How to increase biodiversity in a small way…in your space. We live in an era where we increasingly hear about the loss of biodiversity due to human actions. But there is some action you can take where you live to make a difference to the small creatures that also call your block home. We are […]

Petstock Daylesford is encouraging people to adopt a pet in need this May, or donate to help with their care at Castlemaine’s Mt Alexander Animal Welfare Shelter. Animal shelters are also feeling the cost of living pressure requiring additional help to cover daily essentials such as food, vet care and housing. The Australia-wide Petstock initiative […]

The Young Farmers Advisory Council is a ministerial advisory committee and non-statutory body established by the Minister for Agriculture in 2015. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle is seeking expressions of interest for a chairperson, deputy chairperson and eight members to serve on the council for a term of two years, starting in September. Applications close on […]

Nominations for the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are now open. The annual awards celebrate and recognise outstanding individuals and organisations who are making significant contributions to strengthening multiculturalism in Victoria. Nominations close July 13. Link: www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au

A Maldon man has been found guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court for breaking public safety laws at Lake Boort on the closing weekend of the 2024 duck hunting season. The man was ordered to pay $500 to the court fund and was placed on a good behaviour bond until March 9, 2027 for offences […]

Community Bank Trentham & Districts – Bendigo Bank is hosting Trentham’s Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for the Cancer Council on Tuesday, June 2. Bring friends, make friends, have fun, eat, drink and fundraise – lots of games and prizes on offer including the exciting major door prize. RSVPs: www.trenthamnc.org.au/event-details/biggest-morning-tea-2

Nominations for the 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards close on Tuesday, May 19. There are six award categories: Council on the Ageing Victoria Senior Achiever Awards; Emerging Impact Award; Positive Ageing Award; Promotion of Multiculturalism Award; Veteran Community Award; and Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year. The Premier’s Award for Victorian […]

The launch of the Reconciliation Seat, crafted with timber from the fallen limb of the Guildford Big Tree (biyal tree), will be held on Sunday, May 31 from 11am to 2pm at 13 Fryers Street, Guildford. The day will include a Welcome to Country, Djaara Women’s dancers, a free barbeque, music and First Nations stalls. […]

Castlemaine’s Jeanette Pope is among five recipients of the Paul Ramsay Foundation Fellowship Program, a cohort of leaders driving systemic change to stop disadvantage in Australia through community-led innovation. The 18-month fellowship provides each recipient up to $250,000 to pursue bold, transformative ideas around fostering self-determining First Nations communities, ensuring positive life paths for children […]

A record 14 organisations supporting LGBTIQA+ Victorians have received a total of $1.6 million investment to strengthen and expand their services. Among those funded is Transgender Victoria which will see its Mobile Affirmation Station travel across regional Victoria providing non-medical gender affirmation as well as one-to-one peer navigation. As well, InterAction for Health and Human […]

The Australian Energy Regulator has approved $2.6 billion to maintain and upgrade AusNet’s electricity distribution network across eastern and northern Victoria, along with $1.6 billion to operate the network over the next five years.

A Hepburn Shire community working group was established five years ago to review the WRL project and assess its potential impacts on the shire’s community.
In December last year, the council concluded its submission to the project hearing process by presenting experts on tourism, agriculture, land values, biodiversity, habitat, mental health and wellbeing, roads and infrastructure, and bushfire risk.
Cr Clark said the council respected the roles of the WRS Advisory Committee and the Minister for Planning in the EES process and would heed any decisions made.
“However, council also expects AusNet, VicGrid and the government to show the same level of respect for the process. Council calls upon the government to make no decision on (the) compulsory acquisition until the EES decision is handed down.”