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.

Liz Minchin

Executive Editor

The 8 deadly days of Christmas: how to stay safe from drowning in Australia this summer

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?

There’ll be a lot more talk before we hear the Indigenous Voice

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.

How the arts can help us come back together again – podcast

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.

Blue-sky thinking: net-zero aviation is more than a flight of fantasy

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.

Why kids should not have lots of toys (and what to do if yours have too many)

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.

What day is it? How holidays warp our sense of time

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.

Buy Australian oysters and farmed barramundi: 5 tips to make your feast of summer seafood sustainable

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.

Politics + Society

Health + Medicine

Education

 

Featured jobs

Chief Digital Officer

— Canberra ACT, Australia

Director, University Research Office

— Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand

More Jobs
 
 
 
 
 
 

Featured Events & Courses

Politics with Michelle Grattan Podcast

— Australian Capital Territory, Australia — Politics with Michelle Grattan

More events & courses
 

​Contact us here to list your job, or here to list your event or course.

For sponsorship opportunities, email us here