The Age photos of the week, October 31, 2026

The Age published its weekly photo gallery on October 31, 2026, featuring twenty images captured by staff photographers and regular contributors. The collection documents diverse events across Victoria and Australia, ranging from political ceremonies and legal proceedings to cultural festivals and personal milestones. The publication highlighted recent developments in local politics, sports, and community issues through visual storytelling. In Canberra, members of parliament gathered at Parliament House on Monday, October 26, 2026, to pay tribute to Helen Haines, the Member for Indi. Monique Ryan, representing Kooyong, Zali Steggall from Warringah, and Sophie Scamps from Mackellar attended the session in the House of Representatives. The gathering marked a formal recognition of Haines within the federal legislative chamber. Legal proceedings dominated several frames. In the Supreme Court, accused High Country killer Greg Lynn was denied bail last week. His son, Geordie Lynn, was photographed leaving the courthouse following the hearing. Separately, Victorian survivors including child sexual assault survivor Kirsten Iosefo called for an independent review panel. This body would assess sexual assault cases reported to police but subsequently dropped or not pursued. Cultural and recreational activities featured prominently in the gallery. At Elmore, near Bendigo, more than 500 participants engaged in DrachenFest, a five-day immersive live-action role-playing festival. Five camps, all maintaining character roles, competed in games and battles. In Fitzroy, Abi Wright, a staff member at costume hire store Rose Chong, dressed as Dolly Parton. The image noted that 2026 had produced numerous iconic pop-culture moments now transforming into Halloween costumes. Other Halloween entertainers included Jessica Robinson as Harley Quinn, Aaron Smith as The Joker, Timmy Hickey as The Mad Hatter, and Margaret Caddy as Wednesday Addams. Sports coverage included racing and motorsport updates. Ciaron Maher is on track to enter a record eight horses in the Melbourne Cup. Kylie Rogers, CEO of the Victoria Racing Club, appeared at Flemington. In motorsport, riders took a farewell lap at Phillip Island after this year’s MotoGP was cancelled due to bad weather. The event will move to Adelaide starting next year, ending three decades of competition at Phillip Island. Community and historical moments were also documented. In Brighton Cemetery, Caulfield South, Mark Lawrence handed war medals belonging to American Civil War veteran Henry Ouseley Blake-Lane to his great-great-great-grandson, 11-year-old Will Blake-Lane. The ceremony took place beside the veteran’s grave. In Northcote, residents Pete and Sarah Goss, who have hosted a street party on Stafford Street each Christmas for over a decade, face cancellation this year. Darebin City Council scrapped its free street-party program and introduced new fees and paperwork requirements. Personal stories and artistic endeavors rounded out the selection. Justine Martin, who lives with multiple sclerosis, posed in front of a self-portrait depicting her life story through illness, disability, and resilience. Artist Hoda Afshar opened a new exhibition titled a/part at Buxton Contemporary. At Elevation Secondary College, year 12 triplets Simon, Saviya, and Savio Eeso were pictured at home before their VCE English exam. Berry Street School principal Katharine Smith met with former student Matthew Wilson-Bronson. Other subjects included St Vincent’s Hospital nurse Julia Schwarcz assessing a patient in the emergency department. Mirik Milan, co-founder of VibeLab and former night mayor of Amsterdam, was photographed separately. Farmer David Bywater and Bec Skilton stood on Bec’s property with the proposed site of the Garfield North quarry visible in the background. A lunch with Ann Peacock at Grill Americano was also captured. Finally, Rob Hirst’s daughter Lex, wife Leslie, and Midnight Oil bandmate Jim Moginie were shown with the late drummer’s rescued kit. These images collectively illustrate the varied scope of the publication’s photographic reporting for the week ending October 31, 2026.