Coco Veldkamp
cocoveldkamp.bsky.social
Coco Veldkamp
@cocoveldkamp.bsky.social
77 followers 170 following 84 posts
Journalist @ ABC Ballarat, formerly Goulburn Murray | As seen in ABC Asia Pacific, The Ballarat Courier, Cosmos Magazine, The New Daily, and The Citizen. Views are my own.
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Wildlife Victoria received 162 reports of animals caught in barbed wire fencing in the past year.
Doug Gimesy is removing barbed wire fencing from his property and surrounds to protect native wildlife.

#abcnews #conservation

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
The quiet movement removing barbed wire fences to save wildlife
Wongarra man Doug Gimesy removes more than 18 kilometres of barbed wire from his property to create a wildlife haven.
www.abc.net.au
A 130-year-old Algerian oak in Kingston could be removed to make way for AusNet's proposed Western Renewables Link. Kingston resident Jeremy Harper has rallied support, nominating the tree for Tree of the Year in the hope of protecting it from removal.
#abcnews
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Residents rally to make tree in transmission project's path untouchable
Residents are getting creative in their fight to save a "magnificent" 130-year-old Algerian oak tree from being felled for a controversial transmission line project in western Victoria.
www.abc.net.au
Former dentist Ian Lomax was accused of being a Neo-Nazi supporter, and present during the Camp Sovereignty attack on Aug 31. Following media reports, his employment was terminated and the Dental Board of Australia has suspended his registration
#ABCNews
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Dental board suspends Ballarat dentist after allegations of Neo-Nazi ties
Dental board suspends practitioner, who was allegedly photographed at a Neo-Nazi rally, while it investigates.
www.abc.net.au
Scientists are nearing completion on the Southern Hemisphere's first dark matter detector, deep underground in the Stawell Gold Mine. The experiment, known as SABRE South, will search for interactions with invisible dark matter particles. #darkmatter #abcnews
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Inside the experiment that could change our understanding of the universe
Deep underground in an old gold mine in regional Victoria, scientists enter a worldwide race to understand the composition of dark matter.
www.abc.net.au
Walking around Nick's farm, it's easy to forget that parts of Victoria have faced record-breaking droughts. But climate models point to a tougher future. Can adaptation be enough? Listen on The Country Hour, at 38mins. www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Victorian Country Hour - ABC listen
New rules for water brokers in Australia
www.abc.net.au
It has been one month since two police officers were shot dead in north-east Victoria. Authorities have had no confirmed sightings of Freeman, despite hundreds of public tip-offs and a $1 million reward for information.
#abcnews #porepunkah

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
A month on, doubts mount about police search for fugitive Freeman - ABC listen
A former homicide detective says the search for alleged Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman could become unsustainable if he is not found soon.
www.abc.net.au
The AFL grand final is less than a fortnight away, as frustration grows with the online ticketing system.
 
AFL Fans Association president Ron Issko said people have lost confidence in the system, and described it as a "broken" lottery.
 
#abcnews #afl
 
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Fed up with online purchases, AFL fans queue up for finals tickets
AFL fans fed up with the online ticketing system have opted to line up in person days in advance to secure their finals tickets.
www.abc.net.au
The Victorian government has announced a $2.5 million support package for businesses in the Porepunkah area.
 
It comes after weeks of trade losses linked to police warnings to avoid the area.
 
#breakingnews #abcnews
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-15/support-package-for-porepunkah-businesses-dezi-freeman-searc…
Probably the ABC’s first and last time up Mount Burrowa!

Volunteers have planted hundreds of #banksia seedlings on Mount Burrowa.

The species was wiped out in the Black Summer bushfires, but scientists propagated new seedlings from a related plant.

www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2...
Volunteers plant 800 seedlings to replace banksia lost in Black Summer
Volunteers hike into the Victorian mountains to plant banksias that are the "genetic perfect match" to those wiped out by fire.
www.abc.net.au
Snow enthusiasts have been warned to avoid Porepunkah, where a manhunt for a suspected gunman continues as Victoria's alpine region prepares for one of the season's most significant snowfalls.
But the lure of significant snowfall is too tempting for some.
#abcnews #hotham #porepunkah
Snow enthusiasts told to stay away as Porepunkah manhunt continues
Victoria's alpine region braces for one of the season's most significant snowfalls, amid the ongoing search for alleged police killer Dezi Freeman.
www.abc.net.au
From a small NSW town to the world stage — 11-year-old Nevaeh-Lea Benton has been crowned Little Miss Universe in Manila.

Her win has reignited debate over child pageants, with psychologists warning of the risks for young competitors.
#ABCNews #Pageantry

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Australian primary school student crowned Little Miss Universe
From childhood crowns to adult advocacy, the world of Australian pageantry comes with opportunities and concerns.
www.abc.net.au
Regional Australia has lost a third of its bank branches since 2017.
The Regional Banking Investment Alliance has put forward a levy proposal for essential bank branch services to be supported.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Lobby group calls for levy on major banks that close regional branches
As more regional bank branches close, a new alliance is pushing back against the Big Four
www.abc.net.au
Today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally acknowledged the Australian athletes who defied government opposition to compete under a neutral flag at the 1980 Moscow Olympics - a Games overshadowed by Cold War tensions.
 
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
After four decades, Australia acknowledges 1980 Moscow Olympians
After 45 years, the Australians who competed in the 1980 Moscow Olympics will be recognised for their contribution after defying government opposition and copping public backlash.
www.abc.net.au
In towns like Milawa, Vic — no GP, no hospital, no transport — pharmacists are stepping up.
A now-permanent program lets them treat UTIs, shingles, skin conditions, and more. Oral health is next, among 22 services to be added. #healthcare #pharmacy
 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
Rural pharmacists take on expanded role in Victoria to bridge GP gap
Pharmacists in healthcare black spots in regional Victoria are increasingly stepping up as frontline healthcare providers, but not everyone is on board.
www.abc.net.au