Detectives are investigating the deaths of a woman and a primary school-aged child in Box Hill, in Melbourne's east, on Thursday evening. Victoria Police were called to Prospect Street just before 6:20pm after a woman was found unresponsive outside an apartment block. A child was found nearby a short time later. Both could not be revived and died at the scene. Police say they are not looking for anyone else. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
The Hills Shire Council is calling on state and federal governments to fund a set of infrastructure priorities. Top of the list is a full upgrade of Windsor and Old Windsor Road, where drivers currently average about 20km/h in the morning peak. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne says the council is meeting its housing targets and that governments must match the growth with funding for schools, roads, transport and sporting facilities. The priorities include securing the Outer Sydney Orbital corridor and extending the Sydney Metro. The council says the requests are essential basics for the region's growing population.
The Kenthurst Probus Club welcomed Rhonda Brown as its newest member at a morning meeting. Guest speaker Mai Nguyen, a spokesperson for Australia's Falun Dafa Association, spoke on traditional Chinese culture. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a set of daily exercises that followers believe improve wellbeing. The Communist Party of China has banned the practice. Members plan an outing to the Theatre Royal for Fiddler on the Roof, a walk at Boongala Gardens and a bus tour to Yarrawonga.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Glenorie Public School offers extensive outdoor activities for students, including soccer, organised games, and playground equipment like a ninja course and climbing frame. The school's adventure playground encourages exploration and a love of nature. Before and during breaks, students can borrow sports equipment managed by student leaders, fostering active play and leadership. The school's teaching staff deliver weekly sport and fitness programs, creating an inclusive environment where every child can thrive. Glenorie Public School is currently accepting enrolments for 2027.
Hornsby Shire Councillor Jane Seaglove has urged residents to prepare for bushfire season by clearing gutters, managing vegetation and keeping hoses accessible. Council's Love Your Home video series offers energy-saving tips, including solar panels, insulation and rainwater collection. The Glenorie Village Investigation report is considering housing, services and village facilities, while Glenorie spans both Hornsby and The Hills Shires. Councillor Seaglove is also seeking community views on a possible shared footpath along Galston Road in Dural.
Galston Uniting Church has recognised Amy Kosilo for leading an appreciation project at the Galston Early Learning Centre. She worked with the centre's Preschool team, and the project helped children think about nature, community and caring for Country. Later in the month, Amy Kosilo, Catherine Koutlis and Daniela Palmer attended the 2026 NSW Early Years Nature Connections Conference. The centre plans to grow its Bush Program so children can explore and learn about the natural world.
Hornsby Shire councillor Jane Seaglove urges residents to prepare properties for bushfire season by clearing gutters, managing vegetation and planning survival steps. She also promotes energy-saving home changes through a Council video series. Planning for the Glenorie village is progressing, and the Glenorie Village Investigation report considers housing, services and connections. Seaglove is also seeking community views on a possible shared footpath along Galston Road in Dural.
Brendon and Emma Reynolds have put the historic Junee Hotel on the market so they can move closer to family. The couple took over the lease in 2023 and later bought the property, restoring its rooms, bathrooms and bar. They have added community events, including a singles night that Emma says led to five relationships. Emma criticised government taxes on regional pubs and staffing rules that limit backpacker workers. The couple plan to live in the hotel while a sale progresses, which they say can take six to 12 months.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Drivers travelling between Armidale and the coast on Waterfall Way should allow extra time from Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 8 November. Transport for NSW says a string of maintenance jobs and projects may cause cumulative delays, with some sections of up to 10 minutes. Vehicles wider than 3 metres face restrictions on parts of the route, and a permit is needed. Motorists can follow signs and directions from traffic controllers, or use alternative routes including the Oxley Highway, Gwydir Highway or New England Highway.
A black-and-white cat named Max has been reunited with his family in Cherrybrook after two anxious weeks. His owner, Katy, put up 200 missing posters and searched local streets, reaching out to schools, daycares and students. After Max was sighted, animal rescue volunteer Jen safely captured him and returned him to Katy within 24 hours. Katy then posted Found posters to thank the community for its kindness and teamwork.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has taken up a part-time professor of practice role at the University of Sydney. She will guest-lecture, run masterclasses and mentor students and researchers in the school of public health. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern, who led New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, said she has been focused on leadership since leaving office. University vice-chancellor Mark Scott said her leadership showed that empathy and resolve can strengthen each other.
A 28-year-old man has been charged after an alleged fight on Banna Avenue in Griffith. Police allege he threw punches at another man in the middle of the street at about 2 am on Sunday, October 25, after being refused entry to pubs. Officers had earlier told him to leave, and police say he later swore at them and kept approaching despite being directed to leave. He was arrested, charged with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place, and granted bail. He is due to appear before Griffith Local Court on November 18.
Sydney will host the 2027 Super Netball Grand Final for the first time since the competition began. The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors and inject more than $4 million into the NSW visitor economy. The match will be played on Saturday 31 July at Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, and is proposed rather than confirmed. Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis said the event would celebrate the sport's passion across New South Wales. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state would invest more in netball, one of its biggest participation sports.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley has defended the state's gun buyback scheme after 150 applications were lodged in its first hours. Bookings opened on Monday, and the government plans to remove up to 274,000 firearms from the community. Catley said fewer guns in circulation would make the community safer, pointing to firearms stolen across the state. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has criticised the scheme, arguing it focuses too heavily on licensed owners rather than illegal guns used by organised criminals.
Credit Corp Group, which buys bad debts at a discount and collects them, is on track for another record result this year. The listed business posted a record $105.5 million net profit in 2025/26 and is targeting between $112 million and $120 million this financial year. Chief executive Thomas Beregi told shareholders the purchase of one of HSBC's run-off credit card books was a key driver. Its consumer lending arms grew almost a fifth in the September quarter, led by its Wallet Wizard loans, which carry an annual interest rate of 47.8 per cent.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp has been officially named Patyegarang, after a Cammeraygal woman who helped bridge colonial and Indigenous communities. The name was chosen through a collaborative process with local Aboriginal community members. Transport for NSW has also unveiled new bronze signage and a cyclist counter board, which shows live usage statistics. The ramp's opening in January has led to a 30% increase in cycleway usage, averaging 1,600 daily riders over the past six months.
