Local stories, community first — Melbourne and beyond.
A power outage in Mildura is set to enter its third day, with concerns growing for vulnerable residents, including the elderly and domestic violence survivors. The outage has affected around 3,000 residents and businesses, with Powercor announcing a revised restoration timeframe of midday Friday.
The Royal Children's Hospital's $50 million expansion nears completion, but 20 new beds will go unused due to a lack of funding for extra staff. Hospital staff are expressing their frustration and devastation over the development.
Victoria is likely to experience a more active hayfever season due to the state's warm and wet winter. The conditions have created an ideal environment for tree and grass pollen to thrive, with Melbourne already experiencing high levels of tree pollen.
Residents in the Wimmera region are calling for a 24/7 mental health facility to be established in Horsham, citing the need for easier access to treatment and services closer to home. The push comes as data shows the region has disproportionately high rates of mental health distress and illness.
The Victorian opposition has pledged an additional $100 million for the Albury Hospital redevelopment, sparking a mixed response from community leaders. The funding aims to provide 50 more beds, a multistorey car park, and clinical services building.
New data centres in Victoria will need to source their own renewable energy and cannot use drinking water under new government rules. The move aims to balance the sector's growth with community concerns.
The Victorian Coalition has pledged to build three select-entry high schools in Melbourne's outer suburbs and convert six existing schools to focus on academic achievers if elected in November. The policy aims to double the number of selective places available to high-performing students.
The death of a child is a profound loss that can have a lasting impact on a family's life. For one mother, sharing her experience with others who have also lost a child has been a crucial part of the healing process.
A new wave of birdwatchers, nature lovers, poets, artists, and dreamers are finding solace and connection in the Australian bush along the east coast of Victoria. The Far East Flaneur, a six-day, five-night art and nature trail, has been attracting participants from various backgrounds to explore the 100-kilometre journey from Lake Tyers to Cape Conran in East Gippsland.
A bunya pine tree in Maldon has been named a finalist in the 2026 Victorian Tree of the Year competition. The tree's owner, Kathy Whiteman, says it is a "magnificent" landmark, but also a complicated one due to its massive cones that drop every three years.
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