Once in a Lifetime Opportunity for Dancing Teenager

Teenager Daley Catip, a dancer from rural Queensland has been given an unbelievable opportunity by Sydney’s Tanya Pearson Academy. 

After attending a workshop at the prestigious classical ballet school, the 14 year old was granted a position in the school’s affiliate program - a dream come true to many young dancers. 

Daley’s mother, a former ballroom dancer, said she noticed his love for dancing at an early age and has been enrolled at Emerald Academy of Dance for the last four years. 

Lost Appeal for Eurydice Dixon’s Killer

The killer of aspiring Melbourne comedian, Eurydice Dixon, has lost an appeal to reduce his life sentence.

The Court of Appeal judges rejected the claims made by the killers’ lawyers who argued the sentence was disproportionate and excessive.

In upholding the life sentence, Chief Justice Anne Ferguson said the crime was, “unspeakably loathsome and cruel”.

New Brisbane Open Air Cinema

A new open air cinema is opening up at Howard Smith Wharves in April. 

This event has been modelled off the Sydney Harbour open air cinema and it is set to show a variety of blockbuster films over the 22 days it will be set up.

The director of the event, Rob Bryant, describes the open air cinema experience as, ‘unique and totally extraordinary.’

STEM program at Somerville

The success of a ‘Girls in Science’ program at Somerville House led Holly Roberts-Simmonds, an environmental scientist, to plan future mentoring programs.

The all-girls school held the program with grade 4 and grade 9 students in March last year with the aim of engaging girls in STEM sectors before they learn of the gender bias inherent in the fields.

India suspends all travel visas

The World Health Organization has categorized the Coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic amid rising infection rates around the world.

As a result, India has decided to suspend the majority of travel visas to the country in an attempt to control the spread of the virus.

India’s Health Ministry has said all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN and international organisations, employment and project visas, stand suspended until April 15, 2020.

Bernie Sanders is staying in the race

Senator Bernie Sanders is staying in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination despite former Vice President Joe Biden’s recent victories.

Sanders’ chances of winning the nomination were narrowed yesterday after decisive losses to Biden in Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi.

Pressure is mounting for Sanders to end his Presidential campaign and work to unify Democrats against the current President, Donald Trump.

New criteria for bushfire relief packages

Today, the New South Wales and Federal Governments are re-announced their package to support small businesses impacted by the recent bushfires. 

For local businesses in the area, the six to eight week summer trade can represent anywhere from 40 to 60% of annual revenue. 

To help mitigate the impact, Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced that the criteria for refinancing is changing. He noted the phrase "directly impacted businesses” will now stretch to include those not only directly impacted by the flames but also ash caused by the fires.

Wealthy Australians owe $770 million in tax

The Australian Tax Office stated wealthy Australians owe hundreds of millions of dollars annually in tax due to tax avoidance.

The ATO estimated that individuals and private entities who control a net wealth of over $50 million are deliberately engaging in “artificial and non-commercial arrangements” and avoiding tax payments, totalling $770 million combined.

The ATO is expected to expand its Tax Avoidance Taskforce, from July 1st, with a new program focusing on high-wealth private groups.

Queensland Government announces Coronavirus disaster funding

The Queensland Government announced businesses who have been affected by Coronavirus should have access to disaster relief funds. 

In an upcoming meeting with the Prime Minister, Queensland state leaders will appeal to the Federal Government to open up disaster relief funds to help local businesses affected by COVID-19.

This request was previously rejected by the federal government. For funding to be released, all states and territories must be in agreement on the matter.