Homicide detectives probe death of Shepparton woman, 27, after responding to reports of serious injuries
Victorian homicide squad detectives are investigating the death of a woman in Shepparton on Saturday night. Emergency services were called to a home on McCubbin Drive just after 6pm on Saturday following reports a woman had been seriously injured. Police said the investigation remained ongoing and they were continuing to try to piece together the exact circumstances of the incident. A 28-year-old man has been assisting officers with their enquiries and has now been released from custody.
Victorian homicide squad detectives are investigating the death of a woman in Shepparton on Saturday night. Emergency services were called to a home on McCubbin Drive just after 6pm on Saturday following reports a woman had been seriously injured. Police said the investigation remained ongoing and they were continuing to try to piece together the exact circumstances of the incident. A 28-year-old man has been assisting officers with their enquiries and has now been released from custody.
Spearfishing won't be banned around Margaret River after blue groper death at Cowaramup Bay
Western Australia's Fisheries Minister will not ban spearfishing at popular beaches around Margaret River but has described the behaviour of people who left a speared blue groper on the beach as "not good". In February, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River wrote to Fisheries Minister Don Punch and asked for a spearfishing ban to be considered around Gnarabup beach, Flinders Bay and Gracetown. "I don't intend to impose any restriction on spearfishing at this point of time," Mr Punch said "There are no sustainability concerns for the blue groper fish in that area so on that basis there's no requirement for me to consider it from a fish sustainability position," he said. "Social amenity and broader conservation issues values were identified as part of the community engagement process for the establishment of the marine park and any change to that would require extensive consultation."
Western Australia's Fisheries Minister will not ban spearfishing at popular beaches around Margaret River but has described the behaviour of people who left a speared blue groper on the beach as "not good". In February, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River wrote to Fisheries Minister Don Punch and asked for a spearfishing ban to be considered around Gnarabup beach, Flinders Bay and Gracetown. "I don't intend to impose any restriction on spearfishing at this point of time," Mr Punch said "There are no sustainability concerns for the blue groper fish in that area so on that basis there's no requirement for me to consider it from a fish sustainability position," he said. "Social amenity and broader conservation issues values were identified as part of the community engagement process for the establishment of the marine park and any change to that would require extensive consultation."
After the Fall
A mother and son in suburban Sydney, almost 100 lives on the line and a perilous rescue mission on the other side of the world. Can they pull it off? It had just passed midnight on August 25, 2021, and Nawid "Sourosh" Cina could hear gunfire and screaming over the phone from his townhouse in suburban Sydney. Ten days had passed since Kabul had fallen to the Taliban, and the 25-year-old had somehow managed to get a large group of children and carers from his mother's orphanages within 200 metres of the Kabul airport gates. He thought their lives were at risk and he wanted to get them out of the country. The situation at the airport was diabolically bad and the next decision he made could mean the difference between life and death for those on the ground. "Every minute the situation was changing drastically so no one knew what was happening," Sourosh tells Australian Story. "It was complete and utter chaos."
A mother and son in suburban Sydney, almost 100 lives on the line and a perilous rescue mission on the other side of the world. Can they pull it off? It had just passed midnight on August 25, 2021, and Nawid "Sourosh" Cina could hear gunfire and screaming over the phone from his townhouse in suburban Sydney. Ten days had passed since Kabul had fallen to the Taliban, and the 25-year-old had somehow managed to get a large group of children and carers from his mother's orphanages within 200 metres of the Kabul airport gates. He thought their lives were at risk and he wanted to get them out of the country. The situation at the airport was diabolically bad and the next decision he made could mean the difference between life and death for those on the ground. "Every minute the situation was changing drastically so no one knew what was happening," Sourosh tells Australian Story. "It was complete and utter chaos."
Australians urged to rate their favourite public toilet in this year's Great Dunny Hunt
Australians are being urged to upload a picture of their favourite public toilet for this year's Great Dunny Hunt. The Continence Foundation of Australia is again mapping the country's best facilities in a bid to make people living with incontinence feel more comfortable about venturing out. "It's so important, because when you need to go you need to go, so it's really important to know, especially if you're doing a long trip," Continence Foundation of Australia programs and projects manager Daniyela Rob said. "To know where the toilets are so you can go there and feel comfortable and not have anxiety. "It is really important for everyone to be able to enjoy a really good quality life and be able to go out into their community." Features of a good toilet include accessibility for people with a disability, facilities that are well maintained, and access to an adult changing table.
Australians are being urged to upload a picture of their favourite public toilet for this year's Great Dunny Hunt. The Continence Foundation of Australia is again mapping the country's best facilities in a bid to make people living with incontinence feel more comfortable about venturing out. "It's so important, because when you need to go you need to go, so it's really important to know, especially if you're doing a long trip," Continence Foundation of Australia programs and projects manager Daniyela Rob said. "To know where the toilets are so you can go there and feel comfortable and not have anxiety. "It is really important for everyone to be able to enjoy a really good quality life and be able to go out into their community." Features of a good toilet include accessibility for people with a disability, facilities that are well maintained, and access to an adult changing table.
Australian-grown pine nuts could replace imports on supermarket shelves, but it won't happen overnight
If you've made pesto at home, you've probably used a handful of pricey pine nuts to add texture. They're one of the world's most expensive nuts, and none of the pine nuts sold in Australian supermarkets are grown here. In fact, Australia imports about $13 million worth of pine nuts annually from Asia. But that could change, with a handful of farmers embarking on a journey to slowly replace some of those imports. The pine trees can take up to 15 years to produce their first harvest of edible nuts. Agricultural scientist and farmer Andrew Bailey reckons it'll be worth the wait. "I've had the place 25 years and the pine trees have been in around 12 years. Pine nuts can retail between $50 and $100 per kilogram, depending on which country they're grown in. The umbrella-shaped pine tree produces pine cones, just like a pine tree that's grown for timber.
If you've made pesto at home, you've probably used a handful of pricey pine nuts to add texture. They're one of the world's most expensive nuts, and none of the pine nuts sold in Australian supermarkets are grown here. In fact, Australia imports about $13 million worth of pine nuts annually from Asia. But that could change, with a handful of farmers embarking on a journey to slowly replace some of those imports. The pine trees can take up to 15 years to produce their first harvest of edible nuts. Agricultural scientist and farmer Andrew Bailey reckons it'll be worth the wait. "I've had the place 25 years and the pine trees have been in around 12 years. Pine nuts can retail between $50 and $100 per kilogram, depending on which country they're grown in. The umbrella-shaped pine tree produces pine cones, just like a pine tree that's grown for timber.
Growing calls for student HECS-HELP loan indexation to be abolished as inflation sends debts soaring
Brisbane wealth adviser Alanna Fraser has been battling to pay off a university student debt of $102,000. She's just 26 and fears the current system of loan indexation will leave her still owing the government money for her Bachelor of Economics and a Masters of Financial Planning degrees in 20 or even 30 years' time. Own a house? Not likely any time soon given banks see student HECS-HELP debts as a "real debt" and it thus affects a graduate's ability to borrow money. Interest is not charged on student loans, but the full amount is indexed to inflation and added to the loan amount on June 1 each year. Ms Fraser has joined a growing chorus of graduates, supported by The Greens, in calling for an overhaul of the system as student loans balloon as a result of high inflation.
Brisbane wealth adviser Alanna Fraser has been battling to pay off a university student debt of $102,000. She's just 26 and fears the current system of loan indexation will leave her still owing the government money for her Bachelor of Economics and a Masters of Financial Planning degrees in 20 or even 30 years' time. Own a house? Not likely any time soon given banks see student HECS-HELP debts as a "real debt" and it thus affects a graduate's ability to borrow money. Interest is not charged on student loans, but the full amount is indexed to inflation and added to the loan amount on June 1 each year. Ms Fraser has joined a growing chorus of graduates, supported by The Greens, in calling for an overhaul of the system as student loans balloon as a result of high inflation.
Mobile phone ban in NSW public high schools to start in late 2023
Mobile phones will be banned in New South Wales public high school classrooms, recesses and lunchtimes from Term 4. The newly elected state government says the ban delivers on a promise made during the election campaign to reduce distractions for high school students. Premier Chris Minns said parents were worried about their children texting and using social media during class. "I know a lot of adults who find it difficult to concentrate when a mobile phone is in front of them, so I don't know why we expect children to have that kind of discipline in them," he said. Mr Minns said the government would not specify how schools should keep phones out of students' hands, but said locked pouches and lockers were options. "There are low-cost and no-cost options that are available to them," Mr Minns said. "It may be as simple as making sure mobile phones are in a student's bag and can't be taken out during the school day."
Mobile phones will be banned in New South Wales public high school classrooms, recesses and lunchtimes from Term 4. The newly elected state government says the ban delivers on a promise made during the election campaign to reduce distractions for high school students. Premier Chris Minns said parents were worried about their children texting and using social media during class. "I know a lot of adults who find it difficult to concentrate when a mobile phone is in front of them, so I don't know why we expect children to have that kind of discipline in them," he said. Mr Minns said the government would not specify how schools should keep phones out of students' hands, but said locked pouches and lockers were options. "There are low-cost and no-cost options that are available to them," Mr Minns said. "It may be as simple as making sure mobile phones are in a student's bag and can't be taken out during the school day."
Dam to Dam tinnie races return to Kununurra after event cancelled due to COVID twice in three years
An annual celebration of adrenaline-fuelled boat racing has returned to an outback town in Western Australia's far north-west after being cancelled twice in the past three years as a result of COVID-19. Kununurra's Dam to Dam event features a series of races in tinnies that have been carefully modified to ensure maximum speed and manoeuvrability. Boating is a large part of Kununurra's social fabric and the event is set on the upper Ord River, a spectacular pandanus-lined waterway which boasts dramatic red-cliff gorges. There were several race categories relating to engine power, but the event with perhaps the biggest bragging rights was the Enduro, which stretched more than 100 kilometres from the town's waterski club to the Lake Argyle dam wall and back.
An annual celebration of adrenaline-fuelled boat racing has returned to an outback town in Western Australia's far north-west after being cancelled twice in the past three years as a result of COVID-19. Kununurra's Dam to Dam event features a series of races in tinnies that have been carefully modified to ensure maximum speed and manoeuvrability. Boating is a large part of Kununurra's social fabric and the event is set on the upper Ord River, a spectacular pandanus-lined waterway which boasts dramatic red-cliff gorges. There were several race categories relating to engine power, but the event with perhaps the biggest bragging rights was the Enduro, which stretched more than 100 kilometres from the town's waterski club to the Lake Argyle dam wall and back.
Cairns artist David Hudson's recalls Island of Dr Moreau experience with Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer
David Hudson has led an extraordinary life, but a three-month stint working as a human-bison hybrid alongside Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer in Far North Queensland stands as his strangest claim to fame. "I had one eye, and I had to limp with one foot, and I had hoofs," he says with a schoolboy's grin. The absurdity of that statement doesn't escape the Cairns artist, and his laugh cracks like a whip as he recounts the peculiar tale. It was the mid-1990s and director Richard Stanley was on the hunt for cast and crew to populate the set of his latest project, an ambitious remake of H.G. Wells' 1896 novel The Island of Doctor Moreau. The novel tells the tale of a mad scientist who creates hybrid human-animal abominations through vivisection, and was described by Wells as "an exercise in youthful blasphemy".
David Hudson has led an extraordinary life, but a three-month stint working as a human-bison hybrid alongside Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer in Far North Queensland stands as his strangest claim to fame. "I had one eye, and I had to limp with one foot, and I had hoofs," he says with a schoolboy's grin. The absurdity of that statement doesn't escape the Cairns artist, and his laugh cracks like a whip as he recounts the peculiar tale. It was the mid-1990s and director Richard Stanley was on the hunt for cast and crew to populate the set of his latest project, an ambitious remake of H.G. Wells' 1896 novel The Island of Doctor Moreau. The novel tells the tale of a mad scientist who creates hybrid human-animal abominations through vivisection, and was described by Wells as "an exercise in youthful blasphemy".
Sydney mother who allegedly killed her baby son will be charged with murder
A Sydney mother who allegedly attempted to kill her baby son twice will have one charge upgraded to murder, after the boy died in hospital. The 30-year-old woman appeared in the Hornsby Local Court late last month on two charges of attempted murder of her 10-month-old son. New South Wales Police have not publicly released details of the case until today. Police said officers were called to a home in Berowra Heights on March 21, to reports the child was unresponsive. He was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition. Police established a crime scene at the home, before officers from the Child Abuse Squad attended the hospital and charged the woman with two counts of attempted murder. She was taken into custody and refused bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court on March 23. On the same day as her first court appearance, police say the boy died in hospital.
A Sydney mother who allegedly attempted to kill her baby son twice will have one charge upgraded to murder, after the boy died in hospital. The 30-year-old woman appeared in the Hornsby Local Court late last month on two charges of attempted murder of her 10-month-old son. New South Wales Police have not publicly released details of the case until today. Police said officers were called to a home in Berowra Heights on March 21, to reports the child was unresponsive. He was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition. Police established a crime scene at the home, before officers from the Child Abuse Squad attended the hospital and charged the woman with two counts of attempted murder. She was taken into custody and refused bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court on March 23. On the same day as her first court appearance, police say the boy died in hospital.
Aboriginal land rights champion Yunupingu dies in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory
One of Australia's most influential Aboriginal leaders, the trailblazing land rights fighter Yunupingu, has died in the Northern Territory aged 74. The Gumatj clan leader, who passed away in north-east Arnhem Land, was a powerful advocate for the interests of the Yolngu people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. In 1978, he was named Australian of the Year for his work relating to negotiations over the Ranger Uranium Mine and Kakadu National Park. Yunupingu was also a long-term chairman of the Northern Land Council, which represents traditional owners in the Northern Territory's Top End. Additionally, he chaired the Gumatj Corporation and the Yothu Yindi Foundation, which runs the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in Arnhem Land.
One of Australia's most influential Aboriginal leaders, the trailblazing land rights fighter Yunupingu, has died in the Northern Territory aged 74. The Gumatj clan leader, who passed away in north-east Arnhem Land, was a powerful advocate for the interests of the Yolngu people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. In 1978, he was named Australian of the Year for his work relating to negotiations over the Ranger Uranium Mine and Kakadu National Park. Yunupingu was also a long-term chairman of the Northern Land Council, which represents traditional owners in the Northern Territory's Top End. Additionally, he chaired the Gumatj Corporation and the Yothu Yindi Foundation, which runs the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in Arnhem Land.
Van life gives couple freedom to ditch the daily grind and hit the open road, funding their travels with farm work
Quitting your 9-5 office job to live in a van and travel around Australia is a pipe dream for many people. But Gippsland local Kobie Notting and her partner Vaughn Turner made it happen and say it's been the best decision they've ever made. The couple met in Cape York in far north Queensland in 2019, after exploring the Telegraph Track on separate four-wheel-drive convoys. "I was with my good mate Nicola and Vaughn was with some boys from Perth and we kind of just met up there and convoyed with everyone," she said. To fund their permanent adventure and van lifestyle, Kobie and Vaughn started picking up work on farms and "have never been happier". "We were sitting around at a café and there was a pop-up van nearby. I looked at it and thought how much I'd love to live in a tiny house," Kobie said.
Quitting your 9-5 office job to live in a van and travel around Australia is a pipe dream for many people. But Gippsland local Kobie Notting and her partner Vaughn Turner made it happen and say it's been the best decision they've ever made. The couple met in Cape York in far north Queensland in 2019, after exploring the Telegraph Track on separate four-wheel-drive convoys. "I was with my good mate Nicola and Vaughn was with some boys from Perth and we kind of just met up there and convoyed with everyone," she said. To fund their permanent adventure and van lifestyle, Kobie and Vaughn started picking up work on farms and "have never been happier". "We were sitting around at a café and there was a pop-up van nearby. I looked at it and thought how much I'd love to live in a tiny house," Kobie said.
Data hack by C10p ransomware group poses no threat to Tasmanians, technology minister says
Tasmania's technology minister says no government-held data has been compromised as part of a hack of a third-party file transfer site by a cybercrime enterprise but added the investigations were ongoing. Tasmania's Science and Technology Minister Madeleine Ogilvie told reporters today that investigations had so far shown no data had been compromised but added the matter was "ongoing". "At this time, I can say we are not aware that any government information has been released, but the matter is ongoing," she said. Ms Ogilvie refused to say what information was transferred by or stored on GoAnywhere, but said it "transfers information, it is not a storage system". "This is not about holding information; this is about information that moves around between providers," she said. Ms Ogilvie said the government's cyber security team would "continue to work closely with federal experts".
Tasmania's technology minister says no government-held data has been compromised as part of a hack of a third-party file transfer site by a cybercrime enterprise but added the investigations were ongoing. Tasmania's Science and Technology Minister Madeleine Ogilvie told reporters today that investigations had so far shown no data had been compromised but added the matter was "ongoing". "At this time, I can say we are not aware that any government information has been released, but the matter is ongoing," she said. Ms Ogilvie refused to say what information was transferred by or stored on GoAnywhere, but said it "transfers information, it is not a storage system". "This is not about holding information; this is about information that moves around between providers," she said. Ms Ogilvie said the government's cyber security team would "continue to work closely with federal experts".
A political warrior who walked tall in two worlds — how Yunupingu opened Australia's eyes
From political boardrooms to the Northern Territory bush, Yunupingu walked tall in two worlds, always with a fire burning deep inside. It was this fire, now extinguished, that lit the fuse of an extraordinary lifetime spent in the political trenches while hunting for rights, recognition and real empowerment for Australia's First Nations people. A former Australian of the Year, Garma festival chairman, land rights stalwart, singer, painter and a force of community power, Yunupingu has passed away in Arnhem Land at age 74. His eldest daughter, Binmila Yunupingu, said her father was "a person that always wanted to listen and learn and give, give the community, give his old people, something back". Yunupingu, the leader of northeast Arnhem Land's Gumatj clan, leaves a legacy of hope for Aboriginal Australians, despite often conceding he'd seen little change during his lifetime.
From political boardrooms to the Northern Territory bush, Yunupingu walked tall in two worlds, always with a fire burning deep inside. It was this fire, now extinguished, that lit the fuse of an extraordinary lifetime spent in the political trenches while hunting for rights, recognition and real empowerment for Australia's First Nations people. A former Australian of the Year, Garma festival chairman, land rights stalwart, singer, painter and a force of community power, Yunupingu has passed away in Arnhem Land at age 74. His eldest daughter, Binmila Yunupingu, said her father was "a person that always wanted to listen and learn and give, give the community, give his old people, something back". Yunupingu, the leader of northeast Arnhem Land's Gumatj clan, leaves a legacy of hope for Aboriginal Australians, despite often conceding he'd seen little change during his lifetime.
Bundaberg Hospital's emergency department wait times some of Queensland's longest
She's hoping to enrol in a Diploma of Nursing to join Queensland's health workforce, but she also knows what it's like to be on the other side as a patient waiting hours and hours for medical help. Abbi, whose surname has been withheld for privacy reasons, said earlier this year, she waited 10 hours to see a nurse at the Bundaberg Hospital Emergency Department while in "a hell of a lot of pain" after falling at home. "You're just sitting there in pain and no-one's helping you, no-one's paying you any attention." Abbi is not surprised by new data showing where she lives is the worst in Queensland when it comes to public hospital ED wait times. Queensland Health figures revealed after a parliamentary question on notice showed the Wide Bay's three public hospitals – Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Maryborough — had the highest number of patients who stayed in an ED longer than 24 hours.
She's hoping to enrol in a Diploma of Nursing to join Queensland's health workforce, but she also knows what it's like to be on the other side as a patient waiting hours and hours for medical help. Abbi, whose surname has been withheld for privacy reasons, said earlier this year, she waited 10 hours to see a nurse at the Bundaberg Hospital Emergency Department while in "a hell of a lot of pain" after falling at home. "You're just sitting there in pain and no-one's helping you, no-one's paying you any attention." Abbi is not surprised by new data showing where she lives is the worst in Queensland when it comes to public hospital ED wait times. Queensland Health figures revealed after a parliamentary question on notice showed the Wide Bay's three public hospitals – Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Maryborough — had the highest number of patients who stayed in an ED longer than 24 hours.
NT chief minister refuses to clarify status of NT police commissioner's position, amid reports he has been asked to resign
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has refused to clarify media reports that Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has been asked to resign, stating several times that the commissioner is on leave. On Saturday, sources told the ABC that Commissioner Chalker had been informed the NT government would ask him to take leave. Today, Ms Fyles would not respond to questions about whether the commissioner still had the support of herself or her cabinet. "The police commissioner is on leave and Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy is acting," Ms Fyles said. The chief minister was asked 11 times by journalists from various media outlets whether she had confidence in Commissioner Chalker, whether he had been asked to resign, what his future with the police force would look like and whether the public had a right to know what the situation was.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has refused to clarify media reports that Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has been asked to resign, stating several times that the commissioner is on leave. On Saturday, sources told the ABC that Commissioner Chalker had been informed the NT government would ask him to take leave. Today, Ms Fyles would not respond to questions about whether the commissioner still had the support of herself or her cabinet. "The police commissioner is on leave and Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy is acting," Ms Fyles said. The chief minister was asked 11 times by journalists from various media outlets whether she had confidence in Commissioner Chalker, whether he had been asked to resign, what his future with the police force would look like and whether the public had a right to know what the situation was.
Kimba mayor opens upgraded medical centre, new GP almost secured
The District Council of Kimba says it's confident it has secured an international doctor thanks to tireless campaigning, and a $1-million revamp of its medical centre. Mayor Dean Johnson has been in contact with a GP who is seriously looking at calling the South Australian region home. "We're really hopeful that we've found a doctor internationally that's looking to come to Kimba." Mr Johnson said the most recent video campaign attracted the international doctor and received "several strong bites". "We're out there trying to get support for that doctor so we can get two or three in our centre. "We certainly hope we've got a solution in pipe, but we desperately need more." Today is the opening of Kimba's brand-new medical centre, which includes seven consultation rooms, renovated waiting and administration areas and a dentistry room. Meanwhile, there are two houses available to accommodate the GPs, rent-free.
The District Council of Kimba says it's confident it has secured an international doctor thanks to tireless campaigning, and a $1-million revamp of its medical centre. Mayor Dean Johnson has been in contact with a GP who is seriously looking at calling the South Australian region home. "We're really hopeful that we've found a doctor internationally that's looking to come to Kimba." Mr Johnson said the most recent video campaign attracted the international doctor and received "several strong bites". "We're out there trying to get support for that doctor so we can get two or three in our centre. "We certainly hope we've got a solution in pipe, but we desperately need more." Today is the opening of Kimba's brand-new medical centre, which includes seven consultation rooms, renovated waiting and administration areas and a dentistry room. Meanwhile, there are two houses available to accommodate the GPs, rent-free.
WA's great – and less-than-great – gold plots unearthed as price hits record high
As long as there has been gold mining in Western Australia people have been trying to steal it. That temptation has reached fever pitch with prices for the precious metal in March surpassing $3,000 an ounce for the first time in Australian dollar terms. Some of the historic gold theft cases in WA could be out of Hollywood film scripts, like The city was home to the biggest gold rush in Australia's history, sparked by the metal's discovery in 1893 by Irish prospectors Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan Shea. Gold stealing was rife and commonly regarded as a miner's privilege, which led to a royal commission in 1906. According to The West Australian newspaper on September 14, 1906, Oroya-Brownhill mine superintendent Mr J. Mitchell told the commission that gold-stealing was "going on pretty constantly". The commission heard only 12 convictions for gold stealing had been obtained in Boulder in two years.
As long as there has been gold mining in Western Australia people have been trying to steal it. That temptation has reached fever pitch with prices for the precious metal in March surpassing $3,000 an ounce for the first time in Australian dollar terms. Some of the historic gold theft cases in WA could be out of Hollywood film scripts, like The city was home to the biggest gold rush in Australia's history, sparked by the metal's discovery in 1893 by Irish prospectors Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan Shea. Gold stealing was rife and commonly regarded as a miner's privilege, which led to a royal commission in 1906. According to The West Australian newspaper on September 14, 1906, Oroya-Brownhill mine superintendent Mr J. Mitchell told the commission that gold-stealing was "going on pretty constantly". The commission heard only 12 convictions for gold stealing had been obtained in Boulder in two years.
Albury gymnastics coach brings different perspective after learning craft in Nigeria
Emeka Ekezie would love it if more people did gymnastics in his home country of Nigeria, but in the meantime he is hoping to train the next star in Australia. Ideally the gymnastics coach would like to take a Nigerian athlete to the Olympics, and while he remains hopeful the sport will continue to develop in his home country, Mr Ekezie is building his coaching career in Australia. He arrived in Albury, in southern New South Wales, in November after accepting a job with Flyaway Gymnastics, thanks to a Facebook post on a coaching forum. "I accepted the offer as it was a space to grow my career and my experiences," he said. Mr Ekezie, who started coaching in 2015, would have loved to continue coaching in Nigeria but there was not the opportunity to expand his career. "Very few people do it... some few individuals are doing very well to develop the sport but it's not quite there yet."
Emeka Ekezie would love it if more people did gymnastics in his home country of Nigeria, but in the meantime he is hoping to train the next star in Australia. Ideally the gymnastics coach would like to take a Nigerian athlete to the Olympics, and while he remains hopeful the sport will continue to develop in his home country, Mr Ekezie is building his coaching career in Australia. He arrived in Albury, in southern New South Wales, in November after accepting a job with Flyaway Gymnastics, thanks to a Facebook post on a coaching forum. "I accepted the offer as it was a space to grow my career and my experiences," he said. Mr Ekezie, who started coaching in 2015, would have loved to continue coaching in Nigeria but there was not the opportunity to expand his career. "Very few people do it... some few individuals are doing very well to develop the sport but it's not quite there yet."
More staff, funding allocated to Townsville maternal unit after damning review
Townsville Hospital will spend $2.8 million a year to fix its under-funded and under-resourced high-risk maternity unit. The overloaded Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit is the only public high-risk maternity service outside of the south-east corner of Queensland. The review of the Townsville unit, which was conducted by Brisbane-based specialist Glenn Gardener in 2022, was endorsed by the hospital and health service board on Monday. There are just two maternal fetal medicine specialists at the Townsville unit who care for the highest-risk and most complicated pregnancies in regional Queensland. Townsville Hospital and Health Service chair Tony Mooney said the board accepted all 11 recommendations including hiring additional staff to allow the unit to operate five days a week and a purpose-designed clinic.
Townsville Hospital will spend $2.8 million a year to fix its under-funded and under-resourced high-risk maternity unit. The overloaded Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit is the only public high-risk maternity service outside of the south-east corner of Queensland. The review of the Townsville unit, which was conducted by Brisbane-based specialist Glenn Gardener in 2022, was endorsed by the hospital and health service board on Monday. There are just two maternal fetal medicine specialists at the Townsville unit who care for the highest-risk and most complicated pregnancies in regional Queensland. Townsville Hospital and Health Service chair Tony Mooney said the board accepted all 11 recommendations including hiring additional staff to allow the unit to operate five days a week and a purpose-designed clinic.