Victoria - you’ve let yourself go

Readers list their problems with Victoria’s infrastructure from potholed roads to V line failures.

Victoria is experiencing a societal sourness that has made too many people more aggressive, rude, impatient, selfish and sometimes violent.

Age readers respond to the state of politics, locally, statewide and nationally.

The Emerson has been put into administration after a turbulent six months that included two firebombings and a drive-by shooting while patrons partied inside.

“This case stands as a reminder that consent is never conditional, negotiable, or diminished by a person’s occupation,” the victim said.

Authorities have confirmed a penguin has died as the state grapples with the deadly H5 bird flu outbreak.

An investigation of the business and property dealings of One Nation’s first group of Victorian election candidates has also discovered one is the daughter of a former fraudster.

The week in photos from our award-winning staff photographers and regular contributors at The Age.

The payments went to Mick Gatto as the company allegedly sought to smooth problems with the CFMEU.

The former construction union boss has faced court over alleged menacing social media posts about a former CFMEU administrator.

The former construction union boss has faced court, after he was arrested on Friday morning.

Readers react to the nationwide protests by students against One Nation.

Patrick Stephenson was taken back to the Melbourne Assessment Prison on Friday after undergoing a medical assessment.

Patrick Stephenson was reportedly taken from the Melbourne Assessment Prison to hospital today.

After a royal commission and much lofty language, the state’s mental health system is at risk of ending up where it started - in crisis.

When dementia patient Helen thought she was abandoned, a small act of kindness changed her life. Now her family fears she’ll lose access to the very service that helped her.

A threatening letter demanding $100,000 from the Bulldogs coach was written on the back of a hotel bill that included the real name of the person who sent the threat.

Once a beloved lockdown hero praised by top chefs, Melbourne’s 1800 Lasagne has been accused by staff of hiding a culture of abuse and financial chaos.

The former construction union boss is due to face court after he was arrested on Friday morning.

Test your knowledge of Melbourne and Victoria with Stephen Brook’s quiz.

Did someone steal these frogs and relocate them to a city park?

Readers respond to Anthony Albanese’s podcast appearance, and the state of federal politics.

The vision shows the moment a young child is dragged along after his legs became trapped in the bus doors.

Academics say Iranian students are being unfairly prevented from researching fields such as medicine, food science and architecture.

Nick Reece is scrambling to repair his relationship with the Salvation Army and Melbourne City Mission after failing to deliver funding he promised to both charities in his election campaign.

Pauline Hanson’s political rivals had encouraged students not to skip their classes, but thousands took to the streets in Melbourne on Thursday.

Victoria is set to record its highest ever number of infections caused by a dangerous strain of bacteria that has led to two toddlers being hospitalised.

How and where will we fit our growing population? Will Melbourne become a megacity? What about affordable housing? The world’s best minds canvass these questions and more at Melbourne Assembly.

Portland, Victoria, hosts Australia’s only mainland breeding colony of Australasian Gannets. Footage: Peter Corbett

The verdict from workers is in on Victoria’s mental health system five years after the royal commission – and it doesn’t make for happy reading.