Brimble repurposing Maxwells Creek timber mill
RAIL contractor Brimble is repurposing an old timber mill at Maxwells Creek into a staging and maintenance facility for specialised railway vehicles.
The new facility will provide Brimble with greater capacity to cache, service and deploy highly specialised machinery and equipment utilised by both government and privatelyowned rail networks to resurface and upgrade track infrastructure.
The site occupies seven hectares (17 acres) with direct access to Dungog Road and is CONTINUED Page 2
CANDIDATE SELECTED
Alison Penfold to contest seat of Lyne for National Party
WAUCHOPE’S Alison Penfold will contest the seat of Lyne for the National Party in the 2025 Federal Election.
Ms Penfold’s opportunity comes after the announcement that incumbent MP Dr David
Gillespie is retiring from politics having served as the region’s federal representative since 2013.
Her pre-selection as the Nationals candidate was announced at the Taree
Racecourse on Saturday.
The 53-year-old Penfold grew up in Harrington and Hannam Vale and was educated in Taree.
She has been involved with the National Party since her teenage years, volunteering on polling booths in Hannam Vale in the mid to late 1980s. Penfold has also worked for the Nationals in Canberra, locally for Dr Gillespie, and
CONTINUED Page 3
David and Justin Brimble.
Brimble repurposing Maxwells Creek timber mill
FROM Page 1
adjacent to the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Sydney-Melbourne and Hunter Valley standardgauge rail corridor.
“Our company has already invested $5 million to develop a large-scale modern facility in the Hunter region to efficiently accommodate specialised machinery and equipment involved in the
maintenance and upgrade of Australian rail networks,” Brimble Managing Director David Brimble said.
“By developing a modern fit-for-purpose facility in the Hunter region, adjacent to
the 8,500-kilometre ARTC network, Brimble will have the ability to efficiently and cost-effectively connect its highly specialised machinery to railways across the length and breadth of Australia,” he said.
Since its establishment in 2017, Brimble has been providing rail resurfacing and upgrade services to
a host of government and privately owned rail network owners across Australia in “every conceivable type of terrain, environment and gauge-type”.
“This includes the ARTC in the Hunter Region, BHP and Rio Tinto in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Aurizon in the Northern Territory and
South Australia, Queensland Rail in the state’s southeast, and passenger and freight rail networks managed by Transport for NSW,” he said.
Mr Brimble said the 100 percent Australian-owned and family operated business employs more than 100 skilled staff based in the regions handling 100-plus machines.
Dungog.nsw.gov.au
q Brimble’s Maxwells Creek facility.
CANDIDATE SELECTED
FROM Page 1
served as the Chairman of the Lyne Federal Electorate Council.
From 2012 and 2016 she served as the chief executive of the Australian Livestock
Exporters' Council, and has worked in the mining, chemical, agriculture and timber industries as a business advisor.
“I am incredibly grateful to the local NSW Nationals members, local people who
are community leaders in their own right, for preselecting me as their candidate for Lyne,” Ms Penfold told NOTA.
“Dr Gillespie will leave very big shoes to fill when he hangs up his MP shingle at the next election so it is an
Road safety funding
THE Upper Hunter electorate will receive $1,469,000 in new funding to enhance road safety through the Australian and New South Wales governments' joint Road Safety Program investment.
Funding will go towards the following key projects:
- Installation of lighting at a pedestrian crossing in Segenhoe Street at Aberdeen;
- Safety improvements including installation of shared path, pedestrian crossings and road shoulder widening on Marshall Street and Marshall Terrace at Clarence Town;
- Pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements including installation of
shared path, footpath and raised pedestrian wombat crossings on Grey Street and Prince Street at Clarence Town.
The Australian and NSW governments are contributing a combined total of $518.3 million over 2023-24 to 2025-26 for road safety treatments across the NSW road network.
“Our over half a billion dollars’ worth of roads safety funding for NSW is all part of our collective commitment to significantly reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” said Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm.
“It’s critical that we continue to support safety projects in regional and metropolitan areas across the country as Australia’s road toll is far too high, with 2024 on track to be one of the deadliest years on our roads.”
NSW Minister for Roads John Graham MLC said the rising number of fatalities on roads across Australia is “extremely concerning”.
“These latest major projects for NSW under the Road Safety Program will see some of our key roads and highways get the improvements they urgently need to make them safer for years to come.”
honour to have the support of the members to follow in his footsteps.”
Ms Penfold said the “work of Federal Parliament and its impact on everyday Australians” had long been of interest to her.
“I believe it [parliament] can and must do more to make life easier for people and build a stronger nation and I will certainly give it my all in trying.
“It’s tough to see family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and so many local people under so much stress and frustration about the state of our country and the direction it is taking with the cost-of-living crisis.”
Dr Gillespie offered Ms Penfold his “hearty congratulations” for her preselection, praising her “broad life experience and deep knowledge of the electorate”.
“Alison’s experience in the corporate agricultural world as well as Federal and State Government roles are a great foundation to becoming a great parliamentarian,” he said.
“The cost of living, aged care, mobile and internet services, community infrastructure, energy and housing and her opposition to the woke culture are high on her agenda.”
As we approach the holiday season, we want to thank you for your continued support throughout the year
Our last sale at HRLX Singleton will be held on Wednesday, December 11th, and we’ll be back for our first sale of the new year on Wednesday, January 8th
While the auctions may pause, our commitment to you doesn’t Our team will still be in the area, ready to assist with all your real estate and livestock needs during the holiday period
Whether you have questions or need support, we’re here to help
From all of us at Hunter Stock & Land, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, safe, and prosperous holiday season
Thank you for a wonderful year, and we look forward to working together in 2025!
Warm holiday wishes, Hunter Stock & Land
q National Party leader David Littleproud, candidate for Lyne Alison Penfold and retiring Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie.
q Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, Alison Penfold and Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell.
Dungog dazzles with midsummer magic
By Shannon BENTON
DOWLING
Commerce
Party.
Themed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, the event
encouraged attendees to embrace their inner fairies and woodland creatures, with costume contests, entertainment, and
CLASSIFIEDS
OUTLETS
Paterson
Paterson
Vacy
Vacy
Dungog
Dungog
Dungog
Lovey's
Dowling
Residents from across the Dungog Shire and beyond turned out in droves, with this year’s crowd matching previous years.
Cooler weather and a brief smattering of rain added to the evening’s success.
Over 30 local businesses extended their trading hours, offering promotions and activities, while more than 20 market stalls lined the street.
Attendees enjoyed everything from face painting and a jumping castle to musical performances by students from Dungog Public School, St Joseph’s Primary School, Dungog High School, and local preschools.
The evening’s highlights included John’s Reptile Awareness Show, Santa’s lap around the street on a motorbike, and a free screening of “The Wizard of Oz” at the James Theatre, courtesy of Friends of the James and Lovey’s IGA.
The Chamber’s aim
was clear: encourage local shopping ahead of Christmas while creating a free, family-friendly celebration.
Sponsors Brimble, Insurance Advisernet, Lovey’s IGA, and Dungog Trading Post Café were thanked for their financial support, which made many activities possible.
A window decorating competition saw Hidden Valley crowned the winner, with Davey & Olsen and Chic Clothing Co receiving special mentions.
Adding to the festivities, the Dungog Wholefood Co-op unveiled its new premises, while Arts Upper Hunter launched "Bing Bang Ring: Cash is King!", Helene Leane’s remarkable new exhibition.
Organised by dedicated volunteers, the event was hailed a resounding success.
“It’s the spirit of our community that makes nights like this possible,” said Marion Stuart, secretary of the Dungog District Chamber of Commerce.
With full hearts and a festive spirit, attendees now eagerly await next year’s celebration.
q Attendees of the street party line Dowling Street.
q Donkeys as part of the ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ theme.
q Arts Upper Hunter’s Bing Bang Ring: Cash is King! exhibition.
q Contestants for the ‘best dressed’.
Wanding laws come into effect
NEW wanding laws that target the illegal possession of knives, and aim to reduce knife crime and boost community safety came into effect in NSW on Monday.
Under the powers, modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, police will be able to use handheld scanners – or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’ –to stop and scan individuals without a warrant at designated areas.
A senior police officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or above can turn on wanding powers to be used in a designated areas including:
• Public transport
stations (including bus, train and tram stations) and surrounds.
• Public transport vehicles within two scheduled stops of a designated public transport station
• Shopping precincts
• Certain sporting venues
• Other public places, designated by regulation, including special events and places that are part of the night-time economy.
Senior police officers will be able to declare these zones for up to 12 hours, with an option to extend that timeframe if specific criteria are met.
Wanding powers can be turned on for areas where there have been issues related to knife crime or knife possession offences where one of the following have occurred in the last 12 months:
• At least one offence committed by a person armed with a knife or
weapon.
• At least one serious indictable offence involving violence.
• More than one offence of knife possession or prohibited weapon possession.
“I know that these new laws will be inconvenient for people - but we can’t take chances when it comes to public safety,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“These new laws which start this week are about ensuring the public feels safe, and secondly and perhaps most importantly, to change the culture.
“To send a strong message to young people in particular, if you’re going to go out at night, don’t take a knife with you because there’s a very good chance, you’ll be wanded or scanned at a New South Wales train station.
“I have no doubt that these reforms will save lives, because people will think twice about carrying a knife with them.”
q NSW Premier Chris Minns. Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi.
Are you better off? The question at heart of next election
By Poppy JOHNSTON and Jacob SHTEYMAN, AAP
AUSTRALIANS are worse off today than they were three years ago, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers argues they would be mired in even more economic misery under the coalition.
Living standards, measured by real disposable income per capita, have fallen more than 10 percent since Labor took office in May 2022 as inflation and interest rates have eaten into household savings.
The figures were laid
bare in a grim national accounts reading for Dr Chalmers, complicating his job of selling his party as superior economic managers than the opposition ahead of the next election, due by May.
Last Wednesday's data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the economy grew at its slowest annual rate since the 1990s recession, outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, at just 0.8 percent.
Without government spending, the economy would have gone backwards
for the quarter.
Dismal productivity growth shows a long-term solution remains out of reach.
Dr Chalmers claimed government cost-of-living measures like energy rebates have helped ease the burden for Australians doing it tough.
"When we came to office, people were already going very substantially backwards," he told ABC Radio National on Thursday.
"We acknowledge that they've got a lot of ground to make up in their household
budgets."
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the government failed to fix the fundamentals behind the sluggish economy, instead throwing money at the problem with measures like energy rebates.
He refused to commit to extending the $300 rebates when they run out mid2025.
"(Prime Minister) Anthony Albanese slammed our economy into a wall," he told Channel Nine's Today Show.
"He's tried to solve
Grants to stimulate regional economic development
THE STATE Government has announced $50 million in grants for initiatives that promote regional economic development and support employment creation and retention.
Businesses, consortiums, local governments, associations, Aboriginal corporations, not for profits and other eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for a share of the $50 million
Community Investment Program, delivered by the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust.
“This funding will kick-start productive projects and initiatives across regional NSW, supporting the creation of needed infrastructure, new economies and also supporting the attraction of key workers to the regions,” Minister for Agriculture
and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.
Grants of between $500,000 and $5 million will be available for infrastructure projects and capital investments to create jobs and economic opportunities.
Between $250,000 and $1 million will be available for regional programs to improve service delivery and community connection and capacity building.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will host community information sessions, inviting eligible applicants to learn about the program, how to apply, and what projects and initiatives are eligible for targeted investment.
Applications close at 5pm on Thursday, 20 February 2024.
the nation's problems by spending your money and ultimately he's going to run out of that and he's fuelling inflation."
Dr Chalmers said if the coalition had their way, government spending would be slashed and people be going backwards.
"So the question for people will be, are you going to be better off or worse off if the coalition gets back in, and comes after Medicare and comes after your wages again like they did last time?" Dr Chalmers said.
"Or will you be better off under a Labor government, led by Anthony Albanese, rolling out cost-of-living help and managing the economy responsibly.
"That'll be one of the big key choices at the election."
Dr Chalmers stressed there were green shoots for the economy, with workers experiencing real wages growth, unemployment low and inflation coming down, albeit slower than the Reserve Bank would like.
His optimism was echoed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which said Australia's economic growth prospects were improving.
But the Paris-based organisation warned
immigration policies, unexpectedly stubborn services inflation and escalating global trade tensions posed risks.
"Policymakers should beware, in seeking to curb immigration to ease pressures on housing costs, of worsening labour shortages, including in house-building," the outlook read.
Australia has experienced sharp growth in migration as borders reopened after the pandemic, with both the federal government and opposition proposing or implementing measures to slow new arrivals.
The OECD also warned inflation could stay higher than expected and prolong the wait for interest rate cuts.
In addition, as a small open economy, Australia was exposed to rising global trade tensions and a weaker Chinese economy.
The OECD expects Australia's weak economy to improve on expectations of interest rate cuts next year as well as improving real wages, income tax cuts and extended energy assistance.
It projects GDP growth to pick up to 1.9 percent in 2025 and 2.5 percent in 2026.
q Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi.
BEST ON THE BOX
SATURDAY
MAGICAL TRAIN JOURNEYS IN SWITZERLAND
SBS, 7.30pm
From astonishing alpine valleys to majestic mountain ranges, landscapes don’t get much more captivating than the wonders to be found in scenic Switzerland. And there’s no better way to explore these memorable vistas than by rail. This mesmerising docuseries offers armchair travellers the chance to enjoy the breathtaking panoramas from the comfort of their couch, while also providing fascinating insights into the landlocked European country and its people.
FRIDAY,
December 13
MONDAY
LOVE ISLAND AUSTRALIA
GO!, 8.30pm
There’s no question: this season of reality romance Love Island Australia wildest yet, with lust, betrayal and heartache at every turn. Tonight’s finale, however, is all about love, as host Sophie Monk gathers the final three couples to catch up on the past few days and take a look back at their Spanish summer. We get to see some very photogenic young people grow rather nervous as they meet their paramour’s parents for the first time, then one couple makes it “official” as boyfriend and girlfriend. Hot and spicy to the end, it’s addictive viewing.
12.00 News. 1.00 Shetland. (Mal, R) 2.00 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. (R) 3.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: The Streets. (Final, PG, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 Morning Programs. 9.20 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.20 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R) 11.10 The Bridges That Built London. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (R) 2.10 Lost For Words. (PGal, R) 3.15 The Cook Up. (R) 3.45 Australian Fashion Past, Present, Future. (PGadln) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Last Train To Christmas. (2021, PGaln, R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
(Final, Mal)
Calder try to unravel the mystery. 9.30 Question Everything. (Final, R)
Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
The Cleaner. (Mdl, R)
ABC Late News. (Final)
QI. (Mls, R) 12.20 The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince. (Final, Ma, R) 1.20 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)
7.30 Every Family Has A Secret. (PGa, R) 8.35 Sammy By Sammy: My Tale Of The 60s. 9.35 Kennedy. 10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 Elvira. (Mal)
12.35 The Wall: The Orchard. (MA15+as, R)
3.00 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R)
3.50 Heritage Rescue. (R)
4.40 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Clarissa Feildel shows off her potstickers. 8.30 MOVIE: West Side Story. (2021, Mv, R) In ’50s New York, a forbidden love affair blossoms amid the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, over control of the San Juan Hill community. Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose. 11.35 OzHarvest Unite To Feed Australia. (PGa, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
TUESDAY THE HUNDRED ANDY LEE
Each December, there’s a handful mysteries we find ourselves mulling over: How does Santa’s sleigh fly around the world in one night? Why do people love to give socks as a gift? And what time do the shops close on Christmas Eve? Luckily, host Andy Lee is here, along with 100 everyday Aussies who can shed light on what the really thinking. Guests Mike Goldstein, Lloyd Langford and Sophie Monk help Lee address several Christmas quandaries: the ethics of regifting, if pets deserve presents and whether plum pudding or pavlova is the superior dessert. You’ll be laughing all the way.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Find My Beach House Australia. Hosted by Shelley Craft.
8.30 MOVIE: Bad Moms 2. (2017, MA15+als, R) Three unappreciated mothers rebel against the expectations of organising the “perfect” Christmas. Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn.
10.30 MOVIE: Fighting With My Family. (2019, Malv, R) A wrestler’s kids dream of a brighter future. Florence Pugh.
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 World Aquatics Championships. Budapest 2024. Day 4. Finals.
7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.50 Robot Wars: Battle Of The Stars. 9.50 Doctor Who. 10.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Hart Of Dixie. (Return) 2.00 I Dream Of Jeannie. 2.30 Bewitched. 3.00
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.
7.30 MOVIE: Daddy’s Home. (2015, Mlv, R) A man’s wife’s ex-husband causes problems. Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg. 9.30 Matlock. (PGa, R) Olympia and Julian get a second shot at a case regarding a tragic death due to contaminated baby formula.
10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather.
10.55 The Project. (R) 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
SATURDAY, December 14
6.00
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Interstellar Ella. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Ben And Holly. 6.40 Pfffirates. 6.50 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 6.55 Hey
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Magical Train Journeys In Switzerland. (PGa) 9.25 The Great House Revival. (PG) 10.25 Great Australian Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 11.35 Miniseries: The Dark Heart. (MA15+as, R)
1.20 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (R)
2.20 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 3.10 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.00 Heritage Rescue. (R)
4.50 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 NSW Schools Spectacular. (PG) Featuring dance and musical performances.
9.30 Victorian Schools Spectacular. (PG) Coverage of the Victorian State School Spectacular from John Cain Arena, Melbourne. Features dance and musical performances by students, as well as behind-the-scenes highlights. Hosted by Ada Nicodemou.
12.30 Taken. (Mav, R) Kilroy tracks a notorious hacker.
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: Elf. (2003, G, R) A man raised as an elf searches for his father. Will Ferrell.
9.30 MOVIE: Candy Cane Lane. (2023, PGls) A man makes a pact with an elf. Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross.
11.50 MOVIE: Blue Canaries. (2023, MA15+alv, R)
1.50 My Way. (R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 World Aquatics Championships. Budapest 2024. Day 5. Finals.
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 Bondi Rescue. (PGlv, R) Jack rescues a drunk swimmer.
7.00 MOVIE: The Lion King. (1994, PGa, R) A young lion cub leaves his pride for a life in exile. Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons.
9.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) A pair of Shih Tzu crosses are the last of the five dogs who came into the shelter after their owner died.
10.30 Ambulance Australia. (Mdlm, R) Follows dispatchers and paramedics. 11.40 Shark Tank. (PGa, R)
12.50 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am Diana.
Continued. (2013, PG) 7.55 I Capture The Castle. (2003, PG) 10.00 The Lost King. (2022, M) Noon The Zookeeper’s Wife. (2017, M) 2.20 Belle. (2013, PG) 4.15 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 6.20 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House. (2017, PG) 8.30 Seven. (1995, MA15+) 10.50 Post Coitum, Animal Triste. (1997, M, French) 12.40am Unknown Soldier. (2017, MA15+, Finnish) 3.05 Late Programs.
SUNDAY, December 15
12.40 New Leash On Life. (R) 1.10 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.05 Australia Remastered: Forces Of Nature. (R) 4.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales. (PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 After The Sky Fell On Lockerbie. (PG)
9.20 Jonathan Ross’ Myths And Legends. (PGa, R)
10.15 Curse Of The Ancients. (PGav, R) 11.10 The Forest Maker. (PGa, R)
12.45 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PGas, R)
1.45 Employable Me (USA) (Mal, R)
2.35 Make Me A Dealer. (PG, R)
3.25 Heritage Rescue. (R)
4.15 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
(31) VICELAND (31)
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 The Weekend Prospector. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. Sunraysia Safari. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Cricket. Third Test. Aust v India. Late arvo. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 8.30 Heavy Tow Truckers Down Under.
6am Belle. Continued. (2013, PG) 6.55 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 9.00 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PG) 10.40 Ordinary Happiness. (2019, M, Italian) 12.25pm The Queen. (2006, M) 2.20 Diana. (2013, PG) 4.20 Mosley. (2019, PG) 6.10
Sabrina. (1995, PG) 8.30 To Leslie. (2022, M) 10.45 El Planeta. (2021, M) 12.15am The August Virgin. (2019, MA15+) 2.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 1. Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. (R) A look at Prince George’s future. 12.00 Miniseries: Patrick Melrose. (Mals, R) Patrick spirals back into his destructive behaviour.
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 2024 The Year That Was. (PGv)
8.00 John Farnham: Celebrating 60 Years. (Ml, R) A celebration of John Farnham.
9.50 MOVIE: The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart. (2020, Ml, R) Barry Gibb.
12.00 Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica. (PG, R) 1.00 Helloworld. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 World Aquatics Championships. Budapest 2024. Day 6. Finals.
5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
(2007, PG) 10.00 MOVIE: Kong: Skull Island. (2017, M) 12.15am Late Programs.
6.00
MONDAY, December 16
6.00
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Operation Ouch! 8.25 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.55 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 9.25 Poh’s Kitchen. 9.50 Doctor Who. 10.35 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Costco At Christmas. (R)
8.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M)
10.05 Australia Uncovered: The Truth About Anxiety With Celia Pacquola. (Mad, R)
11.15 SBS News. 11.45 Dead Mountain: The Dyatlov Pass Incident. (Mahv) 1.35 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 2.30 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (R) 3.35 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.25 Peer To Peer. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show. 11.20 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Morning session. 1.20 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 2.00 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Afternoon session. 4.00 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 4.20 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Late afternoon session.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 2. Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game.
11.00 Murder In A Small Town. (Mav) When Cassandra is placed in a life-threatening situation, Alberg and the team work to find the culprit responsible. 12.00 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R) Neil and Grace confront their infidelities.
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6am Morning
Programs. 6.50 Oka! (2012, PG) 8.50 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House. (2017, PG) 11.00 Post Coitum, Animal Triste. (1997, M, French) 12.50pm Tuesday Club. (2022, M, Swedish) 2.45 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PG) 4.25 The Kid From The Big Apple 2. (2017, PG, Mandarin) 6.35 Whale Rider. (2002, PG) 8.30 Top End Wedding. (2019, M) 10.25 Juliet, Naked. (2018, M) 12.15am Late Programs.
TUESDAY, December 17
6.00
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Headliners. (Final, PG)
8.50 Solar System With Brian Cox. (Final)
9.50 Believing In Australia. (PG, R) 10.45 Joanna Lumley And The Human Swan. (R) 11.35 Ithaka: A Fight To Free Julian Assange. (Mlv, R) 12.35 Keep On Dancing. (PG, R) 1.35 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 2.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 3.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Matt Okine Is Going To Die. (PGa, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Peppa’s Christmas. 6.40 Aliens Love Underpants And
Atlantic. (R) 3.10 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Britain’s Scenic Railways At Christmas. (R)
8.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG) Lesley Manville explores her roots.
9.35 London Zoo At Christmas. (PG, R)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+v)
12.55 Miniseries: Safe Home. (Malv, R) 2.50 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGv, R) 3.50 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6.00 Morning Programs. 11.20 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 4. Morning session. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage). 1.20 Cricket: The Lunch Break. 2.00 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 4. Afternoon session. 4.00 Cricket: Tea Break. 4.20 Cricket. Third Test. Aust v India. Late arvo.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 3. Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 Motorway Patrol. (PGl) Officers patrol the freeways of New Zealand. 11.30 Highway Cops. (PGa) A breakfast beer ruins a driver’s day. 12.00 Criminal Confessions: A Killer App. (Mav, R) 1.00 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (Mal, R)
8.30 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators. (MA15+dlv, R) 9.40 A Killer Makes A Call. (Ma)
10.50 Chicago Med. (MA15+amv)
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6am The Kid From The Big Apple 2. (2017, PG, Mandarin) 8.10 Sabrina. (1995, PG) 10.30 To Leslie. (2022, M) 12.40pm El Planeta. (2021, M) 2.10 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 4.30 Oka! (2012, PG) 6.30 Remi Nobody’s Boy. (2018, PG, French) 8.30 Home Song Stories. (2007, M) 10.25 High Ground. (2020, MA15+) 12.25am Unclenching The Fists. (2021, M, Russian) 2.15 Late Programs.
Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Sunday evening for publication on a Wednesday. Bowls, golf, tennis, kayaking, cycling, cross country, athletics, fishing etc - you name it, we can publish it in our dedicated weekly Sports Results section. Email your results, relevant photos and captions to media@newsofthearea.com.au.
WEDNESDAY, December 18
6.00 Morning Programs. 9.05 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.05 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGl, R) 10.55 Earth’s Sacred Wonders. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 TradFest. 2.30 Language Of Light. (Premiere) 3.10 French Atlantic. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped.
9.30 The Night Manager. (R)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Maxima. (Mals)
12.00 Pagan Peak. (Return, Mas)
3.00 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PG, R)
4.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.55 Down Under Bitesize. (R)
Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Monsters Or Medicine? (PGm, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Thomas And Friends. 6.40 Piney: The Lonesome Pine. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 Doctor Who. 9.50 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.15 Operation Ouch! 10.45 Late Programs.
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game. 11.20 Cricket. Test. Australia v India. Day 5. Morning session. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown). 1.20pm Cricket: Lunch Break. 2.00 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 5. Afternoon session. 4.00 Cricket: Tea Break. 4.20 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Late afternoon.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 4. Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game.
11.00 Unbelievable Moments
Caught On Camera. (PGa, R) Footage of headline-grabbing moments.
12.00 Criminal Confessions: She Never Came Home. (MA15+alv, R)
A look at the case of Kenia Monge.
1.00 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PGm)
8.30 Budget Battlers. (PGl)
9.30 Space Invaders. (PG, R)
10.30 Millionaire Holiday Home Swap. (PG)
11.30 The Equalizer. (MA15+v, R)
12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.20 Talking Honey. (PG)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Remi
Nobody’s Boy. (2018, PG, French) 8.00 Whale Rider. (2002, PG) 9.55 The Falcons. (2018, PG, Icelandic) 11.50 Juliet, Naked. (2018, M) 1.40pm Lola. (1961, PG, French) 3.15 Magnetic Fields. (2021, PG, Greek) 4.50 Viajeros. (2022, PG, Spanish) 6.25 Heidi. (2015, PG, German) 8.30 The Nugget. (2002, M) 10.20 Long Story Short. (2021, M) 12.05am Falling. (2020, M) 2.10 Late Programs.
THURSDAY, December 19
R) 2.30 Back Roads. (R) 3.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30. (Final)
8.00 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (Premiere) 9.05 Fake Or Fortune? 10.05 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (Final, PG)
10.55 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (Final, R)
11.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
12.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.35 The Truth About Menopause With Myf Warhurst. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (Final, R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Kangaroo Beach. 6.40 Do, Re & Mi. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Operation Ouch!
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.20 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R) 11.10 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 TradFest: The Fingal Sessions. 2.30 Language Of Light. 3.00 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.10 French Atlantic. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)
8.30 Gods Of Tennis. (Ml, R)
9.35 Daddy Issues. (Premiere, Mls)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 DNA. (Mav) 11.55 Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late. (Malsv, R)
12.50 Miniseries: The Night Logan Woke Up. (MA15+a, R)
3.05 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PG, R)
4.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Goonies. (1985) 10.35 MOVIE: Johnny Mnemonic. (1995, M) 12.25am Late Programs. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00
Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Holy Marvels With Dennis Quaid. 10.05 The Last Overland: Singapore To London. 11.55 Late Programs. 6am TBA. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Lola. (1961, PG, French) 7.35 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 9.55 Magnetic Fields. (2021, PG, Greek) 11.30 Home Song Stories. (2007, M) 1.25pm Viajeros. (2022, PG, Spanish) 3.00 Remi Nobody’s Boy. (2018, PG, French) 5.00 The Falcons. (2018, PG, Icelandic) 6.55 Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 8.30 The Rover. (2014, MA15+) 10.25 The Frozen Ground. (2013, MA15+) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: A Christmas Spark. (2022, PGa, R) 2.00 Motorbike Cops. (PG, R)
Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 5. Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes. 10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. A deep dive into the world of cricket. 11.15 Pam & Tommy. (MA15+alns) Rand teams up with an old associate. 12.15 Criminal Confessions: Who Killed Little Mama? (Madlv, R) An elderly free spirit is left for dead.
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Presented by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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7MATE (64) 7MATE (64)
Children’s Programs.
MOVIE: L.O.L. Surprise! The Movie. (2021)
6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 Survivor 47. 9.30 MOVIE: The Infiltrator. (2016, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Outback Truckers. 3.00 Billy The Exterminator. 3.30 Barrett-Jackson: Revved Up. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Pickers. 6.00 Cricket. Third Test. Australia v India. Day 5. Late afternoon session. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The Line. 9.30
Children’s Programs. Noon Hart Of Dixie. 1.00 I Dream Of Jeannie. 1.30 Bewitched. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
9GO! (83)
9GO! (83)
Consisting of the following locally owned cattle:
JW & DM Bowen – 4 angus steers 2y.o
AT & MK Rumbel – 6 devon / shorthorn steers 20mths
J Skuse – 5 angus steers 12 to 15mths
T Howarth – 8 angus steers 12mths
R Cox – 6 angus steers 12mths
Brookfield Pastoral – 15 angus steers 10 to 12mths
S Hicks – 9 angus steers 9 to 11mths
K Knott – 4 angus steers 10mths
Galaah Cattle – 13 angus steers 9 to 10mths
C & J Brewer – 10 angus steers 8 to 10mths
Gresford Client – 40 angus steers 8 to 10mths
Jones Family Trust – 25 angus steers 8 to 10mths
Paton Resources – 8 angus steers 9mths
N Cameron – 6 angus steers 8 to 9mths
Urban Angus – 3 angus cows PTIC (2nd calf) to Millamurrah Paratrooper bull
Raglan Pastoral – 9 angus heifers PTIC to Sugarloaf Angus bull
Haydn Smith (property sold) – 4 angus cows PTIC
K & B Chivers – 3 angus cows PTIC Haydn Smith (property sold) – 4 angus heifers 12mths
Newman & Collison – 5 angus heifers 11 to 12mths
Brookfield Pastoral – 15 angus heifers 10 to 12mths
N Cameron – 15 angus heifers 8 to 9mths
Thomson Family Trust – 10 angus heifers & calves (rejoined)
D & J Turner – 28 angus heifers & calves (Paraway bloodlines & rejoined)
J & S Landers – 6 angus X heifers & calves
Newman & Collison – 4 speckle park cows & calves (2nd & 3rd calf)
Raglan Pastoral – 11 angus cows & calves (4 to 5y.o)
M Flannery – 2 hereford cows & calves (3rd calf)
Thomson Family Trust – 4 angus cows & calves PTIC
P Rizk – 4 angus cows & calves
K & B Chivers – 3 angus cows & calves
Raglan Pastoral - 7 angus cows & calves
Gresford Client – 4 angus cows & calves
Urna Houtsma – 6 angus X cows & calves
Haydn Smith (property sold) – 9 angus cows & calves
D Lean – 6 angus cows & calves
D Lean – 4 murray grey cows & calves
Forres Angus (property sold) – 3 angus bulls 20mths (sired by stud bulls)
Further entries invited & expected
A/h
For Sale
DEAR Jasminda,
It is my daughter's third Christmas and she refuses to get a photo with Santa. It is a family tradition in our family to send everyone a Santa photo.
Will I just get it done even though she'll look terrible because she'll be screaming?
Krista G.
Dear Krista,
Many of us have photos of us sitting on Santa's knee, and we now know it wasn't Santa but a man who fulfilled desired criteria that included 'morbidly obese' and 'ruddy complexion of an alcoholic'. When I look back at Santa photos of when I was a child, I can see that a couple of the Santas were a bit too friendly.
One was holding me so tightly that he looks as though he's trying to cut off my circulation, and there I am smiling like a loon because there's a woman waving a stuffed toy in front of my face saying, 'Smile' and I'm worried that if I don't, I won't get the presents I've asked for.
That's something very odd with a society that rabbits on about stranger danger, but then expects to be able to plonk a kid on the lap of a man dressed in red velvet, white gloves, and Doc Martens.
Where else would this be okay?
There are now many other options for Christmas photos.
Some local photographers do a beach photo with a few props but absolutely no requirement to sit on anyone's lap.
This sounds like a much better option for your daughter.
Do you really want a photo of her screaming because she is traumatised, just because it is tradition? Holding someone against their will doesn't sound very Christmas-y to me.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Boot Camp
Picture B - Giraffe’s ear missing, igloo line missing, snow horizon line has dropped at the right, giraffe’s legs longer and spots missing on giraffe.
Ruff - 1 = pug, 2 = boxer, 3 = beagle, 4 = dalmatian and 5 = bulldog.
Kids Boot Camp 026
Riverbank rehabilitation progresses
POSITIVE progress has been made on remediation efforts to protect the eroding riverbanks of the Williams River, spanning from Seaham to Clarence Town.
The work led by Hunter Water is helping to prevent further erosion and enhance water quality.
The first package of stabilisation work kicked off in September with more than 1,400 hardwood logs secured from major infrastructure
and land development projects.
Through collaboration with Transport for NSW and construction partners
John Holland Gamuda Joint Venture and Seymour Whyte, most of the logs have been sourced from the nearby M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace project.
Hunter Water Executive Manager Customer Delivery
Glen Robinson said the decision to beneficially
repurpose timber for riverbank stabilisation underscores the project's emphasis on sustainability.
“These logs, which might otherwise have been mulched or discarded as waste are now being used to protect the Williams River and create vital habitats for aquatic life.
“It's a great example of how infrastructure projects can collaborate to deliver environmental and
By Lisa WISEMAN
DUNGOG
Shire Palliative
Care volunteers held a street stall outside Lovey’s Dungog IGA on Saturday morning.
For sale were home made sweet treats like cakes and biscuits, crafts, and donated items suitable for gifts.
There were also prizes on offer.
The proceeds from the stall will help the volunteers continue to provide vital
services, for free, to the local community.
Palliative care volunteers help people with a life limiting illness or disease.
They also offer practical and emotional support to families.
Assistance includes but is not limited to; transport to appointments, shopping and social outings, visits to home, hospice or hospital, and linen supply and laundry.
Most importantly,
community benefits," Mr Robinson said.
The logs, which had to include their root balls for this purpose, are being installed as part of a riverbank stabilisation technique known as log fillets, which are strategically placed structures along the riverbank toe.
These fillets buffer the riverbank against erosion caused by flooding and wave energy, fostering the growth of aquatic and riparian vegetation.
"In addition to mitigating erosion, using logs contributes to ecological improvements,” Mr Robinson said.
“The timber provides
habitats for aquatic species and reptiles and traps natural debris, which enhances flood resilience.
"Using natural materials brings many benefits beyond erosion control.
“It's about creating an environment where ecosystems can thrive while ensuring the riverbank remains stable for generations to come.
The project has been coordinated in collaboration with several government agencies through the development of the Erosion Management Plan for the Seaham Weir Pool.
The partnership includes Hunter Water, Transport for NSW, Hunter Local Land
Services, DPI-Fisheries, and the Port Stephens and Dungog Shire councils.
"The Williams River is a vital water source and an important natural asset for the community. “We appreciate the support of local landholders and river users as we deliver this vital work and encourage landholders to contact our team if they are interested in being involved," Mr Robinson said.
Temporary boating restrictions are currently in place to ensure the safety of workers and river users, and clear signage will guide compliance with these measures.
Palliative care volunteers raise funds for Caring Hands
the volunteers also offer companionship, comfort and compassion; a “caring hand to help”.
Some funding comes from the Hunter New England Local Health District, while Friends of Palliative Care Maitland is a strong supporter.
Friends of Palliative Care help with transport and equipment.
However, most of the money needed to keep the local organisation running comes from community fundraising and donations.
A lot of the cookery and craft items for sale at the stall were made and donated by local people.
“We have a lot of support from people in the community,” organiser Lyn Moseley said while noting that the Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers couldn’t survive without this support.
Members of the local community can help in a few different ways and new volunteers are welcome.
Training is provided,
with Lyn presently making a list of names for an upcoming course.
Locals can also donate items to sell to raise funds.
Lovey’s IGA will donate
to the organisation when shoppers use their Rewards card for purchases, and specify Dungog Palliative Care Volunteers as their nominated charity.
To become a Volunteer or to find out more about the organisation, email admin@ dungogcarers.com.au.
q The logs are being installed as part of a riverbank stabilisation technique known as log fillets.
q The first package of stabilisation work, which kicked off in September, involves more than 1,400 hardwood logs.
q Jim and Meera Jarvis admired the sweets.
q Palliative care volunteers Margaret Jones, Lyn Moseley and Jenny Cox.
Rumble gives back
By Lisa WISEMAN
DUNGOG Rumble organisers and sponsors met with representatives of local junior sporting clubs at the Bank Hotel on Sunday afternoon.
From funds raised during
the annual Rumble charity event held in October, a giant cheque for $24,000 was presented to local sports clubs.
The Rumble is an annual show and shine event for cars, motorcycles and trucks.
It attracts many locals and visitors to display and view the vehicles.
The $24,000 will be split between eight junior sports clubs from Dungog, Clarence Town, Paterson and Vacy.
Receiving funds are
Dungog Pony Club, Dungog Junior Cricket, Dungog Soccer Club (“The Boomerangs”), Dungog Junior Rugby League (“The Warriors”), Vacy P & C, Clarence Town Football Club (“The Kookaburras”), Paterson River Junior Netball and Dungog and District Junior Netball.
Most of the clubs had to
deal with 2024’s inclement weather damaging grounds and preventing play.
The Kookaburras will rebuild their field, buy a linemarker and upgrade other equipment.
Player numbers have doubled in the last two years at the club.
Dungog Junior Cricket Club will build a shed to
Funding for arts projects
A SERIES of Upper Hunter arts projects will be funded through the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) in 2025.
Six local organisations will share in $17,000 of funding, announced last week by Arts Upper Hunter.
“This was a very competitive pool of applicants, and I think that speaks to how good people are getting at developing projects that meet the needs
of their communities and take people to the next level in their practice,” said Arts Upper Hunter Executive Director John O’Brien.
The Glen William Public School P&C will receive $3000 towards the creation of a community artwork which commemorates the school’s 175 year anniversary.
Created in workshops with school children, the artwork will be displayed on panels in clear view for the
entire community to enjoy.
The Murrurundi Arts and Crafts Council (MACC) has been funded $2,600 to run two days of workshops with Cementa Creative Director Alex Wisser.
The workshops will facilitate the planning and staging of a multi-day community arts event in late 2025.
The Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre was awarded $2,670.
The Big Screen
By Lindsay HALL
AN overly optimistic blockbuster drops this week, along with a grab bag of global cinema.
Kraven The Hunter comes from Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man Villains” franchise. (I apologise profusely, because I said earlier in the year that we wouldn’t have to put up with any more of these for a while.)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the tenth most interesting villain in Spider-Man comics, with a supporting turn from Russel Crowe as the character's father who at least looks as though he’s getting paid well
for this film.
Kraven is an Eastern Europe born survivalist/ mercenary/hunter who is left for dead by his father after being attacked by a lion, and gains lion-powers… I think.
Director J.C. Chandor made one of my favourite films of the 2010’s in “Margin Call”, but it certainly looks as though the comicbook movie manufacturing machine has kept a tight reign on any sense of dramatic pacing or visual style.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim arrives with surprisingly little fanfare for a film that is very much intended to
connect directly with the original film series by Peter Jackson.
An animated feature, it tells the story of Helm Hammerhand, a legendary ruler of the horseriding people of Rohan, almost 200 years before the events of “The Fellowship of the Ring”.
Produced in a Japanese style of animation, the film is a New Line/Warner Bros production that actually utilises some cast members from the previous films such as Miranda Otto and, thanks to the archive, Christopher Lee.
Now, I’m not typically one for comedies pitched at just-over-middle-aged men, but The Problem With
Michelle Earl will lead art classes that incorporate traditional Aboriginal techniques.
Participants will paint their personal totems and in a second class will create unique baskets.
The Singleton Quilters ($3000) will run a two-day quilting workshop with award-winning quilt artist Gloria Loughman, followed by a public Trunk Show.
Participants will learn
People looks to be the type to win me over.
When Ciáran’s (Colm Meany’s) father begs him to mend a forgotten family squabble several generations old, the only relative he can find is Barry (Paul Reiser).
Barry travels to Ireland from the US, mainly out of curiosity, only to be present for the death of Ciáran’s father.
Problems of their own arise when it is revealed that Barry has been written into the fathers’ will.
Meany and Reiser are both criminally underrated performers who don’t get to play in nearly enough films.
Staying in Ireland, and likely appealing to the same over 50s male audience, is The Shamrock Spitfire, a biopic of Brendan "Paddy" Finucane, a legendary RAF
store training equipment. They also plan to construct seating and provisions for shade.
Dungog Soccer Club will buy new equipment such as soccer balls, apply for grants to upgrade the grounds, and keep registration fees at the same rate as the previous years, despite association fees rising.
Their grounds have also been hit hard by bad weather.
Vacy P&C will buy kits for their junior athletes.
Anna, Treasurer of the Clarence Town Kookaburras, said, “Community support means the world to all these volunteer-run groups, and supporting each other is the most important thing.”
The Rumble committee says it will keep supporting Dungog Shire community groups such as junior sports clubs.
Looking forward the committee wants to entice more visitors to town for the Rumble, to benefit local businesses and the regional economy.
They are adding more attractions to the Rumble each year, and are already talking about how to top their admirable efforts in 2025.
new techniques, and completed works will be displayed at QuiltFest and Singleton Library.
Singleton Council will receive $2350 towards a Seniors Week activity.
As part of the Singleton Seniors Festival, Singleton Public Library and the Senior Citizens Hall will host ‘paint n sip’ sessions which combine a High Tea experience with a guided paint workshop perfect for all levels.
Artists Martha Moderitz and Jeremy Dwyer will help seniors engage in a fun and
The son of an Irish father and British mother, Finucane enlisted young and gained renown as a fighter pilot in WWII.
The film boasts earnest performances all round, though especially from lead Shane O’Regan.
Finucane did not live to see the end of the war, so fair warning that this film will likely have the “tragic though triumphant” conclusion.
The final release this week is also probably going to bring some people to tears… it’s a drama with a dog in it.
Black Dog is a Chinese film from director Guan Hu, starring Eddie Peng as Lang, a man newly released from prison for manslaughter.
Though a local celebrity years ago, Lang now faces
therapeutic creative process.
Finally Upper Hunter Shire Council has been awarded $2,992 for a project titled “Art Out the BackInspiring Individuals”.
In consultation with local young people, Wonnarua artist Suszanne Lang will design a mural for the Merriwa Youth Centre outdoor area.
The group will then complete the mural, giving the young people an insight into how professional artists plan and deliver a project.
an uncertain future as his hometown has been largely abandoned, his former friends and bandmates have moved on, his family business is worthless, and the local gangster wants retribution against Lang for his nephew's death.
Set against the backdrop of the impending 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Lang gets work capturing stray dogs who have been left behind by families.
Though suspected of being rabid, Lang forms a bond with one particular black greyhound, and together they set out to find their second chance.
Great performances and beautiful cinematography create a very human and vulnerable perspective of China that is a little surprising.
Flying Ace.
q Dungog Rumble committee members with sporting club representatives (l-r) Mal, Shane, Andre, Andrew, Emily and Anna (front).
Renewable energy trounces nuclear on generation costs
By Marion RAE, AAP
POWER planners have found nuclear energy does not stack up for Australia even after considering new parameters, with large-scale solar and big batteries still the lowest-cost option.
In an official update released on Monday, as the federal opposition prepares to release its costings, scientists warn taxpayers will need deep pockets and a lead time of at least 15 years to develop nuclear energy generation.
For the seventh straight year, renewables were the lowest-cost of any newbuild electricity-generating technology.
After a global energy crisis and equipment supply crunch several years ago, large-scale solar and
lithium battery storage have weathered the inflationary period the best of all technologies.
The cost of batteries recorded the largest annual reduction, with capital costs down by one-fifth. Rooftop solar costs are also coming down.
Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear policy analyst Dave Sweeney said four million households with rooftop solar, energy producers and retailers have already voted with their feet and wallets.
"Nuclear is not right for Australia, which has some of the best renewable energy resources on the planet," he said.
The GenCost 202425 Report released for consultation comes as the coalition pushes for an end to
Australia's nuclear ban and promises to have reactors online in as soon as 10 years if elected in 2025.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, eyeing sites in seven regional centres, has pledged to release the coalition's nuclear costings "this week".
But nuclear energy generation would be 1.5 to two times more expensive than large-scale solar, according to the analysis by the national science agency CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator.
A one-gigawatt nuclear plant has a price tag of roughly $9 billion, but the bill would double to $18 billion as the first of its kind.
Operators would also need to establish new connection points to safely supply the national electricity grid, experts warn.
Advocates have demanded greater recognition of the potential cost advantages of nuclear's long operating life compared to solar panels and wind turbines, but CSIRO chief energy economist and GenCost lead author Paul Graham said he found none.
"Similar cost savings can be achieved with shorterlived technologies including renewables, even when accounting for the need to build them twice," Mr Graham said.
Nuclear's capacity factor - referring to how much of a year a reactor could
SPORTS
operate at full tilt - remains unaltered at 53-89 percent based on verifiable data and consideration of Australia's unique electricity generation needs.
Nor would the oftentouted United Arab Emirates example of a relatively quick 12-year nuclear construction time-frame be achievable here, the report found, because Australians require consultation.
"The facts are laid out very clearly in the GenCost report, and our government respects the work of CSIRO scientists and researchers and listens to that advice,"
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said renewables remain the cheapest newbuild electricity generation in Australia to 2050, as standalone assets and when also accounting for the required storage, transmission and firming. The report is open for industry, community and political feedback until February 11.
Hilldale boxer claims Australian title
By Shannon BENTON
HILLDALE’S Shelby-Lee Wintle has claimed the 66kg elite female title at the Australian Boxing Championships.
Training at Paterson Boxing Gym under renowned coach Greg Tindall since she was 15, Shelby-Lee has spent the past decade honing her craft, amassing 23 amateur
fights.
This year, she transitioned to the 66kg elite female weight class and dominated the competition, winning all six bouts to remain undefeated in her new division.
Her success earned her selection by Boxing NSW to represent the state at the national championships.
Facing opponents from
Victoria and Queensland, Shelby-Lee triumphed in both matches, securing the coveted Australian title.
“Winning this means the world to me,” she said.
“It’s a testament to years of dedication, hard work, and the incredible support from my team and community.”
She credits much of her success to the Paterson
Boxing Gym team, including strength and conditioning coach John Tindall.
“It’s a fantastic small country gym, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything they’ve done to help me become an Australian Champion,” she said.
The community’s unwavering support has made her victory even sweeter.
"Winning this for my community is something I’ll cherish forever."
foster teamwork, and build self-confidence in a fun and engaging environment.
Adding to its appeal are exclusive video tutorials led by Newcastle Jets players, bringing the excitement of professional football straight into the classroom.
Matt Starr, Customer and Community General Manager at Newcastle Jets, emphasised the broader value of the program.
“Jets:LEARN is about more than football – it’s about inspiring students to stay active, work together, and believe in themselves.
“It’s fantastic to see
so many schools in the Mid North Coast getting involved and helping their students grow both on and off the field.”
The Jets:LEARN program is delivered in partnership with Greater Bank.
Emma Brokate, Greater Bank’s Chief Distribution Officer, spoke to the significance of the initiative.
“This program seamlessly combines the joy of sport with life lessons that stay with students long after the final whistle. The positive impact Jets:LEARN is having in classrooms across the Mid North Coast is inspiring, and we’re proud to partner with the
Newcastle Jets to make it happen.”
Jets:LEARN has become a highlight for schools across New South Wales, with over 13,000 students statewide embracing the program this year.
The program is open to all primary schools across New South Wales at no cost.
Schools that register receive access to a comprehensive curriculum, video content, and supporting resources to enhance classroom engagement.
To find out more or register your school, visit https://www.greater.com. au/jetstearn.
Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said.
"Peter Dutton's nuclear fantasy not only threatens to blow out the budget, it also threatens jobs and household power bills," he said.
q Experts say solar and big batteries remain the cheapest way to power homes and businesses. Photo: David Mariuz/AAP PHOTOS.
q Shelby-Lee Wintle secures the Australian title.
q Wintle in action.
