MORNING BRIEFING: Dozens of firefighters from South Australia head to New South Wales as back-up for weary RFS workers, and two people are fined after a banner is hung from the Harbour Bridge.

A-League newcomers Western United draws its first home game, 1-1 against Perth, as the The F3 Derby between the Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets ends in the same scoreline.

The sudden closure of two aged care facilities on the New South Wales Central Coast has renewed concerns about the financial viability of Australias private aged care sector.

NSW Police says officers were called to a house in Erina last night in response to a domestic dispute between neighbours and found flames coming from the window.

A ride-share driver is charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm after he allegedly ran down a group of teenagers while under the influence of alcohol on the central coast in the early hours of the morning.

A judge denies bail to an 18-year-old ride-share driver accused of getting into an argument with a group of passengers before ramming his car into two of them.

Taxis and the rideshare industry warn of the dangers of underground "lifts for cash" advertised on social media.

Private collectors snap up dozens of artefacts from the Third Reich at an auction, showing the popularity and value of Nazi military memorabilia is on the rise.

An 18-year-old Parkes man is charged with murder and firearms offences police allege he shot his neighbour after a dispute over barking dogs and said the two men "were not great friends".

Extensive DNA testing has confirmed a body found in a burnt-out car in NSW's south-west is that of missing Illawarra man, Gary Pearce.

Norm Henderson knows what it's like to be in the darkness of drug addiction, but even he has been surprised by the grip ice has on smaller towns and communities.

Water allocations for farmers and communities in western NSW are reduced in new plans released today.

AFL great Neale Daniher is named the 2019 Victorian of the Year in recognition of his advocacy to find a cure for the fatal motor neurone disease he was diagnosed with six years ago.

NSW government-owned energy supplier Essential Energy is expected to cut 165 across regional New South Wales, according to the Electrical Trades Union.

When speculation grew that a reigning British monarch would step down from the throne, it jeopardised the publication of a cookbook organised by one of Australia's largest community associations.

Alexei Popyrin took a set off 11th seed Daniil Medvedev but lost in four sets.

When is a lamb a lamb and what difference can it make to the price and the flavour?

A pilot killed in a plane crash that also claimed the life of his passenger in South Australia's outback is a south Queensland businessman and horse stud owner.

The world number one and French Open champion lost 3-6 6-2 6-3 in a ferocious battle with 55th-ranked American Alison Riske.

The Australian called the loss 'tough' but says she has no regrets in her preparation after she crashed out of Wimbledon.

John Burrows died at his mother's garage in Portland near Lithgow in 2015, with a bomb expert telling his murder trial he had never seen a device like the one used to kill the 58-year-old.

When Kevin Gallegos carpooled to work one cold Canberra morning the day ahead wouldn't be typical he and the rest of the team at the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station would be instrumental in bringing live footage of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon back to Earth.

Despite a tightening supply and smaller yields due to dry conditions, the value of Australia's wine exports has continued to grow.

Researchers swap lab coats for waders and wellies in a quest to battle a tiny parasite that threatens the $150 million dollar tuna industry.

A motion calling for a royal commission into the MDBP narrowly passes on the final day of the NSW Farmers Conference.

Park benches in neighbourhood parks across the country are being painted bright red to encourage people to take a stand against domestic violence.

Caroline Harte is mostly confined to her bed after a fall at work. While her insurer completes modifications to her home she sleeps next to a portable toilet and shower.

The Tristar Medical Group's chain of 50 clinics across regional Australia has been under "significant financial stress for 18 months" resulting in doctors often not being paid for weeks or months.

Parents of children attending regional and rural schools are calling for a commonsense approach in the wake of the NSW Government's crackdown on school enrolment caps and out-of-area enrolments.

The death of one of the fiercest advocates for changing the name of the Mid Western Highway to Wiradjuri Way prompts renewed calls for change.

As the drought continues, water is being carted by train for the first time in decades to keep production on track at a NSW coal mine and secure 140 full-time jobs.

Connor Drum admits he steals food from the supermarket to supplement the Newstart payments he receives unable to find work, some in the Federal Government say he should leave the support networks he has in Canberra to search for a job in regional Australia.

The founder of an online discussion supporting hundreds trying to go dry believes drought, financial hardship, uncertainty, and isolation are causing more rural people to self-medicate with alcohol.

From their humble beginnings inside former churches, hostels and retail stores, regional conservatoriums continue to play a leading role in music education outside metropolitan areas.

In 1969 a young Australian shearer travelled to Israel to orchestrate an arson attack he believed would prompt the return of Jesus and usher in the end of the world. The consequences still ring today.

Police ask for public help to identify a man caught on CCTV leaving crime scenes in a cape in central west New South Wales.

Despite prices in the overall wool market declining, non-mulesed wool is fetching premium prices due to the demand in Europe by retail brands looking for ethically produced wool.

For years Waryk Holmes was bullied while trying to be like his able-bodied classmates. Now he's teaching them a thing or two as a wheelchair racer.

Australian scientists develop a drought-tolerant beer grain they hope will be a saving grace for some Australian farmers.

At least two houses and two businesses are destroyed in Tenterfield in northern NSW and a firefighter is suffering facial burns as crews brace for a long night ahead with four fires burning at emergency level across the state.