News

Macedon Ranges residents will have the option to dispose of their real Christmas trees for free this January with usual green waste drop-off fees to be temporarily waived for the festive feature.

Open Gardens Victoria will see North Haven, 13 Loren Close, Ballarat North open to the public on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1.

Paramedics and first responders at Ambulance Victoria’s Daylesford branch have been recognised for going above and beyond to provide best care, named Grampians Team of the Year at AV staff recognition awards held late last year.

Daylesford’s Phoenix@The Rex community cinema has moved significantly closer to reopening following a donation commitment of up to $40,000 from local residents Lahn, pictured right, and Anton Straney-Kraft. The couple has made an initial $20,000 donation and are personally matching a further $20,000 from the community dollar-for-dollar. If fully matched, their contribution will total $40,000 and bring the cinema group close to installing the projection and sound equipment needed to begin screening film

While the move to permanent care in an aged care facility can be an emotionally challenging time, Hepburn House's compassionate staff work closely with residents and their loved ones during the transition period to ensure everyone involved feels supported. Manager Shelley Simpson said while many people embraced the move for onsite medical support, social interaction and mobility support, others found it harder to leave the home they know for an aged care facility.

Glen Heyne is the eldest fourth-generation member of Adelaide’s leading nursery, where he worked until his two younger brothers finished school. He then entered the world of journalism writing for gardening columns for newspapers including The Chronicle, South Australia’s Weekly Times counterpart He then moved into PR and was promotions manager for the South Australian Festival of the Arts for some time.

Thirty houses and 40 sheds have been lost in the fire at Harcourt. At the time of going to press (Sunday, January 11, 2pm) 80 per cent of the fire was contained.

Cobram Crime Investigation Unit detectives have been left dumbfounded after a CFA automated fire danger sign was cut down in Koonoomoo last week.

The Bureau of Meteorology has published its preliminary key summary for Australia's temperature, rainfall and water resources in 2025. This follows the publication of the raw data for the full 2025 calendar year on the Bureau’s website:

Ambulance Victoria has downgraded the statewide Red Escalation to an Orange level for the active bushfires from 7pm on Saturday 10 January 2026, following improved conditions across much of the state and in consultation with our emergency service partners.

The state and federal  governments are standing with Victorians who have been affected by the devastating fires that have torn through so much of the sta

Victoria’s screen industry is already in full swing for 2026 – with Gerard Butler’s new action blockbuster transforming the streets of Melbourne and building on a stellar line-up of local and international productions filmed across the state – thanks to support from the state government.

A number of Ambulance Victoria paramedic branches that were temporarily relocated for safety reasons during yesterday’s catastrophic fire danger period will return to their locations today, following updated advice from emergency management authorities.

Insurer Suncorp, whose brands include AAMI, Apia, Shannons and Vero, is on standby to support and respond to customers impacted by intense rainfall in North Queensland and bushfires in Victoria. 

The Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen, following advice from the Minister for Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Commissioner, has declared a State of Disaster in 18 fire-affected local government areas and one alpine resort.

Paramedics and first responders at Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Daylesford branch have been recognised for going above and beyond to provide best care, named Grampians Team of the Year at AV staff recognition awards.

Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a series of suspicious fires in the Goldfields area over the past couple of months.

Golden Plains Council is hosting a series of free activities for young people aged 12 to 25 years throughout the upcoming Summer School Holidays, with exciting activities running from Tuesday 13 January to Thursday 22 January 2026.

Golden Plains Shire Council is thrilled to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the 2026 Golden Spaces Winter Exhibition.

Australia Day community events for Hepburn Shire in 2026

Friday 9 January 2026 has been declared an Extreme Fire Danger Day and Total Fire Ban Day by the Country Fire Authority.

Maintaining a bedroom temperature of 24°C at night while sleeping reduces stress responses in older adults, according to new Griffith University research.