Bird flu, student soccer, and severe storms: Australia's June-July photo highlights

Australia's June and July photo wrap highlights a range of significant events captured by photographers. The nation confirmed its first H5 bird flu case after a migratory brown skua bird was found infected on an Esperance beach in mid-June. Authorities and farmers are closely monitoring the spread of the disease, which has since been detected in several states.

In sports, students at Lynwood Senior High School enthusiastically watched a World Cup match between Australia and Paraguay. The school, which has a 20-year-old soccer academy, organized its own World Cup tournament for students, with matches played during lunchtime.

Perth and southern Western Australia were hit by a severe storm in early June, the worst in 49 years. Emergency services responded to over 800 calls for assistance, including a tree falling onto a house in Greenwood.

The period also saw tragic events, including two fatal shark attacks in WA that gained international attention. A 35-year-old diver, Daniel Turpin, was killed in an attack near Albany.

Politically, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson visited Perth in mid-June, stating she received policy advice from Gina Rinehart and planning for her party to contest Labor seats in WA's 2029 election. Meanwhile, during Reconciliation Week, Aboriginal elders emphasized the importance of Welcome to Country ceremonies, noting they faced racist heckling on Anzac Day.

In a positive development, two loggerhead turtles, cared for in Bunbury for two years, have been rehabilitated and released.