When a business is described as a manufacturer, it usually evokes images of sparks flying, and plumes of steam and heavy machinery. But while Altona North’s UA Manufacturing has that word in its title and its factory has plenty of machinery, its end product isn’t made of steel or aluminium and doesn’t come freshly spray [...]

This is hilarious. Thomo thinks Ken Hinkley is a no hoper despite a 60 per cent win rate over a decade with Port. Yet James Hird, who hasn't coached in a decade, oversaw an unprecedented scandal and had a mediocre record before that, is apparently a can't miss candidate.

Lori Sommers has come a very long way in a very short time. “I’m 23 days sober today, and I’ve just got offered a job a few days ago working in the hostel I was staying at, as well as accommodation,” says the 22-year-old originally from Wodonga, who…

Constant rule changes are the bane of many sports fans, particularly those of the various football codes. But according to a prominent concussion expert, fans should brace for much bigger changes in the future, ones that go well beyond who gets a…

She looked like the concerned citizen from central casting. Middle-aged, furrowed brow, plain clothed and plain-spoken, Chrissie Maynard stood outside on a cool Melbourne morning as Channel 9’s Today Show crossed and beamed her into living rooms…

Eddie Synot is a busy man. Lawyer, academic and new father, he’s also a prominent campaigner for the Yes case in the upcoming referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the Constitution. “I’m a senior engagement officer with the…

Two years of Covid19, six lockdowns and numerous restrictions left many Victorians feeling hurt and isolated. For those who decided against being vaccinated, those feelings were magnified. Worried about the toll this had taken on those around her,…

Some Victorians could avoid seeing the doctor or abandon the health system altogether if they can’t opt-out of the state’s proposed health database, according to a leading digital rights campaigner. “If people are concerned that information will not…

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this report may contain images of deceased persons. “It’s fucking irrelevant. Completely fucking irrelevant.” Gary Foley has never been one to mince words. I’ve come to interview the…

Ben Simpson is remarkably upbeat for a man who gave up a successful business he founded as a teenager to throw his lot into cryptocurrency. Since the spectacular collapse of the crypto exchange FTX, and the arrest of its shaggy-haired founder, Sam…

It’s an uncomfortable comparison. One country has just hosted the world’s biggest sporting event, a tournament it has spent 12 years and an eye-watering $200 billion preparing for. The other is left watching from afar, having used $45 million of…

It’s been a busy time for Ashley Hull. “My instance saw more than 12,000 people joining over the last weekend, and this only slowed down due to closing signups because my servers could not handle the flood of people.” The ‘instance’ Hull is referring…

If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear it was Kolkata. 80,000 Indian cricket fans, many clad in their signature blue uniform, some waving the national flag, others with it painted across their faces, all of them roaring Virat Kohli’s side to…

25 October 2022 “We’re really behind because of COVID? Is anyone still using that excuse?” an exasperated Chelsea Tunnicliffe asks rhetorically, knowing full well that the answer is yes. The 46-year-old domestic violence campaigner from Glen Waverley…

11 October 2022 “It’s Do or Die right now.” Van Walker isn’t messing around. The situation is dire, and help is required. He wants people to dig deep. “This is not the time to be cheap or reticent,” he adds. In Australia, when urgent financial aid is…

Australia’s compulsory superannuation scheme turns 30 this year. The brainchild and signature policy of former prime minister Paul Keating, the Super Guarantee Act of 1992 saw three percent of wages reserved for retirement. Today the rate is 10.5%…

It got overshadowed by a certain old lady’s death in Scotland, but late last week the federal government introduced a piece of legislation to parliament that could one day prove significant. On Thursday the Albanese Government tabled a bill that…

For a brief, fleeting moment, it looked like being a game changer. Victoria’s beleaguered opposition leader, Matthew Guy – his second stint in the job not going to plan and a difficult state election less than six months away – swung for the fence.…

“That’s it,” growls the bloke getting up from his seat in front of me and storming past, scrunching a small piece of paper. Race two at Gloucester Park in Perth has just finished and the big burly bloke – still in his work clothes – clearly hasn’t…

It’s been a big few weeks for Melbourne’s universities. Last week the Fair Work Ombudsman announced it was taking the University of Melbourne to court, alleging it had coerced and punished two casual academics after they sought to be paid for extra…