News

"Hepburn Shire Council stands with DJAARA’s (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) decision to not celebrate Australia Day, therefore will not host events and celebrations on 26 January. "Hepburn Shire Council is an inclusive council and understands individual community groups may wish to host their own events and celebrations of 26 January." The council has scaled back its events on and around January 26 in recent years and its citizenship ceremonies occur throughout the year with the annual Community Awards now taking place during National Volunteer Week in May. Cr Brian Hood said he would be joining the Trentham community, as he has done for the past five years, and make an address.

Daylesford Spirit Cellar Door is the new kid on the block on Daylesford’s main street. And The Spirit is what people are already calling the Gin Spot at 45 Vincent Street, the space emanates a New York style bar, in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country.

Landholders next to Kerang’s Ramsar-listed wetlands will again have access to a buy-one-get-one-free rabbit bait program this year.

Victim-survivors of family violence in the Barwon South West region will have greater access to justice and support services with the opening of a Specialist Family Violence Court based out of the Geelong Magistrates’ Court – backed with funding by the state government. 

Australians for Mental Health is calling on state and local governments to sharpen their focus on urban greening infrastructure, as more hot weather hits areas with less green space especially hard. 

Australians for Mental Health is calling on state and local governments to sharpen their focus on urban greening infrastructure, as more hot weather hits areas with less green space especially hard. Hot weather is forecast for parts of the country over the coming days, and places like Western Sydney which has fewer green spaces and tree canopy than other areas, are known to get hotter partly due to the urban heat island effect.

Services Australia has a range of student payments to help you financially while you study and now is the time to apply.

In another win for our visitor economy, Melbourne will host an upcoming World Conference on Lung Cancer – the biggest lung cancer conference globally.

The Labor Government is getting on with delivering world-class healthcare for families in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs, with major works to expand the emergency department at the Austin Hospital officially underway.

Most Australians have never heard of one of the most effective forms of financial support available to them — and The Salvation Army says that needs to change.

The state government is getting on with delivering safer and more reliable journeys in Wyndham Vale, with major works now underway on the Ballan Road Intersection Upgrade.

The state government is calling on thousands of Victorian basketballers – from grassroots juniors to elite stars to step up as road safety ambassadors this month, as Basketball Victoria partners with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to deliver the sport’s first-ever Road Safety Round.

Victorians are a step closer to tapping on and travelling with their credit card, smartphone or watch, with the state government moving into the next stage of contactless payment testing on the myki network.

A multifaith vigil to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack will be held at 11.15am on Thursday, 22 January at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.

Most Australians have never heard of one of the most effective forms of financial support available to them — and The Salvation Army says that needs to change.

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) is pleased to announce a new suite of free parenting programs commencing in February 2026, designed to support parents, carers, and dads across the Central Highlands region.

The state government is delivering real cost-of-living relief to families and making the first day of school extra special with Preps at every government school to receive a free bundle of books and resources.

The state government is backing dozens of events and activities celebrating Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQA+ communities held around the state. 

The state government is getting on with delivering the Henderson Road and Ferntree Gully Road Intersection Upgrade in Knoxfield, with the contract now awarded and major construction starting this year.

Lower interest rates have seen the volume of new homes commencing construction increase, but they still remain well below the government’s target,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Maurice Tapang.

Victoria’s visitor economy is set for another boost – as Melbourne secures a major soccer event that will bring four nations together for the Socceroos’ farewell ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The new school year could pack fresh money pain for Australian families, with the average spend on uniforms, shoes, electronics, and other supplies climbing to $767 according to data from Compare the Market.

Stage 3 water restrictions will commence in the Forest Hill service region from Friday 23 January 2026. Following the introduction of Stage 1 water restrictions in early November 2025, Central Highlands Water (CHW) has been closely monitoring groundwater levels, and water usage, to ensure there continues to be enough supply for customers, businesses and community users

Farmers in fire affected areas are encouraged to monitor their dams and remove floating debris as soon as possible following heavy or prolonged rain.