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WEDNESDAY min 4° max 11°
THURSDAY min 5° max 11°
FRIDAY min 5° max 12°
St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
Est. 1864
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.
$2.00
THURSDAY JUNE 13th 2024.
Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.
(Incl. GST)
Vinelander passenger train passes through but does not stop THE media blurb of the Vinelander, on its epic Slow Rail Journey, that passed through St. Arnaud on its way to Mildura last Friday said, ‘travel onboard the first standardised gauge passenger train to travel to Mildura, returning trains to the historic city.’
Above: The Vinelander, the first passenger train to pass St. Arnaud on the new standardized tracks, passes through the town on Friday morning. Left: ‘Onlookers’ await the express Vinelander.
The Vinelander made a quick passage through St. Arnaud when due to an unscheduled delay at Emu it became necessary to move from a slow rail journey to one that was considerably faster. Blink and you may have missed it. But some were out to catch a glimpse of the return of a passenger train to the tracks passing through St. Arnaud (although some had withdrawn to their cars, and some had withdrawn altogether, due to the cold wind whistling through the station).
The tour was booked as a 4 day tour of the Grampians and exploring the goldfields before heading north to the flat plains of the Mallee. This is the first tour to travel on the line since the line was standardized. Track closures to change the gauge, slow speed restrictions while new track formations were fully upgraded, COVID shutdowns and many other delays, have extended the delay for the Vinelander to at last wind its way to Mildura.
New Makers and Growers Market for St. Arnaud AFTER years in hibernation, the historic La Cochon Rose Hotel has reopen its doors to the public, by hosting the first of a monthly makers, growers and collectors market. The first market was held last Saturday and will be held on the second Saturday of each month between 10am and 2pm. At this first market, the ground floor and grounds housed makers and crafters and it is hoped that it will become host to artisans, growers, lost trades and local producers to showcase the diversity of creativity and talents in St. Arnaud and adjoining regions. Formerly the Victoria Inn, the hotel once provided a bustling haven and food for Cobb and Co Coach travellers. These days, La Cochon Rose is being lovingly restored, one room at a time.
Left: The former bar becomes a thriving cafe centre.
It is envisaged that a small intimate market in a cosy setting will grow into a bustling market and meeting place over the coming months, providing a welcoming hub where community can come together with makers, foodies, artisans, growers and collectors. Exciting plans are already underfoot for other events, including Christmas twilight markets throughout December. New stallholders are invited to apply for an indoor or outdoor space. You were able to wander through the old hotel and grab a chat, coffee and sausage whilst supporting amazing local talent. Market and accommodation enquiries via email: lacochonrosemotel@gmail.com or instagram: @starnaudmarket and @lacochonrosestarnaud
Above: Rooms were full of goodies from ‘the crafters’. Left: The old lane used by the Cobb and Co. horses to access the hotel grounds.