Rochelle Kirkham

Jul 23, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rochelle Kirkham

Every day Susan Dahal checks her emails, hopeful it will be the day she's given approval to finally bring her two eldest children to Australia and reunite her family. It's been 12 years since Susan and her husband Raj left their children in the care of family in India after fleeing Nepal in fear for their lives. "My daughter is going to be 13 in December this year and my big son is going to be 18 in January," Susan said.

Jul 19, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rochelle Kirkham |Laura Mayers

The Ballarat Gold Mine has received approval to develop an open-air waste storage facility following a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing. The mine's current tailings storage facility has been at capacity for over a year, causing a temporary halt to gold production. Locals opposed to the developments say they are now relying on the Environment Protection Authority and Earth Resources Regulator to enforce environmental compliance.

Jul 18, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rochelle Kirkham

17-year-old Rohan Cosgriff suicided in July 2022 after being blackmailed on Snapchat over the distribution of an intimate image. Police could not identify the person responsible, but found the account used originated in Nigeria. A Victorian coroner has recommended Rohan's death be considered during an ongoing statutory review of the Online Safety Act 2021.

Jul 18, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rochelle Kirkham

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative is the latest in Victoria to become authorised to run the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program. Aboriginal organisations are being given legal authority to become decision makers for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. Organisations in Echuca and Shepparton are working to become authorised.

Jul 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rochelle Kirkham

Parishioners at St Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat came together with survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and their supporters on Saturday to re-tie ribbons to the fence. Individuals have since targeted the fence and removed or cut the majority of the ribbons. The Diocese of Ballarat and Loud Fence members will continue discussions on plans for a long-term memorial on cathedral grounds.