The New South Wales Coach and Support teams for the 2020 National Netball Championships in Hobart have been finalised.
The Nationals are a chance for the brightest young talent in Australian netball to represent their state or territory. They are also a crucial pathway opportunity, and a chance to get national exposure and catch the eye of Netball Australia selectors.
NSW 19/U head coach Jennifer Wright (Eastwood-Ryde) will be assisted in her role by former National League player Alison Tucker-Munro (Randwick), with Virginia Welsh (Manly Warringah) on board as an apprentice coach and Di Bills (Eastwood Ryde) fulfilling the role of team manager.
In the 17/U setup, head coach Amber Cross (Wyong District) will be assisted by Kath Tetley (Baulkham-Hills Shire), with Kirstie Fuller (Gunnedah) working as an apprentice coach, and Jenny Gage-Traill (Northern Suburbs) named team manager.
Netball NSW State Pathways Manager Margaret Hamley said she was delighted to have both coaching teams in place for a big year ahead.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone appointed in what is a proud moment for all concerned,” she said.
“These coaches have come along the Netball NSW pathway and both Jennifer and Amber are excited to have very good teams behind them.
“This year NSW brought back silver in both the 17s and 19s competitions and in 2020 we’ll be looking to take that final step and bring gold back to the state.”
The Nationals will be held from the 18-23 April at the Hobart Netball and Sports Centre with the winners of both the 17/U and 19/U Divisions crowned in Gold Medal matches on on the last day of play.
NSW 19/U State Team
Head Coach: Jennifer Wright (Eastwood-Ryde)
Assistant Coach: Alison Tucker-Munro (Randwick)
Apprentice Coach: Virginia Welsh (Manly- Warringah)
Manager: Di Bills (Eastwood-Ryde)
NSW 19/U State Team
Head Coach: Amber Cross (Wyong District)
Assistant Coach: Kath Tetley (Baulkham-Hills Shire)
Apprentice Coach: Kirstie Fuller (Gunnedah)
Manager: Jenny Gage-Traill (Northern Suburbs)
Author: admin
Man dies after house fire near Maitland
Emergency services remain at the scene of a fatal house fire near Maitland tonight.
Shortly after 8.30pm (Tuesday 22 October 2019), emergency services were called to
Peppertree Circuit, Aberglasslyn, following reports a house was on fire.
Fire fighters attended and extinguished the blaze, however; the home sustained extensive damage.
The body of a man was located inside.
A woman and a 13-year-old teenage boy sustained minor injuries and were taken to John Hunter Base Hospital as a precaution.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Right to Know campaign a welcome offensive against attack on media freedoms
Today’s landmark campaign by media outlets is a welcome offensive against the erosion of media freedom and whistleblower protections, the Greens say.
“Whether it’s cruelty of horses as we saw last week, abuse in aged care, or misconduct of the banks, media freedom and whistleblower protection isn’t just about journalists, it’s about the public’s right to know,” Greens Spokesperson for Media and Communications and chair of the Senate Inquiry into Press Freedoms, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“In just two years there’s been about 22 pieces of legislation the Federal Government has rammed through the Parliament that increase secrecy in our democracy, under a guise of ‘national security’.
“The truth is, those in power don’t want the public to know what they’re up to and are shutting down transparency and accountability to serve their own interests.
“This campaign by the Right to Know coalition provides many examples of wrongdoing and misconduct that would never have had a spotlight on them without whistleblowers and the protection of journalists’ sources and media freedoms.
“What’s really at stake here is one of the pillars of our democracy. The message to the government is very clear and it’s time they acted. Giving discretionary power to the Attorney-General just doesn’t cut it. Journalism is not a crime and legislation should protect them, not criminalise them.”
Bandt will move to amend free trade laws
Greens Acting Leader, Adam Bandt MP, will move to amend laws designed to implement the controversial Indonesian, Peru and Hong Kong free trade agreements currently before the House of Representatives.
His amendments will seek to delay the implementation of the agreements until guarantees on local jobs and protections from corporations being able to sue governments are included, and until the human rights situation in Hong Kong is resolved.
Many Labor members and unions are up in arms about the agreements.
Greens Acting Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Liberal and Labor have done a dirty deal to fast-track laws that will give corporations more rights than governments or workers.
“These dodgy deals allow corporations to boost their profits by suing governments who do things like lift the minimum wage or pass laws to protect the environment.
“Labor’s ‘big win’ appears to be an unenforceable side-letter from the Liberals that existing loopholes will continue to apply.
“The Greens stand with the workers and civil society groups who want these agreements rewritten so that basic rights are protected.
“We will move amendments to the bills to ensure jobs are advertised locally, corporations can’t sue our government and the Hong Kong deal is delayed while the conflict there continues.”
Life-changing medicines listings to save cystic fibrosis patients up to $250,000 a year
The Morrison Government will provide immediate access to life-changing medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to help support people with cystic fibrosis, saving them and their families up to $250,000 per year.
From 1 December 2019, the life-changing cystic fibrosis medicine Symdeko® will be listed on the PBS for patients with cystic fibrosis over the age of 12, who have specific gene mutations.
The current listing of Orkambi® will also be expanded for children aged 2-5 years of age, allowing earlier access to this life changing medicine.
Patients can gain access to Symdeko® and Orkambi® immediately, with the manufacturer agreeing to the Government’s request to provide early access, until the medicine is listed on the PBS on 1 December.
This is expected to provide new or improved treatment options for up to 1,400 patients.
People might otherwise pay up to $250,000 a year for Symdeko®, or for Orkambi®, but with the Government’s investment they will now only pay a maximum of $40.30 per script, with concessional people paying just $6.50.
In Australia, one in 2,500 babies are born with cystic fibrosis, and there is currently no cure.
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. A defective gene causes a thick, sticky build-up of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.
The average life expectancy for Australians with cystic fibrosis is 38, still less than half that of the average Australian.
This is why it is so important to provide access to new medicines that can extend the lives of people with cystic fibrosis.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended these medicines be listed on the PBS.
PBAC is independent of Government by law and in practice. By law, the Federal Government cannot list a new medicine without a positive recommendation from PBAC.
Unlike Labor, we are subsidising all drugs recommended by the independent medical experts.
Since 2013, the Government has listed more than 2,200 new or amended items on the PBS.
This represents an average of around 30 listings per month – or one each day – at an overall cost of around $10.6 billion.
Our commitment to ensuring that all Australians can access affordable medicines remains rock solid. Our plan for a strong economy continues to deliver record funding for essential health services that saves lives.
More information these new PBS listings:
- Symdeko® will be made available through the PBS for the treatment of people with cystic fibrosis who have two copies of the f508del mutation in the CFTR gene, and are 12 years or older.
- Symdeko will also be made available for people with cystic fibrosis who have only one copy of the f508del mutation, and have one other residual function mutation.
- The current listing of Orkambi®, used to treat people with cystic fibrosis who have two copies of the F508del mutation in the CFTR gene, will be expanded so that children can commence subsidised treatment from two years of age.
City awards 100 per cent renewable contract
City of Newcastle will become the first local government in NSW to move to 100 per cent renewable electricity after awarding a tender to purchase power from the state’s largest windfarm.
A 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) was awarded today to energy retailer Flow Power for the equivalent of all the City’s operational needs from the Sapphire Wind Farm in the New England region.
The accepted tender, which follows Council’s August resolution to make the switch to renewables when existing supply contracts expire, stands to save rate payers around $1.8 million over the 10-year contract.
“From 1 January, the City will become the first local government in NSW to purchase enough renewable electricity to meet 100 per cent of our operational electricity requirements,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“This means enough clean energy will be put into the grid to power every sportsground floodlight, local library, park-BBQ and any other facility Council operates.
“Drawing all our energy needs from renewables is a significant achievement for the City and our mission to make our operations more sustainable and cost effective.
“Around 70 per cent of the respondents to a recent community survey supported this move, ranking renewables as one of their highest priority measures to reduce impacts on the environment.”
Flow Power CEO Matthew van der Linden said organisations like City of Newcastle were “leading the transition to a new energy future”.
“We’re thrilled to see the uptake of renewable deals like these grow in the Hunter Region, as proven by City of Newcastle and Molycop earlier this year,” Mr van der Linden said.
“We see this as a long-term partnership, which will not only support City of Newcastle but also, have significant broader impacts for the local region.”
The City already uses half a megawatt of solar energy generated on the roofs of 10 of its facilities, including Newcastle Museum, with an additional five megawatts to come from the solar farm at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre.
Located 18km west of Glen Innes, CWP Renewables’ Sapphire Wind Farm generates enough energy to power around 115,000 homes annually. The facility is part of a 1,300-megawatt wind, solar and battery portfolio the Newcastle-based firm is building across Australia.
Sapphire also supplies locally based industrial products manufacturer Molycop, which became one of the biggest buyers of renewable energy in Australia when it signed a PPA with Flow Power earlier this year.
The City will join the University of Newcastle in switching over to renewables on 1 January and follow the lead of other progressive Australian organisations, including the University of NSW, CBA, Westpac, Monash University and Melbourne University.
Newcastle drawn into monarch’s mystery
An international quest to find a missing photo album, gifted by New South Wales to the British monarchy in 1882, has made its way to Newcastle.
Newcastle City Library is currently hosting The Queen’s Album, a NSW State Archives touring exhibition commemorating 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria.
The exhibition showcases a selection of 64 images included in a photo album presented to Queen Victoria, depicting scenes of the colony’s landscapes, people and buildings, as well as the industrial development of Newcastle.
Three images showcasing the city’s industrial strength and economic progress around 1880 feature in the display, including views of the railway lines, harbour and Customs House,” City of Newcastle Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“Documents mentioning the gift were rediscovered by the NSW State Archives in 2016, and this exhibition was inspired by the chance discovery last year of plate glass negatives for 48 of the 64 photographs found among the Archive’s 14 million items.”
NSW State Archives Senior Exhibitions Curator Dr Penny Stannard said the exhibition had reignited efforts to find the missing album in a mystery the public has been asked to help solve online and via a #QueensAlbum social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“The history of Newcastle as an industrial city was captured in the album, so we’re delighted to be sharing the exhibition with the local community,” she said.
“If we’re really lucky, it may even spark a new clue to the album’s location.
“Our search for this exquisitely presented collection of photographs given to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle in February 1882 has spanned cultural collections in Australia and overseas to no avail, so we’re turning to the public to help locate it.
“Initial research by the NSW State Archives has revealed a design document and a prototype album, but the whereabouts of the final album is currently unknown.”
The Queen’s Album exhibition will remain on display at the library until Saturday 2 November 2019.
Join the public search for the #QueensAlbum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today and see how this unique exhibition unfolded at https://youtu.be/Q0MyO3xTVIQ.
For more information on The Queen’s Album exhibition and the wider NSW State Archives Collection visit https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/
MORE NSW HOUSEHOLDS TO BENEFIT FROM SOLAR
Up to 3,000 low income households in five areas will be offered a free rooftop solar system and installation worth $4,000 in a NSW Government funded trial that will also shave more than $300 a year off their energy bills.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the NSW Government has committed $15 million to reduce the impact of high energy prices, particularly for vulnerable low-income households.
“We are committed to reducing emissions and acting on climate change, while also ensuring affordable and reliable energy for the people of NSW,” Mr Kean said.
“For low income households the cost of buying and installing a rooftop solar system can be prohibitive, so we’ve set up this trial so more of these homeowners can unlock the savings benefit offered by rooftop solar generation.
“In addition to potential bill savings, the addition of up to 3,000 more rooftop solar systems will add more than 8 megawatts of renewable capacity to help support a clean, affordable and reliable electricity grid.”
The Solar for Low Income Households Trial is available in five regions – Central Coast, North Coast, South Coast, Sydney-South and the Illawarra-Shoalhaven – providing eligible households with a 3 kilowatt rooftop solar system.
Eligible applicants must meet the criteria which includes having their own home in a selected region, having a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, and opting out of the Low Income Household Rebate for 10 years.
“Through the Solar for Low Income Households Trial we will unlock the environmental and economic benefits of clean energy for more homes in NSW.”
Three installers are responsible for supplying and installing the solar systems across the five regions: North Coast – SAE Group; Central Coast, Sydney-South and Illawarra-Shoalhaven – Origin Energy; and South Coast – SolarHub.
More information and advice on how to apply can be found at https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households.
BACK TO BASICS: STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON MATHS, ENGLISH AND SCIENCE
The NSW school curriculum is set for its first major shakeup in over a generation, with a renewed focus on maths, English and science, following the release of the interim curriculum review today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian welcomed the interim curriculum review and said the report’s emphasis on fundamentals aligns with the Government’s commitment to equip young people with the tools they need to thrive in life after school.
“The NSW Government strongly supports a back to basics approach,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Students need to have strong foundations in maths, English and science to be prepared for the jobs of the future and for attaining lifelong skills.”
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the draft curriculum review has indicated ‘significant change’ is required to the NSW curriculum.
“This is the first review of the curriculum to be done in 30 years. It’s a great opportunity for us to reflect on the future of education in NSW and make changes to meet the needs of today’s society,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Students need to be equipped with strong literacy and numeracy foundations to succeed in the 21st Century. We want a curriculum that leaves no student behind while stimulating students who are advancing faster than others.”
In 2018, the NSW Government commissioned Professor Geoff Masters to review the entire school curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Parents, teachers, students and the public can have a say on the Interim Curriculum Review via the NSW Curriculum Review website. Consultation closes on 13 December 2019.
The interim report’s key review areas are:
- Reducing the amount of content in the curriculum so students have time to build in depth subject knowledge and develop the skills needed to apply knowledge in the real world;
- Flexible progression that uses levels of attainment to organise syllabuses so students are recognised and challenged according to where they are on the continuum of learning.
Magic weekend of Masters netball in Tamworth
Netballers from across the state descended on Tamworth over the weekend for the hosting of the 2019 BING LEE Masters State Titles and Netball NSW Social Masters.
After a competition review by Netball NSW last year, it was recommended that the Masters State Titles and Social Masters be played across the same weekend and location.
Unlike the bigger Senior and Junior State Titles, the smaller size of these competitions provide the opportunity for Regional Associations to host them. In 2019 Tamworth Netball Association from the Northern Inland Region, which boasts great indoor and outdoor facilities, was chosen.
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday over 400 players from 43 teams hit the courts, with just under 7,000 goals scored.
Netball NSW Competitions Manager Claire Dale said the weekend was a huge success and thanked the local community for its contribution.
“This is the first year we’ve run these events together and it took a huge amount of work by a lot of people, not least the wonderful netball community of Tamworth,” she said.
“What we love about the State Masters and Social Masters is that there are games for everyone. Some people want to play for competition, others just want a bit of fun and this caters for both.
“I would like to congratulate all the players, team managers, coaches, staff and volunteers who came from all over NSW to make the weekend very enjoyable for all.
“Tamworth did an amazing job as hosts and it is really special that we get to bring competitions such as these to regional areas.”
Netball NSW would like to thank BING LEE, naming rights partners of the Masters State Titles, for their continued support of netball at all levels.
2019 Winners & Runners Up – Masters State Titles
Over 35s
Winners: Hastings Valley
Runners Up: Gosford
Best & Fairest Player: Kathleen Taminiau (Glen Innes)
Best Fairest Team: Gunnedah
Over 40s
Winners: Wyong District
Runners Up: Glen Innes
Best & Fairest Player: Debbie Elton (Wyong)
Best & Fairest Team: Wyong District & Glen Innes (joint award)
2019 Winners & Runners Up – Social Masters
Over 35s Social
Gold: Lemon Grove Gurus
Silver: Magic Mixture
Bronze: #HereIfYouNeed
Best & Fairest Player: Kim Elliott (Lemon Grove Gurus)
Best Fairest Team: Westport Warriors
Over 40s Social
Gold: Hills Angels
Silver: Hastings 40s
Bronze: Wauchope Warriors
Best & Fairest Player: Linda Gallen (Coonamble Cougars)
Best & Fairest Team: Mussy Unicorns
Over 35s Competitive
Gold: Wollongong Old Beaches
Silver: Dependz
Bronze: LMFAO
Best & Fairest Player: Kelly Pucillo (Wollongong Old Beaches)
Best Fairest Team: Gunnedah
Over 40s Competitive
Gold: Hot Shots
Silver: Miss Match
Bronze: Gunnedah
Best & Fairest Player: Corrina Johnson (Hot Shots)
Best & Fairest Team: Hot Shots