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Newcastle Art Gallery closes for 2-year expansion

Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

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Photo: City of Newcastle

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The collection will still be available online and represented across digital screen sites throughout the city during the expansion project.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the expanded gallery would be a major attraction for the city.

“The long-awaited expansion of the gallery which our foundation, society and the community have worked tirelessly towards will offer the ability to share more of our collection, displaying works of art of local, national and international importance for visitors to view and enjoy,” Morton said.

“To have all levels of government commit, collaborate and do this for our city is just incredible.

“We are beyond thrilled; all of my team are walking on clouds!”

Morton said the project was more than just about increasing the art space but also re-imagining the gallery and launching a new era of cultural tourism.

“This project is about re-imagining the Art Gallery to redefine what we offer as a destination and launch a new era of cultural tourism that will consolidate the Hunter’s reputation as an active and vibrant centre for the arts in NSW,” Morton said.

“We have such a strong art community, and it amazes me that our gallery has lasted for the 44 years that it has; our collection has grown by 500 per cent and values at $115M, but we can’t get any of it on display because we don’t have the physical space.

“To be able to finally get them up on the wall so that the community can come in and see their favourites is incredibly exciting.”

Morton was also recognised on the Australia Day Honours List and awarded Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for her outstanding and meritorious service to the museums and galleries sector.

She sits on multiple Industry Boards and Committees for organisations such as Create NSW, Museums and Galleries NSW, the University of Newcastle, and the John Hunter Hospital.

“I am absolutely blown away; I just feel incredibly humbled and really proud to be recognised for what I love to do,” Morton said. “To be recognised in an incredibly wonderful way is a huge honour, and I’m not sure it’s entirely sunk in yet!”

Morton is the first female Director in Newcastle Art Gallery’s 64-year history and, under her leadership, has helped the gallery achieve the highest audience participation in over a decade.

Hayley McMahon

Smart art illuminates city spaces

Artworks from the Newcastle Art Gallery will be a part of an interactive night-time attraction helping to liven up some of the city’s underused spaces.

City of Newcastle’s Night Spaces Project will see artworks displayed on 15 illuminated light boxes, including interactive elements and an augmented reality feature to provide information about the art.

The first group of lightboxes are already operational in Kuwami Place on Hunter Street, with additional installations to be delivered at Market Street and in Pacific Park early this year.

The light boxes are designed to be relocatable for use at other sites or major events.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the light boxes would share the Gallery’s vast collection and would feature different displays for each location.

“The works of art selected for Kuwami Place, for example, explore the genre of portraiture from the Gallery’s collection,” Morton said.

“Iconic images include Portrait of a Strapper by William Dobell, portraits of Margaret Olley in her Church Street terrace and Rupert Bunny’s emotive portrait of muse and wife Jeanne.

“Some works make a comment on social issues to engage those interacting with the light boxes, whilst other works depict a simple interaction between the artist and the subject in the picture.”

The light boxes were built locally using sustainable products and are solarpowered featuring an internal battery to illuminate the artworks and drive the sensor-based lighting features.

Augmented reality displays designed for each artwork will also add a further digital interactivity layer.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the project would enhance public spaces at night for the betterment of the community.

“The purpose-built interactive light boxes are innovative solutions to activating underutilised spaces throughout our city at night,” Cr Clausen said.

“Utilising cutting-edge interactive smart city technology, City of Newcastle partnered with the University of Newcastle and a local industrial design business to create these bespoke light boxes.

“They offer a new way for the community to interact with Newcastle Art Gallery’s nationally significant collection while also helping to illuminate and attract people to these locations at night.”

(L-R): Councillor Carol Duncan, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton with Zana Kobayashi also from the Gallery

Photo: Supplied

Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

All-female line-up for Citizen of the Year Awards

An exceptional line-up of Novocastrian women were recognised at the City of Newcastle 2022 Citizen of the Year Awards.

Among this year’s recipients was Silver Paralympic medallist and three-time world para-triathlon champion Lauren Parker who was awarded 2022 Citizen of the Year.

University of Newcastle law and business student Ashley Harrison was named Young Citizen of the Year, Jan Chamberlain was named Newcastle’s Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year was awarded to Hunter Peace Group.

The intimate award ceremony was held at the City Administration Centre on January 24 where Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes gifted the recipients their awards.

“These awards are for very worthy Novocastrians who have gone above and beyond in our community particularly over the last twelve months, which proved to be an exceptionally challenging year again for us all,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Often these people can be the quiet achievers in our community who have demonstrated excellence in their field whether it be through sport, community service, or activism.

“They are the everyday Novocastrians who bring recognition and pride to our city.”

Paralympian Lauren Parker was awarded 2022 Citizen of the Year following her results in Tokyo and on the world series circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Parker’s success came less than five years after she was told she would never walk again after a cycling accident left her paralysed from the waist down.

“I’m honoured and humbled to be named the 2022 Newcastle Citizen of the Year and so very proud to be an ambassador for my city and for every person who faces daily challenges of any kind,” Parker said.

“I choose to live my best life despite overwhelming adversity, and I continue to make that choice every day, I hope the recognition that I have now received will encourage others to do the same.

“Every day since the accident has been a physical and mental battle but training and representing Newcastle helps me channel the pain into a positive outlet and show others that they too can achieve their dreams no matter what life throws at them.”

Cr Nelmes said Lauren had proudly represented Australia and Newcastle on the world stage and perfectly epitomises the Citizen of the Year title.

“Lauren’s never-give-up attitude inspires countless Novocastrians, and she achieves anything she sets her mind to,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Her strength and resilience are admirable, always giving 110 per cent despite the daily battles we don’t see, managing ongoing pain from her injuries.”

Young Citizen of the Year recipient Ashley Harrison was recognised for her start-up social enterprise, Verified Associates, which advocates for and helps young women avoid exploitation through revenge porn, phishing, and impersonation.

Senior Citizen of the year was awarded to Jan Chamberlain who leads Hamilton South Community Solutions.

The dedicated group works to improve the amenity of the area, hosts community workshops and helps to reduce the stigma surrounding social housing.

Community Group of the Year was awarded to Hunter Peace Group for its advocacy in re-affirming Newcastle as a Nuclear Free Zone—a declaration first made by late Lord Mayor Joy Cummings AM in 1982.

Hunter Peace Group is working with the City of Newcastle to establish a dedicated Hunter Peace Park in Tighes Hill.

2022 Citizen of the Year Lauren Parker, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Jan Chamberlain, Ashley Harrison and Hunter Peace Group Members Diane Barrack, Lynda Forbes, Judy Morley and Beth Moran

Photo: NovoNews

100 new citizens welcomed in Australia Day ceremonies

Australia’s newest citizens were conferred at citizenship ceremonies in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle on January 26, with almost 100 new citizens welcomed from all corners of the globe.

Among those who became the country’s newest citizens at the Rathmines, Lake Macquarie ceremony were 67 women, men and children, who hailed from 24 nations, including Brazil, Tibet, Egypt and Vietnam.

In Newcastle, another 32 people from 15 countries took the citizenship pledge of commitment via Zoom and were named Australian citizens.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser, who presided over the Lake Macquarie ceremony, said Australia Day was the perfect opportunity to welcome new citizens.

“Our diversity of cultures, and the way we embrace them, helps define who we are as Australians,” Cr Fraser said.

“It’s always so wonderful and touching to see people from all walks of life, backgrounds, religions and races coming together to be part of our special country.”

Born in Kenya, Elizabeth Muturi was conferred at Lake Macquarie and decided to become a citizen after first coming to Australia 25 years ago in search of a new life.

Husband John Anieto, from Nigeria, is also in the process of getting citizenship.

“We have lived here so many years, and this is our home now,” Muturi said.

“We’ve had our three children here, we have close friends, and we’ve made many close relationships.”

Ajith Balasubramanian and Anusha Nair moved to Australia from India in 2014 and have since had two children: Ahalya, six, and Avyan, two.

“This is our place to call home. The kids love it, and there are so many options in terms of things to do and the outdoors,” Balasubramanian said.

“I think getting citizenship makes it certain that this is your place.”

Almost 15 per cent of people in Lake Macquarie were born overseas, with England, New Zealand, Germany, Scotland and the Philippines the top five countries of birth.

More than 10 per cent are first-generation Aussies whose parents were both born overseas.

Cr Fraser welcomed the region’s new citizens, whether “they’re new arrivals or have decided to become Australian after living here for many years”.

“We wish you well and look forward to you contributing to our community through your knowledge, skills, culture and traditions,” Cr Fraser said.

Citizenship celebrations at the City of Newcastle were hosted a little differently to the neighbouring locality, with the citizenship ceremony conducted over Zoom.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes congratulated the city’s newest Australian citizens, commenting that “it was an honour to preside over this morning’s online citizenship ceremony, where we officially welcomed 32 citizens from 15 different countries”.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon attended the celebration and read the Minister’s Message, while Indigenous advocate Aunty Cheryl Smith delivered an Acknowledgement of Country.

Cr Nelmes offered special thanks to Aboriginal artist Alex Nean, the didgeridoo players of Jesmond Callaghan College, as well as The Grainery Church for their “wonderful performances” at the ceremony.

More than 16,000 people from over 150 countries became citizens on Australia Day at 400 ceremonies across the country.

New citizens John Anieto and Elizabeth Muturi at Rathmines after the citizenship ceremony Photo source: Lake Macquarie City

Maia O’Connor

Newcastle’s first female-majority council

In a first for Newcastle’s 220-year history, nine women have been elected to Newcastle City Council making up almost three quarters of spots in the new 13 person council.

The NSW Electoral Commission finalised the count for the local government elections held on December 4.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was re-elected for a third consecutive term.

Seven new councillors and five returning councillors will join her to form the 13 person council.

Of the 13 elected representatives, a majority of seven will represent Newcastle Labor, three Liberals, two Greens, and one Independent.

Returning councillors include Declan Clausen, Carol Duncan, John Church, Dr John Mackenzie, and Peta WinneyBaartz.

They will be joined by new councillors Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk, Jenny Barrie, Charlotte McCabe, Callum Pull, Deahnna Richardson, Katrina Wark and Margaret Wood.

Cr Nelmes thanked the community for their support in re-electing her for a third term.

“I’m honoured to be officially reelected to serve Newcastle for another term as Lord Mayor,” Cr Nelmes said.

“I’d like to thank the community for voting to support our transformational and progressive vision for Newcastle.

“I’m also proud that Novocastrians have voted for gender diversity, not just parity, with a majority and historic female voice represented on Newcastle Council in this new term.”

Cr Nelmes said her first priority would be to respond to the current Omicron strain on Newcastle and its effects.

“This city has had a tough two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to face challenges with the new Omicron strain,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Now more than ever, our community in Newcastle needs the support of a strong local government with a track record of delivering stable and consistent leadership that has innovated to provide solutions to support jobs and protect our community as we look to 2022 and beyond.”

Newly elected Liberal councillor Jenny Barrie said that Council was a great platform to inspire women of all ages into politics.

“I’m excited to work with Nuatali and join a hardworking and dedicated team to represent ratepayers and residents across the City of Newcastle,” Cr Barrie said.

Councillor Carol Duncan who will be returning for her second term said she was excited to see greater female representation.

“Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has been a trailblazer for us all, breaking through an often harsh glass ceiling in Newcastle,” Cr Duncan said.

“Her leadership by example has paved the way for both the younger generation and women to follow. It’s not an easy path for a young woman but it has been transformational for Newcastle.

“Once we have a generation of kids growing up thinking it’s normal to have a female majority council, state or federal government, we’ll know things are improving.

“I’m enormously proud to be a member of Newcastle’s first female-majority council and I note that it’s one of the strategic priorities of the United Nations.”

The Newcastle Labor team (L-R) Cr Deahnna Richardson (Ward 4), Cr Peta Winney-Baartz (Ward 3),

Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Declan Clausen (Ward 1), Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Cr Carol Duncan (Ward 2), Cr Margaret Wood (Ward 3), and Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk (Ward 4) Photo: City of Newcastle

Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

The driving force towards a zero-emission future

The transition into a zeroemissions fleet is driving forward with the announcement of the City of Newcastle’s first electric truck.

Replacing a diesel vehicle used by the City of Newcastle’s Parks and Recreation team, the medium rigid Hino truck is the first of its kind.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the new electric truck was a part of a Fleet Transition Plan aiming for zero emissions from 100 per cent of the City of Newcastle fleet by 2030.

“We are really pleased to see an electric truck added to our electric vehicle fleet … this is a really important step in terms of real action the city is taking to address climate change,” Cr Clausen said.

“This new truck will reduce the city’s carbon emissions by about 20 tonnes a year, helping to make a really sizeable dint in a large amount of fuel we currently use.

“Fossil-based liquid fuels such as diesel and unleaded petrol in City of Newcastle cars, trucks, waste fleet, plant and equipment account for more than 90 per cent of our remaining operational carbon emissions.”

The launch of the electric truck follows previous trials of electric vehicles within the fleet, including the replacement of four pool cars with full-electric passenger vehicles.

Cr Clausen said the City of Newcastle had adopted a plan that saw the elimination of carbon emissions in its operations over the next decade.

“The City of Newcastle is working to deliver the adopted Climate Action Plan 2021-2025, which sets out a roadmap for achieving emission reduction within CN operations,” he said.

“We are helping to support the community’s transition to electric vehicles as well with the development of a council-owned public electric vehicle charging network.”

The charging network includes seven chargers installed across four sites in Newcastle, providing 11 charging bays—additional sites are planned to be built this year.

(L-R) City of Newcastle Senior Field Worker Andrew Parkinson, City of Newcastle Manager Community Strategy & Innovation Ashlee Abbott, Cr Callum Pull, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, City of Newcastle Fleet Coordinator Ian Lorenz and City of Newcastle Sustainability Manager Steele Adams with the new electric truck

Photo: City of Newcastle

Hayley McMahon

Dinosaur show promises a roarsome time

The Great Baby Dinosaur Show is officially open at the Newcastle Museum featuring life-size animatronics and a roaring good time for the whole family to enjoy.

The Great Baby Dinosaur Show hosted by the Newcastle Museum features lifesize animatronics and promises a roaring good time for the whole family.

The never-before-seen ticketed exhibition showcases a range of animatronic dinosaurs, including pterosaurs, triceratops and velociraptors, which were all exclusively created for the Newcastle Museum.

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the new exhibition would deliver a much-needed dose of family-friendly fun.

“Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the experience of the Great Baby Dinosaur Show, hearing the life-like dinosaurs roar and watching them move while carefully considering their vote for the ‘Best in Show’,” Cr Duncan said.

“The Museum’s staff have had fun preparing for this exhibition and taking on the role of judges for this giant baby competition, awarding ribbons for everything from the ‘Best Roar’ and ‘Coolest Spikes’ to the ‘Most Colourful Scales’, but now we need your help to decide who will take out the top prize, with the winner to be announced when the show finishes up.”

Cr Duncan said it was the first significant family event they had offered up since COVID-19 and the lockdown.

“We are bringing families back out into events, and it’s so incredibly special,” Cr Duncan said.

“I think for a lot of people, the last two years have been really tough, so families can come into this beautiful baby dino world and have a great time.

“And also, who doesn’t love a baby dinosaur?”

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said dinosaur-themed exhibitions were always very popular with the community, especially the younger residents.

“Our museum staff were excited to be involved in curating this show,” Baird said.

“While they’re here, visitors can also check out our other summer exhibition, Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist, which features more than 20 works by the much-loved Newcastle artist.”

Newcastle Museum Curator and Collection Coordinator David Hampton said tickets were available online at the Newcastle Museum website.

“This is like if the Royal Easter Show had dinosaurs in it,” Hampton said. “People can come in and see a whole range of life-sized baby dinosaurs and vote on their absolute favourite.

“It’s a fascinating exhibit for the community and for us here at the museum as well!”

The Great Baby Dinosaur Show will remain open until March 12, 2022.

Cr Carol Duncan, Mason Akers, aged 5, Vicente Bacani, aged 3 and Newcastle Museum Curator David Hampton check out the Great Baby Dinosaur Show at Newcastle Museum. Photo: Supplied

Get your local laugh fix at Newcastle’s first dedicated comedy club

Newcastle’s first dedicated comedy club opened its doors to the public in December, offering open mic nights, comedy showcases and creative development opportunities for locals seeking to get involved in the craft.

Co-owners of the Newcastle Comedy Club, James Conners, Elliott Stewart, and Allan Brady, who have a collective of 20 years experience in the industry, attributed the club opening to a lacking provision of dedicated comedy in the Hunter region.

“Comedy nights at local venues were great for our development, but ultimately it’s not the best way to experience comedy in a loud pub, where people are blending margaritas and the like, so we thought why not make a dedicated space [so] it’s not just better for the comedians performing, but it’s the best possible environment for a paying audience to experience comedy,” Conners said.

To fill the gap in the local market and improve the experience of local comics and audiences, the trio invested personal capital into creating a dedicated club, a process they say has been more than two years in the making.

“Something of this frequency hasn’t been done in Newcastle – while people have run monthly gigs at other places, nothing has really been done multiple nights a week here that is comedyrelated,” Conners said.

“You normally have to go on holidays, go on a cruise or go to another city to be able to watch dedicated comedy, so the whole Newcastle region has been super keen for [a local offering].”

The club, located at 1 Darby Street, is currently open three nights a week and hosts open mic nights every Tuesday and comedy showcases on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Local comedians and headliners from Sydney and interstate have been among performers thus far, with Netflix’s Hot Mess comedian Sarah Gaul recently featuring on the clubs opening weekend on January 9.

Conners revealed the club had intentions to eventually extend trading hours to include Wednesday nights, featuring comedy television trivia such as Seinfeld and South Park.

Future offerings will expand to include free comedy workshops teaching a range of comedy film basics and hosting acting classes.

“It’s all about creatively developing a bunch of Novocastrian’s and supporting current comedians in the scene, as well as bringing in people who have always wanted to try comedy but who have never really had a place to do it.”

Conners said facilitating the local comedy scene had been rewarding but wasn’t without its challenges.

“It’s been a lot of pressure because we want people to have a good time – it comes from being a comedian in the first place and wanting to make people happy,” Conners said.

“It’s been a lot of work over a lot of months, between three guys who have never used a power tool before to get this place looking great, then watching people leaving the show talking about how awesome it was and that they’ll be returning.

“That is the biggest thing for us- the satisfaction from audiences.”

The other co-owners conceded that while they were still learning to run the club’s bar facility, which had not been “a smooth” process, the comedy aspect was an “absolute blinder.”

“[Novocastrians] have been excited, and that’s reflected in how well our shows have been selling. Last weekend was unbelievable – the show was great, and the audience was great,” they said.

“We have a lot to owe to Newcastle for embracing the concept. We’ve had so many people reach out to us or even sharing it.”

Conners encouraged local comedians to get involved, whether experienced or new to the scene.

“For established comedians, by all means, send us a message, and for people who have never done comedy before or very little of it, we do have open mic that is starting every Tuesday, weekly,” Conners said. “The thing with comedy in Australia is that there’s only about five or six household names in comedy, but there are hundreds of really great comedians that you’ve never heard the name of, but hopefully, one day you will.

“At Newcastle Comedy Club showcases, we provide a lineup of great comedians that you’ve probably never seen or heard of before, and you’ll be walking away telling yourself you’ll write their name down because they’ll be on Netflix one day.”

Audiences can also expect locallymade beverages at the venue, with Newcastle Comedy Club championing Mayfield company Shout Brewing to supply craft beers.

Follow the club’s Facebook page to stay up to date, or head to their website for more information.

The Newcastle Comedy Club has officially opened its doors, located at 1A Darby Street, Newcastle Photo: Supplied

Maia O’Connor

Wotso launches new office of the future in Newcastle West

A new co-working space has opened its doors in Newcastle West, offering flexible, environmentally sustainable offices designed to accommodate the modern-day workplace.

WOTSO co-working space has officially opened, located in Newcastle West on the corner of Tudor and Hunter Street.

The opening ceremony was accompanied by co-managing directors Jessie Glew and Tim Brown, as well as State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp, who officially cut the ribbon.

Brown said WOTSO brought a modern take on flexible workspaces to Newcastle and contributed to Newcastle’s West end revitalisation.

“We bring a collection of small businesses to an area, and that area grows because those businesses spend in that area instead of travelling somewhere else to spend their money; this, in turn, grows lots of small microeconomies,” Brown said.

“We also want to create productive workspaces where everyone feels welcome and have a relaxed yet professional feel.

“Reuse of existing materials is a key feature of each of the spaces meaning that you will see data racks turned into tables and original furnishings being repurposed.”

Brown said each WOTSO site was unique to the local area and provided the feel of working from home but the amenity and comfort of an office.

Set across three levels, including a rooftop for lunch breaks and leisure, the Newcastle space features upcycled and recycled materials within its build.

The design also pays homage to Newcastle’s industrial heritage and Indigenous culture while creating a modern space that draws on the location and proximity to the coast.

Local Newcastle artist Ellie Hannon decorated the space with funky, immersive natural world paintings full of colour scapes and playful textures.

Each level of the building has a unique style and burst of colour, including the rooftop terrace, which includes Hannon’s colourful jungle art scape contrast against the Newcastle skyline.

“Each of our spaces primarily service the local businesses that surround it, so a great way of engaging with that community is by using locals to help give each space its look and feel,” Brown said.

“It’s something for Novocastrians to be proud of and a way for WOTSO to showcase Novocastrian talent.”

What started as an innovative and, at the time, largely unexplored approach to vacant office space, WOTSO evolved into a desk hire workplace and is now a network of sole traders and local startup businesses across Australia.

They offer flexible co-working memberships, permanent desks, offices space, and meeting rooms with zero contract terms and only month-tomonth agreements.

“Newcastle is a booming area and has always been a location we wanted to be in, but we just haven’t been able to find the right piece of real estate,” comanaging director Jessie Glew said.

“The rise of remote working will only serve to increase Newcastle’s appeal as an economic centre, and we are looking to service this growth.

“Given the recent surge of Sydney city dwellers favouring regional areas to pursue reduced costs of living and more conducive lifestyle choices, we cannot wait to add our flexible space offering to the Newcastle market.”

For more information on WOTSO, visit their website at wotsoworkspace.com. au.

(L-R) Jessie Glew, State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and Tim Brown at the Newcastle WOTSO opening event

Photo: NovoNews

P9 FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE 010

OVOSOCIETY Historic community carriageway under threat in new development proposal

The new development on Llewellyn Street has blocked access to the carriageway during construction

Photo: NovoNews

While the City of Newcastle recently celebrated a surge in DA’s across the city, Merewether locals have been left infuriated by plans for a historically significant carriageway to be extinguished, making way for residential accommodation and commercial premises.

A new development application (DA) to extinguish the carriageway linking Llewellyn Street and Caldwell Street in Merewether, which has been operational for over 80 years, has attracted over 70 objections from residents.

“A number of very long-term residents are extremely upset … approval of this will anger many, many people,” said Merewether local Michael Barwell, who has resided in the suburb for over three decades.

“This right of way has been utilised by the Merewether community for access to the preschool, the park, residences and facilities in Caldwell Street like the Alice Ferguson Community Centre and the Bowling Club for decades,” Barwell said. “Of course, the reverse is also true, allowing easy access to the commercial area of Merewether like the post office, supermarket, cafe, and pharmacy, increasing the financial viability of these businesses.”

Barwell said the park connected to the carriageway had offered local families a safe location in the area to use, and permanently isolating the asset would reduce the ease of park access for users.

A submission to council opposing the DA also cited the impact on residents with a disability, who have previously relied on the carriageway to access key facilities in the area.

Businesses and residents alike are fearful of the enduring impacts on the Merewether community should the DA proceed further and get approved.

“Blocking the carriageway will turn the park into an island, remove vehicular access to Merewether Bowling Club’s shed, impact businesses, affect the amenity of many residents and remove the Council’s own access to maintain the park and its equipment,” Barwell said.

“This walkway is used by hundreds of people every day, maybe more. So it’s been a major inconvenience not having this available whilst construction has taken place.”

Carriageway holds community significance

Some submissions to the City of Newcastle said public access to the right of way was granted to the Merewether community “pre-1938” and was gifted by the RSL when selling the carpark land adjacent to the carriageway.

As a condition of sale, the RSL said the carriageway must remain available for public use.

Barwell said the developer knew and agreed to these conditions during the approval process.

“Additionally, they would have been clearly aware of the carriageway when they purchased the property from the disposed assets of the RSL,” he said.

In the original DA, the developer agreed to a clause stating the carriageway was to remain. However, when the boundaries were erected at the start of construction, the council agreed that it would return to a carriageway at completion.

In December, however, a late minor modification application was lodged by the local company Perception Planning to remove the clause from the DA.

As the application was listed as a ‘minor modification’, neighbouring residents were not advised of the change.

Barwell said that the only reason he and other residents were aware of the changes was because of the online service Planning Alerts, which tracks development applications across suburbs.

“Not Merewether Bowling Club who has had access to a shed denied during construction, not the preschool, not the neighbouring businesses like the doctor’s surgery, not the fire station, no one,” Barwell said.

He claimed the timing of the modification was intentional, while other submissions deemed it to be an “opportunist approach” to “pass under the noses of residents”.

“I don’t think that the timing of the application to remove this right of way is a coincidence. With the preschool closed for the year, hardly any parents would be aware,” Barwell said.

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan revealed she had been contacted by “extremely concerned” residents over the DA.

“I am concerned that a proposed modification has been lodged with the council that would see the right of way extinguished and have asked staff to look at this issue on behalf of residents,” she said.

“My understanding is that council’s original development included a condition to protect this right of way, and I believe it should be adhered to, and the requested modification refused.”

Thus far, Barwell said he had made “no progress” with the council regarding his submission; however, he hoped the abundance of community submissions rejecting the modification led to the issue being discussed at a council meeting.

NovoNews reached out to planning agent Perception Planning for comment, however, we did not receive a response in time of publishing.

The City of Newcastle declined to comment on the matter, as the DA was still under assessment at the time of publication.

Two Hunter charities are hosting a fun night full of glitter, drag bingo and trivia, all to help raise some much-needed funds and awareness for two of the community’s most common cancers.

The Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation (HBCF) and Hunter Melanoma Foundation (HMF) are hosting the 2022 Knockers & Moles event at the Peter Drayton’s IronBark Hill Brewhouse in the Hunter Valley.

Emceed by Newcastle Drag Queen, Timberlina, the night will be filled with glitz and glamour, including a range of fun activities, delicious food, and drinks.

Apart from a fantastic night with friends, the event aims to start a conversation around breast cancer and melanoma, the most common cancers in the Hunter community.

Last year the two charities came together for the first-ever Knockers & Moles event, raising a total of $24,000,

General Manager of HBCF Ellie Wells, Timberlina and Executive Officer of HMF Claudia Tolhurst Photo: Supplied

a result that Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation general manager Ellie Wells hopes to see again.

“The community really got behind our first Knockers & Moles event,” Wells said.

“The event sold out within a few days, and we had a number of local businesses supporting us every step of the way.

“Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation is proud to have continued to work alongside another incredible organisation to raise as much awareness about breast cancer and melanoma within the local community as possible.

“I think one thing COVID-19 has taught us is that we are better together than apart.”

Hunter Melanoma Foundation executive officer Claudia Tolhurst said the event was just the beginning of the collaboration between the two Hunter charities.

“This event helped launch this collaboration so that we can help even more people in our community whilst encouraging other charities to do the same,” Tolhurst said.

Knockers & Moles will begin at 6:00 pm on Saturday, February 5, at the IronBark Hill Brewhouse Pokolbin.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging from $75 to $95 per person.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Hunter Melanoma Foundation website.

Hayley McMahon

University of Newcastle awarded $2.1M for cystic fibrosis research

University of Newcastle respiratory disease expert Professor Peter Wark is currently leading a new $2.1M project to develop targeted treatments for the rare and life-threatening disease cystic fibrosis.

The research project seeks to target individuals who suffer from rare genetic mutations of the disease and adopt a precision medicine approach by considering individual genetic variations when tailoring treatments for people with cystic fibrosis.

Nationally, cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disorder affecting citizens, and around 3,500 people across the country live with the disease.

Caused by more than 2,000 gene defects, cystic fibrosis primarily damages the lungs and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system, which produces saliva, sweat, tears and mucus.

Although medications have been developed to help patients manage cystic fibrosis, they improve outcomes for only 80 per cent of people with the disease.

“About 80 per cent of people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis have the same genetic mutations. For those individuals, there are treatments that improve the function of protein and reverse the abnormalities that cause problems to occur in cystic fibrosis – which is great news.”

However, for the remainder of the affected population, Professor Wark said, “it’s very hard to do clinical trials with people with rare disorders, so, unfortunately, people with the rare disorders and diseases often miss out on treatments”.

Professor Wark said researchers seek to tailor treatment options to individual patients and predict accurately who will and will not benefit from existing cystic fibrosis medicines.

“Our precision medicine approach allows us to maximise the benefit [of treatments] while reducing the risk of harms at the same time.”

Currently, the lack of clinical trials involving sufferers with rare mutations means they are either denied treatments completely or are prescribed treatments with no guarantee of efficacy.

“For some people, treatments won’t have any real benefit, and they’ll just be unnecessarily taking medications for a long time, which can have potential side effects,” he said.

“What we do with the grant is we take cells from these individuals and trial medications on them to see if this corrects the abnormality that causes cystic fibrosis.

“We can do that in a laboratory without having to give the patients the medication, and they won’t get side effects, but more importantly, we can tell whether the treatment is going to work for that individual specifically.”

Professor Wark said he hoped the technology would be made available for public use soon.

“We just have to demonstrate if this avatar model will work, then it will really be up to regulatory authorities whether they want to include this sort of process in the selection of medications,” he said.

“We could take this technology from bench to bedside in the next couple of years and have it as a means of screening effective treatment in these individuals.”

Moving forward, the researcher said the model would not only improve outcomes for those with rare forms of cystic fibrosis but hoped it would be utilised for different diseases as well.

The $2.1M funding for the project is part of the Medical Research Future Fund, administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Professor Wark’s project is among 27 others that were awarded funding through the Federal Government’s 2021 Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need grant program, and the researcher said securing the grant was no easy feat.

“The Medical Research Future Fund is very difficult to be able to access and to be able to get it awarded- the success rates are less than 10 per cent at the best of times, so we’re very happy.”

The University of Newcastle-led project will involve collaborators from six additional Australian universities and research institutes, including the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales.

P11 FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE 010

OVOSOCIETY New $470M Maitland Hospital welcomes patients

A new $470 million hospital in Metford opened its doors on January 19 to patients from Maitland and its surrounds, as Hunter New England Health promised the facility would bring new and improved healthcare services to the region.

Hunter New England Local Health District Chief Executive, Michael DiRienzo, said the new hospital had been a decade in the works and that it would offer “state-of-the-art medical care in a modern and high-quality health facility”.

To cater for a growing population, the new facility is almost double the size of the existing Maitland Hospital and has 150 more beds, bringing the total bed capacity to approximately 340.

The hospital provides expanded facilities for surgery, maternity and paediatric care, along with renal dialysis facilities, oral health services and outpatient clinics.

A new 12-chair chemotherapy service, an MRI, an additional CT scanner, as well as a purpose-built Early Treatment Zone (ETZ) in the emergency department enables patients to be assessed and treated more efficiently, said Hunter New England Health.

Visitors to the hospital also have access to a new purpose-built carpark.

Hunter New England Health said the new chemotherapy, emergency short stay and cardiac catheterisation offerings were a first for the Maitland region and claimed there is still room for future expansion.

DiRienzo also revealed the new facility possesses a better capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.

“With two-thirds of the rooms in the new hospital being single rooms, along with negative pressure rooms, we can also better support our COVID-positive patients in the new space,” he said.

“The new hospital has been built to cater for the community as it grows and changes, and when all services have been transferred, the existing hospital will close.”

He said patient welfare was currently the hospital’s number one priority and that comprehensive measures were in place to ensure continuity of care.

“The transition of patients and services requires careful planning and infection control practices, and this will be our approach as we transition our staff and patients to the new hospital.”

He said staff had been “hard at work preparing for the move”, which would be a staged process that “will happen quite quickly over one week”.

The transition to the new site involved 96 patients and 15 transport vehicles with assistance from 500 staff across both sites.

Beatrice Mitchell was among the first patients transferred to the new hospital and said the staff did a “good job” when completing the moving process.

“It was a bit hectic because there were a lot of people … some who could walk unassisted and others who had to be lifted and transferred to trolleys and out into ambulances,” she said.

“[Health staff] were checking off everybody to make sure everything was all right. All in all, they’ve done a very good job.”

The Port Stephens local described the new facility as “really lovely, with beautiful new, modern bathroom and lovely big wide halls where they can put two trolleys side by side and not be constrained by space”.

Officials have reminded residents that the emergency department at High Street is now closed and that anyone needing emergency care should present to the new Maitland Hospital on Metford Road.

“This is a busy time for the team, so please only come to the new hospital if you need medical treatment,” a statement read.

Health authorities are yet to reveal plans for the current High Street hospital’s future, built in 1849.

However, residents across the Hunter have urged local MP’s and NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard to consider it for continued public use.

The new facility is almost double in size of the existing High Street hospital

Photo source: NSW Government

Maia O’Connor

Mozzie warning issued for locals

NSW Health is urging residents to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases, after the Kunjin virus was detected in horses in parts of the Hunter.

Dr David Durrheim, public health physician at Hunter New England Health, revealed the Kunjin virus had been detected in horses in Southern and Northern NSW, including the Hunter Valley, indicating that Kunjin may be circulating in mosquitoes.

He said the virus had the potential to cause human infection.

“It is important to be vigilant about protecting yourself from mosquito bites as mosquitoes can spread Kunjin and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses,” Dr Durrheim said.

Kunjin and Murray Valley encephalitis virus infection are two rare but serious infections of the brain which can cause symptoms such as severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright lights, drowsiness, confusion, and possible seizures.

“There is no vaccine and no specific treatment for these viruses. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” Dr Durrheim said.

Health authorities are recommending residents cover up as much as possible when outside, use an effective insect repellent (containing Diethyl Toluamide, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus), cover all windows, doors and other entrances with insect screens and remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes can breed.

Health authorities say the virus is spread by the bite of the common banded mosquito, Culex annulirostris, which breeds in fresh water and tends to be found in spring, summer and autumn around natural wetlands and irrigation waters.

While mosquito-borne, Kunjin virus is originally a virus of birdlife.

NSW Health said mosquitoes could become infected by feeding on infected birds and further transmitting the infection by biting humans and other animals.

If residents suspect they may have been exposed to the virus, securing a blood test is recommended to determine whether antibodies of the Kunjin virus are present.

For further information on the mosquito-borne disease and ways to protect yourself, go to the NSW Health website.

Whilst Kunjin is a virus originally found in birds, mosquitos can transmit the virus after feeding on infected animals Photo: University of Newcastle

Local mum’s initiative supports disadvantaged schoolchildren

The Backpack Drive Co-founder Catherine Woodbine

Photo: Supplied

As the school year gets underway, families across the Hunter and wider state have busily prepared their children for another year of learning.

For some families, the start of the school year signals the opening of an exciting chapter and new beginnings.

However, for other families, it acts as a reminder of continued hardship and the need to overcome further adversity.

This year, local Hunter initiatives emerged that share the same goal; they’re on a mission to ensure rural and regional children start their school year on an equal playing field, free from socio-economic constraints and other forces of inequality.

The Backpack Venture is among these initiatives and was conceived by two Port Stephens mums, Catherine Woodbine, and her friend Alison.

The women discovered greater incidences of inequity across regional school populations and an inability for families to access assistance.

“We found a lack of help in regional areas, so what we want to do is ensure kids in those areas have what they need to return to school,” Woodbine said.

“In the Newcastle and Port Stephens areas, there are places that families can go for help, but in these smaller regional towns, there’s no help at all, so that’s why we want to tap into those areas.”

From September last year, the volunteer-run initiative collected donations, including backpacks, drink bottles, lunch boxes, colouring pencils, exercise books and calculators from across the Hunter.

“The backpacks are about building confidence on day one because children have what they need to start the year, the same as every other child in their school,” Woodbine said.

In its first year, the Backpack Venture supported schools in Denman, Casillis, Broke, Sandy Hollow, Greenlands, Milbrodale, Ulan, Lower Belford, and daycare preschools across the region.

“Some of these kids turn up with nothing, and others turn up with their belongings in a plastic bag, so they stand out for all the wrong reasons,” Woodbine said.

“We want them to start the new year with everything they need for a confident, exciting, happy year of learning.

“We’re also hoping that when children have what they need, it will increase the attendance rates as well.”

Woodbine said they had been blown away by the support of residents and businesses across the Hunter.

“This is our first year, so we kept [the drive] small because we didn’t know how well we would be supported … but the support from our community has been amazing.”

Initially, the women appealed for 400 backpacks, although after attracting the attention of residents on social media, Woodbine said they far exceeded that number.

By the first day of school, 494 backpacks that included stationery, lunch boxes & drink bottles had been donated.

Woodbine said their target for emergency menstrual kits had also been reached, with their initial goal of 285 growing to 750, as well as 380 pairs of underwear donated.

Woodbine said the emergency period kits would be made available to students via the office during school hours, providing relief to many girls at school.

“For all the backpacks and emergency kits we have leftover, we’re going to filter out into our local community,” she said.

The Backpack Venture campaign relied on a network of community volunteers, commercial partners, and local police.

Woodbine revealed that 12 volunteers, including the founder’s children, were involved in operations across the Hunter and Port Stephens areas.

Other local businesses and organisations offered to be drop-off locations for residents willing to donate, including State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery’s office.

The initiative garnered further support from health staff at Singleton Emergency Department, who amassed more supplies for schoolchildren in need.

After picking up many donations from separate locations, Woodbine and her fellow volunteers delivered the backpacks to school principals on January 28.

Lifeguard Maxi from Live Learn Survive and, more notably, the television show Bondi Rescue also accompanied the group to deliver his water safety books to schools.

Woodbine said he had been a major sponsor, donating 260 books to the cause.

“A lot of kids from country areas have never been to the beach and are swimming in rivers and stuff like that, so it’s important to get these books out to raise awareness of the hazards in waterways.”

One of several initiatives operating locally, The Backpack Venture is not alone in offering school resources and backpacks as a concept to minimise socio-economic divides in the classroom.

The local branch of national not-forprofit Friends with Dignity has also undertaken a Back to School backpack drive, amassing an additional 475 backpacks for schoolchildren affected by domestic violence.

Both drives credited social media and its role in granting their initiatives greater exposure.

Woodbine said most people in the community had found out about their initiative from their Facebook page.

“95 per cent is due to social media. It has been huge. We’ve only got Facebook, and a majority of people have found us there,” she said.

After a local school reached out to her requesting an additional 60 backpacks, Woodbine turned to her followers on Facebook to help.

“After I put a call out on Facebook, we had the backpacks and supplies donated within 24 hours,” she said.

“We wouldn’t have this without social media. I am sure of that.”

Woodbine said The Backpack Venture was conceived from a growing necessity to aid families in need while not discriminating.

Her belief forms a vital principle of The Backpack Venture’s work in not just choosing kids that are disadvantaged but choosing all kids.

“People say to me that what I’m doing is amazing and that I’m a wonderful person. I’m not. I’m just a mum who sees a need.”

For community members interested in supporting The Backpack Venture, Woodbine said major sponsor Survivor’s R Us in Cardiff would accept donations on behalf of the initiative at any time throughout the year.

A range of community members have donated to the cause, including health staff at Singleton Emergency Department

Photo: Supplied

P13 FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE 010

OVOSOCIETY University radio station recognised nationally

Some of the 2NURFM news team including Mark Rorke and Jessica Rouse

Photo: Jessica Rouse Twitter

University of Newcastle’s community radio station 2NURFM has received a national accolade for its news training program, which has helped launch the media careers of hundreds of students.

2NUR’s News Work Integrated Learning Program won the Excellence in Training Award at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBBA) Radio Awards in December last year.

News Director at 2NURFM Ian Crouch said the Student News Program had been enormously successful in preparing aspiring journalists and producers for rewarding careers.

“We have developed a reputation for producing outstanding journalists who are job-ready,” Crouch said.

“In the past 12 months, several students have secured positions with ABC Radio, commercial radio and commercial television newsrooms, while others have gained employment in print and online media and other media organisations.

“It’s a joy and a privilege to guide and mentor so many wonderful young people, and it’s especially gratifying to see the Work Integrated Learning program recognised nationally in the 2021 CBAA Awards.” 2NUR began broadcasting in March 1978 and is funded by listener donations and sponsorship from businesses across Newcastle and the greater Hunter.

Its newsroom started in 2009 with three students providing local news bulletins up to three days per week.

Former radio journalist Ian Crouch joined in 2010 as news director while also leading the practical training program for students undertaking their communications degree at the University.

Since its conception, the number of students participating in the radio program has grown considerably – 48 in 2016, 39 in 2017 and a record 53 in 2018.

The university said 46 students participated in 2019, although conceded that numbers had dwindled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the program supporting 26 students in 2020 and 29 in 2021.

University of Newcastle Alumni Jessica Rouse and nominee for two Australian Commercial Radio Awards including Best Current Affairs Presenter and Best Talk Presenter said the training she received at 2NURFM was “second to none”.

“The difference between when I started and when I left in both my reading and writing was amazing,” Rouse said.

“I left that newsroom ready to work in any radio newsroom in the country equipped with all the skills I needed. I am now the news director at NewFM and 2HD.”

Rouse said she learnt how to lead a newsroom under Ian’s Crouch’s mentorship and was trusted to act in his place when required.

“Everyone who mentions they’ve been through the newsroom at 2NURFM knows the great reputation of the newsroom training program and that they have been taught very well on how to chase, write and read news stories.”

The News Work Integrated Learning Program aims to give students a wide and varied experience as a radio journalist.

When undertaking training, students develop interview techniques, recording and editing skills and an ability to identify a story based on the needs of their listening audience.

They also learn to use the NewsBoss software program – the most widely used and regarded news preparation program in Australia.

Opportunities are offered for students to attend media conferences and do field reporting.

As their writing skills advance, they receive voice coaching to prepare them for news reading on air.

Students also publish work on the station’s online and social media platforms training them to get “jobready”.

A former journalist at Central Coast Community News and UoN Alumni Jarrod Melmeth said taking part in the student volunteer program was the best thing he had done for his career and was forever grateful for the opportunities it had provided.

Information source: University of Newcastle

“I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE HOMELESS.”

More people are now facing homelessness than ever before.

DOWN IN THE GARDEN: Summer Cuttings

CHERALYN DARCEY

How do you get your plants for almost free?

Propagate them yourself.

This simply means creating new plants from a parent plant or plants.

There are two types of propagation, the first being ‘sexual’ which is the creation of a third new plant from two parent plants, and this is probably familiar to most of us as through the process of seed creation through pollination.

The offspring is a combination of the traits of both parent plants.

The other type of propagation is ‘asexual’ and this is achieved via cuttings, division of plants, grafting, budding and layering of one parent plant and this will produce a clone.

The resulting plant is an exact copy of the parent plant in every way although mutations do sometimes occur.

Today we are talking about cuttings and those that you could take right now.

It’s not that all plants can’t be reproduced via cuttings, it’s just that some methods work better than others with different plants.

TYPES OF CUTTINGS

Softwood Cuttings are taken from new growth and as the name suggests, they are very soft.

They take really well either in water for later transplanting or in cutting and seed raising mixtures but are rather fickle with a low survival rate after striking.

Greenwood Cuttings are created when the plant stems are a little past the softwood stage and can be recognised by firmer stems.

They have a better survival rate into maturity.

Semi-Ripe Cuttings work very well with conifers and most evergreens and are taken once the stems begin to bud.

Hard Wood Cuttings are made well before new growth begins when the plant is in a dormant phase.

These cuttings are slower to strike, don’t have as great a rate of striking but once they do take, have an excellent survival rate into maturity.

Leaf-bud Cuttings are a semiripe cutting with a single leaf still attached and these are an economical way of creating an increased number of cuttings, especially from shrubs.

Leaf Cuttings are not for all plants but there are some that can regenerate easily from a part or a whole leaf.

Full leaves develop roots from the picked end of the leaf and part leave cuttings will develop roots from the wound created from cutting them up.

Root Cuttings are created from larger roots of suitable plants during their dormant phase.

PREPARATION

When obtaining cuttings, most are taken from the stem just below a node.

These joints in a ‘nodal cutting’ hold a lot of vascular tissue and so the formation of roots is far more likely.

Other methods include ‘heal cutting’ which involves pulling away side shoots so that some of the bark from the main stem comes away with it, ‘wounding’ a cutting by scraping away a section of the bark to expose the inner tissue and ‘callusing’ which is also a form of wounding in which a callus is encouraged to form from a scraped stem.

Root Hormone

To help your baby cutting along, you can apply a root hormone.

There are commercial preparations out there but I’m a fan of organic homemade so here are a couple of my recipes: Add one generous tablespoon of organic honey to 2 cups of boiling water and stir well.

Once it drops to room temperature it is ready.

Dip cutting end into the mixture and then plant in a seed and cutting soil raising mix.

Another recipe I have not tried as yet involves boiling 1.5 litres of water and then once cooled adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

Use the same way as the honey mixture.

I have also tried dipping hardwood cuttings into Vegemite and had success as well.

As strange as it sounds it’s probably the Vit B boost that creates the magic!

Cutting and Seed Raising Mediums

Many cuttings can be started in a clear jar of water that sits in filtered light and seeds can be put straight into ordinary garden soil or a potting mix but planting straight into a speciality cutting and seed raising medium gives most plants the best beginning and makes transplanting into your garden or larger pots easier down the track.

Propagation mixes need to provide aeration, excellent drainage, and support.

Although bagged commercial mixtures can be purchased, a good example of a homemade mix is: 2 parts coir peat, 2 parts compost and 1 part course river sand.

SUMMER CUTTINGS

It’s all about semi-ripe cuttings as your main propagation pals during summer.

This means the base is hard and the tip is soft of your cuttings.

Plants include: Evergreen shrubs, Boxwood (Buxus), Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Coleus ( Soenostemon), Cherry Laurel (Lauraceae), Bay (Laurus nobilis), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Viburnum (Viburnum), Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), Geranium (Pelagonium spp.), Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica), Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis); Gardenia (Gardenia spp.), Ivy (Hedera) , Mock Orange (Philadelphus), Star Jasmin (Trachelospermum)

Australian Native Cuttings

For these beauties, you will find good results using a propagation sand but propagation soil mixed in with additional propagation sand will help.

The aim is to have a well aerated medium.

Take the cuttings as outlined above but be prepared to wait a little longer for growth to occur.

You need to select plants that are in their growth period, not dormant for cuttings to be successful.

There are so many that fit this category but three worth noting are any of the Dwarf Gums, Native Frangipani (Hymenopsporum flavum), Ivory Curl Tree (Buckinghamia celsissima).

My advice?

Go out into the garden and if it is happily enjoying new growth now, it is fit for cutting! An extra tip: if the stem bends to 60 degrees easily and springs back quickly, then it is ready to become your cutting.

GARDENING GUIDE FOR COAST GARDENERS THIS WEEK

You can plant the following now: Culinary herbs, beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chicory, cress, cucumber, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, marrow, mustard, onions (spring), parsnip, potato tubers, radish, rhubarb crowns, salsify, silverbeet, swede, sweetcorn, turnips, zucchinis, ageratum, alyssum, boronia, begonia, calendula, cleome, cyclamen, forget-me-not, nasturtium, pansy, poppy (Iceland), stock, verbena, vinca, viola, wallflower

Next Week: How to Create a Home Nursery Business HAVE YOU GOT A GARDEN TO SHARE?

Down in the Garden is looking for Central Coast gardeners who would like to share their garden with us.

We are particularly looking for: Home Nursery Businesses, Hanging Basket Gardens, Water Feature Gardens, School/Children Gardeners, Commercial Kitchen Gardens, Medicinal Plant Gardeners but all gardens and gardeners are welcome to have a chat with Cheralyn: 0408105864

Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with

Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM963.

She is also co-host of @ MostlyAboutPlants a weekly botanical history & gardening podcast with Victoria White.

Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail. com

YOU AND YOUR GARDEN

What’s Eating my Leaves in Long Jetty asks Tina Hi Cheralyn,

I’m not the best gardener but these little things are getting the best of me.

Are they some sort of beetle or egg.

I’ve tried spraying them, but they just won’t budge.

Hi Tina, this looks to me like the Australian Native Cottony Cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi) and you are right, it can be a bit hard to get rid of.

They love citrus but are known to wander elsewhere across gardens as well.

You need to kill them to stop the reproductive cycle and one old and true method is to rub them off with a cotton bud soaked in rubbing alcohol.

They do have natural predators Vedalia Beetle, (Cryptochaetum Iceryae) so if you happen to see these guys around leave them alone.

Use an organic pesticide on the foliage if you do notice eggs hatching and also apply double sided sticky tape around trunk and branches to

GARDENING BOOK REVIEW

Gardening Lab for Kids

52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

By: Renata Fossen Brown Quarto US, 2014 ISBN: 9781592539048

This is a wonderful addition to the libraries of those who want to share the wonder and importance of gardening

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