Overdue party – Ngukurr

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force Search and Rescue Section has safely located two males aged 55 and 62 following a vehicle being swept off the roadway near Ngukurr on Thursday 25 December.

On Sunday 28 December around 8:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that two males were stranded at Boomerang Lagoon Outstation, approximately 51 kilometres northeast of Ngukurr.

Police were advised that on Christmas Day, a vehicle carrying four adults males attempted to cross a flooded creek crossing on the Numbulwar access Road when it was washed off the crossing. All occupants were able to exit the vehicle safely. Two of the males walked back to Ngukurr to raise the alarm, while the remaining two males stayed at the outstation.

Local police attended and confirmed all roads into the area were impassable due to floodwater and additional resources were requested to assist with the search.

Today, a helicopter carrying Ngukurr police was deployed and located both males approximately six kilometres from Boomerang Lagoon Outstation. They were conveyed back to Ngukurr, where they were assessed at the local health clinic.

The vehicle was also observed from the helicopter fully submerged in flood waters.

Acting Senior Sergeant Christopher Harden said, “Thankfully we had a great outcome here and there were no serious injuries.

“This is a timely reminder that if the road is flooded, forget it. No destination is worth your life.”

Southern Tasmanian youth charged with possession of child exploitation material

Source: Tasmania Police

Southern Tasmanian youth charged with possession of child exploitation material

Tuesday, 30 December 2025 – 4:14 pm.

Following detection of the sharing of child exploitation material on the social media platform, Kik, Tasmania Police commenced an investigation and identified a male youth suspect residing in Tasmania. 
The Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprised of the High-Risk Child Exploitation Unit and the Australian Federal Police, executed a search warrant with the assistance of the Community Protection and Offender Reporting (CPOR) team in Southern Tasmania today.
During the search, police examined numerous digital devices, locating a large amount of serious child exploitation material on the youth’s mobile phone. As a result, the youth was arrested and charged with possession of child exploitation material. He has been bailed to appear before the court at a later date, and is subject to strict conditions.
Australian children under the age of sixteen are now restricted in their use of social media, including the Kik platform. Tasmania Police urges parents and carers to not rely solely on these restrictions to keep young people safe online. They also recommend following the five top tips from ThinkUKnow:
1. Have open conversations, often
2. Supervision is essential
3. Be approachable if your child needs help
4. Check privacy settings
5. Know how to report
Visit ThinkUKnow for more information about these top tips and more.
Online child abuse is a serious crime. Tasmania Police, with the support of its partners, is committed to stopping these crimes and keeping our children safe. If you have seen inappropriate behaviour online that you suspect is child abuse, report it:
• If the child is in immediate danger, call 000.
• Call 131 444
• Report online to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) https://www.accce.gov.au/report

Rescue Operation – Plenty Highway

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has successfully rescued two people who were stranded on the Plenty Highway, approximately 100kms west of the QLD border.

Around 1pm on Sunday 28 December, police were notified that a vehicle with two occupants had experienced a mechanical failure and required assistance. Police attempted to drive to the location from Harts Range, however, were forced to turn back due to floodwaters rendering roads impassable.

Yesterday morning, police deployed a helicopter from Alice Springs to the location and located the pair safe and well around 10:30am. The man aged in his 70s and his teenage granddaughter had been travelling to Queensland when they experienced issues with their vehicle.

Police returned the pair to Alice Springs via helicopter where they could make arrangements to have the vehicle recovered.

Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Harden said, “The pair did everything right and were well-prepared for their journey, travelling with all the appropriate equipment. As a result, they were able to handle an unforeseeable circumstance and safely waited in place until police arrived to assist.

“This incident highlights the importance of being well-prepared when embarking on remote road trips; make sure you carry plenty of food and water, read the NT Road reports and carry a means of remote area communication, such as a phone with satellite communication capabilities.”

Police investigating Gagebrook wounding incident

Source: Tasmania Police

Police investigating Gagebrook wounding incident

Tuesday, 30 December 2025 – 2:59 pm.

Police are investigating a wounding incident at Gagebrook where a man reportedly received a non-life-threatening injury to his leg.
Police were called to a private residence in Emily Place just before 3.20pm Monday 29 December after reports a firearm had been discharged.
Nobody was present at the address when police arrived and a crime scene was declared.
Investigations are ongoing and police are asking anyone who may have seen a person riding a green and black road bike in the Gagebrook area near Emily Place shortly after 3.20pm Monday to contact 131 444 and quote OR 793646.
Crime Stoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
Police believe this was a targeted incident involving parties known to each other.

2025 New Years Eve Fireworks Live

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

If you’re deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us via the National Relay Service.

Phone 133 677 then ask for 1300 002 642.

Bendigo:
189-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo

Heathcote:
125 High Street, Heathcote

PO Box 733 Bendigo VIC 3552

Search and Rescue Operation – Engawala Community

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force’s Search and Rescue Section (SRS) is currently conducting a search operation for missing 48-year-old man, Davey, who was last sighted at Engawala Community last week.

Davey was last seen walking into bushland east of Engawala Community on Wednesday 24 December.

Community members, alongside members from a nearby cattle station, conducted unsuccessful searches for Davey, and he was reported missing to police yesterday afternoon.

Davey is described as being of Aboriginal in appearance, with a thin build and black/grey hair, and was last seen wearing a grey shirt and dark pants.

Police resources have been deployed from Harts Range and Alice Springs, and a search operation is currently ongoing in the vicinity of Engawala Community. Search taskings are being carried out with aerial and drone assets supporting ground search teams made up of local police resources, including ATVs and motorbikes, alongside community members.

Anyone with information about Davey’s whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2500128421.

Don’t spark tragedy with illegal fireworks

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Victorians are being urged to stay safe and celebrate the New Year without the danger of illegal fireworks.

Buying or using fireworks, which are classified as explosives in Victoria, is a crime for anyone other than a licensed pyrotechnician, whether in a public area or on private property.

WorkSafe Acting Chief Health and Safety Officer Adam Watson said fireworks were extremely dangerous in untrained hands and continued to cause serious injuries every year.

“Every summer, we see a spike of serious incidents involving unlawful possession and use of fireworks, as people put property and loved ones at risk for a few moments of entertainment,” Mr Watson said.

“Getting in trouble with the law, facing stiff penalties, and putting yourself or loved ones in danger of death or serious injury is no way to spend the festive season.”

Anyone caught illegally selling, buying or using fireworks in Victoria can face thousands of dollars in fines or even jail time under the Dangerous Goods Act.

While data from Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit shows fireworks-related injuries have declined in recent years – with nine emergency presentations in 2024-25 compared to 41 a decade ago – emergency services continue to respond to serious incidents.

Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Community Safety Joshua Fischer said that included the tragic death of a 19-year-old man killed at Kalkallo on Christmas Day last year.

“Christmas will never be the same for this young person’s family,” Mr Fischer said.

“We cannot stress enough – fireworks are dangerous and should only be handled by professionals.”

In 2024-25, CFA crews responded to 76 incidents involving the unauthorised use of fireworks, firecrackers, flares and similar items across Victoria.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the figures were a stark reminder of the dangers fireworks pose, particularly during a summer of heightened fire risk.

“With the fire activity we’ve already seen across the state, it’s more important than ever for people to remain vigilant and avoid behaviours that could spark fires,” Mr Heffernan said.

“Safety is our number one priority and we want to keep our loved ones and broader communities safe during the New Year celebrations.”

This year, 11,853 individual fireworks were removed from the community, either seized by Victoria Police or surrendered by members of the public, and a total of 16,200 fireworks were destroyed by WorkSafe.

WorkSafe’s specialist dangerous goods inspectors also seized 64,229 authorised display fireworks and other explosives in western Victoria, which had been stored without a licence.

Information about the unlawful sale, storage or use of fireworks can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential crime report online.

Submitted by CFA Media

Community charity status for Jewish Community Foundation

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The government has today declared the Jewish Community Foundation, associated with the Jewish Communal Appeal, as a community charity.

We’re supporting the invaluable work of community organisations that are helping the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and their families and bringing the community together in such difficult times.

The Jewish Communal Appeal has over 50 years of history raising and allocating funds for and to charities in NSW and ACT.

The establishment of the Jewish Community Foundation as a community charity will further support the Jewish Communal Appeal’s efforts to raise vital money for, and provide direct assistance to, those affected by the attacks.

The community charity framework started in March 2025 to ensure more money flows to charities making a real difference to people’s lives. Declaring the Jewish Community Foundation as a community charity is an important step toward deductible gift recipient status, pending Australian Taxation Office endorsement.

The Government is strengthening Australia’s charity sector, including through the recent legislation of reforms to enable the ACNC to publicly disclose investigations in the public interest, and we will continue to ensure the requirements for deductible gift recipient status are fit for purpose, consistent with the recommendations of the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism.

Our government is proud to work alongside the charitable sector to create a stronger, more generous Australia.

SOUTH TERRACE, PENOLA (Building Fire)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

PENOLA

Issued on
30 Dec 2025 02:38

Structure Fire in Penola

SA Country Fire Service (CFS) crews are currently responding to multiple structure fires at a property on South Terrace in Penola, in the Lower South East.

Approximately 50 CFS firefighters, supported by 8 fire trucks and 3 bulk water carriers, are working to contain a house and shed fire.

Firefighters are operating using breathing apparatus, and a significant amount of smoke is present in the area, including along the Penola Bypass (Riddoch Highway) and throughout parts of the township.

The fire also spread to a nearby paddock, resulting in a grass fire. Crews have brought the grass fire under control and continue to extinguish remaining hotspots.

Hazards in the area include reduced visibility due to smoke and emergency vehicles operating on local roads.

People with asthma or other breathing difficulties are advised to remain indoors, close windows and doors, or relocate to an area not affected by smoke.

Message ID 0008878