Rotary Castlemaine’s 35th annual Art Show will be held over the King’s Birthday weekend, June 6 to 10.

Artist Mark Dober will judge the show this year. Mark’s mother originally hails from the district and he has fond memories of visits to Castlemaine over the years visiting grandparents.

Mark is primarily a painter, focusing on oils and watercolour, and has exhibited in galleries across the country.

The show will be open daily from 10am from June 7 to 10 with a gala opening and presentation of prizes on Thursday, June 6 from 7pm.

The Rotary Castlemaine Art Show raffle will feature a limited edition print, Wilson’s Promontory by artist Jeff Makin, as first prize.

Raffle tickets are $2 and available from Rotary members and at the Rotary table at Maxi IGA in Castlemaine.

Tickets to the art show will be available at the door.

Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land is heading to Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal this evening, Thursday, May 30, with the filmmaker and special guests, as part of the Indigenous Film Festival.

Luku Ngärra is the extraordinary story of Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, an initiated clan leader within the Yolngu Nation who has spent the most part of his 79 years of life as a civil rights activist, a spiritual leader, a cross cultural mediator and educator and one of few elders who has dedicated his life to upholding the traditional law of his people.

Filmed over five years in north-east Arnhem Land and as a result of a 16-year friendship between Dr Gondarra and director Sinem Saban, Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land is a rare and intimate exploration of Yolngu culture and how it has kept their people in balance with the environment and with each other for tens of thousands of years.

The event is being held during Reconciliation Week. Link: www.theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au

Hey! I’m Herbert. I am three months old and I am a ginger and white bundle of fun.

I  am a real cutie and I love to have as much attention as possible. I love to be with people and I am always ready to play.

I would love to find a family that will shower me with love and attention. I would fit in well with any good, caring home or family.

You can meet me at the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare (MAAW) shelter in Castlemaine. Phone: 54725277. Microchip no. 56000016181142

The Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the wider community to come together for a free family-friendly event to celebrate Australia Day – Survival Day this Friday January 26.

The event will be held at Castlemaine’s Victory Park from 10.00 am, and will include a Welcome to Country by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, a citizenship ceremony and the presentation of local Australia Day Awards.

The event will also include a Survival Day concert, programmed and hosted by Uncle Rick Nelson. The line-up includes performers Bart Willoughby, Allara & Olenka, Kinja, and others.

“Council and the Dja Dja Wurrung community have a long history of working together towards reconciliation,” said Mayor Matthew Driscoll.  

“The Survival Day concert on 26 January is one example of that reconciliation in action.

“Last year’s Survival Day concert was fantastic, with performances from The Rattlers, Darcy Spiller, Yung Warriors, Tjimba Possum Burns and more.

“We had some really positive feedback about the event, and I’m looking forward to being able to do it all again.   

“Bart Willoughby is an icon in the music scene, and has played with some incredible bands like No Fixed Address, Goanna, and also The Black Arm Band.

“It’s great to be able to have him perform here in the shire for the Survival Day concert.

“We’ve got more artists that we’ll be announcing soon, so come along to Victory Park on the day and enjoy the concert,” said Mayor Driscoll.  

In 2018, under the leadership of Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, the council decided to formally dual name events held on 26 January as Australia Day – Survival Day.

The renaming of the day recognises how celebrations on this day impact the First Nations community. It is also one of the actions the council says it’s taking towards reconciliation.

Event details:

What: Australia Day – Survival Day community event
When: Friday 26 January, 10.00am – 2.00pm
Where: Victory Park – 30 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Cost: Free

Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested four teenagers following a series of alleged vehicle thefts and break-ins across Castlemaine and Bendigo earlier this month

It is alleged the group stole eight unlocked vehicles between 1 October to 11 October.

They also allegedly broke into at least 17 unlocked cars, stealing cash and property from inside the vehicles.

A 16-year-old Jackass Flat boy, a 15-year-old Long Gully boy, a 15-year-old California Gully and a 14-year-old Long Gully boy were all interviewed and cautioned.

Police are continuing to encourage residents to ensure their vehicles are locked without any valuables stored inside.

Hey! I’m Cupcake. I’m two-and-a-half-years-old and I am a very sweet-natured girl. 

I love getting attention and I am very affectionate. I love spending time with people. I would love to find a good, caring home where I will receive lots of love and attention and I will make a superb companion. 

I need to be an indoors only cat due to the skin cancer risk posed by my beautiful pink skin. Microchip no. 956000013291485 Adoption fee $150. You can make a time to meet me by contacting the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine on 54725277

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly – we picked them.)

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Saturday, November 4 – Learning To Fly – A Celebration Of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were a special kind of band. A band that sustained a decades-long career while never compromising.
Together for over 40 years, they scored iconic rock ‘n’ roll hits in each one of those decades,
earned 18 Grammy nominations and entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tom Petty will be remembered as an extraordinary singer, songwriter, and band leader. His career included hugely successful solo albums and time as a Traveling Wilbury. The Heartbreakers recorded 13 albums, along with collaborations with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash.
From early FM radio favourites such as American Girl to the anthemic Free Fallin’,
and the swagger of Mary Jane’s Last Dance, Petty’s songwriting continued to reveal layers.
Learning To Fly – A Celebration of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers is set to be
yes, a celebration of all things Petty, performed by some true fans. Josh Owen, Dan
Lethbridge, Rick Plant, Ben Wiesner and Adrian Whitehead have played with the likes of James Reyne, Buddy Miller, Missy Higgins, Glenn Richards, The Audreys and more.
Together they will back some of Melbourne’s finest in Nick Barker, Rebecca Barnard, Charles Jenkins and Rob Craw (Huxton Creepers).

Detectives from Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit are seeking public assistance following a series of vehicle thefts and break-ins across Castlemaine and Bendigo earlier this month.

It is understood a group of offenders stole eight unlocked vehicles from 1 October to 11 October, between the hours of 10pm and 4am.

Police say the offenders targeted cars with keys left in the ignition along Carloway Drive, Phyliss Crescent, Woodman Drive and Grand View Drive in McKenzie Hill.

They also stole unlocked vehicles in driveways on Fletcher Street and Hall Street in Castlemaine and on Scott Street and Cherry Avenue in Campbells Creek.

Additionally, the thieves broke into at least 17 unlocked cars, stealing cash and property from inside the vehicles between 1 October and 11 October.

The offenders are described to be in their late teens, last seen wearing dark clothing, puffer jackets, hoodies and face coverings.

Police are urging residents to ensure their vehicles are locked without any valuables stored inside. Investigations are ongoing.

If you’ve made plans for this evening – you may want to change ’em. Jenny Don’t & The Spurs play the Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine tonight, Wednesday, October 11.
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, they caused a minor sensation here late last year when they spent weeks going up and down the east coast playing tiny gigs and driving crowds wild. This
time they’re here in Australia for three weeks, after which they play New Zealand and parts of South-
East Asia. Their latest album was recorded in Castlemaine on last year’s trip.
While they’re here in Victoria, they’re playing Out on the Weekend, where the band will play with a fabulous collection of country and Americana artists.
This band plays country & western (with an emphasis on Western) meets garage rock – what was called cowpunk back in the 80s. They have their roots in the Portland punk and garage scenes. Original drummer Sam Henty (recently deceased sadly) was a member of original Portland punk band The Wipers (one of Kurt Cobain’s favourites) and bass player Kelly Halliburton was in the Pierced Arrows with Fred & Toody Cole from Dead Moon. A fun, hard rockin’ party band.

Central Vic Climate Action is hosting a number of events to encourage creative action in response to the escalating environmental crisis: a parade of Red Rebels, and screening of the film How to Blow Up a Pipeline.
Red Rebels from Melbourne, Castlemaine and Ballarat will gather in Bendigo on Monday, September 25 to support Castlemaine activists attending Bendigo Magistrates Court.
Red Rebels are an international performance activist troupe dedicated to illuminating the environmental crisis and supporting groups fighting to save humanity and all species from mass extinction.
“Red symbolises the common blood we share with all species, and shows our empathy with our surroundings,” said Serena Everill from Central Vic Climate Action.
“We are on the precipice of a catastrophic climate breakdown, yet National Australia Bank continues to drive us closer to the edge by funding fossil fuel projects.”
Red Rebels are supporting Central Vic Climate Action members Bernard Tonkin, Dean Bridgfoot and Laura Levetan, who were handcuffed in Bendigo’s National Australia Bank earlier this year, for refusing to leave NAB because the bank would not rule out funding a new coal mine.
Laura said they would be representing themselves and pleading not guilty “on the basis of sudden or extraordinary emergency”.
“Show of support at the Bendigo Magistrates Court on the morning of September 25 is very welcome.”
Opening on September 28 at 7.30pm, is the environmentalist action thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline, presented by Central Vic Climate Action, Castlemaine Theatre Royal and School Strike 4 Climate.
The story follows a group of young people in their plan to blow up an oil pipeline and explores the moral validity of extreme actions in addressing the climate crisis.
“Members of Central Vic Climate Action are wanting to stir up the conversation about how we are responding to the status quo where our leaders and financial institutions continue to actively support the fossil fuel industry, in full knowledge that they are destroying the future of our planet,” Serena said.
“We are certainly not advocating the use of violence, but we are suggesting that we all need to step up and onto the street. We will be having a Q&A and proceeds of the night will go to Castlemaine School Strike 4 Climate.
“Central Vic Climate Action group welcomes all who want to get involved in local climate action.”
Email: Centralvicclimateaction2@gmail.com or check the Theatre Royal website for film details.
A NAB spokesperson said the organisation respected the right of people to protest. “However when these activities impact the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers we will call police.”
Words & image: Contributed

A veteran of the music industry in Australia, Phil Manning has been at the forefront of blues and roots style music for over five decades, first coming to public attention as a member of the now legendary Chain, a rock/blues band of the sixties and seventies, which still performs to this day.

Local music lovers now have the opportunity to catch him performing live this Saturday in Castlemaine.

Throughout his career Phil has displayed great talent on both the electric and acoustic guitar, absorbing influences from folk, blues, country and world genres and crafting them into his unique style.

His energetic playing and relaxed delivery have made him an engaging artist who presents both traditional songs and a wealth of original music, much of it based on his personal interpretation of the many recurring themes in blues and folk history. Phil will play at The Taproom, Castlemaine on Saturday, September 2.

Hey! I’m Venus and I am one cool house panther. I have a superb black coat, like black velvet really.

I’m ten years mature now so if you’re not so much up for all those kitten antics then I am the cat for you. Here at the MAAW shelter in Castlemaine the people say I’m “a really sweet girl who loves having pats and attention”.

I also heard the humans say that they think I am “a little shy in the shelter but always happy to have attention and some cuddles”. I would love to find a quiet home with a loving family who will give me plenty of love and attention. Microchip no. 95600003660505.

Adoption fee $30. More information from Mount Alexander Animal Welfare Shelter
Phone 54725277.

Castlemaine’s Neil Tait has built up an admiring following for his artistry when it comes to decorative ironwork. This local creative – ably assisted by his team – designs and creates wrought iron pieces that are aesthetically pleasing works of art which frequently also serve the most functional of purposes. Neil’s well-established local business, Tait Decorative Iron, uses a variety of materials – including bronze, mild steel, copper and stainless steel, to create a unique range of sculptures and decorative pieces. Garden sculpture, wrought iron furniture, imposing gates, and beautiful balustrades that please the eye while providing a practical function are just a few of the sorts of pieces Neil creates at his local workshop. Neil took the time to chat to journalist Eve Lamb about his work.

Eve: G’day Neil. You’re renowned for your artistry with ironwork! Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on at the moment?

Neil: I’m currently working on designing an interesting gate with a Waratah flower as a central focal point.

Eve: When you are creating a piece of work what does the process entail?

Neil: The process of commissioning sculpture or custom work involves discussing details of the commission with the client, a site visit, budgeting, material choices providing detail visuals and working drawings.

Eve: Can you tell us a bit about some of your most satisfying or exciting projects to date?

Neil: I’ve had a great range of satisfying projects, working on sculptures for landscape projects, playground elements, and custom gates. There have been so many for private properties but also for public spaces. I’ve done some sculptural works for the Victoria to New South Wales Long Paddock Project. The sculptural pieces were designed by the artist Geoff Hocking and every sculpture had a story with it. Also some interesting pieces for the Catholic Church throughout Victoria, designed by Jenny Steiner, including interior light fittings for churches and decorative installations. Another one was a piece made out of stainless steel for the Botanical Gardens conservatory at Fitzroy, behind Parliament House. We did all the elements in the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens children’s playground, and we’ve just built a giant frog for a public space in Caulfield!…

Eve: Have you ever, or do you currently, work in any other area besides your arts practice?

Neil: My other areas of interest are designing garden layouts incorporating the large range of product my company produces, from pizza ovens to garden sculptures, gates or furniture.

Eve: Where does all of this creativity take place?

Neil: My workshop at McKenzie Hill, Castlemaine.

Eve: What are some of the main challenges that you encounter in your creative practice Neil?

Neil: Some of the main challenges of any creative outcome are constantly having fresh ideas, working within time and cost restraints. To be viable is always a challenge but I’ve been making things and been self employed for over 35 years so I must be doing something right!

Eve: And the main rewards?

Neil: The rewards are many. I’m fortunate to have a very talented team of staff who can make almost anything I design. I also have a son with amazing skill in design and computer skills for the visual and computer work involved on large projects. One thing that always makes my day is seeing a project completed and the client has commented on how it was a good experience through the journey to outcome.

Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre foyer exhibition program has opened with a selection of local artists now exhibiting their work in the space right through to June next year.

The Mount Alexander Shire Council says it’s proud to announce the exhibiting artists, who will display their artwork over the next twelve months with the program running from Wednesday 14 June 2023 to Friday 28 June 2024.

The theatre, which is located at Mechanics Lane in Castlemaine, is a community gathering place, where creativity is fostered, people connect, and shared narratives are explored.

Artists exhibiting as part of the 2023-2024 program include:

• Robyn Riley
• Tom Taft (on behalf of Keitha Taft)
• Katarzyna (Kasia) Dudkiewicz
• Passions & Pathways
• Melanie Sky
• Louise Cooper
• Helena Judy Read
• Ned Middleton
• Jinette de Gooijer
• Kristina Browning, Sonia Browning, Holly Browning
• Linda Dunstan
• Anthony Jackman
• Glenn White
• Fred Farquhar and Lucy Armstrong

Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Manager of Economy and Culture, Merryn Tinkler, said that Council is proud to be able to support local artists by providing a free space for them to exhibit and promote their work.

“We’re excited to see such a diverse selection of artwork on display over the coming twelve months – tapestry, acrylic paintings, photography and videography to name a few!

“I encourage everyone to stop by the space and take in the incredible artwork made by members of our community.”¬

The theatre foyer is located in the same building as the Castlemaine Library, and follows the same opening hours.

Words: Eve Lamb. Images: Mitch Nivalis

When documentary maker Mitch Nivalis contacted The Local a little way back requesting use of an article the paper had published in 2017, editor Donna Kelly was happy to oblige.

Mitch, who resides just out of Castlemaine, was keen to include the article as part of their new doco Equal The Contest to help “connect the dots for the history of women’s football in the area.”

“I’m making a self funded documentary film called Equal the Contest about my football club The Mt Alexander Falcons in regional Victoria,” Mitch told Donna at the time.

Now that documentary is about to have its world premiere as part of the ninth annual Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival happening this month.

The film synopsis provides a taste for what Equal The Contest is all about: “When the rules exclude you, rewrite them,” it states, and continues…

“When a filmmaker joins a new local women’s footy club in central Victoria, a simple desire to play becomes a complex journey of inclusion and belonging. An unexpected turn of events means the team has to fight to play. Their campaign challenges age-old traditions and joins the wider movement for gender equity.”

The documentary’s premiere screening happens Saturday June 17 at 5pm and will be followed by a panel discussion with Mitch who also co-produced Equal the Contest with Tony Coombs.

Mitch’s role in making the documentary was initially Director and Director of Photography, but that expanded when they realised their own lived experience was a key part of the story…”So I’m not only the maker, but the participant, which was extremely challenging, confronting and in many ways healing,” Mitch said.

“During the making of the film one of our executives, Sam Henty, sent me a link to a 2017 article that had been written by Heather Mutimer and published in The Local about two women’s football teams that played two games in 1947 / 48 – The Castlemaine Woollen Mill women’s football team, and a Daylesford women’s football team which was a combination of two teams that existed in Daylesford at that time,” Mitch said.

“So that sent me on a quest to find any surviving members from the Castlemaine team. I did end up finding a woman called Mavis, who ended up becoming a much loved part of our story. So I’m extremely grateful to The Local for celebrating women’s sporting history and shining a light on some of the pioneers of our local area.”  

But Mitch saysbarriers still exist for women and gender diverse people to access and participate in sport across codes in Australia and hopes the documentary will contribute to positive change.

“I hope Equal the Contest creates an opportunity for people to understand how to create safe and inclusive spaces within clubs, particularly at the local level and to open up important conversations,” Mitch said.

“Conversations around fair and equal access to resources like gender neutral changerooms, playing and training times, distribution of club finances and allocation umpires, as well as conversations around access to safe spaces to participate for trans and gender diverse people.

“Historically, particularly male dominated sport, has focused on winning at all costs, on field aggression and making excuses for off-field incidences of violence and Equal the Contest shows how the Mt Alexander Falcons is leading by example to change club culture and provide a new model for community AFL. 

 “I’ve always been interested in documentary and I make short advocacy based doco style video content as part of my production company MDP Photography and Video.

“Equal the Contest has been my biggest undertaking to date though and the first time I’ve made a feature length film, although it comes off the back of a 35min doco called The Wonder of Improvisation that I made in 2017.

“Very quickly when turning up to the Falcons first ‘Come and Try’ day, I knew I had found a community unlike anything I’d ever been part of.

“The club and my teammates have become like a family to me and it has become a space where we are all able to celebrate each other, regardless of race, sexuality, gender identity, age, body size or ability.”

Those keen to get more information about Equal the Contest, the festival it’s part of, and to book tickets can head to: https://cdocff.com.au/2023-festival/equal-the-contest/