©ABC 2018

Questions for discussion

Minority Government

1. Briefly summarise the Minority Government story.

2. Who recently won the Wentworth by-election?

3. Who was the previous member for Wentworth?

4. Kerryn Phelps is an independent. True or false?

5. In the Wentworth by-election, the Government didn’t just lose a seat it lost its

________________.

6. Why might it be difficult for the Government to get bills passed in parliament?

7. How many seats are there in the House of Representatives?

8. How many seats does the Government have?

9. The Labor Party has ________ seats and there are _________ independents.

10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BTN story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Mass Migration

1. As a class discuss the issues raised in the Mass Migration story.

2. Where is Central America? Locate using Google Maps.

3. For some, how far is the journey from Central America to the US border?

4. How many people are making the journey?

5. What countries are some of the people from?

6. Why are they leaving their homes?

7. What is another term used to describe mass migration?

8. Why is mass migration dangerous? Give one reason.

9. What has the President of the US said will happen when the migrants arrive at the US

border?

10. What questions do you have after watching this story? Discuss as a class.

Check out the Mass Migration resource on the Teachers page.

Young Carer

1. Briefly summarise the Young Carer story.

2. How old is Jacob?

3. Jacob’s dad was diagnosed with early-onset dementia which can also be referred to as

____________.

4. How has the condition affected Jacob’s dad?

5. How does Jacob help his dad in the mornings?

6. How have Jacob’s and his dad’s roles changed?

7. What are some of the challenges that Jacob faces looking after his father?

8. Think of three words to describe a carer.

9. What question would you like to ask Jacob?

Episode 30

30th October 2018

©ABC 2018

10. What did you learn watching the BTN story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Bright Stars Program

1. Retell the BTN BrightStars Program story using your own words.

2. Where in Australia is the BrightStars dance group situated?

3. Who participates in the BrightStars program?

4. Complete this sentence. Down syndrome isn't an illness or a disease, it's a _________

condition.

5. People with Down syndrome are born with the condition. True or false?

6. What new skills do the dancers learn at BrightStars?

7. How long did the group rehearse before their big event?

8. What was the big event called?

9. How did Ross’ dancing buddy feel about being on stage?

10. What did you like about the BrightStars Program story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Halloween Microbats

1. Discuss the Halloween Microbats story with another student.

2. What are some misconceptions that people have about bats?

3. Which group of animals do microbats belong to?

a. Reptiles

b. Mammals

c. Amphibians

4. How many species of microbat are there in the world?

5. Bats are going into hibernation this time of year. True or false?

6. What food does Katrina feed to bats when she looks after them?

7. Why is it important not to touch a bat if you find one?

8. How do microbats find their food?

9. What are some threats to the survival of bat species?

10. Illustrate an aspect of the Halloween Microbats story.

Get your class involved in BTN’s Ask A Reporter! This week’s topic is the

Halloween Microbats story.

Check out the Halloween microbats resource on the Teachers page.

Do the quiz on the BTN website.

©ABC 2018

Teacher Resource

Mass Migration

1. As a class discuss the issues raised in the Mass Migration story.

2. Where is Central America? Locate using Google Maps.

3. For some, how far is the journey from Central America to the US

border?

4. How many people are making the journey?

5. What countries are some of the people from?

6. Why are they leaving their homes?

7. What is another term used to describe mass migration?

8. Why is mass migration dangerous? Give one reason.

9. What has the President of the US said will happen when the

migrants arrive at the US border?

10. What questions do you have after watching this story? Discuss as a

class.

Before beginning your classroom discussion about migration and refugees,

think about the students with migrant/refugee experiences at your school.

Establish with your students some key definitions and stereotypes.

Class Discussion

After watching the BTN Mass Migration story, respond to the following

questions:

Discuss the information and issues raised in the BTN Mass Migration story.

Brainstorm reasons why people migrate. Students will find out what the

following words mean and then write a sentence using each of the words.

What is the difference between each of these words?

• Immigrant

• Emigrant

• Migrant

• Refugee

• Asylum seeker

• What did you SEE in this video?

• What do you THINK about what you saw in this video?

• What does this video make your WONDER?

• How did this story make you FEEL?

• What was SURPRISING about this story?

Episode 30

30th October 2018

Students will develop a deeper

understanding of why people

migrate, the challenges they face

and the importance of belonging

and feeling welcome in a new

home.

HASS – Year 5

The reasons people migrated to

Australia and the experiences and

contributions of a particular migrant

group within a colony.

Examine different viewpoints on

actions, events, issues and

phenomena in the past and present

HASS – Year 6

Stories of groups of people who

migrated to Australia since

Federation (including from ONE

country of the Asia region) and

reasons they migrated.

The shared values of Australian

citizenship and the formal rights and

responsibilities of Australian

citizens.

©ABC 2018

Migration in Australia

Why do people migrate?

Hold a class discussion about the reasons why people emigrate to

another country. Make a list of the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors that have

contributed to people migrating to Australia. ‘Push’ factors are

conditions that drive people to leave their country. `Pull’ factors are

conditions that attract people to a new country. Think about

environmental, economic, social and political factors. Below are

some examples:

Push factors – war, unemployment, poverty, climate, famine, discrimination or poor housing.

Pull factors – safe, democratic system, good schools and hospitals, employment, family or friends.

Further investigation

Ask you students where they would ‘go’ to find out more about migration in their state or territory. Brainstorm

ideas as a class. Students will then:

• Collect primary and secondary sources (including photographs, newspapers, stories and maps) to

learn more about migration in your area. Consider using internet search engines, museums and

library catalogues to find your information.

• Compare the information you have collected and identify similarities and/or differences. What does

the information tell you about the past?

• How useful were your sources of information?

Migration stories

See below for a collection of BTN stories about refugees and migrant kids. After watching any one of the

BTN videos ask students to respond to the discussion questions which can be found on the story page.

Video

Video

Video

Video

©ABC 2018

Further investigation

Activity: Students will identify and explore the migration experience through the eyes of one migrant group

that has come to Australia. For example:

• Chinese migrants who worked in the goldfields in the 1850s

• Italian migrants that came to Australia during the 1950s and 60s

• Vietnamese refugees who arrived in Australia after fleeing their homeland in 1975

Activity: Students will interview a family member or friend who migrated to Australia to hear their stories and

learn about their experiences.

• Ask your interviewee open ended questions, not closed ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions to get interesting and

different kinds of answers.

• Share and compare the stories you have learned about as a class.

• How does talking to people who have experienced migration give us a different perspective on

events?

• What have you learnt from this experience?

Welcoming Migrants and Refugees

Discuss with students the importance of feeling welcome and belonging to a community. What gives them a

sense of belonging to a community? What things can make them feel welcome in unfamiliar situations?

Think about the diversity in backgrounds, experiences, interests and age of people in your school

community. Broaden your discussion and talk about your local community and Australia as a whole.

Explain to students that developing positive relationships can help build a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Provide a range of opportunities for students to share their personal stories to create an atmosphere of

cultural respect and acknowledgement of diversity.

Working in small groups, ask students to think of ways to welcome migrants and refugees in their school and

local community and on a national level.

Students will display their research in an interesting way and include images, text and

audio. Answer some or all of the following questions:

- Who came?

- Where did they come from?

- When did they come?

- Why did they come?

- What was life like in Australia for them?

- What contributions to Australian life did these individuals or cultural groups make?

- Write a letter from the point of view of a newly arrived person describing their

experiences to a family member who remained back home.

- What do you like about being part of your school community?

- What makes you feel safe in your school community?

- How do you welcome new students to your school community?

- What are some of your school’s values?

- Describe some of your school’s traditions. Why are they important?

- What are the advantages of belonging to a culturally diverse community?

©ABC 2018

BTN Welcome Book

In 2017 BTN launched the Welcome Book - a book full of

messages from the kids of Australia welcoming refugees and

migrant kids to Australia. The book will be given to every

refugee or migrant family that arrives in Australia as part of their

welcome pack. Look at the BTN Welcome Book here or visit the

gallery for a look at all the entries.

As a class, watch BTN’s Welcome Book Launch story and then

students can respond to the discussion questions on the story

page.

Create your own school welcome book

As a class, make your own school welcome book to give to new students starting at your school. Students

can draw a picture, write a poem or write short message.

BTN story

Ask students to watch the BTN Refugees and Migrants story then answer the following questions:

1. Which country did Georgia come

from?

2. Why did she move to Australia?

3. Finish the following sentence: A

migrant is a person who...

4. What does Georgia have to remind her

of life in New Zealand?

5. Which country did Mahya come from?

6. Why did she move to Australia?

7. Finish the following sentence: A

refugee is someone who...

8. What did Mahya find difficult about

moving to Australia?

ABC News – Thousands of Central American migrants surge over bridge towards Mexico, battle with police

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-20/central-american-migrants-in-clash-at-mexico-border/10399802

ABC News – Donald Trump to cut Central American aid as 7,200-strong caravan continues march north

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-23/trump-vows-to-cut-central-american-aid-as-migrants-march-

on/10417830

BTN – Refugees and Migrants

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4526308.htm

Refugee Council of Australia – Leaving Danger

https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/get-facts/leaving-danger/

©ABC 2018

Teacher Resource

Halloween Microbats

1. Discuss the Halloween Microbats story with another student.

2. What are some misconceptions that people have about bats?

3. Which group of animals do microbats belong to?

a. Reptiles

b. Mammals

c. Amphibians

4. How many species of microbat are there in the world?

5. Bats are going into hibernation this time of year. True or false?

6. What food does Katrina feed to bats when she looks after them?

7. Why is it important not to touch a bat if you find one?

8. How do microbats find their food?

9. What are some threats to the survival of bat species?

10. Illustrate an aspect of the Halloween Microbats story.

Discuss the BTN story as a class. Ask them to think about what words they

associate with the word `bats’. Students will then write a personal response to

the BTN Halloween Microbats story. Students can leave a comment on the

BTN Halloween Microbats story page. Students can finish one or more of the

following incomplete sentences:

• It was interesting to learn that…

• Microbats are special because…

• It’s surprising that...

Glossary

Students will brainstorm a list of words that relate to the BTN Halloween

Microbats story. Students will then use the words to write their own sentences

about the issue. Students may want to use pictures and diagrams to illustrate

the meaning and create their own glossary. Here are some words to get you

started.

• Species

• Conservation

• Echolocation

• Threats

• Ecosystem

• Population

• Habitat

• Mammal

• Endangered

Episode 30

30th October 2018

Students will explore the features of

bats, including habitat, behaviour

and threats. They will also learn

about their role in the ecosystem.

Science – Year 5

Living things have structural

features and adaptations that help

them to survive in their environment.

Science – Year 6

The growth and survival of living

things are affected by physical

conditions of their environment.

Science – Year 7

Classification helps organise the

diverse group of organisms.

Interactions between organisms,

including the effects of human

activities can be represented by

food chains and food webs.

©ABC 2018

Bat Research

Define: What do I want to know?

Key questions to research

Students can choose one or more of the following questions or come up with their own:

• What are some unique features of bats?

• What role do bats have in the ecosystem?

• Why do bats hang upside down?

• What are the threats to some species of bats?

• What do bats need to survive?

• What things might influence where bats live?

• What is echolocation?

• How and why do bats use echolocation?

Locate: Where do I find the information?

What resources will help answer my questions? (Internet, people, resource centre, organisations,

print). Discuss with students what a reliable source is.

Select: What information is important for the investigation?

Students may need support to sort through and select relevant information.

Organise: How do I make sense of the information?

Students can organise their research by creating main headings from their questions. Write each

heading on a separate piece of paper. Record the information found for each question.

Present: How do we let others know about this information?

Each group needs to discuss then decide on the best way to present the information. Possibilities

could include:

• A ‘Did You Know’ Facts sheet

• Infographic

• Oral presentation

• Prezi presentation

• Create an infographic using Canva

Evaluate: What have we learnt?

Each group reflects on what they have learnt about bats during their investigation. Students will reflect

on their learning and respond to the following.

• What I learned...

• What I found surprising...

©ABC 2018

Creature Feature

Students will research and write a Creature Feature about a species of native bat. Students will use this

Creature Feature worksheet to record their findings. Encourage students to use a range of sources to find

their information.

Students will research the following for their project:

• Common and scientific name

• Appearance - what are some of their physical characteristics?

• Habitat - where do microbats live? Describe their habitat.

• Conservation status

• Threats - what are some of the threats to the survival of microbats?

• Interesting features or facts.

©ABC 2018

Bat quiz

Students will create a quiz about bats using Kahoot!.

Quizzes can be created to recap learning or test personal

knowledge. There is also the option to connect with

classrooms around the world and play kahoot in real time.

Queensland Department of Environment – Microbats: The insect terminators

https://ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/micro-bats/

Australian Museum – Australian Bats

https://australianmuseum.net.au/australian-bats

BTN – Minibats

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2848332.htm

Adelaide Bat Care

http://www.adelaidebatcare.com.au/

Sydney Bats - Fact sheet – Microbats

http://sydneybats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Microbats_-_Fact_Sheet.pdf

©ABC 2018

BTN: Episode 30 Transcript 30/10/18 Hey. Amelia Moseley here. Welcome to BTN. Here's what's coming up.

• We find out why thousands of people are walking thousands of kilometres towards the US.

• Meet the wonderful kid who spends his free time taking care of his dad.

• And bats get a bad wrap around Halloween, but are they really as creepy as they seem?

Minority Government

Reporter: Emma Davis

INTRO: You can see all that soon. But first, let’s turn our attention to Canberra. We told you last

week the Government is now one seat down in the House of Representatives after losing a by-

election in the seat of former PM, Malcolm Turnbull. But will one fewer seat make any difference

here? Let's find out.

Meet Kerryn Phelps. She's a doctor, former deputy lord mayor, a member of the Order of Australia

and a pretty great dancer. She's also about to be Australia's newest federal Member of Parliament.

She was chosen by people in the electorate of Wentworth, that's here in Sydney by the way, to

replace Malcolm Turnbull who quit the seat when he was kicked out of the prime minister job.

But while Kerryn's jumping for joy, the Government isn't. See, Kerryn Phelps is an independent

which means she isn't a member of a political party. So, in one by-election, the Government didn't

just lose a seat, it lost its majority. Not sure what that means? Well, let’s take a journey into outer

space to find out.

This crew's job is to explore the far reaches of the galaxy. It's a pretty democratic crew but

unfortunately its members are split at the moment. These guys are in the majority so ship rules say

they choose the captain.

CAPTAIN: Ok guys, I am your new captain, I will be leading all of you and you are very, very

welcome.

When a spaceship crew, or a political party, have a majority they don't just get to choose the

leader, they also have an easier time getting their ideas approved.

CREW MEMBER: Hey captain why don't we explore that galaxy over there?

CAPTAIN: Sounds like a good idea. All in favour? Onward.

While the minority, not so much.

CREW MEMBER: Captain, I was wondering about a planet that I’ve seen.

©ABC 2018

CAPTAIN: Maybe next time.

But just like the Australian parliament, things can change.

CREW MEMBER: You know what, I kinda miss Earth. I'm gonna go.

CAPTAIN: Wait, what? But you're my majority.

CREW MEMBER: Hey guys, looking forward to working with you.

An independent isn't a member of a party so they change who they vote with depending on the

idea in front of them.

CREW MEMBER: How about we attack that enemy ship over there. All in favour?

CREW MEMBER: Yep, I agree.

But that can make things difficult when the group in charge really wants something to pass.

CAPTAIN: OK guys, how about we restock the toilet paper in the bathrooms? All in favour?

INDEPENDENT: Nah.

So their only choice is to work with the independents and find a way to get their agreement.

CAPTAIN: Listen, do you want a different brand or colour or scent maybe?

INDEPENDENT: Scent, yeah.

CAPTAIN: Ok, if we make the toilet paper bubble gum scented you’ll agree?

CREW MEMBER: Yep.

It's a similar story back on Earth. In the House of Representatives, that's the green one, there's

150 seats. With Dr Kerryn Phelps in parliament, the Government will have 75 votes - exactly half.

Labor has 69. So, including Dr Phelps there are 6 others who are independents or part of a smaller

party. One of them will need to vote with the Government for anything to pass. For some bills, that

might not be a problem. But for others it could be tricky. So, a lot of people reckon the Government

could have a hard time getting things done. In the meantime, we’ll just have to wait and see what

happens to this crew as they explore what it's like to be a minority government right here on Earth.

This Week in News

The Government has announced it's going to save up for Australia's not-so-rainy days. You see,

there have been nine really bad droughts in the past century and there are likely to be more in the

future. So, politicians, leaders and scientists got together in Canberra last week to try to come up

with some solutions.

©ABC 2018

One of the big ideas from the summit was a Future Drought Fund. The Government will put 5

billion dollars into it. It'll be used to fund research, technology, infrastructure and better services in

country areas.

A new report's found that nearly all of us need to eat more veggies. The Australian Institute of

Health and Welfare says 99 percent of kids and 9 in 10 adults don't get our recommended daily

serves. And 4 out of 5 don't get enough fruit.

One thing we're all eating more than enough of is junk food. The report found everyone but

especially teenagers could cut down on those sometimes foods like chips, cake, biscuits and ice-

cream. Yeah, the truth hurts.

And finally, the winner of the Sculpture Award at Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea exhibition has been

announced and this year’s winner is James Parrett for his sculpture M-Fortysix. It was chosen from

the 107 sculptures that have been on display for the past 2 weeks.

Mass Migration Reporter: Jack Evans

INTRO: Next up. Around 7 thousand people from Central America have left their homes and are walking towards the border between the US and Mexico. They’re planning to camp out there until they are allowed in. Let’s find out why. Imagine having to leave your home, taking only what you can carry on your back and walking

thousands of kilometres looking for a better life. That’s the reality that these people in Central

America are facing right now. For the past 2 weeks many thousands of people have slowly been

making their way on foot hoping to reach the US border. For some that's a 2 and a half thousand

kilometre trek.

LUIS PUERTO: It's very hard because the heat from the sun is getting us tired, but we are

warriors. And we got to get to the place we got to get to. We're going to fight. We're going to keep

on going. We're not going to stop.

As it's moved on, the group has grown to more than 7 thousand people. All from different countries

like Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. Most left their homes because of violence, unemployment

and poverty. Now, they want to start a new life in the United States.

DAISY ZUNIGA: I came because in my country there are no jobs, there is no way to support the

kids. I’ve got two other kids and they are the reason I did it, because when one has nothing, and

your kids ask you for something, you don’t know what to do.

JOSE ANIBAL RIVERA: Whatever happens to us is better than going back to Honduras. If we die

along the journey, what can we do? But we don't plan to return to Honduras. We have come

determined. Anything is better than returning to Honduras.

©ABC 2018

When a large group of people move as a group it's often called a caravan. This particular caravan

is a mass migration which means they're hoping to permanently settle somewhere new. They

usually have to travel large distances and across borders. And they've happened many times over

thousands of years.

But mass migrations can be really dangerous especially for the kids involved. A lot of people can

get really sick or injured from travelling for so long without proper food or shelter. And once you

arrive there's still no guarantee of a happy ending. Because you can't just settle in a different

country without permission and the US President Donald Trump has warned the migrants that he

will turn them away. He tweeted that:

"People have to apply for asylum in Mexico first and, if they fail to do that, the US will turn them

away."

But a lot of the people who are part of the mass migration say that they have given up trying to

apply to live and work in the United States because the process takes too long.

No one is sure what will happen if and when this group arrives at the US border. But these people

hope that this journey will help them find a safe place and soon.

Quiz

Which of these countries is often called the most dangerous in the world?

Honduras

Mexico

Canada

The answer is Honduras.

New $50 note

Reporter: Ruby Cornish

INTRO: Get ready for another new Aussie note. Well, at least an update on the new one. We’ve already had a 5 and 10 and now we’re skipping straight to the 50. Here's a quick rundown on all the new features.

Ruby, are you alright?

I have to get rid of this.

That is so much money.

Yeah but it’s old money. These are all old $50 notes. Take it away from me.

Yep, it's out with the old and in with the new. Our 50 dollar note, affectionally known as the

©ABC 2018

pineapple, has had a few makeovers over the years. And now, there's a brand new one out. It's the

third Aussie note to get a makeover after the 5 and the 10. We'll get the 20 next year and the 100

the year after that.

So let's check out this shiny new note. One of the most useful features are these four little bumps.

They help vision impaired people identify the note and it’s a feature a blind teenager helped bring

about. Our new 50 also has top to bottom clear windows and a flying swan that can only be seen

under UV light. That will make it very hard to create fakes and will also be really cool at discos.

The peeps featured on each side of the note haven't changed. On one side is Indigenous inventor

and author David Unaipon and on the other, the first woman elected to Aussie parliament, Edith

Cowan. While the notes have just been released, it could still be a while before you see one as

they gradually make their way from banks into our wallets.

Ruby, you do know this is still legal tender, right?

Really? Well in that case.

How did you get so much money?

Did you know?

Australia was the first country to introduce polymer notes? They were developed by the RBA and CSIRO and released in 1988. Before that they were all paper and so much easier to copy.

Young Carer

Reporter: Jack Evans

INTRO: Okay, next you're going to meet an amazing kid called Jacob. He’s one the 3 million Australians regularly caring for a loved one at home. His dad Peter has dementia, so Jacob helps his mum look after him. Check it out.

JACOB JAMES: Hello, my name is Jacob. I'm 11-years-old. What I like about my dad is that, he's

always here for me, he's all ears and then in times of need when I need him he'll always be there

to give me kisses and hugs. That's really why I love my dad so much. Yes, he forgets things, but

he's still my dad. It's not going to change the way I talk to him, or the way he talks to me.

CATHY JAMES: He's a pretty special man, my husband. Three years ago, we noticed that Pete

was starting to forget things. Not understanding what was going on. We knew it was coming, but

having the diagnosis was the hardest. They diagnosed Pete with early-onset dementia,

Alzheimer's.

JACOB JAMES: Every day I wake up in the morning, I get dressed, get his breakfast and

everything ready and then I'll get the lunches ready and make sure dad’s got everything he needs.

Then I'll make sure dad goes to work before 8am, because he needs to leave before then. Our

roles have kind of swapped. Like, I'm now looking after him instead of him looking after me. But for

many years, dad has done that and in an excellent way. I think of it like I'm paying him back for all

©ABC 2018

the good things he's done for me. It's actually kind of fun looking after dad. I really enjoy it. I like

putting a smile to his face.

JACOB JAMES: I used to get cranky with dad because he was forgetting everything, and I had no

idea about dementia at all. And I used to get really cranky with him and when I finally figured it out,

I was, like, what is this? And mum explained it to me really well and I was, like, I'm so sorry, dad,

for all the times I yelled at you. I'm so sorry. I couldn’t get over the fact I didn't know about my dad,

but I was yelling at him because he was not remembering things.

CATHY JAMES: For me, I go, OK, we've got to do this, this and this. Well, we can't do that

anymore, we just got to do one thing and then wait and have that finished and do the next. It’s no

use talking about what's happening tomorrow or what's happening in an hour, it's just what's

happening now. What we're trying to do is make sure Pete always knows he's so loved and he's

family and that's what we do, and I'll always make sure he's OK. Some days are harder than others

for Jake. He's having to say now to his own dad, dad, it's OK, don't worry about it. It blows me

away how a little boy can do that.

PETE JAMES: He's my crutch for one of the better term. He just helps me out with whatever I need

to do. Whatever I do, he's there to help me. He makes sure I get up on time, if I get lost, if I lose my

phone or lose my keys, he's always there to help me to do that stuff. He's an amazing young man.

Bright Stars Program

Reporter: Amelia Moseley

INTRO: Next up to Tasmania. A special program called 'BrightStars' is giving young people with

Down syndrome a chance to get creative and perform. Here's more.

These dancers are working on their best moves. This is BrightStars. A dance group made up of

people of all ages who have Down syndrome and a volunteer friend or family member.

MELANIE AND CAITLIN WOOLLEY, BRIGHTSTARS: When we moved to Tasmania in 2016, we

contacted Down syndrome Tasmania and they told us there was a dance group. Caitlin loves to

dance, so that's how we hear about BrightStar.

MEG AND ROSS COOPER, BRIGHTSTARS: My brother Rossy and people with Down syndrome

are born to perform. They absolutely love dancing. It started for that reason, it was a way for

families to come together and bond and have a dance class and join in for fun.

Down syndrome isn't an illness or a disease, it's a genetic condition that means it's to do with how

a person's DNA is made up and they're born with it. So people with Down syndrome develop

differently and sometimes have health issues and learning difficulties.

But BrightStars is a place where Rossy, Caitlin, Brandy Rose and the whole gang can learn new

skills and make new friends. Now, after months of rehearsals, they're ready to show off their

moves to a big audience.

MEG AND ROSS COOPER, BRIGHTSTARS: Tonight is Tassie Dancing Against Cancer. So, it's a

really great chance for us to be inclusive with everyone else, so we’re very, very proud to be part of

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this event. I love being on stage with Rossy and seeing him shine. Yep, pretty proud of you Ross.

So, it looks like it won't be the last time we see these amazing performers dancing across a stage.

Sport

A review into Australian cricket says that the sport has lost sight of its values by trying to win at all

costs. The report also found that a lot of people in the sport see Cricket Australia as arrogant and

controlling.

The chairman of Cricket Australia says he's working through the recommendations. The report was

ordered after Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft got caught messing with the

match ball during a test against South Africa earlier this year.

The Invictus Games wrapped up in Sydney on the weekend. There was plenty of singing and

dancing and a couple of awards were also, well, awarded.

NZ wheelchair rugby player George Nepata won the Exceptional Performance award.

Meanwhile Dutch tennis player Edwin Vermetten won the Above and Beyond award for this lovely

moment during a tennis match where he comforted his doubles partner after a helicopter reminded

him of his time serving overseas.

To wrap up the ceremony, Prince Harry said that by competing in the games, the athletes will help

to change the world.

PRINCE HARRY: I am so proud to call you my friends and my Invictus family. You are the Invictus

generation and you are showing us all that anything is possible.

And finally, do you remember the amazing kid’s soccer team that was rescued from a cave in

Thailand a few months ago? Well they've had a pretty incredible weekend.

They went along to a Manchester United game and also got to meet some of the players. I guess

they brought the players good luck too. Man U ended up beating Everton 2-1.

Halloween Microbats

Reporter: Amelia Moseley INTRO: Finally, today it’s Halloween time. And there’s an animal that you’ll often see around this time of year as a scary decoration or in creepy movies. Yep bats. So, I went to find out if these creatures are really as spooky as they seem. What wakes in the night? Flies through the air? And sometimes even sucks blood? DRACULA: It is me. No, not you Dracula.

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DRACULA: Aw. I’m talking about bats. These creepy critters have been sweeping across our screens, trying to freak us all out for a long time now. But, in real life, are bats really so bad? So, I thought I'd better find out the real truth about these funny little creatures from someone who likes them so much, she even comes to their rescue when they're in trouble. Her names Katrina. Or, as I like to call her, Bat Woman. That was weird. KATRINA: OK Amelia. Welcome to my little bat cave or my bat room. As you can see, Katrina is a big fan of bats. KATRINA: Are you my little bat? Actual bats. KATRINA: They really do get a bad rap. I think people look at it as though they're vampire bats. We don't have vampire bats over here. They have got pretty mean teeth, but they need those teeth to chew up their prey. She takes in injured the injured animals and nurses them back to health and right now she has four little microbats. They're exactly what they sound like - teeny, weeny flying mammals. And there are more than 800 species of microbat in the world. AMELIA: Look at that face. KATRINA: Only a mother could love it. No, they’re beautiful. Katrina gets a lot of calls to help bats around this time of year, not because it's Halloween, but because they're all coming out of hibernation ready for breeding season. KATRINA: So they come into my care, I warm them up a little bit, give them a few drops of water and some meal worms and fatten them up and then I release them back into the wild within about a week. Katrina says it's really, really important not to touch a bat if you find one. KATRINA: Some do carry disease, not so much down here in South Australia but more up in the tropic areas. And they will bite you, they'll give you a nasty little nip and they will scratch you and we don't want that to happen at all. Yeah, that's why I'm keeping my distance. Except... KATRINA: How about we go and feed him? AMELIA: Yes. Are you hungry? Hopefully. Sooooo, this was a bit grosser than I expected. But, a bat's gotta eat. Unlike bigger bats, microbats find their food using echolocation. They send sound waves out from their mouth or nose and when those waves hit an object, they echo back. The nocturnal animals also use it to find their way in the dark. KATRINA: So, it’s very important, because they can’t see very well. So, they really depend on this echolocating to get them around.

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Around 43 out of 70 Australian bat species are threatened or vulnerable. While predators like big birds and cats are a problem, droughts and destroyed habitats are bigger ones. KATRINA: The biggest thing is deforestation. Chopping down the areas where they live to build housing is a big problem. That's why this bat lover says it's more important than ever to care about these actually quite cute little creatures. Some of these bats, there's not too many of them left so we need to conserve as many as we can and get them back out there into the wild.

Ask a Reporter

Have you got more questions about bats? Ask me live during Ask a Reporter. Head to our website for all the details.

Closer

And that's the news for this week. But please tune in next week for a very special episode of BTN

marking the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. It's an amazing and a very important story. I'll

see you then.