Latest news with #CoffinBay
ABC News
08-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Dead little penguins washed up on multiple Eyre Peninsula beaches
Dead penguins have been found washed up on beaches in the Eyre Peninsula, prompting concerns from locals. Other dead marine life has appeared on South Australian beaches in recent months as a result of a toxic algal bloom. The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) said it was unclear if the new penguin deaths were linked to the ongoing microalgae bloom Karenia mikimotoi. Krista Eleftherieu, who grew up exploring the West Coast, said she came across a dead little penguin at Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park on Tuesday. "It was obviously quite sad and I didn't think much of it, but then kept walking and there was another one about 30 metres away," Ms Eleftherieu said. "And probably 50 to 100 metres away, were another two washed up on the beach. A DEW spokesperson said it was aware of reports of four penguin carcasses at Almonta Beach. "Penguin carcasses do wash up on South Australian beaches from time to time, including in Coffin Bay National Park," they said. "There are a variety of possible causes of penguin deaths, including terrestrial and marine predators, starvation and fatigue associated with changes in food availability, storm events, ingestion of plastics, natural disease and entanglement in fishing nets." District Council of Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber said he came across a dead penguin and a dead mutton bird last weekend while walking his dog on a local beach. "I reported those to [the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia] PIRSA and was told two other ones had been reported down the beach. It's a bit of a concern," Mr Barber said. "I collected the bird out of the water and put it up on the high ground to report it so they could go and get it. "I was told about the bird flu issue possibility and was told to go straight home and wash my hands. "I hadn't any awareness of that so it is a good warning to people if they do find stuff, not to touch them or use a plastic bag." PIRSA was contacted for comment. The DEW spokesperson said the algal bloom was likely being driven by an ongoing marine heatwave affecting southern Australian waters, with water temperatures 2.5 degrees warmer than usual. Mr Barker said water temperatures were "still quite high" in Streaky Bay compared to last year's cold upwelling, which brought temperatures down to 12 degrees Celsius in summer. "When I was out only a couple of weeks ago it was still nearly 20C. That's really unusual for this time of year," he said. The DEW spokesperson said the bloom was expected to remain present until the state received strong westerly winds, which historically started around the end of April. "However, persistent high-pressure systems affecting southern Australia have delayed these winds. Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom," they said. The DEW encouraged anyone who discovered a dead or sick penguin to contact the PIRSA Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
The Age
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Festivals have ‘privileged literary works' over popular, commercial fiction: Veronica Sullivan
Much has been written recently about St Kilda's downturn; fewer crowds post-COVID, the empty shopfronts, the once-thriving Acland Street becoming a pedestrianised ghost street. But on the Thursday after Easter when I meet Veronica Sullivan at Acland St's legendary Cicciolina restaurant, it's far from deserted. Sullivan, the new director of the Melbourne Writers Festival, has been a local since childhood, and Cicciolina a firm favourite for years. She grew up around Elwood and Caulfield, and while she moved closer to the city in her share-house days, she came back to St Kilda just before the pandemic. 'I've always loved it, and I was so glad I moved back then – I was living in the George apartments and it was such a good thing because I was opposite the park, I had the beach down the street, and it made me feel that now I can't live away from the water,' she says. 'Not that I go swimming that much.' It's been hard, she says, to read the stories about the area. 'Yes, there are rough sleepers and people with mental health issues, but those are the same issues that have been in the area for decades. It got really politicised and that kind of upsets me.' As we peruse Cicciolina's menu, the requisite parade of 'colourful' characters passes us by on Acland Street, as if on cue. We order Coffin Bay oysters to share, and both opt for entree dishes; we've already looked at the dessert menu. Two weeks out from her first festival as its director, Sullivan concedes to some nervousness. 'I don't feel … churning anxiety, but I feel a bit nervous – but it's an excited nervousness.' Each stage of organising Melbourne's largest literary event, which attracts authors from around the world and around 50,000 book lovers, has come with its own jitters. 'I'm like, 'oh, this is what it feels like after the program comes out', and then you're waiting to hear what people say about it,' she says. 'Now I'm at the point where, I've done most of the things I can do, and I've got to wait and hand it over to the production people.' Sullivan has always been an avid reader, and had always wanted to work in something to do with writing and books. 'I was an only child until I was 12 – I have half-siblings who are much younger – through those important, formative years, and I was always reading in a corner. That passion that was always there from childhood really remained so throughout my life.'
Sydney Morning Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Festivals have ‘privileged literary works' over popular, commercial fiction: Veronica Sullivan
Much has been written recently about St Kilda's downturn; fewer crowds post-COVID, the empty shopfronts, the once-thriving Acland Street becoming a pedestrianised ghost street. But on the Thursday after Easter when I meet Veronica Sullivan at Acland St's legendary Cicciolina restaurant, it's far from deserted. Sullivan, the new director of the Melbourne Writers Festival, has been a local since childhood, and Cicciolina a firm favourite for years. She grew up around Elwood and Caulfield, and while she moved closer to the city in her share-house days, she came back to St Kilda just before the pandemic. 'I've always loved it, and I was so glad I moved back then – I was living in the George apartments and it was such a good thing because I was opposite the park, I had the beach down the street, and it made me feel that now I can't live away from the water,' she says. 'Not that I go swimming that much.' It's been hard, she says, to read the stories about the area. 'Yes, there are rough sleepers and people with mental health issues, but those are the same issues that have been in the area for decades. It got really politicised and that kind of upsets me.' As we peruse Cicciolina's menu, the requisite parade of 'colourful' characters passes us by on Acland Street, as if on cue. We order Coffin Bay oysters to share, and both opt for entree dishes; we've already looked at the dessert menu. Two weeks out from her first festival as its director, Sullivan concedes to some nervousness. 'I don't feel … churning anxiety, but I feel a bit nervous – but it's an excited nervousness.' Each stage of organising Melbourne's largest literary event, which attracts authors from around the world and around 50,000 book lovers, has come with its own jitters. 'I'm like, 'oh, this is what it feels like after the program comes out', and then you're waiting to hear what people say about it,' she says. 'Now I'm at the point where, I've done most of the things I can do, and I've got to wait and hand it over to the production people.' Sullivan has always been an avid reader, and had always wanted to work in something to do with writing and books. 'I was an only child until I was 12 – I have half-siblings who are much younger – through those important, formative years, and I was always reading in a corner. That passion that was always there from childhood really remained so throughout my life.'
