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Laura is an award-winning senior journalist for Victoria’s community titles. Since 2011 she has worked for several publications across Melbourne in reporter, editor, sub-editor and digital roles.

@lauzi_83

Laura Armitage

Latest

BreakingNSW

Generic or stock image of CareFlight TIO helicopter.

Boy in hospital after trampoline accident

An 11-year-old boy in a trampolining accident in North Sydney has been flown to hospital in a serious condition by CareFlight crews.

Outer East

‘Scumbags’ steal one of Victoria’s oldest war memorials

Heartless thieves have stolen a 120-year-old commemoration of a Boer War siege that was bolted down at one of the oldest war memorials in Victoria, with a Yarra Valley war historian saying the missing plaque is a “severe loss” to the area.

Outer East

Rescued cat survives terrifying cruelty in Lilydale

A Lilydale couple are warning others after finding their cat Leo was victimised in a horrifying attack. The usually loving pet had only escaped out of the house when he returned home howling.

Outer East

Launch of ÔSafe Barriers Save LivesÕbackyard pool safety campaign. Matt Welsh with his children L to R Sam, 10, Monty, 3, Lola, 7 and Eva, 10. Picture: Tim CarrafaIn 2018/19, 19 Australian children aged 0-4 years drownedOlympian, Matt Welsh OAM, will join Kidsafe Australia this morning to launch the seventh annual ÔSafe Barriers Save LivesÕ backyard pool safety campaign at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.Figures released Royal Life Saving Society of AustraliaÕs National Drowning Report show that in 2018/19, 19 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these incidents (63%) occurred in swimming pools.This follows the Victorian GovernmentÕs recent announcement on proposed changes to the StateÕs pool and spa barrier laws, including the establishment of a mandatory pool and spa register and a mandatory inspection regime, with all pools and spas to be inspected as frequently as once every three years.Matt Welsh, along with his young children, will check out the barriers and the pool gate near the swimming pool.Matt Welsh and Jason Chambers, General Manager of Kidsafe Victoria, will be available for comment. ? Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for children under 5 in Australia, with backyard pools being the most common location for drowning incidents to occur? 20 seconds is all it takes for a toddler to drown? A large number of swimming pool drowning incidents are a result of faulty or non-compliant pool/spa barriers? Simply having a pool/spa barrier in place isnÕt enough on its own to keep children safe Ð other important pool defence actions include active adult supervision, swimming lessons and first aid knowledge. Media Enquiries: Ron Smith, Kidsafe Victoria Ð Mobile: 0417 329 201. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Worry on number of unsafe pool fences as summer looms

With summer fast approaching pool owners are warned to ensure their little piece of paradise is registered by November 1. But there are fears more than a third of the state’s pool fences are not safe.

Outer East

Firewood limited after bushfires and COVID

An increased demand for wood during lockdown has authorities warning there might not be enough for everyone as the State opens its forests for firewood collection. Here’s what they suggest.

South East

Monica Hughes has chained herself to the Mornington Police Station in protest of the State Government's coronavirus restrictions.

Woman chains herself to cop shop in protest of mum’s arrest

A Mornington woman has gone to extreme measures to rally against a young Ballarat mum’s arrest and she isn’t going anywhere.

Outer East

Forkville rebel faction in Chum Creek. Picture: Trevor Mays

Fork rebellion over Spoonville in Yarra Valley town

The Spoonville movement has taken Melbourne communities by storm, but now a rival kitchen utensil is trying to muscle in on its turf — and its popularity is spiking.

Outer East

A man police would like to speak to in relation to an incident in Ferny Creek.

Man in purple underwear flashed girls on Ferny Creek trail

A creep who lurched out from behind a shelter on a trail in Ferny Creek and flashed a pair of innocent girls is wanted by police. And this happened right near a popular sporting venue.

Outer East

A Victoria Police helicopter flies low over Sorrento beach.Picture: Jason SammonWednesday 1 March 2017

How police helicopter’s Eastlink pursuit ended in Scoresby

A police helicopter buzzing over Melbourne’s outer east has been found to be following a suspected stolen car — and it all came to a head in a Knox suburban street. Here’s how it all went down.

AnalysisLeader

A face mask-clad woman passes a mural in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran on September 10, 2020. - Melbourne is experiencing long harsh lockdown rules as it battles a second wave of the Covid-19 coronavirus. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Nine more virus-free metro postcode areas as cases fall

More than 50 locked-down Melbourne postcodes now have no active cases, with 22 more metro suburbs — including the Premier’s — added to the COVID-19-free list. But one had nine new cases. FULL LIST: See all of Melbourne’s virus-free suburbs.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/laura-armitage/page/24