Uniformed officers formed a guard of honour stretching hundreds of metres as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson was laid to rest at the Victoria Police Academy on Monday. More than 3,000 mourners, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, gathered to farewell the 59-year-old veteran, described by friends as having the “Steve Irwin gene” – fearless, adventurous, and larger than life.

Thompson was one of two officers killed on August 26 while serving a warrant in Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne. His death, just days before his retirement, left the police community reeling.

A love story written in uniform

His partner, Sergeant Lisa Thompson, delivered a tearful tribute, recalling how their first shift together at Wangaratta Police Station in 2016 changed her life forever.

“We worked one shift together and it changed the course of my life,” she told the packed chapel. “I had never laughed so much with someone I’d just met.”

Though “opposites in every way,” the couple became “unstoppable” together. Neal, a keen fisherman, hunter, and Essendon Football Club supporter, formed a close bond with Lisa’s children. Every day, he’d greet them with a cheeky: “Hey midget, have you done your push ups?”

Their final weekend together was spent on their farm — working, dining, and gazing at the stars. “Honey, I’m so grateful you taught me to be brave,” Lisa said, vowing to carry forward their shared dreams.

A career built on courage

Joining Victoria Police in 1987, Thompson rose through the ranks, serving at the Major Fraud Squad, the State Crime Squad, and later the Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit. Colleagues remembered a man who seemed indestructible.

Veteran officer Paul Campbell joked that Neal had already survived being shot, stabbed, rolled in car crashes, and even beaten cancer. “He had also been in 16 police collisions — actually 17, a couple of weeks ago,” Campbell said, drawing bittersweet laughter from the crowd.

Despite his brushes with danger, Neal never lost his humour or determination. “He was the man you called when you needed a crook to talk, or something found in a raid,” said Leading Senior Constable Timothy Doyle, adding: “You went through the door first and I owe you my life for that.”

The adventurer with a fearless streak

Thompson’s mates described him as a thrill-seeker whose courage bordered on reckless. Long-time friend Jason Williams recalled a trip to the Northern Territory two decades ago:

“Out of the blue, he started walking barefoot through the long grass after a king brown snake, dragging six-foot sharks into a 12-foot boat, or jumping waist-deep into waters inhabited by crocodiles.”

It was that wild streak — dubbed the “Steve Irwin gene” — that defined his zest for life, a mix of humour, danger, and unshakable loyalty.

A community in mourning

Photos of Thompson were displayed beside his medals, including the Victoria Police Star, awarded posthumously. His sister Lois Kirk described him as “the golden boy, the adventurer, the protector,” who joked he didn’t need a will because he was “never going to die.”

The service echoed the funeral held days earlier for Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, the second officer killed in the same ambush. De Waart-Hottart’s Belgian parents attended, as did the surviving injured officer.

For many, the tragedy underscored the dangers officers face daily. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Thompson had been “robbed of a very well-deserved retirement” after 38 years of dedicated service.

A farewell fit for a hero

The hearse carrying Thompson’s coffin passed under the salute of hundreds of uniformed officers. The silence was broken only by the sound of boots striking pavement and quiet sobs from the crowd.

His legacy now lives on in the stories told by family, colleagues, and friends who saw him not just as a policeman, but as a mentor, partner, and fearless adventurer.

As Australia remembers Neal Thompson, his courage stands as a reminder of the risks carried by those in blue — and of the extraordinary humanity behind the badge.

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Coastal (NSW) New South Wales is once again under threat as the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts a “dynamic” and potentially destructive weather system developing off the state’s north coast this weekend. Starting Friday night, residents from the Hunter region through Sydney to the Illawarra are being urged to prepare for damaging winds, hazardous surf, and flash floods, reminiscent of the recent coastal low that battered the region earlier this month.

The BoM confirmed that a deepening low-pressure system is expected to form offshore, bringing widespread rain and gale-force winds, with gusts potentially reaching up to 90km/h along coastal fringes. This storm, while still evolving, could trigger severe weather warnings across multiple regions by Saturday.

“We may well be issuing severe weather warnings for heavy rain, damaging winds and hazardous coastal conditions,” said Christie Johnson, senior meteorologist at BoM, during Wednesday morning’s briefing.

A Storm Brewing: What to Expect

According to Jiwon Park, meteorologist at BoM, the exact trajectory and intensity of the storm system are still being modelled. However, early indicators suggest that this could be one of the most impactful weather events of the winter season for NSW.

“This is a dynamic weather event, and forecasts may change before the weekend,” Park said. “But typically, these systems bring impactful weather in terms of wind, rain, and surf conditions.”

Residents woke up to cold and wet conditions on Wednesday across central and eastern NSW, with rainfall expected to increase in both intensity and frequency as the weekend approaches. Some parts of the Hunter, Central Coast, and Sydney metropolitan areas could receive between 50mm and 100mm of rain daily.

Emergency Preparations Underway

In light of the forecast, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) issued pre-emptive warnings and urged residents to stay alert. Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan advised locals to have a response plan ready and to monitor alerts through the Hazards Near Me app.

“That means planning what you will do and where you will go if you are impacted by severe weather,” Hogan stressed.

She also reminded the public that catchments across NSW remain saturated from recent storms, increasing the risk of rapid river rises and flash flooding.

“Many areas are still vulnerable. Flash flooding and renewed river rises are very much possible with this forecasted rainfall,” Hogan warned.

The BoM further warned of hazardous coastal conditions, with the potential for coastal erosion—especially in areas north of Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads, as a second low-pressure system may follow closely on Sunday.

BoM’s Forecast: Rain, Winds, and Even Snow

By Saturday, the peak of the storm is expected. Meteorological models are showing signs of intensified rainfall accompanied by sustained winds of up to 60km/h, with higher gusts hitting the coast.

The BoM has even flagged the potential for snowfall above 1,000 metres in the central and northern ranges, extending the reach of this storm beyond typical alpine zones. These conditions could lead to disruptions on transport routes, particularly in elevated inland regions.

A Reminder of July’s Earlier Fury

Just weeks ago, NSW experienced a similarly violent system that left tens of thousands without power and saw over 1,300 calls to the SES within a single 24-hour period. The memory of that chaotic storm is still fresh, and authorities are not taking any chances this time.

With winter far from over, authorities are reinforcing the message: Be informed. Be ready. Be safe.

“This is not a drill,” Johnson reiterated. “Storms like this can escalate quickly, and while it may look calm now, the models suggest a serious shift is on the way.”

Safety Tips for the Weekend

The NSW SES and BoM are urging residents to:

• Download the Hazards Near Me app for real-time alerts
• Prepare a go-kit with essentials in case of evacuation
• Stay away from flooded roads and creeks
• Secure loose outdoor items that could become flying hazards
• Check on neighbours, especially the elderly and those in low-lying areas

With the potential for flash flooding, damaging winds, and coastal inundation, coastal NSW could be in for another turbulent weekend.

If you’re living in NSW this weekend, all eyes should be on the skies—and the BoM forecast updates. The next 72 hours could determine whether this is just another rainy weekend or a dangerous weather event that once again tests the resilience of coastal communities.

Stay safe, stay informed, and keep checking Daily Global Diary for the latest updates.

A horrific motorbike crash on the Monash Freeway in Melbourne has left one rider fighting for life and another under arrest, shaking the city’s weekend traffic and prompting a full-scale investigation by the Major Collision Investigation Unit.

At approximately 12:47 PM on Saturday, two motorcycles were reportedly traveling in tandem along the Monash Freeway near the Wellington Road exit in Wheelers Hill, when tragedy struck. According to Victoria Police, one of the motorbikes collided violently with a car under unclear circumstances. The crash instantly caused major traffic disruption across Melbourne’s south-east corridor.

The rider involved in the collision suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital by emergency medical teams. His identity has not been released. In a shocking development, the second motorcyclist, who was not physically injured, has since been arrested at the scene and is expected to be interviewed by police in relation to the incident.

“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,” Victoria Police said in an official statement.

While the driver of the car involved in the crash stopped and cooperated with authorities, the situation remains tense as traffic was severely impacted across multiple lanes of the Monash Freeway. Only one lane remains open in both directions between Wellington Road and Springvale Road, causing chaos for commuters on one of Melbourne’s busiest roadways.

The Scene of the Crash

Eyewitnesses report a disturbing scene at the site of the collision. Several emergency vehicles, including paramedic units and police patrols, arrived promptly, while investigators cordoned off the area to collect evidence. The Major Collision Investigation Unit, a specialized team within the Victoria Police, is now handling the case and examining whether speed, lane behavior, or other contributing factors played a role.

The crash has revived serious conversations about motorcycle safety in Australia, particularly the dangers of group riding at high speeds on metropolitan highways.

Traffic Mayhem in Melbourne

The Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) issued a strong advisory for motorists to avoid the area altogether. According to their official X (formerly Twitter) account:

“Motorists should instead use Ferntree Gully Rd, Springvale Rd, and Wellington Rd to re-enter the freeway or exit earlier at Forster Rd or Blackburn Rd.”

Those heading towards the Melbourne CBD were urged to exit at Police Road and reroute via Princes Highway and Blackburn Road to ease congestion.

The unexpected traffic delays have affected thousands of drivers, including weekend travelers, commercial freight carriers, and emergency services trying to navigate through alternate routes.

A Broader Pattern?

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), motorbike riders remain one of the most vulnerable road users in the country. In 2023 alone, over 200 motorcyclist fatalities were recorded nationwide. The vast majority of those crashes occurred on highways, often involving other vehicles.

The incident also brings attention back to Monash Freeway’s high-risk zones, particularly the stretch near Wheelers Hill, which has seen multiple accidents in the past 18 months.

Legal Implications

The arrest of the second rider adds a dramatic twist to an already tragic event. According to Victoria Police, the man will be questioned about his role leading up to the accident. While it’s too early to determine whether he will face charges, the decision to detain him signals that investigators believe more factors are at play.

“Anytime we have two motorbikes riding closely together and one ends up critically injured, we have to consider potential road offences or dangerous behavior,” said Detective Sergeant Marcus Linton, an expert on road trauma cases.

Community Reaction

Local residents and drivers have taken to social media to express their frustration and concern. A Melbourne driver who was stuck on the Monash for over 90 minutes wrote:

“It’s scary. You don’t expect to see a bike helmet on the road and someone lying beside it. My heart breaks for the family of that rider.”

A Call for Safety

This tragedy is a reminder that even on a weekend, even during daylight, the roads demand attention and respect. Whether you’re in a car or on a bike, lives can change — or end — in the blink of an eye.

Melbourne authorities continue to urge safe driving, adherence to speed limits, and defensive road behavior, particularly on high-speed motorways like the Monash.

As the Major Collision Investigation Unit works around the clock to determine the cause of Saturday’s crash, Melbourne’s drivers are left navigating not just traffic delays, but a renewed sense of road fragility.

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