Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NT Police Force are happy to report a very well-behaved crowd following the NT’s largest music festival, Bass in the Grass.

Around 11,000 party goers attended on site for a fun filled evening.

Police conducted high visibility patrols, wanding operations, drug screening and community engagement across the event.

Of the thousands in attendance, police arrested four people and handed out two notices to appear in court for minor drug related offences.

Operation Esperance was established to ensure public safety, with members of the Dog Operations Unit, Territory Safety Division, recruits from the Police College and general duties in attendance.

Acting Superintendent Territory Safety Division Alexander Noonan said “It was fantastic to see positive engagement between our members and the community at this significant event.

“We want to thank everyone who enjoyed their night safely. We look forward to seeing you all at the next local event.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Bushwalkers rescued from Mount Field National Park during inclement weather

Monday, 19 May 2025 – 2:24 pm.

Police are reiterating warnings to bushwalkers after another search and rescue response was launched to rescue two bushwalkers near Lake Newdegate in the Mount Field National Park.
“Around 10pm last night, police were alerted via a satellite messaging device, that two bushwalkers required assistance after becoming stranded at the Newdegate Hut due to suffering from the effects of exposure,” said Acting Inspector Paul Johns from Marine and Rescue Services.
“The weather prevented the party from walking out of the area and concerns were held due to further deterioration of weather conditions.”
“The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched, however, due to weather conditions and cloud it was unable to safely land, and a search and rescue team was deployed to walk to the area.”
“Just prior to 3.30am this morning rescue personnel, consisting of two police rescue officers and two wilderness paramedics, reached the bushwalkers. The bushwalkers were treated at the hut and extracted by helicopter at 9am this morning, after the weather conditions improved.”
“Last week we saw several bushwalker weather alerts issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, and this rescue is an example of how it’s imperative to only bushwalk if you are prepared – both with physical capability, and equipment to keep you safe.”
“Bushwalkers should always prepare for the worst, and carry sufficient warm clothing and food, and emergency communication devices.”
“Police and other emergency services will always respond to requests for assistance, but it’s important to remember that if you require assistance in bad weather, aircraft are often not able to fly due to conditions and ground crews could be hours away. Carrying suitable equipment will ensure you can remain safe until help arrives if required.”
Police again remind those venturing outdoors to monitor weather warnings and consider the impact of the weather on their activities. Other essential safety considerations include:

Taking sufficient communication devices including mobile phones, charging banks and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s).
Ensuring sufficient emergency food, water, spare clothing and shelter is carried in the event the length of the trip extends.
Research impending weather conditions for the area and do not continue with plans where inclement weather is due.

Source:

Credit: Mike Dugdale

Volunteers from across the Bellarine Peninsula and surrounding areas successfully came together over the weekend on Sunday 18 May, to participate in a large-scale multi-agency operation – Exercise Mabon – in Wallington.

Coordinated by the VICSES Bellarine Unit, the exercise held on Sunday, 18 May, simulated a major traffic incident involving a collision between a 53-seat passenger bus and a delivery truck, resulting in multiple casualties and complex response challenges.

The scenario was based on a fictional food and wine festival setting and designed to rigorously test multi-agency emergency response capabilities in real time.

The event brought together representatives from VICSES, CFA, FRV, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance, and other support agencies and businesses, including local council.

Participants practiced a coordinated emergency response, including casualty triage and extrication, hazardous material management, and the establishment of command-and-control structures.

The realistic scenario enabled participants to practise responding to a multi-vehicle, multi-casualty emergency involving simulated hazards such as entrapments, smoke effects, and debris. The exercise was conducted under strict safety supervision, with a dedicated Safety Officer on site throughout the day.

Exercise Mabon successfully achieved its core objectives, including:

• Test command and control structures across agencies.
• Enhance interoperability and effective communication during complex responses.
• Practise casualty triage and management in a realistic environment.
• Improve decision-making under pressure during evolving emergency scenarios.
• Test the use of a multi-agency radio communication channel.

The bus used in the scenario was a decommissioned 53-seat coach kindly donated to the VICSES Bellarine Unit in 2015, by Christian’s Bus Company. The unit has since utilised the vehicle for training and was pleased to make it available for this significant inter-agency exercise before its final decommissioning.

This year’s exercise also marks the beginning of National Volunteer Week, a time to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions of volunteers across the country. Exercise Mabon stands as a fitting demonstration of their dedication and capability.

VICSES extends its appreciation to all participating agencies, facilitators, volunteers, and the local community for their support in making the exercise a success.

Quotes attributable to Garry Cook AFSM, CFA Acting Chief Officer:

“It is vital we work as one, and any opportunity to work alongside our counterparts is positive. Not only does it further enhance our teamwork, communication, and leadership at a response, but it also allows the familiarisation of our respective tools and processes.”

“The exercise stems as a valuable learning experience for members in an environment that will only improve our ability to respond in the event of an emergency in the future and ultimately protect the community.”

Submitted by	CFA media

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Members of Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Melton fire brigades involved, ACFO David Maxwell and Commander Mal Hayes with ACFO Lachlan Redman and Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook. Credit: Uniform Photography

Seventeen firefighters from Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Melton Fire Brigades have received one of CFA’s highest honours for their response to a serious school bus crash in 2022.

Acting CFA Chief Officer Garry Cook AFSM presented the distinguished Unit Citation for Service to the members at a ceremony in Myrniong on Sunday (18 May).

At 3.20am on 21 September 2022, CFA crews were called to a major crash on the Western Freeway in Pentland Hills, where a school bus carrying 27 students and four staff from Loreto College Ballarat had been struck at speed by a truck with a semi-trailer.

The bus veered off the road and rolled down a steep embankment, coming to rest in dense scrub with many occupants trapped. The truck with a semi-trailer came to a stop around 400 metres further down the freeway, with the driver pinned inside the cab.

CFA firefighters were among the first emergency services to arrive. Crews descended the slope using a secured hose reel, carrying rescue tools to reach and assist injured and disoriented students.

Simultaneously, other CFA crews helped extricate the truck driver and managed a significant diesel spill, while several members supported Ambulance Victoria to attend to the students.

Fifteen students and one staff member were hospitalised. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

“This was an incredibly complex and emotionally charged scene, and our members showed true professionalism under pressure,” Garry said.

“Their ability to respond quickly, work alongside other emergency services and provide reassurance to young people in distress is something we as an organisation are very proud of.”

Captain of Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade Ryan O’Shannessy, who was the CFA Incident Controller, said it was one of the most confronting incidents his crew had faced.

“It was a call-out that really showed the heart of our members, stepping in with empathy, skill and care to help a busload of young students and teachers who’d just been through something terrifying,” Ryan said.

“The injuries we saw were confronting, but everyone did what they could to help, drawing on our CFA training, life experience and the support of all the agencies working together.

“Seeing our crews comfort those kids, assess injuries and stay calm under pressure made me incredibly proud. It was a true team effort — not just from the three CFA brigades, but also from Fire Rescue Victoria, VICSES, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria.

“We are grateful for this acknowledgement by the Victorian community and CFA, and while it was one incident of significance, we humbly accept this Unit Citation on behalf of our brigades for all the incidents we have and will continue to attend when called upon to help our local and wider communities in protecting life and property.”

Captain of Ballan Fire Brigade Ben Hatfield said the recognition meant a great deal.

“We’re proud to receive this on behalf of our brigades, but more importantly, we’re proud of how our members responded that day,” Ben said.

“This citation may recognise one moment, but it reflects the work we do every time we’re called to help, especially when it’s our youngest community members who need us most.”

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

The high-profile director of a Melbourne real estate agency is facing criminal charges for unlicensed trading and trust account breaches, as Consumer Affairs Victoria continues to crack down on agents who break the law.

Mark Alexander Reuben, 47, of Greenvale, is the sole director of Reuben Family Pty Ltd (trading as Mark Reuben Projects).

It is alleged that between August 2022 and October 2024, Reuben and his company:

• operated without a licence
• failed to properly manage $400,000 in trust money
• failed to complete trust account audits.

Agents who trade without a licence face up to 12 months’ imprisonment or up to $100,000 in fines. Those who fail to deposit trust money into a trust fund or fail to complete audits, risk up to $23,710 per breach, for each year that this applies.

The matter is listed for a hearing on 23 June 2025.

Source:

Avoca Fire Brigade has received a new heavy tanker as part of a state-wide rollout designed to enhance CFA’s firefighting capability.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source:

Raglan Fire Brigade has welcomed a new tanker to their engine bay and celebrated the official handover with an event on Sunday.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police are calling for information in relation to domestic violence assaults that occurred in Lajamanu early on Saturday morning.

Around 12:25am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of a disturbance occurring at an address in Lajamanu.

A short time later, two victims presented at the clinic. An adult female sustained deep lacerations to her bicep, forearm and forehead, while a male youth suffered a laceration to his hand. The female victim was later medically evacuated to Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment, where she remains in a stable condition.

Police conducted extensive patrols to locate the alleged offender, who is known to the victims; however, they were unable to locate her, and she remains outstanding.

Lajamanu police have carriage of the incident and investigations remain ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500050833. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Southern Domestic Violence Unit has charged a 23-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident in Alice Springs on Thursday last week.

He was arrested directly after the incident and has since been charged with:

• Assault a Person Preventing Injury to Another
• Aggravated Assault x 2
• Aggravated Burglary
• Damage to property
• Make a threat to kill a person x 2

He is remanded in custody to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on 31 July 2025.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.