Griffith Mayor Doug Curran says the city's Firefly monument will be refurbished, not removed, after social media rumours said it was facing removal. Council staff presented three options, and Curran says none of the 14 people present backed removal. The work could cost up to $250,000. Curran said the aircraft is deteriorating and delays could put it beyond saving. He criticised the Griffith Free Local News page, saying its author is a fake. The Fairey Firefly, a British-built naval aircraft, was unveiled as a war memorial in Griffith in 1969.
A youth-led project will unveil Livingstone Shire's first Green Seat at 4pm on Wednesday 28 October at Beaman Park in Yeppoon. The seat is a permanent place for reflection and will carry a QR code linking to missing persons awareness and support information. The Livingstone Youth Action Group drove the project, which brings the national Green Seat Project to the shire. Founder Sally Leydon will attend as a special guest. In 2025, 49,084 people were reported missing to police in Australia, and 56 per cent were aged 13 to 17.
A memorial to Aunty Heather Boney has been unveiled at Wales Park in Moree, 25 years after her death. Family members marked the 25th anniversary of her death on Saturday 17 October 2026. Those who spoke remembered her generosity, her Christian faith and her fundraising for families in need. Blossom Pitt, who campaigned for the memorial, said Aunty Heather gave her guidance during a difficult childhood. The plaque carries Aunty Heather's portrait, her dates and a verse from the kids of South Side Moree.
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Mourners gathered at the SIEV X Memorial in Canberra to mark 25 years since the sinking of the SIEV X, Australia's deadliest asylum seeker boat disaster. On October 19, 2001, 353 people died when the fishing boat sank off Java while heading to Christmas Island. Of the dead, 146 were children. The memorial, at Weston Park beside Lake Burley Griffin, has a wooden pole for each victim. Organisers say more than 100 victims' names have not been made public. Memorial co-founder Steve Biddulph said the memorial sends a message that ordinary Australians are not terrified of refugees.
Plans to honour Lismore's historic Drill Hall will go ahead, with the flood-damaged building to be demolished. The Drill Hall, on the TAFE Lismore campus, is linked to about 3,500 men who enlisted for the First World War. Investigations found the building could not be restored to a usable condition, and relocating it was estimated to cost more than $5 million. Those attending a meeting chaired by NSW Minister for TAFE Steve Whan agreed to replace it with an interactive installation. A timeline for demolition and the memorial has not yet been announced.
The president of Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club says a fatal shark attack at Sorrento Beach highlights the need for new clubrooms. Rob Doherty says the club's current facilities are inadequate for training. The club recently held a memorial for Greg O’Neill, who was killed in the attack. Doherty says the community has shown strong support for the club and the O’Neill family.
More than a thousand people gathered on Perth's Sorrento Beach to pay tribute to Greg O'Neill, who was killed by a great white shark in September. His son, Keelan O'Neill, urged the crowd to return to the water and keep doing the things they love. His daughter, Bianca, said the ocean was her father's happy healing place. O'Neill was the third person killed by a shark in Western Australia this year. His swimming group, the Sorrento Squids, returned to the water on Sunday.
Two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers who died in May have been honoured at a memorial ceremony in Sydney. Frank Petsch and Bill Ewen died while responding to a vessel in distress near the South Ballina breakwall in northern NSW. Their names were added to a state memorial at Mrs Macquarie's Chair alongside 10 Rural Fire Service volunteers. NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib described the volunteers as everyday heroes. The memorial, established in 1999, now bears 137 names.
A memorial for epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws has been vandalised in Kirribilli, North Sydney. A local shared images on social media showing the memorial tree torn off near its base. North Sydney Council says it is aware of the damage and has arranged for the tree to be replaced. McLaws, who advised the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, died in August 2023 after a long battle with cancer. The memorial, a plaque and tree at Mary Booth Reserve overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was erected in her honour.
Keilor mourns Ray Dodd, the late publican who ran the Keilor Hotel for over half a century. Known for his community spirit, Dodd supported numerous local organisations and events. His family values and humour left a lasting impression on residents. The hotel, now managed by his family, remains a community hub. Dodd's legacy includes a Rotary Club fellowship and personal renovations to the historic establishment.
A memorial to Barry Danson, an outback legend and local character, was unveiled at the Ivanhoe Dry Times Truck, Tractor, Car and Bike Show in Ivanhoe, NSW. The tribute, a repurposed 1940s Caterpillar D2 bulldozer, was presented to his family, including wife Barbara. The event, organised by Alan and John Carmichael, celebrates Australian trucking culture and supports the remote outback community.
Sarah Roberts has opened up about the loss of her older brother Karl De Abrew to brain cancer seven years ago. In an emotional Instagram reel, the former Home & Away star shared that it would have been her brother’s 52nd birthday this week. Roberts described Karl as her soulmate and expressed immense gratitude for the time they had together. She also mentioned that October is a difficult month for her family, as Karl passed away in October 2019, just three months after walking her down the aisle at her wedding.
Terri Irwin commemorated 35 years since meeting her late husband, Steve, at a Queensland wildlife park. The couple, who married in 1992, built a global conservation legacy together. Their honeymoon led to the creation of The Crocodile Hunter, a TV series that made them international stars. The Irwin family marked 20 years since Steve's tragic death in 2004. Terri reflected on the profound impact Steve had on her life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones.
Moree cricketers will honour Chris Rowden's legacy at the annual Rowdo's 10s competition on Saturday. The late president introduced the 10-over format in 2023, which now serves as a memorial event. Teams Thunder, Golfies and Crows will compete at Ron Harborne Oval, with matches featuring unique rules like batter retirement at 30 runs. Rowden's family will attend, making the day both competitive and sentimental. Play begins at 1pm and concludes around 5pm, with free entry for spectators.
A memorial service for singer Giorgos Mazonakis will be held in Melbourne on 18 October. The event at the Cathedral of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in Northcote is organised by expatriate Nina Athans. Mazonakis, who died at 54, will be honoured with a Divine Liturgy and a cultural program featuring local artists. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia supports the service, which aims to unite the community in remembrance.
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Sydney's Jewish community held commemorations for the victims of the 2023 Hamas attack in Israel, marking the first such events since the Bondi Beach terror attack. The service at a venue in Sydney's east featured high-profile attendees, candle lighting, and prayers. Participants also honoured the 15 people killed in the Bondi shooting during a Hanukkah celebration. The event included musical performances and speeches addressing antisemitism and its impact on Jewish communities worldwide.
NSW Police Constable Mia Lay was farewelled at a funeral service in Sydney. Her family issued a statement calling for her to be remembered. The 20-year-old was killed in a crash while responding to a stolen car report in Redfern. The service included eulogies from her parents, partner, and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who posthumously honoured her with national and NSW police medals.
A funeral is being held in Sydney for police constable Mia Lay, 20, who died in a car crash in Redfern on September 25. NSW Premier Chris Minns described her as a talented and optimistic officer. Her name will be added to the National Police Memorial in Canberra in 2027. A police march will follow the service along Bathurst Street in the city centre.
