Race the Train to Maldon

It's full steam ahead for the inaugural Goldfields Steam Train Challenge scheduled for Sunday 21 April in Castlemaine.
The event will provide cyclists of all abilities the opportunity to race (competitively) or ride (socially) alongside the historic Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) steam train between Castlemaine and Maldon. The 17.6km route for both events will utilise the existing dirt trails and tracks that run alongside (or in close proximity to) the broad-gauge branch-line.
The 'Race' will start in Castlemaine and finish in Maldon and will provide competitive cyclists an opportunity to beat the train or beat their mates. And with the added incentive of a cash prize pool for category winners who beat the train, this is sure to result in some action packed racing.
The 'Ride' on the other hand will afford a more leisurely pace as cyclists travel in the reverse (and slightly easier) direction from Maldon to Castlemaine. Participants in the 'Ride' can also travel in style and comfort to the start line in Maldon on the same train the 'Race' competitors are racing. What better place to watch the race unfold?
Meanwhile spectators and supporters looking to soak up the atmosphere at a lower heart rate are encouraged to book a passenger seat on any of the train services operating throughout the day.
Event organiser Paula Ewing is proud to launch this event in her hometown of Castlemaine, and delighted to be able to offer so many ways for people to get involved.
"I love the riding opportunities available in the Mt Alexander Shire. Whether it's road cycling, leisure riding or mountain biking there is no doubt we're spoilt for choice.
"This event is a way for me to introduce people to the off-road connectivity between Castlemaine and Maldon and also help showcase the historic Victorian Goldfields Railway which is a remnant of the extensive branch line railway system that served rural Victoria from around 1880 through to the 1970's.
"Whether you're in it to win it, a casual cyclist, a lover of trains, or just keen to get out and explore the landscape then this is the perfect event to get involved in," said Ms Ewing.
Ms Ewing also acknowledged the generous support of local businesses in helping get the event off the ground.
"Without the support of KR Castlemaine, Waller Realty, Maldon & District Community Bank Branch and The Bike Vault, this event would not be possible.
"My sincere thanks also to Board and volunteers of the Victorian Goldfields Railway for allowing us to race the train. I can't wait to see who wins!"
Event beneficiaries include to the Victorian Goldfields Railway and local branches of the CFA.
Entries are now open and if you enter before March 25 you will go into the running to win a Cannondale Trail SL3 29er valued at $1400.
Full details at www.racethetrain.com.au

Castlemaine Fringe turns 21!

This year the Castlemaine Fringe turns 21.  The Fringe takes place in the shadow of the State Festival and runs from March 15 – 24 in houses, pubs and venues around town. The Fringe focuses on inclusion and community so most of the acts are local and often free.

In order to make the festival totally interactive and inclusive this year they are asking the public to participate in a web 3.0 experiment – and they are giving YOU the keys.

Alongside the beautiful website at http://castlemainefringe.org.au/ The Fringe is running a ning http://castlemainefestival.ning.com/ ; which is a cross between facebook, a website, and a blog where you can have your own page. Where the views and audience can become actively involved in the festival. Post your views, images and videos of the fringe and it can even be done while having a coffee at local cafes on their WiFi Hotspots.

Site administrator Peter Shaw- Truex says, “The site will host blogs from roving reporters, Including I believe a well know cook, aristocracy from Taradale and other glitterati from Castlemaine and abroad. The site is designed to keep visitors, viewers, artists and supporters of the fringe involved, active and up to date with the latest news during the festival and It’s free to join”.

They Need You to Volunteer to fill roles as hosts, stage crew, door, lift and carry and maybe even as a MC. If interested contact Brett on bhproductions@hotmail.com

Countdown to Castlemaine State Festival

                                          The Black Diamonds

With only a month to go before the opening of the Castlemaine State Festival, the township and artists are abuzz with activity and preparations for the 10 days of festivities about to ripple across the region.
Festival director Martin Paten says it is both an exciting and crazy time leading up to the festival.
"It's when all the big ambitious ideas come together, when sets are built, artists prepare for exhibitions and technical rehearsals start - it's when final artistic decisions are made, and the energy in Castlemaine is palpable," Mr Paten said.
He said seven shows were already fully booked, and many more were close to selling out.
"Clearly this is a hugely anticipated festival.
"I am overwhelmed by the positive reactions from people I speak with across the region. Everyone is responding very encouragingly to the festival program. It has broad appeal and is full of the unexpected."
The festival is estimated to bring in an audience of close to 50,000 people, with Australian and international performers and companies mixing and mingling with regional communities and audiences it is a truly celebratory arts festival.
Highlights of the festival include the premier of the George Fairfax Theatre Award piece by Dan Mitchell The Republic of Trees: a tale between earth and sky created in the trees at Vaughan Springs; the Visual Art Biennial curated show Periscope located over three venues, Our Collective DNA literature program, Australia's hippest rock-electro-fusion group The Raah Project performing with over 26 musicians, indigenous work Blak Cabaret and its stellar line-up of artists, French singer Caroline Nin and much more.
A recent post-program printing addition is a remarkable a new dance piece all the way from Spain: "Entomo", to be presented as a free event on the final weekend of the festival.

A Filetta - second concert at Castlemaine State Festival

With many shows already selling out, Castlemaine State Festival has just announced a second show for a cappella group A Filetta, who are coming to Castlemaine coming from Corisca - a French island in the Mediterranean Sea.
With their initial show at the Old Castlemaine Gaol already sold out, festival director Martin Paten has negotiated a second show
for 11.30am on Sunday, March 24, due to high demand.
"It's fantastic to be able to present another concert for A Filetta. Their sound is sublime and inside the Old Gaol's walls - I think the atmosphere will be haunting and powerful," Paten said.
A Filetta is now one of the world's greatest and most evocative a cappella vocal ensembles.
For their concerts at the Castlemaine State Festival, they will perform ancient liturgical and secular songs, plus beautiful new originals in the wonderful setting of the Castlemaine Old Gaol.
See them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU-wBJ4r3f0

Fabulous Maldon Antique Fair

Stallholders at the 2013 Maldon Antique Fair

The Maldon Antique Fair continues to go from strength to strength with more than 6,000 people attending the 2013 event last weekend.
The fair is run by Maldon Inc and organiser Mark Blythe said all of the gate takings, the food and refreshment sales plus the fees for the powered sites went to the Maldon Football and Netball Club.
"They collect the money and they keep it," Mark said.
He said the fair was in its fifth year and now had 130 stalls erected across the Bill Woodfull Reserve in Maldon.
Tetsuro Izumitani and his family came from Ocean Grove for the second consecutive year to sell their rare Japanese hand tools.
"It's a very good day - we love coming here," he said.
Kaz and Jane from Vintage Etc in Castlemaine have been running a stall at the Maldon Antique Fair for the past four years.
"From our point of view, it's great for buying and selling plus it's a great networking opportunity," Kaz said.
Andrew Hough of Walmer has been coming to the fair since day one.
"I do it for the money," he laughs. "We do very well here."
Andrew said the most popular item on his stall was the `Sunraysia Suitcase'.
"They were actually grape baskets but back in the old days the swaggies would pinch them and use them as little suitcases to carry their clothes in."
One man who travels a long way to set up a stall at the fair is Kevin Parker, a resident of Kyneton for 30 years, who now lives in Brisbane.
"I come back to the Maldon Antique Fair every year because it's great to catch up with all of my friends," Kevin said.
One of the youngest stallholders was little Scarlett, 7, of Vaughan. She was there with her dad and brother and the family did a roaring trade selling homemade lemon cordial to bargain hunters on the very hot February day.

The talk of the town - Newstead

Newstead will be the talk of the town on March 3
Small talk is the glue that holds small towns together, but over the past few months Newstead residents have been encouraged to talk at depth, as part of the community planning process, called 'Our Town, Our Say', run by a group of local volunteers.
Face-to-face chats, focus groups with farmers, carers, artists, small business, newcomers, and fireguard members, surveys, Facebook and blogging, postcards, general knowledge quizes and 'roaming blackboards' have been a few of the ways that Newsteadians have been encouraged to think about their town and the sort of future they would like to create.
Projects such as restoring the railway station to create an arts hub, linking both sides of the river via accessible walking and bike tracks, street tree renewal and improvements to Newstead's streetscapes have been just some of the hundreds of ideas elicited.
All this talking will reach a crescendo on March 3 at Newstead's Community Planning Day, when all the ideas and responses will be presented, discussed and the community will decide what will be included in Newstead's Community Plan.
The project is part of Mount Alexander Shire's community planning process underway across the shire. The difference in Newstead is that residents in the town decided to run the planning process themselves, with the idea that the locals could do a better job of making sure as many parts of the community were heard and had input into the process. Council agreed.
The planning group looks forward to a good turn-up at the community centre on March 3, from 11am to 3pm. Those in the community who haven't had the opportunity to be involved to date, can still have input into Newstead's plan. The day will involve presentations, music, displays, conversation, discussion and good food, catered for by the school community. The Newstead Quiz will be also drawn on the day.
www.newsteadplan.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/NewsteadCommunityPlan
Janet Barker 0439 003 469

What's On in Castlemaine March 1-9

This week's films at the Theatre Royal. Tonight, Friday March 1, Les Miserables (M) at 9.30pm. For full movie session times and entertainment details phone 5472 1196 or visit www.theatreroyal.info.
Friday, March 1 at 7.30pm. Card Night. Campbells Creek Bowling Club is holding a card night, playing Euchre. Details: 5474 2480.
Friday, March 1 at 10am. World Day of Prayer. A service will be held at the Uniting Church in Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine for the 70th World Day of Prayer. All welcome to come along at 10am for the service, followed by coffee and cake.
Friday, March 1, 4.30-7pm. Nature discovery afternoon for kids. At the Vaughan Springs Reserve. Connecting Country is running an after school environmental education event for kids aged 9 to 12, followed by a barbecue dinner. Cost: $10 per child. Details: Max-5472 1594 or at www.connectingcountry.org.au
Saturday, March 2 at 11am. Welsh village service. The Anglican Parish of Castlemaine will hold a gum tree service at the Welsh Village to honour St David of Wales. Contact the parish for a map on 5472 1137.
Saturday, March 2. Fringe reunion and 2013 festival fundraiser. Come along to CASPA, above Stoneman's Bookrooms, Corner of Hargraves and Mostyn streets, Castlemaine for a home-style reunion. Stick around for live music from Peter Bodin and Rohan Souter. Entry by donation and drinks available at the brand-new CASPA bar. Details: Scott 0401 411 881.
Saturday and Sunday March 2 and 3. Video architecture. Movement-based workshops that will integrate new video works to create a performance for the Castlemaine State Festival at Castlemaine Continuing Education from 10am to 4pm. Free event. Ages 12-20. Lunch provided. Bookings: primeartcastemaine@gmail.com or 0401 167 767.
Saturday, March 2, 10.30am-12.30pm. Listening post. Lisa Chesters, the Labor candidate for Bendigo, will be available at the corner of Mostyn and Hargraves streets, Castlemaine to hear about issues that matter to you.
Sunday, March 3 at 7pm. Barchester Towers Night. The Anglican Parish of Castlemaine presents Bishop John Noble as he shares insights into Anthony Trollope and his work at Evensong. Details: 5472 1137.
Sunday, March 3, 9am-1pm. Castlemaine Farmers Market at Victory Park, Mostyn Street, Castlemaine. The produce of central Victoria will be on display with new stall holders to discover. Bring a picnic basket and relax and explore the Artist Market nearby. Details 0429 518 985 or www.castlemainefarmersmarket.org.
Sunday, March 3. Vocal Nosh at Newstead. Community singing and feasting at Newstead Community Centre, 6pm-8.30pm. Entry: Adult $15, concession $12, child $5 and includes a healthy meal. Bookings: Kerrie on 5470 5645 or kerriep@mmnet.com.au
Sunday, March 3 at 3pm. Public meeting at the Ray Bradfield Rooms, Victory Park, Castlemaine. To adopt the constitution and form the Mount Alexander South Sudan Association Incorporated to promote, support and resource the South Sudanese members of the community.
Sunday, March 3, 2-5pm. Make Your Harvest Apron workshop with Julie Red at Julie Red projects workspace, Halford Street, Castlemaine. Cost: $50 ($30 concession). Details 5472 4842.
Monday, March 4 at 7.30pm. Castlemaine Historical Society meeting. Guest speaker: Ross Williams - the history of the 2003 "Hobbit" discovery in Indonesia. Contact: 5472 4429.
Monday, March 4. Scottish Country Dancing. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society's Castlemaine group will commence weekly classes held in the Uniting Church Hall from 7.30-9.30pm. A social form of dancing performed in groups. Details: Les 5472 2042.
Wednesday, March 6. Social ballroom dancing. From 7pm weekly at the West End Hall in View Street, Castlemaine. Tuition available. Entry cost is $3 with a light supper available. All proceeds from dancing classes go to the West Castlemaine Progress Association for upkeep of the hall. All welcome. Details: 5472 1506.
Friday, March 8, 1pm-4pm. Growing abundance workshop. A community food processing day to bottle fruit in the kitchen at the Castlemaine Town Hall. Cost is $5. Details: 5472 4842.
Friday, March 8, 9am-12pm. CAKE workshop: Jams, preserves, and fruit bottling with Nikki Valentini. In the kitchen at the Castlemaine Town Hall. Cost: $50 ($30 concession). Details 5472 4842.
Friday March 8 to Sunday March 10. Harcourt Applefest. Harcourt comes to life with the annual Applefest featuring an art show, street market, ferret race, pet parade, open microphone, youth activities and a grand parade with Applefest royalty. Harcourt's famous apples are the central attraction with fruit grower displays, baking competitions and cooking competitions. The event concludes on Sunday morning with an all ages duathlon. Details: 5474 2321 or diecrest2@impulse.net.au.
Saturday, March 9, 8am-1pm. Chewton pool fundraiser. The Chewton Pool Inc are holding a gourmet sausage sizzle and wood raffle as a fundraiser for the Chewton pool, outside the newsagent in Mostyn Street, Castlemaine. Enquiries: Gloria Meltzer 5472 3592.