Latest news with #AdvanceAustraliaFair
The Age
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Age
Kiama's daily miracle
'The power has just come on after a 12-hour blackout due to the truly awful weather overnight,' writes Nola Tucker of Kiama. 'Raging winds and heavy rain, nobody would've gone out, surely, but when I looked outside, there was my Herald on the steps. Just like the postman, the paper must get through. Thanks all round and I even got the Target word!' We were sorry to read about Aussie Maya Joint's (C8) defeat at Wimbledon and suspect Mick Miller of Ettalong Beach foredoomed her with his tennis elbow quip, but that hasn't stopped his ponderings: 'May I add that Maya would be double-jointed if she played doubles. I hope she knuckles down now. If so, I'll give her the thumbs-up.' Peter Reddel of Terrigal recalls that 'in the '50s, an American friend visiting my parents, mentioned going down to reception in a swank Sydney pub and asking for a comforter (C8). The receptionist firmly replied, 'We are not that sort of hotel'.' While both Peter Miniutti of Ashbury and William Galton of Hurstville Grove recommend singing Advance Australia Fair to the tune of the Gilligan's Island (C8) theme, we thought we'd visit the source: 'It was a terrible experience. The worst storm imaginable,' says Geoff Gilligan of Coogee. 'The SS Minnow was a tiny boat and no match for Mother Nature's fury, especially as it ran out of fuel after 42 miles. The only island I want to see now is Wedding Cake island.' The Liberals aren't the only ones distancing themselves from a certain hospitality company: 'I, Meri Will (of Baulkham Hills), hereby disavow any connection with Meri Vale.'
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
Kiama's daily miracle
'The power has just come on after a 12-hour blackout due to the truly awful weather overnight,' writes Nola Tucker of Kiama. 'Raging winds and heavy rain, nobody would've gone out, surely, but when I looked outside, there was my Herald on the steps. Just like the postman, the paper must get through. Thanks all round and I even got the Target word!' We were sorry to read about Aussie Maya Joint's (C8) defeat at Wimbledon and suspect Mick Miller of Ettalong Beach foredoomed her with his tennis elbow quip, but that hasn't stopped his ponderings: 'May I add that Maya would be double-jointed if she played doubles. I hope she knuckles down now. If so, I'll give her the thumbs-up.' Peter Reddel of Terrigal recalls that 'in the '50s, an American friend visiting my parents, mentioned going down to reception in a swank Sydney pub and asking for a comforter (C8). The receptionist firmly replied, 'We are not that sort of hotel'.' While both Peter Miniutti of Ashbury and William Galton of Hurstville Grove recommend singing Advance Australia Fair to the tune of the Gilligan's Island (C8) theme, we thought we'd visit the source: 'It was a terrible experience. The worst storm imaginable,' says Geoff Gilligan of Coogee. 'The SS Minnow was a tiny boat and no match for Mother Nature's fury, especially as it ran out of fuel after 42 miles. The only island I want to see now is Wedding Cake island.' The Liberals aren't the only ones distancing themselves from a certain hospitality company: 'I, Meri Will (of Baulkham Hills), hereby disavow any connection with Meri Vale.'
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
NRL makes a stunning call on who will perform the national anthem for State of Origin game three
The NRL has confirmed who will perform the national anthem at the Origin series decider on July 9 - and it will warm the hearts of footy fans. Erin Mortimer, the daughter of NSW Blues legend Steve Mortimer, is poised to sing Advance Australia Fair in front of 80,000-plus supporters. It will also be the 40th anniversary of her father leading NSW to the state's first-ever Origin series triumph in 1985. In iconic scenes, the champion halfback kissed the turf at the SCG at fulltime after the Blues finally got the better of Queensland. Mortimer was then chaired off the field by his jubilant teammates before lifting the interstate trophy. 'I'm very excited, humbled and honoured on a personal note but also the sense of occasion,' Erin Mortimer told News Corp. Mortimer played nine State of Origin games for NSW in his decorated career (pictured, after winning the 1985 series) 'Given what Dad is going through, I'm grateful and privileged. 'The adrenaline, nerves and anticipation before kick-off will be amazing, so I can only imagine what Dad was feeling 40 years ago before that iconic first series win in '85.' She added it will be 'bittersweet' that Mortimer - who now lives in a Sydney nursing home - won't be at Accor Stadium on the night. A vocalist, performer and songwriter, Mortimer won't be rattled by the huge occasion, having sung the anthem at Origin games in 2008 and 2013. Mortimer played nine State of Origin games for NSW between 1982 and 1985 and also won four premierships with the Bulldogs, including two as captain. In recent years, he has battled the effects of dementia. Sadly, his son Andrew revealed Mortimer probably is unaware how well his beloved Bulldogs are performing this NRL season due to his declining health. 'It's a shame because they are absolutely killing it,' he said.
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
PM leans on friends in uncertain world ahead of talks
The prime minister has stressed the importance of "trusted partners" in an uncertain world as major diplomatic talks loom. Sporting a teal and white island shirt, Anthony Albanese met with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi on his first stop of a global tour. The meeting was their first since Labor's decisive re-election and Mr Albanese said the timing showed both nations were part of a "Pacific family". "You, my friend, are a trusted partner and friend of Australia," Mr Albanese told Mr Rabuka ahead of bilateral discussions. "We in Australia understand that in today's uncertain world, what we need are partners and friends we can rely on." During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Vuvale Partnership, which emphasises both countries' shared goal of regional peace, security and prosperity. The prime ministers began preparations for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, to be hosted in the Solomon Islands in September, which is expected to enhance co-operation within the region. While Mr Albanese's Pacific visit is expected to play second fiddle to a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump in coming days, regional issues such as security remain a key focus for Australia. The environment and climate change were also discussion points in Fiji as Australia bids to co-host the United Nations' climate conference with Pacific partners in 2026. "Fiji is one of the most important relationships for Australia in the Pacific Islands region," Lowy Institute Pacific Islands program director Mihai Sora told AAP. The nation had been able to delineate its security relationships with traditional partners such as the US, Australia and New Zealand while also protecting and promoting trade and economic ties with China and other parts of Asia, Mr Sora said. Mr Albanese was welcomed by a delegation and local marching band, which made him feel at home with a rendition of Advance Australia Fair, before attending a meeting and dinner with Fijian officials. However, the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's whirlwind trip will be the G7 summit, a gathering of seven of the world's largest advanced economies. Australia is not a member of the G7, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Mr Albanese. He is expected to meet with the US president on the sidelines of the conference, where he could try to carve out a tariff exemption. Australia faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like every US trading partner except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America. The Australian government has called the trade measures an "act of economic self-harm" and is considering using critical minerals and US beef imports as bargaining chips. Mr Albanese has not yet confirmed whether he will meet Mr Trump, although other bilateral discussions have been organised with the leaders of Canada, the UK, South Korea and Japan. The prime minister is also expected to meet with business leaders in Seattle en route to the G7 to discuss emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The prime minister has stressed the importance of "trusted partners" in an uncertain world as major diplomatic talks loom. Sporting a teal and white island shirt, Anthony Albanese met with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi on his first stop of a global tour. The meeting was their first since Labor's decisive re-election and Mr Albanese said the timing showed both nations were part of a "Pacific family". "You, my friend, are a trusted partner and friend of Australia," Mr Albanese told Mr Rabuka ahead of bilateral discussions. "We in Australia understand that in today's uncertain world, what we need are partners and friends we can rely on." During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Vuvale Partnership, which emphasises both countries' shared goal of regional peace, security and prosperity. The prime ministers began preparations for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, to be hosted in the Solomon Islands in September, which is expected to enhance co-operation within the region. While Mr Albanese's Pacific visit is expected to play second fiddle to a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump in coming days, regional issues such as security remain a key focus for Australia. The environment and climate change were also discussion points in Fiji as Australia bids to co-host the United Nations' climate conference with Pacific partners in 2026. "Fiji is one of the most important relationships for Australia in the Pacific Islands region," Lowy Institute Pacific Islands program director Mihai Sora told AAP. The nation had been able to delineate its security relationships with traditional partners such as the US, Australia and New Zealand while also protecting and promoting trade and economic ties with China and other parts of Asia, Mr Sora said. Mr Albanese was welcomed by a delegation and local marching band, which made him feel at home with a rendition of Advance Australia Fair, before attending a meeting and dinner with Fijian officials. However, the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's whirlwind trip will be the G7 summit, a gathering of seven of the world's largest advanced economies. Australia is not a member of the G7, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Mr Albanese. He is expected to meet with the US president on the sidelines of the conference, where he could try to carve out a tariff exemption. Australia faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like every US trading partner except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America. The Australian government has called the trade measures an "act of economic self-harm" and is considering using critical minerals and US beef imports as bargaining chips. Mr Albanese has not yet confirmed whether he will meet Mr Trump, although other bilateral discussions have been organised with the leaders of Canada, the UK, South Korea and Japan. The prime minister is also expected to meet with business leaders in Seattle en route to the G7 to discuss emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The prime minister has stressed the importance of "trusted partners" in an uncertain world as major diplomatic talks loom. Sporting a teal and white island shirt, Anthony Albanese met with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi on his first stop of a global tour. The meeting was their first since Labor's decisive re-election and Mr Albanese said the timing showed both nations were part of a "Pacific family". "You, my friend, are a trusted partner and friend of Australia," Mr Albanese told Mr Rabuka ahead of bilateral discussions. "We in Australia understand that in today's uncertain world, what we need are partners and friends we can rely on." During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Vuvale Partnership, which emphasises both countries' shared goal of regional peace, security and prosperity. The prime ministers began preparations for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, to be hosted in the Solomon Islands in September, which is expected to enhance co-operation within the region. While Mr Albanese's Pacific visit is expected to play second fiddle to a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump in coming days, regional issues such as security remain a key focus for Australia. The environment and climate change were also discussion points in Fiji as Australia bids to co-host the United Nations' climate conference with Pacific partners in 2026. "Fiji is one of the most important relationships for Australia in the Pacific Islands region," Lowy Institute Pacific Islands program director Mihai Sora told AAP. The nation had been able to delineate its security relationships with traditional partners such as the US, Australia and New Zealand while also protecting and promoting trade and economic ties with China and other parts of Asia, Mr Sora said. Mr Albanese was welcomed by a delegation and local marching band, which made him feel at home with a rendition of Advance Australia Fair, before attending a meeting and dinner with Fijian officials. However, the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's whirlwind trip will be the G7 summit, a gathering of seven of the world's largest advanced economies. Australia is not a member of the G7, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Mr Albanese. He is expected to meet with the US president on the sidelines of the conference, where he could try to carve out a tariff exemption. Australia faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like every US trading partner except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America. The Australian government has called the trade measures an "act of economic self-harm" and is considering using critical minerals and US beef imports as bargaining chips. Mr Albanese has not yet confirmed whether he will meet Mr Trump, although other bilateral discussions have been organised with the leaders of Canada, the UK, South Korea and Japan. The prime minister is also expected to meet with business leaders in Seattle en route to the G7 to discuss emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The prime minister has stressed the importance of "trusted partners" in an uncertain world as major diplomatic talks loom. Sporting a teal and white island shirt, Anthony Albanese met with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi on his first stop of a global tour. The meeting was their first since Labor's decisive re-election and Mr Albanese said the timing showed both nations were part of a "Pacific family". "You, my friend, are a trusted partner and friend of Australia," Mr Albanese told Mr Rabuka ahead of bilateral discussions. "We in Australia understand that in today's uncertain world, what we need are partners and friends we can rely on." During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Vuvale Partnership, which emphasises both countries' shared goal of regional peace, security and prosperity. The prime ministers began preparations for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, to be hosted in the Solomon Islands in September, which is expected to enhance co-operation within the region. While Mr Albanese's Pacific visit is expected to play second fiddle to a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump in coming days, regional issues such as security remain a key focus for Australia. The environment and climate change were also discussion points in Fiji as Australia bids to co-host the United Nations' climate conference with Pacific partners in 2026. "Fiji is one of the most important relationships for Australia in the Pacific Islands region," Lowy Institute Pacific Islands program director Mihai Sora told AAP. The nation had been able to delineate its security relationships with traditional partners such as the US, Australia and New Zealand while also protecting and promoting trade and economic ties with China and other parts of Asia, Mr Sora said. Mr Albanese was welcomed by a delegation and local marching band, which made him feel at home with a rendition of Advance Australia Fair, before attending a meeting and dinner with Fijian officials. However, the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's whirlwind trip will be the G7 summit, a gathering of seven of the world's largest advanced economies. Australia is not a member of the G7, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Mr Albanese. He is expected to meet with the US president on the sidelines of the conference, where he could try to carve out a tariff exemption. Australia faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like every US trading partner except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America. The Australian government has called the trade measures an "act of economic self-harm" and is considering using critical minerals and US beef imports as bargaining chips. Mr Albanese has not yet confirmed whether he will meet Mr Trump, although other bilateral discussions have been organised with the leaders of Canada, the UK, South Korea and Japan. The prime minister is also expected to meet with business leaders in Seattle en route to the G7 to discuss emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The Age
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘Sorrento is not your town': Writers festival fallout deepens
This was a further contrast with the SWF, which had Lionel Lauch of Indigenous organisation Living Culture perform a Welcome to Country on behalf of the Bunurong community, while moderators gave an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of other sessions. The festival has several First Nations writers and publishers who are part of its program. But during an impromptu speech at the garden literary gabfest, local Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie, a supporter of SWF, made a light-hearted joke comparing Advance Australia Fair to a Welcome to Country. This further upset some in Sorrento. Now, it emerges there is yet more beef. Turns out Baillieu couldn't attend several SWF events because either the time or venue had changed since his tickets were issued. SWF said it had updated ticket holders via email. Baillieu said that was news to him, and he was seeking either an apology or explanation from Perkin, plus $60 for his unusable tickets. Changing allegiances Congratulations to Paul Guerra, the new chief executive of the Melbourne Football Club, replacing Gary Pert. Guerra, one of the few people in Melbourne to attend more events than CBD, has been chief executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for five years. He's also a director at Racing Victoria and previously was the boss at the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, which runs the Melbourne Royal Show. The Age quoted competition sources saying the exec was a strong strategic thinker with good people skills, and the Demons believed it could 'bring him up to speed on football'. It will also have to bring him up to speed on being a Dees supporter, given Guerra is a lifelong Bombers tragic. We guess his re-education started yesterday. 'I'm moving from the business with politics to the business with sport, and with that, I'm trading the black and red of the Bombers to the red and blue of the Demons,' he told CBD. And as for the soon-to-be vacant VECCI post, CBD is sure that chief of staff Chanelle Pearson would love the job. Other contenders might include failed Melbourne lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood, or Victorian executive director of the Property Council of Australia, Cath Evans. No doubt it will be the hot topic at the chamber's inaugural Melbourne Winter Ball, to be held in Southbank on May 29. Bennelong matters For the Liberals to have a hope on Saturday, they need to reclaim John Howard 's old stomping ground now held by Labor on a wafer-thin margin, the Sydney seat of Bennelong. The party's candidate, Scott Yung, has spent much of the campaign firmly in the 'embattled' camp due to reports outlining his ties to a Chinese Communist Party-linked casino high roller. He also copped heat for handing out Easter eggs to primary school students, an election sweetener gone awry. Yung was evasive when confronted with media questions, even fleeing his own campaign launch, but he found a softer landing on the podcast of his former boss, Mark Bouris, founder of mortgage-lender Yellow Brick Road. 'I just want to clarify for the sake of this conversation: you're not a communist are you?' Bouris asked. Loading 'I think it's borderline racism. Just because I've got an Asian face, my parents have come from China and Hong Kong, they call me a communist,' Yung responded. The fine-print on the podcast disclosed that it was authorised by Yung's campaign – often a tell-tale sign of a paid post. Nothing fishy, we hear. Due to an Australian Electoral Commission crackdown on influencer content, the authorisation was added to avoid any further damaging headlines. Winning ways The scion of one of Australia's grandest, faded media dynasties has got the green light for a renovation at his $22 million mansion to build a new, er, wall. Charles Fairfax, son of the late Lady (Mary) Fairfax, AC, OBE, and heir to the family that once published this masthead, lodged a development application with local Sydney Woollahra Council last year, but it was rejected. The resort-style property, which Charles and wife Kate picked up in 2022, is just 10 minutes down the road from his fabled childhood home, Fairwater, in Double Bay, now owned by billionaire tech baron Mike Cannon-Brookes. Fairfax appealed against the council's rejection to the Land and Environment Court. After a conciliation conference, a revised plan kept everyone happy … and out of court.
