Emily Bissland

Melbourne

Senior Feature Reporter and Producer, Breakfast Radio at ABC News (Australia)

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Articles

Portland SES father and daughter duo support volunteers after trauma

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

When Ray Polaski joined the State Emergency Service (SES) in Portland, Victoria, it was 1981. The SES was newly established, and he and his wife Sherlie had three young daughters; life was full and busy already, but the volunteer rescue work quickly became Ray's focus. "Family was the last thing on our minds in the early phases of SES," Ray said.
Debate over whether to remove London plane trees in Hamilton, Victoria

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland |Jeremy Lee

London plane trees provide shade and colour in many Australian urban centres, but they have come under fire in recent years due to potential health impacts and the damage their roots can cause to infrastructure. The south-west Victorian town of Hamilton, which has a population of 10,000, is deciding whether to keep its 100 or so plane trees and deal with the impact or use an upcoming CBD makeover to remove them and endure the loss of shade until replacements can grow.
Deep-sea sponge trial nurseries in Apollo Marine Park hope to restock oceans

Feb 17, 2025 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

Sea sponges are ancient animals that filter ocean water. Researchers are creating sponge nurseries to revitalise Apollo Marine Park. Scientists hope the technique will be employed to offset damage caused by the construction of offshore wind farms and oil and gas extraction. In the dark of the deep ocean floor, where sunlight seldom reaches, sponge gardens flourish in spectacular colours and formations.
With the motto 'just hop in and do it', this 96yo swims five days a week

Jan 22, 2025 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

On a sunny day in Victoria's far west, 96-year-old Joy Davis stands on the edge of Portland's public pool ready for her daily swim. Without warning, she cries, "Ready? Go!" then leaps into the cold water feet first, sinks to the bottom of the shallow end and bobs back up wearing a swashbuckling smile. This is how Joy begins her swim every day of the working week. "I don't swim on weekends, those are for family," she said.
Colac Salvos provide tents for country town's long-term homeless men

Dec 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

Friday is market day at the Colac Salvos. People stream out of the town's community centre in south-west Victoria laden with shopping bags full of free groceries that will feed their families for a week. Between 2,000 and 3,000 kilograms of groceries go out each Friday — enough food and essentials to sustain about 100 households. On the nature strip outside, Michael Tiller feeds his tiny dog, Cody, and chats to people as they leave.
A small-town solution to the 100-million kilos of agricultural plastic buried in Australian tips each year

Nov 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

Every morning, Elisha and Matt Nettleton leave their small country town to tackle a massive plastic problem that for decades has been buried deep underground. On the edge of country towns right around Australia about 100,000 tonnes, equal to 100 million kilograms, of agricultural plastic is buried in landfill every year. It's the waste most of us never see and wouldn't know of: silage wrap, baling twine and grain tarps that could cover half a football field.
Elisha and Matt's clean, green scheme is turning a tidy profit

Nov 7, 2024 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

On the edge of country towns right around Australia, about 100,000 tonnes of agricultural plastic is buried in landfill every year. But in one tiny town in Victoria, Cavendish farmers have dipped into their retirement funds to back a recycling start-up dreamt up by some newcomers to town. After two years of operation, this small local business is making a big difference.
Why farms in Australia's most valuable dairy region are being sold to foreign timber companies

Sep 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland

Driving around the gravel back roads of Corangamite Shire, councillor Jamie Vogels surveys the landscape where once-green, cattle-grazing pastures have been sprayed and cut into uniform windrows ready for blue gum seedlings. Cr Vogels points out a nearby property, now bare of grass and cleared of farming infrastructure; fences, troughs, shelter belts and tracks, with all the flammable material put into a pile. "They're burning that at the moment so they can plant their blue gums," Cr Vogels said.
Push to rename creek in Victoria reopens history of racist term and bloody massacre

May 26, 2024 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland |Jean Bell

WARNING: This article contains racist and offensive language and images. The ABC has chosen to show images, which include offensive language, to illustrate the racism referenced in this reporting. The article also contains images of Aboriginal people who have died. There is a small sign for Lubra Creek just outside Caramut in Western Victoria that many people would not notice.
From the butcher's kill floor to the stage

May 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Emily Bissland |Elsa Silberstein

On his way to work at 5am every morning, musician Billy Barker would drive past the local abattoir and wonder if hidden musical talent lay among the Pacific and Timorese meatworkers.