Mass exodus MFB acting chief officer quits

A MASS exodus of experienced leaders from Victoria’s fire services has continued with the MFB’s acting chief officer Paul Stacchino quitting.

Restricted habit Smoking is vile, but it’s not illegal

A man smokes a cigarette at a public place in Manila on October 13, 2016. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will this month ban smoking in public, the health department said Wednesday, further strengthening some of the toughest tobacco regulation in Asia. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

AS new anti-smoking laws come into effect, many people are delighted, but how much do we restrict a legal practice, asks Rita Panahi.

Breaking news ‘That’s footy’, Hodge appeal fails

AFL Tribunal

AFL DAILY: LUKE Hodge’s one-match ban appeal has failed at the AFL Tribunal and he’ll cop a $2500 fine as well. Hawks and Bulldogs will kick off Round 23.

Dustin Martin of the Tigers (left) points to a teammate during the Round 18 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the MCG in Melbourne, Sunday, July 23, 2017. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Martin on track to dust Brownlow record

DUSTIN Martin might have the Brownlow Medal all but sewn up after Patrick Dangerfield’s suspension and JON RALPH writes he could do it in record-breaking fashion.

Fee rise Telstra to hit customers with price sting

person using a landline phone in an office

THE cost of having a landline is about to get more expensive, with Telstra set to slug about one million home phone and business customers with higher fees.

Lucky escape Dad saves son from house blaze

fire

A FATHER has saved his son’s life after waking him as he returned home to find their house up in flames in Melbourne’s north.

Key witness Drug dealing lure for murdered man

James John Russouw Picture: Supplied

A MURDERED man had planned to return to drug dealing before he was stabbed to death then set alight in a Burwood carpark, a key witness has told a murder trial.

Final round Dogs, Hawks to kick off Round 23

AFL Semi Final Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

HAWTHORN great Luke Hodge could get a Friday night farewell against the Western Bulldogs after the AFL finalised the floating Round 23 fixture.

NBN review NBN customer anger forces review

Internet fail

AUSTRALIA’S National Broadband Network is now under review after widespread complaints about slow speeds, poor performance and delayed installations.

US politics 11 stunning disasters in 11 days

IN THE 11 short days Anthony Scaramucci spent at the White House, he endured an astonishing number of disasters.

Frugal food Cooking the best share house fare

YOUNG guns of the kitchen share their fail-safe feeds for the freshly freed from the family home.

Gold rush opulence The Hotel Windsor’s grand old days

AUSTRALIA’s only surviving 19th century grand hotel was once the jewel in Melbourne’s crown. Now the Hotel Windsor is on the cusp of its most dramatic transformation yet.

‘That’s footy’, Hodge appeal fails

AFL DAILY: LUKE Hodge’s one-match ban appeal has failed at the AFL Tribunal and he’ll cop a $2500 fine as well. Hawks and Bulldogs will kick off Round 23.

Dustin Martin of the Tigers (left) points to a teammate during the Round 18 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the MCG in Melbourne, Sunday, July 23, 2017. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Martin on track to dust Brownlow record

DUSTIN Martin might have the Brownlow Medal all but sewn up after Patrick Dangerfield’s suspension and JON RALPH writes he could do it in record-breaking fashion.

Keep the tradition Saints champ’s Brownlow threat

Neil Roberts recovering from hip surgery and will be returning to Antartica. Neil with his Brownlow and Polar Medals.

ST KILDA champion Neil Roberts says he would hand back his 1958 Brownlow Medal if the AFL heeded calls to remove the “fairest” element in the wake of Patrick Dangerfield’s ban. HAVE YOUR SAY

Brownlow Medal Past winners back Danger no challenge call

AFL Rd 19 - Carlton v Geelong

PATRICK Dangerfield and Geelong made the right decision by not challenging his suspension according to part Brownlow Medal winners, including Peter Bedford, Malcolm Blight and Brad Hardie.

Friends & confidantes Inside the Royals’ inner circle

WHILE Diana felt isolated in the Royal Family as her marriage imploded, William, Kate and Harry have formed a formidable team combining Royal duties and “normal” life.

Mum’s drive Labour vs. kidney stones in hospital dash

Hospital Rush

KATIE Bugeja was already in ­labour when she made a mercy dash to Maroondah Hospital. But it wasn’t because she was about to give birth — her partner was suffering from kidney stones.

Lucky escape Dad saves son from house blaze

fire

A FATHER has saved his son’s life after waking him as he returned home to find their house up in flames in Melbourne’s north.

Alannah & Madeline Tigers to show their purple hearts

Richmod FC - Alannah and Madeline

WHEN Richmond continues its march towards the finals this weekend, a patch of purple will be worn proudly on the yellow and black guernseys.

Price inquiry Electricity profits spark ACCC probe

bill oaid in full

CLAIMS electricity retailers are gouging excessive profits from Victorian customers are being investigated by the ­nation’s consumer watchdog.

Restricted habit Smoking is vile, but it’s not illegal

A man smokes a cigarette at a public place in Manila on October 13, 2016. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will this month ban smoking in public, the health department said Wednesday, further strengthening some of the toughest tobacco regulation in Asia. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

AS new anti-smoking laws come into effect, many people are delighted, but how much do we restrict a legal practice, asks Rita Panahi.

Old school Lack of trust is a brake on progress

Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten address the media at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, in Sydney, Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AAP Image/Sam Mooy) NO ARCHIVING

THE lack of trust in politicians means we’re motivated by a desire to stop things than to make them happen, writes Shaun Carney.

Food review Indian heat and Brunswick chic

Bhang - Taste restaurant review

WHILE cranes dot the Sydney Rd skyline, it’s still going to take some time to knock the grit out of Brunswick. But they’re giving it a red-hot go at Bhang.

On trend Melbourne’s craziest food mash-ups

Seoulja Boy is creating quirkly food fusions it's at Bourke St restaurant. Picture: Seoulja Boy.

DOUGHNUT burgers buns, sushi tacos and other ‘franken-foods’ are growing in popularity as Melbourne diners seek new unusual taste experiences. Here are some culinary creations you have to try.

Local

Select Region

Ringwood East Call for help to fight apartment plans

THE Ringwood East Residents’ Action Group has launched an online fundraising campaign to help it fight plans for a four-storey apartment block.

Boaties buoyant Split over $1.2 million pier upgrade

BOATIES are rapt about a Rye Pier upgrade to slash queue times, but environmentalists warn the work will attract even more jet skis and endanger marine life.

On track Timeless tram’s new restaurant role

LOWERING a W-Class tram into place with a crane is no easy feat, but Vintage Garage expects the move to pay off when foodies come flocking to Preston to check out its unusual pop-up restaurant. WATCH

Push-up Local footy club in Jake King storm

MACLEOD Football Club has defended its move to secure Jake King for a one-off star appearance at a women’s luncheon, just weeks after the former AFL player was arrested for threats to kill.

Arresting development Relentless mum who smashed glass ceiling

MADGE Connor was a young widow trying to bring up two children 100 years ago in Melbourne. But that didn’t stop her blazing a trail in the ultimate male-dominated environment.

‘Getting worse’ Famous footy ground now drug hotspot

THIS ground was once home to one of the AFL’s most successful clubs — now it is a haven for junkies, crime and dumping.

Environmental move Market pushes to bin plastic bags

PRAHRAN Market shoppers could soon have to bring their own bags or pay for reusable ones as traders back a push to phase out plastic and introduce sustainable substitutes.

String theory Aimee to take a bow on world stage

GLEN IRIS teenager Aimee Faul is on target to represent Australia at the World Youth Archery Championships in Argentina.

Baby boom Nursery for tiniest patients reborn

NEWBORN babies needing specialist care have a new home at a busy inner south hospital.

Fundraising fun Slimy fundraiser helps fight deadly peanut allergy

WITHIN minutes of eating peanuts, Jamie Arndt’s body reacts. But the 11-year-old Bentleigh girl has found a way to help combat the allergy.

Group attack Cops hunt down teens over alleged carjacking

FOUR teens and a 12-year-old have been arrested almost 700 km away from the scene of a carjacking in Caulfield, after a dramatic police pursuit.

Parkrunners Enthusiasts run thousands of kilometres in one year

CHELSEA Bicentennial parkrunners find it hard to remember how they spent their Saturday mornings before the weekly 5km walk/run came to town just one year ago.

Butt out Smokers fuming over new laws

SMOKERS in Oakleigh’s popular Eaton Mall have been forced to butt out — and many are fuming, with some refusing to comply with tough new laws.

Craft beer Forager’s Drop made for craft beer

MITCHAM is getting its very own craft beer bar, the only one of its kind for miles around.

Push-up Local footy club in Jake King storm

MACLEOD Football Club has defended its move to secure Jake King for a one-off star appearance at a women’s luncheon, just weeks after the former AFL player was arrested for threats to kill.

Australia day Fresh push to move Australia Day

ANOTHER pollie has spoken out against Australia Day, with a Monash Greens councillor saying the date should be changed as it is symbolic of “invasion day”.

On track Timeless tram’s new restaurant role

LOWERING a W-Class tram into place with a crane is no easy feat, but Vintage Garage expects the move to pay off when foodies come flocking to Preston to check out its unusual pop-up restaurant. WATCH

Helping hand Harvest from the heart

Findon Primary School has dug deep to help stop others from going hungry with the harvest of its school vegie garden.

Bungled burglary Clueless crim bungles burglaries

A USELESS crook who bungled a burglary spree in Diamond Creek is being hunted by police as a business owner calls for more CCTV cameras.

Pilot program DNA to crackdown on crime

SYNTHETIC DNA will be used to safeguard valuables from theft under a pilot program to be rolled out in Whittlesea and Geelong.

Social media Putting the social in Moreland’s neighbourhoods

GOOD karma is spreading through neighbourhoods via Facebook pages in Melbourne’s inner northwest.

Organ donation Legacy of late son lives on

JIM Wilson desperately misses his late son Levi, but is buoyed by the thought his boy helped save the lives of others.

Martial arts Troy’s black belt in life skills

THIS taekwondo star has overcome serious illnesses to be among the country’s best - now, he’s helping change lives.

Film festival Students turn lens on ability

AS FAR as successful film messaging goes, students at a Broadmeadows college are right on cue.

Ringwood East Call for help to fight apartment plans

THE Ringwood East Residents’ Action Group has launched an online fundraising campaign to help it fight plans for a four-storey apartment block.

Breastfeeding Week Film fun for mums and bubs

SCORES of breastfeeding mums and their babies have gathered at a cinema in Eastland to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week.

Strong growth Retro home gets huge price gain

A 1970s-built house has gained hundreds of thousands of dollars in five years after it found a new audience with younger buyers taken by its retro vibe.

Outer East Healthy push from families in need

STRUGGLING families in Melbourne’s outer east are increasingly interested in healthy food, charities say.

Party busted House party erupts into street fights

A huge party at an abandoned Dandenong house spiralled out of control, erupting into street fights and armed robbery, police said.

Heavenly green Melbourne’s best kept golfing secret is out

Members at Eastern Sward Golf Club are happy to spill the beans about golf’s “best kept secret” to attract new members to their Bangholme paradise.

Face it Friendly faces to the fore for feel-good campaign

OUR friendliest faces are being celebrated as part of a campaign to change people’s negative perceptions about Frankston and shine a light on all the great things the area has to offer.

Cut above Super sisters lop long locks to help sick kids

MT MARTHA sisters Milija and Arija will go to any length to help others, lopping off their long, blonde locks to make wigs for sick kids.

Retro star Reservoir’s most regal house for sale

13 Lawley St Reservoir, for Herald Sun realestate

A RETRO palace that took three years to build is set to go under the hammer in suburban Melbourne. Its ornate interior has been preserved since the ‘70s.

Sign of the times It’s time to meet the neighbours

An artist's impression of a luxury high-rise apartment complex in Doncaster called Garden Hill which will boast its own private off-lead dog park for its four-legged residents.

NEW apartments are helping rebuild our flagging community spirit, a leading urban development industry group says.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe

Dollar in firing line as RBA spends a year on hold

RESERVE Bank governor Philip Lowe has taken a sterner tone on the rising Australian dollar, warning that it could weigh on the nation’s productivity and job creation prospects as the central bank clocked up a year on the rate-setting sidelines.

Aviation Qantas kicking at ownership cap

Alan Joyce

OVERSEAS investors in ­Qantas Airways could soon be forced to offload some of their stock as they flirt with the ­foreign ownership ceiling at the resurgent flag carrier.

Wind Bouncing back after ill wind blows

Capital Wind Farm at Bungendore on the edge of Lake George in southern NSW owned by Infigen Energy. Wind Turbine, green energy, electricity.

SHARES in wind farm operator Infigen Energy rebounded from an early-session dip after the group said ­record-low wind generation had resulted in a revenue slump.

Don’t do this in Germany or you’ll look weird

True stories Don’t do this in Germany or you’ll look weird

SIMPLE things like crossing the road can get you into trouble and don’t even think about apologising. Here’s what this Aussie traveller learnt.

The one thing flight attendants don’t say

Real life The one thing flight attendants don’t say

IT took a flight with her parents for this traveller to finally realise there was something big missing from cabin crew announcements.