Uncle Wes changing lives in western Sydney

To 17-year-old Blake Ellis, Aboriginal elder Uncle Wes is the "the biggest role model in Mount Druitt".

Blake Ellis' childhood was hard and as a boy he sought refuge with Uncle Wes and his family.

"I was only young when I was staying with him and spent more time with him than my own family," he said.

As Uncle Wes puts it: "They've got to have someone they can talk to, someone they can depend on."

Wes Marne is 91 and for the past 30 years, he has been an Aboriginal elder in western Sydney.

Continue reading (+video)

Uncle Wes is an Aboriginal elder who shares his wisdom with his community. Hearing about his work made me think about all that I have learned from those who came before me....

Government set to dump school laptops scheme

The Federal Government has indicated it will not continue funding the high school laptop program for years 9 to 12 students.

Almost 1 million computers have been issued since 2008 as part of Labor's Digital Education Revolution, but funding for the scheme is set to run out in June 2013.

Year 9 students will still receive their laptops at the start of the school year.

Federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett says the Government provided the upfront investment and the states must now pay their fair share.

"The Commonwealth always said we would get this going by providing the opportunity for high school students to have access to a laptop. We've delivered on that commitment," he said.

"We'll negotiate with the states on where that can be taken, but...

Continue reading (+video)

The Australian government has been providing high school students with laptop computers since 2008. From 2013, it will be up to the schools to devise a plan regarding the technology students use. What are the advantages of students using their own devices at school?

Gillard flags workplace reform for working parents

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has flagged workplace relations changes to extend the rights of parents returning from maternity leave.

Speaking before leaving New Zealand this morning, Ms Gillard said there will be announcements this week stemming from the review of the Fair Work Act.

Ms Gillard said one of the key aspects will be helping new parents return to flexible work environments.

"They will be able to request flexible and part-time work and their employer will have to respond to that request," she said.

"We already have, as part of our 10 national employment standards, a right to request.

"This is an extension to that right that Labor introduced."

Ms Gillard conceded the law will not force employers to...

Continue reading (+video)

The Australian government is working on a plan to improve working conditions. One of the goals is to help parents balance work and family life.

Rare marsupials found fat and happy in new home

A rare marsupial that had disappeared from Australia's mainland is thriving near Canberra, with reports the population is fat and happy.

Last year a group of 17 eastern bettongs were brought to protected forest areas in Canberra from Tasmania, their first appearance on the mainland for 80 years.

Adrian Manning, from the Australian National University, says health checks show the small members of the kangaroo family are faring well, with about 35 bettongs leaving the pouch and about 20 more young on the way.

"They've hit the ground running, digging for truffles - which is what they do - and they've actually put weight on," he said.

"The fact that six months in, most of the animals seem to...

Continue reading (+video)

In Canberra, Australia, a small population of a rare relative of the kangaroo called bettongs has been reintroduced. The species disappeared a few years ago but the new community seems to be doing well.

Scorching heat stops outback trains

Trains have been halted in western Queensland amid fears tracks may buckle in the scorching heat.

The state is enduring heatwave conditions, with the mercury climbing into the 40s in many inland centres.

Queensland Rail (QR) says passengers travelling on board its Spirit of the Outback train were put onto buses at Emerald this morning to travel west to Longreach.

Similar arrangements have been made for passengers travelling from...

Continue reading (+video):

As we are getting used to colder temperatures here in Japan, the people in Queensland, AUS are suffering from a heat wave. The extremely high temperatures are effecting people, land, and animals.

'Gangnam Style' most googled term of 2012

The Korean pop song 'Gangnam Style' by PSY has topped the list of Australia's fastest-growing internet search terms in the past year.

According to search engine Google's 12th annual snapshot, 'Gangnam Style' was Google Australia's highest trending search topic for 2012.

The company's spokesman, Shane Treeves, says search trends cast a revealing light on what captivates society.

"They're really the best terms that show us what's really on the minds of Australians and...

Continue reading

Google search terms can tell us something about people's interests. What would you guess was the most frequent term used on google.jp in 2012?

Malaysia, Australia launch young Muslim exchange programme

Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr has held talks on a wide range of issues with his Malaysian counterpart.

Senator Carr and his Malaysian counterpart, Anifah Aman, signed off on the Australia-Malaysia Young Muslim Exchange Programme after recent talks in the Malaysian state of Sabah.

Under the programme - which is based on a model Australia has run with Indonesia and Thailand - participants from Malaysia will also travel to Australia.

Senator Carr says fostering cultural understanding is important for the future of both countries.

"I think it's one of the most important challenges we face today - getting a dialogue with the...

Continue reading

A student exchange program between Australia and Malaysia aims at promoting cultural understanding. Australia has similar programs with Thailand and Indonesia. What do you think Japan can learn from this model?

Teachers to undergo performance reviews

Teachers will have to undergo annual performance assessments under an agreement reached by the country's education ministers.

Federal Education Minister Peter Garrett says the ministerial council has approved a national framework for assessments.

Mr Garrett says it will be up to the states and territories to decide when the process begins.

Under the scheme, parents will be given an opportunity to review the...

Continue reading

Stingers hit back at 'whinging' Brits

Australia shrugged off accusations of dirty play after demolishing Great Britain 16-3 in their women's water polo encounter at the London Olympics.

The Stingers, led by five goals from Rowie Webster and three from Ash Southern, top Group B on goal difference from Russia, which defeated Italy 7-4 earlier.

Kate Gynther and Gemma Beadsworth added two goals apiece while Bronwen Knox, Glencora Ralph, Nicola Zagamie and Sophie Smith each scored one in the rout.

Australia led 3-1 at quarter-time and...

Continue reading