ABC Central Victoria

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Push to find resting places for remains found in desecrated graves

Nine piles of dirt containing up to 5,000 human remains from dug-up graves have been dumped at the rear of a regional Victorian cemetery. A team of archaeologists is helping to find a home for the disturbed remains.

Published: Tue 26 May 2026 at 5:17am

Tue 26 May 2026 at 5:17am

Source: ABC Central VictoriaTopic: Community and Societyby Nate Woodall

Data reveals V/Line punctuality on two routes dropped to lowest in almost a decade

The latest V/Line data reveals only 56 per cent of services arrived on time on two regional train routes during Victoria's first month of free public transport.

Dozens of commuters getting on and off a V/Line train at a Melbourne platform.

Published: Sun 24 May 2026 at 9:08am

Sun 24 May 2026 at 9:08am

Source: ABC Mildura-Swan HillTopic: Public Transportby Nethma Dandeniya and Philippe Perez

Woman who died in house fire 'rejected' accused murderer, court hears

The prosecution alleges the 62-year-old farmstay guest was "unable to cope" after the deceased declined to enter into a romantic relationship with him.

A smiling, middle-aged woman with curly hair and glasses takes a selfie at a beach.

Published: Fri 22 May 2026 at 4:04pm

Fri 22 May 2026 at 4:04pm

Source: ABC Central VictoriaTopic: Courtsby Anna McGuinness

DNA study finds many dingoes may have some domestic dog genetics

A new study into dingo DNA has found many animals previously considered to be purebred actually have domestic dog genetics.

Published: Fri 22 May 2026 at 7:59am

Fri 22 May 2026 at 7:59am

Source: ABC RuralTopic: Animalsby Angus Verley

McDonald's circles Castlemaine but can expect a fight over its 'soul'

McDonald's says it has identified a site in Castlemaine and is exploring the possibility of establishing a restaurant, but it's not being welcomed by some in the town.

A vacant block of land sits behind a historic statue of a gold miner

Published: Thu 21 May 2026 at 12:26pm

Thu 21 May 2026 at 12:26pm

Source: ABC Central VictoriaTopic: Regional Development and Planningby Anna McGuinness and Tyrone Dalton

'Backbone' of Victoria's bushfire, flood response to be cut, union claims

The State Control Centre, which responds to natural disasters like bushfires and floods, is to shed around two thirds of its full-time equivalent staff according to the Community and Public Sector Union.

a white car has been completely burnt out by a fire

Published: Wed 20 May 2026 at 10:51am

Wed 20 May 2026 at 10:51am

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Disaster and Emergency Responseby Alex Sinnott Alex Sinnott

Shoplifting is so bad in this town that police are homing in

In the regional Victorian town of Shepparton, shoplifting and retail crime are so rife that police have launched a dedicated patrol unit to target repeat offenders.

Published: Fri 15 May 2026 at 5:47pm

Fri 15 May 2026 at 5:47pm

Source: ABC Goulburn MurrayTopic: Policeby Charmaine Manuel and Andrew Mangelsdorf

Listen back

ABC Central Victoria Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:35am.

Duration: 4 minutes 58 seconds

Source: Listen

How the cut to Inland Rail will affect regional communities

How people are reacting to the shock news that the budget for the Inland Rail project has cut.

Containers stacked on a train in the bush.

Duration: 13 minutes 13 seconds

Source: ABC RuralTopic: Agriculture

Is the EU free trade deal good for Australian agriculture?

Australian farmers waited eight years for the announcement of the European Union free trade deal, but they were largely disappointed by the outcome.

A man and a women in suits walk down a corridor lined in Australian flags.

Duration: 9 minutes 46 seconds

Source: ABC RuralTopic: Agricultureby David Claughton and Justine Longmore

What would you pay to visit the Twelve Apostles?

The state government of Victoria has announced that later this year a fee will be introduced for tourists visiting the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road.

The twelve apostles, large pieces of rock jutting out from blue ocean.

Duration: 11 minutes 13 seconds

Source: ABC Radio NationalTopic: Travel and Tourism

ABC Radio Central Victoria

Live. Victorian Country Hour

with Warwick Long

Tue 26 May 2026 at 10:00pm toTue 26 May 2026 at 11:00pm

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Drone vision and laser imaging of Castlemaine Cemetery

Archaeologists are using drones and laser-mapping technology to create 3D scans of Castlemaine Cemetery.

Duration: 25 seconds

Source: ABC News

VicGrid officers blocked from accessing Victorian farmer's property.

Victorian farmer Nathan McKnight says he feels "disrespected" after VicGrid authorised officers threatened him with a fine or a court order to access his property to complete environmental surveys for the Victorian government's VNI West renewable…

VicGrid officers and farmer Nathan McKnight

Duration: 4 minutes 39 seconds

Source: ABC News

Fire fighters from Malmsbury brigade return home

Malmsbury firefighters receive a heartwarming welcome home after 48 hours on the fire front in another town.

A woman and a child wave as a fire truck moves slowly past

Duration: 18 seconds

Source: ABC News

Aftermath of bushfire in Victoria’s Central Highlands

Homes, shops and vehicles were damaged after the bushfire tore through Harcourt, in Victoria's Central Highlands.

Duration: 55 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

Growing appetite for native grasses reshapes rural landscapes

Native grasslands across southern Australia are slowly making a comeback, driven by conservationists, farmers and a growing native seed industry.

A close up of a mans face grinning in front of grass stems.

Source: LandlineTopic: Grasslandsby Tim Lee

Families warn of risks after hiring au pairs through social media

Families who turned to social media to find an au pair say the lack of safeguards left them vulnerable to serious problems.

woman's hand hold a little boys hand, deidentified

Source: ABC Central VictoriaTopic: Child Careby Sarah Lawrence

$15m allocated to help Victorians begin massive bushfire clean-up

A $15 million recovery package to help Victorians begin the massive clean-up process is the latest round of bushfire funding announced by the state government.

A helicopter flies of a forested area on fire with lots of smoke.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Disaster Reliefby Larissa Ham

When Helen's late mum became lost or forgetful, her community helped

The small Victorian town of Ouyen, 440 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, is known for its grain and sheep farms, but also for being "dementia friendly".

An older lady in red standing next to a rose bush with her daughter with brown hair behind her

Source: ABC Mildura-Swan HillTopic: Alzheimer's and Dementiaby Sarah Buchecker

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Published: Mon 31 May 2021 at 1:09pm

Mon 31 May 2021 at 1:09pm

Source: ABC Central Victoria

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Know your ABCs — action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: Fri 1 May 2026 at 7:58am

Fri 1 May 2026 at 7:58am

Source: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

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Published: Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 2:23pm

Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 2:23pm

Source: 612 ABC Brisbane

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Published: Mon 17 Jun 2024 at 11:53am

Mon 17 Jun 2024 at 11:53am

Source: 612 ABC Brisbane

Vic Sport

Brad Scott sacked as Essendon coach after one win in past 24 matches

Essendon sacks head coach Brad Scott as the Bombers languish at the bottom of the AFL ladder.

Essendon Bombers head coach Brad Scott walks off the ground, looking downward

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFL

Cricket's next generation of pace knows fast bowling can take a toll

Cricket has few more glorious sights than a fast bowler terrorising a top-class batting order, but becoming a speedster is not without its pains, as the nation's next generation is finding out.

Simrth Gill tosses up a cricket ball, while holding a cricket bat.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Cricket

analysis

'My time to go': The words that showed Daniher's humanity in tragedy

Neale Daniher showed leadership on and off the field throughout his life, from club captaincy to coaching and as Australian of the Year — but no more so when facing the challenge of an MND diagnosis.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Australian Rules Football

Enhanced Games: revolution or juiced 'joke'?

The future of sports or a grifty marketing stunt with juiced-up athletes as salespeople? The Enhanced Games took place in Las Vegas. Races were held, prize money was awarded, one world record was "broken" in farcical scenes.

James Magnussen, shirtless, smiles beside a pool with competitors behind him at the Enhanced Games.

Duration: 14 minutes 54 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Victoria News

Brad Scott sacked as Essendon coach after one win in past 24 matches

Essendon sacks head coach Brad Scott as the Bombers languish at the bottom of the AFL ladder.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFL

Vandals cut down road signs in protest against lower speed limit

Police believe changes to speed limits on country roads in Victoria have led to vandalism including new road signs being cut down.

A photo of a damaged speed limit sign that has been chopped down, on a country road in a rural area

Source: ABC GippslandTopic: Roadsby Jack Colantuono, Mim Hook and Zaida Glibanovic

Suspicious fire guts converted factory in Melbourne suburb

More than 50 firefighters were called to battle the blaze, which police suspect was deliberately lit.

Firefighters and a fire truck on a road near a burning building.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Industrial Fires

Cricket's next generation of pace knows fast bowling can take a toll

Cricket has few more glorious sights than a fast bowler terrorising a top-class batting order, but becoming a speedster is not without its pains, as the nation's next generation is finding out.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Cricketby Matthew Smith

National News

perspective

When moving forward means being the cycle-breaker in a family

Motherhood has a way of making family patterns impossible to ignore. Suddenly you start asking questions you never asked before.

Carlie Schofield pictures as a baby, being held by her mum.

Published: Tue 26 May 2026 at 12:04pm

Tue 26 May 2026 at 12:04pm

Source: ABC LifestyleTopic: Family and Relationshipsby Carlie Schofield

How to check if your vaccines are up to date as diphtheria outbreak continues

Do you know your vaccination history? Some vaccines need to be updated regularly, especially if you are travelling. Here's what you need to know to ensure you stay protected.

A health worker puts a bandaid over a spot where someone was vaccinated.

Published: Tue 26 May 2026 at 12:07pm

Tue 26 May 2026 at 12:07pm

Source: ABC Health & WellbeingTopic: Vaccines and Immunityby Lauren Roberts

Missiles and weapons manufacturing hub slated for WA

Missiles for use in the Australian military could soon be made in Western Australia with the government seeking to establish a local weapons manufacturing hub, the third state to do so.

Roger Cook is speaking at a business breakfast in Perth.

Published: Tue 26 May 2026 at 11:59am

Tue 26 May 2026 at 11:59am

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Defence Industry

Notorious children's jail could become minimum-security adult prison farm

The Tasmanian government says Ashley Youth Detention Centre could become a minimum-security adult prison and "agriculture-based prison rehab and training facility".

An aerial view of Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Published: Tue 26 May 2026 at 11:53am

Tue 26 May 2026 at 11:53am

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Youth Crimeby Lucy MacDonald

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ABC Central Victoria

Push to find resting places for remains found in desecrated graves

Data reveals V/Line punctuality on two routes dropped to lowest in almost a decade

Woman who died in house fire 'rejected' accused murderer, court hears

DNA study finds many dingoes may have some domestic dog genetics

McDonald's circles Castlemaine but can expect a fight over its 'soul'

'Backbone' of Victoria's bushfire, flood response to be cut, union claims

Shoplifting is so bad in this town that police are homing in

ABC Central Victoria Local News

How the cut to Inland Rail will affect regional communities

Is the EU free trade deal good for Australian agriculture?

What would you pay to visit the Twelve Apostles?

ABC Radio Central Victoria

Live. Victorian Country Hour

Connect with ABC Central Victoria

Get the ABC Central Victoria newsletter

Drone vision and laser imaging of Castlemaine Cemetery

VicGrid officers blocked from accessing Victorian farmer's property.

Fire fighters from Malmsbury brigade return home

Aftermath of bushfire in Victoria’s Central Highlands

Growing appetite for native grasses reshapes rural landscapes

Families warn of risks after hiring au pairs through social media

$15m allocated to help Victorians begin massive bushfire clean-up

When Helen's late mum became lost or forgetful, her community helped

Local news direct to your inbox

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Download our free ABC listen app

Sign up for an ABC newsletter

Brad Scott sacked as Essendon coach after one win in past 24 matches

Cricket's next generation of pace knows fast bowling can take a toll

'My time to go': The words that showed Daniher's humanity in tragedy

Enhanced Games: revolution or juiced 'joke'?

Brad Scott sacked as Essendon coach after one win in past 24 matches

Vandals cut down road signs in protest against lower speed limit

Suspicious fire guts converted factory in Melbourne suburb

Cricket's next generation of pace knows fast bowling can take a toll

When moving forward means being the cycle-breaker in a family

How to check if your vaccines are up to date as diphtheria outbreak continues

Missiles and weapons manufacturing hub slated for WA

Notorious children's jail could become minimum-security adult prison farm

Other ways to listen

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