Viv Markham, Tarrangower Times

A large crowd gathered at the Castlemaine Art Museum last Friday night when Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards announced the winner of the Len Fox painting award. This is an acquisitive prize that is awarded every two years to commemorate the life and work of E. Phillips Fox ... The 2024 Len Fox award winner is Nellie Napa Coulthard for her painting titled Tjuntala Ngurangka - Country with Wattle, which celebrates the beauty of the artist’s country.

The Tarrangower Times caught up with Maldon Fire Brigade Captain Sean McCubbin last week, with the intention of talking about his recent cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment. In the end, the interview ranged far and wide. Sean speaks his mind, is passionate about many issues, knows Maldon like the back of his hand and has a bunch of entertaining stories.

The weather couldn’t have been better for last Friday’s Run The Maine, when over 900 competitors set out in spring sunshine to raise funds for a good cause and to have a great time. And improve their PB, of course!

Earlier this month, Teddy & Me’s owner Marilyn Kennedy made the difficult decision to close her shop, which had been operating in Maldon since 1997. The [Tarrangower] Times caught up with Marilyn last week to talk about her time as a retailer ... While building up a loyal customer base, she also made some changes to her stock, including specialising in collectable toys that appealed to adults as well as children.

With a fresh coat of paint, the Maldon Bowls Club was looking spick and span last Sunday to celebrate the opening of the Pennant season. Bendigo West Member Maree Edwards was invited to send down the first ball, the Castlemaine Bowls Club was invited to enjoy a day of friendly competition and everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch.

There was a time when Maldon was at the forefront of heritage planning in Australia. But has the town lost its way, in terms of conserving its built and natural landscapes? Many believe that the short answer is: yes.

On the other side of the Mount, the sky is dark and the conditions are perfect for keen astrophotographer Anne-Maree McComb. By day she takes care of the boarders in her daughter’s kennel, and by night she photographs the night sky.

A proposed planning permit application for a 16-block subdivision on land in Maldon that is bordered by Lowther, Polsue and Reef Streets is once again in the spotlight ... The [Tarrangower] Times met with two of the objectors last week, who said that their primary objection to the application is the fact that the block is subject to periodic flooding.

There has been a long line of editors in the 157-years of the [Tarrangower] Times. But Ian Dawes, who died last week, must be the standout editor, in terms of his experience and skills as a wordsmith. He had a long and distinguished writing career that took him all over the world.

With a friendly community and picture postcard appeal, Maldon may be one of the most liveable towns in Australia. Nothing’s perfect, however, and in Maldon’s case one of the irritants is the constant stream of trucks through the town centre.