Cyclone Kirrilly downgraded to a category one in North Queensland; Professors Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long both named Australian of the Year for 2024; And in sport, Aryna Sabalenka powers into a second successive Australian Open final at Melbourne Park.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Cyclone Kirrilly downgraded to a category one in North Queensland;
- Professors Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long both named Australian of the Year for 2024;
- And in sport, Aryna Sabalenka powers into a second successive Australian Open final at Melbourne Park.
Cyclone Kirrily's destructive winds have made landfall on the coast around Townsville in North Queensland.
Residents have been told to seek shelter with the intensifying cyclone set to bring gusts of up to 170 kilometres per hour.
Cyclone Kirrily has been downgraded to a category one and is expected to weaken as it moves inland.
Heavy rainfall which could lead to flash flooding has developed between Tully and Bowen, and people have been told to stay indoors.
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Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer have both been named Australian of the Year for 2024.
Professors Scolyer and Long have saved thousands of lives through their immunotherapy approach to treating melanoma.
The pair are now focused on finding a cure for brain cancer after Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease last year.
They say they're honoured to receive the award.
"We never imagined our life's work would lead us here. We stand here tonight proudly representing every melanoma patient and their families, but also those with brain cancer and indeed all cancers. We share this incredible honour with a wonderful and support and wonderful team and support us at melanoma Institute Australia, the world's leading melanoma research and clinical care facility. Our thoughts are always with those families where our breakthrough treatments came too late. We are forever indebted to your loved ones, and all our patients for their selfless commitment to research, which has changed the futures for others, that is, Aussie mate ship at its very best."
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Teacher, linguist and community leader Yalmay Yunupingu has been named the 2024 Senior Australian of the Year.
Ms Yunupingu has touched many lives in north-east Arnhem Land, teaching at Yirrkala Bilingual School for four decades before retiring in March 2023.
The 68-year-old has been teaching the next generation about traditional healing since her retirement.
Ms Yunupiŋu says helping her community has always been at the forefront of her work.
"Education in school has always been my passion and my most treasured accomplishment in life Besides my family and community. As a young woman, I was curious to know where education would take me. I was inspired by teachers and my leaders. But all those years I never expected that I was going to become a teacher linguist."
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Lifesavers are urging swimmers to take heed of water safety messages, after four people died in Victoria’s worst drowning tragedy in nearly 20 years.
Two women in their 20s and a man in his 40s died after being pulled from the water at an un-patrolled beach off the coast of Phillip Island, southeast of Melbourne.
A fourth woman in her 20s was rescued and flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition where police later confirmed she died.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has extended her deepest condolences to the families and loved ones, saying her thoughts are also with first responders and the Phillip Island Community.
She says the event is a tragic reminder that beach visitors need to understand local conditions.
"It's a terrible way to be reminded that water safety is something that we need to take very seriously, that measures like when you're on open beaches, swimming on patrolled areas, swimming between the flags is really important."
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In tennis,
Aryna Sabalenka has exacted sweet revenge over Coco Gauff to power into a second successive Australian Open final at Melbourne Park.
After losing last year's U-S Open title decider to Gauff in New York, Sabalenka turned the tables with a 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 victory over the American teenager at Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka is now a hot favourite against either Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen or Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska to become the first player since her fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in 2013 to successfully defend their Open women's crown.
Looking almost unstoppable, the 25-year-old world No.2 showed enormous resolve in not only snapping Gauff's 12-match grand slam winning streak but also the fourth seed's unbeaten start to 2024.
