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Articles by Lani Oataway
Woman wins damages in historic child sexual abuse case after cross-examining her abuser
A woman has won more than $460,000 in damages against a former school grounds keeper who sexually abused her as a child. She represented herself during the court proceedings and cross-examined her abuser. A legal expert says it is "extraordinary" that the self-represented litigant could demonstrate that the historic abuse occurred. A legal expert says a woman who won a civil sexual abuse case after cross-examining the man who abused her as a child is "extraordinary" and rare.
Man sentenced after breaching AVO and crashing car that killed ex-partner near Orange
The sister of a woman who was killed in a car crash has told the driver in court his "complete lack of regard for human life" led to her "preventable" death. Rolong Stanley has been sentenced today in the Orange District Court to five years' jail for aggravated dangerous driving near Orange that killed his ex-partner Justine Hammond on February 9, 2025. The 32-year-old has been given a non-parole period of three years and seven months, which will expire on May 12, 2029.
Court hears man breached AVO in crash that killed ex-partner near Orange
Rolong Stanley has pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving that caused the death of his former partner Justine Hammond. Ms Hammond died in the car crash along Lake Canobolas Road near Orange in February last year. Stanley will be sentenced next week. A judge has told a NSW District Court that if a man had not breached an apprehended domestic violence order (AVO) against his ex-partner, she would not have died.
Blue Mountains lookout Pulpit Rock reopens after being scorched in Black Summer bushfire
Neil Monteith was hanging off the side of a 100-metre sandstone cliff face in the Blue Mountains when he saw a giant plume of smoke gathering across the valley. He was climbing near Pulpit Rock at Blackheath in December 2019 when the Gospers Mountain fire was pushing up the back of Mount Banks. "It looked like a nuclear bomb going off," Mr Monteith said. "This huge mushroom cloud started to form over on the other side.
Program: NSW town celebrates its Big Peg
It's been likened to the Sistine Chapel for its "outstanding cultural value..." and it's on the market. The Big Peg, yes, the big clothes peg, in the New South Wales Central Tablelands, is one of the country's more unusual 'Big Things', and it could be yours, if the price is right. Featured: Peter Stacey, Big Peg owner Michelle Stacey, Big Peg owner Amelia Francis, resident Tom Beath, President of the Canowindra Progress Association The Big Peg at Canowindra by Brad Hodge Photography.
Home of Canowindra's Big Peg listed for sale
In the country where the Hills Hoist clothesline was invented, it is perhaps appropriate that there is a Big Peg. But the inspiration for one of Australia's more unusual "big" things was not home grown. Owner Peter Stacey came across a photo of a giant peg pinching the ground in Belgium and decided to replicate it. "When I saw it, I went, 'Oh that's just really clever', it made me laugh," he said. Michelle and Peter Stacey are selling their property to downsize.
Program: Molly Ticehurst killer sentenced
The man who killed NSW mother Molly Ticehurst has been sentenced to 28 years with a non parole period of 20 years. Daniel Billings pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-partner after he broke into her Forbes home in 20-24 and stabbed the childcare worker several times. Ms Ticehurst's murder was the catalyst for changes to domestic violence bail reforms which included tighter electronic monitoring.
Daniel Billings sentenced for murder of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst
Lani Oataway and Hamish Cole The killer of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst has been sentenced to 28 years in jail. Daniel Billings was sentenced in the Orange Supreme Court today by Justice Natalie Adams, who imposed a non-parole period of 20 years. He broke into her Forbes home through a bedroom window just before 11:30pm on April 21, 2024, and stabbed his ex partner several times to the face and neck.
Daniel Billings sentenced for murder of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst
The killer of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst has been sentenced to 28 years in jail. Daniel Billings was sentenced in the Orange Supreme Court today by Justice Natalie Adams, who imposed a non-parole period of 20 years. He broke into her Forbes home through a bedroom window just before 11:30pm on April 21, 2024, and stabbed his ex partner several times to the face and neck. Molly Ticehurst was 28 years old when she was murdered.
Experts divided on mental health of Molly Ticehurst's killer
Daniel Billings has pleaded guilty to the domestic violence murder of Molly Ticehurst in her Forbes home. His mental health at the time of the crime has been debated during a sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court. Justice Natalie Adams will hand down the sentence next week. A friend of murdered childcare worker Molly Ticehurst said sitting in the same room as her killer has been "extremely confronting".
Family of murder victim Molly Ticehurst share how her death 'destroyed' them
The father of a murdered childcare worker has told his daughter's killer: "I hope that every night Molly's screams keep you awake." Warning: This story contains descriptions of domestic violence and murder. Victim impact statements from members of Molly Ticehurst's family are today being delivered in the NSW Supreme Court at Orange, some 100 kilometres east of where she was found dead in her Forbes home two years ago.
Navy veteran's experience prompts her to make fire-resistant underwear for women
After 13 years in the Royal Australian Navy, Emily Pyke realised if she encountered a fire her bra could catch alight beneath her protective uniform. "When we think about a commercial bra … they were never designed to be worn in these conditions," she said.
Everyday Australians help refugees feel at home in experimental CRISP project
Alain Mukungu thought moving to a town with the same name as a piece of fruit meant he had to become a farmer. "Orange means it's a farm where they are growing so many oranges," he said with a laugh. "They want us maybe to go and do farming or something like that." After spending more than two decades in a refugee camp fleeing the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr Mukungu said he was willing to move anywhere. "Wherever they'll take me, wherever I'll go, I'll accept," he said.
Only road to Blue Mountains villages closed to visitors for another year
The garden estates and nut farms of Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine attract thousands of visitors and have provided the backdrop for television shows and movies such as Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film The Great Gatsby. But the only road into the two Blue Mountains communities about a two-hour drive west of Sydney remains closed to visitors will not be fixed until July next year.
Second teenager charged over alleged arson attack at Cowra High School
Lani Oataway and Xanthe Gregory Police have charged a second teenager over an alleged arson attack at a NSW Central West school that closed the grounds on the first day of term three. A 14-year-old was arrested outside Cowra High School on Tuesday afternoon and charged with damaging property by fire and an aggravated break-and-enter offence in company. He will appear in a children's court later today.
Second teenager charged over alleged arson attack at Cowra High School
Police have charged a second teenager over an alleged arson attack at a NSW Central West school that closed the grounds on the first day of term three. A 14-year-old was arrested outside Cowra High School on Tuesday afternoon and charged with damaging property by fire and an aggravated break-and-enter offence in company. He will appear in a children's court later today.
Teenager charged with lighting Cowra High School on fire and posting it on social media
A former student of a NSW Central West school has been charged with setting the site on fire and posting the incident to social media. The Cowra High School was closed this morning after its administrative block sustained extensive damage from the blaze last night. A 17-year-old boy was arrested at a home in the town about 10pm and charged with damaging a property by fire and uploading it to social media. He was refused bail and will appear in a children's court today.
Kangaroo with joey shot with arrow at Lake Wallace
Police are investigating how a kangaroo with a joey in its pouch was shot with an arrow on the New South Wales Central Tablelands near Lithgow. Wallerawang community members are looking for the injured animal after it was spotted with an arrow piercing its back at Lake Wallace on Saturday, July 4. Volunteer and macropod coordinator for WIRES Julie Eggenhuizen said she felt distressed that the animal got away before she could treat it.
Program: Gold rush village looking for investors
In the 1870s, Hill End had a population of more than 8,000 and the title of New South Wales' second largest inland city. Now the National Parks service is hoping to boost the current population of 110, by putting 16 restored properties up for lease, including an old morgue, hospital and pub.
Pub, morgue and mine up for lease in historic gold-mining village Hill End
Sixteen buildings are up for lease in the tiny gold rush community of Hill End on the NSW Central Tablelands. The state's National Parks and Wildlife Service has spent more than $5 million getting the heritage sites up to scratch. Expressions of interest applications close on Friday afternoon. It was once the second-largest inland city in New South Wales, but today Hill End boasts a population of just 110.
Memorial forest grown with cremated ashes opens in New South Wales first
The death of a 10-year-old girl has moved her parents to open a memorial forest grown with people's ashes near the Blue Mountains. Warning: This story contains details of a child's accidental death. Piper's Ridge Sanctuary at Wallerawang opened on Saturday and is the first of its kind in New South Wales. It is part of the Living Legacy Forest network, which infuses people's cremated ashes with a tree as a growing memorial.
Death of hiker found in Mount Canobolas bushland after 12-day search not suspicious
The body of Esther Marie Wallace was found in bushland near Orange after a 12-day search in December 2022. A coronial inquest found she set off on a 4-kilometre walk in sub-zero temperatures at midnight and became lost when she and her partner wandered off the track. NSW Deputy State Coroner Rebecca Hosking determined her death was not suspicious, and the discovery of her body was due to the search going "well beyond" the normal time frame.
ACEREZ investigation finds failures during construction led to destruction of Aboriginal rock shelter
A renewable energy consortium has admitted internal "failures" led to the destruction of an Aboriginal heritage rock shelter during the construction of transmission infrastructure in western New South Wales. An investigation conducted by ACEREZ into how the site on Wiradjuri country, near Mudgee, was irreparably damaged found "failures in site design and on-site construction protocols". The site had been identified in the project's planning approval.
Mayors call for adequate funding as Great Western Highway partial closure passes 100 days
New South Wales Central West leaders have described $10,000 payments for businesses impacted by the closure of the Great Western Highway as "pathetic" and demanded more support. The state government is expected to decide how it will fix the cracked and moving Mitchell's Causeway at Mount Victoria later this month after it was closed due to instability in March. The NSW government released a $3.5 million support package to "buffer" businesses and councils from the financial impacts of the closure.
Program: Popular K-POP tourism site re-opened
A Blue Mountains cliff top beauty spot is reopening to the public after being forced to close because masses of fans of a Korean pop music star followed her lead and visited. When she posted a photo of herself on the cliff in 2023, no one knew that the image would inspire thousands of fans to flock to the NSW site to take selfies. Featured: David King, Gundungurra elder Mark Greenhill, Blue Mountains Mayor People queuing for a photo at Lincoln's Rock in Wentworth Falls, November 2025.
Lincolns Rock in Blue Mountains to reopen to walk-in visitors only
A cliff made famous by a Korean pop star in the Blue Mountains will reopen to walk-in visitors only. Lincolns Rock in Wentworth Falls was shut in late January due to safety concerns after 2,000 people visited the site per day during peak periods. Hundreds of visitors were queuing along the soft sandstone to take the same photo K-pop singer Jennie Kim from Blackpink shared with millions of her Instagram followers in 2023.
Emirates proposes increase in helicopter flights at luxury Wolgan Valley resort
Emirates has lodged an application to increase the number of helicopter flights for its Wolgan Valley resort from 28 per week to 210. The company says it still plans to reopen later this year with luxury four-wheel drives, even if the increase is not approved. Emirates is preparing a report that will respond to submissions about the proposal.
Alleged Bathurst bomb maker charged with endangering someone's life
A man accused of making bombs at a secret home laboratory near Bathurst has been charged with endangering someone's life by negligently handling explosives. The Bathurst Local Court heard Paul Stephen Lowry had been charged with more than a dozen further offences related to the discovery of an alleged explosives facility in the small village of Perthville in New South Wales.
Wiradjuri community devastated by destruction of rock shelter by ACEREZ
Members of the Wiradjuri community say a renewable energy company must be held to account for the "inexcusable" destruction of an Aboriginal rock shelter it promised to protect. ACEREZ has apologised for demolishing the site beyond repair while its workers cleared land near Mudgee to build power lines for the NSW Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
Renewables company ACEREZ destroys Indigenous rock shelter
A renewable energy company has admitted it knew about an Indigenous rock shelter in Central West New South Wales that its workers have damaged beyond repair. ACEREZ has apologised for destroying the site in the Mudgee district while clearing land for power lines to connect the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) to the grid.
Sentencing of Daniel Billings for murder of Molly Ticehurst delayed
The sentencing of the man who murdered childcare worker Molly Ticehurst has been delayed after his lawyers submitted evidence he had a "severe form of depression" when he killed her. Daniel Billings pleaded guilty in November to murdering Ms Ticehurst in April 2024 at her home in the NSW Central West town of Forbes. Flowers were laid outside Molly Ticehurst's Forbes home after Daniel Billings murdered her in April 2024.
Bathurst man charged with making explosives as police search continues at his home
A man accused of making explosives has been refused bail as a major police operation at his Bathurst home in the New South Wales Central West enters its third day. Paul Stephen Lowry appeared in Parramatta's online bail division court on Thursday, charged with possessing, supplying or making explosives for unlawful purposes and two counts of not keeping a gun safely. Court documents allege the offences occurred on Wednesday morning in the Bathurst suburb of Perthville.
Businesses plead for financial help as partial Great Western Highway closure makes them unviable
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Businesses plead for financial help as partial Great Western Highway closure makes them unviable
Lithgow community members have asked why the state government has not yet provided a support package to the area after businesses shed staff and reduced hours. Government representatives held information sessions and a community meeting this week as the Victoria Pass closure ticks over two months. The NSW government says it continues to explore options to financially support affected businesses.
Newmont's Cadia gold mine aims to fix earthquake damage in five weeks
One of the country's largest gold mines expects to reopen its underground facility in five weeks after an earthquake rattled the New South Wales Central West. Below ground operations at Newmont's Cadia site have been suspended since a magnitude-4.5 quake hit earlier this month. The epicentre was recorded just south-west of the mine, and was the region's biggest on record.
Upper Lachlan shire first NSW council to scrap green bin collection amid uncertain fuel supplies
The NSW Upper Lachlan Shire Council will stop green bin collections to save fuel. The council said it needed to reserve its diesel for essential services like road grading and red bin waste collection. Residents will be able to drop off their green waste at the tip for free instead. Some towns and villages in the NSW Southern Tablelands will be among the state's first to have their green bin collections canned amid fuel supply uncertainty.
Record earthquake near Cadia gold mine sparks calls for more monitors
When mechanic Dave Cowan felt his NSW Central West home rattle on Tuesday night, he thought there had been an explosion. "All of a sudden I heard this great big rumble then bang," he said. "The house just felt like it moved four inches … it was frightening." The movement split apart the cornices from his ceiling in the kitchen and lounge room of his Forest Reefs house.
Newmont's Cadia gold mine suspends underground operations after earthquake in Orange
One of the country's largest gold mines has suspended underground operations after an earthquake in New South Wales's Central West. A magnitude-4.5 quake occurred at 8:19pm on Tuesday just west of Newmont's Cadia mine site near Orange. Large parts of New South Wales as far away as Ulladulla and Goulburn experienced tremors last night. It was a record-breaking earthquake for the region.
Inquiry hears Parkes school expects to lose students if waste incinerator is built
A parliamentary inquiry has heard a NSW regional school predicts it will lose students if a waste incinerator is built a few kilometres away from its campus. A NSW upper house committee is investigating proposed energy from waste incinerators that would burn Sydney's red bin rubbish to produce electricity. The regional areas of Parkes, Tomago, Lithgow and Goulburn were picked by the previous state government as suitable locations for the waste plants.
Weddings cancelled after road to Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains fails
The only road into Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine in the Blue Mountains will be shut to visitors indefinitely from Friday. The Blue Mountains City Council said the Mount Wilson Road has become too dangerous after March rain caused the road to have "significant" ground movement. The council is undertaking geotechnical analysis and planning studies to fix the damage. A Blue Mountains garden has been forced to cancel weddings as the only road into its village shuts to visitors indefinitely.
'Surreal' feeling as snow falls in March across parts of New South Wales Original
By Lani Oataway and Tim Fookes, ABC The Southern Hemisphere is still in the first month of autumn, but snow is already falling in parts of New South Wales. Temperatures have dropped to single digits across much of south-eastern Australia, with some areas in the Central and Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains plunging below zero. Property owners in the regions of Orange and Millthorpe woke this morning to snow falling on their lawns.
Great Western Highway to remain closed for at least three months
The Great Western Highway will remain shut for at least three months, with the NSW government warning the situation is "incredibly serious". It is expected to announce additional trains, buses and coaches to help Blue Mountains and Central West communities with the closure of the main road link between Sydney and western NSW. "This is not a short-term repair job," Regional Roads and Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said in a statement.
Cracks shut Great Western Highway's Convict Bridge for at least two weeks
A crucial bridge that links Sydney to the state's Central West on the Great Western Highway will be shut for at least a fortnight while specialists assess why it is moving and cracking. Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) closed the Convict Bridge in both directions on Victoria Pass in the Blue Mountains early on Monday morning, after instability was detected at the site.
Teenage bushwalker found dead in the Blue Gum Forest in Blue Mountains National Park
A 16-year-old bushwalker has been found dead in a creek in the Blue Mountains National Park. Police say he and his 17-year-old friend travelled to Leura train station on Tuesday before walking to Mount Hay to begin a three-day hike. Just before 6pm on Tuesday the two walkers became separated and the older hiker activated his personal locator beacon. Police launched a land and air search for the pair and the 17-year-old was winched to safety from the Acacia Flat campground in the Blue Gum Forest.
Emirates Wolgan Valley luxury hotel reopens despite lack of road access
One of the country's most expensive resorts will use four-wheel drives to reopen in a remote valley near the Blue Mountains while its main road remains closed. Dubai-based airline Emirates have confirmedthe Wolgan Valley resort will be operational again in the third quarter of 2026 after being closed for more than two-and-a-half years.
Blue Mountains council closes Lincoln's Rock lookout after safety concerns
An iconic Blue Mountains viewpoint will be temporarily shut after a viral social media post results in "alarming" tourist numbers. The council will install safety infrastructure at Lincoln's Rock in a bid to prevent a tragedy and protect the environment. The Wentworth Falls landmark will be closed until April, when significant limits on visitors and tour buses will be put in place.
The King of Rock and Roll transcends language and culture at the Parkes Elvis Festival
While English is not Toki Toyokazu's first language, it has not stopped him from stepping into Elvis Presley's iconic blue suede shoes. Hailing from Aomori, Japan, the tribute artist has travelled around the world performing hits from the "King of Rock and Roll". Mr Toyokazu is part of a growing international presence at the Parkes Elvis Festival. "Singing his songs, [it] makes me friends with people all over the world — no-one is loved as much as he is," he said. Loading...
Tiny school's effort to save rare butterfly
An iridescent insect that loves to sunbake has been deemed one of the country's most at-risk butterflies. The 'flying jewel' Purple Copper Butterfly only lives in isolated pockets on the NSW Central Tablelands.
Kids at tiny school work to save extremely rare 'flying jewel' purple copper butterfly
Kids at a tiny regional school are on a mission to save one of Australia's extremely rare butterflies. The purple copper butterfly is the size of a 10-cent piece only lives in small pockets of habitat on the New South Wales Central Tablelands. The "flying jewel" is known for its iridescent wings, which glint with shades of purple, blue, copper and green in the sunlight. Threatened species officer Alison Cowie says sunbaking is one of the butterfly's favourite activities.
Newmont's Cadia Gold Mine to spend $300,000 on monitors after dust incidents
The owner of one of Australia's largest gold mines will spend more than $300,000 on air monitoring equipment after two dust incidents. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has entered a legally binding agreement with Newmont, the operator of the Cadia Gold Mine near Orange on the NSW Central Tablelands. The enforceable undertaking dictated that the company would spend $307,500 on five new monitoring stations for the state government's Rural Dust Monitoring Network.
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