Behind the Photos

Behind the Photos

How an awkward stay-at-home mum from rural Victoria gained global notoriety

For 10 weeks in 2025, the world tuned in to try to understand what motivated Erin Patterson to cook a poisoned family meal that would ultimately kill three of her four guests.

• Today, 5.30am
• by Marta Pascual Juanola

Behind the Photos

When desperate farmers prayed for rain in the midst of a hidden drought

The Green family survived a major drought on their sheep farm. I got a front-row seat to the challenges they overcame.

• January 4, 2026
• by Benjamin Preiss

The day bagpipers stormed Fed Square ... with a little help from AC/DC

They came to set a new world record. And with the help of Accadacca’s Long Way to the Top, the kilted musicians got there.

• January 3, 2026
• by Karl Quinn

How a late-night parliamentary vote fuelled by dim sims changed voluntary assisted dying laws

Despite being the first Australian state to legalise voluntary assisted dying, Victoria had a conservative scheme that left people like Glenn Mack suffering.

• January 2, 2026
• by Rachel Eddie

Behind the Photos

As mourners gathered to remember an underworld kingpin, the coffin stood empty

After he was gunned down in a parking garage, it was Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim’s funeral – not his death – that became underworld lore in 2025.

• January 1, 2026
• by Chris Vedelago

Behind the Photos

Ambushing a premier, leading marches: How neo-Nazis grabbed the spotlight in 2025

Experts say they have never seen Australia’s neo-Nazis as emboldened as they were in 2025. But under new crackdowns, they’ll have to fight to stay in the frame.

• December 31, 2025
• by Sherryn Groch

Behind the Photos

Dutton, Hamer and the image that became an instant election meme

Covering the federal election in the blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Kooyong was always going to be exciting. But I could not have expected just how wild it became.

• December 30, 2025
• by Rachael Dexter