Category: MIL-OSI

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CFA smashes $40 million milestone for Good Friday Appeal

Source:

Victorians have dug deep this year in support of the Good Friday Appeal, helping CFA reach a historic milestone and raising our grand total of contributions to $41 million.

CFA has been a major fundraiser of the Good Friday Appeal for the past 74 years and this year, with the help of generous local community members, our volunteers were able to raise $1,888,912. 

CFA volunteers were seen in trucks and at traffic lights across the state yesterday, fundraising in their local areas for The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.  

CFA Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan said this year’s Good Friday Appeal was particularly special.  

“Being able to exceed the $40 million milestone in the same year CFA celebrate their 80th anniversary is quite fitting and is a touching nod to our shared community spirit,” Jason said.  

“Not only that, but this year the face of the Good Friday Appeal is part of our CFA family.”  

Jack was the face of this year’s Appeal, and his dad Rohan Stevens is a 30-year volunteer firefighter for Epping Fire Brigade.  

Rohan said it was an honour to handover the cheque this year to the Royal Children’s Hospital.  

“As the parent of a child whose life has been saved at the Royal Children’s Hospital, I’m incredibly proud to assist in presenting this cheque to the Appeal which will help other kids just like Jack,” Rohan said.  

“This cheque represents the collective efforts of CFA members and their families who have collectively spent many hours fundraising for the Good Friday Appeal.  

“This donation will assist in funding the next generation of technology, research and treatment to support kids just like Jack.” 

Rohan presented the cheque to the hospital last night alongside fellow Epping brigade members, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and the Good Friday Appeal Area Manager Andrew Dalla Via. 

CO Jason Heffernan congratulates and thanks all participating brigades across Victoria for their incredible contributions this year and throughout many decades.   

“Our members give up their time to serve their communities in times of need and it’s no surprise that their selflessness extends to worthy causes such as supporting The Royal Children’s Hospital,” Jason said.  

“All members and their communities should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved for this year’s Appeal, and we thank you for your time and generosity to help save many young lives.”  

The money raised for The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal will be used to ensure kids are provided with the best possible treatment and care.  

Submitted by CFA Media
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Police investigate suspicious death at Montrose

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police investigate suspicious death at Montrose

Saturday, 19 April 2025 – 7:36 am.

Police are on the scene of a suspicious death in Montrose, in Hobart’s northern suburbs, overnight.Police patrolling in the area located a person lying on the road near the south bound lanes of the Brooker Highway in the vicinity of the Montrose Bay High School about 4am.
First responders provided CPR however the person was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.Police including officers from CIB, Forensics and Uniform remain on the scene and are conducting examinations.
Motorists are advised of the following road closures:
• All access to the Montrose Foreshore is closed (Foreshore Road)
• The Brooker Highway is closed from Strathaven Road area to all southbound traffic
• All south bound traffic on the Brooker Highway north of Montrose Bay School is to divert via Main Road
Police are in place for diversions.Anyone with any information should contact police on 131 444 or report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. You can do so anonymously.

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Seasonal safety tips

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

In summer, keep your dog healthy and happy by walking in the early morning or evening.

In brief:

  • There are a lot of things to think about during the summer holiday period.
  • It’s important to do what you can to keep yourself, your family and your things safe.
  • This article overviews some actions you can take.

From festive parties to trips away, there are so many things to do and enjoy at this time of year.

Taking a moment to read the following tips will help ensure you can celebrate free of unexpected problems.

Travel safely

If you’re hitting the road this summer, remember to take plenty of breaks and drive to the conditions.

It’s also a good idea to pack supplies just in case the car you’re travelling in breaks down.

Never leave a child or pet in the car, even with the windows down or for short periods. Car interiors can heat to over 60 degrees in just five minutes.

Protect your home while you’re away

House break-ins often increase over holiday periods, because offenders know an empty house can be an easy target.

Try to leave your house looking lived-in with the help of a neighbour or house-sitter.

Keeping windows and doors locked, your mail collected, and your lawn mown while you are away can help.

Find more tips in ACT Policing’s property crime prevention page.

Take note of public transport changes

Staying in the ACT? It’s worth noting changes to bus and light rail timetables during the summer school holidays – from Monday 23 December 2024 to Sunday 2 February 2025.

School services and ‘s’ trip diversions will not be in place during the six-week holiday period.

Bus and light rail services will be free on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve (from 5pm). There will be a special bus timetable in place. You don’t even need a MyWay+ card – but if you have one, please tap on and off.

If you choose to leave the car at home on New Year’s Eve, you can take advantage of an extended Tuesday timetable with additional bus and light rail services.

And remember, public transport is free on Fridays.

Make your trip even easier by using the MyWay+ app or TC Journey Planner.

Stay up to date with public transport service alerts

Keep your pets safe and well

As the temperature rises, pets rely on their owners to keep them happy, healthy and safe.

There are some easy ways to do this.

  • Avoid walks in heat of the day. Early morning and evening walks are best, and this will also protect their paws from burning.
  • Make sure they have access to fresh drinking water and shade around your house and backyard all day.
  • Help your pets stay cool with an icy pet treat. There are lots of online recipes to make your own pet-safe summer treats.
  • Visit one of the dog swimming spots or fill a kids’ splash pool with water to help your pooch cool down.
  • Arrange for someone to care for your pets if you go on holidays.
  • Make sure your pet is microchipped and registered so if they escape – such as during a storm – they can easily be returned.
  • And remember, never leave your dog in an unattended parked car. Even if you leave the windows down, your dog is still at risk of suffering heat exhaustion within minutes.

Find a dog swimming spot or learn more about recreation with your dog.

Christmas present safety

There’s nothing like nailing that perfect gift, but some presents – particularly those for kids – need a bit of extra care and supervision.

  • Portable pools: remember, children can drown in portable pools. Always watch them carefully.
  • Button batteries can be deadly if swallowed. Always check the battery compartment is secure on items before buying.
  • Choose age-appropriate toys to help prevent injury and choking.
  • Trampolines: check and maintain your trampoline. Always watch young children as they bounce.
  • Pool toys and floatation aids are for fun, not safety. Stay close and supervise children.
  • eRideables: children should only ride age-appropriate devices. They should wear a helmet and have only one person per device.
  • Always monitor and unplug lithium-ion products once items are charged. This helps avoid fires and injuries.

Take care of your gas bottles

If you’re planning some barbecues this summer, chances are you have a gas bottle around the house.

You can minimise risk by following these simple safety tips.

  • Always ensure adequate ventilation and never use indoors or in confined spaces.
  • Always read the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
  • Do not connect or disconnect cylinders near a naked flame.
  • Do not use LPG in windy conditions.
  • Always keep cylinders cool and away from flames, sparks and heat.
  • Only use approved or certified hoses and connections designed for gas. Never use home-made ones.

Read more about gas bottle safety

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Arrest – Domestic Violence – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 29-year-old man in relation to an alleged domestic violence assault that occurred overnight in Alice Springs.

Around 9:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received several reports of an injured woman on Bagot Street, in the vicinity of a service station.

Police and St John Ambulance attended, with a 24-year-old woman located and conveyed to hospital with multiple stab wounds to her back and shoulder. She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

General duties officers, with the assistance of the Drone Unit, tracked and apprehended a 29-year-old man a short time later.

The man and woman are known to each other.

The man remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25106032. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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.

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High Range Speeding Detected Smithton

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

High Range Speeding Detected Smithton

Friday, 18 April 2025 – 4:49 pm.

Police will be proceeding against a 62 year old man from Smithton after he was detected driving his vehicle at 158km/h in a 100 km/h per hour zone. The Range Rover Sport was detected by police at 1:40 pm yesterday as it travelled past South Road at Forest on its approach into Smithton.Subsequently, the vehicle has been clamped for a period of 28 days and the man faces a four-month licence disqualification.Police are seeking for any members of the public who may have witnessed or have dash camera footage of the driving behaviour around that time.Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

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Road safety police operations in state’s south

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Road safety police operations in state’s south

Friday, 18 April 2025 – 1:34 pm.

Southern Road Policing have had a busy morning undertaking vehicle safety checks and alcohol and drug testing over two stationary road safety sites.
500 drug and alcohol tests and vehicle checks were conducted on the Tasman Highway, Cambridge:
• Pleasingly, no drug or alcohol affected drivers were detected.• 1 P plater was issued an infringement for failing to wear a seatbelt• 1 driver was issued an infringement for failing to safely secure their load
150 drug and alcohol tests and vehicle checks were conducted on the Midland Highway at Pontville:
• No drug or alcohol affected drivers were detected• 1 driver was issued an infringement notice for their vehicle being unregistered
Tasmania Police is out in force over the Easter break, targeting dangerous driving behaviours.Operation Safe Arrival will feature both high-visibility and covert patrols across Tasmania’s highways, main roads, rural routes, and back streets.Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving behaviour should report it immediately to police on 131 444 to enable officers to respond in a timely way.If it’s an emergency or life-threatening situation call Triple Zero (000).If you can’t report it at the time but have footage, submit it to the police evidence portal online.The evidence portal can be found at https://www.police.tas.gov.au/report/

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Death following Hobart CBD crash

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Death following Hobart CBD crash

Friday, 18 April 2025 – 10:36 am.

Sadly, police can confirm a 75-year-old man has died following a pedestrian crash in Hobart’s CBD on 8 April.
The man was crossing the road just down from the traffic lights when he was hit by a vehicle travelling along Davey St.Following the crash the man was taken to hospital in a critical condition and has since passed away.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

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Update II – Highway reopened after fatal crash at Inkerman

Source: New South Wales – News

The Port Wakefield Highway has reopened following a fatal truck crash at Inkerman yesterday.

About 6.50am on Thursday 17 April, police were called to Port Wakefield Highway near Prime Road after two trucks crashed. The trucks burst into flames upon impact.

Firefighters spent several hours at the scene trying to extinguish the blaze and to ensure the area was safe.

The driver of one truck, a 77-year-old man from Port Augusta, sadly died at the scene. The second driver and his passenger, a 57-year-old man from Marleston and a 39-year-old man from Elizabeth Downs, sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Major Crash Investigators attended the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Southbound lanes of the highway were blocked for the entire day with traffic being diverted from Port Wakefield to Balaklava and Mallala.

Northbound lanes remained open with speed restrictions in place.

Port Wakefield Highway was fully reopened early this morning.

The man’s death is the 26th life lost on SA roads this year.

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In-house audit review results

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The term ‘in-house audit’ refers to an auditor who works for a firm, or network firm, that also provides services like accounting or administration to the same self-managed super fund (SMSF) clients.

Since 1 January 2020, auditors have not been allowed to perform in-house audits unless:

It is hard for firms to meet these rules, demonstrating the ‘routine or mechanical’ test is difficult due to the professional judgment involved. When we review auditors, we contact SMSF trustees to check their role in preparing the funds accounts and statements.

In a recent review using data matching we focused on auditors who still perform in-house audits. Our risk assessment shows around 800 auditors might still be doing in-house audits.

This financial year, we reviewed 30 auditors suspected of doing in-house audits. As a result of these reviews:

  • 14 auditors were referred to ASIC
  • 6 auditors were deregistered voluntarily
  • 8 auditors received education
  • 2 auditors were compliant.

Since 1 July 2021, we have referred 42 auditors to ASIC for various reasons including doing in-house audits, this was 32% of all referrals. In March 2024, ASIC released a statementExternal Link detailing the actions taken against 15 of the 42 auditors we referred.

Firms must follow independence requirements when planning their structure and their audit engagements. They should not rely on one referral source for their fees. ASIC suspended three high-volume SMSF auditorsExternal Link linked to an SMSF administration provider for not considering these factors.

Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? – You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.

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New podcast builds connection to Canberra’s queer history

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Queers Past presenter Zev Aviv says the podcast production process has been transformative.

In brief:

  • A new podcast about Canberra’s queer history is now available.
  • The podcast was supported by funding through the Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs’ Capital of Equality grants program.
  • The latest round of grants funding is open now.

From Gorman Arts Centre to the Braddon car yards, a new podcast, Queers Past, explores iconic and overlooked LGBTQIA+ sites around the ACT.

Sita Sargeant received an ACT Government Capital of Equality grant in 2023 to produce the podcast.

Her company, She Shapes History runs popular walking tours around Canberra.

One of these, a tour revealing the city’s queer secrets, fuelled her next project.

About Queers Past

Zev Aviv, also from She Shapes History, presents the podcast and brings a trans perspective to the conversation.

Once they started researching and writing the podcast, Zev realised they couldn’t simply reproduce the tour.

“Unlike a tour, where you can gauge your audience’s knowledge and adjust in real-time, a podcast doesn’t allow that interaction. You don’t know what your audience already knows or what gaps need to be filled in, which fundamentally changes the storytelling process,” Zev said.

“So, turning the tour into a podcast wasn’t as straightforward as we’d imagined – it meant adapting and transforming it into something entirely new.”

A goal of connection

The latest round of Capital of Equality grants is now open through the Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs.

Sita and Zev’s hopes for Queers Past echoes the program’s aim of supporting and strengthening Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ communities.

“I really hope it helps LGBTIQA+ Canberrans feel more grounded in this city – more connected to its history and the knowledge that people like them have always been here,” Zev said.

“LGBTIQA+ people have always been part of this community, contributing, pulling their weight, and often going above and beyond to support one another.”

How the grants work

The Capital of Equality grants program offers funding across three streams:

The goal is to create a sense of community and belonging for LGBTIQA+ people, through:

  • improved understanding of LGBTIQA+ experiences
  • improved wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people
  • increased participation of LGBTIQA+ communities
  • increased capacity and leadership.

Zev says the podcast would not have existed without the Capital of Equality grant.

“It has allowed us to pay for all the recording equipment. As a small business I’m not sure we could have justified the spend otherwise,” Sita said.

The application process

Sita found the grant application process simple, with plenty of support available.

“This grant was the second I’d applied for – I was unsuccessful the first time, and I took away some key learnings from that. I’d really encourage people to apply for a grant, but not to be discouraged if they don’t get it the first time,” Sita said.

While the production process had its ups and downs, both Zev and Sita are extremely proud of the result.

“I love Canberra and the ACT so much. We often get a bad rap, but this place is so special. I want those who feel connected to it to feel even prouder and more rooted in its past, while also inspired by the possibilities for its future. My hope is that the podcast helps people feel more at home here – more connected, more proud, and more at ease in their place in this story,” Zev said.

Applications for the Connection Fund and Partnerships and Capacity Building are open until Monday 27 January 2025. Applications for the LGBTIQA+ Leadership Grant are open until 5 January 2025.

Find out more or apply for a grant on the Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs website.

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