Tag Archives: oceania

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Melbourne great-grandmother still supporting the Red Poppy Appeal 60 years on

A Melbourne great-grandmother has been volunteering her efforts for the Red Poppy Appeal for a staggering 60 years.

And at 97 years old, Dot Wade has no plans to stop raising money to support returned servicemen and women.

"I'll keep on going while I'm going," she said.

READ MORE: Thousands to be allowed to attend Remembrance Day service in Melbourne

The cause has an extra special place in her, with her late husband Jack having served as a commando in New Guinea after being called up when he was 18.

The couple enjoyed a marriage of 70 years and used to sell poppies together all over Dandenong in the lead-up to each Remembrance Day.

"He used to go to the station sell his poppies," she said.

"It meant so much when he returned to be able to do so much for others."

Dot will attend the Dandenong RSL for Remembrance Day tomorrow.

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Family and friends grieve man shot dead by police in Sydney's north-west

Family and friends are grieving a man who was shot dead by police in Sydney's north-west yesterday.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of a person who is deceased.

NSW Police went to a home on Bulah Way in Seven Hills about 11.20am yesterday to conduct inquiries in relation to an outstanding warrant.

Police said 45-year-old Stanley Russell was shot after a "physical confrontation" broke out.

Man shot and killed by police in Seven HillsStanley Russell was shot and killed by police in Seven Hills.

Mr Russell's family gathered outside the Seven Hills home to remember the husband, father and nephew.

Tony Murray, Mr Russell's uncle, said the family is heartbroken.

"He's just my nephew and I'm here today for him," Mr Murray said.

When Mr Murray was asked if police could have handled it differently, he said "yes, of course".

Mr Murray questioned why Mr Russell was shot instead of tasered.

"You know what they should have done was shoot him in the leg with their tasers, not with bullets," he said.

READ MORE: Rain bomb to smash multiple states

A man has died after being shot by police in Sydney's north-west.

Witnesses said they heard "three to four loud bangs" at the time of the incident.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Boon said police were approached by Mr Russell, who was armed.

"They were confronted by a 45-year-old man who was armed with a knife and an axe," she said.

"Officers let out a series of shots and unfortunately the man collapsed."

Police conducted CPR until paramedics arrived, but Mr Russell could not be revived.

A critical incident team returned to the crime scene today and seized the knife and axe.

"There's an exhaustive amount of work being done at the crime scene… we're working through the legal process around interviewing the officers," Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said.

READ MORE: Mum's tribute to twin girls killed in Byron Bay fire

Man shot by police in Seven Hills

9News understands Mr Russell was on two sets of court bail at the time of the incident.

He was first charged and released in May for an alleged arson attack.

In September, he was granted bail by a magistrate after allegedly assaulting police and committing a sexual act without consent.

Mr Russell was convicted in his absence after failing to appear before the court on October 5, which led to the police attending his home.

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Intense storm continues to move across eastern Australia as BoM warns of potential flooding

An intense weather system moving across eastern parts of Australia is breaking rain records and putting communities on high alert.

Severe weather warnings remain in place for heavy rain in parts of southern Queensland and north-east New South Wales.

A warning for damaging winds and heavy rain is current in South Australia.

READ MORE: Australia's most wanted fugitive arrested

The centre of Darby in the Darling Downs region of Queensland has already flooded and more rain is on the way.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued warnings of heavy rainfall and potential thunderstorms, with the potential for flooding and damaging winds.

Bureau of Meteorology hazard preparedness and response east manager Jane Golding urged residents in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Canberra to be prepared for severe weather.

https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1458300414894477319

"Many areas are expecting significant rainfall, with some places in Queensland and New South Wales likely to see daily rainfall totals of 150 millimetres or more," she said.

"We may see this rainfall over river catchments that are already quite wet as well, so we're encouraging people to 'know your weather, know your risk', and make sure you're staying up to date with the current forecasts and warnings."

Roads have been closed in Alice Springs after the Todd River burst its banks.

Storms and rain are becoming widespread across central Australia and extending to the eastern seaboard as the day progresses.

The BoM said storms are expected to continue into the weekend.

A low-pressure system is expected to become a focus for southern NSW, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.

Alice Springs in the Northern Territory recorded its wettest November day in 20 years today as the town's airport reported more than 100 millimetres of rain, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

This has led to multiple road closures near the swollen Todd River and the rescue of a man who became stranded in the waterway.

Meanwhile, the city of Rockhampton in central Queensland received more than 300mm overnight and into Wednesday.

New South Wales and ACT

The BoM has warned residents, particularly in northern and central New South Wales, to brace for widespread heavy rainfall, damaging winds, large hailstones and possible flooding.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in place for people in the Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, and parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts.

A flood watch is current for the New South Wales catchments in the Northern and Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Riverina and parts of the Mid North Coast.

A flood watch has also been issued for rivers surrounding Canberra.

Wet rain weather Sydney

Queensland

Heavy rains have brought flash flooding to parts of Queensland's Darling Downs region, with the town of Dalby bracing for more wet weather.

Torrents of water flooded roads and swept through the town, with the rain predicted to get worse tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/anniepullar/status/1458221662378201091

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings of intense rainfall for the rest of south-east Queensland, with more flash flooding likely.

The town of Goondiwindi in particular has been warned to brace for floods.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1458299412300632066

There's a high chance of showers in Brisbane, with the possibility these will develop into thunderstorms.

The city will see a low of 21C and a high of 28C.

Victoria

The BoM's hazard and preparedness response manager for Victoria, Diana Eadie, said parts of the state could expect heavy rain, potential flooding and the possibility of strong winds.

"Heavy rain over river catchments in eastern Victoria also brings a real risk of flooding," Ms Eadie said.

"We are also urging Victorians to be prepared for gusty south-easterly winds, particularly across the southern and mountain areas of the state.

Cloud-cover is expected to increase in Melbourne during the afternoon.

There's a slight chance of a shower developing from late afternoon, increasing to a medium chance at night.

The city will have a low of 11C and a high of 15C.

Western Australia

Perth will be mostly sunny after yesterday's deluge.

A minimum of 11C and a high of 23C is expected.

Northern Territory

Darwin has a high chance of showers with the chance of a thunderstorm.

The city will have a low of 27C and a high of 34C.

More than 100 millimetres of rain has been recorded in Alice Springs so far.

South Australia

Adelaide will see possible showers with a medium chance of rain around the northern suburbs.

A minimum of 11C and a high of 20C is expected.

Tasmania

It will be a cloudy day in Hobart with a very high chance of showers.

There's a possibility of an afternoon or early evening thunderstorm.

Temperatures will hit a low of 10C and a high of 14C.