A four-bedroom home on a 4.71ha bushland property at Macclesfield, in the Dandenong Ranges foothills, has been listed for private sale. Price expectations sit between $2.9m and $3.1m. The property at 88 Kirkpatricks Road has been renovated and extended over two decades by its owner, Paige Fleming, working with architect Mark Burns. Features include landscaped gardens and a black infinity edge pool. Barry Plant Emerald agent Justin Barrot is handling the sale.
Consumer spending across Stonnington grew 8.1 per cent on the previous year, reaching $3.78 billion in 2025/26, according to new council data. Malvern East, including Chadstone, remained the largest spending destination at $1.8 billion, up 13 per cent. South Yarra and Glenferrie Road, Malvern also recorded gains, while night-time spending made up 22 per cent of the total. Council says it will fund precinct activations, business grants and night-time safety work in 2026/27.
Victorians vote on Saturday, November 28, in a state election that could end Labor's 12 years in government. Opinion polls show Labor, One Nation and the Coalition each have about a quarter of first preference votes. The Coalition is the favourite on a two-party basis, but One Nation could hold the balance of power in a hung parliament. Enrolment closes at 8pm on Tuesday, November 3. Early voting opens on November 18, and postal vote applications open on November 4.
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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.
Strzelecki North Bowls Pennant matches were affected by wet weather, with some games delayed but all completed. Traralgon defeated Moe, Longwarry beat Traralgon RSL, and Morwell narrowly won against Drouin. In Division 2, Boolarra, Newborough and Garfield secured victories. Division 3 saw wins for Trafalgar, Moe, Warragul and Thorpdale. Midweek pennant results included Drouin defeating Trafalgar, Traralgon RSL beating Morwell Club, and Newborough winning against Traralgon.
Chef Amandeep Rolay has returned to hospitality with Rolay’z Kitchen, a takeaway business operating from a council-approved home kitchen in North Wonthaggi. The business drew about 150 people to a curry feast at Dalyston Hall on October 17. Rolay closed his Indian restaurant in Rhyll during the COVID pandemic. The takeaway serves dishes including butter chicken and rogan josh, prepared to order. Rolay plans to hold another feast about every three months.
VCE students finished the English exam on Tuesday, with Leongatha Secondary College students saying the paper went well. The exam was held in a function space at the town's Recreation Reserve, which is serving as an exam hall this year. Several students said they felt nervous beforehand but found the paper straightforward. Students said their preparation helped. Assistant Principal Tanya Chalmers praised the cohort's hard work.
A 157-year-old Ginkgo biloba in the Geelong Botanic Gardens has been named the 2026 Victorian Tree of the Year. It received 27 per cent of the 4435 votes cast, beating eight other finalists across the state. Geelong councillor Elise Wilkinson said the tree is one of the city's most cherished landmarks and a popular backdrop for weddings. The competition, run by National Trust Victoria, also highlights the need for stronger protections for established trees. Prahran's smooth bark apple myrtle placed second, and Apollo Bay's myrtle beech placed third.
Labor MP Tim Watts has reflected on how politicians move freely among the public, following an attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Haines was allegedly struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on 19 October and has suffered catastrophic injuries. A 43-year-old man has been charged, and police have not established a motive. Watts says threats against MPs have risen fourfold since 2020. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor have both condemned the attack.
Independent MP Helen Haines has been recovering in hospital after she was allegedly deliberately rammed by a 4WD outside her electorate office in Wangaratta. Haines, 65, had both legs amputated during emergency surgery, and her condition is now serious but stable. Colleague Allegra Spender told parliament that Haines's first words on waking showed concern for her staff, community, bystanders and medical personnel. Spender used the tribute to urge MPs to lower the temperature of political debate, saying abuse aimed at politicians can turn into violence.
