Christmas is coming – and while it’s mostly a time of joy, few people know it’s also Australia’s most dangerous time of year for fatal drownings in rivers and beaches across the country.
After analysing coronial data from the Royal Life Saving Society, UNSW’s Amy Peden has charted the biggest spikes in preventable drownings – and found the single deadliest period is about to start from Christmas Day.
So what can you do to keep yourself and loved ones safe? Following just a few simple steps can save lives.
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Liz Minchin
Executive Editor
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Amy Peden, UNSW
Australians are entering our most dangerous time of year for fatal drownings. So what can you do to keep yourself and loved ones safer this summer?
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The Morrison government has claimed it has delivered on its commitment to co-design an Indigenous Voice, but the parliamentary term will end without any such Voice being legislated or in place.
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Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation
Three stories from Australia and the UK exploring the role of art in helping people deal with the challenges life throws at them. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.
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Emma Rachel Whittlesea, Griffith University; Tim Ryley, Griffith University
Commercial flights could one day be propelled by sustainable fuels, renewable energy or hydrogen propulsion – but big challenges remain.
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Louise Grimmer, University of Tasmania; Martin Grimmer, University of Tasmania
Here are some ideas for dealing with existing toys, as well as the upcoming influx of new ones.
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Adam Osth, The University of Melbourne
Cues from people and events around us plus memories of past holidays shape our sense of time over summer. No wonder one day blends into the next.
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Carissa Klein, The University of Queensland
It’s a great time to buy sustainable Australian seafood, from cheaper lobster to farmed prawns and oysters. Here’s how.
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Politics + Society
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Kate Burridge, Monash University; Howard Manns, Monash University
As you make your yuletide preparations, ever wonder where some of the season’s strange words come from? Well, our linguistic experts have the answers.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Michelle Grattan speaks with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg about the mid-year budget update, his optimism about the economy and the election.
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Philip Laird, University of Wollongong
Large numbers of trucks not only add to road construction and maintenance bills, they also make our roads less safe and more congested and add to noise and air pollution.
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Health + Medicine
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Thea van de Mortel, Griffith University
A rapid antigen test is a screening tool – it can indicate that you might be infected, but you need a PCR test to confirm the result.
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Roger Patulny, University of Wollongong
Friendship networks shrank during lockdowns. As we re-engage, how do we get our old friends back? And which do we want back?
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Peng Du, University of Auckland; Peikai Zhang, University of Auckland
Monitoring the stomach’s movement can help detect gastric disease. Future treatment options may include manipulating the bioelectrical rhythm of the stomach’s pacemaker cells.
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Education
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Gil Davis, Australian Catholic University
An archaeological dig is the holiday experience of a lifetime. And as you learn more skills, the rewards grow.
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Kristen Lyons, The University of Queensland; Fern Thompsett, Columbia University; Richard Hil, Griffith University
Universities must be considered as not only in crisis but also as drivers of crisis in a world of climate change, biodiversity loss, authoritarianism and deep social and economic inequalities.
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Ksenia Sawczak, University of Sydney
After years of government rhetoric about boosting the commercial benefits from university research, Australia’s record is still among the worst in the developed world.
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Featured jobs
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— Canberra ACT, Australia
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— Canberra ACT, Australia
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— Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
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Featured Events & Courses
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— Victoria, Australia — The Conversation Weekly Podcast
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— Australian Capital Territory, Australia — Politics with Michelle Grattan
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