Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are investigating a domestic violence incident after a woman was allegedly seriously assaulted in Alice Springs on Sunday morning.
Police were called to a residence on Kurrajong Drive shortly after 7:30am following reports of a disturbance.
It is alleged a man seriously assaulted his partner, striking her multiple times with a bat before fleeing the scene.
St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the 33-year-old woman was taken to hospital with multiple injuries.
Police are continuing to investigate and are searching for the alleged offender.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed a man walking along Kurrajong Drive shortly after 7:30am on Sunday, or who has dash-cam from the area at that time, to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2600064515.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are investigating a domestic violence incident after a woman was allegedly seriously assaulted in Alice Springs on Sunday morning.
Police were called to a residence on Kurrajong Drive shortly after 7:30am following reports of a disturbance.
It is alleged a man seriously assaulted his partner, striking her multiple times with a bat before fleeing the scene.
St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the 33-year-old woman was taken to hospital with multiple injuries.
Police are continuing to investigate and are searching for the alleged offender.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed a man walking along Kurrajong Drive shortly after 7:30am on Sunday, or who has dash-cam from the area at that time, to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2600064515.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Strike Force Viper is investigating an aggravated burglary after a group of youths allegedly targeted a residence in Gillen overnight.
At around 3am, police received reports that approximately 10 teenagers, allegedly armed with weapons, were outside a residence on Bloomfield Street.
It is alleged the group smashed multiple exterior windows before reaching through the broken windows to steal property from inside the home.
The occupants secured themselves inside a room and contacted police before the offenders fled the scene.
Investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has CCTV or dash-cam that may assist police to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26191765.
The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting residents, businesses, schools, and organisations to take part in a survey on the local public holiday arrangements starting from 2027.
Under the Public Holidays Act 1993, local governments outside Melbourne can apply to swap Melbourne Cup Day with a local public holiday.
In the past, the City has applied for approval to make Bendigo Cup Day its local public holiday. This usually falls on the Wednesday before Melbourne Cup Day.
This local public holiday only applies to the part of the municipality that is west of the Campaspe River. The part of the municipality that is east of the Campaspe River, including Heathcote, observes Melbourne Cup Day public holiday.
Approval for a local public holiday is usually granted for five years at a time. The City’s previous approval ended last year on October 29, 2025.
Corporate Performance Director Angela Hays said the City applied for an extension in 2026 so public consultation on the local public holiday could take place for a longer-term decision.
“The City was granted an extension from the Victorian Government on June 11, 2026, allowing Bendigo Cup Day to continue this year. It will be held on Wednesday October 28, 2026,” Angela said.
“This one-year extension gives us more time to ask the community which day they would prefer starting from 2027 – Bendigo Cup, Bendigo Show Day or Melbourne Cup Day.
“Residents need to be aware that this survey only applies to the part of Greater Bendigo that is west of the Campaspe River – this is the area that has a local public holiday to date.
“Approval for a local public holiday is generally granted for five years at a time, so it is important that a broad cross-section of the community complete the survey including residents, businesses and a variety of organisations from across Greater Bendigo.”
Community members are being asked to choose only one option from three provided (to be applied in 2027):
Stay the same – continue with the Bendigo Cup Day local public holiday for the part of the municipality that is west of the Campaspe River (typically the last Wednesday in October)
Change – to change the local public holiday to Bendigo Show Day for the part of the municipality that is west of the Campaspe River (typically around the fourth Friday in October)
Change – have the entire Greater Bendigo municipality observe Melbourne Cup Day (the first Tuesday in November)
“It is important to ensure all community views are captured on the City’s Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo where the survey results, various sentiments, and comments are received and collected in one place,” Angela said.
“Survey responses and comments submitted through Let’s Talk will be provided to Councillors to help inform their decision on local public holiday arrangements from 2027 at a future Council meeting.”
The survey closes on Sunday August 9, 2026. To complete the survey, visit Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo:
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are investigating an aggravated robbery that occurred in Darwin overnight.
At around 4:45am, police received reports that two men, allegedly armed with edged weapons, were threatening members of the public at the Darwin International Airport taxi rank and attempting to steal vehicles.
Police will allege the men had arrived at the airport by taxi before a disturbance broke out after they exited the vehicle.
The two men, aged 20 and 27, have since been charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.
Investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash-cam footage or other electronic evidence from the area between 4:30am and 5:00am to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2600064487.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are investigating an aggravated robbery that occurred in Darwin overnight.
At around 4:45am, police received reports that two men, allegedly armed with edged weapons, were threatening members of the public at the Darwin International Airport taxi rank and attempting to steal vehicles.
Police will allege the men had arrived at the airport by taxi before a disturbance broke out after they exited the vehicle.
The two men, aged 20 and 27, have since been charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.
Investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash-cam footage or other electronic evidence from the area between 4:30am and 5:00am to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2600064487.
The Dandenong Ranges is home to Kalorama-Mt Dandenong brigade 2nd Lieutenant Peter Henwood and his fascinating and vast collection of fire-related items from tiny badges to a 19th century fire engine.
From inside his personal museum, Peter explained the significance of some of his pieces.
“I began collecting fire brigade items about 33 years ago,” Peter said. “I have thousands of items but I’ve never counted them. And I’ve made many friendships through collecting.
“The first item I bought was a street fire alarm because I remembered them as a kid. If there was a fire, people could break the glass to alert the fire brigade.”
One of Peter’s oldest and rarest items is a Shand Mason manual fire engine built in 1885.
“My Shand Mason was imported by an antique dealer years ago. It came from the railways in India. It’s similar to the small manual pumps that were used by Country Fire Brigades Board (CFBB) brigades. It’s priceless to me as it gets used at brigade open days and events. It still pumps as designed and is popular with kids.”
One of the many items of clothing in his collection is the dress uniform worn by the much-respected former CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson AFSM.
“Euan enjoyed walking through the Dandenongs and he dropped into my fire station from time to time,” Peter said. “I got hold of a uniform from CFA HQ and thought it was Euan’s, so I asked him. He said it wasn’t his, but he then rang me later to tell me he had found his uniform in a box. He asked me if I would like it and I obviously said yes.”
Peter’s knowledge of old firefighting equipment is impressive, but it’s his sentimental connection to some items that is more striking. For example, his most treasured possession is a nondescript firefighter’s helmet that was worn during the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.
“Herb Detez was the group officer of Dandenong Ranges and the duty officer during the Ash Wednesday fires,” Peter said. “He was a mentor to me when I joined the brigade and I went to a lot of fires with him. He was an inspiration. When he talked, people listened. His helmet has so much sentimental value to me.”
Peter can pick up any one of his many items and tell a fascinating story about it.
“Everything has a story. I have a small wooden barrel that was carried on a private fire engine in London before the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was formed in 1866. Captain Frederick Hodges was a gin distiller who also owned a fleet of fire engines to protect his distillery and the surrounding area. The barrel was filled with gin. The fire engine won awards at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.
“I love collecting these small, unusual items. It’s never ending.”
When many brigades have open days or special events, they like to display fascinating pieces of fire brigade memorabilia for community members to look at. Recognising this demand, Peter has assembled a mini collection that he’s happy to lend to brigades.
“I’m also happy to go to the brigade and set up a display,” Peter said. If your brigade is interested in borrowing some items, email Peter at phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.
Despite his vast collection, Peter is keen to hunt down a couple of items: a CFBB station keeper hat badge – he thinks he has all the other hat badges – and a CFBB American Civil War style cap. If you can help Peter add these to his collection email phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.
The Dandenong Ranges is home to Kalorama-Mt Dandenong brigade 2nd Lieutenant Peter Henwood and his fascinating and vast collection of fire-related items from tiny badges to a 19th century fire engine.
From inside his personal museum, Peter explained the significance of some of his pieces.
“I began collecting fire brigade items about 33 years ago,” Peter said. “I have thousands of items but I’ve never counted them. And I’ve made many friendships through collecting.
“The first item I bought was a street fire alarm because I remembered them as a kid. If there was a fire, people could break the glass to alert the fire brigade.”
One of Peter’s oldest and rarest items is a Shand Mason manual fire engine built in 1885.
“My Shand Mason was imported by an antique dealer years ago. It came from the railways in India. It’s similar to the small manual pumps that were used by Country Fire Brigades Board (CFBB) brigades. It’s priceless to me as it gets used at brigade open days and events. It still pumps as designed and is popular with kids.”
One of the many items of clothing in his collection is the dress uniform worn by the much-respected former CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson AFSM.
“Euan enjoyed walking through the Dandenongs and he dropped into my fire station from time to time,” Peter said. “I got hold of a uniform from CFA HQ and thought it was Euan’s, so I asked him. He said it wasn’t his, but he then rang me later to tell me he had found his uniform in a box. He asked me if I would like it and I obviously said yes.”
Peter’s knowledge of old firefighting equipment is impressive, but it’s his sentimental connection to some items that is more striking. For example, his most treasured possession is a nondescript firefighter’s helmet that was worn during the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.
“Herb Detez was the group officer of Dandenong Ranges and the duty officer during the Ash Wednesday fires,” Peter said. “He was a mentor to me when I joined the brigade and I went to a lot of fires with him. He was an inspiration. When he talked, people listened. His helmet has so much sentimental value to me.”
Peter can pick up any one of his many items and tell a fascinating story about it.
“Everything has a story. I have a small wooden barrel that was carried on a private fire engine in London before the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was formed in 1866. Captain Frederick Hodges was a gin distiller who also owned a fleet of fire engines to protect his distillery and the surrounding area. The barrel was filled with gin. The fire engine won awards at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.
“I love collecting these small, unusual items. It’s never ending.”
When many brigades have open days or special events, they like to display fascinating pieces of fire brigade memorabilia for community members to look at. Recognising this demand, Peter has assembled a mini collection that he’s happy to lend to brigades.
“I’m also happy to go to the brigade and set up a display,” Peter said. If your brigade is interested in borrowing some items, email Peter at phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.
Despite his vast collection, Peter is keen to hunt down a couple of items: a CFBB station keeper hat badge – he thinks he has all the other hat badges – and a CFBB American Civil War style cap. If you can help Peter add these to his collection email phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.
rime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, to Australia from 8 to 10 July 2026.
The leaders will meet in Melbourne for the Australia–India Annual Leaders’ Summit.
As the world’s fourth largest and fastest growing economy, India is a critical economic partner for Australia.
Our relationship is underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and supported by deep economic and cultural connections.
Our cooperation on trade, defence and security, and technology is delivering benefits for both countries.
Prime Minister Albanese last met with Prime Minister Modi in the margins of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, in November 2025.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“I am honoured to welcome my friend Prime Minister Modi to Australia for our Annual Leaders’ Summit.
“The Australia-India relationship has never been more consequential, and our partnership fosters peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
“I look forward to strengthening Australia and India’s deep partnership.”
rime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Suva, Fiji and Honiara, Solomon Islands from 5 to 7 July 2026 to reaffirm Australia’s enduring commitment to the Pacific and regional security.
The Prime Minister will be joined on the visit to Fiji and Solomon Islands by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
In Suva, Prime Minister Albanese will meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji to discuss deepening the Fiji–Australia Vuvale Partnership and greater cooperation.
Australia and Fiji share a strong connection underpinned by our Vuvale Partnership and a mutual vision for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific.
Prime Minister Albanese will then travel to Honiara where he will meet with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, build on the productive discussions recently held in Canberra, and participate in Solomon Islands’ Independence Day celebrations.
Australia and Solomon Islands are committed to elevating the bilateral relationship through a comprehensive treaty on the basis of mutual trust, respect and open dialogue.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister until the Prime Minister’s return from overseas.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“Fiji and Solomon Islands are not just our neighbours, we are part of the Pacific family, and we work together for the good of our region.
“I look forward to meeting with my friend Prime Minister Rabuka to uplift the Vuvale Partnership, create opportunities for young people and celebrate the bond between our countries.
“It is a pleasure to take up Prime Minister Wale on his invitation to visit Solomon Islands so soon after his recent visit to Australia and continue discussions on how we can elevate our bilateral partnership through a comprehensive treaty.
“Australia remains a partner that the Pacific can rely on. By working together we can foster a safe and resilient region that enables all of our economies to grow and prosper.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:
“The Albanese Government is working hard to make transformational breakthroughs in the Pacific and shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
“In Fiji and Solomon Islands, we will continue strengthening our relationships by listening, respecting and acting on Pacific priorities in the Pacific way.
“A stronger, safer and sovereign Pacific is good for Australia and for our region.”