David Locke

Scammers look to capitalise on Australians' love of running With races such as the Gold Coast half marathon selling out within hours, scammers look to take advantage of those desperate to run.

With races such as the Gold Coast half marathon selling out within hours, scammers look to take advantage of those desperate to run.

Even though I must have thousands of photos of spiny-cheeked honeyeaters by now, I just can't resist them.
They are such characters and the camera just loves them.
At Gluepot Reserve last weekend.

Spike in 'sophisticated' social media scams targeting would-be renters A rental advocacy group in Western Australia's north calls for tighter regulations on tenancy applications, amid an increase in scams targeting people searching for a home online.

A rental advocacy group in Western Australia's north calls for tighter regulations on tenancy applications, amid an increase in scams targeting people searching for a home online.

Why a former High Court judge is 'very concerned' about attacks on these Australians

📢 In an interview with SBS News ahead of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), former High Court justice Michael Kirby says transgender people are on the front line of Australia's fight for equal...
👉 Bot to check Bluesky account creation dates

Lest we forget

Another photo of the collared sparrowhawk at the Arid Lands last week. It knew I was in the bird hide, but it didn't care. Totally focused on hunting for breakfast.

Former Victorian adviser sentenced after $4.4m theft A former Victorian financial adviser has been sentenced after stealing $4.4 million from clients, family and friends to feed his “raging gambling addiction”.

Former Victorian financial adviser sentenced for theft of $44 million
www.moneymanagement.com.au/news/financi...

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating this Eid-al-Fitr from all of us at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority
#AFCA

Hungary bans Pride events and plans to use facial recognition to target attenders Amnesty International describes legislation as ‘full-frontal attack’ on country’s LGBTQ+ population

Hungary bans Pride events and plans to use facial recognition to target attenders

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Rate of Indigenous people in jail has risen by 20% since 2019, Closing the Gap data shows

A red-capped robin.
Spring Gully Conservation Park, Clare Valley.
From my archives.

Happy Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025 from all of us at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority
#lovewins #loveislove
#lgbtq+ #westandrogether

'Worst hack in history' as $1.5bn in cryptocurrency stolen The Dubai-based Bybit exchange said an attacker gained control of an Ethereum wallet and transferred its holdings to an unidentified address.

'Worst hack in history' as $1.5bn in crypto stolen

news.sky.com/story/worst-...

After Diversity Initiative Rollbacks, Meta & Google Aren't Renewing Their Mardi Gras Contracts - Star Observer After massive DEI rollbacks, Star Observer understands Meta and Google have not renewed their Mardi Gras partnerships in 2025.

Meta and Google opt out of Sydney Mardi Gras amid move away from DEI in US
www.starobserver.com.au/news/nationa...

A close look at the Sturt's desert pea (Swainsona Formosa) - the floral emblem of the state of South Australia.
I found a lovely patch near Roxby Downs back in 2022.
I've found others since then and you can usually see them at the Arid Lands at Port Augusta.

Looks delicious Gordon x

Into my archives again.
I really need to go birding. The summer heat has kept me home. I need a road trip.
Anyway, here's a bluebonnet parrot near Port Wakefield from a few years ago.
I have some reliable spots for these birds - but they are extremely skittish. Challenging to get photos of them.

'Heartbreaking' Cyclone Zelia flood described by teacher airlifted out The tropical cyclone has left a widespread impact across the Pilbara region and emergency services have their hands full with the recovery effort.

The tropical cyclone has left a widespread impact across the Pilbara region and emergency services have their hands full with the recovery effort.

Australia's world-first move to stop scammers:
www.news.com.au/technology/o...

AFCA welcomes the passing of Scams Prevention Legislation by the Australian Parliament today. This is world leading legislation to prevent the evil traffic of scams and the human misery they cause
www.afca.org.au/news/media-r...

Big Four banks to keep their regional branches open until at least mid-2027 The big four banks have agreed to keep their regional branches open until at least 2027 as the government works to secure banking services in the bush.

The big four banks have agreed to keep their regional branches open until at least 2027 as the government works to secure banking services in the bush.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is ordered by acting director to stop fighting financial abuse | CNN Business Russell Vought, the newly installed acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, sent an email Saturday night ordering all employees at the consumer watchdog to stop virtually all work...

US: Consumer Protection Bureau is ordered by acting director to stop fighting financial abuse: www.cnn.com/2025/02/09/b...

‘I am so proud’: Joy as Thailand’s same-sex couples can at last get married Thailand’s marriage equality laws come into force on Thursday, with hundreds of couples set to tie the knot in mass weddings in Bangkok

Love Wins in Thailand
#lovewins #lovenothate
#loveislove
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Biden administration bans medical debt from inclusion on credit reports Kamala Harris announces removal of billions in medical debt from credit reports of 15 million Americans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is removing $49bn of existing unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans and it will ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports.

This will be life-changing for a lot of people.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Happy New Year from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Wishing everyone peace, health, happiness and love

Singapore's radical solution to global scam epidemic Scam victims in Singapore could lose access to their own money as the country ramps up efforts to curb hundreds of millions of dollars lost to scams.

Singapore's radical plan to address global scams pandemic www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Melbourne uni to repay $72 million after 'unlawful' conduct The University of Melbourne will repay a total of $72 million to more than 25,000 underpaid staff after a decade of "unlawful" conduct, as part of an agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The University of Melbourne will repay a total of $72 million to more than 25,000 underpaid staff after a decade of "unlawful" conduct, as part of an agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

www.afca.org.au/news/media-r...

So delighted that AFCA was recognised as Most Inclusive Workplace at the #AHRIAwards.
Very proud of the team

AFCA wraps up three-year reform program following independent review Update coincides with rise in complaint volumes

AFCA wraps up three year reform program following indepenent review www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/brea...