Castlemaine Free University (CFU) is a forum for discussing contemporary social and ecological issues of special interest for those living in Leanganook, Mount Alexander Shire, and Central Victoria more generally.
CFU belongs to a free university movement, which started in the 1960s. The ‘free’ refers to running activities that are as free as possible in every way. Speakers offer their services free. The venue is free. Organisers volunteer their time free. We run money-free events so everyone is welcome. See here to download a great resource on how to create your own free university produced by Melbourne Free University (MFU).
CFU runs regular events on a Saturday afternoon every two months (see calendar/events). (From March 2021 to November 2025, we gathered regularly on the first Monday every month, 6–7.30 pm, from February to December.) Sometimes we vary the time due to public holidays or seasons and have irregular events between regular gatherings.
Our regular venue is Northern Arts Hotel, 359 Barker Street, Castlemaine. The owners and managers not only allow us to use their venue free of charge but provide technical and promotional support. Optional extras include purchasing Northern Arts Hotel drinks and materials speakers might offer (books, or CDs).
No bookings: first in, first served. We try and fit in as many people as possible but follow the venue’s seating limits.
We listen to a diversity of views but our values are oriented around environmental sustainability and social justice, key degrowth principles for addressing the challenges of our times.
We are a freely associated network that values individual and collective autonomy. There is no formal membership process, but you can get onto our emailing list or offer suggestions for speakers and topics by emailing us.
See our Events calendar for news on recent and up-and-coming events.