Victoria’s Big Housing Build won’t solve the state’s social housing issues, a leading social housing expert said. The Victorian government’s proposed $5.3 billion project will see the construction of more than 12,000 new homes around metropolitan and regional Victoria, of which 9300 will be classified under social housing. Premier Dan Andrews said the initiative would “change lives, giving thousands of Victorians the security and stability of a home”. Haven, Home, Safe commu

An unexpected silver lining of Covid-19 has been an increase in the uptake of technology—and the ability to connect—for senior citizens. Amaroo Aged Care special projects coordinator Kim Arnold said FaceTime had become the new normal for aged care residents to communicate with their families. “We now using FaceTime and Zoom for things like physio appointments, listening to talking books, attending funerals residents couldn’t access otherwise,” she said. As soon as we successf

Many children with special needs are struggling to return to school, with parents turning to home education post-Covid-19 lockdowns. Associate Professor of Autism and Inclusive Education at the University of Wollongong, Amanda Webster said home education for children with special needs was becoming more popular. “There’s a growing issue in the country of students on the autism spectrum being in distance education,” Dr Webster said. Research by My Homeschool Australia showed,

Twelve months on from the first lockdown and Victorian students are still struggling with the impact Covid-19 lockdowns had on their mental health. Students said lockdowns and online learning left many with inadequate support to deal with their feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and social isolation. Former VCE student Morgan Dickins said students were still feeling the effect of the lockdowns despite the transition to some on-campus learning. “You can’t fix a burning building

From AR historical stories to facial scanning tabletop games, Melbourne Knowledge Week is showcasing tech start-ups and universities as they push the boundaries of what technology can do. Focusing on innovation and new ideas, Melbourne Knowledge Week is wrapping up today after a week of events, artist installations and panels run between multiple CBD landmarks and virtual spaces. In light of the pandemic that has caused people to look towards their own city for entertainment,

Swinburne Uni students have expressed their frustration at the staggered return to campus and the continued reliance on online learning this semester. An online poll by The Standard showed 85 per cent of the 325 Swinburne students surveyed were frustrated with the reduction in on-campus tutorials this semester. Student Liana Zucchet was upset by the situation. “The fact that we’re paying the full cost of the unit and only getting half of the contact hours with tutors is abs

After missing the 2020 season because of Covid-19, many country sports clubs face the reality that they may not survive the next 12-24 months and are looking to the community for help. Tooradin-Dalmore Football and Netball Club football operations manager Nicholas Pouki said that the full extent of how clubs suffered was still unknown. “Community sport is only surviving because of local business and sponsors,” Mr Pouki said. The current uncertainty has meant many sponsors hav

Members of the Darebin community are concerned about the procedure for hard rubbish collection after a man was charged with theft for removing an item from a nature strip in Preston. A friend of the man, Tim Bouquet, said the charge was strange considering the council’s usual approach to hard rubbish in the area. “It was not hard rubbish time but it’s not unusual for people to leave things on the nature strip regardless of whether it’s hard rubbish time or not,” he said on th

With just $10 a day, no bed and only a few essentials, Melburnians are sleeping rough for this week’s Roughin’ It Challenge. Melbourne-based homeless support group Launch Housing will use the proceeds to continue expanding on the programs and housing support services they offer. Launch Housing support worker Rory, who asked not to use his full name, said he saw the Roughin’ It Challenge as an opportunity to open up a conversation in the broader community about homelessness,

In response to public outcry, The City of Boroondara will keep the rocket playground in Hawthorn’s Central Park after proposing to remove it. “We will keep the rocket,” Glenferrie Ward Councillor Wes Gault said. “We will sort out all the issues.” Hawthorn’s Central Park—colloquially known as Rocket Park—was at the centre of public attention when the council announced plans to remove the iconic structure in February as part of replacing the playground. A “Save Rocket Park” pe

Bayside Cr Clarke Martin says he’s “happy” with the council’s decision to reject Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut’s plans to build a mansion spanning two properties in Beaumaris. However, he said he was concerned about a VCAT hearing on the issue, listed for August 3. “This application, if approved by VCAT, would deliver a very harmful and significant precedent that would require Bayside to consider strengthening further the planning overlays,” he said. Mr Bogut, a

The Dandenong World Fare made a triumphant return on Sunday, offering foodies the chance to eat their way through traditional street cuisine from Sri Lanka, Bosnia and Afghanistan. After the cancellation of last year’s event, the Fare welcomed back the public to the popular Dandenong Markets, where music, chatter and fragrant aromas filled the air. Not only did the Fare bring communities together, but it also helped businesses that had been struggling through the pandemic. K