Opposition leader Peter Dutton presents his Chrismas to Australians, Heavy rainfall expected on the Eastern coast until Boxing day, Ross Aloisi quits as Brisbane Roar's A-League Men coach,
- Opposition leader Peter Dutton presents his Chrismas to Australians
- Heavy rainfall expected on the Eastern coast until Boxing day
- Ross Aloisi quits as Brisbane Roar's A-League Men coach
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TRANSCRIPT
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has addressed the country extending his wishes for the holiday season.
He expressed his gratitude towards law nforcement, defence, health care and emergency personels, whom he says "will not be resting over christmas".
He also praised charity workers.
Mr Dutton underlined that 2023 has been an especially challenging year in Australia and the rest of the world.
"Australians will be looking forward to this Christmas, 2023 has been a year of hardships at home and adversity abroad. Millions of Australians are struggling to make ends meet, with manic financial presures, exerting a toll on people's savings accounts and their spirits as well. But despite the difficulties, Australians pressed on with characteristic resilience."
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Flash flooding, hail and severe winds will lash large parts of New South Wales over the Christmas period with residents told to be alert but not alarmed.
The rainy weather is expected to run through to Boxing Day, with much of the eastern coastline at risk.
Storm super cells bringing up 150 milimeters of rain and 5 centimeters hail stones are likely, although it is not yet clear where they will hit.
New South Wales State Emergency Service commander Greg Swindells says his best advice is to monitor the websites of the Bureau of Meteorology and the State Emergency Service for any severe thunderstorm warnings.
He reminds everyone that thunderstorms are "always a challenge".
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A renewables energy company is granting a part of land to South Australia to be turned into a natural park.
Worlds End Gorge is set to become protected as part of a huge new renewable energy development that is being constructed nearby by the Australian branch of French company Neone ((nay-on)).
The Gorge is located around two hours drive north of Adelaide and is one of the only permanent sources of water in the northern part of South Australia.
This renewable energy development has been nicknamed the "Goyder Hub" after the local council, and will mix wind, solar and battery technologies.
Once completed, it will be one of the largest of its kind on the planet.
Tom Jenkins, of Neoen Australia, says this is a unique situation.
"We're not aware of any similar arrangement that's been made before. This is the first time, certainly, that Neoen has tried it, and in part that's been allowed by the fact we've found this incredible place, which you don't come across very often.”
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The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists warns parents and caregiver to be mindful of the eye safety of children when offering them toys.
It says eye injuries are more common than most people think and that children are particularly vulnerable.
Opthalmologist Shanel Sharma names some of the typical culprits of eye injuries.
"Things that may have projectiles, pointy objects, or aerosols and lasers. Things like toy guns, swords, fishing hooks, even letter openers, can cause injury and be damaging to the eyes."
The College advises people to choose age-appropriate toys and to supervise playtime, as well as teaching soy safety and provide eye protection if needed.
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The welcome mat has been rolled out for scores of red crabs as the creatures begin their annual coastal dash on Christmas Island.
Each year, the first substantial rain of the wet season triggers tens of millions of adult red crabs to leave their forest homes in the interior of the island and march towards the coast to mate and spawn.
Christmas Island is 1500km from the Australian mainland and lies 350km south of the Indonesian island of Java.
Christmas Island National Park staff have spent months preparing for the mass migration, setting up kilometres of temporary roadside barriers to channel the migrating crabs to the safety of underpasses and overpasses.
They also divert traffic away from the crabs as they scurry to the coast.
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Ross Aloisi has quit as Brisbane Roar's A-League Men coach, effective immediately, to link up again with Kevin Muscat at Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.
Aloisi had previously worked under Muscat as an assistant at Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos.
Former Socceroo Muscat was appointed as Shanghai Port's new head coach earlier in December.
Aloisi, who is 50 years old, says leving Brisbane Roar is a very tough decision, and declares he "wholeheartedly" believes "in the club's progress and direction".
