Tag Archives: oceania

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Aboriginal flag to fly from Sydney Harbour Bridge in $25m plan

The Aboriginal flag will permanently fly on the Sydney Harbour Bridge by the end of the year after the New South Wales government committed $25 million to install a third flagpole.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet today said flying the Aboriginal flag alongside the Australian and NSW state flags was an important gesture towards reconciliation.

He said the costings to fly the flag year-round would be included in Tuesday's budget.

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"Our Indigenous history should be celebrated and acknowledged so young Australians understand the rich and enduring culture that we have here with our past," Perrottet said.

"Installing the Aboriginal flag permanently on the Sydney Harbour Bridge will do just that and is a continuation of the healing process as part of the broader move towards reconciliation.

"We are making significant investments, adopting new approaches and taking practical steps to close the gap and improve outcomes for Aboriginal people across NSW."

The flagpoles are 20 metres high, the same as a six-storey building, and the flags will require an attachment strong enough to withstand all weather conditions.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Franklin said permanently flying the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge was an important part of acknowledging First Nations people and their rich cultures.

"I am so excited we are one step closer to the Aboriginal flag finally being flown on the Sydney Harbour Bridge permanently, 365 days a year, seven days a week," he said.

"We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with Aboriginal stakeholders on both symbolic and practical reconciliation."

headline

Joe Biden takes spill while getting off bike after beach ride

US President Joe Biden fell when he tried to get off his bike at the end of a ride on Saturday at Cape Henlopen State Park near his beach home in Delaware, but wasn't hurt in the tumble.

“I'm good,” he told reporters after US Secret Service agents quickly helped him up.

“I got my foot caught," he said.

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Joe Biden helped up by Secret Service agents after falling off his bike

Biden, 79, and first lady Jill Biden were wrapping up a morning ride when the president decided to pedal over to a crowd of well-wishers standing by the bike trail.

Biden, who was wearing a helmet, took the spill when he tried to dismount, apparently falling on his right side and rolling onto his back before being helped up.

The president quickly collected himself and spent several minutes chatting with people who had gathered to watch him bike. Biden did not need medical attention and is “fine,” according to a White House statement.

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Joe Biden with his dog after a bike ride

Biden attended Mass at St Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach in the late afternoon. When he appeared after services, bystanders cheered and reporters shouted questions about how he felt.

The president smiled and took three hops while making a motion with his hands like jumping rope.

The Bidens were spending a long weekend at their Rehoboth Beach home. They marked their 45th wedding anniversary on Friday.