Casterton Connections

Home
Australia
Casterton, VIC
Casterton Connections

Telling life stories of people who have a connection to Casterton.

01/06/2026

EPISODE 46 – Alan “Poddly” Upton is now live on Spotify & Apple podcasts
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7dzkzXEYzAK2XfERf8XA02?si=eff57a3a6a424cd5

Today you will discover who did the catering for the opening of the Casterton Town Hall in 1937, how Pods career in water carting began, and why he asked the police to move their car somewhere else because they were buggering his business! Alan has worked hard at a lot of things – digging holes for fencing with a crowbar and shovel before he acquired a posthole digger to drag behind the Fergie, starting at 6am in his takeaway shop, and carting some 2 million bales of hay. A full life. We hope you enjoy.

30/05/2026

Still "freelancing" at 88, Alan Francis Upton has tried his hand, and succeeded, at many things. Roustabout, fencer, brickmaker, takeaway shop owner, volunteer and so much more. How many people have seen 81 Casterton Cups? Tune in on Tuesday June 2 and hear some history from in and around Casterton, the place he calls home.

11/05/2026

SPECIAL EPISODE 45 - The Royal School/Regal Vista Scandal is now live on Spotify & Apple podcasts
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zKLMPFv36wXz4HmBsYgMG?si=FXYVu2UgSBGxjibW_tOTSA
Today you will hear the ins and outs of the scandal that was, on this date 54 years ago, Royal School & Regal Vista. The day the Casterton races were put on the map for all the wrong reasons! Enjoy the stories attached to this little gem of town history. Perhaps it will remind someone of their unclaimed winnings, still possibly waiting for them in Balaklava?

09/05/2026

🎙️ SPECIAL EPISODE RELEASE – Episode 45

One week before the 144th Casterton Cup, we rewind to the Cup that shocked the racing world…

1972 Casterton Cup – The Royal School / Regal Vista Scandal

The team at Casterton Connections brings you local memories of the infamous ring-in horse, the planning behind the heist, and the fallout that became Casterton Race Club folklore.

Hear from the locals who were there and decide for yourself…

WHO WAS FIRST PAST THE POST? 🎧

🎥 Watch the promo and keep your eyes open for episode release Tuesday 12th of May.

08/05/2026

Friday May 12 1972 – “It was the most exciting thing that ever happened at the Casterton Races”. The “Fine Cotton Affair” was of amateur rating in comparison to “The Royal School/Regal Vista Scandal”. 2 years in the planning, the sting was pulled off on the day but eventually the culprits were brought to justice. Lois Lowe & John Matthews speak to 4 locals who have a connection to the day, all relaying different angles of the events. Little gems will come to light, including the suggestion that the speed of a horse may be explained if the horse ate parsley sprayed with ni****ne?? Learn more about this saga on Tuesday May 12, leading up to the 2026 Casterton Cup on Sunday May 17. And have you ever thought about the fact that, as a jockey, it is the only job where you will be followed at work by an ambulance . . . . . .

05/05/2026

EPISODE 44 - Muzah Makore is now live on Spotify & Apple podcasts
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vFYikJCkywJfZTikNNi48?si=c0261b529402463c

Muzah Makore was scared of the Red Cross vehicles due to hospital horror stories as a child in Zimbabwe, but then as an adult became a nurse. This was following a failed attempt to join the police force “because you are too short mate”, and a successful career as a pole hole digger for the power company. The holes were dug by hand, & for most workers the depth of the holes was knee height – for Muzah it was his waist. Lois leads Muzah through his life until now, with a detailed & interesting walk through his education & life in a boarding school in Zimbabwe. And there is so much more to this
adventure, and you will enjoy it.

28/04/2026

When we are young we don’t know what we don’t know. What are we missing, & how do we know if we haven’t seen anything different to compare our lives to? Raised by a loving and caring grandmother in high density housing in Zimbabwe, Muzah had it all & was very happy. Now living in Casterton, nursing, & raising a family, Muzah has it all & is very happy. The events that led to Muzah settling in Australia & the number of “firsts” he encountered along the way will be revealed on Tuesday 5 May – including a revolving door of cows??

06/04/2026

EPISODE 43 - Barb Holmberg is now live on Spotify & Apple

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ERQ64lcg2SyFJ6rihCoey?si=eb3aedbc1926478f

The youngest of 3, Barb Holmberg remembers her truckie father having to load the coal with a shovel, and the joy of being allowed to ride with him during school holidays. The call of “stock on the loose” would put her into a neighbours front yard in post-war Flemington until the culprit cow was caught, and did once lead to a bull in a china shop. Not many of us have been asked to sew jockstraps at a tender age, but life sometimes proves to be horrifying! Listening to Barbs story is an hour well spent.

01/04/2026

If it was possible to see some events in our future, we may well doubt our ability to cope. Life just has a way of showing us our strengths, and oh how much can be lived in 81 years. Barb Holmberg describes events and places so well you will feel like you were there too. She will take you from Flemington as an adventurous child in the 1940’s to Dunrobin as a young wife and mother, and now as a great-grandmother. 7 April will bring a story told with warmth and humour, and you will want to hear it.

13/03/2026

The Casterton Connections team have so far produced 42 thoughtful episodes for your listening pleasure, with #43 in the pipeline. To maintain the high-quality content of these stories they will now be released monthly instead of fortnightly. 4 April 2026 is the next date to note for popping on your headphones.
Thank you for your continued support, & for listening.

Address

Casterton, VIC
3311

Telephone

+61467883573

Website

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kane-forbes

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Casterton Connections posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Casterton Connections:

Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company in Casterton?