Surrounded but disconnected: Uni life is getting lonelier
University students are feeling increasngly socially disconnected. Research finds that factors like social media, poor mental health and general social disconnection are all factors.
Latest News
Ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel extended
The announcement by US President Donald Trump comes after a meeting with ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon.
The Upstart weekend sports preview: Blockbuster Anzac Day weekend of sport
An important weekend of sport kicks off in Melbourne with AFL at the MCG, Rugby League at AAMI Park, and a netball grand final rematch.
ASIC warns ‘finfluencers’ over unlicensed financial advice
ASIC fears that these ‘finfluencers’ have been providing financial advice without a license on social media platforms.
Ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel extended
The announcement by US President Donald Trump comes after a meeting with ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon.
The Upstart weekend sports preview: Blockbuster Anzac Day weekend of sport
An important weekend of sport kicks off in Melbourne with AFL at the MCG, Rugby League at AAMI Park, and a netball grand final rematch.
ASIC warns ‘finfluencers’ over unlicensed financial advice
ASIC fears that these ‘finfluencers’ have been providing financial advice without a license on social media platforms.
Politics and Society
Fostering elder wellbeing through social connection
Caesia Gardens in Caroline Springs is just one retirement village trying to foster greater connection and wellbeing through social outings and activities among its residents.
Banchory Grove shopping centre opening highlights infrastructure lag in the west
The long-awaited Banchory Grove Shopping Centre has opened in Hillside, giving locals relief from overburdened centres. But as the population of Melbourne’s west continues to rise, is it enough?
The AI technology making accessibility inroads for those with disabilities
Rapidly developing AI technology is making big strides to increase accessibility through methods like voice banking and eye gaze technology—for those who want to use it.
Ending period poverty: Free pads and tampons now accessible in CBD
Melbourne’s CBD is reshaping public access to menstrual products, and locals and travellers alike are expressing their relief.
Culture and Lifestyle
Surrounded but disconnected: Uni life is getting lonelier
University students are feeling increasngly socially disconnected. Research finds that factors like social media, poor mental health and general social disconnection are all factors.
Why do some areas still struggle to break free of the old western suburbs stigma?
Over the past 20 years, many of Melbourne’s western suburbs have become chic, multicultural havens while others haven’t been able to shake off the old associations.
New sapphic dance show fills gap in Melbourne queer scene
Over the years, more and more queer events have emerged locally, but many young Melburnians share the sentiment that we could always have more performances for and by sapphics.
Griffith’s Italian legacy lives on through salami, locals and wine.
Approximately 60 percent of the small NSW town of Griffith’s population claim Italian heritage, which is kept alive by annual events like the annual Salami Festival.
Sport
Are rural netball clubs facing a volunteer burnout crisis?
As volunteer numbers drop, rural clubs that rely almost entirely on community goodwill are facing challenges to keep the game alive.
‘There’s a lot of grey’: Does rugby union have an officiating issue?
Over the past few years rugby union referees have come under increasing scrutiny from players, coaches and fans for their on-field decisions. Is it the referee’s fault or is the sport just too complicated?
Tradition reborn: Is the AFLW ripe for an International Rules comeback?
From Croke Park to Ikon Park, Ireland’s growing AFLW presence raises the question: should there be an International Rules comeback?
An uphill battle: EVs challenge motorsport’s hill climb tradition
Last year, the Rob Roy Hillclimb held Australia’s first electric vehicle-only hill climb, bringing one of the oldest forms of motorsport into the future.
Arts and Media
Real people, fake stories: The moral grey zone of playing with AI and creative works
Among the many creative forms of play it provides, generative AI enables you to place real people inside famous fiction works, but what issues could this raise?
“A soap opera that is customised to me”: Using AI for personalised entertainment
By plugging in a few brief parameters, AI can now generate entire poems, images and works of fiction. People aren’t just using it for monetary gain, they’re using it to tailor their personal entertainment.
Sometimes it’s the “wrong people dying”. Why some military conflicts go unseen.
Despite there being the highest number of active military conflicts occuring across the globe since the second World War, many go under-reported in Australian media.
Melbourne’s techno scene: Helped or hindered by social media?
Techno music has again become the average young Melburnian’s genre of choice. Soaring in popularity since 2021, the techno music scene has a lot to thank social media for… or does it?
La Trobe Live
Students react to La Trobe’s approach to AI education
As La Trobe embraces new AI partnership, students have raised questions regarding misuse, trust, and the role of technology in education.
Upstart Broadcast – Show 3, Semester 1, 2025
The full broadcast of Upstart Broadcast’s third show for semester 1 in 2025.
Upstart Broadcast – Show 3, Semester 2, 2025
The full broadcast of Upstart Broadcast’s third show for semester 2 in 2025.
La Trobe’s LaunchPad program takes flight
A new program designed to help business ideas take off gets underway in Bundoora.