Cash splash Heath union leaders feast on $140K

EXCLUSIVE: THE scandal-plagued HSU is at war with itself again after it was revealed its national leadership team spent almost $140,000 on its union credit cards in only 2½ years.

Echo taskforce Bikie gangs refuse to break feud

Bikie gangs refuse to break feud

OUTLAW bikies from the feuding Comancheros and Rebels have refused to hold peace talks to ease tensions between the clubs.

Stabbing death Victorian link to outback horror

Victorian link to outback horror

UPDATE: Investigators have shed more light on the moments before a Frenchman was brutally stabbed in the neck in front of his wife at a roadside rest stop south of Aileron.

HMAS Essendon

HMAS Cerberus Dons get down and dirty at Navy camp

ESSENDON has embarked on a gruelling training camp under barking Navy instructors at HMAS Cerberus as the playing list gels following the return of its players. SEE PICS AND VIDEO

Passion for footy Watson certain to play in 2017: Woosha

Watson certain to play in 2017: Woosha

ESSENDON coach John Worsfold has seen a major improvement in Jobe Watson over the past week after struggling with his decision to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal.

Crime crisis Thousands more cops set for Victoria

Thousands more cops set for Victoria

POLICE Minister Lisa Neville is set to put thousands more cops on the beat as the state grapples with a law and order crisis.

457 visas Indian IT flood hits Aussie jobs

Indian IT flood hits Aussie jobs

THOUSANDS of foreign computer workers are being imported on low wages while Australians struggle to find jobs, according to a new report.

Shotgun snaps ‘Drugs, guns and stupidity do not mix’

‘Drugs, guns and stupidity do not mix’

JUST moments from disaster, this is one of the last gun-toting pictures taken of a wannabe gangster before he shot one of his best mates dead.

Driving traffic The busiest days on Melbourne roads

The busiest days on Melbourne roads

PLANNING to drive on Melbourne’s roads tomorrow? VicRoads data shows you better allow for some extra time.

New range Warne-mojis capture iconic moments

SOME of Shane Warne’s most iconic and controversial moments have been re-created in new emojis.

Digital help Newman turns to golf for life balance

FOOTY Show star Sam Newman has credited his love affair with golf for helping balance his colourful TV career and has cut his handicap by seven strokes with the help of a Melbourne coach.

Home truths Hidden dangers putting your pets at risk

DOGS and cats in particular have a habit of seeking out trouble. This is your foolproof guide to saving your four-legged friends from life’s lurking threats.

Watson certain to play in 2017: Woosha

ESSENDON coach John Worsfold has seen a major improvement in Jobe Watson over the past week after struggling with his decision to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal.

Jack Silvagni

No.1: Jack to continue seven-decade dynasty

JACK Silvagni is ready to walk fully in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and will continue a seven-decade dynasty when he wears No.1 for Carlton in 2017.

HMAS Cerberus Dons get down and dirty at Navy camp

Dons get down and dirty at Navy camp

ESSENDON has embarked on a gruelling training camp under barking Navy instructors at HMAS Cerberus as the playing list gels following the return of its players. SEE PICS AND VIDEO

Returning skipper Bob putting knee injury behind him

Bob putting knee injury behind him

WESTERN Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy is taking an out-of-mind approach to his knee injury as he looks to a 2017 return.

Close to home Best camping spots along the Murray

IT’S hard to beat a family holiday by the water. Here are the best camping spots along Victoria’s mighty Murray River.

Echo taskforce Bikie gangs refuse to break feud

Bikie gangs refuse to break feud

OUTLAW bikies from the feuding Comancheros and Rebels have refused to hold peace talks to ease tensions between the clubs.

Pedestrians, cyclists Drunk hazards aren’t just in cars

Drunk hazards aren’t just in cars

A MELBOURNE analysis of hospital admissions over five years has uncovered shocking figures about the number of drunk pedestrians and cyclists contributing to road trauma.

457 visas Indian IT flood hits Aussie jobs

Indian IT flood hits Aussie jobs

THOUSANDS of foreign computer workers are being imported on low wages while Australians struggle to find jobs, according to a new report.

Home truths Hidden dangers putting your pets at risk

Hidden dangers putting your pets at risk

DOGS and cats in particular have a habit of seeking out trouble. This is your foolproof guide to saving your four-legged friends from life’s lurking threats.

Corporate responsibility Charity begins, and ends, at home

Charity begins, and ends, at home

GIVING to charity is a personal decision and shouldn’t be made for us by corporate bodies, who can’t possibly find one appealing to all, writes Tom Elliott.

Reality of crime Stupid to ignore an obvious truth

Stupid to ignore an obvious truth

FORMER minister Kevin Andrews was smeared as a racist when he warned about Sudanese gangs nine years ago. But how right he was, writes Andrew Bolt.

Local

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Trees alight Fires blaze in foreshore palm trees

FIREFIGHTERS have raced to put out fires blazing in trees near Marine Parade on the Elwood foreshore this afternoon, affecting peak hour traffic.

‘Exhausted’ Dad walks free after shaking baby

A STRESSED-OUT new dad repeatedly yelled at — and then angrily shook — his five-month-old baby in front of horrified cafe patrons, a court has heard.

BYO camera Is this Melb’s cheapest Santa photo?

SANTA photos can be an ordeal, not least because of the second mortgage you need to pay for them. Not at this Melbourne shopping centre.

Still critical Husband’s desperate dam CPR attempt

A MAN has described his desperate attempts to save his wife’s life after the car they were driving in plunged into a dam in Melbourne’s outer east.

Home improvements Multi-million dollar housing estate revamp announced

THE State Government has announced a multi-million dollar redevelopment for nine public housing estates across Melbourne, one in the inner east.

Raising money Police provide even mo support

MEN’S health is a cause close to Senior Constable Tim Van Den Dungen’s heart, so the police officer and his colleagues are once again supporting Movember

Christmas tradition Scouting out a Christmas tree

IF YOU’RE looking for the perfect Christmas tree and want to help out the local community, then head on down to various Scout halls across the region to get your festive cheer on.

History lesson Melbourne’s heritage under threat

THERE are calls for eight “vulnerable” sites across Melbourne to be added to the Victorian Heritage Register in the wake of the Corkman Irish Pub being demolished.

Trees alight Fires blaze in foreshore palm trees

FIREFIGHTERS have raced to put out fires blazing in trees near Marine Parade on the Elwood foreshore this afternoon, affecting peak hour traffic.

Near miss Push to upgrade dangerous intersection

AN “awkward intersection” in Melbourne’s inner south where a child was last week hit by a car has sparked a renewed push for traffic lights there.

Don’t touch Deadly stinger prompts summer warning

AS THE weather warms up, beachgoers have been warned to be wary of deadly sea creatures after a highly venomous octopus washed up in Melbourne’s southeast.

Rapid racer Seventh heaven for Sandy sailor

SAILOR Jade Cole is making waves in the yachting world as she prepares for her seventh Sydney to Hobart race.

Land ahoy Heathmont land sale tops $6.7 million

A PRIME chunk of Heathmont land has been sold off in 11 sites, giving the family who owned it for almost seven decades a $6.7 million payday.

Relocation War of words erupts over gymnastics funding

THE state’s largest gymnastic club is revved up to move into a redeveloped Oakleigh Recreation Centre — but the Federal Government has put the brakes on.

Scary snack Dog bites off and eats snake’s head

A PET dog is recovering after it bit off and swallowed a snake’s head it found in the family backyard in Melbourne’s east.

Transformed convenience Convenience and charm on one level

AN EASTERN suburbs house that spent decades off the market has returned to the for sale list. And it’s had a bit of an update on the way.

Second campus New school campus for Melbourne’s north

HUME Anglican Grammar will build a second campus in Melbourne’s north, in a new estate being developed by Mirvac.

Expensive robbery Luxury goods stolen in $94k burglary

THIEVES have stolen $94,000 worth of designer handbags, electrical items and jewellery from a house in Melbourne's northeast, including a $25,000 diamond encrusted watch.

Batter up Epping steals home after 33 years

A TEAM of young softball players from the north of Melbourne displayed a ‘bucketload of grit’ to win a come-from-behind state final.

‘New standard’ Preston Market high-rise designs revealed

THE potential new face of Preston Market has been revealed, with three high-rise apartments buildings proposed to tower above Murray Rd in Melbourne’s north.

Purpose-built West to get new ambulance station

MELBOURNE’S west is to get a new “super” ambulance station, doubling the number of paramedics in the area.

Court date Charges laid after deadly Calder crash

A WOMAN has been charged after a fatal petrol tanker rollover in Melbourne’s northwest.

Surprising sale Early offer seals sale ahead of auction

A NEW townhouse snapped up two weeks prior to auction has sold above expectations, surprising even the sales agent with its popularity.

Easy living Move in and relax

ENJOY a stress-free lifestyle at these well-maintained and presented to please Sunbury family homes.

Development debate ‘I’d rather have a forest of towers in the city’

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Guy says it is “completely inappropriate” to have buildings up to 13 storeys high along Burwood Highway in Wantirna South.

Still critical Husband’s desperate dam CPR attempt

A MAN has described his desperate attempts to save his wife’s life after the car they were driving in plunged into a dam in Melbourne’s outer east.

Big haul Dramatic end to month-long crime spree

A MAN’S alleged 30-day crime spree has come to a dramatic end after he crashed into a truck on the Monash Freeway and was caught by the dog squad and air wing unit.

BYO camera Is this Melb’s cheapest Santa photo?

SANTA photos can be an ordeal, not least because of the second mortgage you need to pay for them. Not at this Melbourne shopping centre.

Public reassurance Rise in reported sex offences

POLICE are reassuring the public not to be alarmed following statistics showing a huge spike in sexual offences in Frankston in the past year.

Court adjournment Expert weighs in on death threat case

A MAN with a brain injury who threatened to kill a man’s wife and children will be examined by an expert to determine his culpability.

Cool yule Band’s festive fun

FRANKSTON City Band is promising to bring festive cheer to residents and music lovers at its annual Christmas concert on Sunday.

‘Exhausted’ Dad walks free after shaking baby

A STRESSED-OUT new dad repeatedly yelled at — and then angrily shook — his five-month-old baby in front of horrified cafe patrons, a court has heard.

Tree change Footballer turned international businessman uproots

Footballer turned international businessman uproots

THE founder of one of Australia’s largest privately-owned communications companies is headed for a multi-million dollar Mornington Peninsula treechange.

Land estate Stockland’s Highlands estate in Craigieburn

Stockland’s Highlands estate in Craigieburn

THE developer behind Highlands, in Craigieburn, likes to think big: big open spaces (150ha), big numbers (at least 18,000 people will live there) and big facilities (some 20 playgrounds at last count).

Craig Drummond

Chief says Medibank lost sight of customers

MEDIBANK Private senior managers lost touch with ­customer expectations as they focused on administrative ­issues in the wake of the group’s float, chief executive Craig Drummond says.

Property A plague on our houses and units

A plague on our houses and units

THE number of houses and flats approved for development has plunged at its fastest rate in five years amid growing concerns that an apartment glut looms.

Tax revenue Liquefied natural gas tax is all hot air

Liquefied natural gas tax is all hot air

THERE is no pot of tax gold at the end of the liquefied natural gas rainbow, writes Terry McCrann.

35 amazing Aussie water parks

Top list 35 amazing Aussie water parks

FAMILY resorts and caravan parks are splashing out with bigger and better water playgrounds. Here are some of the best spots to be this summer.

‘Maldives of Bali’ without the price tag

Beach resort ‘Maldives of Bali’ without the price tag

THIS little-known beachfront resort is the kind of idyllic tropical escape you’d find in the Maldives — except it’s in Bali and a fraction of the price.