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17 April 2026

☀️ Panthers aim higher

Marong's league ambitions, new bishop named, and your winter cooking question ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Morning Post

Bendigo

Saturday, 18 April 2026  •  Issue #656

☀️19°/4°
Clear skies and sunshine all day
☀️ UV 5.2  •  🌅 Sunset 5:53 PM
 

Good morning! Marong's football club is setting its sights on a major league move, while the Catholic Diocese welcomes new leadership. Plus, we're settling the slow cooker versus oven debate.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

📰 Football club sets sights on league promotion

📍 BSO Beethoven Festival + 3 more events

🍳 Recipe of the Week: Slow Cooker Beef and Red Wine Casserole

🕰️ On this day in 1946: The League of Nations formally dissolved itself and transferred its...

Today's Bendigo

Football club sets sights on league promotion

Marong's Panthers have outlined plans to join the Bendigo Football League, citing community growth and player development as key drivers. The club believes it's ready to compete at a higher level.

via Bendigo Advertiser🔒 paywall

Catholic Diocese announces new spiritual leader

The Sandhurst Diocese has welcomed its ninth bishop in a formal appointment ceremony. The new leader takes charge of the region's Catholic community.

via Bendigo Times

Major highway shut after serious collision

Several people required hospital treatment following a multi-vehicle accident that forced the Hume Freeway to close near Violet Town. Traffic was diverted in both directions.

via ABC Victoria

Around Australia

Bulldogs suffer heavy defeat and injury blow

Western Bulldogs lost by 75 points to Geelong while Sam Darcy sustained a knee injury. Sydney maintained their winning streak against GWS.

via ABC News

Comedian defends his approach to humour

Tom Gleeson says he prioritises entertainment over hurt feelings, believing audiences understand his intentions come from a positive place despite his provocative style.

via The Guardian Australia

Around the World

Crude prices drop on shipping route assurance — Brent crude fell 10% after Iran confirmed the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial vessels.

via BBC World

Mass layoffs follow Meta contract loss — Over 1,000 Kenyan workers lost their jobs after outsourcing firm Sama lost its Meta moderation contract.

via The Guardian World

What's On

Music

BSO Beethoven Festival

Ulumbarra Theatre, 29-31 May

Four orchestras perform all of Beethoven's symphonies across three unforgettable days of music.

Arts

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Ulumbarra Theatre, 14-17 May

The beloved Australian musical comes to life with glitter, glamour and unforgettable songs.

Food

Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival

Bendigo, 2 May

Taste your way through the region's best wines at this annual celebration.

Music

ABBA — Thank You For The Music

Ulumbarra Theatre, 2 May

A two-hour tribute concert celebrating the timeless hits and legacy of ABBA.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Recipe of the Week

Every Saturday we share a recipe worth trying.

Slow Cooker Beef and Red Wine Casserole

Serves 6 · 8 hours

Let your slow cooker do the work with this rich, warming casserole that fills the house with the most wonderful aroma. Perfect for those cooler evenings when you want something hearty waiting at dinnertime.

1.2kg beef chuck steak, cut into 3cm cubes, 2 tbsp plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 large brown onion, roughly chopped, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 2 cups beef stock, 1 cup red wine (a good Shiraz works well), 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks, 3 celery sticks, sliced, 2 bay leaves, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 200g button mushrooms, halved

Method

1. Toss beef in seasoned flour. Heat oil in a large frying pan over high heat and brown beef in batches, transferring to slow cooker as you go.

2. In the same pan, cook onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add wine and tomato paste, stirring to lift any browned bits from the pan. Pour into slow cooker.

3. Add stock, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and thyme to slow cooker. Stir to combine, ensuring beef is mostly covered by liquid.

4. Cook on low for 7 hours. Add mushrooms and cook for a final hour until beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

5. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Season to taste and serve with creamy mashed potato or crusty bread to soak up the delicious gravy.

📊 Today's Poll

Slow cooker or oven for a winter casserole?

Slow cookerOven

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

Rearrange the letters N-E-W-D-O-O-R to make one word.

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

🧠 Today's Featured Game

Trivia

Australia · 7 questions · ~2 min

What is the name of the large sandstone rock formation in the Northern Territory that is sacred to the local Anangu people?

A) Kata Tjuta
B) Uluru
C) Devils Marbles
D) Wave Rock
Play the Quiz →

Yesterday: 🧠 65 played  ·  💡 44 played  ·  ✏️ 68 played

💡 Word Ladder · 2 steps→
MEET → ??? → PEAT
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Aesop's tale with a moral

On This Day

Anniversary of

• The League of Nations formally dissolved itself and transferred its functions to the newly created United Nations. (1946)

• Australia won the first official cricket World Series Cup final held as a day-night match at the SCG. (1988)

• The Doolittle Raid saw American bombers launch the first air raid on the Japanese home islands during World War II. (1942)

• Southern Rhodesia officially became the independent nation of Zimbabwe. (1980)

🎂 Born on this day: Australian actress Melissa George (1976), American actor Eric Roberts (1956), and American television host Conan O'Brien (1963).

Brainteaser Answer
One word.

One Last Smile

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