West Australians who have not yet claimed their $100 fuel relief voucher and plan to submit a paper form are unlikely to receive the money before Christmas. Paper forms have been taking about 10 weeks to arrive, and a spokesperson advised applicants to allow nine to 10 weeks, with postage possibly longer in some regional areas. About $110 million has been paid to more than a million of the 2.3 million eligible licence holders since July 1.
The Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook is running its Trees of Joy campaign again this year, aiming to deliver more than 1,000 Christmas gifts. Shoppers choose a gift from a bauble bearing a person's story and wish, then return it to a drop-off point. The club works with more than 10 local charities to reach children and adults who may otherwise go without. Trees are at four shopping centres in Cherrybrook, Westleigh, Pennant Hills and Thornleigh from 2 November until 10 December. Rotary asks people to return gifts early to ease distribution.
The Rotary Club of Keilor is preparing its annual 100 Christmas Bags project for isolated patients in the Moonee Valley and Brimbank areas. Bolton Clarke community nurses will deliver the gift bags, which contain basic food, toiletries, personal care items and seasonal treats. The club says many recipients have no family, friends or wider community, and the bags aim to bring them comfort at Christmas. Recipient Anica said the gift brought her to tears, while Kent said he was looking forward to the day.
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Preorders for the Microduck robots have passed 20,000 units, according to Hugging Face's Clem Delangue. The waddling, open source robots went viral after a video showed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang playing with them during a keynote at the GTC Berlin conference. The robots can sit, nap, and somersault on voice command. They are expected to be delivered in time for Christmas. Pollen Robotics produces the devices, and Hugging Face acquired the company in 2025. Nvidia bought Hugging Face in September.
A make-ahead Christmas fruitcake improves with time, so it can be baked weeks before the festive season. Senior food editor Sarah Murphy says the cake should be fed with brandy or dark rum every two weeks until Christmas. The recipe calls for soaking dried fruit overnight, then baking the batter for three hours at 160°C. The cake is wrapped in baking paper and foil, then stored in a cool, dark cupboard away from sunlight. In hot homes, it should be kept in the fridge instead.
Tasmania's Australian Education Union has called on politicians to stay away from public schools for the rest of term 4. The union wants Premier Jeremy Rockliff to apologise for a social media post about a northern Tasmanian school's end-of-year event, which had been renamed End of Year Extravaganza. Mr Rockliff has refused to apologise and said he has the right to voice his opinion. Treasurer Eric Abetz said politicians of all parties support schools. Labor leader Josh Willie backed the union's stand and called for an apology.
Calls have grown for Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff to apologise over comments about a northern Tasmanian school renaming its Christmas event. Rockliff posted online about efforts to remove Christmas references from end-of-year celebrations and urged the education department to act. The school had renamed its Christmas on the Hill event to End of Year Extravaganza! The Australian Education Union has passed a motion seeking a ban on politicians attending public schools in term four unless he apologises. Rockliff says he is entitled to his opinion and has condemned adverse behaviour towards others.
Carols by the Bay, a free Christmas event on the Geelong waterfront, is marking its 30th year. Denis Walter started the carols in 1997 after noticing Geelong had no waterfront Christmas celebration. Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj says the event brings families together and draws about 20,000 people each year. This year's event will run alongside Christmas markets and a minibus of flash mob elves. The carols begin at 7pm on November 21 at Steampacket Gardens, alongside the lighting of a floating Christmas tree.
New research from Christmas decor brand Balsam Hill says 8.8 million Australians are decorating for Christmas before December. More than half of people aged 18 to 44 decorate early, compared with under a third of those aged 65 and over. Lifestyle influencer Bronte Rose put up her tree in September and says decorating early gives her something joyful to look forward to. Online reaction to an early tree on The Today Show was mixed, with some users saying it was too soon and others saying the earlier the better.
Geelong business Barwon Valley Smallgoods has been named national champion for its handmade liverwurst at the 2026 Australian Meat Industry Council Charcuterie Awards. The family-owned company also won national gold medals for its boneless ham, shortcut bacon and pastrami. Owner Damien Batties has worked in the smallgoods industry for 40 years, and his eldest daughter Ashleigh is now learning the trade. The business also sponsors the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and the Torquay Football Club. It is promoting its Christmas hams and smallgoods ahead of the festive season.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has not apologised after publicly criticising a school for allegedly removing Christmas references from its end-of-year celebrations. The school's calendar still lists Christmas events, including Santa and carols. The school's acting principal is on stress leave, and the Australian Education Union has launched a petition calling for an apology. Labor leader Josh Willie accused Mr Rockliff of getting the facts wrong and leaning into culture wars.
Cabonne communities have a busy run of events ahead. Cumnock's Family Fun Day on 17 October offers live music, market stalls, coach rides and a mechanical bull. The Australian National Field Days, held from 22 to 24 October at Borenore, features around 400 exhibitors and tickets from $10. Christmas shopping nights are set for Eugowra, Canowindra and Molong, while Manildra hosts a Christmas party on 16 December with fireworks. Weekly library storytimes, playgroups and regular monthly markets also run across the shire.
LARK Distilling Co. has expanded its annual Christmas Cask No.125 release, increasing the bottle size to 700mL from 500mL while maintaining the AUD $250 price. The Tasmanian single malt, created with Frogmore Creek and Jean-Pascal, features a unique finish in red wine barrels seasoned with fruit mince pie jus. This eighth edition offers 40% more whisky, with a 43% ABV and flavours including spiced apple, caramel and festive spices. The limited-edition release will be available from 21 October 2026 through the distillery's website and select retailers.
Tasmanian government ministers have continued to post on social media about a northern Tasmanian primary school's alleged move to drop Christmas references from its end-of-year event. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he had asked the Education Department to step in, and said he stood by his expectation that schools celebrate Christmas. The Australian Education Union said members were upset and accused ministers of joining a pile-on. Minister Nick Duigan said he was not a fan of culture wars but supported celebrating Christmas.
Burke Shire Council is inviting residents and businesses to enter its annual Christmas Lights Competition. Four categories are open: Burketown Residential, Gregory Residential, Solar Lights and Business. The top three entries in each category will receive prizes. Judging will take place from 7 to 11 December 2026. Entries from station properties must submit clear night-time photos of their displays for judging.
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There is no fixed date for putting up a Christmas tree, according to a lifestyle feature. In Australia, many households choose 1 December, the first Sunday in December or the second Saturday in December. Monash University professor Gary Bouma says most people follow the customs they grew up with, along with when they have time. In a reader poll, 1 December was the most popular single answer, while others put up their trees in November or said the timing depends on how long they want to enjoy it.
Christmas hosts are making a table centrepiece from a pool noodle, a hot glue gun and baubles. The noodles cost about $2 from Big W or Kmart. To make one, feed a rod through the noodle, glue on baubles, fill the gaps with decorations, add greenery and finish with fake snow. A hot glue gun is recommended for holding the materials together. The guide also suggests four styles, including red, white and silver, fresh and floral, glitter and gold, and snow-tipped branches.
The City of Darwin has announced the return of its Darwin Christmas Pageant on Saturday 14 November 2026, the start of a free family program across the city. The day begins with a Christmas Makers Market in The Mall from 4pm to 7pm, followed by the Pageant through the city streets from 6pm to 6.45pm. Lord Mayor Peter Styles will light the Christmas tree at 7pm, and a Christmas Concert with local performers, schools and community groups runs in Civic Park from 7.30pm to 9pm. Mr Styles encouraged schools, businesses and community groups to take part by building floats.
