Not content with a five-stroke lead, Geoff Ogilvy strode intently to the practice
range after seizing command of the Australian Open at The Lakes on Saturday.

Locusts are swarming in Victoria's north and are heading south, says the Department
of Primary Industries (DPI).

Panic food buying is threatening to cause problems in the central Queensland town of
Emerald as floodwaters sweep across the region, says the local mayor.

Natural disaster zones have been declared in flood-hit parts of regional NSW and
$500 million has been wiped off the state's predicted $3.2 billion bumper crop

Rio Tinto Ltd and state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) have agreed
to establish a joint venture in China to explore for mineral deposits in the Asian
nation.

Former Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk has lauded the transforming powers of Australian
Rules football after winning the Madden Medal.

A Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to sex offences against a 16-year-old boy at a
NSW boarding school in 1990.

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan has inspected flood damage in northwest Victoria on his
first day of official duties.

Wagga Wagga residents will be briefed on evacuation procedures as the city joins a
growing list of NSW centres on alert amid rising flood levels.

Despite a heavy heart, rising Victorian golfer Matthew Griffin seized the clubhouse
lead with a flawless opening round at the Australian Open at The Lakes on Thursday.