After touching many hearts, Bunbury's ‘dingo at the harbour' Marley has died
Born sometime in 2010 on a mine-site in the Pilbara, Marley was found as an orphan with two other pups — their mother dead after being hit by a vehicle.
Marley was the only of the three to survive, taken in by a worker who had the pup join him on site as he grew.
The worker took Marley home to his farm in Harvey, where his mischievous and playful nature with the golden Labrador in the movie Marley and Me his namesake.
He spent the next three years on the farm, stealing shoes, chewing on all the wrong things and doing what mischievous dogs do.
In 2013, Marley and his rescuer moved Casurina Boat Harbour, living onboard an old navy vessel from World War II.
Over time, Marley began to explore his surroundings roaming the Bunbury Outer Harbour area where people noticed him and word spread of 'the dingo at the harbour'.
However in 2022, Marley and his rescuer moved to a yard in the Australind industrial area — a change Marley was not happy with.
Spending his days pacing, howling and whining about being away from his territory, the man who rescued Marley from the Pilbara more than a decade prior, made the decision to return Marley to his home at the Bunbury Outer Harbour.
Over the next few years, people's love for Marley grew, setting up a feeding station for the pooch, giving him fresh water daily and giving him 'dens' across the harbour for when the weather turned.
In a post shared to Facebook on Tuesday night, Marine Rescue Bunbury shared the news Marley died on June 8, 2025.
The crew said the pup was 'truly loved'.
'He was a regular at Marine Rescue Bunbury where we looked out for him,' the post said.
'We even named our latest rescue vessel after him — Dingo Marley.
'If anyone was concerned for Marley's welfare, we were often the first point of contact and would ensure necessary action was taken.'
The post said Marley's remains would be cremated, with thousands passing on their sympathy for the community's immense loss — and calling for a statue in his honour.
'To all that loved him, he was our Red Dog', community members said while sharing the way Marley brought them joy amid rough seas.
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The Advertiser
35 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Marie is 105 - guess what she got up to for her birthday?
Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said. Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said. Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said. Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Inside the eye-watering pay of Aussie lollipop workers: Union rates, long hours, and divided opinions
Australian traffic controllers have revealed their eyewatering salaries for holding a stop sign, with some raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. There are more than 16,000 lollipop workers employed across the country, and some workers have reported annual pay of up to $200,000 a year — nearly double the average annual salary for full-time workers. The role involves the direction of road and pedestrian traffic to ensure the safety of emergency response teams, construction workers and the general public. Sky News reported that the high wages are being earned by trade union workers part of Victoria's Big Build project, who pull in about $206,000. But the job is far from standard, with employees working 56 hours over a six-day week. Private company salaries appear to be much lower, starting at $55,000, with an hourly rate of about $30. The union rate is $49 per hour, and doubles to $98 per hour for 16 hours of double time. A Facebook group called Traffic Controller Australia sees many workers call out the high pay perception as far from the truth for non-union workers. One user said, 'I don't even make half of that, and that's with working away a lot'. Others have said they are treated badly by the public. One Facebook user wrote, 'there is no power being a traffic controller' and that 'most of the population think we are pests and do nothing'. In a TikTok interview, one worker said they are 'not allowed to sit down' and that workers have to learn to occupy themselves. Workers seem to disagree on how difficult the job really is. Some lollipop workers have come forward, saying the work is easy and they get paid to just stand there. Ruth Birch, a TikTok user, told her followers she would 'rather be paid to be bored than to be stressed'. She encouraged other women to get their traffic control ticket so they could do the same work. But others highlighted the danger of the work, even saying they have risked their lives while on the job. Many say they experience an increased risk of physical harm, especially when called to crash sites. One Reddit user said the work is 'definitely not hard' but is 'very dangerous'.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Was a crocodile really spotted in Noosa? Some locals think so, but this expert is dubious
Queensland authorities say they will investigate reports of a crocodile reportedly spotted at Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast, hundreds of kilometres south of Queensland's 'croc country'. While speculation intensified after the emergence of sonar photographs apparently showing a crocodile at the Noosa River's entrance, one expert said it was highly unlikely that the animal would travel so far south in winter. James Graham, the fishing enthusiast who took the underwater photos from his boat on Sunday afternoon, believed they showed a large reptile. He posted the photos online hours after another man reported seeing a 3.5-metre croc about 450 metres away at the Noosa Spit dog beach. 'I did hear that someone had seen one in the morning, and I've got to say I thought that is the silliest thing I've ever heard,' Graham explained over the phone on Monday morning. 'We couldn't work out why nothing wanted to bite, there just wasn't any fish in the usual spot. 'And then next thing you know my mate goes 'oh, look at this on the fish finder' and sure enough it's something that looks a lot like a croc to me.' The initial report of a '3.5-metre crocodile' along a dog beach appeared on a Noosa community Facebook group, posted by Ross Buckley. 'At first I thought it was a bit of driftwood, but then it moved,' Buckley posted.
