Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to identify three people after a man was seriously assaulted in Geelong last month.

Police have been told a man was standing in a car park on Little Ryrie Street speaking with three occupants of a grey BMW sedan just before 3am on Friday 16 December.

It is believed the man spoke to the unknown female driver when two unknown men got out of the car.

One of the offenders punched the victim to the face causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.

The offenders then fled the scene.

A 48-year-old Geelong man was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries.

The male offender is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, medium build, wearing a blue cap, black earrings, black Harley Davidson jumper, grey pants and white runners.

The female is described as Caucasian, aged in her 20s with long dark hair, wearing a cream puffer jacket, black pants and black Vans shoes.

The second male is described as Caucasian with a mullet style haircut, arm, hand and facial tattoos, wearing a hooded jumper and work boots.

Investigators have released CCTV and images (above) of three people that may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via Crime Stoppers online.

Led by researchers at Macquarie University and Italy’s National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), a portion of our Galaxy has been imaged in detail so great, we may be able to answer long-standing questions about the Milky Way’s stars.

A new radio astronomy image, created using the strengths of Australia’s two greatest radio telescopes, marks a stellar start to the new year. The image, which showcases the places of star births and deaths, is the most detailed radio image yet of our galaxy.

Radio observations of a large section of the galactic plane of the Milky Way were conducted with the ASKAP radio telescope and the Parkes radio telescope, Murriyang, both owned and operated by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, as part of the PEGASUS and EMU surveys. This is the first joint image to be released by the survey teams and its clarity hints that this survey may be able to answer the question, “where are all the supernova remnants?”. 

This question has troubled astronomers for some time. Supernova remnants are what is left when a star dies. Models predict that, due to the age and density of the Milky Way, we should see the remnants of many, many stars that have lived and died. However, we have not yet had telescopes sensitive enough to detect these remnants, and scientists need to detect 5 times more remnants than are currently documented to match predictions. 

The PEGASUS survey is one of the many projects building on the Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) project and the POSSUM project, which both use ASKAP to learn more about our cosmos. PEGASUS has completed its pilot observations, and aims to observe the entire southern sky using the Parkes telescope in the next two years.

Professor Andrew Hopkins, Lead Scientist of the EMU Project, from Macquarie University, says the new composite image shows the galactic plane in its finest detail yet.

“This new picture showcases a region of the Milky Way, only visible to radio telescopes, where we can see extended emission associated with hydrogen gas filling the space between dying stars, related to the birth of new stars, and hot bubbles of gas called supernova remnants. Over twenty new possible supernova remnants have been discovered as a result of combining these images, where only seven were previously known.” 

PhD student Brianna Ball from the University of Alberta in Canada, has conducted the work to help discover these new possible supernova remnants. It was her supervisor, Roland Kothes of the National Research Council of Canada, who put the image together. 

“When Roland combined the PEGASUS map with that from the EMU and POSSUM observations, the result was marvellous; when we opened the image for the first time, we were amazed by such quality and beauty,” says Ettore Carretti, Leader of the PEGASUS project, from INAF. 

“PEGASUS has captured a large region of the Galactic plane of our Galaxy full of supernova remnants, regions of ionising hydrogen and planetary nebulae, which, thanks to the combination of data from the ASKAP and Parkes telescopes, can be studied with extremely high precision and accuracy.”

With the quality of the new image being extremely clear, Professor Hopkins believes astronomers will be able to firm up their understanding of the Galaxy and beyond with future observations. 

“The eventual results will be an unprecedented view of almost the entire Milky Way, about a hundred times larger than this initial image, but achieving the same level of detail and sensitivity. It is estimated that there may be about 1500 more supernova remnants in the galaxy that astronomers haven’t discovered yet. Finding the missing remnants will help us unlock more of an understanding of our galaxy and its history,” says Professor Hopkins.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a fatal crash in Park Orchards that happened on Sunday, January 22.

It’s alleged a vehicle left Stintons Road just after 2.30pm and hit a tree.

There were four occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

A 21-year-old Doncaster woman, who was a front seat passenger in the car, died at the scene.

A 22-year-old Doncaster man, the driver, was initially taken to hospital with serious injuries.

A 20-year-old Doncaster man, a rear seat passenger, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

An 18-year-old Doncaster man, a rear seat passenger, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A 22-year-old Doncaster man, the driver of the vehicle, has been charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, negligently cause serious injury, recklessly cause injury and three counts of reckless conduct endangering life.

He was to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 23.

Macedon Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating an incident in Macedon on Sunday, where a man sustained serious injuries.

Emergency services were called to Black Forest Drive after a man was located by passers-by with injuries about 5.30pm on Sunday, 22 January.

It is understood the 25-year-old man was travelling from Melbourne’s CBD to Swan Hill, and had parked his car on Willeys Road, near Black Forest Drive when the incident occurred.

Police have been told the man was dragged from his vehicle and assaulted by an unknown man, before he stole his vehicle and fled the scene.

The man was taken to hospital with serious injures where he remains in a stable condition.

Detectives have today arrested a 37-year-old man as part of their investigation.

The Reservoir man is currently assisting police with their enquiries and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a truck driver following a collision with a school bus in Pentland Hills last year.

The collision occurred on the Western Highway, near the intersection of Condons Lane, causing the bus to roll down an embankment about 3.15am on 21 September.

One teenage girl was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

The male truck driver was also taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The bus contained 27 students, four adults and the bus driver – all taken to hospital for observation.

A 60-year-old Croydon man has been charged with 46 offences including reckless conduct causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering life.

He was to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday January 23.

World-leading technology developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, could soon play a key role in safeguarding spent nuclear fuel across the globe.

The Robotized Cherenkov Viewing Device (RCVD) was created through a collaboration between CSIRO’s data and digital specialist arm Data61, Hungarian robotics company Datastart, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The RCVD, which runs autonomy-enabling software designed by CSIRO’s Data61, has completed a successful test in an operating nuclear power facility in South America.

CSIRO Technical Program Manager, Rosie Attwell, said the prototype system navigated a spent fuel pond and provided inspectors with real time data that can be used for safeguards verification.

“The test demonstrates that autonomous robots could soon assist with field measurement and analysis of spent nuclear fuel, providing greater protection for human workers,” Ms Atwell said.

“Inspectors currently operate above the pond on a suspended platform, sometimes in 40-degree Celsius heat, using a handheld device to identify hundreds of used nuclear fuel rods.

“This new technology will remove humans from harm’s way and ensure the rate of safety inspections matches that of nuclear material.” she said.

The RCVD, a floating device, autonomously navigates a path across the pond while updating a real-time map with footage and data of the fuel assemblies.

It analyses each assembly’s position and unique signature to detect if fuel has been removed or replaced. Information is communicated back to human staff members.

Police have issued a stern warning to unauthorised drivers thinking about getting behind the wheel this Australia Day long weekend – you will be caught.

Operation Amity will see police across the state utilising automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR) to detect and remove drivers and motorcyclists who are unlicenced, suspended and disqualified.

With all Victoria Police highway patrol vehicles fitted with the technology, as well as additional police vehicles in regional and specialist areas as part of an ongoing trial, there are now more ANPR-fitted police vehicles on Victorian roads than ever before.

It is estimated that ANPR can scan up to 76 million number plates each year – or 8,675 number plates an hour.

During a recent statewide road policing operation, ANPR helped police detect 1,021 motorists who should not be on the roads, 33 per cent more than the previous year.

It comes as unauthorised drivers were involved in 31 fatal collisions last year, a 29 per cent increase on the previous year.

Unauthorised drivers are considered high-risk on the roads due to the often recidivist nature of their offending – unlicenced drivers have not undertaken the necessary training to safely operate a vehicle, whilst drivers who are suspended or disqualified have committed prior offences, predominately speeding, drink or drug driving, or a combination.

Police will utilise all ANPR-fitted highway patrol vehicles as part of Operation Amity, a statewide road policing effort launching this week to coincide with the high-risk Australia Day period.

The five-day operation will see police highly visible and enforcing to reduce road trauma across the unofficial long weekend, with a focus on major arterials, coastal holiday hotspots, and travel on rural roads.

It comes as 24 lives have been lost on Victorian roads in the first 23 days of the year, double the five-year average of 12, with three quarters of fatalities occurring on rural roads this year.

Police will be targeting speeding motorists and conducting widespread alcohol and drug testing after detecting 4,803 speeding offences and 886 drug and alcohol offences during a recent Christmas 12-day road safety blitz.

Operation Amity commenced at 12:01am yesterday, Wednesday 25 January and concludes at 23:59pm on Sunday 29 January.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir: “Our capability to detect and enforce against unauthorised drivers and motorcyclists has never been greater.

“These drivers have no right to be on our roads and pose a significant risk, not only to themselves but to all road users. Increasingly, we’re seeing unauthorised drivers involved in road trauma and fatal collisions.

“Our ANPR technology gives us another set of eyes on the roads to stop these drivers in their tracks.

“Unauthorised drivers should think twice about getting behind the wheel, as you will be caught.

“Police will be highly visible and enforcing to reduce road trauma during Operation Amity – as well as unauthorised drivers, we’ll be targeting speeding motorists and conducting widespread alcohol and drug testing during the Australia Day period.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is making commercial innovation more accessible for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors by offering a free online course for research and development (R&D) expertise and support.

Eligible SMEs that are in the early stages of engaging in R&D or pursuing a new idea in the mining/METS space can apply to Innovate to Grow.

It is a 10-week online program where experienced researchers and innovation experts guide participants as they examine their technical or business challenges, explore R&D opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans.

Upon completion of the program, participants may be able to access facilitation support, through CSIRO, to connect to research expertise nationally, and may be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding.

Monika Szabo, SME Collaboration Manager for CSIRO, said the Innovate to Grow program was designed to help small-medium businesses understand how to engage in R&D by showing them pathways to access funding, mentoring, and a highly connected network through research organisations and their own sector.

“The Innovate to Grow program is aimed at Australian companies with less than 200 employees, and currently is offered at no cost to participants,” Dr Szabo said.

“In doing so we hope to remove some of the barriers that smaller enterprises face when they have an idea they would like to pursue.

Detectives were yesterday on site, and a crime scene had been established, following a fire at a home in Pascoe Vale yesterday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Rhodes Parade unit following reports a man had smashed the window of a home about 4.50am yesterday.

Police then received reports there was a fire at the residence and that a seriously injured man was receiving medical treatment nearby.

The man, who was under police guard, had been taken to hospital with what was believed to be critical injuries.

A woman, believed known to the man, escaped without injury.

Detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, which wass believed to be suspicious.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An international consortium of scientists has received a $34 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) fund to improve crop productivity and food security in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. 

The project aims to end hunger worldwide by improving the complex process of photosynthesis to increase crop production. 

Leading agriculture researchers from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO are part of the Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project, an international collaboration with the University of Illinois, the University of California, Berkeley, Lancaster University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Essex in the UK and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

With the demand for protein set to double in places like Africa by 2050, CSIRO scientist Jose Barrero said the focus is now on improving staple food crops, including cowpea, in some of the most disadvantaged and harsh landscapes on the planet.

“Cowpea is an important vegetable food source for smallholder farmers in Africa where it is a major source of protein,” Dr Barrero said.

CSIRO scientist TJ Higgins said the goal is to develop new improved cowpea varieties that provide better yield and that help deliver global food security in light of the expected population growth in West Africa and the challenging impacts of climate change.

“Existing work by CSIRO and partners on improving outcomes for crops in Africa has already led to the development and commercial release of the world’s first genetically modified cowpea in Nigeria,” Dr Higgins said.

“This new cowpea variety is resistant to an important insect pest, the Maruca pod-borer.

“We have already seen major improvements in crop productivity in field trials conducted by the RIPE project. This new research as part of the RIPE project will have an additional impact on reducing hunger and rural poverty,” he said.

RIPE Project Director Steven Long said the work being done by CSIRO and the RIPE team was world-leading and would have profound implications for small-scale agriculture in developing countries.

Tens of thousands of people who’ve expressed interest in pursuing a career in policing will be contacted as part of a major recruitment drive, Victoria Police reports.

More than 40,000 potential recruits who have previously applied to join Victoria Police but missed out, registered for a careers information session or signed up to learn about the police fitness test are now to be contacted over coming weeks.

Those who have withdrawn an application will also be included.

It coincides with the staging of a dedicated policing careers expo where people can learn more about joining the force.

The event is being held to coincide with the university offer period, with Victoria Police keen to ensure young people don’t discount starting a policing career early.

It’s also a time of year when people of all ages are considering their next career move.

The potential police pool, comprising people Victoria Police has been in contact with as far back as 2016, will receive an email or phone call to check whether their circumstances have changed and their interest in speaking about Victoria Police’s career options.

Those interested will be supported with further information and guided through the application process.

It’s the first time Victoria Police has embarked on such an effort.

While the force continues to look to people with life experience for much of its recruitment pool, it is reminding suitable younger people including those who have recently finished secondary school or taken a gap year they can also be considered.

Those who have been involved in volunteer work, demonstrated leadership qualities and played community sport are especially well placed to apply.

Part-time work, particularly in customer service, can also assist in demonstrating an aptitude for a policing role.

Applicants do not need an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank to apply but must have completed year 12 if aged under 21.

Victoria Police in October last year launched a major recruitment campaign as it adds an extra 502 police and 50 protective services officers over two years.

It’s also streamlining the recruitment process, with a trial starting this month to explore options in exam testing so applicants can complete it online anywhere, any time.

Anyone interested in a policing career can find further information at police.vic.gov.au/police.

Acting Superintendent Charmaine Hosking, Victoria Police Recruitment Division: “We know these people have shown an interest in policing at some point so it makes sense to check in.

“Life circumstances change, people’s priorities change and now might just be the time for them to pick up where they left off.

“Policing is a challenging, rewarding career and we don’t want anyone to discount all it can provide.

“The start of the year is a great time for people to evaluate their career options.

“That’s why we’re so keen to get out and talk to anyone keen to pull on the blue uniform.

“It could be the start of an amazing career.”

Two males have been charged following the alleged ramming of two police cars in Shepparton on Thursday January 12.

A 17-year-old Shepparton boy has been charged with damage to emergency service vehicle by reckless driving, reckless conduct endanger serious injury, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police and drug driving.

He had been remanded to appear before a children’s court at a later date.

A 31-year-old Shepparton man has been charged with a total of 32 charges, including three counts of aggravated reckless exposure to police officer to risk by driving, damage to emergency service vehicle by reckless driving, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police.

He has been remanded to appear before Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on 18 April.

The charges follow a number of incidents in Shepparton including where a police car was allegedly rammed in Victoria Street after the car drove off from officers who tried to intercept it around 10am on Thursday January 12.

The Holden Statesman was located a short time later and the 31-year-old man arrested.

In the second incident a police car was allegedly rammed in the driveway of a home on Colliver Road after police observed the allegedly stolen yellow Mini coupe in the vicinity of where the Holden was located.

The teen was arrested in High Street shortly after.

A search of the allegedly stolen Holden uncovered a number of alleged edged weapons.

Detectives from the Campaspe and Bendigo crime investigation units are investigating 14 suspicious fires that occurred around the Bendigo area over recent weeks.

It’s believed an arsonist is using sparklers to light fires in areas surrounding Bendigo since 29 December.

The blazes are being lit along rural roadsides, frequently near houses and spreading into crops.

There have been no injuries or damage to any structures reported.

The fires which detectives are currently treating as linked are:

– 29 December three fires were lit in grasslands at the vicinity of River and Myola-Barnadown roads, Muskerry about 6.30am

– 2 January a fire was lit in grass and bushland on River Road, Myola about 3pm

– 6 January two fires were lit in grassland along the side of Keane Road, Diggora about 7.30am

– 6 January four fires were lit in grassland along River Road, Muskerry about 5.00 am

– 9 January three fires were lit in grassland on Yorkshire Road, Wilsons Hill, and a further fire at a rest stop near the Marong Primary School about 3pm

Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrew Heazlewood said the firebug needed to be caught.

“Thankfully none of these fires have caused any significant damage so far however with the right weather conditions a small grassfire could turn into a dangerous bushfire,” he said.

“We are asking members of the public to think back if they were in these areas at the time of the fires and report any information that might be helpful.

“We are also urging people to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour or cars parked on the side of the road near some of the fire areas to come forward.”

Any witnesses or anyone with vision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit Crime Stoppers online.

Local muso Stella savy brings her singular blend of funk, soul, reggae and ska to Odesa at Leaver’s Hotel, Creswick this Saturday, January 28 for her Stella Savy Avek Frers gig.

Stella is Ballarat-based but her original music is influenced by her Seychelle Island heritage- the sounds of the islands fused with reggae and ska guitar rhythms.

Her original material showcases her talent as a songwriter and vocalist. Her expressive and soulful vocal style captivates audiences all over Australia. Stella has been a professional musician for over 20 years. A multi-instrumentalist, Stella is a renowned percussionist and vocalist.

During the course of her career, Stella has worked with musicians from all over the world. The Avek Frer line-up is world class- with her musical brothers fully committed to the groove. Andrew Vincent on double bass and Geoff Hassall on drums form a mean rhythm section, Bryn Hills on trombone while Wayne Parker adds pure groove and melody on guitar to Stella’s original roots-based tunes.

Police were on scene investigating a fatal collision that claimed the life of a woman in Meredith last Tuesday.

It is believed three cars collided at the intersection of the Midland Highway and McLeod Street just after 6am.

A female passenger inside one vehicle died at the scene.

She is yet to be formally identified.

The driver of another vehicle was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives will investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via Crime Stoppers online.