Sunday 4 October 2026Victoria edition
VIC News Today

Local stories, community first — Melbourne and beyond.

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Community
Navarre Grasshoppers Win Emotional Grand Final in Tribute to Zanaiya Bergen

The Navarre Grasshoppers have won the Maryborough Castlemaine District Netball League grand final, defeating Carisbrook 58-51, in a highly emotional game played in honour of teammate Zanaiya Bergen, who died in a car accident on Thursday evening. The team, and the wider community, have come together to pay tribute to Zanaiya, who was remembered as a funny, energetic, loyal and kind person.

21 days ago
Community
Melbourne Airport Arrest: Man Charged with Possessing Violent Extremist Material

A Melbourne man has been charged with possessing violent extremist material after being arrested at Melbourne Airport. Police allege he was part of a group chat sharing ISIS propaganda and other violent material.

21 days ago
Community
Fall in love with Victoria's waterfalls, now putting on a show after winter rain

It's a question a lot of tourism operators, farmers and landowners are all interested in — what's going to happen with our farm dams, our water supplies and our waterfalls?

21 days ago
Community
Floating wetlands prove effective in cutting greenhouse gas emissions

A world-first trial on Phillip Island has found that floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater lagoons by about 30 per cent. The innovative technology, tested over two years, has shown promising results in reducing emissions and improving water quality.

22 days ago
Community
Wedding Party Scrambles for New Venue After Wattle Park Chalet Fire

A historic wedding venue in Melbourne's east has been ravaged by a fire, forcing a couple to find a new venue for their reception. The Wattle Park Chalet in Surrey Hills was scheduled to host the wedding tonight, but a fire destroyed part of the building.

22 days ago
Community
Dozens of welfare checks conducted after Optus outage disrupts Triple Zero calls

Victoria Police conducted dozens of welfare checks after an Optus outage disrupted Triple Zero emergency calls in several states. The outage, which occurred on Thursday, affected customers in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

22 days ago
Community
Bendigo and Geelong consider light rail revival

A proposal to revive light rail in Bendigo has been put forward by the city's heritage body, with the goal of improving connectivity for residents and visitors. The plan involves a short city-centre tram route linking the Bendigo Station with the retail core and continuing to the Bendigo Art Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Oval precinct.

22 days ago
Community
Bandidos Motorcycle Gang Member Charged Over Melton Blaze

A 32-year-old Bandidos motorcycle gang member has been charged over a Melton fire that left a man fighting for life. The suspect was arrested after a suspicious fire at a shop in Taylors Lakes.

22 days ago
Community
The Beat of Inclusion: How Deafness and Classical Music Intertwine

Deaf audiences have been enjoying classical music for centuries, with some of the most renowned composers creating their masterpieces after losing their hearing. Today, Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are finding innovative ways to experience and engage with music, from Auslan interpretation to haptic technology.

22 days ago
Community
Truck Driver Charged Over Fatal Bendigo Crash That Killed Teenager Thom Hosking

A truck driver involved in a fatal crash in Bendigo last October has been charged with several offences, including dangerous driving causing death. The crash claimed the life of 15-year-old Girton Grammar student Thom Hosking.

23 days ago
Community
Man jailed for 17 years over manslaughter of Victorian Airbnb owner

A 63-year-old man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for killing a 60-year-old Victorian Airbnb owner and burning down her home. Maree Vermont's body was found in the ashes of her hand-built stone house at Goldie, near Kilmore, in 2023.

23 days ago
Community
Former Irymple teacher spared jail after requesting stories about underage boys

A former teacher from a north-west Victorian secondary school has avoided jail after admitting to soliciting child abuse material. Harley James Caldwell, 32, was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order.

23 days ago
Community
Bandidos Member Arrested in Melton Tobacco Store Fire Investigation

Detectives have arrested several people, including a Bandidos member, in connection with an alleged arson attack at a Melton tobacconist. A 23-year-old man remains in critical condition with life-altering burns after setting himself on fire during the attack.

23 days ago
Community
Illicit tobacco crackdown: Six Melbourne stores forced to shut down

Six stores in Melbourne have been ordered to close for up to 90 days due to breaches related to illicit tobacco sales. The closures are part of a crackdown by Tobacco Licensing Victoria inspectors, who have been given new powers to shut down offending retailers.

23 days ago
Community
Swan Hill Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Car with Baby Inside

A 51-year-old Swan Hill man has been arrested and charged after allegedly stealing a car with a baby inside in Victoria's north-west. The seven-month-old baby was later found uninjured on the side of the Murray Valley Highway.

23 days ago
Community
Luke Sayers apologises unreservedly in lewd photo defamation case settlement

A long-running defamation case between Luke Sayers and his ex-wife Cate Sayers over a lewd photo has been settled, with Mr Sayers issuing an unreserved apology. The case had played out in the public eye over the past year, with Mr Sayers previously denying posting the photo and claiming his account had been hacked.

23 days ago
Community
Imitation Gun Found at Melbourne Primary School

An imitation gun was found sealed in a plastic bag at Princes Hill Primary School in Melbourne's inner north yesterday. Police attended the school and removed the item, which they believe to be an imitation firearm.

23 days ago
Community
Bacon and ham thrown at Warragul Mosque in suspected Islamophobic attack

A man was filmed throwing bacon and ham at the Warragul Mosque in regional Victoria, an act that community leaders have described as hateful. The incident has left the Muslim community feeling saddened and targeted.

23 days ago
Community
Qantas backflips on wheelchair funding after advocacy

Qantas has agreed to replace a powered wheelchair damaged beyond repair on one of its flights, after initially refusing to cover the full cost of a new chair. The airline's backflip comes after advocacy from the wheelchair's owner, Akii Ngo, who had been seeking reimbursement for the costly damage.

23 days ago
Community
Dookie residents rejoice as government scraps renewable energy zone plans

Residents in Dookie are celebrating after the state government scrapped plans for a renewable energy zone in the region. The decision comes after a fierce round of feedback from residents who argued the zone was not suitable for prime agricultural land.

24 days ago
Community
Victoria Tops Nation in Theft and Robbery Claims, Insurers Call for Urgent Action

Victoria is leading the nation in theft and robbery claims, with over $300 million in insurance claims made in the 2025-26 financial year. The Insurance Council has called for urgent action to address the issue, citing a car stolen or broken into every 43 minutes and a home broken into every two hours.

24 days ago
Community
Drink-driving police officer in Dezi Freeman search handed job back

A police officer involved in the hunt for Dezi Freeman who was sacked for drink driving on duty has been handed his job back. The sergeant was driving an unmarked police car with guns inside when he rear-ended another vehicle in Berwick last year.

24 days ago
Community
Fake Port Fairy Artist Scam Raises Concerns About 'Ghost Stores'

A fake online store claiming to sell handmade glassware by a non-existent artist has been scamming Port Fairy residents, raising concerns about the impact of 'ghost stores' on local artists and consumers. The scam has prompted warnings about the need for caution when shopping online and the importance of supporting genuine local artists.

24 days ago
Community
Jury hears details of fatal crash at Stawell burnout event

A jury is hearing a trial for a driver accused of culpable driving causing death after a teenage spectator was killed at a burnout event in Stawell, Victoria, in 2023. The driver, Bryce Driden, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

24 days ago
Community
VAFA denies gender bias as women's football clubs express frustration

Victoria's largest amateur football league is facing criticism from multiple clubs over its handling of women's competitions, with players and administrators claiming the women's competition is being treated as secondary. The league has strongly refuted allegations of gender bias, but several clubs have expressed disappointment and frustration with the league's management of the women's competition.

24 days ago
Community
Brothers Charged with Murder over Fatal Shooting in Thomastown

Two men have been charged with murder over the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Daniel Hussein in Thomastown on Father's Day. The brothers, aged 19 and 20, appeared in court on Thursday night and were remanded in custody.

24 days ago
Community
Councils call for flexibility on mandatory glass recycling bins

Councils are rallying against a requirement for purple-lid glass recycling bins to be rolled out to all homes by mid-next year. The Victorian government says it will work with councils to finalise rules for household waste and recycling services ahead of the July 2027 deadline.

24 days ago
Community
New Spirit of Tasmania ferries' full capacity not yet bookable

The new Spirit of Tasmania ferries boast increased capacity for cars and caravans, but bookings for the additional space are not yet available. The ferries' inaugural sailings are set for October 31, but passengers are facing limited availability for car and caravan bookings.

24 days ago
Community
Grief-stricken family recalls 'beautiful' mum killed by drunk driver

A grieving family has remembered a loving mother of four as a selfless woman who left an unimaginable void after she was killed in a head-on crash by a drunk driver. The family is struggling to cope with the loss.

25 days ago
Community
Tragedy Strikes: Community Mourns Deaths of Two Young Children in Melbourne Crash

A community is mourning the tragic deaths of two young children, Ossama El Hawli, 11, and Sarah El Hawli, seven, in a single-vehicle crash west of Melbourne. The incident has left the community in shock, with condolences pouring in for the family.

25 days ago
Community
Council Cracks Down on Smart Glasses in Public Facilities

A Melbourne council has voted to ban smart glasses from its public facilities due to concerns about vulnerable community members being secretly filmed. The move aims to protect children, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals from being covertly recorded.

25 days ago
Community
ISIS bride Zeinab Ahmad's bail denied again over alleged slavery offences

A Melbourne woman accused of owning and mistreating a slave has had her bail denied by a court for the second time. Zeinab Ahmad, who has been charged with enslavement and use of a slave, was refused bail despite her defence team arguing that her young daughter would face further suffering if separated from her.

25 days ago
Community
Tragedy Strikes: Second Child Dies in 4WD Rollover West of Melbourne

A second child has died after a 4WD rollover in Parwan, west of Melbourne, on Tuesday afternoon. An 11-year-old boy died overnight after being flown to hospital with critical injuries.

25 days ago
Community
Man charged over alleged axe attack on family members in Victoria's east

A Victorian man has been charged with three counts of intentionally causing serious injury, after allegedly assaulting his family with an axe. Peter O'Ryan was arrested by police on Tuesday night after being on the run for several days following Saturday's alleged attack.

25 days ago
Community
Victims of youth crime to be warned of offenders' release under new Victorian system

Victims of youth crime in Victoria will soon have a formal way to receive notifications when their offenders are set to be released from prison or have an upcoming parole hearing. The changes will allow families and victims of certain crimes to apply for a register that currently only applies to adult offenders.

25 days ago
Community
Fatal Car Crash in Parwan Claims Life of School-Aged Child

A child has died in a single-vehicle rollover west of Melbourne, while six others have been taken to hospital with injuries. One of those children had critical injuries and was flown to the Royal Children's Hospital.

26 days ago
Community
Calls for Independent Inquiry Grow Over Abuse Allegations at Latrobe Special Developmental School

Advocacy group Voices for Special Needs is demanding an independent inquiry into claims of physical, mental, and sexual abuse at Latrobe Special Developmental School. Premier Ben Carroll stated the government is working with authorities but has not committed to an independent investigation.

about 1 month ago
Community
Terrifying Outback Encounter: Victorian Tourists Charged by Wild Buffalo in Nitmiluk National Park

Two young Victorian tourists are recovering after being charged and trampled by a feral buffalo on a popular hiking trail in Nitmiluk National Park.

about 1 month ago
Community
Border Town Outraged Over Victoria’s Sluggish Response to Growing Bird Flu Crisis

Frustrated residents in the Victorian border town of Nelson are demanding urgent action as hundreds of bird carcasses pile up, contrasting the state's passive approach with active cleanup efforts in nearby South Australia.

about 1 month ago
Community
Fitzroy Community School Co-Founder Faye Berryman Suspended by Teaching Watchdog

The Victorian Institute of Teaching has suspended the registration of Fitzroy Community School co-founder Faye Berryman. The 82-year-old and other family members face ongoing regulatory and police investigations.

about 1 month ago