Motorists hit 180km/h near Newcastle to conjure ghost of dead motorcyclist

It is quite an insane story for these days but there are still exist some superstitious motorists who believe that if they speeding up to 180km/h in Lemon Tree Passage road, they can have the chance to see a ghostly bright light believed to be the spirit of a 20-year old motorcyclist killed in a crash with a speeding driver around the area about 3 years ago. Surprisingly, they used that as an excuse to speed up. They even interested to get the footage of it for YouTube. The video posted so far only show a clearly visible bright light which sometimes near or far away from the car that driving at dangerous speed. But the source of the light is unclear. To clear up things, the police commented on the situation that the only light that they could possibly see when they speed up is the red and blue lights of a police car!

Girl vanishes: Where is she?

Western Sydney: Kiesha Abrahams, a six year-old girl, had disappeared from home after her bed time. She was last seen wearing a pink pyjamas and a purple jacket.Her parents just realised her missing at 10am the next morning. Her mother had make a report, where after that an extensive search is carried out within areas close to Kiesha's house. The police have been told that there was no sign of force entry. The front door of their house was unlocked meaning Kiesha may have wandering off on her own. The families are in a deep grief and her parents are distraught. The family's friend, Kylie Wakeling, never thought that this would happen to Kiesha since she is a quiet girl and always stick to her self rather than a wanderer. The search is still in progress.

For further references: http://www.news.com.au/national/fears-for-missing-keisha-abrahams/story-e6frfkvr-1225899780956

Victorian father Robert Farquharson found guilty of murder of three sons

Farquharson, 41, has been sentenced to three life terms for murdering his three sons by driving them into a dam on Father's Day. That was the second time he was found guilty as his first trial has been quashed by the Court of Appeal. His supporters, including his sisters, wept.



Farquharson pleaded not gulity by saying that he had coughing fit, blacked out and woke up in the dam where his sons die. His lawyer also claims that the fact where he invited a friend to join their trip to Geelong can be the evidence that he had no intention to kill the boys. Farquharson is said to be a shy and uneducated man who loves his own sons.



For further references: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/father-guilty-of-murder-of-three-sons/story-e6frg6nf-1225895749405

Brothel owner employed schoolgirl

Andrew Hewinson, the owner of Brunswick brothel Pickwood Lodge, and his former manager, Janette Woods are charged in court for allowing 14-years old girl to work as a prostitute in their brothel in last 3 years. Woods was found guilty of allowing the child to work with him ignoring the facts that she was not in the legal age. He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life and given 125 hours of unpaid community service. While, Mr Hewinson was facing the same charges but the case on him did not proceed. He claims that he never met that girl and being understood that she was 24 years old. Now, he intends to buy Kryal Castle and turn it into casino and brothel replacing the Pickwood Lodge which he has sold.

For further references: http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-national/brothel-owner-employed-schoolgirl-20100721-10l1b.html

Program to stop teens courting trouble

A tournament called Midnight Basketball is a free program for children from 12 to 18 years old. It is going to be held for eight weeks beginning next week. This programme includes dinner, life-skills workshop, tournament match plus transportation to home. It is organized by Salisbury Council and Elizabeth Blue Light. Their main aim is to keep those at-risk teenagers away from the streets starts at 7.30pm untill midnight. This programme had once held in Geraldton, Western Australia and Kempsey, New South Wales which results in positive feedback from the police officers in both places regarding the decreases in any violence accidents during the tournament period. This programme is still open for new registration as participants or volunteers.


For further references: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/program-to-stop-teens-courting-trouble/story-e6frea83-1225892944428

UNSW students in dark as union bans bite amid pay dispute

About 70 academic staffs in University of New South Wales are having strikes on submitting students' assignment and exams mark. This is regarding the disagreement over their fixed contracts and wages. With the support from NTEU(National Tertiary Education Union), they seek for changes of conditions in their contracts to match up with the modern award. However, the university claims that they need full flexibility to adjust employment arrangements. As a result, the university management decides to dock pay from those involved. NTEU responses by saying that they will continue the bans. Their action may give big impact to the students when they get back from their holiday such as classes disruption.



+++From my point of view, this is really unbeneficial. There are still many other ways to seek for better fulfill of workers' welfare. Plus, in this situation, the students are affected too. Both side should be more aware on these negative externalities from their actions.+++


For further reference: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/unsw-students-in-dark-as-union-bans-bite-amid-pay-dispute/story-e6frgcjx-1225891486317

Arguementative Essay Final Draft - TV

All levels of people, from young to old, cannot escape from being captivated by television since it was first invented (Leigh 2001). As evidenced by American Time Use Survey (2003), most people including men and women spent most of their time watching television, about 2 to 3 hours per day. There is a concern among psychologists and parents on extensive television viewing as it may affects children's thinking development and health (Sharif 1999). But, some claim that there are much more benefits that children can get from watching television. I totally agree with that as I firmly believe that television viewing brings more benefits to the viewer with the stand of this three cogent facts, it gives them access to the latest current events, a more efficient way of learning and also helps to develop their critical thinking skills.

Firstly, if television is used expeditiously, it can be a tool to know what is happening currently in the world through the news programmes. This has been further justified by Sharif (1999), whereby she mentions that television programmes help young people to have the access to the worldwide issues and it may inspire them to do charity works such as collecting money for victims of famine in Africa. Rutherford (2002) also admits that the habit of watching television gives public the knowledge which incites them to become involved and exert pressure on administration, major firms and even national governments. Additionally, it is “..also good talking points to share with friends.” (Sharif 1999, p.34). Hence, it proves that knowing the latest current news brings advantages to the public in many ways.

Secondly, television can be used as an additional dimension for learning process. People are more likely easier to accept new knowledge through audio-visual ways rather than simply read it on books (Leigh 2001). It is also agreed by Rutherford (2002), whereby he states that television viewing enables the viewers to know better about the culture and beauty of the other parts of the world, learn facts on flora and fauna in much more interesting and fun ways, and also enjoy the learning of scientific equation which actually involved several complicated steps. Kindergartners are able to count, distinguish letters of the alphabet and even complete words before they enter school through watching television program (Leigh 2001). “These children also tend to have a larger vocabulary.” (Leigh 2001, pp.24-25). Ultimately, it is indisputable proof that watching television brings positive impacts to people educationally.

Thirdly, television viewing can benefit the viewers in a way of developing their critical thinking skills. Such skill is a crux in both social settings and even at school. For instance, family members can discuss whether the method shown in a television programme to solve a conflict is applicable in real-life situation or not and thus comply with the development of their critical thinking (Sharif 1999). Leigh (2001), also comes to this conclusion whereby he states that since television offers variety of show on a wide range of human problems ranging from globalisation to homelessness, it encourages critical thinking among the public about the issues. Briefly, television can be used as an engaging medium to sharpen the thinking skills of viewers.

In short, television viewing brings more benefits to the viewers since it provides viewers with the latest current news, an enjoyable way of learning and also encourages development of people’s thinking skills. When used properly, actually, watching television is absolutely valuable (Rutherford 2002). With that, I am prone to my stance that television viewing brings more benefits than harms.