All Local News
‘Some of these areas come right up to houses’
ANGRY Yarra Valley farmers say a State Government move to scrap grazing licences along the Yarra River will increase bushfire risks.
Man rejects buying laneway, gets it free
A MAN in Melbourne’s north whose council told him he would have to pay more than $13,000 for a discontinued laneway has instead been given it for free.
New dog’s tricks could transform boy’s life
LIFE can be tough for Kevin, a six-year-old boy who has autism – but a campaign is underway to buy him a super-smart assistance dog.
Students ‘shattered’ after vandalism
KAROO Primary School students are shattered after vandals damaged an art installation.
‘Super principal’ aims to save tiny school
A PRINCIPAL who has already saved one struggling school from closure has stepped in to try to save another that had dwindled to just 19 students.
Recognition ‘meant the world to me’
A FORMER refugee turned community advocate and social worker says receiving an Australia Day leadership award meant the world to him.
Voters stick with what they know
FOUR incumbent Knox councillors will be back for another term following yesterday’s election.
Fears for safety of level crossing workers
AN INCIDENT that could have killed workers at a crossing removal in Melbourne’s outer east is under investigation, with a union official saying there are serious safety problems at the site.
Highway patrolman hangs up keys
MACEDON Ranges Highway Patrol officer in charge Geoff Neil has ended his 41-year Victoria Police career.
Singer’s silent Sydney gig
NOBLE Park North’s opera singer Stacey Alleaume has an unusual gig coming up in Sydney.
Pigeon fanciers in flap over release ban
DANDENONG pigeon trainers have been left “flabbergasted” by a Parks Victoria crackdown on homing pigeons being released from a southeast beach.
Owners avoid fines for unsafe pools
A RANDOM inspection of backyard pools in Knox has found most are unsafe, but the council has decided not hit any owners with fines.
Hub a help for artists
ARTISTS have a new place to meet and show their work after the opening of a new gallery space in Melbourne’s outer east.
Italian show to romance Melbourne
MELBOURNE will bask in the glow of Italian sunshine this week with the opening of award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza.
Students create powerful message
AN ARRESTING domestic violence message has been sent through body art in Melbourne’s west.
Therapy dogs called in for stressed students
STUDENTS at a university in Melbourne’s west could “paws” this week from exam study with the help of therapy dogs.
Teen driving force of female-only app
A TEEN terrified when she was harassed at a train station has used her experience to launch a new female-only rideshare service empowering women to feel safe on their way home.
Jazzed up festival to draw crowds
LATIN rhythms will be swaying through the Yarra Valley tomorrow at the Cuban Jazz Festival.
Plea for para-badminton players
DISABLED athletes in the southeast are being encouraged to grab their racquets and head to the courts ahead of the next Paralympics.
Cool craze claims to shiver you limber
THE latest wellness craze to hit Melbourne involves being ‘frozen’ by nitrogen vapour at up to minus 130C. But does it work? We put it to the test.
Near misses spark fears for kids’ safety
SPEED limits on a major road in Melbourne’s northwest will be lowered after the latest near miss at a pedestrian crossing.
Advanced breast cancer nurse a Vic first
VICTORIA now has its first McGrath Foundation-funded nurse to specialise in caring for people with advanced breast cancer.
‘We live in terror on windy nights’
PEOPLE living in the shadow of a 40m gum tree fear it is only a matter of time before a large branch comes down on a home or kills someone — but arborists say it’s healthy and must stay.
Mums put memories onto paper
MUM’S the word for these lifelong best friends from Melbourne’s east, who are now also authors.
Anti-refugee rally ‘will get out of hand’
POLICE have warned there will be zero tolerance at a rally against the placement of Syrian refugees in an aged-care home as a right-wing activist said the protest “will get violent”.
Enduring love celebrated
MORE than half a decade has passed since they married, but the love this Upper Ferntree Gully share hasn’t diminished.
Green thumbs recognised for efforts
A ROOFTOP garden adorning a 1950s apartment block in St Kilda East is among this year’s winners at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
Mixed results for house developments
A KNOX councillor has described the development of 26 two-storey townhouses in Rowville as the “community’s worst nightmare”.
Local mates, international rivals
CLAYTON Bowls Club teammates will become trans-Tasman rolling rivals when they throw down for Australia and New Zealand at the World Bowls Championships.
Competitions
Competition Win a visit to Santa’s Magical Kingdom
SANTA’s Magical Kingdom is on at Caulfield Racecourse from November 18 to December 23. Leader families can win passes to this enchanting interactive Christmas experience.
Competition Win a Ballarat getaway and view the Archies
THE Art Gallery of Ballarat is the exclusive Victorian venue for the touring exhibition of the 2016 Archibald Prize. Leader has two major Ballarat getaway prizes plus runner-up Exhibition passes to give away.
Competition Aumann’s gardening vouchers to be won
AUMANN’S Landscaping and Gardening has everything you’ll need to keep your garden looking great this Spring. Diamond Valley Leader and Heidelberg Leader each have three Aumann’s vouchers to give away.
In focus Bringing Melbourne’s beauty into focus
TO GET the best result for SnapMelbourne 2016 take a tip from the Canon Collective — a group of expert photographers who hold regular tutorials to hone photographic skills.
