Need a break from the doom and gloom? Catch Pesto the King penguin these holidays before he loses all of his cuddly fluff. Matthew Parkhill reports. Pesto the penguin, the record-breaking viral sensation at Melbourne’s Sea Life Aquarium, has hit his teenage years and is losing his iconic brown fluff. The baby King penguin who stole Tiktok’s attention will lose his coat over the next two weeks. With drapes of yellow feathers around his neck like his parents, of whom he weighs

Swinburne students had the opportunity to assist ABC Melbourne Drive Radio with their U.S election day broadcast, live from the American Chamber of Commerce's Hawthorn Hotel watch party. Louie Cina, Sarah Rose and Matthew Parkhill report from amongst the crowd. Whilst the race was all but certain, hope lingered still in the Harris and Walz camp after the final polls closed on the East coast. The count had slowed over midnight in America, with only two swing states–Nevada and

Melbourne has held some of the biggest protests in the city’s history -- but activists fear a police and government crackdown threatens the

Packed venues and the sweaty band rooms of Melbourne’s thriving live music scene mask a quieter reality for many of its performers. 

Japan's bear parks face scrutiny over conditions and treatment

Melbourne is a thriving haven for the queer community, with its landmark Pride Centre among the jewels in the crown, writes  Denise Pilien   In the aftermath of the lockdown years, Melbourne took tentative steps to a post-pandemic life -- and among the shining lights to grace the city was the Victorian Pride Centre, the first purpose-built centre for Australia's LGBTIQ+ communities. Located in St Kilda, it is a place of safety, inclusion and celebration. Abby Pedersen share

A 2000s nostalgia romp with a party edge, this Aussie band is making musical magic with the memories of a generation, Louie Cina writes. Playlunch is far from the average new arrival on the Australian music scene.  Born out of a chaotic sharehouse in lockdown and gaining virality from songs about the infamous ‘No Hat, No Play’ policy at primary schools, ABC3 shows, and Kath & Kim , they’re on a loud, funky mission to show young people the joys of the live music scene. “[I] s

Matthew Parkhill and Ruby Alexander report from the "Disrupt Land Forces" protest in Melbourne's CBD. An anti-war protest at a weapons convention turned violent on Wednesday as protesters and police clashed near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Land Forces -- a three-day convention for government and military officials to meet with weapons manufacturers and see their wares -- has become a symbol for pro-Palestine groups of Australia's support of Israel. Under

An anti-war protest at a weapons convention turned violent as protesters and police clashed near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Cen

Left Write Hook, winner of the MIFF 2024 Audience Award, is a knockout documentary that leaves you in awe of its strength; The woman at the centre of it every bit more so, Writes Matthew Parkhill. Content Warning: References to Incest and Child Sexual Abuse Donna Lyon is a doer.  An activist; senior lecturer; filmmaker; author; CEO and founder of a not-for-profit recovery program for adult child sexual abuse survivors, Lyon radiates strength.  Her program combines the physica

The AFL finals series continues Saturday with the all-Sydney qualifying final and the elimination clash between Carlton and Brisbane. Michael Pike  and Darcy McCartin  rate their finals form. SYDNEY SWANS Michael Pike Sydney have looked like the best team in the competition since the outset, despite a stumble in the twilight of the home and away season which saw them inexplicably drop points to a St. Kilda team who weren’t a factor in the finals hunt, as well as an 112-point

The AFL finals series continues Friday night with the Marvel Stadium clash between the Bulldogs and the Hawks.