AU Engine

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

The Albanese Government will soon launch a new $130 million campaign aimed at encouraging international travelers to plan and book an Australian holiday.

First seen in a teaser campaign launched by Prime Minister Albanese on his recent visit to China, the second chapter of Tourism Australia’s successful Come and Say G’day campaign will go live in China on 7 August with the new advertising creative to progressively roll out in other key markets before the end of the year.

In the new TV and online video advertisements brand ambassador Ruby the Roo will be joined by talent well-known to audiences in the US, UK, China, India and Japan.

Familiar faces include –

• Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin will feature in the campaign in the US
• Food writer and TV cook Nigella Lawson in the UK
• Actor Yosh Yu in China
• Wellness advocate Sara Tendulkar in India; and
• Comedian Abareru-kun in Japan

Australian actor Thomas Weatherall will also feature in the new advertising creative.

The second chapter of Come and Say G’day builds on the global campaign which launched in October 2022. In that time the warm and welcoming creative, featuring Ruby the Roo, has increased consideration for an Australian holiday.

The Australian tourism industry has been growing since the resumption of global travel with the number of international arrivals expected to reach a record 10 million in 2026, growing to 11.8 million in 2029.

This campaign, which will run for the next two years, will take the total investment by the Federal Government in Come and Say G’day to $255 million since 2022.

For every dollar the Government invests in tourism attraction, we receive a $14 return which helps to support more than 700,000 jobs and 360,000 businesses, the Albanese Government is supporting the industry to continue building and setting new records.

You can see a compilation of the five new TV commercials and the full US and China ads.

Quotes attributable to Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell:

“The previous campaign struck a chord with visitors, with Ruby the Roo bounding into the imagination of countless guests, encouraging them to book a holiday down under.

I know this iteration, featuring popular talent like Robert Irwin, will be a smash.

Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities right around the country and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Come and Say G’day is bringing more visitors to our shores, creating more jobs and growing our economy.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Tourism Nita Green

“Supporting our tourism industry means supporting the jobs in Australia that rely on it.

“This next chapter of Come and Say G’day will do just that. It’s energetic, funny and heart-warming, and highlights Australia’s iconic places and the memories you can make but vis-iting them.”

“I can’t wait to see the campaign launched across key markets, and bringing more visitors to every part of Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Tourism Australian Managing Director Phillipa Harrison

“Traditionally tourism campaigns have leveraged one famous face across every market but for our latest campaign Ruby will be joined by well-known talent from five different markets to showcase personal lasting memories of a holiday to Australia,”

“The new campaign features Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin in the US; food writer and TV cook Nigella Lawson in the UK; actor Yosh Yu in China; entrepreneur and philanthropist Sara Tendulkar in India; and media personality and comedian Abareru-kun in Japan.

“These international stars combine with local talent, including Australian actor Thomas Weatherall and Ruby the Kangaroo, to create bespoke invitations for five markets that are tailored for each country to showcase the sort of tourism experiences travellers are looking for.

“This campaign is part of the enormous body of work Tourism Australia does in key markets around the world and is backed up by a whole range of programs that helps our Australian tourism industry grow their international business.”

“With competition for the international tourism dollar greater than ever before, we are confident this second chapter of Come and say G’day will ensure Australia continues to remain front of mind for travellers looking to plan and book their next holiday.”

Source:

Deborah Warr with the history of Langley Barfold Fire Brigade

A new book chronicling 100 years of the Langley Barfold Fire Brigade captures the ways in which a local rural fire brigade has been protecting its community from the dangers of fire while adapting to technological advancements and climate change.

Time and Change – 100 Years of the Langley Barfold Fire Brigade explores how the work of the fire brigade has transformed over time in response to change, while recognising the enduring importance of community in sustaining a local fire brigade.

The book was written by Barfold local and former academic Deborah Warr who said the project showed the importance of community in sustaining a local fire brigade.

“In reading historical accounts and talking to past and current members I saw how important community was to the vitality of the brigade. Communities need a brigade to manage the risks of fire and people joined brigades because they wanted to protect their community,” Deborah said.

She said the book builds on other local histories and combines archival material and interviews with brigade and community members.

“Like many local fire brigades, it has been sustained by the contribution of families who have been here for generations as well as new people moving into the district and joining the brigade.”

The book describes major fires that have threatened the district over the years. Deborah said these kinds of local histories are important as a source of knowledge for communities both in terms of how they have protected themselves from fire in the past and the unique factors that bring communities together.

The book also traces how the establishment of CFA profoundly shaped local brigades, as well as insights gathered in the aftermath of large fires in Victoria, including Black Friday, Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday.

“It’s a cracking yarn,” brigade Captain Mark Bond said. “There’s a lot to be learned from this history for understanding what happened and how it might happen again”.

Deborah agreed. “We learn about community resilience in ways that could help us to continue to navigate longstanding and new emerging risks of fire.”

The hard-cover book was launched at Holcolm Estate Distillery in Barfold last weekend (26 July).

It’s available at Aesop’s Attic in High Street, Kyneton, and direct from the Langley Barfold Fire Brigade.

Submitted by	News and Media

Source:

Industry Fire Prevention Officer Paul DiMartino takes the team through the training.

Knowing how to act in the first moments of a fire can make all the difference.

Submitted by	CFA News

Source: New South Wales – News

Police attended a Bordertown home just after 11pm on Sunday 3 August to check on the welfare of the two occupants.

Tragically, a 47-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, who were in a domestic relationship, were both found deceased at the property.

Detectives from Limestone Coast, Forensic Response Section and Major Crime Investigation Branch attended the scene and investigations are continuing.

The investigation is in its early stages, but police are not seeking any suspects in relation to this matter.

Police are preparing a report for the State Coroner.

Anyone with information that may assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

199738

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Entries are now open for the 2025 Battle of the Bands until Friday August 22, 2025 with all finalists to perform at the fourth annual BendiGLOW Youth Fest – a glow in the dark, themed event for young people that will take place from 3pm to 9pm on Saturday September 20, 2025 at Bendigo Exhibition Centre.

Battle of the Bands is open to local bands of all genres and is free to enter and participate. It’s a fantastic opportunity for local emerging musicians aged 12–25 who live in Greater Bendigo to showcase their talents and perform live in front of a large crowd.

Yo Bendigo is calling on music teachers, youth workers, parents, or industry professionals who may know a young talented band that could benefit from participating in the Battle of the Bands to please encourage them to apply and showcase their skills.

Not only will the winning band gain valuable exposure, but they’ll also take home an incredible range of prizes, including recording studio time, merchandise packages, and future performance bookings.

The Battle of the Bands competition has become a cornerstone of Bendigo’s youth music scene, and this year it will be even more competitive, with finalists performing live on a professionally equipped stage. The event will also be broadcast across the region by Phoenix FM, reaching even more music lovers.

Young artists are the future of live music in Greater Bendigo and the Battle of the Bands event supports the vibrancy, vitality and life of our community.

This year’s BendiGLOW Youth Festival will also feature a range of other entertainment and activities including an inflatable laser tag arena, skateboarding sessions and workshops, UV face and body painting, food trucks, community and youth service stalls, chill out zone and interactive spaces.

Battle of the Bands and BendiGLOW are initiatives of YO Events, Greater Bendigo’s youth events team – a fun-loving team of young people who create local arts events and experiences by young people for young people.

BendiGLOW is supported by Amplify and Victorian Youth Fest, both Victorian Government initiatives that support young Victorians to get involved in their community by planning and running drug, smoke, vape and alcohol-free music and cultural events for young people. It is a safe and secure event with no pass-outs. Entry is free with donations welcome to support YO Events activities.

For additional information, contact the YO Bendigo team via email or phone (Ask for YO Bendigo):

[email protected] 

1300 002 642

To submit an entry and see the full rules and conditions visit:

Source: New South Wales – News

About 7pm on Sunday 3 August police and fire crews responded to reports of a Holden sedan alight on First Avenue, Nailsworth.

Fire crews quickly responded and extinguished the blaze.

Checks on the car revealed it was a stolen car and displaying stolen plates.  The silver Holden Astra had been stolen from a Parkside property earlier this year.

Crime scene investigators attended to investigate the cause of the fire.

An examination of the vehicle revealed front end damage consistent with a collision with a pole or similar, which has likely sparked the engine fire.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area or has CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Avian influenza
The serious strain of bird flu, H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) – commonly known as H5 bird flu – has killed hundreds of thousands of seabirds and seals around the world.
It has not yet reached Australia, Australian Antarctic territory nor –  to anyone’s knowledge – either of Australia’s two sub-Antarctic island groups, Macquarie Island or HIMI.
However, affected animals have been found on the French Kerguelen and Crozet sub-Antarctic islands, which are only 450km from HIMI.
Wildlife ecologist Dr Julie McInnes and her team are heading to Heard Island to survey seabird populations, map breeding colonies, and monitor signs of H5 bird flu, working in collaboration with the seal survey team.
But her first job will be visually scoping for signs of the virus.
“We’ll use helicopters initially to give us a broad overview of the island and allow us to assess for wildlife mortalities in larger species such as elephant seals,” Dr McInnes said.
“From there we will use a combination of drones, zodiacs and on-ground surveys with personal protective equipment (PPE) to assess for signs of the disease across the island.”
If wildlife mortalities or signs of H5 bird flu are present, a subset of the team will be dedicated to sampling. This will only be carried out if it is safe to do so.
Samples will be packaged and shipped according to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, by expeditioners with approved training.
They will be submitted to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for PCR screening tests to confirm the presence or absence of HPAI.
There is no risk of introducing H5 bird flu to Australia through these samples, which are classified as UN3373 – Biological Substances, Category B.
They will be packed on Heard Island following strict IATA triple packing regulations designed to prevent leakage.
The rest of the sea bird team will carry out population surveys to provide valuable information on abundance and distribution of priority wildlife species.
The population survey work on V1 is being done on the animals that will be present and breeding in October – elephant seals, black-browed albatross, southern giant petrels, gentoo penguins, and the endemic Heard Island cormorant – by walking parties and drones.
“The thing about sub-Antarctic islands that just blows my mind is the high densities of animals,” Dr McInnes said.
“These small islands spotted through the Southern Ocean provide essential habitat for wildlife to come ashore to breed.
“Heard Island is a stronghold for some species, for example there’s thought to be over a million macaroni penguins on Heard Island.”

King penguins on Heard Island Photo: Stephen Brown

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

UPDATE 2: Search in Bass Strait for missing plane

Sunday, 3 August 2025 – 4:38 pm.

Search efforts continue in northern Tasmania, Bass Strait and regional Victoria to locate a light aircraft which has been reported missing.
The plane, with two people on board, failed to arrive as expected to Hillston Airport in NSW after taking off from George Town airport early Saturday afternoon.
Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark provided an update to media on Sunday afternoon. Audio and pics attached.
The Australia Maritime Safety Authority and Tasmania Police urge anyone near George Town or transiting the waters in northern Tasmania and Bass Strait, or southern Victoria near Leongatha, to keep a lookout for any signs of the aircraft or its occupants, and if safe to do so, render assistance.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre on 02 6279 5700 or Tasmania Police on 131 444.
CAPTION: Several boats are being used to patrol Bass Strait, off northern Tasmania, as the search continues for a missing light plane carrying two people. (Picture: Tasmania Police)

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

UPDATE: Search for missing light plane

Sunday, 3 August 2025 – 1:31 pm.

The search continues for a light plane, with two people on board, reported missing after taking off from George Town airport on Saturday afternoon.
The two people, from northern Tasmania, were travelling to Central Western NSW.
Family members raised the alarm last night after they failed to arrive as expected to Hillston Airport in NSW.
The male pilot is aged in his early 70s and his female passenger is aged in her 60s,
Tasmania Police helicopter and marine resources are conducting search activities near George Town and along Tasmania’s northern coastline.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Victoria Police are conducting searches over Bass Strait and also southern Victoria around Morwell and Leongatha.
AMSA and Tasmania Police urge anyone near George Town or transiting the waters in northern Tasmania and Bass Strait, or southern Victoria near Leongatha, to keep a lookout for any signs of the aircraft or its occupants, and if safe to do so, render assistance.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre on 02 6279 5700 or Tasmania Police on 131 444.