The first of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) new Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft arrived in Canberra today.
The new aircraft, being leased by RAAF, replace the Bombardier CL604 Challengers and provide a larger passenger load, modern communication and increased range and endurance.
Wing Commander Jason Pont, Commanding Officer of 34 Squadron said the Falcon complements RAAF’s larger Boeing 737 Business Jets.
“The Falcon 7X is an advanced business jet designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation,” Wing Commander Pont said.
“The jet has a standard crew of three (pilot, co-pilot and crew attendant) and can carry up to 14 passengers.
“With a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.9 and a range of up to 11,000 km, the aircraft can fly from Canberra to anywhere in the world with only one stop. Its ability to land at almost any airfield provides notable regional and remote airfield accessibility.”
The Falcon features a high-tech wing, an advanced ‘glass cockpit’ with a heads-up display and an infrared enhanced vision system. It also has satellite communications to support Government business while airborne.
The aircraft will be operated by Number 34 Squadron as part of the Special Purpose Aircraft fleet, based at Defence Establishment Fairbairn in the Australian Capital Territory.
The fleet will continue to be maintained by Northrop Grumman.
Bupa Aged Care in Court for alleged misrepresentations about services
The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court alleging Bupa Aged Care Australia Pty Ltd (Bupa) made false or misleading representations to its aged care residents in 21 homes about services it did not provide or only partly provided, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.
Between December 2007 and June 2018, Bupa charged thousands of residents at 21 aged care homes across the country a fee for a package of extra services. The ACCC alleges that it did not provide, or only partly provided, some of these services. The fees for the extra services package often amounted to thousands of dollars each year.
The extra services were set out in residential agreements with residents. Services not provided included:
The extra services were set out in residential agreements with residents. Services not provided included:
- ‘smart room’ systems to assist those living with dementia,
- air-conditioning in all bedrooms,
- covered outdoor exercise areas,
- large talking book libraries,
- tactile and sensory walkways,
- fully equipped physiotherapy rooms,
- separate leisure activity spaces,
- hot breakfasts, and
- travel escorts for outside appointments.
“We allege that Bupa failed to provide or fully provide various extra services promised in residential agreements, but charged for them anyway,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.
“In some cases the alleged misleading representations related to services that were significant to the quality of life of elderly residents. The promised services were likely also what attracted many residents and their families to choose Bupa.”
“Misrepresentations in the aged care sector are particularly concerning, because unlike many other services, it’s often difficult for elderly residents to move to another provider,” Mr Sims said.
“The ACCC continues to tackle consumer issues faced by vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers as an enforcement and compliance priority in 2019, including for consumers such as elderly people with significant healthcare needs.”
Bupa conducted an internal investigation and is offering compensation to affected residents. Residents and their families are encouraged to review the information on Bupa’s compensation program which can be found on Bupa’s website.
The ACCC is seeking injunctions, declarations, pecuniary penalties and other orders.
The ACCC commenced its investigation after Bupa notified it of the conduct. Bupa has not admitted the conduct contravenes the ACL.
Background:
Since 2007 Bupa has operated 78 aged care facilities in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania with over 6,700 residents. The ACCC’s proceedings relate to the following 21 aged care facilities that offered extra services to residents:
- Bankstown, NSW
- Banora Point, NSW
- Berry, NSW
- Dural, NSW
- Mosman, NSW
- Queens Park, NSW
- Sutherland, NSW
- Tamworth, NSW
- Roseville, NSW
- Willoughby, NSW
- Berwick, VIC
- Bonbeach, VIC
- Caulfield, VIC
- Coburg, VIC
- Croydon, VIC
- Donvale, VIC
- Greensborough, VIC
- Glenvale, QLD
- New Farm, QLD
- South Hobart, TAS
- Baulkham Hills, NSW
A full list of the extra services which the ACCC alleges were not provided (or were only provided in part) by Bupa in one or more of the affected facilities is provided below.
List of allegedly affected Bupa aged care homes ( PDF 398.84 KB )
Coles fuel discount undertaking varied
The ACCC has accepted a variation to an undertaking provided by Coles in 2013 relating to its shopper docket fuel discount offers.
The variation to the undertaking will allow Coles to fund shopper docket discounts from outside of Coles Express, as Coles Express will no longer operate as a fuel retailer.
The variation follows Viva Energy’ and Coles’ recently restructured commercial arrangements in relation to Coles Express service stations.
Consumers can continue to redeem Coles’ shopper docket discounts at Coles Express service stations, and petrol discount offers linked to supermarket purchases will remain limited to 4 cents per litre.
In 2013, after an investigation into the escalating shopper docket fuel discount offers, the ACCC accepted undertakings from both Coles and Woolworths to limit the size and scope of fuel discounts linked to supermarket purchases. The Coles undertaking required these discounts to be funded only through Coles Express, which operated as a fuel retailer until the recent restructured arrangements with Viva Energy.
The ACCC recently accepted a similar variation to the Woolworths undertaking following the sale of Woolworths’ service stations to EG Group.
The Coles variation is available on the ACCC’s public register at Coles Group Limited.
Background
In 2012-2013, when supermarket shopper docket fuel discounts of up to 40 cents per litre were on offer, the ACCC investigated whether such large discounts were anti-competitive.
On 6 December 2013, the ACCC accepted court enforceable undertakings from both Woolworths and Coles to limit fuel discounts provided through shopper docket offers.
The variation follows Viva Energy’ and Coles’ recently restructured commercial arrangements in relation to Coles Express service stations.
Consumers can continue to redeem Coles’ shopper docket discounts at Coles Express service stations, and petrol discount offers linked to supermarket purchases will remain limited to 4 cents per litre.
In 2013, after an investigation into the escalating shopper docket fuel discount offers, the ACCC accepted undertakings from both Coles and Woolworths to limit the size and scope of fuel discounts linked to supermarket purchases. The Coles undertaking required these discounts to be funded only through Coles Express, which operated as a fuel retailer until the recent restructured arrangements with Viva Energy.
The ACCC recently accepted a similar variation to the Woolworths undertaking following the sale of Woolworths’ service stations to EG Group.
The Coles variation is available on the ACCC’s public register at Coles Group Limited.
Background
In 2012-2013, when supermarket shopper docket fuel discounts of up to 40 cents per litre were on offer, the ACCC investigated whether such large discounts were anti-competitive.
On 6 December 2013, the ACCC accepted court enforceable undertakings from both Woolworths and Coles to limit fuel discounts provided through shopper docket offers.
Methylamphetamine seizure and OMCG arrest, Gold Coast
Police have today charged a 67-year-old Varsity Lakes man, an associate of the Hells Angels OMCG, with drug offences following the seizure of 12 kilograms of methylamphetamine valued at $1,440,000.
On 11 April 2019, investigators from the Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad (‘MOCS’) and the National Anti-Gangs Squad, Brisbane, comprising members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police, located the significant quantity of drugs following a search of a vehicle intercepted on the Gold Coast.
Detectives intercepted the vehicle at Reedy Creek about 2.30pm. Following the seizure and subsequent search of the vehicle, police located the methylamphetamine concealed within the vehicle. It is believed the drugs had been transported from Sydney.
Police then executed a search warrant at the Gold Coast address of a member of the Hells Angels’ Gold Coast chapter and seized computer equipment.
On Sunday, 14 April, detectives executed a search warrant at a Burleigh Heads address (linked to the driver of the vehicle) and located a large amount of equipment suspected to be used in the production of MDMA, methylamphetamine and cannabis. Detectives also located a stash of firearms, ammunition, a distraction grenade and a large quantity of dangerous drugs including methylamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis plants. Detectives also located paraphernalia from the Hells Angels OMCG, Gold Coast chapter.
Today, the 67-year-old Varsity Lakes man was charged with possessing a schedule one dangerous drug, trafficking in dangerous drugs and possessing things used in the commission of an offence.
He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow (Wednesday 17 April 2019). Further arrests are likely.
“Detectives from the Gold Coast Major Organised Crime Squad will continue to work with our partner agencies to detect cross border organised crime syndicates targeting the Gold Coast Community.
“Together, we will continue to proactively target those involved in the illicit supply and production of dangerous drugs within our community,” Acting Detective Inspector Jacquelyn McLeod said.
AFP Detective A/Superintendent Melissa Northam, National Anti-Gangs Squad, said the AFP will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to tackle organised crime syndicates attempting to bring illicit drugs into our communities.
“Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs should see this arrest as another clear example that no matter what method of importation they attempt to bring these harmful substances into Australia, law enforcement agencies are willing to pursue them and make them face the full force of the law,” she said
On 11 April 2019, investigators from the Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad (‘MOCS’) and the National Anti-Gangs Squad, Brisbane, comprising members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police, located the significant quantity of drugs following a search of a vehicle intercepted on the Gold Coast.
Detectives intercepted the vehicle at Reedy Creek about 2.30pm. Following the seizure and subsequent search of the vehicle, police located the methylamphetamine concealed within the vehicle. It is believed the drugs had been transported from Sydney.
Police then executed a search warrant at the Gold Coast address of a member of the Hells Angels’ Gold Coast chapter and seized computer equipment.
On Sunday, 14 April, detectives executed a search warrant at a Burleigh Heads address (linked to the driver of the vehicle) and located a large amount of equipment suspected to be used in the production of MDMA, methylamphetamine and cannabis. Detectives also located a stash of firearms, ammunition, a distraction grenade and a large quantity of dangerous drugs including methylamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis plants. Detectives also located paraphernalia from the Hells Angels OMCG, Gold Coast chapter.
Today, the 67-year-old Varsity Lakes man was charged with possessing a schedule one dangerous drug, trafficking in dangerous drugs and possessing things used in the commission of an offence.
He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow (Wednesday 17 April 2019). Further arrests are likely.
“Detectives from the Gold Coast Major Organised Crime Squad will continue to work with our partner agencies to detect cross border organised crime syndicates targeting the Gold Coast Community.
“Together, we will continue to proactively target those involved in the illicit supply and production of dangerous drugs within our community,” Acting Detective Inspector Jacquelyn McLeod said.
AFP Detective A/Superintendent Melissa Northam, National Anti-Gangs Squad, said the AFP will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to tackle organised crime syndicates attempting to bring illicit drugs into our communities.
“Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs should see this arrest as another clear example that no matter what method of importation they attempt to bring these harmful substances into Australia, law enforcement agencies are willing to pursue them and make them face the full force of the law,” she said
APRA releases new Enforcement Approach
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released details on the future role and use of enforcement activities in achieving its prudential objectives.
APRA’s new Enforcement Approach, published today, sets out how APRA will approach the use of its enforcement powers to prevent and address serious prudential risks, and to hold entities and individuals to account.
The new Enforcement Approach is founded on the results of its Enforcement Review, which has also been published today. The Review, conducted by APRA Deputy Chair John Lonsdale, made seven recommendations designed to help APRA better leverage its enforcement powers to achieve sound prudential outcomes.
The APRA Members formally commissioned the Enforcement Review last November in response to a range of developments, including the creation of the Banking Executive Accountability Regime, the Prudential Inquiry into Commonwealth Bank of Australia, evidence presented to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, and proposals to give APRA expanded enforcement powers, particularly in superannuation. Mr Lonsdale led the Review, supported by a secretariat within APRA. Mr Lonsdale also utilised an Independent Advisory Panel comprising Dr Robert Austin, ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court and Professor Dimity Kingsford Smith to provide external perspectives and advice.
While APRA’s appetite for taking enforcement action is closely linked to a number of other components of its supervisory approach, the Review was focused on enforcement activity and not APRA’s wider operations.
APRA Chair Wayne Byres said APRA would implement all the recommendations, including:
The new Enforcement Approach is founded on the results of its Enforcement Review, which has also been published today. The Review, conducted by APRA Deputy Chair John Lonsdale, made seven recommendations designed to help APRA better leverage its enforcement powers to achieve sound prudential outcomes.
The APRA Members formally commissioned the Enforcement Review last November in response to a range of developments, including the creation of the Banking Executive Accountability Regime, the Prudential Inquiry into Commonwealth Bank of Australia, evidence presented to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, and proposals to give APRA expanded enforcement powers, particularly in superannuation. Mr Lonsdale led the Review, supported by a secretariat within APRA. Mr Lonsdale also utilised an Independent Advisory Panel comprising Dr Robert Austin, ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court and Professor Dimity Kingsford Smith to provide external perspectives and advice.
While APRA’s appetite for taking enforcement action is closely linked to a number of other components of its supervisory approach, the Review was focused on enforcement activity and not APRA’s wider operations.
APRA Chair Wayne Byres said APRA would implement all the recommendations, including:
- adopting a “constructively tough” appetite to enforcement and setting it out in a board-endorsed enforcement strategy document;
- ensuring APRA supervisors are supported and empowered to hold institutions and individuals to account, and strengthening governance of enforcement-related decisions;
- combining APRA’s enforcement, investigation and legal experts in one strengthened support team, and ensuring resources are available to support the pursuit of enforcement action where appropriate; and
- strengthening cooperation on enforcement matters with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Mr Lonsdale said the Review found APRA had, on the whole, performed well in its primary role of protecting the soundness and stability of institutions. But he said APRA could achieve better outcomes in the future by taking stronger action earlier where entities were not cooperative or open, and by being more willing to set public examples.
“APRA’s strong focus on financial risk has ensured the ongoing stability of Australia’s financial system, even during periods of financial and market stress, and protected the interests of bank depositors, insurance policyholders and superannuation members. But to remain effective, we must continue to evolve and improve, especially in response to the ways in which non-financial risks, such as culture, can impact on prudential outcomes.
“The recommendations of the Review will still mean that APRA as a safety regulator remains focused on preventing harm with the use of non-formal supervisory tools. However, APRA will be more willing to use the full range of its formal powers – such as direction powers and licence conditions – to achieve prudential outcomes and deter unacceptable practices,” Mr Lonsdale said.
Mr Byres thanked Mr Lonsdale and the APRA Review team for delivering a valuable piece of work that would sharpen APRA’s ability to hold entities and their leaders to account. He said enforcement activity is not intended to be a separate or stand-alone function, but rather a set of tools that APRA supervisors would use more actively, particularly in the case of uncooperative institutions. (See Figure 1)
“Having joined APRA only last October, John brought a fresh set of eyes to the task of examining APRA’s historical approach to enforcement. The Review acknowledges that as a supervision-led prudential regulator, APRA’s primary focus will always be on resolving issues before they cause problems for depositors, insurance policyholders and superannuation members, rather than relying on backward-looking actions after harm has occurred. In most cases, we will continue to achieve this through non-formal tools.
“However, formal enforcement is an important weapon in our armoury when non-formal approaches are not delivering prudential outcomes. Particularly as our powers have recently been strengthened in a number of areas, the new Enforcement Approach will ensure we make use of those powers as the Parliament intended. That means that in future, APRA will be less patient with the time taken by uncooperative entities to remediate issues, more forceful in expressing specific expectations, and prepared to set examples using public enforcement to achieve general deterrence.
“With the release of APRA’s revised Enforcement Approach today, the new enforcement appetite comes into effect immediately,” Mr Byres said.
Mr Byres indicated support for the recommendations on legislative change, and that these would be referred to the Government for its consideration. He also welcomed the recent passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No 1) Bill 2019 as a useful complement to APRA’s renewed enforcement appetite.
The Panel, led by Graeme Samuel, currently undertaking a Capability Review of APRA will take into account APRA’s new Enforcement Approach in its work.
The Final Report of the Review and APRA’s Enforcement Approach are available on APRA’s website at: https://www.apra.gov.au/enforcement.
BMX rider/cyclist receives sanction
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision of BMX Australia and Cycling Australia to impose a four-year ban on athlete Matthew Juster for the presence and use of prohibited substances.
Mr Juster returned an Adverse Analytical Finding from an Out-of-Competition Doping Control Test on 18 September 2017.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Exogenous Testosterone, Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol.
Mr Juster used a Prohibited Substance, namely Testosterone, on and/or before 18 September 2017.
Under category S1 of the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2017, Exogenous Testosterone, Androsterone, Etiocholanolone, and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol are anabolic agents prohibited both in-and out-of-competition.
Anabolic agents pose many threats to an athlete’s health and some side effects may include an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Liver disease and infertility can also result from the use of these agents.
Mr Juster is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 December 2021. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-Signatory event organisation.
ASADA is committed to protecting the rights of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the ASADA website: www.asada.gov.au/report-doping or call us on 13 000 27232.
ASADA recommends you check all your substances before you take them on the ASADA Clean Sport app. For more information visit: ASADA tech.
Mr Juster returned an Adverse Analytical Finding from an Out-of-Competition Doping Control Test on 18 September 2017.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Exogenous Testosterone, Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol.
Mr Juster used a Prohibited Substance, namely Testosterone, on and/or before 18 September 2017.
Under category S1 of the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2017, Exogenous Testosterone, Androsterone, Etiocholanolone, and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol are anabolic agents prohibited both in-and out-of-competition.
Anabolic agents pose many threats to an athlete’s health and some side effects may include an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Liver disease and infertility can also result from the use of these agents.
Mr Juster is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 December 2021. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-Signatory event organisation.
ASADA is committed to protecting the rights of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the ASADA website: www.asada.gov.au/report-doping or call us on 13 000 27232.
ASADA recommends you check all your substances before you take them on the ASADA Clean Sport app. For more information visit: ASADA tech.
LABOR $125 MILLION CANCER RESEARCH BOOST
A Shorten Labor Government will invest $125 million in a fund to fight cancer – giving our world-class researchers additional resources in their search for a cure.
One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer– that’s 150,000 who will be given the news that they will have to fight cancer, every year.
That’s why Labor will provide more investment in critical funding for our researchers – an additional $125 million towards the fight for a cure, over and above existing resources such as the MRFF and NHMRC.
As a part of this commitment, Labor will invest $20 million towards pancreatic cancer research.
Pancreatic cancer will be Australia’s second biggest cancer killer in five years – killing almost as many people each year as breast cancer.
Sadly, the five year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is less than ten per cent.
There are no clear symptoms and no early detection tests, and pancreatic cancer is resistant to conventional treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Labor’s funding injection will mean the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation can implement a comprehensive Pancreatic Cancer Medical Research Strategy to develop ways of detecting pancreatic cancer earlier and understand why the cancer is resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
This funding will also allow researchers to look at new treatments for pancreatic cancer to improve the survival rate and unravel the tragic mysteries of this cancer.
This investment is a part of Labor’s Medicare Cancer Plan – our plan to support Australians battling cancer and cut their out-of-pocket costs. Every Australian deserves quality health care when and where they need it – your bank balance or your postcode should not be barriers to whether you get access to the best health care. Unfortunately under the Liberals’ savage cuts to Medicare, out-of-pocket costs have increased across the board for GP consultations, specialist consultations and critical cancer procedures.
Scott Morrison has cut $3 billion from the pockets of patients with his Medicare freeze and $715 million from public hospitals – locking in further cuts until 2025. Labor will reverse the Liberals’ cuts to health, address rising out-of-pocket costs, fund the best cancer care and provide more support for our world-class researchers to step up the fight against cancer.
Council update Tuesday 16 April 2019
Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 16 April 2019. NB: it not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported to commit to continue working collaboratively with the re-elected NSW Government but note with disappointment its decision to abolish the position of Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council voted to receive the executive monthly performance report for March 2019.
Exhibition of Code of Meeting Practice
Council deferred this motion to seek further information regarding the status of the role of the recently abolished Office of Local Government (OLG), which was until recently the Office responsible for the Administration of the Local Government Act.
41 and 47 Throsby St, Wickham, Endorsement of Amendment to Newcastle LEP 2012 and proposed planning agreement
Council deferred this motion until a public briefing is held on the proposal, the public benefit and principles of value capture.
Exhibition of amendments to Draft S7.12 Newcastle Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019
Council voted to place the draft Section 7.12 Newcastle Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019 on public exhibition for 28 days and noted that a workshop be held with the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation on plans for the Proposed Honeysuckle Public Domain Plan.
Adoption of Live Music Strategy 2019-2023
Council adopted the Live Music Strategy 2019-2023. Consideration will now be given for the creation of an entertainment precinct in the City to achieve the aims within the plan.
Public Exhibition of the 2019/10 Our Budget (Operational Plan and Delivery Program)
Council resolved to place the draft 2019/20 City budget on public exhibition for at least 28 days prior to final consideration by Council.
Robey Street, Merewether – Proposed one-way and parking restrictions
Council approved proposed parking restrictions and one-way traffic signage on Robey Street, Merewether.
Adoption of Library Strategy 2019-2029
Council adopted The Library Strategy 2019-2029.
Newcastle BIA Review – Stage 2 – Public exhibition
Council resolved to place the Business Improvement Associations in Newcastle Implementation Report on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.
Notices of Motion
Local planning matters
A Notice of Motion was supported to oppose the mandatory introduction of an Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel for Newcastle, with Council affirming its and Council officers’ right to decide on proposals not subject to determination by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel or the Minister for Planning.
Shifting the City of Newcastle to 100 per cent renewable energy
An amended NOM to continue the review of the City’s 2020 Carbon and Water Management Action Plan, and to assess the costs, feasibility and social impacts of deriving 100 per cent of the electricity used across Council’s operations from renewable sources, was supported.
Green roofs, green walls and living buildings
A NOM to develop a policy to support an increase in the installation of green roofs, green walls and living building features, such as walls and roofs, was supported.
Clean Seas Seabin initiative
A NOM to explore partnerships to establish a plastic and rubbish removal initiative in Newcastle Harbour and Throsby Creek was supported.
Tender report – 12 Stewart Avenue office fit-out
Councillors awarded the tender for the $8.2 million fit out of the City of Newcastle’s new offices at 12 Stewart Avenue to Graphite Projects Pty Ltd and councillors also noted a reimbursement of $372,256.50 from the building owner which will offset the contract by an equivalent amount bringing the cost of the fit-out to $7.86 million.
Newcastle dentist’s lost WW1 letters revealed
A book about the World War One experiences of Newcastle dentist Ben Champion, who returned from Europe an amputee, will be launched at Newcastle Library on Tuesday 30 April.
Ben and his Mates The war diaries, letters and photographs of Lieutenant Ben Champion 1st AIF, 1915 – 1920 is a comprehensive and moving wartime account of the adopted Novocastrian, who wrote devotedly to his sweetheart Francis Julia Niland (Frank) from Tarro.
Written by his granddaughter Penny Ferguson, it includes Champion’s diary entries, letters and photographs documenting his time in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) 7th Reinforcements of the 1st Battalion.
“We are honoured to launch this book at Newcastle Library to add to the local history of World One,” City Manager of Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“It’s difficult today to even imagine the carnage that Dr Champion witnessed in Gallipoli and the Western Front, so it’s edifying to be able to reflect on it all through the eyes of someone who was there in Egypt, in Gallipoli, at Pozieres and the Somme.”
When he returned from the war, the Sydney-born Champion studied dentistry at Sydney University, despite having his leg amputated following a severe shrapnel injury on the Western front (read below extract), before moving to Newcastle in 1924 to set up practice in the AMP Building on Hunter Street.
He’s still remembered today by patients he helped over 50 years and is also well known as an avid historian who recorded Newcastle’s early history.
Still referenced today, Champion’s collections are held at the Newcastle Library and the University of Newcastle.
Ferguson’s book contains invaluable social commentary of the war and subsequent years as veterans returned home and assimilated back into society.
She hopes it will help preserve Australia’s wartime heritage, as readers experience the enormity and insanity of World War One through the voice of an 18-year-old soldier.
Left: Ben Champion
“The book is different to many books written on WW1,” Ferguson said. “The story is written in the first person by a young, middle-class boy brought up in a close-knit family.
“It references life and attitudes of the time, his relationships with his peers, his experiences as he embarks to Egypt, life in the trenches and then life back home, learning to assimilate back into society.
“Ben also wrote about the seasons, the songs they were singing and the books he was reading in the trenches.”
Ben’s great granddaughter Claudia Liebenberg and granddaughter Penny Ferguson with a copy of Ben and His Mates
Diary extract from the day Champion’s leg was amputated:
15.4.18
At 4pm on this day I finished my Cooks tour of the war.
Stobo and I were looking around seeing out platoons were comfortable. We had been resting around the hedges of Pradelles all the morning which were occasionally being shelled when I was hit on the left leg at the shin and knocked over and turned me the other way… Four stretcher bearers took me at once to Borre dressing station and an ambulance from there took me immediately to Ebbingham, the orderly watching the tourniquet on my thigh all the time. The only thing I remember is an argument between chaps as to which station owned the tourniquet on my leg and I ventured to hope they would not take it away while I was needing it. I was operated on and in bed at 6pm. My next waking thoughts were in the clearing station ward, where I found out that my leg had been amputated.
The book will be launched at Newcastle Library on Tuesday 30 April at 10.30am.
Claudia Liebenberg, Penny Ferguson’s daughter, can be contacted on 0405 766 875 or ckliebenberg@gmail.com
Ben and his Mates The war diaries, letters and photographs of Lieutenant Ben Champion 1st AIF, 1915 – 1920 is a comprehensive and moving wartime account of the adopted Novocastrian, who wrote devotedly to his sweetheart Francis Julia Niland (Frank) from Tarro.
Written by his granddaughter Penny Ferguson, it includes Champion’s diary entries, letters and photographs documenting his time in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) 7th Reinforcements of the 1st Battalion.
“We are honoured to launch this book at Newcastle Library to add to the local history of World One,” City Manager of Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.“It’s difficult today to even imagine the carnage that Dr Champion witnessed in Gallipoli and the Western Front, so it’s edifying to be able to reflect on it all through the eyes of someone who was there in Egypt, in Gallipoli, at Pozieres and the Somme.”
When he returned from the war, the Sydney-born Champion studied dentistry at Sydney University, despite having his leg amputated following a severe shrapnel injury on the Western front (read below extract), before moving to Newcastle in 1924 to set up practice in the AMP Building on Hunter Street.
He’s still remembered today by patients he helped over 50 years and is also well known as an avid historian who recorded Newcastle’s early history.
Still referenced today, Champion’s collections are held at the Newcastle Library and the University of Newcastle.
Ferguson’s book contains invaluable social commentary of the war and subsequent years as veterans returned home and assimilated back into society.
She hopes it will help preserve Australia’s wartime heritage, as readers experience the enormity and insanity of World War One through the voice of an 18-year-old soldier.
Left: Ben Champion
“The book is different to many books written on WW1,” Ferguson said. “The story is written in the first person by a young, middle-class boy brought up in a close-knit family.
“It references life and attitudes of the time, his relationships with his peers, his experiences as he embarks to Egypt, life in the trenches and then life back home, learning to assimilate back into society.
“Ben also wrote about the seasons, the songs they were singing and the books he was reading in the trenches.”
Ben’s great granddaughter Claudia Liebenberg and granddaughter Penny Ferguson with a copy of Ben and His Mates Diary extract from the day Champion’s leg was amputated:
15.4.18
At 4pm on this day I finished my Cooks tour of the war.
Stobo and I were looking around seeing out platoons were comfortable. We had been resting around the hedges of Pradelles all the morning which were occasionally being shelled when I was hit on the left leg at the shin and knocked over and turned me the other way… Four stretcher bearers took me at once to Borre dressing station and an ambulance from there took me immediately to Ebbingham, the orderly watching the tourniquet on my thigh all the time. The only thing I remember is an argument between chaps as to which station owned the tourniquet on my leg and I ventured to hope they would not take it away while I was needing it. I was operated on and in bed at 6pm. My next waking thoughts were in the clearing station ward, where I found out that my leg had been amputated.
The book will be launched at Newcastle Library on Tuesday 30 April at 10.30am.
Claudia Liebenberg, Penny Ferguson’s daughter, can be contacted on 0405 766 875 or ckliebenberg@gmail.com
$50K to Support Young Carers and Their Families
Today Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher and the Liberal Candidate for Macnamara Kate Ashmor announced that the Liberal National Government would provide $50,000 to Little Dreamers, an organisation that supports young carers and their families.
The additional funding will help the organisation run the Little Dreamers School Holiday Program, which facilitates activities for Young Carers centred around science, arts and crafts, animal, mindfulness, games and socialisation over the holiday period.
Mr Fletcher said that the funding aims to build community cohesion.
“Spectrum Journeys is a vibrant community organisation that has received local and national recognition. The funding will assist the organisation to provide young carers in Victoria and NSW to come together and connect with other young people in similar situations,” Mr Fletcher said.
The Liberal Candidate for Macnamara, Kate Ashmor, said that the funding will support vulnerable youth who carry the extra-burden of being a Young Carer.
“This additional funding will help support close to 300 Young Carers across Victoria and NSW”, said Ms Ashmor.
“Over the past eight months alone, Little Dreamers has supported over 2000 Young Carers”
“The work of Little Dreamers is so important for Young Carers and it makes them feel acknowledged.”
Mr Fletcher said that Ms Ashmor was a terrific advocate on behalf of her community and had successfully made the case for funding to the Government.