| Supporting our Olympians: Merewether High School teachers and students dressed up to celebrate Green and Gold Day on Friday to show their support for Australian athletes competing at the Paris Olympics. The school has been closely following the men's water polo with former student Nathan Power captaining the Australian team. English teacher at the school Olivia Gollan (pictured centre front) competed in road cycling at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Image credit: ABC News/Laurise Dickson
Search continues for missing woman: The family of a Muswellbrook woman who was last seen more than two decades ago has appealed for public information during Missing Persons Week. Janine Vaughan went missing in Bathurst in 2001 and she was captured on CCTV leaving a nightclub and getting into a car. Her family delivered thousands of flyers to homes and businesses in Bathurst last week as part of National Missing Persons Week. Ms Vaughan's sister Kylie Spelde says she hopes it will reignite public interest in the case.
Calls for more ED staff: The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association says union members are concerned about staffing levels at the Calvary Mater hospital emergency department in Newcastle. The union has launched a petition urging the New South Wales government to implement staffing ratios for the hospital's ED, adding ratios need to be rolled out across all hospitals. State Health Minister Ryan Park says a task force has been established to oversee safe staffing levels in hospitals, including at the Calvary Mater Newcastle.
Mayor opposes shark nets: Shark nets are barbaric and there should be a focus on other preventative tools, Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says. The New South Wales government has announced it will consider giving councils the choice about whether they use shark nets in their areas. It's also confirmed 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong will have their shark nets removed in March rather than April to help protect migrating turtles. The nets are usually put in place between September and April each year. The mayor says the council doesn't have an official position yet but she'd like to see them removed.
Housing project rejected: A Minmi resident says he's "overjoyed" a proposed housing development slated for the region has been rejected. The Department of Planning has approved a Newcastle City Council request to stop the 180-lot development at Minmi Road. It follows concerns raised by the Environment Protection Authority around possible odours, gases and air emissions generated from the nearby Summerhill tip. Local resident and conservationist Brian Purdue says he hopes it'll mark the end of a two-decade-long battle.
Former councillor enters mayoral race: Former Port Stephens councillor Paul Le Mottee has decided to run for mayor in the September local government elections. Mr Le Mottee says his main objective is to change the Port Stephens Council from what he claims is heavily contributing to the housing crisis in Port Stephens to being part of the solution. Mr Le Mottee operates his own business and previously served as a Port Stephens councillor between 2012 and 2021. Current Mayor Ryan Palmer won't contest the next election.
Jets advance in Australia Cup: The Newcastle Jets are through to the Round of 16 in the Australia Cup after a 2-1 win over Rockdale Ilinden FC. In the game last week the Jets took an early lead with a goal to Justin Vidic before Rockdale scored an equaliser 30 minutes in. A second goal from Vidic resulted in the Jets taking a one-goal lead into half-time, which they retained for the remainder of the game.
Win for Knights in NRLW: Defending premiers the Newcastle Knights defeated the Raiders 26-20 in Canberra at the weekend. A penalty try to Tamika Upton sealed the win. It's back-to-back wins for the Knights heading into round three this weekend against the Dragons at Hunter Stadium. The match will be a double header with the men taking on the West Tigers, followed by the women's match. It's expected to be a sold-out crowd. | 