Australian High Commission in South Africa

16/09/2026

🪐 From a backyard in Broken Hill to a world-first discovery on Saturn.

Former mine worker and amateur astronomer Trevor Barry spotted a mysterious ripple around Saturn’s south pole in 2024. His observations contributed to the discovery of a 10-sided atmospheric wave, a “decagon”, around the planet’s south pole.

From outback Australia to the outer reaches of our solar system. 🇦🇺🪐

Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/outback-amateur-astronomer-part-of-saturn-decagon-wave-discovery/107112590

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
CSIRO
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Australian Space Agency

An amateur astronomer helps discover a mysterious decagon on Saturn's south pole, which he tracked from his homemade backyard observatory.

14/09/2026

High Commissioner Tegan Brink was delighted to welcome Australian members of parliament to Cape Town for the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

The Commonwealth is an important platform for promoting democracy, protecting our planet & improving livelihoods. Their visit reinforces the value of democracies working together in challenging times.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Commonwealth
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA

11/09/2026

Today, High Commissioner Tegan Brink met Minister David Maynier, together with her New Zealand counterpart New Zealand High Commission Pretoria, South Africa, to discuss our commitment to a strong and effective Antarctic Treaty System and the potential for cooperation.

As Antarctic Gateways, 🇦🇺,🇳🇿 and 🇿🇦 have shared interests and a responsibility to help facilitate Antarctic access and engagement.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

11/09/2026

This week High Commissioner Tegan Brink hosted a discussion between SKA DG Jessica Dempsey, and SKA Observatory Members based in Pretoria on the Square Kilometre Array Observatory and how this global radioastronomy collaboration is driving skills development and innovations in data processing, communications and renewable energy systems. As Host Countries, 🇦🇺 and 🇿🇦 are working together to unlock the secrets of our universe.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA
SKA Australia

11/09/2026

Bondi-based photographer Gergo Rugli’s winning photograph of dolphins and surfers in the waves at Tamarama was one of 15,000 submissions to the Ocean Photographer of the Year award https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-photographer-wins-international-award-for-shot-at-iconic-tamarama-beach-20260909-p60vq3.html?utm_content=feed&utm_term=metros_social_eds&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sydney_morning_herald&utm_source=Facebook =1788997383

11/09/2026

Looking for a quieter escape?

Two Australian islands have made the list of the world’s quietest destinations.

🇦🇺 Lord Howe Island ranked 4th globally, while Magnetic Island came in at 13th.
From World Heritage-listed nature and dark night skies to secluded beaches, protected national park and peaceful walking trails, these islands offer a chance to slow down and reconnect with nature.

The world’s 15 quietest islands:
1. Stewart Island, New Zealand
2. Anafi, Greece
3. Ilha Grande, Brazil
4. Lord Howe Island, Australia 🇦🇺
5. St Martin’s, England
6. Tioman Island, Malaysia
7. Koh Chang, Thailand
8. Koh Rong, Cambodia
9. Havelock Island, India
10. Santa Catalina Island, USA
11. Isle of Skye, Scotland
12. Isla Holbox, Mexico
13. Magnetic Island, Australia 🇦🇺
14. Herm, Channel Islands
15. Boa Vista, Cape Verde

Which Australian Island would you choose for a quietcation? 🌿

Time Out Australia
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australia.com

10/09/2026

🇦🇺🔬 20 years. Millions of lives protected.

Twenty years ago, the first dose of the HPV vaccine was given in Brisbane.
Developed by Australian researchers at The University of Queensland, the vaccine has now reached 600 million+ doses worldwide.

Its roll out through school-based vaccination programmes is life-changing: protecting girls against HPV today can help prevent cervical cancer later in life.
For countries like South Africa, where cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women between the ages of 15-44 years old, this Australian scientific breakthrough has global significance. 🌍

Australia is now on track to become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.

From a Queensland laboratory to communities around the world, Australian research making a difference.

More here: https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-08-20-years-millions-lives-saved-one-revolutionary-vaccine

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA
National Department of Health (South Africa)

09/09/2026

🌍 What can satellite data tell us about Africa? Quiet a lot.

Across Africa, governments, researchers and communities are using Earth observation data to better understand changing water resources, coastlines and ecosystems.

Since 2019, Digital Earth Africa and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have worked together to make satellite data more accessible at continental scale. Hosted on AWS infrastructure in Cape Town, Digital Earth Africa now provides access to 11 petabytes of satellite data, 12 continental-scale services and a community of more than 38,000 active users across Africa. More than 50 government ministries have benefited from its tools.

The impact is being felt on the ground:
💧 In Botswana, satellite observations are helping researchers track changes in Lake Ngami and inform sustainable management of the Okavango Delta’s freshwater ecosystems.

💦 With the launch of the Water Quality Monitoring Service, users can now monitor not only where water is, but its condition, at continental scale and in real time.

The partnership demonstrates what is possible when technology, open data and African expertise come together to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/publicsector/digital-earth-africa-and-aws-are-making-satellite-data-work-for-africa/

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA
Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

08/09/2026

🇦🇺🛂 Applying for an Australian child passport?

Avoid delays: Common issues with parental consent and signatures can delay or prevent a child passport application from being accepted.

Before you apply, make sure:
- all information is accurate and complete
- each parent signs their own consent
- signatures are original (not electronic or copied)
- an eligible witness is present when each parent signs their declaration

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
BWgovernment
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eswatini
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lesotho
Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation-Namibia
Governo de Angola
PRESIDENTE DANIEL FRANCISCO CHAPO

04/09/2026

🎨🇦🇺 🇿🇦 Did you know?

South African illustrator Karabo Poppy collaborated with Australian brand Cotton On on graphic tees and hoodies in 2015, helping open the door for more local artists to bring their creativity to the brand.

Today, artists including amylee_originals, bushywop and Meraki Customs are putting their own spin on Cotton On Foundation’s denim through its “We Made These Jeans For You” customisation campaign.

From illustration to live art and customisation, it’s great to see Australian brands creating platforms for South African creative talent and bringing local artists into the design process.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Cotton On