AU Engine

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Victorian fire agencies are working with Traditional Owners to support cultural burn delivery and build knowledge in cultural fire practices and their significance to country.

CFA, alongside Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have joined forces to deliver learning sessions on Cultural Burns led by Traditional Owners in the Port Phillip region. 

The practical sessions aim to build confidence, cultural safety and clarity in delivering cultural fire operations alongside Traditional Owners, and complement the planned burns conducted for fuel management by both agencies.

Between 2023 and 2025, CFA conducted 12 cultural burns alongside seven different Traditional Owner groups, with more set to take place across 2026, only further reinforcing our commitment to reconciliation every single day.

Planned Burns Operations Officers (PBOO), Coordinators and Burns Controllers from both agencies joined Traditional Owners on site of previous cultural burns to learn about the cultural context of the burn and cultural considerations during planning and delivery.

CFA Planned Burns Operations Officer Darren Hardacre attended multiple sessions and said they were a brilliant opportunity to learn and develop relationships with Traditional Owners.

“It brings a different perspective to what we do and how we go about it,” Darren said.

“It brings people together and the discussions and talks that we have had with the mob are really beneficial.

“I think that if we can help in healing land and rekindling those relationships we should.”

Darren hopes the sessions evolve over time with more people able to get involved.

“Most of the land we are looking at is public land, but there is the hope that by getting out and having more people learn about the benefits and the practices that we could get some private landholders on board,” Darren said.

“This would help in doing things like getting weeds out and bringing back native grasses.

“A lot of it centres around building trust from both sides and the more we can build upon that the better off we are going to be in the long term.”

DEECA Port Phillip Region Cultural Fire Officer Liam Gallagher said the PBOO Learning Program was born from the lessons of the 2024-2025 cultural burn season.

“These learnings shaped a program that strengthens how we walk together on Country. It gives our people the confidence to operate safely, uphold cultural authority, and better integrate cultural objectives with our statutory responsibilities,” Liam said.

“The more we build this shared capability, the more we build trust — and that’s essential for the long‑term health of Country and the partnerships that care for it.”

Wurundjeri Corporation Operations and Fire Officer Luke Perry said the program helps attendees learn how Traditional Owners are balancing cultural objectives with policy and safety requirements, and helps to strengthen conversations and engagement.

“The program is a great opportunity to get together with partners across agencies to talk about cultural fire practices and their significance to Country,” Luke said.

The Victorian fire management sector through Safer Together recognise and acknowledge First Nations culture and that Victorian Traditional Owners and First Nations Victorians hold a close cultural and spiritual connection to Country.

CFA remains All In to taking action and making change this National Reconciliation Week and well into the future. Anyone interested in learning more about these sessions should reach out to Port Philip Region Cultural Fire Officer at liam.gallagher@deeca.vic.gov

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

an I welcome you, Travis, here to Parliament House, to the centre of our nation’s democracy.

Next year, just down the road there, we’ll celebrate a century since Parliament first met here in Canberra.

And at that time, it was of course, the First Nations man walked here, because First Nations people weren’t included at that time, of course.

And we know that back in 1901 there was no one from First Nations people at the Royal Exhibition Hall in Melbourne, where just a couple of weeks ago we celebrated the formation of Australia as a Federation, when we came together.

But it is unfinished business, the business of reconciliation.

We, those of us who are either descendants of, who’ve come to Australia as migrants or are descendants of people who’ve come here, share a great privilege, that sharing this continent with the oldest continuous culture on Earth.

And today, like every day, I pay tribute to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we’re meeting, and pay my respect to elders, past, present, and emerging. And Auntie Violet, my friend is here as well, as such an important person here in Canberra.

We have a long way to go.

The journey of reconciliation, though, does advance.

There are bumps in the road.

It’s not a straight journey, as progress never is.

But I assure you that we’ll continue to walk with you.

I had the privilege on Friday night of walking with Michael Long near the G, and that was a very uplifting experience, the celebration that occurred there, recognition of First Nations people in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Something – I was there and Richmond hosted the event.

There was absolute respect.

And we’ll be a stronger nation when there is proper and full recognition of First Nations people, and of course a full acknowledgement of our history, the pluses and the negatives.

But First Nations people are the core, the central part of the Australian story going back 65,000 years.

So, I thank you for your leadership.

I thank everyone who’s come from far and distant lands here, from different countries.

I was with Marion and Malarndirri in Alice, just, seems like a long time ago, but just last Wednesday as well with family and elders there for what has been a very difficult and traumatic experience for First Nations people everywhere.

So, my government will continue to engage with you, and I thank you for being here today.

You’ve got a fantasti, I’m very proud of the Minister that we have following along from the work that Linda Burney did.

Pleased to see so many of my colleagues from the government here.

And we will continue to have engagement and dialogue with you on how we continue to walk towards that objective, which is in the interest not just of First Nations people, but in the interests of uplifting all Australians as well.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: Joining us now live, the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Anthony Albanese. Welcome to the show.

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Source:

Issue date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability will hold its final public hearings on Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May 2026 for its inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs.

The witnesses appearing will include peak bodies for the alcohol industry, academic researchers, and national service providers for drug and alcohol harm intervention, including charities and Aboriginal health organisations. The Committee will also hear from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Federal Police.

Committee Chair, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said that “alcohol and other drug-related harm negatively affect tens of thousands of Australians each year. This inquiry is nearing completion, and the Committee is looking forward to receiving further insights at these final hearings to help guide the deliberations for our report.’

Dr Freelander further commented that ‘the Committee will seek to make meaningful policy recommendations to the Government in our report to enhance existing protections, interventions, and recovery support for individuals, families, and communities suffering from the impacts of drug and alcohol abuse.’

 

Date: Thursday, 28 May and Friday, 29 May 2026

Time: Thursday – 9.45am–11.15am AEST

Friday – 8.00am – 1.00pm AEST

Location: Committee room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra and online (see below)

Hearing programs can be downloaded at: Public Hearings – alcohol and other drugs inquiry

A live audio broadcast of these hearings can be accessed at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available at the Committee’s website.

Media inquiries

Todd Steele, Office of Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair

todd.steele@aph.gov.au
(02) 4620 0293

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4145
Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: Please welcome to the show the biggest Maroons fan known to man, Anthony ‘Albo’ Albanese.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: A great initiative from the Australian Federal Government announced yesterday and that is that the Albanese Government is backing the Rugby League World Cup to the tune of the $12.4 million investment. I’m happy to say that the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese is on the line. Good morning, Prime Minister.

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Source:

Issue date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government funding will hear from the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) and the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) this week.

Mindful of the challenges faced by local governments, the Committee wants to better understand how the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Tony Mahar manages his national role in relation to energy infrastructure whilst working collaboratively with all levels of government, industry, landholders, and community members.

The Committee will also hear from the Commonwealth Grants Commission to discuss its current roles and responsibilities, and how these have changed over time. The Committee will be interested in hearing about the CGC’s views on horizontal fiscal equalisation between states and territories and the flow on effects for local governments.

Committee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips, said “the Committee will be particularly interested in hearing about the role of the AEIC to help make the shift to renewal energy smoother and fairer. This transition can involve significant disruption and uncertainty for host communities and their local councils and needs to be managed fairly across regional Australia.”

“In regard to the CGC, the Committee has also heard from councils and other stakeholders about the importance of ensuring the distribution of funding to local government is fair and equitable. We look forward to hearing from the CGC on their role.”

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Time: 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

Media inquiries

Mrs Fiona Phillips, MP
Media Adviser: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 2232
rdit.reps@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ustralia will once again take centre stage for world sport when the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) kicks off in Sydney this October.

The Albanese Government is backing the tournament with a $12.4 million investment to support the successful planning, logistics and delivery of the event across nine host cities in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The investment includes a strong focus on supporting the women’s competition, as women’s rugby league continues to go from strength to strength.

The RLWC will feature standalone women’s, men’s, and wheelchair tournaments, with 26 teams from 16 nations competing in 51 matches across 5 weeks.

Fans will see the men’s and women’s teams sharing the stage across a number of double-headers providing great entertainment and showcasing the very best of rugby league to audiences around the world. 

As Australia prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2026 Rugby League World Cup is another opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting culture on the global stage.

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Australians love rugby league and this World Cup is a chance to show that to the world.

“This is about packed stadiums, local jobs, children seeing their heroes up close and communities coming together around a game they love.

“The World Cup will bring communities together across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, strengthen regional ties and create memories that fans will never forget.

“Australia has a proud track record of hosting world-class sporting events and this is another chance to show the world what we do best.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“This investment will deliver an incredible tournament in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games and will create more opportunities and inspiration for kids to hit the field.

“With women’s rugby league continuing to grow year-on-year, the RLWC provides a platform to inspire young people, grow the game further and get more women and girls into sport.

“That’s why we’re getting involved in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, to make sure it’s the best possible event it can be, and to showcase why Australia is a world leader in delivering international sporting events.”

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

A bold new Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 has been adopted by Council, setting a clear path to transform the city centre into a more vibrant, accessible and investment ready destination.

The three-year plan features targeted actions to boost economic activity and enhance the overall experience for residents and visitors. This is a highly collaborative plan with the City engaging closely with landlords, agents, and businesses.

The Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 brings together all city precincts to work together to achieve a high performing revitalised Bendigo city centre. It is informed by a Retail and Hospitality Gap Analysis, economic modelling and an Investment Attraction Plan developed by local firm REMPLAN.

The city centre is an important regional hub that serves a dual role as the civic and economic heart of Greater Bendigo, and as a key regional destination for a wider catchment area. Around 18,000 people work in the city centre and around three million visitors come to Greater Bendigo each year.

In collaboration with key stakeholders, including landlords, real estate agents and businesses, the action plan focuses on five areas and looks to:

Secure anchor tenants and major projects:

• Attract national retailers, high-quality hospitality operators, and experience-based businesses
• Identify priority sites for anchor developments

Activate vacant and underutilised spaces:

• Collaborate closely with landlords and agents
• Target short-term leases, curated pop-ups, and flexible tenancy models
• Improve shopfront presentation and trial pilot programs
• Expand the use of Bendigo Town Hall to inject activity into the precinct

Improve access, safety, and parking:

• Reopen Hargreaves Street Mall to traffic with a one-way, 10km/h shared zone from Mitchell Street to Williamson Street
• Contribute to the Victorian Government’s Bus Network Review for Greater Bendigo in mid-2026 (the City is not responsible for public transport services)
• Enhancing the comfort, safety and clarity of walking and cycling routes to encourage greater uptake of active travel for residents, workers, and families
• Improve wayfinding signs and ensure parking is accessible, safe, and well-lit

Support business diversity and the night-time economy:

• Address gaps in the evening economy and encourage extended trading
• Attract businesses offering social, creative, and cultural experiences
• Cater to younger audiences and creative professionals

Enhance the public realm and events:

• Deliver ongoing events and activations such as live performances and the Moonlight Market (road will be closed for major events in the Mall)
• Improve amenity, comfort, and perceptions of safety (continue to work closely with Victoria Police and housing agencies)
• Strengthen the city centre’s identity and investment appeal

Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the Bendigo City Centre Action Plan provided a fresh direction for the city centre.

“We’ve heard strong community support for a vibrant city centre that delivers shopping, jobs, culture and tourism,” Cr Prince said.

“While the focus has been on reopening the Mall to vehicles, it is just one action in a broader plan. The plan outlines 26 actions and recognises there is no single solution. It is not something the City can deliver alone, as it does not own or control private properties.

“Success will depend on strong partnerships and support from landlords, agents, businesses, and a community that actively backs local traders in our city centre precincts.

“The goal is simple: more people, more often, building confidence and reinforcing Bendigo as open for business and investment.

“To achieve this, we need a compelling mix of retail, hospitality and entertainment, and a city centre that attracts people day and night. Targeted national retailers in strategic areas in the city centre can help shift perceptions and boost confidence, supporting local businesses alongside them who already provide a great service in the community.

“Activating underused sites and growing the evening economy will be key to creating a lively, welcoming destination.”

Events and arts will continue to energise the city centre. Always Live Victorian Vibes is taking place this Saturday May 30 with Matt Corby, King Stingray, Queenie, and local artist Emma Gleeson performing at different locations in the city centre.

Bendigo Town Hall will host the Bendigo Art Gallery’s off-site exhibitions in 2026 and 2027, with the first free season opening in August. Planning is underway for more events and public artworks in the city centre.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

A long-serving member of Sedgwick Fire Brigade who dedicated more than five decades to CFA has been posthumously awarded the CFA Outstanding Service Medal (OSM), recognising a lifetime of outstanding service, leadership and community contribution.

Brigade members, family and friends gathered on Friday 22 May for a presentation evening honouring the late Brendan Drechsler, whose 52 years of active service left a lasting impact on CFA and the wider Sedgwick community.

Brendan’s connection to the brigade began long before he officially joined CFA in 1972 at the age of 16. Before Sedgwick had its own fire station, the brigade’s first fire truck was housed at the Drechsler family farm, where Brendan helped prepare the appliance for incidents as a young boy.

Fire service was deeply embedded in the Drechsler family, as Brendan followed in the footsteps of his father, who helped form Sedgwick Fire Brigade in 1942 and later became its first Captain. Brendan’s brother also served as Captain before Brendan took on the role in 2015.

Over more than half a century, Brendan served in numerous operational and leadership roles, including Brigade Captain, First Lieutenant, Apparatus Officer, Brigade Secretary, Group Delegate and Junior Leader. He attended hundreds of incidents, including Black Saturday in 2009 and the large Sedgwick fire in 2013.

Brendan’s son, Ben Drechsler, said his father never sought recognition for himself.

“Dad always made it about the brigade and helping other people,” Ben said.

“He dedicated his life to CFA, the Sedgwick brigade and the local community. To see his service recognised with the Outstanding Service Medal is incredibly special for our family and everyone who knew him.

“Even in the final weeks of his life, he still wanted to help the brigade and the community.”

Brendan became widely respected for his calm leadership, dedication to mentoring younger members and commitment to community safety. He played a key role in strengthening the brigade’s capability, helping secure major improvements including a second tanker, quick-fill trailer, heavy tanker and station extensions.

He was also instrumental in rebuilding the brigade’s junior running team in the 2010s, personally coaching Sedgwick members who went on to become state champions.

Brendan continued volunteering despite battling illness, responding to incidents until just days before becoming bedridden. Beyond the fireground, he also contributed widely to local sporting and community organisations.

In recognition of his contribution and legacy, Sedgwick Fire Brigade recently placed Brendan’s name on one of the brigade’s fire trucks.

The Outstanding Service Medal is CFA’s highest internal honour and recognises prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance and contribution to the organisation and community.

Submitted by	CFA media