Cover In the recent hit series ‘Emerald Hill’ the rising star delivers a chilling performance as the troubled antagonist Zhang An Na (Photo: RY Photography) In the recent hit series ‘Emerald Hill’ the rising star delivers a chilling performance as the troubled antagonist Zhang An Na (Photo: RY Photography) Zhang An Na is a character who has left viewers reeling even after the show concluded on April 21 deeply troubled granddaughter of the wealthy Zhang family she is regarded as a bringer of misfortune and raised away from her birth family only to return with a temperament that quickly unsettles the household Zhang’s actions become increasingly erratic and malicious with her maniacal laugh in the final episode drawing viral comparisons to the infamous Annabelle doll from the namesake horror movie marked by intense stares and unsettling giggles had made Ng’s character one of the most memorable figures in the series In case you missed it: Inside Emerald Hill, the neighbourhood at the heart of ‘The Little Nyonya’ spinoff the Emerald Hill star is nothing like her on-screen persona Ng is known for her bubbly personality and infectious energy—a stark contrast from her character’s dark aura Taking on the role of Zhang was a significant step in Ng’s career looking at it as an opportunity to “showcase a side [of me] that the audiences never had a chance to see” To prepare for Zhang’s complex character Ng delved deep into the character’s emotional world Ng explains how she imagined a life without her mother “The one who showered me with unconditional love I pictured a life under a parent whose love had to be earned,” she adds The mindset of carrying the belief that she was unworthy of love proved to be one of the most challenging aspects of the role requiring her to inhabit a darkness far removed from her own personality the process was both exhilarating and draining she quickly learnt the mental strain it would have on her “I thought I was ready but in all honesty Above Behind the scenes of ‘Emerald Hill’ Behind the scenes of ‘Emerald Hill’ This prompted her to reach out for support “I’m so grateful for the friends who became my guiding lights through that period,” she shares crediting her co-star Tasha Low and executive producer Loh Woon Woon for helping her navigate these challenges “Their steady support was a beacon when I needed it the most.” Along with getting help from her loved ones she also looked to exercise to help her mental health as it became my passageway between reel and real,” she says highlighting the importance of eating well and surrounding herself with good people stepping into her mother’s formidable shoes has been both a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey the rising star shares her experiences on set lessons learnt playing Zhang and what’s next for her Above Ng plays Zhang An Na in ‘Emerald Hill’ Ng plays Zhang An Na in ‘Emerald Hill’ Why did you decide to venture into the entertainment industry?I grew up watching my mother on TV She’s my biggest role model and I’ve always been so proud of her I wanted to step onto the screen myself and continue the path she’s paved Ferlyn Wong and Tasha Low both on and off the Emerald Hill set?Tasha and I couldn’t help but giggle whenever we had scenes together—I even had to beg her to leave the set just so I could finish a take without bursting into laughter She grounded us and really helped us dive into character How did your interactions with Peranakan experts influence your performance?We had the opportunity to work with Peranakan experts during the filming of the show I’m so grateful for their guidance and for the glimpse they gave me into what life was like in that era a veteran actress in Singapore Ng and her mother Has playing An Na changed your perspective on villainous characters or the way you approach roles in general? Definitely There’s a Chinese saying ‘可恨之人必有可悲之处’ which means behind every villain is a broken person craving love then presenting her as someone so calculated and fearless you're often taught that being well-liked is the ultimate goal I realised that my craft could speak louder than likeability Why do you think the show resonated so strongly with viewers?There’s a deep nostalgia to this project and every single person on the production gave it their all to bring that legacy to life but the legacy of Yamamoto Yueniang is #forever What motivates you to keep going?Something in me still wants to keep going Because I love the people who make it all worth it Above While Ng was excited about the role she quickly learnt the mental strain it would have on her Above To prepare for Zhang’s complex character Ng delved deep into the character’s emotional world While Ng was excited about the role If you could switch roles with any character on Emerald Hill who would it be and why? When I auditioned for Anna I was asked if there was any role I especially wanted—or didn’t want I said I didn’t think I could portray Anya Her backstory is so heavy—forced into prostitution To prove to myself that if I allow myself to be vulnerable enough What’s next?My new drama is The Gift Of Time I’m acting alongside Xie Shao Guang—his first show after leaving the industry 16 years ago Being cast as his daughter and being able to work with him feels like a dream I’ve also been given another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on the variety side—something I can’t reveal just yet but it’s been keeping me up at night with excitement what’s next for me is to look at the world with starry eyes and to love every moment I’m given on this earth especially with the amazing people around me Neighbourhood guide: The best things to eat, see and do along Emerald Hill The Kebaya: Origins, regional variations, and where to shop in Singapore 6 local plays and musical productions to keep your eyes out for in 2025 The main lender to PH Resorts Group has revealed it plans to sell the Cebu property upon which the troubled firm was developing a large-scale integrated resort after it failed to meet a repurchase deadline under a previous refinancing deal Just days after PH Resorts Group revealed it was still in discussions over a potential partnership with a local construction firm that could have saved its touted Emerald Bay project China Banking Corp (Chinabank) revealed it would instead pull the pin and was already in discussions with potential investors over a sale of the land in question The sale follows an October 2023 refinancing deal struck between Chinabank and Lapulapu Leisure Inc (LLI) – the subsidiary of PH Resorts Group that was developing Emerald Bay That deal involved LLI selling the property to Chinabank but with an option to buy it back by March 2025 should it successfully secure new investors PH Resorts Group – owned by billionaire Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp – said it remained confident of securing such investment and was “working on a possible repurchase option [from Chinabank] following its expiration on 31 March 2025.” “We gave Dennis a chance to redeem [the property],” Sy told the Inquirer they asked for an extension and we already gave them more than a year “They don’t have to renew that [agreement] … we’re not renewing anymore.” Sy added that there were “a couple of interested parties” for the 12.4-hectare site although it is unclear if these parties plan to resume construction of the stalled integrated resort project or knock it down for other purposes Emerald Bay had been envisioned to become Cebu’s second integrated resort after NUSTAR with plans for a five-star hotel featuring two 15-story towers with 642 rooms and a large-scale gaming floor with more than 700 electric gaming machines and over 140 tables Thailand’s Entertainment Complex journey is at a critical point with the success or failure of the initiative to be determined.. Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the new post-COVID Macau where a revenue environment that seems to be.. Premiering in September 2010 at City of Dreams The House of Dancing Water was a visionary creation by artistic maestro.. Chief Business Officer APAC for global testing laboratory GLI discusses his career journey and his passion for fast-paced.. The President of Wynn’s US$5.1 billion integrated resort development in the United Arab Emirates says the company’s “high-performance” and unique approach to design will set the property apart in a market already renowned for hosting some of the most luxurious.. Inside Asian Gaming has announced a record 24 official sponsors for this week’s highly anticipated industry networking event “The Industry Party” (TIP) The IAG EXPO will take place from 8 to 10 September 2025 at Newport World Resorts featuring popular welcome event Manila After Dark the IAG Academy IR Awards and the first ever IAG Exhibition Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed Sunday that the government could require detailed profiles of all visitors to the nation’s legal casinos including criminal background and wealth checks of international visitors as part of efforts to strictly regulate the industry... © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming and the new Emerald Check collection does not miss the mark Personally, I was gifted a MacKenzie-Childs spoon rest over the holidays and I didn't know I could be so obsessed with a spoon rest cheeky flare that instantly elevates your kitchen counter The Emerald Check collection features a rich calming hue that is just dramatic enough to make a statement without being overwhelming we've highlighted a few of the must-shop pieces from the new drop Shop MacKenzie-Childs The brand's signature check patterns and playful motifs add a unique touch to any home MacKenzie-Childs continuously introduces fresh and exciting patterns including the latest launch: Emerald Check MacKenzie-Childs Emerald Check Utensil HolderMacKenzie-Childs Emerald Check Spoon RestMacKenzie-Childs Emerald Check 2 Quart Tea Kettle🔥 More: HexClad's exclusive Mother's Day cookware sets are up to $1,456 off More: 15 splurge-worthy Mother's Day gift ideas for all types of moms More: MacKenzie-Childs Emerald Check Three Tier Sweet Stand 💐 More: Get fast flower delivery deals for Mother's Day from 1-800-Flowers, FTD and more More: MacKenzie-Childs Emerald Check Large Vase More: Martha Stewart's chic home furnishings, decor are up to 60% off through tonight 🛍️ As big companies and informal miners blame each other for the damage to rivers and forests mining risks long-term harm to those living nearby is a place where the soil holds great wealth Brick-red homes and tin-roof shacks cling to the mountainside their bases resting on black sand and dark mud its waters tainted by the silt and debris of continuous excavation The region’s natural beauty is marred by scattered waste and discarded mining materials evidence of an industry that supports the town’s economy – but also harms its environment known by local people as the emerald capital of the world has been at the centre of Colombia’s tumultuous profitable and frequently perilous trade in the precious stones for decades the valleys surrounding Muzo are grappling with the environmental cost of mining: polluted water and dangerous erosion In a region exploited by authorised mining companies and informal operators Informal emerald mining is widely practised by local people in search of a livelihood older men and women wade knee-deep in the water their shovels driving into the sand in search of the green gems This type of mining is known locally as guaquería which typically entails sifting through the leftover soil and debris that mining companies leave behind Guaqueros search through earth discarded by companies hoping to find a gem that may lift them out of poverty Photograph: andresbo/The Guardian“We toil with the hope of discovering an emerald during our journey or amid the land supplied by the companies,” says María (not her real name) Many guaqueros rely on a traditional event called “la voladora” caged corridor is filled with discarded mining debris that people rush to sift through in search of hidden gems while the use of explosives accounts for about 22% Deforestation and use of explosives are widespread among mining companies “Compared with other types of mining, underground mining in general does not generate much impact,” says Roger Buitrago, the manager for health, security and environment at the Puerto Arturo mine in Muzo, run by the Colombian company Esmeraldas Mining Services (EMS) “Our main [environmental] impacts are basically deforestation and water management.” Relentless extraction has transformed Muzo’s landscape and improvised tunnels extend into the dark rock – signs of artisanal mining industrial-scale mining carves a path through the rolling mountains across the valley Local people say the most evident effect of mining – whether industrial or subsistence – is the pollution of their rivers Once companies fence off an area, access is prohibited for local residents. Photograph: andresbo/The GuardianA 2020 study led by the Pontifical Javeriana University revealed alarming pollution levels in local water bodies including the Ítoco River and Las Ánimas creek This contamination stems mainly from the unregulated disposal of mining byproducts and the authorities’ neglect of the problem Studies indicate that water pollution in Muzo mainly arises from sediment runoff and potential mining-related hydrocarbon leaks Although modern operations tend to avoid harsh chemicals it is likely that past practices degraded water quality through waste disposal and the use of explosives We as guaqueros do a lot of damage to the environment, we generate a lot of wasteMariá, informal minerBuitrago says that local rivers are “very polluted”. Yet, Colombia’s national emerald federation – Fedesmeraldas – claims the industry is mindful of its environmental obligations as companies “must operate under strict mining and environmental standards” “Formal mining in Muzo demonstrates that it is possible to extract high-value resources such as emeralds in a sustainable way when environmental standards are respected and the wellbeing of communities and ecosystems is prioritised,” Óscar Baquero “This approach contributes to a greener and more inclusive economy in Colombia.” The river that runs through Muzo’s mining zone in Boyacá shows high pollution levels and mining sediments contaminate its waters according to reports from former miners and local residents Photograph: andresbo/The GuardianBaquero and Buitrago identify guaqueros as the leading cause of contamination in the region “Informal or illegal mining has a major negative impact on the environment and on the people who carry out the activity as they do not have environmental impact studies nor management plans mitigate or compensate for the effects of their activity,” Baquero adds Free newsletterGet a different world view with a roundup of the best news Roger Buitrago and environment at the Puerto Arturo mine in Muzo Photograph: andresbo/The GuardianNonetheless Buitrago also acknowledges that the regulations set out for the mining companies are mostly bureaucratic and says he has never seen any representatives or state authorities policing the company’s environmental protection systems “It is very important that [the state] defines and controls natural resources because now we literally only have paper,” he says filtering through rocks and soil looking for emeralds She alleges the mine mismanaged wastewater “I saw that there was a lack of filtration to treat the water that came out of the mine The water came out of the mine and went through a tank We used that water to wash the earth that contained emeralds and it was poured into the stream,” she says Local people have also accused the mining companies of deliberately shutting off their water treatment facilities when checks on operations are not being carried out, and as a cost-cutting measure. The Guardian was unable to verify such allegations independently. Read moreThe Guardian visited the mine but was denied access to the treatment facilities and mining operations and photography at the site was not permitted usually with little oversight or environmental protection measures “We as guaqueros do a lot of damage to the environment lids and other things that end up in the river.” While the responsibility for environmental destruction is disputed as Muzo’s emerald industry has contributed to deforestation and soil erosion Demand for new mining sites has resulted in forests being cleared allowing surface water to seep into aquifers destabilises the land and raises the risk of landslides Residents say such incidents are becoming increasingly common. On 5 April, two miners died in a tunnel collapse in the neighbouring town of Maripí While enforcement of regulations remains patchy awareness of environmental challenges is increasing and local authorities plan to shut it down permanently to reduce pollution The value of an emerald depends on its colour Photograph: andresbo/The GuardianAs the future of Muzo’s economy and environment depends on how policymakers companies and communities address the challenges presented by the emerald industry unchecked mining could inflict long-term harm on people and nature “We should not ignore that we have duties,” María says “And one of our greatest duties is to protect water and the environment.” Emerald has soared to second place in Outer East Premier Division Netball after keeping its perfect record unblemished with a 77-32 win over Gembrook Cockatoo on Saturday co-skipper Mackenzie Fox guided the troops in the Anzac Round brilliantly to pile on 21 goals in the first term with Casey Rhodes-Anderson standing her ground and only allowing eight goals in the first and just 32 for the game Emerald had increased the margin to 20 goals; the score line reading 38-18 Another 20 goal quarter followed the break as the hosts dominated the third frame 20-6 Jackie Cutting converted 36 goals for the match and the Bombers are now 3-0 allowing the second-fewest goals in the competition Brylee O’Neil did a lot of the heavy lifting offensively for the Brookers Mary Miles and Jordan Leskie were also noteworthy putting in solid performances across the court for the visitors ROC wasn’t able to rebound from a poor third period going down to Woori Yallock 55-45 on the road but the hosts won the third 15-7 to grab a firm grasp of the match A small run from the visitors saw them finish the game strongly and take the fourth 13-15 Courtney Davey continued her impressive form for the Kangaroos while Ella James and Jade McGuire were also fantastic in defeat The loss places ROC in fifth after three rounds with one win and two losses Upwey Tecoma visited and overpowered Olinda Ferny Creek in an interesting matchup before the Tigers had their noses in front 21-26 at the main break A great third and fourth quarter effort steered the visitors to a 34-50 result Wandin got the upper-hand on Monbulk in the second and didn’t look back The Bulldogs scored 22 goals in the second term to just the Hawks’ 10 to enter the intermission with a 39-24 advantage Wandin had claimed a 49-72 win away at Monbulk Emmalia Blake poured in 39 goals and Lauren Spinks and Maddi Wallmeyer did a great job orchestrating the entry to her Mount Evelyn solidified its place on top of the ladder by securing a 59-35 result over Healesville The Rovers ran riot on their home court in the opening term with Ella Bayliss and Kaila Swindell providing excellent support for the hosts Mount Evelyn has only allowed 88 goals through its first three games as the defence has displayed its ability to lock down opponents and set the tone in matches Pakenham cruised to yet another dominant win The Lions travelled up north to face the Rebels and sparked a second quarter demolition job by winning the term 2-21 with three convincing triumphs so far in 2025 Seville maintained its place as a close competitor by routing Belgrave 26-81 on the road Warburton Millgrove got its second win of the year off the bye by handling business against Yarra Junction 46-25 as the River Pigs rode a great second frame to walk away with the 38-60 win Subscribe now to get full access to our exclusive News Get started with a ch-aviation subscription unrestricted access to all of ch-aviation's news and data for 14 days Upgrade to our Data and News Subscriptions Aviation Intelligence for your everyday use We offer a comprehensive aviation industry database utilised by various entities such as operators (Chinabank) is opening up for sale the site of Emerald Bay Hotel and Casino in Cebu after giving Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy’s PH Resorts Group Holdings (PHR) over a year to repurchase the property Chinabank chairman Hans Sy said the company will start with parties who have shown interest for the property which PHR — through its subsidiary Lapulapu Leisure Inc (LLI) — sold to Chinabank in 2023 as part of a debt restructuring agreement as it had to settle a P3.1-billion loan “We gave Dennis really a chance to redeem Siyempre nakikiusap (Of course he is appealing) It’s really in our name,” Sy said in a recent interview with reporters as he said a year and a half has already passed.” Under the agreement between the two parties and was given an option to repurchase the property we’re not renewing anymore,” Sy said noting that parties have already shown interest in the property given its location when asked if the SM Group would be interested in acquiring the property The property, an estimated 12.4-hectare land located on the Punta Engaño peninsula of Mactan Island was set to host Emerald Bay which was planned to have 7,585 square meters of aggregate gaming floor area and a five-star hotel with approximately 838 rooms The integrated resort was targeted to have a soft opening in March 2022, but PHR cited difficulties on labor and delivery of materials due to the quarantine measures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. To recall, among those that previously expressed intent to invest in the project are AppleOne Properties Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Inc., and the latest being Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc., but such parties have since exited. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News {{gallery.imageDetails.images.0.description}} now streaming at SBS On Demand.L-R: The Dry Dermot O'Leary's Taste of Ireland 'Blue Lights' star Siân Brooke on Belfast breaking records and a highly anticipated new season Irish comedy drama ‘The Dry’ sees family chaos put sobriety to the ultimate test The chaotic joy of family is beautifully captured in season 2 of ‘The Dry’ 'Homicide: Life on the Street' stars team up to take us back to the action and shocking": diving into a forgotten vault of 1970s films Dive back in with must-watch new seasons of these great shows get into the new 'Boiling Point' kitchen A desperate search for truth: tense Nordic hostage drama 'Helsinki Syndrome' From the creator of ‘The Bridge’: crime thriller ‘Cry Wolf’ Experiencing four countries in just one week is what awaited me as I boarded my first river cruise as an editor for Travel Weekly. The sailing aboard the Emerald Luna was put together exclusively for attendees of the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna earlier this year It gave advisors -- and me -- the chance to see taste and experience what will be in store for clients who are considering sailing with Emerald The seven-night sailing on the Luna, which debuted in summer 2022 was longer than is normally offered for post-Expo cruises The reason: To show advisors what clients can expect while sailing on a true Emerald cruise The conference location did give Emerald a unique opportunity on my sailing director of trade sales and partnerships for Scenic Group "Vienna is not a typical departure point for us so our product team crafted a memorable roundtrip itinerary along one of the most scenic stretches of the Danube," Cao said Sailing toward Germany before returning to Vienna and then on to Budapest, the cruise offered gorgeous views of villages and castles along the river I spent a solid hour one afternoon mesmerized by the scenery as it flowed by There was nightly entertainment in the Luna's lounge The meals reflected the region we sailed through the most memorable being a perfectly crispy schnitzel; fat savory sausages with sauerkraut and mustard; and caviar and Champagne to celebrate the last evening of our cruise with highly attentive staff who received minutes upon minutes of constant applause during dinner as our group celebrated our last night together The attention to detail was noticeable; it seemed to me that the crew were mind readers There were several instances where I thought to myself that I'd like to scrounge up a snack -- then there would be a knock on my door and a staff member would hand me something to eat; some cheese or smoked fish deciding I wanted yet another sweet treat despite having already enjoyed dessert I'd find chocolate-covered fruit awaiting me a city in Lower Austria where we visited Gottweig Abbey a Benedictine monastery founded in 1083 and home to approximately 40 monks learning its history and taking in the stunning fresco above Austria's largest Baroque staircase Sitting high above the picturesque river valley even as I shivered when unexpected snowflakes started to float down on our group The monastery is famous for its wines and jams made by the monks and is the location of the highest apricot orchard in the Wachau Valley which I plan to serve with my Nana's biscuit recipe for an upcoming book club meeting.) My favorite part of the itinerary was a daytrip to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic This charming medieval town is pulled straight from a storybook shops selling traditional goods like gingerbread and a magical ambience I felt throughout the preserved community we enjoyed a tour of the castle and Old Town observing the lovely bird's-eye view of the striking terra-cotta rooftops below us Members of our group also had the option of exploring Linz It was on this day that spring finally made a grand appearance It had been chilly throughout most of our journey but on this day the temperature crept up enough to enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the near-empty town Those interested in a more active excursion could opt for a hike to Durnstein Castle and take in the sweeping views from up top I chose to enjoy a walk by myself with no plans but to duck into small shops and sample the apricot liqueurs and schnapps Under the still darkness of the early morning hundreds of locals gathered for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Emerald RSL The Puffing Billy’s mournful whistle echoed through the air as the crowd stood silently and dedicated their thoughts to those who’ve served for Australia Emerald RSL president Kane Falconer led the service for the first time this year and said he embraced the honour of leading the Anzac Dawn Service young Australians and New Zealanders landed at a place that would be etched into our national soul “The landings at Gallipoli were doomed to fail from the start steep cliffs and fierce resistance saw many of our young diggers fall they held their ground and carved out a foothold on the horror and soil,” Mr Falconer said Mr Falconer took a moment to acknowledge the hard work of previous Emerald RSL president I would also like to acknowledge the man who stood here for many years before me a Vietnam veteran and a tireless advocate for our community.” “He embodies the Anzac spirit and it’s an honour to continue his legacy.” Mr Falconer moved to commemorate Emerald’s first resident to be awarded the Victoria Cross whose bravery and leadership at Herloville Wood in 1918 won him the medal “It’s entirely possible he too may have boarded Puffing Billy from our local station behind us and began his journey to an uncertain fate He remained a tireless advocate for veterans and a model member of the Emerald RSL.” Other notable war figures were also acknowledged whose name is now etched into the streets and institutions of Australia Monash was also a founding member behind the creation of Anzac Day itself and played a leading role in the construction of the Shrine of Remembrance more than a third of Melbourne turned up for his funeral A clear testament to the admiration and respect that he had earned both on the battlefield and at home,” Mr Falconer said almost ghostly Puffing Billy whistle cut through the taut air like a knife reminds us of the journey those young men once took parroted many of our local boys from these very buildings on their journey to the battlefields of Europe.“ “Their legacy is carried with the very rails that still run through our hills.” Mr Falconer invited Second generation RSL member Graeme Legge to read a prayer before the Emerald Primary School and Emerald Secondary College captains read their own speeches to the crowd Though the Emerald Primary School captains couldn’t quite reach the height of the microphone they all stood tall and proud as they delivered their speeches followed by the bugle performance of the Last Post and the collective uttering of “lest we forget” after the minute of silence For the second time int its history, Chopard has boldly ventured into creating a haute joaillerie collection, not from a selection of cut and polished gems, but from a raw gemstone, embracing both its potential and unpredictability. “The process of starting from a rough stone, being involved in its cutting and having the possibility as well as the responsibility to reveal its true beauty to the world is fascinating,” explains Scheufele. The equivalent of the classic 'solitaire', but for the neck The journey began in 2022, in Paris, when Scheufele encountered the mesmerizing emerald. Awed by its grandeur, miners named it Insofu—Bemba for elephant—honoring its trunk-like form. Unlike diamonds, emeralds reveal their true nature only when cut.“After working on the Queen of Kalahari diamond, I wanted a similar process with an exceptional colored stone. Thanks to the finest emerald cutters from India, we meticulously studied the gemstone to unveil its unique character,” Scheufele shares. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Fennell continued her education at the University of Oxford which led to her being discovered by acting agent Lindy King Fennell’s professional acting career began in 2006 when she appeared in a small role in the television series Trial & Retribution in the series New Tricks and Any Human Heart (both 2010) until she began to garner more attention for her work in the period dramas Albert Nobbs (2011) and Anna Karenina (2012) Fennell published her first book, the children’s ghost story Shiverton Hall in 2013 Inspired by Fennell’s own love for horror books and movies as a child the book tells the story of a young boy attending a spooky boarding school That year Fennell was nominated for two Emmys for her work on the show in the categories of outstanding writing in a drama series and outstanding drama series Fennell’s win for her darkly comic screenplay made her the first woman to win an Oscar in any writing category since Diablo Cody’s win for the screenplay of the 2007 film Juno Your browser is notsupported. Upgrade to a different browserto experience this site BACK Stay informed with the latest red meat and livestock industry news “The deliverers did such a good job delivering the definitions and the basic concepts The practical activities showed how we could apply what we were learning to our own property We've come away from the workshop with a list of goals for the property – data collation is one of the major ones." Attending this workshop will help you learn: You will learn through group-based activities and tools applying new information to your own context with snapshot the support of an expert deliverer Every workshop will include case studies and examples for participants to learn from The program is for red meat producers who are looking to build on their understanding of carbon The program will help participants move into a planning and action phase identifying practices and technologies that could be incorporated into their business to benefit their bottom line and the environment It is also suitable for advisors and other service providers looking to enhance their understanding of the current operating environment The design of the Carbon EDGE workshops recognises that everyone will be at a different starting point when it comes to carbon it is highly recommended that participants complete pre-work before attending to get the best out of the program This includes the eLearning modules available on MLA’s Toolbox and a carbon account Your workshop deliverer will be in touch to guide you through this process tools and resources to take home and catering Delivered by: Rhonda Toms Morgan – Connect Ag - John McLaughlin Hear from our presenters on what attendees will take home from the workshop: LOG IN TO myMLA NOW 02 9463 9333|1800 023 100 info@mla.com.au © 2025 Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364 Have a question or concern about something other than the website {{Name}} {{Weight}}{{Value}} {{{Change.Symbol}}} {{{Change.Amount}}} The Emerald and District Rotary Club teamed up with Belgrave’s Puffing Billy Railway to raise a whopping $41,000 for Monash Children’s Hospital, all thanks to local kids running their hearts out to help other kids doing it tough. For over two decades now, the ‘Kids Fun Run’ has been more than just a fundraising event — it’s become a much-loved tradition in the hills, and a proud example of what can happen when people come together for a good cause. Held in late November last year, the 2024 ‘Kids Fun Run’ once again lit up Emerald with colour, energy and heart, with over 400 kids took part, running alongside the iconic Puffing Billy steam train, cheered on by more than 2000 proud parents, mates and locals. Event chair Allan Douglas said it’s the simplicity of the idea — kids helping kids — that makes it so powerful. “When kids realise they’re running to help other kids who are sick, they really take it to heart. It’s not just fun – it means something.” “And once parents and teachers see that, they jump on board too. It becomes something the whole community can feel good about.” Despite some patchy weather, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric — with stalls, food trucks, live music, bubble makers, stilt walkers, and plenty of entertainment keeping the day lively and fun. “We make it a proper family day out,” Mr Douglas said. “All the stalls are kid-friendly, so the little ones can get involved and buy something with their pocket money. It’s all about creating that feel-good vibe.” Thanks to the combined efforts of the Rotary Club, Puffing Billy Railway, local schools, families, and generous sponsors, the event raised a massive $41,000, which has been donated directly to Monash Children’s Hospital to support childhood cancer research. In early April 2025, Rotary members visited the hospital to see first-hand how the funds are being used. “We got to meet the doctors and researchers working on new treatments,” Mr Douglas said. “They showed us around the labs and explained how these donations are helping to push research forward. It’s really moving to see the difference our local event is making.” One emotional moment that stood out was meeting a senior nurse who had been through the trauma of her own child battling cancer – and who now supports other families facing the same journey. “That kind of strength and generosity is so inspiring, it really brings home why we do what we do,” he said. The stories from the event are just as powerful. One young boy, now in remission, returned this year not just to run — but to fundraise. “He was one of our top fundraisers,” Mr Douglas said. “He’s been through so much, but he still came back to give back. That sort of thing really stays with you.” Looking ahead, the Rotary Club is already planning the 22 annual ‘Kids Fun Run’, set to take place on Sunday, 30 November 2025 – and the team is keen to make it even bigger and better. “It’s not just about the money we raise – it’s about creating something positive for the kids in our community,” Mr Douglas said. “In a time when there’s a lot of negativity, especially around youth, this shows them how good it feels to help others.” Since it first began, the ‘Kids Fun Run’ has raised close to $1 million for children’s health, and the team has no plans of slowing down. “We’ll keep showing up, year after year,” Mr Douglas said. “Because at the end of the day, it’s all for the kids.” Whether you’re running, volunteering, donating or just showing up to enjoy the day, the ‘Kids Fun Run’ is proof of what’s possible when a community rallies around something that really matters. It’s local, it’s heartfelt, and it’s changing lives – one step at a time. Upwey-Belgrave RSL and Emerald RSL, have been awarded significant funding as part of the State Government’s ongoing effort to support veterans and their communities. On Thursday, 10 April, Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman and Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino annouced the recipients of the Veterans Capital Works 2024-25 grants. Both Upwey Belgrave and Emerald RSLs are among the lucky recipients, set to receive much-needed upgrades that will benefit veterans and the local community. Upwey Belgrave RSL will use its grant to install solar panels, including a battery system, in a move to boost the energy efficiency of the club. The installation is expected to save the RSL approximately $500 per month, a critical cost-saving measure for an organisation grappling with rising energy costs. “The Upwey Belgrave RSL is proud to announce we have been successful in our application for Government funding to upgrade our Solar installation, including the addition of batteries,” Upwey-Belgrave RSL project manager, David Brimacombe said. “This substantial upgrade is projected to save us around $500 per month, which is huge for our little RSL that continues to be impacted by increasing costs – many of which are simply beyond our control.” “This new installation will also provide a level of power backup for our operations, which is a real bonus given the frequent outages that occur in the hills.” The RSL also expressed gratitude to local government representatives and the volunteers who helped prepare the grant application, turning the solar project into a reality. Meanwhile, Emerald RSL is set to make much-needed improvements to its clubroom, thanks to funding for upgrades to disability access and bathroom facilities. The renovations will include new handrails, a ramp, and safety upgrades to the club’s bathrooms to ensure that all members of the community, regardless of ability, can enjoy the space. “Emerald RSL Sub-Branch applied for a Grant through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program and recently received advice our application has been successful,” Emerald RSL secretary, Tanya Jogan said. “We are very grateful and excited about the upcoming works which will enable improved handrails, ramp and disability access, as well as toilet facility safety upgrades. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our Clubrooms and supporting our community all-inclusively.” Both RSLs are part of the 26 successful recipients of the Veterans Capital Works 2024-25 program, which is distributing more than $780,000 across the state to improve facilities for veterans and their families. The funding is part of the State Government’s broader commitment to preserving the legacy of Victoria’s veterans, with other grants going to projects such as the restoration of war memorials and avenues of honour. One such project is Gembrook RSL, which will use its grant to restore its War Memorial, addressing natural wear and tear and ensuring the memorial is preserved for future generations. Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman highlighted the importance of these grants in maintaining and improving spaces where veterans’ stories are honoured. “These projects are a powerful way we’re preserving the unforgettable legacy of our veterans by improving the places where their stories are honoured and remembered,” Ms Suleyman said. “By investing in community projects across the state, we’re paying tribute to our veterans and creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for future generations to gather and reflect on Victoria’s history.” Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino also spoke to the significance of these projects, particularly for the local communities. “By preserving memorials and upgrading veteran facilities, we’re helping future generations understand the legacy of service,” Ms De Martino said. “These projects make sure the stories of our veterans live on in every community they helped shape.” For more information on the successful grant recipients and details about these programs, visit the official Victorian Government websites: vic.gov.au/veterans-capital-works and vic.gov.au/restoring-community-war-memorials. Emerald Community Safety Night – 29 April at Hills Hub Locals in the Hills Corridor are being invited to a special community safety session next Tuesday will feature Nicoll Peschek from Neighbourhood Watch Victoria who’ll be sharing practical tips to help prevent crime and keep our neighbourhoods safe The session is all about getting locals on board to help make Neighbourhood Watch a reality in the Hills If you’re keen to make a difference and want to feel safer where you live Head upstairs at the Hills Hub and be part of the change An Emerald musician has released a poignant new song ahead of Anzac Day and delivering a message of hope amid the ongoing challenges facing the world today a singer-songwriter known for his emotional honesty in tackling real-world struggles where Mr Whitehead has been a long-time member the song draws on his deep personal connection to military service – it also highlights his belief in music’s power to heal and unite people regardless of our differences but because I believed in it,” he said “I put everything into it – even paid for it myself – because I wanted to create something that truly honours the people who’ve served and the community that supports them.” there was no actual collaboration between the Upwey-Belgrave RSL and Ian Whitehead with regards to this project stories or other messages that create an opportunity for people to pause and reflect on the ongoing need to acknowledge and support those that have served in the defense of our country and the respect he has shown towards our returned service personnel Lest we forget,” Upwey-Belgrave RSL subbranch committee Mr Whitehead’s own father served as a captain in World War II he continues their legacy by giving voice to the emotional aftermath of war and those still affected by its impact today The song has already been airing for over three months on Channel 31 and has been featured on community radio station 3MDR It’s now available on YouTube under ‘Ian Whitehead Music Australia’ (www.youtube.com/watch?v=fifa8Ot1Ly0) The song has quickly struck a chord with many listeners moving them with its heartfelt message and compelling storytelling The song was inspired by the remarkable story of Irena Sendler a Polish woman who saved over 2000 babies from the Nazis during WW II The artist said reading about her bravery left him in awe when I read what she did…hiding babies in toolboxes smuggling them out right under the Nazis’ noses – I couldn’t believe it,” he said “That’s where the line ‘I will rescue you’ came from but in that very human way – that spirit of reaching out and helping someone in need.” Mr Whitehead said the song speaks to today’s world where many people are overwhelmed by news of war “I think we’re all living in a kind of trauma,” he said “We see what’s happening to families around the world – in Gaza So I wanted the song to acknowledge that pain but also give something back – something hopeful.” This belief in the power of music to make a difference has been a guiding force throughout Mr Whitehead’s career which tells the story of survivors of Church abuse was published in the Herald Sun and acknowledged during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse That project helped him become an advocate for survivors even working with schools and institutions to push for meaningful change Mr Whitehead’s musical journey has taken him across the world and Germany as an ambassador for Fosters Lager and Qantas He’s performed on the Discovery Channel and shared stages with Normie Rowe OA – the legendary pop star and Vietnam veteran who has long campaigned for better recognition of those who served It was Normie who helped Mr Whitehead understand what veterans carry long after their uniforms come off and hearing him talk about the struggle for recognition really hit home That’s why I wanted to do something that speaks for those voices,” Me Whitehead said Now living in Emerald after moving from Central Victoria Mr Whitehead said he’s fallen in love with the Dandenong Ranges and is eager to contribute to the local music scene He’s already performed at the Hilltop Music Festival and is booked to appear at the Lost Woods Market and Paradise Valley sharing both this song and others with the community Whether it’s at a market or a community event I’ll keep performing this song and talking to people Mr Whitehead said “Nobody Wins a War” is the one he feels most connected to you always want to create something that really means something and I recorded it a few times until I was happy I feel like I’ve said what I needed to say,” he said Mr Whitehead hopes the song will reach more people ahead of Anzac Day – not just to honour the past there’s always someone who’ll rescue you.” Asia has gold deposits that are every bit as attractive as those found in other jurisdictions Continued geopolitical uncertainty has sent investors flocking to safe haven investments sending gold prices soaring in the past year to record highs over the US$3000/oz mark Prices are likely to remain elevated and as is typically the case in any commodity bull market junior resources companies have scrambled to acquire gold assets in a bid to capitalise on the gains Most such companies chase areas below or along strike from known resources in historical mining centres in the belief that they will have a better chance of making a significant discovery this is decidedly conservative and the companies looking for the big payoff have ventured off the beaten track Emerald Resources (ASX:EMR) was one notable example The company chose to focus on exploration and development of its Cambodian projects back in 2016 and its success nonetheless highlights the benefits of taking risks Its wholly-owned Okvau gold project is about 275km northeast of the capital of Phnom Penh in the province of Mondulkiri and poured first gold in 2021 The first gold miner of commercial scale in the late developing country the mine achieved its FY2024 production guidance of 114,000oz of gold and currently has an open pit reserve of 10.7Mt at 1.7g/t gold and an underground resource of 1.7Mt at 5.5g/t or 310,000oz contained gold following a recent upgrade that demonstrated its ability to replenish resources on a yearly basis running at similar valuations to its WA peers Argonaut Securities mining analyst Patrick Streater told Stockhead that EMR’s success was due to a combination of strong management and asset quality had an extensive operational track record in WA and West Africa,” he said “The Okvau deposit itself is a fairly continuous which is ideal for a profitable open pit operation you had a rare situation where you had a proven operator take control of a high-margin asset who built the project on time (and) on budget and then executed the mine plan to a tee Okvau has consistently met production targets at one of the lowest AISC in the sector.” He noted that prior to the development of Okvau Cambodia was not well known as an active gold mining jurisdiction for ASX investors “An existing mining framework was already in place with financial terms that were fairly attractive and clearly designed to attract foreign investment into Cambodia’s mining sector,” Streater said “As with any investment into an unfamiliar jurisdiction companies and their investors want to have clarity and certainty on the fiscal terms – they had that with Cambodia the Cambodian Government has been very supportive of EMR and its operations.” He added that the investment criteria for a resource project in Asia shouldn’t really be any different from any other region “Like with any attractive developer or producer you are looking for a combination of quality deposits and proven management you’ll need to relax these criteria,” Streater pointed out the first thing I will look at is the orebody Assuming the project progresses into production the management skillset will evolve but not even strong management will fix an unviable orebody investors should be doing a quick screen of the grades All those aspects are important but probably where most new gold projects stall is simply not having a large enough reserve base to cover the initial capital costs of building a mill you’ll probably screen out ~90% of the potential options available If I find a project that fits my criteria then that is when I would look into the sovereign risk “Screening out Asian jurisdictions to invest in should be a fairly quick exercise as an ideal Asian jurisdiction would be a stable democracy friendly to Western companies and preferably with a Mining Code and existing workforce in place “Moving outside of those attributes you’ll be taking on more sovereign risk and the asset quality and upside need to be there to take on this extra risk “This is also a situation where you need to be comfortable that management will be able to navigate the mining legislation and permitting pathway which is key to progress the project in a reasonable timeframe that minimises shareholder dilution.” While EMR is the poster child for ASX-listed plays operating in Asia Besra Gold (ASX:BEZ) BEZ is focused on developing of its Jugan project – part of the broader Bau Corridor goldfield about 30-40km from Kuching the capital of Sarawak state in east Malaysia – through first pilot production then delivery of a definitive feasibility study The 98.5%-owned Bau project has a very high confidence measured resource of 3.4Mt at 1.5g/t gold a high confidence indicated resource of 16.4Mt at 1.57g/t gold and an inferred resource of 47.9Mt at 1.29g/t Bau is defined by a gold bearing mineralisation system covering an 8km by 15km corridor The company’s planned Jugan 50tpd pilot plant will trial various batch processing combinations in order to develop optimal protocols for processing the Jugan refractory ore to produce a concentrate for further processing These trial results will form an important component of the overall definitive feasibility study for future commercialisation BEZ also has the required licensing and capability to increase the processing throughput to up to 200tpd FEG has been progressing its Idenburg project in Papua province which also hosts world class multi-million-ounce gold and copper deposits including Grasberg (+70Moz gold) Frieda River (20Moz gold) and Ok Tedi (20Moz gold) the company defined an initial JORC resource of 540,000oz of contained gold at 4.1g/t and 468,000oz of silver at 3.6g/t from three of 14 prospects identified by historical exploration within the project previous exploration had only covered about 30% of the total area with most of the property remaining largely unexplored FEG noted then that it was confident of expanding this resource through a planned detailed surface mapping and sampling program followed by a Phase 1 drill program Independent evaluation of the historical exploration results suggests the potential for an upper range exploration target of 7.2Moz at 6.1g/t gold While Besra Gold is a Stockhead advertiser Investor Guide: Gold & Copper FY2025 featuring Barry FitzGerald Get the latest breaking news and stocks straight to your inbox company profiles and industry insights from Australia’s best business journalists – all collated and delivered straight to your inbox every day This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page PH Resorts Group says it is still in discussions with Philippine construction firm EEI Corporation over agreements that could see work recommence on its stalled Cebu integrated resort development The update was provided in the company’s 2024 Annual Report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday the Group and EEI have ongoing discussions to determine and finalize the terms of the agreements the Group is also working on a possible repurchase option following its expiration on 31 March 2025.” PH Resorts Corp added that it received in January a Php300 million (US$5.4 million) advance from EEI which it has used to partially fund lease and interest payments to China Banking Corporation The company first revealed in December that its parent company, Udenna Corp, had executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EEI regarding a potential partnership and paving the way for EEI to execute an agreement with PH Resorts Group and its subsidiaries Lapulapu Leisure construct and complete the Emerald Bay Project upon the execution of definitive documentation.” Emerald Bay stalled during the pandemic due to a lack of sufficient funding PH Resorts Corp also outlined its current going concern status revealing it had in April received a letter of support from Udenna stating that it commits is willing and has the ability to provide continuing support to the group This support covers existing liabilities including a deposit payable to Solaire operator Bloomberry Resorts Corporation related to a collapsed investment deal US Dollar loans to Chinabank and 8H Capital Growth Asia Fund amounts payable to contractors a long-term loan with Landbank of the Philippines Udenna also committed that to not collecting its outstanding receivables from the Group in the next 12 months from 30 April 2025 and will continue to cover operating and maintenance expenses The EEI disussions represent the third time PH Resorts Group has announced potential partnership or merger deals in relation to Emerald Bay An initial deal with Bloomberry fell through when Bloomberry opted out of the agreement in early 2023, while Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc (TRLEI) also cancelled a previously announced deal last year Envisioned to become Cebu’s second integrated resort after NUSTAR to include a five-star hotel featuring two 15-story towers with 642 rooms and a large-scale gaming floor with more than 700 electronic gaming machines and over 140 tables The main lender to PH Resorts Group has revealed it plans to sell the Cebu property upon which the troubled firm was developing a large-scale integrated resort after it failed to meet a repurchase deadline under a previous refinancing deal... © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming. All rights reserved. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) The Motley Fool offers a range of services designed to help you achieve your financial goals. Click here to learn more about our membership options Access all of your premium services in our Member Centre. Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website Let's see why these shares are ending the week in the red You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week on a positive note the benchmark index is up 0.5% to 7,959.7 points Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below The Emerald Resources share price is down 5% to $3.95. Investors have been selling this gold miner's shares after it released an update on its production Management advised that Okvau Gold Mine gold production for the third quarter of FY 2025 is anticipated to be around 20,000 ounces This is short of its quarterly guidance of 25,000 ounces to 30,000 ounces The company blamed the miss on "earthworks and waste movements related to the cut back activities [which] hampered production during the current Quarter." The New Hope share price is down 3% to $4.08. This may have been driven by profit taking from some investors following strong gains this week. For example, even after today's decline, the coal miner's shares are up 10% since this time last week. The catalyst for this was the release of its half year results on Tuesday New Hope revealed a 35% increase in net profit after tax to $340.3 million for the six months This allowed the company to lift its interim dividend by 11.8% to 19 cents per share The Paladin Energy share price is down 3.5% to $6.59 This uranium producer's shares have come under pressure today after it suspended production at the Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia Management advised that it decided to temporarily suspend operations after unseasonal heavy rains impacted access to the mine The company stated that the full impact of the weather event and disruption to production will be assessed when conditions have stabilised The Pilbara Minerals share price is down 3.5% to $1.88 This is despite there being no news out of the lithium miner on Friday it is worth noting that a number of lithium stocks are falling today This appears to have been triggered by a weak night of trade for lithium peers on Wall Street on Thursday the Pilbara Minerals share price is now down by over 50% since this time last year Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691) ASX 200 energy shares like Woodside and Santos are tumbling on Monday These shares are starting the week in the red These shares are missing out on the good times on Friday Trump’s tariffs are roiling Corporate Travel shares on Friday These shares are under pressure on Thursday These shares are having a tough time on hump day These shares are having a tough time on Tuesday View All Get the latest from The Motley Fool Australia on Google News. Go to Google News, then click "Follow" button to add us. 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For more information please see our Financial Services Guide Please remember that investments can go up and down Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future returns The Motley Fool Australia does not guarantee the performance of We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we live and work and pay our respects to all Elders of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations © 2010 - 2023 The Motley Fool Australia Pty Ltd Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL): 400691 Scott Phillips just released his 5 best stocks to buy right now and you could grab the names of these stocks instantly Privacy Policy / Terms & Conditions Brendan Pursell with Serial Sticker after their Emerald win Serial Sticker was dead set faultless when winning the Sportsbet Emerald at Healesville on Sunday His time of 16.096 is scorching and sits as the 3rd fastest ever over 300m at the ‘Ville – behind track record holder Unleash Collinda (16.057) and Maybe Yesterday (16.080) “I looked across to see what happened to Sheezel and it looked like he missed it a bit Then it was just a matter of holding on and he did the job,” said trainer Brendan Pursell post-race With the attention of fans usually dominated by performances at metropolitan tracks and Group races Pursell admitted it was nice for the short course greyhounds to get some time in the sun via the Emerald “The sprinters don’t get the accolades of what the city dogs do so for him to do that and be up there somewhere (as fast as the likes of Unleash Collinda and Maybe Yesterday) is good.” Serial Sticker’s next target is expected to be Monday’s heats of the Shepparton Cup Earlier in the day Dr. Asher was a brilliant winner of the Sportsbet Emerald Consolation His time of 16.272 is approximately just three lengths slower than Serial Sticker Serial Sticker (7) defeats Mile A Minute (1) and Zipping Gryllis (4) Jason Adams has been involved in greyhound racing for 10 years He spent almost all of that time at Sandown Park before recently transitioning to GRV He’s also a part of the Sky Racing team and regular contributor on RSN Part-owner of promising racehorse Keshi Boom George is in the studio following an Opening Round footy trip to Sydney where he had his phone taken off him at a restaurant but there is more… App available on Google Play & Apple Store Call Investigations Hotline 24 hours a day - 7 days a week IEU members employed in Emerald-based early childhood education centres recently attended a breakfast network meeting during which they reinforced their commitment to staying informed about critical sector issues and the value of union Early Childhood Branch representative to IEU-QNT Council Jenny Finlay said the event was a great opportunity to come together and discuss relevant professional and industrial issues “A productive breakfast meeting was held to discuss current early childhood issues including enterprise bargaining child protection and the Digital Code of Conduct,” Jenny said Apr 14, 2025 | IEU members employed by Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) between September 2016 and June 2024 are encouraged to register their details to ensure the TCE Office is able to contact you when the review of payroll matters is finalised Mar 31, 2025 | IEU members should be aware that new state government grants for funding of up to $90,000 are available to help eligible Queensland organisations that work with children to comply with new laws and become child safe Feb 27, 2025 | , IEU members at Caloundra Christian College have demonstrated the power of collective action after voting no to their employer’s proposed replacement agreement in a recent ballot Who we are Contact us Join our union Member login NewsEventsFinancial disclosuresCareers Our union acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and extends respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their leaders past Independent Education Union of Australia – Queensland and Northern Territory Branch IEUA-QNT uses the Open Sans typeface as licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0 ©2025 IEUA-QNT, all rights reserved | Privacy Policy You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience A development application has been lodged with a central Queensland council for a four-hour battery energy storage system to be built alongside the 72 MW Emerald Solar Farm with the plant owner acknowledging the growing demand for firmed renewables Australian renewable energy investor Lighthouse Infrastructure is seeking to develop a 60 MW / 240 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) adjacent to its existing solar farm near the town of Emerald in central Queensland Melbourne-headquartered Lighthouse has lodged a development application with the Central Highlands Regional Council for a battery to be built at the site of and connected to its 72 MW solar plant which commenced operations in 2019 Lighthouse said co-location of the battery with the existing solar farm located on 160 hectares of farmland to the west of Emerald will supplement the generation of renewable energy within the region helping to balance energy supply and demand Lighthouse said the battery system will be equipped with grid-forming inverters allowing it to provide essential system stability services that improve security and strength of the local electricity network “Co-location of the BESS with the existing solar farm on the project site will supplement the generation of renewable energy within the region … [and] contribute to improved system strength of the local electricity network,” the company said Lighthouse also signalled that the battery will support the delivery of the Queensland’s renewable energy targets that include 50% renewable generation by 2030 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035 as the state transitions away from fossil fuels The government has said a key part of this transformation is the provision of energy storage with modelling indicating a requirement for at least 6 GW of long-duration energy storage complemented by up to 3 GW of grid-scale energy storage – anticipated to be largely comprised of battery storage facilities “The BESS project will contribute up to 240 MWh storage capacity to the National Electricity Market (NEM) with the potential to dispatch up to 60 MW of electricity for up to four hours when required before needing to recharge,” Lighthouse said Lighthouse owns two Queensland solar generation sites – the Emerald Solar Farm and the 100 MW Clare Solar Farm in the state’s north More articles from David Carroll How can they say they are going away from non renewable resources when now we have to open more mines and distrib more farm land to get there lithium out of the ground and still need the coal to make the steel Coal is used in all the manufacturing processes of they great ideas There a bunch of hypocrits that are just money hungry and wanna take more of our money Please be mindful of our community standards and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy By subscribing to our newsletter you’ll be eligible for a 10% discount on magazine subscriptions Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" pv magazine Australia offers bi-weekly updates of the latest photovoltaics news We also offer comprehensive global coverage of the most important solar markets worldwide up to date information delivered straight to your inbox Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. To find out more, please see our Data Protection Policy. × The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this Close You can turn to OPB for stories about the people and places that make our region unique thanks to member support There’s a tree killer on the loose in Oregon An invasive green beetle called the emerald ash borer arrived in the Midwest from Asia and it’s killed over 100 million ash trees across the country since it was discovered in 2002 which don’t have any defenses against this invader “They’re basically sitting ducks,” said Wyatt Williams an invasive species specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry “There’s nothing that can stop emerald ash borer from coming through So far, infestations have been found in Washington, Marion, Yamhill and Clackamas counties A map illustrating the location of two new detections of the emerald ash borer in Yamhill and Marion counties But experts say the beetle will eventually kill the vast majority of ash trees in Oregon which provides valuable shady streamside habitat for salmon and steelhead Officials are urging Oregonians not to move potentially infested firewood long distances, to check for ash trees around their homes and look for signs of beetle infestation they can become hazardous and should be removed before they fall A D-shaped exit hole indicates an emerald ash borer infestation on an ash tree in Forest Grove the funding for many of those efforts is ending and officials aren’t expecting more help from the federal government as beetle infestations spread across Oregon “We’re not able to slow the spread anymore can you find the stumps from those trees?” City of Portland biologist Dominic Maze and his kids took “Oregon Field Guide” to the site in Forest Grove where the three first discovered Oregon’s emerald ash borer beetle invasion pointing down into a grassy area in the middle of the parking lot at Joseph Gale Elementary School Dominic Maze was waiting in that parking lot to pick up his kids from summer camp “I noticed within the parking lot there was a stand of very poor-looking ash trees — really haggard just getting a real sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.” In his role with the city of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services he’d been bracing for the arrival of the emerald ash borer for years He asked his kids to look around for a little green beetle holding up his fingers to show the size of the beetle holding up her fingers to show a much bigger size Zane and Cyrene Maze debate the size of the emerald ash borer beetle they discovered at Joseph Gale Elementary in 2022 Their dad settled the debate: “I think it’s probably about halfway between those two estimates,” he said The metallic green beetle is about a half-inch long The heavily infested trees they discovered in 2022 were cut down leaving only stumps in front of the school “And that was the start of what we knew was going to happen,” Dominic Maze said “Emerald ash borer reaching Oregon — a very depressing story that’s about to play out in the Willamette Valley The beetle hasn’t made it to ash trees in the city of Portland yet — as far as we know He’s most worried about the habitat along rivers and creeks where native Oregon ash trees have a unique ability to provide shady streamside habitat and that shade is critical for keeping water cool,” he said All of our salmon species that pass through the city of Portland or rear their young here.” Ash trees are vital to keeping streams and rivers shaded The map shows areas most likely to be impacted by the emerald ash borer When the beetle kills the native Oregon ash trees Invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and English hawthorn are likely to spring up once they’re gone muckiest organic soil systems in the Willamette Valley,” he said The emerald ash borer represents a forest pest worst case scenario right now — loss of this irreplaceable keystone species — and we’re not gonna see any native trees replace it in most in many settings Last April, dozens of trees infested with emerald ash borer beetles were removed from Forest Grove – and the wood was chipped up or burned to destroy the beetle larvae Ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer beetle were removed from Cornelius in April 2024 Courtesy of the Oregon Department of Forestry State agencies coordinated to remove dozens of trees from this neighborhood in Cornelius to slow the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer beetle That was just one part of an elaborate strategy to slow the spread of this pest state workers created trap trees by girdling them they send out a distress signal that attracts any beetles nearby and workers with the Oregon Department of Agriculture peeled back the bark to see how many beetle larvae they could find The larvae eat through the wood under the tree bark leaving squiggly lines and sawdust in their wake an emerald ash borer larvae is removed from an ash tree in Saugerties is now in 30 states and has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees an insect survey tech with the Oregon Department of Agriculture followed those lines to their source under the bark of one tree trunk removing a small white worm with tweezers and pointing to the extensive feeding gallery around it as they’re eating through and cutting off the flow of nutrients and water up the tree all that area around the gallery is starting to die.” The larvae feed and spend the winter in pupal chambers inside the tree before turning into beetles and chewing their way out Ash trees will usually die within five years of emerald ash borer beetle infestation The emerald ash borer eats into the bark of ash trees and leaves D-shaped holes an emerald ash borer support specialist with the Oregon Department of Forestry said the state has employed multiple strategies for slowing the spread of the beetle looking for signs of emerald ash borer infestation Officials created a detection ring around the known infestation in Forest Grove creating hundreds of trap trees to identify which direction the beetles were moving At four locations around Forest Grove, the state released parasitoid wasps, which function as a biocontrol but they do have a unique ability to find the emerald ash borer larvae inside the tree bark using their antennae to sense the larval feeding activity The wasps lay their eggs inside the emerald ash borer larvae and the feeding wasp larvae kill the beetle larvae The state also treated hundreds of ash trees with pesticides to protect them from invasion by emerald ash borer beetles short term Last August, another emerald ash borer infestation was discovered near Woodburn in Marion County Max Ragozzino with the Oregon Department of Agriculture checked the trees for beetle damage first noting the number of trees that had branches without leaves Ash trees infested with emerald ash borer beetles were discovered in Marion County in August 2024 “Unfortunately I think this is potentially the heaviest infestation of emerald ash borer in Oregon,” he said “[Emerald ash borer] has probably been here for many years most of these trees are not long for this world.” Ragozzino found splits in the bark of individual trees and multiple D-shaped exit holes he found a beetle that didn’t make it out of the tree He pulled off a chunk of bark that was full of the squiggly lines left behind by feeding beetles “A tree like this can produce easily 100 to 150 emerald ash borers in a year,” he said The tree also had another telltale sign of beetle infestation: fresh branches growing out of the trunk — the last gasp from a dying tree Biologist Laura Trunk has spent her whole career restoring the ash-dominated habitat at Jackson Bottom Wetlands in Hillsboro the 635-acre wildlife preserve is home to thousands of ash trees facing near-certain death “It’s very sad what is coming,” Trunk said “I have spent the last 16 years restoring Jackson Bottom We’ve been removing invasive species for decades and we have built wetlands We have put in a massive amount of effort into bringing this place back And losing the trees is gonna be very difficult we’re gonna have to start the restoration over.” Trunk has an elaborate plan to prepare for the invasion and she’s already started implementing it with pesticide treatments She plans to treat 360 ash trees every few years — including some giant Oregon ash trees that are hundreds of years old — to protect them from the beetle But she can’t treat all of the ash trees on the property because it’s too labor-intensive Oregon will only be able to treat a relatively small number of ash trees The ash borer hasn’t made it to the preserve yet And Trunk’s goal right now is to beat it to the punch She’s opting to kill some of the ash trees on the property – with a crew of arborists – before the beetles can do it Laura Trunk has marked ash trees for removal with red dots as part of her plan to prepare for the invasive emerald ash borer beetle The ash tree shown here in a video still captured in September 2024 will be felled and left on the ground for wildlife habitat like a lot of these trees are gonna be dead.’ As these trees fall … these trees will fall on the trails These trees will be hazardous for people.” prune or treat every ash tree on the property – and she’s planting new species She’s already removed hundreds of ash trees and replaced them with new trees Some of the bigger ash trees will be toppled and left on the ground to provide habitat for ground-dwelling wildlife She’s removing only the tops of other trees leaving them standing as snags for birds to nest in … To lose these trees — it’s devastating.” ”Hopefully by the end of this we’ll have a more stable self-sustaining forested habitat with a lot more species so we don’t go through this again.” There is at least one small glimmer of hope for Oregon’s ash trees They didn’t evolve with emerald ash borer beetles from Asia — so they never developed any defenses against them But at the Dorena Genetic Resource Center scientists Richard Sniezko and Glenn Howe are looking for any ash trees that have natural resistance to the beetle – so they can survive this pest They’re collecting seeds and planting test plots in Cottage Grove “I probably collected 10 or 15,000 seeds from individual trees,” Sniezko said “And when the emerald ash borer moves into this area this will be a test to see if there’s resistance.” They’re hoping to find some survivors that have genetic defenses against the emerald ash borer so the state might not have to say goodbye to Oregon ash forever “Most of our ash currently on the landscape are doomed,” Sniezko said I want to know: Can I solve the problem and get the trees out there for future generations?” Gathering seeds from healthy ash trees is one thing people are doing in the face of this invasion — just in case any of those trees prove to have natural resistance to the emerald ash borer One way everyone can help is by checking ash trees for signs of beetle damage such as D-shaped holes in the bark or dead branches at the top of the tree that aren’t producing leaves Jordan Bartosz with the Oregon Department of Agriculture explains the distinctive leaf pattern of of an ash tree “Right now is a good time to identify if you have an ash tree because they are leafing out right now,” Williams said. “It’s OK if you don’t even know what an ash tree is. We have a guide.” This state map allows people to enter their address to learn what they should be doing now to prepare for the emerald ash borer. Infested trees can be reported to the state on this website Protective pesticide treatments can be injected into ash trees by certified arborists to kill invading beetles for two to three years Williams recommends people consider planting other tree species now and make a long-term plan to remove ash trees so they don’t become dangerous when they get infested and start to die One easy way to slow the spread of the beetle is to avoid moving firewood more than 10 miles Emerald ash borer beetles will only spread 1-4 miles every year on their own but they can spread farther faster if people move them long distance “The number one way it will be spreading around Oregon is through infested wood,” Williams said one thing everyone can do is avoid moving infested wood That’s likely how the beetle got here in the first place Tags: Science & Environment, Agriculture, Trees, Nature Stand with OPB and protect independent journalism for everyone Listen to the OPB News live stream (opens new window)Streaming Now ","type":"text"},{"_id":"KCZRI3SCEBFY3OKPWLIXZYX2GE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Protective pesticide treatments can be injected into ash trees by certified arborists to kill invading beetles for two to three years ","type":"text"},{"_id":"IFERPQV3LFBW7EFVJZNI6JNFLI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Williams recommends people consider planting other tree species now and make a long-term plan to remove ash trees so they don’t become dangerous when they get infested and start to die.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6XQBJA7MPVCXPKH5JGSEP6XOPA","additional_properties":{},"content":"One easy way to slow the spread of the beetle is to avoid moving firewood more than 10 miles but they can spread farther faster if people move them long distance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3YCM7EDNKFGPLHUJCQI4JX34T4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The number one way it will be spreading around Oregon is through infested wood,” Williams said ","type":"text"},{"_id":"L6DHHX6DDBFLZIGV2ZX5ZAW4GA","additional_properties":{},"content":"As the summer camping season arrives producer and editor for OPB's Science & Environment unit Cassandra worked for The Daily Astorian newspaper before joining OPB and launching the Ecotrope environmental news blog She produced radio and television stories as part of the EarthFix public media collaboration that covered the environment in the Pacific Northwest \nCassandra is a fellow with the Institutes for Journalism and Natural Resources and the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environment Reporting She’s gone out to sea to cover fisheries and marine heat waves and floated down the Klamath Columbia and Willamette rivers to report on dam removal She’s ventured into active wildfires and flown over burned forests to investigate post-fire logging.\n Her stories have won awards from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Society of Professional Journalists Cassandra grew up in Chicago and holds degrees in journalism from the University of Missouri and the University of Oregon Jason goes solo while George heads to Syndey for tonight’s game But it’s not Grey Areas without G Farrugia so he joins on the phone for the first half of the show James Van de Maat called the action from Healesville today and joined Jason Adams on Grey Areas in-between races to chat all things Jase and James also talked about the significance of the wind at Healesville The Emerald is a series unlike anything else but just because you win a heat doesn’t mean you make it through to the final The fastest eight runners make up the field Heat winners and kennel mates Short Straw Trev and Hijack won their heats but didn’t proceed to the final because they were beaten on time by Cheap Red Wine and Mile A Minute who finished second Jason gets the opinion of James and George following the news of both Tim Zoo and Hotel Whisky One scratching *Selections on the table before markets published Multi – South Sydney Rabbitohs to beat the Dolphins into the Manly Sea Eagles to beat North Queensland TIM ZOO SCRATCHED FROM HORSHAM CUP GRYLLIS BACK FOR MORE STRAIGHT TRACK SUCCESS HOTEL WHISKY ONE SCRACTHED FROM HORSHAM CUP Flying Zulu and Team Thompson have taken out the 2025 Sportsbet Horsham Cup has had his request to lift a suspension imposed by the (respondent) Victorian Building Authority (VBA) denied by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on 25 February 2025 leaving him unable to return to work for now The Tribunal upheld the suspension after considering serious concerns about public safety which it found outweighed Mr Little’s financial and personal struggles had his registration suspended by the VBA due to allegations that he had failed to meet necessary safety standards on construction projects – these included serious concerns over fire safety and electrical hazards that could affect the safety of future occupants and others involved in the projects he was overseeing In his application for a stay – essentially a temporary reversal of the suspension while he awaited the final review of his case – Mr Little argued that his suspension had severely impacted his ability to earn a living He said the financial strain caused by being unable to work had taken a toll on his mental health and that he should be allowed to resume his work as a builder while the review process continued Mr Cook ruled that lifting the suspension would pose too great a risk to public safety as the regulatory body for the building industry pointed to the seriousness of the allegations against Mr Little Mr Cook expressed concern that his actions particularly with regard to fire safety systems and electrical safety measures on building sites The VBA argued that Mr Little’s disregard for these critical aspects of building work had the potential to put people’s lives at risk Mr Cook carefully considered whether there was a serious question to be tried in Mr Little’s case – while he acknowledged the allegations against him had not yet been fully tested he found there was enough evidence to suggest that the suspension and other penalties imposed by the VBA were justified “Any decision to reinstate the applicant’s registration before a final review must be carefully weighed against the public interest in upholding safety standards within the building industry,” Mr Cook said The applicant’s legal team contended that the suspension was causing irreparable harm to his career and that a stay should be granted to allow him to continue working Mr Cook said the public interest in ensuring the safety of buildings and the people who use them was far more important than any financial or emotional hardship Mr Little might be experiencing While he sympathised with the applicant’s situation the Tribunal member ruled that allowing him to return to work without further investigation into the allegations could undermine public confidence in the building profession The VBA’s case against Mr Little is based on a pattern of behaviour that suggests he has not fulfilled his obligations as a registered builder It was argued that he failed to properly oversee work on various building projects including not taking sufficient responsibility for the safety of workers and future occupants of the buildings The VBA also pointed to instances where Mr Little deferred to others for critical decisions which it claimed was a failure of leadership and responsibility Although Mr Little indicated that he would provide evidence in his defence to explain his actions the Tribunal was not convinced that this would sufficiently address the risks posed by allowing him to resume work in the interim The decision also noted that Mr Little’s apparent belief that his actions had been reasonable – even if they could have been improved with hindsight – raised further concerns about whether he fully understood the seriousness of the situation Mr Cook also examined the time frame for a full review of Mr Little’s case which is not expected to take place until later this year due to limited Tribunal resources did not provide enough grounds to justify lifting the suspension in the meantime it was better to keep the suspension in place until all evidence could be fully considered in a proper hearing While the applicant’s personal circumstances were taken into account the Tribunal ultimately ruled that the potential risks to public safety were far more pressing It acknowledged that his suspension would likely have a significant impact on his livelihood but this was not enough to outweigh the need to ensure that public safety and building standards are maintained “Mr Little’s suspension would not prevent him from continuing the review process and presenting his case at the final hearing,” Mr Cook said the Tribunal’s decision underscores the importance of maintaining high standards in the building industry where the safety of the public is paramount Mr Little will remain suspended until a full review of his case takes place and the final outcome of the case will depend on whether the VBA’s allegations against him are proven While he will face financial and personal challenges during this period the Tribunal determined that allowing him to continue working in the interim would be too great a risk and Mr Little’s fate will be decided later in the year – once all the evidence has been heard Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE hundreds of locals gathered for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Emerald […] Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription Get an all access pass to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription The news: Shares in Emerald Resources rose at market open after the gold miner confirmed it is now debt free The numbers: Emerald shares were up 1.6% to $3.75 at 10:50am AEDT having advanced nearly 30% over the last 12 months The miner said it had made its final repayment under a US$60 million ($95 million) debt facility for its Okvau mine in Cambodia The context: The debt facility was executed with private lender Sprott to fund the development of its Okvau mine in June 2021 Emerald said it now expects cashflows to improve by around $8 million per month The source: ASX By Eliza Wregg first published at 18 February 2025 - 10:11 am An Emerald woman is convinced that her ‘good vibes’ have flowed back to her leading her to a glorious Instant Scratch-Its top prize worth $100,000 The Yarra Ranges resident’s $5 Block-O Bingo ticket was purchased at Emerald Newsagency “I’m very well!” the gleeful winner cheered while speaking to an official from The Lott “I don’t think I’ll believe it until I see the money hit my bank account “I’ve already changed my bank account name from ‘Rent Account’ to ‘No Stress Account’ ready for the money “I’ve been putting out good vibes recently and it’s nice to see them flow back I’ve been feeling like I was going to win a big prize “I’ve already treated myself to two new necklaces “I plan to be smart with the rest of the money.” Emerald Newsagency owner Carl Mardinian shared he was over the moon to hear one of his customers had won a top prize worth $100,000 “We’re so happy to hear one of our customers won an incredible prize!” he said “This marks our ninth major prize since owning the outlet over the past 18 years We’re really proud to have sold so many winning tickets In FY24, there were 143 Instant Scratch-Its top prize winners across The Lott’s jurisdictions who collectively took home more than $12.12 million in top prizes This equates to more than half a million winners and more than $4.8 million won on Instant Scratch-Its each week Instant Scratch-Its’ 2nd Chance Draw gives you another chance to turn your eligible non-winning Instant Scratch-Its into a winner Visit thelott.com to enter this month’s 2nd Chance Draw The official home of Australia’s lotteries, The Lott operates and markets Australia’s leading lottery games customers know and love creating everyday winners Last financial year Australia’s official lotteries contributed more than $1.8 billion via state lottery taxes and donations to help community initiatives