Sydney news

An Angaston couple escape injury after an out-of-control ute crashes into their home causing more than $100,000 in damage early Christmas morning.

A teenager who was out with a group of friends drowns while swimming in a public pool in Victoria's east in the early hours of this morning.

Queensland church leaders call on the community to forget tragedies and conflict this Christmas and embrace a spirit of togetherness.

A man records a blood alcohol reading more than three times the legal limit early on Christmas morning at Alberton.

Christmas is a perfect time to create community spirit, according to some Adelaide residents who make a special effort.

In 2015, Canberra met Chris the record-breaking sheep and collectively cringed with horror when Nick Kyrgios sledged Stan Wawrinka. It was also a year in which domestic violence hit home, the first Mr Fluffy demolition took place and Uber made its arrival in the ACT.

Two Canberra veterinarians say their "dog blitz" clinics in remote Northern Territory Aboriginal communities are dramatically improving living conditions for both animals and their owners.

Police in Dubbo recapture a fugitive who was at large since early November.

The Western Sydney Wanderers increase their lead at the top of the ladder to five points after a 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets in Parramatta in the Christmas Eve A-League clash.

Santa's visit to the community of Kurnell in southern Sydney lifts the spirit of children and parents alike after a severe tornado swept through a week ago.

Clive Palmer's bid to be able to gain more voting power over villa owners at Palmer Coolum Resort is dismissed by the Federal Court.

A group of mountain climbers did everything they could to save a woman who died after falling 300 metres onto a glacier at Footstool mountain in New Zealand, local police say.

ABC Great Southern highlights some of the stories of 2015.

Australian hopeful Thanasi Kokkinakis rules himself out of the Australian Open and all its lead-up events, saying his shoulder injury has not healed as expected.

Started nearly 40 years ago by a former psychiatric nurse, a privately run boarding house disability service in a small town west of Sydney, has become like an extended family, which like many others, gathers together at Christmas.

A former Kimberley pastoralist, Jim Motter, reflects on his life at Bulka Station.

WA Labor backs calls from the racing industry for a swift decision on the future of the TAB.

Barbecue Christmas dinners are off the menu for thousands of South Australians as fire bans are declared in 12 districts.

Police investigating the death of a 20-year-old man who was found fatally injured in an alleyway in Sydney's south are seeking a man who made a triple-0 call from a payphone nearby.

A man is charged after a container of suspected hydrochloric acid explodes at a motel in north Queensland.

After years of losing shoppers to suburban malls, Hobart's CBD appears to have brought them back this Christmas.

Barbecue Christmas dinners are off the menu for thousands of South Australians as fire bans are declared in 12 districts.

Both Western Australian farm lobby groups say better mobile communication in the regions is what they would like for Christmas.

Two crabbers are found safe after spending the night in mangroves next to a crocodile-infested creek in Darwin after their boat overturned in stormy weather.

Police investigating the death of a 20-year-old man who was found dead in an alleyway in Sydney's south seek a man who made a triple-0 call from a payphone nearby.

The animals at Adelaide Zoo and the National Zoo in Canberra get into the Christmas spirit, enjoying special treats wrapped as presents.

Airline investigators may take up to a year to determine the cause of a flight diversion to Darwin earlier this week with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirming it considered the event a "serious incident".

A Melbourne priest accused of sexual abuse apologises to his parish for "any hurt or disappointment" his behaviour caused following revelations a church investigation found his conduct inconsistent with his duties.

Tourism operators increasingly use bloggers, Instagrammers and those with large social media followings to promote their experiences online, a social media expert says.

The monsoonal weather over the Top End brings some record rainfall readings and sees a boat overturn in rough seas.

Perth pet owners are making sure their beloved animals do not miss out this Christmas.

Work for the Dole participants on Tasmania's west coast uncover history in Queenstown's Pioneer Cemetery.

Retailers are into the final hours of Christmas shopping, with the forecast for sales expected to be up on this time last year.

Present handouts by the Kerr family at Royal Darwin Hospital children's ward before Christmas 2015.

A 12-year-old boy charged over an attack on a motorcyclist, who was knocked off his bike by rope tied across the street, is remanded in custody ahead of Christmas.

The injury-hit Sydney Kings are set to turn to assistant coach Ben Knight to suit up as bench cover for Sunday's NBL clash with NZ Breakers.

Farmers in Queensland's Granite Belt clean up after severe storms wipe out crops and damage homes.

A golf buggy carrying a 12-year-old plunges off a cliff in north Queensland.

South Australia's consumer watchdog is taking legal action against an Adelaide travel agent for allegedly ripping off customers and leaving them stranded at the airport with no ticket.

A 17-year-old girl used a machete to hit an Uber driver around the head before trying to steal his car, a Brisbane court hears.

What do you do when you live four hours from the beaches and theme parks but want to cool off? Build your own waterslide from what is lying around the farm.

The moment you walk into Libby's Local in Collinsville, it comes across as a colourful, vibrant craft shop, but it is much more.

Jim Maxwell calls on the West Indies to surprise us with a battling performance in the Boxing Day Test.

Bundaberg police say they're saddened Queensland's first holiday road fatality happened in their region.

The Light Regional Council says it has waived what it can of building fees for those who lost structures in last month's Pinery fire.

Labor MP Peter Watson says the Western Australian Government needs to get on with building a planned natural gas pipeline between Albany and Bunbury or scrap the idea altogether.

Dozens of people dressed in festive attire take part in a charity surfing event on one of Perth's best-known beaches.

Four children are placed into care as police investigate a "heinous" case involving at least one child being locked up at a property near Taree, on the NSW mid-north coast, housing an elaborate hydroponic drug set-up.

A Victorian woman has died after a crash between a car and truck east of Waikerie in South Australia's Riverland yesterday.

West Australians scramble to scoop up their last minute Christmas Day menu items at stores across Perth, with seafood bargains prompting people to queue from the early hours of the morning.