Some news from me: this week is my last at The Age after 11 years. It's been heaps of fun -- the weirdest stories were always my favourites. But it's time for something new. After a short break, I'm joining the VEC media unit ahead of next year's state elction. Thanks for reading!

Scheduling a night game in Lonny in June has to be intentional by the AFL to make its case for a roofed stadium for the Devils

Wrote about Japanese kei trucks, an increasingly common sight on Melbourne’s steeets as a smaller alternative to all those truckzillas www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

When did sangas become sandos?

Writing this story has given me a Mamas and the Papas earworm all week www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Merribek council commissioned a mural dedicated to Coburg’s famous Ford Laser

There is plenty of spin out there but if the Greens lose Bandt that is a disaster in Victoria. Labor has shown it can hold inner Melbourne seats with popular members too. It was assumed the Greens would easily have Cooper by now, they got it to 1% in 2016 - now Ged Kearney has a 10% margin.

The screen has been gone for a while now, drink responsibly

Libs currently behind in Aston, Menzies and Deakin in Victoria. If that carries through and there are no other pick ups, there will be no Liberal seats in urban Melbourne

Is it over? It looks over

"These are early numbers" - drink Antony Green screen fail - drink Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink

Same mood

Don’t threaten us with a good time www.theage.com.au/business/com...

I took a tour of the old VicRoads building in Kew that the state gov wants to turn into housing www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

For those who have wondered about that GTA San Andreas mural in Melbourne that lasted 20 years, it finally got painted over (via r/melbourne)

Please take the time to read this piece. The mother who gave so much of her time to make it possible deserves it. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

The Night Cat in Fitzroy is copping noise complaints from a development that doesn’t exist yet www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Spotted in Preston, still mad about the cancelled Bullants alliance?

This week I'm covering the Melbourne seat of Wills for our Hot Seats election blog. If you see something election related in Coburg, Brunswick, Fawkner Fitroy North etc please get in touch!

Marvellous city story from @adamlcarey.bsky.social on people who want to protect their potholed road www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Should have been heritage listed

The proposed F2 freeway in Melbourne would have been wild, four-lane dual carriageway running right down Merri Creek

Only realising today that the State Library of Victoria once had these very impressive Moreton Bay figs out the front (first pic from 1938)

My piece from the weekend on desire paths in Melbourne www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Can we just call them the Footscray Bulldogs all the time?

The new Fox Footy scoreboard strap is very large

One week after receiving the Marriner donation, Reece pledged to sell COM’s share of the Regent Theatre if elected. Marriner, which owns the Comedy Theatre, Princess Theatre and Forum Theatre, and operates the Regent,would be a likely potential buyer. @carawaters.bsky.social @adamlcarey.bsky.social

Bakery in country Victoria (Euroa) had something I’ve never seen before: Granny Slice. Exciting day to find something new in those cabinets.

On the ground in Brighton www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Not sure I can take much more of the How to Make Gravy industrial complex www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-a...

Name me a better song written about the Subaru WRX youtu.be/vU6cOF65lU0?...

TGIFT (thank god it's the first Test)

Despite being the dominant party at Merri-bek, the Greens have failed to elect a mayor as Labor locks them out. Also mayor Stephen Jolly sets his sights on dog poo, angle parking and doofs in Yarra @rachaeldexter.bsky.social www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Gladiator II is 2.5 hrs of ‘how often do men think about the Roman Empire’ and ‘dudes rock’

New mayors in Melbourne: Yarra - Stephen Jolly (Ind, Yarra for All, ex-socialist) Port Phillip - Louise Crawford (Labor) Bayside - Hanna El-Mouallem (Ind, linked to Lib) Boroondara - Sophie Torney (Ind, teal) Maribyrnong - Pradeep Tiwari (Labor) Banyule - Elizabeth Nealy (Labor)

Let's hope this inquiry gets up, there's plenty of stuff to sort out to make council elections better @rachaeldexter.bsky.social www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Attica chef Ben Shewry is still mad www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

Alan Jones arrested over allegations he indecently assaulted young men www.theage.com.au/national/ala...

Some final council election analysis from @rachaeldexter.bsky.social and me www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

This piece was about six months in the making from learning about it to publication. It’s a fascinating story of the origins of sushi’s popularity in Australia and the people who helped make it happen. And then how it all went wrong. Proud it landed in Good Weekend www.theage.com.au/national/one...

Feels like the early days of Twitter here posting for about 10 people

Here's some of our reporting on #Melbourne's council election results so far: www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

How’s this place for hyperlocal Melbourne news? 🗞️