Margaret’s Mission: volunteering in Dungog
By Lisa WISEMAN
PATERSON Public School
was a bustling hive of activity last Friday and Saturday, 25 and 26 October, with
A
The garden is part of the first stage of a comprehensive plan initiated by the Paterson Public School P&C.
The five year plan will improve
and beautify the school
CONTINUED Page 3
friends.
•
By Shannon BENTON
IN the Dungog Shire, 50 babies are now receiving free, age-appropriate books each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, thanks to the efforts of Dungog Early Literacy.
The initiative, aimed at fostering a love of reading and strengthening early
literacy skills, has captured the community’s heart and the help of 41 individual sponsors and fourteen group sponsors.
Dungog Early Literacy
Chairperson Anne Higgins said the group initially formed out of a shared passion for literacy among
“We wanted to make a difference on a local scale,” she said, emphasising the
Page 2
By Shannon BENTON
MARGARET Flannery is the epitome of small-town commitment.
Growing up in nearby Brookfield, Margaret moved to Dungog with her husband shortly after they married, building a life deeply rooted in community.
The couple celebrates a milestone wedding anniversary this December, marking half a century together.
While Margaret’s husband enjoys retirement, Margaret’s
days are filled with volunteer work.
She’s a familiar face at Dungog High School’s P&C, the Anglican Church Op Shop, and the Dungog Visitor Information Centre, as well as serving as secretary of the James Theatre Management Committee.
Additionally, Margaret’s a driving force behind the annual Dungog Tea Party, an event she co-organises with Erika Seck and Pauline Cambourne to attract visitors and support local businesses.
This event holds special
significance for her, as it was the first opportunity, postCovid, to reconnect with the community.
“The Dungog Tea Party was a wonderful way to get back to people that wanted to actively be part of the community,” Margaret says. “People just want to chat sometimes, and we’re there to do that.”
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Margaret was recently nominated for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award, and she has previously been
awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contributions.
“It was a lovely honour and very humbling,” said Margaret, grateful for the connections that her volunteering allows her to make.
Margaret’s connection to Dungog is personal.
Her parents, who recently
FROM Page 1
grassroots nature of the organisation.
A new connection with Hunter New England Health has broadened the program's reach, with Baby Health nurses distributing enrolment forms to new mothers during home visits.
The partnership has sparked further interest in the program, alongside strong community engagement.
celebrated their seventy-fifth wedding anniversary, were active volunteers and instilled in her a love for helping others.
Margaret recalls her granddaughter’s awe during school holiday visits, marvelling at how, “Grandma knows everyone”.
Margaret sees these
Anne acknowledged the steady flow of support from local sponsors, who help cover the program’s ongoing costs.
“People see the value and are happy to donate [by] sponsoring a child,” she said.
With this backing, Dungog Early Literacy plans to keep the program running long-term.
In addition to these efforts, the Friends of the Dungog Shire Community Centre recently launched
connections as the heart of small-town life.
“If we were all helping each other with a smile and a helping hand, what a wonderful world we’d have.”
Her charm while talking to newcomers at the Dungog Visitor Information Centre, has even convinced some to make Dungog their home.
a Pop Up Bookshop on Dungog’s main street, generously supported by Westwood Providores.
“The shop contributes ten percent of its earnings to the Dungog Shire Community Centre and the remaining 90 percent to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” Anne said.
To become a sponsor or to donate to the Imagination Library in Dungog, head to: donate.unitedway.com.au/ donations-dungog.
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surrounds.
Paterson Public School is part of a very active community, as could be seen by the large number of enthusiastic workers getting their hands dirty.
Funding of $35,000 for the garden was raised by the P&C through barbeques at this year’s Tocal Field Days.
Their portable cooking facilities also came in handy to fuel this weekend’s workers with a barbeque breakfast.
Will and Anthea Power from Maplewood Permaculture have designed and are also helping build the garden.
They laid it out in the shape of a cross for remembrance and
reflection.
While Will placed edgings, workers shovelled and moved mulch and soil.
Other helpers soaked cardboard and laid it as a base.
Pupils as well as teachers and community members were consulted in the planning process.
Their request for a swimming pool morphed
into the pond proposed for the garden.
The simple, natural and sustainable garden will consist of many native Australian plants, but existing rosemary will be retained, and poppies planted.
For the best results, most of the plants will be put in
place next year by March, to be ready for Anzac Day.
The garden will be used for celebrations as well as ceremonies of remembrance.
It will be a really great feature for the front of the school,” principal Phil Lindsell said.
This first stage of the
improvements will be completed for the school’s 150 year celebrations in 2025. More events are planned for Paterson Public School and the local community to help turn the plans into reality. The school has a website and P&C Facebook page with more information.
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
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Paterson
Paterson Friendly Grocer
Paterson Service Station
Paterson Country Cafe/Newsagent
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Dungog Newsagent
Lovey's IGA
Dowling General Store
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WITH an inquiry into PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in waterways and drinking water supplies throughout the state underway, and new guidelines released, Hunter Water has sought to reassure residents of the safety of their drinking water.
Hunter Water manages the Lower Hunter region’s ‘catchment-to-tap' water supply.
“For the last eight years, we have been monitoring our water supply for PFAS, and the results demonstrate that the drinking water we supply to our customers
By John WATTS
DAIRY farmers Chris and James McRae believe conserving nature on their farm is good for business.
Raelands Farm near Barrington has been owned by the McRae family since the 1860s.
Chris learned the basics of the business on the job, although he attended many courses to expand his skills.
His son, James, studied agriculture/ business management at university before focusing on the dairy farm about
ten years ago.
The farm comprises 450 acres made up of irrigated pasture, dry run and remnant bushland.
It carries about 175 head of cattle.
It was in the early 1990s, particularly after the 1994 drought, when Chris began to realise that some parts of the farm had become degraded.
“We had one badly washed-out gully that had vertical sides and I thought that we could do better, and so I got some advice from Landcare,” said Chris.
“Once you fence an
and community is safe,” a spokesperson for Hunter Water said in a statement.
Last week the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released updated draft guidelines relating to PFAS for community feedback.
Based on a review of available evidence,
NHMRC is proposing to significantly lower the accepted amount of certain PFAS found in drinking water.
“A review of our historical water quality monitoring data for the region’s distribution network indicates that our drinking water complies with the proposed new PFAS guidelines and is safe to drink, whether we use the current or proposed
eroded gully to keep out the cows, the grass and other plants start to grow, which slows the flow of the water and prevents erosion.”
“Tree planting and gully fencing provides much needed shade and cools the surrounding areas, and they are very important in improving water quality,” said James.
On Raelands dairy farm, computer programs and technology are more vital than gumboots.
They employ aerial mapping to track everything that’s going on, and to help them
plan where fencing and planting should be carried out, and where water troughs should be located.
Chris and James have noticed a significant improvement of the farm’s biodiversity over the last 20 years, particularly its birdlife, insects, frogs, reptiles and wallabies.
A recent survey found a significant amount of koala activity in the forested areas.
The forested part of the farm has now been dedicated as a biodiversity conservation site with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
future PFAS guidelines,” Hunter Water stated.
“Under our extensive water quality monitoring program Hunter Water routinely tests for PFAS in all our drinking water supply zones.
“We report all detections over 0.002 micrograms per litre, or 2 parts per trillion, which is our independent laboratory's limit of reporting.
“The testing program confirms that drinking water supplied by Hunter Water is safe and meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.”
Despite the success, Chris and James say Raelands Farm is still a work in progress.
“While we seem to have done a lot, I think we are only really scratching the surface,” said Chris.
“We are now looking at further ways to reduce the emissions generated by our cows, such as the use of seaweed supplements and we have a 24kw solar system, and are working towards net zero emissions.
“And in November we will be planting hundreds more trees.”
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SCHOOL leavers from across the Lyne electorate can now apply for financial assistance to undertake university study or an apprenticeship through the NSW Young Nationals Jenny Gardiner Scholarship.
The scholarship provides funding of $1000 to a student who is attending a regional education institution and $1000 to a student who has to relocate to a metropolitan area for study.
“The NSW Young Nationals established this scholarship in honour of Life Member, the Honourable Jenny Gardiner for her service to regional NSW and dedicated support to the Young Nationals,” said Chairman of the Lyne Federal Electorate Council, Alison Penfold.
“Jenny has served the party with great distinction as General Secretary, as a Member of the NSW Legislative Council for almost 24 years and as a party member for more than 50 years,” Ms Penfold said.
“Many school leavers have to weigh up the cost of further education before taking the leap.
“Whether they choose to undertake further study or training through the Taree Universities Campus, undertake study online or move to study at a regional or metro campus, this scholarship could provide that bit of extra financial support to help make the decision.”
As part of the scholarship, recipients are provided with
THE State Government has opened applications for $10 million in grants from its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) to maintain and upgrade public reserves.
This year’s CRIF general grants are targeting wellpatronised reserves with projects that have high community impact.
The program will offer minimum grants of $100,000 for projects and maximum grants of $1 million.
Crown reserves provide land for recreational areas and infrastructure like sportsfields, local parks, walking tracks and campgrounds.
They also provide land for community organisations and facilities such as public halls,
showgrounds, racecourses, scout halls, and surf lifesaving clubs.
Eligible applicants include Crown land managers including local councils, community organisations, and user groups that are licensed to use Crown reserves across NSW, including showgrounds on Crown land.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said, “The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund plays a vital role by maintaining and upgrading public reserves for the benefit of local communities right across our state.
“We are very grateful to the dedicated volunteers, community groups and local
councils who help manage reserves and I strongly encourage them to apply for CRIF grants to support their great work.”
Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell noted in a weekly bulletin to constituents that the CRIF has had its “funding pool cut from $14.5 million to $10 million”.
“My shadow ministerial
a year’s membership to the Young Nationals and will have the opportunity to intern with a Nationals Member of Parliament or the NSW Nationals or Federal Secretariat.
“This will be a terrific opportunity to gain some work experience and see the day-to-day practical side of a parliamentarians and political party’s work,” Ms Penfold said.
“Our members would like to see someone from the Lyne electorate take up this opportunity and help their study or training needs.”
Further detail including the selection criteria is available at https://www.nswnationals. org.au/jenny-gardinerscholarship/.
colleague for Crown Lands, Steph Cooke, has criticised NSW Labor’s decision which introduces strict eligibility criteria including a minimum $100,000 grant amount and limiting projects to those with ‘high quality impact’,” Mr Layzell said.
For further information on the Crown Reserves Improvement fund and to apply visit https:// reservemanager.crownland. nsw.gov.au/funding/crif
SUNRISE Supported Living
in Tuncurry offers a genuine alternative to traditional aged care.
Retirement living dedicated to supporting your wellbeing, Sunrise offers a community lifestyle suited to an independent way of life, together with care and support in the privacy
of your own secure selfcontained villa.
Locally owned and operated, this year Sunrise is proud to be celebrating 20 years.
The occasion will be marked by a market day on 1 November, where potential residents can see the choice of villas on offer.
“All villas are fully selfcontained, have a rear courtyard and garden area,” said Julie, Village Manager.
One bedroom villas range from $279,000 to $385,000, while two bedroom villas range in price from $390,000 to $540,000 ($570,000 with garage).
The market day is a
good opportunity to discuss retirement living options directly with staff.
“I recommend that retirees and their families are [both] involved in looking at retirement villages so they can see how differently they operate, and the different services they do or don’t provide," Julie said.
“Understand the financial side of retirement village living – because they are not all the same.
“At Sunrise, we will provide full disclosure of the costs associated with moving into Sunrise Village, living at Sunrise and when leaving Sunrise Village.
“We will also advise you that there is no stamp duty on the purchase, no council and water rates, no body corporate fees, no building insurance, no lawns to mow and no white goods to service and replace.”
Health and wellbeing is paramount at Sunrise, with an on-site 24/7 Emergency Response and Support service provided by qualified
care workers and on-call registered nurses.
Another factor setting Sunrise apart is the food.
“Served in our Breezeway (365 days a year), morning tea includes platters of fruit, and a variety of biscuits, cakes, slices, sausage rolls and other hot finger food, made on-site by our pastry chef,” said Julie.
“We have a commercial kitchen with three chefs providing exceptional meal choices for lunch and dinner, served in the dining room or by ‘room service’ - particularly popular if residents don’t feel like cooking themselves.
“The meals are nutritious, colourful, varied, and tailored to dietary needs, and are delicious.”
Sunrise is pet-friendly, has lovely gardens and lawn areas to walk in and several gazebos to sit back and relax with residents and friends.
A full time events coordinator facilitates outings such as trips to Coffs Harbour along with regular
local visits to shops, cafes, shows, sunset walks along the breakwall and social club activities.
“[We offer] independent living in a safe and caring environment that provides choices of lifestyle as the years progress,” Julie said.
“[Sunrise suits] active seniors looking for a vibrant community that fits in with their lifestyle and gives them options to use as many or as few of the facilities as they want, to bring their pets with them, to keep the My Aged Care packages, and still have the peace of mind that comes with knowing there is on-site 24/7 emergency support.
“People who want to be part of that community and are still ready to enjoy their life.”
The Sunrise Supported Living Village website has villa floor plans, photos and a map of the whole village. Visit www.sunrisesup portedlivingtuncurry.com.au For more information call Sunrise Village on 02 5528 5000.
FRIDAY BRAND BOLLYWOOD DOWNUNDER
SBS VICELAND, 9.30pm Borne of the Indian culture’s rich storytelling history and the advent of motion pictures, the Hindi film industry –or Bollywood (a portmanteau of “Bombay” and “Hollywood”) – is renowned for its colourful costumes, spectacular settings, sweeping romances and, of course, its signature dance scenes. In an illuminating and informative feature, filmmaker Anupam Sharma (above, unIndian) discovers how this expressive and celebratory form of cinema swept the world and formed a particularly strong love affair with Australia. Featuring an abundance of clips among commentary from critics, experts and industry professionals including Amit Khanna and Anupam Kher, this entertaining doco is catnip for cinephiles.
SATURDAY
NBN, 7.30pm
Daniel Craig wraps up his time with Her Majesty’s Secret Service as superspy James Bond in this fitting finale that ranks among 007’s best outings. After an explosive opening scene, the film finds Bond retired from MI6 duty and enjoying a quiet life in picturesque Jamaica. His peace is soon interrupted, however, when his CIA buddy Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) turns up seeking his help. His subsequent mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist sees Bond outmaneuver his successor Nomi (Lashana Lynch, pictured), leading him to a scarred villain (Rami Malek) who is armed with a dangerous new technology that’s capable of killing millions. Closing out his five-film run as the iconic agent, Craig well and truly signs off from the enduring franchise with a bang.
TUESDAY
ABC TV, 8.30pm
No decent mixtape (or playlist, nowadays) is complete without a striking, thunderous anthem to tie the whole thing together at the end and leave its listener feeling satisfied. Music journalist Zan Rowe concludes her third collection of intimate interviews with a worthy candidate: powerhouse performer Casey Donovan (pictured with Rowe). After winning Australian Idol at the age of 16, Donovan rocketed to national fame, but her career and personal life have not always been a smooth ride. The Sister Act star reveals the real person behind the headlines and alludes to the highs and lows of the past 20 years as she shares five songs that mean “sanctuary” to her in a revealing yet cryptic chat.
Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R)
The Larkins At Christmas. (PG, R)
Love Your Garden. (R)
Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
Rage. (PG)
Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Strange Chores. 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Doctor Who. 10.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Rome. (PG)
8.30 Castle Secrets. (Mav) 9.25 Kennedy. (Premiere) 10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 The Lesson. (Premiere, Mal)
12.20 The Wall: Cover Your Tracks. (Malsv, R)
3.40 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, 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. Johanna Griggs talks to Stephanie Alexander. 8.30 Growing Home With Jamie Durie: The Big Dig. (PG) Part 2 of 4.
9.30 The Disappearance Of Grace Millane. (Mas, R) The story of the 2018 murder of British backpacker Grace Millane and how her killer was caught.
11.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl, R)
1.05 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R)
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 David Attenborough’s Planet Earth III. (PGa, R)
8.40 MOVIE: London Has Fallen. (2016, MA15+lv, R) Terrorists attack world leaders in London. Gerard Butler.
10.40 Race To The Melbourne Cup Carnival. (PGls)
11.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.30 Pointless. (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 Drive TV. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 La Brea. 3.00 The Golden Girls. 3.30
5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Antiques Downunder. 8.30 MOVIE: Sleeping With The Enemy. (1991, M) 10.30 MOVIE: Suburbicon. (2017, MA15+) 12.30am Late Programs.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and
6.00
6.00 Australian Story: The Big Lap – Fiona MacDonald. (R)
6.30 Back Roads: Beechworth, Victoria. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the
9.50 Plum. (Mal, R) Plum’s ex-wife Renee tries to help him.
10.45 Countdown To War. (R) 11.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.55pm
6.25
6.20
6.05
6am
6.40
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Inside Windsor Castle. (PG)
8.25 The Cotswolds With Pam Ayres. (R)
9.15 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes. (PG, R)
10.10 So Long, Marianne. (Mals)
11.05 Paris Paris. (PGas, R)
12.05 Hope. (Mv, R)
2.10 Significant Other. (Mal, R)
3.30 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R)
4.20 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (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 meets the Giants of Mandurah.
7.30 MOVIE: Independence Day. (1996, Mv, R) The US president and his motley group of allies battle to save Earth from an armada of attacking aliens. Will Smith, Bill Pullman. 10.25 MOVIE: The 6th Day. (2000, Mlv, R) A helicopter pilot goes on the run. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport.
12.55 Taken. (Mav, R) Bryan Mills fights for his life.
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Larry The Wonder Pup. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: No Time To Die. (2021, Malv) Bond tries to rescue a kidnapped scientist. Daniel Craig, Rami Malek.
10.45 MOVIE: No Escape. (2015, MA15+alv, R) Owen Wilson.
12.35 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PG, R)
1.30 The Garden Gurus. (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 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 8.30 Shark Tank. (PGa, R) A business owner with an unexciting product has the Sharks in a frenzy when she reveals sales numbers. 9.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was. 10.30 Ambulance Australia. (Mal, R) A man is struck in the groin by a javelin. 11.45 Ambulance UK. (Mal, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00
6.00 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG)
8.00 Fisk. (PG)
8.30 Plum. (Ml) Plum takes his family to Melbourne.
9.25 I Was Actually There: Nicky Winmar’s Stand Against Racism. (Ml, R)
9.55 You Can’t Ask That. (Mal, R)
10.55 Miniseries: Marriage. (Ml, R)
11.55 Fires. (Final, Mal, R)
12.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered. (R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am Five
Flights Up. Continued. (2014, PG) 6.20 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 8.25 Wide Open Sky. (2015) 10.00 The Lawnmower Man. (1992, M) 12.35pm Anonymous. (2011, M) 3.00 Dancing Ninja. (2010, PG) 4.50 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PG) 6.35 The Man Who Brought Down The White House. (2017, PG) 8.30 End Of Watch. (2012, MA15+) 10.30 Body Double. (1984, MA15+) 12.35am Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Gunpowder Plot: Countdown To Treason.
9.20 Caral: Sacred City In The Andes. (PGa)
10.20 Wuthering Harlots: Pride And Prostitution. (MA15+as, R)
11.15 American Presidency With Bill Clinton. (PG, R)
4.15 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.
MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Morning Programs. 8.40 Five Flights Up. (2014, PG) 10.20 India Sweets And Spices. (2021, M) 12.15pm Last Film Show. (2021, M, Gujarati) 2.20 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 4.25 Goal! 2: Living The Dream. (2007, PG) 6.35 Darling Companion. (2012, PG) 8.30 Hope Springs. (2012, M) 10.25 A Matter Of Trust. (2022, MA15+, Danish) 12.30am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive special investigation. 8.00 Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story. (Madl, R) The story of Michael Gudinski. 10.25 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous: Night Of Terror –The Bega Schoolgirls. (MA15+alv, R)
11.50 Autopsy USA. (Mad)
12.50 The Starter Wife. (Mas, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 The Block. (PGl) 8.45 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 9.45 9News Late. 10.15 Trump: A Second Chance? (PGlv) 11.15 The First 48: Brothers Down. (Mav)
Vampires Suck. (2010, M) Midnight The Originals. 2.00 The Nanny. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Power Players. 4.30 Monkie Kid. 4.50 Late Programs. 6am Children’s
MONDAY, November 4
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Into South America With Nick Knowles. (PG)
8.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mals)
9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
10.05 Have I Got News For You U.S. (Mals)
11.00 SBS World News Late.
11.25 A Criminal Affair. (MA15+s)
1.05 Pray For Blood. (Mal, R) 2.45 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R) 3.35 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (MA15+aw, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Miniseries: Deadline Gallipoli.
Home Shopping.
NBC Today.
Sunrise 5am News.
6am Morning
Programs. 6.45 Darling Companion. (2012, PG) 8.40 Walking On Sunshine. (2014,
TUESDAY, November 5
10.15 Kitchen Cabinet. (PG, R) 10.45 News. 11.00 The Business. (R) 11.20 Four Corners. (Final, R) 12.05 Q+A. (R) 1.10 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.55 Cancer: A Story Of Hope. (PG, R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 News Breakfast: USA Votes.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys.
8.30 The Zelensky Story.
9.30 Greatest Train Journeys From Above. (R)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+asv)
12.50 Don’t Leave Me. (Malv, R)
2.45 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R)
4.25 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.55 China Bitesize. (PGaw, 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 Brisbane. 9.10 Twisted Twins? Part 1 of 2. Explores the stories of identical twins involved in criminal cases of murder or missing persons. 10.10 S.W.A.T. (Mav) An armoured truck heist ends in bloodshed. 11.10 The Latest: Seven News. 11.40 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGals)
PG) 5.40 All Quiet On The Western Front. (1979, PG) 8.30 The Fox. (2022, MA15+, German) 10.45 Late Programs. 6am All Quiet On The Western Front. Continued. (1979, PG) 7.50 Goddess. (2013,
Sunrise. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Mike and Pete present a surprising menu. 9.10 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (Mav) Mike is taken back to his first unsolved case when the remains of a man surface seven years after his murder. 11.10 The Latest: Seven News. 11.40
FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Pfffirates. 6.50 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 6.55 Hey Duggee. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Little Lunch. 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 Doctor Who. 10.00 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.
History Bites. (R) 4.20 Such Was Life. (R) 4.30 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 5.00 The Point. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Portillo’s Andalucia.
8.30 The Jury: Death On The Staircase. (Mav)
9.35 The Old Man. (MA15+v)
10.45 SBS World News Late. 11.15 Desperate Measures. (Premiere, Malv)
12.55 Miniseries: Holding. (Mls, R) 2.40 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R)
3.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather. 10.00 US Presidential Election. Coverage of the US presidential election. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoid being caught by The Chaser. Hosted by Larry Emdur.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. Dana lets go.
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 MOVIE: Ambulance. (2022, MA15+mv) Two bank robbers hijack an ambulance that is transporting a severely wounded cop. Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez.
11.30 Chicago Fire. (Mav)
12.30 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av)
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today. 10.00 US Presidential Election: America Decides. Coverage of the 2024 US election. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 The Block. (PGl) 9.10 Listing Melbourne. (PGl) 10.20 Nine News US Election Edition. 11.20 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (Mav) 12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
Hello SA. (PG)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
THURSDAY,
Grand Designs NZ. (R) 12.35 Killing Eve. (MA15+v, R) 1.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 The Wildlife Revolution – A Catalyst Special. (PG, R) 4.25 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
SBS MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64)
6am Walking On
Sunshine. Continued. (2014, PG) 7.20 The Defiant Ones. (1958, PG) 9.10 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 11.00 Balloon. (2018, M, German) 1.20pm All Quiet On The Western Front. (1979, PG) 4.10 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 6.20 From Here To Eternity. (1953, PG) 8.30 Sniper: The White Raven. (2022, MA15+, Russian) 10.35 The Spy. (2019, M, Swedish) 12.40am Late Programs.
FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Pfffirates. 6.50 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 6.55 Hey Duggee. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Little Lunch. 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 9.10 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 9.40 Doctor Who. 10.25 Merlin. 11.10 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.05 Home Is Where The Art Is. (R) 11.00 Her Majesty’s Cavalry. (Ml, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (R) 2.05 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (PG, R) 3.00 Plat Du Tour. 3.10 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Walking Wartime England. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)
8.30 Japan: World’s Most Punctual Train. (PG, R)
9.25 Paris Has Fallen. (M)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Miniseries: The Typist. (Malv, R) 11.55 Faking Hitler. (Man, R)
2.40 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R)
3.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
(31)
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Belle And Sebastian 3. Continued. (2017, PG, French) 7.25 From Here To Eternity. (1953, PG) 9.35 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 11.45 The Road Dance. (2021, M) 1.55pm The Defiant Ones. (1958, PG) 3.45 A King In New York. (1957, PG) 5.40 The Guns Of Navarone. (1961, PG) 8.30 Platoon. (1986, MA15+) 10.40 Operation Napoleon. (2023, M) 12.50am Boxing Day. (2021, M) 2.55 Late Programs.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: A Stepmother’s Secret. (2022, Mav, R) 2.00 Your Money & Your Life. (PG) 2.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away.
7.30 Highway Patrol. (PG)
8.30 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. Explores life behind bars.
9.30 Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt For MH370. (PGa, R) A look at the disappearance of Flight MH370.
10.50 The Latest: Seven News.
11.20 What The Killer Did Next. (Mav, R)
12.20 Magnum P.I. (Mav)
1.20 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7MATE (64)
MidCoast Council will be carrying out a range of herbicide spraying activities in various waterways, open drains, and retention ponds; on roadsides and reserves; and on sporting fields, parks, pools surrounds, cemeteries and Council building surrounds within the entire MidCoast region during November, December 2024 and January 2025.
These activities will be targeting general vegetation, grasses, reeds, bindii, broadleaf and annual and perennial environmental weeds and each program is subject to weather conditions. Only qualified operators will be undertaking works.
On the roadsides and reserves, subject to availability and need, registered herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360, Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate), and/or Metsun 600, Lynx WG, metmac 600, Kenzon and/or Grazon extra will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA off label permit 9907 where applicable.
In various waterways and retention ponds Herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360 and/or Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate) will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA off label permit 9907 where applicable and as a precaution residents are advised to refrain from using, drinking or swimming in the water for two weeks following treatments.
Registered herbicides, chemicals Spearhead, Kamba M and Broadside will be used as per label directions on sporting fields, parks, pools surrounds, cemeteries, reserves and Council building surrounds.
Scheduled areas will be assessed individually and treated as required. Individual areas will be sign-posted at the times of treatment in commonly accessed areas. A list of areas to be treated is available by calling MidCoast Council on 7955 7777.
DUNGOG District Chamber of Commerce
Advises notice of temporary street closure to traffic
29 November 2024 4pm to 7pm Dowling Street Dungog from Mackay St intersection to Brown St Brown St intersection to Hooke St Brown St to remain open to Dungog railway station, access to IGA carpark available via Hooke St
Annual General Meeting to be held at Settlers Arms Hotel on Thursday 21 November 2024 commencing at 6:30pm
ads@newsofthearea.com.au
MidCoast Council will be carrying out herbicide control on the banks of the lower Barrington, Gloucester and upper Manning Rivers during the months November and December 2024 and January 2025, to target Senegal tea plant.
As a precaution, residents are advised to refrain from using, drinking or swimming in the water for 96 hours following treatments. Residents who pump from the river to fill water tanks for human consumption are advised to do so prior to commencement of works, and not resume pumping for 96 hours following treatments adjacent to their property.
Only qualified operators will be undertaking works. Herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360 and/or Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate) will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA permit 9907. This program is subject to weather conditions.
For further information, please contact MidCoast Council on 7955 7777.
Public Notices
Need to get your information out to the public? Give us a call, 4981 8882 or email ads@newsofthearea. com.au
Dungog Shire Community Centre 2024 AGM will be held 4:00pm Wednesday 27th November CWA Hall 199 Dowling Street Dungog. Call the Centre on 4992 1133 for more information. e61124
FURNITURE . Two single beds @$50 each with quality mattresses rarely used and always with mattress protectors TV music cabinet in dark timber free; Upholstered bedroom chair free Three upholstered bridge chairs (art-deco style) free, Canon colour printer/scanner (needs ink) free; Rinnai gas heater free. 0410 495 553
Paul DORIN
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
My personal trainer took some 'before' photos of me at the start of a 12-week gym program.
I look much fitter, feel better, and now fit into clothes I haven't worn for years.
The problem is, I was recently flicking through the trainer's Instagram account and came across my before and after photos.
I was horrified!
I don't want everyone seeing me in my gym gear looking hideous.
I can understand why it is good for her business, but it's not good for me. Help!
Rowena L
Dear Rowena, Oh hell. I've seen a lot of this before and after stuff lately. There are before and after bathroom makeovers, before and after haircuts and colours, and before and after first-dayof-school photos, where the kids look like they've done a Mud, Sweat and Tears challenge when really they've just been colouring in and eating five varieties of processed foods. There are before and after house renovations, and before and after visits to the dog groomer, and before and after divorce photos, with women throwing their wedding dresses into a fire pit, singing Pink's 'So What', and getting sloshed.
I get it from your trainer's perspective, Rowena.
She's been working hard, encouraging you to do 20 more goblet squats when you can hardly breathe, and 50 lunges when your muscles are so fatigued that you can't even bend down to tie your shoe laces, and now it's time for
payback.
You look great and your progress will encourage others, but yes, before photos are never flattering. That's the whole point of them.
They always seem to be taken in surgical-strength lighting where every imperfection is exaggerated. No one smiles in a before photo either.
They are probably feeling miserable because they've just forked out a small fortune to be tortured and they are 'hangry' because they started the day with an apple instead of a croissant and a cappuccino.
Did you sign anything to say that your photos could be used for promotional purposes?
If not, I think you are well within your rights to ask for the photos to be taken down, or at least modified with your face pixelated or replaced with an emoji, so you aren't recognisable.
Jasminda.
By David SMITH
THE true story behind the founding of the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) was revealed in Stroud on Saturday, 26 October to an appreciative audience of over 100 people.
Based on reliable biographies and other writings about the Macarthur family, ‘Avarice’, a short two act drama was written by Dr Jonathan King OAM and Anne Frost OAM (Anne also directed) and performed by an all local cast.
Act One performed at Stroud Court House introduced us to the formation
of AACo in London early in 1824.
Then after a short stroll to Quambi House, Act Two revealed the extent of the greed for wealth exercised by Capt. John Macarthur through his family’s manipulations of the company’s board of management and his personal dealings with AACo.
This play was produced as a bicentennial tribute to the formation of AACo, which also plays a pivotal role in the history of Stroud.
The AACo was amply assisted by the British Parliament’s Crown Grant of 1,000,000 acres in the Colony of New South Wales.
It was created as a land development company for the purpose of improving flocks of merino sheep for fine wool production, along with other crops for export in response to a depressed British economy after the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815), and the need to recover Britain’s textile trade.
The AACo’s headquarters
were sited at Tahlee on the northern shore of Port Stephens in 1826.
Later in 1826 the company started the establishment of its principal agricultural farm and second township at Stroud.
Today the company is Australia’s largest integrated cattle and beef producer, and the oldest continuously operating company in the nation.
Whilst the focus of Avarice was on the Macarthur family, little reference was made in regard to the original inhabitants of the lands AACo acquired and eventually prospered from through the labours of convicts and the local Aboriginal population.
Audiences have been assured that in a part two, perhaps in 2026 for the 200th anniversary of Stroud, more will be revealed.
The play was proudly supported by Stroud and District Historical Society.
The afternoon tea spread put on by Tess Raine after the performance was a pure delight, especially the scones with jam and cream.
WELCOMING and comfortable
accommodation, food, coffee, bar and music in the renovated historic Royal Hotel, right in the heart of Dungog.
The Royal Bar is open Tuesdays to Sundays, with four beers on tap, a quality wine list and a wide range of spirits and non-alcoholic options, all delivered with friendly service.
“We also offer barista coffee, featuring Belaroma from Seven Miles Coffee,” said the Royal Hotel team.
“Call in for a drink and a chat!
“We’re now serving your favourite cup and pastries from 8.00am.”
You are royally spoilt for choice in Dungog.
This quaint country town is packed with history, community, nature, theatre and farm-fresh markets and shops.
The Hotel features:
• Fourteen deluxe guest rooms consisting of five single rooms, two double rooms, one twin room, one bunk room, and four queen rooms for your choice.
• The Royal Apartment with its own lounge and ensuite bathroom available.
• All rooms have access to clean, renovated men’s and women’s separate bathrooms, offering baths, showers and grooming areas.
• Spacious front and back verandahs with exquisite views of the town and nature
• Licensed bar service, for a drink in our stylish saloon or in the private guest lounge.
The Royal, with its old-time charm, is the ideal place for a country wedding.
“We can host any event with options to consider to your heart’s content
within our comfortable accommodation, licensed drink service, and farmfresh food.
“We can cater to your every need while you relax and enjoy the country with your family and friends.”
The Royal is also home to an array of quality live music.
Throughout November the Hotel will welcome US bluegrass band High Fidelity, Craig McLachlan presenting ‘Six String Stories’, jazz ensemble Elysian Fields, and Michael Carpenter’s band presenting ‘Heroes of the Heartland’ featuring the songs of Springsteen, Mellencamp and Seger.
In December The Bushwackers will bring the Hotel to life with their beloved Australiana style.
Bookings and information at dungogroyalhotel.com.au/ events.
THE Service NSW Mobile Service Centre returns to the Upper Hunter electorate later this week.
The Mobile Service Centre will be parked in Cowper Street, Stroud on Friday, 1 November from 8.30am until 12.30pm. On Thursday, 7 November the mobile service will be available in Grey Street, Clarence Town between 9am and noon then 1pm to 4pm at John Tucker Park, Paterson. Services available include hazard perception
ELYSIAN Fields, Australia's only electric viola da gamba band, comes to the Royal Hotel, Dungog on Friday, 29 November.
The viola da gamba is a seven-string instrument with frets about the same size as the cello.
With members drawn from amongst the finest Australian jazz, classical and world music artists, Elysian Fields have appeared at classical and jazz festivals, broadcast on Australian Digital Concert Hall, and been favourably reviewed in jazz, folk and classical music publications.
tests, driver knowledge tests, applications and renewals of driver licence and photo cards, plus applications for Working with Children Checks, birth, death and marriage certificates and the Savings Finder.
Check here for more details: www.service.nsw. gov.au/campaign/mobileservice-centres.
By Martin HOLMES CSM
THIS story is part of a series about military veterans laid to rest at Dungog General Cemetery by Dungog RSL sub-Branch Vice-President Martin Holmes.
NX41741 Private Aubrey Clarence Pritchard – WW2
AUBREY was born at West Maitland NSW in 1920 to parents Thomas and Sarah Pritchard.
He enlisted in the Militia at age 20 on 8 January 1941 and was allocated to Camp Dressing Station, Dubbo.
His initial training took place in Rutherford and Dubbo.
He volunteered for service in the 2nd AIF and was discharged from the Militia and enlisted in the AIF on 2 August, joining the 1st Training Battalion.
On 3 September he embarked for the Middle East and joined the 16th Training Battalion in Palestine.
On completing training he joined the 2/2nd Infantry Battalion on 24 January 1942 in Palestine.
In March the unit sailed to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
for its defence against the Japanese and returned with his unit for Melbourne in July.
In October he was on the Kokoda Track fighting in New Guinea.
He fought the Japanese across New Guinea, ending fighting in Sanananda on the north-east coast, part of the Buna-Gona campaign.
During 1943-44 the unit was in rest and training in the Atherton Tableland, Queensland.
In December 1944, Aubrey had sailed with his unit to Aitape in the Wewak region of PNG.
He fought against the Japanese in this area until
wounded on 27 June 1945, with serious shrapnel injuries to his face and legs.
Through medical evacuation he was at 2/7 Australian General Hospital (Lae, PNG) on 20 July when airlifted to Townsville for further medical treatment.
He remained in various hospitals until he was released on 29 October.
On 27 November he was discharged from the Army.
Due his war injuries Aubrey was to become a totally and permanently incapacitated (TPI) pensioner.
After discharge he returned home to Speers Point NSW.
Founded by Jenny Eriksson and jazz luminaries Matt McMahon (piano) and Matt Keegan (horns), the backbone of Elysian Fields’ set list consists of original works written for the lineup by McMahon, Keegan and Eriksson along with arrangements and originals by singer/violinist Susie Bishop, Jacques Emery and drummer Dave Goodman.
The band’s covers range widely from arrangements of several songs by baroque viola da gamba virtuoso Marin Marais, to charts and folk song arrangements by Bishop and Eriksson reflecting Jenny’s Scandinavian heritage.
The band has released two albums on the MOVE
Records label - ‘What Should I say’ and ‘FIKA’ - with a third album currently in postproduction.
The "New Horizons" tour features new music from the band's soon to be released album blended with their extensive back catalogue of stunning arrangements and original compositions.
The tour will premiere a new song by First Nations’ musician and composer, Troy Russell.
Elysian Fields is Susie Bishop on vocals and violin, Matt Keegan on saxophones, Matt McMahon on piano, Jenny Eriksson on electric viola da gamba, Brett Hirst on double bass and Dave Goodman on drums.
By Marion Rae RAE, AAP
REPEALING nuclear bans and drafting new environmental, safety and technical guidelines are expected to blow the opposition's nuclear timeline.
Australian Energy Regulator chair Clare Savage confirmed to a federal inquiry last Wednesday that Australia would be "looking at eight to 10 years for the regulatory framework itself", not including the time it takes to build the first plant.
Mrs Savage also warned the Senate committee that energy consumers face the risk of more price rises because of the electricity system's exposure to volatile commodity markets and increasingly unreliable coal generators.
She said there had been more outages at coal-fired power stations in the past three months than in any other three-month period since October 2021.
Forward prices remained "stubbornly high" with coal plant owners less willing to commit to supply and others unwilling to take on the risk, she said, which flows through to the prices paid by homes and businesses.
Mrs Savage urged consumers to go to the official Energy Made Easy website to get a better deal, with the latest data showing
Aubrey may have formed a connection with the Clarence Town-Dungog area by serving in the 2/2nd Battalion as this Battalion had drawn enlistees mainly from the Newcastle and northern NSW areas.
In 1946 he married a
a rise in the residential electricity customers using hardship programs.
Nationals senator Matt Canavan said it was a "huge gap and scandal" that the Australian Energy Market Operator could not model whether power prices would be lower in five years time as renewable energy takes over.
Giving evidence to the Senate inquiry into energy planning and regulation, AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman said he "can't guarantee" power bills will fall.
The latest system plan sets out the new generation, energy storage and transmission needed to achieve net zero by 2050, at a cost of $122 billion, not including the costs of building new poles and wires.
"We work to the national electricity objectives designed to promote the efficient investment and operation of energy services in the long-term interests of consumers," Mr Westerman said.
The plan for the development of the power system is required to deliver reliability and security and reflects government policy settings, including emissions reduction targets.
AEMO's executive general manage for system design Merryn York said they follow a "least-cost" pathway under the market-
local Dungog girl, Miss Vera May McFadyen.
Aubrey and Vera had several children and some of his family remained in Dungog.
Aubrey died on 30 January 1987 in Maitland Hospital after a heart attack.
based system, which "should deliver the lowest price".
In April, the nation's energy ministers agreed to expand the approach to include demand forecasting for consumer energy resources such as rooftop solar and electric vehicles, as well as the interactions between electricity and gas.
"The pathway that Australia is on is a very common one," Mr Westerman said.
More recently, governments have requested AEMO take on new functions to further support the energy transition, he said, including the capacity investment scheme designed to boost renewable sources by 2030.
But energy giants have called for reforms to how the national electricity market operates beyond 2030, by which time it should be operating with 82 percent renewables under existing targets.
Leading in opinion polls ahead of the 2025 federal election, the opposition plans to roll out seven nuclear reactors to replace ageing coal-fired power plants.
Coalition leader Peter Dutton says the first nuclear plants could be operational by 2035 to 2037, with coalfired power kept running for longer to plug the generation gap.
He was buried in the Dungog General Cemetery (Presbyterian Section) as a returned soldier from WW2. His headstone is a cement plinth with a bronze plaque erected by the Office of Australian War Graves.
By Jennifer DUDLEYNICHOLSON, AAP
NUCLEAR power plants
could take up to fifteen years to establish in Australia and facilities to dispose of highlevel nuclear waste twice as long, an inquiry has heard.
Waste produced by the power plants might have to be stored at the nuclear sites in the meantime, experts said, until "deep geological facilities" could be developed.
The forecasts were revealed at the Nuclear Power Generation inquiry in Canberra last Thursday, which heard government agencies and departments had started to analyse and assess nuclear power proposals for Australia.
The probe comes five months after federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton announced plans to establish seven nuclear power plants across the country if his party won government at the next election.
But the announcement did not reveal the cost or potential delivery date for the energy technology.
International Atomic Energy Agency predicted nuclear power plants would take 10 to 15 years to build in Australia, Department of Energy spokeswoman Clare McLaughlin told the inquiry.
"Their estimation is... if there were to be a removal of the moratorium (on nuclear
energy), the soonest that Australia could conceivably be producing nuclear power would be in the late 2030s," she said.
"You're talking about a range between 2035 and 2040 and some of that will depend on the period that you take for community consultation, as well as establishing the regulatory and institutional frameworks that you need to do to implement that policy."
The agency's timeline mirrored experiences in other parts of the world, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency chief executive Gillian Hirth said.
"If you look at international case studies of recent rollouts of nuclear power programs, the United Arab Emirates, I think they reached their national position statement in about 2008," she said.
"They switched on their first of four nuclear power plants in 2020 and they switched on the fourth in 2024, so a 15 (to) 16-year time frame."
The UAE's first nuclear power plant was held up by a lack of skilled workers, Dr Hirth said, and Australia could face similar workforce hurdles, particularly because of its nuclear submarine commitments.
"We do have the technical competence... but with the
AUKUS program running concurrently, workforce would certainly present some challenges," she said.
Australia would need to make changes to deal with "high-level waste" from nuclear power plants, Australian Radioactive Waste Agency policy general manager Mark Weaver said, because the nation had no facilities able to deal with the material.
By Kat WONG, AAP
THOUSANDS of Australians with old phones will not be able to make any calls or texts as the major telcos shut down their 3G networks.
In a bid to boost the speed, capability and reliability of their 4G and 5G system,
TPG Telecom/Vodafone have recently turned off 3G.
Telstra and Optus followed suit on Monday.
Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has urged all Australians to check and, if needed, upgrade their tech.
Telcos have been
preparing for the closures since 2019, but the official shutdown has been delayed twice due to concerns over a particular type of phoneoften purchased overseas or second hand - that cannot connect to triple zero on newer networks.
These handsets use 4G
An underground facility to handle high-level waste had been established in Finland, Mr Weaver said, but it had taken 30 years.
"The time frames for developing waste disposal facilities, particularly deep geological facilities, go to the decades," he said.
In the meantime, nuclear waste would likely be stored at the nuclear plants, Mr Weaver said.
But Liberal MP Ted O'Brien argued the nation would need a "permanent storage solution for military high-level radioactive waste" under its AUKUS plan and Australia already had obligations under international nuclear safety agreements.
Established in October, the inquiry is expected to probe the financial, technical, legal and environmental
implications of switching from renewable to nuclear energy.
Labor MP and chair Dan Repacholi said the inquiry would hold public hearings in the seven regional towns near proposed nuclear sites: Mount Piper and Liddell in NSW, Loy Yang in Victoria, Tarong and Callide in Queensland, Port Augusta in South Australia and Collie in Western Australia.
pick-up match on the school field.
passion for soccer.”
“We have 90 students enrolled at the school and they are like one big sporting family,” Mr Pearson said.
“The soccer team were outstanding ambassadors for our school and worked so hard together to win the trophy.”
Booral’s winning squad comprised nine Year Six pupils, two students each from Years Four and Five plus one Year Three player.
“Every recess and lunch break you’ll find the students kicking a football around in a
for regular calls and texts, but 3G for the emergency line, with fears many would not experience issues until they attempted to call the emergency line after the network's closure.
"If you or someone you know has one of these 3G devices, please take action now and contact your service provider," Ms Rowland said.
"My department will continue to work with the telcos during the switchover process to ensure it occurs
“A competition like this brings the young kids together and it's encouraging to see the senior pupils mixing with the juniors and building strong friendship bonds.”
Booral’s championshipwinning squad features several promising Maitland juniors and Port Stephens Zone representatives.
The camaraderie developed by the players during the pick-up games on home turf was evident throughout the tournament.
After posting a 3-1 first
in a safe and effectively managed manner."
To address the 60,000 affected phones in circulation, a new federal law will also come into effect on Monday, forcing telcos to disconnect voice and data services on these devices.
Australians can find out if their phones are affected by texting "3" to the number 3498.
The shutdown will also impact devices such as smart watches and medical alarms.
round victory over Gresford Public School the Booral team slammed Stroud Public School 9-2 in the round of sixteen and Hinton Public School 17-1 in a quarter final.
In the semi-final they showed their class and spirit to roll O’Connell Public School 4-1.
They stepped up again in the trophy decider to sink a well-drilled Ulmarra side in a thrilling contest.
“All the squad deserve special praise and the entire community is proud of their incredible achievement,” Mr Pearson added.
For five years, mobile service providers have made efforts to advise affected customers and urged them to upgrade any technology reliant on 3G.
All telcos have offered handset replacement options, with some providing free devices for vulnerable members of the community.
Tasmania will be the first state to have its 3G network switched off and the other parts of the nation will be turned off by November 4.
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 jackpotting by $50 twice a week if not won.
By Chris KARAS
REGULAR pick-up soccer matches in the schoolyard have inspired a momentous sporting achievement for a batch of pupils at Booral Public School.
Established in 1865, the family-orientated community school has created history by winning its first-ever NSW Primary Schools Sports Association Small Schools Football Knockout tournament.
Competing in the Division Three category for schools with 61-100 students, Booral defeated Ulmarra Public School 4-3 in an epic final to bring home the silverware. In a massive accomplishment the fourteen player squad of Toby, Seth, Oliver, Lily, Logan, Alex, Zac, Bailey, Ashton, Mac, Cruz, Koby, Charlie and Jaxon produced superb team efforts to claim the title.
School principal Anthony Pearson told News Of The Area that the team was a tight-knit group with “a real
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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