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Community News

MURRINDINDI: Shire concern over Kinglake bank closure

Friday, March 27, 2026

Murrindindi Shire Council has expressed deep concern about the decision to close the Community Bank Kinglake branch in two months’ time.The Council warns that the clousre risks undermining bushfire recovery and will leave the community without a critical local service.The branch will close on Friday, June 5, forcing residents to travel around 25 kilometres to…

Health

NORTH-EAST: District left ‘in limbo’

The State Government must come clean on who is in charge and where the Alexandra District Health–Eastern Health merger is heading, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.Ms McLeish is backing concerns raised by Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier (pictured).Ms McLeish said the Alexandra community is being left in limbo: “This is a small, close-knit community that…

Politics

DAREBIN: Palestine flag lowered

The Palestinian Flag will cease flying from Darebin Council flagpoles, following a vote of Councillors last week.Removal of the flag “will take place with a brief and respectful ceremony to recognise the flag’s significance to many members of our community and the broader values of dignity, human rights, and peaceful expression”, said a Council statement.The…

Police News

WHITTLESEA: 4 million illegal cigarettes seized, 6 face charges

Police have dismantled an organised crime syndicate allegedly involved in the trafficking of illegal tobacco, with more than four million cigarettes seized and six people arrested.The seven-month long investigation has been led by the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, focusing on the trafficking of drugs of dependence across Melbourne.Detectives conducted a search warrant at…

Emergency Services

STONNINGTON: Nightclub destroyed by fire

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are investigating the circumstances surrounding a suspicious fire which occurred in Prahran on Thursday morning (Mar. 26).Officers were patrolling the vicinity of Malvern Rd and Chapel St about 2.05am when they noticed a fire at a Chapel St nightclub.Simultaneously, a witness called Triple-Zero to report a loud bang…

Police News

WHITTLESEA: Fifth person charged over Mernda death

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a fifth person following the death of a man in Mernda.A 16-year-old girl from the Pascoe Vale area was arrested on Thursday afternoon (Mar. 26)She has since been charged with robbery, two counts of theft, hinder and assault police and possess drug of dependence.The girl was summonsed to appear at…

Police News

YARRIAMBIACK: Man, 57, dies after Murtoa crash

A man has died in hospital following a crash in Murtoa. Emergency services were called to the Wimmera Hwy about 8.20pm on Tuesday, March 10, after reports a Nissan Patrol utility had left the road and crashed.The driver, a 57-year-old man from Warracknabeal, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died.The investigation into…

Police News

MELBOURNE: Boy collected terrorism material

A boy has been charged by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team with allegedly collecting manuals, guides and material promoting ISIS-inspired terrorism.Investigations began after intelligence indicated an ISIS flag, destined for an address in Melbourne’s inner-city, was imported into Australia.Further inquiries conducted into the consignee details allegedly led police to identify the boy, 17, as…

Police News

BALLARAT: 12-year-old girl dies after Eureka crash

A 12-year-old pedestrian struck by a vehicle in Eureka has died. Emergency services were called to reports a car had struck a pedestrian on Eureka St just before 8.30am on March 13.The girl was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she passed-away on March 23. The driver of the car, a 35-year-old female, was…

Police News

SURF COAST: Police van rammed at Jan Juc

Police have arrested a man after he allegedly rammed a police vehicle in Jan Juc on Wednesday (Mar. 25).Officers conducted checks on a Subaru Impreza parked on the Great Ocean Rd about 7am and discovered the driver was allegedly wanted on outstanding matters.Police boxed in the vehicle and utilised a tyre deflation device to stop…