Rod Halsted takes 18 seconds to give a rapid-fire rundown of his life of drug dealing, prison, alcoholism and survival. That’s on his website.

Add about an hour to that and a fair slice of his amazing existence appears. He’s put all this into a well-received book called Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It!. Now he’s touring Goldfields libraries to tell his story.
It begins in Gunnedah, outback NSW, where his stock and station agent father had him working in saleyards for the then generous amount of a pound a day. That was 70 years ago when he was four. A stark memory is of cranky drovers and mad sheep.
An even sharper memory is his father telling him when he was 10 that it was time to work with cattle. He was told to yard a steer by yelling at it. “It came at me like a Spanish bull. I put one foot on the rail and yelled, but in a kid’s voice. It turned and went into the pen.”
That day, he says, he learned to trust his judgement, but always have a Plan B.
After leaving school Rod hitchhiked to WA to work in the mines “with a lot of lunatics. People went there to escape”.
Sydney was his next stop in his early 20s, working in a wine bar. He met dodgy types, such as a marijuana dealer who wanted to go to Mexico, so Rod took over from him. “It was exhilarating, derring-do, as much as for the money.” On the first deal he went by bus. Within a fortnight he had a car.
He flew to Melbourne with a suitcase taller than his hip packed with tens of thousands of marijuana sticks worth $2 million in today’s value. There were no airport sniffer dogs in those days so his suitcase made it to the carousel while he went to make a phone call. This took longer than expected. He returned to find uniformed Commonwealth Police in large numbers and his suitcase circling.
Ever inventive, Rod adopted a limp and got one of the officers to help him with the suitcase.
His high life in Sydney included loud parties in a house across the harbour from the Prime Minister’s residence, Kirribilli House. One party was shut down by police because, says Rod, the PM complained that he couldn’t be heard.
As for drug-dealing, Rod says he only did “grass” drawing the line at powder or any mind-altering chemical drugs.
With these limitations he returned to his hometown of Albury, where he was arrested for dealing, spending six weeks in Silverwater Prison, west of Sydney, then a harrowing week in Goulburn Gaol, where he learned survival by adopting the “thousand-yard stare” to frighten those around him.
“I came out an angry, cold man. I had a couple of kids, but gaol had changed me. I tried to get my head square but failed totally.” His marriage broke up.
Booze took over his life until he found his way to Alcoholics Anonymous. Rod says when he stopped drinking he was $120,000 in debt and 30kg heavier than he is now.
He told one AA session about his life. Also attending was Barry Humphries, who told Rod he should write his life story.
Rod thought of using a ghost writer and about 10 years ago he talked with newspaper reporter Andrew Rule, who told him: “If you can write the way you tell a story, you can do it yourself.” Their 10-minute chat turned into two hours.
But the makings of the book vanished when his car with his laptop on the back seat was stolen in Albury. He appealed for help on ABC Radio’s Sunday morning “Macca” show. A listener spotted the car, but no laptop. Police later found it on the back seat of a suspicious car, along with stolen phones. “I’ve been blessed all the way.”
His next step in the long road from Gunnedah came when the award-winning journalist Chris Masters introduced Rod to his publisher.
At a recent book festival Rod met actor Bryan Brown who has two books out. Rod was canny enough to keep the film and TV rights to his book, so this could be yet another opening.
In Albury Rod set up a business cleaning driveways and roofs with high pressure hoses. Starting with $5000, he sold this business for a tidy profit, moving on to pruning roses, then mowing lawns. Eight years later he sold this business for a six-figure sum.
Now he’s on a big author’s tour of eastern Australia. Unlike many such tours, this one is dry. “I’m still an alky,” says Rod “so I don’t go near the stuff.”
There is still a drug dealer he’s fearful of publicly naming, showing the long shadow of his wild days.
Rod Halsted will talk with the highly regarded journalist Nicole Chvastek at the Wedderburn Library at 10am on December 10, Bendigo Library at 2.30pm on December 10, Gisborne Library at 2pm on December 11 and Castlemaine Library at 5.30pm on December 11.
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Supplied

AusNet

AusNet’s Western Renewables Link project has committed $55 million to deliver what it calls lasting benefits to regional communities along the proposed 190-kilometre route of the 500kV transmission line, from Bulgana to Sydenham.

The money will recognise the role of communities in enabling Victoria’s transition to renewable energy.
Of this, $15 million has already been made available during the development phase in response to community feedback calling for earlier benefits. The remaining $40 million will be delivered if the project is approved and proceeds to construction.
Of the $55 million commitment, $30 million will fund community partnerships and investments in projects such as renewable energy upgrades, improved mobile phone connectivity and new community infrastructure.
Through this early funding the project has partnered with local groups to identify and plan community-led projects, including a new safe and modern playground at Waubra and funding for solar panels and batteries to be installed at key community sites in western Victoria, improving community energy resilience, reliability and reducing power bills. $4 million has been allocated to a Local Grants Fund to support community-led initiatives.
$25 million will be provided to deliver a co-designed Community Benefit Fund if the project is approved, with decisions as to how the funding is allocated to be made by the community.
Gerard Carew, AusNet General Manager, Major Projects and lead for the Western Renewables Link project, said the funding package followed strong community feedback emphasising the importance of delivering early benefits.
“A reliable energy system is essential for all Victorians and the Western Renewables Link will play a critical role in securing our energy future. The communities that host this vital infrastructure are at the heart of making it possible and will see new investment, funding and job opportunities as part of this once-in-a-generation change.
“The WRL Benefit Sharing Program is designed to support the essential role communities play in delivering this transformative project. It will back local projects, improve public infrastructure and invest in First Nations initiatives, creating meaningful impact and lasting positive legacies.”
The funding is in addition to the Voluntary Hosting Benefit for landowners of $46,000 per hectare of easement hosted on their properties. The hosting benefit recognises the critical role that host landholders play in the energy transition and is in addition to the $8000 per kilometre per year for 25 years (indexed to CPI) transmission line hosting payment announced by the state government in 2023.
These payments are also separate from the legally required compensation for host landowners, which ensures they are fully compensated for any impacts to their properties and farming operations.
There is also a landmark Near Neighbour Benefit Program where neighbouring landowners with a place of residence within one kilometre of the proposed easement may be eligible for a one-off payment of $20,000 or $40,000, depending on proximity to the edge of the easement.
The Western Renewables Link’s Environment Effects Statement and community submissions are currently being examined by an independent public panel.

Farmers

Chatting with Piss Off AusNet Facebook page moderator Will Elsworth is a bit like reliving the much-loved story of The Castle.
But rather than wanting to build a bigger airport, the government wants to pay farmers to have huge powerlines placed on their properties. Like The Castle, they have the money, and probably the law on their side but the vibe is all wrong.
Will says the wrong piece of land was chosen for the project but it was chosen for a reason.
“They just drew a line on the map and they said ‘oh, yeah, it’s not near Ballarat, there’s only a few houses there. Those people, they’re a pushover, they will roll over.’
“So they have straight away insulted people. A lot of farmers have been there for five or six generations and their houses are never to be sold.
“They (the homes) have real signifiance to the family. It’s not the money, they’ll just never sell. And the politicians and AusNet people don’t understand that. They think they can just put a figure on it, but there’s no figure.”
Will said the longer the project took to get off the ground, the more it was becoming “a complete and utter joke”.
“It’s going to destroy some of the best farmland in southern Australia. It’s going to destroy some of the best habitats in southern Australia. If the powerlines go through you can’t irrigate those paddocks, so they become worthless in terms of horticulture. And if you rip down trees and disturb them to put up wind and solar and batteries and transmission lines – that’s not green.”
Will said the farmers were now being told they could be fined if they refused consultations but “nothing’s changed”. “The gates are still locked. They’re not coming in. They can threaten all they like and they can jump up and down like a spoiled brat. But it’ll take five years through the courts to get to the front gate and they know it well.
“Then they’re going to demand to come into our places. Well, we all know how that unfolds in a socialist economy. The people revolt.
“And people have had enough of this crap. All we want is to be left in peace and not be taken for a ride and the people are getting taken for a ride.
“The reason they haven’t got anywhere is because the people, they’re not going to be rolled over and bullshitted to. It’s got nothing to do with money.”

Hepburn Shire Council

CEO Bradley Thomas said since 2021, the council had been in strong opposition to the project due to its route, above-ground configuration and the devastating effect it would have on Hepburn Shire, and farming and wider communities.

“Council had legal representation at recent hearings and has been cross-examining Ausnet’s various expert witnesses. The Minister for Planning has appointed a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee to advise the Minister on the environmental effects of the proposed Western Renewables Link Project. The Minister will make the final decision on the project, which may be around the middle of 2026. Our submission to the committee will commence on December 8, and will include expert witnesses on the topics of agriculture, tourism, visual impact, and undergrounding.”
Words & Piss Off AusNet image: Donna Kelly
Above left image: www.ausnetservices.com.au

Finishing school is one of life’s major milestones. Moving out of home is another. 

For young Australians living outside the city, these two milestones often come quickly and at the same time. In the coming weeks and months, many will be packing boxes and leaving their hometown behind to begin living and studying in the big smoke to attend University or TAFE.

Anything that makes the move smoother goes a long way. That’s where Services Australia can help.

Understanding what support is out there can help make your decisions clearer. For some, accessing that support may even make the move possible in the first place.

One big tip: Claiming as early as possible means getting paid as early as possible. 

If you’re planning on going straight from school to further study in 2026, you can claim a payment like Youth Allowance as soon as you finish your year 12 exams. By doing this, you could be paid over the summer break, before your course or training begins.

There are also other supports in place specifically for those young Australians who are moving from regional or remote areas.

Tertiary Access Payment – A one-off boost

The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a payment of up to $5,000 to help students from regional, rural or remote areas with the cost of moving for study. It can help cover things like rent, textbooks, public transport or helping furnish your new place.

To get TAP, you need to be:

• A school leaver who finished Year 12 (or equivalent)
• From a regional or remote area,
• Starting a full-time, approved higher education course
• Moving away from home to study.

The best part about it? Even if you’re not eligible for Youth Allowance due to things like parental income, you may still be eligible for TAP.

You also don’t have to pay it back – it’s not a loan. This payment is designed to help bridge that cost-of-living gap when you’re making one of the biggest transitions in life.

Relocation Scholarship – Support that keeps coming if you stay enrolled 

If you’re eligible for Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, and you move more than 90 minutes from your family home to study, then you could be eligible for the Relocation Scholarship.

The Relocation Scholarship is paid once a year, with the amount depending on your circumstances. In the first year you could be getting an extra $5,500 to help with all the costs of moving, living independently and adjusting to city prices.

Student Start Up loan – extra money now, while you need it. 

There is also the Student Start up Loan, which is a voluntary $1,321 loan students, can get up to twice per year.

It’s important to remember that it is a loan, so you will need to pay this one back, plus indexation. But this might just help you get over the line in the first few stressful years while you adjust to a new life.

Fares Allowance – help with travel costs

If you’re living away from home to study and are receiving a student payment, then you could be eligible for Fares Allowance.

Fares Allowance covers the cost of travel between your permanent home and your place of tertiary study in Australia.

Rent Assistance – helping ease pressure from cost of living.

If you’re receiving a payment from us, you may also be eligible for Rent Assistance to help with the cost of living. This is an extra benefit which is automatically added to your payment if you pay rent.

If you’re single and renting, you could get up to $212.00 a fortnight, depending on how much rent you pay.

If you’re eligible, you may need to complete a Rent Certificate or provide a formal tenancy agreement when you are completing your claim. You only need to do this if you are asked.

The most important thing is seeing what help is out there

Regardless of what your plans may be for the future, you should look into what financial options may be available for your situation.

Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/leavingschool to see how Services Australia may be able to help as you begin to navigate life post-school.

As the Nyaal Banyul development continues its rapid rise on Geelong’s Waterfront, the state government is supporting new job opportunities for Geelong residents who have experienced barriers to employment.

Through a joint government, industry and community program called the GCEC Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP), 43 apprenticeships have now been created and more than 37,000 hours of training delivered in mechanical, carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades.

The number of hours of training delivered is expected to reach 45,000 hours by time Nyaal Banyul is completed, highlighting the power of the project to create jobs and develop skills.

The program includes 12 weeks of fully funded training at the Gordon TAFE, mentoring, pre-employment guidance and on-site work experience for participants, many of whom have faced significant barriers to employment before stepping on site, such as long-term unemployment, educational challenges, or limited industry access.

The GEESP program creates career pathways in construction via nationally accredited qualifications, with its first apprentice recently securing ongoing employment with Faulkner Roofing, a Geelong company that has installed 8,000 square metres of roofing at the convention centre precinct.

The program was co-designed by Development Victoria, the Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW initiative, and social enterprise gforce, and is being delivered by the Nyaal Banyul head contractor, Built.

In September the program was named the winner of the Industry Collaboration category of this year’s Victorian Training Awards.

Beyond the career-shaping apprenticeship opportunities, the Convention and Event Centre development has also created 1450 jobs during construction, with hundreds more expected upon completion.

Nyaal Banyul is being delivered as a partnership with the Plenary Conventions consortium, with Plenary Group as a sponsor, investor and hotel and commercial building developer, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect and BGIS as facilities manager.

The project is funded through the Geelong City Deal, a $676 million investment from the federal and state governments and City of Greater Geelong. to revitalise Geelong and unlock the potential of the Great Ocean Road visitor economy.

For more information, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities

The state government is giving Victorian schoolkids the opportunity to swap screens for stories these summer holidays, as part of the fifth annual Big Summer Read.

Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos recently visited narrm ngarrgu library in the CBD to launch the statewide reading challenge that aims to combat the “summer slide” – a common reduction in reading time and subsequent loss of literacy skills children experience during the long school holidays.

Victorian children under the age of 18 are eligible to register and track their reading progress through the Big Summer Read website, with digital badges and prizes on offer for participants. As part of the program, parents can register and read to children who can’t read independently yet.

Four winners will each take home a Zoos Victoria family membership, one for each age category, and local libraries from across the state will also award locally sourced prizes to Big Summer Read participants.

The program reinforces the role of public libraries as a vital community resource for early childhood development and lifelong learning throughout adulthood, and was designed to give smaller, rural public library services without an independent summer reading program a way to engage young Victorians over the summer break.

For more info on the Big Summer Read, visit https://readbooks.com.au/bsr

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is proud to stand with communities across Ballarat, Victoria and the world for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from 25 November to 10 December.

This international campaign, led by the United Nations (UN), calls for action to prevent violence against women and promote respect and equality.
This year, Cafs joins the global call to action for the 16 Days of Activism with the theme ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls’.
Violence against women and girls affects one in three women. The UN’s UNiTE 2025 campaign focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls. This year’s campaign is also a reminder that digital safety is central to gender equality.
Wendy Sturgess, Cafs CEO, said, “Our teams have been delivering Family Violence intervention programs for the last 30 years and we are a pioneer in the sector for our approach.”
“Cafs is a leader in delivering early intervention responses to keep families safe and together. Through programs like our Men’s Behaviour Change Program and Dad’s Toolkit, we provide strategies that support accountability and promote safer relationships without the use of violence,” Ms Sturgess said.
This year, Cafs is amplifying the message that respect is the foundation of safety and equality.
“We encourage the Ballarat community to take part in conversations that challenge gender stereotypes and promote healthy relationships at school, at work and at home,” said Ms Sturgess.
Cafs is proud to collaborate with Respect Victoria and the CoRE Alliance (Communities of Respect and Equality) to lead prevention initiatives across the Central Highlands region. Together, we are building communities where respect is the norm and violence has no place.
“This 16 Days of Activism and beyond, we have an opportunity to change the story. Every person can play a role, by calling out disrespect, promoting equality, and supporting programs that prevent violence before it starts,” Ms Sturgess said.
The campaign concludes on Human Rights Day, 10 December, reminding us that safety and respect are fundamental rights for all.

The state government is backing Victoria’s second international airport and bringing international Jetstar flights back to Avalon.

Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks and Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams joined Melbourne Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss and Jetstar to announce that the airline will run international flights from Avalon to Bali from March.

Jetstar will also restart their domestic route to Adelaide and increase flights to Brisbane – bringing even more visitors from across Australia to Geelong and visitor hotspots like the Great Ocean Road.

In total, the expansion will add up to 320,000 new low-fare seats annually in and out of Melbourne’s second airport gateway, with 120,000 seats alone on the new Avalon to Bali service operating five return flights a week.

The airport will also receive major upgrades to prepare for the influx of flights, including 1,000 new seats across the international and domestic terminals, upgrades to runway lighting, security equipment, CCTV cameras, new water connections to the control tower and an additional 500 car parking spaces.

The upgrades alone will create more than 80 new jobs, on top of the boost to the visitor economy that the new flights will deliver.

Deloitte Access Economics has estimated that a typical daily international airline service contributes $160.8 million in value and over 1,000 FTE jobs to the Victorian economy.

The government will also deliver a new bus route between Lara Station and the airport in the coming months, providing a vital public transport connection for passengers and workers.

The new Route 18 will be the first public bus service for Avalon, connecting the airport to Lara Station seven days a week and making it easier for passengers and workers to get to and from the airport, complementing the uplift to services on the Geelong line delivered last year.

Victoria has proudly been the home of Jetstar since it was established in 2004 and is the airline’s largest base, which employs more than 3000 people across the state.

This announcement builds on the recent opening of a new freight processing facility at the precinct, supporting hundreds of jobs across cargo handling, warehousing and distribution.

The state and federal governments are improving safety and connections along the Great Ocean Road between Lorne to Apollo Bay, with major works complete to replace the Wye River Bridge.

The $14.86 million project is jointly funded, with the Federal Government contributing $4.05 million under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program and the Victorian Government contributing $10.81 million.

Built in the 1950s, the original Wye River Bridge has now been replaced with a new 50-metre long, triple-span reinforced concrete bridge.

The existing bridge was demolished to make way for the new structure which includes a wider bridge deck, shoulders and a footway on the ocean side of the structure.

These key features will future-proof the bridge, boosting safety and reliability for all motorists and pedestrians.

With the completed works, the bridge will be capable of carrying an increased load capacity of more than 100 tonnes, meeting current and future traffic demands.

It will also be better protected against high tides and storms with improved drainage facilities and an additional 600 millimetres of clearance over the existing bridge.

The Great Ocean Road is a critical link frequently travelled by locals and tourists, connecting cities and towns from Torquay to Allansford.

The new bridge will support increased freight and vehicle movements along this significant route.

For more information, visit transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/projects.

The state government is backing First Nations athletes with grants to assist with participation in sport carnivals, equipment, travel costs and uniforms.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has announced the opening of applications for the latest round of grants through the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program.

The program delivers grants of up to $1000 for team uniforms and equipment, and up to $2500 for travel costs so clubs can participate in both Victorian and national tournaments.

Individuals can also access up to $250 to purchase sporting uniforms and equipment, and up to $750 for their own travel costs.

This grant program is part of the government’s strong support for the Victorian Aboriginal community, alongside the new Victorian Aboriginal Sporting Partnership which is creating more opportunities in the community sport sector for Aboriginal athletes.

The previous round of the program delivered more than $67,000 in support, including for Mildura’s Mallee Tigers Football Netball Club travel costs for seven of their junior teams to participate in the recent 2025 VACSAL Statewide Junior Football and Netball Carnival in Shepparton.

In addition, Glenroy Calisthenics Club received funding towards uniforms for junior players to compete in competitions including this year’s Calisthenics Victoria State Titles.

Since 2020, the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program has provided more than 500 grants to community sport clubs and First Nations individuals, building stronger connections between the community sport sector and Victoria’s Indigenous communities.

Applications for this round are open until 11:59pm on 11 December 2025. For more information or to apply visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Tens of thousands of Victorians took part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run or walk through the state government’s West Gate Tunnel before it opens to traffic next month.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne has joined more than 50,000 runners and walkers for a first-hand experience exploring the tunnel as part of the West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day. 

Runners kicked off the day at 7:00am taking in the spectacular city views on the eight-kilometre run that included the new skyroad above Footscray Road that connects to the tunnel. At Yarraville Gardens, family-friendly celebrations – with food, music and activities for kids – brought the community together.

Walkers were treated to entertainment either side of the twin tunnels, as they wandered the 2.5-kilometre path from the Yarraville Gardens, passed the new wetlands and under the 38-metre-high timber net structure into the West Gate Tunnel.

Giving back to the inner west is at the heart of the Discovery Day – more than $175,000 was raised through registrations to support two local charities – Community Bike Hub, which provides bike access and education in the west, and West Welcome Wagon, which supports asylum seekers and refugees rebuilding their lives in Australia.

When the twin tunnels open in December, they will create a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge – taking traffic underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River and on to a new elevated skyroad above Footscray Road.

This new route offers a direct connection from the West Gate Freeway to the Port of Melbourne, CityLink, Footscray Road, Dynon Road and the new Wurundjeri Way extension.

The West Gate Tunnel Project will deliver a much-needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge – cutting congestion, improving safety and taking 9,000 trucks a day off local roads across Melbourne’s inner west.

To learn more about the West Gate Tunnel Project, visit westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/drive.

If you abuse a shop assistant, if you punch a fast-food worker, if you threaten your rideshare driver or Uber Eats delivery driver, if you throw a coffee over your waiter – you will face serious consequences.

That’s the message the government is sending to anyone who threatens or assaults workers in shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping centres, taxis and Ubers and who make everyone feel unsafe in the process.

Premier Jacinta Allan joined Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, a group of retail, hospitality and transport workers – and their union representatives – to announce:

• The Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025 will be introduced to Parliament today – delivering on new offences to crack down on crimes against workers
• Ram-raids will be recognised as aggravated burglary – carrying a higher maximum penalty of 25 years and unlocking the powers of Adult Time for Violent Crime
• Victoria will press ahead with Workplace Protection Orders against violent individuals – like a personal safety order but different: instead of protecting one person, it protects a whole workplace

Crimes against workers are unacceptable

Most retail workers are women, and a third are under the age of 24. Retail crime has a devastating impact on these Victorians and the businesses they work for.

Some 800,000 retail crime incidents were reported across Australia in the last year. The Australian Retail Association said that on top of 70 per cent of retailers reporting an increase in customer theft, more than half of retailers experience physical abuse monthly or more often. Almost 9 in 10 retail workers reported experiencing verbal abuse.

Assaults against taxi drivers and transport workers is also a serious and ongoing problem, and more than half of transport gig workers (such as food or parcel delivery and rideshare) who responded to a Transport Workers Union survey said they experienced threatening or abusive behaviour.

Protecting retail, fast food, hospitality and passenger transport workers from harm

The Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025 will protect customer-facing workers from assault and abuse.

Under a new indictable offence, assaulting or threatening to assault one of these workers will carry a penalty of up to 5 years in jail.

Separate summary offences for lower-level assaults, and for conduct that threatens and intimidates the worker (such as with profane, obscene or insulting language) will carry a penalty of up to 6 months in jail.

The summary offences will have a substantially lower threshold of conduct than the more serious indictable offence, giving police a range of options to protect workers depending on the circumstances.

You will be protected if you work for a retail or hospitality operator (like a shop or a bar), a shopping centre, a passenger transport service provider (including public transport, taxi, rideshare) – or if you deliver goods to retail customers (e.g. Uber or DoorDash).

It applies front of house and back of house, check out and storeroom, kitchen and bar – you’re covered if you work for a workplace that has customers, even if you’re a contractor like a cleaner or security.

If you are assaulted or abused in connection with your work- these offences apply. In other words, you are threatened or assaulted because of something you’ve done (or not done) in your job while you’re serving patrons, driving passengers, delivering food, stacking shelves, or even while on break, arriving, or leaving work.

The Bill will be introduced to Parliament today. If it’s passed this year, it will be law before Christmas.

Longer sentences for ram raids – with Adult Time for Violent Crime applying

Ram raids are a shocking and violent crime where a vehicle is used to force entry into a building. Victims don’t just have to deal with theft, but extreme damage – and the life of anyone inside the store at that time is at risk.

The Bill will amend the aggravated burglary offence to include ram raids. It will apply to any building, not just shops.

Aggravated burglary carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Serious and repeated aggravated burglary will be subject to Adult Time for Violent Crime – whatever your age, you’ll face serious consequences.

Workplace Protection Orders will protect workers, patrons and businesses alike

Workers, union representatives and businesses – who are all on the frontline of workplace crime – have called for Workplace Protection Orders to force threatening and violent customers out of the store.

That’s why we will introduce new laws to establish Workplace Protection Orders as the next step in our response to retail crime. Under such orders, if you are violent to retail workers, you can be banned from that workplace.

Currently, only the ACT has these orders in place, and different types of models are being developed interstate. These models have the same motive: keep a violent or threatening person away from the premises.

Victoria will consult with police, unions and industry and look interstate and overseas to review what models are working – building on the work of our Worker Protection Consultation Group. Legislation will be introduced in April 2026.

The state government is supporting job creation and offering businesses more opportunities to join Ballarat’s thriving industrial sector, with expressions of interest now open.

Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes and Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing has announced the opening of a new round of expressions of interest for land sales at the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ).

Covering more than 400 hectares, BWEZ offers prime industrial land for businesses and is creating a hub for jobs and industries that will continue to drive economic growth across Ballarat and the Central Highlands region.

With a strong economic growth rate, combined with sustained year-on-year population increases, Ballarat is an ideal location for businesses looking to establish or expand their regional operations.

Future BWEZ tenants will join companies including Field Air, John Valves, CHS Broadbent, Kane Transport, George Weston Foods, Luv-A-Duck, Westland and Athlegen on site, with the employment zone anticipated to have created more than 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs once fully developed.

BWEZ continues to be delivered by Development Victoria, with Regional Development Victoria and Ballarat City Council attracting investors to the precinct.

The latest round of expressions of interest at BWEZ will remain open until 3pm AEST on Thursday, 11 December 2025. For more information or to submit an expression of interest, contact Knight Frank.

With summer fast approaching, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is encouraging residents to get a head start on preparing their homes and properties for the months ahead, as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) declares the Fire Danger Period will begin at 1am on Monday 17 November 2025.
From this date, fires cannot be lit in the open air without a permit. The Fire Danger Period is scheduled to remain in place until 1 May 2026, unless the CFA advises otherwise.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s summer outlook points to a mix of warmer-than-average temperatures and higher-than-usual rainfall across much of eastern Australia. These variable conditions mean residents should be ready for both increased vegetation growth and fast-changing fire risk.
Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said Council’s fire prevention crews had been busy across the shire for several months.
“We’ve been proactive in managing vegetation, slashing long grass along Council roadsides and keeping powerlines clear,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“But fire safety is a shared responsibility. Every property owner can make a real difference by preparing now – cleaning up around their homes, maintaining grass, and having a plan in case of fire.”
This summer, Council’s fire prevention activities include:
• Roadside slashing: Crews are progressively cutting grass along Council-managed roads from north to south. The Department of Transport and Planning manages slashing on state roads.
• Vegetation clearance near powerlines: Council has completed electric line clearance works in declared areas of Gisborne and Kyneton. Powercor manages vegetation in other parts of the shire, and Jemena is responsible for Gisborne South.
• Property inspections: Council officers are visiting properties across the shire to identify and manage fire hazards such as overgrown grass, woodpiles and debris.
Residents can also take advantage of Council’s free green waste disposal program, using the green waste voucher from the most recent edition of ShireLife to drop off one standard trailer-load of green waste at the Kyneton, Romsey or Woodend Resource Recovery Facilities.
Residents are encouraged to review or create a fire plan and use trusted sources for up-to-date information. In the event of an emergency, always follow the directions of VicEmergency, which provides the latest updates, warnings and advice for your area.

The state government’s pill testing trial continues this summer, with the next three events set to host the service confirmed.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has announced that pill testing will be available at a mix of single-day and multi-day events over the coming months, including Spilt Milk (6 December), Dangerous Goods 6XXL (24 January), and Pitch Music and Arts Festival (6-10 March) – with further events to be announced soon.

The service is completely free, confidential and staffed by an experienced team of experts who provide health information to help people make safer, more informed decisions.

The mobile service can test a range of drugs and if a high-risk substance is detected, the service works with organisers to rapidly warn partygoers through social media and event signage.

It follows successful mobile pill testing at five major music festivals last summer, where almost 1,400 samples were tested – with 11 per cent of samples not what people expected their drugs to be. 

While the service seeks to save lives, reduce drug harm and improve public health at music festivals, it is also reducing pressure on frontline services and enhancing Victoria’s drug surveillance capabilities by boosting early detection and rapid assessment of hazardous synthetic drugs substances.

Last season, 10 drug notifications were issued across the five events with two escalating to statewide advisories.

To support more Victorians accessing life-saving advice, the Victorian Pill Testing Service fixed site in Fitzroy will also expand its hours of operation over summer.

From 1 December, the fixed site service will operate with extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays. The service will also be open on additional days ahead of New Year’s Eve including Monday, 22 December and Tuesday, 23 December, as well as Monday, 29 December, Tuesday, 30 December and Wednesday, 31 December.

In the first six weeks of operating, the fixed site is saving lives and providing critical drug monitoring data – testing more than 500 samples and conducting harm reduction conversations with nearly 300 people.

While 395 samples contained the expected drug, one in eight samples contained an unexpected psychoactive drug that, if consumed, would have unwanted effects, and in some cases caused serious harm.

Two drug notifications were also issued for counterfeit oxycodone pills containing dangerous nitazenes – a synthetic drug up to 500 times stronger than heroin.

By Kerri Goschnick, Land Management Extension Officer

As we head into the warmer months, it’s essential to monitor your water storage regularly. This helps you understand how much water stock is drinking and what you may be losing through evaporation or leakage.

See if you can identify which is having the greatest impact – water used through stock consumption or water lost through evaporation or leakage. Have you simply run out of water because there has not been sufficient rainfall to produce the required runoff?

To generate runoff into storages, rainfall events typically need to exceed 20mm.  If your grass height is over 50 mm, you may need 60 mm or more per event. Many regions have not had these types of events for some time.

Identifying and managing leakage

Leakage from dams often shows up as wet spots or clumps of green grass in a small area during the drier part of the year. This can occur when dry dams fill quickly but dam walls haven’t fully re-saturated. If you suspect leakage, consider using treatment products but choose carefully, as many are soil-type specific. You will get the best value when you take this into account.

If you treat your dam, ensure the dam is properly fenced to exclude all stock. Storage treatment products can range from $1,000–$10,000 and should only be used when you are certain that your storage is leaking.

Also, consider safety by adding steps or structures to the inside batters to help animals or people exit safely without damaging the treated batter or liner.