Barry York has published A Pentridge Memoir, an account of his jailing at Pentridge Prison in 1972 with two fellow La Trobe University students. The three were held for contempt of the Supreme Court of Victoria without trial or sentence. York describes harsh conditions in the prison, including violence in the maximum security wing. The memoir also covers the group's later work supporting prisoners and campaigning for prison reform. The book is self-published and priced at $34.95.
The number of Australian pharmacies stocking an abortion pill increased by almost 50% after prescribing restrictions were relaxed. A study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open examined the impact of changes by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2023. Researchers led by La Trobe University found that by mid-2025, 4,107 pharmacies were stocking the medication, up from 2,228 before the policy change. The number of postcodes with a pharmacy stocking the medication rose from 915 to 1,292, with regional coverage increasing from 23% to 35% of postcodes.
Authorities have shut 100 shops under newly granted powers aimed at stamping out the trade in illegal tobacco. Since those powers took effect on 9 September, the VIPER Taskforce and Tobacco Licensing Victoria officers have confiscated over four million unlawful cigarettes, roughly 70,000 vaping devices, three tonnes of leaf tobacco and close to $1 million in cash. The drive is directed at criminal networks that profit from the illicit product, including groups run from overseas. Retailers across a string of Melbourne suburbs have been inspected, and the operation is still underway.
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A new $770,000 dog park at VR Michael Reserve in Lalor is now open for dogs and their owners. The park has separate active and quiet zones designed for dogs of different sizes, ages and temperaments. Facilities include accessible pathways, shelters, seating, drinking fountains, solar lighting, shade trees and landscaping. The project followed community feedback and key improvements identified in the VR Michael Reserve Master Plan. Whittlesea council contributed $470,000, with the Victorian government providing $300,000.
A 59-year-old man has been charged with reckless cause injury, criminal damage and unlawful assault after an alleged attack on the husband of Liberal candidate Amanda Dow. The incident happened on Sunday in Mernda, where police say the victim had gone to retrieve campaign signs. He suffered facial injuries and was discharged from hospital. The accused is due to face Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on February 1. Meanwhile, the latest Newspoll shows Labor trailing the Liberal-National coalition by 10 points ahead of the November 28 state election.
A medical centre in Melbourne's north-west was extensively damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack early today. Police say offenders smashed a front window of the Shuter Street clinic in Moonee Ponds before using an accelerant and setting it alight just after 2am. About an hour earlier, two cars were set alight outside a Brighton home on Manor Street in what police describe as a suspected targeted attack. Police will investigate whether the two incidents are linked. An arson chemist will attend both scenes today, and anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to contact CrimeStoppers.
The husband of Liberal Party candidate Amanda Dow has allegedly been assaulted during a confrontation over election signs in Mernda. The party said he suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital, where he was discharged. Police said a 59-year-old Mernda man has been charged with recklessly causing injury, criminal damage and unlawful assault. The accused has been released on bail and is due to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on February 1. Yan Yean is currently held by Labor with a margin of 4.3 per cent.
About 100 people attended a dementia awareness presentation in Preston, hosted by the Hellenic Women’s Federation of Victoria on Friday 23 October. Dementia Australia support specialist Christina Kominakis explained the difference between everyday forgetfulness and memory changes that may need medical assessment. Signs included repeatedly misplacing things and difficulty managing money. The presentation noted that such difficulties do not necessarily mean dementia, but persistent changes should be raised with a doctor. A raffle raised $300 for Dementia Australia.
Researchers in Tasmania have discovered the value of animal scat, or faeces, in conservation efforts. A wildlife team found that studying scat can reveal crucial information about species, including their diet, health, and population size. For instance, scat analysis helped identify a Tasmanian devil's diet, which includes unusual items like shoelaces. Additionally, scat can indicate disease presence and genetic diversity, offering insights without invasive procedures. Despite challenges like DNA degradation, scat remains a vital, non-invasive tool for wildlife conservation.
Coburg West Primary School has won first prize in the primary school category at the 14th Greek Student Film Festival. The school's Greek language program entry was also voted Best Film by the audience. Students, working with teacher Betty Koklanis, made the short film The Replacement, which explores artificial intelligence. The pupils used their Greek skills throughout the film. The festival, now in its 14th year, gives young people a platform to show their creativity and growing Greek language ability.
A new $770,000 dog park at VR Michael Reserve in Lalor is now open to residents. The facility has separate active and quiet zones for dogs of different sizes, ages and temperaments. It also includes shelters, seating, drinking fountains, solar lighting and shade trees. The City of Whittlesea contributed $470,000 and the Victorian Government provided $300,000 through its New and Upgraded Dog Parks Program. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the park followed community feedback on the design.
A 26-year-old Bundoora man has lost his license after allegedly speeding past a police station and blowing more than twice the legal alcohol limit in Greensborough. Police said the man was driving a Toyota RAV4 at an alleged speed of 115km/h in a 60km/h zone. He was issued penalty notices for speeding and drink driving, valued at a total of $1935, and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
A triple-brick home in Northcote, with a separate apartment, passed in at auction on a vendor bid of $1.7 million, below its $1.8 million reserve. The property is now listed for private sale at $1.775 million. Meanwhile, a fully renovated art deco home in Fitzroy sold for $1.531 million, above its $1.35 million reserve, to a first-home buyer. In Essendon, a four-bedroom home sold for $2.285 million, above its $1.95 million reserve, to a young family.
Detectives have arrested four teenage boys after an alleged aggravated burglary at a home in Diamond Creek early on Friday, October 23. It is alleged a Ford Ranger and a Kia Sportage were stolen from a carport about 1.25am while a 50-year-old man, a 41-year-old woman and a child were home. None were injured. Police allege the Kia was abandoned on Foote Street in Templestowe, while the Ford Ranger entered an underground carpark on Blackburn Road, Doncaster East, where the four boys were arrested. All four were charged and were due to appear in children's court on Friday.
A 29-year-old Altona North man has been charged over an alleged attempted carjacking in Campbellfield. Police allege he was armed with an axe and tried to steal a car after a collision involving up to eight vehicles at the intersection of Sydney and Bolinda roads, about 7am on Thursday, October 22. He was struck by a vehicle and then restrained by good Samaritans near Sunshine Street before police arrived. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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Typical home prices in 18 Melbourne suburbs have moved above the $950,000 cap for the federal first-home buyer scheme, according to new REA Group figures. The cap was lifted by $150,000 last October, but rising prices have pushed these suburbs beyond it again. Templestowe's median unit price now sits $31,500 above the limit. Industry figures say the scheme makes larger mortgages easier to access but does not necessarily make housing more affordable, while one builder reports packages starting at about $450,000.
Birch, beech and sycamore trees at Wisley garden in Surrey have shed their leaves early after a record hot summer. Horticulturists say drought stress has caused a false autumn, with yellow-leaved trees losing foliage by mid-October. Trees with shallow roots are most affected, as they cannot reach deeper groundwater. Experts expect an earlier, shorter colour display in drought-hit areas. Wisley plans to plant more hardy, deep-rooted trees such as Lebanon cedars and swamp cypresses to adapt to changing conditions.
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.
A match between Ange Postecoglou's Al-Nassr and UAE club Al-Wasl in the Asian Champions League has been postponed. Al-Wasl reported problems arranging flights to Riyadh. Al-Nassr had won four straight matches across all competitions. Elsewhere, Al-Ain beat Tractor 2-1, with Houssine Rahimi scoring the winner, while Al-Ahli came from behind to beat Al-Gharafa 2-1 in Jeddah. The top eight teams from the league phase will advance to knockout rounds held in Saudi Arabia in April and May.
