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Bandon Grove brews up support for Cancer Council
By Shannon BENTON
MORE than 100 people gathered at Bandon Grove Hall on Tuesday 6 May for the much-loved annual Biggest Morning Tea.
Together they raised nearly $3600 for the Cancer Council through entry donations, raffles, and a quality handcraft stall.
The event, first held in 2001, has become a cherished local tradition, only pausing during COVID-19 lockdowns.
This year’s fundraiser proved as popular as ever, with a steady stream CONTINUED Page 2
FEEDBACK WANTED
By Shannon BENTON
More rental properties are needed for qualified tenants!
Do you or someone you know have a property that is ready for lease?
Contact Michelle Thomas on (02) 4992 1704 to discuss your properties potential
q Jean Watts, Faye Moore, Ronda Shelton, Jennifer Chant and Jane Frankham.
By Shannon BENTON
ALAN Smith’s journey began in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire, UK, where his early life was steeped in craftsmanship and hospitality.
With a background in furniture design and a flair for fine food, Alan carved out a career in some of the UK’s and the world’s top restaurants, working
of attendees enjoying homemade treats, good company, and the chance to win from an impressive
selection of raffle prizes - including a stunning patchwork quilt, a handcrocheted rug, and a lucky door prize.
The Bandon Grove
community continues to show that small areas can make a big difference.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the community’s ongoing support,” said one of the
alongside renowned chefs and handling the finest produce from the best farms.
His hands-on experience in quality and sustainability led him
event’s organisers.
“It’s a cause close to many hearts, and we look forward to bringing people together again next year.”
The handcraft stall, filled
to establish the kitchen garden at The Black Swan in Oldstead, which was an experience that sparked his deep-rooted passion for agriculture and horticulture.
That passion followed Alan to Australia, where a working holiday visa brought him to the small town of Dungog.
What began as a temporary stop turned into a permanent home.
Drawn by the warmth of the community and the opportunity to get involved in meaningful projects, Alan soon became a familiar face - working in hospitality, running events, and helping local businesses thrive.
Alan co-founded Rocking Chair Farm with business partner John Monaghan, applying principles of holistic and regenerative agriculture to create a farm that mirrors nature’s interconnected systems.
“We’re not just growing food - we’re growing healthier systems, healthier land, and healthier
communities,” Alan said His approach focuses on improving soil, biodiversity, and produce quality by letting natural processes lead the way.
Committed to community development, Alan was involved with the Dungog Festival and connected with people running innovative environmental projects.
Inspired, he has now launched the Thrive Field and Flavour Festival, a platform to celebrate responsible agriculture and local food systems, happening in June.
Through events and partnerships, Thrive promotes healthier communities through better food choices and deeper connections between farmers and consumers.
Alan’s story is one of transformation - from hospitality to horticulture, from the UK to rural NSW - fuelled by a vision of community, sustainability, and shared knowledge. He believes in the power of land and people working together and sees Dungog as the perfect place for that vision to grow.
To learn more about Thrive Field and Flavour Festival, search @ thriveagfest on Instagram.
with beautifully made items, was a highlight for many and contributed significantly to the funds raised.
Organisers extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, contributed their baking skills to the delicious morning tea, or generously donated raffle prizes.
q Alan and his dogs at Rocking Chair Farm.
q The impressive turnout in the hall.
q Bruce Read, Helene Leane and Cathy Schneider of Dungog Clarence Town CWA, and Jeanne Harrison.
q Wendy Howard, Kath Gilbert and Norah Shore.
Voters abandoning the major parties in Lyne
By John WATTS
“OVER the past 40 years the share of votes going to independents and minor parties has risen in both state and federal elections,” the Australia Institute stated in a research article in October 2024.
“In the 1980 federal election, the combined primary votes for minor parties and independents
accounted for only eight percent.”
At the recent Federal election, about 66 percent of voting Australians gave their first preference vote to Labor or the Coalition, with the rest going to minor parties and independents.
An analysis of figures published by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) shows that the trend of voters moving away from the major
parties has been particularly evident in the seat of Lyne.
In the 2013 election, where the Tony Abbott-led Coalition defeated the Kevin Rudd-led Labor Government, 74.47 percent of the votes in Lyne went to the National and Labor parties.
In that election the National Party secured 53.19 percent of the first preference votes, with Labor receiving 21.28 percent.
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cultural and economic use of the Common.
Immediate priorities for DCP include continuing the vital Koala Habitat Project, enhancing visitor signage, and upgrading parking and access ahead of the 2025 Sculpture on the Farm event.
The group also aims to improve and maintain infrastructure across mountain biking tracks, walking trails, and horse riding facilities.
DCP Chair Penny Willcock
said the Advisory Group will help ensure the reserve remains a well-managed, inclusive, and vibrant space for all users.
“This is an exciting opportunity for locals to have a direct say in the future of the Common and contribute to projects that matter to our community,” Ms Willcock said.
Dungog Community Projects Limited, formed in 2023, is a not-for-profit organisation led by a local board with deep experience
in land management.
The board includes Ms Willcock, Mr Howard Glenn, Ms Marion Stuart, Mr Allen Shrimpton and Mr Scott King.
Community members and representatives of key user groups are encouraged to apply for the DCAG. Nominations close at 6pm on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
Further details, including terms of reference and application instructions, can be found at: www. dungogcommon.org or email info@dungogcommon.org.
In the 2016 election in Lyne the National Party first preference vote fell to 49.57 percent, while the Labor vote increased to 26.56 percent, making a total of 76.13 percent for those two parties.
Since 2016 however the first preference votes for the Nationals and Labor in Lyne have fallen significantly, with their combined vote in 2022 being 64.98 percent.
The trend away from
the major parties in Lyne continued in the recent Federal election, with their combined vote reaching 56.88 percent, which is well below the national average.
Since 2013 the first preference vote for the National Party in Lyne has, according to AEC counting on the Tuesday after the election, fallen by just under 16 percent.
The party’s 2025 candidate, Alison Penfold,
received 37.20 percent percent of first preference votes, which meant that she needed to rely upon a significant flow of preferences from minor parties such as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, the Trumpet of Patriots, the Libertarians and others to be elected as the Member for Lyne.
The Labor first preference vote in 2025 was 19.68 percent.
q The Common is home to wildlife including koalas.
q An aerial shot of the Dungog Common.
Recording notable old trees
ENVIRONMENTAL advocate
and naturalist Ken Rubeli is calling for the development of a record of notable old trees in the Dungog Shire.
“There are many old trees in the Shire that few people are aware of – especially those in our State Forests and National Parks,” Mr Rubeli told NOTA.
“Who might take on the task of building up a register for the Shire’s historical records?”
Mr Rubeli said a number of iconic trees stand out to locals across the Dungog Shire.
The fig tree in MacKay Street outside the old Dungog Chronicle office is well known to everyone,” Mr Rubeli said.
“But the ‘champion’ figs are those around Tocal Homestead at Paterson.
“There’s the huge old slaty red gum outside the hospital.
“And there are the spectacular ironwood trees –also known as weeping lilly pilly – downstream from the Cooreei Bridge, rooted there in the banks of the Williams River for hundreds of years.”
Amongst all the precious native vegetation
Wild dog and fox control
OWNERS of working dogs and domestic companion animals are advised that wild dog and fox control programs have commenced across the Upper Hunter Electorate.
Hunter Local Land Services and Forestry Corporation are conducting aerial and ground baiting programs from Merriwa to Nundle, Nowendoc to Dungog encompassing private tenure, State Forests, Crown Land and Travelling Stock Reserves until 30 June.
Mixed
The National Parks and Wildlife Service will conduct aerial baiting from Monday 19 May until 1 June in Goulburn River, Wollemi and Yengo National Parks, Manobalai Nature Reserve, and the Wollemi Flora Reserve and State Conservation Area.
Baits have also been laid in the Singleton Military Area with neighbours recommended to restrain pets and working dogs until the end of June.
Hunter Valley Operations,
THE Hunter has had mixed results in the 2025 Street Count, the NSW Government’s sixth annual count of people sleeping rough.
Counts of homeless people sleeping rough on a single evening were completed in local government areas across the state between 4 February and 26 February 2025.
Half of the counts took place in the evening, scheduled between 10:00pm and 3:00am, with the remaining half occurring in the morning between 3:30am and 9am.
More than 370 local organisations partnered with Homes NSW to complete the count in 415 towns and suburbs across
on the Dungog Common, environmentalist Bill Dowling has noted the locations of all the oldest trees, including a few he thinks might have been standing before European settlers came.
Just down the hill from the saleyards on Short Street is a gnarly old ironbark with tortuously twisted branches, and out towards the southwest corner of the Common is a grand spotted gum with a mountain-biking track snaking around its root system.
At the north-west corner of the Girriwa Loop Walking Track on Dungog Common, alongside Gringai Gully, there is a grove of long-established eucalypts and a rough-barked apple that forms a magical forest canopy.
“The Common is living natural history,” said Bill.
“I have a favourite tree there, near what we call ‘The Ruins’.
“It’s a venerable cabbage gum, on the edge of the creek.
“I can’t explain it - it’s like it tells a story.
"It’s seen a world of change passing by. It’s majestic.”
Track work impacting rail routes
RAIL commuters planning to travel this weekend are advised to check travel alerts before heading to the station.
Australian Rail Track Corporation will conduct essential maintenance and improvement works on both the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail lines.
During the work, the
Ravensworth Open Cut and Mount Thorley-Warkworth are conducting baiting activities at the mine sites and surrounding offsets
77 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in NSW.
The MidCoast LGA recorded the fifth largest total decrease in the number of people sleeping rough compared to 2024, from 49 to 27.
In 2020, just two people were recorded sleeping rough across the LGA.
A slight increase was recorded from 2024 to 2025 in Dungog Shire, from five to seven.
In Port Stephens 23 people were recorded sleeping rough in 2024, which increased to 40 in 2025.
Newcastle experienced a drop from 49 to 42.
In total, 2,192 people were recorded as sleeping rough across the state.
track will be closed between Newcastle and Turrawan as well as Muswellbrook to Ulan from 3am Saturday 17 May until 3am Tuesday 20 May.
Trackwork is scheduled on the North Coast line from Telarah to Acacia Ridge in Queensland, 6am Saturday 17 May to 6pm Monday 19 May. Coaches replace NSW
including land at North Rothbury, Belford, Putty, Muscle Creek, Sandy Hollow, Turill and Cassilis.
Residents requiring
TrainLink services including North West Explorer and the Brisbane and Casino XPTs.
Buses replace trains between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange during the track maintenance.
Travellers are encouraged to visit https:// transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan
further information should contact Hunter Local Land Services on 1300 795 299, the NPWS Bulga office 6574 5555, HVO Complaints and
their journey. Signage and traffic control will be in place at any locations where motorists may experience short delays due to crossing works or adjacent corridor works. Information on road closures and alternative routes can be found at livetraffic.com.
Blasting Hotline, Yancoal Community Information Line or the respective mining company.
q Environmental advocates have called for a record detailing the locations of all the oldest trees in Dungog Shire.
q Aerial and ground baiting programs are being undertaken in the Upper Hunter.
Photo: Ben Galbraith.
'Men keep killing us': nationwide rallies plea for help
By Samantha LOCK, Jack GRAMENZ and Maeve BANNISTER, AAP
TENS of thousands of men, women and children have marched across Australian capital cities and regional towns calling for determined action to end gendered and sexual violence.
Advocates say the issue was not properly addressed during the federal election campaign, with funding pledges "barely even hitting the sides".
The No More: National Rally Against Violence saw attendees gather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and regional centres in between.
Founder of support organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams, called for more preventative action.
"We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she told a two-thousandstrong crowd on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday.
"We need more funding for primary prevention, more trauma-informed response training for police, increased crisis housing, bail law reform and uniform consent laws," she later told AAP.
Similar rallies played out almost simultaneously in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns.
Hundreds met in Sydney's Hyde Park while the regional centres of Newcastle and Wollongong saw a similar turnout, including the family and friends of Mackenzie Anderson, a young mother who was stabbed 78 times and brutally murdered by her former partner in 2022.
Hundreds more rallied in Brisbane, carrying signs reading "We weren't asking for it" and "Weak laws cost lives."
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who accused ex-colleague Bruce Lehrmann of raping her at Parliament House, was also at the rally with a sign reading: "25 women killed and still not an election issue."
In the lead-up to the rallies, organisers urged more men to attend and take accountability over violence against women.
"Men listen to men... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said.
Consent and healthy relationship education should be expanded to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major
codes could also play a role in reaching different generations, she said.
A total of 128 women have been killed since January 1 last year, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website.
Its founder Sherele Moody read aloud the names of the women as images of their faces were laid before Melbourne's Parliament steps.
"We're here because men keep killing us," she said.
"Violence against women is primarily a male problem... it's not a women's problem to solve but it's women who are the ones who do the work."
Advocates say a government-run national domestic violence register is desperately needed to track the issue.
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected.
The rallies also called for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs.
Mandatory traumainformed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said.
The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems.
It has also pledged to
COST OF LIVING ASSISTANCE
invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring.
But Ms Moody said ministers and leaders needed to sit down with frontline services to figure out what works.
"All the safety nets have holes in them and the funding barely even hits the
sides,"
q Rallies around the country have demanded effective action to stop violence against women and girls. Photo: Darren England/AAP PHOTOS Authorised by Dave Layzell MP,
A glimmer of hope for nuclear dream after election bomb
By Jennifer DUDLEYNICHOLSON, AAP
OUTSPOKEN
engineer
Jasmin Diab still hopes a nuclear power reactor could be operating in Australia before the second half of the century.
But the advocate for the technology admits the federal election campaign has severely damaged its reputation and its future role - if it has one - will be much smaller than the coalition's failed pitch.
"(Nuclear power) shouldn't have been politicised because it has to endure longer than an election cycle," the Women for Nuclear Australia president told AAP.
"It turned into a bit of
a hot soup with not a lot of clarity."
Energy commentators say the public's verdict on nuclear reactors is clear and unequivocal, with voters instead providing a sweeping endorsement of Labor's plan to invest in renewable resources such as solar and wind power.
But some academics are also unwilling to rule out a future for nuclear power in Australia, saying it could prove to be the missing piece in the puzzle of how to decarbonise Australia's energy system.
As part of its election platform, the coalition promised to establish seven nuclear power plants in five states on the sites of former coal-fired power stations.
Two of the plants were expected to be small modular reactors – technology that is not yet commercially available – and the first facility was forecast to be operational by 2035.
It is not clear if the coalition will retain the nuclear plan, although Nationals leader David Littleproud and re-elected Liberal MP Tim Wilson have continued to speak in favour of the policy.
But nuclear energy was not a realistic option for Australia in the near term, Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley said.
He called the coalition's policy a distraction from efforts to cut emissions.
Renewable energy projects were both cheaper
and quicker to build than nuclear options, Mr Buckley added, and improvements in batteries made them a better short- and mid-term bet.
"I am not necessarily anti-nuclear, I'm antistupidity - and I would call the idea of rolling out nuclear in Australia in 2025 stupid," he said.
"It was never going to be a political solution for Australia."
China was making large investments in nuclear technology, he noted, although at a much lower rate than spending on renewable and battery storage technology.
For this reason, Australia should not rule out the use of nuclear power in coming decades.
"Let the Chinese enhance the technology, let them roll out fourth-generation technology and, in 10 years' time, let's see if fusion technology is any closer than it was 50 years ago," Mr Buckley said.
"At the end of the day, we have a global imperative to decarbonise and nuclear is a zero-emission energy solution."
Other experts agree Australia should take a technology-neutral approach to reducing emissions, including Australian National University professor Ken Baldwin.
The public's message from the election was clear, he said, but Australian regulators should still remove federal and state
bans on nuclear technology so they could consider all possible options to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
"The opportunity is lost for nuclear to do the heavy lifting in terms of decarbonisation – that will be done by solar and wind, which is much cheaper," Prof Baldwin said.
"But we need to decarbonise the last five percent of the electricity system and it's not so clear what the best way of doing that is."
Carbon capture technology had yet to be demonstrated on a large scale, for example, and replacing gas with green hydrogen or overbuilding solar and wind infrastructure would be expensive, leaving nuclear as a possible solution.
"By 2045, when we might be looking at decarbonising that last few per cent of the electricity sector, any of those four could be in play," Prof Baldwin said.
Other experts argue nuclear adoption will be essential if the nation is serious about achieving netzero emissions.
Removing the technology as an option, UNSW nuclear materials engineer Edward Obbard said, could mean relying on gas as a source of energy indefinitely.
The options were not made clear to voters during the election campaign, he said, as it appeared they were being given a choice between solar, wind and battery solutions or nuclear reactors.
"People thought that if we went nuclear, we would abandon renewables and that is just so untrue," Associate Professor Obbard said.
"How could you not want to use every tool in the box given the severity of the challenges?"
Re-introducing the idea of nuclear technology would be tricky and a program would need bipartisan support to succeed, Ms Diab said.
"I don't know how we get to that point because there will need to be someone in parliament who puts their hand up and pushes to at least get the ban removed and continue the conversation," she said.
"It will take a bit of time."
q Women in Nuclear Australia president Jasmin Diab says the energy debate turned into a ‘hot soup’. Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS.
6.00
SATURDAY, May 17
6.10 Father Brown. (PGa) Lady Felicia asks for Father Brown’s help.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (PG) Reggie comes home for a few weeks’ holiday and helps Fred make over the green space outside St Oswald’s church.
9.30 Bergerac. (Mlv, R) Bergerac doesn’t care how many cages he rattles in his quest to find kidnapped baby Lily.
10.20 Hard Quiz Battle Of The Influencers. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.
10.50 The Split: Barcelona. (Final, Ml, R) Explosive secrets come to light.
11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.50pm Play School Science Time. 6.00 Octonauts. 6.10 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking Championship. 8.10 Chopped Junior. 8.55 The Piano. 9.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.35 Dragon Ball Super. 11.00 Late Programs.
SUNDAY, May 18
6.30 Compass. (PG)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 The Piano. (PG)
8.30 Bergerac. (Mal) Bergerac goes rogue with a new lead that brings him into direct conflict with Arthur Wakefield.
9.15 Reunion. (Premiere, MA15+l) A deaf ex-prisoner seeks revenge.
10.15 MOVIE: Judy And Punch. (2019, MA15+v, R) Mia Wasikowska.
12.00 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R)
12.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R)
3.30 Outback Ringer. (PG, R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Eurovision: Access All Areas. (M) Catch all the behind-the-scenes action.
10.00 The Day The Rock Star Died: David Bowie. (PG) Looks at David Bowie, who was the leading figure in popular music for over five decades.
10.30 Alone Australia. (M, R)
11.35 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mav, R)
2.20 Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed Britain. (PG, R)
2.55 Dirty Bird. (R) Short film.
3.00 Incredible Homes. (R)
4.00 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
5.00 Eurovision. (PG)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 The Americas: Andes. (PG) Takes a look at The Andes.
8.00 MOVIE: Jurassic Park. (1993, PGv, R) Genetically engineered dinosaurs run amok in an isolated theme park after a security breakdown. Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum.
10.25 MOVIE: Predator. (1987, Mlv, R) A team of mercenaries is hunted by an alien. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers.
12.40 The Black Donnellys. (Mdsv) Vinny settles his account with Alo.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGl, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Holiday Home Makeover With Rachel & Ryan. (PG)
8.30 MOVIE: Quantum Of Solace. (2008, Mv, R)
10.40 MOVIE: Rambo: Last Blood. (2019, MA15+adlv, R)
12.30 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, R)
1.00 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (Ma, R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Kelly meets a fluff ball named Jinglebells. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A Greek couple look for a fresh start. 8.40 House Hunters Australia. (PG, R) A couple search for a spacious, character-filled home with guest accommodation and a workshop. 9.40 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) Follows paramedics as they respond to a seven-year-old boy who is gasping for air. 10.40 Elsbeth. (PGlv, R) Elsbeth is summoned to jury duty. 11.40 FBI. (Mv, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am Lara.
Continued. (2019, PG, German) 6.50 Selkie. (2000, PG) 8.30 The Glassworker. (2024, PG, Urdu) 10.20 Purple Rain. (1984, M) 12.25pm Indecent Proposal. (1993, M) 2.35 The Emperor’s Club. (2002, PG) 4.35 Sissi. (1955, German) 6.35 The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond. (2008) 8.30 Finding Your Feet. (2017, M) 10.35 Getaway Of Love. (2015, MA15+, Italian) 12.15am Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Eurovision: Access All Areas. (M) Catch all the behind-the-scenes action, exclusive insights and powerhouse performances.
12.00 MOVIE: Amazing Grace. (2018, G, R) Aretha Franklin.
1.35 24 Hours In Emergency: Lead By Example. (Ma, R)
4.20 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 Al Jazeera News.
SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond. Continued. (2008) 6.55 Sissi. (1955, German) 8.55 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 10.35 Fame. (1980, M) 1pm Speed Kills. (2018, M) 2.55 Murder Party. (2022, PG, French) 4.50 Bring It On. (2000, PG) 6.40 Clockwatchers. (1997, PG) 8.30 Johnny Mnemonic. (1995, M) 10.20 Sirley. (2020, M, Italian) 12.10am Zola. (2020, MA15+) 1.45 Saint Maud. (2019, MA15+) 3.20 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The 1% Club. (PGdls) 8.00 7NEWS Spotlight. 9.00 24 Hours In Police Custody: The Norfolk Narco Cartel. (Madl) Looks inside a major police operation. 10.10 Crime Investigation Australia. (MA15+av, R)
11.30 Autopsy USA. (Mav)
12.30 Shades Of Blue. (MA15+adsv, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
Sunrise.
(64) 7MATE (64)
6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Allo! Allo! 9.10 Only Fools And Horses. 9.50 Planet Earth III. 10.55 Ancient Aliens. 11.55 UFOs: Top Secret Alien Files. 1.35pm Moon Landing: The Lost Tapes. 2.35 MOVIE: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (1968) 5.35 MOVIE: The Pink Panther. (2006, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Edge Of Tomorrow. (2014, M) 9.45 MOVIE: Nobody. (2021, MA15+) 11.35 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Australia ReDiscovered. 2.00 Rides
6am Morning Programs. 1.10pm Motor Racing. Indycar Series. Sonsio Grand Prix. H’lights. 2.20 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. H’lights. 3.30 Jeopardy! UK. 4.30 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. (2001, PG) 10.45 Late Programs.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Travel Guides. (PG) 8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program. 9.30 The Killer Interview With Piers Morgan. (Malv) 10.30 9News Late.
11.00 See No Evil. (Ma) 11.50 Surf Boats. (R)
12.40 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PGm, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Drive TV: Drive Car Of The Year. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. The latest elimination challenge is held.
8.15 House Hunters Australia. (PG, R) A couple search for a house but she wants a Hamptons-style cottage with a pool and he seeks a home with character and a toolshed. 9.15 FBI. (MA15+v) Maggie and OA investigate the deaths of two women who were murdered with napalm.
MONDAY, May 19
6.00
(Premiere)
8.25 Bettany Hughes: Treasures Of Albania And The Adriatic. (PGa, R)
9.20 Inside Windsor Castle. (PG, R)
10.15 SBS World News Late. 10.45 Classified. (Mlv)
11.35 Don’t Leave Me. (Malv, R) 1.35 Incredible Homes. (R) 3.35 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 The Crystal Maze. 9.25 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.50 Merlin. 10.35 Late Programs.
6am Morning
Programs. 6.55 Clockwatchers. (1997, PG) 8.45
Viajeros. (2022, PG, Spanish) 10.20 Finding Your Feet. (2017, M) 12.25pm Hive. (2021, M, Albanian)
2.00 The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond. (2008) 3.55 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PG) 5.40 Courted. (2015, PG, French) 7.30 The Last Vermeer. (2019, M) 9.40 Prison 77. (2022, MA15+, Spanish) Midnight Late Programs.
TUESDAY, May 20
6.00
6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (Ml) 8.30 Insight. 9.30 Dateline. 10.05 SBS World News Late.
10.35 Living Black. (R) 11.05 Snow. (Malv) 12.00 The Lesson. (Mals, R) 2.25 Incredible Homes. (R) 4.20 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R) 4.50 Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) 7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PG) The farmers take the new ladies on a solo date. 9.05 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Mav) Owen makes a decision about his future. 10.05 Suits L.A. (M) 11.05 The Agenda Setters. 12.05 Treadstone. (MA15+av) 1.05 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
Harry’s Practice. (R)
Home Shopping. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
7TWO (62)
Sunrise. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)
7TWO
7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 9.15 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 10. 1.35am Shoresy. 1.55 NHK World English News.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.20 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PG) 8.10 Murder Party. (2022, PG, French) 10.05 Unique Brothers. (2014, M, Italian) 11.55 Johnny Mnemonic. (1995, M) 1.45pm Clockwatchers. (1997, PG) 3.35 Arthur And The Two Worlds War. (2010, PG) 5.30 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 7.30 T-34. (2018, M, Russian) 9.35 Pride And Glory. (2008, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs.
Start your day with coffee and brekky from 7.30am, lunch from 11.30am, dinner from 5.30pm, and great hospitality all day. Open Tuesday to Sunday for good food, drinks, functions and live music. And the place to stay for work or holiday.
WEDNESDAY,
May 21
6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Q+A. (Final, R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.00 House Of Games. (PG, R) 3.30 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PGa, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Bitesize. (R) 10.10 The Bridges That Built London. (PGa, R) 11.00 Dream Of Italy. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (al) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 10. H’lights.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Alone Australia. (M)
8.40 Mysteries Of Sink Holes. (PGav, R)
9.35 The Handmaid’s Tale. (MA15+)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 My Brilliant Friend. (Mal)
12.05 The Wall: The Chateau Murder. (Malv, R)
3.25 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)
Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.20 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Abbott Elementary. 9.25 Doctor Who. 11.00 Late Programs.
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGl, R)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.
9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.
10.00 Unbelievable Moments
Caught On Camera. (PGa, R)
11.00 Born To Kill? (MA15+av, R)
12.00 Midnight Texas. (MA15+hv)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6am Viajeros.
Continued. (2022, PG, Spanish) 7.30 Arthur And The Two Worlds War. (2010, PG) 9.25 Courted. (2015, PG, French) 11.15 The Last Vermeer. (2019, M) 1.25pm Belli Ciao. (2022, M, Italian) 3.00 The Movie Show. 3.35 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 5.45 RBG. (2018, PG) 7.35 The Flood. (2019, M) 9.30 A Most Violent Year. (2014, MA15+) 11.50 Late Programs. 5.50am The Movie Show.
THURSDAY, May 22
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 The Weekly. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Sherwood. (Final, Mlv, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 3.00 House Of Games. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Grand Designs UK.
8.50 Martin Clunes: Islands Of The Atlantic. (PG)
9.35 The Kimberley. (R)
10.25 ABC Late News.
10.40 The Business. (R)
11.00 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R)
11.50 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 12.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Saved By The Barn. 10.05 Merlin. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 The Bridges That Built London. (PG, R) 11.00 Dream Of Italy. (Ml, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.55 Alone Australia. (M, R) 3.00 Living Black. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (al) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 11. H’lights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 History’s Greatest Mysteries. (PG, R)
8.25 Liberation: D-Day To Berlin. (M)
9.15 Sherlock & Daughter. (Mav)
10.10 SBS World News Late.
10.40 Carmen Curlers. (Mas, R)
12.45 Pagan Peak. (MA15+a, R)
2.50 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (Mls)
8.30 The Grand Tour. (Ml)
10.00 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)
11.00 9News Late.
11.30 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
12.15 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, R)
12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 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 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. 8.40 Elsbeth. (Mv) Elsbeth is thrown into the world of television after the showrunner of a long-running police procedural is brutally murdered in his office. 9.40 FBI: International. (Mv) A member of the team goes missing. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 NCIS: Origins. (Mv) 12.05 The Project. (R) 1.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
6am The Movie Show. 6.25 RBG. (2018, PG) 8.15 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 10.15 La Jauria. (2022, M, Spanish) 11.50 T-34. (2018, M, Russian) 1.55pm After Yang. (2021, PG) 3.45 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 5.25 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 7.40 Arctic. (2018, M) 9.30 Gangster Squad. (2013, MA15+) 11.35 Rob The Mob. (2014, M) 1.30am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Storage Wars: NY. 11.00 Storage
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6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Nanny. 9.00 Motor Racing. Formula E World C’ship. Tokyo ePrix. 10.05 Bewitched. 10.35 Jeannie. 11.05 Young Sheldon. 12.05pm MOVIE: The Mask. (1994, PG) 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE:
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Kirby and Remi are at loggerheads.
7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PGa) Hosted by Graeme Hall.
8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) The third set of semi-finalists set out to impress the judges and viewers at home.
10.30 The Amazing Race. (PG)
12.00 Raines. (Mahv)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (62) 7TWO (62)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant
9GEM (82)
9GO! (83)
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HEART OF GLOUCESTER DISTRICT
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for the Gloucester community?
Whether they are a dedicated volunteer, a standout community member, or an all-round legend, we want to hear about them.
Please email with their details and we’ll get in touch to celebrate their wonderful contributions. tracey@newsofthearea.com.au
Dorin’s Draws
By Paul DORIN
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR
Jasminda
,
WE are organising a large birthday function and there are relatives that don't get along with each other.
How do we ensure no one feels left out while still making it an enjoyable experience for everyone?
Harriet P.
Dear
Harriet,
If your large family events traditionally look like an episode of Dr Phil, it can be challenging to navigate the day to ensure it's enjoyable for everyone.
The most important person on the day is not Aunt Phyllis, who, halftanked, always brings up a misunderstanding from 2003, or Cousin Jarrad, who has done time for arson and wants to commandeer the fire pit.
No. The most important person is the birthday guest of honour and, frankly, everyone else needs to get over it and on with it.
To ensure the day goes well, preempt any issues by calling the warring factions and explaining that both parties will be there.
If they can't bring themselves to be civil, one will most likely opt out.
You can then catch up on another occasion. Problem solved.
If, however, they are all adamant that they will attend, explain that it's a special day, so they can either be civil, or at least keep their distance.
If you're inviting a lot of
people, there will always be a peacekeeper (usually the person employed as a life coach and/or masseur).
Potential hostilities can often be sidestepped with diversionary tactics.
A casual announcement like, "Oh, wow, is that Aunt Julie's Mars Bar and Nut slice?" works well.
Food is a brilliant appeaser, particularly since it is quite hard to argue when there's a Macadamia nut lodged in one's esophagus.
Limiting the amount of alcohol and/or having a strict finish time is also a good idea, as is having the event in a public location.
If it all starts to go pear-shaped, you can at least leave them to it.
If the function is at your place, you're stuck with whatever eventuates (including Cousin Jarrad's impromptu firestick demonstration and Aunt Phyllis's tabletop dance of the seven veils).
Brainy - Fallout, fortnight, brainchild, homesick, slapstick, turnkey, earphone and deadline.
Kids Boot Camp 040
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Old mines given ‘new lease of life’
FOLLOWING a sampling project, 28 current and historic mine sites in NSW have been identified as potentially having critical minerals and high-tech metals deposits hidden inside their old waste.
For mines that have closed, the NSW Government says the results could mean new opportunities for production, bringing more jobs and investment opportunities to communities across regional NSW.
The Geological Survey of NSW’s Mine Reuse Project collected more than 1,200 samples, which were run through the latest sampling techniques and underwent high precision chemical analysis to identify critical minerals.
This uncovered elevated concentrations of 11 critical minerals and high-tech metals, including copper, cobalt, silver and antimony.
Chief Geoscientist and head of the Geological Survey of NSW, Dr Phil Blevin said, “The Mine Reuse Project is a direct outcome of the government’s commitment to a Critical Mineral and High-Tech Metals Strategy that drives investment and innovation in the exploration and mining sector through the provision of world-class and targeted precompetitive geoscience.
“There is a significant multiplier effect in the provision of this data, and it helps drive exploration and innovation.
“The results of the Mine
Reuse Project is just another example of this.”
Historic mines where sampling occurred include CSA in the Central West, Queen Bee, Great Cobar and Nymagee in the Far West, Endeavour Elura and Endeavour McKinnons in the Central West, and Hillgrove in the Northern Tablelands.
Current mines where researchers were looking for additional materials include Peak Gold Mine and Tritton near Cobar, RASP and Southern Operations near Broken Hill, and Stratford in the Upper Hunter.
The Mine Reuse Project also identified existing
discoveries from the reprocessing of waste and tailings.
This includes gold from historic tailings at the Mineral Hill mine in the Central West, and tin from Ardlethan mine site in the Riverina.
The Mine Reuse Project was undertaken in collaboration between the Geological Survey of NSW with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland and Geoscience Australia.
Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said, “The release of this data reinforces that NSW really is the state to be for explorers
looking to find the next big critical minerals project.
“As key ingredients in our solar panels, wind turbines, EVs and batteries, critical
minerals and high-tech metals are integral to our economic future.
“We know how important mining is to communities across the state.
“More exploration means more jobs and more investment in regional NSW.”
$10m for weed control and eradication
THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state to protect the state’s primary production and public land.
The NSW Government Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds.
The program focuses on prevention and early intervention to stop the spread of problem weeds by providing practical resources and on-ground support to ensure a proactive and coordinated response by LCAs.
eradicate or contain new infestations of priority weeds.
The NSW Government’s program commissions LCAs to undertake services such as surveillance, and rapid response to prevent,
In addition, the program funds training for LCA biosecurity officers so they can effectively respond to biosecurity emergencies across NSW.
LCAs make applications for funding under the program and need to demonstrate they are focusing on high-risk weeds to gain approved funding.
This year the NSW Government has approved 92 funding applications from 86 LCAs.
High-risk weeds targeted by the NSW Government’s Weeds Action Program include:
• Parthenium weed causes allergies and respiratory issues in people, liver damage in livestock and outcompetes pastures and crops. The program works to keep NSW Parthenium weed free through collaborative action and surveillance programs.
• Rubber vine can invade
pastures, waterways and natural areas, climbing up to 30 metres high. A major threat to grazing industries can cause livestock deaths. Found in Queensland, it could become a major weed in Western NSW.
• Tropical Soda Apple (TSA), an aggressive, prickly, perennial shrub, invades open and semi-shaded areas in pastures, along rivers and in forests. It reduces biodiversity, displaces native plants and disrupts ecological processes. Its foliage is unpalatable to livestock. TSA is found on the North Coast, Mid-Coast, Hunter and New England areas.
• Alligator weed has been found in the Namoi Valley, Griffith and Woomargama areas. It’s a significant risk to irrigation and poses a threat to the Murray Darling Basin.
• Harrisia cactus is a highly invasive weed which poses a serious threat to agriculture and native ecosystems. It reduces pasture productivity, hinders livestock movement and
outcompetes native plants.
in the North West and Hunter regions.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “Weeds are a serious threat to our environment and economy, and our government is focused on investing this $10 million to empower LCAs who work with community groups and farmers to protect their lands and livestock.
“This investment helps communities tackle invasive weed species head-on by supporting local management efforts, improving detection of these weeds and then responding with know-how and strong coordination between government agencies, councils and landholders.
“The Minns Government is committed to supporting our primary producers and regional communities manage these high-risk weeds, so we keep our landscapes healthy and productive.”
Harrisia cactus is found
q A map of the sampled sites. Image: supplied.
q Sampling uncovered elevated concentrations of 11 critical minerals and high-tech metals at mining sites.
q Tropical Soda Apple. Photo: NSW DPI.
Regional consultation guide released
A NEW guide has been released which aims to strengthen NSW Government consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities across the state.
The “Regional Communities Consultation Guide” outlines the Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities.
The release of the guide
follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024 by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.
"Regional communities know what they need but feel disadvantaged by current consultation processes, including a reliance on digital channels, or consultation conducted during harvest,” Mr Butler said.
“While not all projects
will reflect every view, consultation should be done to give regional, rural and remote communities a fair chance to share their input, which is what this guide will now ensure.
"The guide will significantly reduce the risk of tick-the-box disingenuous consultation occurring or bad decisions being forced on vulnerable communities.”
The Member for Barwon worked with the Government
to address the barriers which have historically faced regional engagement with Government consultations, including population sparsity, and digital disadvantages.
In a state first, this legislation enshrines that compliance with the guide is required for certain consultations, setting a clear standard that those affected by decisions should be involved in the decisionmaking process.
The guide is informed by in-depth stakeholder engagement across regional and rural communities, to ensure the priorities and expectations of regional, rural and remote communities are reflected.
This included direct engagement with peak organisations including the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Local Government NSW, the Country Mayors Association, the Riverina and Murray Joint
Organisation and the Central NSW Joint Organisation.
Around 200 stakeholders also participated in eight regional listening sessions held in Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Narrabri and Bourke.
The guide will now be rolled out across agencies for immediate use and can be downloaded along with a detailed engagement summary at www. haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/ consultation-regionalcommunities.
Show why you 'heart' the BWNG
By Joshua GILBERT
FOR over 35 years, the Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group (BWNG) has supported Gloucester residents.
This year’s Neighbourhood Centre Week, which runs until 18 May, is giving BWNG the chance to stop and reflect on the nationwide theme, “Ripples of Change”.
“Every action, no matter how small, has the power to create a ripple effect — spreading kindness, sparking ideas, and strengthening communities,” the Neighbourhood Centre Week website states.
“Together, we can turn little ripples into big waves of change.”
Locally, the BWNG is encouraging residents to get behind their “I heart BWNG because…” campaign.
“We provide emergency relief, training courses, youth and family programs, inhome aged care and disability support,” Anna Burley, Chief Executive Officer, told News Of
The Area.
“We also host outreach services which would otherwise not be available in Gloucester, including Legal Aid and Financial Counselling services,” she said. In addition to these services, BWNG is ensuring its impact is felt locally.
“Last financial year we injected $3.2 million in employment into the local economy, provided $100,000 of hardship assistance and emergency food relief and spent almost $600,000 with local businesses,” Ms Burley said. The “I heart BWNG because…” campaign encourages community members to write letters that tell BWNG in their own words what their services mean to them.
Those letters will be on show at the new BWNG shop front at 29 Denison Street, which is being retro-fitted to make services available to community members closer to the main street.
a
q Jeanette Spagnolo and Amber Galvin with the ‘I heart BWNG because…’ campaign letters. Photo: supplied.
Croker signs again
By Jasper BRUCE, AAP
NEWCASTLE have re-signed Mat Croker to a two-year contract as they continue preparations for life without forward pack leader Leo Thompson.
Croker, 25, has played every game of a disappointing Knights NRL campaign so far and will now remain with the club through 2027.
The Nabiac product had been among a handful of Knights forwards without a deal for next season, when the club will lose talismanic prop Thompson to Canterbury. Fellow middle forward options Adam Elliott and Jack Hetherington are both without deals and the Knights are yet to sign a prop of Thompson's ilk as his replacement.
Croker, typically used from the bench, had received interest from the English Super League before recommitting to the Knights.
"At his age and experience, the next three years of his career will be his best and we believe he will continue his development as a genuine NRL player," said head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan.
q Newcastle forward Mat Croker has extended his time at the NRL club through 2027. Photo: James Gourley/AAP