Beach erosion a shore sign of why we need urgent action
CLOSE TO HOME: Climate change’s harmful effects on human health are already being felt, physician John Van Der Kallen warns. It’s common knowledge that the amount of sand on beaches changes over time. Inheavy seas, sand is eroded from beaches. In calmer periods, sand is deposited. However, we are entering a new world and can no longer be reassured by the past processes where sand on beaches is replenished.
Projections are that we are likely to see an increase in beach erosion.The recent events at Stockton where the sea came within two metres of a childcare facility are a prime example.
The culprit behind our receding shores, rising sea levels and increasing extreme weather events is climate change.Yet, disturbingly, articles and subsequent editorial dealing with Stockton’s long-term erosion (NSW government not prepared to fund a groyne at Stockton, January 19, 2018) make no mention of climate change when discussing solutions.Ironically, on the same editorial page there was the story of health professionals getting arrested to stop the Adani coalmine – a mine that will worsen warming.
Climate change is here and now, and we need to start taking it more seriously. Its harmfuleffects on human healthare already being seen.
There have been calls for local and state governments to act. But what do we expect them to do?
The obvious solution is to shore up the beach to allow more sand to accumulate in front of the facility. However, at best, this is going to be only a temporary solution. And what about the rest of Stockton and any other low lying area in Newcastle or Australia?
The expected rise in sea level is well documented. This can be seen on the government website(ozcoasts.gov419论坛). The government is fully aware of what is happening. So why are they not taking it seriously?
I suspect, because it is too hard and goes against too many vested interests.
If the government took global warming seriously it would be urgently changing policy to reduce our emissions as quickly as possible.Seventy-five per cent of NSW electricity still comes from coal-fired power stations. Not only do these cause immediate health issues, they contribute to greenhouse gases and sea level rise.
Nationally, a third of our emissions come from vehicles. How is it possible that public transport is getting harder to use when we need to be using it more? Where are the incentives for us all to be changing to electric vehicles? Where is the money for adequate bike paths?Why does the government spendbillions on new roads and neglect bike paths?
Fifteen per cent of our emissions come from food production. Half of Australia’s land surface is devoted to grazing and 11 per cent for cropping. The majority of the cropping is used to produce food for animals. The majority of land clearing is to provide more space for animal grazing. What we eat has a direct effect on climate change.
The Stockton childcare facility problem is a problem for all of us. There is no easy answer, which is why, I suspect, the government response has been tardy.
Rising sea levels and more erosion are facts of life we are going to have to manage.To lessen the impact, society must take climate change seriously and make dramatic changes. We need leaders who are willing to make tough decisions. Currently, it is business as usual, which is just not good enough.
John Van Der Kallenis a physician practicing in Newcastle and a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia.
Readers’ tips: The Tip-o-meter
Tell us about the most exciting day tour you’ve ever taken and we’ll publish the best letters
TIP OF THE WEEK: FREEZE
I recently booked am 11-day tour with to Iceland and, as I often do when I travel to foreign places, I decided to add a couple of extra days to my itinerary. I’m so glad I did so.
I arrived a day before the tour started and found an exciting tour called “Into the Glacier” (intotheglacier.is), departing from the capital, Reykjavik. It’s not cheap but is worth every penny.
An ice cave has been dug into a 1355-metres long glacier (the second biggest in Iceland) and you’re taken inside it and under the ice. Being transported to the top of the glacier in a special huge truck and then fitted out in special gear due to the wet and cold inside was all part of the fun.
Irene Gillespie, North Turramurra, NSW
RED FACES
While holidaying in Berlin we decided to extend our hotel accomodation for a few extra days to give us time to book a visit the German Bundestag (Parliament House). On inquiring direct with the hotel’s front desk we were disappointed to discover they were fully booked.
Undeterred, we returned to our room, searched a hotel booking website and discovered our existing hotel with discounted rooms available for the days we needed. After booking the room, we returned to the front desk, advised them we had booked the days we wanted. We then, much to our delight and their red faces, requested and received our existing room.
Stephen Yeates, Dee Why, NSW
HEY JUDE
On a recent safari trip to Tanzania, my family and I visited and stayed The School of St Jude . It was established in 2002 by an Australian woman Gemma Sisia who, starting with a $10 Rotary Club donation decided to build a school for students from the poorest families.
The first classroom housed just three students and now, 16 years later, St Jude consists of three campuses, 1800 students, 1400 boarders and 300 staff. Hot lunch is provided each day to every student with more than 1 million meals served each year.
The annual budget of $US5 million ($6.26 million) comes from 17,000 donors, mostly Australians, with the school remaining free to students. Please donate if you can. schoolofstjude.org
Philip Monardo, Sydney, NSW Solicitor
PLAINLY JANE
I have been meaning to write to thank your columnist Michael “The Tripologist” Gebicki following my stay at the Jane Hotel in New York, as a single traveller, which I booked after reading his recommendation in Traveller on Sunday.
It was such an interesting place to stay, with a delightful cafe on the first floor, open at hours that suited my long day outings around Manhattan. The sunset view from the roof bar, towards the Hudson River, was glorious. I enjoyed my stay at the Jane Hotel so much I would definitely return to it.
Jennifer Morgan-Nicholson, Lane Cove, NSW
Charity’s NDIS complaints
PRICED OUT: Meals on Wheels volunteers Robert Wark and Lyn Richardson with co-ordinator Denise Lloyd. The organisation says it is having problems with the NDIS and fears being priced out. Picture: Simone De PeakNEWCASTLE Meals on Wheels general manager Damien Isaacs says he is not accusing his competitors of rorting the NDIS.
But he is saying that NDIS pricing schedules are being applied inconsistently and that some of his competitors are using NDIS delivery fees to cross-subsidise the price of their meals, meaning that Meals on Wheels is finding it hard to compete in Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.
At the heart of his concern is differing advice over how much Meals on Wheels can charge to deliver seven days’ worth of food.
Mr Isaacs said Meals on Wheels was told it could only charge $11.61 for a single delivery of seven meals.
But he said he was losing NDIS clients to competitors who were charging the NDIS the $11.61 for every meal delivered, allowing them to charge as little as $3 a meal, or almost half the price of some Meals on Wheels offerings.
The NDIS told the Newcastle Herald: “Food is a daily living expense, and as such is not funded by NDIS supports.
“Food delivery however, where appropriate and identified as reasonable and necessary in a participant’s plan, can be funded by the NDIS.”
Mr Isaacs said NDIS participants had told him they were moving to competitors because the out-of-pocket cost was cheaper, even though they knew the provider was taking more out of their NDIS package for delivery.
“I don’t really want to get into the philosophy of this but there is a perception that NDIS plan money is not thought of in the same way as direct cash,” Mr Isaacs said.
He said Newcastle Meals on Wheels had about 800 clients including about 40 on the NDIS. He said the organisation would be financially better off out of the NDIS but it was committed to looking after the most vulnerable people in the community.
“What I do want is a level playing field, a fair and competitive market place so that everyone is charging the same way,” Mr Isaacs said. “I have tried to raise this with the NDISsince October but we have heard nothing back.
“What we need is for them to have a quick, simple review of the situation and then to publicise the result, so that we all know the exact amount that can be charged, and whether it is per meal or per delivery.”
The Herald sent detailed questions to the National Disability Insurance Agency, which runs the NDIS, but it replied in general terms without addressing itsclaimed lack of response to Meals on Wheels.
“The providers who offer food delivery services can quote and charge up to the price in the NDIS pricing guide,” NDIA said. “As such, costs may vary, depending on the number of meals prepared and the number of deliveries required.”
The peak body for disability providers, National Disability Services, endorsed the concerns of Newcastle Meals on Wheels.
Its chief executive, Ken Baker, saidhis organisation’sState of the Disability Sector reportreleased in December found that 68% of disability service providers were worried they would be unable to provide services at the prices being offered under the NDIS.
He said the other two mainproblems were inconsistent NDIS plans for individuals anddelays in payments for services already provided.
Teaser drops for Australian sci-fi filmphotos, video
Last time Zac Garred appeared in a feature film, it was titled ‘Newcastle’and documented the surfing culture of his home town.
Now he’s fighting off alien invasions in an Australia-wide invasion.
The new teaser trailer for Occupation, a science-fiction action movie set for cinemas later this year, has been released and it’s already promising a high-octane entry into Australia’s film industry.
It’s a feature flick that boasts deep Novocastrian roots too, with Maitland’s Luke Sparke having written and directed the sci-fi epic.
With the teaser release the marketing machine has started rolling, and Sparke admitted that the nerves are starting to creep up.
Teaser drops for Australian sci-fi film | photos, video RELEASED: The teaser trailer for the science-fiction action movie Occupation has been revealed.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The teaser trailer promises action, aliens, spaceships and a sprinkle of comedy.
The release date for Occupation has not yet been confirmed.
TweetFacebookOccupationis really exciting as well, it’s like a breath of fresh air for movies coming out of Australia and it was so fun to be involved in this movie alongside Luke. Felt even closer to home doing it all alongside another boy from the Hunter.”
Occupationtook just over six weeks to film between May and June last year, and was primarily shot in northern NSW.
The Murwillumbah Showgrounds were used as a key location in the alien invasion, and a large factory close by doubled as a hide-out for the main characters.
Read:Kidman sheds tear over Screen Actors Guildaward
Locations on the Gold Coast hinterland were also used for exterior shots, and sets were built at the Sparkefilms Studio on the Gold Coast.
Although the film’s centraltownisn’t named in the script, Sparke chuckled at the suggestion his formative years in Newcastle and Maitland may have rubbed off, and the nameless location could be a version of the Hunter Valley.
“That’s what we were going for with the nameless aspect, we wanted people to look at this place and pretend it’s their town or city,” the writer-director said.
“I write with what I know, so there’s definitely a part of the Hunter and Maitland in there. I love the area and I have a lot of memories from there, so it’s played a part for sure.”
Sparke confirmed a full trailer forOccupationwould be released in the near future, as well as other marketing promotions and some “special events”.
“We’ll see what’s coming in the future,” he said. “We’re doing some special stuff to promote the movie, and with me and Zac [Garred] on board we’re going to include Newcastle in anything happeningwith Sydney.”
The official release date of the film has not yet been announced.
Newcastle to Adelaide flights start in March
Adelaide AirportNEWCASTLE Airport has been one of this region’s modern business successes, with a steady increase in passengers –and a phased improvement in facilities –to the point where it is quite clearly the state’s second-biggest airport with a throughput last year of more than 1.27 million passengers.
Newcastle Airport chief executive Peter Cock
But Newcastle’s growth has been more incremental than anything, with new routes beyond the eight destinations on offer difficult to make pay.
Now, however, the operators of FlyPelican have announced the start of direct flights between Newcastle and Adelaide, initially each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with ambitions of adding a Sunday service and eventually progressing to a daily schedule.
FlyPelican will fly the route using planes and staff leased from Brisbane-based fleet-operator Alliance Airlines. FlyPelican chief executive Paul Graham says extensive surveying of the market here and in South Australia shows strong demand for a service that at present needs either a drive to and from Sydney, or a flight routed through either Melbourne or Brisbane.
Most successful domestic air routes need a mixture of business and tourism passengers to thrive, and the presence of major defence facilities at both ends, as well as the Whyalla steelworks and the Newcastle rolling mills belonging to OneSteel, should provide a basis of business travel.
And while we think this end of the time saving –the direct flight should take just two hours and 10 minutes –the same applies for passengers departing from the Adelaide end, who now find Newcastle and the north coast of NSW far closer to them than was previously the case. As an indication of the sort of demand that FlyPelican anticipates, the Adelaide route will be serviced by either 80- or 100-seat Fokker jets, by no means the smallest planes to fly in and out of Newcastle Airport.
Although the airport exists primarily as a piece of infrastructure for its paying customers, it has also shown itself to be a source of income for its co-owners, Newcastle and Port Stephens councils. In the 2016-17 financial year it made an after-tax profit of $8.1 million, returning $3.8 million in dividends to the councils. In an era of often-privatised infrastructure, Newcastle Airport appears to be making a good fist of its financial management. Hopefully, the Adelaide services will add to the airport’s operational and financial success.
ISSUE: 38,705.
World’s tallest ice tower opens in China
It’s been two years in the making, now the world’s tallest ice tower has finally risen.
The Flamenco tower stands at 31 metres tall and was built by a team of students and professors from the Netherlands and China called Structural Ice.
The tower is one of the main attractions at the Snow and Ice Festival in Harbin, China.
But it’s no ordinary ice – wood fibres and cellulose were mixed in to make it three times stronger than simple frozen water.
The ice has an average thickness of 25 centimetres. Construction took two years, made difficult by the fact that temperatures were -25 Celsius.
Rather than a simple straight up and down design, the team partly based their plans on flowy Flamenco dresses which also billow at the bottom.
Relying on an unconventional building material meant the team also had to use unconventional techniques.
A plastic mould was inflated and ice was sprayed around it with hoses.
Once the ice refroze the mould was deflated, leaving the solid tower hollow.
At the base of the tower are six illuminated staircases made of transparent ice blocks.
The team trumped their own world record, which they set in 2015 with a 21-metre tower.
On 10 January, the tower was officially opened by the Dutch ambassador to China.
The same crew hopes to be involved in building ice sculptures for the 2022 Winter Olympics to be held in Beijing. Related: Ice Game of Thrones hotel opens in FinlandRelated: Luxury ski resort built from 20 repurposed shipping containersRelated: The world’s new tallest pair of towers headed for Cambodia
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
Bhandari quits after found guilty of ‘avoidable contact’
A Cricket NSW director who was found guilty of physical contact with an opponent has resigned from his role.
Danny Bhandari, who last week stood down from his directorship as he faced a Sydney Cricket Association Judiciary Committee, quit on Monday after being banned for striking an opponent to the head after he had been dismissed for a duck in a second grade match for University of NSW.
Bhandari pleaded not guilty to the charge but was suspended for two matches for “avoidable hand contact to the head” of Manly bowler Tom Kaye, having been reported by umpires.
The prominent Sydney businessman and longtime grade-cricket veteran was elected to the Cricket NSW board only last year, but has left the role after Fairfax Media revealed he was under investigation for an incident involving an opponent. He also sits on the board of Venues NSW.
“Danny has been a significant contributor for UNSW for close to two decades and more recently NSW cricket,” Cricket NSW chairman John Warn said.
“However, Cricket NSW board members have a responsibility to uphold the highest values of the game and Danny recognises he failed to do that in this instance.”
“The spirit of cricket is paramount and Danny has decided to act in the best interest of the game.”
In the 2016 BRW Young Rich list, in which he ranked inside the top 100, Bandhari’s fortune was estimated at $29 million.
He has developed and sold high-speed derivatives trading software to amass his wealth, which also earned him the honour of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008.
He has previously served as the chairman of selectors and president of University of NSW, with whom he has played for 18 years.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
Gig guide January 25-31
GIG OF THE WEEK: Metalcore boys In Hearts Wake bring their Great Southern Land tour to the Cambridge Hotel on Friday.MUSIC5 SawyersThursday, Jerome. Friday, AK Morris. Saturday, Devultra.Sunday, The New Cool.
Argenton HotelSunday, Jesse Fildes.
Anna Bay TavernFriday, Darren.Saturday, Spank N The Monkey.
Argyle HouseThursday, Australia Day Eve Party.
Australia Hotel CessnockFriday, Pat Vs Cat.Saturday, Layth Gunn.
Avon Valley InnSaturday, Hard Hitter.
Bar Petite Friday, Ty. Saturday, Grayson.
Bay Hotel Bonnell BaySaturday, Siren.
Bellbird Hotel Friday, Green Ginger.
Belmont 16s Friday,Ian McNamara, Midnight Drifters. Saturday, Anthology, Pete Gelzinnis. Sunday, Rich & Famous.
Belmore Hotel Friday, Project X. Saturday, The V Dubs.
Beresfield Bowling ClubFriday, Zane Penn Duo.Saturday, Project X.Sunday,Jumpin Jukebox.
Blackbutt HotelFriday, James Naldo.Saturday, Kickstarters.
The BradfordFriday, Katie N Feff.Saturday, Witchery.
Bulahdelah Bowling ClubSaturday, Zac and Ben.
Bushrangers BarFriday,Chris Daniel.
Cambridge Hotel Thursday, Sunday School DJs, Cambridge cover band. Friday, In Hearts Wake, Young Lions. Saturday, Boys Don’t Cry Fest ft. Pist Idiots, Smacked Youth, Cherry Stain, Looseleaf IV, Dr Dingo & The Space Cadets, Rum Jungle (afternoon),Mar Daze, Dyer Maker (evening).
Cardiff RSL ClubFriday, Code Red.Saturday, The Remedy Trio.
Carrington Place Thursday,Jack McLaughlins Frenchman Street New Orleans Jazz Band. Friday, Louis Abell.
Catho PubSaturday, Jamie Martens.Sunday, Viagro.
Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows Friday,Gerald Masters and Band.
Central Charlestown Leagues Club Friday, Emily Smith. Saturday, Tim Harding.
Central HotelStroudFriday, Junior and Luana.Saturday, Duncan Woods.
Cessnock Leagues Club Friday, Daniel Arvidson. Saturday, Solid Gold Party Night.
Club CatalinaFriday, Shawn Lidster.Sunday, Reggie Sinclair.
Club LemonTreeFriday, Kevin O’Hara.Friday, Matty G.Saturday, Let Loose.
Club Maitland CityFriday, Kazzie.
Commercial Hotel Morpeth Friday, The Way.Saturday, Boney Rivers.
Country Club Hotel Shoal Bay Friday, Knight Moves.
Criterion Hotel CarringtonSaturday, Karen O’Shea.Sunday, Zane Penn.
Criterion Hotel WestonSaturday, The Tantrums.
Croatian Wickham Sports Club Sunday, The Cherry Aimes Review.
Crown & Anchor Hotel Saturday, Paparazzi. Sunday, Holly Mae.
Customs HouseFriday, Sunset Club.Saturday,Arley Black.Sunday, Sunset Club.
Cypress Lakes Friday, Howard Shearman. Saturday, Emily Smith.
D’Albora Marina Friday, Police Citizens Youth Club Band, Mick Jones, Kim. Sunday, Karen O’Shea.
Dora Creek Workers ClubSunday, Daxton Monaghan.
Duke Of WellingtonFriday, Matt McLaren.Saturday, The DuoTones.
East Cessnock Bowling Club Thursday, Snowy Robson. Friday, Dave Alone. Saturday, Veronika.
East Maitland Bowling ClubFriday, The DuoTones.Saturday, Mardmax Trio.Sunday, Bonny Rai.
East’s Leisure & Golf ClubSaturday, Tyler John.
Edgeworth Bowling ClubSunday, Klassic Blak.
Edgeworth TavernFriday, Viagro.Saturday, The Way.
The Edwards Saturday, Soda. Tuesday, The Ironing Maidens.
Exchange HotelSaturday,Sundays Record.
Family Hotel MaitlandFriday, Allan Freihaut,David McCredie.
Fingal Bay Sports ClubSunday, Chad Shuttleworth.
Finnegans Saturday, Jade Le Flay, Lionette, Sonic, Extraordinate, Benny B, Oh Webber, Gillecks, Coco Levon.
Gallipoli Legion Club Friday, DJ Rip. Saturday, Adrianna Mac Big Band.
Gateshead TavernFriday, Loose Bazooka.Sunday, Gareth Jay.
George TavernSaturday, Dos Eager.
Grand Hotel Tuesday,The Djangologists.
Great Northern Hotel TeralbaFriday, Roxy.
Gunyah HotelThursday, Hayden Shepherd.Friday, Zachary Israel.Saturday,Gen-X.
Hamilton Station Hotel Thursday, Oskin Osan, Sweater Curse,Deep Space Supergroop.Friday, Deez Nuts, Reactions, Taken By Force. Sunday, Jen Buxton, Natalie Henry.
Harrigan’s Pokolbin Friday, The V-Dubs. Saturday, Kellie Cain, Shooting Molly. Sunday, Kristy James.
Hawks Nest Golf ClubFriday,Cotton Sax and Strings.
Hexham Bowling Club Friday, Tre Soul. Saturday, Blue Water Cowboys.
Honeysuckle HotelFriday, Paperboy.Saturday, Renegade Ways, Tre Soul. Sunday, Mick Jones, CrocQ.
Hotel CessnockFriday, Purple Hearts.
Hotel DelanyThursday, Sean Andrews.Saturday, Paperboy.
Hotel JesmondFriday, Todd Schmoo.
Imperial Hotel SingletonSaturday, Ash Mountain.
Iron Horse Inn Thursday, Hornet.
Jewells Tavern Friday, Paparazzi. Saturday, R and R. Sunday, Emily Smith.
The Junction HotelSaturday, Liam Endersby.
Kent Hotel Friday, Overload. Saturday, X & Y. Sunday, Thread Blues Band.
King Street Hotel Thursday, Australia Day Eve party. Friday, Throttle.
Lake Macquarie Yacht ClubFriday, Deborah Sinclair.Sunday,Darren Rolling Keys.
Lass O’GowrieThursday,Royal Chant,Wasters,Trouble In Paradise.Friday,Floggs.Saturday,King River Rising.Sunday,Dawn Barrington,Anna & Jed.
Lemon Tree Passage Foreshore Sunday, FunKtus.
Little Beach Boat HouseFriday, Jordan Fleming.
Lizotte’sThursday,Tony Sarno (US),The Darren Jack Band. Saturday-Sunday, The Black Sorrows.
Lochinvar Hotel Friday, Tim Harding.
Lucky HotelSaturday, Lauren Arms.
Mark Hotel Friday, 3 Of A Kind. Saturday, Matt Semmens. Sunday, Misbehave.
Mary EllenFriday, The Cassettes, Mobilistic DJs.Saturday, Loose Bazooka.Sunday, Jordan Fleming.
Maryland Tavern Friday, Melbourne Street. Saturday, Steel City.
Mavericks On The BayFriday, Mick Jones.Saturday, Matt McLaren.Sunday,Roxy.
Mavericks On DarbyFriday, Chad Shuttleworth.Saturday, Jon Matthews.
Mayfield Ex-ServicesFriday, The Leadbellies. Sunday, Mark Lee.
Metropolitan Hotel Maitland Friday, Leroy & The Rats.
Mezz Bar at Wallsend Diggers Friday, #Hashtag OZ, Alessandro.Saturday,Loko, DJ Angelo.
Morriset Country ClubFriday, Mark Lee.Sunday, Cotton Sax and Strings.
Murray’s Brewery Friday, Tom Blake. Saturday, Amy Fredes. Sunday, Greg McKew.
Nag’s Head HotelSaturday, Zane Penn.
Neath Hotel Friday, Phonic.
Nelson Bay DiggersThursday, Uptown. Friday, Spank N The Monkey. Saturday, Ian McNamara,The Big Bang. Sunday, Anyerin.
Nelson Bay Golf Club Friday, Dave Carter. Saturday, Marissa.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht ClubFriday, Mardmax Trio. Sunday, Daniel Arvidson.
Northern Star HotelSaturday,Pap N That.
Pedens CessnockThursday, Dos Eager.Saturday, Viagro.
Pelican RSL Saturday, Catfish Soup.
Pippis At The PointFriday, Todd Schmoo.Saturday, Katie & Feff.Sunday,Tyler John.
Plough InnFriday, Mark Lee.
Potters BrewerySaturday, Pistol Pete.
Premier Hotel Sunday, Hornet.
Prince of Wales Hotel Friday, Mark Wells.
Queens Wharf HotelFriday, The Smarts.Saturday, Mojo Bandits.
Railway Hotel CessnockFriday, Gen-X.
Raymond Terrace Bowling ClubSunday,Kim.
Royal Federal HotelBranxton Friday, Lithium. Saturday, Overload.
Royal Hotel SingletonSunday, The Brown Bull.
Royal Motor Yacht Club TorontoFriday, The Bad And The Ugly.Sunday,Lennie Live.
Rutherford Hotel Saturday, Brendan Murphy.
Salamander TavernSaturday, Mick Jones.
Seabreeze HotelFriday, Secret Society.Sunday, Matt Bowles.
Shenanigans at the ImperialFriday, Siren. Saturday, Counterpart. Sunday, Ryan Daley.
Shortland HotelSaturday, Brien McVernon.
Singleton DiggersFriday, The Georgia Project, The Gleesons.Saturday,Darren Rolling Keys Duo.
Soldiers Point Bowling Club Friday, The Rattlesnakes. Saturday, 2 Left Feet.
South Newcastle Leagues ClubSaturday, Jackson Halliday.
Stag and Hunter Hotel Thursday, Gleny Rae Virus, Rob Luckey. Saturday, Den Hanrahan.
Star Hotel Sunday, Rhythm Express ft.Bruce Mathiske, Dave Carter, Steve Cowley and Adam Manning.
Stockton Bowling Club Saturday, DJ Symon. Sunday, Clean Slate.
Swansea RSLClub Saturday, Rock Factor.
Swansea-Belmont Surf Life Saving ClubSunday, John Larder.
Swansea Workers ClubSaturday, Misbehave.Sunday, Paul Watters.
Tea Gardens Country ClubFriday, The Bush Happy Band. Sunday, Kazzie.
Tilligerry RSLFriday, Alias Duo.Saturday, Peter Hibbert.
Toronto Diggers Friday, 40 Up Club.
Toronto HotelFriday, Dreamcatchers.Saturday,Daryl Braithwaite,Boney Rivers, Matt McLaren.Sunday, Ashley Knight.
Toronto WorkersFriday, Karen O’Shea.Saturday, The Rattlesnakes.Sunday,Max Jackson.
Victoria Hotel HintonSunday, Pistol Pete.
Wangi HotelFriday, Justin Banks.Sunday, Steve Gilmore.
Wangi Wangi RSLClub Sunday, Ron Knight.
Warners At The BaySaturday, Frick N Orson.
Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, All Access 80s.
Westfield Kotara Friday, Ryan Daley. Saturday, Gareth Hudson.
Weston WorkersSaturday, The Flattrakkers.
Wests Cardiff Saturday, Cruzers.
Wests New Lambton Thursday, Angamus. Friday, Misbehave. Saturday,The Smarts. Tuesday, Angamus.
Wickham Park Hotel Friday, Monsters of Rock, Fox Control, The Groove Council. Saturday, Newcastle Blues & Roots Festival ft.GrooveExamination,Papa Pilko and The Binrats,Jason Kafoa,Blues Exile,Hell’s Kitchen,The Reofenders,Roy Rose,Merewether Fats Blues Band,The Blues Bombers,Plastic Voyage,Helena KitleyBand,Annie O’Dee and the Hotshots,Diplazar,Paris Grace. Sunday,Steve Edmonds,Chikarma.
MOVIESCoco(PG)Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz.
Darkest Hour(PG)Within days of becoming Prime Minister, Winston Churchill must face his most turbulent and defining trial: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation.
Ferdinand(G)After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home.
I, Tonya (MA)Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises among the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle(PG)Four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game’s jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower(PG)One day, when Mary follows an odd cat into the woods, she stumbles upon a strange flower that she has never seen before. Suddenly, the luminescent power inside the flower brings a broomstick lying nearby to life, which then whisks her above the clouds & off to a strange & secret place.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure(M)Young hero, Thomas, embarks on a mission to find a cure to a deadly disease known as the “Flare”.
Molly’s Game (M)Molly Bloom, a young skier and former Olympic hopeful becomes a successful entrepreneur (and a target of an FBI investigation) when she establishes a high-stakes, international poker game. (Tower)
Nick Jnr’s Paw Patrol: Sea Patrol (G)Cool down with the PawPatrol as they make a splash to save the day in twounderwater adventures.
Paddington 2(G) Now happily settled with the Brown family, Paddington picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.
Padmaavat (M) Recounts the tale of Rani Padmavati – the legendary Mewar queen known as much for her beauty and intelligence as she was for her courage. (Kotara, Event)
Pitch Perfect 3(M)Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.
Stars Wars Episode VIII:The Last Jedi(M)Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers.
Sweet Country (MA)When Aboriginal stockman Sam kills white station owner Harry March in self defence, Sam and his wife Lizzie (Natassia Gorey-Furber) go on the run. They are pursued across the outback, through glorious but harsh desert country.
The Commuter(M)A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.
The Greatest Showman(PG)The story of P.T Barnum, a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
The Post(M)A thrilling drama about the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post’s Katharine Graham -the first female publisher of a major American newspaper –and editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks), as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents.
The Shape Of Water (MA)An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. (Tower)
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (MA)After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter’s murder case, Mildred Hayes makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby, the town’s revered chief of police.(Tower)
Three Summers (M)Over three consecutive years, two musiciansmeet and fall in love at the festival amidst a microcosm of Australian society. (Regal)
THEATREI Ought to Be in PicturesNeil Simon comedy about a 19-year-old girl who treks from NewYork to Hollywood to try to make the screen-writing father who deserted the family 16 yearsearlier accept her acting ability. Newcastle Theatre Company, at the NTC Theatre, Lambton.Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at 8pm, until February 3, plus 2pm Saturday.
Year of the RoosterA young man, bullied and ignored by those around him, trains a roosterto be a cockfighter, believing its success will improve his status; Australian premiere of adark comedy by US playwright Olivia Dufault. Knock and Run Theatre, at the RoyalExchange, Newcastle. Nightly at 8pm from Wednesday until Saturday, February 3.梧桐夜网stickytickets,com419论坛.
Two-thirds of children driven to school: it’s not safe to walk, parents say
More than two in three Australian children and teenagers are being driven to school, a new survey suggests.
The figures released on Monday showed more than 50 per cent of parents believed it was important that children be able to walk to school without an adult, but fewer than one-third believed it was safe for them to do so.
Some 64 per cent of parents reported driving their school-aged children to school most days, found the national survey of 2012 adults, roughly half of whom were parents living with their children.
NSW had the highest proportion of parents who said there was too much traffic on the roads for their children to walk to school (69 per cent).
When asked if it was safe to walk to school alone, 20 per cent of parents strongly disagreed and 25 per cent disagreed, found the survey conducted by the Heart Foundation’s LiveLighter campaign.
Almost 60 per cent of parents said their children’s schools were too far to walk or cycle, and 35 per cent said time was a factor. The survey allowed respondents to select multiple answers.
The findings suggested Australians were increasingly reliant on their cars to get too and from their children’s schools, the LiveLighter campaign organisers said.
One-quarter of parents said there was a lack of safe routes, and another quarter said personal safety was the reason their child did not walk or ride their bike to school. Over one-fifth said convenience was an issue.
School-age children need one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise everyday, according to Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines.
The results were released a week before most Australian children return to school in an effort to encourage parents to think of ways to incorporate more physical activity into their children’s daily schedules.
“Sometimes we know driving to school is completely unavoidable,” said Heart Foundation Victoria Healthy Living Manager Roni Beauchamp.
“We know it’s often hard to get a car park near school, so why not park a little further away and walk with the kids, if you’re concerned about safety,” she said.
A 10- or 15-minute walk from the car to school would given children an opportunity to learn about their environment and gain the health benefits of physical activity including improving their concentration and building self confidence.
Exercise in childhood also supports muscle and bone development and helps reduce the risk of developing serious health problems later in life, previous research has shown.
The survey also found children whose families had a household income between $55,000 and $100,000 were more likely to cycle to and from school (20 per cent) than those living in households with lower incomes (15 per cent) and those in more affluent families earning over $100,000 (15 per cent).
The amount of exercise children do was not simply a matter of a lack of individual motivation and parents’ decisions.
Population-based research has shown socioeconomic status and proximity to CBDs were major predictors of exercise and obesity rates, among adults and children, with people in lower socio economic groups living further away from city centres more likely to be overweight or obese, drive to work and do little exercise compared to more well-off families.
“It really shouldn’t matter where you live, you should have equal access to the infrastructure that allows you to make healthy choices about the physical activity you do,” Ms Beauchamp said.
The organisation has partnered with city and town designers at all levels of government to improve access to public transport, walking paths and cycling tracks nationally.
The survey did not include a breakdown of the age of children or whether beliefs varied between parents of primary and high school students.
Ms Beauchamp said previous research suggested parents of young girls were most likely to report walking to school alone was unsafe. Three in four adults drive to work
The survey also found one-quarter of adult respondents walk to work or to study (27 per cent), close to three-quarters said they drive or get a lift, and one-third use public transport.
More than one in three adults reported not using public transport at all. The same proportion said it was inconvenient and one-quarter said there was a lack of accessibility.
Some 68 per cent of adults said their place of work or study was too far away to walk or cycle, 40 per cent said time was the issue and 23 per cent put it down to convenience.
“We need to fall out of love with our cars and start enjoying the outdoors,” said LiveLighter campaign manager Alison McAleese.
She cited previous research that suggested just one in four adults do the recommended minimum amount of exercise and one in seven do not exercise at all.
Adults who exercise regularly are less likely to develop chronic diseases, including heart disease and risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and being overweight.
Adults should aim for 2?? to five hours of moderate exercise or 1?? to 2?? hours of vigorous exercise, or a combination of both each week.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
Short Takes
YES Newcastle Herald, weall need reminding about water safety. Pity the promoters of Commonwealth Games weren’t aware of the need to swim between the flags, using bikini-clad girls to demonstrate what not to do in the surf.
Laurie Coghlan,JewellsI WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Mark Mansfield (Letters, 22/1).I’m so sick of all publicity the Knights get when it’s not even their season.Please give the Jets the respect they so deserve.
Helen Hunstone,Cardiff SouthON my first trip to the Wickham interchange, mytrain stopped at the rear of an eight-carriage one. This then makes for hell of a walk. Too bad if you’re not well. When I got to the gates it took three goes to get through, then there wasn’t a bus oranyone to give information or any printed information about bus changes,so I walked to Hunter Streetin front of The Store.This would be easily 800 yards. In my case, I’m only 75. If you’re getting on in years, I’d saydon’t use the buses. At least when it went to Hamilton everything flowed OK and you knew where it was going.
Bob Hollingsworth,Gillieston HeightsIN reply to Mac Maguire, if the supposedly 50 per cent of the public don’t celebrate or give a rat’s about Australia/Invasion Day, why change it?
Andy Conn,NewcastleREADING Joanne McCarthy’s column reminded me of the Bank Corner cat in the early 1970s. The poor animal was run over and rapidly reduced by traffic and summer temperatures to a dried, but intact, remnant on the road. The council then renewed the white lines in the area and the truck painted a white line over the cat’s remains. I’m sure many of your readers can remember this and verify my story.
Ann Ellis,MerewetherI WOULDlike to know forwhat reason– other than defending against “regime change”, which America has been known to do for financial benefit –that the world is placed in a state of anxiety over North Korea developing the same weapons capability that nineother countries have?
Allan Earl,ThorntonTHANKyou, NewcastleHerald (‘Cafe with heart’,Herald, 20/1). Two wonderful women who are making the world a much better place. One of the lasting memories I have of my Papua New Guineayears is of a group of women sitting on a cement floor at a coffee factory I visited regularlysorting beans by hand. Their daily wages were not much more than what you pay for a cup of coffee. Despite the hardship of a life lived with no government handouts,where electricity was a luxury, NBN is unheard of, travel is mostly by shanks’ pony andchildcare is provided by elderly and infirm family members,they seemedmuch happier than many Australians.
Dave McTaggart,EdgeworthTHE POLLSWHERE did you want flights from Newcastle to head next?
Adelaide 38%, Perth, 36%, Other 26%
NAB wealth sale could make strategic sense: analysts
National Australia Bank would bolster its returns and lower the risk of being hit by reputational damage by offloading its remaining wealth operations, analysts said.
Amid reports NAB was considering a potential float of its funds management, financial advice and superannuation businesses, bank-watchers said there could be a strategic case for further divestment by the bank in the wealth management sector.
While such a move would probably not have a major impact on its share price – as NAB has already quit the low-returning life insurance business – analysts said it could still be helpful for chief executive Andrew Thorburn.
NAB was the first big four bank to scale back its wealth division when it sold 80 per cent of its life insurance business to Nippon Life in 2015. Since then, however, rivals have gone further in exiting wealth management.
ANZ Bank last year said it would sell its superannuation and financial planning arms, as well as quit life insurance, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia is conducting a strategic review into the potential float of Colonial First State Asset Management this year.
Bell Potter analyst TS Lim said there could be a case for offloading the remaining NAB wealth businesses as the bank looks to bolster returns by focusing on its traditional strengths in retail and commercial banking.
“It’s something they will have to consider,” Mr Lim said. “At the end of the day, banks are are trying to focus on pure banking.”BBY analyst Brett Le Mesurier said the sale would be “helpful” for the bank’s capital position and would complete its moves to “tidy up” the bank, but would not have a major impact on its share price.
The Australian Financial Review on Monday said a NAB strategic review of its wealth business had investigated whether NAB’s wealth businesses, which include MLC, Plum Super, and broker JBWere, could potentially be floated on the ASX. It is estimated this business would make about $300 million in profit a year.
NAB would not comment on market speculation, nor would it comment on the strategic review.
Portfolio manager at Regal Funds Management, Omkar Joshi, said there could well be a case for NAB selling its wealth assets, as the returns from the sector were lower than other parts of the bank, and came with added reputational risk.
However, he said there was no pressing need for the bank to sell down more of its wealth business, given its exit from the life insurance sector.
“They sorted out the bulk of the problems in wealth, which were in life insurance,” Mr Joshi said. “The flipside is that it’s not a big proportion of their earnings anyway, but it does lead to a lot of reputational damage when they have a planner who does the wrong thing.”
Banks have been selling down in wealth amid weaker returns than forecast, and tougher regulation after a run of scandals in the industry.
Mr Lim estimated wealth management generated a return on equity of about 10 to 15 per cent, compared with 15 to 20 per cent returns from retail and business banking.
“It’s a model that I believe is not working as well for the banks, so they have to consider exiting these legacy businesses.”
Mr Thorburn has set about making the bank simpler and more profitable, and at its full-year results he said it aimed to have the highest return on equity of the big four.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
New bus routes force family to drive
New bus routes force family to drive NOT HAPPY: Belinda Street with eight-year-old daughter Jenna, son Jetson, partner Walo and mother-in-law Carmen. 
TweetFacebook The Street-Buhlmann family.Belinda Street has had to ditch the bus and drive to work in the CBD after the overhaul of Newcastle’s bus network.
Ms Street, who lives at Garden Suburb, said the loss of the 334 route from Glendale to Newcastlewould also rob her 12-year-old son, Jetson, of a direct service to Hunter School of the Performing Arts.
The graphic designer and gallery assistant at Newcastle Art Gallery said the 334’s demise had forced people from Macquarie Hills, Cardiff South and Garden Suburb to catch a bus to Charlestown then another into the CBD.
Read more
New bus stop information on the wayParents criticise new networkPrivate operator Keolis Downer has faced a public backlash since it rolled out new bus routes on January 14.
Ms Street said her commute to work, formerly 35 minutes, was now untenable as it took more than an hour and included a bus change and a 16-minute walk. The trip home was worse.
“It’s ridiculous that to travel east to the CBDI would have to either travel west to Cardiffor south to Charlestownbefore I could head east into town,” she said.
“All the suggested routes have me leaving home at 7.30am. I can’t leave my little girl at home alone for that long before school.When I caught the 334 I didn’t need to leave until 8am.”
Jetson had been catching the 334 to school but now had to catch multiple buses or walk 1.5 kilometres across two major roads to reach a direct service.
“It’s really just thrown our family into chaos,” Ms Street said. “We have spent the last twoyears planning our work, education and other family activities around our local public transport only now to have the rug pulled out from under us.
“It’s a disgrace how the residents in our area have been left without adequate transport options.
“Sadly I have no choice now but to drive to work, and I have no idea yet how my son will get to school. Joining the city parking chaos will be less of an inconvenience than the new bus route.”
She said students fromKotara High, St Pius X Adamstown, St Columba’s Adamstown, Adamstown Public School, Hunter School of the Performing Arts, Merewether High and St Francis Xavier Hamilton caught the 334.
“I have tried to converse with Newcastle Transport about either reinstating the 334 for our school students, or the possibility of getting an existing school route altered slightly, but I keep getting generic responses via email by different people each time. It’s extremely frustrating.
“There is a school service which runs through Garden Suburb, but it ends at Merewether High.
“I wanted to discuss the possibility of extending that route to include Hunter School of the Performing Arts with Newcastle Transport, but they refused to answer my questions directly or inform me of the process to enable this change to happen.”
Kerber survives huge scare to see off Hsieh challenge
It was enthralling, enrapturing, fascinating and nerve-racking.
It was bewitching and beguiling, a contest which pitted one player’s poise, touch and technical smarts against another’s power, pace, strength and sheer bloody-minded commitment.
And in the end it was former world No.1 and Australian Open champion, the powerful Angelique Kerber, who prevailed after a tremendously entertaining fourth-round clash with the outsider Su-Wei Hsieh, the veteran from Chinese Taipei.
The German, who won the Australian Open in 2016, came through a two-hour test that shredded her nerves and provided a stern examination of her character, winning two sets to one, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
At 5-4 and a set up, Hsieh had the chance to win the match and produce a huge boilover. But Kerber kept her cool, held her serve and broke Hsieh in the 11th game of the second set before serving out to level the match at a set apiece.
Hsieh, whose ability to find angles and hit the lines had taken her to the brink of a stunning result, then began to run out of steam as Kerber’s superior fitness and strength kicked in.
But before that she had run Kerber ragged, her finesse with drop shots, lobs and disguised strokes, her precision and ability to find angles which sent the German sliding all over the court had made this into a captivating contest which hung in the balance for so long.
The first three games of the deciding final set featured service breaks, but once Kerber held hers in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead the writing was on the wall.
Still, Hsieh can take credit for playing a major role in creating a gripping contest.
Few gave her any chance before this game against the No. 21 seed.
After all, Kerber had dismantled Maria Sharapova on Saturday night with a display that had many keen to post her as the new favourite for a championship characterised by upset results and highly ranked players enduring close calls.
Hsieh, 32, was the oldest player in the women’s draw, and had performed above expectations to get this far, equalling her best performance in Melbourne when she reached the fourth round in 2008, having got into the main draw as a qualifier.
That seems a lifetime ago, and in tennis terms it was, as she was beaten by the long-since retired Justine Henin on that occasion.
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“Credit to her, she played an unbelievable match,” a relieved Kerber said after her win. “I was running everywhere and she always had an answer. I was just trying to focus on next point, not on the score, I was just trying to play every single point.
“I was feeling that I was running from the first point to the last point. I am really happy about how I was able to change and turn around the match, especially in the third set.
“She played winners and had answers for every shot I had in the first two sets. I was trying everything and she always had the better answer.”
Kerber acknowledged that it was her competitiveness that enabled her to pull a result out of the fire.
“I know that I can fight, I know that I can come back. I think the fight was very important for me today.
“I know that I have to be aggressive and take the match in my hands in certain moments.
“It gives me a lot of confidence that I can turn around matches, always find a way to come back.”
Kerber goes through to the last eight, where she plays Madison Keys, who had an easier passage through in the first match on Rod Laver Arena when she breezed past Caroline Garcia in straight sets.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.