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Big W customer gobsmacked over $4000 shipping fee

A Big W customer was only trying to buy an outdoor play set for her kids but got the shock of her life when she saw the "ridiculous" shipping fee that was over three times the cost of the play set. The Singleton mum had added the $1,200 item to her cart while shopping online and was about to check out when she was greeted with a $4,466 shipping fee. "How in God's name can they charge $4,466 for delivery! Big W are slowly losing my vote!" the outraged mum wrote on Facebook, even swearing off the department store for the apparent money grab. According to the Big W website, the play set is sent via Plum Play, a "trusted partner", and not by Big W stores, and because the woman lives in a rural area, she initially believed that was the reason for the extortionate shipping costs. A few other shoppers criticised the high fee. "That is fricken ridiculous!!!! No one would pay that," one said. "Jesus, are you ordering a few pallets of bricks? No way normal merchandise would cost that much to send," another wrote. A few others questioned the weight of the item and where she lived, while others tried to buy the same item and got even higher shipping fees. "It jumped a few grand for a couple of ks for me," one wrote, with the cost of standard delivery for the play set at $7,858. Some reported fees of up to $50,000, but most were $7,000 to $10,000. The department store has addressed the issue and told Yahoo News Australia that an "error on the website" was to blame. They have since corrected the delivery charges which should have been about $100 for the woman's location. "We were made aware of a delivery calculation error on our website which has since been resolved. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused," a spokesperson told the publication. Image: Getty

Money & Banking

Experienced bush tracker to join in search for Samantha Murphy

An experienced bush tracker is joining the search for Samantha Murphy, who went missing two weeks ago after she was last seen going out for a morning run. Jake Cassar - who has experience in high-profile missing persons cases including that of missing child, William Tyrrell - is on his way to Ballarat to help with the ongoing search. Cassar’s involvement was announced in a Facebook post set up by locals to help find Murphy. Cristie Lea, who helped organised Cassar’s visit to Victoria, said that the experienced bushman will be arriving in Melbourne on Monday and will return on Friday, with the community pitching in to cover the cost of his flights. “I’m hoping to get a lot done while I’m here,” Cassar told 7News. Cassar's arrival is ahead of the planned community-led ground search for Murphy on Saturday, with him set to teach tracking skills to volunteers and help them “establish a solid game plan” before he leaves. “I’ll cover as much ground as physically possible while I’m out here, especially in the more remote places. “I plan on training up some locals in the fundamentals of tracking, so when I leave I can continue to liaise with those on the ground.” He added that he respected the work done so far by police and SES volunteers and hoped that he could find something that could further the investigation. “People are entitled to their opinions as to whether or not Samantha is out in the bush,” he said. “On the chance that she is, I want to ensure that absolutely everything is done to find her.” Cassar’s involvement had been “highly anticipated, warmly welcomed and very much appreciated” by locals who are helping search for Murphy. “Jake has significant bush expertise, tracking skills and previous experience in searching for missing people,” Lea said. “Momentum is strong and we pray that Jake’s expertise will energise the already motivated community and grow the already overwhelming public support for this Saturday’s major Ground Search event. “Together we will continue to encourage others to join local search activities that will bring Samantha home.” Images: Facebook

Legal

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion tie the knot in "bush bash" wedding

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and his partner, ex-staffer Vikki Campion, celebrated their union in an intimate "bush bash" wedding at Joyce's family estate in Woolbrook, near Walcha in northeast NSW. The event, described affectionately by a guest as a "bachelor and spinster ball", marked a significant moment in the couple's journey, which had faced public scrutiny in the past. The much-anticipated celebration, held five years after the revelation of their relationship, saw the couple donning Akubra hats, embracing the rustic charm of their country-style wedding. The ceremony, which prompted Joyce's resignation as deputy prime minister and Nationals leader, was a private affair, with the guest list exceeding 80 attendees. The pink and ivory-themed wedding unfolded with Campion radiantly adorned in a strapless cream tulle dress, featuring a long train. She paired the elegant ensemble with gold earrings and heeled black cowboy boots, epitomising the unique blend of sophistication and rural charm. The couple's two sons, Sebastian (5) and Thomas (4), played the role of page boys in matching chinos and navy waistcoats, adding a family touch to the heartwarming ceremony. The event took place at a location on Joyce's family property that held special significance for the couple, adding a personal touch to the nuptials. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CziVHv_S2_z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CziVHv_S2_z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Daily Telegraph Sydney (@dailytelegraph)</a> </div> </blockquote> Following the ceremony, guests gathered at Woolbrook hall for a country-style feast and drinks, reminiscent of a traditional bachelor and spinster ball. The event embraced a return to "country style", with guests arriving in 4x4s and a relaxed dress code featuring flat shoes and broad-brimmed hats. Notable attendees included Nationals MP George Christensen, adding a touch of political prominence to the celebration. The festivities also featured high-profile guests, contributing to the event's unique blend of country charm and political influence. However, the guest list raised questions about the attendance of Joyce's four daughters from his previous marriage to Natalie Abberfield – Julia, Caroline, Odette and Bridgette. Julia Joyce had previously taken to Instagram, expressing her humorous intent to "crash" her father's wedding in her mother's vintage wedding dress. The involvement of Campion's father, Peter, in giving her away added a traditional touch to the ceremony, reinforcing the significance of family in the couple's journey. Joyce's proposal to Campion last year, following his separation from his wife of over 25 years, marked a turning point in their relationship. The bush bash wedding served as a symbolic celebration of their love, surrounded by the rustic beauty of the Woolbrook estate. As the newlyweds embark on this new chapter, their bush bash wedding will undoubtedly be remembered as a unique blend of country charm and personal significance. Images: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister / Instagram

Family & Pets

Iconic artist and broadcast pioneer John Pickup passes away at 91

John Pickup OAM passed away on Tuesday at home in Murwillumbah. The broadcast pioneer, who spent over 40 years working at the ABC, enjoyed a varied career across Australian TV and radio. As well as his broadcast work, John found success with the Brushmen of the Bush - a group consisting of five Broken Hill artists. They dedicated their time to depicting the outback and garnered international recognition during the '60s and '70s. The group - John Pickup, Erin Minchin, Pro Hart, Hugh Schulz, and Jack Absalom - came together when artist Erin Minchin needed help with a charity fundraising exhibition. They went on to showcase their work around the world, raising thousands for charity along the way. "They donated a lot of paintings to charities all over the country," fellow Broken Hill artist Howard Steer said of their generosity. Pro Hart’s wife, Raylee Hart, told the ABC that “there was a great sense of community” around them while reflecting on time spent with the Brushmen. John was the last surviving member of the Brushmen of the Bush after Jack Absalom’s death in March 2019. Despite John’s skill with a brush, it was not his painting that saw him awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020, but instead his 57 years of service to broadcasting. Opening up to AnArt4Life about the honour, John said, “while I am extremely proud to receive an OAM, I was also honoured to receive numerous messages from people thanking me for training them in broadcasting as that training sent them on their present career path: to receive these messages of congratulations was very gratifying". John launched his media career in 1947, and moved to the ABC in 1950, where he remained for more than 40 years. He spent time in the sound effects department, as a manager, and as a broadcaster for the company. But his most unique role comes from his time with sound, when his right hand secured itself a place in the history books by becoming the first “animated object” ever seen on Australian TV in 1956. John was a floor manager at the time, tasked with opening a book set to feature in the broadcast’s opening shot. "I took my right hand up to makeup, had it satisfactorily made up," he told ABC Radio National's Late Night Live of the incident. “Come eight o'clock, I get the cue from the floor manager. I pick up the book, I open to the first page,” John went on, “it just so happens that … my right hand is the first animated object seen on national television." Raylee Hart, while speaking of John, noted that Pickup’s death marked the end of an era, but shared her hope for the future in knowing that “there’s always something else for another era.” Images: Facebook

News

TV host humiliated live on air by 9-year-old daughter

A TV host has been left mortified after her 9-year-old daughter embarrassed her live on air. Jenna Hager Bush, one of the hosts of the US morning show Today with Hoda & Jenna, had her daughter Mila on the show to chat about fashion. The 9-year-old then shocked her mum by telling viewers that Hager “never wears underwear.” She continued, “She is not wearing it right now! I saw her change!” The little one’s confession came one month after the journalist first confessed that she often skips underwear for a “more pretty silhouette” after co-host Hoda Kotb called her out. Hager, who also shares daughter Poppy, 7, and son Hal, 3, with husband Henry Hager, explained that her controversial wardrobe choice makes her life “easier.” “You don’t have to pack as much,” she pointed out last month. “There [are] a lot of pros to it.” While Mila wasn’t the first to out her mother’s lack of underwear, she did continue to embarrass Hager with another story on Tuesday. “One time she was laughing in our living room and she peed her pants!” Mila said, noting that Hager had to “change [her] pyjamas” at the time. Hager was a good sport, sarcastically thanking Mila before saying, “I think Hoda is trying to get the truth bombs out [of you] but no more.” <div id="ad-hybrid-banner-1" data-type="unruly" data-ad-size="4x4" data-device-type="web"> <div> </div> </div> When Mila showed no signs of keeping quiet, Hager abruptly concluded, “OK, goodbye! Goodbye, I love you!” As Mila exited the stage, Kotb gushed, “What a great kid. … You and her are very similar because you’re both just exactly who you are.” Image credits: Today with Hoda & Jenna

The W word is tough to talk about, but we need to be better prepared

Widowhood isn’t a topic that is widely discussed. Yet with some women left financially ruined after the unexpected death of their spouse or partner – especially if they suddenly find themselves single parents. It is a discussion we should be having, both to support newly widowed women and to lessen the financial burden on those who may follow. ‘My partner is gone and I don’t know how I’m going to make ends meet.’ This is a situation that no one wants to face, yet many women sadly do. And it isn’t just elderly women or those in retirement. Between 2018 and 2020, suicide and accidental poisonings were the two <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/life-expectancy-death/deaths-in-australia/contents/leading-causes-of-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leading causes of death among 25-44 year-olds</a> – both of which can occur without warning. For the partners left behind, their grief is compounded by another painful loss – the loss of financial stability. ‘It won’t happen to me’ Too many women overestimate their financial resources and protections, while believing their partner will always be there to cover their back. Can you afford to pay the bills after the sudden loss of income – which may have been the bulk of your household earnings? Do you have the full picture of your, and your partner’s, assets, and debts? How will you juggle your job with the new-found constraints of being single, and potentially a single parent? If your partner was self-employed, is the business still profitable or even viable if they’re gone? Has its value suddenly diminished? These are just several of many issues widows face, at an already stressful time. Preventing the worst While we can’t control death, I think there are two equally important preventative actions women can – and must – take to avoid becoming cash-strapped widows. Firstly, ensure your partner looks after themselves. Men especially often ignore their own health, until it’s too late. Be a source of encouragement and support, and hopefully keep them earthside much longer, with a good diet, regular exercise, stress-relieving activities, and regular medical check-ups for physical and mental health. However, healthy lifestyles don’t guarantee a long life. Which is why contingency plans are crucial. Protecting yourself and your/your partner’s dependents should they die includes having: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Emergency cash fund </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Household savings and investment plan </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Life insurance </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Funeral cover </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Current will </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Nominated superannuation/trust beneficiaries (which are separate from a will) </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Succession/exit plan for any business owned </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Self-employed people paying their worker’s compensation and superannuation </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Qualified tax and financial advice </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Good debt management </li> </ul> Coping with loss To every widow, let me first say I am so sorry for your loss. You may feel overwhelmed by your new reality. Money worries will only add to this. Some immediate options to ease this pressure and let you focus on processing your grief with loved ones include: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Time off: Work may seem like a good distraction, but you risk making poor decisions under clouded judgement. Take bereavement/annual leave to keep money coming in. For the self- employed, have a business partner/senior employee cover for you. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Notify your partner’s employer: To pay out remaining wages and entitlements. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Life insurance, funeral cover: Check your partner’s policies, including through their superfund. Lodge a claim as soon as you can – it takes time to be processed and paid out. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Get support: You may be eligible for <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/what-help-there-when-adult-dies?context=60101" target="_blank" rel="noopener">government support measures</a>, including deferred obligations and bereavement payments. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> If your partner died at work: Worker’s compensation or other payouts could be owed to you. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Counselling: Free services include <a href="https://griefline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Griefline</a> or your/your partner’s Employee Assistance Program. </li> </ul> Life as a single woman It’s now entirely up to you to manage money and save for retirement. I recommend getting good professional advice to work through: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Transferring assets to be under your name </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Maintaining a roof over your head – which may mean downsizing to a more affordable home </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Adjusting to life on one income </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Maximising earnings; minimising tax </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Investing larger payouts – your late partner’s superannuation, insurances, compensation </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Business strategy – how and whether to sell or continue trading </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Updating your will; providing for dependent children/elderly parents </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Meeting debt obligations </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Should you enter another relationship down the track, whether a binding financial agreement is needed </li> </ul> The death of a partner is emotionally devastating. Yet it needn’t devastate you financially too. No matter your situation or life stage, I implore you: take an active role in managing your money. The death of a partner will necessitate it, but you’ll make a difficult situation that bit easier by having financial strategies already in place to fall back on. Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women (Ventura Press, $32.99). Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a> Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

Kate Bush reflects on hit song revival

British singer-songwriter Kate Bush has reflected on a new generation of fans discovering her music that was made popular in the 1980s. After appearing in the highly-anticipated new season of the Netflix series Stranger Things, Bush’s 1985 hit song Running Up That Hill has found itself back in the top 10 of the international music charts. In a rare interview, the singer told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb">BBC’s Woman’s Hour</a> radio show how wonderful it has been to have a new legion of younger fans. She said, “Well it’s just extraordinary. I mean, you know, it’s such a great series, I thought that the track would get some attention. But I just never imagined that it would be anything like this. It’s so exciting. But it’s quite shocking really, isn’t it? I mean, the whole world’s gone mad.” She added, “What’s really wonderful I think is this is a whole new audience who, in a lot of cases, they’ve never heard of me and I love that. The thought of all these really young people hearing the song for the first time and discovering it is, well, I think it’s very special.” Bush also discussed the meaning of the song and how it has been reinterpreted by the show, giving the track a new life. She said, “I really like people to hear a song and take from it what they want. But originally it was written as the idea of a man and a woman swapping with each other. Just to feel what it was like, from the other side.” She also revealed that the show led her to listen to Running Up That Hill for the first time in a long while, admitting “I never listen to my old stuff.” “But then you know, when things like this come along, I’m normally involved in something like you know, maybe doing an edit or revisiting the track for some kind of other reason, I’m working on it. So yeah, I hadn’t heard it for a really long time.” Image credits: Getty Images

Music

Guy Pearce sells unusual home in Victorian bush

Hollywood star and Geelong local Guy Pearce <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/hollywood-star-guy-pearce-sells-bushland-retreat-near-geelong/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa:strap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has sold</a> his secluded property less than a year after buying it as a family retreat. The five-bedroom home, which sits on a sprawling seven-hectare property in Beremboke, in central western Victoria, boasts views of the Brisbane Ranges and is built on a hillside with turrets, glass walls, and seven decks and verandahs to soak up the views from. Pearce has <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-beremboke-138584531" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> the home for between $1.0 and $1.15 million, despite having spent $1.2 million on it last April, only for it to be snapped up for $1.27 million. However, any profits he might have made from the sale will likely be spent on stamp duty and other buying and selling costs. Dozens of buyers inspected the home - which is split into three interconnecting pods - in February, but the agent selling the property withheld the true identity of the home’s owner from potential buyers and simply said it was an “overseas owner”. The “main house” is where you’ll find the lounge room with a wood heater, the atrium-styled dining room, curved kitchen, and loft bedroom with upper and lower balconies. Connected to this is the octagonal “bedroom house”, with its dual balconies, geometric main bedroom, and a lower-level bedroom with a kitchenette. The final self-contained “cottage” features a sunken lounge, main bedroom, a loft bedroom and even more balconies. Having owned the property for a short time and during the pandemic, Pearce never had the opportunity to take up residence in the unusual home. Last year also proved to be a busy year for Pearce and his investment portfolio, having sold a four-bedroom home for $4.2 million just weeks after buying the Beremboke home. Images: Getty Images, Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Designer home comes with its OWN footy field

A designer homestead in the middle of the Western Australian bush has been <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-wa-muckenburra-700170614?cid=content-article:buyers:featured-property" target="_blank">listed</a> for sale, and its expansive 100-acre surroundings comes with its own private football oval. The home, with its “contemporary industrial meets country resort” aesthetic, took its creator five years to construct. “The purpose-built property is a model of the perfect country retreat dreamed up by its owner, who is an architect and university lecturer,” Nick French, of Dethridge Groves Real Estate, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/designer-bush-homestead-on-100-acres-just-outside-perth-comes-with-own-afl-oval/" target="_blank">said</a>. “It’s seamless and all the spaces are huge, which gives a very relaxed flow, and it all sits within a pristine bush setting with no other houses in view.” Along with its three bedrooms and bathrooms, the home boasts oversized entertaining spaces, a library and study, and a courtyard garden and plunge pool belonging to the master suite. The property also comes with a two-storey bunkhouse with two full-sized bedrooms of its own. Despite being only an hour from the city, the property has an isolated feel. “The 100 acres of ever-changing natural bush land has many, many species of flowering natives - including some rare orchids,” Mr French said. Though the natural beauty surrounding the home is a huge bonus, the highlight of the outdoor spaces has to be the quarter-sized AFL oval, along with its own seating for spectators “to take in all the fun”. “There’s also a huge rear entertaining patio with built-in barbeque area and woodfired pizza oven,” Mr French said. With a solar energy system and water tanks capable of storing 90,000 litres, he added that the home also has a 10-star energy rating. “The owners have moved to new employment positions in Victoria and had to sell up both their main home and this holiday home,” Mr French said. “It might not be the place you immediately think of when buying a holiday home or a weekender, but it’s only an hour drive from Perth but is completely secluded on its own huge land holding of diverse, native bushland. “The local town is utterly delightful with a number of historic buildings.” The home is open for inspections by appointment, and Mr French said he is welcoming offers starting at $1.7 million. Images: Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Hero dog honoured for saving over 100 koalas

Image: Nine News A former rescue dog who saved over 100 koalas during the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires has been honoured for his work in the United Kingdom. Bear, a six-year-old Australian koolie, was honoured by the International Fund for Animal Welfare at the House of Lords earlier this week. He appeared via video link to accept the award. Bear’s handler Romane Cristescy, of the University of the Sunshine Coast, couldn’t be prouder of the former rescue dog. “We think Bear really deserved this award,” she said. “He’s been such a good boy in helping us find and rescue a lot of koalas, especially during the bushfires but he works throughout the year to help us in our job to make a better and safer place for koalas. “We’ll give bear extra pats and extra play for his award.” Bear was one of two dogs honoured during the ceremony. Jasper, a cockapoo, won “Animal of the Year” for his work in supporting frontline NHS staff through the pandemic. Bear’s boundless energy made him a perfect candidate for the Detection Dogs for Conservation program at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He was trained to recognise the scent of koalas’ fur. Over the 2019-2020 bushfire season Bear is credited with saving 100 marsupials after the habitats were scorched. Once he’d detect their smell, Bear would drop silently to the ground at the base of the tree, to ensure it is not disturbed. A total of 33 people lost their lives in the fires which burned across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Three billion animals are estimated to have died over, 24 million hectares of land was burnt, and 3000 homes were lost.

Family & Pets

How tiny AJ Elfalak survived in the bush for three days

The Australian public has been amazed at the miraculous story of three-year-old AJ Elfalak who survived three days and three cold nights in rugged bushland near Putty, 150km north-west of Sydney. Specialist bush survival experts have stated one of the reasons 'miracle boy' AJ Elfalak coped so well while lost in bushland was because his autism kept him in a calm state of mind. Survival expert Bob Cooper, who works with the SAS, added AJ’s youth was also an advantage: “Children are better than adults at surviving sometimes because they haven't got the preconceived idea of what the bush is like.” “When they feel tired they sleep, when they're cold they seek shelter, when they're thirsty they drink,” Cooper said. “A human can survive for three weeks without food provided they can keep warm, drink water and stay safe from the elements,” he noted. AJ was found with minor injuries only Little AJ was found with some minor scratches and bruising to his body. He'd been bitten by ants and had a case of nappy rash, but he was otherwise in high spirits - all of which seems to point to the truth in what Cooper and other experts have said. Wild conspiracy theories continue to circulate on social media concerning AJ's disappearance saying it was staged and that a child could not survive alone with food or water in such rugged terrain - where overnight temperatures were as low as two degrees. But detectives on Strike Force Jaylang - which was set up to investigate the circumstances of the toddler's disappearance - said AJ's injuries and condition when he was found were all consistent with him being in the bush the entire time. Police have worked with bush survival experts to develop a full picture of AJ's time away from home - and they suggest his autism actually largely helped him maintain a calm state of mind. “The reality is he didn't know he was lost… so he wasn't scared, he didn't panic,” an investigator said. “If he was tired, he slept... he had access to water, which is a big thing for survival in the bush.” The toddler ate ravenously when rescued When AJ was rescued and loaded into a waiting ambulance, paramedics said he ravenously ate an entire pizza and “guzzled” water - typical traits of someone who hasn't eaten for days. “He was starving... it's all consistent with him being in the bush the entire time,” a paramedic said. The Child Mind Institute says children with autism often have 'a weaker sense of danger' than others and enjoy exploration. They're also more likely to 'wander off' or look to remove themselves from overwhelming sensory experiences. Epic family party to celebrate his rescue With AJ safe and sound - back in the arms of his mother - his family hosted an epic party to celebrate. The local store was cleared out of all booze in stock, a cow was freshly slaughtered and carved up for a BBQ and the music blared. Grey Gums Cafe owner Kim Grace watched on as all the alcohol she had left in stock - about $700 worth - was packed into a ute and taken back to the Elfalek's property. In the back seat was a freshly slaughtered sheep, which was being taken back to AJ's godfather Alan Hashem, who is renowned for his 'famous' lamb. Meanwhile back at the farm, two freshly-killed cows were already on the barbecue and AJ's elated dad had extended an invitation to the party to anybody back in locked-down Sydney who was prepared to make the journey. “See that hill back there,” he told media at his home. “There's going to be a big party on that hill. Anybody who wants to come on down from Sydney is welcome.” Celebrations were well underway on Tuesday afternoon at the Yengo Drive property in Putty - and the party lasted into the night. AJ returned from Maitland Hospital later that evening AJ and his mother returned home from Maitland Hospital later that night - telling the guests party time was over because the toddler needed to sleep. AJ, meanwhile, watched on from the safety of his home, clinging to his mother. Relatives say he is yet to leave her side. A professional tracker has been brought in to help The Elfalak family is relying on the opinion of a professional bush tracker to help them understand how the toddler spent three nights alone in the unforgiving terrain behind their home. Professional tracker Jake Cassar has been at the family home for some time, AJ was found sitting in a shallow, muddy creek at the base of what appeared to be a barely visible path, but the question remains as to how he made it down such a steep track safely. Cassar explained it was very possible that, even with hundreds of volunteers, little AJ avoided detection while in the bush. He said search parties tended to stay in straight lines and follow a near perfect trajectory from point A to point B, whereas somebody who is lost intuitively does the opposite. “When we're lost, we almost always walk at a slight curve to the right or left, therefore it's easy to travel in directions that might be missed by search parties,” Cassar said. He hoped to provide the family some further guidance as to whether AJ likely wandered off on his own or was abducted, which is what the family initially believed. Image: NSW Police

Family & Pets

Big W worker’s act of kindness leaves mum stunned

A Big W shopper had to “hold back my tears” after a store employee’s amazing act towards her two sons, who both have autism. Shopper Jacqueline said she had taken her two non-verbal sons, aged three and five, to look at what birthday and Christmas presents they may like from the toy section of her local Big W in Bunbury WA. The single mum said she had a friendly conversation with one of the team members at the store who was working nearby, explaining her boys’ developmental delays which made it difficult for them to choose gifts from a catalogue. When Jacqueline and her sons made their way to the checkout sometime later, the staff member and a colleague gave her a bag to take home - with the two toys her sons had picked out as their favourites inside. Sharing the story on a popular Facebook page, Jacqueline said she didn’t expect the “extremely kind” gifts and thanked the Big W staff for their kindness. “I just wanted to share something that happened today in my local Big W,” she wrote in a post on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/376227143178380">BIG W MUMS AUSTRALIA Facebook</a> page. “I took my boys in to have a look at the toys to hopefully give me an idea on what they might like for birthdays and Christmas,” she continued. “My boys are five and three but they are also non-verbal autistic with global developmental delay so flicking through the catalogue doesn’t really get us anywhere (the one I did grab got ripped to pieces). “My oldest son found the Little Live Pets Pooping Flamingo and fell in love with it. We kept doing loops back to this flamingo even after he took interest in other things. “At risk of upsetting him and causing a meltdown I said to him that we wouldn’t get it today (something I had been saying before we even walked in the shop). He was clearly disappointed but walked away as asked. “We moved down to the final aisles that are set up in the middle of the shop purposely for the toy sale and had a look through. “There was a lovely lady that worked there who was going through writing down where everything was and moved the trolley out of the way. “We had started talking and I made mention of why we were there and why we don’t use the catalogue. I had made mention of how much my oldest loved the flamingo and also the fact that my youngest wasn’t really giving me any ideas however if all else fails we would find some more cars that he doesn’t already have (ASD parents will know). “We continued on our way and finished doing what we were doing.” Jacqueline said she was stunned when she was stopped and given the bag as they were about to leave. “As we were about to head to the checkout, the lady I had spoken to and another staff member stopped me and handed me a black bag which had the flamingo and a light-up car and said that Big W wished to gift them to us,” she wrote. “My response was ‘Are you sure?’ ha ha. I was completely overwhelmed and trying to hold back my tears.” Fans of the retailer were blown away by Jacqueline’s post. “This made me cry, this is amazing of them. I hope your boys love their gifts,” one said. “Beautiful. Sounds like you and your boys deserved something lovely to come your way,” another commented. “And that’s why I go to Big W! That is the most wonderful gesture by those ladies and I hope their manager knows about it,” a third said.

Family & Pets

"Against human rights": Authorities remove child from mum in Byron

An eight-month-old boy has been forcibly taken from his mother's arms in NSW after his family were believed to live in bushland near Byron Bay. The incident was caught on video and posted to social media. NSW Police officers and Family and Community Services can be seen speaking to the mother and begging them not to remove her child. “This is not right. This is my baby,” the topless mother is heard telling authorities. “This is against human rights. Don’t do this to him.” The mother is seen clutching to her child in the video. At one point, a police officer explains to the mother that he has concerns for the safety of the child. “It’s not going to end any differently at the moment so the best thing for you is to listen”, the police officer says. “I’ve got concerns for the safety of your baby." The mother continued to argue with authorities and asks a police officer to let go of her, which the officer refuses to do so. “I will not have you take my baby. I birthed this child. He will drink my milk,” the mother is heard saying. A fundraising page has been set up to support the family, with the child referred to as a "gumnut" baby. This is a reference to a book by May Gibbs about babies who live in the bush. “As Mothers, Fathers, Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents we can feel the trauma this separation is causing to our family,” a statement from the parents on the fundraiser says. “We eat & live an Organic lifestyle and love spending our time in nature, swimming and having fun.” The parents cannot be identified and accuse the authorities of unlawful action and claim that they have not been informed of where the child is. “The money raised from this fund will go towards rescuing our son and bringing him home in our arms, where he belongs,” the parents said. The reason for the child's removal is currently unclear, with a spokesperson from the Department of Communities and Justice said that it "takes concerns about children's safety and wellbeing extremely seriously". “At times, however, the public’s concern is at odds with our statutory requirement to protect privacy,” the statement provided to <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/dramatic-moment-cops-hold-back-nsw-mum-as-authorities-remove-her-eight-month-old-child-c-1995386" target="_blank">7NEWS.com.au</a> said. “As a result, DCJ cannot comment on individual child protection matters.”

Family & Pets

Big W recalls Christmas product after X-rated complaints

Aussie retail chain Big W has been forced to recall a popular Christmas item after it was not what it seemed. Taking to Facebook, a customer shared a photo of a seemingly X-rated bath bomb, suggesting it looked like something phallic. “If anyone’s looking for bath bombs … I think Big W might have got their candy cane a bit wrong!” she captioned the image. Her hilarious suggestion quickly prompted the retailer to pull the $2 item from shelves across the country. The post in the group Big W Mums Australia was inundated with comments from shoppers also poking fun at the Candy Cane Bath Fizzer. <img style="width: 363.024px; height: 500px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838932/screen-shot-2020-11-26-at-105143-am.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a1b38f95cd004c5f9311cd018299afbf" /> Credit: Big W Mums Australia “The label clearly states for external use only. Calm down guys,”’ one customer joked, while another added, “Now that will be a jolly good time!” “I just spat out my drink!” a third person said. “Bath bombs are going to be popular in some household stockings this year, especially all those single ladies,” said another. After drawing attention for all the wrong reasons, Big W recalled the pink item. “We are aware that the candy cane bath bomb in our range did get some attention on social media and we certainly didn’t intend to offend our customers,” a spokesperson said in a statement to news.com.au “Thanks to their feedback, we withdrew the bath bomb from our range on Thursday, November 19.”

Body

ALDI, Bunnings and BIG W exposed to COVID-19

NSW Health have updated a list of Sydney places that have been exposed to COVID-19, and now they include Big W, ALDI and Bunnings stores. There have been multiple confirmed cases across the state, and those who have attended any of the venues during certain periods are not being urged to self-isolate as they have been defined as a casual contact. They are, however, advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. The venues include the following: Big W, Carnes Hill – 4 October 2020, 3:00 pm – 4:30pm Aldi, Edmondson Park – 4 October 2020, 6:30 pm – 7:00pm Chemist Warehouse, Casula – 6 October 2020, 12:30 pm – 1:00pm Bunnings, Crossroads – 7 October 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:00pm Costco, Casula – 9 October 2020, 3:00 pm – 3:30pm NSW Health has urged the community, particularly South Western Sydney and Western Sydney residents, to come forward for testing at the onset of any symptoms. There have been five new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday in the state.

Travel Trouble

"Beautiful and caring": Dad pays tribute to autistic son

<div class="body_text "> The father of an autistic teenager who was found dead after a two-day search in Victoria's Yarra Ranges has given a touching tribute to his son. William Wall, 14, went missing after he left his home to go for a walk and was tragically found dead around 34 hours later. William’s dad Shane Wall gave a touching tribute to his “beautiful and caring son” on Thursday morning via Facebook.. “I wish I had better news regarding our beautiful and caring son and brother William Wall, unfortunately he is no longer with us,” Mr Wall wrote. “We don’t know how to begin to thank everyone who searched and supported us in the last 48 hours. “The list is endless. We are so fortunate to live in an amazing and supportive community.” Mr Wall told reporters that his son wanted to join the airforce, loved dogs and exercise and was energetic. “He loves exercise, 15 minutes to an hour, it’s not unheard of, he’s a decent-sized kid, very energetic, athletic,” Mr Wall said. “He’s a kid that sticks to himself, does all his school work, so this (his disappearance) is really out of the ordinary.” Friends and family are devastated and have passed on their condolences to the Wall family. “I’ve got no words, we are thinking of you all, and will treasure the memories of Wil as a little boy,” Maria Niksic posted. Tony Carden said Mr Wall was one of the “most dedicated dads” he knew. “My heart breaks for you and your family,” he said. “This is the cruellest blow to one of the most dedicated dads I know. Know that Will and you are loved by many. “I wish you and your family all the very best in drawing on your great strength to move forward.” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews passed on his condolences at his daily media briefing. “On behalf of all Victorians I would like to send our love and support, our condolences and best wishes to the family of William Wall,” he said. This is a terrible tragedy and one that has touched every single Victorian. “To every member of William’s family we say how sad we are, we’re sharing your grief, your loss and any support that we can provide to you we stand ready to do that.” Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/dad-shane-wall-pays-tribute-to-beautiful-and-caring-son-william/news-story/d6da6fbee2e700f734e671e7940e48d4" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">news.com.au</a> </div>

News

Mother opens up about horrifying BIG W baby formula fight

A woman who was at the centre of a furious argument over baby formula at Big W that went viral across the country has revealed what happened in the lead up to the heated altercation. Steph Groen told Yahoo News she was shopping for her three-year-old toddler as well as a clothesline at the Lilydale Big W store in Melbourne on Saturday, when she watched as a couple wearing surgical masks were attempting to buy two tins of baby formula each. The couple were asked to put the items back once they reached the self-serve checkout kiosk as there is a two-tin limit per customer in place. From there, an explosive argument erupted. “Staff approached them and said: ‘You won’t be able to buy that here today as you’ve been seen buying it already’,” Ms Groen recounted. “They kept arguing and arguing and by this time it had been a good minute or two. “The other shoppers in front of me had gone through the checkout but they didn’t have a trolley and were just holding items so could walk through.” Ms Groen continued to watch on as the pair argued with staff but became nervous and anxious, so decided to speak up. “He was just hassling and hassling the staff and I had enough. I said to him: ‘No, put it back, they said put it back’, and he turned to around and looked me dead in the eye. “I was a bit scared, he looked crazy. He said, ‘what the f*** has it got to do with you’.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835586/big-w-fight-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fc58ca621074433c97b898bdb6833414" /> Steph Groen's trolley was in between two men when a heated exchange began. An older man defended Ms Groen as the man wearing a surgical mask yelled, and stated he had seen them purchasing milk tins at a chemist. “What you don’t see [in the video] is he looked really scary. He was seriously aggressive over formula,” Ms Groen said. It was then both men fiercely argued and a recording of the fight was shared on social media. Ms Groen placed her trolley between the two to keep them apart. “He ripped his mask off and threw the formula in my trolley,” she said. “He lunged at the older man twice.” In the video filmed of the incident and uploaded to Facebook, the senior customer can be heard instructing the man to “put it back”. The other man responds: “What if I don’t? What are you going to do?” The older man tells him that he will take him outside. After the video ended, security stepped in and Ms Groen was able to pay for her items. However, the mother of two said she was left shaken up while at the checkout. “I was freaking out when he ripped his mask off and got so close – that was a massive concern,” she said. “I’ve got two kids and I took my six-year-old out of school because I didn’t want contact with anyone. It was one of the only times I’ve gone out in nearly two months and this has happened.” Ms Groen had left her two children at home so they did not have to witness the altercation. Staff later thanked her for using her trolley to stop the argument from escalating and the older man and his partner have since found her on Facebook to express their gratitude. Mr Groen says the argument was not sparked over race and there were no racial slurs during the altercation. “The issue was the fact they were already seen buying the formula and then seen buying it again,” she said. A Big W representative told Yahoo News Australia in a statement on Sunday that the store has had a two-tin limit in place for more than 12 months. “The customers had a disagreement and then were asked to leave our Big W Lilydale store by a store team member and centre security, police involvement was not required,” they said.

Legal

BIG W begins massive cull of 30 stores across Australia

Auburn, Chullora and Fairfield will be the first three Big W stores of a massive 30 store cull to be shut down within the coming months. As the retailer attempts to turn around a stunning $85 million loss at the hands of their savage competitors, Kmart and H&M, 90 staff in each store will be getting the ruthless end of the stick. The closure process will put a $370 million dent in the company’s profit, and yet after a solid 10 months since announcing the “store review”, Big W’s owner, Woolworths Group, have yet to announce the remaining 27 branches that are yet to close. Big W bigwigs insist the once mighty retailer still has a future and some trimming of the store network will help “to accelerate the path to profitability”. The three doomed Sydney-based Big W stores will bring their shutters down for the final time on January 31. A Big W spokeswoman told <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://over60.monday.com/boards/63889387/pulses/news.com.au" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> it acknowledged “closing any store isn’t easy on our teams and communities”. “The purpose of Big W’s store review, announced in April last year, is to build a strong, profitable and more sustainable store and distribution centre network that reflects our customers’ needs and the rapidly changing retail environment,” she said. The spokeswoman said staff have been offered redeployment to other stories or Woolworths supermarkets. Last year, Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said there was “no alternative” but to shut down a number of their stores. However, he stressed that closing the chain altogether was not on the cards. Despite the major shutdown impending on Big W, there are positive signs for the retailer. Its $85 million full-year loss in 2019 was an improvement on the $110 million loss in the previous year. Sales were also up 4.2 per cent last year helped by clothing, online and click and collect. “The closure of 16 per cent of the Big W network is unlikely to be the end of the store rationalisation profile,” the 2019 note said. “Big W can confirm we are on track with our turnaround,” the store’s spokeswoman said.

Money & Banking

24 hours to evacuate: Aussie troops move in to assist families fleeing bushfires

Residents are struggling on the South Coast of NSW a there’s no fuel, no food and no power. This is due to bushfires ravaging the area and the Australian Defence Force has been called in to help the affected areas. A fleet of ships and helicopters are making their way to coastal regions to supply and rescue residents that are trapped by the flames. There are currently 110 fires burning across NSW with over 50 yet to be contained, according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1212444017251647489" target="_blank">NSW RFS</a>. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> At 5.30am there are 110 fires burning across NSW with over 50 yet to be contained. Firefighters will make the most of more favourable conditions today to protect properties before deteriorating conditions again this Saturday.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSWRFS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSWRFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSWFires?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSWFires</a> <a href="https://t.co/vb3o55n8XU">pic.twitter.com/vb3o55n8XU</a> — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1212444017251647489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">1 January 2020</a></blockquote> With around 50,000 homes without power, major phone networks being down, and supermarkets closed, residents are struggling to obtain essentials such as food, fuel and water. NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says that there will be a “huge effort” to get as many people out of the area before Saturday, as conditions are set to worsen. "It's an extreme challenge for firefighters," he said on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6119081428001" target="_blank">Sky News</a>. RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers agrees. “There is every potential that the conditions on Saturday will be as bad or worse than we saw yesterday (Tuesday),” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/australian-troops-prepare-for-bushfire-emergency-evacuations-by-sea/live-coverage/cf3d149ec9bbb9b7eb808e663eec8a28" target="_blank">reporters</a> in Sydney. “Crews are working hard to get some containment before Saturday but we are concerned about that fire because of its potential run into far western Sydney,” Mr Rogers said. With at least 1298 homes destroyed across the state and air quality continuing to worsen in the affected areas, firefighters are run ragged trying to stop NSW from burning. Thousands are fleeing the South Coast, with almost 30 road closures in the region. Live Traffic NSW has issued a warning for heavy traffic conditions as well as significant delays.

News

Which stores are open this holiday season?

End-of-year public holidays are coming. For shoppers looking to buy gifts, food and other last-minute groceries, figuring out the trading hours of retailers can be tricky. The laws vary from state to state, and <a href="https://www.nra.net.au/app/uploads/2019/10/Christmas-New-Years-Trading-Hours-2019-2020-National.pdf">some parts might be exempted from restrictions</a>. Find out more about the opening hours of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/what-stores-are-open-across-the-country-this-christmas-and-new-year/news-story/08091421469d547243749e87ff10a58c" target="_blank">various major retailers</a> below. Westfield All Westfields across the country will be closed on Christmas Day. The malls are all open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. In NSW, all stores are open on Christmas Eve from 9am to 6pm except for Woden, Belconnen, Kotara and Tuggerah, which close an hour earlier. Parramatta is open from midnight until 6pm Christmas Eve. In Queensland, all stores are open from 7am to 6pm with the exception of Inaloo, which is open from 9am on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. All Victorian Westfields are open on Christmas Eve from 8am till 6pm except for Fountain Gate, which opens an hour earlier. On Boxing Day, all malls are open at 8am and close between 9pm and 10pm. In South Australia, all stores are open from 9am to 5.30pm on Christmas Eve – except for Marion, which is open from midnight – and from 9am till 5pm on Boxing Day. Western Australia stores are open from 8am till 6pm on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day except for Inaloo, which is open from 9am. Coles All Coles stores will be closed on Christmas Day. In Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT all stores will open under normal trading hours for the rest of the season with the exception of Knox and Coburg, which will be closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. In NSW, all stores will be open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day except for Smithfield and Macquarie Fields, which will be closed. Queensland stores will also trade as normal with the exception of Mt Isa, Goondiwindi and Ayr, which will be closed on Boxing Day, December 29 and New Year’s Day. Western Australians and South Australians are encouraged to check their local stores for details as metropolitan and regional stores’ opening hours may vary. Woolworths All NSW, SA, ACT, NT, VIC and TAS stores are open on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. The Western Australia stores will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Queensland stores will have varying opening hours – most will open until 6pm on Christmas Eve with Mullumbimby opening until 7pm. Western Australia stores will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with Perth metropolitan stores opening from 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm during weekends. All stores will be open on Boxing Day with the exception of the following: NSW’s Leichhardt Marketplace; WA’s Esperance and Katanning; and Queensland’s Weipa, Mission Beach, Mount Isa, Ayr, Bowen, Charters Towers, Proserpine, Blackwater, Childers, Pittsworth, Chinchilla, Kingaroy and Roma. ALDI ALDI supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day and have reduced hours on Christmas Eve. The New Year’s Day will also see most stores changing their trading hours. The German retailer encourages shoppers to check the opening hours online. Big W All Big W stores across the country will be closed on Christmas Day and open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, with the exception of Queensland’s Kingaroy which closes on Boxing Day. Kingaroy will also be closed on New Year’s Day along with all NSW stores, while the rest of stores across the country are open. BWS Some stores – including NSW’s Boomerang Drive and most in Tasmania, Victoria and SA – will be open on Christmas Day. All stores will be open on Boxing Day except for Coogee, Castle Hill, Leichhardt Marketplace and Marketplace Drive, North Sydney and Pymble in NSW as well as Forest Lake, Coorparoo, Mission Beach, Parker Street and Burdekin Plaza in Queensland.

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ALDI, Bunnings and BIG W exposed to COVID-19

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Mother opens up about horrifying BIG W baby formula fight

BIG W begins massive cull of 30 stores across Australia

24 hours to evacuate: Aussie troops move in to assist families fleeing bushfires

Which stores are open this holiday season?

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