DEAR Jasminda, WHENEVER I go to the supermarket for a couple of items, I end up leaving with a trolley full. How can I avoid the temptation and stick to my budget? Gloria V. Dear Gloria, It’s easy to feel defeated when you go into the supermarket for eggs and milk and return with two […]
From the Mayor’s desk: Cr Leah Anderson
I ALWAYS look forward to National Youth Week – it’s such a great opportunity each year to celebrate the talents and contributions of young people across Australia, especially right here in Port Stephens. This year, Youth Week runs from 9 to 17 April, and the theme – ‘We are the future, and the future is […]
Letter to the Editor: Defunding the grid
DEAR News Of The Area, THIS week the Coalition announced a $20 billion “Regional Australia Future Fund” aimed at improving health, child care and infrastructure inequalities in non-urban Australia. Perhaps they were listening to our MidCoast Council Mayor, Claire Pontin, who has been advocating a doubling of Federal funding to local councils. The new Future […]
Letter to the Editor: The power of independence
DEAR News Of The Area, VOTING for an independent MP can benefit the Australian community by promoting more personalised and responsive representation. Independent MPs are not constrained by party politics, allowing them to focus solely on the needs and concerns of their constituents. This independence means they can advocate for local issues without the influence […]
Legal Hypothetical: Time to tick-off a new year’s resolution
AS is common for many people at this time of year, Jack and Jill make a new year’s resolution to “get their house in order” in terms of their estate planning. They see a solicitor specialising in this field and are advised that the traditional estate planning package consists of three separate documents, being […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, There has been a lot of angst about people setting up their cabanas on beaches lately. A good friend of mine thinks they ruin the beach, but we got one for Christmas which makes going to the beach with her a bit uncomfortable. How do I handle this? Karen Q. Ah, […]
Letter to the Editor: Koala situation only part of the forestry issue
THE Member for Oxley Michael Kemp appears to be the National’s new kid on the block when it comes to justifying native forest logging in our coastal forests. Repeating the same old National Party mantra over and over again doesn’t make it true. He would do well to read David Lindenmayer’s ‘The Forest Wars’, an […]