Larissa Ham

2 days ago | abc.net.au | Larissa Ham

The Victorian government has earmarked $727 million in the state budget to increase the number of adult prison beds by 1,000, and youth justice beds by 88. It says it follows tougher bail laws introduced this year, which have resulted in more alleged offenders spending time in jail. The government says the funding will also help recruit more than 700 new staff across youth justice and adult corrections.

1 month ago | domain.com.au | Larissa Ham

By Larissa HamMarch 24, 2025Mental health and building resilience was, until recently, often reserved for the school counsellor or dedicated wellbeing classes. But progressive schools are increasingly realising that to equip students with the tools to manage their mental health, these skills must be woven into the entire curriculum. At Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, a new learning framework is being developed to put student wellbeing front and centre.

2 months ago | domain.com.au | Larissa Ham

By Larissa HamMarch 13, 2025Like the thought of having your own robot that can unpack the dishwasher, pick up clothes from the floor or even pop your groceries in the pantry? How about having a smaller, highly energy-efficient house that runs like its own power station, and has a QR code in the driveway for drone deliveries? It may sound like fantasy, but forward-thinking experts say much of this technology is already being developed, and is likely to be commonplace in the next few decades.

2 months ago | domain.com.au | Larissa Ham

By Larissa HamFebruary 20, 2025Been hit with a sky-high home insurance bill recently? You’re not alone, with the price of insurance across the board rising 11 per cent in the year to December, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures (down from a peak of 16.4 per cent in March 2024). Many home owners in high-risk areas grapple with the future impacts of climate change, which could leave some houses uninsurable – in turn affecting their value.

Feb 11, 2025 | domain.com.au | Larissa Ham

By Larissa HamFebruary 12, 2025When Tim Denford sold his three-bedroom Brisbane house without an agent, he saved just over $20,000 in commissions. “I sold it in two weeks,” he says. “I took my own photos and video, wrote my own sales pitch and paid $200 for a big ‘for sale’ sign. I saved so much money.”Denford said he hadn’t really known it was possible to sell a home privately, until his sister paved the way with her property in NSW.