Category: MIL-OSI

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Ulumbarra Theatre turns 10 today!

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Ulumbarra Theatre marks a significant milestone today celebrating its 10th anniversary as a world-class performing arts venue and vibrant cultural hub within the walls of the historic Sandhurst Gaol.

Over the past decade, Ulumbarra has welcomed approximately 765,000 visitors and hosted over 2,500 events, ranging from major productions like Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle and national and international touring acts to local shows and school performances.

The name Ulumbarra means ‘gather together’ or ‘meeting place’ in the language of the Traditional Owners of the land, the Dja Dja Wurrung people.

As a leading regional arts and community venue, Ulumbarra has played a pivotal role in shaping central Victoria’s cultural landscape. The award-winning theatre, designed by local architecture firm Y2, is a stunning fusion of heritage-listed architecture and contemporary design within the historic Sandhurst Gaol (which operated from 1863 to 2004).

Red brick prison guard towers and an impressive façade frame the stunning theatre entrance. Inside the theatre, the box office is housed in a repurposed prison cell block and visitors can walk under the gangway and peer into prisons cells that remain intact. The theatre’s clever 950-seat design ensures a fantastic experience for every audience member, and other areas in the theatre serve as a hub for community events, art exhibitions, conferences, festivals and student programs.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said Ulumbarra’ s cultural impact on Greater Bendigo had been extraordinary.

“Ulumbarra has enriched our region’s arts and culture scene over the past decade, hosting national and international artists, touring theatre companies, whilst also serving as a space for learning, expression, and a strong community connection through the arts,” Cr Metcalf said.

“It is a testament to the strong collaboration and partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Senior Secondary College and other key local stakeholders to drive this ambitious project for a shared arts and education facility.

“The theatre’s name, Ulumbarra, perfectly captures the spirit of this unique venue bringing the absolute best of art and culture. It’s a place where the community comes together in celebration, storytelling, and shared experiences. As a joint-use facility with Bendigo Senior Secondary College, it is also a place of learning that nurtures the love of live performances amongst younger generations.

“The theatre’s official opening on April 17, 2015, was marked by week-long celebrations including a gala event, a community concert, and a host of top-class performances.

“In 2025, we are thrilled to welcome back several national and international touring companies who performed here in our opening year, including Shake & Stir with 1984, Bell Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Circus Oz, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

“To have these outstanding companies return to our stage is a fitting way to mark this milestone and we look forward to welcoming our community and visitors to Ulumbarra throughout 2025 to share in the celebration of 10 years of performance, creativity, and connection.

“It’s a wonderful celebration for a venue that has become a cornerstone of cultural life in central Victoria.”

To browse forthcoming performances and shows at Ulumbarra, head to: 

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Woman charged with drug offences in North West

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Woman charged with drug offences in North West

Thursday, 17 April 2025 – 9:19 am.

A 28 year old Montello woman has been arrested and charged after a targeted search by Western Drugs and Firearms, Taskforce Scelus and the Dog Handler Unit today.
About 1pm police executed a search warrant at a Montello address.
Approximately 130grams of methylamphetamine in addition to unlawful prescription medication, cannabis and a quantity of cash were located.
The woman was arrested and charged with several offences including trafficking in a controlled substance, dealing in property suspected of being proceeds of crime and selling a controlled drug.
The woman was bailed to appear in Burnie Magistrates Court in June.
Police would like to remind members of the public that if they have any information surrounding illicit drug possession and distribution to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.
Police will continue to target and hold to account those involved in the distribution of illicit drugs within the community.

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Denmark

Source:

We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Denmark and advise exercise normal safety precautions.

Denmark’s domestic terror threat level is set to ‘significant’ (level 4 of 5). Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Terrorists may target tourist areas and attractions or other places frequented by foreigners. Take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities (see ‘Safety’).

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Serious crash at Inkerman

Source: New South Wales – News

Police and emergency services are responding to a truck crash at Inkerman.

About 6.50am on Thursday 17 April, police were called to Port Wakefield Highway near Prime Road after two trucks crashed.

Traffic on southbound lanes are blocked. Diversions will be put in place shortly.

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Cracking regional tourism spending tipped for extended Easter and ANZAC Day holiday

Source: Premier of Victoria

  • More than $750 million spending boost to regional towns expected
  • Local accommodation, hospitality and bakeries the big winners
  • Service station spending set to soar as Aussies opt for road trips to regional locations

Regional towns across the country are expecting a bumper spending period this Easter as travellers flock to the regions to enjoy an extra-long holiday period.

New NAB data reveals more than $750 million is expected to be spent on regional tourism, including accommodation, hospitality and tourist attractions over the Easter period.

More than $450 million is expected to be spent at regional service stations as Australians pack up the car and nearly $200 million will be spent at regional restaurants, bars and pubs.

Whether it’s for a pitstop on the way through, or a pie and sausage roll for lunch, bakeries will also benefit from the influx of holidaymakers, expecting an $18m uptick and spending about 11% higher than normal.

Aussies stocking up on last minute chocolate eggs will see regional confectionary stores benefit from more than $1.6m in spending.

NAB Retail Customer Executive Larna Manson said many Aussies planned ahead this year and were enjoying a 10-day break by taking just three days off between the Easter and ANZAC Day public holidays.

“We expect regional towns to be big winners out of this extra-long Easter break, with many accommodation providers, cafes and restaurants booked out ahead of time by travellers,” Ms Manson said.

“With cost of living still at the forefront of many people’s minds, road trips across Australia are proving to be a more cost-effective way families can enjoy some time away and make new memories without the price tag of an overseas trip.”

Tim Bone, owner of BIG4 Holiday Parks Bellarine and Anglesea, said the extra-long break coming off the back of school holidays was a welcome addition for the tourism industry.

“We’re booked out for three weeks straight in April which is great,” Mr Bone said. “It’s definitely helped having school holidays combined with the Easter and ANZAC day periods together this year.

“It’s been a slower start to the year for bookings, but this is a welcome boost for us and small businesses across the region.”

Notes to the Editor: 
Predictions made from NAB transaction data pulled during the 2024 Easter period.

Topics

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Media Enquiries

For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015

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HILL STREET, PORT ELLIOT (Building Fire)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Issued on
17 Apr 2025 01:35

Issued for
PORT ELLIOT near Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke

Action
Smoke from PORT ELLIOT Fire is in the Hill Street and Tottenham Court Road area.

Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.

Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.

If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.

More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

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The Canberran’s guide to hiking this summer

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Explore the outdoors with one of Canberra’s many hikes.

In brief:

  • Canberra is a great city for hiking.
  • This story explains where to hike in Canberra, how to prepare, and how to stay safe on your hike.

Canberra is a haven for hikers. There are few better ways to spend your weekend than with a walk through our beautiful bushland.

Here’s everything you need to know for your next hiking adventure:

Where to go

You can search Parks ACT to find a place to hike. The database includes over 100 parks that are a mix of nature reserves, national parks and urban parks.

Find a park.

A series of trail upgrades have recently been completed. This was to improve the resilience of the trails and to increase safety and enjoyment for users.

The tracks that have been upgraded are in:

  • Canberra Nature Park – North
  • Canberra Nature Park – South
  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
  • Murrumbidgee River Corridor
  • Canberra Centenary Trail
  • Namadgi National Park

See the full list of upgraded paths.

How to prepare

Before you head off your hike, it’s worth doing a bit of research and checking:

Make sure you pack:

  • water to drink
  • food
  • a hat and sunscreen
  • suitable clothing, the weather can change very quickly in our mountain areas.
  • printed maps, if you’re not confident in the route (remember you won’t always have phone reception or GPS signal). Detailed maps are available for purchase at the Namadgi and Tidbinbilla Visitor Centres.

Before you go, make sure to let someone responsible know:

  • where you’re going
  • when you expect to return
  • what to do if you’re overdue.

Find out more about what to do before you go.

Hiking in isolated areas

If you’re headed to an isolated area, it’s a good idea to be extra careful.

Some areas of the ACT have limited mobile reception. These include:

  • Namadgi National Park
  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
  • Casuarina Sands
  • The Cotter
  • Uriarra Crossing.

You can hire Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) to help you out in isolated areas.

These handy little devices could help save your life if you have an emergency while exploring our beautiful bushlands. By activating the beacon, you will alert emergency services to your location with or without mobile or radio reception.

PLBs are an essential item for those looking to explore the bush, mountains or isolated areas in Canberra and are lightweight and super-compact, meaning there’s no excuse not to have one!

PLBs are available to hire for up to two weeks. Visitor Centre staff will show you how to use them, so you can head off on your hike with confidence.

To book a Personal Locator Beacon, call:

  • Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre on 02 6237 5307
  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Visitor Centre on 02 6207 7921.

What about snakes?

In the ACT, snakes are most active from October to March. This is when they are likely to sun themselves (especially in the early morning) or go in search of food or water.

If you see a snake, here’s how to avoid being bitten:

  • move away
  • don’t try to touch or harm the snake
  • be alert at all times
  • wear trousers and enclosed shoes
  • avoid walking through long grass
  • don’t put your hand into hollow logs or rock crevices.
  • Consider carrying a snake bite first aid kit (and know how to use it) when walking in parks or nature reserves.

Find out more about snakes, including first aid treatment.

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Canberra’s best suburban cafes

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Fox and Bow at Farrer shops brings a bustling vibe to a quiet local centre. Image: Visit Canberra

In brief:

    • Canberra has lots of great cafes in suburban areas.
    • Visiting the local shops in other areas helps you discover great new places to eat.
    • This article covers some of the city’s best local cafes.

Whether you’re after a relaxed brekkie or a coffee that packs a punch, Canberra is full of tasty hidden gems.

Venture beyond the larger centres to sample the tastes and community of neighbourhood cafes.

Baristas who know your name (and your order), easier parking and undiscovered suburbs – you’ll find all this and more when you visit some of Canberra’s best local cafes.

SOUTHSIDE

This eclectic café is a long-time local favourite. Relax in one of the cosy armchairs or in the sunny courtyard. You’ll find everything from Zucchini and Corn Fritters to Pulled Pork Bao Buns on the all-day menu. You can even toast the weekend with a mimosa.

The team here roast their own signature beans from Papua New Guinea. You can pick some up next time you buy a latte or tasty treat – ideal for savouring as the kids use the playground next door. There’s also a sister café at Curtin shops.

Fox and Bow’s original café brings a bustling vibe to this quiet centre. If the Goldilocks Porridge doesn’t grab your attention, there’s always the Brûlée French Toast or the vitamin-packed Greta Roll. Kids will love the Cubs menu.

This social enterprise cafe is based at the Gordon Community Centre. It operates to build community connections in Lanyon and raises money for the centre while offering training opportunities for local young people. It also serves a mean chai latte.

From the great minds behind Terra and Barrio comes this suburban all-day dining destination. Recess roast their own beans, so you know the coffee is excellent. With sandwiches, pancakes, pasta dishes and sweet treats on the menu, your every craving is sorted.

This local meeting place offers a range of classic breakfast and lunch options, including sandwiches, salads, pastries and sweet treats. A slice of the Sweet Potato Date Loaf pairs wonderfully with the Ona coffee served.

Maple and Pine gets its name from the trees found in nearby Isaacs Ridge. The café serves Veneziano coffee, along with a cracking breakfast and lunch menu. From Masala Chilli Scrambled to the SLAT sandwich (with smoked salmon) there’s something here for everyone.

Tucked away in the quiet Carleton Street Shops, Café Blanco delivers plenty of Latin American flavour to Tuggeranong. Tacos and tostadas feature on the seasonal breakfast and lunch menu alongside local Red Brick coffee.

Fully vegetarian, Stand By Me nails its breakfast game with Rosti, Okonomiyaki and French Toast that changes weekly. Dogs are welcome (with special puppy blankets and puppuccinos on the menu). It’s handily located across the road from Lyons Oval Playground.

Pitch Black serves up a popular menu of breakfast and lunch classics. There’s also Seven Miles coffee and no matter when you visit, you’ll also find a range of delicious baked goods made in-house. The walls are adorned with local artwork for sale.

Torrens shops is quickly becoming a foodie haven. St. Elmo is a deli and coffee shop that sells great coffee, freshly baked goods and a curated selection of meats and cheeses. Pick up some dinner while you’re there with daily-made pasta and fresh sauces.

Locals flock to this neighbourhood favourite for its Red Brick coffee, daily specials and tasty breakfast and lunch menu. Kids are welcomed with story books and colouring materials, and the nearby playground makes this a popular community hub.

NORTHSIDE

Two Before Ten’s flagship café sits among thriving veggie patches and fruit trees. Produce from this ‘urban farm’ supplies Two Before Ten’s numerous locations and the space is packed with locals sipping coffees from signature beans roasted nearby.

Located in the Fern Hill precinct, this is a great option for a grab-and-go lunch or a leisurely meal. You’ll find plenty of breakfast options, salads, burgers and more. Whatever your order, be sure to add some chips with aioli to it. They’re hard to beat.

Canberra’s one and only pig-themed café, Little Oink has real character. The brunch menu is packed with puns and delicious-sounding options, and the coffee is so good it’ll make your tail curl. Kids are welcome.

An inner-north favourite, Gang Gang is more than your average café. It’s big on community events, with gigs, trivia and comedy held regularly. As well as breakfast and lunch, Gang Gang is open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

From the team behind The Knox Made in Watson, The Irvine is a welcome addition to Florey shops. Weekend brunch gets its own menu and encompasses everything from a Sweet Potato Hotcake to the Florey Sambo (pork belly, bechamel, sriracha – how could you go wrong?).

Café by day, restaurant/bar by night, Frankies is renowned for its vibrant menu, regular specials and friendly vibe. Its location just a hop, skip and jump from Forde playground makes it a parents’ favourite. Fun fact: this was one of the first ACT venues to ditch disposable coffee cups.

The place to go for truly next-level sandwiches, al Lago brings a taste of Tuscany to Yerrabi Pond. Their bread is baked to order in house – inspired by the schiacciata bread the owners discovered in Florence. There’s Ona coffee too. Walk-ins only.

Operating from the owner’s front yard, this eponymous café is the essence of community. Events are held regularly. Locals wander over for their short black or bacon and egg wrap, while others drive across town to check out SV’s award-winning latte art.

Ever tried a croffle? Blossom Café, in Ngunnawal’s Platypus Centre, is the place to do it. This croissant/waffle combo will have you hooked. And if you’re more in the mood for savoury, there are plenty of brunch options to satisfy. There’s also a play area for kids.

As well as Ona coffee, you’ll find a mix of Filipino and western dishes. Sit indoors or out as you try Ube Waffles or Whipped Feta Toast for breakfast, Kare-Kare or Fish Escabeche for lunch or dinner. And there’s always the Biscoff Skewer dessert for whenever the mood takes you.

Located in the smaller of Lyneham’s two sets of shops – on Montford Crescent – Hide and Seek Café is ideal for catching up with family and friends. The menu changes regularly, with the Wild Mushroom Medley always popular.

Don’t be fooled by the café’s location within The Spence Grocer supermarket – the coffee here is excellent. In addition to a tasty selection of gourmet pies, pastries and sweet treats, Grocer and Grind serves hot specials like Turkish Eggs, Breakfast Burritos and Grilled Salmon.

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Stairway to jail over GST fraud

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

A Melbourne man has been sentenced to 2 years and 11 months imprisonment after obtaining over $390,000 in fraudulent GST refunds and attempting to obtain a further $330,000, as well as failing to comply with a court order.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Kath Anderson commended the latest outcome under the ATO-led investigation Operation Protego.

‘There are no ifs, ands or buts here – if you don’t run a business, you don’t need an ABN and you cannot claim GST refunds. This is fraud,’ Ms Anderson said.

‘Fraud against the ATO is not tolerated and we continue the fight against criminals seeking to exploit the tax system.’

Joshua Merrett was sentenced for one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, one count of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception and one count of failing to comply with an order. The failing to comply with an order charge was due to Mr Merrett refusing to provide his phone passcode to the Australian Federal Police after they seized his phone.

Mr Merrett had registered for an Australian Business Number (ABN) for a business that specialises in staircase manufacturing and antique furniture repairs. Between June 2021 and June 2022, he submitted 31 business activity statements (BAS) containing false information. This resulted in $394,801 in refunds being paid within a 3-month period, which triggered an audit and account lock down.

In addition, he attempted to obtain over $330,000 in GST refunds, however this was stopped by the ATO.

Mr Merrett tried to avoid ATO auditors but could not escape the consequences of his deceptive actions. Two months following the last GST refund being paid, ATO investigators and the Australian Federal Police conducted a search warrant at Merrett’s residence. The search showed no evidence of any commercial activity, or sales or purchases consistent with running a business.

He was ordered to be released after serving 1 year and 8 months, upon entering into a recognisance to the sum of $1,000 on condition he be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years. He was also ordered to pay reparations to the amount of $392,917.74.

This conviction is not the end of the story for Mr Merrett. The debt from the fraudulent GST returns is still on his record and the ATO will continue to chase it down, which includes seizing any future refunds.

This matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from the ATO.

The ATO reminds the community that GST fraud is not a victimless crime. Those who engage in this illegal activity are actively taking away funds that would otherwise be used for essential services such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education.

The ATO will continue to pursue those who commit fraud through criminal investigations and debt recovery actions to enforce repayment.

As part of Operation Protego, the ATO has taken compliance action against more than 57,000 alleged offenders, and those involved in this fraud have already been handed in the order of $300 million in penalties and interest.

As of 31 March 2025:

  • 103 people have been convicted with a range of sentencing outcomes, including jail terms of up to 7 years and 6 months and with orders made to restrain real property.
  • The ATO has 3 individuals currently under active investigation.
  • The ATO has finalised 61 investigations and referred 51 briefs of evidence to Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

You can confidentially report suspected tax crime or fraud to us by making a tip-off online or call 1800 060 062.

For more information about Operation Protego visit ato.gov.au/GSTrefundfraud.

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SMSF auditor number (SAN) misuse

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

In 2023 we stopped sending yearly mail outs to auditors with lists of SMSFs that reported an auditor’s SAN on the SMSF annual return (SAR) for a specific year. Now, auditors can ask for these lists from us, if they are worried about SAN misuse.

Auditors can request the list through Online services for business (OSB). The list will show funds that reported the auditor’s SAN where we could not find a matching auditor completion advice (ACA).

This financial year, only 21 auditors have requested a list of SMSFs reporting their SAN.

By checking the responses to these lists and matching audit complete advice (ACA) with SMSF annual returns (SARs), we found 13 cases of SAN misuse involving 11 tax agents and 79 SMSFs. Of these, 6 were deliberate instances of SAN misuse and 7 were inadvertent misuse.

When we find deliberate SAN misuse by a tax agents, we refer them to the Tax Practitioner’s Board (TPB), which may apply sanctions. This year, we referred 7 cases to the TPB, which issued 5 cautions.

We encourage auditors to lodge an Audit complete advice through OSB after completing the audit so we can identify potential SAN misuse.

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.