The nation’s best professional bull riders are down to the wire in a fierce battle for this year’s PBR Australia title, with just ten days to go until the pinnacle PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville.
Taking place at Townsville Entertainment Centre over two bumper nights on November 15 & 16, the PBR Grand Finals mark the final and deciding chapter in the hotly-contested 2019 PBR Australia season.
The critical event will attract 18 of Australia’s top riders, as well as four key internationals – including former World Champion Kaique Pacheco (Brazil), for an epic head-to-head showdown that will decide the coveted 2019 PBR Australia National Champion title.
The riders will also matchup against some of the best bucking bulls in the country – the supreme animal athletes that earn ‘superstar’ status in of one of the world’s fastest growing sports.
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of PBR in Australia, and the Grand Finals in Townsville are the biggest celebration of the sport’s growth from when we launched the national tour in 1999, said PBR Australia General Manager, Glen Young.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting such a marquee event in the same town as the PBR Australia headquarters – and the Townsville community has always welcomed us and our sport with open arms.”
2018 PBR Australia Champion Aaron Kleier (Clermont, QLD) is set to return to Townsville in a bid to nab consecutive national titles.
Kleier, currently sits atop the PBR Australia Standings, having successfully backed up a breakout runner-up finish in 2017, and an inaugural Australian Championship win in 2018.
With just ten days to go until the PBR Australia Grand Finals, Kleier holds a points lead over his nearest rival, fellow Clermont (QLD) young-gun Brady Fielder.
Fielder, ranked #2 on the current PBR Australia Standings, looks primed to take out the 2019 Rookie of the Year title, and could make a run for the National Championship with some stellar results in the tail end of the season.
No stranger to rising to big occasions, 19 year-old Fielder has scored multiple top-3 finishes in PBR Australia tour events this year, including PBR title wins in Newcastle, Marrabel and Cunnamulla and today flew out of Brisbane to fly the flag for Australia in the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas this weekend (Nov 7-10).
Despite his youth, the fearless Fielder already sports his fair share of bull riding battle injuries – he’s not only lost vision in his left eye, but also sustained a punctured lung.
Cliff Richardson (Gresford, NSW) is at #3 on the PBR National Standings, and has just flown out to represent Australia alongside Fielder at the PBR World Titles in Las Vegas.
Runner up to National Champion Kleier in the 2018 title race, 28 year-old Cliff started the year strong however failed to find consistency in the middle of the PBR Australia season. With recent form under his belt, Cliff has his sights set on bettering his #2 Grand Final position this year.
Cliff’s younger brother and PBR Australia #4 Lachlan Richardson (Gresford, NSW) is also hoping to put injury and a mid-season slump behind him to make a last-ditch run at this year’s national title.
The 26-year-old consolidated his top-4 ranking with a return to form after injury and a string off disappointing buck-offs earlier in the year.
“You work hard at it every single day, and then the results don’t show. It annoys you, but it also makes you hungry for next week. I had a bit of bad luck there for a bit, but you’ve just got to keep working at it,” Richardson added.
“Confidence is a really big thing in this sport, and I feel good, healthy and ready to go.”
2019 was the first season in Richardson’s career that he did not embark on a summer run through the PBR tours in the USA and Canada. Grounded in Australia due to Visa issues, Richardson says he has enjoyed the break from international competition.
“It’s great to be home. It wears you out being over there [in the USA] your whole life, so I’m happy to be back here for a bit,” Richardson said. “I enjoy working and doing fun stuff on the farm, and I get to live with my fiancée – so life is good,” he explained.
Out of the mix for this year’s national Championship is current PBR Australia #5, Cody Heffernan (Singleton, NSW).
Heffernan started the year looking virtually untouchable on top of the national leaderboard, however, a string of injuries have hampered his run at a second national title – with a knee injury now sidelining him entirely for this rest of this season and into the New Year.
The tough as nails Heffernan has had knee surgery just 4 days ago and doesn’t expect to be back competing on a bull for another nine months. The cracking start to the year he had leaves him still in fifth position in the national standings despite being injury riddled and unable to ride for the last few months of competition.
In addition to crowning Australia’s top bull rider, the PBR Grand Finals will also be the deciding event in the race to the Stock Contractor of the Year title.
Throsby & Russell, the 2018 title winners, currently lead the National Stock Contractor Standings, followed by
Dittman Bucking Bulls at #2, and Brandenburg Bucking Bulls at #3.
Brandenburg Bucking Bulls, who were the 2017 PBR Australia Stock Contractors of the Year, are headed up by 23 year-old female bull breeder Dakota Brandenburg.
Brandenburg, who first started working with bulls when she was 13 years-old, cares for around 140 bulls at any given time. At the age of 18, she became the youngest female bull owner and trainer in the country – and now manages the day-to-day feeding, training, diet and vaccinations all the balls in her care.
All of the top three stock contractors are renowned in an industry that prides itself on going the extra mile to ensure its animal athletes are cared for and conditioned to perfection.
The action-packed PBR Grand Finals will also see Country music singer Ryan Weaver perform, straight from the USA.
Before becoming the Patriotic Voice of PBR in the US, Weaver was a Military Intelligence Analyst and then a Black Hawke Aviator who was deployed to Baghdad International Airport. He has since toured the US with the PBR performing at sell-out events and is looking forward to performing in Townsville on his first trip to Australia. (More detail follows in the Editors Notes).
Tickets are on sale for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville atwww.tecc.net.au
Joel Fitzgibbon is bullying his way towards climate disaster
Greens Acting Leader, Adam Bandt MP, has responded to Labor Shadow Minister for Resources Joel Fitzgibbon’s attack on Victorian fracking bans, warning that unleashing toxic methane gas will blow any chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goals.
“Joel Fitzgibbon, the man Anthony Albanese has made responsible for Labor’s coal and gas policy, is trying to bully Labor Premiers into unleashing a toxic methane climate disaster,” said Mr Bandt.
“Unleashing more toxic methane is not a transition plan, it is a recipe for climate disaster.
“Australia won’t become a renewable energy superpower if we start fracking our country and releasing toxic methane.
“An increase in gas mining is a major reason Australia’s pollution keeps rising.
“To avoid climate catastrophe, we need to look beyond gas and coal and transition to a clean energy future.
“While over the weekend Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party announced a ban on fracking in Britain, in Australia Federal Labor was attacking Victorian Labor over its own important fracking ban.
“If Labor is genuine about recognising the climate emergency then they need to join us in not only stopping new polluting gas projects, but planning for a transition away from toxic industries towards the renewable energy future we desperately need.”
Say ‘Nup’ To The Cup Today: Greens Senator
Greens spokesperson for animal welfare, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called on people and businesses to say ‘nup’ to the Melbourne Cup today.
Senator Faruqi said:
“I’m calling on everyone to join me and many other Australians in saying ‘nup’ to the Melbourne Cup and all cruelty to horses.
“I’m overwhelmed by the surge in support for #NupToTheCup. It’s clear the community values animal welfare and the racing industry will end up on the wrong side of history if they ignore this strong community sentiment.
“Year after year we see the needless painful deaths of horses, including five in the last six Melbourne Cups.
“More and more people are recognising that animals never win when gambling profits are at stake. That’s why I say ‘nup’ to the cup.
“After all the evidence of animal cruelty and racehorses being sent to slaughterhouses in appalling conditions, we urgently need a Royal Commission into cruelty in horse racing to hold the industry to account,” she concluded.
Attempted armed robbery – Cooks Hill
Police are investigating after an attempted armed robbery in Newcastle overnight.
About 7.45pm on Sunday 3 November 2019, two female employees were inside a pharmacy on Darby Street, Cooks Hill when an unknown man entered the store through a rear entrance.
The man then approached the counter and threatened one of the attendants with a knife before demanding medication.
The other employee activated an alarm and the man fled the store empty handed through the rear entrance onto Railway Street.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District conducted patrols of the area however were unable to locate the man.
He is described as being about 180cm tall, with a thin build, dark clothing and a dark face covering.
Police are urging anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam vision from the area around this time or who
Morrison should show some climate leadership and offer to host crucial climate summit
Acting Greens leader Adam Bandt MP and Greens spokesperson for Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, have called on Scott Morrison to show some climate leadership and offer to host the upcoming crucial COP25 Climate Summit.
COP25 was due to be held in a fortnight in Santiago, however Chile has withdrawn from hosting due to ongoing civil unrest.
Quotes attributable to Acting Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP:
“If Scott Morrison wants to show that he is serious about taking action on global warming then he should offer to host the upcoming climate summit.
“This is our chance to show the rest of the world that Australia takes the climate crisis seriously.
“Other nations have already put up their hands and offered to host, so this is Scott Morrison’s time to show the global community that Australia is committed to tackling the climate crisis and being a good global citizen.”
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“COP 25 is the world’s first ‘Blue’ Climate talks, with a key focus on addressing the impacts of climate change on the world’s oceans. This provides an especially unique opportunity for Australia to step up and host this event, given our role as global custodian of the UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef.
“The official outlook for the reef has been downgraded to ‘very poor’ – the best available science tells us nearly half the reef’s corals have bleached and died, primarily from marine heatwaves caused by rising Greenhouse gas emissions.
‘Many of the world’s coral reefs, which over half a billion people rely on directly for their livelihood, are in worse shape. This is a global crisis by any standards – one that requires immediate action.
“Australia hosts some of the world’s leading marine science institutions and programs, including for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. These are key barometers of ocean health. We have much to be proud of from our endeavours in this critical area of research.
“This is a unique opportunity for Australia to show leadership on the global stage once again and regain the respect we have lost in recent years. We truly are a nation girt by sea. Our national identity is closely linked to our beaches and oceans – few have as much to lose as we do if global ocean health continues its rapid decline.”
Bandt Slams Morrison Protest Crackdown
Greens Acting Leader, Adam Bandt MP, has responded to Scott Morrison’s speech today to the Queensland Minerals Council, saying that any attempts to crack down on protest is a threat to Australia’s democracy.
“Scott Morrison is a direct threat to Australian democracy and freedom of speech,” said Mr Bandt.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to outlaw the peaceful, legal protest of Australian individuals and community groups reads like a move straight from the totalitarian’s playbook.
“Instead of getting tough on the climate crisis, Scott Morrison is dismantling democracy.
“People are taking action because Scott Morrison’s is making the climate crisis worse, but instead of heeding the message, he’s shooting the messenger.
“The Greens will fight tooth and nail against any move to make it harder for Australians to have their voices heard and take action to solve the climate crisis.
“Until Scott Morrison starts cutting pollution and keeping coal in the ground, protests will keep growing.
“We have one simple message for Scott Morrison today: you can’t arrest your way out of the climate emergency.”
Joel Fitzgibbon is bullying his way towards climate disaster
Greens Acting Leader, Adam Bandt MP, has responded to Labor Shadow Minister for Resources Joel Fitzgibbon’s attack on Victorian fracking bans, warning that unleashing toxic methane gas will blow any chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goals.
“Joel Fitzgibbon, the man Anthony Albanese has made responsible for Labor’s coal and gas policy, is trying to bully Labor Premiers into unleashing a toxic methane climate disaster,” said Mr Bandt.
“Unleashing more toxic methane is not a transition plan, it is a recipe for climate disaster.
“Australia won’t become a renewable energy superpower if we start fracking our country and releasing toxic methane.
“An increase in gas mining is a major reason Australia’s pollution keeps rising.
“To avoid climate catastrophe, we need to look beyond gas and coal and transition to a clean energy future.
“While over the weekend Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party announced a ban on fracking in Britain, in Australia Federal Labor was attacking Victorian Labor over its own important fracking ban.
“If Labor is genuine about recognising the climate emergency then they need to join us in not only stopping new polluting gas projects, but planning for a transition away from toxic industries towards the renewable energy future we desperately need.”
$160 million King Street development caps off record three months for Newcastle
More than $365 million in new development has been lodged with the City of Newcastle during the past three months.
It’s a figure that’s seen the City of Newcastle set a new three-month record for investment in the city.
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A new $160 million development by the Wests Group Australia is the latest example that confidence in the city centre is at an all-time high, with three other multi-million dollar projects also submitted for approval just in October.
The Wests Group’s development at 309 King Street includes two 14 storey mixed use buildings consisting of a 144 bed seniors aged care facility, 82 seniors independent living units and 166 general residential apartments, along with ground floor cafes, restaurants and a medical facility with underground parking for 286 cars.
The pedestrian laneway between the development and the existing Wests City building (NEX) would include a memorial to the 1989 Newcastle earthquake victims.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the increase in investment was yet more evidence of the private sector’s confidence in the city.
“Newcastle is undergoing an unprecedented construction boom on the back of the our progressive, future-focussed vision for the City.
“The latest influx of investment is particularly exciting as it involves formerly underutilised sites now earmarked for development.
“These plans will drive our local economy and contribute to the vibrancy of our community for decades to come.”
Last week a development application from Iris Capital to convert the former David Jones building on Hunter Street to a hotel was also lodged.
“In addition to the $18 million restoration of the former David Jones building to a hotel, work will officially start Monday on the conversion of the Roundhouse into the city’s first five-star hotel in a development estimated at $24 million,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle’s transformation is truly underway. It’s fantastic that our city centre will soon be home to two five-star hotels.
“Our city has seen a 60 per cent increase in visitor numbers and expenditure in the past five years which again positions Newcastle as a destination city that continues to grow and improve.”
Century Venues have also proposed a $11.5 million restoration of Newcastle’s iconic Victoria Theatre, immediately opposite Iris Capital’s proposed five-star hotel and roof top bar.
The 2018 calendar year was a record year for City of Newcastle, as the total value of building approvals topped $1.2 billion with the 2019 year on track to rival this figure.
DIGITAL DRIVER’S LICENCE ROLLED OUT STATEWIDE
NSW drivers can now use a Digital Driver’s Licence (DDL) on their smartphone for proof of identity, proof of age and at roadside police checks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello announced the statewide rollout today at Norths Cammeray, following successful trials in Dubbo, Albury and Sydney’s Eastern Beaches.
“We’ve always put the customer at the heart of everything we do. Opal card and Service NSW have revolutionised the customer experience. The Digital Driver’s Licence is the latest way we are making life easier for the people of this state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“More than 550,000 people have already downloaded the digital licence, with 97 per cent giving it the thumbs up. In the suburb of Blacktown alone, 4,733 people have chosen to go digital.”
The Digital Driver’s Licence has inbuilt security controls to protect customer’s personal information.
“The DDL is hosted securely on the new Service NSW app, locks with a PIN and can be accessed offline. It will provide additional levels of security and protection against identity fraud, compared to the plastic driver licence,” Mr Dominello said.
“We are working closely with business and industry to have them come on board and accept the DDL. This includes nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, petrol stations, supermarkets, convenience stores and tobacco retailers. Watch this space.”
Drivers who opt-in are encouraged to carry their plastic licence in the initial stages.
For more information about how to recognise and accept the DDL visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/digital-driver-licence
To get a DDL, licence holders will need to create a MyServiceNSW Account at www.service.nsw.gov.au and download the Service NSW mobile app on their smartphone. The DDL will always be opt-in only.
NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE – 1 NOVEMBER 2019
FIRST CASH TO FLOW TO HELP FIX LOCAL ROADS
The first round of the $500 million Fixing Local Roads program is now open and will close on 2 December 2019. Successful applications will be announced from February 2020.
Funding was available to councils to repair, maintain or seal local roads in a bid to help reduce the backlog.
The funding is a key election commitment and removes the need for local roads in regional NSW to meet a benefit cost ratio to receive funding.
Projects will need to be delivered within two years of receiving funding, to ensure that local communities are benefiting sooner.
GIVE THE BEST GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS AND #BUYREGIONAL
Sydneysiders keen to help drought-stricken towns can easily buy Christmas presents and produce direct from regional retailers, with the help of a new NSW Government campaign that connects city shoppers with rural sellers.
Buy Regional is an online hub that showcases regional shops and sellers together in one place, to make it easy for shoppers to find the perfect Christmas gift and support regional NSW.
The Buy Regional for Christmas hub is at: www.nsw.gov.au/buyregional.
CUTTING COSTS FOR NSW DRIVERS
Groundbreaking new rules will give the NSW Government the power to claw back excessive insurer profits from Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance and return the money to motorists through cheaper Green Slips. The new rules are already applicable.
Insurer profits will be capped at 10 per cent by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), keeping costs to motorists down while also encouraging the industry to be more innovative.
Based on current premiums, for every one per cent of excess profit recovered from insurers, more than $15 million will be returned to NSW vehicle owners through lower Green Slip prices.
VOCATIONAL TRAINEESHIPS TO BE FEE FREE FROM JANUARY 2020
The NSW Government has launched a new $54.3 million NSW Government Budget initiative to make government-subsidised traineeships fee-free.
Traineeships, through the NSW Smart and Skilled vocational education and training (VET) system, will join apprenticeships in being fee free from 1 January 2020.
This means the NSW Government would be picking up the tab for the fees on all new traineeships, including school-based traineeships.
ENSURING THE FUTURE OF RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY FOR NSW
The Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments are delivering reliable and affordable energy, making the New South Wales-Queensland Interconnector (QNI) happen.
Both Governments will jointly underwrite up to $102 million of the QNI upgrade to ensure the security of electricity in NSW.
This will allow TransGrid, the network transmission service provider for NSW, to fast track critical early works for QNI ahead of the final regulatory determination of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
SYDNEY’S SOUTH ON THE MOVE WITH THE NEW M6
Connecting one of the missing links in Sydney’s motorway network is a step closer to delivering benefits to the residents and businesses of Sydney’s south and the Illawarra.
Companies vying to build the underground motorway from Arncliffe to Kogarah, now known as M6 Stage 1, can now express their interest in a project expected to create 5,300 jobs throughout its life.
It is expected that a contract will be awarded in December 2020, construction will begin by early 2022 and open to motorists by the end of 2025.
TOUGH NEW LAWS ON ILLEGAL FIREARM MANUFACTURING
The NSW Government will introduce laws to crack down on illegal firearm manufacturers, including those who supply the firearm parts or allow their premises to be used to manufacture weapons.
The new offences will apply to anyone who ‘takes part’ in the illegal manufacture of firearms, similar to laws in place for taking part in the supply or manufacture of illicit drugs.
It will also ensure the maximum penalty for illegal manufacturing will be 20 years. The legislation would not apply to law abiding firearm dealers or authorised commercial enterprises that are permitted to manufacture firearms.
The NSW Government will introduce a bill to Parliament early next year.
$1.2 MILLION SPORTS FUND TO TACKLE RURAL MENTAL HEALTH
NSW-based sporting bodies wanting to improve mental health and wellbeing in regional drought-stricken areas can apply for a share of a new $1.2 million Mental Health Sports Fund.
NSW sporting bodies can apply for funding to expand an existing program, team-up with a mental health service provider on a new program or support their local member clubs to run community wellbeing events.
For further information and how to apply please visit the Office of Sport NSW website: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/Mental-Health-Sports-Fund.