Morning Post Sydney

Archives
Subscribe
30 May 2026

☁️ Pink Ladies probe

Western Sydney council exec faces corruption watchdog over networking group hiring ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Morning Post

Sydney

Saturday, 30 May 2026  •  Issue #698

⛅21°/12°
Cloud clearing through the day
☀️ UV 3  •  🌅 Sunset 4:55 PM
 

Good morning. A council executive is defending recruitment decisions involving her networking circle, while loved ones gathered to remember a beloved radio voice. Plus: what goes in your chicken soup?

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

📰 Council exec quizzed over hiring from social network

📍 parkrun Sydney + 4 more events

🍳 Recipe of the Week: Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup

🕰️ On this day in 1967: The state of Biafra declared independence from Nigeria, beginning a...

Today's Sydney

Council exec quizzed over hiring from social network

A Parramatta official is answering questions at a corruption inquiry about appointing a colleague she'd known through a group called the Pink Ladies. The watchdog heard recruitment protocols were bypassed.

via ABC Sydney

Public farewell for ABC presenter draws packed crowd

The Governor-General joined TV personalities Richard Roxburgh, Julia Morris and Gretel Killeen at a memorial service for James Valentine in Sydney.

via The Guardian Sydney

Blues skipper slots clutch major from downtown

Patrick Cripps took a towering grab and converted a long-range goal late in Carlton's match.

via Sydney Morning Herald🔒 paywall

Around Australia

Teen's desperate swim after shark tore away his side

A 14-year-old boy survived a catastrophic attack and twenty operations to rebuild his abdomen after losing much of his left torso.

via ABC News

Minister dismisses property lobby's rental warning as spin

Mark Butler says investor groups have vested interests after forecasts claimed Labor's tax changes would harm renters.

via SBS News

Around the World

Man pleads guilty to aiding deaths globally through poison sales — Kenneth Law admitted Canadian charges but families want UK prosecution over 79 British deaths.

via BBC World

Ebola fatality rate hits up to 50% in Congo outbreak — WHO chief calls for ceasefire among armed groups as he arrives in DRC to coordinate response.

via The Guardian World

What’s On: Weekends Out 🌲

This week: Mabo Day

Centennial Park (and 30+ other Sydney locations)

parkrun Sydney

Every Saturday 8am

Join thousands for a free timed 5km walk or run every Saturday morning across 30-plus Sydney locations.

Free

Whale watching cruises

Witness the annual humpback migration from the harbour on a guided whale watching cruise this season.

Traditional candy making demonstration

Watch old-fashioned sweets being handcrafted in this free demonstration perfect for grandparents and grandkids alike.

Free
Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney

Parasites Exhibition

14 Mar – 14 Jun

A fascinating dive into the world of leeches, ticks and mosquitoes — part of the Biennale of Sydney. Free entry.

Free

The mad botanist: family adventure

Follow clues through botanical gardens on this playful treasure hunt designed for families exploring together outdoors.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Recipe of the Week

Every Saturday we share a recipe worth trying.

Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Serves 6-8 · 1 hour 15 minutes

Perfect for cooler months, this nourishing soup is packed with vegetables and tender chicken. Make a big batch and freeze portions for easy meals when you're not feeling your best.

1.5kg whole chicken or chicken pieces, 2 litres water or chicken stock, 2 carrots, diced, 2 celery stalks, diced, 1 large brown onion, diced, 2 potatoes, peeled and diced, 1 cup frozen corn kernels, ½ cup pearl barley or small pasta, 2 bay leaves, Fresh parsley, chopped, Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Place chicken in a large pot with water or stock and bay leaves. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, skimming any foam from the surface.

2. Remove chicken and set aside to cool slightly. Add carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, and barley to the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

3. Meanwhile, shred the chicken meat from the bones, discarding skin and bones. The meat will come away easily when it's properly cooked.

4. Return shredded chicken to the pot along with corn. Simmer for another 10 minutes to heat through.

5. Season generously with salt and pepper, remove bay leaves, and stir through fresh parsley just before serving.

6. Serve piping hot with crusty bread and butter. This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavours develop.

📊 Today's Poll

Chicken soup — noodles or rice?

NoodlesRice

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

A woman sees the same man at two weddings on the same day. He is not a guest at either. Who is he?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

🧠 Today's Featured Game

Trivia

Australia · 7 questions · ~2 min

What is the name of the Australian river system that is the longest in the country, flowing through multiple states before reaching the Southern Ocean?

A) Darling River
B) Murray-Darling River System
C) Murrumbidgee River
D) Lachlan River
Play the Quiz →
💡 Word Ladder · 4 steps→
MANE → ??? → TAIL
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Rub out

On This Day

Anniversary of

• The state of Biafra declared independence from Nigeria, beginning a civil war that would last until 1970. (1967)

• King Henry VIII of England married Jane Seymour, his third wife, eleven days after the execution of Anne Boleyn. (1536)

• Spain became the 16th member of NATO, marking a significant shift in the post-Franco era. (1982)

• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing approximately 4,000 people and destroying entire villages. (1998)

🎂 Born on this day: American actor and director Clint Eastwood (1930), English footballer Steven Gerrard (1980), and Australian rugby league legend Darren Lockyer (1977).

Brainteaser Answer
The photographer.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

I've reached the age where I know all the answers, nobody's asking the questions.

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

Founding Supporter — limited spots

We’re capping the number of Founding Supporters. Your name goes on the wall, and you’ll always be part of how this started.

Claim your spot

$5/month or $50/year.

How was today's edition?

★★★★★
Not greatLoved it

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.

 

Advertise   ·   Editorial policy   ·   Unsubscribe

Sponsors and advertising help keep Morning Post free. We only partner with brands relevant to our readers. Morning Post is an independent publication — news summaries are original editorial content with links to source articles.

Produced with human editorial judgement and AI-assisted writing tools. How we work.

Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Morning Post Sydney: