Australia's June and July News Wrap: Bird Flu, Political Shifts, and Industrial Disputes

Bird flu arrives in Australia

It was a chance encounter on an Esperance beach in mid-June that led to the discovery of Australia's first H5 bird flu case.

Dr Toni Howlett found the migratory brown skua bird, which was later confirmed as H5 positive.

The disease has been detected across several states since then, with authorities and farmers watching closely.

Socceroo kids

While some older viewers were at the pub for the 10am start time for the World Cup match between Australia and Paraguay in late June, students at Lynwood Senior High School were watching eagerly from the classroom.

The school has run its own soccer academy for the past two decades, and students had put together their own version of the World Cup, playing matches during lunchtime on Thursday.

Worst storm in 49 years

As the clock ticked over to the first minutes of June, a substantial storm was battering Perth and parts of southern WA.

Emergency services received more than 800 calls for help, including from residents in Greenwood, where a tree fell on a house.

Albany shark attack

It's been a devastating few months for some in the spearfishing community, with two shark attack deaths in WA making global headlines.

This was the scene from the emergency response to the death of 35-year-old Daniel Turpin, who had been diving near Albany.

Hanson in Perth

Riding a wave of popularity in the polls, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson made a visit to Perth to meet supporters in mid-June.

During the trip, she revealed she took policy advice from Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, and was planning for her party to contest Labor seats in WA's 2029 election.

Reconciliation

During Reconciliation Week, which ended in early June, Aboriginal elders explained the importance of Welcome to Country ceremonies, which were met by racist heckling on Anzac Day.

For some elders, the practice is about connection and preserving history.

A ceremony is seen here in front of the statue of 19th-century Whadjuk elder Balbuk Yooreel at the Government House Gardens.

Turtle homecoming

In some good news, two loggerhead turtles cared for in Bunbury have been rehabilitated and were set to be released into the wild, embarking on a 1,400 kilometre journey to Ningaloo Reef.

There were tears and cheers when volunteers and staff said their farewells to the turtles, Squirdle and Treasure.

Labor stalwart resigns

The first week of July marked the end of senior WA minister Paul Papalia's almost two-decade political career.

Mr Papalia held portfolios including corrective services, defence industries, emergency services and veterans affairs, and made the announcement alongside Premier Roger Cook.

The resignation triggered a by-election in Mr Papalia's electorate of Secret Harbour.

Yung Filly in court

On the last day of July, a decision was made in the trial of UK YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly.

A jury found the entertainer, whose real name is Andres Barrientos, not guilty of raping a woman after a concert in 2024.

Three further counts of rape were undecided, and he was found guilty of assaulting the 20-year-old woman.

BHP strike

In WA's north, BHP workers in Port Hedland downed tools, in one of the most significant industrial disputes in a quarter of a century.

More than 100 workers walked off the job at Australia's busiest port, and were met with sausage sizzles and supporters.

Wave Rock wall

ABC Great Southern's Astrid Volzke offered a different angle to the well-known Wave Rock tourist attraction, focusing on an almost 100-year-old wall at the site.

The wall, crumbling in places, has sparked conversation among locals about whether it should be preserved or removed.

Flower clones

The Queen of Sheba orchid, native to WA, is one of the rarest in the world with only 30 left in the wild.

But there is hope for the critically endangered flower's future, as scientists from Kings Park have successfully cloned the plant.

Idle oil rig

An abandoned offshore oil drilling rig in WA's Midwest is leading fishermen and conservation groups to demand the federal take action over the Cliff Head oil platform.

The company that owned it went into administration, and fishermen are worried the platform could put crayfishing grounds at risk.