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New $1m reward for cold case murder of three children

A new $1 million reward is being offered for information about each of the murders of three First Nations children around 34 years ago. Four-year-old Evelyn Greenup, Clinton Speedy-Duroux, 16, and Colleen Walker-Craig, 16, disappeared from Bowraville, a town in northern NSW over a five-month period from September 1990. Evelyn and Clinton's remains were found in nearby bushland, but Colleen's have never been found. The murders were initially investigated separately before being linked by the homicide squad. Now, after various appeals over the decades, NSW Police have issued a re-appeal for information into the murders, with a particular focus on locating the remains of Colleen. “A $1 million reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each of the children’s murder remains in place, as well as for information leading to the location and recovery of Colleen’s remains,” NSW Police said on Monday. Detectives are also going to be spending the week in Bowraville to speak to locals who may have information about the children's deaths. A man, who can't be named for legal reasons, was acquitted of Clinton's murder in 1994, and Evelyn's murder in 2006. The case was the subject of two police investigations, multiple trials, a coronial inquest, and a parliamentary inquiry. In 2018, the government tried to convince the NSW court of criminal appeal that there was fresh and compelling evidence – related to the disappearance of Colleen – in attempt to overturn the two acquittals and instead have a new single trial on three murder charges. However, the court refused to grant special leave to the NSW government to appeal against the decision. In 2019, hundreds protested in front of the gates of the Court of Appeal when a retrial was denied. Images: 7pm TV News NSW/ ABC News

Legal

Police appeal for information after baby seal shot

Authorities have offered up a reward of $20,000 USD ($29,000 AUD) in exchange for information after a baby seal was shot dead on a beach in Southern California. The fatally wounded male sea lion was discovered on August 7th between two lifeguard stations at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The animal was estimated to be just two years old and died the day after it was found, with an examination revealing the seal had a gunshot wound to the back, according to a statement from NOAA. The agency said its law enforcement division was offering the reward "for information leading to a civil penalty or criminal conviction" in connection with the shooting, as the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing, hunting, capturing or killing sea lions and other marine mammals. Violators can face criminal penalties, fines, and the forfeiture of any vessel involved in the incident. NOAA spokesperson Michael Milstein told <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/10/10/sea-lion-shot-california-beach-noaa-reward-offered/75605210007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA TODAY</a> that the agency hopes "the reward offer will help encourage someone who may have seen something or heard something unusual to let us know to help us identify a suspect in this case." "We do get sea lions regularly that have been shot but this animal was still alive when found, so the wound was fresh and it was on a public beach, which hopefully increases the odds that someone knows something about what happened," Milstein added. Image credits: NOAA

Legal

Huge reward to help solve cold case of missing mum

Police are offering a $500,000 reward for information to help solve a cold case that suspect was a murder. Tammy Lisa Dyson, also known as Tamela Menzies, was 23 when went missing from the Currumbin area in 1995. The mother of two was picked up from a drug rehab clinic by a woman claiming to be her sister on July 20, 1995 and has not been seen since. Dyson was born and raised in Victoria before moving to Brisbane in 1988, where she worked in the adult entertainment industry under the nickname "Pebbles". Police believe she began mixing with criminals and using drugs while working in strip clubs on the Gold Coast. In early 1995 Dyson arranged for her young sons, Jyles and Rainey, to stay with their grandmother in Victoria temporarily. A few months later she made a distressed call to her sister Olivia, who said she had been assaulted. Olivia and her partner then dropped Dyson off to a drug rehabilitation centre at Currumbin on the Gold Coast, and on July 20, 1995 she was picked up by someone claiming to be her sister. The following day, Tammy completed a statutory declaration signed by a Justice of the Peace in Tweed Heads, giving custody of her children and her possessions to her mother. She also called her sister one last time, with Olivia recalling that Tammy "didn't sound like herself" and she had mentioned underworld figures. Police have received a number of reported sightings of Tammy since 1995 but all proof of life inquiries have been proven negative. In 2012, the Queensland coroner said that they believed Tammy was deceased and indicated that she may have been a victim of violence, although a certain date, time and cause of death have not been determined. Police are now offering the huge reward for new information and immunity from prosecution for any accomplice who comes forward. "Tammy associated with criminals that were known to police and vanished without a trace after giving custody of her children and possessions to her mother; we believe the circumstances of her disappearance is suspicious," Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said. On Wednesday, her sons, who were only three and one when their mother disappeared, made an emotional appeal for public help to find her. "Growing up without mum and not knowing what happened to her has been very hard," Jyles Lebler said through tears during a media conference. "Whoever has picked her up, I'm not saying they have done something but they must know something bad has happened." "We hope we find out what to mum to give grandma some closure before it's too late," Rainey added. Images: Queensland Police

Legal

‘To truly forget life for a while – a reprieve and a reward’: why Australians love going to the cinema

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruari-elkington-105955">Ruari Elkington</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> Australians have had plenty of time in the last 100 years to work out what they value about cinema-going and why it matters. Head to any cinema and catch the Val Morgan advertising in the pre-show. Take a closer look at the date the company was founded. Not 1984, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Morgan">but 1894</a>. That’s more than 125 years of “Making Messages Memorable” on Australian screens. We have a deep and abiding love for cinema in this country. Over the last century, the experience of going to the movies has both shifted significantly (<a href="https://villageroadshow.com.au/-/media/VRL-Corporate-Media-Library/Documents/Press-Releases/2017/5-December-Gold-Class-Celebrates-20-Years.pdf">we invented Gold Class, you know</a>) and somehow remained resolutely enduring in terms of appeal. My colleague Tess Van Hemert and I have spent the last two years <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/projects/resilient-screens-investigating-the-value-of-australian-cinema-exhibition/">researching</a> the cultures and practices of cinema-going and how cinema sites shape that experience. A typical response in our research was: "I love the cinema experience. It’s a bonding experience, if it’s good it’s an emotional and cathartic experience." <h2>‘A reprieve and a reward’</h2> Cinemas <a href="https://www.bfi.org.uk/industry-data-insights/reports/measuring-economic-value-cinema-venues">are a catalyst</a> for social, cultural and economic activity wherever they operate, from single-screen regional sites to major multiplexes in suburban shopping malls. Cinema, our participants said, is the “ideal” way to watch a movie: "I like to sit as close as I can to the screen so that the ‘real’ world is completely blocked out. I am immersed in & in awe of the film only. To truly forget life for a while – a reprieve & a reward." Cinemas also mirror communities back to themselves. We may go in alone, as a couple or with family and friends, but in the cinema we form a community. When reflecting on returning to the cinema between COVID lockdowns, one person spoke of seeing American Utopia "There were only about 10 people in the cinema. We didn’t know each other but we all started spontaneously dancing, first in our seats, and then everyone ran down to the floor in front of the screen to dance together. It was like a mini music festival when live music was banned." Despite the cost, despite the hassle, despite the need to leave the couch, Australians turn up time and time again to cinemas. In 2023, the Australian box office generated nearly <a href="https://if.com.au/australian-box-office-neared-1b-in-2023/">A$1 billion</a> (although this is down on <a href="https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/australia-annual-box-office-drops-1203476275/">pre-COVID figures</a>). Four of the top ten highest grossing films of all time in Australia have been released <a href="https://www.valmorgan.com.au/2022-at-the-movies">since the pandemic began</a>. Australian census data tells us cinema-going remains Australia’s <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities#:%7E:text=44%25%20of%20people%20attended%20the,popular%20cultural%20venue%20or%20event">most popular</a> cultural activity. <h2>‘Being able to switch off’</h2> When cinemas face closure – or shut temporarily, as they did during the pandemic – the outpouring of community support can galvanise a community and remind them of all the times and ways in which they valued that access to that experience. One participant spoke of seeing their first film in the cinema after the pandemic: "It made me appreciate the whole cinema experience more. Getting out and being able to switch off was a welcome change." In our research, we observed how cinemas began to <a href="https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/blog/the-cinema-why-we-love-it/">articulate</a> their value to community through the pandemic period of forced closures. In the <a href="https://eprints.qut.edu.au/243758/">large-scale national audience research</a> we conducted in partnership with Palace Cinemas the value audiences derive from cinema-going was as diverse as the programming. They remembered specific films, such as watching the opening credits of Force Awakens with a crowd of avid fans, or feeling like they were “experiencing summer in Italy” while watching Call Me By Your Name. They focused on memories of the people they were with, such as feeling “all grown up” while seeing arthouse films with their dad when they were a kid. <h2>‘Float in the memory’</h2> They spoke about the feelings they had before during and after the screening and the experience overall. One respondent wrote of loving the end of a film: "the quiet few minutes as the credits roll and you float in the memory of the film. This only happens for me when I see it in the cinema." Another participant spoke about leaving the cinema and: "doing a walk around the block thinking about the movie, still thinking about the movie driving home." One participant said they love “being able to have respectful (unbothered) alone time publicly”. Clear in this data is that memorability – and the experience of cinema – is far more nuanced than the simple appeal of watching a big film in a big room on a big screen. Cinemas continue to serve Australian communities in far more complex way than simply movies and popcorn. Cinema has always battled headwinds. Since radio, cinema has constantly faced in-home entertainment technology that was supposed to knock it over completely – TV, colour TV, cable, satellite, VHS, DVDs and now streaming. Each time, the desire for people to come together in a space and watch something unique in a way they can’t find anywhere else, with a level of engagement they can’t find anywhere else, has prevailed. We all have a kitchen at home, but we still love going out to restaurants. Disney, Warner Bros and Australia’s own Birch Carrol and Coyle all celebrated 100 years of operation in 2023. To sustain another century, more research is needed to better understand how cinema-going must continue to evolve to meet shifting audience expectations.<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/222597/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruari-elkington-105955">Ruari Elkington</a>, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries & Chief Investigator at QUT Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/to-truly-forget-life-for-a-while-a-reprieve-and-a-reward-why-australians-love-going-to-the-cinema-222597">original article</a>.

Movies

"That was the last time they ever spoke to her": Police announce $1m reward

22 years ago, Mooroolbark girl Cherie Westell was last seen in Wantirna South on December 12, 2000, only days before her 16th birthday at the time. Today, Victoria Police have announced a $1 million reward for information that will help solve the cold case. A coroner found in 2003 that Cherie had most likely died, with police believing foul play was involved. Despite speaking to several witnesses over the past two decades investigators are still chasing new leads, with Detective Acting Inspector Tony Combridge of the Missing Persons Squad labelling the missing person's case "every family's worst nightmare”. "22 years ago, a young teenage girl called her family to let them know she was on her way home, and that was the last time they ever spoke to her," Combridge said. "She was loved by her family and friends, who are all hoping they can find some answers as to what happened to her. "Those responsible for Cherie's disappearance have had to live with this secret for over two decades. 22 years is a very long time to be looking over your shoulder." Police are hoping the money provides some incentive for people to come forward. "It doesn't matter how insignificant you think the piece of information is, it could be exactly what our investigators need to make a breakthrough in this case," Combridge said. "Now is the time to do the right thing and come forward. Any information received by police will be investigated thoroughly, and we will continue to search for the truth of what happened to Cherie to provide those answers to her loved ones and the community.” The reward of up to $1 million will be paid for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for Cherie's disappearance. After a dentist appointment, Cherrie contacted family via a pay phone letting them know she was on the way home. This was the last known contact anyone had with her. At the time of her disappearance, Cherie was a ward of the state, which complicated the investigation initially. Her previous foster mother, Frances, tried to make a police report immediately but was told a biological family member was required for that to occur. A missing persons report was not filed until six days later and any trace of the teen was gone. Image: Victoria Police

Legal

Reward offered after "senseless vandalism" of giant statue

An act of vandalism that is being treated as suspicious by local police has seen a beloved art installation destroyed in Mandurah, south of Perth. Described as "thoughtless and selfish" by WA Premier Mark McGowan, the brazen act has caused a flood of disbelief and anger, with police offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction. The fire – which took place on Friday night – caused irreparable damage to Vivi Cirklestone, one of five wooden sculptures created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo and hidden throughout bushland in Mandurah, with a sixth installed in the Perth suburb of Subiaco. Mourners gathered to leave flowers on the charred wreck of the popular sculpture, which is one of a handful of “protectors of the environment” built in the region as part of a cultural tourism project. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FwaIncidentsalerts%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0j7E3Ssk4YC2sd7b6FhGyvRAWnhB4qKQs1EVZ2uYPbFkmn7Ratwee2bmEVAzzbPxVl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="792" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> “The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are being treated as suspicious,” WA Police said in a statement. Mandurah Detectives and the Arson Squad are now working to find what sparked the fire that razed the installation. Police also stated that an image doing the rounds on social media that showed the sculpture on fire had been accounted for and was not what it first appeared to many. “The photograph that’s been distributed on social media actually was taken by the person who reported the fire to DFES and the person in the footage is one of his mates,” acting inspector Tom Tristram said. The Giants of Mandurah took Danish artist Thomas Dambo hundreds of hours to complete and were launched in November as a free Australian-first exhibition. “Me and my crew are obviously super sad to hear this news,” Dambo said. “I feel it is probably done by a troubled person and is not the feeling of the general population”. Premier Mark McGowan also weighed in on the incident, saying that he “hopes whoever is behind this thoughtless and selfish behaviour at some point reflects on the sadness they have caused, especially so close to Christmas." “The sculptures aren’t just works of art, they are meant to be positive and fun attractions for families not just in Mandurah but across Perth and beyond. This is senseless vandalism. That’s all it is. And the victim isn’t just the artist but the community as well.“ Images: Facebook / Courtesy of Visit Mandurah

Legal

Reward in mystery murder of billionaire couple tops $52 million

The deaths of Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman have been a mystery right from the start. On December 15, 2017, a realtor giving a tour of the couple's Toronto mansion around midday discovered their bodies, fully dressed, beside their indoor basement swimming pool. They were semi-seated side by side, with belts tied around their necks and attached to the railing of the indoor pool according to police. Barry Sherman was 75 and his wife Honey was 70. The story made headlines across the globe, as police called the deaths suspicious. Theories have swirled about who might have wanted to kill the founder of Canadian generic drug giant Apotex and his philanthropic wife – being one of Canada's richest couples. Investigators have worked to connect the dots however, five years later, no arrests have been made. On this week's anniversary of the killings, the Shermans' son offered an additional $25 million (A$37 million) for information leading to an arrest. The reward is now $52 million. "This week marks the five-year anniversary since my parents were murdered in their home. Every day since then has been a nightmare. I have been overwhelmed with pain, loss, and sorrow and these feelings only continuously compound," Jonathon Sherman said in a statement announcing the reward money. "Closure will not be possible until those responsible for this evil act are brought to justice," he added. The victims' prominence meant the case was high profile from the start. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Barry was worth $4.5 billion. The Shermans' wealth, vast investments and philanthropy work saw them cross paths with Canada's business and political elites, their funeral was attended by thousands of people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kathleen Wynne, premier of the province of Ontario. At the service an emotional Jonathon Sherman took the stage, with his three sisters, and slammed speculation that their parents died by suicide. Police later concluded someone had killed them, only six weeks after the bodies were found, Toronto police announced a review of evidence showed they were victims of a homicide, saying they believed the couple was targeted. With no forced signs of entry to the property, it's possible someone had a key, had access to the lockbox that held the keys or was known to the couple, Gomes said. In 2021, police asked for help identifying a shadowy suspect. After years of silence, police made a shocking announcement on the fourth anniversary of the couple's deaths last year, sharing a video of a shadowy person caught on security video walking on the snow-covered sidewalks in the couple's North York neighborhood. The Sherman children say the lack of answers adds to their grief. It's been five years since the murders and there have been no major developments. True crime podcasts have even have tried to unravel intrigue surrounding the deaths. In a statement to the CBC, her brother, Jonathon Sherman, echoed the same sentiment, saying the family will never get closure until the killer is brought to justice. The siblings reminded the public of the $52 million in reward money and pleaded for anyone with information to contact the Toronto Police Service. Image: AP

Legal

Why you should beware spending rewards and BNPL programs

Malware is software designed to disrupt and destroy, and there are plenty of ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ financial programs doing just that to people’s financial futures. Some that come to mind are programs (yes, they’re called ‘programs’) that make it easier to spend and / or reward and incentivise spending, and harder to make good financial decisions. When you get tricked into spending, or spending more than you otherwise would, you transfer your wealth to someone else. The more wealth you consume, the less you have for later on. Let’s consider two marketing malware culprits to avoid wherever possible. Rewards Programs Beware programs that trick you into thinking that spending is good. Consider Flybuys for example. It is a rewards program where you generally receive one Flybuys point for every dollar spend. Therefore, to earn 1 000 000 Flybuys points, you need to spend $1 000 000. What if I told you that the cash value of one Flybuys point is 0.5 cents? That would mean to earn 1 000 000 Flybuys points you’d have to spend $1 000 000, yet that $1 000 000 is really only ‘worth’ $5000. They’ve actually created a system where you think you’re being rewarded on a one-for-one basis (i.e. one dollar spent equals one point) when really you’re being rewarded at the rate of half of one cent for every dollar spent. Additionally, when it comes time to redeem your points, the products you can ‘purchase’ are valued at top dollar, rather than at any discounted price you might be able to find if you shopped around. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Back in the day, department stores offered something called lay-by. This was where you could grab a product off the shelf, take it to the store’s lay-by counter and enter an arrangement with them to pay it off over two or three instalments. Once you’d made the final payment, the product was yours to own and take home. Lay-by was a great option for people who couldn’t access or didn’t want to use credit cards. There were no upfront fees associated with lay-by, and there was certainly no interest charged. Lay-by has been reborn and rebadged as BNPL; you pay by instalments, and you can take the product with you immediately. You won’t pay any fees provided you make the required instalments in full and on time. If you don’t, then you’ll be slugged with establishment fees, late fees, account-keeping fees and payment processing fees. The danger is that BNPL is easier to access than traditional debt options such as credit cards because BNPL is not technically credit since providers don’t charge interest. But BNPL is consumer debt with instant gratification, and that makes it credit in my book. Afterpay is one of the biggest BNPL providers on the planet. It advertises that it is a ‘free service’, provided you pay on time. If you don’t, their late fee is $10 per missed payment, plus an additional $7 if the payment is still outstanding after a week. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you had bought something that only cost $20 and forgot to make a $5 instalment, then the $10 fee is 200 per cent of the missed payment. Ouch! Don’t forget that the fee is per missed payment. If there were other purchases made, then the fee would compound. Late fees, however small, can quickly cascade into a significant sum of money, potentially many times more than the instalment due or even the price of the item purchased. Plus, there are other consequences of missed payments—black marks on credit records, difficulties borrowing for other debt such as a home loan, and the possibility of additional fees as debts are passed over to debt collectors. BNPL organisations profit from users who fail to meet their repayment obligations, and so part and parcel of running a successful business and growing profits would involve them doing well when their customers do poorly. You can’t expect corporate behemoths to do the right thing by you if it’s the wrong thing by them. The best you can do is gain the skills and awareness you need to know when you’re being played. Marketing malware disrupts your ability to accumulate wealth by tricking you into believing you are getting a better deal than is the case. Ideally, you’d avoid using it at all, but if it’s too late for that, then you need to clean up your code as soon as you can. Being rewarded for spending money you haven’t yet earned is a toxic combination that will poison your efforts to attract and keep a fortune that counts. Make sure you are a good shepherd of your financial flock by being vigilant in keeping an eye out for marketing malware wolves, and not falling for their enticing yet financially disempowering charms. Edited extract from Steve McKnight’s Money Magnet: How to Attract and Keep a Fortune that Counts (Wiley $32.95), now available at all leading retailers. Visit www.moneymagnet.au Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Have you fallen for the myth of ‘I can’t draw’? Do it anyway – and reap the reward

Drawing is a powerful tool of communication. It helps build self-understanding and can <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0276237420923290">boost</a> mental health. But our current focus on productivity, outcomes and “talent” has us thinking about it the wrong way. Too many believe the <a href="http://www.visuallanguagelab.com/P/NC_drawingdevelopment.pdf">myth</a>of “I can’t draw”, when in fact it’s a skill built through practice. Dedicated practice is hard, however, if you’re constantly asking yourself: “What’s the point of drawing?” As I argue in a new <a href="https://www.closure.uni-kiel.de/closure8/fisher">paper</a> in <a href="https://www.closure.uni-kiel.de/start_en">Closure E-Journal for Comic Studies</a>, we need to reframe our concept of what it means to draw, and why we should do it – especially if you think you can’t. Devoting a little time to drawing each day may make you happier, more employable and sustainably productive. <h2>The many benefits of drawing</h2> I’m a keen doodler who turned a hobby into a PhD and then a career. I’ve taught all ages at universities, in library workshops and online. In that time, I’ve noticed many people do not recognise their own potential as a visual artist; self-imposed limitations are common. That’s partly because, over time, drawing as a skill set has been devalued. <a href="https://mili.eu/insights/sunday-times-essential-workers-poll-response">A 2020 poll</a> ranked artist as the top non-essential job. But new jobs are emerging all the time for visual thinkers who can translate complex information into easily understood visuals. Big companies <a href="https://inkfactorystudio.com/">hire</a> comic creators to document corporate meetings visually, so participants can track the flow of ideas in real time. Cartoonists are paid to draft <a href="https://australiacouncil.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Graphic-Storytellers-at-Work-GSAW-Report-Case-Study-One.pdf">innovative, visual contracts</a> for law firms. Perhaps you were told as a child to stop doodling and get back to work. While drawing is often quiet and introspective, it’s certainly not a “waste of time”. On the contrary, it has significant mental health benefits and should be cultivated in children and adults alike. How we feel influences <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261661107_An_Introduction_to_the_Diagnostic_Drawing_Series_A_Standardized_Tool_for_Diagnostic_and_Clinical_Use">how we draw</a>. Likewise, engaging with drawing affects how we feel; it can help us understand and process our inner world. Art-making can <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0276237420923290">reduce anxiety</a>, <a href="https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ722383">elevate mood</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124538/">improve quality of life</a> and <a href="https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8bq69315">promote general creativity</a>. Art therapy has even been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16288447/">linked to</a> reduced symptoms of distress and higher quality of life for cancer patients. And it can help you enter a “flow state”, where self-consciousness disappears, focus sharpens, work comes easily to you and mental blockages seem to evaporate. <h2>Cultivating a drawing habit</h2> Cultivating a drawing habit means letting go of biases against drawing and against copying others to learn technique. Resisting the urge to critically compare your work to others’ is also important. Most children don’t care about what’s considered “essential” to a functioning society. They draw instinctively and freely. Part of the reason drawing rates are thought to be <a href="http://mtoku.yourweb.csuchico.edu/vc/Articles/toku/Toku_what%20is%20manga_.html">higher in Japan</a>is their immersion in Manga (Japanese comics), a broadly popular and culturally important medium. Another is an emphasis on diligent practice. Children copy and practise the Manga style, <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/20716077">providing a critical stepping stone</a> from free scribbling to controlled representation. Copying is not seen as a no-no; it’s integral to building skill. As researcher and artist Neil Cohn <a href="http://www.visuallanguagelab.com/P/NC_drawingdevelopment.pdf">argues</a>, learning to draw is similar to (and as crucial as) learning language, a skill built through exposure and practice, "Yet, unlike language, we consider it normal for people not to learn to draw, and consider those who do to be exceptional […] Without sufficient practice and exposure to an external system, a basic system persists despite arguably impoverished developmental conditions." So choose an art style you love and copy it. Encourage children to while away hours drawing. Don’t worry about how it turns out. Prioritise the conscious experience of drawing over the result. With regular practice, you may find yourself occasionally melting into states of “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)">flow</a>”, becoming wholly absorbed. A small, regular pocket of time to temporarily escape the busy world and enter a flow state via drawing may help you in other parts of your life. <h2>How to get started</h2> Use simple tools that you’re comfortable with, whether it’s a ballpoint pen on post-it notes, pencil on paper, a dirty window, or a foggy mirror. Times you’d typically be aimlessly scrolling on your phone are prime candidates for a quick sketch. Doodle when you’re on the phone, watching a movie, bored in a waiting room. Together with mindful doodling, drawing from observation and memory form a holy trinity of sustainable proficiency. Drawing from life strengthens your understanding of space and form. Copying other styles gives you a shortcut to new “visual libraries”. Drawing from memory merges the free play of doodling with the mental libraries developed through observation, bringing imagined worlds to life. With time and persistence, you may find yourself producing drawings you’re proud of. At that point, you can ask yourself: what other self-limiting beliefs are holding me back? Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/have-you-fallen-for-the-myth-of-i-cant-draw-do-it-anyway-and-reap-the-rewards-172623" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

Million-dollar reward offered 20 years after woman disappeared

Two decades after she disappeared, authorities have increased a reward of $1 million for information relating to the whereabouts of missing NSW woman Amber Haigh. Ms Haigh vanished on June 5, 2002, and was reported missing on June 19 after she didn’t return to her Kingsvale home where she lived with her six-month-old son and a married couple. According to a statement from NSW Police, they were told the married couple dropped Ms Haigh off at Campbelltown train station on Wednesday 5, as she had planned to travel to Mt Druitt to visit her hospitalised father. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnswpoliceforce%2Fposts%2F366441632194929&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="638" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The increase was announced by the NSW Government and NSW Police Force, in a move that has been welcomed by Ms Haigh’s family. Rosalind Wright, Ms Haigh’s mother, said she “knows in her heart she (Amber) would never have left her son” while Ms Haigh’s sister, Melissa Millar-Hodder, has urged anyone with information to come forward. “Any information would help, please contact police,” she said. “Amer had a kind, warm, loving soul. She would help anyone she can if she needed help. “Her son never got to know or grow up with his caring, loving mum. “This impact this has had is feeling incomplete, feeling lost. Not knowing where she is and what happened to Amber, not even to lay her to rest, or pick up the phone or give her hugs one last time; that has been taken away from us.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/haigh-relatives.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Amber Haigh’s sister (left) and mother (right) shared a video message urging anyone with information to come forward. Image: NSW Police (Hightail) After a 2011 Coronial Inquest found Ms Haigh to be deceased as a result of homicide or other misadventure, a formal review of the case was conducted in 2020 resulted in the investigation re-commencing under Strike Force Villamar II. Detective Superintendent and Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/amber-haigh-reward-of-1-million-offered-20-years-after-nsw-woman-suspiciously-disappeared/2439461c-ea78-44fc-a052-8ed3237acf85" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News </a>police believed Ms Haigh was met with foul play but were yet to find enough evidence to prosecute. “But, to date, we have been unable to find enough evidence to prosecute anyone over her disappearance,” he said. “Police can only expect breakthroughs in these sorts of cases with the help of the public, so please, do what is right and come forward.” Anyone with information that could assist Strike Force Villamar II investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or <a href="https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au./" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online</a>. Image: NSW Police (Hightail)

Caring

$50,000 reward in case of 89-year-old hit-and-run victim

A $50,000 reward for information has been announced by North Queensland police, after an 89-year-old woman was severely injured in a hit-and-run last year. The woman, who was hit in an underground car park in the CastleTown shopping centre in Townsville on October 15, suffered serious head injuries and spent several months recovering in hospital according to the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-23/townsville-hit-and-run-appeal-elderly-woman/100933496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a>. After more than five months, Acting Sergeant Hayley Garrod of the Townsville Forensic Crash Unit said police still had no independent witnesses and were no closer to identifying the driver involved. “The person has driven past, stopped, reversed back, knocking the lady to the ground, and then taken off at speed without even going to the shops,” Acting Sergeant Garrod said at a press conference on Thursday. “She’s a really sweet old lady and it’s disgusting that someone can hit somebody at that age and just drive away. “This could be your grandma, could be my grandma and I don’t want to see this happen to my grandparents and I would hope that someone would come forward if they have any information in relation to it.” Now, the elderly woman requires full-time care and has no memory of the incident. “I spoke to her earlier this week, and all she can really tell me is that the person who hit her did a good job of her head,” Acting Sergeant Garrod said. Police have released images from CCTV footage that they believe depicts the vehicle involved, described as a Holden Commodore with a distinctive chrome nudge bar that may have since been removed. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FQueenslandPolice%2Fvideos%2F5278735408818049%2F&show_text=true&width=476&t=0" width="476" height="591" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said he hopes the new reward for information would help investigators identify and prosecute the “callous” driver. “We all feel for the family of the 89-year-old,” Chief Superintendent Hanlon said. “She’s left with permanent life-changing injuries, and we need to know what happened and why it happened, and the family wants closure too. “The person has obviously got no remorse because they have not come forward … and we want this person to be held to account for their actions.” If the driver is identified, they could face charges including grievous bodily harm or dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Chief Superintendent Hanlon said it was “very unusual” for this kind of case to go unsolved in the community. “Townsville’s not that big a place, so there’s someone out there that would know something,” he said. The reward also includes indemnity for anyone involved who wasn’t the driver responsible from being prosecuted. Image: Queensland Police Service (Facebook)

Legal

Huge reward to solve baby's mystery death

NSW Police have offered a massive $250,000 reward for information that solves what happened to toddler Jayleigh Murray. The 11-month-old girl was found unresponsive in her home in Dubbo on June 6th 2019 and was treated at the scene before being flown to Westmead Children's Hospital. Tragically, Jayleigh died six days later. A post-mortem examination revealed that Jayleigh had suffered from non-accidental head trauma and other suspicious injuries before her death. Despite extensive investigation efforts, no arrests have been made in relation to Jayleigh's death. Police are now appealing to the local community to come forward with any information that could lead them to solve what happened to young Jayleigh. Child abuse and sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said she hoped the hefty financial reward would prompt people to share any information they may have. “Family and friends have told us that Jayleigh had a vibrant smile and an infectious laugh … we cannot imagine what would lead someone to hurt such a beautiful, helpless little girl,” she said. “We need people in the Dubbo community to come forward and tell Jayleigh’s story for her to help us give meaning to her short life." “Investigators believe there are people living in the community who hold the key to unlocking Jayleigh’s story. We need those people to be courageous and come forward with that information in tribute to a life ended so tragically early." “If we can’t stand up for our children, to defend and protect them, what do we stand for?” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Big development in missing Theo Hayez case

A $500,000 reward for information regarding missing backpacker Theo Hayez has been <a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/nsw-government-announce-500000-reward-for-information-about-theo-hayez-disappearance-c-5802924" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> by the NSW Government, as his family urges anyone who could help to come forward. The 18-year-old was last seen on May 31, 2019, after he was ejected from the Cheeky Monkey’s bar in Byron Bay at 11pm. Police were alerted to the Belgian’s disappearance a week later after he didn’t return to his hostel and couldn’t be contacted. Despite police conducting an extensive air, sea and land search with the help of local volunteers, Theo is still missing three years later. NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said he hoped the significant reward would encourage anyone who knew what happened to Theo to contact authorities. “Theo was a young man who had his entire life ahead of him and his family cannot rest until they know what happened to him,” Mr Toole said on Wednesday. “The pain of losing a loved one is bad enough, but the mystery surrounding this case only adds to that pain. Mr Toole urged anyone who knows or thinks of anything relevant to finding Theo to phone Crime Stoppers, “no matter how small” their tip might be. “Police investigating this case need our help to provide that crucial piece of the puzzle that can bring some comfort to the family and friends of Theo,” he said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> NSW Government announces $500,000 reward into the disappearance of Theo Hayez: <a href="https://t.co/DdxI8HuLRM">https://t.co/DdxI8HuLRM</a> <a href="https://t.co/YohCfhEPaq">pic.twitter.com/YohCfhEPaq</a> — NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/nswpolice/status/1496239841516068864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2022</a></blockquote> Theo’s family also released a statement saying they hoped the reward would “motivate” people to speak out. “We are very grateful to the NSW Police and NSW Government for their approval of this reward for information that can help understand what happened to Theo on the night of May 31, 2019, in Byron Bay,’ they said. “Our hope with the reward is to reach out to more people as well as motivate people to talk to authorities and overcome any barriers they might have doing so. “$500,000 can change someone’s life. Please, if you have any information that can help us, come forward now. Don’t wait any longer.” Theo was last seen on CCTV from the bar, with Google data showing he then looked up the route back to his hostel but walked in the opposite direction instead. Police have a working theory that the backpacker attempted to climb cliffs at Cosy Corner beach, but fell and was swept out to sea. A hat he was wearing has since been found on the route he walked. However, his family believe that behaviour is uncharacteristic of Theo and think that someone else may be involved. “A key question we are seeking to address is whether he was with someone on the night of May 31, 2019, which we strongly believe to be the case,” Theo’s father, Laurent Hayez, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-23/police-offer-reward-for-information-on-theo-hayez/100851652" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. The matter was referred to the NSW Coroner, and an inquest is currently underway in the Coroner’s Court. Image: Laurent Hayez (Facebook)

News

Hefty reward to help solve brutal murder of elderly man

The NSW Government has announced a $1 million reward will be offered in return for information about the brutal murder of a grandfather who was bashed inside his Sydney home. Kalim Saliba, 86, died after allegedly being assaulted by two men who forced their way inside his home in Cherrybrook in April last year. Police reported that the men entered the couple's home through the front door while they were watching TV, before threatening and assaulting them. Mrs Saliba, 83, managed to flee the scene and get help from neighbours, despite also suffering from head injuries sustained during the attack. Due to extensive head injuries, Mr Saliba died at Westmead Hospital. NSW Police launched a dedicated Strike Force, named Strike Force McCleery, to find answers about the brutal killing, and have spent months sifting through nearby CCTV footage. Reaching a standstill in their investigation, the NSW government and police are set to announce a $1 million reward for information into the horror 2020 death. The reward is for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons responsible for Kalim’s death. The reward sum comes just days after police released images of a grey Audi TT RS, which was seen in the area immediately prior and after the alleged murder. “Over the last 18 months, investigators have worked tirelessly to locate the Audi, which we believe was used in this heinous crime, and we’re now asking for public assistance in the hope someone may recognise it,” Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said. “This is a luxury, high-performance car and we believe it would’ve been noticeable to residents and others in the Cherrybrook area late at night when the violent murder of Mr Saliba took place." “I urge anyone who recognises this vehicle, or who may have information about its owner or current location, to contact police.” Kalim's heartbroken family just want answers and closure over the heartless attack. “Our family is devastated and continues to grieve, and we are urging anyone with information to contact police to share what they know, whatever that might be,” Mr Saliba’s son, Joseph Saliba said in April. Image credits: Facebook / Supplied - NSW Police

News

$1 million Cleo Smith reward status

Image: Facebook Western Australia Police have said they do not anticipate the state’s landmark $1 million reward for information about Cleo Smith to be paid out. WA Premier Mark McGowan offered the hefty reward for information leading to Cleo’s location, or to the arrest and conviction of those involved in her disappearance. The reward was announced just six days after Cleo was abducted from her family tent at the remote Blowholes campsite on October 16th. While police remain tight-lipped about what prompted them to search the locked Carnarvon home where Cleo was found, they did credit the hard work of a 140-strong police taskforce. WA Police Minister Paul Papalia told ABC on Thursday morning: “It wasn’t a random tip off or clairvoyant or any of those sorts of things you might hear. “It was just a hard police grind,” he said. WA Police Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch previously said he doesn’t expect the $1 million reward to be claimed, but he told Channel Seven’s Sunrise on Thursday he’s not completely ruling out the possibility. “Look, the police collected so much information from day one for those 18 days that they were able to trawl through and put that jigsaw puzzle together,” Comm Blanch said. “Now part of that jigsaw puzzle was information from the community, but it all contributed to the outcome. “Look, we’re not going to discount that it’s not going to be paid out, but certainly the information that I have from the police is that really it was good, hard detective and analyst work." Criteria for police paying reward Associate Professor of Criminology and forensic anthropologist Dr Xanthé Mallet from the University of Newcastle told Yahoo News Australia there are specific rules around rewards regarding what they will be paid out for. Cleo’s reward was offered for location information, or details that could lead to an arrest and conviction. “Each reward has its own structure for what it will be paid out for,” she said. “If there was a genuine call on this reward I’m sure they’d be very happy to pay it,” she added. Speaking with the ABC, Dr Mallet said the Carnarvon community and the whole of Australia just really “wanted to see Cleo found alive and unharmed”. “…at the end of the day Cleo is home, and for most people the reward is seeing her in her parents’ arms in the hospital safe and unharmed.”

Money & Banking

The key to fitness: walk more or lose money

<a style="font-size: 14px;" rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.009173" target="_blank">A clinical trial</a> led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has revealed that playing on our instinctive <a style="font-size: 14px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/science-choice/201803/what-is-loss-aversion" target="_blank">aversion to loss</a> may be the key in the quest to bring about enduring lifestyle changes in patients. <div class="copy"> The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, provided a group of 105 patients with a wearable device which monitored their step counts over 24 weeks. The researchers gave the participants a two-week preliminary period to establish baseline counts, and then split the group in two. Half the volunteers, the control group, received the wearable and were asked to simply go ahead with their usual day-to-day activities. The other half, known as the intervention group, were asked to complete a schedule of three eight-week phases. The first phase, which featured increasing step goals, and the second, wherein the step goals were fixed, included a financial gain <a rel="noopener" href="https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/to_motivate_better_to_take_away_than_to_give" target="_blank">framed as a loss</a> – a technique borrowed from behavioural economics. The patients were advised that a $14 deposit had been made into a virtual account on their behalf, with $2 being deducted for each day they fell short of their step goal. The $14 balance was restored each Monday, and the process repeated for each of the first 16 weeks. The final eight-week phase was scheduled as a ‘cool down’ phase of sorts, with no incentives offered. The results of the study showed a greater increase in physical activity in the intervention group of patients – their daily step counts increased by an average of 1368 compared to the control group. Even after incentives ceased, patients in the intervention group maintained the good habits they’d established, showing an increase of 1154 steps compared to controls. Regular exercise has long been established as an effective way to reduce the risk of a heart attack, but encouraging patients to make more time for physical activity has been a challenge that has stumped medical practitioners. “Regular exercise and cardiac rehab has shown to have significant benefit in those with heart disease but participation in such programs is extremely low for various reasons including patient motivation and access to exercise facilities,” says Neel Chokshi, medical director of the Penn Sports Cardiology and Fitness Program. His colleague Mitesh Patel adds that wearables alone were found not to increase physical activity levels, but using the loss-framing method led to significant changes in patient behaviour. During the course of the six-month trial, the step count of an average patient in the intervention group equated to 160 kilometres more walking than that of the average patient in the control group. The research team suggests the next research phase should involve similar studies over longer periods to assess the sustainability of the incentive model, and to measure the effects of variations in size and frequency of the rewards offered. “There is interest in developing creative remote strategies to engage patients in exercise programs but there is little research for guidance,” Chokshi says.  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=21430&title=The+key+to+fitness%3A+walk+more+or+lose+money" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> </div> <div id="contributors"> <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/the-key-to-fitness-walk-more-or-lose-money/" target="_blank">This article</a> was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/andrew-patterson" target="_blank">Andrew Patterson</a>. Andrew Patterson is a freelance science writer from Newcastle, UK. </div>

Money & Banking

"No hesitation": WA Premier announces huge reward in Cleo Smith search

Image: Instagram A $1 million reward for information about missing four-year-old Cleo Smith has been offered by The Western Australian government. The decision comes as the search enters its sixth day. The focus has now been switched to the prospect the little girl was abducted. The ground search around the campsite north of Carnarvon in WA’s Midwest was back in full swing on Thursday. It’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Cleo will be found alive around there. Acknowledging someone must know something about her disappearance, the WA government is now offering a $1 million reward. “All Western Australians’ thoughts are with Cleo’s family during what is an unimaginably difficult time,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said. “We’re all praying for a positive outcome.” “We want to ensure police have everything they need to solve this case and that’s why my government has no hesitation in supporting police with this reward offer.” The reward is for $1 million for information resulting in finding Cleo or leading to arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in her suspicious disappearance. It is the equal largest reward offered in WA history. A number of other high profile disappearances and murders have also attracted a $1 million reward, including for information about the murder of 11-year-old Gerard Ross in 1997, the disappearance of 12-year-old Lisa Mott in 1980 and the disappearance of Lisa Govan in 1999. Evidence is mounting in the Cleo Smith case that a third party was involved. Police say there is crucial evidence that includes the tent were Cleo, her mother Ellie, stepfather Jake, and baby sister Isla were sleeping. The zipper on the front of the tent had been opened to a height that made it impossible for Cleo to have opened it herself. Added to that, the little girl’s sleeping bag was missing and has not been found. Cleo was last seen inside the tent around 1:30 am on Saturday when her mum gave her a drink of water. At 6 am they awoke to give the younger child a bottle, Cleo was gone. A massive land and sea search was mounted in rough country with a treacherous coastline. Twenty registered sex offenders are currently living in and around the town of Carnarvon and have all been questioned. The state government have offered million-dollar rewards before but never this soon after a suspected crime was committed, signalling the urgency to find Cleo quickly. “I urge anyone who knows what happened to little Cleo to come forward with the information police need to find her.”

News

Qantas offers biggest ever rewards for vaccinated passengers

Qantas is now offering a new rewards campaign for fully vaccinated passengers including Qantas points, status credits and discounts – as well as entry into the draw to win a year’s worth of flights and accommodation. This prize is the biggest ever giveaway from Qantas, instigated as a reward to thank fully vaccinated passengers for their role in helping during the pandemic. Qantas rewards members will automatically be entered into this mega prize draw, where ten winners will win a year’s worth of flights, accommodation and fuel, including international destinations when borders are open. There will be one winner selected from each state and territory, and two winners will be from a national TV campaign. It all starts on Tuesday From Tuesday, double-jabbed Australian frequent flyers over the age of 18 will be able to claim their reward through the Qantas app – a choice of 1000 Qantas points, 15 status credits, or a $20 flight discount for Qantas or Jetstar. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the vaccine rollout was critical for the travel industry because it breaks the cycle of lockdowns and protects public health. “Getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it,” said Joyce. “As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community. “This is one of the biggest giveaways we’ve ever done. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry and our own Qantas Group team members means we have a clear vested interest in the success of the vaccine rollout.” Qantas wants to thank Australians for getting vaccinated Joyce said by getting the nation’s vaccine rate up to 70 or 80 per cent would mean thousands of people could return to work. “Now is the ideal time to say thank you to Australians for stepping up and protecting themselves and others,” he added. Speaking to the Sunrise program on Monday morning, Joyce said he hoped the airline’s incentive program would encourage other businesses to offer rewards. “We know other companies are looking at how they recognise people who have got the vaccine, and we think more will follow,” he said. The announcement comes after Qantas has mandated vaccinations for its front-line workers. Qantas cabin crew, pilots and airport workers all need to be fully vaccinated by November 15, 2021 and the remainder of employees by 31 March 2022. Joyce said a fully vaccinated workforce for Qantas would not only safeguard workers, but protect customers and communities. “It’s clear that vaccinations are the only way to end the cycle of lockdowns and border closures,” he said. Photo: Getty Images

International Travel

Family offers $1million reward for missing heiress

The family searching for the missing heiress Juanita Nielsen has offered up a $1 million reward for anyone who may have information on her disappearance. Juanita, who was 38 when she was seen for the last time, owned the alternative newspaper NOW which, over 46 years ago, she used to rally against developers who were wanting to build on protected heritage buildings in Potts Point. She also used her magazine to promote the Builders Labourers Federation’s controversial green bans during the 70s. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841997/juanita-nielsen.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9b4f59dabe384bef9b19ee7fa5c99b52" /> Juanita was last ever seen at the nightclub Carousel Cabaret in Kings cross on the early morning of July 4, 1975. The club was run by a man who allegedly had close ties to notorious underworld crime boss Abe Saffron. While Juanita’s family, nor investigators can confirm why she mysteriously disappeared all those years ago, her living relatives are desperate to find answers. It is widely believed she was kidnapped and murdered due to her anti-development and anti-corruption campaigns which she broadcasted loudly. A coronial inquiry in 1983 found Ms Nielson, who was also an heiress to the Mark Foy's retail empire, had likely died. However, what perhaps is the most shocking and mystifying part of this case, is that despite its extraordinary publicity – a body, nor more information has ever been uncovered. Her family say they are desperate to give Juanita a proper burial with her cousin Francis Foy appealing for any information about her suspected murder. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841996/juanita-nielsen-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8ce11450707b4a428abaf232d833c59e" /> "Juanita was very much loved by her family and very much missed," Mr Foy said on Monday. "Her disappearance and the unknown of what happened to her caused incredible pain for her family." Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said in a statement that it was unlikely they would be able to collect any further forensic evidence or witness statements, but that hope is not lost. "In turn, it has also become difficult for police to target known persons of interest or associates due to their passing," he said in a statement. "However, it is our hope that someone in the community may have information about Juanita's disappearance, or the location of her remains."

Retirement Life

Reward for information in security guard murder jumps from $100k to $1 million overnight

A million-dollar reward has been announced for information about the murder of security guard Gary Allibon in a 2010 armed robbery. NSW Police and Allibon’s widow Monica Allibon will today announce the reward would be increased ten times over from the previous amount of $100,000 to $1 million to encourage community members with information on his death to come forward. Allibon and another guard were entering a commercial building on Sydney’s Sussex Street to replenish an ATM on June 7, 2010, when they were stopped by a group of armed men. Allibon was shot before the offenders stole the cash and fled in a stolen Audi S8 sedan. The 59-year-old was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital by paramedics but later died. In a previous appeal, Monica Allibon said she hoped the reward could convince someone to “provide detectives with the missing links they need to catch Gary’s killer”. “My husband was killed by someone who can only be described as a cold-blooded murderer,” she said. “The murder of someone you love changes your life forever.”

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Million-dollar reward offered 20 years after woman disappeared

$50,000 reward in case of 89-year-old hit-and-run victim

Huge reward to solve baby's mystery death

Big development in missing Theo Hayez case

Hefty reward to help solve brutal murder of elderly man

$1 million Cleo Smith reward status

The key to fitness: walk more or lose money

"No hesitation": WA Premier announces huge reward in Cleo Smith search

Qantas offers biggest ever rewards for vaccinated passengers

Family offers $1million reward for missing heiress

Reward for information in security guard murder jumps from $100k to $1 million overnight

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