The Local - March 2024

Save our Post Office

Australia Post plans to close the Licensed Post Office within Lambton Nextra newsagency from 1 May this year.

The news was a shock to owner operator of Lambton Nextra, Trish Firth, whose initial five year contract with Australia Post ended late last year.

“I had heard nothing about the plan to shut the post office until recently. We actually found out through local posties, that Australia Post would no longer be having mail delivered from our shop.” Trish said.

“It’s a pretty shabby way to treat a business partner when you think about it. No one from Australia Post spoke to me. I found out second hand”.

continued on page 5

Owner operator of Lambton Nextra & Post Office Trish Firth and Millie Sellar

All editorial, advertising and distribution enquiries to Mark Brooker By email: mark@ hunterlocal.com.au or ph 0455 210 000

Mail: PO Box 130 Lambton, 2299

Founder & publisher: Mark Brooker

Advertising bookings for April issue close on Friday 15 March

The Local is lovingly produced then carefully hand delivered each and every month to more than 11,000 residential letterboxes and businesses in Lambton, North Lambton, New Lambton, New Lambton Heights, Broadmeadow, Hamilton North, Jesmond and Kotara.

You can find back issues of The Local and check out the latest community news and information at: www.thelocalnewcastle.com.au or on our Facebook page @thelocalnewcastle. If you enjoy receiving The Local in your letterbox each month please support the businesses you see advertising on these pages. Without their support your local paper could not and would not happen. Pretty simple really...

....and here’s some fine print

Readers, advertisers and community groups are encouraged to contribute to The Local with news items, community events and any matter of general interest to residents of the area. In contributing news items the contributor accepts that such information may or may not be published in print and/or online using websites and social media channels at the sole discretion of the publisher. No guarantee of publication is ever implied by this invitation to contribute.

Except where noted otherwise, all information, photographs, text and images, within The Local is subject to copyright. Material may not be reproduced and/or distributed in whole or part in any form without the prior, explicit consent of the publisher.

The Local is proudly printed in Newcastle and is 100% recyclable. Please recycle it, but only after you’ve read it!

ABN 48 260 331 896

with Mark Brooker Publisher of The Local

Confused and conflating

Let me get this right. At present there is one place in Elder Street Lambton where I can buy stamps, pay a bill, apply for a new passport, do some simple banking and have my business mail securely delivered.

At the same time Elder Street boasts at least four places where I can get a great coffee. Those of us with nagging caffeine dependencies are truly spoiled for choice.

Fast forward to 1 May this year. If Australia Post has its way there will be no Post Offices (see front page story).

Then a little further down the calendar, if City of Newcastle’s planned renovations and leasing of the Memorial Baby Health Centre are approved, we’ll have an extra cafe. Or a return to five cafes to be precise. (See story opposite page).

Does that make sense? To have none of the essential postal and banking services listed above but another cafe to choose from.

Of course I’m mischievously conflating two issues here. City of Newcastle and Australia Post are two different beasts. City of Newcastle has about as much control over the closure of the Licensed Post Office within our local newsagency as Australia Post has input to how the Memorial Baby Health Centre building is reutilised.

But I trust you see my point.

Two unrelated parts of our public administration are simultaneously playing a role in downgrading the business mix of my community shopping strip. Is that fair on the hardworking business folk of Elder Street? Was anyone asked for their thoughts on either of these plans? Methinks not.

Renovations for park cafe

City of Newcastle (CN) is preparing to revamp a former café site at one of the city’s most popular parks as it seeks expressions of interest from potential new operators.

The Lambton Park building, which was constructed in the 1940s as a baby health centre, will undergo renovations as part of a development application set to be lodged in coming months.

Subject to approval, the project would see the building modernised into an open plan cafe complete with bi-fold doors onto a new rear deck extension, which will provide accessible ramp access for parents with prams and people with mobility issues.

Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the redevelopment would continue CN’s ongoing investment in the Lambton Park precinct.

“We are committed to creating enriched neighbourhoods with accessible spaces that nurture connected, inclusive communities,”

Cr Nelmes said.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the proposed upgrade would improve the facilities on offer in the popular recreation precinct.

“Lambton Park is a much-loved destination that plays an important role in meeting the recreational and social needs of our local residents,”

Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“This café is ideally located next to

the children’s playground, with the new rear deck allowing parents to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching their children play on the equipment. Its proximity to the refurbished Lambton Library and nearby tennis courts ensure it will be a valuable addition to what is already on offer in the park precinct.

“This will be the first major adaptive reuse of this historic building since its construction more than 80 years ago.”

An expression of interest process, managed by Colliers on behalf of CN, to find a suitable operator to lease the café, pending the approval and completion of renovations has commenced.

Steve Sue Scott

Artist’s impressions of the proposed ‘Baby Health Centre’ cafe renovations. Above: street side view. At right: park side view

OAM to Joy

While it’s no surprise to those around her, if you ask Joy Loas why she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day she will say she has no idea.

When The Local asked her what her first reaction was to the news she simply said “Stunned”.

Joy has been a local resident for 64 years and loves deeply the community of New Lambton that she calls home.

“My husband Lex and I raised our two children here. We became involved with the New Lambton Public School P&C. When the kids were finished we looked at other groups to join”.

“We joined St Vincent de Paul Society and began fundraising for the establishment of St John’s Villa, the aged care facility on Kings Rd New Lambton.”

Joy has been involved with Vinnies for 53 years and is currently New Lambton St Therese’s Ladies Conference president.

Another of her passions is the New Lambton Community Friendship Group which celebrated it 45th anniversary recently. The group meets weekly at New Lambton Uniting Church hall and provides company, entertainment and morning tea for elderly locals.

Congratulations to Joy on a richly deserved award from a grateful local community.

Joy Loas of New Lambton was awarded an OAM for services to her local community

continued from page 1

“I worked tirelessly with Australia Post to reopen this business and have comprehensive post office services returned to Lambton a few years ago. This is the thanks I get from them.” Ms Firth said.

Since the news broke there has been an outpouring of support from Trish’s customers on local community social media pages. Many are astonished by the news and condemned Australia Post for what is seen as short-sighted business planning.

“We want to thank everyone in the community for their support we’ve had since this decision was made known to us. Millie and I know how important this service is to local people and to the business community of Lambton. It’s vital to the continued prosperity of Elder Street.

“Whether it’s paying a bill, picking up a parcel, applying for a new passport or collecting the mail from one of the 100 post offices boxes we have, there are so many services that our post office counter offers. I don’t want to contemplate an Elder Street where these services aren’t available. The loss of foot traffic to my business and those around us on Elder Street will be immense.”

“I can assure everyone we are doing everything possible to have this decision reversed.” Trish told The Local

A number of Elder Street businesses were only too happy to make a petition available for signing which, combined with an online petition through Change. org, has generated close to 4,000 signatures.

The petitions have been presented to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon’s office. Ms Claydon committed to tabling the petitions in Parliament in late February.

An area representative for Australia Post was contacted by The Local for comment.

Life Changes after loss

When Margaret Kidd lost her husband John to melanoma in 2015 she felt she had good support, pastoral care and bereavement counselling from the Hospice at Waratah.

Talking with her circle of friends, who had also lost a spouse, she came to understand that not everyone has a good experience.

“Life is so different, when you’re now not a couple.” Margaret told The Local.

“I decided to start a group, Life Changes, where we could share our experiences and support each other as peers.

“The group is purely a social gathering over coffee and lunch. No religious overtones, no counselling, just chatting with other local people who have been through this huge loss and adjustment.” Margaret added.

The new group will meet for the first time on Monday 4 March for coffee and a chat from 10.30am at Blackbutt Hotel, Orchardtown Rd New Lambton. An informal meeting and lunch will follow. The group will then meet monthly.

Contact Margaret on 4952 7814 for further details.

At right: Margaret Kidd of New Lambton has started a social group for those who have lost a spouse or partner

The Local Quiz

Congratulations to last month’s quiz winner Pamela Turner of Lambton. Pamela has won a $25 voucher to spend at Piggott’s Pharmacy. Last month’s mystery photo was taken at the old Newcastle Showgrounds entrance in Broadmeadow.

This month’s quiz questions are below. You’ll find the answers within the pages of this issue except, of course, the mystery photo.

Question 1 - The corner of Acacia Ave and Griffiths Rd at Lambton was once known as whose crossing?

Question 2 - When is Hearing Awareness Week?

Question 3 - Who wrote Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?

Question 4 - When is Art Bazaar next being held?

Question 5 - Where would you find the children’s play equipment pictured at right?

Send your quiz answers to admin@hunterlocal.com.au with ‘The Local Quiz’ in the subject line or post them to PO Box 130, Lambton 2299 by Friday 15 March for a chance to win a $25 gift voucher* to spend at any Piggott’s Pharmacy store in Newcastle and the Hunter. *Not redeemable on prescription medicines

Letter to A heartfelt thank you

After three generations and 93 years of business in Lambton, with 90 of these years being at the current location of 100 Elder St Lambton, the time has come to close Simpson Shoes. Simpson shoes was founded in 1931 by my grandfather Stephen Simpson, a humble bootmaker. He and my father Kevin repaired footwear as their primary business until the early 1960s. At this time they introduced the retailing of new shoes which became the primary focus of the business. Shoe repairs continued

to be undertaken up until the mid 90s but at a much smaller capacity.

At the age of 16 I left Lambton High School to take up fulltime work at Simpson Shoes. I have continued to serve the community for the last 46 years. I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the many customers and multiple generations of families that have patronised Simpson Shoes over all these years. I will cherish the countless memories you have left me with.

Craig Simpson

Is your letterbox feeling lucky?

If one of the letterboxes pictured above is yours, you’ve won a $25 shopping voucher from one of three great local retailers. Call Mark at The Local on 0455 210 000 by 15 March to claim your prize.

There’s a $25 voucher for Lambton Fruit Market, a $25 voucher for Piggott’s Pharmacy and a $25 voucher for Q’s Books at Hamilton to choose from.

First in best dressed with the choice of vouchers. The vouchers must be claimed by 15 March and redeemed at your chosen retailer no later than 30 April 2024. Congratulations to the residents of 5 Wye Street Lambton and 23 Pilkington Street North Lambton who each claimed a prize by correctly identifying their letterbox last month.

‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ tickets

The second production in Newcastle Theatre Company’s 2024 Season is Tennessee Williams’ 1955 Pulitzer Prizewinning drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof directed by Julie Black.

It’s Big Daddy Pollitt’s 65th birthday!

But the celebrations don’t go according to plan. Favoured son Brick, a former star athlete, is silently grieving the loss of a close friend - a

very close friend - and has turned to the bottle while his wife Maggie (“the Cat”) rages with frustrated passion. Second brother Gooper parades his “monstrous”

BOOKINGS: call 4952 4958 or online newcastletheatrecompany.com.au

WEDNESDAY SPECIAL: all tickets $30

• 90 De Vitre Street • Lambton •

Season

Sat 16, Wed 20, Fri 22, Sat 23, Wed 27 & Sat 30 March @ 7.30pm Matinees

Sun 17, Sat 23, Sun 24 & Sat 30 March @ 2pm

children but fails to impress.

This is a Southern family in turmoil. Brothers compete for an ailing father’s love – and his inheritance. Wives decry their loveless and demeaning marriages. Desires are repressed. And grief and loss cast a long shadow.

This famous drama continues to enthrall and shock modern audiences.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opens on Saturday 16 March at 7.30pm.

Evening performances will then be held on Wednesday 20, Friday 22, Saturday 23, Wednesday 27 and Saturday 30 March. Matinees performances will be at 2pm on Sunday 17, Saturday 23, Sunday 24 and Saturday 30 March.

The Local has one double pass to the winner’s choice of performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. To be in the running for the double pass just text the words ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’, your first and last name, and your preferred performance day/time to 0455 210 000 by Friday 15 March.

The winner will be advised by phone and their name published in next month’s issue of The Local.

Art Bazaar at Lambton Park

Art Bazaar returns to Lambton Park from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 24 March.

Art Bazaar is a high quality artisan market that has been held since 2002. All stallholders are creative makers who have been selected by Hunter Arts Network (HAN) because of their unique, handmade, high quality and original work. They are all from the Hunter region. While wandering the stalls, enjoy live entertainment, food trucks and coffee. Art Bazaar continually brings the handmade art community to loyal followers who find gifts or treats for themselves, while meeting the local makers and artists they are supporting. “The point of difference with Art Bazaar is that you won’t find many of our stallholders at other markets - most of our traders will only set up stalls at Art Bazaar”, Margo

Humphries, publicity officer for Hunter Arts Network told The Local.

There’s plenty to capture your imagination while you wander the stalls of Art Bazaar. Take home a one-of-a kind treasure for

HUNTER ARTS NETWORK

LAMBTON Bazaar

PARK

yourself or a loved one. HAN is run by a dedicated committee of volunteers who celebrate visual art in all it forms. Art Bazaar will also be at Lambton Park on Sunday 25 August and Sunday 1 December 2024.

Lambton Park has hosted Art Bazaar annually since 2015

THAT WAS THEN This is now

with Lachlan Wetherall

Passenger train service to Lambton

When Lambton Colliery began in 1863 a railway was built to haul coal to the harbour. Roads into Newcastle were in a very poor state and a trip to town was a major undertaking. An appealing alternative was to travel by train. For a few years the colliery allowed passengers

in the guards’ van of their coal trains at a cost of 6 shillings per trip. Tiring of this arrangement, they doubled the price in 1866, then ceased the service in 1867.

In 1874 residents agitated for the return of a passenger train. Thomas Croudace, the manager of the Lambton colliery, gave permission for a trial run and on Saturday evening of 28 February 1874 more than 500 residents travelled from Lambton into Newcastle. Despite this success Croudace withdrew permission for subsequent services, leading to great confusion two Saturdays later when several hundred residents turned up to catch a train that never arrived.

With no co-operation from Lambton colliery, residents approached the Waratah colliery for permission to carry passengers on their rail line. The directors granted the request and the first train ran on Monday 25 May 1874 for the public holiday celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday. A regular service then commenced on 30 May 1874, operating on Saturdays only with pick-up and set-down at “Betty Bunn’s crossing”, where the Lambton-Waratah road crossed the railway.

In August 1874 a fatal accident on the line put a halt to the passenger service. A sordid rumour began circulating that several storekeepers on the inquest jury had been unfairly critical of the rail authority’s safety procedures, with a view to having the train cancelled. Local traders opposed a service they saw taking shoppers and their money into the city and away from their own businesses.

The passenger service eventually resumed in January 1875, but reduced to alternate Saturdays only. It operated for another 12 years, ceasing in 1887 when the tramline from Newcastle to Lambton opened.

You can view these photos and more details at lachlanwetherall.com

Below: A notice from Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 19 August 1887, advising discontinuance of passenger train services to Waratah Tunnels near Lambton.

I will continue to stand up for the issues that are important to you.

67 Nelson Street, Wallsend

Telephone: 4950 0955

Email: wallsend@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Web: soniahornery.com.au

Authorised by Sonia Hornery MP. Funded using parliamentary entitle-

Above: The location of “Betty Bunn’s Crossing”, at the intersection of Griffiths Rd and Acacia Ave, where the passenger train to Newcastle operated on the Waratah Tunnels rail line.

Sonia Hornery MP State Member for Wallsend

Here at Q’s Books no day is like any other. We collect and collate all kinds of books - the rare and unusual, the unique and obscure, the popular and the interesting. We get our books from lots of places and from all kinds of people. We receive lots of generous donations, we exchange books for store credit and we also have fun buying book collections.

This arrangement allows us to come into contact with all types of books on all kinds of topics and we regularly delight in the different and unique books that pass through our bookshop.

Just some recent gems that made us smile include:

We spend our days cleaning, caring and repairing our books as well as endlessly tiding, organising and sorting our shelves - a job that will happily never, ever be done. We’re grateful for all the people who pass through our door and especially our regular customers whom we couldn’t survive without!

The magic we feel when a book has found its way to us, appreciated by us and to then be united with someone looking for that exact book is why we are here. Pop in and say hello when you are in the area.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook by Liz Palika

with Elaine Abery of Unravelling Red Tape

Recycling

Dear Here to Help, Government has done a great thing with the bottle recycling scheme. It’s fun to take the bottles with the kids for some spending money. The machines have become faster and easier to use. However, some problems make it annoying and timewasting to return containers... the machines are often full on the weekends and some bottles just keep getting rejected.

Where do I go to improve the system?

Thanks for your question.

No system is perfect and it can be fulfilling to help improve the system with good ideas.

When you are providing input to help improve a system, it’s important to focus on ideas for improvement.

This makes it more likely that you will encourage positive change. I have addressed this in previous columns. www.unravellingredtape.com. au/2023/03/05/give-it-a-go/

The website and app for Return and Earn both use traffic lights to show the current capacity of return centres (red for full, orange for nearly full and green for good). They also give operation hours and other nearby return centres. See www.returnandearn.org.au

Remember to recheck the current capacity of the centre you are heading to, as they are in high use over weekends.

Cleaners service the return centres regularly, but if you don’t have time to wait around, it’s best to change course or times to head for a return centre with plenty of capacity.

The machines read the container barcodes and there are a number of reasons barcodes might not work, including:

• Container is on an angle in machine

• Barcode is hidden (eg by the plastic straw holder)

• Container hasn’t been registered yet, perhaps if it’s a new flavour or size.

You can ring the Return and Earn administration centre on 1800 290 661 from 9am to 5pm weekdays to report issues

VET Chat

with Dr Darren Gibbins of Elder St Vets

Chocolate and dogs don’t mix

With Easter less than a month away it’s timely to offer pet owners a reminder of the dangers of chocolate toxicity in dogs.

With chocolate treats abundant before, during and after the Easter weekend, owners are urged to exercise caution and keep these sweets out of reach of their furry companions.

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can lead to symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to more severe issues like seizures and even death.

The risk is particularly heightened during holidays like Easter when chocolate consumption is prevalent. With Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and assorted treats adorning households, dogs may easily access these goodies if not properly secured. I would advise owners to keep all chocolate products safely stored away from curious noses and mouths.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs can manifest within hours of ingestion and may include restlessness, increased heart rate, tremors, and in severe cases, collapse.

Immediate veterinary attention is crucial if a dog is suspected of ingesting chocolate.

Prevention is key to ensuring a safe and happy Easter for pets and their owners alike. I would recommend opting for dog-safe treats and keeping a watchful eye on pets during festivities where chocolate is abundant. With vigilance and responsible pet ownership, families can celebrate Easter without putting their beloved canine companions at risk of chocolate toxicity.

with Ben Hutton of Brightside Physio

PHYSIO Matters

How to fire your physio

‘I left the session with no idea what was going on’ This week one of my patients had been to another therapist and, to put it bluntly, they were unimpressed. This is the bee that’s been in my bonnet. Let’s get real. Physios are providing a service. To you. Usually to help you get out of pain. Or reach a big hairy goal like getting out of bed without feeling 100 years old.

And most folks come in to Brightside wanting the answers to three very important questions:

1. What have I got? Diagnose me. Don’t use fancy

medical words. Or an anatomy lecture. I just want to know if it’s serious and if I can expect this to be the-rest-of-my-life. Give me the one-page summary. Please.

2. How long is my problem going to take? Is this injury a quickie or a longie? Yes, I know I’ve waited six months to come and see you but can you fix it real quick? I’m due to dance to Dua Lipa on Saturday night with the girls and I need to know if I’m match fit.

3. What can you do to help me? I’d like less pain and to be frank - to see less of you Mr. Brightside Physioguy. So what are you going to do and how many times do I need to come in to get some change? And if we’re being totally honest, is it worth my time and cash? I know you’re going to give me some dumb exercises and I may/may not do them so just make it the two best ones. Ok?

So if your physio can’t answer these questions with clarity. Fire ‘em.

The bonnet bee in a nutshell is this: us medical types need to do better. This means putting you at the centre of treatment and not our own bias, blinkers and blah.

To start the quicklong journey out of pain with a Physio who is CLEAR - book online at brightsidephysio.com. au or call the terrific transparent team on 4062 8862.

LAW Matters

by Ronnie Wall of Wall Legal, New Lambton

Do you claim a Land Tax exemption?

If you currently claim an exemption for land tax for the property that you use and occupy as your home as your principal place of residence, changes to the eligibility for the principal place of residence exemption could affect you.

Currently, to obtain the exemption, the property must be owned in the name of a natural person, the exemption does not apply to land owned partly or wholly by a company or held in a special trust; the exemption is limited to one exemption per family, you can only claim one property as your principal place of residence worldwide; you must use the land for residential purposes and have continuously used and occupied the

property solely for residential purposes before the taxing date.

The 2023-24 NSW State Budget announced an amendment to the Land Tax Management Act 1956 which came into effect on 1 February 2024.

From that date, the principal place of residence exemption will only be available to a person occupying a property as their principal place of residence if they own an interest in the property of at least 25%, either solely or combined.

A transitional period will allow for people who own less than 25% interest in the property and have previously claimed the exemption from land tax. If you have claimed the exemption prior to 31 January 2024, you may continue to claim the exemption for the 2024 and 2025 land tax years. The minimum 25% ownership requirement will then apply from the 2026 land tax year onwards.

If you purchase a property on or after 1 February 2024 and own less than a 25% interest, you will not be entitled to the transitional period and you will liable for land tax from the 2025 tax year.

If you believe that these changes may affect you, we strongly encourage you to seek financial advice or make enquiries directly with Revenue NSW.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for information purposes only. The contents should not be relied on as legal or financial advice

PHARMACY Matters

by Anthony Piggott of Piggott’s Pharmacies: Blackbutt, Branxton, Huntlee, Lambton and Merewether

Red and dry eyes

Redness and dryness are symptoms of many eye conditions. Some of these conditions are not serious, but others are serious and may affect eyesight. Doctors, Pharmacists and optometrists can help find the cause of red eyes or dry eyes and advise on treatment.

A red eye can be a sign of eye inflammation. The most common cause of red eye(s) is conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin, clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergy, irritation or infection. One or both eyes may be affected.

Our tears clean, protect and moisten our eyes. Each blink covers the eyes with a thin film of tears. Factors that can cause or worsen dry eyes include:

• not producing enough tears

• poor quality tears

• tears do not stay in the eyes long enough

• a low blinking rate (e.g. when reading or using a computer)

Usually both eyes are affected.

Treatment

Always ask a doctor, your pharmacist or optometrist for advice about eye care and eye problems. They can recommend the best treatment for your eyes. Some eye drops and ointments can be obtained from a Pharmacy without a prescription.

The treatment of eye redness depends on its cause.

• Decongestant eye drops can reduce redness. Decongestant eye drops

should not be used for some eye conditions, and they should not be used for more than 5 days in a row.

• Antihistamine eye drops may relieve eye symptoms (e.g. redness, itching) caused by allergy.

• Antibiotic eye drops can treat bacterial conjunctivitis. They will not help viral conjunctivitis. Non-prescription antibiotic eye drops can be recommended by your Pharmacist.

• Lubricating eye drops, gels and ointments can relieve the discomfort of conjunctivitis and other eye conditions. Eye redness and discomfort may also be relieved by resting the eyes, avoiding bright light, an eye bath or a warm or cool compress. To make a compress, soak a cloth in warm or cool water, wring it out and apply it to closed eyes.

Eye dryness and irritation may be relieved with lubricating eye drops, gels and ointments. These products moisturise and protect the eye. Preservativefree products are available for people who wear contact lenses or are sensitive to preservatives.

Self care

To prevent red eyes and dry eyes:

• wear wrap-around sunglasses when outside in bright light, windy, dry or allergy conditions

• wear eye protection when swimming or working with machines and chemicals

• try to find and avoid allergy triggers

• do not rub your eyes

• avoid blowing air in your eyes (e.g. hair dryers, fans, car heaters)

• blink more often to relieve dryness

• take regular breaks when reading or using a computer

• use good lighting

• do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection

• limit alcohol

• avoid smoke (e.g. cigarette smoke) do not use an eye product that was used by or prescribed for someone else

• throw away multidose eye drops and ointments 28 days after opening the container

• have a yearly eye check with an optometrist.

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious. To stop the infection spreading, wash your hands often and do not share eye drops, tissues, towels, face cloths, pillowcases or eye makeup. Avoid touching your eyes and close contact with others until the discharge stops.

Local Community Group Notices

COMMUNITY GROUPS

LIFE CHANGES FRIENDSHIP - COFFEE - LUNCH - CHAT GROUP

A new group is commencing in March for people who have experienced the death of a husband, wife or partner in recent years. The first gathering is planned for Monday 4 March commencing at 10.30am at Blackbutt Hotel Orchardtown Road New Lambton. Join us for a coffee or drink and a chat to get to know each other, then stay on for lunch. The group is purely a means of meeting with like minded people, in a safe and comfortable space, both non-religious and noncounselling. Contact Margaret on 4952 7814 for more details or to register your interest.

LAMBTON RESIDENTS GROUP

All residents of Lambton area are welcome to come along to our monthly meeting. You too can be a part of some exciting and worthwhile initiatives and projects for the local area. The group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Next meeting will be at The Mark Hotel on Wednesday 13 March at 5.30pm. For more information email: lambtonresidents@gmail. com or call Angela on 0422 633 737.

CALVARY MATER NEWCASTLE AUXILIARY CANCER CARERS

Join us at the movies for our St Patrick’s Day celebration on Thursday 21 March to see ‘Wicked Little Letters’ starring Olivia Colman at Events Cinema Glendale. Morning tea served from 9am, movie commences 10.15am. $20 per ticket. RSVP by March 14 to Evelyn 4950 9440 or Margaret 4963 1991.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

BOOK AND COFFEE GROUP

Meeting fortnightly in Lambton. This discussion group will look at different books in the bible and discuss their relevance to today’s world. Contact Faye on 0411 166 500

SENIORS GROUPS SENIORS GROUPS

THE PROBUS CLUB OF SHORTLAND INC.

We are a Combined Club who meets at the beautiful Hunter Wetlands on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 9.30am, for friendship and fellowship with the meeting starting at 10.am. We are currently looking for people over 55 years who have retired and would like to join us for Coffee Mornings, Outings of day trips and away trips, good Guest Speakers, and a great morning tea at our Meetings, followed by a BBQ on the following day. We have 4 lunches at the Wetlands per year. If you would like to find out more about this Club, please contact Alan on 49683325 or email westalan@hotmail.com

NATIONAL SENIORS AUSTRALIA NEWCASTLE BRANCH

Discover what’s happening at the Newcastle Branch of National Seniors Australia at the Seniors’ Mini Expo on Monday 11th March from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Delicious food provided by City of Newcastle for morning tea and lunch. Our activities are many and varied, our members are friendly, and our meetings are informative!. For more information contact Bob on 0447 093 088 or Sue on 0408 584 910.

BEL AIR VIEW CLUB

Bel Air View Club meets on the third Monday of each month at South Leagues Club Merewether at 10.30 am. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed to join us for friendship and interesting guest speakers and to help support the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program which assists young Australian school children create a better future for themselves. For any further information please phone Gillian on 4963 5655.

To have a free community notice published on these pages email the details to admin@ hunterlocal.com.au or post to PO Box 130, Lambton 2299 by 15th of the month. Notices may be edited or omitted due to space limitations.

Local Classifieds...

GARAGE SALE

SATURDAY 9 MARCH

Bush

CHAIRS

Clear plastic chairs, indoor / outdoor. Never used. Paid $125 each. Selling for $35 each Ph 0413 860 495

CHILD’S CAR SEAT

Safe-n-Sound brand, birth to 4 years, black with red trim, used only occasionally in grandparents’ car $50 Ph 4952 4489

ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT

Yamaha DTX522K electronic drum set, includes headphones, all instructions and original boxes. Bought from The Drum Shop in 2020, excellent condition $1000. Ph 0413 288 237

LAWN BOWLS

Henselite, 4 bowls, ABT - Evo, size 3, with bag and measure, excellent condition $160. Ph 0452 254 115

8AM TO 2PM

Antique furniture, hand tools, camping gear, toys, home furnishings, knick knacks and much, much more. No early birds.

Champion spark plugs x 4, N-LY, suit Valiant / Charger Ph 0452 254 115

admin@ hunterlocal.com.au by 15th of the month

CONGRATULATIONS!

Marilyn Brown who was the winner of two tickets to the ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night’ at Newcastle Theatre Co.

NOTICES WORK WANTED

Semi-retired Registered Nurse available for respite care

I have over 40 years experience in nursing. I am looking for a job helping someone in their home who needs care. Duties may include light housekeeping, showering, taking to appointments, shopping, or just providing some respite to a full-time carer. I am very responsible and have a lot of experience with dementia. Salary is $30 per hour with a minimum 2 hour engagement. References are available. Call Katy on 0406 926 729 or email katygoura@ hotmail.co.uk

HUNTER THEATRE SUPPORTERS

Trip to Tea Gardens/Hawkes Nest Tuesday 26 March leaving at 9am from Wests New Lambton.

Trip to Fingal Bay Surf Club. Tuesday 16 April leaving at 10.30am from Wests New Lambton. For bookings and details Ph 4952 8590

TICKETS FOR NEWCASTLE THEATRE CO. IN 2024

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Sunday 17 March 2pm, Saturday 23 March 2pm or 7.30pm. Naked and Screaming Saturday 6 April 2pm. Hostage Sunday 26 May 2pm. For bookings Ph 4952 8590

WANTED TO BUY

OLD BEER LABELS ETC

Old beer labels, cigarette packets and tobacco tins phone Gary Ph 0401 526 093

hunterlocal.com.au or text him on 0455 210 000 for more details

Access FREE National Immunisation Program

The National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program allows eligible patients to access free National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines in a community pharmacy, with no out-of-pocket costs.

PATIENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for vaccination under this program, the patient must be:

ª aged 5 years and over at the time of vaccination and

ª eligible to receive the NIP vaccine in a pharmacy, and as per the NIP Schedule and in accordance with state or territory requirements/legislation

ª Diphtheria toxoid / Tetanus toxoid / Pertussis antigen (whooping cough) vaccine

ª Hepatitis B vaccine

ª Human Papillomavirus vaccine

ª Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine

ª Influenza and coryza vaccine

‘Influenza vaccine’

ª Measles, Mumps & Rubella vaccine

ª Meningococcal vaccine (ACWY) (quadrivalent) conjugate vaccine

ª Meningococcal B & C vaccine

ª Poliomyelitis vaccine

ª Varicella vaccine

ª Zoster vaccine (Recombinant varicella zoster virus glycoprotein e antigen vaccine)