The search for a teenager missing in a Christmas Eve boating accident ends on a sad note; Warnings of more wild weather for the east coast; Cricket captain Pat Cummins backs Usman Khawaja in his message of support for Gaza.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT:
- The search for a teenager missing in a Christmas Eve boating accident ends on a sad note;
- Warnings of more wild weather for the east coast;
- Cricket captain Pat Cummins backs Usman Khawaja in his message of support for Gaza.
Police have recovered the body of a 14 year old boy after a tragic boating accident on Christmas Eve.
The boy was being towed behind a boat on a tube in Queensland's Mary River when he fell off and disappeared from view just after 10am on Sunday.
Divers have now recovered the teen's body from the river near Owanyilla.
.
Hundreds of people were without power this Christmas morning in far north Queensland, as the cleanup from Cyclone Jasper continues.
More than 4200 property damage assessments have been completed since Jasper brought heavy rain and damaging winds to the region earlier this month.
Twelve homes have been confirmed as destroyed, 126 properties are severely damaged and 554 have moderate damage.
Meanwhile in New South Wales, State Emergency Service volunteers have spent Christmas morning helping with clean-up efforts after significant storms ravaged parts of the Northern Rivers, Metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, South Coast and the Riverina.
Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz says there have been 312 calls for assistance in the Sydney Metropolitan area alone in the same period of time - and they predict more will come.
"We expect that across New South Wales this severe weather will continue today and tomorrow and possibly over the rest of the week. So we're urging all of you to stay safe and heed the weather warnings. If you have to drive on he roads please check the warnings before you do so, and not just your destination but also the route you're going to be travelling."
.
Charity services have seen a huge surge in demand for their services this Christmas, with many in Australia seeking support for the first time.
Those with full time jobs and mortgages are among the more than 3.7 million households experiencing food insecurity and struggling to make ends meet.
OzHarvest market manager Suzanna Droppa says the increase in demand is because of the rising cost of living.
"If we think about this time last year, we're now seeing 20 per cent increase in customers that are coming and seeking our service. That would be around 2,100 customers that we see every single week. I've been with OzHarvest for 5 years now and this is the worse I've seen it in all those years."
.
Lifeline has reached out to Australians who may be struggling over the holiday period.
Lifeline Australia's Chris Siorokos says despite joyful and cheery depictions of the holiday season, factors like increased financial pressures, heightened family tensions, and intensified feelings of loneliness, can often bring about complex and difficult emotions at this time of year.
He says the charity has released a Holiday Guide with advice for people on managing their mental health over a difficult period.
"You can attend community events. There are a number of community events across the country over the holiday break. These events are a good opportunity to meet others. You can create a list of things you enjoy doing whether it be walking, reading, writing, cooking, drawing. Keeping busy with things you love can make you feel less lonely. And most importantly reach out to friends, family or a support hotline like Lifeline."
.
Australian Defence personnel have sent Christmas messages to their loved ones as they serve their deployment overseas.
More than 1000 ADF personnel are stationed in various regions of the world this Christmas holiday season.
This member, Major Julie Appleby, is currently a military observer with the United Nations in southern Lebanon.
"To all my family, friends and loved ones in Australia and abroad, I wish you a very merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you in 2024. On patrol with me today I have my fellow teammates. They would also like to pass on a Merry Christmas in their native tongue."
.
Australian captain Pat Cummins has supported teammate Usman Khawaja after the opener's application to display a dove holding an olive branch on his boot and bat during tomorrow's Boxing Day test was denied by the International Cricket Court.
Cummins says he accepts the governing body's ruling that the star left hander can't do that - but he also backs his teammate.
"We really support Uzzy. I think he's standing up for what he believes and I think he's doing it really respectfully... He can hold his head high with the way he's gone about it. But obviously there's rules in place and I believe the ICC have said they're not going to approve that. So yeah, they make up the rules and you've got to accept it."
