Small fine, warning for saving baby whale
THE Gold Coast diver who sparked an official investigation after freeing a humpback whale from shark nets has escaped with a small fine and a stern warning.
Django Hopkins made international headlines on Tuesday when he dived into the water off Burleigh Heads to free a young whale tangled in shark nets, only to later be caught by workers from the Department of Fisheries.
Despite his heroics, Mr Hopkins was facing fines of almost $30,000 for several offences relating to approaching whales and shark nets, but an investigation by the department has cleared the free diver of any serious breaches. He was instead given a smaller fine and an official caution.
Multiple fundraising drives set up to support the Currumbin local generated more than $10,000 and it is understood the excess funds will be donated to other charities.
Despite the drawn-out drama, Mr Hopkins said he would do it all again if he had his time over.
While acknowledging his actions were potentially “highly dangerous”, he said he didn’t think twice about saving the whale.
“I didn’t want to see $20,000 raised on GoFundMe pages having to pay a big fine, so I’m rapt with that (a smaller fine),” he said.
POLICE are investigating if a large rock is the link between three separate pharmacy break-ins on the Gold Coast and Loganin the early hours of yesterday.
About 2.40am a “large rock or piece of concrete” was thrown through the front glass window of a pharmacy in Waldron St at Yarrabilba in Logan.
Two males allegedly entered the business and placed a number of items in a bag before exiting through the damaged window.
About an hour later, a pharmacy in Maudsland Rd at Oxenford was similarly broken into, and then one in Eggersdorf Rd at Ormeau half an hour after that.
Police said a similar object was thrown through those windows, which were smashed.
Goods stolen included medication and prescription drugs. Investigations are continuing.