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🌟 THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHT
Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade Wins Caboolture PBR Buckle as Junior Riders Shine
Tamworth cowboy Lachlan Slade claimed his first victory of 2025 at the PBR Australia Caboolture Invitational, winning the coveted buckle with an 87.50-point ride. The event, held at a sold-out Queensland State Equestrian Centre Arena, also saw New South Wales rider Clint Glass and New Zealand’s Rylee Ward round out the podium. Despite the upset, national leader Kurt Shephard from North Queensland maintained his top ranking heading into the PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville.
The night was also a showcase for the next generation of bull riders, with 60 juniors from across the country taking part. Eleven-year-old Sonny Heffernan of Singleton became the first PBR Can-Am Junior Academy rider to reach 50 career rides, while Caboolture’s Bella Brinner stood out as the only female Junior Bull Rider. Bundarra’s Kassedy “Rooster” Carlon thrilled the crowd by winning the Senior Mini Bull buckle before breaking into a celebratory arena dance.
On the bulls’ side, Nirvana from Dittmann Bucking Bulls and Twist & Shout from Dunne Bucking Bulls shared honors for the highest-scoring bull, each posting 43.50 points. The notoriously tough Alpha Blokes Warden extended his unridden streak by tossing Brazilian contender Luan Crystian Camara in just 1.5 seconds. The Caboolture event highlighted both seasoned professionals chasing national glory and fearless juniors cementing the sport’s future.
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🏠 IN OUR COMMUNITY
Perth’s Carol Hanlon Champions Women’s Economic Empowerment at Asia-Pacific Conference
Carol Hanlon, CEO of Belmont BEC Inc. and TCFWA Inc., addressed more than 200 delegates from 28 countries at the BPW Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia, held August 24-26. Recently named COSBOA’s National Small Business Champion, Hanlon shared insights from her five decades of small business leadership and mentoring that have supported more than 44,000 entrepreneurs since 1994.
Her presentations highlighted practical strategies for women’s economic empowerment, including fostering cross-sector partnerships between NGOs and social enterprises and advancing digital and AI skills programs for young women globally. Hanlon also provided updates from BPW International’s Business, Trade & Technology Committee, where she has served since 2021.
The conference, coinciding with BPW International’s 95th anniversary, showcased Hanlon’s impact from local grassroots programs in Perth to global networks spanning 125 countries. She announced new collaborations with women’s business groups in Myanmar, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, reinforcing her commitment to scaling sustainable opportunities for women entrepreneurs across borders.
🔬 BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
Study Finds Daily Aspirin Provides No Long-Term Heart Protection for Older Adults
A Monash University-led study has confirmed that daily low-dose aspirin offers no long-term cardiovascular benefit for healthy older adults and increases the risk of major bleeding. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, tracked more than 15,600 Australians and Americans aged 70 and older over a median of 8.3 years through the ASPREE and ASPREE-eXTension studies.
Lead author Professor Rory Wolfe said the findings showed aspirin not only failed to prevent heart attacks and strokes but was also linked to a 17% increase in major cardiovascular events during the post-trial follow-up. “Our findings suggest that individuals taking aspirin for possible primary prevention of cardiovascular events should discuss with their doctors possibly stopping the drug,” Wolfe said.
Co-author Dr. Andrew Tonkin added that while some individuals may still benefit, patients must weigh the risks and consult their GP. The results reaffirm the original 2018 ASPREE trial, which also found higher bleeding risk without cardiovascular benefit in older adults taking aspirin.
💡 HUMAN OF THE WEEK
Scottish Brothers Set World Record With 139-Day Pacific Row to Cairns
Three brothers from Edinburgh have set a world record after completing the fastest unsupported row across the Pacific Ocean, arriving in Cairns, Australia, on Saturday after 139 days at sea. Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean rowed more than 9,000 miles nonstop from Peru, becoming the first team ever to complete the crossing from South America to Australia.
The brothers endured storms, injuries, equipment failures, and even a near-tragedy when Lachlan was thrown overboard during a night shift before being pulled back to safety. Their feat broke the previous record of 159 days set in 2014 and drew global attention, with stars such as Ewan McGregor, Mark Wahlberg, and Flea offering encouragement.
The voyage was part of a fundraising effort for their Maclean Foundation, which supports clean water projects in Madagascar. So far, they have raised more than £795,000 of their £1 million target, which aims to provide clean water for 40,000 people. Reunited with family and fans in Cairns, the brothers said the experience gave them a new appreciation for life’s basics and vowed to continue their campaign.
Celebrated Western Aranda artist and Charles Darwin University Visual Arts student Hayley Panangka Coulthard will showcase her cultural heritage through traditional ceramics in a new Alice Springs exhibition opening this weekend.
The exhibition, titled "Kaltjinthama – Kaltjerrama [Teaching – Learning]," features new works created during her formal university studies, demonstrating how art serves as a powerful vehicle for storytelling and cultural knowledge transmission. A member of the acclaimed Hermannsburg Potters since 2009, Coulthard has developed her craft under the mentorship of senior artists and has emerged as a two-time Wynne Prize finalist (2022, 2023).
The exhibition represents more than artistic achievement—it embodies cultural preservation and education in action. Coulthard, who recently graduated with CDU's Edgar Dunis Award for Outstanding Achievement by a First Nations Student in Arts, is now pursuing her Certificate IV in Visual Arts while using locally harvested clay from her Country around Ntaria.
Her work exemplifies the collaborative approach between CDU's Alice Springs campus and established Indigenous arts organizations, with the university providing a supportive environment for experienced artists to explore new techniques while maintaining their cultural connections. The exhibition opens Sunday, June 8th from 6-8pm at Watch This Space in Alice Springs, offering the community an opportunity to experience authentic Indigenous artistry and cultural expression.
⚡ QUICK WINS
Aerobic Exercise After Stroke Safely Boosts Brain Health and Prevents Cognitive Decline, New Study Finds. A new Monash University study published in JAMA Network Open found that aerobic exercise programs starting two months after a stroke are completely safe and can help protect stroke survivors' brain function and memory while reducing their risk of developing dementia.
Dutch Disability Foundation Wins Inaugural F1 Allwyn Global Community Award and €100,000 Prize. A Dutch foundation called Stichting HandicapNL won the first-ever F1 Allwyn Global Community Award and €100,000 for their work making sporting events and festivals accessible to people with disabilities across the Netherlands.
Tokyo Hosts Major Tourism Promotion Events in Sydney and Melbourne to Boost Australian Travel Interest. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government held special tourism promotion events in Sydney and Melbourne during August 2025, featuring Japanese cultural workshops, food experiences, and business networking to encourage more Australian travelers to visit Tokyo.
Aerobic Exercise After Stroke Safely Boosts Brain Health and Prevents Cognitive Decline, New Study Finds. A new Monash University study published in JAMA Network Open found that aerobic exercise programs starting two months after a stroke are completely safe and can help protect stroke survivors' brain function and memory while reducing their risk of developing dementia.
📷 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
A major highlight in Sydney was the s pecial program " Tokyo Gastronomy Talk " presented by renowned food expert Adam Liaw, widely known from " The Cook Up with Adam Liaw and Adam & Poh ’ s Great Australian Bites. " Liaw shared insights into the depth and innovation of Tokyo ’ s culinary scenes and served original dishes inspired by Tokyo ’ s street food culture, including gyudon (beef bowl) and " curry rice..
💭 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. - Confucius
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