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We've handpicked some Sunday reading in the hope you get a chance to enjoy some downtime. From Bendigo to the Northern Territory and all places in between (well, even space this week) these are the tales you'll only learn through the Australian Community Media network. The good, the bad, the ugly - but always the real Australia.
BORDER MAIL: When a night out turns into a near-death experience
We've all had nights that haven gone quite as expected but for Felicity Ramsay it had life-altering consequences. And not just for the 20-year-old for her family, too.
Felicity was back in her home town of Wangaratta when her drink was spiked with GHB. READ ON
BALLARAT COURIER: Brave brothers face up to double open heart surgery
Brothers Lewis and Jasper share more than a close sibling bond. In the past 10 months they both have had major surgery - to implant life-saving pacemakers and defibrillators to support their broken hearts. Michelle Smith spoke to the brothers and their parents about the the situation which would strike fear nto any parents' heart. READ ON
SOUTH COAST REGISTER: Simon expects 800 clients for his surf school each summer. This season, he's had four
His business, Walking on Water, was not directly affected by the disaster but the summer takings have gone up in smoke all the same.
And the mountain of red tape he's now confronting to get financial assistance is almost as traumatic as being stuck on the NSW South Coast for three days as the fire tore out of the hills and ran down to the coast. READ ON
THE LAND: Our fires seen from space - before and after photos
It's been a long summer, and there is still so much to go before the fire season is over. With so much of the country burnt, it's hard to take in exactly how much land has been turned ash - so we've taken to satellite images to get a proper look at the devastation this summer has seen so far.
In NSW we've looked at the Mid North Coast, the Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains, and down to the South Coast, we've taken at look at Kangaroo Island and Cudlee Creek in South Australia and the Gippsland and Lakes regions in Victoria. READ ON
CANBERRA TIMES: After the bushfires Malua Bay saw the best and worst of humanity
One victim of the fires has painted in big letters on the side of his burnt-out home: "Looters, smile for the camera". Others talk about gangs roaming streets at night looking for stuff to steal. There are roadside signs in the area saying "Night Patrol Active".
"It was the best of the best," says Nathan Love, "and the worst. And he should know. Three geneations of his family lost their homes in the summer fires. READ ON
KATHERINE TIMES: Sunshine v fracking - the residents fighting to expose the costs
Bitter opposition to the NT Government's decision to lift a moratorium on fracking in 2018 has seen a myriad of local protests in an attempt to put an end to the controversial extraction process.
A group of concerned residents funded researchers to investigate the Northern Territory Government, which they say is "propping up an industry that is not viable". Reporter Roxanne Fitzgerald spoke with them. READ ON
Enjoy your Sunday.
In other news across Australia ...
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