🚆 COULD PASSENGER TRAINS FINALLY RETURN TO MILDURA? After 33 years without a passenger train service, Mildura could once again be connected to Melbourne by rail under a major $51.2 million election commitment announced by the Victorian Liberals and Nationals. Nationals Member for Mildura Jade Benham was joined by Victorian Liberal Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and Shadow Minister for Public Transport Matthew Guy at Mildura Railway Station to unveil the Wimmera Mallee Rail Plan, promising to restore passenger rail services to Mildura and Dimboola if the Coalition wins the next Victorian state election. The announcement follows decades of campaigning by local residents and rail advocacy groups calling for the return of passenger trains to north-west Victoria. The proposed plan would involve suitable diesel-powered trains connecting with existing V/Line services, with an estimated journey of around seven hours between Mildura and Melbourne discussed during the announcement. Sun City News was there to capture the announcement and hear from the Coalition representatives about the proposed investment, the challenges of restoring services and what the return of passenger rail could mean for communities across Mildura, Sunraysia, the Mallee and Wimmera. 🚆 **IN THIS STORY:** - $51.2 million passenger rail election commitment - Proposed return of passenger trains to Mildura and Dimboola - Jess Wilson, Jade Benham and Matthew Guy outline the plan - Mildura's 33-year wait for passenger rail services - Proposed train connections and estimated travel times - The future of regional transport across Western Victoria - Coalition's additional commitments to regional road repairs *The passenger rail proposal is an election commitment by the Victorian Liberals and Nationals and is subject to the outcome of the state election.* See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #Mildura #MilduraTrain #PassengerRail #MilduraRail #Dimboola #WimmeraMallee #JadeBenham #JessWilson #MatthewGuy #RegionalVictoria #PublicTransport #Sunraysia #MilduraNews #LocalNews

🎪 MILDURA FRINGE FESTIVAL 2026 🎭 Get ready, Mildura! Three weeks of incredible entertainment, international performers, live music and spectacular acrobatics are coming to Sunraysia as the Mildura Fringe Festival returns for 2026! Following the success of its inaugural festival in 2025, organisers Jack and Cass Peterson are bringing an even bigger program to the region, featuring 55 performances across 21 different shows from October 29 to November 15. Sun City News caught up with Jack to hear what's in store, including the return of internationally acclaimed Head First Acrobats, the spectacular 'Never Home' by Small Town Syndrome, free live music every night and a variety of performances for toddlers, families and adults. More than just entertainment, the Mildura Fringe Festival is about creating opportunities for local artists, supporting small businesses and bringing the community together through creativity and the arts. 🎭 **FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:** - 55 performances across 21 shows - Three weeks of entertainment from October 29 – November 15 - International and Australian acrobatic performers - The return of Head First Acrobats - 'Never Home' by Small Town Syndrome - Free live music every night - Family-friendly shows and late-night adult performances 📅 October 29 – November 15, 2026 📍 Mildura, Victoria See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #MilduraFringeFestival #MilduraFringe #Mildura #Sunraysia #MilduraEvents #FringeFestival #LiveEntertainment #PerformingArts #Acrobatics #RegionalVictoria #MilduraNews #LocalNews

✈️ MILDURA AIRPORT EMERGENCY SIMULATION 🚨 Emergency services were put to the test at Mildura Airport during a major simulated aircraft crash, bringing together police, firefighters, paramedics and airport personnel for a full-scale emergency response exercise. The exercise involved a simulated passenger aircraft experiencing difficulties before crash-landing at the airport, with smoke, injuries and multiple passengers requiring assistance. Within 10 minutes of the initial Triple Zero call, emergency responders began arriving on scene, working together to manage the incident, rescue passengers and coordinate medical care. Sun City News was there to capture the action as Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, the SES and other agencies worked through the emergency scenario. The exercise also tested passenger welfare, family reunification and recovery procedures, with support from the Australian Red Cross. Mildura Airport CEO Andrew Elliott praised the strong turnout from local emergency services and highlighted the importance of regular training exercises in ensuring the airport and responding agencies are prepared should a real emergency ever occur. 🚨 **IN THIS STORY:** - A simulated aircraft crash at Mildura Airport - Emergency crews responding to a Triple Zero call - Police, firefighters, paramedics and SES working together - Simulated passenger rescues and medical triage - Testing airport emergency procedures and response times - Mildura Airport CEO Andrew Elliott reflects on the exercise *Please note: All aircraft crash footage and emergency response activity shown in this report formed part of a planned training exercise. No real aircraft emergency occurred.* See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #MilduraAirport #Mildura #Sunraysia #EmergencyServices #EmergencySimulation #AirportSafety #VictoriaPolice #AmbulanceVictoria #FireRescueVictoria #SES #AviationSafety #MilduraNews #LocalNews

⛳ The future of golf is looking bright across Sunraysia! Coomealla Golf Club welcomed almost 70 young golfers for the 2026 Coomealla Junior Open, bringing together junior boys and girls from across the region for a fantastic day on the fairways. With more than 30 players competing in the 18-hole event and a newly introduced 9-hole competition attracting another 35 to 36 entries, the tournament highlighted the growing interest in junior golf and the opportunities available for young players of all experience levels. Sun City News caught up with some of the young golfers, including visiting player Cooper from Berri, to hear about their love of the game, their goals and the friendships they've made along the way. We also spoke with Junior Golf Development team leader Tim and club secretary Kath Eddie about the event's success, encouraging more girls to get involved and building a strong future for golf across Mildura, Sunraysia and the wider region. From first-time competitors to promising young talents, it was a great celebration of junior sport, community involvement and getting kids outdoors. See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #CoomeallaGolfClub #CoomeallaJuniorOpen #JuniorGolf #Mildura #Sunraysia #Coomealla #GolfAustralia #YouthSport #RegionalSport #MilduraSport #MilduraNews #LocalNews

There was a little extra magic at the Mildura Arts Centre as more than 30 talented young performers brought the much-loved classic The Wizard of Oz to life! 🌈🎭 A collaboration between Ovation Theatre Company and the Musical Society Mildura, the September youth production brought together young performers from across Sunraysia for a colourful celebration of music, theatre and storytelling. Sun City News caught up with director Kate Horton, who shared what makes The Wizard of Oz such a timeless favourite and the importance of giving young performers opportunities to develop their confidence, teamwork and friendships through community theatre. We also spoke with young performer Charmaine Craig, who stepped into the iconic role of Dorothy and shared her excitement about bringing the character to life on stage. From spectacular performances to the friendships formed behind the scenes, the production showcased the incredible young talent and thriving performing arts community right here in Mildura. See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #TheWizardOfOz #Mildura #Sunraysia #MilduraArtsCentre #TheMAC #OvationTheatreCompany #MusicalSocietyMildura #CommunityTheatre #YouthTheatre #PerformingArts #MilduraEvents #LocalNews

Federal immigration changes, seasonal worker shortages and their potential impact on regional agriculture are among the issues discussed as Dr Anne Webster joins Sun City News for an interview about challenges facing Mildura, Sunraysia and regional Australia. Dr Webster raises concerns about changes affecting working holiday makers and the availability of experienced overseas workers during Australia's harvest season. She discusses the importance of returning seasonal workers, the challenges farmers face when operating specialised machinery and her discussions with federal ministers about agricultural workforce arrangements. The interview also covers regional aged care, cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability and the condition of regional roads, with Dr Webster sharing her perspective on government policy and the challenges facing regional communities. See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #AnneWebster #ImmigrationAustralia #SeasonalWorkers #Mildura #Sunraysia #RegionalAustralia #Agriculture #FarmWorkers #WorkingHolidayVisa #AustralianPolitics #MilduraNews #LocalNews

After 20 years of helping Sunraysia brides and debutantes find their dream dresses, Cinderella’s Bridal World is preparing to close its doors. 👰✨ Carmel Mazza took over the Mildura bridal store in April 2006 after years working as a dressmaker. Since then, she has helped hundreds of brides and thousands of debutantes, watching bridal fashion evolve from satin, taffeta and big silhouettes through to lace, tulle, illusion bodices and today’s more minimalist styles. Sun City News sits down with Carmel as she reflects on two decades behind the counter, the customers who became like family and the special experience of seeing debutantes return years later as brides. As she prepares for life after Cinderella’s, Carmel also shares her advice for finding the perfect wedding dress and what she’ll miss most about being part of so many special occasions. See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #CinderellasBridalWorld #Mildura #Sunraysia #MilduraBusiness #MilduraWeddings #BridalFashion #WeddingDresses #MilduraBride #LocalBusiness #RegionalVictoria #MilduraNews #LocalNews

Every step taken for Willow’s Walkers is helping create more opportunities for children with disabilities and their families across Mildura and Sunraysia. 💚 Created by Maddie and Michael after their own experience raising their daughter Willow, who lives with cerebral palsy, Willow’s Walkers is helping regional families access specialised therapy closer to home. What began from one family’s experience has grown into a community movement focused on inclusion, awareness and breaking down the barriers families can face accessing services in regional areas. Throughout September, the community takes on the Willow’s Walkers 10,000 Steps Challenge while raising funds and awareness for cerebral palsy. After fully funding specialised therapy for nine local children in its first year, the charity has helped 12 children access speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy this year. Most importantly, Willow’s family hopes the campaign helps people understand that cerebral palsy doesn’t define a child. Willow is cheeky, resilient, social and funny — and deserves the same opportunities, friendships and experiences as any other child. See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #WillowsWalkers #CerebralPalsy #Mildura #Sunraysia #DisabilityAwareness #CerebralPalsyAwareness #MilduraCommunity #RegionalVictoria #CommunitySupport #LocalCharity #MilduraNews #LocalNews

Vintage tractors, classic machinery and plenty of horsepower were on show as the 2026 TRAACs Vintage Tractor Pull rolled into Red Cliffs! 🚜 Hosted by the Tractor Restoration and Appreciation Club of Sunraysia, the event brought together vintage tractors, engines, cars and trucks, with the main attraction seeing restored tractors put to the test pulling weighted sleds. Sun City News was there to capture the action and meet some of the passionate people keeping Sunraysia’s machinery history alive. Among the competitors were junior members Jackson Kovac and Angus McKenzie, who proved the next generation is ready to carry the tradition forward. We also speak with their families and TRAACs committee member Alan White about restoring old machinery, teaching young people the skills to operate it safely and why attracting younger members is so important to the club’s future. See more at: www.suncitystreaming.com.au Follow us for more local updates & stories. Your NEW hub for Local News in Mildura & Sunraysia! ☀️ #RedCliffs #Mildura #Sunraysia #TractorPull #VintageTractors #TRAACs #TractorRestoration #ClassicTractors #FarmMachinery #VintageMachinery #RegionalVictoria #MilduraEvents #LocalNews