We all know Victoria has the best food – and now it’s time to settle the score.

It’s why the state government is launching Vic’s Picks, a new celebration of the food, culture and community spirit that make us proud to be Victorian.

From today, Victorians will have four weeks to cast their votes for their favourite pie, bánh mì and potato cake – with the top entry in each category to be crowned Victoria’s Pick.

Food has always been part of Victoria’s story – from country bakeries serving up generations of family recipes, the suburban fish and chip shops feeding locals after Friday night sport, and the family-run Vietnamese bakeries behind the iconic bánh mì.

Now, Victorians will get the chance to decide once and for all which of these favourites takes the crown.

The Vic’s Picks Awards will shine a spotlight on the small businesses that bring communities together, create local jobs and make our suburbs, towns and regions proud. Every vote cast is a chance to back the local legends who turn everyday bites into state pride.

Voting closes on Sunday 19 October. To get involved, visit https://bit.ly/vics-picks-vote and cast your vote.

Premier Jacinta Allan said Vic’s Picks was about celebrating the people, businesses and traditions that make our state proud – and giving every Victorian the chance to have their say.

“Whether it’s your local bakery, a family-run bánh mì store or the neighbourhood fish and chip shop – this is about backing the small businesses that make our communities stronger.”

Finding the right medical help can be confusing. To make it easier, Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) new General Health Information Sheet outlines who to contact when health assistance is needed.

The ‘who to call for help’ information sheet is available in 17 languages including: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Dari, English, Greek, Hazaragi, Hindi, Italian, Karen, Macedonian, Pashto, Persian, Punjabi, Swahili, Tigrinya and Vietnamese.

It adds to AV’s existing translated health resources, with a range of emergency, non-emergency, membership, COVID-19, and Call, Push, Shock information available in multiple languages and Easy English.

“The General Health Information Sheet provides a guide to help Victorians decide the best care option for themselves and their loved ones,” AV Acting Metropolitan Regional Improvement Lead Brad Gin said.

“The first section shows a range of immediate, potentially life-threatening emergencies, with graphics to help people identify if their symptoms fall into this category.

“If they do, the advice is simple: call Triple Zero (000).

“For other symptoms that don’t fit into the first category, the information sheet guides users to a range of health care options.

“This includes visiting an Urgent Care Clinic, video calling the online Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), ringing Nurse-on-Call, or consulting a local doctor or pharmacist.”

The information sheet also features a handy ‘who you can call for help’ section, with space to fill in contact details for local care providers. It includes phone numbers for crisis and other support lines.

Brad said the information sheet will make a real difference helping people in the community connect with the right care at the right time.

“The sheet has been developed with all Victorians in mind, to simplify the decision-making process when you’re worried that yourself or someone else is unwell or injured,” he said.

Paramedics can provide patients with an information sheet – either by email or in print – when they are assessed as safe to remain at home, rather than requiring transport to a hospital emergency department.

“This supports the conversations paramedics already have with patients about care options available in the community,” Brad said.

“Paramedics can now provide a consistent, standardised written resource that patients and their families can easily refer to after paramedics have left and serves as a helpful guide they can keep for future use.

“It also helps paramedics clearly communicate who to contact for urgent support and which symptoms to watch for in case they need to call an ambulance again.”

Projects are starting which will protect the health and vitality of Port Philip Bay, ensuring this iconic landmark stays healthy so its waters, wildlife and ecosystems can thrive for generations.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulous has announced the opening of the 2025 Port Phillip Bay Fund, with $2.16 million to support projects that strengthens the bay, ensuring its environment and coastal habitats remain healthy for the community and everyone who enjoys the natural landmark across the state. 

Grants will be awarded to eligible groups – including environmental groups, Traditional Owners, local councils, schools and research institutes – who can demonstrate their ability to deliver on-ground environmental activities, such as the restoration of foreshore and coastal habitats, or enhancement of marine environments.

Since 2016, the Port Phillip Bay Fund has provided more than $17 million in funding support across 215 projects in and around the bay. More than 265 hectares of threatened habitat have been restored, 180 tonnes of litter have been removed, and planted more than 138,000 indigenous plants – giving nature a new lease of life.

Previous projects have included using drones to build a better understanding of coastal erosion, culling of sea urchins and cultivation of juvenile kelp to help restore the natural marine ecosystem, and tackling marine debris. 

The Port Phillip Bay Fund is part of the state government’s ongoing investment to support the implementation of Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037. It is one of a suite of programs funding actions to support biodiversity and threatened species.

For more information, visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au

More First Nations athletes will take part in sport with a new round of grants delivered to support athletes with expenses for sport carnivals, travel, uniforms, equipment and more.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has announced 19 grants from the latest round of the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program. 

The program delivers grants of up to $1,000 for team uniforms and equipment, and up to $2,500 for travel costs per team 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.

Sharing in more than $67,000, recipients include the Moe based Gippsland Wrens Sporting Club – which will receive more than $1,600 for new uniforms for the under 10’s girls and boys basketball sides.

Mildura’s Mallee Tigers Football Netball Club will receive $15,000 towards travel costs for seven of their junior teams to participate in the 2025 VACSAL Statewide Junior Football and Netball Carnival in Shepparton.

The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation will use $500 for uniforms and boxing equipment for two boxers in its Warrior’s Boxing program ─ the program has a strong focus on Aboriginal youth mental health and wellbeing and is based in Healesville.

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

For more information about the program and the latest successful recipients visit sport.vic.gov.au.

The state government is transforming mental health care in Victoria by announcing the state’s first peer-led residential service in Moolap – offering Victorians in crisis a safe and supportive alternative to hospital care.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has announced the new Lived Experience Residential Service – a community-based program designed and led by people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges.

Backed by a $7 million investment, the service has been carefully designed so every stage – from planning to delivery – meets the needs of Victorians at their most vulnerable.

The service will provide Victorians with a safe alternative when hospital admission isn’t needed, adding an extra layer of support to the mental health system and ensuring care is tailored to individual needs.

Designed to be safe, welcoming and recovery-focused, the Lived Experience Residential Service will allow Victorians over 18 to access support in a non-medical, home-like setting for up to three weeks, where each day is shaped by the individual – cooking meals, joining group conversations, or going for a walk with lived experience peer workers.

Beyond immediate support, the staff will connect people to clinical or community services if needed, and ensure support continues beyond the immediate crisis, offering a genuine alternative to hospital care.

The trial will offer accommodation and support with 8 beds – with the first four beds to open early next year and the remaining four by mid-2026.

This innovative new model is a direct response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Interim Report, which recommended establishing a residential service designed and delivered by people with lived experience.

First Nations perspectives have been actively involved in the design and development of the service, with dedicated staff and training to support cultural safety for First Nations consumers.

By providing an alternative to acute inpatient admission, the service will reduce pressure on hospitals and strengthen the mental health system’s ability to respond to people with compassion, connection and choice.

The service will be operated by Mind Australia and was codesigned in partnership with Alfred Mental and Addiction Health.

An evaluation will be undertaken once the service is fully operational to inform future peer-led residential mental health services in Victoria.

The winning design of the new youth myki cards that will hit the network next year – unlocking free travel for every Victorian under 18  – has been revealed.

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams has congratulated 11-year-old Charlie Bindokas on winning the design competition – with his artwork set to feature on over a million new youth myki cards.

The competition drew more than 6600 entries from young Victorians and a panel shortlisted the top designs, with Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister Gabrielle Williams selecting the winner.

Bright and bold, Charlie’s design showcases a V/Line train, Metro train, tram and bus – capturing all the ways young Victorians will be able to travel for free from 1 January 2026.

In addition to seeing his design being used by one million young Victorians, Charlie will receive a $1,000 gift card for winning the statewide design competition and in recognition of his time and effort.

A yearly student pass currently costs $755, but from next year children aged under 18 can travel for free. For a family with three children under 18, that’s a saving of $2,265 each year.

More than one million young Victorians and their families will benefit from free travel. Youth myki cards are set to cost just $5, unlocking all public transport anywhere statewide.

Students in the Victoria are feeling safer, more supported and have a stronger sense of belonging at their schools.

The 2025 Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) shows positive trends, especially for early secondary school students who had the largest overall gains.

These improvements continue to build on the significant gains seen in 2024 with more than 90 per cent of measures improved across all year levels in this year’s results.

All year level groups reported a reduction in experiences of bullying, with the largest improvement among early secondary students, and fewer students reported negative online experiences, with the largest improvement in Grades 7, 8 and 9.

More students said their school handles bullying and harassment appropriately, with the largest improvement in Grades 7, 8 and 9. Fewer students in primary and early secondary experienced racism in the past year, and more students across all year levels said they knew what to do if they did.

This year has also seen high levels of positive responses to health and wellbeing factors, with good improvements from 2024.

More students across all year level groups reported feeling greater life satisfaction, stronger resilience and improved physical health.

The School-wide Positive Behaviour Support program gives schools practical tools to teach positive behaviour, create safer learning spaces, and support students who need extra help – with a $10.4 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2025/26, we’re expanding it to over 400 schools – almost doubling its reach.

AtoSS is an annual Department of Education survey that captures students’ attitudes to and experiences at Victorian government schools.

In 2025, more than 380,000 Victorian students in Grades 4 to 12 from 1,541 government schools participated in AtoSS, representing over 86 per cent of eligible students.

Victorian beef is on the menu in Sichuan, with a feast in Chengdu showcasing how the state’s world-class produce pairs perfectly with one of China’s most famous cuisines.

Premier Jacinta Allan has joined the Chengdu Cuisine Association, Sanxuan Supply Chain and local chefs to sample signature dishes from Chengdu Catering Company’s Executive Chef Zhang Fa – including Chen Mapo Tofu, Long Chao Shou dumplings and Dan Honggao custard cake – served with Victorian beef and Bendigo wines.

The celebration follows Chef Zhang’s visit to Melbourne and Bendigo during the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, where he wowed diners with his ‘Taste of Chengdu’ collaboration with Melbourne’s Chef David.

Popular chain Qian Duoduo, which has more than 95 stores across China, has already sold more than 200,000 dishes featuring Victorian beef.

Chengdu and Bendigo are linked not just by food but by culture – both recognised as UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy, the first in Asia and Australia respectively. This shared status has created a bond between Victorian farmers and winemakers in one of the world’s most dynamic food markets.

The traditional Chinese meal shared between parties showcases the potential for Victorian produce in Chinese cuisine and captures the intent of the Allan Labor Government’s New China Strategy: For a New Golden Era.

Victoria is an old friend of China, and our New China Strategy renews that friendship for the future by focusing on the sectors where Victoria stands apart, like our popular beef and agricultural products and backing innovative AgTech solutions that support farmers and families across regional and rural Victoria.

The Strategy demonstrates a renewed focus to position Victoria as a preferred supplier of premium agricultural products, support businesses with brand promotion, build greater capability and understanding of China’s market and consumer trends and strengthen agricultural technology and sustainable practices partnerships.

China remains Victoria’s largest two-way trading partner and largest food and fibre export market, with exports worth $4.84 billion in 2023-24.

While in Shanghai, the Premier launched the Direct From Victoria campaign that puts Victorian agricultural produce in Chinese households and phones and re-opened Victoria’s permanent trade hub and food and wine in the heart of Shanghai.

It’s getting easier to get fresh food to Victorian families with a new food safety regulator.

The new, stronger regulator, Safe Food Victoria is designed to better protect public health and continue to give communities confidence in the safety of their food.

Victorians are now encouraged to have their say on the role of the new body, with the feedback to help shape its focus and priorities, including how they currently interact with other regulators and councils, and how the new regulator should operate.

This new independent statutory authority will report to the Minister for Agriculture and is expected to begin operation in mid-2026, subject to passage of legislation.

Food safety in Victoria is currently governed by four separate pieces of legislation and overseen by multiple regulators. Responsibility is shared across several government departments, Ministers, Dairy Food Safety Victoria, PrimeSafe and local councils, creating a complex regulatory environment.

This new body will consolidate these authorities – bringing Victoria in line with other jurisdictions and create a simpler and more streamlined regulatory system.

Specialist knowledge, skills and expertise across the existing regulators will be maintained. There will be no redundancies as a result of the reforms and staff transferring to Safe Food Victoria will do so on conditions no worse than those they are currently employed under.

This dedicated food safety regulator will harness the full strength, experience and efficiency of existing regulatory staff to deliver a higher level of service to food business in Victoria.

Current and future regulators will help businesses and community through this change, with the same level of service and focus on food safety.

Once Safe Food Victoria is established, further work will be undertaken to modernise and streamline laws, improve the tools and responsibilities to manage food safety and provide a stronger and more flexible food safety system that mitigate risks.

For more information and to make a submission, visit engage.vic.gov.au/foodsafety.

The diversification of the Portland economy is entering a new phase this week, with three feasibility studies underway on how best to drive development and growth across a range of local industries.

Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today announced commencement of the studies, which are being supported by more than $1 million through the Portland Diversification Fund.

In the first study, Quantem will assess the infrastructure needs, regulatory requirements and local demand for a bulk liquid storage terminal at the Port of Portland, which could be used to handle renewable fuels derived from plantation residue and other bulk liquid such as fertiliser, maritime fuel and edible oils.

If the terminal moves to the construction phase, it is expected to generate up to 120 jobs during construction, along with up to 12 ongoing local positions to support terminal operations, strengthening Victoria’s renewable energy supply chain.

The second study will support Immersion Group in evaluating the feasibility of establishing an onshore aquaculture facility for red Asparagopsus seaweed. When added to livestock diets, this native seaweed has been shown to reduce their methane emissions by up to 80 per cent.

An aquaculture facility in Portland is expected to be ideally located to service dairy farms in south-west Victoria and across the state, contributing to significantly reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.

Third, Glenelg Shire Council will deliver “Future Portland” — an interactive dashboard designed to help stakeholders respond to economic changes linked to a major pipeline of projects. The platform will be continuously updated to reflect new developments and guide strategic decision-making across the shire.

A consultant will engage with key sectors such as health, education, childcare, and housing, to gather local data for the dashboard, which Council will be able to use to increase resilience in the local economy.

The Portland Diversification Fund is designed to attract investment into Glenelg Shire that will identify and drive new growth opportunities, while supporting local businesses to increase diversification and productivity.

Link: rdv.vic.gov.au.

The state government is giving early kinder teachers and educators a new one-stop shop for professional development – helping them deliver safe, high-quality kindergarten education for Victorian children.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn has launched the Kindergarten Teaching Excellence Approach, a comprehensive system designed to strengthen the quality of teaching in kindergarten and Pre-Prep programs – because great teachers give kids the best start in life.

The initiative provides world-leading professional development learning tools that help teachers and educators build rich interactions, deliver intentional play-based teaching and expand their knowledge of subject matter.

At the heart of the initiative is the new Early Childhood Hub, an online one-stop-shop where professionals can easily access and complete professional learning.

The resources will help the workforce better understand a child’s unique strengths and abilities and how they develop – and are available free to all staff in Victorian funded kindergartens.

The reforms are transforming early childhood education in Victoria – delivering and expanding hundreds of kindergartens across the state, saving families up to $2,600 a year through Free Kinder, and supporting the rollout of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week by 2036.

For more information on Teaching Excellence go to earlychildhoodhub.vic.gov.au

Drought support for farmers across the state

• Farm Drought Support Grants of up to $5,000 to support on-farm drought management activities like infrastructure improvements, water carting and pasture re-establishment
• expert technical support through the one-on-one farm advisory service
• local workshops and events to connect with other farmers and discuss drought issues and management strategies
• fee and duty relief package to reduce costs linked to biosecurity and food safety regulations and duties.

Find more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

As we enter the spring calving season, you may find a downer cow in your herd, there are several potential causes of this.

The correct diagnosis and treatment of the condition could help save your time and money and protect your cow’s welfare.

Physical injuries – Calving paralysis is usually, but not always, associated with heifers and a difficult calving.

During calving, a cow’s nerve, known as the obturator nerve, may be crushed between her pelvis and the calf.

A cow with calving paralysis will appear bright and alert but have no control over one or both hind legs.

The only treatment is time and careful nursing; anti-inflammatory drugs may help if used early.

Calving paralysis needs to be distinguished from injuries such as dislocated hips and back injuries. Such injuries can occur in any aged animal, often after an accident, such as a slip.

A cow with these injuries will also be bright and alert and usually eat and drink normally.

A veterinarian should be called to assess these animals.

Metabolic diseases – Metabolic diseases can be distinguished from physical injuries by the presence of other clinical signs.

Milk fever is often seen in older, high-producing, fatter cows. A cow with milk fever will show fine muscle tremors, staggering and weakness.

Grass tetany is seen during times of stress, such as bad weather, on short grass-dominated pastures. An affected cow will become aggressive, excited, go down and paddle and convulse violently.

Both milk fever and grass tetany should be treated urgently with 4-in-1.

Pregnancy toxaemia or acetonemia is an energy deficiency problem seen in cows whose diet is deficient in energy. Behavioural signs will be seen before the cow goes down. Cases may indicate a dietary deficiency affecting the entire herd.

Toxaemia (blood poisoning) – Mastitis, metritis or any other generalised infection causes toxaemia or blood poisoning.

A cow with toxaemia will appear depressed, with a dry nose and sunken eyes. It is important to check the udders of downer cows for mastitis and the uterus for tears or severe infections.

Care of the downer cow – Prompt treatment with appropriate veterinary drugs and good nursing are the keys to successfully treating a downer cow.

The first step is to determine why the cow is down and treat it accordingly.

Cows should only be nursed if they have a realistic chance of recovery. Otherwise, they should be humanely destroyed.

When nursing a downer cow, move her to a dry, sheltered shed and provide her with comfortable, dry, soft bedding on a non-slip surface. Sit her on her chest, position her correctly, and roll her from side to side at least twice a day. Provide her with feed and water.

Use hip clamps for only a few minutes to help her get on her feet.

For further advice, please contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer, or in NSW, your Local Land Services.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that an additional 32,400 Victorians found jobs in August, the highest jobs growth in the nation.

This jobs boost propels Victoria’s total employment to 3.82 million – a record level.

More people are also choosing to call Victoria home, with the state’s population up 1.8 per cent over the year to March, reaching 7.05 million residents. In comparison, the nation’s population rose by 1.6 per cent. In absolute terms, Victoria added 125,000 new residents over the year – the biggest increase of any state or territory.

More than 77,000 Victorians found work over the past 12 months – also the highest increase in the nation.

More than 896,000 new jobs have been created, the strongest increase in Australia during this period. Job numbers have been supported by a strong pipeline of job opportunities stemming from ongoing projects like the Melbourne Metro Tunnel and Level Crossing Removal Program.

The share of working-age Victorians in employment is at a historically high level at 65.0 per cent, as is the labour force participation rate at 68.0 per cent.

The unemployment rate declined in August to 4.4 per cent, well below the 6.8 per cent jobless rate inherited from the former Coalition government in 2014.

Over the last decade, Victoria’s economy has grown faster than any other state and is 31 per cent larger than when we came to Government.

Previously released data also shows that business investment has also increased by 53.4 per cent in 10 years, the strongest growth of the states. Victoria has also added more than 123,000 businesses since June 2020 – an increase of 19.6 per cent, the largest percentage growth of any state.

Victorians are accessing faster and more reliable broadband internet, with more than 100 Connecting Victoria Fibre-to-the-Premises upgrades completed across the state.

Minister for Government Services Natalie Hutchins has announced the completion of 101 projects which are boosting connectivity right across regional Victoria.

The Fibre-to-the-Premises upgrades replace existing copper with high-speed fibre optic cables that plug directly into each premise – this means residents and businesses can now access download speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second through their chosen internet provider.

The 101 projects delivered have been jointly funded by Connecting Victoria and NBN Co. More than 99,000 households and businesses across 70 Victorian towns and suburbs can now switch to nbn Fibre-to-the-Premises technology thanks to these upgrades.

Work has taken place across the state, including Greater Geelong, Greater Bendigo, Hume, the Latrobe Valley, and most recently on the Surf Coast in Lorne.

While the Commonwealth is responsible for telecommunications services in Australia, the state government is investing significantly to fast-track state telecommunications infrastructure upgrades.

Connecting Victoria has already completed 140 broadband projects. By the end of the year, Victoria is set to have the largest percentage of premises in Australia capable of gigabit speeds through nbn’s fixed line network.

Delivered by the Department of Government Services, Connecting Victoria is the single largest investment in mobile and internet infrastructure made by any state. The majority of projects are set for completion by June 2026.

Victorians can check if they’re eligible for an upgrade via the ‘check your address’ function on nbn’s website at nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fibre, or find out more at vic.gov.au/connecting-victoria.