Squatters, illegal parties and ‘ineffective’ repairs leaves heritage Paragon Cafe with hefty damage bill

When sisters Madeleine Thompson and Renee Aroney recall memories of their grandfather’s art deco cafe, they describe it as a “magical place”, akin to the fictitious world of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. “There’d be these big cockpit vats … where they’d mix up all the confectionery,” Ms Thompson said. “And then they had…

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Future of Wyndham Stadium in Melbourne’s west thrown into doubt

Located in one of Australia’s most multicultural municipalities, the Wyndham Stadium Precinct was set to provide Melbourne’s west with its very own shrine to football. But more than five years since a much-feted public-private partnership was formed between Wyndham City Council, the Western Melbourne Group and investors, the soccer master plan has seemingly evaporated. The…

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Rifle Company Butterworth veterans say Australian government is refusing to recognise their service

Graeme Mickelberg was a platoon commander in 1975 when he was deployed to protect Australia’s Butterworth air base in Malaysia. The veteran, who lives on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, vividly remembers the tension at the time. Graeme Mickelberg feels it is his duty as a former commander to help his troops gain recognition. (ABC Sunshine Coast:…

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