Get the appA man has died after being trapped under a loading ramp on a rural property in Waggarandall, about 40 kilometres north-east of Shepparton. Emergency services were called to Evans Road at about 10:20am on Sunday. Advanced life support paramedics attended, but the man died at the scene. Police and SES also attended. The death is not being treated as suspicious, WorkSafe has been notified, and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
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.
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.
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Get the appA new grassroots group called Voices for Bendigo has been established to give residents of Greater Bendigo and surrounding areas another way to be heard. Co-convenor Claire Flanagan-Smith said people feel frustrated with party politics and that the group is not backing any candidate at the coming Victorian election. The group is running a community survey, with findings to be announced later. A community launch event, Voices in the Park, will be held on Saturday 24 October in the Library Gardens from 11am to 2pm.
Two men are in critical condition after a head-on collision on the Barmah-Shepparton Road at Kaarimba, in Victoria's north, on Wednesday morning. Emergency services were called shortly before 7:30am. Firefighters freed one man trapped in a vehicle. Both men, a 39-year-old Euroa driver of a Mazda and his Shepparton passenger, were flown to Melbourne hospitals. A 31-year-old Nathalia man driving the Ford Ranger suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. Police are investigating and asked anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
Police are searching the Murray River near Tocumwal for Patrick Evans, 39, who has been missing since Friday afternoon. A witness heard cries for help and found a small boat circling on the water with no one aboard. Evans was last seen at Pebbly Beach campground on the Victorian side of the river before he went fishing. Volunteer and emergency crews, air support, drone teams and police divers are assisting. Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
A drug-affected driver who killed a mother of four in northern Victoria has been sentenced to eight years and two months in prison. Lance O'Brien, 31, pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and contravening bail conditions. His car veered into the lane of Vilia Sutherland on the Barmah-Shepparton Road at Kaarimba in October 2025, killing her at the scene. O'Brien will be eligible for parole in December 2031. He was also fined $1,200 and disqualified from driving for five years.
Hay Shire councillor Geoff Chapman has defended his attendance at the Murray Darling Association conference, saying it was vital for raising local issues. The Shepparton event allowed direct discussions with water policy officials about topics like un-rated water conservation lands. Motions on new dams and links to the Coorong were passed, with a priority statement to be circulated for ratification.
The annual Walk for Prems event in Shepparton raised funds for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, which supports families with premature or sick babies. The foundation aims to raise $600,000 in 2026 across nine events nationwide. CEO Felicia Welstead said the walk helps alleviate financial and emotional pressures on parents, providing resources like fuel vouchers and emotional support. Donations range from $10 for milestone cards to $10,000 for staffing in-hospital events.