A Yacht Race in the Tasman Sea

We are looking for the historic port city of Tasmania where the yachts are heading from Sydney.

Australia’s ‘Stolen Generation’

For nearly 100 years, the Australian government forcibly took children from Aborigine families and placed them with white families. These children became known as the “Stolen Generations.” Most of these children remained in Australia, but a small number was taken abroad.

A Cardboard Cathedral for Christchurch

Local leaders have planned to build a temporary replacement for a 150-year-old Cathedral that was destroyed in the earthquake in February.

Australia Calls for Media Probe into Phone-Hacking Scandal

Britain’s phone hacking scandal is reverberating in Australia, where Rupert Murdoch got his start.

Australia’s Fractious Climate Debate

The political battle on climate change intensifies in Australia.

Australia carbon tax fight

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Phil Mercer reports on the heated debate in Australia over a proposed carbon tax. The government says the tax would help fight greenhouse gas emissions, but some of Australia’s most powerful interests are against it. Download MP3

Australia hoping for Oprah effect

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Oprah Winfrey is filming some of the last episodes of her TV show in Sydney, Australia. And the Australian government is hoping Oprah will provide a much-needed boost to the country’s sagging tourism industry. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney.

Whale rider wanted by Australian officials

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An Australian teenager allegedly went on a dangerous joyride. An eye-witness says the boy climbed onto the back of a southern right whale off the western coast of Australia and “rode” on its back. The report has caught the attention of the authorities, and they are not amused. Anchor Lisa Mullins gets details from the BBC’s Phil Mercer in Sydney. (Photo: electropod/Flickr) Download MP3

Australia’s Gold Coast Islamic center

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Residents in Australia’s fastest-growing region have formed a protest group to oppose plans to build an Islamic centre on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney. (Photo: Lakemba Mosque, Sydney Credit: Paul Carson/Flickr) Download MP3

• Residents against mosque ‘have nothing to fear’
• Buddhism and Islam in America

Australian church bans secular music for funerals

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Catholic officials in Australia have issued new guidelines that ban secular music from being played during funerals. It’s meant to guard against music choices that aren’t considered “solemn” enough for the event. Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more from the BBC’s Phil Mercer in Sydney. (Photo: Matthew Perkins/Flickr)

Hot and dry

For today’s Geo Quiz we’re looking a parched part of the world. Where the skies have finally opened up. This country in the southern hemisphere has always been a hot, dry place. But lately it’s been even worse than usual. Much of it is in the grip of a 10-year drought… that’s left farms and cities alike seriously thirsty…

Sydney’s new water factory

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One of the world’s thirstiest major cities is getting a taste of things to come. Starting this winter, residents of Sydney, Australia are getting some of their drinking water from a brand new desalination plant. The plant was built after years of erratic rainfall. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney. Download MP3

• Phil Mercer’s BBC article from December 2009
• Australia.gov: Water for the Future