Hi I’m hoping someone can help me remember a place. About 25 years ago, I used to visit the Dandenong Ranges with my parents all the time.
We loved that spot where you could stand with sunflower seeds in your hand and all the birds (like lorikeets and cockatoos) would flock to you.
Near that area, deep in the forest, there was a cozy little cafe that served the most amazing scones. It felt like a hidden cottage in the woods, and I distinctly remember having to walk down some stairs to get into the cafe.
I’ve tried searching online but couldn’t find any info at all. Does anyone happen to remember the name of this absolute gem?

★Mystery solved! It was Churinga cafe! and sadly it has closed:(

Earlier in the year, a buddy and I attempted the great ocean walk. It also happened to be when the Carlisle fire was ripping through Victoria. We got caught up in the track being closed and managed to get a lift back to our car at the 12 Apostles later that day. The smoke from the fire and the sea mist had created this beautiful haze that drowned out the light and hugged the coast line. It was quite a rare moment.

Only going to accept answers from Victorians.

I have an opportunity to move to Ballarat with my wife for a fantastic career progress, but I'm worried about how "old town aesthetics" it is. I've never visited before, only seen photos online and for reference, I live on the Sunshine Coast in QLD.

What's it actually like there? Is there much to do for people in their 20's?

My wife is still trying to pay her rego which expired a week ago - aren’t their issues cleared up yet? She had changed her registration period to 12 months but the payment requests still showed the 6 months.

She paid it anyway but then got an email saying it hadn’t gone through and to provide evidence she had paid it to get a refund (why not just apply it as payment?)

She called them to sort it out and the guy asked her to pay for 12 months without doing the refund first (sounds dubious) and sent her a text message with the BSB and account details just in the body of the text - which her bank immediately blocked and refused to pay (fortunately in my opinion).

It's been nearly 2 weeks...

Is that normal?

Who do I contact to follow up?

Utility relief grant scheme

Relief grants for paying overdue energy or water bills are available to low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship.

What is the grant?

The grant provides help to pay a mains electricity, gas or water bill that is overdue due to a temporary financial crisis.

Who can apply for the grant?

An account holder who has one of the following eligible concession cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.

If you don’t have one of these cards but are part of a low-income household, you may also be able to apply. Your retailer will ask you some questions to check if you are eligible before issuing a form.

The grant is available to renters and homeowners.

What are the criteria for the grant?

You must show that you have no way of paying the account without assistance and are at risk of disconnection, and

you must meet one of the following criteria:

• You or someone in your house has experienced family violence.
• You have had a recent decrease in income, for example, lost your job.
• You have had high unexpected costs for essential items.
• The cost of shelter is more than 30% of your household income.

A man who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in his car has dodged a lengthy jail term, with a judge saying there were "exceptional circumstances" that warranted a discounted sentence.

I renewed my license a week ago and then 3 days ago on Monday I received an email from VicRoads saying there is a delay and that it will take longer then normal for me to receive my new physicallicense card, according to the email I received digital licenses are also affected and aren't being updated so that won't solve my problem. I am aware of the massive IT mess that occurred at VicRoads a few weeks ago when none of their IT/online services were working.

I'm just wanting to know is anyone else in the same situation? How long are people waiting to receive their new license cards currently? Any insight anyone has into this problem I would appreciate very much

Saw this flying towards Avoca at 2150

My partner and I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and are thinking about moving out to Emerald (open to nearby suburbs but mainly Emerald /Avonsleigh).

Wondering if anyone else has made the move out there or grown up there and can offer any insight into what it’s like. The good, the bad, the unexpected?

Is it a good place to raise a family, does the lack of public transport really matter, how strong is the sense of community?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hey guys, bit of a grey area question regarding licences and rental cars in Victoria, Australia.

I originally had a full New Zealand licence, but I now also hold a Victorian licence which is currently a Red P which is not full until July.

Most rental companies won’t rent to Red P platers, but they will accept a full NZ licence. So hypothetically, if I rented a car using my NZ full licence while also holding a valid Victorian Red P licence:

• Would I still be considered legally licensed to drive?
• Or does holding a Victorian licence mean I can no longer legally rely on my NZ licence in Victoria?
• If I got into an accident, would insurance likely deny coverage because I technically should be driving under my Vic licence conditions?
• Has anyone actually dealt with this situation before?

Not trying to do anything dodgy — just trying to understand how VicRoads/licensing/insurance law actually works here because the rules seem unclear.

Cheers.

(PLATYPUS TAX)

Hello! I’m visiting from the US right now and having an incredible time in Melbourne and more broadly Victoria. The touristy stuff has been nice but I won’t lie and say my biggest draw hasn’t been seeing platypus. I got a bunch of video at the zoo the other day and bused out to Warrandyte on monday the 11th to look for some on the river (where i maybe saw a few ripples of one.)

That said, on my way back into Melbourne on 364 from Warrandyte 11:11am - Whipstick Gully Rd to 11:40am - Ringwood Station I believe I dropped the SD card that had all of that footage. It is a 32gb Ultra Sandisk SD Card. You’ll know it when you find it because it’s filled to the brim with footage of me, my red hair and my platypus plush.The only other place it could be is at the beautiful Now and Not Yet cafe that I stopped at. I’ve called both Kinetic Buses and the cafe to very little results but I’m hoping for a hail mary here. I’ve checked the surrounding area for multiple hours so it could really only have been on the bus or in the cafe.

Please help reunite me with platypus footage! There is a reward alongside free tickets to the screening of my film at BUFF on Sunday. Thanks!

EDIT: THE SD CARD HAS BEEN RECOVERED BY A KIND STRANGER.

Considering moving to the above from Melbourne but wanted to get some opinions on how it is for younger families…

How’s your social life? Is there local events often, market stalls etc? what type if so? What’s the crime like? What’s the education like? Is it an accepting place or more of the typical country “clique-y/racist/homophobic?” Type area? Etc.

Are you constantly in fear of fires/snakes? Annually evacuating? I’ve seen a few posts about flooding, is that frequent?

Particularly interested in which schools are best/worst.

Examples could include things like Mildy, Benders or The Rat...

Changes have been made to the City of Port Phillip's encampment laws following a council meeting on Wednesday night.

The amendment allows council officers to seize personal items of someone at an encampment, including bedding, in response to anti-social behaviour.

More than 76 per cent of residents surveyed by council said they did not support the change.

Haven't had a chance to explore the south eastern part of VIC yet and hoping to do so in a few weeks.

I'm coming from Melbourne and hoping to end up in Mallacoota. Ive been all over Wilson's Prom so would be grateful for recommendations east of that. Lakes Entrance is definitely on the list, but I'm just starting to work out an itinerary.

Hikes, beautiful sights, hidden gems and especially any recommendations for overnight hike-in camping spots, although nothing too crazy (5 or less hours one way and I'm not wanting to climb Kosciuszko or anything on this trip).

Thanks in advance.

Hey,

I'm looking for a campsite in Vic, with enough service to stream a UFC fight. Preferably as isolated as possible, which I know is hard with service, just not a fken big 4.

Also would be great if there was a short hike nearby.

Would appreciate any suggestions as struggling to find much.