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Nightingale inner-city development proposed for Ballarat amid fears of urban sprawl 'social disaster'

A prominent urban researcher warns that Ballarat is heading towards a "social disaster" unless it can curb urban sprawl.




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School principal fleeced of $1,500 in ATO scam, as authorities struggle with dramatic increase in calls

School principal Michelle Wilson spent a stressful two hours on the phone, convinced she owed $8,000 and could soon be arrested if she didn't pay up. Then she realised the whole thing was an elaborate hoax.




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Is Ararat's 509-point loss to Great Western a picture of the troubles facing country football?

A scoreline of 79.41 (515) to 1.0 (6) has reversed a country AFL team's own, regular weekly triple-figure defeats. But is this just another tally of country footy's troubles?




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Chronic pain sufferers left untreated for years as Ballarat specialists cope with high demand

Every night Allanah Morel packs her daughter's school bag ahead of time because she knows that by the next morning she could be in too much pain to get out of bed.




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What to expect as Victoria's mental health royal commission wraps up

Dozens of Victorians shared their painful and powerful stories during the state's royal commission into its broken mental health system. Commissioners now have the difficult task of finding a way forward, write Zalika Rizmal and James Bennett.






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What impact does the brewery boom have on country pubs?

Australians' taste in beer is evolving and craft brands are on the rise, but that also means the nation's country pubs are changing.




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Dark matter, gold and vegetables ignite jobs boom in Stawell but spark housing problem

Research into a mysterious substance that makes up 85 per cent of the universe, along with good old-fashioned gold and a new hydroponic farm, are driving a jobs boom in the small Victorian town of Stawell, but there's a problem.





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George Pell's appeal against his child sex abuse convictions will be decided by a court next week

Cardinal George Pell could be released from custody, ordered to face a new trial or sent back to prison when the Court of Appeal hands down its ruling next Wednesday. We explain the possible outcomes and what will happen next.




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Western Highway overhead pic





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George Pell's appeal against his child sex abuse convictions will be decided today

George Pell could walk from court today or be sent back to prison to serve the rest of his six-year term, depending on the outcome of his appeal against his child sex abuse convictions.




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George Pell likely to be jailed with former friend, notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale

The ABC understands the Victorian Department of Corrections considers the Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat, 200 kilometres west of Melbourne, to be the most appropriate place to send the high-profile cleric.




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As a witness at George Pell's trial, I saw first-hand the strength of his victim

In the end, just as in the beginning, this was a case about two little boys and their battle with the world's third most-senior Catholic. And today, child protection won, writes Louise Milligan.




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How Wood Splitters art heist from Ballarat helped change regional art galleries forever

In August 1978, someone entered Ballarat's art gallery, grabbed a 92-year-old painting off the wall, and walked out the front door. Now, the once cash-strapped gallery hosts international artists.





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How train drivers deal with death and how the admin process afterwards does not always help

Around one person dies on Victoria's rail lines every week, with most long-term train drivers experiencing at least one fatality in their career.




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George Pell's appeal judges had differing opinions on his convictions. Here's why

When the Victorian Court of Appeal upheld George Pell's convictions for abusing two choirboys, the decision was not unanimous. While two of the judges said Pell's victim was a "witness of truth", a third wanted to acquit the cardinal of his charges. Here's why.




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Richmond beats Lions, Bulldogs defeat Crows, Power down Fremantle in AFL round 23

The Lions miss out on the AFL minor premiership to the Cats following their loss to the third-placed Tigers, the Bulldogs earn a return to finals action, while the Power defeat the Dockers to end their season on a winning note.





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Waste-to-energy project in Ballarat stalled as expert names city 'one of the best' places for it

Once touted as a $300 million solution to regional Victoria's waste woes, plans to build a waste-to-energy facility have stalled, with some in the industry left scratching their heads.




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Australia's old powerlines are holding back the renewable energy boom

Australian wind and solar farms are putting downward pressure on energy prices, and there are hundreds of new renewable facilities set to come online. But that green energy is stretching the country's outdated network of transmission lines.




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Documents expose land deal behind Victoria's Western Highway sacred trees dispute

A contentious highway upgrade again comes under scrutiny after revelations a land deal was struck between Victoria's roads department and the former Aboriginal cultural heritage authority which approved the development.




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Ian Zandstra appointed dairy advocate for NSW in bid to ease pressure on farmers

Making good on an election promise, the NSW Government has named its first dairy advocate, who is vowing to highlight the pressures faced by farmers at both ends of the supply chain.




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Treated sewage route to farmland proposed by Colac council in bid to secure water supply and food bowl future

As urban sprawl puts pressure on the food bowl on Melbourne's fringes, and as water becomes increasingly scarce, one council has a bold idea that might just catch on.




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Lawyers say Catholic Church admits liability for claims from sexual abuse survivors

The Catholic Church may have opened itself up to hundreds of potential damages claims from sexual abuse survivors after admitting liability in court documents.





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Australian artists reveal how they maintain a living wage and a creative practice

Working 7 days a week, juggling multiple gigs, all for $28,000 a year this is the life of an Australian artist in 2019.




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Western Highway sacred trees protest comes to steps of Victorian Parliament

More than 500 protesters stop traffic outside the Victorian Parliament to rail against the planned destruction of trees sacred to Aboriginal people in Victoria's west.




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Ride Like a Girl filmmakers ignore Darren Weir scandal, celebrate Michelle Payne's victory

Rachel Griffiths's biopic about Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, Ride Like a Girl, will remain unchanged despite horse trainer Darren Weir being banned from horseracing for four years.




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Danny Frawley's family pay tribute to 'remarkable man' after AFL star killed in single-car crash

The family of former AFL star and coach Danny Frawley say they are "totally shocked and devastated" by the loss of "a remarkable man who touched the lives of many", a day after he died in a car crash in western Victoria.





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Ballarat construction worker dies in wall collapse at Mount Pleasant home

WorkSafe and police investigate the death of a construction worker who was demolishing a Ballarat home when he was killed in a wall collapse this morning.




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Danny Frawley, former St Kilda captain and Richmond coach, dies in car crash

Former St Kilda star and Richmond coach Danny Frawley dies in a car crash in western Victoria aged 56. The player, coach and commentator is remembered as a "legend" of the Saints.




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Danny Frawley remembered by long-time friend Garry Lyon in emotional radio return

Garry Lyon pays an emotional tribute to former AFL star Danny Frawley as he returns to his radio show, speaking of the "utterly, impossibly heartbreaking" reality of his friend and former colleague's death.




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Danny Frawley's wife Anita Frawley reveals AFL star's mental health 'deteriorated' before death

The wife of former AFL star Danny Frawley reveals her husband had removed himself from treatment and medication for his depression about eight months before his death last week.




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Danny Frawley, former St Kilda captain and Richmond coach, remembered in service

Family, friends and the AFL community bids farewell to legendary player, coach and media personality Danny Frawley at a "celebration of life" service in Melbourne.




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Man charged with cold case murder of Adelaide mother Suzanne Poll intends to plead not guilty

A Victorian man accused of murdering Adelaide mother-of-two Suzanne Poll at her workplace in 1993 will plead not guilty to the charge, a court has heard.




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Corruption risk likely faced by 'most, if not all' Vic councils, watchdog finds, amid calls for more scrutiny

A ratepayers advocacy group says a damning report into the risk of corruption within local government in Victoria highlights the need for greater scrutiny of regional councils.






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Victorian pork producer wary of African swine fever but butcher says local consumers not concerned

The green hills of south-west Victoria couldn't be further from the latest outbreak of the highly contagious viral disease African swine fever (ASF) in Timor-Leste, but pork producer Xavier Meade isn't taking any chances.




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Montague Street Bridge crash bus driver Jack Aston wins appeal against convictions

A judge overturns the convictions of a bus driver who crashed into the Montague Street Bridge in South Melbourne, injuring six people. But Jack Aston will remain in prison while he is assessed for a community corrections order for lesser charges.




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Darren Weir charged with animal cruelty offences

Police charge Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir and two other men with animal cruelty offences following raids on Weir's stables near Ballarat and Warrnambool in January.




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Paul Preusker, trainer of Cup favourite Surprise Baby, says he knows how Darren Weir feels

Twelve years ago Paul Preusker was disqualified for possessing an electronic jigger. Now he's back, training the Melbourne Cup favourite and insisting he's a changed man.





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A new trademark for all-Australian wool and fibre