Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Who do you think should be Greater Bendigo’s next Citizen or Young Citizen of the Year?

Nominations are open for the 2026 Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year awards, which recognise people who make a difference in our community.

The nominees can be anyone who is involved in serving the community in a voluntary capacity, whether that be in sport, arts, culture, community service, not for profit organisations, business or education.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said there were many Greater Bendigo residents who had gone above and beyond for their community this year.

“These are people who channel their time, energy and goodwill for the benefit of the community in unpaid roles,” Cr Metcalf said.

“This is your opportunity to put forward someone who quietly contributes through charity work, managing community sport or events, or through a community service organisation – someone who actively works to make our community a better place.

“Tell us who you think is a shining example and why they should be recognised as the next Citizen or Young Citizen of the Year for 2026.”

Nominating someone is quick and easy. You are asked to briefly describe why you think your nominee should be recognised for their great voluntary work in a short online form.

Nominees must be residents of the City of Greater Bendigo and the Young Citizen of the Year must be under 25 years of age on January 26, 2026.

The closing date is 5pm, Friday November 21, 2025.

Recipients of the awards will be announced in January 2026.

The award winners will be invited to attend several civic events in 2026, including citizenship ceremonies and their names will be included on the Honour Roll in the Bendigo Town Hall.

Source:

Woodvale Fire Brigade has officially received the keys to its new Ultralight Tanker, celebrating the modernised addition to the engine bay alongside members of their community.

The brigade celebrated the handover at the local bush market on Saturday 18 October, surrounded by the community and their family and friends.

Woodvale Captain Darren Schultz said the new Ultralight will be a valuable asset to the brigade’s fleet, offering greater agility and access to narrow tracks frequently encountered during callouts.

“It is another appliance we can get out the door to help respond to incidents, with minimal crew as it only takes two people,” Darren said.

“It has a lot more safety features, and it is easier to drive than the truck, only requiring a car license.”

Darren said it was fitting that the tanker was handed over at the market in front of the community.

“They helped us pay for it so it was nice to be able to share that moment with them,” Darren said.

The new Ultralight Tanker holds 550 litres of water and is equipped with a Class A Foam System, pump, and other vital firefighting equipment.

CFA District 2 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Archie Conroy, highlighted the vehicle’s crew protection system, designed to give volunteers the best possible chance of survival during a burn over.

“The brigade members will be protected with a compressed air foam external system, radiant heat shield curtains, and fire blankets,” Archie said.

“It also allows the brigade to stow and display items in larger internal cabs, lockers and on aluminum trays.”

The new Ultralight was funded through a successful Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program application as part of the 2024 round, with the brigade also strongly fundraising to contribute towards the vehicle.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source:

Natte Yallock Fire Brigade has celebrated the official opening of their new fire station and handed over their new ultra heavy tanker with brigade members and local dignitaries.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

20/10/25

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Real estate agents and rental providers will be blocked from advertising rental properties without a fixed price, thanks to a partnership between Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Renting Taskforce and property website operators, REA Group and Domain.

Their platforms – realestate.com.au and domain.com.au, have now been upgraded in response to calls from our Renting Taskforce.

Now rental providers and agents will not be able to list rental properties unless they use a single, fixed price. This keeps prices transparent for renters and helps rental providers and agents stay on the right side of the rental bidding laws.

In Victoria, rental properties must be advertised with a fixed price under rental bidding protections introduced in the 2021 rental law reforms.

Advertising a rental property with a vague price range or without a price is harmful to renters because it encourages offers of rental bidding.

The Renting Taskforce has been cracking down on non-compliant advertisements, conducting market sweeps and inspections, issuing numerous official warnings and sending communications to estate agents across the state to remind them of the legal requirements.

In 2024-25, the taskforce issued more than 50 infringements totalling over $600,000 to rental providers and agents who did not advertise a rental property with a fixed price. The taskforce also took criminal prosecutions against 5 estate agencies for this offence.

This change at the advertising stage guarantees clear prices for renters, helps the taskforce use its resources more efficiently and prevents estate agencies from making potentially costly mistakes in the first place.

New reforms coming into effect on 25 November will outlaw all remaining types of rental bidding. Agents and rental providers will be banned not only from soliciting offers of increased rent from potential renters, but also from accepting any unsolicited offers from them. The renting taskforce will actively monitor the new laws.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Only in Australia and in a bold attempt to be the first, two kangaroos have used the new toll-free M12 Motorway as a transport connection between the M7 Motorway with the Western Sydney International Airport and The Northern Road.

Workers adding the finishing touches to the new road said that while spotting kangaroos is roo-tine in the area, they are not hopping to conclusions about the pair’s motive just yet!

While some speculation thought the pair were looking for greener pastures, some workers on site speculated they were out on a roo-mantic date taking advantage of the new toll-free shortcut!

Fourteen kilometres of the $2.1 billion M12 Motorway has surface works almost complete, with workers now delivering the final touches before opening next year.

The toll-free M12 Motorway is a joint project between the Australian and NSW Governments.

Part of the final works will include four fauna crossings and turtle barriers to keep wildlife and motorists safe.

The fauna crossings are located at Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cosgroves Creek and within the Western Sydney Parklands. 

These crossings are vital in protecting and assisting local wildlife to safely move in and around the area. Fauna crossings are a proven and essential feature in major road upgrades, and the M12 is no exception. 

Given the area’s rural setting and the scale of increased infrastructure in the area, it was important we minimise the impact on local wildlife. By providing these crossings, the project is helping safeguard the welfare of native species and improve driver safety.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Eleven super-T girders have been lifted into place at Jervis Bay Road intersection forming the base of the new bridge that will significantly improve traffic flow and safety in the region. 

The pre-cast concrete girders form the deck for the new overpass bridge that will allow traffic on the Princes Highway to move uninterrupted while Jervis Bay Road traffic flows under the bridge.

More information is available in the full media release (PDF, 102.78 KB).

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is continuing to call for information in relation to an aggravated burglary that occurred in Katherine East on Saturday 11 October 2025.

It is alleged that four unknown offenders unlawfully entered a government compound, gaining access to two community service buildings and an armoury.

While inside, the offenders allegedly stole and damaged a significant amount of property, including ammunition.

CCTV footage from one of the buildings shows the four offenders inside the premises at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP2500101464. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source:

Kicking off first thing on Saturday morning, District 7 women came together at VEMTC Central Highlands for a skills day, setting out in four groups to take part in four hands-on activities.   

Submitted by	Emma Taunt