Capsicum spray and Tasers used to break up wedding reception brawl

POLICE used capsicum spray and Tasers to break up a brawl that happened outside a wedding reception at Revesby last night.

About 11.55pm police were called to a brawl outside a reception centre in River Rd.

On arrival, police found a number of people, reportedly guests at a nearby wedding reception, arguing near the centre. Police moved the guests on but soon found the fight had resumed down the street. 

Police intervened and, concerned for their safety, used capsicum spray and drew their Tasers to restore order.  A number of people ran from the area.

Four men were detained and

Saving lives for a living

Dr Nadia Khan and Dr Archit Chawla meet with patient Maurice Hornsby from Blacktown as they settle into their new surrounds. Picture: ISABELLA LETTINI

BLACKTOWN Hospital intern Archit Chawla has been on duty less than a week and has already performed a life-saving procedure.

Dr Chawla is one of 20 new interns who will spend a year working between Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals as part of an annual recruiting program.

Dr Chawla, who plans to pursue a career in critical care, spent seven years at the University of Queensland before being placed at Blacktown Hospital last week.

Knowles to lead Murray-Darling Basin Authority

Former NSW Labor minister Craig Knowles has been appointed head of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

Water Minister Tony Burke is expected to make the announcement later today.

"I am determined to deliver a plan for the Murray-Darling Basin that restores our rivers to health, supports strong regional communities, and ensures continued food production," Mr Burke said.

"This is important reform and following feedback from stakeholders, including governments in the Basin States, I am confident that Craig Knowles is the best person to lead the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and get the reform right.

"Mr Knowles has ten years experience as a

Respect the river's lesson says expert

LAVISH inner-northern Brisbane developments should be safe from future flooding.

So says QUT Professor of urban and regional planning, Doug Baker. He believes developers, such as those at Northshore Hamilton, would have taken heed of lessons learned decades ago.

``After the ‘74 floods, there was a lot of concern at the planning level to flood-proof us for the 100-year flood,’’ he said.

``If you look at most of the flooding that occurred in the southern area along Toowong and UQ, and down through Oxley, a lot of those were older subdivisions in older suburbs.’‘

Prof. Baker said recent

Brekkie boost for small businesses

The event's inaugural speaker will be Vivo Cafe owner Angela Vithoulkas.

A regular breakfast event for Blacktown business owners is about to get underway.

The networking breakfast, which is targeted at small businesses, has been running successfully in Parramatta for more than 15 years.

The event aims to bring both local and international business speakers to Blacktown on the first Thursday of each month.

The breakfast event is a great opportunity for local small business owners to promote business, network, socialise and keep up to date with business news and events.

The event’s inaugural speaker will be Vivo Cafe

Condell Park's Lorraine Landon receives OAM

Lorraine Landon receives an OAM.

CONDELL Park’s Lorraine Landon will receive an Order of Australia Medal for her service to Australia’s basketball industry.

Her contribution to the following clubs and events has earned her the prestigious award:

* General Manager of Basketball Australia’s National Teams and Competitions since 2001. She is a life member as well.

* Chair of the International Basketball Federation Women’s Commission since 2002 and from 1984 to1986.

* Director of Basketball NSW from 1998 to 2003. She is also a life member of the club.

* Director of Women’s National Basketball League from 1996 to

Greenacre home searched by Gangs Squad

A GREENACRE home was searched by gang squad officers attached to Strike Force Edinburgh on Wednesday as part of a wider police operation targeting alleged tax fraud by outlaw motorcycle gang members.

A spokesman from the gang squad at the police headquarters said no charges have yet been laid as a result of the Greenacre search but investigations were continuing.

Three men elsewhere in Sydney were charged during the operation.

Source: whereilive

Drink drivers ignoring ads

A PROLONGED campaign to get drink drivers off the road is failing to deter the territory's worst offenders.

The drink-or-drive message, combined with tougher laws introduced at the end of last year, have reduced the number of motorists caught drink driving overall. But they have failed to put a dent in the number of repeat offenders, with one in three drivers caught over the limit having a previous offence, according to police figures.

A raft of new drink-driving laws denies repeat offenders access to special work licences and reduces the blood alcohol limit to zero for learner or provisional licence

BRISBANE FLOOD: FRIENDS, CUSTOMERS AND STRANGERS HELP PRINTER KEEP DOORS OPEN

Co –owner of South Brisbane Worldwide Online Printing centre, Natasha Anich, is devastated by the impact of the flood on her business and community but buoyed by the tremendous community spirit that is helping her to get her business back up and running.

Almost 100 people, including suppliers, customers, staff, other Worldwide Online Printing centre colleagues, friends and complete strangers, helped her and co-owners, husband Paul, brother-in-law George, and Andrew Cochrane as well as their tenant Mike Dennett of Mail IT, to prepare for the floods and then undertake the massive clean-up.

When Ms Anich was allowed back into the

Justice Crew is looking for you

Justice Crew will be holding auditions for three new crews to join their growing hip hop family. PHOTO: ISABELLA LETTINI

THEY conquered Australia’s Got Talent, had two top 40 singles in the music charts and danced their way through a national tour - but it’s not enough for the boys of western Sydney’s Justice Crew.
The crew wants to expand the Justice family by holding auditions for three new male and female crews here in Sydney.
The auditions will be open to guys and girls aged 7 to 25.
Dancers will need to upload a 30 second video of

Adam's Tavern staff show Blacktown's big heart

Jenaice Malpass, Rebecca Jackson and Natalie Woodward are just three workers from Adams Tavern in Blacktown keen to show they have a generous heart. Picture: ISABELLA LETTINI

STAFF at local Blacktown watering hole Adam’s Tavern have pledged to donate all their tips for the month of January to the Queensland flood appeal.
Owner of the Blacktown tavern Bobby McGee has taken the generosity one step further by agreeing to match the amount raised.
``It’s the right thing to do and people are already throwing in $10 and $20 notes,’’ he said.
Staff member Rebecca Jackson said she was blown

Girl indecently assaulted at Cairds Ave, Bankstown

Bankstown police are appealing for witnesses to the indecent assault of a young woman at Bankstown yesterday.

The 17-year-old told police she was walking along Cairds Ave about 6.15pm when she was approached by a man who stopped her in the street and began asking her questions.

When the girl attempted to walk away the man indecently assaulted her.

The girl persuaded the man to let her go and she was assisted by a witness who saw she was distressed. Police were then alerted.

Police immediately patrolled the area but were unable to find the man or the van.

The

Woman charged after alleged fight at Old Town Plaza, Bankstown

A 32-year-old Georges Hall woman was charge with behaving in an offensive manner after allegedly getting into a fight at Old Town Plaza on Thursday, January 13 at 3.30pm.

Police allege the woman was intoxicated and used offensive language.

She was arrested and returned to Bankstown police station where she was charged with the offence and bailed to appear at Bankstown Court on February 2.

Source: whereilive

Driver high on cannabis: court told

A man accused of negligently causing a car accident which claimed the life of his wife was allegedly high on cannabis at the time, a court has heard.

But Troy Anthony Wilson's lawyer maintains the defendant swerved to avoid a kangaroo seconds before the crash on a winding rural road.

The 38-year-old appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with negligent driving occasioning death.

Wilson has pleaded not guilty the charge, and denies having consumed cannabis in the day leading up to the incident.

His wife of 18 years, Lisa Jane Wilson, died in the crash on Paddy's River

Cruel fate intervenes

AS 88-YEAR-OLD Jean Gurr picked up the telephone in her Grantham home last Sunday, she was filled with excitement when family in Canberra announced the birth of her great great-nephew, Austin.

But instead of introducing the two, Mrs Gurr's niece Carolyn Evans, of Banks, and her daughter Crystal Tunningley – along with baby Austin Tunningley – are now preparing to make the trip to Queensland for her funeral.

A day after receiving the news of Austin's arrival, Mrs Gurr was caught in the horror floods that tore through the small Queensland community.

Ms Evans said her elderly aunt had been

Want to help the clean up?

THEIR houses are soaked, they're tired and stressed, but many Brisbane residents are already asking "what can I do to help?"

While volunteers are no longer needed at sandbagging stations, Premier Anna Bligh and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman are urging the community to help those around them.

Those wanting to assist with the flood recovery can do so via the methods outlined below.

VOLUNTEER
To register your services with Volunteering Queensland: 07 3002 7600 or www.volunteeringqld.org.au.
Police say this is the preferred way to volunteer services. They ask that you do not turn up at evacuation centres looking to

Man arrested over Roselands drive-by shooting

A man arrested today over a drive-by shooting on Sylvester Ave, Roselands, may have links to an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Police arrested the 20-year-old today in relation to a domestic violence-related drive-by shooting at 12.30am overnight, when a number of shots were fired from a car into a house in Sylvester Ave.

Two women and a 10-year-old boy were inside the home at the time of the shooting but escaped unharmed.

A crime scene was established this morning for examination by forensic experts.

Officers from the South West Metropolitan Region attached to Strike Force Amarok, an ongoing operation targeting criminal

Canterbury homosexual community encouraged to talk

Alex Day

GAY, lesbian and transgender residents of the Canterbury area are being urged to contribute to an ongoing project that seeks to document the area’s history of the community.

President of Come Out NSW, Alex Day, encouraged residents to contact him with any information, photos or memories they can share to help piece together the area’s gay and lesbian past.

“There have been a few histories done looking at Australia, Sydney or NSW, and we thought, ‘well, Canterbury’s got a bit of history as well,” Mr Day said.

So far, the investigation has uncovered accounts from senior residents

Wet weather handicap

Course superintendent Keith Johnson.

THE Keperra Country Golf Club’s financial books are in the rough and golfers are almost non-existent following six weeks of flooding and perpetual wet weather.
General manager Gavin Lawrence said the club was already down $220,000 since September the start of its financial year and flooding to a quarter of its course had cost hundreds of thousands in lost revenue and damage.
The club’s 27 holes have been transformed in to a wetland, which has forced complete closure on six days since Christmas.
``Christmas should be the peak period for a club

Exodus as Brisbane flood threat grows

+ MAP: SUBURBS AT RISK OF FLOODING ON WEDNESDAY

+ FLOODS WILL BE WORSE THAN '74: BLIGH

Authorities have called for calm as Brisbane's roads clog up with workers seeking to flee the city while the Brisbane River breaches its banks at multiple locations.

Today, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman warned the worst of the flooding was yet to come, with Thursday likely to be "devastating".

Cr Newman said latest flood modelling suggested 6500 properties could be inundated, with 16,500 to be partially affected.

Police advised there have been no forced evacuations in the CBD, however numerous employers have advised their workers to go home, including department stores Myer and David Jones in the Queen Street Mall.

------------

A re you caught in the floods? Tell us your story and send photographs to cos@canberratimes.com.au

-------------

Public transport will continue to operate throughout the afternoon, however Translink advises of service cancellations, disruptions and diversions in place across the network due to flooding.

Deputy Mayor Graham Quirk called for residents to remain clear-headed.

The Brisbane River laps at the Riverside Centre in Brisbane's CBD. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS

"People need to be sensible and not panic, but they need to be prepared," Cr Quirk said.

"What we've seen today is a fair bit of panic. We've had a significant departure of people from the CBD going back to their homes."

An evacuation centre has been set up at the RNA Showgrounds at Bowen Hills for residents affected by floods.

A Brisbane City Council statement said the centre had been set up for those who wanted to evacuate of their own accord and

Nude-photos teen gatecrashes AFL training

A teenage girl who released nude photos of two star St Kilda footballers has turned up to the club's first training session of the year today with posters declaring ''scandal in progress'' and banners urging the AFL to show her some respect.

The 17-year-old, under police escort, said she was also planning to distribute two more lewd photographs of players but backed down after receiving a hostile response from the crowd, which had gathered to watch the Saints train at Seaford.

''There's people yelling things out to me right now,'' she told Fairfax.

''One guy came up to me and was, like, abusing me for about 10 minutes in front of the media and saying I'm not welcome here and things like that.

''I'm honestly really concerned

Mans body found in remains of Lalor Park unit fire

A MAN’S body has been found in the remains of a Lalor Park unit destroyed by fire last night.

About 10pm, emergency services were called to a unit fire in Iwunda Rd.

After the fire was extinguished the body of a person was found inside the wreckage of the unit.

About 12.30am a man, 50, presented himself to emergency service officers. He was suffering from extensive burns to his arms and body and was immediately conveyed by ambulance to Westmead Hospital and later transferred to Concord Hospital.

Police said the fire could have been deliberately lit and are calling for

Canterbury Hurlstone RSL big cash donor

COMMUNITY groups took centre stage at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club recently when a variety of organisations, from charities to schools joined staff at a presentation thanking them for financial donations.

This year, the club donated more than $410,500 to a host of groups.

Chief executive officer Dean Thomas said the community was populated by people and organisations that “went that extra mile for anyone in need”.

Several sporting organisations benefited from the club, including Canterbury Junior Football, Canterbury Junior Rugby Union Football, Earlwood Saints Junior Rugby League Football and Hurlstone Park Cricket clubs and the Australian Academy of Gymnastics.

Will you put in a tax claim for back to school expenses

Belinda Eady with sons Rory and Jasper Carter in the Balgowlah Heights Public School uniform.

THE first school bell for 2011 will sound for students on January 28 but between then and now parents are coughing up for the uniforms, bags, shoes, sporting gear, laptops and texts required to start the academic year.

This year more than 1.3 million families will be eligible to claim against half the money they spend on academic costs under the Federal Government’s $4.4billion Education Tax Refund scheme.

Receipts need to be kept for school books, pens and laptops to benefit, with a maximum

Prime Minister's XI finalised

The Prime Minister's XI team has been finalised for Monday's clash against England at Manuka Oval with James Pattinson and Trent Copeland called in to cover injured duo Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc.

Hazelwood failed to overcome stress fractures in his back while Australian one-day representative Starc is still battling a side strain.

Victorian Pattinson played in the PM's XI side which was beaten by the West Indies last year, and averages 23.85 with the ball at one-day domestic level.

Copeland meanwhile will make his debut in the fixture, and has been tipped as a future star of the game

Business as usual for our Capitals

Canberra had every excuse to drop down the WNBL ladder this season.

The world's best player Lauren Jackson parted ways with the defending champs, as did the quality trio of Abby Bishop, Nicole Hurst and Kellie Abrams.

And prize Sydney recruit Suzy Batkovic has played in just six matches.

But the Capitals don't cop excuses. It's why they've won seven WNBL titles, and are searching for their third straight this season.

Overall

Put simply, the coaching staff has done a terrific job moulding the new-look roster into a legitimate force.

Canberra boasts arguably the most even spread of contributors in the

Plan your Christmas Lights tour

Abbeyfeale Street, Tingalpa. More photos in our gallery.

Quest Newspapers presents full and comprehensive coverage of the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition, with photo galleries, maps and entrant’s stories from across Brisbane.

MEGA PHOTO GALLERY
After months of planning and checking bulbs, residents finally get to light up to celebrate the festive season.
Christmas Lights 2010 - Mega Photo Gallery
Do you have any photographs of your house lit up? Submit your own Christmas Lights pictures to the gallery!




MAPS
See the best Christmas Lights displays across Brisbane, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition’s North, South, East and West regions.
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - WINNERS

Plan your own Christmas Lights tour using our maps, with every Christmas Lights competition entry listed.
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - NORTH
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - SOUTH
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - EAST
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - WEST

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS STORIES

City night lights up
BRISBANE: The city centre will be glowing with Christmas spirit this year as the Queen Street Mall enters the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition.

Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - NORTH
Lighting up Christmas at Chermside
Dawn and Tony Zimmerman are bringing some light to their neighbours and visitors this Christmas.
Find the Zimmerman’s house on our Brisbane Christmas Lights - NORTH map, and get driving directions to their lights display.

Flicking on the Christmas cheer
MORAYFIELD: From humble beginnings, the Addison Court Christmas lights display

Police confident of finding Greenacre gunman

POLICE say they are confident of finding the gunman who terrorised a Greenacre family of 10 when he opened fire on their house, riddling it with 11 bullets and hitting one of the children.

“We certainly have a number of inquiries that are occurring at the moment,” Bankstown commander Supt Dave Eardley said.

“We’re confident that we will identify and bring the offender before the courts.”

The Alkadmani family were at their Roberts Rd house about 10.35pm on December 27 when a man knocked on the door.

Mohamad, the father of the family, answered. A man of Pacific Islander appearance asked to speak to a man named Zac.

Punchbowl perfume store robbed

A PERFUME store assistance was struck in the head with a gun during a robbery at Punchbowl last night.

About 5.50pm, a man entered the Wattle St store and produced a gold pistol from his pants before threatening the employee, who was serving a customer at the time, and demanded money.

The robber hit the employee in the shoulder and face with the gun before leaving with a sum of cash.

Police were called to the store and despite a search of the area the armed man was unable to be found. A crime scene was established and the shopkeeper

Punchbowl perfume store robbed

A PERFUME store assistance was struck in the head with a gun during a robbery at Punchbowl last night.

About 5.50pm, a man entered the Wattle St store and produced a gold pistol from his pants before threatening the employee, who was serving a customer at the time, and demanded money.

The robber hit the employee in the shoulder and face with the gun before leaving with a sum of cash.

Police were called to the store and despite a search of the area the armed man was unable to be found. A crime scene was established and the shopkeeper