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A woman from Point Frederick has been charged by Australian Federal Police for allegedly displaying prohibited hate symbols on social media. She is the second person charged by the National Security Investigations teams over similar conduct.
A luxury Byron Bay retreat linked to Hollywood actor Matt Damon has sold for $4.65 million. The Broken Head property, known as Blackwood House, was listed at a $12.5 million price guide in 2022. Damon rented the home in 2017 while filming a cameo for Thor: Ragnarok. He stayed for several months with friend Chris Hemsworth, which fuelled speculation he would move to Australia permanently. Damon did not buy the property, and he returned to the United States after his stay.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
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Get the appA jury has heard a phone call in which Beau Lamarre-Condon claimed he suffered trauma from bullying by NSW Police Force members. The call was made on February 23, 2024, while he was on his way to hand himself in. He is accused of murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies at Baird's Paddington home on February 19, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty and is arguing self-defence. In his statement to police, Lamarre-Condon said a friend encouraged him to hide the bodies. She denies this and says she never saw the bodies.
Infrastructure Department officials have contradicted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's statement that a $6 million grant to the Marrickville Golf Club was meant to address sewage problems. At a Senate estimates hearing, officials confirmed the project does not include sewerage works. Albanese had told the House of Representatives the funding would fix a septic system that sends raw sewage into the Cooks River during floods. Opposition figures, including Dan Tehan and Senator Bridget McKenzie, have called on him to correct the record.
A surfer has died after being pulled from the water at Number One Beach in Seal Rocks, on the NSW Mid North Coast. Members of the public dragged the man from the water about 2.20pm on Monday. He was unresponsive. Paramedics tried to save him, but he died at the scene. He has not been formally identified but is believed to be in his 60s. The secluded beach sits opposite a caravan park and is popular with swimmers and surfers.
Griffith Police Station will begin accepting eligible firearms from 2 November under the NSW Government's gun buyback scheme. The scheme follows the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025, which killed 15 people. Owners must book an appointment online through Gun Safe, and compensation ranges from $450 for an air rifle to $1000 for a centrefire rifle or revolver. Local firearms dealers, including Anthony Mancini of Riverina Firearms Centre, say the reforms have hurt their businesses and that the payments are too low. Further police stations will join the scheme from 1 December and 18 January 2027.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Credit Corp Group, which buys bad debts at a discount and collects them, is on track for another record result this year. The listed business posted a record $105.5 million net profit in 2025/26 and is targeting between $112 million and $120 million this financial year. Chief executive Thomas Beregi told shareholders the purchase of one of HSBC's run-off credit card books was a key driver. Its consumer lending arms grew almost a fifth in the September quarter, led by its Wallet Wizard loans, which carry an annual interest rate of 47.8 per cent.