The state government is helping regional communities showcase the best of Victoria, providing funding to 40 agricultural and pastoral societies to deliver projects that families and visitors can enjoy. 

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced 40 recipients of the 2025 Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program, with a total investment of more than $300,000 – supporting projects that bring communities together and promote Victoria’s agricultural industry.

Victoria’s regional shows celebrate the heart of their communities, showcasing everything from fresh produce and handmade craft, making them a must visit destination throughout the vibrant spring and summer seasons.

The program supports projects and activities promoting agriculture, improving infrastructure and upgrading amenities for community use during annual agricultural shows and events – ensuring these shows remain a vibrant hub for families, volunteers, and visitors alike.

The Myrtleford and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society will use their $10,000 grant to upgrade the indoor area of the cattle pavilion, while Sunbury Agricultural Society will use their similar grant to increase storage space and provide livestock with more shelter.

The Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society received $10,000 to install new cattle enclosures, while the Royal Geelong Agricultural & Pastoral Society was awarded $7,350 to repair the sheep pavilion roof at the Geelong Showgrounds – improving facilities and enhancing the experience for visitors at these much-loved regional shows.

The Rochester Agricultural and Pastoral Association secured a $10,000 grant to install new grandstand seating, creating more space for locals and visitors to enjoy the excitement of shows in comfort and style.

Applicants which are successful are granted up to $10,000 to support infrastructure development and upgrades, with more than $300,000 granted to 40 societies.

The state government is holding privatised electricity distribution companies to account, helping to protect local communities from power outages due to extreme weather events. 

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio has introduced nation leading legislation to Parliament to require electricity distribution businesses develop and publish five-yearly resilience plans, with penalties for non-compliance.

Victoria’s electricity distribution network was privatised by the government in the 1990s and is now owned and operated by private companies with network expenditure approved on a five-yearly basis by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

Victoria was the first state to force distribution businesses to start planning for resilience last year by changing national rules to make sure the AER considers network resilience when assessing five-yearly network plans. This change complements the new Victorian requirement to publish separate network resilience plans.

If passed, the new legislation will obligate network companies to submit Network Resilience Plans to Victoria’s independent regulator, Energy Safe Victoria.

Energy Safe Victoria will ensure that companies implement their plans and invest in solutions that will help to keep the power on for Victorians – non-compliance could result a $1.2 million penalty.

These reforms are critical to delivering reliable power supply to Victorians, especially those susceptible to extreme weather, and vulnerable people such as the elderly and life-support customers.

Examples of investments that could form part of resilience plans include batteries, stand-alone power systems, and additional feeder lines to remote communities.

The new laws are the latest in a series of actions following the Victorian Government’s 2022 independent Electricity Distribution Network Resilience Review. For more information, visit energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages.

The state government is standing with school communities affected by January’s devastating bushfires. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced the schools in areas most impacted by recent bushfires that will share in $2 million of additional funding to address the immediate mental health and wellbeing needs of students.

The funding will be delivered as a top-up to impacted public schools’ existing Schools Mental Health Fund, enabling them to purchase additional evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support.

Schools were identified based on direct bushfire impacts to facilities and communities, including where students and staff have experienced loss of property or disruption.

This will provide impacted public schools with access to increased recovery and wellbeing support, focusing on trauma-informed support as well as disaster, grief and loss programs.

This boost supports the government’s Recovery and Resilience Model for schools, an evidence-based framework which includes the core features of routine and safety, health and wellbeing, belonging and connectedness.

New uniforms, books and other educational items can also be replaced through State Schools’ Relief. Schools can also apply for additional support through the School Breakfast Club Program.

For a list of schools identified to receive this funding, visit www.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-bushfire-affected-schools.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is inviting nominations for the 2026 Macedon Ranges Community Awards celebrating inspiring individuals, groups, and initiatives that make an outstanding contribution to community life across the shire.
There are eight award categories open for nominations which are open until Sunday, February 22. Award recipients will be announced during National Volunteer Week in May. Visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Community-Awards

The Daylesford Community Op Shop has temporarily closed after receiving a donation infested with bed bugs.
Spokesperson Michelle Clifford said already the community had raised $2525 with a further $1000 from the Daylesford Rotary Club to help the shop through its crisis. “We have spent roughly $6000 to keep our community safe which was imperative to our ethics and mission with most likely $8000 in stock gone to a special hazard control tip.” Michelle thanked RCC Washroom Services, Dawson’s Australia Pest Control, Blooms The Chemist, Springs Medical, Daylesford Sunday Market, Hepburn Shire Council, Daylesford Rotary Club, Baker’s Delight Daylesford, Daylesford Meat Co, Istra Smallgoods, Community Bank Daylesford District, Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, Jubilee Lake Holiday Park, Macedon Ranges Insurance and Daylesford Bakery. Donations can be made to Daylesford Community Bank. Acc Daylesford Community Op Shop. BSB: 633000 Account: 145 943 866. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Lyster Opera is delighted to present Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice at Creswick Town Hall on Saturday, March 14 at 2pm as part of the company’s 2026 regional Victorian tour.
Now in its 10th year, Lyster Opera is known for touring high-quality professional opera to regional communities across Victoria, with a strong commitment to accessibility and audience connection. For the first time, the company is touring with a full chamber orchestra, bringing new musical depth and immediacy to this landmark work. Thanks to the generosity of Lyster Opera’s sponsors, this significant artistic expansion has been achieved without any increase in ticket prices.
Christoph Willibald Gluck composed the Paris version of Orpheus and Eurydice in 1774, expanding and refining the score and assigning the title role to a tenor. Lyster Opera is proud to feature acclaimed tenor Hew Wagner as Orphée in the Creswick performance. One of the most demanding roles in the operatic repertoire, Orphée requires exceptional stamina, expressive depth, and dramatic intensity – qualities for which Wagner is widely admired.
The opera tells the ancient Greek story of Orpheus, devastated by the death of his wife Eurydice. Permitted by the Gods to journey into the underworld, he confronts the terrifying Furies of Hades and is reunited with Eurydice, only to face a cruel test of love, trust, and human frailty.
While the Orpheus myth continues to inspire new adaptations, Gluck’s emotionally direct and profoundly human setting remains the definitive operatic interpretation. This production is directed by Jamie Moffat, with Pamela Christie providing musical direction and conducting the chamber orchestra. New designs by Blair Parkinson (sets) and Maddy Connellan (costumes) create a vivid and immersive theatrical world to complement Gluck’s powerful score.
Orpheus and Eurydice tours regional Victoria between February and April, with the Creswick performance offering audiences the opportunity to experience one of opera’s great masterpieces—performed live, locally, and at an accessible price.
Tickets: Available from lysteropera.com.au or by calling 0410 890 388.

The early days of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham.
This hotel was built by Joseph Bickley and wife Sarah Pye in 1863. It consisted of two sitting rooms and five bedrooms. It was originally known as Bickley’s Hotel and was open in 1863 as evidenced by the Kyneton Observer dated December 12, 1863.
“An inquest was held on Thursday last by the District Coroner Dr Geary, at Bickley’s Hotel Trentham.”
The hotel was well positioned in Trentham and besides being used as a morgue and for the undertaking of coroner’s inquests, it was the drop-off point for the Cobb & Co. Coach from 1864, with stabling out the back. The mail coach running between Mount Blackwood and Kyneton from 1866, also stopped at the hotel. Joseph would have been busy with a family, a hotel business and sowing crops on his acreage in Tylden.
The Kyneton Guardian of December 30, 1868 shows a change of hands for the hotel. We learn that Mr Joseph Bickley retired into private life at the end of the year, having let his hotel to Mr George South, late senior constable in charge of Trentham. Mr Bickley had recently added to his hotel a splendid two-storied structure, composed of wood and lined with brick, the lower story being one spacious ballroom.
By August 1869, George South had renamed Bickley’s Hotel as Blue Mountain Hotel. He remained as the publican till 1872 when the Kyneton Guardian of October 5, 1872 states “George South has removed to his new House, South’s Hotel, Trentham where he will be happy to see his Old Friends. Good Liquor. Free Stabling for Travellers, with Good Yard Accommodation”.
Joseph Bickley came out of retirement and was the publican again. He renamed the hotel Bickley’s Commercial Hotel, as evidenced by Victorian Petty Sessions records dated December 10, 1873. He remained there till 1875 when he put the place up for sale. Another name change occurred as evidenced by the Kyneton Observer of May 13, 1875 “For Sale Bickley’s Cosmopolitan Hotel Trentham, now doing a large business, will be sold on Liberal terms. Full particulars on application to Mr Bickley, on the premises, or J. H. K. Buscombe, Kyneton”.
The hotel was sold to Edmond Sutton Slee who had acquired a publican’s licence by December 1875. It also obtained a billiard table licence in 1878. He continued to run the hotel for a further two years until late 1880 when William Byrne, the son-in-law of Joseph Bickley took over as the publican.
The hotel was then known as Byrne’s Cosmopolitan Hotel. By 1889 small business operations were open along the High Street side of the hotel. These included Joseph Thomas Hall who was a grocer, draper, ironmonger and general storekeeper and William Hunt who was a bootmaker. Business must have been challenging at this time because in 1895 Byrne advertised for new tenants for his shops in The Age, March 18, 1895. “General Store, Butchery, good position, rising township Trentham, excellent opening cash store. W. Byrne, Trentham.”
Travelling businesses were also hosted by this hotel from the early 1900s. They operated in the billiard room and included dentists and surgeon dentists who attended the second and last Tuesdays of the month, lawyers who attended the first and third Friday of the month and solicitors who attended on court days. It would have been lucrative for both the businesses and the hotelkeeper.
William remained the publican until his death on July 3, 1923, aged 78 years after which his wife Georgina took over the licence. She remained as the publican until her death on July 16, 1932, aged 74 years when Maud M. Byrne took over the running of the hotel, pending probate of her mother’s will. Maud M. Byrne eventually had the licence transferred into her name in January 1936.
In 1937, the District Licensing Board had decided to reduce the amount of drinking establishments in the area. The Cosmopolitan was delicenced and ceased trade on December 31, 1937. The end of an era for Trentham at this time but eventually the place would have a rebirth.

“The many friends of Mr and Mrs W. Byrne, of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham, will be pleased to learn that their adopted son, Lieutenant Leslie Byrne, has been awarded the Military Cross. This young soldier, an ex-pupil of the Trentham State School has seen three and a half years’ service.”

Joseph Bickley and William Byrne

Images: Joseph Bickley: Amanda Curran | Trentham Historical Society

A tiny zebra fish is helping researchers rapidly determine whether a newborn’s genetic mutation is likely to cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), one of the leading causes of infant mortality worldwide.

The world-first research, led by Dr Jean Giacomotto from Griffith University’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, has featured on the front cover of EMBO Molecular Medicine this month (January).

Dr Giacomotto said: “SMA is a genetic disorder which causes progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and loss of basic motor functions.”

“Without treatment, SMA is typically fatal, and while highly effective therapies now exist, they can exceed US$2 million per child per year and must be initiated before symptoms appear such as when a baby is able to sit but lacks sufficient neck strength to hold their head steady.

“If treatment starts after the emergence of these symptoms, the child will have already experienced irreversible degenerative damage, leading to life-long problems and possibly death within the first years of life.

“When a baby carries a mutation which has never been seen before, known as a ‘variant of uncertain significance or VUS’, clinicians face an impossible dilemma – start treatment immediately, risk unnecessary intervention, or wait and risk irreversible nerve damage.”

To solve this, Dr Giacomotto and his team developed a rapid zebrafish-based functional assay which could determine the pathogenicity of a novel SMN1 mutation within days, potentially informing urgent clinical decisions worldwide.

“Within a clinically meaningful timeframe, we were able to functionally test each baby’s exact mutation and show it was not harmful,” Dr Giacomotto said.

“This research provides the clearest demonstration to date that zebrafish can play a decisive role in clinical variant interpretation, particularly in newborns flagged through expanding genomic screening programs.

“With genomic sequencing rising worldwide, clinicians are encountering more and more uncertain variants.

“This tiny fish offers a fast and affordable way to help resolve these cases and reduce distress for families.”

The research titled ‘Clinical relevance of zebrafish for gene variants testing: Proof-of principle with SMN1/SMA’ has been published and featured as front cover in EMBO Molecular Medicine

People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID experience a disruption to their brain connectivity during a mentally demanding task.

The new Griffith University research, published this week, used ultra-high field MRI technology to investigate the significant reduction in brain connectivity in specific parts of the brain.

Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases said there were common symptoms experienced by people with ME/CFS or Long COVID with this study focusing on neurological features.

“The symptoms include cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems, difficulties with attention and concentration, and slowed thinking,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.

Lead author and PhD candidate Maira Inderyas said the study saw participants undertake a cognitive test while inside the MRI machine to gauge their brain activity.

“The task, called a Stroop task, was displayed to the participants on a screen during the scan, and required participants to ignore conflicting information and focus on the correct response, which places high demands on the brain’s executive function and inhibitory control,” Ms Inderyas said.

“The set up allowed us to precisely measure which areas of the brain were activated while the patient was performing a mentally demanding task.

“The scans show changes in the brain regions which may contribute to cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and slower thinking.”

The research supported what many people with ME/CFS and Long COVID experience which was that cognitive effort was not just tiring but could have real neurological impacts, and adequate rest was not optional but essential.

The ultra-high field MRI used in the study was one of only two available in Australia.

The research was funded by ME Research UK and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation.

The paper ‘Distinct functional connectivity patterns in myalgic encephalomyelitis and Long COVID patients during cognitive fatigue: a 7 Tesla task-fMRI study’ has been published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

Ambulance Victoria (AV) staff and volunteers have banded together over the last few weeks to provide emergency care to fire-affected communities across Victoria, with recent efforts going towards supporting the recovery of injured wildlife.

AV has donated medical supplies that are no longer used for patient care, but are still safe and appropriate for animal treatment, to Nigel’s Animal Rescue to assist with caring for animals affected by the fires.

Working on the frontline, AV Regional Improvement Lead Jo Algie saw firsthand the devastation caused by the recent bushfires and wanted to do all she could to help those in need.

“It’s a difficult time for so many people across our state who have lost so much, and my heart goes out to all of them,” she said.

“After hearing about wildlife shelters and organisations who were overrun with animals in need, I thought it would be a great way to keep the products we can no longer use out of landfill.

“Unfortunately, some of our medical supplies have a short shelf life for patients, despite being unopened and in perfect condition. 

“I made a call out to other AV staff and volunteers and was overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity; the camaraderie has been unbelievable.”

Similar donations have been made by AV’s regional branches such as Wodonga and Shepparton, with supplies going to local wildlife organisations in those areas.

Giving new life to products isn’t a new thing for AV, with items such as de-badged uniforms, shoes and medical supplies being donated to various organisations in the past year.

More information on donating to Nigels Animal Rescue.

The state government is helping drive down power bills and delivering local jobs, with early works beginning on the SEC Delburn Wind Farm near the Latrobe Valley.

Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio recently visited the SEC Delburn Wind Farm site, where construction will begin in March ahead of operations starting in 2028.

The 33-turbine wind farm will have a generation capacity of up to 205 megawatts of renewable energy to the electricity grid, enough to power more than 130,000 homes with renewable power. The SEC will hold 100 per cent ownership of the project.

The project will bring significant local economic benefits, including more than 300 local jobs and more than $22 million in neighbour and community benefit sharing programs over its operational life.

The SEC and its partners are inviting local businesses and suppliers to be part of the project, creating opportunities for Gippsland-based companies and workers to support the wind farm’s construction and long-term operations, strengthening the region’s local supply chain.

The Latrobe Valley has a highly skilled local workforce with decades of energy generation expertise and an established transmission network ready to connect renewable energy to the grid.

The SEC is well on track to deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage by 2035 with more than a gigawatt of projects, including 819 megawatts of solar and battery storage at the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham and the now operational Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub near Melton.

The state and federal governments are delivering safer and more reliable journeys for Melbourne’s north, with major works now underway on the Watson Street Interchange Upgrade in Wallan.

The milestone marks the start of construction to transform Watson Street into a full diamond interchange, adding a new outbound exit ramp and inbound entry ramp to the Hume Freeway helping to improve access for locals, freight and visitors.

When complete, the upgraded interchange will improve safety, reduce congestion and support Wallan’s continued growth, strengthening connections between the Hume Freeway, the town centre and the Wallan East industrial precinct.

Following site investigations, community engagement and establishment of the site compound late last year, crews have begun ground preparation and construction of temporary pavement to keep traffic moving while the new interchange is built.

Works will include laying temporary pavement on the north side of Watson Street between McCarthy Court and Wallara Waters Boulevard, installing temporary safety barriers and signage, and preparing the ground around the interchange for major construction.

Temporary pavement will allow traffic lanes to shift slightly north, maintaining one lane in each direction on Watson Street so motorists can continue to travel through the area while work progresses.

These activities will largely take place at night to minimise disruption.

Once barriers are in place, crews will begin ground works including soil removal, establishment of environmental protection zones and vegetation management within the road reserve, supported by qualified arborists and ecologists.

The right-turn lane on the southbound Hume Freeway exit ramp to Watson Street will be closed for up to two weeks, with motorists heading toward Wallan township able to make a U-turn at the Wallara Waters roundabout.

The Watson Street Interchange Upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments and is scheduled for completion by late 2027.

The state government is recognising women who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to Victoria through the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Minister for Women Mary-Anne Thomas today opened nominations for the 2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, calling on Victorians to nominate someone inspirational to join the Roll.

Victorians are encouraged to nominate women from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and age groups for the five categories – History Heroine, Local Champion, Change Agent, Emerging Leader and Trailblazer.

The Honour Roll celebrates their achievements across fields such as social justice, health, science, research, arts, environment, law, media and education.

Last year’s 24 Honour Roll inductees included Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips, a powerful leader and advocate for women in medical research as the first woman to become a Professor of Oncology in Victoria. She has dedicated her career to advancing breast cancer research and improving women’s health.

Family violence awareness advocates were also well represented including internationally recognised academic and Chair of Respect Victoria Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon and advocate Lutfiye Kavci, an inspiring family violence survivor who turned her own horrific experience into creating positive change for others.

By celebrating women’s achievements and recognising their contributions, the government is proud to play a vital role in increasing the representation of women by promoting them as key role models and leaders to build a more gender equal society and inspire the next generation.

The late Hon Joan Kirner AC, Victoria’s first female Premier, created the Honour Roll to formally acknowledge women for their achievements and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

More than 770 women have been inducted since the Honour Roll of Women began in 2001.

Nominations open today and close on Friday, 20 March 2026. To find out more and nominate yourself or someone you know, visit vic.gov.au/honour-roll-women.

The state government is backing young Victorians to once again step up, take the lead and bring their communities together with the return of Victorian Youth Fest 2026.

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman today announced $220,000 in funding to support the delivery of more than 100 events across the state as part of the month‑long festival taking place this September.

Grants of up to $2,000 are now open to schools, local government and community organisations working alongside young people aged 12 to 25 to create youth‑led events during the festival.

From live music and art showcases to sporting activities and cultural celebrations, Victorian Youth Fest gives young people the chance to design and deliver events that reflect their interests and strengthen local connections.

Successful organisations will be required to partner with young people to design, coordinate and deliver events that put youth voices, leadership and creativity front and centre.

Last year’s Youth Fest delivered 110 youth‑led events across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, highlighting the talent and creativity of Victoria’s youth.

Events included a scented storytelling screening of Wicked!, an eco‑friendly AI startup event, an under‑18s music festival and a Mario Kart tournament.

Victorian Youth Fest 2026 applications are now open and close at 1pm on 4 March 2026. To apply and to find out more, visit vic.gov.au/youth-fest-grants.

The state government is boosting support services for Victorian renters, who will benefit from better access to advocacy and advice thanks to the new Victorian Renter Rights Program.

Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos today announced the new program, designed to build upon the success of existing services by delivering even better, dedicated support to even more renters, especially older Victorians and those under financial stress.

The Victorian Renter Rights Program will almost double government funding for renter support to $98 million over five years – a significant increase on the already-record $10.2 million invested this financial year.

Once the new program is fully operational, the number of clients assisted annually is expected to more than double from 12,663 last financial year to around 25,500.

The program includes the following new services and resources:

• The Renter Rights Service, offering local access to advice, support and advocacy for renters across the state.
• The Older Persons Housing Rights Service, providing a new, integrated support service for Victorians aged 55 and above living in private rentals, residential parks and retirement living.
• The Victorian Renter Helpline, a new, easily accessible central phone line and website featuring support and advice based on renters’ personal circumstances and will also manage referrals to other program services.
• The Renter Central Service, supporting the frontline workers with advice services, community worker outreach and professional development, as well as specialist legal support for complex issues and community education and support for multicultural communities.

The program will replace the existing rental support service delivery model funded through Consumer Affairs Victoria, including the Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program, Tenancy Central Service, Retirement Housing Assistance and Advocacy Program, and the temporary funding boost through the Rental Stress Support Package.

Expected to commence later this year, the program is in response to a review of Consumer Affairs Victoria’s funded renting services and financial counselling programs, which found that new services were needed to respond to population growth, workforce challenges, and provide specialist support for the most vulnerable.

The Government is also considering the review’s findings on financial counselling and will provide an additional $16.4 million to continue existing financial counselling services for a further 12 months beyond its record funding in 2025–26.