Latest news with #bushland
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
German backpacker escapes Australian bush ordeal by 'sheer luck'
German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush, and only made it out by "sheer luck", police said Saturday. The 26-year-old walked "confused and disoriented" 24 kilometres (15 miles) away from her van after it got stuck in remote bushland in Western Australia. As police searched for her by air, the backpacker's ordeal ended Friday when she managed to flag down a woman driving by who took her to police. She was airlifted to a Perth hospital for treatment. "She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located," said Jessica Securo, acting inspector for the Western Australia police. The rescue was down to "sheer luck". "I actually spoke to Carolina this morning, so she confirmed that she was very confused and disorientated," Securo told a news conference. "She basically looked at the direction of the sun and tried to head west, thinking that that would be her best bet of coming across someone or a road." Wilga had been last seen on June 29 arriving in the van at a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon, northeast of Perth. Police found the van on Thursday, abandoned after getting stuck in dense bushland north of Beacon, with plastic orange traction tracks placed beneath the rear wheels. "It appears that she has somewhat lost control of the vehicle, and then it's become mechanically unsound, and bogged," Securo said. - 'Overwhelmed' - She stayed with the van for one day before leaving the vehicle through "panic", hoping to find help. Wilga was found "exhausted, dehydrated and hungry", suffering from cuts and bruises, but "overwhelmed" to have found someone to help her. "She had minimal food and minimal water. From speaking to her, she has said she could have planned better." The terrain "can be quite dangerous", Securo added. Wilga remained in a Perth hospital and was not expected to be released on Saturday, still needing "emotional support" and treatment for some injuries. "She's had a good night's sleep. She's had a shower. We've got her some food, which was a massive relief for her. So she's just taking it one day at a time at the moment." The backpacker is now in "frequent communication" with her family who are relieved and thankful the Western Australian community came together to "throw every resource at locating their daughter", Securo said. The family had no plans at this stage to travel to Australia. Police say Wilga had spent two years backpacking around the country, and was working at mine sites in Western Australia while staying mostly at hostels. "Carolina has told me that she loves Australia. She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn't made it over to the east coast yet, so that's still on her bucket list." djw/rsc
SBS Australia
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- SBS Australia
El clima y el lenguaje: las frases cotidianas
Enlaces: Transcripción Howie: One day, my Aussie friend said to me, 'Just put it on the hills!' I was confused. Then I realised — they meant The Hills Hoist. From my research, I've learned that Aussie English is shaped by how people live — the weather, the land, and the way we make ourselves at home. So why do Aussies talk about living the way they do? And what does it tell us about life in Australia? Let's find out. Talking about the weather Aussie homes — and our weather — have shaped how we speak. Life in Australia can be harsh and varies across the country. In the Northern Territory, there's no winter — just different types of summer. To newcomers, Australian seasons might not make much sense. That's because the traditional seasons — summer, autumn, winter, spring — were imported from Europe. These seasons explain how the Earth moves, but they don't reflect what's really happening here — when flowers bloom, when crops should be harvested, or when to do controlled burns of bushland. Australia's Indigenous people had a 60,000-year head start observing nature. Many had their own seasonal calendars — two, six, even eight seasons. These Indigenous seasons are based on natural signs. Some last weeks, others span months. If you're interested, you can explore your local Indigenous knowledge sources. From sunshine to showers in 20 minutes Living here means adapting — especially to the weather. You might hang your washing in the bright sun and get hit by rain 20 minutes later. The Hills Hoist has been a backyard staple since the mid-20th century. Many Aussies now use 'Hills' as shorthand for any clothes-drying. Fun fact: In 1945, Sherry Hill complained that traditional washing lines messed up her garden. Her husband Lance Hill created a new invention — and the Hills Hoist was born. Today we use it for drying clothes, party games, and more. Like our weather — and our slang — the Hills Hoist is always spinning. Adapting and roaming: the swagman Aussies take pride in adaptability and hard work. One iconic word is 'swagman' (or 'swaggie') — a travelling worker from Australia's 19th and early 20th centuries. You might know them from the song Waltzing Matilda. Swagmen roamed from place to place looking for work, carrying all their belongings rolled up in a blanket, called a 'Matilda.' After a long day of waltzing — or walking — they'd cuddle up with their Matilda for the night. Aussie time and social life Australia is known for casual living — and that includes party timing. If the event is a backyard barbie or a park catch-up, the start time is often just a suggestion. If it's at a restaurant or formal venue, though — arrive on time. No matter the setting, Aussies love a good chat. And we have some great words for that too. 'Yarn' and 'yarning' The word 'yarn' likely started as a nautical term. By the mid-19th century, people in Australia and New Zealand used it to mean chatting or storytelling. For many Indigenous Australians, 'yarning' has a deeper cultural meaning. Since the 1980s, yarning circles have been a safe, respectful space for storytelling and knowledge sharing. Whether you call it a 'chinwag' or a 'yarn,' Australians love gathering to share stories in a welcoming place. It's part of what defines our culture — being flexible, open, and connected. Sharing our way of life From surviving extreme climates to inventing backyard icons like the Hills Hoist, Aussie living shapes Aussie language. Whether we're finding ways to deal with the weather or sitting down for a yarn, we share everything — from food to stories. And the most wonderful part? Everyone — from locals to migrants — can be part of it. We're all shaping and sharing this unique Australian way of life. Weird and Wonderful Aussie English Credits Video production company: New Mac Video Agency
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Amazing footage reveals 'weird' discovery on pet dog inside Aussie home
A pet owner was baffled to see a possum clinging to his dog's striped jumper inside his home this week, with the dog simply trotting around while the animal hitched a ride. Home security footage captured the moment the Sydney man noticed the possum on Wednesday night. He instructed his dog Stella to go outside so he could get a closer look. He repeatedly remarked on how "weird" the discovery was before slowly pulling the jumper off his dog. "He was cooking Mexican and realised the dogs were nowhere to be seen for around an hour," the man's daughter Francesca explained to Yahoo News. "Then Stella came running out into the lounge room with a possum attached. He originally thought it was a giant rat!" She said her dad took the jumper off as the possum was attached to it, wrapped it around the possum so it was warm, then popped it in a box with a towel and took it to the vet. 🤔 Rare animal hiding in outback photo helps solve decades-long mystery 🔎 Deadly Australian creature hiding in door frame – can you see it? 🦘 Shock moment kangaroo enters suburban home The possum in question appeared to be a disorientated juvenile, a possibly lost its mother. John Grant from animal rescue service WIRES told Yahoo News it was likely seeking refuge on the dog, similar to how joeys cling to their mothers for protection. He said finding possums inside the home or on the roof is "not uncommon", particularly in areas surrounding bushland. When taking a possum to the vet it is best to transport it in a warm, dark environment such as in an appropriately sized box with a towel or blanket. John said if unsure what to do, simply call a wildlife rescuer for assistance. "Always remain calm so the possum doesn't take fright, and call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your nearest wildlife rescue group for advice on the situation," he said. "The dog owners handled the situation perfectly by gently containing the joey, keeping it warm, then taking it to the vet." He said after a medical examination the vet will call a wildlife volunteer to care for the possum until it's old enough to be released. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
ABC News
21-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
ACF says satellite evidence shows mass native habitat destruction by farmers
Investigations are under way into a report by a leading conservation group that farmers have illegally cleared thousands of hectares of native bushland across Australia in a few years. The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) used satellite images and on-the-ground volunteers to document what it says are 90,000 hectares, or 900 square kilometres, of lost bush on 176 properties in NSW, QLD, WA and NT. It says all the sites contained threatened species habitat and the land cleared between 2020 and 2025 equalled an area the size of about 320 Sydney CBDs. ACF business and nature lead, Nathaniel Pelle, said beef production was the primary culprit. "Among these 90,000 hectares that we've identified, the majority of it is identifiable as cattle properties," he said. "It's all pretty mature bush that is being cleared here … some of it might be 20-year-old regrowth and that's still valuable habitat for species." Retired IT professional Ruth Hughes took part in the project as a citizen scientist comparing before-and-after satellite images. "ACF has set it up and we get these shots of high-value nature areas," Ms Hughes said. Land clearing likely to impact threatened species must receive federal approval through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act). ACF claimed none of the land clearing it documented had EPBC approval. Mr Pelle said federal and state governments had to do more to protect Australia from further deforestation. "Unfortunately, federal and state authorities are not properly monitoring or protecting habitat across the country," he said. "It is extremely important that we don't allow environmental degradation to continue. The ACF said the majority of the land clearing was in NSW and Queensland. State and territory governments are the main bodies responsible for enforcing land management and policing land clearing. The NSW government confirmed it received material from the ACF and has launched an investigation. "The department has received and is investigating allegations referred by the ACF," said a Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesperson. "We are unable to comment on cases currently under investigation, as it could impact future legal processes." Queensland's Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development said it investigated all land clearing allegations, "including from ACF". The National Farmers Federation (NFF) hit back at the report. President David Jochinke said the report was full of holes, anti-agriculture and gave no credence to the hard work farmers undertook to preserve biodiversity and habitats. "You tell me how much of that 90,000 hectares is woody weed management … how much of that 90,000 hectares were legitimately cleared with offsets?" Mr Jochinke told the NSW Country Hour. "This so-called report is just an attack on agriculture, without even any context or knowledge of both what land stewardship is and how agriculture looks after over half of Australia's natural environment. Mr Jochinke said the NFF opposed illegal land clearing "but we know the majority of farmers do the right thing … and actually offset a lot of their land management". He said the majority of farmers worked with Landcare and other organisations to plant trees and regenerate farmland. "We understand we've got to look after nature because it absolutely helps our production systems," he said.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Mum's tearful plea for help finding her son Darren Garwood after he vanished without a trace almost a month ago
A Perth mother has fought back tears as she begged for help finding her missing son after he vanished without a trace in bushland almost a month ago. Darren Garwood, 38, left a home in Sawyers Valley, east of Perth, on the morning of Sunday May 25. He had been driving a white Ford Ranger utility with registration SW18692 when police believe he travelled deep into bushland south of the Great Eastern Highway. Mr Garwood's mother, Cecelia McCarron, said she was desperate for answers. 'Not knowing where he is, is extremely, incredibly hard for us,' Ms McCarron told reporters on Friday. 'As his mother, and also his father and the rest of our family, I'm pleading if anyone has any information, whether from before his disappearance or at any point over the past four weeks, we would be so deeply grateful for your help. 'His last known location was somewhere in the Mundaring area, possibly within the national parks - anywhere between Mundaring and York. 'So please just help us bring him home.' Mr Garwood's bank account and mobile phone haven't been accessed since he disappeared. Police are concerned he wasn't carrying enough resources for an extended time in the bush. Sergeant Tania Mackenzie said aerial and ground searches for Mr Garwood, including along bush tracks in the Mundaring area, had yielded no sign of him, leading officers to believe he had gone off the beaten path. 'It is unusual, we know Darren spoke to family on the Saturday night, late in the night, and is normally in contact with family and friends, so it is unusual, and hence our concerns for his welfare,' Sgt Mackenzie said. 'All we can ask is that people look out for his car, that's our best chance, (for) someone to see his white Ford Ranger in that bush land, and (for people to) just to be cognisant of the fact that he's probably gone deeper into the bushland, rather than just on tracks.' Officers are not treating Mr Garwood's disappearance as suspicious.
