Latest news with #SydneyRoyalEasterShow
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hero dog honored after legendary career catching criminals: 'He's responsible for putting a lot of people in jail'
A heroic dog in Australia has been rewarded for his work in helping fire investigation teams and boosting the safety of his human co-workers. Gandalf the detection dog is a more seasoned pup passing on his wisdom to the next generation of service animals — and now he has an award to prove he is indeed "a very good boy," as Australian Community Media (@australiancommunitymedia) highlighted on TikTok. Australia's Fire and Rescue New South Wales announced in April that Gandalf, who has been with the department since 2018, was honored as the 2025 Canine Hero of the Year in the Service Dog category at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Sydney Royal Easter Show. The team credits Gandalf with fearlessly going into hazardous areas and quickly pinpointing how the fires started. His work means investigators spend less time in those fire-ravaged areas, which can contain toxic chemicals that threaten human health. Gandalf is able to quickly identify fire accelerants, helping him find evidence in arson and homicide investigations. "This award is a fitting tribute to the work Gandalf has done for our team and the community," Tim Garrett, FRNSW canine team leader, said. "Gandalf has an incredible ability to work through chaotic, post-fire environments and identify the smallest traces of ignitable liquids." The veteran pup's work is all the more essential as Australia grapples with the effects of rising global temperatures. In 2020, as bushfires devastated southeastern Australia during "Black Summer," World Weather Attribution found that human activities associated with a warming climate — such as the burning of dirty fuels — had raised the country's bushfire risk by at least 30%. While upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and unplugging wallet-draining "energy vampires" are among the ways to reduce the heat-trapping pollution you generate at home, Gandalf's nose remains a powerful deterrent for potential fire-starting perpetrators, as he has worked a number of high-profile arson and homicide cases. "He's actually responsible for putting a lot of people in jail," an announcer honoring the canine noted during the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Sydney Royal Easter Show. At the end of the year, Gandalf is retiring from the Fire Investigation and Research Unit. However, Siren, one of the veteran's mentees, is in the newest class of detection dogs. What type of food do you feed your pets? Conventional kibble Canned Fresh Insect-based Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "He's been incredibly tolerant and patient with his new excitable sidekick, Siren," Garrett said. "He's passing the baton in the best possible way." Gandalf's prize money from his Canine Hero of the Year award will go toward Fire and Rescue NSW's Beat the Burn — an event focused on raising funds for the burns unit at the Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation, per the department's Facebook. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
AU Financial Review
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AU Financial Review
In Pictures: Best of the 2025 election campaign
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese crosses paths with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in western Sydney. James Brickwood Peter Dutton visits Ag Fest in Carrick in the division of Lyons in Tasmania. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese is assisted after tumbling off the riser while taking a group photo during the MEU conference, in Lovedale, NSW, in the electorate of Hunter. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton's travelling media bus gets stuck on a cycle lane kerb when leaving the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney. James Brickwood Peter Dutton visits Hunter Trade College in the division of Paterson in NSW. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese playing pool after talking to university students at the pub in a Greens seat of Brisbane. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton and Kooyong Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer at The Tower hotel in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. James Brickwood Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese during the third leaders' debate at Nine's studios in Sydney. Alex Ellinghausen Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Michaelia Cash and Peter Dutton at the Mount Pleasant Bowling Club, in the Perth suburb of Ardoss. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese goes after the canine vote during a visit to Sunnybank Market Square in Brisbane. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton has a go at wool grading at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. James Brickwood On tools: Labor member for Tangney Sam Lim, Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon run the barbecue at Winthrop Park in Winthrop, WA. Alex Ellinghausen Former prime minister John Howard with Peter Dutton at Liverpool Catholic Club in Sydney. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese and former prime minister Julia Gillard at the Australian Labor Party federal election campaign launch at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton visits Sanctuary Point in NSW to announce an investment pledge towards local football field facilities. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese participates in the Freddy's Pass Off segment on the Sunday Footy Show at the Nine studios in Sydney. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton plays two-up at the Townsville RSL club. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese meets kids at Cabramatta Public School in Sydney. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton has visited more than a dozen petrol stations during the election campaign to focus on the Coalition's plan to cut fuel excise for one year. James Brickwood Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese shake hands at the end of the third leaders' debate at the Nine studios in Sydney. Alex Ellinghausen Peter Dutton attends the Assyrian New Year celebrations at Fairfield Showgrounds in Sydney. James Brickwood Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have lunch with Chinese business leaders in Melbourne. Alex Ellinghausen
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
April Rose Pengilly can't wipe the smile off her face as she shows off her massive diamond engagement ring at Easter Show
April Rose Pengilly flaunted her enormous diamond engagement ring at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Sunday, as the countdown to her wedding begins. The 37-year-old announced her engagement to her fiancé Adam Paul in December 2023. In a carousel of photos and videos shared to Instagram on Monday, the Neighbours actress made sure to position her hefty sparkler in view of the camera as she sipped on a fresh lemonade beside Adam. 'BEST DAY OF THE YEAR,' the petite blonde captioned the extensive footage of her outing at the Sydney Olympic Park. April wore a leopard print sundress, a pair of white sneakers, and carried a brown and black Fendi purse. She kept her accessories to a minimum, adding only an oversized pair of Banbee sunglasses and small earrings. The couple had been together for just under two years when Adam popped the question. On hand to join the celebration was April's father, INXS vocalist, saxophonist and guitarist Kirk Pengilly, 65. The proud papa kissed his daughter on the cheek in one image as the pair posed alongside a stunning waterway. The star was also accompanied by her mother, Karen Hutchinson, with the trio embracing for sweet photos. Details of the upcoming nuptials have been scarce so far, with April saying last month that clothes shopping had taken priority over wedding planning. 'Starting to look for my future groom's suit,' she captioned an Instagram post in March. 'Honestly we're doing a lot more outfit shopping than wedding planning. Priorities innit.' Three weeks ago, April began her 'bridal skincare journey.' She is undergoing a series of pre-wedding skincare treatments at Jacqueline Brennan, including collagen remodeling RF microneedling. 'Work has officially begun on a wedding dress,' she teased in March, sharing an image of three different wedding gowns on coat hangers. Her mum attended the fitting. In July 2022, April paid tribute to Adam on the couple's six month anniversary. 'Six months. He is so kind, clever, fun, funny, silly, caring and thoughtful.' she wrote. 'I have had one of the most stressful and unstable years of my life, but he has been there through it all, helping me and supporting me and treating me like a princess. 'Sometimes I feel guilty that he's all mine and other people don't get to have him as their boyfriend because he is so wonderful and I am so lucky. Happy anniversary.' April has forged a career for herself as an actress and television star with her father previously saying she didn't 'want to live off my coat- tails'.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie cop sets hearts racing as she is dubbed the 'most gorgeous police officer ever'
A Sydney police officer has garnered some fans after she was spotted on duty at the Sydney Royal Easter Show over the long weekend. The founder of cosmetics company Ice Glow, Donna Fahandezh, shared a video of the cop as she sipped on a coffee near her stall, after she caught her eye despite being kitted up in full police uniform. 'I just saw the most beautiful police officer opposite my stall so I'm going to go up to her,' the entrepreneur said. After introducing herself, Ms Fahandezh invited the officer the spin a prize wheel she had set up as part of her display. The officer was a good sport and obliged before getting back to her duties. Ms Fahandezh described her as the 'most gorgeous police officer ever' in a TikTok video of the heartwarming encounter. The footage has been viewed more than 270,000 times with social media users swooning over the police officer. 'Omg what's her skin care routine, she is stunning,' one commenter said. 'She visited my work and we were full on having a conversation she's so sweet,' another said. 'My husband I walked passed her and I told him they're lucky they've got these girls here instead of constable grumpy who has been in the force for 40 years,' a show attendee added. Others joked they wanted to be arrested by her with one saying they would commit the 'lowest summary offence to be arrested by her'. Ms Fahandezh had been hosting the stall herself on the day despite her busy schedule. She founded the company in 2023 at just 24-years-old and in just a couple of short years has grown it to the point of receiving floods of orders each week. The company's main product is an innovative facial treatment which is frozen and then applied. Before she launched the business she spent three years researching serums and applicators from Australia and across the globe and tested samples from China, Belgium, Switzerland, Korea. 'I chose to go with Australia. Australia by far is the best country for anything that's got to do with skincare or your health. I have also created my packaging, my applicator and my formula in Australia,' she told Keeping News Local. The product has ingredients like green tea extract, vitamin C, licorice root and aloe vera and helps with rosacea, acne and other skincare issues.
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Horrifying moment child's seat belt flies open on perilous fairground ride
Shocking footage showed a child's seatbelt horrifyingly coming loose mid-ride at an Easter fair and organisers have confirmed that the slingshot attraction will not close Shocking footage has emerged from a popular Easter fair appearing to show the buckle of a lap seatbelt coming undone during a ride on a slingshot attraction. The incident took place on the ride, known for its high-speed launches that catapult riders into the air, at the annual 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show in Australia. Speaking on Today on Friday morning, Shane McGrath, Head of Operations for the Easter Show, expressed his concern over the incident and confirmed that immediate action had been taken. 'I'm really disappointed by what I saw in that footage,' Mr McGrath said. 'But I want to assure everyone that at no point was the child in any danger.' READ MORE: Terrifying final moments of teen who died in water park prank horror as 'bodies fell from sky' He explained that the ride in question is a Class Five device equipped with three independent locking mechanisms to ensure passenger safety. 'The over-the-shoulder restraint was engaged, and the ride cannot operate without it,' he said. In addition to the primary restraint, the ride also features a secondary lap bar and a third seatbelt—the latter appearing to have failed in the footage. 'Unfortunately, what we're seeing is a failure in that third seatbelt,' Mr McGrath said. The child's mother was promptly contacted, and both SafeWork NSW and the Show's carnival safety consultants were immediately informed to investigate the incident. 'They're satisfied with the steps we've taken,' he noted. 'We take amusement ride safety very seriously and exceed the legislative requirements in place.' All rides at the Sydney Royal Easter Show are inspected by engineers prior to operation. McGrath added that the event also employs a dedicated carnival safety team and works with an international ride training company to maintain the highest safety standards for ride operators. Despite the incident, the slingshot ride is expected to continue operating over the weekend. 'It's been running smoothly for the past four or five days,' Mr McGrath said. 'The incident occurred last weekend, and we remain supremely confident in the ride's safety. It's been a mainstay at the Easter Show for decades.' SafeWork NSW confirmed they were aware of the incident that occurred over the weekend, and said no one was injured. 'SafeWork NSW is working with the Royal Agricultural Society and continuing to make inquiries,' a spokesperson for SafeWork NSW said in a statement to NewsWire. 'SafeWork NSW is working closely with the Sydney Royal Easter Show event organisers to ensure the safety of more than 800,000 expected visitors, with inspectors and engineers conducting thorough inspections and enforcing strict safety compliance. 'This Easter, SafeWork NSW has issued 23 notices to protect families and workers by addressing safety risks to ensure all rides, stalls, and activities meet strict safety standards.' Easter show organisers, The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, said other safety mechanisms protect riders. "We are aware of an incident involving a seat belt on the slingshot ride in the main carnival,' a spokesperson said. 'The slingshot is equipped with multiple safety mechanisms to ensure rider safety, with the over-shoulder harness and lap belt being the primary safety restraints, the additional seat belt that clips into the ride acts as an additional redundancy. 'The show's carnival safety consultant has inspected the ride, the seat belt has been repaired and all safety procedures have been reviewed and reinforced with the operator.'
