Happening in Harcourt & Barkers Creek

20/09/2025

Congratulations to Harcourt Bowling Club on celebrating an incredible 70 years today! 🎉 A huge milestone for a club that’s been at the heart of the community for decades! 🎳

06/09/2025

The Victorian Miniature Railway – situated in Harcourt – is steaming closer to its grand opening, with December marked as the big month the public can finally climb aboard! 🚉

The project is nearly at the finish line, with just the North circuit left to be laid before the full loop is complete. While there’s still plenty of work to be done behind the scenes, the excitement is building! 😍

The team behind the railway has poured countless hours into bringing the vision to life, and they can’t wait to welcome the community to experience it firsthand! 👋🏻

20/08/2025

Big win for Harcourt – Pyney’s Pie Reviews has officially given the thumbs up to Blumes Historic Bakehouse! The travelling pie connoisseur stopped in to try one of their famous bakes and came away impressed! 🥟

09/08/2025

A community fundraising afternoon will be held at the Harcourt Bowling Club on Sunday 5 October from 2pm to 5pm to support the work of Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Guests are encouraged to wear something pink, with a prize on offer for the best dressed, and enjoy an afternoon dedicated to raising funds for the organisation.

The event is being organised by Kate Buchanan and her family.

“I’m living with Stage 4 breast cancer, and I’m so appreciative of the innovative medications that have enabled me to remain feeling well and with more life to live,” revealed Kate.

“So with my family I'm hosting a fundraising event in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia and would love you to come along and show your support!”

“I'm aiming to raise $5,000 to help ensure BCNA can continue providing their free support resources to those diagnosed with breast cancer and advocating for vital research.”

02/08/2025

It was an absolute ripper of a night at Harcourt Football Netball Club’s 2025 Junior Ball! 🎉 The young guns scrubbed up well, the dance floor copped a workout, and the good vibes were flowing all night. Top effort from everyone who made it happen! 💃🕺👏

26/07/2025

The Governor of Victoria, Maggie Gardner, rolled through our region last week for a few photo ops, making a stop at Harcourt Cider while she was at it! 🍏

20/07/2025

Weekend windback to May 2023 – when a truck driver decided to challenge a bridge at Harcourt to a headbutt contest… and lost! 🚚💥

The result? V/Line services between Bendigo and Castlemaine were thrown into chaos, and that bridge got one hell of a wake-up call! 😬 🚆

Who needs clearance signs anyway? ⚠️ 😆

11/07/2025

Castlemaine SES recently got called out to the Harcourt Mountain Bike Trails to help out a little speed demon – a 9-year-old rider who reckons he came off the bike doing a whopping 35 km/h! 😲 Brave little bu**er!

The SES crew were on the scene quick-smart, helping get him and his parents safely back out of the bush and over to an Ambulance. Sounds like he copped a bit of a knock, but he held up like a champ! 👏🏼‍

Wishing the young fella a smooth and speedy recovery – and hopefully he’s back on the bike in no time, tearing up the trails again (maybe just with a bit less throttle next time, eh?). Good on ya, mate! 💪🏻

05/07/2025

Things are seriously chuggin’ along at Harcourt’s Victorian Miniature Railway! 🚂

The new footbridges are up and lookin’ sharp, stretching across both ends of the platforms – and the station building permit’s finally gotten the big official tick! 🚉

They’re also cracking on with the stone wall out front, sorting the spot for the turntable, and the car park’s got its fresh retaining wall by the North Loop! 🪨

Opening Day’s inching closer, and the crew is excited! 😀

28/06/2025

Remembering Peggy Shaw (1922–2025), a true creative soul who passed away peacefully on 16 June, at the incredible age of 103.

Peggy wasn’t just an artist – she was a force of nature.

A painter, illustrator, spinner, gardener, and a woman whose love for the natural world spilled out through every brushstroke. Drawing was her first love, and it stayed with her for over a century.

Born in Tasmania, Peggy later moved to Melbourne, then settled in Barkers Creek –just north of Castlemaine – in 1977, where her artistic journey truly blossomed.

She joined the Newstead Spinning Group, blending creativity with community. By the early ‘80s, she was painting en plein air with Professor John Turner, and there was no stopping her after that.

Her work featured in countless exhibitions, and she illustrated several books – including Garden in a Valley by Jean Galbraith.

Her delicate and vibrant floral paintings became a familiar sight to many, especially on cards printed by Art Publishing.

Peggy also gave back. From the late '90s, she taught painting and nurtured a new generation of artists.

She was a founding member of the Castlemaine Watercolour Group and a beloved part of the Castlemaine Creative Artists.

To Peggy’s four children, her extended family, her many friends, and everyone lucky enough to know her – our heartfelt condolences.

She left behind more than just art; she left a legacy of beauty, warmth, and generosity that will continue to bloom for years to come.

📷: This photo was taken by Katherine Seppings

07/06/2025

After a tragic collision in Harcourt yesterday morning left a mother kangaroo deceased, Castlemaine Police stepped up to rescue her joey found nearby! 👮🏻‍♂️

The team quickly got in touch with the local vet, who swooped in to make sure the young skippy would be well looked after! 🦘

17/05/2025

James Park in Harcourt is set for a $50,000 upgrade!

Big news for our small towns! 🚜 Thanks to the State Government’s Tiny Towns Fund, James Park in Harcourt is set for a $50,000 upgrade to boost safety and support local events. Other community favourites like Chewton Community Park, Newstead Arts Hub, Maldon Golf Club, Walk Tarrangower Village and Muckleford Recreation Reserve are also receiving much-needed funding. As National Volunteer Week rolls in, let’s give a cheer to the locals who keep these projects ticking! Good on ya team!

https://www.tarrangowertimes.com.au/news/funding-for-local-community-upgrades