Melbourne Serious Crime Team detectives are appealing for assistance from the public following an assault and robbery that happened in the Melbourne CBD back in October 2024.

Investigators have been told the victim, a 37-year-old Bentleigh East man, was walking alone through the CBD along King Street on 25 October about 2.20am.

Three unknown males approached the victim and one of the males punched the victim to the head causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.

The other two males went through the victim’s pockets, stealing his wallet, mobile phone, and car keys before all three fled the scene.

They were last seen heading west on Flinders Lane towards Spencer Street.

Nearby security staff came to the victim’s aid, and he was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The victim has since had to undergo surgery.

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

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

This story based on a Victoria Police report

The Macedon Ranges Council is hosting a range of fun activities for children and young people throughout the summer school holidays including a dance holiday program.

The dance holiday program is happening over January 20-22, 9am-12pm at the Buffalo Sports Stadium in Woodend.

It is aimed at children aged 6-12 years.

Over three sessions children will learn hip-hop, acrobatic and acting skills in a fun and engaging environment with a qualified instructor.

More details are available from email studio2tinytackers@mrsc.vic.gov.au or by calling 5422 0333. 

Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to help identify a group of people who have been allegedly scamming victims out of cash and valuables in Box Hill.

Detectives believe that a group of three women and two men are working together when they separately approach elderly women on the street.

It is alleged the women convince their victims that there is a spirit following them and that they or a family member is in danger.

The offenders then offer to help the victim rid themselves of the spirits by praying over their bag containing money and jewellery.

The victim is told not to look in the bag for a period of time and when they finally look into the bag, they find that their valuables have been stolen.

Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating three incidents which occurred in Station Street, Box Hill on 26 November at 10am and 4 December at 9.45am and 1.55pm.

The victims have lost over $150,000 in cash and jewellery.

Investigators have released images (below) of three women and two men that may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

This story based on a Victoria Police media release

Ballarat’s Selkirk Stadium is set to host some of Australia’s most promising basketballers during the Under 20 and the Ivor Burge National Championships.

Coming up later this month, Basketball Australia’s Under 20 National Championships will take place over January 28- February 2.

The Under 20 championships will showcase the next generation of professional basketballers.

And the Ivor Burge championships are for athletes with an intellectual disability to represent their state and vie for a national title.  

Across the championships fans can expect to see 336 athletes competing, with more than 3500 people attending the championships. 

About 650 rowers will take to Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree for the Ballarat Regatta this Saturday, January 18, with school and club crews from across Victoria competing.

The regatta will draw over 800 athletes who will be competing in more than 50 events throughout the day.

The annual regatta is expected to also attract a further 800 spectators.

Looking ahead, Lake Wendouree will also be hosting the Ballarat Masters Rowing Regatta on Saturday April 5.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is hosting a range of fun activities for children and young people throughout the summer school holidays including an intensive learn to swim program.

The aquatic centres in both Kyneton and Gisborne have both begun running a series of week-long summer intensive swimming programs during the holidays.

Dates ahead for the program include: 

• Gisborne Aquatic Centre (GAC): Monday 13 to Friday 17 January, Monday 20 to Friday 24 January 
• Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre (KTSAC): Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 

Those keen to enrol children in lessons can call 5421 1452 (GAC) or 5421 1477 (KTSAC). 

Shepparton Police are investigating after 150 collectable Barbie dolls were stolen from their Tatura dream home last month.

Police say that unknown offenders have forced entry to a residence on William Street between Thursday, 5 December and Wednesday, 11 December, while the occupants were on holidays.

The offenders stole the Barbies, along with Elvis collectables and a Jack Daniels esky.

The myriad of iconic dolls are all still in their original packaging and took their owner 12 years to collect.

The dolls were released between 1970 and 2017 and whilst priceless to their collector, are estimated to be worth in excess of $15,000.

Many of the Barbies are extremely rare and police have released images (below) of some of the stolen dolls in the hope someone may provide information as to their whereabouts.

Officers are asking for members of the public to keep their eye out for anyone attempting to sell the vintage dolls, particularly on online platforms.

Just the slightest bit of information maybe “Ken-ough” to track down the offenders.

Anyone with information that can assist police in locating the Barbies is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

This story based on a Victoria Police report

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is hosting a range of fun activities for children and young people throughout the summer school holidays, including Inflatable Fun @ aquatic centres.

Both Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre (KTSAC) and Gisborne Aquatic Centre (GAC) will host the pool inflatable – featuring obstacles, climbing hills and slides – on the following days (all 1pm to 3pm): 

• GAC: Monday 13, Wednesday 15, Friday 17, Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 January
• KTSAC: Tuesday 14, Thursday 16, Monday 20, Wednesday 22, Friday 24 January 

Use of the inflatable is included in pool entry fees and with more details available by following the centres’ respective Facebook pages for updates. 

CFA crews have been working at the Beyond the Valley Music Festival recently helping to keep festivalgoers safe while they celebrated the start of the new year.

Whilst a large number of resources had been focused on the fire that, until recent days, had been burning in the Grampians, it was important for local CFA members to assist at the event which attracted thousands of revellers.  

The festival, in its third year ran for five days from 28 December to 1 January, included music, arts, and camping.   

CFA Commander Gavin Fitzgerald said the CFA had been involved in planning and response before, and during the festival ensuring that both the local community and festivalgoers were protected.  

“The challenge for local CFA is that given the farming area, most members are employed in agriculture and this event coincided with peak harvest production,” Gavin said.  

“We’re fortunate to have members not just from Wingeel Brigade area but from wider afield in the district to support our local people for these peak periods. 

“Not only is CFA there to protect those at the festival, a big emphasis is on ensuring the land around the event stayed safe too.

“It is a big event in the middle of a paddock in summer, there are lots of risks to be managed.

“Having 40,000 people attending and being the size of a regional town, this event adds additional support resourcing from local members.” 

Crews at the festival worked within the Beyond The Valley Emergency Coordination Center to help keep festivalgoers safe, especially during a nearby grassfire in Inverleigh on Monday December 30.  

The fire burned through more than 70 hectares but thanks to the great work of CFA volunteers there had been no threat to those at the festival.  

“It was great to see so many people having fun over new years and it is a good feeling knowing our people are there to help them and the community this festival runs in stay safe,” Gavin said.  

This story based on a CFA report. Image: Supplied, CFA

Two men have been charged after a large cannabis crop was located by police inside a Braeside factory on December 31, Victoria Police have reported in recent days.

A warrant had been executed at the premises on Hall Street about 4.35pm.

It’s alleged two men attempted to flee on foot before they were swiftly arrested by Caulfield Divisional Response Unit detectives.

A search allegedly located approximately 950 mature cannabis plants throughout several rooms within the factory.

A 28-year-old Springvale man and a 45-year-old man of no fixed address have both been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 26.

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal fire which occurred in Boort last week.

Emergency services were called Lake View Street about 5.50pm on Thursday, January 2 after reports a caravan had caught fire.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze and a deceased child was located inside.

The Arson and Explosives Squad has been notified and an arson chemist will attend the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

The investigation was ongoing.

Officers were aware of the impact that such a tragic incident has on family, community members and first responders and were ensuring that welfare services were in place.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

This story based on a Victoria Police report

The Australian Underwater Hockey National Championships will take place in Ballarat over seven days starting this Sunday.

To be hosted at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre over January 12-19, the event is the highest-level competition within Australia for underwater hockey.

But what is underwater hockey? Well, it is exactly as it sounds.

Most of the action takes place at the bottom of the pool, with competing teams trying to score as many goals as possible without using a breathing apparatus.

The event will involve round robin and finals in both senior and junior divisions, involving about 250 competitors.

A 38-year-old Mount Waverley man was expected to be charged on summons with traffic related offences following an incident in Gardenvale last week.

Police were operating a random breath testing site on North Road when the man was waved in for a test about 10.20pm last Thursday, January 2.

It is alleged the man returned a positive result and accompanied police for an evidentiary test where he returned an alleged reading of 0.269.

His licence was immediately suspended for 12 months.

Operation Roadwise, the statewide road policing operation, commenced at 00:01 hours on Friday 13 December 2024 and concluded at 23:59 hours on Wednesday 1 January 2025.

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

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Ballarat is hosting the Disc Golf – Golden City Classic this weekend, January 11-12.

The two-day event is one of the biggest disc golf tournaments hosted throughout Australia.

The Golden City Classic will see about 160 competitors take to the two disc golf courses in Ballarat.

Day one will be hosted at the Victoria Park Disc Golf Course, with day two to be held at the new Mt Xavier Disc Golf Course.

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc.

The sport was formalized in the 1970’s, and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws).

A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the ‘hole’ which can be one of a number of disc golf targets, the most common is an elevated metal basket (as pictured below).

As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed.

Police are investigating after a fatal crash in Ripplebrook on New Year’s Day.

Emergency services were called to reports a motorcycle had lost control and crashed on Westernport Road about 11.50am.

The rider, a 68-year-old Longwarry man, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash had yet to be established as at the time of the latest police rport issued, and the investigation was ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

For the current provisional lives lost tally please see https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0.

This story based on a Victoria Police report