Can Vic Track explain the economic and social benefits of 65 more poker machines for the Castlemaine community?
Late last week EPIC approached Vic Track and asked how their ‘so-called triple bottom line’ benefits would apply in light of the 55-65 new poker machine licences headed for Castlemaine.
Vic Track own/manage the Kennedy St Goods Shed, which, according to Vic Track, is about to enjoy improvements, maintenance and upgrade of its ‘significant, heritage-listed properties’ thanks to the works by the Maryborough Highland Society.
Last week Chris Hosking of EPIC requested a community meeting with Vic Track. Their response is below. Continue Reading »
Don’t plan the funeral, we’re not dead yet
From the Chewton Pool Committee
On a wet Monday evening this week two gatherings took place in Chewton. One was a meeting of residents to discuss keeping the pool; the other was with Council officers to discuss the administration’s funeral arrangements for the pool. While around 50 local residents and Cr Christine Henderson attended the BBQ in stormy weather, representatives of the Save the Chewton Pool Committee met with Council officers. Continue Reading »
Prison figures skyrocket – can we change the thinking?
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Australia’s prison system is in desperate need of a massive overhaul, according to Peter Norden AO from the University of Melbourne.
A national research report released recently by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (1351.0.55.031) showed a dramatic increase in the national prison population between 1994 and 2007 of 3.7% per year, and an increase in prisoners with prior imprisonment increasing at a rate of 3.2% per year. Continue Reading »
Vic Track, leading the way with community consultation
The Maryborough Highland Society has plans for the Kennedy St Goods Shed
VicTrack, the owner/manager of the Kennedy St Goods Shed, (being leased to the Maryborough Highland Society for the purposes of a new gaming venue in Castlemaine), are ‘engaging with the community’. So their website says.
VicTrack is committed to delivering services and projects which achieve an economic, environmental and social benefit – the so-called triple bottom line.
So just where do new poker machine licenses figure in VicTrack’s ‘so-called triple bottom line’?
Follow the stories on Castlemaine’s planned poker machine venue
Tune in to all the stories, and the latest, below. Continue Reading »
Interview with the GM of the Maryborough Highland Society
By Arabella Davison
Don Hester is the manager of the Maryborough Highland Society, and I interviewed him on Friday, 13 August about the Highland Society’s plans for the Kennedy Street, Castlemaine, Goods Shed. Award winning catering, reception areas, free meeting rooms with tea and coffee.
And 55 brand new poker machine licenses.
Interview below edited for brevity.
Continue Reading »
Shire to develop gambling policy
COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE:
On Tuesday night Mt Alexander Shire councillors voted to prepare a Gaming Policy for the Shire. Council has identified the development of a Gaming Policy as a priority action for 2010-11 in the Annual Plan.
Resistance to poker machines takes off
By Andrew McKenna
Upwards of 80 people swelled a classroom at Winters Flat PS last night in the first public meeting in town for residents to express their dismay at and opposition to the proposed poker machine venue in Kennedy Street.
One you have to read: Gambling hurts, a true story
By Anonymous
Do people know what gambling can do to a life? Do people know how addictive pokies are? Do people think – ‘Well, it’s a harmless pastime, just take as much as you are prepared to lose and have some fun, you might win’?
Do some people think it is a hobby for ignorant people, and that very few become addicted?
If you enjoy spending an evening on the poker machines, it’s highly likely that in the long term, you won’t stop until you have lost everything. Not just money – but friends, house, family, health – everything.
Enough is enough
Pokies are everywhere: they’re worse than Reds under the bed in the 1960s, because they’re actually there.
In Castlemaine, a meeting has been called to discuss what is being proposed for the Kennedy St Goods Shed. Continue Reading »
We’re not baboons, (are we?)
A troop of African baboons transformed their ambition-drive-’type A’ behaviour within a generation, so why do we make excuses and say it can’t be done?
This troop, like all others, had high levels of aggression, low levels of social affiliation, high levels of stress and disease, all attributable to the competitive nature of their society.
And then something happened. Continue Reading »
Free training
Local community and not for profit groups are encouraged to take advantage of a series of free training sessions to improve their organisation’s knowledge and skills.
The training sessions will start in August and run through to June next year. The first session will focus on strategic planning and will take place from 10.15am to 2pm on Wednesday August 25, at the City of Greater Bendigo’s Lyttleton Terrace Offices. A light lunch will be included. So there is such a thing as a free lunch. Continue Reading »
‘We don’t have a gambling policy do we?’ (the floodgates are open)
By Joyce SandersI asked the question about the gaming venue at this week’s Council meeting, and got the response (my comments) below. I also asked the question of Steve Gibbons on Wednesday night: Could there be Federal intervention in the case of small communities being forced to accept gaming venues. He said no, but the Greens said yes at the evening’s forum. Continue Reading »
In case you missed it: Community makes Windarring work
By Andrew McKenna
“I really like believing in what I do and I can see the differences being made. I can see someone camping in the bush for the first time and see their face … there’s days when I feel frustrated, and days when I feel I’ve achieved a lot. It fits in with my personal philosophy about equity and justice and it’s a way of contributing to that.”
Gamble and win! (or lose)
If you don’t want the Castlemaine Railway Goods Shed turned into a poker machine venue, sign an online petition here.
If you do, start saving your pennies.
GetUp holds mental health vigil
On Tuesday 10 August at the Market Building in Mostyn Street, Castlemaine from 6pm members of the advocacy group GetUp will hold a candlelit vigil to raise awareness in our community of the inadequacy of mental healthcare systems and to demand commitment from all political parties in the current election for mental healthcare reform. Maria Prendergast, local author of ‘Understanding Depression’ along with Dr Louise Bettiol will speak. Mayor Schier has been invited. Continue Reading »
‘Only fools close pools’
By Rose Darling
At its meeting last night, Mount Alexander Shire Council voted 4 to 3 to close and demolish the Chewton Swimming Pool.
Chewton is Agitated
Dear CI,
We are expecting Council to hand down its decision to close the outdoor pools at its next Council meeting on Tuesday 27 July at 7-30 pm in the Castlemaine Senior Citizens Hall. Continue Reading »
