Jason Vincent Piperno is probably lucky his fiancée shares his devotion to sneakers.

That's because the 32-year-old has spent thousands of dollars on around 250 pairs packed into his Melbourne apartment.

And it appears he is not the only one happy to invest in a fresh pair of kicks, with the global sneaker market projected to be worth $150 million by 2025, according to Statista.

That's a $47 million boost from 2020 when it was valued at $103 million.

Piperno's obsession started when he was a child in the '90s watching basketball star Michael Jordan, who has become as well known for his kicks as his sporting prowess.

The six-time NBA champion hasn't played professional basketball for decades, yet shoes from his iconic Air Jordan range remain some of the most sought-after, some selling for over $100,000.

Piperno, who has onsold shoes to find them skyrocket in value, attributed a boom in sneaker interest partly to The Last Dance, a documentary about Jordan's meteoric rise which also discusses his style and the launch of his very fruitful Nike deal. 

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"I was into watching the sport but I never really played basketball, it was more about the fashion," Piperno told 9news.com.au.

His first pair of sneakers were Nike Air Jordan 5 Metallics which he bought when he was 18.

When he was in his 20s he'd line up overnight to get the newest shoes when they went on sale.

But Jordan isn't the only contributor to the popularity of sneakers.

An acceptance of casual wear came with COVID-19 lockdowns, while rappers and hip-hop artists also showcase premium sneaker brands.

"Streetwear is more popular in general than it used to be," the Melbourne man said.

To sell or not to sell? That is the collector's question

Some sneaker releases are so popular fans have to enter a raffle in-person, or more recently online, to even have the chance to buy them.

Piperno "won" the opportunity to snap up a sought-after $350 pair of Nike Air Yeezy 2 in Solar Red, designed by rapper Kanye West.

Piperno then sold them on to another fan for $3000.

That price seems steep, but if he'd hung onto them for longer, he could've made triple.

"At the moment they're probably worth around $10,000… that's life," he said.

The priciest kicks in his wardrobe are the $3000 Air Jordan 1 x Off-Whites, a collaboration the brand did with late fashion designer Virgil Abloh.

He wears most of his sneakers, but some of the more extravagant purchases "just sit there because they're too nice".

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"I wear the majority of them, probably around 75 per cent," he said.

Piperno is a DJ, but sneakers play a big role in his main gig as a content creator for fashion brands. 

The avid collector is currently hunting for an addition worth up to $9000; a pair of Nike x Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s.

But sneakerheads must be wary of fakes.

Some online shops offer authentications, while guides found on the internet can also help fans identify knock-offs. 

Limited numbers drive sneaker fans

Melbourne brothers Nate and Alex Orton run a streetwear label and describe themselves as sneaker experts.

They said those who end up wearing their treasured kicks may have splashed out more than once for the pleasure. 

"A lot of people buy things in doubles," Alex said.

"They'll buy a pair to stock and they'll buy a pair to rock."

They said brands, like Nike, are engrossing sneaker collectors as they are releasing culturally significant limited editions, which are "big draw cards". 

"You're buying a moment in time," Nate said. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5sjsgNx-P/?hl=en

The Air Jordan 1 Chicago was first released in 1985 and pairs have reportedly sold for over $100,000.

A reissue is about to be unleashed to fans, with the familiar Chicago Bulls red, white and black colourway designed to "look old".

Even the shoe box is set to be "weathered", playing into the historical value.

For most people, a pair of new sneakers start at around $100, but collectors know rare examples can fetch 10 times that on the resale market. 

How much do the most sought-after sneakers sell for? 

1. Jordan 1 OG Chicago (1985): $135k
2. Nike SB Dunk Low Paris: $70k
3. Adidas x Pharrell x Chanel Human Race Trail: $65k
4. Nike Air Yeezy Red October: $60k
5. Nike Air Force 1 ComplexCon: $55k

The sneaker and streetwear convention, SNEAKERLAND, is on at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre today.

Grieving Rotorua mum Nikki Heath believes she has met the man who has her son’s heart beating in his chest.Joshua Heath was just 19 when he died after a friend – drunk and stoned at the wheel – lost control of the car they were…

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The Liberal Party has accused the independent Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) of deliberately interfering in the upcoming Victorian election.

The Victorian Liberal party's state director has released a statement declaring he is "deeply concerned" the VEC has interfered with the election after it yesterday announced it had referred its investigation of Matthew Guy and Mitch Catlin to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).

Sam McQuestin's broadside comes after the VEC also said it had not received full cooperation from those involved its investigation.

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https://twitter.com/msanto92/status/1593446389693890562

McQuestin said he had instructed the party's lawyers to write to the VEC, asking it to publicly declare members of the Liberal Party had cooperated with its enquiries.

The lawyers have also called for VEC communications director Sue Lang to be stood down after an interview she did today with 3AW.

"The people we invited to speak with us, did not satisfy our inquiries," Lang told host Neil Mitchell.

"We received no satisfactory response from anybody."

The cease and desist letter argues the VEC's actions had "…an intent to damage the Liberal Party in the State Election… which could potentially erode trust in the electoral process".

The VEC on Friday evening issued a statement in response, saying its activities are not "subject to a moratorium in the lead up to an election".

"As the independent, impartial body responsible for conducting elections and administering electoral laws on behalf of all Victorians, the VEC does not change its regulatory approach as election day nears," Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said.

"All of us at the VEC are committed to conducting a safe and secure election for all Victorians, and I have every confidence in our ability to do so.

"I remain firmly committed to my role as Victoria's independent electoral administrator and my actions and decisions are taken accordingly.

"This includes the decision to act, or not to act."

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Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has insisted he has done nothing wrong, saying he has complied with the VEC's investigation.

"I have complied to the full extent of the law – totally. What more would you want from me?'" he said today.

He was out in Werribee, where he announced that he will establish Victoria's first 'Special Economic Zone' in East Werribee to help boost jobs, if he is elected next week.

Businesses established in the zone would pay no payroll tax for at least four years and would receive discounted land tax and stamp duty, and be able to apply directly to the Planning Minister for expedited planning approvals.

Meanwhile, Premier Daniel Andrews today announced that if he is re-elected, he will put $16 million toward training another 40 Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedics for the state.

He said he'd also put $10 million towards creating a Centre for Paramedicine to assist with training paramedics in future.

Experts are predicting the days of cheap airfares are over, with flight prices to remain high well into 2024, due to the new concept of "travel revenge".

There are multiple reasons why prices are so high, which are mainly due to capacity, fuel and business issues.

Two years of limited flights due to COVID-19 means there are simply not enough aircraft and staff ready to go.

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Then there's the price of aviation fuel, which has doubled this year alone, thanks in part to the war in Ukraine.

Businesses are also not flying as much, due to work-from-home lifestyles, which means the lack of business-class ticket income is passed on to all customers.

Travel expert Quentin Long said airlines were taking advantage of people's desperation to go on holidays.

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"We're in this world of revenge travel where 'no matter how much it costs I just want to travel so will pay anything'," Long said.

"The airlines know this and they actually can charge anything they like."

In some cases, travellers have been paying as much as $1000 to fly from Sydney to Melbourne or Adelaide.

If you're willing to fly mid-week, outside peak times, and you're not fussed with what airline you fly with, it is still possible to fly to Melbourne from Sydney before Christmas for $149.

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"I don't think we'll ever get back to the crazy prices of 2018 when we had Qantas and Virgin going head to head in a death-by-a-thousand-cuts battle but we will see them return to some sort of normality in 2024," Long said.

For now, the best advice is to keep an eye out for one-off sales, like Black Friday sales.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of a person who is deceased.

Indigenous teenager Cassius Turvey has been farewelled by 500 loved ones at an emotional private funeral.

The 15-year-old died from injuries sustained when he was allegedly beaten while walking home from school in Perth.

On Friday his family, including mother Mechelle, gathered to remember the loveable, warm boy.

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Turvey's cousin, Saraia Radcliffe, was born on the same day as him, and spoke about their close relationship which spanned their entire lives.

"Even when I got married I wanted him to walk me down the aisle," she said.

"Cassius, I cherish your memory. You'll forever be 15 and I'll forever be heartbroken.

"I love and miss you."

The teenager was also remembered fondly by teachers as having a smile that "lit up the darkest day".

READ MORE: Thousands gather across Australia in tribute to Cassius Turvey

George Sekulla, the Principal of Swan View Senior High School, told mourners: "I wish I had a class of students just like Cassius".

"The only student in the entire school who would go out of his way to open doors for staff," he said.

Adam Desmond, from Abogirinal community organisation Binar Sports, recalled being shocked to hear the news of Turvey's death.

"After hearing what happened it didn't make any sense at all. The loveable kind man he was," he said.

"Who could ever want to hurt him is what was going through my mind.

"I can't even imagine the hole that has been left with his family.

"Our community would be a bit better if we were all a bit more like Cassius. Accepting over everyone regardless of gender, age, race."

After the funeral, there was a solemn procession to his final resting place at Guilford Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with his father, who died a few months ago.

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Emergency services have found a "life-like mannequin" during their extensive search for missing Eugowra man Ljubisa 'Les' Vugec.

Vugec was last seen four days ago at his home on Evelyn Street, prompting police to expand their search for the missing 85-year-old.

During the New South Wale Central West search various items, including the mannequin, were found.

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It comes as police feared a third person was missing yesterday, after a woman said she saw a body in floodwaters while she was being rescued.

Since those initial fears no other residents were reported missing.

On Wednesday, the floods turned deadly when the body of missing woman believed to be Dianne Smith, 60, was found by police.

Police rescue, the bomb disposal unit, the Regional Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES) and the Volunteer Rescue Association are working together in searching the extensive flood area for Vugec.

It comes as the NSW town of Condobolin is facing its worst flood on record as water flows down the Lachlan River from Forbes.

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The SES has issued evacuation orders for Bedgerabong, Darlington Point and Tilpa as well as several "watch and act" warnings for towns in the Central West.

Currently, there are 109 warnings in place across the state.

Developments are fast-moving and NSW residents can check the most up-to-date warnings at the SES website here

The NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was confronted by an angry Eugowra resident this when he was assessing the region's damage with his team this morning.

The government has promised to rebuild the town "stronger than it was before" and is providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants.

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Forbes floodwaters reached their peak yesterday but the water is not expected to recede until the weekend.

Residents, who faced their second flood evacuation in two weeks, are starting to get a glimpse of the mammoth cleanup that is ahead of them. 

A woman has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years for killing her husband after years of violent abuse, but will be immediately eligible for parole.

Jean Louise Herholdt faced the Queensland Supreme Court on Friday for sentencing for the manslaughter of Sean Murray, 35, on August 27, 2020.

The 30-year-old had pleaded guilty this week and admitted to stabbing Murray once in the back at their Murrumba Downs property, north of Brisbane, after he had beaten her.

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Justice Peter Davis said Murray had inflicted a long list of "appalling" acts of domestic abuse including threats to kill her with a knife.

"There is no doubt that Mr Murray was physically violent towards you and injured you in other ways as well," Justice Davis said.

"However, Mr Murray had a family and he also had rights. A victim impact statement demonstrates the hurt which his family has suffered as a result of his death and of course he lost his life.

"Notwithstanding the sympathy you legitimately attract as a victim of domestic violence, the fact remains that you unlawfully killed Mr Murray."

A CCTV camera at the property recorded audio of the lead up to the stabbing, during which Herholdt demanded Murray return a sum of hidden money to her.

Justice Davis accepted that the cash was "particularly important" to Herholdt as it represented her means of escape from Murray with her children.

"That does not give lawful excuse for your offence, but in a human way it is understandable," Justice Davis said.

Justice Davis accepted Herholdt did not intend to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to Murray when she stabbed him, leaving a 15-centimetre deep wound that punctured an artery and his lung.

Once Herholdt realised the seriousness of the injury, she put pressure on Murray's wound.

Crown prosecutors had sought a nine-year sentence for Herholdt on the basis she used a weapon for retaliation rather than self-defence and that the offending was witnessed by children.

Defence barrister Andrew Hoare sought immediate release, but Justice Davis said it was the clear intention of parliament that no sentence greater than five years be suspended.

Justice Davis accepted Herholdt had been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder following an abusive childhood and was unlikely to re-offend.

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He sentenced Herholdt to seven-and-a-half years in prison, with her parole eligibility period to start on Friday following her previous 27 months in custody.

Justice Davis imposed no further penalties for Herholdt's guilty pleas to possessing cannabis plants and drug paraphernalia.

Herholdt could be released within the next six months if she successfully applies for parole.

Large crocodiles are being fitted with GPS devices to determine why they are congregating in large numbers just down the coast from one of Australia's most popular beachside holiday locations.

An unusually high number of big crocs are living in the Prosperpine River, a short swim from Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands.

Now Queensland Department of Environment and Science are trying to figure out why they are staying there.

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"Estuarine crocodiles are highly territorial animals, and once a population reaches carrying capacity, less dominant animals are usually forced out of the river and search for vacant territory in another river," Program Coordinator Dr Matt Brien said.

"To find new territory, crocodiles will use the ocean and we want to know where they go once they leave the Proserpine River."

To do so, officials in the department left baited traps to lure some of the river's biggest crocodiles.

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Once trapped, the crocs were fitted with GPS satellite telemetry devices to the tops of their necks.

"The trackers will remain fixed to the crocodiles for at least twelve months before dropping off, and we may attach more depending on what we will find," Brien said.

"Many studies have detailed the movement patterns of larger estuarine crocodiles, and found the species is capable of travelling long distances within and between river systems."

The department released a list of hints to avoid being taken by a crocodile.

• Expect crocodiles in all north Queensland waterways even if there is no warning sign

• Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe

• Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night

• Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating

• The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks

• Stand back from the water's edge when fishing and don't wade in to retrieve a lure

• Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water

• Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near water, campsite or boat ramp

• Never provoke, harass or feed crocs

• Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead