Bec Symons

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Journalist, Radio Presenter and Producer at ABC News (Australia)

News and sausage sizzle enthusiast. Journalist in Gippsland via @abcnews. Views are my own. Got a tip? [email protected] or [email protected]

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Articles

Mildura 'battens down the hatches' as dust storm takes over

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

Mildura residents are navigating an orange haze as a dust storm sweeps over the regional Victorian city. Police are directing traffic across town, as it gets harder for motorists to see. Real estate agent Katrina Wootton said while it was not that unusual for Mildura, it was the first dust storm in a while. "The Mallee dust is just rearing its ugly head today," Ms Wootton said. "We're quite used to it, you know, close all the windows and batten down the hatches.
Man arrested after pedestrian's body discovered on Morwell roadside

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

An East Gippsland man, 28, has been interviewed after a man's body was found on the side of a road in Morwell. Police said the man was struck by a car and that his body could have been on the roadside for up to eight hours. The 28-year-old has been released without charge and the investigation is ongoing. Police have interviewed a man following the discovery of a body on the side of a road in Morwell in eastern Victoria.
Baw Baw council Mayor Danny Goss suspended after 'aggressive' conduct in meetings

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

A regional Victorian mayor will be suspended for 21 days from Thursday after an arbiter found his behaviour in meetings more than a year ago resulted in misconduct. The arbiter was called in to investigate allegations against Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Danny Goss and found he was "nasty and aggressive" and "abusive and threatening" during meetings in March and April last year.
What it's like to live in the town hosting the triple-murder mushroom trial

1 month ago | radionz.co.nz | Daniel Miles |Bec Symons

By Daniel Miles and Bec Symons, ABCOn a regular Wednesday morning in late April, it's easy enough to find a park along Morwell's main street. But this week is no regular week. The regional Victorian town, just shy of two hours' south-east of Melbourne, has found itself at the centre of an international media spotlight as it plays host to the triple-murder mushroom trial.
What it's like to live in the town hosting the triple-murder mushroom trial

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Daniel Miles |Bec Symons

By Daniel Miles and Bec Symons, ABCOn a regular Wednesday morning in late April, it's easy enough to find a park along Morwell's main street. But this week is no regular week. The regional Victorian town, just shy of two hours' south-east of Melbourne, has found itself at the centre of an international media spotlight as it plays host to the triple-murder mushroom trial.
Erin Patterson's mushroom murder trial takes over Morwell streetscapes

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Daniel Miles |Bec Symons

On a regular Wednesday morning in late April, it's easy enough to find a park along Morwell's main street. But this week is no regular week. The regional Victorian town, just shy of two hours' south-east of Melbourne, has found itself at the centre of an international media spotlight as it plays host to the triple-murder mushroom trial.
Disgraced teacher Peter Farmer admits to sexually assaulting young girls in Gippsland

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

The victims of a disgraced Latrobe Valley school teacher have detailed how his sexual offending led to lives marred with drug addiction and mental illness. Peter Jeffrey Farmer, 66, has pleaded guilty to 10 sexual assault and gross indecency charges related to five different victims as young as eight years old between 1986 and 1988. As some of his victims read their devastating impact statements, they were forced to stop and start as the video link to Farmer's prison room cut in and out.
Phillip Island resident Paul Waylen mourned as police release son without charge

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

The son of a Phillip Island man who was found dead in his home on Monday morning has been released from custody without charge. Paul Waylen was found dead at his Cowes home just before 10:30am after police were called to the property to conduct a welfare check. Homicide detectives cordoned off the expansive fenced property as they investigated the 86-year-old's death. A man believed to be Mr Waylen's son, Frank Waylen, was arrested in nearby Ventnor shortly before his father's body was discovered.
Call to end experiments on caged monkeys bred at Monash University facility

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

Monkeys are being bred and studied at Monash University in the Latrobe Valley. Animal welfare advocates want the work of the Monash Animal Research Platform disclosed publicly. Monash University says the research abides by rigorous regulations and ethical considerations. In a small country town east of Melbourne, monkeys are bred in a university laboratory and used for experiments to improve health and medical outcomes for people around the world.
Wonthaggi woman, dog die after allegedly being hit by car driving on wrong side of road

Mar 2, 2025 | abc.net.au | Bec Symons

A woman has died in hospital after being hit by a car allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the road in Victoria's Gippsland region. The 68-year-old woman was walking her neighbour's dog about 3:45pm on Sunday when she and the dog were hit on Campbell Road in Wonthaggi. She was flown to a Melbourne hospital in a critical condition and died. The dog also died. Police alleged the 47-year-old male driver of the car left the site of the accident, before returning and being arrested.