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"You can't forgive that": Teen arrested after felling of iconic 200-year-old tree

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in northern England after what police describe as the "deliberate" felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. The tree had stood next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Wall for nearly 200 years before it was tragically vandalised. Both locals and tourists have frequently stopped to capture a photo and appreciate the stunning tree ever since it gained fame for its appearance in Kevin Costner's 1991 film, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Now, photographs from the scene on early Thursday showed that the tree had been cut off near the base of its trunk, and the locals are fuming. "The tree is a world-renowned landmark and the vandalism has caused understandable shock and anger throughout the local community and beyond," Northumbria Police said in a statement. "This is an incredibly sad day," they added. "The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region." Alison Hawkins, was the first person to spot the damage while she was walking on the Hadrian's Wall path. "It was a proper shock. It's basically the iconic picture that everyone wants to see," she said. "You can forgive nature doing it but you can't forgive that." The Northumberland National Park authority have asked the public not to visit the iconic tree, which was voted as English Tree of the Year in 2016. Police report that the teen has since been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage, and has been assisting officers with their inquiries. Images: Getty

Legal

About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

Australians watched in horror as 230 pilot whales became stranded at a beach near Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. Some whales were saved, but the vast majority died. This left a big problem: what to do with all the rotting whale carcasses? Authorities decided to tow the dead animals out to sea, hoping they’ll eventually sink to the seafloor. Such mass whale strandings are sad to witness. But in this case, the aftermath presents a fascinating opportunity for scientific discovery. As the dead whales decompose, an astonishing and rare chain of events is likely to flow through the marine ecosystem – ultimately leading to an explosion of activity and new life. <h2>A 600-tonne problem</h2> Mass whale strandings happen fairly regularly – especially in Tasmania – yet no one really knows why. Days before this latest incident, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-20/sperm-whales-stranded-off-king-island-tasmania/101457406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 sperm whales</a> became stranded off King Island, northwest of Tasmania. And in 2020, about 470 pilot whales <a href="https://theconversation.com/like-trying-to-find-the-door-in-a-dark-room-while-hearing-your-relatives-scream-for-help-tasmanias-whale-stranding-tragedy-explained-146674" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became stranded</a> at Macquarie Harbour. While many were pulled out to sea, some of those carcasses washed up and were left to rot on the beach – an entirely natural process. However, pilot whales are big animals. Males weigh up to 2,300kg, which means they take a long time to decompose. The smell of two tonnes of rotting whale blubber soon becomes unbearable, so carcasses are frequently buried. This time around, authorities <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-25/whale-carcasses-towed-out-to-sea-after-mass-stranding/101471166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to tow</a> the dead animals out to sea. The ABC reported local salmon farm workers took almost 11 hours to dispose of 204 dead whales with a combined weight of between 500 and 600 tonnes. They were tied to a 400 metre-long rope and towed by boats for 40 kilometres, before being dropped into deep water in the Indian Ocean. Some carcasses may wash back to shore, but most are likely to disperse with the tides and currents. <h2>Shark bait? Probably not</h2> The big question is: what happens to all that whale mass dumped at sea? Initially, a dead whale tends to float to the surface as it begins to decompose and its innards expand with gas. As this happens, ocean scavengers such as sharks and seabirds are likely to feast on the remains. Some people <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/do-buried-whale-carcasses-really-attract-sharks/10996512" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be concerned</a> that whale carcasses attract sharks that might pose a risk to humans. Granted, encounters between sharks and humans, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/fatal-shark-attacks-are-at-a-record-high-deterrent-devices-can-help-but-some-may-be-nothing-but-snake-oil-150845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the rise</a> in Australia and elsewhere. But they’re still very rare. A <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167613/swim-humpback-whales-risks-sharks.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> to the Western Australian government in 2012 found whale carcasses were a risk factors associated with shark attacks, and said caution should be exercised near a dead whale in the water. But the same report noted that of 26 shark attacks investigated, the highest number occurred more than a kilometre offshore. While there is no doubt <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00655" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharks are attracted to dead whales</a>, the data is <a href="https://hakaimagazine.com/news/beached-whales-are-a-lure-for-hungry-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not clear</a> on whether a whale carcass leads directly to an increase in shark attacks on people. Research <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989419301854?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has shown</a> the likelihood of whale carcasses washing towards shore, where shark scavenging can be observed, is low. So as long as the carcass is taken far from shore and people keep their distance from it, the threat to humans from shark encounters appears to be exceedingly low. <h2>From death comes new life</h2> Inevitably, the whale carcass will start to sink. Most life in the ocean is found fairly close to the sea surface, so if the water is relatively shallow much of what’s left of the carcass will be quickly eaten by scavengers once it reaches the sea floor. But these carcasses have been disposed of in deep water. The deep ocean can be a barren place, where rich food sources are rare. So the appearance of a single whale carcass can supercharge an entire ecosystem. New life and activity can erupt around the dead animal in very little time. This process is known as “whale fall” and has been studied by scientists, sometimes using remotely operated vehicles. On the seafloor of the North Pacific, whale fall has been found to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.885572/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support the survival</a> of at least 12,490 organisms of 43 species. Deep sea sharks will make the most of the carcass. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzQhiNQXxU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A host of other animals</a> including hagfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, worms and sea cucumbers will join in too. All the while bacteria work away quietly in the background. <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Britain’s Natural History Museum, a single whale can provide animals with food for up to two years during the scavenging stage. Other animals and bacteria survive off the chemicals produced from the rotting carcass. These organisms, known as “chemotrophs” were thought to be unique to underwater volcanic vents, where they use hydrogen sulphide as the principal energy source. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has shown a similar suite of animals recruit around dead and decaying whales – generating a completely independent ecosystem based on a gas that <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like rotten eggs</a>. Only a few organisms can break down the bones that remain, in a process that might take up to ten years. So take a moment to consider the effect of 204 whale falls in a small part of the ocean off Tasmania. Right now, they are probably generating interconnected marine metropolises, the likes of which are rarely seen. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/about-200-dead-whales-have-been-towed-out-to-sea-off-tasmania-and-what-happens-next-is-a-true-marvel-of-nature-191340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Incredible collection of 200 "lost" Elvis Presley items up for auction

A stunning collection of lost jewellery and other memorabilia and items that Elvis Presley gave to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is going up for auction on August 27 with the backing of his ex-wife, Priscilla. Up to 200 items, including gold rings encrusted with jewels, cufflinks, watches and chains, have been brought together by GWS Auction. Also included is the V-2 guitar played by Presley during his famous 'comeback' TV special of 1968, which alone is listed at US$750,000. Presley's 9.81 carat-to-weight Diamond 'First' TCB ring – where "TCB" stands for "taking care of business"' a favourite expression of the music legend – is also listed for a minimal bid of US$500,000. His 18 karat lion ring, which Elvis wore in the documentary 'Elvis: That's The Way it Is' is for sale too for a minimal bid of US$25,000. Other accessories, including watches, rings and necklaces, are mostly listed between US$1,000 to US$10,000 per item. The King's “Heartbreak Hotel” original lyrics board is also for sale for a minimal bid of US$50,000. Other items in the auction include: The King's "Speedway" Racing Jumpsuit, listed for a minimal amount of US$20,000; his 1976 Harley Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide for US$100,000; his 1973 Lincoln Continental 'Last' Limo for an amount of US$50,000; and his personally owned jet purchased for his father, listed at US$100,000. Many of the jewellery pieces were provided by Priscilla, although she doesn't own them. The lost collection's total estimated value, as well as its current owner's identity, remain unknown and it is also unclear how the items were found. Priscilla has also said she felt protective of the items because she designed some of them herself, including artefacts with the logo for TCB Band, the musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Presley's backing band in his later years. She also said she supported the auction in part because she was weary of seeing so many fake Elvis items for sale online. “There is so much product out there that is not authentic at all and that worries me,” she said. “I want to know for sure that that is going to go to someone who is going to care for it, love it.” The auction will be held in Los Angeles, California, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel starting at 10 pm on August 27. Image: Kruse GWS Auctions

Money & Banking

Rolling Stone ranks Australia’s 200 Best Albums of All Time

If there's one thing music fans love to debate over, it's a "Greatest of All Time" list. The list causing the most recent debate comes from Rolling Stone, who have ranked the top 200 best albums to come from the Australian music scene. It came as no great shock that the list was conquered by Australian music greats AC/DC and their rock classic album Back in Black. First released in 1980, the record remains the second highest selling album in the world, with more than 50 million copies sold worldwide. Despite AC/DC taking out the top spot, the most impressive feat in the list comes from the two bands that managed to secure two spots each in the top 20 list. The first was Midnight Oil, for their 1982 album titled 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – which came in at number 19 on the list – and their 1987 classic Diesel and Dust, which took out the number five spot. Then, equally as impressive, were Powderfinger, who secured the 18th spot with their 1998 album Internationalist, as well as the 16th spot with Odyssey Number Five (2000). Despite the list featuring a host of up-and-coming Aussie artists and their latest releases, the majority of the top 20 was reserved for the classics. Coming in second to AC/DC on the list was the massive INXS record Kick, which was first released in 1987. Also featured in the top 20 were John Farnham's Whispering Jack (1986), Cold Chisel's East (1980) and Crowded House's self-titled album from 1986. Kylie Minogue's 2001 album Fever was the highest ranking for a female artist, and was joined in the list by fellow female hitmakers such as Sia, Kasey Chambers and Sarah Blasko. Despite the top 20 being largely dominated by 20th century records, some relative newcomers pushed their way to the top. 5 Seconds of Summer's 2014 self-titled album landing the number 17 spot, and Tame Impala's 2015 experimental record Currents came in at number 12. Although some newer artists were featured in the top spots on the list, the winners really go to show that there's nothing quite like some classic Aussie rock. Check out the TOP 20: 20. Dr. G Yunupingu - Gurrumul (2008) 19. Midnight Oil - 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (1982) 18. Powderfinger - Internationalist (1998) 17. 5 Seconds of Summer - 5 Seconds of Summer (2014) 16. Powderfinger - Odyssey Number Five (2000) 15. The Go-Betweens - 16 Lovers Lane (1988) 14. Regurgitator - Unit (1997) 13. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads (1996) 12. Tame Impala - Currents (2015) 11. You Am I - Hourly, Daily (1996) 10. Kylie Minogue - Fever (2001) 9. Savage Garden - Savage Garden (1997) 8. The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2000) 7. Crowded House - Crowded House (1987) 6. Silverchair - Frogstomp (1995) 5. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust (1987) 4. Cold Chisel - East (1980) 3. John Farnham - Whispering Jack (1986) 2. INXS - Kick (1987) 1. AC/DC - Back In Black (1980) And you can peruse the full 200-strong list <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.rollingstone.com/rolling-stones-200-greatest-australian-albums-of-all-time/page/1/the-teskey-brothers-run-home-slow/" target="_blank">here</a>. Image credits: Getty Images

Music

More than 200 Australian birds are now threatened with extinction – and climate change is the biggest danger

Up to 216 Australian birds are now threatened – compared with 195 a decade ago – and climate change is now the main driver pushing threatened birds closer to extinction, landmark new research has found. The <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Scientific-Committee/Determinations/Preliminaries/conservation-assessment-mukarrthippi-grasswren.pdf">Mukarrthippi grasswren</a> is now Australia’s most threatened bird, down to as few as two or three pairs. But 23 Australian birds became less threatened over the past decade, showing conservation actions can work. The findings are contained in a new <a href="https://ebooks.publish.csiro.au/content/action-plan-australian-birds-2020">action plan</a> released today. Last released in 2011, the action plan examines the extinction risk facing the almost 1,300 birds in Australia and its territories. We edited the book, written by more than 300 ornithologists. Without changes, many birds will continue to decline or be lost altogether. But when conservation action is well resourced and implemented, we can avoid these outcomes. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434641/original/file-20211130-21-1i8g2ou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="small bird perches on twig" /> Without change, threatened birds such as the southern emu wren, pictured, will be lost. Barry Baker <h2>The numbers tell the story</h2> The 216 Australian birds now at risk of extinction comprise: <ul> <li>23 critically endangered</li> <li>74 endangered</li> <li>87 vulnerable</li> <li>32 near-threatened.</li> </ul> This is up from 134 birds in 1990 and 195 a decade ago. We assessed the risk of extinction according to the <a href="https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/RL-2001-001-2nd.pdf">categories and criteria</a> set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in its <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/assessment/red-list-index">Red List</a> of threatened species. As the below graph shows, the picture of bird decline in Australia is not pretty – especially when compared to the global trend. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434586/original/file-20211129-22-xrs2e5.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> Authors supplied <h2>What went wrong?</h2> <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434618/original/file-20211130-24-11eplat.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="two black birds nuzzling" /> Birds are easily harmed by changes in their ecosystems. Dean Ingwersen/BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA Birds are easily harmed by changes in their ecosystems, including introduced species, habitat loss, disturbance to breeding sites and bushfires. Often, birds face danger on many fronts. The southeastern glossy black cockatoo, for example, faces no less than 20 threats. Introduced cats and foxes kill millions of birds <a href="https://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/media/eeufmpqx/112-the-impact-of-cats-in-australia-findings-factsheetweb.pdf">each year</a> and are considered a substantial extinction threat to 37 birds. Land clearing and overgrazing are a serious cause of declines for 55 birds, including the swift parrot and diamond firetail. And there is now strong evidence climate change is driving declines in many bird species. A good example is the Wet Tropics of far north Queensland. Monitoring at 1,970 sites over 17 years has <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.23.453540v1">shown</a> the local populations of most mid- and high-elevation species has declined exactly as climate models predicted. Birds such as the fernwren and golden bowerbird are being eliminated from lower, cooler elevations as temperatures rise. As a result, 17 upland rainforest birds are now listed as threatened – all due to climate change. The Black Summer <a href="https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/env/pages/ef3f5ebd-faec-4c0c-9ea9-b7dfd9446cb1/files/assessments-species-vulnerability-fire-impacts-14032020.pdf">bushfires</a> of 2019-20 – which were <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-020-00065-8">exacerbated</a> by climate change – contributed to the listing of 27 birds as threatened. We estimate that in just one day alone – January 6, 2020 – about half the population of all 16 bird species endemic or largely confined to Kangaroo Island were incinerated, including the tiny Kangaroo Island southern emu-wren. Some 91 birds are threatened by droughts and heatwaves. They include what’s thought to be Australia’s rarest bird, the Mukarrthippi grasswren of central west New South Wales, where just two or three pairs survive. Climate change is also pushing migratory shorebirds towards extinction. Of the 43 shorebirds that come to Australia after breeding in the Northern Hemisphere, 25 are now threatened. Coastal development in East Asia is contributing to the decline, destroying and degrading <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms14895">mudflat habitat</a> where the birds stop to rest and eat. But rising seas as a result of climate change are also <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspb.2013.0325">consuming</a> mudflats on the birds’ migration route, and the climate in the birds’ Arctic breeding grounds is <a href="https://www.fullerlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Wauchope-et-al-2017.pdf">changing</a> faster than anywhere in the world. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434625/original/file-20211130-17-1o8c7vz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="dead bird lies one charred ground" /> The Black Summer bushfires devastated some bird populations. James Ross/AAP <h2>The good news</h2> The research shows declines in extinction risk for 23 Australian bird species. The southern cassowary, for example, no longer meets the criteria for being threatened. Land clearing ceased after its rainforest habitat was placed on the World Heritage list in 1988 and the population is now stable. Other birds represent conservation success stories. For example, the prospects for the Norfolk Island green parrot, Albert’s lyrebird and bulloo grey grasswren improved after efforts to reduce threats and protect crucial habitat in conservation reserves. Intensive conservation efforts have also meant once-declining populations of several key species are now stabilising or increasing. They include the eastern hooded plover, Kangaroo Island glossy black-cockatoo and eastern bristlebird. And on Macquarie Island, efforts to <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26198759.pdf">eradicate</a> rabbits and rodents has led to a spectacular recovery in seabird numbers. The extinction risk of nine seabirds is now lower as a result. There’s also been progress in reducing the bycatch of seabirds from fishing boats, although there is <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/reports/final-reports/antipodean-albatross-fisheries-overlap-2020.pdf">much work</a> still to do. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434639/original/file-20211130-13-1suwehz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="lyrebird under leaves" /> The Albert’s lyrebird has been a conservation success. Barry Baker <h2>Managing threats</h2> The research also examined the impact of each threat to birds – from which we can measure progress in conservation action. For 136 species, we are alarmingly ignorant about how to reduce the threats – especially climate change. Some 63% of important threats are being managed to a very limited extent or not at all. And management is high quality for just 10% of “high impact” threats. For most threats, the major impediments to progress is technical – we don’t yet know what to do. But a lack of money also constrains progress on about half the threats. What’s more, there’s no effective monitoring of 30% of the threatened birds, and high-quality monitoring for only 27%. Nevertheless, much has been achieved since the last action plan in 2010. We hope the new plan, and the actions it recommends, will mean the next report in 2030 paints a more positive picture for Australian birds.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172751/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-garnett-4565">Stephen Garnett</a>, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-darwin-university-1066">Charles Darwin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/barry-baker-1295242">Barry Baker</a>, University associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-200-australian-birds-are-now-threatened-with-extinction-and-climate-change-is-the-biggest-danger-172751">original article</a>. Image: Shuttershock

Family & Pets

Man spends just $200 A YEAR on food

A California man has used an unusual “hack” to spend only $USD 150 ($AUD 200) on food for an entire year – saving his money to pay off student debt, get married and buy a home instead. 33-year-old Dylan’s savvy spending saw him purchase an unlimited, year-round pass to Six Flags Magic Mountain, which entitled him to parking and two meals every day. “You can pay around $150 for unlimited, year-round access to Six Flags, which includes parking and two meals a day,” he explained to <a rel="noopener" href="https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/six-flags-dining-pass" target="_blank">Mel Magazine</a>. “If you time it right, you could eat both lunch and dinner there every day.” The theme park offers a “premium season dining pass” which includes lunch and dinner items, a snack, and unlimited drinks during every visit on regular operating days. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVLHkOtLDj6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVLHkOtLDj6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Six Flags (@sixflags)</a> </div> </blockquote> Dylan has been taking advantage of the deal for the last seven years, after finding out that the deal was being offered minutes away from his internship in 2014. “One of my coworkers said she spent $1500 a month on eating out. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m not going down that road!’,” he <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/budgeting/electrical-engineer-saves-thousands-and-pays-off-debts-with-theme-parks-annual-dining-pass/news-story/200b813929826ce5c5b3d52a40584631" target="_blank">said</a>. The electrical engineer estimated that he’s eaten about 2000 meals for around 50 cents each at Six Flags over the last seven years. “That entire first year, I don’t think I ever went to the grocery store,” he said. “I timed it so I was able to go there during my lunch break, go back to work, then stop back for dinner on my way home.” As a result, Dylan was able to save his money for other things. “It was crazy – I was saving money, paying off student loans,” he claimed. But, he did admit that the menu “wasn’t healthy” until the recent introduction of some healthier options. “The first year, the menu was kind of lame – all you could get was a burger and fries, or a pizza and breadsticks, or this pathetic sandwich and a refillable soda cup,” he said. “It wasn’t healthy at all, which was rough.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AyGh8lyyT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AyGh8lyyT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Six Flags Magic Mountain (@sixflagsmagicmountain)</a> </div> </blockquote> “They’ve got decent options now,” he explained. “Still a lot of bad food, I mean it’s a theme park so you can’t expect too much from them. But you find the options that aren’t terrible – stuff like tri-tip sandwiches and vegan options like black bean burgers and meatless meatball subs.” He has also taken to countering his theme-park meals with 5,000-step trips from the Six Flags parking lot to its water park division. But since meeting his wife six years ago, Dylan has scaled back his thrifty eating and has started eating three or four lunches at the park each week. “My wife moved in and I stopped doing dinners and weekends, too, since she’s not as big into roller coasters as I am,” Dylan said. His savings also helped the young couple purchase a home in the area, which he said means, “I’m not really going anywhere”. “As long as they keep changing the menu I’m happy.” Image: @sixflagsmagicmountain / Instagram

Money & Banking

I thought it was a parking fine!

When a Melbourne mother finished her shopping at her local supermarket and went to her car, she found what looked like a parking fine on her windshield. But when she opened it she found a stranger had left an envelope with $20 and a note inside. “I looked at the parking sign which was 1.5hours and I knew that I was less than an hour,” she posted on the Facebook group - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/515507852491119">The Kindness Pandemic.</a> “I picked up the envelope and looked inside to find the most beautiful act of kindness,” she added. Alongside the $20 note was a message which read: “Times are tough right now.” “Please treat yourself to something small to help with your or your children’s mental health. You’re not alone. Lifeline: 13 11 14.” The mother was touched by this act of kindness and she added to her Facebook post: “Whoever you are out there: you made my day! Thank you #somuchgratitude.” Dozens of others applauded the stranger for their genuine act of kindness with one posting: “angels do walk amongst us.” Another person wrote: “Oh wow, this made me cry! Such a beautiful kind thing to do. Thank you to whoever put the note...this could save someone’s life.” Melbourne COVID lockdown update Melbourne is a little over two weeks into its sixth lockdown, which has been extended until September 2. The city passed the ‘200 days in lockdown’ milestone on Thursday this week. Photos: Facebook

Caring

Builder wins $200 million in EuroMillions jackpot

A builder who won a £105 million (AU$200 million) EuroMillions jackpot has pledged not to stop working after receiving the “life-changing” windfall. Steve Thomson said he was “on the verge of a heart attack” when he realised he had won the lottery. Thomson and his wife Lenka said their priority would be buying a new house with a bedroom each for their daughter and two sons, who currently share in a “shoebox” three-bedroom house in West Sussex. “Everyone is going to have a good Christmas,” Thomson said. “Not sure what we are going to do, I am not cooking, Mum is not cooking, Lenka is not cooking. Christmas will be good this year, it really will.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> NEWS: EuroMillions results LIVE: Winning numbers for lottery jackpot for Tuesday November 26 - <a href="https://t.co/HQOEdeQZh8">https://t.co/HQOEdeQZh8</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z7uH7JVvbA">pic.twitter.com/Z7uH7JVvbA</a> — EverythingNorthEast (@everything_NE) <a href="https://twitter.com/everything_NE/status/1199417058460614661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2019</a></blockquote> The 42-year-old said he would be “sensibly generous” with the money prize. “It’s so much money, I am going to be generous. I live in a small village, I do not want to leave the village, whatever I can do for the village, I will,” he said. “I have to be sensibly generous. I still can’t get my head around it, one [million] would have done but I have got 105, it’s just amazing.” Thomson said his children had their requests after learning about the jackpot. “My eldest’s reaction, he’s a very sensible kid, he said: ‘Dad, can I have my own room?’ I said: ‘No problem, of course you can son.’ My middle son said: ‘Can I have a Tesla,’ and my daughter asked for a pink iPhone and she’s going to get that.” Despite having become wealthier than famous figures such as Emma Watson and Ronnie Wood, Thomson said he would not stop working as a builder immediately and would complete all his jobs before Christmas. “Once I am over the shock I will need to keep doing something, I am not the type just to sit still. My business partner knows that if he needs a hand I’ll be there,” he said. “At the end of the day I’m still Steve – and she is still Lenka – that is not going to change. We’re just better off financially.”

Retirement Life

"The system is broken": 200 aged care homes at the brink of collapse

Close to 200 aged care providers housing more than 50,000 senior Australians are at great risk of going broke. The national body for providers, Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA), has revealed a worrying amount of older Australians are at the brink of collapse. LASA’s accountants went over publicly available financial reports of aged cares between 2018-2018 and found an alarming 197 providers faced financial strains. It believes an extra $1.3 billion in federal government funding is necessary before christmas to keep the aged care providers afloat. "The scale of this risk is alarming for residents and their families, as well as stressed staff, financially stretched providers and the government," chief executive Sean Rooney said on Tuesday, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank">news.com.au.</a> This report comes after a scathing review of a Gold Coast nursing home made headlines for forcibly closing their doors and evacuating residents after it went into administration. That report found federal aged care regulators had failed to appreciate the mounting risk at Earle Haven. Eight of the 69 residents were sent to the hospital after the Queensland government organised an evacuation and since then - three people have died. One death includes a person who suffered a fall during the evacuation. Mr Rooney said over half of the aged care operators were running at a financial loss. He has called for structural adjustment programs in the aged care industry to let financially distressed operators bow out, while other operators can step in to take their place. Mr Rooney told AAP this would help avoid the "unplanned chaos" of situations like Earle Haven. "We can't just keep putting money into the system if the system is broken," Mr Rooney said. Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck told parliament on Tuesday the government would be making “additional investment into the aged care sector prior to Christmas". "The government has taken significant efforts over recent times to repair the aged care system," Senator Colbeck said, in an answer to a Labor question about the LASA report.

Retirement Income

Outrage after tourists charged nearly $200 for three hot dogs and a sandwich

A group of tourists have slammed a Rome bar over an unusually hefty bill for their meal. Leo Recchia told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero that he took his family to the bar on Via dell Conciliazione near St Peter’s Square. They were charged €119 (AU$190) for three hot dogs, a ham and cheese sandwich, four cans of Coca Cola and a bottle of mineral water. Included in the bill was a €17 ($27.4) service fee. “€22 for each hot dog.... Almost €20 for service,” said Recchia. “To think that the night before we had gone to a restaurant behind the Pantheon – we spent the same, but for a complete dinner.” The bar owner told the publication, “We had other cases like this, other complaints, but the prices are on the menu, you can check. Also, we are near the Vatican, it costs.” The complaint is the latest claim of rip-off meals in Europe. In May, Rome restaurant Caffe Vaticano was criticised after giving diners <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/travellers-stories/rome-restaurant-slammed-for-outrageous-bill/news-story/5a8c5a7762a6f8d5230e4134f4e11abd">a bill of €81.4</a> ($132) for two burgers and three coffees. In January, <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1070491/florence-italy-ice-cream-tourist-police-fine-italian-holidays">an ice cream shop in Florence was fined €2,000</a> ($3,204) for charging a Taiwanese tourist €25 ($40) for a gelato served in a cone.

Travel Trouble

Look at your mobile phone while crossing the road? You could be slapped with a $200 fine

There have been renewed calls for the government to introduce a $200 fine for pedestrians distracted by their phones while crossing the road. The Pedestrian Council of Australia is pushing for a national legislation to deter people from using their devices or noise-cancelling headphones while crossing a street. Under the proposal, pedestrians would be hit with the fine even if they were crossing on a pedestrian green light. The organisation’s chairman Harold Scruby said the penalty – which was to be called “cross road while distracted” – would help minimise the risk of accidents. “A lot of people say if they [pedestrians] are going to be stupid, it’s their problem but the fact is the cost of road trauma per annum is about $30 billion and much of that is pedestrian trauma,” said Scruby. “At the moment there’s no stopping people wearing noise-cancelling headphones and stepping out on a pedestrian crossing or a green light without looking, listening, stopping, thinking … They’re not aware of the imminent danger surrounding them.” Scruby added, “We’ve spent 8-10 years advertising, now it’s time for enforcement.” According to the NRMA’s latest <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mynrma.com.au/-/media/documents/advocacy/look-up-keeping-pedestrians-safe.pdf" target="_blank">Look Up</a> report, over one in three pedestrians in Sydney are behaving like “smombies” or “smartphone zombies” by crossing the road while looking at their phones or wearing earphones. Pedestrian trauma accounts for 17 per cent of all deaths on NSW roads. Almost half – or 48 per cent – of the pedestrians killed on the road were aged 60 or more. “Statistics already show that the elderly, very young and those who have been drinking are already at risk when crossing the road, so adding 'smombies' to the list only further enhances the need to crack down on this behaviour,” said NRMA Road Safety Expert Dimitra Vlahomitros. This is not the first time the pedestrian council has called for a regulatory measure to improve pedestrians’ behaviour. Last year, Scruby told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-pedestrian-mobile-phones-fines-safety-measures/e26d068b-699d-418e-ac51-8f5a9cdd5aa2" target="_blank">9News</a> the proposed $200 fine would be an appropriate penalty to encourage vigilance. “The fine for not wearing a bicycle helmet in NSW is $450,” he said. “When you put it in perspective $200 is pretty cheap.” In November, Queensland’s Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey, said the State Government was not looking at introducing new fines for distracted pedestrians. Distracted walking laws have been applied in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.citylab.com/life/2019/05/texting-safety-tips-distracted-walking-laws-nyc-vision-zero/589606/" target="_blank">several cities in the US</a>, including Honolulu in Hawaii, Montclair in California, and Rexburg in Idaho.

Travel Trouble

Hospital car parking slammed as unfair as woman pays up to $200 a week

Jessica Jones was forced to dip into money saved for her honeymoon to visit her sick husband in hospital. It was the only way she could cover his lost earnings and what she calls the "unfair" price of hospital car parking in Auckland, New Zealand. The cost to park the car while she was at his side in Waitākere – a city west of Auckland – and Auckland City Hospitals was up to $200 a week, she said. "It was just so upsetting, but I mean you had no choice but to just pay for it." The fees were so high partly because she would sometimes visit him several times a day – but also due to a cost of up to $20.40 a time. Hospitals say their fees are similar to parking at other Auckland hospitals. Gareth and Jessica Jones got married in April 2018, but due to his heart condition saw their savings dwindle and their dream of a honeymoon fade. "I just think it's ludicrous, it's really upsetting," she said of the cost of parking. "The prices that they charge for people who are obviously visiting sick relatives. It's a really rough time." Jones said her husband had used all his sick leave from work after being in hospital on and off since October. This made it harder to deal with the high cost of car parking. Jones said she asked about a parking subsidy from Auckland City Hospital but was refused on the grounds that she could catch public transport. She said she understood it was an option for her but the cost of public transport was similar to the cost of car parking. "I don't understand how elderly people do it, and people with very low income. It's really sad and just really unfair." Waitākere Grey Power president Mate Marinovich said he often fielded complaints about parking costs at the hospital. "To go in and visit the sick, and after two hours having to pay $8 to $12, that's really impacting upon everyone." Marinovich said for those living on superannuation, or a low income, paying for parking on a daily basis adds up quickly. Seven days of a full-day visit at Waitematā hospitals would cost $142.80. He said people often had to forgo something else so they could afford to visit the sick. An Auckland District Health Board spokesperson said the fees at Auckland City Hospital was similar to fees at many central Auckland public car parks. "When travelling to our hospitals, we encourage our patients and whānau to look at other transport options." She said the DHB understood parking could be difficult for patients and loved ones who experienced financial pressure. If they were staying for an extended period, the hospital may be able to help financially, she said. Middlemore Hospital spokesperson Mere Martin said its pricing was also comparable to other hospitals and high-demand locations around Auckland. "We have procedures in place to subsidise parking for visitors based on assessed financial need and length of stay." A Waitemata District Health Board spokesperson said they recognise the cost of hospital parking can be a challenge for some people. She said it was necessary to ask the public to pay for parking to pay for and maintain the existing facilities. "We strive to do this in a fair and balanced way that minimises financial impacts." PARKING COSTS (AUD) Waitematā District Health Board - North Shore and Waitākere hospitals 0-20 minutes - Free 20 minutes - 1 hour - $3.60 1 hour - 2 hours - $7.40 2 hours -3 hours - $11.00 3 hours - 4 hours - $14.90 Over 4 hours - $18.50 Lost ticket - $18.50 Maximum daily charge - $18.50 Counties Manukau Health - Manukau SuperClinic, Middlemore hospital, Pukekohe Hospital, Botany SuperClinic 0 - 15 minutes - No charge 15 minutes - 1 hour - $3.60 1 hour - 2 hours - $7.40 2 hours - 3 hours - $11.00 3 hours - 4 hours - $14.90 4 hours plus - $18.50 Lost ticket $36.99 Between the hours of 2 pm - 8 pm - 30 minutes free parking Auckland District Health Board - Auckland City Hospital, Greenlane Clinical Centre 0 - 15 minutes - Free 15 - 30 minutes - $2.70 30 minutes - 1 hour - $3.60 1 hour - 2 hours - $5.40 2 hours - 3 hours - $7.30 3 hours - 4 hours - $8.20 4 hours - 5 hours - $9.10 5 hours - 6 hours - $10.90 6 hours - 7 hours - $13.60 7 hours - 8 hours - $16.30 Lost ticket - $18.10 Written by Hannah Ross. Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/106215905/hospital-car-parking-slammed-as-unfair-as-woman-pays-up-to-200-a-week" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Money & Banking

Aussie passenger slapped with $200 fine for breaking little-known law

On the weekend, an Aussie Uber passenger received a $200 fine for breaching a little-known law. The Western Australia man was pulled up by a passing traffic patrol officer who noticed the passenger was holding an alcoholic beverage while sitting in the ride sharing service. The officer saw the man drinking in the vehicle before trying to quickly hide his drink underneath the seat when he realised that he had been caught out. According to WA law, it is illegal to drink in public, which includes inside motor vehicles and public transport. The term ‘drink’ means having an open container inside all public vehicles. The passenger’s attempts to hide his alcoholic drink failed, and he was given the $200 fine for his actions. In NSW and Victoria, having an alcoholic drink open in a taxi can result in a fine of up to $1100. In South Australia, offenders can receive a maximum fine of $1250 and in Queensland, the fine is as high as $2523. In Northern Territory, drinking alcohol in public can result in a hefty $4620 fine. Did you know about this rule? Let us know in the comments below.

Legal

Meet Australia’s creepiest doll – a 200-year-old gypsy called Letta Me Out

A terrifying 200-year-old gypsy doll is believed to be one of Australia’s most haunted objects – and now you have your chance to meet the doll in person if you dare. Letta Me Out was discovered underneath a haunted house in Wagga Wagga by owner Kerry Walton 46 years ago. <img src="https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2018/03/01/b881252205z1_20180301135120_000g1p10e2dm2-0-py3bwqadjwzjyessup2_t677.jpg" alt="FREAKY: The Letta Me Out doll is one of Australia's most haunted objects." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Mr Walton claims that ever since he found the doll strange occurrences have followed them around, such as objects in the house getting shifts and even the doll moving in front of people. Mr Walton points to the scuff marks on the bottom of his shoes as a sign of his movements. "I reckon he walks in the night time, we came in here as a new house and I've never heard so many strange things in my life,” he told the <a href="https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/meet-one-of-australias-most-haunted-dolls-in-warwi/3349628/" target="_blank">Warwick Daily News.</a> Letta Me Out has been taken to psychics – one believes he was made for a boy who had drowned. "A clock fell off the wall when she was doing the interview and when she was telling us about the kid that drowned, he moved in her lap,” Mr Walton said. If you want to see the creepy doll for yourself, Letta Me Out when he makes a rare appearance at the Criterion Hotel, Warwick, in Queensland on April 28 from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Art

200 new deals for Seniors Card holders

More than 1.5 million New South Wales Seniors Card holders will have the opportunity to receive big discounts on phone plans, holidays and groceries. In the 2018 Seniors Card booklet, among the 200 new deals will be 10 per cent off Vodafone mobile broadband plans, along with other phone plans. Vodafone will also run digital workshops to older customers and hands-on training on how to use smartphones and download apps. NSW Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/01/22/21/50/the-best-new-deals-for-nsw-seniors-card-holders" target="_blank">9NEWS</a> the deals were significant for pensioners or those on fixed incomes. “I encourage (seniors) to get on board, look into the website or pick up a Seniors Card directory,” she said. Other great deals offered to New South Wales seniors include: Health Cancer Council – 10 per cent off storewide at Chatswood, Hornsby, Bondi, Brookvale, Rouse Hill, Kotara and Miranda. Eyecare Plus – Complimentary pair of single vision spectacles with the purchase of any full-priced pair. Home Rimfire Security Doors & Screens (Arndell Park) – 10 per cent off all security products. Holidays Hertz – 10 per cent off the best available rate of the day. Allianz Insurance – 10 per cent off comprehensive international policies. Cover My Trip Travel Insurance (Liverpool) – 10 per cent off. Ingenia Holidays – 10 per cent of standard booking rate. Kiama Bed and Breakfast – 50 per cent off stays after first night. Professional Services University of Newcastle – 10 per cent off short courses. A List of Auctioneers Estate Agents – 25 per cent off any Agents Commission sell quote. What is your favourite discount that you receive with your Seniors Card? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

Gastro outbreak leaves 200 sick on popular cruise ship

Approximately 200 cruise passengers have been struck down with gastro on a popular cruise ship that is set to dock in Brisbane on Thursday. The Sea Princess, belonging to the Princess Cruises fleet, is at the end of a two-week round trip between Brisbane and New Zealand. Queensland Health confirmed on-board testing found norovirus to be the cause of the gastro outbreak. "Around 200 people were believed to have been infected with the virus," a spokesperson said. "Appropriate sanitation procedures and outbreak control measures have been implemented and the vessel is expected to undergo further comprehensive cleaning while in Brisbane." Princess Cruises sent an email to passengers ensuring they are "carrying out a comprehensive sanitation program in coordination with several international public health authorities". "We have also arranged for the ship to undergo an additional disinfection in Brisbane," the company said. The Sea Princess can hold up to 910 crew and 2,000 guests who pay from $2,000 to $6,000 per person. Last month, 220 passengers on board a Royal Caribbean cruise <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/2017/12/gastro-outbreak-strikes-over-200-on-popular-cruise-ship/" target="_blank">suffered from a gastro outbreak</a>. Reportedly, disembarking passengers said the number of cases overwhelmed the ship’s medical staff.

Cruising

200 passengers struck down with gastro on Ovation of the Seas as it arrives in Australia

Nearly 200 passengers on one of the world's largest cruise ships are being treated for gastro as the mega-liner docks in Hobart. Ovation of the Seas, which carries more than 5800 passengers, arrived in Tasmania today after two weeks sailing from Singapore. Crew members in industrial cleaning suits with face masks were seen spraying down hallways of the luxurious cruise ship in a video posted to Facebook. <img width="306" height="506" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/04/46FF147000000578-5146111-image-a-52_1512447481825.jpg" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-75b67fd3623ff25b"/> “I'm on here now and basically a sitting duck with people in both cabins either side not well with the gastro,” one person commented on the clip. “They are doing everything perfectly to avoid further sickness. “I could hear them last night doing this spraying outside my cabin.” Another guest said that restaurants could not be accessed, finger food had been stopped and a galley tour had been cancelled. <img width="469" height="371" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/04/46FF144800000578-5146111-Notices_found_on_social_media_revealed_the_bottomless_brunch_had-a-45_1512449802219.jpg" alt="Notices found on social media revealed the bottomless brunch had been cancelled as a result of the gastro outbreak" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-e6e3d85eca02f0f"/> A spokesperson from Royal Caribbean International, which owns the ship, said all guests struck by gastro were given over-the-counter medication by doctors. “We hope all our guests feel better. Meanwhile, we're taking steps like intensive sanitary procedures to minimise the risk of any further issues.” The ship is due to leave Hobart later today and arrive in Sydney on Thursday. The spokesperson said the ship would be “comprehensively sanitised and cleansed” once it arrived in Sydney, resulting in a slight delay for new passengers boarding at the Sydney port. The Tasmanian Health Service said the outbreak of gastro on cruise ships was “not unusual”. “It is not unusual for gastroenteritis outbreaks to occur aboard cruise ships, just as it is within the normal population,” a spokesman told the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-05/gastro-outbreak-on-ovation-of-seas-cruise-ship/9226346" target="_blank">ABC</a>. “Cruise ships have their own medical teams, medical surveillance systems, outbreak control measures and are well-trained in treating passengers.” There have been 195 reported cases of gastrointestinal illness in the 14 days the ship has been at sea.

Cruising

Canberra woman sentenced to 200 hours community service for 'smacking' daughter

A Canberra woman has been sentenced by the ACT Magistrates Court to serve 200 hours community service for ‘smacking’ her seven-year-old daughter in 2016. The child had reportedly rang triple-0 three times in December of that year, telling police that her mother had hit her repeatedly, once on the shoulder and twice on the back when she had come out of her room to go to the toilet. According to reports, the court was told the woman had argued with police when they had arrived on the scene, contending that she was entitled to discipline her child. "I can smack my f***ing kids if I want to," she told police. "I can smack my kids as long as the mark doesn't last 24 hours." The girl reportedly now lives with her grandparents. The following victim impact statement, which was read to the court, outlines the severity of the situation. "I am scared of her, I never want to go back," the statement read. "I am happy now… and scared of mum and dad's (home)." The mother’s lawyer countered the argument, saying it was a case of chastisement gone too far and that she had worked on improving her parenting since the incident. But Magistrate Bernadette Boss, who is representing the child, hit back saying the incident in question warranted a swift response from the court. "This was a significant assault on a child," she said. "It was a very significant breach of trust. "Children are the most vulnerable part of our community and everyone has a responsibility to protect children." Addressing the woman directly, she added. "It's deeply troubling you thought you had a right to assault your child," she said. "It's deeply troubling you thought you could do it so that the marks only lasted 24 hours." What are your thoughts?

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