Victorian free travel scheme sparks confusion as commuters report mixed messages
By Jack Colantuono, Faith Tabalujan, Mim Hook, and Zaida Glibanovic

A promised month of free travel on the Gippsland Line in Victoria's east prompts complaints from some passengers, with even a V/Line staff member unsure of how the system works.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-28/free-travel-gippsland-vline-confusion/106044170

#Trains #PublicTransport #RegionalCommunities #RegionalDevelopmentandPlanning #JackColantuono #FaithTabalujan #MimHook # #ZaidaGlibanovic

This young farmer is turning beets and red wheat into quirky spirits
By Faith Tabalujan

A Victorian farmer is making unique alcoholic drinks from unconventional crops.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-23/victorian-farmer-unconventional-crops-spirits-alcohol-distilling/103563416

#AlcoholicDrinks #AgriculturalCrops #SmallBusinesses #FaithTabalujan

Victorian farmer says goodbye to vintage tractors prized by late dad
By Faith Tabalujan

Tony Forrest reflects on his father's love of old tractors as he prepares them for sale.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-16/victorian-farmer-to-auction-fathers-vintage-tractor-collection/105990840

#AgriculturalMachinery #Farmers #DeathandDying #DairyFarming #FaithTabalujan

Former nurse turns 'absolute passion' for lavender into 35-year career
By Faith Tabalujan

Annemarie Manders reflects on how she became a lavender farmer in the Yarra Valley.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-09/annemarie-manders-lavender-farmer-victoria-yarra-valley/105968732

#NurseryandFlowerProduction #Farmers #Careers #TourismandLeisureIndustry #Gardening #FaithTabalujan

Father-son team's hand-picked citrus blossoms brighten cocktails
By Faith Tabalujan

Farmers and distillers collaborate to capture a delicate flower's flavour for the boutique drinks market.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-26/father-and-son-grow-citrus-blossoms-to-make-boutique-drinks/105889538

#FruitGrowing #AlcoholicDrinks #FaithTabalujan

How Victoria's old sugar beet industry helped dairy farmers prosper
By Faith Tabalujan

The Glenmaggie Weir was built 100 years ago to supply water to sugar beet farmers, and now keeps local dairy farms going.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-10-22/irrigation-centenary-glenmaggie-weir-gippsland-farmers-water/105902552

#History #IrrigatedFarming #Water #FaithTabalujan

Victorians could soon enjoy homegrown Sydney rock oysters
By Faith Tabalujan and Danielle Pope

Victoria could have its own Sydney rock oyster industry after a trial in the state's east yielded positive results.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-10/victorians-could-soon-enjoy-homegrown-sydney-rock-oysters/105876316

#LocalFoodSystems #FoodandDrink #FaithTabalujan #DaniellePope

Gumboots replace running shoes for this annual community race
By Faith Tabalujan

The most crucial rule of South Gippsland's annual Gumboot Gift running race is "authentic" gumboots only, no fancy slimline or ankle-height boots are allowed.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-09-09/farmers-run-in-gumboots-south-gippsland-gumboot-gift/105746634

#Farmers #RegionalCommunities #AgriculturalShowsandIndustryEvents #Agriculture #FaithTabalujan

Varroa mite bee parasite spreads to south-east Victoria
By Justine Longmore and Faith Tabalujan

The devastating varroa mite has been detected in Gippsland bee hives.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/varroa-mite-discovered-in-gippsland-bee-hives/105648280

#Beekeeping #AgriculturalPestControl #RuralandRemoteCommunities #JustineLongmore #FaithTabalujan

Cheerleading skills translate to judging sheep for versatile teen
By Faith Tabalujan

Tiffany Maestrale, 17, combines competitive cheerleading with a love of sheep judging.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-08-08/teen-juggles-cheerleading-with-sheep-judging/105581688

#SheepFarming #Cheerleading #RegionalCommunities #Teenagers #Sport #FaithTabalujan

Farmers call for ease of regulations to allow renewable energy microgrids
By Faith Tabalujan

Victorian government regulations limit the sharing of generated power between properties, even if they have the same owner. Farmers are calling for changes so they can capitalise on their own microgrids.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-01/victoria-restricting-renewable-energy-microgrids/105580296

#SolarEnergy #EnergyPolicy #EnergyIndustry #Agriculture #FaithTabalujan

40-year friendship endures amid love, loss and service
By Faith Tabalujan

Wendy Pope and Esme Rash, both in their 90s, have remained firm friends for more than four decades.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-20/nonagenarian-friends-recall-war-and-farming-memories/105532180

#Friendship #Ageing #RuralandRemoteCommunities #FaithTabalujan