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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Sunshine Coast community rallies after petition calls for emu to be removed from wildlife park
An Emu with a substantial social media following is at the centre of simmering tensions on the Sunshine Coast after a petition was created to remove the bird from the conservation park it calls home. Fluffy the emu is something of a celebrity in the Parklands Conservation Park in Nambour, where he's known to pose for selfies, jog alongside runners and even offer willing passers by the occasional hug. Fluffy has lived in the park for eight years after he and his brother Muffy were brought there by a couple who rescued them as chicks. He now has his own Instagram page and has become an attraction of sorts, with people coming from far and wide to meet the native bird. The emu is so loved by the local community that when a petition was recently launched to remove him from the area, a counter-petition immediately sprung up with more than 10 times as many signatures. The petition calling for Fluffy's removal cites multiple incidents 'involving a hand raised emu displaying aggressive and territorial behaviour, particularly towards horses and riders'. It states that 'the emu has shown no fear of humans or animals' and that horse riders 'have expressed concern not only for their own safety but for the well being of their animals and other park users.' Local resident Tania Stickler is one of the 194 people who has thrown their support behind the petition after she was injured when she fell from her horse during an encounter with Fluffy in the park earlier this month. 'It [Fluffy] just came at me, it fluffed itself up and my horse spun. It was a blatant attack,' Ms Stickler told A Current Affair on Thursday night. 'I fell off and I was hurt, I was extensively bruised - that was a result of the fall - but he also came at me pecking before my horse took off.' She claimed that Fluffy, 'might be okay around some people, but it still has seriously hurt other people. People are scared to go there.' The park is signposted with a warning that recommends horse riders consider an alternative location in the period between May and September as 'an emu in this park is active at this time of year, particularly towards horses'. Another sign warns that two hand-raised emus live in the park and 'may approach you'. In response to the claims of aggressive behaviour, wildlife advocate and Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year, Claire Smith, started the counter petition to protect Fluffy's right to live in the park which since amassed more than 2,700 signatures. Also speaking on ACA, Ms Smith launched into a passionate defence of the emu, calling him 'the most gentle bird'. 'Fluffy is as aggressive as a newborn kitten,' she said. 'He's so gentle that children go on the park runs with Fluffy, old people, people that are disabled, if you're running, he'll trot alongside you. Fluffy is gentle. 'He's just got this real affinity and this real urge to be with human beings.' When asked about Ms Stickler's account of Fluffy's behaviour, Ms Smith exclaimed: 'If Fluffy ever really did that, I would eat my hat, your hat, and everybody else's hats in Nambour because Fluffy is incredibly gentle.' Ms Smith argued that horse riders must be very experienced to ride through a park where wildlife are present. 'Anything can come out on a track when it's a conservation park, it could be a large snake, it could be a wallaby, a paddy melon, or it could even be a drop bear,' she said.
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
AFL: Eagles coach McQualter pleas for draft assistance after horror season
Rookie West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is all-in on his club's pursuit of draft help, including a priority pick, declaring he is 'in a rush to get better'. Premiers as recently as 2018, and with a monster $20m offer on the table for gun youngster Harley Reid, the Eagles' request for help has raised some eyebrows around the AFL. McQualter confirmed that Reid had returned home to Tongala in country Victoria after his season-ending ankle syndesmosis injury without a firm decision on his future. He's out of contract at the end of 2026. But after West Coast chief executive Don Pyke confirmed the club would lodge an application for AFL draft assistance, McQualter fell in behind the boss, declaring the battling outfit would take any available steps to improve its list as quickly as possible. Andrew McQualter says the Eagles need help. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images The Eagles have won just a single game this season, McQualter's first at the helm, and just 11 across their past four and are set to collect a second wooden spoon in three years. 'We're in a rush to get better and historically, the ways to get better are draft, trade, free agent and priority bids, that's part of the rules,' McQualter said. 'So we need to explore all the options we can and whatever it lands us, whether it's more picks, a high pick, wherever, if it's an opportunity for us to get better, we'll take it. 'We're aligned that we're in a position where we think we can apply for it, and then the AFL will look at it and they decide. 'We're in a rush to get better and if that's a way that we can get better, we're willing to look and apply for it.' The Eagles are still in discussions about what form of draft help they would seek. Any assistance package would have to be ticked off by the AFL Commission. After winning just 12 games over a four-year period between 2020-23, North Melbourne was given three end-of-first round selections across the 2023 and 2024 drafts as well as extra rookie list spots. 'I haven't been involved in the actual application. I've been across it but not involved in it, so I'm not sure the answer to it,' McQualter said. 'We'll just apply and see where it lands.' Harley Reid has flown to Victoria after his ankle injury. Picture:McQualter said the Eagles would also go after more experienced players, having lured Richmond premiership pair Liam Baker and Jack Graham to the club this season. 'Potentially, for sure, we're looking at that as well. That's an option. I think we've said it really publicly, where we're open to every avenue,' he said. 'And that will be draft this year that we'll target and we'll also target trade and free agency.' McQualter said 20-year-old Reid had returned home, in a moon boot, to see his family after hurting himself last Saturday but would return to Perth to complete his rehab. 'We do that with all of our players. Harley's not going to play again this season, and this week of rehab is not going to be much,' McQualter said. 'He's in a moon boot still, so when you get an opportunity to send players back to their home states, we always support that. ''Harls' is in that position. Bo Allan went back to his home in Mandurah when he hurt his ankle last week, so that's common practice for us and we support it. 'It won't be for the rest of the season, so he'll come back next week and start his rehab process.'
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
New-look WACA to feature tribute to New Norcia Invincibles and ‘very dramatic' aquatic centre
The revamped WACA venue will recognise its Indigenous history with a statue honouring the New Norcia Invincibles. The WACA facelift, which includes a six-lane swimming pool and 'very dramatic water slide', is 80 per cent complete and on track to open before the 2025-26 summer. The entry to the redeveloped venue will feature a nod to the New Norcia Invincibles and its team captain Joseph Nogolgot. The Invincibles walked over 130 kilometres between 1879 and 1883 from New Norcia to Perth to face the Metropolitan Cricket Club. They earned 'The Invincibles' after their captivating style of cricket stunned the locals in several matches. A WACA spokesperson said the statue 'stands as a tribute to those remarkable men and their legacy'. WA cricket chief executive John Stephenson says the venue will still have 'cricket at its heart' and it will shine through its new acknowledgment. Stephenson views the statue, the heavy selection of Indigenous artwork and aquatic centre all part of growing cricket in WA. 'Although we are developing new facilities and a new venue in a sense, it's still got cricket at its heart,' Stephenson said. Aboriginal cricket team, New Norcia, 1879. Picture: WA State Library 'We'll still be acknowledging that and the heritage at the WACA ground everywhere, especially in specific areas. 'When you come through the WACA ground for whatever it is; a swim, a workout in the gym, a tour of the museum or the indoor centre for a net, you'll be surrounded by that heritage and there will be a lot of Aboriginal art and decor. 'One thing you'll notice when you come to the redevelopment of the WACA is there will be a bronze statue that acknowledges Aboriginal culture. 'As you go through the WACA redevelopment you'll see it everywhere and I think it's really good, it's something WA really lead on throughout the country. 'It's something we're very proud of … it's Joseph, the legendary Aboriginal cricketer, so he gets the acknowledgment as you walk into the ground.' Stephenson admits the aquatic centre, a short stone throw from the boundary, is 'certainly a unique proposition' but hopes it plays a role in luring non-cricket people into the sport. 'It looks pretty impressive, a very dramatic water slide, six-lane, outdoor 50 metre pool … it's really exciting to see it come to life.' he said. Cricket and swimming will collide at the upgraded WACA. PICTURES: WACA 'I think it will be a key success to part of the regeneration of this precinct in east Perth and I think the community are going to benefit massively from it. 'We'll be looking to attract a lot of the local community coming into the WACA ground for the first time, they'll use our unique facilities and see cricket going on in the background. 'Hopefully that will pique their interest in cricket and vice versa for those who go to the WACA purely for cricket, they'll hopefully benefit the other way around.' The New Norcia Invincibles —16 February 1879: Paul Jater, Paddy Yappo, John Walley, Benedict Cuper, Anthony Nelabut, Aleck Wagnola, Felix Jackamarra, James Egan, John Blurton, Henry Lefroy, Frederick Yrbel, Joseph Nogolgot (Captain). Tyler Lewis Sports reporter Tyler Lewis is a sports reporter based in Melbourne's south east. @tmlew_ Tyler Lewis
