Happy Friday! Who’s excited for the weekend?
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A partly cloudy Friday ahead, with a slight chance of showers – Bendigo 16, Maryborough 16, Castlemaine 15, Redesdale 17, and Echuca 18.
See what’s making news here:
Valuation changes to cost council millions
The Mount Alexander and Macedon Ranges shires have added their voices to calls for the state government to pump the breaks on changes to the way property valuations are conducted. More here.
Saying sorry for past injustices to the Chinese
The Bendigo Chinese Association has welcomed Premier Daniel Andrews’ formal apology for the injustices inflicted upon the Chinese during the gold rush era. More here.
Family violence reports rise in central Victoria
The prevalence of reports of family violence has increased almost across the board in central Victoria Greater Bendigo was the only municipality in the region to see a decrease. More here.
Bombers welcome challenge of playing top Dogs
Excited and eager rather than pessimistic and resigned to defeat. Leitchville-Gunbower is already one step ahead of its HDFNL rivals as it prepares to play reigning premier North Bendigo in Saturday’s HDFNL blockbuster at Atkins Street. More here.
Scam warning
Police have warned anyone that has received a phone call where they are asked “can you hear me,” should be concerned and contact authorities immediately. Read more
Regional news
►BALLARAT: Car loads of more than 50 armed police swooped on five properties in Ballarat on Thursday morning, targeting an ice trafficking syndicate with links to Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh and Melton. Read more
►NSW: Wagga police have arrested a 20-year-old man in relation to the neglect of a four-month-old baby in Albury. The arrest follows an investigation into the welfare of three children aged seven-years and under, which began in March. Read more
►NSW: Drug and alcohol testing in shearing sheds has been proposed in an effort to tackle widespread reports of methamphetamine, or “ice”, abuse in the Australian wool industry. Read more
►VICTORIA: The head of the Country Fire Authority has hit out at claims being made in automated phone calls warning a government shake-up of the state’s fire services will put families at risk as “irresponsible”. Read more
►NSW: Kobi Robbs is a little girl who lives life to the fullest. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy Quadriplegia Spasticity at 11 months of age, Kobi has become an inspiration to her family and friends, enduring the debilitating condition with little complaint and a huge smile on her face. Read more
►TASMANIA: Find out who the winners and losers were from the Tasmanian state budget on Thursday. Read more
►SA: After founding the Port Pirie Regional Gymnastics Academy in 2002 with substantial donations from the community – including two foam training blocks and a specialty trampoline – head coach Garry Nayda has seen it all. And now he believes the club is set to see a “total revolution”, thanks to the Port Pirie Regional Council’s endorsement of the Sports Precinct project. Read more
►QUEENSLAND: Shop Till I Drop operator Leanne Kum Sing has officially launched her home shopping service at Mount Isa Plaza on Saturday. Ms Kum Sing started the business earlier this year because she saw a need in the Mount Isa community for a home delivery service. Read more
National news
►Australia is set to stumble the moment it crosses the finish line. The March quarter national accounts due for release on June 7 were expected to show Australia had caught up to Holland, which holds the record for the longest period of near-continuous economic growth, clocking up 103 quarters without a recession. Read more
►Amid the cloud of excuses and challenges raised by the inquest into the Lindt Cafe siege, there was one refreshing response. In simple language, the newly appointed NSW Police commissioner, Mick Fuller, solemnly admitted that officers should have stormed the Martin Place building earlier than they did. Read more
National weather radar:
World news:
►CAMBODIA: He has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in jail over the deaths of at least 1.7 million people. Read more
►AMERICA: US president Donald Trump has promised to identify and prosecute "to the fullest extent of the law" the intelligence officials who leaked sensitive information from the Manchester bombing investigation. Read more
On this day
FACES OF AUSTRALIA
Gabby Gamble
A hospital volunteer has been recognised for her contribution to Bendigo Health and the wider community with a ministerial award.
Gabby Gamble was this week presented with a Victorian Minister for Health Volunteer Award for her outstanding achievement as a volunteer, in the area of supporting diversity. Read more
