Artist activating Clarence Town
“Bec”
“Eckos”,
NEW VISION
FROM Page 1
of the Hunter Valley Grammar School.
Excited to lead the council over the next four-year term, Mr Rayward said it was a “privilege to be elected” as Mayor.
“We have four new councillors with fresh vision and I am very optimistic we are going to be able to move forward in a really positive way,” said Mr Rayward, who
described his leadership style as “very collaborative”.
Ahead of Wednesday’s council meeting, Mr Rayward said a major focus was improving the council's relationship with the community.
“I want to build stronger ties with the community, because that is who we represent.”
He also highlighted council’s key role in facilitating external initiatives seeking to bring
improvement to the Shire, citing Rural Aid’s Community Builders Program and a plan to bring platypus tourism to the district as examples.
“Council’s role is to facilitate these individuals and groups and make the community stronger,” Mr Rayward said. “There are hundreds of examples where community building projects are really taking off and I am a big supporter of that.”
Noting that smaller regional councils are “doing it tough”, Mr Rayward spoke to the continual importance of attaining major infrastructure
funding.
“Our main focus is on infrastructure funding for roads etc.
“Seventy percent of our funding comes through grants and we have to keep our focus on that all the time.”
Improving community engagement is also a stated aim for Mr Rayward, who told NOTA he intends to develop a series of community stakeholder reference groups to improve council decision making.
“In the Dungog Shire there are some absolutely brilliant people,” he said.
“When councillors are deliberating on a certain topic, for example arts and culture, we are better off seeking the advice of people in the area with that specific expertise.”
In terms of challenges for the new council, Mr Rayward cites the changing face of agriculture and the shifting demographics of the Dungog Shire as issues which need to be addressed.
“Agriculture has changed so much in the past 40 years… what will it look like in the next 40 years?
“Farming was all based on dairy and beef and has changed now to rural lifestyle living.
“The demography is changing in the Shire, and that is a challenge we need to deal with.”
Artist activating Clarence Town
FROM Page 1
visitors on a physical, metaphorical and emotional journey through place, time and the mind.
Visitors to the exhibition will walk a curving path through the artworks, which will be grouped by season.
The works in each “season” draw on remembered feelings of times, temperatures and locations.
“Summer is based in childhood memories and nostalgia, with a lot of beach scenes,” Bec said.
"Spring is uplifting and bright, winter is more reflective. Autumn is earthy colours and country.”
After travelling through Bec’s “seasons” inside the museum building, guests will emerge onto the verandah to look over the sculptural works.
A prolific artist who works in many media, including 3D printing, Bec currently has about 40 pieces completed.
Recently she was offered the position of Artist in Residence at the CourtHouse Museum.
Bec believes that it is important to give emerging artists accessible venues.
She plans to help grow a studio space where local and visiting artists can work and show their pieces.
The studio would also provide a venue where organisations like the local drawing group can meet.
Bec is very connected to her community and is also involved with the Rural Aid Community Builders Program.
“Eckos” will engage local people in many different ways.
During the exhibition some local businesses are offering specials for guests.
Senior Citizens, the Courthouse Museum and the Erringhi Hotel are assisting with catering.
Dungog duo Watts Wise will provide music at the opening.
She wants her exhibition to feel “full” and will select from these 40, and more new works, to stage “Eckos”.
q New Mayor Digby Rayward on the campaign trail at the Vacy Country Carnival.
World first ambulance boost
NSW AMBULANCE will roll out eight specially designed vehicles known as Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulances (HARA), the first of their kind in the world, optimising response capabilities during natural disasters and in difficult terrain.
HARAs will be rolled out over the coming months, with Rutherford one of the locations where the vehicles will be initially located.
they face – which could include floods or bushfires.
Flood risk data has been used to identify the proposed locations, which align with extensive existing NSW Ambulance special operations and rescue capabilities.
HARAs and trained personnel will respond across the state in response to risk area analysis and active emergencies.
HARAs will also be based at Tamworth, Cowra, Wagga Wagga and Bomaderry, as well as special operation team locations in Point Clare and Sydney.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said the community will benefit from the specialist capabilities of the HARA Mercedes-Benz Unimog vehicles, as part of a major $14.8 million funding package by the NSW Government to further build the state’s flood rescue capabilities.
The HARAs are designed to drive through flood waters up to 1.2 metres and are equipped with safety features for operation in
q HARAs will be rolled out over the coming months, with Rutherford one of the locations where the vehicles will be initially located.
hazardous environments.
The vehicles have also been made to operate around fire grounds, with the inclusion of a burnover crew protection system, replacement of flammable components, and by wrapping critical vehicle infrastructure in fireretardant material.
The rear of the vehicle is a fully operational ambulance, with a specially designed stretcher loading system to assist paramedics in patient handling and for patient comfort.
The vehicles have been modified for purpose by NSW Ambulance to withstand harsh environments with enhanced safety features including a reinforced exoskeleton to protect paramedics and patients from falling trees.
“I’m so pleased our Ambulance service will be the first in the world to get these vehicles,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.
“These high-tech vehicles will mean our world class clinicians will be even better prepared for any scenario
“Once they’re rolled out these vehicles will be an invaluable addition to NSW Ambulance.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said, “The HARA vehicles are the first of their kind and an essential addition to our fleet, giving clinicians greater access to patients during natural disasters, such as in fire grounds and floods.
“The 4WD vehicles will be operated by our highly trained special operations paramedics and have been specifically modified by NSW Ambulance to withstand harsh environments.”
q The HARAs are designed to drive through flood waters up to 1.2 metres and are equipped with safety features for operation in hazardous environments.
Lisa WISEMAN 0437 315 191 lisa@newsofthearea.com.au
Shannon BENTON 0400 163 360 benton@newsofthearea.com.au
Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679 doug@newsofthearea.com.au
02 4981 8882 ads@newsofthearea.com.au
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Gresford Butchery
DUNGOG residents have expressed concerns over staffing levels at police stations in the Dungog district, raising the issue of response times if a major incident were to occur.
Locally Port Stephens-Hunter Police has stations at Dungog, East Gresford, Paterson and Stroud, however the the closest 24-hour stations are located in Maitland and Raymond Terrace.
Concerned local Daniel Olsen, a father of four, told NOTA he had witnessed a notable reduction in police visibility in Dungog in the past two or three
months.
“We used to have police officers which were based out of Dungog Police Station,” he said.
“Now if there happens to be an incident in Dungog we might have to wait for someone to come down from either Raymond Terrace or Maitland.
“Best case scenario, if something happens you are looking at an hour.”
NSW Police say staffing arrangements for Dungog Police Station have not changed in several years.
“The Port StephensHunter Police District rosters officers to
meet the operational requirements of the entire district - including Dungog - to provide a 24hour policing response to the community,” a spokesperson said.
“Police stations in regional NSW have a range of operating hours including 24/7 stations and smaller sector stations operating around service demand and community need.
“The community can be assured that all police vehicles serve as mobile police stations and can respond based on demand.”
While noting the social benefits of locally stationed police officers,
newly appointed Dungog Shire Mayor Digby Rayward said he can understand the cost pressures the police are under.
“The more police we have here the better,” he said.
“In general terms I would support the location of a permanent police officer, because they then become part of the community as well.
“I have worked in small towns where the local policeman is a strong positive influence on young kids who may be thinking of getting into trouble.
“There are a lot of strong social benefits of
having a local policeman, but I can understand that it all depends on whether the police can afford to have someone [permanently] stationed here.”
According to NSW Police, officers attached to Port StephensHunter Police District “continue to strengthen relationships with the community through events such as ‘Coffee with a Cop’, various youth programs at PCYCs and local schools, and by working to exceed community expectations in our customer service delivery, which includes response times”.
By Shannon BENTON
DR Aunty Rhonda Radley brought attendees into a state of Ngarrangga or “deep listening” during the fifth “Listening to Indigenous Voices” presentation at The James
Theatre in Dungog.
This interactive session on Saturday, 12 October, engaged 57 attendees in the spirit of sharing, connection to Country, and truth-telling.
The event, hosted collaboratively by
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Reconciliation Dungog and Paterson Allyn Williams Science and Ideas Hub, was supported by Inspiring Australia and the NSW Government.
Aunty Rhonda Radley, Anjilkurri, is a Birrbay/ Dhanggati woman known for her work across education and community sectors.
Drawing on her deep knowledge of Aboriginal languages, cultures, and histories, she shared personal stories from the heart, shedding light on the complexities of Aboriginal stories and contemporary realities.
Amid the rise of misinformation
and disinformation, she emphasised the importance of truth telling as a pathway to healing and reconciliation.
"Truth telling is the way for us to move forward together," she shared, noting the importance of understanding the historical conflicts that shape our present knowledge gaps.
At the heart of Dr Radley's session was the Blackman Point massacre at Port Macquarie, a historical tragedy that has affected her family for generations.
Through her storytelling, she
urged both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal audiences to engage in deep listening and acknowledge the ongoing intergenerational trauma linked to early settlement and displacement of Aboriginal peoples.
Reconciliation Dungog Convenor Jenny Akers said, "We need to listen to appreciate the complexity of the issues around colonisation, and this talk has helped us do that."
The session was a powerful reminder of the need for collective listening and shared responsibility in shaping a future grounded in truth and reconciliation.
q Dr Aunty Rhonda Radley.
q Attendees at Saturday’s gathering.
Community gathers for Dungog Common Vision
By Shannon BENTON
THE Dungog Common Strategic Plan Vision info session was held last Thursday in the CWA Hall.
The Dungog Common Land Manager Board oversees the stewardship of the reserve and is embarking on a two-year improvement project.
Plans include refurbishment of the pump
track, a dual slalom course, and a secondary entrance at the top of Dungog Common installed off Short Street, with a post and rail gate.
The briefing was led by Development Director Daniel LeBlanc, Secretary Howard Glenn and Chair Roz Norval. Board member Chloe Chick was absent.
Discussions between the NSW Government and the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land
Council regarding Aboriginal Land Claims over the land are ongoing, with efforts to ensure continued community access and recreational use.
Principal partners include Dungog Commoners Landcare, Sculpture on the Farm, Ride Dungog, and Dungog Regional Tourism.
The main grant funders for the 2022-2024 period include the Commonwealth Government’s Black Summer
Bushfire Recovery Program, the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Stimulus Funding Program, and the Crown Lands Improvement Fund.
During the briefing, the draft narrative and financial report for the 2022-2024 period was presented.
The final report will be available on the Dungog Common website in the coming weeks.
The financial report highlighted the completion of three major grants, including the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery-Ride Dungog Program and the Dungog Regional Tourism-Regional Growth Environmental and Tourism Fund.
Daniel LeBlanc discussed the ongoing efforts to define the future of the Dungog Common, including a koala habitat project and continued partnerships, such as
Sculpture on the Farm. While an audit for one grant is still pending, the board remains focused on
its long-term vision for the reserve.
q Daniel LeBlanc.
q Sculpture on the Common. Photo: Dungog Common Recreation Reserve.
q Post and rail gate at the Short Street entrance. Photo: Dungog Common Recreation Reserve.
Grant to fund free patchwork workshop
By Lisa WISEMAN
TEXTILE artists and craftspeople are invited to a free Creative Patchwork workshop on Saturday 16 November at Dungog Arts Society.
This is an opportunity to meet like-minded people and learn new patchworking methods.
The workshop tutor is Brenda Burgess, a Dungog local and owner of the patchworking business, “Flip La K”.
Brenda is much in demand to teach workshops around Australia and overseas.
At this workshop she will demonstrate her unique construction methods, using templates of her own design.
Brenda says these “specialised templates help patchworkers of all skill levels achieve intricate designs with perfect points”.
(Patchworkers aim for neat, symmetrical corners and joins in their work.)
The workshop will show participants how to make a wide variety of innovative, colourful patchwork designs to turn into quilts, table
runners, bags and other items.
A kit with free template and fabric will be provided to each workshop participant.
Tea/coffee and scones will be supplied to start the day off, while Brenda demonstrates cutting and positioning fabric pieces in designs like Flip ‘n Easy Laced Star and Flip ‘n Geese in a Row.
By the end of the day participants will have made a table runner or similar sized project of their choice.
Dungog Arts Society recently ran another workshop with Brenda.
Participants from the Hunter and Central Coast attended that initial workshop.
The response was very positive, so Dungog Arts Society applied for a microgrant, hoping to run another.
Arts Upper Hunter and Create NSW are funding the free workshop via that microgrant.
Upper Hunter artisan Bev Parkins has already booked her place for the free workshop.
She said she is “looking forward to having a fun day
with you all”.
The workshop is open to members and non-members of Dungog Arts Society.
Places are still available
but numbers are limited. The workshop will take place from 9.30am to 3.30pm at the Dungog Uniting Church Hall, 246 Dowling
Street, Dungog. Bookings can be made at Dungog Arts Society or by emailing secretary@ dungogarts.com.au.
is available on www. dungogarts.com.au
q Local long arm quilter Julie Sullivan attended the first DAS Creative Patchwork workshop with Brenda Burgess.
Voice has 'got a future', one year from referendum loss Spring Plant Fair
By Andrew BROWN and Tess IKONOMOU, AAP
INDIGENOUS leaders
remain confident Australia will enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to parliament in the constitution, one year on from the referendum defeat.
More than 60 percent of Australians voted 'no' in the referendum on October 14, 2023, with every state and territory - aside from
the ACT - rejecting the proposal, which would have established a permanent advisory body and constitutional recognition of First Nations people.
Despite the defeat, Indigenous campaigner Thomas Mayo, who was among the leading 'yes' vote advocates, said constitutional change could still take place down the track.
"There's still a future that includes Indigenous people
in the constitution. Sure, in reality it's not going to happen again for a while," he told ABC radio on Monday.
"We don't always get things right in a democracy. If we accepted the 'no' answers that we got about equal wages or about our right to vote as Indigenous people... things would be worse today.
"Because more than 60 percent of young people voted 'yes' between 18 and 24, that tells me that we've
got a future, and what we tried to do last year will be achieved."
One of the architects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart Megan Davis said once it became clear the referendum was unlikely to win public support, it should have been delayed.
But Mr Mayo said despite the polls, the government was right in pursuing the referendum.
"I don't think it was a mistake and the reason is because... we would still be wondering if we didn't do it," he said.
"We had to press on, because it might not have been another chance."
Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said the referendum remained a waste of time and money.
"It was a task that ended up dividing our country, and at a time we don't need to be divided, and unfortunately, the Albanese government put all their eggs in one basket," she told ABC TV.
"The Albanese government hasn't implemented any methods to improve the circumstances or change things on the ground."
Following the referendum
result, Indigenous leader and academic Marcia Langton declared reconciliation was dead.
But Senator Nampijinpa Price said supporters of the voice needed to move on.
"The 'yes' campaigners need to let go, accept the result, because Australia's made that determination and move forward," she said.
"There are marginalised, Indigenous Australians whose lives need to be impacted in a positive way right now."
Workplace Minister Murray Watt said the government made the right decision to keep going with the referendum despite signs it was heading to defeat in polling.
"This was a proposal about enshrining rights of First Nations people in our constitution and we didn't think it was appropriate to ignore their wishes, either at the beginning of the campaign or as the campaign went on," he told ABC radio.
"This is going to be a pretty painful day for First Nations Australians, there were a lot of hopes invested in the voice to parliament proposal."
THE inaugural Gloucester Spring Plant Fair arrives at the Gloucester Showground this weekend, with hopes the new event will become a yearly fixture on the regional calendar.
“Numerous nurseries will be in attendance for you to grab some new plants for your spring garden, talk to industry specialists, pick up a piece of garden art and maybe even grab a bargain,” said organiser Leanne Anderson.
The Fair will be held across two days: Saturday 19 October from 9am to 4pm and Sunday 20 October from 9am-1pm.
Entry is $10 per person with kids under 13 years old free.
Tickets are available online or at the gate.
“To keep the kids entertained, Sal’s Animal Nursery will be there as well as facepainting for the kids,” Leanne said.
BBQ facilities will be available and coffee vans on site.
q It's one year since the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum was held. Photo: Bianca De Marchi, James Ross/AAP PHOTOS.
Platypus Trail plans
PLANS are underway for a tourist trail to shine a spotlight on the elusive platypus which call the region’s waterways home.
Stroud resident Rachel Barry, a primary school teacher at Karuah, is a driving force behind the project which was born from discussions had during meetings of Rural Aid’s Community Builders Program (CBP).
The CBP, which is currently running across the Upper Hunter, is a grassroots leadership program which supports locals within a defined cluster of communities to better understand and build their region and economy.
Rachel’s involvement in the CBP led to conversations with leaders from other towns in the program - Stroud, Gresford, Vacy, Paterson, Dungog, Clarence Town and Gloucester.
“We had discussions about what we value as a region, what we want to see happen in our
towns, how we can make our communities better, and how do we increase visitor numbers or get people to move to the area.”
Eventually the idea for a Platypus Trail was formed, as a way to “tie all the towns in together” and create opportunities for eco-tourism, education, environmental protection and Indigenous inclusion.
“It started with a local in Stroud telling us that we had a platypus,” Rachel said.
“I didn’t know that we had them.
“We then went to visit the platypus pool.
“I don’t know if you have ever seen a platypus in the wild but it is just magical.
“You have to sit there silently… and then you see one and it is just this incredible experience.”
Despite originally thinking the platypus was endangered,
Rachel said they are “actually quite common in this area”.
“They are just very elusive and shy and not often seen,” she said.
Still in the early planning stages, the Platypus Trail concept links Stroud, Dungog, Paterson, Vacy, Gresford, Clarence Town and Gloucester.
Certain towns would have a viewing area featuring educational signage on the platypus’ biology, environmental status, and Aboriginal cultural connections.
Organisers note that some towns are unsuitable for a viewing platform and a risk assessment is pending.
Art installations for photo opportunities have also been proposed so visitors can capture the experience even if they don’t spot a live platypus.
Trail maps will encourage people to visit the viewing areas in other towns, increasing
their chances of seeing a platypus and having the flow on effect of boosting regional tourism.
“To tie in the neighbouring towns, signage will direct visitors to the next viewing opportunity,” Rachel said.
“It is a way of creating a trail for visitors which goes through the towns.”
Rachel also sees the concept as an opportunity to improve collaboration with Indigenous groups.
“There is a real lack of genuine Aboriginal
Numerous wholesale nurseries will be in attendance for you to grab some new plants for your Spring garden. Come along and talk to Industry specialists and grab a bargain.
acknowledgement in these towns, which is something I am very passionate about personally,” she said.
“I saw this as an opportunity to collaborate with local Indigenous groups to have some beautiful signage and to tell some of the Aboriginal stories around the platypus and the rivers and creeks.
“Hopefully in the future we can open up the opportunity for Aboriginal storytellers to do tours, and to take visitors through the platypus trail from an
Indigenous perspective.”
The initiative has already received confirmed support from Arts Upper Hunter, Dungog Regional Tourism, Landcare and Local Land Services. Organisers wish to reassure the community that careful consultation will take place with groups and individuals ahead of any project approval. Rachel has written a children's book about the local platypus, which is due to be released early next year.
q Rachel Barry is the driving force behind the project. Photo: Connor.
q In the Gathang language of the Worimi, the word for platypus is bikan, yappi or bitang depending on the area. Photo: Rachel Barry.
q Platypus in Mill Creek, Stroud. Photo: Rachel Barry.
BEST ON THE BOX
FRIDAY MINISERIES: NOLLY
ABC TV, 8.30pm
After her scene-stealing turn as Princess Margaret in The Crown, Helena Bonham Carter (pictured) once again reigns supreme in this striking portrait of UK daytime TV pioneer Noele “Nolly” Gordon. The first woman to appear on colour television anywhere in the world, Nolly became a household name in the UK. She even had a soap opera, Crossroads, created for her. But it all came crashing down when, in 1981, the series was axed without warning. Writer Russell T Davies meticulously researched the three-part series, aiming to create a story that faithfully charts the TV legend’s fight for her career.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Millie Ross meets a plantsman.
8.30 Miniseries: Nolly. (Ml) Part 1 of 3. After nearly two decades on her show, a soap opera star is fired at the height of her success.
9.20 Question Everything. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson and Jan Fran.
9.50 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.
10.35 ABC Late News.
10.50 Miniseries: Nolly. (Ml)
12.20 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.10 Rage. (PG)
8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Doctor Who. 10.40 Merlin. 11.25 Fresh Off The Boat. 11.45 Speechless. 12.10am Good Game Spawn Point. 12.55
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Rome. (PGav)
8.30 Castle Secrets. (Mav)
9.25 Rise Of The Nazis: The Downfall. (Mav, R)
10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 The Allegation. (MA15+a)
SUNDAY
FISK
ABC TV, 8pm
Change is in the air as Kitty Flanagan’s (pictured) award-winning probate law comedy returns for a third season. Not only has solicitor Helen Tudor-Fisk (Flanagan) bought a home and moved out of her dad’s backyard yoga studio, but she’s now a name partner at Gruber & Fisk – which means taking on more responsibility for the inevitable chaos that unfolds there. In tonight’s premiere “Bees in the Hive”, Helen tries to become a social butterfly to replace Ray (Marty Sheargold) after he broke the Business and Breakfast networking group’s rules, while new neighbour Murray (Carl Barron) puts Helen in a bind with a request for free legal advice. Better than ever, Fisk is a perfectly calibrated comedy.
MONDAY MINISERIES: BALI 2002
NBN, 8.40pm
Released 20 years after the 2002 Bali bombings, and now making its free-to-air debut, this Australianmade drama still feels somewhat premature. However, Bali 2002 mostly stays away from gratuitous re-enactments, instead spotlighting the everyday heroes who sprang into action and gave the world hope in the aftermath of the terror attack. Led by Rachel Griffiths, Richard Roxburgh (pictured) and Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie, it’s well-acted and as sensitively told as it can be. In these two final parts, Australian and Indonesian authorities work together to track down the perpetrators before putting them on trial, as the injured survivors begin to come to terms with their new lives.
12.25 Miniseries: Four Lives. (Mal, R)
3.40 Paddington Station 24/7. (Ml, R)
4.30 Peer To Peer. (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. Graham Ross visits the North Coast Botanic Garden.
8.30 MOVIE: Jerry Maguire. (1996, Mls, R) A sports agent has a moral epiphany which costs him his job and his fiancée. He resolves to rebuild his career with the one athlete who stayed loyal to him and a colleague who believed in him. Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr, Renée Zellweger. 11.30 GetOn Extra.
12.00 To Be Advised.
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
(62) VICELAND
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. Pacific Championships. Week 1. Australia v Tonga.
10.00 Pacific Championships: Australia Vs Tonga Post-Match. Post-match news and analysis.
10.30 MOVIE: Criminal. (2016, MA15+lv, R) A CIA operative’s consciousness is transferred. Kevin Costner.
12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Sort Your Life Out. (PGa) The team helps a grandmother and her daughters. 8.45 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R)
6.00
SATURDAY, October 19
6.00 Australian Story: Betrayal – Hannah Grundy. (R)
(PG, R)
(PGv)
Miniseries: Better. (Malv, R) 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Inside Windsor Castle. (PG)
8.25 Bombing Brighton: The Plot To Kill Thatcher. Explores the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing.
9.55 So Long, Marianne. (Premiere, MA15+)
10.50 Something Undone. (Mal)
11.50 Rex In Rome. (Mv, R)
3.30 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R)
4.20 Bamay. (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 The Great Outdoors. (PG) The team goes snorkelling with sea lions. 7.30 MOVIE: Ghostbusters II. (1989, PGh, R) The Ghostbusters revive the business. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd. 9.45 MOVIE: Venom: Let There Be Carnage. (2021, Malv) A killer becomes a host for a symbiote. Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson.
11.45 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. (MA15+av, R)
12.45 Taken. (Mav, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Larry The Wonder Pup. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Rugby League. Pacific Championships. Week 1. Fiji v Papua New Guinea.
9.00 MOVIE: John Wick. (2014, MA15+lv, R) An ex-hit man comes out of retirement. Keanu Reeves.
11.00 MOVIE: Concussion. (2015, Mal, R) Will Smith.
1.20 Customs. (PGa, R)
1.50 Innovation Nation. (R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House. (PG, R) Dogs are matched with companions. 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. (PGals, R) Hosted by Celia Pacquola. 8.40 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff at the Animal Welfare League as it matches dogs to their new families. 9.40 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) A woman becomes stranded on a
SUNDAY,
6am Capricorn
One. Continued. (1977, PG) 7.15 RBG. (2018, PG) 9.05 Skies Of Lebanon. (2020, PG, Italian) 10.50 True Confessions. (1981, M) 12.50pm Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow. (1963, M, Italian) 3.00 Eat Wheaties! (2020, PG) 4.40 Oka! (2012, PG) 6.35 Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PG) 8.30 The Paperboy. (2012, MA15+) 10.30 Grand Ecole. (2004, MA15+, French) 12.35am Late Programs.
October 20
6.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Spicks And Specks. (Return, PG)
8.00 Fisk. (Return, Ml)
8.30 Plum. (Premiere, Madls)
9.25 I Was Actually There. (Ml, R)
9.55 You Can’t Ask That. (MA15+l, R)
10.30 Melbourne Comedy Festival: Allstars Supershow. (MA15+l, R)
12.30 Fires. (Ml, R)
1.25 Miniseries: Ridley Road. (Final, Mv, R)
2.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered. (R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 8.00 The Crystal Maze. 8.45 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.30 Speechless. 9.50 Officially Amazing. 10.20 Dragon Ball Super. 10.45 Crazy Fun Park. 11.05 Soundtrack To Our Teenage Zombie Apocalypse. 11.25 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.10am Rage. 1.45 Slugterra. 2.05 Dave Spud. 2.15 Summer Memories. 2.25 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: Scoob! (2020, PG) 9.00 MOVIE: Zombie Town. (2023, PG) 10.30 Doctor Who. 11.15 Becoming Frida Kahlo. 12.15am BTN High. 12.20 Malory Towers. 1.10 Slugterra. 1.30 Dave Spud. 1.40 Summer Memories. 1.50 Ted’s Top Ten. 2.15 Miraculous. 3.20 Odd Squad. 3.55 Close. 4.00 Moon And Me. 4.20
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Nefertiti: To Whom Belongs This Beauty?
8.30 Akhenaten, The Secrets Of The Forgotten Pharaoh. 9.30 Bettany Hughes: Treasures Of Azerbaijan. (PGa, R)
10.25 Devil’s Confession: Lost Eichmann Tapes. (MA15+avw, R)
11.30 Houdini’s Lost Diaries. (PGal, R) 1.00 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R) 1.55 8 Out Of 10 Cats. (Mals, R) 2.40 Babies: Their Wonderful World. (R) 3.45 Paddington Station 24/7. (Ml, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 4.55 Scandinavian Star. 6.05 Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes In 12 Hours. (Premiere) 6.40 Mysteries From Above. 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Disaster Autopsy. 9.25 WWE Rivals.
6am Skies Of Lebanon. Continued. (2020, PG, Italian) 6.45 Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PG) 8.30 The Defiant Ones. (1958, PG) 10.20 Paradise Road. (1997, M) 12.30pm Drunken Tai Chi. (1984, M, Cantonese) 2.10 RBG. (2018, PG) 4.00 I Capture The Castle. (2003, PG) 6.05 Bicentennial Man. (1999, PG) 8.30 Seeking Justice. (2011, MA15+) 10.30 R.M.N. (2022, MA15+) 12.50am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Voice. (PG) 8.50 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive special investigation.
9.50 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous: The Killer Punch And Contract To Kill. (Masv, R) Takes a look at a 1988 murder.
11.05 Autopsy USA: Bob Crane. (MA15+av) 12.05 The Starter Wife. (Mas, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 The Block. (PGl) 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 9.40 9News Late.
10.10 See No Evil: Toying With Us. (Ma) Police investigate a murder in a toy store. 11.10 The First 48. (MA15+av) 12.00 Bondi Vet. (PGm, R) 1.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 1.30 TV Shop:
ABC FAMILY (22)
MONDAY, October 21
Green. (PGa)
8.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mls)
9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (Mls)
10.05 Have I Got News For You U.S. (Mals)
11.00 SBS World News Late.
11.30 Suspect. (Malsv)
11.55 Exterior Night. (Mav)
2.00 Between Two Worlds. (Mals, R) 3.45 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel. 9.10 The Rookie. (Mav) Nolan and Juarez take on a special case. Stevens enlists help to identify her attackers. 10.10 S.W.A.T. (Mav) The team races to stop a dangerous plot. 11.10 The Latest: Seven News. 11.40 Lopez Vs. Lopez. 12.40 Miniseries: Deadline Gallipoli. 2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6am
Bicentennial Man. Continued. (1999, PG) 7.55 I Capture The Castle. (2003, PG) 10.00 The Lost Bladesman. (2011, M, Mandarin) Noon Swan Song. (2021, M) 2.00 Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PG) 3.50 The Defiant Ones. (1958, PG) 5.40 The Thief Lord. (2006, PG) 7.30 Time Bandits. (1981, PG)
TUESDAY, October 22
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. (PGa) 8.35 Red Flag: Music’s Failed Revolution. (Ml)
9.50 SBS World News Late.
10.20 In The Box. (R)
10.50 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+a)
12.40 Don’t Leave Me. (MA15+a, R)
2.45 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R) 3.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R) 4.25 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 My Kitchen Rules.
WEDNESDAY,
October 23
Portillo’s Andalucia. (PGa)
Titanic Revisited. A look at the RMS Titanic
Four Years Later. (Mal)
SBS World News Late.
Carmen Curlers. (Mas)
Romulus. (MA15+av, R) 4.10 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGa, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Earth To
Echo. Continued. (2014, PG) 6.20 The Kid From The Big Apple 2. (2017, PG, Mandarin) 8.30 Lara. (2019, PG, German) 10.20 The City Of Lost Children. (1995, M, French) 12.25pm The People Upstairs. (2020, M, Spanish) 1.55 The Thief Lord. (2006, PG) 3.45 Time Bandits. (1981, PG) 5.55 Phil Tippett: Mad Dreams And Monsters. (2019, PG) 7.30 Kin. (2018, M) 9.25 Chappie. (2015, MA15+) 11.40 Late Programs.
THURSDAY,
October 24
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Great Australian Walks. (Final, PG)
8.30 National Parks From Above. (PG)
9.25 Paris Has Fallen. (M)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Fallen. (Mal)
12.30 Germinal. (Masv, R)
3.30 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGl, R)
4.20 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Phil Tippett: Mad Dreams And Monsters. Continued. (2019, PG) 6.35 Spread Your Wings. (2019, PG) 8.40 After Yang. (2021, PG) 10.30 Joe Bell. (2020, M) 12.15pm Shiva Baby. (2020, M) 1.40 Earth To Echo. (2014, PG) 3.20 Lara. (2019, PG, German) 5.15 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 7.30 Transcendence. (2014, M) 9.40 Moonfall. (2022, M) 12.05am Late Programs. 5.55 Lara. (2019, PG, German)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) 8.30 Arj Barker: Comes Clean. A stand-up comedy performance by Arj Barker where he shares some home truths.
Australia: Now And Then. (Mal, R) Part 3 of 4.
The Latest: Seven News.
Chicago Fire. (Ma)
Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av) 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) 8.30 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. Explores life behind bars. 9.30 Ron Iddles: The Good Cop: Bonnie Clarke. (MA15+av, R) Ron Iddles revisits the 1982 murder of six-year-old Bonnie Clarke.
The Latest: Seven News.
What The Killer Did Next. (Mav, R)
NBC Today.
7MATE (64)
(34)
(34) 7MATE (64)
9GO! (83) 9GO!
Dungog Shire Community Centre requires the services of a Youth Worker to cover a temporary position due to staff leave. The role, based in Dungog, involves individual casework, counselling and group programs and applicants must have relevant experience and qualifications to support young people 8 –18 and their families. For further details and position description please EMAIL Kate Murphy; manager@ dscc.net.au with POSITION in heading
TO PLACE YOUR NOTICE WITHIN NEWS OF THE AREA
Ph: 02 4981 8882 or Email: ads@newsofthearea.com.au Deadline: 4pm Mondays
MUSIC TEACHER GLOUCESTER
Jim Kelly, an Irishman has been teaching music for over 40 years. Teaching ages from 5 to 90. Beginners to Advanced. Guitar, Ukulele, bouzouki, mandolin on Wednesdays.
Enquiries ring Fran 0403 522 532
Scooters A range of pre-loved, all in very good condition From $500-$1600. Can deliver! 0418
1955, original condition well maintained and mechanically sound Drives well, 86,000 miles, club rego 87955H $30,000. 0408 689 485
Caravans
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR
Jasminda,
We have recently put our house up for sale and the real estate agent has insisted we get a stylist (who they recommended).
When she visited the other day, she made suggestions that were not to our taste.
Frankly, her ideas were cheap and nasty.
Can't we just keep our own furnishings?
Belinda P
Dear Belinda,
My mother made the astute observation recently that stylists
seem to be 'in cahoots' with real estate agents and they all seem to read from the same playbook.
It can be disconcerting when a stylist wants you to fork out thousands so they can suggest that you replace the expensive artworks you inherited with assorted tacky prints from an online site.
Then, once they've explained everything that is wrong with your lounge room, they'll head to your bedroom.
You can be confident that once they restyle it, it will take half an hour to remove the countless cushions and throw rugs so you can find your bed again.
Some stylists also seem to detest natural greenery, replacing it with cheap plastic plants that will never have a dead leaf or bug on them, but nor will they release oxygen or any feel good hormones, instead fulfilling their role as cheap adornments
headed for landfill.
The kitchen can't have any food in it, or any sense of homeliness. And definitely no odours, except for coffee beans.
Apparently a strategically placed recipe book is the tastede-jour, but god help you if you think you can cook in the kitchen during the sales period.
Personally, the things I look for when buying a home are its condition, whether the fixtures work, how much storage space it has, whether it has been designed to make the most of the natural light, and whether there are barking dogs or other noise hazards close by.
No amount of plumped cushions or tropical tree wall canvases will make up for structure and functionality.
Those should be the real selling points. Good luck!
Kids Boot Camp 022
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Coalition ahead but Labor not hitting poll panic button
By Andrew BROWN, AAP
LABOR may have fallen behind the coalition in Newspoll for the first time in more than two years, but the government is unlikely to hit the panic button just yet.
The opposition leads 51 to 49 on a two-party preferred basis in the latest Newspoll, published in The Australian on Monday.
It's the first time the coalition has been ahead in the polls since the 2022 election.
But months out from voting day, Labor is in better shape than many other firstterm governments, polling analyst Kevin Bonham says.
"Governments usually lose polls faster than this. Kevin Rudd and Anthony Albanese are the two longest lasting governments (before they lost a Newspoll)," he told AAP.
"The poll is very similar to some of the previous Newspolls, and it's a probably a matter of rounding that the government has slipped to the point where they lost this one.
"While the two-party preferred result has changed, primary votes remain the same, with the coalition on 38 percent and Labor on 31 percent.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains the preferred prime minister over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, ahead 45 to 37 percent.
Mr Albanese's personal approval rating fell three points to 40 percent, while 54 percent disapprove.
The opposition leader's approval increased by one point to 38 percent, while his disapproval levels stayed at 52 percent.
Despite the prime minister's personal netapproval ratings being the same as the opposition leader's, Mr Bonham said it should not represent a cause for concern.
"The rating is pretty ordinary, but not terrible. Prime ministers have won from a lot worse ratings than this," he said.
"It's not unusual for a
government to poll differently during their term, and there hasn't been much change all year.
"It seems to have dipped a little in recent months, but there's been little change all year, and there's still a lot of time to go."
A federal election must be held by May 17 at the latest for a standard poll, where all of the House of Representatives and half the Senate is up for grabs.
Barring the prime minister calling an early double-dissolution election, a Saturday in May is looming as the most likely option.
The 2025 schedule for federal parliament shows the federal budget being brought forward from its traditional May slot to March 25.
Federal budgets were held early in the past two election years of 2019 and 2022, ahead of a federal poll being called shortly afterwards.
With a minimum of 33 days needed between an election being called and the poll taking place, the earliest one could take place is the first Saturday in May.
The prime minister has previously indicated he would
want to serve as close to a full term as possible.
Workplace Minister Murray Watt said the government still had work to do before election day.
"We need to work that little bit harder to explain what we are doing to assist people with those cost-of-
living pressures and the risk that we face if Peter Dutton and the coalition win the next election," he told ABC Radio on Monday.
But Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says the poll result was indicative of growing negative sentiment about the government.
"The biggest issue is trend. The trend's been down all the way along," he told Seven's Sunrise program.
"Mr Albanese is giving this a red-hot go to be a one-term government. He really has just lost his connection with the people."
Farmland sales plumb 29-year low as price demands boom
By Callum GODDE, AAP
AUSTRALIAN farmland sales have fallen to another record low as would-be buyers baulk at owners' price demands.
The Rural Bank Australian Farmland Values Report is the longest-running analysis of the farmland market across the nation.
The report has tracked every sale annually for 29 years and its latest mid-year update shows national transaction volumes have never been lower, dropping to 2966 across the first six months of 2024.
Since peaking in the first half of 2021, the
number of farmland sales has fallen by 43 percent.
Neil Burgess from Rural Bank said deal volumes continued to tighten as buyers increasingly failed to meet price expectations.
"Transaction volumes are now at a record low, down 18.7 percent year-on-year and 4.8 percent below the second half of 2023," he said.
The median price of farmland sold in the first half of 2024 rose to $10,141 per hectare, up 12.2 percent from 12 months earlier.
It marked the 22nd consecutive half-yearly period of year-on-year growth.
However, when comparing sales in the first half of 2024 to the second half of 2023, median prices went backwards in Western Australia (12.1 percent), South Australia (11 percent) and Victoria (6.7 percent).
The report said dry conditions challenged producers in southwest Victoria, SA, Tasmania and the WA grain belt.
"Areas to experience dry conditions saw dry sowing of winter crops and reduced feed for livestock with over 50
per cent of the national sheep flock in areas with below-average rainfall," it said.
"July and August were better months for southern Australia with some relief coming ahead of spring."
More favourable rainfall kept median prices trending upwards in Queensland (5.6 percent) and NSW (5.6 percent) in the six months to June 30, while Tasmania's figure grew by 16 percent courtesy of boosted sales in the state's north.
The mixed stateby-state results can be partly explained by the recovery of livestock prices following a disastrous 2023 and easing crop prices, Mr Burgess said.
"In general terms, the traditional drivers of farmland values have led to a more subdued buyer appetite," he said.
"These factors are set to keep farmland values in a holding pattern for the second half of 2024.
"However, the longer-term outlook appears optimistic as demand may again strengthen if current rainfall forecasts provide a good finish to 2024 and interest rate cuts begin in early-2025."
q Farmland sales have fallen to another record low, dropping to 2966 in the first six months of 2024. Photo: Tracey Nearmy/AAP PHOTOS.
q The opposition has pulled ahead in polling but one expert says Labor won't hit the panic button yet. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Dungog Library upgrade
FEDERAL Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has inspected the recently completed upgrade of Dungog Library with Dungog Shire Council’s General Manager Gareth Curtis.
The upgrade project was supported by $300,000 in federal funding and $500,000
from NSW Libraries.
“This is the most significant refurbishment of Dungog Library in 40 years, almost doubling the size of the existing building,” Dr Gillespie said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Council, Library staff and the
various user groups who have contributed to this important project.”
The major transformation of the library, internally and externally, includes a large community conferencing space with the latest audio visual technology, and improvements to resources for students and young people including access to online learning forums.
3G shutdown 28 October
By Thomas O’KEEFE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
services using 3G networks will cease to exist as of 28 October.
The shutdown is to improve the capacity, speed and reliability of the 4G network and to roll out 5G to more Australians.
More than mobile phones will be affected according to the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA).
“Impacted devices may include phones, smartwatches, tablets, in-home personal emergency alarms, EFTPOS terminals and fire and security alarms,” it advises on its website amta.org.au/3g-closure/.
“Some early 4G handsets don’t support 4G voice calling, which means they use the 3G network… after the closure, these devices will not be able to make a call.
“There are also a number of devices that support normal 4G voice calls but force emergency calls to 3G, so these phones won’t be able to make an emergency call after the closure."
Older phones used 3G for Triple Zero (000) calls because, being a lower radio frequency range, it had wider geographical coverage - much like how AM radio stations
can be picked up farther out than FM. However, that advantage will be eliminated entirely when the telcos close 3G.
A Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report found that up to 77,000 mobile phone users would be unable to call Triple Zero.
A submission by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts stated that there may be over 300,000 devices in circulation that use 4G normally, but rely on 3G for emergency calls.
Other non-phone devices that may be affected include water and electricity meters, farm monitoring and diagnostic equipment, medical devices, emergency phones in elevators, and safety and asset tracking devices.
Despite first heralding the 3G shutdown back in June, the deadline has been pushed back twice to allow for the message to spread to those who need to hear it.
Vodafone/TPG customers already lost 3G services back in January.
The easiest way for anyone else with a mobile phone to check their device is to simply text the digit “3” to the number “3498”, and within seconds a message appears advising what action to take - if any.
Mobile service providers all publish coverage maps on their websites.
More information can also be found on the AMTA website.
q Dungog Shire Council General Manager Gareth Curtis with Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie.
Market returns
DESPITE dreary weather, locals eagerly turned out to celebrate the return of the Gresford Community Market after a Covid-enforced hiatus
on Saturday, 12 October.
“Thanks to the Gresford District Community Group - who’ve brought us the Gresford Gallery, The
Arboretum, and the Mural Project - the market was buzzing with activity,” said an event spokesperson.
“Stalls were packed with
fresh produce, delicious homemade goodies, and creative handmade items.”
Stallholders Jill and Terry Copeland, who grow the produce to make relishes and chilli sauces, said they were impressed with the organisation of the event.
“It was friendly and we fitted in so well,“ Jill said.
“I've been to a hell of a lot of markets and not felt so welcome, it seemed like old times… and we sold a lot of pickles.”
The next market is on Saturday, 9 November from 9am to 1pm.
“Come along, buy local, and help our district continue to grow!”
Gresford has a long history of community markets, with previous iterations held at the old hospital, the park, the pub car park and St Anne’s Church.
Warning sounded on inevitable bird flu pandemic
By Andrew BROWN and Caitlin POWELL, AAP
IT’S a case of when, not if, a deadly bird flu pandemic arrives in Australia, the country's top medical expert is warning, as almost $100 million is allocated to deal with an outbreak.
The federal government will spend $95 million preparing for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has caused respiratory illness, reduced egg production and sudden death among wild birds and some mammal species in other countries.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu is different to the strain in Australia earlier this year that's led to egg shortages in supermarkets.
Australia is the only continent without the H5N1 strain but chief medical officer Paul Kelly says it's coming.
"It's really when, not if, this arrives, and we've seen in other parts of the world, whilst there has been rather mild human disease so far, this virus is changing very quickly," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
"This is about us getting ahead of the curve... Australia does have a moat and we know how to use it, so the fact that we've had time to actually see what's happening elsewhere is really important."
Professor Kelly
reiterated a bird flu outbreak would not lead to human health issues, but would spread in the same way as other influenza viruses.
The federal funds include $35.9 million to boost environmental measures and protections for threatened and priority species.
Another $37 million will be invested in protecting agriculture, including boosting biosecurity and scientific capabilities, nationally coordinated communications and enhancing wild bird surveillance.
The remaining $22.1 million will go towards
increasing the number of ready-to-use pandemic flu vaccines in the National Medical Stockpile.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says migratory birds will bring the flu strain to Australia, making it difficult to stop.
"What we are doing in terms of preparedness and the reason we're doing this, is to make sure that we maintain food security and food safety," she said.
"We have learnt a lot from what other countries are doing and how they're responding to this bird flu."
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says about 500 bird species and 80 mammal species have been
affected by the bird flu strain, which could impact threatened species in Australia.
"Spring is the most likely time for it to hit because of those migratory bird species that will come in from countries where this strain is prevalent," she said.
"We are doing our very best to make sure that we don't see mortality that would send threatened species extinct in the wild."
The Invasive Species Council's advocacy director Jack Gough welcomed the funding announcement, acknowledging Australia would not be able to stop the disease from arriving.
The funding was a "down
payment for preparedness" that would allow departments to "properly (prepare) to save wildlife and stop extinctions", he said.
"The Albanese government is finally investing a serious amount into preparation for what could be the worst environmental disaster in Australia's history," Mr Gough said.
The investment marked a "monumental change in the way environment biosecurity threats are managed" but more funding would be required if the flu was found in Australia, he said.
q A mix of syrups, toppings and sauces and more were sold at the Flavourista stall.
q The Kiny’s Karma stall sold jewellry and other handicrafts.
‘Dungog Rumble’: charity show and shine is back
eight junior sporting teams in Dungog, Clarence Town,
Paterson and Vacy. Sadly, it’s the first time in the Rumble’s thirteen years that popular Dungog personality and publican
Bruce Clark will not be there.
Committee member Cindy Fisher said that Bruce would be missed as he was
a “great supporter of the Rumble”.
Ms Fisher said that the event’s sponsors have been “amazing” this year, especially local small businesses.
The Rumble has grown from small beginnings.
It began as part of Rickshaws Hot Rod and ‘Kustom’ Car Club.
Then, Main Creek car and truck enthusiast Barry Holland took on the job of organising the Rumble with the committee formed in 2021.
To enter or find out more about the Dungog Rumble, visit facebook.com/ DungogRumble Show vehicles can be pre-
entered, or entered on the day.
As the Rumble grows in size, popularity and complexity each year, volunteers to help in running the show are always welcome. There are already plans in place for new highlights next year.
Rumble On
Dungog Memorial RSL Club
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
SUNDAY
• Rotary Club of Dungog meet here on Monday evenings
Lunch and Dinner in Happyman Chinese Bistro – Lunch specials $12.00 Dinner from 5.30pm
• Housie pl ayed every week, commencing at 11.00am
• Happyman Chinese Bistro - CLOSED
• Lunch and Dinner in Happyman Chinese Bistro – Lunch specials $12.00
• Dinner from 5.30pm
• Lunch and Dinner in Happyman Chinese Bistro – Lunch specials $12.00
• Dinner from 5.30pm
•Lunch and Dinner in Happyman Chinese Bistro – Lunch specials $12.00
•Dinner from 5.30pm
•Euchre played every Friday – get your names in by 7.00pm
•Raffles – 28 prizes – tickets on sale by 7.00pm, draw commences at 8.00pm
•Members Draw – drawn at a random time between 6.00pm and 10.00pm. Prize is currently at $3,300 and jackpotting by $50 twice a week if not won.
Lunch and Dinner in Happyman Chinese Bistro – Lunch Specials $12.00 Dinner from 5.30pm Punters competition – get your tips in early – Club opens at 10.30am
• Lunch and dinner in Happyman Chinese Bistro – Lunch Specials $12.00
• Dinner from 5.30pm
• Raffles – 28 prizes – tickets on sale by 11.30am and draw commences at 12.00 pm
• Members Draw – drawn at a random time between 11.00am and 2.00pm. Prize is currently at $3,300 and
by $50 twice a week if not won.
By Lisa WISEMAN
AROUND 100 show vehicles will soon be rumbling into town and lining the streets around the Bank Hotel.
They’re arriving for Sunday’s Dungog Rumble which starts around 9am.
The Rumble is Dungog’s annual charity car, bike, truck, tractor and hotrod Show and Shine event.
Visitors and locals alike flock to town to view the immaculate vehicles, take in the show, and enjoy the atmosphere.
This year’s Rumble is expected to provide the biggest spectacle yet. For the first time, features include a Fire and Rescue display, post splitting and blacksmithing demonstrations.
Every year there are raffles and an auction, which includes the Rumble bonnet, painted by a local artist, as well as other donated items. Proceeds raised will go to
CONTINUED Page 18
MONDAY 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
TUESDAY 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM THURSDAY 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM FRIDAY 11:00 AM - LATE SATURDAY 10:30 AM - LATE SUNDAY 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM
q Dungog Rumble committee member Cindy Fisher.