20 August 2026

In a town known for its wild coastline, a surfing star is born

Downunder Voices Newsroom

As our ute hurtled along a steep track onto an isolated beach, I finally understood why a grab bar up above the front seat passenger is nicknamed the 'Oh sh*t handle'. Welcome to Augusta's ...

About this report

This article contains independently written commentary and community perspective from Downunder Voices.

Join our community

Follow Downunder Voices

Join thousands of readers following news and community stories from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Follow on Facebook Submit your story

Ben Carroll releases terms of reference for inquiry that will include examining allegations of CFMEU corruption on state government building sites Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates The Victorian premier on Thursday unveiled details of the inquiry while acknowledging there had been “grift”, “thuggery” and “violence” on taxpayer-funded building sites, after the letters patent formally establishing the commission were signed off by the governor following a cabinet meeting earlier in the morning.

Source: The Guardian WorldOriginal source

Case against Erin Patterson is ‘overwhelming’ and mushroom killer’s appeal should be dismissed, prosecutors say

Australia

20 August 2026

Case against Erin Patterson is ‘overwhelming’ and mushroom killer’s appeal should be dismissed, prosecutors say

Crown prosecutor tells Victorian court that all seven of Patterson’s grounds for appeal should fail On Thursday, three judges of Victoria’s court of appeal continued hearing arguments regarding Patterson’s bid to have her conviction overturned.

Source: The Guardian WorldOriginal source

Splash Singapore: Marcura’s Janani Yagnamurthy calls for greater maritime tech honesty

Trade & Logistics

20 August 2026

Splash Singapore: Marcura’s Janani Yagnamurthy calls for greater maritime tech honesty

Marcura’s Janani Yagnamurthy heads to Splash Singapore arguing that AI’s biggest opportunity may be preserving shipping’s institutional knowledge and giving junior staff access to decades of experience from day one. “You learn more from one person explaining honestly about a problem they’ve had to solve than from 10 previews of what’s coming next.” That is …

Source: Splash247Original source

Social Issues

20 August 2026

Ombudsman shines light on 'coercive and unlawful treatment' at Wakari Hospital

Health NZ urged to improve "conditions of detention" by ending all prolonged isolation and improving physical living arrangements for patients.

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/rss/news.xmlOriginal source

In a town known for its wild coastline, a surfing star is born

About this report

Follow Downunder Voices

More from New Zealand

Fatal Mt Maunganui landslide: Minister to keep tabs on council after damning report

Mother of man murdered in Auckland Prison wants accountability from Corrections

Cyber security crimes becoming more complex, warns quarterly report

Read Next

‘There was grift, there was thuggery’: Victorian premier says ‘nothing is off limits’ at construction royal commission

Case against Erin Patterson is ‘overwhelming’ and mushroom killer’s appeal should be dismissed, prosecutors say

Splash Singapore: Marcura’s Janani Yagnamurthy calls for greater maritime tech honesty

Ombudsman shines light on 'coercive and unlawful treatment' at Wakari Hospital