THE dismissal of the Whitlam Government in November 1975 highlighted the fragility of our parliamentary and constitutional system and the danger that, if the various constitutional norms that protect that system are ignored, the democratic system itself can be weakened. The real villains in the whole affair were two State Premiers who went against a […]
DEAR News Of The Area, THE October 2025 Council meeting officially concluded the first 12 months of the current term of office for Port Macquarie-Hastings Councillors. At the meeting a new Deputy Mayor was selected to take over from Lauren Edwards, who had completed her 12-month appointment to the role. I would like to pause […]
DEAR News Of The Area, THE Nationals have rejected ‘Net Zero’, the policy they signed up to when Barnaby Joyce was their leader. Net Zero has become a totemic symbol, a two-word slogan the Nationals hate. But Net Zero is much more than a slogan – it’s an ambitious investment, energy, jobs, industry and environment […]
DEAR Jasminda, I’VE started going to a gym and there’s a man there that leaves various personal items on the equipment I want to use. His drink bottle is on one, his towel is on another and then he leaves his backpack on a third machine. What is the gym etiquette around this? I only […]
JACK passed away in November 2023. He appointed his two sons as executors of his estate. Jack was also survived by a daughter and his estate is to be equally divided between his three children. Despite the expiry of 18 months after Jack’s death, his daughter is concerned that no steps have been taken to […]
DEAR News Of The Area, MOST local residents would be aware that the scenic beauty of the Pilot Beach car park is deteriorating rapidly. The horsetail casuarinas that have long provided shade for picnickers and habitat for an abundance of bird life are either dead or dying. The history of these beautiful trees is a […]
HARRY makes a will, leaving 50 percent of his estate to his eldest son, Steven. His other son, Robert receives just 15 percent and the rest of the estate is to be distributed amongst other family members and friends. When Harry passes away three years later, his estate is valued at $3 million. After Harry’s […]
The Pearly Gates and the Desert Island are two of the most symbolic settings in the cartoon world.
The Pearly Gates and the Desert Island are two of the most symbolic settings in the cartoon world. The Pearly Gates and the Desert Island are two of the most symbolic settings in the cartoon world. YOU would think that after decades, cartoonists would have wrung out every last drop of humour from two of […]
DEAR Jasminda, I was recently being led to my medical appointment by a young intern when I accidentally broke wind. It was loud and it was pretty clear that I was the culprit. I am in my mid-fifties. I was mortified. Should I have said something to him? Brook S. Dear Brook, First of all, […]
