Lost Property Auction Nets $220K For Safety
Perth, July 24: Sydney Airport’s 2026 Lost Property Auction has raised $221,789 for community swimming and water safety programs across the Bayside area, with the result announced ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25.
New South Wales recorded Australia’s highest number of unintentional drowning deaths last year, 30 per cent above the 10-year average, while almost half of Year 6 students cannot swim 50 metres or tread water for two minutes — underscoring the need for programs that build swimming and water safety skills among children and families.
Run online by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers from June 28 to July 8, the annual auction drew thousands of bids on unclaimed lost property and beat Sydney Airport’s fundraising target, with the total enough to fund the equivalent of 9,241 swimming lessons through Bayside Council’s Community Learn to Swim and Water Safety Program. Since 2013, the auctions have raised $2.4 million for charities and community initiatives.
Sydney Airport Group Executive – Government Relations, Sustainability and Legal, Karen Tompkins said: “Thank you to everyone across Australia who took part in our Lost Property Auction. It was fantastic to see so many people bid generously, helping raise funds for swimming lessons and water safety programs.” She added: “What’s special about the auction is that it gives unclaimed items a second chance. From jewellery and tech to toys and travel gear, items that still have plenty of life left in them find new homes, while also helping raise funds that make a difference in our local community.”
Bayside Mayor Cr Edward McDougall said: “Water safety is an essential life skill, and this partnership helps ensure more people in our community can access programs that improve safety, confidence and participation.” He added: “We’re grateful to everyone who supported the auction and helped make this year’s result possible.”
The auction forms part of Sydney Airport’s wider support for the Bayside community, which includes a $5 million commitment to the new Botany Aquatic Centre, aimed at expanding access to swimming, recreation and aquatic programs locally for generations to come.
Melbourne–Saudi Cargo Route Opens Trade
Perth, July 24: The first direct cargo flight to Saudi Arabia lands at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport tomorrow morning, marking the start of a regular service expected to unlock a multi-billion-dollar market for Australian producers.
The route addresses a long-standing bottleneck for exporters, who have previously relied on limited cargo space aboard passenger flights to the Middle East. It is expected to support sectors including premium food and agriculture, meat, seafood, dairy, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, mining and technology.
Sam Jamsheedi, president of the Australia Saudi Business Council, said the service represents more than a logistics upgrade.
“A new era of trade, connectivity and partnership between two nations committed to building their future together has arrived,” he said.
Jamsheedi said the route positions Australia as a gateway linking the Middle East, Africa and Europe, giving local industries — from agriculture to healthcare and innovation — a new platform to reach Saudi buyers. “Australia can now showcase world class agriculture, premium food production, mining, healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing and innovation sectors through a strategic gateway connecting the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” he said.
He added that the partnership runs deeper than trade logistics, pointing to Australia and Saudi Arabia’s shared standing as G20 members. “Saturday isn’t about a flight, but about a new door of opportunity,” Jamsheedi said.
Qantas, Melbourne Airport Ink Growth Deal
Perth, July 24: The Qantas Group and Melbourne Airport have signed a commercial agreement covering key terms for more flights, upgraded international lounges, improved check-in facilities and the airport’s third runway, the companies announced Friday.
The deal underpins Melbourne Airport’s $4.5 billion international terminal expansion, adding five widebody gates, and locks in a 15-year commitment from Qantas supporting the third runway, due to open in 2031. Jetstar — already Melbourne’s largest carrier by port, running close to 1,000 weekly flights at peak and about 45 per cent of its domestic passengers — also stands to gain room to grow.
Qantas will build a new International Business Lounge above Terminal 2, up to a third larger than its current space, with views over the airport; fit-out is due by 2029. Terminal upgrades will bring faster international check-in, premium check-in areas, upgraded automatic bag drop tied to the airport’s new baggage handling system, a bigger baggage reclaim hall and more room for Australian Border Force.
Qantas also plans to base some of its incoming Airbus A350-1000LRs at Melbourne, opening the door to new international routes beyond the airline’s existing 17 destinations from the city. Final agreements are expected to be executed in coming months.
Qantas Group CFO Rob Marcolina said the deal “will unlock growth for both Qantas and Melbourne Airport and improve the travel experience for millions of our customers every year.” Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus called it “the most significant upgrade to Melbourne Airport in its history.”
Citrawarna 2026 Wraps Up In KL
Kuala Lumpur, July 25: Citrawarna 2026 returns to a close today, 26 July, at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, capping a three-day showcase of Malaysia’s culture and heritage under Tourism Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
The festival’s centrepiece, Colours of Parade, brought together 3,500 performers representing all 13 states, three Federal Territories and Malaysia’s multicultural communities, presenting traditional costumes, music and dance reflecting the country’s diverse identities. The event was organised by Tourism Malaysia with support from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, Warisan Kuala Lumpur, Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Istana Budaya and Muzium Tekstil Negara, and was attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing.
Built around four signature experiences — Colours of Parade, Colours of Flavour, Colours of Culture and Colours of Art — the festival featured more than 70 food and beverage offerings, over 20 cultural activity stations and more than 10 arts and crafts booths across its run, alongside heritage demonstrations, traditional games and interactive experiences such as batik painting and ketupat weaving.
Citrawarna 2026 drew over 700 international visitors through curated travel packages, with participants from China, India, Mauritius, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France. The programme also welcomed international media, tourism industry representatives and content creators under Tourism Malaysia’s Mega Fam initiative, supporting the global promotion of VM2026.
Contemporary performances rounded out the celebration, featuring Malaysian artistes Wani Kayrie, Bulan Asryaff, Dr Soo Wincci, Santesh Kumar, Ernie Zakri and Aina Abdul, alongside Kumpulan Balle-Balle.
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