, education and training and emergency services.

Thecampaignportrayssituations wherecommunity membersmay feel frustrated and tempersboil over –suchaswhen transport isdelayed, there’sa mix-upwith an order,ora long queue.

Each scenario highlights the fact thatworkersinpublic-facing rolesmay face multiple acts of aggression in asingle day– andencourages membersofthe community to stop, think and act better in the moment

Employers have aresponsibility to protect workersfromhazards, including having systems in placetoprevent aggression and violenceinthe workplaceaswell as forreporting and responding to incidents thatdohappen.

Anyworkerwho has concerns about the controls in placeintheir workplacetomanage the risks can contact WorkSafe'sadvisory serviceon1800 136 089.

Thursday 1.00pm -1.30pm

60 Reillys Track, Castlemaine AwardWinning RammedEarth Home on 123Acres

$1,950,000 -$2,100,000

6 50 ha (123 acres)

42 McMahons Road, Glenlyon

Aaah…The Quiet Life

$700,000 -$770,000

Seekingapeaceful andprivate lifestyle?Thishomesitsonanextremelylarge allotmentof5,605 sqmonthe townboundaryand providesample space to enjoyasemi-rural lifestyleand also offers potential forsubdivision,subject to councilapproval.

DogRiver is an architect-designedrammedearth home that blends sustainability withsophistication—paired withthe rare chance to own123 acresofAustralian landscape. With 4bedrooms, 2.5bathrooms,panoramic views,abundantwater storage andflourishing nativegardens,it’saprivate sanctuary like no other.Winner of the2015MasterBuilders NationalEnvironmentAward,thisremarkableproperty offers refinedoff-gridliving.

116 Edgecombe Road, Kyneton

OnceinaBlue Moon Opportunity

$1,475,000- $1,620,000 Robert Broadhurst 0488300 900| Joanne Douglas 0402 044 780 |Sue Wilson 0418 387295 Rachel Potter 0400455 777 |Lizzy Bloomfield 0408360 384

Discoverthe rare blendoffamilyliving, rural charmand income potential, just moments fromKyneton.Thispropertyfeaturesaspaciousbrick home,a massivemachineryshed, afour-cargarageand an impressive inground pool With sevenself-containedstudio apartments offering up to $10,000 rental income,plusconvenientaccesstoMelbourne, this is your opportunitytolive, work andinvestinstyle!

282 BlanketGully Road, Campbells Creek

Off-Grid Living with Offthe Chart Views

Open Thursday 2.15pm -2.45pm

EPR: $900,000 –$990,000

Perchedonarise, this 4bedroom residenceisthe ultimate escape on 4.7ha (approx. 11.6 acres),offeringsweepingvistasofrolling countryside anddistant mountains–eveniconicMtFranklin. Whether you're sipping coffee at sunrise or enjoying aglass of wine at sunset, thescenery will neverget old

41 44.7 ha (approx. 11.6 acres)

36 Lawrence Street, Castlemaine

Mid-Century Magic, ModernLiving on aMassive 1600sqm Block

9Rosa Court, Kyneton

Open Thursday 2.00pm -2.30pm

EPR: $1,395,000–$1,495,000

TeeOff in Style: Spacious Brick Home on 5Acres Just aStroll to the Green

Whysettlefor ordinary when youcan have it all?Thisspacioushome on 5 acresinKyneton blends privacy,comfortand fun. Enjoyachic, modern kitchen, spaciousliving andcosyunderfloor heating. With thegolfcoursejustastroll away anda fabalfresco area,it’sthe perfectplace to relax, entertainand maybeevensneak in acheekyswing!

42 22.01 ha (approx. 5acres)

1/16 Lauriston Street, Kyneton

Youwilldoahappy dance when youdiscoverthismid-century gem with modern updates,set on amassive1600sqm block. Thischarminghomeboasts warm Tasmanianoak floors,originallight fittings throughout, arenovated,retro kitchen andthree spaciousliving zones. Enjoythe landscaped backyard witha wide undercover alfresco area,fruit trees,astudio,excellent shedding andfire pit. Thisone is atrueheart stealer

41 21,600 sqm Open Thursday 12.00pm -12.30pm

Open Thursday 3.15pm -3.45pm

EPR: $750,000 -$780,000

CreamBrick Beauty in Kyneton’sFavourite Street! 32 2375 sqm

Thisrecently renovated 1970sgem combines charmwithmodernupdates,also featuringa wide driveway andahugebackyardand aplanning permit approved fora subdivisionwitha3-bedroom 2-bathroom residence. Primelocation near shops, schools andiconicPiper Street.Perfect fora dream home or investment. Don'tmissout on 16 Lauriston Street,Kyneton –it'saheart-stealer!

Robert Broadhurst 0488300 900| Joanne Douglas 0402 044 780 |Sue Wilson 0418 387295 Rachel Potter 0400455 777 |Lizzy Bloomfield 0408360 384

6ReidwellDrive,Woodend

Positionedonagenerous 828m² corner block, this stylishthree-bedroom home features open-plan living,asunkenlounge, and awell-appointed kitchen with stone-look benchtops and 900mm oven. The masterincludesa walk-inrobe and ensuite. Outdoorsoffers adeck, alfresco, and double garage.Just1.4km from WoodendStation and local amenities, it’s modern livingatits best

Price:$1,025,000 -$1,095,000 Inspection: Saturday26thApril 12.00pm -12.30pm Travis Cole0428 202 672 |BeverleyHiggs 0448 271 222

62 Kyneton-SpringhillRoad, Kyneton

Seton4,000 sqm of established gardens, this spacious familyhome features 4 bedrooms, study,modern kitchen, 2living areas, and outdoor entertaining. Includes a6x12m shed, wood heater, 6kW solar, double garage,and town water. Perfect for families or those working from home, just 1hour from Melbournewith sealed road frontage

5Blanche Close, Kyneton

This spacioushome offersfour bedrooms, study,three livingareas, and amodern kitchen opening to an alfresco area with built-in BBQ. Seton966 sqm next to parkland, it includes ductedheating/cooling,alow-maintenance yard,and a 6x10m shed. Perfectfor families,tradies, or entertainers—justanhour from Melbourne, with space fora boat or caravan.

Price Range: $895,000 -$965,000 Inspection: Saturday11.00am- 11.30am MatthewBourke0448 271 880 |Sharon Collicoat 0428 582 415

35 Colwells Road, Newham

PriceRange: $995,000 Inspection: Saturday1.00pm -1.30pm MatthewBourke0448 271 880 |SharonCollicoat0428582 415

Nestled at HangingRock’sbaseinNewham,thisstunning straw-bale home on 5.5 acres blends sustainability with design excellence. Justfive minutes from Woodend, it features passive-solar efficiency,bespoke interiors, aFrench provincialkitchen, and breathtaking views. With abundantwildlife,native gardens, and eco-consciousfeatures, it offersa rare lifestyle of serenity,style,and connection to nature.

Price Range: $1,350,000 Inspection: Saturday26thApril 12.00pm -12.30pm BeverleyHiggs 0448271 222 |Travis Cole 0428 202 672

16 HoveaGrove,New Gisborne

Perfectlypositioned on a783m² (approx.) corner block in Mountain View Estate, thisstylish 4-bedroom home offersspace, practicality,and comfort.Featuring multiple livingzones, agourmetkitchen, sideaccess forextra vehicles, and a generous backyard with alfresco.Close to schools, transport, and BaringoHub, thisisthe idealfamilyhome or investment.Inspect today!

Price: $890,000 -$960,000

Inspection: Saturday26thApril 11.00am -11.30am

Josie Borg0448271 878 |Ray Cashmore0448 271688

4AuroraClose, Gisborne

Astunning blend of modern style and countrycharm, this grand ranch-style home on 5acres offersbreathtaking views,townservices, and unmatchedprivacy.Builtin 2018, it features fiveliving zones, adesigner kitchen,aluxuriousmastersuite, and a 15m six-bayshed—perfect forfamilies or home businesses. Justminutes to Gisborne’s shopsand train.

Price Range: $2,200,000 -$2,400,000

Inspection: Saturday26thApril 10.00am -10.30am

BeverleyHiggs 0448 271 222 |Travis Cole 0428 202 672

11 Pinelea Grove, Gisborne

Nestled in apeaceful cul-de-sac, this charming Gisborne home offersmodern comfort on agenerous 1,043m² block. With four spaciousbedrooms, multiple livingzones, asun-drenchedpool, and seamless indoor/outdoorentertaining, it’s perfectfor relaxedfamily living. Enjoycentral heating,split systemcooling,and a primelocation closetotown, schools, andparks. Arareopportunity!

Price Range: $975,000 -$1,050,000

Inspection: Saturday11.00am -11.30am Josie Borg0448271 878| RayCashmore0448 271 688

15 Bailey Road, Macedon

This 61-acreequestrian estate combines prestige, privacy, and functionality

Featuring agrand residence, Olympic-levelfacilities, indoor and outdoor arenas, 29 paddocks, and enchanting gardens, it offerstimeless elegance and practicality With breathtaking viewsofMountMacedon and top-tier amenities, this exceptional property is atruesanctuaryfor equestrianexcellence and refined countryliving.

Price Range: $3,490,000 -$3,590,000

Inspection: By PrivateInspection Jason York 0447 391 089 |Travis Cole 0428 202 672

MIDLAND Property &Living

Proud Victorian packed with potential

If only the walls could talk! This proud Victorian weatherboardhome would undoubtedly have some fascinating stories to tell

From the momentofarrival, the propertysparks curiosity, starting withthe craftedstone pillarsatthe frontfence— oncefitted with railings wherehorses were tied.

Awide, decked verandah wraps around the home, offering severalperfect spotsfor morning coffees or an afternoon G&T.

Unleash the potential of this quarter-acreblock, complete with awide side driveway.Garden enthusiasts and renovators will love the opportunitytomaketheir mark on this already neatand comfortable property Inside, manycherished period features remain, including decorativefireplaces, warm timberfloors, timber-lined ceilings and beautiful leadlightwindows

Theinternal floor plan offers three bedrooms or twoplusa study.The timber-lined study is complete with inscriptions from the buildersofthe past.A rear studio offers afabulousfourthbedroom, guest accommodation, home office or hobbyspace. Back inside, alarge,central living area opens onto the

side verandah via aset of french doorsand is equipped with split system heating and cooling. Wood heaters also radiate warmth in the cooler months.

Note the little hatchdoor here, which mayhaveonce been used by servants to pass meals or beveragestothe solicitor or priest who oncecalled 6BeggStreettheir home. Futureresidents maychoose to continuethis tradition by placing abell on their coffee table fora call forafternoon drinks!

Theseparatekitchen, with awalk-in pantry and warm timber cabinetry,adjoins the meals area. Thereisalso a well-maintained rear bathroom with abathand separate shower.

Outside, alarge undercoveralfrescospace with a pitched roof has hosted memorable milestone parties and is primed formanymore.

Thelevel block, with its established plantings, also houses the original stables, which nowoffer fantastic shedding and the aforementioned studio space.

This fantastic location is just moments from everything Kynetonhas to offer, including the Botanic Gardens, Campaspe RiverWalk, train station, shops and schools.

Property: Victorian weatherboard

Address: 6BeggStreet, Kyneton

Price: $850,000 -$930,000

Agent: Broadhurst Property

Contact: LizzyBloomfield 0408 360 384

Rachel Potter 0400 455777

Country charm with breathtaking views

This three-bedroom home is positioned in ahighly sought-after area. It perfectly blends a country feel witha minimalist aesthetic, resulting in the perfect balanceofa ruralfeel and town convenience.

Offering anorth-facing living area that seamlessly flows into adining spaceand an adjoining kitchen, the homeisbathed in natural lightthroughout the day, providing awarm and inviting atmosphere. Asplit system ensures yearround comfort,while the wood panelling adds a touchofcharacter and warmth to theinteriors.

Thekitchen, featuring afreestanding gas cooktop withanovenand awrap-around bench, opens onto aspacious9mx3mwrap-around deck, ideal foryear-round entertaining. Whether enjoying amorning coffee or hosting family and friends, the deck offers breathtaking views of

MountFranklin, creating astunning backdropfor anyoccasion. Threegenerously sized bedrooms sharea well-appointedbathroom, complete with ashoweroverthe bath, avanityand atoilet. An integrated solar systemensures energy efficiency withnewly installed double-glazed windows and underfloor insulation. Theuniqueturret design adds an interesting external featuretothe home's overall aesthetic, and anew addition is theattic storagewithfold-down steps.

Outside, the property has twowater tanks and aterraced, low-maintenancegarden, perfect for those who appreciate arelaxed lifestyle. Avinecoveredpergola adds an extratouch of charm, creating aspacetounwind or entertain guests. With its thoughtful design and primelocation, this homeoffersspectacular views andcountry charm

MIDLAND Property& Living

Ahistoric sanctuary re-imagined

Once aplaceofquietreflection, this former Wesleyanchurchhas been transformed into abreathtaking residence thatcombines history,craftsmanship and modern practicality. Situatedonaquiet country street, only 12 minutes from the heart of Castlemaine, thenorth-facing orientation, soaring ceilings and abundant naturallightcreateaspacethatfeels both grand and intimate –ahome with astory to tell.

Inside, the vast open-plan living area is a testamenttothe original design. Traditional timber floorswhisper of their past, while an elegantsurround to theCheminees Philippe fireplaceservesasasculptural centrepiece. Custom-createdbookshelves add aliterary touchand year-round comfort is assured with areverse-cycle system.

Thekitchen is practical and stylish with a900mm stainless steel gas cooktop, complementedbya Westinghouse dishwasher,tiled splashback and amovable island thatallowsthe spacetoflexwith your needs. Adedicatedpantry and generous fridgespace ensurethatfunction is never sacrificed. Acharming vestibule leads either outside or on to thebedroom, aprivate retreat, wherefrenchdoorsopen onto the frontbalcony, inviting the morning light to filter through. Aspaciouswalk-in robe

offers practical storage, while the ensuite provides everything youneed. Arear utility area includes storagespace,laundry and secondary powder room

Beyond the mainresidenceatthe rear of the property,aseparatetwo-bedroom cottagewith its ownaccess offers flexibility –whether as accommodation, ahome office or income-generating investment. Designed forindependentliving, it features afull kitchen, bathroom and acharming verandah alfrescoarea. With both dwellings functioning separately,this atruly versatile property.The landscape is punctuated by sculpturalrockformations, fully fenced for privacy,withthe convenienceofa large garage. Sustainability is considered, with four watertanks and town water supporting the home, along withnbn connectivityand separate powerfor each dwelling.

This remarkable property is ararefusion of heritageand modern living, offering a lifestyle thatisasuniqueas it is functional. Whether you're drawn to the grandeur of the converted church, theflexibility of the separate cottage, or the mix of timeless features and contemporary design, this home is ready to be lived in and loved. An opportunity like this is seldom found–enquiretoday to experienceits charmfor yourself

Property: WesleyanChurch(c1870) conversionwith separate cottage

Address: 22 FranklinStreet, Guildford

Price: $1,275,000

Agent: Belle Property

Contact: RobWaller

Belle Property Castlemaineand Maldon.

6Reckleben Street, Castlemaine.

3 a 1 b 1 v 2100r

•Elegant brick Edwardian homewith slateroof andscenic township views.

•Features 3double bedrooms,timber floors, high ceilings, fireplaces, and versatile living spaces.

•Includescellar, studio, pool, gardens andSTCA subdivision potential.

For Sale Contact agent View

Saturday 19th April: 12:30pm-1:00pm

RobWaller |0418571 130

BlasiMulholland |0417 311 733

9Fountain Street, Maldon.

2 a 1 b 2 v 1638r

•Just 500m from town, this c.1800s Victorian home sitsona1,638m² block with views over Woodfull Reserve.

•Full of heritage charm, it includes fireplaces, cottage gardens, and access to MountTarrangower bushland.

•With townservices, it offersscopetorenovate or subdivide (STCA).

For Sale

$895,000 View

Saturday 19th April: 12:00pm-12:30pm

NarelleWaller |0408571 131

Rob Waller |0418571 130

94 Cairn Curran Hall Road, Baringhup.

3 a 1 b 3 v 2589r

•Picturesque 2589m² retreat nearLake Cairn Curran with open-plan living, timberfloors and year-round comfort.

•Fully fenced gardens with outdoor entertaining, 45,000L rainwater storage and water rights from the nearby river.

•Large shed &workshop space. Just 10 minutes from Maldon.

For Sale

$675,000 View

Saturday 19th April: 10:30am-11:00am

BlasiMulholland |0417 311 733

NarelleWaller |0408571 131

Scan to viewour currentlistings

MIDLAND Property &Living

Modern,comfortable and spacious

Set in the rapidlyexpanding McKenzie Hill precinct this newly built homeoffersa generous-sized living environment with excellentfinishes and landscaped gardens completed ready forthe fortunate purchaser to move straightinand start enjoying.

Thelight-filled home offers four bedrooms, amaster with alarge ensuiteand walk-in robe, acentral bathroom, separatetoilet, along with arumpus room andaseparatesitting room to thefront of the home.

With direct access to therear yard is aspacious openplanned dining and living room with an adjoining wellappointedkitchen including alarge walk-in pantry,900mm ovenand island bench.

Thesecuredouble garagegives direct access to the home, which is also serviced by ducted heating and cooling.

Aprivatealfrescoareaisatthe rear with apaving lawn and matureplantings of shrubs and trees, completing avery desirable lifestyle home.

Property: Newlybuilt familyhome

Address: 98 DiamondGully Road, McKenzie Hill

Price: $720,000 –$760,000

Agent: Castlemaine Property Group

Contact: BrettFitzpatrick 0419 833 510

Firsttime offered in 139 years

This is arareand exceptional opportunity to secure your very ownslice of country paradise thathas been in the same family,steeped in history,and neveroffered to the market before in the history of the family's139-year tenure.

Offering amodern country-style familyhome with sweeping wide verandahs on four sides, and a substantial 570-acre (approx.) land holding of spectacular country affording panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, LakeEppalockand other local attractions, this is achancetoembracea serene country lifestyle while also exploring arangeofagricultural business opportunities. Whether you'relooking fora stunning placetocallhome, athriving agricultural business, or both, this propertyofferslimitless potential.

Steeped in history,the original settlerscottagehas been beautifully replicated true to its original siting and features, andisa charming featureofthe property offering arareglimpse into the past.

Acontemporary three-bedroom, one-bathroom family home (built in 2011), withits striking moderndesign, this home brings atouch of luxury to country living. Featuring aspacious, open-plan layout withstylish living spaces, the home is perfect forfamilies. Large windows letin natural light, and the seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor areas ensures awonderfullifestyle forthose who enjoyentertaining.

Theoutdoor barbecue area is ideal forhosting gatherings withfriends and family,making the most of the beautiful country setting.

Property: Rare 570-acrecountry property in Tooborac

Address: 1335 DairyFlatRoad, Tooborac

Price: $4,995,000

Agent: Raineand Horne Kyneton

Contact: JasonWoodford-Smith0478 000 441

Macedon Ranges.Trustedserviceagentsfor topbrandslike Miele,Asko, Speed Queen, Electrolux, Bosch, Omega, Simpson, Dishlex, and Westinghouse. Simp www.kentappliancerepair.com.au kynetonappliancerepairs@gmail.com

GREEN -Maureen (nee Rogers)

Loved sister of Tina (dec) and sister in-law of Leon.

Much lovedAunty of Leonie, Les and Liz.

Fond memories of many happytimes. Now at peace. TheMcLean family

Amuch loved friendand community person Lana diedsuddenlyasaresult of an accident. Shewill be greatly missed by her friends.

Please join us to farewellLanainthe Chapel of MountAlexander Funerals, 12 Campbell Street, Castlemaine TOMORROW(Wednesday) any time between 2.00 and4.00pm. Lana requestedthat you write a andyou maywishto

Loretta passed awaypeacefully onTuesday8thApril aged64years. Dearly loved mother of Kate,Sarah, Bridgetand Emma AdoredGrandmaoffour In God's care Funeral Mass to celebrate

St Mary's Catholic Church, Hargraves Street, Castlemaine onThursday 17thApril at 11.00am.

To join us via livestream pleasevisit Loretta’stribute page on the website of MountAlexander Funerals.

GREEN (nee Rogers) Maureen Veronica 16 October 1935 -8April 2025

DaughterofJames &Ruby, wife of Vinnie (dec).

Loved mother of Chris, Sue, Craig, Karen &Jo. Mother-in-law of Melissa, Greg, Naomi&Alan. LovedNan ofTayte &Blake; James &Aidan; Tiarna, Riley& Hayden; Cooper &Liam; Zali &Max.

Much loved sister,sister-in-law &aunty Reunited with loved ones, Forever in our hearts, Rest In Peace.

AFuneral Service to celebrate the life of Maureen Veronica Green will be held at theThomas J. Scott MemorialChapel, 5Piper St,Kyneton onTHURSDAY 17April 2025, at 2pm.

Aburial at the KynetonCemetery will follow

For those unable to attend, the family warmly invite you to join thelive stream at tjscottandson.com.au

-11.4.2025

PeacefullyatGrant Lodge, Bacchus Marsh Wife of John(Dec), MothertoAndrew&Christine Mother-in-lawtoTrevor, Nanto Lachlan & Jacob Daughter of Alec & Ivy Southcombe (Both Dec). NowResting Peacefully

AGraveside Service for Valerie will be held on Thursday 24th April 2025, commencingat1.3 0pm at theNewsteadCemetery

mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Loretta Therese Ward

TERMINATION

Fire Danger Period

Areminderthat the Fire Danger Period is scheduled to cease.

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Mt Alexander Shire Council 22 April 2025

Central Goldfields Shire22April 2025 City of GreaterBendigo22April 2025 Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil 22 April 2025

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Information aboutfire restrictionswithin the Country Area of Victoria can be obtained from www.cfa.vic.gov.au, yourlocal CFADistrict Office or Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.

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CASTLEMAINE

Published Wednesday,April 23

Classifieds -Thursday,April 17 (by 4pm)

-Wednesday,April 16 (by 10am)

1488 |Castlemaine 5472 1788 Published Thursday,April 17 Bookingdeadlines Classifieds -Tuesday,April 15 (by4pm)

CASTLEMAINE 1Davis (Wesley Hill), St.Sat., 19th April -10am.Living from the70's!Deceased estate. Glass storage jars, Fowlers

KN283864/L

CASTLEMAINE, 137 Mostyn St, Sat. &Sun., April 19 &20, 10am -4pm Clothes, household, bric-abrac, stall holders welcome.

39 Happy Valley Rd. Fri. 18th, 8am -1pm. Sat. 19th, 8am -11am. Deceased estate, loads woodwork machinery, bric-a-brac and books. KN283861/L

KN283862/L

CASTLEMAINE

5Yandell Street, Sat., April 19, 9am -2pm. Household goods including cot &pram, clothes, books. No Early Birds

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NOTICE

OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

Planning AndEnvironment Act 1987 Section 52(1) An applicationfor aplanningpermithas been made which may affect you.

Thelandaffectedbytheapplication is locatedat: LOT 72LP 221856UP/Monegeetta 55 Ewing Drive ROMSEY VIC3434

The application is for apermit to: Vary arestriction(covenant U645388B) Planning scheme clause Matter forwhich apermit is required 52.02 –Easements, restrictions and reserves To create,vary or remove an easement or restriction.

The applicant for thepermit is: AspectPlanning Services

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Dated:4/04/2025

CASTLEMAINE

Town & District

RobPrendergast has claimed this year's Castlemaine club championship.

Thescratch marker carded rounds of 73, 73 and78for a224 total, with the feature eventbeing completedonSaturday.

Orry Crosswas the B-grade champion with a54-hole tally of 263.

Damien Cassidy wasC-grade champion with 275, and he also clinchedthe Dennis Cassidy Trophy forbestnettscore overthe championship.

Congratulations to themajor winners.

Theday's strokeevent washotly contested, with Jamison Prendergast 107-3770 edgingout Damien Cassidy 91-21-70 on acountback forbothoverall and C-grade honours.

Orry Cross 83-11-72 wonA-grade on a countback from Jason Thompson 75-3-72..

Billy Burgess 87-16-71 topped B-grade from GlennLorenz 90-17-73.

Therewere24birdies, with RobPrendergasthaving four.Cross andPeterVerlaan were theNTPs

Saturday9@9 winner wasJohn Nankervis (7) with 17 points.

Thursdaystableford:Inafield of 51 Kors VanEyk (20) wasoverall and C-grade winner with 38 pointsfromfellowC-grader Peter Farrell (19) on 37

Norm Bellis (7)topped A-grade with 37 from Kevin Lourey 35,and Harald Domanski (14) had 37 in B-grade to beat Alister Campbell (14) by one.

GISBORNE

Gisborne golf women held theirannual meeting last week, with JennyMalbergtaking overthe reins from Gudrun Wilkinsonas the newpresidentofthe women's committee.

Shehas decided to put 125 per cent tariffs on women golferswho don't have a greattime playing at Gisborne!

Sharon Kemp andNancy Inglis remain as co-captains, andMaryanne Mocnik is the newsecretary

Thanks goes out to Gudrun forall her hardwork as the former president.

Afield of 184 turnedout on Saturday, and the best scorewas 43 stablefordpoints by upcoming talentSamuel McMahon, who gets free lessons from his dad.

Kent Spry wonA-grade with 36 points, Jackson LeeC-grade with 29, and the women's winner wasJacquiNelson with 35.

Ambrose winnersonWednesdaywere Betty Glover,MargPower, Lynne Smith and Helen Flentjewith aterrific 59.25 nett.

Thursday's A-grade open comp. went to William Ryan with 41 points, Jesse Ramsey wonB-grade with the same score,and Tony Harfordwon C-grade with 39 KYNETON

Agameoftwo halves on Saturday,with 32 men in the first roundofthe RSL knockout singles, and 29 playing stableford (two sections).

Harrison Huntley(8) birdied his last two holes andreturned 38 points to win the under-15 handicap section by twofromAdam Smith (11), while Mick McQualter also had 38 to finish three clear of Connor Munro (23) in the other section.

Moyra Douglas (36) also scored 38,two clear of RobMacRae(20).

NTPswereHuntley,Terry Gamble, Jason McClure, Damian Summers andCol Hudgson (also super pin).

Apar-birdie finish on Wednesdaygave RayWilkinson (20) 39 pointstoedgeout Castlemaine eight-year-old Thomas Bellis (32)

Thefearlessness of youthproduced eight three-points, but twofour putts stopped his charge

Afield of 21 ladies playedstrokeinthe second roundofthe Beatrice DavidsonCup on Tuesday.

Denise Murphy 87-15-72 wonA-grade from Kylie Munro84-10-74. DebKohlman 98-26-72 took out B-grade from Marg Scoble 96-24-72, andDot Greenwayedged Moyra Douglas afterbothcarded 111-3873.

BevHanna (52) wonthe nine holes with 18 points, and NTPswereJulie McKellar, Bron Dwyer,Lois Scottand Joan Gibbs. Good Friday'sfield is full, but there's room fora couple moreplayers in the par-3

challengeonAnzac Day (text0438865 586 if interested).

LANCEFIELD

TheLegends eventlast week saw Stephan Kosa continue hiswinning ways with 104-35-69, with 13-year-old Darcy Creerrunner-up with 106-34-72 on a countbackfromPaul Stammers welcome back after an absenceofsome years.

Women's stableford:Jenni Vennell (28) 40 points, from Susie Kosa (45)39, and Kaylene Cruise(23) 38.

DDGAVeteransonThursday: A-grade went to Denis Davenport (Lancefield), Bto Terry Dobson (Broadford) and CtoKevin Summers(Seymour).

Saturdaystableford:Afour-way tie saw elder statesman Stewart Stevens(21)with 23 points the winner on acountback from Denis Davenport(5), Greg Parks(10) and Malcolm Ive(20). Di Brennan (23) wasbest of the ladieswith 32.

MOUNT MACEDON

TheMarch 'Ladies Get IntoGolf @ MMGC' progrm concluded with ashortcourseAmbrose event.

This wasthe ninthcohort from this ongoing and widely acclaimed MMGC program, andthanksare due onceagaintothe participants, club volunteersand conveners BruceFraser and Marcus Ward

Saturday'spar round sawevergreen Brian Freestone(15)claimoverall andB-grade honours. Mike Hoiles(13) wasgrade runnerup on +4.

Acountback in A-grade saw SeanSmyth (10) +1edgeout Mark Burrage (10) on a countback.

David Lee(21) topped C-grade on +2 from PeterPalmer (20) +1, and NTPswent to Smyth(2), Darren Mantynen andDamien Scott.

In the midweekpar bisque A-grade went to John Dawson (14) on +7.fromOilsFlannery (13) +3,and BrettHolburt (36) finished +10 in B-grade. NTPswereJoel Scanlon and IanSteward

ROMSEY

Davey Kenneytook controlinthe second nine holes to winthe prestigious Alfie Mitchell Shieldmatch play final on Saturday. Kenneyhad to concede ScottWilliams four strokes, and the contest wasall square at the half waymark.

Kenneyeventuallyon3 and 2.

In somewhatbenign conditions, alarge stableford field turned out, but only four achievedpar of better In-form JarrodBeswick (22) wonwith42 points, from DeEanKohler (8) on 37,and Simon Donovan(8) 36, on acountback from ZacScales (23).

Mick Squire had the longest drive; Squire, Luke Lyons and Mick NichollsSnr were NTPs.

RonCole wasWednesday'sstroke winner with 101-33-68, from David Jones 87-1671, and Lis Manktelow100-26-74,which wassufficientto earn the silver spoon. Kath Jekabsonshad the least putts 27.

TRENTHAM

In glorious autumn conditions, Alan Hopkins (10) spreadeagled the stablefordfield on Saturdaywith41points. Mark Fisher was runner-up to him in A-grade with 39 points. Trevor McKeon(16) had38inB-grade to edgeout LesHealy (16) on acountback, and David Nugent (21) led in the C-graderswith35 points, on acountback from Gavin Flecknoe (35).

Theladies contested thesecondround of theJim McCormack Trophyevent KathyKeating wasintop form, winning with 40 points, from Rachael McMahon 38. WOODEND

Therewerenoexceptional scores in Saturday'sstableford.

NevilleBottams (8) topped A-grade with 37 points from Andrew Davies 36. Fergus Nevin (13) wonB-grade with 36 on acountback from Marcus Ramanauskus and RobDarling (20)had 37 in C-grade, five clear of David Belchin(33).

Tuesdaystableford: Maurie Rintala (17) had 41 points, which would beathis agein astrokeevent.Youngster Tyson Payne (29) wasrunner-up on 40. Duetocoring, the Tuesdaygang is offto playatAxedale today

U12girlsclaim championship

TheMacedon Ranges Basketball Association Under 12 girls won their grand final at theBasketballVictoria Junior Country Championships in Bendigo on the weekend.

TheMRBAUnder 12 Boys putinatremendous performance across the weekend and were narrowly defeated in aheart-stopping Division 5Semi Final, going down by just one pointtoWallan, 47–48.

Meanwhile, the MRBA Under 12 Girls finished their tournament on ahigh, claiming victory in the Division 5Grand Final against Wangaratta with awell-earned 35–31 win.

Aftera hard-foughtbattle, thegirls showedtrue resilience, teamwork and determination to defeat Wangaratta bringing homethe title. Their effort,dedication and never-give-up attitude areatrue credit to themselves, their coaches and the club.

DOUBLE GRAND FINAL GLORYFOR UNDER14S

Thepreviousweekend in Ballarat wasunforgettable forboththe MRBAUnder 14 Boys andGirls teams, who were crowned champions in their divisions at the championships.

Competing against thebest regional teamsfromacrossVictoria, the MRBARockies teamsdelivered outstanding performances,demonstrating skill, determination, and atrue team spirit.

TheUnder 14 Girls led the waywithagritty and disciplined performanceintheir Grand Final against adetermined opponent. In atightly contested match, the MRBARockies girls heldtheirnerveto claim awell-deserved 32 to 25 victory overWodonga, completing a historic double championship win forthe association.

And nottobeout done, the Under 14 Boys stamped their authority on thecompetition, in acommanding display, powering their way to aconvincing grand final victory overColac. Theboyscontrolled the game from start to finish, claiming thetitle with adominant scoreline of 61 to 28.

This latestsuccess followsa strong representativeseason for MRBA. TheUnder 18 Boyswerecrownedrunners up in Bendigo in February,while the Under 16 Boys andGirls teamsrepresenting the region proudly in Melton during March.

With junior basketball participation on the rise and agrowing cultureofdevelopmentand success, the MRBA continues to build a pathwayfor young athletestothrive. Registrations areopenfor the winter domestic season. Find out moreatwww.mrba.org.au

Training time: Team

manager Kristy Torney at Kyneton

FIDA training on Wednesday evening

It maybea relatively newrole forwell-known local KristyTorney this season, but being manager of the KynetonFIDAteam is already proving apositive, with plenty of funand enjoymentonand offthe field. Kristyhas alengthybackground in sport as aplayerand volunteer,and KynetonFootball NetballClub waspleased to seeher put her hand up to managethe 2025 FIDAteam Kyneton, Bendigo, Rupertswood and Sunbury arethe four teams in this season's all-abilities football competition, withthe first round playedatKynetonatthe weekend.

FIDAisa charitable organisation (Football Integration DevelopmentAssociation)thatpromotesfitness, friendship, belonging and developing lifeskills and improvedhealth among participants who have additional needs.

"The smiles on the facesofour players says it all, with the Kynetonclubbeing very supportiveofFIDAand thebenefits it brings," Kristy explained. "Weare looking pretty strong this year with some newrecruits and winning the 'Lightning Cup' against Rupertswood, wasagreat start to our season."

Experienced FIDAcoach PeterConnor is at the helm, and most of the 21 players come from Kynetonand district.

TheFIDAseason is relatively short, with atotal of eightgames,

Magpies need you!

Castlemaine Football Netball Club is seeking volunteersand urgesinterested community memberstoget along and support the local historic communityclub.

Club presidentCaleb Kuhle said the club wasacornerstone of the community, rich in history and passion forthe game.

"Asaproud, historic club (the second oldest football club in Australia, established in 1859), we arealwayslooking for enthusiastic volunteerstohelp us continue serving our communityand fostering the next generation of playersand supporters," Kuhle said.

Kristy’s really keen on

FIDA

and some of the players arenew to the Kynetonclub, with the majority having playedlast season.

"Theyclearly enjoytheir football, and theylovethe encouragementfromour supportersand theclub."

Kristy, along-time local, has been broughtupinthe local sporting community and continued her involvementinvarious clubs over the yearswith her ownchildren and their sporting pursuits,developing long-term friendships.

NETBALLCOMEBACK

Kristyhas also made anetball comeback withKyneton"forfun and social reasons" this season.

Theversatile playerenjoyedthe April 5D-grade game against the Gisborne Giants, despitenot coming home withthe win.

"We're abunch of friends on and offthe court, hoping to win a fewgames, but moreimportantly enjoythe socialaspects thatthe game brings" Kristy says

There'snodoubtFIDAisher numberone priority with the club this season. Training sessions arebetween 5pm and 6pmeach Wednesdayatthe Showgrounds.

"Likeother clubs, Kynetonisalwayspleased to find some more volunteers... if you'vegot some time,come along and showyour support and see just howrewarding FIDAfootball really is,"Kristy said.

"Whether you'repassionate about football, netball, or simply want to contributetoalocal tradition, we encourage your support in awelcoming and inclusive environment.

"Thereare manywaystoget involved— whether you'rehelping behind the scenes or cheering from thesidelines, your involvementmakes adifference!" he said.

HowCan YouHelp?

–Volunteer forgame days –general set up, ticketing at gates, behind the bar,inthe canteen.

–Support players in football and netball at all levels and be apartoftheir development– theMagpies arelooking forenthusiastic trainersfor both our men's and women's football and netball teams.

–Bea part of the growing community by attending matches and cheering on our players

Formoreinformation or to sign up as a volunteer,contact theclub via email secretary@castlemainefnc.com.au or visit their websitewww.castlemainefnc.com.au

Youcan also followthe Castlemaine Football NetballClub on socials forupdates

TheMagpies look forwardtowelcoming youinseason 2025!

MRBAUnder 12 Girls(Lefttoright): Back row: Brendan Winden (coach), AvaWinden, WillowWild, Emmy McNiece, James Theuerle (assistantcoach), Livi Carranza,Heidi Lehmann (team manager). Frontrow:Georgia Cameron, Alannah Theuerle, Charlie Treseder,Lucy Fish, CharlotteIzzard, Matilda Coles.

Bill West

Seniors

GOALS: Romsey:CPetroro2 JStapleton MBurkett J Jedwab BEST: Romsey:A TessariCSankeyCPertzel M BurkettC LeverJ Jedwab

GOALS: Riddell: DGalea 5JHammerling 2J Wadden 2LHay 2C Williamson JChahine TAlkemadeMPanuccio DTarczon BEST: Riddell: BMillerBBorgC Williamson JGrabham D TarczonL Hay.

GOALS: Romsey:W Di PietroM HoyAPaterson ASmith D Harrison KMurphyT Boorman. BEST: Romsey:L Newnham ATennantD Harrison CLever WDiPietroNEvans

GOALS: Wallan:JLayley 5CNelson 3DKorpA Crawford KChristall.Riddell: SDuggan2BGoodman ZChahine G Cilauro. BEST: Wallan: JLayley ALoveCNelson JCharlton J Kennedy JNelson. Riddell: BZarbGCilauroD GillardJ Apps KFrewS Duggan

Gisborne: DJohnstone

MJinkins PTrotta.

Gisborne: DJohnstone

BernackiZ VescoviJGrayJ DenahyCJohns

GOALS: Kangaroo Flat:JLowndes 3B

M WiegardPMurphyCLee.Gisborne: HDoricic 2CPachi A Rovere. BEST: Kangaroo Flat:PMurphyJ WiegardZ Miller C Lee. Gisborne:H OliveA Rovere HDoricic ZPaterson

GOALS: Castlemaine: DHickey 4L Walters ADouglas R Smith. BEST: Castlemaine: DSlingo BMcConachyDHickey RSmith ABracken LWalters

Under 18s

KANGAROO FLAT

GOALS: Gisborne: KZerafa 6L Borg 4LJones3J Palmer 2D Beggs 2LHannon REvans IGulam. BEST: Gisborne:KZerafa JZerafa LHannonL BorgLJones DBeggs

GOALS: Riddell: HMeacham 3MGray2B Taylor 2JButler 2LCardillo BEST: Riddell:

GOALS: Castlemaine: JWatson 2M Filo 2MHartley HStaples PBalta WMoran BEST: Castlemaine: BByrne BHenderson M Hartley HStaples HSheahan MFilo

GOALS: Castlemaine: CHolman 3C Waters BEST: Castlemaine: JBalcombe CHolman OBritt MMcKnightC Mark

Reserves

Seniors

GOALS: Trentham: JRegan 6JKeogh 3ZGervasoni RSmith

MJensen RHenchie BEST: Trentham: EFanningS Kelly J Regan MElderfield JKeogh CWebber-Mirkin.

GOALS: Harcourt: BGurd6CAnderson 5R Thiesz 5JRodda

4LBurns 3K Bruce2J Threlfall 2LAnderson TWalters

Campbells Creek:J Wootton. BEST: Harcourt: JThrelfall J Rodda CAnderson MNoonan RThiesz BGurd. Campbells Creek:JMartinovicKGellatlyMMilne LHyland BDunne T Langley

GOALS: Newstead:B Moran2 JSmith AMayes JMitchelhill HHall AMurphy. BEST: Newstead:A MayesG McMurtrie D Gordois BMcMurtrie BRichardson JGoulton

Trentham: AShaw5 APatterson 3DSutton 2. BEST: Trentham: DSutton AShawGEvans HKenton-Barnes A Patterson KShiner(UA).

GOALS: Harcourt: XStone LMcKay BEST: Harcourt: LBruce KHodgskiss LMcKay KSimmons FMcAinch THenderson

GOALS: Maldon: ATurner 2R DaveyH

Maldon: RDavey JSmith HWalls TRowbottom FWalls THamilton.

GOALS: Harcourt: HGeorge 5JDorian 4K Waddington 3J Brasher LBish TWaddington BMcKay.Campbells Creek:B Taylor BEST: Harcourt: APhillipsK Waddington CBrasher J Dorian JMuscatHGeorge.Campbells Creek:MAnderson R Roberts BTaylor MSturgess NJones MCalabro

GOALS: Newstead: DBrasher 2P Williams

Davidge C CordyLShuttleworth JElliott WGarsed BEST: Newstead: DBrasher CCordy WGarsedT Daldy ZDavidge FMorgan.

GOALS: Trentham: SMiller 5W Hopper 3JReid 3J Leong3 HKost 2L stringer BEST: Trentham:W Hopper HThompson Lstringer HEdmondston SMillerJ Wales

GOALS: Trentham:S Evans 2LKennedy2MSmith 2J MurphyDSmith. BEST: Trentham: HSundblom JCutler J Steen PSmith MSmith LKennedy

GOALS:Harcourt:BLeech13RCadzow5PPolychronopoulos 4HBrereton4 LMcKay 2JArcher2H Wilson LJones Campbells Creek:DetailsN/A.. BEST: Harcourt: BLeech L Dillon CDickman HWilsonAJones JBurns.Campbells Creek: JRoser RTingayHGane BSturgess TGoulding JMoore

GOALS: Newstead: JEntwisle 3P NetherwayN Webster PTaylor-Pooter BElliott. BEST: Newstead: BElliott B McDougall KCordy LChapman JThomas ODaldy

Maldon: JTrevan2JCox NKelly BEST: Maldon: B Rowbottom BBrackley TWebbNKelly TRowbottom BClarke

GOALS: Harcourt: MVidler 4CDavis 3JPratt2 TDorian 2N Leech 2AHopkins CKing TEddy.Campbells Creek:Details N/A.. BEST: Harcourt: MVidler TDorian CBurns NLeechJ Pratt XBird. CampbellsCreek:L Morgan BPagano SHobbsP Golles KPagano EManning

GOALS: Maldon: NJennings2 DDyer. BEST: Maldon: D Robertson NJennings DDyerO CoxT Merlo

LionspounceonMagpies

Harcourt ranout convincing winnersin their round twoclash at Campbells Creek on Saturday.

TheCreek Magpies side were fresh from thepre-season and afirst round bye, whereas the Lions had kicked offthe year with astrong 108-pointwin overLextonat home.

TheLions pounced on the Magpies from the first bouncesmashing through nine goals in the opening term to Creek's one to hold acommanding 50-pointleadatthe first change.

TheLions continued to pepper the goals in the second piling on another fivetoextend the margin to 88 points at half-time.

Creek continued to dig deep in the thirdbut could notturntheir opportunities into pointsonthe board, while theLions nabbed another seventoincrease their lead to 135 points at thefinal change.

Creek had afew chances in the final term but couldn't capitalise and Harcourt claimed the win by 184 points.

Best forthe Magpies were JamesMartinovic, Kyle Gellatly and Mitchell Milne. Best forthe Lions were Baxter Gurd with 6, Cameron Anderson and Riely Thiesz 5 each, JedRodda with 4and Jack Threlfall.

Trentham playedhost to Dunolly and bounced back from their disappointing round one loss to 2024 premiersNatte Bealiba to defeat the Eagles by 28 points.

TheSaints opened their accountwith an eightgoal first term effort while keeping Dunolly to 2.2. TheEagles foughtback in the thirdterm holding the home side to just three points while adding three goals of their own.

An even final term sawbothsides kick three goalseach, butthe damagewas done and Trentham were victorious.

Best forthe Saints were JamesRegan with 6goals, Jake Keogh with 3and Edward Fanning.

Maldon journeyedtoLextontotakeon the Tigers in their first game of the year TheDons round one matchdeferred until Good Fridaywhen theyhost Talbotinthe traditional Maldon Easter Fair blockbuster Unfortunately,itwasn't the Bombers daywith Lexton getting up by 35 points. Best forMaldon were BaileyBrown with 4 goals, Coby Bennett and CallumBuchanan.

Newstead headed across the Moolort Plains to tackle Carisbrook but also came up short going down to theRedbacks

by 48 points. Best forthe Steaderswere BenMoran 2, Angus Mayesand Geordie McMurtrie.

Talbothad abig win over Avoca to the tune of 116 points and Navarredefeated Maryborough Giants by 13 points in aclose tussle. NatteBealiba had the bye Netball

On the netball court Harcourt 49 narrowly defeated Campbells Creek, Trentham 51 drew with Dunolly 51, Lexton 69 defeated Maldon 13, Carisbrook 65 had abig win over Newstead 27, NavarrevGiants-no resultsavailable. Talbotv Avoca -noresults available.

This weekend

This FridayApril 18, Maldon hosts Talbot in ablockbuster Good Fridayfixtureat the Bill Woodfull Reserve. Therest of the sides will enjoya week'srest forthe Easter weekend, before round 3matches resume on April 26.

GKU holds Kangaroos down

Gisborne-KynetonUnited claimed victory against Sunbury Kangaroos on the weekend in round twoofthe EDFL women'scompetition.

Thesiren had both teamscoming out of the blocks hard, and GKU'sdefence worked tirelessly to ensurethe Kangaroos didn’t geta head start in the match.

GKU welcomed back keydefendersStephanie Brancatisano, Charlie Bracey and Shannon White, who joined reliable backlinersLucy Lenius and Skye Sinclair Together,theywereable to keep the Kangaroos goalless by the end of the first quarter

GKU coachesBernie Marintelli and Phil Hawkes shuffled themagnets to open up theforwardline, positioning keyforwardKareena Jacobsen-Logan in the goal square to tryand break the game open in the second quarter.The move paidoff almost instantly,with Jacobsen-Logan snagging acouple of goals with ease.

TheKangaroos pushed backand managed to scorea goal of their own, but Jacobsen-Logan wasunstoppable up forward, dominating withfivegoals to her name by half-time. GKU’s defencecontinued to standstrongthroughoutthe match,holding Sunbury to just 2.1 (13). BrookeCowan wasthe other goal scorer forGKU Gibson, Todorovic and Macumber worked tirelessly in the midfield and were named among GKU’sbest, whileHateleycontinues to step up as areliable ruck and keyposition player.

Final score: GKU:6.6.42 defSunbury Kangaroos: 2.1.13.

Bests forGKU,Kareena Jacobsen-Logan, Cheyene Macumber,AlexiaTodorovic, Emily Gibson, Belinda Hateley, Lucy Lenius.

Goal scorers: 5Kareena Jacobsen-Logan, 1BrookeCowan.

Gisborne-KynetonUnited takeonEast Sunbury at 11.50am on April 26 at John McMahon Reserve, Sunbury

Emily Gibson in action forGKU.Photo:SophieMcLeod

LionCameron Andersonworks to chasedownCreek’sDylan Stevens as he looks foranoption. Photo:Max Lesser

CampbellsCreek’sMarissaJohnson racesher Harcourt opponenttothe ball. Photo:Max Lesser

Clokedebut, Wallan win

Bill West

Much travelled ex-AFL playerCameron Clokemade his debut in theRiddell League on Saturday, kicking five goals forWallan against reigning premier Riddell.

ClokeplayedwithCollingwood, Carlton and Port Adelaide in his younger days,and the 40-year-old is one of the really interesting recruits to come into the Riddell League.

Cameron is the son of David Cloke, and the Cloke name is well known in football circles.

Thebig ruckman-forwardkicked fivegoals and was named as the Magpies' best.

Chasing an elusivepremiership, Wallan recruited ClokefromTemplestowe,and he is an assistantcoach with Wallan.

He joins big and experiencedruckmaninChris Stewart, who came to Wallan and wonthe BowenMedal last season, edging out Woodend-Hesket's DanToman Clokelooks suretobeamatch winner forthe Magpies in some games this season.

Saturday'smatch wasa replay of last season's grand final, and the Bomberscame ready to playafter agood opening round victory against Macedon.

Wallan had the byeonApril 5, and took awhile to hit their straps at Greenhill Reserve.

Riddell, coachedbyArron Bray,jumped the Magpies, and with plenty of contributors, established a36points lead by half time

Wallan had agood thirdquarter,but Riddell regrouped and ranout the match strongly

Final scores were 16.9 (105) to 9.7 (61).

In areally good team effort, Riddell'sbest were Brodie Miller,Ben Borg,Callum Williamson, Josh Grabham, Dylan Tarczonand Lochie Hay.

TOUGH FORROMSEY

Afterbeating Lancefield by 68 points in the opening round, Romsey found the going muchharder at Diggers Rest.

TheRedbacks' spiritswerehigh aftergood wins by their Under 19.5 and Reserves teams, but thesenior side struggled to gain momentum

DiggersRest is usually hardtobeat, and onceagain has sights setona finalsberth at this early stageofthe season.

Final scores were 12.8 (80) to 5.12 (42).

Romseywas best served by defender AydenTessari, Callum Sankey,Corey Pertzel, Matt Burkett, Callum Leverand Jack Jedwab.

In the thirdmatch of the split round Melton South newtothe RDFNL this season aftera lengthyabsence —accountedfor Melton Centrals 14.18 (102) to 8.10 (58).

Bulldogs’ blitz

Gisborne is one of the really strong contenders forthe 2025 senior football premiership in the BendigoLeague.

Runner-upinathrilling 2024 grand final by four points against Sandhurst still hauntssome Bulldogs' fans,but thrashing Kangaroo Flat in the season's opening round on Saturdayrestoreda tonofconfidence.

Resolutesenior coachRob Waters wasconfidenthe still had apowerful side at his disposal, despiteprolific ball winner Flynn Lakey taking aseason off, and severalother players moving elsewhere.

Even the most ardentGisborne fans could notconfidently foresee avictory by 160 points on Kangaroo Flat territory,especially as the home clubside had wonthe Reserves' match easily

Thesuperior teamwork, confidenceinone another,and overall talentwas moreand moreevidentasthe game progressed.

Danger signsfor the Kangaroos were evidentwhen they failed to scorea goal inthe first term.

Mattersdeteriorated further forthe Kangaroos, and they went to half-timefacing adeficit of 68 points.

One-sided matches like this arenogood forspectators, and the losing side the question at the long break was 'How muchwill we win by?'

Thethird quarter produced 6.2 to twopointsfor Gisborne, and the last quarter wasacakewalk despitethe home side morethandoubling its score.

Final scores were 32.19 (211) to 7.9 (51).

TheskilfulpairofDylan Johnstone and Michelsen Medal winner Brad Bernacki had afield day, defendersZac Vescovi andJed Denahy,and utilityCampbell Johns were listed in

the official 'best',but plenty of othersalso playedwell. In other BFNL senior matches, amethodical Sandhurst downed an improvedCastlemaine 14.18 (102) to 8.10 (58) at Queen Elizabeth Oval, SouthBendigowon athriller by a point against an inaccurateStrathfieldsaye,and Eaglehawk outscoredGolden Square17.6 to 7.6.

Thesecond roundinthe BFNL takes placeonSaturday, April 26.

Gisborne playSouthBendigoatGardiner Reserve.

Gisborne go

BendigoLeague's A-gradenetball match of the dayinSaturday'sopening round wasthe Kangaroo Flat versus clash.

Gisborne waskeen to defend its 2024 grand final triumph, but the match did notturnout as many had anticipated— avery close, high standard encounter.

Tarryn Rymer'sGisborne side was keen to win at Kangaroo Flat,but the home side had differentideas.

Reinforced by some astuterecruiting movesinthe off-season, Kangaroo Flat wasable to field avery potent line-up.

Tryastheymay,the Gisborne playerscould notwin controlofthe ball for long periods.

Thefurther thematch went,the further theKangaroos went ahead, much to the delightofthe very large home crowd

Thefinal scorewas 64-36in Kangaroo Flat's favour,with Gisborne acknowledging the superiority of the opposition.

It's along season, and Kangaroo Flat,Gisborne and Sandhurst seem very likely to be in the topfour.

Gisborne will regroup forits second

down

round matchagainst SouthBendigoon Saturday OtherscoresfromSaturday'snetball included:

A-Reserve: Gisborne 54 dKangaroo Flat 30, Sandhurst 72 dCastlemaine 33.

B-grade: Gisborne 48 dKangaroo Flat 35, Sandhurst 70 dCastlemaine 31.

B-Reserve: Gisborne 46 dKangaroo Flat 40, Sandhurst 83 dCastlemaine 3.

17&Under: Gisborne 54 dKangaroo Flat 30, Sandhurst 61 dCastlemaine 18.

Double troublefor the Hawks

Bill West

Woodend-Hesket senior footballerswon their opening round April 5match against Melton Centrals on the scoreboardby16 points, butfinished up losing afterbeing found to have hadtoo manyplayers on the field during part of the thirdand last quarters.

While these twoblunderswerefound to be completely unintentional by the Hawks, a Riddell League ruling means Melton Centrals arethe winners— 7.8 (50) to 5.4 (34).

Theextraordinary happenings at Gilbert Gordon Oval have triggereda very unusual talking pointinRDFNL circles, and probably beyond.

In the past, therehavebeenvery rare occasional incidents in senior football across Victoria wherebya team has been 'pinged' forhaving toomanyplayers (usually 19 instead of 18) at atime on the ground. But twiceinthe same match is an absoluterarity

Summing up, the Hawks were initially docked 1.3 theyhad scored in the third quarter up to thetimethe Centrals captain called fora head count. Then asubsequent investigation following awritten request that waslodgedwithin 24 hours of thematch conclusion led to moreprobing.

TheRDFNL deemed the Hawks had too manyplayers on theground fora minimumof fiveminutes 40 seconds in the last term.

Thetotal scorebythe Hawks (3.5) in the last quarter were removed.

This made the official scoreMelton Centrals7.8 (50) to Woodend-Hesket 5.4 (38).

Theloss maywell have ramifications as far as the Hawks reaching thefinals areconcerned— time will tell.

To addtothe Hawks' woes, qualityplayer Marcus Stapletonreceived aone-matchpenalty at thetribunal, and will miss the importantclash on Good Friday, April 18, against Kyneton.

CLUB STATEMENT

Last Wednesday, Woodend-Hesket copresidents, Paul Podbury and James Chettle, issued the following statementonbehalf of theclub:

"The Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club acknowledges and acceptsthe decision handed down by theRDFNLfollowing the our matchagainst Melton Centrals

"Werecognise thaterrorsweremade on twooccasions during the second half of the game. While therewas absolutely intend to deceiveorgainand unfair advantage, we accept full responsibilityfor themistakes and understand thatthis is no excuse

"Asa club, we arecommitted to reviewing our game dayprocedures immediately.We will also ensurethatall coaches and relevant personnel arefully informed of the RDFNL by-laws to guaranteecompliancemoving forward

"Weare extremely disappointedfor our players,volunteers, and loyalsupporters— especially aftersuchapositivepre-season and astrong performanceinthe opening round.

"However, we will notbemaking any further commentonthe matter and will now focus on the season ahead."

Gisborne coach RobWaters

Elizabeth

TheMagpies had recruited well in the off-season with secondyear coachMichael Hartleywelcoming anumber of newfaces to the senior side including Josh Eyre (Essendon/Collingwood), Patrik Balta (Richmond VFL) Jake Stein (GoldCoast/GWS)CobyPerry (Maryborough/Nth Ballarat VFL) Ronnie Fejo (VFL), Will Marks, Rhys Smith and the returning Hunter Staples. Thenew recruits adding depth to Castlemaine's localyoung talent.

TheMagpies were looking forwardtotheir firstBFNL outing afterpositivepre-season performances against NorthcotePark and Ivanhoe wheretheyrecorded wins in excess of 100 points.

However, Sandhurst were quick offthe mark and gottheir first goal on the boardthrough Fergus Greene.

Will Moransoon found areply forthe visitorsand it wasone apiece, but the Dragons snatched another viaHugh Schmetzer and held afivepointleadatthe first change.

Magpie stalwart John Watson nabbed the firstsix pointerof the second term, but the Dragons soon lifted smashing on another four before the Magpie coachMichael Hartleystood tall and kicked another Sandhurst were quick to rebound witha goal to Michael Wilkinson before newlyreturned Magpie Hunter Staples kicked their fourth.But theDragons had all the answerssnatching another as the siren sounded forhalf-time.

At the break, 23 points separated the sides.

Will Brohm opened the thirdwith agoal forthe homeside, before Magpie MatthewFilofound some form kicking twogoals in succession to givethe Magpies some hope.

However, the Dragons soon locked things down, adding another three to theirown tallytohold a40-pointadvantageatthreequarter-time.

Patrik Baltaand John Watson kicked another goal each for the Magpies in thefinal term, butthe Dragons roared home with another four of their owntoeventually win by 54 points. Best forthe Magpies were BrodieByrne, BaileyHenderson, Michael Hartley, Hunter Staples, Harrison Sheahan and Matthew Filo.

within one pointathalftime. They continued to work hardinthe second half to runout winnersatthe final siren.

Best were Dylan Hickey with four goals, Declan Slingo, Ben McConachy, Rhys Smith, AltonBracken and Luke Walters.

TheMagpie Under 18s had atough outing going down to a dominantSandhurst by 56 points.

Chaz Holman wasamong the Magpies best kicking 3, along with Jack Balcombe, Oliver Britt, Mitchell McKnight and Cooper Mark.

Netball

On the netball court AGrade had atough bout against the Dragons going down 61-18. BGrade lost 31 to 70. AReservethrew everything theyhad at the Dragons but lost 72-33. BReservehad a really hardsloggoing down by 80 despitetheir best efforts, and the 17 and Under side lost to Sandhurst 61-18.

Women's Football

Thethree-time premiership winning Castlemaine Magpie Women's team kicked offtheir 2025 AFL CentralVictoria Women's season on SundayApril 6witha blistering 167-pointwin over North Bendigo.

In round twoofthe AFL CentralVictoria Women's competition on SundayatEwing Park Castlemaineagain outshone adetermined Sandhurst Dragons winning by 104 points.

Vice-captain Eloise Gretgrix wasonsong kicking sevengoals and waswell supported by JemmaFinning, Brianna Burt,Tiahna Cochrane, MaeveTupper and Taylah Sartori.

This year the Magpies arenot fielding an Under 18 Women's side, opting to field an Under 15 Girls side, which is settokick offtheir 2025 campaign in afew weeks.

This weekend

This weekend the Castlemaine Football NetballClub will host a blockbuster Good Fridayround at theCamp ReserveonApril 18 when theyhost Golden Square. The17and Under Netballers (10am) and Under 18 footballers(10.45am)will kick offthe action, and the Magpie Women will cap offthe daywhen theyhost the Bulldogs from 5.30pmfor what should be atop clash under lights.

Record broken

Afootball field umpireinthe Bendigo League brokealong standing record on Saturday. When GeoffWilliamson acknowledged the first siren at theSandhurst vCastlemaine senior matchatthe Queen Elizabeth Oval, it washis 532nd game in theleague.

Theprevious record holder wasGary Goudge.

Williamson is nowaged65, and it took him around 50 yearstochalk up 532 games in the league —hemissed about 12 years whenraisingafamily.Williamson football has changed tremendously over the years

"There's been so manygreat playersover the years," he said.

Thetwo who really stand out tohim were Castlemaine-Kyneton-Eaglehawk legend DerekFilo, and Maryborough's Jamie Bond.

Vale Eddie

Gisborne district has lost one of its best-known and highly respectedcommunity and sporting identities.

Eddie Gardiner,a lifetime resident born in 1941, passed away on April 3 aftera lengthybattlewith illness.

Tributes have poured in fora man who gave so much to his community. His involvementwith the long-established Gardiner'sGarageand the RACV arelegendary.Atruegentleman who helped so manyindividuals and organisations over decades, he wasanaccomplished storyteller,writer and historian, afamily man, who —along withhis brother Peter— received an Order of Australia Medal for his on-going contributions to Gisborne. Caring and calm, he wasadeptatjuggling sport —bothfootball and cricket —with business. Football wasone of his passions. He played302 games, wasa leading goalkicker and in four premiership sides withthe Gisborne Football Club. He represented the Riddell League and Fitzroy 2nds.

Thefuneral servicewill be held at St Brigid'sCatholic Church, Gisborne, at 10.30am this Thursday, April17.

TheCastlemaine Magpies made the trek to theQueen

Oval on Saturdaytotackle the Sandhurst Dragons.

TheMagpie Reserves had abrighter start to theseason with aseven pointwin over theDragons. Sandhurst gotthe jump on Castlemaine early on, but to theircredit the side foughtback to

Magpie Ryan Eyre secures the ball as his Dragons opponents close in at the QEO Photo: Peter Banko

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