Wednesday 19 August 2026Victoria edition
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VIC News Today

Local stories, community first — Melbourne and beyond.

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Mildura River Skull Mystery: Forensics Turn to Carbon Dating After Initial Tests Fail

A year after a partial human skull was discovered on the banks of the Murray River in Mildura, police are turning to advanced carbon dating at the Australian National University. With initial forensic tests proving inconclusive, investigators admit the identity of the remains may never be known.

8 days ago
Community
National Blitz: Over 100 Service Stations Raided in Massive Illicit Tobacco and Vape Crackdown

A massive multi-agency operation has targeted more than 100 service stations across Australia in a coordinated crackdown on illegal tobacco and vape sales. Authorities warn that some local outlets may face temporary closures as investigations into organized crime links continue.

8 days ago
Community
'Band-Aid Fixes': Angry Motorists Stranded on Calder Freeway as Pothole Chaos Deepens

Multiple drivers have been left stranded with severe tyre and rim damage after hitting a notorious pothole on the Calder Freeway. The incident has reignited community fury over the state of regional Victoria's crumbling road network.

8 days ago
Community
From Cockpit to Crust: Why a Veteran Melbourne Pilot Grounded His Career for a Local Bakery

After 40 years of soaring the skies, Melbourne pilot Geoff Collis made the radical decision to trade his wings for an apron. Driven by deep climate concerns, he has walked away from commercial aviation to find a new, sustainable calling as an Eltham baker.

9 days ago
Community
Melbourne Police Arrest Five Teenagers Over Targeted Homophobic Attacks Linked to Dating Apps

Five youths have been arrested in Melbourne's southeast for allegedly using dating apps to lure and violently assault victims in a series of targeted homophobic attacks. Police warn this is part of a broader, deeply concerning trend of online predators targeting the LGBTIQA+ community.

9 days ago
Community
Former Mildura School Employee Jailed Over AI-Generated Child Exploitation Material

A former Mildura teacher's aide and kindergarten cleaner has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for using artificial intelligence and covert cameras to produce explicit material. The court described his systematic actions targeting local children and acquaintances as abhorrent.

9 days ago
Community
Tragedy at Mount Buller: Man Killed and Woman Hospitalised After Falling Tree Crushes Car

A tragic accident at Mount Buller has left one man dead and a woman hospitalised in a serious condition after a tree collapsed onto their vehicle. The incident comes amid widespread severe weather across Victoria, causing flooding and prompt closures of major regional roads.

9 days ago
Community
Melbourne Royal Show Poultry Competitions Face Cancellation Threat Amid Rising Bird Flu Concerns

The upcoming Melbourne Royal Show is considering scrapping its traditional poultry exhibitions as avian influenza spreads across Victoria. Breeders and agricultural officials are bracing for potential disruptions to protect local flocks from the highly contagious virus.

10 days ago
Community
Outrage and Grief in Sunshine: Community Demands Action on Crime After Beloved Shopkeeper’s Death

A crowd of grieving locals gathered in Sunshine to call for tougher bail laws and a permanent police presence following the tragic death of long-time shopkeeper Van Viet Truong. The rally highlighted deep-seated fears among residents and local business owners over rising violent crime in Melbourne's west.

10 days ago
Community
Capturing History: How Kim Van Dyk’s Personal Photo Collection is Reviving Local Memories

A treasured collection of photographs curated by local resident Kim Van Dyk is offering a rare, nostalgic glimpse into our community's vibrant past. The stunning visual archive highlights decades of local history, sparking a wave of connection among residents.

11 days ago
Community
Regional Drivers Rally Behind Rebel Road Marker Tackling Victoria’s Pothole Crisis

Northeast Victoria resident Steve Panozzo has taken road safety into his own hands by spray-painting thousands of hazardous potholes to warn drivers. His grassroots initiative has won the hearts of frustrated locals, who are crowdfunding his campaign amid growing anger over crumbling regional roads.

11 days ago
Community
Teen Arrested as Police Crack Down on 'Call the Commission' Extortion and Arson Ring

A 17-year-old Moonee Valley boy has been charged as police investigate a series of targeted arson attacks linked to an offshore syndicate. Investigators have linked dozens of coercive notes left at local businesses to the illicit operation.

11 days ago
Community
Unlocking the Subterranean: Inside the World of Renowned Cave Explorer Kim Van Dyk

Renowned Australian cave explorer Kim Van Dyk shares the thrilling challenges and vital scientific importance of mapping the country's hidden underground networks. From navigating tight squeezes to discovering untouched chambers, her work continues to redefine our understanding of subterranean ecosystems.

12 days ago
Community
Mildura Mall Horror: Man Charged After Two 12-Year-Olds Struck by Ute in Pedestrian Zone

A 56-year-old man faces serious charges after allegedly chasing and striking two 12-year-old boys inside Mildura's pedestrian-only Langtree Mall. Both victims have been hospitalised with serious injuries, with one flown to Melbourne for urgent pediatric care.

12 days ago
Community
Sunshine Mourns Beloved Grocer: Three Youths Bailed Following Fatal Hampshire Road Assault

A tight-knit Sunshine community is in mourning after beloved local grocer Van Viet Truong died from injuries sustained during a courageous attempt to stop a retail theft. As tributes flow for the grandfather of one, three youths charged in connection with the fatal incident have been released on strict bail.

12 days ago
Community
Security Crisis: Sensitive Regional Victorian Court Data Leaked on Dark Web

A major cybersecurity breach has exposed the personal information and sensitive details of regional Victorian court users on the dark web. Police have launched an active investigation into the leak, which impacts multiple regional jurisdictions.

13 days ago
Community
Identity Erasure? Why the Australian Census Fails to Recognize 'Hongkonger' as a Unique Ancestry

Members of the local Hong Kong diaspora are expressing deep frustration over census classification rules that merge their ancestry with 'Chinese.' Community advocates argue the statistical oversight ignores their distinct cultural history and plays into foreign political narratives.

13 days ago
Community
Traralgon Father Secures Multi-Million Dollar Settlement After Devastating Police Arrest Left Him with Permanent Brain Damage

A 27-year-old Traralgon father has reached a confidential multi-million dollar settlement with Victoria Police following a 2022 arrest that left him with permanent brain damage. The incident has left his family devastated and calling for greater accountability.

13 days ago
Community
Shadow of Violence: How a Jailed Underground Kingpin’s Empire Continues to Terrorize Victoria

Despite syndicate leader Kazem Hamad receiving a life sentence overseas, gang violence and illicit tobacco operations continue to plague communities across Victoria. Local authorities are now battling a fresh wave of lieutenants and young operatives fighting for control of the illicit market.

16 days ago
Community
Fitzroy Community School Faces Legal Backlash and Police Investigation Over Historical Abuse Allegations

A growing group of former students is preparing legal action against Melbourne's Fitzroy Community School following severe allegations of historical sexual misconduct. Victoria Police are currently investigating multiple claims spanning several decades at the controversial alternative school.

16 days ago
Community
Beloved Heidelberg West Resident Fights for Life After Violent Carjacking

A 68-year-old Heidelberg West man remains in critical condition after attempting to prevent his car from being stolen on Saturday night. Local residents rushed to his aid and performed emergency CPR before paramedics arrived, while police continue their search for the stolen vehicle.

16 days ago
Community
Police Investigate Alleged Racially Motivated Assault at Melbourne's Sacred Camp Sovereignty

Police are searching for two suspects following an alleged violent assault on a fire protector at Melbourne's Camp Sovereignty over the weekend. The incident marks the second attack on the sacred First Nations site in Kings Domain within the past year.

16 days ago
Community
Clyde North Community Mourns Local Mother Brooke Stephens at Moving Candlelight Vigil

Hundreds of south-east Melbourne residents gathered at Smiths Park Playground for a poignant candlelight vigil honoring 29-year-old mother Brooke Stephens. The moving tribute highlighted growing community calls for urgent action to address family violence across Victoria.

16 days ago
Community
$700M Clarkefield Housing Plan Sparks Backlash as High-Density Proposal Bypasses Local Council

Residents in the historic hamlet of Clarkefield are pushing back against a proposed $700 million high-density housing development that could bring 6,000 new residents to the rural enclave. Tensions are running high as state authorities take over planning decisions, bypassing local council oversight.

16 days ago
Community
Melbourne Community Mourns 'Adventurous Spirit' Will Standish After Tragic US Hiking Accident

Tributes are pouring in for 28-year-old Melbourne hiker Will Standish, who tragically lost his life while navigating the Continental Divide Trail in the United States. A fundraising effort is now underway to assist his family with bringing him home to Australia.

16 days ago
Community
Million-Kilometre Milestone: Western Victorian Stock Agent Puts Legendary Toyota LandCruiser Up for Auction

A well-travelled 2009 Toyota LandCruiser sitting just 300 metres shy of the one-million-kilometre mark has been listed for auction in Nhill. Owner Gary Driscoll is leaving the final stretch of the epic milestone to the vehicle's lucky new owner.

16 days ago
Community
Former Mildura Businessman Escapes Conviction After Shooting Neighbour's Dog Over Incessant Barking

A retired Mildura supermarket owner who shot his neighbour's barking dog during an acute mental health breakdown has avoided a criminal conviction. John Charles Green was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and cover thousands in vet bills following the incident.

16 days ago
Community
Creswick Residents on Edge as Overnight Crime Surges

Residents of Creswick are increasingly concerned by a significant spike in overnight crime, with local businesses and homes repeatedly targeted. The community is calling for greater police presence and support as they grapple with a doubling of property offences in recent years.

21 days ago
Community
Prominent Melbourne Businessman Convicted of Rape, Vows Immediate Appeal

A high-profile Melbourne businessman has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a three-week trial, immediately signalling his intent to appeal the verdict. He now faces years behind bars, with sentencing scheduled for a later date.

22 days ago
Community
Sweeping Reforms Urged for Victoria's Bushfire Strategy Following Devastating Season

A comprehensive parliamentary inquiry has uncovered "systemic shortcomings" in Victoria's emergency response to the 2026 summer bushfires, tabling 80 recommendations for urgent reform. The extensive report highlights critical issues from fuel management to volunteer support and community recovery efforts.

22 days ago
Community
Life Sentence for Architect of Melbourne's 'Tobacco Wars,' Major Win Against Organised Crime

A notorious former Melbourne crime boss, once at the centre of the city's violent 'tobacco wars,' has been handed a life sentence in an Iraqi prison for drug trafficking. The judgment marks a significant victory for international law enforcement and Australian authorities who targeted the alleged mastermind.

22 days ago
Community
Clyde North Mourns Beloved Mother, Community Rallies Against Domestic Violence

A Melbourne community is reeling from the tragic death of a young mother, allegedly at the hands of her partner. Heartbroken family members are leading a powerful call for greater action against domestic violence, while an outpouring of community support has seen nearly $40,000 raised.

22 days ago
Community
Clyde North Tragedy: Man Charged with Partner's Murder After Sunday Night Incident

A Clyde North man has been charged with murder after his partner tragically died at their home on Sunday night, sending shockwaves through the local community. The accused appeared in court on Monday, where emotional scenes unfolded among the victim's grieving friends.

23 days ago
Community
Alfredton Man Charged Over Alleged Anti-Islamic Attack; New Hate Crime Laws to Face Test

A 37-year-old Alfredton man has been charged in connection with an alleged attack at a local Islamic dinner earlier this year, an incident where community members reportedly restrained the assailant. The charges, including those under new vilification laws, have brought cautious optimism to the local Muslim community after a four-month wait.

23 days ago
Community
Donald Mourns Beloved Teen Layla Jeffery as Community Gathers for Farewell

The close-knit community of Donald is preparing to bid a solemn farewell to 13-year-old Layla Jeffery this Friday, as residents unite in grief over her tragic passing. The public service aims to provide a space for collective remembrance and support for her heartbroken family.

23 days ago
Community
Victoria's Right to Know: Growing Calls for 'Clare's Law' to Unmask Abusers and Prevent Domestic Violence

A push is gaining momentum in Victoria for a "right to know" scheme, often called "Clare's Law," which would allow individuals to inquire about a partner's domestic violence history. Proponents argue this preventative measure is crucial for enhancing safety and curbing family violence across the state.

23 days ago
Community
“Incompetent and Corrupt”: Families Slam Laos Police Probe Into Tourist Deaths

Nearly two years after six international tourists tragically died from suspected methanol poisoning at a Vang Vieng hostel, families are denouncing the official police investigation as "incompetent" and a "cover-up." Relatives express profound disappointment, claiming crucial evidence has been overlooked and true justice remains elusive.

24 days ago
Community
Four Charged After Violent Machete Brawl Rocks Melbourne CBD

A violent early morning altercation near Melbourne's iconic Flinders Street Station has resulted in serious injuries to two individuals. Police have since charged four young people in connection with the incident, all of whom were reportedly on bail.

24 days ago
Community
Unravelling a Cold Case: Family's 40-Year Fight for Justice in Mandy Yodgee Murder

For over four decades, the family of Mandy Lee Yodgee has been relentlessly seeking answers in her 1984 murder. Her cousin, Joseph Yodgee, now spearheads the poignant campaign for justice, hoping a $1 million reward will finally unearth the truth.

24 days ago
Community
Three Lives Lost in Horrific Weekend Road Incidents Across Region

Tragic road incidents on the Sunshine Coast and in Logan over the weekend have resulted in three fatalities, prompting urgent appeals from law enforcement for public assistance in their ongoing investigations.

24 days ago
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