#Australian Coding Standards

[muhdanas]

Australian Medical Coding: Comprehensive Training for Global Certification

[wisteriagoesvroom]

LOL I can imagine for vampire au Lando starting to third wheel Carcar and so even though turning Franco is a complete accident he can’t feel too guilty bc he uses it as an excuse to hang around someone else, and somehow he learns more about vampirism lore through a human grad student than he’s learned in his whole life (he’s lived a long time, lots of info to absorb). Then also, if you don’t mind my ask, what do they all do for jobs/how do they get money and would Franco keep studying ?

HELP this is so cute. ok. norpinto-frando vampire au for those who aren't up to speed...

Lando starting to third wheel Carcar and so even though turning Franco is a complete accident, [Lando] can’t feel too guilty bc he uses it as an excuse to hang around someone else -> screaming cus, absolutely. random associated headcanons for this... i'll rewind a bit:

carlos is the oldest vampire, like, moorish/medieval era. he met lando while they were both at a masquerade ball in the early 1600s and smelled each other right away (carlos like wood and ink, lando like gas lamps and wet stone).

lando is an tudor era vampire. like he actually knew shakespeare and said he was one of the best viral marketers of the era

oscar was turned in the early days of the australian penal colony, he's like first or second generation white australian but he refuses to be called british. he moved in to the house because the rent was cheap and he doesn't feel the need to live extravagantly -- even though he, too, is $$ loaded $$

oscar didn't move in until about two decades ago - very short by vampire standards, to them it feels like yesterday - but carlos and oscar are basically They Were Roommates atp even though they squabble con-stant-ly

their neighbours think they are a new age-y polyam group but because the people who live opposite them are students, nobody ever hangs around longer than a year to remember them or dig deeper

so franco definitely brings a fun funky fresh dynamic

he learns more about vampirism lore through a human grad student than he’s learned in his whole life (he’s lived a long time, lots of info to absorb) -> things that baby vamp!franco teaches lando include

tiktok trends, like how to make ur teeth comically large in photos. lando finds this hilarious

how to use venmo

creating a roster on google docs for who needs to do what house chores

jailbreaking an apple watch so it doesn't read their pulses (they don't have any), but it will remind them of the moon phases and when they might be extra hungry to feed

at one point franco actually puts his academic skills to use and helps lando hunt down some of his family tree, because since lando was turned and it's been so long, he doesn't remember much about them : ( so one of franco's little gifts to lando is helping him trace his heritage

what do they all do for jobs/how do they get money and would Franco keep studying ? -> i love how practical-minded you are. um well let's say this fictional supernatural creatures' market mostly runs on barter trades and goodwill agreements. the entire house sometimes just gets lazy tbh so lando or carlos will just dig into one of the old chests of random shit and pull out an antique and go: "do we think this is worth anything?" then they take it to an antiques dealer who is also a mage (alex albon) and there is a 1 in 25 chance that the antique is actually is worth something, so that bankrolls them for another half a year or whatever.

carlos makes a lot of noise about being "an art dealer" just because he sold a goya painting to a museum once.

oscar is a man of industry, of the "newer" world (australia) etc etc so he spent the 80s and 90s learning C++ and Java and Python so he legit just codes for a living. or when he feels like it. oscar has helped launch at least a dozen startups under various pseudonyms and one of them is even a blue chip company by now. he doesn't do it for money tho. he just does it cus he likes a challenge, and otherwise fights with carlos too much. when he isn't coding he likes to tinker and fix things just for fun. like, he legit knows how to fix a boiler and stuff. his familiar is definitely a grumpy orange neighbourhood cat.

franco keeps studying!! he is such a nerd that he's like "i can totally learn everything about anything now, and i could in theory do like 20 masters degrees, and nobody can stop me"!! then lando is like, "well you might get bored of it after a while or burn out". but franco insists he will not. in fact with his enhanced neurological abilities he goes on an academic bender trying to fast forward through an entire harvard's undergrad degree's worth of material in a week, and he ends up faceplanting on his desk. and then poor lando has to go and find a fresh chicken or something to kill and revive franco 'cus franco wore himself out too fast being a bb vampire with accelerated mind powers.

franco promises never to do that again (but of course he will continue to do it once in a while, and everyone still looks after him in his lil study hangovers because he is so very nice. also he taught them how to use venmo.)

and. one time. franco is like. "i can't find this rare sonnet do you know what library i could maybe locate it in" and lando is like "wait i know that one" and pulls out an honest to god original copy that he at some point got laminated in the early 80s. and franco is like. "um i think this should be in a museum??" and lando is like "yeah but i gave them a copy of this, cus i spilled ink on the corner of this in 1603 after a really good night out" and franco is like "???? ok ????"

then lando swans off to moodily stare at the moon or some shit.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

By Geoff Hanmer

Later this week the government will receive the report of the year-long independent inquiry into its handling of the COVID pandemic.

Among the issues it will have to contend with is air quality, in particular the air quality in high occupancy public buildings such as schools, aged-care facilities, shops, pubs and clubs.

Many already have high quality air. High-fitration air conditioning (so-called mechanical ventilation) is standard in offices, hospitals and shopping centres.

But not in schools. Almost all of our schools (98% in NSW) use windows.

In Australia’s national construction code, this is called “natural ventilation” and it is allowed so long as the window, opening or door has a ventilating area of not less than 5% of the floor area, a requirement research suggests is insufficient.

Windows, but no requirement to keep them open There’s no requirement to actually open the windows. School windows are often shut to keep in the heat in (or to keep out the heat in summer).

The result can be very, very stuffy classrooms, far stuffier than we would tolerate in shopping centres. This matters for learning. Study after study has found that when air circulation gets low, people can’t concentrate well or learn well.

And they get sick. Diseases such as flu, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) spread when viruses get recirculated instead of diluted with fresh air.

The costs of the resulting sickness are borne by students, parents, teachers and education systems that need to find replacement staff to cover for teachers who are sick and parents who need to look after sick children at home.

A pilot study prepared for the Australian Research Council Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection (known as “Thrive”), suggests the entire cost of installing high-filtration air conditioning in every Australian school would be offset by the savings in reduced sickness.

What Classroom Air is Like The study carried out by the education architecture firm ARINA compared the ventilation of 60 so-called naturally ventilated schools in southern NSW and the Australian Capital Territory to that of a school in Sydney that happened to have been fitted with a Standards Australia-compliant air conditioning system to control aircraft noise.

It used carbon dioxide levels to measure ventilation. Carbon dioxide is a good proxy for ventilation because its levels are determined by both the number of people breathing out concentrated carbon dioxide and the clean air available to dilute it.

Under a normal load, defined as 26 students, one teacher and one assistant, measured levels of carbon dioxide in the air-conditioned school stayed below 750 parts per million (ppm) and were typically between 500 and 600 ppm.

A reading of 700 ppm is particularly good. It means the people in the room breathe in less than 0.5% of air breathed out by others.

But in “naturally ventilated” classrooms the reading often climbed to 2,500 ppm and sometimes more, within an hour of a class commencing.

At 2,500 parts per million, people in the room are breathing in 5.5% of the air breathed out by others. This is also high enough to affect cognition, learning and behaviour, something that begins when carbon dioxide climbs above 1,200 ppm.

Research suggests using ventilation to cut carbon dioxide to 700 ppm can cut the risk of airborne transmission of disease by a factor of two and up to five.

The economic case for healthy air In 2023, Australia had 9,629 schools with 4,086,998 students.

ARINA has previously estimated the cost of ensuring all of these schools are mechanically ventilated at A$2 billion per year over five years.

Offsetting that cost would be less sickness. Documents released under freedom of information laws show Victoria spent $360.8 million on casual relief teachers between May 2023 and May 2024, 54% more than before COVID in 2019.

The figures for other states are harder to get, but if Victoria (with 26% of Australia’s population) is spending $234 million more per year on casual relief teachers than before COVID, it is likely that Australia is spending $900 million per year more.

Add in the teachers in non-government schools (37% of Australia’s total) and the potential saving from air conditioning schools exceeds $1 billion per year.

Add in the other non-COVID viruses that would no longer be concentrated and circulated in classrooms and the potential savings grow higher still.

Worth more than $1 billion per year And, in any event, the cost of replacement teachers is a woefully incomplete measure of the cost of illness in schools. Many ill teachers can’t be replaced because replacements aren’t available, making schools cancel lessons and combine classes, costing days, weeks and sometimes months of lost education.

Also, the bacteria and viruses spread by recirculated air infect students as well as teachers, keeping students (and often their parents) at home as well.

This suggests the costs per year of not air conditioning schools exceed $1 billion and may well approach or exceed $2 billion, which is the estimated cost per year over five years of air conditioning every Australian school.

Natural ventilation was never a good idea for classrooms: it was cheap at the time, but not cheap at all when the costs are considered. Those costs happen to extend beyond disease to thermal comfort, energy use and the ability of students to concentrate.

It’s time we gave students and teachers the kind of protections we demand for ourselves in our offices, our shopping centres and often our homes. It would soon pay for itself.

[therabbitreviews]

Leasebound (webcomic) Analysis Series Pt. 1

Chapters that will be covered:

Chapter 3: T is for 'Trouble' Analysis

Chatper 4: Endure

Chapter 5: Jaded

Chapters that will be briefly mentioned:

Chapter 6 Unfamiliar Waters

Chapter 10 Her Burden

Note: This analysis focuses on the legal aspects and broader research implications as well as black perspective, while the transphobic elements of the webcomic are covered in @kaleido-write's analysis work.

Creator's Summaries:

(Chapter 3) "Out of the goodness of her heart, Jaden agrees to fill in a shift for a sick co-worker. The nightclub 'Yon-ique' is hosting a novelty night, that seems to attract the wrong kind of attention."

(Chapter 4) "Jaden’s night takes a sharp turn for the worse after denying several men entry into the club. Luckily her trusty team is there to back her up when push comes to shove."

(Chapter 5) "Jaden is visibly shaken by the night’s events, which makes for a tense ride home. Parniya and Shez try to make the best of the situation."

The chapter opens with Jaden working as a substitute bouncer at Yon-ique nightclub, covering for an ill colleague. Throughout her shift, patrons frequently flirt with her, which the comic presents as endearing in its anime-inspired style. However, this portrayal overlooks the professional realities of security work - bouncers typically face flirtation as a manipulation tactic to gain free entry or special privileges, and are expected to maintain professional boundaries.

The narrative introduces an antagonist named Ginger, who belongs to what the creator terms the "AGP gang." These characters appear designed as deliberate caricatures of transgender women, serving primarily to facilitate Jaden's character development as a "heroic" figure protecting a women-only space.

The conflict escalates when Jaden responds to Ginger's verbal provocations by physically restraining them in an armlock.

This response is problematic under Australian law. According to Section 10.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995:

"A person carries out conduct in self-defense if and only if he or she believes the conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another person; and the conduct is a reasonable response in the circumstances as he or she perceives them."

The legal standard for reasonable force requires:

An imminent threat of harm

A proportionate response to that threat

In this scenario, Jaden's use of physical force in response to verbal insults, without any physical threat or attempted forced entry, would likely be considered disproportionate and potentially unlawful. More appropriate responses would have included:

Maintaining professional composure (which she initially demonstrated)

Issuing verbal warnings (which she did)

Requesting backup before escalating to physical intervention

Documenting the incident (which occurs later when law enforcement becomes involved)

By initiating physical contact without proportionate cause, Jaden's actions would likely fail to meet the legal standard for reasonable force under Australian law, despite the comic's framing of her response as heroic. In this situation, although Ginger is portrayed as the antagonist, they were forcibly restrained without justifiable cause beyond verbal altercations. In response, Ginger's actions constituted legitimate self-defense. However, this does not excuse the character's prior verbal harassment, which must be taken into consideration.

Character Analysis: Jaden and Problematic Tropes

Speaking from my perspective as a Black person and drawing from shared community experiences, there are several concerning elements in how Jaden's character is written, particularly through the lens of recognized literary tropes:

Key Tropes Present:

The Woobie/Sympathetic Sue: A character written to evoke excessive sympathy

Black Jezebel Stereotype

Ideal Hero/Martial Pacifist

Loved by All/Clueless Chick-Magnet

Doom Magnet

While character development through adversity is a standard narrative technique, Jaden's portrayal in these chapters raises several issues. The aftermath of the nightclub incident, while presumably intended to show vulnerability, instead infantilizes her character through what I'd describe as "uwu poor baby" framing. Rather than depicting authentic trauma processing, the writing reduces her to an object of pity.

The dialogue between coworkers following the incident feels particularly artificial. Instead of meaningful character development, we get forced conversations attempting surface-level comfort. This is especially disappointing given the established backstory of Jaden's hardships (revealed in Chapter 10). A more nuanced approach might have shown:

A quiet car ride home with minimal dialogue

Subtle expressions of concern from colleagues

Internal reflection on the event's impact

Natural development of how this experience shapes her character

The dream sequence in Chapter 6 ("Unfamiliar Waters") further undermines Jaden's agency by suggesting she requires constant supervision due to her "mistake." While trauma responses vary among individuals, this particular writing choice feels less about authentic character development and more about deliberately reducing a Black character to a pathetic state.

Had the initial incident been more severe, this level of emotional aftermath might feel justified. However, as written, it perpetuates problematic tropes about Black characters' vulnerability while missing opportunities for more nuanced character development.

This characterization becomes particularly problematic when viewed alongside the established history of Black character stereotypes in media, where emotional depth is often sacrificed for either excessive strength or excessive vulnerability, rarely allowing for the complex middle ground that more privileged and non-black characters are afforded. (Examples will be mentioned below)

Anyway, that is all darlings~! Follow for more analyses!

Television Examples:

Miranda Bailey in early seasons of "Grey's Anatomy" was initially written as the stern, unshakeable "Nazi" nickname character, only to later swing to extreme vulnerability after her divorce and OCD storyline, with little middle ground character development compared to her white counterparts

Michonne from "The Walking Dead" was initially portrayed as an almost superhuman warrior, before being reduced to primarily emotional storylines about her children, missing the nuanced character development given to characters like Carol or Maggie

Film Examples:

In "The Help" (2011), the Black characters are written either as unshakeable pillars of strength (like Aibileen) or as completely victimized (like Minny in her abuse storyline), while the white characters get more nuanced emotional arcs

The contrast in Marvel's "Black Panther" between the writing of Okoye (portrayed almost exclusively as the unwavering warrior) versus the more nuanced character development afforded to non-Black characters in other Marvel films like Black Widow or Thor who get to show both strength and vulnerability organically

Literature Examples:

In many young adult novels, Black best friend characters are often written either as the "sassy, strong support" (like Christina in the "Divergent" series) or as tragic victims of racism (like Khalil in "The Hate U Give"), while white protagonists get more complex emotional journeys

This polarity affects not just dramatic roles but extends to comedy as well, where Black characters are often written as either the "strong, sassy friend" or the "comedic victim," missing the rich middle ground of human experience that non-Black characters are routinely given. These examples demonstrate the ongoing issue in media where Black characters are often denied the full spectrum of human emotion and experience, instead being written into these extreme poles of characterization.

[zahri-melitor]

Reading Digger Harkness as an Aussie: why he’s specifically written to wind me up, the undercurrents of many of his appearances, and why he’s voting No in the Voice referendum.

(Okay if you know ANYTHING about Digger and about the Voice you already knew that, but making this current-relevant!)

George “Digger” Harkness is Captain Boomerang. He’s traditionally written by DC to be specifically, deliberately annoying and disliked. Due to this he’s simultaneously quite cleverly written while also being the laziest character stereotype imaginable.

One of the things that drives me up the wall every time I read him in a book is that due to a clash of a few things in his character design, the subtext he’s evolved over time is remarkably complex, but also geared to make me despise him. Also I can’t tell how much of it is deliberate on the writer’s part.

The first thing you need to understand is that Harkness is very specifically putting on a level of Australianness for his audience (the usually American characters around him). The fascinating thing in this is that, unusually for this trope, his writers are often aware he’s doing this. The common term for this is ‘ocker’. You can notice this in the language he uses: it’s specifically peppered with ‘Australian’ words and phrases.

Now this is a pretty common thing for writers to do to demonstrate a character is Australian. It sounds like someone trying to write Crocodile Dundee or Steve Irwin. However, to my ear (and years of putting up with this), the way it’s done for Digger is…off. It’s not the standard terrible way it’s used in American media, but it’s equally not written naturally for how an Australian who natively speaks ocker/broad would use it. Digger’s playing it up, and he’s playing it up badly. (the closest comparison I can make than an Australian might understand is he sounds more like Russell Coight than Steve Irwin, with all that implies) He wants people to think he’s an Australian stereotype.

Heck, let’s break down his name for a demonstration of this.

Captain Boomerang: this is a very, very, loaded name. Digger’s specifically racist, and he’s racist in a very White Australia Policy sort of way. The writers are aware he’s racist. He uses a boomerang as a symbol as he’s Australian (surface level) but they’re also specifically drawn as white a lot of the time, both in his costume and in the weapons themselves. They’re not plain wood or decorated with traditional art. They’re white. He has a history of making boomerangs and promoting them in Australia for sale, as a white guy, which is uhhhh Not Great. He’s assumed a traditional piece of Australian Aboriginal weaponry and culture as his own, and he’s painted it white. He’s asserting that it’s his culture now and has stripped it of its traditional meaning. (Also his boomerangs often don’t come back, and have sharpened edges and are used wrongly). He doesn’t like Black People ™ but also uses a weapon specifically associated with an oppressed minority in his place of origin. The white supremacy attitude is very much coded in.

“Digger” as a nickname: oh the way this clashes and interacts with the fact he uses ‘Captain’ as a title! Digger as a term is a general nickname for Australian Army soldiers. It comes from the Gallipoli landings and the trenches of World War I. By using it as his nickname, Harkness is evoking a whole HOST of imagery and specifically nationalist cultural imagery surrounding Gallipoli as a ‘birthplace’ of Australian identity, something that’s been weaponised particularly by the Australian political right for the past 30 years as a national symbol. In the stories that a country tells itself about who they are, Harkness is evoking a very major one and also one that can read as quite toxic if not done carefully. (if you need a quick entry to the way the nickname makes me wince, look up ‘Cronulla Riots’. That’s the sort of person his name is evoking for me) The other problem on top of this – this is a soldier’s nickname. Harkness has never been in the Australian military (as far as I can tell). Combined with the fact he uses the title of ‘Captain’, he’s suggesting he’s got a military background that he 100% does not have. He’s a giant hypocrite. Now being part of the military in Australia reads differently to being part of the military in the USA, in how society sees it, but this is still not on. It’s not a natural nickname for an Australian to have, in his circumstances. It doesn’t even make sense as a traditional ironic nickname given by his friends. Which means he picked it himself. And for that style of nickname…choosing your own? That’s considered to be poor form and trying way too hard. (And nicknames are culturally important! For the personality Harkness is trying to present to his audience, he SHOULD have a nickname like this. My father’s is ‘Bones’, for instance. But choosing your own, and choosing one that implies traits that are not yours to display? Really really bad form)

Basically in summary, Harkness is very much coded in a lot of ways to essentially be the Australian equivalent of someone who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. With that sort of view of his home country.

What is fascinating is that when Harkness interacts with other Australian characters, they do not like him, so the writers are aware that he’s been written to be this level of objectionable.

Now, some of this coding in his character has just accumulated over 60+ years as stereotypes have evolved and things have become ever more socially unacceptable. But the interesting thing here is that the writers ACKNOWLEDGE that unacceptable behaviour from Harkness.

I hate him so much. And I also want to fix his dialogue, which suffers from being written by Americans, to include a bunch more extremely country ocker sayings. He NEEDS to be saying things like “stone the flaming crows” and “fair shake of the sauce bottle” and “flat out like a lizard drinking” and “I didn’t come here to fuck spiders”. Because he’s putting it on. And these are the sort of things he’d lean in to to convey that level of “oh I’m not from around here, I am quoting Crocodile Dundee at you but you didn’t even realise” that he’s written to have.

[phoenixx-news]

Australia's Major Supermarket Chains Accused of Misleading Discount Claims

Australia's two largest supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths, are being sued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly deceiving consumers with false price reduction claims. The ACCC asserts that both companies violated consumer law by temporarily increasing prices before dropping them to levels that were often equal to or even higher than the original price, while claiming the discounts were permanent.

Coles has vowed to defend itself in court, while Woolworths is reviewing the allegations. Combined, the two chains control roughly two-thirds of the Australian grocery market. Over the past year, both retailers have faced heightened scrutiny amid accusations of price gouging and anti-competitive behavior.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the matter, calling the alleged actions "completely unacceptable" if proven true. He emphasized that such behavior undermines trust and is not in line with Australian values. "Customers deserve to be treated fairly, not as fools," Albanese said at a press conference where he also introduced draft legislation for a supermarket "code of conduct."

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb explained that Coles and Woolworths have long used marketing campaigns like 'Prices Dropped' and 'Down Down' to suggest permanent reductions in prices. However, the watchdog's investigation revealed that many of these discounts were misleading, affecting hundreds of products over a span of several months. Woolworths allegedly misled customers about 266 products over 20 months, while Coles did so for 245 products over 15 months.

The products involved in the allegations span a wide range, including pet food, Band-Aid bandages, mouthwash, and iconic Australian favorites like Arnott's Tim Tam biscuits, Bega Cheese, and Kellogg's cereal. According to the ACCC, the two supermarkets sold millions of these items, generating substantial revenue through the deceptive pricing practices.

Ms. Cass-Gottlieb emphasized the importance of accurate pricing during times of economic pressure, noting that many Australians depend on discounts to manage their grocery bills. "It’s vital that consumers can trust that discounts are real, especially with the rising cost of living," she said.

The ACCC is asking the Federal Court of Australia to impose substantial fines on Coles and Woolworths, as well as an order that they expand their charitable meal delivery programs.

In a statement, Coles acknowledged that rising costs have impacted product prices, but stressed that the company aims to balance those increases with providing value to customers. Coles also underscored its commitment to consumer law and building trust with all stakeholders. Woolworths echoed similar sentiments, stating that it is willing to engage with the ACCC and that it remains focused on delivering meaningful value to shoppers.

In response to the growing concerns, the Australian government has launched a review of the country's Food and Grocery Code of Conduct. The review recommended strengthening the code and giving the ACCC greater powers to enforce compliance. The proposed new code aims to protect suppliers and consumers alike, with harsh penalties for companies that breach its standards.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case highlights the increasing pressure on Australia’s supermarket sector to operate transparently and fairly in an era of rising living costs.

[lissy-strata]

You are a quality Indestructible blog! Please pass this on to at least five other blogs that show much love for Nyssa/Tegan.

OH SHIT I FORGOT TO ANSWER THIS

Uh...shoot, who hasn't been tagged yet??

Actually, it's been forever since I posted anything Nyssa/Tegan, how about I release some Ideas into the world? Story prompts or whatever?

- They start a podcast/YouTube channel where Tegan explains an Australian thing and Nyssa reacts to the thing in real time.

- Nyssa and Tegan get stuck on a roller coaster because a loose scarf got tangled in the wheels and it takes a few hours to get rescued.

- In a huge space library, Nyssa finds a handful of random Trakenite books: folklore, history, outdated building codes, etc. Tegan steals them for her.

- They have to share a bed and Tegan has excessive Gay Panic because she's still overcoming some internalized homophobia.

- Team Five lands at a standard-issue nudist colony during a festival. The penalty for being clothed is just a modest fine, but they have to disrobe to get into all the good places because "We're trying to maintain a dress code here, madame." There is more Gay Panic.

- Tegan and Nyssa have been on Earth for a few decades and are now trying to learn to use social media.

- Going horseback riding, except this isn't Earth, that's not a horse, and they'll have to share a saddle.

- Nyssa and Tegan at a Pride event, either with the Doctor or years later as a married couple. They get matching shirts and tiaras.

- More animal transformation! Only this time Nyssa turns into a border collie and keeps jumping on Tegan to try and lick her face.

- Or doggo!Five tangling them up in the lead like a rom com cliche.

Uhh....that's all I got off the top of my head. Hope it helps!

[drownmeinbeauty]

PROPERTY LINES

I was intrigued and annoyed by the New York Times headline for Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, describing "A Ravishing Show. . ." By whose standards, I wondered, and did the fulsome praise hint at liberal guilt?

The paintings, by Yolngu artists in Australia's Northeast Territory, are absorbing. In them webs of hairs-wide lines fill window-sized panels of eucalyptus bark. The ochre-based pigments shape a distinctive earthy palette: chalky white, bitter yellow, clay red, flat black. What's rendered aren't views but songlines, narratives that establish the mythological connection of people to place. While, for an American viewer, the paintings fall easily into abstraction, they are in fact narratives containing maps, history, and codes of law. The right to speak these stories is a form of power, and gallery viewers are privileged confidantes.

The paintings dazzle optically; the complex linework draws one close. There are no pure verticals and horizontals, which gives the fields a modulated all-over energy. The lines make a landscape from which people and animals emerge and recede. There's in this the assertion that we are indivisible from the land, contained within, and subject to its forces.

Captions tell the stories depicted, as narrated by the painters themselves. Some men in a canoe are frozen into rock. A man steps into a river and becomes a tree. A man sleeping in a cave summons a brief storm through his dreams. These tales give an originary account for elements of landscape and atmosphere. And they posit that people move between animal and elemental form.

Again and again, in the captions, artists explain that in a particular painting both the story and the land belong to their people. Yet there is no concept of possession. The artists claim this land because they live with it and know it deeply. Over centuries these ties were disrupted, as settlers claimed property and forced migrations, echoing the experience of native peoples everywhere. That the Yolngu still feel so deeply connected to the land today is what ravishes.

Dr. Gawirriṉ Gumana AO, Barama (Yirritja Creation Being), Before 1967.

[trulybetty]

oct' 21 x acorns

Prompt: acorns Pairing: tim rockford x f!reader Word Count: 724 Warnings: T+ mentions of crimes & a touch of spice. Summary: pretty proud of this one and it's use of the prompt 😋 tim knows the way to your heart is discussing the latest research for your podcast.

x. masterlist

“Acorns? You moving into squirrel crimes now sweetheart?”

“Ha ha,” you responded dryly,  “ACORNS, the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network.” He raised an eyebrow in interest, you weren’t sure if this was the result of learning what the acronym was for or if it had something to do with you starting the process of peeling off your t-shirt.

When you looked back at him, once the shirt was up and over your head, he was adjusting himself where he was sitting up against the headboard of the bed, his glasses now folded on top of the book he had been reading when you’d entered the room.

“So,” he began, a soft smile playing at his lips as he crossed his arms at his bare chest, “what’s caught your eye?” he asked.

You smiled back at him, a genuine one - he knew the way to your heart, true crime.

“So,” you started, turning to the dresser as you unhooked your bra, “so they were seeing an increase in reports on ACORNS, right? You've got your standard mix of fraud, identity theft, all the usual cybercrime stuff. Nothing to write home about right?”

“But?” Tim pressed, playing along.

“But what got me curious was a pattern of crimes that looked like random, disconnected incidents targeting average people. We're talking about everything from a cafe owner in Sydney to a retired nurse in Perth. And this has been going on for years.”

"Years?" Tim echoed, intrigued. "And they're just noticing this now?"

“Exactly!” you replied enthusiastically, tossing your bra into the laundry hamper and reaching into the dresser for one of Tim’s oversized shirts, what he wore when he actually had more than five minutes at home between cases. “The reports have only now been made public, and by the looks of it it’s taken them this long to even realize something might be off, and because it’s public knowledge, it’s caught the attention of the armchair detectives who are digging in, but no one can find a connection.”

Tim shifted in his seat again, tapping his fingers against his chest thoughtfully. “Not entirely strange though,” he said. “Cyber crimes are still relatively new. Many countries are sitting on data that they just don’t know what to do with besides selling it. Though, with any crime, patterns usually emerge sooner or later, someone slips up. Have they found anything that could point to a single culprit or group?”

“Nothing. Zilch. That's why it's so bizarre,” you said, shimming out of your jeans and kicking them off before walking over to sit beside him on the bed. “But here's where it gets interesting. When you compare these Australian cases to similar crimes reported in neighbouring countries like New Zealand or Indonesia, little patterns start to stand out.”

Tim raised an eyebrow, his attention fully piqued. “What kind of patterns are we talking about?”

You grinned, thrilled by his obvious interest. “Teeny tiny little anomalies,” you took his glasses and book and placed them on your bedside table, “Specific coding sequences, certain times of the day when the attacks occur, even certain types of targets that are more frequently hit in both regions. Individually, these little things don't really mean much. But when you start looking at them collectively and across borders, it’s like a constellation. You begin to see the outline of something much bigger.”

“Sounds like someone's running a long con,” Tim observed.

He uncrossed his arms as you swung your leg over to straddle his hips, your arms wrapping around his neck to rest on his broad shoulders.

“That's what I'm thinking too,” you said, your voice low as you leaned in to place a kiss on his lips.

Tim's hands slid up your sides, his fingers grazing the bare skin of your back under the t-shirt, “You really shouldn't have bothered.” he said, his voice low and husky.

You leaned in closer, your breath hot against his ear, “Bothered with what?” you whispered feigning cluelessness, trailing kisses down his neck.

“The shirt,” Tim replied, tilting his head back to grant you better access. “You're much better without it.”

You laughed softly, the sound sending shivers down his spine. “I needed something to wear.”

“Who said you needed to wear anything at all?” Tim countered, flipping you both over so he was on top of you.

[findroleplay]

    hello! my names lucifer (nineteen & any pronouns) and i am currently looking for a roleplay partner - it’s been a good long while since i’ve been on the scene, but i’ve always loved writing with another person more than writing by myself. i believe i’m considered a semi-lit to lit writer, i always strive to match my partners length, however my average is at least three paragraphs. my timezone is aest (australian eastern standard time) and while i’m active during the day, i usually reply during the night. i have no real triggers/squicks to mention, but i will respect yours. i don’t have very much experience doubling up, but i am very much willing. i love going all out on headcanons and plotting ahead, i would love a partner who matches that energy.

    as for what i’m looking for, i am open to any gender pairings, however i am only able to write nsfw between male characters. i prefer fade-to-black scenarios for other instances and am open to that if you are uncomfortable with nsfw themes as well. important to note is that i don’t bother with forms for original characters - i like making it up as i go, so if you’re not into that sort of more casual approach, an original character roleplay with me may not be for you. i’m fine with any sort of plot and au’s are dependent on the fandom and type of au. moving right along, i’m currently interested in the following fandoms:

— house m.d.

    - up to: season five and counting.

    - open to: original x canon, canon x canon.

    - ships: gregory house x james wilson. robert chase x gregory house.

    - love interests: robert chase (m/m) or gregory house (m/f).

— banshee

    - up to: season one and counting.

    - open to: original x original, original x canon.

    - love interests: lucas hood (m/f or m) or your original character (any).

— supernatural

    - up to: completed, watched multiple times, the leading cause of my depression.

    - open to: original x original, original x canon, canon x canon.

    - ships: too many to list, biggest is deanifer atm. sabriel is a no-go.

    - love interests: belphegor (m/m) or your original character (m/f).

— the boys

    - up to: season three. haven’t seen gen v.

    - open to: original x original, original x canon.

    - love interests: the homelander (m/f or m), soldier boy (m/nb or f) or your original character (m/any).

— resident evil

   - up to: completed all games (incl. code v and both revelations) except six.

   - open to: original x original, original x canon, canon x canon.

   - ships: ethan winters x chris redfield. leon kennedy x luis sera 

   - love interests: albert wesker (m/f), karl heisenberg (m/m) or your original character (any).

— (tentatively) open to fandomless

    please shoot me a dm here on tumblr if you’re interested and we can work out the details. thank you! ✨

-

[theic-manic]

(Helpol blog @divine-thievery)

Helluu!! Your consent post replying to that user talking about Lord Apollo was so eye-opening for me. I named myself a devotee to Lord Hermes because I felt it was the right thing to do.

I became a Hellenic Polytheist in april 2024 and he had actually been on my mind since 2020 (possibly earlier, im bad with dates and remembering) when I first saw him in lore Olympus, to my assumption it was on purpose that i took a liking to him straight away, when I asked if it were true he pleaded the fifth 😂, anyways, so that's why i named myself a devotee, so i will be apologising to Lord Hermes after sending this ask Because as you stated in the post I hadn't asked for consent.

And I would like to thank you for making that post it's really helped me. 🧡 also, I'm Australian, too 😂

Hey mate!

All good and I am glad you appreciate it, it only took me a few hours and asking both Apollo and Hermes nicely to assist.

From my observation, Hermes is certainly a great choice for beginners as he's quote friendly and doesn't quite have Apollo's BPD-coded RSD however Hermes isn't to be taken lightly either.

One notable example

He's a trickster deity and rather amoral at that because his roles simply can't be held back by traditional morals.

I'll note here that our modern morals also don't entirely align with the societal standards of the past, which is why extra care is needed with establishing boundaries and also judging their actions through a modern lense.

This is touched upon in a decent post about rape in Greek mythology

I will also add that Apollo and Hermes just ignored the concept of consent to create this Olympus-level Maury Povich paternity test eposode event of conceiving twins together to the same woman...

Personally, Hermes became my patron deity after appearing to me as other deities... since he does participate in so many domains it's real easy for him to perform jobs for other gods.

However I had, for about a year, lightly worshipped him and included him in my daily prayers so after a while he revealed to me that it had been him all along and not Hekate and Hades those times I thought they were working with me.

While I am glad that you enjoy his portrayal in Lore Olympus (though he especially likes his visual appearances in the Hades games) the webcomic doesn't totally align with mythology...

Admittedly, I've not read much of the comic yet since I am trying to focus on more traditional portrayals of my deities for now (Blood of Zeus is somewhat decent) I did find it very nice that both the author of LO and myself interpreted Melinoe to be deaf/non-verbal (based on some comic panels I came across on tumblr featuring her anyway).

That said, Melinoe was thought to be conceived by Zeus disguised as Hades, something I assume isn't covered in the comic(?)

I'm particularly mindful to consume minimal to no fictional content about deities when I first become acquainted with their energies as I don't want my interpretation of their character to taint how I perceive them.

Even then I only consume such media as devotional acts to deities I already have a firm relationship with, but I do see modern adaptations as a way to gauge whether I'm interested in researching the original lore in-depth.

Should you decide to become a devotee of Hermes then please remember to establish firm boundaries and I hope that you represent Hermes well as one of his many "smol ambassadors" (his term).

Thanks for the ask!

I wish you luck on your spiritual journey and may Hermes guide you to the right path.

[kenta-koma]

Pinned Post [& Links] - 2025+

Kenta Koma - Primary Blog with (lots of) RP side blogs status: Online // free to chat/plot/RP with me whenever! + Nav: About & Rules  | ooc_status_update | blog_updates | Side_Blogs_/_Muses | Tags  | Chat_&_Interests | Discord + main multi-muse (hub) blog at cosmic-canons

 RP status: // Australian Eastern Standard/Daylight Time + catching up on RP replies I owe ASAP! + usually multi-tasking, please excuse any slow replies, thanks! + usually most active during my afternoon before/after lunch + (high) muse for: One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Fairy Tail, DBZ/Super + (this month's) RP theme: Jan - Happy New Year 2025!

Currently Watching: Bleach TYBW, One Piece, Fairy Tail 100 YQ, Dragon Ball DAIMA Re (Binge) Watching: My Hero Academia & One Piece Last Movie: Wicked Current [Phone] Games: Bleach Brave Souls, DBZ Dokkan Battle, DB Legends, Poke'mon GO

Current Polls: // outdated 1. Larger Than (Tumblr) Life - Full Lyrics? 2. Battle Royale: mun vs muse vs Tumblr vs RL 3. Oops I Did it Again (I RPed with your muse) full lyrics?

-insert new quote here-

+ looking for: YOU other (RP) blogs! (updated) status: busier work schedule by Jan 7!

Other Links: link1 | link2 | link3 | ? + Permananet Interaction Call | ? + [Calendar] Events for the month of July + self post for code testing // ignore this!

Inbox: 201+ | Drafts:65+ | Total: 267+ // -is buried in asks/drafts- Archived (Old): Pinned Post | ? | ? | ?

[mun] Icons (made for OOC): 63+

// last edited: WED 1 Jan 2025

[australianwomensnews]

Charlotte Jerrim was just 19 when she decided upon breast implants.

The now 28-year-old said there were no checks of her physical or mental health beforehand, nor was she properly warned about the risks.

“I was young and I purely wanted them for cosmetic reasons,” the Canberra woman told this masthead. “At the time, a lot of my friends had them and there was social pressure to have bigger boobs.”

It was not long before she started to experience issues with her health; brain fog, a rash that would come and go, migraines, chronic fatigue and changes to her menstrual cycle. She battled the symptoms for six years before being diagnosed with Systemic Symptoms Associated with Breast Implants (SSBI) and opted to have an explant.

“If I had been counselled about why I wanted the surgery and properly made aware of the associated risks, I don’t think I would have got them,” she said.

Anyone considering cosmetic surgery is now required to have a referral to the surgeon from a general practitioner who will assess the mental and physical health of patients before recommending them for any procedure.

The requirement is part of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) new National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards (Cosmetic Surgery Standards), to be implemented alongside every service where cosmetic surgery is performed, from small day procedure clinics, through to large health organisations and builds on rules announced by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in July.

Along with patient suitability, cosmetic surgery advertising must now comply with legislation and national codes and guidelines to avoid manipulating or deceiving customers.

Clinicians must obtain informed consent from patients about expected outcomes, potential risks and possible outcomes, and the costs associated should complications arise. They must also establish a complaints service and seek feedback from patients about their experiences and outcomes or care.

Services are now required to have credentialing processes to verify the qualifications and experience of all practitioners performing cosmetic surgery. Meanwhile, post-operative care instructions must be provided to patients, including what to do in case of an emergency, with clinicians to ensure comprehensive post-operative reviews are undertaken.

The standards do not include non-surgical procedures such as cosmetic injectables and thread lifts and fat freezing.

Since September 2022, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has fielded 179 formal complaints and 428 calls to the Cosmetic Surgery Helpline. It is estimated that $473 million has been spent in Australia this year on cosmetic surgery, according to IBS World research.

[jacobsrenovations]

Transform Your Space with the Best Bathroom Renovations in Welshpool

A bathroom is more than just a functional space — it’s where you start and end your day. If your bathroom looks outdated or doesn’t meet your needs, it’s time to consider a change. With expertly delivered Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool, homeowners now have the opportunity to create stunning, modern, and highly practical spaces right at home. Whether you’re dreaming of a spa-like retreat or a sleek and efficient bathroom, the right renovation can bring your vision to life.

Why Bathroom Renovations Matter

Bathroom renovations are one of the best ways to boost the value and functionality of your home. An upgraded bathroom not only improves your daily life but also enhances your property’s resale value. In areas like Welshpool, where quality homes are always in demand, a beautifully renovated bathroom can make your home stand out in the market. With professional Bathroom Renovations Welshpool experts, you can achieve a design that suits your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budget.

Modern Designs Tailored to You

Every homeowner has different needs, and that’s why no two renovations are the same. When you choose experienced Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool, you’ll get access to designers who listen to your ideas and translate them into reality. Whether you want minimalist lines, classic features, or luxurious elements, the right team will help you craft a design that reflects your personality.

Many homeowners today are leaning towards clean, open layouts with natural tones and modern fixtures. Floating vanities, walk-in showers, and frameless mirrors are popular choices. A local team with knowledge of Bathroom Renovations Welshpool will also help you select materials and finishes that work with the local climate and conditions.

Efficient Use of Space

One of the main challenges in bathroom design is space management. Even small bathrooms can feel spacious with the right layout and design. Professionals offering Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool understand how to optimize even the most compact bathrooms. They’ll reposition fixtures, adjust lighting, and introduce smart storage to make the most of every square metre.

Through clever planning, you can enjoy a space that feels more open and functional. Whether you’re dealing with awkward corners or limited natural light, experienced renovators will have the skills to solve these issues seamlessly.

Quality Craftsmanship You Can Trust

Your bathroom is a high-use area. That means it needs to be built to last. Choosing local Bathroom Renovations Welshpool specialists means you’ll benefit from industry knowledge, quality materials, and skilled craftsmanship. These experts follow Australian building codes and standards to ensure your bathroom is both safe and durable.

A well-executed renovation involves more than just aesthetics — it’s about plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, and electrical work all being done correctly. A team that provides professional Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool will have licensed tradespeople to handle every aspect of the job, reducing stress and delivering results that stand the test of time.

Keeping Your Budget in Check

Renovations don’t have to break the bank. With proper planning, it’s possible to achieve excellent results at an affordable cost. Teams offering Bathroom Renovations Welshpool typically provide a transparent quoting process, helping you understand where your money goes. From material selection to project timelines, they’ll work with you to avoid hidden surprises.

Discussing your goals early on allows your contractor to provide solutions that deliver the best value. Whether you’re making small upgrades or undertaking a complete overhaul, trusted Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool will ensure every dollar is spent wisely.

Avoiding Common Renovation Mistakes

Without expert help, bathroom renovations can become a source of stress. Common mistakes include poor layout design, low-quality materials, and overlooked waterproofing. Fortunately, working with seasoned Bathroom Renovations Welshpool professionals means these issues are identified and handled before they become problems.

By choosing a team with a proven track record, you’ll benefit from expert guidance on what works and what doesn’t. You’ll also enjoy peace of mind knowing that your bathroom is not just beautiful, but functional and compliant with industry standards.

Trusted Local Knowledge

Hiring local professionals for your renovation project is always a wise decision. Local experts are familiar with building regulations, supplier networks, and Welshpool’s unique housing styles. This knowledge ensures smoother processes, quicker approvals, and better material availability.

Whether you live in a heritage home or a modern apartment, Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool can be tailored to your specific building requirements. Plus, local businesses value their reputation in the community, so you can expect personalised service and accountability.

Why Choose Us for Your Renovation

We are proud to be a trusted provider of Bathroom Renovations Welshpool, delivering excellence to homeowners throughout the area. Our team is passionate about creating bathrooms that are stylish, functional, and built to last. With years of experience and a commitment to quality, we handle every step of the process — from initial consultation to final walkthrough.

Our clients choose us because we prioritise communication, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we offer tailored designs and practical advice to ensure your renovation reflects your unique vision.

Call Us for This Service

If you’re ready to enhance your home with high-quality Bathroom Renovations services in Welshpool, our team is here to help. Let us turn your outdated bathroom into a modern masterpiece that adds comfort and value to your property. From concept to completion, we bring passion and professionalism to every project. Call us today to discuss your ideas and get a free quote from the most trusted Bathroom Renovations Welshpool specialists.

[thedrivedownunder]

Decoding the Numbers: What a Truck Compliance Plate Reveals About Your Vehicle

For many truck owners, the compliance plate is just a shiny piece of metal tucked away on the chassis or firewall. But this small plate holds critical information that determines a truck’s roadworthiness, legality, and compliance with national safety standards. Understanding what a truck compliance plate reveals is not only important for staying within the law—it’s also key to maintaining the long-term health and value of your vehicle.

Whether you’re restoring a vintage workhorse or modifying a modern rig, decoding the compliance plate may save you from unexpected penalties, safety issues, or mechanical mismatches.

What Is a Truck Compliance Plate?

A truck compliance plate is a metal tag affixed to a commercial vehicle, usually riveted in an easily accessible location such as the engine bay, inside the driver’s door frame, or on the chassis. It’s issued when a vehicle meets the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which are national standards governing safety, emissions, and construction.

Each plate carries a set of technical details that define how the truck may be legally operated. It’s not just a bureaucratic formality—this plate is a key legal identifier that enables registration, insurance, and resale.

If you’re curious about how different builders and restorers document their compliance projects, check out visual communities like #australiantrucks or #truckmod on Tumblr for visual inspiration and shared experiences from across the country.

Breaking Down the Plate – What Each Number Means

While it may look like a confusing collection of codes and acronyms, a truck compliance plate is highly structured. Each part serves a purpose:

Manufacturer and Model: Identifies who built the truck and what series or variant it is.

Build Date and Compliance Date: These two dates are not always the same. The build date refers to when the truck was constructed, while the compliance date confirms when it passed inspection and received approval under ADRs.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): A unique 17-character code that traces the identity of the truck throughout its life.

GVM and Tare Weight: The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) defines the maximum weight the truck may legally carry, including the vehicle’s own mass, passengers, fuel, and cargo. Tare weight refers to the unladen weight of the vehicle.

Seating Capacity and Axle Configuration: Especially important for heavy-duty trucks, these details influence licensing requirements and road usage classifications.

ADR Codes: These shorthand codes reference the exact ADRs that the truck complies with—covering areas such as braking systems, lighting, emissions, and structural integrity.

Decoding these elements may help you determine if your truck is suited for towing, long-haul trips, or if it's eligible for certain modifications or upgrades.

Why It Matters – Legal, Safety & Practical Implications

Operating a truck without a compliant or correctly filled-in compliance plate isn’t just risky—it’s illegal. In Australia, failure to have a valid plate, or displaying one that doesn’t reflect the truck’s current condition, may result in fines, registration refusal, or worse—being issued a defect notice during a roadside inspection.

More importantly, a mismatch in compliance details may endanger drivers and other road users. For example, exceeding the stated GVM may lead to axle stress, brake failure, or compromised handling. Incorrect or missing data also complicates insurance claims, reducing payout eligibility after an incident.

To avoid such complications, many transport operators turn to specialist truck compliance plate services to ensure all documentation is accurate, approved, and up to date.

When You May Need a New or Replacement Compliance Plate

There are a few common scenarios where replacing or updating a truck compliance plate becomes necessary:

After Major Modifications: Any structural change—such as engine swaps, chassis extensions, or axle reconfigurations—requires re-certification to reflect the new specifications.

Imported Trucks: Vehicles brought in from overseas must be retrofitted with a local compliance plate after passing relevant tests.

Lost or Damaged Plate: In cases of corrosion, theft, or accident damage, the original plate may no longer be legible or present.

Each of these situations involves engineering sign-off, sometimes from a Registered Automotive Engineer (RAE), and must follow national and state-based regulations.

As seen on many builds featured under tags like #custombuild or #mechaniclife, compliance isn’t just a box to tick—it’s an integral part of responsible vehicle customisation.

How to Verify the Authenticity of a Truck Compliance Plate

Unfortunately, not every compliance plate out there is genuine. With the second-hand market booming and DIY modifications on the rise, it’s critical to verify a plate’s legitimacy:

Check the VIN: Ensure it matches the chassis and is correctly registered.

Inspect for Tampering: Genuine plates are cleanly riveted and etched using industry-grade methods. Be wary of plates that look engraved by hand, show irregular fonts, or have scratch marks around the fasteners.

Consult a Professional: If you’re ever in doubt, consulting qualified engineers or using verified truck compliance plate services is the best way to ensure full legal alignment and engineering certification.

Know Your Plate, Know Your Truck

The humble truck compliance plate may be small, but its importance is massive. It’s more than a metal tag—it’s a statement of legal readiness, road safety, and engineering integrity. Whether you’re upgrading your fleet, restoring a classic, or preparing for inspection, take the time to decode your compliance plate. You may discover more about your vehicle than you realised—and avoid costly missteps in the process.

If you need expert help navigating the compliance process, Stewart & Sons Engineering offers dependable truck compliance plate services that support everything from inspection to certification and reissuance.