Australian Pollinator Week calls on all Australians to celebrate the remarkable diversity of Australia’s pollinators, which are vital to keeping Australia’s landscapes thriving.
The theme for this year’s national week of awareness is Celebrating Diversity: Spotlighting pollinators of every shape and size, encouraging action to support Australia’s more than 2,000 species of native bees, along with hoverflies, moths, butterflies, beetles and other pollinators.
The nine-day festival, which kicks off on 8 November, encourages communities to consider the critical role of pollinators in the environment and to take part in activities including the Australian Pollinator Count, the Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition and School Pollinator Art Competition, Pollinator Picnics, webinars and more.
Australian Pollinator Week was founded in 2015 by Australian native bee specialist Dr Megan Halcroft to grow awareness of the importance of insect pollinators.
“Australian Pollinator Week encourages communities to connect and appreciate the vital role pollinators play in sustaining biodiversity,” Dr Halcroft said.
“Every year I’m impressed by how simple actions, such as planting native flowers or creating habitat, can have a big impact.”
This year, Dr Halcroft is chairing the newly established Australian Pollinator Week Steering Committee, formed to strengthen connections across environmental advocacy groups and inspire greater action for pollinators.
The Committee includes Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand CEO Cassandra Nichols, Invertebrates Australia Founding Managing Director Dr Kate Umbers, Landcare Australia Partnerships Manager Trish O’Gorman and Wheen Bee Foundation Program Manager Rowena Danks.
“The Steering Committee unites experts to better understand the far-reaching impact pollinators have on nature,” Dr Halcroft said. “We are pleased to have such a strong Committee representing Australia’s parks and gardens, landscapes and communities, and Australia’s vast insect populations.”
Australian Pollinator Week is coordinated by the Wheen Bee Foundation, and CEO Fiona Chambers said she is pleased to see the national week continue to grow.
“The Steering Committee reflects the vital role pollinators play in our landscapes, and its work marks an exciting new chapter for Australian Pollinator Week,” Ms Chambers said.
“I look forward to seeing more local communities come together to celebrate pollinators.” Events already listed on the calendar this year include a native bee hotel workshop at Canberra City Farm, a pollinator count with Friends of Kororoit Creek in Melbourne, a science night hosted by native bee expert, Clancy Lester at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane and a planting for pollinators workshop in the Adelaide Hills region in SA.
An annual highlight of the celebrations is the Australian Pollinator Count, which encourages citizen scientists across the country to observe and record pollinator activity in their local area.
“The Australian Pollinator Count helps us understand the status of local pollinators and make informed decisions to safeguard their wellbeing and the health of our ecosystems,” Ms Chambers said.
Register an event for free here: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/
For event ideas or to find a local event near you, visit: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/
Highlights of Australian Pollinator Week 2025
Australian Pollinator Count
The annual Australian Pollinator Count is a long-term project to monitor the status and trends of insect pollinator populations. This includes more than 2,000 species of native bee, along with thousands of species of fly, butterfly, moth, wasp, beetle and other insects.
People across the country are encouraged to take part by heading outside, taking 10 minutes to record the insect pollinators they see and registering their results online.
A Pollinator Count Guide and quiz are available online to help with identifying different types of insects found in backyards, community gardens and farms.
Find out more at: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/count
Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition
The Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition is back for another year. Photographers and insect pollinator enthusiasts alike are encouraged to head outside and snap pictures of pollinators in action.
A separate category for schools is open to primary and secondary school students, sponsored by Flow, Hornsby Beekeeping, House of Honey, Wild Magazine, the Centre for Bee Education and Bee School by Beechworth Honey.
Submissions will be accepted until Sunday 26 October, 5pm AEDT. Winners will be announced in a webinar on Thursday 13 November at 7.30pm AEDT. Register here: https://wheenbeefoundation.supporterhub.net.au/pages/pollinator-photography-competition-webinar-registration
Find out more at: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/pollinator-photography-competition
Wheen Bee Foundation’s School Pollinator Art Competition
The Wheen Bee Foundation’s School Pollinator Art Competition invites students across Australia to celebrate pollinators through art.
Students can submit original artworks in any medium, including drawing, painting, digital, collage or mixed media. Prizes will be awarded for the best artwork inspired by pollinators.
The competition is sponsored by the Centre for Bee Education, Rotarians for Bees and the Bee Friendly Farming program.
Submissions will be accepted until Sunday 26 October, 5pm AEDT. Winners will be announced in a webinar on Monday 10 November at 10 AEDT. Register here: https://wheenbeefoundation.supporterhub.net.au/pages/schools-pollinator-art-competition-webinar-registration
Find out more at: www.wheenbeefoundation.org.au/our-work/events/apw-pollinator-schools-art-competition

As Diwali approaches – a time celebrating light over darkness – Shepparton paramedic Sanjeetpal Singh reflects on how his Sikh values of sewa (selfless service) shaped his journey from India to Ambulance Victoria (AV).

Born in India and growing up in a Sikh community, becoming a first responder was a logical career calling for Sanjeetpal.

He grew up with the Sikh practice of sewa, which is defined as ‘selfless service’ and focuses on acting selflessly and helping others without reward or personal benefit.

“I grew up with this mindset that you help people who need help,” Sanjeetpal said.

“That’s the essence of sewa, and in many ways, it mirrors the message of Diwali – bringing light and hope where it’s needed most.

“My dad was a frontline worker, and I was also motivated by him to one day work in a role like that myself.”

Sanjeetpal moved to Australia in 2007 to chase his goal of becoming a paramedic, encouraged by friends who had already made the move and found more freedom, opportunities and a better lifestyle.

“It’s taken a long time for me to be where I want to be,” he said.

“Initially when I came to Australia, I worked in many different industries including as a taxi driver, a truck driver, a security officer, working at a car wash and eventually in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT).

“Once I financially set myself up to spend some time studying, I went back to university after 10 years and here I am, I achieved my dream.”

In November last year, Sanjeetpal moved to Shepparton to start his paramedicine career with AV as a Graduate Bridging Paramedic (GBP).

AV’s GBP program is designed to provide paramedicine graduates with the opportunity to consolidate their theoretical knowledge and skills while initially working in the medium acuity ambulance care setting.

The 16-month program sees GBPs spend six months working and completing learning tasks under direct supervision with the Medium Acuity Transport Service (MATS), before transitioning to an emergency ambulance.

Sanjeetpal said he believes his cultural background, being a migrant and having worked several different jobs, will benefit him in his paramedicine career.

“I think what I’ve learned from my background is how to be a human and to treat others like a human,” he said.

“Since moving to Australia, I’ve worked in jobs that paid very little and been part of a low socio-economic community, so I can understand how patients in these communities see life and how they think about medical care and what might be stopping them from reaching out for help.

“A lot of our work is about building rapport with our patients and reassuring them, rather than just treating them.

“One of my mentors told me that patients are never going to remember what medication you gave them, but they will always remember how you treated them.”

Sanjeetpal said he is feeling comfortable on the road, with a supportive team in Shepparton who have helped him learn and settle in.

He’s already received a commendation from colleagues across the health sector for his efforts at a complex case involving a homebirth.

“Both the mother and the baby ended up having really good outcomes, but for me, it was a challenging case psychologically,” Sanjeetpal said.

“It was also motivating to me to become better and while it showed me how challenging this job can be, it motivated me to keep going and keep doing a good job.”

Sanjeetpal said he was further motivated by another case which showed the difference he could make as a Sikh paramedic.

“We had to transport a younger patient having seizures, and their mother was obviously really worried,” he said.

“She came up to me and asked, ‘are you Punjabi?’, referring to the same geographical location where Sikhism originated, and I told her I was.

“She said, ‘I don’t need to worry, if you’re Sikh, I know my son is going to be safe’.

“That was really touching for me.”

Sanjeetpal is embracing the practice of sewa in choosing a career dedicated to helping others, but he said he’s received plenty of help himself to get where he is today.

“I want to thank my AV mentor from my first placement, which I did in Colac in 2021,” he said.

“Not only was he a great clinical mentor but he also motivated me and had unbelievable trust in me.

“My partner has also been incredible – while I was studying, she was the one working and backing me up.

“After 10 years, going back to university was really difficult for me and on the first day, I was so overwhelmed that I told myself I’d never go back.

“But I received a lot of support from my family, especially my brother, parents and my partner, who constantly encouraged me to stay focused on my studies and pursue what I truly wanted to do.”

Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by Hindu, Sikh, Jain and some Buddhist communities, holds special meaning for Sanjeetpal, who says its message feels especially relevant to his work as a paramedic.

It symbolises light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, and represents the fight against weakness and negativity while encouraging strength, growth, and self-improvement.

“The message of Diwali — bringing light where there is darkness — resonates deeply in the work of paramedics, who often meet people in moments of distress and uncertainty. Just as Diwali inspires hope and renewal, paramedics embody that same spirit through their care and compassion, helping others find light during their most challenging times,” Sanjeetpal said.

Students from Forest Street Primary School are exploring robotics and STEM thanks to $30,000 in support from the Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions, a part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

Forest Street’s robotics program began in 2024 with one Lego Spike Prime Robot which the students would share while learning to build and code.

The program was hugely successful and a $15,000 grant has enabled the school to purchase 12 robots, so that every child can work independently exploring, building and creating missions for their robots. This year, the program has been setup as an extracurricular program on Thursday afternoons to enable more time for exploration.

The school’s first foray into STEM competition was also successful, when they defeated six other schools last year to win the inaugural Lego League Challenge at Ballarat’s Australian Catholic University.

Despite winning the competition last year the school lacked the funding to progress to the next stage of competitions in Sydney. They have since received a $15,000 grant to support future travel and accommodation to compete at a higher level.

This year’s competition has the theme of “Unearthed”, focussing on archaeology, and the students will be required to present their projects to the judges as they defend their title.

More information about the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program is on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources website.

The state government is driving new skills for the growing electric vehicle industry with an Australian-first course.

Kangan Institute TAFE will permanently offer electric motorcycle training for technicians looking to upskill.

The program has been designed to give them the practical skills needed to safely manage high-voltage systems used in electric motorcycles. It will also cover key safety features and procedures to ensure participants are confident and well-prepared to work on the latest technology.

Kangan Institute TAFE has built the program on its existing Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing program. With demand for electric cars and motorcycles increasing, equipping technicians with the skills to safely service electric motorcycles will be increasingly important.

Savic Motorcycles supported the initiative as a key industry partner, providing electric motorcycles for training and contributing valuable expertise to the program.

With more than 80 Free TAFE qualifications and short courses on offer across Victoria, Free TAFE has been a gamechanger for Victorians.

To find out more about what’s on offer at TAFE, visit www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe.

The state government is taking action to reform the taxi and ride share industry, introducing new legislation into the Victorian Parliament to ban dodgy taxi and ride-share drivers from operating.

Minister for Transport and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams has announced the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 will be introduced to make it easier for passengers to report driver misconduct and deliver harsher penalties for non-compliance.

The legislation will give greater powers to Safe Transport Victoria to remove dodgy drivers from operating, while giving passengers confidence when booking these services.

As part of the reforms, the safety of both drivers and passengers will be boosted with security cameras in unbooked commercial CPVs permitted to record audio from approved devices. The footage and audio able to be accessed by the regulator and Victoria Police to broaden the tools available for compliance and investigations.

The Bill will ensure that the access, use and disclosure of security camera and audio data will be subject to strict safeguards to ensure that the data is protected from misuse.

The legislation will also introduce a ‘two strikes and out’ law, which will allow the cancellation of a driver’s accreditation if they are found guilty of a specified offence on two separate occasions within a 10-year period.

Specified offences will include overcharging on fares, failing to use the meter, and refusing service to a passenger with an assistance animal, among others.

Safe Transport Victoria will also be required to publish any disciplinary action taken on its public register in a clear signal that unwanted and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated.

In 2023, the Government updated the regulations so that drivers can no longer negotiate a price with customers above the regulated maximum fare and must use their meters for trips from ranks or when hailed on the streets.

The state government is easing cost-of-living pressures for families by removing the requirement for parents to provide digital devices for primary school students.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced that parents at Victorian Government primary schools will no longer need to buy a device for their children – saving them more than $500 per student.

Schools will be required to provide access to tablets and laptops for students to use at school. To further support student learning and engagement, screen time limits will also be introduced to all schools.

The changes will be phased in gradually to support schools’ transition to the new arrangements.

From 2027, primary schools will benefit from updated guidance to help set sensible limits on device use in the classroom. This will mean that primary schools will be required to limit digital device use to a maximum of 90 minutes per day for students in Years 3-6, and minimal device time for those in Prep to Year 2.

These new time limits will promote purposeful technology use, reduce overexposure to screens and help students stay focused and engaged.

New guidance and support materials will be distributed to schools in term 1 next year to help schools plan lessons using digital devices. This guidance will ensure that students learn essential digital literacy skills, while reducing distractions in the classroom.

These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, which were introduced in 2020, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing digital distraction, and the overuse and misuse of technology.

Principals and teachers report that the mobile phone ban has improved student focus on learning and increased socialisation and physical activity during breaks.  

After months of dry conditions, recent rains have brought a lush flush of green growth across the region — but along with it comes a hidden danger for livestock: Phalaris toxicity.

Livestock producers are being urged to monitor their animals closely, as grazing on young Phalaris grass, particularly when there is little other feed available, can lead to severe illness or even sudden death.

Phalaris grass is particularly dangerous in its early growth stage — usually the first 6 weeks.

During this period, the plant contains toxic alkaloids that can trigger Phalaris staggers, a condition affecting coordination and mobility. Another threat, Phalaris sudden death syndrome, arises from high ammonia levels in the animal’s system. Sheep are especially vulnerable, while cattle are somewhat less so.

Interestingly, kangaroos are also very susceptible. Numerous cases of Phalaris staggers in kangaroos have recently been seen.

Phalaris staggers may not appear immediately. Symptoms can develop between 10 days and 4 months after grazing the pasture.

Animals may stagger or stumble, adopt a ‘bunny hop’ gait, nod their heads, struggle to stand or eat, and lose weight. Some sheep may recover but remain permanently affected.

Sudden death syndrome is far more rapid. Signs, which typically emerge 12 to 36 hours after grazing, include breathing difficulties and blue-coloured gums, often leading to death within hours.

If Phalaris toxicity is suspected, affected animals should be removed slowly but immediately from the pasture to reduce further risk.

Preventive measures include:

• limiting grazing during the first two days to only a few hours per day
• managing stocking rates carefully
• providing hay before turning stock onto pasture to reduce overeating
• in cobalt-deficient areas, cobalt supplementation may help reduce the risk of Phalaris staggers, although it does not prevent sudden death syndrome.

Producers concerned about Phalaris toxicity should contact their local veterinarian, their Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in New South Wales, their Local Land Services for advice.

evoke^AG 2026 is an internationally renowned agriculture and innovation event that is coming back to Melbourne.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence joined industry leaders at the launch to recognise AgriFutures Australia’s event that will be held across multiple days in February 2026.

Over two days, the event – hosted in Victoria for the first time since 2020 – will welcome more than 2,000 delegates from around 20 countries, and more than 50 startups, to discuss the latest innovations in agriculture sector.

As the Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood event, it aligns with the Government’s Economic Growth Statement, which identifies agribusiness and digital technologies as priority growth sectors.

Over the last few years, more than $15 million has been invested to back AgTech innovation through Agriculture Victoria, including $2 million to support 40 local startups to pursue projects on supply chain efficiency, farm automation, soil intelligence, and pollination management systems.

The $2 million Hugh Victor McKay Fund has backed four promising companies, while CivVic Labs have supported 20 startups to test and refine their innovations on farm safety and circular agriculture.

One recipient of this support, Yield-X, presented at the launch event, outlining how government support has helped them achieve success as they work to create efficiencies in farming practices.

Agriculture Victoria actively supports AgTech adoption through trials across its SmartFarm network, including initiatives such as demonstrating virtual fencing technology at the Ellinbank SmartFarm, to inform regulatory reform and potential benefits in pasture management and animal welfare.

Victoria’s Primary producers and food manufacturers have delivered another year of record-breaking exports, leading the nation and hitting the state’s $20 billion target six years ahead of schedule, underpinning strong demand for AgTech-enabled trade opportunities in global markets.

For more information on how the Government is supporting AgTech, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/agtech, and for further information on evoke^AG visit evokeag.com/

Despite landmark legal reforms, sexual harassment remains entrenched in Australian workplaces. New analysis from Burke Mangan Lawyers, specialists in employment law, reveals that one in three workers have experienced sexual harassment in the past five years – yet fewer than one in five victims ever make a formal complaint.

The firm’s new report, The Reality of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Australia (2025), draws on data from the Australian Human Rights Commission, Fair Work Commission and recent court decisions. It shows that harassment continues at scale despite the introduction of the Positive Duty in 2022, which makes employers legally responsible for proactive prevention.

Key findings highlighted in the report:

1. Harassment remains widespread

One in three Australian workers (33%) report having experienced workplace sexual harassment in the past five years – a figure largely unchanged since 2018.

“Despite more than a decade of reform and awareness, the numbers remain stubbornly high,” says Lyndon Burke, founding partner at Burke Mangan Lawyers. “It’s clear that policy on paper hasn’t yet translated into safer workplaces.”

The data shows that 41% of women, 26% of men and 67% of non-binary workers have been targeted, with particularly high rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers (56%) and people with disability (48%).

2. Reporting systems are still failing

Only 18% of victims make a formal complaint – and of those who do, 40% say nothing changed afterwards.

“The AHRC report confirms that only one in five people who experience sexual harassment actually report it,” says Burke. “A quarter of those who do report say there were no consequences for the harasser. That tells us reporting systems are still failing victims.”

He adds that up to half of organisations don’t inform workers how to make a complaint and 40% provide no training at all on sexual harassment prevention.

3. High-risk industries under scrutiny

Rates of harassment are highest in information, media and telecommunications (64%), followed by arts and recreation (44%), retail (40%) and mining and construction, where class actions are now underway.

“It’s appropriate to recognise that several employers in these industries have put in place appropriate policies and practices for dealing with sexual harassment,” says Burke. “But these industries tend to have male-dominated workforces, younger or more vulnerable staff, poor workplace culture at events where alcohol is involved, and a lack of training, support and consequences. That combination has allowed misconduct to persist.”

4. Young workers are most vulnerable – and least likely to report

Nearly half (47%) of workers aged 15–17 and 46% of those aged 18–29 have experienced sexual harassment – but they are the least likely to speak up.

“The failure to report sexual harassment where young people are involved can allow the conduct to escalate,” Burke warns. “It can also cause disengagement, emotional and physical harm and longer-term instability in the workforce.”

Two-thirds of people who experienced harassment reported mental or emotional health impacts, with women disproportionately affected.

5. Courts are sending stronger signals

Recent rulings have seen record damages awarded – including $305,000 in Magar v Khan (2025) and $250,000 in Taylor v August & Pemberton (2023) – even for non-sexual conduct such as persistent gift-giving or unwelcome romantic advances.

“Higher compensatory damages reflect the modern cost of living and the serious psychological impact on victims,” says Burke. “We’re also seeing more aggravated damages for the increased distress caused by perpetrators’ behaviour.”

Employers who fail to act now face significant financial exposure and penalties for non-compliance with their Sex Discrimination and WHS obligations.”

6. The legal duty has shifted – prevention is now mandatory

Under the Respect at Work Amendment Act 2022, employers now have a Positive Duty to take “reasonable and proportionate steps” to eliminate sexual harassment and hostile work environments. From December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission gained new powers to investigate and enforce compliance.

“Employers must identify risks, assess their likelihood and magnitude and eliminate or minimise them,” Burke says. “That means having robust policies, staff and manager training, and a clear complaints process. These may seem like impositions, but the benefits are immense – a happier, more engaged workforce and a culture of respect.”

7. A costly business risk

The AHRC estimates the annual cost of workplace sexual harassment to the economy at $3.8 billion, excluding hidden costs such as lost productivity, internal investigations and reputational damage. Larger organisations (200+ employees) are more likely to see incidents, but smaller businesses are not immune.

“Compliance can’t be a tick-box exercise,” Burke says. “Employers who fail to act face not only legal and financial risk but damage to their reputation and employee trust.”

A report tabled by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on the conduct of Victoria’s 2024 local council elections has called for changes to Victoria’s local government legislation.

The election was a success, with more than 4.3 million Victorians casting their vote and the lowest informality rate on record. However, the VEC has recommended broad reform to ensure it can continue to meet the expectations of all Victorians for transparent and fair elections, and safeguard against increasing integrity threats.

The report makes 10 key recommendations and 27 operational commitments, including:

• a continued focus on strengthening safeguards to detect and prevent postal vote fraud
• exploring options to publish provisional results in real time
• expanding the candidate questionnaire to include party membership, so voters have clear information about candidates’ political affiliations.

‘The 2024 council elections were the most complex to date and they were successfully delivered,’ Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said. ‘Our focus is on the integrity of elections. When issues arose, our people and systems caught them quickly and responded rapidly.’

Mr Bluemmel also highlighted the unprecedented challenges and the increasing complexity of election delivery.

‘We are committed to continuous improvement in the delivery of elections,’ Mr Bluemmel added, ‘I look forward to providing updates in future election service plans and reports on the progress of our commitments.’

The full report is available at Local council election reports and plans | Victorian Electoral Commission

Drought conditions over winter may have compromised the condition of sheep and reduced their resistance to internal parasites. Short pastures and prolonged grazing close to the ground can increase the risk of worm larvae uptake.
Although pasture growth in spring typically lowers susceptibility, it remains essential to stay vigilant—particularly at and after weaning when young animals are most vulnerable.
Worm infection costs the Australian sheep industry an estimated $436 million per year in lost production. Sheep infected with worms exhibit signs such as weight loss, poor wool growth, scouring, and in severe cases, anaemia or death. The cost of worm infections can be substantial, with losses in growth, wool, and survival, along with treatment expenses.
Weaners are the most vulnerable group of animals, as they have the highest susceptibility to internal parasites. Their natural immunity, which protects them against worms, doesn’t develop until about 12-18 months of age. Stressors associated with the weaning process can also compromise immunity.
Conducting regular Worm egg counts (WECs) provides the best chance of detecting a worm burden and targeting appropriate treatments. A WEC shows the number of worm eggs in a sample of faeces and indicates the size of an internal worm burden.
Regular monitoring through worm tests is crucial. These tests help determine when sheep exceed the WEC threshold, indicating the need for treatment.
Active monitoring also guides decisions on when not to drench, preventing unnecessary chemical use, saving the cost of treatment and reducing the risk of drench resistance.
The WEC at which you should drench varies based on the worm species and class of stock. Consult your private vet or refer to the Wormboss Drench Decision Guide once you have received your WEC results to decide whether a drench is required.
WEC kits can be provided by your veterinarian or laboratory and will include collection, storage, postage or drop off instructions. For a mob WEC, 20-30 samples of fresh (warm) faeces should be collected.
Some animal health labs can perform a larval culture to identify the type of worms present so you can treat your flock with the most effective drench.

Top tips and tricks for effective drenching
• Test for worms – essential to be regularly conducting with regular WECs. A list of ParaBoss WEC Quality Assured and approved labs is available on wormboss.com.au.
• Use an effective product. The drench should kill 95% or more of the worms, contain at least two active ingredients and be used at the recommended dose rate.
• Calculate the dose rate based on the heaviest animals in the mob. If there is a significant weight range, split the mob. to avoid over or underdosing.
• Move sheep onto a clean paddock immediately after drenching, to maximise the benefits.
• Conduct a second WEC in 10–14 days after drenching, to check that the treatment has been effective.
• Continue to monitor your mobs for increases in WEC and treat as mobs reach thresholds. Careful monitoring can prevent avoidable adverse events and keep your stock thriving.
• Know the relative susceptibility of the different classes of livestock on your farm and the types of worms you normally see (a larval culture will determine this).
Worm management is not a set and forget process. It’s vital to be regularly monitoring flock health, WEC levels, and the effectiveness of management strategies. Be prepared to adjust the approach based on seasonal conditions, worm burdens, and sheep performance. Flexibility and responsiveness are key to successful worm control strategies.
Visit Agriculture Victoria Feeding Livestock Website: Worms -monitor, measure and manage for information on WECs, and short videos on the impact of worms and management strategies.
Agriculture Victoria and MLA are co-funding an Enhanced Producer Demonstration Site (EPDS) in East Gippsland demonstrating the application of best practice worm management, including drench resistance testing. For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/on-farm-demos
Find more information about available drought support at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Expressions of interest have opened for acceptance into the third round of the Cyber Internship Program, which will run from February to August 2026.

Building on the success of the 2024 and 2025 intakes, the six-month paid internship offers an opportunity for participants to work alongside cyber security experts mitigating threats to state government departments and the broader community, to develop their cyber security skills and experience.

As part of the program, interns will have the opportunity to build skills in cyber incident response, threat intelligence, and security operations, among other areas of expertise.

Participants will be selected from graduates of Certificate IV in Cyber Security, a course delivered through the government’s Free TAFE program, which addresses skilled labor shortfalls across a range of professions by offering free access to more than 80 TAFE qualifications and short courses.

The internship has already produced successful outcomes for participants in its first two years of operation, with nine of the 12 interns who completed the program going on to related roles within the Victorian Government.

The development of a robust cyber security sector is crucial to Australia’s ability to combat the growing threat of home-grown and global cyber criminals.

According to the Commonwealth Government’s annual cyber threat report, there were more than 84,000 reports of cybercrime in the 2024–25 financial year, an average of one every six minutes.

The Cyber Internship Program aims to grow Victoria’s cyber workforce and help reduce the cyber skills shortage. Applications close November 2, 2025.  For more information or to apply, visit careers.vic.gov.au

Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.
To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.
‘Growers are facing elevated seasonal risks this year due to below average growing season rainfall,’ Mr Boyd said.
‘Our calculators will help farmers check how well their crops are doing for grain and weigh up whether it’s better to use them for fodder to optimise outcomes in a challenging season.’
The Dry Matter Calculator helps farmers work out how much dry matter their crops may yield in tonnes per hectare so they can decide the best time to cut hay.
The Hay versus Grain Calculator compares the gross margin of both hay and grain in dollars per hectare, offering a picture of potential profitability.
The Crop Yield Calculator helps farmers quickly estimate cereal crop yield in the field using a ruler and smartphone. It’s a practical tool for assessing paddock performance, forecasting grain quality, and planning harvest logistics.
Together, these tools can help farmers to make confident, data-driven decisions in the field. To use these calculators visit the following links:
• Dry matter calculator https://go.vic.gov.au/3L3eO0R
• Hay versus grain calculator https://go.vic.gov.au/42y8THb
• Crop yield calculator www.extensionaus.com.au/soilmoisturemonitoring/crop-yield-calculator
For information on available drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Barnardos Australia is calling for urgent action on child poverty as new analysis reveals 823,000 children are now living below the poverty line across Australia, the highest number in more than two decades.

The crisis has deepened over the past decade, with one in five Australian children now experiencing poverty compared to one in seven ten years ago.

Between 2021 and 2022 alone, a further 102,000 children were living in poverty due to rising living costs and stagnant household incomes.

“Child poverty in Australia is now at breaking point,” Barnardos Australia Centre Manager Grace Hong said.

“This is a crisis that’s completely preventable. Families are being forced to skip meals and children are bearing the brunt of the impact. This can look like skipping meals, missing school, and social activities that are critical foundations of their childhood. We are talking about robbing children of so much, including their joy.”

Almost half (44 per cent) of children in single-parent households are living in poverty, which is more than three times the rate of children in two-parent families (13 per cent).

Housing affordability is also a major driver of child poverty, with the analysis revealing lower-income families have seen rent increases of 17.8 per cent in the two years to 2022, which is well above the 11.2 per cent average for all households.

“The system is failing single mothers and their children, and we cannot accept that in Australia” Ms Hong said.

“When 94 per cent of Parenting Payment recipients are women and they’re forced onto lower payments when their youngest child turns eight, it’s clear that poor policy design is just fuelling the crisis.”

Barnardos Australia is calling for urgent policy reforms to address the crisis:

• Adequate income support for families, particularly single parents
• Adequate crisis accommodation for families escaping domestic violence
• Affordable housing solutions and rental assistance
• Accessible, affordable childcare enabling parents to work
• Tailored services addressing the complex needs of families in crisis

“Every child in Australia deserves to thrive and enjoy their childhood,” Ms Hong said.

“Through early intervention and a real coordinated national response, such as changes to income support payments, families will be empowered to break the cycle of disadvantage.

“Child poverty is not inevitable. We know what works and we need to see actual change from our governments.”

The state government is updating Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws to make the process clearer and more compassionate for terminally ill Victorians who are living in pain.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas has introduced legislation into the Victorian Parliament to amend the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 – which has allowed 1,683 terminally ill Victorians to make their own decisions about their death since 2019.

The new legislation will remove unnecessary barriers to accessing VAD, improve clarity for practitioners, strengthen safety measures and make the system fairer and more compassionate.

The reforms will maintain the strong safeguards that have been a cornerstone of Victoria’s approach, ensuring that decisions are voluntary, the person has decision-making capacity, and they are free from coercion.

There are 13 proposed amendments to the legislation, with proposed key changes to include:

• Removing the ‘gag clause’ so that registered health practitioners are allowed to raise VAD with their patients during discussion about end of life options
• Requiring registered health practitioners who conscientiously object to provide minimum information
• Extending the prognosis requirement (life expectancy limit for eligibility) from six months to 12 months
• For people with neurodegenerative diseases (like motor neurone disease), they’ll no longer need a third prognosis if their expected lifespan is between six and 12 months
• Introducing a new administering practitioner role to expand the workforce able to support VAD.

The proposed amendments follow the release of an independent review into the first five years of VAD in Victoria which found the service is working safely and as intended – however, it also identified challenges in accessing VAD.

Victoria led the nation in 2017 by becoming the first state or territory in Australia to legalise VAD – since then other jurisdictions have followed suit and, in many cases, improved the service.

The proposed amendments would bring Victoria’s VAD legislation into line with these other states where they have been operating safely and effectively for several years, and do not go further than those in other jurisdictions.