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“One silver lining”: Lisa Wilkinson offers glimmer of a bright side

Following the announcement of 239 new COVID-19 cases in New South Wales on Thursday, Lisa Wilkinson has described the numbers as a “gut punch”. “Like most people in NSW at the moment - that number that started with a two today felt like a real gut punch,” Lisa said on The Project on Thursday night. “I think we thought that it might nudge close to 200 but the fact that it was so far over the 200 number really felt like the game has changed - we’re in a whole different realm. “I don’t think anybody thinks for a moment that we will be out of this at the end of August.” <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/CR6QCEeHrOj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CR6QCEeHrOj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a> </div> </blockquote> But, Wilkinson has found one positive during these dour times, pointing out that vaccine hesitancy has lowered. “There is one silver lining, because I think a lot of us are looking for a silver lining at the moment, and that is that in NSW the vaccine hesitancy has halved from 33 percent at the end of May to down to 14.6 percent. So at least that’s going to lift those numbers and hopefully give a lot of people who get the vaccine a fighting chance,” she said. “And, unlike other states, there’s no supply issue, really, in NSW, because AstraZeneca is now being recommended for everybody to have,” co-host Waleed Aly added. “So it’s not like you’re waiting for vaccines to arrive - and you can actually fulfil that increased enthusiasm.” The Melbourne Institute has found that the rate of vaccine hesitancy has been significantly reduced in NSW and Victoria following recent outbreaks. Seven percent of adults in NSW are still unsure about getting vaccinated, down from 14.3 percent at the end of May. <a rel="noopener" href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/publications/research-insights/ttpn/vaccination-report" target="_blank">The report</a> produced by the institute has said “policies to reduce vaccine hesitancy need to be carefully targeted at populations most vulnerable and most likely to transmit the virus, as well as geographic areas with the lowest vaccination rates”. Image: Channel 10

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“This is bulls***”: Kyle hits out on censoring of Pauline Hanson

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s has sparked more controversy, after she was censored for attempting to undermine Australia’s vaccine rollout on one of Sydney’s biggest radio shows. Ms Hanson was sharing her anti-vaccination views on KIIS 106.5’s Kyle and Jackie O Show, when producers intervened and began censoring the audio mentioning vaccinating. While Ms Hanson was describing why she was choosing not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, all the audience could hear was a drawn-out “bleep”. The show is on a 30-second delay and has a censor to block any comments that can’t be verified live or that could cause trouble for the network. When callers alerted him to the censoring, host Kyle Sandilands had a strong reaction when he found out the reason behind it. “Can somebody tell me what’s being beeped out and why it’s being beeped out?”, Sandilands asked producers. “Our censor is saying some of what Pauline is saying is not government approved,” one producer replied. “We’re not a government show,” he said. “This is not the ABC.” The same producer told Sandilands the show has to “be mindful of what we’re telling listeners”. “Based on what?”, Sandilands queried. “[Based on] the public health system and what they’re telling us,” they replied. Sandilands then apologised to Ms Hanson, who said it wasn’t the first time she had been censored for her views on vaccinations. “I’ve been censored also by Channel Nine and 2GB because they won’t have me on because of what I say,” Hanson explained. “You can’t have a difference of opinion in this country anymore because they shut you down. So therefore you’re letting the authorities control what you say and think. “I’m a member of parliament, surely I have a right to actually express my opinion.” A spokeswoman for ARN, which represents the popular radio show, said the live to air censor “monitors all content and makes a decision on what is appropriate to be broadcast on air and be published in accordance with the station’s regulatory obligations”. “Kyle and Jackie O don’t shy away from talking about the hot topics that matter to their audience,” the spokeswoman told news.com.au. “KIIS1065 makes every effort to fairly represent the views of its guests but has an obligation to balance freedom of expression against expression of views that may be out of step with government health advice. “We take our responsibilities very seriously, and appreciate that some views expressed by guests on the station may not always be shared by the wider community.” ARN said the governing body for broadcast media, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has a “focus on protecting the Australian public from misinformation about COVID-19 and information that is out of step with government advice.” Pauline Hanson’s claim on the show that COVID-19 vaccines haven’t been tried and tested like those for diseases such as measles and mumps is unfounded. According to National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance’s (NCIRS) <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ausvaxsafety.org.au/safety-data/covid-19-vaccines" target="_blank">AusVaxSafety</a> surveillance initiative, 53.9 percent of Australians who have been vaccinated reported no adverse event, while 46.1 percent reported adverse side effects including fatigue, headaches, injection site pain, and muscle aches. Image: Instagram

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“Wonder woman on the water”: Jess Fox’s golden moment

For nine years, disappointment has shrouded Australian olympian Jess Fox. But now, she has just become an Olympic gold winner in Tokyo for the first ever women’s C1 Olympic final on Thursday afternoon. Fox is the first slalom paddler to win an Olympic medal of each colour in canoe and kayak events. The world watched on as Britain’s Mallory Franklin initially took an early lead in the final by registering an astonishing time of 108.68. <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRv6hdDjQV0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CRv6hdDjQV0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jessica Fox (@jessfox94)</a> </div> </blockquote> Germany’s Andrea Herzog also impressed with a time of 111.13, which earned her a spot in the provisional silver medal position. Brazilian athlete Ana Satila also had a solid time, but she sadly copped a brutal 50-second penalty for narrowly missing Gate 22. Fox quickly passed the first checkpoint more than two seconds ahead of Franklin‘s time. She briefly got stuck at Gate 15, however she showed her talent by quickly escaping from the white water at Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre. Fox secured a historic gold medal with an unbelievable time of 105.04. She was three seconds faster than anyone else. “She is a wonder woman on the water. What a performance!” Channel 7 commentator David Culbert cried. Fox’s mother and coach could be seen embracing the champion moments after she completed her run. Australia has reacted in pure elation, with Australian Paralympian Kurt Fearnley tweeting: “JESS FOX!!!!!!!! You are my freaking hero!!!!! So amazing!!!!” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> JESS FOX!!!!!!!! You are my freaking hero!!!!! So amazing!!!! 😭😭😭😭 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo2020</a> — Kurt Fearnley (@kurtfearnley) <a href="https://twitter.com/kurtfearnley/status/1420648484915400710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></blockquote> Channel 7 reporter Tom Browne wrote: “I don’t think there has ever been a more deserved gold medal winner. Jess Fox is a legend. Completely compelling.” Fox Sports presenter Sarah Olle shared her own message: “The Olympics are so cool because you become inexplicably happy for someone you don’t know. Thanks for the ear to ear smile, Jess.” Aussie tennis star Dylan Alcott wrote: “JESS FOX YOU FLAT OUT LEGEND!!! OLYMPIC CHAMPION! Could not think of an athlete more deserving – an incredible athlete but an even better person. YES!” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> JESS FOX YOU FLAT OUT LEGEND!!! OLYMPIC CHAMPION!! Could not think of an athlete more deserving - an incredible athlete but an even better person. YES! <a href="https://twitter.com/jessfoxcanoe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jessfoxcanoe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tokyo2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olympics?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gold?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gold</a> — Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanAlcott/status/1420648900738699268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></blockquote> Fox promised she would return for the Paris Olympics in 2024. “It was amazing to be a part of this women’s C1 event here in Tokyo for the first time ever,” she told Channel 7. “It was a tough couple of days – mentally, emotionally, it took everything out of me. So to put down a run that I’m proud of, I’m over the moon. “I hope we’ve inspired some girls and boys today … I felt the love over from Australia.”

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Karl fires up on Deputy Premier: "There's no playbook"

John Barilaro, the NSW Deputy Premier, has admitted authorities are not sure “what’s working and what’s not working”, during a heated interview on Today. “One of the things we keep saying is, it’s difficult to quantify what’s working and what’s not working,” he said on Thursday morning. “And the reality is, even though we continue to see a rise in numbers, those numbers aren’t accelerating into hundreds and hundreds. “In one way the restrictions are working but, of course, more needs to be done and that’s why yesterday there were a number of changes in relation to being able to move out of your local government area.” The show’s host Karl Stefanovic appeared enraged by the Deputy Premier’s admission. “Sorry to put this to you, but I think you just said you don't know what’s working and what isn’t. Is that what you said?” Stefanovic asked. Barilaro responded: “Yeah, look, there’s no playbook, Karl. There is no rule book.” He went on to claim that reducing mobility is the key to success. “The reality is, to be able to say that I know how to get this under control or the government knows how to get this completely under control... is still testing the government and its resources.” Stefanovic then asked the politician: “If you don't know what’s working, how can they (people of NSW) have any level of confidence as to when they will come out of lockdown?” “Well, Karl, over the past 18 months we have managed a number of outbreaks. The Delta strain is really challenging us because it’s transmissible and contagious,” Mr Barilaro fired back. “We are putting in place all the learned experience of the last 18 months (and) the advice from health and we will continue to throw more at this. “I can assure the public that they should have confidence because (of) what we have done in the past. But we are not going to pretend that we have every answer because we don’t.” NSW announced 177 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, marking July 28th the worst day since the latest outbreak began on June 16. The state government’s inability to reduce numbers in positive cases has forced them to extend the lockdown for another four weeks at least.

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Barty's brilliantly blunt take on Tokyo heat

As the weather in Tokyo reached the mid-30s, many players have been complaining about being forced to play at the peak of the heat. But, Aussie tennis star Ash Barty had no qualms about the inclement weather and gave a blunt response when asked for her opinion on the conditions. “We’re Aussies, mate. We’re alright,” she told News Corp after her and Storm Sanders’ loss in the women’s doubles against Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. Meanwhile, Spain’s Paula Badosa was taken off the court in a wheelchair after collapsing from heat exhaustion during her quarter-final match against Marketa Vondrousova. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Suspect scenes like these may have played a part in the decision of Olympic organisers to take tennis out of the worst of the heat. Paula Badosa taken off court in a wheelchair with heat exhaustion. <a href="https://t.co/I6GZ4Uq7KY">pic.twitter.com/I6GZ4Uq7KY</a> — James Gray (@jamesgraysport) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1420352664236404739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> “It was a shame to finish my participation in this way,” Badosa said. “The conditions have been demanding from day one. We tried to adapt as best as possible but today the body has not responded as needed. “I have suffered a heat stroke as you all have seen and I did not feel ready to continue.” Russian Daniil Medvedev also struggled with the soaring temperatures during his third round win over Fabio Fognini. Medvedev took two medical timeouts and asked who would be responsible for his death. “I can finish the match but I can die,” he told chair umpire Carlos Ramos when asked if he could continue. “If I die, are you going to be responsible?” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Still alive🥵　<a href="https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/xEJqMGUNsq">pic.twitter.com/xEJqMGUNsq</a> — Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaniilMedwed/status/1420306048758554629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> “I just had darkness in my eyes, like between every point I didn’t know what to do to feel better. “I was bending over and I couldn’t get my breathing together. I was ready to just fall down on the court.” After complaints from world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and several other plays, organisers have since moved the start of play to 3pm local time to offer players some added protection against the heat.

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Urgent alert as Sydney exposure sites explode

A late-night alert has been issued by NSW Health, which has added 48 new exposure sites across Sydney. Authorities are urging anyone who may have attended the following venues during the times stated, is now considered a close contact and must isolate, get tested and stay inside for 14 days. Sydney is currently undergoing its fifth week of lockdown, but local transmission of the Delta-variant remains high. FULL LIST OF EXPOSURE SITES: GoVita, 1052 Old Princes Highway, Wednesday 21 July, 9:45am-9:55am GWYNNEVILLE Gwynneville Bakery, 3.168 Gipps Road, Saturday July 24, 9am-9:30am BELFIELD Mancini’s Original Woodfired Pizza, 21 Burwood Road, July 24, all day CAMPSIE Campsie Centre, Friday, July 23 all day; Saturday, July 24 all day SAN REMO Priceline, Friday, July 23 from 2.20 pm to 2.40pm ROSEBERY IGA, Friday, July 23 from 4 pm to 4.55pm ENGADINE GoVita, Wednesday, July 21 from 9.45 am to 9.55am BEVERLY HILLS Pizza Hut, Wednesday, July 21 from 1.45 pm to 2.15pm ROSELANDS Caltex Woolworths, Monday July 26 from 3.10 pm to 3.20pm These bus routes are also considered exposure sites and anyone who travelled them must get tested and self-isolate. ROUTE 25 From Tuggerah Station to Bateau Bay Square, Friday July 23 from 1.58 pm to 2.35pm ROUTE 21 From Lions Park, Central Coast Highway, Long Jetty to Gosford Train Station, Stand N, Friday July 23 from 3.41 pm to 4.30pm Anyone who attended these venues during these times are considered a casual contact. Those who were there must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. WENTWORTHVILLE Officeworks, Sunday, July 18 from 10.40 am to 11am BANKSTOWN Fields of Fruit, Sunday, July 18 from 11.10 am to 11.25am TOONGABBIE Toongabbie Fish Market, Sunday, July 18 from 11.10 am to 11.25am POTTS POINT Jeremy and Sons, Monday, July 19 from 7.30 am to 7.45am LEICHHARDT Leichhardt Marketplace, Monday, July 19 from 9.55 am to 10.10am Blooms the Chemist, Saturday, July 24 from 10.30 am to 10.45am MARSDEN PARK Puma Energy Australia, Monday, July 19 from 11 am to 11.05am ULTIMO Aldi, Monday, July 19 from 12 pm to 12.10pm HORNSBY Dan Murphy’s, Saturday, July 24 from 5.20 pm to 5.40 pm PENDLE HILL Pendle Inn Hotel, Monday, July 19 from 12 pm to 12.10pm BASS HILL Kahil Meats, Monday July 19 from 3.30 pm to 3.55pm CANLEY HEIGHTS Carter & G’s Coffee Shop, Tuesday, July 20 from 7.40 am to 7.50am; Wednesday, July 21 from 7.40 am to 7.50am BELLAMBI Bunnings, Tuesday, July 20 from 11 am to 11.15am LAKEMBA Chemist Warehouse, Tuesday, July 20 from 2.30 pm to 3pm Woolworths, Tuesday, July 27 from 2.30 pm to 2.45pm MERRYLANDS Hamze Bros Fruit and Veg, Wednesday, July 21 from 9 am to 9.05am Services Australia, Tuesday, July 20 from 10.50 am to 11.05am BASS HILL Woolworths, Wednesday, July 21 from 9.05 am to 9.15am CHULLORA Aldi, Wednesday, July 21 from 9.20 am to 10am CABRAMATTA Woolworths, Wednesday, July 21 from 12.25 pm to 12.45pm; Saturday, July 24 from 1.30 pm to 1.35pm Accounting Dynamics, Tuesday, July 27 from 4.20 pm to 7.30pm LONG JETTY 7-Eleven, Friday, July 23 from 3.15 pm to 3.35pm BANKSTOWN Supa IGA, Wednesday, July 21 from 12 pm to 1.30pm Bankstown Lebanese Fruit and Mixed Business, Thursday, July 22 from 10 am to 10.15am BLACKTOWN Kebab Express, Friday, July 23 from 8.40 pm to 8.50pm Chester Jakes Supersave Chemist, Saturday, July 24 from 10.35 am to 10.50am NARELLAN Coles, Thursday, July 22 from 5 am to 10.10am; Saturday, July 24 from 5 am to 1.20pm; Sunday July 25 from 5 am to 10am BELMORE Belmore Hardware, Thursday, July 22 from 9.30 am to 11am LIVERPOOL Chemist Warehouse, Thursday, July 22 from 11 am to 11.15am Westpac, Thursday, July 22 from 11.20 am to 2.55pm Woolworths, Thursday, July 22 from 7 pm to 8.15pm CAMPBELLTOWN Priceline, Thursday, July 22 from 11.50 am to 12.05pm CAMPSIE Woolworths, Thursday July 15 from 6.20 pm to 6.40pm; Friday July 23 from 1 pm to 1.20pm; Tuesday July 27 from 2 pm to 2.20pm Campsie Growers Market, Wednesday, July 21 from 8.30 am to 6pm; Thursday, July 22 from 8 am to 3pm Jin Mart, Wednesday, July 21 from 4.10 pm to 4.20pm Chemist Warehouse, Thursday, July 22 from 6 pm to 6.15pm Jono’s Cafe, Saturday, July 24 from 10 am to 10.15am CABRAMATTA Heng’s Garage, Friday, July 23 from 10.20 am to 1pm FAIRFIELD McDonald’s, Thursday, July 15 from 9 pm to 9.30pm Woolworths, Wednesday, July 21 from 12.30 pm to 1.30pm; Thursday, July 22 from 1.35 pm to 2.40pm; Friday, July 23 from 7.30 pm to 8pm FAIRFIELD HEIGHTS Fairfield District Medical Centre, Thursday, July 22 from 12 pm to 12.30pm 7-Eleven, Monday, July 19 from 7 pm to 7.10pm Fairfield Heights Tobacconist, Wednesday, July 21 from 1 pm to 2pm ROSEMEADOW Woolworths, Thursday, July 22 from 12.20 pm to 12.45pm; Friday, July 23 from 1.25 pm to 2.10pm AUBURN Woolworths, Saturday, July 17 from 10.40 am to 11.05am; Thursday, July 22 from 1.50 pm to 2pm; Saturday, July 24 from 11.10 am to 11.30am KINGSWOOD Freechoice, Monday, July 19 from 7 pm to 7.10pm KINGS PARK Subway, Friday, July 23 from 9 pm to 9.05pm THE PONDS Flash News, Thursday, July 22 from 3.35 pm to 3.50pm; Saturday, July 24 from 4.05 pm to 4.15pm Costi’s Seafood and Grill, Saturday, July 24 from 4.05 pm to 4.10pm Priceline, Saturday, July 24 from 4.10 pm to 4.20pm CASULA BP, Thursday, July 22 from 4 pm to 8pm; Sunday, July 25 from 7.35 am to 4.30pm PROSPECT Uncle Sid’s Oven, Friday, July 23 from 11.30 am to 12pm OLD TOONGABBIE Memphis 9 Cafe, Friday, July 23 from 8.10 am to 8.20am KOGARAH Fardoulis Sweet and Nuts, Friday, July 23 from 12 pm to 5.45pm LIDCOMBE Woolworths, Friday, July 23 from 2.30 pm to 4pm Cafe Rodem, Saturday, July 24 from 11.50 am to 11.55am MOUNT ANNAN Aldi, Saturday, July 24 from 9.25 am to 10am Woolworths, Sunday, July 25 from 9.50 am to 10.15am WENTWORTH POINT Coles Wentworth Point, Saturday July 24 from 9.35 am to 10.05am REVESBY Woolworths, Saturday, July 24 from 2.45 pm to 5.15pm SMITHFIELD Bunnings, Saturday, July 24 from 3.30 pm to 4pm BURWOOD Woolworths, Saturday, July 24 from 3.15 pm to 4 pm and 9.15 pm to 9.35pm Hungry Jacks, Saturday, July 24 from 5.20 pm to 5.40pm Coles, Saturday, July 24 from 9.30 pm to 9.50pm INGLEBURN Speedway, Saturday, July 24 from 1 pm to 2pm Woolworths, Saturday, July 24 from 2.50 pm to 3.05pm ST MARYS Liquor Stax, Saturday, July 24 from 9.30 pm to 9.45pm PETERSHAM Frangos Charcoal Chicken, Sunday, July 25 from 3.10 pm to 3.25pm SPRING FARM Choice Pharmacy, Monday, July 26 from 12 pm to 1pm Woolworths, Monday, July 26 from 12 pm to 1pm ZETLAND Coles, Sunday, July 25 from 4 pm to 4.30pm HARRIS PARK Australia Post, Thursday, July 22 from 2.30 pm to 2.40pm GREENACRE Bunnings, Tuesday, July 27 from 3 pm to 3.20pm RIVERWOOD Riverwood Hot Bread, Friday, July 23 from 12.55 to 1pm LIVERPOOL Barbara Long Park, Wednesday, July 21 from 4.30 pm to 6pm Hillier Oval, Wednesday, July 21 from 4.30 pm to 6pm

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“Terminator” Titmus in tears after stunning second gold

Ariarne ‘Arnie’ Titmus, nicknamed “The Terminator”, has secured her second gold medal in the 200-metre freestyle. The newly minted Olympian couldn’t contain her emotion as she embraced coach Dean Boxall after being presented with the medal - the day after winning her first in the 400-metre race. “You’re a legend,” Boxall said to Titmus as they embraced. Titmus has also become the first Australian women to win the coveted double-title since Shane Gould did so in 1972. <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/CR0x8sNrEQh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CR0x8sNrEQh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by ARIARNE TITMUS (@ariarnetitmus_)</a> </div> </blockquote> Though initially wary about the success of her performances, saying it wouldn’t sink in “until I get home and have a rest”, Titmus’ emotional outpouring suggests it already has. “When you’re in this situation, you have to compartmentalise everything and I think once I stop racing, I’ll release everything,” she told Channel Seven. “I’m thinking about the relay and the 800m now and I don’t want to ruin the rest of the meet by celebrating too hard. “But I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved.” Boxall had a more subdued response to the swimmer’s second victory, after going viral with his celebrations following her victory in the 200-metre race. Coming in second was Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Hong Kong, followed by Canada’s Penny Oleksiak who claimed bronze. The 20-year-old Tasmanian won with an Olympic record time of 1:53:20, beating reigning Olympic gold medalist American Katie Ledecky, who finished fifth. As with yesterday’s 400-metre race, Titmus was trailing Haughey and Oleksiak at the halfway point, before going on to beat the Hong Kong swimmer by 0.42 seconds. “Just goes to show Ariarne Titmus and her composure,” Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe said in commentary for Channel Seven. “We have a saying that is ‘trust the process’. It is when you’re training and really trust the training and the program that your coach has set for you and the race plan that you have and sticking to the plan. “So trust the process, execute the process, and Arnie did that so well.”

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Harsh new restrictions for NSW

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a four-week extension of Greater Sydney’s COVID-19 lockdown as the latest outbreak continues to grow. The lockdown will be extended for the Greater Sydney area, including the Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour, and the Blue Mountains, until August 28. The news comes as the state recorded 177 new cases of COVID-19 to 8pm last night, with 46 individuals in the community during their infectious period. Shopping rules have been tightened further, meaning no one can go shopping more than 10 kilometres away from their local government area (LGA). Additionally, three more LGAs will be placed under stricter lockdown restrictions. Workers in the Parramatta, Georges River, and Campbelltown LGAs cannot leave the area for work unless they are an aged care or critical worker. This comes as an expansion to the areas in lockdown, which already include Cumberland, Canterbury-Bankstown, Blacktown, Liverpool, and Fairfield. Construction rules have been loosened, allowing construction works to occur in non-occupied dwellings outside the eight LGAs in lockdown from Saturday, July 31. A maximum of two workers will be allowed inside a dwelling, while a maximum of five will be allowed to work outside. Outside of the lockdown areas, tradies will also be allowed to visit homes if they won’t come into contact with anyone while they are working. The Premier has also announced the use of rapid antigen testing for year 12 students so that they can recommence face-to-face learning on Monday, August 16. Year 12 students within the eight affected LGAs are also expected to be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. These doses will be coming from the regions, not from other states or the Commonwealths. Teachers are encouraged to take the AstraZeneca vaccine. There are no plans for face-to-face learning to resume for students in other grades over the next four weeks. The state will also introduce a ‘singles bubble’, similar to the one used during Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown, which allows people living by themselves to nominate one person from outside their home that can come and visit. The nominated person must be the same person for the next four weeks. For those within the eight affected LGAs, the chosen person must be within the 10km radius and within the same LGA. The death of a woman in her 90s from COVID-19 has been announced, following her passing yesterday at Liverpool Hospital.

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World reacts with shock to Olympic athlete slapped on live TV

Judo fans were left in shock when German athlete Martyna Trajdos was shaken and slapped in the face by her coach before an Olympic bout in Tokyo. The live broadcast showed the bizarre moment ahead of Trajdos' elimination round of 32 fight with Hungary's Szofi Ozbas on Tuesday afternoon. The German ultimately lost the fight, with Ozbas emerging triumphant by Waza-Ari. However, the footage of Trajdos and her coach inevitably caught the attention of viewers, with many voicing their concern for her well-being. <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CR1VL4nqyy6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/reel/CR1VL4nqyy6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Martyna Trajdos (@martyna_trajdos)</a> </div> </blockquote> But Trajdos defended the pre-fight ritual <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR1VL4nqyy6/" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>: "Don't worry guys! That's the ritual which I chose before fights. My coach is just doing what I want him to do to fire me up! "I wish I could have made a different headline today. "As I already said that’s the ritual which I chose pre competition! My coach is just doing what I want him to do to fire me up!"

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Could Alan Jones be making a breakfast radio comeback with John Laws?

Alan Jones was on the Laws’ show as a guest and the two radio personalities talked for a good half an hour, chatting about everything from where to get the best Indian food and whether Jones would like to “set the world on fire” by coming back to radio and working with Laws. At one stage in the conversation, Laws point blank asked Jones: “Do you want a job?” Quick as a flash, Jones answered: “Put a bit of paper in front of me - you know what it’s like. It’s the same old rules isn’t it - you put a bit of paper in front of somebody.” Laws asked again: “Why don’t you come here and work with me? We could set the world on fire you and me.” To which Jones answered: “Why not?” As well, the two radio veterans talked about the fact The Kyle & Jackie O Show which recently won the ratings for radio on both AM and FM. Jones said: “I never begrudge anyone’s success and they’ve earned it. They’ve worked hard for it. They’ve been at it for a long time and they’ve hung in [there]…” Jones added: “At the end of the day, he’s not stupid, Kyle. He’s got real instinct and he’s relatable that people out there can relate to him. Says it as it is. And he can be amusing and entertaining, but equally he can cut through.” “The bulk of the people in radio never win a single survey. You and I are very fortunate, we’ve won thousands of them. But there are people out there who go hard at it every day and have never won a survey,” Laws said. So, if this chat between Jones and Laws is anything to go by, we could be seeing a partnering of the former radio rivals. They certainly seem to be getting on very well. Towards the end of their talk, Jones praised Laws, saying: “You are the legend of Australian broadcasting and the voice of a nation.” Laws wrapped up the talk and referred to Jones as “his friend,” admitting they’d had their disagreements in the past but they’d got over these very quickly. Laws added: “As I’ve said on numerous occasions, I have respect for Alan. I think he’s an excellent broadcaster and I think he’s got an extremely interesting mind and that makes him a cut above the rest – believe me.”

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Heartbreaking new details in little boy’s death

A house fire in Melbourne over the weekend has resulted in the death of a four-year-old boy, whose grieving mother has revealed more shocking information about the tragedy. Nadia Kirushnaneethan had been cooking in the kitchen, only to enter the loungeroom and find it engulfed in flames. Speaking to 7NEWS, she revealed that she broke a window in an attempt to get her son, Rithish, out of the house. “I broke the window to take him but unfortunately the gas, the fire, came and it pushed me out,” she said. “He was crying a little bit and after I didn’t hear his voice anymore.” The mother-of-three rushed to rescue her young children from the fire, alongside a family friend who was boarding at the home. Two of the children, aged eight and three, were rushed out of the home and later taken to Dandenong Public Hospital suffering smoke inhalation. The family friend suffered serious burns while attempting to save Rithish, but he was unable to rescue the child. Tragically, Rithish was killed in the blaze. The family had been living at the rental property for two weeks, with the grieving mum revealing she had enquired about installing smoke alarms in the home days before the tragic incident. However, she was told installation would be delayed due to Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown. A <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-for-rithish" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a> has been started to help the family pay for accommodation and funeral costs for the little boy. So far, more than $72,000 has been raised. Police said the fire has been deemed non-suspicious and that a gas heater in the loungeroom likely started the blaze. “I just ask the community to be really diligent with their heaters, especially in the winter,” Victoria Police’s Dandenong Local Area Commander Peter Koger said. Image: GoFundMe

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Home and Away actor dead at 45 mourned by fans and loved ones

Dieter Brummer’s devastated family have remembered him as a “talented” and deeply “complicated” man following his death at age 45. The actor was best known for his outstanding role opposite starlet Melissa George, as Shane Parrish on Home and Away. Brummer was found deceased in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon. His grieving family have released a statement, admitting that his death has left a "massive hole in their lives". Family friend Steve Comey released his statement following news of the tragic death. Comey said his beloved friend died just one day after his birthday. “On behalf of my family, We post this today with a heavy heart," the statement reads. "We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning. "He has left a massive hole in our lives and our World will never be the same. "Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years. "We appreciate you respecting our privacy at this terrible time”. The actor’s former girlfriend, Kristy Wright, shared a new tribute to Brummer. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842678/dieter-brummer-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f0b6216ba70c4a2086796831773adf62" /> Images: Kristy Wright Wright played Chloe Richards in Home and Away and revealed he was her “first true love”. "I don’t have any words right now but my heart is screaming and I am numb.. Rest In Peace my darling Dieter, my first true love," she wrote. The actress shared a second post with multiple photographs of the former couple, saying the world “lost a gift” and he was “a man who deserved more”. She also went into detail about their young love, telling fans they met when she was just 17. “Our first date was at Balmoral beach. We ended up sitting there for almost 10 hours from the afternoon into the middle of the night discussing everything from the cosmos to our childhoods and our hopes and dreams,” she wrote. “Anyone who knows Dieter knows how much he enjoyed discussion and debating ideas. I was a young girl from the burbs and he was Australia’s heartthrob.. but.. he was so normal!. So down to earth.. but still so interesting. “I fell in love with him very quickly and fortunately for me he felt the same way. We were each other’s safety blankets and we were best friends. Even after we broke up years later, our friendship never died.” Wright went on to explain how much of an adventurer and risk taker he was, which became clear during their camping stint around Australia together. “Those times spent together shaped me in the most profound way. He was intelligent, funny and challenging,” she said. “He had high expectations of people because he knew that we as a species were capable of so much more.... I’m so grateful that we stayed friends and for over 25 years he has been a constant in my life and someone that I could call at any hour.” "... the world has lost a gift this weekend. A luminous, unique, complex man. A man who deserved more." <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842679/dieter-brummer-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e514be6166ca499f887fab8780334e22" /> Dieter Brummer and Melissa George. Image: Supplied Channel 7 has released a statement, saying: "Channel 7 and Home and Away are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer’s passing. "We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time." Brummer spent four years on the set of Home and Away from 1992-1996. He took out the most popular actor Silver Logie in both 1995 and 1996. He went on to appear in various TV dramas including the Underbelly series, Rescue Special Ops, and Winners and Losers. He even had a stint on Neighbours in both 2011 and 2012 as the character Troy Miller. His family has encouraged anyone struggling to seek help. “Should you, or anyone you know be affected by this, or indeed are feeling pain at this time, there are good people that you can talk to. Please pick up the phone – Lifeline 13 11 14."

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“Today wasn’t my day”: Barty faces shock Olympic defeat

Ash Barty has experienced a shock loss in the first round of the Olympic singles, defeated in straight sets by world No. 48 Sara Sorribes Tormo. The Spanish player won against the young Aussie 6-4, 6-3. Though she made a rebound in the second set after losing two of her first three service games. But at 3-3, Sorribes Tormo took the lead for 5-3. Barty made 27 unforced errors, compared to five from Sorribes Tormo, and admitted she was too “loose”. “It was a tough day. A disappointing day. I can’t lie about that,” Barty told Channel 7. “I can’t hide behind the fact that I wanted to do really well here. Today wasn’t my day. “I knew I wanted to try to take the match on and it would be a fine line of not pushing too hard and not getting in the patterns I didn’t want to get stuck in. [I was] too erratic.” The hot weather in Tokyo has seen some tennis players like Daniil Medvedec and Novak Djokovic ask for play to shift to night time to avoid the heat, but Barty couldn’t disagree more. “It’s brutal. Like an Australian summer,” Barty said. “I enjoy the heat and love playing out here in these conditions. Wasn’t meant to be.” After winning Wimbledon just two weeks ago, Barty’s Tokyo performance was “all over the place”, according to tennis commentator Jose Morgado. American sports reporter Timothy Burke described Barty’s playing as “the worst tennis I’ve seen her play in quite a while”. Charles McNulty, a theatre critic for the LA Times, believed Sorribes Tormo “exploited [Barty’s] backhand weakness”, while tennis writer Tumaini Carayol said the match was always going to be a tough one for the Aussie champ. “Sorribes Tormo always looked like an extremely difficult opponent for Barty on these slow Tokyo courts, and so she was,” Carayol tweeted. Barty had hoped to take home two gold medals from Tokyo, but her recent victory with Storm Sanders in the opening rounds of the doubles means she could still claim one gold medal.

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Titmus launches to legend status – along with her coach

Ariarne Titmus has won gold in the 400m freestyle in a surprise victory, overtaking American Katie Ledecky in the final 50m. Titmus’ victory comes as Ledecky’s first ever loss of an individual event at a Games, with the Aussie victor winning by 0.67 seconds. As amazing as the win was for Titmus, the reaction of her coach, Dean Boxall, has sent social media into a frenzy. Footage from the Games shows Boxall grabbing his mask, punching the air, shaking the fence, and enthusiastically shouting following Titmus’ win. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> SHOUT AHT DEAN BOXALL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/NyjgB0A3dz">pic.twitter.com/NyjgB0A3dz</a> — Lord Zito (@VivalaZito) <a href="https://twitter.com/VivalaZito/status/1419485527632498700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2021</a></blockquote> His zealous reaction soon made him an internet sensation, with his excitement quickly being shared across social media. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Ariarne’s coach Dean Boxall sums it up perfectly! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TokyoTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TokyoTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/Kvww2jpSFy">pic.twitter.com/Kvww2jpSFy</a> — AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) <a href="https://twitter.com/AUSOlympicTeam/status/1419488700069683201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2021</a></blockquote> Joe Pompliano, a US-based sports and business writer, tweeted: “Ariarne Titmus’ coach just had the best reaction of all time to her 400-metre freestyle gold medal win over Katie Ledecky.” Others were concerned the coach’s popularity would outshine the successful swimmer. “I can already foresee Titmus’ uncomfortably aggressive coach getting more media attention in the US than she does, and I am pre-emptively very very very annoyed by it!!” American sports writer Lindsay Gibbs tweeted. Titmus struggled to keep her emotions in check ahead of her heats in the 200m swim later in the day, but was thrilled with the victory. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it. This past year I don’t know whether it’s gone fast or slow, but to get here was a relief. To come here and do the job. I’m over the moon,” Titmus said. “I thanked her. I wouldn’t be here without her. She set this incredible standard. All credit to her for the swimmer she is. I’ve been trying to chase her. Really exciting now we have this battle going. It’s really fun to race. “The race, I tried to stay as composed as I could, then just tried to stick to my race plan. I can’t believe I pulled it off.” Boxall was in tears at the medal ceremony while embracing Australia’s newest champion. “It was actually hard to contain it (the emotion),” Titmus said. “I could see Dean on the other side bawling his eyes out. You don’t see that that often so that made me want to tear up.” Image: Ariarne Titmus / Instagram, Adrian Arculi / Twitter

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”Utter contempt”: Gladys urges Sydney to dob in lockdown protestors

Over 5,500 reports have been made to NSW police by the public in an attempt to identify the estimated 3,500 people who attended an anti-lockdown protest in central Sydney. The Police Minister David Elliot revealed 63 people have been charged while 35 have been arrested, as of Sunday morning. He said nearly 200 of people who defied stay-at-home orders during Saturday’s protest have already been identified. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842660/gladys-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/eca959da2d874e2fb1f0f4fdebdac4f2" /> “What is very pleasing from a law and order point of view is the fact that overnight, 5,500 people have provided evidence to the NSW Police through Crime Stoppers,” Elliot said. “5,500 reports to Crime Stoppers essentially means that all 3,500 people that were there yesterday could find themselves with a penalty notice, if not charges.” NSW Premier Gladys Berjiklian has announced she was left disgusted by those who had shown “utter contempt for their fellow citizens.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842659/gladys-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/eb422224bdd54be0a9de008d4d1b5202" /> “We know that events like that can cause those super-spreading events, and please know that all of the sacrifices we’ve made over the last three or four weeks in particular have resulted in us being able to stabilise the growth in cases,” Berejiklian told reporters. “We don’t want a setback, and yesterday could have been a setback.” The NSW Premier has encouraged the public to report anyone they might have recognised through footage at the illegal protest. Images: Getty

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"Other masters": Lisa Wilkinson's bizarre Gladys theory

Lisa Wilkinson has berated the New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian after the state recorded 124 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday. It is the highest number of positive cases in the current outbreak despite Sydney having been in lockdown for a month. Talking on The Project from Sydney, Wilkinson told her co-hosts that Ms Berejiklian likely now “regrets being disparaging about (Victorian Premier) Dan Andrews and how he handled things”. She also theorised that Ms Berejiklian might have “other masters” she is obeying, who are preventing her from making the lockdown even tougher. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842629/daily-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/32e67dac68a14900853d90cef03e718a" /> Over the course of an entire month, the state has repeatedly recorded several days of cases below 100 before shooting up into three digits again. The state has been unable to reduce the number of people who are out in the community when they were likely very infectious. With cases seeping out from the epicentre in Fairfield in the city’s south west, the suburb has been put on a strict lockdown. Sadly, Ms Berejiklian has warned that the worst may be yet to come, and that “case numbers will continue to go up”. She urged people to avoid any non-essential contact with other people, even family members. “It’s cruel how contagious it is. It is spreading like we’ve never seen before.” Wilkinson couldn’t help but question why the Premier didn’t enter a hard lockdown sooner, on Thursday night’s episode. “Gladys has been telling us for days there is all the green shoots, but we watched them wither on the vine today with her predicting that it is only going to get worse,” she told fellow hosts Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar. “I’m wondering if she regrets being disparaging about Dan Andrews and how he handled things. “In New South Wales, we’re looking at Victoria and how quickly you went into lockdown and how tight the numbers are staying and thinking ‘that’s what we should have done.’” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842628/daily-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3a1a4f5135df4c9d8e42be500791e634" /> Bickmore said that Victorians who are currently in lockdown five were now used to “doing the right thing”. She went on to say Victorian authorities had made the effort to visit 436 homes, to check people were isolating, only to find them all indeed at home obeying the rules. “That’s pretty extraordinary. That everybody is just going, ‘I’ll do what I’ve got to do’”. Later in the program, Wilkinson again said the “numbers were going in the wrong direction”. The host stated she “didn’t understand” why the state government wasn’t bringing in tougher rules, and hinted that there may be political motives behind the decision. “(Ms Berejiklian) says she is following the health advice; a lot of people think if that’s the health advice that she has been following from the beginning then either the health advice is flawed or she has got some other masters that we don’t know about. “Because there is plenty of people who would like to see some of these rules reigned in so we can knock this thing on the head and get down to the zero (cases) that she keeps saying is her objective.”

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Pauline Hanson slams the Matildas for “token PC gesture”

Pauline Hanson has responded in fury at the Matildas for posing with the Aboriginal flag before their victory over New Zealand this week. The One Nation leader labelled the act a “token PC gesture” and claimed Australians are “sick and tired of their favourite sports being ruined by politics.” The women’s soccer team, which includes Indigenous stars Lydia Williams and Kyah Simon, chose to pose with the Aboriginal flag instead of the Australian one. They would go on to win against the Kiwis with 2-1 on Wednesday night. The Aussies also stood side-by-side as they sung the national anthem, however Senator Hanson has claimed the photo was a slap in the face to all Australians. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842655/pauline.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/13a03f5e4c3e48da92413721e44cf58c" /> Image: Channel 7 “Athletes in the Australian Olympic team are there representing all Australians on the biggest of international stages,” she said in a statement to her official website. “Indigenous flags don’t represent all Australians. There’s only one flag which truly represents all of us. “Taxpayers don’t shell out millions of dollars to send Olympic teams to represent two nations. We’re one nation, Australia, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. “I think a lot of Australians are sick and tired of athletes and celebrities hijacking platforms to make token PC gestures that only inflame division. “Australians are sick and tired of their favourite sports being ruined by politics. “Australians supporting their Olympic team deserve an explanation from the Australian Olympic Committee, and I’m sure they want to know what the Prime Minister has to say about it too.” Matildas superstar Sam Kerr, said she was “really proud” to represent the Aboriginal flag after scoring a goal in Wednesday’s victory, and told 7News she “wanted to do something that was relevant to our country and show unity within our group”.

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Happy hospital birthday, Bert

To celebrate Bert Newton’s 83rd birthday, wife Patti released a fun family photo taken prior to Victoria’s current lockdown. The photo shows Bert and his wife at the hospital where he continues to recover, surrounded by their grandkids - daughter Lauren’s kids Lola, nine, Monty, five, Perla, two, and Alby, 10 months. However, the star will be celebrating without his family at his side due to lockdown restrictions. Bert has been in treatment for almost six months after battling a serious toe infection since Christmas. Following the life-saving surgery where his leg was amputated below the knee, the TV legend then suffered complications. Patti shared a recent update with fans, taking to Instagram to thank everyone for their well wishes. “After a couple of complications, Bert is doing well with a little rehab and lots of laughs and love,” Patti wrote, sharing a photo of Bert in hospital. “Thanks to all the wonderful people looking after him.” <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/CQ2X4VjJJ7-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CQ2X4VjJJ7-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Patti Newton (@pattinewtonofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> Bert had to make a “life or death” decision after his health began deteriorating, resulting in the drastic surgery. As the star has continued to recover, his family has been rallying around him every step of the way. Image: 9News

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“I’m sorry”: PM finally apologises for vaccine bungle

Scott Morrison has said “sorry” for the slow roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year. "I'm certainly sorry that we haven't been able to achieve the marks that we had hoped for at the beginning of this year. Of course I am," Mr Morrison said during a press conference. On Wednesday, Mr Morrison acknowledged his government’s challenges with the rollout program, saying it was two months behind schedule. However, he did not apologise when asked to, on FM radio. Mr Morrison did however point out how the vaccination program has been successful in the last month or so, with 1 million vaccinations in the last seven days and a record 184,000 doses given on Wednesday. "I think I've been very clear that as Prime Minister I'm responsible for the vaccination program, and that responsibility includes fixing and dealing with the problems that we've had and that is what we have been doing and the vaccination program has turned the corner,” he said. He went on to say that pharmacies may soon be included in the vaccine roll-out as available doses continue to rise. "Right now there are 118 community pharmacies currently vaccinating around the country … by the end of this month there will be 470," he said.

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“Move over and move on”: Alan Jones fires up on Gladys

Sky News host Alan Jones has critiqued the New South Wales government’s response to the current outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19. “The whole response to coronavirus is now completely out of control,” Mr Jones said. “The virus is too smart for these premiers who continue to ignore international evidence. "Lunatic leaders in New South Wales shut down a whole industry - the construction industry - when is some sanity going to enter into any of this?” Mr Jones said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is “out of her depth” and has “won the gold medal in alarmism”, after she said people who are “quite healthy in the morning could be on a ventilator by the evening” during a COVID-19 update. He also claimed the Premier is “making it up” as she goes along. “Move over and move on”, he said. Image: Sky News

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