Protest over Castlemaine McDonald's plan: Castlemaine residents are joining a push for statewide planning reform as they oppose fast food giants opening in country towns. McDonald's wants to build a 24-hour drive-through restaurant at the Forest and Hargreaves streets roundabout in Castlemaine. About 200 people rallied at the proposed site last night. MAC OFF campaign coordinator Vicki Anderson says the protest aims to show the state government local communities and councils should be able to say "enough is enough". McDonald's says the restaurant could inject $3.5 million into the local economy and create 100 jobs. The Mount Alexander Shire Council says it has not yet received a planning application from McDonald's.
Image supplied: Facebook/Mac Off—Protect Castlemaine
Chesters defends grants program: Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters has defended Labor's use of an invite-only grants program amid accusations of pork-barrelling taxpayer funds. An investigation by the Centre for Public Integrity found almost three-quarters of the $560 million Major and Local Community Infrastructure program went to seats notionally held by Labor, while 45 electorates received nothing. Ms Chesters announced a contract for a new pavilion at Truscott Recreation Reserve on Friday, one of three Bendigo projects backed by the program. She said Labor was delivering election promises in a transparent way.
Thales offers Bendigo retirements: French-based arms manufacturer Thales says between 50 and 60 long-term staff at its Bendigo factory have taken early retirement packages to make way for new employees. The company said none of the roles or staff members had been made redundant and the positions still existed, with workers volunteering to retire early. Earlier this year, Thales was awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build 300 more Bushmaster troop carriers and upgrade Hawkei light utility vehicles. At the time it said the contract would secure jobs for 300 workers for the next seven years, including new apprentices.
Gannawarra roads rank worst in Victoria: Gannawarra Shire has topped Victoria for the worst condition of state roads in a new report from the Victorian Auditor-General. The report found 89 per cent of state roads in Gannawarra were in poor or very poor condition in 2024. It found that across Victoria, roads were deteriorating faster than repairs, and funding had been insufficient. Roads Minister Paul Hamer said a re-elected Labor government would change the way it fixes roads. The government has accepted the report's recommendations.
Paddle-steamer recovered at Echuca: A century-old paddle-steamer has been recovered after partially sinking at Echuca. The PS Canberra hit a submerged log on the Murray River two weeks ago. Murray River Paddlesteamers said a specialist salvage team freed the PS Canberra from the riverbank. The company said the vessel would be assessed and repaired, and guests with affected cruise bookings would be contacted.
Ginger Fluff recipe: After talking about the Aussie rural staple the Ginger Fluff sponge on ABC Central Victoria Breakfast last week, Carol from Castlemaine sent in her mother's recipe from 1975.
And it sure has stood the test of time!
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ dessert spoon golden syrup
- ¾ cup self-raising flour
- 2 tablespoons of hot milk
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- I teaspoon cinnamon
Method:
"Beat white of eggs, then the sugar, add the yolks, add golden syrup. Sift flour and spices twice. Add hot milk last.
Transfer to 2x 20cm cake tins. Then bake in a moderate oven at about 180 Celsius for 15-20 minutes.
Once out of oven, layer the cakes with cream in the middle. Dust icing sugar on top.
