William Howard
Sale, VIC
William Howard is a reporter based in Gippsland, joining the ABC after working as a producer and presenter in global news. Growing up in Warrnambool, William is passionate about connecting with regional communities and sharing local stories with purpose. He studied arts and law at university before chasing a career in journalism.
Latest by William Howard
Is the Australian dream even further out of reach for people with a disability?
After losing his sight at the age of six, Ben Gritt's goal of owning his own home always felt out of reach. He's not alone.
'Sexually promiscuous' penguins are mating twice in one season as the climate changes
As rising sea levels lead to more fish in the ocean around Phillip Island, off Australia's southern coast, polyamorous little penguins are using the extra energy to breed.
Rural residents told to 'get over' look of powerlines as Victoria's renewable targets face barriers
Andrew Balfour has seven transmission towers on his farm. He doesn't recommend it to others — but sites for new power infrastructure will be needed across the state as renewable energy projects take off.
Man dies while allegedly attempting to steal copper at a paper mill in Victoria's east
Police say two men and a woman broke into the facility in the Latrobe Valley at about midnight. Two of the group escaped, but one man was detained by staff and died at the scene.
Victoria Police detectives uncover illicit tobacco products, samurai sword and handgun during Gippsland raids
Three Morwell stores, one Moe store, and one Traralgon store were all searched on Monday
When Kellie's abusive husband died, she realised he'd given away their house and car
Domestic violence support services say they are stretched to the brink and need more resources to keep up with "inventive" abusers who know how to work the system.
Flood evacuation alert delays laid bare in search for better warning system
An inquiry into Victoria's 2022 flooding event has been told the state's current warning system is broken.
Dolphins found living with world's highest reported PFAS levels near Melbourne, Gippsland
A study finds the critically endangered Burrunan dolphins have up to 10 times the times the amount of PFAS chemicals that would normally cause health issues in their bodies.
Family who saved dad's life during ferocious storm urges all Australians to learn one simple thing
Darryl Martin was digging trenches in an attempt to divert water away from his house when he collapsed. Luckily for him, help was at hand.
Child working laws under scrutiny as restaurant fined and worker shortages strangle hospitality sector
A restaurant in eastern Victoria pleads guilty to 40 breaches of Victoria's child employment laws, but the industry's peak body says education around complicated legislation is required.
Lenny's former home was filled with mice and mould and now the landlord wants him to pay
As rental vacancy rates continue to fall, advocacy groups fear tenants are too afraid to speak up about issues with their properties.
'Water has always been at the very core of our existence' say traditional owners after watershed deal
Under a new licensing agreement, more Victorian water is being returned to Gippsland's Gunaikurnai traditional owners in a bid to further strengthen their connection to country.
Lily's family home was her 'happy place'. A shock bushfire has them picking up the pieces
When the Saunders family made the decision to flee their east Gippsland home, they escaped with their pets and the clothes on their backs. They returned to find their "happy place" in ruins.
Fire crews respond to multiple blazes in Victoria as hot, dry summer looms
Residents are being urged to prepare for what could be a dangerous summer as the fire season gets off to an early start.
Wheelchair users often abandoned on station platforms as buses replace trains
Two hour waits for transport are all too common for wheelchair users in Victoria, with Melbourne "off limits" for some when coaches service the Gippsland line.
Endangered native mice released at Wilsons Promontory on a mission to save their species
There are hopes the release of six Pookila mice into the wild in Victoria will help boost numbers of the endangered species.
Veteran Liberal MP backtracks on support for Yes vote in Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum
Russell Broadbent says he changed his mind about how he would vote after being contacted by First Nations people in his Victorian electorate.
Dressed up or down, this mum wore the same wool dress for 100 days to embrace sustainability and no-one noticed
Completing the 100-day challenge had been on Leah Stamm's bucket list for several years and she says she only had to wash the dress a handful of times.
Range anxiety should no longer be a problem — so why aren't more people buying EVs in the regions?
One regional electric vehicle owner says it takes "planning" to reduce range anxiety, while another isn't quite ready to make the long-distance leap.
Emergency Management Victoria refutes reports there will be fewer aircraft fighting fires this year
There have been no significant changes to Victoria's aerial firefighting capacity this summer, despite leaked documents suggesting it had been reduced by 40,000 litres, the acting EMV commissioner says.
Bushfire threat intensifies in grassy stretches as rural areas dry out
Fire agencies are looking to the Northern Hemisphere for an indication of what is ahead and it is prompting them to urge property owners to get ready for bushfires.
Defining piece of 3,200-tonne rail bridge inched into place in Victorian first
Gippsland's equivalent to the Sydney Harbour Bridge is now in position, after being assembled in a paddock.
Sophie moved from Kew to Moe in search of a meaningful job and she hasn't looked back
The Regional Australia Institute has found plenty of metropolitan workers could be persuaded to take a job in the regions as cost-of-living pressures bite, something Sophie Brunton has already done.
Duck hunter urges shooters to 'dob in' rule-breakers as inquiry hears animal welfare concerns
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry into duck shooting hears the activity has mental health benefits for hunters, but that opponents have become targets for online abuse.