News

Open Access Libraries are being rolled out in Hepburn Shire.

Kingston residents are mounting a campaign to save a huge 130-year-old Algerian oak in Kingston, to be cut down if the Western Renewables Link goes ahead as planned.

Ballarat's Eureka Medical Centre is now a fully bulk billed service.

Trentham is the 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town in the Tiny Tourism Town category - for its "charm, community spirit, and visitor appeal".

A striking blue tree, made of steel and created by Overwrought at Blampied, has been erected in the grounds of the St Peter's Catholic Church in Daylesford.

After last edition's Home Care articles in The Local, a number of people have been in touch with further accounts of incidents involving a range of care providers.

One year ago my mother sold her home and moved into an "assisted living" facility. But that's not where this story starts.

James Lane Railway Station opened on February 16, 1880 on the Carlsruhe to Trentham Line. Its name was changed to Fern Hill Railway Station on April 15, 1880. Why, may you ask? The discovery of ferns in the area could be a possible reason or there simply may be no explanation for the name change.

The filming of television show The Block had its final hurrah on Friday, July 18 with a gathering of hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft, the contestants and a host of media showing up at the Raglan Street, Daylesford site.

Communities across Victoria will be better protected from future flood impacts thanks to the $5.8 million Regional Flood Risk Reduction Grants Program.

Sheepvention will be hosting the first Women in Agriculture luncheon this year with the help of Agriculture Victoria. 

All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist. 

More Victorian families will benefit from upgraded and inclusive kinder facilities.

Victoria's $964 million 2024/25 road maintenance program wrapping up this month.

Accessing Maryborough’s newly expanded, state-of-the-art hospital will soon be made easier with work progressing on a new patient drop-off zone and forecourt.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has a plan for the former Woodend Racetrack which proposes improvements to sport and recreational facilities to meet the needs of a growing community, enhancements to the site's heritage value and ongoing protection of the grasslands.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has long supported ANZAC Day services across the shire through assistance with funding for traffic management and in-kind support, including Malmsbury and Kyneton as well as Woodend, Gisborne, and Romsey-Lancefield.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is partnering with Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health on a community event in August marking Homelessness Week 2025, to raise awareness of the issue and local supports available.

Major construction is now underway on the new Melton Hospital, a more than $900 million project.

The world’s biggest annual festival for smartphone filmmakers has launched its 11th year. And with the announcement of a venue partnership with the Sydney Opera House, entries are now extended until October 1st.

The best young dairy cattle judges in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the national finals in September.

The best young poultry judges in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the prestigious national finals this September.

Dementia Australia has launched its 2025 Diversity Small Grant program to support community organisations to build awareness and understanding of dementia in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.  

The state government is rolling out gambling reforms, with a trial of mandatory account-based play to kick off at select venues from September.