The expanded shire was renamed Newstead & Mount Alexander Shire in May 1916. The name reverted to Newstead Shire in May 1949. In January 1995 Newstead Shire was amalgamated with Castlemaine City, part of Maldon Shire and part of Metcalfe Shire to form Mount Alexander Shire. The Town Today It has two pubs, community centre, cafe, a general store, a Rural Transaction Centre (with Internet café, Bendigo Bank, library, daycare and other services), a small licensed IGA and bakery, a swimming pool, a hairdresser as well as a monthly newspaper, the Newstead Echo. It also has a licensed cafe, a butcher, two small shops selling vintage odds and ends and a winery just out of town. The town has a football team in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League. There is a town primary school and kindergarten and high schools nearby, a community hall, race park and Rotunda park for events such as the Newstead Fire Brigade Market which occurs 4 times a year. There is a women's group, four churches, performers group, organic growers group, playgroup, senior citizens' club, lawn bowls club, croquet club, football and netball club, tennis club, natives groups, walking group and spinners' group. Annually, Newstead holds a folk music festival over the Australia Day weekend with artists coming from all around Australia and some from overseas. As well as 'Chopped' magazine holding their annual, Chopped Rod & Custom show, which brings traditional style rods and custom cars from all over Australia into the town for a weekend. The Loddon River that flows through the town has caused a levee bank to be built in 1912 which has stopped the town from flooding several times. The old courthouse has now become the Newstead historical society and holds a collection of items relating to the history of Newstead. Notable residents Wil Burnes - professional unicycle rider, ranked 13th in the world. References External links Newstead Community website. Towns in Victoria (Australia)