Nathan Moran's grandmother told him her people never had a single ailment they couldn't fix. But in an instant, that all changed.

Through the headlands, 11 mysterious "floating islands" appeared — ghostly ships they'd never seen before, carrying strange people from a foreign land.

And with the ships came something deadly.

This week, we bring you the story of a disease outbreak so catastrophic it wiped out more than half the First Nations people living in the Sydney region when the First Fleet arrived.

Spend some time with this important piece of Australian history, which holds a new resonance in the pandemic we find ourselves in the midst of.

Then, read the moving story of a group of friends who created an underground sanctuary as bombs rained down above ground. Or, hear the unexpected result of a wild plan to befriend Elton John.

To our friends in Victoria, welcome out of lockdown. And for those enjoying a long weekend, we hope it's refreshing.

Until next week,
Annika Blau, RN digital editor

 

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In 1789, a disease tore through communities around Sydney Cove, leaving dead bodies scattered along the shorelines. Some think this outbreak was a fire deliberately lit.

Sifting through the rubble of their city under siege, a group of young friends made a decision: amidst the chaos and destruction, they would create a hidden space of perfect order.

How do you get to work with your hero? For young Australian singer-songwriter Tate Sheridan, it all started with a mystery package and a phone call.

The latest lockdown put an end to the inaugural Rising festival — for the second time, after its initial 2020 launch date was postponed. What does this mean for the artists, organisers and audiences?

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