DEAR Jasminda, I’m thinking of getting an ice bath for stress relief. Do you have any views on this? Gavin H. Oh, Gavin, Sometimes I read a conundrum and my first thought is, yes, I have views on this, but do you really want to know them? I have no qualifications in ice-bath therapy, so […]
OPINION: Reflections on the 1975 constitutional crisis
THE dismissal of the Whitlam Government in November 1975 highlighted the fragility of our parliamentary and constitutional system and the danger that, if the various constitutional norms that protect that system are ignored, the democratic system itself can be weakened. The real villains in the whole affair were two State Premiers who went against a […]
From the Mayor’s desk: The first international flight to Bali
I HAD the very exciting opportunity to be on the first international flight from Newcastle Airport to Bali on 21 October. I funded myself and my kids, Mackenzie and Hunter, for a holiday as a special gift for Hunter’s 18th birthday. MacKenzie and Hunter had never been to Bali before, and getting to take them […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, I’ve been invited to the staff Christmas party but the people going are hard partiers and I always end up being the designated driver. I’m aware there’s an expectation for me to remain under-the-limit to ferry all the guests home. I’m thinking I might not go for this reason. Harriet L. Dear Harriet, […]
Nats Zero
Letter to the Editor: A delusion of the energy-illiterates
DEAR News Of The Area, THE likely demise of the Tomago Aluminium facility without government subsidy is due to rising electricity costs with the increasing proportion of renewables (actually weather-dependent intermittents) in the electricity grid. The mantra: ‘renewables are the cheapest form of energy’ is a delusion of the energy-illiterates. Sunbeams and breezes are there […]
Letter to the Editor: Big thanks to fire volunteers
DEAR News Of The Area, IT’S truly humbling that almost 50 people volunteered their time to undertake a hazard reduction burn that will help keep our property, the wildlife and nature that lives here, and our family safer this summer. Volunteers like you all are the fabric that knits our community together. I would like […]
Letter to the Editor: Call for inquiry Into AUKUS nuclear subs
DEAR News Of The Area, IN May’s Federal Election, Australians voted against dangerous nuclear reactors, so why is the Australian Government persisting with the AUKUS nuclear submarines deal? More than 30,000 people have signed a petition calling for an independent parliamentary inquiry into the AUKUS pact. Is it in our national security and best interests? […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, LAST night (when I was sound asleep) my husband woke me about the mosquitoes in the room. He then searched (unsuccessfully) for the flyspray before trying other tactics. By the time he’d killed them, I was wide awake and stayed that way. What do I do to avoid this in the future, Katie […]
