Latest News
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Sewer spills raise fresh concerns
Heavy rain has again triggered sewer overflows in Kyneton and Malmsbury, prompting renewed concern from residents about the impact on local waterways. The incidents last Wednesday followed similar spills from pump stations in the two towns just two weeks earlier. Edgecombe resident Graham Connell said sewerage from the Kyneton spills was flowing into the Campaspe…
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Crossing relocation questioned
Concerns have been raised over the relocation of a pedestrian crossing point near the Romsey Road/High Street intersection at Woodend where two children were struck by vehicles. The two separate incidents in April saw already active campaigns for safety improvements to the busy site ramp up. In July, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced more than…
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Honour Avenue under water
Woodend’s Honour Avenue road users have flagged safety concerns over ongoing flooded roadways during wet weather. Residents are calling for a permanent drainage fix for a section of the road near Savages Lane that is often inundated with water during heavy rain. Reduced speed and ‘water over road’ warning signs put out often do little…
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FOGO and glass bins on council’s agenda
The agenda for tonight’s meeting of Mount Alexander Shire Council is out, and FOGO (Food Organics Green Organics) is top of the list – leaving members of YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) and the newly formed Mount Alexander Organics Partnership (MAOP) feeling confused. MAOP spokesperson Mikaela Beckley said the group was perplexed by the council’s…
Sport
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Record score stuns ‘Dogs
Seemingly set to play in the Bendigo League’s 2026 qualifying final, Gisborne senior footballers were unceremoniously pushed into an elimination final due to reigning premier Eaglehawk kicking an astonishing all-time record league score on Saturday. The impending bad news for Gisborne players, officials and supporters at Gardiner Reserve became more apparent as progress scores began…
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Dynamic Diggers, Kyneton run hot
There was plenty of sustained action as the Riddell League’s 2026 football finals series kicked off with qualifying and elimination finals at the weekend. On the football field, Diggers Rest jumped back into outright flag favouritism by outclassing ladder leader Wallan by 49 points on Saturday, and sixth-placed Kyneton turned in its best all-round team…
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Hawks’ dream continues
Woodend-Hesket’s bid for a fourth successive Riddell League A-grade netball premiership is very much alive after the first round of finals at the weekend. The Hawks, under the astute on-court leadership of coach Ty Coppinger, had to work hard to defeat second-placed Wallan 38-28 in the qualifying encounter at Kyneton Showgrounds on Saturday. Adaptability and…
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Wonder women claim third flag
Macedon women proved why they were overwhelming favourites for the Riddell League’s 2026 women’s football premiership with a 76-point victory over Lancefield in the grand final late on Saturday afternoon. The third successive premiership for the Cats was widely expected, and the joy and jubilation from players and supporters after the final siren and the…
Community
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The Compost Conversation
Lawns can be a bit of a contentious issue in Australian gardening circles. Are they water-hungry, energy-intensive, herbicide-laden ecological wastelands, or a beautiful, lush antidote to our dry hot climate? Perhaps a bit of both? Love them or not, there are lots of lawns growing in our neighbourhoods for now, so, let’s look at what…
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Oscar among the brightest minds
Nine-year-old Malmsbury Primary School student Oscar Chan has earned a place among Australia’s brightest young minds after being invited to join Australian Mensa. Oscar, a grade four student, received the invitation after being assessed by a neuropsychologist as gifted, placing him among the top two per cent of the population for intellectual ability. Australian Mensa…
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Memorial garden works continue
Works to restore the Heritage Memorial Rose Garden continue at Kyneton High School. Last month Kyneton High School parents, teachers and Kyneton U3A volunteers took part in a successful working bee. The volunteers laid irrigation donated from Midland Irrigation and planted two pencil pines that were donated by Kyneton Horticultural Society. U3A Gardening in a…
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Giving the gift of life
Three years ago, Gail Laycock lost her adored husband Darren ‘Muddy’ Laycock, a week before his 56th birthday. Darren was a motor mechanic and a ‘dinky-di bloke’ who loved football, speedway racing, camping and fishing. His nickname ‘Muddy’ came from his habit of coming off the football grounds with mud on him – even on…
Leisure
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Trading labours of love
Market day in Lancefield on Saturday offers locals and tourists alike the opportunity to source fresh produce, staples, pantry items, plants, pet treats and livestock feed all along the historic Centre Plantation of High Street. A whopping 85 local and regional producers will be in attendance trading their labours of love, direct to the community.…
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Bolobek Garden Fair blooms again
One of the Macedon Ranges’ best-loved gardening events will return this October, with the Bolobek Garden Fair once again opening the gates to one of Victoria’s most admired private gardens. Now in its 12th year, the fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, at the historic Bolobek property on Mount…
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A theatrical masterpiece
Following the spectacular success of its inaugural production, The Seagull, The Ravens Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its second production: Samuel Beckett’s theatrical masterpiece, Waiting for Godot. The Seagull became a remarkable hit, selling more than 1,800 tickets and playing to sold-out audiences in Castlemaine – an astounding achievement for the first production by…
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Deeply personal amid devastation
A new exhibition by award-winning realist artist Chris Moule has been unveiled at Harcourt Produce and General Store. A Brush with Colour features watercolours, acrylic and oil paintings and intricate pen and ink and pencil drawings. It includes a series around a central theme, ‘Before, during and after the 2026 bushfires’, which left devastation and…