Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source:

19 March 2025

Small live music venue operators across regional Australia face personal and financial strain as they work to keep their doors open and sustain thriving music cultures in their communities.

A study by the University of South Australia has found that regional live music venue operators are experiencing stress and burnout as they face challenges with audience access and fairly paying performing artists. 

It’s estimated that in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Australia has lost more than 1300 live music venues and stages due to a steep increase in public liability costs and rising rent and energy prices.

This is coupled with the current cost-of-living crisis that has severely impacted venues’ bottom line and altered the spending habits of audiences, slowing both ticket and bar sales.

While there has been high-profile media attention recently about the closure of several metropolitan venues, less attention is paid to small live music venues in country towns.

Researcher Dr Rosie Roberts, along with Dr Sam Whiting of RMIT University, interviewed almost a dozen venue operators from regional South Australia in 2020-21 as part of a larger research project that informed the State Government’s Live Music Support Package.

Dr Roberts, a member of UniSA’s Creative People, Products and Places Research Centre, says live music venues in regional areas often involve high levels of volunteer labour, investing a lot of time for little financial gain.

“Many venue operators are undertaking a significant amount of the labour that’s involved for free, because they’re driven by a desire to develop and sustain a music culture in their region,” she says.

“The people we interviewed often described feelings of burnout and exhaustion and said they were the last to get paid, if paid at all, once they had ensured that the musicians were appropriately compensated.

“This can produce a churning cycle of music events which is difficult to sustain as operators become tired and need to step away. It’s very difficult to keep operations going in the medium to long term and this can fracture the development of regional music and produce short-term pockets of activity.”

Regional venues face unique challenges due to the smaller resident populations which then limit the size of bands playing, the frequency of shows and the amount that can be paid to musicians. The costs associated with travel and transport are also an issue.

While regulatory issues such as licensing and noise are often the main challenges for city-based live music venues, the issues faced by regional areas are different, Dr Roberts says.

“Regional venues face issues with accessibility and affordability of high-quality acts that attract audiences, as well as encouraging audiences to regularly attend and spend the money required to sustain such gigs, especially in the context of rising cost of living pressures,” she says.

The research study found that despite having different needs to metropolitan venues, regional venue operators often experience a lack of a voice in decision making around music policy.

Dr Roberts says solutions could include localised approaches such as continued town or regional art strategies, music feedback forums that connect city-based policy makers with regional stakeholders and the development of a regional live music policy.

She also suggests the appointment of regional live music officers, and dedicated funding schemes for small and medium sized venues in regional areas.

“Regional live music venues perform a critical function for their communities because they provide spaces of sociality, belonging, education and skill development, so it’s important we provide a healthy and sustainable live music scene for our regional centres and towns.” Dr Roberts says.

“Small live music venues are where emerging musicians first engage in music making, yet they also continue their connection with the regions throughout their lives. This makes them vital to an artist’s development both creatively and professionally.”

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Contact for interview: Dr Rosie Roberts, Senior Lecturer, UniSA Creative E: rosie.roberts@unisa.edu.au

Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 403 659 154 E: melissa.keogh@unisa.edu.au

Source: New South Wales – News

Ranging in age from 19 to 46, eight men and five women bring various experience to policing, including from retail, psychology, fitness and care work, plus as a Police Security Officer.

One Course 78 member was born in New Delhi and speaks Hindi, a fellow graduate’s family comes from Pakistan and speaks Urdu, while another hails from Germany.

Two other members have journeyed from New South Wales and regionally from Port Lincoln.

Rishi worked in retail before becoming a police officer and his ambitions ‘reach for the sky’.

“I hold a commercial pilot’s licence, which I was studying and practicing for before joining SAPOL. I gained the qualities of problem-solving and time management when I was learning to fly, which I believe will help in improving the overall quality of my work and shifts,” he said.

“This experience helped me in learning different customer behaviours and adjusting my way of communication to suit the situation on a day-to-day basis.

“I have always wanted to work for the community and work in the public safety sector as my grandfather served in the army back in India.”

Fellow Course 78 member, Lara, worked as a bar manager and in cat and dog boarding kennels before joining the policing field.

“I believe my experience in hospitality taught me a lot of people skills. I also played a lot of soccer when I was younger and represented Australia in indoor soccer when I was 16,” she said.

“The number of different pathways you can take in SAPOL was something that attracted me to a career in SAPOL, along with the physical aspect of the job and being on the go everyday with new experiences.”

She encouraged people interested in SAPOL to prioritise their fitness in advance and to research the organisation and its numerous career pathways.

Before policing was on the cards for Ethan, he worked various jobs including as a truck driver, personal trainer, and a roulette dealer at the casino.

“These professions lend myself to being a better police officer as I have ample experience in people relations and customer service,” he said.

“The academy has helped me to develop as a person. Working so closely with different people of varying backgrounds has helped me to establish different communication styles that I can change between when engaging with the public.

“Furthermore, everyone at the academy does so much to support cadets. I felt supported throughout the whole training, and my mentors went to great lengths to ensure I had the best learning experience possible.”

Rishi hopes to one day work at POLAIR, and like Lara, in SAPOL’s Security Response Section, while Ethan is eyeing the top job and aspires to one day be the Commissioner of Police.

Course 78 members will be stationed to metropolitan and regional postings, including Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Mount Gambier.

SAPOL is currently recruiting and is keen to hear from people interested in an inspiring career with unmatched experiences and rewards.

If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore – Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)

Rishi, Ethan and Lara were among Course 78 members who graduated today from the South Australia Police Academy.

Source: New South Wales Department of Education and Communities

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 40-year-old female in relation to a road rage incident that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday.

Around 6:40am on Tuesday 18 March, police responded to reports of a collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Tuncks Road and South Terrace. A 54-year-old female driver had failed to give way to oncoming traffic, causing a collision with another vehicle.

The 40-year-old female driver of the second vehicle allegedly approached the 54-year-old female driver after the collision and physically assaulted her, resulting in minor injuries. No injuries were reported to police in relation to the initial accident.

Police attended and conducted roadside breath tests and drug tests on both drivers. The 40-year-old female tested positive for cannabis and was subsequently charged with:

• Aggravated assault
• Drive motor vehicle unlicensed
• Drive with prohibited drug in body
• Drive unregistered / uninsured
• Disorderly behaviour in Police Station
• Damage property

She is due to appear in court today.

Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to call police on 131 444. In an emergency call 000. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: New South Wales Department of Education and Communities

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 19-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Karama this morning.

About 12:50am, police received reports of a disturbance at residence in Karama involving a group allegedly armed with weapons. The group were reportedly armed with a bow and allegedly threw bottles and loosed arrows at the home. One of the offenders is known to one of the victims.

General duties and Dog Operations Unit members commenced investigations and subsequently located the 19-year-old man at a residence in Gunn. He was arrested for Breach domestic violence order and was remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court tomorrow.

Investigations remain ongoing.

If anyone has any information in relation to this incident police urge you to make contact on 131 444. You can anonymously report crime via Crime Stopper by calling 1800 333 000.

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: New South Wales Department of Education and Communities

The Northern Territory Police Force has charged a 19-year-old male with property offences and Interfere with protected wildlife following an unlawful entry in Knuckey Lagoon last Thursday.

Yesterday about 2:15pm, Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations Unit members tracked down the 19-year-old to a residence in Malak and apprehended him without incident.

He has since been charged with:

• Burglary – Building
• Damage to Property x 4
• Trespass – Entering Without Authority x 2
• Take/Interfere With Protected Wildlife
• Theft
• Driving, Using/Riding Motor Vehicle Without Consent
• Learner Driver – No Person in Front Seat
• Drive Without L Plates When Required

He will appear in Darwin Local Court today.

*This release was updated 12pm on 10/03/2025 as the incident day was originally incorrect. 

Source:

Gisborne juniors championships team

More than 900 firefighters are ready and raring to compete in the 2025 CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships over the next two weekends.

Returning to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, CFA’s junior running teams from across the state will showcase their skills this weekend for the Urban Junior State Championships on 22 and 23 March.

Next weekend will see the Senior Urban, Senior Rural and Junior Rural events on 29 and 30 March.

Running for the second year in a row, is Gisborne Fire Brigades junior team. Following a twelve-year hiatus, Gisborne is back stronger than ever, under the watchful eye of former runner and coach for the brigade Bruce Harker.

Bruce is passionate about the sport and ran for almost 45 years. He has been guiding Asher, Nick, Zack and Lincoln who recently won the under 17 aggregates at Geelong.

“This is the first time in the brigade’s history we have had a junior running team,” Bruce said.

“I’m quite pleased how they’ve gone this year and there is a lot of pride for me in the success of the team.

“The brigade has been running since the sixties, and we were unbeatable for a while. It’s great to have a team back competing.”

Asher Kroon one of the team’s founding members loves the sport and how many opportunities it has given him.

“I think everyone should do it, I have learnt a lot of valuable skills, especially the teamwork aspect,” Asher said.

“I love all the long drives and places I get to see as part of competing.”

Asher is confident the team will do well but also wants to see more people put their hand-up to participate.

“We’ve done really well this year and I think we should do well at State Championships, we are all excited!” Asher said.

“We only have four people which is the minimum to compete. Even though it isn’t a sport you’d normally consider we would love more people to join.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the State Championships are an important tradition for CFA members and regional communities.

“The Championships are always one of my favourite events in the calendar. They are a great display of the skills, dedication and enthusiasm of our members in a fun environment,” Jason said.

“It’s always a great place to see the camaraderie among our brigades, their families and the broader community.

“I look forward to seeing our future fighters battle it out this weekend for a bit of healthy competition.”

Attendees can enjoy food and drink vans, firefighting equipment and training demonstrations, CFA programs and education hubs, award presentations and much more. 

Events at the State Championships are based on practical firefighting activities, with a focus on physical fitness, teamwork and equipment skills using hoses, hydrants and other tools.

For more information and updates on the CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/champs.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 19 Mar 2025

An international university student studying in Australia has been convicted of multiple wildlife trafficking offences and sentenced to eighteen months in prison.

Ms Yinan Zhao appeared in the Brisbane District Court on 27 February 2025 to face seven charges of attempting to send native Australian wildlife by post to China.

Between 12 May and 1 November 2023, Zhao attempted to export ten individual packages containing 15 lizards from Queensland to China, with an estimated ‘street value’ of $74,207.

The lizards were packed in small boxes containing children’s toys with some intercepted by Australia Post in Brisbane and others in Sydney after being X-rayed.

The successful prosecution was the result of a joint operation between the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) and the Queensland Government Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).

Much of the offending took place in Queensland, while some offences occurred in New South Wales.

DESTI Compliance Manager Warren Christensen welcomed the prosecution and the minimum five-month prison sentence.

“Unfortunately, international students, such as those from China are often targeted through social media and other means to make easy money by smuggling wildlife,” Mr Christensen said.

“This prosecution should serve as a warning to others considering smuggling animals to make a quick buck that they will be caught and face very serious, life changing consequences.

“This operation was an excellent example of state and Australian government agencies working cooperatively with Border Force and Australia Post to detect and prevent international wildlife smuggling.

“DETSI wildlife officers seized the packages suspected by Australia Post and Border Force of containing protected wildlife.

“We formally identified all wildlife recovered from the packages and assisted with the identification of Zhao and the execution of the warrant that led to her arrest.

“During her arrest, we also found more unlawfully held wildlife that were also being prepared for sale on Chinese markets.

“Sending reptiles in the mail is extremely cruel as they won’t have access to food, water or fresh air for weeks and sadly, most of the animals will die before they get to their destination.

“Of those we intercept, many can never be released into the wild because we don’t know where they were captured or if they have been exposed to disease while in captivity.

“We thank the Australian Government, Border Force and Australia Post for their efforts in assisting in detecting this crime and in securing this conviction.”

Zhao was convicted on all charges and sentenced to 18-months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 5 months.

The successful conviction follows the prosecution of another foreign national, Mr Man Lung Ma, who was convicted of nineteen charges relating to twenty-nine separate attempts to export protected native wildlife, including five attempts from Queensland.

In November 2024 Lung Ma was sentenced to 3 years 6 months in jail, with a 2-year non-parole period.

Lizards attempted to be smuggled:

• 5 Shinglebacks
• 5 Blue tongues
• 2 Geckos
• 2 Tree skinks
• 1 Cunningham skink

Source: Premier of Victoria

Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

This transcript has been redacted in accordance with Digital Transformation Agency guidelines.

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Don Farrell, Minister for Trade: Thanks, Joe, and welcome to everybody here today. It’s great to be with Joe. He’s a standout Trade Minister in what is a standout state government under my good friend Peter Malinauskas. And it’s the teamwork between the state and the federal government that’s got us to this point where we’ve had almost double the record amount of crayfish going back into China. When I started this job almost three years ago, we faced $20 billion worth of trade impediments on our products going back into China. That disproportionately affected South Australia because so many of the products were staples in this state. The last of those products to get back in was crayfish and we got that back in just before Christmas, so just in time to make the Lunar New Year. And of course, we’ve now seen these wonderful, wonderful results coming through. And what we’ve seen in respect of every single product that we’ve got back into China over the last three years is that we are getting more product back into China than before the impediments were imposed. It doesn’t matter whether you talk about wheat, barley, beef or wine, all very important products produced in South Australia. All of those products are now going back into China at greater volumes. Why is that important? Well, if your business is outward facing, then your profits are going to be higher, but more importantly, the wages of your staff are going to be higher. So, it’s good for business and it’s good for employees. These are difficult times for trade. But what we’ve seen is with that more than $20 billion now getting back into China, that’s good obviously for the Australian economy. We’re a great free trading nation. But it’s also good for Chinese consumers. They’re getting the best product in the world. How do we know that? Well, they’re buying so much. I do want to particularly single out Kyri here because these were really tough times for Australian and South Australian fishers. They had to hold firm in what were the most difficult of circumstances. And can I congratulate Kyri in the way that he stuck with the government? It would have been very easy to throw up your hands and say, look, we’re not going to resolve this issue. But Kyri stuck with us for the whole of the time, and of course now the seafood industry in this state and in this country is reaping the benefits. So, great work there Kyri. Have a great day. Thank you.

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