Sunshine has recorded back-to-back wins to open the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield season. The Crows beat the Druids on Saturday after an opening win over Footscray United. Captain-coach Troy Stone said the side never felt fully in control. Dilum Weerarathna took 5-26 for the Crows, and Avishka Chenuka top scored with 43. Sunshine will next face Williamstown CYMS this Saturday.
Fire Rescue Victoria crews were called to a building fire in Anderson Street, Sunshine, shortly before midday on 17 October. Firefighters found a single-storey brick home well alight and tackled the blaze with hoselines. They searched the home for occupants but found no one inside, as it appeared to be unoccupied. The fire was under control at 12:06pm, 11 minutes after crews arrived. Fire Rescue Victoria will hand the scene to Victoria Police because the circumstances are suspicious.
Australia's first Vietnamese museum has opened in Sunshine, in Melbourne's west, on Saturday 17 October. The Vietnamese Museum Australia aims to preserve the history and experiences of Vietnamese Australians, including those who arrived as refugees. The project received $9.7 million from the federal government and $8.6 million from the Victorian Government, plus community fundraising. Brimbank City Council also opened Wominjeka Plaza, a public space honouring Traditional Owners and the area's multicultural communities. The museum's chief executive, Tammy Nguyen, said it would help preserve the stories of more than 350,000 Australians of Vietnamese origin.
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Australia's first museum dedicated to Vietnamese-Australian history has opened in Sunshine, Melbourne. It was built on a council car park and marks the end of a decade-long campaign by the community. Chief executive Tammy Nguyen said the museum honours refugees who left Vietnam by boat seeking freedom. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll opened the centre, and both federal and Victorian governments contributed funding. University of Melbourne professor Lan Anh Hoang said public attitudes to refugees in the 1970s and 1980s were mixed.
Police have charged a 24-year-old Deer Park man and an 18-year-old woman over an alleged assault in Sunshine earlier this month. Detectives executed a search warrant in Deer Park and arrested the pair. The man faces charges of intentionally causing injury, affray and unlawful assault, while the woman faces an affray charge. Both have been bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ court on 4 February 2027. A 27-year-old Mickleham man was found unconscious on Hampshire Road on 1 October and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Sports grounds on either side of Ballarat Road in Braybrook could receive $2.5 million in upgrades if the state government is re-elected on 28 November. Laverton MP Sarah Connolly announced the commitment. The bulk, $2 million, would go towards a major redevelopment of Pennell Reserve, home to the Braybrook Sporting Club and St Andrews Cricket Club. A further $500,000 would refurbish the pavilion at Kinder Smith Reserve, home of the Sunshine Kangaroos. Star Weekly contacted the Liberal Party asking whether it would match the commitments, but received no reply.
A 12-year-old boy faced no further action after charges were dismissed in a children's court over the alleged fatal assault of Melbourne grocer Van Viet Truong, who died days after intervening in a dispute.
Charges against a 12-year-old boy have been dropped in the case of the alleged fatal bashing of Sunshine shopkeeper Van Viet Truong. Prosecutors conceded they could not prove the boy was criminally liable due to his age. Three other teenagers still face charges over the alleged attack in August. Mr Truong, 60, died in hospital after coming to the aid of a fellow retail worker. Community members have laid flowers outside his store in Sunshine.
A 12-year-old boy accused of involvement in a group assault that left a Melbourne grocer dead has had all charges dropped due to his age. Van Viet Truong, 60, died from head injuries after allegedly being attacked by a group of teenagers in August. The boy was among five teenagers charged over the incident, with one 15-year-old facing manslaughter charges and two 14-year-old girls facing lesser charges.
Screen Australia has allocated $5.7 million to fund 48 documentaries, including a feature exploring the life of Australian artist Leigh Bowery. Leigh Bowery: Eternal Sunshine will examine the Melbourne-born performer's influence on London's 1980s underground scene. The film is directed by Ilinca Calugareanu and produced by Elinor Hughes, Vee Shi, Michael McMahon and Ned Williams. Screen Australia says 71% of Australians have taken action after watching local screen content, highlighting documentaries' role in social change.
Western Health has launched a Paediatric Hospital in the Home service, allowing some child patients to receive hospital-level care at home. The team, based at Sunshine Hospital, will care for up to 10 eligible children aged 28 days to 18 years at any one time. Services cover conditions including eczema, respiratory conditions, wound care and IV antibiotics. Kirsty Barnes, divisional director of Western Health at Home, said treatment at home can reduce stress and time away from siblings and school. Referrals can only come from the children's ward at Joan Kirner Women's and Children's at Sunshine Hospital.
A 62-year-old man from Caroline Springs has been charged after an alleged incident in a change room at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre on Sunday 25 October. Police allege he used a recording device to film several people in a change room cubicle around 11.10am. He faces charges of producing child abuse material and producing intimate images. Brimbank council says it has terminated his membership and banned him from all council leisure centres. He is bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 23 March 2027.
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.
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.
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A large former Toyota site at 200-214 Blackshaws Rd, Altona North, has been listed for sale, with a possible $40 million price. The 5.3-hectare property was sold by Toyota in 2020. A Victorian government masterplan has earmarked the site for a future town centre with a supermarket, shops and up to 395 homes. No development plans are yet in place. Expressions of interest close at 3pm on November 11.
Medicinal cannabis approvals for people aged 25 and under have risen sharply in Australia, according to Therapeutic Goods Administration data. More than 50,000 approvals were issued between 2016 and 2024, with most going to people aged 20 to 25. Anxiety and chronic pain were the leading reasons given. University of Melbourne researcher Christine Hallinan warned that THC, the most commonly prescribed compound for these age groups, can affect mental health and motivation. She also raised concerns about online clinics and prescribers linked to suppliers.
A Kensington resident, Steve Martinuzzo, has prepared an advocacy paper urging the State Government to investigate removing the Kensington Station level crossing on Macaulay Rd. He says the issue should at least be discussed rather than dismissed. Residents have previously raised concerns about heritage, traffic and trucks, and the City of Melbourne says it would consider those factors. A Victorian Government spokesperson said there are no current plans to remove the crossing, though it may be considered in future.
Rock musician Ross Wilson is selling his Port Melbourne home, which he bought in 2018 for $1.681m. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house has been extended and renovated and carries a $2.4m to $2.6m price guide. Agent Justin Holod of Marshal White says buyers have described the home as feeling like a famous person lives there, pointing to an old-school jukebox. The house goes to auction on November 7 at 1.30pm.
The state government says it will spend $250,000 to redevelop the play space at G F Stirling Reserve in Altona Meadows if it is re-elected next month. Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari said the upgrades would improve enjoyment for the community. Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes said the new play space would give families a modern, safe place to play and relax.
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.
West Footscray residents are preparing for Halloween this Saturday, with almost a dozen streets decorated with elaborate displays. Trick-or-treating is encouraged across the suburb. Khartoum Street, visited by thousands each year, is among those taking part. Other highlights include the House of Abandoned and Dismembered Dolls on Blandford Street and the West Footscray Halloween Hell House at Barkly Street, run by The Op Shop. Entry to the hell house is by gold coin donation. Maribyrnong councillor Pradeep Tiwari, who will volunteer there on Saturday night, says the community comes together for the event.
The Rotary Club of Keilor is preparing its annual 100 Christmas Bags project for isolated patients in the Moonee Valley and Brimbank areas. Bolton Clarke community nurses will deliver the gift bags, which contain basic food, toiletries, personal care items and seasonal treats. The club says many recipients have no family, friends or wider community, and the bags aim to bring them comfort at Christmas. Recipient Anica said the gift brought her to tears, while Kent said he was looking forward to the day.
Melbourne's Diwali celebrations return to Marvel Stadium Square in Docklands this Saturday, October 31. Organisers expect between 15,000 and 20,000 people to attend the free event, which runs from 2pm to 10pm. The program includes dance competitions, interactive workshops and cooking masterclasses. Organiser Gautam Gupta says this year places more emphasis on hands-on participation. Federal Member for Melbourne Sarah Witty and Bollywood actor Vishwajeet Pradhan will open the event at 2pm.