Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Back L to R: Jeremy Martin, Jai Maher, Aaron Yates, Captain Wayne Draper, ACFO Bryan Russell, Michael Franchetto, Bayley Charalambous. Front L to R: Lynne O’Callaghan, Narelle Douthie, Jarod Rodway

Morwell Fire Brigade has officially welcomed the arrival of their new Heavy Tanker through the station doors which is set to boost their firefighting capabilities to serve their local community.

Brigade members gathered at the fire station on Thursday, 27 March to celebrate the new addition to their fleet, where CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bryan Russell had the honour of handing over the keys.

Morwell Captain Wayne Draper said the brigade is excited to use the new tanker which will put them in a better position to protect the community because of the increased water capacity of 4000L.

“The new tanker has been great for morale since coming into the station. It’s very user friendly and will be a great benefit to us,” Wayne said.

“The extra 1,000 litres of water will go a long way out on the fireground.

“It is also now a lot more comfortable for members to ride in the cab, and the simplicity of the layout has been easier for our volunteers to navigate.

“Over the last few months, we’ve put a lot of work into adjusting to a completely different truck, as this one is a lot bigger than what we’ve had previously.

“I’ve been really proud of how well our members have embraced the challenge. We’ve had eight drivers and operators do more than 15 hours of training each to become accredited and they are keen to put their training into practice.”

CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bryan Russell said the new tanker will not just be an asset for response but also for the safety of the members.

“It has some fantastic enhancements, with updated crew protection systems and burn over protection, plus full equipment stowage,” Bryan said.

“The new features also aim to reduce crew fatigue and improve safety and ergonomics including easy to read electric monitors and electric rewind hose systems.”

“Environmentally, we’re reducing impacts through use of recyclable building materials and higher levels of emission controls.”

The Heavy Tanker’s 4×4 capability and automatic transmission will also help crews access fires in difficult terrain.

The new vehicle was funded through the Victorian Government’s CFA Capability Funding package and is one of 48 new tankers being rolled out to CFA fire brigades across Victoria to ensure volunteer firefighters are well-equipped to protect their communities.

Morwell Fire Brigade has a strong membership of 78, with 31 of them operational, and a strong female presence of six operational, six auxiliary and 14 junior members. The brigade has a large response area in the Latrobe Valley area of Gippsland and averages 310 callouts a year.

Submitted by	CFA media

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28 March 2025

Identifying genetic links that predispose children to deadly brain cancers and neuroblastoma is the focus of a new Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) project led by University of South Australia researchers.

The $976,292 project is one of five successful UniSA research projects, totalling more than $7 million, announced by the Federal Government today.

Chief Investigator Associate Professor Quenten Schwarz from the Centre for Cancer Biology says he hopes the $976,292 stem cell project will improve treatment outcomes for the two diseases that have a very low survival rate.

“Current treatment-induced side effects lead to long-term complications for children with these neuronal tumours, affecting their neurological and neurocognitive functions,” Assoc Prof Schwarz says.

“If we can better identify the genetic links to these diseases, it will inform new targeted treatment options for these cancers that are less toxic.”

Other UniSA chief investigators on the project include Professor Stuart Pitson, Dr Katherine Pillman, and Professor Natasha Harvey, along with researchers from SAHMRI, UNSW and the University of Western Australia.

The other UniSA projects awarded MRFF funding include:

Co-design models of care for youth with chronic pain ($2,604,235): MRFF EPCDRI & PHCR Multidisciplinary Models of Primary Care, Chief Investigators: UniSA’s Dr Carolyn Berryman, Prof Lorimer Moseley, Dr Hayley Leake, Prof Ian Gwilt, Dr Sarah Wallwork, Abby Jennings, and Prof Adrian Esterman.

This project will develop an improved model of care for the 20% of youths in South Australia who experience chronic pain. This is a serious unmet need in Australia due to affected youths not being believed, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Cost-effectiveness of a new treatment to reduce the risk of chronic post-surgical pain after total knee replacement surgery ($1,998,433): MRFF Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative, Chief Investigators: UniSA’s Assoc Prof Natasha Stanton, Prof Lorimer Moseley, Dr Daniel Harvie, Dr Felicity Braithwaite, Peter Ninnes, Dr Tyman Stanford).

Total knee replacement surgery (TKR) is the gold standard care for knee osteoarthritis, with approximately 70,000 TKR surgeries performed each year. However, TKR causes long lasting severe pain for up to 15% of people undergoing surgery. This project will investigate a new lifestyle treatment approach so that people can rehabilitate with better outcomes.

Medication safety rounds in aged care to prevent medication induced harm ($990,645): MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission, Chief Investigators: UniSA’s Assoc Prof Janet Sluggett, Dr Sara Javanparast, Prof Marion Eckert, Prof Debra Rowett, Prof Ian Gwilt, Aaron Davis, Dr Daria Gutteridge.

This study will equip pharmacists, nurses, and aged care workers with the tools to identify medication issues early and develop safe action plans for aged care residents. New medication safety rounds will help address medication harm and management, which is the most common complaint reported to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Tailored hydrogels to improve wound healing therapy ($588,922): MRFF Stem Cells Therapies Mission, Chief Investigators: UniSA’s Prof Allison Cowin and Prof Ferry Melchels.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic skin condition affecting children and characterised by fragile skin, chronic blistering, open wounds, fibrosis, constant pain and early death. This project will develop an easy-to-apply stem-cell based WoundGel that stimulates healing without scarring and fibrosis.

The Medical Research Future Fund is a $22 billion long-term investment supporting Australian health and medical research. The MRFF aims to transform health and medical research and innovation to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to health system sustainability.

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Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

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On Wednesday 26 March, Kyneton Fire Brigade was called to assist Wildlife Victoria with a bird rescue.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Youths to face court over Metro incidents

Friday, 28 March 2025 – 12:07 pm.

Police are proceeding against three youths over incidents reported on Metro buses earlier this month.
A 14-year-old boy will face court over two matters, including allegedly stealing from a bus on 13 March, and assaulting a bus driver and stealing a quantity of cash in Glenorchy on 15 March.
Two 15-year-old boys will face court after allegedly damaging a bus in Gagebrook on 19 March, and stealing approximately $270 worth of property in a separate matter.
Inspector Jason Klug said CCTV enabled police to quickly identify all the alleged offenders.
“The safety of Metro employees and community members on public transport is a priority for Tasmania Police,” he said.
“We work in partnership with Metro and have dedicated officers who proactively patrol and detect offending on buses and around key transport areas.”
“The use of high quality CCTV on buses and in bus malls helps us to identify those engaging in illegal behaviours.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Devonport man charged after police seize drugs, homemade firearm

Friday, 28 March 2025 – 12:06 pm.

A man has been charged with trafficking and firearms offences after police seized a significant quantity of methylamphetamine and a homemade pistol during a targeted search at Devonport yesterday morning.
Police executed a search warrant at a private residence on Thursday 27 March, locating and seizing the homemade firearm as well as 50 grams of methylamphetamine, ammunition, cash believed to be proceeds of crime, and quantities of other illicit substances. 
A 56-year-old Devonport man was arrested and has since been charged with multiple offences including trafficking in a controlled substance, possess a firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued, possess an unregistered firearm, possess an unsafe firearm, and further minor drug charges.
He will appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms or illicit substances should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online a crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

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Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged over Lindisfarne incident

Friday, 28 March 2025 – 11:05 am.

A man has been charged with multiple offences following an incident on the East Derwent Highway at Lindisfarne yesterday.
Police were called about 3.10pm Thursday 27 March after reports a driver was holding what appeared to be a small firearm out the window of a black BMW while travelling on the highway toward Geilston Bay.
The vehicle was intercepted by police a short time later on the Brooker Highway at Goodwood and the driver was taken into custody without incident.
Police located a plastic toy firearm within the vehicle.
The 31-year-old Clarendon Vale man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, and multiple traffic and drug-related offences and will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.Police would like to thank members of the public for their vigilance in reporting the matter.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or the vehicle travelling dangerously over the Bowen Bridge yesterday afternoon should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

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28 March 2025

As Australia undertakes major aged care reforms to improve medication management and resident safety, a new University of South Australia initiative will trial medication safety rounds in aged care homes to prevent medication-induced harm and improve resident care.

Funded by a near $1 million MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission Grant, the new study will equip pharmacists, nurses, and aged care workers with the tools to identify medication issues early and develop safe action plans for residents.

Conducted in partnership with six aged care providers, and supported by a diverse team of experts in pharmacy, medicine, nursing, aged care, consumer engagement, and health economics, the project directly responds to recommendations in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to implement pharmacist models of care in aged care homes.

Medication management problems are the most frequent reason for residential care complaints to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Chief Investigator, UniSA’s Associate Professor Janet Sluggett says the new medication safety rounds will lead to improvements in medication use, health, and wellbeing among residents.

“Aged care residents take multiple medications, and this can increase the likelihood of medication errors and adverse events,” Assoc Prof Sluggett says.

“Now, as a result of the Royal Commission in Aged Care Quality and Safety, pharmacists are working onsite in aged care homes to help address this issue, but we need to provide them with new tools to proactively address medication safety issues.”

“The new medication safety rounds draw on the evidence-based principles of nurse-led ‘palliative care needs rounds’, where patients are regularly monitored by a multidisciplinary team of experts to assess and cater for their changing needs.

“Our rounds will work in a similar way where pharmacists, nurses and other aged care team members engage in monthly meetings to ensure medications are being used safely and effectively.”

“This pharmacist-led approach will help to identify and address potential problems with medication use, such as drug interactions, inappropriate prescriptions, and opportunities for deprescribing, with any changes identified actioned to ensure optimal resident care.”

The multisite, two-year project will work collaboratively with health professionals, aged care staff, residents and families to adapt the existing palliative care need rounds model, and codesign implementation processes and resources to inform the delivery of medication safety needs rounds.

“Australia is one of the first countries to implement onsite pharmacists in aged care homes. Our new, pharmacist-led medication safety rounds initiative will deliver a robust mechanism to address medication safety needs in aged care homes,” Assoc Prof Sluggett says.

“Working with our partners in aged care homes, we will implement and evaluate the processes and outcomes of medication safety needs rounds and conduct an intervention scalability assessment to inform future testing or scale up.

“With Australia’s aged care system undergoing major reforms, including the introduction of onsite pharmacists, this project leverages a critical window of opportunity to develop a new care model focused on reducing medication-induced harm and improving resident’s health and wellbeing.”

Results from the project will be assessed and in time, expanded more widely.

The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website.

Notes to editors:

• The Chief Investigators for this MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission initiative include: UniSA’s Assoc Prof Janet Sluggett, Dr Sara Javanparast, Prof Marion Eckert, Prof Debra Rowett, Prof Ian Gwilt, Dr Aaron Davis, and Dr Daria Gutteridge).
• This project is one of five research grants awarded by the MRFF, with a total value of more than $7 million.

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Contact for interview:  Assoc Prof Janet Sluggett E: Janet.Sluggett@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Father and son rescued from Pipe Clay Lagoon

Friday, 28 March 2025 – 10:55 am.

A father and son from Risdon Vale have been rescued while fishing in Pipe Clay Lagoon in southern Tasmania overnight.
About 11pm Thursday 27 March, the 43-year-old man and his 14-year-old son were flounder fishing in Pipe Clay Lagoon.
They called emergency services for assistance after becoming disoriented and entering deep water several hundred metres from land.
Senior Constable Callum Herbert from police search and rescue said the pair were located by uniform officers and at about 12.45am after support from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
“They were pulled from the water by members from Marine and Rescue Services in a specialised shallow draught vessel.
“They were then taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where they were treated for hypothermia.
“The rescue of these two individuals is a timely reminder for any members of the public who undertake activities on the water.
“If the response had been delayed, the outcome in this case could have been disastrous.
“We urge you to be prepared, even in waters that seem calm or you are familiar with, always plan ahead by checking the weather forecast, ensuring you have appropriate safety equipment, including a working charged mobile phone.”