The Age photos of the week, May 16, 2026

1/25

Netball Mum, Melbourne Vixens player Emily Mannix and her toddler Mabel.Credit:Justin McManus

2/25

Rachel Medlock and her 4-year-old son Sonny. Sonny receives NDIS support for autism. The family is concerned about cuts to the scheme in the 2026-27 budget.Credit:Chris Hopkins

3/25

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria new co-chairs and Djaran Murray-Jackson and Meriki Onus.Credit:Justin McManus

4/25

A new Salvos café coming to Footscray promises to bring more social services for people doing it tough. However, businesses say it will only attract more drugs and alcohol to an area already in crisis, and it isn’t a silver bullet for Footscray businesses like Khartoum Cafe owner Hamada Ahmed.Credit:Jason South

5/25

Lunch with Irish crime novelist Dervla McTiernan at Rosyln Thai Cafe.Credit:Chris Hopkins

6/25

Justine Spokes, Isla Bell’s mother, the grieving family of Melbourne woman Isla Bell are devastated after murder and manslaughter charges were dropped against the man accused of killing the 19-year-old and putting her body in a fridge.Credit:Eddie Jim

7/25

Elizabeth Coyle, migrant and hospitality worker talks about working conditions across Melbourne venues.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

8/25

Geelong footballer Tom Stewart, pictured with his wife Emma, and children Arthur and Charlie ahead of his 200th game against Collingwood last Saturday.Credit:Ruby Alexander

9/25

Ringwood Secondary College principal Rosina Fotia alongside students Miranda Wainwright and Liam Groseclos. Ringwood Secondary College principal Rosina Fotia alongside students Miranda Wainwright and Liam Groseclos. Ringwood Secondary College is among the top 10 schools that offer the most VCE subjects in the state.Credit:Ruby Alexander

10/25

Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrives at Parliament House for an interview ahead of the budget.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

11/25

Banyule City Council deputy mayor Rick Garotti, vicar Stephen Monsiegneur and resident Brendan Murphy at St Peter’s Anglican Church in Bundoora. They have founded WARM - Winter Accommodation Resource Movement - a volunteer run program enabling homeless people to sleep inside four churches in North Eastern Melbourne this winter including this one in Bundoora.Credit:Penny Stephens

12/25

Atong Atem, Melbourne-based artist originally from South Sudan.Credit:Ruby Alexander

13/25

Rebekah Beddoe at home in South Eastern Melbourne, had many medications prescribed to her after becoming distressed following having a baby, and the combination of these caused her huge health issues when all she needed was support. Credit:Chris Hopkins

14/25

Alpaca farmer Jodi Ramadge on her farm at Yellingbo. More farmers are raising alpacas for wool, meat and to protect their flocks of sheep.Credit:Justin McManus

15/25

Toby enjoys a snack with fellow students at Melton Specialist School, which has been providing meals to some of its students, many of whom have intellectual disabilities and neurodiversity, Families are noticing their kids are eating foods they would have never touched as part of their routines at home. Credit:Joe Armao

16/25

Gordon Chong and Jerry Fong are bringing fresh durian to Australia on overnight flights from Malaysia.Credit:Ruby Alexander

17/25

Chief Commissioner Mike Bush awarded Sergeant Brad Dettman (3rd from right) the Medal for Courage For his swift and courageous actions, under dangerous and volatile operational circumstances, in responding to an active shooter incident in Mordialloc, 2022 along with other award recipients at Victoria Police Academy.Credit:Joe Armao

18/25

Senior Associate and Lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, James Marsden-Smith helped Royal Australian Air Force veteran Bob Cesar successfully take on the federal government. A landmark case that could pave the way for others like Bob to sue the government for putting their lives at risk. Credit:Chris Hopkins

19/25

Major-General Jason Blain, the most senior Australian Defence Force officer in Melbourne, stands in the Cabinet War Room at Victoria Barracks.Credit:Jason South

20/25

David Hamilton, head of Southbank residents group at Victoria Barracks on St Kilda Road.Credit:Paul Jeffers