DUNGOG has its own dedicated and free weekly newspaper once more. Operated by independent media company News Of The Area (NOTA), the Dungog
“We
edition is the publisher’s seventh newspaper in the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions. News Of The Area Director Mick Wright is excited to bring a quality printed news source to Dungog.
newspaper,” Mr Wright said. “There
and an area like Dungog
FROM Page 1
“We have been overwhelmed by the response from the community and are very excited about the journey ahead.”
News Of The Area hopes to fill the gap recently left by the Dungog Chronicle, providing locals with a dedicated source of accurate and entertaining news and sport.
“We are going to take what we have learnt from operating our current papers, while making the paper as specific to Dungog as possible,” said NOTA Group Editor Douglas Connor.
“This is a dedicated local news source and will only
feature news relevant to the local community.”
Mr Connor said independent newspapers like NOTA provide a vital platform for public interest journalism in regional areas.
“Newspapers like ours provide a very real voice for communities they operate in,” Mr Connor said.
“Publications which have operated for well over a century have been closed in recent years by major operators and that really isn’t good enough.
“Communities should not be left without a way to access reliable information on the issues that matter to them.”
The Dungog edition
follows on from the successful launch of NOTA newspapers in the Coffs Coast (2020), Nambucca Valley (2021) and Camden Haven (2024) regions.
NOTA also launched a free weekly newspaper in Gloucester this week, filling the gap left by the Gloucester Advocate.
The family-owned and operated News Of The Area began producing newspapers in 2014 when Medowie husband and wife Mick and Rochelle Wright launched a weekly news publication on the Myall Coast, following the closure of a longstanding local paper.
Ms Wright, who now serves as the company’s general manager, said she is confident the Dungog edition can be sustainable in the long term.
“While a lot of newspapers around Australia are closing down or going digital-only, we have been able to buck that trend and continue producing and launching newspapers in key regional areas,” she said.
“Thank you to all the businesses who have already supported our new paper in Dungog, and I would encourage all business owners to get in touch to discuss how we can support your work with advertising.” For
News Of The Area would love to hear your OPINION and VIEWS on issues and topics affecting our area. Keep Letters to the Editor under 250 words for its best chance of publication. Please be aware that there is no guarantee or of publication from your submission to us. Publication will be determined by the editor around available space, relevance and appropriateness. media@newsofthearea.com.au
By Lisa WISEMAN
ON Saturday, 28 September the new Gresford Community Gallery was officially opened by Kim Blunt, Senior Curator of Maitland Regional Gallery.
“Who said art can’t change the world?” Ms Blunt asked in her opening remarks.
The gallery opening attracted a crowd of around 300 guests from the local community and further afield.
Attendees enjoyed viewing the artworks and the scenic surroundings, including the nearby arboretum.
Gresford artist and Gallery Committee member Robyn Werkhoven also spoke at the opening.
She thanked the gallery’s
hardworking volunteers and Committee members Judy Henry, Christine Pike, Dawn Thompson and Misha Moon.
Local businesses and individuals generously helped to get the gallery building fitted out and prepared, while Arts Upper Hunter assisted with a microgrant.
“Art and culture are so important for a healthy society,” Robyn said.
The gallery is located in the Therese Doyle Community Hall, East Gresford and shows two and three-dimensional artworks by Hunter Valley artists.
Paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, fibre art, ceramics and other works are all featured in the first exhibition.
The artists whose works will be on show until 22 December are: Alice Ropata,
Danielle McManus, Barbara Nanshe, Rene Brager, Nathan Keogh, Judy Henry, Christine Pike, Eric and Robyn Werkhoven, Suzannah Jones, Giselle Penn, Dawn Thompson, Misha Moon, Janet Steele, Fiona Wright, Rebecca Muscat, Jane Richens, Margot Dugan, Michael Garth, Joseph Turrin, Sandra Lee Brown, Justin Thornton, Debra Lincoln, Sue Stewart, Marian Day, David Oliver, Gillian Waddell, Helen Tolhurst, Newcastle Printmakers Workshop, Kristen Lethem and Helene Leane.
Music was provided at the opening by two Dungog duos,
“The De Factos” and “Watts Wise”. The Gresford Community Gallery is open on weekends from 10am to 4pm or by
NOMINATIONS for the 2025 Australia Day Awards are still open and will close on Friday, 18 October 2024.
Dungog Shire Council is inviting the community to nominate individuals, organisations and teams in the following award categories:
• Citizen of the Year (25 years and over)
• Young Citizen of the Year (25 years and under)
• Environmental Citizen of the year
• Senior Sports Award (over 18 years of age)
• Junior Sports Award (18 years of age and under)
special arrangement.
To arrange a special viewing, please call Robyn Werkhoven on 0417 686 816.
• Volunteer (as an individual) Service to the Community Nomination forms are available at Council's website, or via Council’s Administration Centre, Dungog Library, Paterson Country Café, Vacy General Store Cafe & Gifts, Gresford General Store & Crossroads Cafe and Foodworks East Gresford
Completed nomination forms must be received by Council no later than 4.00pm Friday, 18 October 2024.
Enquiries concerning the Australia Day Awards should be directed to Gina Radford on 4995 7777.
Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679
By Shannon BENTON
OUTDOOR adventure educator
Dan Lyons continues to combine a love of Shakespeare and the great outdoors through his work at Wangat Lodge.
In 2017, Dan took the helm at Wangat, an eco-lodge in the foothills of the Barrington Tops, twenty minutes outside Dungog.
A passionate outdoor adventure educator, Dan brings a wealth of experience working with schools and disadvantaged youth to this serene wilderness.
Dan’s journey to Dungog began when a friend’s Facebook post piqued his interest.
An evocative description of life in the forest, complete with frogs, fireflies and koalas, captured Dan’s imagination.
Two weeks later, after visiting Wangat and Dungog, Dan knew it was where he belonged.
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Where
Paterson
Paterson Friendly Grocer
Paterson Service Station
Paterson Country Cafe/Newsagent
Vacy
Vacy General Store
Dungog
Dungog Information Centre
Dungog Newsagent
Lovey's
Dungog RSL
Gresford
“I fell in love with the township of Dungog immediately,” Dan said.
“The community was so welcoming.”
Beyond Wangat, Dan has woven himself into the fabric of
Dan volunteers for Radio Dungog, speaking on various programs about nature and the outdoors, and helped establish Run Dungog, a local event that supports the Dungog Shire Community Centre.
Dan is also passionate about bringing Shakespeare to the
Dungog community.
Along with his friend Timothy Weston, an international actor and director, Dan stages a Shakespearean performance in three outdoor amphitheatres at Wangat Lodge annually.
Staged across three locations, the audience is guided through the bush and back again.
TUCKED away in the Dungog Museum is a beautifully ornate National Cash Register, a relic of a bygone era when pounds, shillings and pence were the currency of the day.
Once a centrepiece in Skillen’s grocery shop (formerly located where Dungog Medical Surgery now stands), this
historic register served the community until 1966, when Australia transitioned to decimal currency.
The register is now at the heart of Arts Upper Hunter’s ‘This Here Then Now’ (THTN) Museum Activation Residency Program, supported by the Regional Arts Fund.
The initiative seeks
to breathe new life into small local museums by fostering creative collaborations between artists and their collections, spaces and stories.
Dungog-based artist Helene Leane has been selected to collaborate with Dungog Museum to interpret this ornate cash register, offering
“We believe when you do things like theatre in nature, it’s about the theatre, but it’s also about nature,” Dan said.
“If you are experiencing theatre in the bush, you can’t help but love the bush.
“The bush becomes one of the actors.”
a fresh perspective on the historical currency system.
“I have a keen interest in history and to be able to combine this passion with my visual art practice is something very important to me,” said Helene Leane.
“The museum is a space with so much artistic inspiration, whether from the objects, stories or people.
“It is an open space where anybody can access information about the past and thereby acquire a deeper understanding of the society in which they live.”
As part of the THTN Residency, Helene will investigate the commercial history of Dowling Street, Dungog, during the pre-decimal currency era.
Engravings taken from the register will be used to create a large centrepiece in the exhibition space at the museum.
Other artworks will be designed using advertisements from the Dungog Chronicle and from goods that were
packaged during the first half of the 20th century.
The exhibition will also feature educational elements to help children explore how the imperial currency system worked and the process of its conversion to dollars and cents.
Helene also plans to document the current shop fronts and their owners, bridging the gap between the past and present.
"The project is a novel and new one for the Museum,” Dungog Museum President Maureen Kingston said.
“The Museum is delighted to be able to collaborate with a local artist for this most interesting display.”
Suzannah Jones, Project Officer at Arts Upper Hunter, is “very excited” to see what Helene will create.
"The cash register is a showpiece in the Museum, and like many objects here, it deserves to be brought to life and shared with the community in new and engaging ways."
It is thought that there were originally close to 70 pelicans in the Paterson CBD area.
By Lisa WISEMAN
DUNGOG artist Phil Watts is asking for help to locate all the ‘Pelicans of Paterson’.
The pelicans, a unique and quirky feature of Paterson, are sheet metal artworks by Paterson sculptor and identity Bill ‘Wallaby’ Cummins.
Each pelican has a different theme, relating to its location.
The B&B-themed pelican Phil reclines on a bed.
The police station pelican dangles handcuffs from its beak, while the butcher’s pelican perches on the back of a steer.
Now around 33 remain.
Wallaby Cummins made the pelicans from around 1980 until he passed away in 2019.
Since then, the artworks have begun to fall into disrepair.
With many in the community of the belief the pelicans should be preserved, Phil and Paterson resident Julie Overton are moving forward with the Pelicans of Paterson Renewal and Mapping Project.
They aim to identify, map and restore all the pelican artworks within the Paterson CBD area.
The Rotary Club of Paterson, which has its own pelican holding the organisation’s logo, has contributed financially to the project.
Dr Cameron Archer from the Paterson Historical Society and author of the book, “The Magic Valley”, has also assisted by providing information.
So that none of the Pelicans of Paterson miss out on their facelift, the community is being asked to identify any hidden pelican artworks.
If you have spotted one of Wallaby’s pelicans roosting in an obscure spot, please contact Phil Watts by emailing liquidpostcode@ gmail.com.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
CLARENCE Town Public School and neighbouring Glen William School have celebrated 175 years of education.
Both schools were opened in 1849 and continue to operate to this day.
The town shared in a day of activities on 14 September, which started with a street parade from the Village Green, led by Cobb & Co.
The Town Crier heralded the ensuing entourage which included the Donkey Sanctuary, the Dungog Pony Club and the Dungog Historic
Motor Club.
Following a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, the oldest resident who attended Glen William Public School, Mel Ford, rode in a VW convertible to give the opening speech.
Incidentally, Mr Ford was also a headmaster at Clarence Town Public.
The remainder of the day consisted of markets, amusements, a petting farm with pony rides, shearing demonstrations, camel and Cobb and Co rides and
plentiful servings of that renowned carnival favourite buttery corn on the cob.
Mr Ford told the News Of The Area that the highlight of his day was the march up the centre of town and the honour of cutting the ribbon for a newly-built playground in the school.
He said he was happy to see “the old demountables replaced by new buildings and classrooms,” which was a project he petitioned for during his teaching career.
He also enjoyed “seeing
visitors in a town that remains a quiet, country town”.
It’s a place he is proud to have called home since his retirement.
As a life member of the local bowling club, Mr Ford is appreciative of his social and community connections.
While he looks forward to continued growth, he is optimistic Clarence Town won’t become overdeveloped, and will maintain its peaceful charm and united spirit.
UPSTAGE Youth Theatre’s production of Norman Lindsay’s ‘The Magic Pudding’ will light up the 200-year-old Tocal Homestead from 1-4 October.
Adapted for the stage by Andrew James, with music by Sarah de Jong, the play centres around Bunyip Bluegum, a stylish young koala whose quest to be a gentleman of leisure is
upended by a hearty appetite.
Along the way he joins forces with Bill Barnacle and Sam Sawnoff, who happen to own the extraordinary Albert - a pudding that magically replenishes itself.
But beware, there are sneaky villains about to spoil their best laid plans and the grand Tocal Show.
The Upstage production features a local cast and crew,
some as young as eight, who have been busily working to bring this classic tale of adventure, magic, mischief and music to life.
“I can’t believe what this talented cast has achieved in a short time, bringing this story from the page to the stage,” said production director Jess.
“It is a story for young and old!”
Family-friendly matinee shows take to the stage at 11am and 2pm from 1-4 October.
Catering to all levels from preschool to adult classes, Upstage Youth Theatre has been based in central Maitland since 2002.
“I have always wanted to create an inclusive space for kids to feel secure enough to express themselves,” said Upstage owner Ann.
“Witnessing these kids bloom into talented performers is what it is all about.”
Visit the Upstage Youth Theatre website for more information.
A RENEWABLE energy initiative at Balickera Water Pump Station has been completed, with Hunter Water receiving the first electricity from its 3.1 megawatt (MW) solar PV installation.
The solar farm will help power the station’s large pumps and other critical water supply assets.
Hunter Water Managing Director Darren Cleary said the project is expected to generate substantial annual savings and benefits, estimated at approximately $700,000 per year.
"By connecting directly into Hunter Water's existing high voltage transmission network, the power from the solar farm will supply electricity to critical assets such as Grahamstown Water Treatment Plant and Tomago borefields," Mr Cleary said.
The installation involved
approximately 5,500 ground-mounted solar panels over three hectares adjacent to Balickera Pump Station, positioned in two sections on either side of the Balickera Canal.
To accommodate the solar array, 70 trees were removed from the site.
To offset the impact of the tree removal and reduce the visual impact, more than 1,500 trees, shrubs, and ground cover were planted.
Another 1,500 plants and trees are scheduled for planting in September.
Hunter Water is delivering an additional 450kW of solar across three sites in Shortland, Dungog, and North Lambton, slated to be switched on in early 2025.
A 450kW solar site and a 300kW battery energy storage system at Cessnock is also in the planning phase.
THE NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has undertaken a control program to remove hundreds of invasive animals threatening the globally significant ecosystems of Barrington Tops National Park.
The park reopened on Friday 27 September following the removal of invasive animals including pigs, rabbits, hares and horses from critical areas of the park through aerial and ground shooting operations.
Part of the park was closed for four weeks during the operation.
In a media statement on Monday, the Invasive Species Council (ISC) celebrated the control program.
“After years of inaction on a rapidly growing feral horse problem, this is great news for our native wildlife in the Barrington Tops and the surrounding Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage areas,”
ISC Advocacy Director Jack Gough said.
“With the recent aerial cull,
Barrington Tops is finally being freed from the relentless damage caused by a growing population of feral horses.
“No one likes to see animals killed, but the sad reality is that we have a choice to make between urgently reducing the numbers of feral horses or accepting the destruction of sensitive environments and extinction of native animals.”
ISC Senior Policy Analyst Dr Carol Booth, who recently travelled to the area, said Barrington Tops is home to at least 50 rare and threatened species, but is “besieged” by invasive species including feral horses, pigs and English broom.
“On a recent trip to the park, it was devastating to see 86 piles of horse dung scattered along the three kilometre Polblue Swamp trail, an area with several threatened plants and animals,” Dr Booth said.
“Feral horses were grazing in the swamp, habitat for endangered mastacomys, while thick patches of English broom choked the higher ground.
“Sadly English broom has taken over at least 10,000 hectares of the park, providing cover for feral pigs.”
NPWS has indicated it will seek interest from individuals and organisations interested in rehoming horses from the park and, subject to interest, will undertake
trapping for rehoming in 2025.
Whilst the park has reopened after a four-week closure for the operation, some 4WD trails will remain off limits following the annual seasonal closure due to trail conditions.
Tugalow trail, Thunderbolts trail between Barrington Tops Forest Road and Pheasants Creek Road and Barrington Trail south past the Junction Pools Trail are closed.
The closure does not affect access to the Barrington Tops plateau campgrounds, with walkers and mountain bikers still permitted to use the trails during the closure to public vehicles.
ELDERS Real Estate has expanded its rural offering with the addition of new offices in Dungog and Gloucester.
The Gloucester office, originally known as Webbs Real Estate, is one of the largest rural and livestock agencies in the district and has 43-years’ experience working in the region.
In Dungog, the Raine and Horne office has been rebranded to Elders too.
Both Gloucester and Dungog Elders offices are now led by Director Andrew Tregent, who began his real estate career at the age of seventeen and has worked in the industry for 27 years.
“The decision to join Elders was driven by the desire for a greater product offering to give our clients and better corporate support in the rural sector, which Elders is uniquely positioned to provide,” Mr Tregent said.
“The opportunity to leverage Elders' extensive resources and focus on rural real estate will allow us to better serve our clients.”
Both offices will continue to operate with the same teams under the new Elders branding.
A GROUP of community members displeased with the electorate’s political representation are searching for a candidate to run as an independent in the upcoming federal election.
Self-described as a “non-partisan group of local people”, Independent Lyne says the region has been “taken for granted and short changed” as a result of Lyne being a safe Nationals seat.
“Applications are open for passionate and committed people who may have the right skills and characteristics to represent our community and who will listen and put the interests of voters first,” Independent Lyne said in a media statement on Sunday.
The group formed earlier this year, inspired by the Teal movement at the last federal election.
After a ‘Community
Voices' meeting held in Taree in May, Independent Lyne has held a series of small events across the electorate.
“These gatherings have been the cornerstone of the independent movement’s approach to understanding the issues of our community and we’ll shortly be releasing the results of what we’ve heard,” said Independent Lyne spokesperson Jeremy Miller.
The group say these sessions have allowed them to identify the “essential skills and characteristics” the community is seeking in a political candidate.
“The community is looking for someone who will put the interest of Lyne first, who will listen and be committed to the electorate,” said Jan Ross from Independent Lyne. Candidates can apply on the Independent Lyne website.
SATURDAY
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
SEVEN, 7pm
Travel tales, trips and tips never lose their lustre. After an extended, years-long break, this long-running series comes up for air with a fresh new bunch of enthusiastic presenters and an exciting itinerary for its 19th season. Sunrise presenter James Tobin (pictured), Human Nature’s Phil Burton, former Saturday Disney host Teigan Nash, Creek to Coast’s Chris Parsons, retired cricketer Lee Carseldine and Miss Universe Australia 2007 Kimberley Busteed are the lucky globetrotters. Tonight, USA’s iconic Route 66, the Sunshine Coast and Switzerland’s largest glacier are explored.
Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 2.35 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 3.00 Whale With Steve Backshall. (R) 3.55 The Assembly. (Final, PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG,
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.35 Gardening Australia.
8.35 Joanna Lumley’s Spice Trail Adventure: Madagascar. (PG, R) Part 3 of 4.
9.25 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (Final, PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.
10.15 Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction. (Final, PG, R)
10.50 ABC Late News.
11.05 Grand Designs. (PG, R)
11.55 The Larkins. (PG, R)
12.40 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
Robot Wars. 9.55 Doctor Who. 10.45 Merlin. 11.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 11.50 Speechless. 12.15am Good Game Spawn Point. 1.00 Rage. 2.05 Jade Armor. 2.25 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Australian Concerts: Cold Chisel.
WEDNESDAY
ABC TV, 8.30pm
Tired of the news? You’re not alone, but you can count on comedian Wil Anderson (pictured) to entertain as he spears the headlines and the endless cycle of news stories in a hilarious, thought-provoking fashion. Along with co-host Jan Fran, the Gruen veteran strings along a panel of clever, emerging comedians to break down the week’s news headlines, dig beneath them and polish up a fresh and witty perspective. How was the story covered, what went wrong, what was left out and how could it have been covered in a better way? In this everchanging and volatile media landscape, the news is generally not designed to make us giggle, but this panel show does stellar job of it.
THURSDAY
ABC TV, 8pm
There’s a playful mood and an excitable sense of anticipation as season 11 of this much-loved homebuilding series kicks off a new era.
Original host Peter Madison has flown the coop, making way for Anthony Burke (pictured), who is a warm and familiar face after hosting Restoration Australia. In tonight’s premiere, Burke is not alone: legendary series creator Kevin McCloud joins him on a road trip to explore some of Australia’s most gorgeous and inspired designs. With a mint-green Kombi as their chariot, the duo ham it up visiting inspiring abodes: it’s a lively kick-off for this invigorated season, which is rich with creative, luxurious and swoon-worthy builds.
8.30 You Can Call Me Bill. (Mav) A portrait of the life of William Shatner.
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Soldiers. (Malv)
11.40 The Allegation. (Premiere, Mav)
12.20 Kin. (MA15+dlv, R)
4.15 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.45 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. Johanna Griggs meets Ronni Kahn the founder of OzHarvest, who are fighting food waste through food rescue.
8.30 MOVIE: A Few Good Men. (1992, Ml, R) Two lawyers defend a pair of US Marines who have been accused of murdering a fellow serviceman. Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore.
11.30 MOVIE: Priest. (2011, Mhl, R) A priest searches for his missing niece. Paul Bettany.
1.15 GetOn Extra.
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Country House Hunters Australia. Hosted by Catriona Rowntree.
8.30 MOVIE: Joker. (2019, MA15+alv, R) A mentally ill aspiring comedian struggles to find his way in Gotham City’s fractured society. Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro.
11.00 MOVIE: The Disappointments Room. (2016, MA15+alv, R)
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)
6am
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. (Return, PGa) Hosted by Stacey Solomon. 8.45 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Panellists include Urzila Carlson, Ray O’Leary, Bron Lewis, Tommy Little and Ed Kavalee. 9.45 The Graham
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) 1.15 Grantchester. (PG, R) 2.05 Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction. (Final, PG, R) 2.45 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2022. (PG, R) 4.15 The Assembly. (Final, PG, R) 5.00 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 5.30 Landline. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Inside Windsor Castle. (Premiere, PG)
8.25 Frogmore House: Royal Retreat. (PGa, R)
9.40 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes. (PG, R)
10.35 Spain’s Atlantic Train. (PGa, R)
11.30 Something Undone. (Mal)
12.25 Rex In Rome. (PG, R)
1.20 Djaambi. (Ml) 1.30 Going Places. (PGa, R) 4.00 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 The Crystal Maze. 8.15 MOVIE: Early Man. (2018, PG) 9.40 Officially Amazing. 10.10 Dragon Ball Super. 10.35 Crazy Fun Park. 11.05 The PM’s Daughter. 11.30 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.15am Rage. 1.45 Jade Armor. 3.10 Miraculous. 3.40
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Fried Green
Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 8.25 Love And Friendship. (2016, PG) 10.10 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PG) 11.50 Then Came You. (2020, M) 1.35pm Jonsson Gang. (2020, PG, Finnish) 3.55 Cutthroat Island. (1995, PG) 6.10 Sabrina. (1995, PG) 8.30 My Salinger Year. (2020, M) 10.25 Everyone Else. (2009, MA15+, German) 12.45am Coming Through The Rye. (2015, M) 3.30 Late Programs.
SUNDAY,
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Darby And Joan. (PG, R) 3.10 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat. (R) 3.40 Amazing Spaces. (Final,
Return To Paradise. (Mv) A game of lawn bowls ends in murder.
8.30 Unforgotten. (Mal) Sunny and Jess get closer to the truth of what happened on the night Precious was murdered.
9.15 Miniseries: Better. (Malv) Part 4 of 5.
10.15 Fisk. (Ml, R)
10.45 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
12.15 Fires. (Mal, R)
1.10 Miniseries: Ridley Road. (Mv, R)
2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered. (R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Last Secrets Of The Great Sphinx Of Giza.
8.30 Tombs Of The Egyptian Priestesses.
9.30 Megastructures: Knights Templar Castles. (PGav, R)
10.30 Dinosaur With Stephen Fry. (PGa, R)
11.25 Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler. (R) 1.15 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R) 2.10
8 Out Of 10 Cats. (Mals, R) 3.05 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGad, R) 4.45 Specially For Me. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
5.25 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 5.50 Land Of The Giants: Titans Of Tech. 6.40 Mysteries From Above. (Return) 7.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 12.15am Cycling. ParisTours. 2.20 Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Sabrina. Continued. (1995, PG) 7.45 Cutthroat Island. (1995, PG) 10.00 Wonderfully Beautiful. (2022, M, German) 12.25pm The Wife. (2017, M) 2.20 Fried Green Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 4.45 Stolen Kisses. (1968, PG, French) 6.25 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 8.30 Moonstruck. (1987, PG) 10.25 The Dorm. (2021, MA15+, Russian) 12.40am Do Me Love. (2009, MA15+, French) 2.15 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Great Outdoors. (Return, PG) The team travels USA’s iconic Route 66 and takes to the skies of the Sunshine Coast.
7.30 MOVIE: Pearl Harbor. (2001, Mv, R) Two childhood friends grow up to be US Army Air Force pilots stationed at Pearl Harbor. Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale. 11.10 MOVIE: Death Wish. (1974, MA15+alv, R) Charles Bronson.
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
3.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Larry The Wonder Pup. (R) Follows a terrier called Larry. 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)
7TWO (62)
6am
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: Speed. (1994, Mlv, R) An LAPD cop is trapped on a runaway bus. Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock.
MOVIE: Speed 2: Cruise Control. (1997, Mv, R) A computer genius disables a cruise ship. Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric.
Cross Court. (R) 12.45 Innovation Nation. 1.59 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
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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 Night Caller – Eric Edgar Cooke. (MA15+av, R)
The Latest: Seven News.
Autopsy USA. (Ma)
Lipstick Jungle. (Final, Mds, R)
Harry’s Practice. (R)
Home Shopping.
Million Dollar Minute. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise 5am News.
Sunrise.
7MATE (64)
6.00
Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Big Fat Quiz Of Telly. (Mls)
9.15 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (Mls)
9.55 Have I Got News For You U.S. (Mals)
10.45 SBS World News Late.
11.15 Suspect. (Malv)
11.45 Of Money And Blood. (MA15+l)
1.55 Between Two Worlds. (Mal, R) 3.40 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R)
4.30 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) The competition returns to Perth. 9.00 The Rookie. (Mav) The team uncovers the truth about the disappearance of two teenagers.
10.00 S.W.A.T. SWAT teams up with Major Crimes.
11.00 The Latest: Seven News.
11.30 Lopez Vs. Lopez.
12.30 Miniseries: The Victim. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Block. (PGl) 9.00 Miniseries: Bali 2002. (MA15+lv) 10.00 To Be Advised. 11.00 9News Late. 11.30 La Brea. (Final, Mav) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Cybershack. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
A Current Affair. (R)
6am The Movie
Show. 6.30 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 8.35 Jonsson Gang. (2020, PG, Finnish) 10.55 Coming Through The Rye. (2015, M) 12.45pm My Salinger Year. (2020, M) 2.35 The Movie Show. 3.10 Sabrina. (1995, PG) 5.30 Four Souls Of Coyote. (2023, PG) 7.30 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, M) 9.30 Black ’47. (2018, MA15+) 11.25 Jiu Jitsu. (2020, MA15+) 1.20am Late Programs.
6.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. (PG)
8.30 Insight. 9.30 Dateline.
10.00 SBS World News Late.
10.30 The Point: Road Trip. (R)
11.30 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+v)
1.20 Illegals. (MA15+al, R)
3.10 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R)
4.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.30 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
WorldWatch.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Bree is impossible to get through.
7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PG) Hannah and Lawrence seek redemption.
9.10 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (Mav) A Benjamin Franklin aficionado mysteriously disappears during one of his city tours.
10.10 Made In Bondi. The group heads to the Whitsundays.
11.15 Chicago Fire.
12.15 Holey Moley Australia. (PGas, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
The Movie Show. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Outsider: World’s Weirdest Films. 1.00 Gaycation. 1.55 Story Of Late Night. 2.40 Kickin’ Back. 3.15 WorldWatch. 5.15 Abandoned. 6.10 Craig Charles: UFO Conspiracies. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 10.20 Have I Got News For You U.S. 11.15 Breaking The News. 12.25am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Left Off The Map. 9.30 NBC Today. 10.30 Better
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6am Morning Programs. 7.05 Stolen Kisses. (1968, PG, French) 8.50 White Lion. (2010, PG) 10.30 Jump, Darling. (2020, M) 12.10pm Hive. (2021, M, Albanian) 1.45 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 3.50 Moonstruck. (1987, PG) 5.45 Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story. (2021, PG) 7.30 Benediction. (2021, M) 10.00 The Ballad Of Lefty Brown. (2017, MA15+) 12.05am Late Programs.
Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Sunday mornings 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, October 9
THURSDAY, October 10 6.00
6.00
Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Planet Reef. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Portillo’s Andalucia. (PGal)
8.25 Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar. (Mal)
9.20 Four Years Later. (Ml)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Carmen Curlers. (Premiere, Masv)
1.05 Wisting. (Madlv, R)
2.50 Miniseries: Safe Home. (Malv, R)
3.50 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R)
4.40 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Assignment. (1997, MA15+) 10.40 MOVIE: Nekrotronic. (2018, MA15+) 12.30am Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am White
Lion. (2010, PG) 7.40 Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story. (2021, PG) 9.25 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 11.05 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, M) 1.05pm Nordic By Nature. (2021, M, Faroese) 2.20 Four Souls Of Coyote. (2023, PG) 4.15 Topkapi. (1964, PG) 6.25 The Great Escape. (1963, PG) 9.30 A Fistful Of Dollars. (1964, MA15+) 11.25 Black Box. (2021, M, French) 1.50am Late Programs.
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.00 Grayson’s Art Club. (PGl, R) 10.55 Seed. (PGa, R) 11.30 Beneath The Stigma. (Ma, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Secrets To Civilisation. (Mav, R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Planet Reef. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Australian Walks. (PG)
8.25 National Parks From Above: Wales. (PG) A look at Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
9.20 Paris Has Fallen. (M)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Freezing Embrace. (Malv)
12.25 Wolf. (Malsv, 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 The 1% Club UK. (PGa)
8.30 Jimeoin: Result. (Ml) Stand-up performance by comedian Jimeoin discussing the absurdities of everyday life.
9.50 Australia: Now And Then. (Mal, R) Part 1 of 4.
10.50 The Latest: Seven News.
11.20 Chicago Fire. (MA15+a)
12.20 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av)
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Block. (PGl) 8.35 Human Error. (Mlv) 9.35 Million Dollar Murders. (Mv, R) 10.45 9News Late. 11.15 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av) 12.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
Hello SA. (PG, R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
A Current Affair. (R)
Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Topkapi. Continued. (1964, PG) 7.45 Anandi Gopal. (2019, PG, Marathi) 10.10 Benediction. (2021, M) 12.40pm Supernova. (2020, M) 2.25 Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story. (2021, PG) 4.10 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 5.50 The Grey Fox. (1982, PG) 7.30 T-34. (2018, M, Russian) 9.35 For A Few Dollars More. (1965, M) Midnight Tracker. (2010, M) 1.55 Late Programs.
1 IN 20 KIDS NEED YOUR HELP
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Leah and Justin are caught red-handed.
8.30 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. Explores life behind bars.
6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Hustle. 1.25 The Story Of. 1.55 Unknown Amazon. 2.50 The Wine Lovers’ Guide To Australia. 3.25 WorldWatch. 5.20 Abandoned. 6.10 Craig Charles: UFO Conspiracies. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Hells Angels: Kingdom Come. (Premiere) 10.20 Obsessed With My Muscles. 10.50 Dark Side Of Comedy. 11.45 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Block.
9.30 Ron Iddles: The Good Cop: Slawomir Tomczyk. (Malv, R) A look at the murder of Slawomir Tomczyk.
10.30 Soham: Catching A Killer. (Mav, R)
11.30 To Be Advised.
1.10 Magnum P.I. (Mav)
2.30 Home Shopping.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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DUNGOG STORE CATTLE SALE
Friday, 11th October @ 11:30am
Dungog Saleyards
80 Steers – 30 Heifers – 40 Cows & Calves
Further entries are invited and expected
Dungog Ph 02 49 921704
A/h Kel Sullivan 0427 921 704 or Paddy Dillon 0428 921 009
Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers Inc
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thursday 17th October 2024 at 7.00pm.
Dungog Day Care Centre
Hospital Road DUNGOG.
Committee nomination forms available on request, ph 0457 846 806
Forms to be returned to the Secretary by 10th October 2024.
ALL WELCOME
Gloucester Junior Rugby League NOTICE OF AGM
Wednesday 16th October 2024 6PM THE ROUNDABOUT INN FUNCTION ROOM
Gloucester Junior Rugby League
Now taking names for our 2025 Season! Please messsage childs name and date of birth to our Facebook page or email us gloucesterjrl@gmail.com
2025 Season Team Helpers
Coach
Referee (paid per game)
League Safe (yellow shirt)
Sports Trainer (blue/green shirt)
** Training courses provided for all helpers**
If you are interested in any of the above positions, please contact us via Facebook, email or call Jason on 0418 422 587
TO PLACE YOUR NOTICE WITHIN NEWS OF THE AREA
Ph: 02 4981 8882 or Email: ads@newsofthearea.com.au
Deadline: 4pm Mondays Funeral Notices Contact us to place a special message Email: ads@newsofthearea.com.au Phone: (02) 4981 8882
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 MUSIC
MUSIC TEACHER GLOUCESTER
DEAR Jasminda,
I OWN a company where the work takes place in an online environment.
For this reason, I let my staff work from home.
Recently, while spending time in a small town where one of my staff members lives, I spotted her in a cafe, at the beach, in the car, in the supermarket and riding a bike.
Despite this, she still achieved all the key performance indicators I'd set for the week.
Do I speak to her about needing to work from her home office?
Dear Holly,
Firstly, may I request a job interview?
I'm not quite sure what your online environment is, but you sound like an ideal boss.
I think, though, that there is a big difference between putting on the occasional load of washing and doing a few stretches, and what your staff member is doing which is squeezing some work in between a varied and Insta-worthy social life.
While she may be achieving her workload at the moment, it doesn't sound sustainable.
The other issue is safety.
I suggest you look at the fine print of your
workers compensation coverage.
I'm confident it will not cover your staff member stacking her bike into a bus-stop when she is supposed to be completing a workplace report.
Ultimately there needs to be an arrangement of mutual trust and support between yourself and your staff members.
While it's admirable that this particular woman seems to be embracing all that life has to offer and looking after her physical and mental health, a workplace injury seems far more likely in the various scenarios you've painted above.
DEAR News Of The Area, THANK you for the invitation to be a part of what we must hope will become as much a part of the community as the Dungog Chronicle in its original form had become.
The Chronicle began in 1888 and was a broadsheet.
In my youth it was published twice weekly on Tuesday and Saturday. It consisted of the most amazingly detailed descriptions of all manner of things.
For example, take weddings. They included what the bride wore, what was consumed at the wedding breakfast, and details of
the entire wedding party. It was full of the comings and going of the leading citizens of the day. It also featured detailed reporting of 'Clearing Sales', i.e. sales of goods and chattels of share farmers, as they realised they were on a hiding to nothing, and had decided to move on and
I’D like to take this opportunity to congratulate the News Of The Area newspaper group on “spreading its wings” further afield and establishing a new publication covering the Dungog Shire.
Many locals rely on their local newspaper to find out about what has, is and will be happening in our community.
As many of you will be aware, the electorate of Lyne which I represent in the Commonwealth Parliament, encompasses an area of 16,099 square kilometres, from the Hunter River at Lorn in Maitland to Rollands Plains north of Wauchope, and all
areas in between.
News Of The Area already has two publications in my electorate – both on the Myall Coast and in Camden Haven.
Both newspapers pride themselves on their positive focus on community achievements, events, local projects and issues of importance to the region.
I’m sure everyone in Dungog, Clarence Town, Paterson, Gresford, Vacy and the surrounding areas will support the Dungog Shire News Of The Area, and I look forward to hearing more about what has been happening in our community through the pages of this new community newspaper.
Regards, Dr David GILLESPIE, Federal Member for Lyne.
try their luck elsewhere.
In today's world a lot of what filled the four vast pages would be considered total rubbish, but back then it kept folks in touch with each other; vital in a world where instant connection, such as we have today, could never have been conceived.
I, and I'm sure everyone else in
ON behalf of the Dungog and Gloucester communities, I want to say thank you to the publisher of News Of The Area for the decision to step-up to ensure residents continue to have a local newspaper.
I hope both communities will now support the Gloucester NOTA and the Dungog NOTA by sharing news and opinion as well as advertising dollars, so this new venture can provide this important local coverage.
The NOTA gives Dungog and Gloucester the opportunity to tell local stories
By Sam MCKEITH, AAP
THE end of an industrial stand-off between the NSW government and the firefighters' union will see thousands of firefighters receive an interim pay rise.
Thousands of NSW firefighters will get a pay rise in an interim deal that will end the immediate prospect of union unrest as the state's industrial umpire is called in to answer calls for a muchlarger wage increase.
The peace agreement for a three percent rise, backdated to February, comes as the parties enter into formal mediation to resolve remaining issues in the dispute.
Some 6800 firefighters would
benefit from the deal that followed a 4.5 percent pay rise delivered last year, the state government said on Monday.
The Fire Brigade Employees Union had been seeking a wage rise of 20 percent over three years to help members with cost-of-living pressures in a dispute that led to hundreds of members protesting outside state parliament in March.
Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis said the provisional deal was "a good step forward, but we still have work to do".
The NSW government has offered all public-sector workers a blanket 10.5 percent pay rise over three years, including a mandatory superannuation
increase, well short of the figure demanded by several key unions.
The pay dispute has led to mass strikes from nurses and midwives in recent weeks as their union pushes for an immediate 15 percent pay increase.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the deal for firefighters showed a commitment by government and the union to get "practical outcomes" for emergency workers.
"We continue to work towards an outcome that is fair and sustainable for Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters and the people of NSW," he said.
The interim deal sees the parties move to the Industrial Relations Commission for arbitration.
the Dungog LGA and beyond wish you nothing but success, and we have awaited the first issue with great anticipation.
in a unique way by including the additional detail and context that social media does not necessarily convey.
Let me assure the Upper Hunter Electorate that I will continue to fight for your communities to have reputable, reliable sources of news and information.
I have taken up my concern about the need for the NSW Government to assist regional media organisations, like the NOTA, with the Premier Chris Minns.
Last week in the NSW Parliament, I called for the Premier to seek a commitment from government departments to include a regional
advertising spend as part of their annual media and marketing budget.
I have also written to the Premier to remind him that the Government needs regional newspapers as much as the newspapers need the Government.
This first edition of the NOTA for Dungog and Gloucester is a new beginning - so let us all take a moment to pause, have a look at what is happening in our community and be proud that we have this forum for our local stories.
Regards, Dave LAYZELL MP, Member for Upper Hunter.
By Neve BRISSENDEN, AAP
NSW NURSES will get a three percent interim pay hike in return for suspending all industrial action which has been affecting the state's public hospitals.
The government struck a truce with the nurses union after months of wage negotiations and strikes.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the Nurses and Midwives Association accepted the recommendation of the Industrial Relations Commission on Monday to stop all planned strikes while negotiations continued.
"No industrial action affecting patients will take place while the discussions and/or arbitration is progressing," he said.
"We look forward to these discussions and ongoing negotiations with the Association."
Under the agreement the government has committed to an interim three percent pay increase, less than a quarter of the 15 percent the union was
demanding.
Union acting general secretary Michael Whaites said members had voted to accept the IRC recommendation for a four week period.
"We are committed to pursuing the best possible pay and conditions outcome for our members, including things like 30 per cent night shift penalty, to bring us into line with other states," he said in a statement.
"As a show of our good faith from the government, public sector nurses and midwives will receive an interim three per cent wage increase, backdated to 1 July 2024."
The union looked forward to robust and productive discussions with the government, Mr Whaites said.
In the largest rally against the Labor government since coming to power in March 2023, at least 5000 nurses and midwives took to the streets on Tuesday over wage negotiations.
The 24-hour stop-work action by nurses and midwives affected 454 elective surgeries and temporarily closed 81 beds, according to NSW Health.
All NSW public sector workers, including nurses, have been offered a threeyear, 10.5 percent pay increase factoring in a mandatory rise in superannuation payments.
TRADITION will be honoured at the Stroud Showground as the town’s annual Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition returns on Sunday, 6 October.
The competition has its roots in the 1960s, when brick-making towns from Stroud in the UK and the USA held an inaugural contest, with Australia and Canada joining shortly thereafter.
Over the decades, the competition has expanded to include women’s rolling pin contests and categories for children, fostering a spirit of family fun and lightheartedness that continues to draw attendees year after year.
Kicking off the day at 10am, a street parade showcases a colourful array of floats, motorbikes, cars, bands and local school children.
“This year’s theme is ‘Anything Goes’, and we anticipate a fantastic
turnout as participants compete for the coveted title of best display!” event organisers said.
The much-anticipated brick throwing contest commences at 11am, featuring an official opening
and the ceremonial throwing of the first brick by Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie.
Registration for participants begins at 10:30am, with categories available for all ages and abilities.
Prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners in each category.
Anyone looking to make their mark in the record books will need to throw a brick at least 90 feet or a rolling pin at least 92 feet.
Other activities include a tug-o-war, log splitting and wood chopping displays, vintage car displays, market stalls and an array of live music.
“Live performances will keep the atmosphere lively, featuring acts like Lucky Starr, Jason Carruthers, the Newcastle RSL Pipe Band and The Marching Koalas,”
organisers said.
“Children will have a fantastic time, with free face painting, baby animals at the Sweet Valley Petting Zoo, and the ever-popular Hunter Hero characters ready for photos and fun!”
Tickets are available at the Showground gate (open from 7am) on the event day only.
Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Sunday morning 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.
By Liv CASBEN, AAP
EXTENDING the life of three coal mines will impact groundwater supplies and endangered species, conservationists and farmers say, with one of the expansions able to destroy hundreds of hectares of koala habitat.
Critics say the three coal mine expansions in northwest NSW and the Hunter region will emit 1.4 billion tonnes of carbon pollution across the lives of the mines - more than three times Australia's total annual emissions - and allow two larger mines to operate until mid-century.
The sign-off by
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek applies to coal producer Whitehaven's Narrabri underground mine's stage three expansion project, Ashton Coal's Ravensworth mine and Mach Energy's Mount Pleasant optimisation project.
Conservationists are alarmed the conditions on the Narrabri mine in the state's northwest allow more than 450 hectares of koala habitat to be cleared.
"This is an area where the local koala population used to thrive," Georgina Woods from community group Lock the Gate said.
She was upset about the impact the Mount Pleasant mine in the Hunter region
would have on a threatened legless lizard, with approval given for some of its habitat to be cleared.
"All three of these coal mining projects will affect groundwater and the decision to approve them reflect the government's priorities, which is to favour climate-changing coal mining over the sustainability of agriculture and other rural land uses."
Sally Hunter's cattle property is about 12km from the Narrabri coal mine, where farmers have been told nine nearby farm bores will dry up.
"They know this impact will happen," she said.
"Why is one business
allowed to effectively get rid of another business?
"They (the farms) are not going to have any water.
"The mine has said it will create thirteen new jobs for ten years and yet it's allowed to wipe out a whole bunch of farms."
Under the conditions of approval, Whitehaven Coal is to ensure there is no adverse effect "on the function of a water resource".
But Ms Hunter said the community had no faith in the miners adhering to the conditions given they had breached their license before.
Whitehaven declined to comment, referring to a statement released to the
ASX.
"Significant delays to this approval arising from unnecessarily protracted state and federal government assessment processes have in this case been exacerbated by indulging Green claims through the administrative and legal systems," the statement read.
The mining sector has celebrated the "sensible" decision to extend the three "critical coal mines", saying it would safeguard local jobs and economic stability in the region.
"It's critical that Australia's coal exports continue to meet the strong international demand," Minerals Council CEO Tania
Constable said.
"These approvals ensure that our economy benefits, while projects like these operate under the strictest environmental guidelines."
But critics say the decision undermines Australia's credibility in tackling rising emissions.
"Every decision like this betrays future generations," Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said.
Ms Plibersek did not respond to questions about the criticism, with a spokesperson saying it was a matter of applying the law.
The Labor government's "Nature Positive" legislation remains stalled in the Senate.
By Lindsay HALL
HOPING to recapture highly volatile lightning in a bottle this week, Warner Bros is releasing “Joker: Foile à Deux”, the sequel to the surprise 2019 hit that launched their “DC Black” label.
The first Joker filmfocusing entirely on the genesis of Batman’s chief antagonist - turned out to be an homage to the cinematic style of Martin Scorsese.
It was a remarkably restrained drama and character study that took some time to explore social themes such as mental health and poverty.
Whether filmmaker Todd Phillips did that well is a subjective question, but it’s clear that he has no interest in simply retreading old ground.
This sequel is set to be less of a gritty, urban crime drama, and is instead being advertised as a musical.
Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck (AKA The Joker) who has been imprisoned in Arkham Asylum following his multiple murders.
In Arkham he connects with Lee Quinzel, played by
Lady Gaga, whose obsessive fixation on the Joker will entangle her in his web of influence, as those inspired by his apparent stance on social justice form plans to secure his freedom.
Those who complain that comic book films are all the same may find this to be the surprise twist on the format that they have been looking for.
“Noah’s Ark” If you’re looking for an alternative for the kids however, “Noah’s Ark” is an animated feature coming to cinemas.
A feature developed largely in Brazil, the film is a family comedy telling the Sunday School and scripture class favourite from the perspective of an extra two stowaway mice.
In an effort to maintain peace and tranquillity among animals that would ordinarily prey upon one another, the mice (Tom and Vini) organise a singing contest.
This kind of film is critic-proof, as the primary motivation seems to be to keep children engaged for an hour and a half, in which
case it will undoubtedly succeed.
“The Critic” For something with a little more edge this week, “The Critic” finally has its Australian release.
Not quite intense enough to be called a thriller, and without an actual mystery for the audience to follow, this film is a melodrama set in London of 1934.
Ian McKellen plays the titular critic who writes for a distinguished British publication, but whose acerbic and arrogant style are at odds with the paper's conservative owner, played by Mark Strong.
When the critic is fired following the revelation that he is homosexual, he plots complicated and manipulative revenge, drawing everyone in his orbit into a web of bitterness and death.
This film is beautifully shot and the actors are all putting in some strong performances, but without any real sense of humour to the script, the experience is little more than watching people being increasingly terrible to one another.
A DRAFT plan of management for the Stroud Showground is on public exhibition from 18 September to Sunday 3 November 2024.
The draft plan includes detailed actions that identify management strategies and new proposed facilities for Stroud Showground.
“Stroud Showground is an important social hub for the local community. It is a valuable contributor to the town's economic growth as a visitor attraction and accommodation site,” said MidCoast Council’s Manager of Strategy and Projects, Amanda Hatton.
“Activities held at this loved site include the annual agricultural show, brick throwing and rolling pin competition, rodeo and other horse sports, tennis, football, cricket, skateboarding, swimming and recreational camping,” said Ms Hatton.
Facilities include an arena, amenities block, basketball, netball and tennis courts, camping sites, kiosk, pavilions, skatepark, picnic settings, clubhouse, storage shed, BBQ shelter, playground and swimming pool.
The plan of management
includes an audit of the current condition of these facilities.
There are no actions proposed for the swimming pool as Council has recently completed community consultation on the swimming pool operations and determined outcomes.
Some of the new proposals for the showground include multi sport facilities, a change room facility for sporting teams, parking near new sporting fields and an
improved electricity power distribution system.
Community feedback will be considered for inclusion in the Plan of Management before it is endorsed by Council.
The projects in the Plan of Management will be mostly funded by future grants and with funding by MidCoast Council’s capital works budget.
To view the draft plan and have your say, head to https:// haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw. gov.au/stroud-showgrounddraft-plan-management.
By Tracey FERRIER, AAP
A GOVERNMENT appointed panel is exploring the idea of ending logging in NSW native forests within four years.
The government is under mounting pressure over the impact of its own logging business on nature.
The historically divisive issue of taking slow-growing hardwoods from native forests has become even trickier as the government works to deliver its promised Great Koala National Park.
That's because logging by the state-owned Forestry Corporation is continuing in forests earmarked for inclusion in the new refuge.
Conservationists are incensed, saying endangered koalas and greater gliders can't afford to keep losing what's being taken.
In August, the government announced the appointment of an independent expert panel to lead consultations on what the forestry industry should
q The NSW government is under pressure over the environmental impact of its own logging business.
look like in the future.
One of five options being put to stakeholdersincluding industry players - is an end to native forest logging within four years, with supply to be met through other sources. That lines up with the end of existing wood supply contracts from northern forests.
Other options include business as usual, reducing native timber harvesting until other sources are found, or putting native forests under indigenous management with extra
supply to come from private and public plantations.
Stuart Blanch is WWFAustralia's forests expert and says the inclusion of an exit option is a big deal.
"I think this is the first time that a NSW government process has seriously consulted stakeholders on ending native forest logging," he says.
"I think this is showing there's enough people in government and parliament who think it's safe enough to articulate this as a real issue they need to explore."
Dr Blanch is among those
who've been consulted and he's glad the government has created the conditions for an important, overdue and difficult discussion.
"The genie is now out of the bottle regarding completing the transition out of native forest logging to plantations.
"The experience from the shutdown of logging in Western Australia and Victoria is that once a government starts to canvass a full exit, the private sector stops investing, and workers start finding new jobs."
Dr Blanch says that if
an exit is on the cards, the government will need to start planning now so the transition is well funded and well executed.
In a statement, the government said the panel had been tasked with consulting widely on the future of forestry in NSW, with its work to feed into an industry action plan.
"We want input on what forests and a sustainable forestry industry will look like in the next 30 years," it said.
"Consultation will consider key areas such as
the sustainability of forestry operations, the future of all types of forestry (softwood, hardwood, native), environmental concerns, community demand for timber, climate change mitigation and adaptation and more."
According to Forestry Corporation’s online plan portal, in the immediate region logging operations are currently planned for or underway in Myall River State Forest (SF), Chichester SF, Bulahdelah SF, in the Barrington Tops and Kiwarrak SF.
“The under 12/01s were locked 0-0 with Southern Lakes at full-time but fell 2-0 in extra time.
“The minor premier Friday A-grade team was totally outclassed in their 6-2 loss to Tenambit and the Over-35s went down 2-0 to Maitland.”
On 14 September, the
club came together to celebrate the successful season with junior and senior presentation events.
“All Miniroos players were presented with trophies to commemorate season 2024 and the interdistrict players (U12-U18) received club track pants,” said Julie.
Each team acknowledged their most deserving players with special awards.
Six junior players were also applauded on notching
up ten-year playing careers with the club.
Fox Nicholson (U18s) as well as Harrison McCosker, Wil Burgmann, Deegan Holding, Jake Norton and Sean Dulhunty (U16s) were presented with commemorative ten-year club jackets to mark the occasion.
The club’s major award – Clubman of the Year – was presented to Connor Morgan.
“Connor has been a Scorp for more than fifteen years, plays in the Friday A-grade and winning Saturday allage teams, co-coaches the
U18s and is always integral in promoting Scorps culture by leading by example,” Julie said.
“While the season is officially over, the committee is already working behind the scenes to build on the successes and ensure 2025 is another one of growth, on and off the field, for the mighty Scorps.”
• 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 played 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 $3,100.00 and jackpotting by $50.00 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
GRESFORD Vacy Football Club (GVFC) has finished the most successful season in the club’s history with three championship trophies and another three runners-up medals.
The Under 12/02s were the first to claim the top prize for the Scorpions with a hardfought 2-1 win over Raymond Terrace at Fieldsend Oval, Maitland.
The under-13s also spoiled the day for the Raymond Terrace club with a 1-0 victory in blustery conditions at Miller Park, Branxton.
In the last game of the grand final weekend, the Saturday AA/01 team took control in their match against Charlestown to emerge convincing 3-1 victors at Fieldsend Oval.
“The other three Scorpions grand final teams played their hearts out but couldn’t quite manage to come away with wins,” said GVFC Publicity Officer Julie Hartigan.
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