June 9, 2026
Magpies ‘swoop’ into top spot in national bird count Magpies are Australia’s most-seen bird according to the latest national count. Photo: Kim Duggan.
National

Magpies ‘swoop’ into top spot in national bird count

THE results of the 12th national bird count are in, with the Australian Magpie taking out top spot. The Aussie Bird Count was held last October and saw a record breaking five million birds counted over one week. Organiser, Birdlife Australia, said 64,000 citizen scientists took part in the event. Half of all surveys included […]

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Camden Haven SES celebrated on Wear Orange Wednesday
National

Camden Haven SES celebrated on Wear Orange Wednesday

THE NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Camden Haven Unit was celebrated on “Wear Orange Wednesday” (20 May) with a dinner at Laurieton United Services Club. Celebrated annually during National Volunteer Week, Wear Orange Wednesday acknowledges the hard work and dedication of SES members across the state during extreme storms, floods and other emergencies. During the […]

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Nationals firebrand elected leader in three-horse race Exiting Nationals leader David Littleproud with newly elected leader Matt Canavan.
National

Nationals firebrand elected leader in three-horse race

Exiting Nationals leader David Littleproud with newly elected leader Matt Canavan. Cowper MP Pat Conaghan with exiting Nationals leader David Littleproud. MATT Canavan has been elected Nationals leader after David Littleproud’s shock resignation. The firebrand senator edged out former deputy leader Kevin Hogan and Senate leader Bridget McKenzie in a partyroom ballot on Wednesday morning. […]

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National Pet Adoption Month encourages adoptions Archie needed 14 teeth removed and lip surgery and is now happy and healthy. Photo: Sis Higgins.
National

National Pet Adoption Month encourages adoptions

MARCH is National Pet Adoption Month, with animal lovers encouraged to consider welcoming a cat or dog into their home while supporting animal welfare efforts across the country. RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell said hundreds of cats and dogs are currently available for adoption. “March is looking like a wonderful time to make a new […]

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CSU study reveals the ‘ecosystem’ feeding on great whites
National, School

CSU study reveals the ‘ecosystem’ feeding on great whites

A WORLD-FIRST study by Charles Sturt University (CSU) has identified an ecosystem of parasites inside great white sharks. The global study by researchers in CSU’s School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, and the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture Water and Environment, found evidence of at least 116 parasites inside the apex predator. Professor in Veterinary […]

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Weather Bureau updates unpopular $96.5m website The rain radar and weather map were at the top of the Bureau’s list of fixes. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
Government, National

Weather Bureau updates unpopular $96.5m website

THE Bureau of Meteorology has implemented the first round of changes to its heavily-criticised $96.5m website. Since launching, the site has attracted 400,000 “items of feedback”. As a result, the rain radar and weather map have been improved and there is more information about daily temperature highs and lows on state, territory and district pages. […]

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Australians urged to be scam-aware during Black Friday sales Be alert to online shopping scams. Photo: Pexels, Nataliya Vaitkevich.
Business, National

Australians urged to be scam-aware during Black Friday sales

SHOPPERS gearing up for a major Black Friday deal are being urged to stay alert to scams. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), estimates that $259 million has been lost to scams in 2025. Authorities expect this figure to rise as online spending increases in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Consumers spent more […]

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New initiative urges Australians to uncover and photograph backyard bugs Invasive Species Council’s Citizen Science Coordinator Jess Ward-Jones. Photo: Hayden Starr.
National

New initiative urges Australians to uncover and photograph backyard bugs

FROM 17-23 November, Australians are being urged to step outside and discover the secret world beneath their feet. Bugs in My Backyard Week is a new national initiative encouraging families, schools and nature lovers to photograph and record the mini-beasts living all around them. It coincides with the official launch of a national citizen-science project […]

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Australians warned to pay attention to superannuation paperwork Who will inherit your superannuation nest-egg… and are you sure?
Community, Government, National

Australians warned to pay attention to superannuation paperwork

MILLIONS of Australians are putting their superannuation at risk by not following-through with proper, and legally binding, beneficiary paperwork, according to a nation-wide survey. Research conducted by Super Consumers Australia, an advocate for people on low and middle incomes in Australia’s superannuation system, shows that more than one in three Australians with super say they […]

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Treasurer throws down gauntlet for ‘crucial’ tax reform Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch.
Government, National

Treasurer throws down gauntlet for ‘crucial’ tax reform

THE groundwork has been laid for Australia’s most substantive attempt at tax reform in more than two decades as the treasurer promises to “grasp the nettle” on the thorny issue. Outlining his government’s economic agenda for its second term of parliament, Jim Chalmers threw down the gauntlet to industry, media, civil society and the political […]

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