TRANSCRIPT
- A bushfire in Victoria's Grampians triples in size as evacuation orders are issued
- Quake-stricken Vanuatu to resume commercial flights
- The Bacardi crew are ready for a record 31st Sydney to Hobart race
A bushfire in Victoria's Grampians National Park has tripled in size in 24 hours, now covering 34,000 hectares.
More than 300 firefighters are battling the blaze ahead of extreme heat and strong winds forecast for Thursday, which could worsen conditions.
Residents of Halls Gap and nearby areas have been urged to evacuate immediately.
Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook has provided an update on firefighting efforts.
"That fire has grown about 33,000 hectares now in size. Didn't move much overnight, which is really good. The conditions were favourable for firefighters, and in fact, they've been extending the control lines on the northern edge of that fire, around the township of Halls Gap, to get the lines to strengthen the protection of that town. So favourable conditions but there will be southerly winds of some strength across the fire ground again today that will put pressure back on all of those edges."
**
Hundreds of Australians have returned from earthquake-hit Vanuatu, as Port Vila’s airport prepares to reopen to commercial flights.
Overnight, RAAF planes brought 144 passengers to Brisbane, adding to the 568 evacuees airlifted since Wednesday.
Two final ADF flights are planned for today.
Port Vila International Airport reopened for commercial flights today, with Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar resuming services to Brisbane.
**
Less than one month into summer, 16 lives have already been lost to drowning, and lifesavers warn this number could double over the festive season.
The week, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, is the deadliest for water-related incidents, according to Royal Life Saving Australia, with an average of 15 deaths each year as people flock to beaches, rivers, lakes, and pools.
Last summer, 26 per cent of all drowning deaths occurred during this period, averaging three fatalities per day.
C-E-O of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Justin Scarr, explains why the festive season is particularly hazardous.
"Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Australians are heading off for their summer vacation, and so they're more likely to be exposed to water locations, whether it's our wonderful beaches, lakes, rivers, perhaps community swimming pools or backyard swimming pools, in fact. But also people are trying to swim off a very busy year and quite often a heavy Christmas period. So we would urge, particularly men, older men, just to be aware of swimming after drinking can have tragic consequences. Also be aware of other medical conditions, that can also impact on your ability to float or swim to safety."
**
Pope Francis has condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, a day after an Israeli minister criticised him for suggesting the offensive may constitute genocide.
Addressing Vatican cardinals on Saturday, Francis referred to airstrikes that killed at least 25 Palestinians one day prior, as cruel.
Francis also noted the Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem was denied entry to Gaza to visit Catholics.
Israel’s military later said entry was approved, subject to security.
“Cardinal Re, you spoke about war. Yesterday the patriarch was not allowed to enter Gaza as they promised. Yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty, this is not war. I want to say this because it touches my heart."
The Pope has recently been more vocal about Israel’s campaign against Hamas, citing experts who described events in Gaza as resembling genocide.
Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli accused Francis of trivialising the term.
**
And in sailing,
A $2 part left out by a technician ruined Bacardi's last Sydney to Hobart race and nearly caused the veteran yacht's mast to collapse into the Pacific.
But the crew can rest easy knowing that the error won’t be repeated in 2024, as the most experienced yacht in Sydney to Hobart history prepares to take part in the race for a record 31st time.
Before even sailing Bacardi back from its early retirement last year, co-owner and skipper Brett Averay arranged repairs to ensure the yacht was ready for this year’s race.
He says the 2023 mishap occurred when a service technician forgot to install a $2 part in a hydraulic ram that stops the mast from going forward.
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins on the 26th of December and ends on the 2nd of January 2025.
