Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Following a competitive recruitment process, the City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce Jessica Howard has been appointed the new Director Healthy Communities and Environments.

Ms Howard is a familiar face to many at the City, as she is the current Director Corporate Performance since joining the City in March 2023.

Most recently, Ms Howard has been at the forefront of the Councillor induction process and development of the 2025-2029 Council Plan, had an integral role in the recent organisation restructure and led the development of successive budgets.

She has also contributed critical thinking relating to organisation policy, systems and processes, and is a valued member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney congratulated Ms Howard on her new role and said he was pleased she would be continuing her career at the City.

“Prior to joining the City, Jess was a Director at Mount Alexander Shire Council and had a similar portfolio of responsibilities as the Healthy Communities and Environments directorate, including sport and recreation, community safety, local laws, climate resilience and project delivery,” Mr Cooney said.

“Jess is also a former Councillor at Mount Alexander Shire, where she stood on a platform of strong community participation, and she has a personal interest in sport through her extensive involvement in playing and coaching soccer locally.

“Her considerable experience in State Government and skills developed in various policy and advisory roles are also valuable.

“I look forward to Jess continuing to make a great contribution to our organisation and community in her new role.”

Ms Howard’s new responsibilities include Maternal and Child Health, immunisation, early learning centres, environmental health, local laws, climate change resilience and emergency management, parking, animal management, provision of recreation facilities, celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion, and community capacity building.

Ms Howard said she was excited to take on this new challenge.

“I am really looking forward to meeting the many organisations, clubs, groups and volunteers that the Healthy Communities and Environments directorate works with and who have such a critical role in making our community such a great place to live,” she said.

Ms Howard will transition to the Director Healthy Communities and Environments role in the coming months, following recruitment to appoint a new Director Corporate Performance.

The Director Corporate Performance role will be advertised by mid-May.

Source: South Australia Police

Curtin University’s Dr Jonathan Sae-Koew has received Healthway’s prestigious Early Career Research Fellowship to work in collaboration with the Y WA to co-design and evaluate strategies for promoting the mental health of young people in the City of Belmont.

Heathway CEO Colin Smith said Dr Sae-Koew’s Fellowship, worth $396,711 over the next three years, will support those teenagers who need it most.

“We know it is challenging for young people to thrive when resources and opportunities are limited.”

“Through this fellowship, we will be able to identify the most impactful ways to enhance their mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

Dr Sae-Koew said his project will initially focus on working with the Y WA in the City of Belmont to adapt their existing youth programs to help young people reach their full potential and become productive, engaged members of society.

“We’re not starting again here, we’re building on what is already out there via some great service providers, such as the Y WA and their Base@Belmont Youth Centre, to support and promote models of work in other local government areas,” he said.

“We’ll be helping them to refine their existing services and map out what additional support might be needed to promote positive mental health.”

This announcement coincides with the opening of Healthway’s Health Promotion Research and Scholarship Programs for 2025. More than $800,000 in grants is available through the Health Promotion Research Scholarship, Aboriginal Health Research Scholarship and Health Promotion Research Fellowship programs, which are designed to support researchers in improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for Western Australians.

Source: New South Wales – News

Dignitaries including Lord Mayor, the Honourable Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM, Minister of Police Stephen Mullighan, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM and Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams APM LEM united with other guests this morning to honour and remember 23-year-old Foot Constable John McLennan Holman, who was tragically murdered at the location on 23 February 1929.

Police Foundation Day is held annually on 28 April to commemorate SAPOL’s founding in 1838, being the oldest centrally organised police service in Australia, and one of the oldest civilian police services in the world.

“Today, we pay tribute to Constable John McLennan Holman who had his life tragically cut short early in his policing career,” Commissioner Stevens said.

“Constable Holman was a promising young officer who was held in the highest esteem by fellow comrades and his dedication to the job sadly eventuated in the loss of his life.

“Since the establishment of South Australia Police in 1838, 62 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. This is a stark reminder of the dangers police face when protecting the community.”

During a historical address, former Deputy Commissioner and Police Historical Society member John White revisited the tragic 1929 incident as part of the memorial service.

“Constable Holman’s death brought about a shock wave across the community,” he said.

“This memorial reminds us of the sacrifice this young officer made in the vicinity of where he was heartbreakingly killed.”

Foot Constable Holman and fellow constables Budgen and Marshall responded unarmed to a report of shots being fired at Grenfell Street. Upon arrival, they reportedly found the area strangely quiet, with a motorcycle and sidecar parked unattended.

Seizing the machine, the constables travelled a short distance when suddenly confronted by two men, one John Stanley McGrath, who suddenly shot Constable Holman after he dismounted and identified as a police officer.

“Both men turned and ran away while, unarmed and wounded, constables Holman and Budgen bravely gave chase. Shot in the abdomen, Constable Holman collapsed while Constable Budgen continued chase, calling for backup from a nearby Constable King,” Mr White told the crowd.

“Following a vicious gunfight involving Constable King, McGrath was shot in the leg and fell. When

Constable Budgen leant over the offender, he heard a click and, fortunately, realised McGrath was out of ammunition.”

Once McGrath and his accomplice were apprehended, Constable Holman was found unconscious and conveyed to the then Adelaide Hospital, where he sadly died from his wounds an hour later.

Constable Holman had only joined the service two years prior in 1927 and was due to be married a week later. McGrath was found guilty of his murder in July 1929 and sentenced to death. This was later commuted to life imprisonment, but he was released after serving only 13 years.

On Monday 25 February 1929 a state funeral was held for the fallen constable, seeing thousands line Adelaide streets in respect and disbelief.

“For their actions on 12 May 1930, Constables Budgen and King were awarded the King’s Police Medal for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in recognition of the fearless discharge of their duty at the risk of death on February 23, when Constable Holman was fatally shot,” Mr White added.

Minister of Police Stephen Mullighan paid his respects at today’s memorial and acknowledged the work of all police, past and present.

“Today, decades on, we honour the sacrifice of a young officer who died tragically far too soon,” he said.

“The State Government acknowledges the ongoing risk and sacrifice our brave police continue to take on while protecting fellow South Australians. “

Meanwhile, Constable John McLennan Holman is also remembered and honoured on the South Australia Police Roll of Honour and Wall of Remembrance, and the Australian National Police Memorial Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.

Bill Prior, President of the SA Police Historical Society, former Deputy Commissioner and Police Historical Society member John White, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens, Honourable Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM and The Hon Stephen Mullighan MP, Minister for Police at today’s Police Foundation Day memorial event in Hindmarsh Square.

Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM with the unveiled plaque dedicated to Constable John McLennan Holman, who was killed on duty in 1929.

In 2025 we recognise and honour the passing of Constable John McLennan Holman who died as a result of a fatal gunshot, whilst he was in the execution of his duty on 23 February 1929 in Hindmarsh Square Adelaide.

Foot Constable John McLennan Holman and his  gravesite. The gravesite was restored in 1998 with funding from the Police Association of South Australia.

The Register state funeral coverage February 26, 1929.

Source: South Australia Police

Lock your diffs and hold on to your grab handles! The City of Wanneroo is bringing the Ready 4 Adventure Show to Wanneroo this May.

Source: New South Wales Government 2

28 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

This notice affects importers of live plants (nursery stock), customs brokers and departmental staff.

What has changed?

Effective immediately, enhanced regulatory measures are now in place to manage the risk of Xylella fastidiosa (Xylella) in plant hosts imported from Iraq for use as nursery stock.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has identified a recent publication which…

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo has developed a draft plan for the development of an exciting new suburban level playspace at Garden Gully Reserve and is now seeking community feedback.

The draft playspace plan includes:

• A new public toilet and a shelter with a BBQ
• Shade trees, seating, irrigated lawn areas, and planted garden beds
• Paths to connect the playspace to the Ironbark Gully Trail, Ashley Street, and to the existing hockey ground
• Colourful concrete play tunnels and an all-abilities carousel
• A big swing unit with a basket swing, a standard seat and a toddler seat
• A play tower for climbing and sliding
• Spring rockers, weave poles, colourful steppers, balance boulders; and,
• Bike hoops and a drinking fountain with a dog bowl

City of Greater Bendigo Parks and Open Space Manager Chris Mitchell said in 2024 the City of Greater Bendigo updated the existing masterplan which was developed in 2004 to incorporate new public toilets, construction of a new suburban level playspace and the provision of improved paths and linkages to the Ironbark Gully Trail.

“The new playspace and new public toilets are both key projects of the updated Masterplan and will be constructed in a safer and more accessible location west of the existing hockey ground,” Mr Mitchell said.

“When the masterplan was up-dated the community were informed that there would be a separate community engagement process for the design of the playspace.

“The City now wants to know what the community likes about the draft design, what they don’t like and what colours they would like to see in the new playspace.

“Things that cannot change in the draft plan include the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) accessible footpath alignment, the location of the shelter and toilet block, the 10metre buffer from the existing hockey fencing and the extent of the playspace footprint.

“The existing neighbourhood level playspace will remain in operation until construction of the new playspace is completed in 2027.  Following construction of the new playspace the existing playspace will be dismantled and removed.”

Residents can provide their feedback on the draft plan by visiting the City’s Let’s Talk Community Engagement website by Friday May 16, 2025.

To provide feedback, visit:

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC is encouraging businesses to review their card payment surcharges to ensure they are in line with their cost of accepting card payments.

Businesses should also ensure they adequately disclose upfront any card payment surcharges that apply, so that their customers can make informed decisions before ordering, booking and paying for a product or service.

Misleading surcharging practices and other add-on costs is a compliance and enforcement priority for the ACCC in the 2025-26 financial year.

“Businesses need to ensure their customers know about any card payment surcharges upfront, and that they are only charging what it costs them to accept those card payments,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

The Australian Consumer Law prohibits businesses from misleading people about the prices they charge.

The Competition and Consumer Act also prohibits businesses from charging a card payment surcharge that is excessive. A card payment surcharge is considered excessive if it is higher than the business’s ‘cost of acceptance’.

For example, if a business’s ‘cost of acceptance’ for Visa credit card payments, including the merchant service fee and all other permissible costs, is 1 per cent, and they choose to charge a card payment surcharge, they can only apply a surcharge of up to 1 per cent to their customers that pay using a Visa credit card.

The ACCC has commenced an education and compliance campaign to inform businesses, particularly small businesses, of their obligations and help them to comply with the relevant laws.

As part of this campaign, the ACCC is helping businesses to comply with the law through advertisements and updated guidance material. It will also be engaging closely with relevant industry representatives to help them support their small business members in complying with the laws.

The ACCC will also be actively monitoring business compliance, and may take appropriate compliance or enforcement action, in line with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

“We understand that small businesses need to be across a lot of information to comply with all of the laws that apply to their business, however, charging excessive surcharges and not being upfront with customers about pricing can result in small businesses losing customers,” Mr Keogh said.

“It is important for small businesses to ensure they understand their obligations and check their costs of acceptance to know what amounts they can legally charge their customers as a payment surcharge, as well as reviewing how they inform customers of their prices, including any applicable surcharges.”

More information to help businesses comply with the law is available on the ACCC website.

Businesses may also wish to seek advice from their bank or payment facilitator, an accountant or business advisor to assist them with working out what their ‘cost of acceptance’ is.

Background

A standard set by the Reserve Bank of Australia sets out the costs that businesses can include when working out their ‘cost of acceptance’ for each payment type they accept. More information about this can be found on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s website.

Businesses’ banks or payment facilitators provide businesses with statements or similar payment processing information, which includes their main costs of accepting different payment types, typically shown as a percentage figure amount.

There are other costs that businesses may be able to include when calculating their ‘cost of acceptance’. Businesses need to be able to verify and calculate these costs with reference to contracts, statements or invoices from their providers.

The costs for accepting card payments can vary between businesses. This means that the card payment surcharges charged to customers can also vary between businesses.

The ACCC’s education and compliance engagement campaign is about the existing surcharging laws.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is currently finalising a Review of Retail Payments Regulation – Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging.

Source:

28 April 2025

UniSA researchers are the big winners in a Federal Government announcement of two new industry-led collaborative research centres designed to strengthen Australia’s manufacturing sector.

The Future Industries Institute will play a major role in both the Additive Manufacturing CRC and the SMART CRC, collectively awarded more than $500 million in funding from industry, research organisations and government.

FII Industry Professor Colin Hall is one of the key researchers in the newly established AMCRC, that involves 73 industry partners, 14 research organisations and five government departments, sharing in $57.5 million in government funding and $213 million in partner contributions.

He says that additive manufacturing – commonly known as 3D printing – is revolutionising the way that many industries work.

“Once limited to plastic prototype parts, 3D printing today includes metal, ceramic and composite materials that are on the cusp of full-scale adoption across Australia’s manufacturing sector,” Prof Hall says.

“Additive manufacturing offers significant advantages, boosting productivity, reducing waste and accelerating product development.”

Over the next seven years, the AMCRC will tackle some significant challenges hampering the advancement of 3D printing, so that processes can be optimised, new materials developed, and the workforce upskilled.

UniSA Business entrepreneurship and innovation researcher, Associate Professor Shruti Sardeshmukh, will lead the Sustainable Manufacturing research theme in the AMCRC, helping to develop sustainable 3D printing solutions to transform manufacturing businesses across Australia.

“By embedding environmental, social and governance principles, 3D printing can fuel innovation, drive business transformation and propel Australian businesses towards a more resilient future,” Assoc Prof Sardeshmukh says.

The other themes are Applications and Materials Development; Technology and Process Development; and Surface Technologies and Post-Processing, which will be the major focus of UniSA’s FII researchers.

“From a South Australian perspective, this CRC means that UniSA can engage with some of our long-term industry partners, including SMR Automotive, Starke-AMG, EntX and Laserbond to take our industry research and workforce development to a higher level,” Prof Hall says.

FII Professor Allison Cowin, an international leader in wound healing and regenerative medicine, will be a key researcher in the $238 million Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies (SMART) CRC.

The SMART CRC involves 63 partners spanning government, industry, medical providers, universities and research institutes, all focused on helping Australian biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies bring a 10-year pipeline of regenerative therapy projects to market.

A $65 million commitment from the Federal Government will be boosted by an additional $173 million in partner contributions.

Prof Cowin, recognised as one of 10 of the best NHMRC researchers in 2025, will be joined on the SMART CRC Management team by Professor Joy Rathjen from SA Pathology, University of Adelaide Professor Simon Barry and former SA Chief Scientist Dr Leanna Read, who will chair its Board.

“The SMART CRC will accelerate the Australian regenerative therapy industry,” Prof Cowin says. “It will catalyse, drive and co-ordinate a national effort, guiding industry growth in the cell and gene therapy sectors.

“Regenerative therapies aim to cure, rather than treat diseases. They replace, engineer and regenerate human cells, tissues and organs that will restore normal function in patients with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, wounds and blood disorders.”

The SMART CRC is expected to create 1500 skilled jobs and generate $4.5 billion worth of business over the next decade, setting Australia up as a global leader in technologies that can cure disease rather than treating symptoms.

Along with the Additive Manufacturing CRC, it will build sovereign manufacturing capability, anchoring companies and their technology to Australia, instead of relying on foreign supply chains.

UniSA Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Enterprise, Professor Peter Murphy, says once UniSA and the University of Adelaide merge in 2026 to become Adelaide University, the new institution can expect to share in more than $26 million worth of projects through the AMCRC and SMART CRC.

“This is a fantastic outcome for the Australian manufacturing sector and will lead to exciting times ahead, not only for our researchers but for the nation as a whole,” Prof Murphy says.

The third Cooperative Research Centre announced by the Federal Government is the Care Economy CRC, a partnership between 60 research, government and industry organisations to revolutionise the care sector by customising the commercialising new technologies, data solutions and models of care.

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

Source:

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services