QUEENSLAND

Fire represents power and control for an Indigneous teenager who lacks both, in Melanie Saward’s compassionate debut novel

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

“From the moment I got here, I’ve wanted to set the whole of Brisbane on fire,” reflects Andrew, the protagonist of Melanie Saward’s debut novel.

Key Points: 
  • “From the moment I got here, I’ve wanted to set the whole of Brisbane on fire,” reflects Andrew, the protagonist of Melanie Saward’s debut novel.
  • Saward, a Bigambul and Wakka Wakka author, moved to Bracken Ridge in the northern suburbs of Brisbane as a teenager, after growing up in Tasmania.
  • Fire is symbolic: it’s power and control for Andrew, who has precious little control over his life.

Reading as ‘invited guests’

  • Writes Leane:
    Presencing means the recognition that First Nations works are happening in the same ‘now’ as the settler reader.
  • Presencing means the recognition that First Nations works are happening in the same ‘now’ as the settler reader.
  • While my own experience was very different, I recognise the way poverty and deprivation press up against natural beauty in Saward’s novel.
  • As an adult living in Melbourne, I became gradually aware of the economic gap between the mainland and Tasmania.
  • They were reasons I left the state when I was old enough to do so.
  • Despite living in Melbourne for nearly 30 years, I still feel the thread Saward writes about, connecting me to Tasmania.
  • Burn, however, generates a type of “presencing” that allows you to see complexity in the way the past manifests in the present.

Inside family trauma

  • “We don’t know how deep it is,” he said the first time I started wading in for a paddle.
  • If a nice, warm, nearly nine-year-old boy gets in, they might think you’re their dinner.” The tidal pool becomes a recurring image for trauma.
  • We see inside family trauma, how the dynamics are self-perpetuating.
  • We also bear witness to the role institutions play in exacerbating trauma associated with colonialism, such as ongoing disconnection from culture.

Crossover appeal


Burn has obvious crossover appeal for teen and adult audiences, with a strong adolescent protagonist driving the story. So it interests me that this novel has been published as adult fiction. In fact as a young adult author and once-upon-a-time editor of books for teenagers, I puzzled over the decision.

  • When teaching young adult fiction to creative writing and publishing classes, I often ask Dr Lili Wilkinson’s four powerful plotting questions: What does your character want?
  • In this novel, there is nothing Andrew alone can do to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
  • The only answer posed to the question, “What does Andrew need to do?” is: light fires.
  • Andrew lights fires which destroy, but Andrew’s fires also offer regeneration and renewal.

‘Who’s your mob?’

  • In Tasmania, Sarah and Andrew try and fail to imagine new futures for themselves, to generate a fantasy of who they might be.
  • New love interest, Tess, makes clumsy attempts to connect with Andrew, and he in turn tries hard not hurt her.
  • This question cuts to the heart of what it means to belong: to family, to Country, to culture and to your own story.


Penni Russon does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Petrol, pricing and parking: why so many outer suburban residents are opting for EVs

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Teslas and Polestars are expensive, leaving them as playthings for wealthier Australians and out of reach for the mortgage belt.

Key Points: 
  • Teslas and Polestars are expensive, leaving them as playthings for wealthier Australians and out of reach for the mortgage belt.
  • As residents in the outer suburbs reel from price rises seemingly everywhere, more and more are turning to electric vehicles (EVs) to slash their fuel bill.
  • Last year, EV orders for outer suburban residents (43%) overtook inner suburban residents (39%) for the first time.

Outer suburbs rely on cars

  • Research from 2020 shows most outer suburban residents who commute have to travel between 10 and 30 kilometres.
  • This affects outer suburban, rural and regional residents the most, given they cover the most distance.
  • Outer suburban residents are more likely to have solar on their rooftops than inner suburban residents in Sydney and Melbourne.
  • In fact, the outer suburbs are better placed than inner suburbs in terms of charging cheaply.
  • In the inner suburbs, space is at a premium and many houses do not have off-street parking.
  • But outer suburban homes tend to have off street parking or a garage, which means you can charge cheaply at home.

EVs versus the cost of living

  • It would make financial sense for many of us to switch to EVs to take advantage of much cheaper running and maintenance costs.
  • But the higher up-front cost of EVs has long been a disincentive.
  • In Australia, the cheapest EVs now start from A$40,000, though most still cost $60,000–$90,000.

What are governments doing?

  • Some state governments are trying to accelerate adoption with a range of incentives for EV owners, from subsidies to cheaper registration.
  • The interest was so strong in Victoria and South Australia that these governments have wound back some subsidies.
  • At a federal level, the proposed new vehicle efficiency standards will encourage carmakers to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles.

What’s next?

  • Outer suburban residents are buying electric vehicles for very good reasons: financial prudence, practicality and a cleaner future.
  • Read more:
    Electric vehicles are suddenly hot − but the industry has traveled a long road to relevance


Park Thaichon does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Masculinity expert Michael Flood on boys and men behaving badly

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The scandal has brought back a debate about whether single-sex schools are fit for purpose and the culture they foster.

Key Points: 
  • The scandal has brought back a debate about whether single-sex schools are fit for purpose and the culture they foster.
  • To discuss this and what leads some men and boys to treat women badly and too often violently, we’re joined by Michael Flood, professor at the School of Justice at Queensland University of Technology.
  • Flood researches masculinity and gender justice, interpersonal violence and engaging men in violent prevention.
  • So, for example, the highest rates of sexual violence offending in Australia are among young men 15 to 19.

First Aid Pro Launches Comprehensive First Aid Certification and CPR Training Courses

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 19, 2024

Southport, Queensland--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - First Aid Pro, a leading provider of first aid and CPR training, is pleased to announce the launch of their comprehensive first aid courses and CPR Training classes that are meant to teach people and groups how to save lives.

Key Points: 
  • Southport, Queensland--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - First Aid Pro, a leading provider of first aid and CPR training, is pleased to announce the launch of their comprehensive first aid courses and CPR Training classes that are meant to teach people and groups how to save lives.
  • First Aid Pro recognizes the importance of such skills and is committed to delivering top-notch training to individuals and workplaces across Australia.
  • First Aid Pro offers flexible training options, including in-person courses at its training center and customized on-site training for businesses and organizations.
  • To enroll in the First Aid Certificate and CPR Training courses or learn more about First Aid Pro's offerings, please visit https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/ .

North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Significant Five-Year Contract Extension in Australia

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

ACHESON, Alberta, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) today announced that the MacKellar Group (“MacKellar”) has been awarded a five-year contract extension by a major metallurgical coal producer in relation to a mine in the state of Queensland, Australia.

Key Points: 
  • ACHESON, Alberta, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) today announced that the MacKellar Group (“MacKellar”) has been awarded a five-year contract extension by a major metallurgical coal producer in relation to a mine in the state of Queensland, Australia.
  • The contract contemplates the provision of fully maintained equipment and related services at the site operated by the producer.
  • Rental scopes are estimated at $100 million per year resulting in a total value from this extension of $500 million.
  • MacKellar has provided an excellent platform to grow our business in Australia as we leverage our operational and maintenance expertise in the region.

Annature announces partnership with Diverger Limited to provide exclusive eSigning solution for advisers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

BRISBANE, Australia, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australian eSigning innovator Annature today announced an exclusive partnership with Diverger Limited, a leading provider of integrated services to the wealth and accounting industries, to deliver integrated eSigning solutions to Diverger Limited’s ever-growing network of financial advisers and accountants.

Key Points: 
  • BRISBANE, Australia, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australian eSigning innovator Annature today announced an exclusive partnership with Diverger Limited, a leading provider of integrated services to the wealth and accounting industries, to deliver integrated eSigning solutions to Diverger Limited’s ever-growing network of financial advisers and accountants.
  • As part of the partnership, any advisers under Diverger Limited receive exclusive discounts and access to Annature’s industry-leading solutions when subscribing to the platform.
  • Diverger Limited will also make use of Annature’s integration with IRESS Xplan, a leading financial planning and advice software provider.
  • “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with Annature, and believe its market-leading solutions will be transformational for our advisers,” said Harry Wong, Senior Advice Technology Manager - Change and Comms at Diverger Limited.

APF Canada Investment Monitor Report Highlights Opportunities for Canadian Companies in Asia’s Expanding Cleantech Supply Chains

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, February 25, 2024

APF Canada’s second Investment Monitor Report of 2024, Climate Solutions and Cleantech captures C$29 billion in bilateral investments between Canada and Asia in the renewables sector from 2003 to 2023.

Key Points: 
  • APF Canada’s second Investment Monitor Report of 2024, Climate Solutions and Cleantech captures C$29 billion in bilateral investments between Canada and Asia in the renewables sector from 2003 to 2023.
  • The report was released today ahead of the Canada-in-Asia Conferences 2024 event in Singapore (Feb. 26-29), co-hosted by APF Canada and Universities Canada and focused on transpacific collaboration on climate solutions and agri-food.
  • Understanding major trends in the Canada-Asia renewable energy and EV investment relationship over the past 20 years will better position today’s Canadian cleantech companies for successful integration into regional supply chains across the fast-growing and dynamic economies of the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Highlights of Climate Solutions and Cleantech: Building a Greener Indo-Pacific Region Through Foreign Direct Investment include:
    In the renewables sector, Canadian outward investment accounted for 70% of two-way renewables investment between Canada and the Asia Pacific during the 20 years between 2003 and 2023.

Digital Locations CEO Rich Berliner Discussed Communication Challenges in Remote Agricultural Settings with Research Scientist

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

SANTA BARBARA, CA, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digital Locations, Inc. (OTCMKTS:DLOC), the developer of SatennaTM, a breakthrough technology that will deliver high-speed Internet from satellites directly to smartphones all over the world, today announced that in a recent podcast, its CEO, Rich Berliner, spoke with Dr. Andrew Robson, a professor at the University of New England in Australia, about his work in remote sensing and how it aims to address agricultural challenges such as crop health monitoring and yield predictions.

Key Points: 
  • He said, “There is good mobile coverage and good data coverage in the centers of the main cities.
  • It gets worse if you are in an agricultural setting or amongst trees within an orchard or things like that.
  • “The benefit this would provide, having faster data in remote locations and access to agricultural technology is a missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle,” Professor Robson concluded.
  • He has been involved in agricultural research since 1996, with much of that time spent developing remote sensing/GIS spatial applications for various agricultural and horticultural farming systems around the globe.

Production growth of 3% from focused investment in the health of our business; underlying EBITDA of $23.9 billion and full year ordinary dividend of 435 US cents per share

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

We continue to work closely with the authorities to support their efforts to understand the full facts of what happened.

Key Points: 
  • We continue to work closely with the authorities to support their efforts to understand the full facts of what happened.
  • This tragedy strengthens our resolve to never be complacent about safety, so that we continue to learn and improve.
  • Our balance sheet strength enables us to continue to invest with discipline while also paying an ordinary dividend of $7.1 billion, a 60% payout.
  • As part of our focus on Best Operator, we continue to roll out the Safe Production System across our business.

Rio Tinto signs Australia’s biggest renewable power deal as it works to repower its Gladstone operations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Rio Tinto has signed Australia’s largest renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) to date to supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland, agreeing to buy the majority of electricity from Windlab’s planned 1.4GW Bungaban wind energy project.

Key Points: 
  • Rio Tinto has signed Australia’s largest renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) to date to supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland, agreeing to buy the majority of electricity from Windlab’s planned 1.4GW Bungaban wind energy project.
  • Under the new PPA with Windlab, Rio Tinto will buy 80% of all power generated from the Bungaban wind energy project over 25 years.
  • The PPA is the second renewable power deal signed for Rio Tinto’s Gladstone operations, after the recent agreement signed with European Energy to drive development of the 1.1GW Upper Calliope solar farm.
  • “Windlab is very proud to be partnering with Rio Tinto to support the long-term sustainable future of Rio Tinto’s Gladstone operations.