🪪 Government announces new digital ID | Hefty fines bite pooch parents | Raygun, the immortal and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,204 words: a 5-minute read.
Welcome back to Thursday, this time August 15, finally caught up on some rest after watching as much as we could of our most successful Olympics ever 💪 🇦🇺
Fun And Final Olympic Fact for 2024: Following the hotly debated inclusion of breaking at Paris 2024 Olympics, did you know that the poetry was actually an event from 1912 to 1948, where artists competed in sport-inspired works alongside athletes.
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In today’s email
One Big Thing: Trust Exchange – The Government’s new Digital ID
Treat hypertension: To prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Irresponsible pooch parents: Get bit with hefty fines
Around the Web (Snippets): Monsters are storming Queensland, Koala conservation takes centre stage, Get your creative juices flowing and more!
Councillors’ Corner
Upcoming Events
Redlands Weather Forecast and Tides
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: The Government’s new digital ID announced
By Marianne Zander
What's Happening
Australia’s Trust Exchange (TEx) has been announced in the last few days and is a new digital ID system that lets people verify their identity through myGov, using a secure digital token.
Why It Matters
TEx aims to enhance privacy and security by letting users control which personal details are shared.
It could reduce data breaches and streamline processes for both consumers and businesses.
By the Numbers
$11M: government investment in TEx as part of Digital ID development
$500M: amount scammers got away with due to previous flaws in MyGov system
End of 2024: when government plans to roll out TEx
What To Look For Next
Whether TEx gains necessary adoption and trust, and the full article 👇
2. The link between high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease
What's Happening
New research from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney suggests that treating high blood pressure could be a key strategy in preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Why It Matters
Hypertension is a common risk factor for dementia, and untreated cases in older adults may increase Alzheimer's risk by 42%. However, those on treatment had similar risks to those without hypertension.
By the Numbers
1.3B: people worldwide with hypertension
42%: increased risk of Alzheimer's for untreated hypertension
130 million: Alzheimer's cases globally by 2050
What They Said
CHeBA’s Dr. Matthew Lennon: “Antihypertensive use should be part of any Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategy.”
What To Look For Next
Other preventative measures, plus the full article 👇
3. Irresponsible pooch parents get bit
What's Happening
Redlands Coast dog owners are urged to keep their dogs on leash while in public places following the introduction of increased penalties as part of statewide changes to animal management laws.
The Queensland Government has also introduced an increased penalty for declared dangerous or menacing dogs that are exercised off-leash.
Why It Matters
The first changes came into effect on 31 July 2024 and include the introduction of statewide ‘effective control’ provisions, including increased penalties for general off-leash offences from $322 to $806.
By the Numbers
$806: increased penalties for off-leash offences
30: designated dog off-leash areas across the Redlands Coast
3,600: number of dog attacks reported in South East Queensland from 2021-2023
What To Look For Next
A list of dog parks and off-leash areas for your pooch 🦮
4. Trending
It’s curtains for Bluesfest…
4. Around The Web (Snippets)
Only five days left: To register for the 2024 Redlands Business Excellence Awards
Weird secrets found in old corrupted: Winamp skins have recently been uncovered
Monsters are storming into Queensland: With the largest-ever television series to be filmed in the Sunshine State
Nominations are now open: For the Redlands Coast Sports Hall of Fame awards with two brand new categories added
Elon Musk’s unhinged AI image generator, Grok AI, was released on: Tuesday without any guardrails around creating images of political figures (in a year full of elections)
The world’s largest iceberg is stuck: In a spinning ocean vortex
Local koala conservation is in the spotlight: Thanks to CSIRO’s new video featured as part of National Science Week
It’s the final curtain call for Bluesfest: After 35 years of celebration, 2025 marks the final festival
Get your creative juices flowing: At Makerspace – a new space kitted out with loads of equipment to inspire creativity
Profits slip to $9.5b: For Australia’s biggest bank, thanks to inflation
Redlands Hospital has introduced a new Nurse Navigator: to help patients overcome barriers to accessing care
5. Councillors’ Corner
Div 2 | Cleveland, North Stradbroke Island | Cr Peter Mitchell
6. Upcoming Events
🎸 Royale With Cheese – Ultimate 90s Rock Show: August 16, from 8:00 PM; Join the revival with Australia’s premiere rock show. Come as you are to smash pumpkins and rage against the 90s.
🎉 Coochie Island Recreation Club – Bingo: August 16, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM; Let the games begin! Join in on the fun and go into the draw to win a lucky door prize
🪴 Plant Sale & Market: August 17, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM; Satisfy your green thumb with this selection of nursery-quality plants in Redland Bay.
🥙 Mt Gravatt Street Food – Greek Night: August 17, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM; Get your Greek on with epic food, vibrant entertainment of Hellenic Dancers and an awesome Mediterranean atmosphere.
🏏 Redlands Tigers – Girls Come and Try Clinics: August 24, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; Whether you’re a cricket enthusiast or trying for the first time, you’ll have a blast in a supportive and inclusive environment; all levels are welcome.
✨ Freaky Whispers – The Australian Medium: August 24, 7:30 PM; Hear from Australian Psychic of the Year Charmaine Wilson as she shares her wisdom.
🎆 Quandamooka Music & Cultural Festival: August 30-1, 4:00 PM; This much-loved festival returns to North Stradbroke/Minjerribah for its first full-scale event since 2022 and will be introducing a new drive-in movie film festival.
🪁 Brisbane Kite Festival: August 20, 4:00 PM; Let’s go fly a kite in Tingalpa and enjoy workshops, stalls, rides, food and more.
In a final wrap of Olympic references, an ode to poetry once being an Olympic event, and, the most famous Aussie of 2024…
The breaker from Hornsby Creek
There was buzz across the city, for the news had quickly spread That Raygun, the Aussie's top break performer had hit the stage, And joined the Paris competitors – her moves supposed cutting-edge, So all the best had gathered for the rage. But when Raygun hit the floor, the crowd was left in shock, For her steps were more a stumble than a dance; She bounced around the stage like a kangaroo on rocks! And the crowd, instead of cheering, threw an awkward glance. The breakers there had gathered, the finest in the world, But Raygun’s moves were far from what they’d planned. Her performance stole the headlines, but not in the way she’d hoped— For the viewers now saw her fumble, not her stand. And though she came with promise, with fire in her stride, She surely left the stage an echo of regret. The world was there to witness you see, and all the breakers sighed, As Raygun became immortal, her dance the internet’s viral new bet. A moment in the spotlight, but not the one she sought— A lesson learned on the world stage in Paris, in the harshest dance there is. For Breaking needs precision not just participation, and Raygun, sadly, forgot, In games made for real Olympians, the judges deemed no room for backyard foolishness and fizz.