Thieves have stolen the heavy grey door from a toilet at the Mallanganee Observatory, taking the hinges as well. Resident Neville O’Malley, who cleans the toilets every second day, said the theft happened between October 21 and October 23. Police have been notified. Kyogle Council said the cost of replacing the door will depend on whether insurance covers it. The council said these thefts harm ratepayers, who must fund replacements or pay higher insurance premiums. Residents have asked for a live webcam or CCTV to monitor the site.
Suspected e-bike and e-scooter riders have damaged the turf wicket at Caroline Springs Cricket Club, ahead of this week's matches. Club president Anthony Rice was alerted by neighbours on Sunday 18 October and spent almost four hours repairing the playing surface the next day. Rice, who is also the club's volunteer head curator, described the damage as heart-breaking. He said the not-for-profit club raises its own funds and maintains its wickets without council help, and called for greater support from Melton council. Melton council was contacted for comment.
Around 100 people have been arrested in Spain after hooded demonstrators at an anti-establishment rally looted shops and set fire to street furniture around Barcelona's Plaza de Catalunya. Catalonia's interior minister, Núria Parlon, said about 25 per cent of those arrested on Saturday night were minors. More than 30 fires were lit and 14 stores were vandalised or looted in a area popular with tourists and weekend shoppers. Social media videos show people trapped inside shops, including El Corte Ingles, after shutters were lowered.
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Vandals have struck the Lions Sensory and Memorial Park at Terilbah Reserve in The Entrance North again. Warren Smith, 75, visits the park daily to tend its plants and memorial plaques.
A vigilante has spray-painted cars parked across driveways in Freshwater, on Sydney’s northern beaches. Tradie Rob Rakuc found his ute marked with a fluorescent stripe after parking on Moore Road. A Tesla driver on the same street was also targeted, with photos of the incident gaining traction on social media. Local bottle shop owner Steve Woodley acknowledged the parking frustrations in the area.
A multimillion-dollar home in Mount Pleasant, Perth, was engulfed in flames overnight. Police are investigating the blaze as a possible arson attack. The words pay your debt dog were graffitied on the driveway. Fire crews attended about 3.20am on Wednesday and took around an hour to put out the fire, which caused part of the roof to collapse. No one was injured. Later in the day, a 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with criminal damage by fire.
Queensland police are investigating a suspected slingshot attack on the Salam Mosque Logan City at Berrinba, south of Brisbane. The incident happened in the early hours of October 16, when a window of the building on Third Avenue was broken. Police say a cyclist used a slingshot or similar device to fire a ball bearing. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils condemned the incident as deeply disturbing and said it could have caused injury or death. No one was hurt, and witnesses have been urged to contact police.
Thieves have stolen historic copper gutters, downpipes and a lightning rod from the Queen Victoria Gunpowder Magazine at The Domain in Hobart. The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service said the damage was observed about two weeks ago, with the thieves allegedly cutting through a barbed wire fence to enter. The site, built in 1851, once stored gunpowder and explosives. Militaria Collectors of Tasmania, which leases the site, estimates repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Tasmania Police said it is investigating and has seen a rise in copper theft across the state.
A 19-year-old man has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into Jolt Games in Mitchell, in Canberra, early on Sunday, 18 October. Police say he smashed the front glass door, damaged stock and was arrested nearby. Shop owner Luis Lopez, who was at home, saw the break-in on a phone alert and called police. Jolt Games closed on Sunday but planned to reopen on Monday afternoon. Regulars have offered to help clean up, restock and fix the window.
Vandals have driven burnouts and doughnuts on the golf course at the Murrumbidgee Country Club, which must now repair the damage. Canberra sports grounds were targeted in a wave of vandalism four months ago, followed by a police crackdown. A local soccer volunteer described the lasting emotional toll on people who care for their clubs. The writer argues that the impact reaches well beyond the turf and facilities, and asks why such behaviour occurs.
Security measures at the historic Point Cook Homestead are one step closer after urgent meetings between Parks Victoria, Heritage Victoria and community groups. The bluestone homestead, built in 1857, has faced repeated vandalism and break-ins, with three incidents recorded in the past fortnight. Parks Victoria is working through a permit application with Heritage Victoria for proposed works, including possible temporary fencing. State government funding of $1.2 million will help secure the site and fund electrical, heating, cooling, roofing and accessibility upgrades, and allow the homestead to open to community groups.
Vandals used a fire extinguisher to graffiti the red slide at Gordon Park playground and left broken glass near picnic tables before dawn on Friday, 25 September. A local parent alerted Nambucca Valley Council, which sent a worker to clean the equipment and remove the glass before the Uniting Supported Playgroup began at 10.30am. Council staff said the clean-up was finished within three hours of the call. Tim Woodward said vandalism in council parks is more common than many people think, and urged residents to report incidents through the council's emergency line or its Antenno app.
Public toilets at the Kojonup Sporting Complex in Kojonup have been closed until further notice after a rubbish bin was deliberately set alight. The fire broke out at about 9.40am on Thursday inside the female toilets on Benn Parade. Shire of Kojonup staff responded quickly, and police found minor damage to the bin and surrounding area. Police are treating the incident as suspicious. Police and the shire are asking anyone who saw suspicious activity nearby around that time to come forward, and reports can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
A letter to the News Of The Area describes vandals at Mullaway Headland piling sanitary bins in a disabled toilet, covering them with toilet paper and attempting to set them alight. The writer, Howard Dengate of Safety Beach, says the acts are repeated and have gone on for several years. He claims some families have sold up and moved away after complaints to police or authorities, and calls on police to act. He suggests more CCTV surveillance and asks parents to take responsibility for their children's behaviour.
A memorial for epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws has been vandalised in Kirribilli, North Sydney. A local shared images on social media showing the memorial tree torn off near its base. North Sydney Council says it is aware of the damage and has arranged for the tree to be replaced. McLaws, who advised the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, died in August 2023 after a long battle with cancer. The memorial, a plaque and tree at Mary Booth Reserve overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was erected in her honour.
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Moranbah Council says repair work will take place at Bernborough Park from Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October 2026, weather and site conditions permitting. The work follows recent vandalism to the Shannon Street gate and rear boundary fence. The park will stay open during this period, but the Shannon Street gate will be closed to access. Residents can report damage to public property by calling Council on 1300 ISAACS, or call 000 in an emergency and Policelink on 131 444 for non-urgent matters.
Local election candidates in Victoria report increased vandalism, theft, and online attacks. Ajay Mishra, a candidate in the City of Greater Bendigo's Lockwood by-election, said his campaign signs were defaced and a local business was threatened. Fellow candidates reported racist comments and suspicious behaviour. University of Melbourne associate professor Aaron Martin noted a rise in 'outgroup hostility' in Australian politics, partly driven by social media. Police are investigating incidents, including a stolen election sign and drone loitering.
A bronze statue of explorer Matthew Flinders has been stolen from Mornington Park in Victoria. Police are investigating the theft, which was discovered on Tuesday 6 October. The statue, commissioned in 1987, was created by sculptor Marc Clark. Victorian Police spokesperson Kathryn Muffett confirmed the investigation is ongoing. Mornington Peninsula Shire deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro condemned the vandalism, calling it unacceptable damage to a community asset. Mornington MP Chris Crewther also condemned the theft and proposed new penalties for damage to war memorials and cultural sites if the Liberal Party is elected.
