Heritage events in Castlemaine, Maldon, Chewton and Harcourt

The MDM Banner on Parade in Maldon

The 2013 National Trust Heritage Festival with the theme “Community Milestones” will run from 18 April to 19 May with 2000 events across Australia.

A number of local history, heritage and community groups will present a range of events. Phone numbers given are for information and bookings.

On Saturday 20 April there will be an afternoon tour of sites at Franklinford and Mount Franklin associated with the 19th century ‘Aboriginal Protector’ Edward Stone Parker. 5472 1108.

At 3pm Sunday 28 April at the Chewton Community Centre prominent historian Dr Marjorie Theobald will speak on the political and social impact of mass protest meetings on the Goldfields. 5472 1108.

Castlemaine Historical Society Inc member Ian Hockley will present an illustrated talk on the Conception, Construction and Opening of the Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway on Saturday 27 April at 11am in the Former Courthouse, Goldsmith Crescent, followed by a BBQ. 5472 1425.

A display depicting the Settlement and Development of the Harcourt Valley will be staged in Harcourt’s historic ANA hall on Sunday 21 April and Sunday 19 May and on each Wednesday through the Festival. In addition on 21 April there will be a talk on ‘The Coming of Electricity’ and on 19 May another talk by a well-known local historian. 5474 2426.

The Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum will be open as usual throughout the Festival with its wonderful collection of historic art works and memorabilia.

Sunday 21 April is Maldon Heritage Day and a range of events will occur, including the ‘Steam Train Mountain Bike Challenge’ between Castlemaine and Maldon, conducted by the Victorian Goldfields Railway — “Beat the train or beat your mates”. www.racethetrain.com.au

‘Maldon’s first 60 years to 1914’ will be presented by Maldon Focus Inc. in the Maldon Community Centre with free exhibitions, self-guided walking tours and, at 2pm, a presentation on the State Library collection on Joseph Jenkins, the “Welsh Swagman’ who chronicled late 19th century Victorian life in fascinating detail.

The Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum will provide a close-up look at machinery from Maldon’s golden past, while in the afternoon the Maldon District Museum and History Research Centre will present a special exhibition celebrating Maldon’s Miners and their Families.

For details of Maldon events call 5475 2883.

What's on in Castlemaine Diary April 12-May 11.

This week at the Theatre Royal. Tonight, April 12, Three Pairs Live in Concert (featuring Chris Wilson and Sarah Carroll). For full movie session times and entertainment details phone 5472 1196 or visit www.theatreroyal.info.
Now until the end of April - Too Much Water! At the Castlemaine Market building. A free booklet about Mount Alexander Shire 2010-12 flood events told in words and photographs. The booklet can also be read and shared online by visiting www.issuu.com/focusoncommunity/docs.
April 2-25. A Sensory Experience. A celebration of artworks by Steven J Coventry, who lives with Asperger's Syndrome, helping raise awareness for World Autism Awareness Month (April). The exhibition runs until April 25 at the Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine.
Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14. Mt Alexander Vintage Engine Club Vintage Engine Rally. At the John Powell Reserve, Guildford. Explore the great display of vintage engines and machinery from Australia's mechanical past dating from the 1800s and tractors from 1949-1955. Enjoy a great family day out viewing working displays and meeting the members of this passionate local group. Catering will be provided by the Guildford CFA and there will be a jumping castle for the kids. 10am-5pm Saturday, 10am-3pm Sunday. Entry $5 adults, $1 for kids.
Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14th. Steam train for kids. Commencing at 10am on the 13th until 4pm on the 14th at the Maldon Railway Station. A great day of family fun. Steam and Diesel train rides plus extra fun activities for the kids. Details: Phone 5470 6658, email marketing@vgr.com.au or visit www.vgr.com.au
Saturday, April 13. Garden Round Robin. At The Hub Plot, rear 233 Barker Street, Castlemaine (corner of Templeton Street, behind The Good Table). Inspiring workshops to prepare you for the gardening season ahead. For $10 you can come to as many workshops as you like. Lunch will also be available for purchase. Details: 0401 859 750.
Sunday, April 14, 5-7pm. 3's A Crowd new season launch. Castlemaine's exciting musical theatre company, 3's A Crowd, will launch its new season at a social gathering in a private home in Castlemaine. On the evening, the company's artistic director, Matt Sheehan, will present the new program of productions. Numbers for the launch are limited if you would like to attend contact Trish on 5472 3831 or 0427 843 297.
Saturday, April 20 at 8am. Car Boot Sale at Campbells Creek. The Campbells Creek Fire Brigade is holding a car boot sale next to the bowling green at Campbells Creek. Sites are $10. To book, phone Maryanne on 5472 4240 or Ziggy on 0429 724 272. The event will include a sausage sizzle and a wood raffle.
Saturday, April 20 at 6pm. Carpet Bowls in the Sutton Grange Hall for all ages, please bring along a plate of food to share.
Sunday, April 21, 2-4pm. Maldon Focus Autumn Quarterly Lecture. The Joseph Jenkins Project: presented by State Library of Victoria. At the Maldon Community Centre, Francis Street, Maldon. Admission $5 per person. No bookings required. Details 0459 093 452 or www.maldonfocus.org.au/
Thursday, April 25 at 11am. ANZAC Day Ceremony at the Sutton Grange Memorial followed by morning tea in the hall.
Sunday, April 28, 10am-4pm. Castlemaine Theatre Company auditions. For the Australian musical The Venetian Twins. Director: Tricia O'Hara. Prepare a song and speech. Details: Kate 0431 998 707.
Friday, May 11 at 2pm. Showband. The Liberty Christian Life Centre invites you to a fundraising event. The Victoria Police Pipe Band and Showband combined will be re-appearing for a concert at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine. Cost is $30 ($25 concession) with proceeds going towards Youth Ministry and Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria. Bookings essential, no tickets sold on the door. Phone Jessie on 0417 334 907.

A comedic and poignant portrayal

Everything Must Go on at Phee Broadway Theatre

Nancy Browne

Turn off the main road, follow the gravel road up the hill. Nancy Browne is having a garage sale. There will be treasure like you can’t imagine. Like you really can’t imagine. 

Everything Must Go is the first show in the 2013 Phee Broadway Theatre Season and it’s on Friday 19 April at 8pm.

Eccentric and reclusive, Nancy Browne has lived in the same house, the same Tasmanian valley all her life, but now the valley is changing — farms are being sold and city people are moving in bringing with them new ideas and new ways.

And now the farm has been sold. A developer has bought it and is going to create a suburb on it, ‘Perfect Ponds.’ The wider world has encroached and Nancy has to make sense of it. She also has to move house.

Directed by three-time Barry Award nominee Damian Callinan and performed by Rachel Leary, Everything Must Go is a comedic and poignant portrayal of a mis fit finding her way. 

Set in Tasmania’s Huon Valley the show explores the mixing of subcultures that occurs as city folk move into rural areas. It centers around one character, Nancy Browne, whose family has been living on the same farm for many years, but now, she must go.

Charming and odd, Nancy draws out family stories from the items she is selling in her garage sale, as well as highlighting her own original take on the world. She tells stories of the valley where she lives, her neighbours and the changes that are taking place. 

Hilarious, ridiculous and very touching, this is a fabulously unique Australian character.  

Tickets for Everything Must Go are $25 or $22 for concession. To purchase your tickets contact The Capital Box Office on 5434 6100 or buy online at www.pheebroadwaytheatre.com.au

The Phee Broadway Theatre is in Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine.

Youth, drugs and community impact

John Rogerson

Australian Drug Foundation CEO John Rogerson will be the special guest presenter at a free information evening on how to cope with alcohol and drug abuse in the local community.
The event - Youth, Drugs and Community Impact - will be at Kyneton Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, at 7.30pm.
It is being held as a community service by the local Christian Business Men Australia.
Mr Rogerson will present a range of important information and strategies for educators, youth workers, parents, grandparents, mature young people and other concerned members of the public.
It follows a front-page article in the Castlemaine Mail last month (titled 'A mother's plea') in which a local woman told of her son's addiction to drugs and how it had affected his life and those around him. She called for greater awareness about the level of drug abuse in the local community.
Her plea generated a strong response from other parents in shire.
Alarmingly, the number of annual deaths in Australia from drug-related activity far exceeds the road toll.
The estimated cost of drug abuse to the Australian community is $6 billion. On a pro rata population basis, the cost to the Mount Alexander community would be $4.7 million.
The costs in terms of human suffering are enormous.
John Rogerson chief executive officer of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) since 2008. He is passionate about developing a healthier drinking culture in Australia so that people can still have plenty of fun without all the harm caused to people by this area of drug abuse.
Mr Rogerson is also a member of a number of key advisory and lobbying groups, including the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol, Liquor Control Advisory Council (Victoria) and the Expert Advisory Group: Whole-of-government Victorian Alcohol and Drug Strategy.
His presentation in Kyneton will cover ADF's new SMS information service and also offer applicable information and strategies for concerned members of the public. All welcome.

Can you give Sparkey a home?

Sparkey is a cute kelpie-cross in need of a loving home.
The four-year-old male pooch (microchip number 956000008866209) is pictured here with volunteer, James.
If you can give Sparkey a home call the Castlemaine RSPCA 5472 5277.
Also, the shelter is also looking for people to volunteers an hour or so to help with administation and looking after the animals. Call the above number if you can help.

Fire danger period ending in Mount Alexander Shire

The Fire Danger Period will end in Mount Alexander Shire on Monday, April 8, at 1am.
Fire Danger Periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moistures, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall. They are a seasonal declaration.
Although the fire danger period is ending, it is important that the community take extreme care when burning off. If a fire is left unattended in windy conditions it can spread quickly and can burn into bushland or onto neighbours' properties.
Residents are urged to check local by-laws before burning-off and never leave a burn-off unattended. Advise your neighbours and call the Vicfire Burn Off Line. Also check the weather forecast before you burn-off - never burn-off in dry, hot, windy conditions.
Meanwhile, emergency services community training demonstration events are taking place across the shire over the next two months.
The 'Ready? Get Ready' events will include a community lunch and local CFA, SES, Police, Parks Victoria, DSE, Red Cross and other community emergency support services will present informative and engaging hands-on training demonstrations to help residents make informed decisions about how to survive a bushfire and prepare for other hazards and emergencies.
At the gatherings, residents will learn about fire behaviour, communication, reducing bushfire risk and managing evacuations and preparedness, as well as understanding the risks of stress on families and the importance of community and neighbourhood connections.
"Getting to know your neighbours is a way of people being able to support each other," said Mayor Michael Redden.
"This can include helping each other fill out a Bushfire Leaving Early Plan, or to simply build networks of support for yourself and your family.
"For example in Mount Alexander Shire we know there are five target areas that are of extreme bushfire risk, therefore local residents and visitors should be prepared for fire, have a plan for when the Fire Danger Rating is Severe, Extreme or Code Red and know what to do in the event of any emergency."
The five extreme bushfire risk areas are Chewton, Castlemaine West, Castlemaine North, Campbells Creek West and Fryerstown.
The events will take place at:
Chewton: Sunday, April 14 at 10.30am, at Chewton CFA Fire Station and Senior Citizens Hall in Mount St, Chewton.
Castlemaine West: Sunday, April 21 at 10.30am, at West End Hall, View St, Castlemaine.
Campbells Creek: Sunday, May 19 at 10.30am, at Campbells Creek Community Centre.
Castlemaine North: Sunday, May 26 at 10.30am, at Castlemaine Fire Station.
Fryerstown: To be announced.

Castlemaine What's On - April 5-May 11

This week's films at the Theatre Royal. For full movie session times and entertainment details phone 5472 1196 or visit www.theatreroyal.info.
April 2-25. A Sensory Experience. A celebration of artworks by Steven J Coventry, who lives with Asperger's Syndrome, helping raise awareness for World Autism Awareness Month (April). The exhibition was officially opened on Tuesday evening and runs until April 25 at the Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine.
Friday, April 5 at 7.30pm. Concert at Lot 19, Castlemaine. Two exciting contemporary acoustic acts - The String Contingent, and Lucy Wise and the B'Gollies. Tickets $20 adult, $15 concession, kids under 12 free. Bookings preferred! For bookings and enquiries contact Mark Anstey 0427 724 149 or email lot19artspace@gmail.com
Saturday, April 6 at 3pm. Australian Chamber Choir in concert at Christ Church on Agitation Hill, Castlemaine. Valiant for Truth, music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Tallis, Byrd and Gibbons. Tickets $25, $20 concession. Bookings through church office 10am to 2pm on 5472 1137 or at the door.
Sunday, April 7, 6am-3pm. Castlemaine Lions Club Swap Meet. At the Camp Reserve in Castlemaine. A large number of sites. Details: 0418 517 830 or email rongartside@live.com.au
Sunday, April 7, 9am-5pm. VicMasters and Junior Criterium Championships. See the streets come to life as cyclists from all over Victoria merge on Castlemaine for some amazing action. Details: 0418 899 066, email: eventsec@castlemainecyclingclub.org.au or visit www.castlemainecyclingclub.org.au
Sunday, April 7 at 6pm. Vocal Nosh. A good sing and good food at the Newstead Community Centre. This month: Travelling Songs - of coming and going with Fay White. Songs in the folk style, mostly a cappella. No prior musical experience necessary. No need to read music. Cost: $15 ($12 concession), $5 for children including food. Please book for catering purposes, call Kerrie on 5470 5645 or email kerriep@mmnet.com.au.
Sunday, April 7 at 2pm. Fringe Festival thank you celebration at CASPA (above Stonemans Bookroom). Come along to the celebration evening at CASPA, enjoy light music, refreshments and a barbecue. Thank yous may be made and stories shared.
Tuesday, April 9 at 4pm. Childrens choir. No experience necessary. Children aged 8-18. At the Botanical Gardens Tearooms, Castlemaine. For details contact the Ballet Academy on 0421 848 296.
Wednesday, April 10 at 6.30pm. Education Program. Free talks, Designing a wildlife corridor - what works and why? Speakers: Dr Rodney van der Ree (University of Melbourne), Phillipa Schapper (Superb Parrot Project). At the Elphinstone Community Hall. Free entry, all welcome. Details: www.connectingcountry.org.au or call Max on 5472 1594.
Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14. Mt Alexander Vintage Engine Club Vintage Engine Rally, John Powell Reserve, Guildford. Explore the great display of vintage engines and machinery from Australia's mechanical past dating from the 1800s and tractors from 1949-1955. Enjoy a great family day out viewing working displays and meeting the members of this passionate local group. Catering will be provided by the Guildford CFA and there will be a jumping castle for the kids. 10am-5pm Saturday, 10am-3pm Sunday. Entry $5 adults, $1 for kids.
Friday, May 11 at 2pm. Fundraising Event. The Liberty Christian Life Centre invites you to a fundraising event. The Victoria Police Pipe Band and Showband combined will be re-appearing for a concert at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine. Cost is $30 ($25 concession) with proceeds going towards Youth ministry and Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria. Bookings essential, no tickets sold on the door. Phone Jessie on 0417 334 907.