WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026
SURREY HILLS ‘LAWYER’ ARRESTED ■ Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have charged a woman following an investigation into allegations an employee was purporting to be a qualified solicitor without a law degree or an Australian practicing certificate. A 42-year-old Surrey Hills woman was arrested on Monday morning (Feb. 9) and has since been charged with five counts of obtain financial advantage by deception and prohibition on engaging in legal practice by an unqualified entity. She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 16. Police will allege the woman had been practicing unqualified as legal counsel at a number of firms since 2019, receiving over $1.4M in salary.
Well done Gavin
● Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
■ Kew MLA Jess Wilson has praised Balwyn sports identity Gavin Collopy for his contribution as President of the Balwyn Saints and Blasters Cricket Club. “I have known Gavin for many years and had the privilege to work with him and witness his tireless work firsthand. “Gavin first became president in 2010 and has played a central role in building the club into what it is today. When he started, there were just over three senior men’s teams.”
30-MINUTE WAIT ON LILYDALE LINE OFF-PEAK PROBLEM FOR RAIL USERS ■ Croydon MLA David Hodgett says that Lilydale rail line passengers now have to wait up to 30 minutes for a train, despite State Government publicity promising less waiting times. “My constituency question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport [Gabrielle Williams],” Mr Hodgett said in the Legislative Assembly last week. “When will the train timetable on the Lilydale line be improved so that commuters are no longer required to wait 30 minutes between services during the off-peak period? “The recent opening of the Metro Tunnel was promoted as improving the regularity of trains across the network. “However, there are no timetable changes for commuters along the Lilydale and Belgrave lines. “These lines have the longest wait times across the network during the off-peak period, and should a connecting bus be running five minutes late, travellers are then forced to wait exceptionally long periods while waiting for the next service. “The Lilydale and Belgrave railway users and commuters deserve the same level of service as the rest of the network has,” Mr Hodgett said.
● David Hodgett MLA