Midland Express Tuesday 7 April 2026

BuyLocal campaignlaunches

Business MountAlexander held its first networking eventof2026 at the Theatre RoyalCastlemaine last Wednesday.

After10years of dedicatedstewardship, FelicityCripps and TimHeath have passed the TheatreRoyal into the hands of new ownersEloise Ross and Greg Bennett

BMA acknowledged the significantcontribution Felicity andTim had made to the venue and to thecultural lifeofthe region and enjoyedthe chancetowelcome new ownersEloise and Greg as theybegan this next chapter.

Thespecial eventalso acknowledged the exceptional response from businesses across the region who movedquickly to support Harcourt and surrounds following the recent bushfires, and provided a welcoming, informal spacefor impacted businesses to reconnect.

Deputy mayorCrMatthewDriscoll took the opportunity to thankthe dozens of businesses and volunteer organisations from across the shireand beyond who supported the Harcourt, Ravenswood South, Sutton Grangeand Faradaycommunity membersimpacted by the firefromthe initial response phase and through to the firststeps in recovery

"I'm surethereare many, many more small businesses who arenot listed here who have contributed. Countlessothers have also hosted fundraisersand events Small businesses arealready facing achallenging time,sotosee them getbehind our communityinthis time of need is really appreciated,"CrDriscoll said.

On the nightBMA also launched its BuyLocalcampaign —a rewardsprogram designed to keep moneycirculating within the communitybyencouraging residents to shop locally and support registered businesses.

BMA chair Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns said

the campaign wasabout strengthening the local economybyhelping residents better connect with businesses in their owncommunity

“MountAlexanderShirehas an incredible mix of retailers, cafes, producers, makersand serviceproviders,” Ms BrodieHanns said.

“Sometimes peoplesimply don’t realise howmanyoptions exist locally,orhow much impact their spending canhavewhen it stays within the local economy.”

BMA committee member Gavin Krasner said the pilotprogram aimedtoengageat least 50 local businesses and 200 community membersinits firstphase.

"Participating businesses will receive BuyLocal cards, windowdecals and posters, making it easyfor customerstosee whoispartofthe campaign,"hesaid.

Theartwork has been designed by

ChildcarecentretoVCAT

Plans fora childcarecentreatHowey Street,Gisborne, have attracted 64 objections and council refusal but will be determined by VCAT.

Theapplicanthas appealed to the Victorian Civil and AdministrativeTribunal after council failuretodetermine the application within the prescribed timeframe.

Theproposedchildcarecentrewould support 116 children and 26 staff,operating Monday to Fridaybetween 6.30am to 6.30pm.

It would be located on acorner block in an established residential area known as part of 'old Gisborne'and would requiretwometre-high fencing.

Last month, Macedon Ranges Shirecouncillorsdeterminedtheywould have refused the permit based on design, character,traffic concerns and intensity of use.

Cr Jennifer Anderson said the busy location together with the built form and

differing neighbourhood character wasnot appropriate forthe site.

"We're notsaying 'no'tochildcare. They just have to be in the rightlocation withthe rightamenity,"she said.

"I think it'sreally importantthatpeople who areconsidering childcarecentres really do consider sites appropriately,designs, size, and thatiswhatwould appear wasnot considered in this application."

Cr RobGuthrie said the number of objections wasa strong indication theplans were "notwell-supported in thecommunity"

"For me, on traffic, safety,amenity, neighbourhood character,there wasnoway Icould have supported it,"hesaid.

Thecouncil wasnotified in January of the applicant'sdecision to appeal at VCAT.

VCAT is nowthe decision-maker in relation to theapplication. Hearing datesare set forJuly 20-23 witha compulsory conference scheduled forApril 28.

ClaireDunning of Storyland.

Adedicatedonline landing pagewill also allowcommunity memberstolearn more about participating businesses and sign up to follow the initiative.

Over the coming months, the campaign will be supported through local mediaand social media promotion, encouraging residents to consider local businesses when making everydaypurchases

Look out forsupporting postersand flyersfor moreinformation or check out businessmountalexander.org.au/buy-local/ fordetails on howyou can sign up your business or be one of the first lucky fewto snap up the BuyLocal rewardscard.

TheBuy Local initiativehas been made possible thanks to aLocal Business Impact grantfor 'CommunityWealthBuilding and Local Trade'fromMountAlexander Shire Council.

have hundredsofTuberousBegonias, Fuchsias, Rare &InterestingPlants.

Small business operatorsHannes McNamara(Musk ArchitectureStudio), Michelle Teunon (Body and Soul Solutions), Business MountAlexander member Gavin Krasner,Eva Bodno (Green Goes TheGrocer),and BMA Business MountAlexander repLisaMills arepictured at last week’sBuy Local launch.

Rider injured in collision

Apushbikerider has sustained minor injuries aftera vehicle collision at Gisborne on Wednesday, April1

Theincidentoccurred about 4.15pm when the vehicle wasexiting thecar park from Gisborne VillageShopping Centre onto Hamilton Street Gisborne.

Police areappealing forwitnesses or dashcam footageinrelation to theincident. If youhaveinformation, contact the Gisborne Police Station or submit information via: crimestoppersvic.com.au

Playfuldance,serious message

Rising Tide and CentralVictoria Climate Action brought'fun disobedience' to theCastlemaine StateFestival last week, staging aplayfuldanceaction to spotlighta seriousmessage: stop the increase of fossil fuel mining approvals and introducea fair tax on exportersprofiting from Australia’s coal andgas

Dressed mostlyinpink, participants danced to Staying Alive to draw festival-goersintoa conversation about thegrowing cost of living, climate impacts, and the imbalancebetween what Australians payand whatfossil fuel exporterscontribute.

“Ata time when petrol prices areskyrocketing, the gas industry is using the momenttopush for expansion,”a spokesperson for CVCA said.

“Most of Australia’s gas is exported, so thereshould be plenty forlocal supply,yet households arestill paying the price while giantcompanies contributelittle to no taxonwhattheyextract and sell.”

Campaignershighlightedthat

Australia currently raised morerevenue from beer taxes than from the export of fossil fuels likecoal and gas, arguing thatthe current settings allowedmajor exporterstoprofit from public assets without returning afair sharetothe community.

Many community and climate groups arecalling fora 25 per cent tax on fossil fuel exports, whichwould raise billions of dollars. CVCA and Rising Tide saythis revenue could be directed to:

–Preparing communitiesand infrastructure forworsening climateextremes

–Repairing damagealready caused by climate change

Council news

–Supporting people who can no longer access affordable insurance

TheEdgy VegAwardsare back!

TheEdgy VegAwardsare amonth-long celebration where vegetables takecentrestage and local hospitality gets creative.

They champion seasonal produce, supportlocal venues and shine aspotlight on the growers who makegreat food possible

Howtoget involved:

1. Join the Edgy VegTrail.

2. Scorethe meals.

3. Go intothe draw to winprizes.

Support your local venues and farmsfar and wide by eating your way acrossthe Edgy VegTrail. Learn moreatedgyvegawards.com.au.

Photograph by TiffanyWarner

(03) 5471 1700

–Strengthening essential services suchashealth and education

–Investing in affordable housing and social services

MountAlexander Shirewas the first shiretosign up to push the federal governmenttocreatea levy based on taxing the big fossil fuel companies, which could help families affected by climate induced disasters.

With Victoria heading into an election year,CVCAand Rising Tide saytheywill continue to hold creative, community-led actions to keep climate andfairness on the political agenda. Get involved –CVCAand Rising Tide will be holding many actions during this Victorian election year.Ifyou’rekeen to have some fun and send amessagetoour politicians, contact centralvicclimateaction2@gmail.com

Multi-useLancefield development rejected

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil has rejected aresidential and retail development fordouble-storey frontages in Lancefield's historic mainstreet.

Plans included nine newdwellings (10 total), four newretail tenancies, and reduction in car parking requirements. The retail sites would have upper floor residential living and three of the proposed dwellings would be double-storey

Thedevelopmentwas planned across 38-40 High Street,42High Street and 21 Dundas Street but attracted31 objections.

Concerns raised included scale and intensity of development, lack of car park-

ing, the design and impactonthe existing heritagestreetscape.

Last month, Macedon Ranges Shire councillorsvoted in favour of the council officerrecommendation to refuse the application.

Council officersacknowledged some design changes in response to feedback, however, felt thechanges were "notsufficienttoalleviate concerns"

They also advised thatwhile policy support mixed-use developmentinthis location, "theproposaldoes notpresent as asiteresponsivedesign withregards to scale, intensity and built form and would result in unreasonable amenityimpacts"

CentralVictoria ClimateAction staged aplayful danceatthe Castlemaine StateFestival Garden Partyto spotlightthe messagetointroducea fair tax on exportersofcoaland gas. Photo: James Healey

Mass fish deathatMalmsbury

Amassfish death has occurred in the ornamental lakeatMalmsbury BotanicGardens, prompting an investigation by local authorities.

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil parks staffbecame awareofthe incidentonMarch 20 afterthe Friends of Malmsbury BotanicGardens and Environs reported about 20 dead carp floating on the lake.

Council chiefexecutiveBernie O’Sullivan said arangeoffactors could have caused the event, but stressed therewas no immediate risk to public safety

“Incidents of this natureare concerning,”hesaid.

Council staff reported the matter to thecouncil’senvironmental health team and EnvironmentProtection Authority Victoria, the lead agency forfish deaths and waterhealth.

They also installedsignagearound the laketowarn the public and discouragecontact with the water, andadded anew pumpand

fountain to improve water quality and increase aeration.

Mr O’Sullivan said conditions worsened in the days afterthe initial report,with astrongodour and additional fishdeaths, but had sinceimproved.

"Therehavebeenminimal fish deaths reportssinceand the odour has dissipated,"hesaid.

"Water samples have been taken from the lake, and council is continuing to work closely with EPAVictoria on their investigations and potential futuremeasures to support thelake’songoing health."

Mr O'Sullivan also notedthatcarp were an invasivefreshwater pest in Australia.

“Their habitation of the lakeisa matter council is awareofand continues to actively manage, howeverthis does nottakeawayfrom concerns regarding the lake’soverall health or the recent unfortunate fish death,”hesaid.

Avery good Good FridayAppeal

Macedon Ranges, Hepburnand Mount Alexander residents have dug deep to contributetowards arecord-breaking $25,268,485 forthis year'sRoyal Children's HospitalGood FridayAppeal.

Gisborne and Riddells Creek were among 18 towns marking 50-year milestones of fundraising forthe appeal this year,with Gisborne raising an impressive $64,521.19 and Riddells Creekraising $15,311.87. Romsey wasn't farbehind Gisborne as one of the topcontributing town collections, raising $55,395.77.

Thefollowing totals raised were record-

ed on the Good FridayAppeal'sofficial tally boardastheyappeared on Tuesday morning: Kyneton($25,469.91), Woodend/Newham ($21,376.05), Castlemaine ($19,885.55), Macedon ($12,472.83), Trentham ($9,397.52), Campbells Creek ($7,444.50), Lancefield ($5,319.13), Newstead ($5,145.75), Taradale ($2,807.14), Chewton ($2,522), Tylden ($1,771.25) and Elphinstone ($1,385.30).

Thegenerous contributions in trying times, during acost-of-living and petrol crisis, shows the true communityspirit of the region.

‘Shazza’Soldatosand

‘Razza’Raselli the ‘Lightning Queens’are looking forwardtotaking on the Cancer Council’sShitboxRallyand will holda fundraiser at Hadfields HotRods this Sunday.

Lightning Queens bound for Shitbox Rally

Lisa Dennis

Local hotrodding identities Sharon Soldatos and Stacey Raselli areset to take part in the July edition of the Cancer Council'sShitboxRally fundraiser

The'Lightning Queens' will be making the journeyina four-door BA Ford Falcon Station, which wasoriginally purchased by late hot rodder and Graffitipublications founder Larry O'Toole from Castlemaine's former Hunt and Lobb Ford Dealership in 2005.

"The challengerequires youtodrive acar to thevalue of $1500 on the 3000km route. We approached Larry'swifeMary about using his wagonand she kindly agreed to support us,"Sharon said.

'Shazza and Razza'astheyhavebeendubbed and their Lightning McQueen themed station wagonwill tackle anine-daytrekfrom Port Douglas to Melbourne to raise as much moneyastheycan for this worthycause.

To kick offtheir campaign, the dynamic duo will be hosting a fundraiser hosted by Rodand Carol Hadfield at Hadfields HotRods in 624 Pyrenees Highway, Chewtonthis SundayApril 12 and invite the whole community to go along and help them raise funds forthis importantcause. Thefamily-friendly eventwill run from 10am-3pm and will include cardisplays,food vendors, livemusic by Four Door Shitbox(appropriately named band forthe day!) and abar

"Weencourageeveryone to come along and enjoythe fun. We will be having a'Wear your oldest Car TeeComp'and it is agreat opportunity to seeHaddy’sAutomotiveMuseum. It will be afantastic

family dayout fora wonderful cause,"Stacey said.

Thepair said theywerekeen to tackle thechallengeastheyare passionate about trying to makea differenceand raise funds to enable the Cancer Council to research this dreaded disease.

"Wehaveall been touched by stories of friends, relatives, children who have lost their fightand by those who arestill fighting the horrible 'C'.Itdoes notdiscriminate.This is our little wayoffighting back,"Sharon said.

Thepair were scheduledtoleave in Mayfor the autumn rallybut this has just been postponed due to the warand fuel crisis. They will nowdepart from Port Douglas in July andmakethe nine-daytrek inland via TheOasis Roadhouse, Aramac, Toompine, Louth, Narranderaand DargotoMelbourne.

"Wewill stop at remote outback towns (just likeRadiator Springs!). We will tackle rough roadsand camp along theway.We can’t be Queens!" they said.

Shazza and Razza thank all the local businesses fortheir generous support in gettingthe BA ready forthe rallyincluding: PJ’s Tyres, TomatCastlemaine Hydraulics, CAE PerformanceProducts, Hadfield HotRods, Action Auto,Pedders, Burson Auto Parts, Thompson Transportand Glen Rewell who has done theoutstanding livery on the car.You cancheckitout at this Sunday'sfundraiser Entry to Sunday'sevent is $20 per car,$10 per person (walk in) and $5 to visitthe museum. Can't makeit? Youcan still support the causebydonating at autumn2026.shitboxrally.com.au/lightningqueens/donate

Don'tmissout on your chancetopromote your business in this wonderfulmagazine.

BOOKING DEADLINE: Friday April 24,2026

To take partorfor more information contact:

Sharon

Stacey

Showing up foreachother

Lisa Dennis

Castlemaine will host atwo-day workshop this weekend, April 11 and 12, designed forcommunities to help support each other at end of life.

This workshop is facilitatedbyAustralian Home Funeral Alliance, in conjunction with Social Health Australia and the DeathLiteracy Institute, and is funded by the Wicking Trust as part of their Bringing Death Back into Life:Community-led Programs grants.

Thanks to thefunding received, organiserscan offerthis workshop at no cost.

The Express caughtupwithHolistic DeathDoulas Centraland Northern Victoria members, JennyBlake and HayleyWest, to chatabout the programlastweek.

Thepair,along withfellowlocal death doula Nici Wright, recently completedtraining in Tasmania and areacting as 'activators' forthis opportunityfor local community memberstoreceivetraining rightherein centralVictoria.

Thelocal programwill be facilitatedby BecLyons and provides education that empowers people to navigate the death systemwithconfidenceand improvetheir wellbeing.

HayleyWest, who works as an independentdeath worker and end-of-lifeconsultantwith her business 'The Departure',said thetraining programwas fullysubscribed with50participants signed on to complete this weekend'ssessions. Butthereisa waiting list forlast-minute cancellations.

JennyBlake, an experiencedpalliative carenurse, facilitatorofMaldon's Death Cafe and'TheCrystal Doula', said there wasalsoaprogram running in Wangaratta shortly

Thepair said the goal of the workshops

wastosupport the community,with afocus on older and vulnerable Australians, by helping strengthen community-based solutions over clinicalinterventions, alleviate an over-relianceuponcommercial operators, support family based approaches to dying and death, find common humanity and build resilience.

TheAustralian Home Funeral Alliance seeks to address funeral poverty and increase people's feelings of capacity and capability to show up foreach other in end of life

"Locally we want to encouragepeople of allagestoget involved in this training and challengeyoung people in particular to support older people on this journey. Thus the workshop name'Showing up foreach other'," Hayleysaid.

Jennysaid this workshop would teach people whatwas possible at end of life, how to talk about death and dyingand the kinds of ways theycould advocate forthemselves and each other

"Participants will also learn to makea shroud, which canbeused in burial or cremation. We will also have cardboardcoffin packs to build, and will step participants through every elementofthe process," Hayleysaid.

Jennyisfocused on working in the palliativecarespace,Hayleyispassionate about working in the aftercareand celebrations of life,and Nici has along-held dream to create ahospice in Castlemaine where individuals carereceivepalliativecaresurrounded by their family

However, the trio also see this weekend'straining as asteppingstone towards the creation of anew 'Castlemaine Living and Dying Alliance',which will create a network of death careleaderstosupport community membersontheir journey.

"Wework collaboratively with funeral directors, but we aimtoempowerpeople about all their options, whattheycan and can't do, and thelegalities involved. There is alot of scope hereinVictoria,"Hayley said.

Participants in this weekend'sworkshop must commit to attending both days.Sat-

urdayApril 11 (9am-5pm)and SundayApril 12 (10am-4pm).

Theworkshop will takeplaceinthe Fellowship Room,Castlemaine Uniting Church, 24 LyttletonSt.

Formoreinformation and to sign up forthe waiting list, visit www.ahfa.org.au/ workshops

McKenzie appointed

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil has approvedappointing an independentadvisor,Rebecca McKenzie, to theCEO Employmentand Remuneration Committee fora term of up to four years.

This appointmentaims to provide the committee withindependentadvicewhen reviewing the CEO'sperformanceand remuneration, and good governance, transparency and best practice.

Rebecca McKenzie is the currentCEO of Glen Eira City Council and will conclude her role thereinAugust afterserving nine years. Sheisalsoaformer CEOofMitchell ShireCouncil and currentchair of Zoos Victoria.

Independentdeath worker HayleyWest and death doula JennyBlakeare ‘activators’ forthis weekend’stwo-dayworkshop.

TheShamrock HotelinKynetoncamealiveonSundayJanuary 25 as locals gathered foranunforgettable afternoon of livemusic, communityspirit and fundraising, as part of the Australian Government’sReviveLiveinitiative.

LedbyAustralian artist ReeceMastin and presented inconjunction with the Shamrock Hotel, theevent showcased amix of local talent and someofthe country’s most respected performers.

Local musician MatDynon kicked offthe afternoon, setting the tone before astandout'Allstar Superband' took to thestage.Featuring some of Australia’s finest musicians, the band wasfronted by Tottie Goldsmith,Dale Ryder,and ReeceMastin himself,delivering ahigh-energy performancethathad thecrowd thoroughly entertained.

Theevent cameatatime when nearbycommunities, including Harcourt, were impactedbybushfires. In response, Reeceand his team ralliedsupport on theday,organising afundraising auction alongside sales of stubbyholders through theShamrock.

Thanks to thegenerosity of attendees and the wider community,anincredible

Shapepublic art

Shape the waypublic art is considered in the Macedon Ranges as the council develops anew Public ArtPolicy

Thepolicywill guide howpublic art is proposed, assessed, approvedand managed across the shire, and is nowopenfor public feedback.

Public art is artwork createdbyprofessional artists forpublic spaces. It is often designed specifically forits location. It can takemanyforms, including sculpture, murals, architecturalfeatures, installations, lighting, town entry statements, streetscape elements and decorativepaving.

Complete the survey online via: yoursay. mrsc.vic.gov.au/public-art or submit awrittensubmission. Feedback is invited until 5pm on Friday, May1

$10,000 wasraised and has nowbeen officially presentedtothe KynetonCFA this week.

Shamrock Hotelowner Hayley Wakefield said she wasproud to support livemusic while also giving back to thecommunity

“Itwas afantastic daywith agreat atmosphere, and we’resogratefulfor the support shown. Being able to contribute to theCFA made it even morespecial,”she said.

TheShamrocks LiveSessions series is settocontinue, with thenextevent scheduled forApril11. Theupcoming showwill featureMikayla Burke(2026 Australian Idol contestant), local favouriteDarcy Nolan, and Jarrad Wrigley, who recently wonthe Toyota Star Maker2026 at Tamworth and mayalso be recognised from Farmer Wantsa Wife ReeceMastin will return to headline the nightwith his full band.

With strong community backing and agrowing reputation forquality livemusic,organisersare encouraging locals to getalong and support the next event.

Ticketsare available via TryBooking or directly through the Shamrock Hotel.

Procedure fully bulk billed:

Campaspe Family Practice is nowoffering fully bulk-billed IUD insertion procedures

Women’s health General Practitioners:

•DrEmma Haugh

•DrDina Afreem

•DrSadia Asad

•DrLayaSattartabar

Our experienced women’s health doctorsprovidesafe, comfortable and supportivecarewithshortwait times and afocus on your wellbeing.

Valid Medicarecardrequired forbulk billed consultations

Pictured lefttoright are: DeclanMcGrath, RoyceSharp, Brett McGrath, Emma McGrath, ReeceMastin andHayleyWakefield.

Record Fair coming to Shedshaker

Been searching forthatelusive album on vinyl and just can’t find it? Don’thaveenough first pressingsbyyour fave band?

Fret no more –Vinylrules Musicisbringing awide rangeofvinyl sellers to the Shedshaker Taproom this Sunday.

With 12 record sellersfromall over thestate,there is apretty good chancetherewill be something youhavebeensearching for.

Scotty ClarkefromVinylrules Musicsaid the conceptbroughttogether independentsellersand record shops to sell theirwares and had travelled all over thestate

“FromDromana to Woodend, Warrnambool and nowtoCastlemaine, we aretalking morethan 10,000 newand used recordsand CDs,"Scotty said.

“This is wherecollectors, cratediggers andmusic lovers unite, so grab your mates, grab abeerand grab some vinyl.

“Welovecoming to places likeShedshaker whereweget to combine therecordfair with greatdrinks and food and makeanawesome dayof it,”hesaid.

Adam PerrettfromShedshaker Brewing said the record fair wasa personal highlightonthe eventcalendar at the Taproom.

“This is the firstrecordfair we have hosted and we cannotwait to fill our venue withamazing recordsand givefolks the chancetoseriously top up their collections,"hesaid.

“Whether youare looking fora firstpressing from someobscurejazz band to thenew Harry Styles album, thereisnojudgementhere– music is foreveryone.

“Personally,don’t getinbetween me and acopyofTransvision Vamp’s very underestimatedthirdalbum, released in Australia on coloured vinyl –that’smine.”

Therewill also be livemusic from 5pm withMelbourne’s ownindie jazz trio Southern Duck live on stage.

TheCastlemaine Record Fair runs from 11am to 4pm, SundayApril12.

Observingand re-imagining the body

Friends of Castlemaine ArtMuseuminvite youto'AConversation with Emily Fong',presentedatCAM at 3.30pm on Sunday, April 19.

Emily Fong is an artist exploring lifeand death, embodimentand emotion; the experience of existing in ahumancontainer.She seeks to highlightour similarities notonlyto one another but also to other species that occupy this planet. Herintuition is that, by going deep inside life, turning it inside out, she might discovernew ways of observing and re-configuring theoutside.

Fong has aMaster of ScienceinMedical Artand aBachelor of Design in Architecture. Passionate about anatomy andart-science collaboration, she has worked as an artist in residenceatthe Wellcome Centre forAnti-Infectives Research at the University of Dundee and the Centre forRegenerativeMedicine at the University of Edinburgh. Sheiscurrently one of two3Dmodellersonthe Open 3D Manproject led by Leiden University Medical Centre

Enjoyaninteresting afternoon while supportingCAM. Drinks and afternoon teawill be served following thepresentation.

Book at events.humanitix.com/focam-talkemily-fong

Castlemaine HistoricVehicle Club celebrates 50 years

TheCastlemaine Historic Vehicle Club will celebrateits 50th anniversary with a special dinner at the MountAlexander Golf Club thisSaturdayevening April 11.

Theclubwas founded by George Denner in 1976.

George owned and restored manyveteran, vintageand classic cars. Keen to connect with other local enthusiasts he placed an advertisementinour sister paper the Castlemaine Mail calling fora public meeting to gaugeinterestin forming alocal clubdedicated to Veteran, Vintageand Classic Cars.

Therest as theysay is history with morethan 30 people attending this initial meeting and the clubquickly growing.

Castlemaine Historic Vehicle Clubmeets monthly forbothsocial gatherings and administration.

Theclubalso organises car runs to various destinations. Some of the recent runs have been to Mt Franklin, Muckleford,Maldon, Echuca and Cairn Curran.Having a some social time at thedestination, maybe morning or afternoon teaalong the way, and good companymakes foranenjoyable dayout.

Check out the club's websitewww.ch-vc.com formoreinformation.

Newmembersare most welcome and youdon’t have to have an historic carto join!

As apart of its 50thanniversary celebrations, the Castlemaine Historic Vehicle Club is producing acommemorativemagazine on the club'shistory

They arealso planning astatic car displayonthe Western Oval in October/November.Staytuned fordetails closer to theevent

TheCastlemaine Historic Vehicle Club’s displays on the Western Reserveare alwaysahighlight.

Emily Fong is an artist exploring lifeand death, embodiment and emotion;the experienceofexisting in ahuman container

ScottyClarkefromVinylrules Music will welcome 12 exhibitors to Shedshaker

Thedocumentary RehydrateAustralia,which premiered on April 2, takes viewers on acompelling road trip across Australia to explorehow farmersare leading the world in landscape rehydration.

Thefilm features insights from respectedthoughtleaders including the Andrews family,farmer Charlie Arnott,chef Matt Moranand other champions of Natural SequenceFarming –all working to restorelandscapes and bring hope for climaterecovery

Thedocumentary also draws on theexpertise of Stuart Andrews,owner of Forage Farms, anatural sequencefarm on the Sunshine Coastnear Gympie. Andrews runs asuccessful family-operated enterprise producing 100 per cent pastureraised beef, pork,chicken and eggs, and deliverseducation through Tarwyn Park Training, aprogram focused on teaching

Car defects detected

Macedon Ranges policemembersidentified 27 vehicles with defects from 50 vehicles checked at Gisborne ahead of the Easter break. Thevehicle inspection waspart of efforts to improve safety on Victoria's roads. Police urge residents to ensurethe vehicles theyare driving aresafebeforetaking to theroad.

Documentary explores landscape rehydration

NaturalSequenceFarming principles to landholdersacross Australia.

“While Forage Farms is oftenreferenced as acasestudy forhow naturalsequencefarming canoperate as aviable commercial model, whatexcites us mostisthe growing groundswell of people embracing these principles,”Andrews said.

“Our customersseek out food produced this waybecause theyknowitcomes from healthier animals and ahealthier landscape. "Through Tarwyn Park Training, we aimtoshow other farmershow theycan begin making changes on their ownproperties.”

Everyone featured in RehydrateAustralia is agraduate of the TarwynPark Training program, having taken whatthey learned and applied it to theirown farms.

Kerbside collection policy up forreview

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil is seeking feedback on its Kerbside Collection and AssociatedServices Charge Policy.The policy explains howthe four-bin kerbside serviceworks, and howwastecharges are used. Feedback closes Thursday, April 16. To have your sayvisit: yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov au/kerbside-collection

“The film highlights farmerswho arechoosing to do things differently and arealready seeing the benefits,”Andrews said.

“Insomecases, results come quickly;inothers, theytake time. What mattersmostisthatthese people arerestoring landscapes and building hope forclimate recovery.The momentumisgrowing.”

As Charlie Arnott notesinthe film,“Anyone who eats food needs to support this methodology.”

RehydrateAustralia is available forviewing on YouTube.

It willalso tour the country forspecial screenings including one at Bolinda Hall on FridayApril 17, 6pm, with special guests: Jason and Belinda Hagan from 'McIvorFarm'and Callum Lawson from 'Allanvale'.

To book forthe screening, head to events.tarwynparktraining.com.au/events/tarwynparktraining/2137756

Astillfromthe documentary during avisit to McIvor Farm at Tooborac.

Erin takesthe stage takes the stag

AngelaCrawford

Gisborne performer Erin Haberechtisset to take the stagethis weekend in Theatrical Symphony,a spectacular musical theatreconcert celebrating some of the genre’smosticonic songs, performed alongside a full orchestra

PresentedbyTheatrical Inc, the special three-nightevent will be held at TheNational Theatre.

Theproduction brings together some of the company’smostpromising emerging performers, showcasing belovedhits from blockbuster musicals including LesMisérables, Matilda, Annie, Dear Evan Hansen, RENT and Wicked –all accompanied by apowerful36-pieceorchestra.

ForHaberecht, the opportunity marks an exciting new chapterina lifelong love of performance.

“I’ve been singing sinceI was ateenager,” she said. “I studied music theatreand then spenta couple of yearsperforming as a singer on the RoyalCaribbean cruise line, which allowedme to see so much of the world. It wasanincredible experience.”

Now43, Haberechtlives in Gisborne with her husband Simon and their three children, aged eight, six and four.The family relocatedin2017 after spotting thetownonthe TV program Postcards “Wejustthoughtitlooked likea beautiful place,” she said.

“I grew up in asmallcommunity,and Ireally wanted thatfor our family.”

While she has spentrecent yearsperforming locally with the KynetonTheatre Company, Theatrical Symphonymarks her first audition forTheatrical Inc –adecision she made at the last minute.

“One of the orchestra membersatthe KynetonTheatre Companysentmethe audition link the nightbeforeentries closed,”she said. “I just went forit. I’vegot such asupportive husband, and the thoughtof performing on abiggerstage with afull orchestrawas too good nottohaveacrack.”

Balancing rehearsals with family lifehas been no small feat,but Haberechtembraces the challenge.

“Mykids arechamps –they letmepractise my songs in the car,” she said. “I’m learning lines as fast as Ican. As amum of three in my 40s, it’sdefinitely harder to retain everything, but that’spart of whatwelove as performers–thatchallenge.”

Theperformancewill also be aspecial momentfor her extended family,with relatives travelling from Queensland to cheer her on.

“For me, it’sabout coming back to something Ilove,”she said. “Oncethe kids were abit older,itfelt likethe righttime to step back into it.”

Ledbyacclaimed musical director and conductor Kent Ross, Theatrical Symphony

promises avibrantand emotionally chargedevening. The combination of soaring vocals and aliveorchestracreates a rich, immersiveexperiencethat celebrates the magic of musical theatre.

ForHaberecht, being partof such alarge-scale production is both apersonal milestone and achancetorepresenther community.

“I’mreally proud to be representing Gisborne,”she said. “There’ssomuch talent in the Macedon Ranges, and it’s wonderfultosee localperformersstepping onto biggerstages.”

Theatrical Symphony will run forthree nights only,fromApril 10 to April 12, at TheNational TheatreinStKilda. Ticketsare nowavailable via booktickets. com.au

Fire restrictions end forregion

TheFireDanger Period forMacedon Ranges and MountAlexander shires has officially ended as of today.

It hasbeen along and challenging fireseason and as we head into autumn thereisstill heightened firerisk with severalareas remaining dry

TheCFA is urging residents to remain alert as the currentand continued conditions canstill lead to fast-moving grassfires even in cooler weather

CFAState Agency Commander Garry Cook said theeasingofrestrictions wasdue to anumber of favourable factorsinthese areas.

“Nights arebecoming increasingly cool,and we areseeing dewin the mornings that further reduces the risk of fire, Garry said.

“Wehavealso seen some welcomed rainfall and some noticeable newgrowth in these districts, pointing to higher levels of moisture, which will help to keep anyfirebehaviour manageable.

“Evenwithmilder weather we still want landownerstotakeprecautions and ensureconditions aresafebeforeburning offand that thereisenough waterand resourcesonhand to extinguish.”

Residents travelling to other parts of Victoria arereminded to remain vigilantand to checkthe Fire Danger Periods thatare in place in the region theyare residing.

With the end of the FDP, some landownersmay choose to resume burn-offs, but it’sessential to take precautionsand ensureconditions aresafebeforeproceeding.

To preventunnecessary emergency callouts, landownersmust register their burn-offs. If smokeorfireisreported, it will be crosschecked withthe register to avoidanemergency response.

Burn-offs can be registered online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511.

Wherepossible, landownersshould also notifyneighboursand those nearbywho maybesensitivetosmoke

Burn-off safety checklist

•Check firerestrictions in your area and register your burn-off

•Monitor weather conditions, especially wind.

•Notify neighbourstoprevent unnecessary emergency calls.

•Maintain athree-metrefirebreak, clear of flammable materials.

•Haveenough equipmentand watertocontain thefire.

•Never leave aburn-off unattended –stayuntil it is fully extinguished.

•Ifyourburn-off gets outofcontrol, call 000 immediately

Fortips on protecting your health from smoke, visit the EPAVictoria website.

Gisborne performer Erin Haberechthas joined the chorus for Theatrical Symphony

Warm gear needed!

TheGood Coat Driveisback for2026

TheGood Coat Driveis returning foranother year, withCommunity Bank Maldon and District again partnering withThe Good Op Shop and Sac’O’Suds Launderette to help locals staywarm this winter.

Throughout April andMay, the Good Coat Driveiscollecting pre-lovedcoats, jackets and blanketsingood condition. Donateditems will be distributedinJune through the Maldon Community Pantry,Dunolly RTC, Castlemaine CommunityHouse and Sac’O’Suds to thoseinneed of warmth this winter.

Community partnership lead at CommunityBank Maldon and District,Sophie Guerin, said thattimes were tough for so manypeople rightnow

“The need forwarm, goodqualityclothing through The Good Coat Drivejustkeeps growing. Thechancetowork alongside wonderfulcommunity partnersagain this year means morewarmthand support can reachthe people who need it most,"she said.

TiffanyInglis, director of TheGood Op Shop,saidthey lovedbeing apartofthe Coat Drive.

“Itkeeps clothes in circulation forlonger and out of land-

fill forlonger.There's plenty of clothes to go around, and this is helping to getthem where theyare needed,”she said.

TheMaldon Community Pantry remains akey partner in helping warm clothing reach local households. AliBrookes from ThePantry said thatthey were thrilled to be receiving garments from theGood Coat Driveagain this year

“The Good Coat Driveisan importantpart of the Pantry calendar,assisting some of our community's most vulnerable people managethe challenges of winter.Importantly,the Good Coat Drivedoes this withenormous respectfor the recipients, providing good qualityand freshly laundered coatsand jackets,"she said.

Sac’O’Suds Launderette will again support the initiativeby laundering items when needed to ensure donations areready fordistribution. Owner Laura Keoghsaidtheywerealso thrilled to support the drive again in 2026.

"Central Vic winters can be bitter,and withpeople feeling the pinch in so many ways,this is agreat waytosharesome warmth,”she said.

Warm gear collected in April and Maywill be shared in June through: Maldon Community

Pantry,Dunolly RTC, Castlemaine CommunityHouse and Sac’O’Suds Launderette

If youcan spareany clean, good-condition coats, jackets and blankets, theycan be dropped at:

Youth Councilseeks leaders

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil is accepting expressions of interest fora newyouth council until April 17.

Applications areopen to young people, aged 12-17 yearsold,who live, study,or work in the Macedon Ranges Shire.

Theyouth council will meet regularly to discuss issues affecting young people and provide feedback to thecouncil.

CommunityBank Maldon 81 High Street,Maldon Mon–Fri 9.30am–4pm, Sat 9am–12pm TheGood Op Shop 4Lewis Drive, Castlemaine Thu–Sat 10am–4pm

Open space apriority

Biodiversity,connectivity and equitable access will be strengthened in Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil'snew Open SpaceStrategy for the next 10 years.

Last month councillorsadoptedthe newstrategy thatoutlines howcouncil will managemorethan900 hectares of parks, waterways, recreation reserves and bushland conservation reserves.

Thestrategy replaces the 2013 version and has been updatedfollowing extensive community consultation including 30 written submissions and 51 online survey responses.

Councillor Jennifer Andersonsaidthe documentwas a"vast improvement" on the previous version.

Shesaidthe past strategy wasled by a sport and recreation focus while the new documentismoreofa "holistic,high-level picture"

"The vision says:atthe heart of all open spacedecisions is an objectivetoenhance the natural environment,"she said.

"Everyone values open spacehere. You'll noticeinthe documentthatwehavemore open spacethanyou tend to have in most municipal districts but it'ssoimportanttous."

Shesaidthe documentoutlined realistic achievements and she looked forwardto seeing the outcomes the council could drive from the document.

Changes tothe policy in response to feedback include strengthening key themes of environment/biodiversity, Traditional Owner partnerships, and walking and cycling, highlightkey issues specific to theMacedon Ranges such as access to significantregional reserves outside of townships, and existing supply/provision of open spaceland in relation to population.

Township mappinghas also been updated foraccuracy and the structureofthe documenthas been improved.

Nine positions will be available in asimilar ward structuretoMRSC andeach councillor will representthe whole shire.

It is achangefor young peopletodirectly influencedecision-making and learn how democracy works.

Details, frequently asked questions, and online application forms areavailable via: yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth-council

Community Bank Maldon &District’sSophie Guerin and TheGood Op Shop’s TiffanyInglis, with kicking off this year’sGoodCoatDrive.

Mist lifted on captivating mountaingardens

AmyHume

Elizabeth Langslowdescribes Mount Macedon as aplace of greatnatural beauty and mysterious allure. It’s the reason shefelt compelled to explorethe mountain’s past and howitcame to have oneofthe most significantcollections of 19th centurygardens in Australia.

TheWoodend filmmaker has captured a pieceofits history in adocumentary,detailing magnificenttowering trees, deforestation, aplant-hunting movementand greatbotanical exploration.

“The main purpose of the film wastolearn moreabout howthis rich and exotic botanical environmentbegan,”she said.

“It’salwaysheld such mysteryand being achild in the gardens heregrowing up was magical.

“You canlookatthe plantedenvironment as living artefactsthattell stories about culture, connection to country,migration, and destruction.

“This collection of stories is just part of whatwehope to one daytomakea bigger pictureofthis complextime in Australian history.”

Herfilm, Botanical Visions: AHorticultural History of MountMacedon in the 19thCentury, has been atrue communitycollaboration.

Local horticulturists, gardeners, arborists, historians and landownerssharetheir knowledgeinaseries of interviews,interwovenwith archival imagery and present-day footage.

INSPIRINGLANDSCAPE

MountMacedon is alandscapethathas intriguedand inspired greatcreatives includ-

ing renowned Australian artist Frederick McCubbin and celebrated botanical artist Ellis Rowan.

Rowanresided at her family estate Derriweit Heights, which her parents, Charles and Marian Ryan,established in the 1870s, featuring a26-acregarden.

Theprolific artist and ‘flowerhunter’ is one of those to featureinthe film,astold by the property’scurrent owner Annie Mulkearns.

Shedescribes the 19th centuryas“atime of grand botanical exploration”.

Agreat influencer of MountMacedon at thattime wasBaron SirFerdinand von Mueller.Hewas the first director of the Melbourne BotanicGardens and the first governmentbotanist forVictoria.

He became interested in the richvolcanic soil on MountMacedon, and, its newinspired gardenerstherewereeager to trial rare and interesting plants.

“Mueller wasinterestedinMountMacedon as aplace to experiment with plants,” Langslow said.

“Therewas aplant-hunting movementtaking placeand people were bringing seed and plants back from differentparts of the world.”

TheVictorian Governmentacquired a propertynamed ‘Rosenheim’in1886 to serve as asummer retreatfor successiveGovernors of Victoria. Many other gardens of interest emergedand manyprominentpeople spent their summers there, seeking cooler climates.

Thefilm capturesthe story of a19th century Scottish-inspired ArdChoille rediscovered by ZoeCottew’sfamily in the 1980s.

Cottewrecountsrestoring the garden and uncovering its fascinating history

Filmmaker Elizabeth Langslow is pictured with members of the Gisborne andMountMacedon District Historical Society

ZoeCottew

ElizabethLangslow

COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

Langslowhas said accessing historical images, maps and documents wasvital in creating thefilm, and it wasGisborne and MountMacedon District Historical Society members who helped her delveintothe archives.

Shesaidthe GMMDHS archivewas heavily featured throughout the film with manyofthe stories, details and visual references sourceddirectly from material held there.

"The people involved were passionate about telling stories of the botanical environmentupthereinall its complexity," she said.

"MountMacedon has remained mysterious this whole time but this wasour community attempttobuild outa better pictureofthattime."

While the film delves into the past, it also invites viewers to consider Mount Macedon's future

It documents part of Keith Beard'sjourneytocreateone of the mountain's newest gardens from abarepaddock withlandscape designer AnnaThompson.

Thefilm also explores the care of the mountain's towering giants, with local arborist PatKenyonclimbing atowering sequoia.

Prominentlocal horticulturist and nursery-man, Stephen Ryan, tellsofan exciting time of changeinMountMacedon's history.

He also considershow these properties canbemanaged long-term and invites the idea of continuous reinvigoration.

SCREENINGS

Thefilm Botanical Visions: AHorticultural History of MountMacedon in the 19th Century willbescreening at the Woodend Library on Saturday,April 18, from 10am to 11.30am. Entry is free, however, bookings arerequired via: eventbrite.com.au

Aspecial screening will also be held at the RoyalMelbourne Botanic Gardens laterthis month.

TheAustralian Garden History Society will host aticketedfilm eventatthe Mueller Hall,inthe National Herbarium building, on April 28.

*Botanical Visions wasdirectedand produced by Elizabeth Langslow, filmed by LeandroPalacio, made in partnership with TheGisborne and MountMacedon District Historical Society,and supported by ThePublic RecordsOfficeofVictoria. It wasfilmedonthe lands of the Wurundjeri WoiWurrung, Taungurung and DjaDja Wurrung Peoples. Elders from the Wurundjeri Cooperation were consulted in the making of this film.

Anna Thompson

Nursery gentlemen

Ellis Rowan at Derriwet Heights

Arborist Pat Kenyon

Horticulturalist Stephen Ryan

mtoring g

PJ’s Tyres claim Hankook awardhonour

PJ's DiscountTyreServiceCastlemaine has takenout theprestigious 'Ventus PerformanceAward'atthe Hankook MastersPerformanceEvent on the Gold CoastfromMarch 25-27.

Hankook Tyre Australiarecently hosted the eventbringing together valued'Hankook Masters' foranunforgettable experience.

Thethree-dayevent included both aconferenceand an on-track driving experience,whereesteemed Hankook Mastershad theopportunity to test Ventus performance, EV and Dynapro 4WD tyres.

During the event, awards were presentedtorecognise outstanding achievements forthe year 2025.

PJ's TyresoperatorsSean and Phillipa Finning said they were shocked but delightedtoclaim the awardhonour

"Wehad notmade an awardsubmission. It waspurelybased on our performance,"Phillipa said.

"Itrecognised Hankook Masterswho have demonstrated exceptional commitmenttodelivering premium serviceand representing the Hankook brand at the highest level,"she said.

Sean said it wasagreat indication of howtheir regional small business stackedupagainst other Hankook Mastersinwhatwas abig global company.

"Weare really thrilled. It is greatto be recognised forall our hardwork and our commitmenttodelivering great performance, innovation and excellence

in customer service,"hesaid

As part of the event, Sean enjoyed the opportunity to personally road test some of the newHankook tyres on the four-wheel drivecourse testing allterrain and mud-terrain patterns.

"Itwas areally valuable experience and will allowmetobetterunderstand whattyres arebestfor what conditions. Ican bring this knowledgeback to our customersand ensurethatthe tyreswe select will deliver thebest performance to suit their needs,"hesaid

Thelatest awardfollows on from PJs TyresHankook MastersDealer of the Year Awardhonour in 2019.

In 2023, Phillipa also won'Employee of the Year' awardatthe annual AutomotiveIndustry Awards at theVictorian AutomotiveChamber of Commerce and the business wasone of the top14 finalistsinthe 'Best SmallAutomotive Business –Regional' category

Thebusiness celebrates its 38th year in 2026 with the couple taking over from Sean's parents and foundersPeter and PatFinning in 2023 on their retirement.

Thelatest awardisanindication the localbusiness continues to go from strength to strength.

So whether youare afternew tyres, wheel alignments, repairs,balancing, newwheels, batteries or mechanical servicing givePJ'sacall. Customerscan also call in fora free tyre check anytime during business hours.

Swap Meet returns

Castlemaine's Camp Reservewill be bustling withactivity this SundayApril 12 for one of the region's largest and most successful events,the 40thannual Castlemaine Lions Club Swap Meet.The popular eventis expectedtoonceagain draw thousands of visitors through the gatesfromacrossthe state and beyond to buy and browse from 580 plus stalls selling all manner of things.

Castlemaine Lions ClubSwapMeetchairman, RonGartside, said patrons could expect to find atreasuretrove of vintageand veteran car and motorcycle parts, memorabilia, antiques, collectables and bric-a-brac.

"You mayevenfind avehicle or twoupfor grabs,"hesaid.

Gates open at 6am.Entry is $8. Children under 15 free.

Sean andPhillipa Finning of PJ’s

mtoring g

Afull weekend of historic car racing

TheAustin7 Club is thrilled to announcethatthe 49th Historic Winton will be held at Winton MotorRacewayonMay 30 and 31 at Winton MotorRaceway, near Benalla.

Austin 7Club Member and Historic Winton eventcoordinator, John Kessner, said that49th Historic Winton would be another full weekend of historic car racing, fantastic displays,automotivemarket and deliciousfood and beverages.

“Weare working hardtoencourage even moredisplays through providing free displaypasses(driver and one passengerper car) foranniversary marques and invited clubs,”hesaid.

“Onceagain, spectators will have access to the competition paddock wherethey can viewthe race cars up close and meet the drivers, who just love chatting about their race cars.”

Historic Winton is renowned forits uniquecamaraderie wherelike-minded enthusiasts meetfromall over Australia.

“Competitorsand their teams have a greattime socially as well as on the track. Thebuzzisjustgreat but as soon as the helmetisonand thecar revs,each driver means business and its ‘game on’.”

Afull race programwith some new features will be announced in due course in 2026.

Mr Kessner said thatsadly,nosolution had yetbeen found to theexclusion of motorcycle racing on theWintonMotor Racewaytrack, which became an issuefor the previous event, howeverthe organisers were investigating moreinvolvementof motorcycles.

“The VintageMotorcycle Clubwill displaysome amazing motorbikes and some other ideas arebeing explored. Motorcycles arehistorically importanttothe eventand we aretakingthe feedback of disappointmentvery seriously,” he said

Keycloningdanger as tech steps up

Victoria Police seized800 keycloning devices from prolific car thieveslast year,as newintelligence estimatesmorethan 10,000 vehicles arestolenusing this technology each year

Thelatest Crime Statistics Agency data showed33,212 vehicles were stolen in the year to end of September 2025. This has directly coincided with asurge in car thieves using keymimicking or cloning technology to override car security systems.

Victoria Police intelligenceshows more than aquarter of all carsare nowlikely to be stolen in this manner

Popular makes and models with pushstart ignitions arebeing targetedineverincreasing numbers– disappearing from residential streets or other community locations without

anyother offence, such as arobbery,burglary or carjackingoccurring.

Most commonly in these thefts, the owner reported to policetheyretained the keys,and their car had simply vanished.

Toyota Landcruisers, Toyota Corollas, Hiluxs, and Rav4sare among the most targeted vehicles by tech savvy thieves, as well as Holden Commodores and Subaru Imprezas Victoria Police continues to work withimpacted manufacturersinrelation to this issue.

Policeare urging ownersofvehicles to look at arangeofpreventativemeasures to help deterthieves, including an on-boarddiagnostic port lock which prevents an offender connecting areprogramming devicetoyour vehicle. These locks arehighly affordable and self-installable.

an iconic eventthatbrings together motor enthusiasts, racers,tourists and families to celebratethe passion and legacy of historic motorsport.

TheHistoric Winton website, Facebook and Instagram pages provide the latest news andevent details. historicwinton.org

TICKET GIVEAWAY

The Midland Express has fivedouble passes to giveawaytolucky readers. Simply post or drop in an envelope with your name, address and contact phone number to: Historic Winton Ticket Giveaway,Midland Express, 3Market Street,Kyneton3444, by close of business WednesdayApril 15.

The49th Historic Winton will remain

Historic Winton returns to Winton MotorRacewayonMay 30 and 31. Photo:Andy Day

@ Y YourOPINIONS

Franklyoverit

BarryMiller, Kyneton

Well,yay.A newyear,anew global crisis, and whatdoweget as the cherry on top? Another sermon from Kyneton’sfavouritetroll,the questionablysartorial Frank ('You campaigned forthis', Opinions, March31). When it comestoclimate change, no matter thequality or quantity of evidencegathered by the overwhelming majority of the world'sscientific community overthe past 40 years, NO; Frank knows better (As Iwritethis, researchersatthe ANU advise those of us who carethatthe superb fairy wren– a seemingly common Australian bird– will become extinctwithin the next 30 to 40 years, as adirect result of climatechange. Butwhatwould they know, having put in all thattime and effort into theirsupporting research about whatthe futureholds forthis tediously cutebird? NO,Frank knows better.)

I’veseenother correspondents try to educate Frank, but the reality is: thereisnocurefor wilful ignorance.

YetI can’thelp butsuspect thatheisbeing disingenuouswithus. Ifeel (and “Ifeel” is proofpositive,right?) thatthe deviceheuses, to bash out his opinion-pieces, is none other than aRant-o-Matic 2000, which IKNOWisunsullied by glorious fossil fuels; it is, in fact, wind-powered.

Where is the justice?

Christine Clark,Riddells Creek

Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil at itsrecentmeeting movedtogivethe Riddell Men's Shed members spaceonthe land-locked‘Police Paddock’ subjectto permission from the Catholic Church foraccess the site!

Aside from that, it is going to be hidden from view behind the policeproperty.

SUPER QUIZ?

Local knowledge (1 point)

1. Romsey Men’sShed has recently restored whattypeofold vehicle?

2. Macedon Ranges ShireCouncil has ended sister city relations with which Japanese city?

3. LocatedinMountAlexander,whatis VGRanacronym for?

4. Edgy Vegisa food competition thatis part of whatlocal celebration? (3 points)

5. What wasthe namegiven to Frederick McCubbin’s former MountMacedon residence?

General knowledge (1 point)

6. Whostarred as Samantha in the longrunning TV series Bewitched?

7. In which Australian state or territory would youfind ThePinnacles Desert?

8. Maria Sharapova wasonceranked world number one in which sport?

9. In which country wasWrigley’sgum first developed? (3 points) 10. Legendary icedancing duo, Torvill and Dean, representedwhich country throughouttheir career?

TheMRSC should be ashamed of themselves, theyrefused permission forthe Recreation Reserve telling the men it wasunlawful. That is nottechnically true, Ihavesoughtinformation thatstates amen’s shed is acceptable on arecreation reserve.

Quotefromalettertomefromcouncil:

"Given thatthe proposed use (Men’s shed) is not by or on behalf of council, this land use is prohibited in this location and cannotbeconsidered under the currentzoning. While council could consider re-zoning the land to makethisuse permissible, the process of aplanning scheme amendmentcan take severalyearsand is subjecttofinal approval by the Minister forPlanning."

“Not by,oronbehalf of Council” tellsmewhat I’vebeen saying all along. They don’t want to help the men have themostsuitable site, straightoff Sutherlands Road with all services available.

I’vetried, sincetheirshed wasclosed to getjusticefor them, all to no avail. Whereisthe justice?

Trysomefacts

Chris Pearson, Kyneton

Your correspondent'Youcampaigned forthis' (Opinions,March 31) shows howimportantthe teaching of geographyshould be in our school curriculum,and illustrates the poor record of our governments in educating the populace about the changes necessary to try to limit theworst excesses of global warming, and in orchestrating these changes awhole lotbetter.

Forthose interested in some facts, youmighttry afew minutes on the CSIROwebsiteabout rising sea levels and seatemperatures, both of which have indeed risen in the last century,and at an accelerating rate this century

Thepolar icecapshavebeen melting, as have glaciers. Many of us will have seenpictures of polar bearshaving no pack icetoinhabit and coming into Arctic settlements in search of food. Closer to home,

manyseaside settlements areseriously worried about increasing coastal erosion.

Another concern is plate tectonics,which maybeaffected by changing pressureonthe earth’ssurfaceasice on the land melts,and water ends up in the oceans, changing the weightonthe various surfaces. This can lead to local catastrophes such as landslides and slumps, but mayalso affect volcanicactivity, forexample.

Your writer queries whether “apocalyptic predictions”haveevercome true. The“end of the world” became truefor the dinosaurs, and they didn’t deliberately contribute to it. We areused to forest fires hereinVictoria, but in recent years, duetounusual severe weather patterns, therehave been fires in Queensland and Tasmanian rainforests thatare notusually endangered. Thechangeinglobal temperatures (both air and sea) has resulted in morefrequentand moresevereweather events.

We need to do our bit in reducing emissions, butitshould be better staged. Stop using fossil fuelstocreateelectricity.Theyare better used forpetro-chemical manufacturing. Reducethe useofpetroland diesel for transport. When we next buya car,atleast go hybrid, and thatwill halve our fuel use. Continue the developmentofbatteries and fast charging to enable trucks and other heavy machinery to go electric (and putsolar panels on them –mostlytheyare in the sunall day. That goes forutes, too) Many buses arenow electric, so sizeofthe vehicle is notthe issue. If thewhole community is on side and notpoliticising sensible changes, we canall contribute. Planta tree!

Is council payingattention?

RobynWalton, Castlemaine

TodayonlineI completedMount Alexander ShireCouncil’s‘Castlemaine town centre inclusivestreets audit’, part of astudy to identifyneeds and recommendimprovementsfor safety and accessibility.It particularly looks at theneedsofpeople living with adisability,older adults and families. Thesurvey organiserswanttohear our ‘lived experience’ and tell us our feedback ‘will be used as expert evidence’.Nodoubtlocal residents will supply usefulinformation and it’s to be hoped some of it will lead to improvementsinthe long-term.

It wasalso good to see arecentinitiativethatcollected ideas from the public,including ayounger demographic, forimproving the shire. Some of themanysuggestions were shownonamap that wasdisplayedin the Castlemaine Library foyer and is nowinthe Castlemaine Community House. Thereare ideas thatcould be implementedquitequickly,others worth aiming forinthe mediumterm,and othersI guess will neverbe adopted

In theshort-term, meanwhile, I’m wondering whether MASC has paid attention to my suggestion fora seatoutside the Town Hall entranceto assistthe frailelderly,disabled and pregnant('Isone seattoo hard?', Opinions,March24) and whether this idea can be implementedwhile Frederick Street is closed forits makeoverduring the next fewweeks. In my letter Irecounted the incredible reasons aperson from MASC’sengineering departmenthad given me severalyearsago fornot installing aseat. When Ipostedacopyofthe letteronCastlemania on Facebookone commenter told me thatbackinher dayvolunteersused to putout chairs forpeople needing to sit while theywaited forentry.Todayfor safety reasons, MASC wouldn’t want us putting out random chairsonasloping tiled surfaceora narrowfootpath. Butitcould secure asuitable seatinplace and act on any otherinexpensiveand straight-forwardsuggestions.

Asorry lackofpreservation

Brian Dempsey,

Thank youfor your article regarding the sorry saga befalling Fontainebleau, the former retreatfor artist Frederick McCubbin.

Thelack of preservation momentum in Victoria forthe Boyd family properties comestomind.

Iwas raised in Murrumbeena in the1950s near the 'Open Country' home of Merric Boyd,anacclaimed potter and the father of renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd,who wasalsointhe same artistic movement as Frederick McCubbin. This property in Wahroonga AveMurrumbeena wasdemolished in the 1960s to makeway fora block of flats.

Today, thecouncil celebrates the history of this area with 'Boyd Park' but it would be so much better had the old Open Country estate been restored. It is as significantas'Heidi' .Imagine if thathad been bulldozed.

Spudtacular

Avid Kynetongardener Araceli Gray,was weeding around her roses when she wassurprised to discovera giantpotato emerge from the soil.

Herson thoughtthey should sliceituptomake extralarge potato cakes but Araceli'shusband Alan thoughthe'dbring it in to the Express office first to show offtheir find.

Thepotatoweighs morethan twokilograms and likely grew from potato skin discarded some time ago.

Alan Graywith the giant potato

HOWTO

Inyourbrowseryoucanneither searchforMidlandExppress. orsimplygodirectlytothe website www.midlandexpress..com.au

•Simplyclickonthearrrows > < ontheLeft/Rightoftheedgeof thescreentoflippagessinthat direction.

•Use+and–tozoominandout ofthepage.Onmobiledevices pinchandpullareavaiilabble.

•Themagnifyingglassallowsyou tosearchforwordsandphrases throughoutthepublication.

DIGITALEDITIONS NAVIGATION

Thedigitaleditionsareamenu clickaway

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Theshareoptionallowsyouto postthhepubblicationonsocial mediatoshareitwithfriendsand family.

TUESDAY,MARCH

FRIDAY,APRIL

Covering the Macedon Ranges and MountAlexander 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

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DISPLAYADVERTISING DEADLINES

TuesdayIssue:Booking

GrandTouriscoming!

Getready to pull your classic carout of the garage, because the 2026 Macedon Ranges Grand Tour is coming!

Classic cars. Thereisnothing quitelikethemand the waytheyare appreciatedby people of all ages. That blended smell of leather,rubber and oil thathits youwhen you open the door.The distinct grill shapes and flowing lines of the coachwork, adorned with gleaming chrome stripsand bumpers. Therort of the exhaust note whenthe engine revs rise toward the red-line and then fall when changing gear.For older folk, they areunmistakable sensations thatevoke nostalgic memoriesofyears gone by.For the younger generations, experiencing something totally differenttothe family SUV can ignitenew passions.

The2026 Macedon Ranges Grand Tour is returningtoshireroads on the first weekend of October.Itisanexciting eventattracting people from both within and outside of theareatopromote theMacedon Ranges as atourist destination and gourmetfood trail.

Sponsored by the GREAT Association, the Tour is open to all makes and models of carsand motorcycles withthe emphasis on classics, from family sedans to exotic sports cars, provided theyweremanufactured in or prior to 2000. Vehicles built post 2000 mayhavetheir entry accepted if they aredeemed aparticular model of special interest or rarity

Atraditional 9am flag offwill start the tour in Gisborne on SaturdayOctober 3. While the final routewill remaina mystery until the start, the participantswill takeinsome glorious early spring scenery along some of the greatesttouring roads in theshireand visit severalpicturesque towns andnatural touristdestinations. Theorganised teaand lunchstops will offeranindulgenceinthe best food, wine and hospitality the Macedon Ranges has to offer.

Saturday’s activities roundoff at Glen Erin at Lancefield, with athree-course dinner served withlocal wines. Livemusic, prizes and talking about thedays eventwith fellow Grand Tourists enliven the evening. Accommodation is available at Glen Erin foranyone who would rather notdrivehome.

On themorning of SundayOctober 4, to coincide with Gisborne Market Day, a displayofthe participating vehicles will be on showinJohn AitkenReservenear the market

So join in or spread the word among your car loving family and friends to experience the sounds, smells, visions and tasteonly the Macedon Ranges Grand Tour can provide. Whetherparticipating in theTour or coming down to see thecarsbeing flaggedoff on Saturday morning or on displayonSunday, let the 2026 Macedon Ranges Grand Tour help youcreatesomenew classic car memories.

Entries to this extraordinary adventure arenow open. To book youplaceonthe 2026 Grand Tour and linkstoaccommodation option, logontothe MRGT websitenow.Be quick, because places arefilling up! www.macedonrangesgrandtour.com.au

KynetonRotary calls forpeople of action

TheRotary Club of Kynetonisinviting local people to step forward, connect with like-minded neighbours and helpdrive positive change in both Kynetonand across the globe.

As part of aa global network of 1.2 million members, KynetonRotary is inclusive and open to all individuals just likeyou,a person who likes solving real problems and is readytotackle newchallenges. Whether it’simproving local or international health and education initiatives, the club offers aplatform to turn your passion into impact.

Joining Rotary isn’t just about volunteering; it’sabout joining acommunityoffriends committed to service. KynetonRotary's diverse portfolio of projects include:

•Local –the KynetonCommunityMarket: the Campapse RiverWalk: the 'train' park; school and youthprograms suchas RYPEN,MUNA, RYLA and sciencesummer schools; maintaining community seating for

MRSC; and operating barbecues to support local communitygroups

•Health and research –significantcontributions to prostate cancer research and global PolioPlustoend polio globally

•International support –the Cambodian RuralStudentTrust and theHill-tribe Sponsorship Fund to support young people in developing countries finish school and attend university; and WASH to provide clean waterand sanitation forgirls in developing countries.

“Weare looking forpeople who want to makea differenceand meetnew friends in the process,”club presidentPetersaid.

“Ifyou area person who likes to makean impact and solveproblems, thereisa place foryou here.”

To learn moreabout TheRotary Club of Kyneton's currentprojects or howtojoin, follow @KynetonRotary on Facebook or call Peteron0414 471 253 fora friendly chat.

MIDLAND Property &Living

An 1860s treasure in aterrificlocation

Ashort walk to every lifestyle benefit Castlemainehas to offerand instantly appealing with its timeless doublefrontedfaçade enhanced by adeep veranda and fine metal lacework, 'Rosslyn', this 1860s treasureprovides familysized spaces in aterrific location.

Period details, including decorativecorniceand roses, high ceilings overglossypolished Baltic pine floors, panelled timber doors, profiled skirting boards, leadlightwindows,a corbel archway, andatrioofopenfireplaces, bring character and charm to an interior offering flexible spaces ready to suit modern family living.

Themain bedroom, complete with askylit ensuite and

twofurther bedrooms sharing afamily bathroom finished with aclawfoot bath, is complementedbya formal lounge, a second living room that would makeanideal fourth bedroom if desired, and adining area thatstretches outfrom the provincial-style kitchen. An expansivecovered deck anchorsaneasy-carerear yard.Acarefully considered mix of established plants and pavedspaces, it has been thoughtfully designed to ensure youspendmoretime entertaining and less timemaintaining! With extras including agaragewith mezzanine storage, extracoveredstorageand agarden shed to ensureclutterfree living, afittedlaundry,and the year-round comfort of

approx

Property: ‘Rosslyn’, circa 1860s Address: 53 HargravesStreet, Castlemaine Price: $1,190,000 Agent: JellisCraig

Contact: ScottRawlings 0409 675 408 Leah Panos 0466 878 214

Architectural sanctuary in the heart of Castlemaine

Perfectly positioned on aquiet lane near the centre of town, this gorgeous architect-designed home offers arareblend of privacy and convenience. Just ashort walk from the railway station, DonStreetprovides the ideal balanceofeaseand calm for anylifestyle –close to everything Castlemaine has to offeryet tuckedawayasapeaceful privatesanctuary

Every aspect of the home has been thoughtfully considered. Theversatile open floorplan allows the kitchen, dining and living zonestomerge into onebright, airy spacethatextends seamlessly to thelawnand garden. Expansivenorth-facing windows frame views of amagnificentold gum tree, while the kitchen serves as anatural gathering point. Sliding cedar doors blur the line between indoorsand out, and astudy just offthe

living room offers acomfortable, flexible spacefor working or learning.

Energy efficiency, passive design and year-round comfort are centraltothe home's philosophy. Northern orientation and precise sun shading work in harmonywithinsulation, thermal mass, double glazing and meticulous draftproofing to keep the home warm in winter, cool insummerand economical to run. Polished concrete floors with hydronicunderfloor heating provide gentle warmth, complemented by ceiling fans,double glazing and air conditioning foreffortless comfort in every season Modern, sustainable and refined living is wovenintoevery detail of this distinctivehome, aprivate, contemporary retreat discreetly nestled in theheart of beautiful Castlemaine.

Property: Architect-designed home

Address: 3Don Street Castlemaine Price: $1,425,000

Agent: Cantwell Property

Bianca Wiegard 0439 939 619

2RewellsLane, WELSHMANS REEF

COUNTRYLIVINGON APPROX.2.5 ACRES

•Peacefully positioned between Maldon and Newstead, this moderncountryhomestead offers arelaxed lifestyle in atranquil bush setting just 7kmtoNewstead and moments to CairnCurranReservoir

•Well-designed home with open-plan living,two lounge areas andaspacious kitchen featuring double oven, induction cooktop,island bench and walk-in pantry.

•Three bedrooms with built-in robes,wood heater, ceiling fan and split systems,complementedbytimber ceilings,Colonial windows and French doors bringing in natural light.

•Wideverandahs,undercoverpatio and timber deck,plusdouble carportand substantial 6m x15m garage/workshop on gently undulating,fertile land with tankwaterand bore FOR SALE $680,000

CHARMING COTTAGEON CORNER ALLOTMENT

•Charming relocatedtimber cottage on a515m² corner allotment, updatedwithimprovements to stumping, plumbing,wiring and roofing in asought-after Castlemaine location.

•Two bedrooms and twobathrooms including spa, plus threeWCs,with aspacious lounge featuring baywindows and ornate ceilingdetails

•Well-appointedkitchen with adjoining dining area, polishedtimber floors,gas log fireand split systems ensuring year-round comfort.

•Privateoutdoor deck,established gardensand characterdry stone walling completethis appealing and centrally locatedproperty

FOR SALE $850,000

SPACIOUS,SOLID &IDEALLY LOCATED

•Well-presentedbrick home on an 807m² allotment just 1.5kmfromthe Castlemaine towncentre, offering comfortable living in ahighly convenientlocation.

•Three bedrooms with built-in robes,central bathroom, spacious lounge with baywindow, separatedining, functional kitchen and large rear family room

•Covered alfresco area ideal forentertaining,established gardens and apractical layout suited to arange of buyers

•6.6m x3.9m garage plus additional shedprovide excellentstorage and completethis solid,well-maintained property

Architectural Sanctuary

3Don Street, Castlemaine

Perfectly positioned on aquiet lane near the centre of town, this architect-designed home offers a blend of privacy and convenience. Every aspect of the home has been thoughtfully considered. The versatile open floor plan allows the kitchen, dining and living zones to merge into one bright, airy space that extends seamlessly to the garden.

$1,425,000

View Saturday 11th April 10:30am-10:50am Contact

Wiegard 0439 939 619

AWalk-to-Town Setting

4/8 Gaulton Street, Castlemaine

Positioned in aquiet, walk-to-town location, this beautifully presented two-bedroom home offers light-filled living, privacy and effortless comfort. Set behind awelcoming front verandah and framed by apretty,established garden, the home immediately conveys asense of warmth and ease, with easy access to the much-loved walking paths.

$615,000

11th April 12:50pm-1:10pm

Wiegard 0439 939 619

Quietly Considered

11 Nelson Street, Maldon

Unassuming from the street, this two-bedroom home revealsitself as acarefully designed, energyefficient residencewhere everydetail has been considered for long-term, low-impact living, and wherethe land, at approx 2.29 acres, offers genuine space to breathe, grow,and be.

$985,000

“Alkoomi” -A Place We Chose

3Mccay Reservoir Road, Chewton

Tucked privately within its own landscape on approximately 7.4 acres, this three-bedroom, with the flexible option for afourth, two-living-area homestead is an offering that balances country character with the comforts of modernliving. Views of the surrounding countryside frame every outlook, while the property itself feels its own world entirely

$895,000

spacious fourbedroom home offers modernfamily living just six minutes from Castlemaine. Positioned on agenerous 867sqm (approx.) allotment with a beautifully designed Liam Bright–landscaped garden.

MIDLAND Property &Living

Character,spaceand serenity

Step into aworld wherecharacter,space and serenity converge.Thisenchanting 1940s ArtDecoresidence is gracefully setonanexpansive3,946m² (0.97 acre) allotment, offering the rare luxury of town services while embracing atranquil, semi-rural lifestyle.

Asweeping garden estate unfolds before you-an inspired tapestry of maturepoplars, pear trees, natives, mulberry,and seasonal fruit trees. Apicturesque pond, formal garden entry,and curated outdoor zones create an idyllic setting forbothquietreflection and elegant entertaining. Practicality meets sustainability with agarden shed, watertank, and asubstantial 7.055 kW solar system, while apoweredworkshop/double garageadds versatility forhobbyistsorcollectors.

Inside, the home's Deco heritagereveals itself in exquisitedetail. Awelcoming verandah porch leads to an ornate hallway ceiling, setting thetonefor refined interiors. Thefront sittingroom, anchored by atapestry fireplace, exudes warmth and charm,complementedby

polished timber floorsthatflowthroughout.

Accommodation is both generous and flexible, with twolarge bedrooms serviced by astylishly renovated bathroom. Aseparatedining room with fireplaceinvites intimate gatherings, while the semi-modern kitchen is thoughtfully appointedwith pantry,dishwasher,electric oven, and gas cooktop.

At the rear,a light-filled sitting room with reversecycle air conditioning provides arelaxed retreat, opening to the lush garden surrounds. Themain bedroom suiteis aprivatehaven,complete with walk-in robe and tranquil garden outlook, alongside awell-appointeden-suitefeaturing shower, double vanity,and WC.Aspacious laundry adds further functionality

Positioned within easyreach of local shops, this unique propertydeliversthe best of both worlds-convenienceand countryside charm. Adding to its storybook appeal, ahistoric steam train gently passes nearby, evokinga sense of nostalgia and timeless romance.

Property: Deco sanctuary on nearly an acre(0.97 acre)

Address: 42 HornsbyStreet, Maldon

Price: $795,000

Agent: Belle Property

Contact: RobWaller 0418 571 130 BlasiMulholland 0417 311 733

Arareblend of productivity andlifestyle

Set in the heart of HeathcoteSouth, this impressiveparceloflandpresents aunique opportunity to secure apropertythatperfectly balances agriculturalpotential with an idyllic country lifestyle. With prizedfrontagetoMountain Creek,this remarkable parceloffersa naturalwater featurethatenhances both its farming appeal and its tranquil setting. Currently zoned Farming Zone, the land lends itself to avarietyofagricultural pursuits, whether you'reconsidering grazing, hobbyfarming, or creating aproductiverural enterprise.

Beyond its practical benefits, the property captures truly breathtaking views sweeping across surrounding farmland, rollingrural vistas, and treetops that stretchasfar as the eye can see. It's alandscape thatchanges with theseasons, offering beauty and inspiration year round. Forthose seeking alifestyle escape, this is aplacetoslowdownand reconnect. Perfect fora weekend getawaylifestyle block or imagine building your dream home (STCA), whereevery windowframesa postcard-worthyoutlook and each daybegins with fresh country air and peaceful surrounds.

Combining natural beauty,water access and versatile land use, this is arareopportunity to create something truly special in atightly held rural setting. Inspectand experience thepotential foryourself

Property: Residentialland 23.47ha

Address: 405A Heathcote-East BayntonRoad, Heathcote

Auction: SaturdayMay 2at11am

IndicativePrice: $550,000 -$600,000

Agent: Raineand Horne Kyneton

Contact: Jason Woodford-Smith 0478 000 441

Belle Property Castlemaineand Maldon.

Belle PropertyCastlemaine |5470 5811

PropertyMaldon |5475 1055

10 HenryStreet, Chewton.

3 a 2 b 4 v 2574r

•Charming countrybrick homestead in apeaceful,privatelaneway just minutes from Castlemaine

•Spaciousthree-bedroom home with ensuite, sandstone fireplace, wide verandahsand large carport forrelaxedfamily living.

•Fully fenced with established gardens, fruit trees and in-groundpool.

ForSale

$1,150,000 View

Saturday11thApril: 12:00pm-12:30pm

RobWaller |0418 571 130

Blasi Mulholland |0417311 733

12 Hill ViewCourt, McKenzie Hill.

4 a 2 b 2 v 752r

•Modern steel-frame home by JG King (2022)withevaporative cooling and gas ducted heating foryear-roundcomfort.

•Multiple living zonesincludingformal lounge,open-plan family area and kids’retreat

•Elevated, landscapedgardens with aleafy,tranquil outlook

ForSale

$847,000 View

Saturday11th April: 11:30am-12:00pm

Blasi Mulholland |0417311 733

RobWaller |0418 571 130

10 PhoenixStreet, Maldon.

4 a 1 b 4 v 1163r

•ElevatedVictorian home with grand proportions, 6main rooms, period charm,and scenic outlook

•Flexible layout with up to 5bedrooms, fireplaces,highceilings, and spacious livingthroughout.

•Large block with garage, stone outbuilding, and renovation potential.

ForSale

$745,000 View

Saturday11th April: 11:45am-12:15pm

RobWaller |0418 571 130

Narelle Waller |0408 571 131

Scan to viewour currentlistings

Hesket CnrStrawsLane &Falls Road

11.7 ha (28.9 Acres)

An exceptionalsmall acreage in the dress circle of the beautiful Macedon Ranges

An extremely rare opportunitytopurchase averyspecial small acreage property within the exclusiveStraws Lane valley

An opportunityawaits to build your dreamnew home (subjecttoCouncil approval) foreither permanent living or as an inner countryretreat.

Features include outstanding aesthetic amenity, magnificent near and long panoramic viewsoververdantrolling countryside including to Camels Humpand the CobawRanges, excellentred volcanic soils, good pastures, outstandingwater supply from spring feddam and 400m frontage to the spring fedSmokers Creek, some beautifulmaturetrees,birdlifeand wildlife habitat.

Price$1,500,000

Call John Keating 0419 880 444 or RayCashmore0419851 334

Hesket 154 Straws Lane

20 ha (50 Acres)

Acrown jewelofMacedon Ranges lifestyle addresses.

Straws Lane at Hesket is renowned as oneofthe most beautiful scenic areas in the heartofthe MacedonRanges and the sale of No.154 with over 525m sealed road frontage to Straws Laneoffers an opportunityto secureone of thecreme de la creme addresses of the area.

Features include excellentred volcanic soils,hay shed,machinery shed,good damand the spring fedSmokersCreek bordered by very aesthetically pleasing nativetrees run throughthe centre of the property,outstanding viewstothe iconic Hanging Rock andCamels

Hump and beautiful longview to MountWilliam

Thereare several potential house sites (subjecttoCouncilapproval) to build your dream new homeontoreplacethe existing very modest circa 1970s 2bedroom cottage

Price$2,500,000

Call John Keating 0419 880 444orRay Cashmore 0419 851 334

Romsey 84 Duckholes Road

“Glencoe”–Circa 1860 Executor's realisation sale

On twoseparatetitles of 41.9 ha (103.7 acres) and 2ha(5acres) with frontage alsotoBlack Range Road

43.9 ha (108 acres)

Aperfect renovator’sopportunitytorestoreits former glory

Glencoe is one of the oldest residences of the Macedon Ranges area and features aclassic solid bluestone home with unspoilt rural viewsfromits elevated hilltop position.

In averyprivatelocation, it is only 5kms south of the Romsey township andjust 840 metres off the Melbourne-Lancefield Road,providing easy access to Melbourne Airport(39kms) and Melbourne CBD (61kms).

Thecharming original bluestone residenceisinneed of afull restoration from its current dilapidatedcondition. Featuring four good sized main roomswith high ceilings and three fireplaces,itawaits thecreativeimpactofanew owner to restoreits former gloryand extend to accommodate contemporarylifestyle living

Auction Saturday2May at 1:30PM Reserve Price$1.6m

To viewcall John Keating 0419 880 444 or RayCashmore0419 851 334

Carol,

5years have passed since you left me Life has gone on but it will never, ever be the same. Ioften lay awake at night Taking awalkdown memory lane, to

We

of your voice and the sound of your laugh.

We miss the hugs, we miss the times we were all together,making memories. But those memories are what we hold onto now We love you, we miss you Thinking of you always Justin, Leah, Jasmine and Declan

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful foranadvertiser to showany intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy,race age,marital status,political or religious belief or activity,industrial activity,parental or carer status, physical features,disability,lawful sexual activity/ sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with aperson with oneofthe above characteristics,unless covered by an exception or granted an exemption under the Act. Aswe could be legally liable if we print an unlawful advertisement, we will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. Formore information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

KN282169

Advertise your pre loved items in the Midland Express and reach over 50,000 readersevery week.

CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES

Tightfinish in A-grade

TheA-grade netball matchbetween Macedon and Gisborne Giants on Good Fridaywas well contested,with the Giants prevailing by four goals.

Final scores were 42-38, with the Giants very pleased with the outcome.

Other games were split.

Macedon wonB-grade51-29, and Cgrade 27-25.

TheGiants took out the D-grade match 28-18, and the Under 19s 29-23.

Both clubs have some very promising up and coming players

Seniors

2.4 2.7 5.9 39

GOALS: Kyneton: IBarassi 4ANolte2DDavie 2CHargraves 2HRyan2E Foreman DGrmusa. Woodend-Hesket: DToman 2JSchmidt EAzzopardi ARae BEST: Kyneton: JSafstrom H Smith HBlake IBarassi DDavie CFisher.Woodend-Hesket: C BowenD Toman MDoody LButcher ARae WWiseman MACEDON 6.2 9.5

GISBORNE GIANTS4.0 5.0 6.2 9.5

GOALS: Macedon: LBrennan 5BCooke 4BWatson 2BHoyne HGovan SIndian Unknown. Gisborne Giants: OOlalekan 2 DRomeril 2B Mangan 2JMitchell OSchnoorMQuigley BEST: Macedon: BWatson SIndian JGovan NBridgland L Webb RYow Yeh. Gisborne Giants: MBongiovanni EWellby ZPloog MQuigley CBills ZMcKenzie

GOALS: Kyneton: NClapham 5RHealy 2T Ciardullo 2F Lewis DHarrisD Yarwood JPoyserHFreeman.WoodendHesket: MAmbler HBuckiSGardner MForbes BEST: Kyneton: JPoyser GYow YehDHarrisC Bowman TCiardullo NClapham. Woodend-Hesket: LSkiba MForbes ACorbell J Braszell CDumper LBourke

GOALS: Macedon: LKoliba2FLight2 OCoppin JLordB Douthie JCurll.Gisborne Giants: RBarker JEvans BEST: Macedon: LKolibaNBloomfield JBissell SPhelan FLight JLord. Gisborne Giants: JClaassen NAnderson JFeist A Forrester RBarker JEvans

GOALS: Kyneton: BRyan5 FLewis 2ERaynor JLiddicoatH Freeman. Woodend-Hesket: CBird2OLockensA Taylor C Forrester DSisk FRaco. BEST: Kyneton: JLiddicoatERaynor HFreeman WMaguigan BRyanJ Nevin. Woodend-Hesket: A Pennefather ATaylor CForrester DSiskW Hollins OLockens

Seniors

GOALS: Castlemaine: ARixon 4M Hartley 3HSheahan 2B

Byrne2J Watson KHuntly BEST: Castlemaine: MHartley H Sheahan ARixon AFrankling JColeman CMark.

GOALS: Gisborne: LGiles JBullen. BEST: Gisborne: HBryant

Unknown HOlive JWeaverJLong

GOALS: Castlemaine: CMcLennan 4B McConachy2 BEST: Castlemaine: CMcLennan BRobinson ZDohertyC McLennan PLeathem BMcConachy

GOALS: Gisborne: ZDenahy5 BBernacki4HLuxmoore4 M Merrett 3A Brancatisano 3D Sullivan 2L Evans PMcKenna

JGrayD Johnstone CJohns BEST: Gisborne: BBernackiB Blake DJohnstone LEvans ZDenahyDSullivan.

GOALS: Castlemaine: AWelch 2JArcher2HKneebone 2M Matheson RSkinner LMurray. BEST: Castlemaine: JTullO Cassidy AWelchMMatheson LMurray JArcher.

GOALS: Gisborne: HJohnstone 6HMeacham 4KZerafa 2 BMacpherson 2B Freeth JLee BEST: Gisborne: REvans K Zerafa HJohnstone AShoreHMeacham JMcKenzie

Seniors

GOALS: Maldon: BBrown 6H Tulloch

MGoodwin MBradley Reserves

GOALS: Maldon:

AMillen. Dunolly:N Ryan JTownsend BPerkins

JMcDonald DBrayC Owen-Gale

GOALS: Maldon: TSeipolt

MWoodward. Dunolly:T Murphy2RMurphy.

Maldon: JSmith LKroschelHGardner Trott TRowbottom TSeipolt M Woodward. Dunolly: TMurphyI Scott CParkerL Colquhoun ERay

GOALS: Maldon: LParsons

Farley

2SGross 2NJenningsO MerloN Kroschel.Maryborough Giants: D Rabbetts CJamieson. BEST: Maldon: NKroschelL Parsons JFarley SGross OMerlo ZTurner.Maryborough Giants: P Young JWillsABroad ZGarley CJamieson HBroad

2W Young Maldon: N/A.

GOALS: Dunolly:A Perkins

Dunolly:H Ritchie JMitchell APerkins HRoma BRomeo HSmith. Maldon: Unknown NJenningsD Ockwell BThompson MJones HSimpson Ladders

Kyneton co-captain and talented utility player Caleb Fisher was among the Tigers' best in their win over Woodend-Hesket at the Kyneton Showgrounds on Good Friday

Hadfield undefeated

KynetonCroquetClub

member Damien Hadfield joined Quarry Hill players Lois Kirk, BruceShawand Barry Lovell to represent Northern District Croquet Association at this year’s Association Croquet Country Regionals, held in Ballarat

TheRegionals have been held since1964 in three sections, with afourthsection (then known as ‘Junior AGrade’) added in 1972. Damien wasthe winner of this section (now known as Section 2) and wasthe only undefeated playerto compete in the three-day event. He is the third playerfromKynetonto win this title (aptly named the ‘Ballarat Cup’)after past winnersRoss Oliver in 1973 and MadgeEaton in 1982.

Association croquet is the traditional and moretechnical version of croquet, but has not been playedcompetitively in Kynetoninthe last fewdecades as the popularityofgolf croquethas takenover. Golf croquetwas developed in the 1980s, and is afaster-paced game thatiseasiertolearn.

Kyneton’sDamien Hadfield claimed the Section 2title.

TheBallarat Cupwill be returning to Kynetonafter 44 years, just in time forthe club’s 150th birthdaycelebrations laterthis year.Kynetonisthe oldest croquetclub still playing in Australia. While golf croquetisnow the main gameintown, Damien is making sure that the club’s rootsinassociation croquetare notlost.

Hurcoall theway

Having just his fourth race start, the Kyneton-trained Hurcobowled along in fronttowin at Ararat last week.

By Blue Print(Ireland)fromALittle Loose, the dam of Liam Howley'sstable star Station One, the three-year-old gelding Hurcowas well supported in the nine-horse Maiden Plateover1606m.

Jason Maskiell had no hesitation in going to the front, and kicked away in the straight, eventually winning by 1.25 lengths from favouriteFireType.

Meanwhile, Howleywas in Sydney looking at the qualityonoffer in the annual Inglis Easter Sales. He wassuccessful in securing severalwell-bred gallopers.

CASTLEMAINE

Easter Saturdaywas ideal forgolf, and Joel Smith (21) wasthe pacesetterwith 40 stableford points, four clearofJen Dyer (20) in C-grade.

Acountback in A-grade went the wayof Rhys Jenkins (5), from RobPrendergast(scr) aftereach carded 36 points.

FrankByrne (16) posted an impressive 39 pointsinB-grade to finish threeclear of Kevin Lourey (14).

Orry Cross andMattO'Brien were the NTPs.

Themorning's9@9 wascompetitive despite asmallerfield.

Glenda Jeffries (19)edged out LizDennison afterbothscored19points.

Thestandoutround on Thursday was40 pointsfromPeterVerlaan who wasthe overall and B-grade winner,withMichaelBottomley runner-up on 37

Ross andJeremyBottomleytied in A-grade on 37, the formerwinning on countback

Therewas also acountback in C-grade,with William Burgess edgingout PeterSmithboth 39.

Burgessand Kevin Gardiner were NTPs.

GISBORNE

On Saturday, 191rabbitswereseen wanderingaroundthe golf course looking forwhite round Easter Eggs

Richard McKibbin'sson Jamestook home the chocolates withthe bestroundofthe day–asolid 41 points.

AdrianWadden,who has an unusual surname, butnothing funnycomes to mind, wonB-grade with 40, and Leigh 'Scissor Hands' Edwardstook outC-grade with 34.

Former captain Jo McPhee hashit Easter form, winning theGood FridayOpenaswellas the women's Saturday'scompetition.

Shehas givenher Elders some assurance she will allow otherplayers to win this week.

Paul Deliawon Thursday'sA-gradeopen competitionwith 37 points,and KerryPeterson wonB-grade with 41.

Tyson Hamilton, who drove along way, returned44points, the best of the day. Ihope he enjoyedthe drive back.

Therewere31entrant playing in the women's monthlystrokeevent

Fran Crimmins took out A-gradeand the monthlymedalona countback from Derryn

Town &District

GOLF results

Pinney, who sellsher thoughts fora small amount.

KYNETON

It wasafamily affair in last Wednesday's stableford,with KynetonTigersfooty coach

Ethan Foreman(25) beating hisfather Ross (14) on countback afterbothscored39points

Ethan bolted outofthe blocks,with a five-point birdie pushinghim to 24 forhis first nine before he gave Ross some hope. Afterfive parsinthe last sevenholes abogey on the9th ended his charge.

MichelleWerner (21) wasbestofthe women on 38,one ahead of RobMacRae(24) NTPswereNorm Bellis(2), MichaelArcher, Terry Kotand MacRae.

Atwo-personAmbrose benefitingthe RoyalChildren’sHospital drew 60 playersin cold, windy conditions on Good Friday,with newmemberBellisand his nine-year-old son Thomas winning on countback with nett 62.25. Runners-up were BobBennettand Mat Hodkiss.

Mixedteam winnerswereRichardand Kelly Gregowith 62.25 andthe women’s prizewas taken out by Castlemaine’s Helen Skinnerand Glenda Jefferies with71.5.

VickiNettleton(2),PaulTobin, Dean Egan, Damian Summersand Greg Fennell were NTPs Super-consistentPete Robbins brokeout of hisregular routineinstyle on Saturday, carding threebirdies to take outthe Easter stableford A-gradewith 38 points.

Aweekafter beingdenied victory by a shotRobbins (8)wiped his first hole andthen grabbed four-pointers on threeofthe toughest holesonthe course to romp five clearofSimon Rosenberg (8).

PeterWalsh’s scorecard wasa little more colourful but featured birdies on twotough holes as he scored 38 off16totakeB-gradeby three from Ivan Smolcic (18). Trevor Glanfield (23)stormed home to grab C-grade by two from Brad Duncan(19).

Lisa McCombe (37)scoredonevery hole andmade afour-point par on the 12th to tally 36 andlead thewomen by two.

NTPswereRosenberg, David Pilcher,Bert Cottingham,JesperHansen and Paul Miller (super pin).

EASTER EXTRAVAGANA

In the Easter extravaganza thatfollowed, captain David Austingrabbed $500 forNTP

when he fired his last shotto58cm from the flag on an 86m temporary par-three.

Club champion ColHudgson wasoverseas but snared two-thirds of the$1000 ball-drop prize,withHelen Bourne taking ashare after their threeballsfound the hole outof220 rolled offthe back of aVereker Bros towtruck.

In Thursday's nine-hole shootout offthe whitetees, Daniel Dubens bagged 20 points to winbytwo from CraigFitzpatrick and Pat Clohesy.

Last Tuesdaytherewas atwo-ball Ambrose forwomen, with Tracey Bramichand Bron Dwyer (11)carding anett72towin by half a stroke from JulieMcKellar andMargScoble (12.5).

LANCEFIELD

As predicted, BarryFlentjar wasthe 2026 TwilightPoints winner with 58 points, from SteveGilbert 55.5.

In thefinal round Alastair Beard25finished four ahead of Connor Irving and Lachy Giles.

Aclose finish in Saturday'smonthly medal sawMarkCruise 91-20-71 win on acountback from Gavin Winwood88-17-71, with Dean Budde 84-12-72 third(12) on c/b from Bert Parks86-14-72. Sheena Flentjar 108-3177 wasthe women's winner

ThursdayFix: KevinMcBride (22) 40 points, from PeterMcGill (10) 35 and John Leefe(13) 33.

Jenni Vennell (29) had anett70 to win the women's medal on c/b from Sandra Steen(36) withKaylene Cruise (25) on 73, and NTP

Legends: Greg Janky (18) 36 points, from PeterMcGill (10) 34 on c/b from SteveDraper (18) and Gary Dudderidge(10).

MACEDON

TheNew Gisborne Dental House Mug o' theMonth on Wednesdaywas keenly contested.

GeoffPickles (23) took overall and B-grade honourswith 39 points by one from A-grade winner Oils Flannery (14).

Brian Freestone (16) 36 points and Will Bobetic (17) 32 were respectiveAand B-grade runners-up

Tony Carterand JennySvendsen claimed the NTPs

Acountbackwas necessary on Easter Saturday to separateoverall and A-grade winner MassivePayne (5) 38 points from runner-up

Stuart Gunnell (11). Flannery (13) didn't worrythe handicapper to win B-grade with35points fromTerry Bonello (14) on31, and C-grade went to Sean Bassett (20) with 35 from PeterPalmer (20) 32. Payne, Flannery and Hamish Allen were the NTPs.

ROMSEY

BobMcLennan and Michael Squirewill playinthe final of the Algie Mitchell Shield this week.

In the semi-finals McLennan won3/2 over Davie Kenney, and SquirebeatSeviWilkins 2/1.

Therewas one stand outscore when a good field of over20turned out forthe Easter Saturday strokeevent

LukeLyons shot74-8-66 fora convincing win, with back in form Andrew Clement runner-up on 78-9-69. BenNoel playedwell tocome thirdwith 79-7-72.

NTPswenttoClement and Lyons, andit wasgood to see Matt Burkettbombing some drives and taking out longest driveonthe 1st. Wednesday'sstableford waswon by David Jones with 31 points, from BerylCole 30.

Aspecial mention to WesRadulski who is very close to obtaining his handicap

In the second roundofpennant, Romsey's three teamsweredefeated. Good to see MitchAtlas, Davie Kenney,Steve Hehir and ColinThomas win their matches.

Ourcourse is in greatshape at present, and we encourageanyone in the area to come and have ahit. Greatvalue at $20 forall daygolf TRENTHAM

Afield of 60 turned out forSaturday's monthly medal.

Liam Murray 76-7-69 wonA-grade and the medal from John Bell 79-9-70.

Bighitter TimOvenden 90-18-72 won B-grade on acountback from Nathaniel Slater 84-12-72.

Another countback in C-grade with David Ridington nett 71 finishing ahead of Paul Hawkins.

Theladies also playedfor their medal, and Anthea Leary 92-22-70 wonB-grade on countback from Joedy Wallis 105-35-70. They nowfaceaplay-off forthe medal.

Julie Bartholomew87-15-72 topped Agrade from Alison Borchers86-12-74.

Easy win: Ridden by JasonMaskiell, Hurcogoes to the line strongly at Ararat.

Photo:Pat Scala /RacingPhotos

GDCAaward winners

Batting, bowling and aggregate awardwinners across 18 differentgrades in the Gisborne District Cricket Association forthe 2025-26 areasfollows:

McIntyre Cup1sts: Batting —RileyVernon (Gisborne) 469 runs @67.0 average; Bowling —Thomas Robson (Woodend) 27 wickets@13.56 average; Aggregate points —JarrydVernon (Gisborne)870.

Johnstone Shield 1sts: CoreyWooley(Sunbury Kangaroos)389 @55.57; Benjamin Bryant (Eastern Hill) 46 @6.50; Aggregate —Bryant1100.

McIntyre 2nds: Xavier Tadd (Woodend) 371 @61.83; None qualified forbowling; Aggregate BrettGardner (Woodend) 503.

Johnstone 2nds: Brayden Speechley(EH) 422 @70.33; Stephen Morris (Diggers Rest) 29 @10.41; Aggregate —Peter Speechley(EH) 781. Jensen Shield: John Lane (Rupertswood) 414 @ 82.80; PeterCashen (Riddell) 22 @10.59; Aggregate —Cashen 806.

Jensen 3rds: Dominic Shelley(Melton South)214 @107; Caiden Connolly (Eynesbury)31@ 10.45; Aggregate NikolaiEdwards (Rupertswood) 542.

Club North: Jereme Lewer(Malmsbury) 422 @ 140.67; Jarrod Milsom (Hanging Rock) 18 @8.28; Aggregate —Lewer 637.

Club South: Mark Hourigan (East Sunbury)177 @ 88.5; Paul O'Donovan(Rupertswood) 20 @9.35; Aggregate Jarrod Rhode (Diggers Rest) 619.

Women's A-grade: Brianna Woodburn (Gisborne) 549 @183; Bowling —Woodburn 14 @10.79; Aggregate —Woodburn769.

Women's B-grade: Emily Consiglio (Lancefield) 355 @118.33; BrookeJeffrey @Broadford 10 @9.20; Aggregate —Rhianna Kirk (East Sunbury)526.

Girls' U18: Bridget Stute (Wallan) 403 @201.5; Emma Niessen (Gisborne)9 @11.11; Aggregate Stute468.

Girls' U15: HollySullivan (Wallan)208 @208; Sullivan 10 @4.8; Aggregate —Chloe Watt (Hanging Rock) 436.

Girls' U13: Penelope Rae(Sunbury United) 212 @ 212; Josephine Finnigan (Gisborne)8 @6.0;Aggregate —Rae 322.

Boys'U17: James Gray(Woodend) 213 @106.5; Benjamin Tranter(Rupertswood )13@ 8.08; Aggregate Henry Bobetic (Macedon)382.

U15 North: RileyGray(Romsey)208 @208; AtticusHaberman (Macedon)13@ 5.77; AggregateAdam Reginato (Wallan)376.

U15 South: Flynn McDonald (Woodend) 164 @ 164; Hugo Leong (Macedon)8 @8.0.Aggregate --Angad Singh (Sun. Kangaroos)469.

U13 North: Harrison Wood (Broadford) 415 @ 415; Manoj Singh Bajwa(Wallan)14@ 5.5; Aggregate —Wood580.

U13 South: Tyson Payne (Sunbury)415 @138.33; Noah Walker (Sunbury)15@ 4.07; Aggregate Payne 520.

Umpires Awards:

Men- Chris Bretag, Shiraz Shamsudeen.

Teams of the Year

Themen's andwomen's Teams of the Year in the Gisborne DistrictCricket Association for2025-26 were announced last week. Selected in batting order,the men's team is: RileyVernon (Gisborne). Joshua Eastley(Woodend). MatthewTwentyman (Rupertswood). Upul Fernando (Sun. United) captain. Marcus Stewart (Woodend). JarrydVernon (Gisborne). Kevin Barker (Rupertswood). Daniel Eastley(Woodend). Thomas Robson (Woodend). Rhys Berry (Rupertswood).

Cameron Clayton (Macedon). Taylor Stevenson(Romsey).

WOMEN'STEAM

Brianna Woodburn (Gisborne)captain

SarahBamford (BacchusMarsh)

Megan Farrell (Wallan). Kim Bessell (Bacchus Marsh) Ruby Watts(Gisborne). NatJeffrey (Lancefield). Emily Kennedy (Bacchus Marsh) KymRiley(Macedon).

Ninna Harbinson (Gisborne).

AmyMiles (Macedon).

Luzanne de Kock (Lancefield). Kia Montgomery (Wallan).

Brianna scoops thepool

Bill West

Forthe second successiveseason, outstanding all-rounder Brianna Woodburn (pictured) is the Most Valuable Player in Gisborne District Cricket Association's Kookaburrawomen's cricket

Notonlydid the outstanding 26-year-old all-rounder and Gisborne women's captain-coach win the 2025-26 season MVP award, she monopolised the trophypoolbytaking outthe A-grade batting, bowling and aggregate pointsawardsaswell.Itwas no surprise to seeWoodburntakeout the topaward when voteswerecountedatthe GDCA's Presentation Nightlast Wednesday.

Afterwards, she admitted she would have preferred to swap hertrophies forthe A-grade premiership. Gisborne lost aclose grand final to Wallan this season.

Last season Woodburn wonthe MVP awardwith 30 votes, twomorethan Wallan captain Megan Farrell.

Thewinner is areally true accomplished all-rounder who bats, bowls, and keeps wicket .The same twoplayers singled out in this season's vote count, Woodburn winning with 23 votes, four clear of Farrell.

Bacchus Marsh'sSarah Bamfordwas thirdon12votes.

Therewas sustained applause forthe MVP winner from all quarters, and particularly from Gisborne CC membersinattendance.

Woodburn enjoys imparting her cricketknowledgetoyounger players in particular,and is also afine footballer,playing an importantrole in Macedon's last twopremiership sides.

SullivanMedal to age-defying Upul

Bill West

Sunbury United veteranUpul Fernando has capped offa greatseason by winning Gisborne DistrictCricket Association's highest individual award, the Kevin Sullivan Medal. He chalked up one century— 103 against Broadford —and six half-centuries in aremarkably consistent2025-26 McIntyreCup 1sts season thatyielded him 649 runs.

The54-year-old Fernando becomes easily the oldest playertoeverwin the GDCA'stop award, putting to bed any idea thatcricket at this levelshouldbelargely ayoung man's sport nowdays!

Unable to attend the annual Presentation Nightlast Wednesdaydue to flying outofAustralia with acontingentof young cricket-orientated tourists, the winner waspraised for his outstanding effort, and whathehas done forthe sport in the GDCAand elsewhere.

It wasapparentwell before the last round of McIntyreCup voteswerecounted, Fernando had the medal sewn up. There wasa very close contestfor runner-up

Fernando received 18 votes. Woodend'sskipper Marcus Stewart and senior coachJosh Eastleywereon13, along with Macedon all-rounder Cameron Clayton.

Rupertswood'sMatthewTwentyman finished on 12, due to hiscenturies in the last tworounds, and former winner JarrydVernon (Gisborne)and BryanVance (Wallan)ended with 11.

Sullivan said the winner had aremarkable representative and under-agerecordbehindhim, and had made apositive contribution in the GDCA.

Association presidentSimon Ovendenalsowished him well forthe future.

RETIREMENT AHEAD

Sunbury United revealed thatFernando —who has been afine wicket-keeper and asuccessful bowler as well as atop class batter —had announced his retirementasa player. It is understood he intends to concentrateonhis high-level coaching and cricket travel activities.

Thereare plenty whohope he can findtime to playnext season. United finished fifthonthe ladder and arekeen to makeamends.

He joins James Hughes, Dylan Chadima and Damien EdwardsasUnited'sSullivan Medal winners.

Edwardssaid the winner was"aLegend!"

Fernando wasborn in SriLanka on June 8, 1973, and was keen on cricket from avery young age. He studied Sports ScienceatDurham University

He went on to representhis country,touring England with the SriLankan U9s, then playing against SouthAfrica Under 24s.

Arecordof153 first classgames and 67 List 'A'matches waschalked up. Then therewereone-daymatches

He scored 8972 runs, took 266catches and claimed 37 stumpings formultiple SriLankan sides

Fernando has also scored well over 20,000 runs as apro and coachinthe UK and Australia across 25 years.

Thehighest profile cricketerhementorediscurrentEng-

lish captain BenStokes.

Ambassador to thefast growing MCA Sports Australia, based at Shepparton, is another of Fernando's roles.

PLENTY OF INTEREST

Thepresentation evening wasagain held at Club Sunbury (Sunbury Bowls Club), and therewas plenty of interest as to who would win the individual awards across the grades.

Last season RileyVernon (Gisborne)was the Sullivan Medal winner,and this timehetook outthe McIntyreCup batting trophywith469 runs at and averageof67.

Gisborne captain-coach, JarrydVernon wasthe aggregate winner with 870 points.

Thetop bowler in McIntyre Cupwas Woodend spinner Thomas Robson, who improvedasthe season progressed and playedanimportantrole in his side holding on to topplace.

In JohnstoneShield, Eastern Hill captain BenBryantreceived 1100 points, the highest in anygrade.

Bryant captured 46 wicketsand made plenty of runs, earning aplaceinthe Melbourne Country Week side.

"Wewill have agood crack at McIntyre,"Bryantdeclared in referencetothe Seymour-based club's promotion to the top-grade next season.

Topaward winner: TheGDCA’sSullivan Medal winner is Upul Fernando (Sunbury United).

Photo:MCA Sports Australia

Cats make agood start

"A really good starttothe season"was howMacedon senior coachAlMeldrum labelled his side's 41-pointvictory over Gisborne Giants on Good Friday.

Therewas amassivecrowd at Tony ClarkeReserve— including alarge Easter Bunny— and the Cats finished up with a 15.10 (100) to 9.5 (59) victory in round 1.

Last season Macedon wasrunner-up to Riddell in adramaticgrand final, and aims to play finals again in 2026.

Meldrum has severalassistantcoaches to call on, and theclub has recruited well.

Addressing his players afterthe match, the coachsaid the firsttwo and ahalf quartersweregood, then the side had to deal with adversity

He praised the four players who were playing their first senior games; all had contributed.

Onewas Leigh Brennan,a teacher with nearly 300 games behind him —the majority with Rupertswood.

Brennan has coaching responsibilities with fellow forwards, and he contributed five goalshimself.Livewireyoung forward

Brad Cookekicked four

Macedon led by 29 points at half-time but finished the game having had two players taken to hospital.

TheGiants had kept themselves in reach with fivegoals straightinthe first half,and their players produced some good football at times.

Butthe task of overhauling theCats wastoo great.

Final scores were Macedon 15.10 (100) defeated Giants 9.5 (59).

Best players forthe Cats were listed as BlakeWatson, SamIndian, Joshua Govan(brother of captain Hamish), Nathan Bridgland, LeoWebb and Ronan YowYeh.

Giants' best were Mitchell Bongiovanni, Ethan Wellby, Zachary Ploog, Matt Quigley, Connor Bills and Zach McKenzie.

TheGiants began the daywell with a 6.6 (42) to 4.7 (31) victory in the Under 19.5s afterscoreshad been levelathalftime.

In the Reserves, Macedon dominatedto end up winning by 42 points —8.7 (55) to 2.1 (13).

Macedon's next game is on Saturday, April 18, with the Giants at home to Romseythe same day.

Agameoffirsts

It wasa game of firsts forone club and agameof survival foranother as the newkids on the block, the Wedge-Tailed Eagles (formerly the KynetonWomen’s Football Club), took on the old guardand long-time pioneersofwomen’sfootball, BendigoThunder

TheEagles had plenty to proveintheir first match, with manyoftheir players already familiar with Thunder from their days competing in the CVFL severalyears ago. With strong support forbothclubs and perfect conditions, the Eagles went to work quickly,establishing acommanding lead and heading into half-time 53 points up while Thunder searched foranswersagainst a well-drilled Wedge-Tailed Eagles outfit, led by the likes of Teagan Ainslie, Ash Nicholson and Belinda Hateley.

In recent months, BendigoThunder has run arecruitmentcampaign aimed at rebuilding theclub, bringing in fresh facessupported by experienced players and coaches. Theclubhas been around for15years and was one of the first independentwomen’s football clubs in Victoria. While theyhaveenjoyedalonghistory of success, the expansion of competitions across the region in recent yearshas impacted playernumbers

On Good Friday, however, the Thunder fielded afull side and bench, working hardtoput their newplayers through their paces and gain valuable experience against apolished Eagles lineup

Forthe Wedgies, severalnewer players impressed, while last season’s Rising Star BrookeCowan wasoutstanding. Cowanearned Best on Ground honoursand kicked three goals, rotating between the midfield and forwardline and continually impacting the contest.

Another standout wasDemi Henderson, who until this season had been atalentedlocal netballer before making the switchtofootball. Henderson looked right at home on thewing and wasinfluential throughout the day.

Emma Williams wasdangerous in the forwardline with four goals, whilethe usual Eagles defendersShannon White, Skye Sinclair and Luce Lenius also found the scoreboard, kicking four goalsbetween them.

In total, the Wedgies finished with 13 individual goal scorers, aclear sign that coachPhil Hawkes and his new-

ly assembled coaching group have instilled ateam-first brand of football thatisalready paying dividends.

Theday itself wasa celebration forbothclubs, with a strong crowd turning outtosupport thesides. TheEagles were also joined by Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell, who took on water-running duties forthe day.

TheEagles nowturntheir attention to Round 2of the CVFL when theyfaceMarong at Malone Park on Sunday, April 12, with the first bounceat1pm.

Wedge-Tailed Eagles defBendigo Thunder 23.18 (156) to 0.0 (0).

Bests: Eagles: B. Cowan, D. Henderson, A. Nicholson, T. Ainslie. L. Lenius, E. Williams. Thunder: S. Barbagallo, R. Salm,J.Alcon, S. Lean, A. Mclachlan, Y.

Growing sense of optimism

Agrowing sense of optimism about Macedon Football NetballClub's prospectsfor 2026 across the boardwas very evidentattwo functions overthe past week.

On Saturday, March28, the Cats thanked their 2025 sponsors, coterie group members and lifemembers.

No.1 ticket holder for2026, state governmentminister and district parliamentary representativeMary-Anne Thomas, joined the celebration.

"Thank-you forthis honour and congratulations on building an inclusiveand growing club thatcelebrates and encourages girls and boys and women and men to playthe sport they love," Ms Thomas commented.

Newsponsor and district farmer,Don McLardy OAM, wasguest speaker

Thelong-time insurancebrokerboss, and an ex-presidentofMelbourne Football Club, Mr McLardy received his prestigious OAM awardinthe King'sBirthdayHonoursin2023 forhis services to charitable organisations and Australian Rules football.

He served as chairmanand director of The Reach Foundation from 2011 to 2013, and is aformer governor of the youthempowerment focused JimStynes Foundation.

He is also asupporter of and fundraiser forFightMND, acampaign led by AFL legend Neale Daniher

Mr McLardy wasonthe Melbourne FC boardfor fiveyearsand received awarmwelcome at the Macedon gathering.

Macedon presidentRon Rutledge said there were plenty of positives about theCats' leadup to 2026, with 73 footballersattraining last week. He voiced confidenceinthe calibreof those in on and off-field/court leadership positions, and welcomed the increased sponsorship coming forward.

On Thursdayevening the club held a Macedon-styedinner at the Macedon Village Hotel, another newCats' sponsor this season. Players, coaches and supporterswere welcomed, and team leadersand newplayers introduced.

In ahigh-quality encounter, Gisborne A-grade netballers pushed reigning premier Kangaroo Flat all theway at the weekend.

Theopening round matchatGardiner Reservewas acrowd pleaser,with the visitorsdesperatetodefendtheir unbeaten record from the2025 season.

Equally,the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne side had apoint to prove

TheBulldogs included former Woodend-Hesket star Charlee Duff-Tytler in their lineup,but former Kynetondefender Tilly Shepherddid notmakeher debut with the 'Dogs.

Kangaroo Flat waspleased to secureathree-goal victory, 42-39. Both teamshavetheir eyes on the finals even at this early stage.

Other match scores were:

A-Reserve— Gisborne won56-51; B-grade —Gisborne won 49-39; B-Reserve— Kangaroo Flat won 42-35; 17&Under —Gisborne 64 dKangaroo Flat 47.

Charlee Duff-Tytler in action

forGisborne.Photo:Angela Crawford

Hender

Wedgies’Amber Gajic fends off her BendigoThunder opponent. Photo:SophieMcLeod

Bill West

Newquartet:Players makingtheir debutinthe Cats’senior side on Saturdayare pictured (fromleft)HarryHuntley,Lee Brennan, Josh Govanand Fintan Burnell. Photo:BevanUren

Magpies earn first-up win

Castlemaine's Camp Reservecameto lifeonGood Fridayasaspirited Castlemaine senior side produced abrand of football needed to defeat Golden Square by eight points.

Aftershowing plenty of promise but winning just three matches in 2025, the Magpies had been labelled by several keen observersasthe BendigoLeague's most likely 'Team on the Rise'in2026. Under newplaying coachBailey Henderson the Castlemaine side worked hardall match to come outontop when the chipsweredown.

On-baller Henderson wassidelined with ashoulder injury forvirtually all of the 2025 season, and he wasextremely pleased withthe 14.10 (94) to 12.14 (86) victory over aGolden Squareside also keen to improve on last season's form.

"I wassoproud of howour young

boys stood up,"Henderson said in summing up the outcome.

He commended the whole side on its competitivespiritand cansee morewins ahead as the season unfolds.

Castlemaine spectatorsgot more than their money'sworth, and the club's enthusiastic supporter base maywell expand in the days leading up to the Magpies' second round match at Kangaroo Flat this Saturday, April 11.

While 'The Flat'may have been thrashed by 124 points by Gisborne on Good Friday, the Magpies will notbeapproaching the matchasbeing "in thebag"

TheMagpies began Fridaywith their gallantUnder 18s securing amorale-boosting 9.7 (61) to 8.10 (58) victory aftertheyhad gone into the last quarter with aleadof14 points.

TheReserves matchwas also close, with Golden Squaretakingcontrol in the third

term, then holding on to win 7.3 (45) to 6.2 (38).

In the maingame, both sides produced plenty of positivefootball.

It wasgoal forgoal in the first term, with each kicking 5.4.

Thevisitorsled by four points at halftime, and it wasa pointinthe Magpies' favour at the last change

With so much at stake, the Magpies surgedinthe last term amid plenty of vocal support from the sidelines.

Coach forthe last twoseasons, the experienced Michael Hartleyshowedhis undoubtedclass and versatility and produced three goalsaswell.

Harrison Sheahan looks to be in fora good season, and Archie Rixonwas another Magpie to really impress.

Overall the team performancewas really pleasing, even though it is the start of what maybea long journey.

Golden Squarewas best served by Archie Edwards, TomStrauchand Liam Barrett. NETBALLERS GO DOWN

It wasa differentstory forCastlemaine on the netball courts, with Golden Square proving toostrongoverall.

TheMagpies biggest chance came in A-Reserve, with thefinal margin just four goals.

Alongseason ahead, and improvement hopefully will occur

Scores were:

A-grade: Golden Square71 d Castlemaine 32.

A-Reserve: Golden Square49 to Castlemaine 45.

B-grade: Golden Square62 d Castlemaine 31.

B-Reserve: Golden Square52 d Castlemaine 32.

17 &Under: Golden Square79 d Castlemaine 26.

Hawksprove toostrongathome

Looking fortheir fourthpremiership in arow,Woodend-Hesket A-grade netballersdefeatedanimprovedKyneton 59-42 on Good Friday.

Again under the leadership of star defender and Ryan Medal winner Ty Coppinger,the Hawks took to theirown court with aformidable combination.

Severalplayers in the lineup have high-levelcredentials including former Vixen Kaylia Stanton, and theyare already being labelled as the team to beat in the Riddell League thisseason.

Playing as ateam unit is aparamount edict forthe Hawks, and this wasevident.

Kynetonunveiled high-profile recruit

Kristiana Manu'a,anAustralianDiamond and former captain of Samoa.

Herhigh levelability wasvery evident, and the Tigers expect Kris to fill the role formerly occupied by dual Ryan Medal winner

Shepherd, who has transferred to

Kynetonstalwart Katie Fish played

her 150th game forthe club, and was in the Tigers'D-grade side which won 26-19.

TheTigersalso wona close B-grade contest 42-37.

and the Under 19s (71-8).

Tilly

Gisborne.

Woodend-Hesket made it atreble with wins in C-grade (43-22)

Former Vixen and newWoodend goal shooterKayliaStanton looks to pass to ateammate

Photo: Angela Crawford

Kyneton’snew recruit Kristiana Manu’ahas alaugh with ateammate Photo:Angela Crawford

Zavier Murley has returned to the Magpies’senior lineup after injury last year.Photo:Max Lesser

Hunter Staples in action forCastlemaine. Photo:Max Lesser

Tigers easily –now abreak

Bill West

Kynetonsenior footballersopened their 2026 season campaign in impressivefashion witha 62-pointvictory over Woodend-Hesket on Good Friday.

TheTiger Reserves wonby61points, and the Under 19.5s by 24 points at the Showgrounds, with an enjoyable eveningofcelebrations to follow

Netball matches had to be transferred to Gilbert Gordon ReserveinWoodend because thenew courts at Kynetonwerestill notready foruse the countdown is on.

Nowthe Tigers have abreak, with thebye this Saturday,and then the Anzac Day matchatLancefield on March25.

Kynetonsenior coachEthan Foreman waspleased his side madethe RDFNL finals last season, and the objectiveisthe same .playfinals and give yourself achance.

TheTigers' dominanceagainst the Hawks began in the first quarter,the second term waseven, and the home side took full controlinthe second half

Woodend-Hesket seniors, with Al Raeagain playing coach, need to regroup and finda waytoput moregoals on the boardwhen acapable Wallan come to Gilbert Gordon Reservefor the second round matchthis Saturday.

Final scores were Kyneton14.17 (101) dWoodend-Hesket 5.9 (39).

Thedependable Jake Safstrom waslisted as Kyneton'sbest, and experiencedbig ruckman HaydnSmith again provedhis worth.

Dangerous forwardIsaac Barassi kicked four goals, recruit HarleyBlake made an impressivedebut, and speedster Caleb Fisher and Daniel Davie also stood out in apleasing team performance.

Cody Bowenwas listed as the Hawks' best, and BowenMedallist and irrepressible captain Daniel Toman again showedhis class.

Matt Doody, Luke Butcher,Rae and William Wiseman also madetheir presencefelt.

KynetonUnder 19.5s made the grand final last season, and opened 2026 with a10.10 (70) to 7.2 (44) victory

TheHawks failedtoscore in the firstand thirdterms.

In the Reserves, Kynetonmonopolised the ball formuchofthe matchto win 14.11 (95) to 4.10 (34).

Severalplayers will be looking to advancetoseniorranks as the season progresses.

Bulldogs runriot

Almost toohardtobelieve?Gisborne senior footballersopened the 2026 season by thrashing alacklustreKangaroo Flat by 124 points on Saturday.

TheBulldogs delightedtheir supporters and coaching personnelwith their superior ball-winning ability, andconsistency across the four quartersofthe matchatGardiner Reserve.

Strong defender ZacVescoviled the Bulldogs out in his newrole of captain, and it wasgenerally one-sided football that unfolded.

Class prevailed, with superlativeonballer Brad Bernacki knocking up gaining possessions and putting them to good use to be best afield.

Bernacki finished with four goals, and ZacDenahykicked fiveinaconfident display.

Bigruckman Braidon Blakemade agreat start to theseason, and the quickmoving Bulldogs were able to keep the visitors under pressurefor the entirematch It wasn't acase of who would win, but by howmuch.

Dylan Johnstone, Lachlan Evansand Dominic Sullivan were other Bulldogs to stand out.

Theone-sided natureofthe matchwas shown by ahalf-timescoreboardshowing 14.13 to 3.6.

Final scores were 26.20 (176) to 7.10 (52). Areal early percentagebooster forthe 'Dogs.

Nick Keogh, Aaron Nevins and Jarrell Ratcliffe were thetop threesome forThe Flat,who playCastlemaine this Saturday.

As one supporter quipped, "Kangaroo Flat will be looking forwardtoplaying Broadford".Thisgame is in round 4onMay 2. Gisborne head north to playSouth BendigothisSaturday.

Therewas ahugecontrast between the earlier contests forUnder 18s and Reserves.

Kangaroo Flat wonthe Reserves 7.12 (54) to Gisborne 2.5 (17); in the U18s the young Bulldogs dominatedastheysurged to a16.19 (115) to 1.2 (8) victory

Shane Clough in action forGisborne in the Bulldogs’emphatic win at home on Friday.

Photo: Angela Crawford

Strong utility playerDannyGrmusa is looking forwardtobuilding on his good form from last season.

Photo:Angela Crawford

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$295,000 -$325,000

Kyneton 5422 2678 rh.com.au/kyneton

3Bed 1Bath1013m2

Set on agenerous 1,013m² (approx.) allotment, this beautifully maintained home is surrounded by lush, established gardens offering privacy,shade and a peaceful retreat forfamily living. Inside, twoseparate living areas provide flexibility,withthe open-plan kitchen, dining and living zone flowing seamlessly to arear terrace and expansivebackyard.

JasonWoodford-Smith

441

ForSale

$895,000 -$980,000

View Saturday11thApril 11:30am -12:00pm

Kyneton 5422 2678 rh.com.au/kyneton

BeauchampStreet, Kyneton