Latest news with #ABCGreatSouthern
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Alice Walker
Alice Walker grew up in Orbost, East Gippsland, and found her love for radio at community broadcaster SYN. She has been working for ABC radio since 2016, producing at ABC Ballarat before moving out west to work as a producer at ABC Great Southern in Albany as a humble t'othersider. She then joined the Radio National arts team in Melbourne, producing programs on visual art, books, and pop culture. She worked on the award-winning Black Summer bushfire coverage at ABC Gippsland, and produced a half-hour feature on the fires in Cann River for RN's Earshot program. After a stint at ABC Melbourne, she headed back to regional Victoria to work at ABC Goulburn Murray in Wodonga. She has embraced the border life, surviving her first Murray float sunburn-free. She presents the local Mornings program, and the daily Regional Riff segment to six of the regional Victorian stations. Catch her on ABC Goulburn Murray at 7.20am for the Riff, and 10am for Mornings.
ABC News
06-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
False killer whale stranding reported near Bremer Bay in southern WA with four believed to have died
West Australian wildlife authorities are on their way to the state's southern coast following reports that seven false killer whales have been stranded. A spokesperson for Parks and Wildlife said it was believed they had stranded on House Beach, about 12 kilometres east of Bremer Bay and 540km south of Perth. It is believed the whales became stranded on Monday afternoon. The Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) confirmed four of the whales had died overnight, while three were still alive on the beach. Bremer Bay is known for whale spotting. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) Remaining whales to be euthanased A spokesperson for the DBCA said staff were on the scene assessing the situation and would determine the most appropriate and humane course of action, likely to be euthanasia. A shark warning has also been issued for the area. False killer whales have been involved in recent mass strandings. In February, 157 whales became stranded on a beach near Arthur River The southern coast is known for whale migration with many tourists flocking to the area to watch the ocean mammals. Marine biologist Pia Markovic said false killer whale strandings were not as common as other whale species. "We had a mass stranding in Tasmania of about 150. Most of those had to be euthanased," she said. Marine biologist Piak Markovic says the whales may have followed a sick leader to the beach. ( ABC News: Jon Kerr ) Ms Markovic said the seven might be a sub-pod, as false killer whales often lived in groups in the hundreds. "One of the leaders, usually a female as they're a matriarchal society, may have gotten a bit sick … because their social structures are so well bonded, the rest may have followed her," she said. Ms Markovic said the species could grow up to 6 metres in length and weigh 1.5 tonnes. "Their name comes from their skeleton or skull structure, which is similar to killer whales," she said. ABC Great Southern — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Thursday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
05-05-2025
- ABC News
Illegal campers leave 'unbelievable mess' on southern WA highway
Authorities along Western Australia's south coast are warning of serious financial penalties for roadside dumping after campers left piles of razors, rubbish and an excrement-filled toilet by a highway. A rest stop between the popular tourist towns of Albany and Denmark, about 420 kilometres south of Perth, was left in disarray after the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends. Both communities swell with tourists on holidays and long weekends, infuriating some residents. A portable toilet was left at a rest stop on WA's South Coast Highway. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) Last year, locals in the Shire of Denmark erected a sign attempting to dissuade holiday-makers staying at a popular tourist town, while last month the City of Albany The moves appear to have pushed some campers away from the towns and into rest areas with fewer amenities. Razors and toilet paper were also found scattered across the rest stop. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) Those who regularly used rest stops, like WA truck driver Glenn "Yogi" Kendall, said the situation highlighted declining etiquette and courtesy among some road users. "The long and short of it is horrible," he said. "If we pull up at night and we're trying to cook a feed in a barbecue and get stuff out, you're just walking around people's filth because they are just trash," he said. " No-one's got a shovel anymore, no-one goes into the scrub base … it's disgusting. " Glenn "Yogi" Kendall is frustrated by people misusing highway rest stops. ( Supplied: Glenn "Yogi" Kendall ) Mr Kendall said the problem had "skyrocketed" across the country with people dumping at rest stops instead of paying for campsites or tip permits. "It's disgusting that people dump stuff," he said. " It frustrates the crap out of us that people dump their household rubbish in somewhere I've got to stay overnight. " Mayor blames TikTok Albany Mayor Greg Stocks said he did not believe the city's policy of handing out fines and moving on campers had contributed to the problem. "I don't think so, logically you'd say yes, but when we had an issue at the waterfront at Christmas time and we moved people on, they just simply moved," he said. " When you've got TikTok and WikiCamps where people share information really quickly in that network they'll just go somewhere else that's not being policed. " Greg Stocks says people camping at rest stops were doing so illegally. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) Mr Stocks said people who chose to stay overnight at the rest stops were doing so illegally but rangers had no authority to police the location managed by Main Roads. "It's really clear in the Caravan and Camping Grounds Act [from] 1995, you can't park in parks or you can't camp in public lands, beaches, parks or rest stops," he said. "But that doesn't stop people from doing it. Compliance is the issue in all of this." Dumpers face hefty fines Main Roads's Great Southern regional director Andrew Duffield said the department was trying to address the issue. Andrew Duffield says fines have been handed out to dumping offenders. ( ABC Great Southern: John Dobson ) "Fines are applicable for illegal dumping, and they're fairly significant fines, up to $62,000 for individuals or $125,000 for businesses," he said. Mr Duffield said there was a measurable correlation between illegal dumping and busy holiday periods, but also pointed out that much of the dumping included items from local residents. Cleaning products were also discarded at the site. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) "People are using those areas as an opportunity to dump household rubbish," he said. " They're [dumping] beds, washing machines, tyres, oil, asbestos, even from time to time household waste. " He said overnight camping or dumping in the rest areas that prevented drivers from using them for their intended purpose could have a flow-on effect to other road users. Food cartons and scraps have been left at the site frequented by overnight campers. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) "We want people to not drive when they're tired," he said. "We had a horrible Easter-Anzac Day period. We've seen 10 crashes on the network, including three fatalities. "We want people to stop and take a break when they're tired but we don't want people to abuse the rest areas." ABC Great Southern — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Thursday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Voting with a disability can be a challenge, even in a country like Australia
When I go to vote, my priority is to find a location with wheelchair access. Voting is a democratic right for all Australians, but for some people with disabilities, it can be an uncomfortable and sometimes distressing experience. I have a physical disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy and I use a power wheelchair to get around. Eleanor says casting a vote with a disability can be an anxiety-inducing experience for some. ( ABC News: Rosemary Murphy ) Unfortunately, the only early polling location is 50 kilometres away from where I live in regional WA, and it's not listed as wheelchair accessible. Although there were accessible booths inside, the street parking did not have access for wheelchairs to safely cross the road and there weren't ramps. Navigating through the crowd outside is always a challenge but moving through the crowds on the inside is even harder. Eleanor being handed how-to-vote cards while approaching the polling place in Albany. ( ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy ) My power wheelchair is below people's eye level and pushing through is always stressful. As I can't write for myself, I bring a carer and tell them what to put on the ballot paper for me. Eleanor requires a carer to fill out her ballot paper. ( ABC News: Rosemary Murphy ) It is always noisy inside and it can be difficult for my carer to hear what I'm saying when I'm asking them to write down my voting preferences, because I have to whisper so other people don't hear my choices. Election essentials: Find out where your For me, it's obvious I need that extra help. In some ways, it can be easier to have a disability as visible as mine when it comes to voting because there are no questions about the accommodations I need. That process isn't so easy for voters with invisible disabilities, and it's made even more difficult if they are not confident to advocate for themselves. Eleanor Beidatsch detailed her experience voting in Albany this week. ( ABC News: Rosemary Murphy ) For 20-year-old Gabe, who has anxiety and situational mutism, voting for the first time was an overwhelming experience. "Being there was anxiety-inducing for me, I hyper-focused on getting it over with so I could leave," he said. "The most difficult aspect of voting was the social interaction and navigation. "Having severe anxiety to a point I can't talk meant even basic interactions, like telling my name, was difficult and I needed to have someone with me to speak for me. "Then having no direct path of where to go once you've finished at the booth made it a little confusing." Many people affected More than 21 per cent of Australians have some type of disability, or around 5.5 million people, according to the 2022 ABS survey. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on Not every eligible voter with a disability needs assistance to cast their ballot, but there are still plenty of people who can benefit from accessible polling places. Accessible polling places can make voting easier for those with a disability. ( ABC News: Rosemary Murphy ) A spokesperson from the AEC said it had increased the number of accessible polling places for the 2025 federal election by 20 per cent. "We're constantly listening to feedback from voters and working to improve our offering at subsequent elections," they said. "For 2025, the increase of 20 per cent for fully accessible polling places is something we're very proud to be able to offer. "But we know that every voter is unique, and the widespread nature of Australian federal elections unfortunately means that our most convenient offering suit the requirements of [only] some voters." 'Archaic' laws need to change Meanwhile, 75 organisations and disability advocates have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, calling for changes to laws they say disproportionately prevent people with disability from voting. A cross section of the organisations that signed the open letter. ( ABC News: Gian De Poloni ) Two sections of the Commonwealth Electoral Act say anyone "by reason of cognitive impairment, is incapable of understanding the nature and significance of enrolment and voting" should be stripped from the electoral roll. Those removed need to provide medical evidence they are "capable of understanding" to be reinstated. The groups say these provisions are "archaic and offensive" and inconsistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This polling place in Albany has seen a steady stream of early voters. ( ABC News: Rosemary Murphy ) More than 28,000 people were removed from the roll between 2008 and 2012 due to these provisions, according to a Australian Law Reform Commission report, which also recommended they be repealed. "It is extremely disappointing that despite significant advocacy … discriminatory laws are still in place," Down Syndrome Australia CEO Darryl Steff said. The postal vote option Postal voting has always been an option for anyone who can't vote in person or doesn't want to. I don't usually bother with postal voting because I believe that people with disabilities should be seen in public. I live in a regional area, and I can't go to the post office on my own to post my vote. Postal voting is also difficult for Eleanor because she can't write on paper herself. ( Supplied: Australian Electoral Commission via Twitter ) I also can't write on paper for myself anyway, so it makes no difference if I am in a polling booth telling my carer what to write or doing it at home. Whether you choose to vote in person or by post, voting is a human right and people with disabilities should have the same opportunity to choose our preferences based on what we want, not what is more convenient. Additional reporting by National Digital and Disability Affairs Producer Evan Young. Loading
ABC News
30-04-2025
- ABC News
Albany authorities urge selfie-seekers to stay within safety barriers at The Gap
Authorities are fed up with visitors risking their lives for a social media selfie at a Western Australian coastal cliff where people have fallen to their deaths in recent years. The Gap is one of the Great Southern region's most popular tourists attractions with hundreds of thousands of visitors flocking to the area to take in its breathtaking views. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit The Gap each year. ( ABC Great Southern: John Dobson ) Department of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern superintendent Wayne Green said the safety barriers at the site had been purpose built to ensure those visiting were able to get the most out of the experience without putting themselves in danger. "For people to be ignoring the warnings out there and climbing over these barriers and putting themselves in harm's way [it's] your families that have to live through that and endure that," Mr Green said. "Also our first responders that have to go out and recover these bodies. That's life-changing for our responders. Posing for a selfie near the 40-metre-high cliff at The Gap. ( Supplied ) " Accidents will occur, but if we can prevent them ourselves then we need to take all measures to prevent them. " In May 2018 a 20-year-old man A group of teens photographed walking along the 40-metre-high cliff top edge on Saturday. ( Supplied ) Risk taking behaviour Photos supplied to the ABC taken during the recent school holidays show various parties on the cliff beyond the safety barriers. One Albany local said it was happening too often but was not sure more could be done. "I don't think warnings make any difference to risk taking," she said. " I'm not sure what the solution is. Fines don't deter people. " Calls for help The incidents occurred during a period when emergency services were stretched responding to numerous calls for assistance. Popular tourist site The Gap on Albany's south coast. ( Supplied: Josh Sala Tenna ) On April 20 Sixteen State Emergency Service volunteers from Albany, Mount Barker and a crew from Albany Career Fire and Rescue Service attended. They were unable to extract the injured woman from the area using a stretcher because of the seriousness of her injuries and the challenging nature of the location so a helicopter was required. Wayne Green says visitors to the Gap shouldn't take unnecessary risks. ( ABC News: Kyle Pauletto ) On the same day crews were called to Shelley Beach to assist a paraglider who ran into trouble. When they arrived they found members of the public had helped the man out of the water. It follows two call outs for assistance at Bluff Knoll on the same day — one for sprained ankle and another for a hiker who was suffering shortness of breath in the early stages of the track. There are nearly a dozen warning signs urging visitors to stay on the path at The Gap and Natural Bridge. ( ABC Great Southern: John Dobson ) Superintendent Green urged those heading out to ensure they understood their own capabilities, had the right resources, and thought of volunteers who are giving up their time to help. "It's a lot of resource and effort from our SES for some minor injuries," he said. "Once we commit our SES we're limited on numbers. "The Bluff Knoll [deployment] might take them out of action for eight hours. "If someone else has more demanding injuries, or [injuries of a] more serious nature requires their assistance, then they're not available." ABC Great Southern — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Thursday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
