More than 1000 friends and family have packed out Melbourne's Junction Oval to farewell a beloved teenager tragically killed in a cricket training accident last month.

Ben Austin, 17, died in hospital days after he was fatally hit by a cricket ball in his head and neck area while at training in Ferntree Gully on October 29.

The Shane Warne Stand was a sea of 1100 of the teen's friends, family and members of the public today.

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Mourners were encouraged to wear their cricket club tops, scarves or a splash of colour.

Ben's closest loved ones sat on chairs in the middle of the grounds, where his Collingwood Football Club-adorned coffin was displayed.

The Magpies' 2023 premiership cup had pride of place at the service, on a table next to a framed photo of Ben, a Sherrin football bearing his name, and a cricket bat inscribed with his Ferntree Gully Cricket Club cap number 512.

His father Jace – wearing Ben's number 512 cricket cap – his cricket coach and other family members were among those to eulogise the talented young sportsman.

"Ben Andrew Austin, 17 years, 19 days, five hours, you lit up the world. Your mum and I have never been prouder," Mr Austin said.

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"The best goal you ever scored or four you ever hit wasn't on the field, but it was when your soul chose us as your family.

"Our first achievement and greatest love."

Mr Austin said the family found peace knowing Ben would join his cousins and nana on the other side.

"But mostly playing cricket with Warnie and Phil Hughes will be high on the list," Jace said.

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Ferntree Gully Cricket Club coach Josh Henry remembered Ben as "the perfect young man".

"Only the other week, a new left-handed batsman turned up to training without gear," Henry said.

"I asked Benny if the kid could borrow his. Without hesitation – yes.

"Not only did he lend it, he helped the boy pad up, doing the straps, fitting the gloves, making sure he was ready, that's who Benny was.

"Anything, for anyone, anytime. A heart of gold."

Ben's coffin was carried from the ground by Ben's friends and teammates into a hearse which performed a lap of honour around the ground at the end of the service.

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Inspectors found leaking ceilings, broken guttering and missing smoke alarms.

A woman has been taken to hospital after she was hit a wrench thrown during a brawl involving four men in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Just after 12.45pm on Monday, police were called to McKeon Street in reports following reports of a brawl.

Officers were informed that four people, all believed to be male teenagers, were fighting before police arrived.

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A 23-year-old woman sustained head injuries after being struck by a wrench thrown in the altercation.

Police understand the woman is not linked to the group.

She was treated by paramedics at the scene and was later taken to Prince of Wales Hospital for further treatment.

A crime scene has been established, and police seized the wrench to be forensically examined. 

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NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has sensationally quit after weeks of intense speculation about his position.

Speakman said it was now "clear" that his Liberal colleagues want him to step down and for a new leader to take on the "extraordinarily difficult" job.

"It's also an extraordinary privilege. Very few people in New South Wales ever get to be the leader of a major party, and it has been an enormous privilege for me to have that leadership," Speakman told media this afternoon.

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He acknowledged it was only a few hours ago he was adamant that his job was safe, having declared that "reports of my death have been grossly exaggerated" on radio this morning.

But Speakman said a day is a long time in politics.

"No alternative candidate had come forward to tell me they wanted to be the leader. No colleague had said to me they thought it would be better if I resigned," he told media in Sydney.

"But as I said, a day or even half a day or a few hours is a long time in politics.

"By this afternoon, it was clear that there was at least one person who had declared to me that she wished to be the leader of the Liberal Party, and a number of colleagues had indicated to me their preference that we have renewal and regeneration, and a new leader."

Speakman cancelled a slew of media interviews this afternoon as speculation mounted he could be ousted in a spill, just days after his Victorian counterpart Brad Battin also lost his top job.

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Rumours of a spill have haunted Speakman over the past week and the opposition leader broke his silence in back-to-back radio interviews and an appearance on Sky News.

Speakman earlier firmly denied being "tapped on the shoulder" while speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB.

"Reports of my death are grossly exaggerated, and I'm here to fight," he said.

But his counter-attack ended prematurely when Speakman pulled the pin on an on-air interview with 9News this afternoon.

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9News political reporter Liz Daniels said Speakman had been "holed up in his office" and cancelled his media interviews because he wanted to meet with colleagues this afternoon.

"His colleagues, their major criticism of Speakman is that he's been unable to land a blow on Chris Minns, a premier who has had a largely charmed political run," Daniels said.

The gauntlet was thrown by senior Liberal members as they arrived for parliament today in what is the final sitting week of the year.

Kelly Sloane tipped to replace Speakman

Shadow health spokesperson Kelly Sloane has emerged as the top contender for Speakman's replacement.

A party room meeting is expected to take place to decide on the new Liberal leader.

Speakman endorsed Sloane for the job after revealing she told him she wanted to take over as leader.

He added that he "reluctantly agreed" Sloane should be the next NSW Liberal leader. during this conversation.

"Kelly Sloane will be a fantastic leader if selected by the parliamentary Liberal Party," Speakman said.

"She is someone of enormous talent. She is not only a great communicator, she has extensive experience as a businesswoman.

"She is someone I hope will lead the Liberal Party to the next election. She will have my full support. She will have my endorsement."

Sloane also has the support of other senior Liberal MPs.

"If Kelly Sloane's got the numbers, she's got to make a move," Wendy Tuckerman said earlier today.

NSW Shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens has also been named as a possible frontrunner.

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Nearly 83,000 units of hummus products were recalled in 2023 over salmonella fears.

Police have not disclosed the ranks of those under investigation.

It will be 2041 before Darryl Grant Bridgeman is eligible for parole.

A witness says St John gave her the wrong access codes for the defibrillator.

An elderly pedestrian has died after she was struck by a car in Melbourne's south-east.

A car struck a woman in a car park of a medical centre on Victor Crescent in Narre Warren about 12.30pm.

The woman, who is yet to be formally identified but believed to be aged in her 80s, died at the scene.

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The driver of the car, a man in his 50s, stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has CCTV/dashcam footage or any information that could assist police, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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The recalled sand includes 380g craft pots sold in 15 different colours.