Carisbrook Chronicles

20/09/2025

The Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett, caught up with members of the Carisbrook Lions Club during yesterday's Maryborough Hospital Celebration Day! 🌭

13/09/2025

The community is invited to come together to celebrate the life of Mr. Leslie Alan Chapman.

The service will be held at the Maryborough Harness Racing Club, Chaplins Road, Carisbrook on Tuesday, commencing at 12.00 pm, with a private cremation to follow.

Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with Leslie’s family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. May his memory be cherished and carried forward with love.

10/09/2025

A belated Happy 21st Birthday to superstar hairdresser Bonnie Beavis! 🎈✂️

Happy 21st to our superstar Bonnie!

🌟 Thanks for keeping us in line, making clients shine, and bringing good vibes every day.

Enjoy your special day!

30/08/2025

Congrats, Doug! 🍺

Doug is lucky winner of our meat raffle this week we hope you enjoy your fine selection of meats from Zoe & Matt - Dunolly quality meats we look forward to seeing you all again next Friday for your chance to be a winner like Doug

16/08/2025

The Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail group is fighting a proposed broiler farm in Carisbrook through a VCAT hearing, warning the industrial-scale operation would damage the trail and the region’s future if approved.

The application is lodged by Ian and Robert Hurse – with Robert owning the land at 705 Baringhup Road – on behalf of Michael Vukodinovic of Pavilion Farms.

Chickens raised at the facility are set to be slaughtered at Hazeldene’s in Lockwood, just outside Bendigo. The plan is staggering in scale: up to 400,000 birds crammed inside sheds, operating year-round, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

While most traffic would occur during the day, the collection of birds for slaughter would happen at night, when the animals are asleep and easier to handle.

Despite the sheer numbers, only three full-time staff would manage the sheds, with two more brought in between batches to shovel manure, wash out the floors and reset the cycle.

CMRT, backed by farmers, landholders, two shires and VicTrack, has already spent eight days presenting its case, with four more hearing days to follow in September.

Their objections focus on planning law – claiming the project breaches the Broiler Code and Victorian Planning Provisions, fails on biodiversity and cultural heritage protections, and conflicts with state and local strategies for active transport, tourism and public health.

They also argue the facility threatens the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid and poses a public health risk from diseases such as bird flu.

Yet the case sits within a wider storm. The trail itself has divided locals since it was announced, many dismissing it as a waste of taxpayer money for a council and state government already drowning in debt.

The World Heritage Bid, cited heavily in CMRT’s arguments, is also widely unpopular throughout the community, viewed by many as another top-down project imposed on the region.

And beyond planning law, there’s a rawer debate raging. Many in the community have raised alarm at the cruelty of the proposal – hundreds of thousands of chickens confined in sheds, living short, crowded lives before being trucked away for slaughter.

Animal welfare critics say the model treats living creatures as disposable units of production, a system out of step with community values. These concerns have not been taken up in CMRT’s formal arguments at VCAT.

The Tarrangower Times, a newspaper based in Maldon, reported last May that then-mayor, now councillor, Liesbeth Long was approached for comment on the application but did not respond.

CMRT is urging VCAT to reject the permit outright, citing public interest, ecological sensitivity and long-term economic opportunities.

But with the trail itself, the World Heritage Bid, and now animal welfare all part of the debate, the broiler farm has become a lightning rod – exposing not just opposition to one project, but the deep divides over what kind of future this region should pursue.

14/08/2025

Chris Shaw – a beloved member of the community who recently passed away following a tragic house fire – will be farewelled tomorrow at 11 am, with a service at Phelan’s Chapel on Inkerman Street in Maryborough. :'(

The Goldfields FM family will be gathering to farewell our much loved Chris Shaw at Phelan's Chapel in Inkerman Street at 11.00am on Friday 15th August. Please join us to say goodbye to Chris.

28/06/2025

Tullaroop Ward Councillor Anna de Villiers has shared a winter update, reflecting on her second term on Central Goldfields Shire Council and the mix of progress and unfinished business she’s seen so far.

In a message to residents, Anne said the first eight months of her second term had been hectic, but worthwhile.

She revisited a to-do list first published in the Carisbrook Mercury in early 2022 and admitted that while many of the items remain in progress, some had been delivered – though not without hurdles.

She pointed to the sealing of the top end of Moolort Road and a bus service between Maryborough and Carisbrook as projects still in motion.

The restoration of the Majorca Avenue of Honour has been completed, while the Market Reserve Op Shop has been repainted but remains in need of restumping.

The Carisbrook community garden, another long-discussed project, also remains underway.

More recently, Anne said she has been advocating for levee and drain upgrades in Carisbrook, pushing to activate the Tullaroop Creek Advisory Committee, and supporting the restoration of both the Carisbrook Railway Station and the Town Hall.

A partnership with the Carisbrook Lions Club to further develop the Market Reserve is ongoing, as is work on a new Community Plan.

She acknowledged that funding remains the biggest barrier to delivering many of these projects, and warned that financial constraints are likely to continue to affect progress.

Anne said her strongest achievement to date has been connecting with local groups and volunteers, crediting the passion and commitment of residents for driving many community initiatives forward.

While the list of tasks continues to grow, questions remain around how – and when – the more ambitious projects will be fully funded and delivered.

15/05/2025

It was not Carisbrook's day, but there is always next round! 🏈

11/05/2025

The Carisbrook boys enjoying a cold one! 🍺

27/04/2025

It was a commendable effort by Carisbrook Primary School Captains Tahlia and Chad, who paid their respects to the Anzacs at the Carisbrook service. They delivered heartfelt speeches and laid wreaths to honour the service of our men, women, and animals. 🌹

25/04/2025

A fantastic Anzac display along Chaplins Road in Carisbrook – a thoughtful and moving tribute to our diggers. Full credit to whoever created it; your effort hasn’t gone unnoticed and truly captures the spirit of remembrance. Good on you! 🌹 🇦🇺