2 - 2025 - The Local Paper

Community News

YARRA RANGES: Iconic Olinda cafe returns

Friday, February 28, 2025

A cafe that was once bustling in the Dandenong Ranges will be brought back to life and offer a new experience for locals and entice new visitors to the area.Steve Dimopoulos (pictured), Minister for Environment, announced that Alchemy Distillers Pty Ltd will transform the former Olinda Golf Course Clubhouse and Cafe into a vibrant new…

Community News

GREATER DANDENONG: New Scout Hall at Springvale

Scouts in Springvale will now have an upgraded hall to develop leadership skills, connect with community, participate and grow – thanks to a $200,000 investment .Mulgrave MLA Eden Foster (pictured) and Youth Minister Natalie Suleyman toured the upgraded Sandown Scouts Hall on Friday (Feb. 28) to announce it is officially open for Scouts and the…

What's On

WHAT’S ON: Castlefield Estate celebrations

The centenary of the Castlefield Estate, Hampton, will be celebrated by an event at the Castlefield Oval , Ludstone St, Hampton on Sunday, March 23 at 11am, to be opened by Margaret Gardner, Governor of Victoria.In the 1850s, the Castlefield Estate site was an 87-acre property with a grand residence, ‘Castlefield’, built during Victoria’s Gold…

Observer

OBSERVER: Honour

Joanna Murray-Smith’s Honour has lost none of its vitality and relevance in the 30 years since its first performance.The writing is crisp and the examination of love in all its iterations and guises remains timeless.Murray-Smith does not attribute blame when the 32 year marriage of Honor (Caroline Lee) and George (Peter Houghton) unravels.The ambitious Claudia…

Observer

OBSERVER: Alanah Parkin’s Garage Sale

Described as a ‘character chameleon’, Alanah Parkin brings this debut solo show, Alanah Parkin’s Garage Sale to the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 26 – April 6 at DoubleTree by Hilton in Flinders Street, Melbourne.Directed by Isaac Haigh (MICF Best Newcomer 2023, Melbourne Fringe Best Comedy 2022), Parkin has previously graced Melbourne’s festival…

Police News

CAMPASPE: 150-kmh driver alleged to have blown .248

A 36-year-old man from Shepparton has had his car impounded after he was allegedly caught drink driving in Stanhope. Officers were patrolling the Midland Highway about 5.20pm Friday (Feb. 28) when they detected a Honda sedan travelling at 150-kmh in a 100-kmh zone. Police intercepted the car and spoke to the driver who underwent a…

Observer

OBSERVER: The Campers

Readers who enjoyed Maryrose Cuskelly’s bestselling novel The Cane will be intrigued by her latest book, The Campers.It is a story that looks at what happens when the concepts of ‘woke’ and ‘not in my backyard’ collide with each other.Protagonist Leah enjoys her live on The Drove, an inner-city cul-de-sac where the neighbours look out…

Police News

BULOKE: Charged after Jeffcott North fatal

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a fatal crash in Jeffcott North last year. Emergency services were called to reports a Nissan X-Trail had rolled on Donald-Swan Hill Rd about 2.15am on March 2 last year. The front-seat passenger of the Nissan, a 67-year-old Nyah woman, died at the scene. Two…

Police News

WYNDHAM: Witness appeal after bus stop homicide

Detectives from the Homicide Squad are seeking the assistance of two male passengers who are believed to have witnessed the start of the alleged assault that fatally wounded Natan Mwanza (pictured) in Wyndham Vale. Police allege the 24-year-old Werribee man was assaulted by two males as he travelled on the 192 bus, before alighting at…

Police News

SOUTH-EAST: 3 artrested after high-speed chase

Police have charged three men following a pursuit in an allegedly stolen vehicle in Melbourne’s south-east. Officers caught sight of an allegedly stolen black Volkswagen Golf driving at high speed on the Monash Fwy in Mount Waverley about 11pm on Thursday (Feb. 27). Air Wing tracked the vehicle allegedly crashing red lights and travelling at…