“We grabbed her as quickly as we could.” Flood evacuations and rescues continue in NSW.

The Hawkesbury River is expected to peak in Windsor this afternoon at 13.3 metres.

Debris has been building up along the Windsor bridge which has again gone under. It will remain closed for some time until the water subsides, and it's cleared of any flood damage.

Just yesterday, the Hawkesbury SES were out door-knocking for residents. A new mum and her six-week-old baby were rescued, with the SES crew able to provide them with a high lift through 400mm of water. 

Speaking to ABC Radio, the volunteers behind the rescue said the mum wasn’t yet aware of the usual flooding situation in the area, so it’s fortunate they found her.

“We came back and grabbed her as quickly as we could, put her in our high-clearance vehicle, our Unimog [all-terrain truck], and drove her across the floodwaters on the other side,” the volunteer said.

“We were all pretty nervous because the water was rising very rapidly. We really had to put some urgency on it otherwise we would have been trapped there ourselves.”

Flood evacuations and rescues are continuing, with federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt issuing a warning for NSW locals to be watchful for the next few days.

While there are signs flood levels may have peaked in the Hawkesbury-Nepean area, Senator Watt said there would still be concern in coming days for other areas in Sydney and the Hunter. The minister said the flooding was the worst the region had seen during the past 18 months.

"It's very comparable to the water levels and the flood levels that we saw in the floods in that exact region earlier this year, and even in some parts, approaching the levels that were recorded early last year," he said. "I really feel for the people who live in those regions, they've been through so much."

You can check the full list of evacuation orders here on the NSW SES website.

#FLOODS // Our surf lifesavers are out assisting SES Penrith to evacuate flood affected residents. We are urging all to remain alert and listen to evacuation advice. #floodrescue #IRB #lifesaving #response #emergencyservices #sespenrith #slsnsw #volunteer pic.twitter.com/QRpgTquxO8

— Surf Life Saving NSW (@slsnsw) July 4, 2022

SYDNEY FLOODS: The situation in the north-west town of Windsor… Roads and paddocks well under water.

The SES has had more than 3000 calls for help overnight & conducted more than 100 flood rescues. @7NewsSydney #sydneyfloods #7news pic.twitter.com/p1UAH5gXd1

— Andrea Nicolas (@AndreaLNicolas) July 3, 2022

Image: SES Hawkesbury.

Image: Facebook.

A fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose should be offered to all Australians over 50 as a way to reduce the risk from rising virus infections across the country, an epidemiologist says.

As Australia’s death toll from the pandemic surpassed 10,000, infectious diseases pediatrician Professor Robert Booy said lowering the age limit for a fourth vaccine dose, or second booster, should be considered.

Currently, a fourth dose is only available to those over 65, those in aged or disability care, as well as people who are severely immunocompromised.

“Getting the lower limit from 65 down to 50 is a good idea,” Professor Booy told Sky News on Monday. “There’s a lot of people with chronic medical conditions in their 50s and early 60s, and they would really benefit.”

Professor Booy said about 20 per cent of the eligible population over 65 had yet to receive their fourth dose.

“They’re playing roulette ... there’s an effective vaccine. If you had three doses, the fourth will dramatically increase your protection. Having a booster sometime in the last six months is very protective against hospitalisation and death.”

Health authorities have urged almost six million Australians to get vaccine boosters to ease pressure on hospitals and ensure greater personal protection from the virus.

It comes as border restrictions enforced in response to the virus are due to be dropped, with arriving passengers no longer required to declare their vaccination status or obtain a travel exemption.

With AAP.

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming? Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless? Then you need The Quicky. Mamamia’s daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories.

Listen to tonight’s episode of The Quicky below:

The human papillomavirus vaccine has been a lifesaver for many, protecting against most cervical cancers. Interestingly, the World Health Organisation has revealed that the HPV vaccine elicits an immune response so potent that a single dose will do the trick.

A recent review by the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation concluded that one dose of the vaccine "delivers solid protection against HPV" comparable to the two-dose schedule most adolescents in Australia currently receive.

The WHO recommended nations update their vaccination schedules accordingly.

After more than a decade away from our screens, Australian Idol is making a comeback and applications are now open for anyone who is keen to be the next Guy Sebastian or Jessica Mauboy. But the age range for audition applications has us raising our eyebrows.

Plus, Kourtney Kardashian and her husband Travis Barker have both released statements about his recent hospitalisation and health issues that have been making headlines since last week. In her statement, Kourtney also called out the paparazzi who sold false images of her during the ordeal.

And our favourite ‘90s actress turned Netflix star Winona Ryder is Harpers Bazaar’s new cover star with an interview entitled ‘Winona Ryder Is Still Processing’. In the cover story, Winona talks about going from being one of Hollywood’s most critically acclaimed and bankable stars to being told: “you’re not even part of the conversation.” And yet this interview barely touches on what really happened to Winona Ryder and why she was effectively banished from the industry for many years.

Listen to the latest episode of The Spill now!

A gunman has opened fire inside a busy shopping mall in the Danish capital, killing several people and wounding several others.

A 22-year-old Danish man was arrested, Copenhagen police inspector Søren Thomassen told reporters, adding there was no indication that anyone else was involved in the attack, though police were still investigating.

Gun violence is relatively rare in Denmark.

Several dead in Copenhagen mall shooting; suspect arrested https://t.co/Gx82qBuK5J

— Mercury News (@mercnews) July 3, 2022

Thomassen said it was too early to speculate on the motive for the shooting, which happened in the late afternoon at Field's, one of the biggest shopping malls in Scandinavia and located on the outskirts of the Danish capital.

"It is pure terror. This is awful," said Hans Christian Stoltz, a 53-year-old IT consultant, who was bringing his daughters to see Harry Styles perform at a concert scheduled for Sunday night near the mall.

Organisers called off the Harry Styles concert, which had been scheduled at the nearby Royal Arena, by order of police.

I’m heartbroken along with the people of Copenhagen. I adore this city. The people are so warm and full of love.

I’m devastated for the victims, their families, and everyone hurting.

I’m sorry we couldn’t be together. Please look after each other. H

— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 3, 2022

With AAP

Morning everyone, 

Today is the second day of NAIDOC Week, which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

To kick start the week, my colleague Isabella Ross has shared eight incredible First Nations artists you can buy from.

But first, here are the top news stories you need to know today, Monday July 4. 

1. Thousands told to evacuate as heavy rain continues to flood NSW. 

Thousands of people have been told to evacuate their homes across Greater Sydney, as NSW grapples with another flooding emergency.

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) spokesman Adam Jones said 18 rescues were performed overnight as heavy rain flooded the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers, the ABC reports. 

There are currently 69 evacuation orders in place across Sydney's west and north-west, including Pitt Town, North Richmond and Windsor.

FLOOD EMERGENCY: Sydney is right now in the grips of a fresh weather emergency, with unrelenting rain once again flooding roads and inundating homes. #9Today pic.twitter.com/0kbblquR9s

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 3, 2022

The SES was joined by 100 Australian Defence Force members yesterday, assisting with sandbagging and door-knocking communities to warn of flood threats focusing on the Hawkesbury-Nepean area. 

NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke warned affected communities not to take their safety for granted.

"If you were safe in the March 2021 flood, don’t assume you will be safe tonight," she wrote on Twitter last night.

The bureau warned river levels could reach those of March this year when swathes of Sydney's southwest and outer west were inundated.

Warragamba Dam in Sydney's west was spilling at a rate of 500 gigalitres (a day), Cooke tweeted last night, which is higher than during the floods this year, which inundated large swathes of the state.

"To give some context, this rate is greater than the March 2021 flooding period, March and April 2022," she told reporters last night.

Multiple #Flood Warnings are current across eastern #NSW for Minor to Major Flooding.

Widespread #rain will continue through Sunday night, with damaging winds and damaging surf as an east coast low approaches.

NSW Warnings: https://t.co/NQGpclVEIJ pic.twitter.com/9SGNreh7TI

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) July 3, 2022

2. PM visits war-torn Ukraine. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited war-torn Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to Reuters, Governor Oleksiy Kuleba wrote on Telegram that Albanese visited the towns of Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, where Ukraine says Russia committed atrocities against civilians. Russia denies the allegations.

"Australia supports Ukraine and wants to see justice meted out for the crimes committed here," Kuleba quoted Albanese as saying.

Australia's PM Anthony Albanese pays a visit to Ukraine right now pic.twitter.com/aet2iDNf3H

— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) July 3, 2022

In a joint press conference, Albanese said Australia would provide Ukraine with an additional $100 million in military aid.

"Australia stands ready to continue to support the [Ukrainian] government and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes," he said.

Albanese is expected back in Australia tomorrow. 

3. Australian virus border restrictions end.

Border restrictions enforced in response to COVID-19 will be dropped this coming week, with arriving passengers no longer required to declare their vaccination status or obtain a travel exemption.

Changes to the Biosecurity Act coming into effect on Wednesday were made following advice from the Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly that it was no longer necessary for travellers to declare their vaccination status.

On Sunday, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the changes will make it easier for travelling Australians to return home as well as allowing more international tourists and workers to come.

It will also reduce delays that have plagued airports since travel resumed, O'Neil said.

A shake-up to COVID rules is on the way, with international travellers no longer required to show proof of vaccination as they enter Australia. #9Today pic.twitter.com/UZUN7TaR1P

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 3, 2022

The changes were announced on the same day Australia passed the grim milestone of 10,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has reinforced the importance of booster vaccines, which almost six million Australians were yet to receive.

"We are not through this virus yet," he said.

4. Ash Barty wins Person of the Year at NAIDOC awards.

Retired tennis player Ash Barty has been named person of the year at the 2022 NAIDOC Awards.

Barty, a proud Ngaragu woman, was the first Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley to hold the no. 1 ranking.

Barty's father Robert Barty accepted the award on his daughter's behalf on Saturday, with Barty in the US competing in a golf tournament. 

She said in a video message she was humbled and privileged to receive the award, and couldn't wait to continue contributing to children's education, and help them fulfil their dreams.

The National #NAIDOC Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the National #NAIDOC2022 Week Awards:
Person of the Year – Ash Barty AO
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr Stanley Grant Snr AM
Female Elder Award – Dr Lois Peeler AM
Male Elder Award – Uncle Jack Charles
..1/2 pic.twitter.com/vCDkllWKuL

— NAIDOC (@naidocweek) July 3, 2022

Other winners included Sydney Swans player Lance "Buddy" Franklin as well as Wiradjuri elder Dr Stanley Grant Snr, who - along with his brother and Dr John Rudder - has been crucial to the reconstruction of the Wiradjuri language.

5. Petrol prices expected to rise.

Drivers should plan for a temporary cut to the fuel excise to end in September, with a rise in petrol prices to add to growing cost-of-living pressures.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says it will be "incredibly hard" to continue the fuel tax relief indefinitely amid growing government debt and economic challenges like high inflation and falling real wages.

"(People) should assume that the petrol price relief comes off in September," he told a Guardian Australia podcast.

"Obviously, we factor in the conditions as they evolve, and the budget and all of the rest of it... But nothing has substantially changed to make me think that we could continue that indefinitely, or even for a substantially longer period than September."

Drivers are being warned to prepare for a rise in the cost of petrol in September, when the federal government's cut to the fuel excise ends. It will add significantly to the cost of living. 7NEWS at 6pm | https://t.co/uQ5vvSQqCq @AndreaLNicolas #auspol #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/Qlpq5Jkbim

— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) July 3, 2022

The previous government announced a six-month 22.1c a litre cut to fuel excise in the March budget to help take the sting out of high petrol prices driven by global oil constraints.

Chalmers said Labor planned to meet its election commitments while also repairing the budget by dealing with wasteful government spending on contractors and consultants, and raising more money in multinational taxes and from foreign investor charges.

That's it, you're all up to speed. We'll be back with more of the biggest news stories throughout the day. 

- With AAP and Reuters. 

Following the recent decision by the US Supreme Court to repeal women's constitutional right to have an abortion, it seems the six conservative judges on the bench now have a number of other social and political issues in their sights.

Advocates for LGBTIQA+, free press, firearms restrictions and much more are bracing for attacks on their rights, as those six extremely powerful individuals seem determined to drag America back into the dark ages.

The Quicky speaks to a human rights law expert and a journalist who has spent decades researching and reporting on the United States, to find out what other aspects of American rights and freedoms are now seriously at risk.

Feature Image: Facebook @seshawkesbury.