Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Artists and creatives in Greater Bendigo are invited to apply for the Create Lab 2026 Small Grants Program which has opened for expressions of interest.

As a City of Greater Bendigo annual small grants initiative, Create Lab is designed to support local creatives to research, test and develop new ideas, and explore innovative collaborations, particularly with sectors outside the traditional creative industries.

Grants of $4,000 will be awarded to successful applicants to help bring their ideas to life.

Create Lab 2026 aims to:

• Encourage artists and creatives who live, work or study in Greater Bendigo to explore new partnerships across sectors and art forms
• Support artists to build confidence and capacity in developing new ideas
• Foster collaboration within Bendigo’s creative community and beyond
• Encourage sectors outside of the creative industries to engage with the arts
• Encourage sectors outside of the creative industries to engage with creative practice, such as health, education, technology, and food
• Provide access to workspace, meeting rooms, studio facilities, and green screen technology
• Offer mentoring through peer support, industry connections, and networking opportunities
• Provide seed funding to test ideas that may grow into larger projects or attract future investment

Creative City Officer Mandy Field said the program provided support for local artists to explore their creative practice in new ways and new contexts.

“Examples could include working in partnership with a community or cultural service, health provider, education organisation or community house to explore a creative partnership, workshop, or outcome of some kind,” Ms Field said.

“Other examples might include combining art and technology, or art and food, or working with sectors where innovation is welcomed.”

As part of the program, recipients will participate in two peer workshops to share their process and receive feedback. The program will culminate in a public event, offering a relaxed and supportive space for artists to present their work and creative journey.

An online information session will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, November 11. Grant applications close on Friday December 12, 2025.

For more information or to RSVP for the information session email:

[email protected]

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

A Kyneton woman has been barred from working as an estate agent permanently, after taking $193,000 of client trust money and failing to meet multiple legal obligations.

Between 2019 and 2023 Debra Lawry, 55, was the Officer in Effective Control of Bovicelli Investments Pty Ltd (ACN: 634 809 000), trading as Ray White Romsey.

In September 2024, Consumer Affairs Victoria launched legal action against Lawry relating to failures to arrange trust account audits for four financial years.

While the matter was underway at VCAT, Lawry made herself sole signatory of her business’ trust account and withdrew money illegally.

After the first hearing, the legal action was expanded to include the above breaches.

In making its decision, VCAT noted that Lawry’s conduct was particularly serious, she had damaged the reputation of the industry and was a person from whom the public needs protection.

As well as losing her licence, Lawry was fined the maximum penalty in disciplinary hearings of $5,000.

Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich welcomed the outcome.

“Trust money is just that – it doesn’t belong to an estate agency but is held on behalf of clients. Agents who deliberately take trust money for their own use should not be working in the industry. We’ll continue to hold agents accountable and take strong action where consumer trust is abused.”

As well as the permanent cancellation of her real estate agent’s licence, Lawry may also face future criminal court action, given the seriousness of her offences.

Consumer Affairs Victoria is a part of the Department of Government Services.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

A short survey has opened today inviting input into a review of the Bendigo Writers Festival.

Past ticketholders, past participants including authors, hosts and speakers, staff and volunteers, local businesses and community members are encouraged to contribute to the review.

City of Greater Bendigo Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said the review was an opportunity to pause and reflect on the Festival’s 15-year history.

“The review allows us to consider what has worked well in the past, what could be improved and what the event may look like in the future,” Mr Cooney said.

“It will consider if the Festival continues in its current format, if it is reimagined into a different format, or if funding should be reallocated to support the delivery of other literary events.

“We also acknowledge the 2025 Festival was not the Festival we wanted to hold, so it is an appropriate time to consider a range of options to help us move forward.

“A key focus of the review is to understand people’s views on the value of the Festival to the community, as well as the types of sessions they have enjoyed attending, what they have liked most about the Festival, how it can be improved and for those who have not attended, what has stopped them from doing so.”

In addition to the survey, the City will engage directly with a cross-section of publishers that have previously been involved with the Festival and meet with a group of local stakeholders identified as having helped establish the Festival or having had significant involvement in past festivals.

All views on the value of the Festival are important and feedback provided through the survey and direct engagement with key stakeholders will inform the outcome of the review.

Survey closes Monday October 27.

To complete the survey, visit:

Source: Australian National Party

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Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 5 Oct 2025

Cape Palmerston National Park will reopen tomorrow 6 October 2025 at 7:00am. Any camping bookings will also be reactivated at this time.

The national park was closed when a bushfire entered the Ilbilbie section on Friday 3 October 2025.

The fire was contained thanks to the collaborative efforts of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) and private landholders.

QPWS rangers will continue to patrol the park to ensure public safety. It is important to stay alert, follow any directions from rangers and never enter closed areas.

If you are planning to visit a national park or state forest this bushfire risk period, stay up to date with park, fire and weather conditions by visiting park alerts.

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 6 Oct 2025

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has contained the bushfire in Gheebulum Kungugai (Moreton Island) National Park thanks to the collaborative efforts of Queensland Fire Department (QFD), Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and other agencies.

The bushfire has impacted approximately 2,300 hectares on the northern side of Moreton Island.

It is currently believed that a campfire within the active fire ban zone sparked the blaze.

QPWS has engaged a fire investigator to determine the cause of the bushfire. Investigations are ongoing with support from QFD and Queensland Police Service (QPS).

A fire ban continues to be active in protected areas within Moreton Bay until 11:59pm on Tuesday 7 October 2025.

To ensure public safety, campers in affected areas were relocated to the western side of the island, and parts of the national park remain temporarily closed until further notice:

• Telegraph and Tempest Track
• Eagers and Midnight Track

Blue Lagoon Road was reopened yesterday after an assessment. A warning is in place for north of Middle Road, including Cowan Cowan, Bulwer and Blue Lagoon.

QPWS and QFD will continue to reinforce control lines and response efforts.

Residents impacted by smoke should take precautions and keep any medication nearby. Motorists should use caution and drive to conditions.

It is important to stay alert, follow any directions from QPWS rangers and never enter closed areas.

If you are planning to visit a national park or state forest this bushfire risk period, stay up to date with park, fire and weather conditions by visiting park alerts.

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 4 Oct 2025

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is responding to a bushfire in Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park, with assistance from Queensland Fire Department (QFD).

To ensure public safety, the following areas of the national park are temporarily closed until further notice:

• Telegraph and Tempest Track
• Eagers and Midnight Track
• Blue Lagoon Road

Campers in affected areas have been evacuated.

Smoke may affect residents and motorists in the area. Residents should close their doors and windows and keep medication close by if suffering from a respiratory condition. Motorists should use caution and drive to conditions.

If you believe your property is under threat, you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Keep up to date on current conditions and closures by visiting Park alerts. If you are planning to visit a national park or state forest this bushfire risk period, stay up to date with park, fire and weather conditions. Obey all signage and directions from authorities and never enter closed areas.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information to help locate two male prisoners who escaped from the Department of Corrections’ Datjala Work Camp this evening.

At 6:40pm, Police were contacted and informed that two male prisoners had escaped the work camp about 6:10pm.

Both prisoners are Aboriginal males who are 23 and 24-years-old respectively.

The 23-year-old is described as being about 165cm tall with a large build and short, brown hair.

The second escapee is described as 170cm tall with a medium build and short, black hair.

Both prisoners were last seen wearing yellow t-shirts and blue or khaki shorts.

People should not approach the men if they see them, instead Police urge anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact them on 131 444 and quote reference number P25268514.

You may also report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Passengers in the Blue Mountains and Central West are advised of timetable adjustments to some intercity train services, including Bathurst Bullet services, taking effect from Sunday 19 October 2025.

Transport for NSW continually aims to improve customer experience and the reliability of train services for passengers.

The timing adjustments from October 19 are being introduced as part of a regular review of train services to improve services for passengers.

Adjustments have been made to the arrival and departure times of some Bathurst Bullet intercity services along the Blue Mountains Line. These changes will align the Wednesday timings with other weekdays.

As part of this new timetable, there are no changes to the number of services running to the Blue Mountains and central west.

The people of the Central West and Blue Mountains are advised to familiarise themselves with the changes ahead of their introduction and to always check Transport’s Trip Planner and journey planning apps for the most up-to-date information on services.

The Wednesday 3:52pm service from Central to Bathurst will depart earlier at the following stations and times:

• Central 3:00pm instead of 3:52pm
• Parramatta at 3:23pm instead of 4:18pm
• Westmead at 3:25pm instead of 4:20pm
• Penrith at 3:46pm instead of 4:41pm
• Springwood at 4:09pm instead of 5:04pm
• Katoomba at 4:42pm instead of 5:37pm
• Mount Victoria at 4:58pm instead of 5:53pm
• Lithgow at 5:26pm instead of 6:21pm
• Rydal at 5:45pm instead of 6:51pm
• Tarana at 6:16pm instead of 7:07pm
• Bathurst arrival at 6:49pm instead of 7:40pm

The Wednesday 7:40am service from Bathurst to Central will depart earlier at the following stations and times:

• Springwood at 10:04am instead of 10:18am
• Penrith at 10:29am instead of 10:46am
• Westmead at 10:51am instead of 11:19am
• Parramatta at 10:55am instead of 11:23am
• Central arrival at 11:20am instead of 11:52am.

In addition, to the Bathurst Bullet changes the weekday 7:24pm service from Lithgow to Central will depart one minute later at Valley Heights and Warrimoo, check Trip Planner for updates.   

The Wednesday 8:26pm service from Bathurst to Lithgow will depart at earlier times at the following stations:

• Bathurst at 7:22pm instead of 8:26pm
• Tarana 7:53pm instead of 8:57pm
• Rydal 8:10pm instead of 9:14pm
• Lithgow arrival at 8:29pm instead of 9:33pm.

Also, the weekday 6:00am service from Lithgow to Bathurst will depart earlier at the following stations:

• Lithgow at 5:36am instead of 6:00am
• Rydal at 5:55am instead of 6:19am
• Tarana at 6:11am instead of 6:47am
• Bathurst arrival at 6.44am instead of 7:20am. 

In addition, there will be some timing adjustments to the coach service that connects the evening Bathurst Bullet Intercity service to Orange. These changes will see these connecting coach services operating at the same times seven days a week.

• The new times for the Wednesday connecting coaches are:
• Departing Bathurst at 7:10pm instead of 8:00pm
• Departing Lucknow at 7:50pm instead of 8:40pm
• Arriving at Orange at 8:00pm instead of 8:50pm

The new times for the Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays connecting coaches are:

• Departing Bathurst 7:10pm instead of 7:00pm
• Departing Lucknow 7:50pm instead of 7:40pm
• Arriving at Orange 8:00pm instead of 7:50pm