SOUTH WEST LOCAL NEWS- FRIDAY MAY 22ND-2026

This morning on south west local news

——

a kidnapping charge in port fairy over a two year old boy

——

two cars collide north of port fairy with four taken to hospital

——

new report on the extensive damage to port fairys pool

——

and in sport the results are back for the state hockey finals

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:00

This morning on Southwest Local News, a kidnapping charge in Port Ferry over a two-year-old boy. Two cars collide north of Port Ferry with four taken to the hospital. New report on the extensive damage to Port Ferry's pool. And export the results of that for the State Hoffman Files.

SPEAKER_05 0:28

Live from Silver Bowl Studios in Warnerville. This is Southwest Local News with Shana Rogers.

SPEAKER_04 0:36

Good morning and welcome to Southwest Local News. Police have charged two people in relation to an alleged kidnapping incident in Dandinong on Wednesday, the 20th of May. A two-year-old boy was located with the man and woman who are known to him in Port Ferry about 9 p.m. on the 20th of May. He was not physically injured. She was remanded to appear at Warnerville Magistrates Court today. Police are seeking information about a two-car collision that led four people to be taken to the hospital early Thursday morning. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Riverside Road and the Port Ferry Hamilton Road just before 7am. It's alleged that one of the cars driving south veered onto the wrong side of the road, leading the second vehicle travelling north to take evasive action. Police are seeking Dash Cam vision and asking for anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward. Councillors will officially review the report's findings this coming Tuesday. Meanwhile, community feedback on the Shire's broader aquatic facilities strategy closes today. For more information, visit the council's website. Members of the Warnable Business Community gathered at a networking event at Lady Bay Resort today, featuring a panel of local business owners discussing their journey. The event was first held last year and was hailed a success, with the council's economic development team keen to make this event more regular. Norton Motor Group Principal Marcus Norton, Skinfit owner Danielle Singleton, and Schnitz franchisees Nicole and Scott Madden featured on the panel, which was hosted by Matt Mark. The aim of the event is to provide the business community with an opportunity to spend time with other like-minded people in the community in the hope that they draw on the experiences of others to help their organisations.

SPEAKER_01 3:25

I think they love to hear from other small businesses about the challenges and the issues they're facing, the things at work. I think then you can walk away and think, well, you know, we're not the only ones who are struggling with that or you know that's affecting us, but also hopefully pick up a few tips.

SPEAKER_04 3:41

Registrations are now being taken for the Lifeline Push-Up Challenge. The challenge is to complete 3,307 push-ups between June the 3rd and the 26th. The number of push-ups have been chosen as it represents the amount of lives lost to suicide in 2024 in Australia. The challenge can be undertaken by individuals or within a team, and registrations are being taken at the Push-Up Challenge website. Former football star and anti-violence campaigner Phil Cleary is heading to the Crangamite Shire to share a deeply personal message. After his sister Vicky was tragically murdered by an ex-boyfriend, Cleary dedicated his life to breaking the cycle of gendered violence across Australia.vic.gov.au. Mayor Ben Blaine and CEO Andrew Mason are currently in Sister City Changchun, marking the council's first official delegation to the region in six years. The self-funded troop is strictly business, aiming to unlock lucrative trade and tourism pathways for Southwest Victorian exporters. With China acting as a major importer of Aussie dairy and agriculture, local leaders are pitching Warner's premium produce directly to overseas buyers. The duo will also hold high-level meetings in Beijing and Shanghai before wrapping up the fast-paced trade mission later this week. Warner City Council has opened applications for a $300,000 community grant pool. The funding is split between the Festivals and Events Fund and the Community Development Fund to support local initiatives. It follows the success of the inaugural Filipino Fiesto, which drew 700 people this year with council's backing. Organisers and local groups are encouraged to apply online at warnable.vic.gov.au before the deadline. This week is volunteer week and one local sanctuary is looking for some extra helping hands. If patting a kangaroo or feeding a dingo was on your cards for 2026, maybe volunteering at the Warnable Wildlife Encounters is on the cards for you.

SPEAKER_03 6:07

I think if you're passionate about animals, then it's a really good place to learn. We are only the little guy, so you might get a little bit more hands-on here than you would have the opportunity to at maybe some of the bigger establishments. So yeah, if you're if you love animals and you want to learn about them and their husbandry and a bit of training and uh just just up for just up for it, yeah, just come have a crack, basically.

SPEAKER_04 6:30

Co-owner of Warnable Wildlife Encounters is on the lookout for volunteers to help care for the vulnerable animals in her charge.

SPEAKER_03 6:38

I think anyone can really have a go. If you're if you are passionate, you'll enjoy it for sure. We have a lot of ambassador animals, uh, they are humanised in order to uh educate people on them and get a closer look at them. So uh they're definitely contributing to to that, to making sure that the welfare of these animals is as tip-top as we can provide. Uh and also we do have a lot of endangered species here as well, so they're helping to ensure these insurance programs are doing well in in human care. I love the animals and I know a lot about them, and I'm really blessed to be in this role. We we need to make sure that we are giving them that best environment and everything's clean and they're really well fed and just providing the best care for them that we can.

SPEAKER_04 7:17

As the sanctuary grows and welcomes more critters, it's more important than ever that every animal gets the best life possible.

SPEAKER_03 7:25

Volunteers are always uh pretty much the backbone of lots of wildlife organizations. So coming out and giving us a hand entails lots of raking, feeding, food prep. We're always raising lots of ambassador species, so there's lots of Joeys to look after and raise and and help with. So it's a bit of a bit of everything. Um gotta be happy to get your hands dirty, and there's also, you know, a bit of maintenance, gardening if you're into gardening. A bit of everything. So if you're up for it and you're willing to give it a shot, we're we're pretty up for you to come have a crack.

SPEAKER_04 7:55

Paramedics in Warnerville and across the southwest are getting to life-threatening emergencies faster as ambulance response times improve. New data shows local crews are clearing hospitals nearly eight minutes quicker than this time last year, getting life-saving resources back on the road sooner. According to Ambulance Victoria's regional director Jessica McGowan, these faster handovers are directly leading to better outcomes for critical patients in our community. Officials credit the improvement to new emergency care standards as well as triage services freeing up crews by diverting non-urgent cases. With the busy winter ahead, residents are urged to save triple zero calls for emergencies and use virtual EDs or local urgent care clinics for minor ailments. Everyday spaces across the Moynshire are getting a major burst of colour. Moyneshire Council has launched a new public art programme starting right now at the Croat Theatre and Mortlake Community Hub. Local and regional artists will have their work reproduced at a massive scale for highly visible outdoor exhibitions. The displays will rotate four times a year, ensuring there's always something fresh and vibrant to see in the town centres. According to Mayor Jordan Lockett, the initiative is a fantastic way to showcase local creative talent while encouraging people to stop and explore our communities. First making news in sport. Meanwhile, the under-18 boys fought hard to finish a commendable fourth, while the energetic under-14s girls and boys teams showed incredible growth and teamwork against tough regional opponents. Off the pitch, local umpire Juliet Pinkerton reached a major milestone, officiating an impressive eight games in her championship debut. According to Association President Kim White, these fantastic results highlight the booming growth and bright future of hockey across Warnerville and the surrounding districts. A historic football rivalry writes its next chapter tomorrow as the Hampton Football Netball League hosts the Ballarat Football Netball League at Warnerville's Readoval. Marking the fourth consecutive annual interleague clash between the two powerhouse competitions, the headline under 23 football teams will battle fiercely for the prestigious Clinton Bolsh John Northeag Cup. Hampton will be guided by new head coach and AFL Premiership player Nathan Vardy, who is eager to exploit home ground advantage and showcase the Coast's premier young talent. Ballarat arrives with a deeply structured representative pathway and highly competitive squads looking to spoil the party on enemy territory after a gruelling start to their local season. With both leagues pausing their regular fixtures for this standalone showcase, tomorrow's match promises high-intensity regional football at its absolute finest. Speaking on the Hampton Football Netball League's Facebook page, Coach Nathan Vardy says the players are excited to represent the Green Bottles.

SPEAKER_00 11:20

It's obviously a bit of a showcase game and does give guys some opportunities. So from that point of view, I think it's been a really successful concept. That when they do get the opportunity to be a part of something like this, they they really jump at it and get really excited for the opportunity.

SPEAKER_04 12:31

The court is set for an epic first of its kind showdown tomorrow at the Read Oval as the Hampton and Ballarat Leagues officially launch their inaugural under-23 Netball Interleague Clash. This historic addition to the traditional rivalry turns the spotlight squarely on the fastest, most athletic emerging talent across Western Victoria's Premier Netball pathways. Hampton holds a major tactical weapon on the sidelines, with Netball Victoria Western Talent Academy coach Will Jamison taking the reins to unleash a lethal, highly disciplined home squad. Not to be outdone, a fierce Ballarat contingent travels down the highway with elite court speed and a reputation for suffocating defence, eager to silence the coastal crowd. With regular season premiership points put on hold, tomorrow's standalone spectacle is a high-stakes battle for ultimate regional bragging rights. It is a crucial four points on the line for both teams, with the third place Blues looking to keep pace with the top two, while the Tigers sit just outside the top five in sixth. Historically, encounters between these two sides are bruising. High-stakes affairs and coaches expect tomorrow afternoon to be no different. The senior local football action kicks off tomorrow at 2.20 pm, with a massive crowd anticipated at Merivale to witness the blockbuster showdown. Partly cloudy days ahead with light winds for the weekend, expecting frosty starts. Now to Port Ferry atop of 18 degrees tomorrow with a partly cloudy day and northeasterly winds. 18 on Sunday with northeasterly winds and a chance of fog in the east. Overnight temperatures will be falling to 8. Monday, a partly cloudy day with a high chance of showers topping at 18 with southeasterly winds. Shifting inland to Mortlake, a partly cloudy day with a top of 18 and no rain. Sunday also topping at 18 with a cloudy day and northeasterly winds remaining light. 18 on Monday and high chance of showers with partly cloudy conditions. Around the Kolak and Camperdown region, expecting a partly cloudy day tomorrow with no rain, topping at 17. 17 again on Sunday with only 2mm to fall, and a medium chance of showers, 4mm to fall with a cloudy day. In Port Campbell, tomorrow a top of 18 degrees. On Sunday also 18 with only 1mm to fall. As for Monday, showers throughout the day with a top of 17 degrees, up to 6mm to fall, and on Tuesday, those showers are due to increase to up to 15 millimetres throughout the day. Home to Warnable 18 for the next three days. Tomorrow a partly cloudy day with light winds approaching from the northeast on Sunday, and to start the week on Monday, expecting 5mm to fall with southeasterly winds. That's it from your Southwest Local News team this morning, and thank you for tuning in. Remember that you can also watch this bulletin online at southwestlocalnews.com.au. Until Tuesday morning with peace. Have a great day.