Leader’s biggest news stories of 2019
From teen gangs at Westfield Fountain Gate to schoolyard brawls, and an outpouring of public support for a staffy named Hero after a horrific dog attack, there was plenty of news from all corners of Melbourne this year. SEE LEADER’S TOP 10
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It’s been a big year in local news.
From Berwick to Strathmore, there was news breaking throughout the year all across Melbourne.
Teen gangs causing chaos at Westfield Fountain Gate was by far the biggest story of the year, read by more than 128,000 people.
The top 10 stories were viewed by more than 580,000 people, and included the first of our hugely popular Best of Melbourne series — the top 10 fish and chip shops as voted by you.
Shopping centres, pets, food and crime were the most popular issues.
10. STRATHMORE BAKERY’S VANILLA SLICE TAKES THE CAKE
Rachel Clayton, Moonee Valley Leader, February 23
A Strathmore bakery was named as having the best vanilla slice in Australia — by a blogger who has spent five years critiquing the sweet treats. And the baker behind the top choice shared his secret to his recipe.
9. DRAMATIC LENGTHS MUM TOOK AFTER SNAKE FOUND IN COT
Chanel Zagon, Heidelberg Leader, February 11
A new mum from Montmorency went to extreme lengths after finding a deadly brown snake asleep in her baby girl’s cot. The snake came out from under the mattress as she put her three-month-old down to sleep.
8. WHY BACKYARD POOL WILL COST ELWOOD FAMILY $420K
Jordy Atkinson, Port Phillip Leader, July 29
An Elwood dad who bought his neighbour’s house so he could expand his backyard and put in a pool for his kids thought he’d gone through all the right channels — but his plans triggered a ludicrous fee he never saw coming.
7. ‘DANGEROUS’ VIRUS STRIKING DOWN MELBOURNE DOGS
Rebecca DiNuzzo, Progress Leader, November 8
A fast-spreading virus that could cause organ failure in dogs was rampant in Melbourne’s inner east, with a Surrey Hills surgery believed to have seen 40 dogs — some so sick they “couldn’t even stand up” — in two days.
6. NEW FOOTAGE OF WILD BERWICK SCHOOLYARD BRAWL
Suzan Delibasic, Berwick Leader, August 22
Students jumped to the defence of a Berwick vice-principal who was filmed intervening in a schoolboy brawl, after video showed the dramatic incident.
5. ‘HUGE’ RATS CAUSING HAVOC AT SOUTHLAND
Brittany Goldsmith, Moorabbin Kingston Leader, November 7
Rats overran Southland, with the “huge” rodents regularly seen scurrying into view as disgusted traders and shoppers slammed the centre’s management for failing to deal with the year-long infestation.
4. MEASLES OUTBREAK HITS EASTLAND
Kiel Egging, Maroondah Leader, August 2
Visitors to one of Melbourne’s biggest shopping centres were warned to check themselves for symptoms of measles after three new cases of the virus were confirmed in Victoria. The cases involved Victorians who had returned from travel in Asia.
3. ANIMAL LAW EXPERT HIRED TO DEFEND ACCUSED KILLER STAFFY
Suzan Delibasic, Cranbourne Leader, November 8
The owners of a miniature staffy that was accused of killing a dachshund in a Pakenham park hired a lawyer specialising in animal law as tens of thousands signed an online petition calling to save the dog. Hero the staffy was later declared innocent.
2. MELBOURNE’S TOP 10 FISH AND CHIP SHOPS REVEALED
Stephanie Packer, Leader, August 29
It took a bit of grilling, but we managed to reel in Melbourne’s best fish and chip shops, as voted by you. See the full list of winners here.
1. TEEN GANGS DRIVING CUSTOMERS FROM FOUNTAIN GATE
Suzan Delibasic, Cranbourne Leader, May 1
Westfield Fountain Gate traders were too terrified to try and stop gangs of teens raiding their shops and wreaking havoc through the centre. And gang violence was so bad that customers were turning their backs on the precinct.