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Source: South Australia Police

Held at the SAPOL Academy, the event helped raise awareness of men’s health issues that impact emergency service workers and the community they help, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and men’s suicide.

SAPOL cadets, police, volunteers, and guests were onsite gaining vital information, sharing experiences, and participating in preparations for a momentous month of moustache growing.

Local barber, The Mad Barber shaved clean several faces, while others enjoyed a big barbecue by sponsor Police Credit Union, emergency service vehicles were on display, as well as the comical antics of emergency service mascots.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams encouraged first responders across the state to get involved to help raise awareness of men’s health issues.

“Working in emergency services can be challenging, and Movember presents a great opportunity to talk about men’s health and to break down the barriers around the biggest health issues for men,” Deputy Commissioner Williams said.

“Mental health is an especially important topic for police to speak openly about, and it’s encouraging to see such strong support for this year’s campaign.

“Please support this cause by giving generously and remember to check-in on your mates.”

Joining in on this morning’s festivities on the academy lawns were SAPOL the police horses, Encounter and Xennon, along with agency mascots ‘POCU’ from the Police Credit Union, ‘Smokey’ the Koala from CFS, ‘Deefa’ the Dog from the Australian Professional Firefighters Foundation.

Speaking at the event, Senior Sergeant First Class Robert Mowday expressed the importance of SAPOL hosting this year’s Great Emergency Services Shave Down.

“When we are involved in raising money, it always has an impact,” he said.

“One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.

“Go out and get yourself checked.”

Throughout November, volunteers and staff from SAPOL, the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS), South Australian State Emergency Service (SES), South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM), and the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS), have once again joined a friendly competition to raise funds for the good cause.

Last year, SAPOL’s Movember team raised over $2,000. Donations for this year are open through the Movember website.

For more information on men’s health, fundraising ideas, and support visit, www.movember.com

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on the M7 Motorway in Horsley Park, Middleton Grange and Prestons on Friday 14 November and Friday 21 November 2025, between 9pm and 5am. If work cannot take place during this time, we will work at night on Friday 5 and Friday 12 December 2025. 

During this work, closures will only take place at one location at a time. Traffic will still be able to travel in the opposite direction during each closure.

Please see the table below for work locations and dates:

Location	Closure direction	Date
M7 Motorway between Cowpasture Road and The Horsley Drive	Northbound full closure	Friday 14 November
M7 Motorway between Camden Valley Way and Bernera Road	Northbound full closure	Friday 21 November

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

Please keep to the speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs. Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Almost 500 Victorians have put their hands up to join CFA between 3 and 29 October on the back of the Get Fire Ready initiative.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions for site investigation on George Street and around the intersections of George Street with Thorley Street and Blacktown Road, South Windsor. 

We will work for up to five night shifts between Sunday 9 November and Thursday 27 November 2025, weather permitting. Working hours are 8pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday. No work will occur on Friday or Saturday nights.

There will be temporary traffic changes while we complete this work. This includes lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h. Traffic control will be onsite to help road users through the work area. 

Please drive and ride to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers. 

Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience while this work takes place.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Mental Health Australia

The M4 eastbound entry ramp from Mulgoa Road to the M4 travelling towards the city will be closed between 8pm and 5am on 10, 11 and 13 November. 

A detour will be in place via The Northern Road or use the M4 westbound entry ramp to travel to Russell Street and access the ramp to the M4 travelling towards the city. 

Night work along Mulgoa Road will include lane and road closures. 

Please observe speed limits, follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs, plan ahead and allow extra travel time. 

Traffic control will help road users and pedestrians through the work area if required.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Passengers who bring converted e-bikes onto Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink or Metro services will face significant fines under new safety regulations which take effect tomorrow.

Anyone caught with a converted e-bike on the network risks fines of up to $1,100 as part of a crackdown on the hazards linked to unsafe lithium-ion battery installations.

The landmark decision by the NSW Government follows growing safety concerns about converted e-bikes – which have been linked to incidents across the rail network and a growing number of battery-related fires reported by Fire and Rescue NSW.

Converted e-bikes are regular pedal bicycles that have been fitted with electric motors and batteries, which are more likely to catch fire because of DIY setups, poor wiring, and low-quality or second-hand parts.

Under the new rules, people will not be able to bring a lithium-ion battery from a converted e-bike on a train or metro service whether or not it is attached to the bike.

The carriage of a restricted converted e-bike will carry a minimum penalty notice offence of $400 with a maximum penalty of $1,100. This is comparable to the existing offence for carrying a petrol-powered device on a train or railway premises. 

The ban applies to all fare-paid areas of the rail network, including trains and platforms. It does not extend to concourses, lifts or bike storage areas outside the fare gates. Riders passing through community access gates will also not be affected.

Other e-bikes, shared e-bikes and mobility devices will not be impacted by this change; however, Transport for NSW will continue to monitor all e-micromobility incidents closely. 

Transport for NSW consulted widely before making the decision to introduce the ban, including with fire services, unions, delivery riders and the public.

As part of a nationwide push to improve safety standards, the NSW and Victorian Transport Ministers have jointly urged the Federal Government to introduce tougher national regulations, on the importation, sale and use of e-micromobility devices, to ensure all products available in Australia are safe, reliable and fit for purpose.

The NSW Government continues to promote and enable the use of e-bikes as a safe, accessible and sustainable transport option for people in NSW. They are helping people get around, especially for short trips to and from train stations.

More information about the ban of converted e-bikes on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro and NSW TrainLink networks is available on the transportnsw.info website.

Secretary of NSW Transport Josh Murray said:

“These changes are not about limiting mobility – they are about protecting lives and importantly, protecting the continued safe operation of our metro and rail services.

“You may think it is harmless to change your pedal bike to an e-bike using a DIY conversion kit. But if it results in a fire on a packed train or metro service, the consequences could be serious.

“The fines of up to $1,100 are significant so I urge our passengers to use common sense and follow the new rules. Don’t use a converted e-bike to avoid a fine.” 

Source: South Australia Police

Registered not-for-profit Retired Police Dogs SA was founded in 2024 to ensure the loyal and hardworking retired police dogs enjoy a safe, comfortable, and well-deserved retirement.

Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said SAPOL supports its retired animal workers through supplying food, but they are not eligible for standard pet insurance.

“Retired Police Dogs SA works to provide financial support for medical expenses and ongoing care—needs that often arise due to the demanding nature of their service careers,” Commissioner Stevens said.

“We know our police dogs are special animals, they work hard to protect the South Australian community and deserve to be well looked after once their operational days are behind them.

“We’re thankful to Retired Police Dogs SA for facilitating the funding to provide them the care they need following their careers.”

Many retired dogs stay in their care of their handlers, while others are rehomed.

“We currently have 21 retired dogs who qualify for assistance to help ensure they enjoy the comfort and care they so deeply deserve,” said Retired Police Dogs SA Founder and CEO, Tina Hunt.

“Many of these dogs face ongoing medical challenges due to the physical demands of their service.

“With support like this, we can ease the financial burden on their families and ensure every retired police dog enjoys a healthy, comfortable life after duty.”

To find out more or make a donation go to www.retiredpolicedogssa.org/

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Photo: Alistair Walker, Lockwood 2nd Lieutenant

Torrential rain and severe winds were not enough to dampen Lockwood Fire Brigade’s 75-year anniversary festivities on 26 October, as eager members celebrated alongside their community.

The dedicated volunteers captivated a large crowd during the tough conditions with the help of many stakeholders, to hold a joyful community market last Sunday.

Held on the bowling green and within the town hall, stalls were set up for all ages, with Kelly Sports, face painting and badge making for the kids, and a silent auction and raffle on offer for the adults.  

Lockwood Fire Brigade Captain of five years and CFA volunteer for 44 years, Dean Heather, said the event was the biggest and most successful he had seen for the brigade.

“There has been such a large amount of work and organisation put into this event by many members of our brigade, and we’re really pleased with how well it turned out,” Dean said.

“Having been involved in the brigade for 25 years, it was exciting to be a part of such a large community engagement day.

“This year we decided to make it a real community affair, hoping to engage more closely with families and it was a great result.

“We had the community engagement vehicle set up so people could refresh their summer fire safety too, and plenty of food and drink to keep the day moving.”

Neighbouring CFA brigades from Kangaroo Flat, Marong, Maiden Gully and Oscar 1 Rescue were on site in support throughout the day coordinating displays with Marong VICSES.

“They battled the weather but were still able to get some target shooting with the hose and water fire extinguishers going which people enjoyed,” Dean said.

Dean said it was particularly special on the weekend to acknowledge their dedicated years of service in front of those they serve.

“We had a certificate provided to us by CFA, unveiled behind red curtains and it was great to have CFA District 2 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Archie Conroy come down to speak,” Dean said.

“We had a number of speeches touching on various stories through the decades.”

As a rural fire brigade specialising in grass and scrub fires, volunteers first operated out of a station on the Calder Highway, before moving to the new and existing site on Crusoe Road in 2002, with better access to the town and more room to house vehicles.

Over the years, brigade members have been deployed to major bushfires including the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, the 2009 fires and the 2019-20 season.

When taking on the captaincy, Dean said it was a good opportunity to start afresh in the brigade and he praised the willingness of the members to put up their hand to help.

“Having identified the strengths of our members, it has made delegation a lot easier and they have been awesome at offering their assistance and expertise,” Dean said.

“We have around 34 members, with 20 operational and a core unit who are able to turn out to each incident. With a highway running through our patch, we do get motor vehicle incidents too.

“I try to acknowledge and thank our members as much as I can for their efforts because I think that matters. You have to give them credit for the work they do, and they appreciate it.”

Dean’s entire family is part of CFA, with his two sons involved with the brigade, the youngest being 17, and his wife Mel a brigade administrative support officer in District 2.

“As a family, CFA has been a pretty big part of our life and my wife used to say as soon as the pager went off it emptied our house,” Dean said.

“Mel has aspirations to start training with the brigade too, to assist with her knowledge and get a handle of what is involved so she has a better understanding in her own work environment.”

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The Fire Danger period will commence at 1am on Monday, 10 November 2025 for the following municipalities in CFA’s North East Region.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The Fire Danger period will commence at 1am on Monday, 17 November 2025 for the following municipalities in CFA’s North West region.

Submitted by	CFA Media