Tag Archives: oceania

Gel blasters banned in Western Australia

Owners of gel blasters in Western Australia have just weeks to turn in their toy guns, which from July 3 will be classified as dangerous firearms.

Police said the toys look too similar to real firearms, leading to dangerous situations.

Last year, officers were called to 147 gel blaster incidents. Two months ago, a pharmacy in the Perth suburb of Applecross was held up with a toy gun, sparking a police operation that lasted hours.

READ MORE: Gel blasters to be defined as firearms in South Australia

"This is about saving peoples' lives," Commissioner Chris Dawson said.

Anybody who hangs on to their gel blaster past July 3 faces a fine of up to $36,000 or three years in jail.

But gel blaster advocates have slammed the decision.

"Basically the way they've described it in the press release today is that the only people who are interested in this sport are people who are willing to commit a crime," Daniel McCrystal of the Perth Gel Blasters Group said.

READ MORE: New call to ban gel blasters in Queensland

The group is facing the collapse of its business, after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on an indoor tournament ground.

Chris Sinclair of the Gel Blasters Association Australia said the ban was a "band-aid".

"We've got a bunch of public servants that aren't actually taking the greater interests of the public into account, and a bunch of weak-willed politicians that actually aren't looking to get a full understanding of the picture," he said.

Gel blasters were also banned in South Australia earlier this year.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

'It doesn't make any difference': Australian WWII POW's 100th birthday

One of Australia's last surviving prisoners of war has today celebrated a special milestone celebrating his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends on the Gold Coast.

Gordon Jamieson, a Japanese POW for four years during World War II, was forced to work on the infamous Burma Thai Railway to supply Axis troops and weapons during the Burma campaign.

Fortunately, those days were in stark difference to today's birthday celebrations, with Gordon happily downing a birthday beer and taking his centenarian achievement in stride.

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Gordon Jamieson, a Japanese POW for four years during World War Two, was forced to work on the infamous Burma Thai Railway.

"Well I've been told that I've turned one hundred, but to me, it doesn't make any difference," Gordon told 9News.

While he remains one of Australia's few living WWII veterans, family have said he chalks his long life up to his wartime hardship.

"Dad's always told everyone that his reason for long life is when he was a prisoner of war, they had one bowl of rice per day and there were maggots," Daughter Paula told 9News.

"Oh he's always been a character, even to this day he's still cracking jokes," grandson Dion said.

Gordon has lived on the Gold Coast for more than 50 years and has kept busy with three children, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Gordon has lived on the Gold Coast for more than 50 years and has kept busy with three children, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Authorities probe disappearance of $30m worth of artwork

Italian authorities are investigating after more than $30 million worth of art vanished from the office of Rai, the nation's public broadcaster.

The pieces, believed to total 120, were on display in the company's Rome office, included works by Claude Monet and Amedeo Clemente Modigliani, with some replaced by fakes, RT reported.

Other artwork stolen included paintings by Renato Guttuso, Giorgio De Chirico and Giovanni Stradone.

READ MORE: Cartoon mocking G7 leaders goes viral on China's social media outlets

Waterlilies by Claude Monet. (AAP Image/National Gallery of Victoria)

Authorities suspect dissatisfied Rai employees are behind the disappearance.

The alleged theft was discovered in March this year after a painting was knocked over, the impact breaking the work's frame.

Further inspection revealed the painting a fake.

The work was believed to be by artist Ottone Rosai, but was traced to a retired employee who admitted selling it off in the 1970s.

The statute of limitations means the former employee won't face prosecution.

Investigators believe the pieces could have been taken during a 1996 exhibition in Puglia.

"These were works of great value that were just hanging on the walls of the corridors or rooms in Rai's building, without any alarm system, and so anyone could just walk in and take them," RT quoted Guiseppe Scarpa, a journalist covering the investigation, as saying.

The priceless pieces of art were bought over the years with public funds, the news service reported. They are estimated to be worth more than $30 million.

Victorian Kelpie sold for record breaking amount

A Kelpie in Victoria has set a world record for the most money ever paid for a working dog.

Hoover was sold at the Casterton Working Dog Auction yesterday, fetching $35,200.

Casterson Kelpie Association chairman Rob Pilmore told 3AW the dog is worth the hefty price.

READ MORE: Melbourne townhouse complex area of concern as Victoria records two new COVID-19 cases

https://omny.fm/shows/3aw-breakfast-with-ross-and-john/the-staggering-world-record-breaking-sum-paid-for/embed?style=cover

"In a labour shortage in rural areas at the moment a good dog is very valuable and can cut a lot of work out on a farm," he told Ross and Russel.

"The breed has been specifically bred through all these years to get to the point it is now, and it's phenomenal what a dog can do now."

Mr Pilmore said Hoover was a terrific dog.

"He's a super paddock dog, he's a powerhouse in the yard … he's just the complete package and it showed yesterday.

READ MORE: Victoria records two new local cases of COVID-19, both children

The late kelpie Koko brought real bark - and heart - to the outback. Rest in peace, Koko.<br/>

Hoover's breeder Robert Macklin said the Kelpie was definitely going to make the thousands of dollars back for his new owner.

"Worth every cent – what that dog will do for the next person will save him that money in two years," he said.

The previous record sum paid for a working dog was $22,200.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.