Victoria’s month of free public transport has begun. It means free trains, trams and buses – metro and regional – every day until the end of April.
Passengers won’t have to touch on with their myki – all myki gates will be open. Myki passes (such as a yearly) will automatically be paused, to resume after April. V/Line passengers will not need a ticket but will still need to make a free booking.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has decided to formally conclude its Sister City relationship with Tokai City in Japan, after more than 15 years of friendship and cooperation.
A review found that the relationship no longer fits current strategic, economic, or community goals, with limited engagement since the Covid-19 pandemic. The council will write to Tokai City to respectfully close the partnership.

Clunes Booktown Festival has closed the gates on its 20th anniversary festival – and the numbers tell a story.
The festival featured a record 150 booksellers, 19 talks and panel discussions, six workshops, 11 bands and a roving cast including 70 performers from Ballarat Centre of Music and The Arts, Phoenix Academy of the Arts, The Hopefuls from Bonkel Theatre and The Funky Lizards – plus 11 Kids Village sessions that kept the next generation of readers thoroughly entertained.

Daylesford’s Phoenix Cinema has memberships available for $50 or $30 concession, with benefits including discounted ticket prices, access to special screenings and priority updates on forthcoming events and exclusive cinema experiences.
A special Early Bird incentive means those who join will enjoy a 15-month membership. A free Associate Membership is on offer for those under 18.

A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found discrimination against trans and gender diverse people is widespread – with serious impacts on safety, access to essential services and full participation in society.
Released on the International Trans Day of Visibility, Equal Identities examines the barriers trans and gender diverse people in Australia face in having their right to equality, dignity and respect upheld.
The review found consistent and distressing patterns of discrimination across schools and universities, healthcare, workplaces, housing and the justice system.
The Equal Identities report makes 19 recommendations for reform, grounded in Australia’s human rights obligations. These include nationally consistent laws that protect against vilification and violence, urgent improvements to data collection so services meet real needs, and system changes that make safety, dignity and equal treatment a lived reality.
“Trans and gender diverse people are part of every Australian community,” Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody said.
“They contribute to our families and society, and they are entitled to equal respect under the law like anyone else. But too often, their rights are not realised.
“The experiences shared with the commission show when there are gaps in legal protections, when services aren’t designed for everyone, and when data is missing or inaccurate, people are left out. The consequences can be devastating.”
The findings are organised around three themes: being safe, being seen and heard, and being able to participate on equal terms.
The commission noted the review is released amid heightened public discussion around gender, including the spread of harmful stereotypes online that promote restricted ideas about gender roles.
Dr Cody said the report makes clear the need for urgent action.
“The politicisation of trans peoples’ lives – including dehumanising trans people – must end. Leaders, institutions and media all have a responsibility to promote safety, dignity and inclusion.”
Words: Kyle Barnes

The Musk Fire Brigade and the Bullarto Hall Committee present the family-friendly 2026 Bullarto Bush Dance.
All proceeds will go to the Musk CFA to raise funds for the purchase of a brigade-owned light tanker. Since 1943, the Musk Bush Fire Brigade has protected the small but growing community.
The dance will be held at the Bullarto Hall on Saturday, May 9 from 5.30pm. There will be delicious food available, a licensed bar, a door prize and a raffle of the area’s finest produce. Campfires outside will keep everyone warm – along with the dancing.
Local MC Bruce Rolfe will be the dance caller to get everyone in the dancing mood with music performances by local bands Barbed Wire Canoe and the Wombat Ramblers – including Cat & Clint, pictured.

Cat & Clint have etched an indelible mark on the folk and roots scene in Australia and overseas, with their fresh interpretations of old-time music. Drawing inspiration from 78RPM records, tradition bearers, archival and contemporary music alike, they have built an eclectic repertoire that defies linear time and place.
Tickets: www.events.humanitix.com/bullarto-bush-dance-2026
Tickets are $35 with kids under 16 free. If people are unable to come along please consider donating to the Musk CFA via www.gofund.me/d330c305e
With fire risks driven by climate change, denser populations, and increased tourism, the single tanker is no longer enough. The brigade is seeking the community’s help to purchase a much-needed light tanker to expand its capabilities and protect what matters most – homes, forests, businesses and the people who make the region special.
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/bullarto-bush-dance-2026
Donations to Light Tanker: https://gofund.me/d330c305e

Sunday, April 12 marks the 11th birthday of the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Clunes’ heritage main street, the market has grown into a much-loved and well-supported monthly gathering.
People spend their time wandering through the diverse line-up of stalls offering seasonal produce, artisan breads and baked goods, local honey, preserves, handmade crafts, pet treats, plants, garden art, local wine and unique gifts while also browsing through store fronts finding tucked-away treasures and unveiling hidden gems.
The market’s focus is to support small producers and makers, keeping local as much as possible, and giving back to the wonderful community.
Beyond the produce and products, the market has become a vibrant social hub where friends catch up over coffee, families enjoy a relaxing morning out, and visitors experience the warm welcome and atmosphere that Clunes offers.
The April birthday is a special moment to reflect on how much the market continues to grow. Special thanks to the volunteers, stallholders and loyal visitors who have helped it flourish and continue to keep the market vibrant, and full of life.
Everyone is invited to join the birthday celebrations and experience the flavours, creativity, and community spirit that the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market has become known for.
Whether a regular or a first-time visitor, April’s market is the perfect opportunity to join in on the celebration, meet the people behind the stalls, and experience one of regional Victoria’s most welcoming markets.
With kids’ activities, live music and food vendors, the aim for market day is to feel like a top tiny town celebration. Come along and help celebrate on Sunday, April 12 from 9am-1pm at Fraser Street, Clunes.

A groundbreaking new study tracking almost 2,000 young Australians for a decade has challenged a long-held assumption about depression and physical health, finding disrupted sleep was a stronger predictor of later insulin resistance rather than weight gain.

The research from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre found that weight gain is not the main reason depression is linked to later insulin resistance, which is an early marker of diabetes and heart disease.

Instead, the research points to irregular sleep-wake cycles and ongoing sleep disruption as a key and often overlooked pathway connecting mental health issues in youth to physical illness years later.

Professor Ian Hickie from the Brain and Mind Centre said the results pointed to a significant missed opportunity for early intervention.

“Weight didn’t explain the link between depression and later metabolic risk, the signal was already there years earlier, and it was evident in disrupted sleep,” Professor Hickie said.

“The physical health consequences of depression may start much earlier than we realise, and in ways that aren’t visible or noticeable at first. One of the earliest signs is disrupted sleep-wake cycles. If we wait until people gain weight or develop diabetes, we may have missed a critical window for intervention among young adults.”

Dr Jacob Crouse, a Senior Research Fellow at the Brain and Mind Centre, said that such sleep disturbances can be improved with simple lifestyle changes.

“There are easily implementable behavioural changes we can all make that have powerful effects on how well we sleep and how our biological clocks function, like waking up at the same time each morning, getting exposure to sunlight every day (via walking, exercising, or simply sitting by a window), and turning the lights down when the sun sets. Such strategies might have important flow-on effects for our mental and metabolic health.”

The study followed more than 1,700 Australians over a decade from their early 20s into their 30s and is one of the first of its kind to track this link in a community-based sample, before obesity or chronic illness typically appear.

The findings show that metabolic risk, which include insulin resistance, poor blood sugar regulation and increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, can begin silently in young people who show no obvious signs of ill-health.

Grants have been announced to help 16 Victorian schools partner with local artists and organisations in terms 2-4.

Children will be able to tap into their creative side and learn new skills, without their parents having to find extra time and money for similar activities outside school.

The 2026 recipients will share in $360,000 through the Creative Learning Partnerships program.

They include Melbourne Indigenous Transition School, which will work with creative and social change organisation Storyscape and First Nations audio app Yalinguth. Students will take part in visual arts and storytelling workshops and create a short film showcasing their work.

Victorian College for the Deaf will partner with the Potter Museum of Art on a multilingual project.

At Seymour College, students will use second-hand materials to create costumes for a runway performance and exhibition.

Students across all year levels at Inglewood Primary School will work with drama, storytelling and filmmaking company The Storey Players to create a multimedia production about the untold story of Inglewood.

Creative Learning Partnerships is a collaboration between Creative Victoria and the Department of Education.

It is the Victorian Government’s longest running creative grants program.

Established in 1982, it’s supported residencies for more than 1,650 creative practitioners, upskilled close to 4,000 teachers and brought creativity and learning together for more than 76,000 Victorian students.

For more information on Creative Learning Partnerships, or to see the full list of 2026 recipients, visit creative.vic.gov.au.

Across the state, Victoria’s multicultural communities are being given a direct voice in shaping inclusive, accessible and safe healthcare.

The Victorian Multicultural Health Survey says better care starts with listening, and this survey will identify barriers, improve access and deliver services that meet multicultural community needs.

This is all about making sure healthcare is free, safe and close to home, so it works better for every Victorian.

From access to interpreters and translated information to tackling discrimination in service delivery – the survey will drive change where it’s needed most.

Survey insights will be shared through a Listening Report later in the year.

This will help to guide future policy planning and the next Multicultural Health Action Plan. 

The survey is available in 14 community languages including Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese and Punjabi.

It can be completed via Engage Victoria or through a local community engagement session close to home.

The survey is now open and closes on 31 May 2026.

For more information and to have your say, visit engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-multicultural-health-survey.  

Twenty new paramedics will soon hit the road.

The first cohort of 2026 brings the total number of new paramedics this financial year to 248.

The graduates commenced their four-week induction to Ambulance Victoria last Monday which will cover things like clinical education, driving, manual handling and occupational violence.

The course builds on the knowledge and experience gained during their three-year university degree.

They will then hit roads across the state at the end of April to commence their on-road training – in a boost for branches across the state as Ambulance Victoria continues to experience record demand.

Six graduates will be placed in metro Melbourne including in Melton, St Albans and Hadfield.

The other 14 graduates will be placed across regional Victoria – including in Barwon, Gippsland and the Grampians.

The state government continues to back our ambos with more resources, training and development opportunities so they can provide more specialised, lifesaving care.

That includes investing more than $2 billion in ambulance services and growing the on-road workforce by more than 50 per cent.

Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll has announced that bosses who breach falls safety standards doubled their chance of landing in court last year – with WorkSafe charging 67 employers with falls-related breaches and issuing $3.75 million in court fines, more than twice the number of charges and fines in 2024.  

There is no excuse for employers failing to keep workers safe when working from heights, with WorkSafe tightening their enforcement approach to catch offending bosses before safety breaches lead to death or injury.

Tragically, 11 workers were killed by a fall from height last year, with the vast majority in the construction industry.

This means more needs to be done – not only through enforcement, but also by investing in falls education.

Construction businesses with up to 200 employees can now access a free online falls prevention program to learn how to reduce risk, protect workers and support safe work.

WorkSafe’s latest campaign focusing on falls safety also kicked off this month, running across print, radio, outdoor, social media and online until the end of June.

The campaign also covers manual handling – the number one cause of injuries in construction, and silica dust – a major preventable hazard in the sector.

Employers can register for the free online workshops at worksafe.vic.gov.au/construction/falls-basics.

Cooler conditions across Victoria may suggest reduced haystack fire risk, but moist hay continues to heat internally and remains a significant hazard.
Producers are urged to maintain regular monitoring of baled and stacked hay, as no current technology reliably tracks internal hay temperatures.
Dairy Extension Officer, Michele Jolliffe said the real danger in hay is what you can’t see, so regular checks remain the strongest protection against fire.
‘Simple actions like testing temperatures and watching for warning signs can prevent a heating haystack from becoming a dangerous ignition,’ said Ms Jolliffe.
‘Warning signs such as steam, roof condensation, mould, acrid smells or humid air near stacks should prompt immediate checks to prevent heat buildup and potential ignition.’
‘Most heating occurs within the first fortnight after baling, although hay can still reach ignition point up to eight weeks later especially during fluctuating autumn temperatures.’
‘Cooler weather can hide the risk, but moisture in hay can still spark trouble if vigilance drops,’ said Ms Jolliffe.
Using a crowbar inserted for two hours remains an effective temperature test, and a bar too hot to hold indicates a dangerous internal temperature above 70°C.
If hay is heating, stacks should be carefully pulled apart to release heat, with water supply and trained personnel on standby to prevent ignition.
Producers should avoid walking on stacks due to potential internal charring, any extra weight on the stack may cause the stack to collapse and cause serious injury.
If there is the slightest risk of a fire starting due to wet hay, never keep machinery in the hayshed and don’t allow children to play in or near heating stacks.
Further information on hay fire risks is available on the CFA website, and seasonal support is accessible at agriculture.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are back in the pockets of Victorians.

More than 3 billion cans and bottles have been recycled through the state government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

As a result, more than $300 million dollars has been refunded.

The surge in recycling is also supporting local charities, community organisations and sporting clubs who turn to CDS Vic as a dependable fundraising source.

Scouts Victoria has raised $121,000 through fundraising to help young Victorians attend camps and experiences across the state.

The Good Friday Appeal has raised more than $102,000 through CDS Vic thanks to the generosity of Victorians.

The South Oakleigh Bowls Club has raised $2,350 by collecting and returning more than 17,000 containers to date, helping fund facility upgrades and new equipment.

Before CDS Vic launched, drink containers were one of the most littered items in Victoria. Now, 3 billion have been diverted from landfill and remade into new similar products.

This scheme helps keep our streets and parks clean and has created around 600 jobs in the recycling industry.

It has never been easier to help keep waste out of landfill and litter out of the environment, with 600 convenient deposit points across the state.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham

Neil Robertson – April 11, 3pm – 5pm (free show)
Justin Bernasconi – April 25, 3pm – 5pm (free show)

Leavers Hotel, Creswick

A variety of great acts over the CresFest music festival weekend, April 10-12, will feature at Leavers. Featured artists include Makepisi, Victoriana Gaye Trio, Ballahornication, Lucy Wise, Liz Frencham, Hoodoo Mayhem, Archer and Friends, and Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham (Waifs), pictured, And that’s just the Sunday, full program online.

Palais Hepburn, Hepburn

Marty Rose Band | The Colour Of Sound – Wednesday, April 8, 6.30pm (free)
Chocolate Starfish – Saturday, April 11, 6.30pm
One of These Nights: Celebration of The Eagles – Sunday, April 12, 2pm