A prestigious regional Victorian independent school has launched its third investigation in five months into allegations of "serious misconduct" in its boys' boarding houses. 

Cheryl Lucas appeared via video link to exercise her right to fast-track her case to the Supreme Court.

Police ask for a fresh coronial inquest into the 1975 disappearance of 12-year-old Terry Floyd as new evidence reignites hopes for justice for the central Victorian boy and his family.

The snowy Wednesday will follow the passage of powerful cold fronts, which are also delivering much needed rain, along with small hail and thunderstorms.

In a bid to conserve water, authorities across the state have been forced to move to very unusual winter restrictions.

Cape Clear is nowhere near the ocean, but it has a lighthouse and a "Viking longship" that residents set alight for the winter solstice.

The latest Australian Early Development Census results show we are going backwards in all five key areas, sparking calls for urgent funding.