News

The state government is backing Victorian homeowners with stronger protections to provide greater confidence in the building industry.

New figures show a 14 per cent reduction in hot-car call-outs across Victoria, and while Ambulance Victoria (AV) thanks the community for its vigilance, paramedics warn the danger remains life-threatening as temperatures climb.

The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – Australia’s largest housing and transport project – will slash travel times and cut congestion for families, while building 70,000 homes around six new stations within walking distance of jobs, healthcare, green open spaces and the largest universities.

Rural women are being empowered to step into leadership roles – providing the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to support the next generation of Victoria’s farmers.

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the City of Ballarat have partnered to restore river and water habitats critical for platypus and other threatened species on the Yarrowee River in Sebastopol.

The state government has taken strong action to stamp out the rotten culture that has been exposed within the construction sector.

The state government is driving employment growth in regional Victoria, with more workers securing jobs last month.

Local Lines

Australia has an identity issue. Shopping for a Christmas card the other day, the choices were dismal. My choices were one beach Santa or a tonne of different winter scenes. Hot chocolate mugs by the fire, people snuggled up in the cold or fir trees dripping in tinsel and snow.

The Local sent out invites to local charities and not-for-profit organisations asking for their Christmas activities. Here they are, in no particular order.

Art comes in many varieties. Artist Margaret Morgan's father studied violin at the Melbourne Conservatory and her mother had her learning ballet with Jennie Brenan before she realised her daughter had two left feet.

Well here I am again penning another column for you, the reader, to enjoy...

Three years ago Samantha and Ned Palay made a tree change, from Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula, to Central Victoria, buying historic Frog Hollow Estate.

Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with the Good Grub Club has secured $89,000 through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief Program.

Hepburn Shire Council has started removing 12 trees from the Daylesford Avenue of Honour.

Did you know it’s been 13 years since the word was passed around They’re going to run a sheep dog trial at the Dean Recreation Ground

Dean Recreation Reserve committee president Brian Maher last week presented a cheque for $1500 to the Dean/Newlyn CFA – funds raised at the Old Sniff Sheepdog Trials in October and the Dean Kite Festival on Father’s Day.

Daylesford welcomed Victoria's first regional Coles Local last Thursday, December 11, as the supermarket reopened with a modern new look and expanded specialty range to serve not only the local community, but also the thousands of visitors who flock to the region each year.

The 84km-long Lerderderg Track between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh now has its own guidebook, thanks to the Great Dividing Trail Association.

Pamela Ansell is all about creating memories – which is why she asked The Cartwheels’ Dave Patterson and Wendy Phypers to play at her 68th birthday last weekend.

Amanda Care won four medals this year. Three for bowling and one for powerlifting. The 55-year-old, who only recently started both sports as a competitor, says it is never too late to follow your dreams. The Hepburn resident is a real pocket rocket– and despite being born deaf – never let that get in the way of her dreams either. She chatted with Donna Kelly.

Victorians can now access free pads and tampons at train stations – supporting commuters when they need it most.

The Victorian Government is encouraging drivers to make the right choices behind the wheel this holiday season.