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Image: Adam Carrigg – Pearcedale Fire Brigade

More than 130 firefighters and 35 vehicles from CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) took part in a large-scale exercise through the Dandenong Ranges on Sunday (12 October).

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo will commence a $5.68 million project next week on Friday October 24, to remove and replace a 660-metre section of ageing dual tram tracks in High Street and Pall Mall between Short Street and Mundy Street.

City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director, Brian Westley said during the works period this section of High Street and Pall Mall will be reduced to one lane on either side of the tram tracks and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be applied through the work zone.

“The City strongly encourages motorists travelling between White Hills and Golden Square and beyond to avoid the area where possible and use Weeroona Avenue/Lucan Street/Barnard Street and Don Street as alternative routes to avoid any potential delays,” Mr Westley said.

“When the works are underway there will be no right turns allowed into Forest, Williamson, Bull, and Mundy Streets and Easter Fair Way from High Street and Pall Mall for the duration of the works.  In addition to this the intersection of Mitchell and View Streets with Pall Mall will be closed to all traffic from October 26 to 28. Sidney Myer Place will be used as a work site compound and will be closed to traffic.

“Right hand turns will be available at Short Street and Chapel Street. Left hand turns will be available into High Street and Pall Mall from Forest, Mitchell, View, Williamson, Bull, and Mundy Streets and from Easter Fair Way.

“The southernmost pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Pall Mall and Williamson Street will remain open during the works. 

“The northernmost pedestrian crossing at Mitchell Street will remain open for the majority of the project.  However, the remainder of the intersections will be closed to crossing and right turning vehicle traffic.

“Works are anticipated to take place between 7am and 7pm, seven days per week with the possibility of some night works.  The project is expected to be completed by late November subject to weather conditions and the availability of supplies and materials.”

Project works will include:

• Establishment of site and works storage compound in Sidney Myer Place, installation of temporary fencing, traffic barriers and signage
• Protection of the existing infrastructure including heritage poles and utilities
• Removal of existing historic granite cobble stones and existing track
• Earthworks to subgrade level and disposal of all excess material
• Installation of new track and associated infrastructure and reinstatement of cleaned granite cobble stones and asphalt road pavement to centre of adjacent traffic lane
• New line-marking

Mr Westley said the section of the tram track has not been renewed since the 1930’s and needs replacement to ensure Bendigo’s famous talking trams can continue to operate.

“Bendigo Tramways is a much valued and loved local attraction for both residents and visitors and this work is necessary to help preserve one of Greater Bendigo’s most important heritage attractions and local economic drivers into the future.”

The tourist trams will not operate while works are underway. For more information on the operation of the trams, visit:

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo and Family Immunisation & Travel Specialists (FITS) Clinic are partnering to provide another satellite “pop-up” travel immunisation clinic for the wider Greater Bendigo community from 9am to 4pm on November 13, at the Strathdale Community Hub, 155 Crook Street Strathdale.

City of Greater Bendigo Community and Environment Manager Sue Harrison said the satellite clinic will specifically provide local access to the BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine, a live vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis (TB) particularly in babies and young children, without the need to travel to Melbourne.

“These types of immunisations are recommended for those travelling to countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis,” Ms Harrison said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for parents with young children who are intending to travel overseas to these countries in the future to receive the necessary travel vaccines in Greater Bendigo.

“This is the second pop up clinic to take place this year in Greater Bendigo.  The first clinic we held in May was very popular as people living in regional Victoria usually have to travel to Melbourne to get their travel immunisations as the service is not normally offered in regional Victoria.

“FITS is Victoria’s largest private travel clinic for kids, comprising a team of paediatricians and immunisation nurses who specialise in travel medicine and immunisation and there will be costs associated with receiving the BCG vaccine.”

Patients must obtain a referral from their own doctor to attend the clinic.

To book online, please visit:

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Alexandra Group training – Photo Adam Kamenek

On Sunday 12 October, brigades from across the Alexandra Group came together at Eildon Fire Station for a comprehensive training exercise designed to strengthen operational skills and teamwork ahead of the fire season.

Members participated in two concurrent sessions: a hoselay and pumping exercise using the Eildon fireboat; and a command and control session focused on incident management, communication planning, and fireground decision-making.

The morning also included an in-depth discussion about burnover procedures and an impressive remotely piloted aircraft system (also called a drone) demonstration, showcasing how technology can enhance situational awareness and safety on the fireground.

The event was led by experienced instructors, including Tony Scicluna AFSM, Andrew Feagan and Mark Kohler, with support from designated strike team leaders who coordinated timings, to ensure smooth transitions between activities. They also worked closely with instructors to manage vehicles and logistics throughout the day.

DGO Training for Alexandra Group Shannon Roach said the event was designed to offer something valuable for everyone.

“We wanted to create a day that catered to all levels of experience, hands-on, relevant, and different from regular brigade training. The focus was on practical learning, teamwork, and improving how we operate together at a group level,” Shannon said.

The exercise provided members with an opportunity to engage in realistic, scenario-based situations while strengthening relationships between brigades. 

Submitted by	Shannon Roach

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

The Australian Antarctic Program’s (AAP) recruitment campaign for the 2026/27 season is officially open, featuring jobs across a range of trades and professions.
Successful applicants will become expeditioners in the Australian Antarctic Program and will help run Australia’s three scientific research stations in Antarctica – Davis, Mawson and Casey, on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island or on scientific voyages.
The recruitment campaign offers the opportunity to live and work in a part of the world that few people ever get to see.
Contracts are available from four months to 12+ months long across a range of roles, including electricians, carpenters, mechanics and chefs as well as specialists in science, aviation and information technology.

Casey Station Leader Andy Warton said being a part of a tight knit Antarctic community is an incredible experience.
“Antarctica tests you — physically, mentally, emotionally. But the rewards are incredible,” he said.
“It’s a once in a lifetime adventure. You’ll make friendships that last for decades, and you’ll see and experience things that you would have never imagined.
“The work is hard and the isolation takes some getting used to, but I feel an enormous amount of pride in being a part of Australia’s Antarctic mission.”
AAD Director of Expeditioner Services Gina Woodward said the Australian Antarctic Program looks for applicants who are well suited to small community living, but are also technically proficient in their field.
“There’s an extensive recruitment process to find the right candidates,” she said.
“This is an opportunity that most people can only dream of, to become an Australian Antarctic expeditioner. With that opportunity comes enormous responsibility.
“Our expeditioners help protect and understand an incredible part of the natural world – a landscape and marine environment unlike anything else on the planet.”
“It’s a massive sacrifice being so far from family and friends, but the rewards are a lifetime of adventure stories, friendships and memories.”
Applications to live and work in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic as part of the Australian Antarctic Program close Sunday 16th November at 11.30pm.
Apply now.
This content was last updated 19 minutes ago on 14 October 2025.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested an 18-year-old male in relation to a disturbance that occurred in Wadeye yesterday morning.

Around 9:30am, local police were alerted to an incident occurring within the community by a distressed female. While speaking with the female, police observed a male displaying aggressive behaviour nearby before he allegedly armed himself with an edged weapon and ran towards police.

Police directed the male to drop the weapon, which he complied with before being taken into custody without further incident.

No injuries were reported.

The 18-year-old has since been charged with two counts of Assault Police, Breach of a DVO, Being Armed in Public, and Armed with an Offensive weapon. He was remanded in custody to appear in court on 15 October 2025.

Police urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2500101991. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: New South Wales – News

About 2.30pm on Friday 10 October, police were called to Tantanoola Road at Tantanoola after reports a Mazda ute had crashed into a tree.

The driver and sole occupant, a 37-year-old man from Mount Gambier, sadly died in the crash.

Major Crash Investigators flew to the scene to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Tantanoola Road was currently closed between Kongorong-Tantanoola Road and the Princes Highway but was reopened just after 10pm.

The man’s death is the 70^th life lost on SA roads this year.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Two charged with aggravated assault over Claremont incident

Monday, 13 October 2025 – 4:05 pm.

Police have charged two men with aggravated assault following an incident at Claremont on Saturday night in which a shot was fired at the window of a house, and it is alleged a woman living there was assaulted.
The incident happened about 11.50pm on Saturday after up to four men arrived at the Claremont address, with one man reportedly in possession of a shortened firearm.
During the disturbance, one shot was fired at a window and separately, a woman was allegedly assaulted. 
There were no serious physical injuries reported.
Police are calling for information that can help identify the alleged offenders who were travelling in a black Holden Commodore station wagon.
Anyone who observed the incident, or has CCTV or dashcam footage, can contact police on 131 444. 
Anyone with information about the incident, or the offenders, can contact police or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au 
Detectives have arrested two men from southern Tasmania – aged 37 and 43 – and charged them with two counts each of aggravated assault, among other charges.
Further information is sought about two other men in the vehicle on Saturday night.
Police said all parties were known to each other and there was no threat to the general public.
Detectives from Glenorchy CIB, uniformed officers from Glenorchy, Bridgewater and Bellerive stations, plus specialist resources, were involved in searches on Sunday. 
One suspect was arrested at Bellerive early Sunday, while a second man was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon and has been detained for court.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Investigation into armed robbery at Howrah

Monday, 13 October 2025 – 3:51 pm.

Police are investigating the armed robbery of a bottle shop on Rokeby Road, Howrah, on Sunday night in which a man threatened a store attendant and stole cash and property.
About 8pm, a man entered the ‘Bottle-O’ bottle shop at 469 Rokeby Road armed with what appeared to be a firearm, and demanded money.  
The staff member was not physically injured in the robbery.
The offender left the area on foot a short time after 8pm. 
He is described as male, about 167cm tall (5’6”), white skin and was wearing a hooded jumper, black puffer jacket, black cargo pants and white sneaker-style shoes.
If anyone witnessed a man fitting this description, noticed someone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the robbery, or has information about the incident, they should contact police on 131 444.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au

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Members of the Golden Square Fire Brigade have gathered to celebrate the much-anticipated official opening of their new fire station, alongside highly appreciative community members.

Submitted by	CFA Media