Gloucester District News Of The Area 18 December 2024
MIDCOAST Council Deputy Mayor Jeremy Miller has been announced as an independent candidate for the seat of Lyne in the 2025 Federal Election.
On Sunday, Independent Lyne revealed Mr Miller as their chosen candidate after “an extensive search”.
“I’m thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as the community independent candidate,” Mr Miller said. “Independent Lyne is a
group of volunteers who have been working for over a year, holding hundreds of conversations right across our electorate, and now they’ve chosen me to represent our community.
“That’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.
“My loyalty is to the people of Lyne, not a political party, so I will consult with the Lyne community about issues
q Gloucester Public School’s School Spectacular group. Photo: supplied.
Wendy BUSWELL
John WATTS 0438 346 544 watts@newsofthearea.com.au
NEWS Of The Area wishes to correct information printed in our 6 November edition ('Exploring Gloucester's heritage architecture', p13).
The Gloucester & District Historical Society wishes to clarify the following points:
• Gloucester was only an outpost cattle station for the Australian Agricultural Company until its land was released for settlement in 1903.
• There are no convictbuilt sandstone structures to be found
here. St Clement's Anglican Church was a brick structure; the bricks were made by Thomas Crick at a clay pit and kiln sited in the vicinity of Gloucester Caravan Park and the builders were from Stroud.
• St Clement's church was consecrated in 1860 (not 1838) and
MILLER STEPS UP
FROM Page 1
before the parliament and be accountable to the electorate for my decisions.
“My record will be transparent to everyone; no fancy promises, just practical action and real results for our community.”
Mr Miller moved to the MidCoast area in 1995 and has worked locally at radio station 2RE/ MAX-FM, the Manning
Entertainment Centre, the Business Enterprise Centre and Hot Chilli Events and Marketing.
He was also Deputy Head of Operations for World Youth Day 2008, co-creator and Executive Producer of the Australian Event Awards and Executive Director of Monkey Baa Theatre Company.
This is his second term on MidCoast Council.
“I’ve been rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck into local community projects since the 1990s, always looking for practical ways to make things better through my time on the radio, running local events, managing the Manning Entertainment Centre and serving on Council,” he said.
“I'm married to a local teacher, we've raised three kids here, and there's
demolished in 1945 as it fell into disuse after St Paul's Anglican Church was built in the growing town in 1909.
• The photograph accompanying the article is of the Presbyterian Church, built in 1903.
• Gloucester Courthouse is of rusticated weatherboard and
nowhere else we'd rather be.”
Independent Lyne Chair Gillian Calvert said Mr Miller was “not a typical politician”.
“He is just someone who loves this place and gets things done,” she said.
“Whether it was helping build community facilities, running major events, or solving problems on Council, he has always focused on bringing people together and finding practical solutions,” Ms Calvert said.
built in 1908 (not 1882).
• Building in Gloucester, mostly in the 1920s, has given us the many attractive federationstyle weatherboard buildings as Ms Robertson describes. They reflect the flourishing local timber industry.
“Jeremy Miller is wellknown in the Manning area as an energetic small business owner and throughout the MidCoast Council area as Deputy Mayor.
“He is the candidate we need to represent our community and we’re delighted he is standing for Lyne.”
Mr Miller also contested the 2019 federal election as an independent, taking just over five percent of the vote.
NAPLAN ‘one aspect’ of Gloucester Public’s success
FROM Page 1
measure to ensure students are meeting educational outcomes.
Ms Wakefield was not surprised by the results released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
She explained that significant efforts have been made in the classroom to enhance students' skills.
Explicit instruction has been implemented, particularly with Numeracy, which she believes has positively impacted students' understanding of mathematical
concepts.
Unlike inquiry-based learning, which focuses on students discovering information for themselves, explicit instruction involves teachers clearly explaining and modelling what to do and how to do it.
"We are seeing the results with this teaching pedagogy and will be moving into Literacy next year.”
Achieving academic success is just one aspect of the Gloucester Public School philosophy.
"We are interested in how the whole person grows.”
The school offers several creative and sporting programs for students.
One such program is the annual NSW Department of Education School Spectacular, or School Spec, as it is known.
"Our involvement in School Spec is a great opportunity for our students to develop additional skills."
The School Spectacular is a showcase highlighting the talent of students in NSW public schools.
It is held each year at Quodus Bank Arena in Sydney.
Gloucester Public School's involvement in School Spec began in 2014.
This year, twelve students from Years 4, 5 and 6 travelled to Sydney to be part of the combined choir.
Susie McLeod has been Gloucester Public’s School Spectacular co-ordinator since 2018.
"We are given the music to learn, and then students rehearse during one lunchtime and one afternoon a week,” she said.
"It is a big commitment for the students and their families.”
"School Spec is an amazing experience,” said Ellyza, Year 5.
“I have gone two times, and both times have boosted my confidence. I am planning on going a third time.
“My older sister went twice, and I was starstruck by all the kid's talent. I love Spec, and my sister and I share an amazing hobby through it."
Maggie Compton, Year 6, said, "My favourite part was the performances as we made smiles on people's faces as they watched.”
Ms Mcleod said that this year Gloucester Public School was on the main stage, “which was so exciting for the students”.
Outstanding academic success, involvement in the School Spectacular and outstanding sporting achievements were all celebrated at the annual Presentation Night.
q Mr Miller with Independent Lyne volunteers ahead of Sunday’s announcement.
A very ‘special’ Aussie Carols
By John WATTS
IT was a beautiful warm evening, crowned with a magnificent full moon, as many families gathered for
Carols by Candlelight at the Gloucester Showground on Sunday, 15 December.
Carols by Candlelight is organised each year by the Combined Churches of
Gloucester, and was simulcast via Bucketts Radio.
Emcees for this year were James Brooks and Ty Soupidis.
The Christmas story was given a very Aussie theme with the angel telling the drovers who were “keeping an eye on their mob of sheep that night” to “stop looking like a bunch of stunned mullets.”
James Brooks’ hat was surrounded by dangly corks
– a well-known Aussie fly repellent.
The program featured all the usual carolling favourites such as “O Come all ye faithful”, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night”.
The evening featured a display of musical talent from
Gloucester and Barrington schools.
Popcorn, zooper doopers, drinks and sausage sangers were provided by a team of volunteers, as were battery operated candles.
“Carols by Candlelight was always part of my family’s
“Being
Wonderings at Gloucester Gallery
By Wendy BUSWELL
CHRISTINE Onward is an Old Bar artist who began painting around six years ago to spend more time with her daughter, who is also an artist.
“Wonderings” is Christine's second exhibition at the Gloucester Gallery, the first being in 2022.
"I visited the gallery in 2019 to view an exhibition by Yvette Hugil and felt a strong connection with the space,” she said.
“I wanted to show my art at the Gloucester Gallery from that moment.”
Her current exhibition invites viewers to "reconnect with their inner child and explore
realms of fantasy and joy."
Christine explained that her Eastern European heritage, South African naïve artists Justin Abelman and Glendine, and her current life living by the sea, have all inspired “Wonderings”.
"It is a mix of my origins, my life by the beach, and the whimsy of naïve artists.
“My painting titled Summertime Love is a tribute to Abelman's work.
"Each painting tells a story, but I want the viewers to create their own narrative as they engage with the work.
“Each piece invites you to step into a realm of wonder, where the boundaries of time and space dissolve."
In addition to her canvas paintings, Christine has a collection of painted rocks.
"Painting on rocks gives me freedom of expression.
"Every rock is unique, and they are both tactile and visual.
“It is a very different experience compared to painting on canvas. There are not the constraints.
“Each rock has a story, and the image I paint reflects my connection to each individual rock."
Her canvas and rock art invites you to find solace in the beauty of the unknown.
Wonderings can be viewed at Gloucester Gallery until 29 December, 2024.
Christmas tradition growing up,” one mother of three children told News Of The Area.
able to attend this event in Gloucester, and to share it with my own kids, is very special.”
q Artist Christine Onward. Photo: supplied.
q An array of musical talent took to the stage.
q Families gather for Gloucester’s Carols by Candlelight
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Open mic raises funds and awareness
AN open mic night held at Club Gloucester on Saturday, 16 November raised key funds for local breast and prostate cancer awareness groups.
Holly Bowden from Regional Australia Bank in Gloucester organised the musical event.
“These groups are a very special part of the Gloucester community as not only do they raise funds for people and families who are affected by breast and prostate cancer, they support everyone in need of support/financial help,”
Holly told NOTA.
“I was honoured to be
able to raise an incredible $1,757.20 to be split between the two groups.
“It was a very successful night and I would like the patrons of Gloucester to know that their support means the world and I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful community.”
Holly said the night featured a fantastic array of music by local artists.
“We also played trivia and had some awesome prizes supplied by our local businesses for the raffle and lucky door prize.
“The atmosphere was fantastic and we had
reports from the crowd that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“I would like to give a shout out to Regional Australia Bank for
supporting me through the organisation of this night.”
Holly hopes to see more open mic nights organised in Gloucester in
the near future, providing an opportunity for local talent to “thrive and do what they love”.
Gloucester High School 50-year reunion
By Wendy BUSWELL
AS the Gloucester High School Class of
2024 completed the HSC, another group of Gloucester High alumni gathered for their 50-year
reunion.
The 55 members of the Class of 1974, both local attendees and those who travelled from Victoria and southern NSW, came together to reminisce about past experiences.
"Some of the attendees had not been in contact for a long time, so it was great catching up," co-organiser Phil Maslen told News Of The Area.
"A 50-year reunion is a milestone worth
celebrating.
“We had to have name tags; people had changed over the years," he said with a laugh.
The group enjoyed dinner at the Gloucester Bowling Club and continued their celebrations at a breakfast in Billabong Park.
"There were so many stories to tell, and one dinner didn't give us enough time.
"Many of the group have had fascinating
lives."
The gathering also included a moment of remembrance for classmates who have passed away.
"It makes you reflect on your life and the importance of gatherings like this."
When asked if there would be another reunion in ten years, Phil suggested, "Maybe every two years might be a better idea."
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q Former GHS students and reunion attendees: Photo supplied.
q John Dean, Janelle Green (nee Redman), Lynne Dawson (nee Stevens) and Judith Barrett (nee Higgins). Photo supplied.
q Carol Dwyer, Holly Bowden and Steve Pennicuik.
Don't let pests take over
HUNTER Local Land Services is encouraging landholders to take advantage of support to tackle feral pigs and pest animals on their property.
“The more landholders that take part in control programs, the more successful we all will be in reducing pest animal numbers and their impacts to agriculture and ecosystems,” said Luke Booth, Team Leader Invasive Species.
“The pest problem won’t go away unless more landholders become involved in controlling them.
“That’s the only way to protect your livestock, crops, pastures, waterways and wetlands.
“Our programs enable us to work closely with landholders to expand these efforts and get more people involved in managing pest populations.”
Luke said while there are many methods available for the control of pest animals, a single method of control used in isolation will not get the results many landholders are after.
“Speak to any primary producer across the region and chances are they’ll be able to tell you how destructive and damaging
feral pigs and deer and other pest animals are to their enterprise, as well as the local environment.
“Targeted and strategic aerial shooting in designated hot spots provides a great opportunity to significantly reduce feral pig and deer populations.”
Hunter Local Land Services have recently implemented an aerial control program in the Merriwa and Cassilis areas.
The aerial control operation builds on significant work done through last year’s Feral Pig Program funding and also the ongoing annual aerial and ground programs that have been undertaken since the fire recovery program in 2020.
The recent aerial control program in Merriwa and Cassilis was prioritised due to the high pig densities in these areas, which are impacting
valuable agricultural assets.
“The Upper Hunter is an area which has strong involvement by landholders in feral pig control activities and the aerial program expected to achieve significant cumulative impact from this and previous control efforts and this area of aerial operations complements other groundbased control programs in this and adjoining areas,” Luke said.
In this aerial program 54 holdings were involved, covering 59,749 hectares, with 67 hours flying time.
The results of the program included the removal of 3,105 pigs, 231 deer (fallow and red), 39 foxes and six cats.
“Our biosecurity team can offer tailored advice suited to your property and can help in coordinating group programs with your neighbours.”
Local Land Services is currently delivering the 202425 $13.1 million Feral Pig and Pest Program on behalf of the NSW Government.
Support available to landholders includes:
• help to coordinate control programs with you and your neighbours
• free skill building events to equip you with the latest tools and advice to manage pest animals
• free Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training (VPIT) courses
• supply of free feed grain to eligible landholders at no cost
• free hire of monitoring and trapping equipment (subject to availability).
q High population densities of feral pig and other invasive animals have an impact on farms and the environment.
The meaty history of the mince pie
By Kimberley G CONNOR, Food Historian and Historical Archaeologist
THIS year as you sit down to a well-deserved cup of tea and a mince pie, or leave a plate out for Santa, take a moment to think about the centuries of history behind this Christmas staple.
During the medieval period it was common to mix meat or even fish with expensive imported ingredients like sugar, dried fruit and spices.
Recipes of this type, sometimes called ‘shrid’ pies, are included in some of the earliest English recipes collections.
By the end of the 16th century the pies had acquired both their modern name (‘minst pyes’ in The Good Haus-wives Treasurie, 1588) and the strong connection with Christmas which meant they were sometimes also
called Christmas pies.
Early modern recipes continued to have a good proportion of meat - veal or beef, mutton or even tonguebut they called for more and more fruit, spices and sugar.
Shipped from the Middle East, the East Indies and the Americas, these ingredients were a way to show off wealth and good taste.
For families that could only afford them once or twice a year then Christmas was the time.
Since then, as those ingredients became cheaper and as the combination of meat and sweet fruit became less fashionable the meat has all but disappeared from mince pies.
The only reminders of mince pies' meaty history are the name, and the suet (kidney fat) which is still found in many recipes but can be replaced with butter for vegetarians.
If you’re not avoiding meat this season, however, why not add some meat to your mince pies with this seventeenth century recipe?
Not only does it cut down on the sickly sweetness of modern mince pies, but it’ll be a great conversation starter over a glass of eggnog.
The following is a mincemeat recipe based on My Lady of Portland’s Mince Pyes from ‘The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby, Knight Opened’ (1669).
• 113g cooked beef, veal or tongue, diced (great for using up leftovers from roast beef or lamb or similar)
• 227g suet
• 170g currants
• Peel of 1/8 lemon, diced
• 2/3 green apple, cored and grated
• 1 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/3 tsp mace, grated
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup rosewater
• 40g sugar
• 1/4 cup sherry
• Candied citron and orange peel, sliced
• Dates, sliced
• Caraway seeds
To make the mincemeat,
combine the meat, suet, currants, lemon, apple, ground spices, sugar and rosewater in a large bowl.
When making the pies, prepare shortcrust pastry cases and fill them with mincemeat then place slices of candied citrus peel and a sprinkle of caraway seeds before covering with the lid. You can make either more modern small pies or, for a more traditional feel, make one large pie in a pietin.
For more historical recipes, see Kimberley’s blog Turnspit & Table at www. turnspitandtable.com.
q Mince pies ready for baking.
BEST ON THE BOX
SUNDAY CHRISTMAS WITH DELTA
NBN, 7pm
Now in its fifth year, this holiday concert is becoming a Christmas tradition. Australian music royalty Delta Goodrem (pictured) returns with a blend of highlights from past Christmas specials and new performances. This year, Delta and her musically talented friends are ringing in the season in Hollywood, with Josh Groban, “Kid at Christmas” crooners Calum Scott and Christina Perri, Howie from the Backstreet Boys, Men at Work’s Colin Hay, chef Curtis Stone and Aussie DJ Fisher just some of the stars taking to the stage.
FRIDAY, December 20
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. Alice Zaslavsky is joined by Andrea Lam.
6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 A (Very) Musical Christmas.
9.00 The Yearly With Charlie Pickering. (R) A look back at 2024. 10.00 Neighbours Does Hard Quiz. (Final, PG, R)
10.30 The Cleaner. (Ml, R)
11.30 Grand Designs: House Of The Year: Hard To Build Houses. (R)
12.20 Rage Best New Releases 2024. (MA15+adhnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.50 Robot Wars. 9.50 Doctor Who. 10.50 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Every Family Has A Secret. (PGa, R)
MONDAY
CHRISTMAS AT GRACELAND
SBS, 7.35pm
Produced by Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, Christmas at Graceland celebrates the festive season at the singer’s famed family home. Big-name music stars are joining the fun, performing Christmas songs and Elvis classics in locations throughout the home and grounds: from the “jungle room” to the pool and “chapel in the woods”. Performers include Alanis Morrisette, Rey, Post Malone (pictured), John Kacey Musgraves and Lainey
This special also includes neverbefore-seen home movies of Elvis and his family, while some iconic friends of the King of Rock’n’Roll share their memories of Christmas at Graceland –his favourite time of year.
TUESDAY A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS
ABC TV, 8.05pm
In comparison to the lighter Christmas fare that rolls around A Boy
Called Christmas is unafraid to embrace darker elements, while still retaining the necessary spirit of the season. In this original story, a boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull, pictured) sets out on a quest to the snowy north to find his father, and encounters extraordinary adventures along the way with the help of a reindeer and a pet mouse. Featuring a fabulous cast, including the late, great icon of British cinema, Maggie Smith, as well as a positive message, this is a movie sure to ignite some festive Christmas cheer.
8.35 Marlon Brando In Paradise.
9.35 Kennedy. (Final, PG)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 De Gaulle. (Premiere, Ma)
11.55 Kin. (MA15+dlv, R)
1.55 Miniseries: Too Close. (Madls, R)
2.50 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGa, R)
3.55 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Juliet Love revamps a cluttered laundry.
8.30 MOVIE: Jaws. (1975, Mlv, R) A police chief, a game fisherman and a marine biologist set out to hunt down a giant killer shark that is terrorising beachgoers in a small seaside community, despite a lack of support from the local mayor. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw.
11.00 MOVIE: Underwater. (2020, Mlv, R)
1.00 Taken. (Mav, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Find My Beach House Australia. Hosted by Shelley Craft.
8.30 MOVIE: Jingle All The Way. (1996, PGv, R) A man searches for a Christmas present. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad.
10.15 MOVIE: Parenthood. (1989, Mas, R) Steve Martin.
12.35 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 Summer. (PG, R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Celebrity guests include Demi Moore. 8.40 MOVIE: Daddy’s Home 2. (2017, PGals, R) Two men plan to have the perfect Christmas, but when their fathers arrive, their holiday is turned into chaos. Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson. 10.40 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather.
11.05 The Project. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
Children’s
6.00
SATURDAY, December 21
6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Interstellar Ella. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 6.45 Fireman Sam. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death. 8.00 The Crystal Maze. 8.45 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.30 Speechless. 9.50 Officially Amazing. 10.20 Teen Titans Go! 10.45
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Magical Train Journeys In Switzerland. (PGn) 8.30 Christmas At Longleat. 9.25 Tis The Season: The Holidays On Screen. (Mal, R) 10.55 Great Australian Railway Journeys. (R) 12.05 Miniseries: The Dark Heart. (Mal, R)
2.40 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 3.30 Make Me A Dealer. (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 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. The team counts down to Carols In The Domain with a Christmas camping celebration. 8.00 Carols In The Domain. (PG) Coverage of Carols In The Domain from Sydney. Featuring The Wiggles, Samantha Jade and many others.
6am Home Shopping. 8.30 Travel Oz. 10.00 Escape To The Country. Noon The Yorkshire Vet. 1.00 I Escaped To
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: Central Intelligence. (2016, Mlsv, R) Dwayne Johnson. 9.40 MOVIE: Vacation. (2015, MA15+ln, R) Ed Helms.
11.35 MOVIE: The Dunes. (2021, MA15+alsv, R)
1.10 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGs, 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)
6.00 Jamie’s Christmas Shortcuts. (R) Jamie Oliver transforms leftovers. 7.00 The Dog House. (PGa, R) The team makes a doggy Christmas dinner. 9.00 The Dog Hospital With Graeme Hall. (PGm) A five-year-old dachshund has become very unsteady on its back legs and requires surgery. 10.00 Ambulance Australia. (Maln, R) A crash results in a broken leg, but paramedics fear the patient may also have spinal cord injuries. 11.00 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) It is a busy shift for the ambulance service. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am Go! (2020)
(64)
6am Morning Programs.
SUNDAY, December 22
(MA15+s) 9.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R)
You Can’t Ask That. (Ma, R)
New Leash On Life. (R) 1.10 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.05 Australia Remastered: Forces Of Nature. (R) 4.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales. (Final, PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Tsunami 2004: The Day The Wave Hit. (Ma)
9.20 Jonathan Ross’ Myths And Legends. (PGa, R)
10.15 Curse Of The Ancients. (Mav, R)
11.05 Napoleon: In The Name Of Art. (Mans, R) 1.00 Rise Of The Nazis: Dictators At War. (Mav, R)
2.10 Love Your Garden. (R)
3.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.30 Bamay. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Christopher Reeve, The Eternal Superman. 9.40 WWE Legends. 11.15 Late Programs.
(32)
7.55 Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 9.30 Petite Maman. (2021, PG, French) 10.50 Nowhere Boy. (2009, M) 12.40pm The Comeback Trail. (2020, M) 2.35 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 4.40 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 6.55 A Hard Day’s Night. (1964, PG) 8.30 Last Cab To Darwin. (2015, M) 10.45 Nymphomaniac: Vol 1. (2013, MA15+) 12.55am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.25 A Hard Day’s Night. (1964, PG) 9.00 Walking On Sunshine. (2014, PG) 10.50 Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. (1994, M) 12.45pm We Might As Well Be Dead. (2022, M, German) 2.35 Go! (2020) 4.30 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 6.20 Little Women. (1994, PG) 8.30 Force Of Destiny. (2015, MA15+) 10.30 The Woodcutter Story. (2022, MA15+, Finnish) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 9. Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. (R) A look at tactics scammers use.
12.00 Miniseries: Patrick Melrose. (Final, MA15+a, R) Patrick confronts his resentment.
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Christmas With Delta. A Christmas concert with Delta Goodrem.
9.00 MOVIE: The Holiday. (2006, Mls, R) Two women who live on opposite sides of the Atlantic impulsively switch homes for Christmas. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law. 11.40 The Brokenwood Mysteries. (Mv) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) Religious program. 4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
MONDAY, December 23
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Christmas At Graceland.
8.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas.
10.10 How To Make It In Comedy. (MA15+l, R)
11.05 Dead Mountain: The Dyatlov Pass Incident. (MA15+av)
1.10 Wisting. (Malv, R)
2.00 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGa, R)
3.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
A Bite To
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 10. Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game.
11.00 Murder In A Small Town. (Mav) A murderer is on the loose.
12.00 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R) Neil and Simon start a business together. 1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (Ml, R)
8.30 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators. (MA15+alv, R) 9.30 Miniseries: Love Rat. (Premiere, PGal)
11.30 Chicago Med. (MA15+amv)
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.05 Drive TV. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
(R)
With Alice. (R) 6.00 A Bite To
3.55 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGav, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 5.15pm Supertato. 5.20 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 5.35 Peter Rabbit.
6am Little
TUESDAY, December 24
With
Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R)
ABC National News.
Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction Christmas Special. (PG) 8.05 MOVIE: A Boy Called Christmas. (2021, PG) 9.45 Believing In Australia. (Mns, R) 11.30 Ithaka: A Fight To Free Julian Assange. (Final, Mlv, R) 12.30 Keep On Dancing. (Final, R) 1.35 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 2.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 3.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.35 Rage Closer. (R) 3.40 Christmas In Australia With Christine Anu. (R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.30 A Bite To Eat. (R)
Women. Continued. (1994, PG) 7.10 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 9.15 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 11.30 Last Cab To Darwin. (2015, M) 1.45pm Selkie. (2000, PG) 3.25 A Hard Day’s Night. (1964, PG) 5.00 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 6.50 Thunderbirds Are GO. (1966, PG) 8.30 I Love You Too. (2010) 10.30 Destination Wedding. (2018, M) 12.05am Late Programs. 6am Thunderbirds Are GO. (1966, PG) 7.40 Selkie. (2000, PG) 9.20 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 11.10 Breathless. (1960, M, French) 12.50pm Cousins. (2021, M) 2.40 Little Women. (1994, PG) 4.50 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 6.35 The Secret Garden. (2020, PG) 8.30 Phar Lap. (1983) 10.40 My Old Lady. (2014, M) 12.40am Birds Of Passage. (2018, MA15+, Spanish) 3.00 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 7NEWS: Special.
7.30 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (PG, R) A show of military precision, entertainment, massed pipes and drum performances from Scotland.
9.30 MOVIE: Groundhog Day. (1993, PGal, R) A cynical TV weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again. Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott. 11.40 ABBA Vs Queen. (PGa, R) 12.40 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PGal, R)
Today Early News. 5.30 Today. 6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A
Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Sunday evening for publication on a Wednesday. Bowls, golf, tennis, kayaking, cycling, cross country, athletics, fishing etc - you name it, we can publish it in our dedicated weekly Sports Results section. Email your results, relevant photos and captions to media@newsofthearea.com.au.
WEDNESDAY,
December 25
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Kangaroo Beach. 6.15 Bluey. 6.30 Thomas And Friends. 6.40 The Adventures Of Paddington. 7.00 Fireman Sam. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 MOVIE: Scoob! (2020, PG) 9.10 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death. 9.40 Wallace And Gromit: A Grand Day Out. 10.00 Horrible Histories. 10.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.55 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 No Hamburg, No Beatles. (Mdns)
8.30 Rock Legends: ABBA. (R)
9.30 The Night Manager. (R)
10.35 Paul Newman: Always On The Move. (Malv, R)
11.35 Maxima. (Mav)
12.35 Pagan Peak. (MA15+a)
3.20 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PG, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Carols In The Domain. (PG, R) 9.30 Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant. (PG) 10.30 Mayor’s Christmas Carols. (PG) 11.30 St John Ambulance Carols By Candlelight. (PG, R) 2.00 Christmas With The Salvos. (PG, R) 2.30 MOVIE: A Christmas Number One. (2021, PGalsv, R) 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Force: Behind The Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Simon Reeve. 7.30 MOVIE: Love Actually. (2003, Mlns, R) Explores a series of interlocking vignettes about love and romance in Britain in the weeks before Christmas. Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley. 10.15 MOVIE: Last Christmas. (2019, PGals, R) An aspiring singer gains a new perspective. Emilia Clarke.
12.30 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (1989, Ml, R)
9.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Vacation. (1983, Mdl, R) Chevy Chase.
11.30 The King’s Christmas Message.
11.40 MOVIE: The Jazz Singer. (1980, G, R)
1.35 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 MOVIE: School Of Rock. (2003, PGl, R) A down-and-out rock guitarist takes a job as a substitute teacher at a prestigious primary school. Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White. 8.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 13. Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks. From Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney. 10.30 MOVIE: The Truman Show. (1998, PGla, R) A man is unaware his life is on TV. Jim Carrey, Laura Linney. 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. Morning news and talk show.
THURSDAY,
(R)
December 26
Bite To Eat With Alice. (PG, R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 4.55pm Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.10 Kangaroo Beach. 5.35 Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Zog. 6.55 Zog And The Flying Doctors. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 MOVIE: Pokémon Detective Pikachu. (2019, PG) 9.20 Secrets Of The Zoo. 10.00 Doctor Who. 10.50 Late Programs.
French Atlantic. 3.30 Cook Up. 4.00 The Lakes. 5.05 Jeopardy! 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 The Emerald Isles With Ardal O’Hanlon. (PGa, R)
9.30 Daddy Issues. (Mls)
10.30 Billy Joel: Live At Yankee Stadium. (PG, R)
12.05 DNA. (Mav)
1.00 Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late. (Mlnv, R)
SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Walk With Me. Continued. (2017, PG) 6.45 The Secret Garden. (2020, PG) 8.40 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 10.30 Destination Wedding. (2018, M) 12.05pm I Love You Too. (2010) 2.05 Thunderbirds Are GO. (1966, PG) 3.45 Phar Lap. (1983) 5.55 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (1968, PG) 8.30 Heartbreak Kid. (1993) 10.20 The Way Way Back. (2013, M) 12.15am Late Programs. 6am Courted. Continued. (2015, PG, French) 6.50 Arthur And The Two Worlds War. (2010, PG) 8.45 Phar Lap. (1983) 10.55 My Old Lady. (2014, M) 12.55pm Heartbreak Kid. (1993) 2.45 The Secret Garden. (2020, PG) 4.40 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 6.40 Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PG) 8.30 The Daughter. (2015, M) 10.20 Adoration. (2013, MA15+) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show. 10.30 Cricket. Fourth Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Morning session. 12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Fourth Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Fourth Test. Australia v India.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 11. Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars.
9.10 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 12. Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat. From Optus Stadium, Perth.
12.30 Criminal Confessions: The Worst Betrayal. (MA15+av, R)
A missing woman is discovered murdered in the backyard of her family home.
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger.
1.55 Miniseries: The Night Logan Woke Up. (MA15+dv, R) 4.10 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise. News, sport and weather.
6am Children’s Programs. 12.45pm MOVIE: Alice-Miranda: A
(34) 7MATE (64) 7MATE (64)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A
Cyclone Tracy: 50 Years On. (PGa)
Captivated. (Malsv)
Resident Alien. (Malv)
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 Dog House Australia: Tails Of Redemption. (PGa, R) Revisits some of the people from the
7.30 MOVIE: Mission: Impossible – Fallout. (2018, Mlv, R) A secret agent’s mission goes wrong. Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill. 10.25 MOVIE: The Incredible Hulk. (2008, Mv, R) A scientist transforms into a giant monster. Edward Norton. 12.40 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Dorin’s Draws
By Paul DORIN
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
I HAVE 45 people coming to my place for Christmas. Parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and three rescue dogs are descending on our doorstep. I'm stressed about how I'm going to feed everyone and worried some will want to stay overnight.
I don't have any extra room. Help!
Katie M.
Dear Katie,
I can tell, without even meeting you, that you are a reliable soul, a great host, and
you probably live on the coast within walking distance to a beach.
Chances are you also have a wellstocked bar and an inground pool.
Who wouldn't want to come and spend Christmas Day with you, and possibly extend the stay, maybe stretching it out until New Years' Eve, at which point it would be silly to leave because of the traffic.
No, far better for your extended family to start packing up around the 5th of January so they can go back to work on the 6th.
And, even though you will protest, with the modern version of, 'there's no room at the inn,' they will not heed you, nay, because your home is like a little Christmas miracle.
Your guests may try to sweeten the deal by bringing you gifts as useless as gold,
frankincense and myrrh (a tropical punch reed diffuser that makes your sinuses play up and some silver-plated cubic zirconia hoop earrings that bring out a rash), but don't be fooled.
They know the game, and they are playing it to their advantage.
And there you'll be, passing around beetroot dip and Artisan biscuits and tripping over Uncle Roger's gammy leg that's stretched out on the pouffe, but you'll soldier on, or rather glide, in your baby-blue sarong, with the grace and dignity of Mary because you're a doer, Katie.
You get things done.
On Boxing Day, while your guests alternate between lolling on a blow-up flamingo, sunning on the sun lounges, having 30-minute showers (can I have another towel, Katie?) or giving you plaintive 'what's for brunch?' looks, you'll be at Aldi stocking up on gluten-free
cereal (Uncle Roger's new girlfriend can't tolerate Weetbix, but doesn't mind a long-neck or two), more cheese and crackers (cousin Clara has built up quite an appetite doing laps) and another Christmas ham (Limos, the rescue Rottweiler named after the Greek god of hunger took off with the last one).
I feel you'll have to just soldier on with this Christmas.
You've made your bed (and everyone else's) and now you (and they) will lie in them (including Limos, whose PTSD has been miraculously soothed by your 1000-thread count sage sheets (who knew?).
Next Christmas, may I suggest a trip away (somewhere they can't find you).
And make sure you AirBnB your house just in case they are tempted to turn up and housesit.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Double demerits start Friday
DOUBLE Demerit points for the Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day period apply from this Friday 20 December until 1 January 2025.
Speeding, using a
mobile phone illegally, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or carrying passengers not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or
restraint will see you face double demerits during the enforcement period. The demerit point system provides an incentive for drivers to improve their driving behaviour, obey
road rules and comply with NSW traffic laws or the consequence is double the points, not double the fine. Drivers are also reminded that the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones for NSW School Term 4 continues to apply until Friday 20 December. For emergency updates and contacts if you are not familiar with the area you are visiting remember - if life
PM rubbishes Dutton's nuclear energy plan as 'farcical'
By Emily VERDOUW and Tess Ikonomou
IKONOMOU, AAP
PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese says Peter Dutton is "hiding from scrutiny" of his $330 billion nuclear energy plan by releasing it weeks before Christmas.
Mr Albanese also criticised the bill for the opposition leader's plan, telling journalists it would be fully funded by taxpayers "because no private sector investor will go anywhere near this".
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Friday announced the nuclear energy plan, which he said would lead to cheaper electricity for Australians.
Setting up seven reactors across five states would cost each of Australia's 13.6 million taxpayers more than $24,200.
There was no price modelling for power bills.
The prime minister condemned the policy's modelling, arguing public investment in "the most expensive form of energy"
would drive up electricity costs, not lower them.
"That's why he didn't come out with a single costing of what difference it would make for consumers," Mr Albanese told journalists on Saturday.
The coalition's nuclear energy plan will likely be beset with hurdles and delays, a leading environmental law expert warned.
The current prohibition on nuclear generators was the first obstacle and opposition from the states would create a "bunch of issues", Australian
National University professor Andrew Macintosh said.
The premiers of NSW, Victoria and Queensland have said they would not repeal their states' prohibitions on nuclear power plants, and WA Premier Roger Cook slammed the Liberal policy costings as a "con".
The federal government could acquire land to build the facilities, Professor Macintosh said, but that could be an "enormous debt" and wouldn't solve the gap caused by ageing coal-fired power stations retiring within the
decade.
"If you're wanting to make nuclear energy a large part in our generation capacity in the national electricity market, then you're going to have to do something to bridge the gap," he said.
"It's going to take a long time before you even get the first nuclear generator, let alone a whole fleet that's able to basically trade one for coal. We shouldn't kid ourselves."
Nuclear energy generation would be up to twice as expensive as large-scale solar, according
to analysis by the national science agency CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
The coalition has attacked Labor over high energy bills as households struggle with cost of living pressures.
The nation's coal power plants would be shut by 2038, according to the operator.
Prof Macintosh said decarbonisation of the power grid was going to cost a lot of money regardless, but generation from renewables was cheaper.
q The prime minister says private investors would shun the opposition's plan for nuclear reactors. Photo: Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS.
'Wholly achievable': calls grow for $10-a-day childcare
By Abe MADDISON, AAP
CALLS for further reforms to create a universal childcare system are mounting, after major government announcements to improve access for families.
Anthony Albanese has promised a re-elected Labor government would abolish the childcare activity test and offer three days of subsidised care to families earning up to $530,000 a year.
The proposal would scrap the activity test, which determines the level of childcare subsidies parents get based on the number of
hours they work, opening up childcare to an estimated 150,000 children.
Removing the activity test was "the first plank towards a truly universal system", Impact Economics and Policy lead economist Angela Jackson said.
"We can see very clearly that the current market just isn't working," Dr Jackson said.
Over the past year, childcare fees have increased by 10.6 percent, eroding the benefits of the $5 billion Cheaper Child Care Reforms introduced in July 2023.
"I think the next step is
Home advantage
STORY STARTS on BACK COVER Page 16
to avoid another qualifying stage or being knocked out altogether.
They return to Australia holding on to the second automatic qualifying place after Kusini Yengi equalised in the 96th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in November.
Football Australia boss James Johnson hopes a home crowd at Allianz will help lift the Socceroos over the line in their do-or-die clash.
The Sydney venue has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Australia, who beat United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the 2018 tournament qualifying series in their last match at the venue.
"We wanted to be in Sydney," Johnson said last
to really have a look at the way in which support for people using early childhood education and care has often failed to deliver in terms of access, quality and the cost, and whether or not we need some really fundamental reform," Dr Jackson said.
A $1 billion fund to build or expand more than 160 early childhood education and care services has also been announced, following parliament's approval of a 15 percent wage rise over two years for early childhood educators.
"I can't tell you how important this week was for
these kids who were missing out from disadvantaged backgrounds," Dr Jackson said.
The fund, which will prioritise not-for-profit and government centres, will give providers more security through direct funding and had genuine potential to eradicate the nation's childcare desert, The Parenthood's Maddy Butler said.
A childcare desert is an area where three or more children compete for one childcare place, and they predominantly exist in outersuburban, regional, rural and
SPORTS
week.
"We chose this match deliberately. It's a game that we think we can win.
"You saw what happened during the Women's World Cup. The stadium came to life. You see what happens every weekend when the A-League is playing here.
"We think we'll get a full house here and we think that the excitement and the energy in the stadium is going to help this team perform."
Newly capped Socceroo Anthony Caceres, who plays regularly at Allianz for
remote communities.
"The current early education market has failed country towns," Ms Butler said.
"Providers don't have the financial incentive to set up or stay open there and the early educator workforce means existing services often can't run at full capacity."
Jay Weatherill, from Minderoo Foundation's Thrive by Five campaign, said the fund was "what rural and outer-suburban communities have been crying out for".
"Not having access to childcare and early learning affects everyone, because parents can't get back to work when they want to, and local businesses and services suffer," the former South Australian premier said.
"The next step should be a commitment to free early learning for low income families and a $10-a-day cap on out-of-pocket fees for everyone else."
Labor is believed to be considering the cap as a federal election promise as it pursues its long-term goal of universal childcare.
Parents pay about $50 per child per day, and childcare was recently identified as the third fastest-growing cost in the Consumer Price Index.
Each time governments increased subsidies, the value of the gains was eroded by increases in the cost of care, Dr Jackson said.
"The current market settings encourage providers to charge higher fees, rather than drive more cost-effective and higher quality care," she said.
A supply-side system, where providers were funded based on service delivery costs and parents paid $10 to $20 per day, was "wholly achievable", she said.
"There are debates about whether… higher-income earners should contribute more, and I think you can have those debates within this context," she said.
Australian Childcare Alliance president Paul Mondo said rushing change increased the chance of getting it wrong and causing long-term damage to the sector that would be difficult
to reverse.
A report commissioned by the alliance found that if the costs of delivering highquality services weren't considered in supply-side funding, centres might be forced to take a minimalist approach to staffing.
"Universal application of a supply-side funding model would be complex and costly to get right, taking years to implement which is too late for many families struggling under the cost-of-living crisis that is happening now," Mr Mondo said.
Dr Jackson said there was no need to rush into a supplyside system and it could be delivered sensibly.
"We need to outline just how a universal system could work, and how it can be delivered in a way that we know the benefits of the additional government investment aren't going to be eroded," she said.
The government's proposals were a "gamechanger" that would mean thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children could access early education and care, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children chief executive Catherine Liddle said.
"The activity test effectively denied many children the opportunity to access crucial early learning services," she said.
"Our families are five times more likely to access only one day of care as a result of the activity test, and many families disengage completely because of the small amount of subsidised care available."
Dr Jackson said it was important to recognise that childcare was "a critical market for the Australian economy".
"It's the key mechanism by which we invest in the next generation of workers, but it is also a huge enabler in terms of participation of women," she said.
"So if we can get the market working in terms of the quality and the cost and access, then we can also help unlock a lot of economic potential."
A-League Men club Sydney FC, attested to the crowd atmosphere at the venue.
"For me, it's my favourite venue to play football at. The crowd there is amazing," Caceres said.
"The acoustics of the stadium really amplify the atmosphere, and it really drives you to perform at your best.
"It gives you an extra bit of energy when you need it, and that gets you over the line and helps you put in a performance worthy of the Socceroos."
Johnson is confident the time between the qualifying rounds will be enough for the Socceroos to move on from their Bahrain draw and for Popovic to take a breath following a hectic start to life as coach.
Australia will face China after Indonesia, then Japan and Saudi Arabia in June.
"It was a complicated start. He (Popovic) has got three months now to really take his time to settle down," Johnson said.
"That preparation going into the next window is only
going to benefit Tony, and I think he'll go from strength to strength, and so will this team.
"A victory at home against Indonesia won't be easy.
"Who would have thought four years ago that they would have a team, Indonesia, that could beat Saudi Arabia (in November)? Saudi Arabia only two years ago beat Argentina.
"We have every confidence that the team will go through directly, but of course, it's football."
q Anthony Albanese is making childcare access a central plank of Labor's re-election bid. Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS.
Gloucester Lady Bowlers
By Jennifer BURLEY
FOR the final day of bowls of the year we had a lovely roll up of players and friends enjoy great weather, morning tea, bowls with various challenges and many a laugh at the results achieved, a lovely lunch and a visit from Santa who had help from Mrs Clause.There was also a wide array of Christmas fashion on display to relax in.
On the serious side we
managed one game of Triples and two games of 4s, each of which had a swinger.
During the matches the Selectors had set a challenge for every 2nd end for a small reward.
Also the Ladies Committee provided hampers which were drawn for the winners and losers over the field, the lucky ladies were: Winning lead, Norma Relf. Winning 2nd, Paula
Congratulations to all. There was a sizable raffle with many a prize with 1st prize going to hard working Selector Colleen Atkins.
Congratulations to all other winners and thank you to the donors of same.
Thanks must go to the ladies who set the tables for our lunch, made the lovely decorations, yummy Christmas cake and biscuits, and to all who so willingly help to organize and tidy up after such an enjoyable day.
As this is the last report for 2024, Merry Christmas to one and all and may the New Year let the bowls run on the right "bias" and find the "Jack" often.
By George WISEMANTEL
A GOOD field of thirty players fronted on Thursday in typical summer conditions with the winning team being George Wisemantel, Adrian Rovere, Don Mehieloff def Allen Rose, Max Stevens, Michael Way 29-12 (20+17) runners up were Jason Cassidy, Robert Hayes, Nigell Johns def Mark Tull, Ben Philpott, Rob Gibson 27-16
(17+9) Stephen Hurworth (promoted to skip at last)
Ian Tull, Paul Young def Mark Groves, Terry Carson, Paul Sheridan 23-16 (15+7) Bob Charman, Alex Laurie, Karl Weiss def Tony Tersteeg, Norm McLeod, Garry Moss 23-19 (17+4) and Vic Hebblewhite, Gordon Pritchard, Harry Cox def Graham Turnbull, Steve Kriss, Jody Thompson 24-17 (16+4)
Golf Croquet Club
By Bev MURRAY
A BUSY couple of weeks brought the croquet competition year to an end.
The Club Championship had already been contested, now it was time to play Club Handicap Singles.
After a couple of withdrawals, we were left with only five to contest the event. Because of the expected warm weather two days had been set aside to complete all games.
Greg Bell, in only his second club competition, showed some excellent form,
having four straight wins. Greg was closely followed by Ashleigh Hickman and Chris Sims both on equal wins, but Chris ended up coming in second place with a net of only -2.
Closely behind Chris and Ashleigh were Bev Fagan and Lyn Stewart, also on equal wins.
As always, we were privileged to see some great croquet.
Congratulations too to Ashleigh Hickman who broke her handicap. Well done, Ash!
The following week it was
Saturday mixed bowls resulted in a landslide victory for Dennis Bartlett and Joan Ridgeway who def Max Stevens and Ruth Redman 33-7 (17+26) Tony Tersteeg, Joy Hurworth, Sue Cross def Chris Pritchard, Julie Kriss, Penny Gibson 17-10 (14+7) Di Pritchard, Jenny Stevens def Steve Kriss, Rob Gibson 22-16 (14+6) and Adrian Rovere overshadowed his opposing
skip in the early exchanges to combine with Rob Cushway, John Andrews (swinger) to play a 15 all draw with Stephen Hurworth, Nigell Johns, John Andrews.
The Hurworth / Pfeifer Christmas hamper men's bowls day will be played on Thursday 19 December and the entry sheet is on the board along with the mixed fours commencing in 2025 and Australia Day mixed triples which will be followed by the traditional Australia Day BBQ.
on to the Presidents Cup, a Handicap Doubles event.
This was played as a double round robin.
Again, results were very close but resulted in a win for
Ashleigh Hickman and Greg Bell.
Bev Fagan and Chris Sims came away as the runners-up.
Also playing in this event were Al Minis and Dianne
Falla and Higgins in women’s golf win
By Carolyn DAVIES
IT WAS another great day on the golf course with Susie Higgins continuing her run of top form on Wednesday, 11 December, winning Division 2 with 28 points in the Gloucester Golf Ladies' 12- hole Summer Competition. Her score of 28 points was matched by Gai Falla who was the winner in Division 1.
Close behind the leaders was Lesly Harrison, taking the first of the balls with a score of 27 points.
Shanley.
By Peter WILDBLOOD
THE standout performance on Saturday 14 December at the Gloucester Golf Club was Bill Murray with a score that the handicappers at Golf Australia will want to know about, a full six points ahead of the field.
The day itself was hot and steamy although perhaps not quite as warm as the previous few days. The course presented in its customary great condition.
The event was an Individual Stableford and was sponsored by Club Gloucester. The winners in the three grades were Brian McInnes, 36 in A grade, Jeff Reynolds, 37, in B grade and the standout winner in C grade was Bill Murray with a whopping 43 points; the best women golfer on the paddock was Karen Howarth with her 35 points.
Balls were won by Bill Murray 43, Paul Griffith 39, Jeff Reynolds and Doug Barron 37, Brian McInnes and Peter Markey 36, and Karen Howarth and Randall Buckley, 35.
The Nearest-to-the-Pins at the 4th and 13th holes were won by Trevor Sharp in A grade and Steve Benson in C grade finishing 228 cm and 170 cm from the hole respectively. Trevor Sharp backed up at the shorter 6th and 15th holes ending up 622 cm from the hole while Steve
Burns, 690 cm, in B grade and Bill Murray, 299 cm, in C grade took home the NTP trophies.
The long drives at the 8th and 17th fairways were won by Steve Williams, Randall Buckley, Paul Garland and Dale Rabbett representing the three men’s grades and the club’s women golfers.
The Super Sevens for the week ending Friday 13 December was won by Wayne Maddalena with a handy 18 points. Balls were won by Rod Burrows 17, Wayne Maddalena 16, Chris Steele 14 and, on a count back Dave Mann, 13.
On Saturday 21 December IGA will sponsor their annual Christmas Cheer Day in the form of an Individual Stableford while on 28 December the Gloucester Veteran Golfers will sponsor the final Saturday event of the year, a Two Ball Aggregate Stableford.
Rabbett picked up another win in the Veteran Golfers Tuesday outing on 10 December and did so with style, some six points
Balls were also won
This was Dianne’s first competition event, and she certainly showed great skill and strategy. We are sure to be seeing a lot more of Dianne in the ensuing year.
Apart from regular Monday and Thursday play, next on our calendar will be our Christmas Lunch and
Murray in monster golf win Stylish win Gloucester Men's Bowls
The event was an Individual Stableford, the second round of the Gloucester Veteran Golfers Summer Cup; it was sponsored by Rod
by Moya Harris
and Julie Paterson both scoring 26 points.
Julie was obviously in fine form, taking out the Nearest-to-the-Pin on the 4th and 13th holes; no player managed to hit the green on the 15th hole.
The course was in excellent condition, a credit to Rossi, the greenkeeper and his band of volunteers.
This Wednesday, 18 December, is the last game of the year for the Gloucester Golf Ladies, celebrating with a game of golf followed by lunch.
The Summer Competition will restart on Wednesday 8 January 2025.
Presentation. This will be at Club Gloucester, 12 noon, on Friday 20 December.
Following lunch and weather permitting, we will go to the courts and enjoy the last afternoon of social play for this year.
Croquet wishes a Safe and Happy Christmas to all.
Burrows and played in hot and humid conditions which may have accounted for a lower turnout than normal, or maybe it was the approaching holiday season.
The winner was Dale Rabbett with 41 Stableford points; balls winners were Anne Wand 35, Trevor Sharp 34, and Steve Kriss, Rick Paff, Tony Burnet and Chris Steele, all on 33, taking home the last four balls on offer.
The Nearest-to-the-Pin at the 4th and 13th holes was won by Dale Rabbett who finished 1250 cm from home.
At the 6th and 15th holes Anne Wand, 940 cm, and Trevor Sharp, 1040 cm, took home the NTP trophies.
On Tuesday 17 December Max Shepherd will sponsor an Individual Stableford and there will be another Individual Stableford on 24 December.
By Peter WILDBLOOD
DALE
ahead of her nearest rival.
q Dale Rabbett and Rod Burrows.
q Bill Murray.
q Ashleigh Hickman.
q Susie Higgins, Gai Falla.
q Tony Popovic will be looking to lead the Socceroos to victory over Indonesia at Allianz Stadium. Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS.
