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Heritage Aussie number plate to fetch over a million

<p>A South Australian number plate is expected to sell at auction for over a million dollars. </p> <p>The sought-after No. 8 Plate was first issued in 1906 to Arthur Ernest Ayers, the son of South Australian businessman and politician Sir Henry Ayers, the original owner of the Ayers House in Adelaide.</p> <p>The number plate became available for the first time in February this year, with the online auction going live late last month. </p> <p>Almost 1,700 bids have already been made, with the leading bid as of Monday morning at around $1.32 million with the auction closing at 7pm (local time).</p> <p>“It’s very rare and very special,” Historic Plates auctioneer, Stewart Kay, said. </p> <p>The last time the SA Government issued a single digit number plate was in 1985, when plate No. 7 was sold. </p> <p>“These plates are all about the paperwork, so having a set of number plates hanging in grandad’s shed might not necessary confer ownership.”</p> <p>He added that the plate would likely be sold to a prominent Adelaide businessman for around  $1.3 to $1.5 million.</p> <p>This is a record price for a South Australian number plate, with the previous highest being for a SA No. 1 Plate commemorating the Adelaide Grand Prix, which fetched $593,000 in 2020.</p> <p>Kay added that the older the number plate and lower the number, the higher the return expected at auction.</p> <p>“Number plates are a very historic connection back to 120 years ago when they were first issued,” Kay said.</p> <p>“They’re sort of triple threat, they look fantastic on a car, they have a great return in terms of investment and they have a certain level of prestige to them.”</p> <p>Anyone can purchase the rights to a number plate, however the plates can only be affixed to a vehicle that is registered to the state it belongs in. </p> <p>In New South Wales, a No. 1 plate surpassed its $10 million estimate and was sold for $12.4 million in January. </p> <p>Earlier this year, Victoria’s "luckiest" number plate with the number 888-888 sold for an eye-watering $230,000 to an anonymous buyer after it was privately owned for the past 30 years. </p> <p><em>Image: 7News</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Beyond the Barrier Reef: Australia’s 3 other World Heritage reefs are also in trouble

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-marie-quigley-1400512">Kate Marie Quigley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/james-cook-university-1167">James Cook University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-hamilton-baird-11285">Andrew Hamilton Baird</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/james-cook-university-1167">James Cook University</a></em></p> <p>The Great Barrier Reef is world famous – it’s the largest coral reef system in the world and home to tens of thousands of species. No wonder it is World Heritage listed.</p> <p>But Australia has three lower profile reefs which are also World Heritage listed –  Ningaloo and Shark Bay in Western Australia, and Lord Howe Island, 600 kilometres off the New South Wales coast, the <a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/612288-most-southerly-coral-reef">southernmost coral</a> in the world. Ningaloo has 260km of coral reef, while the reefs of Shark Bay have less coral but are home to ancient stromatolites, vast seagrass beds and iconic species such as dugongs.</p> <p>This month, the World Heritage Committee will meet in New Delhi. On the agenda will be how the world’s natural World Heritage sites are faring. The Australian government will be under increased scrutiny to prove it has upheld its <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/about/world/management-australias-world-heritage-listed/managing-world-heritage-australia/protecting-world-heritage#regulation">international commitments</a> to protecting these reefs.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.17407">new research</a> has found all four of these reefs are in greater danger than we thought – even those in subtropical waters, such as Lord Howe Island. Our two Indian Ocean reefs at <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/578/">Shark Bay</a> and Ningaloo actually face more species and function loss than the Great Barrier Reef.</p> <p>At 1.5°C of warming, we are likely to lose about 20% of the 400-odd coral species which currently live across these four reefs (equating to about 70 extinctions). At 2°C warming, our modelling of species abundance and ecosystem functions predict an almost complete collapse in reef ecosystems – even for the subtropical reefs. This aligns with <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fulltext/animal/12/1/annurev-animal-021122-093315.pdf?expires=1721002489&amp;id=id&amp;accname=guest&amp;checksum=A9A203CC0F3AEB7D1FE9420F50EDF69A,%20https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/238807594/AGR2020.pdf">predictions</a> by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the future of coral reefs.</p> <p>We believe our work adds to the need to consider whether Australia’s four iconic reefs should be <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/">on the list</a> of World Heritage sites in danger.</p> <h2>What does it mean when a reef is World Heritage listed?</h2> <p>Declaring a natural or cultural site as World Heritage is done to encourage the preservation of locations of immense ecological and cultural value. Nations have to <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/nominations/">nominate sites</a> they think are worthy of protection. Australia has 20 World Heritage sites, <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/places/world-heritage-list">of which</a> 12 are natural.</p> <p>When sites are formally listed, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) requires the country’s government to look after it. If the site is degrading, it can be listed as in danger.</p> <p>UNESCO has considered listing the Great Barrier Reef as in danger twice, in 2021 and again in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/24/set-more-ambitious-climate-targets-to-save-great-barrier-reef-unesco-urges-australia">June this year</a>. For the reef to keep its World Heritage status, the government must prove its policies are sufficient to keep the reefs in <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/about/world-heritage/outstanding-universal-value">good health</a>.</p> <p>In the debate over the Great Barrier Reef, two things have been missed – first, any mention of Australia’s other World Heritage reefs, and second, whether the federal government’s current policies to cut greenhouse gases are enough to protect the reefs into the future.</p> <h2>What did we find?</h2> <p>Our new results suggest all four reefs are in trouble. Given current warming trends, they will only deteriorate further in the future if we stay on this course.</p> <p>While the Barrier Reef has drawn a great deal of attention, it’s actually the ecosystems at Ningaloo, Shark Bay and Lord Howe Island which are projected to warm the most. When standardised to park boundaries, temperatures here are projected to increase by up to 1.3°C by the end of the century. (This temperature estimate is for sea temperatures, not the overall surface temperature which we use as shorthand when we talk about 1.5°C or 2°C of warming).</p> <p>While that might not sound like much, it will be enough to push many corals to potential extinction. Many coral species already exist within 1-2°C of the maximum temperature they can tolerate.</p> <p>Our modelling shows Shark Bay and Ningaloo actually face a greater risk of species and function loss than the Barrier Reef. It also suggests the ability of our reefs to bounce back will be overcome when warming tips over 1.5°C globally.</p> <p>While these models incorporate the baseline heat tolerance of coral species on these reefs, they don’t yet include their <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-animal-021122-093315;jsessionid=mfIBuwjZ-ru5bkBMhWXDjumNnsvZgxkl02fPAg63.annurevlive-10-241-10-101">potential for genetic adaptation</a>. The question of whether some corals could adapt to this rapid warming is still open. A lot is riding on their ability to do so.</p> <h2>Looming danger</h2> <p>This year, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sentinels-of-the-sea-ancient-boulder-corals-are-key-to-reef-survival-in-a-warmer-world-223207">Great Barrier Reef</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/06/lord-howe-island-coral-bleaching-moving-south-fears-ocean-temperatures">Lord Howe Island</a> have suffered intense stress from high sea temperatures – the direct result of burning fossil fuels and producing heat-trapping greenhouse gases. This year is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/2024-could-be-worlds-hottest-year-june-breaks-records-2024-07-08/#:%7E:text=The%20latest%20data%20suggest%202024,so%20far%2C%20some%20scientists%20said.">on track</a> to again be the hottest year on record, overtaking the previous record holder of 2023.</p> <p>Australia is already in the midst of an extinction crisis. Australia has one of the worst track records for extinctions. Since European colonisation, 34-38 mammal species have <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.adg7870">gone extinct</a> compared to just one from the contiguous United States, which covers a similar area.</p> <p>You might have read that coral cover – a measure of how much coral there is in an area – <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-024-02498-5">hit historic highs</a> on the Great Barrier Reef last year.</p> <p>Coral cover is a helpful and important metric, but it’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/record-coral-cover-doesnt-necessarily-mean-the-great-barrier-reef-is-in-good-health-despite-what-you-may-have-heard-188233">not perfect</a>. For instance, fast-growing heat tolerant coral species might expand as less heat tolerant species die off. Importantly, relying on coral cover alone can mask significant changes in how the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2019.2628">reef is functioning</a>.</p> <p>It’s hard to assess how species in our oceans are doing, given the difficulty of access and the large number of species, including many <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-first-step-to-conserving-the-great-barrier-reef-is-understanding-what-lives-there-146097">unknown to science</a>. If warming continues unabated, we will likely start to lose species before we have even documented them.</p> <p>Our results are based on “moderate” climate models of global surface temperature changes. Australia has committed to cutting emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. While that sounds good, it’s not enough – this decrease is compatible with <a href="https://environment.govt.nz/what-you-can-do/climate-scenarios-toolkit/climate-scenarios-list/ipccs-ssp-rcp-scenarios/">hitting 3.2ºC by 2100</a>. To limit warming to 1.5ºC or below by 2050, we would need to commit to much greater cuts in emissions – 90% below 2005 levels by 2030.</p> <p>Our results clearly suggest Australia’s four World Heritage reefs will be dramatically affected by warming in the near future. They will no longer qualify as being maintained under “conditions of integrity”. It’s hard to see how they can avoid being added to the in danger list.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/234268/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-marie-quigley-1400512"><em>Kate Marie Quigley</em></a><em>, DECRA Research Fellow in molecular ecology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/james-cook-university-1167">James Cook University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-hamilton-baird-11285">Andrew Hamilton Baird</a>, Professorial fellow in coral reef ecology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/james-cook-university-1167">James Cook University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>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/beyond-the-barrier-reef-australias-3-other-world-heritage-reefs-are-also-in-trouble-234268">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Domestic Travel

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Tourist arrested for disgusting act at sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site

<p>A tourist has been arrested after he committed this disgusting act on top of the Leshan Giant Buddha, a sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site in China. </p> <p>The man allegedly found a blind spot away from CCTV cameras, climbed over the security fence and on top of the statue. </p> <p>Once he reached the top of the monuments head, he proceeded to pull down his pants and urinate in front of horrified visitors who filmed the act. </p> <p>Security guards quickly removed the unidentified man and handed him over to police, after being informed of his actions. </p> <p>It is reported that the man was taken to a nearby hospital for psychiatric evaluation.</p> <p>The UNESCO World Heritage Site itself is a 71-metre-tall monument, which is considered to be the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. </p> <p>The Leshan Giant Buddha monument is located in the Sichuan Province of China, and was carved out of a cliff face between 713 and 803 AD. </p> <p>The statue and surrounding Mount Emei Scenic Area have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.</p> <p>This act is one of many incidences of tourists behaving badly across the world. </p> <p>In June 2023 a German tourist was detained after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/tourist-accused-of-causing-over-8-000-in-damages-to-iconic-roman-statue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climbing up</a> a 16th-century Fountain of Neptune, and was accused of causing over $8,000 in damages to the iconic statue. </p> <p>Prior to that, an Irish tourist landed himself into <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/tourist-busted-for-carving-name-into-world-s-most-famous-roman-relic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trouble in Rome</a> after carving his and his girlfriend's name onto the walls of the Colosseum. </p> <p><em>Images: News.com.au</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Australia’s most expensive number plate breaks record

<p dir="ltr">Australia’s most rare licence plate has broken records in the days before it is set to be auctioned off, with the single-digit number plate expected to sell for over $10 million. </p> <p dir="ltr">Heritage number plates are in high demand amongst collectors, with the first plates coming out of each state only branded with a single number. </p> <p dir="ltr">The first ever NSW heritage plate, which was first made for the state's first police commissioner, is being auctioned off for the first time in over a century, with the plate simply reading “1” attracting nation-wide attention. </p> <p dir="ltr">The plate was last year <a href="https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotDetails.aspx?smode=0&amp;aid=47033&amp;lid=4617672&amp;_ga=2.27604924.1274045232.1705885942-1957527670.1705885942">listed</a> on Lloyds Auctions, where bidding soared to over $10 million within the first 72 hours on the site. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lloyds described the plates as “the holy grail must-have for any blue-chip passion investor or the no. 1 gift for that person who has ‘everything’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer Lee Hames called the plate a “unicorn” and said the public auction listing was “truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Generally, rare heritage plates such as these are usually passed down through generations within families,” Hames said.</p> <p dir="ltr">After being made for the police commissioner in 1910, the number 1 plate was then handed over to Sir Fredrick Stewart, the founding chairman of Australian National Airways, who held onto the plates until his death. </p> <p dir="ltr">The extraordinary value comes from the rarity of the plates, with only nine single digit number plates available in each state and territory.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These are as rare as hens’ teeth and the perfect addition to any rare classic or prestige vehicle,” Mr Hames continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In fact, you could potentially say that the number plate will be most likely worth MORE than the car you put it on.”</p> <p dir="ltr">At its current bidding levels, NSW 1 will be the most expensive number plate ever to sell in Australia.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 18pt;"><em>Image credits: Lloyds Auctions</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-345c72a0-7fff-c7dd-0126-edd3a30b52a7"></span></p>

Money & Banking

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Tony Bennett: the timeless visionary who, with a nod to America’s musical heritage, embraced the future

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jose-valentino-ruiz-1293457">Jose Valentino Ruiz</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a></em></p> <p>In the history of American popular music, there have been few luminaries as enduring and innovative as Tony Bennett.</p> <p>With a career that spanned almost 80 years, Bennett’s smooth tones, unique phrasing and visionary musical collaborations left an indelible mark on vocal jazz and the recording industry as a whole.</p> <p>That his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tony-bennett-dies-c3b3a7e2360449fb936a38794c7c3266">death at the age of 96</a> on July 21, 2023, was mourned by artists as varied as <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithUrban/status/1682395658395824133">Keith Urban</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OzzyOsbourne/status/1682411338340126720">Ozzy Osbourne</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/HarryConnickJR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1682411086656557056%7Ctwgr%5E04a78435a793b5246d7bc19e09529f2b2f0bcfab%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2023%2Fmusic%2Fnews%2Ftony-bennett-elton-john-reaction-tribute-1235676405%2F">Harry Connick Jr.</a> should come as no surprise. Yes, Bennett was a jazz crooner. But if his voice was always a constant – even late into his 80s, way past an age when most other singers have seen their vocal abilities diminish – then his embrace of the contemporary was every bit a facet of Bennett’s appeal.</p> <h2>Vocal innovator</h2> <p>Bennett’s journey is a testament to the power of daring innovation.</p> <p>From the early days of his career in the 1950s to his final recordings in the early 2020s, he fearlessly explored new musical territories, revolutionizing vocal jazz and captivating audiences across generations.</p> <p>His vocal style and phrasing were distinctive and set him apart from other artists of his time. He utilized a delayed or “laid-back” approach to falling on the note, a technique known as “<a href="https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/how-to-read-sheet-music/rubato/">rubato</a>.” This created a sense of anticipation in his phrasing, adding an element of surprise to his performances. Through Bennett’s skilled use of rubato, he was able to play with the tempo and rhythm of a song, bending and stretching musical phrases to evoke a range of emotions. This subtle manipulation of timing gave his songs a natural and conversational quality, making listeners feel as though he was intimately sharing his stories with them.</p> <p>Armed with this silky, playful voice, Bennett found fame fairly early on in his career, delivering jazz standards alongside the likes of Mel Tormé and Nat King Cole. By the mid-1960s, he was being touted by Frank Sinatra as “the best singer in the business.”</p> <p>But his musical style fell out of fashion in the 1970s – a lean period during which Bennett <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/07/21/tony-bennett-son-life-career-drugs/">almost succumbed to a drug overdose</a>. Then, in the 1990s, Bennett found a new audience and set off a series of collaborations with contemporary musical stars that would become the standard for his later career.</p> <p>No genre of artistry was deemed off-limits for Bennett. “<a href="https://www.tonybennett.com/music-detail.php?id=11">Duets: An American Classic</a>,” released to coincide with his 80th birthday in 2006, saw collaborations with country stars such as k.d. lang and the Dixie Chicks – now known as the Chicks – and soul legend Stevie Wonder, alongside kindred jazz spirits such as Diana Krall. “Duets II,” a 2011 follow-up, saw further explorations with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson and Amy Winehouse, in what would become the <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/amy-winehouse-final-recording-session/">British singer’s last recording</a>.</p> <p>But his cross-generational, cross-genre and cross-cultural appeal is perhaps best exemplified by his <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/arts/music/tony-bennett-lady-gaga.html">collaborations with Lady Gaga</a>, first on the 2014 Grammy-winning album “Cheek to Cheek.” The recording brought together two artists from different generations, genres and backgrounds, uniting them in a harmonious celebration of jazz classics. The collaboration not only showcased each one’s vocal prowess, but also sent a powerful message about the unifying nature of music.</p> <p>Lady Gaga, a pop artist with avant-garde leanings, might have seemed an unlikely partner for Bennett, the quintessential jazz crooner. Yet their musical chemistry and mutual admiration resulted in an album that mesmerized audiences worldwide. “Cheek to Cheek” effortlessly transcended musical boundaries, while the duo’s magnetic stage presence and undeniable talent enchanted listeners.</p> <p>The successful fusion of jazz and pop encouraged artists to experiment beyond traditional boundaries, leading to more cross-genre projects across the industry – proving that such projects could go beyond one-off novelties, and be profitable at that.</p> <h2>Timeless artistry</h2> <p>Bennett’s embrace of contemporary artists did not mean that he abandoned his own musical self. By blending traditional jazz with contemporary elements, he managed to captivate audiences across generations, appealing to both longtime fans and new listeners.</p> <p>One key aspect of Bennett’s success was his ability to embody the sentiment of old America, reminiscent of artists like Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, while infusing contemporary nuances that resonated with the human condition of a more modern era. His approach to music captured both the essence and struggle of America, giving his songs a timeless and universal appeal. Moreover, his voice conveyed familiarity and comfort, akin to listening to a beloved uncle.</p> <p>Bennett’s albums stood out not only for his soulful voice and impeccable delivery but also for the way he drew others from varied musical backgrounds into his world of jazz sensibilities. As a producer, he recognized the importance of nurturing creativity and bringing out the best in artists.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Bennett’s approach to evolving his own sound while preserving its essence sets him apart as an artist. Fearless in his pursuit of innovation, he delved into contemporary musical elements and collaborated with producers to infuse new sonic dimensions into his later albums. The result drew listeners into an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kNpdLZwetU">intimate and immersive, concert-like acoustic journey</a>.</p> <h2>Depth of emotion</h2> <p>The greats in music have an ability to speak to the human experience. And either in collaboration with others or on his own, Bennett was able to achieve this time and time again.</p> <p>His albums were successful not only due to their technical brilliance and musicality but also because Bennett’s voice conveyed a depth of emotion that transcended barriers of time and culture, touching the hearts of listeners from various backgrounds. There was a universality in his music that made him a beloved and revered artist across the globe.</p> <p>Bennett’s life spanned decades of societal upheavals in the United States. But in his music, listeners could always find beauty in challenging times. And as the 20th- and 21st-century American music industry went through its own revolutions, Bennett’s artistic evolution mirrored the changes, cementing his place as a music icon who defies the boundaries of time and trends.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210244/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2UxxnhUE5YLchYgutxKEbJ?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jose-valentino-ruiz-1293457">Jose Valentino Ruiz</a>, Program Director of Music Business &amp; Entrepreneurship, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>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/tony-bennett-the-timeless-visionary-who-with-a-nod-to-americas-musical-heritage-embraced-the-future-210244">original article</a>.</em></p>

Music

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Tourist busted for carving name into world's most famous Roman relic

<p dir="ltr">An Irish tourist has run himself headfirst into trouble in Rome after he was reportedly caught carving his name - and his girlfriend’s - into the Colosseum. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is said that he had been making his carvings, which were six-centimetre-tall initials, with a metal point - possibly his keys - and gouged into a pillar of the 2000-year-old historic monument.</p> <p dir="ltr">The inscription, dedicated to himself and his partner, reportedly read “Ivan+Haley 23”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Carabinieri police have claimed that the 32-year-old man was caught by private security at the World Heritage Site, and that social media videos of the incident alerted police to the alleged crime. </p> <p dir="ltr">The man has been accused of damaging the historical landmark, the Carabinieri confirmed to <em>CNN</em>, with the act considered to be a crime under Italian law. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Colosseum is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and also a World Heritage Site, and Italy’s Minister of Culture has called for the tourist to be “identified and sanctioned”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancée,” he tweeted, along with footage of the incident. “I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He later uploaded another video, accompanied by the scathing caption “Tourist scars the Colosseum.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="it">Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande inciviltà, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi più celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. <a href="https://t.co/p8Jss1GWuY">pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY</a></p> <p>— Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) <a href="https://twitter.com/g_sangiuliano/status/1673318742057525248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">If the man is convicted, he faces a penalty of at least €2,065 (~$3,370.7) and up to one year in prison, according to <em>CNN</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">And it isn’t the first time the Colosseum has been defaced by those seeking to carve out their place in history, with a Russian tourist facing a fine of €20,000 for carving the letter “K”. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s a serious offence in the hearts of many, with archaeologist Federica Rinaldi - who is responsible for the ancient amphitheatre - telling the publication that “the Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is a monument that deserves everyone’s respect because it belongs to everyone, and it must remain so,” Rinaldi added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carving one’s initials, in addition to being a crime, seems to be a gesture of those who want to appropriate the monument. Better take a selfie!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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1886 cottage of Australian icon goes under the hammer

<p dir="ltr">The home that once belonged to the woman featured on Australia’s $20 bill has been listed for an auction.</p> <p dir="ltr">Built around 1886, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Hunters Hill, in Sydney’s lower north shore, has been <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-140773923" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> with a $4.25 million price guide.</p> <p dir="ltr">The area was first settled by Mary Reibey, a convict who went on to become a successful businesswoman running her own shipping and trading enterprises.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since 1994, her face has been featured on the $20 note.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was known in the Hunters Hill area for building two small cottages to house convict labour for Figtree House, a farm that still stands today.</p> <p dir="ltr">If the home sells for its multi-million listing price and its new owner were to pay in $20 notes, they would need more than 210,000 - or about 10 briefcases worth.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its current owner, who wished not to be named, is selling the home after living there for a decade and is looking to downsize now their adult children have left home.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement shared with The Daily Telegraph, the vendors said they kept many of the original period features of the weatherboard home, including a vintage fireplace, out of a passion for its heritage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Over time the house was extended to take advantage of its perfect northern aspect, so its rambling layout has really suited our family, especially as the children got older,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We love sitting on the veranda soaking up the all-day sun, especially at this time of year when the area’s deciduous trees come into leaf and it’s awash with jacarandas.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hunters Hill has an incredible history on every corner – it truly feels like a little French village on the harbour.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While historic features have been maintained, the home has also had its share of updates, including French doors that open to the wraparound verandah and an island kitchen with a gas stove top and modern appliances.</p> <p dir="ltr">Simon Harrison, the principal agent at Belle Property Hunters Hill who listed the home, said the 524-square-metre property had already garnered some interest due to its character.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve had a lot of interest from growing families and young couples, it’s a great location and a character home that has really appealed to potential buyers,” Mr Harrison said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think the knee-jerk reaction to the initial interest rate rises has settled down and we’re now seeing a new norm where buyers are willing to pay the right price for weatherboard homes like this one which don’t come around too often.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9d9169f0-7fff-d5b7-6276-415291aeebe9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Belle Property Hunters Hill</em></p>

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From crumbling rock art to exposed ancestral remains, climate change is ravaging our precious Indigenous heritage

<p>Climate change is rapidly intensifying. Amid the chaos and damage it wreaks, many precious Indigenous heritage sites in Australia and around the world are being destroyed at an alarming rate.</p> <p>Sea-level rise, flooding, worsening bushfires and other human-caused climate events put many archaeological and heritage sites at risk. Already, culturally significant Indigenous sites have been lost or are gravely threatened.</p> <p>For example, in Northern Australia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/nov/16/global-heating-is-destroying-rock-art-tens-of-thousands-of-years-old-experts-warn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rock art</a> tens of thousands of years old has been destroyed by cyclones, bushfires and other extreme weather events.</p> <p>And as we outline below, ancestral remains in the Torres Strait were last year almost washed away by king tides and storm surge.</p> <p>These examples of loss are just the beginning, unless we act. By combining Indigenous <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13549839.2015.1036414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Traditional Knowledge</a> with Western scientific approaches, communities can prioritise what heritage to save.</p> <h2>Indigenous heritage on the brink</h2> <p>Indigenous Australians are one of the longest living cultures on Earth. They have maintained their cultural and sacred sites for millennia.</p> <p>In July, Traditional Owners from across Australia attended a <a href="https://drm4heritage.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">workshop</a> on disaster risk management at Flinders University. The participants, who work on Country as cultural heritage managers and rangers, hailed from as far afield as the Torres Strait Islands and Tasmania.</p> <p>Here, three of these Traditional Owners describe cultural heritage losses they’ve witnessed, or fear will occur in the near future.</p> <p><strong>- Enid Tom, Kaurareg Elder and a director of Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation:</strong></p> <p>Coastal erosion and seawater inundation have long threatened the Torres Strait. But now efforts to deal with the problem have taken on new urgency.</p> <p>In February last year, king tides and a storm surge eroded parts of a beach on Muralug (or Prince of Wales) Island. Aboriginal custodians and archaeologists rushed to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-05/ancestral-remains-uncovered-torres-strait-due-to-climate-change/101387964" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one site</a> where a female ancestor was buried. They excavated the skeletal remains and reburied them at a safe location.</p> <p>It was the first time such a site had been excavated at the island. Kaurareg Elders now worry coastal erosion will uncover and potentially destroy more burial sites.</p> <p><strong>- Marcus Lacey, Senior Gumurr Marthakal Indigenous Ranger:</strong></p> <p>The Marthakal Indigenous Protected Area covers remote islands and coastal mainland areas in the Northern Territory’s North Eastern Arnhem Land. It has an average elevation of just one metre above sea level, and is highly vulnerable to climate change-related hazards such as severe tropical cyclones and sea level rise.</p> <p>The area is the last remnant of the ancient <a href="https://users.monash.edu.au/~mcoller/SahulTime/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">land bridge</a> joining Australia with Southeast Asia. As such, it can provide valuable <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-42946-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">information</a> about the first colonisation of Australia by First Nations people.</p> <p>It is also an important place for understanding <a href="https://artreview.com/fragmented-histories-the-yolngu-macassan-exchange/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contact history</a> between Aboriginal Australians and the Indonesian Maccassans, dating back <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/indonesian/en/article/deep-ties-between-indigenous-australians-and-indonesias-macassans-celebrated-through-song-and-dance/rg6x9g1l4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">some 400 years</a>.</p> <p>What’s more, the area provides insights into Australia’s colonial history, such as Indigenous rock art depicting the ships of British navigator Matthew Flinders. Sea level rise and king tides mean this valuable piece of Australia’s history is now being eroded.</p> <p>- Shawnee Gorringe, operations administrator at Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation:</p> <p>On Mithaka land, in remote Queensland, lie important Indigenous heritage sites such as <a href="https://anthropologymuseum.uq.edu.au/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/kirrenderri-heart-channel-country" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stone circles</a>, fireplaces and examples of traditional First Nations water management infrastructure.</p> <p>But repeated drought risks destroying these sites – a threat compounded by erosion from over-grazing.</p> <p>To help solve these issues, we desperately need Indigenous leadership and participation in decision-making at local, state and federal levels. This is the only way to achieve a sustainable future for environmental and heritage protection.</p> <p>Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation general manager Joshua Gorringe has been invited to the United Nations’ COP27 climate conference in Egypt in November. This is a step in the right direction.</p> <h2>So what now?</h2> <p>The loss of Indigenous heritage to climate change requires <a href="https://www.icomos.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Secretariat/2022/TSP/ADCOMSC_202110_2-1_Trienial_Scientific_Plan_EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immediate action</a>. This should involve rigorous assessment of threatened sites, prioritising those most at risk, and taking steps to mitigate damage.</p> <p>This work should be undertaken not only by scientists, engineers and heritage workers, but first and foremost by the Indigenous communities themselves, using Traditional Knowledge.</p> <p>Last year’s COP26 global climate conference included a <a href="https://www.cultureatcop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate heritage agenda</a>. This allowed global <a href="https://unfccc.int/news/cop26-strengthens-role-of-indigenous-experts-and-stewardship-of-nature" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indigenous voices</a> to be heard. But unfortunately, Indigenous heritage is often excluded from discussions about climate change.</p> <p>Addressing this requires doing away with the usual “top down” Western, neo-colonial approach which many Indigenous communities see as exclusive and ineffective. Instead, a “bottom up” approach should be adopted through inclusive and long-term initiatives such as <a href="https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/research_pub/benefits-cfc_0_2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caring for Country</a>.</p> <p>This approach should draw on Indigenous knowledge – often passed down <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/edge-of-memory-9781472943262/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">orally</a> – of how to manage risk. This should be combined with Western climate science, as well as the expertise of governments and other organisations.</p> <p>Incorporating Indigenous knowledge into cultural heritage policies and procedures will not just improve heritage protection. It would empower Indigenous communities in the face of the growing climate emergency.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-crumbling-rock-art-to-exposed-ancestral-remains-climate-change-is-ravaging-our-precious-indigenous-heritage-188454" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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CCTV footage emerges in suspicious house fire case

<p dir="ltr">CCTV footage of a person fleeing from a $24 million heritage-listed mansion engulfed in flames has been released by police, after the home on Sydney’s lower north shore was ablaze <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/sydney-mega-mansion-destroyed-by-fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earlier this month</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After reports of a major house fire on Saturday, September 3 - including 30 calls made to triple zero - emergency services descended on the waterfront home in Northwood, with 50 firefighters working for two hours to extinguish the flames.</p> <p dir="ltr">The house sustained significant damage, but no-one was at home at the time and no injuries were reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">NSW Police have since determined the fire was deliberately lit, with detectives believing an accelerant was used.</p> <p dir="ltr">Detective Chief Inspector Richard Puffett, coordinator of the financial crimes squad’s arson unit, told reporters on Monday that the authorities were looking at a “number of possible persons of interest”, as well as “a number of motives”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said that one of several lines of enquiry investigators are establishing relates to a development application process, lodged by owner Ouyang “Owen” Chen several months before he bought the property.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Chen, who is now assisting police with their inquiries, lodged an application with Lane Cove Council to demolish the house he owned next door and build a four-storey residence at a cost of $5 million instead.</p> <p dir="ltr">The application was knocked back in October, with a nine-page document detailing multiple objections including issues with bulk and scale of the project, as well as having “an unacceptable impact on the heritage” house next door.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Chen then lodged a review of the rejection in July.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home, one of the oldest in Northwood, was built in 1915 and previously owned by travel industry doyenne Mary Rossi.</p> <p dir="ltr">Claudia Rossi Hudsdon, one of ten children raised in the home by Mary and Theo Russi, said the fire had shocked the family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The loss was really when we sold the family home last year, but at the time we thought we’d always be able to drive by and remember what a joyous and happy life we had in that house,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">As investigations continue, detectives hope that the CCTV footage, which shows a person of interest entering and exiting the property around the time the fire was lit, would prompt anyone with information to come forward.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the footage, a person wearing dark clothes can be seen walking into the property from the road, and leaving just after 10.30pm as the house catches alight. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There are people out there who know more about this fire,” Detective Chief Inspector Puffett said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Detectives are also calling on anyone with dashcam footage from vehicles that were driving along or parked on Cliff Road on September 3 to come forward.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3a1465c7-7fff-7cd5-44a1-55cadc0e8050"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: NSW Police</em></p>

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Aggressive prostate cancer might be linked to ancestral heritage

<p>Globally prostate cancer was the second most frequent cancer, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death, among men in 2020.</p> <p>It was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2018 (and is estimated to remain so in 2022); a man has a 1 in 6 (or 17%) risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.</p> <p>But not everyone on Earth is similarly affected by the disease, in fact there are significant differences in the severity of prostate cancer across different ethnicities – particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, where mortality rates are 2.7 times higher than global averages.</p> <p>But is it ancestry, geography, or a combination of the two, that’s causing this variation? To address this question, researchers sequenced the genetics of prostate cancer tumours from South African, Brazilian, and Australian donors.</p> <p>The results, which have been published in two new studies in Nature and Genome Medicine, identified new prostate cancer subtypes and cancer drivers that can distinguish a patient’s ancestry and predict whether the cancer might become life-threatening.</p> <p>“Our understanding of prostate cancer has been severely limited by a research focus on Western populations,” says senior author, Professor Vanessa Hayes, genomicist and Petre Chair of Prostate Cancer Research at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health in Australia.</p> <p>“We found Africans to be impacted by a greater number and spectrum of acquired (including cancer driver) genetic alterations, with significant implications for ancestral consideration when managing and treating prostate cancer,” Hayes says.</p> <h2>Africans’ prostate cancer tumours have more mutations</h2> <p>The researchers sequenced the genomes of untreated prostate cancer samples collected from 183 patients – including 123 South African, 53 Australian, and 7 Brazilian individuals – and were able to identify around 2 million genetic variants (mutations) involved in the cancer.</p> <p>“What was unique about this study is that we sequenced – it means we read the entire DNA sequence of the tumour and blood – from the Africans and Australians in the exact same batch, everything was done in Australia,” explains Hayes.</p> <p>“And that was really important, because that meant the samples went through one technical pipeline and one analysis pipeline.”</p> <p>This was necessary so that the genomic data of all the patients in the study, whether from Australia, Brazil, or South Africa, could be compared – like apples to apples.</p> <p>“Most Australian men, nine out of ten actually, will die with prostate cancer rather than from prostate cancer. We have no idea what distinguishes that one of the ten Australians on the line-up, so we actually have to look away from Australia to try and understand the context,” says Hayes.</p> <p>And they found significant differences between the tumours of people with African ancestry compared to those from Europe. In Africans, the tumours were more mutated – they had a higher tumour mutational burden.</p> <p>According to Hayes, this is important because small mutational events are usually not as common in prostate cancer, like they are in melanoma or lung cancer. And, unlike UV exposure with melanoma or smoking with lung cancer, there is no known carcinogenic driver for prostate cancer.</p> <p>“What we saw in Africans is that the burden of these small changes was higher than in Australians, which raises the idea: is there some carcinogen, some environmental exposure within Africa, which is contributing to aggressive prostate cancer in the region?</p> <p>“So, if we can identify it, then maybe that is what that one of the ten Australian men were also exposed to in their lifetime.”</p> <h2>New ways to classify prostate cancer subtypes</h2> <p>Using computational data science, the team was able to classify the prostate cancers into four different subtypes called global mutational subtypes (GMS).</p> <p>“Combining our unique dataset with the largest public data source of European and Chinese cancer genomes allowed us, for the first time, to place the African prostate cancer genomic landscape into a global context,” says Dr Weerachai Jaratlerdsiri, a computational biologist from the University of Sydney and first author on the Nature paper.</p> <p>Because the patients’ genomes had been sequenced from samples of their blood as well as the tumours, the researchers were able to define their genetic ancestries. Hayes says it’s like doing Ancestry.com but on steroids, because while “Ancestry.com only looks at 600,000 letters across the DNA, we looked at 7 million.”</p> <p>They identified two cancer subtypes – GMS-B and GMS-D – that were only found in the populations with African ancestry.</p> <p>They also identified the universal GMS-A subtype (which occurred in all ethnicities) and the GMS-C subtype – seen in people with African ancestry and people with European ancestry. Those with the GMS-C subtype were significantly more likely to die from prostate cancer than the other subtypes, and clinicians will now be able to use this finding as a prognostic marker to determine whether someone might experience poor clinical outcomes.</p> <p>Five of the South Africans included in the study had European ancestry, but their families had lived in South Africa for multiple generations. Interestingly, one of them had a tumour categorised as a GMS-D subtype, despite this otherwise only having been seen in patients with African ancestry.</p> <p>The team have now received funding to look at a further 100 Africans with European ancestry, but whose ancestors had lived in Africa for generations, to see whether there is a geographical, environmental aspect that might be contributing to the accumulation of these types of mutations.</p> <h2>Opening up new avenues for treatment</h2> <p>The second paper, published in Genome Medicine, focused on the large and dramatic changes to the genome, called “structural variations”, that prostate cancer is prone to. For instance, parts of the chromosome break off, delete, or insert themselves somewhere else, or the chromosomes shatter and come back together again causing rearrangements.</p> <p>These are difficult to locate in the genome because scientists have to use computational methods to infer whether these mutations are there or not. But by using multiple different computational tools the researchers were able to identify brand new mutational drivers of prostate cancer – genes not previously known to be involved in prostate cancer.</p> <p>This opens up new opportunities for treatment, because knowing these drivers allows scientists to design new therapeutic targets or repurpose existing drugs that may already be used to target these genes in other diseases.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/prostate-cancer-ancestral-heritage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Imma Perfetto.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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The Great Barrier Reef – what does a new Labor government mean for its future?

<p>The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981, and with good reason – it’s the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms. It’s an Australian icon intrinsically tied to our national identity, but the reef is in danger due to the effects of climate change.</p> <p>Just this past summer it experienced its fourth mass-bleaching event in seven years, with 91% of the reef experiencing some level of bleaching according to the summer 2021-22 Reef Snapshot report.</p> <p>Every Federal election, the Great Barrier Reef becomes a bit of a poster child for climate change, but what does the recent change in government actually mean for its future? The Labor government’s climate policies are more ambitious than those of the Coalition, but will it be enough to save the reef from devastation? Are we finally taking steps in the right direction?</p> <h2>Climate change and its impact on the reef</h2> <p>The effects of climate change are being felt majorly by the Great Barrier Reef already. Especially apparent are the mass coral-bleaching events caused by increasing ocean temperatures as a result of global warming.</p> <p>“Corals can (and frequently do) recover from bleaching, but just like forest recovery after a bushfire, they need time, and the speed of the recovery can vary depending on the severity of the heatwave and the types of corals growing on the reef,” explains Dr Emma Kennedy, a research scientist in Coral Reef Ecology at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).</p> <p>But according to Dr Jodie Rummer, associate professor at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, these events are only going to become more frequent.</p> <p>“With the trajectory that we’re on right now, what we’ll seeing by even the year 2044 is annual mass-bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef, and coral reefs worldwide,” she says. “Even our more robust coral species require eight to 10 years to fully recover from these repeated heat waves.</p> <p>“We’re just losing that window of recovery for not only the coral reef and the coral organisms, but also all the other organisms that the coral reef supports.”</p> <p>Current greenhouse gas emissions trajectories indicate that globally we’re tracking towards an increase in global temperatures approaching 3°C above pre-industrial levels, by 2100.</p> <p>This is incompatible with healthy, thriving reefs. If warming exceeds 1.5°C  “we would lose the reef altogether,” warns Rummer.</p> <h2>Labor’s Great Barrier Reef policies</h2> <p>With a new government comes new targets and policies that affect the reef. To start with, let’s look at the funding.</p> <p>The Labor government has promised to invest almost $1.2 billion in reef preservation and restoration by 2030 – that’s an extra $194.5 million on top of the LNP’s existing $1 billion reef package.</p> <p>This money will be used to tackle issues such as pollution from agricultural runoff, a more sustainable fishing sector, funding scientific research into thermal-tolerant corals, and funding protection and restoration work by Indigenous ranger organisations.</p> <p>The government also plans to continue and double the funding of the Reef 2050 Plan, which was initially released in 2015 to address the concerns of the World Heritage Committee.</p> <p>“It’s an awful lot of money, but it actually isn’t a lot of money when you think of it like $100 million each year,” says Dr Maxine Newlands, political scientist at James Cook University, Australia. “That’s not very much given the size of the Great Barrier Reef and what needs to be done.”</p> <p>It’s also important to keep in mind that the electorates that fringe the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland are Liberal seats. It remains to be seen whether there will be any opposition to funds being directed at the Great Barrier Reef – or calls for it to be redirected elsewhere, such as to farming, instead.</p> <p>But while it’s important to be mindful of these second and tertiary stressors to the reef, and to be acting on them, if we’re not addressing the number-one stressor that the Great Barrier Reef is facing – climate change – we’re not getting to the heart of the problem.</p> <p>“No more band aids on arterial wounds,” emphasises Rummer.</p> <p>“So, the money is great,” she adds. “And in terms of research, management and policy, we absolutely need it right now.”</p> <p>But the ideal is money being allocated toward reducing impacts of climate change – like the triple threat of global warming, ocean acidification and declining ocean oxygen levels.</p> <h2>Emissions reductions targets must be increased</h2> <p>Speaking of the reef’s number-one stressor, the outcome of this election has started Australia moving towards more action on climate change.</p> <p>The Labor government’s energy plan includes a target of a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, which is far more ambitious than the previous 26% to 28% target set by the Coalition. The previous government’s policies were consistent with 3˚C of warming, whilst Labor’s policy is consistent with 2˚C, according to a report by Climate Analytics.</p> <p>It’s definitely a step in the right direction, but not enough to ensure the survival of the reef. Instead, the Greens’ target of a 74% emissions reduction, and teal independents’ targets of a 60% reduction, are consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.</p> <p>With an unprecedented number of Greens candidates and the “teal wave” of independents elected into the crossbench, it’s a sign of shifting public sentiment.</p> <p>“It’s put a bit of a magnifying glass onto the policies of the two major parties, because while I think climate change is always an issue, it’s become more prominent in this election,” says Newlands.</p> <p>According to Newlands, the presence of these climate-forward members is likely to “either expedite the current target of net zero by 2050, or at least have that conversation of ‘well, that’s not enough but what is?’</p> <p>“Having those independents in will keep climate change on the political agenda. So, it puts pressure on particularly Labor, but Liberals as well, to address that.”</p> <p>The 2020s are a critical decade for climate and we’re already two years in. But we have the opportunity to catalyse action on climate change and take the necessary steps to ensure the continued survival of the Great Barrier Reef.</p> <p>“No other developed country in the world has more to lose from inaction on climate change than we do,” says Rummer. “But we also have the most to gain.</p> <p>“It’s important to look forward into the future with a lot of optimism.”</p> <p>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/great-barrier-reef-labor-government/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Imma Perfetto.</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Antarctic Heritage Trust offers up dream jobs

<p dir="ltr">If your dream job involves living in one of the most remote places on Earth and waking up to count penguins, then the Antarctic Heritage Trust has your back. </p> <p dir="ltr">The UK branch of the trust is hiring a base leader, shop manager and general assistant for their Port Lockroy location in Antarctica. </p> <p dir="ltr">The roles of the job are to help protect the heritage, conserve its environment and share its rich history with about 18,000 visitors each season.</p> <p dir="ltr">The successful applicants will spend five months from November to March at Base ‘A’ – an historic British base situated on the tiny Goudier Island off the Antarctic Peninsula.</p> <p dir="ltr">The main tasks of the job include managing a gift shop and British Antarctic Territory Post Office on the site, as well as overseeing the annual maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and artefacts and wildlife observations for the British Antarctic Survey.</p> <p dir="ltr">While this unique opportunity may be a dream job for some, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust said Antarctica is a physically and mentally challenging workplace for many reasons.</p> <p dir="ltr">During summer months, temperatures vary between -5C and 10C, with overcast days and windchill often making it feel much colder. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s also worth noting that there is no running water on the island. </p> <p dir="ltr">Water is collected in jerry cans from visiting ships, which will also offer showers every few days.</p> <p dir="ltr">There is also no flushing toilet at the base, with the basic living quarters involving a singular shared bedroom for all staff. </p> <p dir="ltr">The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s flagship historic site was established in 1944 and operated as a British research station until it closed in 1962. </p> <p dir="ltr">In 1996, Port Lockroy was restored as a living museum, and has operated during the Austral summer as a visitor site welcoming those who travel to Antarctica on expedition vessels and yachts.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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$4 million beach shack on sale for first time in 100 years

<p dir="ltr">A one-bedroom beach shack near Jervis Bay, NSW, has <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/5-beecroft-parade-currarong-nsw-2540-2017558900?utm_source=smh&amp;utm_campaign=property-widget&amp;utm_medium=driver&amp;utm_content=2017558900" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit the market</a> for the first time in almost a century - but prospective owners may need to front up with $4 million to get their hands on it.</p><p dir="ltr">Less than a three-hour drive from Sydney, the humble beachside property - complete with an outdoor shower - has been owned by the same family since it was built in the 1930s.</p><p dir="ltr">“It’s been in the Macken and Mark Foy family since the 1930s,” selling agent Carrie Bond of Bond Lifestyle Properties <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/the-one-bedroom-jervis-bay-beach-shack-with-a-starting-price-of-4-million-20220205-p59u2y.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">“It was actually four blocks of land originally in the family.</p><p dir="ltr">“It’s now onto its fifth generation.”</p><p dir="ltr">Mark Foy, the businessman who first built the home, was well-known for establishing Mark Foy’s Emporium in Sydney, now the Downing Centre, as well as the Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains.</p><p dir="ltr">According to property records, the home is now held by the Frasers, who are part of the same family.</p><p dir="ltr">The home, featuring a sea-green exterior that blends into its surroundings, is set against the bushy backdrop of Beecroft Peninsula, which forms the northern headland of Jervis Bay.</p><p dir="ltr">Though the home may be small by most standards, it stands out for its proximity to the Jervis Bay Marine Park, with a crystal clear rock pool within a stone’s throw of the front yard, as well as its location next to Abraham’s Bosom Beach, Currarong’s main protected beach.</p><p dir="ltr">“You virtually have your own marine park at your doorstep. There are fairy penguins, stingrays, seals, turtles, dolphins, and you can even watch the whales migrate,” Ms Bond said.</p><p dir="ltr">“It’s one of the few beachfront properties where you can watch the sunset from the water because of its aspect.”</p><p dir="ltr">Inside, the cottage is in virtually original condition and features family history throughout in the form of paintings and photos.</p><p dir="ltr">The 695.6-square-metre property comes with a price guide of $4 million, but the high price hasn’t stopped the 200 inquiries Ms Bond has received from Sydneysiders and locals alike.</p><p dir="ltr">“It is very difficult to place a definitive price on any property on the South Coast because we don’t know where it’s going to go,” she said.</p><p dir="ltr">“The inquiry has been incredible, and it is from everywhere.</p><p dir="ltr">“A lot of people love that it’s not over commercialised like some of the other areas of Jervis Bay.”</p><p dir="ltr">With the first open home attracting 30 groups of buyers, including some from Sydney, the property is sure to find a new owner when it heads to auction on February 26.</p><p dir="ltr">“It’s waiting for its next custodian, hopefully it’ll be another generational thing,” Ms Bond said.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Domain</em></p>

Real Estate

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“Proud of my heritage”: Barty’s emotional speech

<p><em>Image: 9News</em></p> <p>Former tennis star turned commentator Jelena Dokic became emotional and teared up as she spoke to Ash Barty for her on-court interview after defeating Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes.</p> <p>Much like the rest of the country, Dokic is clearly a big-time Barty supporter, as she found it unmistakably difficult to keep her composure as she chatted on-mic with the superstar on Centre Court after her win, where she immediately recalled another of Barty's victories.</p> <p>“I want to first congratulate you on your Wimbledon win. I think I speak — not I think, I’m sure — I speak for everyone here, everyone in Australia, around the world, particularly myself — thank you,” Dokic said.</p> <p>“You gave us so much joy watching that last year. You made us so proud. I get goosebumps right now. I just want to hug you but I can’t.</p> <p>“There are no words to describe what you’ve done so thankyou for that.</p> <p>“Now I’m going to lose all my questions.”</p> <p>Then it was Barty's turn to speak, as she talked about her Indigenous heritage while three young fans waved the Australian Aboriginal flag from the stands.</p> <p>“I think I’m my most comfortable self when I’m out on the court … I’m a very, very proud Indigenous woman. I love my heritage, I love to celebrate my heritage,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s what connects me to all of you here today. It’s what connects me to the land.”</p> <p>The exchange melted hearts. Tennis writer Prajwal Hegde tweeted: “Jelena Dokic’s on-court interview of Ash Barty — Wimbledon, Indigenous heritage, expression — was outstanding. The world No. 1 is Australia’s and is much loved.”</p> <p>It’s not the first time Dokic has welled up speaking about Barty. After the 25-year-old won Wimbledon last year, Dokic became emotional on live TV as she praised the role the Queenslander’s parents have played in raising her to become such an admirable role model.</p> <p>“I just want to get this out before I fall apart. So give me 15 seconds,” Dokic told Nine in July.</p> <p>“I want to give a shout out to her parents, obviously Josie and Rob, because people underestimate the importance of family. She talks about that all the time.</p> <p>“And as someone who didn’t have that support, it is so important. This will set an example for parents in Australia and around the world, not just how to raise a champion but a genuinely wonderful human being."</p> <p>“This is how you support them. You don’t pressure them, you’re there for them and this is why she is there, so big shout out to them, well done.”</p>

News

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10 awe-inspiring UNESCO world heritage sites everyone needs to visit

<p><strong>Taj Mahal </strong></p> <p>The Taj Mahal is universally recognised as the greatest masterpiece in Indo-Islamic architecture. The white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.</p> <p>Spatial grandeur, arches, domes, relief work and precious stone inlay are among its defining characteristics.</p> <p><strong>Angkor Wat</strong></p> <p><span>Exploring the mysteries Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is an unforgettable bucket list trip. </span></p> <p><span>Part of one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia (the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 14th century), this massive temple complex was originally constructed as a Hindu place of worship for the god Vishnu and is the largest religious structure on the planet!</span></p> <p><strong>Great Barrier Reef</strong></p> <p><span>The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland Australia, is the largest living thing on earth. </span><span>It’s so huge that you can see it from outer space! </span></p> <p><span>Stretching for over 2,300 kilometres, this ecosystem is home to a diversity of marine line, including 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish, and 4000 varieties of molluscs. </span></p> <p><span>Not surprisingly it’s a magnet for scuba divers.</span></p> <p><strong>Plitvice Lakes National Park</strong></p> <p><span>Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is located halfway between Zagreb and Zadar. </span></p> <p><span>This idyllic oasis is renowned for its 16 crystalline lakes connected by a series of exquisite waterfalls, splendid caves and lush forests. </span></p> <p><span>Each year, more than one million visitors flock to this natural paradise, making it Croatia’s main tourist attraction.</span></p> <p><strong>The Parthenon</strong></p> <p><span>The Acropolis of Athens is an enduring symbol of Classical Greece. </span></p> <p><span>The crown jewel of this hilltop citadel is the Parthenon, a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. </span></p> <p><span>Built by Ictinus and Callicrates, beginning in 447 BCE, this Doric icon is regarded as the most important surviving ancient Greek monument.</span></p> <p><strong>Grand Canyon</strong></p> <p><span>Words don’t do even begin to do justice to the glory of the Grand Canyon. </span></p> <p><span>Formed by Colorado River activity over the past six million years, it’s one of the longest and deepest gorges (averaging 1,600m in depth) on earth. I</span><span>ts immense size and layered red rocks make it a must-see-before-you-die attraction. </span></p> <p><span>Want to bring your four-legged friend along? The Grand Canyon is also pet-friendly!</span></p> <p><strong>Los Glaciares National Park</strong></p> <p><span>Located in the southwest of Santa Cruz province of the Argentine part of Patagonia in a remote area known as the Austral Andes, Los Glaciares National Park is a rugged paradise of granite peaks, lakes and numerous glaciers that cover half the 600,000-hectare expanse. </span></p> <p><span>Traversing this spectacular scenery is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.</span></p> <p><strong>Jeronimos Monastery</strong></p> <p><span>Travel to the Belem district at the entrance to the port of Lisbon to find the Jeronimos Monastery, which dates back to the 15th century. </span></p> <p><span>This highly ornate religious building was constructed and donated to the monks of Saint Hieronymus to pray for sailors on their voyages. </span></p> <p><span>Its cloisters, columns, arcades and complex ornamentation are characteristic of Portuguese Gothic style.</span></p> <p><strong>Old Québec</strong></p> <p><span>Founded by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Québec is among the oldest settlements in North America (and one of the most popular travel destinations in Canada). </span></p> <p><span>Centuries-old charm is on full display in its impeccably preserved historic district, a shining example of a fortified colonial city with cobblestone lanes, churches, convents and landmarks like Château Frontenac and Place Royal.</span></p> <p><strong>Iguazu Falls</strong><span></span></p> <p><span>Stretching 2.7 kilometres across Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is the largest system of waterfalls in the world. </span></p> <p><span>The sheer size, thunderous sound and spectacle of these 275 individual cascades – including the 82-metre-tall Devil’s Throat – is truly jaw-dropping. </span></p> <p><span>The exotic flora and fauna of the surrounding rainforest add to the allure.</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/10-awe-inspiring-unesco-world-heritage-sites-everyone-needs-to-visit" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Berlin music campaigners fight for Unesco world heritage status

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ever since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, music fans from across the world have flocked to the German capital for the world-famous techno culture. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But now, like a lot of global businesses and institutions, Berlin’s renowned clubs such as Tresor and Berghain are in danger of financial ruin as a result of the pandemic. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a result, DJs and music enthusiasts are campaigning to secure Unesco world heritage status to protect the countercultural genre. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Berlin-based DJ Alan Oldham said recognition from Unesco would help to protect key venues and boost tourism for the city.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He told </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/05/beat-that-berlins-techno-djs-seek-unesco-world-heritage-status"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Observer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, "Unesco protection would go a long way towards maintaining that old spirit.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Legacy venues like Tresor and Berghain for example would be protected as cultural landmarks. So many venues have closed in just the seven years I've lived here full-time.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"In other cities, it would be the natural club cycle at work, but Berlin is a different kind of place, where the club and creative scenes are the currency of the city."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support has been growing for the campaign, which was spearheaded by berlin-based organisation </span><a href="https://www.ravetheplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rave The Planet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, who say the techno scene should be protected “as an intangible cultural heritage.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Unesco status is granted to the clubs, they would get extra protection under city planning laws, as well as access to government subsidies and other funding. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Music

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Australia has a heritage conservation problem. Can farming and Aboriginal heritage protection co-exist?

<p>Rio Tinto’s destruction of the 46,000 year old Juukan Gorge rock shelters has led to recommendations by the Parliamentary Inquiry on <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024757/toc_pdf/AWayForward.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf">how Australia can better conserve Aboriginal heritage sites</a>.</p> <p>Around the time the recommendations were made, Queensland’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act faced an important test when a pastoralist who cleared 500 hectares of bushland at Kingvale Station in Cape York <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/qld-country-hour/scott-harris-cleared-of-breaching-cultural-heritage-act/13592850">was charged</a> with failing to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.</p> <p>The charges were eventually <a href="https://www.northqueenslandregister.com.au/story/7474626/cultural-heritage-charges-against-scott-harris-dismissed/">dismissed</a> but the prosecution, the first of its kind in Queensland, highlights weaknesses in the law.</p> <p>Like related legislation in other Australian states and territories, Queensland’s law requires landholders to conserve Aboriginal heritage sites or risk prosecution.</p> <p>But the law has been criticised by many Aboriginal people and heritage specialists for allowing destructive development by removing any ability for government to independently assess how proposed clearing would affect Aboriginal heritage.</p> <p>Under the “duty of care” provisions in the Act, Aboriginal heritage must be protected even if it is not known to landholders. However, as the Kingvale clearing case heard, if Aboriginal heritage is not known, how can it be shown to have been lost?</p> <h2>What we learned from the Kingvale clearing case</h2> <p>In 2013, the former Newman government in Queensland removed protection for the environment by introducing the Vegetation Management Act which enabled clearing of what they deemed as “high value agricultural projects” in Cape York.</p> <p>The World Wildlife Foundation argued this would see large areas of forest and bushland destroyed. Advocates for the new Act <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2013-05-22/veg-law-pass/4705890">argued</a> primary producers are “acutely aware of their responsibility to care for the environment”.</p> <p>In opening up new areas of Cape York to clearing, this legislation posed new threats to heritage sites. In this context the landholder of Kingvale decided he did not need to assess cultural heritage when clearing 500 hectares.</p> <p>At the conclusion of the hearing into this case, Judge Julie Dick of the Cairns District Court instructed the jury to return <a href="https://www.cairnspost.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CPWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&amp;dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cairnspost.com.au%2Fnews%2Fcairns%2Fcape-york-grazier-cleared-of-criminal-land-clearing-charges%2Fnews-story%2F1d124158e58936a302f1ee5d159ad841&amp;memtype=anonymous&amp;mode=premium">a not-guilty verdict</a>, exonerating the landholder, as the offence could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.</p> <p>The landholder’s legal team noted in the media if their defendant had been found guilty, every landholder (including freeholders) who had cleared land, built a fence or firebreak, ploughed a paddock, or built a road or airstrip since 2003 would potentially be guilty of a criminal offence.</p> <p>The defendant argued the ramifications of the legal case were significant</p> <blockquote> <p>for the rest of Queensland […] anyone who mowed a lawn or cut down a tree since 2003 would be automatically liable.</p> </blockquote> <p>In our view, this is hyperbole. <a href="https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/2016-09-27/act-2003-079">Section 21 of the Act</a> makes explicit a person’s right to enjoy the normal and allowed use of their land to the extent they don’t harm Aboriginal heritage.</p> <p>Further, a person doesn’t commit an offence if they take into account the nature of the activity and the likelihood of it causing harm. Mowing the lawn is quite different to clearing 500 hectares of native vegetation.</p> <p>The setting of this activity is also important. Kingvale Station is located 100 kilometres west of the national heritage listed Quinkan Country. Heritage studies in similar landscapes across Cape York have identified scarred trees, artefact scatters, stone arrangements and cultural burial places.</p> <p>Based on our heritage experience across Queensland, it would be surprising not to find Aboriginal heritage sites at Kingvale.</p> <p>To reduce heritage risks, we assess the potential impacts of an activity, and talk with relevant Aboriginal groups about their sites and heritage values. Archaeologists and anthropologists also develop models to predict where unknown sites are likely to be found.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/431020/original/file-20211109-23-aylfq7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /> <span class="caption">Recorded archaeological sites across Cape York. The distribution pattern reflects several key heritage surveys. It is expected that cultural sites would be found across the cape, including within the 500 hectares cleared at Kingvale. Image by Kelsey M. Lowe.</span></p> <h2>Can farming and the conservation of Aboriginal heritage co-exist?</h2> <p>The best way to conserve heritage is for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to work together to identify, document, and protect places. An important example is the discovery of human remains from a mortuary tree west of St George, southern Queensland.</p> <p>The site was discovered during fence clearing by the landholder, who contacted the police. We worked with the landholder who has supported the Kooma nations people to conserve the mortuary tree and enable it to remain on country.</p> <p><iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qKJs23hwLXA?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><span class="caption">Courtesy of Tony Miscamble, NGH Consulting.</span></p> <p>A further example from Mithaka Country saw a spectacular stone arrangement discovered by a pastoral station manager, who notified the native title holders.</p> <p>All are now engaging with researchers to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&amp;dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fstones-point-way-to-indigenous-silk-road%2Fnews-story%2F8318b531d82263beab4afd089fd8d559&amp;memtype=anonymous&amp;mode=premium">investigate the site’s history</a>.</p> <p>Dozens of other examples around the state illustrate collaborative approaches to heritage conservation. But more effective legislation is urgently needed in response to Kingvale’s failed prosecution.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/430631/original/file-20211107-10010-f752su.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /> <span class="caption">A spectacular stone arrangement from Mithaka country. Image courtesy of Lyndon Mechielsen</span></p> <h2>How can we improve cultural heritage protection?</h2> <p>The Juukan Gorge case highlighted how Australia has a problem protecting its Aboriginal cultural heritage. The final report of the parliamentary inquiry into the disaster made several <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024757/toc_pdf/AWayForward.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf">recommendations</a> that could help pave a way forward.</p> <p>Instances like Kingvale emphasise more work needs to be done. The Queensland government needs to act now to address the glaring problem with its heritage legislation.</p> <p>Heritage management investment will also help. Victoria provides an example of how to improve Aboriginal heritage management. A standout action is the roll-out of a Certificate IV in Aboriginal cultural heritage management, with over 500 Aboriginal graduates to date.</p> <p>This program is decentralising heritage management and empowering Aboriginal people across Victoria, building a level of professionalism rarely seen in other states.</p> <p>Establishing treaties and agreements similar to those in Canada and New Zealand could go a long way to enable First Nations people in Australia to authoritatively protect their respective cultural heritage sites.</p> <p>Heritage conservation will remain challenging, particularly in resource-rich states like Queensland. But we can do better.</p> <p>Judge Dick’s ruling, while frustrating for the effort to conserve heritage, is crucial as it highlights weaknesses in the law.</p> <p>This trial, along with the Juukan Gorge incident, may represent a critical tipping point in the struggle to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in Queensland and across Australia.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/170956/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-westaway-118240">Michael Westaway</a>, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-gorringe-1237694">Joshua Gorringe</a>, General Manager Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/indigenous-knowledge-4846">Indigenous Knowledge</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kelsey-m-lowe-1287335">Kelsey M. Lowe</a>, Senior Research Fellow, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/richard-martin-595866">Richard Martin</a>, Senior lecturer, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ross-mitchell-1288513">Ross Mitchell</a>, Common Law holder and director of Kooma Aboriginal Corporation Native Title PBC, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/indigenous-knowledge-4846">Indigenous Knowledge</a></em></span></p> <p>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/australia-has-a-heritage-conservation-problem-can-farming-and-aboriginal-heritage-protection-co-exist-170956">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Dave Hunt/AAP Image</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Fairytale mansion smashes record

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A dreamy mansion in the ritzy suburb of Kew, in Melbourne’s east, has “smashed” the suburb’s record after it was sold for an undisclosed price.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as Ross House, the mansion was </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-kew-137412746" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">advertised</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with a price guide between $17 and $18.7 million.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The home was sold by Jellis Craig Boroondara, and director Geordie Dixon said the sale had beaten the suburb’s previous $12 million record sale from 2017.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We definitely smashed that record,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That classic facade is really irreplaceable and I think that’s what stood out between us and everything on the market at the moment.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said that she received a “huge amount of interest” from parties across Melbourne, but that it wasn’t the suburb that drew them in.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rather, they were attracted by the style and grandeur of the six-bedroom, five-bathroom mansion.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s not your stock standard home, it has everything - from the fairytale facade to the pool and the history of it,” Ms Dixon said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The home was built in 1889, and its owner, Charles Donaldson, reportedly drew inspiration for the home from his travels in Italy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 4585-square-metre property has been described as “one of Melbourne’s finest family estates”, featuring meticulously landscaped gardens, a pool, a tennis court, and a six-car garage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Dixon said the current owners were “thrilled” by the result, and were selling so they could downsize.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The luxury home was previously listed in 2020 with a $21.5 million price tag, but was pulled from the market after being unsold for 130 days, according to CoreLogic records.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: JellisCraig</span></em></p>

Real Estate

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Don Bradman's private retreat hits the market

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A home once owned by renowned cricketer Sir Donald Bradman is on the market following his daughter-in-law’s decision to sell.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The property has been listed with a price guide of $1.95 million.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bradman first bought the home in Adelaide Hills 62 years ago with his son John, who changed his last name to Bradsen to avoid unwanted attention.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">John’s former wife, Judith, has lived there for the past 27 years.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844909/bradman9.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a91958992cda4f46a6b284d34226ed05" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The original certificate of title signed by Sir Donald Bradman. Image: Raine &amp; Horne Strathalbyn</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The press were always interested in Don, so this place provided a space where he could enjoy his family life without being observed,” Ms Bradsen </span><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bradmans-hills-haven-at-117-sheoak-rd-crafers-west-set-to-bowl-market-over/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He could just be himself here because when we dined out people would always approach him. Nobody knew he owned it, nobody. Only very close family friends of Don and then John and mine enjoyed the property.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Bradsen said her father-in-law would often spend time at the property enjoying the outdoors and doing maintenance work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In the early days, he would come up here often,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He spent a lot of time clearing the woody weeds and he enjoyed the odd bonfire.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He had a fire get away from him once in the valley. We would joke about it later, and I’m not sure if the CFS was called or not back in the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The property, known as Glenquarry Farm, sits on a whopping 8.893-hectare allotment, and is believed to have been built by a runaway from a British naval expedition in 1836.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A four-bedroom freestanding home sits on the property, as well as outbuildings, a cellar, a studio, and a stable.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The property also features a decommissioned Mt Lofty freestone quarry, extensive gardens, and a stretch of lawn well-suited to a game of cricket.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Natural stone, slatted timber, and open fires are found throughout the home, which also includes a separate wing for guests and an undercover, gabled courtyard.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The home has also seen several renovations over the years, with “The Don” playing his part.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Every time I paint I think of him telling me what to do because he was a keen painter,” Ms Bradsen said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The simplicity of the house really reflects his tastes - the modesty of the cottage, I think he enjoyed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He always had his own chair and he would sit on the verandah and watch everyone play, and our children climbed over him and loved him dearly.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Bradsen has said it was time to move on to a new home after living alone at the property for many years, and hopes a new family can enjoy it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m downsizing and I’d rather have this place enjoyed by more than just one person,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul Clifford of Raine &amp; Horne Strathalbyn is managing the sale of the home, which has been described as a “unique and historic hideaway” according to </span><a href="https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/strathalbyn/properties/117-sheoak-road-crafers-west-5152-south-australia"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the listing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Getty Images, Raine &amp; Horne Strathalbyn</span></em></p>

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Princess Mary pens powerful letter to Scott Morrison about horrific Aussie bushfires

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Aussie favourite Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has expressed her condolences to Australian families who have lost everything due to the bushfires ravaging the country.</p> <p>Mary, who was born in Tasmania, said that she was “proud” of her Australian heritage and expressed her “deepest sympathy” to those who had lost their homes.</p> <p>The 47-year-old wrote the letter of support to Prime Minister Scott Morrison as she has been following the disaster from her home in Denmark.</p> <p>"In this time of great hardship caused by the ruthless bush fires, my husband [Crown Prince Frederik] and I would like to convey our warmest wishes to the Australian people as we enter a new year," Crown Princess Mary wrote in the letter, released by the Danish royal family.</p> <p>"Our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and our deepest sympathy to the many families who have lost their homes - their livelihoods.</p> <p>"When the immediate crisis subsides and people can begin to return from where they have fled, our thoughts and concerns will remain with the affected local communities, as it will undoubtedly take great efforts and time for them to rebuild what has been lost.</p> <p>"The courage and unyielding efforts of the volunteer firefighters have our deepest respect and admiration.</p> <p>"Following from afar, it makes me proud of my Australian heritage to witness the strong sense of community and the Australian spirit of 'never giving up' in the face of such devastation and adversity."</p> <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/B67_r-Vg2J7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/B67_r-Vg2J7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS (@detdanskekongehus)</a> on Jan 5, 2020 at 4:08am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Cooler weather and rain has given firefighters a chance to catch their breath as 139 fires continue to burn across the state of NSW. The RFS, according to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-06/sydney-news-monday-morning-briefing/11843022" target="_blank"><em>ABC</em></a><span> </span>have said that at least 60 properties were lost across the state this weekend, but that number is set to rise. RFS volunteers have been pushed to their absolute limits as they try valiantly to stop the bushfires from impacting more families and taking their homes due to the blazes.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

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