Best photos of 2025: The Age’s year in pictures

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Aboriginal elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe at Camp Sovereignty, a meeting and ceremonial place that Thorpe originally set up during the 2006 Commonwealth Games to bring attention to the plight of Aboriginal people.Credit:Justin McManus

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Convicted murderer Erin Patterson being transported inside a prison van from Morwell Court precinct to Dame Phyllis Frost women’s prison in June.Credit:Jason South

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Mushroom killer Erin Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, looks to the heavens after his second day on the witness stand during the trial in May.Credit:Jason South

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Wild weather with strong winds whips up dust from bare paddocks near Cressy. Farmer Scott Stewart deals with dust as best he can.Credit:Jason South

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Sinead and Alex Forster and their five-month-old son, Noah. The family lost their firstborn, Teddy, last year while Teddy was waiting for a heart transplant. Noah is now receiving treatment for the same condition and may need a heart transplant one day.Credit:Joe Armao

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Police searching a plantation at Porepunkah during the manhunt for Dezi Freeman.Credit:Joe Armao

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A distraught woman is consoled by friends after a fatal shooting in Champions Parade, Wollert.Credit:Jason South

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Reflection of a hot air balloon on a Docklands building.Credit:Joe Armao

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Pacific Blue’s Codrington Wind farm – Australia’s oldest commercial wind farm – is due to shut down in 2027 after just opening in 2001, its owners announced in February.Credit:Jason South

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Kylie Minogue performing at Rod Laver Arena in February.Credit:Joe Armao

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Single mother Beza Gizaw, with son Yeabsira, says her Flemington flat is her haven.Credit:Chris Hopkins

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Mum Aimee used a donor egg from her sister to help create her identical twin daughters, Winnie and Dulcie, born last year, after many rounds of IVF. Credit:Justin McManus

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Tony Mokbel leaves court after getting bail at Victoria’s Court of Appeal in April.Credit:Joe Armao

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Yoorrook Justice Commission Uncle Henry Atkinson (Wollithiga clan) on country at Moira Lakes Barmah Forrest. He made a powerful submission to the Yoorrook Commission on the effects of colonisation on his family and people.Credit:Justin McManus

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Women playing bowls in Altona on a hot February day exceeding 40 degrees in Melbourne.Credit:Jason South

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Julie Freddy at Mejatto Atoll in Marshall Islands. She was born with birth defects consistent with radiation exposure after the US conducted 67 nuclear tests in the area between 1946 and 1958.Credit:Eddie Jim

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Uncle Rick Nelson leads the Dja Dja Wurrung dancers during a ceremony with members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and Premier Jacinta Allan on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Mt Alexander for the second round of regional statewide treaty negotiations. Credit:Justin McManus

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A mostly peaceful protest calling for action to be taken against the police officers who shot Abdifatah Ahmed dead in Footscray. His death caused deep grief in the African community, who called for additional community support in the area, instead of more police.Credit:Jason South

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Travis Lovett unfurls the Aboriginal flag at the top of Mount Noorat during his Yoorrook Justice Commission Walk for Truth. The site was an important meeting place for First Nations people of western Victoria. Credit:Justin McManus

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Quirky scenes inside the dog-friendly Pendant bar in Fitzroy.Credit:Eddie Jim

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Charlie Cameron celebrates during the AFL grand, where Brisbane defeated Geelong.Credit:Joe Armao

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Ngarra Murray takes a moment with the final treaty document during the Statewide Victorian Treaty Cultural Celebration.Credit:Justin McManus

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Wadih Yacoub at age 96, in his Essendon home workshop, Wadih still makes men’s shoes for a high-end Melbourne city shoe shop, McCloud Shoes. He started making shoes when he was 10 years old in Tripoli, Lebanon.Credit:Wayne Taylor

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Yothu Yindi performing Treaty to an ecstatic crowd during a Statewide Treaty Cultural Celebration at John Cain ArenaCredit:Justin McManus

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Musician Warren Ellis from, The Dirty Three and The Bad Seeds, says he “had a breakdown after filming at the sanctuary”Credit:Arsineh Houspian

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Convicted murderer, Erin Patterson’s Barrister Colin Mandy SC Credit:Jason South

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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, second on the grid at Melbourne Grand Prix, Albert ParkCredit:Joe Armao

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Premier Jacinta Allan at a construction site Docklands in MayCredit:Joe Armao

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Convicted mushroom killer, Erin Patterson’s lawyer, Barrister Colin Mandy SCCredit:Jason South

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Benalla Sheep farmers Stuart and Julie Green’s payments for the emergency services levy will double, which adds financial strain during a droughtCredit:Joe Armao

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Police search Mount Buffalo National Park for fugitive Desmond Freeman, following a Porepunkah police shootingCredit:Joe Armao

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Mary Bronstein, writer and director of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, at the opening night film during MIFFCredit:Joe Armao

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Nico Hulkenberg on the track at Melbourne Grand Prix, Albert ParkCredit:Joe Armao

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Kings of Moomba, Sooshi Mango during the Moomba festival parade, Kings DomainCredit:Joe Armao

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4yo Poppy chases a lamb after rainfall turned dusty paddocks into fields of green, giving Benalla Sheep farmers some relief from the drought in JuneCredit:Joe Armao

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Australian international Airshow at Avalon in MarchCredit:Joe Armao

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Former Victoria Police officer Peter de Santo, at Green Point in HamptonCredit:Alex Coppel

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Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman at Anzac Station days before opening to the publicCredit:Joe Armao

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Queensberry Cup, annual billy cart race held North Melbourne in OctoberCredit:Joe Armao

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Jamie Melham after a winning ride with Half Yours at the Melbourne Cup in FlemingtonCredit:Joe Armao

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Jockey John Allen on Ferago at CaulfieldCredit:Joe Armao

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Murder by mushroom, Erin Patterson’s legal team, Lawyer Ophelia Holloway, Barrister Sophie Stafford, Lawyer Bill Doogue and Barrister Colin Mandy SCCredit:Jason South

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The Brisbane Lions celebrate on the siren after defeating the Geelong Cats in the AFL grand final at MCGCredit:Jason South

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Gout Gout on the night of his first 200-metre race against adult men at the Maurie Plant Meet at Lakeside Stadium in MarchCredit:Luke Hemer

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Simon Goodwin at an August press conference at the MCG after it was announced the coach and club would part ways. He wasn’t helped by internal divisions at the DemonsCredit:Jason South

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Jess Wilson, newly elected as the Victorian Liberals’ leader, walking into the chamber in NovemberCredit:Jason South

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Jess Wilson, new leader of the Victorian Liberals walks into Parliament house with husband Aaron Lane and baby Patrick in NovemberCredit:Jason South

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Greg Lynn is lead from the court in handcuffs after his appeal in OctoberCredit:Jason South

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Melbourne Cup horse Torranzino, ridden around “The Bush Track” by Emily Brown. Paul Preusker trained Torranzino won the Geelong Cup to secure a spot in the famous Melbourne Cup raceCredit:Jason South

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Ross Greenhalgh and Jason I’Anson with a zebra pelt at the family run Greenhalgh Tannery, operating for 150 years on the outskirts of BallaratCredit:Jason South

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Co-Chair of the First Peoples assembly Ngarra Murray with the Treaty Bill. The Victorian Treaty bill was voted through the Legislative Council of Victoria after winning the vote 21 to 16Credit:Justin McManus

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Jason I’Anson retrieves pelts from the tumbler at the family run Greenhalgh Tannery Credit:Jason South

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Liv Croagh, and 17-month-old daughter AudreyCredit:Jason South

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Lady Gaga fan, Fotini Koklas in a dress inspired by Gaga’s The Fame (2008) eraCredit:Jason South

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Rhonda Burchmore performs at the Victoria’s much-loved State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne, which is currently undergoing refurbishmentCredit:Jason South

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The ‘Belgrave Wizard’, aka Baba Desi, aka Des Bergpin is a much-loved identity in the Dandenong RangesCredit:Wayne Taylor

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Fashion designer Samuel Lewis with model Sascha Rose from Chadwick models in one of his designs based in part on medieval chain mailCredit:Simon Schluter

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Melbourne couturier Sonia Cappellazzo’s grey tulle gown (modelled by Charley Wakelin) and a strapless Van Der Kooij dress (modelled by Ursula Wlazlo) at the Royal Exhibition Building ahead of the Melbourne Fashion festival in FebruaryCredit:Simon Schluter

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Travis Lovett makes his way up the steps of Parliament to complete the Yoorrook Justice Commission Walk for Truth. The walk began in Portland, the first site of colonisation in Victoria and finished at Parliament House on June 18th. The walk was conceived by Yoorrook Justice Commissioner Travis Lovett with the aim to inform the Victorian community about the historical truths of colonisation and the ongoing effects on First Nation people across VictoriaCredit:Justin McManus

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CFA volunteers at Ararat last summerCredit:Simon Schluter

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ANU teachers protesting outside Ben Carroll’s office in Niddrie in JuneCredit:Eddie Jim

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Brisbane Lions, Lachie Neale celebrates after winning the AFL Grand Final against Geelong Cats at the MCGCredit:Eddie Jim

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Melbourne Cup winning Jockey Jamie Melham celebrates after her victory riding horse, Half Yours Credit:Eddie Jim

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Funeral for police officer, Vadim De Waart at the Police Academy, Glen Waverley after being killed while on duty in PorepunkahCredit:Eddie Jim

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Melton Mayor Steve Abboushi wants more state action on illegal dumping.Credit:Paul Jeffers

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Eighty-year-old costume legend Rose Chong, putting the finishing touches on 60 costumes she designed for Melbourne Opera’s production of Samson and Delilah in MayCredit:Eddie Jim

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Collingwood AFLW skipper Ruby SchleicherCredit:Eddie Jim

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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc during a practise session during the Grand Prix, Albert ParkCredit:Eddie Jim

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Andi Snelling ahead of her production Happy Go Wrong in JuneCredit:Eddie Jim

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Australian Open 2025, Men’s singles third round Alex de MinaurCredit:Eddie Jim

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Australian Ballet dancers Larissa Kiyoto-Ward, Lilla Harvey and Elijah TrevittCredit:Eddie Jim

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Nick Kyrgios returned to the Australian Open in 2025 after a three-year lay-offCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Street food vendors grill at the Dandenong Ramadan festival, DandenongCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Ballan CFA crew members Billy Smith, Matt Gorman and Ben Hatfield.Credit:Alex Coppel

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‘March for Australia’ rally in August, turned violent as right-wing groups, including the NSN, clashed with anti-fascist groups in MelbourneCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Reverend Father George Frangos at the Greek Orthodox Church in ThomastownCredit:Simon Schluter

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91-year-old Me Hui Gong, a keen dancer and advocate for healthy living, dances in her living room in her public housing unit, North MelbourneCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Alex de Minaur celebrates his third-round win over Francisco Cerundolo at the 2025 Australian OpenCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Tyrone Cannon, originally from Mobile, Alabama, USA at the 2025 Melbourne Cup, FlemingtonCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Harris Henderson, 18 (Torquay), and Mackie Hunter, 19 (Portsea), will travel to California with the Lifesaving Victoria Wieland Shield representative teamCredit:Chris Hopkins

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John “Two Guns” Walker. The former Banditos bikie Seargent at Arms and boxer was sacked from his role as a CFMEU shop steward amid the ‘Building Bad’ investigation by Nine mediaCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Ooti and Meliki, Dingo’s at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre, Toolern ValeCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Paul Levey was one of serial paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale’s victims. Abused daily as a child by Ridsdale at a presbytery in Mortlake, Paul is relieved the child abuser has now died aged 90Credit:Chris Hopkins

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Drummer Lars Ulrich and lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield of Metallica on stage during the band’s M72 World Tour concert at Marvel Stadium in NovemberCredit:Paul Rovere

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Alex de Minaur in action in his second round win over Tristan Boyer on Rod Laver Arena at the 2025 Australian OpenCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Surf Lifesaver, Mackie Hunter, 19 (Portsea) in training for the Lifesaving Victoria Wieland Shield representative teamCredit:Chris Hopkins

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Fashion designer Jason Grech and model Portia Jade Talib at the Melbourne Recital CentreCredit:Alex Coppel

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Sheep farmer Duncan Barber on his Coliban Park property near Redesdale in VictoriaCredit:Alex Coppel

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Abbotsford Primary School parents with their children. From left: Lorena Burns with Ben, 7, and Tom, 5; Ben Luk with Emma, 7; Jieh-Yung Lo with Hopelyn, 7; and Suk-yi Lo with Callum, 8 and Raelyn, 10. Abbotsford Primary is a bilingual school where students are taught in English and Mandarin. Victoria has more than 15 bilingual government schools.Credit:Paul Jeffers

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Aspiring F1 driver Alana Gurney is one of Australia’s top female karting talentsCredit:Paul Jeffers

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Brandon Lay and Tenisha Lim from Taylor’s Hill celebrate a $150 win at their first time at the races in the general admission area at the Caulfield CupCredit:Penny Stephens

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Reverend Bill Morgan turned 110 in October. He was at home at Cumberland View Aged Care, Wheelers Hill, surrounded by family, including great-grandson Flynn, 7yrsCredit:PENNY STEPHENS

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Melbourne artist Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis with her piece that won the Telstra Multimedia Award at the 2025 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards titled Pitta Pitta (Extracted) and Pitta Pitta (Googles Gaze) 2025. The NATSIAA show was at the Museum and Art Gallery of NT in DarwinCredit:PENNY STEPHENS

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Zoe Daniel claimed victory on election night but on the final count Tim Wilson was victorious by 260 votes in MayCredit:Penny Stephens

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Sara Puhar with children Freddie, 5, and Luna, 8 near their home in YarravilleCredit:Luis Enrique Ascui

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Police and Victory fans march under the Swan Street Bridge ahead of the A League finals in MelbourneCredit:Luis Enrique Ascui

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Hume City Council councillor Jim Overend in front of the Craigieburn Community Hospital. Construction on the community hospital has been finished for months; however, it’s been fenced off and non-operationalCredit:Luis Enrique Ascui

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Rabbi Dovid Gutnick outside the charred entrance to the East Melbourne Synagogue after an arson attack in JulyCredit:Aaron Francis

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Daniel Xu in the crawl space under the house he bought where he discovered a full train setCredit:Aaron Francis

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Newcastle Jets celebrate during the 2025 Australia Cup final between Heidelberg United and Newcastle Jets at Lakeside Stadium in OctoberCredit:Luke Hemer