четверг, 1 марта 2012 г.

Fed: Colleagues pause to honour Yvonne

00-00-0000
Fed: Colleagues pause to honour Yvonne

By Krystyna Pollard

SYDNEY, AAP - On September 11 Australian Red Cross members will pause to remember aboisterous colleague who died on the trip of a lifetime.

Yvonne Kennedy, 62, from the Sydney suburb of Westmead, was on her way back to Australiaafter a celebratory trip across the US for her retirement when she boarded a morning flightfrom Washington-Dulles to Los Angeles on September 11, 2001.

A short time later American Airlines flight 77 was hijacked by terrorists, and at 9.37amlocal time crashed into the Pentagon, killing all 58 passengers and six crew on board.

It was a tragic end to a holiday Mrs Kennedy had always dreamed of making, her sonLeigh saying the only consolation for her family that she "got to do all the things shewanted to do and see the things she wanted to see".

A year on from the tragedy, Mrs Kennedy is being remembered by the Australian Red Crossas a "loyal and dedicated" member of the team.

At 9.40am (AEST) on the day volunteers, members and staff will pause for one minuteto remember Mrs Kennedy, and flags on all Australian Red Cross buildings and property- including Australian Red Cross Blood Service premises - will be flown at half-mast.

Mrs Kennedy retired in December 2000 after 25 years with the organisation as both avolunteer and staff member, and national chairman Dr Rob O'Regan said she would be rememberedfor her lust for life.

"She was passionate and determined, and as the state co-ordinator of the VoluntaryAid Service Corp (VASC) dedicated 10 years to ensuring volunteers trained in first aidwere ready and able to respond to a disaster or crisis," he said in a statement.

In 1984 Mrs Kennedy was presented with the Australian Red Cross Service Award, andon World Red Cross Day 2001 received the state Distinguished Service Award for outstandingachievement.

But to many in the Australian Red Cross, she will simply be remembered as a good friend.

"She was renowned for her quirky sense of humour, her entertaining stories and greatgenerosity," Dr O'Regan said.

"Yvonne had a big personality and a laugh to match and we are grateful for her positivecontribution to Australian Red Cross.

"She is sadly missed by her family and friends."

AAP kp/tv

KEYWORD: SEPT11 KENNEDY

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, April 20

00-00-0000
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, April 20EVENING ROUND-UP: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1630

CURTIN (CANBERRA)

The federal government will review services at the Curtin Detention Centre in WesternAustralia after 100 detainees went on a rampage, putting one guard in hospital.

Fourteen Australian Correctional Management officers were injured during the riot lastnight at the Derby facility, which is due for closure this year.

One male guard was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious as detainees threwrocks and pieces of concrete at staff -- but he's since been discharged.

Buildings and equipment were damaged, fires were lit and blankets and clothing ransacked.

Authorities say a small group of detainees are believed to have started the riot --but a total of 100 of the 340 people held there eventually became involved.

Labor says the riot highlights the need to remove children from detention facilities.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister CHRIS ELLISON says detainees whose visa applications wererejected started the riot.

And the Immigration Department says nearly one third of the detainees were involved in a riot.

MIDEAST JENIN UN (UNITED NATIONS)

The Security Council has backed sending a UN fact-finding team to the Palestinian refugeecamp at Jenin in the West Bank.

And Israel says it will cooperate if the inquiry is impartial.

The team will be appointed by UN Secretary General KOFI ANNAN but will not act undera mandate from the council, which Israel regards as politically biased against it.

The council has expressed concern at the Palestinians' dire situation and called forurgent access for medical and humanitarian organisations -- but its resolution does notmake a single reference to Israel.

Israel has rejected Palestinian claims that its armed forces killed at least 500 people,more than half of them women and children, in Jenin.

SALMONELLA (ADELAIDE)

Twenty-one people have fallen ill after a salmonella outbreak at an Adelaide restaurant,and that number could increase.

Eight people have been taken to hospital over the past few days, and 13 others havebeen taken ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever.

The Cooperage Bar and Grill, at Glenelg, one of Adelaide's premier seaside suburbs,was tested by the South Australian Department of Human Services to determine the sourceof the food poisoning.

The restaurant's now been given the all-clear.

Department spokesman ROBERT HALL says test results indicate the risk food was the Caesarsalad, and the separate ingredients are now being tested.

GUNS (SYDNEY)

The New South Wales government is preparing to give police more power to deal withgun-related crime.

Premier BOB CARR says Police Minister MICHAEL COSTA is working on ways to handle theincreasing problem of handguns on Sydney streets.

The move comes in the wake of a string of fatal shootings in Sydney -- including thedeaths of two young men last weekend -- and the killing of Constable GLENN MCENALLAY latelast month.

PHIL US (MANILA)

About 300 US military engineers have arrived in the Philippines.

They're to build roads and airstrips on a southern island stronghold of Muslim rebelslinked to al-Qaeda.

Local military officials say their arrival has raised the number of American troopsin the country's politically volatile south to about 1,000.

JAPAN KOREA (SEOUL)

South Korea and Japan have agreed to restore their fledgling military ties -- suspendedlast year after a row about history books.

The South Korean defence ministry says the deal was reached at a meeting between thedefence ministers of both countries.

INDEMNITY DEMOCRATS (CANBERRA)

The Australian Democrats have blasted the decision not to include midwives on the agendaof a professional indemnity insurance summit.

Democrats health spokesman MEG LEES says it shows a disregard for pregnant women.

Most independent midwives can no longer provide birthing services after a decisionby Guild Insurance last year to stop providing insurance cover for midwives.

The summit on Tuesday will focus on escalating premiums for medical indemnity insurance,which is threatening to price medical services out of the reach of many patients.

Meanwhile, Victims of medical negligence would have to prove they are 15 per cent disabledto win redress in Queensland -- under a plan proposed by doctors to beat insurance hikes.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland's plan is modelled on legislation recentlyintroduced in New South Wales -- after big rises in medical indemnity insurance premiums.

CADETS (CANBERRA)

The federal government has announced a 25 per cent increase in the annual budget forAustralia's Defence Force cadets.

This will guarantee them a uniform, and provide a better administrative structure andmore access to training.

Parliamentary secretary to the Defence Minister, FRAN BAILEY, says the government willincrease the funding of cadets by $6 million to $30 million annually.

US ENRON MCMAHON (HOUSTON)

The president and chief operating officer of the collapsed energy giant Enron Corporationis quitting his job.

41-year-old JEFFREY MCMAHON says his resignation will give the embattled energy companya better chance of regrouping from scandal and bankruptcy.

NATIONALS VIC (SHEPPARTON)

Victoria's National Party has rejected moves to include the word country in its name.

The name-change motion has been defeated comfortably at the party's state conferencein Shepparton.

National Party leader PETER RYAN says he's pleased with the result as the name changewould have been a step back 27 years.

OFFICER (SYDNEY)

New South Wales Police Minister MICHAEL COSTA says the latest instance of a policeofficer being injured on duty is another reminder that police face life and death scenariosevery day.

A highway patrol officer in the Hunter Valley was dragged by a car after stopping itto question the driver -- and is now in hospital with spinal and leg injuries.

A 23-year-old man will face court today over the incident.

DIBRA (MELBOURNE)

Melbourne police have appealed for help to penetrate what they call a wall of silencesurrounding the murder of accused underworld figure DINO DIBRA.

The 25 year-old was gunned down in the street after visiting associates in westernSunshine 18 months ago.

Police say they now believe three people were involved the execution-style murder --which may have been some kind of payback.

AND BRIEFLY . . .

The New South Wales government has denied the appointment of acting commissioner KENMORONEY as the new police commissioner is a foregone conclusion.

Britain's oldest man has died at the age of 109 -- after a life lived in three differentcenturies.

ACT Health officials say a substance which closed down part of Parliament House lastweek shows no signs of being anthrax.

A Malaysian state ruled by the opposition Islamic party plans to ban tourists fromwearing bikinis.

AND IN SPORTS . . .

LEAGUE BRONCOS (Brisbane)

Fullback DARREN LOCKYER and utility forward SHANE WALKER have come through fitnesstests and will play against the Panthers in their National Rugby League clash at ANZ Stadiumon Sunday.

LOCKYER has recovered from a rib injury and WALKER a dislocated shoulder and will playin the clash which will be coach WAYNE BENNETT'S 350th game for the Broncos.

LEAGUE SHARKS (SYDNEY)

Sharks skipper DAVID PEACHEY will meet with the National Rugby League club's medicalstaff on Monday to decide whether he needs surgery on his injured knee.

The 28-year-old PEACHEY missed Friday night's crushing 52-8 loss to Newcastle at EnergyAustraliaStadium because of the injury.

CYCLE AUST (SYDNEY)

SHANE KELLY won't take any further part in the Australian track cycling championshipsin Sydney after dislocating the A-C joint in his right shoulder in a crash.

ENDS EVENING ROUND-UP

AAP RTV wz

KEYWORD: EVENING ROUND-UP

Fed: Aust swimming against tide if no independent audit board

00-00-0000
Fed: Aust swimming against tide if no independent audit board

The author of a government-commissioned report says Australia would be swimming againstthe global trend if it fails to set up an independent board to scrutinise auditors.

Last October, Melbourne University academic IAN RAMSAY has recommended several stepsto improve …

NSW: Taxi safety standards improve, NSW Transport says


AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2001
NSW: Taxi safety standards improve, NSW Transport says

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - More than 40 taxis were ordered off the roads in a crackdown to
improve taxi standards, Transport NSW said today.

Already this year more than 23,300 random taxi inspections had been carried out to
boost customer and safety standards in the State's 5,800 taxis and 20,000 drivers, a spokesman
said.

This compared with about 7,700 inspections during the corresponding period last year, he said.

"Standards include presentation, maintenance and passenger comfort levels, and the
presence of mandatory passenger and driver safety and security devices, like cameras or
driver screens," the spokesman said.

In November, 139 defect notices were issued and 41 cars were ordered off the road.

The most common faults were panel damage, dirty exterior and damaged bumper bars.

Two drivers were found to be illegal immigrants and had their driver authorities cancelled,
while another driver had his cancelled because he was using a stolen credit card.

Four other drivers had their authorities suspended, six were charged and six ordered
to undertake re-training.

"The Department believes the increased monitoring activities are resulting in a lift
in customer standards," the spokesman said.

"While the number of inspections has increased dramatically, the number of defects
detected has actually been decreasing, so the message is getting through."

AAP rhp/cat/

KEYWORD: TAXIS

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Crowds gather in Sydney for Anzac march = 6


AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2001
NSW: Crowds gather in Sydney for Anzac march = 6

Veterans of the Korean War made their way into Hyde Park in the Sydney Anzac Day march.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, in which Australian forces
bore the brunt of a fierce offensive.

The engagement, about 60km north-east of Seoul, involved the 3rd Battalion of the Royal
Australian Regiment and was crucial in delaying the North Korean and Chinese advance on
United Nations lines.

Closely following the Korean veterans were members of the Women's Royal Australian
Army Corp, who also celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2001.

The women headed the post-World War II section of the march to celebrate the occasion.

MORE kp/nf/rp

KEYWORD: ANZAC NSW 5 SYDNEY

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Vic: Seven people injured, two seriously in car accident


AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2001
Vic: Seven people injured, two seriously in car accident

MELBOURNE, Feb 11 AAP - Seven people were injured today in a single vehicle accident
in Victoria's west, with two in a serious condition airlifted to Melbourne.

A Mazda wagon carrying seven people overturned about 1am (AEDT) on the Glenelg Highway,
near Smythesdale, two kilometres southwest of Ballarat, Victoria Police said.

An adult and child had been airlifted to Melbourne in a serious condition, a police
spokesman said.

A Rural Ambulance spokeswoman said a seven-year-old girl was flown to the Royal Childrens
Hospital with serious abdominal injuries.

A six-year-old boy with leg injuries, a 35-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman both
with back pains, and a 15-year-old girl with minor head and chest injuries were taken
to the Ballarat Base Hospital, she said.

She did not have any details on the other people injured.

AAP st/imc/cdh

KEYWORD: WAGON

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Union fires up for industrial action before election


AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2000
Qld: Union fires up for industrial action before election

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE's government may face industrial action as it prepares
for next year's state election, with public servants seeking wage rises to equal the state's
teachers.

Queensland Public Sector Union secretary GORDON RENNIE says the government has a moral
obligation to give public servants a pay increase similar to the 14.7 per cent handed
to teachers last Friday.

Public servants have been awarded a 10 per cent rise over three years, which Mr RENNIE
admits is a good agreement.

But a meeting of the union executive last night voted to seek a catch-up rise of around
four cent to bring other public servants into line with teachers.

Mr RENNIE says the executive will meet again on February 19 to discuss the union's next moves.

Mr RENNIE says he's seeking urgent talks with Mr BEATTIE about the pay catch-up while
preparing for an industrial campaign.





The Queensland government faces an election by the middle of next year and is in turmoil
following revelations at the Shepherdson Inquiry of electoral rorting by senior party
officials and MPs.

AAP RTV rad/jhm/jn

KEYWORD: TEACHERS QLD (BRISBANE)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.