City life
Melbourne’s most pristine, secret garden is right on Collins Street
A glimpse of tree branches from the streets behind is the closest most of us will ever get to this private space.
- by Megan Backhouse
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Threat to Royal Exhibition Building buffer could lead to it being ‘encased’ by high rises
The Royal Exhibition Building received World Heritage Listing in 2004 including a buffer zone of increased protection around the gardens. That’s being encroached.
- by Cara Waters
A mansion, a court case and Tay Tay: Perry boxes clever on whirlwind trip
American pop star Katy Perry had a busy time in Australia last week.
- by Noel Towell and Kishor Napier-Raman
Government blasted over ‘mean and nasty’ cuts to youth orchestras
For some young people, it’s “life-saving”. Victoria has funded Melbourne Youth Orchestras since it was established in 1967. That could end this year.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
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Melbourne’s only world heritage-listed site is being left to deteriorate
One of the state’s most historically significant buildings is in a state of disrepair after its government funding was slashed.
- by Cara Waters
The tale of three Heidelbergs, suburbs full of contradictions
They are neighbours on the map, but Heidelberg, Heidelberg Heights and Heidelberg West are resolutely worlds apart. As the fast pace of change beckons, locals are keen to keep the community spirit.
- by Bianca Hall
‘Bring it back to life’: Melbourne landmark to get $10m makeover
Masons will replace 150 tonnes of stone and as they give one of Melbourne most-well known bridges a much-needed facelift.
- by Najma Sambul
A centenarian ‘hostie’ takes a trip down memory runway
Elizabeth Reid was among the first air hostesses at Trans Australia Airlines in the ’40s. On her first visit to the TAA Museum, she recounted cleaning up after nervy passengers and dealing with drunk politicians.
- by Carolyn Webb
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Biodiversity
The urban bandicoot that could stop the bulldozers
Hundreds of endangered southern brown bandicoots live behind a predator-proof fence on Melbourne’s south-eastern fringe. A proposed development nearby could push the marsupial closer to extinction.
- by Adam Carey
Anger as Port Phillip Council axes in-home aged care services
The decision has sparked a backlash from residents and some councillors, who pleaded against the motion in a meeting on Wednesday.
- by Najma Sambul
Opinion
Architecture
Garish glitz? Rubbish. The critics are wrong – Prahran Square is paradise over a parking lot
As one of the creators of the square, I read Norman Day’s architectural review of it this week with a mixture of horror and amusement.
- by Carey Lyon