Ballan family-owned business Paarhammer Windows and Doors was named Best Regional Manufacturer at the 2026 Australian Manufacturing Awards in Melbourne on Thursday 8 October. The company beat six other finalists. Founded in 1990, the firm makes energy-efficient and bushfire-resistant windows and doors, employs 32 staff and ships products Australia-wide. Managing director Tony Paarhammer was named Industry Person of the Year in 2025, and production manager Mat Thorne was named Manufacturing Worker of the Year. Thomas Paarhammer is set to take over once his parents retire.
Doyle Madigan, a former junior Tiger, will return to Torquay's Spring Creek Reserve in 2027 after playing more than 100 games for South Barwon. He finished joint runner-up in the 2026 Mathieson Medal after averaging 22.8 disposals. Club president Cameron Healy said players Clay Page, Doyle Madigan and Chase Loftus have stayed connected with the club. Angus Morrison, August Stelma and Chase Loftus will also join the program. Most of the side has recommitted despite a grand final loss to Queenscliff. Matthew Boag has signed with Ballan.
Moorabool Shire will host a series of music, poetry and storytelling events in Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Blackwood throughout November. The Hide + Seek Presents program features touring artists and local creatives, with a focus on First Nations music and creative writing workshops for young people. Mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor said the program is designed to spark conversation and connection across generations. Events include Thin Red Lines at Ballan Mechanics Institute Hall on 7 November, and the spoken word salon Better Off Said at Bacchus Marsh Town Hall on 20 November.
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The Lions Club of Ballan will hold a community market on Saturday, November 7, on Inglis Street. All proceeds from the market will go to the McGrath Foundation, which places free cancer care nurses across Australia. The club held its October market, but rain forced it to be postponed a month. Stalls will sell handcrafted goods, clothing and jewellery, along with a barbecue, a raffle and Christmas cakes and puddings. The market runs from 9am to 1pm.
An online information session on Phase 2 of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 1pm to 2pm. It is free to attend.
Bacchus Marsh's Soul Food program has been awarded $19,200 in state food relief funding. The registered charity serves hot meals weekly and provides staple supplies to people in need. Coordinator Jenny Kearney said the grant, applied for in July, will help fund food purchases for the next 12 months. Every Wednesday at Saint Bernards Parish Centre, the program serves 180 to 200 lunchtime diners. Meal numbers have risen from 2800 in 2020 to over 10,000 in 2025.
A free course on how to safely respond to someone experiencing mental health concerns will be held at the Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre on Thursday, October 29, from 9am to 3pm. Participants who meet the requirements will receive an accredited Certificate of Completion. The course, Mental Health First Aid International, teaches people how to support someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening problem or in a crisis. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
A free workshop on succession planning for farming families will be held in Longwood on Thursday, October 29, from 9.30am to 3pm. It is being run at the Longwood Community Centre and presented by Dr Kate Burke. The session will cover protecting family legacy, keeping a business viable, and transferring wealth across generations. Participants will develop a succession timeline and set practical goals. Morning tea and lunch are provided, and places are limited, so registration is required.
Labor has pledged $5 million to further revitalise Darley if it returns to state government after the 28 November election. The funding is part of the Doing Up Darley plans and follows works at Darley Primary School, the Early Years Hub and Darley Park. Moorabool Shire mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor welcomed the commitment and said the growing area needs new and improved local amenities. Eureka MP Michaela Settle said the funding would bring local improvements such as new footpaths and safety upgrades, with residents having a say on priorities. The enrolment deadline is Tuesday 3 November at 8pm.
The Healthy Landscapes Project is holding a practical workshop on Friday, October 30, from 10am to 12pm on Axedale-Goornong Road, Axedale. The interactive session will show how physically assessing soil can reveal its health and productivity. It is open to people new to soil assessment as well as those wanting to build their skills. Participants will gain practical knowledge to better understand the soils on their farms.
Stock Sense is holding a fencing workshop in Gisborne on Friday, November 20, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Participants will learn how to install new fences using the right tools, materials and techniques. The day also covers how to inspect, maintain and repair existing fences to extend their working life. Stock Sense will lead a discussion on biosecurity and best-practice measures for protecting farms. The exact venue will be sent to participants closer to the date.
Ten-year-old Brandon Winkworth raised $500 for Bread Hub Victoria after his school charity choice was not selected. The charity matched the amount, doubling it to $1000. The money will fund vouchers for disadvantaged people in Hobsons Bay and Wyndham to use swimming and gym facilities at Laverton Community Hub and Bayfit. Laverton Community Integrated Services chief executive Michael Pernar praised the boy's efforts. Hobsons Bay mayor Diana Grima said the youngster's hard work was an inspiration. Brandon said he is proud of what he achieved.
Melbourne student Aparjot, 21, has self-published her first novel, When We Were Souls, while studying cybersecurity and working part-time. The 376-page story follows two people who meet, fall in love and face the reality that some connections do not last. It is structured around seven Sufi stages of love, reflecting the Punjabi poetry she has written since childhood. Aparjot funded the book herself, designing the cover and editing the manuscript with help from friends. She is now preparing a second book, Ibadat, due in January 2027, which will draw on her Punjabi poems.
A Melbourne couple has moved into a new home that cost $80,000 less than they planned to spend. Jeyakaran Karnan and Shree Harini Vinothkumar chose a $720,000 house-and-land package in Clyde North after finding auctions stressful. They built at the Orana estate, where they hoped their son Yaalan could grow up among other young families. The couple used the federal 5 per cent deposit scheme, which reduced their deposit to $36,000. Construction took about four months, with the keys arriving roughly 10 months after they signed up.
North Geelong will aim to win its fourth consecutive T20 cricket premiership. The Magpies, who are on a 17-game winning streak, open their season with an away match against Lara. Both sides sit in Group D of the Division 1 and 2 competition, alongside Bell Park and Geelong West. Each team plays three round robin games before quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the final set for Tuesday 26 January. Defending Division 2 champions Lethbridge are in Group A with Winchelsea, Meredith and Teesdale.
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Altona Meadows Primary School will celebrate the 10th edition of its internal news program, AMP NEWS, on Thursday 29 October. Year five and six students film, write and edit stories on fetes, special days and sports events. Two episodes are produced each term, featuring teachers and students. Teacher Sarah Capri has run the program since 2017, after it was started by a former teacher in 2016. About 60 students took part this year.
Kerry Janten has announced she will contest the St Albans seat as an independent. She says she is dissatisfied with the party system and wants the freedom to address electorate issues without following a party line. Her policy focus includes state debt, cost of living, transport, environment and disability access. Ms Janten will hold a campaign launch on Friday 30 October from 6pm to 9pm at the St Albans Community Centre. She says she wants to hear from a broad range of residents, including homeless people and those whose first language is not English.
The Class of 2026 at Chairo Christian School in Leongatha has marked the end of its school years with a series of celebrations. A carnival morning used a toy-themed design, with graduates dressed as characters and running stalls for younger students. The next day, the final assembly featured a devotional message from school captain Meg Stokes and flowers presented by Prep students. That evening, a Valedictory Dinner recognised the graduates and their families. Principal Amy Stork said the school was proud to celebrate with the students.
WorkSafe inspectors will be able to issue on-the-spot fines from 31 March to reduce fatal falls at work. Employers can be fined for failing to control fall risks, keeping safety records unavailable, or starting high-risk construction work without a Safe Work Method Statement. Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Steve Dimopoulos said falls remain a leading cause of workplace deaths and serious injuries. WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said employers face no new obligations, but those breaking the law will face consequences sooner.
Stonnington Council has adopted its 2025-2026 Annual Report, the first year of its Stonnington Tomorrow Council Plan. Council invested $40.32 million in local infrastructure and community assets, including upgrades to Prahran Market and Percy Treyvaud Reserve. Visitor spending in the city reached $2.82 billion, up 9.9 per cent on the previous year. Council planted 1,558 trees and 12,150 native and indigenous plants. Mayor Melina Sehr said Council remains focused on keeping its finances healthy over the long term despite rising costs.
