Syan Vallance

Melbourne

Senior Reporter at ABC Melbourne

It’s like Sigh-Anne. Reporter @abcnews Melbourne via Perth. Got a story? [email protected]

Articles

Gold Coast families turn prolonged power outage into bonding opportunity

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Emily Dobson |Syan Vallance

In family homes scattered up and down the south-east Queensland coast, a familiar scenario was playing out last Friday evening. Phones displayed a frustrating "no signal" sign. Power went out for the foreseeable future. For many, there was no access to the modern ways of the world we've all become accustomed to. While the worst may still be yet to come, for some, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been an opportunity to reconnect.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred brings flooding fears along Gold Coast's 400km canal network

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Nicholas Mcelroy |Syan Vallance |Mackenzie Colahan

There are 400 kilometres of canals on the Gold Coast – more than in Venice or Amsterdam – and thousands of residents living along them are expected to face the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. In a worst-case scenario, City of Gold Coast modelling suggests the potential flooding and storm surge could impact more than 6,000 properties across the city. "They're talking about a storm surge of up to about 500 millimetres," Runaway Bay resident John Hart said.
Cavendish and Halls Gap residents told to prepare for Grampians bushfire to spread

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Gillian Aeria |Syan Vallance

Residents in the historic western Victorian town of Cavendish have been told to prepare for bushfires in the Grampians/Gariwerd National Park to spread closer to their homes. There are two fires burning in the Grampians at the southern and northern ends of the park, totalling 18,000 hectares. The southern fire has spread to within 18 kilometres of Cavendish. Check the warning information and incident map here. If your life is in danger call 000 (triple-zero). Roads are closed.
Authorities warn against complacency as bushfires in western Victoria burn

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Daniel Miles |Eden Hynninen |Angus Verley |Syan Vallance

Katelynn Clark felt certain her home would burn to the ground when a raging bushfire hit the edge of her rural property on Monday night. Ms Clark runs a mixed sheep and cropping farm on the northern edge of the Little Desert National Park in western Victoria where a fast-moving blaze this week destroyed more than 63,000 hectares of land.
Thousands gather at pro-Palestine demonstrations ahead of Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Jan 19, 2025 | abc.net.au | Lottie Twyford |Syan Vallance |Lani Oataway

Pro-Palestine demonstrators have gathered in Sydney and Melbourne, hours before a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to come into effect. Some protesters say that ceasefire doesn't go far enough, and they have no plans to stop holding weekly rallies until Palestine is liberated. Large crowds have gathered at pro-Palestine demonstrations in cities across Australia mere hours before a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to come into effect.
Halls Gap businesses shut down by Grampians fire still waiting for government assistance

Jan 14, 2025 | abc.net.au | Syan Vallance

There are fears some businesses temporarily closed by the Grampians fire may be forced to shut for good. Some operators have lost up to 35 per cent of their annual income but many don't qualify for government support. There's still a possibility the state government could provide relief but, with no guarantees, locals are rallying to support each other and calling on tourists to return.
As new surf lifesavers patrol beaches this summer, swimmers are being urged to plan ahead

Jan 5, 2025 | abc.net.au | Syan Vallance

As dawn breaks over Phillip Island's Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club, 60 teenagers are rising with the sun. There are no sleep-ins on Bronze Camp, a week of training from dawn to dusk where aspiring surf lifesavers — known as "bronzies" — work towards their bronze medallions. The teenagers' dream is to swap their fluoro green trainee kits for an iconic red and gold uniform. But first, they have to pass a range of tests on the final morning of Bronze Camp.
Victorian bushfire evacuees buoyed by community kindness amid Grampians bushfires

Dec 27, 2024 | abc.net.au | Syan Vallance |Laura Mayers

After two years of travelling the country in a caravan, Narissa McConnell and her family of five decided to settle in picturesque Halls Gap. The mother and her three children arrived to the popular tourist town a couple of months ago. "I finally found a place we belong," she said. But five days before Christmas, the entire town was forced to flee from a bushfire in the Grampians National Park.
After suspected terror attack on synagogue, Australia’s Jewish community is feeling unsettled but supported

Dec 13, 2024 | abc.net.au | Syan Vallance |Kate Ashton |Danuta Kozaki

When Merav Solomon moved to Australia, she was shocked by how safe she felt. "It was the lowest my blood pressure had ever been in my life," Mrs Solomon said. The human rights worker grew up in the United States, studied in Israel and moved to Melbourne two years ago to be with her husband. He told her she had moved to the safest place in the world. "I couldn't believe that. I thought, is this even possible?" she said.
Kilvington Grammar and World Challenge Expeditions apologise for preventable death of student Lachlan Cook on school trip

Dec 11, 2024 | abc.net.au | Syan Vallance

The gym at Kilvington Grammar school opened months before Lachlan Cook died. Instead of bouncing a basketball across its shiny wooden boards, his memory was frozen in the form of a memorial plaque. It was hung in a spot that became known as "Lachie's Corner," and inscribed with a message that honoured the Year 10 student's courage and compassion. "An inspiration to us all," it read.

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Syan Vallance @SyanVallance

9 Mar 25

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has returned from Vegas. Asked if he’d go again in a cyclone - “Hindsight is a wonderful thing” https://t.co/KY1Nx3Ui55

Syan Vallance @SyanVallance

6 Mar 25

Gold Coaster Vern is worried about the wind from #CycloneAlfred but not the rain because… @abcnews https://t.co/dVjbASdjee

Syan Vallance @SyanVallance

6 Mar 25

Gold coasters are being warned not to focus on predicted crossing times for #CycloneAlfred GC Local Disaster Coordinator Mark Ryan: “Our threat will be starting from tonight…along with “dangerous life threatening flooding” Says the next 48 hours are critical @abcnews

Syan Vallance

Articles

Gold Coast families turn prolonged power outage into bonding opportunity

Tropical Cyclone Alfred brings flooding fears along Gold Coast's 400km canal network

Cavendish and Halls Gap residents told to prepare for Grampians bushfire to spread

Authorities warn against complacency as bushfires in western Victoria burn

Thousands gather at pro-Palestine demonstrations ahead of Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Halls Gap businesses shut down by Grampians fire still waiting for government assistance

As new surf lifesavers patrol beaches this summer, swimmers are being urged to plan ahead

Victorian bushfire evacuees buoyed by community kindness amid Grampians bushfires

After suspected terror attack on synagogue, Australia’s Jewish community is feeling unsettled but supported

Kilvington Grammar and World Challenge Expeditions apologise for preventable death of student Lachlan Cook on school trip

Journalists covering the same region

Todd Lewis

Roslyn Grundy

Lucas Radbourne

Patricia Maunder

Malcolm Sutton

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)