Schools return under COVID settings

Based on Health advice, the first week of Term 3 for schools in NSW will either be under a learning from home model or with strict COVID restrictions.
Beyond the first week of Term 3 strict COVID safe restrictions will be in place.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said she understood it was a challenging time for students, staff and parents, but she has complete confidence that schools are prepared to manage the restrictions.
“For the first week of Term 3 we will have different settings in schools impacted by the stay-at-home orders to those that are not,” Ms Mitchell said.
For schools inside areas impacted by the stay-at-home orders (Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour):

  • For the first four days of Term 3 students will be learning from home.
  • This will stay in place until Friday 16 July.
  • Schools will remain open for students and families who need it.
  • Masks will be required for all staff in all school settings, and students from Year 7 upwards.

For schools outside areas impacted by the stay-at-home orders (Regional NSW):

  • For the first week of Term 3 students will be back at school for face to face learning.
  • Schools will restrict non-essential visitors at school sites, including parents.
  • Adjustments will be made to some activities, such as choir and band.
  • Masks will be recommended for all staff in all school settings, and students from Year 7 upwards.

“All students across NSW will return to face to face learning from Monday 19 July,” Ms Mitchell said.
Schools across areas impacted by stay-at-home orders are ready to operate learning from home for their students.
“All schools recently completed a readiness assessment to prepare for any potential return to learning from home,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I’m confident our schools are prepared for learning from home for the first four days of Term 3, using combinations of digital and printed learning packs similar to those used last year.”
The HSC continues as planned, with the HSC oral language, performance and practical exams scheduled to go ahead in Term 3 and written exams in Term 4.
“To our HSC students I say please stay calm, focus on your studies and look after each other.
“NESA has arrangements in place to ensure no student is disadvantaged if they have been unable to work on HSC major projects during the holiday period, or they are affected by extended stay-at-home orders.”
More information is available at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

Man missing from the Hunter Valley located

A man missing from the Hunter Valley area has been located safe and well.
The 47-year-old was reported missing to Police by a family member about 10.30am on Sunday 4 July 2021.
Following inquiries by officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, the man was located by officers attached to Newcastle City Police District in the Newcastle area on Tuesday.
Police would like to thank the media and public for their assistance.

Police target metropolitan travellers visiting regional NSW in breach of Public Health Orders

Police across the state are continuing to conduct compliance operations targeting metropolitan residents travelling to regional NSW in contravention of Public Health Orders.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said now is not the time to move out of Greater Sydney.
“We want to make it clear that police in Greater Sydney and our regional locations are sharing information and will continue to patrol transport hubs to check that people are complying with the stay-at-home direction,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
Of note, about 10pm yesterday (Wednesday 7 July 2021), officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District spoke to a 38-year-old man on Denison Street, Mudgee, following reports from a member of the public he was acting suspiciously.
Inquiries revealed the man, from Kingswood, had travelled from Penrith Railway Station to Lithgow Railway Station, before boarding a bus to Mudgee earlier the same day to meet a person he had met on social media.
He was subsequently issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for travel from Metropolitan Sydney area to NSW outside area.
In a separate incident, police are appealing for information after reports a 51-year-old man was spat on by an unknown man at a hardware store on the corner of Pennant Hills Road and Phyllis Avenue, Thornleigh, just before 7am yesterday.
Officers from Kuring-Gai Police Area Command have been told the man was waiting to be served when he spoke to another man, who was not wearing a mask.
Staff intervened and as the man was leaving the store, he spat on the other man.
Investigations are continuing.
In total, 56 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 26 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Netball NSW welcomes Chris Lamb to Board of Directors

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Lamb to the organisation’s Board of Directors.
An experienced executive with a strong background in Human Resources, Lamb currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Public Service Commission, the largest employer in Australia. He joins the Board in a casual vacancy Director position until the 2022 Annual General Meeting following the retirement of Carol Murphy.
For the past two decades Lamb has held senior HR roles in a diverse range of sectors including banking and financial services, property, construction and retail.
Among his many accomplishments Lamb has previously served as Global Head of Organisational Development and Chief People & Culture Officer, Australia, for the Lendlease Corporation where he worked for 12 years leading a successful seven-year partnership with the NSW women’s cricket team, The Breakers.
Prior to that he worked as a Senior HR Executive at American Express during which time was Vice President of HR for the company’s UK, Ireland and Eastern Europe operations.
Lamb has also held numerous non-executive roles and is passionate to promote diversity and inclusion in all areas. For nine years (2010-19) he was a non-executive director of Diversity Council Australia, including five years as the Chair of the People and Culture subcommittee.
For the last two years he has been on the Advisory Board of the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute and obtained a post-graduate qualification in Aboriginal Studies to improve his own knowledge and increase his ability to advocate for reconciliation.
Lamb’s wife and two now adult daughters have kept him close to the Saturday netball courts at Hills District Netball Association for many years and he has been an avid supporter and regular attendee of the elite game for the past 30 years.
Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan welcomed him to the organisation.
“On behalf of Netball NSW I congratulate Chris on his appointment and we look forward to working closely with him,” she said.
“Chris is an expert in the field of Human Resources and Culture and brings a wealth of knowledge in this area.
“Our people, both at Netball NSW and across the state-wide netball community, are our greatest asset so having extra expertise in this field is vital as we continue to navigate our way through this period of uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and following that for our game to prosper.”
Lamb said he was excited to be joining a sport which was a leader in both the grassroots and elite spaces.
“I have been delighted to watch the growth of elite netball in recent years and am excited to have the opportunity to contribute my skills to ensure this, and the grassroots game, continue to thrive,” he said.
“Throughout my career I have developed talent management and succession strategies, increased diversity and inclusion and designed and delivered leadership programs.
“Netball, like every other sport, is constantly looking to evolve and move with the pace of an ever-changing society and I look forward to working with Netball NSW to help build an even stronger footprint and sustainable future for the game.”

Greens call on Government to commit to pay increase for aged care workers

The Greens are calling on the Federal Government to commit to funding a pay increase for aged care workers saying the Government should have done this in the recent budget.
The Greens support the Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the Health Services Union push for a 25% increase to aged care workers pay saying current wages are insulting.
“Aged care workers and nurses are doing critical work and paid at frankly insulting rates”, Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“This is a skilled but feminised workforce and you don’t need to take many guesses why this work is so undervalued and underpaid.
“The Royal Commission recommended that the Government and the sector put in applications to the Fair Work Commission to improve wages, the Government need to come to the table and support the application.
“The Government can keep telling us they have ‘put money into aged care’ but $17 billion over 4 years is not enough to fix our broken aged care system.
“The sector needs $10 billion per year.
“The Grattan Institute has estimated we need another 70,000 workers to fix aged care and Deloitte estimated we need another 130,000 direct care workers by 2050 to maintain current staffing levels and we are not going to attract new workers or keep existing workers if they are not paid properly.
“If the Government is serious about fixing aged care, the workforce is at the heart of it and it starts with a desperately needed pay increase.
“Aged Care workers can no longer be seen as collateral damage in this failed system.”

Minister for Sport to represent Australian Government in Tokyo

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck will travel to Tokyo as a representative of the Commonwealth ahead of the IOC decision regarding the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
The trip represents an important opportunity across both his portfolios.
“This is an exciting time for Australian sport – securing the 2032 Games for Brisbane and Queensland will ensure Australia’s momentum as a host of international sporting events is maintained for years to come,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We know what this means for sport fans and our aspiring athletes but economically it represents a boost to the tune of billions of dollars and will provide a framework to help the Sunshine State – and the rest of Australia – as we navigate our way out of the pandemic.
“The economic and social benefits is estimated at around $8.1 billion for Queensland and $17.6 billion for Australia.
“The 2032 Games are projected to create some 120,000 jobs for Australia, including 90,000 jobs for Queensland.
“The successful bid will also reinforce the work that has been achieved so far by all bid partners and highlights what can be achieved when all levels of government work together and provide an aspirational target for a generation of young Australians watching the 2020 Games.”
Minister Colbeck said given the challenges faced by our elite athletes over the last two years – showing our support has never been so important.
“This will be an Olympics like we have never seen before.
“Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes are ready to make their mark on the world stage and Australians everywhere are ready to cheer them on.”
In addition to his formal role, Minister Colbeck also plans to meet with his Japanese counterparts in aged care.
This will be a significant opportunity to discuss the strategies of both nations in combating the pandemic across the aged care sector.
The Minister will quarantine as per requirements of all travellers returning to Australia.
He is due to receive his second AstraZeneca vaccination next week.

Online learning to help keep senior Australians safe from sexual abuse

The Morrison Government is partnering with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) for an online learning package aimed at helping aged care providers and health professionals prevent, identify, and respond to sexual abuse.
Funded via a $168,000 grant from the Australian Government, OPAN is working with leading researcher Dr Catherine Barrett to develop Abuse of the older person: eLearning program for health professionals.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was an important contribution to reinforce the safety of those we care for most.
“Assaults on the elderly – in any form – are deplorable,” Minister Colbeck said.
“These incidents were underlined in the findings of the Royal Commission into Age Care Quality and Safety and the Morrison Government is more determined than ever to ensure those in care are treated with respect and dignity.”
OPAN’s online program, which will consist of 33 online learning modules, will also be aimed at health and allied health workers, such as GPs and optometrists, who may be the only people some senior Australians confide in if they are assaulted.
Dr Barrett will also launch a #ReadyToListen social media campaign to encourage senior Australians and their families to report sexual assault.
Minister Colbeck said the initiative would complement the Government’s $17.7 billion response to the Royal Commission.
“One of the five pillars of our comprehensive response is a $942 million investment in driving systemic improvements to residential quality and safety, and the learning package is certainly consistent with that objective,” Minister Colbeck said.
“I welcome this initiative as a positive step towards building the skills and capacity of aged care providers to better identify, prevent and respond to sexual assault.”
He said the Government’s Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is another key part of providing greater protections to consumers.
SIRS for residential aged care, including flexible care in a residential aged care setting, started on 1 April 2021.
It will be expanded into aged care home services from 1 July, 2022.
Minister Colbeck said the SIRS expands the responsibilities of aged care providers in relation to identifying, recording, managing, resolving and reporting assaults and a broader range of serious incidents in residential aged care.
“Combined with the vital programs implemented by OPAN, we continue to reinforce the protections for older Australians, ensuring peace-of-mind for those receiving care and their families.”

City welcomes historic State of Origin game for Newcastle

In a huge coup for the city, Newcastle will host its first rugby league State of Origin game, with the third and final match of the 2021 series to take place at McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday 14 July.
The decision means Newcastle will be the centre of the rugby league universe for an estimated 2.5 million Australians who are expected to tune in for the final game of the 2021 Origin season.
One of the rugby league’s showpiece calendar events, game three of the Origin series will reinforce Newcastle as an emerging major-event city.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle was a clear choice for the NRL to host a State of Origin outside of Sydney on the back of successful events like this year’s World Surf League Newcastle Cup and the recent SAANZAR International Rugby Championship, both held as COVID Safe major events.
“Newcastle has shown time and time again that it’s an outstanding host city for major events thanks to the support of this Council, the professionalism of local providers and the passion of Novocastrians for sport, music and the arts,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle has a strategic focus on attracting and retaining major events as they stimulate the local economy, attract visitors, provide recreational opportunities for locals and enhance our position as a truly global city.
“Rugby league is part of Newcastle’s history and social fabric, which is why a State of Origin played right here at McDonald Jones Stadium is a big win for locals.
“While the series has been wrapped up by the Blues, we know Queensland will be determined to avoid a clean sweep when they play here in Newcastle next Wednesday.
“I would like to thank the Deputy Premier John Barilaro for his advocacy to bring this historic match to Newcastle. Up the Blues!”
The State of Origin match will be held with all relevant COVID Safe protocols in place and with NSW Police monitoring and enforcing Public Health Order restrictions.
The ground capacity will be 75 per cent seated capacity on the night, meaning up to 20,000 people can watch the teams battle it out.
The New South Wales Blues are looking to be the first team to notch a 3-0 series clean sweep since Queensland Maroons achieved the feat in 2010.
The Blues will also be hoping to be the first NSW team to win a series 3-0 since their coach Brad Fittler achieved the feat as a player more than two decades ago in 2000.

Fine-free libraries offer more for members

A fines-free initiative introduced to support library members during COVID-19 has been extended indefinitely by City of Newcastle.
Fines for overdue library loans were temporarily suspended as part of City of Newcastle’s $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package (CERP), which was announced on 20 March last year as part of a targeted response to the growing impacts of COVID-19.
Fines are seen as a barrier to membership for some of the most disadvantaged members of the community, creating unnecessary stress and discouraging them from engaging with the wide variety of free resources on offer at our libraries.
But since the onset of the pandemic and the removal of the overdue fees, membership at Newcastle Libraries has risen by more than 7,500 people.
The success of the fines-free concept has led to its long-term continuation, creating another incentive for people to sign up to become members.
City of Newcastle and Newcastle Libraries prioritise customer-centred services and positive member experiences, with greater access, increased services and additional ways to connect.
Fees for lost and damaged items continue to apply.
Membership is free and open to anyone who lives, works or regularly travels in the Newcastle region. Find out more about becoming a member at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library or contact the Libraries team on 4974 5300.

Community reminded to comply with Public Health Orders during extended lockdown

Police across Greater Sydney are working to ensure compliance following the extension of public health orders announced by NSW Health today.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said with the extension, now is not the time for people, particularly across south-west Sydney, to become complacent.
“Additional officers will be deployed across areas of concern that have been identified, including Fairfield, Liverpool and Bankstown, to ensure the public is complying with the current orders”, Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
Complaints from members of the public have led to numerous $1000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) being issued each day.
About 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 July 2021), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command attended a barber shop on Flowerdale Road, Liverpool, after receiving information from the community that the business was still trading in breach of current health orders.
Police spoke with the owner, a 59-year-old man and a 22-year-old customer at the store receiving a haircut.
Both men were issued a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction – individual.
In total, 75 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 37 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.