Big news today, hey? We have Australia’s first female Governor General Quentin Bryce swearing in our first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. 

It has been an amazing morning. The news broke via text message from the caucus meeting at Parliament House – a sitting MP sent a message to Samantha Maiden, journalist with the Australian.  The message simply said “G no ballot” meaning that Julia Gillard became PM without a vote – Kevin Rudd had stood down. 

This message was twittered so fast that it reached journalists almost immediately. Some were checking their phones outside Parliament House during the coverage and relayed the news back to the stunned nation.  We now have a new Prime Minister. 

So what happened?  How did we go from having Kevin Rudd as PM one day, and Julia Gillard as PM the next?  Well, there are factions within the party divided along ideological lines. The factions that once supported Rudd removed their support and gave it to Gillard, allowing her to challenge the leadership assured that she would have the numbers when it came to a caucus vote.  

Basically – the Labor Party thought she’d do a better job and asked her to go for it.  So she did.

Ms Julia Gillard – 27th Prime Minister of Australia

The Irish Echo, an Australian newspaper for the Irish community, has compiled the list to celebrate its 20th anniversary and showcase the contribution Irish migrants and their descendants have made to Australia since the arrival of the First Fleet.

Four Labor prime ministers have shared Irish heritage including Kevin Rudd, Paul Keating, John Curtin and Ben Chifley.

Former governor-general Sir William Deane also made the list, along with two NSW premiers and two Victorian premiers.

Irish Australians are also a creative bunch, excelling in the arts, with actor Nicole Kidman, artist Sidney Nolan, author Tom Keneally and singer Damien Leith among those listed.

Irish Australian sports stars were also honoured, including surfer Mick Fanning, sprinter Patrick Johnson and Olympic swimmer Sarah Frances “Fanny” Durack.

And there’s no escaping the Irish influence on Australia’s footy fields, with Socceroo Lucas Neill, former Sydney Swan Tadhg Kennelly and AFL great Jim Stynes  scoring a place on the list.
Australia’s gold rush and bushranger eras also provided a source of entries with Ned Kelly and the leader of the Eureka Stockade, Peter Lalor, notable entries.

NSW claimed the majority of names with 50 entries, followed by 26 from Victoria, 10 from Queensland, nine from Western Australia, three from South Australia and two from Tasmania.

Source: News.com.au

She was expected to undergo surgery today to treat cysts as a result of urogenital chlamydiosis, a life-threatening disease that affects 50 per cent of the koala population.

Vet John Butler told waiting media outside Morwell Veterinary Clinic that due to complications with the disease, the best course of action was to put Sam down, The Herald Sun reported.

Mr Butler said that due to “extensive changes” in the condition of bladder and uterus this morning, the decision was taken to put Sam down before surgery to prevent her suffering too much pain.

“Dr John Butler of the Morwell Vet Clinic operated on Sam shortly after 1pm today and discovered that Sam had severe changes in her urinary and reproductive tract that was non-operable and unfortunately had to put Sam to sleep,” said Peita Elkhorne of TressCox Lawyers.

“The changes were consistent with the Chlamydia infection. It was so severe that there was no possible way to be able to manage her pain.

“Colleen Wood and her team at Southern Ash Wildlife shelter and all of those who have been involved with Sam are devastated with this loss.”

Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter said they were grateful for all the support they have received and will continue to provide aid and comfort to distressed and injured wildlife.

Sam captured hearts across the world in photos and video that helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the CFA after the Black Saturday bushfires.

Source: news.com.au

An Australian university student has won a bronze medal at a paper plane world championships event in Austria, following an intense two-day weekend display of aerodynamics.

Dylan Parker, 21, outclassed more than 250 paper plane enthusiasts from 83 countries to place third in the long distance category at the Paper Wings World Finals in Salzburg, Austria.

The Canberra student threw his plane – made from a single sheet of A4 paper – an impressive 40.78 metres.

Fellow Australian James Norton was a favourite to take out the longest airtime category, until his paper plane hit a roof fixture in the competition hanger, sending his gold medal hopes crashing to the ground.

From ABC News

What a gutsy effort from the Australians!! Well done guys.

Beach croc sighting crumples

Police were called to an Adelaide beach this morning when there were reports of a crocodile at Glenelg.

Police say they received several calls from the public who spotted the reptile.

Officers from the Water Operations branch found the creature at about 10:00am.

They say it posed no threat to the public because it was made of papier mache.

From ABC News

Who let the papier mache crocodile loose on a poor unsuspecting public? They’re really dangerous too!

Police watch for cheap undies (as you do!)

Adelaide police are looking for people who may have been offered underwear at a discount price.

They say thieves stole a large amount of underwear from shop in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs at the weekend.

Between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, 30 bodysuits and other items of underwear were stolen from the shop in Glen Osmond Road at Eastwood.

Police think the offenders may try to sell the goods cheaply.

From ABC News

I hope when the police found the culprits they didn’t yell “drop ‘em” as that could’ve been embarrassing!