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Jumping castle operator in court over Hillcrest tragedy

<p>A jumping castle operator who was charged over the 2021 <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/children-killed-in-hillcrest-tragedy-identified-amid-overwhelming-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hillcrest Primary School tragedy</a> is expected to face court for the first time.</p> <p>Six children, Peter Dodt, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart and Chace Harrison, were killed when the inflatable castle was lifted into the air on December 2021. </p> <p>The students were enjoying the end-of-year celebrations with their classmates on the oval of the school in Devonport in Tasmania's northwest, when the tragic incident occurred. </p> <p>Rosemary Anne Gamble, the operator who worked for Taz-Zorb - the company who supplied and set up the castle - was charged in November after failing to comply with workplace health and safety requirements. </p> <p>It is alleged that the castle was tethered at four of its eight anchorage points and the pegs  recommended by the manufacturer, or a suitable alternative, weren't installed properly. </p> <p>According to court documents, seven students were on the castle when it became dislodged and airborne due to a "significant" weather event, causing them to fall from a height of about 10 metres.</p> <p>A few others were <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/heartbreaking-detail-as-mother-of-jumping-castle-victim-speaks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> injured, with one nearby student being struck by the blower attached to the castle. </p> <p>It is alleged that Gamble failed to ensure the anchorage system was sufficient to prevent the castle from lifting, and failed to ensure there were pegs at each anchor point as per the manufacturer's instructions. </p> <p>It is also alleged that Gamble failed to provide adequate information, including manufacturer's operating manual to the two workers she was in charge of at the time. </p> <p>She is expected to face the Devonport Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday. </p> <p>Preparations for the coronial <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/update-on-inquest-into-hillcrest-primary-deaths" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquest</a> was put on hold because of the criminal charges. </p> <p><em>Image: Twitter/ ABC News</em></p>

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"I'd ban their whole operation": Tiny sticker highlights huge crisis

<p>From advertisements to artwork there’s no escaping stickers on street poles, but one that was spotted in Melbourne has made waves, calling out a glaring issue that is impacting so many Australians.</p> <p>The sticker in question was stuck to a traffic light in Melbourne and appears to take aim at homeowners who are worsening the national housing crisis by listing their properties as short-term Airbnb stays rather than long-term rentals.</p> <p>The sticker, shared to social media reads, “You wouldn’t open an Airbnb in a housing crisis” a spoof of the mid-2000s ‘Piracy. It’s a crime.’ public service announcement that was played before movies.</p> <p>Images of the sticker have been shared across a number of social media platforms, with many people quick to praise the “genius” DIY PSA and requesting copies to stick around their suburbs on lockboxes in their own apartment complexes.</p> <p>While some found the funny side of the message, others were more critical of the sticker calling out landlords and Airbnb.</p> <p>“You wouldn’t incentivise opening an Airbnb by making it less onerous and more profitable than renting out your property,” someone said.</p> <p>“Course they would,” another responded. “The ‘f**k you, got mine’ mindset is getting stronger.”</p> <p>“If I had my way I’d ban their [Airbnb] whole operation overnight.”</p> <p>The issue of short-term holiday letting and the growth of Airbnb across the country is that it's eating up potential long-term rentals, which is a</p> <p>The calls come amid the rental crisis in Victoria, with vacancy rates reaching a record low of 0.8 per cent in Melbourne in April 2023, which is one of the better rates recorded across Australia as new rental listings dropped by 18.9 per cent.</p> <p>The only capital city to have rental vacancy above one per cent is Canberra, at 1.6 per cent. While Adelaide holds the tightest rental market with a mere 0.3 per cent vacancy. Perth is close behind at 0.4 per cent.</p> <p>Sydney’s new listings fell by 17 per cent in April 2023 and 5.1 per cent in the past year while Melbourne dropped by 20.8 per cent in the span of a month, and 17.9 per cent in the past year, according to PropTrack.</p> <p>The NSW government introduced regulations to limit the time a property could be on the market to 180 days a year. The Victorian Greens have called on the Andrew’s government to strip it to 90 days.</p> <p>A similar, “tourism tax” has been introduced to cities overseas, where a small payment is added to the guest’s bill in certain tourism hot spots each night in a big to funnel money back into local communities’ infrastructure.</p> <p>Airbnb told <em>The Age</em> that a statewide tourism levy was the preferred way to regulate the industry as it is more consistent than a council-by-council approach.</p> <p>“We believe tourism levies are a fair and sustainable way to raise revenue for local communities, especially in areas of high tourism, as they broaden the revenue base without imposing an additional burden on local ratepayers or businesses,” Airbnb Australia and New Zealand’s head of public policy Michael Crosby told the outlet.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>news.com.au</em>, Airbnb's country manager for Australia and New Zealand Susan Wheeldon said the platform had proposed a series of measures to “help build stronger communities, foster sustainable tourism growth, and equip governments across Australia with tools to help address important issues, such as housing affordability and amenity”.</p> <p>It included a statewide registration scheme to document new listings, introducing consistent Codes of Conduct for guests, hosts, and communities, as well as support for government reviews of eviction protections.</p> <p>“Airbnb is keen to work together with a broad range of stakeholders and help play a part in helping to provide meaningful solutions and tackle the issue of housing supply and affordability,” Wheeldon said.</p> <p>“While short term rentals generally comprise a tiny proportion of the overall property market, we’re keen to keep finding ways that we can make a positive contribution to this important issue.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Reddit</em></p>

Real Estate

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Star Sydney suspension: how do casino operators found so unfit get to keep their licences?

<p>How low does a casino operator in Australia have to go before it loses its gaming licence?</p> <p>That question is still hanging after the punishment meted out to the operator of The Star Sydney casino – found to be “<a href="https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2022-08/apo-nid319488.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not suitable</a> to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of a casino in NSW”.</p> <p>A four-month inquiry into the casino found Star Entertainment’s management “rotten to the core” and documented, in a report of more than 900 pages, a litany of failings from flouting anti-money-laundering laws to deliberately misleading regulators.</p> <p>NSW’s new Independent Casino Commission, having given the company two weeks to “show cause” why it should not lose its casino licence, suspended that licence, appointed an emergency manager to run the casino for at least 90 days, and imposed a A$100 million fine.</p> <p>This is the maximum fine possible under laws introduced in August, and $20 million more than what Victoria’s regulator <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/melbournes-crown-casino-handed-record-80-million-fine-over-illegal-funds-transfer-scheme/o1i5k8724" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fined Crown Resorts in May</a>.</p> <p>The head of the Independent Casino Commission, Philip Crawford, <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/star-casino-licence-suspended" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> it was “no longer in the public interest that the Star should remain in control of that licence”.</p> <p>This is progress of a kind from the new casino regulator, established this year to replace the former Independent Liquor &amp; Gaming Authority in light of that agency’s regulatory failings.</p> <p>But it raises obvious questions about the upshot of all the other casino inquiries – in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland – that have found Star Entertainment and Crown Resorts unfit or unsuitable to hold casino licences.</p> <p>Yet not one casino has had to close its doors.</p> <h2>Saving jobs, and revenue</h2> <p>So what does a casino have to actually do to lose its licence?</p> <p>Looking at the case of The Star Sydney, it’s apparently not enough to allow more than A$900 million to pass through the casino in contravention of anti-money-laundering rules. Or to fabricate receipts to hide this. Neither is allowing a Macau-based junket operator with known links to criminal enterprise to run a high-roller room.</p> <p>Crawford defended not going further than suspending the casino licence, because Star Entertainment had “demonstrated genuine contrition” and to preserve the livelihoods of the casino’s employees:</p> <blockquote> <p>A big issue for us, to be frank, in this environment is that there is probably about 10,000 employees of the Star casino, and a lot of them rely on the income to pay their mortgages and raise their kids.</p> </blockquote> <p>This is, in part, recognition that culpability lies at the level of senior management, not croupiers, waiters and cleaners.</p> <p>Even so, such a rationale also suggests regulators are in danger of being trapped by a culture of considering operators “too big to fail”.</p> <h2>Too big to fail?</h2> <p>The Star Sydney employs an estimated <a href="https://www.zoominfo.com/c/the-star-entertainment-group/347613908" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8,000 people</a> at its site in Pyrmont.</p> <p>Crown Resorts has 11,500 people working at its Southbank premises in Melbourne and 6,000 at its Burswood site in Perth – making it the largest single-site private employer <a href="https://www.crownresorts.com.au/our-contribution/employment-training" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in Victoria and Western Australia</a>.</p> <p>By comparison, Australia’s biggest employer, Woolworths, employs 190,000 people across more than 1,000 Australian and New Zealand sites. The ABC <a href="https://www.zoominfo.com/pic/abc-australian-broadcasting-corporation/363975" target="_blank" rel="noopener">employs about 5,000</a> staff.</p> <h2>Raking in gaming revenue</h2> <p>But perhaps even more important than the jobs are the revenues that casinos deliver to state and territory governments.</p> <p>Figures from the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/government/taxation-revenue-australia/latest-release#data-download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a> show that, in 2020-21, states and territories collected A$7 billion in gambling taxes. More than half – nearly A$4 billion – came from casinos and gambling machines.</p> <p>The NSW government collected A$2.7 billion – 7.3% of its total revenue. The Victorian government collected A$1.6 billion – 5.4% of total revenue. Again, the vast majority came from gambling machines.</p> <p>The government most reliant on gambling revenue was the Northern Territory – with nearly 15% of its taxation income from gambling.</p> <p>Casinos are not only big business for private investors. They have become key to the sustainability of state and territory finances. That no casino has been forced to shut its doors is emblematic of this problematic and increasing financial reliance.</p> <p>It’s one thing to hold public inquiries and make adverse findings against casino operators. But, as with banks, the apparent reticience to revoke gaming licences signals that money, in the words of Cyndi Lauper, changes everything.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/star-sydney-suspension-how-do-casino-operators-found-so-unfit-get-to-keep-their-licences-192608" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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Karl Stefanovic called the “biggest wimp” by camel tour operator

<p dir="ltr">Karl Stefanovic has been called a “wimp” on television during a live cross on Sunrise with weatherman Sam Mac. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sam was interviewing John, a Red Sun Camels tours operator in Broome, Western Australia for the company’s 22nd birthday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The weatherman then asked John to name the “biggest wimp” to ever ride one of the camels and he certainly did not hold back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You’ve obviously had a lot of TV people, movie people; who’s been the biggest wimp on a camel in 22 years?” Sam asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh, you’re going to love this... Karl Stefanovic,” John responded.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We did the Today show many years ago. Lisa Wilkinson? Brave as all hell, could do anything. Karl? Nup, big girl with flowers.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I swear I didn't set that up,”' Sam said. “That's not me trying to have some sort of petty rivalry. His words not mine. And the camels are a great judge of character, I heard.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nah good on ya Karl.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Sunrise/Today</em></p>

TV

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New details revealed in Operation London Bridge

<p dir="ltr">New details have emerged about Operation London Bridge, the codename for the plans for when Queen Elizabeth dies.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Royal Household has made a request to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers to sound bells in religious buildings using muffles - a pad of material attached to the ball of the bell clapper - to create a more solemn sound.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have spent a lot of time talking to the Royal Household and Lambeth Palace about the day the monarch passes, which we hope will not be any time soon,” Vicki Chapman, the spokeswoman for the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, told the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10703457/Leatherworkers-flooded-orders-church-bells-muted-Queen-dies.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Adding muffles makes bells sound mournful, more like a hum - so they will sound like thud, thud, thud rather than dong, dong, dong.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is about paying due reverence to the service of the monarch and commemorating her life.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Church bells are sometimes rung half-muffled for Remembrance Day and funerals, but the full muffle is reserved for the monarch’s death.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result, many churches have realised their supply of muffles has rotted over the years, having been left unused since the death of the Queen’s father, King George VI, 70 years ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">This has prompted a surge in demand for leather workers to make more muffles, which Philip Pratt of Big Wilf’s Bell Muffles near Bristol knows all about.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Muffles are a specialist product and only a very few leather manufacturers in the UK make them,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Pratt added that the company has received “a lot of enquiries” and has been “taking on more and more orders”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The details come as the Queen is expected to celebrate her 96th birthday on April 21.</p> <p dir="ltr">The monarch, who has suffered mobility issues of late and has had to withdraw from several in-person events, has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/apr/10/covid-left-me-exhausted-queen-tells-bereaved-couple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently revealed</a> how catching COVID-19 left her “very tired and exhausted” after testing positive for the virus in February.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b00381f1-7fff-610a-034b-debd9982475f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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The most trusted cruise operators in Australia

<p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p><strong>Most trusted cruise operator: Royal Caribbean</strong></p> <p>According to our data, people love Royal Caribbean for many different reasons. “They have high standards and offer very personal service,” said one respondent.</p> <p>“A hardworking cruise line that ensures your holiday is a relaxing and memorable one,” replied another.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean is bringing world-class, technologically-advanced ships to local waters, with amazing ‘Only On Royal’ activities, such as the North Star observation capsule, sky-diving simulators and bumper cars. With ships sailing from both Sydney and Brisbane from summer 2022-2023, guests have even more choice with departure points.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean has also assembled a taskforce of the world’s leading medical and scientific experts – the Healthy Sail Panel – to help establish measures to keep guests healthy and safe, including upgraded air filtration systems and upgraded onboard medical facilities and medical care.</p> <p><strong>Highly commended cruise operator: Cunard</strong></p> <p>Cunard passengers can travel in luxury on any number of voyages on Cunard’s three magnificent ships: the flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, with guests able to experience a world of freedom and possibility, from learning fencing or tango, listening to an astronaut, or simply relaxing with a cocktail in one of the beautiful atriums.</p> <p>“I think Cunard offer premium quality cruises which makes me think of them as offering a higher quality experience than other operators,” said one happy guest.</p> <p><strong>Highly commended cruise operator: P&amp;O Cruises</strong></p> <p>P&amp;O’s local heritage coupled with an inherent understanding of how Aussies like to cruise is infused into everything it delivers, with the cruise line taking pride in leveraging local Australian talent and entertainment, locally sourced food and beverages, top Aussie chefs and unique live shows. In 2021, P&amp;O Cruises is welcoming two grand class ships, Pacific Adventure® and Pacific Encounter, both with a huge range of signature and new features. Enhanced health measures and protocols, improved impacts on the natural environment, as well as a refresh of onboard experiences including personalised digital applications, all await returning and new guests.</p> <p>“Wonderful experience. Everything that was promised was delivered,” enthused a previous guest.</p> <p>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/cruising/the-most-trusted-cruise-operators-in-australia">Readers Digest</a>. </p>

Cruising

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Palace downplayed Prince Philip's condition as he undergoes heart operation

<p>Prince Philip, 99, is recovering in hospital after a "successful" operation for his pre-existing heart condition.</p> <p>He was transferred to St Bartholomew's in London, where he will stay until at least the end of the week.</p> <p>Buckingham Palace announced on February 17 that “The Duke’s admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’s doctor, after feeling unwell." </p> <p>However, their latest statement reads: “The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.</p> <p>“His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.”</p> <p>The palace is currently not commenting on what type of surgery or operation the Duke had at this time, but he had a stent operation on his heart in 2011.</p> <p>This is his longest hospital stay, as he has so far spent a total of 16 nights being cared for by medics.</p> <p>Last week, Prince Edward said that he had spoken to his father on the phone and said he was "looking forward to getting out".</p> <p>“As far as I’m aware, well I did speak to them the other day, so he’s a lot better thank you very much indeed, and he’s looking forward to getting out, which is the most positive thing," Edward joked.</p> <p>“So we keep our fingers crossed."</p>

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“Ugly and repulsive”: Acid attack survivor slams troll after undergoing 400th operation

<p>British TV personality and model Katie Piper has shared the vicious taunt she received from a troll on Instagram, calling out the cruel nature of the comments.</p> <p>The 37-year-old has been the subject of vicious trolling since suffering a horrific acid attack in 2008.</p> <p>The mum was assaulted by an ex-boyfriend while walking in the street in London, and has since undergone almost 400 surgeries to correct the damage that resulted from the attack.</p> <p>Sharing a screenshot of the message she received on her Instagram, the troll wrote: "You're the most repulsive and ugliest thing I've ever seen why even bother with make-up."</p> <p>In response, the TV presenter noted "more work needs to be done" to combat online harassment.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFeJjjvj3lt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFeJjjvj3lt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Morning 🌻🌼 Amongst all this uncertainty the sun and being able to take walks has provided some consistency and peace. What’s providing you with a little escapism and clarity at the moment? Big or small My dress is @ted_baker</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/katiepiper_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> K A T I E P I P E R</a> (@katiepiper_) on Sep 23, 2020 at 12:43am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I've posted this message from my inbox to show you all the work and conversations around diversity and inclusion, the everyday reality for anyone who is in the minority category," she wrote.</p> <p>"The everyday existence is very different to the positivity campaigns. More work needs to be done."</p> <p>A week before, Piper shared a health update after having an operation on her right eye.</p> <p>The TV personality was left blind in her left eye following the March, 2008 attack.</p> <p>A representative for Piper told the Mail Online she was "being as brave as ever" in the lead up to the procedure and "remains positive about the future."</p> <p>"The operation was a skin graft to her upper eyelid using skin from her left arm. She is currently resting to minimise the threat of infection and to ensure a quick recovery. Katie thanks everyone for their care and warm wishes," they added.</p> <p>Piper sustained the injuries from her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch and accomplice Stefan Sylvestre.</p>

Body

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White Island volcano eruption: Risky recovery operation begins

<p><span>A New Zealand military team has landed on the volcanic White Island to recover the bodies of eight people killed in Monday’s eruption, the police announced on Friday morning.</span></p> <p><span>The eight-member NZ Defence Force team has arrived on Whakaari/White Island to airlift the bodies off to the naval ship HMNZS Wellington.</span></p> <p><span>Located about 50 kilometres off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the White Island is still “highly volatile” with 50 to 60 per cent chance of erupting in the next 24 hours, geological agency GNS Science said <a href="https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/News-and-Events/Media-Releases/GNS-Science-maps-show-risk-levels-at-Whakaari-White-Island-still-high-12-12-2019">on Thursday</a>.</span></p> <p><span>“Whakaari/White Island is an active volcano, and the estimated chance of an eruption is increasing every day,” said the agency’s volcanologist Graham Leonard.</span></p> <p><span>“This level of volcanic activity is the highest we’ve seen since the eruption in 2016.”</span></p> <p><span>Six Australians are believed to be among the victims on the island: Karla Matthews and Richard Elzer from Coffs Harbour; Julie and Jessica Richards from Brisbane; Zoe Hosking from Adelaide; and Krystal Browitt from Melbourne.</span></p> <p><span>There were 47 people on the island at the time of eruption. Twenty-four of those were from Australia, nine from the United States, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two each from China and Britain, and one from Malaysia.</span></p> <p><span>Police said on Thursday two people who were hospitalised from injuries sustained during the eruption had died, bringing the official death toll to eight. Police believe a total of 16 people have died.</span></p> <p><span>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told ABC Radio National on Friday morning the country’s workplace health and safety regulator WorkSafe was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/dec/12/new-zealand-volcano-eruption-white-island-nz-police-victim-recovery-retrieval-operation-whakaari-live-news-latest-updates">investigating the circumstances</a> around the eruption.</span></p> <p><span>“I’m passing no judgement,” she said. “I need that job to be done properly and [families and the community] deserve to have their questions answered.”</span></p>

News

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Olympian Michael Diamond sells gold medal ahead of heart operation

<p><span>Olympic shooter Michael Diamond is selling his gold medal from the 1996 Atlanta Games after suffering from a heart failure.</span></p> <p><span>The 47-year-old said he is currently awaiting a heart transplant at a Newcastle hospital following a “bizarre and alarming” diagnosis.</span></p> <p><span>“This is the greatest fight of my life,” he told <em><a href="https://www.newidea.com.au/olympian-michael-diamond-fights-for-life-after-shock-arrest">New Idea</a></em>.</span></p> <p><span>Diamond said he started noticing his health problems a month ago after suffering shortness of breath. An ultrasound at Gosford Hospital revealed that Diamond’s heart was functioning at just 15 per cent. </span></p> <p><span>“They told me I’m actually in line for a heart transplant,” he said. “I thought, I’m too young for that.”</span></p> <p><span>Diamond missed the selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics after he was charged with high-range drink driving, firearm offences and domestic violence offences. The conviction saw him banned from holding a firearm’s licence until 2017, when he successfully appealed against the conviction in Newcastle District Court.</span></p> <p><span>In the same year, the former champion sold his gold medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics to pay for the legal bills for $72,000.</span></p> <p><span>Auction house Leonard Joel announced on Monday that Diamond’s Atlanta medal would be auctioned on December 5. It is estimated to bring between $50,000 and $70,000.</span></p> <p><span>“I still have bills and I’ve still got to survive,” Diamond said. “It’s a pretty sobering feeling to have your heart fail on you … It puts things into check.</span></p> <p><span>“I do want to hang around. I want to see my kids get older and get married and I want to have grandchildren. I’d be very grateful for life.”</span></p>

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Top 7 board games to cure your boredom

<p>The fun of board games remains undeniable, maintaining themselves still this day as a primary source of entertainment for families, friends and even the grandkids.</p> <p>Whether you’re looking to perfect your motor skills, social negotiation or strategic reasoning, there are a number of games that do just that.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the top 7 board games to cure your boredom.</p> <p>Do you have any of these board games? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Art

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Avon to close operations in New Zealand

<p>Direct selling make-up company Avon <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AvonAUSNZ/posts/1660063854086116" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">has today announced</span></strong></a> it will be ceasing operations in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the year.</p> <p>“This is a very sad day for our employees and Representatives,” Avon ANZ President and Managing Director Sharon Plant said.</p> <p>“As a management team our commitment and focus over the coming days, weeks and months is to support our people and the wider Avon community who are impacted by this decision.</p> <p>“I would like to thank all the employees, Representatives and Customers who have supported Avon’s business over the years.”</p> <p>According to a company statement, the move comes as part of a strategy to “return Avon to long-term sustainable profitable growth” and focus on markets with the biggest potential for future profits.</p> <p>However, the move has angered many representatives and customers, who took to Facebook to vent their frustration at learning the news over Facebook.</p> <p>“Wow I’m a rep and I had to find out on Facebook,” one woman wrote. “Thanks Avon.”</p> <p>“This is terrible, you owe your reps and customers more than this,” another commenter fumed. “To suddenly cease operations after a long history in this country is nothing more than an absolute smack in the face to long serving reps, new reps and customers. You should compensate every single person who has signed up to become a rep in the year prior to the date you cease operation. Disgusting.”</p> <p>“How does dropping Australia boost your profits?” another woman asked. “Huge company here in Australia loved by all young and old. Today marks a very sad day for many Leaders, Representatives and Customers.”</p> <p>Avon first began operating in Australia in 1963, followed by New Zealand in 1978.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Avon to close operations in Australia

<p>Direct selling make-up company Avon <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AvonAUSNZ/posts/1660063854086116" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">has today announced</span></strong></a> it will be ceasing operations in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the year.</p> <p>“This is a very sad day for our employees and Representatives,” Avon ANZ President and Managing Director Sharon Plant said.</p> <p>“As a management team our commitment and focus over the coming days, weeks and months is to support our people and the wider Avon community who are impacted by this decision.</p> <p>“I would like to thank all the employees, Representatives and Customers who have supported Avon’s business over the years.”</p> <p>According to a company statement, the move comes as part of a strategy to “return Avon to long-term sustainable profitable growth” and focus on markets with the biggest potential for future profits.</p> <p>However, the move has angered many representatives and customers, who took to Facebook to vent their frustration at learning the news over Facebook.</p> <p>“Wow I’m a rep and I had to find out on Facebook,” one woman wrote. “Thanks Avon.”</p> <p>“This is terrible, you owe your reps and customers more than this,” another commenter fumed. “To suddenly cease operations after a long history in this country is nothing more than an absolute smack in the face to long serving reps, new reps and customers. You should compensate every single person who has signed up to become a rep in the year prior to the date you cease operation. Disgusting.”</p> <p>“How does dropping Australia boost your profits?” another woman asked. “Huge company here in Australia loved by all young and old. Today marks a very sad day for many Leaders, Representatives and Customers.”</p> <p>Avon first began operating in Australia in 1963, followed by New Zealand in 1978.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Police operation underway at Sydney Opera House

<p>A police operation is currently underway at Sydney Opera House.</p> <p>Details of the cause and nature of the operation remain scarce, but it is understood that police have cleared people from the area and some ferry services from Circular Quay have been cancelled.</p> <p><em>The SMH</em> reports police are searching the area and around Manly Wharf, and the Department of Transport has confirmed the 1.20pm ferry from Manly to Circular Quay has been cancelled.</p> <p>Sydney Opera House staff, tourists and Sydneysiders who were enjoying their lunch are reportedly standing by behind the police line, waiting for more details.</p> <p><strong>UPDATE:</strong><span> The NSW Police Force has stated in a media release: “Following information on social media, police conducted an operation in the vicinity of the Opera House and Manly as a precautionary measure. That police operation has now concluded.”</span></p>

News

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In pictures: Microsoft’s Windows operating system through the ages

<p>Microsoft’s Windows recently turned 30 so let’s take a look back at the history of an operating system that changed the world.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/entertainment/technology/2015/12/top-tips-and-tricks-for-using-skype/">Top tips and tricks for using Skype</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/12/google-write-emails-for-you/"><strong>Google can now write email replies for you</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/12/ways-to-make-facebook-safer/">4 tips to make your Facebook safer</a></strong></em></span></p>

Technology

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Neglected puppies rescued in major RSPCA operation

<p>Thank goodness for organisations like the RSPCA. A major RSPCA operation has recently seen dozens of frightened and neglected dogs saved from a puppy farm.</p><p>Acting on a tip, RSPCA inspectors together with the police raided a regional property on January 20 and rescued 48 dogs and 21 puppies.</p><p>As an investigation into the puppy farm continues, thankfully the dogs – including Cavalier King Charles spaniels, kelpies, poodles and a heavily pregnant spaniel – are now in the RSPCA’s care.</p><p>RSPCA inspectorate manager Allie Jalbert said she had “significant welfare concerns” about conditions at the “intensive breeding operation”. “We certainly take a strong stance against inhumane conditions for any animal,” Ms Jalbert said.</p><p>As the illegal breeders tried to avoid detection, Ms Jalbet warned this raid could be “the tip of the iceberg”.</p><p>“We believe that there is a number of underground breeding establishments and they’re moving between properties,” Ms Jalbert said.</p><p>The rescued dogs will remain in the good care of the RSPCA’s at their Burwood East shelter as evidence until they are surrendered by their owners or taken from them in court proceedings.</p><p>And in good care these rescues dogs are as it has been reported that the carers at the shelter played them classical music and gave them new toys to help them feel comfortable in their new home.&nbsp;</p><p>Although the investigation was ongoing and Ms Jalbert could not identify the exact location of the breeding facility, she said puppy farm operators faced jail time, fines of up to $75,000 and court orders banning them from owning pets.</p><p>The RSPCA has launched an online tip-off service in a bid to find and shut down more puppy farms and Ms Jalbert urged people to come forward with information.</p>

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