Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, announced the appointment of Joe McDonald to the key senior role of Chief Executive Hospitals South, following a competitive recruitment process. "Mr McDonald is a senior healthcare executive who will bring significant experience to the role," Minister Barnett said. "Mr McDonald will join the Tasmanian Department of Health from his current role of General Manager of the Northern NSW Local Health District, a position he has held since July 2018. "Mr McDonald regularly covered the Director of Clinical Operations role over the past five years, delivering clinical services for a population of more than 313,000 across an area of more than 20,000 square kilometres.

https://www.miragenews.com/new-chief-executive-of-hospitals-south-appointed-1100235/

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The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Labor Government for permitting an anti-Semitic pro-Hamas protest to prevent a peaceful gathering of Sydney's Jewish community at the illuminated Sydney Opera House to mourn the barbaric attacks on innocent civilians in Israel. "The Premier, Attorney General and Minister for Police have failed in their duty to ensure the safety and protection of Sydney's Jewish community – instead telling the community "to stay home," Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said.

https://www.miragenews.com/minns-labor-government-fails-sydneys-jewish-1100231/

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In celebration of Benalla Rural City's rich heritage and promising future, the Benalla Festival 2023 has unveiled an exciting lineup of events set to captivate residents and visitors alike. With the theme 'Past, Present, Future', the festival promises a diverse range of activities, embodying the town's vibrant spirit. Benalla Rural City Mayor Bernie Hearn expressed her enthusiasm for this year's Festival lineup. "The Benalla Festival has always been a testament to our community's unity and creativity," Cr Hearn said.

https://www.miragenews.com/benalla-festival-2023-unveils-exciting-lineup-1100218/

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Unlike many of us, Gayle loves public speaking. It's a skill she's developed over many years working as a teacher, and recently through being involved with Toastmasters, an educational organisation dedicated to improving public speaking skills. In 2022, a local church asked Gayle to speak about her cancer experience at their Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. After giving it some thought, she realised that she was ready to share her story and said yes to the opportunity. Gayle has had 5 different cancers since 1991, lost 11 body organs along the way, and in 2017 went through research for the BRCA gene mutation.

https://www.miragenews.com/fifth-time-cancer-survivor-gayle-empowers-1100229/

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City of Ballarat residents are invited to provide feedback on how we can work to achieve zero recoverable waste going to landfill by 2040. The City of Ballarat is encouraging residents to provide feedback at a range of community forums being held next week and online via the City of Ballarat's mySay website. The consultation will inform future strategies which will cover the City of Ballarat's non-kerbside services, such as hard waste collection, litter and illegal dumping, waste education and will also seek to identify local waste reduction and diversion targets.

https://www.miragenews.com/ballarat-launches-community-engagement-in-waste-1100163/

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The Tasmanian Liberal Government's turmoil is putting enormous pressure on harness racing. As we approach the summer racing carnival, the cloud of the Murrihy Review still hangs over the industry which is unfair on the vast majority of participants who have done absolutely nothing wrong. It has been almost 200 days since the independent investigation was announced and we still have no response to the serious allegations around race fixing and animal welfare. Those with allegations against them continue to operate and the Director of Racing continues to oversee the industry - all while his performance is effectively being investigated.

https://www.miragenews.com/murrihy-report-delay-damages-tasmanian-racing-1100178/

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Russia is using grain and arms to pressure countries to vote tomorrow in support of its candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. If Moscow's prior bids are any guide, it has an 80% chance of winning. 'Putting the torturer of Ukrainians on a world human rights body would be a travesty of justice,' said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, an independent non-governmental human rights group based in Geneva. Moscow's abuses are detailed in a joint NGO report published ahead of the October 10th vote by UN Watch, Human Rights Foundation and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, NGOs based in Switzerland, the U.

https://www.miragenews.com/oct-10-vote-reject-putins-un-human-rights-1100184/

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Playford's emerging leaders have been busy knocking down social barriers as they learn how to prepare for their futures through the Playford's new Young Leaders Program 2023. Launched in August 2023, the Young Leaders Program delivers youth training to Playford's young people who identify as having a disability and/ or having lived experience of mental illness. Young people aged between 16 - 25, who live work or study in Playford were eligible to participate in a series of four half-day working sessions, where they learnt to advocate for their own needs and explore job pathways.

https://www.miragenews.com/young-leaders-raise-awareness-for-world-1100222/

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Today we recognise and support World Mental Health Day. Recognised nationally and internationally, World Mental Health Day is a reminder that we all have a part to play in understanding mental health, raising awareness and driving actions that promote and protect everyone's mental health. The Mental Health Australia theme for 2023 is "look after your mental health, Australia" and focuses on awareness, belonging and connection. It is an important reminder to us all to check in with our colleagues, family and friends and ourselves.

https://www.miragenews.com/defence-department-marks-world-mental-health-1100226/

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A record-breaking trial run for the longest intermodal freight train will pave the way for regular, more efficient services between Merbein and the Port of Melbourne, thanks to the Allan Labor Government. The 1500 metre container train operated by Pacific National was hauled by three locomotives pulling 86 wagons. This longer, heavier train can haul approximately 4000 tonnes of freight without needing extra locomotives and train crews. Longer trains will operate during peak seasons to move higher volumes of produce such as table grapes and citrus from the Sunraysia Region, taking more trucks off regional and urban roads.

https://www.miragenews.com/record-breaking-freight-train-delivers-goods-1100220/

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Tasmania Police's Taskforce Saturate continues to target repeat offenders with the aim of making our community safer. Acting Commander John Toohey of Southern District said "at the start of September, Taskforce Saturate was bolstered with four additional officers, with one clear objective, to deal with as many repeat offenders as possible." "In just 25 days, Taskforce Saturate has charged 73 people, with 342 charges being laid against these repeat offenders." "The resulting charges include aggravated assault, robbery, aggravated burglary, assault, breach of bail, firearm offences, drug offences, family violence offences, dangerous driving, evade police, disqualified driving and disorderly behaviour.

https://www.miragenews.com/taskforce-saturate-charges-73-in-25-days-for-1100221/

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The latest report of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' (RACS) Western Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality (WAASM) shows that over the last two years there has been a notable rise in deaths in patients under the care of a surgeon in Western Australia (WA). The standout observation in this year's report is an increase in deaths in 2022, the second year this has occurred. The increase of 40-50 patients (approximately seven per cent) in each of the last two years is an abrupt reversal of the almost uninterrupted decline in deaths under a surgeon since WAASM commenced over 20 years ago.

https://www.miragenews.com/covid-legacy-effects-may-boost-death-rates-in-1100227/

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Works for the relocation of the maintenance shed at Crescent Head Holiday Park will begin on Monday 16 October, weather permitting. We are pleased to advise that work is expected to begin next week to relocate the Crescent Head Maintenance Shed. The work will involve selective tree removal, installation of a new retaining wall and slab and then the relocation and installation of the shed on the new site. The project will begin with earthworks, a new concrete slab and the construction of the retaining wall at the shed's new location.

https://www.miragenews.com/crescent-head-shed-moving-to-new-home-1100161/

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Every day, we hear stories about the difference Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy volunteer prison chaplains are making in the lives of people inside correctional centres who were feeling hopeless, helpless and alone. They include people like Angela*, who had to leave her three children behind when she went to prison. She was lonely, depressed and afraid. Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy prison chaplains are making in the lives of people inside correctional centres. "Then I met the prison chaplains and everything changed," Angela said.

https://www.miragenews.com/carinity-prison-chaplains-delivering-words-of-1100166/

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The Rockliff Government must outline how it intends to support the operations of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after withdrawing the service's license to fundraise from January next year. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter estimates it has raised about $10 million to support the service since it was established in 2000 through community and corporate sponsorship. Now, this breathtakingly bad decision will see Tasmanian taxpayers forced to pick up the tab while the state faces crises in health, housing and cost-of-living.

https://www.miragenews.com/rockliff-govt-denies-funding-for-crucial-1100173/

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A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: The UK Government does not support the use of UK territory by anyone, including Afghan nationals, to plan, recruit for, incite or finance terrorism in Afghanistan, or to seek political change through violence. We strongly discourage others from doing so. Political change sought through armed violence or incitement of violence that amounts to an offence in UK law can be subject to investigation. Violence of any kind is not in the interests of Afghanistan, or the international community, and we deplore violent attacks of all kinds.

https://www.miragenews.com/uk-gov-condemns-violence-in-afghanistan-1100180/

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Right now, the Commonwealth Government is holding a consultation on declaring an 'Offshore Renewable Energy Area' in the Ocean off the coast of the Illawarra. We are asking everyone in the community to participate in the consultation and show their support for the Declaration of this Offshore Renewable Energy Area, before Monday 16 October. This is an incredible opportunity for Illawarra workers and our entire community to build the renewable energy infrastructure we need to create thousands of good union jobs and meet our climate obligations at the same time.

https://www.miragenews.com/update-on-illawarra-offshore-renewable-energy-1100186/

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Following a review of the dairy quota allocation system, the Government will progress changes to the system in order to maximise opportunities for our dairy exporters, Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor announced today. "Having signed seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements since 2017, New Zealand has several new dairy quotas - including with the United Kingdom and the European Union. "These newly secured quotas meant it was timely to review our quota system and make sure that our dairy exporters are able to get the most out of these market opportunities.

https://www.miragenews.com/nz-gov-boosts-dairy-exports-with-enhanced-quota-1100193/

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Along with preparing for major project procurement processes, participants also networked with representatives from Martinus Rail, Inland Rail's principal contractor for the Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes enhancement works. The key business support program is being delivered by Deborah Wilson Consulting Services and comprises five workshops over nine months with one-on-one mentoring support available to participating businesses in between. The third round of workshops will be held at the end of November, with a focus on meeting project requirements and business development.

https://www.miragenews.com/inland-rail-boosts-local-business-skills-for-1100192/

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Are you a Koori artist, business owner, or industry mentor? Register to learn more about our free ! 'The is designed to help Koori people establish or improve their creative businesses with information from professionals in their industries and communities,' said Mayor Kenrick Winchester. 'We are holding a series of information sessions about the program in October and we encourage prospective mentors and creative people to come along and hear about how the program will work.' 'After these information sessions attendees will be able to apply to be part of the workshop series.

https://www.miragenews.com/koori-arts-biz-program-1100224/

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The ACCC has granted authorisation with conditions for the proposed acquisition of Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) by Brookfield and MidOcean. The proposed acquisition comprises two interdependent transactions. The transactions will result in a consortium led by the Brookfield Global Transition Fund owning Origin's energy markets business, including Origin's electricity generation and electricity and gas retail businesses. MidOcean will own Origin's upstream gas interests. Under the Competition and Consumer Act, the ACCC must not grant authorisation unless it is satisfied in all the circumstances that the proposed acquisition would not be likely to substantially lessen competition, or that the likely public benefits would outweigh the likely public detriments.

https://www.miragenews.com/accc-greenlights-brookfield-midoceans-origin-1100123/

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Sunraysia residents are being urged to ensure their properties are prepared for the upcoming Fire Danger Period. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) declares an annual Fire Danger Period from October through to April, and it's important that everyone in our region does their part to reduce the risk of fire ahead of the declaration. Council's Local Laws Officers will soon start inspecting properties throughout the municipality to ensure they don't pose a fire-risk. Penalty notices can be issued to landowners if their land doesn't comply with Local Laws.

https://www.miragenews.com/mildura-council-urges-property-clean-up-before-1100136/

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Up to 45 per cent of all known flowering plant species across the globe could be under threat of extinction with the plant family Orchidaceae (orchids) among the most threatened, according to a new report. Kew's State of the World's Plants and Fungi (SOTWPF) 2023 report, published today, tackles the nature emergency by laying out the current condition of the world's plants and fungi. Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, contributed to the report with CSIRO orchid researcher, Dr Katharina Nargar, a senior author of the report's chapter on orchids.

https://www.miragenews.com/state-of-worlds-orchids-revealed-in-new-report-1100147/

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On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today opened applications for the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program. Announced in the 2023-24 budget, the program aims to catalyse Australia's hydrogen industry to take advantage of Australia's unparalleled opportunity to be a global hydrogen leader. Projects seeking to produce renewable hydrogen or derivatives at scale can apply for a production credit delivered over ten years to bridge the gap between the cost of producing renewable hydrogen and the market price.

https://www.miragenews.com/australian-hydrogen-gets-headstart-1100165/

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Got that beach feeling? Thinking of heading for a swim? The City of Coffs Harbour's Lifeguard Service kicked off their surf season beach patrols in late September for the school holidays at four of our most popular beaches - Sawtell, Park, Diggers and Woolgoolga. From this week, lifeguards will patrol Sawtell, Park and Woolgoolga beaches until the Christmas holidays when they will ramp up the service again. Park Beach and Sawtell Beach 9am-5pm Woolgoolga Beach 10am-3pm. "And of course, local Surf Lifesaving Clubs will be patrolling every weekend and public holiday, but please check with the individual surf clubs before hitting the beach," said Ian Fitzgibbon, acting City of Coffs Harbour Director City Planning and Communities.

https://www.miragenews.com/coffs-harbour-lifeguards-ensure-swimmer-safety-1100171/

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Queensland Mental Health Week 2023 is held from Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 October, encompassing World Mental Health Day today on 10 October. Queensland's Minister for Health and Mental Health has unveiled further support for alcohol and other drug treatment and support, through the $1.64 billion Better Care Together plan. This includes $47.9 million to boost treatment services, and a further $1 million to continue the Keep an eye on your drinking campaign. Queensland Mental Health Week 2023 has begun, offering an important awareness event that encourages people to check in on their mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.miragenews.com/world-mental-health-day-queensland-unveils-drug-1100195/

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Bega Valley Shire Council and Atlas of Life are pleased to present the next Life in our Cemeteries event at the Rocky Hall cemetery on Saturday 21 October from 11am to 3pm. "We've had a huge amount of interest in previous events. It's such a unique opportunity to visit your local cemetery to learn about the history and document the plants and wildlife that live in and around them," Council's Environmental Management Officer, Erin Moon said. "By identifying the biodiversity at the site and detecting any changes, programs like this help to inform the future management of our shire's cemeteries.

https://www.miragenews.com/life-in-our-cemeteries-event-at-rocky-hall-bega-1100200/

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Tanya Dobrijevic, Agriculture Victoria Ag Recovery Officer Feed is more than just hay or grain, it is the energy and protein content that is most important. It is critical to purchase feed that is appropriate for your stock and meets their nutritional requirements. A simple visual assessment of a feed is not sufficient to determine quality. By doing a 'feed test', you take the guess work out of feed supplementation and can accurately calculate the suitability of your feed. A feed test will provide an analysis of the nutritional composition of your feed (be it hay, silage, grain or pasture).

https://www.miragenews.com/feed-testing-calculating-benefits-1100203/

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New mums and dads in Wyndham and across the western suburbs will get the specialised support they need to care for their new babies, close to home - with the first of 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres now complete. Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn Thomas today toured the new multi-million-dollar Wyndham Early Parenting Centre in Werribee, set to open to parents this month. Designed to feel like a home away from home, the centre supports families with children up to four years of age, giving them the advice and care they need - like support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.

https://www.miragenews.com/new-early-parenting-centre-delivered-for-west-1100170/

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The world premiere of Baz Luhrmann's "Faraway Downs," an inspiring epic adventure and reimagined extended version of Luhrmann's 2008 film "Australia," will be presented by Baz Luhrmann in person, on closing night of the inaugural SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival on Oct. 21, 2023. The film, told in six chapters, will premiere all at once on Hulu in the United States, Star+ in Latin America and on Disney+ in all other territories on Nov. 26, 2023. "I was inspired to re-approach my film "Australia" to create "Faraway Downs" because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world," said Baz Luhrmann.

https://www.miragenews.com/baz-luhrmanns-faraway-downs-world-premiere-set-1100183/

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