Month: December 2025

City of Newcastle has appointed a new operator to run Beresfield Golf Course, with the popular Council-owned facility set to welcome back players on 14 January.

One of Australia’s leading leisure service providers, Clublinks Management, has big plans for the future of the site after signing a 15-year lease with City of Newcastle, including the addition of a multi-bay driving range, course improvements and Newcastle’s first dedicated courts for ‘padel’, a sport incorporating elements of tennis and squash, where players use paddles.

The course has been closed since 1 September following the end of the previous operator’s lease, however City of Newcastle used this time to ensure it would be in pristine condition when golfers returned.

Key upgrades included the replacement of failed bridges, and the repair and maintenance of on-course buildings and facilities, while Hunter Water also replaced the course’s major sewer main.

City of Newcastle Executive Director Corporate Services David Clarke said the appointment of Clublinks on a long-term lease will ensure Beresfield Golf Course remains a sustainable and successful community asset.

“We’ve selected the ideal operator that can leverage strong local support for our facility,” Mr Clarke said.

“Clublinks manages a range of courses such as Moore Park and Chatswood in Sydney, Bundoora Park and Centenary Park in Victoria, and Collier Park and Links Kennedy Bay in Western Australia.

“Those facilities are a mix of membership-based and public courses, all with an emphasis on a customer-first approach.

“Our recent upgrades to the course will provide a solid foundation for the long-term success of the facility under this new management, while also increasing safety for players and staff.

“We look forward to seeing the exciting improvements Clublinks is proposing for this much-loved community facility.”

CEO Anthony Lawrence said Clublinks is thrilled to partner with City of Newcastle to help revitalise Beresfield Golf Course.

“Our vision is simple – create a vibrant, inclusive space where everyone can play, laugh, and connect,” Mr Lawrence said.

“Under Clublinks’ management, Beresfield Golf Course will undergo exciting enhancements designed to make every visit unforgettable.

“Expect improved facilities, expanded programs, and innovative experiences focused on accessibility, sustainability, and outstanding service.”

In the aftermath of the Bondi terrorist attack, the clear message from the Jewish community leaders has been that we need unambiguous support for our Jewish community.

Today the Minns Labor Government is asking faith and community leaders from around the state to pledge their support to the Jewish community.

This is a call to action for our faith and community leaders; we need everyone to meet words with action. The NSW Government is currently undertaking a whole-of-government response to ensure our Jewish community are supported.

The statement reads:

“In the wake of the unspeakable attack on our Jewish community at Bondi Beach, we come together across cultural, linguistic and religious differences to make a unified pledge:

• We collectively mourn for victims and their families and pledge our support and solidarity for the Jewish community in NSW.
• We pledge to stand up and stand united against antisemitism, racism and hate and to support all victims of racism, hate and religious intolerance.
• We pledge to protect and promote the rights and responsibilities of all the people of NSW in a cohesive and multicultural society.
• We pledge to work in unity across cultural, linguistic and religious differences to uphold our democratic values and freedoms.
• We are stronger together.”

To sign the pledge, please visit: Support pledge – Bondi attack 

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“In the wake of this horrific attack, it is more important than ever that the Jewish community in NSW knows they do not stand alone.

“Every community leader. Every faith leader. Must be unambiguous in their support of our Jewish community.

“It will take everyone working together to ensure we can properly address the insidious affliction that is antisemitism.”

President of the Jewish Board of Deputies David Ossip said:

“The trauma of the Bondi terrorist attack on the Jewish community is simply incalculable. The hurt and the loss are profound.

“Now more than ever, we need everyone to come together. Now is a time for unity. Now is a time for us to spread light and to unequivocally call for an end to antisemitism. Our Jewish community needs your support.

“Please show that we are stronger together. Let’s work together to bring about a return to the Australia we love.”

Prime Minister, Governor Beazley, Archbishop Fisher, Rabbi Elton, members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador Maimon, religious leaders, in particular, president of the Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip.

We were meant to gather here tonight to celebrate Christmas, a season that speaks to Christians of joy, of hope and of light entering the world.

Unfortunately and instead, we come together here at the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral in a different spirit.

United in grief but also in love, to stand alongside the Jewish community of New South Wales and to say clearly and without hesitation that you are not alone.

In the Catholic tradition, places like this cathedral exist not just for celebrations, but for moments like this, moments when a community gathers for one another.

To comfort each other, to bear grief together and to affirm the dignity of every human life.

Tonight, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Yesterday, many of us were deeply moved by the words of Rabbi Eli Feldman, who spoke so beautifully about his dear friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

The two Elis had studied together as young men, they’d both become rabbis, and Schlanger was like a brother to Feldman.

Eli Schlanger was one of those optimistic people who would celebrate Chanukah by dancing down the street, because he said the best way of fighting antisemitism was to dance.

On Sunday night, Rabbi Schlanger was murdered. He was murdered on Bondi Beach for the simple reason that he was a member of the Jewish community.

If Eli Feldman had responded to this evil act with spite or with hatred, I think there’d be a general understanding from most Australians.

But instead, on television, in front of everybody, he said, “No matter the colour of your skin or what you believe, we are all created in God’s image, every single human being is created in God’s image. Let us love each other. Let us care about each other.”

If there is anything this moment asks of us, it is reflection on the extraordinary grace shown by Rabbi Feldman and so many religious leaders of the Jewish faith, who we call our neighbours and our friends.

Reflect on their values, the values that bind us together as a society.

For those of us who are not Jewish, moments like this remind us of the deep responsibility that we have to listen, to learn and to stand alongside a community whose history reflects resilience, courage and faith, but also persecution.

Here in Australia, we believe and we must continue to prove that people have a fundamental right to be able to live openly, practice their faith freely and feel safe doing it.

That promise matters, and it’s one we recommit to tonight. The purpose of this attack was to frighten us and to isolate us. It was designed to divide Australian against Australian.

But standing here together across faiths and backgrounds, it’s clear that it will fail. It will fail because of the strength of the Jewish people.

It will fail because of the strength of Australians, a strength shaped by our shared values, our respect for faith and an unbreakable commitment to one another, whether we know each other or not.

The truth is, our instinct as Australians, is to stand by our mates, to look after one another and to leave no one behind.

And when that instinct is tested, it reveals itself not in speeches, but in brave and often selfless acts.

In recent days, we’ve seen life savers run barefoot towards danger. Long lines form around blood banks across the country, quiet acts of humanity that speak far louder than any words.

As we approach Christmas, a season that calls Christians to joy and peace, we do so with heavy hearts this year, but I hope not without hope.

Now, I think it would be reasonable that hope could seem a distant prospect after the last few days.

Some may even call a return to happiness and unity a miracle. And the truth is, we’ve got every reason for despair at the moment.

But perhaps we can take some encouragement and comfort from our Jewish friends. As David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, said “In the Middle East, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.”

So don’t give up on hope. Rabbi Sacks once said, “To be a Jew is to be an agent of hope in a world serially threatened by despair. Ours is a sustained struggle against the world that is, in the name of the world that could be, should be, but is not yet.”

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was buried today. He left a message just weeks ago for all of us, not knowing that it would sustain us after his passing, and we’ve been ripped apart.

He said, “May we pray for peace within our hearts and peace all over the world.”

Today, the Albanese and Minns Governments have announced an immediate support package to assist victims, their families, and small businesses impacted by the Bondi terror attack.

The package has been jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments, with most elements to be funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), which have been activated in the wake of this attack. 

The package delivers immediate financial assistance, expanded victim support services and targeted business help, recognising the profound emotional, social and economic toll of the attack.

A community hub will be open at North Bondi RSL, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Health, Service NSW, Service NSW Business Concierge, Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, Legal Aid and Lifeline on hand to provide practical advice and support.

The hub will operate from tomorrow, Friday 19 December to Tuesday 23 December, between 10am and 4pm.
 
The package includes:
 
Victims and family support

• $2 million for Jewish community organisations to support victims’ families, including $1 million for Jewish House to establish a Victim Support Fund to deliver timely, culturally sensitive assistance to the Jewish Community.
• $1 million for Legal Aid and Disaster Response Legal Services to provide legal services to support the recovery of communities.
• Enhancements to NSW’s existing victim support scheme, including increased financial support for injured victims and their immediate families, funeral and burial costs for victims and support for the repatriation of remains.
• $1 million for local Jewish organisations to provide community mental health triage.
• $3.6 million for six place-based recovery officers to undertake case coordination and outreach for affected individuals and families.

Business and community support

• Up to $25,000 for impacted small businesses in the immediate vicinity and those who show exceptional circumstances. Registrations commence on Friday, December 19, with grants processed by early next week.
• $1.5 million for additional security at Jewish community locations.
• $1 million for Waverley Council to assist with clean-up requirements at Bondi Beach, and for community cohesion events.
• $2.8 million to provide up to eight coordinators to undertake community engagement, support the local community and provide capacity building. The funding includes $1 million for a grant program delivered through a partnership between Multicultural NSW and the Jewish Board of Deputies to support community organisations.

Impacted businesses will be able to register for support from Friday, with applications processed from early next week. They can do this by attending the Community Hub or contacting Service NSW on 13 77 88 to organise a meeting with a Business Concierge member.  
 
Mental health support
 
A mental health disaster response has been initiated, with mental health clinicians working on the ground in Bondi and Coogee.

These mobile clinicians will be onsite wearing hi-vis NSW Health vests from 8am to 8pm for the next several weeks

NSW Health has also increased staff coverage on its dedicated 24-hour Mental Health Line, on 1800 011 511.

The Transcultural Mental Health Line (1800 648 911) is available for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

If you, or someone in your care, needs crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.  Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.

The Australian and NSW Government will continue working closely with the community to ensure support remains responsive and sustained.


“The antisemitic terrorism incident in Bondi has shaken the Jewish community, and indeed the whole nation who have been devastated by what is an unprecedented attack on the Australian way of life.

“This event is a tragedy and the Bondi community, Sydney, and Australia, is hurting. My government is committed to supporting those in the wake of this tragedy which is why we are partnering with the New South Wales Government to provide over $20 million in funding for support services through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“My Government unequivocally stands against terrorism and will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of this community and all Australians.”

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns:

“This attack has caused unimaginable pain for victims, families and the Jewish community, and it has shaken our entire state.”

“Our responsibility is to stand alongside people in their grief, provide real support, and help the community recover, not just in the days ahead, but for as long as it takes.”

“This package is about dignity, compassion and practical help, ensuring families are supported, businesses can recover, and people know they are not facing this alone.”

“I urge anyone who is struggling or needs help to reach out. Support is available, and we want people to use it.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:

“Sydney’s Jewish community, and everyone else who loves Bondi Beach, have refused to be cowed by Sunday’s evil attack.

“This assistance package is recognition that our community is at its strongest when it pulls together – and that when it does so, terror can never prevail.

“We will make every effort to ensure that one of Australia’s best loved landmarks remains a place of joy, celebration and freedom for all.”

On Sunday evening, as the sun set over Bondi Beach, I witnessed both the worst of humanity and the very best of Australia. 

The horrific images of the Bondi terrorist attack have now been seen across New South Wales and around the world. This was a permanent stain on one of our nation’s most iconic places, a beach that reflects who we are as a country: open, diverse and free. 

As we continue to grapple with the shock and senseless loss of life, our thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who were killed, and with the many who were injured. 

We owe an immense debt of gratitude to first responders, surf lifesaving volunteers and members of the public who ran towards danger, without hesitation and without regard for their own safety, to help strangers in need. 

Now we must confront why this happened. 

Once, an attack like this would have been unthinkable in Australia. Yet warning signs have been mounting for some time. This was not just an attack in a public place, it was an attack on our Jewish community, and on the values that bind us together. 

We must examine our gun laws. There is no credible justification for any individual in metropolitan Sydney to own or access multiple high-powered firearms. As Leader of the Opposition, I will work constructively with the Government to ensure New South Wales has the strongest gun laws in the country. Community safety demands nothing less. 

But laws alone are not enough. If we allow hatred to take root and go unchallenged, those laws will be tested, and our people and our communities will remain at risk. 

Antisemitism in NSW has not emerged overnight. It has been allowed to grow through complacency, institutional drift, and a failure of leadership over several years. 

Warning signs were visible well before October 7, rising hostility in workplaces, politicisation of public institutions, tolerance of intimidation, and the quiet erosion of impartiality in education, health and public service settings. 

Rather than confronting these trends early, our governments too often chose appeasement over enforcement and silence over moral clarity. Antisemitic incidents were downplayed, complaints dismissed, and responsibility deferred. 

When hatred escalated into public intimidation, vandalism and violence, the state was unprepared, not because the risk was unforeseeable, but because it was ignored. 

This failure to act sent a clear signal, that antisemitism could persist without consequence. 

In doing so, governments did not just fail the Jewish community, they weakened social cohesion and allowed hate to take root across our state. 

We must demand more from our governments. We now don’t have any other choice. 

It’s now time to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community and use every means possible to stamp out antisemitism for good. 

The NSW Liberals and Nationals stand ready to do so.