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Victoria Police have said the historic $1 million dollar reward in the hunt for alleged cop killer Desmond Freeman is for information that leads to his apprehension, not his conviction.

The reward is the largest ever offered in the state.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said that he remains open to all possibilities in regards to the whereabouts of Freeman, seeing this bounty as "just another avenue" in the hunt.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas urges people not to approach the alleged killer if spotted

Thomas described the reward as a "life-changing amount of money for anyone".

"While the offering of a reward for a murder investigation is not unusual in itself, what sets this apart is that this reward is for arrest and not conviction – and it is the largest reward ever offered for an arrest in Victoria," he said.

"This figure recognises the seriousness of this violent offending and our commitment to locating Freeman as soon as possible so that he is no longer a risk to the broader community.

"Our aim in offering this reward is that it will lead someone out there, who may not have been willing to come forward until this time, to contact police."

Porepunkah police during manhunt for Dezi Freeman

The record bounty comes as police enter their day 12 in their search for the alleged killer.

Despite hundreds of tip-offs, there have been no confirmed sightings.

Freeman is believed to be heavily armed as police continue to search over 100 properties and acres of bushland.

Police have previously stated that they believe some people might know his whereabouts or are potentially harbouring the alleged killer.

An accused gunman on the run after two police officers were fatally shot and another was wounded as been identified as Dezi Freeman.

"This could be sightings of Freeman, information you're hearing in your local communities, even suspicious activity on your property – whatever it is, we want you to tell us," Thomas said.

"I would also like to stress to members of the public that if you see Freeman, then we need you to call triple zero immediately because this will give police the very best chance of apprehending him.

"Freeman has killed two people and injured a third, and it's immensely important that we can bring him into custody safely as soon as possible – hopefully this reward helps do just that."

Authorities remain open to the possibility that Freeman is still alive or could potentially be dead as a result of self-harm.

They hope this reward for information leading to his arrest will be an incentive.

More than 450 officers are dedicated to the search each day with "no talk" of reducing those numbers, Victoria Police said.

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Fire destroys heritage wedding venue in Sydney’s north-west

2025-09-06 FreeNews

A fire has destroyed a historic wedding venue in Sydney's north-west overnight.

Emergency services were called to the property, The Loxley on Bellbird Hill in Kurrajong Hills, at about 7pm last night after a fire was spotted in the main reception building.

Fire services worked to extinguish the blaze; however, the main building was destroyed, with nearby buildings also damaged.

A heritage wedding venue in the Hawkesbury has ignited overnight.

Firefighters had the fire under control by 10.30pm but remained on scene into the morning to control spot fires in the debris.

"The main building, because of the structure, it's old, it's wooden … no matter what we did, there was no way we were going to save it," said Deputy Captain Phillip Hurst, who was one of the first responders on scene.

Police are still investigating the cause, although it is not currently being treated as suspicious.

A 40-year-old man is currently in hospital after suffering burns to his face while attempting to extinguish the fire.

The Loxley on Bellbird Hill in Kurrajong has been the place where countless couples have tied the knot for decades.

The fire leaves the wedding plans of future couples hoping to wed at the venue up in the air.

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Two men charged after allegedly spraying unknown substance on Anzac Memorial

2025-09-06 FreeNews

Two men have been charged following the alleged malicious damage to Sydney's Anzac Memorial earlier this week.

At around midday on Thursday, the two men were seen allegedly spraying an unknown oil-based substance onto the walls and steps of Hyde Park's Anzac Memorial.

The two 61-year-old men have been charged with wilfully damaging or defacing any protected place and destroying or damaging property more than $2000 and less than or equal to $5000.

Two men allegedly sprayed an unknown oil-based substance on the Anzac memorial

One man was allegedly spotted spraying substance onto the eastern walls and northern steps of the Memorial.

The other allegedly sprayed a substance on the southern steps

The two left together shortly after.

At about 5.45pm yesterday, the men attended Auburn Police Station, where they were arrested.

Both men were denied bail and will face court today.