Katrina Swanston

Enthusiast | Storyteller | Community builder

Interested in social justice, sustainable fashion, the circular economy & so much more. Fellow @theRSAorg

[Dolly Parton @DollyParton]

Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at https://t.co/cLu9I7M2wC

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at https://t.co/arzrqInqJA

[Simon Harris @SimonHarrisMBD]

Please reach out to the Meghan Markle Helpline if you’re struggling with the latest news about the couple moving back to the UK.

[Will Nankervis @AusAmbClimate]

Accelerating clean energy deployment and electrification is key to energy security & resilience across the Pacific

This was a key theme of the Pacific Energy & Transport Ministerial in PNG 🇵🇬

See how we’re partnering with the region on climate resilient infra & renewables🎥👇

[Will Nankervis @AusAmbClimate]

Applications for the #COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion are open.

If you are ready to bring youth perspectives to the heart of the world’s biggest annual climate conference, join @DCCEEW's online information session on Tues 24 Feb at 11:00 AEDT.

https://t.co/4ufwSrvC91

[Katrina Swanston @Kaswa]

Wonderful story - what a hero!

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

A 13-year-old boy in Australia has been hailed for saving his family from drowning after they were swept out to sea.

Austin Appelbee was with his mother and two younger siblings when they got into difficulty.

He managed to swim two and a half miles to shore to raise the alarm and a search helicopter managed to find the family clinging to a paddleboard after ten hours in the water.

[Anthony Albanese @AlboMP]

Australia will not be divided by hate or violence.

We will confront it head on. And we will stand together in solidarity with Jewish Australians and with one another.

[REnew Pacific @REnewPacific]

🎉Celebrating one year of #REnewPacific! 🎉

Australia’s $75M investment is expanding clean, reliable energy for remote off-grid communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

https://t.co/FMf0t308Qa

[REnew Pacific @REnewPacific]

🌏 From the Pacific to the Pavilion! 🌏

Join @REnewPacific at #COP30 today as we showcase how Australia and Pacific partners are powering climate resilience across the Blue Pacific with clean energy!

📅 11am 17 Nov | 🏛️ Australian Pavilion
🔗 Register: https://t.co/ZwPQFkc56E

[Elizabeth Peak @OfficePacificAU]

The climate crisis is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of Pacific peoples.

Hosting a Pacific COP #COP31 will draw global attention to Pacific leadership and the urgency of the climate crisis.

@ForumSec @SenatorWong @AlboMP @PatConroy1

[Will Nankervis @AusAmbClimate]

Australia’s $75m REnew Pacific program is partnering with communities around the region to deliver off-grid renewable solutions

The Good Samaritan Hospital near Honiara🇸🇧 is now treating hundreds of patients safely at night with reliable power, thanks to a solar battery system

[The Project @theprojecttv]

Anthony Albanese criticised Bob Katter’s fiery press conference yesterday, where Katter threatened to punch a journalist who asked about his Lebanese background.

Albanese said ‘Except for the First Australians, we’re all either migrants or descendants of them.’

[Katrina Swanston @Kaswa]

Who’s going to stand up and make Nazis ashamed again? https://t.co/wYLrZrutuF

Thanks for this thoughtful, necessary article @ebony_bennett. YES. Hard to believe it's 2025 and this is actually happening.

[Katrina Swanston @Kaswa]

“We were never just numbers. We are people who had dreams like you, hopes to fulfil. We had warm and safe homes.”

Incredibly powerful storytelling about the deep tragedy of what’s happening in Gaza:

https://t.co/5ndCnJtgxR

[Katrina Swanston @Kaswa]

@abcnews A genius & complete national treasure - please stay @AntonyGreenElec!

[Craig Foster @Craig_Foster]

As a general rule to live by, if you’re on the opposite side of neo-Nazis, you’re in a good place.

Above all, this is very sad for all Australians.

That we can’t yet as a country celebrate our extraordinary, ancient history and be proud that the world’s longest enduring civilisation is ours.

We can’t yet, because we are still avoiding the full accounting of that history.

It seems to have gotten worse in recent years because of a concerted effort by organisations seeking to reverse any progress in reconciliation. We all saw the deranged messaging promoted during the referendum, about the UN taking over and other rubbish, that has normalised regression in Indigenous rights and allowed racism to ignite.

While we must all protect freedom of speech, which is only pertinent when it concerns things we vehemently disagree with, rights that have been under attack over the past year in universities and broader civic life, I thank all those who pushed back against those seeking to disrupt the welcome to country ceremony.

It’s a simple acknowledgement that we all live together on land that our own Indigenous peoples incredibly inhabited and maintained for tens of thousands of years, the world’s oldest living culture, something that should be a national badge of immense pride, not a centre of culture wars.

In any event, at some point Australia will be strong enough to acknowledge the best, and worst of our history, and bring everyone together in truth and justice.

In my view, and while none can of course know, I do reckon that’s part of what Australians of last century were fighting for. As well as against Nazis, of course, which perfectly encapsulates the stupidity of this ideology.

The rights of Indigenous people, just as yours, do not change according to how many people believe otherwise, but on the known facts of history, which are updated over time and naturally reach new conclusions, and the appropriate actions that follow from them.

Indigenous existence after millenia is a marvel, something to be immensely proud of as Australians.

[Barry Malone @malonebarry]

The greatest news interview of all time. Nothing can prepare you for what happens 20 seconds into this clip.

[Craig Foster @Craig_Foster]

In light of the data that says around 600,000 people in Australia are working below their skill level or in an unrelated industry because their skills aren’t recognised, I’ve travelled around Sydney to speak to a few people affected.

Saddiqi’s is a particularly egregious example.

An engineer, he spent years trying to get recognised while working in security, as a driver and many other odd jobs to survive.

This in spite of the shortage of skilled workers in construction.

During this time, his family suffered, his wife passed away, his whole life was directly impacted unnecessarily.

Just give us a chance to prove ourselves, he said, if we don’t square up, boot us. But at least give us a program to bridge the gaps, cultural or otherwise.

Makes perfect sense to me.

And works for us all, boosting lives, helping hundreds of thousands of families, creating additional jobs, helping the economy.

Check the report out at https://t.co/XwJRs9CuBe

@SSI_tweets

[Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands @AusHCSols]

Got a great idea for delivering sustainable renewable energy to rural and remote communities in Solomon Islands? REnew Pacific wants to hear from YOU! Applications now open, visit: https://t.co/uieKRgM4uZ.

[Bob Dylan @bobdylan]

Saw Nick Cave in Paris recently at the Accor Arena and I was really struck by that song Joy where he sings “We’ve all had too much sorrow, now it the time for joy.” I was thinking to myself, yeah that’s about right.

[Will Nankervis @AusAmbClimate]

What a way to celebrate the end of week one of #COP29 with a $125 million announcement to support Pacific energy transition priorities including the #REnewPacific program ⚡️