‘Robinson Crusoe-style Living’: The Australians Turning to Private Islands

THE GUARDIAN: Sale of Temple Island on the Great Barrier Reef for $1.75m reflects trend towards Australians seeking isolation and pristine environments

Temple Island, off the coast of Queensland on the Great Barrier Reef, is up for sale for the third time in 40 years, amid increased interest in the purchase of private islands. Photograph: Richard Vanhoff/Private Islands Online
The way Bill and Barbara Collyer tell it, a private island is just about the best place to raise a family. The middle-income couple (Barbara is a public servant and Bill is a Queensland University of Technology lecturer) bought their own slice of paradise in 1985 after seeing a tiny ad in the Courier Mail listing the island for $120,000. They held on to Temple Island for 30 years.

Now a new family has a chance to buy, with the island near Mackay put up for sale again – although it will set buyers back $1.75m.

“We went there every school holidays,” Barbara says. “It was a great place. The kids just would run wild, you know, they all learned to fish and swim and drive cars.

“It was just the isolation and, you know, being able to do your own thing. We would get a shock if someone pulled up in a boat on the beach.” » | Andrew Messenger | Thursday, August 31, 2023

Queensland Crocodile Attack: Two Army Personnel Mauled North of Lockhart River

A soldier whose head and body were bitten by a crocodile in far north Queensland, and his friend, have been airlifted to Cairns with serious injuries. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
THE GUARDIAN: Soldier in his 20s, who was swimming in croc-infested waters, and friend who went to help, suffer serious injuries

A soldier has head, chest and arm injuries after being mauled by a saltwater crocodile that also attacked an army colleague who went to his aid in far north Queensland.

The men, who were reportedly swimming in croc-infested waters north of the Lockhart River on Friday afternoon when the attack occurred, have been airlifted to Cairns with serious injuries.

The ambulance service said the most seriously injured man, aged in his early 20s, suffered head, chest and arm injuries. He is in a serious but stable condition.

The other man, in his early 30s, suffered wrist and arm injuries and is in a stable condition. » | Australian Associated Press | Saturday, August 7, 2021

Australia – Queensland: British Woman Stabbed to Death, Two Men Injured. Perpetrator Shouts Allahu Akbar. Police Say Motivation for Killing Unclear!

Queensland police deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski speaks to the media after the attack at a backpackers hostel in Home Hill, south of Townsville. A French man who allegedly shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the alleged attack is being questioned by police

Australian Man Claims to Be Reincarnation of Jesus, Recalls Crucifixion

CHRISTIAN POST: An Australian man is stirring up waves in the country by claiming to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, and has even said that he has vivid memories of the crucifixion.

"When you are one with God you are not in a state of fear, and you have quite good control over your body's sensations and the level of pain that you absorb from your body," said Alan John Miller, a 50-year-old ex-software professional from Queensland, according to Sky News.

The man not only claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ but says that his partner, Mary Luck, is the reincarnation of Saint Mary Magdalene, who, according to the Bible, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was the first person to see him after his resurrection.

"I have very clear memories of the crucifixion, but it wasn't as harrowing for me as it was for others like Mary who was present," Miller explained.

The Australian said that his memories of his supposed life as Jesus include performing miracles, such as resurrecting people from the dead – "including a friend of mine Lazarus, who most people know is mentioned in the Bible," he said.

Miller has set up a website called Divine Truth where he tries to convince people that he is indeed the Jesus of the Bible. » | Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter | Thursday, May 30, 2013

Australian Muslim Teenager Claims She Was Held Against Her Will by a Service Station Worker in a Perceived Racist Attack

COURIERMAIL.COM.AU: TEENAGER Hafsah Negussie claims she was held against her will at a Brisbane service station after a worker confused company policy and refused to serve her.

Ms Negussie, a Muslim who wears a veil while in public, said she tried to pay for her goods and go, but claimed the attendant locked the doors when she attempted to leave.

The incident, which occurred at a BP service station on Brisbane's southside in December last year, was reported to police but no official report was filed until Ms Negussie came forward again in April.

"I'm Australian, I was born and raised here, I know my rights. It's so horrific,'' Ms Negussie said.

A company spokesman for BP service stations said the business required customers to remove helmets, hoodies or large hats before approaching the counter. » | Angela Ranke, Southern Star | Monday, April 29, 2013