Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Celebrating Canberra’s volunteers

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Pearl is one of Domestic Animal Services’ dedicated volunteers.

In brief:

  • National Volunteer Week in the ACT runs from 19-25 May.
  • This article shares some of Canberra’s volunteer stories.

National Volunteer Week runs from 19-25 May. It’s a time to acknowledge and celebrate volunteers in Australia.

Volunteers make a positive impact on Canberra and its people.

No matter what you enjoy doing, there’s a way to help. This could be working with people or caring for animals or plants.

Meet some of Canberra’s volunteers.

Pearl, Domestic Animal Services volunteer

Pearl has been volunteering with Domestic Animal Services for six years.

‘It’s the best way to start the day! I usually walk dogs around the gorgeous bush trail first thing in the morning. It’s so beautiful to be surrounded by nature, wildlife and of course the gorgeous dogs in the morning sunshine,’ she said.

Since 2020, Pearl has spent countless hours at the shelter improving the wellbeing of dogs searching for their forever home.

‘Some dogs come in very timid and seeing them grow into happy and confident dogs makes me so grateful I get to be a part of the work Domestic Animal Services do for these animals,’ Pearl said.

Learn more about volunteering with Domestic Animal Services.

Adrian Manning, ACT State Emergency Service volunteer

Adrian had just turned 18 when he decided to volunteer for the ACT State Emergency Service.

‘Volunteering for the ACT State Emergency Service was something completely different. Not only was I able to help my community, but it also gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and trades, and that training has actually helped me in my paid roles in life,’ Adrian said.

‘It’s very rewarding to be able to assist the community. We sign up to help people, and whether it’s in Canberra or Queensland, it doesn’t really make a difference,’ he said.

Find out more about volunteering for the ACT Emergency Services Agency.

Manar, Co-founder of HelpingACT

Manar is the co-founder of HelpingACT. The charity aims to support Canberra’s most vulnerable through access to food and necessities.

He believes volunteering is a key to ensuring community services can be delivered efficiently.

‘If you’re nervous, start with volunteering that does not demand much from you and then go in deeper when you are more comfortable. My life is richer because of volunteering, and despite the hours I spend volunteering, I don’t see that as a cost. It has brought me in contact with wonderful people and made me stretch my capabilities,’ Manar said.

Learn more about HelpingACT.

Casey, volunteer at the National Arboretum, MIEACT and WaterWatch

Casey started volunteering to make a difference. She had always had grand ideas of environmental and societal change, and decided she wanted to be at the forefront of this change.

‘Volunteering has taught me to take initiative, and it gives me hope. Time is a valuable resource. By volunteering, you can give your time and energy to something you view as important. Volunteering has many benefits. It helps you. It helps others. It helps the world,’ Casey said.

Find out more about volunteering on the Volunteering ACT website.

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Body found in bin at Bellerive

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Body found in bin at Bellerive

Monday, 2 June 2025 – 5:56 pm.

Police have door knocked homes and businesses in the Bellerive area this afternoon looking for information that might help their investigations into the discovery of a man’s body in an industrial-sized garbage bin.
The body of a 45-year-old man was discovered about 9am on Monday (June 2) by a garbage contractor, with the bin located at the rear of a business in Percy Street.
Uniform officers from Bellerive Station, members of the South East Criminal Investigation Branch and Forensics have been gathering evidence at the scene and surrounds. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage.
Police have confirmed the man was last seen alive about 7pm on Saturday, by members of his family.
“Investigations are at an early stage, but right now the scene suggests this could be a case of death by misadventure or alternatively, foul play, or possibly a combination of both,” Detective Inspector David Gill said.
“At this time there is no evidence of any injuries to the man and an autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
Police have appealed for anyone with information about movements in the Percy Street area from Saturday night to Monday morning to contact them on 131 444 or report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to crimestopperstas.com.au

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Arrests – Assault worker – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a 44-year-old female and a 25-year-old male in relation to an incident that occurred in Alice Springs on Saturday evening.

Around 7:20pm, police received reports of a disturbance occurring at a licensed premises on Todd Street after a group were asked to leave.

During the altercation, it is alleged that members from the group assaulted 2 employees before damaging property within the premises.

Police attended a short time later and a 44-year-old female and a 25-year-old male were arrested nearby.

The female has been charged with:

  • Assault on Police
  • Offensive Behaviour in a Public Place
  • Fail to Leave Licensed Premises
  • Damage to Property

The male has been charged with:

  • Breach of Bail
  • Assault a Worker – Victim Suffers Harm
  • Assaults on Worker
  • Fail to Leave Licensed Premises
  • Threats of Injury or cause Detriment
  • Offensive Behaviour in a Public Place
  • Damage to Property
  • Disorderly Behaviour in Police Station

Both alleged offenders were remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court today.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25147763. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Call for information – Aggravated assault – Nhulunbuy

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police are calling for information in relation to an altercation that occurred in Nhulunbuy early Saturday morning.

Around 12:15am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a security officer had allegedly been stabbed during an altercation with a male in the carpark of a lodge on Westal Street.

It is alleged the male was previously banned from the location and when security officers approached him and asked him to leave an altercation occurred resulting in injuries to the male and the security officer being stabbed with a pair of scissors.

Police and St John Ambulance attended, and the male allegedly punched one of the officers in the face.

Both the security officer and the male were conveyed to Gove District Hospital for treatment with non-life-threatening injuries. The police officer did not require medical treatment.

Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500055868. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Operation FROME Wrap up 2025

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force have concluded Operation FROME, a high-visibility road safety operation along some of the Territory’s most remote areas between 6am Thursday 22 May to 6am Saturday 24 May 2025.

The operation, led by the Territory Road Policing Division, was developed to reduce the incidence of serious and fatal crashes through enforcement, education, and engagement, while targeting the movement of illicit substances and alcohol into the Northern Territory.

Operation FROME involved a coordinated effort with officers from the Northern Command, Southern Command, Southern Investigations, Northern Investigations, Dog Operations Unit and the Drug and Organised Crime Division, delivering roadside enforcement and engagement at strategic locations including Timber Creek, NT/QLD Border and south of Alice Springs, in cooperation with Queensland Police.

Operational outcomes included:

  • 1974 breath tests conducted, with 1 positive result for drink driving.
  • 297 drug driver tests, resulting in 30 positive detections.
  • 4 arrests and 22 Notices to Appear in court.
  • 48 Traffic Infringement Notices issued, and 11 vehicles defected.
  • 16 Drug Infringement Notices issued.
  • Drugs, alcohol, and cash seized included: 3.22kg of cannabis, 2.3g methamphetamine, 22g cocaine, 1.5g MDMA, 1.1g ketamine, 2.5kg of kava, 1 litre of alcohol, $31,428 in cash, and 3 imitation firearms (2 replica pistols and 1 replica AR-15)

The Territory Road Policing Division Superintendent Richard Magree said, “Overall we were very pleased with the majority of drivers, particularly commercial operators. It is, however, disappointing to see some individuals continuing to drive under the influence of drugs and attempting to traffic illicit substances across our borders.

“Driving under the influence remains a leading causal factor in fatal crashes across the Northern Territory. Police will continue to target this behaviour through operations like FROME.

“This remote operation is another reminder that Territory Road Policing can be anywhere at any time, and we continue to urge all drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to the Fatal Five.”

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A joint mine shaft rescue for Labrador ted

Source:

Credit: Ethan Brown, Trentham Fire Brigade

A team effort in the west today (2 June) saw local Trentham Fire Brigade members work with CFA’s Oscar 1 rescue team to safely rescue a dog from an eight-metre-deep mine shaft.

Having wandered off from their owners’ property on Thursday afternoon, Labradoodle Penny and Labrador Ted were found on Pronk Track in Trentham at around 11.43am this morning, with Penny above the mine and Ted sadly within it.   

While extensive social media posts were placed online to help locate the dogs over the weekend, and hopeful sounds of barking were heard in the distance by neighbours, the pair were still unable to be located.

Trentham Fire Brigade Captain David Wheeldon said it wasn’t until today that the neighbours fortunately crossed paths with Penny and Ted on their walk and called Triple Zero.

“When we arrived, as you would expect, Penny was quite agitated, but luckily one of our firefighters knew the owners because they lived next door to them,” David said.

“We were able to get a hold of them to come down before Bendigo’s Oscar 1 crew started the rescue process.

“Throughout the morning, we were providing Ted with plenty of food and water.

“The members of Oscar 1 descended down the 8m shaft to safely extricate Ted and hand him back into the arms of his owners at around 2.53pm, happy, healthy and well.”

While on scene Trentham Fire Brigade members worked with Forest Fire Management Victoria to track their location with pink ribbon and red taped a number of open mine shafts nearby to prevent future incidents.

Hepburn Shire Council were also on scene for wellbeing support.

  • Credit: Ethan Brown, Trentham Fire Brigade
  • Credit: Ethan Brown, Trentham Fire Brigade
  • Credit: Ethan Brown, Trentham Fire Brigade
  • Credit: Ethan Brown, Trentham Fire Brigade
Submitted by CFA media
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West Lakes man arrested after grow houses discovered

Source: New South Wales – News

A West Lakes man was charged with serious drug offences following an investigation into the cultivation of cannabis at multiple residential properties across the western suburbs.

Between 27 and 28 May 2025, Western District CIB detectives and police officers searched six properties in Woodville South, Seaton, Flinders Park, West Croydon and Ridleyton and found cannabis grow houses.

Five of the properties were found to have an electrical diversion.

As a result of the searches, a combined total of 305 cannabis plants, 30 kilograms of dried cannabis and a trafficable quantity of cocaine was located. A large quantity of prescribed equipment was also seized.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with six counts of cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, trafficking in a controlled drug, possess prescribed equipment and five counts of diverting electricity.

He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 10 September.

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Man further charged over indecent assaults

Source: New South Wales – News

A 59-year-old man from the eastern suburbs has been further charged with indecent assaults on three women.

The man was arrested in January and charged over an alleged sexual assault that occurred in January in the western suburbs.

Following investigations, the man was arrested last week and charged with three counts of indecent assault.  It will be alleged these indecent assaults occurred while he was working as a massage therapist in the western suburbs.

He was bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 8 July.

Investigations are continuing.

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Men charged with drug offences

Source: New South Wales – News

Two men have been arrested for drug charges and money laundering following the search of a western suburbs home over the weekend.

On Saturday 31 May, Western District Detectives searched a property at Ridleyton where they located approximately 2.5kg of methamphetamine, and approximately 400grams of ecstasy and more than $50K in cash.

A 55-year-old man and a 27-year-old man both from Ridleyton, were arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, two counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and money laundering.  Both men were refused police bail and will appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today (Monday 2 June).

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12 months of taking domestic violence by storm sees 311 arrests

Source: New South Wales – News

Stage four of a major state-wide South Australia Police (SAPOL) operation has garnered impressive results in the fight against domestic and family violence, including 66 arrests across a recent two-week period.

Operation Storm’s fourth dedicated anti-domestic abuse operation ran from April 28, 2025, to May 12, 2025, with 331 police officers targeting 411 offenders and attending 408 addresses throughout the state to locate high risk domestic abuse offenders, issue intervention orders and ensure offender’s bail conditions were met.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams said, overall, Operation Storm has improved the safety of hundreds of victims and children in South Australia.

Operation Storm has resulted in the arrest of 311 domestic abuse offenders and the issue of 98 intervention orders since its commencement in July 2024.

Within the eight weeks of dedicated days to Operation Storm in the 2024/2025 period, SAPOL has utilised 1175 police members to investigate 1423 domestic violence offenders in South Australia, seeing 1636 addresses attended and 516 support referrals for offenders to access rehabilitation services.

“The recent days of action demonstrate we will continue to check on high-risk individuals, we will take action against offending, we will monitor compliance of bail and intervention order condition to help protect victims and prevent future domestic and family violence offending,” Deputy Commissioner Williams said.

“I commend the hundreds of dedicated officers across the state for their commitment to deterring domestic abuse and referring offenders to behaviour change programs.

“This operation sends a strong message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated, and those who commit serious criminal offences will be held accountable and can expect to come to the attention of SAPOL.”

The conclusion of the first 12 months of Operation Storm has seen the following outcomes:

  • Arrests 311
  • Reports 73
  • Warrants cleared 71
  • Offences charged 657
  • Bail compliance checks 239
  • Intervention Orders issued 98
  • Support referral provided 516
  • Firearm Prohibition Order searches 26
  • Stalking Cautions issued 17

During Stage 4 of the Operation a 22-year-old Evanston Gardens man was among the arrests following a domestic disturbance. Police attended his home after he threatened to stab the family dog and then threatened family members with a knife. He was arrested for Aggravated Assault, Property Damage, and Assaulting an Emergency Services worker.

In another case, a 44-year-old Berri man, who is recorded as a high-risk domestic abuse offender, was arrested for five counts of Aggravated Assault and Cause Harm, including several strangulation offences. The man was taken into custody, and a full non-contact police intervention was issued at the Berri Magistrates Court. The man was remanded in custody.

“All members of our community have a right to be safe, and we encourage anyone experiencing family and domestic violence to contact police,” Deputy Commissioner Williams added.

“If you’re not confident or comfortable in talking to a police officer, go to a family violence service provider and they will assist you and contact police if necessary.

“We continue to monitor and assess risk, while sharing the information with other services as part of a multi-agency response.”

Meanwhile, Operation Storm has strengthened accountability for people who choose to use violence with specific and measurable targets, as outlined it the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.

For more information on domestic violence, visit SAPOL – Domestic violence

If this media release has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732 or by visiting www.1800respect.org.au. Help and support are also available through Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.