News

Applications are open for the 2025-26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF), which creates better places to play, train and compete across Victoria.

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s method for identifying and tracking of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.

Agriculture Victoria is continuing its crackdown on the illegal network trading in exotic pest animals, with a series of investigations across the state.

Westpac has revealed the postcodes with the highest number of scam reports over the past year in an effort to raise awareness and help more customers spot a scam.

More than 200 additional schools across Victoria are now serving free, healthy breakfasts thanks to the expansion of School Breakfast Clubs Program – giving busy families across more than 1200 participating schools one less thing to worry about as they start the day.

Central Highlands Water is celebrating 100 years of one of the city’s most important pieces of essential infrastructure, the Ballarat South Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Victoria’s best apprentices and trainees are one step closer to taking their turn on the global stage, following the announcement of Australia’s national training squad for the world’s largest trades and skills competition.

Victorians are able to collect firewood for domestic use now collection areas have reopened for spring.

Machetes are banned in Victoria – keeping more Victorians safe from these weapons.

It’s time to celebrate Save the Koala Month 2025, and there’s so much to look forward to! Over the next 30 days, you can take part in fun, creative, and caring activities to help our beloved Koalas thrive — from planting trees to Koala-themed fundraisers, and more

A new booking system for registry wedding ceremonies at the Old Treasury Building is making it quicker, easier and less stressful for Victorians planning their big day.

Renowned cherry farmer Mike Casey has discussed the benefits of going fully electric with other growers and producers at the Farmers for Climate conference in Canberra. 

As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, we also start to see the occasional swooping bird. Native birds enter their breeding season in spring, and some may get protective of their young.

Every school in Ballarat is equipping students with the tools they need to build healthy and respectful relationships grounded in equality.

A record number of Victorians have had their say on the state government’s work from home laws – with an unprecedented amount of people participating in the consultation to date.

the It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation has raised a record-breaking $3.18 million and counting, in just a few hours at the 15th annual Wagners It’s a Bloke Thing Luncheon. The funds will diversify the Foundation and establish a nation-first Mobile PSA Blood Testing Service, in partnership with Heart of Australia, taking life-saving prostate cancer screening directly into regional and remote communities.

The 2025 Pollinator Photography Competition is now open, inviting photographers of all ages to capture the fascinating world of Australia’s bees and other pollinators. Now in its fourth year, the Competition celebrates the beauty and importance of Australia’s insect pollinators, including more than 2,000 native bee species, honey bees, flies, butterflies, moths, wasps and beetles. Prizes include $1,500 for first place, $750 for second, $500 for third and $750 for the people’s choice. Each winner will also receive a 12-month subscription to Wild Magazine.

When Bee Foundation CEO Fiona Chambers said she is excited to see the creativity that will come from students across the country. “The Competition gives students the opportunity to unleash their imagination and creativity while celebrating the incredible diversity and importance of pollinators

Trentham’s Stanley James Hammond was born on August 1, 1913 at Blue Mountain, near Trentham to Andrew Edwin Hammond and Mary Ellen Plant. He was the first of six children. 

Local Lines

I find Cate Graceson's story (page 6) quite upsetting. Talking to her, you realise she is an intelligent woman, who for some reason two years ago found herself homeless.

Local LInes

I am proudly Generation X and I look at the Gen Zs with a sort of flummoxed perplexity.

Ballarat's Rare Trades Centre and Gold Rush Centre is presenting the 2024 Makers' Film Festival, an international short film festival celebrating craft - makers, making, and materials.