Tag Archives: oceania

Youngest premature baby thriving after being born 4.5 months early

2025-11-19 FreeNews

Stevie O'Reilly is a tiny warrior – Australia's youngest premature baby – born at just 22 weeks.

Her proud parents have revealed how Stevie is thriving, sharing their exceptional journey from heartache to happiness.

There's no other way to say it, Stevie is a miracle.

"It's just crazy, crazy how lucky we are," mum Bree Basile said.

Twenty-two weeks and three days ago, Stevie was born four and a half months early, the youngest baby in Australia to survive a premature birth.

"We've been through the ups and downs, and good days and bad days and bad weeks but we've got a result at the end and she's pretty special," dad Jake O'Reilly said.

The expectant parents from Perth's northern suburbs were on a plane to Queensland for a family holiday when the trip took a turn.

Bree had unknowingly caught an infection, which had silently spread, causing labour to come on early.

"Resuscitation usually isn't offered for babies under 22 weeks and that's just because babies being so immature," Basile said.

"Trying to hold her in just meant crossing my legs and holding on for dear life and nothing was going to happen."

The parents were told to prepare for the worst.

Instead, she came into the world a fighter, weighing just 500 grams, about the same as a typical pack of dried pasta.

She has survived surgery, sepsis, a perforation in her bowel and two collapsed lungs, and is now thriving.

But the family's story is not without heartbreak; twin brother Adrian died at 19 days old.

"We were allowed to hold him for three days, because we knew he was going to pass before he did and Jake slept with him on his chest for the whole night," Basile said.

"We were happy even in such a miserable situation."

Bree and Stevie spent three months in intensive care in Townsville before finally being given the all-clear to board a Royal Flying Doctor plane home with a pit-stop at Uluru.

Today, at four months old, Stevie's being cared for at King Edward Memorial Hospital under the watchful eye of a dedicated team.

"You can really see the difference that you can make for parents and their babies," medical co-director for neonatal services Mary Sharp said.

"And they're very precious babies."

Stevie's now five times her birth weight, and her mum and dad hope to take her home for the first time in the next couple of weeks, just in time for Christmas.

They spoke to 9News last night to give hope to other families who desperately need it.

"There's a lot of grief in having a baby born early, or sick and spending a lot of time in hospital," Miracle Babies Foundation nurture program team leaderMegan Norbury said.

" … It's just not what you thought life as a parent was going to be like."

But there's no doubt special things are to come for Stevie, the brave little miracle.

"I really feel like she's got the strength of two in her, knowing that she can do whatever she sets her mind to, because she's already done that in many many ways," Basile said.

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Reality TV star who allegedly beheaded boyfriend falls pregnant

2025-11-19 FreeNews

Tamika Chesser, the former reality TV star who's accused of beheading her boyfriend in Port Lincoln, is pregnant.

The accused killer is being held at South Australia's James Nash House mental health detention facility after allegedly murdering, beheading and dismembering ex-partner Julian Story.

The 34-year-old was arrested in June following the discovery of Story's remains at their home.

The remains of the 39-year-old were found inside their Port Lincoln unit, and his skull was located more than a month later in nearby scrubland after a lengthy police search.

According to police, Chesser was seen just hours after Story's murder with a bag in hand while walking her dogs through town.

Today, Health Minister Chris Picton confirmed Chesser fell pregnant before being taken to James Nash House.

"Our clinics and staff are working with corrections, appropriately following the protocols that have been in place for some time," he said.

Authorities have stated that the health of the unborn child is a priority.

Julian Story.

The identity of the child's father is currently unknown, and the baby is expected to be born early in the new year.

Chesser's next court hearing is scheduled for next month, at which time detectives will determine what charges to proceed with.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

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‘Beautiful and gentle soul’ killed a month before her 18th in suspected hit-run

2025-11-18 FreeNews

The family of a teenager who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Brisbane last night has paid an emotional tribute to the 17-year-old.

Olivia was walking along Margate Parade at Margate at 11.30pm when she was allegedly struck by a white Nissan Navara ute and left with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency services were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Olivia's family has paid an emotional tribute to the 17-year-old.

It will be alleged that after the crash, the 58-year-old driver failed to remain at the scene and render assistance.

A 58-year-old Scarborough man has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and left scene of incident without obtaining help.

He was refused police bail and is due to appear at Redcliffe Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Olivia was one month away from her 18th birthday.

Her family has released a statement following the much-loved daughter and sister's death.

"Olivia was a beautiful and gentle soul, she cared deeply about everyone around her," the family said.

"She had a way of ensuring everyone she crossed paths felt cared for and understood.

"She loved those close to her with her whole heart and would always be the person to pick up on the small things that make people the way they are, often the things that others would miss.

"She could always tell when someone was having a bad day and would stay with you as long as you needed until she was sure that you were OK."

Olivia was walking along Margate Parade at Margate at 11.30pm when police suspect she was struck by a car.

The family said Olivia "didn't realise how loved she was by everyone around her".

"She never fully realised how beautiful she truly was and never realised how much she touched the people around her," the family said.

"When Olivia was little she always wanted to grow up, she wanted to play and hang out with the big kids.

"She used to become so excited by their hand me downs.

"She always wanted to be like her sisters but she never understood that it's them who wanted to be like her.

"She loved listening to Lana Del Ray on her record player and loved to draw.

"Olivia's favourite colour was pink and she loved her dog more than anything, before she even was sure she was getting a dog she had already saved up all her money and purchased dog toys for him."

The family said Olivia had been through more challenges in the last two years than most people realise.

"The world had been heavy and unkind to such a tender-hearted soul however she always tried her best to get through it and her resilience became a quiet rhythm in her life, a way for her to remind herself to never give up," the family said.

"Just as Olivia was getting better, getting her light back, she was taken from us far too soon."

Police urge anybody with CCTV or dashcam footage of the area, including Mabel Street and Margate Parade, from around the time of the incident, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

The investigation continues.

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Man shot dead by police was holding knife to woman’s throat

2025-11-18 FreeNews

A man shot dead by police had been holding a knife to a woman's throat after stabbing another man on the street in Queensland.

Police were called out at 3.42am after reports a man had stabbed another man at the intersection of Beerburrum Road and Commercial Drive in Caboolture, north of Brisbane.

The knifeman then fled on foot.

A short time later, police say, officers found the 26-year-old man as he was threatening a 28-year-old woman on Margaret Street.

9News understands the man was holding the knife to her throat.

An officer fired their gun and struck the man. The 26-year-old died at the scene.

The woman was not physically hurt.

Police have since confirmed all three people were loosely associated with one another, and that the alleged offender was known to police.

North Coast Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian today said the man posed a threat to both the woman and the public.

"The woman was being threatened by that male person," he said.

"I can confirm there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time."

He said the incident was captured on body-worn camera and CCTV.

The man's mental health will form part of the investigation, he said.

"It was a traumatic experience for the officer involved, we've activated protocols and processes around that to support those officers," he said.

"We've also reached out to residents within that street to offer support to those people who may need it."

A 54-year-old man with a stab wound to the neck was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

An investigation into the shooting is underway with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

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Parents of teens killed by methanol poisoning leading schoolies warning

2025-11-18 FreeNews

School leavers planning to celebrate overseas have been urged to take extra care after recent high-profile methanol poisonings in south-east Asia.

Michelle Jones and Samantha Morton, the mothers of Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who tragically died of methanol poisoning in Laos last year, are supporting a campaign urging young travellers and their parents to be aware of the risks ahead of the schoolies period.

Six people in total died after drinking tainted alcohol at a hostel in Laos in November last year.

Holly Bowles (right) and her best friend Bianca Jones (left), aged 19, had been enjoying a backpacking holiday with friends in Laos.

"It's very raw, very upsetting, but we've got to do this for the greater good," Jones said.

The campaign is being conducted by DrinkWise and Smart Traveller, and will see multiple public information efforts come into effect.

DrinkWise said it would team up with Smartraveller on the key schoolies travel date of November 29 to have people at international airport terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to pass on safety advice to ex-students.

The campaign will see targeted advertisements and messages sent to the phones of teenagers as soon as they set foot in Australian airports, with in-flight video messages also to be played on international Jetstar flights.

"DrinkWise research shows school-leavers are making safer choices at schoolies, but timely reminders remain critical," DrinkWise chief executive Simon Strahan said.

"This is real, issues like methanol poisoning are real."

Morton said she urged parents to have conversations about the safe consumption of alcohol with their children before they go on schoolies trips abroad.

"Be aware of the dangers, have a plan, talk to your children, make sure they do know what to do when they do get sick, it's only going to help save lives," she said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she is still seeking answers from Laotian authorities as to why no one has been charged over last year's tragic poisoning.

She said she has reached out to representatives from Laos 50 times, but is yet to receive a response.

"We continue to offer AFP assistance, we've reiterated that offering including yesterday," Wong said.

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Large warehouse building on fire at Port Whangārei, multiple fire crews called

2025-11-18 FreeNews

Multiple fire crews were called to the scene about 7.25pm.

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Tip called in by teen helps intercept potential ‘kill car’ as man remains on the run

2025-11-18 FreeNews

A tip called in by a 13-year-old boy led police to intercept a potential "kill car" in Sydney's west and arrest three men.

The revelation comes as a fourth man is still at large after a pursuit and police have warned he should be considered "armed and dangerous".

Police were called to Regina Street in Greystanes at about 5.15pm yesterday after reports came in of four people wearing balaclavas in a black SUV.

Three men were arrested at Merrylands West.

9News understands the tip was called in by a 13-year-old boy who noticed the group.

Three men allegedly in the car were arrested: Rodger Tell, 19; Madgy Hassan, 20; and Kanu Bringi, 22.

The school student allegedly spotted the men wearing ski masks in the stolen Mercedes before filming the moment.

Police were called and arrived shortly thereafter, before a pursuit began.

Police will allege the SUV reached speeds of up to 80km/h in 50km/h streets.

The car allegedly also drove on the wrong side of the road and through multiple sets of red lights.

Merrylands

"I was just out the front, and a car flew past and the next thing you know three cop cars are chasing it, sirens are going," a witness told 9News.

The SUV hit a parked car in Paton Street in Merrylands West and the occupants fled on foot.

Two men were arrested a short time later after a foot chase, while a third was arrested with the assistance of PolAir and the canine unit.

"Police were everywhere, running into the park, sirens blaring," another witness told 9News.

Merrylands

Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said the third man had been found in the backyard of a nearby property.

Police allegedly seized a loaded sawn-off shotgun from under the driver's seat of the SUV, while two jerry cans were found in the car's rear.

"What the vehicle was being used for is still under investigation, however, it's quite obvious that we've disrupted some further serious crime," Glasser said.

He said the investigation had not so far turned up any links to previous offences.

Checks allegedly revealed the car was stolen from Balwyn in Melbourne.

Three men, aged 19, 20, and 22, have been charged with weapons and stolen car offences.

The fourth occupant of the vehicle remains on the run.

Glasser said the man was of African appearance and believed to be aged between 18 and his early 20s.

He said the man should be considered "armed and dangerous" as police were unsure if he had any further access to firearms.

The three men in custody are known to police, Glasser said.

Two of the men had their matters adjourned, while the accused driver had his bail refused.

"He's entered pleas of not guilty at this stage, so we'll continue with the court process," lawyer Ibrahim Sweedan said.

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Neo-Nazi taken to immigration detention after visa cancelled over rally

2025-11-18 FreeNews

A neo-Nazi who attended a Sydney rally has been detained a day after his visa was cancelled and he is expected to be deported to South Africa.

Matthew Gruter has been in Australia for around three years before the federal government revoked his visa after he was identified as having been at the protest.

At 4am today, Gruter was picked up by Australian Border Force agents from his North Sydney unit.

A South African man has been detained after he was spotted at a Neo-Nazi protestor.

He is now in the Villawood detention centre awaiting deportation to South Africa after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cancelled his visa.

"He will remain (there) until either he gets his own ticket to leave Australia or otherwise he'll be deported," Burke said.

"If you're on a visa, you're a guest in Australia, and if a guest turns up at your home, you've got expectations as to how they'll behave," he said yesterday.

"If someone turns up for the purpose of just abusing people and wrecking the place and damaging the cohesion, you can ask them to leave."

Gruter has indicated he will exhaust all legal avenues to stay in Australia.

He is employed as a civil engineer and has travelled widely with his wife.

"There is no place in Australia for those hateful views," Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said.

"Freedom of speech does not extend to being divisive and hateful about people in our community."

On November 8, 60 protesters from the National Socialist Network held up a sign reading "Abolish the Jewish Lobby" outside NSW parliament.

Transport for NSW has stood down a frontline employee after he attended a roughly 60-member strong neo-Nazi rally outside Parliament House.

The neo-Nazis applied to protest ahead of time and made clear their intention to rally against Jewish groups.

They were given the green light by police but both NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Premier Chris Minns were unaware of the protest until after it took place.

Police are investigating the failure of officers to notify the senior leadership of the rally.

The demonstration resulted in calls for tougher laws as well as an investigation into why the group was legally allowed to protest outside NSW parliament.