Andrew Kelso

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tamara Clark |Andrew Kelso

While many rural football clubs are dealing with dwindling players and members in the Wimmera, the demand for women's football has resulted in the launch of a new league. The resulting growth in club memberships and supporter numbers has shown league administrators that women's football in regional areas could help revitalise the sport. It may even finally provide a pathway for Wimmera women to play at the highest level.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tamara Clark |Andrew Kelso |Rebekah Lowe

On a still autumn day in Victoria's Wimmera region, two groups of women walk from a football field, exhausted and a little bruised, but with big smiles on their faces. Their footy boots and jerseys are splattered with mud. And even though just 11 points decided the game, every player felt like a winner because they knew they had just made history. These women and girls know they are part of something big and new, bringing a women's Aussie rules football league to town for the first time.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso |Tamara Clark

The By Five Early Years Initiative has connected hundreds of rural children to health specialists since 2017. A 2021 funding package ends on June 30, with no further money allocated in the recent state budget. By Five executive officer Jo Martin says the service is appealing to private partners and other sources for future funding. An award-winning health program reducing wait times for rural children to access health specialists has lost its Victorian government funding.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso |Tamara Clark |Rebekah Lowe

If you spot a small orange butterfly fluttering around St Arnaud there is a good chance it was raised by Ellen Reid. The 82-year-old retired pharmacist has been breeding butterflies from her verdant green garden in western Victoria for more than 50 years. It is a passion that took flight in the early 1970s sparked by a chance encounter with famed TV naturalist Harry Butler. "I just think they're wonderful little creatures," Ms Reid said with a laugh.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso |Sarah Buchecker

Nationals MP, Dr Anne Webster, has retained the seat of Mallee at the 2025 Federal Election. As of Monday afternoon, the Nationals were leading the count by more than 37,000 votes as the vote count reached 83 per cent. The Nationals have held the seat since 1983 and this is Dr Webster's third term representing the electorate.