Victoria's Labor government has promised 45 extra beds and 145 nurses for Werribee Mercy Hospital as part of a $1.5 billion election commitment. The plan would expand emergency departments at 12 Victorian hospitals by an average of 25 per cent and reduce waiting times at those hospitals by up to 20 per cent. Labor says the expansion depends on winning re-election. The government has not yet released construction timetables or explained how the waiting time reduction was calculated.
Sunshine Eagles recorded their second win of the Baseball Victoria summer league premier 1 first nine competition on Saturday, beating Werribee Giants 18-0 in five innings. Coach Stuart Clayton said the team batted well, and Jamie Young pitched a one-hitter. Lincoln Grech, aged 17, made his first top-grade appearance for the club as an emergency catcher while the import catcher was still overseas, and recorded a couple of hits. The Eagles face Williamstown Wolves on Tuesday and Cheltenham on Saturday. The women's regional west side lost 23-9 to Fitzroy.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has launched Labor's campaign for a fourth straight term, pledging to cut emergency department wait times. He announced $1.5 billion to expand emergency departments at 12 hospitals, with 250 extra beds and 1500 more health workers. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, speaking at a vandalised Upwey South tennis club, focused on crime and pledged 3000 new police officers. Mr Carroll accused the coalition of seeking to Americanise the health system, a claim Ms Wilson rejected. The state election is on November 28.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
A new McGrath Report has named Sunshine, Werribee, Reservoir, Boronia and Highett as Melbourne suburbs likely to perform strongly in 2027. McGrath Estate Agents founder John McGrath said Sunshine's days as a secret are numbered. Sunshine is set to become a major stop on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, with station works underway. Local agents expect the project to lift demand and prices. Buyers' advocates say Sunshine, Werribee, Boronia and Reservoir offer affordable entry points for first-home buyers.
Labor has promised covered outdoor netball courts at Eagle Stadium in Werribee if the state government is re-elected. The state government says it will invest $2 million in the upgrades. All the courts at the stadium are currently uncovered. Local MP John Lister says the covered courts will let players compete year-round, rather than depending on the weather. Community Sport Minister Ros Spence says the project will give players, volunteers and families a place they can be proud of.
Werribee premiership player Cooper Whyte has retired from the Victorian Football League. He played 74 VFL games, including 54 for Werribee over the past three years. In his final season he played 18 matches, kicking a career-high 11 goals. Whyte said he was grateful for the club and its memories, and wished it well for the future. He first played with Geelong before joining Werribee ahead of 2024, when the club won the premiership.
Former students of the 1956 prep class at St Andrew’s School in Werribee plan to meet every two years. More than 35 former classmates gathered at the Italian Sports Club on 11 October for a 70th anniversary reunion. Bernadette Ryan travelled from Queensland for the occasion. Reunion organiser Rose Filippin said the group agreed to meet regularly, saying they were not sure what lay ahead at 76 years old.
Premiership forward Aidan Johnson will return to Werribee for next year's Victorian Football League season. The Tigers' first new signing for next year spent the past two seasons on Melbourne's AFL list, playing six AFL matches. Johnson said he wanted to return to his home club and reconnect with its players and staff. Football manager Kyle Hartigan said his experience will help the club's younger forwards. Lachie Charleson has also signed on for next season.
A community Holly Task Force in Hepburn Shire is urging residents to pull up small holly seedlings while the ground is wet. Task Force member Annie Dennis said holly is a priority weed, rated higher risk than blackberry on Victoria's advisory list of environmental weeds. Birds spread holly seeds into the forest, and townships and roads act as sources. Work is under way in Trentham and Bullarto to remove holly, and Melbourne Water offers a grant scheme for landholders. Task Force members will attend the Daylesford Show on November 28 to offer advice and mapping.
Parks across Wyndham will host free outdoor movie screenings over the next four months as part of Movies in the Park. The first screening, Hotel Transylvania, will be shown at Hoppers Junction on Saturday October 31. Venues in Hoppers Crossing, Williams Landing, Werribee and Mambourin will host films including Sing, Elf, The Notebook and Rio. Free popcorn will be provided, and nearby dinner and takeaway options will be available. A special Christmas screening will feature an appearance from Santa. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring picnic rugs, low-back chairs and warm layers.
Several Wyndham schools will receive extra classrooms to meet growing demand. Werribee MP John Lister announced on 20 October that Laa Yulta Primary School, Lollypop Creek Primary School, Ngarri Primary School and Riverbend Primary School will receive some of the 204 modular classrooms the government has promised across Victoria. Mr Lister, a former teacher, said the spaces help schools grow with their communities. The buildings will open early next year and create capacity for an extra 5031 students across the state.
Primary students from Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Manor Lakes and Werribee have placed first, second and third in Greater Western Water's National Water Week poster competition. Over 2320 students from early learning to year 8 entered, using painting, drawing and digital media to show water saving tips and the need to protect the resource. First prize winners in each age group moved on to state awards, with individual prizes valued at up to $100. Cambridge Primary School in Hoppers Crossing received this year's $500 school prize, sponsored by Southern Rural Water for a sustainable project.
Wyndham's Children's Week Picnic will return to Werribee Park in 2026. The free event runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 25 October and focuses on education and learning. Activities include a silent disco, walking tours, science experiments and interactive performances, along with food trucks and market stalls. Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said the event gives children the chance to try new things. A sensory and quiet space will be available for anyone needing a break. Tickets are required and are selling quickly.
Pavement art showing native Wyndham waterway species will appear around Wyndham in the coming weeks as part of the Waterways of the West trail. Melbourne artist Ulla Taylor is creating the anamorphic chalk works, which feature the Murray Cod, Rakali, Growling Grass Frog and local waterbirds. The trail aims to raise awareness of protecting aquatic habitats. The artworks are at and around Lollypop Creek, Dianella, Point Cook and Werribee community and town centres. Because they are chalk, they will fade over time, so visitors are encouraged to go early.
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.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
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.
Three volunteer emergency services in Wyndham will share in state government funding for vehicles and equipment. Wyndham Vale CFA, Wyndham SES and Wyndham West SES are among 350 organisations set to receive part of more than $31 million from the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program. The round will deliver almost $20 million for vehicles, more than $5 million for facility upgrades and more than $1 million for other operational equipment. Werribee MP John Lister, a volunteer emergency service worker himself, said he was proud to back local volunteers.
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.
Sunshine artist Ken McKean is walking 260 kilometres across Victoria to raise $10,000 for UNICEF Australia. He set off from Warrnambool on 17 October and aims to finish back in Melbourne's north-west by 1 November. Mr McKean said his main purpose is to help children wherever they live, and he hopes to spread a message of peace. He has raised more than $2,200 so far and says he wants to raise even more. UNICEF Australia chief executive Tony Stuart praised the challenge.
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.
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.
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.
Year 12 students at Korumburra Secondary College have finished their school days. Year 12 Coordinator Steven Scott said the final year is demanding, with both schoolwork and pressure about what comes next. He told students without a clear plan not to panic, and that they can change direction if a path proves unsuitable. Students in the VCE and VCE Vocational Major programs continued the tradition of dancing for staff and younger students. Senior School Coordinator Nicole Creaser said the routines were well rehearsed and praised the students for sharing lollies with the younger pupils.
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.
