Local stories, community first — Melbourne and beyond.
A free Victorian service helping homeowners facing mortgage stress has temporarily closed its books due to overwhelming demand, with calls for assistance doubling between January and August this financial year. The trend is expected to continue after interest rates rose to a 15-year high.
A 29-year-old Ballarat man has been found not guilty of culpable driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death in relation to a fatal crash at a burnout event in western Victoria in 2023. The incident occurred when the defendant's vehicle experienced a "spontaneous mechanical issue" and struck a spectator, Trent DeZoete, 18.
Police are searching for a group of offenders who broke into an urban farm in Melbourne's north earlier this month, using a stolen tractor to ram into the front doors of the Bundoora Park Farm's cafe. Anyone who was in the area at the time is urged to contact police.
A decade after Ford closed its manufacturing plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows, local economies are recovering, but former employees still feel the impact. The regions have diversified, with new industries emerging, but there are concerns about the future of the areas.
Electric vehicle sales in Australia have more than doubled in the past year, with one in four new cars sold now being electric. The milestone comes as the industry pushes for greater support to help the country meet its climate targets.
Veteran finance presenter Alan Kohler is retiring after a 31-year career, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Kohler has been a leading figure in Australian journalism, with a successful career in print and television.
Lachie Neale is set to join the Magpies after the Brisbane Lions confirmed his exit on Wednesday. The 33-year-old will leave the Lions as an unrestricted free agent and is expected to don the black and white of Collingwood in 2027.
Geelong premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij has been medically retired due to concussion, marking a sad end to a successful AFL career. Kolodjashnij played 209 AFL games, including the 2022 premiership, but his career was cut short after he signed a secret waiver in his Geelong contract in 2024.
Essendon has poached former Sydney premiership coach John Longmire as their new general manager of performance. Longmire departs Sydney after 25 years to reunite with his former assistant, new Bombers coach Mark McVeigh.
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